I was hoping to spot newly engaged Prince William and Kate Middleton while I was in London, but no such luck. Last week, I got to see a different kind of royalty - I got to go to the Prince concert! My good friend Nicki IM’d me with a last-minute offer - there was an extra, unclaimed ticket through her company. I last saw Prince in concert in CA, sometime in the late ’90s, and it was such a good time! Even after all this time, Prince did not disappoint. He played old favorites like Let’s Go Crazy, Delirious, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Kiss, and of course, Purple Rain. And bonus: we sat 5th row from the stage! Sheila E came out for the encore and played some of her popular hits, as well as some duets with Prince. Thanks to Nicki for inviting me to such a fun concert!

Standing on the purple piano

Prince and Sheila E

Thanks to Nicki, I can check another experience off of my bucket list. I’m a horrible tennis player, but I love watching it. And after almost six years in NY, I still had not made my way out to Flushing Meadows to watch the US Open. Until now! Nicki’s friend works for one of many corporate sponsors of the annual event, so I tagged along as her +1 for a perfectly lovely day. It was Super Saturday, and we scored seats for the Men’s Semifinals. The sun was out, and the tennis stars were ready for battle. Amazing first US Open!

First up: Nadal vs. Youzhny

Among the celebs in the stands - Willy Wonka!

Those are some serious camera lenses

Nadal was the No. 1 seed, and he proved why in a mere 3 sets, making for a rather boring match. Still, it was cool to watch the best male tennis player in the world!

Next up: Djokovic vs. Federer

These guys came into this match seeded No. 3 and No. 2, respectively.

While a lot of tennis fans were hoping for a Nadal-Federer finale, Djokovic was in it to win it.

Both players put up quite a fight, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

It was intense, and the match lasted into the evening.

After many match points and near misses, Djokovic won!

Awesome match, awesome day!

It’s nice to have friends who work in fun industries. My friend Michelle does PR for movies, and sometimes I get invited to screenings and premieres, but this was more than just a premiere, it was an event! It was the world premiere of Sex and the City 2, and if you know anything about fashion and NYC, you know this was a big deal. Nicki, Heather and I joined thousands of NY fashionistas, news media and paparazzi, and of course the stars of the movie at Radio City Music Hall a few days before the movie hit theaters. While we were up in the mezzanine, my other friends managed to score seats downstairs and got to see the stars up close!

Fashionable popcorn bag

Liza Minelli on the red carpet!

Everyone loves Aiden (John Corbett)…

Mr. Big! (Chris Noth)

Hunky Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis)

The ladies of Sex and the City

I mostly enjoy Halloween for the little kids, they look so cute all dressed up, and some of them have such clever and creative costumes (such as Corin!). But big kids, a.k.a. adults, also seem to enjoy the holiday as their annual chance to shed their inhibitions. My friends and I gathered for a pre-party at my little apartment before heading out for the real festivities. The quick subway ride was an adventure in itself, watching riders in all sorts of costumes get on and off along the way.

Amy and Heather topped off their costumes with temporary tattoos.

I was a leprechaun. Not sure that was so obvious, but this was the best I could put together in a couple  hours.

The doc in blue scrubs is a real doc, so her costume wasn’t much of a stretch.

The ladies (never thought I could fit so many people in my apartment!)

Einat’s cute little bunny tail

Nicole was a fabulous Marilyn Monroe

On our way to the party, we met Darth Vader.

Einat and Amy, looking cute on the subway platform.

Making friends on the subway with an Indian and Woody (from Toy Story). He’s actually wearing a little kid’s costume!

Halloween revelers

Even Halloween couldn’t keep the fans away from the World Series, Game #4 - go Yankees!

This guy was (barely) dressed as  the naked guy with a tire iron, from “The Hangover.” You should thank me for the censoring.

Michael Phelps, post-Olympics party boy

The ShamWow guy

Hugh Hefner found his latest Playboy bunny

Heather corrupted a priest.

This guy was a whole disco.

Gumby had some great dance moves.

Jesus Christ got some action!

I guess this guy was a d—-head?

Cheshire Cat!

Fred Flintstone on the subway home.

Despite the fact that I don’t love Halloween, I had a good time, and I was certainly entertained by some of the costumes out there. Until next year!

… because it was written, produced, direct by and stars some friends of mine! I love supporting my friends in their artistic endeavors, so I was very excited when “Skiptracers” had its NYC premier this week. It’s about the mishaps of a family of bail bondsmen, who also happen to coach a peewee football team, in a small southern town. The inspirations for the story and the characters mostly stemmed from real people and stories from the writers’ lives, which makes it that much more fun! It’s toured around some of the film festivals and even won a few awards along the way. If it comes to your city, please see it and support my friends. For more info about the film, see the trailer and visit the site.

I spotted this poster for the film the other night, while I was with my friend, who happens to be the wife of the director!