Yes, yes, we know.  The Core Club is an incredibly exclusive, fabulous place where patrons polish their monocles and burn thousand-dollar bills to light their cigars. But when most young, creative professionals can't even afford a pack of cigarettes, let alone Core's (at least $50k) initiation fee, there have just got to be other options. Here's our list of the best New York social clubs that won't cost you a year's private college tuition. There are hurdles to jump, of course.  Names to drop, sponsors to find, college degrees to tout.  But we'll leave that part up to you! More»

[Image Courtesty of ASW]

Ivanka Trump, the real estate heiress and beau of Observer owner Jared Kushner, recently threw a valentine's day party for A Small World Members at her new jewelry boutique on Madison Avenue. The ASW party was largely an all guys "Banana Republic" shindig, designed to give the invited society gentlemen inspiration for V-Day.

Among the guests was ambiguously sexual socialite Fabian Basabe, reality-tv star in E! network's Flithy Rich: Cattle Drive. In what we can assume was only the most masculine of voices, Basabe was quoted as saying "They're all beautiful," referring to the Jewelry of course. ASW's Alonso Dominguez described Trump as a stunning and gracious host. Ivanka apparently doesn't have a favorite among her own jewelry collection, however, saying, "too hard to tell, I like them all." In addition to reality TV stars, Trump's brother "Donchie" (Donald) Jr. showed up with wife Vanessa. Also in attendance was ASW's CEO Joe Robinson, designer Tara Subkoff, and furniture designer Eric Villency.

[Fabian Basabe: Born With Debt]

Last night, members of the elite social network asmallworld recieved an email debuting the new president and CEO of the company Joe Robinson.  Though he officially accepted the position in January, he apparently didn't feel comfortable enough yet in the role to make a formal announcement until yesterday (maybe the fact that he's made only 241 friends on the site has something to do with it?)-we kid, we kid.  In any event, his email outlined the changes that he will be starting to implement based on various feedback he's been receiving and will include things like:

-Automatic email reminders for messages, changes, etc.

-Improved design and layout of the site including new navigation and improved forum and message search function.

-A regular member newsletter and official introduction of the ASW Magazine

-Picture galleries, sharing and picture management for profiles, new tools such as friend notifications and powerful events/personalized calendar

-Travel Contests, hotel give-aways and member parties around the world.

There is a link to a video of Joe further describing his new role here. This is all too much for us to take in at once.  We really liked the fact that ASW kept things clean and simple and are a little bit disappointed that they will be falling to all the bells and whistles like the other social networking sites.  Then again, it would be pretty sweet to see some of Harvey Weinstein's personal pictures online.

July 4th marks United States independence, but more importantly the beginning of one of the best parties in world, the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley on the Thames, England.  It is one of the three Royal events on the calendar (with Wimbeldon and Ascot), and medal presenters have included in the past the likes of Prince Albert of Monaco.  Anyone who has ever been to Henley can tell you what a great party it is, and the many pints of Pimms consumed on the river banks. 

The main regatta enclosure enforces a strict dresscode that requires men to wear blazers and women cannot have a skirt that rises above the knee.  The enclosures are replete with sundresses, fanciful hats, and men squeezing into their schoolboy blazers that often have very unique color schemes and piping.  And if you don't believe us about the "above the knee" rule, regatta officials do in fact have a measuring stick that is often broken out to determine whether a person is in violation. 

The rowing is also pretty cool...if you're in England in July ever definitely take the hour train ride from London to see this five day spectacle.