Recipe Feature - Classic Beef Meatballs & Spaghetti

Hello wonderful people!

Sorry I have neglected my blog, yet again. I need to be better about this lol. Anyway, as an apology, I have decided to share a recipe that was a recent hit with my family! It's a classic dish: spaghetti and meatballs! BUT this is one of the best meatball recipes I have ever tried. I modified a little here and there (modifications are in green), but I pretty much followed the instructions as is.

Classic Beef Meatballs (Source)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds 80 percent lean ground beef (I used 85% lean ground beef from whole foods)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (I used part skim)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried) (I used 1 tablespoon of italian seasoning)
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
• 4 cups Classic Tomato Sauce (I made my own simple marinara; read below!)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Drizzle olive oil into a 9-by 13-inch baking dish; using your hand, evenly coat entire surface. Set aside. 
2. In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together beef, ricotta, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, oregano, salt, red-pepper flakes, and fennel until fully incorporated. Roll mixture into firmly packed 1 1/2-inch balls.
3. Place meatballs in prepared baking dish, taking care to line them up snugly so that they are touching one another in even rows vertically and horizontally to form a grid. Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake until meatballs are firm and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball reads 165 degrees. (I just baked them for about 16-18 minutes)
4. Meanwhile, heat Classic Tomato Sauce in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
   * OR you can make a quick marinara if you have less time
   My Marinara Sauce
   32 oz  organic tomato sauce
   1/2 medium onion, chopped
   2-3 large garlic cloves, minced
   2 tablespoons olive oil
   1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
   pinch of salt and pepper
   - heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
   - saute the onions and garlic in the oil, until slightly browned.
   - pour in the tomato sauce and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
   - simmer for at least 15 minutes...and you're DONE!
5. Remove meatballs from oven and carefully drain excess grease from pan. Pour heated sauce over meatballs and return to oven; cook for 15 minutes more. Serve. (I served mine on a bed of angel hair pasta!)

I really enjoyed this recipe! The meatballs were incredibly tender and fully cooked through. I found that using the Italian seasoning (instead of oregano) was fine, esp if you have that on hand instead! I served mine with pasta, and it was perfect. I can't wait to make this again and maybe try a pork/beef combo? If any of you try this, let me know! 

Love,

Cassie

When You Fall...Get Right Back Up

Dear blogosphere,

I am sorry for my absence. Life has taken me on a wonderful ride, and I felt the need to live it! Still, I am glad to be returning to blogging. It is important to me to share my thoughts with the world and to somewhat artistically express myself lol. I missed blogging and I thought it appropriate to come back, esp during this time in my life.

I recently failed at something terribly important to me. I had prepared and prepped and endured months of agony... and still failed. I found out recently about my disastrous failure, and I sobbed and ate ice cream and sobbed some more. I thought my heart couldn't bear it. I sat in silence and stared into space. I really truly wallowed (for those of you who have watched Gilmore Girls, wallowing is necessary says Lorelai).

After my wallowing, though, I decided to open the windows to let the light in. I decided to listen to music and watch some funny TV (Gilmore Girls, duh).  I decided to eat something other than ice cream and donuts. I decided to put on a pretty dress and walk out into the world. I decided to GET UP and to BRUSH IT OFF. And I am so glad because it has done me a world of wonders.

As the Ancient Ones said, errare humanum est...which means "to err is human."  This past week, I was assaulted with my humanity.  It was not fun. It SUCKED. But I got up because I wanted to and because I had to. And also because many of those around me showed their support for me and their love for me, despite my failure. Thank you to all those who still believe in me and who have been a shining light during my time of sadness.

It has been a tough few days and it will continue to be a tough few months.  However, nothing beats sadness like positivity and the will to move forward and try again. Onwards and upwards!!!

Source: bananarepublic.gap.com

Love,

Cassie

Cafes I Adore - ChadLou's Coffee Lounge

Hello lovelies!

Today, I wanted to share with you a gem in Kailua Town on the island of Oahu. It is a gorgeous little cafe nestled in the backstreets of my favorite city on Oahu. The storefront is painted a mint green (one of my favorite colors), the menu is written on a chalkboard, and they serve up some of the best coffee (at least in my opinion). Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to ChadLou's Coffee Lounge.

I love this place so much I had to share it with you all. It's such a quiet little coffee shop with a mostly wood interior and even some cute round lights that they sometimes turn on for additional cutesy ambiance. They also serve some awesome food and great ice cream. They have traditional ice cream flavors, like butter pecan and coffee, and some interesting ones, like ube (okinawan sweet potato). I love the ube flavor by the way.

If you want to read more about this place, click here to read some Yelp reviews! And, if you are ever in Kailua, you should try this place out! So that you know exactly where to go, here is the address:

ChadLou's Coffee Lounge

45 Kihapai St.

Kailua, HI 96734

(this is the cheddar, bacon, and apple muffin & the lavender iced coffee)

LOVE

Aloha,

Cassie

Photography Feature - Paths to Take

Hello lovelies!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday! Today, I wanted to share with you some photographs of gorgeous paths I would love to wander down...

I don't know if you all have heard of Robert Frost's poem entitled "The Road Not Taken." I remember reading this in high school and being inspired to take the road less traveled. We all have many paths in life, and we often come to forks in the road. We can choose to take the well-paved road, comforting and reliable. Or we can choose to take the unknown path, full of possibilities and adventure. I am guilty, as we all are, of taking the well-paved road many times, coming to reliable ends and conclusions. However, I am determined to take the road less traveled more often. I want to live a life worth living and full of adventure rather than one stagnant and predictable. As Robert Frost eloquently put it, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference."

Here are some photographs that inspire me to take the road not taken. ADVENTURE!

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Hope you enjoyed some photography inspiration! And hope you feel inspired to take the unfamiliar path.

Aloha,
Cassie

All You Need is Love - Photography Feature

Hello lovelies!

I was having a pretty stressful morning, but lunch and dessert with an amazing group of friends and the bf saved the day! Love and friendship are the most precious things in the world. Everything comes secondary to me. Although one of my top priorities is to pass this bar, I know that my No. 1 priority will always be my friends and family because they are my world. :)

Inspired by my friendships, new and old, I decided to post a few of my favorite photography moments! Although these images are of romantic love, I also find friendship love and familial love to be just as awe-inspiring and powerful (and sometimes even moreso). I simply thought that these images were gorgeous :) I also decided to do a beach/ocean theme because...summer! HAHA. Hope you enjoy.

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Remember to tell your loved ones that you care! I'm sure they know, but it's always wonderful to hear. :) Have an amazing Wednesday everyone.

Aloha,
Cassie

The Beauty of Hawaii

Hello lovelies!

As some of you may know, I live in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I have been to many other states in the U.S., and I also lived in Massachusetts for a while during my college years. I love the mainland U.S., and I miss it a lot; however, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I am so lucky to be able to call it my home. For those who decide to visit our wonderful paradise, please take the time to venture outside of Waikiki at least once. Waikiki is only a small part of Hawaii, and it is commercial Hawaii. I'll admit that it is quite fun, and I do enjoy going there once in a while. Still, it's not real Hawaii to me. Hawaii is the quiet of the windward side and the delicious and cheap local treats at hole-in-the-wall restaurants and the adorable "aunties" and "uncles" that you meet everyday. Hawaii is more than just hula girl bobble-heads and Waikiki; the true beauty of Hawaii, to me, lies in the people and the land outside of the glitzy strip. Head outside of that bubble and you will be amazed.

I also recommend traveling to the outer islands! Life there is different from Oahu. Each island has its own personality; my personal favorite, so far, is Molokai. You can actually s e e the stars, and they are magical. I went on a school trip there, and it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken. Wherever you choose to visit, always remember to step outside of the tourist traps and go on an adventure! I know it's hard sometimes, esp in foreign countries. BUT DO IT. You will learn the most, grow the most, and have so many amazing stories to take back home with you.

I hope you come to visit us in Hawaii one day! We are definitely a unique place in the world, and I invite you to discover all the beauty that my home has to offer! I want to leave you with pictures of last night's sunset in Honolulu. The sunsets this summer have been i n s a n e.

Aloha,

Cassie

Inspirational Quote of the Day

Hello lovelies!

I just wanted to drop by my blog and quickly share some inspiration for today! I know that some of you may be going through some tough times in your life; I know I am. This bar exam has made me so incredibly stressed out that I have been getting nightmares! Just last night, I sat up straight in bed in the middle of the night! :(

Still, amidst incredible stress or doubt, it's always important to remember your inner strength and willpower. We all have a drive within us to reach our goals, and we should never forget how strong that drive is!

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Hope this post inspires you to believe in yourself more today! Now go out there and conquer the world! Whatever your goals may be, know that you can achieve them :)

Aloha,

Cassie

Tried and True Recipe Favorites - Pasta Feature

Hello lovelies!

Today, I wanted to share a few pasta recipes that I have tried recently! I am addicted to Pinterest, and I find so many interesting and delicious recipe ideas on there. I absolutely love to cook and bake, and I thought I would share some recipes with you all :)

I am obsessed with pasta, although I am trying to eat less of it in order to live a healthier lifestyle. Still, I cave in once in a while because...well, because it's SO WORTH IT. I hope you enjoy the recipes below, and make sure to check out the blogs from which they came!


Recipe 1: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe is so great and very kid friendly. The dish is simple and quick, and the best part is that the cheese is freshly grated! Although boxed mac and cheese is so easy to prepare, I think (in my humble opinion) that it's always best to be eating foods without unnecessary preservatives and chemicals! And this recipe is such a great alternative! Give it a try someday!

Recipe 2: Creamy Garlic Shells

Another great recipe with "no pasta packet required." This dish is also quite simple and easy to make. You can also choose to use fat-free or low-fat versions of some of the ingredients to lower your fat intake. This dish, as the original blog post mentions, is a healthier, lower-sodium alternative to the pasta sides packets that you find in the grocery store! Try this out the next time you get a craving for a pasta side dish!

Recipe 3: Bacon and Pea Macaroni & Cheese

I admit, this recipe is a lot less healthy than the other two. Well, at least there are peas in it, right? Regardless, this is a great dish to have. It's a fancy "mac and cheese" that grown-ups can enjoy without feeling too childish. Personally, I don't mind having full-on mac and cheese with dinosaur-shaped pasta, but maybe some of you want to class it up a little bit (unlike me). Serve this in a fancy bowl (like the one above) and maybe some white wine, and you can even pass this Mac and Cheese dish off as a fancy meal with your loved one (maybe). Or you can eat it in a big bowl in front of the TV with your hair up in a messy bun like me.

Hope you enjoyed my recipes! Obviously, these were not authentic Italian dishes, but they were ones that I enjoyed and wish to share with you. Hope you try them out someday with the ones you love.

Aloha,

Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Photography Favorites - Friendship Feature

Hello lovelies!

This post is inspired by recent events! The last two evenings have been so much fun and a reprieve from all-day studying sessions. On Thursday, my besties and I tried out a new Mexican restaurant in Honolulu called Cocina. Their food was great, esp the papas fritas (Mexican-style french fries). We then went and got dessert at a popular local diner chain called Zippy's. We spent the night talking and laughing and reconnecting. Such a great evening, and it made my soul sing.

And last night, one of my really good friends and his sister had a house/apartment warming party. There was great food (ribs, pulled pork, sashimi, ravioli, cake, and MORE) and even b e t t e r company. We also laughed a lot, played video games, and just enjoyed our moments together. Such a perfect evening.

To celebrate my wonderful friends, I thought I would post some of my favorite friendship photos that I have come across! Hope you enjoy them, and hope you have a great weekend with loved ones!

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Aloha,
Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Decorating Favorites - Dining Rooms

Hello lovelies!

I decided to theme my "favorites" posts from now on! I like things to be quite organized, and I think theme-ing is the perfect way to go about that! :) Anyway, I chose home decor as my first "theme." I am planning on moving into a new apartment sometime at the end of this year or early next year! And, my plan is that it will be my own place for a while. I get to decorate, design, and prettify independently. I am so excited, and I have been looking at home decor books for inspiration recently.

I have decided to feature a few gorgeous dining rooms, each with their own style but gorgeous nonetheless.

Style #1

I adore this dining room I found on this tumblr. This is a perfect dining room design for a smaller house/apartment. I love the wood table; it has a repurposed look to it, although this table might be brand new. The pops of green from the potted plants are subtle and are perfectly complemented by the green in the frames and pictures on the wall. I love the arrangement of the photos and prints; I love collecting old posters and postcards, so this design may be perfect for me in the near future! I also adore the candlesticks. There is so much vintage charm going on here! 

Favorite #2:

I love the use of this wooden plank for a dining room table. Although my table may not be this long, it is a great way to take repurposed wood and integrate it into your home decor. As you can tell, I am a big fan of repurposed/recycled/reclaimed wood and other household things. If it ain't broke, right? You can peruse the original blog post here.

Favorite #3:

Okay, okay...like whoa. This is a dining home design for my dreams! The home is obviously right on or quite near to the ocean. I love the idea of "opening up" your dining room experience by having a window wall. I think it brings so much natural light into the room and just makes your dining experience so much more pleasant. Imagine coming into this room to eat breakfast. D R O O L. Also, I love the wall/shelf; I would maybe put a few framed photos of my friends and family, along with some shells or beach treasures. This is probably way out of my reach, but one can dream, right? To see more of the house where this dining room came from, click here.

I hope you enjoyed my design inspiration! Have a good evening, and see you soon.

Aloha,

Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Daily Favorites

Hello lovelies!

Hope you all wonderful Tuesdays! I stayed up late to make sure I could complete my final problem set of the day AND write this blog :) Of course, I had some coffee to help me with this task. Haha. Today, I went to an amazing Zumba class at the UFC Gym here in Honolulu. The class is taught by an AMAZING instructor. Her name is Amber, and you can check out her instagram here. She is amazingly fit and so motivating. Zumba, especially high intensity Zumba, is definitely a challenge. Today, I sprinted, tuck jumped, salsa-ed, and shook my booty. All in one class. If you like dancing and appreciate a good challenge, check out a Zumba class in your city!
Anyway, without further adieu, my favorites!

Favorite Quote:

Currently, I am studying for the bar exam. It has been a mentally and physically taxing journey. I wake up each morning, ready to do at least 150+ questions and also read the explanations to the questions I answered incorrectly.  Still, I have a goal to reach, and I won't give up! This quote relates so much to my life right now, and I appreciate Ms. Edwards' encouraging words (posted previously by another blogger). I hope this quote inspires you to continue on your journeys, however hard they may. The end results are worth it! Just adjust your sails and continue! 

Favorite Makeup Look:

I love Ashley Benson's smokey eye look. I think this is her signature, and she looks amazing in it! I want to recreate this tomorrow for my GNO! I think her flushed cheeks and sweet pink lips perfectly balance her va-va-voom eyes. Thank you, POPSUGAR, for posting my #GNO makeup inspiration.

Favorite Workout:

I love this workout that I found on Pinterest. It looks challenging but doable. I can't wait to do this tomorrow! (Look at that lunge hold...OMG) 

Favorite Recipe:

One thing you need to know about me: I L O V E tots. Like, love. Unfortunately for me, I do not have a fast metabolism, and tots go straight to my butt and thighs. Boo. So, when I found this recipe, I got so excited. I love zucchini, and this is such a great alternative to deep-fried potato tots. The zucchini is baked, and there is c h e e s e. I need to try this ASAP, and I hope you give it a try too!

Favorite Sunset/Personal Photo:

Lastly, I thought I would share a personal photo with you. I posted this on my Instagram account today, although the photo was of yesterday's sunset. I could not capture today's sunset; I was sweating my butt off in a Zumba class instead. Still, I hope you enjoy it! This is the sunset as seen from my balcony (in Honolulu, Hawaii). I love that the oranges were so vibrant. The sun was making such a dramatic exit. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Goodnight my friends, and sweet dreams!

Aloha, 

Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Daily Favorites

Hello lovelies!

It's that time of day again! Today, I decided to include my favorite photo of MY day, which means I included a photo taken by yours truly! I hope you like the personal addition to my daily post. 

My day has been extremely productive. I cooked, worked out (did some Blogilates), washed the dishes, and studied! I also managed to take a couple deep breaths and short breaks. All in all, what a great day! Hope your days were also fantabulous. Now, on to my favorites:

My Photo of the Day:

I decided to get a refreshing shaken iced tea from Starbucks today. One of the best decisions of the day. I got the shaken iced green tea, unsweetened. I prefer to have my tea straight without all that extra sugar. It was perfection. It was extremely hot in Honolulu today, so I enjoyed my tea in the shade for the most part. I also wanted to mention that this was my photo selection for the #100happydays photography project. If you don't know what the project is and want to learn more about it, click here! I am loving the project; it allows me to take time out of each day to appreciate the world around me.

Favorite Makeup Look:

I love this makeup look on her, and I totally want to recreate it! Although it's summer, I still think the dark lip is F A B.  This look has inspired me to pull out my dark red lipstick and some edgy summer wear for tomorrows #ootd. See the original blog post here.

Favorite Animal Photo:

Omg. Look how a d o r a b l e these little guys (or girls) are! These are sloths from the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica. I really want to make a trip there just to see these little cuties! Don't they just look like they want to play? To see more sloth pictures, click here to visit the original buzzfeed post.

Favorite Workout Find:

I love this workout from Back on Pointe.  The workout looks tough and also looks easily modifiable. If you needed to make it harder or easier, I'm sure you could. I do not have much arm strength, so I am excited to try this one out in the next couple of days! 

Hope you liked my favorites, and see you soon!

Aloha,

Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Daily Favorites

Hello lovelies!

Hope you all had an amazing Monday! It was a busy day for me; I studied all day. I can't wait for this exam to be over! The weather suited my tasks today, though. It was quite dreary and rainy in Hawaii, which helped me get more studying done. Now that the day has come to a close, I want to share some inspirational photos that I came across. Hope you enjoy them!

Favorite Wanderlust Photo:

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This is a photo of the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall (in the UK). The gardens were created beginning in the mid-18th century up to the beginning of the 20th century! It looks like a fairytale, doesn't it? I would love to wander these gardens all day. I can't wait to visit the UK one day and take tons of photos in this gorgeous place! See more gorgeous photos here.

Favorite Hair Tutorial:

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This braid looks so beautiful and effortless! I love the way it looks on light AND dark hair. To see how to achieve this gorgeous look, click here.

Favorite Funny Photo:

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This IS my life. OMG. I always want coffee, and studying has made me n e e d coffee. This photo is for all the coffee-junkies out there! Don't worry; you are not alone. To check out more awesome photos like this, click here.

Favorite Wardrobe Post: 

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This white maxi dress is drop dead gorgeous! I love the ruffled detail on the bottom, and if you look closely, you can see the slight cutout in the back. Perfection. I also have to appreciate the gorgeous backdrop (Versailles, hello!). Love this blog. For the full blog post and more views of this gorgeous outfit, click here.

Favorite Nature Photograph:

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All I can say is... i n c r e d i b l e. To see more shots of this gorgeous locale, click here.

Hope you all enjoyed my Monday faves! xoxo

Aloha,

Cassie

Tea Feature: Harney & Sons Paris Tea

Hello lovelies!

I don't know about you, but I love a good cup of tea.  I also LOVE coffee, as I mentioned in a previous blog post, but I enjoy tea just as much! I like tea iced or hot, depending on the weather! I seem to mostly drink it hot though, probably because it is faster and easier to make (I know...I'm a lazy bum).

One of the teas I have been loving at the moment is the Harney & Sons PARIS tea. I l o v e this tea! According to the Harney & Sons website, the tea is a mixture of three different teas. The tea, when brewed, smells "like an Earl Grey with black currant and vanilla aromas and a hint of caramel." AMAZING, right? Although I am not enough of a tea connoisseur to pick up on all of that, I do find the aroma very enticing and pleasant. I love to smell this tea almost as much as I love to drink it! The tea, I have to mention, is caffeinated; some individuals are sensitive, so keep that in mind if you decide on purchasing it!

This is a photo I took of the tea (box) and my University of Hawaii mug. I got the tea as a present from one of my dear friends, but she told me that she got it at Williams-Sonoma if I needed more! I went to check, and they definitely have it in stock (at least in the store located in Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii). You can also get it here (at the Harney & Sons official website). 

Another amazing thing is that the tea is not that pricey. On the website, a 20 sachet tin is only $8! Also, look at that box; isn't it gorgeous? The packaging is incredible, the name is irresistible, and the tea is delicious. You should, like, go get it. NOW.

Anywho, if you have a favorite tea, don't be shy and let me know in the comments below! I hope you are all having a great day, and I'll be back soon for my daily favorites!

Aloha,

Cassie

P.S. I was definitely not sponsored to write this. 

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

Daily Favorites

Hello lovelies!

I apologize for not getting my daily favorites up last night! I fell asleep before I had the chance to even explore the blog universe! Anyway, I have a few new favorites up tonight. Without further adieu:

Favorite World Cup Photo:

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The 2014 World Cup Tournament was dominated by emotions, both happy and sad! The finals game was no different. Congrats to Germany on winning, AND congrats to Argentina for making it so far and being a solid second place! Both teams did amazing, and all the players should be so proud of themselves, win or lose. I love this photo from Giselle's Instagram. It embodies what the World Cup should be, the world coming together in one place to share in a great tournament. Love for all!

Favorite Wanderlust Photo:

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This is a photo of Sarakiniko Beach on Milos Island in Greece. Isn't that water beautiful? Apparently the rocks are volcanic rocks and have a bone-white color because of the wind and the water. Isn't that insane? This place just looks so picturesque and out of this world. I really want to go there. NOW.

Favorite Accessory:

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Isn't this the cutest? I love rings, and this cat ring is so cute. What more can I say? MEOW.

Favorite Recipe:

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This is a recipe for homemade orange creamsicles. YES. I l o v e orange creamsicles. These were the best ice cream treats from any ice cream truck (for me anyway). Now, I have to make these. Which means I need that popsicle makes I saw at Williams-Sonoma. Yay, I have an excuse!

That's it for my favorites. Hope you enjoyed them, and have a great Monday!

Aloha,

Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"

My Summer Treats

Hello lovelies,

Hope your day is going well! I know I mentioned that I would write about my Waikiki adventure, but it's gonna take some time editing all the photos (soooorry)! Until then, I wanted to do a short post about my favorite summer treats!

Summer is a time for relaxation, sun, laughter, and fun! Summer always evokes images of swimming pools, beachside gatherings, and yummy treats perfect for the weather! I live in Hawaii, which means it is H-O-T during the summer months, and the yummies that I have are usually refreshing to go along with the weather. Here are some of my favorite indulgences during the summer!

I love strawberries! In fact, it's safe to say that they are one of my favorite fruits (if not my favorite). They are sweet and tart at the same time, and they are so pretty to look at! The only thing are those little seeds; they can get stuck in your teeth (boo). But, all in all, they are a great fruit and can be used in many different recipes. In the summer, I love to snack on cold, fresh strawberries! Here, I photographed a usual snack for me, fruit and cheese (in this case - cottage cheese). I love the creamy texture of cheese and the bite of strawberries together! I also love strawberries with whipped cream (duh!) and champagne! I might just have that trio later...

OKAY. I LOVE ICED COFFEE! The summer heat, depending on where you are, can be oppressive. And oppressive heat can make one very sleepy or tired or sluggish. I find that a refreshing cup of iced coffee always saves the day. It not only wakes you up with caffeine, but the temperature also gives me back my kick! After a nice, refreshing cup, I'm able to conquer the rest of my day. I actually have mine black (no sugar or cream or milk) and preferably with a hint of lavender. 

Last, but not least - m o c h i ice cream. Yup, MOCHI ice cream. For those who aren't familiar, mochi is a soft Japanese rice cake. It's delicious and soft and gooey and yummy and perfect. Imagine that sweet, tasty cake wrapped around a ball of heavenly ice cream. YEAH. It's amazing. I love it. My dad has bought more for our family, and I couldn't be happier.

I hope you enjoyed my post! Let me know in the comments below what are YOUR favorite summer treats! I would love to know!

Aloha,
Cassie

"I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE"