Celebutante

OMG! What a fun weekend with the girls! First off, THANK YOU so much to everyone who donated to team Super Role Models for the City of Hope’s Underwear Affair, an event which raises money for cancer below the waist! Between Kim & I and YOU, we managed to raise $790 for the organization, YOU ROCK!

(L-R) Leslie, Shayy, & Me! (Shantelle!:)

Also, THANK YOU so much Carmen for attending the event! She’s a Super Role Model as well but isn’t in the photograph…love ya’!

To my surprise, this morning, Tom of LAist.com sent me this photo taken at the event, so sweet! Click here to read the article which features this photo!

On another note, last night was so much fun! I went to a reggae concert at the Hollywood Bowl! The event was completely sold out! Barrington Levy, Beres Hammond, and UB40 permormed, so much fun! It made me feel like I was right there in Jamaica all over again…great music….great vibes! Aahhh…it was pure bliss as I danced along to the music, it felt amazing!:) I was so excited when Beres Hammond performed “Rockaway“….OMG, loved it! I LOVE “Here I Come” by Barrington Levy, OMG! You can’t help but dance!! I left the event feeling very irie! Hahah!

Have a lovely day…it’s such a beautiful & sunny day out…I love it!!!:)

Tons of Love,
Shantelle!:)
www.Shantelle.net

“Leadership is based on a spiritual quality; the power to inspire, the power to inspire others to follow.”
-Vince Lombardi

And so I’ve just returned from spending some time on an island that I love…Jamaica, of course! On my flight I was entertained by the movie “Definitely, Maybe” as well as by the wonderful book “The Ten Best Days of My Life” by author Adena Halpern….which makes you think, while success and material possessions are wonderful, it’s true friends and family that makes life all the better! I am forever thankful, grateful, and blessed!!!

After numerous delays, one flight cancelled, and an overnight stay in Miami, I finally reached my destination, Montego Bay, airport that is, only to find out that my beloved, Diane Von Furstenberg luggage had been lost. Oh my! A bit panicked but remaining calm, I hopped into the car and headed an hour and a half to Negril and checked into the castle. Imagine that, I actually stayed in a castle with a great ocean view in a massive room which was royal and even a bit magical! The beautiful clear blue water and caves were absolutely unbelievable, completely amazing!

The scene was both peaceful and serene at once! I spent my days shopping for both clothing and toiletries, since my luggage had not been found until the third day, which I am completely grateful for the return!

I soaked up the sun on the beach each day, danced the nights away in both Negril as well as Montego Bay, and can you say jerk chicken and rice and peas almost every single day? I loved it!

I went on boat rides, spent time with the locals as well as met a few new faces, and braved a jet ski ride which was totally new for me.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a girlfriend of mine from New York flew down to hang out with me for a few days! What a surprise! She stayed in the upper tower room of the castle! We had a blast!

For some reason, I could not stop writing while in the castle! Maybe it was the bookshelf in my room which was lined with best-selling novels that inspired me? Who knows, however, I wrote every single chance I had and with fierce passion as if the pen had completely taken over…

With 299 photos taken and numerous video clips of the beautiful island, the memories are endless….until I return to reign as Queen of the castle! Haha!!;)

Have a lovely day…I’m off to the Hollywood Book Festival at The Grove…should be another fun day…shopping combined with a book festival all in one place…I love it!:)

Tons of Love,

Shantelle!;)
www.Shantelle.net
www.SuperRoleModels.com

P.S. I’m currently reading Cheap Diamonds: A Novel, The Big Butts of Life, & rereading Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles ! Oh how I love books…I love how they have the ability to entertain, motivate, inspire, as well as transform lives..I LOVE it!!!!

Friday morning was spent typing away. “In the late afternoon, as I was describing a scene, something from within beckoned me to call him. While he calls me on a regular basis, this time I felt compelled. While millions of miles away, he suddenly felt so close. The memory felt so intense and the moment I heard his voice, I knew I had made the right choice.”

Lately, instead of actually watching the movies from my dvd collection, I’ve been checking out the special features, it just seems so much more interesting to me.

Whether it’s hearing a Q&A with the talented and very funny writers of Sex & the City, listening to a candid interview with the director of Amelie, or watching both the director and writer speak about transforming the novel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants into a movie, I simply can’t get enough. Is it possible that, while the spotlight can be intoxicating, it is going behind the scenes that steals the show?

I have also been reading anything and everything lately, of interest of course! From the biographies of authors to fun and smart novels, magazine articles to The New York Times. I read a wonderful article on Eudora Welty! The writer described the author’s work as:

“She was born a writer, and could do nothing else but write. Her art is spontaneous, and of a poetic quality which values the necessity of form by instinct.”

“Her descriptions of people and things never remain mere observations,but become, as it were, part of a deeper law and meaning, not through conscious symbolism or abstraction, but merely, because they are so completely seen and felt. There is in some of her stories an almost surrealistic note, an intimate of dream and reality…”

I swear I have really awakened the creativity within me and the law of attraction has magnetically put like minded individuals all around me. Friday evening at dinner, there was a charming Actor sitting to my left, across the table was a Director whose film title could easily describe my girlfriends & I, and to the right of me was a Photographer whose high fashion photography is so on point that it makes me want to model again…but only for a quick second!;)

As the evening was coming to an end, I received a text from a friend, whom I first met while participating in a Canonball Run type event, a sort of wild but legal cross country car race with the most expensive cars in the world. It’s where I first fell in love…with the Rolls-Royce Phantom of course and just knew I had to have one. He is having a huge birthday bash at his place next weekend… time to mark my calendar!

While saying goodbye to all of the dinner guests, we all decided to go to karaoke, well at least ten of us. Does this explain how I finally got home and into bed at such a late hour…oh my social commitments…I wouldn’t trade them for the world!

Have a lovely day!
Tons of Love,
Shantelle!:)
www.Shantelle.net

“I just do not hang around anybody that I don’t want to be with. Period. For me, that’s been a blessing, and I can stay positive. I hang around people who are happy, who are growing, who want to learn, who don’t mind saying sorry or thank you…and [are] having a fun time.”
-John Assaraf

Yesterday was brilliant! I spent the morning typing away. I find that whenever I’m working on a book, I always write it out on paper first, recycled of course, and then I type it out. It’s just my style. While taking a break I received a phone call from my friend in Jamaica, total sweetheart. He was one of the friendly gentlemen from Kingston who showed me around a bit while I was in Negril in February. Thanks D, I appreciate it greatly…will have to introduce him to one of my friends when I return. Forty five minutes later, before the conversation ends, he mentions the one phrase guys keep telling me and I’m still clueless about “You’re Trouble!” What and Why? I can only be me and if that’s trouble, oh my!

On another note, I spent the rest of the day in Malibu with a wonderful friend as we drove up the coast! It was such a beautiful day…sunny, refreshing, and just delightful. He’s so intelligent. A man of exquisite taste and impeccable manners. I adore smart men. It’s nice just chatting with him because he’s such a plethora of information, plus he has a really cute accent. He’s from Wales. I always learn something new. We chatted about my love for men in sports coats and men in suits, Jane Austen, tailors and custom-made clothing, travels, why guys do not like to be called “nice” and the dating book I’m working on…and other fun stuff!

Lunch was fabulous at Geoffrey’s in Malibu and the view was incredible! I started off with Jumbo Coconut Shrimp with tomato chutney and Asian plum sauce. Then I had chicken Picatta with sautèed vegetables, mashed potatoes and a lemon caper butter sauce followed by a kiss on the beach, the drink of course! The “kiss on the beach” was the best drink I’ve had in a while, so perfect for me…light and breezy!

Afterwards we headed to Larchmont for coffee. Well, I had hot chocolate instead, followed by a croissant. I have totally fallen in love with croissants lately. I have always loved bread, but my cravings have suddenly increased for pastries. In fact, early last week, a friend took me to Paris Baguette and I was in pastry heaven.

Oh my goodness, I enjoyed every minute of every mouthwatering bite of each pastry I had…so delicious!

I headed home and after a nice refreshing coconut fragranced shower, I took a nap and I was off to dreamland….zzzz

Tonight it’s off to dinner at an Indian restaurant with the girls…whatever shall I wear?

Much Love,
Shantelle!
www.Shantelle.net

Well Hello There & Happy Tuesday!:)

So many wonderful things have been going on lately:

**I received a singing telegram…all the way from India… imagine that!

**I have temporarily been distracted from chocolate and fallen in love with fruit…I can’t get enough of it….thinly sliced pieces of watermelon, oranges, cantaloupe, melon, pineapple, mango, and coconut with a dash of salt, two limes, and chili pepper…it’s my new addiction, so mouthwatering yummy!

**I’ve had great meetings, OMG, so many new things are brewing up!

**I have completed the first draft of my second book, woohoo! As you know, my first book was completely motivational! The second book could easily be titled “Pain, Romance, Craziness, & Bliss!” I love it! It’s my first NOVEL, fiction of course! I have already started working on a third book with two fabulous & very beautiful girlfriends of mine on dating….it’s hilarious!LOL! Then while searching through my wardrobe I came up with an idea for a fourth book, so I’ve starting working on this as well! Busy bee, yeah that’s me! I am constantly inspired by people as well as things around me!

It’s so crazy! Sometimes I wake up out of my sleep just to jot down ideas I have for books! My mind is always focused on writing, it’s clearly my passion and I can’t get enough of it! I also re-read “Smart Girls Like Me!” I swear that book cracks me up every time! Diane Vadino, the author, rocks! Her main character Betsy tells it like it is and I love it! Funny paragraph from the book, a couple’s wedding vows:
_____________________________________________________________________
“I promise to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and I expect you to love me all the time, no matter what. I’ll kill you if you ever betray me, and you can kill me if I ever betray you. I promise to always believe in you and your band and never make you get a job you hate. Plus I want my own dog, and a pickup truck. That’s it.” _______________________________________________________________________

Hahah, sounds like wedding bliss to me…minus the pickup truck!LOL!:)

Dictionary.com Word of the Day, which I receive on the daily:
raconteur \rack-on-TUR\, noun:
One who excels in telling stories and anecdotes.

Life is beautiful….I am forever Thankful, Grateful, & Blessed! Wishing you a truly beautiful day!;)

Tons of Love,
Shantelle!
www.Shantelle.net

“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things! When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success!”
- Norman Vincent Peale

As a cd titled “Absolute Relaxation” plays in the background …I’m sipping on Red Bull as five sweet scented candles sparkle next to me as I type away! What a way to start the morning as I update you on my weekend!:)

(L-R) Leslie and Me at her b-day celebration, fun!
My weekend was a whirlwind of fun! Friday night we celebrated the birthday of a fabulous friend Leslie at a lounge in Santa Monica, VIP style of course, center stage in fact! The Law of Attraction worked all night long sending gentlemen to our booth, hahah…tons of fun! Great music, fun people, and the drinks flowing all night long, it was perfect! When the clock struck midnight we presented Leslie with a cake filled with candles as we sang Happy Birthday, such a fun evening! How is it possible that I finally got to bed at 5am? Oh my!LOL!

Early Saturday morning I received an invitation to Book Expo America at the L.A. Convention Center! I immediately got dressed, filled with excitement like a kid on her way to Disneyland!

I arrived and was greeted at the door with an all weekend pass & floated from booth to booth with the biggest smile on my face! There’s something about being surrounded with so many other authors and books that just makes my day! I was very excited, feeling very thankful & grateful! I felt so at home at the Expo…and kept heading back to both HarperCollins & the E Harlequin Romance booths…hmmm ?

Somehow I was attracted to booths which had the name chocolate in the titles!LOL! While I was there to interact with publishers, authors, and bookstore owners, somehow the Law of Attraction sent photographers who were working on books and talent managers my way…how did that happen? Did the Model in me outshine the Author? Or is it possible that both brains and beauty were interacting to create the best form of the Law of Attraction?

Saturday Evening: Did someone say Thai for dinner and shopping at The Grove for Leslie’s birthday? You bet…after all, girls just want to have fun!!!

Sunday morning I headed back to the Convention Center to hear a really cool author speak, Dean Koontz of course! What a fun day!

It was amazing to hear how he became an author, tips on writing, and the wonderful people who supported him throughout his journey! He was a delight to hear, plus he was super funny as he was interviewed on stage! I left feeling inspired and motivated even more to continue working on my 3 book projects! We took a photo together and I received an autographed copy of his new book, score!

Imagine meeting someone who has sold over 230 million copies of his books, following his passion along the way…what an inspiration…I love the feeling!

Have a beautiful day! As I always say, follow your dreams…follow your bliss…continue doing things that make “YOU” happy and wonderful things will be headed your way along the adventure of life! Off to a meeting today…sooo excited!:)

Tons of Love,
Shantelle!
www.Shantelle.net

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four c’s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of these is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably. ”
- Walt Disney