The Good Days

What a year! A common phrase uttered by many in December. As I reflect on 2022, I had intended on sharing my book tour journey with you as it happened.  But as the year comes to a close and 2023 begins, I will try my best to share and connect with you more on here. In the meantime, I will start with my recap.

If I could describe 2022 by a word it would be: hangover.

The death of my mother and close friend in May 2021, and the immediate release of my book in June 2021 was overwhelming. Navigating my “new normal” remains a task that requires 2 different Lauryn’s. The grief, confusion and anguish that spilled into 2022 was paired with having to do a lot of promotional appearances, book signings, and book festivals. All that required me to be bubbly, pleasant, and professional. Adjusting to both didn’t not allow much room in my life to put toward other writing tasks. The thing about losing someone completely irreplaceable in your life, such as a mother, is that you don’t recognize your life and your family anymore.  Attending book signings, book fairs, and book appearances, caused me to constantly tap into my Dolly Parton energy so that I can bring my best self to the people who took their time to read my book, it’s an exhausting emotional high wire to walk. But time really does heal. There are still bad days. But when I reflect back on 2022, it was a year that was filled with more good days then bad ones. So, join me this month as I re-cap the good days from 2022:

Good Day 1: The Official Love and Mardi Gras Book Release Bash

As a teenager in the 00’s, I loved Sex and the City. When I was in college studying literature, I knew that one day when I released a book I would have a book party just like Carrie Bradshaw’s in a nightclub, signature drink, great music, amazing fashion. Anything less is not my personality, nor would be honoring to the theme of the book; Mardi Gras! I had intended on having the party in fall 2021, but with my grief journey, covid restrictions, and a book signing in Salzburg, I didn’t have time to plan a book release party. I postponed the book bash to January 2022, which worked out well because it was right in the middle of Mardi Gras season. However, January 2022 arrived at the same time as another unwelcomed guest, Omicron. After evading the virus for nearly 2-years, multiple book signings, meet and greets, a small book release party at my favorite Restaurant, Fig 313 in San Clemente. I finally caught covid 3 weeks before my long awaited, non-refundable, book release bash. But after 2 weeks of quarantine, more vitamins and fluids than I have ever consumed in my life in an attempt to flush the virus out of my system. I tested negative 2 days before my self-imposed deadline to cancel the party. Although there were about 20 guests who could not make it due to testing positive for covid, or fears of covid, I was able to have my Mardi Gras themed book release bash at Legacy nightclub in Newport Beach. My Carrie Bradshaw book release vision board was manifested: Nightclub, good food, amazing DJ, customized cookies as favors. It was a very good day.

Book Party Checklist:

Venue: Don’t be afraid to reach out to a restaurant or club to host your party. I rented out the Legacy for a very reasonable price for the 4 hours before the club opened to the public. The club was able to generate extra income, and my guests were able to stay in the club when it opened to the public and party all night.

Food: Living in Southern California there is an ample supply of taco catering. I found an amazing taco lady who was able to cook and feed my guests. The feedback was amazing and they set up and clean up.

Music: Music is life. It is central to Love and Mardi Gras and it is the heartbeat of a party. My cousin is a fabulous DJ so he gave me the family discount. But if a DJ is not in your budget Spotify has plenty of playlists to keep the party alive.

Something Custom: Carrie Bradshaw’s party included cupcakes and cosmopolitans. A wonderful friend gifted me a box of customized cookies decorated as my book cover as well as Mardi Gras Masks and designs. They were the perfect favors for my guests, not to mention extremely Instagrammable.

Theme: Everyone loves a theme! Definitely assign a theme to your party that aligns with your book. Your guests will have fun.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Buy the book!