Girlfriends.

There is honestly nothing better in the world than having amazing girlfriends. 

I don't use the word "blessed" a lot, but when it comes to the women in my life, that's the best way to describe how I feel about them. Totally, 100% blessed that they are in my life. I have some of the best friends a girl/woman could ask for, and I'm thankful for each and every one of them. 

It always made me sad that I didn't have a sister. Someone that would be that ONE female for me. It was those damn Sweet Valley High books that made me long for an identical twin and all that closeness that came with it. I'm a girls-girl. I love to share, gossip, freak out and analyze celebrity news. I love to over think out loud and spew and vent. Things women really can't do with (most) men... 

Over the past few months I've had an influx of amazing girl time. Laughing, crying, dancing, eating, trips...I'm really one hell of a lucky girl. I've bonded in unexpected ways with new women and spent fabulous hours with lifelong friends. I owe my sanity to the girlfriends I have in my life - online and in real life. 

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be posting a lot about girlfriends... what I've learned, what we've done and sharing things that make you just happy to be a woman. 

Do you have a special girlfriend story you would like to share? email me at beth @ hipmamab.com... 

I Heart New Jersey.

There is no other place like the Jersey shore. That I am now sure of. We all think of it as the home of "G.T.L" and drunk girls with big hair, but it's not. Its an amazing strip of coastline where the foliage is lush and green and the beaches are white and flanked with boardwalks. 

The people are some of the nicest I've ever met. While I was a tad disappointed in the lack of big hair, I was thrilled when one guy said "Oh, forgettaboutit." (I may or may not have actually squealed and asked him to say it again, then I probably said "Awesome" or "rad" - so we were totally even).

Over the next few days I'm going to be posting about my trip, some images and some memories. My goal? TO GET YOU TO THE SHORE. 

Here's the thing - we were there for one reason, to let the world know that Jersey may have been hit by Hurricane Sandy, but they are not down. They are there, alive and and in many places all rebuilt and ready for summer. But more than ever they need the summer crowds. 

The stores, hotels and mom and pop shops are still there - they've fixed up and stocked up. But if the tourists stay away this summer, they may not be there next year. 

If you need a little convincing, check out this video of the good time I had on Steel Pier. 

BIG HUGE SHOUT OUT and LOTS OF LOVE to the #JerseyLove FABULOUS sponsors Caesar's Atlantic City and D6 Surfskimmers. With out thier support, none of this would have been possible. 

Check out all the other #JerseyLove: 

#JerseyLove: I've Got The Jersey Shore on my MIND.

I leave Wednesday night for the east coast to show "The Shore" some good old #JerseyLove. 

The closer it gets, the more excited I get about spending some time on on an East Coast beach. I can't wait to walk the board walk, eat some salt water taffy, ride a ride on Steel Pier, have lunch at D'Jais in Belmar, surf the waves on the "right-hand coast" and have some fun at Caesars in AC!

But before I head out on that red-eye flight cross-country, I have some business to take care of. Like a TWITTER PARTY to get us all PUMPED UP for the fun. And? Give away a few D6 Skimmers!

Have you seen these skimboards yet? They just launched this past week and I can't wait to get my hands on one - for Lucas of course! Tonight from 6 PM PST/ 9EST the women of #JerseyLove are having a twitter party to get us all ready for our trip and get everyone excited about heading to the Jersey Shore this summer. 

REGISTER BELOW (via RAFFLECOPTER) to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Log On to Twitter and follow along with the #JerseyLove hashtag, or follow anyone of of the fabulous #JerseyLove mamas:

@FashOrganized  @FoundtheMarbles @IamJessicaCohen @westphillymama @hchybinski  @mommyreporter  @desireepeeples  @theposhparent @lisa_frame @shanamama9197  @kadiprescott  @ckrusch  @easylearnlang    @childrenmore @bilingualbuddie @kcocina4 @desireenallen  @AMadisonMom @ShutterBugGeek @FoodAllure @LynetteRadio  @AMagicMommy   @CapeMayMoms    @FamFriendlyAC    @4hatsandfrugal @CherylBudge   @YoungMommy  @RitzKing  @betterwaymoms @SweetSadieMarie  @amybhole  @queenmotherblog @Mamanista @ElizabethNorton @rajean @babypop @superexhausted @biggirlguide  @sickosinc  @sherryaikens  @carolacain  @daily_pinch  @mommyality  @str8upcrafty @HipMamaB @JerseyMomsBlog  @Buzzmommy  @Bloganthropy  @MamasLtlHelper @hotmomsclubbuzz @TravelgirlSteph  @YippyMomma

 See you all on Twitter tonight!