YLF get together: the Boston tea party
November 20th, 2008Today’s post on the recent YLF gathering in Boston was written by Massachusetts born and bred Nicole. A stylish East Coast lass, long time YLF supporter and fabulous forum member.
The YLF Boston Tea Party was a huge success! Tanya was gracious enough to be the coordinator for this event. She chose a wonderful restaurant, called “Stephanies” on Newbury Street in the heart of Boston’s shopping district. We met on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, and greeted each other with hugs and kisses. Strangers would never have guessed most of us were meeting for the first time.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Shiny, CarmenOhio, GreenGlove, Kellee, Tanya, Nicole and Shiny’s friend (click images to zoom in)
Dressing for the weather on a blustery November day in Boston can be tricky, but the Boston Tea Party Attendees rose to the occasion. It was brought to our attention immediately that all eight of us were wearing boots. The cold weather had us donning our warm jackets, a few hats and gloves and lots of colorful scarves. The style quotient on Newbury Street runs from sub-casual to smart casual—and needless to say, we all fell into the smart casual realm.
 |
 |
Boots and bags (click images to zoom in)
Compliments of purses, coats, scarves and boots were shared, and I do believe we were drawing quite a bit of attention with how FABULOUS we all looked! Once our table was ready, we wove our way through the crowded restaurant and the kibitzing began. Surprisingly enough, our conversations were not centered around fashion. We talked about our pets, our jobs, our families, where we lived in relation to downtown Boston, how much YLF has inspired us and how grateful we are that the members of our forum are so kind, nurturing and supportive. There were no lulls in the conversation, no awkward silences—our topics of discussion were as varied and plentiful as the forthcoming food and drink!
We placed our brunch orders, which started with a fruit salad plate, ordered teas and coffees (and I think I saw a mimosa at the end of the table) and took lots of photos. Angie has this adorable habit of declaring every photo she shoots as “BEAUTIFUL”. I wonder if that is how models feel when their photographers are cheering them on.
After our brunch, we walked as a group to Angie’s hotel. She took a few “must have” photos, and we all waited in the lobby while she returned her large camera to her room. At this point, Anne and Shiny’s VFBF, Jane had to depart so we bid them farewell. The remaining group bee-lined our way to H&M. Greenglove bought a beautiful teal wool coat and a gold scarf that got high ratings from Angie. Kellee bought a very pretty scarf, that the group confirmed was a good color for her. Shiny and I tried on some hats, and Tanya and Angie browsed and offered valued opinions on color, style and quality. We then made our way further down Newbury Street and hit a funky second hand store. Tanya admitted to never having bought anything second hand, she was eyeing a pair of animal print wedges, but alas, they were too small. Shiny tried on a fur hat—but decided it was too big for her small frame.
Unfortunately, at this point, my husband and kids arrived to whisk me away from all the fun and excitement. Angie and Tanya were able to meet my family briefly. My son was “hiding” but my daughter was chuffed to meet my online friends. She asked me all kinds of questions about my “fashion friends” on the drive home. Since my husband was double parked, I didn’t get a chance to say good bye to Shiny, Greenglove and Kellee, who had gone to the second floor of the consignment shop to look at designer dresses.
On a personal note, I’d like to thank Shiny for opening her home to me, and Tanya for making the plans and reservations. I’d like to apologize to Kellee, Jean and Shiny for not saying goodbye. Finally, I’d like to thank you, Angie. Your ability to engage people has set a chain reaction in people’s lives. The confidence you help people find in themselves creates friendships and interactions that may never have occurred. You are a beautiful person (inside and out) and I am blessed to be part of your life. I’d also like to thank Greg for making the forum possible, but also for sharing you with us today.
If anyone ever has the chance to meet up with YLF members, I highly recommend it. As a matter of fact, I think it should be on everyone’s “bucket” list. We hear all kinds of horror stories about online meetings, but we don’t hear enough about the positive encounters—which far outnumber the negative ones. I know we have to be careful in this day and age, but we have to be careful with everyone we meet—not just internet friends. So, to everyone who puts themselves out there, opens their hearts and minds, offers help and guidance and is willing to make this world a more fabulous place—I thank you!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am
How fun! I’m glad you all got to meet up - it sounds like it was a great gathering! If there’s ever a gathering in the Portland OR area, let me know!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Thank you so much Nicole and Angie for sharing your encounter. In addition to wanting to meet Angie, I am now dying to see Tanya’s face.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Thank you so much for writing this great text Nicole. The YLF gathering was so much fun, we should do it again! Everyone looked great, and it was so easy talking to each other like we were old friends. And Angie is absolutely gorgeous in person!
I do have to give the credit for choosing the restaurant to Shiny, it was her idea, not mine.
Patience, I think we could arrange that. I think I might have you email address, I’ll double check, and if I do I will send you a photo.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Wow, I’m so short!
Great write-up Nicole! Except you left out the part where the guy in the hotel lobby was complimenting all of us gorgeous ladies…
Those snazzy red boots are Nicole’s… I’ve been hankering for a similar pair ever since….
Greenglove, did you wear your new coat yet???
November 20th, 2008 at 10:30 am
That was the most touching blog entry! How lovely and sweet of Nicole to say all those things about Angie and the ladies of YLF, and how true.
You all look beautiful. No doubt you turned more than a few heads!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
What a lovely write up, Nicole. Thank you for sharing the details. Ladies, you all look beautiful and your outfits were fab. It is so nice to have friends from all over.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Well written Nicole! Thankyou.
You are a bunch of stylish Boston YLFers. How fun to see all the coats, hats and gloves.
I must comment on the food there in front of you. It looks delicious!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us. Good job, Nicole! What fun it must have been to finally meet face to face. You all looked really fab and cozy!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
It was so great to see everyone and you all looked so FAB! I agree that meeting ‘face to face’ is a very special opportunity and I hope everyone can experience it at least once. Shiny - I am coveting your friend’s bag. Do you know what kind it is?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Tanya I want to meet your face too! I feel like I know you and the eyes and smile are so much of the whole person.
I understand if you feel differently and prefer to be incognito though.
We celebrate the different preferences too.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Nicole, thanks for this lovely write up. I’m smiling reading about The Boston Tea Party.
Ladies, you look terrific!
November 20th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
What a great report! Sounds like so much fun. I definitely have it on my “to do” list to make a YLF gathering if it is at all possible. You all looked FAB! Nicole, you did a wonderful job with the summary and I really enjoyed reading about your tea party. I’m so glad so many forum members have had the opportunity to meet and connect. I think you can feel the sense of camaraderie in the forum.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful meeting.
You all looked fabulous and it is so true that in this day and age we have to be careful with people we meet but there are very good experiences .
Hope I will be able to have a gathering like this when I move to Canada for good.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Oh that’s right Shiny, I forgot about the guy in the hotel lobby. Angie missed that incident–we were all standing around waiting for Angie, and a man (I think he worked at the hotel?) saw us all kind of standing around talking. He said something about that many beautiful women being in one place at the same time–and then he said “You’re not all together, are you?”
I feel very fortunate to have been able to be part of the YLF Boston Tea Party, and very honored to have the opportunity to write about it. It was a lot of fun and everyone is a lot smaller in real life than they look in their photos. It’s not so much that the camera adds 10 pounds–but it just adds height and volume. You don’t get to see a person’s bone structure on film. That was very interesting.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I just knew you all would have a wonderful time and it’s so fun to read the report about your fab get-together!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Thank you for the wonderful report, Nicole! You all look fantastic and it sounds like you had a marvelous time! It is so fortunate that YLF brought you together.
I was also hoping to see Tanya’s face but oh well
November 20th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
What a lovely, lovely recap, Nicole. You captured the spirit of YLF perfectly.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Thanks for the fantastic write-up Nicole! I’m so excited that you all could meet and share your experience with us. I’ve definitely got Seattle and Boston on my list of places to travel soon. Now I have a reason–I have friends there! It’s a wonderful feeling having friends all over the country!
All you ladies look so fabulous! Nicole, the red boots look amazing! I’m so happy you were able to get them. Shiny, I love your friend’s bag! Is it Linea Pelle? Tanya, if you send a photo to Patience, I want one too!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I was so excited when I logged on to read today and there was no new post because I knew it meant there would be a Boston update. Everyone looks amazing and gorgeous. I always wondered what strangers who just happen to be lucky enough to be present during a YLF meetup are thinking. Wouldn’t it be amazing if everyone in the world was able to dress like the ladies here?
I want a Tanya picture too! Pleeease!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
It sounds like you guys had loads of fun and everyone looks fantastic!! I also adore Shiny’s friends bag and her (faux?) fur shawl! So cute! And Tanya, i also love your houndstooth bag!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Thank you for writing up a wonderful account, Nicole. Your awfully kind words about the fab YLF ladies, Greg and myself is heartfelt and lovely. You recaptured the memory of the occasion perfectly.
The Boston Tea Party was the highlight of my trip. I cannot adequately express how special it was to meet you all in person. It was a like a YLF dream come true. The inner and outer beauty that surrounded me that day was surreal.
It started off with uber stylish Tanya waiting for me in the hotel lobby. She was kind enough to join my stroll to the restaurant. Tanya is even more fab in person. So elegant and gazelle like (with the cutest East European accent). I love her long straight hair and pale skin. I felt honoured that she wore her grey chunky pearls for the occasion. It was a real treat to see Tanya’s face!!
Greenglove and Kellee are good friends and it was great to have them with us too. Such delightfully fun and effervescent ladies. They both have eclectic senses of style and amazingly green eyes. It was a pleasure to behold.
Nicole and Shiny travelled in together and we hugged and hugged when we first met. Shiny is proof that dynamite comes in small packages. Always stylish and well put together. Wonderful! I had hoped that she would wear her MNG cream coat because it’s my favourite item she owns. You read my mind Shiny!
Nicole is fabulous in every way. So warm, smiley, kind and humorous. She looked killer in those jeans and red boots. But her eyes are her best accessory. Soulful, deep and mischievous. That’s the Nicole we all adore.
Anne had just arrived in Boston and managed to make the event. A great effort from Anne who’s cobalt blue scarf picked up her piercingly clear blue eyes beautifully. We hope you settle in well and join us on the forum soon.
Shiny’s VFBF made for a merrier a occasion and kept the style quotient sizzling. It’s nice that she could join us and I hope she finds the vintage dress she was looking for.
Greg and I loved our Boston visit. We had a splendid time in your pretty city and hope to see you all again in the not too distant future. Perhaps we’ll meet up in NYC next time round? Thank you for making the effort to see me and for supporting our YLF community. Big hugs and kisses to everyone.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
(Yes Angie, perhaps you WILL meet in NYC next time around. Good idea!)
November 21st, 2008 at 12:08 am
(One more comment then I’m done, promise)
Angie, those cream boots have to be yours. They are amazing! What brand/style are they?
November 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
What fun and stylish ladies!
November 21st, 2008 at 7:53 am
As you said the last time Maya, we are due for a visit!
Thanks for the compliment about my cream calf-length boots. I thought they’d be up your alley. They’re like slippers (10 hour shoes). SO soft. They have a one and a half inch heel which is my type of heel. I bought them on sale in London last year. They are by a British brand called “Bertie”. If you do a UK search, you’ll see their footwear selection.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:57 am
I’m so jealous - sounds like so much fun! I live right outside of Boston and will have to try and meet up with you next time. Where do you post when your gatherings will be?
November 21st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Carrie, if Angie is traveling somewhere, it sometimes comes up in the forum. That is how this gathering came together.
November 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
You all look fab - what fun!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Thank you for the write-up Nicole, such a spot-on description of the YLF atmosphere and interaction!
Everybody looked very stylish and polished, as usual, no wonder the man at the hotel was impressed!-)
I really love all your outfits. Shiny, I adore your hat and that scarf is beautiful. Carmen, I love how your bright blue scarf adds punch to your outfit, and the grey jacket is lovely too. GreenGlove, I didn’t know you have red hair: stunning! And you look marvellous in those brown tones. That’s a gorgeous leather jacket Kellee, and the houndstooth skirt is so sassy. Glad to see you donned your patent leather boots Tanya, great coat and bag as well, by the way, and another lady with a bright blue scarf, it looks super! Aaah Nicole, those red boots are delicious and your houndstooth scarf adds extra pizzazz (curious to see if you’ll be adding more scarfs to your wardrobe now;-) Shiny’s friend looks so statuesque and elegant and Angie looks as radiant as ever (that is a yummy jacket, by the way).
The food in the picture is making my mouth water, and I’m happy to read that you had such a great time, and are getting to know each other so well.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hello Ladies!
First of all, thanks for including me - it was lovely time meeting bright, personable, and fashionable ladies.
As for the bag, it is by Linea Pelle and I snagged it for a song on Bluefly. It is the most gorgeous, soft leather and the perfect size for use as an every day bag. It fits my frame (I’m 5′11″), so you may want to keep that in mind (probably a bit too large for Shiny’s petite frame - she and I often talk about bag size and proportion to your frame as she and I are very different heights). They do make different sizes and different styles, so you should check out their site. With a little ingeniuty and time, you may be able to find it online at a discounted rate.
Angie,
As for the vintage dress, it never happened despite hours of scouring vintage retailers. I did find a gorgeous short platinum colored cocktail dress with a great cowl neck and covered in paillettes at Nordstrom Rack for under approximately $120. It was a Sue Wong sample and I received a ton of compliments when I wore it on Saturday night.
Thanks again and enjoy!