It all started on a kibbutz in the Negev Desert at the brink of a New Year. I was a college girl from the University of Georgia exploring the Holy Land on winter break with Birthright Israel. Little did I know that on those long bus rides from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv to Tzvat, sitting next to my new friend Lisa, I was sparking a friendship that would stand the test of time for over a decade and counting.
Through the years, our lives would unfold along similar paths. After Israel, I met my first love and introduced Lisa to his younger brother. She and I rang in New Year 2002 together because the brothers had plans with their family that year. That’s when we realized we had celebrated the last two New Years in a row together. After college, we both ended up in New York City, and from 2001 to 2005, we spent three out of five New Years together (plus, we talked on the phone on one, so it kind of counts, too!). Does all of this sound a little tedious? Well, I’m doing my best to relay a story that only Lisa and I seem to find fascinating year after year.
During our time in New York, Lisa would introduce me to Krista, and the three of us would become the best of friends. As New Year’s 2006 approached, we decided we were sick of celebrating in New York. The parties were overpriced and the bars were overcrowded. It was impossible to catch a cab home at the end of the night and we could have a better time on a random Tuesday night in the city than on New Year’s Eve. So the three of us brought the party south to Atlanta. And the rest is history… The Traveling New Year’s Club was born!
2006 Atlanta
Both Lisa and my families live in the Atlanta area, so it was easy enough to stick around for New Year’s after the holidays, and Krista flew in to join us. Lisa’s brother Adam hosted us at his Midtown apartment before we headed to dinner at Two Urban Licks. Also joining us was Lisa’s boyfriend Ben (the younger brother I introduced her to years before in Athens) and friends he’d known since high school. We drank vodka infusions and dined on delicious small plates like lamb lollipops and tandoori vegetables in a cool industrial setting before party-hopping around the city. We eventually ended up at trendy club Opera (although, I think it was called something else then) where we proceeded to get super silly.
Lisa, Shayne, & Krista on Adam’s Midtown balcony.
Ben, Adam, Krista, Lisa, Shayne, Melissa, & Joel at Two Urban Licks for dinner.
Lisa, Shayne, & Krista having too much fun.
2007 Key West
I moved to Key West at the end of the summer, and the club was ready for a vacation to the Southernmost Point. We initiated a new member too, Ted, my friend since college and roommate our first year in New York. We dined on pan seared hogfish at Cafe Sole before ringing in the New Year at Fogarty’s, and then all over Duval Street. Throughout the week, we road our bicycles around the island, went sunset sailing and snorkeling (Lisa narrowly survived a Portuguese man of war sting to the neck), and had New Year’s Day brunch at Blue Heaven. All the while, Ben had a plan up his sleeves. He proposed to Lisa in Key West so she could celebrate with her two best friends. What a guy!
Lisa, Shayne, & Krista at Fogarty’s.
Ted & Shayne ringing in 2007.
Ben & Lisa celebrating their engagement at Sunset Key.
2008 Seattle
Ben and Lisa moved to Seattle for his med school internship, and we were all game to explore the Pacific Northwest. When we arrived, Lisa handed us our itineraries, and we were off to the Public Market, the locks, the Space Needle, and the Experience Music Program Museum. We had a decadent New Year’s Eve dinner at Brasa and then danced the night away at See Sound Lounge. Ted and I flew in a few days early and added a mini ski trip to Vancouver to the itinerary.
Krista, Shayne, & Lisa at See Sound Lounge.
Lisa & Ben at the party.
Ted & Shayne.
2009 Las Vegas
In 2009, we were ready to party, and so we headed to Vegas. This time it was a girls only trip. We dined out at Mario Batali’s B & B Ristorante at the Venetian and then headed across the strip to the Mirage to ring in the New Year. Lisa swooped in for a 24 hour stay while Krista and I stuck around a little longer to party at Tao and Lavo, dine at Stack and Alain Ducasse’s Mix, and see Love. We all had a delicious New Year’s Day brunch at Bouchon Bakery.
Krista, Shayne, & Lisa at the Mirage.
Krista, Shayne, & Lisa at Bouchon Bakery.
Lisa, Shayne, & Krista at the fountain by Caesar’s Palace.
2010 Miami Beach
I was still living in Key West, but Miami was on the brain. Our Traveling New Year’s Club dwindled to two to ring in 2010. Krista and I rented a condo on Ocean Drive for the week and we proceeded to wreak havoc on Miami Beach. For New Year’s Eve, we headed to the newly opened W South Beach for dinner at Mr. Chow and a party poolside featuring John Legend and Kid Cudi. That pretty girl from 90210 (the new class), AnnaLynne McCord, hosted the countdown. We had an absolute ball! As a last minute surprise, Krista’s cousin Lizette paid us a visit and we enjoyed a spa day and dinner out at Osteria del Teatro with her. Also, as you may notice, I’m not afraid to recycle my New Year’s dresses (especially when they’re really expensive).
Krista & Shayne at the W.
Shayne & Krista at the W.
Surprise! Lizette is here!
2011 Miami Beach
We had so much fun in Miami in 2010, we had to come back for more. The only difference was that this time I was a new resident. Krista flew in for a long weekend and we sampled the city’s cuisine from South Beach (Bond Street) to the Design District (Michael’s Genuine). For New Year’s, we were back at the W for another fab poolside party, this time with a performance by Drake. Why wasn’t Lisa with us this year? Well, she and Ben were busy celebrating with their newborn Alexandra.
Shayne & Krista heading back to the W.
Shayne & Krista back at the W.
Ben, Lisa, and their baby Alexandra texted it in.
2012 Key West
When Krista and I toasted to 2011, we knew it was going to be a big year. We had both started new businesses, I’d made a big move, and before the year was over Krista was engaged. With Lisa as a new mother, my girls were preoccupied for New Year’s 2012. It’s a good thing that Ted was up for an adventure and he was ready to return to Key West. Along with his friend Colin, we were off to the Southernmost Point once again. We enjoyed dinner at Blackfin Bistro where my friend Jenna joined us, and then we were off to ping pong all over Duval Street. We saw Sushi dangling in her stiletto at 801 Bourbon before the “ball” drop at midnight and rang in the New Year at Fogarty’s. Then we went everywhere, including The Porch, Rick’s, Lazy Gecko, and I’m pretty sure the Green Parrot.
Ted, Shayne, & Colin on Duval Street.
Ted, Shayne, Jenna, & Colin at Fogarty’s.
The conch drop at Sloppy Joe’s.
With 2013 on the horizon, this will be the first year since 2006 that I’m not celebrating with Lisa, Krista, or Ted. In a way, it’s bittersweet, but at the same time, I know when I’ll be seeing all of them in the New Year. It’s been an amazing tradition with lifelong friends. It’s no wonder New Year’s has been my favorite holiday for so long. It’s exciting to see the paths everyone’s lives have taken and I know there will be many more celebrations to come.
This year, I’ll be ringing in 2013 with new friends on Miami Beach and I’m looking forward to a fun party and a New Year. And I wish the same for all of you. Happy New Year!
