My best friend also just so happens to be my sister and our hot sunny Florida beach days, have now turned into cold blustery New York City days. Some of the best moments of living together in the Big Apple include: sharing clothes and cooking our father’s authentic Italian recipes.  Whenever we are out and about, people always mistake us for twins, even though she is four and a half years older! Guess who they think is the older one? Me! That’s how it has been since I was only 16!

My favorite part about living with my best friend is that I get to hear her music, which is so amazing! Ever since I can remember, Lauren was always singing around the house while we were growing up. She had her first big “break” at the age of 16 when she won Ed McMahon’s Star Search. At first I thought that I wanted to follow in her footsteps, but then decided to go a different route, and now my goal is to promote her as a professional singer and entertainer. Since the two of us are best friends, so far this has turned out to be a perfect combination!

I’m extremely proud to say that Lauren has performed at Carnegie Hall three different times and most recently she can be seen on the world tour with Yanni as his featured soloist. She sang at Radio City Music Hall last spring, and will be coming back to New York City for the 2012 spring tour.

You can view tickets here, but in case you’re unable to attend, be sure to check out the PBS special of the concert airing on March 3^rd! Click here to view her Facebook, Twitter, Youtube , Website and Myspace.

-Kellie

When I think of parties, especially ones during the holiday season, the word “bowling” rarely comes to mind. Mistletoe, hot cocoa, ugly sweaters … sure. But bowling? So when I learned that the 2011 Hunter Holiday Party (my first) was happening at a place called “Lucky Strike,” I held off on getting too excited.

Rookie mistake. Not only was the party a blast, but the venue couldn’t have been better. Unlike the hokey, nerdy bowling alley I had envisioned, Lucky Strike turned out to be a very classy lounge with a great vibe, incredible food, an awesome DJ and of course, some intense bowling.

We played pool, took our turns in the photo booth and enjoyed a night together out of the office. As the night wore on and drinks began to replace hors d'oeuvres, we even got a chance to let loose and bust a move on the dance floor, which made for some pretty entertaining dance battles. Let’s just say I taught a few people how to dougie.

So what has this newly minted Hunter learned from his first out-of-office social event? That Hunter Public Relations is an agency that both works hard and plays hard. At some agencies, the fast-paced nature of the work keeps you from really connecting to those around you on a level deeper than business collaboration. Thankfully, that’s not the case here. I’m glad I get to work with so many people who are both professional and incredibly fun. Here’s to having fun this holiday season!

-Jason Woodward

It’s the thick of the holiday season in New York City.  And while much fanfare is bestowed upon the Rockefeller Center tree each year, to me, what truly makes the city an enchanting place at the holidays is the myriad of corner tree vendors that spring up across the city.

I can still remember the first time I returned to the city from Thanksgiving break, filled with that bittersweet feeling of leaving family and friends and the excitement and anticipation of holiday festivities to come.  As I made the trip uptown from Grand Central, I saw them.  Everywhere.  On nearly every street corner.  Each had its own flair.  Some had lights, some music, some had inflatables, but each brought an undeniable helping of good cheer.  They come each year, often entire families, from upstate, New England and Canada and set up shop for the month.

Since that first sighting, I eagerly await the return of the tree vendors each year.  It is, for me, the true start of the season.  Here are some of my other favorite NYC scenes:

• The Holiday Fair at Grand Central Terminal – home to nearly 100 artisans and merchants, it’s a great place to find unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry, toys, and more.  Its location makes it ideal for lunchtime or after-work browsing.
• The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden – imagine replicas of some of New York’s iconic landmarks, constructed completely from tree bark, twigs, nuts and leaves – great for kids or to bring out the kid in you.  Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers – the wait time can be long and the conservatory gets warm.
• Wollman Rink – home to a few past Hunter PR holiday parties, a skate at this open-air rink is the stuff holiday memories are made of. 

- Amanda

Autumn is my favorite season for three reasons: the amazing weather and foliage that hits the Northeast region, the start of professional football season, and, most importantly, the onslaught of great pumpkin beer. Every year, around this time, stores and bars begin celebrating the colder weather with grand displays featuring brews embracing the season’s favorite flavor. And since my personal attempt to create my very own pumpkin beer was thwarted by a siphoning incident, I’d like to take the blog post to share my favorite options for you to indulge in the awesomeness that is Autumn beer:

1. Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat, the category’s newest addition, is one of the best pumpkin beers of the season. The unfiltered wheat ale features crisp flavor of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove that could only be delivered from a Shock Top cask. It has easily become my personal “must-have” beer of the season.

2. Smutty Nose Pumpkin Ale is more relaxed in flavor but not in quality. The smooth taste and thick texture makes this ale the perfect compliment to your annual Thanksgiving dinner. Start planning your sides around it.

3. Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale is a spicy and sweet autumn beer inspired by one of the top Belgian Whites beers. It is the great addition to the traditional citrus flavor of the Blue Moon family but brewed with the bounty of fall spices making it a necessary addition to your weekly Sunday tailgate.

- Dan

It’s no secret that the folks at Hunter PR work hard and play hard.  Truthfully, we don’t even need an excuse to celebrate – we are always up for showing our creativity and we hunger for a bit of friendly-competition and bite-size Snickers.  The halls at Hunter PR were no different on Halloween. 

The entertainment committee (Donetta Allen, representing a “Flash Mob,” Alex Conway, representing Fred’s Team as a marathon runner, Daniel Mazier, dressed as a hunky skeleton and Danny Palestine, showed his appreciation for expectant mother-to-be and colleague Jamie Castaldo) kicked up the competition this year challenging the staff with a pumpkin decorating contest.  The award for Best Pumpkin went to super-star intern Nick Schweers for his rendition of the Jersey Shore’s Snooki.  A little taste of Jersey earned him $100.  Score!

As for the costumes, Christine Bilms, who came to work as a zombie bride, unanimously took home the award for Scariest costume. 

The Best in Pop Culture category went to Chad Pearson, Cassie Galasetti, Samantha Chapman and Sandy Bustamante for their interpretation of the popular TLC reality show Toddlers & Tiaras. 

The Most Creative bunch went to Lisa Jablon, Rose Finnerty and Nihara Gonsalves who not only dressed the part of the characters in the animated film “Up” but shamed the rest of us by even going as far as decorating their cubicles, they got extra credit for their set design skills. 

The category that got the most entries was, of course, the Best in Hunter PR Culture.  Vanessa Polk, Dan Devece, and Wayne Westerlind dressed up as their beloved colleague Stacey Druker, who accessorizes daily with her jewelry, iPod and an ice-cold Diet Coke.

The Best Group award went to the Digital & Design Department with their Plants vs. Zombies theme, inspired by this year’s #1 game on iTunes. 

We are all looking forward to the surprises that Donetta, Alex, Daniel and Danny have planned for our annual holiday party.  They really set the bar high this time!

- Gigi

I was lucky enough to tag along with Chad, our office manager, to a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman this past week. He scored tickets due to his love for the band, The Joy Formidable. Having attended multiple concerts with Chad, I knew this would be a great experience. And I was right! Even though we were in a slight car accident on the cab ride over, it was quickly forgotten when we realized we were among the VIP. After we were ushered into our prime seats, Dave came out and thanked everyone for coming. It made me realize why everyone should attend a taping.

So, in typical Late Show fashion, here are my Top 10 reasons to attend a taping of the Late Night Show with David Letterman …

10. It’s free!

9. The warm up comedian and house band are awesome

8.  Dave makes you feel like you’re a part of the show

7. The behind the scene action. There are producers, sound guys and even someone to buff the floors between guests!

6. “Even if the jokes not funny, it’s hilarious tonight!”

5. Sitting in Ed Sullivan Theater, the site of the first U.S. performance by the Beatles

4. For New Yorkers, it’s a nice break from the craziness of the city or a fun place to take your out of town guests

3. “Laugh now, think later!”

2. You get to be up close to some of your favorite celebrities

And the number one reason to attend a David Letterman taping…

1. You might get the chance to meet your favorite band!

-Cassie

I didn’t grow up with dreams of moving to the Big Apple… or any other fruit-filled city.  I loved growing up in a small, Southern town.  We had two stoplights and everything I needed, which included plenty of people who loved me and looked out for me. There was always someone to remind me when I left my purse on the counter or to help me break into my car when I locked the keys inside. No matter what happened, people were willing to help each other, and that's what made it home.

Once I realized the glamorous world of public relations was calling my name, I packed up for the big city to live out my dreams… and planned to return home in two years (three tops!). It’s been eight years since I left the comfort of my hometown, but it didn’t take me long to realize I was also at home in New York City.  

While the faces are different, I am still very much a part of a community that takes care of each other. There’s the Smiley Cashier at the deli who reaches the toilet paper from the top shelf for me (even when I promise to pay later!). Or Coffee Cart man, who greets me with “Good Morning, Sweetie” as he hands me the perfect cup, all without me saying a word. I’m on a first name basis with the man at the Laundromat, who always asks about my travels. And, of course, there are the countless neighbors I share a smile with during my walking commute – my mornings wouldn’t be the same without Headphones Man and Lady Walking Baby.

The interactions may be different, but they’re still friendly and neighborly. And although I’m now a New Yorker, I’m also still a small town girl.

- Meagan

I like to eat. Everything. All the time. No, really, it’s bad - I’m perpetually hungry and reading, writing and talking about delicious things all day only makes it worse.  I’ve never been able to say no to trying new foods, and my belief that no meal is complete without dessert guides my entire life.

I read the New York Times Dining section religiously, and one glorious Wednesday morning the hallowed broadsheet magically flew open to a two page ad spread announcing the return of New York City’s bi-annual Restaurant Week from July 11 – 24, along with this summer’s participating eateries. Clearly, this was a divine message telling me to spread the good news, so I immediately emailed the rest of the “Hunter Public Relations Newbie Crew,” a group of new-hires, and fellow foodies, to begin planning a Restaurant Week outing.

In case you’ve never experienced it, Restaurant Week offers those of us with more appetite than cash an opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at some of the city’s finest culinary hot spots without fear of defaulting on a month’s rent.

We decided to dine at nearby Ilili, which serves Lebanese/Mediterranean cuisine.  We began with a complimentary Shot of Passion, having all unlocked the Foursquare special within minutes of arriving. Between the nine of us, we were able to try nearly every dish on the menu – including the octopus! Our mutual adoration for Ilili’s tuna belly even convinced one less adventurous Hunter newbie to try it for the first time.

Working with others who share my prandial enthusiasm has been more fun than I could have imagined. I’m lucky to work at an agency where everyone is eager to experience new things (food-related or not), so I’ll be keeping my eyes open for more newbie adventure ideas. Stay tuned!

-Nihara

Well, San Diego Comic-Con 2011 (SDCC) has come and gone, and what a whirlwind it was! In case you don’t know, SDCC is the biggest, the baddest, and the most awesome comic convention in the whole wide world. Over the years, what once started as a small gathering of comic book fans, has now transformed into arguably the biggest entertainment news event of the calendar year. A Mecca for media, SDCC is the place where the stars shine, secrets are revealed, and hundreds of parties rage.

Between the cosplay ("costume play" - check out Darth Mario!), exclusive toys (I’m partial to Hasbro’s Marvel Mini Muggs Avengers Pack, obviously - see above) and panels upon panels upon panels, there is a never-ending amount of super-sweet nerdery to check out. When my team got back, they said Hall H is just about the size of four football fields, filled with anything and everything related to your favorite TV shows, movies, comics, toys, games and everything in between. Basically, if you can’t find it at SDCC, well, then you’re out of luck my friend. Not really – I guess that’s why they invented the Internet.

Although I didn’t make it out to San Diego this year, I am really looking forward to the not-to-be-neglected New York Comic Con (NYCC), hitting the Big Apple this October. Firstly, I can take a subway home (#winning). Secondly, it’s exciting to see the progress NYCC will have made from last year. NYCC is the smaller and not-as-popular-but-still-kind-of-popular cousin of SDCC. Please don't misinterpret - NYCC has most certainly blossomed into a robust and recognized event as well, and is going to be PACKED with geeky goodies, literally, for days. Who knows what lies in store for NYCC, and I cannot wait to find out!

Let your geek flag fly!

-Danny

When I graduated from college two months ago and started my career as a young public relations professional at Hunter Public Relations, I had no idea how much fun my new job was really going to be. Between impromptu after work outings to planning high profile events all across the country, my first two months in the “real world” have been more than exciting.

Last night’s PRSA-NY Bowling Social was an event that will definitely go down in Hunter PR history. More than 30 Hunter PR staff members, all dressed in matching branded t-shirts, rolled into Bowlmor Lanes on 44^th Street and lived up to our team name Thunder from Down Hunter.  Taking up over half of the alley for the PRSA event, we arrived with fire in our eyes and ready to win the coveted Bowling Pin Trophy.

From what I heard, Hunter PR has a history of taking down the competition in sporting events, but when the bowling alley erupted with enthusiastic and positive Hunter PR staff bellowing chants and cheers to our squad of determined “athletes,” I couldn’t help but feel proud and grateful that I had the opportunity to join such a dynamic agency.

Though we did not take home the trophy last night, our team did have the highest score with a monstrous 179 from our fearless Co-Captain Trisha.  Fellow Hunter PR bowlers Sakura and Michael also won digital cameras, and the night came to a close with a fitting Hunter PR rendition of Katy Perry’s “Firework.” PRSA-NY put on a great event that brought the Hunter PR staff together not only as co-workers, but also as a team!

- Lisa