For years we have aspired to our holiday gift giving completed by Thanksgiving and perhaps this fortuitous invitation will be the key. Let’s shop with a flute of festive libation and delicious nibbles – all for a wonderful cause that benefits all of the children in our city. Playground Partners is a program of the Women’s Committee of Central Park Conservancy.
Kate Lauprete, Playground Partners Co-Chair describes the organization. “We are honored to Co-Chair Playground Partners which is a program of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, geared toward families with children 11 and under, whose mission is to maintain the quality and cleanliness of Central Park’s 21 playgrounds.”
Playground Partners hosts two annual fundraising events: the Winter Luncheon and the Annual Family Party.
This is not the first time that the fashion forward have benefitted from the generosity of Nordstrom, a relatively new comer to the landscape of iconic department stores in town.
Nordstrom made its appearance in menswear in 2018, followed by its first-ever flagship store for women and children in 2019, at 225 West 57th Street, occupying the base of Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the world at the time. For the past number of years, the brand has presented the Artistry of Fashion Award at the Museum of FIT Couture Council Luncheon, the kick off event to Fashion Week NYC.
Chris Wanlass, Valerie Steele, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Pete Nordstrom, Rickie de Sole and Sam Lobban
Stephanie Stamas Playground Partners Co-Chair expresses her appreciation, “Playground Partners is lucky to partner with generous companies like Nordstrom, who have been a long-standing sponsor of the Playground Partners Annual Family Party and hosts events such as the Nordstrom Holiday Shopping Event on Wednesday, November 13.”
Nordstrom is committed to supporting the communities where it does business, with the majority of giving focused on organizations and programs that care for kids and families.
What a perfect time of year to stock up on hard-to-find hostess gifts to bring to seasonal parties & luncheons. I don’t often bring sweets, but the Sugarfina Nutcracker Candy Bento is so festive. An interesting book, a tasty bottle of olive oil, quality teas, and in recent years, anything truffle are my go-to seasonal gifts. My friends and I laugh at gifting yet another candle to a gathering, but designed as a Christmas ornament, this one is special. And then there are puzzles and games, so appreciated by everyone in the family as we gather for the holidays. I like to have a collection on hand for last minute invitations and forgotten gifts.
What to wear to such a stylish gathering? We combed the racks at Nordstrom and found a sensational collection of brocade, in our opinion a dearly underutilized fabric. The rich jewel tones are so right for the late fall and winter months ahead. A few other trends we are recommending – burgundy, Hobo Shoulder Bags, Kitten Heels, and the absolute must-have Wrap Coat, also referred to as the bathrobe look.
Speaking of wrap coats, we found another to feature. This one by Mackage, which comes in many shades, including navy & black – all utterly chic and wearable. The topper looks equally stylish both wrapped and unwrapped depending on your fashion mood.
Check out all of the events for the Playground Partners, and consider joining the organization that benefits the young and the young at heart.
Photos courtesy of the New York Social Diary Archives and the Museum at FIT, Fashion Institute of Technology and Central Park Conservancy.
Hilary Dick and Karen Klopp of What2WearWhere.com. We take the guesswork out of dressing, the legwork out of shopping, and the panic out of packing.©
