I decided that I am going to do a little series based on my favorite place to grocery shop – Trader Joe’s. They are the king of coming out with incredible seasonal items (especially for Christmas!) so I thought that each season I would share with you some of my favorite new items that they come up with. But before I do that I think I need to share with you some of my favorite Trader Joe’s staples. You know, the items I drive out of my way for each week. So let’s get to it!

Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. I mean can you really start a Best of Trader Joe’s list without mentioning the king of all seasonings first? I put this stuff on everything from eggs to chicken to salads. It really adds the perfect kick of flavor. But that is not the only seasoning you should pick up at Trader Joe’s. The thing I love most about them is that all of their herbs and spices are very affordable, so I always stock up when I go.

Green Goddess Dressing. Do you want to take a salad from boring to fresh and flavorful in a matter of seconds? Put this dressing on your salad. Made up of Avocado, Green Onion, Cold Pressed Lemon Juice, Chives, Basil, and Garlic, this simple dressing is perfect on a summer pasta salad.

Cauliflower Mash. So I know that the cauliflower trend has been going on forever. Trader Joe’s has a great cauliflower rice stir fry kit in their frozen section that is perfect in a pinch. However, if you have not tried the mashed cauliflower you are missing out. It is creamy and buttery and honestly, I do not miss the potato at all.

Balsamic Grilled Chicken. Wow. If you are looking for a low maintenance dinner when you do not have to cook, but do not want to order take out either this is the thing for you. I honestly do not know how they do it. But this perfectly grilled chicken is fully cooked and in the pre made section. I buy this every week and cut it up to put on salads, make a grilled chicken wrap, or eat it as is with a side of cauliflower mash.

Cheddar Rockets. As far as snacks go, my boyfriend and I LOVE these. So much cheesier than a goldfish or cheez its, these are the perfect snack for an afternoon pick me. up.

Hold the Cone Mini Ice Cream Cones. I love these for a quick little treat after dinner without all the guilt. They are 7- calories each and the perfect treat when you want something sweet. They have a few different flavors but the Vanilla is my main go-to (until the Fall and Christmas flavors come out!)

I am sure there are a few that I am missing so maybe I will have to do a part two to this. Stay tuned because I will be sharing with you my favorite seasonal summer items soon!

xx Casey

Since the first day of summer is officially here, I wanted to take the time to set some intentions for the season. The turn of a new season is the perfect time to sit back and re-evaluate the important things in life and re-focus your energy.

Slow Down & Soak It Up. Summer comes and goes way too quickly each year. By the time mid June rolls around, there are two and a half short months left until the coolness of fall rolls in. And as much as I love the fall, I need to remember not to rush it. Enjoy the nights where you can eat dinner outside on the patio, spend days soaking up the sun, and  enjoy moving at a much slower pace than usual.

To Be More Aware of My Body. This is not where I am going to begin talking about “summer bodies” because quite frankly there is no such thing. This season there is so much fresh produce – so take advantage of it! Eat cooler lighter meals while the temps are rising, and feel good about what you are putting into your body. Eating seasonally is the healthiest way to live and will make you feel lighter and more energized throughout the summer and beyond.

Say No, Without Guilt. Just because it is summer does not mean you have to say yes to every happy hour, buck a shuck, brunch, beach day, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking this time to slow down. The urge to go-go-go and soak up every moment of the summer is strong, but do yourself a favor and take some time for yourself.

xx Casey

Good Evening Friends! With Memorial Day this weekend the summer is fast approaching, and I am dreaming of days laying by the pool or sitting on my balcony listening to a good book (via my audible app of course!). So today I am sharing with you my summer reading list. Or at least what I have so far because it is ever changing…

Book 1: The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body – Cameron Diaz

In this book Cameron Diaz shares her formula for becoming happier, healthier, and stronger in this positive, essential guide grounded in science and inspired by personal experience. I love that this isn’t just a “drink water, get enough sleep, exercise” advice kind of book. Cameron backs up her guide to healthy living with Science, which sets this book apart from a lot of the other books on this topic. And I love the narrator Sandy Rustin. A narrator can make or break a book, and Sandy’s approach feels like you are talking to a friend.

Book 2: Cottage by the Sea – Debbie Macomber

Debbie is known as the writer behind the books that some of our favorite Hallmark Movies are based on. So I am excited for an easy feel good fiction book to be added to my list.

Book 3: Pretty Fun – Kate Hudson

In Pretty Happy Kate Hudson shares her tips and advice for living a healthy, strong, and mindful life. The book also has a strong focus on the philosophy behind gatherings, and how to be in the moment and make them uniquely yours.

Book 4: A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin

Now that the TV series is over (and there are mixed reviews on how it ended) I am going to give the books a listen. The first book is 33 hours and 46 minutes long so you can definitely say you are getting your money’s worth out of your one credit. Also there is something so relaxing about a British Narrator.. even if the book is about war.

So there you have it, four very different books lined up for this summer. Any good recommendations to add? Please share!

xx Casey

This weekend we said hello to our new home and began a new chapter in our lives. Here are a few snapshots from the weekend.

xx Casey

In four days I will be saying goodbye to the home I have lived in for almost five years.

I moved into my apartment in April of 2014. It was an older house, but two bedrooms with a balcony and a garage for $750 a month in East Providence? I could not have found a better deal. Did the place have it’s flaws? Of course. From the heat bill being astronomical (and not always working), to finding mice, to having a broken door for two years… it was not perfect. But it was home.

This was the place where I learned so much about myself. I learned how to live with a significant other and I learned how to live alone. This was the place where I brought a two week old kitten home who would turn out to be my best friend. I had some great times and a lot of bad times inside those walls, but through it all it was the place that I grew up.

There is something about your first home after you leave college. Your first “big-girl apartment” that will always have a piece of you. So in the words of Marie Condo – Thank you Apartment. Thank you for being the place that I felt safe and at home in for the past five years. You served me well and I will think back on you fondly.

Now on to the next adventure…

xx Casey

Good Morning my blogging friends! And welcome back to My Nine Lives! As you know I have taken the past couple of months off to regroup and think about the direction I want my blog to go. I have some amazing content coming your way, but before I do let’s talk a little bit about what you are going to see here on the blog.

What you can expect: one post a week on Monday so you can start your week with My Nine Lives. This schedule will definitely help ensure that I am bringing you the best quality content with every single post. You will also be seeing more content in categories that I am extremely passionate about.

Food & Beverage. As you know I went to culinary school and food is one of my biggest passions, so I am excited to share some amazing food and drink recipes with you.

Entertaining. When it comes to parties, events, holidays, or gatherings, I tend to always go a little over the top. So here I will share all of my tips and tricks for being the perfect hostess and throwing the perfect get together… even if it is just spur of the moment drinks after work.

Travel Guides. Here I will share comprehensive and detailed travel guides with a focus on Rhode Island. I will also post travel guides for some bigger trips I have coming up this year as well.

Home Décor. Home décor is something that I have always been passionate about. Right now I live in a rented apartment that I absolutely love. I have been living there for about four years now and it is time for a little face lift. So here I will be sharing my tips to re-designing a rented apartment on a budget as well as some DIY projects.

Lifestyle. Here I will post more about myself with an inside look into my life, products I love, thoughts I have, and all the things that make up my lifestyle.

I am extremely excited for the things to come in the next couple months. Blogging has been a huge part of my life for the past couple of years, and I am so happy that I get to take you all on this journey called life with me.

xx Casey