Houston Takes A Bow

So I wish I had adequately captured the Houston book launch event on film. Because it was beeeutiful! However, 15 minutes into the night, my camera battery crapped out. Then, I was going to take photos with my phone and live tweet it. But then, I got so caught up in live living it, that I totally forgot to tweet. Or photograph. Or anything. I think that's the sign of a good party. The studio was lovely. My pal Monica made it even lovelier by decorating the room with a recreation of the book's cover...with orange ribbon, clothes pins, and blown up pages from the book. Very cool. There was great food, and lots of it, from The Stone Kitchen.

Great beverages from the great St. Arnold's Brewery
and other fine beverage makers.

And, as I might have mentioned before, amazing people.
We didn't actually find childcare, so hooray!, Harry got to come too.He actually had waaaay more fun than he's letting on here.
He partied hard until the bitter end.
The studio had tons of Thomas the Tank Engine toys,
so he was in complete heaven.
And he fell madly in love with Mr. Lady's four-year-old daughter.
(Hooray! Mr. Lady lives in Houston now!)

Lots of contributing authors were there:
Brene Brown (http://ordinarycourage.com)
Katherine Center (http://katherinecenter.com)
Jenny Lawson (http://thebloggess.com)
Lauren McKechnie (http://www.thenewmckechnie.blogspot.com/)
Erica O'Grady (http://reinventingerica.com/)

Julie Pippert (http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com/)
Karen Walrond (http://chookooloonks.com)

There were tons of books to sign. And sign they did.

I didn't actually get photos of most of the authors or of the signing. Remember, all these photos were taken in the first 15 minutes before I got swept away into the fun of things.

Like seeing former colleges and current friends, like Melissa, who should totally start a blog.

Or EmiLee, whom I've known since we were six.
She should also totally start a blog.

(Also, I'm not wearing a boa. That's part of this jacket thing I threw on. Because dudes, it was cold in Houston! Weird! Like in the 40s, y'all. For real. So you can't really see my dress at all, which is only important because it means I can now re-wear it tonight in DC and no one will know. Or, uh, nevermind. Move along.)

Or Katie, Julie, and Adrienne, all of whom should totally start blogs.
Adrienne's would be an amazing design blog, and I'm looking forward to it.

And speaking of someone who started a blog, look! There's Lauren McKechnie! Signing her page in the book! She's on page 181 with the greatest tweet since sliced bread (you'll get that joke when you read page 181.)
She's pictured here (In a photo that totally wasn't staged at all! No really. This is just how they walked around all night. Swear.) With Ellie. Who should TOTALLY start a blog. Watch out for these two. They're going to be huge. It was truly a great night. Every minute after these first 15 just got better and better.
You'll have to trust me on this. Because besides all the great food, libations, people, and decorations...the best part of the night...the conversations!!!

There will be more tonight in DC. At the incredible Fathom Creative Building on 14th St near Logan Circle. Seriously, if you're anywhere near DC, you should stop by. I went by the space last night and it is uh-may-zing!

I hope to see you there!

And I promise to take more photos!