I will never forget the first time I traveled to Seattle. It was 2007 and I was in town for a Biz Ladies meetup. In my downtime I decided to sit by the water and have fish chowder (in a sourdough bowl- man I miss those!). As the fog cleared I caught my first glimpse of the Olympic Mountains and my jaw hit the floor. I have never seen natural beauty like that and couldn’t believe that people in Seattle got to have all of that and an amazing city. So I’m thrilled to be heading back to Seattle on Tuesday, October 18th for our stop on the In the Company of Women book tour!

I’m going to be joined on stage by some incredibly talented local business owners: Molly Wizenberg (of Orangette, Delancey and Homemade Life), Moorea Seal, Arianne Foulks (of Aeolida) and Dana Tanamachi (who recently moved from NYC to Seattle!).

We’ll be at the Palace Ballroom with Book Larder, discussing life, work and how each of these incredible women got where they are today. They’ll be sharing their advice for starting and sustaining your own business and I can’t wait to sit down and talk with them.

Grab your ticket here! Each ticket includes a copy of In the Company of Women, the panel discussion and a book signing after, and, while supplies last, an illustrated tote designed by Libby VanderPloeg (who did the drawing above, too!). See you in Seattle! xo, grace

*Click here to pre-order the book (worldwide!) and check out the other dates on our October book tour!

There are pivotal moments in our life that teach us things we remember for a lifetime. I learned a very useful skill at the age of 15 while working as a waitress. I lied about my age to get the job and after a few days of work, it was clear that I had no idea what I was doing. No one complained, they just flagged me down a lot asking for things I didn’t think to bring them. A very seasoned line cook, who barked at the waitresses in the kitchen, took me aside one day and called me out on lying about my age. Instead of turning me in, he gave me a piece of sage advice that changed my life and vastly improved my waitressing job. He told me, “Never leave the dining room or kitchen empty handed. Carry a tray and bring everything you might need in the next 10 minutes with you. And smile big.” I was so struck by his kindness that I followed his advice every minute of every day, in and out of the restaurant. I crushed everything I put my mind to and had multitasking juice running through my blood all before I was 16 years old.

Guess what? I was burned out by the time I was 30 years old. Throughout my life and career, I had served everyone I encountered so well, anticipating their every need and found such purpose in it, that I had no idea what I liked, what I wanted or what I needed in my own life. I answered “It doesn’t matter” to most questions asked of me, including, ironically, waitresses. “Would you like ketchup with your fries?” Me: “It doesn’t matter.” I’m still working on breaking this habit. Sometimes I still feel, deep down, like I’ll be betraying a person who showed me kindness and helped me succeed. Sometimes we have to unlearn things and define our purpose for ourselves.

Click through for some simple ways to reframe the not-so-fun things you have to do or are stuck with, and also learn about today’s self-care exercise that will literally take you two minutes. Bonus: There’s a book giveaway involved to give you some incentive! –Caitlin

Image above by the talented Hawnuh Lee. Follow Hawnuh’s work on Instagram here.

Check out last week’s Self-Care Lesson here.

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Pablo Picasso once said that “every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” When Toronto-based artist Elisabeth Heidinga felt stifled in her work, she quite literally tore a canvas to shreds and made something completely new with the result. Her intricate woven paintings are formed from abstract compositions cut into fine strips, then knit into decorative patterns. “To me it’s symbolic,” Elisabeth shares, “Taking two opposing ideas, enduring and growing through the process to arrive at something strong and beautiful.” While they still fit into frames, Elisabeth’s woven paintings have a three-dimensional quality that reflects the unique voice and style as an artist for which she has always searched. —Annie

Photography by Elisabeth Heidinga VIEW MORE

Every city on the In the Company of Women book tour feels special to me, but our Boston stop (which is less than a month away!) feels extra special because some of my dearest friends are a part of this panel and we’ll be kicking off the event with a presentation by someone, without whom this book would not be possible.

Along with Kelli Kehler (who manages our team here at DS) and I, photographer Sasha Israel was brave enough to join us on a whirlwind two-month trip across the country to photograph the majority of women featured in this book. Working with Sasha was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life so far and I am 100% sure that the reason the photographs in this book are so amazing is because Sasha is not only a great photographer, but she has a special way with people and is able to make them feel comfortable and confident almost immediately. So I’m thrilled to announce that at our Boston event (Sasha’s new home base!), Sasha will be starting the show with a special presentation and behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to meet and photograph all of these incredible women.

Following that presentation, I will be leading a panel with Boston locals, Jen Hill (of JHill Design), Joanne Chang (of Flour Bakery), Jonna Twigg (of Twigg’s Bindery), Danielle Colding (of DCDNY) and Jill Rosenwald.

You won’t want to miss this event, it’s going to be fantastic. Pick up a ticket here (each ticket includes a book, the panel talk, a book signing and a limited-edition illustrated tote, while supplies last) and we’ll see you on Thursday, October 6th at the Brattle Theater!

*Click here to pre-order the book (worldwide!) and check out the other dates on our October book tour!

I’m having a hard time containing my excitement about the LA stop of our book tour for In the Company of Women. Namely because these women are some of my biggest idols and I still cannot believe I get to interview them on stage. Creating this book was the biggest dream-come-true and now that I get to gather some of them together for a night of incredible conversation, it feels like icing on top of an already amazingly delicious cake.

Want to know who will be joining us on stage? Roxane Gay, Joy Cho, Shadi Petosky, Bethany Yellowtail, Lily and Hopie Stockman, Tanya Aguiñiga AND Angelica Ross.

I seriously cannot believe this line up. It is the panel of my dreams. These women have inspired me, and continue to inspire me, to work harder and dream bigger every day and I can only imagine the sort of wisdom they’ll be imparting on stage. You will not want to miss this.

Want to join us on Monday October 17th? Pick up a ticket right here! Each ticket includes a copy of In the Company of Women, a limited-edition illustrated tote with inspirational quotes (while supplies last) and entry to the panel and book signing afterwards.

We have less than 200 totes per event, so grab your ticket now if you’d like to snag one of these beautiful bags! Until then, see you in LA! Thanks again to Book Soup and UCLA for having us! xoxo, grace

Hello, ATLANTA! Before we head out for the weekend, I wanted to share some exciting news. We’re starting to release all of the details for the book tour panel events we’ll be having across the country this fall and I am SO excited to kick things off in one of my favorite states, Georgia, on October 13th!.

My love for this region is so strong and I’m thrilled to be joined on stage with some truly incredible women: Cheryl Day of Back in the Day Bakery, Photographer Ashley Woodson Bailey, Ceramicist Rebecca Wood and LaRhonda Sutton of Film City LLC. Tickets are on sale NOW and each ticket includes the event (a panel discussion and book signing), a copy of the book and a limited-edition illustrated tote, while supplies last. Grab your ticket now and scoop up one of Libby VanderPloeg‘s totes before they’re gone!

GET YOUR TICKET HERE!

This has been such an exciting week for new books and book tours and all things publishing. So when I got the great news that Andrea Pippins was releasing a new book next month dedicated to discovering and embracing your best creative self, I was thrilled.

I’ve followed Andrea since her Fly blog days and absolutely loved her last book, I Love My Hair, a coloring-book ode to natural curly, braided and coiled hair. Andrea has done so much to creatively document, examine and honor her experiences as an African-American woman and I am so thankful to have her voice as a part of this community. On October 11th, her new book, Becoming Me, will hit shelves and bookstores everywhere and encourage people to live a creative life and find their own artistic voice through drawing, painting and writing. In addition to creative art prompts, Andrea’s book also gives you practical real-world tips for sharing your art online and to keep you working through creative blocks. I love the upbeat way she approaches the creative process and how easy it is to find your inner artist by following her colorful and creative prompts. This is definitely a must-buy for anyone who wants to nurture (or find) their inner artist or knows someone that should, too. Check out Andrea’s book here to pre-order a copy. I just picked up a few for early holiday gifts for friends and family. xo, grace

• Back to School: This article about back-to-school outfits that beloved fashion editors/icons wore when they were younger is a must-read.
• Art to Go: The NYC MTA is looking for artists to work on subway murals! This is the coolest project. If you’re an artist, check it out.
• In Books: I love this interview with Lisa Lucas in the NY Times. She gives me so much hope for the future of publishing.
• Time to Cook: Speaking of books, Julia’s book, Small Victories, is out and I could not be prouder of her. Pick up a copy here!
• Hearts: This dress is, as the kids say, everything. I want to wear outfits covered in hearts, too.
• What TO Wear: If you missed this INCREDIBLE article about aging and clothing by Stacy London, please, please stop everything and read now. I have read it through at least four times now, nodding YES.

• Must-Reads: Small Victories: Easy Healthy Lunch Boxes from Julia Turshen + Giveaway!, A Brooklyn Home for a Growing Creative Family, Design*Sponge Turns 12: The Lessons I’ve Learned
• Beauty + Self-Care: The Beauty of Self-Care: Lesson One – Patience
• Before & After: An Ugly Duckling Transforms Into The Belle of the Block
• Food + Drink: 12 London Food Instagram Accounts to Follow, A Recipe for The Perfect At-Home Bar with Jennie & Maria of Owl’s Brew, Dana Sicko’s Carnitas and Pineapple Salsa
• Life & Work: We Want Your Job: Penelope Dullaghan
• Interiors: A Souk Inspired A-Frame in Portland, OR, Exploring Nostalgia In An Airy LA Craftsman Bungalow, A Log Cabin in the Pennsylvania Woods for Two Creatives, In Vancouver, A New Townhouse Renovation Inspired by Lifestyle

I’m always a little sad to see summer go — mostly because I have to say goodbye to great tomatoes — but I do love the transition into autumn. As temperatures gradually drop, turning on the oven becomes more and more enticing, as do long-cooked dishes. This week’s recipe, perfect for the seasonal transition, comes from food entrepreneur Dana Sicko. Dana’s Carnitas with Pineapple-Jicama Salsa are made using the pressure cooker to maximize efficiency in cooking pork tenderloin. The spicy and contrasting flavors and textures still evoke bright summer food even as the days get shorter. If you can’t find jicama, Dana recommends using cucumber and radish together in its place. —Kristina

Why Dana loves this recipe: I haven’t met a single person who says “no” to tacos or carnitas or, really, any Mexican food! I love this recipe because it is a great hit of flavorful and succulent (yet lean) pork tenderloin and the pineapple-jicama salsa is a great punch of texture and bright flavors. Also by using the pressure cooker you are able to get a delicious texture of meat in less than half the time. I absolutely love my pressure cooker. This is a great recipe moving into the fall when the evenings start to get a little cooler and you have exhausted the grill.

Food Photography by Kristina Gill | Portrait by Julie Andersen

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All week long to celebrate her brand new cookbook, Small Victories, Julia will be joining us for quick, delicious and healthy back-to-school recipes that you can easily make and pack for your loved ones, big and small. Click here, here and here check out previous menus and don’t forget to enter the big giveaway here!

These garlicky green beans with crispy tofu, a vegetarian riff on the Green Beans with Pork, Ginger + Red Chile from Small Victories, are all about the patience of letting things brown in a pan. By not stirring the green beans a million times or flipping the tofu over and over, you end up with ever-so-slightly charred vegetables and tofu with the most addictive, browned crust. The soba noodle salad, which is half soba and half cabbage, is the perfect lunch box food since the dressing keeps it from drying out.

If you missed any of Julia’s lunch box ideas from this week, check them out here: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

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