My dearest friend Dani celebrated her birthday this weekend.
Dani is a constant reminder of the type of woman I want to be.
She is well read.
Tearing through novels faster than I can get through one Vogue, I am always jealous impressed at how dedicated she is to reading what is hot off the press as well as all so many of the classics.
She is well traveled.
Not only has she been to a number of places literally all over the world with her family, but the year she graduated from college she went abroad for a month A SOLO. A month. In Europe. Alone.
That is definitely not something that most people could do, but she had the most amazing time and the most beautiful stories when she came home.
She LOVES movies. She appreciates all of the little details, the soundtracks, the actors. She has worked in the industry for over a year, deciding if it is going to be part of her career someday. Personally, I think she should be in the movies...but we'll have to save that for another post.
She is a writer.
Filling journals since she was young, it comes naturally to her. She now (thank goodness) shares some of her thoughts and musings with the rest of us
here, check her out.
She comes from some pretty amazing parents
who have taught her (and her sisters) to be the women that they are. Dani is a family girl through and through and I love that. She has great relationships with all of her family members. She is one of the most grateful people I know, constantly acknowledging how lucky she is to have such a supportive, loving and FUN family.
She can cook.
She can bake.
She appreciates a great meal and a great glass of vino. (Definitely gets that from the rents...)
I LOVE her style. She can pull off whatever she wants- and I love that she takes risks. She'll add her eclectic flair to a maxi on a casual day, but more importantly she isn't afraid to venture out into the land of new colors, textures or cuts for her look, as her lady wardrobe takes its' adult shape.
These are some of her lady accoutrements that I snapped a picture of on a visit to her apartment in beautiful Santa Monica.
Which brings me to that topic- Dani hit the ground running after school, migrating to warmer waters for the next chapter of her life. She moved down to Santa Monica to live with some friends until she got on her feet.
As much as I KNOW she would fit in in New York City perfectly (and as often as I try and call her to convince her of that), I can not blame her for wanting to stay there. Above is her beautiful building.
And her beautiful room that allows all that Santa Monica sunshine to pour right in her windows and across her floor.
One of the things I admire most about Dan is her ability to love. She is one of my closest friends, and I love that she has never once passed the slightest thought of a judgement at me, that she patiently listens to my endless stream of absurd rambling thoughts, that she has always been there for me when I have gone apeshit freaking out skyping her crying from the basement of my dorm...um...I mean...comforts me when I'm upset. She is loyal and steadfast and I can't wait to be old lady friends with her for life.
My last favorite thing about Dan is that she makes me laugh. I can not even FATHOM trying to count how many times we have literally laughed ourselves to tears. Yes, I am fully aware that probably to other people, whatever it is that we found so hysterical would most likely not be to them- but I. Don't. Care.
We laugh all the time, the kind of laughing where it hurts your ribs and I love it.
So a cheers to you my beautiful Dan for your big 24- I am cheering to you with coffee (DUH), I mean unless you'd rather do it with a bag of chips again....
Happy Birthday Beeg. I love you.
