Kindred Spirits

Posted in GTA, Just for Fun, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

So, I finally met up with the ever wonderful and super inspiring Amanda DiPasquale from Not A Model Blog. We’ve been meaning to meet up for ages and finally that day came. On a sticky and humid Thursday we met for lunch at St.Lawrence Market and chatted about books and writing. It was so nice talking to a fellow writer, reader, dreamer, and blogger. One who can listen to my corny stories and appreciate them. One who can quote lines from books I’ve read and understand what it feels like to love (and sometimes hate) being a writer. One of those people who remind you why you write, who remind you that it’s okay to be sensitive to your surroundings, that it’s okay to analyze things — that’s why you’re a writer. I don’t often come across a person I can really relate to, a person with similar ambitions, and even though our stories are different I feels as though I’ve found a kindred spirit in Amanda. I think that’s why I love her blog posts so much, I can always find something relatable and inspiring.

Our conversation left me feeling incredibly motivated to go after what I want and I appreciate all of her advice. It also got me back on track with my blog, it reminded me WHY I started it in the first place, and I promise to bring it back to where I want it to be.

Thanks for the wonderful conversation Amanda; I’m really looking forward to working with you soon!

—

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

4May2013

Bursting the Bubble [Week 5]

Posted in Book Reviews, Bursting the Bubble, GTA by Vanessa Grillone

It’s been a wonderfully busy week, filled with events, mailings, coffee, and picture-taking. Funnily enough, the only thing I can think about while writing this recap is the horizon. The cityscape that comes into view every morning as I merge onto another highway on my way to work. On Wednesday, the sky was a palette of pastels; blue, purple, and pink, separate and then bleeding into each other. The sun was slowly opening its eyes, its arms stretching across the sky. In the distance I saw buildings, all of which became a part of the pastel sky, like chameleons. There was something so terrifyingly calming about this scene. It whispered softly, This is exactly where you’re supposed to be.

That is what Week 5 if my internship has been about, hitting my stride, finding my place.

I feel most in my element, or most excited when I get to attend events. On Monday evening I attended the Full Count launch as – get this – the photographer/intern. I wonder if I can add that to my resume? Anyhow, the launch was held at Opera Bob’s, a really wicked pub on Ossington and Dundas. The event was filled with hot dogs, peanuts, beer, and some pretty famous names in sports (starting with the author Jeff Blair). Needless to say, the bf and dad were bursting with jealousy for missing such a great event. Although I’ve yet to read Full Count I was blown away by the amount of support Mr. Jeff Blair received from his friends, co-workers, and complete strangers. It was a FUN event and I really enjoyed playing the role of paparazzi – although I felt bad interrupting people to get a photo or blinding them with my flash.

On Tuesday I joined in on the Random House Retreat Book Club’s online chat with Tanis Rideout about her novel Above All Things. I’ve never been part of a book club and I am really glad I decided to join this one. It’s amazing to discuss and analyze books with other people, it’s even more amazing to chat with the author about their masterpiece. The next book up for discussion is Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay – LET ME KNOW IF YOU JOIN!

On Wednesday I attended the Drunk Mom launch. It was another lovely event held at Ben McNally Books store. This launch was interesting for two reasons: I wasn’t working the event so I really got to mingle and I read the book (and really love it!). There were three highlights to the evening:

a) Meeting Grace O’Connell the author of Magnified World, who is super cool and very down to earth

b) Listening to the speeches made by Jowita and her editor – they both have a way with words, as well as, a wonderful presence

c) Meeting Jowita

I had a serious fan-girl moment while waiting in line to get my book signed, all I kept thinking is what do I say? What do I say? What do I say? So, when my turn came I said, “Hi I’m the intern who tweeted you that I was too shy to say hi at the office.”

Yep. I did. I said that. I am THAT cool.

Thankfully, Jowita smiled warmly and actually remembered me! She signed my book, commented on my review of her book, and posed for a photo with me. It was a wonderful moment. #InternPerks

On Friday I woke up a little tired but ready and willing to tackle the day. The sun was shining, the birds were conversing happily, the lady at Tim’s made me the most delicious cup of coffee, and I had one of mom’s (famous) peanut butter muffins for breakfast — all was going well until I got to Wilson subway station and realized there was no service from there to Eglington.

Hello0000 shuttle bus crammed like a can of sardines with sweaty people!

Hellooooo Mr. Bus Diver! Although I appreciate the ride you, COULD have warned me that I was standing too close to the doors before you opened them — my foot was nearly severed.

I guess I shouldn’t get too upset about all of that nonsense because in the afternoon I got to go with Anne (Publicity Assistant and Awesome Person) and Anthony Marra (Author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena) to a few bookstores so he could sign stock. And then, he signed my copy too! I’ve been reading his novel for a few days and am at the point where I genuinely care about each character and can’t wait to find out what happens next. You can follow Anthony Marra on Twitter and talk to him about his novel (it comes out on TUESDAY).

All in all I had a pretty sweet week. I’m exhausted and not even remotely ready for my trip to Vancouver but who cares? I met some incredible authors, attended some great launches, and learned a few more things about Publicity, Online Marketing, and what it takes to get a book OUT THERE.

It can’t get any sweeter than that…

…okay… maybe it can

—

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

P.S. Stay tuned for some “beauty/fashion” posts during my trip to Vancouver, as well as, a trip recap on Chic Darling. Bursting the Bubble will be back after Week 6 of my internship (May 18th).

27Apr2013

Bursting the Bubble [Week 4]

Posted in Book Reviews, Bursting the Bubble by Vanessa Grillone

It wasn’t until I purchased my second Metro Pass that I realized I’m almost a month into my 12-week internship. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! The weeks are literally flying by! The good news is that I still love it, I’ve haven’t gotten over the sincere calm I feel when I’m on the subway, or the excitement that flutters in my heart as I walk toward my building, or the spring in my step when I hear the church bells ring – people told me that all of that gets old pretty quickly, I’m glad they’re wrong so far. I am thoroughly enjoying every minute.

THIS week I’ve been mesmerized by Paul Auster’s memoir Winter Journal, where he gives a sensory account of his life –

…put aside your stories for now and try to examine what it has felt like to live inside this body from the first day you can remember being alive until this one. A catalogue of sensory data.” Page 1

This memoir made me think about my childhood and made me wonder about the memories I could conjure up if I sat down and really thought it out. I spent an entire subway ride home in this contemplative state, probably making odd faces as the past resurfaced. Is it odd that my memories are few and far between? I don’t remember anything before the age of 4 (or is it 5?). I remember the first house we lived in (where I was born, not conceived in case you were wondering), my old friends, the musty smell of our huge basement, the blue toy room we spent our days playing in, and the kitchen (also in the basement) that never seemed to be used. I remember our court being very quiet – I remember a wiener dog running around on our patch of grass.

Most vividly, and perhaps only because it pertains to this week, I remember my father taking us all to a Jays game. My brother wasn’t born yet, I wore my favourite red dress with small white polka dots, the dome was open and the sun was blistering hot. We took the subway down, an adventure in and of itself, and I remember seeing people sleeping in the middle of the floor, some sitting up and holding signs, some playing instruments, most begging for money. I remember being afraid of these dirty, loud people (give me a break I was 6). Then I remember my dad, throwing coins into whatever hat, cup, or case sat in front of them. I remember him handing cigarettes to a man when he ran out of change. I remember some of them saying thank you, over and over again. I don’t remember thinking much of it while watching the game but my dad’s small form of generosity stuck with me long after that.

It would be silly to pretend that I haven’t noticed people sitting on the streets since I’ve started interning downtown. I spend a lot of time on my lunch walking around and of the many homeless people I have walked by, I only helped out one of them. Why? In truth, I tend to get distracted when I go for walks — I’m busy taking pictures or admiring buildings. Other times I try to walk by as quickly as possible since I never have change on me (that sounds horrible). BUT the other day I made eye contact with the lady who sits outside the nearest Tim’s and as she wished me good day, I found myself asking her if she wanted a coffee. She replied yes-please-thank-you-so-much. So, I bought her a coffee and a muffin, handed it to her, smiled and walked off.

Only as I walked away did I realize that this woman held a genuine kind of gratitude in her eyes. Her hair was ashen with dust, her teeth yellow and chipped, but her eyes were filled with thanks and life.

Moral(s) of my story: be generous like your father (and mother).

The smallest gestures go a long way.

You can see so much if you just OPEN YOUR EYES; if you slow down a little.

Isn’t that what new experiences are about? Isn’t that the only way to burst your bubble?

By looking, seeing, and paying attention.

–

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

13Apr2013

Bursting the Bubble [WEEK 2]

Posted in Book Reviews, Bursting the Bubble, GTA, Just for Fun, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. – Anaïs Nin

During week 2 of my internship I took some time to people-watch on the subway ride downtown– apparently most writers do it so it’s not creepy. In the morning almost everyone is quiet, they stare at their hands or close their eyes. A lot of them have headphones in their ears; I wonder what they’re listening to or if they’re listening to anything at all. I rarely listen to music: my headphones help create ~~a bubble~~ my personal space. I’m in my own little world, or so it appears to everyone else, meanwhile I’m eavesdropping on their conversations. Most mornings you’ll see people pull out a newspaper or a paperback novel while others pull out a pen and notebook. I saw one guy writing out intense math equations that I couldn’t understand and all I really wanted in that moment was to be inside his head. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?! WHAT DO THOSE NUMBERS MEAN?!

The other day an older woman sat across from me, she had salt-and-pepper hair and wore a long red skirt with brown stockings and brown loafers. She walked with a cane and when she sat down she rested both hands on it. Then she looked off into the distance and smiled. It looked as if she was remembering something, as if she was lost in her memories. That’s when I noticed a faded tattoo of a spider on her hand, in between her index finger and thumb. It was quite large with a black outline and red belly. I wondered how long she’s had it, why she got it, what it means to her. I wondered about the Story it represented. I wish I asked her about it…

As far as my internship went this week, I feel more confident when performing tasks and I’ve also headed home with a huge pile of books *heaven*. I attended and helped out at the Mount Pleasant launch – you may remember my review of the book. It was a great event and even with the crappy weather we had a wonderful turnout. This event was also held at the beautiful Ben McNally Books store, I’m obsessed with that place by the way. I also got to help out with an author lunch held in our offices, which meant putting my hospitality background to good use – cutting up fruit and veggies, setting up the boardroom, running errands, and cleaning up with my fellow intern. Is it odd that I LOVED it? I love being involved in these events!

Mount Pleasant Launch

Yes, the events are tiring but I’m telling you it’s worth it. Being a cog in the publishing machine is a great feeling – I’m helping a book get recognized. I’m a tiny part of a wonderful team that PUBLISHES BOOKS. How wicked-awesome is that? So far, I’m enjoying the entire experience. Sometimes I feel tired when I get up in the morning but by the time I get to the subway I’m pumped and excited to get into the office. And the commute downtown isn’t bad at all. I love being downtown (even when it’s raining). I literally bounce off the subway hoping that I’ll make it upstairs just in time to hear the church bells ring, in time to get a seat at Tim’s and enjoy my coffee before work.

It would seem that I enjoyed week 2 as much as I enjoyed week 1 and I did. Every day I see something new, I learn something new, I try something new, I see a new face, I walk down a new street. I’m not hibernating anymore, I’m living, breathing, exploring, and I cannot wait for week 3.

—

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

P.S How are you liking the new layout?

31Mar2013

Bursting the Bubble [New BLOG Series]

Posted in GTA, Just for Fun, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

I start a twelve-week publicity internship with Random House Canada tomorrow and I couldn’t be more excited!!!!!! <– notice that’s 6 exclamation points worth of excitement. I’m even more excited to share this experience with all of YOU. So, I’ve decided to start my very first blog series called Bursting the Bubble.

I know the whole little girl, big city blog is a little redundant nowadays but this is a huge step for me. It might only be a three-month chapter of my life but it’s a very important one. So, every Saturday for the next 12 weeks I will be posting my thoughts, challenges, and feelings about the 9-5 life of a publicity intern in one the greatest publishing houses in the world — with a one week break when I go to Vancouver.

If all goes as planned the first post of this series will go up on April 6th!

Until then, I’ll be blogging, working, and embracing this new (life) chapter that I’m about to write.

Wish me luck

—

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

19Mar2013

Toronto’s First Annual Buddy Walk

Posted in GTA by Vanessa Grillone

While it’s so easy to get wrapped up in my own life, blogging, reading, writing, scouring the INTERNET, creating, working etc. It’s even easier to forget about others, about supporting a great cause. I received an email from the wonderful Valerie at Charming Media about Toronto’s First Annual Buddy walk and I thought, what better way to start getting involved than spreading the word.

So here’s what you need to know:

The Buddy Walk is an event for the whole family that helps raise awareness of people with Down syndrome. All you have to do is put on your walking shoes and have some fun! Participating in the Buddy Walk is a way to give people with Down syndrome in Toronto a chance for a better future.

Participants are encouraged to raise funds and create teams using Peer to Peer fundraising campaigns, a simple way to raise funds.

What Can You Do?

There are various levels of participation:

1 – Join in the walk and make some new friends!

2 – Share information about the Buddy Walk amongst your communities, readerships and friends!

3 – Raise funds for a great cause

What is the Buddy Walk?

The Buddy Walk was started by the National Down Syndrome Society in New York City and has grown from 17 walks around the USA in 1995 to more than 300 around the world! The fact that this is Toronto’s first annual walk is a really big deal and a great feat!

All funds raised will go to the Down Syndrome Society of Toronto, supporting the associations various activities and support programs.

For more information you can check out their website or their Twitter account — @DSAToronto.

Don’t forget to spread the word!

–

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

6Mar2013

Let’s Fly Away — up to 50% on select Porter flights

Posted in GTA, Products and Brands, Travel by Vanessa Grillone

This morning a fantastic deal went live on Buytopia.ca.

Here’s how it works:

Click HERE
Click “BUY” to access this fantastic deal!
Use promo code “TOPIA” on flyporter.com
Make sure you book by March 11th for flights between April 1st, 2013 and June 26, 2013
PACK UP, LET’S FLY AWAY!

–

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

28Feb2013

Sometimes life likes to throw things at me

Posted in GTA, Just for Fun, Products and Brands, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

Sometimes life likes to throw things at me — like ceiling tiles, cars, and snow — and no I don’t mean any of those metaphorically. None of which hit me, they just missed. They got my blood pumping though, they woke me up, they scared the crap out of me (almost literally). After a near breakdown this morning I remembered my horoscope from yesterday: don’t give up or give in, even when the sky is falling.

–

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

P.S Stay tuned to my twitter account tonight, I get to be apart of the #ChickNDip conversation! I’ll be trying out organic nuggets from Yorkshire Valley Farms and dipping them into some amazing sauces!

25Feb2013

I love LOFTing (not loafting, although that’s cool too)

Posted in Fashion & Beauty, GTA, Just for Fun, Products and Brands, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

Yesterday I got to Party Like A LOFT Girl thanks to Valerie at Charming Media. It was my first time stepping into a LOFT store and only my second fashion event — I’m hoping to attend them more often, I’m learning so much about fashion and I’m finding my own style. You can read my recap on Chic Darling but here’s a sneak peek to hold you over!

Needless to say I had an awesome time, I took my best friend and I was happy to see that she was enjoying herself as well. We shopped, we mingled, then we went to grab a coffee — something we haven’t done in a few weeks. Gosh I missed my best friend, thanks for coming with me Katri! <3

This happened.

Apart from the lovely event I attended I was in one of those moods all weekend — you know those moods where anything can set you off, make you nervous, make your skin crawl with anger? I was the crabbiest person I’ve been in a while and I took it out on the wrong people.

<— And then this happened. My heart melted, puddles formed in my eyes, and I wondered why the heck have I been such a bitch this weekend? I can’t even tell you the answer to that. It might be nerves, it might be anxiety. Either way, I forgot about everything the second I bent down, reached behind my tire and picked up the five dollars that were hidden there.

*Cue goofy smile, guilty heart, and lifted soul.*

Note to self: don’t take out your sadness, fears, or frustrations on anyone — least of all the people who love you and think about you even when you’re being a bitch.

–

Love Always

Vanessa Xo

P.S Stay tuned this week for some FOODIE FUN! <3

20Feb2013

All I need is room enough to lay a hat and a few friends

Posted in Family Time, Just for Fun, Something A Little Personal by Vanessa Grillone

“All I need is room enough to lay a hat and a few friends.” – Dorothy Parker

I’m learning (slowly) that the best way to show someone you love them is to listen to them, to care about what they care about, to support them — even when listening means pretending to care about something you don’t really understand. Sometimes you need to let your crazy family member (ME) get excited about silly things and try to get excited about them too.

Thanks to all of those who do that for me (Jess, Mom, Dad, Joseph, Alex, Ash, Tia M, Sarrrahhh, Steven, Alanna Marie, Buddy, Katri etc.etc.). Thanks to those who try to understand what all of this “blogging” means or why I get excited over a new Twitter follower or why I jump around whenever I get invited to an event. Who smile when I receive a new book to review because you know that nothing makes me happier than a book waiting for me in the mailbox. Thanks to those who have to tell others that their friend/sister/daughter/niece/granddaughter/girlfriend is a Writer and feel a sense of pride when saying it — even though you’re pretty certain that I don’t really do much of anything but daydream .

I’m at a point in my life where YOUR support is the most detrimental.

I know who I am but I’m trying to be something great. I’m letting my passion guide me and comfort me but it would be a lot harder if I didn’t have your support.