Cassie DeNisco

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My Melissa Wood Health Review

For me, working out never was that fun. I never really found anything that really spoke to me or made me feel as great as everyone says you’ll feel. A real spark came when I discovered the Melissa Wood Health method and her app. Her workouts became game changing for me and inspired a whole new perspective on working out and getting in movement each day.

One thing that initially drove me to try her workouts was finding her on Instagram. She had a 10 minute video and after doing it, I was so freaking sore! I never felt that kind of soreness before from other workouts so I knew I was on the right track. She does a mix of pilates and yoga flows which always uses every muscle in your body. I leave each workout feeling like I used and toned my entire body, not just one area.

I also love the convience of her workouts. She often talks about how important movement is each day, even if its just a few minutes. When I started her workouts, I didn’t believe that but now I’m doing her flows at least once everyday, sometimes even twice. Melissa has the calmest voice and is so encouraging during the tough workouts.

On the app, all of her flows state the length directly on them so it makes it so easy for me to fit something in everyday. I have no excuses when she has something that’s only 8 minutes and is seriously killer. Her method really changed my entire perspective because I can get in something simple each day but take out something that will better me. I swear I have never looked at a workout routine like that before ever.

The Melissa Wood Health method talks about mind and body , which I have absolutely noticed a difference in myself. The app is only $100 for the entire year (what a deal) and she posts her weekly workout schedule on her website www.melissawoodhealth.com in case you want to follow along. I generally just choose whatever I’m feeling that day or base it on time.

Whether you’re looking for beginner workouts or challenging yoga and pilates flows, this app has it all. I highly recommend checking it out for the 7 day free trial because I am so sure that you will become as obsessed as I am.

Let me know your favorite workouts in the comments below and be sure to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco. For more fitness posts, click here.

My May Favorites

I cannot believe that the month of May is over! These May favorites have gotten me through quarantine and I know they’ll follow me into the summer. One thing I did enjoy about quarantine was that it allowed me to try out so many products without fear of reactions or what they looked like since I was just home all month.

Stars Above Sweatpants

may favorites

I cannot thank these sweatpants enough for all they’ve done for me during quarantine. Every time these pants were cleaned I immediately put them on due to just how soft and light weight they were. These are the perfect summer sweats because of how thin they are. What makes them even better is they are only $19.99!

Colsie Crop Tank Top

may favorites

In staying with the cozy theme, I love this $7 crop tank from Target. It cuts perfectly and goes really well with those sweatpants. I live in tops like this in the summer to sleep in and even do errands in because most of the time for me this shirts can double as a bra. I’m obsessed with the cut of this and know I need this in lots of colors!

Pantene Rescue Shots

may favorites

It’s no surprise with my color treated hair that it is pretty damaged. These rescue shots though do WONDERS for my hair and make me actually want to rock my natural waves. I use this product in the shower after I condition and it leaves my hair soft and not frizzy! For how inexpensive this product is, I am always so blown away by how well it works.

Microfiber Hair Towel

may favorites

If quarantine has taught me anything, it’s that I need to use less heat on my hair and this towel seriously helps! Not only does it cut down drying time but it also doesn’t make my hair frizzy. This with the Pantene shots is a dangerous combo for great hair. This towel was a little pricy at Target but I do believe it is the best one I’ve found like this.

Lululemon Yoga Mat

yoga mats

Don’t call me crazy once you find out how much this mat is until you’ve tried it! I absolutely thought this through and I have never looked back once I got it. At home workouts are my go to and this mat has made everything from yoga to pilates possible and easier. The thickness shows that this is definitely high quality so it should last you a lifetime.

Slip Sleep Mask

slip sleep mask

This has changed my sleeping game. I do have the matching pillow case but this makes me actually look forward to sleeping. It is so soft and so gentle on your eyes. I haven’t always slept with a sleep mask but after I received this as a gift, I use it every night and feel like it really helps me get the best sleep.

I hope my list of May favorites inspires you to try something new! These favorites seriously have helped me get through quarantine and I know these products will be come staples in my life. Let me know in the comments below if you had any May Favorites or if there are any products you are loving right now!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco & check out my latest blog post here!

Homemade Dog Treats

This quarantine has turned me into the homemade dog treats queen. If you read my last post about puppy products you need, then you would know I am a strong advocate for minimal ingredient treats. If you wouldn’t eat them for yourself, then why give it to your pup? I’ve started to make homemade dog treats and I’ve dedicated this blog post to my absolute favorite recipes!

4 Ingredient Dog Biscuits

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 c Pumpkin

2 c Whole Wheat Flour

1 egg

Directions:

This is one of the best recipes for dog biscuits. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Mash up your banana and then mix it with the pumpkin and egg. Slowly start to add the flour and begin mixing with your hands. Once the dough forms, roll it out and add whatever shape. Bake for 25 minutes and let harden before you indulge with your pup! (These store for about a week)

Dog Peeps

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 c Honey

1 c Water

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 tsp Salt

3 tbls Unflavored Gelatin

Coconut Flour

Silicone ice cube trays

Directions:

First start by combining 1/2 c of water and gelatin in your mixing bowl. While that is sitting, start stirring the honey, 1/2c water, vanilla and salt in a sauce pan on a medium to high heat. The temperature of the mixture should reach around 240 degrees which will take about 6-10 minutes. After the mixture is the right temperature, add to the gelatin and mix in slowly. Put your mixer on high until you reach a fluffy consistency. Grease your silicone trays and then carefully pipe your fluff mixture into the trays. Let this set for at least 4 hours (I did overnight) and then remove from the mold. I dusted mine with coconut flour because they were still tacky and then let Sky enjoy!!

Puppy Pops

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 c vanilla yogurt

1 tbls Peanut Butter

Directions:

These are my go to treats for Sky! She loves them. First add all your ingredients to your blender and then pour into silicone ice cube trays. Let set and then store in your freezer. Take one out whenever you want to give your pup a sweet treat! These are my all time favorite homemade dog treats!!

As you can see, these homemade dog treats are first so easy to make but second pretty healthy. Too much sugar for dogs isn’t good but making sure they are getting in fruits and veggies is so important. I love knowing exactly what is in Sky’s food so these homemade dog treats are perfect for us!

Follow me for more recipes on Pinterest @cassiedenisco!

5 Ways to Stress Less in 2020

Welcome to 2020, the year where we all will stress less! I am an over thinker which leads me to have some seriously stressful days. I’ve put together some of my ways to stress less to ensure you’ll have a stress free year!

1. Meditate

Meditation started out as a simple 2020 goal but it has seriously helped me as a way to stress less. I swear that just spending those 10 minutes in silence can do wonders for your mind. I like to let those stressful thoughts just pass through my mind but I don’t act on them. Once I’m done meditating, I am so much happier and all around less anxious.

2. Spa Shower

This might sound bizarre, but have you ever showered with the lights off? I swear that it gives off this spa vibe and seriously can help to relax you. Whenever I’m feeling stressed out or worried, I make sure to save myself time for a good long shower. I’ve also heard some people use the Himalayan Salt night light which just adds to the spa atmosphere.

3. Treat Yourself

I can’t tell you how easy it is when you’re stressed out to completely ignore your self-care. I know an easy trick for my stressed out days revolves around spending a little extra time on myself. Whether it’s a face mask or self-tan lotion, just spending a few extra minutes alone and on yourself can help clear your mind.

4. Don’t Deflect the Stress

The only way to really rid yourself of the stress is to let it pass. Don’t try to compartmentalize your feelings or else they could just come back at a later time. As with all things, it’s important to attack them right away and head on. I like to write out what’s stressing me out and then I almost always realize it’s not that big of a deal once on paper.

5. Plan for the Next Time

If you stressed out over a grade or a deadline, make sure next time you study more or do your work earlier. It’s important to realize that a lot of our stress we inflict on ourselves. We overthink or put ourselves in situations that will stress us out so why not just try to avoid it before it gives you anxiety?

I hope that these ways to stress less in 2020 will be helpful for you. I feel like I’m the queen of thinking myself into stress and I know that doing these things seriously helps me to stress less. Do you have any good tips to stress less? Let me know in the comments below!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco! And check out my latest blog post here!

stress less in 2020

January Tech Favorites

With the new year in full swing, I’ve decided to implement a new series on my blog call “monthly favorites”. For the next 12 months, each will have one post in the middle with my favorite products and things I’m loving that month. To kick of my favorites series I’m breaking down my January tech favorites!

My first January tech favorites is my iPhone tripod. I got it for Christmas and it has seriously changed the game. It makes taking photos so simple because you don’t need someone else there to take them for you! All you have to do is pop your phone on the tripod and then sync it to the bluetooth from the remote. You can happily take all the photos you want easily and they all come out great!

My next favorite is my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Yes, I did get the most extra iPhone but I’m not gonna lie, it’s worth it. The camera lens on it is insane and since I take pictures for a living it replaces my big bulky cameras. Having such a powerful camera in my pocket ensures that I can easily take photos on the go and always get the best shot.

Now that I’m a dog mom, I literally cannot live without my Furbo Dog Camera. This camera makes leaving my sweet Sky a little easier knowing I can check in on her. The camera resolution is awesome and I love the treat throwing feature!! I can keep her happy and my sanity in knowing she’s okay with this simple and easy to use camera.

January Tech Favorites

Another tech favorite this month is actually an app. I’ve been loving the app Headspace. One of my 2020 goals (click here for the post) was to meditate more and this app leads you through meditations. I love it because you can choose between 3, 5, and 10 minute meditations that are revolving around things like sleep, anxiety, or confidence. This app is so useful and I’m excited to continue to use it on my journey of happier mind.

January tech favorites

My last tech favorite is another app and is called 8fit. It’s for working out. I feel like everyone wants to start the new year happier and healthier so they look to working out. As a dance teacher, I get most of my cardio in at night but I like to do something in the morning to start my day. This app has guided workouts that are like 10 minutes each but they seriously work. I love turning the app on and working out while watching the trainer do the same workout. It’s like we’re working out together and because it’s an app, it sends me daily reminders to work out.

January tech favorites

This January tech favorites post is the first installment of my 2020 favorites series! I hope you love it and that these posts help you to learn about and try new products. These are things that I have been using everyday so far this month and I plan to keep using. I am literally obsessed with them and hope you will be too!

Be sure to follow my blog so you don’t miss a post and check me out on Instagram @cassiedenisco.

iPhone Tripod $23.49: Amazon

iPhone 11 Pro Max: Apple

Furbo Dog Camera: Amazon

Headspace

8Fit

Got Goals? My Goals for 2020

2020 New Years Goals & Resolutions

Before welcoming in a new year, I like to take a look at the goals and I set for the past year. 2019 was a huge year for me with new responsibilities and mindsets. I actually accomplished the 3 goals I set for myself this past year. For 2020, I wanted to make sure that the goals I set, I stick to and accomplish .

I think a goal for most people is to be healthier and maybe even lose weight. For me, I accomplished my healthy living goal last year and still continue to implement it in my everyday life. I wanted my new goals for 2020 to be more about overall wellness both physically and mentally. Through meditation and positivity both for myself and others, I plan to work on my mental health this year.

Another aspect of my life I really want to tackle this year is definitely to live fearlessly. I tend to say no way too often so I plan to start saying yes more. Whether I say yes more to friends, work or family, I feel like overall I will be living a life with out anxiety and worry. This past year I have stepped out of my comfort zone but not as much as I would have liked to. I need to listen more to those around me and learn to speak less. I want to attract the energy of good people but that can’t happen unless I start putting myself out there.

Aside from just living an overall better life, I want to make sure I actually set aside time to read more. Other than one book over the summer and required reading, I honestly can’t tell you the last time I read a book. Reading is such a great way to unwind at the end of the day and I want to start incorporating it into my nightly routine. I also want to make sure I actually give back. Whether I volunteer or donate goods, I just want to make sure that I am giving to others in need. It’s so important to me to make sure that I stay aware of how lucky I am to live the life I do.

My final and most important goal is to stay motivated and stick to the things that I start. Being a very motivated person means I can bounce from one thing to the next without having to stop for a break. I used to think it was because I would get bored so easily but I believe that it is actually because I lack the motivation for things once I’ve done them for so long. For 2020, I need to make sure that I keep up my promises.

I hope my goals and resolutions have you inspired to create and set some of your own. I know that when I actually sit and write things out I tend to actually see them through. It is so important to hold yourself accountable for things. Why not challenge yourself to set some goals in this new year? Not only is it a new year but also a new decade. There is no better time to accomplish your goals and try new things than right now!


got goals for 2020

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco. Also, check out my health posts for some inspiration in the new year!

Where I’ve Been…

In life I believe we all go through phases in our lives when we’re feeling the least creative or unmotivated to do things we love. For me, I was really dealing with that during November. I love blogging and taking/posting Instagram photos but I soon found myself drowning from school work, my internship, new puppy, and dance work. I felt like my life was fully out of my control and the stress I was under just kept piling up.

I knew that my blog would take some sort of side position in my life once school started back up but I didn’t realize that it would become my last priority. I had so many other things on my plate that my energy was going towards that trying to write blog posts just became mechanic. I was writing merely just to not miss my Wednesday-Thursday deadline. I often would forget to announce the new post on Instagram on my story and I haven’t even been consistently posting on Instagram.

For something that was supposed to be a fun side hustle, it turned into in my eyes my biggest failure. Over the summer my analytics were threw the roof when I was posting consistently. After realizing how much I’ve neglected my blog, looking at my analytics is painful. This paired with the stresses of everyday life left me not at all wanting to blog. I had just too much on my plate that I couldn’t even allow myself to just blog for fun, I turned it into basically a competition for myself.

I finally realized something needed to change in mid November, when I actually stopped uploading. I let my last few scheduled posts go up but I just took the time off to not write blogs and focus on one area of my life at a time. I got my recital dances picked and somewhat choreographed, Sky’s older so she is much less needy, and my internship ended so I had free time again during the week. Finally, I just had to focus on my schoolwork and my puppy and I had the down time I was so desperately looking for.

In that time though, of course I couldn’t sit completely still. I started really posting on Sky’s Instagram and I swear it has really taken off. She has 81 followers in like 2 weeks of consistent posts and I realized how much FUN social media is. When I was doing it for my blog, it seriously became a chore and with Sky, I get to interact with other dogs and the dog moms behind the accounts. This really helped to inspire me to get back to blogging and actually having a desire to want to post. (Follow Sky @skythefrenchgirl)

Blogging never was something to get me Instagram followers or gain lots of money easily. Blogging was an outlet creatively for me and a way to show future employers that I am capable and able to help build an online brand. When I started to focus on the artificial and fake aspects of the internet, I lost myself and the reasons I love doing what I do. Even if you’re not a blogger, the lessons I’ve learned from having my blog can be applied anywhere. You need to remember why you’re doing something and make that the reason you do it. I love sharing my life and my ideas and my style with my audience and that’s what matters most. The numbers don’t matter and they shouldn’t affect why you want to do what you love.

So that’s where I’ve been. I really have been doing some soul searching and I can confidently say I’m back to blogging regularly. My podcast also will be back starting in January. I needed some time to get some better equipment and plan out more podcasts.I will always have a new blog post up on Sundays at 4pm EST but I am not sure yet if I will be posting on another day or just twice a week in general. I will keep you posted and let you all know once I’ve figured that out! Thank you all so much for sticking with me, it really means the world to me.

Be sure to follow me on my socials because those are also coming back hot!

Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter: @cassiedenisco

Sky’s Instagram: @skythefrenchgirl

Also be sure to sure to subscribe to www.cassiedenisco.com to stay up to date with my latest posts!

Moisturizers for Winter You Need

moisturizers for winter

If you live in the North East then you know that it’s way too cold for November. Now of course we’re supposed to start having colder weather but this is just way too soon. I’m not here for it. Just this past week we had wind chills in the single digits!! With the change in temperature brings changes in your skin and the need for moisturizers for winter. Most of our household heat sources cause our skin to be extremely dry and just being out in the cold leads to your skin just not being great. I’ve found that having thick moisturizers for winter are key to keep skin hydrated and looking great. Here are my top 3 for winter:

  1. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream $60

This is actually a new favorite of mine. I only recently found this moisturizer but I absolutely love it. It definitely is very thick so I like to only use it at night when trying to really reset my skin but I wake up with a glowy, supple skin. It is pricy but a little truly goes a long way with this product. I highly recommend this moisturizer if you have really rough dry skin in the winter.

2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer $27

This is my all time favorite go to moisturizer. I use this both in the summer and winter. It’s a really light moisturizer but it gets the job done. I like to use it in the morning for winter when I don’t want my face to feel so heavy with so many products. It definitely helps to make your skin look and feel different. It a real bang for you buck and lasts forever because you just need a dime size amount to moisturize your entire face!

3. Sephora All Day Hydrator $16

I wrote my Sephora Skin care review in June and I am still in love with this product. It is very light similar to the Clinique but it does keep my skin feeling hydrated all day which is what the product claims to do. It’s so inexpensive that I highly suggest you just try it out and see how you feel about it becau nse it is really great. I find myself wanting it to be a bit thicker when I put it on but it is a great morning product! Shop here!

moisturizers for winter

Whether you try them all or just one, remember that moisturizers are the key to keeping your skin healthy for winter. Maintaining moisture is essential in the dry months of winter so finding your go to moisturizers for winter are essential. Skin care needs to be an all year round process, especially during the winter so be sure to love your skin a little extra in those months!

I hope this is helpful when trying to navigate the crazy world of skin care products. There are so many great products but these are all my top go to products. Stay hydrated and warm this winter!

Balancing it All

balancing it all

My life these days just feels like a hamster wheel. I’m just constantly running from one thing to the next and having trouble figuring out balancing it all. Often we feel like we need to be doing something 24/7 in order to prove something to ourselves or others. For me, I know that I have to be doing something or else I just feel lazy. I don’t know why but I literally will beat myself up if I treat myself to an after internship nap. Even writing my last blog post took forever to get through because I was juggling so much.

Having that mindset though isn’t healthy. It’s okay to treat yourself sometimes to a little you time. Balancing it all means you’re balancing everything, including your mental health which is often so neglected. I’ve recently found that on a busy day, I need a few minutes to myself to gather my thoughts and get it back together. Living life in the fast lane is fun but can lead you to burnout which is not something you want to go through.

Burnout for me means I don’t want to do anything at all. I don’t want to be bothered by homework, or work from my internship, or even choreographing dances (which is something I love to do). I become uninspired and unmotivated which is a seriously dangerous path to be on. Once you’re uninspired and unmotivated, nothing will get done and you be in a worse position than you were before just trying to balancing it all.

Overcoming burnout can be difficult, but I give myself whatever necessary time I need to recharge. I get myself back into the headspace that I need to be in to get things done and I just get to it. Being your own pick me up is a serious skill that will take a lifetime to develop. Knowing your limits and what you can handle is also something you need to develop.

I believe that a huge component of balancing it all is learning to say no. It’s absolutely okay to tell someone you can’t do something for them. You have to focus on your own life. You need to do for yourself before you can do for others. Now of course, you can’t say no to work or homework. But you can reach out if it is really getting too tough for you. Unless your boss is totally awful, they probably understand what you’re going through and know that balancing it all in life sometimes gets tricky. The same goes for professors.

If you find yourself struggling when trying to balance it all, reach out to friends and family. Just talking through your problems will already help to combat them. It’s so important to keep yourself together when it might feel like you’re being pulled in a thousand different directions. Let me know in the comments below if you have any times to balance it all!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco

My October Favorites

I cannot believe that October is practically over as I write this. October was such a fun first month with Sky but was also a month where I found a lot of my new favorite things! I’ve put together my list of October favorites that you totally need to try in November!

Clinque Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam

october favorites

If you read my skincare routine, then you know that I am obsessed with my Clinique face wash. I recently stumbled across this new version with foam and I fell in love. I feel like it does such a better job of cleaning my face. I love to use this with my face brush and I swear that my face is so smooth every time.

Yogi Detox Tea

october favorites

I’ve recently been more into having tea before bed because it is getting so cold. I love this detox tea because I feel like it helps me digest all the food I’ve eaten during the day and I often wake up not bloated. I know some detox teas do a number on your stomach, but this one doesn’t seem to do anything crazy to me except make me less bloated.

Wild Fable Puffer Jacket

october favorites

Okay, I know that I just uploaded my favorite fall jackets post, but I didn’t have this amazing one yet. Target seriously does it again with this one. This jacket was only $30 and is so trendy and cute. It’s the perfect mix between comfy puffer and boxy cute jacket. For the price, run don’t walk to Target for this one!!

Good and Gather Snacks

october favorites

I am obsessed with Target’s new healthy line of food. Good and Gather from Target is all organic and is seriously so yummy. The apple cinnamon bars remind me of a fig newton but like with apple pie filling. I also think these Lemon Bars are so yummy and might be even better than Rx bars. These bars were definitely cheaper and their whole line is worth checking out.

Purple Halloween Lights

october favorites

These lights added a fun glow to my room for all of those October nights watching a Halloween movie. I actually think I might leave them up at least until before Christmas because I love these. I wanted to include them here because they might go on sale after Halloween!

Selena Gomez’s New Music

This is a more recent favorite but I am absolutely obsessed with Selena’s new songs. I’ve been listening to them non-stop. Younger me is living for the Bieber Gomez drama and the fact that she dropped some awesome songs about it just makes it even better. Follow me here on Apple Music!

Thanks for reading my October favorites. October was such a fun month and I am literally obsessed with all of these awesome products that I have tried. Let me know in the comments below what your October favorites were or if you’ve tried any of mine!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco

Follow @cassiedenisco