Happy to be alive, because...

In case you missed it, the title of my book is Happy to be Alive, Because. 

I love thankful Fridays, and I thought it would be fitting to move them in a new direction by making them happy to be alive Fridays. 

1.  My book is available for P R E - O R D E R.  What?!  When I woke up on Wednesday, I had no idea the day was going to end by hearing from friends and family that they had just ordered my book.  There were a lot of happy tears. 

My dad sent me a video of him, my mom, and my little brother standing at the computer ordering my book.  Tears on tears on tears.  I love my family

2.  My husband is officially done with his second year of medical school!  He's halfway to being a doctor and that's just exciting.

3.  There are so many good people in my life.  I had to write my book dedication/acknowledgments yesterday, and I really could have filled up roughly seventeen pages with all the things I would have liked to say.  I've never been one to keep a lot of people in my life at one time, but the ones I do have are downright amazing. 

4.  It's supposed to be warm again soon.  This whole, pool one day, winter coat the next day saga is getting old. 

5.  The incredibly encouraging words you guys left on my blog.  Blogging is such a weird and wonderful thing.  This is such a crazy journey for me, and getting to share it on this little space on the internet is amazing.  On that note: I wanted something to keep track of all of this excitement, so I'm going to use  #happytobealive2014 on instagram and twitter.  I would love for you to use it too!  For anything from talking about the book to simply pictures or tweets about why you're happy to be alive. 

So!  What makes you happy to be alive? 

s h o p  h e r e:

A happy pup, exciting news, and warm weather.

This week was a real peach, so I am especially happy that Friday has once again shown up with a cup of coffee and a day off. 

1.  This guy is feeling so much better.  If you've ever had a dog, you understand how terrible last week was.  And you also understand that him feeling better means that by default, I feel better.  Celebration coffees all around!

2.  The cover for my book is finished!  It is so incredibly perfect and I've pretty much been crying over it since I saw it.  On that note, next week will include a book cover reveal and a book update--I am so excited to share it with you!  Any questions or suggestions for this post?

3.  Warm weather.  Also known as:  pool, pool, pool. 

Happy Friday, beautiful people! 

What are you thankful for this week?

You can also find me here:

Friday, I love you.

1.  One of my best friends wrote the sweetest thing about me. 

"Rewind 3 years ago, a time where we cut each others hair because we had no money, and ate Taco Bell 3 of of the 7 days of the week, and you have a moment of raw emotion where two college girls tell their dreams.  Those words held the weight of all our hopes and dreams and fears, and the best part: here we are."

I'm telling you, guys.  Surround yourself with people who will dream with you.

2.  Today is my day off.  I woke up, drank two cups of coffee, and went back to sleep.  If that's not a good way to start your weekend, I don't know what is.

3.  This guy. 

Just doing some work and enjoying a snack, as one does. 

What are you thankful for this week? 

Thankful Fridays: An Amazing Website and a Cute Little Fox.

Sometimes on Fridays, I can't wait to write about what I'm thankful for. 

And then there's this week. 

I'm having a bad week and to think of five things I'm thankful for seems so tiring.  Isn't that stupid?  But that's exactly why I have Thankful Fridays.

1.  The Hunt. 

 This is one of those websites that I'm insanely confused about how I had no idea it existed until this week.  You know how you will find the perfect thing on pinterest that you must have immediately, and then you click on the link only to find it goes nowhere?

Apparently there's an entire website dedicated to tracking down those things.  People post pictures of what they want to find and other people comment if they know where to get that exact thing or something similar.  Look at mankind, helping each other out. 

2.  No matter how rough my day is, this guy is always waiting to take me on a walk. 

3.  Your comments on Tuesday's post.  I got a lot of advice on how to deal with the stress of unexpected news, most of which included wine, pizza, and praying.  Obviously I have smart blog friends.  

4.  I get to spend today making orders for you guys.  I'm making things (which I love) to pay for my book (which I love) and it's a very fulfilling process.  

5.  Things with my book are on track!  I got an email from the publisher yesterday saying we are officially at the halfway point for everything that has to be done.  What?!  So exciting!

What are you thankful for this week? 

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Thankful Fridays: Rainy Day Edition.

1.  Today.  It's rainy and cold outside, therefore I will be staying in bed with a cup of coffee and a good book and a little fox until further notice.

via

2.  My job.  2014 brought some changes in my job that I am really loving.  To have a job where I can get really into and feel inspired by a project I'm working on is such a huge blessing.

3.  Scandal is back on.  Please tell me you watch this show.

4.  I have a phone consultation with a publicist today.  <---- Quite possibly the coolest sentence about myself I will ever type on this blog.  I can't wait to hear advice about book marketing from a professional!  Any suggestions for questions I should ask her?

5.  Elance.  I've been trying to freelance more lately, and I love it.  It's great experience and wonderful to have extra income.  Whoever thought of the concept of elance is a genius.

What are you thankful for this week? 

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Thankful Fridays are the Best Fridays.

1.  My husband finally made it home and we were able to celebrate the best Valentine's ever together.  We really do have so much fun together. 

2.  Creative friends.  When the people in your life are creative, that creativity almost always rubs off on you.  Please go look at this gorgeous photo shoot my friend Megan did.  Stunning.  Creative friends inspire each other, and she definitely inspires me.

photograph p/o Megan Elizabeth Photography.

3.  How busy I've been.  Making things, shipping things, freelance work, actual work, repeat, repeat, repeat.  I've been so busy, but it's been busyness that's making money for my book.  I've never worked so hard on anything, I've never been so tired, and I wouldn't change a thing.

4.  My mom.  Because at least once a week I call her with a book update.  It's usually really no different than last few I've called her with, but I get so excited by the whole thing that I have to tell someone.  And she always acts as if it is the biggest deal in the whole world.

"The publisher called and said everything is going smoothly!"

"WHAT?! THAT'S AMAZING!"

She's the best. 

5. This turban headband.  And five other amazing headbands that will be coming your way on Monday. 

What are you thankful for this week?

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Thankful Fridays: Hobby Lobby & Blueberry Muffins.

Happy Friday!  This week, I'm thankful for: 

1.  Dunkin' Donuts Blueberry muffin coffee.  My house smells like a blueberry muffin right now, and it's pretty amazing.  

2.  The fact that this is what blogging looks like this morning: 

My little buddy.  Also,  yesterday a lot of you asked me what kind dog he is.  He's a Shiba Inu...a breed that I had no idea existed until I laid eyes on Gatsby and knew he was meant to come home with me. 

3.  The Valentine's Day section at Target.  Because pink and gold, that's why.  And because these babies will all be half off starting February 15th, and really...aren't heart shaped bowls perfect for all year long?  

4.  This Emily Freeman quote: 

      "What is your moon, your airplane, your boy-wizard book?  What is your brave lyric, your odd first chapter, your new business motto?  What is your crazy idea?  No, not your perfect idea.  Not your logical, well-planned, power-pointed practical idea.  There's a place for those too.  But many times the most logical ideas start out crazy.  What is your crazy idea and what should you do with it? 

      Maybe you should chase it."  

                     

5.  Trips to Hobby Lobby.  There's not a lot that can put me in a good mood as fast as perusing aisle after aisle of craft supplies can.  Here's the outcome of yesterday's trip: 

You can pre-order it HERE.

What are you thankful for this beautiful Friday?

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Thankful Fridays: 2014 edition.

Thankful Fridays was one of my favorite parts about blogging last year.  I decided it was time to throw it back into the mix this year.  I highly recommend you join me, even if you don't blog about it.  Forcing yourself to find things you're thankful for or things that made you happy in your week, even if they're silly things, can really change your attitude.

1.  Pitch Perfect 2 is coming out.

If this is your first time hearing this, just go back to bed now.  Your day isn't going to get any better than this.

2.  Encouraging comments, emails & tweets.

Because having a ton of people who would be strangers to me if it were not for the internet telling me they're excited for me is such a weird, incredible gift.

3.  TFIOS trailer.

Be right back while I go cry for approximately 37 days while I remember how good this book was.  Also, that has over 6 MILLION views and only came out about two days ago.  Please, try to tell me that this generation doesn't like to read.

4.  Authors.

More specifically, authors who have the ability to string words together in a way that just makes you feel.  I'm looking at you, John Green.

5.  Gold paint pens.

Because yes.

P.S. Book update:  I'm halfway there!  I only need to sell 155 more things to meet my goal.  You guys are amazing. 

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Because Fridays sometimes turn into Sundays.

Thankful Friday was going to be Thankful Saturday, but now it's Sunday and neither have happened.  Oh well.  Sometimes it's okay to trade an on-time blog post for a really fantastic weekend.

This week, I'm thankful for:

1.  Book Signings.

Friday was one of the best days in a long time.  One of my favorite authors was  in town having a book signing.  It was the first signing I've ever been to, and it was so cool to be able to meet her in person.  She was incredibly inspiring to talk to, and it made me want to chase after being published more than ever before.

2.  Catching Fire.

To go along with why Friday was the best day ever, my brother met me and Chris and we all saw Catching Fire.  SO MANY EMOTIONS.  I know a lot of people are complaining about how the movie skipped things that were in the book, so do me a favor:  go get the book and time yourself reading it out loud.  Yeah.  Eight hour movies just can't exist.

3.  Instagram sales!

Tomorrow night I'm teaming up with Megan and we're having a closet sale!  It's like Black Friday shopping early, and you don't even have to leave your couch.  Follow @happylittleclothes and we will post some goodies tomorrow at 8!

4.  Having family and friends who believe in me.

I am so incredibly blessed to have people in my life who believe in me and encourage me to follow my dreams.  And let me tell you, it makes me feel like I can do anything in the whole wide world.  If you want to do something good with your life, be that for someone else. It truly makes all the difference.

5.  New adventures.

Speaking of following dreams, I'm embarking on a new adventure that I am so incredibly excited about!  If all goes well, I'll be sharing it with you sometime this week!

Happy Sunday!  What are you thankful for this week?


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The Thankful Project: November 8th.

November 8th:  Words

My blog is no stranger to this subject!  {here. here. and here.}

I love words.  So freaking much.  That's why I started blogging, because I wanted an excuse to add more words to my life.  They are a beautiful thing, whether they are written, printed, spoken. . .they are powerful.  I'm thankful for pretty much everything about words.  I'm thankful that I live in a place where I have the freedom to use my words however I want to without having to be afraid.  I'm thankful for the feeling I get when I write words down, putting them in such an order that they tell a story.  I'm thankful for words shared over coffee as new friendships build.  I'm thankful for three words whispered late at night when my husband comes to bed and thinks I'm asleep.  I'm thankful for words that can help others when they are going through a hard time.

And I am thankful for words that make up books.

More than a lot of things in life, I am thankful for the words that make up good books.  There's nothing better than losing yourself in a story.

{via}

What kind of words are you thankful for today?

Thankful Fridays!

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

This week, I am thankful for:

1.  November.

Because October was just not very nice to me this year!  And my phone broke last night, like October just had to pull on last thing over on me.  Well adios, muchaho.  You think about your actions and I will see you next year.

2.  Being able to organize my life.

On Tuesday at 6:30 PM, I was not even halfway done with my to-do list for the day.  I took that as a sign that I needed to change some things.  So I redid my binder and made a section for each area of my life, and then I wrote down every single thing I need to do before 2014.  It was quite the list, but I felt so dang accomplished, because I know that there's two months left of 2013 and I want to finish strong.  So if something comes up that's not on my list, it's getting a big heck no from me until 2014.

Also, I would put a picture here of my binder for you to enjoy, but my iphone is broken.  I'll just give you a hint and tell you that the front says "good things come to those who hustle."  You're welcome.

3.  This weekend.

My husband is in medical school, if you didn't know.  Med school is pretty much the busiest thing on the face of the earth.  He has a test today, which means this weekend will be free.  Which means I am a very happy wife.

This picture has nothing to do with this weekend, but it's going here anyway.  

4.  Cyber non-bullies.

I was so encouraged by the comments and emails I received on my post about Halloween.  The internet is full of some mean people, but it's also full of some nice people.  It's great to be able to disagree about an issue without being a jerk, so thank you!

I hope you guys had such a fun night last night!  Since there was a test today, everyone here is celebrating Halloween tonight.  Which is a little weird, but I'm going with it.

What are you thankful for this week?

Happy Friday!!

Thankful Fridays.

The last Thankful Friday of October!  Crazy!

I am usually so sad to see October come to an end, but this one has really been a doozy.  We've had SO much sickness and a fair share of bad news.  The good far outweighs the bad and we have made tons of amazing memories this October, but I'm looking forward to the fresh start of November.

Also, let me tell you this:  constantly recounting all I have to be grateful for has helped counteract anything negative by far.  I highly recommend it.

This week, I'm thankful for:

1.  Our candy party last night.  SO much fun!

That's Goose.  He's doing his best Miley Cyrus impression. 

2.  It was 56 degrees when I woke up today.  56 degrees in sunny Florida does not happen, people!  It was perfect, even if it was 75 two hours later.

3.  Family.

4.  That the Cardinals are going to win the World Series.  Obviously.

5.  Creative writers on TV shows.  I love when I find a series that can draw me in as much as a book can.  Does anyone else watch The Mentalist?  I'm dying.

What are you thankful for this week?  Happy weekending!

Thankful Fridays.

1.  Fresh starts.

Y'all.  Yesterday was just a bad day.  All the way around.  I've been sick all freaking month since Tuesday, and you know how bad days just escalate to a whole new level when you're sick.  It was one of those days where everything just kept going wrong and by noon I was ready to go to bed.

This morning while I was drinking my pumpkin spice coffee, obviously,  I was so thankful for a new day.  And a friday, at that.  New days offer fresh starts and that was a very welcome thought to me this morning.

2.  A good husband.

I've been sick more than not this past month, and being sick just plain sucks.  But having a husband who will make you soup and pretend to watch movies with you while he studies makes things better.  Marry a good one, you guys.  It makes all the difference.

3.  The weekend.

Because sometimes you need a few hours to ignore your to-do list, curl up with a blanket and some coffee, and just read a book.

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Saturday.

Because sometimes life is really busy and thankful Fridays just don't happen.

This week, I am thankful for:

1. Pumpkin spice creamer.

I just am.  I see a bunch of you guys saying it's annoying and you hate pumpkin and a whole bunch of other reasons we can never be friends, but I am legitimately thankful for this.  So much so that as I am falling asleep at night, I am already excited about the cup of pumpkin goodness I am going to have in the morning.  It just makes me happy.

2.  Thrift stores.

I don't think this one needs any explanation.  They're just awesome.

3.  Getting to educate my dad about Miley Cyrus.

My dad had not seen the VMA performance or anything from SNL, so for about the 15 funniest minutes of my life, me and my little brother gladly told him all about it.  Then my mom jumped in and read everyone some of the incredibly artful lyrics from the new Bangerz album.  This is the blurriest picture ever, but if you can see his face in the background, that was pretty much his reaction to the entire thing.

4.  Twitter.  Because how else can I subtly tell everyone I'm sorry that I'm ten years behind on answering their emails, but I'm still not going to answer their emails?

5.  The amazing weather that's been around every morning lately.

What are you thankful for this week?

Happy weekending!

Thankful Fridays.

Fall always brings about such a sense of thankfulness for me.

It's probably because October-December marks my favorite time of the year, and thinking about that just makes me SO thankful for life.

For the rest of this year, every Friday I'm going to write about being thankful.  When you take the time to actually remember what you're thankful for, how can you not be happy?

So, this week:

1.  I am thankful for the one hour of cooler weather that decided to visit this morning, permitting me to drink my coffee outside without sweating through my clothes in three seconds flat.

2.  I am thankful for nights where I can pretend I have no responsibilities at all and just make crafts instead.

3.  I am thankful for the iphone, because it means I get to see pictures of this little guy.

4.  I am thankful for fall decorations.

owls and pumpkins and glitter, oh my!

5. I am thankful for laughter.  In case you haven't laughed yet today, I've included this video for your viewing pleasure.

What are you thankful for this week?  Have an amazing weekend!

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