I would be absolutely nowhere without the support of my family: my dad Doug, my mom Jackie, my brother Paul, and my love Tommy Blacha. Tommy always told me when what I’d written was good—but also pointed out how it could be better. And from the very first conversation I had with Kaitlin Ketchum, my editor at Ten Speed, I knew she was the one for me. Her combination of super smarts and perfect skin has never steered me wrong. I’m also forever grateful to my English and journalism teachers at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas—Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Komandosky, who taught me how to write. I heard their words in my head whenever I was stuck.
I owe many, many thanks to all the local 705 costumers who covered for me on set while I hunched over my laptop in the corners of endless wardrobe trailers, writing while the cameras were rolling. I’m also very blessed to have some seriously talented pals: Chad Kultgen, Chuck Hayward, Laurie Parres, James Merrill, and Tara Touzie—your encouragement, laughs, insights, and jokes are what got me to the finish line.
I’m incredibly grateful to Holly Schmidt and Becky Thomas for convincing me to write a book in the first place—and to Ten Speed designer Margaux Keres and illustrator Julia Kuo for bringing my words to life with incredible style. Also, thank goodness for Jane Pratt and Emily McCombs at xoJane.com, who took a wild chance on a weirdo who only ever wanted to write about clothes. But absolutely none of this fairy tale would have happened without Bianca Dorso and Steve Rice telling me that I could be a costume designer all those many years ago—and then believing in me until it happened.