I hear the hardest part is getting started... Hi, I'm Dana!
A writer *wannabe* with a sarcastic undertone, a heavy matcha latte addiction, and a knack for fashion, beauty, music, pop culture, & all things New York.
A little taste of my New York story…
Before I was a *happy* 32-year-old woman rooted in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn with my husband, three step-children and a golden retriever puppy, I was a girl in my 20’s navigating the sea of crap that is otherwise known as and always will be the greatest city in the world, New York.
I like to say I did my time in New York to be given the gift of such a beautiful life that I always knew was waiting for me on the other side. I spent my 20’s managing a 9-5 in the heavily overbearing and unsustainable New York corporate work world, navigating the depressing hell-hole that is the New York dating scene, all the while partying ‘til 3AM with my girl friends in a dark basement in SoHo that required a code word to get in. It’s called balance, ok?
My time was spent attempting my best efforts at climbing the corporate ladder, that *spoiler alert* did not lead to said “growth opportunities” promised by each company I poured my energy into. Instead, it led me down a burn-out hole so deep and so brutal that I somehow by the grace of the universe managed to claw my way out of and get back on my feet…just to repeat the same cycle over and over again. Otherwise known as the definition of insanity. (I was a journalism major and words are my favorite thing! I beg you to please use them wisely. They matter). Simultaneously, as if that was not too much for one girl to manage, I found myself drowning in a dating pool of feral love bombing assholes until I reached a point where I would no longer be overpromised and underdelivered on all fronts.
So, how did I crawl out? I leaned into the positive and the happy, and I found my core. I rediscovered myself, I trusted the universe, I took back my control. And I am in control now.
My greater message: Put your head down. Drown out the noise. Listen to the universe. Do what makes you feel good. The rest will fall into place.
What you can look forward to on (in?) my Substack:
I am launching a Substack because I feel I have a lot to share with my community - it feels like I am holding back secrets that are not meant to be held close to the vest. I want my community to thrive, and I want all women to have what I’ve discovered.
The first compliment I will pay myself (because I’ve learned that self-love is actually really important) is that I have good taste. I am a creative director with no outlet to share my vision. Here is where that begins.
Some topics I will surely cover, but will not be limited to:
Fashion: clothing / styling / vintage finds / trends for less / splurge-worthy items / jewelry
Food & Drink: cafe reviews / matcha ratings / restaurant recommendations / date spots / recipes / kid-friendly restaurants / mom & pops that need local support
Beauty: skincare / makeup routine / hair / trends
Music: local shows / new artists / favorites to see live / on-repeat
Pet Care: dog park reviews / best dog clothing / healthiest pet food brands / puppy training guide
Home: decor / paint & wallpaper / art & design / storage / organization tips
Mindfulness: therapy learnings / meditation rituals / gratitude journals / self-love practices
Travel: hotel guides / must-visit cities / kid-friendly vacations / adult-only vacations / winter getaways / beach destinations / spa weekends / girl’s trips / staycations
Health & Wellness: health tips / workout class reviews / supplements that work / women’s health
Books: light fiction reads / important historical fiction / non-fiction / cook books / fun celebrity memoirs
Art: art history talk / local museums / foreign museums / modern art
Personal Life: my story / my past / my present / my future…
Who are you?!
I would never limit myself to a specific audience because I genuinely feel that I appeal to many different generations and varied groups of people. I love speaking with my peers, but I also have a wide range. I am a step-mother to three, I am a dog mom, I am a wife, but I am also that girl who was partying in her 20’s not so long ago. I am wildly independent and crave my me-time (I’m an Aquarius so take with that what you will). I have friends who are having babies, friends who are single, mom friends who have children of all ages, and I give my own mother advice as she nears 65, entering her retirement. This Substack will have something for all of you - that I can assure you.
What can you expect as a reader?
As I begin, you can expect at least one article per week, with the intention of expanding to two per week. I will post free content in the interim, and as I start flushing out more content I will move to a free/paid hybrid model where I will charge for some more intricate/personal/informational content along with free content sprinkled in. My goal is to have as many people as possible receiving all the benefits of my content while ensuring my time is being fairly accounted for. Let’s have some fun! *don’t hold me to this regimen long-term, I will make updates as things grow, but you will always be kept in the loop, and you will always be my top priority.
xx, DG