Ways To Organize Your Everyday Life.

Hey guys, I'm sorry that I didn't post yesterday. I had a crazy busy work day and then my car started having issues yet again.. Needless to say, those things came first over the blog post. 

But as promised, here is your ways to be more organized in your everyday life. 

1. Keep a planner or even a small notebook that you can write down important dates, times, and events to remember, it is also great for to-do lists, grocery lists, etc. I personally use a Passion Planner Compact. It's been a big help so far.

2. Sticky notes are your best friend. Leave them in places you can see often depending on the importance of the note on them. I put them in my planner, on tons of papers at work and even in my room. 

3. Get creative and find ways that fit your schedule best, whether it's handwritten notes, or simply set reminders on your phone. There's always an app for that. 

4. When it comes to your expenses and finances, keep a binder specifically for all the papers, get page protectors and colorful tabs to separate the sections. Give everything its on place so you always know where to look.

5. Try your best to keep your room clean. I struggle with this on a daily basis but they say a clean living space can help clear your mind of clutter too, you will feel more relaxed and at peace. This goes for your work space too.

6. Set aside specified areas for your different everyday tasks. For instance, only eat food in the dining room or kitchen, only watch tv or go on the computer in the office or in the living room, and sleep only in your bedroom and not on the couch. 

7. Take time at the end of the day to plan ahead for tomorrow as much as possible, if you aren't a morning person then pack your lunch for tomorrow the night before or plan tomorrow's outfit the night before. That way you will be less stressed in the morning and won't forget anything. 

8. Don't forget to make some time for yourself and your relaxation. As much as I love planning ahead it can get to be a little too much and sort of overwhelming at times. The best way to fix this is to set aside time to do more of the things you love. 

Thanks so much for reading, stay tuned for Thursday's post on my lack of motivation to exercise struggle. It should be interesting. 

xo Cassie

Beauty Products I've Been Loving.

So I know that I have a lot of friends who love makeup and all things beauty as much as I do, so if you are one of those people or are just curious to see what products I've been loving then carry on reading. 

Eyes:

Eyeliner: Kat Von D ink liner in Trooper, It stays in place all day long sometimes even for 2 days (shhh) And for pencil liner for tight line/water line I love the Sephora crayon contour, contour eye pencil 12hr wear waterproof one. It's like $10. I also love love love the Rimmel twist up eyeliner pencil in a nude shade that I can't remember the name of. I use it for my bottom water line almost everyday.

Eyeshadow Palette: Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette. It has all the muted and smoky shades a girl could want including a feel neutrals to piece the whole look together. Just one of those palette's I've been reaching for almost every morning since the beginning of December. 

Eyeshadow Primer: Nars Pro Prime smudge proof one. It's amazing and never fails me, My eyeshadow can last a really long time if I don't take it off. 

Mascara: Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes. Need I say more.. I thought that I loved Maybelline Lash Sensational more but recently it's been clumping up my lashes like you would not believe. Some other faves include: Benefit Rollerlash and They're Real! As for a drugstore one I really love the Cover girl Clump Crusher one. 

Brows: It's always the same thing, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown. A lot of people I know swear by the Dip Brow Palmade, but I swear by this one, I use comb them with a spoolie thing and then use a small angled brush to fill them in. 

Lips

I recently picked a Soft Lips lip balm in pomegranate blueberry and it has kept my lips nice and soft this past month. 

I also finally purchased the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n Arrow. I love this shade and formula so so much, I highly recommend it. 

Face

Bronzer: I haven't been using bronzer/any contour for that matter these past few months. I don't really have the time in the mornings to do every step like I used to. But if I have to recommend a Bronzer, I love the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in the lightest shade they have, and I never look orange when I use it. 

Foundation: I've been using the Loreal Paris Infallible Pro-matte foundation in classic ivory 101. Whichever is the lightest shade because I'm so pale. I love the consistency but the coverage varies based on how you put it on and with what tools you use. I've been loving it when I use my Real Techniques beauty blender, and also with their foundation buffing brush. But recently my skin has been getting pretty dry so I've switched to the Covergirl BB Cream in Fair to Light. 

Blush: I've just been switching between the Covergirl cheekers in classic pink, It's one that I have had way longer than the expiration date but haven't thrown out yet and the Too Faced Love Flush in the shade How Deep Is Your Love?

Skin Care

My skin has been giving me all kinds of issues lately so I've been switching up my cleanser to see which one works best. 
The ones I've been using are: Laneige Multi-cleanser, Murad Cleanser, and the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. 

Moisturizer: I swear by the Neutrogena Oil Free for sensitive skin moisturizer. It is the best thing ever. Put it all over my face and neck. 

I also use the Neutrogena make up remover wipes because it's the only way I can get my liquid eyeliner and mascara to come off. But I cleanse regularly after I use the wipe. 

I just realized how long this post is. If you would like, I can do a separate post on what hair products I use, how I do my hair etc. As well as a separate post for my all time favorite nail polishes. 
As always thank you so much for reading, Monday's post will be about how to be more organized in your everyday life. 

xo Cassie

Life Updates & Harry Potter Talk

Hey guys, 

So good news is that I have lost 10 pounds! I finally hit my small goal. Now a lot more to go but I try to think in smaller steps, So now hopefully in the next week I can lose 2 more pounds, etc. That's just how I have to think in order to achieve my overall weight loss goal. 

Next on the list of things to talk about today is that I had the best time this past weekend with Chelsea, we took a spontaneous trip to Universal Studios for A Celebration of Harry Potter. We actually got to see some of the actors with our own eyes. It was so surreal. I still can't believe that it actually happened. Sadly we didn't get to meet any of them but we watched their Q&A panel on Saturday. (The actors we saw were: Rupert Grint: Ron, Katie Leung: Cho,  Evanna Lynch: Luna, Bonnie Wright: Ginny, Matthew Lewis: Neville) 

On the same related topic of Harry Potter, can we just talk about how I'm a bit miffed about the new sorting hat quiz on Pottermore. Everyone was telling me that it's so different and people are getting sorted into different houses than they were put in originally by Pottermore... So naturally I had to create a new account and take the quiz. Originally I was sorted into Ravenclaw, and it's always been the house that has made the most sense for my personality, but as the fates would have it, I too was sorted into a different house.... any guesses..... Gryffindor. 

I was genuinely upset to see Gryffindor house colors all over my new Pottermore account. I can see how I would be sorted into it because of loyalty, and bravery, etc but more of my qualities fit in with Ravenclaw better. So I'm still going to say I'm a Ravenclaw to anyone that asks. 

Anyways, sorry this post was pretty random, feel free to send me topics that you would be interested in hearing my opinion on so I can write posts about them. Thursday's post will be about my recent favorite beauty products, as well as some that just don't work for me. As always thanks for reading. 

xo Cassie 

Loving the you beyond the surface.

For the longest time I struggled with my body image. I've never really made a big deal out it in front of everyone. But I definitely have not always loved the skin that I'm in. It has taken me a quite a while to realize that loving yourself and being confident in yourself does not necessarily have anything to do with what you look like on the outside. 

Personally, I've been trying to figure out who I am and loving who I am on the inside. Because if I don't love the me beyond the surface, then there is no way that I can figure out how to love the body that God gave me. I was not blessed with a high metabolism and therefore I have to work really hard to lose weight. I can't just eat whatever I want, whenever I want because its there and it tastes good. I have to monitor what I eat, eat smaller portions/meals, have healthy snacks, and drink lots of water. 

I've been so busy with work and figuring out how to make my inner self be happy that I let my outer self go for a while. But lately its been getting easier and I've somehow managed to find a way that works for me. I monitor what I eat everyday but using this app called Lose It! You can do a whole weight loss plan and everything, and the best part is that it's free for everyone. (Not a sponsored post) Though I haven't had much time to exercise yet, I have still managed to lose 10 pounds in almost 2 months just based on changing my eating habits and cutting out soda almost entirely. 

Seeing those results on the scale twice a week and generally feeling better and not as sluggish or tired is amazing and it can only get better from here on out. The best advice I can give to any of you who are trying to gain some more confidence on the inside and the outside, is to keep track of everything, pray a lot, have a good support system (or someone who is trying to lose weight as well join you in your challenge to yourself) and to not beat yourself up for gaining a pound here and there. It's a process, just try to get to know yourself all over again. 

Once you realize that you are different now than you used to be, it will all become a lot easier. You have a lot more strength then you realize. You can do anything that you set your mind to. Don't let anyone else tell you how to be you, just do your absolute best but not over do it.  Also never lose weight because someone else wants you to. You do it for yourself, or don't. The whole point is that it is up to you and you only. 

Thank you so much for reading this, sorry if my thoughts weren't as cohesive today as they usually are, it's been a long day and I'm tired. Also if anyone is from Florida reading this then please be safe on the road and in your travels. 

xo Cassie

My Top 10 Ways to Relieve Stress for 2016

First of all how is it already January 25th?? 

Almost a whole month of 2016 has gone by and I bet the majority of you have already experienced some stressful situations. Don't worry, you are not alone. So here are my top 10 ways to relieve stress for the new year. 

1. Be organized and plan ahead! Set some goals for yourself so you are always on track towards something you wish to achieve. 

2. Do more things that make you happy. If you have a hobby, make more time for it.

3. Spend more time with the people you love. As well as spend more time with the people you wanted to spend time with last year that you didn't get the chance to. 

4. If you are having trouble waking up in the morning, take a shower before work/school. If you are having trouble getting relaxed before bed take a hot bath/shower to calm you down. 

5. Try not to sweat the small stuff. Don't let the little things get you down. 

6.  Learn to not worry so much about the things that you can't control.

7.  Get rid of as much negativity in your life as possible. It's hard and you may lose some people in your life but it will be worth it. 

8. Talk through your problems with someone else. Just make sure that you don't put all of your burdens on them or take your anger and frustrations out on them. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.

9. Don't put yourself into stressful situations. Use your better judgement and think before you act and speak, you will more than likely save yourself in the end. 

10. Don't let anyone else plan your life out for you. (except for God) Only you can change your current situation, if you are unhappy then do something about it. You don't have to be stuck in the same place for too long, you have the rest of your life to figure it all out. You don't have to have it all figured out right now. 

Thank you all for reading! Stay tuned for Thursday's post about gaining self-confidence and learning to love the you that is beyond the surface. 

xo Cassie

Things I've learned since being in a serious relationship.

So most of you may know that I've been dating my boyfriend Ian now for almost a year and half. He is honestly one of the best things to ever happen to me. Being in this relationship has taught me so much about love and myself as a person. We started dating at the beginning of my last semester of college. This has helped me grow a lot as person but in some ways it hasn't. It's not a bad thing at all it has just been one big learning experience for me.

Him and I have a great relationship, its not perfect but I wouldn't have it any other way. He understands me like no one else does, and I hope he always does even when I change throughout life. I hope he will still love me enough to always keep learning new things about me as I get older and change with age. But throughout this whole process I have learned that I can't give our relationship 100% unless I love myself and take care of myself first, mentally and emotionally. I have to be the best me I can for me and for him.

Since I've been going through all of these emotional changes and difficulties with being happy and content with who I am, though it hasn't effected our relationship, it has made me realize just how much I had been relying on him to love me when I was transitioning from being a college student to a full fledged working adult. When I did this it made me take a step away from taking the time to take care of myself and love myself, not only for who I was in college but also who I was becoming.

This is how I believe my anxiety started even though I worried, cared about, and loved Ian during that whole time. I had left my old self out in the cold without all of the old things I loved to do that used to keep me warm and happy by just being myself. For instance, like blogging, singing, making videos, painting my nails, listening to music, drinking coffee while doing my makeup, and simply enjoying my life for what it was. Instead, I just didn't even think about all of that stuff because I was "too busy" with how my life was changing, no longer being in school, moving back home, trying to find a job at the time, making time for my new relationship and deciding what I wanted to do with my life.

I was so worried about the unknown of it all and the future that was fast approaching. It felt like I had no other choice but to have it all figured out right away. I know that anxiety just doesn't go away in a day and that it is going to take some time and work to adjust and remind myself that I can always do something to change the mood I'm in. I don't have to be warn down and unhappy. "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Dumbledore

Thank you all for reading and being with through all of this. You are all one in a million. Stay tuned for Monday's post on my top 10 ways to relieve stress for 2016.

xo Cassie

Where I'm at right now..

There is something to be said about finding yourself. For starters, you never really stop finding yourself. Not to me at least. Sure every few years I will get a feeling like I really really know myself and am content and happy with who I am. But the hard part is, is that you don't stay that way. We as humans are always adapting to our new situations, surroundings, and people in our lives that we don't realize that every little change adds up and before we know it, we are a few years older and a completely different person then we used to be.

That's how I feel right now, I don't feel much like myself anymore. It's not necessarily a bad thing, that I'm different. Some things have changed for the better and others have not. This doesn't always happen to everyone and the severity of it varies. Today it hit me like a ton of bricks and not in a good way. I've been graduated from college for a little over a year now and it's taken me this long to realize that I need to make some changes for myself, to better myself and not subconsciously.

I've thought about it a lot and maybe this is what happens to most people who are transitioning from one lifestyle to the next. For instance, being put into the little bubble I like to call college and then when that bubble pops and forces you to move on to the next thing (whatever that may be) its really overwhelming and it makes you think that you have no other choice but to leave your old self behind and "grow up", be an adult right away without giving one thought on how it's going to effect you.

I just want to be who I am now combined with bits and pieces of who I was a year and half ago. I miss getting to take my time putting my makeup on while drinking my coffee, I miss spending hours on tumblr instead of writing a paper, I miss blogging, I miss singing and making videos for fun, I miss listening to inspiring music, I miss my dyed red hair, I miss painting my nails all the freaking time and posting about it, and most of all I just miss how easy going, bubbly and happy I was. Now it's all about  being mentally and emotionally self-aware and realizing that it effects others too.

From this point forward, I am going to make some changes toward my happiness. Including blogging more often and doing little things to help me relax. So if you are with me on this journey and have read everything up until this point, then I just want to say Thank you, and tell you how much you are appreciated and loved. I have always tried my best to be completely genuine with every single person I have met in my life even if we were just acquaintances. So thank you for taking interest in my feelings and what I have to say. I promise that I will be genuine and honest on here as well.

I will be posting on Monday's and Thursday's, to challenge myself and to help with self-reflection. If any of you have blogs too please feel free to send me links on Facebook. Thursday's post will be about what being in a serious long-term relationship has taught me so far. Stay tuned!!

xo Cassie