Since the show was sponsored by Chase, we were first poposition on the red carpet, and backstage- which is the kind of access that makes my job easy.

J.R. Martinez was hands down the nicest and most thoughtful celeb I’ve ever interviewed. I spoke with him on the carpet and when I went to chat with him again backstage- he greeted me by name, which is incredibly rare.

Rodney Atkins was also very friendly- and these crazy allegations on TMZ today seem that much more insane considering how nice he was to the entire crew.

I also have to admit that Miley Cyrus was very polite, and 50 Cent- well he is just the bomb. He even complimented me on my dress.

Big thanks to my producers Julie McGivern, Gary and Sue- and my hard working crew. Plus Karen Kopp- who did my hair and make-up and made me feel like I belonged on the red carpet for a night. Dress- Nicole Miller, Rent The Runway.

• I got to see Jay-Z and Kanye’s ‘Watch The Throne’ show- which was the best concert I’ve ever been to.
• My friends rallied an amazing crowd for a house party (making almost one year since I’ve given up clubs), and people I never would have expected to show up- did.
• I celebrated and remembered ever detail- since I was dealing with a herniated disk in my back, rather than pounding champagne.
• The doctor friends in my life rallied to get me out of bed and walking for the party- and that included taking calls around the clock, half the time as I was in tears from the pain.
• I had a perfect Sunday birthday that included; lounging in pjs eating brunch with friends and football.
• The Nike event I was invited to didn’t allow a “plus one” and I realized that at this point in my life- I’m ok with going places alone and taking risks. Plus- I got some sweet ski boots!
• I had a wonderful dinner with one of the most important people in my life.
• My ears were sparkling from a very special gift, and ringing from phone calls wishing me a happy day.
• And last but not least- I was only sung to once- in the privacy of a home. And while it did make me cry (I HATE THE BDAY SONG) it was sung out of love.

Thanks again to:  everyone who remembered to text or call me, those who showed up to toast me in person, to the amazing party host and very special friend, people at Nike, Dr. Terry, Dr. Kauf and Dr. Broomhead, Policy for calling everyone and reminding them to show up, Nicole and Matt for the gift pack and cupcakes, Igor for the Elysian surprise, Charles for the fancy pink champagne, RP for being my male rock (even if he did root for Wisconsin) and Ryan for the get-well care package and Grizzle gift.

Cheers to 36o-something more days till  I have to celebrate again..

me with some of the ladies at my party- dress is from Sofia.

Know you’ve been hurt by someone else
I can tell by the way you carry yourself
If you let me, here’s what I’ll do
I’ll take care of you

Check it out:

I’m not ill, my hair is still long, and I’m back to wearing make-up.

Thanks for asking and checking in!

Side note: I think the Kardashian marriage was all false and scripted for TV. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s a business deal like everything else is these days. We can’t blame her for our fascination with her life. Or can we?

Me as Jo Calderone

The Lady who inspired the look:

I’ve gotten several messages from males in my life begging me to never to this look again…but I think it’s pretty sweet.

When I first saw the shoe I figured I’d wear them to and from hot yoga once it got too cold to wear my Rainbow flip flops. But the shoes proved to be so comfortable that I started wearing them to run errands and in the studio when I need a break from heels.

I’ve gotten stopped on the street several times with women asking about the shoes. They’re shocked to find out that they are Teva, since most of us associate the brand with strappy 90′s sandals (at least I did).

Why keep them a secret? Girls and dudes- these shoes are affordable, comfortable and much cuter than the random sandals or sneakers your rock for your pool or yoga workouts or random errands.

These are the kind of friends who go out of their way in rain and traffic to pick up a friend who needs a little love, and they didn’t leave my side the entire time. They’ve seen me thru the hardest and highest points in my life and have loved me all the same.

Guy friends like that are hard to find and are very Cheeky.

also in the photo: Joran, who is not only the newest member of Cheeky Chicago and Mike’s gf- but is also an amazing girl.

I’ve been working with the charity for four years and I’m always inspired by the strength of the women I meet who have been effected by the disease.

But on Monday I was affected in a whole different way when my friend Giuliana shared she had breast cancer on The Today Show.

I found out the news with the rest of the nation and was immediately shocked and panicked. I had so many questions to ask her, but other than a few words of encouragement- I didn’t want to fill up her inbox with anything else.

G has always been the “older sister” I go to for career, guy and life advice- she is one of the strongest females I know.

So instead of asking her, I spoke to Lindsay who assured me that she was helping G on her journey and that she would beat this disease like the badass she is.

I am so grateful that she has this support system during this time and I truly feel it was fate that we were all connected.

A lot of people have reached out to me and asked how they can let Giuliana know that she is in their thoughts. Bright Pink has set up an email and will be passing along the messages- and knowing Rancic- she will read every last one.

Email:

Wishes@BeBrightPink.org

I had a 7:40 am flight and a 9am return Sunday morning. But thanks to tropical storms in Miami- I didn’t arrive until 5:22pm Saturday evening.

But as we all know- amazing things can happen, even in only 17 hours.

In the lobby of the Shore Club I met the crew of roughly 11 males and one female that would be my companions for trip. The group contained Nike PR and marketing folks, and bloggers from around the country.

We piled into two Escalades and got to know each other on the 45 min rainy ride to FIU for the LeBron/Wade charity game.

Even us jaded bloggers were in awe of the awesomeness of the small venue and heated NBA game. We took pics on our mobile devices, tweeted pics of our new swag and stood on our feet for the game that went into OT.

Around midnight we finally rolled into Prime 112 for dinner and were sat in a horseshoe-shaped booth that fit us perfectly and allowed for more fun banter.

A few hours later- and a costume change for a few of us (had to rock my new Ani Lee from Sofia!) and we were walking into club Arkadia at the Fontainebleau Hotel.

Champagne, two tables, and dancing on furniture- Nike knows how to entertain.

The night was so much fun that when my wake-up call woke me up for the airport 3 hours later, I didn’t mind the lack of sleep.

I owe the weekend to Brian Strong and Cindy Hamilton from Nike PR for inviting me and for making sure I had an amazing time and made my flight.

Nike- call me again anytime you want to Just Do It.