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!

Looking for a little fun and recreation to accompany your weekend day drinking routine? Situated underneath the Highline and at the foot of the Meatpacking District’s entrance to the scenic elevated walkway is the Standard Biergarten. Open air in the summer and glass enclosed in the winter, with ping pong tables aplenty and rows of tables packed tight for imbibing, the vibe is very rec-center-meets-chic-Manhattan-hangout. The staff, dressed in lederhosen tromp l’oeil t-shirts, lends a playful, free-spirited mood as you purchase tickets to order bratwurst and giant soft pretzels to snack on. Being that it’s a biergarten, the beer menu is, of course, extensive, and there’s also a solid cocktail selection, including a riff on the mimosa with a secret ingredient–whiskey. You’ll be hard pressed to tear yourself away from the fun before the sunsets over the Hudson River.

848 Washington St, New York, NY 212-645-4100

Situated across the street from the Louvre in the heart of Paris, Le Fumoir is a bustling bar and restaurant frequented by a well-heeled after work crowd. Midday, it’s the perfect cozy cafe to get off your feet and warm up with a café creme, but by the time happy hour rolls around, it’s a lively meeting place where Parisians and tourists alike rub shoulders at the bar sipping kir royale, wine by the glass, cocktails, or draft beer. With red leather banquette seating lining the walls and tables ideal for gathering with friends and strangers, you never know where the night will lead when the handsome stranger across the room makes eyes with you.

6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny 75001, Paris, France +33 1 42 92 00 24

Head down Petronia Street and into the heart of Bahama Village for upscale Spanish tapas with a twist at Santiago’s Bodega. The intimate restaurant recently expanded, doubling its dining area, which is still almost always full on any given night. Call ahead to reserve a table inside or on the covered wraparound patio when the weather is mild. Serving only wine and beer, pitchers of the red or white sangria are a popular option and so is the Bellini. While the cuisine does not adhere strictly to Spanish tradition, the small plates are meant for sharing and are absolutely crave worthy. Dishes not to be missed include the seared beef tenderloin topped with blue cheese butter, the grouper filet encrusted with fennel seed and coriander, and the saganaki–haloumi cheese flambéed in brandy table side. End your meal with a sumptuous bread pudding or chocolate crepe.

207 Petronia St, Key West, FL 305-296-7691

After a challenging afternoon skiing the black diamond runs at the base of Les Deux Alpes, a sweet crêpe and café is exactly the treat you need before dinner. Warm up at this cozy crêperie and restaurant après ski and feed your soul. For a simple sweet treat opt for the miel et citron (honey and lemon juice) or the chocolat et banane  (chocolate and banana) folded into a thin pancake. Of course, there is always the classic and much-loved Nutella and strawberries option. If you want to dress up your crêpe, add chantilly (whipped cream) or glace (ice cream). For dinner, Crêpes A Go Go serves a typical Alpine menu complete with fondue and raclette that you absolutely must sample during a skit trip to the French Alps.

118, avenue de la Muzelle, Les Deux Alpes, France +33 4 76 79 29 61

Located at the mid-point of the 120 mile-long, elbow-shaped Great Abaco Island, where the Bahamas’ Out Islands end and the Atlantic Ocean sprawls endlessly, Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbor Marina is conveniently situated a short five minute transfer from the Marsh Harbor Airport. With an archipelago of 100 smaller islands running parallel to Great Abaco, the placid and pale aquamarine waters are ideal for island hopping. Boat Harbor’s full service marina is one of the largest in the Bahamas with 198 slips accommodating boats of up to 200 feet long. With 89 oceanfront rooms, suites, cottages, and private residences, the resort has been family run for two generations. Featuring a fine dining restaurant, poolside bar, and fitness center, the true attraction is offshore. With its pristine waters, unspoiled beaches, and sleepy island towns, the Abacos are commonly referred to as “The Boating Capital of the World.” Embark on a fishing charter or boat rental and explore nearby Hopetown, Guana Cay, and Green Turtle Cay, and marvel at the languorous beauty of the tropics.

877-533-4799

A landmark of Miami Modern architecture on Collins Avenue, the Fontainebleau Resort Miami Beach is a glamourous playground of excess. From the lobby’s iconic Morris Lapidus-designed bow tie tile floors, to the glamorous “stairway to nowhere,” and the golden Ai Weiwei chandeliers seemingly dripping from the heavens, it’s a modern reference to the glitzy bygone era of Miami Beach in the 1950s and ’60s. Fast forward to 2012, and it’s home to LIV, the hottest club in town, which draws a regular lineup of world class DJs like Tiësto, Steve Angello, and Axwell, along with the slick subterranean lounge Arkadia. With over 1,500 guest rooms, the resort is a destination unto itself featuring a 20 acre oceanfront pool area, a 40,000 square-foot spa, and various upscale shopping options. Dining out? Head to any of their three signature restaurants–Gotham Steak, Scarpetta, or Hakkasan–for a delectable meal and an evening to remember.

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 800-548-8886

The Daily Dose of What’s Cool Around the Globe was first dreamed up inside a hotel room in Downtown San Francisco circa the summer of 2007. Two former New Yorkers were trying to figure out where to go and what to do. They had reached the final destination of their epic two week road trip up the coast of California from San Diego to San Francisco in a cherry red Mustang convertible.

If you flip through the snapshots from their adventures, you might think they were shooting an ad campaign for Chanel sunglasses, but nevertheless…

The girls had taken surf lessons and visited family in Encinatas, Mission Beach, and Del Mar, partied with old friends in Newport Beach, West Hollywood, and Manhattan Beach, explored Santa Monica and Malibu, gone sailing in Santa Barbara, lunched in Big Sur, and surfed Santa Cruz.

Now, in the center of a cosmopolitan grid for the first time on their trip—without the rolling golden hills of Southern California to the east and the deep blue Pacific to the west, beckoning them to frolic—they were at a loss for what to do. A daytrip to Napa and Sonoma was in the works and a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge through Marin County, but where to start with San Francisco’s acclaimed dining scene, what of the bars and nightclubs, where was the best shopping, what about not-to-miss museums and cultural landmarks, or fun sporting events to attend?

“I just want to know where the cool people go!” one of the girls exclaimed.

You see, when the girls lived in New York, they’d gotten pretty savvy at sussing out the hot spots. They knew the best neighborhood to party in, their favorite bar for one last drink, which diner had the best late night grilled cheese and onion rings, their go-to French bistro for Sunday brunch, where to shop for things they couldn’t afford and where to shop for things they could, which show to catch on Broadway or exhibit at the MoMA, the best parks to sprawl out in on a lazy summer afternoon, and how to get to Yankee Stadium on the 4 train and buy tickets just as the first pitch was being thrown.

They were pretty cool girls in New York (who loved to laugh at their overuse of the word “cool”). All they wanted to know was where people like them hung out in San Francisco. Thumbing through travel guides and brochures proved overwhelming and unhelpful. While they wanted to get a sense for what San Francisco was all about, they also wanted to avoid the inauthentic and over-trafficked tourist haunts, especially when it came to eating and drinking. After all, when you’re in a new destination for only a few days, all you need is a handful of good recommendations.

So they did what any good former New Yorkers would do and bought the latest Zagat Restaurants guide, asked the locals they met out what they loved, and drew upon their previous knowledge of San Fran. They managed to piece together a pretty great itinerary, including sightseeing along Lombard Street, Haight & Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Coit Tower. They dined at fancy chef’s restaurant Boulevard, visited City Lights Booksellers, ate authentic Italian in North Beach, and enjoyed cocktails at the Redwood Room inside the Cliff Hotel. They also made a pit stop at Bloomingdales Downtown to buy coordinating Missoni scarves—San Francisco is cold in the summertime!

Of course, the two silly girls in the story are my best friend Krista and me. And ever since that trip to San Francisco, I’ve taken note of my favorite discoveries whenever I travel. The Daily Dose Of What’s Cool Around The Globe was born in an effort to create bite-sized and useful travel advice. It’s not meant to be a comprehensive city guide, but a select and pared down list of places that I’ve personally been to and would gladly return to without a second thought. Think of it as a crème de la crème snapshot, a little crib sheet to carry in your pocket on a night out, and a local’s guide without being a local.

The Daily Dose covers a variety of different cities, including New York, Miami, Key West, Paris, and many more. It features recommendations for restaurants, nightlife, shopping, hotels, museums, entertainment, and leisure activities. Why is it the daily dose? Because it’s a random sampling updated every day (you know, unless I’m too tired or busy). Look around and enjoy, and please feel free to voice your opinion and leave your advice. After all, the best travel advice comes from other cool people who travel to or live in cool cities. Right?

BTW, if you’re into mind body fitness and find yourself in the Greater Pittsburgh area, you have to check out Krista’s Pilates studio, Latés Pilates Studio. She’s the “coolest” instructor I know! Seriously.

Much like myself, a Wanderlust Chameleon might be hard to understand at first blush. Maybe we should start by breaking down the two words into their dictionary definitions:

Wanderlust– A strong desire to travel

Chameleon– A small, slow-moving Old World lizard with a highly developed ability to change color; or (perhaps more applicably)… A person who changes their opinions or behavior according to the situation

Put the two words together and a Wanderlust Chameleon is basically anyone who loves to travel and adapt to new surroundings. They’re playful, adventurous, curious, and always on the go.

That’s basically my approach to travel and it’s become a lifestyle. While I love vacations and weekend getaways, I tend to fall in love with a destination, and then hatch a plan to move there. In every city I’ve lived, I’ve embraced different ways of life.

In my adult life, I’ve been…

• A New York City schoolteacher with Teach For America on a mission of social justice.
• A deckhand, snorkel instructor, and parasail mate in Key West. In some circles, I’m still known as the Fury Girl.
• An aspiring novelist in Paris. For any agents looking for the next “Great American Novel,” my completed manuscript, query, synopsis, and sample chapters are available upon request. I’m also currently working on a book of short stories.
• And that leads me to my present occupation as a full-time freelance writer and social media consultant in Miami Beach. To see what I’ve been working on lately, click here. To see how I might be able to help you or your business, click here.

Growing up, my family moved around a lot, so I learned to adapt to new people and places at an early age. In fact, I’ve never lived in the same city for more than six consecutive years. My mantra is:

Home is wherever I am.

It’s also wherever my family is, which at the moment includes the suburbs of Atlanta, New York City, Las Vegas, Southern California, and most recently Melbourne, Australia (I still need to make my first visit).

I’m originally from Newport Beach, California, so I’m a beach girl at heart. While I love to travel and explore new things, there are three things I’ll never tire of: the beach, boats, and islands. A few others: cities, dining out, really fun parties, dancing, and visiting friends wherever they happen to live. While I’ve made most of my moves solo and I’m not afraid to travel alone, I’ve got a colorful cast of regular travel companions and friends I make along the way. And there’s also my crazy Pomeranian, Rascal.

That’s pretty much me, a Wanderlust Chameleon on the move in search of fun and adventure around the globe and wherever it finds me. Catch me if you can!