Ina Garten’s memoir offers numerous life-altering tips for individuals in their 20s and 30s.

      May 16, 2025

      

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      If you share my enthusiasm, you likely resonate with coastal grandmother trends. Do I live near the ocean? Not unless you consider Lake Michigan's coastline. Yet, Ralph Lauren, blue and white stripes, hydrangeas, Nancy Meyers, chilled rosé, and a sweater casually draped over your shoulders—all of this contributes to a dreamy, relaxed, and beautiful lifestyle that I aspire to have. And while I adore Nancy, I've recently developed an obsession with another icon: Ina Garten.

      As a child, I watched my mother host glamorous, colorful dinner parties for her friends, featuring stunning tablescapes and delicious food. She always had an Ina cookbook open on the kitchen counter, relying on her recipes and renowned party-hosting advice.

      As I matured, the idea of frequenting bars began to lose its charm, and the notion of hosting my own dinner parties took precedence. I could choose my own theme, create my menu, and set up my tables! Just as my mom did, I rummaged through the cookbooks in my parents' closet, soaking up tips and tricks from the best.

      Recently, Ina's latest book was released, and it marked a departure from her usual cookbooks; instead, it is a memoir that spans her life, sharing personal, humorous, and sometimes poignant experiences with her devoted readers. I was eager to dive into this book, and after receiving it as a birthday gift, I began reading right away. Ida's life is so beautiful and fulfilling, and I hoped to glean some wisdom from her—and she certainly delivered. While I recommend experiencing this insightful memoir for yourself, here are the top eight lessons I learned from the iconic Ina Garten.

      Ina Garten

      In her long-awaited memoir, Ina Garten—also known as the Barefoot Contessa, author of thirteen bestselling cookbooks, beloved Food Network figure, Instagram star, and cultural icon—shares her personal journey with readers eager to join her at her table.

      What I learned from Be Ready When the Luck Happens

      1. It's perfectly fine not to have everything figured out yet.

      For those of us in our twenties, there's immense pressure to have every aspect of our lives mapped out. Career, partner, city, children—the list is endless and tends to grow each year. I find myself frequently questioning my choices. Is this truly the right career for me? Should I stay in Chicago forever, or is London calling? Do I need to pursue more hobbies?

      In her memoir, Ina references a book titled Passages, which she read in her youth and again in her twenties, finding it particularly resonant the second time. She observed that “your 20s are the time when you master what you think you should do. But in your 30s, once you've discerned what you like and dislike and gained more confidence, you can move on to what you truly want to do, which may be entirely different.”

      Did I just hear a collective sigh of relief? What a sense of freedom! Thank you, Ina Garten and Passages, for reminding me that I don't need to have every decision meticulously mapped out. While I tend to be a planner, I also have the license to change my mind and pursue something completely different.

      Ina’s husband, who features in nearly every chapter of her memoir, passed on this advice to her early in their marriage: “Choose something you love to do. If you love it, you'll excel at it.” Ina’s passion for food, cooking, and entertaining transformed into her career. Why can’t I follow suit? Note to self: Ina Garten didn’t acquire Barefoot Contessa until she was around 30!

      2. Life moves quickly—take the plunge.

      Ina opens her memoir with a pivotal story about how she became acquainted with Barefoot Contessa. While reading a newspaper, Ina encountered an advertisement for a shop for sale. The 400-square-foot store in Westhampton Beach was listed for $25,000. Ina discussed this with her husband, and they traveled from Washington, D.C., to Westhampton that weekend to check it out. Ina promptly made an offer of $20,000, anticipating the owner would consider it and counteroffer, giving Ina time to decide what she truly wanted.

      That Monday morning, the owner called Ina to say the store was hers. Ina's life changed overnight. Although she might not have felt entirely prepared, she dove in headfirst into this new adventure. To me, this is one of the most significant lessons I took from her memoir: life won't wait for you, nor will it be slowing down anytime soon.

      “Your 20s are the time when you master what you think you should do. But in your 30