Today’s Blog Talk Radio show features our partner in co-hosting crime Kim Orlando at TravelingMom.com with special guests Jen Singer, author of Stop Second-Guessing Yourself–The Toddler Years: A Field-Tested Guide to Confident Parenting
Role Mommy Mother’s Day Book Picks
You’ve gotta love this time of year. First, because it’s finally starting to warm up…are those buds I see out on the trees from my sunroom? And second, it’s the time of year when my writer friends’ books are hitting the stores just in time for Mother’s Day! For now, here’s a look at three great reads that will be available starting this April plus, in the carousel above, you’ll see some more picks that are on the Role Mommy must-have book list.
Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress
Stop Second-Guessing Yourself–The Toddler Years: A Field-Tested Guide to Confident Parenting
Because I Said So
A Few Good Book Picks of 2009
Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of vlogging and all I have to say is that I never anticipated that video editing would be consuming most of time. Last night, I was busy editing together a reel for more than five hours. Then, the following morning, I continued editing throughout the day and finished the project at 5 pm!
Unfortunately, all this video stuff has prevented me from writing about all the things I’ve done this past week. Hmmm…you’ve seen the videos from our Moms Night Out and Moms Night In so I don’t need to write about that but – I have been out and about with my family – we saw Pink Panther 2 – which we agreed that while it was cute, it wasn’t as good as Paul Blart: Mall Cop. I know, my taste in films has something to be desired.
I’ve also been hitting the gym a lot – haven’t shed any weight but at least I’ve settled into a routine and I’ve managed to read a few books while I’ve hit the elliptical machines. I’m reading “What Would Google Do?” by Jeff Jarvis and I just got an advanced copy of The Difference by Jean Chatzky and I have to say…I am loving that book. I saw Jean Chatzky speak at a More Magazine event a few months ago and her advice motivated me to fine tune my business and focus in on the things I love doing. And as a result, things are really starting to fall into place. So thank you Jean Chatzky! My payback to you is to highly recommend your new book – which hits stores on March 10 to as many people as I know. If you’d like to pre-order The Difference, then click here.
In the mom book category, I have two great picks for you. Though both don’t hit stores until April, you definitely should pre-order them so you can devour them once they arrive. The first is Because I Said So, by one of my favorite mom writers, Dawn Meehan – a mom of six from Chicago who is one of the funniest and sweetest moms I know. Dawn and I became BFF’s at the Glamour Reel Moments red carpet event and as soon as I received it, I read it cover to cover and laughed out loud at how this mom of six has masterfully captured her chaotic life. My second book pick which hasn’t hit stores yet but I’m sure will be amazing is Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress by Lee Woodruff. Lee is a NY Times bestselling author of In An Instant and is one of the most personable, funny and genuine women I know. I’m sure her second book is destined for bestseller status and I am always happy to spread the word about people who make the world a better place.
And yours truly contributed to True Mom Confessions: Real Moms Get Real
which will be released this April and was edited by the fabulous Romi Lasally. Finally, on the Role Mommy news front, I’m going to be spearheading a humor anthology for parents called C Mom Run which will be released by Plain White Press in November…check back for updates on some of the incredible writers/bloggers/authors who will be featured in this destined to have you ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing for all you web novices – thanks to Creole Princess for teaching me that one).
Anyway, I have to say, I am happy to be reading again – there’s something to be said about cracking open a book and learning something new or just laughing until your sides hurt.
Glamour Reel Moments – Part III
Our adventure continued with a mouthwatering brunch at the Sofitel – complete with healthy omelets, french toast, fruit, sausages, muffins and much more. As I sat chatting away with my new friends, Amy at Mom Advice, Dawn at Because I Said So, Michelle at Scribbit and Liz with This Full House, Jean Lee, Suave‘s associate brand marketer introduced us to Bill Wackerman, the Publisher of Glamour who along with Leslie Russo, Glamour’s Associate Publisher, came up with the concept for Glamour Reel Moments.
Now if you’re wondering, what is Glamour Reel Moments, well it’s pretty simple. Every year, Glamour asks its readers to submit real life stories to the magazine and after receiving several thousand entries, three are selected and are then transformed into short feature films that are directed by some of the most talented women in Hollywood.
The program started nearly 3 years ago in an effort to encourage more women to try their hand at directing. Only 7% currently direct films and so it is the goal of Glamour Reel Moments to celebrate their readers by sharing their voices through the eyes and lens of a woman. To date, Glamour Reel Moments is responsible for 14 directorial debuts.
This year’s effort featured films directed by Demi Moore, Courtney Cox and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith – a gifted comedy writer who penned “Legally Blonde,” “House Bunny” and many others. Kiwi appeared at the brunch along with producer Francesca Silvestri and moderator Andrea Buchanan and shared how she first broke into the business – she actually wanted to be a poet but realized poetry doesn’t pay the bills and so, she began writing screenplays. She also explained that when she heard about the Glamour Reel Moments opportunity, she instantly wanted to throw her hat into the ring and be considered as a director. Her good friends in Hollywood agreed and the next thing she knew, she was enlisting Anna Faris to star in a short comedy called “The Spleenectomy.”
Also featured was producer Francesca Silvestri, whose production company, Freestyle Productions works with the female director to select the winning stories. The event was moderated by Andrea Buchanan, a Glamour Reel Moments directing alum who happens to be releasing a new book in the coming months featuring essays from women who share their most embarrassing, humiliating and inspiring moments ever – sounds like a must read! If you’d like to read the entire interview from the event, then check out Michelle’s blog at Scribbit, she used her Flip to record the entire thing…(so clever!)
An important message that hit home for me from the talk was that despite the odds, one should never give up on what they believe in. Russo says when she first came up with the concept, she was told no one in Hollywood would be interested in taking on the project without being compensated for their efforts. With the support of A-list actresses and writers and of course, Glamour’s partner on the project, Suave, Leslie proved them all wrong and together with Freestyle Productions, they are now paving the way for female directors.
Following the brunch, we were given several hours to explore or shop and while I initially thought I’d hit the Beverly Center, I decided instead to join Dawn, Michelle, Liz and Amy on an action-packed sight seeing adventure which took us to Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign and the Santa Monica beach and pier. Check out my video below and then stay tuned for my next post…The Premiere!
