I have to celebrate some of the entries, so anyone who's given me permission to publish your entry: Watch this spot!Today, I have to show you what the lovely Hailee did.
She reenacted the cover of Violet in Private! How cool is that? She got the pose just right, down to the light fingering of her skirt and the attitudinal bent arm.
Thanks, Hailee! I loved this entry!
Happy Friday.
I'm over at Death by Latte author Linda Gerber's blog today, so go leave a comment to win a signed copy of Violet in Private!Meanwhile, I'm totally impressed by Entertainment Weekly's attention to the way-too-thin 90210 actresses (which I read about on ypulse). Way to go, EW! What do you guys think? I say: Scary Skinny--help them become more Blair-and-Joan-like. I heart Blair Waldorf. And Joan Holloway from Mad Men--who is a total babe. See below for proof.
PS-I'm following all the Mad Men characters on twitter--and they are following me! How cool is that? I'm a giddy fangirl when they send me messages. I know: Dork.
The winner of the Fairy Ring Necklace is... Sara! And a copy of Frenemies goes to... Kayla F! Send me your addresses, ladies.
This week, I'm giving away the "Almost Normal Skin" Kit from TESS, which stands for Teen Everyday Skincare System and was developed by moms and daughters. I am a sucker for a packaged kit like this (so cute, and you can take it on airplanes!), and this one includes: Strawberry/Jojoba Facial Cleanser, Apple Facial Toner, Peppermint Blemish Stick, SPF 15 Lavender Oil-Free Lotion, Strawberry Moisturizing Lip Gloss and Vanilla Nighttime Moisturizer. In short, it's the total package.
I'm also giving away a copy of Sarah Dessen's Someone Like You. The vlog below, which I did as a guest vlog for author Amanda Ashby, pretty much says how I felt about it. Oh, and it's signed!
So, comment below to win one of these two prizes (winners will be chosen randomly next Wednesday). Today, let's see... tell me about your favorite youtube video of the week (because, you know, I need more ways to procrastinate writing a new book...).
I'm loving this new magazine, and not just because I wrote a story for them about the skinny models thing. Visit the site if you're into cool, smart, funny girls. Trust me.
Also, I'm so proud of my friend Trac, who directed a pilot of "Red Hook High" and was featured in The New York Times yesterday. He calls the show, "the anti-Gossip Girl" and although I love GG, I'm also up for loving the anti-GG.
The Times says: "Red Hook High" is set in a Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood that is teetering on the edge of gentrification. The actors are local teenagers, some of whom attended South Brooklyn Community High School in Red Hook, where the pilot was filmed. There was no script, just a story outline and character profiles.
The teenagers developed the dialogue themselves over the course of a seven-week acting workshop held after school. Mr. Vu found the students through three local youth arts programs.
Isn't that awesome? Read the full story here.
A tiny view of Red Hook (see a photostream here--it's a gorgeous neighborhood!):
And, I had so much fun on Saturday at the Rye Free Reading Room in Rye, New York. The crowd was engaging and everyone had great questions--Selena and I had a blast (I read a Violet scene, then she tells her real-life experience in the same situations)! My fabulous writer and pop-cultured friend Kwana even showed up and posted a photo of us on her blog. Thanks, Kwana.
Lastly: Good TV last night. I can't keep up on Sundays and Mondays, but I did manage to watch Gossip Girl and Mad Men. Delicious!
Happy Tuesday.
I'm excited to be guest blogging at the smart, funny and always gracious E. Lockhart's place today! I'm talking about the cover of Violet by Design, and the story behind the final image.
Once you've peeked over there, I'd love to know: What do you think--is casual better? And which couture look is your favorite? (Reposted here).
It's always the best when your hometown papers cover you. Yay! (Click to enlarge if you wanna read it.)
Bye, bye, Fashion Week! See you in February!
PS-I love this audio review of Violet on the Runway by Summermoon! I forgot to post it earlier, but go listen if you have time.
Just a note to say I'll be at the Rye Free Reading Room in Rye, NY at 2pm with model Selena Breed (here's a shot of us together at my book party). She's awesome, I'm reading from the Violet books--it'll be fun.
More info here.
Fashion Week has a political tent up, which is kind of cheesy, but timely, I suppose. There's a ruby slippers exhibit inside with shoes by various designers--Dorothy is a huge fashion icon, if only for her sparkling footwear. And here is my chair:
There was so much violet on the runway at the Vivienne Tam show I almost squealed in delight! You can certainly go here to get better views of the looks, and I suggest you do, but below I'm going to paste my amateur photos, taken from my 7th-row seat (which was just divine and almost directly... well six rows directly... behind Serena Williams). One model (in photo #8) had to take off her shoes on the walk back down the runway--she was tripping! It was cute and everyone laughed--you can see her heels in her hand if you click to see the photo better.
Happy Friday! Oh, and if any of you guys are big fashionistas, the first person to email me can have the program and my copy of Fashion Week Daily from my trip to the tents, just for fun.
And here's a party everyone can attend, Sept. 18-22, so get ready...
Maria!She and her friends made this awesome video with important scenes from Violet on the Runway, and I just fell in love. I especially like the makeover scene--you guys should definitely watch it! Thank you, Maria! You guys did such a great job, and my panel of judges (that being me and my boyfriend and one discerning friend with great taste) had a really hard time choosing among a bunch of fabulous entries, but in the end, we all agreed on Maria's video. Send me your address and I'll send you the full book party gift bag! You have to share with Nicole T, Amanda and Nicole B! Now, everyone made amazing things for this contest, and I want to spend the next few Thursdays posting the entries (please email me to let me know if you do NOT want me to share your entry--there were a couple more private people who submitted, and I want to respect that). Also, you guys know I'm a sucker for prizes, so everyone who sent something will get a prize--just email me your address if you entered, and you will get a mystery gift in the mail. That's cuz I appreciate your work. A lot. THANK YOU GUYS for making Violet in Private's release month so much fun!! PS-Sorry for the tone change, but I can't write today without mentioning September 11th. It was the first year I'd moved to NYC, I was 24, and I won't ever forget that day.
The winner of the adorably retro Anne Taintor cosmetics bag is... Meredith F! (Thanks everyone for commenting on the blog tour!). Send me your address, M. Yay!
Another talented contributor to the book party gift bag is Natha Perkins, a badass and elegant metalsmith who put a generous gift certificate in each SWAG bag. Natha says, "I pound, pierce, fire, emboss and more to make every piece amazing and unique." And--lucky us!--she has graciously donated a gorgeous Fairy Ring necklace for this week's Win-It Wednesday! Inscribed on the ring is, wait for it... "The fairies dance with the violets"--how perfect is that?! The pendant itself is a hammered circle that nestles together with candy colored semi-precious stones, and it hangs on an 18" sterling bead chain. I'm so into it.
And I'm also giving away a copy of Alexa Young's Frenemies, which not only has holes in the cover, but is also a fun and fabulous read that fits in with New York Fashion Week, going on now (Pics from pretty, pretty Vivienne Tam show on the way!). 
This book has all the spirit of middle school and the fashion world. Which means major snark, but spread around with humor and heart. Honestly, Frenemies could have easily fallen into being a flat and mean-spirited read, but Alexa writes so well (as you can tell from her hilarious blog) that she created girls you actually care about following. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait for book 2, Faketastic. Oh, and with Alexa's book I'll throw in my invitation to the Vivienne Tam show, which I vlogged about here--it's pretty and is a good bookmark for fashion reads like Frenemies.
So one person will win the stunning Fairy Ring Necklace from Natha Perkins, and one will win Alexa's sparkling debut novel + Vivienne Tam invite! To win, just comment below and tell me where you'd wear the Fairy Ring necklace. If I had it, I'd wear it all over Fashion Week this week and tell everyone about its Violet connection.
Winners (chosen randomly for each prize) will be announced next Wednesday.
PS-Another GCC interview up at Shanna Swendson's blog! Forgot to point that one out last week. Sorry!
PPS-I'm reading tonight in the West Village with a slew of great authors (see sidebar at left for details). Come out if you're near!
PPPS-Did anyone see Oprah yesterday? I totally cried. Plus, 90210 has me hooked and Privileged was really good!