Riley Costello's Blog, page 5

My Favorite Reads of 2018

2018 was a big year for me as a writer. After ten years of writing, revising, and pitching my story, my first novel, Waiting at Hayden’s, was finally published! I want to thank and every person who supported the book–whether by attending one of my launch parties, reading the story, sharing it with a friend, […]

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My Favorite Places to Write (And Eat) In Charleston

For the longest time I had to write on the second story of a building. I have LITERALLY no idea why, but most authors can’t seem to explain their bizarre writing habits. Dan Brown apparently puts on gravity boots and hangs upside down to help him with his focus on his stories. Truman Capote had […]

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Tips for Hosting the Happiest Holiday Happy Hour

When I decide to research something, I really like to commit! Thankfully, last week’s research wasn’t hard to commit to. In fact, I may have poured myself a bit too much into it the research (or rather, been poured a bit too much). I visited my favorite restaurant in Newport Beach, Modo Mio, and sampled […]

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Cameron Diaz’s Outfits From The Holiday Recreated

This past weekend I channeled my inner-Cameron Diaz in The Holiday—my favorite Christmas movie of all time!  I love everything about this film—the idea that swapping homes with a complete stranger might completely change your life, the spontaneous way Amanda and Iris book their plane tickets to make the switch, the quaint, charming snow-covered town of […]

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Learning From Love Actually: Embrace Vulnerability

One of my favorite scenes in Love Actually is when Mark (Andrew Lincoln) brings cue cards over to Juliet (Keira Knightly’s) character’s house and confesses how he feels about her on her doorstep. Is it wrong? Most would probably say so. She’s married to his best friend. But it’s brutally honest. And as I was watching […]

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How Learning to Act Can Help You Find Yourself: An Interview with Portland-Based Acting Coach Karen Lavoie (& Exclusive Offer!)

When I decided I wanted to bring seven scenes from Waiting at Hayden’s to life so readers could watch all the key moments in the book unfold, one of the first things I did was reach out to Portland based acting coach, Karen Lavoie, to see if she had any students she could put me in […]

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Gifts To Get The Book Lover On Your List

The book lover on your list can be one of the trickiest people to shop for—up there with that relative you haven’t talked to in years or that person you just started dating.  While the obvious gift—a novel—might be the first thing that comes to mind, when someone reads several books a week odds are […]

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Your Guide To Holiday Festivities In Newport Beach (& Holiday Dresses For Cheap!)

Growing up, my family did something festive every day in December to celebrate the holidays. My mom pinned a homemade advent calendar up on the wall in the living room and each day there was a Christmas activity for all of us to do. Most days the activities were simple like pulling out all the […]

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What To Bring For Thanksgiving When You Can’t Cook Anything

In my house I avoid the kitchen the way most people avoid their nice, fancy dining rooms with expensive china; the light is rarely on and if the floor were carpeted, you would only see footprints near the cabinet where I keep my cheese plate boards and cocktail shaker. I’m not sure if I can’t […]

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How to Date On a Budget (and why it’s more romantic to!)

A while back I spoke with a guy who said he’s not dating because it’s too expensive. “It’s not the same for women,” he said. “You just have to show up and everything’s paid for.” His first point was valid. In Orange County a cocktail alone can cost upwards of $18 and a ticket to […]

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