romance

M&M’s … And Beyond!

| Melia Alexander

It’s Travel Bug Tuesday!

Vegas has all sorts of really cool shops from clothing to tourist-y kiosks to specialty stores like this one:

The moment I stepped in and smelled the chocolate, I knew there was no other place like it! See, Jessica Adams, the heroine in my debut novel, MERGER OF THE HEART, lurrvvs Peanut M&M’s. But she only eats them when she’s stressed. Which means, thanks to the hero, Daniel Spencer, she practically mainlines the stuff. At least, at the beginning of the story…. 😉

So while Jessica might’ve enjoyed the variety of surprises on each floor (everything from mugs and pens and mixing bowls and kitchen towels and shirts and jewelry  … ) What I know she would’ve loved best of all was the candy. M&M’s in a rainbow of colors and arranged in gorgeous displays that invite customers to mix and match and even fill up another bag or six….not that I’d done that, of course!

That’s what made this store so special. Even though I’d completed Jessica and Daniel’s story quite awhile ago, being there reminded me of the quirkiness that was my heroine. And I found myself smiling at their story once again.

Happy travels,
Melia

 

Dear Santa ~

| Melia Alexander

Ah, Mash-Up Monday…. How quickly you arriveth!

Our girls (Niece and Niece 2) are leaving for Guam in a few weeks to spend the holidays with their parents, which basically means we have a scrunched up Christmas schedule with them. Which also means we’re celebrating early this year. And which ultimately means getting their Christmas lists uber early.

Still, I had to laugh (to myself, of course! *snort*) when I saw Niece 2’s list:

20141109_191712Ah, to be fifteen again!

So. Any votes for getting her Nash Grier for Christmas? 😉

Have a fab week,
Melia

 

Ring Keepers

| Melia Alexander

Happy Fashionista Friday! (It’s about FREAKIN’ TIME, too….)

My closet is a wreck. I know you all don’t believe me, since I am, after all, one of the most organized writers around (*snort* Trust me on this. And I’m not brave enough to post pics. Not yet, anyway….)

I’m constantly on the look-out for something – anything – that’ll help me stay organized. So it was on a recent Vegas trip with some high school gal pals (*waves at Notre Dame High School Class of ____* Did you think I’d tell you? 🙂 ) when we walked into a shop that had this:

DSC_1048

So cute! And so perfect! And they were SHOES that I know Mr. A couldn’t claim were part of my collection wardrobe options. I thought of all the rings I could store on a pair of these, how well I’d be on my way towards organization a la Martha Stewart….Or my good friend, Jenny, who scours Pinterest for all these awesome homey-stuff ideas. (I secretly hate her. Ssshhh. JK, Jen!)

I reached for one of these just as I heard Mr. A talking in my head (wish he’d quit that). “But you only have three rings, sweetheart.”

He was right. Rats.

Ah, well. Guess I’d better change that. Ring shopping, anyone?

Have a great weekend!

~Melia

 

All That Hair

| Melia Alexander

Once upon a time I was Rapunzel.

Well, okay, maybe I didn’t have blonde hair and wasn’t locked in a castle or anything even *close* to that. Nor did I have some dude who needed to climb my hair to get access to me … although that does bring up interesting story ideas! 😉

But given the short state of my hair these days, I’m sometimes surprised to see some of my past pics. And, yeah, I *SWEAR* that’s a candid shot of me that Mr. A took when we visited New Orleans quite a few years back.

a002_2Given that my head’s underneath a hard hat (or ball cap) at The Male Observation Lab, it’s no wonder I chopped all that hair off!

Think I should grow it back?

Happy Take Me Back Thursday,
Melia

 

And The Winner Is (Part 2) . . .

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Food and Wine Wednesday!

Last week, Niece and Niece 2 squared off in a pumpkin-carving contest. The winner had her choice of donut plus chocolate milk – trust me, this is a HUGE deal in the Alexander home! Thanks to those who left a comment, Niece 2 won. *Insert much cheering and a cartwheel or two*

But instead of happily choosing a donut and leaving her older sister donut-less she surprised me, and struck a deal for this, instead:

20141102_133702We brought the frozen rolls home (What? You didn’t think I’d make these puppies from scratch, did you?). After a short time in the oven the scent of cinnamon and baking bread wafted from one end of the house to the other – yummyliciousness! And, yeah, I gotta admit I was tempted….

Have your kids ever surprised you in a good way? Please share!

Happy Eating,
Melia

 

Shades of Blue

| Melia Alexander

Personally, I think clothes should be fun and fabulously easy to wear. There’s nothing worse than walking around in a show stopper of an outfit that you can’t bend over in, or reach overhead in, or even sit in gracefully – not that I have any experience with that! *whistles and looks away*

I spotted this outfit while on a road trip a few weeks ago. (‘Cause, let’s face it, wandering through shops is part of the road trip experience, right?)

DSC_0544Pretty, practical, and the different shades of blue are fun in this outfit!

And while it wasn’t anything I could fit into (I still can’t believe the world thinks I’m miniature sized!), I know it made someone very, very happy. Isn’t that what clothes should do?

Happy Fashionista Friday!

~Melia

 

Indy CART Smiles

| Melia Alexander

Happy Take Me Back Thursday!

Once upon a time, Indy CART races existed. Even better, CART made annual appearances in the Pacific Northwest, which was awesome! So awesome, Mr. Alexander made the trek so as to commune with his fellow race car enthusiasts, including drivers. And, of course, there was racing all weekend.

For a few of those years, I tagged along. Mainly because I missed him otherwise. *shrugs* What can I say? I’m kinda nuts about the guy! 🙂

So here’s to great memories.

IMG_0374 2007 Indy CART Race in Portland

Happy Almost-Friday!
~Melia

 

Food Funnies

| Melia Alexander

Give a kid a bunch of fruit and veggies, tell him he’s expected to create a masterpiece with it, and here’s what you get!

Did you ever create such masterpieces? Or, better yet, encouraged your kids to do so? Were you surprised by the results? Please share!

Happy Food and Wine Wednesday,
Melia

Mud Volcano

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Travel Bug Tuesday!

Yellowstone National Park was such a wonder! While it’s most famous for Old Faithful, it’s chock full of geysers and wildlife and gorgeous scenery. What I found fascinating was the Mud Volcano area of the park.

Mud volcano. Now, be honest. How many of you even knew such a thing existed? Well, there’s some information here, if you want to learn more about it. I just thought the idea was cool!

Up until this visit, my idea of a volcano involved fire and lava, not mud. Fascinating what tidbits of information comes from getting out into the world, huh? There’s nothing like it!

Happy travels,
Melia