Cassie DeNisco

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The Cuban Heiress Book Review!

I love Chanel Cleeton and was so excited to read her latest book The Cuban Heiress! Cleeton always takes you back in time to tell the story of a heroic woman in the face of changing political times. This book was especially fascinating as you read and the story unfolds.

Her characters always have dimension and some serious girl power that makes you root for them in any situation! This review is not sponsored as I purchased the book on my own however you can shop for this book with my affiliate link where I make a small commission if you purchase!

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

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the cuban heiress

In the Cuban Heiress, we follow the stories of Elena and Catherine. Both enjoying a cruise on the Morro Castle cruise ship, the woman have very different experiences. Catherine sets sail with her soon to be husband and his daughter and her nanny. We soon realize this engagement was a quick one and there’s something deeper going on.

Elena’s story is even more mysterious as she meets a crew member who helps to smuggle people and weapons to and from Havana. As the story unfolds, we realize Elena is there to get revenge on someone who wronged her, but the pieces don’t start to come together until the very end.

I loved the twists in this book as we don’t realize Elena and Catharine know each other, and are working together, until the very end. It helps to keep this book interesting as each chapter alternates the women’s points of view. Cleeton’s books always embody strong female characters and this one really doesn’t miss.

Elena and Catharine’s friendship and the lengths they go too is so admirable. Even though we don’t get a lot of time with them together in the book, the bond they have is striking and adds such dimension to the book.

I always appreciate the end of Cleeton’s books where you learn the real history of what she’s talking about in the book. The Morro Castle was actually a real ship that had a real tragedy happen to it, similar to that in the book. She stays so true to the actual events but weaves in this amazing element of fiction that makes these books so hard to put down.

If you liked this book review, I have a few other by Cleeton here! You can read my last month’s book club pick here!

My Go To Greek Salad Bowl

As the weather gets warmer, I become more obsessed with salads and bowls. I’ve been making this Greek salad bowl on repeat and I just had to share it with you. The flavors are so fresh and I feel like everyone has these ingredients on hand in the warmer months!

Often salads can be so daunting because they’re just not filling but I make sure to hit all my bases with a salad that is well balanced. From protein to fiber and carbs, this salad will have you wanting it for dinner all week long!

greek salad bowl

Ingredients:

pickled red onions

canned chickpeas drained & rinsed

diced cucumber

diced tomatoes

dill

lemon

tzaziki

pita

cooked farro or couscous

greens of choice (I like a 50/50 blend)

Directions:

  1. Add diced cucumbers, tomatoes, chopped dill, and the juice of half a lemon to a bowl and let set for about 30 minutes.
  2. Warm your pita by preheating oven to 350 and baking until brown on each side but not too crisp.
  3. Assemble your salad with greens, cooked couscous, tzatziki for the dressing, cucumber tomato mix, chick peas, and picked red onions!
  4. Enjoy!

Salads like this really keep you full because they have the greens but they have the the grains that do the heavy lifting. I used to avoid salads because I knew I’d be so hungry after eating one but looking at one like this has changed the game for me.

This greek salad bowl is honestly my new obsession! I have a few other salad recipes here on the blog or you can check our my pinterest for even more recipes!

Current Sephora Favorites for Skin!

I love a good skincare haul so I’m happy to share with you my current Sephora favorites! After ditching the masks last year, I found I had the worst skin. It was dull, dry, and I had frequent breakouts. I searched for products that would help but I honestly made it worse.

I started to really simplify my skincare routine and it’s done wonders for my skin. A Sephora recently opened up near me so I’ve been getting all my products from there. I’ve been loving what I’m using and wanted to share! These are affiliate links so I do make a small commission if you do decide to purchase but there’s no pressure!

Inky List Retinol

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Retinol seems to be all the craze these days and I was in the market for an inexpensive one to try. This was around $24 and so far I like it. I use it one to two times per week just to make sure my skin doesn’t freak out. Retinol is good for fine lines and wrinkles so I’m really just using it now as a preventative instead of to actually treat anything.

Youth to the People Adaptogen Moisturizer

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I am always switching up my moisturizers depending on the time of year but I just had to talk about this one. I love this moisturizer for winter because it’s thick and really does it’s job. I definitely will be switching this out because it’s so moisturizing but I will be switching back come next winter!

Glow Recipe Glow Drops

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sephora favorites

I’ve definitely talked about these glow drops before! They have become my go to primer before makeup for extra glowy skin. I also just love this on it’s own as a way to just enhance my natural skin and make it glow. I have repurchased this twice now because it’s just that great! You can read my makeup routine here!

Tan Luxe Face Oil

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sephora favorites

I also recently talked about these tan luxe drops but I just repurchased them and had to shout them out. I seriously love these for my face because I get to use my own face moisturizer which ensures that my face won’t break out. You can definitely use this for your whole body too but I don’t trust myself enough to do that yet without it looking streaky!

These are in my skincare routine and I seriously love these Sephora favorites. As we’re approaching summer time, I love to wear no makeup so these products are helping my skin to stay clear and hydrated! For more beauty posts, click here!

Homemade Crunch Wrap Recipe

Looking to spice up your taco night? I have you covered with this homemade crunch wrap recipe. I seriously love this recipe when you’re not in the mood for just a regular taco night.

This is essentially a taco bell copycat recipe and it was an instant hit for dinner here. Obsessed with how easy this recipe was and how seriously yummy it is too!

crunch wrap recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey or beef

2 tbsp taco seasoning

soft tortillas in wrap size

crunchy circular tortillas

diced yellow onion

1 diced tomato

chopped romaine lettuce

jalepeño

hot sauce

Directions:

  1. Cook your meat and add taco seasoning.
  2. Microwave your soft tortilla for 10 seconds so you can easily mold it.
  3. Assemble your crunch wrap with your favorite filling with the soft tortilla down first. I love ground turkey, tomatoes, lettuce, vegan cheese, jalepeños, onions, and some hot sauce.
  4. Warm a frying pan with a little bit of butter.
  5. Place the crunchy circular tortilla on top then fold your soft tortilla over. This is the hardest part because it’s so tricky. As soon as it’s all assembled place it seam side down in the pan. This will seal it so it doesn’t explode.
  6. Flip after about 2-3 minutes to crisp the other side and then enjoy!!

I cannot tell you how badly I want to remake this as I’m writing this. It just elevates your taco night and creates something so filling and yummy. I am huge on making sure your dinner hits all the points to fill you up and this combo definitely does!

If you loved this homemade crunch wrap recipe be sure to check out some of my other recipes here! You can also check out my pinterest as I am super active on it here!

My Chickpea Orzo Salad Recipe!

I definitely have summer on my mind after these really cold days! There’s truly nothing I love more than a pasta salad in the summer so this recipe is getting me in my feels. I turned chickpea orzo salad recipe into a summer staple and really it became and instant hit.

Pasta salads can get really receptive and seem all the same after awhile but this one pairs chickpeas with a lemon vinaigrette and is just so yummy! You could even turn this into a meal and just pair some protein like grilled chicken with it on top!

chickpea orzo salad

Ingredients

1 lb orzo

1 can chickpea

1/2 red onion diced finely

2 tomatoes diced

2-3 mini cucumbers diced finely

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tsp basil

1/4 c olive oil

juice from 1 full lemon

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp fresh minced garlic

1 tsp oregano

salt & pepper

red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Cook orzo according to package. Once cooked, drain and then put in a big bowl.
  2. Mix in chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, nutritional yeast, basil & parsley.
  3. Assemble vinaigrette by wishing together olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic, garlic, oregano & salt + pepper.
  4. Combine bowl with dressing and mix thoroughly. Let cool and serve with red pepper flakes on top!

I love a good pasta salad and this chickpea orzo salad is delicious! Its so refreshing with the lemon juice in the dressing! The protein from the chickpeas helps to elevate this and make it even more filling!

Let me know if you loved this recipe and check out more recipes from me here! Be sure to follow me on Pinterest @cassiedenisco for even more content!

How to Stay Organized this New Year!!

I love to share blog posts on how I plan! This year I wanted to put a twist on how to stay organized this year! I have recently moved more towards digital planners. If you know me, you know this is a shock because I have been a pen and paper girl forever. However, I recently discovered some really helpful digital tools that honestly have made the paper planners useless!

My all time favorite paper planner is the Day Designer. I love this for so many reasons, but my top is it has a spot to plan out your entire day. Working at the studio in the evenings means I seriously need to plan my mornings to be as productive as possible. I actually was able to swap the paper for these 2 super helpful digital organizers!

Google Keep

This is the real game changer that most people don’t know exists! It’s essentially an online to do list, however you can share it and collaborate on it! We use this at the dance studio but I’ve started using it in my personal life too. I treat it essentially as my giant life to do list.

Any time I get a thought, I jot it down. I have the app on my phone so it’s always near me and accessible. Having a big to do list seems daunting, but I love just seeing everything that has to be done whether it’s today or 2 months from now.

I’ve recently started organizing it with the day of the week then the item to keep my even more on top of things. I seriously love it and I like that I can share it too. I found it super helpful for even ordering Christmas presents with Jordan because we were able to share the list and check off who we got for!

The best part is, this is a free service through Google! If you have a Google account, you can access it today and really start to get your life organized! I did try the Apple Reminders app which is similar to this, but Google is more universal so I love this so much more!

how to stay organized

Google Calendar

Like I just mentioned, I was an Apple girl but it’s not universal like Google is! I just love that I can share calendars with people so that everyone sees the exact same info. This is great for my entire week or month in a more general fashion. I have it set to download to my iPhone calendar app so that I literally see everything on all my devices.

This is a great resource to just share with others. Family events or just work stuff is so important to share so that’s why I switched to this. It helps the people around me to be as organized as I am so it makes my life easier.

I’ve even tried to plan out my days through this but most of the times I would just rather have this as an overall calendar. I do know people who block out their day with this and use it as their planner so it definitely can work for you!

how to stay organized

As you can see I really don’t need the whole pen & paper thing when I have these two free resources. I love both and how they seriously keep me on track and productive. As we head into the new year, it’s essential figure out how to stay organized and I know these both will work for you!

Be sure to check out my Pinterest here and a yummy recipe here!

The Best Products from 2022!!

Buckle up because this post is a full list of the best products from 2022! These were featured on my monthly favorites but ended up making the cut for things I couldn’t live without this year! I absolutely loved doing my favorites as a bonus post. I figured they needed their own post before the end of the year!

These products all have affiliate links so you can shop right through this post! As always I make a small commission if you purchase but there’s no pressure at all to do so!! Hopefully these give you some ideas if you still need a last minute present too!!

Crop Tanks

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products from 2022

These crop tanks were feature in my Amazon Favorites post in January and let me tell you, I’m still obsessed! These are the perfect crops to wear when your teaching dance or just working out and want to be covered. They hit in the right spot and are so inexpensive and look great.

Five Minute Journal

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products from 2022

I seriously use my Five Minute Journal almost everyday! It’s really great if you’re just starting out to journal and need ideas about what to write. I also like it because if I want to write something quick it’s super easy to do. Read about all my wellness favorite here!

Lululemon Belt Bag

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If you have a pet you need this bag! It’s essential for treats and any other items you need on the go. It’s also perfect to just take out and about to run errands on your own. This was featured in my Pet favorites post but I’ve talked about it in many other posts since!

Our Place Always Pan

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If you’ve seen any of my cooking posts or videos, you know I always reach for this pan. It seriously does everything you need in a pan so that you don’t need many. I love to boil pasta, make veggies, and even breakfasts foods in here because the non toxic non stick coating is life changing. Read the full cooking favorites post here!

Amazon Sunglasses

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I shared these sunglasses in my May Accessories post and I still loveeeee them! I’ve actually got a second pair in case anything happens to the first. They look super luxe but are only like $15 bucks. I just never can justify designer sunglasses because I’m not gentle with them at all and I just know I’d lose them. These are the perfect dupe and so inexpensive. I would argue this is one of my best products from 2022.

Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen

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products from 2022

This year really became my SPF year. I found that I love the Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen and use it everyday. It’s nice and light but protects and doesn’t break you out. I wear it pretty much everyday and it gives me the piece of mind that my face skin is protected from the harmful effects of the sun. My summer skin essentials post shares more must haves!

Sculpting Bar

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I can tell you out of all the things on this list, you probably don’t need this but you’ll love it! I was inspired after watching a Hailey Bieber skin tutorial and this seriously is a treating. It vibrates and sculpts so it’s essentially a mini massage for your face! Read about all my beauty tool favorites here!

Low Dunks

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These were in my summer shoe favorites but I seriously wear my dunks all the time! My latest way to wear them is with a nice trouser and blazer! It gives such a fun look and I love these shoes. I am still an air force once girly but these are just a teeny bit comfier because sometimes air force 1s are too bulky.

Glow Recipe Niacinamide Drops

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These drops are essential to a glowy makeup look. Swap out your primer with this product and your life will literally be changed. I swear my makeup has never looked better and it’s absolutely this product. It leaves a tacky finish so the makeup just sticks to it and it gives you this gorgeous glow from within! Read more of my makeup favorites here!

Ugg Ultra Mini

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I love the Ugg Ultra minis that were featured in my fall favorites post! They are seriously something that I wear literally everyday! Now that they are cool again I even throw them on with jeans and I just look so perfectly put together. The mustard seed color is my new favorite because it’s a little more neutral and just looks amazing with everything! These are probably my top products from 2022.

Crimper

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products from 2022

This crimper was my top choice for my gift guide for her this year! I just seriously love how it makes my hair look. It’s a more natural wave/curl and it almost matches my natural hair. I love that it just spices up your hair and gives you another way to style it other than the usual curling iron or wand.

Stanley Water Bottle

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products from 2022

So this actually isn’t in any post but I’ve just been so obsessed with this cup this month! I was a little late on the train to purchase it but I seriously love it. It’s so big but not bulky and actually fits in the car cup holder. That’s a serious essential for me and I just know that I this is going to be a favorite for the new year too!!

These 12 products are best products from 2022 I can’t live without from this year! Ranging from pets to beauty, I literally mentioned it all and know that this products will be your favorites too! Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a post!

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!

My Summer Lunch Idea that you Need to try!

I can hardly believe summer is almost over here in New York! I have been loving the warmth but I’m starting to get excited for fall. I wanted to share with you my summer lunch idea that you need to try! I’ve seriously been living off this all summer long.

This is a dairy free recipe however feel free to do what makes you happy! I also will admit the vegan cheese I’m using is incredibly hard to find but if you do find it, it’s worth it!! I have been on a mission for like a year to find cheese similar to mozzarella and this is really it!

summer lunch idea

Ingredients

Sourdough bread slice

Pesto (basil, garlic, and olive oil minced together)

1 ripe tomato

Miyokos Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Balsamic Glaze

Directions

  1. Toast your sourdough slice til golden brown
  2. Apply a thin layer of pesto on the bread then take vegan mozzarella and add slices on top
  3. Slice your tomato and add that on top
  4. Finish off with balsamic glaze and you’re all set!

As you can see this is quite possibly the easiest lunch but it is so good. I love lighter lunches like this because sometimes you don’t want a giant meal when it’s hot. This is also such an easy on the go lunch that you just need to assemble and enjoy.

This summer lunch idea has seriously been my obsession! Let me know in the comments below your favorite summer lunch! If you liked this post, check out my other lunch recipes here!

Be sure to subscribe here to the blog so you don’t miss a post!

Summer Hair Essentials for Great Hair!

This post is dedicated to the summer hair essentials you need for great hair! I feel like the summer is the hardest month to style your hair because of the heat and humidity. I really love these essentials to style my hair and keep it’s style.

90% of the time I don’t even bother with my hair because it truly get’s so frizzy but I’ve found these help my hair look good. As always these are affiliate links so I make a small commission but there’s no pressure to purchase!

Claw Clips- Click here

summer hair essentials

It’s funny because when I was younger I couldn’t live without a claw clip. They really went out of style and now they’re back. This is a lifesaver for me because when it’s super hot and humid, my hair still looks cute. I love the wrapped look and it just helps give me a style that combats the humidity.

Kristen Ess Hair Spray- Click Here

summer hair essentials

This is seriously my new favorite hair spray! It’s a finishing spray but it really helps me to combat frizz and that humidity. This is also just a great year round product. I seriously love it after I straighten my hair or curl it to really lock in the style.

Slip Silk Hair Ties- Click Here

summer hair essent

These hair ties are always a must for my hair essentials. These help to not damage your hair but also really preserve your style. I love both the thick ones like these and the really thin ones because both really do the job.

Drybar 100 Proof- Click Here

This is a serious summer must have for me. After I wash my hair, I can’t not put this stuff in it. It helps to lock in the frizz and keep my hair soft and fresh. This is a really pricy product but I constantly find myself coming back to it because it’s that good.

1 1/2 inch Curling Wand- Click Here

This is a lifesaver on days my hair actually does get frizzy. I love going back in and just re-curling a few pieces of my hair with this bigger barrel to preserve my natural hair. This is a serious life hack because my hair is wavy so just touching up a few pieces saves me time and makes my hair look great.

As you can see these summer hair essentials are far reaching. I seriously cannot live without them because they just help to take the edge off of that humidity. These seriously help my hair stay set all day long!

Be sure to read my other hair care posts here and subscribe here to my blog so you don’t miss a post!