Prom—that word stirs up all kinds of emotions and memories, some positive, some negative. For me, it's a bittersweet mixture of both, courtesy of the fact that I went to four during high school. But more than focus on whether these were good or a total waste of couture, I think of them as a crowning jewel on the journey of exploration and growth. My first prom taught me you can't die of a broken heart. My second prom taught me that vicious rumors are only as vicious as you let them be.

My third prom taught me to never have my hair colored the day before an important event and that nothing, not even an epic power-outage in 98 degree heat, can get in the way of fun if you have your friends with you. And my last prom taught me that giving up a crown is nothing if it means making someone else feel like less of an outsider.

And the fifth one taught me you're never too old for prom night. Yes, I went to four proms during high school. And last night, so many years later, I went to one more: LA's Blogger Prom.

Heading the prom committee are Esther of e*starLA and Caroline of Caroline on Crack. Other members include H.C. of LA and OC Foodventures, Lindsay of LAist, Marni of Happy Go Marni, Maya of Shop Eat Sleep, Natalie of The Liquid Muse, and Tara of When Tara Met Blog.

Together, this amazing group of Los Angeles powerbloggers took over the Andaz in West Hollywood for this exclusive event featuring some of the most influential Los Angeles bloggers—the theme? Cheesy prom attire—to be enforced at the door!

“We want you to go all out with your outfit,” the Blogger Prom site stated clearly. “We want you to bedazzle, we want you to accessorize, we want you to shock and awe. We want you to wear something that you would never wear anywhere else. If you don't show up en costume, sorry, but you're not getting in... Everyone else will have made an effort so why shouldn't you?”

The dress code paid off—here's why:

Kim Tracy Prince strikes a wild pose.

Caroline on Crack and Happy Go Marni take a moment.

Be The Marriage's Will and Nina give me a look over.

Social connectrix Heather Vescent takes the command to dress wacky to the edge--and over!

Glozell--fabulous as ever.

"I've read so much about!" is not the right thing to say to the boyfriend of a relationship blogger! Here is our own Liz Rizzo and her charming other half.

The girls and their blogs!

Thrillist represents!

Sean and Laurie Percival of Lalawag.

The Uncouth Gourmands!

Pat from EatingLA and Laura Clark from LA Story.

Andy Sternberg and Lisa Borodkin.

Dance, dance, dance!

Nancy of Nanciful and her date.

Superblogger Tara Settembre of Tara Met Blog.

Michelle Woo and her friends--pretty in pink!

Corrie Greathouse and Laurie Percival.

Lisa Kelly, me and Kim Tracy Prince.

The bar was fully stocked, complete with the signature cocktails that the Liquid Muse is known for, and the hours d'oeuvres were exquisite. DJ WMDeez played some seriously good 80s tunes all night long. When Cyndi Lauper's “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” came on, the whole room jumped to the dance floor.

So, yes, my fifth prom taught me you're never too old for prom. And another thing, too: bloggers know how to throw a party.

For more photos, visit the Blogger Prom Flickr group.