When I celebrate birthdays on my own, they tend to be pretty low-key. It just seems like too much trouble to put together a massive party so I usually end up at a bar with a handful of friends. But, in the last few years since I’ve known Gala, that’s all changed. She is a party throwing master! With our birthdays being just one day apart (hers is the 13th, mine is the 14th) it made sense to join forces. We’ve done a few birthdays together now and each time, they keep getting even more elaborate.

The week before I arrived in New York, I received a flurry of quite random emails that darted between the acquisition of skull goblets and cupcake orders. While I tend to be a bit more practical and low-key, Gala always believes that more is better. And, I have to say, she was right. Once again.

On September 11th, I flew into New York nice and early. Of course, traffic was a snarled mess, with cop cars everywhere but I didn’t let that damper my mood. Gala and I met up and began the race across town, darting through Party City, Sugar Sweet Sunshine and many other stores on a quest to add the finishing touches to our party.

When we arrived back at Gala’s apartment and she began pulling out piles of accoutrements including the skull goblets, a multi-tiered skull cupcake stand and oh-so-much-more, my eyes got really big and I looked over at The Dish, bewildered. Though, I knew he couldn’t console me — we were helpless in her quest for party madness! Our birthday theme would be nothing less than “Gothic Liberace.” Did I mention that Gala had also managed to reserve a private garden for us?! She has the magic touch.

The private garden was gorgeous. The Dish helped us hang a mini disco ball over the table and a handful of friends (including Jazzi all the way from LA!!!) joined us for a low-key afternoon. It was really perfect. Chloe Rice did the photography honors.

We had to clear out of the private garden in a hurry so we quickly packed up piles of cupcakes and collected the goblets. It was time to move on. We took our mini army over to Thompkins Square Park where a festival was going on. The music being played was weird new age headache-inducing drone madness.

Thanks to Gala’s planning and a great group of friends, this was my favorite birthday gathering to date. Good cupcakes, great company and skull goblets — what more could a girl ask for??