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See you there!!! xoxo, pmb

I've waited exactly one hundred and sixty three days to tell you this...

Just before my birthday in October (2008) I received in the mail an advance reader's copy of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I was immediately struck by its cover, so rich and stunning. It literally made me gasp.

Wintergirls is the newest YA novel by the incomparable Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak (among other novels). The cover for Wintergirls was designed by an immensely talented photographer named Alexandre Denomay. What a wonderful and unforgettable image for a book that can only be described as the same.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has, for years, sat on or around my desk as a symbolic reminder of the enchantment that can occur during a reading experience, the achingly beautiful thrill of reading and being touched by an author's authentic characters and fluid prose.

As an author, I've never wanted to forget that feeling as a reader.

Laurie Halse Anderson's works have unfailingly served as testaments of such beatiful occurrences in literature. What an awesome thing it is when a writer forgoes the pressure to be "plotty" and allows instead their characters to live and breathe and ultimately touch lives naturally.

Sometimes--as a character-driven writer--it can, however, be a downright disheartening challenge to stay dedicated to character amid the constant popularity of contrived plots. I'm not anti such books at all, but, as a reader, I've always loved more the experience of an extraordinary character than the opposite (ordinary characters doing extraordinary things).

I so often remember the impression of characters--Holden Caufield, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, Astrid Magnussen and Winter Santiaga to name a few--more than I remember, incident by incident, what happened to them.

And now Lia.

Laurie Halse Anderson is one of my literary heros once again. Thank you, Laurie Halse Anderson, for giving us Lia.

And, to anyone reading this blog, I have waited one hundred and sixty three day to tell you this...

:)

Go out, today, and purchase (or get from the library) a copy of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (Penguin/Viking (ISBN 978-0-670-01110-0).

It is yet another of Anderson's incredible contributions to literature. And if you happen to have a teenaged daughter in your life, trust me, this is a book they should experience. Check out the trailer here:

Back in October, I read Wintergirls in one weekend. This week, I just re-read it again.

Wow. There really are no other words...

But, if you don't trust my enthrallment, here are a few samples of what the critics are saying:

"As difficult as reading this novel can be, it is more difficult to put down." --Publishers Weekly

"Due to the author's and the subject's popularity, this should be a much-discussed book, which rises far above the standard problem novel. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Readers will be absorbed by this gripping tale..." ---BCCB, starred review

You will not regret reading Wintergirls, a gripping experience in literature.

Love!

pmb

P.S. I promise to tell you later, eventually, how it is that I received an advanced copy of this book in the first place. Promise. xoxo :)

Rhymes with Ice (but she's getting hot)...

Her jewelry has been worn by many of our beloved pop culture icons, such wonderful divas and fashionistas as: Rashida Jones, Beyonce (seen below in her jewelry), Cameron Diaz, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Ripa, Drew Barrymore, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Academy Award Winning actress Kate Winslet.

Katharine Sise (rhymes with ice) and/or her fabulous jewelry have been prominently featured in such magazines as Glamour, Marie Clair, W. Bazaar, Lucky (who launched her career by anointing her a “designer to watch) and Elle.

Many of us aspire to own a career using our God given talents and Katharine, too, strived for nothing less in her own life.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she came to New York City equipped with big dreams and a degree in film, television and theater. She originally hoped to thrive as an actress.

And what do most of us hopeless thespians end up doing to make a living starting off, even with a college degree? You guessed it. But when Katy nearly spilled an expensive bottle of champagne on Robert Deniro while waitressing one evening, she knew it wasn’t the job for her. There had to be a better way. Turned out there was.

She put her instinctive talent to work and started designing and selling jewelry and her innovative creations were soon in demand.

Katharine Sise and/or her jewelry have appeared on “Good Morning America,” The Oxygen Network”, “The View”, “Live With Regis and Kelly”, “Good Day New York” and one of my personal favorites… “Gossip Girl”. We are so honored and delighted to have her here with us in “The Love Spot” today.

Read on for a Q&A with Katharine Sise. You’ll learn more about why we have so much love for her and her jewelry and also discover some exciting news about what’s coming up in her life...

PMB: Katy, You have designed jewelry for so many celebrities, is there someone that you have yet to design for that you would like to? And what can do you envision designing for that person?

KS: Michelle Obama! And I'd design one of my multi-layers with a strand of pearls. A twist on a conservative necklace.

PMB: I have no doubt that that day is to come. Mrs. Obama came to my mind as well. She is certainly someone that I’d love to see rocking your jewelry. Give us a day in the life of a fabulous jewelry designer. Take us through your creative process...

KS: Every day is different depending on what I'm working on. Some days, I may have a specific trend story to make pieces for. If a magazine requests a specific trend, I'll make about 12 to 20 pieces that week for that particular story. Other weeks are spent making orders for boutiques and individual clients.

PMB: You mentioned trends, but tell us how a woman/young lady should go about deciding what style of jewelry works specifically for them?

KS: I say, whatever jewelry pieces make you feel good the moment you put it on is what you should go with. Vintage jewelry is a great way to achieve a timeless look and works with almost any style. If you have a conservative style, find pieces that you can go to again and again, like a classic stud earring. If you're more experimental by nature, try a bold cuff and a cocktail ring to spice up your look.

PMB: I love it! And I think it is that mentality that makes certain celebrities more iconic and stand the test of time for popularity. Who comes to mind when you think of style icons? And why?

KS: To me, a style icon is a woman that knows what works for her. She isn't guided by the trends, though she may incorporate elements of them into her signature style.

PMB: Agreed! Now, as you know the three women dearest to me—my mother, my sister and my niece “Jada” all received jewelry that you specially designed for us this past Christmas (unforgettable by the way) but I am curious about your Mr. Sise line, particularly because father’s day is coming up and dad was a little left out ;) Mr. Sise is your developing men's line and I love it. Some men aren’t so keen on jewelry though and might need to be convinced. What do you say to men who don't think jewelry is for them? And what type of man should consider jewelry as a part of his personal style?

KS: This is tricky. Many of my male friends (my husband included) only wear their wedding rings. But, if a man is comfortable wearing jewelry, it can be such a great look. I love tough jewelry pieces for men for a laid back or rocker look!

PMB: Me too. And just to add to what you’ve said, I love it when a man has a statement piece—a bold ring or a stern necklace—because it can really accentuate their masculinity. Besides the men’s line, are there any other things in development that you'd like to share?

KS: This month my jewelry is featured on a few pages of Lucky magazine and in July Target will launch one of my jewelry pieces on their website. Very exciting!

PMB: Oh congratulations, Katy! You already know how excited I am about your developing career. Finally, as is tradition in our newly re-launched “The Love Spot”, please tell us… how you define love?

KS: Love is really all there is. If you're filled with love, there isn't room for anything else.

PMB: And what are three things that you, Katharine Sise, love? Tell us why if you would....

KS: Family. (That is my mom, dad, sister, brother and my husband.) Dogs. No one does unconditional love like a dog! And books! I feel an instant comfort as soon as I open one.

PMB: Awww! And ditto! Thank you Katy!

Visit www.katharinesise.com to order her jewelry and follow her career and also be sure to check her out on HSN (The Home Shopping Network) where she co-hosts her own show!

LOVE!

pmb

Congrats Melissa! Way to keep it "reel" :) ...

Along with being a fabulous photographer and budding journalist (not to mention a refreshingly nice person in a world laced with mean girls), Melissa (Stern) Spector has the scoop on digital retouching.

Check out this Joel Fendelman produced reel "Beauty is Pixel Deep" to learn exactly what someone like Melissa, a "digital retoucher" does. She tells us very matter-of-factly, which I love, sans moral objectives. Still, I thought this offered a very unique and realistic perspective of the images we see.

It is very interesting stuff...









Love!


pmb

Givin' em something to blog about...

Hi, so, you know how the story goes...

I go under. I don't blog for awhile. You email me. I tell you I will blog again soon.

:)

And finally, eventually, don't I always? ;)

In addition to working on various upcoming projects, I've been featured on a couple of blogs since the last time we spoke. Please check out my interviews by clicking on these links...


The Brown Bookshelf



Sormag


More updates soon!

xoxo and lovvvveeee!!!!


pmb