Tonight!
Tonight. Tonight I begin my twenty three day book tour adventure! I have no idea when the words “book tour adventure” became part of my life…or part of my vocabulary, even, but wow…I am thankful.
You can get all the nitty gritty info here, but let me recap real quick. Tonight I’m taking a red-eye to Charlotte, North Carolina! Charlotte, I am SO thrilled to be coming your way. Thrilled, I say!! My flight leaves at midnight and I believe I get into the city around 11am, where my mom will be waiting with the car and snacks {the woman is baking muffins and making hard boiled eggs for breakfast!}. We’ll camp out for the day at the hotel, then I have my first signing at the Barnes and Noble in Pineville on Monday night at 7pm.
From Charlotte, we head to Charleston, South Carolina! Oh, Charleston…how I miss you! For real. We’ll drive from Charlotte to Charleston early on Tuesday, just time for me to grab a hair appointment with my old salon that I used to go to in college and meet up with my best friend. I’ll be speaking and signing 7pm Tuesday night at the Barnes and Noble there.
Early Wednesday morning we start our longest leg to Birmingham, Alabama!!! Woot, Birmingham!!!!!! I haven’t been back to Alabama since I attended University of Alabama in 2005 and I am so stoked to be coming back. I need to pick up a new Bama t-shirt while I’m there for when they play the Aggies in November. 
I’ll be at Barnes and Noble in Birmingham this coming up Thursday night at 7pm. I KNOW IT’S THE SAME NIGHT THAT GREY’S COMES BACK! I apologize for any inconvenience and promise to have you home in time for the show. But more importantly, can I come over and watch it with you?
From Birmingham, we’ll be heading “home” to Savannah, Georgia. I’ll be hanging out with my family over the weekend and then signing books at Barnes and Noble there next Monday (Oct 1st) at 7pm. I absolutely adore Savannah and can’t wait to visit!
That Thursday night (Oct 4th), my sweet friend, Kay, is throwing me a huge book launch party at in Pooler! And I would LOVE for y’all to come partake in the free food and drink {yes, free food} and just hang out for awhile. Everyone is welcome and you can find more deets on the party here.
I’ll be heading to Atlanta, Georgia that weekend to sign book at The Taste of Atlanta on Oct.6th! I’ve never been to Atlanta before—would love your restaurant recommendations!!!
From there, back to Savannah and to Indianapolis for The Influence Conference! Wow, am I ever honored to be leading a break-out workshop on publishing and answering all your book-related questions. It’s going to be a very, very special weekend and I look forward to making new friends there!
After all that, I’m headed back to California where I will promptly face-plant both Dexter and my bed.
Amen.
P.S. Even though I’ll be on the road, I planned ahead {way ahead} so there will still be lots of yummy recipes coming at you over the next few weeks. Check back Monday morning for a new one!
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome! And thanks for planning ahead
You’re all over! If you come to Chicago, be sure to announce it!
Ooooo! You’re headed south!!! I have friends and family in every stop you’re making too!
Have a good time!….And to the south: “Treat her good, Y’all!! Give her a biscuit ever now and then, and a glass of sweet tea.” 
My favorite Atlanta restaurants are: Local Three or JCT Kitchen, if you need to stay in the midtown area, south city kitchen, that’s where all the celebs eat. enjoy your stay, wish I could go to taste of atlanta
My favorite places to eat in Atlanta are JCT Kitchen, Empire State South, South City Kitchen, Barcelona Wine Bar, Briza, The Optimist, The Lawrence. Atlanta has so many great places to eat…I wish I could tell you all of them. But the city is filled with a ton of celebrity chefs and great southern cuisine. Have fun! I hope to see you at Taste of Atlanta.
You also need to make your way to the Dekalb farmers market. One of the country’s largest farmers market.
If you’re looking for good BBQ…Fox Brothers. The best. A little out of the way and around Little 5 Points, but a cab will get you there just fine. Not far from there for a unique spanish tapas & wine bar with a nice outdoor patio – Krog Bar and then next door Rathbun’s restaurant.
Have to echo JCT Kitchen that others have suggested too. Since you will be at Taste of Atlanta you should get the opportunity to taste from many of these restaurants. Enjoy!
If you’re going to be all the way in the Little 5 Points area you should also stop at Wrecking Bar Brewpub and The Porter — both places have delicious food and drink.
I also recommend Top Flr in Midtown/Poncey Highlands and Iberian Pig in Decatur….soooo many delicious places to eat and drink here.
So exciting!!! I wish I had some suggestions for you like the commenters above. What I can say is that I’ve been reading your book before bed every night and I love the consistent references to Paris. It reaffirms my happiness about being here and the development of my own journey. Safe travels!
Hey Jenna! I am so excited to see you in ATLANTA!!! My favorite restaurant is definitely Rosebud, by Chef Ron Eyester. Reasonably priced and amazing food. I do enjoy JCT as well, as long as you sit outside somewhere. The dining room is really noisy, but their 1/2 chicken is the best chicken you’ll ever taste in your life. Woodfire Grill’s tasting menu is amazing and an experience- would have to set aside 3 hours at least of your evening and do the wine pairings as well. Fox Bros and Fat Matt’s have amazing BBQ, best burger in my opinion could be found at Bocado or Family Dog (but everyone has their own opinion on that), and if you want TRUE italian pizza, order from Antico Pizza- you could eat there and bring your own wine or order and take out somewhere. Can you tell I eat a lot?
Wow…a whirlwind, indeed! Good luck on this new adventure. We’re rooting for you Jenna ; )
Good luck on the tour Jenna! I’m sure it will be an amazing experience. Enjoy yourself and I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Jenna!! I’m so excited you are coming to INDY!! What day(s) will you be here? I’m not taking part in the Influence Conference, but if you have any extra time I think it would be awesome to get coffee or food with you!
Oh Atlanta has so many great restaurants! Check out Two Urban Licks, JCT Kitchen, South City Kitchen (I’m noticing now these were mentioned above:)) And if you get to Decatur, go to Leon’s! Have fun!
While in Atlanta you have the chance to try some great food. Mary Mac’s Tea Room is a great stop for southern food. The Vortex in Little 5 Points has awesome burgers and there’s also a food truck park on Howell Mill Rd!
I highly recommend Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta. It’s off of Cumberland Blvd (Exit 258 on I-75 N) and tucked in a tiny parking lot in between apartment complexes. You will not be disappointed!
Jenna! I am so excited to finally meet you on Monday!!
Good luck & safe travels Jenna! I still wish you were swinging by Kansas City. I’ll keep my finger crossed for your next book:)
Enjoy your tour. It sounds super exciting and I know you will meet so many interesting people along the way : ) Keep us posted when you make it to Chicago!
Good luck and have fun!!!!
Yay! I’m coming to see you in Charlotte. If you need any restaurant recommendations, let me know! We have lots of great places in Charlotte.
Have THE BEST time, Jenna!!! Can’t wait to see pictures from the road!
Good luck! You are truly living a dream, and dreams do come true to people who work hard and deserve it. Congratulations
Best of luck!
Your Tour sounds fabulous and so fun! Can’t wait to hear from you on the Southern road! We will be going to ATL, Savannah & Charleston SC soon, would love to hear of great restaurants you eat at while you’re there, please share!
Go get ‘em!
Have a great time – and what a cool way to make special memories with your mom!
We will be awaiting your arrival in Birmingham! Five days and counting, can’t wait to meet you!!
Jenna, you MUST eat at The Iberian Pig when you come to Atlanta. Hands down the best food in town, fantastic atmosphere on the Decatur square…you will love it. Spanish food at its absolute best. See you at Taste of Atlanta!
are you planning on doing a book event in NYC anytime soon?
I’d love to make the trek to Indianapolis but I still have vivid memories of leaving Indiana University during a blizzard to make it home but really ended up in a car accident just outside of Indy.
I need more time.
I hope you enjoy every moment of the crazy journey!
Can’t wait to see you speak Monday in Charlotte!!!
Best of luck on your tour! This has got to be one of the most exciting times in your life – can’t wait to read and hear all about it! Have a blast, Jenna!
Wow, have a great time! You are full of life, and an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your posivity with us on a regular basis.
How exciting!!! Good luck!!
Congrats, Jenna!! Praying for safety and provision on your trip! xo
ps. will be making your vegan pumpkin cinnamon rolls tomorrow morning in your honor!
Im so excited your coming to atlanta! I thought I was not going to be able to go, but now I can! I definitely agree with jct, the optimist, and antico, and add Ecco, miller union, west egg for brunch, and rathbuns! Have fun!
See you in West Ashley on Tuesday!
Restaurants are over-rated… if you’re in Atlanta… donut shop is where you need to go
Definitely go have their A-town cream if you get a chance. http://sublimedoughnuts.com/index.php
So so so excited for you!! What an exciting, scary, wonderful time!! You will be wonderful and everyone will love you!! I just now finished the last book I was reading and finally get to start yours tonight, soooo excited!!
Jenna, I’m friends with Katelin Parrish who introduced me to your blog, and I have really enjoyed reading! Good luck on your tour – I used to live in Atlanta and I love, love Krog Bar for drinks and then going next door to Rathbuns for dinner (definitely try their desserts). JCT Kitchen is also excellent, Souper Jenny’s is good for lunch, and Ormsby’s is fun place for drinks and games. Have fun!!
So very happy for you Jenna — well done!
How exciting!! Yes come back to California…Lake Tahoe to be exact. I’ll meet you there!
Congrats again, Jenna. I’d love to meet you in-person and just added the book party info to my calendar. Can’t wait to hear more of your wonderful stories. Have a safe trip!
Enjoy your time in the South…or is it East? Not sure as the furthest ‘East’ I have been was Colorado. Anyways, have fun and don’t forget to sleep!
When you’re in Atlanta: Figo (they serve the food you will eat in heaven), Farm Burger, Yeah Burger, and Another Broken Egg (the best brunch ever) are all wonderful. I go to university here so I hope I get to see you!!
good luck!! this is such an exciting moment in your life so enjoy every part of it
What fun to able to promote your book and travel with your mom all in one! Savor the time together!!
Congrats!! So happy for all your success. You truly deserve it.
How exciting!! Have a great time!
Safe travels! I had no idea you went to Bama… I’m a Bama Alum myself =Roll Tide:), I started shortly after you in 2007 and am now a registered dietitian so, naturally I love eatliverun! Can’t wait to see you in Birmingham!
Atlanta: Mary Macs Tearoom, Vortex, Doc Cheys Noodle House
Decatur: Farm Burger, Raging Burrito (try the Thai salad!) and the Dancing Goats Coffee bar (-> awesome!!).
Try to make it to the Dekalb Farmers Market, it’s fantastic. I love Atlanta and the surrounding area and miss it sooo much!
Best wishes on your journey! You’ve worked so hard, I’m sure it will feel great to have a ‘homecoming’ of sorts. I have loved following your blog for so many years!
Dexter rocks!
and have a great time!
No 246 in Decatur
Holeman and Finch – Buckhead, Chef Linton Hopkins is genius
That’s awesome! Have a blast!
Congratulations! I wish you had some book readings in Canada- I’d be there in a moment!
Ya know…if you’re going to be in Indy…ya might as well just pop on up to Chicago. It would just be a little baby detour.
Good luck to you and enjoy your trip! I hope you’ll recap your adventures – you’ll be visiting a lot of places I’d love to go some day and it’d be great to hear about them.
Excited to see you tonight in Charlotte!!
You are a true success story Jenna. I just found you on Pinterest……………thank you very much. BTW is that an In~N~Out burger in that photo?
Yes!
Roll Tide! I didn’t know you were a southern girl and went to Bama. So glad you are coming to Alabama on your book tour. Hope to see you Thursday.
So sad I’ll be in Charleston on Friday and not Tuesday!
Any Florida plans? 
Also, any must-do things for Charleston?
I am so incredibly excited for you! Best of luck to you!
Book tour, blah, blah, blah – IN-N-OUT, GIRL, IN N OUT! That is what I’m talk’n about.
Looking forward to seeing you at Taste of Atlanta! I’m a Tampa girl who just moved here and have been reading your blog forever
Restaurants: Fox Brothers is the best for BBQ! Echoing everyone else, I love JCT and Miller Union, and I would add The Pinewood Tipling Room. Also Octane has the best coffee!
Girl, I know you are having a blast. HAVE.A.BLAST! xoxox
Hi Jenna,
I’ll have to admit I am new to your blog but I follow and am “cyber-friends” with lots of bloggers who follow you and have seen so many instagram photos of your book that I now follow you! I have heard wonderful things and can’t wait to read it. Have a fabulous month of travel and meeting fans!
Hi Jenna,
Will you be hitting Tony Verasano’s in Atlanta? Great pizza spot!
Have a great trip!
Andris
Best Atlanta Brunch: West Egg Cafe
Best Pizza in the World: Antico Pizzeria!