I’m back! I got home yesterday evening from RWA, and am still a bit stunned and zombie-fied, so I’m afraid this won’t be a very in-depth post. π (Look for more info next week!). This was a very fun, upbeat conference–I would rate the Marriott Wardman Park above average for conference hotels (especially for its nice neighborhood with such a plethora of good restaurants!), and the conference attendees get a gold star for fun conversation and the best parties EVER. A few highlights:
The Beau Monde Soiree! (The costumes were gorgeous, and I enjoyed the dancing–watching, anyway. My hoops were too heavy and my shoes too pointy-toed to participate. In these pics I’m with Megan, and Keira Soleore and Michelle Willingham, who looked gorgeous in her Josephine-style gown. And our own Louisa won the Royal Ascot!!)
The Harlequin Party (of course! In these pics I’m with a bunch of people–Andrea Pickens, Diane, Deb Marlowe, Michelle W. and Elizabeth Mahon of the Scandalous Women blog, and with my Grand Central Publishing editor Alex Logan, who gave a thumbs-up to the dessert selection. The third pic is Michelle W. and her husband, who were totally The Cuteness Couple at the party…)
The post-awards ceremony! (The disgustingly tall woman is my Harlequin editor Joanne Grant, and of course you know Megan by her lovely vintage gown. One day she will wake up and find I’ve snuck into her house and stolen those dresses away since she once made the mistake of showing me where she keeps them)
And I even got to play tourist for a day, which I usually don’t at conference! On Sunday I hit the Mall with Keira, Regina Scott, and Marissa Doyle. I saw the American History museum (including these gowns once worn by Martha Washington and Dolley Madison) and briefly ran through the American Indian building, which was gorgeous (I’m determined to go back there next time). We had a fabulous dinner, too, handmade pasta, calamari, and tiramisu, yum!
I have to admit, though, the highlight of the conference was doughnuts, cocktails, and True Blood. Megan and Carolyn, you are superlative hostesses and I hope the neighbors didn’t call the front desk on you. (I even got to catch the new episode on Sunday as I packed, and there was a bit more Eric than usual, yay! We even glimpsed his Viking days…)
And major congrats to Pam Rosenthal on your much, much deserved RITA win! If you haven’t yet read this fun, literate, sexy book, run out and get it right now.
In short, it was a fabulous time. It’s always hard to get to the end of RWA, say good-bye to everyone, and find myself back here doing laundry, trying to get my Pug to take her eardrops, and actually writing rather than just talking about writing. There will be more info later–just as soon as I take a nap…
I love looking at old clothing. In fact I hate the movie Titanic because the director used actual Victorian pieces and not costumes and by keeping them in water for so long he actually ruined them. So we have very few clothes from that time period left because of that stupid movie. Box office gold does not give you a good reason to be a bad preservationist. I’m just saying.
Thanks for sharing Amanda. Your pink costume…what era is that?
Loved the photos!
I’m glad you got home safe and sound, Amanda.
Oh, what fun, fun photos! You, Keira and Michelle looked so lovely at the Beau Monde soiree.
And Doughnut Party was the highlight for me, as well.
Thanks for posting these, Amanda!
I’ve loved the tweets and blogs and pix. Thanks so much for keeping those of us at home tantalized. Next year in Nashville!
First, yeah and congrats! π Second, just love all the pictures, and totally looked like fun!!! π
Lois
Fabulous pictures! It looks like it was fun. Sleep! π
“Your pink costume…what era is that?”
Around 1770s/early ’80s–it’s really more a costume than a strict historical recreation, though. My awesome mom made it. π
Megan, you do know we’re going to expect donuts every year now, right???
Ammanda, you have an amazing wardrobe that is just perfect for you, too. I loved rooming with you and Andrea Pickens.
And I’m truly not as disgruntled about posing in front of the Capitol as I look in that picture. I look like I was having some internal issues.
Glad to hear Victoria’s doing better.
Diane, commented on your blog, too.
“And I’m truly not as disgruntled about posing in front of the Capitol as I look in that picture.”
LOL! I can testify that Keira was not at all disgruntled that day–I just took that pic while everyone had the sun in their eyes. π It was a fun day!
Amanda, why not have a Regency gown? I really want one, but I feel like I need a long sleeved one. I feel Jane would not wear a short-sleeved one.
http://z.hubpages.com/u/1134089_f520.jpg
Like I feel Jane would wear the second one and not the first one although everyone thinks people would relate more to the first one.
What do you guys think? I’d do either in a blush pink color since my dark hair and fair skin look quite nice in it.
And at the risk of sounding like a complete ingenue, what exactly is RWA? I’m new to the romance genre. I’d love an explanation. Remember I have been dead for the past 200 some years π
Jane, romance is the genre that we all like to say you grandmothered. RWA is the Romance Writers of America whose membership all vouches for having read at least one of your books. Not a bad rep for one who has been dead for 200 years.
What great photos, Amanda! Everyone looks so lovely. And your gown was the hit of the Soiree! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time and I REALLY need to get the first season of True Blood!
The conference was SO much fun and I miss everyone already!
JA, here is the link to the RWA site: http://www.rwanational.org/ Keira’s explanation is just right. π And I have Regency gowns–at least 6 of them, plus a redingote, a spencer, and hats. I also have an 18th century man’s suit, two Tudor ensembles, an 1880s bustle dress, and a Civil War ballgown. I’m ready for any time travel eventuality, LOL!
“and I REALLY need to get the first season of True Blood!”
Louisa, you definitely need to!!!
Great photos, Amanda! It was a great conference, wasn’t it?
And I have to say, one of the best parts of coming home was sending the kids off to bed and settling down to watch True Blood with the dh. π Oh, that Erik! Love him more all the time! He was such a wonderfully smart alecky Viking! π
“He was such a wonderfully smart alecky Viking!”
LOL! I did love it when they were talking about Valhalla and he smirked and said “Wherever I am, there will be women.” (most of them romance authors, I’m sure…) π
It was so great to see you at RWA, Deb! You looked great!
Thanks for all these pics. What a fun time and you all looks so lovely all dressed up.
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Thanks for sharing the photos, Ammanda. Love all the outfits, from the historical costumes to Megan’s vintage gowns. π
What lovely pics, Amanda! And what a great time it sounds like you all had….I’m sorry I missed it!
So loved your gown Amanda! Great pictures too. π
What a wonderful time everyone seemed to have! Wish I could go to the RWA’s. π
BTW, Amanda, you have to have two of the most gorgeous editors ever.