What a stunning visual, intellectual and musical celebration of the arts! On Thursday, May 17th, The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, will hold its annual Spring Benefit,  beginning with cocktails in the Museum Garden and featuring an intimate performance by Patti Smith. Dinner in the galleries will follow the performance.  All tickets come with complimentary shuttle service to and from musuem.  To reserve your seat on the shuttle or to purchase Grand Benefactor, Benefactor, or Sponsor Tables, call 718.204.7088, x229 or e-mail vliu@noguchi.org.

You’ll look statuesque in the Noguchi Sculpture Garden in a dress with a pop of color and sparkle (and we love orange this spring) paired with neutral accessories that complement without competing. Go for the gold with intricately understated jewelry; peep-toe pumps are perfect for spring, a great metallic clutch is an absolute must-have, and don’t forget to bring a wrap to ensure you stay warm as the night goes on!

SHOP NOW: Stella McCartney Sequined Cotton-blend Sweater Dress ($1245), Etro Hammered Brass Clip Earrings ($250), Isabel Marant Sam fine-knit Scarf ($285), Oscar de La Renta 24-Karat gold-plated Bracelet ($275), Michael Kors Sloan Lizard-effect Metallic Clutch ($220), Jimmy Choo Shaw Patent-leather Pumps ($695)

“The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum is devoted to the preservation, documentation, presentation, and interpretation of the work of Isamu Noguchi. The Museum, the first in America established by a living artist of his own work, contains the world’s richest holdings of Noguchi’s art.“

Audubon’s Women in Conservation Luncheon is one of the season’s most highly regarded environmental and social events.  The Founding Chair of the Rachel Carson Awards is Allison Whipple Rockefeller, and this year’s deserving recipients are Reverend Canon Sally Bingham, L. Hunter Lovins and Janette Sadik-Khan. Ann Thompson, NBC News Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent will be the Master of Ceremonies and special recognition will be given to “Women Greening the City.”  For  more information, please visit Audubon Women in Conservation.

For what to wear to a lovely spring luncheon, we went shopping at Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co., one of the generous sponsors, to assemble an ensemble that’s worthy of the natural world.  The RED Valentino Floral Print Dress and coat are so perfect for this time of year, and we enhanced their impact by including the Villa Paloma Palm Earrings and Wide Trellis Bracelet.  The soft colors make this an elegant outfit for a luncheon, wedding, cocktail party and all of your splendid spring soirées.

SHOP NOW: RED Valentino Floral-Print Dress ($650), Villa Paloma Palm Earrings ($7500), Tiffany Signature Butterfly Sunglasses ($290), RED Valentino Bow-Waist Coat ($895), Villa Paloma Wide Trellis Bangle ($7500), Arden Shoulder Bag ($1295), Manolo Blahnik Raffia Rosette Halter ($765)

The Rachel Carson Award, presented annually at the Women in Conservation Luncheon, honors women whose considerable talent, expertise and energy greatly advance conservation locally and globally.  The program was created for girls and women to discover the world of conservation and connect with the best and brightest women leaders in the environmental movement.  The Audubon organization promotes education on important environmental issues, like climate change, clean air and water, wildlife preservation, and environmental justice. Beyond the annual Luncheon, Audubon’s Women in Conservation Program, in conjunction with Audubon’s Rachel Carson Awards Council, supports a wonderful website that connects women of all ages to extraordinary leaders in the environmental movement and the great environmental issues of our time.  For information, please go to www.womeninconservation.org.

The Rock Star in Seat 3A is a lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock ‘n’ roll Cinderella fantasy.  It is seasoned with Jill Kargman‘s signature wit and hilarious dialogue – a fairy-tale romance with a twist!

It’s Hazel’s thirtieth birthday and she has everything she’s ever wanted: a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who’s just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she’s happy but isn’t quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, and she ends up sitting next to — and genuinely connecting with — her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller, shouldn’t she drop everything to see it through?

Jill Kargman is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including The Right Address, Wolves in Chic Clothing, Momzillas, The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund, and teen books Bittersweet Sixteen, Summer Intern, and Jet Set. Her last effort is a nationally bestselling book of essays, Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut.

Wednesday, May 23rd
8:00am – 7:00pm
&
Thursday, May 24th
9:00am – 6:00pm

224 West 30th Street, 14th Floor
(Between 7th & 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001

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@Lela_Rose

Come Picnic in Your Playground! On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, from 3:30pm-6:30pm, the Playground Partners of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy hosts its Annual Playground Party at Heckscher Playground, inside the Park at Central Park South and Seventh Avenue.   The event is a family-friendly fundraiser with activities geared toward children six months to 10 years of age. New for 2012! The Playground Partners’ Picnic in your Playground Silent Auction is now online! Click here to view and bid on unique Park experiences.  Proceeds from the event help keep the Park’s 21 playgrounds clean, safe, and well-maintained. Get your tickets today!

We went shopping at Brooks Brothers, one of the generous sponsors, to find the perfect playground attire for you and your little darling.  We love these All American Classics, like the little girl gingham and the big girl denim and stripes to kick of your summer in star-spangled splendor!

SHOP NOW: Linen Cotton Denin Dress ($198), Calfskin Ankle Strap Platform ($248), Kids Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses ($60), Sleeveless Oxfor Check Dress ($75), Stitched Grosgrain Headband ($20), Patent Leather Mary Janes ($98), Aigle Rainboots ($79), Jute Flat Tote Bag ($348), Cotton Two-Button Jacket ($298), Five-Pocket Ankle Length Denin Pants ($98)

Sponsored by:

What could be more fun in the sun that Quadrille + Jack Rogers together?  We couldn’t be more excited about the collaboration between the beloved sandal designer and the gorgeous textile company. The new collection will include signature Jack Rogers sandals in brightly-colored Quadrille fabrics. These shoes couldn’t be a more perfect way to add dash to any outfit this spring and summer.   Join us at Jack Rogers on Madison Avenue on Monday, May 21st to celebrate the launch of Quadrille‘s capsule collection for Jack Rogers!

Just in time for Summer Fashion Fun!

“Born on the streets of Capri, the Jack Rogers Navajo sandal immigrated to America courtesy of style icon and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who favored its elegant ease as a relief from the formalities that her official life demanded.  First made by small, independent cobblers in and around Palm Beach, Jack Rogers put the sandal into expanded production in 1961. A half century later, the Jack Rogers Navajo sandal is still made by hand in Florida. The brand has added a fully-evolved, year-round footwear, ready-to-wear, and accessories collection, whose inspirations derive from the original shoes of the 1960s.”

Worthy of an Oscar

SHOP NOW: Oscar de La Renta One-Piece Shibori Print Swimsuit ($432),  Oscar de La Renta Shibori Print Tunic ($593)

Sea Blues!

SHOP NOW: Milly Embroided Tunic ($252), Miraclesuit Swim One-Piece Camilla Bandeau ($117), Milly Barbados Shimmer Swim Top and Bottom ($136), Lily Pulitzer Joy tunic Dress ($111)

Pick your fave, boho, geo or floral!

SHOP NOW:  Lenny Swim Adjustable One-Piece Printed Swimsuit ($207), Gottex Swim One-piece Anthea Swimsuit ($126), Tory Burch Wildflower Bandeau Swimsuit ($169), Kushcush One-Piece Lovey Swimsuit ($207)

Sandy White Beaches!

SHOP NOW: Shoshanna Eyelet Tunic ($180), Milly Ava Cotton Tunic ($222), Milly Trellis Bay Emroidered Tunic ($222), Tory Burch Eyelet Tunic ($222)

On Monday, May 14, 2012, American Ballet Theatre will host the Annual Spring Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.  With Mrs. Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy and Blaine Trump as Honorary Chairs, and  Sloan Lindemann Barnett, Nina Rennert Davidson, Julia Koch, Karin Luter and Monica G-S Wambold as Chairs, the ethereal evening is staged to be a tour de force of the spring social season. As ABT presents a one-time only performance showcasing the renowned stars of the legendary American Ballet Theatre, patrons and balletomanes will be captivated by highlights of the upcoming spring season. The curtain rises on the Gala Performance at 6:30pm followed by dinner in the Tent at Lincoln Center.  The mission of American Ballet Theatre is to create, to present, to preserve, and to extend the great repertoire of classical dancing, through exciting performances and educational programming of the highest quality, presented to the widest possible audience.  ABT deeply appreciates its sponsors Graff and Valentino for their generous underwriting.

SHOP NOW: Milly Haley Trepunto Dress ($375), Michael Kors Belted Wool Crepe Dress ($1895), Calulla Lillibelle Cotton Dress ($375), Carmen Marc Valvo Lace Organza Dress ($480)

SHOP NOW: Milly Daisy Swing Dress ($395), DKNY Linen Shift Dress ($345), Oscar de la Renta Cotton/Silk Dress ($894) ON SALE, Marc Jacobs Palmetto Eyelet Dress ($378)