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OMG…I Have a New York Times Bestseller!

5 June 2024

OMG…I Have a New York Times Bestseller!

Surpise…Happiness…Relief…
Just processing the flood of emotions


I crossed my fingers. I knew there was a chance, albeit probably small, that it could happen. I prepared myself mentally for disappointment too, though in the midst of this amazing book tour disappointment should certainly be taken in context. I even allowed my mind to wander and dream a few times, especially on my long flight from Italy back to New York City in preparation for the book’s launch. You know, picturing “You Deserve Good Gelato” innocuously sliding in at like #10 or making some Honorable Mention notations or whatever. 

For a split second or two  I even pictured the book debuting halfway up, perhaps Top 5. But that little mind-wandering moment was merely the equivalent of my twelve year-old self, competing in one of those kid pageants, on stage receiving a participation ribbon and fake tiara yet pretending that I was being crowned Miss Teen America. 

You always have those random daydreams no matter their sheer audacity, in addition to the more grounded goals and ambitions.

And yet, despite the fact I had played out every scenario in my head, my mind initially seemed to go blank when I first got the news. And it definitely did when I saw this:

You Deserve Good Gelato debuts at #3 on NY Times Bestseller List!

I mean, what?! 

You Deserve Good Gelatodebuting at #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List in its category?!

It turns out that there is no amount of daydreaming or imagining that could have actually prepared me for seeing my name, my book, right there on the freaking NY Times Bestseller List. In its debut week. Not just an honorable mention or at #10. Number Three. Just…WOW

If you were in the room when I got the news it probably went something like this:

If You Were In Room with Kacie When She Found Out

So many emotions. Even today, a couple days later, I still feel like I’m in a state of shock. It’s like I’m simultaneously living on cloud nine, feeling free of an imaginary weight upon my chest and gorging on the spoils of full bars on Halloween, all at once and rolled up into a supercharged emotional roller coaster.

Surprise.   Relief.    Happiness.

So many emotions. Strong, overwhelming emotions.

But you know what? If anything, this was a pretty genuine reminder to myself. That not only is it okay to dream big–it’s okay to aim for the “impossible”, too. If we don’t challenge ourselves to do more, to be more, we’ll never know WHAT is possible. We will never know what we are capable of and can achieve. 

I don’t fancy myself as a linguistic genius, I’m not a wordsmith, I don’t foresee Josh Grisham & co. asking me for writing tips anytime soon. Yeah, I had tremendous doubts to whether I could even write a book, let alone one worthy of someone’s time. Hell there was a few on social media that were quick to share their same doubts.

But I did know that I had a message I wanted to convey, and, in its own little way, it’s an important one. So I went outside my comfort zone and took on the endeavor.

Nothing worth having comes easy.

You know… Do the Shit That Scares You.

My first trip to Italy was solo, and I was terrified. But I embraced that fear and tried to use it as motivation, and did so again when I decided to start making videos. Fear, self-doubt, they are all natural emotions. What’s the cliche about fear? “Don’t let it contain you”, or however it goes. Hey, cliche’s exist for a reason.

As a 12 year-old pageant girl I never could have imagined that Kacie Rose would be a New York Times Bestselling Author. I mean, never imagined. It also wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t take on the challenge of writing the book, and certainly had I not went outside my comfort zone several years ago, in a cramped NYC studio apartment looking at online photo galleries of Europe, thinking “ahh, if only…one day, maybe.”



 

Buy on AMAZON (audio)  
Buy On AMAZON (Paper)


A big, BIG * THANK YOU *to everyone that pre-ordered a copy of “You Deserve Good Gelato”. Pre-orders are obviously a popular thing with any artist, whether it be an album, book or portrait, but they are HUGE when it comes to release by new authors like me.  They really did set in motion everything from the book tour, to positive word-of-mouth reviews to the eventual NY Times Bestseller list. 

Of course, thank you as well to everyone that has picked up their copy or downloaded the e-book version. I can’t express that enough. The support and reception for the book has been overwhelming and awesome, and simple words in a blog nor speeches into a camera can convey my appreciation well enough. 

If you haven’t got your copy yet, whaddya waitin for?! (just kidding haha).

I’ve had a blast on this book tour, and honestly it might be the best part of all of this. From getting to meet so many people I’ve interacted with on Instagram and TikTok, to hearing from people who don’t even use social media explain how they came upon the book, to just simply getting the opportunity to meet so many different  types of amazing people, it’s all been so awesome. 

Stay tuned, too, cause coming up in the next day or two there’ll be a “special edition” blog post where my brother will take you on a bit of a “Behind The Scenes” of my Ann Arbor, MI book signing last Friday, which is a mere 15 minutes or so from where I was born and raised. 

“Behind The Scenes: Kacie’s Book Tour in Ann Arbor” will drop this weekend!



I mentioned “Full Bars” at Halloween. Sorry, now this scene is in my head. 


Flood. Of. Emotions.
(No Apologies, either haha)

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Fur Babies Travel Too! Searching Amazon to Help Your Pet

 

Fur Babies Travel Too!

Searching Amazon to help your pet(s) travel in style (& comfort)

It’s kind of ironic how things work out sometimes. For a little while now I’ve contemplated switching up the types of blogs I post–I have endless notebook pages chock full of scribbled (and occasionally detailed) ideas to attest to this. 

So one day last week, there I was, contemplating my next post, eyes glued to my computer screen as they often are, when my little munchkin kitty decided she wanted attention. As any cat owner (or any pet owner, really) knows, cats have only one type of attention-seeking move. While dogs may bark, or put their head in your lap, or bring you a chew toy, a cat…well a cat just doesn’t care what you are doing or where you are doing it. 

So yeah, she knocked the laptop off the table. Oooh, I was mad. So mad. But at the same time, like, how can you not respect that kind of bold determination? Don’t we all wish we could be that blend of arrogance & prissiness sometimes? 

So I laughed at her. Petted her. Gave her a treat.

We may have the size advantage, and opposable thumbs, but our pets are the ones in charge, lets face it. They have us by a leash. 

But if there is one thing that can test the limits of patience for pet owners–and even the pets themselves–it is travel. Whether its as simple as a 10 minute car ride or a quick weekend getaway by train, to the sophisticated planning of international air travel or a cruise ship, traveling with your beloved furry companions is simply a nerve-wracking experience.

I have two little kitties that can’t stand not having the attention of me or Dario. My brother has two little rescue dogs that are spoiled rotten. My mom has a Shih Tzu that she loves more than me and my brother combined. I know the struggle.

It’s simple: Traveling with pets is stressful. So, with the assistance of the online juggernaut that is Amazon, I’ve compiled a list of items that can help your beloved fur-baby survive the anxiety & fear that comes with traveling…and do so looking pretty darn chic & stylish too, I might add.

Oh, and that irony I referenced in this blog’s opening? It just so happens that this first “Searching Amazon” blog coincides with Amazon’s October Prime Days! How ironic, huh? In the spirit of Prime Days, all recommendations are “Prime”-eligible, and I’ve made sure to only include the best & most reliable brands in pet-care. 


Please Note: As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualified purchases. 


Before You Even Close the Door…

You can see all of the items listed here in one place, in a customized list, on my personal Amazon Storefront

Preemptively address some of your pet’s anxiety before your journey even begins. There’s a growing industry of “calming chews”–for dogs especially. Not unlike being in a retail store’s vitamin & supplement aisle, you need to read the label & ingredients carefully, however. Calming chews work great for many animals, and it’s a case where its better to pay a couple bucks more to know what your getting. The ThunderWunder brand is a favorite of my brother, and Healthy Solutions has never let me down. 



The Thunder line of anxiety-relief clothing is the OG. If you’re looking for something with a bit more style, or maybe looking for a brand specializing in felines as opposed to canines, the market has expanded in both size and scope. 



They really do have essential oils for everything nowadays, don’t they?!?



A couple other interesting items for anxiety. Full List Here.




Alright…Time to Secure the Package

Sure, if its a short car hop to a vet appointment, maybe you can get away with little Charlie sitting on a pillow or Peaches plopped in a tote bin. But that won’t work on Delta Airlines. Trust me. 

You can go with the basics…



But come on now, you don’t need me to talk up a plain boring black cage, do you?

These carriers, however, are next level awesome….

(Full list/recs available in my Amazon storefront)



Even though, as I said, our pets have us on leashes, once in a while we must turn the tables on ’em. But not all leashes are equal; some are like bungee cords–if you have a ‘puller’ when you take your pal for walks, you’ll love this design. Of course, some leashes have flashlights + secret compartments of baggies & stuff.

I didn’t really have a section to put the middle item in…but I really wanted to include it because (ssshhh) I think this is my brother’s christmas present (or his dogs’ present). I mean that’s, like, the ultimate doggie lunchbox. 



Personally, I’m a big proponent of the harness versus just attaching a leash to a collar. Too many bad things can happen, and a lot of small dogs have issues with collapsing trachs.  

Another little bonus idea in the middle–Its a pretty freaking awesome way for people who can’t lug huge crates, or fight with a leash, to more easily transport their pet.

Technology, I tell ya, its something else. 

(Yes, that was sarcasm. But even so, I mean, someone had to come up with the idea to attach a plastic shopping bag to a dog and make it work!)





Keep ’em busy

There’s a new trend that combines anxiety relief with toys & stuffed animals. There’s a lot of studies that show animals often attach themselves to a certain squeak toy, or a certain teddy bear, as their own “emotional support animal” albeit an inanimate one. 

These are a few highly popular–and recommended–options. 



Sometimes it’s as easy as food & water




Comfort…and Style

Seriously, any excuse I can find to look at photos of cute puppies and kittens in little outfits…yeah, I’ll take it. I’m not even a little bit ashamed.



Cold-hearted sonofagun and you don’t care about your pet’s outfits? I have a happy solution…

Introducing: Style & Comfort for Both of You 



bonus round

OH…
DID I MENTION CUTE ANIMALS IN OUTFITS?!?

Ladies and gentlemen…I give you: Halloween



Oh

Not as important as cute kittens in Harry Potter costumes, but these wipes are pretty good when traveling with your furry babies.



Yes.

Yes I did sneak a photo of a puppy in a Pope costume in between the wipes. 



Please note that Amazon links provided are built via my personal Amazon Influencer Storefront


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