The Story Behind The Book

Before there ever was a book, there were moments—dozens of them. Like the time a friend did something wildly awkward at a dinner, and someone said, “You should put that in your etiquette book.” It became a running joke: anytime life handed us a cringe-worthy, confusing, or completely ridiculous social situation, someone would say, “That’s going in the book.”

Truthfully, I’ve been collecting those moments my whole life—little lessons from my mom, who never preached about manners but simply lived them. Whether she was setting a table or handling a tough conversation, she made kindness look effortless. Without realizing it, she was writing the first chapters of this book long before I ever did.

Then came the reality show. A very public moment that made me cringe—and think. The book was already underway, but that moment gave it even more meaning.

Polished in Pink isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about laughing at the missteps, learning as you go, and showing up anyway. It’s part guide, part story, and all heart.