#danikate QOTD - Mercy Thompson

QOTD: Mercy Thompson is my coyote-shifting heroine

With my passion for reading, it should come as no surprise to you, dear reader, that many of my favorite quotes come from books. It is with my great pleasure that this month’s quote also comes with a book recommendation (instead of sappy personal revelation) for the Mercy Thompson series! New year, new (to me) book series Despite owning the first four books of the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs since 2012 or 2013, I didn’t get around to reading them until January 2018! Now that I’m six books in, I have realized my grave mistake. I also have …Keep Reading

2017 in review

The struggle is real — 2017 in review

Woah. How is it already the end of 2017? I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but it still needs to be said…2017 was a STRUGGLE. Between the world in turmoil and my personal life going up in flames, it seems like the only way to stop myself from slipping into a deep, dark depression is to focus on the good things that happened this year. My love life is still non-existent, and I have yet to get the dream job I was hoping to find by uprooting my life from Boston to Chicago. Despite these …Keep Reading

#danikate QOTD

QOTD: Moments that change us and where they lead

I came across this week’s QOTD while getting lost in the beautiful chaos that is Tumblr (Are you on Tumblr? Follow me!). It’s the kind of quote that immediately brings to mind the gut-wrenching feeling of THAT MOMENT. I’m sure that we all have it — that moment where everything changed and our lives were never the same. Luckily, my MOMENT didn’t taint the memory of my past or what I thought I knew about my life up until that point. Instead, it changed the way I felt moving forward. I’ve always considered myself an “old soul,” but the aftermath of the MOMENT …Keep Reading

#danikate playlist - You Are My Summer

You Are My Summer, a playlist

Is that summer weather I’m feeling?! Memorial Day is quickly approaching,  and my plans include dying my hair and visiting family in Michigan. This time of year is also when I update my summer playlist so that I’m ready to jam out on the boat in the #PureMichigan sunshine. Rocking out on road trips, eating popsicles, and laughing around bonfires are some of my favorite summer memories, all of which wouldn’t be the same without a soundtrack. You Are My Summer is inspired by songs past and present that raised my friends and me over the years. Some of my favorites include, …Keep Reading

A letter to my younger, 22-year-old self

Life Lessons: A letter to my younger, 22-year-old self

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of my April-born readers! Earlier this week I turned 27, which prompted a lot of introspection as to where I am at in life. Most notably, I’ve come to realize certain life lessons that I wish I could have learned a little earlier. Therefore, as part of this reflection, I decided to write a letter to my younger, 22-year-old self. If you are at a similar transitional point in your life, I hope that some of these might resonate with you. Dear 22-Year-Old Me,  I know how you’re feeling right now. Everything in your life is …Keep Reading

#danikate QOTD - Steve,

QOTD: It must be love when you get bored when they’re on the loo

My love of British television seems to know no bounds. While my sister was interning in Ireland a few years ago, she happened across a show called Him & Her on BBC Three. After just a few episodes, I was thoroughly hooked. Unlike your typical comedy, the entire show (except for the final season/series) takes place in Becky and Steve’s apartment. The comings and goings of their neighbor, friends, and family keep the audience entertained, as the couple is seemingly constantly interrupted. You fall in love with their dynamic and feel the pain when Becky’s sister Laura barges in yet again. …Keep Reading

Noteworthy Articles April Showers Edition

Noteworthy Articles: April Showers Edition

Are you already sick of my word play on “April showers” yet? Sorry about that! If Chicagoland would just stop raining, I wouldn’t have rain on my mind. In fact, it’s pouring as I write this post! It probably also doesn’t help that I LOVE dreary, rainy days. I embrace my introversion tendencies, what can I say? This week I wanted to share with you a few noteworthy articles I came across that hit home for me. In a perfect world, all of these articles would have been written this week. However, the world and my life are both far from …Keep Reading

March 2017 Finds

March 2017 Finds: Before we spring into April showers

Get out your cutest umbrella — March is about to spring us into April, and those showers are almost here! Welcome to my March 2017 Wrap-Up! I’ll let you all in on a little secret…this blog is still a work in progress. I’m actively discovering the topics I enjoy writing about and the style in which I want to talk to you. Therefore, I’ve been doing a lot of research on other bloggers and their features hoping that it will inspire my own direction. Most bloggers write the inevitable monthly wrap-up post detailing the progress of their personal goals and what they …Keep Reading

Mindy Kaling Quote

QOTD: Work hard and read Mindy Kaling’s ‘Why Not Me’

As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m in that limbo state of uncertainty that comes with searching for a new job in a new city. I often get asked by well-meaning family members and friends what it is exactly that I do all day. When this happens, I often hesitate for a few seconds trying to figure out what to tell them. Because to be honest with you, some days I’m more motivated than others and don’t work hard enough. At least a few times a week I go through job posting sites and apply to any jobs that even remotely resemble …Keep Reading

Lovely Links to Watch: March 2017 Edition

Lovely Links to Watch: March 2017 Edition

It’s mid-March and almost springtime! I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by. However, I do kind of love how close my birthday is getting with every passing day. As any young person with access to wifi, I spend quite a bit of time (too much time, perhaps? nah…) browsing the Internet and catching up on my favorite sites. Therefore, this post is dedicated to the lovely links I keep permanently in the queue. Lovely Links #1 Oh So Sensitive: Thrival Skills for Highly Sensitive Introverts is one of my absolute favorite blogs. I have previously mentioned that I identify as an …Keep Reading