To a new year...

I have mixed feelings about 2010 and I can't decide if I will miss this year or wish it quickly forgotten.

Overall, I think I have grown to be a stronger person, much in part to little wins and big failures.

Earlier this month I wrote 5 resolutions for 2011 and actionable tasks to help me accomplish them. And then I scratched the list and started over. I, instead, wanted 5 items that come December 31, 2011 I can check off as yes or no... no questions asked.

Looking back at my resolutions, ultimately they revolved around being happy. Since happiness is relative and I have no interest in defining my happiness (sorry too personal) you are stuck with what happiness looks like for me through my resolutions.

I will read 50 books in 52 weeks.

I will successfully do a hand catch and return on the flying trapeze.

I will dance the entire night at my sister's wedding.

I will take a trip alone.

I will sell/get rid of Club RAV.

And for a resolution that every year I never give up:

I will do one thing a month I have never done before.

Plans to Match a Dress

I thought I had to work New Years Eve. In fact, I was pretty sure I had to work New Years Eve and early New Years day too.

Turns out, I have NYE off. (Woot! Woot!)

But that meant finding an outfit and depending upon said outfit, deciding on my plans.

Some might think that plans come first/outfit second but no... the dress always determines the evening.

I searched high and low... I had no luck at Nordstrom.

Some luck at Amazon.

And then I struck gold at Mod Cloth.

I knew I wanted a little black dress that would be fun for a night out but also for work. I also know that for my body type, the shape is most important... I need a bit of structure and an hour glass shape.

I found this dress and thought it was decent enough to look further.

And then I saw the backside and fell in love. I love bowties and bows and with a hint of backlessness, I knew this was the dress for me.

What are you wearing this NYE and do your plans match your dress?


Update: I couldn't want until NYE to wear the dress and paired this number with a black camisole and winter tights then wore it to my Christmas Eve service at church. It was borderline too short for church... but I did it anyway!

With my family

I don't have a full length but I did photobomb a picture of my parents. So you can have a half glance!

I've fallen in love

If anyone can find me these Miu Miu shoes (size 7.5, beautiful condition) I promise my unending love.

 

If you like it then you should have put a ring on it...

Most women start planning their wedding while they are still little girls. Perhaps it's Disney's fault in giving us stories of princesses... but I think it may just be a hardwired desire in us.

Most women.

I can't remember planning my wedding as a child and now as an adult, I don't have that ache. My mom and sister like to append that thought with a "yet" and a "just wait until you meet the right man." We'll see mom and sis, we'll see...

Last week I received an e-mail from my mom inviting me to a Bravo Wedding event held at Embassy Suites Downtown. Part of her job includes facilitating weddings and special events and she wanted a buddy to tag along. She sold me with promises of cupcakes and champagne.

We walked into the event, handed over our tickets and after our names were checked off / badges given, I received the warmest welcome from the hostess.

"WHEN IS THE DATE?"

confused

"WRITE IT DOWN ON THE FRONT!"

still confused

She continues talking about the brochures she keeps handing over and I look down at my badge

BRIDE

I looked over at my moms badge

GUEST

I gasp with a "What am I suppose to write?" which my mom replies laughing Fall 2011.


What have I gotten myself into?

I then spent the next two hours eating cupcakes, drinking champagne... AND talking about my Fall 2011 wedding. Apparently I have a fabulous fiance, planning for an October wedding with intimate reception, my colors are unknown, my venue is unknown, my caterer is uknown, my photographer IS known, I don't have a dress, I have a maid of honor, I have a beautiful ring (thanks for the props mom), and yes I am quite stressing since I am so late on planning but we are madly in love and isn't that what matters?

Brides all over Portland had a wonderful day planning their wedding at Embassy Suites. I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck thanks to my mom's silly idea to turn her not-ready-to-commit-daughter into a bride.

The day recapped by twitter...

 

And my favorite response....

 

Have your pants shrunk?

Once upon a time there was this awful thing called capris and it made every woman look like she had cankles. Thankfully, the pants either grew or shrunk a couple of inches and our ankles were back to being dainty and tiny.

Please welcome the return of the cropped pant.

This not long-not short pant was perfected by Audrey Hepburn, my style icon, and has become my current obsession. Whether it's skinny jeans, ponte black pants, or a harem pant I can be seen day in / day out / rain / shine showing off my ankles.

Trust me and try it. To make the leap easier, below are 2 of my favorites (And yes, I actually own them!)

Live

One of the most vivid memories from my childhood was the day I found out my best friend and cousin had died.

It was a Sunday night and we had just gotten back from church. I remember being so mad at my parents for making us go that night because I would have much rather stayed home to play. Before I knew it, my dad was on the phone receiving news that my cousin, Tiffani, had passed away at 14 years of age.

That was the first time I can remember ever seeing my dad cry.

Tiffani was born with a heart defect. The doctors barely gave her 6 months to live but year after year she proved them wrong. My cousin practically lived in the hospital but she had a spirit that could not be broken. Although we moved away from her when I was 2 years old, each summer the cousins reunited for a couple month stay at my grandparents. My sister and Tiffani’s younger sister were best friends and Tiffani was mine.

Her death was hard on all of us. She took a little piece of us when she left. But the biggest piece, she took from my grandparents.

No summer was the same after Tiffani was gone. Instead of lemonade stands on the street, we went berry picking in the cemetery. It felt like life had ceased to exist.

15+ years later and we have come to today.

Earlier this week my grandma was admitted to ICU for heart failure. Although her heart was weak it was because her lungs kept filling up with liquid that was the main cause. After four days of care she was able to return home.

I was able to take the day off on Sunday to visit her with my parents. As we sat together I saw my grandparents, who I love with all of my heart, not living the life that was meant for them. Instead, in a home filled with pictures of Tiffani, I saw a life they gave up on years ago.

We can so easily live in fear and sadness that we stop living.

That isn’t the life I want to live.

I want to live recklessly: reach for the stars, love with all my being, create something new, and accomplish the impossible.

And I have no time to waste.

My Current Obsessions :: August

This month there are quite a few things I am drooling over. Normally I like to keep my finds to myself... how selfish! Right? This month I'm sharing and hopefully will continue here on after!

Clothing:

Skinny Cargo Pants

Sanctuary Skinny Leg Cargo Pant, Nordstrom

These are a great alternative to the typical denim pant. Usually made in neutral colors, these pants will not only replace the stodgy knaki in your closet but give you variety outside of your daily denim. Cargo pants can be a bit bulky and masculine but with this skinny leg you are sure to look ultra feminine and flirty.

Pair With: Summer flats and sandals. Once fall starts, these pants look great tucked into boots.


TOMS Wedges

TOMS 'Calypso' Wedge, Nordstrom

As soon as a store stocks these shoes they are out the door within a week. Trust me, I know. I had my shoe gal on constant look out for my Blue Stripe 7.5 to appear. I wear these shoes at least once a week and get compliments everywhere I go! With the same comfort as the flats, these wedges offer a girlier shape that will have you looking like a laid back fashionista with a cause.


Pink Sugar Perfume

Aqualina, Pink Sugar

The other day I was walking around my department when I got the most delicious scent of caramel, sugar and cotton candy. It was like heaven in my nose. I tracked it down to this scent and bought it within an hour. It has the ability to take me back to childhood in an instance. Playful, fresh and a great way to brighten your day.

6 Years In The Making

Did you know I spent a couple years in Southern California? In Riverside, to be exact. Around this time the tv show The OC was popular which meant that the 909 was infamous for being that shady area of Orange County, also known as the Inland Empire. During my two years there, studying Honors Neuroscience at UC Riverside, I became a Bro and Bro Ho expert and learned how much I didn't want to be a neurosurgeon.

First week of school - Thomas in the back, obviously

Before classes started and the first week of moving into the dorms, I met a boy. Pretty, typical if you ask me.

I had seen him around during Honor's week a month earlier but my neighbor and future friend introduced us once we finally moved in. We immediately hit it off and quickly became known as a duo. Not a couple, a duo. We had regular movie nights, went through rush together, parties, events, this and that... he was one of my best friends. There are more than a few nights that I can remember calling him up because something bad, usually a break up and he would sit by me until I cried it all out or stuffed myself on the ice cream he brought. He wasn't gay. He wasn't ugly, the girls loved him in fact. But he was my best friend. My Thomas.

Our second year of school, towards then end, he started dating a girl he worked with outside of school. At first I was grateful because at one point he dated/dumped a sorority sister and I was forced to choose sides. I picked his. Let me tell you, it was ugly. But his new girlfriend wasn't fond of me. Like typical friendships, we grew apart. I eventually moved back to San Francisco to study advertising and he stayed in Riverside.

Thomas and I for my semi formal

However, all this time, we have kept in touch. Text and calls on all birthdays. Facebook messages and emails to say hello. And now, nearly 6 years since we first met, a reunion.

Early September I am flying to San Diego for my cousin's wedding. I have no doubt in my mind that the wedding will be exquisite and an absolute party. Truthfully, I cannot wait to spend time with Thomas. It will be fun to see how we have changed...  or how much we have stayed the same. He will always be my Thomas and one of my best friends but I'm not that little girl that went off to Riverside anymore. (Thank goodness for that!) I am afraid that my memory will be ruined by reality. The good news is, if we could put up with each other then... there is a high chance we can be friends for life.

But I'm still nervous. :-)

July: In Progress

I've been told that July will be one of the most difficult but most rewarding months at work and here I am, only half way through and completely exhausted. My days have been long, most not ending until the sun sets and my feet are ready to raise the white flag and ditch me for good. 

But...

I feel like I am hitting my stride. I worked entirely off of personal client appointments for the past two weeks and progressed into the second half of the month feeling confident and calm.

To reward myself I am taking a 3 day mini vacation to Seattle where I get to explore the new city I hope to one day call home and help my newly relocated sister find her niche in the Northwest.

If you will be in the area Tuesday through Friday reach out and I would love to meet up!

From: Facebook

Many of you know that when it comes to being a fan of Facebook I'm on Team Twitter. I recently when on a diet, eliminating 800 some friends only to slowly start accepting friend requests back. I came to a point where the amount of invites, messages, requests and pokes became an annoyance... especially from people who I met once, ten years ago.

But then I received an email notifying me I have a new family member. Miss Kelsey Hitchings had listed me as her sister and wanted confirmation. At that moment I was ready to burn my Team Twitter shirts and switch sides.

Last summer I spent time overseas for a British immersion experiment where I studied British behavior in juxtaposition to American. Part of the project was to live with a family to get a better grasp of the culture. Although I wasn't there long, I immediately fell in love with the Hitchings. From the parents, to the girls, to even their little rugrat boy who spent more time doing his hair than I do. Did I mention they had one bathroom for us to share and no one could use the bathroom until Bradley's hair had the perfect shape?

I've always called them my British family but having the offical request was by far the highlight of my week.

Does this mean I am easy to please?

Oh That Will Change, Just Wait...

Nearly 80% of my friends are married or engaged with only 10% having children too. With that said, I currently have 0% desire for husband or child.

Today is my day off and after running a couple of errands I turned onto my street to find a little boy laying flat in the middle of the road under his bike. I pulled into my driveway and ran out to his side.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“My foot is caught in my bike and I’m stuck.”

I, gently as I could, loosened his foot where the wheel and pipe met and put his other shoe, which had flown off, back on his foot. My first instinct was to pick him up and hold him tight but after I helped him up I offered to clean his bleeding wounds. I quickly ran into my house and found bandages and rubbing alcohol.

As I ran out to the street, his face scrunched up and he looked at the looming brown bottle and said “Not that, it stings.”

“But we have to clean up this cut or it will sting more if it gets infected. You are strong, I know you will be brave” I cooed at him. As I cleaned his hand his face stung with pain but soon a large bandaid was on to keep it clean.

I picked up his bike and held it while he hopped back on. He told me he just lives around the corner and can make it home.

I have never felt such a strong maternal instinct as I did this afternoon. Every desire in my body was to help this little boy and make him feel better.

How long was he stuck under the bike?

     Did he make it home okay?

          Why didn’t the construction workers a couple houses down try to help him?

I still have ZERO desire to have child or husband but for a short while I completely believed what my mom continues to tell me, “Oh that will change, just wait…”

Nailed It

Last week I had a phone interview with an agency in San Francisco.

Yes, San Francisco.

I can hear my mom hyperventilating at the thought of me moving away from the NW again.

The interview was the initial screening with HR for an agency I have great respect for and have liked for sometime.

After talking with the agency I tweeted:

"I've learned that in the job search you have to be honest about who you are and not try to be who you think they want."

I recently went through an interview process with my dream company but not the dream job. I tried to be uniquely me but I was also selling what I thought they wanted. After 4 days of being interviewed by 16 people they went with another candidate. Bummer, right?

I have always been a dreamer and my parents encouraged BIG dreams but only now am I starting to realize that I need to dream even BIGGER! Which is what I did with the phone interview. I continued to be uniquely me but instead of giving what I think they want to hear, I spoke the truth.  I talked about my strengths, where I see my future and ways I want to grow. After getting off the phone, even if they had hated me, I knew I would never regret being honest in who I am.

(Thankfully, I made a strong connection and the feelings were mutual. Now I am planning my SF return trip to meet in person. Stay tuned.)

Seize every opportunity.

I wanted to share a snipit from an article for Sports Illustrated that related to me in the job hunt and you might find it relevant to you.

[To read the full article click here>>]

What should every commencement speaker do at this time of year? Simple: Tell kids how to get jobs. Goodell's advice began when he graduated from Washington & Jefferson College just outside of Pittsburgh in 1981 and wanted to work in football. Anything in football.

"I wrote more than 40 letters to the NFL,'' he said. "Everybody. The results: a big pile of rejections. Some plan, huh? But I was determined and persistent and kept writing. Finally, there was a polite but somewhat dismissive reply from a weary executive at the NFL to, quote, 'Stop by if you're in the area.' So I told him, 'I'm in the area.' ''

Sort of.

"I got in my car,'' Goodell said, "and drove all night from Pittsburgh to New York, and I was on his doorstep the next morning. Six months later, 12 or 13 more letters later, they offered me a three-month internship. So it doesn't matter how you get in that door. Just get in that door. The lesson: Seize every opportunity.''

A little while after his speech, I caught up with one of the graduates, 23-year-old history major Thomas Screnci of Milton, Mass. I asked him what he thought of the speech.

"Very inspirational,'' Screnci said. "He knew what we wanted to hear. We all wanted to know how he got from college to here. He told us what we needed to hear -- there are no shortcuts, no magic formula. He got dozens of rejection letters, but he was determined to show his boss what he was made of. Same thing with us now. Now it's our shot to show the world what we're made of.''

In front of a civic center of strangers Saturday, Roger Goodell did his father proud.

Day Trip To Seattle

 Last week I had an amazing day in Seattle.

You know what that means, right?

Yep, I want to live there now.

It started downtown with an informational with someone I really admire from a company that I would love to work for. After an hour chat, I walked through downtown and PIKE Place Market to get back to our hotel, with a coffee stop along the way of course. Once I met up with my mom we started a journey through Belltown and Lower Queen Ann to find the perfect apartment for my older sister who is moving there in a month.

PAUSE

After meeting up with my mom but prior to looking at apartments, we stopped at my favorite sandwich stop that is popular around the Bay Area and has a few Seattle locations.

RESUME

Apartment hunting can be hit or miss, mostly miss. But after a few stops I found "The One!". Perfect one bedroom; pet friendly, secure, fireplace, stainless steel appliances, roof top deck with views of the Space Needle, a block away from 24Hr Fitness and directly above Safeway. After calling Ashley and confirming that this place was perfect, she submitted her application and now we wait to see if she gets it.

I am looking forward to expanding the perfect job search into Seattle and having a couch to crash on. July 1st just can't come fast enough though.

In the meantime, I have a couple of interviews this week for smaller design studios. I'll save my opinions for after decisions are made but one thing is for sure... as much as I may dislike working in retail, I am not in any rush to settle. I know what I like and what I want.

Morning Coffee Chats

I absolutely love informational interviews and have been amazed at the generosity of seasoned professionals to give up their time to someone like me. In an hours time you not only to get to make a new connection but learn about their paths, share interest and advice, and, my favorite, find that inspiration to succeed.

Within the past couple of weeks I have been able to meet with two people who I have been dying to meet for months. The hardest part is making the ask and praying you don't get the rejection or cold shoulder.

Today I met with a Senior Planner from my favorite agency who has lived a career I am quite envious of; worked in my top two agencies and cities and gone to the masters school which I think highly of. Within minutes I found out our paths have been similar (hers just slightly more awesome)... originally she thought art direction was her future but wasn't satisfied so she explored media planning and then found account planning. Listening to her tell me about what her days are like and types of project she works on were confirmations of the decisions I am making.

Whether I find myself getting my masters in a year in a half or working my way up from the mail room, I know that strategy and planning is an area I can and will excel. It is now a matter of being patient and preparing myself for whatever may present itself. I just wish it could happen... yesterday!

Hello Monday...

Hello Monday... only 5 days until Saturday.

It has been 7 weeks since I have had a free Saturday. When living in San Jose, Monday's were my favorite day to have a day off. I had the perfect routine down pat but now thinking back on it, I enjoyed Mondays so much because I also had Saturdays off as well. In the world of retail, Saturdays are suppose to be your most fruitful day but they are my biggest nightmare. Thankfully, this month I have a Saturday free and I have been planning how I am going to fill it for weeks...

Farmers Market

There isn't much I love more than fresh local produce. One of my favorite hobbies is bringing only $20 and seeing what I can buy to create an amazing meal.

Collaboration over Mexican Food

I will always love create designs but it isn't what I want my career to be focused on. That doesn't stop others from asking me to create branding for them. I am very excited to be meeting with a very talented production student from the Art Academy to concept branding for his company as well as a marketing plan he is working on.

Lambic Movie Night

Peach Belgium Beer and Movies. It can't get much better than that. I have a feeling this night might morph into something else but I'm hoping it will stay.

Downtown Loft with a Doorman

Sometimes I forget that I have downsized from a lush 2 bedroom downtown apartment to a great room in my parents house.

The other day I found this great illustration of "24 Hours in New York" that matches the style of what I call my "reading corner" of my new pad. I had a quick lapse of memory when I first saw it and gasped "Holy cow, I have the perfect room for this!" which was quickly met with "You only have one room for this."

There might have been a few seconds of a racing heartbeat and shortness of breathe but then I remembered I have the amazing rent of $Free.99 and an occasional home cooked meal. I have to keep reminding myself that I finally have my reading corner and although, my door doesn't close and people barge in at all times, I have my favorite furniture in my own little studio with a walk in closet.

Plus, technically... I have a doorman and dog walker. [But don't mention that to my parents or else my rent may be increasing!] And for a girl who doesn't dream of the large yard and white picket fence but instead a downtown loft with a doorman, I'm halfway there!

Finding Time

My schedule has taken on a life of its own and I am finding less and less time free to do the things I once loved. I have been writing, drawing, reading, socializing etc... less and my few hours available are spent catching up on that may have been missed. [sleep, tv, blogs/tweets] It feels as though I am 3 days behind on everything.

Knowing that I won't survive without some time to be inspired, I am placing myself on a rigid inspiration diet:

• Wake up by 7am each morning. This may seem like nothing to you but as a night owl this will be my hardest move. There will be no more wasting my day, especially when my evening is filled with work.
• Do one thing a week I love. What a sacrifice right? For me, this usually means reading in a coffeeshop or visiting the park. Today, I'm doing both. I only have 1 free day a week and I have been using it to catch up on life but then I feel like I am living this robotic life with no freedom. For one day, the daily routine can wait.
• Connect. Surround myself with interesting people.

This week I have 2 days off, today and Thursday. I was up bright and earlier this morning and spent the best part of the day running a few errands (cough cough shopping cough), reading in my favorite coffeeshop (Lovejoy Bakers) and laying in the park. I couldn't have asked for a better treat. I can't wait for Thursday and am hoping for a repeat of today.

One of my favorite parks that is just around the corner from Lovejoy Bakers.

This picture is hard to see, but while out the park I spent some time putting together my inspiration diet. This is my notebook and pen. Just squint your eyes and it will come to you.

Dear Life, are you:

The last post was originally posted on my main blog nearly 3 months ago. In that time I feel like life has been a slow motion whirlwind.

Does that even make sense?

Everything has been going opposite of plan, in achingly slow pace and yet… it’s May! Where did all this time go?

Since that last post:

• I settled into Portland
• Have been through countless interviews: Some great, some good, some awful
• Taken on an interim job to keep me clothed and fed
• Explored much of this new city
• Met many interesting people
• Fallen in love with NW culture

At the same time:

I miss the Bay Area. Partly, I miss the idea of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. My favorite places and local spots, being familiar and home. Mostly, I miss my amazing friends.

Being back in the same circles and city as my parents, I am no longer an individual but Ray & Linda’s daughter. After 7 years of being strictly Danielle, I feel like I am a little kid again. My parents are great and I have been truly blessed by them, the only people who seem to think of me this way are the people my age. I thought being in my mid twenties meant I was an adult… in the end, these kids will learn to love me. Or I’ll just bribe them. Either way, they win. :-)

Let's Recap

Reposting from DanielleNoah.com 2/8/2010

Today marks my last week with Bay Area News Group. But more than that, this week marks my last week with California. I have spent the last 9 years of my life in this state. We have had some good and bad times but in the end it is so long my friend.

As many of you know, my ultimate dream is to be apart of a stellar advertising agency…to be specific, I want to be a contributing part of that agency. I am willing to start in the mail room if that means getting my foot in the door but I might pull a Michael J Fox in The Secret to my Succe$s and take over an executive’s office.

It is easy to get comfortable in the life you live. For someone so young I have been able to live quite a posh life. But life is a little more fun when living in the uncertain. (Also a bit more stressful, but I am trying to be optimistic here!) I am wanting and needing a challenge.  So I am packing up and driving Club Rav up to Oregon.

I have no job… which means I have no money.

I will be crashing at my parent’s house… which means I will have a mild social life.

But I do have an amazing family, my dog Jake, time to look for a job and some killer shoes to boot.

I have decided to live with gracious uncertainty.

For those that I am leaving, thank you for making my home a home. The only thing I am sad to leave behind is you. Which is why I am as frequently looking for jobs for you as I am myself. I can confidently say that our adventure isn’t over, it is merely expanding territory.

For those that I am joining, if I become grumpy feed me red velvet cake and all will be well. Everything else is relative.

For my followers, if you so much as touch my foursquare mayorships I will fly down there and break not only your kneecaps but every bone in your hands… and there are a lot! You think Chuck Norris is tough? He hasn’t met me yet!

For my future followers, game on.

Peace, Love & Bubblegum
Danidot

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