A Gilded Weekend in Newport

I pulled out all of the stops for Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball

Staying in style

Since I have never needed to stay at a hotel in Newport before, I wanted to pick the perfect place.

Earlier this fall, Jess Kirby of Prosecco & Plaid wrote a blog post on her trip to Camden, Maine and she mentioned how she stayed at the Whitehall Inn. I remembered that she had tagged Lark Hotels on one of her Instagram photos from the trip. A few link clicks later, I found out that the hotel group has properties in New England and California, including Gilded in Newport.

A stylish boutique hotel style steps away from Bellevue Avenue fit exactly what I had in mind—it didn't take me long to book my hotel room.

The room I stayed in was located on the first floor by the front desk. I was concerned that I might hear everything and everyone, but it was great—I loved how the smell of freshly baked pastries woke me up in the morning.

Quick Change

I decided to buy different shoes and accessories to go with my dress because I was afraid of being underdressed. I went back to Wish Consignment and bought heels, earrings and a necklace, all of which fortuitously happen to be J. Crew.

Do it up

I ran to Apothecary Newport for a much-needed brow design before making my way to JF3 Salon for my updo. The jewelry I bought at Wish made me second-guess myself about whether I should 1) wear both the necklace and the earrings and 2) style my hair all the way up or half up, half down...

So this is the end result.

Party time

The evening kicked off with a special reception for alumni, parents and friends in McAuley Hall. Everyone enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres sponsored by local restaurants and vendors before Ochre Court opened for the ball.  When we arrived, I didn't realize that alumni were seated on the second floor of Ochre Court overlooking the Great Hall—it was a glamorous perch for sipping champagne and people watching.

I'm slightly surprised that I didn't take any photos throughout the night, but I'm happier to have spent a distraction-free evening chatting with friends and alumni. Governor's Ball is now my new holiday tradition that I hope to share with everyone who wants to spend a wonderful winter weekend in Newport.

Until then...

Celebrate the Holidays at Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball

With less than forty days away from the university's annual winter ball, it's time to get your tickets for the most beautiful holiday party in Newport, Rhode Island. 

The Governor's Ball is a beautiful evening for Salve alumni, parents and friends of the university, but there's more to the holiday cheer—tickets and sponsorships support scholarships to help students attend Salve. Providing students financial aid makes a difference so that they may attend Salve to learn, grow and flourish into becoming the best person they can be.

I am happy to be a lucky alumna of Salve Regina University—I graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in English Communications and a minor in Global Business. It was four years of playing hard and working harder in a New England paradise. 

Attending Salve, as well as working and living in Newport, introduced me to an amazing network of individuals who I am grateful to know as friends and colleagues. It's hard to imagine what my life would look like today without the support and encouragement from my Newport family—whenever personal and professional challenges present themselves, I know who and where I can seek comfort and counsel from. 

I hope that Salve Regina University may continue to positively impact its students to help shape a more "just and merciful" life now and in the future.

I am proud to be a part of the 2016 Alumni/Parent Committee for the 40th Annual Governor's Ball and look forward to seeing familiar faces at Ochre Court! If you didn't receive an invitation, you can register online. 

There are special hotel deals available for those visiting out-of-town for Governor's Ball—call the alumni office for more information on what those deals are or regarding any other questions you may have. 

Fishers Island Lemonade, the Next-Level Hard Lemonade

Your summer nights and weekend brunches will never be the same.

I first heard of Fishers Island Lemonade when I was reading an issue of Report from Newport, Salve Regina University's magazine. I didn't pay attention to the mention of whiskey or the phrase "cocktail in a can"—a recent graduate, I was more focused on the inspiring success story of an alumnae's business venture.

I finally tried the Fishers Island earlier this summer—it wasn't until I had a few sips that I truly understood how serious this lemonade is. 

...

Take a good look at the picture and read the can.

100% Spiked. 9.0% ALC/VOL. VODKA AND WHISKEY.

Fishers Island does not play around—it's no wonder that Town & Country gave it a nod as one of the best drinks of the summer. This is truly a full-bodied, refreshing cocktail in a can. 

When life gives you Fishers Island Lemonade, you better be lounging in the comfort of a lawn chair or waterfront bar with no plans to drive.

Find of the Week | 29

I went to yard sale on Saturday that Salve Regina University was holding to support the Office of Community Service. I didn't think I was going to find a Chanel sweater for $2.00.

Regardless of whether or not it's real, it's still a good story and the sweater is still cute. 

I feel like I have been shopping a lot recently, but I keep forgetting to post my finds. I don't think any of my other recent purchases are as remarkable as this sweater, this basically takes the cake... 

2015 French Film Festival at Salve Regina University

Bonne anniversaire to the French Film Festival, which is celebrating its tenth year in Newport!

I did miss the festival last year, but I went the year before in 2013 for a class and loved it. My goal for this year's festival is to watch all of the films... we'll see how that goes.

The festival kicks off on Sunday, March 15 and will run through Thursday, March 26. For opening night, there will be a reception and free wine tasting in McAuley Hall before the first film screening. 

All films will be screened in Bazarsky Lecture Hall at O'Hare Academic Center:

Sunday, March 15 at 7pm

Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm

Wednesday, March 18 at 7pm

Sunday, March 22 at 2pm

Monday, March 27 at 7pm

Tuesday, March 24 at 7pm

Thursday, March 26 at 7pm 

To learn more information and to reserve tickets in advance, visit the University's website. 

Epiphany at Ochre Court

Sometimes I have to remind myself that it's extraordinary to work at a university campus where the administrative buildings are Gilded Age mansions.  

Ochre Court is the main administrative building at Salve Regina University. Built in 1892, the mansion was commissioned by Ogden Goelet and designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the same architect also responsible for The Breakers, Belcourt Castle, and Marble House. 

In 1947, the Goelet family gave Ochre Court to the Sisters of Mercy to start Salve Regina. 

When I was in Ochre Court the other day, I passed by the breakfast room heading to the parking lot. I don't know if it was because of the way to light danced across the floor or if it was because of how golden the ceiling looked, but I had to stop and take a few pictures.

As an alumna, I've sat, socialized, networked and presented this beautiful room for years. Now, as a university staff member, I've found a new appreciation for living and working in Newport--there's nothing else like it. 

Senior Week in Snapshots

It's Day 2 of being a Salve Regina University alumna and I still don't know how I feel about it. Fifteen days ago, I couldn't wait to finish writing my thesis. In some weird way, I almost miss agonizing over it, because writing a 30-page paper was one of my few worries in life...

Spending time with all of my friends during Senior Week was the perfect way to end our four-year journey in Newport, Rhode Island.  After sorting through all of the photos taken from Senior Week, it only makes sense to let the moments speak for themselves...

I still can't believe it's actually over.

Senior Week, Day 1: Mohegan Sun The Beach

Instead of going on the class trip to Mohegan Sun, Rowan, Alexandra, and I went to the beach. We're not really gamblers, so it was definitely worth it.

Senior Week, Day 2: Dockside

Everyone went to Dockside downtown. I was pretty happy wearing this dress with the black boots I bought in Paris. It's too bad that all of pictures I took turned out blurry...

Senior Week, Day 3: Clambake at Ochre Court

The novelty of eating lobster never gets old... It doesn't get more fun than spilling the containers of butter across the table.

From Left: Steph, me, Rowan, Alexandra and Aly

These girls are everything. Love them all to the moon and back. 

Senior Week, Day 4: Commencement Ball

The Commencement Ball is basically like Senior Prom all over again. You'll see what I mean.

...Except you weren't allowed to drink at Senior Prom...

Senior Week, Day 5: Cocktail Party

After a long week of shameless drinking and eating--especially eating, though--I was afraid that I wasn't going to fit into this dress. To wear this dress, you have be zipped in from the back and the front. 

Pell Honors Program Scholars: Not all of them are pictured, but these are the people that I knew the most throughout my four years. We lived in the same housing as underclassmen, we took the same core curriculum courses, we went to Oxford, England... An amazing, unforgettable group of individuals I will miss seeing around campus.

The Alumni Affairs gave the fundraising officers for the Class of 2014 one of these awesome tiles. I can't wait to bring this to my office.

A last look at Ochre Court before graduation weekend

Alumna

I graduated from Salve Regina University on Sunday!

I am infinitely grateful to my friends, family, Ryan, my brothers, and my parents for the love and support to make this journey possible.

There's a lot to cover between Senior Week and Commencement itself--I didn't quite keep up with it on the blog--but I hope to make up for it throughout the next couple days.