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Aug 122016

Miss Darcy's CompanionWhat If Elizabeth Worked for Mr. Darcy?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

TIME FRAME: Several months before Mr. Bingley signs a lease for Netherfield Park

MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and Georgiana Darcy

SYNOPSIS: What if there was no Ramsgate, no overheard insult, and no surprise encounter in Kent? What if Darcy first met Elizabeth Bennet as a nursemaid/stand-in governess for his cousin’s children? And what if Georgiana expressly wished for Darcy to hire Elizabeth as her companion? With her father passed away and Longbourn taken over by the odious Mr. Collins, Elizabeth happily accepts this position, even though she has no experience. Will she find her new employer to be haughty and high-handed? Or will she see him as kind and generous?

  • Harmony and Happiness at Pemberley: This story takes us to Pemberley and stays there for nearly all of the book, with only slight mentions and visits to Netherfield and Rosings. I loved the focus on Pemberley and sense of idyllic contentment that pervaded this variation as we witnessed Elizabeth, Darcy, and Georgiana find pleasure, peace, and companionship in each other’s company with no interference. Pemberley is such a lovely setting for romance to blossom and I loved seeing the happiness and easy camaraderie between this trio.
  • Woven Into Canon: With no Ramsgate, no Mr. Bennet, and no extended visit to Meryton, you may wonder if any of the same events will take place in this variation. Will there be a first proposal? Will Wickham cause any harm? I loved how, even though this story started so drastically different with altered situations for many characters, Joana Starnes found unique and clever ways to tie her variation to Jane Austen’s original canon. Especially her in regards to our favorite foils – Caroline Bingley and Mr. Wickham!
  • Tempered Reserve: In many of Joana Starnes’s variations she delivers healthy doses of anguish and heartache to poor Mr. Darcy. But in this variation, the shoe is on the other foot! Mr. Darcy, being proper and honorable, does not give much romantic thought to his sister’s charming and lively companion and is quite slow to recognize his feelings. But Elizabeth, seeing Mr. Darcy in this different perspective, cannot help but admire him and think him “the best of men.” And her admiration easily leads to affection – an affection she tries to suppress and conceal because she knows there is no hope. I really enjoyed seeing Ms. Starnes explore these more reserved and private feelings of yearning and turmoil from Elizabeth’s perspective.  AndI loved how she couldn’t resist giving Darcy a bit of torture and agony (which made us love him even more!).
  • Georgiana: It is lovely to see Georgiana blossom in this variation. She has her shy reserve, but learns maturity and confidence with Elizabeth as her dear friend and companion. I enjoyed seeing Georgiana grow, think for herself, and become more assertive. Definitely some admirable development for her character!
  • New Original Characters: Since we stay mostly at Pemberley, we don’t see much of the Bennets, de Bourghs, and the Bingleys. Instead we are introduced to several new original characters fashioned by Joana Starnes. These characters were well-constructed and interesting as they propelled the plot in various ways. (Note: I loved the helpful New Characters List in the front of the book!)

That now I will have an even harder time deciding which story by Joana Starnes is my favorite!

Sensitive, poignant, and gloriously impassioned – skilled storyteller Joana Starnes gifts readers another stellar Pride and Prejudice variation that will once again inspire them to fall deeply and irrevocably in love with Mr. Darcy! While this story might have a little more quiet reserve and suppressed passion, I think it is just as beautiful and stirring! Another brilliant read from Joana Starnes!

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Because she is inordinately kind and generous, Joana has sponsored a giveaway of ONE Kindle copy of Miss Darcy’s Companion, for me to giveaway to ONE lucky winner in conjunction with my review! Miss Darcy's Companion

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment about my review and share your favorite book by Joana Starnes (or, if you haven’t read any of her novels yet, which one do you want to read most?)

  • This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Joana!
  • This giveaway ends August 18th!
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  99 Responses to “Miss Darcy’s Companion – Joana Starnes + GIVEAWAY!!!”

    I haven’t read any yet, but I’d like to read this one. Your review makes it sound fun!

      Thanks for stopping by to read Meredith’s review, Michelle, and huge thanks, Meredith, for the wonderful words, I’m over the moon that you liked it!!!

      Hope you’ll enjoy Miss D’s Companion, Michelle. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

      It’s a beautiful story, Michelle! I hope you get the chance to read it soon!

    Wow fabulous review Meredith. I love Joana Starnes’ books, she is one of my favourite JAFF writers but I have not read this one yet and now can’t wait!!!!!

      Fabulous review indeed, Michelle! Wow! Meredith, you’re awesome! Thank you both for the ever so kind words, they mean so much to me. Hope you’ll like MDC too, Michelle, and thanks for visiting and commenting.

      I’m so glad to hear you say that Joana is one of your favorite writers! If you haven’t guessed, she is one of mine too! 🙂

    I’ve read the Subsequent Proposal and loved it. Would love to read this book, too! Sounds fantastic!

    Joana Starnes is wonderful! I’m so anxious to read Miss Darcy’s Companion, especially after reading your review. I became a “fangirl” after reading The Subsequent Proposal – Ms. Starnes has such a gift that, as you read her books, you quickly are immersed in a first-quality story – reminds me of the Emily Dickinson quote: “There is no frigate like a book…to take you miles away…” – a guaranteed “good read”!

      Awww, Jean, thanks so much for the wonderful words and the delightful quote!! I’m ever so glad it’s all thanks to TSP & honoured to have you as my ‘fangirl’ 🙂 I hope you’ll like Miss D’s Companion too. Best wishes!

      Well said, Jean! I couldn’t agree more! Her stories are first-quality and completely suck me in right away!

    I have to admit The Subsequent Proposal will be a hard one to beat as my favorite! Thanks for the review and the giveaway!

    Joanna Starnes is one writer that I have no problem recommending. Her stories are always well written and entertaining. I love all of them and this one is no exception! I am proud to call her my friend but I said the same things before I got to know her. You will never be disappointed with her tales. Thank you for saying so clearly what I was thinking about this book, Meredith!

      Huge thanks for the kind words, Brenda! I feel exactly the same about your books, I could get lost in your PnP world forever and I’m so happy to have you as a friend!! How wonderful it would be to meet face to face one day! All the best, many thanks for your kindness & happy writing!

      I couldn’t agree more, Brenda! Thank you so much for reading my review and sharing your accolades!

    Well Meredith, what a great review for such a fabulous book. I also loved it as I have loved all of Joana’s books. The whole book was lovely but especially the ending . Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I gave up trying to win one ages ago and bought it and I must say it was well worth it.

      Thanks so much, Glynis, for the wonderful comment and your kind words about my books. I’m so happy you like them, it means ever so much to me that I’m on the same wavelength with so many lovely people 🙂 All the best!

      Oh thank you, Glynis! That is really kind of you to say! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear you loved this book as much as I did!

    I too love all of Joanna’s book and thought this tale was great. I already have the Kindle so no need to put me in the drawing. Jen Red ♫

    Yes, this was an absolutely beautiful book! I have read all of Joana’s books and I’m thinking that this may now be my favourite…though I do love Subsequent Proposal and her first one and all the others! Please do not enter me in the draw. Great review!

    I haven’t yet read this one! It has been on my wish list for far too long! Hope I can get my hands on it soon!

    Hmm. The thought of E falling for D before he falls for her is quite an intriguing idea! This sounds delightful. I haven’t yet read any Joana Starnes (gah!) but this one looks like a great place to start!

    I have been eyeing this book for a while and your review has given me the push I needed to add it to my to-be-read list. I like the idea that Elizabeth is the first to realize strong feelings for Darcy (it doesn’t hurt her to be the one to suffer — it certainly does not happen often). Thank you for another great review!

      So glad that Meredith’s wonderful review got Miss D’s Companion on your TBR list! Hope you’ll like it.
      Sometimes it almost looks like we have a ‘Let’s Torture Darcy’ club going in JAFF, and we do tend to torture him a lot 😀 Most if not all my other books do. But I had some very interesting conversations with two dear friends who pointed out that Elizabeth is as strong as Darcy, and she could withstand a little torture too 🙂 Thanks for entering the giveaway and best of luck!

      Very true, Jan. I think what I liked most about Lizzy being the one to suffer is the realization that, as a woman, she can’t act on her feelings or even indulge in much hope. The man has all the power. It was quite lovely to see her admire and yearn for Darcy, now she knows how we feel!

    I also love Joana Starnes’ books, and I’m also not able to decide which one I like best. I haven’t read this one yet but I want to do it as soon as I’m able.

    I am a big fan of her books and my favorite is The Falmouth Connection. Thank you for the wonderful review and the giveaway. Can’t wait to read Miss Darcy’s Companion.

      So glad to hear that, Daniela! I really enjoyed writing it and taking photos of all sorts of little spots that have inspired the story. Cornwall is so irresistibly romantic!

      I hope you’ll like Miss D’s Companion too, even though there are no romantic little coves in the story and D, E and G are at Pemberley for most of the time. (I think they say Derbyshire is the furthest county from any coast, hope I’ve got that right 🙂 ). No smugglers either, but a couple of villains here and there 😉 Thanks for reading the review and taking part in the giveaway

      Great choice, Daniela! I love that one too for all the reasons Joana said. I hope you get the chance to read this lovely book soon!

    This is the only one of Joana’s book I have not yet read, loved them all so far

    I enjoy seeing this author’s creative mind at work each time I see a new book by her. The way she weaves in the familiar with the new to create her variations just pulls me in. I love it when there are wonderful original characters to love alongside the tried and true, too.
    I am in the process of reading my first of her books. I chose to start with the oldest and work my way forward, but seriously I’m tempted to jump to a few like this one that particularly catch my eye.

    Great review, Meredith!

      Such a wonderful comment, Sophia Rose, thanks SO much for the ever so kind words!! I do hope you’ll like ‘From This day Forward’ although I must admit I’m a little bit nervous too 🙂 That was in a rather different style, more history, less drama and virtually nothing of Wicked Wickie, just a bit of wicked Caro and spiteful Lady Cat sprinkled here and there as seasoning 🙂 I hope you’ll like FTDF, but if you feel tempted to jump to later ones, please do! There’s a faster pace on Cornish beaches & Falmouth, rivalry with Capt Wentworth in The Subsequent Proposal and of course the misery fest of love V loyalty in the D – E – Col Fitzwilliam triangle. Hope you’ll get to them and I hope you’ll like them.
      Many thanks for the beautiful comment and best of luck in the giveaway!

      Very well said, Sophia! I’m like you, I would very much want to read everything in order of released even though I wouldn’t have to! I hope you are enjoying it! I love the history and new characters in FTDF! Just wait until you read her lovely variations!

    I love ALL of Joana Starnes’ books. She’s a favorite JAFF writer. Please don’t enter me in the giveaway because I’ve just ordered the book and it’s supposed to come Tues. I can’t wait to read it!

    Your review is so thorough! Love the time and thought you put into it. I really liked The Subsequent Proposal. It was so clever the way she wove it all together.

      Meredith’s reviews are so awesome and wonderfully detailed! Thanks for stopping by to read this one and I’m still in awe to hear how many people liked TSP. Hope you’ll enjoy Miss D’s Companion too. Best of luck in the giveaway!

      Thank you so much! I sometimes struggle a lot with my reviews so your kinds words are very encouraging! 🙂 I agree! The Subsequent Proposal was brilliant!

    I couldn’t agree with you more, Meredith! Joana did a beautiful job telling a really mesmerizing, and slow burning romance story that had just the right amount of tension balanced throughout the story.

    Great review and thanks for sharing ladies!

    Another great review Meredith. I have so many of the book you review on my TBR list that I’ve had to put them on a spreadsheet! I’d better get reading. Thanks for the giveaway. Leslie

    Awesome – I love seeing Georgiana in a leading role I think she was an overlooked character. I too am interested to see if the same events transpire or if it’s a totally new direction 🙂 Thanks for the chance too! hopefuldelights1 (at) yahoo (dot) (com)

      I hope you’ll like Georgiana in this one, Erika. Having Elizabeth as a companion instead of Mrs Younge made a difference in more ways than one. Still, they might not go to Ramsgate, but that doesn’t mean there’s no Wicked Wickie 😉 Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

      I agree, Erika! I love seeing Georgiana in the spotlight. Yes, she her change in companion does alter some things. I love the idea of her never having Mrs. Younge as a companion!

    Great review! I have yet to read any of Ms. Starnes’ books, but they’ve been in my TBR pile for quite a while. I was going to start with The Unthinkable Triangle, but this just may persuade me to start here instead. Choices, choices… Looking forward to delving in!

      So glad you liked Meredith’s wonderful review, Renee, and that you’re pondering between Miss Darcy’s Companion and The Unthinkable Triangle.

      I think it depends if you’d rather start with E having a hard time or with pining Darcy. I probably was more cruel to him than her, but in my defence he broods and pines so irresistibly 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy the books, whichever one you decide to start with. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

      Thank you, Renee! I hope you get to read one of Joana’s books soon! I’m sure you will love them! 😀

    I have not had the pleasure yet to read one of her books, but this one Miss Darcy’s Companion sounds lovely!

    Loved your review, Meredith! My TBR list is growing at warp speed but I can’t miss the chance to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway, Joana! 🙂

      A pleasure, Maria 🙂 I know the feeling about warp speed TBR list, mine too, so much great stuff came out this year! Best of luck in the giveaway, thanks for taking part and hope you’ll like it if you win.

      Thank you, Maria! Yes, TBR piles are enormous nowadays, aren’t they? I guess the upside of that is we will never run out of great books to read!

    What a great review, now I definitely have to try one of Joana’s books!

    I’m not certain I can pick my favorite, for so much depends upon what I just finished as well as my general mood. I do know, however, that I have greatly enjoyed everything P&P that she has written and highly recommend her works as must-reads to anyone who likes this genre.

    I am so glad that you enjoyed this book as much as I did, Meredith! Joana’s books are so good. Please don’t enter me for the giveaway, as I have already read the kindle version, I just wanted to share the love for the book 🙂

    plot sounds fascinating

    I’m sorry to say that I haven’t read any of Joana’s books (yet.) The premise of this one sounds excellent, as well as The Second Chance, where we get to revisit with our S&S characters as well as our P&P characters.

    The cover of this book is just lovely.

    Thanks for the review, Meredith, and the giveaway opportunity, Joana!

      Many thanks for the lovely comment, Lori, and sorry it took me so long to comment back (we were camping in the Lake District miles away from civilisation and WiFi 😀 ). I’m ever so glad you liked the cover for Miss Darcy’s Companion and wonderful to hear you enjoyed the premise of The Second Chance too. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

      Great choices, Lori! I hope you get the chance to read one of Joana’s books soon! 🙂

    Joanna Starnes is at the top of my list – looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Oh this sounds like a lovely variation! Would love to give it a read. My favourite variation (so far) by Joana Starnes is The Subsequent Proposal.

    I won this excellent book during your previous giveaway, and I’ve just finished reading it. I loved ODC interactions and all the original characters were wonderfully written. Definitely a 5 stars book!
    By the way, when it is ‘later in the year’, Joana? I have made a mistake and read an excerpt of ‘Mr. Bennet Dutiful Daughter’ and now ‘later in the year’ cannot come soon enough. 🙁

      Wonderful to hear you liked Miss Darcy’s Companion, Kate, huge thanks for the lovely comment!! I would have replied sooner, but we were away for a week, camping in Lake District (lucky Lizzy Bennet, she didn’t have to put up with soggy tents 😀 )

      Fingers crossed, Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter will be out this November and with any luck a little sooner. I do hope you’ll like it and sorry for the wait 😉 All the best,

    Great review Meredith! I love this novel and the twist from canon that involved Miss Bingley as well as Wickham. Please don’t enter me in this wonderful giveaway as I already have a kindle copy! Love your novel Joana, can’t wait to read your next project!

      Thanks for the ever so kind words, Dung Vu, and for stopping by to comment! I’m ever so glad you liked Miss Darcy’s Companion, it’s wonderful to hear that, and such a boost to keep writing. All the best and have a great week.

    I have not read any but your review makes me want to read this one!

Your conversation and participation are always welcome; please feel free to "have your share."


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Kristen Lamb

Author, Blogger, Social Media Jedi

Kristen Lamb — Photo

Posts Tagged: the muse

Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of Steve Snodgrass
Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of Steve Snodgrass

All of us start out writing for different reasons. Perhaps we have dreams of seeing New York Times Best Seller or USA Today Best Seller in front of our names. Perhaps we long to be a household name like Stephen King or even a legend like J.K Rowling.

Some of you might want to see Winner of the Pulitzer Prize on the cover of your books or see your books made into television or major motion pictures. Some writers simply want to finish that one novel and publish it so they can say they wrote a novel.

Every dream is equally noble. There are no right or wrong goals only your goals (and goals evolve as we do). Yet, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that the level of sacrifice and self-discipline required to Write a Novel in a Year is different from the author who longs to be the next Neil Gaiman.

When I started writing I thought I knew everything. It wasn’t until I went to my first writing conference that I understood the truth. I was too dumb to know how much I didn’t know. When I later gained genuine mentors (professionals) I was horrified to realize my writing wasn’t the only thing that needed a major overhaul. My character, habits, and attitudes did too.

In all bluntness, I began as a lazy unteachable ass who believed in luck not work. Most of all I had no concept of how important it was to set and maintain boundaries.

I hadn’t yet learned to guard the muse.

That had to change if I was ever going to reach my dreams. Our muse is precious and there are some critical habits we must learn to keep her healthy. We need to feed her good things—rest, books, classes, music, good friends. But at the same time? We must also protect her. This is critical for success in writing (or actually anything for that matter).

Guard Your Energy

Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons via Michele Africano
Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons via Michele Africano

Energy is to the muse what blood is to the body. Drain out 3 quarts from your wrists and see how you feel. Similarly, we need to make sure we aren’t dragging the muse through emotional razor wire.

Trust me, legendary authors guard their energy the way a concert violinist guards her hands. Energy that leaks out into unproductive endeavors is stealing vital life-force from the muse and pros get that.

Yet how many emerging writers are clinging to writing groups filled with folks who complain and never write? Holding onto family members or friends who are addicted to crises? How many writers are reckless with posts or comments on social media?

All that mental energy hemorrhaging into drama or onto social media in fruitless ways is taking away vital creativity that could be going into their work. But instead of their talent being focused in a novel, it is being bled into arguments on Facebook threads, tweets or in a blog’s comment section.

Cut OFF Toxic People

Image via Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of Ted Van Pelt
Image via Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of Ted Van Pelt

The best way to have a healthy muse? Don’t poison her. If a friend or family is emotional gangrene? CUT THEM OFF.

Toxic people always have problems and they really aren’t interested in solving them. They might say they want advice or support but this is a lie. They simply want an audience to nod to their excuses and indulge their anger, self-pity or addictions. Hanging out with them is like volunteering to be in a constant emotional full contact sport.

And yeah I am mixing the hell out of metaphors but I want you guys to understand how important this all is.

Negative emotions are not only draining, but after prolonged exposure, we can become physically ill and damage the muse (sometimes permanently).

Toxic people are always in a heightened emotional state. Their behavior creates stress and stress is something our bodies will react to in a primal way. When we sense danger, blood transfers from the cerebral cortex (higher thinking centers) to the reptilian brain (fight or flight). This serves a purpose. If a car is on our child, this isn’t the time to remember all our clever Nietzsche quotes.

But the problem is our bodies can’t tell the difference between outrunning a bear and merely arguing with a recalcitrant sibling or a troll on Facebook.

Lizard Brain is NOT creative.

Additionally we are who we hang around. Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become character and character becomes destiny.

Got people in your life who want to complain? Make excuses? Still partying like it’s 1999? Just let them go lest they rub off.

Beware of Overconfidence

Over the weekend I saw the movie Doctor Strange and loved it! But how did Dr. Stephen Strange end up battered and broken in a temple in Nepal instead of being the world’s richest and most renowned surgeon? He grew overconfident and believed he could drive on rainy roads at high speed while talking on the phone and looking at e-mail.

And he ended up with two crushed hands.

Out of ego, he failed to guard what was most precious to doing his job. And yeah it is a Marvel story but there is a neat lesson we can use.

When we rant on social media, tweet whatever flies through our head, get tangled up in friend drama or family fiascos, that is being reckless with the muse. And sure maybe the first 393 times we speed down that wet highway talking on the cell phone and texting goes fine. But it only takes something going wrong once for us to drive off a cliff and crush the muse.

And most of us don’t have Plan B of living in a temple learning to fight in other dimensions.

Choose Our Battles

It’s easy to believe that “we can handle it” but in all honesty? That is a dangerous game.

Toxic people have more access to our lives than ever before. One of the reasons I recommend writers avoid ranting about politics on Facebook (unless one longs to be the next Bill Maher or Anne Coulter) is that, among many other reasons, it is a tremendous mental drain that can have devastating consequences (refer to guarding energy).

One of the biggest reasons many emerging writers will never bear fruit is they lack the discipline to choose their battles.

We are anointed to change the world with books, not argue with idiots on social media.

We can get pulled into on-line tiffs with folks who have no intention of changing their views. Many are on there for the sheer joy of being contrary or even cruel. I even have a mantra on Facebook when I see something that someone posts that upsets me and I feel the need to “say” something and “set them straight.”

I am NOT the Jackass Whisperer.

Then I unfollow them out of my feed and move on. We must understand that social media and building a platform is our job, but we need to manage distraction and compulsion. Sure we might initially get that “feel good” zing, but the cost of fruitless battles are far higher than the payoff. Every time we do this we are stealing energy from the true payoff—our finished and published books.

Toxic people are a great distraction on-line but also in life. We might think, “Oh I will write after I help Such-and-Such” get sorted. The problem is Such-and-Such has zero intention of ever being sorted. Misery just loves company.

So why are we handing them our limited and precious creative energy?

Where the Mind Goes the Muse Follows

Image via Flickr Creative Commons courtesy of Tequilamike
Image via Flickr Creative Commons courtesy of Tequilamike

Years ago I had the pleasure of working with Ferrari and was invited to some pretty amazing events, including getting to meet professional race car drivers. When drivers are racing, the most important component to winning is not crashing. Seems silly, but it’s true. If your car is in flames, odds are a trophy is not in your future.

But when race car drivers train, the most vital lesson is to keep the eyes where they want the car to go. Where the mind goes, the man follows. Look at the wall? Hit the wall. Look at the finish line? Cross the finish line.

Thus, a big way we can guard the muse from crashing is to keep focusing on where we want to go.

In the end, any kind of success is all about discipline. Like anything else, our muse gets stronger the more we feed her the good stuff and the better we guard her from the bad.

What are your thoughts? Do you struggle with distraction? In person or on-line? I know this time of year is hard on a lot of us when it comes to setting boundaries. Did you have to let go of writing friends who always complained and never wrote? Who couldn’t take criticism? Who refused to learn and grow? Did you find that you did better once you got away?

What are some ways you guard your muse?

I love hearing from you!

And to prove it and show my love, for the month of NOVEMBER, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly.

TREAT YOUR MUSE!!!! Check out the Upcoming Classes

Remember that ALL CLASSES come with a FREE RECORDING so you can listen over and over. So even if you can’t make it because the holidays are crazy? No excuses! Take time to be good to yourself! All you need is an internet connection!

How to Get Your Book Made Into Film

Class Title: How to Get Your Book Made Into Film
Instructor: Writer/Producer Joel Eisenberg
Price: $45 USD Standard
Where: W.A.N.A. Digital Classroom
When: WEDNESDAY November 30th, 2016 1:00 PM E.S.T. to 3:00 P.M. EST

How do you cull the essence of your novel into a feature film? How do you expand your short story for a television series? Finally, when the written adaptation is complete, how do you navigate the Hollywood maze for real money and credits?

Joel Eisenberg has been there. As an independent producer of over 20 years, Joel has developed content or sold projects to networks such as TNT, CBS-Decades, FOX Studios, Ovation TV and more. As the former head of EMO Films at Paramount Studios, Joel is also a professional networker, having hosted entertainment network events at the Paramount lot, as well as Warner Brothers, Sunset-Gower Studios and more. His work has been featured in many media outlets, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC, The Los Angeles Times, TV Guide and even Fangoria.

Important Class for After NaNoWriMo! You might have a New Year’s Resolution to query a novel. Doesn’t matter. Treat yourself to an early Christmas present!

Pitch Perfect—How to Write a Query Letter & Synopsis that SELLS

Class Title: Pitch Perfect—How To Write a Query Letter & Synopsis that SELLS
Instructor: Kristen Lamb
Price: $45 USD Standard
Where: W.A.N.A. Digital Classroom
When: FRIDAY December 2nd, 2015 7:00 PM E.S.T. to 9:00 P.M. EST

You’ve written a novel and now are faced with the two most terrifying challenges all writers face. The query and the synopsis.

Query letters can be daunting. How do you sell yourself? Your work? How can you stand apart without including glitter in your letter?

Good question. We will cover that and more!

But sometimes the query is not enough.

Most writers would rather cut their wrists with a spork than be forced to write the dreaded…synopsis. Yet, this is a valuable skills all writers should learn. Synopses are often requested by agents and editors and it is tough not to feel the need to include every last little detail. Synopses are great for not only keeping your writing on track, but also for pitching your next book and your next to that agent of your choice.

This class will help you learn the fundamentals of writing a query letter and a synopsis. What you must include and what doesn’t belong.

So make your writing pitch perfect with these two skills!

Plotting for Dummies

Class Title: Plotting for Dummies
Instructor: Kristen Lamb
Price: $35 USD Standard
Where: W.A.N.A. Digital Classroom
When: SATURDAY December 3rd, 2016 2:30 PM E.S.T. to 4:30 P.M. EST

Are you tired of starting book after book only to lose steam and be unable to finish? Do you finish, but then keep getting rejected? Do you finish, but it takes an ungodly amount of time? Sure, great you land an agent for your book, but you don’t have FIVE YEARS to write the next one?

This class is here to help. The writers who are making an excellent income are not doing it off ONE book, rather they are harnessing the power of compounded sales. This class is designed to help you learn to plot leaner, meaner, faster and cleaner (even for PANTSERS!)

Learn the basic elements of plot, various plotting techniques, how to test your seed idea to see if it is even strong enough to be a novel and MORE!

Blogging for Authors

Class Title: Blogging for Authors
Instructor: Kristen Lamb
Price: $50 USD Standard
Where: W.A.N.A. Digital Classroom
When: FRIDAY December 9th, 7:00 PM E.S.T. to 9:00 P.M. EST

Blogging is one of the most powerful forms of social media. Twitter could flitter and Facebook could fold but the blog will remain so long as we have an Internet. The blog has been going strong since the 90s and it’s one of the best ways to establish a brand and then harness the power of that brand to drive book sales.

The best part is, done properly, a blog plays to a writer’s strengths. Writers write.

The problem is too many writers don’t approach a blog properly and make all kinds of mistakes that eventually lead to blog abandonment. Many authors fail to understand that bloggers and author bloggers are two completely different creatures.

This class is going to cover:

How author blogs work. What’s the difference in a regular blog and an author blog?
What are the biggest mistakes/wastes of time?
How can you effectively harness the power of algorithms (no computer science degree required)?
What do you blog about? What topics will engage readers and help create a following?
How can you harness your author voice using a blog?
How can a blog can help you write leaner, meaner, faster and cleaner?
How do you keep energized years into your blogging journey?
How can a blog help you sell more books?
How can you cultivate a fan base of people who love your genre?
Blogging doesn’t have to be hard. This class will help you simplify your blog and make it one of the most enjoyable aspects of your writing career.

For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook

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No Spawn left behind!

I love all of you, so it might be best to hear this from me. Sit down. We need to talk. Writers are….”different.” This might not be news to some of you, but I imagine others of you are in denial. I know I was for ages. We try SO HARD to be normal, but normal is just so, so, so…BORING normal.

Our “differentness” weirds normal people out, because they’ve been trained by TV what the writer’s life should look like.

Just like DNA analysis takes less than 10 minutes on an episode of Rizzoli & Isles and the bad guy is caught and in cuffs in less than an hour, what “looks” like writing and the creative process in movies? Kind of isn’t. Not even CLOSE.

Too often, pop culture paints authors as caricatures instead of pros. We mainline coffee (okay, that’s accurate), are barely functioning alcoholics who dither around instead of writing. At the last moment, we are visited by the genius fairy, type for a full  week 24 hours a day to turn in a masterpiece (last minute) to our agent who’s been calling over and over worried sick about us.

*clutches sides laughing”

Um, sure.

***Though I will cop to being a functioning yarn and video game addict.

New Kindle cover…..
New Kindle cover…..

There are a lot of activities we must do to write great stories that, to the outside world, look a lot like goofing off. We aren’t goofing off (though without discipline it can become that). Lately (namely because of Shingles) I have traded Jui-Jitsu for crocheting until my doctor clears me for beating people up.

But there is a LOT of thinking and pondering going on while I work on my projects. I watch series and deconstruct plots, characters, etc. I note dialogue. I contemplate ways one could kill people with crochet needles and if I could write a series called The Etsy Murders (no stealing O_o).

…and have a nifty Kindle case to show for it 😀 .

We must fill our creative well before we write, or we have nothing to draw from.

Creative people are a lot like tigers. We do a lot of what looks like laying around and warming our bellies in the sunshine. Yet, what we’re really doing is powering up because, once we go after that first draft, those words can be more elusive than a gazelle that’s doping.

Regular folks who clock in and clock out of jobs in cubicles are grazers. They do the same routine day after day. *munch, munch, munch*. I feel this is often why creative people feel so stifled in these environments. We’re tigers stuffed in a non-tiger role.

TIGER BLOOD! *giggles*

Strong writers are apex predators who lurk, plan and power-up until go-time.

I spent two and a half years researching for my last social media book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World. I read stacks of books on neuroscience, sociology, communication, the history of communication, leadership, sales, etc. This probably didn’t look (to many others) like working. Yet, it was. I was filling my mental reservoir. When my hands met the keyboard, I wrote almost 90,000 words in six weeks that needed minimal revision.

Same in fiction. I knew I wanted my series to involve Mexican drug cartels. What did I do? I watched A LOT of documentaries, read books, articles, blogs, collected images, and played video games.

Yes, video games.

Take Time to Fill Up

Too many writers fail to finish NaNo because they haven’t fueled up properly. If one studies any endurance athlete, what do they do before an Iron Man or the Tour de France? They EAT. A LOT. Endurance athletes know they need the extra weight because it isn’t uncommon for participants to lose as much as twenty pounds by race end.

Original image courtesy of Flickr Creatinve Commons, courtesy of Ali Samieivafa.
Original image courtesy of Flickr Creatinve Commons, courtesy of Ali Samieivafa.

Yet, how many of us go into writing a book with a malnourished, anemic muse?

Feed the Subconscious

Part of why I love NaNo and Fast Draft is it does a number of things. First, it tires out the analytical side of the brain that wants to edit and make everything “perfect.” REFUSE TO EDIT. If you’ve taken time to feed the muse, your “Boys in the Basement” could be doing some seriously cool mojo, and if you edit that out? You can benevolently tank your story.

Often a lot of the subplots or cool twists and turns come from all the stuff we fed the muse ahead of time. For instance, there is a scene in the first book of my trilogy book where the two main characters find an old drug house and of course teenagers and addicts have been in there and there’s a ton of graffiti. There are the usual pentagrams, devil-worshipping symbols, goat heads, gang signs, profanity, etc. but my fingers typed (seemingly of their own accord) that there was also a veve of Papa Legba.

Veve of Papa Legba courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Veve of Papa Legba courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Huh? Voo-doo in southwest Texas? Where did THAT come from?

Probably a documentary. I began to backspace over it, but then let it ride. My FBI agent notices the veve, recognizes it, and finds it odd and “out of place.” This is all that is mentioned of the veve in this book, because my subconscious already had the plot for Book Two which involved…Santeria.

My subconscious must have pulled up the multiple news stories of bodies with hearts removed (or headless) who were presumed to have been killed in ritualistic fashion by cartel leaders for otherworldly protection over their operations. My muse was placing the perfect bread crumb in the story to lead to the next one.

But what if I hadn’t “wasted” all that time reading and watching documentaries? What would my muse have been able to draw from? A bag of stale Goldfish or a 10 course meal?

Another reason I love NaNo is that once we tire out the analytical side of the brain, we can fall into a sort of trance, much like a runner’s high. This is where the muse hits overdrive, and, since we are SO immersed in the story, we become part of that world.

This means we’re less likely to lose ideas or make major mistakes because we’re hyper-familiar with the terrain. If we start writing, then put a book away for a month and try to pick it back up, we need to do a lot of refreshing and the story can become jaunty and incongruent.

I recommend checking out another of my posts: Write FAST and Furious! Learning to Outrun “Spock Brain.”

My recommendation before writing ANY book is total immersion. I read a lot of submissions and many of them have a bunch of fluff and filler and that could have been avoided if the writer had more research to draw from.

Image via Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of FromSandToGlass
Image via Flickr Creative Commons, courtesy of FromSandToGlass

It’s easier to use setting powerfully if we’ve researched the terrain ahead of time. What do people in certain roles or regions talk like? The more facts, images, and stories (even news stories) we have in our head? The richer the work and the easier to give our writing texture.

Later, we’ll discuss some ways to fill the muse. And yes, a lot of it might look like goofing off, but runners preparing for a mega-marathon do a lot of what looks like eating a ginormous bowl of pasta or downing special protein drinks. Not especially glamourous, but essential for success.

How do YOU fuel? What things do you do to enhance creativity that looks like slacking? Are you afraid to watch TV or movies because you fear you aren’t…GASP…writing?

I LOVE hearing from you!

To prove it and show my love, for the month of OCTOBER, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).

Will announce September’s winner later this week. Have to tally :D.

Super Cool WANA Announcement!

WANA has a super cool class coming up October 4th. VERY RIGHT BRAIN and a cool and unique way to envision your story and prepare a rich, textured novel with deep and dimensional characters. Rachel Funk Heller is teaching Prepare for NaNoWriMo–Writer’s Coloring Book. Give yourself and your brain a play date. It’s good for BOTH of you!

For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook

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Our Movement Is A Marathon: ASAN’s 2018 Annual Report

TOur Movement Is A Marathon: ASAN 2018 Annual Reporthe Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a national grassroots disability rights organization run by and for Autistic Americans, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of Autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to educate communities and improve public perceptions of autism.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ASAN relies on your donations and support to carry out our work. 2018 marks our twelfth year as an organization and our seventh year as a formally-designated 501(c)(3), and we take great pride in the work we’ve done. To better inform our supporters about the work that your contributions make possible, we invite you to read this year’s annual report, Our Movement Is A Marathon.

Click here to download the screenreader-accessible Annual Report. Or, read it below.

More information about our 501(c)(3) designation, including past Forms 990, is available here.

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This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Tom Harle Strategy Principal at ustwo auto

Tom is a Strategy Principal at ustwo, partnering with clients in the global urban and mobility space to understand evolving user needs, shaping products and services to meet them. Ustwo is on a mission to launch products and services that have a meaningful difference in people's lives, so Tom's work has always explored the application of technology in spaces with complex stakeholder relationships.

Agenda Sessions


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This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

Registration for 2019 is not yet open. To be notified as soon as registration goes live, pre-register your interest by reserving the 2019 brochure.


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RKP Carbon Fiber Front Lip Set 1x1 Weave - BMW F8x M3,M4 GTS 2015-2019

BMW M has always maintained a unique approach to engineering. No matter how rare an M car may be, M owners always expect a car that is at once stylish and discreet; useable every day and flawless around a race track. Balancing these conflicting requirements are what make BMW M absolutely unique in the world of sports cars.

RKP's M3 / M4 GTS+ front lip enables F8X owners to add a GTS look and feel. The upper front lip is designed to flawlessly fit the M3 and M4 front bumper, using OEM mounting hardware for an extremely durable installation. Best of all, threaded inserts are found within the lip, enabling the optional splitter to attach directly to the lip's bottom surface.

Each RKP GTS+ carbon fiber upper lip and splitter is available in hand laid 1x1 or 2x2 gloss carbon fiber for a beautiful appearance and low weight.

  • Light Weight
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Added Styling
  • Perfect Fitment
  • Easy to Install

  • 2015 BMW F8x M3 GTS
  • 2016 BMW F8x M3 GTS
  • 2017 BMW F8x M3 GTS
  • 2018 BMW F8x M3 GTS
  • 2019 BMW F8x M3 GTS
  • 2015 BMW F8x M4 GTS
  • 2016 BMW F8x M4 GTS
  • 2017 BMW F8x M4 GTS
  • 2018 BMW F8x M4 GTS
  • 2019 BMW F8x M4 GTS

Images are for representation purpose only. Actual product may vary.


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Home Theater.

Project Description

Want a real theater experience in your home? We can create a dedicated private cinema in which the environment is precisely designed & engineered to provide maximum movie and music enjoyment. The room is isolated from outside noise with special acoustic treatments and audio is optimized with measured speaker placement. Cozy up on plush theater seating positioned specifically for the ultimate viewing experience of your big screen. Lighting is also controlled so when you press a single button, the lights dim and the show begins. Press pause and lights dim up so you can get more popcorn and soda.

Common Solutions

  • Home Theater
  • Home Media
  • Lighting Control
  • Motorized Window Treatments
  • Acoustics
  • High Performance Audio
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Last Storm

From A Wiki of Ice and Fire
Jump to: navigation, search
The Last Storm
Conflict Aegon's Conquest
Date -2 AC
Place south of Bronzegate, the stormlands
Result Targaryen victory
Conquest of the stormlands
Foundation of House Baratheon
House Targaryen House Durrandon
Orys Baratheon
Rhaenys Targaryen
Argilac Durrandon
unknown near twice the Targaryen host
unknown Argilac Durrandon
Dickon Morrigen
Bastard of Blackhaven

The Last Storm was a major battle during Aegon I Targaryen's war of conquest. It resulted in the fall of the Kingdom of the Storm and the foundation of House Baratheon.[1]

The Prelude

In a clumsy attempt to use House Targaryen of Dragonstone as shield against the threat of Harren Hoare, the King of the Isles and the Rivers, Argilac Durrandon, the Storm King of the stormlands, offered Lord Aegon the hand of his maiden daughter, Argella, with a dowry of lands currently belonging to House Hoare.[1][2] Aegon refused and instead made his own offer, to be sealed with the marriage of Argella to Orys Baratheon, Lord Aegon's childhood friend and champion, who was also rumored to be Aegon's bastard half-brother. Enraged, Argilac had the hands of Aegon's envoy cut off and sent them to Aegon with the message “These are the only hands your bastard shall have of me.”[1]

This sparked Aegon's intentions to conquer Westeros and unify the Seven Kingdoms under his rule. Aegon landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush and was crowned by one of his sister-wives, Visenya. He then received the allegiance of the riverlands by slaying King Harren Hoare through the burning of Harrenhal. Meanwhile, he sent Orys alongside his other sister-wife, Rhaenys, atop of her dragon Meraxes, to conquer the stormlands. Argilac refused to die in the same manner as Harren and called his banners to Storm's End to meet Orys's host.[1]

Atop Meraxes, Rhaenys scouted Argilac's movements and Orys fortified a strong defensive position in the hills south of Bronzegate. As the two armies closed on each other, a massive storm, that would give a name to the battle, broke out. Argilac, knowing he had almost twice as many men as the Targaryens and four times as many knights and heavy horse, decided to press the attack.

Three charges by Argilac's horsemen were slowed by the mud, although his spearmen had greater success on foot and the Durrandon host conquered two hills. Argilac broke through during the third charge, but encountered Rhaenys atop Meraxes, who slew Dickon Morrigen, the Bastard of Blackhaven, and Argilac's guard. In the confusion, Argilac was thrown from his horse and found himself face to face with Orys Baratheon. Both took a wound but soon Argilac would get his wish and would die fighting. His death ended the battle, as the stormlanders yielded or fled.[1]

After her father's death, Princess Argella Durrandon barred Storm's End and declared herself Storm Queen. Her garrison, however, feared to share the fate of Harren and revolted against Argella after a few days, delivering her to Orys, chained and naked. Nevertheless, Orys treated her gently, removing the chains, covering her with his cloak and giving her food and wine. Afterward, Orys married Argella and became Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. He took the sigil and words of House Durrandon for his own family, House Baratheon.[1][2]

Rhaenys then flew from Storm's End to support Aegon at the Field of Fire.[1]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 The World of Ice & Fire, The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest.
  2. 2.0 2.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Stormlands: House Baratheon.


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Elegant Venus Lace Wedding Dress

Permalink to Elegant Venus Lace Wedding Dress

Know the body type. When you choosed to start to look at wedding gowns, you may already have a good idea in regards to what styles and silhouettes that suits you and don't like, as well as what could be the a lot of lovely on the body type. This is vital while you make an online purchase so you can separate out seek leads to only show you the styles that you want to for.

If you discover a dress you want online it is advisable to learn how in keeping with dimensions the creator typically flows. You also need realize the latest measurement on the venus lace wedding dress are.

Choose a sheath or perhaps flared costume for long and lean body types. If you're skinny in addition to high, you may either desire to focus on your own statuesque physique, or you might choose an outfit that can cause curves. Based on your emotions individually, pick sometimes a sheath gown in which follows your lengthy straight form of the body, or perhaps a flared apparel just like a mermaid cut which induces curves and breaks encourage body. Take a look at engagement magazines. Marriage mags are a great way to secure a fuller a feeling of what kinds of garments are for the market. Despite the fact that you may have a solid idea of what sort of fit you are considering, you can find many additional circumstances to choosing the perfect dresses.

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venus lace wedding dress. Make a day from it, carry the top women inside your life, go for lunch or towards the beauty shop prior to your consultation, make it the time being coupled with your friends and relatives and enjoy this fun quantity of your life.

Be certain it's relaxed. You may be sporting this venus lace wedding dress for many hours. Sit from it once you try it out on. You won't want to frequently alter the gown, or simply consider it in your special event

The key to finding your dream venus lace wedding dress is usually to go to a well-trusted, full-service bridal salon. They have noticed consultants that may guide and support you in finding your dress. Within your scheduled visit explain to the particular guide just what thefinances are, whether you get body concerns, and tell her just how you need to feel on your wedding reception day. She'll then take this information and definitely will scour the bridal salon to locate one that fits your complete needs. Remember your consultant has been dressing brides to all shapes, sizes, and budgets for decades and is one of qualified person that can assist you create your decision.

The wedding gown is essential component most ladies look ahead to when preparing their particular wedding ceremony. The fact is, rocking your favorite luxury bridal gown in style contains a big vogue affirmation and may go a long way to impress wedding ceremony guests. When browsing and acquiring a beloved stunning wedding dress generally is a exciting practical experience, this process may bring a little bit of strain to even one of the most positive most women. Locate your current ideal bridal dress and make sure your mission ends with success by learning how to acquire your venus lace wedding dress.

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Number of Roles Allowed In Windows Azure Deployments Increased To 25

Posted on 1 September, 2011

Windows Azure has increased the maximum number of roles allowed in a deployment from 5 to 25. This change allows customers to deploy up to 25 distinct roles, which can be a mixture of Web Roles, Worker Roles, and Virtual Machine Roles, as part of a single deployment. This increase gives application developers a more granular level of control over the lifecycle of different aspects of their deployment, since each of these 25 roles can be scaled and updated independently.

Additionally, Windows Azure has changed the way in which we account for endpoints. Previously, a deployment was restricted to a maximum of 5 internal endpoints per role. Now, a deployment can have the total 25 internal endpoints allocated to roles in any combination (including all 25 on the same role).

This aligns with the way input endpoints can be allocated. Windows Azure now supports 25 internal endpoints and 25 input endpoints, allocated in 25 roles in any combination.

Further details on enabling role communication can be found here.

Corey Sanders is a Principal Program Manager working on the Fabric Controller team on Windows Azure.


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‘Self-Care for the Real World’ — an approachable book about self-love and wellbeing

My yoga teacher in London, Nadia Narain, is known and loved for her no-fuss, straight-talking approach. I loved her classes (and so did everyone else in London!), and was immediately drawn to her as a teacher. In fact it was Nadia that really made me fall in love with yoga — I was pregnant with Marlow and felt so empowered and supported by her pregnancy yoga classes. I still continue to do yoga with Nadia’s yoga DVDs, and we have remained friends over the years.

Nadia and her sister, Katia, have recently come out with a beautiful book called Self-Care for the Real World which is just as inspiring and approachable as the two sisters are in the flesh. In fact, the book is so conversational in tone, that I could practically hear Nadia’s voice in my head as I read it.

The two write about how ‘self-care isn’t just for people who have hours of spare time or lots of money for expensive massages or pedicures.’ They argue that ‘you don’t have to put off self-care until your life is less busy or until you’ve perfected your diet or bought those fancy yoga leggings’ (haha, Nadia, I can hear your voice saying that!).

Nadia and Katia believe self-care is about being switched-on and fully engaged with your life. It’s about learning self-love and self-compassion, and most importantly it’s about meeting yourself where you are right now, instead of where you think you should be. I love that, don’t you?

The book comprises of small, easy-to-read (even for time-poor mums!) chapters and segments. There’s ‘put yourself in your own diary’ and ‘how to feel the feelings’ and ‘are you really friends?’. There’s ‘get out of your head and into your body’, and ‘how to make friends with your thoughts’, as well as ‘feng shui for beginners’.  So many great mini chapters full of practical, non-patronising tips.

In addition to the tips, Katia, a chef and health foods pioneer, offers an inspiring selection of recipes for healthy foods, drinks and snacks scattered throughout the book.

I’m not usually a big fan of self-help books, but this is one I can get behind. : ) The book is available at Amazon (UK and US).

Courtney x

Comments (3)

Third Eye Chic
March 29, 2018

Not a huge fan of self help books either but at the same time, self care is so important and because it’s so easy to get wrapped up in everyday life, tiny little reminders like these are always welcome!

July 15, 2018

Courtney, this is totally irrelevant but I am looking for some side tables to our bed and our son’s bed and I just love these that you guys have in your rooms. May I ask where you got them?

Courtney in Australia
July 15, 2018

Hi Lindsay,
We got these side tables from Pop & Scott here in Byron: x

Leave a Comment


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Mirror, mirror on the wall

Around a certain age, babies love looking at themselves in the mirror – they just can’t get enough of their own smiling faces! We have built-in mirrors in our kids’ rooms, but if it weren’t for those, mirrors aren’t something I would have necessarily thought of for the nursery wall.

Check out the mirrors from Australia’s own Adorning Al. They are perfect for children in every sense. We like that they are made from high quality acrylic to be a lighter, safer alternative to traditional glass (no accidental breakages with these mirrors). The mirrors are also self-adhesive so there is no need for heavy frames.

The mirrors are available in a number of fun shapes to fit with the most popular décor themes in children’s rooms. There are birds, owls and butterflies for girls and rockets and cars for boys. I like the Treehouse mirror best of all – it’s a design that won’t look out of place in a child’s room for many years and when they’re done with it, I’m sure it could fit in elsewhere in the family home.

Mirrors obviously serve a practical purpose but they are also great decorative pieces that add a bit of glamour to a room. Adorning Al mirrors are $49.95 each and are available through Bubba Bling.

Katrina Whelen

Katrina studied planning and design, did the hard yards working in a big office building and then traded it all in for a relaxing (!) life at home with four children. She now fills her time with writing, completing a degree in genetics and taxiing her children around Melbourne to their various sporting commitments (not necessarily in that order).

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The Top Best Beaches In Sydney: Video

If you’ve ever been wondering which Sydney beaches are the best to visit, I highly suggest you watch this video! This way, you’ll know exactly where you should be spending your next weekend. So, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, or Balmoral Beach? Watch this video to find out! And don’t forget to share this with your friends if you like it.

Credit: Gareth Leonard


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Tag Archives: Technology

The Benefits Of Teleportation

You’re gonna think I’m nuts, and that may be partially true, but I’ve been thinking about teleportation all day. Does it exist yet? It should. But not everyone should have access to it. That would be crazy! There would be way too much traffic in the teleportation realm. That’s why I believe this power need to be earned; like a blowjob or a badge in the Boy Scouts. Only people who really deserve to teleport themselves should be able to. Like me.

I think I deserve this power because I am an all-around good person (sometimes) and have kind eyes. More importantly, though, I have needs that can only be met through teleportation. Here are some examples of how this science would come in handy for me:

1) I can only poop at home. This is the reason I decided to try to teleport myself today; I’d just gotten into work when the urge to take a dump struck. I thought maybe I could teleport by thinking really hard, like when Alex Mack would morph into water. Unfortunately, my brain waves weren’t strong enough to take me to my home toilet, even if just for a few minutes.

2) I live really far. Who wants to be stuck on a bus for an hour with an old man whose skin smells like burnt hair (this happened to me yesterday) just to get to work? No one! I think the government should include an optional teleportation fee for anyone who chooses to buy a property on the outskirts of the city.

3) I’m extremely forgetful. Perhaps time traveling powers would remedy this fault best, but teleportation would be useful as well. Then it wouldn’t be a big deal if I forgot an essay or a jacket or my Snack Pack pudding cup at home, you know. I could just plop back into my house and get it.

For sure there’s like a million other benefits. Think about it.

It’s time we come up with this technology. It’s almost 2011, people. What’s the problem? Well, I did a little research to find out – I read that it’s because unlike objects, humans have souls, and you’re not supposed to teleport souls.

Oh well. I’ll keep trying.

Filed under BAD BANGS


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Roots and Leaves on Vellum or Watercolor Paper

Wednesday – Friday, February 7 – 9, 2018
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
Botanical Education Center, Allied Technical Lab

Cost, BAGSC Members: $300
Non-Members: $350

Maximum Registration: 16 students

To register: Send a check in the full amount, made out to BAGSC, with Denise Walser-Kolar on the subject line. Please mail the check to: BAGSC, PO Box 50166, Pasadena, California 91115.

Bring your lunch, or purchase lunch at any of the cafés on The Huntington grounds.

Questions about the Workshop? Contact the BAGSC Education Chair.

Workshop Description

This class will improve your ability to draw and paint roots and leaves. We will start with some exercises observing and drawing roots and leaves and spend the rest of the class painting several small leaf studies. Students may work on vellum (will be available to purchase from instructor) or paper. The class will also cover mixing greens, creating dark shadow colors, and mixing the light delicate colors needed to paint roots. This class combines demonstrations, discussion of materials and techniques, hands-on time for developing skills, and lots of individual attention and feedback.

This is a BAGSC-sponsored workshop; there is no information about this workshop on The Huntington's website. If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact the BAGSC Education Chair.

The workshop will be held at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in the Botanical Education Center, Allied Technical Lab.

The Huntington is located at: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108.

Parking and Entrance:

Parking is free at The Huntington. Please tell the guard at the front gate you are attending a workshop at the Botanical Education Center. You do not need to go to the front entrance of The Huntington. As you approach The Huntington buildings at the end of the parking lot, turn right and walk along the front of the buildings. Just past another guard gate is the Botanical Education Center. Go straight in and follow the signs to the classroom.

Directions from surface streets, freeways and public transportation are available on their website, in addition to accessibility, hours and dining information. A map of The Huntington grounds is available as a download from their website as well.

Materials List for
Denise Walser-Kolar

Download a PDF of the materials list.

Denise Walser-Kolar

About the Instructor

Denise Walser-Kolar began her journey into Botanical art in 2003, after receiving a botanical art class from her parents as a birthday gift. She has a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from the College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Denise teaches botanical art workshops across the country and currently works for the American Society of Botanical Artists as the Annual Meeting & Program Coordinator. She received the Diane Bouchier Artist Award for Excellence in Botanical Art in 2015 and received a Silver-Gilt medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2011 for her paintings of the hazelnuts of Badgersett Research Farm. Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Hunt institute for Botanical Documentation.


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WAMP - Hungarian Design Fair coming up in June

It's been af while, but now the time is here to reappear with friendliness and style at WAMP on Budapest's renowned Erzsébet tér. This is a great opportunity to have a closer look at these unique clothes, while also having the chance to try it on - and buy it, if you fall in love with it.

The atmosphere will be casual as always, and we're looking forward to welcoming you all to our stall.

Event name: WAMP - Hungarian Design Fair
Place: Erzsébet tér, Budapest
Time and Date: 26th of June 2016 (opens at 11 AM)
More information on our Facebook page:

New items in store - coming up

The past couple of weeks we have been working hard with the photographer, so we can add new, beautiful items to the webshop
The items range from wool - to keep you warm on the last few winter days (and the first, cold spring days too) - to fresh and light dresses and tunics to underline that hope for summer being just around the corner :)

We will keep you posted about the new things coming up. And you'll be among the first to know, if you sign up for the Read the article →

Introducing a lovely partner

These days we are working on a new photo material for the Bajai Zsu webshop. It's a great task, since we want to add most of the stock - even the unique pieces - to the webshop, so it will eventually all be available for you to order right from home.

Our lovely and hard working partner in the photographic field is Anikó Horváth of Fény Fotó. Anikó was also behind the camera during the shooting of our Winter Season and Merry Christmas photo series.

We hope to...

Did you watch it?

In our latest blog post we revealed that the media had paid a visit to the Bajai Zsu event on 15th January.

The acclaimed Hungarian show on fashion and style, Rúzs és Selyem ('Rouge and Silk') aired the interview with Zsu this Sunday afternoon, and among other presentations of interesting and prominent Hungarian designers and fashionistas, Zsu had the opportunity to tell about her lovely designs.

Especially the source of inspiration is interesting, as it is clear that Zsu is not bound by her local, physical boundaries. As Zsu explanes in the interview, she is...

Bajai Zsu interviewed for Hungarian TV

Bajai Zsu's event on Friday turned out to be even more special this time!

Hungarian national TV-channel, Duna Televízió, interviewed Zsu for their weekly show on fashion, style and design. The show called Rúzs és Selyem ('Rouge and Silk') concentrates on the local fashion and style scene, keeping the viewers updated on trends and up-coming brands and personalities.

This interview with Zsu touched several aspects of her sources of inspiration, and what sorts of feelings these beautiful clothes evoke. It will be exciting to see the interview, so be sure to check...


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2016 Projects

Vege menza

Place: Zagreb, Croatia
Changemaker: Tena Rak (HRV)

As a student, which I have been for last 6 years in Zagreb, I’ve noticed one thing every student needs on a daily basis – a proper and cheap meal. But what about people who don’t eat meat or have dairy allergies? Or refuse to eat animal products because of some personal or social and ecological reasons? Or just want to have one healthier and tastier meal for the same price? I started to think about those questions and how great it would be to have one vegan student restaurant in Zagreb, so every single student could use their rights on student meals, no matter what their food preferences are. Beside that, it would represent taking care of the environment and animals by preparing only plant based food and supporting local farmers and food producers. There should definitely exist one vegan student restaurant, open for everybody. It would be a small step for each student, but great step for our society.

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