So Close to Amazing

September 6, 2017
IN: book, book club, book nerd, book review

It came in the mail a little over a month ago, and I could not wait to dive in to reading. I oohed and aahed at the cover, holding this beautiful book in my hands with the biggest grin on my face. Eventually my girl came into the room and asked, “Whatcha got there mom?” I shouted back,

“Come and look, my friend KariAnne wrote a book!”

I’m sure you probably already know KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms. But just in case you don’t, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to one of the most amazing decorating and DIY bloggers in all of blogland. She’s the most genuine, encouraging and inspiring person you could ever hope to meet! Plus she’s hilarious and always, always tells the BEST stories! In fact it was her storytelling that first drew me in to reading her blog many years ago. She has a way with words. It’s truly a gift, and I couldn’t be happier to see her author a book. I mean, she creates the most beautiful spaces. There’s no denying that, just take a peek at her blog and you’ll see for yourself. But I have no doubt in my mind that she was born to be a writer.

In Her Book

She did not hold back or disappoint on the story telling in her new book. So Close to Amazing is one part real, heartwarming and hilarious memoir and one part simple, easy-to-follow, achievable DIY projects. It’s all written with what I’ve come to know as KariAnne’s signature charming combination of grace and wit. Her conversational writing style draws you in immediately. And you’ll swear that you’re not just reading a book but rather gabbing with a girlfriend. She has you laughing all the way through to the end, possibly with tears streaming down your face, as you relate to every hilarious tale of being “so close to amazing”.

Real & Relatable

Who among us women can’t relate to hoping and striving for the picture perfect, happy movie ending only to find that real life looks a little different than the movies?

Kind of like the time it took you three outfit changes and twenty different hairstyles until you finally had your “look” ready for high school orientation. Only to get sick and throw up in front of the entire school.

Or when you thought cutting your own bangs would be a good idea. And you can’t even blame youth as an excuse because you were a full-fledged adult when you did it.

Or that time you decided to repaint your master bedroom and thought drop cloths were for clearly for amateurs……and then proceeded to accidentally spill an entire gallon of blue paint on brand. new. carpet.

Wait…….that wasn’t you; it was me. 🙂

I think we all have our own “so close to amazing” stories. And it’s because we do that KariAnne’s book feels so relatable. Her honesty is so refreshingly sweet!

And her words……they hit home.

This, my friends, is the book you’ll want to give to all your best girlfriends. It’s one you’ll want to keep on a bookshelf or coffee table long after you’ve read it just so you can revisit the stories from time to time. It’s a sweet reminder to embrace the imperfect journey that is life and to celebrate every single moment.