And my birthday.

Those of you that know me well, know that I can't stand my own birthday. Not because I have an issue with getting older, I actually love the acquisition of wisdom that comes with each year. I just feel like it is an incredibly self indulgent day for unecessary reasons. But this birthday was different. I wanted the day to be dedicated to my close friends and family- The people that stuck by me when times were so tough this year I was just gonna give up and quit and when times were so amazing I couldn't believe it was really my life I was living. There are always ups and downs in life- God knows by now I've figured that out! But the people at my brunch (with the exception of few VIPs who were out of town traveling or had a scheduling conflicts) have been there for me NO MATTER WHAT.  I don't think I told them enough this year how much their friendship meant to me or how very proud I am to have such loyal, caring, inspiring, brilliant and most importantly HONEST people in my life. They make me want to be better and do better and my birthday was the day I celebrated them. And of course, you gotta love a bunch of friends that will let you be late to your own birthday brunch because you were doing a segment on Fox News at the same time!

Mark Pasetsky, former Editor-in-Chief of Life and Style magazine and current EIC of coverawards.com ALWAYS gives it to me straight. We are at times, each other's career compasses.

I love this picture of Ernest and Erica because 1) they look stunning and 2) Ern is my ex boyfriend from college and it makes me SO happy we are still so close after all of these years.

I wished for the same thing I wished for last year...

(pictures taken by the undeniably amazing Andrew Torrey)

But, before I leave...happy birthday RKB!!

Happy Birthday RKB! Rachel Kramer Bussel is one of my closest friends and last night we celebrated her in the most Rachel way ever-- with close friends and a TON of cupcakes. I am so thankful to have such an amazing person in my life!

A rare night out- and on a budget!

For those of you who know me well, you know I hardly EVER go out on the weekends and rage. Halloween night was no acception- I was home well before 12 am! I did however, go to an amazing party at Kim's. It was so my speed- close friends, yummy food, good music AND none of us spent a fortune on our costumes. What more could you want??

In the cab on the way to Kim's. I'm was feeling a little beat street, but SO excited to see everyone!

Peter (who INSISTED I did not take any pictures of him) brought his new friend Stacia out with us. She is awesome!

No that's not a sun hat on Mike's head that's a hat from Chinatown and he rocked it perfectly. Total cost of his outfit $20.

Costume courtesy of American Apparel. I think it's more Rainbow Brite and less 80's Jazzercise instructor. I bought the leg warmers and cheezy tights but owned everything else including the gold headband, my gold Patricia Field for Payless heels (which you can't see), and my gold bathing suit bottoms which I have on (yes, I do go swimming in that bathing suit). Total cost of my outfit: $31. See that slice of hotness in a kimono in the background? That's Kim! Total cost of her geisha girl costume was well under $50. Chinatown find, baby!

I love this picture of Patrick!

I think Patrick told me his boyscout outfit cost less than $15.