What books have most influenced your life?
Alice and Wonderland, The Great Gatsby, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Inside Daisy Clover, The Lovely Bones, Reviving Ophelia

Who are your favorite music artists?
Pretty much anything and everything.

What are your favorite websites and why?
People.com because they're a great source of celebrity gossip and photos; DailyMail.co.uk because I like to stay current on the news across the pond, NYTimes.com/pages/fashion/index.html, which is the website for the New York Times' Fashion & Style page because it's well-written, insanely informative and gets you thinking about culture in a different way.

Where else can people find you on the web?
Visit my eHow.com page, http://www.ehow.com/members/ehowNellie.html, to read the hundreds of how-to articles I've written. It's also a great place to pick up some more advice from me on wedding planning, fashion and beauty. You can also find some articles I have written on other topics, including pets, wine and real estate, by visiting http://www.tailsinc.com/site/epage/60847_551.htm; http://blog.vinapedia.net/start-wining-its-the-holidays.html; and http://www.globest.com (just type "Nellie" into the search engine).

What are your professional highlights?
Being offered an associated editor position by a Southern California-based magazine right after graduating with my Master's in journalism; having the very first pitch I ever wrote for a magazine accepted; opening up a nationally sold magazine in Barnes and Noble and seeing my face in it; succeeding as a full-time freelance writer; being my own boss!

What advice do you have for the journey of life?
Like I said before, you have to live a life full of happiness and fulfillment or what's the point?

What are you most passionate about in life?
Professionally, I'm passionate about writing, news, literature and magazines. Personally, I'm passionate about my family, friends, and the health, happiness and well-being of myself and those around me.

What ticks you off?
Inconsiderateness! People who demand they be the center of attention. People who constantly put themselves in competition with others.

Any thoughts or ideas on living a greener life?
Yes, actually. I've written quite a few articles and press releases on the ways companies, individuals, buildings and homes are going green. Some simple, yet effective ways to live a greener life include transporting your groceries in a fabric bag, walking or biking instead of driving, replacing your traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), keeping your shower times to a minimum, unplugging appliances when they're not in use, recycling...I could go on and on. If you want to hear more from me about how the world's going green pick up the Jan./Feb. issue of DRAFT magazine (available on newsstands in early 2009) in which I count down all the ways the beer brewing industry has become eco-friendly.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I have an extremely soft spot in my heart for animals even though I don't own any pets. That I am a reality TV junkie. That I am afraid of balloons. Yes, balloons.

My day-to-day mantra is, "Have fun! Enjoy life!" This journey of ours is too short to be spent just getting by. You have to figure out what gives you meaning, happiness, fulfillment, joy, and then go out and take those things. And while you're busy getting all you can out of life, stop and remember to pass on these same feelings onto others in the forms of love, support and acceptance.