Archive
May 21, 2010 - 9:07 am
Tell your friends & family – the date is just around the corner. 27 Things to Know About Yoga will be available on …
July 28th, 2010! July 28th, 2010! July 28th, 2010! July 28th, 2010! July 28th, 2010!
I can’t even begin to express how excited I am! You can pre-order the book on Amazon.com or at your favorite indie bookstore via IndieBound. I’ve also set up an official Amazon.com Author Page that posts my blog updates & a swank discussion forum.
I’ll be posting more information about my upcoming book signing events very soon. There is still a little room in my schedule for more events, appearances, and interviews, so please contact me ASAP to get those arranged.
Bloggers & Writers!: For a review copy of the book, please contact Laura Bierbaum at lbierbaum@behrmanpr.com
May 19, 2010 - 8:53 am
Anyone with a genuine interest in movies knows the name Charlie Chaplin. By any measurement, he had a very successful career, vibrant social life, and emotional personal life. In addition to being an actor, writer, director, producer, and composer, he was also an author. All of his books were about various aspects of his life & career, but the most notable is My Autobiography, published in 1964.
Written nearly 20 years before Charlie Chaplin passed away, the book is an engaging and passionate recount of his scattered life. I’m personally impressed that he can remember so many elements of his life, especially childhood – I can’t even remember my teachers’ names!
Engrossed in all 500 pages, I find My Autobiography is a unique and delightful chance to peer into the heart & mind of one of the founders of cinema and comedy. It would be quite easy to keep gushing about Chaplin’s talent, intelligence, or creative drive, but words don’t do him justice. Read My Autobiography by Charles Chaplin; you’ll be glad you did.
+ My Autobiography from Penguin UK
+ Various imprints of My Autobiography on Amazon
May 14, 2010 - 4:35 pm
I bet you’ve already heard of them before. Featured regularly on blogs, in newspapers and magazines, TOMS Shoes are the talk of the world. Scoff not – this isn’t just another shoe company. As the logo above explains, with each pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair is given away to a child. Yup, it’s that simple: one for one. For many kids, this is the first & only pair of shoes they’ve ever had.
In just 4 short years, TOMS has given away over 600,000 pairs of shoes in 28 countries. Even after hearing about the brand nearly 4 years ago, I’m just now joining in on the fun (call me tarty to the party!). Earlier this month, I bought my first pair of TOMS:
Ironically, my shoes arrived on May 5th, which happened to be TOMS 4th anniversary as a company. What are they like? Let me say this: I’ve worn them every day since I received them – EVERY day. The are a heck of a lot more comfortable than I thought they would be. The shoes fit my narrow feet comfortably without falling off & I didn’t develop any blisters (common issue when wearing shoes without socks).
The original TOMS shoe design, which has no laces, is based on a traditional shoe from Argentina called alpargata. They are meant to be worn without socks, but you can sport them any ole way you like (woot). Along with my pair of shoes, I purchased my mum a $50 gift card for Mother’s Day. She was very excited & loved the gift – she’s ordering the Red Bridgeport Linen Classics.
This is the beginning of a beautiful shoe wardrobe for me, thanks to TOMS. I’m partial to the newer Cordones style – they’re like the next generation of Keds. Had TOMS been around in the 1940s-60s, I’m sure all the Hollywood starlets would have been wearing them with their high-waisted jeans. Before I get myself another pair, I’m getting my husband in on the action; I’m thinking the Blue Harbour Cordones. 
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
May 13, 2010 - 11:16 am
After 5 tense days of waiting, I emailed my contact at the publisher.
He quickly wrote back and said that YES, my sample has been approved!
I was more worried about this sample than that of my previous book. When it comes to eco-living I can be a bit, well, snarky about the whole subject. It just all seems so obviously important to me. I try not to be that way, but it can come through strong in my writing.
With 44 more tips to write, followed by a full week of editing, we’ll see how much audaciousness slips through.
Next due date: Friday, July 2nd for the Full Manuscript!
May 7, 2010 - 9:48 am
Dun dun dun – this is the last big step before I jump headlong into writing my 2nd book. The sample (Introduction & 1 tip) for 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living has been sent to my contact at the publishing company. Once I receive confirmation of the sample’s approval by the publisher, then all I have to do is write the rest of the book … easy, no? 
Thanks to the writing schedule I made for this book, I had no problem ensuring I had material to submit for the sample. Now, this is one of the most tension-filled parts. Do they like the direction I’m taking the book? They approved the outline, so I know I am on the right track so far. What if they want me to change something? Will it be drastic? Will it take a lot of time?
Until I receive a response, I’m just going to keep on working to help my mind stay distracted …
Next due date: Friday, July 2nd for the Full Manuscript!
May 3, 2010 - 4:30 pm
A day like today (when I begin writing my 2nd book!) calls for simple pleasures: warm cup of tea; smooth dark chocolate bar; 497 original-print pages of An Autobiography by Charles (Charlie) Chaplin.
The perfect addition? Wayne Pate‘s colorful & charming artwork. Brooklyn-based Pate uses clean lines, wide color palette, & euro-like sensibilities to create frame-worthy pieces that complement every personality. Along with silkscreen prints, Wayne’s online shop features his quaint creations on tote bags & pillows.
Visit Wayne Pate’s blog for more of his charming art & inspired life.
[Images courtesy of Wayne Pate; discovered via Mixed Plate]
