Picture Perfect Parties: One Year Anniversary!

This is my first look at my book; it happened to be in Italy with my BFF there Monica Damonte.Celebratory lunch with the photographer Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn. Seeing my book in Eatly in NYC was a big thrill!One year ago my very first book, Picture Perfect Parties, Rizzoli NY, was released. Man oh man was I ever excited when it released: giddy and over the moon. What a difference a year makes! It's been an amazing year indeed. Writing a book, a cookbook nonetheless, is a daunting task. However, I felt like I was prepared for it, having worked as a stylist for over 20 years. I have produced thousands of photo shoots and cookbooks for hundreds of clients, but nothing would prepare me for promoting my own book: the writing, the testing recipes, and the shooting of the entire book on many locations was the easy part. The hard part was traveling the country and marketing the book. Although, it was fun meeting all the wonderful people on the road, the road is a lonely and exhausting place.Asking all of my friends to help me promote my book was tough for me too, because it's not something that comes naturally to me. But all of my sweet friends were truly so kind and giving; they blogged about my book, wrote about it in magazines, and hosted me at book signings, workshops, lectures, and demos.Of course, there were a few haters as well. When you put yourself in the public eye, there are always the people the don't wish you well. But that's life and people are people. You just move forward. Some of my support came from the most unlikely places, and it was always such a sweet surprise.After a year of flying, driving, walking and running though airports, renting cars, getting lost, staying in hotels, and shaking about a million hands, I just wanted to share with you that promoting this book was a big life lesson for me a good lesson about expectation, and disappointment as well.When you write a book, you just want to share your point of view. It's a labor of love, but once it's published, well it's a lot more labor and lots of $$$$. Mind you I am not being ungrateful, just totally honest about my personal experience. If you're looking to write a book and promote it make sure you budget all the promotion, it's the expense that no one tells you about.I am happy most of the travel is behind me for awhile, and I am looking forward to cooking, styling, blogging, and renovating our new house in Italy, entertaining friends and chilling at home with my family and some new exciting projects.Happy Anniversary to you "Picture Perfect Parties" ; you've taught me so much about myself, one thing is true, my first book was a life highlight and a life lesson... thank you!Thank you to everyone that went above and beyond to promote my book. You know who you are. Thank you to all the people who put together book signing parties that were picture perfect themselves with drinks, nibbles, and wonderful guests. Finally, I have to thank my family and friends from the bottom of my heart. You made Picture Perfect Parties a huge success, each and everyone of you! xxCBS Better Mornings appearance before my book launch October 15th 2013, at Room and BoardMy Friend Oma and I at my Room and Board Book Launch PartyADAC panelBHG Stylemaker panel with BHG editor Eddie RossThe Today Show with Kathie Lee and HodaTastemaker Sale on One Kings LaneSirius Radio, with Wake up with Taylor

I continue to do book signings and lectures, so please check out my calendar here. I hope to see you on the road!