As all of you following the FishbowlNY twitter feed can attest to, last night's Ellies was a evening of bold names, new-ish faces and more than a few surprise winners.

National Geographic was the big winner of the night, taking home three awards. Backpacker magazine was the biggest surprise beating out Ellie heavyweight New York magazine. Possibly the most charming win of the night was Mother Jones, whose editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery, visibly pregnant, began her speech by saying that this was "the second most exciting thing" to happen to her this year. Newbie Portfolio took home the award for "Magazine Section" after only a year on the stands and perhaps equally as surprising was the fact that Adam Moss and David Remnick each left with a single award (so much for our betting instincts!)

We'll be posting round-ups throughout the day, but to begin here are a few snapshots from the very packed reception that preceded the ceremony.

(Note to self: free food + a room full of writers = long lines at the buffet...arrive earlier next year.)

Rick Stengel, Jake Weisberg and Kurt Anderson.

David Remnick under some serious interrogation from the Observer's John Koblin.

Chef, television host, model and object of Rebecca's girl crush, Padma Lakshmi.

Playboy editor-in chief (and underwriter of one FishbowlNY seat tix) Chris Napolitano with Playboy Literary Editor (and possessor of eternal youth) Amy Grace Loyd.

Winner of "Photo Portfolio" award, Annie Leibovitz.

Editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair, recent recipient of a root canal (that afternoon...what a trooper!), and succinct speech giver, Graydon Carter.

The lovely, Ellie-nominated Vanessa Grigoriadis.

WWD's Stephanie D. Smith and NYPost's Keith Kelly.

Jezebel's Moe Tkacik and Men's Health Matt Marion.

Julia Allison and Porfolio's Jeff Bercovici.