Think Pink
Tuesday June 02, 2009 | Contributor: Jennifer Wright

Entering the Junior League’s Babes, Bags and Bubbles event gave the impression of stepping into a sorority. Not a real sorority, mind you, but the kind of magical sorority that, until that evening, I thought only existed in the movies. Everything was pink! From delightful rose tinged champagne (the bubbles) to the bountiful flower arrangements to the strawberry miniature cupcakes (from CRUMBS), it seemed like a scene where Maggie Prescott, the pink- thinking editor from Funny Face, would have felt right at home.



Junior League members, including Amy Ferreira, Denise DiForio, Amy Phela and Gena Lovett, looked delightful – and dressed to the nines. Lauren Bush was also present with her iconic feedbag in tow. Meanwhile, at the grand piano, a musician played a collection of easy listening tunes. (It may have been my imagination but there seemed to be a heavy emphasis on Billy Joel.) In fact, given all the pink and the Uptown/Hamptons feel, for the past few days I’ve been fighting the desire to buy Lily Pulitzer dresses –a somewhat unexpected but rather pleasant lingering after- effect of the occasion.



I don’t think Lily Pulitzer was one of the designers featured at the event, but I did notice that nearly every notable fashion house seemed to have donated a bag for the silent auction. Purses from Missoni to Prada were available for prices you’d never be lucky enough to see in department stores.



I was especially excited to see a gorgeous Ralph Lauren package which contained a Ralph Lauren tote bag, a Ralph Lauren golf shirt and a lovely (Ralph Lauren!) scented candle. It proved the perfect birthday gift for my equestrienne – and Ralph Lauren design loving – Mother. She enjoyed it all the more knowing that the funds went to benefit such a worthy cause.



In addition to the babes and bags and bubbles, there were also baubles. Helen Ficalora’s creations were on display and drawing a wonderful crowd. Her delightful golden alphabet charms seemed particularly popular, and would certainly offset any bag that participants chose to buy beautifully.



Of course, the Junior League is dedicated to more than simply fundraising for breast cancer research, although it seemed a perfect cause for the female dominated party. Committee members enthusiastically described how the group met at 7:00 a.m. last Saturday to help paint a school in Harlem. I asked whether they perhaps had later in the day volunteer activities. If you’re of a similar mindset – don’t worry, they do! The ladies work with a variety of worthy organizations, from literacy programs to disease prevention efforts so every member can choose to work on causes that are close to their hearts. And, of course, everyone can offer support by participating in lovely events, such as the Babes, Bags and Bubbles bash.

Pictures via Clint Spaulding, Helen Ficarola.com