Other Stuff

Sunday Stuff: Harmony's Contest, Delia's Dress and Pomegranates!

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A few things:1. I'm over at Harmony Book Reviews, celebrating her one-year anniversary and giving away a copy of Violet in Private, so come enter to win! 155626_w_s.jpg 2. I just got this dress (in purple) from Delia's, and I love it. It would be perfect if the sleeves weren't elastic--they should be more batwing, I think--but I recommend it anyway. 3. Have you guys ever eaten pomegranate seeds, just on their own? They're my new favorite things. Plus, the method for getting them out of the fruit is fun! 296987040_cebb5677a2.jpg You fill a large bowl with water, break the fruit up, and pick off the seeds. The seeds sink to the bottom while the rind floats! It's so pretty because the seeds are so bright. And they're super good for you. I highly recommend this snack. Happy Sunday!

Awards and a Beautiful New Cover!

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Fabulous.jpg Meredith gave me a Fabulous Blog award, which has a fabulous icon! I'm supposed to pass it along to five new blogs, but I've decided that Fabulous is a self-appointing adjective, so anyone who feels fabulous about their blog, this one's for you! Post away!The official rules are as follows: 1. Put a link on your blog from whom you got it. 2. Give it to 5 new blogs (which in their turn have to give it to 5 new blogs). MW: Breaking this one in the name of fabulousness! 3. Put a link on your blog to those blogs you give it to. MW: Put your link in the comments if you post this! 4. Give the blogs you give the award to a note that you have given them this award. 5. Write 5 things you are addicted to: 1. Books 2. DVR (namely, Oprah, Friday Night Lights, The Biggest Loser, Gossip Girl, American Idol and others too numerous to name) 3. UNC Basketball. 4. My yoga pants. 5. Finding cool stuff for I Heart Daily! blogaward2.png Also, Liviania gave me the "Great Job!" award, and again, I say: Post this if you're feeling it! The rules are: 1) Add the logo of your award to your blog. 2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you. 3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs. MW: Rules are made to be broken! 4) Add links to those blogs on your blog. MW: List your great-job-doing self in the comments! 5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. Happy Thursday! PS-Author Jennifer Banash has set up a new blog on wordpress, so find her here! She's even hosting a contest to win a signed copy of the newly released In Too Deep and its predecessor, The Elite. I, for one, was ecstatic to see the third cover in The Elite Series (below--it might be my favorite of the three). How gorgeous can one book series's covers get?! simply%20irresistable.jpg

Win-It Wednesday: A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

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jan_northern.jpg Last week's contest got intense! And now I have to random-number-generate the winner, who is... Shari! Send me your address, and you will soon be reading Judy's wonderful signed book.Today I'm giving away a copy of Jennifer Donnelly's A Northern Light, which happens to be the readergirlz pick for January. We're discussing the book in the forum (join us for a Live Chat with author Jennifer Donnelly tomorrow--Thursday--night at 6pm PST/9pm EST!). I really loved this book! The story takes place a hundred years ago at the turn of the last century--16-year-old Mattie, a thoughtful and whip-smart wordsmith, has big dreams that are sometimes blocked by her big obligations. She's a fantastic heroine, and you will love spending time with her. Also, this book was awarded a little thing called the Printz Honor so, you know, it's officially good. To enter to win, go visit my guest spot at at A Blog of Books this week and leave comments. I'm being interviewed and reviewed. Look for my guest post about great fashion moments in books later this week! Every entry that you leave comments on counts as one entry in this contest, so then just comment below and tell me you did that. Also, +1 if you post about this contest or twitter or send a bulletin or whatnot. You know I love word-spreading. Happy Wednesday! PS-Have to promote I Heart Daily today because it's a do-good heart: Shop For A Cause! Sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already!

Girls Write Now Winter Reading

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GWN_winter_reading_small.jpgypl_blundell_lg.gif Anyone remotely near NYC should join me at this reading on Saturday. Seriously! The keynote speaker is Judy Blundell, the author of the amazing What I Saw and How I Lied (which is this week's Win-It Wednesday prize, btw--winner announced tomorrow!). And girls who've spent all year working on their writing with mentors will read from their very own works. Learn more about Girls Write Now here. It's a can't miss. Come say hi to me if you're there, and please feel free to steal that announcement up top and spread the word!

Photo Friday: Tiaras + Libraries

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I posted about Meg Cabot's awesome tiara auction over at readergirlz, and now I'll share something: I'm bidding!Yes, it's true. I'm hoping to win one of the two tiaras below (top is by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton; bottom is by Judy Blume!) to wear to my wedding. Is that weird? Wish me luck! Tiara%20Auction%20091.jpg Judy%20Blume%20Tiara.jpg And if you want to get 5 friends together and bid on a Sisterhood-of-the-Traveling-Tiaras-type accessory to wear to Prom, I think that's a dandy idea! (Cuz they're kinda pricey, but it all goes to support the NY Public Library, so be generous!) Check out all the styles here (Lauren Conrad, Sarah Dessen, Vera Wang! And of course, Meg! Plus lots more...) Happy Friday.

Faketastic + Violet

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51uftiQP1qL._BO2%2C204%2C203%2C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%2CTopRight%2C35%2C-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg You guys knew this was release week for Alexa Young's Faketastic, right? Alexa is hi-larious, and I love her blog. I haven't had a chance to read Faketastic yet, but if it's as fun as it's predecessor, Frenemies, count me in.I'm over at her blog today confessing waaay too much, and giving away a copy of any of the Violet books that the winner chooses. Go comment to enter! (And don't miss Melissa de la Cruz's interview from yesterday... )

Win-It Wednesday: Signed copy of What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell

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Sorry this is a late post--had Manhattan meetings all day in the rain! Poor me! But I did get to wear cute rain boots.Winners of the American Teen DVDs, as chosen at random, are... The Not-So-Closet-Geeks, Ink, and Carmen Alexis! Addresses, please. Prizes go out this week. Yay! 41PBi6PoZ8L._SL500_AA240_.jpg And now, this is a prize you want desperately. Well, I would want it desperately if I didn't own it, because I just read this book and I love, love, love it (if you follow me on twitter you'll know I've been talking it up all week!). I have a signed copy of National Book Award winner What I Saw and How I Lied, by Judy Blundell. It's the story of Evie, an almost-16-year-old girl coming of age after World War II and discovering the dark sides of the world in general, and of her own family. I know I'm being vague, but just trust me: This book is grrr-eat! And how gorgeous is that cover? I want red lipstick and smooth wavy hair. And that arm definition. Enter to win by commenting below and telling me what your favorite book of 2008 was (aside from the Violet books, of course--haha). You can name more than one if you like--I know pinning it down is hard. Happy late Wednesday!