MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Here are some more answers to your questions. I still have a lot to get to, but I will try to get to as many as I can! I hope you enjoy asking questions and getting to know me better this way. I think it has been a lot of fun. Thank you for all the great questions! Keep reading for more reader profiles and answers soon... and follow me on twitter if you don't already!

Questions from Terry Wilson from Seattle:

What do you consider to be your proudest accomplishment?

I would have to say my proudest accomplishment in my life so far was getting my book deal with Harper Collins. I sort of fell into writing and created this character that I loved and when other people loved her too, I was very proud. Now, that I have been stuck in re-write hell for so long I have lost some of that excitement and passion for my writing, but I am still proud of the accomplishment. I am also extremely proud to be making this business idea into reality. My friend and partner Mary and I had talked about it for a long time and I just decided to dig deep inside me and find the courage to go for it. Now, that it is coming together, I am really proud of myself. It is scary and at times overwhelming, but I’m going for it and I’m proud of that!

Questions from Mark Connolly:

What was it like growing up in New York City and then moving to Greenwich, CT? (If it isn’t too personal, I would love to hear a little bit about what it was like growing up at your family estate in CT. It sounds like a really cool place with a very rich history.)

I am very lucky and happy that my mother raised us on the East Coast. I love LA, but I think for celebrity children it is so important to grow up and build a foundation outside of Hollywood. We lived in NYC and Europe most of my youth and both are full of culture, which I feel fortunate to have been exposed to. I was able to experience the world at a young age and grow into an independent, strong woman with my own identity separate from being Diana Ross’s daughter. We moved around a lot when I was young, but eventually settled in Connecticut where I finished high school. The town is snooty and exactly what you would think about a gated community in an affluent community, but I was able to find my niche and I still keep in touch with those friends today. All of my greatest family memories are from that CT house, it was a great home to be a kid and perfect for family!

It has a big yard, tennis court, trampoline, pool and yes the rumors are true… a bowling alley in the basement. What was really so great about it though was it was safe and so we were able to have more freedom then we did in NYC and Europe. No security followed me to the movies with friends. I could just be me… and that was so important. I worry about celeb kids today with all the media attention. It’s almost impossible to avoid now and I just am not sure how these kids will be able to just have a normal upbringing when the paporazzi is standing outside their schools and following their every step, trip and fall. I wish they could all be so lucky to have grown up away from it all like me.

Have you ever vacationed on the Jersey Shore?

First of all, I am obsessed with Snookie, The Situation and the gang! The show is so fantastically terrible that I am so excited to watch on MTV every Thursday! Yes, I visited the Jersey Shore once during college, but no it was NOTHING like the show. I wonder if I was in the wrong part, but oh well :) My trip to the Jersey Shore was FABULOUS anyway even if there was no fist pumping or hair poofs!

Questions from Lena:

Do you have any plans to travel around when your books comes out to meet all types of children of this world? I ask this so you can learn the different life stories of these kids so you can write a book that can help them overcome any issue they might be having.

Yes, I do plan on traveling to read and do book signings when my book finally comes out. I think it would be great to be able to share my book with different kids from different areas because I think it will be relatable to kids from all walks of life. Once Books and Cookies is open, I do plan on getting back to focusing on writing, so stay tuned!

Do you have a copy of your aunt Rita's children album she came out with in 2000? If so when you go out to help children in your community have you played any of the songs for them to hear?

I do have a copy of my Aunt Rita’s children’s album and I LOVE it! Growing up, Aunt Rita used to always lead loud, rousing sing along sessions with my sisters, my cousins and I. All of the songs I cherish from my childhood are on that CD. I plan on having one on hand at Books and Cookies. Also Lena, what a great idea to share it with the kids I do charity work with. Those songs bring me great joy and I’m sure it would bring them happiness as well!

ONLINE SHOPPING

Right now, I’m obsessed with online shopping daily deals. I’ve never been a big online shopper, because you never really know what your gonna get or whether it’s gonna fit you like a glove, however this new invention of the daily deal has caught me and it won’t let go.

My passion for the daily deal started with an iphone application called Groupon (check it out at: www.groupon.com). Everyday when you clicked on the icon you got the secret in on a great deal (from 50% - 90% off) on great stuff in your area. I jumped right in and bought two Korean body scrubs for $30 each at the new Tikkun Holistic Spa in Santa Monica, which my friend Sam and I used for a ladies night out. Next, I bought two tickets for $15 each to Mulligan’s Family Fun Center in Torrance where Joshua and I rode go carts, played video games, hit ball in the batting cages and played mini-golf. Recently, I got wine tasting for two including a free bottle of wine at Malibu Wines (I love myself some wine) and $20 dinner for only $10 at Little Ethiopian Restaurant on Fairfax (and you know I love Ethiopian food)! I love that Groupon has introduced me to new spots in my area for discounted prices. Thanks for broadening my horizons, Groupon!

Another one to check out:

www.LivingSocial.com

I’ve seen a bunch of awesome deals, but I have yet to buy any here!

For fashion, there are lots of great daily deal sites, too. My favorite (and the only one I have made purchases from yet) is www.ideeli.com. They send you an email every morning with deals from different high-end fashion companies. You only have 24 hours to buy and they sell out so if you see something you like you have to jump on it and get it. My only issue with this way of shopping is that there are no returns, but you can’t go wrong with a tassle-y purse form Linea Pelle, which was my first purchase from ideeli. They also have great men’s and kid’s deals and recently, they’ve been doing some travel and hotel deals. This site is a MUST if you love to shop!

Other sites to check out:

www.hautecouture.com

Haute Couture allows returns and even wait lists on wanted items! It’s a little more expensive than ideeli, but awesome high-end designers that I would never be able to buy at full price!

www.Swirl.com

This site is the spawn of www.DailyCandy.com, which is one of my favorite websites! Daily Candy keeps you in the know of what to do, where to eat and where to shop in your area and Swirl has great daily deals!

www.renttherunway.com

This is an awesome idea! Just like celebs borrow designer duds you can too – well, for a fee. They have an amazing selection of dresses to borrow for your prom, special event, friend’s wedding or night on the town. It’s not that cheap, but these dresses are to die for and you know the rule of celebs – Never be photographed in an outfit twice!

Now, get out there and start shopping! Love it :)

PLAYING WITH THE MOON

My friend Casey sent me this in an email. I thought it was so beautiful, so I wanted to share it with you. Sending you blessings....

May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your window pane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

- Irish Blessing

MEET MORE READERS

Meet Rebecca Reed:

I have been reading your blog for quite some time, but never submitted any comments until recently. I initially stumbled upon it when I saw pictures of you at a fashion show and became interested in what you were up to. Like many readers, I have been a lifelong fan of your mom (I turned 39 this year) and have seen you and your family in the spotlight for as long as I can remember. I come back to your blog each week simply to have a few precious moments of "me time." It is nice to read a light, yet upbeat and meaningful blog.

I am a pediatrician in private practice in New Jersey. I love my job. I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life. I have wanted to be a physician since I was in the third grade. I never changed my mind and never looked back. My friends would describe me as loyal, hardworking, FUN, and okay, at times stubborn. I am an Aquarian who LOVES to travel. I have been fortunate to have traveled to many places but still have yet to go to Africa, which I plan on doing someday. I spend a lot of time in NYC as it is just a short train ride away. If money was no object I would love to open a clinic in nearby Camden, NJ and provide free healthcare to children in need. For now, I continue to volunteer my services whenever possible. I *love* Italian food and warm weather!! Heatwave?? Bring it on! It doesn't take much to make me happy. Honestly a quiet Sunday afternoon with some good take-out food and a movie on Lifetime TV and I am perfectly content. My favorite color is green.

My favorite Diana Ross song is "Do You Know" from Mahogany. When I travel to Italy I like to envision the part of the movie when your mom travels to Rome and that song plays in the back. I love the words and play it frequently. Of course, there are many others that I love as well. Your mom's music has gotten me through many endless nights in medical school and during residency when we were still working 36 hour shifts I would often pop in a CD in the middle of the night if I knew sleep was not an option. Her music always kept me going. I have told you before that being able to dance with your mom on stage when I was 19 was one of the greatest days in my life. Not many are able to say they got to dance with their childhood idol. Would you believe I even wrote my term paper on your mom in the 9th grade??? It got an A!!

Well, I'm signing off now. I am glad to have read so many profiles. Keep them, and the blog, coming!!

Meet Ruth:

I see you've come towards the end of your reader profiles. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know some of your regular readers and have to say your blog room is a wonderful meeting place for what I consider to be a real nice bunch of folk :) All down to your creative blogs! By now, I'm sure you realize just how special every blog is and how much appreciated each one is.

I first stumbled across your blog just at the time you were changing your writing style. Similar to Sharon I was disgusted with some of the negative comments you were receiving and took it upon myself to become involved in offering more supportive comments. I was particularly drawn to your warm, fun, intelligent and diverse topics. I love your travel blogs. My line of work is with the airlines and I have been flying on the long haul routes worldwide for twenty years now. So any travel related topics always catch my eye.

I live in the west coast of Scotland in a small tourist area, which I adore. It means a long working day however as I am based in London and therefore have quite a commute to and from work. An average working day will have me on the go 28 to 32 hours. Tiring indeed. So, whether it's 9am at home with my morning coffee, or 10pm local time in Washington en route to bed, or 3pm in Starbucks coffee shop in Singapore getting out of the heat, I'm reading your blogs and your reader's comments. It's my little "home from home" comfort meeting place and I encourage everyone to stop by more often :) At the moment a little health hiccup is keeping me off my work so I'm certainly catching up on a "normal" routine in life. Something rather alien to me. I've now been off flying duties for a month and am getting quite restless I have to say.... so perhaps you can help out Chudney with any travel blogs?!

What's important in my life? My friends and family. What would anything mean without our loved ones. I come from quite a large family and my friends have been with me throughout... I consider myself very lucky to have such good people around me. Spending time outdoors.... walking, cycling, sailing when I'm lucky to get the chance. Because of my job and constantly living out of a suitcase I also appreciate time indoors at home.... even if it's doing chores! Being at HOME is never taken for granted. Cooking/baking.... good movies and wine.... and time with Wesley {my significant other half :) }... all fit the bill.

I have to give a shout out too to those friends I have made both via your mum Chudney, and also through your from this blog spot. There's lots of good people here.

TWITTER

I am totally over myspace and so I am moving onward and upward to TWITTER!

Please follow me @ChudneyLRoss

I’m still getting the hang of it, but I think it’s pretty cool.

Stay tuned….