Mom and I are having a fabulous time this week on the road, meeting a bunch of you!!
I used to think the biggest perk of my job was having a plethora of warm chocolate chip cookies always laying around, but now I know it’s not {for my waistline or anything else}.
The BIGGEST perk of my job is actually getting to meet, hug and connect with you guys! I hope y’all know how truly thankful I am for each one of you.
So far, we’ve driven about 800 miles total and I’ve drank about 400 gallons of sweet tea. We’ve had a liiiiiiiittle camera malfunction, which is why I don’t have too many photos other than my iphone photos. But I am planning on giving mom a DSLR camera lesson in the room tonight so hopefully that “situation” can be remedied for the upcoming signings.
We started in Charlotte on Monday night. I took the red-eye in from San Francisco and actually slept on a plane for the first time in my life!
Then, I got to meet all you wonderful North Carolina people! Thank you for coming, everyone!! You all are so sweet and full of love. I was so nervous before speaking {literally pacing up and down the mall}, but you guys made me feel more than comfortable.
Then, we headed out to Charleston!
Charleston—I LOVE YOU!
I love your blue skies, your old church steeples, your horse drawn carriages and, most importantly, your shrimp and grits.
My best friend, Christie {she’s in the book!}, lives in Charleston, along with several other of my good friends from high school, so it was a blast to see all of them and have them be at the event.
We’ve all been friends for fifteen years! I love them…and the questions that they asked during the Q&A session. I instructed them to ask questions in case no one else did and I was just standing there like an awkward dork.
Christie is SUCH a great friend. She opened up the Q&A session with the question of, “Did you end up with Adam?”
Thanks, Christie! Good question.
Everyone was so nice and I walked out with tons of new friends, some local coffee AND a bottle of sweet tea vodka. Thank you so, so, so much! Coffee + booze…my favorite!
Just kidding.
Not really!
After the signing, Christie, my mom and I had dinner at Rue de Jean, one of my favorite Charleston restaurants. They have amazing mussels and cosmos!
We chatted, we laughed, we ate, we each drank a cosmo and then shared a bottle of prosecco….then I stumbled back to my hotel room and passed out on the comfy hotel bed.
Mom and I left Charleston the next morning and headed to Birmingham, Alabama, where we currently are camped out in our hotel room eating room service while I type this post. I am so excited to meet some Alabama friends tonight!!!
We ate dinner last night at Bottega Cafe, which blew my mind. My chicken sausage pizza was good, but mom’s fig and gorgonzola pizza was out of control! And their straight up margaritas {Mexican martinis!} were quite delicious, too, if I do say so myself.
ROLL TIDE!
bridget {bake at 350}
September 27, 2012 at 7:09 amOh, it looks like such a neat time….especially sharing it with your mom! So happy for you! ?
bridget {bake at 350}
September 27, 2012 at 11:19 amthat ? is supposed to be a heart!!! 😉 ACK!
Abby@ Totes Delish Blog
September 27, 2012 at 7:09 amSO wish I was on your route, next time, make a stop in Milwaukee!
Heather @ Girlyeverafter
September 27, 2012 at 7:11 amHow fun! I’ve had the same small group of girlfriends for over 15 years too and it’s always so great to see them and catch up in person. My parents live outside of Birmingham and want to take me to Bottega when I visit next. After seeing your pizza I’ll for sure go! Happy Travels!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
September 27, 2012 at 7:15 amThat pizza looks incredible!
Sounds like you are having a great time too 🙂
Jenna | The Paleo Project
September 27, 2012 at 7:15 amAh, I’m so jealous right now. Your mom is so cute, I’m picturing her showing you the camera with 200 blurry photos after your signing and not realizing it. Amiright?!?
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 7:17 amhahahahaha {no comment}
Hillary
September 27, 2012 at 7:16 amSounds like one memorable trip with Mom! Love the polka dots 🙂
Tracey Evans
September 27, 2012 at 7:19 amIf you love Alabama, you will LOOOVEEEE Georgia!! Go Dawgs! Love the pictures! 🙂
Emily
September 27, 2012 at 7:27 amI so wish I didn’t live across the ocean in Europe so that I could come to one of these! I love your recipes and it looks the book tour has been great.
Cara
September 27, 2012 at 7:31 amPlease, Please, come to Colorado!!!! I loved your book! I have read it 3x times… is that werid?!!!!!!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 7:32 amI think my mom has read the book about 16 times, so no! It’s not weird at all! 🙂 Thank you so much!
Mary
September 27, 2012 at 7:32 amRoll tide!! Wish I could come meet you tonight at B&N. I was planning on coming but we are trying to finish a million things at our new house before we move on Saturday. Hope it goes well! I will be buying your book soon though 🙂 Let me know if you need any suggestions for places to eat or things to do in Bham!!
Sandy
September 27, 2012 at 7:39 amDo you have a book signing in Indianapolis for those of us not attending the conference? I would love to come if you do.
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 7:56 amactually I do! yay! Just finalizing the details with the bookstore now and will announce it very soon 🙂
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
September 27, 2012 at 7:39 amRoad trip with Mom! That’s great–and it looks like you two are having a blast. Great job with your book tour so far!
kathleen
September 27, 2012 at 7:50 amwhat an amazing adventure – and how fun you get to share it with your mom! i love christie’s question 🙂 enjoy the rest of your trip!
polly
September 27, 2012 at 7:50 amso so SOOOOOO excited for you, hon! and your momma!!
i will see you in 2 weeks! eeeks!!
also, ya for ending up with ADAM. 🙂 and i just picked up my book TODAY and cannot wait to crack it!! 🙂
love you!!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
September 27, 2012 at 7:53 amCongrats on the tour being off to a big success! I can only imagine how much fun you’re having! Sounds like a blast and being able to share it all with your mama right there with you, too!
Caroline L.
September 27, 2012 at 7:54 amThis honestly looks so amazing… I am so happy for you and for this realized dream!
Sarah @ Yogi In Action
September 27, 2012 at 8:17 amThat looks like such a blast! I love that you prepped your friends to ask questions during the Q & A!
Can’t wait to hear how the rest of the book trip goes!
Lily O' Dare @ Candied-Life
September 27, 2012 at 8:18 amWhat a fabulous trip so far! And how awesome to see your best friends of so many years to boot. I hope to have my own success with writing someday, and I know that my mom will be up for road tripping the east coast. We used to love driving to North Carolina together from Vero.
Enjoy all of that quality time! And your hair is rockin!
🙂
Sana
September 27, 2012 at 8:21 amAw my mom is the same when it comes to taking pics. I end up with lots of blurry images of myself 😉
Sabrina
September 27, 2012 at 8:27 amSo I know this isn’t a fashion blog but can you pleeeaaassseee share how you make your hair look so freakin beautiful?! Love it, you’re adorable!
Marie
September 27, 2012 at 9:26 amYes!! Please!!!
morgan
September 27, 2012 at 11:04 amYES! Your hair looks AMAZING! Is that done with a curling iron or the headband trick?
What do you tell your hair color person for your color? That too, rocks!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:41 pmOOoo I don’t know the headband trick you speak of!!! I had just gotten my hair done so my stylist did that, but she used a curling wand. I don’t think it would ever look that good had I done it myself!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 3:19 pmOh, and in terms of color— she just did highlights alternated with lowlights of my natural color (level 8)
kim@hungryhealthygirl
September 27, 2012 at 8:53 amSo glad you’re having a blast!!
Alycia
September 27, 2012 at 9:10 amI have been a long time ELR reader and wish you all the best with your book tour! It’s so nice to see how a smart, driven woman can truly make it happen for herself as you have done. I just started reading your book last night and am loving it so far 🙂 Congrats!
Christina (Sisters Running the Kitchen)
September 27, 2012 at 9:15 amsounds like everything is going great- congrats! you look so pretty in your photos!
p.s. pizza looks delectable.
Laura @ She Eats Well
September 27, 2012 at 9:21 amLooks like such a fun tour and how special that you get to share it with your Mom. Love the candid photos. Take it all in!
Julie
September 27, 2012 at 9:32 amThis trip sounds like such an awesome adventure to spend with your mom! Glad to see you’re enjoying your time. Still sad you aren’t coming up to NY though!
Betsy
September 27, 2012 at 9:37 amSo glad you went to Cafe Bottega!! I have fantastic memories of going there as a kid and drinking Orangina and eating Mac and Cheese or pesto chicken pizza, and they’ve morphed into cocktails and that same chicken and pesto pizza with friends whenever I’m visiting home now. Enjoy the ‘ham!
Leslie Means @ Her View From Home
September 27, 2012 at 9:51 amFun! Almost done with your book – love it. 🙂
Kelly @ Serving Home
September 27, 2012 at 9:52 amCome to TX!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:42 pmOh, I am!!! In november 🙂
April
September 28, 2012 at 2:49 amYes!!! I can’t wait to meet you! 😀
Tina
September 27, 2012 at 10:05 amThat pizza looks amazing! Glad to hear that the book tour is going well so far. I wish you were coming somewhere in Upstate NY so I could stop out!! Hope the rest of the trip goes well!
Haley
September 27, 2012 at 10:12 amCongratulations on the book, Jenna, you deserve it! Also, you know you are going to have to do a hair tutorial post! Beautiful!
Molly@RDexposed
September 27, 2012 at 10:14 amDid you answer the Adam question with, “you’ll have to wait and read about it in the next book!” ?
Tracy
September 27, 2012 at 10:16 amYou look amazing! Congrats on the book and all the hard work you have put into everything (including this blog).
Danielle
September 27, 2012 at 10:35 amCongratulations! Can’t wait to receive my book from Amazon — it looks like you are having a great trip. Your mom seems to be the greatest 🙂
And your dress is adorable! Where did you find it?
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:41 pmThank you! I assume you mean the polka dot dress? It’s from Madewell (on sale!)
Crystal
September 27, 2012 at 11:08 amGreat to meet you the other night! I read the whole book in the bathtub after we got home ( I was more than a little pruney!) I have your beef bourguinon simmering away on the stove right now, it smells wonderful. IF the picture of us came out, would you mind sending it to me? We saw you in Charleston, and I had my two little girls with me, one was in her volleyball uniform (they won!) Thanks!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:40 pmYou are so sweet and your daughters are the cutest!!! Unfortunately that was one of the photos that didn’t turn out (it was all blurry and I was so sad because it would have been super cute!). I’m sorry about that!!
Grace NeSmith
September 27, 2012 at 11:18 amIf you’re up for some Spanish or Mexican cuisine, you should try Sol y Luna or El Barrio in Birmingham. They are both delish!
Liz
September 27, 2012 at 11:20 amRue de Jean is my FAVORITE restaurant! Incredible mussels and frites : ) Glad you are having fun on your book tour!
jessica
September 27, 2012 at 11:52 amI cried the other night when i realized i didnt have the gas to meet you and go to work for the week…DANG budget….i wanted to be in charlotte soooo bad…
have fun the rest of your trip
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:39 pmOh no!! I’m sorry 🙁 Next time!
Sarah Brouwer
September 27, 2012 at 12:07 pmYou look absolutely ADORABLE. And, your mom- so CUTE!! Happy for you:)
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:39 pmThank you, Sarah!!
laura
September 27, 2012 at 12:12 pmwere you able to get your hair done like you had wanted to in charleston? do you mind if i ask who does it there for you? I live here and still do not have a hair person–so sad!! can’t find someone i like that is affordable! please share!
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 12:38 pmI went to Allure and Megan did my hair — she’s amazing and I highly recommend her!
Elisabeth
September 27, 2012 at 12:28 pmSo glad your tour is going well – it looks like a lot of fun & I sure wish I was near enough to go to one of your signings 😉 Congratulations – you deserve it!
gina
September 27, 2012 at 1:15 pmYou are so adorable! I love your denim top. Where did you get it?
jenna
September 27, 2012 at 1:24 pmIt’s from the Gap…seriously, so comfy!
Megan
September 27, 2012 at 2:00 pmWhat a fun journey! Charleston is my favorite too 🙂 Looks exhausting but glad you are having a blast!!
Caitlin Murphy
September 27, 2012 at 2:03 pmCute polka dot dress!!! Where is that from?
Amy
September 27, 2012 at 2:26 pmOh I’m in love with Charleston as well!!! I went to C of C and then convinced my then fiance and 100 of my closest family and friends to take a trip back there 3 years later to get married! I’m so jealous of your travels and wish Ohio was one of your planned stops as well! Have so much fun with your mom and CONGRATS on the book!! It’s fantastic!
Jen
September 27, 2012 at 2:31 pmI have to find this book! I didn’t know there was a love story 🙂 Your Mom must be so proud of it and you.
Brianne
September 27, 2012 at 2:52 pmwish you were coming to Tampa! I’m so excited, my copy of your book came in the mail today 🙂
Aaryn
September 27, 2012 at 3:26 pmOREGON, pleasepleaseplease 🙂
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
September 27, 2012 at 4:50 pmWhat an amazing experience AND you get to do it all with your Mom! So fun!! Are you heading to the Northeast at all during your book tour?
Your boots are super cute in the first pic! Where are they from?
luv what you do
September 27, 2012 at 4:52 pmWhat a fun trip to take with your mom. My mom and I are going away this weekend and I can’t wait!
Meg
September 27, 2012 at 5:38 pmCongratulations, Jenna – loved your book! So…I just took a red eye from SFO last night and didn’t sleep a wink, ugh (although Terminal 2 at SFO is amazing – have you seen their yoga room??)…Melatonin is certainly not strong enough! How did you do it? I think Tylenol PM is the next solution for me. Hope you come through the DC area on your tour! Best of luck –
Meg
Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
September 27, 2012 at 8:18 pmLooks like you and your mom are having a great time! I wish you were coming to the DC area!
Anyways, I’m curious – did you go to high school in Charleston before moving to FL, or just college? Sorry, just trying to figure out your connection with Charleston (I’ve been there once and LOVE it).
Jessica
September 27, 2012 at 8:51 pmYour outfit with the polka dot dress and boots is adorable!
I’m planning on going to your signing at Taste of Atlanta! Yay!
Diana
September 27, 2012 at 9:46 pmOh gosh! What an exciting time! You guys look (and sound) like you are having such a blast!
ps. I have been loving your hair lately! Are the waves natural?
Floey
September 28, 2012 at 3:04 amAre you coming to Southern California??
Catherine
September 28, 2012 at 3:10 amWhere did you get your shoes?? Are they the Madewell ones you posted a couple weeks ago? LOVE them!
Anne
September 28, 2012 at 5:06 amGahhh if only you had been in Charlotte Tuesday night!!!
Everything looks so wonderful, I simply cannot wait to read your book, it is at the tippity top of my “To-Read” list!
Caryn Crasnick-Maloney
September 28, 2012 at 6:24 amJenna, I love your blog AND I love the booties you’re wearing with the polka-dot dress in Charlotte. Can you tell me where you found them?? Congrats on your book!
Sharon
September 28, 2012 at 9:02 pmYou look like you are having a marvelous time, you and your mother. What a wonderful trip!
Renee
September 29, 2012 at 7:32 amWe love Rue de Jean! My brother went to the Citadel, so we have enjoyed quite a few Charleston restaurants. The crispy flounder at Anson is our favorite, but Rue de Jean is a close second. We had his graduation dinner there. I miss Charleston now that he’s gone.
Wish your book tour was coming to DC!
Melissa
September 30, 2012 at 4:44 amReally wish you were coming to NYC….and we have tons of good food here too! 🙂 just got your book in the mail and i have a feeling it will be finished in the next 24 hrs
The Food Hound
September 30, 2012 at 6:57 pmWhy are you not coming to Knoxville? 🙂 I totally want to get your book! Congrats, girl! Enjoy your success and all those fabulous meals you’re eating on your tour!!
Dionna Mash
September 30, 2012 at 9:33 pmJenna!
Do you have any planned book signings in the SF Bay area?
Book Tour: Birmingham and Savannah
October 2, 2012 at 3:35 am[…] hmmmm….where did I leave off? I think I had just left Charleston last time I recapped. Well, from Charleston mom and I made the longest trek west to Birmingham, […]