Cassie DeNisco

My Summer Morning Routine 2021

July 9, 2021

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

7:00am

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

7:30am

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

8:00-12:00pm

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

12:00-2:00pm

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

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

Let me know what your summer morning routine is like!

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

My Top Must Have Denim Brands

July 2, 2021

This has been another highly requested post. Since the start of the pandemic, I really haven’t worn denim. Now that things are reopening, I have really been on the hunt for good denim. I decided instead of sharing specific jeans, I would share the brand since denim really fits everyone differently. These denim brands have become my go to when I actually put on jeans.

My go to for denim is something that fits my curvier body well. I have a smaller waist and bigger thighs so I tend to gravitate towards brands that either are made for that specifically or have a line for people like me. As the weather continues to get warmer, I thinking finding a good pair of denim shorts or jeans is so crucial to your summer wardrobe!

Topshop

Honestly, Topshop has been my go to denim since high school. I was the biggest “Jamie” Jean fan and had them in like every color. Topshop jeans are my favorite because yes they are denim, but they have a stretch to them. It’s weird because they are not jeggings but they fit like them.

I have a lot of Topshop jeans in all different styles. I find that they fit well but are definitely pricy. One thing I’ve come to realize is sometimes you just need to make the investment and spend the extra bit. It is so worth it when you finally find a good pair of denim that the price often doesn’t even matter.

American Eagle

I didn’t think it was possible for me to find jeans that actually fit until I tried AE’s curvy line. Unfortunately it is online only, so It was a bit of trial and error to find the right size but when I did, it was life changing. This curvy line is made for people like me who have a smaller waist and thicker thighs. The jeans perfectly fit my waist and don’t leave that weird gap. I also love that they make a lot of styles in this curvy line.

AE is often known for their denim so I was pleasantly surprised when I also found shorts in the curvy line as well. I usually never wear denim shorts because they just don’t fit me. I actually got two pairs of shorts for this summer because they fit so well. The pricing on this denim brand was pretty accurate for what I would have expected to spend but they have a lot of sales where the denim is by one get one with a percentage off.

I honestly think AE denim is my new go to because of how well the fit was. I usually wear a size 6 or 8 in pants. For these, I ordered an 8 and they fit like a glove. Perfectly fit me around the waist and were actually baggy on the leg for the mom jeans I purchased. I highly recommend giving them a try if you are losing your mind with finding denim.

As you can see, my denim brands list is short. I really only purchase denim from these two places because they honestly fit the best. It’s so hard for me to want to try anything else because I seriously love all of my denim. Let me know if the comments below your favorite denim brands. I always so interested to hear what works well for others!

You can check out my last fashion post here.

My BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe

June 18, 2021

As we head further into summer, I am all about a light and easy dinner. This BBQ chicken salad recipe is delicious and so easy to recreate. This not only is a great dinner, but it’s also easy to prep for lunches for the week. By spending a little time prepping everything on a Sunday, you can have healthy salads all week long that you can mix and match ingredients. Keep on reading for how to make my favorite BBQ chicken salad recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Red Onion

2 Tomatoes on the Vine

1 Can Corn (I roast mine on top of the stove until blackened)

2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken

2 Hard Boiled Eggs

1 Cucumber

1/2 Cup Shredded carrots

Greens of your choice

Barbecue Sauce

Ranch Dressing (I love this Boathouse Greek Yogurt one!)

Assembly:

I love to grab a big bowl and put my greens down first. I always pick a mixed greens with baby spinach but that is totally up to you. Next, I just throw everything in the bowl and finish off with a drizzle of barbecue sauce and then some ranch dressing. My top trick is to cover your giant bowl and give everything a good shake so it all gets covered.

As you can see, this BBQ chicken salad recipe is so quick and delicious. It makes the perfect summer dinner or lunch recipe and is great for meal prep. Salads aren’t always my top choice but when you have so many yummy toppings, it helps you not even realize you have greens in it!

Let me know your favorite salad combo below!

Click here to check out my other salad recipes.

Top Swimsuit Brands 2021

June 4, 2021

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

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

Aerie

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

Amazon

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

Victoria’s Secret

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

Target

top swimsuit brands — Processed with VSCO with f2 preset

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

Zaful

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

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

Check out my other summer posts from last year here!

My Updated Simple SkinCare Routine

May 7, 2021

One new year’s resolution I had was to step up my skincare routine. I have been watching and looking at different skincare content and decided it was time to start making changes. I wanted to not only minimize my routine but also start using quality products. All of these products I have been using since January so five months later, I do think there has been an amazing improvement in my skin.

As with any skincare routine, everyone’s skin is different so these products may or may not work for you. I love posts like these because it helps me become familiar with brands and introduces me to new products. As always, I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links but there is no pressure to purchase here!

Step 1 Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

If you’ve read any of my previous routines like this one, I used to swear by Cetaphil. I recently made the switch to CeraVe because for the same price, you’re just getting much better ingredients. This has hyaluronic acid and is formulated to not leave skin feeling too tight after washing. This is equally as gentle as Cetaphil but I just think is more worth it because of the ingredients.

I never wash my face without my Vanity Planet Facial Brush. This is a serious must in my routine because I swear that using it keeps my skin clear. Maybe it has something to do with not touching it with my hands but I will never not use it to wash my face!

Step 2 Daytime Treatment: First Aid Beauty White Clay Acne Treatment

Before you kill me on how wasteful these pads are, this First Aid Beauty White Clay Treatment has done wonders for my skin. I totally get how wasteful it is but this has transformed my skin even with wearing masks. I was struggling with acne under the mask line and using this everyday prior to wearing my mask has helped to keep my skin clear and glowing.

Step 2 Nightime Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Serum

This T.L.C. serum is definitely pricy but I can’t live without it. I use this at night right after cleansing and I wake up with soft and even skin. This is the only product that has changed the texture of my skin and I’ve tried a lot. I know there are cheaper alternatives but I am just so happy with my results I can’t imagine adding in something else.

Step 3 Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Out of all my products, this is the only one I’m iffy on. I have been using this Clinique Moisturizer for years and do love it, but I think I can find something a little cheaper. I am actually interested in trying the CeraVe lotion because I’ve heard great things about it. This moisturizer was one I tried when I was in high school and found this was the only one that wouldn’t break me out. I don’t think I’ll ever fully part ways with it but I wanted to be transparent and say I don’t love love it.

Step 4 Sunscreen: Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen

This Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen I am okay with. I say that because usually sunscreen breaks me out and this one doesn’t but it is so expensive and I don’t love the Goop brand. (If you know, you know) I do think I will rebuy this only because it goes on so lightly and doesn’t feel like anything on the skin. If you can’t add anything else into your routine, add a sunscreen. It is so important to keep your skin not only healthy but preventing premature aging. I wish I had started adding in sunscreen prior to this year but I know starting now can only help.

I hope this simple skincare routine introduced you to some new products! My favorite part of skin care is learning about the different ingredients and how they can affect your skin. It’s so important to start caring for your skin now so even small changes in your routine can help.

P.S. don’t forget your sunscreen!

My Favorite Summer Salad Recipe

August 24, 2020

There is no better feeling than eating a salad made entirely from your own garden. I’ve been really obsessed with knowing exactly where my ingredients are coming from lately so this salad recipe is a culmination of that. There’s a secret ingredient to this summer salad ingredient and it’s a chopper. Getting salads into bite size pieces not only makes it easier to eat but I swear it makes it taste that much better.

The salad chopper I have is from Amazon and you can find it here. I absolutely love it because you literally throw everything into a bowl and then just take the chopper and go to town. Chopped salads are so good and a great way to get all of your nutrients in without feeling like you’re eating too much. Here’s the recipe!\

Ingredients:

Greens of your Choice (I love spring mixes with spinach)

Hard boiled egg

Tomatoes

Avocado

Red Onion

Cucumber

Protein (sometimes I add chicken, or bacon, or chickpeas)

Pepita Seeds

*fun add in is cheese (I like a cheddar)

Dressing of your choice

Directions:

I started off chopping salads by just trying to chop everything whole however it is good to cut everything up a little. This really helps to even out everything and make it all the same size. I also was a huge over-chopper. I would just keep going until it was small pieces but everything lost its integrity. Make sure to use a big bowl so there’s room and just put everything in and chop. Add in your dressing last, mix and enjoy!

I love making chopped salads like this one. It’s a great salad recipe if you have produce that’s starting to look iffy so you’re not wasteful. Another awesome thing about salad in general is you can really customize it so that everyone in your house can make their own! The more toppings the better for a salad in my opinion so happy chopping!

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Find more summer recipes from me here!

Things I’m Loving: July 2020

August 10, 2020

I cannot believe that we are halfway through the summer!! Time is flying by and before we know it, fall unfortunately will be here. I decided to compile the things I’m loving from July into this post since they are definitely still relevant as we head into August. These things I’m loving are from all different categories like lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and I definitely couldn’t live without them this summer.

NutriBullet

I have been juicing pretty much everyday since summer started and my NutriBullet seriously is amazing. I decided to not get a juicer because I already have this and to be honest, I feel like this is all you need if you’re just making a few juices instead of a big batch. This is also great for my acai bowls this makes awesome smoothies too.

Califa Farms Creamer

This stuff is seriously AMAZING. It is only 15 calories and 2 grams of sugar per serving which is game changing. I love coffee for the caffeine but I do not like it black so I always have to add some sort of sweetener to it. This stuff is not only really yummy but its thick and creamy so it’s almost like I got a fancy coffee at home. It’s made from almond milk and coconut milk so it is dairy free and delicious.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

I mentioned that I got this in my Sephora Skincare Haul and I am now obsessed. This is a really great moisturizer but it also does tighten and firm your skin. I’ve been using it on the back of my thighs and my booty and seriously have noticed a major change. I only got this as a free birthday gift and I am absolutely going to be purchasing the full size.

Day Designer Planner

I talked about my love of planners in a post last summer which you can find here, but this planner is the one I truly love. For me, I don’t need one page per day but I do like the idea of scheduling times throughout the day and this mini Day Designer does just that. I got this at Target for $14.99 and it seriously helps me stay so organized.

Dynasty on Netflix

I just had to add a show because this is just too good. I thought Gossip Girl was amazing until I watched Dynasty. GG will still be my favorite but this is a definitely close second. I binged this in like 2 days and can’t wait for new episodes hopefully when Covid leaves!

Nintendo Switch

This was a splurge purchase but something I had my eye on for awhile. I was more motivated to purchase this because of Covid but I don’t regret it because it is so great. Nintendo games like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing are my fav so this was a great purchase and also a great way to escape from the world for a little each day. I love that you can play it hand held or on your TV because I can put something on in the background and still get a game in. Seriously one of my favorite things I’m loving.

Treadmill

Moving right into fitness, I actually purchase this treadmill from Amazon really early on in out stay at home. I had my eyes on a treadmill for so long and I finally purchased it. It is a great way to get your cardio in each day and still get to work, listen to something, or watch a show. I use this a few days a week on top of my workouts to really get that heart going and get a great sweat in.

Melissa Wood Health App

This was a game changer once I discovered Melissa Wood’s app and workouts. I actually heard about her from a few YouTubers but I am seriously so obsessed with her and her flows. She does a mix of pilates and yoga which is exactly what I love to do. Her app has seriously made me want to workout and get some movement in each day, which prior to this I had been struggling with staying consistent in my workouts.

All of these things I’m loving are seriously so awesome and have helped me kick my summer off to a great start. They are great for summer but also for all year long because they are just seriously awesome. Let me know your July favorites in the comments below!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

Green Juice Recipe You Need to Try

July 27, 2020

I have been on my fresh green juice game these past few weeks so I am so excited to share my recipe with you. This green juice recipe is so good and just leaves you feeling great. There are so many health benefits to getting your greens in everyday and the perfect way to do that is through this green juice recipe. To create these juices, I use my NutriBullet. I don’t have a juicer and just found that even though it takes a little longer because of straining, this works just as well as a juicer would’ve.

Ingredients:

1 Celery Stalk

Handful of Greens

1/2 a lemon

1 inch chunk of ginger

1/2 a cucumber

Handful of Carrots

Directions:

This is seriously so simple! Just add everything into your NutriBullet and blend. Depending on the day, sometimes I add a little water just to thin it out if it’s too thick. Next comes the straining. I just take very fine holed strainer and start to pour the juice through it into another container. I do this again, but this time straining it into whatever I plan to drink it out of. I love these reusable cups from Amazon!

I’ve been really working hard to get my greens in everyday during quarantine and making a juice has seriously helped. When I started making juices, I literally almost couldn’t drink them because I thought they were so gross. I would add apple or watermelon to them to sweeten them up and make them interesting to eat. Now, I am literally obsessed! I have this juice every. single. day!

Let me know in the comments below if you try this and be sure to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

Sephora Skincare Haul

July 20, 2020

After a long 3 months of no Sephora, I went all out the second I could get back into a store on a Sephora skincare haul. Some of these products I just needed to repurchase and others were brand new for me to try. Quarantine opened my eyes to the importance of taking care of your skin so that was what drew me to this major Sephora Skincare Haul for summer.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion $27

This product was a repurchase for me. I love using this as a toner because I feel like it helps to really leave my skin clean and exfoliated. I used to use the Clinique three step line but I found that this product is the real winner for me and my skin.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C Serum $90

I went through all of quarantine without this Drunk Elephant product and I realized how much I miss it. This T.L.C serum seriously changed my skin. I put this on at night before bed and I wake up with the smoothest skin. The price tag is pretty high but for the fact that this helps me reset my skin in one night, I will continue to rebuy.

Sephora Brightening Eye Cream $17

I have tried the Sephora skin line before and you can see my review of it here but I didn’t get around to trying this product. I noticed that I don’t really need help with fine lines so I wanted to make sure I was using a brightening product. The reviews seem really great and I love how affordable this product is.

Sephora Collection Nourishing Moisturizer $17

Similar to the product above, I haven’t tried the moisturize by Sephora yet. I used to use their All Day Hydrator but I was looking for something less sticky. This product is so affordable and the reviews online were awesome. I’m hoping it’s not heavy or too tacky, which was something I didn’t like about the hydrator.

Ouai Treatment Masque $32

This isn’t a skincare product but I used the Olaplex hair mask but found it was too expensive for no real results. I heard really great things about this masque and was hoping to replace the Olaplex one with this in my hair care routine.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen $34

Wear your sunscreen kids!! Whether it’s summer or not, sunscreen is so important and something I wasn’t taking seriously. I found all sunscreens to be way too heavy or leaving a weird feeling on my skin. The reviews for this product were amazing and seemed to state this does the opposite of everything I hate about normal sunscreens so I’m excited to give this a try.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Mini $20

Shout out to Sephora for honoring Quarantine birthdays! I did not purchase this, it was my birthday reward but I am so pumped to try it. I honestly have heard nothing but great things about this product. It helps to firm your skin so I was happy to choose it as my birthday gift.

I hope my Sephora skincare haul for summer inspires you to try a new product. I have spoken in the past on my blog about how important skin care is when you’re young so it’s never too late to start. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products or if you have any Sephora recommendations!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

Staple Summer Pieces

July 13, 2020

Whether you’re hanging at home or venturing out this summer, I have the perfect staple summer pieces in this post! I won’t lie, summer is such a hard season for me to want to put outfits together. It’s usually just really hot and I can’t be bothered to get too involved in a look. I do love having great basics that are staple summer pieces so that no matter what you’re doing, you always look put together!

Crop- Top Tanks

If you know me, you know I live in these all year long for lounge wear. In the summer though, I especially love to just throw these on with literally any bottom and I’m good to go. For me, tanks like these double as a bra so I can wear this with anything and I’m ready for the night or day. These tanks are from Wilfred by Artizia and are $30. They do usually go on sale but you can find similar ones on Amazon! For reference, I ordered a size small.

Over Sized T- Shirts

I realize I’m late on this trend but I love this for summer. Over sized tees are literally the comfiest thing to sleep in so why not wear them out too? I pair mine with biker shorts and chunky sneakers. It makes me look like I actually put effort into my outfit when in reality I’m so comfortable. I got this t-shirt on Nasty Gal. Unfortunately, this one is sold out so I link a similar one that is only $20! Mine is a size large.

Biker Shorts

These are absolutely a staple piece for summer and I am going to give you a hack for them. I didn’t like biker shorts on me for the longest time. I’m short and I have thick legs so they never looked flattering, until I realized I needed to buy shorter ones. Now, I wear these all the time instead of denim shorts. I absolutely can’t stand shorts in the summer so these are a great alternative! These are on Amazon for $19.99 and are one size!

Silk Pajamas

There is no better feeling than a shower after a hot day and going to sleep in AC. To elevate this feeling, I add in silk pajamas and it is everything! In the summer I tend to not wear matching pajamas as often as the fall and winter but I couldn’t resist when I saw these. I love that they’re both shorts and short sleeved but are the cutest color. This set is from Nasty Gal and is only $20!! They’re sold out in this color but I linked two other really cute colors. I got these in a size large because Nasty Gal tends to run small, but I could’ve done a medium too!

Over Sized Hoodie

This might seem weird and you’re probably wondering why I have a sweatshirt in my staple pieces for summer post. I kid you not, I have been living in hoodies because my house gets so cold in the AC on! I also love running errands with this and biker shorts because the stores are freezing this time of year. Also, pro tip, hoodies are usually on sale this time of year because no one needs them so you can seriously stock up for winter! This is the nicest hoodie I have and it is from Nasty Gal! It’s currently $20 and I got a size large.

As you can see, I like to keep it comfy and casual in the summer. With everything going on in the world today, I’m also not doing as much traveling as I usually do so I’m keeping it super simple. Let me know your staple pieces for summer or any other blog posts you’d like to see!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco!

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