Foursquare gets a rap

Badges like us, badges like us...

I'm going to be better at...

It's Lent season.

That means it's time for me to give up something I love or start doing something I hate. Here's the thing, I suck at Lent. I guess I'm more of a 'do what I want, when I want' type of girl. In the past I have vowed to go to church every week (fail), work out three days a week (fail), not skip class (fail), even be nicer to my little brother (I'm sure that was a fail too). The only successful Lent I've ever had was in grade school when I gave up Nutty Bars.

No joke. I love Nutty Bars. 

Lent has been in full force for over a week now and I still haven't decided what I'm going to do. I seriously considered giving up alcohol, but decided that AB InBev really needs my business (Imagine if my Lenten promise put millions of people out of work? That wouldn't be very Christ-like, now would it?). 

Then, I thought maybe I could visit a church fish fry every Friday during Lent. That seems like a good way to support the church without actually going to mass, right? But I'm starting to think that is just a selfish excuse to allow myself to eat as much fried fish, applesauce, french fries, and mac and cheese as I want. 

So I've come up with a list of things I need to do better. Not just for Lent- for life. Hopefully, over the next thirty something days I can keep these things in mind. And actually follow through on (at least some of) them. 

1. Laundry
Self- explanatory.

2. Cleaning
How hard can it be to clean, like, one thing a night? Apparently, for me, impossible.

3. Networking
Last night, I went to the StL Women in Media event at Miso on Meramec. It was great. I was in a room surrounded by awesome ladies who work in my industry, and I barely talked to any of them. This is a problem. No excuses, play like a champion.

4. Writing
I almost wrote 'blogging,' but I realized I'm pretty darn good at that. I think I'm a good writer, but tend to give up when I'm not feeling inspired. This is unacceptable. I need to devote more time in my day to writing, even if it turns out like crap and I drag it to the trash bin.

5. Staying in touch
This weekend, I got the pleasure of hanging out with some 'old' college friends at Cara's going away party. I've been on the phone the last couple evenings with girls I love and haven't talked to in ages. And this morning, a close friend from grade school chatted me on Facebook and we had a nice.... er, chat. I have a long list of people that I need to reconnect with. There is no time like the present.

6. Working out
Swimsuit season is coming up.

7. Being more confident
As I sat listening to the panel of PR and Marketing professionals talk about social media at Miso last night, I realized I needed to be more confident. I know what I am talking about. I am smart. I am passionate. I have strong opinions. But for some reason, I don't show it. I'm often too passive, too polite, too reserved. Not okay.

8. Keep on, keepin' on
Here, I have a list of seven things I need to do better. But honestly, I don't think the person I am right now is really that bad. In fact, I think I'm pretty great. I like my life. If I can just keep doing what I'm doing, and add these things in, I'll pretty much be... perfect.

Perhaps, 'Be more humble' should be on the list too?

Classics

Navy blazer with gold buttons. Red nails. Gold watch. Hair in a bun.

From the Sartorialist

Best. Job. Description. (Ever.)

"Make something memorable. Turn the category on its head. Be better than you were yesterday. Fail. Try Again. Collaborate. Brush up on your German. Take it on the road. Fight for the idea. Make up words. Go to the conference, then speak at it. Coax it out. Document it. Get on the birthday list. Push it. Cheer the Phils. Question presidents. Change minds. Make espresso. Learn the process. Dump beer on your boss. Start it up. Check out Billy Penn. Create brands. See all twelve toes. Put it on the crit wall. Find out why. Present it yourself. Ask for help. Assert your opinion. Share inspiration. Celebrate small victories. Do shots to big ones. Tell a story. Invent characters. Color outside the lines. Blog. Earn a nickname. Create a haiku. Debate. Turn your work space into a lodge. Get on the dance floor."

Don't you want this job? Sounds fun!

From The Boomerang Table

For My (Future) Kitchen

I've always wanted a simple kitchen- blacks, whites, greys, beiges. wouldn't these prints bring a great pop of color?

Thanks to Design*Sponge for the inspiration

Maybe winter isn't so bad...

... if it means you get to dress like this. 

From The Sartorialist

Advanced Doodles

I used to spend a lot of time doodling in class. My notebooks were covered in a very mediocre version of graffiti, usually comprised of triangles like these. If only I had honed that skill...

Thanks Katie for the inspiration. 

Why I want to be an Olympic athlete

Cute boys (Louis Vito, I heart you). Cute gear.

Pump It Up

I stole this from Chelsea.

I can't cook. But if I could...

Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Hoisin Peanut Sauce

Ingredients
For the rolls:
1 lb. fresh shrimp
1 cucumber, cut into thin, long strips
1 red pepper, cut into thin long strips
1 head of green lettuce, any kind
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch mint
Rice paper
Rice vermicelli noodles
For the dipping sauce:
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup organic peanut butter
2 tsp. hoison sauce
1/4 cup water (more if needed)
Sriracha chili sauce (optional)

Bring a saucepan to a boil on medium heat. Add shrimp and poach for 3-4 minutes until bright pink. Allow to cool to room temperature. Remove skins, devein and slice in half crosswise. Set aside. Bring a medium saucepan filled halfway with water to a boil. Once a rapid boil is reached, add rice vermicelli noodles, cover and immediately remove from heat. Set timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, drain noodles in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Allow to dry at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, begin to prepare the dipping sauce. Heat a small small saucepan with olive oil on medium-low heat. Add garlic and saute quickly, about 20 seconds. Do not let garlic burn. Add peanut butter and hoisin sauce and continue to stir. When sauce begins to incorporate and thickens up, add water. Adjust to taste and continue to add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, if it becomes too thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

To assemble rolls, dip single sheets of rice paper into hot water. Allow excess water to drain and quickly place on a plate. Once rice paper becomes pliable and soft, add shrimp, softened noodles, cucumbers, red peppers, cilantro and mint. Carefully roll closed and slice in half. Serve with hoisin peanut dipping sauce.

Thanks to Design*Sponge for the inspiration

I'm hungry

And I want Burger King. Now.

Ahoy matey

All I can think about are Chips Ahoy.

A couple of weekends ago, Chips Ahoy's and chocolate milk were my entire diet for nearly three days (healthy, I know). I'm not sure what it is, but right now all I can think of is getting home and grabbing a stack out of the freezer.

O Pioneers

My favorite commercial.

Help.

Ever have one of those days when you just can't concentrate?

Mesmerizing

This build your own kaleidoscope website could seriously entertain me all day.

Thanks Destined to Design for this distraction.

If only snow was this glamorous in STL

From The Sartorialist

Happy Mardi Gras!

Some favorites from the weekend celebration.

If you believe, pass it on.

I'm not sure where I feel comfortable posting this rant... I might not be comfortable posting it here.. but I need to say it. 


I like God. Really, I do. But what I don't like are chain emails involving religion. The 'If you believe, pass it on' message really throws me off. Yes, I believe. But I'm not about to press my beliefs on others who might not. And I think God is okay with that. If I end up in hell because I didn't forward your email, then so be it. But I think God and I are both okay with me sending those emails straight to Trash.

Hair. Eyes. Lips. Nails.

From The Sartorialist

New Twitter Background

But I can't remember where I found this pretty print. A little help?
Follow me @daniellesmyname

Now Playing:

I’m on the pursuit of happiness 

And I know everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold

I’ll be fine once I get it

I’ll be good

-Pursuit of Happiness, by Kid Cudi

#musicmonday

The Middle, by Jon McLaughlin

the middle by jon mclaughlin

I've been around for a little over 20 years

And to anyone who needs advice on getting here

Don't ask me, the path i took was not exactly by the book

#musicmonday

Happy Valentine's Day

This is my kind of Valentine's Day card! Check out more from the Headlines Collection. Hilarious.

Print Me Up

From Firecracker Press, right here in St. Louis

And Perfect for Valentine's Day...

Mardi Gras Weekend!

My Mardi Gras celebration won't look this classy I'm sure...

Think more along the lines of beer, breakfast casserole, tequila shots, Soulard, streets, parades, porta-potties, Sex Bomb, freezing cold Saint Louis weather....

Love is Pain

Rafe: You are so beautiful it hurts.

Evelyn: It's your nose that hurts.

Rafe: I think it's my heart.

I have looked everywhere for this scene from Pearl Harbor and can't find it. Erg.
The quote alone doesn't do it justice....


Ah, well. Happy Valentine's Day anyway.

Words of Wisdom... for the weekend

"If you can laugh loud & hard at yourself, everytime you fall, people will think you’re drunk."

Inspiration from @amskidis

Brad Pitt of the Blogosphere

Mashable founder Pete Cashmore

Legit

Read it here.

I'll call you on my Dream Phone

Dream Phone had to be one of the most fun games on the planet.
'Call boys for clues to find out who likes you.'
If only it were still that easy.

Jesseland

I can't begin to explain my weird fascination with Jesse Eisenberg. I watched Zombieland last night, but like him in Adventureland way better.

The Most Glamorous Valentine

From MyVintageVogue

RIP Alexander McQueen

I'm more Red Carpet than runway... so here's a sampling of some glamourous McQueen looks I love... 

Story of My Life

Graphic by Stephane Massa-Bidal, featured on A Cup of JO

Smiles

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton isn't exactly what comes to mind when I think of the greatest love stories ever told...

Yet for some reason, I can't get this quote out of my head...

"Like do you know she has six smiles? One when something really makes her laugh. One when she's making plans. One when she is laughing out of politeness. One when she is uncomfortable. One when she is making fun of herself. And one when... she's talking about her friends."
-Pete (Topher Grace)

I guess the fact that some guy out there might actually be paying enough attention to notice little things like this really strikes a chord in me this Valentine's Day...

Dear (Crazy) Mizzou Friends,

While having a real tiger would be seriously TIGHT, you're nuts to think this will/should happen. Keeping a wild animal like a tiger in Missouri? Ridiculous. Stupid. Unethical.

Stop watching The Hangover.

Sincerely,

Danielle

White

From the White House Flickr Feed

Perfection

Thanks Destined to Design for showing me this dress

Window Shopping

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best with bow in the hair. A cute little puppy. Gorgeous wedding dress in the window. Soft pink and beige hues. 

Could this be anymore romantic?

Happy Valentine's Day. Inspiration from Dress, Design & Decor

Bridge the GAP

I haven't been shopping in a while and am getting antsy for some new clothes. But do I buy for winter or spring? Hmmmm. These tops from GAP will help with the transition.

Under cardigans and jackets now... with crisp shorts and sandals later.