I'm definitely lucky in the fact that I get invited to some of the best events around town. There's never really a dull moment in my schedule, but the down side is that I'm "always" working in some shape or form…whether it's live tweeting from an event, or scheduling Tweets on Hootsuite in the evenings. Some days, I actually dream in 140 characters. I kid you not.
A long time ago, I wrote an article for a publication about the death of the Drive-in Theater. It seems like a bizarre subject matter, but I really love Drive-in Theaters. Call me a romantic, but that era of drive-in theaters was pretty darn social. The entire family would visit a theater — including the house pet — enjoy an evening of fun-filled beer, pretzels and ice cream while catching a flick. Today, the stark reality is that teenagers are so used to TV dinners and watching Gossip Girl, adults are so used to running around feeling all stressed, and there's no Honey, I'm Home feeling in many households.
Myself and Nichelle Pace, founder of StyleMom.com. Nichelle is someone who I look up to for style inspiration
Upscale blogger events and socialization are key to a well-rounded lifestyle– at least, in my life. For many years, I was a complete recluse. I refused to go out, because I was scared and shy. I would get invited to events but felt they were out of my comfort zone, or that they really didn't matter. But today, after being in the beauty and travel journalism business for over five years, I would definitely say that socialization and events have played a pivotal role in my own personal development.
Recently, I went to an event hosted by Nichelle Pace, the founder of StyleMom.com. Although I'm not a mom (yet), I wanted to go and support her efforts and to catch up with my gal pals. In New York City, when people are always on the run and no one seems to have time for you, events are organized social oases. At Nichelle's down-to-earth cocktail party held at Acqua Beauty Bar in Union Square, I saw faces I had not seen in ages, including my beloved friend Issa Mas. All the ladies who attended sipped Belvedere Vodka cocktails, received makeovers from BeautyAddicts and got manis on the house. Well-heeled ladies from every part of the blogosphere showed up with excited, happy faces. One of the event sponsors, Iced Orchid diamonds, had beautiful displays of their affordable jewelry everywhere.
It was a truly elegant, calm and luxurious experience in every sense.
The always lovely and elegant Felicia Walker Benson of ThisThatBeauty.com, Beauty Editor of Jones Magazine
You might say, "oh, what an era of product placement," but who doesn't want the finer things in life, really? While you can pretend to be a recluse who refuses to step out from the Left Bank to sunny (okay, well, material) side of life, isn't there a little part in all of us who wants to go to beautifully-curated parties and live La Vida Loca? I certainly do, but I realize that also means never taking such events for granted. A lot of hard work and thought goes in behind the scenes and I am so grateful to be a part of them.
So, socialization as a purely scientific travel experiment then, works in marvelous ways. You leave an event or Tweetup feeling energized, loved, and radiating positive vibes all around. While we may live in an age of Twitter and various social media channels, there's nothing better than a face to face encounter. You get a live Q&A experience and leave with profound memories. How many memories do you recall from your Twitter experience? I always remember the "in person" experiences the most.
Dana Humphrey and myself at the launch of MetroGuest.com, an online community of hosts and travelers looking for an easy way to manage properties (you can host guests through this site or find a place to live).
While I've toyed with the idea of relocating from New York City to a warmer climate several times, but there's no better city in the world in which to live and socialize than the Big Apple. I've formed friendships, visited every sleek and swank building imaginable and delighted in lazy evenings spent sipping wine and listening to stories.
These events may be the closest I'll ever get to experiencing that "Drive-in Theater" moment of days gone by, but in the most upscale and purely New York way possible.
- Charu Suri
Get budget flights to New York and save on your next trip.