Bhangra

I was sent this the other day...

If you look past the girl working it like Britney Spears, you will find me!

This is from the Bhangra/Bollywood party at Lola's Room from earlier this month. Also known as the night I worked till 10:30pm, went straight to dance my toes off, slept for a few hours and then back to work by 7am. ALSO known as the night I learned that Tory Burch wedges are not dancing shoes.

This picture is such a fun reminder of an amazing night and makes me miss the all night dance parties of BootieSF when I worked for NapkinNights.com. Perhaps a visit home is in needed... San Francisco or bust?

July 26th

I am amazed by how time flies...

It feels like just an hour ago I was moving to Oregon.

... a minute ago Ashley was getting engaged.

... a second ago I was... well, I was doing something I shouldn't be doing. ;-)

And now we are here.

July 26th.

Significant?

Heck yes!

This week is the start of absolute craziness that doesn't end until August 23nd.

It starts with a wedding shower and bachelorette party and ends with a wedding and work that I'm not able to take off.

As the finish nears, what I had planned is not what is happening. The outcome is different but I believe that although it may not be the way I planned, I have 30 days to celebrate love, family and friends. Perhaps, my plans may have been too small. I feel only greatness is in store instead. I hope.

 

I Believe

Try Something New

I am 25 and 3/4 year old and I am unable to do a cartwheel.

To be perfectly honest, I have never tried.

I will raise my arms and rock back and forth with one leg in front of another ready to propel forward in a wheel... but that is as far as I go.

My nerves kick in. My knees start to shake. The ground starts to get farther away and grow in its hardness.

These next two weeks with my search for happiness, I have to try something new. What better time than to try for a cartwheel?

Will I make it? Only time will tell.

Will I fall on my head mid toss? Most definitely.

But at least I gave it a shot.

Magic

A picture is worth a thousand words and this is life.

(via FromMe to You)

Party Dress

The last adjective I would ever use to describe me is "sexy." In fact, I think I am as far from it as humanly possible. I am way too silly and I accept it. I have an upcoming bachelorette dance all night party coming up and I need a dress.

I have been searching all over for something that is great for a night out dancing but still me... and one I can definitely wear again. 

Then I set my heart on this...

(Asos / Peter Pan Dress)

The smallest size was an 8, about two dress sizes too big. But I ordered it anyway and hoped I could tailor it.

Good news: I've received it today.

Bad news: It's too big.

I'm going to bring it to my tailor and see if it can be nipped in but I might have to go on the hunt again. I need recommendations for the perfect dancing all night Dani dress. I want it to be fun, flirty, cute... ready, set, go!

UPDATE: 

I've played with the dress and I think if I added a second button the top collar in the back and folded it over a few inches, it would be perfect. Please excuse the mirror picture... and don't get too excited, my legs are no where near that tan. #flourescentlights

I Have

I have a family who unconditionally loves me.

I have best friends across the USA and always a open house to sleep in.

I have an expanding list of big brothers who protect me.

I have a dog who is always excited to see me.

I have the cutest car in Portland.

I have long healthy hair that only takes 2 mins to dry.

I have really funny jokes that I'm okay with knowing I'm the only one that may laugh.

I have incredibly awkward dance moves that I'm not afraid to use all the time.

I have a handful of digital strangers who I enjoy talking with daily.

I have a color coded closet filled with treasures.

I have loved and grown from it.

I have an appetite for learning and adventure.

I have pale skin that Twilight and True Blood has made cool.

I have a job that I'm happy in and every day challenges me to work smarter.

I have managers who believe in me.

I have an independent spirit that makes me okay to be alone.

I have an openness that engages and makes new friends quickly.

I have a smile that can put someone at ease.

I have confidence in who I am.

I have faith that encourages me to live.

Why do we continue to expend energy on all that we don't have? Especially when our lives our filled with things that can bring us abundant joy.

Men's Wear

I was doing my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog scanning... digitally ear marking the items I love and must fight the crowds to try on when I was stopped in my tracks by the men's section. Men's wear, besides bowties, don't usually make my radar. I have certain styles that I love on a guy but I don't follow their fashion as much as I do women's.

(The orange circles are my favorite)

Of course, I dug in deeper to the men's section of Nordstrom...

Here are a few of my favorite looks:

I like men's work wear to be more fitted, collared shirts should be taylored to the man. Even on casual days, no one should be swimming in their shirt.

Oh swoon.

And just because an upcoming wedding is consuming my life...

What I tell my family... friends... clients... you, ultimately, wear what you feel best in. Fashion is based solely off of confidence. I have my own style. I tend to dress up a little bit more with a combination of textures, colors, and classic pieces. But what makes me happy is for me. I may love a guy in a pressed collared shirt but I've had a date who was confident in his jeans and t-shirt and I could barely think straight.

Tend to the Gifts Nature Gave You

Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.

- Ralph Martson

The other day I tweeted: Work hard. Play hard. Rest well.

I have mastered the work hard. I'm working on the play hard. And about 2 weeks each year, I rest well... with the other 50 weeks a year shot. I am equal parts extreme expressive and doer. I am always going. I am always striving. I am always on.

I am exhausted!

I have been looking forward to this joie de vivre objective so I can have an excuse to spoil myself rotten. It was my hope to make these two weeks the complete opposite of $5 of fun or less weeks. I scheduled appointments to have every part of my body relaxed; from my hair to my toes. I then looked at my schedule and saw that I may be doing things that are "relaxing" but my schedule was once again booked.

So I am attempting to tone my schedule down but not lose my hour massage... that is a deal breaker.

I know that it is so important to tend to the gifts nature gave me. I only have one shot to be healthy and as I age... it will only go down hill from here. I need to learn to spoil myself rotten a little bit more often but I want to do little things in the middle of the spoiling to really treat myself. Like a spritz of my favorite perfume or using the lotion from Isreal that I save for special occasion.

How do you treat yourself on the daily and tend to the gifts nature has given you?

Reminds me of you...

 

(Purchase at Etsy)

Love Letters

I wrote to you this week about handwriting and then I caught up on last month's book club book and Adriana Trigiani in Brava, Valentine brought it to life.

A handwritten letter carries a lot of risk. It’s a one-sided conversation that reveals the truth of the writer. Furthermore, the writer is not there to see the reaction of the person he writes to, so there’s a great unknown to the process that requires a leap of faith. The writer has to choose the right words to express his sentiments, and then, once he has sealed the envelope, he has to place those thoughts in the hands of someone else, trusting that the feelings will be delivered, and that the recipient will understand the writer’s intent. How childish to think that could be easy. 

(Trigiani, Adriana (2010). Brava, Valentine: A Novel (p. 226). HarperCollins e-books. Kindle Edition.)

Handwriting, I recommend.

Letters, I definitely recommend.

This book, besides a few choice quotes, not as much.

Portland Spotlight: Bar Method

If you follow me on twitter (@danidotnoah) then you may have picked up on my latest obsession: Bar Method.

Bar Method is a body sculpting class with a focus on ballet. The max weight I have used in the class is 3 lbs and the real "weight" is from muscle isolation, control and repetition. What I love most about the studio is the community that is built around it. The instructors know you by name and in my case, call me by it often. This isn't a studio for the easily embarrassed. But truthfully, their instructions are encouraging and help you to push through the shakes, burn, fatigue and try harder.

The studio is located in the Pearl District of Portland (904 NW Hoyt Street) and is gorgeous. They have two rooms that are used for classes and a locker area (including showers) for getting ready pre and post work out. 

 

Today starts my 30 day challenge, I can't go everyday but I am aiming for at least 3 times a week.

If you happen to be joining for a class, I always end the work out over iced coffee at Barista. We can hobble together the few blocks and talk about how we nailed the plie.

With me luck!

(Images are copyright of Bar Method Portland)

Winter Kissed Cheeks and Bright Eyes

7 weeks away from Sister's wedding... am I driving you bonkers about this yet? It's almost over with, I promise. But this past week she came into town to meet with Amy Gillespie, her hair and makeup artist for the big day. I found Amy through my Nordstrom family and we were blown away by her portfolio. After meeting her in person, I will never recommend anyone else again. She is amazing.

Some women see it [makeup] as a crutch but it's a tool. Use it as a way to feel good about yourself and beautiful. It's not about hiding.

- Amy Gillespie

I have never been one to understand the art of makeup. I much prefer sleeping in than investing in a morning routine that rivals a work of art. But I do love makeup and I believe in using it to highlight the features I love best about myself. What Amy said was so poignant for me because it isn't about hiding, it is a way for me to present myself to the world the way that I see my self. Winter kissed cheeks and bright eyes.

Handwriting