Ok, I know that money and passion are not necessarily synonymous and in my life, they have oftentimes been opposite in nature. But I attended a 50’s fundraiser – Hampton style – and despite the plethora of “rich folk,” I had a fabulous time 🙂 Actually, what I’ve found in life is that people who tend to attract a lot of money are generally passionate about what they do … and that makes them fun!
After receiving a phone call from a friend … then a few texts …then several emails with links telling me how popular an upcoming event in the Hamptons was going to be, I acquiesced and accepted a plane ticket east. You see, when you’re asked to be arm candy after passing a certain decade marker, you jump at such opportunities.
So, I packed my closed and within 24 hours of accepting the invitation, found myself flying across the country on an adventure to Southampton, New York. My friend purchased a 50’s dress for me online and said I’d be just fine attending the event in this outfit. I was a little concerned having not seen the dress or knowing its size, but I trusted that this adventure, like all others, would turn out just fine.
After what seemed to be an eternal flight, sitting at JFK waiting for my ride for an hou
It was a quiet evening and I slept very well, which I was grateful for. I awoke to the sound of birds and looked out the window to see a family of deer in the back yard. This is my favorite part of the Hamptons as Mother Nature is often at her best. r and a half and then driving about the same amount of time to Southampton, I was a bit spent upon arrival. I had hoped to simply sit in a hot tub and relax, being that the party was not until the following eve, but when in the Hamptons, it’s not a time to rest. You see, being social and eating out is everything there … so that’s what my friends and I did. Six of us sat down at a local establishment and ate, drank and laughed. I tried very hard not to look at the $750 bill that was delivered to the table, especially since I was not paying for it, and decided to surrender to the absurdity of expense that people outlay in this charming, overpriced town.
One of my friends and I went into town to pick up a few things for the evening and brought home lunch. When we returned, more people had joined our posse and it was time to prepare for the big event. I was a little nervous after trying on my dress as it was big on me. Thank heavens two of my girlfriends were with me, as we all prepared in one big bathroom together. Being that I grew up with two brothers, it was a beautiful experience to bond with soul sisters. We donned false eyelashes, make up, pinned my dress and teased our hair for a more authentic 50’s look.
My persona ended up looking more like a society 50’s housewife … with a Grace Kelly edge. We all looked really wonderful in our outfits and took off a little late for the event. After arriving, we got into line for press pictures. It was fun taking photos with my celebrated friends as all of the different New York newspapers lined up to snap shots of us.
As we walked into that event space, something happened to me and I transformed intothe character whom I was dressed like. This amazing shift caused me to shine like a bright star and everyone gathered around me throughout the evening. I felt somewhat ecstatic by this turn of events. Even when we left the fundraiser and went into town, people at the clubs gathered around me and took pictures. I felt like a celebrity 🙂 It was then that I had a realization that the courage within me to take this last minute journey and the surrender involved in trusting it would all work out translated into enormous passion … and that type of energy is contagious. Everyone around me felt what was happening within me and that transcended their mood as well.
The next day, my photo appeared in the Wall Street Journal and several society publications and I smiled with such delight that I decided to make the effort to take this adventure. So remember … the next time you’re asked to extend yourself beyond your comfort level to attend a last minute, exciting event … DO IT! Somehow, just by taking the leap, you will be rewarded with pure magic.