I'm still trying to find motivation and inspiration for new DIY post ideas, I just feel a little lost and unsure of what's next. My awesome Five Things link up co-host Tairalyn suggested that I might need to step back, take a break from the blog, maybe even give The World Around Her a little face lift, and then come back refreshed and ready to rock n' roll! 

So I think this might be my last Five Things link up post for a while, but that doesn't mean that you can't still link up with my girl, so be sure to stop by her blog Little Miss Mama while I'm on hiatus. 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Shorts and tank tops are my life right now! Oh and how amazing is the sand sculpture behind us? Atlantic City, NJ hosted the Sand Sculpting World Cup for the 2nd year in a row and my husband and I were lucky enough to enjoy it last year as well. This time we took my youngest daughter and her friend along for the trip. You never know if teens are going to be into something you like, but thankfully they loved it as much as we did!

2. Everyone one is talking about the Super Moon this week, myself included. And while I did capture a few great photos of it, it is not my favorite shot of the moon that I have in my collection. I just stumbled upon this incredible shot of the crescent moon I took from July 4th week when we were on vacation. Sometimes I take so many photos that I forget about the really cool ones until I finally upload them onto the computer! 

3. Unfortunately we didn't get to see fireworks on vacation because of Hurricane Arthur making the seas a bit too rough for Ocean City to set them off from the barge in the water. However, our local town did a pretty fine job with their own show the weekend after. I have to say, fireworks are one of my favorite parts about vacationing during July 4th week, when we don't see them it just doesn't feel right!

4. My Zinnias are in full bloom and I can't believe how much they have sprouted up. When we left for vacation they were only about 2-3 inches tall, and when we returned home they were about 8-10 inches if not taller! I'm so proud of my little garden; I don't do too well with potted plants, but give me a garden outside and I'll grow you a field of flowers! 

5. Have you ever tried a soft shelled crab? I LOVE THEM! My first experience eating one was in Maryland a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since. If you have never tried one, it's a must! You eat the entire crab, legs and all! The chips that came with the crab were really good as well, I had to push the plate away before I gobbled them all up! If you're ever in Ocean City, NJ you can find them at Ike's Famous Crabcakes on the boardwalk. 

So, do you think I should change the name of my blog or just the look? What are some things you would like to see in the design? What do you like best about my blog? 

Alright, now it's your turn to link up...

Five Things: My Random Thoughts

It's been a little quiet on the blog this week, but I couldn't leave my co-host and followers without a Five Things link up post, now could I?! However, I am a little stuck on what five things to write about today. I was on vacation last week and haven't been too inspired to get back into the swing of things. Where do you find inspiration when you're not feeling the need to write? 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Is it too early for me to retire and become a beach bum for the rest of my life...who is with me?!

2. So remember how I stressed the use of sunscreen two weeks ago? Well, I did make sure to use it before we went out onto the beach, but I guess I forgot to reapply... because I got burnt! ( Not as orange as Anne Hathaway, but still pretty red!) It's really important to reapply, friends. Don't just put it on in the morning and think it will protect you all day long...like I did! Put it in your bag if you intend on being out all day, like I should have done!

3. Just before vacation our local library hosted a book sale and I scored three books for a $1.00 each! I whizzed right through the first book "Glimmerglass" by Jenna Black. My step-daughter recommended it and said it was a must read. It's actually part of a trilogy and while I wait to get the second book in the mail I started on Nicholas Sparks' "The Best of Me". I don't want to make this post too long, so I'll save the book reviews for next time! (PS, I LOVED "Glimmerglass" and I'm really getting into "The Best of Me")

4. Last year I learned about the local non-profit organization Worthwhile Wear and how they help women and children, locally and overseas, escape human trafficking. I wanted to do more than just purchase the handmade items that Worthwhile Wear sells, I wanted to pitch in. With help from my girl Monica of East Coast Creative blog, who is good friends with the non-profit's executive director Dan Emr, I was able to physically help with Worthwhile Wear's new housing project The Well. She is helping with the makeover of this safe house and needs more than just local hands who can paint. So if you would like to find out more on how you can get involved with this incredible project stop by EC2 and read all about what she's doing to help fight human trafficking. I gathered a few volunteers from my local women's group, and together we painted a bedroom and made over a bathroom vanity.  The fight against human trafficking isn't an easy one, but together we can make life better for women and children who are either at risk or have escaped. Please considering joining the fight. 

5. Well, how can I sweat the small stuff when there are victims of human trafficking, victims of domestic violence, people battling cancer and other diseases, and just people in general who are depressed or angry from the moment they wake up in the morning? Sometimes we let the little things get to us; like rush hour traffic, a bad hair day, gaining a few unwanted pounds, etc., but I'm determined to not let these things I cannot change get the best of me. I don't have to be happy and cheerful every second of the day, it's okay to express other emotions. However, I will not let silly little things bother me any more. END SCENE!! 

Well, for a person who wasn't in the mood to write at the start of this post, I sure did find a few things to discuss! Now it's your turn...

Five Things: 4th of July Celebration

Since we're celebrating Independence Day this week (tomorrow actually!) in the states I thought it would be fun to do a 4th of July celebration round up for my Five Things link up party. Many of you may have left your patriotic decor hanging up around the house since Memorial Day, I actually don't have any decor for either holiday! So for those still in need of last minute craft and sweet treat ideas for a patriotic BBQ celebration, like myself, you have come to the right place...

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Last week I posted a similar red, white, and blue treat on my Instagram, but it wasn't half as pretty as KariAnne's 4th of July dessert! Plus, I only used Reddi-wip with my blueberries and strawberries, she actually put together a little cool whip, yogurt combination...yum! Stop by her blog Thistlewood Farm for the complete recipe. It's an easy little treat to put together for your patriotic BBQ, and who doesn't love food in a mason jar?! 

2. Sometimes it's just easier to have a paper table runner when you're serving messy barbecue and have tons of little ones who will be eating at said table! But why let your paper table runner be boring when you can DIY a red, white, and blue one that will perfectly match your 4th of July party decor?! I love the stars on this one Monica and Jess of East Coast Creative put together using drawing paper, stop by their blog for the easy tutorial. 

3. Is this not the coolest patriotic wreath you've ever seen?! I have seen and shared cool wreath ideas before, but this is one I might actually put together. All you need is an embroidery hoop, fabric, and scissors...I think I can handle that! Check out the very easy tutorial over on Tell Love & Chocolate, not only does blogger Sara have a cute wreath but a cute blog name too! 

4. The awesome Kimberly at A Night Owl Blog (jealous of her blog name y'all!) put together a great round up of patriotic kids crafts that included this adorable 4th of July sand art from HoneyBear Lane. It's just the cutest craft that parents and kids can do together and it adds an extra little touch of red, white, and blue to help complete your patriotic home decor. These would look great at night time on your deck or porch with a tea light inside, like this DIY over on Martha Stewart. 

5. Another yummy 4th of July treat idea, there's always room for dessert right?! My sister's sister-in-law makes the best Christmas bark, so when I saw this red, white, and blue bark on Facebook I had to tag it and share it with her. I just love the swirls of red and blue that blogger Parrish put in the bark, head over to her blog Life With the Crust Cut Off to see the recipe tutorial. 

There are so many amazing patriotic craft and recipe ideas out there for the 4th of July, but I can only share five! What are some of your favorite ideas you've seen or put together for Independence Day? 

OK, now it's your turn to join the link up party with Little Miss Mama and I, what's on your mind this week? 

Five Things: Beach Vacation Must Haves

Ladies, you know we cram our travel bags with everything that we can possibly fit inside them, but there are some items that are a bit more important than others and just help to make any vacation complete. So since this year for vacation we're going to the beach I thought I would share with you my beach vacation must haves. I had to really narrow it down for my Five Things link up party, but you know there are definitely more than five things in my bag! 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. A great beach tote bag is a must, how else am I going to carry not only my own must haves, but items that everyone else wants while relaxing pool side or on the beach! I bet we actually have more of our family members items in our beach tote than our own things, am I right or am I right?! PS this awesome DIY bag was made for my birthday by my lovely friend Busy Bee Kate!

2. SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!!!! I cannot stress this beach vacation must have enough. There's a personal story to go along with this, but I'll leave that for another post. Just please wear sunscreen. 

3. If I'm relaxing on the beach or tanning at the pool I need a good book to read, I cannot just sit there and people watch! I just finished John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars", I loved it and loathed it at the same time. It started out really great, the main character Hazel is a sarcastic teen that reminded me of my own girls, so she pretty much came to life for me right off the pages of the book. However, there were just too many unrealistic events for me to really feel like I was connecting with any of the characters. Yes, I cried and cried some more, cancer sucks and I have dealt with loss in my life because of it, so on that level I did connect, but as a whole I wanted more. Oh, and don't get me started on how it ended! Overall I would give it a B. Have you read it, what did you think? So, now I need a new book to read, any suggestions? 

4. If you're going on a beach vacation you need the perfect swimsuit, one you can feel comfortable yet sexy in. A few years ago I purchased a high neck swimsuit at Kohl's, similar to the one in the photo, and now I'm convinced that this style is the best ever (well for my body shape that is)! I'm a once piece swimsuit kind of gal, how about you? 

5. You can't enjoy a vacation without the right tunes! Before I moved to the burbs I didn't really listen to country at all, it was actually on my can't stand list, haha! But then something happen when we moved here and I became an almost country only chick, believe it or not this girl from the city is listening to country music! I just can't stand most of today's pop music, I still love my Matchbox Twenty, One Republic, Pink, and other rock pop artists and singer song writers. But the "today's hits" station on Pandora just turns me off and has me running in the other direction. It seems to be all rave, night club type music; just not for me. So now that country has gone more rock and pop I've become obsessed with artists like Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, and Jake Owen, who just so happens to have the perfect Summer song out right now... "Beachin''...it can't get better than that, can it?! 

So, where are you headed this Summer for vacation, what are your top must haves that you cram inside your luggage? 

Link up with us and share the five things that are on your mind this week, we want to hear what's going on in your life too! 

Five Things: I Loved About BPW PA State Convention

When I moved to my area a few years ago I didn't know many people and had a difficult time with the transition. Not only did we move, but I changed jobs and went from working in an office to working at home. It was a bit of a change to say the least; from interacting with co-workers and customers all day to sitting alone in my home office with no one to talk to while my step-daughters were at school and the hubby was at work, ladies working from home isn't always what it's cracked up to be! 

Yes, I am very blessed and fortunate that I can work from home, but I felt lonely and lost in this new home. Thankfully about six months later I met Katie of Vintage Vinyl Journals  and now Busy Bee Kate. She told me about an open house with a local women's group that she was a part of and I figured why not give it a chance. I joined in 2012, and though it's only been two years I feel like this amazing group of women have become part of my family. 

So, as the group's (Business and Professional Women aka BPW) youngest member, they asked me to consider the Young Careerist competition. On the local level you choose one of three topics and write a four minute speech and have a speak off against another Young Careerist from your BPW District. 

Well it turned out that no other woman from our district had signed up for the program, which meant that I was automatically going to the BPW PA State Convention! Sorry, this was supposed to be a short intro into my Five Things link up of what I loved about the convention, shall we get started?! 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. That's me giving a little thank you speech after receiving my award on the night of the BPW PA State Convention banquet dinner. When I joined my local BPW I worried that I wasn't professionally looking enough and wasn't very confident about myself. However, the support of my group has changed all of that, they had faith in me that I could represent their club as the Young Careerist and I was truly honored to stand up and speak as a member of our local. 

2. These are just a few of the ladies from my local that came to support me, it was actually one of the largest they've had attend the state convention in sometime! Not only have I made friends on the local level, but also on the state level. There were so many amazing women at convention that just came right up to me to say hello or congratulations, you really can't put a price on this experience. Before I joined BPW I felt lost, but now as a member of their sisterhood I know that I'll never feel that way again. I've never felt more liked in my entire life! 

3. The BPW PA State Convention isn't just about us on a local or state level, it's about all of us on a country level supporting women's rights and equality, as well as many other things. Did you know that Kathleen Kane is the first woman Attorney General of Pennsylvania? Ladies, it's 2014 why are we still having these firsts? Why is it taking so long? Did you know that women only make 77 cents for every dollar that a man makes? It's also really astounding in this day and age that Kathleen Kane our Attorney General of PA is still receiving comments like, "You’re a little girl running for this big job,” seriously guys?! To hear more about what Kane said during her inspiring speech stop by The Times Tribune article here.

4. It wasn't all business though, we had time to play and explore the town of Scranton as well. I was very fortunate to be with a group of ladies who wanted to explore and not just sit in a local pub and hang out! If you ever get the chance to visit Scranton I highly recommend visiting Nay Aug park to see the tree house and the beautiful gorge! 

5. Scranton has so much history; they were once a booming Steamtown, and the hotel we stayed in was a popular train station at one time! Who knew that during my BPW PA State Convention I would visit a train museum and get to ride a steam train?! (The one pictured is stationed in the museum and not the one we rode!) I encourage you to explore the towns of any convention you attend, whether it's for blogging, fashion, moms, women, etc. There is so much more to enjoy during conventions than just attending the events that occur inside the hotel! 

Sorry for my lengthy post, I just really really enjoyed my first ever convention and look forward to next year's! 

Now it's your turn to link up with us and share five things that are on your mind this week...

Five Things: You May Not Know About Me

Two weeks ago my Five Things co-host Tairalyn over at Little Miss Mama linked up with five things we may not know about her. It was such a cute post about who she is and it inspired me to share a few things about myself that you may not know, are you ready for this?! 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated. 

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Some of you may know that I have an owl tattoo, but did you know that I have four tattoos total?! I have three others on the top of my back near my shoulders. I got my very first tattoo of a Pisces symbol (the fish and the astrological markings) when I was about 21/22 years old, then a few years later I got my second tattoo of a butterfly with a heart stomach, and my third tattoo I got with my husband right before we said 'I Do'. It's a combination of the symbols that represent my maiden name and married name, which results in a Feather and a Horseshoe. I am looking to get two other tattoos soon, one on my wrist near the owls of the quote from A.A. Milne (author of Winnie the Pooh), "You are Braver Than You Believe", and another tattoo that my sisters and I will get together, we haven't decided on a design yet! 

2. That's little baby me in that photo! If you've been following my blog for a while you may have seen this in my 25 Random Facts post back in 2010! But if you're new here, then this is something you may not have known about me. If you look at the photo you will see that my right eye is shut (looks like I'm winking, right?!). Well, I'm not sure if the doctors took notice when I was born but later on when I was fitted for glasses at around age 10, we found out that I was about 80% blind in my right eye. I can see things but they are very blurry, and 3D glasses that just have one red and one blue lens on each side and not a combination of the two, don't work for me! 

3. So, here is another little quirky thing about me when I was born! See that photo of me with my grandpa, who I love and miss so much. Well, take a closer look at my foot, can you see it?! No?! Should I tell you this fact you may not know about me?! HAHA, are you ready for this? I was born with 11 toes total! TRUE STORY! The toe was actually removed and I now have a little bump on the edge of my foot, next to my pinky toe, that sticks out and is a pain in the butt when trying on shoes. 

4. Do you recognize what movie this is from and who the beautiful actress is? Well, shame on you if you didn't know that it's from "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" or that this beauty is none other than Drew Barrymore! So, what does she have to do with me?! Well, ever since I saw E.T. I have been obsessed with Miss Barrymore and have pretty much seen every movie she's ever been in, even the not so popular, B rated movies, hey I still love them! I just love her quirky, free-spirit attitude, and hope that one day I can meet her in person. I even wrote into The Oprah Show when I was younger that I would love to meet Drew! #DREWBARRYMORE ARE YOU READING THIS?! Hmm, maybe I should write to The Ellen Show?! 

5. How handsome is my guy! I know I talk a lot about us ( I hope that doesn't turn you away!), but one thing you may not have known is that next year we'll be celebrating 10 years together. We've been dating since 2005 and married in 2010, 10 years together and 5 years married next year...woo hoo! I think we should do something pretty special to celebrate, don't you?! HINT, HINT HUBBY!! 

OK ya'll now it's your turn to link up and tell us five things we may not have known about you! Or you can share with us any five things that are on your mind this week....

Five Things: I Love About Summer

One of my new favorite bloggers KariAnne over at Thistlewood Farm has joined a blogger Summer Home Tour and shared not only her gorgeous home, but things she loves about Summertime. So, I thought I would join in on the fun and share with you guys what I love about Summer for the Five Things link up. 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated. 

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Summer Vacations at the Beach: especially with a good book to read while tanning on the sand!

2. Fishing on the Lake: two years ago I went fishing for the very first time and I caught a bass that was big enough to bring home for dinner!

3. Independence Day (4th of July) Fireworks at the Beach: it's the best place to watch them as they shoot off the water. 

4. Beautiful Peonies in my Garden: when they start to bloom I know that Summer will soon be here.

5. Summer Nights on the Deck: My guy is a grill master and cooks up BBQ chicken, burgers, and more. 

There are so many things to love about Summer, what are some of your favorite things about this wonderful season? 

Five Things: A Few of My Favorite Female Writers

When I heard the news yesterday that author and poet Maya Angelou passed away it made me think of high school and college, and of all the great female writers who influenced my career path. Not too long ago it was still difficult for women to publish books or screenplays, become news anchors on TV (which is what I thought I originally wanted to do!), or work as newspaper or magazine reporters or editors. I studied Journalism in college and took many English lit classes where I was introduced to many of these women who made a mark for themselves and paved the way for the rest of us. As I continue my journey in writing, I continue to be inspired by strong, independent women in the field (If you didn't know already, I work for two awesome women bloggers!). So here is my tribute to Angelou and to a few other female writers who inspire me. 

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated. 

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Maya Angelou was so much more than a writer and a poet; she was an activist, a college professor, a director, actress, and was even nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She inspired the world with her words and one poem of Angelou's that always stuck with me is "Phenomenal Woman". Because no matter our size, our shape, our color, no matter what, we are all Phenomenal Women. Thank you for leaving your imprint on this world, may you rest in peace. 

2. Toni Morrison's book "Beloved" scared the crap out of me! It's very dark and twisted, but sadly there is truth behind the story of what the main characters went through in the real lives of slaves. The imagery that Morrison's words formed in my mind frightened me. The first time I was introduced to the book I was in high school. My English teacher read it to us and played a few scenes from the film that was inspired by the novel. The second time I was in college and actually read the book myself and realized why we probably weren't allowed to read it ourselves while in high school! From a teenager to a young adult, and now a grown woman, Morrison's book has stayed with me and always will. If you haven't read Beloved, I highly suggest you put it on your Summer reading list, it won Morrison a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and The Nobel Prize in Literature. 

3. You may not recognize her face, but you probably know her name and one or more of her books. The novel that author S.E. Hinton wrote that sits high on my book list is "The Outsiders", which she wrote while she was still in high school in 1967. That's a pretty amazing accomplishment to achieve at 17 years old, which is probably the age I was when I first read and fell in love with her book! Did you know that Hinton played a nurse in the film adaptation of "The Outsiders"? I bet she was pretty excited to play alongside Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, and the rest of the cast! In 1988 she was the first to receive the Margaret Edwards Award, which is given by the American Library Association for authors' outstanding work in young adult literature. 

4. For many of us Elizabeth Gilbert didn't hit the map until we heard about her novel, "Eat, Pray, Love" in 2006, but her first book, "Pilgrims", was actually published almost ten years earlier in 1997. For me, Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Committed: A Love Story" are books that I will always cherish because my husband and I read them together. Yes, they are great reads, but when you can connect a book with a person you love, it makes the book and author even more special and memorable. "Eat, Pray, Love" was published around the time we started dating and "Committed" was released just before we said 'I Do'. So as we were following Gilbert's journey to find herself and find love again, we were on a journey together building our own love story! (AWW...haha!) Right now I'm on a Nicholas Sparks kick but I have her new book, "The Signature of All Things" on my 'books to read' list!

5.  I was a junior in college in 2004 when Emily Giffin's book "Something Borrowed" was published and wasn't really thinking about wedding bells at the time! The title didn't register with me until I heard about the film adaptation years later in 2011. By then Giffin had released four more novels; "Something Blue", "Baby Proof", "Love the One You're With", and "Heart of the Matter". In 2012 I finally got around to picking up my first Giffin book and was immediately hooked! I pre-ordered "Where We Belong"  that Summer and it was on my door step just in time to take to the beach! Her latest release, "The One & Only", just hit bookstores last week. I can't wait to pick up a copy. I was going to pre-order it, but I'm currently reading Sparks' newest novel, "The Longest Ride" and still have Gilbert's newest on my list to purchase, but then again when you're an avid reader your list just keeps getting longer! 

So this was probably a little too wordy, but it is what it is! This list is only short to go along with my link up party, but it does by no means reflect the list of female writers who inspire me. 

There you have it, now it's your turn to link up with us!