Books I'm Loving - Hip Hollywood Homes

I like to share the titles of books I've really enjoyed reading and hope to do a better job of announcing more good reads on the What's Wilder blog. Most of those reads will be fiction - mostly Young Adult, Women's Fiction, and Romance. I like political thrillers and spy stories too, plus I tend to read an eclectic blend of non-fiction.

Today is all about a non-fiction title.

I really get into browsing home decorating books. Heck, it's not just books. It's web sites, magazines, mail order catalogs, and all kinds of shows on HGTV. I am obsessed with home design and interior decor and constantly look for hints and clues in trying to define my own design philosophy. It's not such an easy thing to do!

I picked up a copy of Hip Hollywood Homes on the clearance shelf at my local Borders. The homes featured are impressive examples of the Los Angeles design aesthetic, ranging from modern minimalism to historic Spanish design, from the glamor of Old Hollywood to the funky mix of the artsy outer communities.

But one thing I hadn't anticipated was how curious I would become about the people whose homes the book featured. I am stalker-like in my quest to learn more about the home owners. How did they get to where they have arrived? Where did they come from? How did they hone their talents? I am fascinated by their stories - the jobs they have held, the adventures they have had, the people they have met, the impact they have made on the vast sprawl of the City of Angels.

The book not only offers a glimpse into some of the hippest residences in town, but also into the lives of their inhabitants. It is equal parts stunning in its pictorial and motivating in its revelations!

I hope you'll check it out!

xoxo,
bex

New Year, Fresh Start

I wanted to take a new tact with my planning and goal hopes for the new year, so I invested in a wall-sized twelve-month calendar. It is laminated and I bought some vis-a-vis markers so I could not only make marks on the calendar but also erase them as my time constraints, productivity, or plans change.

My friend Cathryn from the Moody Muses created a blog post where she discussed doing her goal setting in smaller increments - in this case, setting and adjusting goals in 30 day chunks.

My goal for the first 30 days is to write at least one page a day. It may not sound like much, but when trying to create a new habit I think it's important to give yourself a threshold you can meet. Odds are, most days I will be able to do more than just one page. If I exceed my daily goal, then great! But I am just getting over a bout with bronchitis and a sinus infection, so I know there are going to be days where things will not go as planned and even that one page will be a stretch.

Still, as I weave my plan for 2010, at the very least I want to create a page a day.

So far my new wall calendar has a check mark for productivity in each of the January days that have passed. The only other marks on the calendar represent the time I will spend at the RWA National Conference this summer.

As my plans for vacation escapes, family visits, and other events take form throughout the year my calendar will change some more. The good news is that it is big and visible and should help me anticipate adjustments as the year takes shape.

What about you? Any tips to help you stay on track as the new year gets underway? Inquiring minds want to know!

xoxo,
bex

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

I've never been big on big New Year's Eve celebrations. I tend to hunker down with a few of my favorite things -- a stack of movies, maybe a piping hot pizza, the TV more ready for the Bowl Games to come rather than the evening's network hoopla -- and quietly usher in the changing of the guard from one year to the next. But just once I wish I could be attending a fabulous party on the last night of the old year.

I suppose that's one reason why I enjoy writing fiction so much -- to have the opportunity to live the life I've imagined, if not in reality than at least on the page.

So if I were to script my ideal New Year's Eve, I would be at a private party with some close and cherished friends, in turn with some of their fun, hip friends, laughing, dancing, and celebrating love and life. I left my heart in San Francisco a long time ago so maybe the party of my dreams would take place in a hip loft on the wharf . . . Then again, the New Year is about new possibilities, so maybe I would shift coasts and maybe the party in my thoughts would be right at the heart of the celebration in New York City. Either way, the venue would have tremendous skyline views of whatever city hosted us. There would be a heart thumping cocktail mix on the sound system while the TV would quietly hum in the background as we all awaited Dick Clark's countdown.

Midnight would finally come and we'd all huddle 'round in a group hug as the clock ticked down. In those final seconds the object of my affection would pull me aside in meaningful private recognition of those precious last seconds of the old year . . .

The party would continue into the wee, wee hours but I could go home happy and fulfilled at 12:05, for my New Year's wish would have already come true and time spent attending that one fabulous party would be complete!

Plus, I would need my rest to prepare for the football feast that would take place in just a few hours. Fabulous party or the quiet passage at home, either way New Year's Day has always been and will always be about football.

So real or imagined, what comprises your ideal New Year's Eve? Inquiring minds wants to know!

xoxo,
bex

Cool Yule, everyone!

I'm going to be offline for the next few days, so I wanted to check in and wish those of you who celebrate Christmas a very merry one!

What are you doing for the holiday? Inquiring minds want to know!

xoxo,
bex

The Holiday Frazzles

There's so much joy and fun that happens around the holidays, but there is always the real danger of encroaching on holiday burnout. It's getting down to the wire now, so how do you stay sane with so many additional, seasonal demands on your time?

Inquiring minds want to know!

xoxo,

bex

Festivus

So much holiday hubbub going on, not that I'm complaining because Christmas is one of my favorite times of year! I love the holiday spirit that gets ushered in with Thanksgiving and hangs around until New Year's. I try to channel this festive feeling throughout the year, but to hear the holiday music, to see the lights and Christmas trees and decorations, and to smell the evergreen and cinnamon and nutmeg as their scents transform the house are all unique seasonal delights for my senses.

Spending time with my loved ones is the best part for me, and trying to find that one gift that will put a smile on their faces is a special challenge I look forward to. I love wrapping presents! Do you have a favorite part of this time of year? What about you? Inquiring minds want to know!

xoxo,
bex

The Big Turkey Extravaganza

I haven't posted in a while because I have been juggling two book projects, trying to get one done before Christmas while trying to bring the other one as far along as I can before the time ticks down on the end of this year. I've gotten some great work done, but still have much to do.

For now, I am going to take a moment to rejoice and embrace the spirit of the season. To remember the many people and blessings for which I am thankful, and to do what I can to help those in need.

I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

xoxo,
bex