With the exception of one seventy-five degree weekend, we've been having an unusually rainy February in Orange County. Although I moved from Oregon to California to escape the rain, I do love any excuse to get cozy! I've been living in this cable knit sweater all winter long and throwing on a pair of jeans and Hunter Boots with it when I go out, then pairing it with these leggings and my favorite slippers when I'm home. My cottage on Balboa Island is an old historic house that . . .
Look for Love or Let Love Find You?
I am someone who has always preferred to look for love. After my gap year in college, which I took to write the first draft of Waiting at Hayden’s, I was debating transferring schools. I hadn’t loved the school I’d started at for many reasons, one being that I hadn’t seen anyone on campus I was remotely excited about dating at some point during the next several years. Yes, I know I wasn’t going to school to meet someone, but I didn’t want to be somewhere for three more years where there . . .
10 Incredible Love Stories To Read Before Valentine’s Day
This weekend it felt like summer in Orange County, so I was able to catch up on some reading poolside! While I’ll occasionally pick up a psychological thriller like The Woman Inside, or a self-help book like The Untethered Soul, you can almost always find me reading a love story. Since I was little and read my first Nicholas Sparks’ book, love stories have been all I’ve been drawn to. I’m constantly fascinated by the choices people make when it comes to matters of the heart. And while writing . . .
Flirty, Feminine Dresses to Add a Touch of Romance to Your Life
I’m all about finding ways to add romance to my life. Last year I spoke about what romance means to me in this blog on Redefining Romance. I consider something to be romantic when an everyday moment feels extraordinary. Or when you catch yourself—or someone else—off guard in a good way. Or when you feel extreme aliveness. A romantic life is my favorite life to live. And it doesn’t depend on another person. This past winter I booked a plane ticket like Cameron Diaz does in the holiday and . . .
Book Arrangements That Make For Beautiful Displays
I never like to think of having too many books as a problem. But when you read one or two books a week they can quickly clutter up your space! If you're a big reader like me, try these easy tips for turning your favorite reads into beautiful displays so your books don't end up sitting in your garage or closet. In a Basket on Your Bedside Table: In my guest room, I like to leave a basket filled with my favorite books for anyone that comes to stay. The room has hints of blue from the bedspread . . .
My Favorite Reads of 2018
2018 was a big year for me as a writer. After ten years of writing, revising, and pitching my story, my first novel, Waiting at Hayden's, was finally published! I want to thank and every person who supported the book--whether by attending one of my launch parties, reading the story, sharing it with a friend, or offering words of encouragement during the journey to publication. A lot goes into releasing a book--way more than I could have EVER imagined when I first decided I wanted to write . . .