Tuesday, October 15, 2013

My Weekend



We tested water at the beach on Friday!  One of the women down at the marina 'adopted' them so now she records some different tests twice a year.

Katie and I drew an interesting picture Saturday afternoon

Can we talk about Katie's hair for the wedding?   

 I thought this was super cute!

Umm chandelier?  haha

This cake was lemon and chocolate. . . 

The aftermath of letting Katie sit in our car with her glittery dress!

Dinghy pig pile!

-Cassi

Monday, October 14, 2013

101 in 1001 #37 Take Over 100 Pictures

You can see my 101 in 1001 as well as my progress here.

The 37th  item on my list was to take well over 100 photos in a month.  With everything that has happened this month- the craft fair, getting my VoxBox, doing all the experiments at the beach, the wedding, and pulling out the dinghys- I was able to definitely do that!

-Cassi

Mail Monday, My 100th Post, and a Giveaway!

So this was another week with not too much mail!  I got my Influenster Varsity VoxBox and the November Cosmo.  I got a free subscription through Mercury Magazines a while ago.  I don't really read it, but there were quite a few nice pages I used to make envelopes!


This week, in celebration of the 3rd Mail Monday, the beginning of 5 Little Grins, and this being my 100th post, I'm going to be giving away some Magazine envelopes again!  Last week, Allison won.

a Rafflecopter giveaway -Cassi

Sunday, October 13, 2013

5 Little Grins #1

5 Little Grins
<a href="http://globsoflipstickandclumpsofmascara.blogspot.com/2013/10/5-Little-Grins.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fb1b81a9b1ad6d17c9317ea03174589/tumblr_mucw6eXUKG1s3gqbyo1_400.png" alt=" 5 Little Grins " width="350" height="246" /></a>

We'll go ahead and say it: Most people think Mondays suck / are the worst / should die a fire-y death. I'm sure you get the picture.

We've all had our fair share of bad Mondays and bad Tuesdays and just plain ol' bad days. Instead of focusing on the bad, what if we focused on the good things?

What if we focused on the little things that made us smile today, yesterday, last week? Could our whole attitude change? In time, would we find that we're having more good days than bad?

Cassandra, Paulina and Raewyn would love for you to join us on our weekly link up counting at least 5 things that made you smile in the last week. We could start our Mondays on this positive note!

Of course, this is all about encouragement, so hop on over to some other blogs and leave a positive note and make a new friend!

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. . .

On Tuesday I wore my hair just in a pony tail instead of a bun to lyrical and tap and a few girls from  in my class told me they thought it was pretty!

When we were at the house on Tuesday, before leaving for dance I checked the mail and my Varsity VoxBox was there!  After all the stress I went through last time, only to find the USPS threw it out, I was extremely happy to see that this one got here!

Finding out on Wednesday that I am still capable of doing fouettes, even though it has been forever!

Getting to learn an amazing variation on Thursday for pointe.

E-mailing (and skype messaging) throughout the week with Paulina and Raewyn!


Saturday, October 12, 2013

My Dance Wishlist

I wear leotards and tights way more than normal clothes generally and here are some of the ones I want right now! 















Unfortunately, I have to wear royal blue for ballet, and practically nothing comes in that color.  The best I have is black for jazz and lyrical.


Friday, October 11, 2013

5 Little Grins Link Up Announcement

5 Little Grins
<a href="http://globsoflipstickandclumpsofmascara.blogspot.com/2013/10/5-Little-Grins.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fb1b81a9b1ad6d17c9317ea03174589/tumblr_mucw6eXUKG1s3gqbyo1_400.png" alt=" 5 Little Grins " width="350" height="246" /></a>

We'll go ahead and say it: Most people think Mondays suck / are the worst / should die a fire-y death. I'm sure you get the picture.

We've all had our fair share of bad Mondays and bad Tuesdays and just plain ol' bad days. Instead of focusing on the bad, what if we focused on the good things?

What if we focused on the little things that made us smile today, yesterday, last week? Could our whole attitude change? In time, would we find that we're having more good days than bad?

Cassandra, Paulina and Raewyn would love for you to join us on our weekly link up counting at least 5 things that made you smile in the last week. We could start our Mondays on this positive note!

Of course, this is all about encouragement, so hop on over to some other blogs and leave a positive note and make a new friend!

Starting Monday, October 14th

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Influenster Varsity VoxBox 2013

I got all this for free from Influenster, in exchange for my honest reviews across social media platforms along with engaging with the brand.  I am not being paid to review said items.

Guess what I found in the mail on Tuesday when we were at the house!  (You probably already read the title though, right?)

Please note that I was entirely too excited, thanks to USPS THROWING OUT MY LAST VOXBOX to take nice pictures.  In the individual review posts they will be better.  I pinky promise.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

101 in 1001 #42 Answer the 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind

The other day I finally made a 101 in 1001 list!  Go check it out here.

So now I'm at 1/101!

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Probably 16ish
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
In the moment, it can feel like failing, but in the long run never trying is always worse.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
To impress people we don’t like.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
It’s about even actually.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
There are so many people in so much pain and it’s absolutely horrible
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Teaching dance to 7-15 year olds
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
Right now, I’m doing what I believe in.  In a few years, it really won’t be possible.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I really wouldn’t.  I would be feel I accomplished everything I would have wanted to even if I died tomorrow.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I haven’t much, but I really can’t at this age.  I’m the independent variable.  Not the dependent.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Doing the right things, for sure.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
I would point out all the positive attributes said friend possesses and defend her/him/
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be careful who you put your full blown trust in because they will take it and run.  (this is assuming said newborn could understand what I was saying to them)
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Yes.  Unless it severely hurt someone else
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
No, usually it’s the other way around haha
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
My social life isn’t something extremely important to me anymore
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Different people enjoy different things.  Just because I enjoy dancing doesn’t mean everyone does or needs to.  I’m sure there are even other people who’re upset with it.  Maybe they think it’s a waste of time.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?
Ask my best friend out.  I don’t have time for a relationship & if things turned sour I would no longer have a best friend.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Nope.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
It wouldn’t be up to me because I don’t pay the bills.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
Yes.  No.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Joyful simpleton
22. Why are you, you?
I am me because I am?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
Yes, it’s something I subconsciously do.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Losing touch.  This is assuming you still talk to the good friend who moves away.  Obviously, unless both parties are trying ridiculously hard, you will lose touch eventually still.
25. What are you most grateful for?
I don’t have a lot of friends, but those I have care a lot
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
Lose all of my old memories
27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
I think it is possible to know the truth without challenging it first.  That doesn’t mean I won’t challenge it though.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
Not really
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
Of course not.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?
Stepping in water, then chalk then walking around the driveway while my mom’s best friend from high school was babysitting me.  She was lots of fun and I wish she would have children!
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
Idk dude
32. If not now, then when?
Never!
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Not much
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
Yeah
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
People like to pee on fire hydrants and label everything as theirs
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
No.  Like, Hitler thought that what he was doing was bettering humanity.  He wasn’t doing to kill a bunch of people just because.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
a. I don’t have a job, however I would like one
b. If I had I job I wouldn’t quit my job
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
More work I enjoy doing
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
Sort of
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
A long time
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
As many people as I could
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
10 years isn’t a huge deal, but neither is being extremely attractive or famous
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
If you’re truly living you feel accomplished at the end of each day
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
Now!
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Failure can be scary!
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I would be more outgoing
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
When I was falling asleep last night
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
Dance!  All of last week I went even though I was sick and felt like I was going to die
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
Nope!
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I think others are making most for me

-Cassi

NAIL FAIL: Spooky Spider Nails

So since Katie was over on Friday (She's actually over every Friday and she does help make some of the big decisions behind the blog, but she doesn't have that much time to do posts and such.  She is working on one now, though, that will be up soon!) I decided I would paint her nails.  It really did not go as planned, but I took pictures, so now you can laugh too!

Originally I was doing to do a gradient on four of her nails with spiders on them and just a solid color on her thumb with a spider web.  You can decide for yourself what you think it turned out looking like!








Don't worry though, we'll have some better tutorials up for you soon! :)

-Cassi

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

YouCaring: Bridget's Service Dog

Through boating, we met Rob and Moreen Karsten as well as their two daughters.  Bridget, their oldest daughter, had a stroke before she was born.  It affected how she copes with the world around her and she is constantly struggling with anxiety, depression, and coping with her environment.  Something that helps Bridget is being around animals.  They calm her down a lot and when in public areas can give her the space she needs to feel comfortable.

Getting a service dog is an opportunity she has been provided with.  They've gone to New Mexico a few times to meet dogs and see how they interact with Bridget.  It is very important for the dog and Bridget to get along.  Right now they are in the matching stage it could take 6 months or so because the dogs need to be trained.

Getting a service dog isn't anywhere near free.  They've had to fly to New Mexico multiple times and will have to go back a few more times yet.  Flights aren't cheap, and generally all 4 of them have to go!  On top of that, insurance doesn't cover the dog, all though donations to the program off set the cost.  They will have to pay around $5,500 for the dog, all by themselves.

Bridget (left), her mom, and her younger sister Gillian setting up for the harbor market!

So, they started making dog toys to sell to off set the cost.  I saw them making them while sitting on the dock and offered to help.  I only made about 20, they made around 300!  This weekend, they went to a farmers market with my family and had a booth.  They were able to sell quite a few, but no where near $5,500 worth!

They recently made a YouCaring site for Bridget, where people can send donations for the dog.  They also have an Etsy page where you can buy the dog toys!  Please check both out, if you have a little bit extra to give, it would be greatly appreciated and for every donation they donate a dog toy to an animal shelter. Buying the dog toys also directly benefits Bridget, and dogs love them!


Here's Bridget's Story:

Bridget is a wonderful young teen.  Unfortunately, before she was born, Bridget had a stroke.  We don’t know why and never will.  It is just something we need to deal with on a daily basis.  The stroke did not affect her intelligence; it did affect how she processes the world around her.  She has a constant struggle with anxiety, depression and coping with her environment. 
As her parents, we have gotten her to best medical care.  Sometimes, this has meant traveling to St. Louis or Minnesota.  We believe there is more that can be done for Bridget and we want to help her as much as we can to lead an independent life and become a productive member of society. 
After reading the wonderful things service dogs are doing for vets, we started looking into the possibility of a service dog for Bridget.  After a lot of research and searching, we located a very reputable training program in New Mexico called Assistance Dogs of the West.  After an extensive application and interview process, which included support from Bridget’s pediatrician and therapists, Assistance Dogs of the West has accepted Bridget into their program.  We are currently working on finding a dog that is a good “match” for Bridget. 
We have already incurred several expenses with multiple trips to New Mexico.  We will need to go back for two weeks of training when a dog is ready.  We will also owe $5,500 as our portion of the dog training.  The rest of the dog fees are covered by donations to the program, but the family is responsible for half of the cost of the dog.  I think this is fair, but still a large expense that insurance will not cover.  Bridget is doing her best to help earn the money watching the neighbors guinea pigs when they are on vacation and dog sitting.  We are all working hard and making fleece dog toys that we are going to sell at craft fairs.  At $4 each, we won’t make $5,500, but it is a start and it shows how committed we all are to helping Bridget.  Also, for every donation made, we are donating a dog toy to a dog in an animal shelter.  If you would like to purchase dog toys, please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/PuppiesHelpingPeople?ref=search_shop_redirect  You may wonder what a service dog could do for Bridget.  Most importantly, the dog will be a constant emotional support and companion.   The dog can help Bridget in line at the grocery store by keeping the patron behind her in line from getting too close and making her panic.  The dog can do the same in a crowd of people by giving Bridget the space bubble she needs.  Bridget’s favorite command is squish.  That is when the dog lays on top of her, this calms Bridget down like nothing else can.  I could keep going, but you can see the general idea.  Independence is the primary goal for Bridget. 

In spite of her difficulties, Bridget has persevered to be a wonderful piano player and singer.  She takes tap dance and plays Buddy Baseball in the summer.  She loves rocks, sewing and playing Mincraft.  She is very caring and creative.

Bridget plans for the future is to become a graphic artist. 
Please help Bridget get her dog.  No amount is too small.
Thanks!

-Cassandra & Katie

Monday, October 7, 2013

Mail Monday #2

Okay, so barely any mail this week, I got my Letter From the Post Exchange and a Vegan Cookbook!  My letter came from Elizabeth over at Army Ever After.  She is amazing and extremely nice.  She was actually home schooled so we got to compare and contrast how that is.  If you get a chance, you should definitely follow her!
NBD



I have a VoxBox on the way, so that might be in next week's post!  I'm extremely excited.  My last one got lost in the mail, so this will only be the 3rd I'm receiving.

Next Monday, Raewyn, Paulina, and I will be starting a new link-up.  Make sure you're following up all on Bloglovin' so you know when it's up!

Have a beautiful Monday!

-Cassi

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Hair

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Three-stranded vortex (instead of my usual two)

My hair has gotten a lot longer since this and now my bun is even larger than this normally.  Crazy!

Made two tiny braids starting from the base of my neck and wrapped them to make a head band.  Pinned in place.  They each only reached to my ears, but you couldn't tell!

A horrid picture, but I put my hair half up, twisted it into a bun, then french braided what was left starting at the bottom right, then kept going and wrapped it clockwise starting from the left!

This is from recently so it is pretty accurate on how my hair regularly looks now!

My hair post straightening it for dance.  I'm not sure why I bother because I spent an hour and a half and it doesn't even hold it.  UGH D:

Not hair, but I found it on my phone from 2 years ago- dance team all carved pumpkins together for our Halloween party!

-Cassi

Learn about the end of the boating season and what that means to me here.  On Wednesday I talked about the hell-err- blessing of doing pointe work.  Tuesday I shared my September playlist with you!  Back on Monday I showed you what I got in the mail and a giveaway!