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Happy Tuesday!

Is anyone else kind of just in awe that March is over? Now that April is on the horizon, I've got summer days (and nights) on my mind. To be fair, summer days in Florida pretty much start in April. Sorry about your snow, northern friends. 

Whether you're already buying shorts and flip flops or you're still struggling into your parka every morning, I thought it'd be fun to celebrate spring and the impending summer with the PopSugar must have box. They're full of warm-weather surprises that make for some pretty happy mail.

I've teamed up with Kati Rose, Martha, and Katie to give one of you a happy mail day.

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Happy entering! Cheers to warmer weather and springtime adventures! 

The Best Books I Read in March.

The Girl on the Train

Plot: A debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people's lives.

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good? -via Goodreads

Favorite quote:

My thoughts:  I knew nothing about this book going into it, so for the first thirty minutes of reading I was utterly confused. However, that doesn't mean I wasn't instantly hooked. The unique timeline split between three woman made this a thriller that I couldn't put down, no matter how badly I wanted to. Not everyone will be a fan of that style of writing, but I liked it. It's definitely worth the read. 

Should you read it? If you liked Gone Girl and books along those lines, yes. Just be prepared to stick it out for a little bit at first.

Big Little Lies

Plot: Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive. via Goodreads
Favorite quote:

My thoughts: I read (and really liked) The Husband's Secret, so that's why I read this one. I absolutely loved everything about it. The two timelines kept me guessing right until the very end, but not so much so that I felt confused. Liane Moriarty has such a talent for writing about several characters at a time and managing to make you feel as if you read 3 or 4 different books all at once. I loved it.

Should you read it? Absolutely!

Your New Favorite Blog: Diary of This Girl.

My name is Megan. I live in Seattle and write at Diary of this Girl.

Eclectic. 

That's a tough one - my current favorite, however, is 'Gone Girl.'

This year, I have learned that sometimes, I need to put my own happiness first; it is impossible to please everyone. I have gone through several big changes, such as moving, entering a new relationship, and switching jobs, as well as some that are more minor: lightening my hair, redesigning my blog, etc. I know how important it is to help those around me, but I believe it is equally important and valuable for me to be happy. 

'Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.' - Marilyn Monroe

I believe this post, 'Beach Time, Playtime' is one of my favorites! I share several photos from my recent trip to San Diego. I had lunch and then played at the beach with one of my girlfriends, Angie. Though chilly, the water was gorgeous! There is something so peaceful and relaxing about being at the beach; I cannot wait to go back! 

I usually don't read too many fashion blogs, because they tend to sometimes seem so perfect and impersonal to me. Megan's, however, is the best of both worlds. She has gorgeous posts on all things fashion, but she's also real in her posts. You can just tell when someone's personality shines through in their blog. 

Go see for yourself! Comments have been turned off so you can go say hello to Megan! You can find her on twitter, instagram, and pinterest. You can also drop her an email and say hello!

I Finally Watched the Finale: Lessons Learned from Parenthood.

That you cannot always judge a show by it's name. Why would I like a show called Parenthood when I'm not even a parent? Oh, that's right...because it is the greatest show that has ever existed. 

That there is nothing more important that family. And that family doesn't always look like you think it will.

That you never forget your first love.

That when you leave behind a legacy, you're never truly gone.

That marriages are worth fighting for. And that marriage is about forgiveness. 

That aging doesn't mean you're no longer young.

That there's nothing in life a little dance party can't solve.

That there's absolutely nothing in life that is perfect, and that's what makes it beautiful. 

And most importantly, That Friday Night Lights will never truly be over. 

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

Have you watched Parenthood?

Married in Med School: What You Need to Know.

1. No one really cares that you're married. Let's just get this out of the way...it doesn't matter that you're married. It doesn't change anything for anyone other than you. Your spouse does not get extra vacation days simply because they have a wife who would like to go on vacation.

I know, the world is a cruel and unfair place.

2. "Final schedule" is a loose term. I cannot even tell you how many times I have seen the final, final schedule...only for it to change two days later. Don't get attached to any schedule, because it will change, probably more than once. If you're not flexible now...well, you're about to learn how to be.

3. Free time doesn't really exist. They get time off, of course, but that time is filled with a horrible way to spend weekends that is commonly known as studying. But that teaches you to cherish time. Because when you do get time off, whether it's 15 minutes or an entire weekend, you know just how special it is. I almost cry of happiness when we get a weekend together. It's the little things.

4. It's a career, not a college major. There is no skipping classes all semester to go to the beach. It's a job...it just happens to come with homework and tests and studying.

5. You have to be on each other's team. You're in this together. Fighting over things that neither one of you have control over is just a recipe for disaster. Don't do it. Dream together about the future, complain together about the present..just do it together. You're not on opposing sides.

6. You need to have your own hobbies. I remember when we were talking about getting married, and Chris asked me, "What are you going to do while I'm studying all the time?" And I replied, "I'll just read books!" HA. I love reading more than anyone else I know...and I get sick of reading before the studying ends.

Have your own hobbies, please. This is the biggest favor you can do for yourself. I love all things crafty, so whenever Chris has a test or something coming up, I raid Hobby Lobby and spend my weekends covered in glitter. Have something you can look forward to doing alone, it makes things so much easier.

7. Lower your expectations. I heard this advice so much, and it made me so angry every time. Like, I'm just supposed to have low expectations for my marriage? Rude. BUT...there actually is a lot of truth to it. I think a better way to say this is adjust your expectations. Realize that this is a season of your life where flexible plans are the best. Have realistic expectations, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

8. Don't always be looking forward. This is the biggest thing I have learned over the last three years. There's always a "next step." Something big is always around the corner. But if you're constantly looking at what's coming up instead of what's actually happening, you miss out on so much.

Of course I'm excited for med-school to be over. But that doesn't mean the past three years haven't been full of adventures and good memories. Open your eyes and take it in now, instead of waiting for something that's just going to turn into waiting for something else.

9. They can't do it without you. I mean, they made it into med school, so in all reality they're smart and could do it without you. But they married you, so obviously they don't want to. You're in this together.

10. You control how situations turn out. 

Look for the good in every single day, and you will find it. Have an adventurous attitude and know that you will never get this time in your life back, so make the very most of it. It can be the best time of your life or it can be the worst time of your life, and you're the one who gets to decide what it's going to be.

What advice do you have for being married to someone with a difficult career?

just write: let me write something for you!

So I've been writing poems more and more on here, and I have seriously loved it so much. It's been so much fun, and I've loved getting to interact with you guys about creative writing. It's been so inspiring, and it's rare that a day goes by where I don't spend my lunch break trying to make pretty words rhyme.

So, I thought it would be incredibly fun (and also incredibly scary) to start offering custom poems. I love writing, I love poems, and I love getting to know you guys, and this is just the best of all three worlds. 

You can click here and for $5, I'll write you some words. Tell me a name or a story or a feeling or anything like that, and I'll write you a poem. 

I'm so excited to see how this goes. My favorite thing in the world is writing words that other people can enjoy, so I'm hoping that's what this is! 

Thanks for always being the best and being encouraging. It's so scary sharing words that come from your heart, but it's incredibly exciting to do so when you have a group of people you just can't wait share them with. 

To read more details or to talk poems with me, click here.

Happy Monday, guys. I've got a good feeling about this week. 

Your New Favorite Blog: Leaving Perfection Learning Grace.

Martha Kate, Leaving Perfection Learning Grace.

Hopeful.

Gone With The Wind.

I have learned what it means to be a wife. I got married nearly eight months ago and it has been the best journey ever and has taught me more about how to live life gracefully than I ever thought possible.

Grace is bigger and more joy filled than perfection.

Why I Won't Call You Skinny.

Martha Kate has a wonderful story, and she shares it so authentically on her blog. She is so transparent about the journey she is on, and I know her blog is going to help so many people. 

Comments have been turned off so you can say hello to Martha Kate! You can find her on Facebook, instagram, twitter, and pinterest.

If you want to have your own post like this, click here!

Your New Favorite Blog: Kati Rose @ Constantly Seeking Wonder.

Kati Rose @ Constantly Seeking Wonder.

Wonder

The movie I vicariously live through I love it so much is Almost Famous. It’s all happening. I even wrote a post about what this movie taught me about life, love, and pursuing your passions. 

I have learned to fully enjoy every little thing you do and you’ll live a much happier existence.

Dreams don’t work unless you do.

Why I Don’t Believe in Guilty Pleasures 

Whenever I find a new blog, I'm always interested in their "about me" section. Here's a sneak peek at Kati's: "Music, travel, fashion, pop culture, art, entertainment, photography…The list goes on. All these so-called “finer things” in life are what drive me. I woke up one day and decided I wanted to live every single day surrounded by all of them. I started seeking out wonder in every possible opportunity.

Doesn't that make you want to go read her blog? Of course it does. 

Comments have been turned off so you can go say hi to Kati. You can find her on Facebook, bloglovin', instagram, and twitter. Trust me, you're going to love her.