As an English teacher and author, I am always on the lookout for booknerd merchandise; totes, shirts, and mugs with  my favorite classics always get my attention. Thus, when I came across the website for Literary Book Gifts, I knew I'd found my own version of bookworm heaven.

I love that the site carries totes (a bookworm must, as you know), and T-shirts for men and women. They also have backpacks with a laptop sleeve and some hoodies. The website is super sleek and easy to maneuver, which is a plus when you're browsing for the perfect gift or just a treat for yourself.

There are a lot of bookworm merchandise stores online these days, but I always have two problems with them:

1. They are usually super expensive.
.2. They never have a huge variety of authors and books.

Literary Book Gifts is different on both accounts. T-shirts and totes are $28, and there is a flat $5 shipping fee for the U.S. The selection is crazy amazing. I found a tote for Kafka's Metamorphosis, a text I teach, that I've never seen anywhere else. I browsed the designs, all of which are classy and very trendy, and saw so many designs I desperately want--Alice in Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, Dracula, Dickens, and Poe just to name a few.

If you're a literary lover like me, be sure to head over and check out some of their amazing designs. If you use the code SATINROMANCE20 on your order, you'll get 20% off! You can use the coupon on anything in the store, no minimum, and you can use it an unlimited amount of times.

Check out some of my favorite designs below, and be sure to comment and tell me what you think of their shirts and totes.

Every young woman gets to the point in her life where she has to part ways with old cherished items she’s been holding onto since they were a little girl. Because, you know, that teeny tiny crop top from high school or dusty journal containing magazine clippings of your favorite 90’s boy band probably hasn’t come in handy in the past ten or so years.

Getting rid of items that aren’t necessary for your future and making room for those quality investments may significantly help you embrace who you truly are.

Here are five important investments for all women entering the next phase of adulthood:

Having a good night's sleep is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our health. Not only does sleep do amazing things for us physically and mentally, but it can especially come in handy when starting new experiences, such as starting a new job. Getting rid of the old bed sheets that may have acquired a few holes and stains over the years and purchasing high thread count sheets is a great investment! Your sheets will feel softer, last significantly longer and most importantly help you sleep sounder through the night!

You can never be too young to start taking care of your skin. The good ol’ bar of soap and washcloth method isn’t going to make your fine lines disappear. Making an investment in quality skincare products will have your skin (and wrinkles) thanking you for years to come! Skincare brands like Drunk Elephant and Tatcha are highly recommended, but if you’re looking for more cost effective skincare products, here are some great affordable options!

Did you know that wearing a supportive and comfortable bra can give you that extra bit of confidence you’re looking for? Having quality pairs of underwear and bras that actually fit you are the best investments young women can make in regards to their wardrobe. Considering that women should be updating their bras every 6 months, it’s time to stop waiting on that hand-me-down bra from an older sister. Online bra company, True & Co. makes it their mission to create bras that last a lifetime. Not only are they comfortable and supportive but they’re also created with a soft fabric that perfectly hugs your shape. As we get older, comfort should be a priority when it comes to what we put on our bodies.

There’s nothing quite like traveling with good friends and creating long, lasting memories. Whether it’s a European sabbatical or just a weekend getaway, investing in a trip with some close girlfriends is a great way to become worldlier, more cultured and have unforgettable experiences. If you’re feeling the itch to take a trip, Travelocity has plenty of suggestions for the best kinds of trips to take in your twenties that will successfully check off the travel section on your bucket list! Although the old school family vacations you’re used to are still beneficial (a vaca is a vaca in my opinion), taking a trip with your friends allows you to explore places that are of interest to you and the ones you choose to surround yourself with!

Okay, I get it. You might not want to get rid of a few sentimental items from your childhood, teenage years and college. Afterall, your future children might find some of your old belongings useful. But they don’t need a place on your shelf anymore. Finding a box, like these weathertight storage bins from The Container Store are perfect for those keepsake items. Your belongings will be kept clean, dry and safe while their stored away until you find the right moment to bring them back to life!

What are some of your ideas when it comes to essential investments that every young woman should make when taking that next step of adulthood?

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I love, love, love clothes and updating my wardrobe, and I love getting mail. So when my friend told me I had to try Stitch Fix, I gave it a go.

Stitch Fix is a fun subscription box. Here are some of the features:

• It costs $20 shipped, but that $20 is  a credit toward anything you keep 
• You get 5 items per box
• You can leave notes to your stylist
• You can order once a month, once every other month, or just when you want! There's no requirement for how many or how few boxes you get
• They include an envelope for easy shipping (prepaid shipping too!)
• You can keep as little or as much as you want, but you get a 25% discount if you keep all 5 items

I'll admit, I'm a bit cheap when it comes to my clothes...but you can totally specify that you are on a budget, and they'll adjust the box accordingly.

If you want to earn a $25 credit, here's what you do:

1. Sign up using this link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/18222507?sod=w&som=c
2. Once you schedule your first fix, you'll get a $25 credit!

Let me know in the comments if you've given it a try and what you thought.

Over the past three and a half years of my writing journey, I've been fortunate to meet so many people in person and online. I've had so many wonderful women join me in celebrating real, genuine love stories. Along the way, I've come to realize that so many of us don't realize one thing: Every single one of our love stories is magical and novel-worthy.

That's not to say our relationships are perfect. Far from it. If you know my husband and me, you know we fight a lot. We are often caught in the grocery store in a heated battle about snacks or ribs or something equally as ridiculous. We struggle with adulting, and we sometimes have different visions for our lives. 

Our life is also far from glamorous. Most weeks, we spend our evenings watching Netflix, playing video games, and eating the simplest foods we can microwave because we're just too lazy to cook anything. Date nights usually involve staying in or hanging with our mastiff, Henry. Candles, rose petals, and fancy getaways just aren't in the cards for us right now.

When I started writing love stories, I knew I wanted to see my own love story in the pages of books. I wanted to read about realistic couples who went on simple dates, who dealt with budget issues, and who didn't always have glamorous lifestyles. Sure, it's fun to read about the alphas who can whisk away their women to one-of-a-kind adventures. But for some of us, that's just not reality. I wanted to write love stories that showcase reality... and prove that love of all kinds can be beautiful.

Along the way, so many of you have joined in my vision and shared stories of your own journey to love. The thing I've come to learn is this: So many of us have similar love stories, similar experiences with married life, and similar struggles. 

So while it can be easy to discount your own love story and fret about how it pales in comparison to the sexy heroines and heros of romance novels, I think the message is that you have to celebrate your own reality. You have to embrace the journey you are on when it comes to love, no matter what stage you are at.

Whether you're still searching for "the one" or you've found him or her, I think we all need to realize that every single love story is beautiful. It's worth celebrating. It isn't about the size of the ring, the glamour of the dates, or the perfect moments you collect. Sometimes what makes a love story magical are the struggles, the trials, and the fact that even when things are falling apart around you, one look from your person makes you feel like it's all going to be okay. It's about how you love each other even when you're both sweaty and your makeups melting from a broken air conditioner and 100 degree weather. The beauty of love happens in all of the little moments that don't make it onto the big screen in Hollywood--the simple dinners, the memories, the inside jokes, the play.

I am so glad you are all here to share in your journeys to love, no matter what that looks like. I'm so glad we have a place we can be candid about what love and marriage look like.

Most of all, I'm so thankful that I'm not alone in believing that all love stories are beautiful, noteworthy, and magical in their own way.

I hope this week you can think about the magic of your own journey to love, no matter what that looks like. I'd love to hear about your own love, too, so feel free to hit comment below or join the conversation on Facebook.

Coming August 11th, the next installment in the popular Lines in the Sand series!

Book three in this romantic comedy follows Jodie and Levi back to Texas for the holidays. If you haven't read books one and two in the series, head over to Amazon and check them out. Book one, Inked Hearts, was named a Romance Times Top Pick upon release.

Scroll down to learn more about Texan Hearts, find the preorder links for only 99 cents, and if you're ready, add it to your list on Goodreads.


Will a rowdy Texan Thanksgiving be too much for even this wild couple to handle?


Join hot cowboy Levi and quirky author Jodie this Thanksgiving in a fun short story of heat, cringe-worthy families, and dramas of the heart.
“You’re out of control,” I say as he leads me back to some cryptic place behind the rodeo. “And you love it,” he murmurs, turning to kiss me, his hands wandering, making me thankful in all sorts of ways for a very Texan and very scandalous Thanksgiving rodeo.
When Levi Creed, the sexy cowboy, takes Jodie Ellison home for a true Texan Thanksgiving, she has no idea what kind of rowdy holiday she’s in for. As Levi and Jodie’s families unite for one crazy dinner, Jodie uncovers Levi’s roots. Will the scorching Texas heat unite their already smoldering hearts, or will elements of Levi’s past prove to be too much for the new couple?

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LqmABA
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2LqmoSS
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2L9YETW
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2L5ZRLX
Kobo:
iTunes: https://apple.co/2L7F1vv
Nook:
books2read.com/texan-hearts