(First Ever) OOTD Stripe Wrap Sweater

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Today I looked pretty decent (in my opinion) and I thought it might be fun to do an OOTD post.  What are my thoughts after making one you ask?  I hate Wisconsin and will not be making another until spring rolls around.

Our neighbors have two little sons who were watching us from the window, without their shirts on, and hopefully they were as entertained by us as we were by them.  My brother posing in the kitchen window definitely helped as well.

Sweater//Tank Top (old- similar)//Jeans//Boots (old- similar)

I'm kind of in love with this new wrap sweater I got on clearance at Nautica for fourteen dollars.  So much so that I got two, this one and one in gray.

Katie was nice enough to take these photos for me- even though it was freezing :)

♥ Cassi ♥ 

January Goals

Linking up with Erica Ashley again this month!  I'm so bad at setting goals and keeping them, but this is fun!

What'd I want to accomplish in December?

1. On Thursday, I had both my right and my left splits.  I want to be able to keep those, all the way through winter break.

2. Stay healthy through winter break with all the sweets and such!

3. Get some posts queued up so you guys aren't left with nothing!

4. Organize everything- my desk, my room, my dance bag, my calendar.  Everything.

5. When cleaning, throw some stuff away instead of putting it all in a drawer to be dealt with later.

How'd I do?

1. Still got them!  Was weird to go back to dance on Saturday without having lost much of anything

2. Check!  I really didn't go crazy with anything.  I think spending all day making them kind of discouraged me to want to eat any haha.

We also had sugar cookies and cupcakes (96 cupcakes to be exact).  Please note this wasn't even a quarter of the gingerbread!  I used my cutter from Kortney!

3. The beginning of this month and the end of last month were a little empty, but I think it was that way for most people!

4. Um done!  What?  I don't even know how, but I did.

5. I actually did throw quite a bit away!

What do I want to accomplish this month?

1. Go over my BTI parts regularly!  Don't want to lose any progress!

-I’ll start putting this on my daily to-do list

-I can also make a reminder on my phone so that I at least think through them before bed!

2. Get on a normal(ish) sleep schedule.  Going to bed at 2 am really isn't going to fly much longer.

-Reminders on my phone will also be crucial to this.

-Logging out of Tumblr after 9 wouldn’t be a horrible idea either.

-I’ll set alarms so I get up at a decent time, which will also encourage me to go to bed at a decent time

3. Do all of the Inspire Me Blog Challenge!  I have trouble coming up with post ideas usually, so this will really help.

-I’ll just keep doing all the posts!  I haven’t really had any problems yet J

4. Stretch, stretch, stretch!

-This will also go on my to-do list

-I’ll make a habit to start stretching when I get to the studio since I’ll have a good half hour before class starts.

5. Bake more often.  I have time & it's fun to bring food in to dance haha!

What do you want to accomplish this month?

-Cassi

Inspire Me Blog Challenge 2014: January 6th

Today's prompt- What changes were made in 2013 to better yourself, or what changes will you make in 2014 to better yourself?

I don't think I really changed much in 2013.  There was a lot of "new" in my life and I was really just adjusting to make everything work.  Regardless, I believe 2013 was a great year for me.

I definitely believe there is a lot I can do in 2014 to better myself as a person.  I'd like to start by being more open.  Sharing more about myself with people when asked, even randomly talking to people more, or trying to continue conversations they've initiated.  With being more "open", I'm also going to try to be more open to new ideas, trying new things, and new people.

I'd also like to work on giving back more.  I already volunteer at a local elementary school, but there's so much more I could and should be doing.  There are a few older couples on my block that definitely don't need to be shoveling anymore.  It wouldn't be that hard to help them, even if it's just occasionally.  When we're on the boat, there are many people who are in need.  Helping could be as simple as buying them lunch.

What about you?  Did you do anything in 2013 to better yourself?  Do you have any plans to do so this year?

-Cassi

Christmas Eve

Wow.

I woke up to my Bloglovin' feed full of Christmas posts.

I hadn't even planned something for today.

This year we didn't even put up a Christmas tree or decorate at all! I have lots of cards from blogger friends cluttering my dresser though & I really like them there!

Speaking of which, I participated  the Post Exchange (again) this month!  I was actually paired with Jacq who is actually the organizer.  She was so sweet and it was nice to get to know her even more!  She sent me the cutest card and it is now sitting on my dresser.  Can I just say she has the most perfect handwriting I've ever seen?  Like, it is absolutely perfect.  Unbelievably perfect and I'm very jealous!

Have a beautiful Christmas Eve & eat lots of Christmas cookies!!

Best wishes
Cassi

5 Little Grins #9

<a href="http://globsoflipstickandclumpsofmascara.blogspot.com/search/label/5%20Little%20Grins" target="_blank"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fb1b81a9b1ad6d17c9317ea03174589/tumblr_mucw6eXUKG1s3gqbyo1_400.png" alt=" 5 Little Grins " width="350" height="246" /></a>

In case this is your first week, here's what it's all about.  Generally Mondays are considered pretty sucky right?  Well, let's change that.  Instead of focusing on what sucks about Monday, we'll talk about what made us smile throughout the rest of the week, to start the week on a positive note!

The Rules!  (These are really just kind suggestions)

1. Follow your hosts: Cassandra, Raewyn, and Paulina!

2. Link up your post that includes 5-ish things that made you smile in the past week

3. Comment after you link up

4. Go visit some other blogs and make some friends!

5. Have fun, and don't forget to smile!!

My 5 Little Grins from this week include. . .

1. Winning a giveaway from Melissa!

2. Learning a dance in Jazz to a really great song

3. Having solid triples on Thursday in Jazz

4. Being flat in both my right and my left splits on Thursday.  (I guess Thursday was a big day for me?)

5. Waking up to homemade doughnuts this morning!

-Cassi

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The Sunday Currently

Lots of link-ups today I guess!  So, today I'm also joining the Sunday Currently!

Reading- Requiem by Lauren Oliver.  I read the first two a while ago and then kind of forgot about the series.  oops!

Writing- An essay for school. 

Listening- Sweater Weather by The Neighborhood

Thinking- About how much I need a nap!

Smelling- Bread cooking!  Yum.

Wishing- I had the energy to clean.

Hoping- That my Achilles gets better.  We start Alice in Wonderland rehearsals this weekend.

Wearing- Sweats

Loving- These doughnuts my dad made last night.  SO good.

Wanting- A nap

Needing- To be productive

Feeling- EXHAUSTED.  I haven't gotten more than 4 hours of sleep in a night for a VERY long time.

Clicking- Spotify!  Finishing up a playlist for our New Years party.

-Cassi

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December Goals

I'm linking up with Erica Ashley today and sharing my December goals with you!

1. On Thursday, I had both my right and my left splits.  I want to be able to keep those, all the way through winter break.

2. Stay healthy through winter break with all the sweets and such!

3. Get some posts queued up so you guys aren't left with nothing!

4. Organize everything- my desk, my room, my dance bag, my calendar.  Everything.

5. When cleaning, throw some stuff away instead of putting it all in a drawer to be dealt with later.

That's about it.  Have a nice Sunday and don't forget to come back and link up your 5 Little Grins with us tomorrow!

-Cassi

P.S. If you're interested (to go along with number 3) we would love to have you guest post.  Give us a shout here or leave us a comment somewhere!

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Snow.

Yesterday, I was helping my dad make tortillas for with lunch, literally all I did was cook them on the griddle, at which point I noticed it was snowing.  Like not just heavy rain that looks like it could be snow.  Actual snow.  I was super excited, and really didn't mind that it wasn't sticking.  We had to drive to dance that night anyway so I figured crazy drivers would go out right wack with snow on the ground.  Anyways, even when it started sticking I was still happy.  I'm quite a big fan of snow, although lots of people around here hate it.  (If you don't like snow, you really shouldn't live in Wisconsin huh?)

Our tortillas, which weren't very circular, but were pretty good.

We passed 4 accidents, one including 7 cars. 

Have a beautiful Tuesday and don't for get to link-up with us!

-Cassi

Modern Family Nicole by OPI Nail Polish

A “Modern” Take on Classic Color!

Nicole by OPI Introduces Five NEW Modern Family Shades for the Holidays   

Nicole by OPI announces new limited edition Modern Family Holiday nail lacquers! Featuring five shimmering shades – classic blue, rich scarlet, royal purple, holographic glitter and multi-dimensional gold – these holiday-inspired hues offer a range of color that can be used to create on-trend, seasonal nail looks.

“These festive lacquers make it easy to get into the holiday spirit!” declares Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “With rich jewel tones and glitter, Modern FamilyHoliday shades add classic color and sparkle to winter weather fashion, turning manicures into bejeweled accessories for special holiday occasions.”

The new Modern Family Holiday nail lacquers from Nicole by OPI include:

Late Blu-mer
Vintage blue jeans that have stood the test of time.

Spark the Conversation
This holographic glitter coat is the talk of the town.

Who Red My Journal???
This scandalous scarlet is private property!

You're My Treasure
This three-dimensional gold has riches beyond my wildest dreams.

Aren't Families Grape?
A dramatic royal purple worthy of any sibling rivalry.

Limited edition Modern Family Holiday nail lacquer will be available November 2013 for $7.99 each at select CVS locations nationwide. For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

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About Nicole by OPI:

Nicole by OPI offers a salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.

What’s On Your Wish List Giveaway

What’s On Your Wish List Giveaway

Organized by Mom Powered Media and the MPM Blogger Network.

Co-hosted by these amazing bloggers: Life According To GreenVics, Mrscpkc - Personal Memoir and Lifestyle Blog, My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Mama Orquesta & Miami 4 You, Libby's Library, Barefoot In Bluejeans, The Jenny Evolution, Capri's Coupons, DownshiftingPRO, Plum Crazy About Coupons, Giveaway Bandit, Growing Up Bilingual and Making of a Mom.

Have you already started thinking about what you want for Christmas?  I hadn't until I started getting asked! Can you believe it?  It's still October!  So here are some of the things I asked for.  I know a lot of them are shorts and tank tops and such, but I really dress for dance most of the time!

When it is Okay to Start Listening to Christmas Music (& When You Should Stop)

Hey guys!  Usually, I schedule my posts.  That's why most of them go up at 6am CST.  I have been exceptionally lazy recently and haven't so there's that.  It is kind of driving me crazy though.  Since one of my October goals was to blog every day for the entire month, it has been pretty hard to come up with something to blog about every day.  I think a lot of the content I've been giving you really isn't all that great.  DON'T WORRY.  In November, I will go back to posting less frequently, but still around 3 times a week!

Moving Home (AKA A Huge Pain in the Ass)

We slept at home for the first time since May last night.

That probably doesn't seem like a huge deal.  It really was, though.  Yesterday, in the afternoon, we took a few car loads of stuff back and forth.

I think it is a lot worse to move home from the boat, than to move out there.  Just because we have so much stuff put away in different areas since all the storage space is mostly hidden and out of the way. Plus, when you're living somewhere 7 months out of the year, you generally have more clothing and such there.  Luckily, I can leave my swimsuits, shorts, and some tank tops out there.

This means, though, that a lot of my posts will be shorter while we are still working on getting everything put away.  My Influenster reviews will be out soon though, so be on the look out for those! Don't forget to link up with Raewyn, Paulina, and I here!

-Cassi

The End of This Year's Boating Season (& Why I'm a Little More Upset than I Let On)

New here?

Six years ago, my dad was off from work for about 3 week and bored out of his mind.  Apparently buying a boat was the best way to cure this boredom.  (Uhh if I went shopping every time I got bored I would be broke.) It was a 23' jet boat and we kept it on the Chain of Lakes in Antioch, Illinois.  It was fun at first.  The Chain seemed so huge and we thought we'd be able to do stuff for a while.  This wasn't the case.  All the lakes were pretty small.  We couldn't even get the boat up to full speed in the short distance across.  There weren't many restaurants and the ones that we did go to were all the same anyways.

This inspired my parents to start looking for larger boats.  Maybe one we could sleep on.  It would be cool to get a boat we could put on Lake Michigan- "the big lake".  They started shopping around and we found one in Michigan they really liked.  So after just 2 short seasons on the Chain of Lakes we were on a new, bigger boat in a new, bigger lake.

December Gradient!

So this is my first ever gradient, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out! :)

 

 

I used China Glaze Sky High Top & Fairy Dust, OPI How's it Snowing, What's With the Cattitude, & Teal the Cows Come Home, and Sinful Colors Snow Me White.  I think the glitter thumb would have looked better and added dimension if I had used Teal the Cows Come Home under it.  I think the best gardient was probably my pointer finger on my left hand- it was the second one I did!

 

-C