Happy Friday, friends!! Are you ready to enjoy a much-needed restful weekend?? I’m trying to get a timely essay pitched this weekend — why do all the essays I want to write lately seem to be tied to things in the news?? Wish me luck that an editor accepts my pitch!! And be sure to take some time for YOU this weekend!! See you all on Monday, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

Yesss, there are benefits to being a loner!

Which Golden Girl are you, based on these questions?

Barbie’s new collection honors historical female figures!

Great gifts for the feminist in your life!

The best breakfasts to make the night before!

Retro video games FTW!

Please, please respect writers and freelancers already.

Why am I all into personalized jewelry lately?

The grieving need you most after the funeral.

Ummm, pickle juice lovers, our time has come!

Barba is going to be on another TV show!

10 great shows that went downhill.

The daily routines of creative people.

In case you’re wondering, I’m still obsessed with The Grass Roots.

As women of the ’90s shed a tear…

And, my favorite works by women writers this week…

*”Stephen Hawking, Wheelchairs, Death, and Freedom”

*”Mind Over Matter: 7 Tricks That Will Make You The Master Of Your Memory”

*”What It’s Like to Die Online”

*”Can Grey’s Anatomy Survive the Latest Cast Shakeup?”

*”I’m a 33-Year-Old Dating Blogger — Who Also Happens to Be a Virgin”

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via hello ancolie]

Welcome to the lovely weekend, friends!!! What have you got planned for the next couple days? Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of my father’s death and we’re getting together with some family friends. It’ll be a day of missing and remembering, for sure, and I still can’t believe he’s been gone for so long. Give your loved ones a big hug tonight!! I hope you have a great weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

Ack! Another pretty gold initial ring.

26 voices on why the free press matters. #JournalismInAction

Sooooo excited about this reboot!

I’m honored to be mentioned in a blog post by my amazing friend, Carly!!

Teenage girls are facing impossible expectations these days.

The frustrations of freelancers everywhere!

Two words: Bunny rings.

Ahhh, a new Carrie Underwood video — I’m shook!

Aren’t these women journalists inspiring?

The little girl who met Michelle Obama is giving me life! #TheFuture

Literature’s “complicated men” on Tinder is hilarious!

Some amazing disabled women you should follow!

Way to go, Bumble!

Do you have a good luck charm?

These brands celebrate women — happy shopping!

And, here are some A+ writing from some of my favorite women…

*”Where Do Adults Belong In the ‘March for Our Lives?’ All the Way In the Back”

*”When It Comes to Depicting Disability, Hollywood Keeps ‘Cripping Up’”

*”Dead Mom Soundtrack, or the Top 5 Songs About Losing Your Mother”

*”I Lost A Friend Over A Comment I Didn’t Think Was A Big Deal”

*”How to Raise a Sweet Son in an Era of Angry Men”

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via hello ancolie]

Woohoo, happy Friday and welcome to another beautiful weekend!! What are your plans?? I’m out and about today on one of my classic Target trips!! OK, and I’m also getting a haircut — as you can tell from the above pic, I desperately need one!! Would you believe I have gift cards from Christmas that I still haven’t used?? I’m astounded at my willpower sometimes!! I hope you all have a cool, laid-back weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

Is Queen Bee syndrome getting worse? I’d say so…

Who’s your Golden Girls twin?

STOP blaming mental illness for gun-related violence.

Loving all this book-themed jewelry!!

I’m forever in awe of actress/activist Mariska Hargitay.

On the power of female friendships in a world made for couples.

YESSSSS!!!! I’m so hoping Elsa gets a girlfriend in the Frozen sequel.

Herman’s Hermits has the best lyrics, don’t you think?? #60sMusic4Ever

Are you watching the Oscars this year? Get ready with these delicious cookies!

Uh-oh, I think I’m getting a pink opal obsession…

And, of course, women writers are slaying with their words as usual…

*”How Donald Trump Inadvertently Sparked a New Disability Rights Movement”

*”Why Do We Still Shame Adults Who Live With Their Parents?”

*”We Don’t Need Events Specifically for Disabled People”

*”What Life Is Like For Kids With Rare Genetic Conditions”

*”Why Female Monsters In Fiction Are Always Single — And What It Says About How Society Views Unattached Women”

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

Happy Friday afternoon, friends!!! Well, it’s ALMOST TIME to kick off an exciting weekend!! What fun things do you have planned? We’re getting together with friends on Sunday and I’ve also got a new essay to write! The deadline is Monday afternoon — yikes!! Feel free to send good vibes a-plenty!! I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

Such great greeting cards in this Etsy shop, don’t you think?

Music City is coming to a TV near you!

Why cats are so territorial.

What Olympic athletes eat for breakfast.

We just got caught up on This Is Us and now I’m all about these little-known fun facts!

Guess the work of art from just one tiny detail.

Isn’t this a sweet engagement story?

Rainbow goodness, anyone?

Yes, I’m still obsessed with Law & Order: SVU.

Like, really, really obsessed. Alex Cabot for life!

Also, here are my favorite words by women writers this week…

*”My Big Sister, the Wild One”

*”The Early Bird & The Night Owl: A Love Story”

*”What If I Fail At Raising A Good Son?”

*”London Fashion Week Has a Body Diversity Problem”

*”My Absurd Skincare Routine Is the Softest I Am to Myself”

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via hello ancolie]

Happy Saturday, friends!! Are you currently enjoying a nice long weekend?? I know I am! I spent yesterday hustling to meet a writing deadline and I made it!! I’ll be sharing my newest published piece on the blog next week! I hope you get some time to relax this weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

50 most romantic movies of all time.

I need these tricks to make morning routines easier!

Umm, Disney just opened a home decor store and I’m dyyyyingg!!!

So excited for my friend, April Franzino!! She’s the beauty director of Good Housekeeping and she just created HER OWN lipstick!!

Don’t you miss the early ’00s? I sure do!!

Totally in love with the Obama portraits!! I miss them SO much!!

Love songs explained in charts.

Plus, here are some inspiring words from women writers…

*”The Men I’m Most Attracted to Are the Ones Who Ease My Stutter”

*”I Refuse to Let My Chronic Illness Ruin My Life Any Longer”

*”Before It Was a Rail-Trail: A Silent Love Story from New York’s High Line”

*”The Silly Tattoo That Got Me Through My Worst Breakup”

*”The Simple Trick That Helps Me Feel Grateful (Even on Bad Days)”

**On Wednesday, I spent the day at Northern Illinois University, my alma mater, and all I kept thinking was: How can it be 10 years since the campus shooting? And then I heard about the shooting in Florida. I wish I knew what to say, but I think we all know how effective “thoughts and prayers” have been over the years. So, here are five ways to help as well as the official GoFundMe to support the victims and their families.

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via hello ancolie]