Currently in September

I was reading over a few blogs, and I stopped by a great blog called  "Brave Love" by Bailey Jean. Right now, she has the #BlogtemberChallenge happening, which I will try to post  for on the days that I can. Then I found her "Currently" post and I knew that it was a quick and fun thing to do for a blog post, to have my readers learn a little more about me, as well as my lovely habits - and it happens to land during the Blogtember Challenge! HA.  Read on guys, grab a glass of wine and some chocolate and lets get down to business.

...reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

...watching my New England Patriots kick off a great NFL Season!  And Rizzoli and Isles, not only only Season 2 & 3 that I have on DVD but the Current Season 5! Every time Adam and I watch it, we love it just like it was the first time we were seeing it.  But, to be completely honest, guys, my hubs and I are awaiting THE WALKING DEAD to come back on October 12th.  You have no idea how excited we are.  Parties and Zombie Cocktails galore.

...trying to find time for my hubs and myself. We spend every night snuggling together, which is so much better than it has been when he was commuting to Charlotte. But, we enjoy being together during day time too, where we could run errands together or just fix stuff around the house. 

...eating (just finished) my Ahi Tuna Salad with an Asian Vinaigrette. We went out with our volleyball team last night for some food and drinks after a great week.  It has been absolutely amazing to form these new friendships.

...pinning Fall EVERYTHING and DIY Home Decor. FALL IS HERE. and it is my favorite time of the year, plus who doesn't want to upgrade their space.

...tweeting about people who need to use their fucking indicator/blinker/turn-signal - whatever you call it, and how I follow more Dog Instagrams, than Person Instagrams. Follow me guys - @XO_CassieMarie.

...going to relax from my fun in Char-town last weekend for my BEAUTIFUL friends, Rae and Disco's wedding. I was honored to be apart of their day, and spend such a wonderful day celebrating their marriage as well as Adam's and my anniversary!

...loving working out every morning.  It is a positive start  to my day. and I get to spend it with my new friend, Jade, who has been helping me on my fitness journey, and pushing me to try new things!  Thanks, girl! <3

...discovering myself.  Guys, I can tell you - two posts ago, I was a pretty abrupt into opening a new chapter in my blogging zone to just try and find more about myself.  I am ready to just be me...not that I wasn't in earlier posts, I just need y'all to know that I am quirky, I wear my emotions on my sleeve, I say SHIT a lot, and I pretty much have an opinion about everything...which I will most likely share. 

...enjoying quiet time.  Snuggling with my puppies, and reading a book.

...thinking about what I need to make for dinner tomorrow, because I really don't feel like cooking.  Having errands to run, people to see, blogs to write, recipes to try out, ANDDD I am thinking about work this upcoming week and what I need to do ahead.

...feeling weirdly sore, but good.  As stated above, I have been working out every day.  But, this Monday I started a detox with Jade.  Oh my lanta, when it says it's going to clean out your intestines, it is NOT lying. -_-

...hoping for Adams schedule to be clear one weekend in November.  I have so many things planned for his birthday, but the way his schedule works, has him on and off different days, it isn't set - so I am hoping things will work out.

...listening to this beautiful young voice, Neece, as well as Sam Smith's version of Fast Car. It will melt your heart and you need to listen to BOTH NOW!.

...thanking Adam for him being here for me/for us. No matter what, he is my rock, he helps me through it all.  We have been through a lot since June.  From the transition to the new house, to  it taking a while for him to find a job, I am so thankful he has been by my side through it all.

...starting to drink a whole bunch of water.  I feel really dehydrated!



What about you?? What's going on in your month? Tell me all about it - or don't.  It's up to you, but it's always fun to gossip and trade stories.

One Year.

Our one year anniversary is coming up, and I could not be happier.  I have found the one that completes me, the one who makes my life whole, the one you is truly my soul mate.  But, this first year has been different too. We have definitely had our ups and downs.

Until this past Friday, he was actually commuting to Charlotte every week and that just tore me down.  He was here, and then he was gone, and then back again.  My heart was going through so much happiness and so much sadness every week.  But, that is apart of life, you have to deal with the down times in order to come through on the bright side.

That is something I pride myself on, I think of myself as the "glass half full" type of girl.  I have always tried to find the good in people, in situations, and in life.

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade - and add vodka.  LOTS OF VODKA!

Both of us work hard, that I wanted to do something special for our one year, the good and bad thing - he never wants anything!  He is so kind hearted, loving and full of support.  No matter what we are going through, he is always thinking of more ways to go about things.  Through rough times (which happen) to good times (which we have more of) - I am one lucky lady.

Then one day he looked at me, and said "Remember that Fossil watch you gave me for our first year together as a couple?" - Yes? - "Well, it's really worn out, maybe we could fix it?" - That's all that that he wanted, guys.  He wanted a new leather band for his watch.  I tried to buy him one of the automatic watches (which are gorgeous), but he didn't want me spending the money.  I tried getting him other things - he didn't want them!

The more I think about our first anniversary, the more I tried to google what to get your hubby...the more I didn't want to go with those typical boring presents.

So, I went out, fixed the watch, and I made reservations for the day after our anniversary, for a lovely dinner at a fine dining restaurant.  The reason why I am doing the day after, is because we are spending the 14th with our absolutely AMAZING friends Rachel and David as they celebrate joining their lives together. (The 14th is just such a great day to get married, guys!)

The more I think about it, the more I want to tell you,  FORGET about the typical anniversary gifts, forget about trying to please a tradition formed by society.  Do what YOU want!  Don't feel like you have buy your hubs something expensive, or something outrageous; we all have the rest of our lives for all of that!  Get something that they really want, just ask them - they will tell you eventually.

To be brutally honest, we aren't the type of people to worry about anniversaries, and everything.  We have the rest of our lives together.  We are just so blessed to be able to spend it with each other, surrounded by people we love, and a night full of happiness.

In marriage, no matter what day, what hour, what minute, or second, to know that you have a best friend that will stand with you throughout everything is refreshing, beautiful and powerful.  Life gets crazy, hectic, busy and overwhelming, and I am very lucky for Adam and him being my life-partner.  I love you, Lovebug.  Happy Anniversary.

Changing it UP!

HELLO, MY LOVES!

XO, Cassie is a blog that started from Bless this Mess(er), to Sprinkle me Southern, to the current Xo, Cassie.  And that’s it guys, I’m Cassie, a woman trying to find her place in this world, with her wonderful husband, and two dogs.  I’m changing things up...

Now it is time, it is time for me to just put it all out there.  I am going to live.  I am going to tell you my about my successes and failures.  Things change, people change, you change, but that is life.  The more I think about “WHAT DO I HAVE TO BLOG ABOUT NEXT?” – the more I just want to write, uncensored.  I am going to keep posting recipes, thoughts, ideas, DIY projects. But, again, more uncensored, a little extra sugar, and a whole lotta spice. ;)

I was born and raised a crab eating, Annapolis native, Maryland girl - now living down south in the BBQ lovin', Sweet Tea brewin' state of North Carolina.  I enjoy the south, but I still love my Maryland way of driving, the Patriots, and especially the crabs.  I have southern tendencies, because, well, we can only hear y’all so much until we start using it ourselves.  Did I mention I love/miss crabs?

I keep Old Bay in my purse, right next to my lip-gloss; but, I can still throw down when I need too.  I have recently been addicted to fitness, and cupcakes.  It’s what I like to do. Life is crazy, and you never know what is going to happen next.

I am not a professional chef.

I am not a therapist.

I am not soft-spoken.

I am a woman that is on a journey, trying to find my place in this crazy, beautiful world, while cooking some awesome stuff.  There is so much out there that we haven’t seen yet.  So why do we have to follow the rules?  We will miss all the fun.  This is me giving you permission to have fun doing  what you want, not that you need it.

I am a happy-go lucky type of person that says shit a lot.  I'm here to learn more about myself, love myself more, and give a whole lotta fucks about what I eat (good and bad)!  Join me!  Do this for you, too!

Good luck, y'all! If you need a kick in the ass then follow the journey, subscribe, all you gotta to do it put your email address in where it says to and then bam!  You get a pretty little email whenever I post awesome shit!   Lets get inspired people! Lets do this!

Not so "Modern" Emmy Look

A lot of women came out to the Emmy's dressed to the nines!  Even though I fell asleep during the show, because I was super tired and had to be up early for the gym, I think I watched the best part.

It is young, it is elegant, and it is fabulous.  Y'all it is Sarah Hyland.  She was breathtaking.

Even her hair and make-up was the best that I have ever seen on her.  Normally, she dresses overly mature for her age, but this year at the 2014 Emmy's, she looked amazing, absolutely stunning.  

Sarah Hyland is known for her role as Haley Dunphy in Modern Family, as a typical independent teenager.  Casual clothing, dresses like a teenager, talks back to her parents, but she was not so "Modern" at the Emmy's, she was exquisite.
 

Thanks for stopping by, y'all!

Easy Peasy Caprese Salad

Sunday Funday in the Herre house today, y'all!

As Adam and I relax after a fun filled week with my fam, soccer games, volleyball practice, job interviews and just normal chaos in your life, we sat down and watched one of our favorite Sunday shows - The Kitchen!

PS - If you guys were keeping up with Food Network Star, we voted for LENNY!! And we were so happy that he won!  We cannot wait for his show to come out guys, you will be getting A LOT of his food on this blog! :)

So, as I was saying we were watching The Kitchen, and the most darling, Geoffrey Zakarian had a recipe that I just wanted to make right then and there, so I did. You should just get up right now and go make it, too!

Cooking teaches love and patience.  So, get your mozzarella, because cheese is happiness, and lets get our cutting boards out y'all for this yummy "Easy Peasy Caprese Salad!"

Yields one serving.

Lipsticks and Squats,

Meatloaf Cupcakes

Yes, y'all!  You read that right! 

MEATLOAF. CUPCAKES.

As I was getting my ingredients ready for my meatloaf, I realized I didn't have some ingredients, so I went on google just to look for substitutes, and then bam, I saw a "fun fact" saying, to cook your meatloaf in a cupcake pan to help it cook faster.  Then...it hit me, I always serve my meatloaf with mashed potatoes, why not just combine it? and make it into what I make best? A CUPCAKE!

Come on in guys, lets get started on this awesome and fun dinner.  

I don't have kids, but I have two little sisters and I know this is something they would love helping with, and enjoy eating.  For those of you with kids, little siblings, or husbands/wives/partners that are kids at heart, THIS RECIPE IS FOR YOU! 

All you do, is take your favorite meatloaf recipes, bake it for the time/temp below.  Make your favorite mashed potatoes, and follow the steps below! 

For the Meatloaf cakes ::

• 1pound ground beef
• 1/3 C. red onion, chopped
• 1/4 green pepper, chopped
• 1 C bread crumbs (I used italian seasoned bread crumbs)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 C ketchup
• a couple shakes of Worcestershire sauce
• 2-3 shakes of cayanne pepper
• 1 1/2 Tbls. brown sugar
• Salt and Pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease your cupcake pan.
2. Mix all of your meatloaf ingredients together, and make sure that it is mixed together evenly.
3. Take your mixture and put into cupcake tin about 2/3 full.
4. Drizzle as much ketchup as you want on top of each, then bake for 45 minutes.

For the potatoes ::

• 4-5 Potatoes
• 1/3 C whole milk
• 1/4 C sour cream
• 1/4 C cream cheese
• 1/3 C butter (I used I can't believe its not butter)
• Salt and Pepper

1. Wash and peal all of your potatoes, roughly dice them and boil them, until soft (10-12 minutes).
2. Drain potatoes, and then put back into bowl.
3. Throw in all the other mashed potato ingredients, with your masher/blender.
4. Put it into a icing bag, or ziplock (and cut a small tip out).

Once your meatloaf cupcakes are done, pop them out, top with your mashed potato icing, and serve!

Reesee's Protein Shake : Post Workout

Moving to Winston-Salem has provided me with the time and energy to better myself by eating healthier, working out more, and living a happy life.

Running (almost) everyday has been great.  But, just cardio isn't always going to help you slim down and tone up, so be sure to get your weight lifting in as well.  Even if you can't leave the house because you have stuff to do, or you don't like leaving, you can use a simple toning band, and go and get yourself 5-pound dumbbells.

If you need a little help along the way, inspiration, diet plan, workout plan, y'all should go visit my girl Rachel.  She is absolutely amazing, and has transformed peoples lives.  Check her out on her website, Rachel Nicole Fitness.

On with the shake!  I normally don't always have a protein shake, but whenever I don't have time for a meal, with my job, like if I have a morning workout, I'll make my shake in my Ninja, and get going.  Ninja provides a quick and easy transport of any shake, or smoothie.

Y'all this is super delicious and I know you will love it!  Let me know what y'all think!

Lipstick and Squats,