Sorry I've been out of touch for a while; I'm traveling! I know, you're shocked. But this time it's for work! Really! I met Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, and attended the Bocuse d'Or USA Finals at the Culinary Institute of America, and it was all for work. I *love* my job. : )

First off, the Ina thing. Awesome. She's essentially the smartest, most charming, down-to-earth woman alive. She was at the NY Women in Communications Cocktails and Conversation series, talking about food and branding, and just...wow. I LOVE her. My favorite of the pearls of wisdom she dropped all over the stage like a flower girl scattering petals down the aisle was the concept of "true North"--Figure out what matters to you, what *is* essentially you, your true North, and never let your compass waver from that direction. Anything that pulls you away from it should be avoided. Anything that speeds you toward it? Embrace with open arms. That was the other thing she said that struck a chord--you can't sit on the sidelines, you have to dive in, get wet, mess around and try things.

Nothing earth-shattering, perhaps, but very reinforcing. I had a blast, and also signed my very last advance reading copy of On the Steamy Side to her, so that was fun. Also, they gave out cupcakes, because it was her birthday! I love the NY WICI!

Since the Bocuse post is going to be loooong and full of pictures, I'm going to stop here for today. If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen most of them already, but tomorrow's post will provide more commentary than 140 characters allows, so there might be some fun, new stuff.

And speaking of fun, new stuff, Amazon and Macmillan are playing nicely again which means that I have a fun, new price for the Kindle edition of Can't Stand the Heat! List price from SMP at $6.99, which Amazon discounted to $5.59. Get it while it's hot, in case it's a mistake! LOL

Posted by Louisa Edwards at 11:44 AM  

Labels: Amazon, Can't Stand the Heat, Ina Garten, Kindle