on life lately… like book tour life!
The last week has sort of been a whirlwind but at the same time, last week seems like YEARS ago.
Last Tuesday, the day that Seriously Delish was released, I went to Tampa to kick off my little book tour. I was scarrrrred. Also, I was lonely. I figured it would be no big deal to go by myself (after all, I love being by myself up until the point where I can no longer stand myself) but it was hard. For some reason I felt ridiculously ALONE. It was weird. Something funny: I swear the baby KNEW that I was feeling all out of sorts because it was kicking like crazy. Nonstop. Maybe comforting me? I dunno. I like to think.
The Tampa signing was so much fun though and I seriously CANNOT THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH for coming!! I still totally think I am going to walk into an empty room one night (could still happen for sure so I should probably shut up) and you have no idea what it means that you guys are actually buying this book and coming to talk to me. Also, I can’t even stand how much I love that when you DO come talk to me, it’s about TV, makeup, shoes, donuts or denim jackets. I feel like you are my best friends.
This Tampa event took place at Inkwood Books and OMG, I think I rambled about four or five times about how that book store was the store of my dreams. This will be a recurring theme, I’m sure. For years, I’ve written about the feeling I get when I walk into bookstores or libraries – a mixture of feeling at home and a mixture of intense excitement because I just love books. This store… was too cute for words. The owner, Stefani, made a bunch of recipes from Seriously Delish (the mac and cheese, grilled fruit salsa, bacon biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, something else I can’t remember – wah!) and right before the signing I demoed the cover of the book! The whipped goat cheese toasts with warm vanilla berries.
Something super fun was that my friend Julie drove a good way to come see me AND she brought me her famous doubletree chocolate chip cookies (yes the ones that I destroyed with salt in yesterday’s post) – she brought extra cookies and then certainly helped the next day during my flight delay. They are so delicious I can’t stand it.
A lovely girl named Lauren brought me these donuts (I think from dough??) – one was peanut butter cup and one was obviously covered in bacon. I almost cried.
Let me just say that I was in Tampa for less than 24 hours… and around 12:30 in the afternoon when I went to take a walk? I saw a group of people doing freaking BOOTCAMP, OUTDOORS, in like 100 degree heat. I died inside for them. I don’t think they were eating donuts.
Even though I had such a blast at the Tampa event when I was back in my room all alone, I was feeling all weird again! Then I saw the seriouslydelish hashtag on instagram and was blown away. YOU GUYS!
For real. If you’re making something from the book or if you’ve just received your book, hashtag it on instagram with #seriouslydelish. Or put it on the facebook wall. Or tweet it. Or heck – email it to me!!
Made.my.night.
From there I went to Houston – oh wait, how long have we been friends? Like five years. So you know that I am not a fan of heat and hot weather yet I went to Tampa and Houston in the first week of September. It wasn’t terrible. Says the person who happily set the AC in the hotel rooms to 64 degrees.
The night I got to Houston, I hung out with Rachel and we went to Grub and ate these ridiculous cheese fries. I should use the word “ate” loosely because we pretty much just BS-ed for two plus hours which took up more time than eating.
This was too awesome and amazing for words because I’ve admired Rachel from across the internets for like almost five years. This girl can WRITE. Annnnd she also made the s’mores stuffed strawberries from the book – you probably should take a look.
On Thursday, I got to see one of my most favorite people ever, Bridget. We ate cupcakes at Crave and also had… wait for it… CUPCAKE LATTES. Yes. You read that right. Cupcake lattes. Which I believe are flavored with their frostings. It was embarrassingly perfect and wonderful. Also I could have easily scarfed another cupcake, which made me feel more like myself since I haven’t wanted sweet things while being pregnant. A second also is that I want to open a bakery like this but like… just open it and not have to do the work. And eat cupcakes always.
Speaking of being pregnant, I ended up buying a bunch of maternity (and some non-maternity) clothes a week or two ago after being like oh… perhaps I need some semi nice things to wear other than my five-year old lululemon crops because those probably won’t do well in public. I’ll tell you about them in a pregnancy update! I took some photos, but let it be known that I can’t take an outfit photo to save my life. Actually literally, probably. If it came down to it, I wouldn’t survive.
After that wonderful afternoon with Bridget we went to the signing that night at Blue Willow Books. GAH. Another too cute, adorable, in-my-dreams bookstore. Like can I just own one of these so I can walk in everyday and stare in wonder? It was awesome and thank you so so so so so much to those of you who came!! And to those of you whose books I signed in the store if you couldn’t make it. I got to sign the wall right under Cokie Roberts, though I really wanted to climb up the ladder and sign the ceiling.
All I want to do is be able to go places and MEET you. I want to talk to you and spend time with you because you’ve made my life twenty million times better than it was and I feel like I owe you the universe.
On Friday I headed back to Pittsburgh where I promptly collapsed on the couch and couldn’t move for about six hours. I just couldn’t even lift myself up off of the pillows. But I had to! Saturday was my first signing in Pittsburgh and it was easy to say I was the most nervous for it out of everything. Because I like… live here. And know people. And get shy and uncomfortable and afraid. I told everyone that in Tampa and Houston too, when they asked if I was nervous and I was like… not really… at least not until Saturday when I have to go HOME!
It was really a ton of fun – because all of my closet friends and family were there – and lots of local people that I got to meet and be real life friends with. My metallic sharpies ran out and I have to say that I’m semi-disappointed in their lifespan, albeit how gorgeous they are.
AND. Please take a moment and be sad for how big the face baby has become. Right before this photo he told me he “just ate a bunch of gummy snacks.”
UGH. Is this the longest and most boringest post in the history of ever? I wanted to document it though and share and again say thank you, thank you for coming to see me and support me and everything. I promise I will be done being a broken record soon. You can find more pics on instagram if you’d like to follow along.
And! If you’re in NYC, tonight I’ll be signing books at Whisk (Manhattan localtion) at 6PM and there will be foooood. Thursday I’ll be speaking at 92Y, Saturday I’ll be signing books in Cincinatti and Sunday in Cleveland. All details can be found HERE. If you guys have any questions about the book tour, etc – leave them below! And let’s not talk about how many times I’ve wrote “singing” instead of “signing” in this post – I certainly won’t be singing anywhere anytime soon. Unless you’re in my car or my shower. Which would be creepy as hell.
And now I’m going to attempt to resist eating peanuts from the mini bar at midnight.
71 Comments on “on life lately… like book tour life!”
Loving following along with your fabulous book tour via IG! You’re a rockstar for doing this all while pregnant (and looking amazing, I might add!). I could not do it!
I loved this post! I was hoping you would share more details for the few of us that have to wait until NOVEMBER to see you in real life. Best for last? I’d like to think so ;)
Totally stalking your IG these days.
Can’t wait to meet you in ny tonight!
I’m excited for you to come to DC! I’ve been reading a section of the book each night before bed… which also means I’ve also been eating a lot of 10 PM snacks in bed. Thanks for all of the kitchen inspiration over the years. The book is beautiful, and I can’t wait to make a few of the recipes this weekend. <3
Please post pictures from the Learned Owl! That is my hometown bookstore and I wish I could be there! Go get notso fries down Main Street at Yours Truly’s … they are delicious.
This was a great post! I love to see what your book signings are like.
I will be taking Charlotte with me for the day,she’s all excited to meet you,although you won’t know it once you meet her ,she’ll become quiet and shy.
She’ll probably have to write something about it ,if she is going to miss a day of school,but well worth it! Can’t wait to see you In Boston, you’ll love it.
Love seeing all this and your cute face! SO jealous you got to see Julie and Bridget…two of my faves for sure! Congrats again!
How awesome that you got to see Julie, Bridget, and facebaby is a little man! Wow, time flies! Congrats on an amazing tour and look at all those hashtagged books! I sit and read like 30 minutes from it every day on the couch like a novel and if I could read longer, I would. I love every word and the recipes…soooooo creative!
Hi, Jessica! I loved this post and I’m happy you’re enjoying yourself on your book tour. I can’t wait to see you in Baltimore! I have a question…do you know we can expect to receive our signed bookplates from you (the ones we’re supposed to receive since we pre-ordered your book)? Thanks!
I believe the rest of them (if you didn’t receive it yet) are being mailed out tomorrow!! :) thank you for ordering!!!
I can’t wait to see you in DC! I’m going to miss you in Richmond by like a week, but this gives me an excuse to go to DC instead. :)
See you tonight! Excited beyond words! And I feel the exact same way when I walk into an awesome book store. And my sister and I always talked about opening up a cupcake shop. Oooh, maybe a cupcake/book store!
Anyway…See you at Whisk!
Yay one of those instagram pics was mine! haha – I cannot WAIT for my new kitchen to be done – I have been POURING over the book for the last week and a half drooling way more than I should trying to decide what I’m going to make first…. yes – a seriously delish meal with officially be christening my brand spanking new kitchen… now to try and make it to one of your pittsburgh signings… i keep secretly hoping your going to add on a date at the waterfront barnes and nobles…
I”m leaving work early to see you tonight!
Can noon get here any faster. Please??
I lovelovelove hearing how the tour is going, and I love reading what you’re up too – never stop!!
I’m always paranoid about the way I write on my blog (casual, to a friend) but I write like you and I love your blog so I think I’m good! Too mushy?
Awww, this is so great!!! Glad things are going so well and hope the weird feelings melt away soon! So sad I can’t make the Cleveland signing!! xoxo
i’m scared that when its my chance to meet you, i’m going to be super shy and not say a word. but i’m so super excited to see you in richmond!
Same here!
I would absolutely share that fear too – that NO ONE would show up to something! But you are fabulous and wonderful and awesome, so OF COURSE the events have all been smashing successes!! I can understand feeling out of sorts in strange towns. I’m glad that people have been so hospitable!
it was such a joy to meet you in Tampa!! It was a fantastic event.
For the Cincinnati food and wine classic do you know if the signing will be open to the public or are passes to the classic required? I unfortunately cannot attend the rest of the event but I would really like to come meet you (and tell you how I’m unnaturally with you’re BBQ chicken chili!)
i just found this out! so apparently you DO need a ticket to go to the signing (i know i know… it’s insane… ) BUT – we just decided that i’m going to do a quick pop-in signing at joseph beth at 11 that day. so if you can stop over then – or buy a book and have them reserve it for you – i can sign it!! :)
Oh awesome! I cant wait! see you Saturday :)
I am sooo excited for the signing in Hudson on Sunday. I hope I’m not the only person awkwardly there by themselves being a super fangirl :)
Ahh! I love your hair and makeup in all of these pics!! You’re so adorable.
And I wish you were coming anywhere close to me! Whomp whomp
Omg!!! You went to Inkwood! I grew up in South Tampa and Inkwood is owned by my friend from middle school’s mom!!! It’s a true gem!
EEEEEE!!! I am SO happy that I got you SEE you!!! This is such an exciting time and I’m just so thrilled for you! You deserve every success and happiness. AND…you are rocking those maternity clothes, girl!
Aside from the loneliness you experienced here and there, your book tour sounds like an amazing journey so far. Umm, cupcake latte!!! Are you kidding me?! Wowzers!!! I love your striped and lace blouse! I wish it wasn’t maternity. Adorable!!!
HI! I am SO excited for this tour! Seriously, I squealed a bit when I saw you were coming to Richmond. No one ever comes to Richmond! I was wondering how along these signings usually go… I really want to come, thing is I don’t get off work until about an hour into the scheduled time. Hopefully you will still be there and your Sharpies will have lasted! Gahh hope to see you soon! Congrats again on this book!
gahh i wish i could say for sure – i really have no way of knowing! i will say that the last few have gone around 2ish hours. i hope you can make it!!!
So exciting!! I SO so SO want to come visit while you are in Austin- is it really only for overnight guests? The Lake Austin is amazing- but out of my price range :(
I would love to come for the signing (and maybe a massage!)
ugh i think it is… but maybe if you call and schedule something and say you’re a guest of the spa they may let you come?? i’m not sure – i’m sorry about this! i know it’s a bummer.
I want to come see you when you’re in Boston! Do you know where you’ll be at Northeastern, and whether there are tickets or anything? I am super pumped that I’m free that day!! My boyfriend works at Northeastern, so maybe i can get him to take his lunch break then and come with me :)
is Xhibition Kitchen a thing there?? i am getting more details on this – i will let you know!!
I want to come to the signing in Boston at Northeastern but there really isn’t any info. Will there be more details added as time gets closer. You are super adorable!!!
getting more details now!! i will let you know. :)
I absolutely ADORE your book! I can’t wait to meet you in NYC tonight, I’ll look for some metallic sharpies to replentish your depleated stash….
I can’t wait to see you in Baltimore, I will be leaving work early to make sure that I get there and hopefully by the end of September the weather will be tolerable. Excited is an understatement.
I SOOOOOOOOOO wish you were coming to California! I live in San Diego area and would love to chat neon and doughnuts with you. Any possible plans on a west coast leg of this book tour?
i will be in seattle and san fran but unfortunately that is it this time around!
Today is the greatest day ever because I FINALLY received my pre-ordered copy of your book!!!! Jessica, it is beyond gorgeous and I am in complete awe of the work you do. Oh, how I heart you so!! Congrats on the success of this amazing endeavor :)
thank you!!!!
Oh I wish I was home right now so I could go to the NYC signing. Instead I am no where close in South Carolina. Have fun! And I love the book!
Will be adding any more dates to the tour??? I live in Oregon and you are skipping right over us. :(
unfortunately i don’t think so – due to this bun in the oven that needs to come out soon! maybe in the spring!
I hope you do! I would love to meet you. :)
I wish I could have been there for the Pittsburgh signing! I live in Zelienople :) :(
You’re so effing CUTE!! And I love your short hair, btw. And I canNOT wait to meet you when you come out to SF!!! omg I wanna hang out with you like a fan/stalker soooooooo bad! It’s weird. I’m thinking about convincing my boyfriend to come with me, so I don’t seem that crazy… or to hold my crazy back. Who knows.
Wish you were coming to SoCal! I’ve been a fan for a few years now and would love to meet you! I’ve never actually commented ever on anything on your blog, so I might as well creepily tell you now that I refer to you as “my girl” to my husband. And yes, I realize just how weird that sounds! The first recipe of yours I ever tried was the sweet potato cream pasta with crispy kale and my husband an I were instantly obsessed. He still requests that dish on AT LEAST a monthly basis. So now whenever I make something new and delicious, one of three things happen: 1. my husband raves and I tell him that “I got the recipe from my girl. She’s so good!” or 2. my husband cuts to the chase and says “Wow, is this your girl again??!” while shoveling GIANT gobs of food into his mouth (he seriously takes the biggest bites). 3. the recipe isn’t yours, but most likely one of the links you posted. :) So, thanks, girl! Can’t wait to try recipes from this beautiful book!
THANK YOUUUUUU!!! thank you for commenting and reading and making the recipes and everything. means the world.
It was so good to see you! Hope things are going well in NYC! <3 <3
Jess, you’re doing a great job! I felt very nervous at my book signings and I don’t think that feeling will ever go away. I just got your cookbook and love everything about it. Be PROUD! I’ll be there in Philly on September 27th to see you and personally thank you for such a wonderful book and blog to read!
What an exciting, joyous time for you – soak it up, lovely lady!
You are wonderful. I can’t wait to meet you in Boston! Maybe I’ll bring you baked beans? Or chowdah? A Sam Adam’s? I should know the answer to this question.
Any special suggestions for the signings (i totally just typed singings) as far as timing goes? Should we plan to arrive a bit earlier than the time posted on your tour details page? Kind of a random question, i guess, but we’ll be driving there from out of town this Saturday + I wanted to make sure we made it in time, or maybe a little early just for good measure, kinda like you + airports. ;)
Oh girl, I’m so glad your tour is off to a good start! You deserve that, and I mean that from my heart.
Plus, you are totally my hero for going on a book tour while preggo. I am pregnant too (and due in 8 DAYS, HOLY SH*T), and have worked my whole pregnancy. I have felt like a feminist rockstar some days, and just so exhausted most days. And I have cried a lot of days, because it’s all so overwhelming! I actually got a major promotion at work during my pregnancy, though, and I am beyond proud of myself for that. I also took a work trip to Nashville, by myself, when I was about 7 months, and I swear the baby knew that I was lonely and freaked out. He was having a serious dance party in there to remind me that I wasn’t really alone. It was the best.
Anyway… I just wanted to say, I know it’s hard to keep it up while pregnant, and it sounds like you’re doing awesome. Enjoy your 2nd trimester energy before it slides into the 3rd trimester sleepy-face-exhaustion ;)
So I was one of those sad people who couldn’t go to your Houston signing, BUT I did have you sign TWO books, one for me (Krysten) and one for my best friend Erin ( http://www.thespeckledpalate.com/ ). I was so sad I couldn’t make it, but we had to sign closing papers on a house refinance–stupid important adult grownup things. I actually work in City Centre, where Grub is, and I absolutely LOVE that place. We eat there once a week for lunch, and their Greek chicken burger is TO DIE FOR. (I’m using a lot of caps today.) I hope you had fun in Houston! Your book is absolutely gorgeous, and I cannot wait to make everything in it!
I’m so glad your tour is going so well. I’m super excited to be driving up from Ottawa Canada to see you in Boston Oct. 3rd (it was the closest venue for me). I’ll be the one in line with a huge smile and my iphone ready to snap a pick with you (that’s allowed right). I seriously doubt any of your tour dates will be empty!
I soooooo wanted to meet you in NYC yesterday, but I just wasn’t able to! Booooo! I am soooo excited to see you are having a great time and I hope the baby is treating you well! XOXO!
I SO wish you could come to Indy!! Come for your next book, ok? Thanks :) I can’t wait to make some recipes and post them on instagram now!
So excited for you. You are truly incredible to be doing all this while pregnant! You look beautiful and I’m in constant envy of your energy! So wish you were coming near me but alas I’ll just read along instead. :)
Ugh, Jess, I WISH you were coming to Sotuhern California!! San Francisco is just a bit far for me to go, right now. Good luck on the next leg of your tour! I can’t wait to read about how it goes in all your other cities.
So much fun following you along on this journey. It was great meeting you in Houston. And I KNOW you’ll have fun at Lake Austin Spa. Don’t forget the Texas Starry Nights massage.