Reese Witherspoon is returning to Washington, D.C., this Friday, Oct. 26 — unfortunately, not for “Legally Blonde 3” … yet.
The actress is wrapping up an eight-city tour at the Anthem in the waterfront Wharf development to promote her first book, “Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love and Baking Biscuits.” Among her other stops were New York City, Nashville and Waco, Texas.
Released Sept. 18, “Whiskey in a Teacup” is Witherspoon’s ode to growing up in the South. Filled with family photos and recipes, the book shares classics like her best fried chicken recipe and photos of her mother and grandmother (who looked like Witherspoon’s clones when they were her age).
Less story-heavy than memoirs by Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey, Witherspoon’s book reads like an issue of Architectural Digest starring her “Legally Blonde” character Elle Woods. There are many pictures of Witherspoon’s home, decorated for the holidays, decked out for a summer picnic and so on.
Each recipe is accompanied with a photo to make you want to hit the kitchen — or at the very least order some tasty takeout.
Throughout the book, Witherspoon talks often about her Southern upbringing, from learning good manners to how to entertain properly (and to never wear sweatpants on airplanes). After finishing the book, it’s hard not to see that when Witherspoon talks of her Nashville roots, they’re relatable to many upper middle-class families in the United States, not just Southern ones.
Good manners and the art of writing a thank-you note are just polite societal norms, should one be lucky enough to have parents to teach them. Witherspoon may think her values are uniquely Southern, but chances are they are a bit more universal.
All that being said, it’s hard not to be inspired to dig out your finest pearls, put on a cute dress and have your friends over for a fancy dinner party with one of the recipes in the book. Witherspoon has a unique ability to make herself utterly likable, as if she could be your long-lost sister or best friend.
If you’re looking for an escape from the crazy world we live in into a bright, happy and colorful place, this book is it.
Witherspoon’s appearance at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, will be part of a conversation with Ali Wentworth, actress, comedian, author, producer and wife of ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton-Washington, D.C. has even gotten into the Witherspoon hype, offering a Ladies’ Night Out package that includes transportation to and from the event, overnight accommodations and a gourmet breakfast for two the following morning.
Tickets to the Anthem event are $60 to $400 and all attendees receive a copy of “Whiskey in a Teacup.”
