Aimee Agresti's Blog, page 3

ILLUMINATE: Lithuanian Edition!

Woo hoo! So excited to have ILLUMINATE–I mean, NUSVITUSIOJI–hitting the shelves in Lithuania!!

Hanging with the Mason Mustangs!

The best way to spend a Friday morning? Hanging out with a group of lovely and talented writing students at George Mason High School in Virginia, of course! Not only did I have a total blast talking books with these guys and hearing about all the great writing projects they’ve got in the works, but I was also incredibly touched by the breakfast reception they hosted for me. (Those homemade snickerdoodles were to die for!) Thank you to the Mason Mustangs and fabulous librarians Kesha Legagneur and Jenny Carroll for having me!

 

Bethesda Literary Festival!

One of the best things about spring? The Bethesda Literary Festival! And I was so excited to get to be part of this year’s festivities. I had a blast chatting with readers and signing books at the Local Author Meet & Greet at the Bethesda Barnes and Noble yesterday! Among the other highlights for me: Talking fave area eateries with Washington Post food editor Bonnie Benwick (author of THE WASHINGTON POST COOKBOOK–which looks delish!); listening to adorable Broadway star Henry Hodges cover Alex Clare’s “Too Close” on ukulele (this guy is awesome, check out his memoir HOW TO ACT LIKE A KID); and seeing my 9th-grade English teacher who popped by to surprise me!

My INFATUATE Soundtrack!

If you’re reading INFATUATE (thank you!) and looking for the perfect tunes to accompany the book, you’re in luck: check out my Spotify playlist here!! Just like with ILLUMINATE’s soundtrack, I think I spent as long finding the perfect songs as I did actually writing the book. (I take my music seriously, what can I say?!) Happy listening!

 

 

 

Meet INFATUATE’s Cover Girl!

I must admit, I think I’ve got two of the most fabulous book covers around. And I can’t tell you how many times I’m asked, “Who is that gorgeous girl on the cover of ILLUMINATE and INFATUATE?!” So I thought it was about time I introduced you to the lovely Marta Pozzan! A native of Vicenza, Italy, Marta was on staff at the Italian edition of Vanity Fair before she moved to L.A. to become a model, actress and fashion blogger. (Check out her style savvy blog ItsSuperFashion.com!) I’m so lucky to have this rising star gracing my book covers! Here’s my interview with Marta:

Tell us about your time at Vanity Fair–that sounds like a dream job!

Working for Silvia Paoli, then Fashion Editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair Italy, was one of the best experiences ever. Besides having her column in Vanity Fair, Silvia was also involved in the direction of Lost In Fashion, a blog named after her book. I have not only been a fashion editor on her staff, but also the host of the fashion newscast “Fashion Nuts.” I wrote articles about accessories, new collections and the latest runway looks. But the best part was Milan fashion week. During that time, I hosted news specials and interviewed fashion designers and personalities such as Elio Fiorucci, Tom Notte and Bart Vandebosch, and Thom Browne.

When did you know you wanted to go into modeling and acting?

When I started hosting “Fashion Nuts.” That was my very first time working in front of the camera, except for some other little modeling jobs I did before. I had the chance to work as a television journalist and I loved it. I’ve never thought I could be good at that but it turned out I wasn’t bad at all. After that, I decided that I wanted to study acting and I came to L.A. So far it’s been an amazing journey and I’m very grateful for meeting people that believed in me and helped me grow professionally and as a person.

What have been some of your favorite experiences since moving to L.A.?

One of them is for sure being the cover girl of your books! I’m really happy that I had this opportunity and that I met you, such an amazing woman and writer. (Ed. Note: Awww, how sweet is Marta?!! Love her!) I really enjoyed working with StyleCaster and Sebastian Professional in September 2011 when I won the contest “Infinite Possibilities,” featured in NYLON magazine. I’ve also met great blogger/model girlfriends (Gisele and Rachel) after participating at Beauty Vlogger Boot Camp, a web TV show aired on U Look Haute, and hosted by popular beauty vloggers Elle & Blair Fowler. Another great experience was when I met my mentors and supporters, Jaime King and Kyle Newman. I’m so blessed to have them in my life. Another thing that I love about living in California is that you can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world just by taking your car and driving around. My favorite is Big Sur, best ocean view!

Who are the models and actors who inspire you the most?

I am very inspired by Natalie Portman, Rooney Mara and Keira Knightley. They’re extremely elegant and talented, a bit mysterious as well and I always adore the characters that they get to play. Among the models I love are Arizona Muse, Karlie Kloss, Bette Franke and Hilary Rhoda. They’re all so graceful.

What are you working on now?

Besides working on my blog and constantly shooting different projects, I’m developing  a web series that will live both on my website and on a web channel. Can’t say more but it’s very exciting!

Tell us about your amazing fashion blog!

Just after working as a fashion editor for Silvia Paoli’s blog and for Jaime King’s blog for the Huffington Post (Jaime’s Picks), I said to myself: I love it so much, I think I should start my own blog. And I did, in 2011, less than a year ago. It’s called It’s Super Fashion.com, and it’s where I share my sense of fashion by styling outfits that combine my European roots with my American life. I don’t just have an unconditional love for fashion but for art as well. I’m developing an “Art” section with Q&As with designers and artists, features on exhibitions and openings. It isn’t a street style blog but more editorial since for every shoot I’m creating a short story where the clothes and the outfits serve the aim of telling an idea, a concept or a certain point of view

How would you describe your personal style? 

My style is edgy and urban but very elegant and sophisticated at the same time. When I pick my outfits I feel like I want to be as graceful and timeless as a ballet dancer or an old Hollywood diva but then I also love to express my creativity through more fashion-forward styles, with statement accessories and unexpected matches. One day I remember a middle-aged lady at a charity event told me, ‘Wow, you’re so NOW!’ and I guess that’s how I’d always like my style to be.

You’re a great reader and always have wonderful book recommendations, what’s your favorite book? What are you reading now?

My favorite contemporary book is “The Solitude of Prime Numbers” by Paolo Giordano, an Italian writer whose book became a worldwide best-seller for his extremely tasteful way of writing about issues that are everything but easy to deal with. My favorite classic book is “Death in Venice” by Thomas Mann. I remember crying so much while reading that book. I felt so related to the way the writer described beauty and art. Right now I’m reading “Cattelan, Maurizio – Autobiographie non autorisée” by Francesco Bonami. Maurizio Cattelan is one of my favorite contemporary artists and reading about his life and his works inspires my work a lot.

Thank you so much, Marta! Keep in touch with Marta on Twitter at @martapozzan!

Hello, Bethesda!

I was so excited to pop over to the Barnes & Noble in Bethesda, Maryland, last night for an INFATUATE signing! Not only was it super-thrilling to see these awesome posters around the store (yep, I totally stole one!) but since I grew up in a neighboring town, it felt  like home to be there. Thanks to all who came by to say hi, chat about the GILDED WINGS TRILOGY and sample the yummy Georgetown Cupcakes I brought!

And if you missed it, never fear: I’m happy to report that I’ll be back at the Bethesda B&N for a meet and greet during the Bethesda Literary Festival on April 21 at 11am! Stay tuned for details and hope to see you there!

Hello, New Orleans! Part Two…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop on the NOLA tour? A signing at fantastic Octavia Books! Thanks to all who popped by to see me (including a couple of old pals and a student from Taylor!) Octavia is one of those cozy, wonderful shops you just never want to leave….and, I must admit, we stayed chatting until they finally had to shoo us out and close up for the night. Thanks for having me, guys!

The trip was speedy, but before skipping town I did manage a little bit of sightseeing in the French Quarter: I just had to hit Royal Street to see, once again, where Haven and her pals live in INFATUATE….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…And, of course, that haunted house next door. Love it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello, New Orleans! Part One…

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Clearly I LOVE the Big Easy–I set my book there!–so I was SO excited to get to head down to NOLA to take my INFATUATE celebration on the road. First stop: Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy! I had the best time sharing scoop about my writing process (and my celeb reporter past!) at a talk for 7th and 8th graders. (Check out a slideshow here and more scoop here!) Thanks to all you Taylor Tigers for making me feel so welcome (just look at that awesome sign that greeted me!) and for asking such great questions. And, of course, a huge thanks to fabulous librarian Elizabeth Kahn for having me…and for making the school library the best hangout ever!

 

 

 

 

 

INFATUATE Launch Party!

The best thing about having INFATUATE on shelves now? Getting to celebrate its launch with readers! Thanks to all who came out to fabulous One More Page Books in Arlington to party with me! Since the book is set in New Orleans, the bash featured loads of cajun fare (we nibbled on crawfish mac ‘n’ cheese, jambalaya and beignets from delish eatery Chasin’ Tails) and Mardi Gras flair (beads and masks were in abundance!) And, of course, I just couldn’t resist wearing a purple dress to match my book cover! Thanks to One More Page and all of you for making my launch such a blast! (Photos by Ilze Sabule)

 

 

 

 

INFATUATE is out today!

INFATUATE hits shelves today! Hurrah! Did you get your copy? Fabulous! If you’d like a signed bookplate to go along with it, just shoot your address to me at aimee@aimeeagresti.com and I’ll pop one in the mail! Stay tuned for giveaways, events and more!