I’ve been racking my brains, trying to figure out how to write this post since my journey for this project to see the light of day was a lengthy roller coaster ride that was fun, satisfying, exciting, stressful, nerve-racking, and wonderful experience. I mean, how does one summarize such an amazing episode in their life? I can’t. The best person to write about it is the woman who had faith in me and paved the way for my future. She touched my life more than words could ever say and I shall forever be immensely grateful for this. She is none other than my publisher, Xandra Ramos-Padilla of National Book Store.
Thank you NBS for making my dream come true!
I will preempt my Publisher’s Note on my book because this is essentially what happened:
“I first met Jenni as the super fashion stylist and shopingera, famously styling advertisements and celebrities. She produced weekly fashion editorials and shopping guides in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that I would look forward to each week as the images were aspirational but achievable. As a stylist she had much more to share. In 2006, she started her blog as the Mabuhay Girl on Multiply, where she would share her shopping finds and fashion adventures. Like any talented lifestyle denizen would, Jenni evolved and added other skills and talents to her resume, becoming a multi-tasking personality — with several interesting slashes to her occupation — while reaching a wider base of readers. Jenni the stylist has also become Jenni the designer/chef/food stylist/tablescape artist/décor diva/shopingera/wife/mom.
Her blog likewise transformed into her website, www.jenniepperson.com. She is busy running from shoot to event to project with many deadlines to meet while raising a beautiful teenage girl and a precocious toddler. Yet she finds the time to prepare and share special meals with her family. She makes the balancing act of family and fashion seem so easy and effortless.
I approached her to produce a book that consolidated all the advice dished out in the blog into one beautiful tome. The book is organized by occasion. The usual holidays are elevated to a higher level, while the ordinary ones are made more special by little thoughtful details and a lot of creativity. It wouldn’t be Jenni’s book without the elements of food, fashion and stylish décor and tablescapes combined. Thus, I am delighted to present to you: ‘Jenni Epperson Fashion + Food’, as part of the National Book Store lifestyle publishing program.
To Jenni’s readers, I hope this book inspires you as much as it has inspired me to live every day in style.”
Xandra Ramos-Padilla
Purchasing Director for Books
National Book Store
Here’s a teaser photo of the book! Watch out for ‘Jenni Epperson Fashion + Food’
*Insert drop-jaw face here* Yes, this is what I’ve been working on all year — I wrote a book! This is also the reason why I haven’t been going out, attending events, hanging out with friends, writing my column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and not blogging as much as I used to.
Suffice to say, this book has taken over my life for the past 15 months! It has consumed me. It had to. It was the only way that I could harness all my energy, passion, and know-how in order for me to put it in writing and pictures so that I could share it with all of you!
If you are following me on Twitter, you would remember this: “One of the most important parcels in my life is now in God’s hands. Can you guess what it is?” This marked the day when I sent out the proofs of my book for printing. I cannot contain the excitement I feel so I could share it with all of you!
Immortalizing this book did not come with ease or in a blink of an eye. I’ve been dreaming (and drafting) about this for about 7 years! If you ask my former assistants, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Kat Cruz, Steph Cabal, Maureen Disini, and Nina Estacio, they can attest to the fact that I’ve been wanting to write a book since time immemorial. At that time though, I was contemplating on writing a fashion/styling book, but Nina Garcia had already got that covered. She is the queen of helpful fashion books! Plus, I’m at a point in my life where fashion is not the singular aspect I am passionate about.
I wanted a book that would not only answer your fashion dilemmas but also nurture you from within; hence, the inclusion of food — cooking! I believe that life is one big celebration. That being said, each chapter of my book marks one of the most important occasions, as well a daily celebratory affair with your loved ones!
I would like to take this opportunity too to thank my team who tirelessly worked on this project:
To my dearest husband Tom, who worked with me for months on end, shooting till wee hours of the morning, and taking such beautiful shots for my book, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I not only enjoyed shooting with you but also eating the dishes I whipped up for the book! I love you!
Thank you Dix Perez for your patience and creative prowess in designing and laying out my book! Those years we worked together in Chalk and Just Shop couldn’t have prepared you enough for this! Haha! I cannot imagine working with a better artist for this project. You simply gave life to every page of the book! You are amazing!
To Bea Ledesma, thank you for editing my work. Without you, all the punctuation marks would have been exclamation points!!! I love you!!!
Big thanks to the young and the restless, Soleil Ignacio and Kris Abrigo for the beautiful artworks! I can’t wait for everyone to see how talented you guys are! Goes without saying I love your work!
Special thanks to Abbi Gabasa for helping me brainstorm for this book to materialize. Thanks for listening!
Thank you Miguel Ramos of NBS for the undying support. You rock!
I would also like to thank my Philippine Daily Inquirer family, especially, Ms. Thelma Sioson-San Juan for always believing in me. It means a lot to me.
To all my friends, thank you for all the love, support, and understanding! I am the luckiest person in the world to have been blessed with such amazing friends! I love you all!
Special mention to my best friend Tim Yap, thank you for always guiding me and loving me unconditionally! I love you!
To my children Aryanna and Dylan, you are my loves and my life! You continuously and endlessly inspire me. Everything that mom does, she does for both of you!
To my parents, sister, and brother, I love you more than words could say. I dedicate my book to all of you!
Last but not the least, to my lovely readers and Team JENNIration (worldwide, o, diba?), this book is for all of YOU! Thanks for all the support and I am grateful for the community that I have in the world wide web! You guys are the best!
Ladies, gentlemen, and gheys, mark your calendars! I am launching my book on the 6th of December 2011, 6pm at National Book Store, Glorietta 5. I hope to see you there!
More details on the book soon!
Comments 15
super congratulations, ms. jen! i’d definitely ask my mom to get me a copy and send it over. i hope you can sign it:) i’ll tell her to fall in line early coz i bet there will be a looonnggg line! remind NB to be prepared.
Congratulations!!! Wow, you’re such an effective multi-tasker. I know that your book will be displayed on that bestseller section in no time 🙂
The moment you posted that picture I knew already that it was a manuscript for your book. Wow! Congrats in advance. 🙂
Congratulations! I am always and forever a fan (since Good Finds pa!). I’ll try hard to be there at your book launch. 🙂
Congratulations Ms. Jenni!
Homaygwad! Jenni Epperson! You already! Congratulations! Can’t wait for this one! A sure hit itech 🙂 So happy for you! :))
I’m so excited for your upcoming book!!!! 🙂 Yes I do remember this is something that you’ve always wanted! DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!! 🙂 Will definitely get a copy! 🙂
congrats ms.jenni! can’t wait to have one. next time, tv show na! 🙂
Author
Remember Amins??? Live the life you imagined!!! Thanks! Hope to see you at the launch! De. 6, National Book Store, Glorietta 5, 6pm!
Author
Thank you everyone!!!
See you at my book launch! December 6, National Book Store, Glorietta 5, 6pm!
Congratulation Miss Jennie 🙂
A big congratulations to you Ms. Jenni! 🙂
Wow, amazing how you kept from blogging about this awesome news! Congratulations! I remember your weekly mini mag with PDI, loved it too. Sayang, Tuesday ang book launch. All the best wishes though, and looking forward to seeing your book on the shelves 🙂
whooaaaa!!! congrats! can’t wait to get a copy!!! 🙂
cheers!!!
Congratulations! It was also my dream to publish a book. You’re inspiring!