Jessie James Decker has always been a force to be reckoned with. I know this because I was lucky enough to be a part of her team during the release of her debut album with Epic records, Southern Girl City Lights (as well as her two EP’s; Gold & Blackbird Sessions). In the time that I worked with Jessie she was obviously a singer, but also a; wife, mother, business woman, chef, designer, tv personality… you name it!
As a fellow female doing her best every day to do it all and make it look easy, Jessie was so inspiring to me and I was able to have a front row seat to all of the other women she encouraged on the day-to-day. All too often, the consensus from fans was that they wanted some sort of manual or guide to be an-juggling superwoman (even though the reality was that’s just jessie (pun intended)).
Her guide to love, life, family & food is finally here and I was lucky enough to get an early copy that I read from cover to cover before today. The intro says to “grab a warm chocolate chip cookie, and enjoy” so that’s just what I did…
Jessie speaks in a very simple & honest way in this book that I feel any reader, especially her fans, will be able to easily relate to. It’s like you’re just sitting on the couch having a conversation with one of your closest girlfriends. The chapters I felt were the most cathartic for a 20-something year old woman trying to find her way (and maybe getting stressed along that way) would be:
- Completion
- Reality Check
- Wedding Belles (might be bias here because I’m planning my own at the moment)
- In the Kitchen
- Beauty Is As Beauty Does
The promise of the advice in this book is that it will “lift you up – or at least make you laugh” and it truly does just that. Being a female in my early 20’s with my fiancé (and planning our wedding), our pup, families in different states, a full time job, two side jobs (one that also includes planning other people’s weddings), my blog & then the hustle of every day life; sometimes it can feel like I’m doing way more than everyone else. This book helped me to learn that 1). I’m not. And 2). it’s okay to feel that way.
This book just feels like another strong female straightening your crown and telling you to smile. It doesn’t hurt that Jessie’s chocolate chip cookie recipe is in here either. I’m a HUGE fan of this one & have made it a couple of times before, but it’s real motivation to have the open book, official recipe on a stand in the kitchen. You need it in your life. Trust me. She also includes the recipe for her jambalaya that could’ve single-handedly been the thing that sealed the deal for her husband, Eric (see Eric’s thoughts on p. 57). I’ve made it for Kyle and he is now DEFINITELY sure he wants to marry me still… so there’s that proof too. Scroll over below photos.
“I wanted to be that girl other girls looked up to.” That’s a line that really resonates with me. I think we all feel that way deep down. I sing Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” at least three times a week because, well, I love Whitney, but also because it’s a song that speaks to the fact that every woman (and I’m not exception) wants to feel like they can do it all and be the best at it. What I think a lot of people forget is that we should in turn use that to inspire other woman to be the best they can be.
This book just feels like another strong female straightening your crown and telling you to smile.
“Don’t ignore your gut.” I live by this all the time and don’t think Jessie could’ve summed up the reasons why any better. I suggest reading all of page 41 to know what I mean ASAP. It may just save you from making a bad decision, or help you get out of a place you’re not meant to be in.
I could include quote after quote, from every chapter and every page, but the reality is – if you’re a female ages 13-100… you need to read this book. No matter your stage in life, I promise you will relate to what Jessie has to say. From grounding roots and growing wings, to finding your way in a new city; from searching for love, finding it, falling hard; from planning your wedding, getting pregnant, having your baby and getting fit after; from making your house a home, cooking up meals in it’s kitchen; from finding your beauty, your style & making sure it all comes together in the end… this book is for all women. Written by a woman. Who is not afraid to tell it like it is.
Well Worth It 