What's the best advice you've ever received?

Back in the day, before my post-pregnancy belly wiggled like a bowl full of jelly, I used to party. You might have heard be talking about that before. Possibly.

And it used to be a blast! So much so that I wrote a book about it. You also might have heard me talk about that. Possibly.

Eventually, once I stopped looking for Mr. Right in all the Incredibly Wrong places, I found him. And I truly believe it was only because I stopped looking for him, at the advice of my good friend Anne Marie, that I was able to meet him.

Now five years and two kids later, I'd say we're doing pretty well! Other than a good night's sleep, I have everything I could ever want.

What's the best advice you received? Check out the full story of the best advice I ever (reluctantly) received: Stop Looking and You'll Find It.

Who do you wish would come for Christmas dinner?

Christmas is almost here! Leo keeps singing "Petit Papa Noel," the song you sing in France right before Santa comes. Except he doesn't know the words so he just keeps repeating the same line. Eleventy billion times. So cute! *bangs head against wall*

For me Christmas is all about being with family. And a little bit about food and a tiny bit about the yoga pants I know my mom shipped me from the US. But mostly about family. Which is why I'm a little sniffly this holiday season, since my grandma is no longer with us.

I wrote this piece on BLUNTmoms in her honor, so please check it out: I Wish She Would Come For Christmas Dinner. And feel free to leave a comment about who YOU wish would come for Christmas (or Hannukah or Festivus) dinner.

Hot Dogs vs. Caviar

I originally wrote this piece for BookDaily.com but I like my posts to get the maximum workout (says the author as she plops down on the couch with her laptop) so I'm sharing with all you lovelies.

Whether an author is new or established, well-known or still trying to get the word out, every sale counts. Just because an author has a great book doesn't mean it's selling well. Just because they have a nice website/book cover/marketing campaign doesn't mean they're succeeding—it could just mean they invested a lot of money upfront or that they know how to do those things themselves. You never know if an author is eating hot dogs or caviar for dinner, so if you like an author, don't be shy in supporting them!

It's A Boy!

"I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's healthy." Have you heard people say that? Does it drive you as crazy as it does me?

Of COURSE I want a healthy baby, but I don't see why I can't also have a preference for gender.

However, after two difficult pregnancies, I re-evaluated my stance on that statement. Check out my article on Mamalode, "A Punch In The Gut", which explores this very topic. And check out some of the other great articles on their November theme, "Men," while you're there!