• Blog

    Character Interview with Allegra Johnson from Mr Right and Other Mongrels

    December 27, 2019

    2/9/2014

    ChickLitLove Promo BannerAs part of #ChickLitLove (oragnised by the wonderful ladies at @ChickLitChat) I’m taking part in some fun events here on the blog and on twitter this week.

    ***
    Today in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day we have a Q&A with Allegra from Mr Right and Other Mongrels. Although a true romantic Allegra hasn’t exactly been lucky in love so let’s get her thoughts on romance, shall we?

    1)What three qualities do you find most attractive in a partner?
    I find stability very attractive, I had kind of a bumpy childhood so I like a bit of consistency in my men. I’m big on loyalty because I’ve been burned before and I’m not looking to go through that again. Finally I like some good old fashioned manners and courtesy, that might not be fashionable but then I’m not really the most fashion forward girl on the planet.

    2) What’s your idea of romance?
    Romance is walking hand in hand on the beach under the moonlight. However, once you get past that initial blush it is also about showing up, remembering the details and creating a life together. I’m kind of a hopeless romantic. I want a happily ever after, but I’m not exactly expecting one.

    3) Who’s your favorite on-screen couple (Film or TV)?
    You know I did have quite an obsession with Carol and Mike Brady for a while. It was a pity he was gay and she was dating her eldest son off screen, that kind of ruined it. Still, on screen, I loved the way they had such a united approach to their kids and family, plus their colour coordinated flares gave them a touch of something special.

    4) What’s been your most embarrassing moment in regards to the opposite sex?
    One embararssing moment? You want me to choose just one? Seriously most of my encounters with the opposite sex are embarassing…can we please talk about something else?

    5) What was your first impression of your partner or crush? How accurate was it?
    You know I’m very embarassed to say that I didn’t recognise him when I saw him the second time (or the first, apparently everyone in Australia but me would have instantly known him). Admittedly I was quite focussed on having a panic attack and getting away from the humiliation that caused the first time I met him so I did avoid looking at him and eye contact. Still, he’s so cute and my goodness that smile, I don’t know how even I managed to forget that face.

    6) How have you coped with break-ups in the past?
    WOW, do we have to talk break-ups? My last break up was very, very awkward. I caught my boyfriend sleeping with someone, I can’t even tell you who, it’s too awful (if you read the book you’ll understand why). So I just kind of went into a bit of a funk, swore off men and made a nice neat life for myself that revolved around my friends and my business.

    7) Which hot actor would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with and why?
    I like old movies, anything vintage works for me, so I think Cary Grant and I would probably have a fine time on a deserted island. I don’t think we’d last long but we’d look stylish as we went.

    8) What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done for love?

    I haven’t really done anything crazy for love yet but I have a feeling Teddy Green, who is also in Mr Right and Other Mongrels is going to have me going all kinds of crazy.

    9) PDA: How much is acceptable?
    I’m not really all that good with PDA’s for myself. I mean you may go right ahead and snog whomever you like where ever you like, I grew up on a commune so I have seen it all before and I’m not here to judge. Personally when I’m in a relationship I’m more of a hand holding in public and peck on quick kiss on the lips girl, I think some things are just between the two people involved.

    10) What is the best relationship advice you’ve ever gotten?
    The best relationship advice I’ve been given – I just don’t know. I think it is follow your heart, but I don’t exactly trust my heart so it’s quite hard to know where to follow it to.

     

    Allegra Holding Books IllustrationI hope you enjoyed reading my answers. I think my new boyfriend Teddy will be sharing some of his thoughts on women later this week.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Mr Right and Other Mongrels

    Available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0086L8NBS

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  • Blog

    Let’s talk character as place…literally…I’m talking

    December 27, 2019

    1/3/2014

    Here is a little video I did last year down at Manly Beach. I’m talking about the beach or a place as a character.

    Manly BeachTo further illustrate the point…this is a picture of the same beach I took yesterday in the height of summer. The sun is brighter, the sky is a different shade of blue and it is a whole lot more crowded.

    I love using the beach and the ocean in my writing because it is so much a part of my day to day life.

    This beach is at Manly in Australia and features in my novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels.

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  • Blog

    Australia Day Blog Hop – memories of Australia Day…

    December 27, 2019

    12/31/2013

    Dee Why Beach
    I’m the first in line for this Australia Day Blog Hop…

    Australia Day Coastal Blog Hop

    So here comes another great blog hop over the next three weeks from an all Aussie contingent… leading up to a celebration of Australia Day. Over the next three weeks you’ll be reading about what being an Aussie author means to the crew below, or how they celebrate Australia Day, or maybe even a lamington or pavlova recipe. It will be full of surprises!
    And you’ll hear about new books to add to your TBR piles!
    Don’t forget to call in every day and visit the blogs, leave a comment, enter the raffle copter for the fabulous gift basket.

    ***

    My Memories of Australia Day

    I thought I’d think back on what Australia Day means to me. It’s a funny thing because I have no memory of Australia Day as a child. In fact, the first memory I have of it is during the Australian Bicentenary and even that isn’t my own memory as I was overseas at the time while images of Sydney Harbour replete with tall ships and ferry boat races were beamed around the world.

    Even for the couple of years after I don’t remember doing much for Australia Day. Maybe I did or more likely I was packing my bags and heading to the country to help with O-Week at the University I attended.

    Then I got married and lived a block from the Dee Why beach where the local Council, in it’s wisdom, decided to start a free breakfast picnic for the locals. (This event still runs every year and is no longer free and is generally so crowded I no longer attend). Still, I have always thought of this as a spectacularly Australian way to celebrate Australia Day. A bacon and egg roll on a picnic blanket, a quick swim, watch the surf boat races and listen to local musicians sing in the park. It’s inclusive and it’s egalitarian.

    When we were first married we’d meet up with friends and sit in the sun, have a few adult beverages and let the day roll away. It was romantic to go home with a smile on your face and sand between your toes having shared the day with good friends. A couple of times we ended up back at our flat dancing on the coffee table as young people in love do.

    Some times there was a new boyfriend or girlfriend for my husband and I to meet and the next year they might be gone, maybe replaced, maybe not. Australia Day, falling as early as it does in the year, was a day full of promise and opportunity. Resolutions hadn’t yet been abandoned, summer felt like it still had lots of puff left and lots of people were just back from travels with tales to tell and enthusiasm.

    As an adult now, and as the parent or a school age child Australia Day has a different feel. In my state it means the end of school holidays. It means school goes back, the routine resumes and reality takes hold again. Not so back then…back then it was a day of romance and hope and friendship.

    (Dee Why Beach is located on Sydney’s Northern beaches about ten minutes from Manly where much of Mr Right and Other Mongrels is set.) Mr Right and Other Mongrels is currently on sale for 99c.

    Mr Right and Other Mongrels
    Australia Day Coastal Blog Hop

    You can enter via Rafflecopter below….also below is a list of all the talented Australian authors who are participating in this wonderful blog hop…where you win….(drum-roll!)

    $100 and 26 e-books (some print) from our generous authors
    drawn Australia Day

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    January 1 Monique McDonnell
    January 2 Sara Hantz
    January 3 Annie Seaton
    January 4 Imogene Nix
    January 5 Caitlin Nicholas
    January 6 Tima Maria Lacoba
    January 7 Nikole Flockton
    January 8 Wendy L. Curtis
    January 9 Jacqui Carling Rodgers
    January 10 Susan Horsnell
    January 11 Susanne Bellamy
    January 12 J’aimee Brooker
    January 13 Victoria Purman
    January 14 Ann B Harrison
    January 15 Cate Ellink
    January 16 Jenny Schwartz
    January 17 Donna Gallagher
    January 18 Lily Malone
    January 19 Tea Cooper
    January 20 Fiona McArthur
    January 21 Max Henry
    January 22 Jennie Jones
    January 23 Allison Brideson
    January 24 Eve Rabi
    January 25 Kendal Talbot
    January 26 Annie Seaton-Prize draw

    Annie Seaton http://annieseatonromance.com

    Comments

    Alison Stuart
    12/31/2013 08:57:27 am

    I don’t think Australia Day was such a big thing when we were young Monique. Our sense of identity as Australians does, as you identify, seem to date from the bicentennial when it seemed we were “given permission” to be who we are and celebrate our Australianess. The ongoing debate about whether Jan 26 is the right date continues but as the years pass it will become impossible to change.

    Janie McGaugh
    1/2/2014 01:09:00 pm

    This is the first I’ve heard of Australia Day (to my recollection). As Mary M. says, it does sound a lot like our Independence Day celebrations (except for the fireworks that we have).

    Susanne Bellamy
    12/31/2013 09:03:39 am

    It’s really become a celebration of our lifestyle, hasn’t it. For me, this year is going to be a bit different and I’m thankful that I live in Australia where so much is possible. Great post to start off, Monique.
    Reply
    Monique
    12/31/2013 09:08:29 am

    I agree it has become a celebration of our lifestyle Susanne, that’s a great way to describe it.

    Alison I think you’re right about the Bicentennial being the start of the celebrating of the day – I wasn’t sure if that was truly the case or if as a child and teen I just wasn’t aware of the event as much.

    Barbara
    12/31/2013 10:14:59 am

    I only emigrated to Australia in my 30’s a few years before the bicentenary…. I love the way it is celebrated and am now an Australian

    Angela Hogan
    12/31/2013 11:57:14 am

    I love australia day

    Jennie Jones
    12/31/2013 12:43:24 pm

    Lovely memories Monique – I’ll never forget my very first Australia Day!

    Annie Seaton
    12/31/2013 02:20:51 pm

    Monique..I can still remember watching the television broadcast and the yachts on Sydney Harbour in 1988. Proud to be an Aussie

    Helen
    12/31/2013 05:23:00 pm

    I was in the City the day of the bicentenial with our 4 young children what a day loved it so many people it will stay with me forever 🙂

    Have Fun
    Helen

    Marcy Shuler
    1/1/2014 11:04:36 am

    I’m in the US so Australia Day is new to me. I have trouble picturing January 1st as being warm since I’m in frigid Michigan. LOL

    Susan Horsnell
    1/1/2014 11:45:25 am

    Hi Monique
    Great to read your post. We lived in Dee Why a few years back too, beautiful part of the world.

    Mary M.
    1/2/2014 05:27:10 am

    Interesting to hear everyone’s memories of Australia Day, a holiday we never celebrate here in Wisconsin. It does put me in mind of our Independence Day which is a nice, warm holiday to think about as I shovel round 6 of snow off the driveway….

    Karen H in NC
    1/4/2014 07:03:53 am

    Hope your holiday was pleasant. From the looks of the pictures, it was. Enjoy your hot weather. It’s the dead of winter here right now and it is bone-chilling cold! And my old bones don’t do winter so well anymore!

    Trix
    1/4/2014 07:26:08 am

    I still haven’t been to Australia, but it’s great to hear about the holiday!

    Holly Letson
    1/4/2014 07:26:52 am

    The beach looks very nice.

    Rita Wray
    1/4/2014 08:13:56 am

    I grew up in Australia and still have a sister and two brothers living there.

    Natasha Devereux
    1/4/2014 06:10:35 pm

    I don’t remember Australia Day as a child (50/60’s) or even much as a teenager. When the kids were small it was family picnics in Kings Park overlooking the Swan River and Perth or a day at the Zoo then 30 years ago there was this fantastic innovation called Skyworks and Australia Day burst onto the Perth scene – special events, shows, concerts, all one the Peth foreshore and at night the most spetacular fireworks display set to music – nowadays people come from all over the world the celebrate Australia Day in Perth ( http://skyworks.showmeperth.com.au/ ) I have attende many but when I moved to Mandurah (75km south of Perth) I discovered that my not so little new home town had a wonderful celebration of its own – Oz Day by the sea does it for me

    bn100
    1/5/2014 10:17:08 am

    Nice memories

    Chris
    1/6/2014 07:06:49 pm

    I think Australia Day has got more important, I remember being in the UK one year on Australia Day and it made me think of barbecues and beach in the middle of rain and snow, but now there are organised events which I think is great

    Juliee Fitze
    1/16/2014 08:01:11 pm

    I’m Canadian and had never heard of this before , would love to be at the beach in Jan. Going to go read up on this some more to check out what my cousins are up too.

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  • Blog

    Images of LA – or Mr Right and Other Mongrel sequel

    December 27, 2019

    10/19/2013

    As many of my regular readers know I went to Los Angeles earlier this year to do a research trip for the sequel to
    Mr Right and Other Mongrels.

    I am thinking of writing the sequel for NaNoWriMo in November. If I do I’ll be drawing on these images to inspire me. when I travelled, although I have been to the US before, I tried to look through the eyes of the main character Allegra and see what she might see or be interested in. It was a fun way to travel.

    She would a stranger in a strange land and as normal as anyone’s home is to them, it’s always a little bit odd to the outsider, so often we notice the differences and not the similarities. cars on the opposite side of the road, different names for the same things and people’s accents all delight and fascinate us.

    Hotcakes Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

     

    Los Angeles Trolly Tour

    Central Perk

    Central Perk

    Roses in a shop in America

    Floral Arch

    Bonsai Tree

    Fountain in garden

    Pier

    I’m not sure if I will write this story now or begin it in January?

    What I need for it is a working title.

    Question – what would you name the sequel to Mr Right and Other Mongrels?

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  • Blog

    Authors Helping Authors – it’s a beautiful thing.

    December 27, 2019

    9/4/2013

    Mr Right and Other Mongrelshttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0086L8NBS

    My first indie book has now been out in the big wide world 22 months. I guess that makes that book a toddler. It certainly has fallen over and scraped it’s knees along the way, more than once. I suspect it’s also resentful when I give it’s younger siblings my time but that may be another post.

    When I had my daughter (back in the day!) I joined a mother’s group. They were like a support group for me. They got me out of the house and I could talk about my daughter and the trials of motherhood without boring my friends, who for the most part didn’t yet have children. (Ok I’m sure I did still bore them but hopefully a little less than I would have and as they largely went on to have their own kids I must not have scared them off the idea!)

    Anyway, when I released my first novel I did a similar thing. I found groups of people online who wrote what I wrote, or reviewed what I wrote and started to build a lovely network of people around me with whom I could discuss writing and books and writing comedy and writing chicklit and writing contemporary romance.

    If you follow my blog at all you’ll probably see that I’ve done cover reveals, interviews and guest posts from lots of wonderful authors. I’ve been involved in group promotions and give-aways as well.

    Lots of these people have reciprocated and hosted me or retweeted my sale days, new releases etc,

    So every so often (it’ll be like totally random) I’m going to just alert you to the books of some of these people.

    I’ll just pop a cover or two up here as suggestions of nice people who write books who might appreciate you downloading their book and having a read. They won’t all be women’s fiction but lots will be because that’s who I write for and who I seem to mostly have connected with.

    If you read and enjoy their books let me know – or even better – let them know. Authors love that!

    The Smartest Girl in the Room - CoverThis is Deb’s first book. Guess where Deb lives? Boston. She may have lived very close to where I did my high school exchange back in the day.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A Proper Charlie - Louise Wise - CoverThis is one of Louise Wise’s books. You can tell by the title she’s English, right? Also her book is on sale for 99c right now.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Comment

    Deborah Nam-Krane
    9/4/2013 09:10:07 pm

    You are too much! Thank you 😀

    And I never joined those mothers things- the cliquishness of them always scared me off. I have much kinder things to say about the circles you and I run in 😉

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  • Blog

    Let’s link up

    December 27, 2019

    8/21/2013

    Hearts AfireToday I’m going to provide you with some chat and then some links to places I’ve been mentioned in cyber space this week or places I think might interest you.

    As you know I was at the Romance Writers of Australia conference on the weekend. One attends a conference like that for a variety of reasons including professional development, the opportunity to pitch to agents and publishers and as well as networking with other authors.

    I did pitch on the weekend so I need to get busy preparing my submission while busily prepare to launch my next indie title.

    It is a wonderful opportunity to meet people who want to talk about writing and books. (What could be better?) It’s also a chance to put faces to the many writers you meet on Twitter, Facebook and via blogs.

    Now I’m home it’s time to link up. I need to e-mail people, find their Facebook author pages and follow them on Twitter before I do what I did last year and misplace all those lovely business cards I’ve collected.

    Speaking of linking up here are a few links where I’ve been mentioned around the web this week.

     

     

    The lovely Cindy Roesel wrote this lovely piece about Mr Right and Other Mongrels on her blog today.
    http://cindyroesel.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/and-they-live-happily-ever-after.html#.UhVs9KF–P9

    My friend Pamela Cook who I travelled to the RWA with did a great blog post yesterday about our travels.
    http://pamelacook.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/riding-the-waves-my-wrap-up-of-rwas-2013-conference/

    And I understand my novel Hearts Afire has been nominated at Indie Author News for favourite indie book for September here. If you liked it and would like to vote for it this is the link.
    http://www.indieauthornews.com/p/top-50-indie-books.html

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  • Blog

    What I’ve learned on my writing journey so far

    December 27, 2019

    8/1/2013

    Alphabet Dating CoverMr Right and Other MongrelsHearts Afire

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This month I’m running a series where authors will be doing guest posts on what they’ve learned on their writing journey so far…so I thought I had better go first.

    1. First write a book and enjoy the process
    When you start out to write a book that’s your goal. Write that book. Finish that book. Get that book re-written and get it ready for it’s journey to publication. Honestly that’s the best bit, and the worst bit. I love writing a new book, I don’t lovely the editing and rewriting process at all. Still, it’s part of the process so if you can learn to enjoy the process I think you’re going to have a better journey.

    The reality is when you begin you are so focussed on finishing that first book you really aren’t thinking you’ll probably have to turn around and do it all again, but most people do.

    2. Branding is important
    It doesn’t matter whether you end up being an indie author or if you go the traditional route you need to understand branding. If you go to pitch at a conference you will need to know your brand. Do you write light-hearted women’s fiction, do you write erotica, books about angels? You need to know and you need to be able to explain it concisely. I know we all want to be unique and don’t want to be hampered by definitions but knowing what you write and who you are like and who your readers are is important for marketing and publishing whichever path you take.

    3. You are your brand – especially on the internet
    I put my three book covers up the top of this piece so you can see how I’ve really worked hard to create a uniform picture of who I am and what I write. Those covers don’t lead you to believe you will be reading anything gritty or anything that might keep you awake at night. That’s not who I am or what I write.

    Similarly, because I write light-hearted women’s fiction my blog posts, Facebook page and Twitter feed reflect that. My political opinion, my religious beliefs and the things I have a bee in my bonnet about have no place in my author brand.

    Know you’re brand. If you write crime fiction probably posts about unicorns are not what you need. These days I think branding is as much about knowing what to leave out as what to include.

    Also try to think about what makes you different within the space you write in and make that your point of difference.

    4. In the indie space (at least) one book is not enough.
    I wish I had better understood this better when I published Mr Right and Other Mongrels. I probably would have held off publication until my second book was ready. I would have had the first four covers ready to go before I began and I would have released my books more closely together.

    One book easily gets lost in the indie space and because the e-books are cheap readers often go straight to see what else you have on offer. If you have nothing they move on and often never make it back. It helps if you give them more than one offering.

    5. You will be amazed by who will support you – and by who won’t.
    When you release a book it is the most exciting thing ever. It’s also terrifying. You’ve spent years writing it and now it’s out there and people start sharing their opinions good and bad about your efforts.

    You will be blown away by people you hardly know who are excited for you. Amazing, gorgeous people will go out of their way to buy your book, tell their friends and promote your work. You’ll find authors and book reviewers who are eager to help spread the word.

    You will also be amazed by the friends who never download or buy your book(s) and certainly never read them. You won’t understand it, it will probably hurt your feelings at first and then, if you’re smart, you’ll let it go. They don’t get it or they don’t get you but you haven’t got time to them. You have plenty of people who have encouraged you and

    6. There is no one “one way”.
    There are many paths to both success and failure, you must find your own. Some people get a publishing deal and go global. Some people get a deal and never make back their advance. Some indie authors sell hundreds of books a day and some never sell a hundred books.

    You’ll advice. In the end you have to use your own best judgement.

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  • Blog

    Musical Monday – Lasting Love

    December 27, 2019

    7/28/2013

    Mr Right and Other MongrelsToday on this find Musical Monday I’m pondering the nature of making love last.

    Lots of fiction, especially romance, focuses on the first bloom of romance. It’s fun to watch things begin and as a writer it’s nice to help bring two characters together. I quite like living a bit vicariously through my characters as they head off on dates and other romantic escapades.

    However, anyone who has ever been in a lasting romance can tell you that lovely phase where every dinner is a date night and every new day is ripe with promise doesn’t last forever. Real life seems to intervene all too quickly. Jobs, family commitments, friendships and finances seem to conspire one way or another to take the sine off things. Then of course familiarity sets in.

    Sustaining romance through life – or through a sequel – takes quite a bit of effort.

    So today here are a couple of songs that speak to that.

    First some old school Shania Twain (who of course is no longer married to the guy she sang this to back in the day!)
    And for something more current how about some Paramore – Still Into You! Because really it is all about that in the end.

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  • Blog

    Time to get back in the saddle (or back to the desk)

    December 27, 2019

    7/11/2013

    Los Angeles Trolly TourWell I’m home safe and sound after my lovely research trip and vacation.

    Now it’s time to get down to some serious hard work…maybe not today while the jetlag is messing with me…but tomorrow.

    I thought I’d give you a little update on the research trip and what I have planned for the later half of 2013. (Am I the only one who is absolutely blown-away by the fact it is July? My guess is probably not.)

    First up I have the cover for the next novel Building Attraction which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and I’ll be revealing that in the next week or so. I’ll also be sending that book to the beta readers in the next couple of weeks and then off to the editor so I am hoping for an August release. My birthday is in August, maybe I’ll give myself a book launch for my birthday.

    Look forward to some excerpts and teasers in the lead-up to it’s release.

    The research trip was super fun and I met some very cool people as well as seeing some great sites. I visited a lot of places that will definitely end up in the sequel to Mr Right and Other Mongrels.

    I did lots of things I think Allegra would do when she moved to L.A and I visited some great places I know she would adore. I also had some pretty funny experiences that I think she might have (of all my characters she is the one most like me…even if I am several years older, married and was not raised by people with any hippy like tendencies at all!) I visited some really beautiful gardens to help me do some research for what Teddy might be up to in L.A as well.

    Hopefully now I’ll get my writing and blogging groove on again.

    I’m always looking for authors to interview here on the blog so if you are one, let me know.

    In the latter part of this year I’m also planning to add videos to this blog. Yes that’s what you all want in your life isn’t it? Me talking about books and writing. First I need to get my hair done, work on a flattering camera angle and maybe even have a make-over…well I’m, not really having a make-over but I did bring a bucket load of make-up home from the US. (I could do an entire blog post on my adventures in make-up shopping and the price gauging of the Australian consumer on make-up, but I shall resist!)

    So that’s where I’m at…lots of plans for my novels and my blog in the next six months so stay tuned, or keep reading and if the urge hits, le

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  • Blog

    LA research trip!

    December 27, 2019

    7/3/2013

    Los Angeles View Hollywood Hills and Hollywood SignI write this blog post on a Friday night in LA. To say I’m a tad tired would be an understatement. Still, anything in the name of research right?

    I’ve been in town since Tuesday and I think my friends and I have covered a whole lot of territory in essentially three full days.

    This is a research trip for the sequel to Mr Right and Other Mongrels so I am trying to see LA through the eyes of the main character Allegra. I want to view things through the prism of her experiences and interests.

    She likes vintage clothing and I found this wonderful shop on Sunset. I also visited some very cool vintage shops in Old Town Pasadena.

    (OK that’s as far as I made it on that tired Friday…it’s now Tuesday in Maui…nine days later…every single day has been go, go, go and I am exhausted in a really good way.)

    Lucky for me I made great notes at the beginning of my trip and took at least a zillion photos because every wonderful day has blurred into the other.

    I can tell you that if Allegra’s L.A. experience is anything like mine was she will eat well, shop lots, visit some amazing, gardens, meet some cool people and have some very funny experiences…stay tuned for more information…when my brain is working again!

    Comment

     

    MaryK
    7/3/2013 06:38:45 am

    And if Allegra is anything like you (which she is!), L.A. is going to love her!!

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