Archive for category Single Edition

Visit From the Sugar Plumm Fairies

We all know that red roses are the queen of Valentine’s Day, and chocolate is king. If you read my blog, you know just how much I like chocolate. Although I never heard of them before this weekend, I am thrilled to introduce Sugar and Plumm, the Purveyors of Yumm!

SUGAR PLUMM SHAPE LOGOChef Pichet Ong spoke to our intimate group about the delicious creations they are whipping up. Perhaps best known as a judge on Top Chef: Just Desserts, award-winning corporate pastry Chef Ong is the whimsical creator behind the sweet and savory confections of Sugar and Plumm. He combines the fond flavors of his childhood with modern cooking techniques to create culinary offerings that are seasonal, pure, light, and delightfully experimental, yet nostalgic.

SugarPlumChocolateBox1After introducing us to the brand, he was kind enough to treat us to their For The Love of Chocolate gorgeously packaged box of some of their finest chocolate creations. It is an amazing assortment of hand-crafted artisan chocolates with origins from around the world. This box included two white chocolate blueberry and six pure dark Mexican chocolate ganache. However, the pleasant surprises didn’t end there. Hidden below were chocolates with flavors and aromas consisting of raspberry, vanilla, coconut, hazelnut praline, jasmine tea infused ganache, ginger, milk chocolate and pure dark Peruvian. On top of allowing us to sample some of their finest chocolate creations, we were also give a pair of their brightly colored, delicate French macaroons. It was all I could do to keep myself from digging in immediately.

When I untied the ribbon and opened my brightly colored box, I was blown away by the impeccably pristine chocolates before me. They were almost too pretty to eat. Luckily, that would not stop me. What did stop me was the thought of my boyfriend waiting for me at home. There’s something incredibly romantic about fine artisan chocolates that makes it sinful not to share with a loved one.

SugarPlumChocolateBox2On our anniversary, the day before Valentine’s day, I told my boyfriend I had a surprise for him. I told him to close his eyes and open his mouth. After a bit of trepidation, he complied, and boy was he glad he did. His face lit up from ear to ear as he savored his first bite of the dark chocolate ganache-filled heart. I sampled the white chocolate blueberry-filled heart. I’d never tasted anything so complex and exquisite. It was heaven. I was reminded of the first time blueberry wine touched my lips, and I had to have more. The combination of blueberry and white chocolate was pure genius. I forced myself to put the box away so I could savor these the little bits of chocolate heaven for a few days; I simply did not want the experience to end!

There was no way I could possibly ignore the fresh macaroons waiting the ultimate demise. Although there were two, I wanted the best of both worlds. As it’s rather impossible to split a macaroon, I simply bit half for myself and passed the other half to my boyfriend. We made long extended moans as we enjoyed these incredible indulgences, and that was just the vanilla macaroon. I repeated our ritual with the strawberry poppy-seed, and the moans of happiness only grew louder. The flavors transported me back to the beach with my parents snacking on strawberry Twizzlers.

It was amazing how incredibly nostalgic Sugar and Plumm’s confectionaries were. How could so much be contained in such a small morsel?

Sugar-and-Plumm-460x345_zps0ab7e567I was shocked to learn that Sugar and Plumm serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and every craving in between. I was expecting a purveyor of sweets, but they create works of art from homemade ice cream and macaroons, to house-smoked salmon and Berkshire pulled pork, our team of master chefs, bakers, and chocolatiers are purveyors of all things delicious and delightful. The bake shop even makes everything handmade, from scratch. The only problem you’ll find is deciding what to order (and possibly that top button on your pants).

Although it’s too late to place an order for Valentine’s Day delivery, if you’re looking for that perfect way to show the special person in your life just how much they mean to you, this is a perfect for Valentine’s Day — Or any of the other 364 days of the year. The have gift boxes for every budget and an in-store experience you won’t soon forget! This Upper West Side spot with Parisian charm and a downtown vibe is sure to knock the socks off anyone who enters and will certainly not disappoint!

For more information, visit the on Facebook.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Comments

Celebrating the Gift of Love

What would Valentine’s Day be without chocolate? Whether you embrace the holiday like the warmth of a fireplace or avoid it like the plague, you have to admit, you will always enjoy those little cocoa bits of heaven. From garish heart-shaped boxes to small delicate boxes to simple pink foil-wrapped factory-processed milk chocolates — We all love chocolate (unless of course you have some rare and exotic chocolate allergy). Chocolate makes everything better, especially when coupled with the right companion.

CasaNobleMove over peanut butter! I’ve found chocolate’s new best friend — Casa Noble’s “El Beso de Luz” Margarita. I can see you now. Your furrowed brow and head tilted to the side. Yes. Chocolate and margaritas. But, not just any chocolate or premixed margaritas. I myself would have never thought to put the two together before Single Edition’s Sweets in New York event, but now I will never think of a margarita again without thinking of chocolate.

No matter how you take ’em, nothing quite warms a winter night and brightens up the gloom and gray like a margarita. And, we’ve already established chocolate makes everything better. These two powers combined will warm you from the soul on outward, making any day special and unforgettable.

Casa Noble is an ultra premium tequila meticulously crafted from choice blue agave plants. Employing only traditional methods, slow-cooking the rich agave piñas for 38 hours, they use only the agave hearts to extract their sweet nectar. Their fermentation process is 100% natural and is followed by triple distillation, resulting in a tequila so pure and full of agave flavor it has globally elevated the concept of tequila to new heights.

essence-chocolateWhen the “El Beso de Luz” Margarita first passed Carlos Santana’s lips, he likened it to the first time he fell in love, giving the cocktail its name in tribute to his wife, Cindy. Mixing Casa Noble’s tequila with lime, orange, and Licor 43’s hints of citrus, fruit juices, vanilla and aromatic herbs and spices (43 ingredients in all), this mystical concoction is an experience for the senses worthy of Aphrodite herself.

Pairing that with artisanal chocolates from Essence By Chocolate creates a very unique and sublime tasting experience. As if by Cupid’s own hand, pairing these powerhouses of taste in tandem will leave you taking delight in luscious aromas and flavors.

EmptyBoxDrinkAfter carefully preparing our cocktail, my boyfriend and I cozied up in front of the fireplace. Starting with a few sips of my margarita, I was blown away by the freshness and lightness. Before the flavors dissipated, I took a generous bite of the first chocolate. I had the pleasure of sampling the Mango, Chile Pepper & Crystal Tequila Infused in Milk and White Chocolate, the Resposado Tequila and Caramel Infused in Dark & Milk Chocolate and the Black Cherry & Anejo Tequila Infused in Dark Chocolate Dome. Alternating sips with bites until we finished, we were making sounds normally reserved for one’s bedroom. We enjoyed the symphony of flavors stimulating every inch of my tongue (And then we mixed a second drink).

This Valentine’s Day, what could be a more appropriate tribute to love than cuddling up with two glasses of this romantic drink and a box of distinctly paired chocolates?

And, should you find yourself not particularly enjoying this lover’s holiday? I think the citrus and vanilla notes, complimented by the knowledge that you’re indulging in one of Mexico’s finest exports will remedy even the sourest of moods. Top that off with some of the finest chocolates I’ve ever tasted, and you’ll be transported to your own personal heaven.

The recipe for the aforementioned cocktail:

LiqourBottles“El Beso de Luz” Margarita

2 oz. Casa Noble Crystal

1/2 oz. Licor 43

1 oz. lime juice

1/4 orange squeeze & drop

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

4 Comments

Match.com: Singles in America

Continuing with this week’s Valentine’s theme, I want to highlight a study I had the privilege of learning about this weekend while attending Sweets in the City, an event hosted by Single Edition.

SinglesinAmericaMatchcom_zps167573c9107 million Americans are single, and match.com is trying to understand them. Under the guidance of Dr. Helen Fisher for the third year in-a-row, match.com has commissioned a national relationship study, Singles in America. After asking 200 questions to a perfect cross-section of the U.S., they learned fascinating new things you may or may not have heard in the news as of late.

I was shocked to learn both men and women judge each other first by their teeth, followed by grammar. It’s refreshing to know that in this day and age, communication is still important. Still, I’m surprised to see teeth topped the list (as well as proud of my pearly whites).

As a gay man who wants to one day get married, it was also refreshing to hear that commitment is back in style — 90% of those open to marriage believe they can stay married to the same person forever.

As Dr. Fisher reported the results, she was most-surprised by the increased emergence of friends with benefits. As a 28-year-old, I didn’t find this particularly surprising, having had my own FWB relationships.

In related results, virginity is no longer a core value in the dating world — If anything, it’s an obstacle. Gone are the days where the first instance of intercourse between couples occurs on the night marital consummation. I think it’s only natural that people want to test-drive the car before they buy it these days, even though women are less likely to admit it.

Sexting was a particularly interesting territory in the digital age. Although most singles believe sexting could jeopardize their careers or privacy, they still partook in this social taboo, proving love conquers all (including reason).

JustMarriedGayMenMy favorite statistic was that gay men fell in love more often than anyone else. We were more romantic, more experienced in “love at first sight” and more likely to be “deeply in love” with a long-term partner. Lastly, we had sex with the same frequency as other singles, finally proving the stereotypical perception of gay promiscuity is outdated.

I’m curious if this is due to wider acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage, or if this has evolved naturally. Dr. Fisher made a point about not making a point of discussing homosexual responses as a separate entity because there are very few differences from the heterosexual responses. We’re not all that different after all.

The most shocking results were that women desired independence and men sought commitment. Single men fall in love faster and want to “move in” together sooner, while women still want to hold onto their girls’ night out.

Hear Dr. Helen Fisher’s own interpretation of the facts from Saturday’s event below:

This post was sponsored by the fine folks at match.com. Be sure to check out all the fun, fresh video clips at Singles in America.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 Comments

Membership Has Its Privileges: Cuddle Up to Free HowAboutWe Dates for Couples

This time of year, every night out on the town feels a little extra special. It’s Christmas time in NYC, and what better time to take advantage of all the city has to offer for date night.

 

OlivesRestaurantInsideRecently, I was approached by HowAboutWe, a subscription service designed specifically for couples, to try out their services. I’d heard the name before, but I had no idea what it was I was being offered. I went online to investigate further, and I was blown away by the opportunity before me. HowAboutWe had the direct line to some of the best dates out there. As I dove deeper into the site, I discovered that each month, CK and I would receive a new “DateBook” — filled with pre-planned, one-of-a-kind experiences here in NYC. These weren’t just ordinary dates — Broadway shows, dinner for two, cooking classes, driving experiences… The list went on and on. And, that’s just December.

ToddEnglishOlivesFor our first HowAboutWe date, CK and I chose “In Due Course,” including a four-course dinner for two at celebrity chef Todd English’s restaurant Olives at the W in Union Square. The date was purely magical. CK and I sat down at a very cozy table for two in the corner. Our every need was attended to by the amazing wait staff who brought us a delectable meal consisting of 2 glasses of Prosecco, a crab toast appetizer, Rabbit Tagliatelle, 2 glasses of wine, Branzino A La Plancha, and the coup de grâce — Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake. Everything we ate and drank was spectacular. And, HowAboutWe took care of everything from the reservation all the way down to the tax and tip on our bill. It was utterly seamless.

ChocolateDessertAt $22/month, HowAboutWe for Couples membership gets you so much: FREE HowAboutWe Dates — every month, sold-out tickets and members-only events, early booking on HowAboutWe Dates, up to 75% off other HowAboutWe Dates, and rewards (like buy one get one free tickets on Fandango). I challenge you to find a deal better than that! I for one will continue to go back to HowAboutWe time and time again for amazing dates and opportunities.

It’s tough balancing the working and dating worlds. Anytime someone can take a little bit of the work out of either, I’m all in! They get how busy I am. That’s why most dates are flexible and can be scheduled whenever I decide, except however, some are one-time-only scheduled events, like performances or special excursions. But, who wouldn’t rearrange their schedule for those experiences!?

HowAboutWe_LogoOn top of that, this isn’t marriage— No big scary commitment. You can pause or cancel at any time. And, dates on HowAboutWe for Couples can also be purchased as a non-Member, without the Member discount and other benefits of course.

I highly encourage you to at the very least check it out by clicking the logo here. TRUST ME! You won’t regret it!

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

8 Comments

Date Safely With A Second Mobile Number From MyAKA

We’ve all been there. You’re at the bar. It’s the end of the night, and you’ve had a little too much to drink. This guy has been throwing game at you all night, and he really seems like he could be the one. And, when he asks for your digits, you hand them over like beads at Mardi Gras.

Hours later, when you wake up in the morning to the sound of your phone vibrating on the nightstand, regret sets in. Three missed calls and eight text messages later, you comprehend the huge mistake you’ve made. Better judgment kicks in, and you realize you have no interest in this guy. But, now what? How can you shake this guy? It’s too late. He already has your number.

That’s where MyAKA comes in. No apps to download. No internet required. MyAKA is a privacy protection service which allows you to signup for a second mobile number with a local area code, unlike forwarding services. When using the MyAKA system, those you correspond with only see your MyAKA number.

This number can be given to others when you wish to protect your real phone number. It functions exactly like your mobile number, allowing you to text, call and even get voicemail (in the U.S. & Canada). And, all features are controlled via text message.

Now, with MyAKA, you can easily block that creep from last night (or even unblock him if you have second thoughts). If you’re just not quite sure how you feel about him, send his calls to voicemail or store his texts for later by enabling the Do Not Disturb feature.

Have a little fun! The assigned number is not linked to your information in any way, so put that newfound freedom to good use. In today’s world where your identity is tied to everything, a little anonymity goes a long way.

How about a 7 Day FREE Trial?! What’s the catch? None. With this special offer for my readers you can enjoy seven worry-free days of flirting with MyAKA, without even entering your credit card! And when you decide to keep the service, you can upgrade your number in two easy steps at the MyAKA site.  It’s as simple as that to date safely this fall.  Signup today for a fun second mobile number with no-strings-attached.

This is a sponsored post for MyAKA

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

4 Comments

How Music Can Help You Through A Breakup

Check out my guest post today on Single Edition. It talks about getting over exs with the help of music…

http://www.singleedition.com/How-Music-Can-Help-You-Through-A-Breakup.html

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Leave a comment

WTF is Ashton Kutcher Doing Now?

Have you guys seen this?  What is Ashton Kutcher up to!? Apparently, even the success of his new show, Two and a Half Men, isn’t helping him find true love. He’s really putting himself out there now with a new series of dating videos.

I guess this is how you get over Demi Moore. Check it out!

Who knew he was so versatile!?

With the help of an Academy Award-winning make-up and hair team, Ashton was transformed into four very different and colorful characters:

    • Darl, the over-the-top, vain fashion designer who loves his dog, Pupu.
    • Nigel, the introspective new-age hippie with deep thoughts and wisdom.
    • Swordfish, the sweet, sensitive, lovable Harley-loving biker who tells his stories through his tattoos and his life on the road.
    • Raj, the happiest guy on Earth who is a Bollywood director looking for love based on his knowledge of pop culture and his glowing optimism.

Raj is by far my favorite. Everyone loves an inappropriately naive Indian man with a crush on the Kardashians, however, none of these guys stand up to the raw sex appeal of Ashton Kutcher simply being himself.

Together, along with Ashton himself, they are all in search of love at http://www.worldwidelovers.com. What do you think the chances are I’m his true love?

Check out the site to see if share the same love as Ashton…

[Sponsored by PopChips]


, , , , , , ,

Leave a comment

Count Phone Numbers, Not Calories Pt. 2

Two and a half weeks ago, I wrote a post about The Fresh Diet. A food delivery service for us singles that helps them watch their waistline while freeing up the time we usually spend slaving away in the kitchen making a healthy meal.

In my last post, I told you the food looks amazing. Now, I’m happy to tell you it also tastes amazing! It surpassed all my expectations. I signed up for a week-long trial of the program and am on my fifth day of delivery. I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying this!

Every morning I wake up excited. It’s like Christmas morning every day. There is a lunch bag sitting just outside my apartment door with three fresh, healthy calorie-controlled meals and two decadent snacks cooked fresh daily in state-of-the-art local kitchens. Of course I chose my own menu for the week so I should know what I’m getting, but who can remember what they picked with so many delectable offerings to choose from.

I have to admit, I am someone who loves cooking. I generally find the time to cook and find it relaxing. I make it a priority. But, after having all my food taken care of this week, I have found a benefit I was not expecting. It’s mentally taxing to try to figure out what to make for dinner every night. My life became surprisingly much less stressful this week. I had no idea how much brainpower I wasted just thinking about what to cook and making sure I had everything I needed from the grocery store. Maybe all that stress over trying to come up with something both tasty and healthy wasn’t worth it. For $29.99/day, someone would take care of all that hassle for me.

Like I said last time, The Fresh Diet is not only easy, convenient, and delicious, it also won’t break the bank either. When you break it out, it’s really pretty damn reasonable. Working in New York City, food is very expensive. Even going grocery shopping in the greater metro area can kill your wallet. Now, of course I wouldn’t normally spend $10 on breakfast, but I also wouldn’t be able to find a healthy tasty meal for dinner for $10, so it all balances out. And to top it off, delivery is FREE!

With all my food worries taken care of, I was able to get out of bed at a later time this week because breakfast and lunch were already prepared. All I needed to do was reheat breakfast and pack up lunch to take to work, and after a hard day at work, dinner was waiting in for me the fridge  when I got home.

Every night, I would place my empty cooler bag back in the hallway excited by the thought of what it would be filled with in the morning — Always exceptionally pleasant surprises.

The Fresh Diet also helps me keep my calories on track. When I went to their website to pick my meals, apparently one day I was very carb heavy. A warning message popped up encouraging me to make an alternative choice for that meal. Most times I made the switch, but some days the choices just sounded too delicious, so I chose to ignore the advice (Whoopsie!). You can also note the foods you dislike. The Fresh Diet will notify you any time you choose something containing any of these items.

I wasn’t the only one excited by The Fresh Diet. Reading my daily menu became a ritual at work. Coworkers were always curious what I brought in, and I even shared a few bites with them after raving how good the food actually is. “Wow! It’s like those eggs were lightly bathed in some amazing basil oil. That’s good!” one of my coworkers exclaimed after I encouraged her to try a bite of my Whole Wheat Breakfast Bruschetta (I brought breakfast and lunch to work that day). I replied, “And I just popped that in the microwave for two minutes.” She was amazed.

In participating in the diet for a week, I came to realize how many extra calories I was consuming every day above what my daily intake should be. Since the food was portioned out for me, I was able to notice the snacking that was sabotaging my workouts at the gym. It became quite an eye-opening experience. I’m curious after the week to see if I’ve shed any pounds — Fingers crossed.

The Fresh Diet really did get me out of the kitchen so I could manage the more important things in life, like dating. It was the perfect week for The Fresh Diet since I had four dates in five days. It gave me the free time to meet some prospective men and not worry about having to go home and eat Kraft macaroni and cheese.

I can honestly say I fully back The Fresh Diet whole-heartedly. It’s rare for me to get behind something without a word of criticism, but I have to say, I have none. The service is impeccable. When I asked if they could deliver my food to my apartment door and not just my lobby, they accommodated my request. It’s definitely something you should at least try out. I was shocked. And to make things even easier, they’re offering a deal: Receive 3 days free with the purchase of a 31 day plan at $29.99 per day” The promo code is: singlmar29 (You can click on their logo in this post to check it out). I highly recommend you give them a shot. You won’t regret it!

So, if you’re like me and are having a hard time being single and fitting everything in (like finding time to write blog posts and cook a healthy dinner 😉 ), then give The Fresh Diet a shot. They’ll not only take care of your waistline and busy schedule; they’ll also entertain your palate like you’d never expect!

, , , , , , ,

Leave a comment

Get Hot for Summer with Jillian Michaels and Gaiam TV

If you read my blog, you know how unhappy being single makes me. Dating is incredibly difficult and time consuming. I’m constantly scheduling dates after work, including drinks and high calorie meals, and because of this, my waistline suffers. Between work and dating, it’s hard to fit in a workout at the gym on top of trying to find motivation to go in the first place.

Last summer, Hoboken hosted free yoga on the pier once a week. I made my best effort to make it every week and convinced some friends to join me. It was the first time I’d tried yoga, and I kinda fell in love with it. It really helped me find my center. I wanted to do it more often, but I was already paying a gym membership and dues for the masters swim program I belong to at Steven’s Institute. I wasn’t about to throw down more cash. I yearned for a convenient way to do yoga at home. I already had the yoga mat. Now all I needed was an instructor.

That’s where Gaiam TV — The first streaming video subscription service designed to reach those like me who are interested in health, wellness, yoga, fitness and personal development, came in. It’s kinda like Netflix. It offers innovative service and world-class programming, including over 2,000 titles revolving around the topics of health, wellness, yoga and fitness. Gaiam TV delivers hundreds of hours of online yoga, Pilates and cardio classes where viewers can practice with top instructors like Rodney Yee, Seane Corn, Jillian Michaels, Mari Winsor and Kathryn Budig.

The entire library of user-friendly and customizable programming is also available anytime, anywhere — personal computers, iPads and smartphones. The yoga and fitness studios are flexible and simple to use. I can customize my workouts for weight loss, total body sculpting or increased energy and narrow down my options based on level, style, instructor and amount of available time. I can also easily search for videos, make playlists and preview selections and am offered the chance to rate and review titles.

I first tried Gaiam TV the other night while my roommate and his girlfriend drank wine and made dinner. Not the most conducive environment, but this is my life. I changed into workout clothes, threw down my yoga mat on my living room floor and chose a yoga title. I quickly learned how much flexibility I lost, but I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I got to choose when my “class” was scheduled, and it only took a half hour, easily lending itself to part of my routine.

Finally, I found an exercise program for me. I could stream unlimited content for $9.95/month instead of paying yoga studio fees and probably never attending classes. On top of that, subscription to Gaiam TV is no strings attached; there is no commitment, and I can cancel at anytime.

The best part; Gaiam TV offers a Free 10-day Trial, No Strings Attached!

, , , , , , , , , ,

Leave a comment