Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Walking barefoot with Rachel Berstche....plus a book giveaway

I don't follow celebrities all that much.  Lately I feel like I'm barely keeping up with my own life, let alone the lives of ... well, I couldn't even tell you who the latest and greatest celebs are as of recently.  I leave that up to my friends to post on Facebook, and from time-to-time I'll click on a post to get a dose of celebrity gossip.  Unlike me, today's CLC guest is so focused on celebrities that she spent time trying to live like them to see if fame truly does bring true happiness.

Late last year, I reviewed Rachel Berstshe's book, MWF Seeking BFF. Today, I have the privilege of giving our readers a chance to get to know her better.  Rachel is a Chicago native who, in addition to her books, has written for a variety of publication including: New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, More, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Fitness, Women's Health, New York, Huffington Post and CNN.com.  She was also a former producer for Oprah.com and an editor at O, The Oprah Magazine.

We are thrilled to have Rachel join us today to kick off our "Summertime Fun" theme, and thanks to Random House we're celebrating her visit by giving away FIVE copies of her recently released memoir, Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me: The Pursuit of Happiness, One Celebrity at a Time, to some lucky US readers!

Synopsis:
What woman hasn’t seen pictures of Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Beyoncé and wished she had their clothes, their abs, their seemingly flawless lives? For Rachel Bertsche, these celebrities are the epitome of perfection—self-assured and effortlessly cool. Yet lately, between juggling her career, her marriage, and her dream of becoming a mother, Bertsche feels anything but put together.

In Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me, Bertsche embarks on a quest to emulate her Hollywood role models—while sticking to a budget—to see if they really hold the keys to happiness. While trying to unlock the stars’ secrets, from Sarah Jessica Parker’s wardrobe to Julia Roberts’s sense of calm to—maybe one day—Jessica Alba’s chic pregnancy, Bertsche learns valuable lessons. A toned body doesn’t come easy or cheap, avoiding social media can do wonders for your peace of mind, and confidence is the key to pulling off any outfit. But can she immerse herself in the A-list lifestyle and still stay true to herself? And will her pursuit of perfection really lead to happiness? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Visit Rachel at her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Favorite summertime tradition: 
Our annual trip to Cape Cod for July 4th. My mother-in-law lives on the Cape and every year we travel there for the holiday weekend, with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and my two nephews. We eat lobster and grilled corn and I do nothing but go for outdoor runs and read books on the porch. That weekend feels like summer in a way the season hasn't since I was a kid.

Of all the summer memories you have as a child, which sticks out most?
Summer camp! I went to camp for eight weeks for nine summers -- from when I was 8 years old to 16 years old. I'm still a little bit obsessed with camp. If they'd let me, I'd still be going back.

When I think of summer, the first thing that pops into my mind is:
Camp, again, or that July 4 trip. To me, summer is about reading, relaxing and spending time with the people you love, so the vacations and experiences shape the season for me.

What song reminds you of summertime and why?
The first song that pops into my head is "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, which speaks to my love of all things 1990s.

One of my summertime guilty pleasures is: 
This isn't that guilty, but I love nothing more than walking barefoot through grass in the summertime. I just love, love, love the way it feels on my feet and makes me feel like a kid again. Also, white wine, Stacy's pita chips, and cheese.

Favorite summer outfit:
Sundress! I wait nine long months for the sundress.



Thanks to Rachel for chatting with us and Random House for sharing her book with our readers!

~Introduction and interview by Tracey Meyers

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US only. Giveaway ends July 6th at midnight EST.

41 comments:

Janine said...

I don't know what we will be doing on the 4th. It's supposed to start raining tonight and we have chances for more all the way through Friday. We watched fireworks last Friday night in the town next to us.

TinaB said...

We're spending the weekend at the lake with friends!

Unknown said...

Watching fireworks with my family...bar b q with the in-laws...just chilling. :)

susieqlaw said...

Celebrating the 4th of July and 4 family 4th of July birthdays!

rhonda said...

Annual street barbecue so much fun,

Mary Mac said...

I will be working Friday thru Sunday this weekend but will enjoy all of next week off.

Robin Driscoll said...

Just BBQ at home with immediate family, reading and relaxing.

Kimberly V said...

This book sounds right up my alley. Just a backyard cookout with family for me this 4th.

Suzanne said...

Headed to KC to celebrate our son's best friend's Bar-Mitzvah!!

Bridget T. said...

Grilling and fireworks.

Unknown said...

I'll be enjoying the extra day off from work watching movies with family, trying to catch up on some reading, and grilling dinner.

jpetroroy said...

Cookout!

JJT said...

Manhattan!

Sheena said...


Unfortunately I have to work all day:(

Tami said...

I am working but afterwards I'd like to sit on the deck and enjoy a frosty beverage and a good book!

Nina B said...

Yay for Rachel's new book! This year for the 4th it's parade + time at the in-law's cabin + fireworks.

Unknown said...

We will be staying home and grilling a traditional 4th of July meal. There is a parade in the morning that we will attend and fireworks we can watch from our patio with friends.

Melanie Backus said...

On Friday, we will be spending our time with family having hotdogs and banana pudding for dessert. We will take in a local fireworks show later in the evening. A great time will be had by all.

mauback55 at gmail dot com

jennifer.essad said...

we're staying home and having a family bbq

Lisamarie said...

We are celebrating with our entire family! First time in like 5yrs...usually were all going in different directions but now that our kids are older we are in one spot plus my niece is coming home from Taiwan!

jodi marinich said...

hanging out with my family

Carl Scott said...

I'll be chillin' on the 4th. Waiting for guests to arrive probably do a little grilling too. Thanks

Anita Yancey said...

We will probably just go to see the fireworks. Thanks for having the giveaway.

Mary Jo Burke said...

Read, my kids have to work.

rubynreba said...

Watch fireworks and relax!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Linda Kish said...

I watch fireworks on TV...way less crowded.

pascale said...

We are relaxing and spending time together: kids will be with friends!

bn100 said...

maybe a BBQ

Viv V. said...

This 4th, I am just going to be relaxing and reading in the warm sunshine with my best friend and service dog, Bliss (a black lab who is a greater sun-worshipper than I am!).

Angel Wells said...

I have to work on the 4th so not much for me😢

AiringMyLaundry said...

We are going to a little fair type thing for the 4th of July.

Rosita said...

Just hanging out with the family!

Margie said...

We'll be grilling and watching fireworks somewhere.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Patricia said...

Spending time with our family ---

winemama said...

a cookout with my family at the park

Nova said...

We are going to be going over to a friend's house for a cook-out. So it will be fun, food, friends & family.

Unknown said...

Going to a neighborhood BBQ Thursday night (tonight), then going to the city carnival tomorrow and watching the fireworks tomorrow night!

Unknown said...

We had a very quiet 4th, just a small family cook out. Need to up it up a couple notches next year!

Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

We hang out in Door County Wisconsin for the 4th!

Jeryl M. said...

We had friends over for a barbeque.

Anonymous said...

Recovering from a double hernia surgery! Gawds!