When I first went to the Côte d’Azur over fifteen years ago, I quickly realized which areas I loved and which areas I didn’t. I loved Saint Paul de Vence, Èze and St. Tropez. Notice I didn’t mention the big cities. So when we went last month, I already had the “dream itinerary” in mind…. Read more »
I’m so thrilled to announce that Random House has acquired my second picture book, The Paper Kingdom. I poured my heart and soul into this story, and I’m excited to see the book when it’s released! I’ll keep everyone posted, and one of these days, I’d like to write a post about how the entire… Read more »
A few Saturdays ago, I decided to live like a tourist in my own city. So I went over to Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice for some quality alone time. What an AMAZING afternoon! I started off with tea at Caudalie Spa while waiting for my facial appointment. I love this place. Why is everyone… Read more »
I’m happy to reveal the work in progress of Colleen Kong-Savage, the talented artist who is illustrating THE TURTLE SHIP. I find absolutely fascinating the thought process behind her artistic choices. For instance, Colleen is working to find a way to contrast the turtle enough to make him pop off the page, instead of blending… Read more »
Here’s my latest article for SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators), which covers attending the pro track for the first time at their conference. Featuring photos of Judy Blume and Newbery winner Linda Sue Park. Girl crush time!! Check it out here.
I have been in love with the artwork of Jean-Jacques Sempé since I was fifteen, when I read the NICOLAS series (which he illustrated) for a high school French class. Sempé is known in the U.S. for his iconic New Yorker covers, such as this one: But in his home country of France, his illustrated… Read more »
When I first launched this website a few months ago, I promised myself that I’d post at least once a week. Well, three months into this endeavor, I’ve already been absent for an entire month. The reason for my absence is actually a pretty good one 😉 Our home renovations were finally completed (side note:… Read more »
Meet Loulou the llama. Isn’t she lovely? She has dark, soulful eyes and long eyelashes. Her hair feels like yarn and her long neck is easy to hug. And she has a hidden talent… SHE SPITS! She spits really, really well. Up to ten feet away! Llamas spit when they feel threatened or don’t like… Read more »
Get thee to these delectable spots in Rome and Tuscany: Rome: Bonci Pizza – Anthony Bourdain raved about this place, so we had to check it out. And oh my goodness, it totally lived up to his assessment. I loved the cherry tomato pizza and the pizza with mortadella. The Geno loved everything, even the… Read more »
Two years ago, we took a big family trip to Tuscany, a beautiful part of Italy with lots of villages on top of hills. Long ago, during the medieval era, people lived on hilltops to be safe. The higher up you are, the harder you are to attack and the harder it is to steal… Read more »
You can now find a touch of Paris on Pico—YOUPI!!!🇫🇷
I’ve stopped by @ludivine_paris_bakery nearly every week since they opened their cafe a few months ago. It’s a genuine Parisian patisserie run by a French family. I love their caramelized custard caneles (just like the ones I had while living abroad in France), and imho, their macarons are better than Laduree’s (less sweet). Their salmon tartine makes a perfect lunch (the crème fraiche spread with dill and the crusty sourdough bread are absolutely divine!) Can you tell this place puts me in a good mood?! I’m happy to let them expand my waistline 😁💗
#ludivineparis #patisserie #macarons #frenchbakery #foodie #foodiesofinstagram
I am 100% obsessed with the Big Island of Hawai’i!! Years ago, I made a coworker weep in her office with amazing tales of the Magical Island (my nickname for the place)—night snorkeling with manta rays, viewing Saturn through telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea, kayaking in an empty bay when a pod of spinner dolphins leaped into the air and invited us to swim with them (no joke—when we dove into the water, they brushed up gently against us…maybe they thought we had food??). This recent trip was full of magic yet again. I was too busy marveling at the wild horses, steaming volcano, and gentle turtles in the water to take many photos, but here’s a little taste of the coolest island, which transforms from an arid moonscape of lava rocks near Kona to a lush valley in the north. I already miss it!! 😩 #ineedatan #bigisland #ilovehawaii #palestpersononthebeach
Happy Labor Day, everyone! Thanks especially to all the essential workers who are continually keeping our communities safe and clean.❤️ #laborday #thepaperkingdombook #essentialworkers
I got enough probiotics to last a decade, thanks to a fabulous kimchi tasting bonanza🔥👍 The event featured: excellent food & vaccinated friends ✅ Korean-themed decor + matching tees ✅ a happy/tired Sherwin who loved the unmarinated meat (check out his smile on our drive home—last photo) ✅ Thanks for a wonderful time, @elkinmama 💗 Great kimchi selection, @sjna 🥵👏
Holy smokes, we received the most delicious and caloric gift yesterday from good friends—delivered in a cooler shipped from Cincinnati 🥰 Have you tried @graeters ice cream?? We immediately sampled two flavors…dangerously good. Three Michelin stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ #graeters
