SATC2 At The Empire Hotel

After several days of shooting in studio, Sex And The City 2 was back on the streets of NYC today.

SATC2 took over the Empire Hotel on 63rd and Broadway. I saw some glammed up extras emerging from the hotel and caught a fleeting glimpse of Kim Cattrall. The ageless Samantha Jones looked fit and fabulous in slim fitting dark jeans, a beige jacket and matching boots.

Meanwhile, Sarah Jessica Parker delighted fans when she emerged from her trailer with smiles and a friendly wave.

SJP wowed the small crowd in front of her trailer

SJP even stopped briefly to wish one onlooker a happy birthday before returning to the set.

And in the best-kept-secret department, it seems there is more than just one sequel in the works. SATC2 extra Cayte Grieve told Blackbook magazine--

“There will be a Sex and the City 3. They are currently filming both SATC 2 and SATC 3, as told to me by a few other extras who overheard it from crew members.”

Looks like we’ll be enjoying the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw & Co. for years to come.

SATC2 Begins Filming

Break out the cosmos -- Carrie Bradshaw is back! Filming for the "Sex and the City" sequel officially kicked off today. Check out this fabulous photos of Sarah Jessica Parker wearing a semi-sheer white dress and gold Christian Louboutin heels.

In glancing at the background, it looks like SJP is standing in front of the location that served as Carrie and Big's dream penthouse in the first SATC movie.

The real-life address of their dream pad -- 1010 5th Avenue near 82nd Street. If you're in NYC and in that neck of the woods today, you might want to head over and maybe you'll spot SJP in action. If you do, be sure to let SGITC know!

From Blogging To Books

When you’ve been keeping a journal since childhood like I have, you inevitably find yourself wondering, would my story make for a good book? Thanks to a recent meeting with a top literary agent, it looks like the answer to that frequently pondered question might just be yes.

A few weeks ago, said agent emailed me to say she had read Single Gal In The City and would love to talk to me about writing a book.

The next day I was in her office, learning the importance of having a “platform” (i.e. built-in audience) when pitching publishers and hearing about her ten years of experience representing authors.

From Columnist to Author: Like SATC's Carrie Bradshaw, I’m hoping my musings end up in a book

She encouraged me to stay in touch with her, start reading lots of memoirs (do Tori Spelling and Michael J. Fox's current books count?) and continue spreading the word about SGITC. Her greatest feedback, though, was this--

“There’s definitely a book in there.”

I’m a big believer that serendipitous things start to happen when you believe in your dreams enough to put words to them. Since my agent encounter, I’ve connected with two newly-published authors who were equally positive about my prospects for getting published. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

What do you think, SGITC readers? Could I make the same leap Miss Bradshaw did? More importantly, what should I title my memoir?

SATC 2: The Countdown Begins

Ever since the big screen sequel to “Sex and The City” was confirmed, there’s been much speculation about what comes next for Carrie Bradshaw & Co.

While the guessing games continue, I’m excited to report some official news about when and where filming for SATC 2 will take place.

New Yorkers -- myself included -- excitedly watched as SATC: The Movie filmed in the Big Apple back in ‘07

I learned today that the two-month shoot kicks off in NYC on August 19th. And that cast and crew will also spend two weeks filming in the United Kingdom.

What will take the fabulous four across the pond? How will Carrie and the girls express their passions for labels and love during an era of mortgages instead of Manolos? I can’t wait to find out, and to be front and center when they take over the streets of NYC once again.

Move Over Miss Bradshaw

I’ve always been a big believer that each chapter in life prepares you for the one that comes next. Wednesday, I was happily reminded of that upon learning that I’ve been hired to write for Examiner.com.

Launched in April 2008, Examiner.com serves 60 major markets across the country and covers local information and events, with topics ranging from entertainment and fashion to relationships and travel.

My lucky break came about during an email exchange with travel journalist Rita Cook, also a contributor to the popular site. When I mentioned Single Gal In The City, Rita suggested I apply to Examiner.com -- and graciously agreed to act as a reference.

Following In Miss Bradshaw’s Footsteps: Along with being a blogger and publicist, I’m now a dating ‘examiner’

The New York Dating slot was already filled, so I was happily surprised to learn Examiner.com has chosen me as their NY ThirtySomething Dating examiner. Having crossed the 35 threshold back in January, it’s a title I’m happy to take on.

Of course, this exciting opportunity wouldn’t have happened without SGITC. And SGITC wouldn’t have happened without the encouragement of my Quinn & Co. colleague and friend Carla. And I would never have known Carla had another well-known travel journalist not forwarded me the opening at Q&C four and a half years ago.

Yep, every chapter really does beget the one that follows it. I think Carrie Bradshaw would agree.

A Belated Birthday Celebration

Last night, I enjoyed a belated birthday dinner at trendy East Village bistro Il Cantinori.

Fortunately for me, I fared much better than Carrie Bradshaw when she dined here alone on her 35th, as some of my best gal pals and my Delaware-based cousin Chris joined me for the festivities.

Celebrating With My Nearest and Dearest: Me with (clockwise from left) Caroline, Amanda, Chris, Sara and Leila

After raising our glasses and enjoying a complimentary antipasto of grilled vegetables, we talked about everything from current events and recession-related job uncertainty to adventure travel and what destinations each of us would visit if we get laid off. Eastern Europe, Ireland, South America and, of course, Australia (for me) topped our-post pink slip wish lists.

As I enjoyed a Caprese salad appetizer and some heavenly osso buco, the conversation turned to affairs of the heart -- specifically how the dating scene varies according to where you reside, and how much easier it would be to meet someone special if attached friends would pay it forward and play matchmaker.

Enjoying a candlelit slice of Tirami Su and an operatic birthday serenade at Il Cantinori

To my great delight, I was treated to a birthday serenade by Il Cantinori’s talented wait staff that surpassed any of the ones we heard for other celebrants over the course of our three-hour meal. There’s something about the way “Happy Birthday” is sung at an Italian restaurant that gives me goose bumps -- especially when the adorable waiters call me “Bella.”

A plate of Tirami Su ended the evening on a delicious high note. I was reminded once again that dessert, much like milestone birthdays, is always sweeter when it’s shared with family and friends.

A Musical Birthday Celebration

Wednesday night, I enjoyed a low-key birthday celebration at home with Morty, one of my best friends, and my dear cousin Alexandra.

In addition to being two of my favorite people on Planet Earth, Morty and Alexandra have something else in common – they’re both talented singers. Alexandra is classically trained with a background in opera, while Morty is a songwriter/guitarist with a flare for contemporary tunes.

After making me smile with a makeshift “cake” of ice cream sandwiches arranged to form an M, they indulged my request for a duet, delivering pitch perfect renditions of songs by Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill and, of course, my beloved Ricky Martin.

Eventually, I joined in, belting out Whitney Houston’s ’92 power ballad “I Have Nothing” with Morty and Alexandra at the top of my lungs (and, with apologies to my neighbors, accompanied by the CD blaring from my stereo). Despite lingering jetlag from my Australia trip, I felt energized – and thankful to be sharing my 35th with two of my nearest and dearest.

The celebrating continues tomorrow, with dinner at NYC’s Il Cantinori – the restaurant where Carrie Bradshaw ended up alone on her 35th in "Sex And The City." My friends have assured me they’ll be more reliable than Carrie’s inner circle. I can’t wait to connect with my inner party girl. After all, 35 is the new 25, right?

A Milestone Birthday

Today is my 35th birthday. One of my favorite pick me up books, The Portable Best Friend, says that your thirties are when you really start hitting your stride. I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to my life and career here in NYC.

Work wise, I’ve never been happier. Having spent most of my twenties being something of a professional gypsy feeding the TV news beast, I’m thankful to have found both fulfillment and stability in travel PR -- at an agency run by three accomplished women who continually inspire me with their talent and creativity.

Speaking of fabulous ladies, I’m blessed with a truly amazing circle of friends, many of whom defy geographical distance with their devotion, all of whom enrich my life and make everything a lot more fun.

In looking back on the milestones I‘ve achieved, I can’t help pondering the life stages I haven’t yet reached, namely marriage and starting a family.

I take great comfort in the fact that my beloved late mom was in her thirties when she fell in love with my dad. Their passionate and enduring love remains the gold standard of relationships for me, and a source of hope that my own happily ever after is out there too.

As the iconic Carrie Bradshaw herself discovered, 35 is a good age at which to start focusing on finding a soul mate. I’m excited to ramp up the search for mine now that I feel truly ready for him.

So far, being middle aged isn’t so bad. How can it be when you live in the greatest city in the world…and have a steady supply of anti-wrinkle cream?

Hope For The Thirty Something Single Gal

This week, two of my 35+ gal pals had big romantic news to share. One got engaged during a Rio getaway with her beau of ten months. The other is smitten with a St. Louis guy she met after moving back to the Midwest just a few weeks ago.

Upon learning about my friends’ happy developments, I couldn’t help thinking about how quickly one’s romantic situation can change -- and feeling renewed hope about my own prospects as I approach turning 35 later this month.

It’s a welcome feeling. Because even in the post-"Sex And The City" era, persistent messaging says that if you’re a thirty something woman, time is running out to find happily ever after.

Carrie Bradshaw and Co: The SATC ladies proved that life and love don’t really start falling into place until your thirties

Last year, a 60-something woman I met in a mall didn’t hesitate to say that the odds are against me since men in their 30’s and 40’s tend to go for women in their 20’s (she‘s not entirely wrong -- I did two May-December romances where I was the young half of the cliché).

Even more telling, though, was the prominent NYC matchmaker who included me in an email blast seeking applicants for an eligible bachelorettes reality show. Upon replying with my vital stats and age (then 33), this is what she told me--

“You sound very eligible so far but the age cut-off is 32 for this project. It is television, as you know.”

Yikes. Thankfully, fate seems to have a much more forgiving timetable for romance than reality TV.

As my good friend Tiffany recently pointed out, Carrie and her brood didn’t get anything they really wanted until after turning 35.

“Get ready,” Tiffany said, “to join all the most interesting, most vivacious, and most beautiful women who are all 35+ because they've finally grown into themselves. Haven't you read all the magazines?"

Thanks for the reminder, Tiff. Look out 35, here I come!

Sex And The City: The Sequel

Last December, during a visit to the set of "Sex and The City," I overheard two security guards discussing plans for a sequel. This week, after months of rumors and speculation, Kim Cattrall (Samantha) confirmed that a sequel to the blockbuster film is indeed in the works.

For as much as this year’s big screen SATC installment had me smitten with Carrie & Co all over again, I can’t help thinking it will be a very tough act to follow. What could possibly come next for the fab four? Will they, as Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) hopes, embark on a madcap adventure? Is it possible Carrie, now that she’s finally Mrs. John James Preston, will follow in Miranda and Charlotte’s footsteps and take on motherhood?

As writer/producer Michael Patrick King ponders the next chapter for his beloved fictional females, I wonder if he’s caught TV Land’s hilarious take on SATC: the golden years (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/06/16/icymi-bea-arthur-is-carrie-bradshaw).

Golden Girl: Bea Arthur as Carrie Bradshaw in TV Land's hilarious SATC spoof

While it’s hard to imagine SATC crossing over into AARP territory, I’m excited for the summer of 2010, which is reportedly when the sequel will come out.

What storyline would you like to see in SATC 2? Post a comment and maybe we can give MPK some ideas. I don't know what he has in store for Carrie and the girls but, with girlfriends and cosmos in hand once again, I can’t wait to find out.