Actress. Writer. Foodie. Book Nerd.
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We must prepare.
Being that it is the day after Thanksgiving aka Black Friday, I thought it would be appropriate to post my holiday gift guide in case you’re looking for some gift ideas! A lot of these are on sale this weekend so grab them before they go! [Read more…]
This recipe should come with a warning:
WARNING: After consuming one bite of this dip, you will find it hard to stop.
This is my friend Mark’s recipe, who in turn got it from his friend. The bro and I first encountered this dip at Mark’s apartment for his birthday. The second we tried it we were like, “What is this?!” Then proceeded to stay around the dip for the remainder of the evening, gorging ourselves. Don’t judge. I’d like to see you resist after you try it. Go on. I dare you.
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Title: Chantress (Chantress Trilogy #1)
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Pages: 324
Buy:Amazon“Sing, and the darkness will find you.”
This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.
When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.
Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…
Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.
I know, I know. The title itself is enough to put you in a sugar-induced holiday coma, but you seriously need to try this recipe out. Everybody will be raving about it! Also, have I ever steered you wrong??
The bro and our friend Jess usually do a Cheesecake Factory trip around this time of year to sample their pumpkin cheesecake. Actually, it’s one of three that we try. We order a bland-like one (i.e. Pumpkin), an over the top one (snickers or peanut butter cup), and an in between one (like the red velvet–yes, I know it’s really not an in between one, none of them are); we split the three of them and are usually suffering the effects of high sugar levels and guilt for the rest of the night. That doesn’t stop us from doing it every year however…
I decided to make my own cheesecake for once. I’ve never done it before and I was always a bit intimidated. What if it cracks? My solution to this: “Put a streusel topping on it so nobody will see!”
Genius.
Oh did I mention delicious as well? Yea. It’s pretty darn good.
I’m so excited to introduce my guest blogger! I’ve known him his entire life and I might have sat on his head at one point when he annoyed me (granted, I was three at the time and he deserved it)–my little bro, Robby! People have been asking us questions about writing and composing; the latter I don’t have much experience on since Robby came up with all the tunes, I just co-wrote the lyrics. I thought I’d invite him on to share his process with you all!
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Title: Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin #3)
Author: Robin LaFevers
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Pages: 444
Buy:AmazonAnnith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.
She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn’t mean she has…
Did you know I had cousins from England? Neither did I until I went to study in London. I was very fortunate to get to know my cousin Dan and his wonderful family while I was studying there.
Here I am with Dan’s boys, Harry and Charlie, in front of the big fireplace at Hampstead Heath.
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Title: Fall From India Place
Author: Samantha Young
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: NAL
Publication Date: June 3, 2014
Pages: 294
Buy:AmazonWhen Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D’Alessandro, five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she’s ever been with. After one intense night of giving into temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on.
Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco’s life, something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they’re meant to be together.
But just when Marco thinks they’re committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she’s been hiding from him, a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again…
One year ago today, Robby and I finished the first draft of On the Air. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since we started this. So much has happened. Honestly if you told me a year ago we’d be where we are now, I would have thought you were crazy.
Actually I thought we were crazy for embarking on this journey.
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LITERALLY right after we finished the first draft and submitted it to NYMF—notice the crazy eyes?
I’m so excited to share our new headshots with you!
With On the Air picking up and some cabaret opportunities on the horizon, we knew we needed some new headshots as a singer/songwriter team. We’re in the process of setting up a new website (which you will see in due time!), so we needed some shots for that as well.
We called Beth Capuano again who had done such a great job with our old headshots. She’s truly fantastic to work with and at a fraction of the cost if you were to go into the city. Check ’em out!
