Oh Friday.

I need to be more proactive about actually publishing posts.
I have tons of ideas & started posts, & nothing to show for it.
Only a promise that there is soon to come.
I need to follow through with myself. ha, Happy Friday.


Danielle Nicole.

Distant Intention.

Minnesota Winter 2011.

I am more excited for this trip than I have been 

for something in a very long time.

In sitting here in LAX airport

I am brought back to the post I wrote this summer 

regarding Airport Stations.

That post remains truth & 

speaks to the exact emotion I feel as I sit here,

in anticipation of seeing truly dear friends. 

Friends who even from across the country,

manage to think, care, & appreciate friendship with myself.

Phone calls almost daily, mail, & 

online contact really paint the vivid 

intention that I feel from these relationships in my life.

It always strikes me when I look at how 

my relationships of a few dear people

 half way across the country are much closer & intentional 

than a majority of my relationships in my own state, 

or even city. 

But then, sometimes the result of distance is not negative.

Rather, it (for lack of better word in my mind at the moment) forces us 

to be more intentional, more outward, 

& even more creative in those relationships.

On a less serious & appreciative note: I'm still trying to wrap my mind around why in the worllllld God would make a place so cold. 

Friday forecast in MN: 18 degrees, 

"feels like -5 degrees"… 

NO JOKE, the forecast really has the nerve to tell me it will feel like -5.. cruel.

But, Fargo, then Minneapolis, here I come!

Danielle Nicole.

National Holiday Memo Missed?

You'd swear today was a holiday & the holiday was hate-a-barista-day.

Today I woke up at 4:20am thinking it was just another typical opening monday for myself at the good ol' Miss Kelly's Cafe. Boy by 9am did I realize I was thoroughly mistaken. Today was that kind of day that at first you think it is just you in a bad mood, thinking maybe you just haven't been able to shake of the sleepies & wake up for the day when making lots of caffeinated beverages for groggy customers. But then begins to reveal itself as the kind of day in which everyone can't shake the grog & the grog becomes grump & domino effects everyone in its path. Unfortunately today I became victim to this unspoken holiday & can only be left with the thought that I am sooo utterly thankful it is only 12:43 in the afternoon, which leaves hours upon hours for this morning trend to redeem itself entirely. Let's see what today can do towards redemption ;)


Danielle Nicole.

God is sooo Good.

God is so good. & This week I have completely been reminded of His care & faithfulness. A little over a year ago a friend sent me a poem written in the narrative of God to myself. She inserted my name into certain parts & this week this piece from that poem keeps ringing in my mind as I continue to pursue trusting Him & allowing myself to let go of worries & stresses that I seem to hold on to. 


"I want you to stop planning, Dani, stop wishing and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing, 
one that you cannot imagine.
Please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I Am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.
You just wait. That's all. Don't be anxious. Don't worry.
Dani, don't look at the things you think you want; you just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you'll miss what I want to show you...


Dani, know that I love utterly.  I Am God. Believe it and be satisfied in that."


This week has been so good.
God is so good.
PTL.


Danielle Nicole.

Red Lips.

Red lipstick has a very unique, powerful affect on women, & men, when they encounter a red-lipped woman, some might argue as well.

One Friday, my coworker & I deemed, Red Lipstick Friday. A Rendition, if you will, of Casual Friday, only opposite in a sense being that everyday at Miss Kelly's Cafe can be casual wear day.

I can only say I have worn red lipstick one other day of my life besides this Friday. (Other than the days of playing with mom's makeup or my Barbie makeover set or something as a kid, obbbviiiii) So this day was a day of new experience, learning, & soaking in the power of the red lipstick (dun, dun, dunn)

The 3 things I noticed most by the end of the day & through the night of having this style upon my lips were, a new sense of beauty, confidence, & power. 

--Beauty: The beauty of red lipstick is an eclectic unique true-to-it's-own beauty. An almost old fashion, or maybe vintage-esk fashion to it; pure, slightly rebelled, yet classy.

--Confidence: A girl who can put on red lipstick & own the look exudes confidence, even if she isn't typically confident in her appearance. The red speaks a bold, yet mysterious voice that says come closer, but watch out ;) 

--Power: its a bold, fierce look that breathes power & fierce style. It can empower a woman on what may seem like the most normal of days.

So to those of you women who have never worn red lipstick, try it out. I definitely encourage you to experience the unique beauty, confidence, & empowerment all from a tiny stick of color :)


Danielle Nicole.

Goooood Day.

Things i LOVED about today:

-waking up next to the beautiful Erica Lynn.
-Coming home to the most delightful of surprises, a gift from a dear friend: beautiful, rustic, hand-decorated frames.
-Seeing my NEPHEW Cohen for the first time, & seeing one of my dearest friends, his wonderful mother, Kate, & father, Victor.
-Seeing old good friends.
-Pizza, Cookies, & Wine with the Olavarri's.
-Games & sweatpants till wee hours of the morning.

Today was goooood. Amen.


Danielle Nicole.

Growing up & all that jazz.

"gah i wish life was a movie.

for many reasons, 

1. everyone in movies looks amazing, duh. 

2. things work out in the end, & 

3. you can fast forward, rewind, & pause." 

Quote Dani Davis, tonight. & Let's be honest we can all relate to this a litttttle bit, right? Or am I alone in this? ha Nonetheless, tonight I had such a filling conversation with one of my dearest cousins & it really made me think about growing up & how I am currently in one of the biggest, or most influential stages of "growing up" in my life. & the scariest part is realizing it. This conversation was honest & raw & full of a mixture of logic & emotions. Pain and lessons being learned in the moment and realizing that these are the things that are shaping who we are becoming & the decisions we are making & will make in the future, even when the lesson is: never do that again.

To just let our hearts unfold to one another really allowed our hearts to intertwine & produce something that really pierced my soul. Its that new level of friendship that you unlock when something raw and messy breaks the ice & the friendship still stands, & it stands deeper, more solid, with more love. The kind of level of friendship we need with at least a few people, or at least one. The level that allows you to be you, beyond the degrees, or the facebook friend requests, or the make up, or the job, or the role model you think you have to be. This level is you, just you. Raw, messy, but living, breathing, learning you. & the only thing that makes some of those hard lessons seem okay and bearable are those who walk alongside us through it & have raw, intimate friendships that remind us we are human & grace is thick.

Thank you Erica, you're beautiful,
Merry Christmas.

Danielle Nicole.