A Party For The Broadroom

Last week, I headed over to Barney’s on Madison Avenue for More magazine’s premiere party for Candace Bushnell’s new webisode series, "The Broadroom."

Meredith Corporation and Maybelline, co-producers of the series, took over Fred’s restaurant for the swanky soiree, which boasted a crowd of well-coiffed fashionistas and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres (my favorite: the truffled risotto balls).

The Broadroom ladies: (from left) Lauren Devereux, Jennifer Esposito, Jennie Garth, author Candace Bushnell, Mary McCann and Talia Balsam

“The Broadroom” follows five businesswomen who meet in a conference room and end up sharing their gripes about, among other things, husbands, wardrobes, careers and juggling it all.

“Caramel kiss -- when did they start naming lipsticks after food?” asks Roan (Jennifer Esposito)
“When food became more interesting than sex,” quips Natasha (Jennie Garth).

Jennie Garth raved about Bushnell and her co-stars

Garth, looking fabulous in a black bubble dress, told me she jumped at the project because of Bushnell’s smart writing and clicked immediately with her castmates as soon as the cameras start rolling.

Jennifer Esposito rocked a form-fitting silver mini dress

During the party, I ran into journalism school classmate and news editor Iris and her colleague Erica.

Catching up: Iris and I were classmates at Columbia University’s J-school

We traded war stories about one of the most treacherous types in the dating world – the married man who masquerades as a bachelor. Erica mentioned a friend who didn’t discover until she became engaged after a year with her beau that he was already married to someone else. Yikes.

Speaking of marital escapades, you can watch episode one of “The Broadroom" (“Husband Hijinks”) here. Episode two airs online September 25th.

Holiday Shopping For A Worthy Cause

Tonight, my friend Cindy and I attended an after hours holiday shopping event at luxe jeweler Judith Ripka on Madison Avenue. The by invitation only event was a benefit for North Shore Animal League, with 10% of sales going to the non-profit humane society.

As Cindy and I browsed the stunning baubles on display -- from teardrop diamond earrings to opal pendants -- we enjoyed Champagne and passed crudités that included mini salmon quesadillas and a tasty eggplant and cream cheese concoction.

I also had the pleasure of catching up with another good friend, veteran PR maven Cyndee. Cyndee and I met years ago, when we were both slogging away as writers working the overnight shift at WNBC-TV here in New York.

PR Gals Night Out: Cyndee and me at Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night for North Shore Animal League

Our paths crossed again after we both found ourselves working in travel PR. She’s one of my most in-the-know single gal pals when it comes to what’s happening in the Big Apple -- and a big sweetheart besides.

Cyndee introduced me to North Shore’s delightful PR manager Dianne, who told me that tonight’s event brought in a few sales. Founded 54 years ago, North Shore Animal League is the largest animal adoption agency in the world, rescuing and adopting nearly 30,000 animal orphans annually.

The league is supported 100% by voluntary donations. I’m looking forward to including them on my holiday gift list -- and to attending more fun events benefiting man’s best friend.

Girls Day Out

On Saturday, my friend Leila and I enjoyed a girls day out. Our afternoon began with brunch at cozy bistro Fig & Olive (left). Over a pair of delicious egg dishes (cassolette for Leila, scrambled eggs with mushrooms for me) and a shared warm apple tart, we talked about work overload, upcoming overseas travels and recent developments in my love life.

I filled Leila in on the real estate analyst whose once-a-month availability has dovetailed nicely with my new dating mantra -- just have fun.

An Upper East Side block party celebrating Czech Independence gave us the excuse to stroll along Madison Avenue and browse in a few posh stores. We stopped in Michael’s, a ritzy consignment boutique where you can score everything from secondhand Manolo’s to vintage Chanel, and an item that’s 50% off can still set you back $300.

Next, we headed over to the Clarin's Skin Spa, where I was delighted to discover Instant Smooth, a line-reducing product that lives up to its name. Even better, it doesn’t have the chilling impact on your face or wallet of Freeze, the last brand-name anti-age serum I sampled. A 0.5 ounce jar of Instant Smooth is just $29 versus $100 for the same amount of Freeze.

Though Leila and I left the other stores we visited empty-handed, the Clarin’s find made our shopping excursion a success. Discovering a product that appears to defy the aging process, and sharing the fun of that with a good friend is more than enough to make me smile, facial lines be damned.