For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. –Matthew 18:20 Ladies, I am so excited to share yet another inspiring issue. I think it is safe to say spring has finally sprung; it’s time for gardens and gathering. We’re sharing wonderful ways to connect with friends and family, essential conversations for couples, and fresh ideas for gardens and yards. Be sure to check out new tips to take care of you, and whip up yummy recipes for all those spring gatherings. I am writing this smack dab in the middle of Lent. Years past, …

This past week has been one of the worst weeks I have had in a while. I got an exam back, and I didn’t do too hot. I felt lonely at school. My anxiety had been through the roof. I was doubting myself more than usual. I took all my anger out on my family, the people I love the most. Ugh… We all have hard days, weeks, months and even years. Hard parts are part of being human, but during these hard times, we should strive to let love in–rather than push love away. My eight-year-old brother was in …

Hey, friends, it’s sweetheart month trailed by the luck of the Irish! I have several sweethearts, and I am Irish, so we celebrate love and success for the next two months (and beyond). This issue’s theme is Find Your Happy. It sounds ridiculously cliché, I know. I initially thought that, too, but I have come to realize that happiness is not just something we feel; happiness is something we can choose. This life is challenging, and it is so easy to get caught up in the craziness. I am very excited to share this issue, chock full of interesting tidbits for embracing …

Hey, friends, it’s sweetheart month trailed by the luck of the Irish! I have several sweethearts, and I am Irish, so we celebrate love and success for the next two months (and beyond). This issue’s theme is Find Your Happy. It sounds ridiculously cliché, I know. I initially thought that, too, but I have come to realize that happiness is not just something we feel; happiness is something we can choose. This life is challenging, and it is so easy to get caught up in the craziness. Every day we face choices. Let’s choose to focus on all we have, rather than …

How to be Single on Valentine’s Day This one goes out to all of my girlies who will not have a Valentine this year. Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly and for the first time in a long time, I won’t have a Valentine. But guess what? I kind of love it! How to be single this Valentine’s day: I remember when I was in high school (and even parts of last year) thinking that a guy would bring me happiness. But over the past year, I’ve really come to realize that I want to be happy with myself and love …

Ladies, this issue comes at the most appropriate time: it is all about renewing and redoing. As we move into this holiday season, I again remind us all to be kind—to others, but to ourselves as well. It does not take time to smile at the lady in line at the grocery store when the lines are grossly long. If you do happen to see the man with the lonely eyes, go ahead and grab his hand. Assume the best in others; assume they are doing the best they can do at that moment. I am so excited for what …

My beautiful ladies, today I chose not to listen to yet another chapter of my strategic management audiobook while I chugged along on the treadmill, and yes I did say chug—that’s what today felt like. Instead, I decided I would run while listening to my music on shuffle, no playlist. I know; getting crazy, right? My lovely friends, I am not sure why, but the song that came on caught me completely off guard. I’m so glad no one else was with me, as I was a hot mess that last mile. The tears streamed down my face, and they …

The other day, an amazing thing happened to me. A memory from exactly one year ago popped up on my phone. It was a picture of me during my freshman year of college, but with a notably puffy face and red eyes. I had been going through a miserable time. The caption read, “I hate it here, I want to come home.” The picture brought back a flood of emotions and reminded me of how overwhelmed I was back then. For so long, I had tried to hide that I wasn’t having the “typical college experience.” And at that moment, …

As we move into fall (and dare I say the beginning stages of the holiday season), I challenge myself and all of my readers to be courageous. Now what on earth does that mean? I had a young child ask me, “What is courage, and how do I get it?” I had to ponder that question a bit. What I came up with, and what I have come to learn personally, is that courage is not a quality we are born with. It is a quality that is developed and honed. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as …

“You can gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt Ladies, this quote describes many of the women in this issue. I am so honored to know their stories. This was supposed to be our Fall into Fun issue, but all these extraordinary women’s stories made it impossible to publish anything other than a Courageous …