Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Brunch Event with Speaker Julissa Pio, Fashion and Beauty Digital Creator in Westchester County

Our signature Women Who Brunch events have always focused on an intimate dining experience with a speaker over brunch with a specific topic or focus. Where our goal is to be learning, connecting, and making new friends in the area while supporting other women.

On Sunday, May 19th, 2024, we hosted our event at Harvest on Hudson, featuring Julissa Pio, Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle, and Nano-Fashion Influencer in Westchester County.

Let’s talk brunch first….

We caught some beautiful weather and sat outside on the patio overlooking the Hudson River. (I will note that I was told the outdoor patio is first come first serve.)

And can I please tell you how great of a deal their brunch pre-fixe menu is? It’s currently $48 and that includes a complimentary brunch beverage (mimosa, rossini, or bellini) or tea, coffee, or soft drink. A first course with salad, app, or select raw bar. A second course and you can choose from pizza, brunch favs, benedicts, sandwich or entree. Available Saturday and Sunday from 11:15am to 3:00pm.

Julissa went over a ton of fashion and beauty tips with us. Here’s some of the things she covered.

What’s in Julissa’s Makeup Bag:

10 Capsule Wardrobe Pieces to Have in Your Closet:

  • A white tee

  • Straight leg jean (Light blue for summer, darker blue for winter)

  • Tote Bag (Recommendations this Medium Black Naghedi Tote)

  • Blazer (Ann Taylor, Old Navy, Target)

  • Wool Coat (Black/Neutral )

  • Small Going Out Bag (Example: This Anthropologie Bag)

  • Sneakers (Other than your running/fitness sneakers - For example Hoka, New Balance, Adidas Samba)

  • Heels (Block Heel - Dolce Vita, Sam Elderman, ALDI)

  • Cashmere Sweaters

  • Trousers

Extras:

  • Nice Black Tank Top

  • Ponte Leggings

  • Add Jewelry/Smaller Jewelry Pieces

The Sandwich Method:

Match the top and bottom pieces of their outfit and put a statement garment in the middle of it. This means that the shirt and shoes will match, while the pants can be used to add a different dynamic to the outfit.

2024 Fashion Trends:

  • Mesh Ballet Flats

  • Western Theme (Canadian Tuxedo, Studded Belts)

  • Rosette Flower Trend

  • Colors: Metallic, Powder Blue & Butter Yellow (Gold is Classic though)

The Three Word Method to Mastering Your Personal Style:

Julissa had walked us through a three word method to finding your personal style based on the style you currently have or the style you aspire to be, as a way to help guide you when shopping and finding wardrobe pieces.

This is based on a concept from The Every Girl. If you would like to know more and find your own style, here’s a link to the blog post.

Organization Reminders:

Pair Back:

Get rid of things you haven’t worn in a while or don’t fit anymore.

Rotate Closet:

Organize your dresser, closet, vanity - By season and by color.

Women Who Brunch - GIFT BAG PRODUCT SPONSORS Included:

STAY CONNECTED with Us:

For updates on future brunch events, sign up to our newsletter here.

Connect online: Instagram, LinkedIn, or our upcoming brunch events page here.

You can follow Julissa on her Instagram or shop for fashion and beauty inspiration on her LTK page.

See you at the next event!

International Women's Day Brunch - Hudson Valley with Kaela Serino, Boards By Kae

In honor of International Women's Day, we hosted a brunch event on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at The Amsterdam in Rhinebeck, NY, featuring Kaela Serino, the owner of Boards by Kae, which serves up charcuterie catering, grazing tables, and workshops throughout the Hudson Valley. She be talked about entrepreneurship and social media marketing.

This was an opportunity for women entrepreneurs and women in business to come together and meet new business owners, while discussing more about their businesses.

Key Learnings/Takeaways:

  • With entrepreneurship you mostly only hear about the end result of a fully accomplished business, but never about the in between or hardships/what it took to get there. It can be much more valuable and relatable to hear about the struggles.

  • We talked a lot about pricing models and knowing your value. It’s much easier to come in at “my range is $100 - $250, and can assess the price better once I have a full scope of the work”, then come in a bit lower. It shifts the mindset of what people are expecting in terms of on the higher end, and then can be pleasantly surprised if the price comes in lower. It’s girl math.

  • You really need to weigh the pros/cons when approached with no budget or free work. It can be met with a gut check. You can also approach it as paying for supplies/gas/time/hourly fee or at a discounted rate. The point is to know and stand in your value.

  • One idea to approach new business/collaborators is to reach out and offer a free consultation and frame it with a problem they have that you can fix with your business or service.

  • Brand your product early. Example of this is Kaela branding her boards with her branding/cheese picks.

  • Stories on Instagram can show more personality and should because people want to see who’s behind the brand. Don’t hide behind a logo. Your reels & posts should stay on brand.

  • No compliant rule, if you’re complaining you need to attach a resolution on the end of it.

  • Event Recap Video can be found here on our Instagram.

GIFT BAG PRODUCT SPONSORS:

STAY CONNECTED:

For updates on future brunch events, sign up to our newsletter here.

Connect online: Instagram, LinkedIn, or our upcoming brunch events page here.

Women's Day Brunch Event with Empowered Economy, sponsored by Circle

On Saturday, March 9th, 2024, we hosted a Women’s Day Brunch in honor of celebrating International Women’s Day at The Pineapple Club, NYC.

Our collaboration was with three food based communities. Our community Women Who Brunch, an online food community and event series in the Hudson Valley/NYC area, aimed to connect and support women over a great meal and experiences. Empowered Economy, a community for female food founders, leaders, and innovators. And finally this event was sponsored by Circle, an app to connect with your local peers and business partners in the food industry.

This was a multi-course morning meal for women building food, wellness, & hospitality communities. We got to learn from food founders launching new businesses to women on the organizational side building food communities within their brand’s community space.

The Brunch Menu:

  • BEC Pancake Sliders

  • Chicken & Waffles

  • Raw Kale Salad

  • Avocado Toast

  • Challah French Toast

    Sides:

  • Bacon & Hash browns

    Dessert:

  • Banana Spring Rolls, coconut ice cream, Kaffir lime.

Gift Bag Product Sponsors:

Very proud to say these gift bag product sponsors were majority women-owned food and CPG businesses!

Community - What’s your story?:

We had asked the group the “icebreaker” question of:

1.) When was the FIRST time you felt in or apart of a community.

2.) When was the MOST RECENT time you felt in or apart of a community.

The responses were so great to hear common themes and connectors that bring people together. Many common themes were: being new to the area, having common interests, and having a sense of adventure to take a leap in trying new things and meeting new people. It was so wonderful to hear everyone’s stories and what these lovely women were working on.

STAY CONNECTED:

For updates on future brunch events, sign up to our newsletter here.

Connect online: Instagram, LinkedIn, or our upcoming brunch events page here.

Galentine's Day Brunch Cooking Class at Watergrass

On Sunday, February 11th, 2024, we hosted a Galentine’s Day Brunch Cooking Class at Watergrasshill Bed & Breakfast, in New Paltz, NY with Chef Hannah of DishingIt.

The Details:

This hands-on cooking class will was lead by Chef Hannah Sabatino of DishingIt and Alana, owner and innkeeper at Watergrasshill Bed & Breakfast.

Brunch Menu:

  • Homemade Granola Yogurt Parfait with Berries

  • Chocolate Cherry Scones

  • Spinach & Feta Frittata

  • Candied Bacon

  • Spring Mix Salad with apples, blue cheese, candied pecans & a champagne vinaigrette

    What was Included at the brunch party:

  • Hands-On Cooking Demonstration

  • Mocktail Bar

  • Full Brunch Menu

  • Self love Valentine's Postcard Station

  • Galentine's Take Home Swag Bag

Swag Bag Products:

King Street Baking Co. - Chocolate Cupcake + Cake Mix

LesserEvil - Sweetheart Pop - Organic popcorn

Ghia - Non-Alcoholic Aperitif

Parch - Non-Alcoholic Agave RTD Cocktails

Hudson Valley Cotton Candy - Conversational Cotton Candy Hearts

Soulshine Apothecary - Aphrodite’s Embrace Tea Blend

The Ardent Homesteader - Cara Sel - Salted Carmel Sauce

In case, you missed the event, we crowdsourced a list of attendee’s favorite local spots below:

Favorite Local Spots in the Hudson Valley:

Stay Connected:

For updates on future brunch events, sign up to our newsletter here or our upcoming brunch events page here.

Mug Pottery Making Workshop & Wine Tasting - Collaboration Nature's Impact & Whitecliff Vineyard

On Saturday, December 16th, 2023, we hosted a Mug Pottery Making Workshop and Wine Tasting at Whitecliff Vineyard in Gardiner, NY. This event was collaboration with Nature’s Impact, which strives to design sustainable gardens in the Hudson Valley and curate experiences using nature as the guide.

The Details:

Since we were making our own mugs, we had tea sponsors from: The Qi, Anjali’s Cup, and Tea Drops.

In the Mug Pottery Workshop, Serena, the owner of Nature’s Impact, taught us:

  • Handbuilding Techniques: The fundamentals of handbuilding and different techniques.

  • Craft a Unique Masterpiece: Design and create our very own ceramic mug that reflects our personal style.

  • Add Color: Underglazing our pottery with a variety of colors.

In case, you missed the event, we crowdsourced a list of attendee’s #1 activities their looking forward to doing in 2024, and favorite brunch spots, below.

Favorite Brunch Spots:

Icebreaker Question: “What activities are attendees most looking forward to in 2024”:

  • Doing New Things + Pasta Making

  • Farming

  • Healthy non-processed cooking

  • Pottery Classes

  • Paper Making / Block Making

  • Writing a children’s books

  • Flower arranging

  • Creative collage making

  • Eat less processed foods

  • Calligraphy & sip class & pasta making

  • CIA (Culinary Institue of America’s) cooking class

Would love to hear what your favorite brunch spot is or what you’re looking forward to doing in 2024. Let us know in the comments.

To find out more about our events, sign-up to our newsletter here or check out our upcoming events page. See you at the next event!

Pressed Flower Art Workshop - Women Who Brunch x Witch Hazel Collaboration - October 2023

On Sunday, October 1st, 2023, in collaboration with Witch Hazel, an eco-conscious apothecary, clean beauty, and florist in Beacon, New York, we hosted a Brunch Bites & Pressed Flower Art Workshop.

The Details:

Brunch Bites and Mimosa Bar snacks were provided by Mush, Michele’s Granola, Cocojune, and Natalie's Juice Company.

In the Pressed Flowers Workshop, Jill, the Owner of Witch Hazel taught us how to:

  • Ideal ways to press flowers, greens, herbs, at home

  • Common supplies used to press and create art with flowers

  • Visual design techniques so our art looks intentional

The whole experience was not only beautiful but so therapeutic. Highly recommended this workshop and Jill teaches it often in her shop!

In case, you missed the event, we crowdsourced a list of attendee’s favorite activities to do this fall in New York, and favorite brunch spots, below.

Favorite Things to Do in the Fall:

Favorite Food Spots from the Group:

Best of Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow Brunch & Historic House Tour - September 2023 Women Who Brunch Event Recap

On Saturday, September 30, 2023 we kicked off the start of fall in New York with a Best of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow - Brunch & Historic House Tour. We brunched at Sweet Grass Grill in Tarrytown, NY on Main St., then headed to the Jacob Odell House for a history tour of the house.

Our guest brunch speaker was Michelle from the very popular and spooky Instagram account @sleepyhollowspellbound. She shared with us a bit about the history of why North Tarrytown’s town name was changed to Sleepy Hollow in 1996, all the best things to do this fall, her favorite local shops in Tarrytown, and so much history about the Jacob Odell House.

Did I also mention this event SOLD OUT in 2 WEEKS…. with a WAITLIST! Everyone is obsessed with fall here, as Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are quickly becoming the new “Salem of New York” destination, especially during October and Halloween.

If you didn’t know why this is, it is because in Washington Irving’s famous tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the “real” Sleepy Hollow is now a modern village that is home to a diverse population of nearly 10,000 residents.  Located 25 miles north of New York City along the eastern shore of the Hudson River. The Village of Sleepy Hollow offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban amenities along with world-renowned historic landmarks and modern attributes. Here you can also do tours of Washington Irving’s home and visit his grave at the Old Dutch Cemetery, along with other famous graves like Carnegie and Rockefeller.

Now back to brunch… Sweet Grass Grill was amazing. Friendly and accommodating staff for our large group and their food was delicious. I got the Farmer’s Breakfast with two fried eggs, polenta, and fresh roasted vegetables.

Michelle, you could see her enthusiasm and passion for the history and community of Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown and the relationships she builds online with her Instagram. She responds and interacts with every follower and really cares. Above all, I learned a lot about the bond you can create with your community online.

In case you missed brunch, no worries. Here’s our crowdsourced list of attendee’s favorite activities to do this fall in New York, and favorite brunch spots.

Favorite Things to Do in the Fall:

Favorite Food Spots from the Group:

After brunch we took a short walk to the Jacob Odell House were Michelle and the curator Sara gave us a brief tour and showed us some pieces from their collection like a pass signed by George Washington, documents signed by Washington Irving, and Alexander Hamilton, famous gravestones, and the Rockefeller Dime.

More about the Jacob Odell House:

The Jacob Odell House was built in 1848 in the Italianate style. It was constructed by Jacob Odell as a wedding present for his wife, Harriet. Jacob Odell, later elected the first President of the Village of Tarrytown, owned a brick and lumber yard on the riverfront and the house was a spectacular advertisement for his business. The house was the first residence built on Goose Street, later renamed Grove Street, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Since 1952 the Odell House has been the headquarters for The Historical Society, serving Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. Within its walls are museum exhibit rooms, a library, and storage rooms dedicated to preserving local history.


They have rotating exhibits and events throughout the year. During our time there, there was a gravestone exhibit. In September the had pumpkin carving workshops, they have walking tours, definetly stop by the house for a tour or check out their events calendar.

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See you soon at brunch soon friends!