There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate.

- Linda Grayson, The Pickwick Papers

Greetings from the beach this Easter Sunday! Wishing you and yours happiness (and style) this Easter from Closet of Style.

This Vivian Alexander Easter Egg Purse, released five years ago, is still the prettiest egg I have ever seen. It's decorated on the outside with pastel Easter eggs and lined with little gems on a pearly white background. The inside of the purse is lined with sand washed silk. It has a removable gold strap and a large beveled mirror in the top. Egg-cellent!

I am about to say something that I never thought I'd say. Well, I knew the day would come. However, I didn't realize how quickly it would sneak up on me. And I certainly never imagined announcing it to the world. Something inside pushed me to this point of admission ... so, here I go. Today, I turn 40. (Holy cow, I did it. Kay, are you surprised or what?)

Honestly, I thought I'd let this birthday slip by just like every other birthday. Then I thought, what a sad state of affairs to not own 40. I need to own 40. I want to own 40. After all, I earned the right to be 40! I worked hard to get here (and I'm hoping it's not all that evident on my face). While I've learned a lot, there is so much more to take in, to accomplish. I guess I thought, way back when, that the day I turned 40 would be an ever changing day — a day I would dread. And I promise I'm an optimist ... let me explain.

My age has always been directly tied to my son. Our birthdays are less than two weeks apart — 30 years in between, albeit. There has been this impending countdown to 40, practically since the day he was born. My son's birthday comes first so when he turned 5, I turned 35. When he turned 8, I turned 38. Guess what? He just turned 10. Both of my children have been broadcasting to all (even to people in passing at the grocery store) "my mom's turning 40" for the past 3 weeks. Yikers, can I catch a break from anyone? My own children, taunting me with this birthday ... but really, it's because they love me and they are proud of me.

The truth is, I am proud to be 40. And I couldn't be happier with the life I am leading — a life I was always meant to lead. Look at my beautiful children my husband and I are raising (okay, I am weeping at the moment and am about to get all emotional on you). Everything they have accomplished is an accomplishment of my own. That is powerful. I am them. They are me. You can tell a lot about a person by the people who surround them. Well, take a look ... it doesn't get any better than the love of my family, friends, clients and readers. These are the most beautiful people I know. People who make a difference everyday. To me.

I am no longer going to base my age on my children's ages. I am going to just live. To just be. Be in the moment. Be in every moment. And be proud to be 40! Hear me roar!

Happy holidays, my stylish friends. May the warmth and peace of the season be yours today and always. Thank you for welcoming me into your closet (literally or virtually) to help create your personal style. Each and every second spent with you is truly a pleasure.

Yours in style,

What a wonderful way to show our thanks to our troops this holiday season. Let's Say Thanks makes showing we care and appreciate our troops easy by providing a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through their site, you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women. It takes less than a minute to show you care. Simply go to www.LetsSayThanks.com and pick out a thank you card. Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone sent a card? Please do so right now, and share this with your friends and family.

Thank you, Xerox, for sponsoring such an honorable program.