The Case For Judging a Book by Its Cover
I was checking out at the bookstore last month when I nearly let out an audible gasp. As soon as I laid eyes on The Guest List by Sarah Blake, I knew I had to read it, as the cover was a very familiar scene — it’s a gray-scale image of a girl wearing a knee-length sleeveless white shift running down Newport’s own Reject’s Beach, with Seaweed, the mansion with the iconic enclosed porch, prominently featured. Seaweed was originally built in 1860-61, then sold to and modified by famed architect George Champlain Mason, who designed many homes in Newport in addition to being the editor of the Newport Mercury for some time and a founder of the Newport Historical Society. It’s had 
a number of owners through its time including the Dolan family of Philadelphia, who summered there for generations. They had architect Horace Trumbaur modify the home (he also designed The Elms). Seaweed has been featured multiple times on Martha Stewart’s blog as she has stayed there when visiting Newport.
The Guest Book revolves around the past and present of the Milton family, a prominent American family of great wealth who summered on their privately owned Crockett’s Island in Maine for nearly a century (the fictional place the Newport cover image is to evoke). But when the present-day Miltons must consider selling the island (as the trusts funds are running dry), they discover family secrets that force them to ask: at whose expense have they been living their dream and life of privilege?
I’m more than half-way through the book and haven’t been able to put it down at night (much to the demise of 
my laundry which sits nearby, with echoes of Marie Kondo begging me to fold and put away). I actually tried reading it through a dental appointment this week which didn’t go well, so I opted to listen to season two of Serial…a great distraction when someone is going to town on your gums. In sum, The Guest Book beautifully portrays a sweeping family story among what Jessica Shattack (author of the NYT bestseller The Women in the Castle) says highlights the “subterranean currents of race, class and power that have shaped America.” Disclaimer: I read a lot of books, both non-fiction and historical dramas, that take place during the WWII era, so for me it hits the sweet spot. Also, much of it takes place in New York City where my parents were born and raised during the same period, but “after the war,” as they’d always distinguish.)
I’ll refrain from any spoilers but I will highly recommend adding this to your summer reading list, especially if you’ve read Sarah Blake’s other bestseller, The Postmistress. Also, The Guest Book is a current Barnes & Noble Book Club selection and the Middletown store will be hosting a discussion on June 11 at 7 p.m. (click here to listen to the B&N podcast featuring Sarah Blake). Happy reading!
Camelot vs. the Counterculture: Fashion and Society in the 1960s
Jacqueline Kennedy in Oleg Cassini, 1962
The 1960s are considered to be one of this country’s most transformative decades, with sweeping cultural and political shifts that clearly influenced American fashion. I’ve always found this period fascinating interesting, studying it in college at length. The early part of the decade saw the election of President John F. Kennedy and his vision for a “New Frontier” domestic agenda, with his wife Jacqueline quickly becoming a fashion icon. By the middle of the decade, the conflict in Southeast Asia escalated into the Vietnam War, all the while the civil rights movement unfolded at home.
It was a time of political and social revolution which was clearly reflected in the radical fashion frenzy seen throughout those 10 dynamic and uncertain years.
Newport Restoration Foundation
Next month, the Newport Restoration Foundation will present the lecture: Camelot vs. the Counterculture: Fashion and Society in the 1960s.
Jackie Kennedy in the White House and Grace Slick at Woodstock represent the tug-of-war in the 1960s between fashion’s old guard, whose fashionable woman wore couture from the Paris runways, and the youthquake that championed an eclectic exoticism. This illustrated talk explores the tangled web of fashion, culture, and society in the 1960s.
The lecture will be presented by Madelyn Shaw, Curator of Textiles at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution. From pillbox hats and pastel shift dresses to Mod looks and miniskirts, this is an era fashion won’t soon forget.
For information and tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camelot-vs-the-counterculture-fashion-and-society-in-the-1960s-tickets-46764760658
“King of Vintage” Cameron Silver Headed to Newport
If you’ve ever lived in Southern California and had a penchant for vintage clothing, you knew Decades. The Melrose Avenue boutique, a treasure trove of designer duds, was founded in 1997 by Cameron Silver, whose bio barely scrapes the surface of his influence the fashion industry. (More on that later.)
Silver will be in the City by the Sea the last weekend of July for The Newport Show (previously the Newport Antiques Show). He’s carefully selected everything from dresses and handbags to belts and jewelry for Newport and (much to my delight!), will be delivering a lecture on the history of fashion from 1900-2000 with a book signing to follow. The Newport Historical 
Society is currently selling Silver’s book Decades: A Century of Fashion in the Museum of Newport History & Shop.
Silver was an influencer long before the word became inextricably linked to social media darlings. The famed celebrity stylist (he’s dressed Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Chloe Sevigny, Julia Roberts Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna and Lady Gaga, was introduced to a wider audience when he starred in the Bravo TV docu-series Duke of Melrose, with Decades co-founder Christos Garkinos. Silver has also been a familiar face on E!, the Style Network and “Fashion File,” and is a regular face at the Met Gala. He’s served as an official ambassador and fashion consultant for well known lines and houses including Pringle, Boucheron, Azzaro and Hermès and today, serves as design director for H by Halston and H Halston. Silver curated the MOCA exhibition, The Total Look: The Creative Collaboration between Rudi Gernreich, Peggy Moffitt, and William Claxton and was named one of the “25 Most Influential Names and Faces in Fashion” by Time magazine in 2002. He’s also a familiar byline in fashion pubs, having penned pieces for Harpers Bazaar, Departures, Style.com and others.
Meet and shop with Cameron Silver at The Newport Show on Saturday, July 28 from 10am-6pm and Sunday, July 29 10am-4pm at St. George’s School in Middletown. Purchase tickets at TheNewportShow.com.
Sea Bags Come to Newport
Sea Bags have long been commonplace in Newport with their nautically inspired styles all made from upcycled from recycled sails. Handcrafted on the working
waterfront in Portland, Maine, the Sea Bags line has expanded considerably since first launching and now includes multiple collections. This video basically gives you the whole story in a nutshell. One of my favorites is the custom bag you can have made with a wedding date for guests to sign inside (awesome shower gift and so Newport!). Located on Bowen’s Wharf, check out all the totes, accessories, wristlets, wine bags and more!
Hello, Summer Dresses! Live from The Rhode Show
Summer officially kicks off this week and so comes the season of weddings, showers, cocktail parties and fabulous fêtes. Though there are countless reasons to toast throughout the year, summer celebrations have a special je ne sais quoi. From this weekend’s Newport Flower Show opening night party to Newport Polo to even your weekly Sunday Funday shenanigans, I brought some of my favorite dresses for sum-sum-summertime to The Rhode Show.
From Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
Karl Lagerfeld floral maxi
Bloom rose bodcon dress by Carlisle Collection
Bell sleeve lace trim dress by Few Moda from Off Saks
Floral maxi dress by Karl Lagerfeld (at right)
Medallion print stretch belted dress by Nautica
Love these looks and other pieces by retailers like Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Theory, Lululemon, Nike and more? Mark your calendar for the upcoming July 4th Super Sale + Sidewalk Sale, Wed., July 4 – Sun., July 8. Also, the center will offer the Parking Made Easy Program to increase accessibility during the holiday weekend, which
Eliza J. lace midi dress
means more time for shopping, less time for parking! And don’t forget to join the VIP Shopper Club for special deals and exclusive offers!
From Eliza J. available at Nordstrom
Gathered lace midi dress in cobalt (at left)
One shoulder sheath dress in hot pink with dramatic detail (FYI: this is an OMG dress on – total showstopper!)
From J. McLaughlin in Newport
J. McLaughlin Julep Gate dress
Swing Cap Sleeve silk dress in Julep Gate
From Groove Newport
Tassel dress in turquoise for mom and in yellow for the little lady. Both by Masala Baby.
Groove Newport, the tween and adult partner boutique to The Groovy Gator, is located at 474 Thames Street in Newport.
Groove Newport dress
by Few Moda from Off Saks at Wrentham
Medallion print dress by Nautica at Wrentham
All That Glitters! Head-Turning NYE Looks
CLICK HERE to watch the clip!
Valvo
Eliza J sequin-embellished velvet dress
Sara Campbell polka dot jacquard dress
Haute Holiday Party Style
Holiday party season is in full swing! I shared some fabulous festive frocks and happening hostess gifts that will have you looking, and the hostess feeling, merry & bright on The Rhode Show (and I’m wearing J. McLaughlin’s Keaton Bell Sleeve Dress!):
CLICK HERE to watch the clip!
You can find J. McLaughlin boutiques in Newport, Watch Hill, Providence and more than a dozen in Massachusetts, all 
stocked with stunning holiday look ranging from simple to stunning. Here today:
The Felix Skirt featuring, a head-turning fringed pencil skirt.
The Joie Pant, super slim and stretchy metallic ankle length pants
The Keaton Bell Sleeve Dress, striking sheath dress featuring beautiful bell sleeves and figure framing princess seaming
J. McLaughlin’s Felix Skirt
A metallic jacquard dress with bolero jacket from Sara Campbell, Newport
From The Sail Loft, Newport: The Rocket Girl Dress by Gretchen Scott (now 50% off!)
From Sole Desire, Newport: The Riot bootie by Freebird by Steven
From Eliza J.: an off the shoulder knit dress, available at Nordstrom
From Talbots in Newport: The Tartan Terrier Sweater, as seen in InStyle Magazine
The Tartan Terrier Sweater by Talbots
Rocket Girl dress by Gretchen Scott from The Sail Loft
Pattern Off the Shoulder A-Line Knit Dress by Eliza J.
For the hostess:
From Soap & Water, Newport: Nest Holiday Diffuser, Two’s Company Holiday Glow Candle, Archipelago Winter Frost Candle. From Athalia of Newport, Half-n-the Bag insulated wine totes:
For these looks and more, follow me on Instagram at @newportstyle
On The Rhode Show: Fall Fashion – Splurge vs. Save
Knowing when to save and when to splurge is all about identifying styles that speak to you and your lifestyle. I brought some of my favorite finds to THE RHODE SHOW this week to show some stylish examples.
Continue Reading October 23, 2017 at 2:23 pm Leave a comment
