Vegas

Oh, Christmas Tree!

| Melia Alexander

Admittedly, there are times during the holidays when it all becomes a bit overwhelming and just too much. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen very often. Mainly because I truly love all that comes with this time of year: the lights, the baking, the time together with family and friends, and, of course, the tree.

There’s something about the Christmas tree that touches a part of me. Maybe it’s the wonder that once came with awakening on Christmas day to find Santa delivered a present! (If you knew the child-me, you’d know why this was *always* a surprise. Ask my siblings…. On second thought, don’t!) Whatever it was, I’ve always adored Christmas trees.

This one caught my eye on a recent trip to Vegas.

DSC_1046It was the perfect height and was decorated with all sorts of fun ornaments! I was in heaven as I stared at it, imagining what it would be like in a grand hall instead of a Las Vegas boutique….On Christmas morning….With little kids gathered around it….Singing Christmas carols or opening their gifts….Or both! Yep, the possibilities were endless.

And the longer I stared at it, the more relaxed I became. Schedules and deadlines and baking and sending Christmas cards….none of it mattered. All I cared about at that moment in time was the beauty of this tree.

Really, the holidays can be pretty chill. If you let it. And with as crazy our lives are, isn’t it nice to let go and just “be” every now and then? What better time than around a Christmas tree somewhere in Vegas, right?

Happy Mash-Up Monday,
Melia

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

 

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

 

Camelot

| Melia Alexander

It’s Travel Bug Tuesday!

I’ve done a fair amount of traveling in my life, but some of my fave places have been in my own imagination. Have you tried it? It’s a lot of fun! Sometimes, it’s even more fun than actually doing the stuff you thought about in the first place. (Case in point: not jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is valid, no matter how many times I’ve made that jump in my head!)

So on a recent trip girl-trip to Vegas *waves to Notre Dame High School gal pals*, La Muse took advantage of the sights and sounds and smells and feel and tastes around us. Take, for instance, the night I gazed outside my hotel room and saw this:

20141012_020305Initially, La Muse saw what I suspect most do: Knights in shining armor … ladies in gorgeous gowns … maybe even a huge ball celebrating the birth of a new monarch.

But then she added this: within the castle walls was an uber secret ginormous library known only to the princess. She’d spend HOURS locked within its walls,while  castle-life continued (how else was she supposed to buy more books?). There was an endless supply of chocolate – grown in her magical garden, natch! With decaf Americano to go with it in the morning, to be replaced by Cab Sauv at night, the library was Heaven on Earth!

At least, it would be for one perpetually busy writer-type who’s on the verge of pouting ’cause she doesn’t have enough reading time, but who shall otherwise remain nameless…. *Whistles up at the ceiling – is that a spider up there?*

What do you see when you look at the above photo? Please share!

Happy travels,
Melia

Bellagio Fountains

| Melia Alexander

It’s Travel Bug Tuesday! This week, we head back to Vegas, site of the absinthe adventure. But we won’t get into it, but if you’re really curious, you can check it out here.

Honestly, I heart Vegas! Where else can you hit pieces of Italy, France, Medieval England, and Hollywood on one street? The entertainment is fantastic, whether it’s a show or street performers. Vegas has something for everyone.

One of the funnest regularly scheduled shows is the Bellagio Fountains. (No, I’m not giving you deets on it since any Google search will get you tons of info!) Following this year’s conference, a group of us Entangled Publishing authors had to stop by and see it one evening.

Check these out:

I know, I know. The pics don’t do it justice! Especially when the show is set to music. Guess that means you’ll have to make a trip over to check it out yourself, huh? 🙂

Happy travels,
Melia

Travel Bug Tuesday: One Night in Vegas~How it Ended

| Melia Alexander

(If you missed last week’s post on the adventures of erotic historical romance author Delilah Marvelle, click here.)

When I found Delilah I knew the evening wasn’t over. After all, we’re talking about Ms. Marvelle!

The two of us crossed the bridge away from the hotel-with-the-bar-that-served-the-evil-absinthe. All the while she gushed about her *awesome* experience. Bartender . . . Other dudes . . . Learned a lot . . . Research . . . Everyone so nice. . ..

Me: Glad you had a good time. Watch your step.
Delilah (looking at the stairs like it was the most brilliant thing she’d ever seen): I want to go for a run. Let’s go for a run! Now!
Me: Not a good idea.
Delilah (pouting): Why not?
Me: It’s the middle of the night, the strip is packed, and we’re not in running gear. We need to wait ‘til morning.
Delilah: We could change.

And that was pretty much the tone of the conversation, which included her hitting me up to go dancing, or to head to another bar. All this wrapped around exclamations of how *amazing* she felt. And giggles. Lots and lots and LOTS of giggles.

Glad one of us felt that way. I just wanted to get her back to the room.

We finally entered the casino doors to our hotel, so I thought we were in the home stretch. Not quite.

Now, it probably wouldn’t have been such a surprise if I’d actually visited the casino at night, but did you know half-nekkid girls dance on these elevated stages on the casino floor? Even in six-inch heels their legs were right about eye level with dudes (and dudettes). How were Blackjack players supposed to concentrate on their cards? No wonder the casino raked it in.

I stared. Couldn’t help it. Unfortunately, neither could Delilah.

Delilah (pointing as she made a beeline away from me): I want to dance with them!
Me (grabbing her hand and practically dragging her): I should let you. Then I could take pictures and post them. But there’s a good chance you’ll get arrested. We need to get you to the room.

That dragging thing? Did it the entire way through the casino. Along with some serious whining about just wanting to have some fun. Seriously.

Once in the elevator, she insisted on pushing the button for our floor. I figured it was harmless.

And then a pleasant, elderly gentleman entered the elevator. You know the kind. Like a grandpa with kind eyes who’d play ball, and make you peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and tell you all about the old days. Got that picture?

Delilah (to same gentleman): What’s your room number?
Gentleman (Pauses. . .. Absorbs her question, then turns me): Gee, they usually ask you what you’re doing tonight, first.
Me (cringing): Yeah. Sorry about that. She’s not well.
Delilah (laughing so hard she’s doubled-over): I’m fine, I’m fine.

Sure. About as fine as propositioning grandpa. Thankfully, our floor was before the other guy’s.

At the end of the night, I finally got her to bed. Took away her phone for a bit so she wouldn’t drunk-post anything. That was a trick and a half. She giggled like a child then finally, finally went off into la-la land looking ever-so-innocent.

So much for her being a grown-assed woman who could take care of herself. . ..*sigh*

Any guesses how many bags of Peanut M&M’s that Jessica Adams, the heroine in my debut book, MERGER OF THE HEART, would’ve consumed? Here are your choices:

Although I gotta admit I’m curious about absinthe, about what Delilah thought was so *amazing* about it. Since I’m headed back to Vegas later this year, I wonder if curiosity will override my good sense? Any bets out there?

Happy eating,
Melia

Travel Bug Tuesday: One Night in Vegas

| Melia Alexander

It all started with a plan.

Not my plan, mind you, but that of my super-talented Vegas conference roommate, Delilah Marvelle . . . who always seems to find ways to smack into adventure (read: trouble). Delilah writes erotic historical romance, and craves any bit of knowledge she can get about how her characters might have lived. So I’m never surprised when she goes after research material. Hence this particular evening.

Her text message: “There is a place that does absinthe. I have to go. Will you go with me?”

Absinthe? Uh. . . no. Wasn’t that drink illegal? (By the way, Delilah does plan to post the history of absinthe, so check her blog!)

20140624_211650I’d planned to go to a really rousing game of bingo with other Entangled Publishing authors in our publisher’s suite.

So. Delilah, being who she is, went without me. Without anyone, actually. (What can I say? We opted for bingo.)

But I first made sure to note where she was headed, the time she’d be back, her promise not to talk to strangers or weirdos – at which point she reminded me we were in Vegas, which meant her agreement would equal a boring evening so why bother to go? *Sigh* I hate when she makes a good point. . ..

Through most of bingo I’d get some sort of an update – she even sent me a picture.  2014062495220234Still not sure what this is so you’ll have to read her post to find out.

Anyway, all was well until this exchange at 10:31 PM –

Delilah: “On second one. OmG, awesome.”
Me: “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Then nothing. Nada. Lights out. Not a peep.

I wasn’t concerned. After all, she was a grown-ass woman who was capable of taking care of herself. Right?

Then again, this was Vegas.

I got to thinking that as far as stress levels went, for the Peanut M&M-eating heroine in my book, MERGER OF THE HEART, this whole adventure would’ve started out as a one bag crisis (eaten because she couldn’t decide which lounge outfit should be worn to the bingo game), then quickly escalated to two bags with the last of Delilah’s texts.

But it only got worse.

Join me at the next Travel Bug Tuesday as the adventure continues. . ..

~Melia