Thank You, Past

Hello lovelies,

I am going to my 5-year college reunion this summer, and I am incredibly excited. I have been looking forward to this since last year, and I just can't wait. I am now going alone, and although I wish I could have someone close to me accompany me on my trip down memory lane, I think I'll have an incredible amount of fun regardless.

I've been reminiscing moreso recently, and I have been remembering, so vividly, all of the emotions of my late teens and early 20s. Everything was confusing and frustrating and exciting and electrifying and new! I had moved to Massachusetts from Hawaii without visiting the state first. I had never lived without my parents, and I had no family around the area. AND I had only one other person from my high school who was going to be there. When I say new...I mean n e w.

Of course I was afraid and nervous. BUT the possibility of discovering and learning and growing outside of my little box was so much more intriguing and attractive and outweighed the fear that I had.  When I first landed, it was raining and dreary and I felt that there was nothing familiar at all about my new home.  The architecture was different, I saw no one that looked at all like myself, and I was so scared to talk to anyone. Then...I walked into my dorm and met my entrymates and exchanged a couple smiles. I met my roommate for the first time, we laughed, the sun came out, and my world changed.  My mother and father eventually left me, I gained my bearings, I met new people (including a new man, who is still a good friend to this day), and began to experience another side of me.  There were some many stumbles and many tears and a few fights with the ones I loved.  But through it all, I gained a new family and a sense of self.

Coming home from college, I found myself a little lost again; I knew how to navigate the east coast but I didn't know how to be as a 20-something in Hawaii.  For a few years, I felt lost and I intertwined my sense of self with another. Now, though, I have come to find myself, and I feel that I have made it full circle.  I now fully own and am myself, no matter where I choose reside. I have rediscovered that person I once was, and I finally feel like I am fully in control again. As a close friend of mine said, it doesn't matter what others think of you when you know who you are inside. Although reputation can matter in certain circumstances, at the end of the day, it is who you truly are to yourself that matters.

I am thankful to have had 4 years so far away from my home to truly self-discover. I was on my own to invent myself as I wished; virtually no ties existed there that tied me to my identity at home. I became anew, and I love that. I am so thankful for the aches, pains, and joys of my past. I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for the sorrow and oblivion. I am so glad I let myself feel so deeply.

Love,
Cass xx

Independence Established

Dear lovelies,

It is official. I have a new apartment. I am going to sign the lease this week, and I am looking forward to this move so much. I don't know if I've ever been this excited before in my life. Ok, I probably have been, but still. I AM SO EXCITED.

Finding my own place and living on my own is going to be a challenge but a challenge that I willingly and most graciously accept. I feel like everything is falling into place as it should. I'm flying to an outer island for business and then flying in to move into my apartment in two weeks. I am looking forward to being immensely happy discovering the world as it presents itself to me. And how can I not be happy with a new apartment that has a pool and gazebo. :)

On a side note, I did some self-discovery within the past week or so. I found that I detest feeling even remotely caged; I would rather feel completely uncertain than feel caged by  a security that I do not completely want. In all experiences, I seek the freedom to be who I am. Feeling like a dulled-down version of myself is not an experience I enjoy. I am so excited to finally do what I want, when I want, and how I want. I'm not saying that my choices don't have consequences; what I am saying is that I am willing to face those consequences if those choices are completely my own. Live and let live, baby.  We only have one life to live, and to prevent ourselves from seeking something that would give us happiness/pleasure (as LONG as that something does not hurt another) would be unfortunate for our own sakes.

With that, I am going to start putting myself out there and trying new things!  I need to go to more gastropubs and bars and hikes and restaurants and cafes and beaches...etc etc. AND, I need to go to the art museum more, especially since I'll be living so close by.  I see wonderful strolls through art exhibits in my near future. I'll bring my journal and just immerse myself in art and, of course, have a coffee at the cafe. SO EXCITED. I used to have days to myself at my college and stroll through the countryside of Massachusetts. I think it's time I had those days back...just the strolls have to be in Hawaii now haha.

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Hope you all are getting what's yours and exploring the world! Don't let yourself be your own barrier! 

xx,

Cass

What Does It Mean to Be Happy?

Hello all,

Okay, I know the title of the blogpost is a little...abstract and is on the verge of being too obviously philosophical. Bear with me.

So, right now, I am lounging around with some cheap red wine that I just bought from Don Quijote, a grocery story by my work place. It's nothing special but still a nice finish to a long day.  Today was nothing too out of the ordinary, but I did get to meet a couple new faces at the coffee cart I usually frequent in the mornings. I didn't catch their names, but, as I was talking to the barista, they came up and casually started conversations. In the course of 10 minutes, one man revealed his possibly relentless need to discover more and I found out that a woman was familiar with where I went to college up in MA. Pretty awesome. I am finally opening up a lot more nowadays, and I am feeling more and more like the person I had grown to love many moons ago.

Anywho, as I sit here with my red wine, I remember the first time I had ever fully drank wine at all. It was in college (yes, I was a good little high school girl), and my friends and I planned a "Greek" symposium on a weekend night. We planned to drink wine, dress in togas (aka our bedsheets from our twin extra-long beds), and philosophize. So, someone bought us boxes of wine (FRANZIA), we dressed in our ridiculous garb, we gathered in a common room, and our young minds began to answer the philosophical question posed, which was..."WHAT IS HAPPINESS?" I was excited to partake in the event, and throughout the course of the evening, our somewhat intellectual discourse turned into laughter and fun. Unfortunately for me, I had just recovered from a breakup and my mumbling and pathetic answer, I believe, had something to do with reciprocal love. I woke up the next morning feeling physically awful and embarrassed at my answer. My friends, though, just laughed and smiled and offered me water. The years went on, and now I look back fondly.

What's funny is that, this morning, I engaged in a conversation with one of my favorite baristas about the concepts of love and happiness and equality.  Surprisingly, my answer now is not too different from what it was then.  I know that, for me, love is still a component of happiness...but not necessarily in the same way as I thought it to be back then.  Love for family, love for the world, love for a lover...all can make one happy. But to keep happy, I feel you need love for yourself. You need to love yourself and allow yourself to feel joy. And loving yourself means knowing yourself or at least knowing the nature of your being.

And with that...I leave with this gem.

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I hope you all love or are growing to love yourselves. And I hope you all realize how much each of you deserve that self-love.

xoxo,

Cassie

Starlight, Star Bright

Hello all,

Today I took the time to stand on my balcony (with a glass of cold vermouth, of course) to watch the sunset. I had gotten home just in time, after a long day at work, to enjoy one of life's most beautiful everyday occurrences. It seemed to me worthwhile and something necessary today.

As I put on some music in the background and let the orange rays engulf the world around, I felt suddenly melancholy and euphoric simultaneously.  It was as if a rush of emotions came at me, all at once. So much has happened to me within the past week, and I guess I really don't know how to emotionally process all of it. The melancholy is probably a result of all that I have realized that I lost, and the euphoria is the excitement and extreme bliss at the thought of all that I could gain. I have always been one for adventure, even if not necessarily physical. What I mean is, I often love uncertainty. It scares me yet excites me. I find predictability wonderful too, but riding life's adventures freely makes me the most happy.

Anyway, as the sun set and the stars began to shine more brightly, I found myself gazing higher and higher into the night sky. I found myself staring at one of the brightest stars and wondering who else was looking at it too. I find it so wonderful and fascinating that us humans can be bound by something so distant. I was probably not the only person looking at that same star tonight, and even though I may never meet those others staring at the same star, we shared a moment in time. No matter how different we may be, we shared an experience somehow. I think anyway.

I also had the inevitable last thoughts. No, not those of "the end" but those of moving forward. I will be leaving my apartment at the end of the month, and I will no longer see the stars from the same angle. I have grown to love my apartment over the last 3+ years, but I am so excited to get my own place and start a new chapter of my life. I think it will be an amazing time to grow and learn. I am also someone who values her space, so I'm so excited! Still, I will miss this home. Of course, I am still planning on living on the same island and in the same city, so I won't be moving that far :P

I will leave you now with a photo I took this evening, right as the sun was leaving as.

Hope you all have a wonderful day/evening/afternoon, wherever you are. xx

Moving Forward

Hello lovely bloggers,

I haven't written in a while. My life has been a jumble, and I am finally getting it back in order. Which means I finally have time for some blogging. I find myself at a computer more times than I am at my journal, which is an unfortunate happenstance but oh well. I love journal-ing, but I do get joy from sharing my personal thoughts with the world too. Ok ok...I'll stop rambling now.

Recently, I found myself re-evaluating my life choices. Life is flying by more rapidly than I thought possible.  I feel like the year has just begun, but it's already almost April. CRAZY! I feel like time is whirring past me, which is not necessarily a terrible thing. But this feeling has made me realize how important it is to seize each day and make it yours in the best way possible. We all have only one life to live, and each moment that passes instantly becomes a blip in time that you can never have back.

Let me be clear. This reminder of life's finite nature is not something I found depressing but rather invigorating and eye-opening in a way. Now that I'm well out of school and am working, I am finally able to focus on me, what makes me happy, and what can make my dreams come true.

I had to make a few painful decisions as of late, some of which may be too personal to lay out in this medium, but I think they have all been for the better.  I have decided to make each day as full as possible so that I go to bed with a smile or at least with a sense of satisfaction. I vow to become more involved with my passions and to do all of the things I say that I want to do. Life is too short to spend it simply daydreaming. What a waste that would be. Although, daydreaming can be a form of introspection, which is necessary for progress. But I digress...

I also vow to remain positive. The world is so full of opportunity, beauty and love, and only you prevent yourself from fully appreciating all three. Even in the darkest times, there is always light. Or at least light to come. And that light to come is what should matter.

Right now, I am looking forward to: my new apartment (I'm finally living on my own!!!), new friendships, possibly dancing again, my college reunion (which means seeing my besties!), travel, and days full of laughter and learning. I'm so excited. YES.

Love,
Cassie

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"