This is the Start, of Something New

And there it is. 4 years. 2 schools. Endless memories.

Last month I graduated from the best school in the world, N.C. State. It's hard to imagine 4 years of college has already gone by. It felt like it was just yesterday I was a freshman looking forward to all that college life had to offer me. From joining a sorority, playing volleyball, making new friends, and having endless experiences; college was everything that I could have asked for and more.

But to those who say college is the 'best four years of your life', I understand where you're coming from. It's a time where you are tiptoeing into adulthood without any of the responsibilities. Your main job is going to school, and when you're not in class the world is your oyster. However, there is way more to life than 4 years of college.

Most of you are, what, 21 or 22 upon graduation? That means that 4/5th of your life is still left to be lived! That accounts for endless experiences and memories! The greatest things in life are still ahead: falling in love, getting married, starting a family, finding your passion, traveling the world. Many of these things that really weren't possible in college.

I am sad to leave this wonderful University, and I would be lying if I said I am happy to be leaving the college lifestyle. But I couldn't be more excited with what lies ahead. I know life will have its ups and downs but that is what will make it all worth while.

Our hearts ever hold you, N.C. State. But now it's time to figure out what the real world has to offer.

Until next time,

Casey Rose

Make Me Up, Buttercup

Today for Make Me Over Monday I wanted to talk about a few of my new favorite beauty products I've picked up recently.

Until recently, I have always been pretty 'safe' when it comes to my beauty products. I use what I have, and what I've been given by my friends and family, and I don't really venture very far beyond that. I think it always had to do with the fact that I felt more comfortable spending my money on things you can physically see - like clothing. Plus for me, it always seemed a little bit ridiculous that people would spend more than $10 on a lipstick. 

But boy was I wrong. I've realized that investing in quality beauty products can really pull together your entire look and give you a flawless application. Essentially the products I got are bae at the moment, and I'm going to let you all know why.

First and most importantly, the reason I walked into ULTA - The Naked Skin Concealer by Urban Decay.

I cannot say enough good things about this concealer. First and foremost, the difference between my old concealer and this one isn't even comparable. I was using a potted concealer and, for the most part, I've always had decent skin. Maybe a pimple here or there or even a scab from where I may have picked at it (yeah I know, I shouldn't do that, we're all human). So I really haven't had much to cover up so I always though my concealer does the trick. The issue I always had was with my under eye coverage. I would use this thick concealer under my eyes, that simply isn't made for that area. It would crease throughout the day and just feel so heavy under my lids.

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer is everything and more that I could have ever hoped for. It is light weight but still full coverage. Before I would have to load up the product to make sure it actually covered the problem area and even then it wouldn't stay. This product is long lasting, and looks so natural on your skin. I could go on for days but I would just recommend you go try it out for yourself.

The Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer comes in 8 different shades and retails for $28.

The second product I wanted to talk about is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz.

Now I was first introduced to this product because I am an avid Jaclyn Hill viewer on YouTube. She is Queen and everything she recommends I must buy. But really. She raved about this brow pencil and I wanted to try it, but I was hesitant at first. I had always filled my eyebrows in with powder, which I was completely satisfied with. Then I tried to fill in my brows with a pencil, which I felt like gave me a little more precise of a brow than the powder had.

After I got this product everything I knew about filling in my eyebrows had changed.  This is the most fool proof way of filling in your brows. On one end it has a spooly to tame the hair and on the other side is the twist up pencil. Depending on your strokes, you can be as light handed or bold as you want with you look. I love the color, it's perfect for my brows, but my favorite part has got to be the spooly. If i mess up along the way, when I brush my brows out at the end it softens the harsh line or mistake I made while applying and makes it as if it never happens. Leaving my brows looking natural and gorgeous. This is a great investment and I guarantee you will fall in love like I did.

The Anastasia Brow Wiz is offered in 9 different shades and retails for $21.

The last 'makeup' product I want to talk about is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water.

Now this is something I originally didn't think I was going to buy. I went into ULTA originally just looking to buy the Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray, but once I asked one of the associates she steered me towards this product. She said the reason she likes it better is because it is both a primer and can be used to set your makeup (like I originally wanted). I also wasn't hesitant to buy this because Jaclyn Hill owns it, typical.

So when I went home I was eager to try it out. I sprayed some on my face and went to apply my foundation. My foundation has never applied so smoothly and with such ease. Now granted, I have never used a primer before, but this has definitely sold me on the general idea of primers. I also use it to set my makeup and I think it does a good job of hydrating and making my skin look dewy, but honestly I don't see much of a difference in how long my makeup lasts. Regardless, this is a 'primer' and is made for that reason, which they nailed and I couldn't be happier with the result.

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water retails for $32

Last product I want to talk about is the Living Proof Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse.

This product, I'm going to be honest, I'm not completely sold on yet. I originally bought it because I have naturally curly hair, but I wanted something that I could put in my hair while it is damp and when it dries it would have add more definition to my natural curl while also keeping them tame and not getting affected by humidity.

Overall I am not in love with this product. It definitely holds a curl, but my ends are the only issue and tend to get frizzy and lose their hold throughout the day. Now this may be for multiple reasons - I could just need a hair cut, I may need to add more product to those said areas, and maybe I need to try and diffuse it with a blow dryer instead of letting it dry on its own. There are many different methods I want to try to improve this product. I'm not saying it's a 'no' yet, because I really want to love it. I have other living proof products that I'm obsessed with, and the smell is to die for. But it is a mousse which I like, so it gives my hair hold while not leaving it 'crunchy'. The verdict is out on this product, but if you have any suggestions please leave me a comment letting me know!

The Living Proof Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse comes in 2 sizes with prices ranging from $15-$28.

So there you have it, my recent beauty purchases.  I am very pleased with all of the products I picked up and can't wait to try others and let you guys know what I think. I think this means I've officially become a 'make up' person. Can't say I'm mad about it ;)

Until next time,

Casey Rose

Land of the Free, Home of the President

This President's/Valentines Day weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to spend it in none other then our nation's capital - Washington, D.C. I may or may not have mentioned this on this blog before, but I am a volleyball coach, and my team competed in the Capitol Hill Classic this weekend. I love away tournaments because they're like mini vacations that I am getting paid for - the best kinds. I also always invite a few friends to join me on these long weekends, because hey, it's basically a free trip. My friends Alex and Wilber decided to join me and I couldn't have asked for a better pair to spend the weekend with!

Friday: Travel Day

We left a little before 3 pm and hit the road to D.C. With bags packed, we jammed out to some T. Swift and other throw back tunes all the way there. It's about a 5 hour car ride, and with stops (including a detour to get some cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcakes for my teams) we got to the hotel at about 8:45. I had a meeting with both of the teams that I coach, with my Head Coach, at 9 pm to distribute wristbands that all you to enter the facility as well as just going over what to expect for the upcoming weekend. All of the girls were very excited to start playing and even more excited to meet both of my friends who I brought along on this trip. 

After introductions and all of the excitement died Alex, Wil and I realized we were starving so we ventured out into the city to find somewhere to eat. Given that it was February 13th, the day before Valentines Day, many couples were out that night and it was a bit hard to find a restaurant that was able to seat us without a reservation. We eventually found one though called Zaytinya. To say it was delicious would be an understatement, this meal was possibly the best meal that I have ever had. It features traditional Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese dishes that are served family style, you pick a few dishes and share it with the table, altogether everything was to die for. If you are in the DC area, I would highly recommend checking this restaurant out!

A few of our selections for the night - a Greek salad, shrimp, and brussel sprouts

Awaiting our delicious meal

Alex and I enjoying dinner

After dinner we decided to walk around DC and see the monuments since there wasn't going to be much time for the rest of the weekend to sightsee. After going about 8 blocks, the cold and wind caught up with us and we decided it would just be best to head back to the hotel and go to sleep. However we did catch some cute pictures of the Capitol building prior to heading back.

Alex and I

Wil and I

Saturday: First Day of Play

Saturday was the first day of the tournament but we didn't play until the afternoon wave. How this works, since there are many teams that participate in these larger travel tournaments, is there is an afternoon wave and a morning wave. Morning wave starts at 9 am and the afternoon wave starts at 3:30. My 13's team had the afternoon wave and my 14's had the morning wave. Given that I wanted to watch both teams play, my entire day consisted of volleyball. I went and watched them play at 9 am and then at 11, which my friends both decided to come watch, and at 11:30 we left to go get lunch with my 13's team at Panera.

Wil and I watching an 18's team during the morning wave

After Panera 13's were on. We went 2-1 in our pool that ended up lasting until 11 pm! Our court was behind from the morning wave and ended up getting even more behind because a couple of our games went to 3 sets. But given that we had a winning record, that meant we played in the morning. So it was immediately off to bed because we had to leave for the convention center at 7:45 to play at 9 am.

Sunday: Second Day of Play

This was the second day of pool play and the day that my friends had to head home because we didn't have school off on Monday. After we played in the morning we ended up 1-2 for the day, which was a bit disappointing because that meant we ended up in the Silver division, instead of Gold (which is the highest). After we played, I caught some lunch with my friends before they headed back to Raleigh at this restaurant about 2 blocks from our hotel called Cuba Libre. After bidding them farewell, I spent sometime with my team and then caught a game for one of my high schoolers that started at 8:30. After that it was time to pack up and head to bed for the last day of the tournament.

Monday: Last Day

Like the rest of the weekend, Monday we had a start time of 9 am. However unlike the rest of the weekend, this day was single elimination so if we were going to lose we were done for the day and had to go home. If we won, we kept playing. The first game was definitely our hardest by far, they took us to 3 games but we ended up winning the second and third games easily. After that we were on a roll, and won our next two games which meant we wont the silver division and 13th place overall for the weekend!

Overall I am very happy with how the girls played, and had so much fun with my trip to DC this weekend. I'm so glad my friends were able to come up and keep me company. Can't wait till the next trip! Next stop - Atlanta!

Till next time,

Casey Rose