Cassie DeNisco

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My Set Active Review & Haul!

If you know anything about me I am a tried and true Lululemon fan. Being a dancer and teaching dance has made me truly try all the workout brands out there. There’s nothing I love more than Lululemon however I was in the market for more basics and.. seamless leggings from this Set Active review!

Some of my favorite pieces from Lululemon is their leggings. As you can tell from this post here, I wear them all the time but Set Active recently caught my eye. I have been seeing Tik Toks everywhere and wanted to give them a go. I got mainly basic pieces that I can rotate in and let me tell you, I was not disappointed with this Set Active Review!

Sculptflex Leggings- Onyx size S

Shop here

set active review

These leggings were the reason I decided to place an order. I love that they are seamless but super supportive. There’s nothing I hate more than baggy leggings when I’m teaching. These hug you in and give you a lot of support.

I also think they’re super flattering. The thick waistband really hugs you in and gives you a little more shape than regular leggings would. I did get these in a size Small and they do fit but are a little snug. I didn’t want to exchange them because I know over time leggings lose their elasticity and then don’t fit the right way.

I will keep you posted on these as I continue to wear them!

Mid Tee- Onyx Size M

Shop Here

set active review

The website calls this their ultimate everyday tee and I agree! I sized up in this because I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too cropped and it hits me perfectly.

I love the thickness of this material as well. It’s really high quality and I feel like could be worn in studio or even out to dinner. I already have two more of these in my cart and know they’re going to be a staple in my teaching wadrobe.

Form Tank- Onyx Size S

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This tank is sooooo form fitting! I love how it looks on! You can scrunch it up and wear it cropped or pull it down and wear it at regular length. I also am planning on getting another tank or too because these are going to be great for summer classes!

The material is so breathable and thin but not see through. I really can’t tell you how many tanks I’ve tried that are either too thick and hot or too thin and cheap feeling. This is exactly what I was looking for!

Sport Body Scoop Bra- Onyx Size S

Shop here

This is the only product I didn’t love. I purchased this more to wear at home but it’s not amazing. It’s cute and fits well but for the priced you can definitely get something cheaper at another store.

I was able to get mine in a limited addition hot pink color so it’s really cute but honestly not something I would recommend you get right now.

I hope you enjoyed this set active review! I love clothing hauls like these and trying new brands. Activewear is my jam because of dance so I feel like I can really tell you what’s worth it and what’s not. If you loved this be sure to subscribe to the blog!

Dog Mom Hacks I Can’t Live Without!

I feel like I’m constantly on the hunt for things that make my life easier! Being a dog mom, I’m always interested in finding dog mom hacks to make life move easier!

I feel like this past month I really was intentional with my purchases for my Frenchie and found some really great items. I have a little bit of everything to share this month to help you whether your a new dog mom or an old pro!

Beis Carrier

Shop Here

dog mom hacks

This is definitely pricy but I’ve had my eyes on this for awhile now! I wanted a carrier for Sky for when we travel or just go out in the car since she hates her carseats. This seriously does the trick. She definitely doesn’t like it but it holds her in place and forces her to just lay down.

I also love this because you can flip it the other way and wear it as a backpack. This is TSA approved so if we ever want to hop on plane Sky is good to go which I also love. This is seriously game changing and I can’t wait for our travels this summer!

Bone Holder

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dog mom hacks

I was very against giving Sky any sort of bone for awhile because I really have a fear of her choking. Now, not all bones are good bones however you need to decide which you will give your dog yourself. I love this tool because you can screw the bone into place so it won’t move.

You don’t have to worry about your dog shoving the whole bone down their throat or breaking off too big of pieces. Sky loved this because it helps to hold the bone up for her so it definitely is worth it to me. Not to mention it’s pretty inexpensive and gives you just a little peace of mind. Just remember you should always watch your dog eating any sort of bone.

Produce Containers

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We’ve been switching Sky over from “dog treats” to more fresh treats like fruits and veggies. I love having storage containers in the fridge like this out and accessible. I wash the produce and pop it in these in the fridge. It keeps her treats easy to reach for.

We do still love our Bocce’s but I’ve found she just does better overall with more fresh foods in her diet. These containers are even great if you aren’t a dog mom because they’ll make choosing healthier snacks easier.

As you can see, these little dog mom hacks just help to make life easier. I love keeping my dog happy, healthy and with hacks like these, it makes your life easy too! You can check out more pet posts like this 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!

How to Meditate to Manifest!!

I feel like my life has seriously transformed once I learned how to meditate to manifest! Spending just a few moments reflecting and focusing on yourself is life changing. I started this on a whim really and it has become a staple in my routine.

I thought this might be helpful to share if you don’t really know where to start. For awhile now I was interested in learning how to meditate but not sure how to get started. I’m going to share everything I do so you can hopefully start meditating to manifest too!

Melissa Wood Health Guided Mediation

how to meditate

I put this first because it was truly my step one! I have the MWH app and subscription so I really was opened up to meditation through her. There are some really great guided meditations that are perfect for beginners who need short but effective meditations. I highly recommend trying out the MWH free 7 day trial and you’ll see how great these are! Click here!

Healing Frequency Music

If you’re not putting on healing frequency as background noise in your house, you’re doing it wrong! This is the most calming music and is great when you want something on that’s not like a show. I started pairing this with my meditation and it seriously elevated it. It helps to relax you and seriously dig deep into your mind. Click here for one of my favorites from YouTube!

Peppermint Essential Oil

how to meditate

I think this is preference but to me there is nothing more relaxing that peppermint based essential oil. I think it really helps you to breathe and just chill out because it’s so cool. Starting your meditation with a deep breath and smelling this because it helps to get you in the mood I swear.

I love this one by Highline Wellness because it’s infused with CBD. Click Here

Notebook

I love to finish off my meditation by just doing a brain dump. I truly believe that after I meditate writing down what was on my mind helps me to either get rid of it or get me focused on it. This is really the game changer for me and why I love doing this practice at night. You let go of the day and can focus on your dreams all by writing it down. This is a great three pack on Amazon!

As you can see there’s really not much to it. I think the hardest part is getting into the routine of it. I’ve found that I love to do it at night right before bed. I turn off the lights and let the purple light from the music light up my room. I swear I crave that ambiance after a long day!

Let me know if you liked this post! I have other manifestation posts here! I truly think that there is something to it and if you feel like you’re stuck, just give it a try!

A Yummy, Healthy Rice Bowl!

I’m super excited to be sharing this healthy rice bowl recipe with you! I was originally introduced to it through Green Chef, but I’ve made it so many times now I have my own take! Rice bowls are seriously such a good dinner idea because they have something for everyone.

I also love to have meatless nights but still get in enough protein. This bowl is so filling and if you wanted to add a meat protein, chicken, beef or turkey would pair well!! Here’s my recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup White Rice

1 cup veggie broth

Tomato

Scallion

Lime

1 can pinto beans

1 can corn

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp mayo

1 tbsp dijon mustard

Pecans

Directions:

  1. Bring veggie broth, rice, and salt to a boil then let simmer covered for about 10 minutes.
  2. Chop up tomato, scallion, lime, and rinse pinto beans
  3. Use half of the tomato, half of the scallion, and half the lime to create a salsa. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  4. Saute the other half of tomato, scallion, and corn in the pan then add pinto peans and spices. Cook until heated.
  5. Add the cooked rice to this veggie pan and sprinkle with the other half of the lime. Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.
  6. Divide the rice & veggies evenly into bowls. Add salsa on top then pecans and finish off with dijon mustard & mayo mixed together and drizzled on top.

As you can see this bowl is so easy to make but jam packed with flavor. I seriously love to try out green chef recipes because they open your eyes to different ways to put food together! It really gives me the inspiration to create a healthy rice bowl like this!

If you liked this post, check out more recipes here ! Be sure to subscribe here to my newsletter so you never miss a post!

A Summer 2022 Playlist for the Beach!

I can hardly believe that I’m writing my latest Summer 2022 playlist post! I have done this every year since the blog started and it is wild that I am going on my 4th year with my blog!

This post always does so well because everyone is looking for some great music to listen to for road trips, beach days, or just hanging at home! Summer and music for me really go hand and hand. There’s so many great opportunities to listen to music and have it set the vibe for whatever you’re doing.

Sharing this playlist is always so fun and I love hearing your feedback on what you’re listening to! Here’s my go to summer playlist for this year!

summer 2022 playlist

As you can see, this summer 2022 playlist seriously has something for everyone! My music choices are always wide ranging. I listen to music so much for dance that when I’m at home, I know exactly what I’m in the mood for!

Let me know your top favorite songs for this summer! I like to keep this playlist super current so it’s fresh and fun! You can listen right through this post or add it to your apple music library!

If you liked this post, be sure to subscribe here to my blog! If you liked this playlist, check out my 2021 playlist here!

Revlon Hair Dryer Brush vs Dyson Air Wrap!

In my last post about the Dyson, I mentioned that I also had a Revlon Hair Dryer too. I originally purchased this before I was gifted the Dyson so the Revlon and I have some history. I thought it would be super beneficial for you to get an in depth comparison of both.

I feel like when I hear about the Revlon and Dyson dryers, people only talk about the price. I feel like that is only a little part of the comparison between the two. Keep reading if you’re in the market for a new blow dry brush or want to see if the Dyson is actually worth it.

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer- Shop Here

revlon hair dryer

This blow dry brush averages around $60 and is basically a brush that blows out warm air. I love the design of this one because it is so thick and easy to hold. I also like the shape of the brush part because its flat with rounded edges.

This helps to create a really bouncy and curved blow out look that I feel like is really in. However, the blowout look is really the only thing that this gives you. There are no other attachments so you really only can get a blowout every time.

I do like how the blowout comes out and that I can dry and style my damp hair right out of the shower. Similar to the Dyson, you do need your hair mostly dry to avoid damage. My biggest con with this is I can just feel how hot it gets and know it’s not good for my hair. I try not to use this often but it’s so great on nights I take a shower and want my hair styled for the next day.

Dyson Air Wrap- Shop Here

revlon hair dryer vs dyson

This set averages $549.99 and comes with a base and multiple attachments. The Dyson is great because you can blow out, straighten, and curl your hair all with this one device. One slight issue I have with this product is that it’s hard to travel with. I love all the attachments so it just makes everything bulky to bring with it.

Styling wise, the possibilities are seriously endless. I love the brush heads to give me a sleeker blown out look. I actually don’t use the curl barrels that much because no matter what I do the curl just doesn’t stay. I can say that I don’t feel like my hair is being damaged like I do with the Revlon. That doesn’t mean it’s not damaging but I think the Dyson is a bit better on the hair.

Honestly my two big cons are that I wish it had an attachment like the Revlon’s brush. I really like the bouncy and flipped in ends look. I haven’t quite gotten that with the Dyson because the brush it has isn’t that big. I also think the price is super steep for something that you probably don’t need.

Revlon vs Dyson

If you want my honest opinion, you really don’t need the Dyson. It’s a cool tool with crazy technology that helps to minimize heat damage. However, it’s super expensive and honestly, the Revlon does just as a good a job. I feel like the people who are in the market for a drying brush just want a blown out look which the Revlon gives you. The choice is entirely yours, but had I not gotten the Dyson as a gift, I’m not sure I would have purchased it myself.

I hope this revlon hair dryer brush vs Dyson review was helpful! I wish I had something like this to help with my decision. It’s crazy that the Dyson is so expensive that you really have to weigh all the pros and cons of it.

If you want more Dyson reviews and tutorials, you can read my Dyson Review here and my Dyson Tutorial Here! Be sure to subscribe here to my mailing list you never miss a post!

My Sunday Reset for a Good Week

If you know me, you know I love a good Sunday Reset. Sundays are the only day that I actually don’t have to go anywhere so I take full advantage of that. I like to spend my Sundays setting myself up for a good week.

Life can get super crazy during the week so I generally leave a lot of things for Sundays to do. I’ve been loving reading posts like these to see what Sundays look like for everyone else so I figured I’d share my typical Sunday routine!

7:30 am

Sky is always up around this time no matter the day so we’re usually up and feeding her at this time. After she’s all set for the morning, I grab my ice roller and we head back to bed!

10:00am

By 10 we’re usually ready to be up for the day and will either grab bagels or make a yummy breakfast at home. I rarely have breakfast in the morning but on Sunday it’s so nice to spend the time making something like pancakes that I wouldn’t normally eat!

11:00-1:00pm

Depending on how productive I was on Saturday, I may or may not have to grocery shop on Sunday. We usually will need fresh salmon so we will make a quick trip out for coffees and whatever we need. I love actually taking the time to go for a morning ride on a Sunday because it’s leisurely and something Sky enjoys.

I always will take a few minutes to refresh the house though. I love changing my sheets, dusting, using the Roomba and mopping. This little refresh helps to keep cleaning simple and not overwhelming. During the week, I cannot be bother to do this so carving out time on a Sunday to do this is essential to keeping me sane during the week.

1:00-4:00pm

After that, I always make sure I spend time doing whatever I want. Whether it’s a nap, reading, or doing some yoga/pilates, I like having time for it. Sundays are only relaxing if I can be productive but also make time for myself to rest and recharge. We generally do laundry throughout the week so this time on a Sunday can really be relaxing.

5:00-7:00pm

I am all about an early dinner on a Sunday. I love eating early, cleaning the kitchen, and then taking a good shower. Sundays are my favorite days for a yummy meal but that has easy clean up. You can check out my favorite soup recipe here that’s always a go to on a Sunday for me.

My Sunday showers are also a ritual. I love washing my hair on Sunday to set myself up for a good week. I’ll lotion and also lymphatic drain as well since I actually have the time to spend doing that. I finish off my day with comfy pjs and a glazed donut skin on my face.

7:00pm

Once I’m all set, I’ll hop into bed and we’ll usually watch a show or movie that we’ve been putting off. I love being in bed early on a Sunday because it seriously sets you up for a good week. I’ll read and then finish off the night with essential oils and a quick mediation before bed around 9pm.

Everything I just listed is my ideal Sunday reset. Obviously not every Sunday will be this dreamy but I do try to make a few of these things a priority no matter what I’m up to that day. Also, your Sunday reset might be totally different and that’s okay too.

I’m all about setting yourself up for a successful week and you might have to do different things to do that. Let me know your favorite things to do on a Sunday in the comments below and subscribe here to the blog!

Finding a French Bulldog Breeder

The top asked question in my dms when I post Sky is who was her breeder. The next question is how did you find a french bulldog breeder you trusted. I won’t sugar coat, it took me over 6 months of research on not only breeders but the breed itself to find someone I trusted.

French Bulldogs are a unique breed and can have a lot of health issues if they are bred incorrectly. You are spending so much money already on your puppy. It’s crucial to make sure you can avoid major genetic issues as well as some physical ones as well.

I’m going to share with you my thought process in picking a breeder but not the breeder itself. Unfortunately they are no longer breeding but I also think you need to find a breeder on your own. Recommendations are great but honestly there’s a lot at stake when choosing your French Bulldog breeder.

Facial Features

This is probably my top tip and something I didn’t realize until after I got her. Frenchie’s can have major breathing problems due to their smooshed faces but so far we haven’t seen that with Sky. Her nose is actually much further out on her face and I think that’s why.

I’ve noticed the dogs how have the super smooshed faces seem to be the snorters and the ones that breath super heavy. Sky has minimal breathing like that but seriously not that bad. When going to pick out your Frenchie, I would look for breeders who have dogs with longer snouts because that just means more air and room for air for your pet.

Health Info

This one is pretty obvious but you need to have a breeder who’s willing to give you info on the health of all of their dogs. Not just the parents of your puppy but also the other dogs in their care. I was able to actually meet her parents and look at them as well as get their health info written out.

They didn’t have anything that would’ve been a warning sign or indicator of hereditary health issues that they could give to Sky. I wanted to also meet some of their other dogs because it gives you an idea of how well they take care of their pets and if they have any health issues.

Vibe of the Breeder

I can’t tell you how many breeders I talked to that were way too pushy. If I’m reaching out about a dog, clearly I want one but not just the first dog you have. I also was turned off by breeders who had insanely strict contracts for vaccines and spaying/neutering.

When I take home my puppy, I want to be able to make decisions for it that I have researched and feel is best, not anyone else. I get why breeders have contracts to preserve their line of dogs but I wanted a breeder who would guide me, not decide for me. Sky’s breeders were super laid back and answered any questions I had in the early months of having her.

Social Media Tags

This is one that I think a lot of people don’t think to do. My breeder had an instagram account and I found it super helpful to go to their tagged pictures and see how their dogs were doing now. This gives you an better idea of their health problems that maybe a breeder wouldn’t want to tell you.

Through social media, I was also connected with some of Sky’s siblings to talk about the dogs and how they’re doing. This was just so helpful to see happy and healthy older dogs because it gives you an idea of what you’re getting.

What does your puppy come with

After talking to a bunch of breeders, it’s common to have dogs come with other health tests done. I think the more health testing your breeder can offer the better because then you know what you’re getting.

Some dogs also need vaccines so it’s important to make sure your pup comes up to date with those. Some breeders send home other things like collars or toys. I don’t find that as important as getting those health tests that you would want.

Obviously price and color come into play but these 5 things were at the top of my mind. You are trusting this person to give you a healthy dog that’s very expensive. Research is essential and taking the time to choose is necessary.

My top tip is just start emailing your local french bulldog breeder or breeders at a distance you’re comfortable in going to. Honestly, building a relationship with the breeder and getting to know their dogs is my top tip.

Check out more Frenchie posts here and be sure to subscribe to my mailing list here so you don’t miss a post!

Content Creation Tips & Tricks

As many of you know, I am a freelance social media manager on top of blogger and dance teacher. I feel like because of this, I know a little more than the average blogger. This helps me utilize these content creation tips to keep me consistent.

A lot of people will say just be a content creator but they don’t realize how much actually goes into it. I didn’t start to see a real amount of money from my blog until about 3 years in after being consistent. This post is all about how and why I follow the content schedule I do and why you need to have one.

Honestly, I would say a content schedule that you can stick to is probably the most important key to growing any brand. A content schedule is not only when you’ll post on social but also when you’ll create that content. You need to have the content to post so it’s crucial that you stay on schedule and have content prepared.

Establishing a Schedule

content creation tips

I’ve found that I am best able to promote and spend time answering comments on a blog post on a Monday morning, which is why all of my blog posts are then at 9am. I decided this year to up my posts so I added two others during the month on Wednesdays. I average about 6 posts a month on the blog which is a lot.

In addition to the posts, I have to post on IG, Pinterest, Tik Tok to promote the post after it’s live which also is why Mondays are best for me. Establishing when you are going to post not only keeps you accountable but people come to expect content from you on those days. This easy transition helps you create a community that knows when to come back for more.

Content Ideas

content creations tips

In addition to a schedule, I like to start a running list of dates throughout the year I’m going to post. This helps me see what content would do best during those months and gives me a spot to write down my ideas.

I honestly just googled Mondays in 2022 and copy/pasted it into a Google Doc. I can access this whenever I get an idea and it helps me always have ideas when maybe I’m in a crunch to post. Visually, this also helps me cross off what I’ve already created for the month to know what I still need to do.

I recently just started this for my other socials which seriously has changed the game for me. I can plan out all of my content for the month and then I just need to write/record/create.

Creation

Once you figure out step one and two, creation really shouldn’t be too hard for you. Obviously you need to create it but if you already have the idea and when it needs to go live, you can just jump in.

I like to create my blog posts at least a month in advance just in case I have something come up one week. This buffer ensures I’ll always have a post go live. Sometimes I will post randomly if it’s time sensitive but for the most part I like to be ahead.

As for socials, I like to post in real time if I can. This means that I’ll create then post right away. I feel like my posts are usually more informal so it’s good for me to just get it out.

Creation Days

I like to set each day a week as a different platform. I’m almost always creating blog posts on Mondays and Tuesdays. I’ve been trying to create Tik Toks on Wednesdays and then I usually take my IG pictures on the weekends.

I like to batch create content so that I only have to get fully ready once in awhile and I can just get whatever I need done. This is probably my biggest tip to stay accountable because by setting a day aside for one platform, you don’t have the ability to not get it done if you have other days that are for other platforms.

I hope this post was informative for you in creating your content schedule and with content creation tips. Honestly, I wish I knew this back in the beginning because it would’ve saved me so much time. I used to create whenever I felt like it, which is of course great but not when you’re having an off week and don’t want to create anything.

Let me know if setting up a content schedule helped you to level up your content or if you liked these content creation tips! To read more social media posts like this click here! Don’t forget to subscribe to my mailing list here so you never miss a post!

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