Singles Event Pick: New Year's Eve At Stitch

When you live in the Big Apple, finding a New Year’s event that won’t set you back at least $100 is no easy feat. Thankfully, the folks at Professionals In The City have the answer, with a Singles New Year’s Eve Party that’s only $50 per person.

The party kicks off at 8pm at Stitch, a lively lounge in NYC's Garment District. Ticket price includes light hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, cash bar, creative and interactive activities, DJ & dancing.

There will also be door prizes, along with chances to win free adventures as well as private golf lessons, ski packages and a complete home theatre system.

“Dress to impress,” says the website.

Tickets are $50 if purchased by tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm, and sales for the event will close at 11am on Thursday, December 31st. Click here for more info.

Celebrating A Cherished Friend

It's not often that someone celebrates a birthday by giving back to family and friends -- but that’s exactly what my dear friend Tiffany did for her 36th on Friday.

All smiles: Tiffany and me during her divine birthday celebration

Tiffany treated a dozen of us to candlelight yoga at the Om Factory in NYC’s Garment District. Previous yoga experiences left me exhausted (and preferring Pilates), so I was happily surprised that the third time in this case proved to be the charm.

Om Factory: The perfect setting for soul-soothing candlelight yoga

Led by Tiff’s friend Allison, the one-hour session accomplished what yoga never had for me before -- reconnecting me with all that I’m thankful for and challenging me physically in a way that didn’t feel like slow torture. It didn’t hurt that the studio offered an amazing view of the Empire State Building.

A View of the ESB from Om Factory's main yoga studio

The class wound down with everyone sitting in a circle and sharing a special memory or sentiment about Tiffany -- and ended, of course, with some delicious yellow sponge cake courtesy of Tiff’s mom.

Next, all of us walked over to Koreatown for a late dinner at Kum Gang San, complimented by live music performed by a piano/cellist duo on a faux cliff ledge.

Sweet Sounds: The musicians at Kum Gang San performed a perfect medley of tunes from the Sinatra era.

Pooped from yoga, I decided to make an early exit -- but not before Tiffany took me aside to give me one of her legendary hugs and ask how my week was. Even though this was her night, she never stopped taking care of everyone. I’m looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays with her.

PR Girls Night Out: Stitch

Last night, I enjoyed a girls night out with four of my favorite fellow PR ladies – Andrea, Lauren, Louise and Tara.

It had been many months since our last PR chicks happy hour, so we had much to catch up on over drinks at Stitch, a watering hole in NYC’s Garment District, right around the corner from my office.

Stitch: The perfect place for after-work imbibing, even on a chilly winter’s night

As we nibbled on some tasty appetizers (mozzarella sticks, chicken quesadillas and coconut flavored chicken nuggets), Tara filled us in on her plans for a fall wedding at a stately home in Florida with her beau of four+ years. Louise talked about her relatively new gig at Dan Klores Associates, Andrea mentioned revisiting Match.com, and Lauren and I (both Aquarians) shared our disbelief over turning 35.

After some shoptalk and musing about dream alternate career paths – culinary school, EMT training and full-time writing among them – we got onto the subject of online dating misadventures and our own personal experiences of the book-turned-movie “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

What is it, we collectively wondered, about meeting online that seems to subvert the whole point – getting to know someone in person? It’s almost like there’s an aversion to graduating from emails, texts, and IM’s.

I told the girls my approach to cutting down on the interminable communicating – saying right in my profile that I have no interest in it, and responding to an email from an interested guy with my number. If all he wants to do is chat online, I move on. Time is too precious, especially when you reach your mid-thirties, to do anything else – and much better spent enjoying the delightful company of good friends.

Special Sendoff For A Best Friend

Yesterday marked the end of an era at Quinn & Co. with the departure of my adored colleague and very dear friend Morty. Tonight, my co-workers and I surprised him with an intimate dinner at Lazzarra's, a cozy bistro in NYC’s Garment District that serves up delicious thin crust pizza.

BFF: Morty and me at his farewell dinner, photographed by fabulous fellow Quinnling, Danielle

Morty is leaving to get his phD in psychology, a field that is a perfect match for his intelligent, analytical mind and compassionate, insightful understanding of how people think and feel.

“I’m sorry that you’re leaving for a lot of reasons,” Quinn & Co. president Florence told Morty. “For your specialness, for your personality like no one else’s that makes everybody feel so good.”

With his infectious wit and effervescent charm – not to mention a knack for effusive, adjective-laden emails and a spot-on Tracy Chapman impersonation -- Morty brightened up everyone’s workday, mine especially.

All Smiles: Morty with the mug I gave him to eliminate the coffee cup pileup at his desk!

It’s no accident that I’ve affectionately called Morty my work husband. For the last three years, he has been my number one office confidante, the person whose sage advice and heartfelt hugs I’ve grown accustomed to enjoying on a daily basis.

After dinner tonight, Morty and I walked arm in arm through Times Square. As we hugged and talked about getting together next week, I could feel us beginning a new chapter in our friendship. Though it was a bittersweet one, I felt comforted. Because I know, even with all the wonderful memories we’ve shared already -- the best is yet to come.

Delightful Date With An Englishman

When you go on a date with someone you meet online, you never know what exactly you’re in store for. The other night, I enjoyed the pleasant surprise of a date who was even more intriguing than his profile.

A 40-year-old British-born corporate guy turned journalist, S had sent me an “Icebreaker” email through college and university alum networking site TheSquare.com.

TheSquare.com: An Icebreaker email exchange through this site led to a delightful date

We met at Houndstooth pub, a new venue in NYC’s Garment District, to find out if phone chemistry would translate into a real-life connection.

Over a shared plate of chicken quesadillas, S and I discovered a mutual affinity for Harry Potter, and for the adrenalin rush of covering the news. He asked me if I ever miss being a TV reporter and I was happy that, four years after leaving my former profession behind, my answer is still no. That said, I couldn’t help being tickled pink when S said he wouldn’t hesitate to put me back on camera if he had his own TV station.

After two hours of engaging conversation, we decided to call it a night. A true gentleman, S offered me his arm as he escorted me to a cab and gave me a parting kiss on the cheek.

Though it remains to be seen whether S and I will go out again, one thing’s for sure -- there's something about a guy with an accent.

Only In New York: Take One

The other day in my neighborhood, I spotted veteran local news anchor Ernie Anastas stopping to chat with some Upper East Side residents who greeted him with a friendly hello. When you live in New York, it’s easy to stumble upon bold-faced names. The ease with which Ernie’s fans spoke to him got me to thinking about something else --- the colorful non-celebrity characters that fill the Big Apple.

I remember walking along West 35th Street in NYC’s Garment District one morning, so euphoric about reconciling with a boyfriend that I was singing -- audibly -- a Whitney Houston song.

“God bless you,” a man said as I passed him.

Just as I was about to thank him for that (and for appreciating my singing), he added--

“…Don’t quit your day job.”

I got a good chuckle out of that, as I did when I was strolling through Times Square years ago with a Fox News colleague. We were talking about the ingenuity of local panhandlers. Right on cue, a guy in front of us reached out his hand and asked--

“Can you spare some change for the United Negro Pizza Fund?”

I actually spared a dollar because that line was priceless.

Call it moxie, chutzpah or whatever you will, but New Yorkers aren’t bashful about saying what’s on their mind. And they can deliver a perfectly timed quip that, even when it’s directed at you, hits right where it matters most -- your funny bone.