This Is How Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush Spent Their Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama
This week, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush celebrated their brand new, Amazon best-selling book: Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life. The must-read is an open and honest glimpse into what it was like growing up as the daughters and granddaughters of Presidents of the United States. The twins were born and raised in Texas, and grew up sliding down banisters in the White House, flying on Air Force One, and having Secret Service agents trail them to college parties. In Sisters First, they share thoughtful, deeply personal stories; these sisters have a powerful bond that is impossible to break.
With a new book comes a book tour, and we were thrilled that Birmingham was one of the first stops on their schedule. This was a first-time trip to the Magic City for Barbara, the CEO and founder of Global Health Corps, and a chance for Jenna, an editor-at-large for Southern Living, to catch up with our team. With less than 24 hours (and an evening show to promote their book), here's how the girls spent their Saturday:
The sisters touched down in Birmingham late Saturday morning, and headed to the Birmingham Civil Rights District, which was designated a national monument by President Barack Obama during his last days in office. They visited the Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church, and Kelly Ingram Park.
Next up: Southern Living Headquarters for a jam-packed afternoon that included whipping up Mom’s famous Christmas Eve enchiladas in the test kitchen, taping videos together (coming soon!), and having some #sistersfirst fun on Instagram Live. (For those wondering, the girls were dressed down in jeans and flats, and, yes, did their own hair and makeup.)
In between taping, baking, and chatting with the editors, they snacked on Baby Bites from local Pastry Art Bake Shoppe, sipped La Croix water, and dug into Laura Bush's cheesy, super delicious enchiladas.
Don't Miss the Southern Living Interview: Jenna and Barbara Bush Are Better Together
Before dinner, these New York City girls made a quick stop at the Brookwood Village Target. They purchased a few essential layering pieces to beat the unexpected Birmingham chill, and then headed to Pepper Place to wander around Charlie Thigpen's Garden Gallery.
Dinner was at OvenBird, Chris and Idie Hastings live fire, casual restaurant. The warm and always accommodating staff brought out some of the restaurant's most popular dishes like the Spanish Charcuterie, Tuna Avocado Toast, Beef Fat Candle, and, of course, the Fried Chicken. Dessert included S'mores and the Beignets (a special request from Jenna).
Off to the historic Lyric Theater in downtown Birmingham for the sold-out show, which was moderated by Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans. It was an evening filled with laughter, tears, lots of story telling, and plenty of photos with the crowd.