Cassie DeNisco

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Summer Day in My Life!!

I am obsessed with reading and watching day in the life content so I decided that I would share my own! My day varies a little here and there but for the most part it’s the same routine!

summer day in my life

7:00am Wakeup & Walk

My favorite way to start my day is on a walk with Sky! Since she’s a Frenchie, she can’t really walk during the heat of the day so she and I get our steps in first thing. It’s also just a great way for us to start off the day with some movement!

7:30-8am Breakfast & Matcha

As soon as we’re back from our walk, I feed Sky because she’s always a hungry puppy! I make myself a matcha because I’ve found it makes me feel the best. The caffeine is there but it doesn’t leave me anxious and jittery like coffee or chai does!

8am-11:30am Work

This varies for me day to day depending on if I’m doing blog content like today or working for one of my Social media clients. This time blog is when I try to get a bunch of content created, uploaded and scheduled for whoever I’m working with!

11:30am-12pm Workout

I love me a good Melissa Wood Health pilates series and this is probably my favorite time of day! You can read more about the MWH method here! I like to try to do at least 15-20 minutes of movement everyday because some movement is better than none.

12pm Lunch

I am someone who always is starving by 12pm so I’ll make myself lunch asap! In the summer I love one of my toast recipes, like this pesto toast one! Something light and refreshing is always the best for me!

12:30-2:30pm Sun or Downtime

I leave this time up in the air in the summer. I love to lay out and read in the sun over the summer. It makes me feel so good so I love that I’m able to schedule time in. Sometimes I will just read inside or finish up work before I switch to studio mode!

2:30-7:00pm Dance Time!

I am in studio 3 days a week and Saturday Mornings even in the summer so I usually spend my late afternoons/evenings there!

7:00pm Dinner & wind Down

After I get home I’ll have dinner and probably watch an episode of Love Island! I’m obsessed with the show and it’s like a reward each night in the summer!!

I hope you liked this summer day in the life post! I love this kind of content so I hope you do too! You can follow me on pinterest to see what I’m up to in real time! And don’t forget I post new blog posts every Monday at 9:00am!!

Meet Me at the Lake Book Review!

The second this book dropped I knew I would have to review it! Carley Fortune became one of my favorite authors last summer after reading, Every Summer After. I absolutely adored that book and knew I would probably love this one too!

Let me know if a review of Every Summer After is something you will read! I’m actually surprised I didn’t write one last summer! I was not paid for this review however I have used an affiliate link if you’d like to purchase the book through me I make a small commission!

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Shop Here

meet me at the lake

First off, I have to shout out this STUNNING cover. It really draws you in and gives you that summer sunset we all love.

I will preface this by saying I feel like I might’ve went into this book with expectations of it being like her previous. I absolutely loved that book so I had really high hopes of what this book would be.

The story actually follows a mother and daughter who own a resort on a lake in Canada. Long story short, the mom dies and the daughter is has to decide to take over or not. Fern, the daughter, originally left the small town to go to a bigger town in Canada where she had dreams of opening her own coffee shop.

In the big town, she meets someone named Will and they spend the whole day together. Which leaves an impression on both of them. Fast forward to after her mom passed, Will is actually someone who her mom hired to help rebrand and market the plummeting resort.

The story then follows Will and Fern picking up the pieces of where they left off while Fern decided what to do with the resort. I feel like their love story just wasn’t the epic summer love I was searching for. This is not to say the book isn’t great on it’s own.

Wrap Up

I love how Carley writes and am so impressed that this is only her second book. I just think Every Summer After is a one and a million books that can’t be replicated! Meet Me at the Lake is great in it’s own way too!

As I’m writing this I feel like I should probably review it so that you guys all see why I’m obsessed! Let me know if you have any other books you’d like me to review this summer too! Check out more reviews here!

My Workout Routine that I Actually Do

If you’ve been here awhile, you know I love Melissa Wood Health! Her program has seriously evolved into a workout routine for me that I actually do every day! I figured I would share my current routine using her methods so you can see how great it is too!

My previous blog post was all about meditation and I think the reason I love MWH is because it pairs a workout with mindfulness. Almost every flow has some breath work associated with it either before or after which just elevates the whole experience.

workout routine

My Routine

I really like to workout at least 5 days a week. Usually it’s Monday- Friday for me but if I miss one of those days I like to incorporate a weekend day in too. I’ve found that these flows are so gentle on my body that I actually want to do them everyday because they help to stretch me out and keep my body feeling good.

Most of the time I follow her weekly workout guide but sometimes I like to throw in something I’m feeling. I love the standing series she does because they remind me of the ballet barre. It is such a good all over workout that I can do anytime/anywhere because I don’t need equipment other than a stable surface.

She breaks down the week into a different body part each day which leaves you with a great all over workout each week! I also find that I’m not really run down because I’m not doing the same workout everyday for a month. Each day is so different which keeps it exciting.

The best part of these workouts is the time. Some are over 20 but most are under 20 and that’s something I can commit to. Most of us don’t want to spend hours working out so getting something in that’s quick but effective is life changing for me!

I hope you enjoyed this post about my workout routine! I seriously love the MWH method and it has transformed how I look at working out. A little goes a long way and it’s more about consistency than anything else!

Be sure to subscribe here to the blog so you don’t miss any posts this fall!

Summer Princess Polly Haul!

As we are now halfway through the summer, I’m still looking for pieces to really elevate my summer style. I also want these pieces to transition well into fall for me so I have a summer Princess Polly haul!

I’ve done a few Princess Polly Hauls like this one here but that was almost a year ago! I really like their clothes because the pieces are inexpensive and really easy to mix and match. I think the key to your closet is good transition pieces that will work in any season!

Mason Top Black- Size 10- Click Here

We all know I love a good black top! I was drawn to this one because I liked that it wasn’t tight and it had a little flow to it. This top just really stood out to me because it had a different shape to it than I feel like the other shirts I have do. I ordered a 10 but I definitely could’ve sized down to an 8.

Mahalia Shirt White- Size 12- Click Here

I have been searching for a shirt like this for months! This is my go to beach cover up because it’s just so flowy and comfy. I’ve also seen people dress this up with their athleisure looks and sneakers and it looks so cute. The top is a linen material so it’s different than the typical white button down which I really love.

Hailey Bikini Green Floral- Top & Bottom Size 10- Click Here

Obsessed is not even the word for this swimsuit set! It is seriously the cutest color pallet and it fits just so well. Retro patterns are in and this seriously reminded me of that. I love how this bikini looks with that Mahalia top on a trip!

Huxley Set Black- Size 8- Click Here

summer princess polly

I’ve seriously had my eye on this set for months and I finally decided to pull the trigger. I am so glad I did because this is everything I’ve wanted. I love dressing this down with my black and white low dunks by Nike. It seriously is the perfect set to just throw on no matter what you’re doing.

Celsey Top Black- Size 10- Click Here

summer princess polly

The shape of this top is what drew me in. I’ve been looking for a tank top with this cut for so long. This top does have a ribbed material and it’s not smooth but I still think it’s okay. Tanks like this pair well with literally anything so I know this will be a staple for me all year long.

I hope this summer Princess Polly haul gave you some inspo for your closet! Be sure to subscribe here to my mailing list so you don’t miss a post!

How I Use my Day Designer Planner

With the summer half over, I thought now would be the perfect time to share how I use my day designer planner. Back to school is right around the corner. There is no other time like the present to get your stuff together. This is going to be a bit of a mix of why I love Day Designer and how I use it.

If you know me, I am a huge planner. My resolution this year was actually to go paper less but that just didn’t work out. I need to write things down so that I remember them and see them. My go to planner is the Day Designer Weekly Academic Planner. I have tried so many planners and this is the one that perfectly fits my lifestyle.

The first step in my planning journey is to fill out the month calendar. I like to do this either a few days before the new month or on the start of the new month. I write down all of the events I know of and my work schedule so that there is no need to wonder what goes on. This post is written in July so I don’t have much other then work and a grad party on the calendar!

day designer planner

After I have everything written on the month, I go in to each week and re-add the events the day they take place. This helps to keep me in the loop each day of what is going on. It also ensures I won’t forget anything.

For each week, I actually won’t plan it out until the week of. I sit on a Monday and fill out each day with the tasks I want to get done. Sometimes I will pre-write these things down if I know they are coming up. I use my planner as almost an organized sticky note. I make to-do lists for each day and also have the bigger things like work and events too.

Because this post was prepared in June and I didn’t want to write out my whole July to do list yet, I included this picture of my previous planner. This is a day designer mini. When I was in college, this was literally my favorite type of planner. I liked how each day had the times so I could block off what I was doing when.

day designer planner

Now that I am out of school and working for myself, I need to see the whole week. It’s important to just write down a list of tasks. I also needed more room which is why I went up to the next size day designer. I also rarely use the top 3 sections so it was a waste.

If I know anything about planners, its that you really have to try them for yourself. I could tell you all day why I love Day Designer but you just wouldn’t know until you try it. This is what works best for my lifestyle and how I like to plan. It might not work for you but you never know until you try!

Let me know in the comments below how you like to plan.. are you a paper planner or a digital one?

You can read my other planning posts here.

My June Favorites 2021

I can hardly believe that this is the third Friday of July! I wanted to take some time today to talk about some of my June favorites of products that I just couldn’t live without. These are seriously my all time favorite posts to read and write because they expose you to some new products you might not have heard of before. There’s products in all different categories so sit back, relax, and enjoy the post!

Billie Razor

june favorites

This Billie razor has been life changing. With me shaving more often in the summer, the quality of this razor and the shave is literally everything. I was pleasantly surprised that this was also so affordable and they automatically ship you the razors you need for a refill. If you’re looking to step up your shaving game, check these out this summer!

DryBar 100 Proof Oil

This hair oil from Drybar has become my instant favorite this summer. I find that my hair gets so dry over the summer and this seriously smooths some flyaways and helps hydrate my hair. This is pricy but a little oil does go a long way and I’m still on my same bottle from May!

Not Your Mother’s Purple Hair Mask

I wish I found this Hair Mask sooner. This mask does wonders to refresh my hair and combat the brassiness my hair tends to get. You leave this in for 5-10 minutes and it helps to brighten and lighten your blonde. Even though I am not fully blonde anymore, I still love this product on my ends to keep them bright and not too orange.

The Intimacy Experiment

This was my most recent read so I had to include it here. I read Rosie Danan’s first book and loved it so I knew this one would be another great one. This is a light and fun read perfect for the summer time. I love this book and think it’s one to add your your reading list!

Highline Wellness CBD

I initially tried this CBD on a whim when my anxiety was really bad. I never could have imagined that it seriously works and helps to just relax me. This doesn’t have the THC so it’s not a drug, it’s just the healing properties of CBD. Highly suggest trying this if you struggle with anxiety like me!

As you can see, these favorites have a little bit for everyone. I have been really into taking good care of my skin and hair so I have been loving trying new products. I hope these June favorites inspire you to try something new or check out a new product!

You can read my last favorites post here!

My Summer Morning Routine 2021

I am so happy to be sharing with you my summer morning routine. There is no better feeling than waking up on a summer morning with the whole day ahead of you. My morning routines are usually all the same but in the summer I like to really take my time with my routine and enjoy it.

7:00am

summer morning routine

I’m up early in the summer because of my Frenchie. If you’ve been following me for awhile you know French Bulldogs overheat easily so I like to take our morning walk before it gets too hot. This is usually when she eats, plays a bit, and goes for her walk. Usually after this, Sky is done for the morning and ready to go back to bed or lay in the sun.

7:30am

This is my prep time as I like to call it. I fill my water bottle and make a coffee or chai. This is when I like to wash my face and brush my hair so I’m just set and ready to go for the day. I always put on sunscreen during this step, even if I’m just going to be at my desk because the sun is so strong.

8:00-12:00pm

summer morning routine

I’m not a big breakfast eater but in the summer I usually will take a bowl fruit to my desk. I love getting up early in the summer and getting things done so that I have the whole afternoon to do whatever I want. Since I work for myself, I like to time block my day. I briefly mentioned in my Productive Morning Routine that I usually work in blocks of time. This is fun over the summer because I get as much done as I can and then just move on with my day. As you can see, Sky just hangs in her bed right next to me!

12:00-2:00pm

summer morning routine

This might not be morning but I definitely carve out time in my day to get in the sun. I love laying out especially since I live on a lake so I always make time to do it. Sky is usually inside in the AC or in her pool like this picture so she doesn’t really hang but I’ll be out side in the afternoons getting my vitamin D.

My summer morning routine is definitely short and sweet but I love summer. Whether you’re working from home or out and about, just the vibe of summer puts everyone in a great mood. I love the occasional random nap or the spontaneous trip for ice cream.

Let me know what your summer morning routine is like!

To keep up with me and Sky this summer, follow us on Instagram @skythefrenchgirl and @cassiedenisco!

Top Swimsuit Brands 2021

Happy June! I have been hard at work ordering all types of bathing suits from different brands in order to share with you my top swimsuit brands of 2021. I am so excited that it is finally getting into the summer months so what better way to kick off summer content than with a swimsuit haul.

Last summer I realized I’m at the age where I need to maybe wear a bit more coverage bathing suits. As I’m getting older, I’m also changing my style so this haul is for those mid twenties gals. I found some brands I seriously love so keep reading to find my favorites.

Aerie

I feel in love with Aerie this past year so I was so excited to try out their swim wear. Let me tell you, Aerie has absolutely become my top swimsuit brands 2021. They make swim look cute but that is also comfortable and fuller coverage. I found their swim to be really affordable as well for the quality that you are paying for. If you haven’t tried Aerie before, I would definitely try now! You can shop these bottoms here.

Amazon

This seemed counter productive to me to order swim online but Amazon definitely has some good gems. I would worn that a lot of what I ordered ended up being see through or really cheap material but I wouldn’t have known unless I tried. I think Amazon is great for cheaper pieces that you want to cycle in with your more quality swim. You can shop this swim suit here.

Victoria’s Secret

VS had been my go to for so long but I fell out of love with them for a bit. I have made my way back to them and I am so glad I did because their newer swim pieces are great. Similar to Aerie, the quality is great and the prices aren’t crazy. Also, with the coupons and sales it really makes this swim line affordable! You can shop this suit here.

Target

top swimsuit brands
Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

I actually didn’t purchase any new swim from Target but I did want to mention them. I love the Target swim for it’s affordability and inclusivity. They seriously have a great line with pieces for all body types. I also like how they have different tops and bottoms in the same color so you can really mix and match. I love that when building a swim wardrobe because it helps to keep it diverse. Shop a similar suit here.

Zaful

top swimsuit brands

This is another brand I was iffy on but ended up finding great pieces. I like cheaper swimwear when I’m just hanging at home doing stuff so that if it get’s ruined I’m not heart broken. Zaful does have some see through pieces so you do have to be careful but overall it is cheap and not too bad. Shop this suit here!

I hope these swimsuit brands of 2021 helped you find a new brand you love. I am obsessed with all my new swimwear and seriously can’t wait to break out some of the pieces. Let me know if you have any favorite swim brands because I definitely will give them a try!

Check out my other summer posts from last year here!

DIY Powder Gel: Does it Work?

I have been getting my nails done religiously for years but because of COVID, it stopped me in my tracks. I love a good powder gel mani but does the DIY powder gel you can buy off of Amazon cut it? Well lucky for you I tried it out and I’m going to give you my honest review of DIY powder gel.

diy powder gel

After doing some research, I ended up purchasing this kit on Amazon for $39.99. This kit pretty much came with everything I needed like the colors, the polishes and even a fluffy duster brush. I already had a cuticle cutter, a buffer square and also a cuticle pusher thing. I found all of those to be really helpful to have on hand and suggest you grab too!

This kit came with really nice instructions which made it easy to use. I started off filing my nails and then cleaning up the cuticles. The instructions said to make sure to buff them out so that there was no shininess and then you were good to go. I applied everything just as the directions said but I realized a huge key to doing this myself was realizing you have to go light on the powder and let it completely dry. I noticed at the end I had to do a lot of filing which I probably could have avoided knowing my tip before hand.

Overall, I think this could be game changing. One of my main issues with going into the nail salon is just how long it takes. I can be sitting there for hours and that’s something that I can’t stand. Doing it at home takes just as long, but I can multitask and get work done. Also, with COVID I think for now this is just something that I would rather do for health reasons. Not to mention, this is way cheaper as well.

Let me know in the comments below if there is anything else that you want me to try out! Be sure to subscribe to the blog so that you never miss a post. Have a great day everyone! See my last post here.

Getting Back into a Routine after Summer

I can’t believe I’m writing this as we head back into September. Summer is one of my favorite times in the year but I struggle with getting back into a routine come September. It’s nice to not have as much pressure as the normal year has and to allow yourself to actually enjoy your time. With so much rest and relaxation, it makes it hard to get back in the swing of things. I also think this year with all of the stay at homes, getting back to school and work will be that much harder. Here are some ways that help me in getting back into a routine.

Try and Plan Out Meals & Outfits

I think this one is easier said then done. Once you truly get into the routine of things, this makes life easier. Having meals and outfits already planned just takes stress out of your week. I can’t tell you how much time I spend in the morning finding an outfit if I don’t plan it before hand. I also think the same came be said with dinners because by the time you figure out what to make, it’s just easier to order out.

Utilize your Phone’s Calendar

We all are glued to our phone’s but we don’t take advantage of the calendar’s we can have on it. I personally have Apple products so everything is streamlined together but you can also use Google calendar the same way. As soon as you add something to your phone calendar, it gets on your computer calendar and vice versa. This makes planning easy. Everything is in one place and you don’t have to worry about ruining your planner by crossing things out.

Don’t Pressure Yourself to Do It All

This is one I still struggle with. I feel like as soon as fall comes, I need to be insanely productive and just get stuff done. While this is a good mindset, sometimes I’m not nice to myself about it and make myself feel guilty. Do what you need to do but remember to take time for yourself to relax and hang out. It’s good for your mental health to take a break every once in awhile.

These tips seriously help me getting back into a routine really all year round. I love the times that I get to rest and recharge but getting back to work is so so exciting. Having the time off hopefully gets you inspired to get back to work with a clearer mindset.

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco & check out my other posts here!

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