Hottie Monday, Elizabethan Edition

I've been doing research lately for an Elizabethan theater story for Harlequin, and of course that involves watching lots of movies set in the period! :) Thought I would share some of the work...

Happy Memorial Day

I was just thinking about my grandfather today--Lowell McCabe, who served in World War II. I miss you, Granddad!

Heroine of the Weekend

Last week on Risky Regencies, I wrote about the anniversary of the death of Anne Boleyn, one of my biggest "historical heroines." It seems appropriate to feature her this week, Memorial Day Weekend! And in honor of all the Henry VIII anniversary activities going on in England this year, I'll spend a few weeks featuring Tudor women (there are so many fascinating Tudor women!). next week, Mary Tudor Brandon, Queen of France...

Have a great weekend, everyone! Who are you thinking about this Memorial Day?

When Photoshop gets outta control

I came across this feature on the formerly Project Rungay blog (which is fabulous blog, BTW, and I visit at least twice a day in hopes they will have all new fashion goodness waiting for me I especially love a Shelli O post!). But along with the good must come the bad, or, even better, the insane. Witness this fashion spread of "Brook Sheilds Cougar" in some Australian magazine.

First of all, Photoshop craziness! Does that even look like her in any way? I totally understand the desire to change one's image, branch out, try new things, go a little cray, but it should be a new thing you are kinda sorta comfortable with and find to be fun. She looks tense and nauseated in almost all these pics. A+ for effort though, especially the ass grabbing pic. (And where can I get those stockings??? And a whip!)

Another Great Exhibit

If I was in Australia I would definitely go to this exhibit! Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen at the National Gallery of Victoria. It looks gorgeous.

Wuthering Heights--???

Is this some kind of a joke?

Ed Westwick to star in Wuthering Heights movie

I mean, yes, I love and adore Gossip Girl, and without Chuck ad Blair that show would be nothing, but --Heathcliff?

OTOH, I bet Gemma Arterton will make a good Cathy, she was terrific in the new Tess of the Durbervilles. And I'm not sure who I would cast as Heathcliff instead. You know I'll go see it. But--Chuck Bass? Hmmm.

Hottie Monday--DWTS Finale Edition

In honor of tonight's Dancing With the Stars finale, a Hottie Monday collection of current/past "stars" and pro dancers. Enjoy!

(Who are you betting on to take the mirror ball trophy tonight? I like all the final 3, and would have no quarrel with any of them winning, but I am sort of cheering for Melissa. That would just be a great ending to her crazy reality show odyssey...)

Heroine of the Weekend

To go along with Hottie Monday (and show that I am not just shallow and giggly!!) I'm starting a Heroine of the Weekend feature to spotlight fascinating women in history. First up: Madame de Pompadour (1721--1764)--royal mistress, but also intellectual, politician, fashionista, and great patron of the arts...

Get Well Soon, Miss Wee!

Hello Kitty hopes you're feeling better very, very soon!

At Word Wenches Today

Today is the last stop on the Diamonds of Welbourne Manor blog tour! Visit Word Wenches for one last chance to win a copy...

Bag Crush

I totally love this pink bag from J. Crew! The color, the bow--perfect. Sadly, I read it is sold out. :(

18th Century Hats

Because I've been obsessed with hats lately...

Blog Visit Sunday

I'm at the Scandalous Women blog today! Come visit for a chance to win a copy of The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor, or, y'know, just to say hi...

You can also read more about the heroes of Welbourne Manor at eharlequin's "My Favorite Hero" blog. And on May 15, Diane, Deb, and I will be at Word Wenches. Don't miss it!!!

Mother's Day Weekend!

Happy Mother's Day Weekend, to my mom (I'm so lucky to have you for my mother!) and all the moms I know. Eat chocolate, go to the spa, watch movies, do whatever makes you happy....

Beach Wednesday

It's been gray and rainy and soggy here for what feels like a month! So, here is my fantasy vacation for the day...

Riskies Tuesday

Over at Risky Regencies today (and at Romance Bandits!)--two chances to win copies of Diamonds of Welbourne Manor!

What I'm Reading/Watching Today

Saturday Fun--Twilight With Cheeseburgers

Friday!

What I'm reading today... (a very fun travel/food/life account by restaurant reviewer Moira Hodgson)

And I'm at Emily Bryan's blog today, plugging the anthology!

Middlemarch

So, have you ever wanted to read (or re-read) Middlemarch? (You really should--it's one of my mostest favorite books ever!) Now is your chance. The "Fill in the Gaps: 100 Project" is hosting "Middlemay," a virtual book club reading MM through May and part of June. I have a lot on my plate this summer, but the chance to discuss this book with other readers is very tempting....

And I'm also at Kwana's Blog today, talking about the anthology!

Costume Con

I really, really wish I could be at this Costume Con this weekend! It must be amazing to see that many gorgeous costumes all in one place. But I'm afraid my mother would revolt if I asked her to make, er, say 5 new costumes for an event...

Also at Vagabonds

And I'm also at Romance Vagabonds with Diane and Deb, talking about the new anthology (and giving away a copy!)

Risky Tuesday

Over at Risky Regencies today, talking about teh sexiness...

I'm Back!

I'm finally back home, with full computer access and 400 emails to wade through! I missed my email and blogs soooo much, but once in a while it's essential to have a break. Keeps my creativity from drying up (not a good thing when I have 3 projects on my plate and more in waiting!), and keeps me from going crazy (not to mention freezing in that "poised over computer with clawed hands" pose).

I was at a mineral spa up in the mountains, not far from Abiqiu, called Ojo Caliente. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous place, perfect for those times when what's needed most is peace and quiet (and the unknotting of muscles). Then there were a few days in Santa Fe, with some very un-spiritual shopping! Found a great dress for RWA this summer...

And, of course, there was reading. As usual, I hauled about a bajillion books with me (must get a Kindle soon!), but once I was there none of them appealed. The tiny bookstore had many spiritual-meditation type books, two romances, a few Southwestern-theme mysteries, and (for some reason) lots of YA. So I read Breaking Dawn (I know, I am wayyyy behind the curve there), and a very fairy-tale-ish book called The Amaranth Enchantment, which (I admit it) I bought for the beautiful cover, but which proved to be sweet and fun and just fantasy enough.

A great trip. But now I have piles of laundry to attend to...

Gone For a Few Days

I am off to a yoga retreat for a few days! But don't worry--I've left a post for Hottie Monday, be sure to check in then. In the meantime, don't have too much fun without me!

What I'm Reading Today

Research for a glimmer of a story idea...

Agent for a Day

Nathan Bransford has "Be An Agent For A Day" going on his blog until Saturday (here)! Give it a try. I always thought it must be tough to be an agent (or editor), with so very much work on your plate, and so many queries and proposals pouring in every day. After reading through these, I see it's even harder than I thought! I think I'll stick to writing (though it's no walk in the park, either...)

At RR Today

At Risky Regencies today, talking about movies http://riskyregencies.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! Even though it's cold and rainy here today, I love Easter. It feels like spring has really started, with all the girls in their fancy dresses and white shoes, the thought of green grass and pastel eggs. Enjoy!

Red Lipstick Help!

Slumber party update--all went well! There was much running, shrieking, gossiping, Wii-playing, then settling down to watch Twilight. (We watched the whole movie, then there were various requests to re-watch some scenes, so that took up a good 3-4 hours. It's tough to gawk at Robert Pattinson that long, but I'm a good godmother and did it for the kids...)



So, something else that's been vexing me. I've been in a lipstick rut for a long time. I'm addicted to pinky-rosy-beigey lippies, and clear-pinky glosses and balms (like Bobbi Brown balm in Petal--love that stuff). But lately I've decided to branch out, try something that's scared me for a long time. Red lipstick.

Now, I have heard many times that there is the right red out there for everyone, we just have to be patient and persevere (sounds like dating, huh?). I haven't yet found the right red, maybe because I try one or two, they don't work out, and I give up in exhaustion (also like dating!). But I want to be old-school glamorous sometimes, like Dita Von Teese or something, so I'm trying again.

I am trying three right now. MAC Russian Red, Clinique Angel Red, and Chanel Fire (I have heard good things about Poppy King's Medieval and Saint Red, but this line isn't available anywhere near where I live!). The MAC is pretty good. I am very pale, with pinky skin, dark hair, blue eyes, and I have a hard time drawing "inside the lines" when applying lipstick (maybe why I stick to pink glosses?). Any suggestions needed!!!

Slumber Party Madness

So, I'm crazy. I agreed to help a friend supervise a slumber party tonight for her daughter's birthday. A bunch of 11-year-olds, stuffed full of sugar, oh noes!

I don't have any kids, of course, and have not had a slumber party since I was in high school. I have no idea what good activities might be. But I have a cunning stand-by plan (to paraphrase Blackadder). They can watch Twilight (again), which I know my friend's daughter loves. Then we're all happy and (hopefully) quiet. :)

Any advice for me???

What I'm Reading Today

Another Fabulous Exhibit

Another reason I need a trip to Europe right now! An exhibit of costumes from The Duchess at Chiswick (see info about it here). I've been lucky enough to visit Chiswick, it's a beautiful place with lovely gardens, a perfect party house and a great place to view these costumes. Wish I was there. Waaah! (surely I could just pop over the Atlantic for a few days, see the Versailles exhibit, hop on the Eurostar...anyone with me?)

Little Dorrit Part Two

Tonight is Part Two of the BBC's Little Dorrit! I was really enthralled by part one last week, despite the fact that this is definitely not fun escapism, a la Northanger Abbey. In fact, it's almost painfully prescient in the way it reflects this country's own current circumstances (massive debt, ponzi schemes, double-talking, unfeeling politicians!). The atmosphere is bleak and dark, characters solemn and secretive. And the cast is huge and complicated, even for Dickens (top-natch casting all around, too--but I can't help wondering where is Judi Dench, LOL). Yet I can't stop watching, and wondering what will happen next even I already know (nothing good!)