Come summer 2020 my second novel, Map of Us, will hit shelves! I can’t wait to introduce you all to these characters and share this love story. If you enjoyed Waiting at Hayden’s or are a fan of Nancy Meyers’ movies (think Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated), I have a feeling you’re going to like this one! For those who haven’t seen the trailer, it’s about two different couples that set out on separate cross-country road trips—one to see if they can rekindle the spark in their . . .
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 . . .
Tips for Hosting the Happiest Holiday Happy Hour
When I decide to research something, I really like to commit! Thankfully, last week’s research wasn’t hard to commit to. In fact, I may have poured myself a bit too much into it the research (or rather, been poured a bit too much). I visited my favorite restaurant in Newport Beach, Modo Mio, and sampled all the cocktails on their new cocktail menu! I love visiting Modo Mio during the holidays and throughout the rest of year because the staff makes you feel like family. You’re dining out, but . . .
Cameron Diaz’s Outfits From The Holiday Recreated
Photo Credit: here This past weekend I channeled my inner-Cameron Diaz in The Holiday—my favorite Christmas movie of all time! I love everything about this film—the idea that swapping homes with a complete stranger might completely change your life, the spontaneous way Amanda and Iris book their plane tickets to make the switch, the quaint, charming snow-covered town of Surrey, Amanda’s wardrobe, house, and humor, and of course, the fact that the film is written and directed by . . .
Fear Being Seen? How To Get Comfortable Sharing Your Creativity With Others
When it comes to what we wear, I’m all about camouflage. You can find these camo pants I’m currently loving here as well as a camo skirt I just added to my wishlist here. Creatively though, I don’t want to camouflage myself or be afraid of being seen. But the truth is that fear is something I struggle with daily, and I know lots of other creatives struggle with it as well. Shop The Look While visiting bookstores across the country, I had the opportunity to talk to many aspiring authors and . . .
Chase Away Your Blues: 10 Ways To Feel Good Now
As a writer of feel-good love stories, there’s a LOT I’ve learned that goes into creating a good feeling. I had to rewrite Waiting at Hayden’s ten times, not because there was a problem with the story, but because I hadn’t mastered the art of making my readers feel what I wanted them to feel when reading certain scenes. “Don’t tell me they’re happy,” an editor once told me. “Make me feel it.” How?! This can often feel like an impossible task—both on the written page, and in our . . .