I Went to Spain...

and it was gorgeous! 

Merry Xmas!

Cassie Heads to SantaCon

Anyone else head to SantaCon this weekend? My friends and I woke up bright and early, or around 9:30am (hey, a girl has got to sleep!) and headed into NYC. It was a beautiful day and I was dressed to kill...in my Santa gear. Okay, it was a little half-assed. The costume situation varied from a "Hipster" Jesus to Gingerbread Men and Walking & Talking Dreidels...no costume was too "out there" or controversial; the Christmas and Hanukkah spirit was within us all! I wore: black leggings, a long sleeve Red waffle tee, camel colored Desert boots, a Santa hat, my J. Crew peacoat and my first ever eBay purchase, a black PRADA messenger bag.

I'm on the left with my friend, Sarina, on Fulton Street!

What did you wear to SantaCon, did you love it as much as I did? 

'Tis the season to SHARE your stories!

The Bohemian Lifestyle

I stumbled upon this image today while browsing Tumblr and let me tell you, everyone needs a little more of dreaming in their life. Recently it seems like all I do is imagine the possibilities...what's out there for me?

I have been going through so much lately: job applications, dating, plans to move into the city, and a huge trip to Spain (in 11 days!). I don't know where life is going to take me, but I know that if I keep a positive attitude and continue dreaming and hoping that things will work out, something truly amazing will happen.

This is a Cheer-ocracy!

Anytime I see Kirsten Dunst I have immediate flashbacks to the movie Bring It On. Not sure why and not sure if I like it or her for that matter. I know, I'm being really harsh right now. Anyway, I just stumbled upon this editorial of her and actually love it. Maybe it's just that I really love fruit-loops and bright red lips...

I hope everyone had a wonderful and amazing Thanksgiving!

Black Leather

So I have never been obsessed with leather...or Versace for that matter. While I love crazy out-there fashion, Versace just seemed a little too over the top for me. Not in the over the top way that makes Betsey Johnson cartwheel down the runway (that's just awesome) but in a way that just made me want to live in denim jeans, white tee's and a pair of relaxed combat boots--ya dig?

But something changed, guys...really! I saw the Versace for H&M collection and fell in love. Studded mini dress with a cinched leather belt...with a fitted leather jacket to top it all off? I don't know what I love more; the contrast between the gold jewelry, studs and black leather or the short mini-dress which makes me want to put on my tallest, most bad-ass heels and go dancing at Kiss and Fly until 4am. Tell me, do you love it?

I Guess I'm Back

So every experience you undergo is a chance to learn more about yourself, right? Well, lucky for me I am on the brink of something NEW, something GREAT (hopefully) and something unexpected. Sorry to be so ambiguous but I haven't been around for a little while so I don't know how I will possibly catch everyone up on my life. Things got super busy at work (I guess that's how it always is at start ups) and then things died down...quite literally. So here's to learning something new about myself. Be ready for some changes on here...because I am definitely not the same girl I was a few short months ago. So for now I will just say, Que Sera Sera.

My (Almost) Break-Up Letter

Dear friends,

Okay, this is kind of a break-up letter, but I don't want it to be. Life has been so crazy lately, in tons of amazing ways. I have a great job that I love however, it takes up a TON of my time. I have had hardly a second to see friends, relax or even breathe (well okay, breathe, eat, exercise, and sleep are still happening...homegirls gotta do the basics, especially eat!). I'm hoping to pick this blog back up soon but I don't know when I'll have a second to post. Right now I am sitting in my living room typing this post; I got back from work at 8pm on a FRIDAY, and I thought, "Cassie, you need to take a hiatus from blogging" and this is what I am going to do.

Just know...I still want to be friends, even when I am on my extended blogging vacation and I am still reading and commenting on as many posts as I can...I truly love you all and appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my posts!

*****If any of you ladies are planning to come to NYC or are located in NYC let's meet up! It's about time us bloggy friends become meet-up friends :) Keep up with me on Twitter, I have a serious tweeting bug.

Love to love you all!

Xoxo,
Cassie

Warholize Me

Do it because it's fun!

Warholize Me

Note: My heart goes out to all those lost on September 11, 2001.

I am so proud to be an American!

Some Thing-A-Ling's

A few things..

1. I am on the brink of figuring out who the heck I am...I've been told "discovering" myself comes with time, experience and travel. My Euro-trip has been postponed due to my new job and my attempt at pinching pennies so I can move into the city soon-ish.
2. As much as I want to move in to NYC I must admit, I'm TERRIFIED! I love being home and the comfort of it all. My parents are amazing and always there for me, the fridge is always stocked and I can lounge around without a care in the world...did I mention it's FREE!
3. I am scared that as a post-grad I will never find a group of friends to replace the amazing people I left after graduation. I had such a tight-knit group up in RI. Now that my friends and I aren't in the same state anymore I can't help but feel terrified and lonely. 
4. I bought a new bracelet today, I painted my nails in Essie's Wicked, Princess Diaries is on ABC Family and I am having some delicious vanilla/chocolate/peanut butter fro-yo with cinnamon puffins for dessert...okay, my life is pretty darn good (ending on a happy note).

Strawberry Saturday

When the morning light streamed through my window (at ahem, ~6:30am) I felt totally relaxed and calm. After a great and productive work-week, an awesome farewell dinner for my little sister last night (leaving for UMASS today) and a ton of plans and tasks for the weekend (DIY project, Long Beach surf competition, Brooklyn flea, tryin' to get an iphone y'all!) I am feeling pretty good about life. So why not have a Strawberry Saturday?

Hot oats, fresh strawberries, peanut butter, grape preserves, banana, egg-whites & cinnamon.

Sharing is Caring

So I forgot to take my WIAW pictures...again! I have just been going nuts lately with work and figuring out my new schedule! Any way, remember yesterday when I told you how I may be on the Wendy Williams Show...well first step of the process was to make a short YouTube video explaining why I want to be on the show and her FNO Correspondent. Why not share the video? It's pretty silly and remember: this was after a long day and commute from NYC--maybe I am delirious in it. Figured I'd give everyone a laugh on hump day!

Updates!

Sorry I haven't been posting/commenting lately--I miss you all a ton! I have been super busy because...I OFFICIALLY HAVE A JOB! Oh, and I got an awesome phone call last night. I have an audition to be the Fashion's Night Out Correspondent for the Wendy Williams Show!!!

Life is beautiful :) 

Can't Do Wrong

Seriously, Isabel Marant CANNOT do wrong. Every single look she creates is just amazing; the colors, the layering, the textures, the patterns. I don't know how she does it but every look mixes subtle sexiness and tom-boyish-ness (word? Or did I just invent that?). Whether she couples sequined cigarette pants with a patterned sheer top or pairs cutoff denim shorts with a chunky winter sweater and thigh high boots, everything looks so comfy, relaxed and PERFECT!

Who is your favorite designer(s)? Mine is hands down Isabel Marant...okay, with some Ralph Lauren mixed in! 

Putting My Big Girl Pants On

Yesterday left me drained--mentally, physically...just done. I could barely keep my eyes open during my commute home, and I just wanted to cry. Sorry for the sad illustration of my evening, but I realized something when I woke up this morning...life goes on. I took today off from the gym because I really need a rest day (or 2), ate a great breakfast, and put on my favorite feel-good outfit. Now, I'm not saying these little tweaks can make all my problems from yesterday vanish, but it lets me know that there are still things I can do to make myself feel good. The important thing for me to remember is to NOT bask in my misery. You know; just stew in it, let it boil up, utterly consume every part of me. No Sir! I need to nip these feelings in the bud, discover how to make myself feel better and get over it.

I'll try to end on a happy note: any advice for how to meet new people--not necessarily guys, but that wouldn't hurt either ;) I find that moving back home has been a challenge. My friends and I are never in the same place anymore and we all have completely opposite schedules! I want to find another group of friends, not to replace my oldest and dearest, mind you, but to just put myself out there, find a new hobby, learn some new things about myself. Any advice? Know websites to check out? Places to go? Etc. I'm in the New York City area so it shouldn't be that hard, right? Open to all suggestions. Thanks and Happy Hump Day (finally!)

Picture Recap: My Weekend

I don't want to bore you all with tons of reading today. Okay, okay...I'm just really tired and didn't feel like typing much. Here are some pictures from the Brooklyn Flea Market. Check it out if you are ever in Brooklyn on a Saturday or Sunday! 

*Poor photo-quality, thanks to my hated beloved Blackberry!* 

Brooklyn Flea Market

Today I went to the Brooklyn Flea Market and let me tell you...it didn't disappoint. I have heard mixed reviews. Some people--aka Me :)--find the BKFlea to be a treasure trove of goodies, while others find it to be filled with used, and worn junk. I loved sifting through tons of colorful paintings, old records, original jewelry and gently worn clothes and accessories. There is something so romantic about the stories behind each and every one of these pieces. Who did they belong to? What kind of memories were made with them? Today I scored an amazing vintage Dooney & Bourke bag for $38 and a gold horseshoe necklace (pictures to come!). The woman who sold me the purse was adorable, placing a "lucky penny" in the zippered pouch of the bag, "because we can all use a little more luck," she said. I liked her way of thinking and I loved the laid back vibe of the Brooklyn Flea at Fort Greene; I can't wait to explore the one in Williamsburg too!

Does anyone else love flea markets? Thrifting? Score anything good? 

The Issue: Eating

Hey, all! I know the title of my post is a little drab, and I in no way am trying to indicate a problem with eating (disclosing that first and foremost!). I love eating, I love everything about it--the tastes, the textures, from the steam rising off my hot oats in the morning to the creamy and smooth smoothie I knock back after workouts. I am having a little trouble though and I'd love every one's advice.

Lately I have been hungry. Not just hungry, but HUNGRY! Can you see the difference. Actually, I won't lie to you all. I'm not all that hungry, I just want to eat...it seems to be spiraling out of control lately and it's scaring me. I remember myself overweight and so unhappy during my high school years and I never want to go back there again. I love looking in the mirror and feeling fit and confident. So if I feel this way when I look in the mirror why do I run to the kitchen, feeling like I have been in starvation mode, making 3 bags of popcorn and shoveling them in my mouth like an uncontrollable beast?

How do you deal with hunger? How do you practice healthy eating? I have been such an extremist (in every aspect of my life) and have gone from binge eating to hardly eating (I don't want to get back into that either). I'd love any advice how to deal with these feelings, or how to figure out this whole "eating" process, it truly has me stumped.

Lusting...

The Boho-Chic 

NEHA Handbag

Short Hair...Don't Care

I did it--the "long hair, don't care" girl became the "short hair, don't care" girl! 

Short Hair Blues

Sometimes I put WAY too much emphasis on my hair. Let me break it down for you all--I hide behind my hair. I love my hair. I wear it down so it flows down my back. I scoop it into a bun, placing it high on my head, reaching Cindy Lou Who from Whoville territory. I even like whipping my hair when I dance (I'm no Willow Smith, but I whip it back and forth now and again).

However, recently I have wanted to do something different. No, I don't want to chop 10 inches off, nor do I want to shave my whole head a la GI Jane (although, I wish I was brave enough to do so). But, I want something lighter, something flowy, something fun, and different. 

You know how I've been posting about "being you," and not giving a s*** about what anyone else says?--sorry, inner-badass surfacing--but that's what I want, to just cut my hair because I want to. Not worry about how it won't be as long, or how I can no longer hide behind it anymore. With all that said, I am going to work up the courage to get my hair cut today.

I've faced some fears in the past few weeks, so why not face my "short" hair fear. "What have you faced, Cassie?" you may be asking yourself. Well, dear friends...

• Leaving the security of a paid position in a weeks time to figure out what I want to do with my life: work-wise.
• Planning a solo trip to Madrid and Rome--I've always wanted to go abroad in college but fear held me back, Ciao to that!
• Told a friend how I really feel about a toxic friendship we have been in: it's never healthy to let things stew.
• Broke my eating and exercise rules: meticulous portion measuring, eating the SAME thing every day, working out EVERY day, and killing myself over all of it. Food and exercise freedom is truly exhilarating if you try it and stick with it. It's hard but so worth it.

Anyone else feel the same? Maybe I'll just quote Matchbox Twenty, right now...

"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell. Just stay a while a maybe then you'll see, a different side of me." 

(PS: Sorry for the Pauly D. advertisement if you click the song link haha)

The Art of Appreciation

I've tweeted and posted so many times about my love of city living (well...city working/partying/adventuring/etc...the living in/moving in part I'm still working on). Working so much has left little time for blogging and while it bums me out, I hope everyone stays with me, even though I can't post as often. I have found a sense of community here, and while it seems strange to say that I have formed friendships with perfect strangers...I can't help but say it, because I have!

Back to the topic of the city...walking in the city today and seeing everything around me made me so appreciative of the things I have and the things I have overcome. I guess I experienced a type of epiphany. A huge part of this is body image. I would go on and on about it but I think that Natalie did such a great job posting about "body love" that you should just head to Cinnamon Bums and read her post for yourself. Appreciation is something I non-stop wondered about this morning. I have such a huge appreciation for my family and friends and everything they have given and provided me with, be it tangible or invisible. I should appreciate my body and not FREAK OUT over imagined flaws, I should love my personality because it truly displays who I am; goofy, motivated, opinionated, loving, caring, adventurous, friendly, and intelligent.

We all need to appreciate everything we have and not constantly think of how we need to improve, change, mold, grow. While all these things are great, sometimes it's also nice to stay in the moment and give yourself a nice pat on the back for being awesome...right now--not in an hour, or a week, or a year from now, but right now!

Via

Watch My Shoes

Okay, now I have the Lil Wayne song stuck in my head...oh, well! I had to post because I just got the coolest, most amazing shoes ever; the Alex Camp in blue by The Frye Company. I love, love, love 'em! Best part: I paid half of the retail price, *victory cry!!!*

Hope everyone is having an awesome day :)

Catching Up

I've been away for so many days...well, not really away, but away from all you beautiful people. I've tried to comment on all of your blogs but my Google reader is OUT. OF. CONTROL. and it's a little hard to catch up--and very intimidating, I may add. Hopefully this weekend will be filled with catching up on blogs, laying by my pool and going to COSTCO...because really, who doesn't love buying bulk-items? Let me rephrase: I'm a weirdo that loves going to COSTO and buying everything in bulk. Diet Snapple, Dr. Praeger's veggie burgers, Organic salsa, industrial size bag of carrots...the works :) I also have a recipe or two that I have been dying to try out so I WILL be blogging this weekend.

Fyi: I'm blowing up the Twitter world--follow me, let's be friends :)

Sweaty New Yorkers...did I get your attention?

Lately I've been so busy. SUPER BUSY. Wake up at 4:50am and home by 7:30pm kind of busy. Sadly, blogging has taken a backseat to so many new experiences and opportunities. It's hard to go from posting a ton to hardly posting at all, but hopefully everything finds balance soon. All I know is that if there were no 5am gym sessions then I would have no idea people actually wore "Rex Kwon Do" pants a la Napoleon Dynamite to work out. No 7:01am train would mean I would completely miss catch up time with one of my best friends and "seat-buddy" Kim. No 9am work schedules would mean I wouldn't know so many amazing people, laugh my head off, and absolutely LOVE making the 1+ hour commute. And if I missed the 6:08pm train home? Let's just say I'd miss a ton of sweaty, grouchy, loud-phone-talking New Yorkers, hoping to sit next to me on the train...because I always get a prime spot :) Hey, at least they give me something to laugh about! So here's to new beginnings--hard to get used to but worthwhile in the end!

Livin' in Color

So the grad. party was an all around good time. Looking back on the night, I can't help but think about how my personality has changed. In the past I was always a black and white type of person. But over the past few months (post-grad), I've encountered so many changes that it would be impossible to think so extremely...black...white--good thing too, because I look ravishing in colors other than black, like coral for example ;) Anyway, back to the point I've been trying to make. At the party I ran into friends/acquaintances I haven't seen in years--and you know what? I liked them. All of them. Which makes me think...why did I pass such harsh judgements on people in the past? Why did I shut myself off from so many great people that surrounded me? I am completely different than my high school self (thank God!) and so much happier post-grad than I ever could have imaged.

By the way, I'm wearing: Maxi dress: Marshalls // Wedges: Dolce Vita for Target // Belt: Borrowed/stolen from Mom // Watch: Michael Kors

Here's to living a beautiful life! 

The Party

I need some help! Tomorrow is my friend K's graduation party and I have no idea what to get her; to make matters worse, I'm on a limited budget (aren't we all). Oh, and it's also her twin sister's grad party too (do I get her something as well?). Ah! What to do. WHAT. TO. DO. Any ideas--pretty, cheap, thoughtful...all three qualities wrapped into a little white box with a red ribbon would be wonderful :)

Another party I am attending this weekend--the arm party! I had one this week and let me tell you, it's hard typing and banging away on a keyboard all day with a massive arm party--I think this trend is perfect for the weekend though; no unnecessary bits of writing, no periods of silence only to be disrupted by the bang of my bangles against a desk or keyboard. Yes, this weekend is perfect for an arm party...I quite like this one...

Via

Grad. gift ideas?

Do you love arm parties too? 

Yes, I call them arm parties :)

WIAW *happy dance*

I finally remembered to take pictures of all (okay, most) of my food *happy dance,* so now I can truly be a WIAW girl like the rest of the lovely ladies over at Peas and Crayons! Here's the break down:

Snacks also included: 2 granny smith apples, some raspberries, yogurt and 1 cup puffins original cereal. 

My appetite has been out of control lately; but I keep reminding myself that since I am working out so much, I need to constantly refuel.

So excited for my rest day tomorrow--DEEP BREATH :)

Purple, Print...no not together

Morning all! Another work week grind, don't you just love it? Despite my 4:30am wake up, to hit the gym at 5, to make the train at 7, to get to work at 8:45, to work until 6ish, get home around 7:30pm; I'm pretty energetic. What is making me happy this morning?

• New leopard print canvas tote bag from the GAP ($10 on sale at the outlets)
• New sandals (minor wedge heel...nothin' serious people--my feet got torn up last week because of my *enter twitter hashtag* #supercuteshoes) from BASS Outfitters...also on sale :)
• Finally got a pedi this weekend and love the color--Essie Lilacism 

What's making you happy this morning? Or today? 

Tell me, tell me, tell me <3

Eggy Oats & Pushing Yourself

Good morning! It is certainly a beautiful one--sunny skies, soft breeze--praying for a little drop in temperature though (high of 108 F yesterday, WHAT?!) Any who, after reading tons of blogs like Feeding Brain and Body and Running with Spoons, I was really craving some eggy-ish oats. I wanted an egg white omelet this morning, but needed my oat fix too so what did I do? Scrambled some egg whites, placed it over hot oats, added in the fixings (freshest blueberries EVER, chunky peanut butter, grape preserves, sliced nanner, half a bottle some cinnamon) and blam! Best. Breakfast. Ever. Repeat every day for the rest of my life?

As for pushing "yourself" which, really just means myself. I think it's become really hard for me to balance working so many hours and having a social life. It's just that I'm tired after a week of waking up at 4:50am for the gym, commuting to the city, working 8:45am-6ishpm, and getting home past 7:30pm...it's just a long day. Once it's the weekend all I want to do is go to the gym, eat until my stomach explodes, lay on a lounge chair, and spend copious amounts of time strolling through Target/Marshalls/Whole Foods. But...I (and you) need to push ourselves if we're in this "rut." Being around people is healthy and necessary and just FUN, so freakin' do it, okay? I will too :)

Do you like egg/whites in your oats?

Any advice for busting out of this work-rut?

Love you all, sorry I've been away for a while--for all that want to know: Teen Vogue wasn't as cool as I hoped, oh well! 

WIWIA + WIW

Home-girl is tired...let me tell you. I am still getting used to working so many hours--it's truly exhausting (but I'm sure you guys know all about that...I'm just whining, sorry!) Anyway, I wish I took pictures of my food for WIAW. Obviously that didn't happen AGAIN (bad blogger). However, I am changing it up this week (sorry Jenn) and doing a remix on the standard WIAW, this is the WIWIA (what I wish I ate). Since I'm short-changing everyone this week (okay, 3rd week in a row, I suck) I am going to add in a WIW (what I wore), free of charge, do you love me again?

So WIWIA? 

(Please note: I did not take any of the pictures for the food portion of this post but I am crediting them :)

Breakfast: Hot oats a la Running with Spoons

Lunch: Salad Beast via A Knack for Nutrition

Dinner: Pesto Veggie Manicotti by our very own Peas and Crayons 

As for WIW: this what I wore to a recent event in NYC

(taken by a friend--Instagram on her iPhone)

Shorts: J. Crew

Wedge Booties: Bass Outfitters

Pocket t-shirt: GAP

Chambray button-down: Bass Outfitters

Necklace: Calvin Klein 

Watch: Michael Kors

I'm heading to bed...okay, maybe after I eat one of these and read a few chapters of Summer in the South by Cathy Holton.

Woke Up Wanting Pancakes...

But since I woke up at 4:30 a.m. in order to get a 40 minute cardio session and 30 minute lift (arms today) in, I sadly couldn't partake in any kind of pancake party. I have been dying to try out this recipe that I found at Tone It Up and I will definitely be making these pancakes for dinner tonight. Hopefully my pancakes will look as delicious as the ones pictured below...I'll snap some quick shots tonight!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (organic rice protein or whey)- visit your local nutrition store or wholefoods!
• 1/2 banana (mashed)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbs flaxseed
• Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries after the above ingredients are mixed together.

Directions:

Pour into a pan that has been sprayed with olive oil cooking spray- heat on medium.  Cook one side until you see the little bubbles... just like cooking any pancake! Flip over (careful!) and cook on the other size until the middle is done (peek inside with a fork). Top with two sliced strawberries and optional powdered stevia. ENJOY your protein pancakes!  :)  If you need more carbohydrates, you may add 1-tbs agave or organic maple syrup on top.

Side note: Would anyone want to start seeing some of my work-outfits? I know I originally started blogging with a fashion-focus...healthy living blogging just took over my life, not that I'm complaining ;) Just figured I'd ask. Have a great day everyone.

What I Learned...

1. Anything that I deem "bad" at first can and will eventually turn around if I find a way to turn negatives into positives
2. After a lack of hot oats for 5 days strait NOTHING tasted better than breakfast this morning
3. Not writing every single thing I eat a day is so liberating, I can't even describe this feeling...
4. Having a shoe named after me will be pretty darn cool (more details to come in the near future)
5. Being promised 2 FREE pairs of shoes from an awesome designer is the cherry on the top of a perfect Friday
6. Working is truly not "work" if I love every second of what I'm doing...and do not even want to go home early on a Friday
7. I will feel like a major BAMF when I get to visit Teen Vogue next Friday :)

Learn anything this work week?

I'm off to the gym, then doing a major TJ's grocery haul, working ALL day, and I couldn't be happier about it!

If I can make it to the beach too, my life will be complete...oh, and a pedicure would be nice! Any color recommendations?

Ziplock Bags Full of Food...oh, and Some Fashion

Due to my recent hectic life I have been forced to transport my food as follows:

Breakfast: Dannon Light and Fit yogurt, Granny Smith apple, Red seedless grapes, 1c. Puffins original flavor, water

 

Lunch: Sandwich- Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Spinach leaves, 100cal flat bread, Granny Smith apple, Nature Valley granola bar, Diet Raspberry Snapple

Don't make fun...zip-lock bags have feelings too :)

BTW: Check out my last post for some great snacking/packing food ideas in the comments section!

So despite the fact that I haven't had hot oats in 4 days...major, major :( aka sad face, I have seen some really cool stuff! I'll leave you with pictures because I can't keep my eyes open...my tweets say it all.

I'm deliriously exhausted (but oh so happy with how things are turning out!) 

One look I saw at Première Vision Preview New York!

Another look from Première Vision Preview New York

Spring shoes from the Nicole Shoes collection--I visited the showroom

Fall 2012 Oxfords by Nicole Shoes