First Ugly Betty, now Gossip Girl…that’s rights yet another tv taping disrupts the lives of New Yorkers, and by New Yorkers I mean me.  As I set out for the Gates for the Children Matter event benefiting the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer, I double check my additional appendage known as my blackberry.  There it is:  “Location has been changed to Honey due to filming of Gossip Girl.”  A change in location couldn’t spoil the good times though thanks to the lovely Laureen who organized the event (pictured below on right).

Good thing PETA wasn’t there because the fur was:

But its always a good thing when Judith Ripka is. ..

This ring looks like a good size…

Some of us drink in the name of charity, some of us shop and then there are those who run in the name of charity.  While I have perfected the former two, I will leave the latter to Kristina Piccarretto(pictured below) who will be participating in the NYC Marathon on behalf of the Aubrey Fund.

The only place I’ll be running right now is  the Gates.  Chuck Bass is waiting for me…

You know you love me, xoxo

Charity happenings Girl

Ugly Betty had once again taken over my neighborhood.  As much as I enjoy the devious behavior of Wihlemina Slater, I could do without the filming in the middle of the nite which inevitably leads to car alarms, dogs barking, and an odd craft service odor.  I recognize this is a problem unique to New York.  So what is a New Yorker to do? Leave, especially if its 95 degrees with 100% humidity and your hair has turned into something more closely resembling a Chia Pet than its previously John Barrett created state.

I returned to Newport for the event of the season, the Newport Preservation Society  Ball.  This year’s event honored the great sport and tradition of coaching.  With so many beautiful equines I definitely felt at home.  Hurricane Bill certainly added to the setting as the bigger than average swells crashed in the background of the stunning Breakers mansion, a truly magical place.

In the spirit of Newport I channeled my inner 1920’s glamour girl with a vintage polka dot dress and a lot of help from the Frank Antonio Salon.  By help I clearly mean that they did all the work while I sat with a glass of wine.  Look for Frank’s work on the upcoming Sex and the City sequel.  I wasn’t the only one working some serious polka dots…

Talk about taking runway to realway (well as real as a party in a beautiful mansion is).  This look from Ralph Lauren’s 40th anniversary collection really blew me away.  I saw this look come down the runway but was thrilled to see someone wear it and wear it well.  Besides, I can never resist a fabulous hat.

Then there were the feathers

And some more feathers…

This lovely couple ,who lovingly referred to themselves as Asian Barbie and Ken, flew in from Hong Kong just for this special evening.

From one Barbie to another, you guys are always welcome at my dream house for cocktails.   After all I always respect those who go to great lengths for a great party.

The jackets came off and the dancing began.  There was twirling, there was spinning, and yes there was  dipping.  This might explain the loss of the car keys.  The flowing champagne might explain the loss of the actual car.  What was a girl to do without a coach to call her own?  Channel her inner New Yorker and grab a taxi of course.  I got in and closed my eyes…I could almost hear the hoof beats.

XX

Devon

Your Charity Happenings Hostess

Some say charity starts at home.  So I decided to reinterpret that expression and spend my Thursday evening at my home away from home, Lilly Pulitzer, for the Shop and Share event benefiting www.dosomething.org.  There was shopping, there were men in kelly green pants (my dad will want to borrow these, look for his email), and of course there were cocktails.   This may explain why there are also several pictures of me posed with the male mannequins besides their obvious good fashion sense and inability to speak.

The aptly named “Seersucker” was the beverage of choice for the evening made by the great bartenders from Death and Co, who embraced their inner preppy by rocking some serious seersucker of their own.  Tatoos and bowties… now there is a contradiction I can embrace. Speaking of good fashion sense:

I always have respect for a girl who can pull off harem pants.  I have tried this look and I don’t want to talk about it (cue serious background music from E! True Hollywood Story)

Of course there were also these lovely ladies looking fabulous in their Lilly!

Shoppers left the party with fabulous accoutrements to complete their summer and start their fall.  And as for me?  Well I left with a great Lilly Pulizer cocktail shaker…after all a mannequin can’t fix the perfect martini.

xx

Devon

Your hostess

Would love to hear from you all, email me at devon@charityhappenings.org

After getting on the 6 train on a hot, sticky Thursday morning I quickly came to the conclusion that I was one of few people who had decided to wear deodorant.  Then there was the mariachi band.  This clearly meant one thing: time to escape good ole Manhattan for some much cooler, fresher air in Newport.  Luckily my weekend escape coincided with the 2009 International Polo Charity Ball supporting the Opera House Theatre Restoration.  I love a theme party and the ball did not disappoint with the Taj Ma Ball honoring the visiting Indian Polo Team.

There was dinner, there was dancing, and oh yes an auction.  After three vodka tonics (the drink choice of many for the evening)  I will most likely bid on anything.  I browsed the items very carefully and asked myself a very important question: Do I need a framed picture of a handsome polo player ? Um well…yes.

My truly coveted auction choice: a VIP trip to the Kentucky Derby.  I am always looking for an excuse to wear an over-sized hat and drink mint juleps.  A day ending in y will no longer suffice and my apartment not really an appropriate setting.  Shockingly my $100 bid was quickly outmatched.  For the person who did win, I only have one thing to say: Bring me, pretty please!!

The wonderful guests certainly out shined the rainy weather for the evening.  My favorite look of the evening: the lovely Agnes Keating pictured with Dan Keating

There were so many lovely couples including this stunning duo (Sheetal and Shakti you have competition on the most beautiful Indian couple front).

Gorgeous people, gorgeous setting and whatever this yummy dessert was:

What else could a girl want?  Perhaps a worldwide ban on mariachi bands.

XX

Devon

Your Charity Happenings Hostess

Ok so there weren’t any tigers or bears but there were sea lions at the 25th Annual Summertime Party at the Central Park Zoo.  Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the over 1000 young professionals who attended this great event benefiting the New York chapter of the National MS Society.   With food and drink from some of the best spots in the city including Katz’s which earned cinematic fame in When Harry Met Sally, Stand (home to the best burgers and shakes in Union Square), Ditch Plains, and many more.  Of course a cocktail party wouldn’t be complete without the cocktails!  White dress be damned I reached for a pomegranate margarita and sipped very carefully.   After satisfying my margarita quotien for the evening I immediately grabbed my best friend and headed for my own pastrami on rye with a cold blue moon…I was in heaven!  Our attention soon turned to the main event: the sea lion show.  They were adorable…the only thing cuter was this guy (call me!):

What night would be complete without having a cartoon likeness done of you and your best friend.  Sitting for our artistic likeness I couldn’t help feeling like Kate Winslet in Titanic only not at all.

Please compare to the real thing below. You be the judge:

All in all a wonderful evening! Don’t forget to tag yourself in all of our great photos. Join us tomorrow nite at the first benefit concert for The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation at Le Poisson Rouge.  See you there…

XX

The Charity Happenings Hostess

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