The Easiest, Most Fun Party I've Ever Hosted

I’ve long held a fascination with Tyra Banks, ever since those early days when she burned up the screen as Will’s love interest on Fresh Prince. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t one cut the bottom off of a shirt and wear it with baggy jeans to mimic her totally dope and (dare I say it?) fresh style. Perhaps things would’ve worked out better had it been a fitted shirt, and not, I don’t know, A HIDEOUS, OUTSIZE NEON SHIRT THAT I GOT FROM A LOCAL RADIO STATION’S PRIZE VAN (95.5 WPLJ represent!), but that’s neither here nor there. The point is, I loved Tyra.

It goes without saying, therefore, that I adore America’s Next Top Model as well as her talk show. It’s like she can’t be crazy ENOUGH for my taste. Whenever she passes that line of total insanity (which, let's be honest, is often), I just bounce in my chair, clap my hands and go, “more, Tyra, MORE!” whilst manically giggling. I mean, come on. Oprah is great and all, but is she ever going to don a fat suit (and a CROCHETED SHAWL, for some unknown reason) and go on a blind date while wearing said fat suit? I DON’T THINK SO. Is Oprah going to go “undercover” as a homeless woman (with video cameras trailing her to lend that air of hardcore street authenticity)? NUH UH. Is she going to invade the personal space of her lady guests, by which I mean, “grab their boobs”? NOPE. But you know who will? Tyra. TYRA WILL DO ALL THIS AND MORE, and god, do I ever love her for it.

My very favorite thing that Tyra has ever done, though, was her illustrious Vaseline giveaway.

Tyra Banks Goes Insane - Watch more Entertainment

For someone who has loved Tyra as long as I have, this video is pure magic. Whenever I watch it, I wonder: will my day ever come? The day when I can live out my dream to emulate her in some way?

This past Sunday, I finally got my long-awaited opportunity. But…I’m getting ahead of myself.

As you know, I was recently selected by Nintendo to become a Brand Enthusiast for the Wii Fit. (Have you entered my contest to win a free Wii and Wii Fit yet? No? GO!*) To kick off my year of…brand enthusiasm, Nintendo threw a Wii Fit party at my place for a few local friends. I honestly had no idea what to expect, and set about doing The Nervous Cleaning (J was so happy!) until the ladies from Nintendo arrived. Once they did, they took charge. I was all, "can I do something? Anything?" And they were all, "No! Just relax and enjoy your party!" so I did. They began setting up TVs, Wiis and Wii Fits, and plating delicious food, sangria (mmmm...) and smoothies for everyone.

My friends began arriving shortly thereafter, and we kicked things off.

I tried a few of the balance tests, and learned that my Wii Fit age is 38. THIRTY-EIGHT, PEOPLE. THAT IS ONE WHOLE SURLY PRE-ADOLESCENT OLDER THAN I (AT 28) AM.

I also learned that my balance? It's...not the best:

The Nintendo girls had set up three stations around my living room, so everyone had the opportunity to try out the games and exercises the Wii Fit has to offer. Which, by the way, are highly addictive. My friends really got into it, and the lovely ladies from Nintendo couldn't have been more helpful or enthusiastic, even when they needed to teach me important lessons, such as "do not jump on the balance board when you're playing the tightrope game. Or, you know, ever."

Just when it seemed that things couldn't get any better, they did. Because at long last, my Tyra moment arrived: Everyone at the party GOT A FREE WII FIT. (Which, I'm sorry, Tyra, IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN BEJEWELED VASELINE TUBS.) Were they excited? You be the judge:

Sure, I wasn't TECHNICALLY the one giving away the Wii Fits, but still, I was involved, by which I mean, "Nintendo's awesome display of generosity took place in my living room." (Details, details!)

Everyone had a fabulous time, I got to vicariously live out my Tyra Banks giveaway fantasy (AND keep the leftover sangria), and all the girls left with Wii Fits; a win-win-win situation, if ever there was one.

Thanks so much to Nintendo and Brand About Town for organizing such a great night!

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*You have until next Monday, 12/15 at 11:59 PM to enter the contest. I'm LOVING the entries so far, and I know that J and I are going to have our work cut out for us when it comes to picking the top five comments. Currently, there are 114 comments. If we make it to 200, I'm kicking in a prize of my own to the first runner-up. Details to follow!