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March 5, 2020

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DSLR Diaries: Pittsburgh Vacay

At the end of February, I took a fun road trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my guy and had a blast. I honestly was so psyched to take my DSLR camera out of New York for the first time, and I had such a fun time taking pics and video during the trip. I did leave my camera behind during some parts of the vacation due to a few places not allowing professional cameras and whatnot (I’m also not great at night photography yet so I didn’t really bother taking my camera out after 6pm), but I am happy with the shots I got.

We stayed at the Oaklander Hotel, which is right near the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland, so at night there were tons of college kids out and about in the streets and the bars.

The hotel itself was a bit odd as the check in desk is not in the lobby on the first floor, but instead on the 10th floor (you read that correctly, TENTH) where the Spirits & Tales hotel bar is. Other than that, the room was great (the stand up shower situation was also odd but after a while you get used to it) and I would stay there again if I were to go back to Pittsburgh for another vacation.

Enjoy some of my favorite shots from my Pittsburgh vacay!

Chasing the sunset on the Pennsylvania Turnpike while traveling to Pittsburgh.

The Pitt Panther Statue

The Cathedral of Learning

Inside the Cathedral of Learning

Austria Nationality Room – The Cathedral of Learning

Israel Nationality Room – Cathedral of Learning (imagine sitting at one of these desks!)

Heinz Memorial Chapel

Inside of the Heinz Memorial Chapel

Dr. Thomas Starzl Statue at UPitt

Oakland Mural

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Oakland Ave

View from the terrace near Litchfield Towers at UPitt

Oakland Square

Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Mad Mex Restaurant

Bouquet Gardens

Love locks on Schenley Bridge

Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park

Phipps Conservatory

Dinosaur statue wearing a scarf near the Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Downtown Pittsburgh

Heinz Field

PNC Park (Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates)

Wagner Statue at PNC Park

Birmingham Bridge

Heading back to NYC

Be sure to follow my Instagram @thewhisperboxpix for more photos!

A vlog featuring the footage I took during my Pittsburgh trip is up on YouTube as well:

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February 14, 2020

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Winter 2020 Crazy Love Playlist

I decided to wait until Valentine’s Day to post this season’s winter playlist, a list of love-themed songs that I feel have a bit of a crazy vibe to them.

And don’t be fooled—this playlist is not all mush. I’ve thrown in a few songs about heartbreak as well to truly encompass the wide range of emotions that can be brought upon by romance.

Enjoy a crazy, mad journey of love with these 12 tracks.

1. Crazy In Love, Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z. You know I had to start this playlist off with a classic throwback.

2. Damn Baby, ALPINE. Damn indeed.

3. Glue, Fickle Friends. “Because our lips are like glue, I think I love you.”

4. Falling, Forever. Here’s to hoping we all fall “madly in love.”

5. Don’t U Want Me (Tyler Touché Remix), Young Franco feat. Blair de Milo. The desperation is real here.

6. Lovesick, Mura Masa. It’s as simple as the lyrics indicate.

7. One More Time, Jon Bellion. For when you just can’t get enough, even if it literally costs your legs.

8. Too Much (LEISURE Remix), Tora. Is too much love even possible?

9. Still Not Over You, Klyne. A mix of emotions.

10. Free Falling, Wolfside. A danceable free fall into love.

11. I Need You More, ATTLAS. The song’s title says it all.
12. Close, La Poré. End a cold winter night by “[sliding] in close.”

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day 2020!

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February 11, 2020

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January Favorites: ‘Black-ish’ 6×13 & Tame Impala’s “Lost In Yesterday” Music Video

A part of me didn’t want to look back at January 2020 because it was SO HORRID, but now I realize that compiling my favorites for this post will allow me to remember some of the fun stuff that occurred throughout the month.

It can only get better from here, right?

January 2020 had no shortage of great music and music videos, which is getting me super excited for what the rest of the year has in store.

Without further rambles, enjoy my favorites in pop culture and entertainment for January 2020:

Favorite News Articles

1. The infamous champagne scene from The Bachelor season 24. I don’t even watch the show but when I heard about this scene I lost it.

2. The woman who answered the Popeye question incorrectly on Family Feud Canada got free food from Popeye’s. A savory non-victory.

3. Dunkaroos are coming back in summer 2020. Guess I’ll have to add a few more minutes to my exercise bike at the gym to compensate for all those additional calories come June.

Favorite Music

1. “Simmer” by Hayley Williams. So glad she’s branching out of Paramore for some solo work!

2. “Yummy” by Justin Bieber. I got serious Journals vibes from this track.

3. “Vulnerable” by Selena Gomez. The monotone vocals in the verses get me every time.

4. “Time and Again” by The Human Kind. There’s something very nostalgic about this song.

Favorite Celeb Instagrams

1. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas being romantic as ever at the Golden Globes 2020.

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My beautiful #GoldenGlobes date.

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2. Liza Koshy rocking animal print at the Grammy’s 2020.

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Liza with a Z…bruh

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3. Hair nostalgia with Marzia.

Favorite TV Episodes

1. Blackish, “Kid Life Crisis.” I nearly fell off my couch laughing when Jack sneezed on the expensive eggs!

2. The Good Doctor, “Fractured.” It was crazy seeing Moises Arias (Rico from Hannah Montana) in this episode. Also, Kerry is definitely going to be one of the most memorable patients in this series.

Favorite YouTube Videos

1. Tame Impala’s music video for “Lost in Yesterday” is January 2020 in a nutshell.

2. The Jonas Brothers’ music video for “What A Man Gotta Do” made 13-year-old Dana scream all over again.

3. SNL’s “Slow” feat. Halsey and Adam Driver is painfully funny.

Month of Love incoming.

 

 

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February 8, 2020

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DSLR Diaries: Misc Fall ’19-Winter ’20

I haven’t done a DSLR Diaries for a little while, and it feels strange, so I’m rummaging through my camera roll for some miscellaneous fall-winter 19/20 photos to share with you guys.

To be frank, I haven’t gone shooting much lately as it’s so cold out and the winter wind freezes my little fingers whenever I take my camera out in below 45° weather.

Even thought I think winter landscapes are magical, I’d much rather it be spring right now.

Anyway, enjoy these photos taken in NYC and Long Island during the months of November 2019-January 2020.

Fall 2019

Autumn leaves in Babylon, LI.

Clear afternoon skies in the Flatiron District of Manhattan.

Ziggy’s installation near Madison Square Park.

A row of autumn trees.

 

Start of Winter 2020

Remnants of snow at Highbridge Recreation Center.

Sun setting over the 175th St exit off of I-95.

Fenced I-95.

Sunset aisle.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more DSLR pics!

 

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February 6, 2020

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Pantone Classic Blue Valentine’s Day 2020 Gift Guide

*POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS
2020 Valentines Gift Guide pantone classic blue

* I may receive a small commission for items marked with an asterisk in this post should you decide to purchase them using the links below. Thank you in advance!

With only a few days left before Valentine’s Day 2020, you might still be looking for a cute Valentine’s Day gift or a few small trinkets to add to a gift basket for a special someone.

Luckily, Pantone’s Color of the Year, Classic Blue, provides the perfect inspiration for a wide range of gifts. I’ve compiled a few of my favorites below:

Kiko Nail Polish

Flip Ring

Stojo Cup

Pura Vida Surfer Bracelet (Use code DANAGIBBS20 for 20% off) *

Cortni Flat Shoes *

Tommy Hilfiger Luggage

 

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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January 15, 2020

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Nov/Dec Favorites: Impeachment & “Confetti” by Qveen Herby

The last two months of 2019 were a complete whirlwind. Just looking over my list to write this post is giving me all the feels!

Let’s get right to it. Enjoy my November and December 2019 favorites:

Favorite News Articles

1. Trump’s impeachment.

2. Greta Thunberg is TIME’s 2019 Person of the Year.

3. Florida dog driving in reverse.

 Favorite Music

1. “Confetti” by Qveen Herby is making me “swing my hips” every time I listen.

2. “Thinkin Bout’ You” by Anthony Russo is basically the most adorable love song.

3. “Look At Her Now” by Selena Gomez will bring tears to your eyes in a good (and groovy) way.

Favorite Celeb Instagrams

1.

 

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I ate a hot dog in a BAGUETTE

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2.

 

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Thinking about peppermint bark 😍

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3.

 

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Benihana was closed so we had to head out to a Christmas party at a friend’s house.

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Favorite TV Shows

1. Bob’s Burgers, “Now We’re Not Cooking with Gas” is essentially Bob at his craziest.

2. Mixed-ish, “Weird Science” made me so proud of young Bow.

3. Black-ish, “Daughters for Dummies” features Dre doing too much, as usual.

Favorite YouTube Videos

1. Kevin Droniak tells an interesting tale of travel gone almost completely wrong.

2. Paul Rudd as President Macron and Kate McKinnon as Angela Merkel are priceless in this SNL sketch!

3. Luna Shadows’ music video for “practice” is everything.

January 2020 is already nuts.

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December 31, 2019

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2019’s Best in Music

That wonderful time of year has come again—the time where I look back at all the songs, artists, and albums that provided the soundtrack to my year.

I will admit before diving into my list of 2019’s best that because of a new job I got about halfway through the year, I do not have as much disposable time to listen to Spotify and discover new artists anymore. I know. Tragic.

Regardless, the music I did find time to listen to was well worth it. Enjoy the best in music for 2019:

1. “Tied Up”, LEISURE, Twister. LEISURE for sure turned the heat up with this one.

2. “Just Like You”, Satin Jackets, Solar Nights. Still waiting to find out who the vocalist is on this amazing tune.

3. “Follow My Girl,” Japanese House, Good at Falling. Always so melodic.

4. “Knives,” Kim Petras, TURN OFF THE LIGHT. The title recommends it, so listen with the lights out for the full experience.

5. “Warm (ft. Haim)”, Charli XCX, Charli. If there’s anyone in the music industry that has grown significantly this decade, it’s Charli XCX.

6. “Unholy”, Miley Cyrus, SHE IS COMING. She came.

7. “Bags”, Clairo, Immunity. Bedroom pop queen can do no wrong.

8. “Karma”, Marina, Love + Fear. Such a well rounded allbum of highs and lows.

9. “bad idea”, Ariana Grande, thank u, next. I always feel like living dangerously when I listen to Ariana Grande, and this album is no exception.

10. “Señorita (ft. Camila Cabello), Shawn Mendes, Shawn Mendes. This kid is going places.

11. “Every Single Time”, Jonas Brothers, Happiness Begins. 13-year-old Dana is still screaming.

12. “Who I Am”, Toro y Moi, Outer Peace. Everything about this album was futuristic fun.

13. “Your Heartbeat Against Mine (ft. Nandi Rose Plunkett)”, From Indian Lakes, Dimly Lit. This LP caught me by surprise, and I loved every second.

14. “FWM”, Qveen Herby, EP 6. All hail the qveen.

15. “What Love Is”, Mystery Skulls, Back to Life. So many ’80s vibes on this!

Here’s to 2020!

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November 20, 2019

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DSLR Diaries: New York Comic Con 2019

I should have posted this days ago, but I didn’t, so here we are, looking back at October in my DSLR photos more than a month after New York Comic Con.

I didn’t attend Comic Con as a ticketed guest, but I had some friends that wanted to do a photoshoot after, so I hung out around the Javits Center and took some pics of people in cosplay entering an exiting the venue.

I did dress up though, as Qveen Herby. One of my coworkers took these shots of me:

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You’ll notice a bunch of Where’s Waldos in these pics. I’m not really sure what that was all about but I was kind of annoyed that I couldn’t find anyone dressed as Carmen Sandiego!

Anyway, enjoy! (These have no captions because I have no clue who half of these people are, save for Mario and Luigi, Tina and Louise Belcher, and Spiderman lol)

Also, check out the two photoshoots I did with my friends in October in my Instagram stories highlight @thewhisperboxpix!

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November 13, 2019

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Sept/Oct Favorites: ‘Mixed-ish’ & “Harleys in Hawaii” Music Video

After some internet difficulties, I’m finally sitting down to write out my combined September & October favorites!

This is just going to be a list, as it was back in August. Enjoy!

Favorite News 

1. A woman ate her engagement ring in a dream but also IRL. 

2. Pierce Brosnan thinks it is high time for a female Bond.

3. Jennifer Lawrence is a married woman!

4. Tiffany & Co.’s diamond-stuffed advent calendar is insane.

Favorite Music

1. “Good Thing by Zedd feat. Khelani is a vibe.

2. “Something Has to Change” by Japanese House sums up my feelings about the last 3 years in America.

3. “Wrong Turn” by Kim Petras, is exactly what we all took in 2016.

4. “Soso” by Winner has reignited my love for K-pop.

Favorite Celeb Instagrams

1.

 

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Look at our little Lily all grown up. @aubreyandersonemmons is a MODEL! #modernfamily #thefinalseason

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2.

3.

 

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drippin in finesse ✨ should bruno be my 2019 halloween costume??

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Favorite TV Episodes

1. Mixed-ish, “Let Your Hair Down (Sanatamonica is hilarious!)

2. Suits, “Scenic Route” had me DYING with Louis pretending to be Harvey!

3. The Good Doctor, “Disaster” ❤

Favorite YouTube Videos

1.

2.

3.

4.

It’s hella cold already.