Cassie DeNisco

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My Cooking Favorites to Make Life Easy!

For this month’s bonus post, I wanted to share my cooking favorites that make life easy. I kid you not, these products have completely changed the game for me cooking. They help make the process go smooth and not be stressful.

I think for a lot of us 20 somethings cooking seems like such a daunting task. Between prep, cooking, and cleaning, it takes a lot of time. Having products like these to cut down cleaning and prepping time, you’re cooking time can actually become fun!

Our Place Always Pan- Shop Here

cooking favorites

My Always pan has seriously made cooking and cleaning so easy. This is a non toxic non stick pan that seriously does it all. You can boil water, sauté or even steam in it with the steamer it comes with. I absolutely love this pan and honestly it does so much that it has replaced a lot of my other pans!

Rice Cooker/Steamer- Shop Here

I’m not going to lie to you, at first I was like I totally don’t need a rice steamer. Once I got one, I can’t live without it. It seriously makes the best rice ever for whatever you’re eating. It reminds me of the perfect sticky fluffy rice. I also like this one because it comes with a steamer tray so you can cook your rice and veggies at the same time.

Silicone Strainer- Shop Here

I love this strainer for not only cleaning my rice but pasta too. It’s so nice to not have a million pans to clean after you cook so this little gadget is great. You just fasten it on the side of your pot and then pour out the water. It seriously makes life so much easier.

Mini Chopper- Shop Here

Not exactly sure how I lived my entire life with out this but a mini chopper seriously is so helpful. You just have to throw in whatever you want to chop and press the power button. It seriously does it for you and makes cooking faster. I also love this to chop up my onions so I don’t have to tear up while doing it!

Glass Containers- Shop Here

cooking favorites

This was something that I recently invested in but glass containers for storage are amazing. I really love them because you can put them back in the oven to reheat food which I prefer. I also like them because I feel like they keep the food better then the flimsy plastic ones.

Utensils- Shop Here

cooking favorites

My final favorite is new utensils. I think we all look over our utensils because they still function but new ones just hit differently. I have tried expensive ones in the past but find that the cheap ones do the job they need to. We all end up throwing them out anyway so why bother investing in super expensive ones.

With these cooking favorites in your kitchen, cooking will become your new favorite hobby. As with anything, having the right tools makes such a difference. I love cooking on nights when I have the time to make a meal because of these things!

If you loved this post, check out some recipe posts here! Be sure to subscribe here so you never miss a post!

Pet Favorites I Can’t Live Without!

Now that I’m a dog mom, I am always on the look out for new pet favorites. Today’s bonus post is dedicated to all the products I’ve found that make life so much easier. I think that the key to having a pet is finding products that work for the both of you.

As we head into the warmer months, I find myself grabbing for these products even more on walks and trips. I have affiliate links to each product below but there is no pressure to purchase from them!

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag- Shop Here

pet favorites

This little bag is essential for my walks. I find that since we’re not wearing jackets in the spring with pockets, I need something like this. It perfectly fits my phone, keys, and of course treats for Sky.

Not only is this bag functional but I love that it is stylish and comes in lots of colors. This was also a great travel bag when we were on vacation but it fit everything I’d want to carry!

Snuffle Mat- Shop Here

pet favorites

At first glance you’re probably like you are crazy. This snuggle mat is seriously the greatest part of Sky’s day. I throw some treats in it, pull it smaller, and then she’s busy for about 15 minutes.

Enrichment toys like this are a great addition to your dogs day. They help to keep your dog busy and stimulate their brains. I like these especially on rainy days when Sky doesn’t want to walk but I know she needs to do something.

Freeze Dried Treats- Shop Here

pet favorites

Sky picked these out herself when we were at the pet store. They were on a bottom shelf and she wouldn’t stop sniffing them. She ended up loving them so we are now freeze dried raw people.

It’s funny because these used to gross me out but they really have a lot of health benefits for pups. I use these as a high value treat for her when we’re out and about and I need her attention.

I told you these bonus posts would be short and sweet! I’ve been enjoying putting them together for you to get more content out!

Let me know any pet favorites that you have tried or if you are planning to try any of these!! For more pet posts click here!

Death by Dissertation- Book Review!

I’m back with my March book of the month! I can hardly believe that it’s March and I’m already sharing my 3rd book of the year! I wanted to switch it up this month and I chose a light hearted mystery. I’ve found that I don’t love heavy books and this one is really fun and an easy read. This month we’re talking all about Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff.

Death by Dissertation– Shop Here

death by dissertation

I initially was drawn to this book because the main character and I share the same name, Cassandra. Cassandra Sato is an admin at a college where a death happens to one of her students. She finds herself thrown into the investigation and ends up uncovering more clues than the police.

I really enjoyed this book because the mystery was simple and easy to follow. On top of that, Cassandra is a really likeable character that calls her parents and has some love interest in the men she works around. Overall, this book has a little bit of everything: Mystery, friendship, and a hint of romance.

After reading It Happened One Summer and The Light we Lost, I was in the mood to switch of the genre. I actually found this one through the Kindle app and was excited to see it’s a series. I realize that I’m more inclined to choose a book if it at least has one other book in the series. Sometimes one book just isn’t enough for the characters so I gravitate towards series.

The best way I can describe this is like an adult Nancy Drew. Cassandra is balancing a full time job with a crazy boss, love life, friends, and making time to call her parents all while solving a mysterious death on campus. You’re really able to relate to her which I really appreciate.

I can’t stress enough that because I read before bed I don’t want any crazy scary books. I like easy reads that have a good story line. Death by Dissertation was perfect for me and gave me that mystery feel I was looking for. I’m excited to read the other books in this series!

I hope you have been enjoying these books of the month! It’s so fun to share my favorite book that I read that month. I actually have a goal of 75 books this year so we’ll see if I make it. I am always looking for more recommendations so let me know in the comments what you’re reading!

24 Things I Manifested Before Turning 24

Because this post is going live on February 28th, the night before my 24th birthday, I wanted to reflect on my life so far! I came up with this idea of 24 things I manifested before turning 24 as a way to look back on everything I’ve accomplished so far.

Manifesting isn’t this crazy concept. It’s based along the principle of speaking things you want in life into existence. You have to focus on specific ideas and the universe will help guide you towards them. I think making room to dream about your future is so important in helping you actually want to work towards it. You’ll see some of these things are huge goals, and others are just small daily things that make my life so much better.

24 Things I Manifested

24 things I manifested

1.My Puppy

2. The Blog

3. Paying off half of my college loans in cash right out of college

24 things I manifested

4. Purchasing a new car on my own

5. Able to dance & teach dance everyday

6. Working from home

7. My relationship 🙂

8. Ability to Travel

9. Financially Indepedent

10. Healthy Lifestyle

11. Time to read everyday

12. Being close with my family

13. Able to do something creative everyday

14. Managing stress and anxiety

15. Parents who support whatever I do

16. Time for hobbies and to explore other things that interest me

17. Brand partnerships from my blog

18. Creating a side digital marketing business

19. Toxic people leaving my life

20. Intentional with every action I take

21. Finding what makes me happiest

22. Letting go of things that don’t serve me

23. Ability to manifest & just let the universe move through you

24. Being grateful for everything no matter what

Wrap Up

As you can see, this list has all sorts of things on it. Whether you manifest, pray, or just set intentions they all do the same thing. Just focus so hard on what you want in your life and just let things take their course.

I am so grateful that I realized how powerful manifesting was and was able to have this list. Manifesting isn’t magic and you won’t over night be able to meet some goals. Living each day focusing on only what you want and letting go of things that don’t serve you will help you reach whatever you want.

I am so grateful to have built this community and am able to continue to share all my favorite things with you. Let me know in the comments if manifesting has worked for you!

Read more posts like this here. Join my email list here!

My Top Date Ideas in NYC

In honor of this being posted on Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share some of my top date ideas in NYC! Whether you live in the city or are planning a trip, these places and restaurants are must stops in the city.

For me, the city is only about a 45 minute train ride or drive away so I find myself in the city quite a bit. I’ve curated this list over the past few years. I wanted to make sure I hit the major categories like food, entertainment, and of course shopping!

Dinner & Drinks

Italian in Little Italy

Not sure about you but there’s nothing more romantic to me in the city than Little Italy. It has this adorable charm to it and some really great restaurants to just pop into for dinner. One of my favorites is Capri but I honestly just like to walk around a pop into whatever looks good. It’s always fun to discover something new and it kind of makes that place special for the both of you!

LadyBird Vegan Tapas

I have yet to actually go to LadyBird yet but I have heard nothing but great things. It’s a vegan apps and drinks kind of restaurant and the inside is decorated beautifully. If you’re looking for a quicker bite to eat and are in the area I think this is a great option!

What to Do

A Trip to the Met

This is one of my favorite things to do in the city. The Met is seriously a beautiful museum and honestly, it could take a you a few times to check everything out. I love finishing up at the Met and then walking through Central Park. This combo is literally perfect and honestly a great activity that’s not too expensive but gives you plenty to talk about.

A Walk Around South Street Seaport

date ideas in nyc

If you’re looking for a less city atmosphere but great views, South Street by the boats is for you. I love this area because of the water and the peacefulness it has. Crazy that you can find this pocket of peace in the craziness of the city. This area also has some shops and restaurants so there’s more to do than just look at the water.

Where to Shop

The Shops at Hudson Yards

date ideas in nyc

Not only is the building across the street sick but you get the mall vibe in the city. If you want to go shopping but not have to pop around streets this is great. I like this for a date idea because this area has a lot to do so you can stay in one place, eat and shop at once.

Soho

date ideas in nyc

This is more of a general are to shop in. Of course you can head up and down Fifth Ave but I feel like for a date you’re looking more for a vibe and experience. Fifth tends to be a bit busy and I like the Soho quaintness.

I hope this top date ideas in NYC post gives you some tips on planning your next trip. I had a lot of fun putting this post together so let me know if you want more like this! I’m hoping to travel this spring and summer so I’d love to put more of these together if you liked it.

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Read my latest post here!

My Dyson Air Wrap Tutorial

I am back again talking all about my Dyson air wrap! Today I am sharing a Dyson air wrap tutorial. This post is about which attachments I use and how I achieve my go to style. I mention in my previous Dyson post that it takes awhile to learn how to use this but once you do, you life is changed! Keep reading to see how I style my hair.

Step 1: Damp Hair

This I find is the most important step. You really can’t just hop out of the shower and try to style your hair. You have to let it dry a bit first before you do anything else. Be sure to use your favorite heat protectant to protect your hair!

Step 2: Brush Attachment

Before the air wrap, I was the gal who straightened her hair before she curled it. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that I use the brush attachment to straighten and dry my hair before I get into the styling. This brush attachment leaves your hair literally so soft and smooth. Most of the time I’ll just stop here. I often don’t need a full on blow out so this still dries my hair and gives it a little style on days I just need to get out of the door.

Step 3 A: Air Wrap Attachment

I decided to mention this attachment because I use it but not often. I originally got the air wrap for this attachment but I just don’t like it as much as I thought I would. The curls this produces don’t hold for me regardless of what I do so my hair just ends up falling after all the work I put into it. I think this attachment would be better on less fine hair so try it out for yourself and see.

Step 3 B: Round Brush Attachment

The round brush attachment has changed my life. I didn’t even use this one in the beginning until I watched a Tik Tok on it. This won’t give you curls but will give you literally the best blowout ever. I am so obsessed with this attachment. Sometimes I’ll quickly go in with this on my bangs to give them some curl and body. Other times I’ll actually wrap all my pieces up and use it as a real curler. Not only does this give you the perfect blowout, it also makes it so easy to do. I never blow dried my hair because it was so hard but this attachment has made it so easy!

I know this post was short and sweet but so many of you asked for it! You wanted a breakdown of exactly how and what I use for the Dyson so I hope this helps. I know it’s a huge investment but for me it really has replaced all of my other hot tools.

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on the Dyson air wrap tutorial and if you have a favorite attachment!

My Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

As summer begins to wind down, I thought sharing my favorite chicken noodle soup recipe is fitting. I love the chillier weather that comes with fall and my go to dinner is usually a soup. I am obsessed with this chicken noodle soup recipe because it’s delicious and filling! Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients

2 cups of cooked rotisserie chicken

1 can of sliced carrots

4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 white onion chopped

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2-3 tablespoons of garlic (i love more garlic)

8 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 package of egg noodles

Directions

  1. I start by heating a large pot with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. I then place the onions in and sauté until cooked down then add the garlic and carrots and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add the 8 cups of broth, cooked chicken, potatoes and spices to pot and cook for 30 minutes on a simmer covered.
  3. After 30 minutes, I remove the lid and cook uncovered for 10 more minutes with the uncooked noodles. You really just have to make sure the potatoes are soft enough for you and that you boil the noodles to your liking.

This is literally one of my favorite chicken noodle soup recipes because I cheat and use rotisserie chicken. It makes life so easy and the soup I swear tastes better. Rotisserie chicken is a serious life hack because you can get it and use it so many different ways throughout the week!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious chicken noodle soup recipe. Weather you’re trying it out this summer or holding off until the fall, let me know how you liked it! Soup is always a favorite meal of mine because of just how easy it is to make and how yummy it tastes every time!

You can see more recipes of mine here!

My Shower Routine

One thing I can’t live without is my long showers. Showering to me is so therapeutic and I have gotten my shower routine down to a since. I love nothing more than after a long day taking a shower to just get rid of all the stress of the day. This post is dedicated to all of you out there who love the shower as much as me!

The first step to any good shower routine is ambience. I like to turn the lights off so it’s dark. Sometimes I’ll even drop in a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to help me relax. I also have recently been incorporating music into my routine. I got this adorable little water proof speaker and I’ll play some Taylor Swift or spa music to unwind.

After I set the stage for a relaxing shower, I’ll hop in and get to the nitty gritty with my products!

Dr. Teal’s Lavender Body Wash

This is my go to body wash when I’m needing to unwind. Because it’s epsom salt, it relaxes the muscles and the lavender scent just takes it to the next level. I can’t get enough of this body wash and it also makes a good bubble bath soap too!

Shampoo and Conditioner

My shampoo products often switch up during the week. I’ll go in with Olaplex when I’m needing something to help refresh and hydrate my hair. I use the Not Your Mother’s Purple Shampoo and Conditioner when I really need to refresh my blonde. I try to only wash my hair every other day so I will make sure to switch off between these products so that my hair always gets what it needs.

Shower Tools

This is probably my favorite section of products for the shower. I love to use a loofa with my body wash. It helps to really soap up the product and get it into a thick lather. Similar to a loofa, I love this hair massager. It helps to get the buildup off your scalp while also giving you the best scalp massage. My final shower tool is my face brush. This is great to use in the shower because it cleans my face and then I don’t have to do it when I get out.

This was definitely a more up close and personal blog post with sharing my shower routine. I cannot explain just how much I love a good shower so I hope these products and tools help you get the most out of your shower. Let me know in the comments below if you’re a night shower person or a morning. I am definitely a night person!!

You an read about my other relaxing night routine essentials here.

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 Favorite Glowy Face Makeup Products

We all are after that summer glow and today I am sharing some of my favorite products to achieve it. These glowly makeup products are my go to for summer when I want some coverage and a nice glow. If you know me, I rarely wear heavy makeup but the way this brand makes my skin look is like no other!

glowy makeup products

Step 1: Skin Care

The most important step is skin care because it will really enhance your glowy makeup products. I recently shared my skin care routine here, so be sure to check that out to find out how I prep my skin for products.

Step 2: Foundation

I almost never use a makeup primer so if that is important to you, definitely add that before you jump into this step. My go to foundation lately has been the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation. This is honestly the perfect coverage for me. It is definitely buildable so you can start out light and then go as heavy as you need. I love how this makes my skin look. It is even and has a nice, subtle glow.

Step 3: Concealer

I don’t go far without my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer. This literally has been my go to for years and I just don’t think I would stop. It conceals and brightens to give you the most flawless look. I even wear just this sometimes when I’m going for that no makeup, makeup look.

Step 4: Bronzer

I’m a huge Hula Bronzer girl. I feel like bronzer can sometimes be tough because some bronzers have an ash tone and others are a bit warmer. For me, this is the perfect shade for summer and even year round. I also like a powder bronzer because I feel like it’s lighter on my skin and doesn’t sweat off!

Step 5: Highlighter

Run don’t walk to get this Rare Beauty Liquid Highlighter. I have mine in the color enlighten and omg it is amazing. This gives me the most perfect glow wherever I put it. I love this product because you can put a little or a lot, it is buildable and gives you room to get the glow you want. This product is the key to my summer glowy makeup look.

Step 6: Blush

This is another one from Rare Beauty. Their soft pinch liquid blush made me like blush. I have it in the color joy and am seriously obsessed. I was one to just skip over blush but this changed my life and my glowy makeup routine. This product is everything and more for me. I love how it pairs so well on the check with my highlight and bronzer.

Obviously I do sometimes go in with a lip gloss and use my bronzer in my eye creases for color. I like to keep it very minimal in the summer because sometimes I just can’t handle things on my face.

Hopefully you got some summer glowy makeup products inspo from this post and want to try out some new products! I am always interested in hearing some product recommendations so leave some for me in the comments below!