My birthday is next week!

I 

Khlo has been hiding my boxes of green and white tea lately, lol. She claims I am "extra hyper super crazy caffeinated"-a high only brought on when somone's birthday is so close. 

Like next Thursday close! Eeep!

I asked my parents for a new winter turnout blanket for Whisper. (the one above) It's a mid weight blanket from Dover. J'adore the light blue stripes! 

I asked Becca for this Zocks helmet cover. It. Is. So. Cute. 

Mr. Conner gave us the okay to wear any design covers we want for practice at school. It's so fun not to be stuck with a black or white helmet. Do any of you guys have fun helmet covers? 

Khloe, Clare, Lexa, Carina, Cole, Drew, Zack and I are meeting up tomorrow at The Sweet Shoppe to spill our Halloween costumes! I can't wait to hear what every else is going to be. Instead of 'fessing to each other, my friends and I are even keeping our costumes a secret until tomorrow. 

Something new this year--Headmistress Drake is allowing us to attend Thursday classes in costume! 

What are you guys going as? Anyone trick or treating or going to a Halloween party? 

Xx

~LT

Party, party, party!

I'm reposting this from Jess' blog! :)

So, I want to have amazing online Home for Christmas/goodbye to Canterwood Crest parties.

For everyone (international too!)

First, we party via LiveStream like we did for the Famous release. You create a free account, get online at a set time and you'll have access to a chat box and to me via Webcam. You'll be able to type questions/comments to me that everyone can see. I'll answer them via my Webcam. I'll be online for one hour and you can pop in whenever you like to lurk or ask a question.

Everyone and anyone in the world can participate. LiveStream will allow as many people who want to join in. It's anonymous because you can use a screen name. You get to "see" me via Webcam.

If you can't make it to the actual live event, it will be recorded for you to view later. 

~*~

Party #2 is one that I've never done and is the ULTIMATE VIP party! I mean, Home for Christmas is a super special, so we need a super special party, right?

We will use Google+ Hangout. This is also totally free (you do have to sign up for a Google+ account to video chat). NINE winners (I will have a contest soon!) will join me live online where we will all (me plus the other chosen 9 members of Team Canterwood) can video chat with each other. OMG! Team Canterwood members from across the country will get to meet! That is soooo awesome!

If you don't win the contest, you can still watch the party--you just will not be able to message me or the other Team Canterwood members who are on video chat.

This contest is only be open to US and Canada residents because other countries will be charged to video chat. However, if you are just watching the party--you can live anywhere. 

You can view the party from your iPhone, iPad or other smartphone if you can't be on a computer.

If you are one of the 9 people who get to video party, you're more than welcome to grab any friends that want to attend and share your Webcam with them. :)

If you're not able to make it to the party, it will be recorded and will go up on YouTube for you to watch at any time.

Below, is a random Google video chat that I just started watching a few minutes ago (no Google+ account needed to watch). I took a screen shot so you can see how it would look for all of us via video chat. Isn't it cool?!

So . . . if being part of the video chat party interests you, please do some reading about how it works, what you need to do to participate, etc.

The poll for the two party dates will close on October 30. Then, the dates will be announced. I will blog or vlog very soon about how you can participate in a contest to be on the video chat.

Soo excited! What do you guys think? 

Halloween is almost here!!

Hi, everyone!

Sooo sorry that I've been MIA. I fell off Whisper a few weeks ago during jumping practice and hurt my right arm. Nothing serious but my doctor wants me to stay off the computer until 11/1 because typing strains the tendon that I injured.

Boo. I know.

But I sneaked online just because I miss you guys SO MUCH and had to say hi!

Plus, oh mon Dieu, it's almost Halloween! That means . . . my birthday!

I haven't started party planning yet, but I know Khloe, Lex, Carina, and Clare having been having "secret" (haha--I know you guys!) meetings about my birthday. :D

I have no idea what I want to ask for either. Suggestions?

Okay, better get off before KK catches me. She has been the Computer Police. Um, seriously. She got so into character that she made herself a BADGE. Yes. LOLOL. I love my Khloe!

Tell me how you're doing!

xx

~LT

Home for Christmas video

Home for Christmas contest (it's K writing for J) :)

Hi! It's Kate writing for Jess. :) She asked me to do a quick blog post for Team Canterwood.

 The models posing at the photoshoot 

 Alexis and Dayton!

Jess says to tell you all that she's super excited about HOME FOR CHRISTMAS which releases on November 12, 2013. Today, she's launching a contest!

* If the pre-orders and first week sales of HOME FOR CHRISTMAS are better than any other book in the Canterwood Crest series, Jess will gift you all with a holiday treat in early 2014 . . .

a Canterwood Crest e-novella picking up EXACTLY where UNFRIENDLY COMPETITION left off will be written and published online! It will be a Sasha featured, lip gloss packed, drama, and horses filled e-novella that will be able to download for $.99. Jess would set the price at zero, but Amazon doesn't allow authors to self-publish free books anymore.

So, if you want a special, never before read e-novella, start spreading the word about HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! :) The contest starts NOW and ends on November 19th! Let's GO, Team Canterwood!

Ways you can help sales (both e-book and paperback count):

Ask your local bookstores to order Home for Christmas

Post reviews of HFC on Websites such as Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Bookamillion.com and other bookseller sites.

Review HFC on your blog

Ask your school librarian to order HFC

Set up a Skype visit so Jess can virtually come to your classroom

Tweet about HFC on its release date

Update your Facebook status to let people know of HFC's release

Make a YouTube video for or about HFC

Instagram your copy of HFC

Get creative!

Goodbye for now!

 (Reposted from my blog)

I wanted to let you all know that starting today, I will not be blogging or writing until November 1st.

It's doctor's orders that I give my arm/elbow eight weeks of rest while I try new medications and therapies for it. I've been in a pretty severe amount of pain for years and it's now increased to the point where I cannot type.

I am incredibly grateful to my editors and Simon & Schuster and Bloomsbury who were so very kind about my sudden break from work. They each are working on new schedules for me and have been great about giving me medical leave.

This also means I will not be writing HEATED or SANCTUARY until after November 1st.

I will respond to business emails, but not to Team Canterwood mail during this time. I will still read EVERY one of your emails, though.

I'll be back just in time to celebrate the November 12th release of HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

I'll also be Tweeting (with my LEFT hand) occasionally and posting photos to my Instagram account. (jessashley87). But staying off the computer is important to healing--my writing career depends on my hands!

If any major news occurs, I'm sure I can talk Kate into posting it here for me. :)

In the mean time, I'm going to be reading tons and tons (yaaaay!), loving my kitties, spending time with Kate, going to California to visit with my Cali Barn Mafia, and working on my other hobby--photography.

Much love to you all and see you in November!

xoxo

My back to school clothes shopping list

Oh, mon Dieu!

It's almost time to go back to Canterwood! I'm happy AND sad that summer's almost over! How was everyone's break? When do you go back to school?

Becca's taking me back to school shopping tomorrow. Char might come, too, if she's not busy with her friends.

I'm hitting up my favorite stores for some new clothes. I love Kohls, Target, and Forever 21. They have tres chic clothes at killer prices.

Here's what I've got on my list:

Jeans

LOVE these in purple!

I want a few pairs of color denim, a couple of skinnies, and a few dark wash flared.
 

Moto jacket

Isn't this gorge?! It's in "Cameo Rose" and it's faux-leather by Candies from Kohls.


Ballet flats

 Totally crazy over these blue Hush Puppies Capri ballet flats! Metallic is SO in for fall!

School appropriate tops

These tops are tres parfait for class!

Stable tees

I love these tees because they're super casual. And who doesn't love a graphic tee?!

Fall sweaters

 Heart all of these!

Skirts

 I'm really into lace and polka dots this year. These skirts are so delicate and pretty. Perf for school or a date! :)

Dresses

I heart these dresses sooo much! They have bold colors for fall or lovely lace patterns.

What's on your back to school shopping list? All of these clothes were from Kohls, BTW.

Share what you're looking for! :)

xo,

~LT