Each week we will pick a quote, the quotes we choose are women’s words… get it? That’s What She Said.

The link up will run for 2 weeks this week. Starting February 5th we have the linkup live for 5 days!

We will pin and feature our favorites, the following month.

Each week will provide the next week’s quote.

Please only linkup posts inspired by the quote of the month. We want to see how this quote will get your creative juices flowing.

We would like for you to connect with others, please visit the person who linked up before you and go show some love.

It would be AWESOME if you would share the link up via your social media. #That’sWhatSheSaidLinkUp

Of course, it’s always fun to connect, let’s follow each other along.

Number one rule: Have fun and be creative ♡

Mrs AOK, a Work in Progress

Courtney: What’s Up With the Wilhelms

Katy: Chaos & Kiddos

We absolutely loved hearing about Karen’s warm holiday memories,

we know you will too.

If there’s any phrase I should have tattooed to my forehead these days, it’s “Don’t stumble over something behind you.” As I head into the New Year, putting 2014 and all its many nightmares behind me is the one resolution I intend to keep. I’d be foolish to say I’m over it and that there is no more hurt to be felt, no more challenges to face, no more stress to overcome, but I’m committed to looking forward to hope, healing and a much more balanced life that is me being me. The one thing I most definitely realized over the past several months is that I haven’t been able to be myself in a very long time. And that’s something I’d like to change.

I will no longer stumble over the fear that comes from wondering what others think of my actions, or how I dress, or what I say, or if I’m cool enough/pretty enough/funny enough/etc. the list goes on and on. I’m looking forward and I’m me. I will no longer stumble over what ifs, whys or if only. I’m looking forward with a “What’s next?” I will no longer punish myself for mistakes I made, cues I missed or moments where I fell short as a wife, mother, friend, woman, daughter, you name it. I’m looking forward with a “You did the best you could with the information that you had. Forgive yourself and be better.”

Progress means learning from the past, not dwelling on it. I can look back now with fresh eyes, remember what happened, and embrace the blessing that is being in a better place today. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I don’t want to go back to what was, even when I think about the good times and the happy moments. So if I’m confident that I’m where I’m supposed to be, there’s no need to stumble or dwell on where I used to be. Each day I put one foot in front of the other and move forward. If I look back, it’s only to see how far I’ve come.

Join us in a few weeks when we kick off the weekly link up with this amazing quote!

WHO IS YOUR MAGIC?

Each month we will pick a quote, the quotes we choose are women’s words… get it? That’s What She Said.

The link up will run for 2 weeks.

We will pin and feature our favorites, the following month.

You will always know what the next month’s quote is, we will have it posted here, and sent to your inbox!

Please only linkup posts inspired by the quote of the month. We want to see how this quote will get your creative juices flowing.

We would like for you to connect with others, please visit the person who linked up before you, and go show some love.

It would be AWESOME if you would share the link up via your social media. #That’sWhatSheSaidLinkUp

Of course, it’s always fun to connect, let’s follow each other along.

Number one rule: Have fun and be creative ♡

Mrs AOK, a Work in Progress Courtney: What’s Up With the Wilhelms Katy: Chaos & Kiddos

Book Delight, shared a story of strength about her best friend.

Afro Chic Mompreneur, shared how she doesn’t allow her pain to be an excuse to fail, rather it is her motivation.

Admittedly, I hate winter. But somehow, this is still my favorite time of year. While I’d be thrilled to trade in the cold days, dreary grays and blistering winds, the holiday season reminds me of home and family and all that is good in my life. There is something about hot cocoa at late night football games, falling leaves and bursts of color, the crisp crunch of frost beneath your feet at the Christmas tree farm, and the warm smells of your favorite recipes cooking that make the heart feel happy. Perhaps the holiday season happens during the dreariest time of year because the “forced isolation” of the weather pushes us closer to those people most important in our lives. Everything slows down a bit, families huddle by the fire, even the sun goes down earlier, bringing everyone home for dinner at the table.

It’s also a time for reflection. In the quiet of the winter weather, late at night, when everything is still and frozen, or even first thing in the morning when the snow on the ground is fresh and untouched, you can look back on the year and just think. Absorb. And with that fresh white, not yet trampled snow, you can look forward with a clean slate. After winter comes spring. New growth, starting over. We appreciate the warmth and the sun, because winter kept us in the dark and the cold. We would take the beauty of spring for granted if we weren’t coming out of the harshness of winter.

Maybe I don’t hate winter after all. I sure do hate feeling cold, but I love feeling like I’m on the cusp of starting fresh and new. I love the ability to discard the old, close a chapter and look forward to spring and new life. This is the time of year for family, love, healing, hope and merriment. Cuddle close to the ones you love, toss the bitterness of old into the wind, and step out in the new fresh snow.

Welcome to Social Media Saturdays, the one and only linkup sponsored by the International Bloggers Association, where bloggers grow together. Have you joined yet? If not, go there now!

We’re all about making new friends and finding each other in the places we hang out online. This is the place to mingle, make new friends and form real relationships– not the place to drop links and leave!

If that sounds good to you, then by all means, share the links to your social media accounts here!

Here are the rules:

1. You don’t have to, but if you want to be classy please follow your hosts in each category that you join. We are:

Brittany at brittanybullen.com, Giada at giada100.com, Katy at chaosandkiddos.com,

Keitha at bajantexan.blogspot.com, Tina at gringoslocos6.com, Marg at margsworld.com

Paula at paulabuenosaires.com, Shana at Technotini.com, Anni at Grapefruitprincess.com, Cathy at APeekIntoMyParadise.com, Jillian at babydoodah.com and Kaitlyn at threesistersandus.com!

2. Tweet about the party and spread the word so that we can all connect with new friends! The more people who join us, the better experience we all have!

Click the button below or write your own tweet with the hashtag #ilovesocialsaturday so your new friends know where you came from and so that we can chat all day!

3. Follow the person before you in each category that you join and at least 2 more so that we make sure everybody gets some love!

4. If you’d like to put our badge on your site, grab the HTML here. Let us know if you did because we sure do love people who love us!

<div align="center"><a href="http://brittanybullen.com" title="Social Media Saturdays"><img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2153164/GIADA100/SMS/smsbadge_125x125.jpg" alt="Social Media Saturdays" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Let’s get started!!! Happy Saturday!!

Browse IBA blog directory!

There, you can find great new friends in your niche to subscribe to and visit regularly. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to build a network of support!

We’re so excited to introduce the newest addition to our weekly linkup– the first-ever official IBA Blog Hop! This hop is just for members of the IBA (badge required) to visit each other’s latest posts in any category and share the love. If you submit a link here, make sure to visit and comment on and/or share three more.

Each week, we’ll be featuring the three posts that got the most clicks in the previous week, so make sure to come back to see if you’ve been featured! Happy Blog-Hopping!

Here are the featured posts from last week’s Social Media Saturday

Christmas ABC Art Book

Georgina at Craftulate

DIY Christmas Holiday Tutorials

Keitha at The Bajan Texan

Homemade Hummus & Christmas Chips

Laura at Mommy Maleta

If you get featured, grab the badge!

<div align="center"><a href="http://brittanybullen.com" target="_blank" title="Social Media Saturdays Blog Hop"><img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2153164/GIADA100/SMS/featuredBadge2.jpg" alt="Social Media Saturdays Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And now linkup your social accounts!