So I Have a Confession....

So I have a confession. 

I love Harry Potter. 

I miss Harry Potter.

And ever sense I finished reading the last Harry Potter (about forty-eight hours after it arrived on my doorstep on the day it was released), I have been trying to find the NEXT Harry Potter.

By that I mean, I've been searching for a story that I would love as much as this one, a story that would challenge my imagination and make my inner child smile from ear to ear. 

In case you missed it, I have an English degree. 

I actually had the highest average in my major not once but TWICE in college. 

I can understand Shakespeare with no problem whatsoever. 

I've had eight years of experience teaching teenagers about Whitman and Poe and Shelley and Dickens. 

And yet, I love young adult fiction.

It's fun and easy and relaxing. 

The stories are interesting and funny and entertaining. 

I don't read them to challenge my mind and test my literary know how; 

I read them because I like them. 

Period. 

Here are some young adult series that I have enjoyed: 

The Divergent Series

The Matched Series

The Delirium Series

The Clockwork Prince Series

The Hunger Games Series

The Twilight Series

The Beautiful Creatures Series

And now you know. 

Give me a dystopian society and a couple hundred pages, and I'm a happy girl. 

Do YOU love young adult  fiction? 

Is there a series I'm missing out on? 

Do tell. 

And if you've read these, which one if your favorite? 

Mine is the Delirium Series, so if you're looking to read one of these, start there. 

You can thank me later. 

Makes My Heart Smile

Lately I've been seeing Noonday all over facebook. 

Those amazing friends of mine....

...they aren't just supporting me.....

....they're literally changing lives with their purchases. 

Thanks to their support of Noonday, someone will now be able to go to school....

...get health care....

....and eat a meal tonight.

Their purchases may even have enabled a mother somewhere else in this world to keep her child. 

These friends of mine are changing the world one purchase at a time.....

...and I could not possibly be more proud of them. 

If you haven't checked out Noonday Collection and read about all the way your purchase has the power to make a change for the better, please do so. 

And if you'd like to give your mother something for Mother's Day that could literally change the life of another mother in this world for the better, the last day to order is April 30. 

{Wear a story. Change a life.}

I Think I'll Have Two

I have a sweet tooth. 

By that I mean, I crave chocolate....like all the time. 

Seriously, I LOVE it and can't seem to get enough some days. 

While I usually try to resist, sometimes I just have to say YES. 

And when I do, I often want brownies. 

The problem here is, the stars rarely align, and I rarely have a box of brownie mix when I finally decide to cave and give in to my cravings. 

So, today I give you the best MADE FROM SCRATCH brownie mix this side of the Mississippi. 

These brownies are seriously good, 

and I love that I always have everything on hand that I need to make them. 

Try and see for yourself. You can thank me later. 

Recipe: 

2/3 cup oil

3 rounded Tbl. cocoa

2 cups sugar (or sugar substitute-- I said they were good; I never said anything about healthy)

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cups flour (plain)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

Stir all and bake in a greased pyrex at 350 for about 30 minutes. 

You are so very welcome. 

Some Girls Love Shoes

Some girls love shoes. 

Others love purses. 

And for some girls, make up is their thing. 

For me, it's shirts for a good cause. 

I won't even begin to tell you how many I've collected in the past two years. 

Let's just say it's a lot. 

I am totally a t-shirt and flip flops kind of girl. 

And the idea of my clothes helping to do good things for others makes me all kinds of excited. 

It's almost t-shirt season, and if you're needing to add a few to your wardrobe, here are some places to start. 

Also, I'm thinking these would make GREAT graduation gifts. 

Feed the Hungry tee- here

Krochet Kids International- here

Love is Thicker Than Water - here

Clothed in Hope- here

Live With Less- here

Burleigh Family Adoption- here

Love is Ethiopia- here

Word from the Wallaces- here

Bring Ivey Home- here

One Starfish at a Time- here

Rust and Sparkle- here

Adoption is Beautiful- here

Our Misconception- here

Ruoko of Grace - here

Bless You and Keep You- here

Which one are you wanting? 

I'd love to hear. 

And if you know of any others for sale for a good cause, leave a link in the comments! 

I'd love to check them out. 

And don't forget-- the WORDS OF WISDOM giveaway ends tomorrow night!

No Use Crying Over Bad Haircuts

So Monday afternoon, while she was supposed to be taking a nap, Hollyn proceeded to cut her hair...with safety scissors. 

Can we all please pause for a moment of silence in honor of her beautiful hair that once was? 

Before and after......

I'm ashamed to say that I cried about it...more than once. 

And then I was ashamed for crying. 

I have so much to be thankful for, and this new do is only temporary. 

No use crying over bad haircuts, right? 

And in case you haven't been around in a while, 

have you entered the WORDS OF WISDOM giveaway? 

I'm teaming up with four other bloggers to offer five inspirational books to one of you. 

AND did you see the cutest wedding ever? 

What good posts have YOU written or read lately? 

I'd love to check them out if you leave a link in the comments. 

Happy Wednesday to you and you and you. 

Tomorrow Hollyn and I set off for a mini road trip with a friend. 

We could not BE more excited. 

Cutest. Wedding. Ever.

In case you don't stalk me on Instagram (in which case you are surely missing out), this past weekend I was the matron of honor in the wedding of one of my nearest and dearest. 

And when I say it was the cutest wedding ever, I tell no lies. 

Don't believe me? 

See for yourself. 

Cutest decor ever. 

Cutest way to display the bride's new last name ever on the cutest dress ever.

Cutest location for a ceremony ever. 

Cutest centerpieces ever. 

Cutest display ever. 

Cutest drink bar ever. 

Cutest idea ever. 

Cutest mugs and straws combo ever. 

Cutest food set up ever. 

(BTW, hamburgers and fries are the cutest wedding food ever.)

Cutest ring bearer sign ever. 

Cutest bride ever ever ever. 

Cutest picture of us ever.

Cutest pose ever. 

Cutest A TEAM ever (maid and matron). 

Cutest dancing shoes ever. 

Cutest bridesmaids ever. 

Cutest remake ever. 

Cutest cake ever topped off with the cutest little lovebirds ever. 

Cutest group of college friends ever. 

Cutest idea ever. 

Cutest end to the cutest night ever. 

Pinterest, eat your heart out.