April 26: Rebecca Morrison brings “The Blue Dress” to Elaine’s

When: Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 12-3pm

Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Get your free ticket: RebeccaMorrison.eventbrite.com

Meet the Author: Rebecca Morrison is the author of , a novel based on her childhood as an Iranian immigrant trying to fit into her new American homeland and her family’s expectations of beauty. Published by Macmillan’s imprint Farrar, Straus and Giroux, the book will be available for purchase on March 24.

The book has already received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and School Library Journal. and Rebecca has been featured on She has written about belonging, immigration, and body image for numerous national publications, including the Washington Post and TODAY.com (both of which went viral). Most recently, she wrote an article for about the dangers of the ultra-thin cultural shift, especially for young people, which became the number one trending story on BuzzFeed.

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“The Blue Dress,” by Rebecca Morrison

About the Book: is a coming-of-age story based on the author’s childhood struggles with body image, a strained mother-daughter relationship, and what it means to be an Iranian-American immigrant. The story is about a thirteen-year-old girl, Yasmin, who comes to America from Iran and tries to figure out her new life and her homeland. She’s close friends with Carmen, whose family came from Mexico a few years ago. In her attempts to find belonging and feel seen, she makes some wrong decisions, the most dangerous of which involve disordered eating, but through a series of events, finds help and a way to love and accept herself in her body and her new life.

About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more:

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Elaine’s Literary Salon

A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront.

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Host or Publisher Host Jeffrey Higgins + Hope Gibbs InkandescentPR