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.
Not quite Martha Stewart, but still a pretty sweet spread.
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.
Skull-themed party decor.
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.
Gala very kindly assisted me with working my new camera.
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.
A birthday girl must blow up her own balloons. Jazzi joins in.
Cheers, you macabre fiends!
Settling into the madness.
Gala’s friends delivered a beautiful cake.
Champagne wishes!
No party is complete without a mini disco ball.
Gala + The Dish = cute overload.
Kristin stopped by!
Our candy-colored version of The Last Supper.
Eliza and I play catch-up.
Birthday girls.
Gala hit my Miu Miu with a pile of silly string. I gave her a look of “Oh no you didn’t!!!!” But, the damage was already done.
My birthday outfit: Forever 21 dress, American Apparel punctuation tights, Forever 21 belt, Camilla Skovgaard wedges, Forever 21 headband and Nixon watch.
Time to pack up.
The party’s over! Empty out the goblets!
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.
Trailed by the paparazzi.
Guess who?!!! Black wedges vs. brown sandals.
Jazzi’s boyfriend took some amazing polaroids.
We had leftover champagne so we hid the bottle in Jazzi’s Chloé boot.
Dolly isn’t exactly modesty conscious. When you gotta go, you gotta go!
Girl time.
Time to hit the road!
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??
