Thrilling Book Tour Adventures: From Rainy Austin to Sunny Florida Shores
It feels like an age since our last book tour update, and indeed, it has been. After a brief hiatus, allowing bookstores and retailers to navigate the bustling holiday season, we finally hit the road again. Our recent adventures in Texas and Florida marked our first stops since wrapping up our visits to Washington D.C. and Richmond back in early December. While we thoroughly enjoyed our time in northern cities like Boston, Chicago, Toronto, and Minneapolis, we were eagerly anticipating a taste of warmer weather as we headed south. Little did we know, Mother Nature had other plans for our initial stop. This is a long one, folks, so settle in!
Austin, Texas: Rain-Soaked Charm and Unexpected Finds
Our arrival in Austin, Texas, was greeted not by the warm southern sunshine we’d hoped for, but by a sky that looked decidedly like this:
Apparently, Austin had been experiencing a prolonged drought until our infamous “great weather luck” decided to bless the city with buckets of heavy rain. Despite the downpour, our spirits weren’t dampened. It was our first time in Austin, a city many friends had raved about, and we were determined to explore its unique charm. We braved the misty weather, walking a good mile or so to the vibrant South Congress Avenue, a hub of eclectic shops and delicious eateries. Our first mission: food at Guero’s, followed by some serious retail therapy.
South Congress Discoveries: Fashion, Antiques, and Future Décor
Sherry, always on the lookout for a stylish find, made a beeline for the Kendra Scott store. She snagged these elegant earrings on sale, which she proudly wore to the book signing that evening. It was quite amusing to see her blend seamlessly into the Austin fashion scene, encountering dozens of other women sporting similar designs. In her own words, “I did it, I came to Austin and I blended.”
After the exciting earring hunt – a journey that, admittedly, caused my eyes to glaze over as I am, after all, a dude – we stumbled into Uncommon Objects. This place was a treasure trove, a fascinating labyrinth of the coolest and quirkiest antiques and oddball wares you could imagine. We respectfully adhered to their “no photography” policy, so the only visuals we can share are of the unique souvenirs we picked up. Sherry and I spent over an hour meticulously sifting through countless bins and baskets, unearthing forgotten relics. For us, this kind of archaeological dig for peculiar and wonderfully old items is the epitome of a good time.
Our haul included an old tin number ‘7’, a charming assortment of vintage dominoes (which coincidentally spelled out ‘1-4-3’, another one of our favorite numbers), and a collection of letter tiles that formed the word ‘L-O-V-E’. These delightful finds are destined for Clara’s ‘big girl’ room, potentially arranged in a shadowbox. We’re excited to see where they’ll eventually find their home.
W Hotel Austin: A Glimpse of Modern Style
Our shopping excursion left us thoroughly damp and chilly, prompting a retreat to our hotel to warm up and prepare for the evening’s book signing. We were hosted at the W Hotel downtown, a truly impressive establishment. Its interiors boasted an abundance of modern tile work and chic wallpaper, offering a wealth of design inspiration. We’re planning a dedicated recap post about all the incredible hotels we’ve stayed in throughout the tour, complete with our newfound travel tips, once the journey concludes. For now, here’s a sneak peek at the captivating textures and patterns that defined our Austin accommodation:
BookPeople: Grand Stage and Impromptu Talks
That night, our signing took place at BookPeople, arguably the largest independent bookstore we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Its scale was immense; they even had our names emblazoned on a marquee outside and a dramatic curtain from which we emerged to begin our welcome talk. The only thing missing was a giant spotlight! A big thank you to Sidhya for capturing the moment below.
Unlike previous stops where we either delivered lengthy speeches or no talk at all, this particular week required us to give a 15-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session at each event. This change was sprung on us just the day before we departed, but as seasoned improvisers, we thrive under pressure.
Thanks to our earlier rainy stroll through South Congress, we had ample opportunity to brainstorm and rehearse a brief chat. Our topic: five surprising differences between writing a book and writing a blog. Rather than simply transcribing our insights here, we’re thrilled that Alison from the blog House of Hepworths graciously filmed it for us. Alison, your help was invaluable! For those curious about Sherry’s bangs or other burning questions, this video offers a candid, no-holds-barred conversation covering everything from a potential future Petersik baby to thoughts on a new house, and much more.
If you watched the video, you might have noticed a moment where I paused mid-talk to snap a photo of Sherry. You never know when a candid shot might come in handy, right? Sherry, however, was not entirely thrilled with my impromptu photo session.
Jamie, from C.R.A.F.T., captured the shot above. And here’s the “gem” I managed to get below. Can you almost feel the eye-roll emanating from the screen? I’ll probably get another one for actually including this in the post!
Memorable Encounters at the Austin Signing
Following our lively chat and a brief Q&A, we swiftly moved upstairs to begin the book signing. As with all our tour stops, we were met by a sea of smiling, energetic faces, and collected some truly memorable stories. Just look at the joyful expressions of Sidhya, Alison, and Katie! People often ask if these signings are overwhelming or exhausting, but honestly, meeting so many fun and happy individuals fills us with an almost embarrassing amount of energy. We feed off your enthusiasm, and before we know it, we’re just as grinning and hyper as everyone else.
We genuinely cherish hearing all the unique anecdotes that emerge. Take, for instance, the poor woman who got into a minor fender bender on her way to the signing. Lacking any spare paper, she and her friend ingeniously used the back of our book to exchange insurance information with the other driver. Talk about resourceful!
Audrey, who had undergone a minor dental procedure the day before, couldn’t talk or even smile. Her thoughtful boyfriend had emailed us in advance to explain why a seemingly unhappy, quiet girl might approach our table. We empathized with her situation and gladly took a no-smiles-allowed picture.
And how incredibly cool is this? Megan and Brian, both employees at Home Depot, presented us with our very own apron, intricately designed by the talented lettering person at their store (a huge shout-out to the Evan Road Home Depot #6550!). It was so awesome it warranted a “murtsy” – that’s a man-curtsy, for the uninitiated. You heard it here first: murtsying is the new planking!
Being in Austin, we received numerous requests to flash the “Hook ‘Em Horns” sign in our photos. It took Sherry a few tries to master the gesture, realizing it wasn’t an aggressive, ready-to-charge style but rather an upward-pointing, celebratory signal. Celeste, pictured with us, seemed to appreciate the effort!
And, of course, there’s always room for a goofy photo in the mix. The girls decided on an “over-excited” pose, while I apparently veered towards a shocked/dental-exam expression.
We absolutely cannot forget to mention Jess, who achieved a remarkable book signing hat trick by attending all three Texas signings! In honor of her incredible dedication and travel endurance, I whipped up this little graphic. It’s no Golden Globe, but I tried my best. She shares more about her impressive feat on her blog.
And finally, a huge thanks to the clever “I Like You A Whole Lotto” treat from Jamie (she gave us each a scratch-off card)! Thanks to her generosity, I’ve officially won ten more dollars from the Texas State Lottery in my lifetime than from my own state’s games. As for Sherry, well, she ended up with a big goose egg. Or maybe a moon or an anchor or something.
If you’re interested in reading more firsthand accounts of our Austin stop, check out these posts from Amanda & Corey and another Amanda (whose post includes a video shout-out to her friend Ruthie). All in all, despite the unexpected rain, we had an absolute blast in Austin. It was just enough of a taste – albeit a dreary one – to leave us wanting to return and explore this incredible city for much longer than a single day.
Miami, Florida: Sun-Drenched Vibes and Bold Design
Fortunately, our next stop in Miami, Florida, presented a glorious meteorological contrast. Hallelujah! The clouds parted, and the infectious beats of LMFAO immediately started playing in our heads. Our publisher, always aiming to house us in unique, character-filled establishments rather than generic beige-walled chains, truly outdid themselves this time. This gem in South Beach, called Dream, completely took the cake. As we stepped into our room, this is what greeted us – well, minus Sherry. Me-ow, Miami! Am I right?
Having never been to Miami before, my perceptions were largely shaped by music videos and popular culture. The hotel’s distinct blue mood-lighting perfectly aligned with my imagined Miami aesthetic. You could easily envision them shooting a Will Smith video right here! The hotel’s uniqueness didn’t stop at the lighting. Just check out the glass-doored bathroom! After a 24-hour stay, our honest assessment is this: while we understand the allure of a glass shower door, the purpose of a “hey, look everyone!” toilet remains a mystery to us. It led to several whispered “I’m peeing – don’t look!” warnings throughout our brief visit. Yet, despite the occasional privacy challenge, it was an incredibly fun and wonderfully over-the-top place to stay. It’s quite possibly the most memorable hotel of the entire tour so far.
Side note: the glass door also functions as an unintentional mirror for anyone using the bathroom. Meaning, you get a full-body view of yourself while on the pot. Consider yourselves warned!
A Quick Dip in Miami’s Vibrancy
Moving on from our architectural marvel of a hotel, we landed in Miami around 3 PM. After settling into our room, we ventured out for a late lunch and early dinner at the nearest eatery we could find. And we wasted no time making the first of many, seemingly non-stop “Dexter” references of the trip. Here’s Sherry striking her “I’m-in-Miami-so-I’ll-give-you-a-Dexter-pose” pose.
With time quickly slipping away before our evening signing, we made sure to squeeze in an obligatory visit to the beach for some much-needed sand-between-our-toes time. We only had about ten minutes to spare, and Sherry was still dressed in a sweater and jeans, but it was absolutely glorious. The feeling of the warm sand and the sound of the waves were a pure delight, a stark contrast to Austin’s chill.
We really didn’t want to leave, but alas, a book signing awaited! Plus, we’d forgotten our bathing suits – and if ever there were a beach not to be overdressed at, well, you’ve seen the music videos. So, we made our way to the signing at Books & Books in nearby Coral Gables. Perhaps it was the Miami heat (not the basketball team) getting to us, but this was arguably the prettiest bookstore we had ever seen. It featured a captivating, glowing courtyard, embraced on three sides by a stunning Spanish-style building, complete with a charming bar nestled under an arched breezeway. The ambiance was simply magical.
The interior of Books & Books was equally awe-inspiring. I instantly dreamt of having a room just like it in my own house. Right now. Stat!
Miami Signing Highlights: Style, Superheroes, and Extended Chats
Just like in Austin, we kicked off the event with a version of our “blog vs. book writing” talk, followed by an engaging Q&A session. We again delved into important topics, including the saga of Sherry’s bangs, which were strategically pinned back due to Miami’s frizz-inducing humidity. The signing portion of the evening was, as always, an absolute blast. Sherry was particularly delighted to learn from Nicholl that her gold “Jersey” purse effortlessly doubled as a gold “Miami” purse. That’s my girl, always finding a way to fit in with the local style, wherever we go!
And then there was Danielle, who had sewn this absolutely adorable superhero cape for Clara. In this picture, Sherry is modeling it more like a bib, but trust me, it’s much grander. Now that we’re back home, I keep trying to get a good picture of Clara wearing it, but once that Velcro is fastened, she transforms! She has only one speed with the cape on: fast, zooming around the house with boundless energy.
Since our two Florida events were geographically close and neither bookstore was exceptionally large, the signing line wasn’t as extensive as we’d seen in other cities. This meant that by the time we reached the end, our “small-talk tank” was far from depleted. We happily continued chatting the ears off the last few folks in line. Bethany (far right in the photo below) chronicled the entire experience, including a rundown of some of the questions we answered earlier in the evening, on her blog. She also shared a hilarious run-in with Sherry in the restroom. Thank goodness those doors weren’t glass!
Fort Lauderdale: A Relaxed Pace and Unexpected Connections
With our next stop in Fort Lauderdale just a 45-minute car ride away, Thursday proved to be perhaps the most chill tour day we’ve had so far. Typically, our days are a whirlwind of “get up crazy early to taxi to the airport so we can fly out, then taxi to our next hotel before taxiing to the event, and somehow manage to eat something better than airport food when possible.” But this one glorious day, we got to sleep in, catch up on some work, enjoy a leisurely sit-down breakfast, and even take in some of the stunning architecture along Ocean Drive. In a trip often defined by its whirlwind pace (six flights in four days!), this moment of unhurried relaxation was precious. We were dedicated to soaking up every second of it.
Upon our early afternoon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, we took a moment to appreciate our hotel, which offered this breathtaking view from our balcony. After a quick settle-in, we set out to grab a bite to eat. We hadn’t quite realized how far our hotel was from the main hustle and bustle, so we ended up walking over 3 miles before finally finding refuge at Casablanca Cafe. It turned out to be a fantastic walk, though. It felt incredibly good to stretch our legs after so much time cooped up in taxis and on planes. Our picture-taking started to become less frequent during this leg of the trip, as Florida was beginning to trick us into believing we were on a real vacation.
Sharks, Signed Paintbrushes, and Special Shirts
So, forgive me for jumping ahead, but after enjoying an absolutely delicious lunch (we highly recommend Casablanca Cafe!), we caught a taxi back to our hotel. There simply wasn’t enough time to walk the 3 miles back and still make it to our event. We quickly changed into our signing “uniforms” and headed to The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, which conveniently housed a Books & Books in its gift shop. From there, it was pretty much the same engaging chat and Q&A session we’d delivered the past two nights – with one fin-tastic difference: we had sharks! The museum was in the process of packing up their shark exhibit, so a display of these magnificent creatures was right next to our podium, adding a unique backdrop to our event.
The wonderful people of Fort Lauderdale provided a fantastic way to cap off this week of signings. They were friendly, warm, and even somewhat familiar. We had one gentleman stop by whom we had seen the night before in Miami (hi Steve!). Sherry also had a delightful reunion, meeting the sister of one of her high school friends (hi Erin!). And then there was Jenna, who presented us with her well-loved paintbrush, asking us to sign it. It was such a charming request, celebrating the tools of creativity.
While that wasn’t the first paintbrush we’ve signed, I can confidently say that Caitlin handed us the very first Lowe’s receipt we were asked to put our mark on. Well, I take that back – I’ve signed plenty of Lowe’s receipts in my day, but usually at the checkout counter, confirming a purchase!
But perhaps the absolute cutest item we were asked to autograph that day was this little guy’s homemade shirt. In case you can’t quite make it out, Otto was proudly sporting a shirt that read: “$herdog is my homegirl.” Oh, and let’s not overlook the adorable bowtie, which truly completed the outfit and stole the show!
An Unforgettable Dinner and Farewell to Florida
When the signing concluded, we unexpectedly found ourselves with both time and energy left to enjoy a proper dinner. We took a leisurely stroll down Las Olas Boulevard and decided to pop into The Royal Pig. As soon as we walked in, we were met with a surprised gasp! Jen (on the right) and her sister, who had attended the signing earlier, were delightfully shocked to see us again. After devouring an amazing dinner – the food in Fort Lauderdale was truly the best of the trip so far, simply because we had the luxury of enjoying two wonderful meals – we chatted with them and took another photo to perfectly cap off the night. You can read her hilarious version of events on her blog.
Then, the very next morning, it was back to our familiar airport routine as we boarded flights #5 and #6 of this extensive journey. At least with each plane ride, we were getting closer and closer to the comforting embrace of home.
A Heartwarming Homecoming and Future Adventures
When we finally landed in Richmond that Friday afternoon, we received the absolute best greeting imaginable. As we exited security, we heard a familiar little voice yelling “Daddy! Mommy!” and saw our sweet Clara running straight towards us. We had fully expected to simply meet my dad in the arrivals lane outside the airport, but he and mom – who had been our incredible baby, house, and Burger-sitters while we were away – surprised us by bringing Clara to the airport to greet us. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have that precious moment captured on video! Let’s just say it brought a misty-eyed Sherry to tears. We had missed our little girl terribly.
We’ve enjoyed a much-needed week off from touring, but we’re already preparing to hit the road again next week! Our upcoming stops include Tacoma on Friday, Portland on Saturday, and Palo Alto on Sunday. You can find all the intricate details on our dedicated book tour page here. We’re beyond excited to experience the West Coast and sincerely hope to see some of you there. Oh, and if any of you happen to have connections to bring that glorious Miami weather up to the Pacific Northwest, we’d like to formally submit that request now. Thanks for your thoughtful consideration!