It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Happy Halloween!

Michael Jackson says, "Say no to prescription drugs."

Soooo '00!

As I near the end of a decade, I always wonder what fashion trends will define it. Like in 50 years, when they say, "Let's all dress up like the 00s for Halloween" (like we dress in poodle skirts and bobby sox for the 50s) what will we wear?

Well, let's see. The glitz and glam of the two-thousands made sequins acceptable workwear, thrilled with the frill of ruffles, declared the same acid green of the 60s as the new black, made metallic the fabric of our lives, accessorized with S&M paraphernalia and proved that the animal print was still alive and well and kicking in our closets.

Animal skins went wilder than any Cro-magnon ever dreamed!

I admit it. Just the other day I pinned a faux leopard fur collar (that I saved from the 80s) to my jean jacket. And I have a whole "zoo" of animal print handbags (zebra, giraffe, gator, etc.)

During the '00s you could find animal prints EVERYWHERE!

Top...

to bottom...

inside...

and out...

a kid's best friend...

a man's best friend...

And a girl's best friend:

What? A cow's an animal, too! Can she help it if her hide isn't a print?

And even baby's best friend...

Soooo '00--combining both glitzy metallic and animal print into one trendy boot (that the kid will outgrow in a month--only $68 at Saks.)

Guys weren't afraid to express their inner animal either! Grrrr...

And how can we talk about the animal trend without a shoe...in this case a boot--sort of.

I think the open-toed shoe/boot has some staying power so we may have to save that look for our "teens decade" halloween costume.

Anyway...here's my prediction. For our "Remember 2000" party we will don animal print in all its glory. I already picked out my costume:

Man, I can't wait! Problem is in 50 years I'll be well over 100--if I live that long...but that's a whole 'nother blog post.

5 Star Reviews on Amazon!

Ms. Lyndon does it again., September 25, 2010 By Duke of Earle (Victoria, TX United States) This review is from: For Richer or Repo (Paperback) I really enjoyed her first offering, so I thought I'd give "For Richer or Repo" a try. Now, I'm not really much of a fan of chick lit (okay, for you purists that's "light women's fiction"), but "CurvyKathy31" was a hoot and I was curious if she could follow up with another winner. Let's put this in perspective: If you're a reader who likes slowly developing, thought provoking literary works that leave you examining the various levels of metaphors, similes, character arc, social dynamic and other devices employed by the author, this book may not be your cup of tea. But if you enjoy a quick read with characters you can relate to, really clever dialogue, a plot that gives you whiplash as it turns on itself, a look inside each character's head as the point-of view shifts among them all, a diverting tale that starts out seeming predictable (poor-little-rich-girl) but surprises you, and a satisfying ending . . . well, this might be exactly your glass of diet Coke. The electronic version is cheaper, but I'm one of those old-fashioned people who likes to hold a book in his hands, so I bought the paperback (great cover art!). Go to the Wings ePress web site and download the PDF if you like to save money. In my book, Karyn Lyndon is now 2 for 2. I may be on my way to becoming an official fan (at least of THIS author's version) of chick lit. I'm now wondering if she can go 3 for 3. Stay tuned. Meredith G. Schorr "Merry Writer" (New York, New York) This review is from: For Richer or Repo (Kindle Edition) With its endearing cast of characters, For Richer or Repo had me engaged from page one. Written in a "chick-lit" voice, For Richer or Repo is part romantic comedy, part mystery suspense and a whole lot of fun. As in her first novel, CurvyKathy31 Confessions of a Chataholic, Karyn Lyndon's witty and original voice shines through. After having read both her novels, I look forward to a third.

Coitus Interruptus

Sheldon: So are you and Leonard still not having coitus?

Penny: Do you have to say coitus? Can't you just say we aren't seeing each other?

Sheldon: No, because that wouldn't be true. You and Leonard still technically see each other all the time.

Penny: Still, I'd prefer if you wouldn't use that word.

Sheldon: "Well, all right. I'll just substitute intercourse."

Penny: "Great."

Sheldon: "...or fornication...but that has judgmental overtones so I'll hold that in reserve."

Penny: "Fine."

Sheldon: "Just to be clear, do I have to stop saying coitus with everyone or just you?"

Penny: "Ummmm...everyone."

Sheldon: "Harsh terms but all right."

Penny: "Naaah! I'm just coitusing with ya!"

(simulated dialog from the Big Bang Theory when I laughed my gluteus maximus off)

Junction With Attitude!

This crossing was brought to you by the letters F and U...

The Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus

What else is there to say but amoeba-shaped silver napkin rings, ten-dollar bottles of sparkling water, tiny cups of broth, warm popovers with strawberry butter, lobster bisque and fruit topped with poppy seed dressing...

Yes, it was a little extravagant. But like the Mastercard commercials say about being priceless...this lunch was!

Why?

Because it was a little respite, amidst the emotions of a funeral, the anti-climax of a wedding, the tribulations of deadlines and the ills of dysfunction, when my mother, my daughter, my son and I shared a moment of genteel grace.

I predict that for years to come we will reminisce of this day.

In Case You've Forgotten

Wings-Press.com

Time Off For Dead Behavior

Went to a funeral today for my Uncle Ben. He was a great dad, model husband, all-around sweet guy and really smart, too. But that's not what this is about. This is about funerals in general. Okay, I admit it. I like them (as long as the honoree lived a long, full life.) They are little mini family reunions right in the middle of the week! Everyone stops what they are doing, gets dressed up, heads to the church and reflects on the meaning of life (and death).

Then we all lined up in our parking-lighted vehicles and got a police escort through a bunch of major intersections (cool) and since we were near the end of the procession the police car, lights blazing, would pass me to catch up to the next crossing. And every single time my heart stopped, feeling as though I'd done something wrong. (I had no idea I was so paranoid--or forgetful--I'm going to lay off the Equal.)

The other passengers in my car didn't want to participate in the processional--said it was too slow. But I insisted, assuring them it would be the quickest way. By the time we got to the burial site everyone agreed with me. A police escort can be fun!

A slight drizzle added ambience to the canopy and cooled off what would have been a sweltering 90 down to 70. Did I mention the pall bearers (cousins' sons including mine) looked handsome in their suits?

Tomorrow I'll tell you about going to Neiman Marcus in Downtown Dallas to the Zodiac Room for lunch. Riveting, I assure you!

Labor (Day) Pains

August--wow--what a month! It's been tough editing the book in the middle of hosting a wedding and trying to get in as much pool time as possible. But I made it!

Now I'm ready to go back-to-school shopping. (No--I'm not a student and I don't have any school-age kids.) But, like ducks gathering in formation and heading south, I can feel it--it's instictive! Even though the high was 92 today, the magnetism of the mall beckons--time to shop for sweatery knits in earth tones and closed-toe shoes. (Goodbye flip-flops--sniff...) Okay, I admit it, there are only about 4 or 5 days in Texas when the weather is prohibitive for sandals.

About the only "fashion don't" I adhere to is no white shoes after Labor Day. So, like the sands through the hour glass, so are the days for my silver-studded, white leather flip-flops (and the cute white bag I got to match at Charming Charlies.)

Do I sound shallow?

Well, I blame that on my mother. How I long for the days when she would take me shopping (read pay for it) every single Saturday while my Dad played golf. At the change of seasons I would come home with so many shopping bags I couldn't remember what was in them. Then I'd have to decide what to wear the first day of school. Did I go for the most trendy outfit which invariably involved long sleeves, ribbed knit and wool plaid? Or did I ease into it, saving my favorite for the third or fourth day, hoping against hope for a cool front to blow in? This was back in the good ol' days when school didn't start until after Labor Day. Summer was three solid months long and seemed to go on forever...

Anyway, after all that shopping during my childhood, I suppose it's fitting I write fashion copy for a department store. But we're working on Christmas right now. My next project is a spring direct mail piece...ahhh...flip-flop season already!

Here it is...my new cover!

And how 'bout that fancy dog dish

Hopefully he's not electrocuted by all of the fans...

He's not spoiled or anything...

New pic especially for Jennifer Lancaster

This is Chester. He and Maisy should have a play date sometime--except I live in Texas.

Hey, Jen. If you wrote shorter book titles you'd have more room for your name!

I Sold Some More Books...

I went to a writing class today on Goal, Motivation and Conflict and was able to sell a few books to some "fans". Pretty exciting stuff!

The Real Live Book!

Here it is...up close and personal and ready for your purchase!

CurvyKathy31: Confessions of a Chat-aholic...

...is scheduled for a February 2010 release! Here's the cover...isn't it cute!



Here's what it says on the back:

Kathy is a cute, plump, hearing-her-clock-tick Assistant Buyer at PandorasBox.com, a home accents retailer. She has three goals in life. The first goal is to find a man with major spark-age. The second is to give up her addiction to the Information Date-way as her friends and mother have suggested. The last goal is to keep a low profile while she attempts to direct a successful musical “extravaganza” for the company's 10th Anniversary.

This tale hints of Jane Eyre, Cyrano de Bergerac and The Scarlet Letter while taking a humorous look at falling in love, break-up angst, wacky corporate America and most everything that can go wrong with Internet dating.

Cold Dog, Get Your Cold Dog Right Here!

Santa Dog and Calendar!

This is the December art for Chester's 2010 Calendar. To see the whole thing, click below...


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