Win-It Wednesday: Last week's winners and the new contest!

How cool is this countdown graphic that The Book Muncher made for me? I love it! Thank you, Book Muncher! This week's contest will be to win an early copy of Violet by Design (release date is... well, look left! Soon!). This sequel follows Violet around the world as she walks international runways and struggles with body insecurity and ever-confusing first love. So to win the book, you must either sign up for my newsletter (purple box at left, if you're not the commenting type), or respond to this question: Show me something online that you've enjoyed in the last week or so! Could be a blog post that interested you, a youtube video that made you laugh, a dress you just had to have on bluefly.com... What was it? For me, today, it was this article from New York magazine about French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, The Anti-Anna, who never wears jeans (though she notes that they suit her), who says that "all the girl who work at French Vogue are very skinny and beautiful" and who isn't afraid to make a transvestite her cover model. Love her or not, you can't tell me she bores you! So what fascinated you online this week? (I want to peek!) Good luck! PS-Oh! Forgot to give it up for the winner of last week's contest. First of all, I loved all your swoon-worthy mentions just in time for V-Day last week! Thank you! 45 entered, and the winner is: Mitzy! Email me your address, Mitzy! There's a review copy of Not Anything by Carmen Rodrigues ready to go out to you!

Love is a Mix Tape

I'm blogging over at Teen Fiction Cafe today, so come visit. Here's a hint about what we're discussing. Leave me a comment over there, and tune in tomorrow to find out who won last week's Win-It Wednesday contest (You can still enter today to win Not Anything if you like!).

It's lonely at the Plaza? Boo Hoo.

Some residents of The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan are saying it's a bit lonely there. One couple even watches the crowds at the Apple store below for entertainment. Poor things. Note to anyone who lives there and needs company: I am a witty cocktail party conversationalist and a gracious overnight guest. Promise. (I've always wanted to be Eloise.)

Nature, Undercover

Last weekend, I went skiing in Colorado for the first time--it was amazing how wide the trails were, how warm the sun felt as it glinted and sparkled on the powdery snow. It made me think of a book I was close to finishing, Undercover by Beth Kephart. It's a lovely, poetic novel about Elisa, an unlikely Cyrano who pens love notes for the boys in her grade to give to other girls. Undercover reads like a lyrical dream, each chapter leading you more deeply into Elisa's world of yellow flag leaves and moons as big as orchestras. It's a gorgeous book about human and mother nature both.And Beth's blog, which I've mentioned before, reads like poetry every day. (Plus, she finds the coolest photos to go with her prose!) Happy Friday, everyone.

Polaroids and Isaac Mizrahi

I have to say that I'm sad that the Polaroid is disappearing. The fashion industry uses these instant cameras for pretty much everything, and there's just something about the sound of a Polaroid, the shape of that photo border, the moody colors in the pictures... sigh. I have a camera, so I'm buying up stores of film and will treasure each shot! Also, I'll miss Isaac designing for Target. I have a "garden dress" he did two years ago that I still get compliments on. As far as I'm concerned, he's the king of the simple summer party dress -- and since they cost so little you don't even mind picnicking in them and risking grass stains. Farewell, Isaac! I'm sad to see you move on, but I do understand that when Tim Gunn and Liz Claiborne call, you must answer. Anything you guys are nostalgic for these days?

Win-It Wednesday: Lancome Gift Bags, Not Anything and Molly Ringwald

The winners of the three gift bags from the Lancome party are... The Bionic Woman, Sammi and britx333x! Email me those addresses, ladies. Congratulations! This week, I'm excited to be offering up a galley of Not Anything by Carmen Rodrigues. It just came out last week, and I got to read an early copy (that's what a galley is--it doesn't have the real cover, but the inside is all there). It's a lovely, lovely debut novel. Here's my official word on it: "Any girl who's ever fumbled her way through changing friendships, first love and real loss will find a friend in Susie Shannon." So if you want to win this book, just sign up for the newsletter (in the purple box at left) or comment below and tell me what book, movie or song simply makes you swoon. For me, it was always the scene in Pretty in Pink when Blane walks up to Andie at the prom, kisses her cheek, and says, "I love you... always." OMD's "If You Leave" is playing in the background, and my knees just go weak! Happy Birthday to Molly Ringwald soon, btw. Can you believe this girl about to turn 40? This one's for you, Mol.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Last Fashion Week post, I promise. Can you tell that I don't get out much? Usually, I sit in an overstuffed pink chair in my yoga pants, typing away... but when I do step out, I like to dwell on it for days. Especially because I got to wear this accessory of accessories: Whee! And okay, my photos kinda suck so I'm just gonna post my favorite one big: The cutest quartet of models outside the backstage entry. Look at those lips! I may have to adopt that bright pop of color like the MJ models and my friend Jolene rock. I wonder if I can pull it off. Now, I'll attempt a patchwork of the rest of the photos I took. I was experimenting with "night" photos and zooming. Obviously, photography is not my thing, but you can click on each if you want to see any in its larger form. Shots to look for include: MJ and Fergie chatting it up--yes!, too-cool boy models, my gorgeous designer friend Laura (who was in 7th grade home ec with me but has obviously way surpassed my stitching skills), and the interesting way models remember how their outfits are styled--by hanging posterboard! So what do you guys think? (You can see the full collection shot by real photographers here). Lots of black with shocks of color, big backpacks, glorious bows, plaids and houndstooth and ponytails with headbands (I still love that look). Don't forget to enter to win the Violet/Lancome gift bag. I'll post next week with the winner!

Win-It Wednesday: The Lancome/Violet Gift Bag!

Yay! Finally a couple of photos from the lovely Lancome and Violet By Design events this weekend. (Tomorrow: Marc by Marc photos--promise.)There's me with Lancome spokesmodel Selena Breed (who's not only stunning, but also really funny and smart and into mini-cupcake icing) and celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin (a genius who spent five minutes on my face and made me look very glam but very me at the same time--hard to do!). Then there's me with Whitney from America's Next Top Model--how cool is it that she showed up? The crowd was so much fun--everyone got their makeup done and I got lots of book signing requests! These are official Penguin photos, but I'll post some fun friend photos soon in a fun montage (I'm not the best at patchworking photos together on the blog, but I'm learning!). Now, check out the gift bag swag (I snagged this shot from Miss Whoever-You-Are--thanks!) I scored three extra gift bags just for you blog readers, and I'll be giving them away in the next week! They each include the February issue of Vogue, a copy of Violet on the Runway and Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (which I've been using, and loving, since Saturday--it doesn't hurt your eyes, which is key). To enter, sign up for my newsletter in the purple box at left (it's for book news, really, so it'll just be a few notes a year). Or, If you've already signed up for the newsletter, you can just leave me a comment about anything that comes to mind--that counts too! Sign up or comment by next Wednesday, when I'll pick three winners who'll get gift bags. Sound fair? PS-There's also a current contest for any bloggers who are doing reading challenges (Young Adult Challenge, First in a Series Challenge, or A-Z Reading Challenge) to win a copy of Violet on the Runway. Visit Thoughts of Joy to enter! PPS-The Page Flipper also has a contest going on to win an entire pack of books, so head over there, too!

Best of Both Worlds

Not to get all Hannah Montana, but I'm in a good mood. Yesterday, I did a lot of homey stuff in Brooklyn, like working on some writing and making a turkey stew in my undeniably adorable apron from Jessie Steele. And today, at 4pm, I'll be at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, thanks to my awesome friend Laura. Best of both worlds? YES. Sometimes I really have to stop and appreciate the happy things I'm doing instead of worrying about the paper recycling piling up in the corner and the two months worth of magazines that I haven't read yet and the stack of dishes left in the sink from the aforementioned turkey stew. What are you guys up to this week? What's your "best of both worlds" moment?

Breaking Into Fashion

I'm still feeling the urge to honor Fashion Week. It's all-pervasive in New York City, and I must acknowledge it.If you are at all intrigued by the modeling world (or if you just appreciate clean, smart writing) you really owe it to yourself to check out "Tatiana" and her latest brilliant blog from Jezebel's Modelslips series: "I'm a Model; The least I can do is wear the clothes." And remember, all you dreamers, I did long ago write a little ditty about how to get into fashion editorial, and you can find it right here. But honestly, could you wear heels like these? Even for a minute? I couldn't. Maybe that's why I'm a writer and not a Fabulous One. So my question for you is: Do you have anything in your closet that makes you sacrifice comfort for fashion? Oooh, what is it? PS-Party pics coming--I promise!