BeChicMag.com

If your friends haven’t stopped texting or e-mailing you about your New Year’s Eve plans, you’re not alone. With the first of January only a few days away, chic New Yorkers are quickly finalizing their holiday plans before tickets to the hottest spots are sold out. I personally prefer counting down to the new year at home with the family and then leaving to party away with my friends after midnight. But if you’re still searching for the venue to celebrate with your homies, we compiled a list of options for you.

BeChicMag’s Top Picks:
People Lounge 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Party. 163 Allen Street, between Rivington and Stanton Streets. For only $95 per person, you get an open bar from 9p.m. to closing time; hors d’oeuvres from 9 to 11p.m; plus, parties of 15+ get a complimentary bottle of Ketel One. Call 212.254.2668 for tickets, or go to PeopleLounge.com.

Stay Lounge New Year’s Eve 2008. 244 E. Houston Street, between avenues A and B. $75. From 9 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Stay Lounge offers a premium open bar, hor d’Oeurves, live DJ and broadcast of the ball drop. For a party of six, $250 grants you a table, one bottle of premium vodka and 2 mixers. VIP seating accommodates group of 15 to 20 people with two bottles of vodka and four mixers for $400. Get your tickets at stay-nyc.com.

Want to splurge? Check out these locations:
* Cipriani. 110 E. 42nd Street. 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Tickets $165 to $400. Include 6-hour open bar; hors d’oeuvres; Ciprani’s Signature Prosecco Midnight Toast and more. Log on to newyears.com to get tickets to Cipriani.

 *Kid Rock and Svedka Vodka at Hotel Gansevoort.  18 Ninth Avenue. 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Tickets $250 to $350. Price includes dinner catered by Ono; open bar; DJ Rashad spinning at Gansevoort’s Outdoor Heated Enclosed Roof. Get tickets to Hotel Gansevoort here.

*Pink Elephant New Year’s 2008 . 527 W. 27th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. $275 to $60,000 (Ultra VIP table for 16 people). Open bar from 9p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Buy tickets here.

Also worth checking out:
*Bogarts. 99 Park Avenue at 39th Street. Starts at 9:30 p.m. $50 to $500.  Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres from 10 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. View the Times Square ball drop from large plasma screens and go home with free party favors. Get tickets to Bogarts here.

*Villa Lounge. 735 Second Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets. 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. $50 +. Top shelf open-bar from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m; complimentary appetizers; DJ spinning dance, hip-hop, reggaeton and more.  Here for tickets.

After former senator George Mitchell released a report that states 89 Major League Baseball players including Roger Clemens used illegal performance-enhancing drugs, many sports fanatics have had lots to say on the topic, including Be Chic Mag contributor Antonio Reynoso:

“Barry Bonds”. The name alone brings chills down the spine of a baseball purest. “Roger Clemens”. The name brings chills down the spine of — actually no. The face of steroids should have two faces: That of the greatest hitter of all time, and the other, the greatest pitcher of all time. But recently these favorable names have been made infamous with all the controversial steroid talk. Barry Bonds has argued that race was an important component to his allegations and constant harassment by the media. Was he delusional?

We now have the greatest pitcher of all time- who just happens to be white- also denying the alleged steroid use. Can we expect the same assault by the media on “The Rocket” that Barry received? Or will his 20 plus years of outstanding contribution to the game grant him a pass or less media scrutiny? I regrettably believe his link to steroids will not bring him the same criticism Barry received. Not because of his contribution to the game- which I believe is no more or less that Mr. Bonds- but because he is white.

Roger like Barry had already earned his stripes long before the news of his steroid use. So unlike my Dominican brothers who dream of leaving their poverty stricken lives for fame and fortune, what is Rogers’ excuse? How about greed and his huge ego? Sounds familiar, huh? Oh yea, he’s like a Barry Bonds- a white Barry Bonds. Silence. Keep your eyes focused and your ears prepped. America is about to speak… *Antonio Reynoso

… AT THE SCHLOCK JOINT

After they saw a need to promote urban sophistication throughout all of New York and not just in trendy areas like Williamsburg and the Lower East Side, long time friends Iran Ortiz and Marlyn Jimenez founded The Schlock Joint. With this new concept the two amigas hope to help up-and-coming designers gain recognition through shop and drink parties like the one held on Sunday at Maná Lounge in Brooklyn.

And don’t be fooled by the ’schlock’ in Schlock Joint as it aims only towards sophistication. “Urban sophistication to us means someone from the city who has an open mind and isn’t scared to try something new,” says Dominican-born and Bronx-bred Ortiz. “In a perfect world everyone would be open-minded and willing to learn about different things. [The Schlock Joint] will give we talented designers the opportunity to showcase and sell their work in a boisterous ambiance.”

At their first ever event, Ortiz and Jimenez hosted a five-hour holiday shopping party where seven local designers showcased their bags, accessories and clothing lines. Shoppers roamed the lounge zipping on two-for-one martini’s while bopping their heads to the sounds of a nameless female disc jockey. Some of the items included jewelry by Cubannie Links whose pieces have been worn by singers Rihanna and Alicia Keys, Krayola Kicks who design custom made sneakers, Princess of the Possee who design distinct T-shirts for the ladies and more.

“We are targeting the person who is up on the underground fashion scene and wants to be able to shop for it all at one place,” says Ortiz.

Visit their Web site to find out when The Schlock Joint will hold its next shop-and-drink party. *ms

LINGERIE SAMPLE SALE

The time of year has come when older, male professionals are asking their younger, hip co-workers where they can purchase a nice pair of lingerie or “pajamas” as my colleague phrased it for a low cost. If you’re asked for some shopping tips, let your pals know that Eberjey- the lingerie and swimwear company- will host a public sample sale next week!

Or if you need a new swimsuit or a pair of pants to lounge around the house that aren’t sweats, Eberjey cut its prices down and is offering camis, briefs, babydolls, pajamas and bathing suits all for 50-75% off! Stars such as Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kirsten Dunst are already devoted customers and now you can be one too!

· Lace Camisole and Boythong Set, was $102, now $35

· Printed and Solid Swimsuits, were $108, now $30

· Printed and Solid low-rise Thongs were $18, now three for $25

Eberjey Sample Sale.183 Madison Avenue at 34th Street. Suite 610. Tues. December 11. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wed. December 12. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free

*Mercedes Sanchez