From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Guest post from Lori Allen, Author of Say Next to What's Next

Author:Lori Allen
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: July 2020

From the star of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, now filming its eleventh season for TLC, comes a book and a life-makeover movement for women approaching fifty and beyond.

Move over, girlfriend, Lori Allen is here to help you say yes to what’s next! Star of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Lori Allen uses her confidence, wisdom, and signature humor not only to help young brides on their most important day ever but also to model to them and their mothers how to live out the coming years as the best of their lives.

Lori Allen is owner/operator of one of the biggest and busiest bridal mega-salons in the country, Atlanta’s Bridals by Lori. But she’s also a wife, mother, grandmother, and breast cancer survivor.

Whether you’re feeling invisible, disappearing into the fabric of your couch a little more every year, or simply being indecisive about what’s next, Lori offers herself as the poster child of what to do, not do, and how to see your way through the unexpected.

In Say Yes to What’s Next she addresses essential issues, such as

don’t let yourself go,
marriage is awesome, but it’s no fairytale,
keep your mouth shut and your heart open to your kids (and they’ll bring you grandkids),
make time to parent your parents,
maintain a close circle of girlfriends,
get off the couch and live your passion,
take charge of your money, and
what to do when life gives you a faceplant.

Say Yes to What’s Next is a life makeover and therapy session from a relatable you-can-and-you-should-do-this straight-shooter as Lori helps women shape their own futures with confidence, style, and sass.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Lori Allen and her daughter, Mollie, share some behind the scenes intel about “Say Yes to What’s Next” in this Q&A.

Q: Mom, what inspired you to write this book?

A: This book reflects my passion for empowering other women over age 50 who recognize that there is so much more life waiting for them. There is a shift in our culture towards women in our age bracket who want to accomplish so much in their lives during what has been deemed their “Golden years”. We aren’t slowing down, on the contrary, we are rising up and we have the means and desires to do so much with our lives.

Q: Who should read Say Yes to What’s Next?

A: I feel like all women, no matter what age bracket, can relate to aspects of my journey as reflected in this book. This is our chance to be heard. Say Yes to What’s Next is about inspiring women to seize the moment and embrace their lives, bodies, and goals as they approach a new chapter in life that can feel uncertain.

Q: What changes do you hope will happen after people read the book?

A: I would love to see a huge shift in how women over age 50 are portrayed in the media. Right now, mature women have been typically showcased in ads about covering their grey hair, wearing Depends adult diapers, or shilling for arthritis medicine. But women are living longer than ever, are healthier than ever, and are sophisticated and successful.

Q: What was your favorite part of writing this book?

A: This book tells parts of my personal story that I’ve never shared before. Readers may assume things about my life from owning a successful business or being on television, but I’ve had nothing, been scared and afraid, and have fought my way through – just like so many people. Being able to share that with my readers was such a privilege.

Hear more of Loir’s story in “Say Yes to What’s Next”.

About Lori Allen

Lori Allen opened Bridals by Lori just two weeks after graduating from the all-female Columbia College in South Carolina. Four decades later, she is one of the world’s foremost experts on bridal couture and the central figure of TLC’s reality show Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, filmed on site at Lori’s bridal salon and shown in more than 120 countries.

Lori’s role as a bridal expert, successful female business entrepreneur, TV personality, and breast cancer survivor has led her to interviews by top-tier media outlets, including CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, and the Wall Street Journal. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, Eddie, and, thankfully, not far from their son and his wife, daughter and her husband, and granddaughters.

Connect with Lori

Facebook | Instagram

Instagram tour:

Monday, July 13th: @lesa_cap

Tuesday, July 14th: @books_with_bethany

Thursday, July 16th: @readtowander

Friday, July 17th: @thelit_bitch

Monday, July 20th: @wellreadtraveler

Tuesday, July 21st: @livingmybestbooklife

Monday, July 27th: @kelly_hunsaker_reads

Thursday, July 30th: @sweethoneyandbrei