2014 New York Junior League Winter Ball

I just spent the last few hours perusing my Instagram and Facebook feeds, looking at all the photos I’d been tagged in and that my friends had uploaded from the Winter Ball. 

This is my fifth year attending the ball (2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013), and every year, this event means more to me and is more fun than the last.

It’s really hard to balance my Junior League work running our communications on top of my job and my blog, but seeing the way this event comes together makes it so worth it. Our Winter Ball team works tirelessly all year to make this event, our biggest fundraiser, a reality. The event usually raises around half a million dollars, which funds the work we do in the community to help women and children in NYC.

The event is a celebration of volunteerism, a celebration of friendship…and a damn good excuse to get all primped up.

But before I could get primped up, obviously I had to get all sweaty first. I met the NYJL run club and did a chatty 4 miles with them. My legs were totally shot from working out with my trainer the day before, so things were interesting, to say the least. As usual, we ended with brunch at the Boathouse.

I came home to take the quickest shower in the world, put some white strips on and turn around to run down to Soho to get my makeup done. With the white strips still on on the subway.

Last year, I really liked getting my makeup done at Nars, so I went back there. My favorite eyeliner in the world is Nars, so I just trust that the rest of their colors will work.

Kristen, their head makeup artist, did my makeup, and I guess I was still endorphin-drunk, because we giggled for an hour straight. She also kept telling me what great skin and eyes I had, so I just want to hire her to come do my makeup and say nice things to me daily. Also, pro tip: apparently you’re supposed to put your concealer over your foundation. This was news to me.

Since I last got my makeup done there, they implemented an $85 minimum spend on makeup for events…which is a lot. Their PR team waived the fee for me, but I still ended up spending close to that anyway. I got the Super Orgasm lip gloss and Kauai eyeshadow duo, and I’m contemplating getting the brow gel and the Maldives Multiple stick. (My name is Theodora, and I really like makeup.) 

Next stop: Dry Bar to get my hair done. I’ve done both Dream Dry and Dry Bar, and I actually prefer Dream Dry. There’s a more laid-back vibe at Dream Dry, and the staff is much friendlier.

I had my hair done in a half-up and curly kind of updo. I had an appointment with friends at 4:45, but I needed to be at The Pierre by 5:50, so I got dressed in some dude’s office. As you do. 

I hailed a cab uptown to The Pierre, and as I walked down 5th Avenue to the entrance, I just took in the moment. It was a gorgeous late-winter night, and I was excited to be lucky enough to be able to celebrate this night surrounded by so many people I love and respect.

I’ve wanted a green dress for years, and I was happy to find a great one at Rent the Runway (invite link) that wasn’t four figures like the gorgeous Oscar de la Renta dress of my dreams.

This is my last year running external communications for the League, so it was my last time having to work the beginning of the ball, overseeing my team as they dealt with the press. 

At 8pm, we walked in to this magical scene. The ball’s theme this year was “Enchantment in the Secret Garden,” and the Winter Ball team pulled it off beautifully. As usual. 

I was seated with some of my favorite people, and we had tons and tons of fun at dinner before moving into the dancing part of the evening and dancing our faces off.

I look forward to this event the way I look forward to Christmas, so I’m a little sad today that it’s over. And it made me really miss my buddy Ashley, but I’m excited to see her when she’s back in town next week.

Tell me about the most fabulous event you’ve ever been to!