I missed my little mice so much. It's good to be home.
Here is a quick round up of a beautiful weekend in Arizona. I'm having some tooth troubles (never fly with a toothache, or you might hear words like "abscess" "explosion" "emergency extraction")
I'll be back. Enjoy some Blissfest! xo
So we started packing for the book signing at Blissfest in Arizona. When I look at everything together, it's so glittery and western{ish}. Love it. It's all about the bling and the buckles, right?
Did I mention that I hate to fly? I have many airport horror stories. Well to me, they are scary and horrific. To others, it might be just another day at the office. It takes a lot to get me on a plane and it may even may involve a prescription and a cocktail {both sometimes in a really bad scenario} and God help the brave soul who is my flying companion whenever I do have to fly. This time, it's my Mr. Frey. No one makes me feel safer than him, so I am feeling less apprehensive this time. He has a calmness about him and is so laid back, he is famous for telling me "it's all good mama"
I like packing to fly. That part is F- U -N ! See the masks? We have a vintage western masquerade ball to attend. I got a beautiful slip dress from Glamarella Junk, I think I'll pair with a jean jacket, boots and a belt.
I know these may look out of place, but I never go anywhere without my red shoes below...they are always with me so I can just click my heels three times and be taken home, just like Dorothy. Remember, I hate to fly. So mentally I think my Dorothy shoes will get me home no matter what. Maybe everyone should have a red pair of shoes when traveling? It's all so silly, I know, but whatever gets me on the plane. Maybe the title of this post should be changed to "It's all about the buckles, bling and red shoes"?
I gave an interview to my publisher over at Lark, click here to read it. It was called "Rapid Fire" and the answers were given off the top of my head. I think I might get some questions on the "Pet Peeve" answer, and I want to explain.
Well, I wish I had an intelligent explanation, but I just don't like mens' feet. I feel they should be kept hidden under socks and in shoes/boots/sneakers and covered forever. I don't care if it's 100 degrees. Women get pedicures and paint their toenails pretty. Men don't. I think they don't even realize they have feet until the days get hotter and they bring out those croc, addidas, or LL Bean flip flops for men. {totally banned in this house}
I love my husband as you know. But I have to lay down some rules when it comes to exposing his feet. I don't know what men are supposed to wear in the summer, but please, please, don't wear flip flips because I'm scared of your feet.
I have issues, I know, and many, many weird pet peeves, including but not limited to:
So what strange peeves do you have? I have way more to come, so this should be labeled "Part 1" Let's have some fun!
I've always wanted to visit Arizona, so I was thrilled to be invited to do a book signing at Blissfest 2009. Check it out here. Mr. Frey and I are packing our bags, cowboy boots and gear for the vintage western masquerade party. I think we can get into the Wild West theme, remember this?
Stephanie & Christian Nielson will be attending the event and their story is so inspiring. Click here if you missed them on Oprah. Beautiful people with beautiful hearts.
See you in Mesa Arizona : November 6th and 7th. I will be the one with the handsome cowboy.
Dreams do come true. I am finding out. I can not even begin to tell you what this week has been like for me. Sort of like an out of body experience. I was floating ...{like our little boogie boarders above}. So here is the story of the morning of August 4th...
my BF's kidnapped me on Monday to Atlantic City for a few days of celebration timed perfectly around the official release date of the book on August 4th.
Which by the way, the AC skyline is so beautiful. Yet you can't help but think about all the money being lost on slot machines?...
At around 10:00 am on Tuesday I received an email on the crackberry telling me to check Amazon > Crafts category. So me and my friend Rachel, {both of us still in jammies}, clicked on the laptop and as the page loads...I immediately see the cover next to the #3 . THREE! I screamed so loud and jumped on the bed, Rachel was crying, I was crying, our other friend Kristi comes running into the room and she just started screaming because we were screaming! She really had no clue... but whatever we were screaming and crying about she knew it was good news and tears of joy..no one died, or was being murdered, she could clearly tell it was good blood curdling screams.
Cut to @ 3:00pm when we return to our room and started reading all the beautiful posts on the blog roll from Kari's book party. We read all of them and each one was so incredibly heartfelt, beautiful and inspiring. I was, and still am, awestruck by all of you. So were my friends who sat glued to the laptop reading every post..you know my besties with the big hair
After reading the blogs we decided to refresh the page saved on Amazon, ...and there it was... "Blogging for Bliss" next to the magic #1 . Right up at the top. The penthouse suite. The rooftop deck. Surely you all heard the screams?? I know your ears were ringing.
This is what it would have looked like if my camera hadn't crapped out on me. But you get the idea, this is Kristi's normal screaming face:
Kari hosted the most fabulous party for the book and while I was out of town kidnapped, it was so awesome to read about your stories and see the bloggers participating in why they blog for bliss.
You made it number 1 and it continues to be in the top ten, for which I am so grateful. But numbers don't really matter, it's the support, encouragement and inspiration created that day and still continues on each day while you all keep blogging your own bliss.
There's been so many inquiries on signed copies and I would like to be able to do this, so if you are interested in purchasing a signed copy, shoot an email to: signme@tarafrey.com then I can get an idea of the number of books needed and I'll post a link to purchase once it's all set up. If you already own a book and would like a bookplate, let me know that as well in the email !
Thank you. There are no words to convey how grateful I am. I'm going to float away now... Have a beautiful weekend! xo- T
my niece sums up my feelings in her smile..
Below is the official Boogie Boarding "Blogging for Bliss" fan club, don't they look thrilled? They look like they are headed to prison instead of the beach.
Now they are walking the plank.. with instructions to tell everyone on the beach to buy the book, and don't come back until all are sold...
Ok, he's definitely tired Fired ! ...
Kari, from Artsy Mama, is hosting a Blogging for Bliss book release party (did I mention she is super fabulous?) The party is online, which means EVERYONE is invited to attend and you can even wear your jammies and no one will know! Cool? It's Tuesday August 4th, click here for more info.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send emails and encouraging words, and joined the FB fan page. The response has been so overwhelming, I never expected this in my wildest dreams. I'm humbled and honored . Thank you. Thank you. OH and by the way, thank you. It means so much to me and I hope you enjoy the book, learn something new, discover a new blog or friend and are inspired in some way to start your own blog for bliss, or motivated to keep on blogging for bliss and inspiring others. I've had so many inquiries of interest on purchasing signed copies, and I hope to post some info on this soon. Thank you for your patience and continued enthusiasm. Here are some sneaky peeks inside the book...
I love this photo below from Amanda Soule who is featured in the book...I think her post title is so true, especially about all of you, the creative bloggers (or croggers as I like to say), who inspired me me to write this book in the first place..remember this post many moons ago? yep, it was all research for the book.
and a big thank you to my high school friend, Jason Black, who snapped the photo below from his iPhone of the book in the window display at a Barnes & Noble in Florida! How cool?
And to add to the excitement, my best friends are kidnapping me and loading up their trunks with copies of the book to celebrate and have a party at this hotspot. I''ll have my laptop and crackberry with me, so I can stay connected to everyone and I'll be sure to let you know if I run into any of these girls who have been known to shop there (and tan outrageously poolside..they obviously didn't get the memo) xo ~T
Oh my god, I'm so excited to be getting emails from blissful friends who have received the book!
Speaking of blissful friends...I'm still at the Jersey beach with mine. I am typing this while looking at the beautiful ocean view from her kitchen (she can't kick me out and I won't leave. Plus I think we have squatter rights now?)
The conversation above went like this: Me: "You need to wear sunscreen, remember my blog post about tanorexia?" Her: "Tara, remember I don't read your blog?"
Then my son snapped this photo:
Weather is beautiful, wish you were here!
and my daughter didn't make it in that shot above because she had just been bitten by a horsefly and wanted to be transported by medi-vac to the nearest emergency room. oh, the drama.
omg. Here is my book all lit up and giant like, at Sterling's booth at the New York City Book Expo:
The only words that come to mind are:: "Holy crap!"
I know. It's such a profound statement, so poetic and author{ish}.
What an honor to have my book chosen by Sterling for showcase during the expo. They have a gazillion other books to chose from, I know this.
It feels real tingly and knee buckling, let me tell ya.
ps: don't you just dig that book cover next to mine? I want those SOX!
I am very, super excited to be able to show you this today...it's here (sort of) but yes!...that's my book cover up there. I can hardly believe it. Full circle moment from when I first posted about it here, which seems like ages ago. The official title is "Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal, A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives Of All Kinds" (ok, so how about "BFB" for short?) and it's now available for pre-order (RIGHT NOW!) over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble . It will be available at your local bookstore August 4th. Pinch me.
A labor of love, much like childbirth, as I was told it would be by my fabulous team at Red Lips 4 Courage (the same producers of "The French Inspired Home" and many more fab books) I say "team" because it really took a village to write this book. These women are rock stars, so please cheer and scream if you ever are lucky enough to work with them.
What a journey this has been, and I know how difficult it was to support me while working on this book without knowing what the heck it was about. You deserve roses and cupcakes. This book wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful and supportive blogging community I am lucky to be a part of. A circle of light, love, creativity beyond imagination. Again, that village thing.
The book! What is it about?! I think the title gives most of it up, but it's chock full of how- to's, creating your own unique blog style and also spotlighting some of our favorite super creative bloggers (there are over 50 featured!), how they got started, what blogs they read and much more. It's a 'must have' book for anyone who has a blog (or is thinking about starting one). I hope it will be a source of reference but more importantly, i-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n. AND It's so darn pretty inside too, if I do say so myself. The art director, Jocelyn, was able to lay out what seemed to be all up in my head, vacuum it out and transfer it onto pages. Glorious pages! It sparkles, really. From head to toe, front to back. Dazzling and yummy.
You can read more about the book on Lark/Sterling Publications website here. I'll stop rambling and hope you order a copy (or two, or three...hey, it would make a great gift?) and THANK YOU for coming by my blog and lending your support and encouragement. Thank you, thank you. I am truly grateful and hope you enjoy the book! (gulp). ~xo
First up, thank you for the comments regarding the coffee maker. You guys rock! Some made me crack up and some made me think. We had all of the outlets checked last year because I really thought it was the problem. And we switched the pot around to a different location. All was ok and we went on to kill off and bury at least 2 more coffee makers and continued on our serial killing path. We've tried all the brands, from very expensive to plain cheap. Not sure what we'll go for next but I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much for your input :)
What a great day to be snuggled in. Look what came... my book in layout! All in color and pretty. Ready for proofing and double. triple checks. I'm amazed at how beautiful it is, the art director is so incredibly talented. I think you will love it as much as I do. It was so much fun doing the photography and seeing it come to life within the chapter openers. It will be time soon to tell you all about it and before you know it, the book will be on the shelves and hopefully in your laps, on your desks, or by your nightstands.
Oops! I almost forgot...my daughter wanted me to tell you that it's a great day for being pulled on a giant yellow tube with your best friend in the snow as well. Doesn't this look like fun? As much as we complain about the cold & snow on the east coast, I wouldn't trade these moments for any amounts of sunshine~xo
Yesterday I had a bunch of photos to take for the book's chapter openers. Ah yes the book. I haven't talked about it for a while, but I hope to spill all of the beans soon. I can't tell you how hard it is to have something be SUCH a part of your life for so many months, countless days and hours, and not being able to share with you, my friends. ugh! I want to tell you about the super cool working title, the content that we will all enjoy {and learn from}, doing the photography, and write about my fabulous team and "editoress" extraordinare, etc... Some of you already know the details, but it's still hard keeping this all in. soon. soon. I hope to share with all of you rock star bloggers. I can only take so much of this... I'm not a good secret keeper.
So I was staging and propping all day. I really love taking photos and this was a great challenge and opportunity. I had a chance to experiment with a Nikon D80 during the shoot. I think I'm in love. Or maybe it's just a crush? Either way, I would love to know your thoughts on Canon vs. Nikon. I am currently a Canon SLR girl, but using the Nikon made me just gush with excitement and really act , well.,..giddy. He's such a strong sturdy lad, handsome too and very friendly. So which do you have? Canon or Nikon? feel free to brag about your own crush and why you love him.
help...since Christmas is around the corner and this lovestruck puppy could still write it on her list.
One of my favorite places in the house is this window sill in our dining room. A sweet little spot to curl up on and take a rest. Especially on a rainy November day like today. Right now I am using the dining table to write this book. It's kind of strange, knowing I have an office with an actual desk like most normal people, and even a studio with a big table. But for some reason, I feel good sitting here under a large vintage and sparkly chandelier, close to the kitchen and all the hub-bub, a nice space with high ceilings, surrounded by my plates and trinkets. Yes, this book will be written on a Swedish dining table and not on a desk. The window sill is a good place to take a break, the room is a good place to write. And an even better place when my little one joins me with her own pink quilt. I usually leave it on the sill all day as a reminder that she and her brother will be home soon from school and the wild noise that I love will fill the house and disrupt for a while. She'll crawl under the quilt which she left early in the morning and tell me about her day and ask me about mine. We talk, giggle, have those thought provoking conversations and watch the leaves fall. A good cozy place indeed.
Well ladies, Mama Bev feels like a rock star! She {and I} were amazed at all of your beautiful comments. She was SHOCKED to wake up and see the post, we got her good! So thank you. And while she was here today, I helped her put together the wordle above to show her emotions.
Things have been extra blurry around here for the past week as Chapter 1 of the book had to be turned in yesterday. I hadn't showered or dressed in days and was shuffling around in my big pink fuzzy slippers like a zombie for the better part of the week.
I came downstairs into my office, again blurry eyed, with a giant cup of coffee and found this above, a "go mom go" note with some pretty flowery wild pickins left by our son. It's all that I needed to get me going and made my heart melt. He has such a sweet and gentle spirit. One day he will make a wonderful husband to a lucky girl. {they are already calling the house for him now! I would never have called a boy when I was 11, would you?} I would love to know if you have/had the same problem in your house. Girls today are more forward then I was, that's for sure. And like most love stories, the girl he actually "likes" doesn't call him and he wouldn't dare call her...so typical!
Tonight, the kids have sleepout and party plans so my husband is taking me to the movies to maybe see this, then off to The Cheesecake Factory because I am jonesing for their fried macaroni & cheese and a big glass of wine. Now that's a good kind of blurry~ xo
So first up, I'm sorry for leaving you with such an un-original and ultra boring tag line for so long....umm...{the blog} = {boring name}.
::Typing Out Loud:: came naturally since that's all I've been doing lately and I will continue to type out loud here for you in the future. I know I'm not the first person to use it, but it's suits me well. Tara out Loud:, Typing out Loud, it's all the same thing. me. here. blathering. The photo above is how I always blog; in diamonds and a ruffly gown, didn't you know?
The leaves here in the fall months flutter fast from the trees onto the ground. I watch them and feel a sense of hurriedness. Perhaps it's because deadlines are right around the corner. I hate really don't like the word deadline, do you? I mean, the word "dead" is in it. I'm just sayin'
Maybe you feel the same way as I do, that October, is a sort of a fast paced month, always something circled on the calendar? I feel like I am moving as fast as the leaves are falling. It's a beautiful month, but a busy one. I look at all the scattered leaves and associate it with the scattered list of things to do that are piling up quickly, just like the leaves. Maybe a nice jump in the leaf pile will give me some pep?
My babies miss their mama and I miss them. I find notes on my nightstand when I stumble into bed around 2 am after losing track of the hours in my office while writing the book. I hold the notes while I sleep, waiting for the morning light to read them. My husband is a superhero and needs a cape. Not sure what I would do without him (we had our 13 year anniversary on October 7th- see? another circled event!)
To my babies: Just hang on a little bit longer, mama is almost there, crossing that invisible line, {with the word "dead" in it}, and she promises to come across it alive and be your normal mama again, not the un-showered cranky alien who has taken over her body. ~xo
Oh boy, this is going to be a long one {and it will explain the new banner for September too}. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, wine or diet pepsi and settle in with me as I tell you what's been going on in my life for many months. It’s taking me at least 2 hours to write this post and find the right words, but I’m thinking it’s best to just come out with it already or I will just burst, so here we go...
I've been offered a book deal! A book deal! I'm writing a book! A book!
WHEW! There I said it! I know you will allow me to self indulge a bit and say "my book" alot during this post and then I'll try to stop...but it sounds nice and feels so right at the given moment. Hey, remember this post I did about book smells? Smell Good Books I can’t believe my book will have it’s own smell! (umm, and hopefully it’s a good smelling book) Isn't that weird of me to be thinking this? But I am.
Anyway, I knew it wouldn’t feel real until I told you all, so I guess it’s really real now. It’s scheduled to be released in the Fall of ‘09 (which seems far away but I know the time will fly as it will be off the printer by the end of this year) and it's being published by Lark Books, who have published some of my favorite books like: The French Inspired Home
This book will allow me to be creative, whimsical, fresh, unique, and just down right sparkly from head to toe, inside and out! So what’s it about you ask? I can’t divulge too much yet, (well, really anything) but I can tell you it will have snappy chapters, fabulous panache, yummy eye candy on every page and informative at the same time. It will be a feast for the eyes and soul. I'm excited to tell you that I will be contacting many of YOU to be in my book. That's all I can say for now. It has a working title, I can’t reveal that yet either, but trust me it’s super cute! The publisher has my lips sealed for just a little bit, (but they better hurry because the duct tape is starting to come off as I chew through it.) It's so hard not to tell you everything, but soon...soon!
My feet haven't hit the ground since signing the contract... now where's the champagne?
This has been a gianormously big secret to keep (not sure if that is a word, but it just sums it up perfectly) I’ve been working on this for quite some time, my family and close friends have known for a while, or what seems like forever and forever is finally here today! But to be honest, I’m feeling kind of shy about it and super excited at the same time to announce it on my blog, it’s such a weird combo of feelings. I do know that I am so humbled and honored to be able to share the news with all of you, (even though without the juicy details, that will follow, I promise)... but finally, my blog friends, I can tell you that I have been offered this wonderful opportunity and I'll be writing my heart out. I thank each and everyone one of you for stopping by here each day and leaving me comments, sending me emails, cheering me on all these years and making me feel so special. I am writing this book for you and I won't let you down, because you deserve only the very best.
Ok croggers, are you sick of me yet with this incredibly LONG and self indulging post about my book ?! I’ll stop now but thank you for allowing me this outburst! (I will have a few more during this process, but I know you will forgive me, because you rock! and you will put up with me like true friends do) And I won't turn this into a blog all about my book. Promise and double pinky swear. I will still be writing and posting as I normally do in what I can only describe as my randomness style. Gap dresses, furry houseguests, jackpot at the flea market, my kidz and my new found love of knitting. The list goes on, but I think you get the point. Sure, I'll sprinkle little gems in about the book, and keep you updated, no doubt.
So, off to a new chapter in my life.. I'm going to go away now and pinch myself and hope you feel my excitement too. GULP! deadlines are already fast approaching. Wish me luck and I promise more details to follow. In celebration of books, and to check out my favorites, see my new "bookstore" which can be found on the sidebar (or click here) and you can purchase right from the store! ps: with exciting news like this you didn't think I would let a giveaway slip by? Look for a SUPERFUNKYBOOKALICIOUS giveaway soon . ~xo
Oh, hello! I'm Tara Frey, an accidental author, purposeful blogger, aspiring photographer, designer, editorial contributor & writer. This spot, here, is my personal blog. A journal where I tap on the keyboard and babble on about my kids (aka "mice"), life, work, giant sunglasses, oreos, knitting and more. I love my husband. He's cute and he cooks. Stick around while I type.out.loud.
"Blogging for Bliss, Crafting Your Own Online Journal" is now available in bookstores everywhere, published by Lark|Sterling. I hope you enjoy this labor of love and find it resourceful, inspiring and pretty.
Copyright 2004-2011 Tara Frey©. ....
Please do not use my photos or reprint my writing without my permission. Thank you.
