Danielle | All Things Gwen

Posts Tagged ‘Danielle’

Don’t Be a D-List Friend

April 1, 2011

With my bff and maid-of-honor, Danielle!

I’ve been called “Super Friend.” I will talk to anyone, anywhere. I will find something in common with you and love to keep in touch. You tell me you like working out? We’re doing a race together. You tell me you love to cook? I’m giving you my favorite recipes. Your husband’s a Giants fan? Double date!

Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic — or friend-mantic — when it comes to friends. Maybe I just want to have clones of my best and closest friends. I don’t know. I just really like to connect to people and have crazy, laughing-so-hard-I’m-crying fun. I feel like you can learn so much and also offer a lot in return. But, some friendships are just not worth it.

In all these trial-and-error friendships — some have lasted and some have fizzled out. I think that’s normal. My hubs says that not everyone is going to be your best friend. My closest friends tell me that there are different levels of friendship. I agree with both. And, in all this, I’ve figured out my friendship “style” and “requirements.” Maybe that means I’m high maintenance. Tell me what you think …

To me, a close friend:
• Responds to your phone calls, texts, emails, fb posts, whatever. Maybe not right away — but to the important ones, yes. And if it’s been a few days, a “sorry, things have been crazy” message is cool too.
Real life example: I once expressed to a “friend” how devastated I was with losing my cousin and said I really wanted to get together and be with friends to laugh and have fun. No response. The day that we got together, I texted her to see if she was coming, and she had a lame excuse. Didn’t even mention my email or bother to rsvp to the evite!
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Flea Markets: Walk, Shop, Eat … and Enjoy!

March 21, 2010

You never know what you’re going to find when you go exploring the local flea market. It’s a one stop shop for all kinds of food, music, jewelry, cell phone accessories, things “As Seen On TV” and the latest trends — right now, scarves in high demand. To me, that’s a wonderful thing.

I first fell in love with flea markets as a little kid. Every Saturday, my dad used to take my brother and I to the Berlin Farmer’s Market (Berlin, NJ). I remember holding on to two of my dad’s fingers or and even riding on his shoulders. We’d get gigantic flavored popcorn balls and those little boxes of white things that < <::SNAP::>> when you throw them. (Does anyone know what they’re called?) That’s where I fell in love with that cardboard/pizza rink pizza, orange soda and Bubblicious gum.

One time, my dad got us a bunch of parakeets! We had an entire cage full. Oh, the best was when he’d get freshly cut cheesesteak from the butcher and we’d have homemade sandwiches for lunch.

Now, it’s a treat to go to the flea market. I usually go with my BFF, Danielle to the Columbus Farmer’s Market (Columbus, NJ). It’s pretty routine — she comes to my house on a Sunday at 8ish and we head out. On the ride, we catch up and listen to music, stop to get cash at Wawa and put a shopping strategy together.

We’ve gone through a number of obsessive buying trends — for example, those stretchable Italian charm bracelets and “designer” handbags. I remember when my dad got us “Oakley” windbreakers there! Man, I was the coolest thing in sixth and seventh grade.

Now, Danielle gets her candles from a store inside; I get “meat on a stick” (yes, that early); we eat Pete’s Pizza; and get bags of candied nuts. The last time we were there, I got a pile of hair accessories for $5. It was four for $1, fill a bag for $5. No lie, it was all stuff by Conair and Goody. I strategically stacked everything inside the little plastic bag. I swear, there were 25+ packages of pins, clips, rubber bands, headbands, etc. — all with cute designs on them.

I guess the main reason I like to go is to walk around, get exercise and try new foods like roasted corn, fried oreos or pizza on a braided pretzel. You never know what kind of bargains or random things you can buy or eat!
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Today’s my Birthday, and I Have an Attitude of Gratitude

February 8, 2010

Since I’m 30 now … here’s a list of 30 things what I’m thankful for:
1. My fiancée, Sweet William! He loves me for my craziness, randomness, dreams and goals.
2. Gabby and Sofia — my beautiful and fun nieces.
3. My brother, Mike, and his wife, Kim. They give so much to the community …
4. Hardworking parents. They’ve given me so much!
5. Front-row friends.
6. Cousins by the truck-load.
7. Loving and supportive “in-laws.” They are so generous!
8. My SUV. I can drive in the snow!
9. A set of new, sharp knives. I love cutting stuff now.
10. Inspirational books.
11. People that challenge me.
12. My Fit Friends, my workout partners and students.
13. Writing mentors — Holly and Greta, who really helped develop me and encourage me as a writer.
14. My Twitter friends.
15. People who give me blog love.
16. My favorite aunts — Auntie Evelyn, Auntie Alice and Aunt Diane.
17. Danielle — my maid of honor/BFF.
18. My education. No one can take that away.
19. My job at Amerikick. I’ve been teaching there for almost nine years.
20. Private jokes that make me laugh, even when I’m by myself.
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