NYE Special Events

For several years my NYE included hitting up the hot clubs, dancing all night then toasting in the new year with (several) glasses of champagne!  As I have entered my 30s (early), things seemed to have mellowed down for me a little.  Now don't get me wrong, I love a great party, but I am now more into chilling at my favorite lounge/restaurant and enjoying a good martini with my girls.  This year, I will probably go a restaurant (with a lavish buffet including some form of seafood), then chill at my Sorors house for her annual NYE bash which my husband and I have attended for the last 3 years.  

I'm sure you all are yawing right about now...but hey let me do me!!  But for all you divas that want to kick it in style in your 5" stillettos in the dead of winter, here are my top 5 picks for wrapping up 09 with a NYE bash you won't soon forget.

SYGU 2010

Wednesday, December 30th
The Pageant
6161 Delmar Blvd. 
St. Louis, MO 
9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. 


The gents at SYGU plan to get the NYE parties crackin a little earlier this year by hosting a NYEE (New Year's Eve Eve) party at the Pageant!  Some of the best local DJ's will be in the house along with some of the best sounds from around the country...they got DJ's on tap from the ATL and Chi-town as well.  There will also be live performances.  Purchasing advanced tickets is highly recommended cause you know how they do it!  You can purchase your tix at:  http://www.thepageant.com

Cufflinks and Stilletto 
Thursday, December 31st
EXO Ultra Lounge
3146 Locust
St Louis, MO 63103
10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres buffet and midnight champagne toast

Tickets: $25 advanced, $40 at the door 

Celebrate your New Year in style at the hip, swank, and eclectic EXO Ultra Lounge. The love begins at 10 p.m. with a MAXWELL listening party & soulful vibes featuring EXO's guest DJ's. Special invited guests will remain nameless, but if you've been to EXO, you know the vibe and style. Bring your significant other or toast with friends...this event is designed for the stylish mind, and social elite! Purchase tix at www.1stfriday-stl.com  

Only 400 tickets will be sold!

Synergy Once in a Blue Moon NYE

Thursday, December 31st

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch

315 Chestnut Street
St Louis, MO 63102

9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m

Blue Moon, Synergy Productions, ALIVE Magazine and Belvedere Vodka present Once In A Blue Moon New Years Eve Party!  Ring in 2010 with an evening of decadent food, premium open bar, great music and delicious desserts at St. Louis' finest hotel party.  For more information visit: http://www.synergystl.com/bluemoon/# Cocktail attire requested.

9 Ways to Wrap up 09' hosted by Synergy
Thursday, December 31st
Various Locations


Synergy is hosting another fabulous set of NYE celebrations througout the city that range from a basement bash and fine dining, to upscale night club and hotel party.  For more information visit:  http://www.stlnye.com/

Martini & Rossi Rose
"Asti New Years Eve Appreciation Reception"
Thursday, December 31st
EXO Ultra Lounge
3146 Locust
St Louis, MO 63103
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Looks like EXO will be jumping most of the evening!  Join 13 Black Katz & EXO Lounge, Stress Free Fridays &  Distinguished Gentlemen, and 1st Friday-St. Louis for complimentary Martini & Rossi Rose, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment.  Ya'll might as well bring your clothes to work, then change for the rest of the evening if you plan on kicking it at EXO for the night!  For more information visit:  www.exostl.com

Now, before you Urbanistas go out and start drinking (or for those who want to keep it low key), you may want to check out some of the fabulous St. Louis restaurants that have their own NYE celebrations going on.  My hubby and I may be checking out Red Kitchen & Bar at the Hyatt, but Mosaic, Moulin, and the Chase are some great options as well.  Whatever you decide to do, please have fun and always be safe!!  

Urbanistas in the City--Holiday Edition!

What a festive month December was, however, I am absolutely drained.  Although I didn't do much at the beginning of  the month, I sure made up for it during the last few weeks.  The Urbanistas were here, there, and everywhere; socializing, networking, and merry making!  

We started at the Simple Pleasures III event hosted by B Free Paparazzi and indulged in decadent chocolate treats, champagne and sushi all while enjoying neo soul beats, spoken word, and belly dancing.  There was a great mix of black socialites and movers and shakers in the house including SYGU's Eddie Holman, LME's Otto Nichols, Freetime's Darryl Gillespie, Attorney Ryan Smith, B Free's Miata Lewis-Harris, JoAnn Smith, Corey Black, Masherryl Conyer, and just about every other young urban professional.  Click here for all the pics!



Next up, was our 1st Annual Holiday Fete in which we hosted special guest Ola Hawatmeh, from  Mom Me Makeover and her guest, Angie.  We didn't have the turnout that I would've liked, but I expected that with all the holiday parties going on this month (which is why I wanted to host the party last month, but you know how that turned out)!  The party was at Red Kitchen and Bar which featured a tapas styled menu.  We  sipped on "Grinch" and "Pointsetta" martinis, networked  and chatted about the upcoming movie Sex and the City II, and how we may need to host a party...or two. Click here for all the pics!

The following week, I attended a private fashion show and dinner at Paul Mineos in Westport to benefit Makeover for a Cause.  This time I was the special guest of Ola.  I was truly honored that she wanted me to attend such a fabulous event.  The show was amazing and the appetizers were great!  In the house were Alive Magazine and Gilberto Pinela of STL-TV.  Click here for all the pics!

I didn't get a chance to make the "Networking Event of the Year" aka "Who's Who in Black St. Louis," because...well the tickets were a little too pricey.  I know the price included a copy of the book, but heck, if I ain't in it, I could really use that money elsewhere, especially during these times.  But I did want to give a shout out to two Urbanistas that were included in the book this year, Jasonee Ragland (soon to be Mrs.) of the St. Louis Urban League and Dr. Jennifer McCleary of Triad Chiropractic. Congrats ladies!


The Urbanistas did get a chance to swing through the young, black, urban professionals "Who's Who" set as we attended the Urban League Young Professionals aka the "YP's" Holiday Extravaganza at Hotel Lumiere.  I caught the tail end of the party since I was at Ola's fashion show earlier that evening, but when I arrived, the party was still in full swing.  Spotted networking were past presidents Barry Neal and Deanna Carroll, newly elected president, Kendrick Joshway, past treasurer Nate Johnson, and socialites Deone Nealie and Makeda Crane (skee wee Soror).  After the party fizzled down, I saw a few of the youngins headed out to various locations in the city.  However, after a night of holiday festivities, food, and wine, I was ready to call it a night.  Click here for all the pics!

This week, I will be relaxing (and celebrating) with my hubby as his bday is tomorrow, then preparing for my annual holiday brunch I will be hosting for my family.  You would've thought I'd had enough of entertaining after Thanksgiving, but I'm a junkie for throwing parties, so I just can't help myself.  However, this time, it will be on a much lower scale, just 10 of us this time.  On the menu we have mimosas, roasted duck, breakfast casserole, brown sugar glazed bacon, pancakes, garlic and butter saute' schrimp, fresh fruit, ham, biscuits, grits....okay, let me stop, cause I am getting hungry!!LOL  Anyhoo, I hope all you Urbanistas enjoy spending time with your families and have a safe and very blessed Christmas and Kwanzaa.  


Ciao Urbanistas!

December Soiree Calendar

This month is all about networking and enjoying holiday festivities!  The Urbanistas social calendar is booking up quickly, so I am sure you all will see us everywhere representing.  Some of the highlights of the month include our 1st Annual Holiday Fete, Who's Who in Black St. Louis, and B Free's Simply Pleasures 3.  Of course we will be out and about during NYE so stay tuned for a list of special events going on that weekend.

Simple Pleasures III "Internationally Chic Edition"

Thursday, December 10th

Café Cioccolato

816 Olive Street

St. Louis, MO

7:00 p.m. free admission before 8:00 p.m. ($10 after)

Now this is an event I am definitely looking forward to.  Teddy "B Free" Blackett will be hosting Simple Pleasures, a networking event that caters to St. Louis’ urban socialites. It encourages networking and socializing in an atmosphere where diversity flourishes. They have combined diverse people, Neo Soul & Classic Hip Hop, decadent chocolate and wines with a sexy & unique venue to create an extraordinary networking environment. Not only is Simple Pleasures a seductive journey into classic style & timeless taste, it is an introduction to a lifestyle. Simple Pleasures will feature: red carpet treatment (including a red carpet picture area) $30 bottle service, a hip hop inspired belly dance performance, exotic martinis, complimentary massages, attendance prizes from sponsors, and much more. Come mix and mingle with the who's who in St. Louis and enjoy some Simple Pleasures. For more information visit: www.bfreepaparazzi.com 

8th Annual Platinum Christmas Party

Saturday, December 12th

Lights On Broadway

8344 N. Broadway

St. Louis, MO 63147

Networking-7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Entertainment-8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:

Tickets: $20 advanced purchase, $25 at the door

Jacque and Leata Land one of St. Louis' top event planners will be hosting their 8th Annual Platinum Christmas Party.  This is definitely a "Who's Who in Black St. Louis" type of party, so make sure you swing by and show the Platinum Group some love during the holidays!

Who's Who in Black St. Louis
Monday, December 14th
America's Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO  63101
Networking-6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (include hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and entertainment)
Book unveiling program-7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
$50 per ticket includes a copy of Who's Who in Black St. Louis 6th Edition

Speaking of Who's Who, this is a "must" attend event if you are big on getting your networking game on with everybody who's anybody in St. Louis.  I did attend this event back in the day when the book was first published, I was featured in the 2nd Edition in 2005.  I tell you, it was such a positive experience being surrounded by so many accomplished African Americans.  It's sort of like attending the St. Louis American's "Salute" events!

Urbanistas Annual Holiday Fete
Thursday, December 17th
7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
private affair/invite only


In between remodeling my home and hosting Thanksgiving, needless to say, I didn't get around to planning the Urbanistas Holiday Fete.  I attempted to kick things off before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season began, but I got caught up!  Anyhoo, the Urbanistas will be hosting our first holiday fete at one of St. Louis' newest, hottest restaurants downtown, which will also include a few special guests that have supported Urbanistas throughout the year.  

Urban League Young Professionals
Christmas Holiday Explosion
Friday, December 18th
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

for ULYP members only

Mom Me Makeover Fashion Show
Friday, December 18th
7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Paul Mineo's
333 Westport Plaza
Tickets-$50 includes gourmet hors d'oeuvres

Join Mom Me Makeover for a "Food and Fashion" event to benefit Makeover for a Cause.  Makeover for a cause was formed to help people in difficult circumstances achieve a total life improvement solution by helping them connect with their inner beauty and confidence. They work in conjunction with a variety of partner charitable organizations, providing health and beauty services to clients with such diverse needs as out of work women, children with cancer, and homeless individuals.  
To purchase tickets, please contact Nicole Moungo at:  636.262.0101 or via email at:  nmoungo@charter.net