Team Casey Jo: 2013

My Winter Skin Routine

Oh winter, why must you be so harsh to my skin?

I can't stand for my skin to feel dry and itchy, so I try to keep it as moisturized as possible. This year I have managed to keep myself into a routine.

Here are the products that I use regularly:

-Dr. Teal's Lavender Epsom Salts

-Calgon Mineral Scrub and Soak

-Calgon Milk Bath with Serum Beads

-Neutrogena Body Oil

-Johnson's Baby Oil Gel

-Olay body Lotion

On cold nights I love to either use the lavender Epsom salts, or the Milk bath. When I am achy, I tend to use the Epsom salts. Otherwise, I use the milk bath. I use the mineral scrub once a week with a bath glove to exfoliate the dead skin. After the bath, before I towel off, I use either the Body oil, or the baby oil gel. I love how soft they make my skin feel. I use the body lotion through out the day.

Have you used any of these?

What do you think?

Casey Jo Update: Feeding Tube Change

Casey Jo had her follow up appointment in Cleveland on Dec. 10th. Her lung function was up a little to 27%! (Last time it was 24%) They went ahead and pulled her PICC line out!! After being on IV's for almost 5 weeks her lung function should've been a little better but they decided to give her a break from the IV's for now. She lost 7lbs since her last appointment!!! Not good at all!!! And they finally got her Mickey-Button (feeding tube) changed!! I'll post a couple videos of them changing out her tube as they had a little bit of trouble hehe. They had 3 people try to pull it out and finally the last person got it! It shouldn't have been a big deal but they figured out that the balloon in her stomach did not deflate as it was suppose to.

Here is the new Mickey-Button. The bottom of the stem they fill with water so it's like a balloon in side her.

Here are the videos!

Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers!!! Casey Jo loves when I read her the comments! :)

P.S. Now that she is done with her IV antibiotics, she has contacted UPMC to get an appointment with transplant testing again. They will notify her of an appointment soon. :)

Duck Dynasty Nail Polish!

Who knew Duck Dynasty sold nail polish!?!?!

I went to Walmart the other day and found this. I was so excited because it is the perfect fall color!

What do you think of it???

Wardrobe Wednesday 11/27

Shirt: Dots

Scarf: Made by me :)

Jeans: LEI

Boots: Gabes

Sunshine Award!

About a week and a half ago Brittany, from A Coffee Break With Brittany, nominated me for the Sunshine Award.

How awesome is that!?!?! Thanks Brittany! I feel so honored!

She asked me some questions which I have to post, then I nominate people for the award also and make questions for them too! The lovely ladies I am nominating and the rules will be at the bottom of this blog post.

Here are the questions from Brittany:

1. What song do you never get tired of listening to?

Missy Elliot's Work It. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of me & my sister singing it.

2. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Every Thanksgiving night, my family goes to the theatre and we watch a movie.

3. Biggest pet peeve?

People who are in a hurry to pull out in front of you while driving, then drive slowwwwww.

4. Facebook or Twitter?

I'd have to say I am on Facebook more often.

5. What is your favorite blog?

I can't say I have a favorite. I have about 5 blogs I always look out for their posts. I love reading them...and they are mentioned below :)

6. Describe your ideal vacation?

With my family, on a beach. The same vacation I take almost every year with them. I wouldn't change a thing :)

7. Who is your celebrity crush?

Ian Somerhalder...Oh he is so dreamy!

8. What is your favorite thing about fall?

When Starbucks comes out with their Pumpkin Spice latte, boots & scarves!!!!

9. Who do you go to when you need advice?

My Aunt Jen, Mom/Dad or Sister.

10. Give us a random fact about yourself.

I was allergic to a childhood vaccine and it put me in a coma.

I am nominating:

Becky at B is For Becky

Courtney at Corky Ree Tips Tricks and Secrets The Glamorous Life

Kesha at Dela Belles Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle
Stephanie at Diary of a Debutante

Sky-Ann at The Little Button

Yuli at Yuli Conversations

Here are your questions ladies:

1. What is your favorite holiday and memory of that holiday?

2. If you could choose one celeb to be your BFF, who would it be and why?

3. What is the last thing you took a picture of?

4. What is one random fact about yourself?

5. If there was a reality show about your life, what would the theme song be?

6. Do you have a charity or are you an advocate for a cause that means a lot to you?

7. What inspired you to start blogging?

8. What is your absolute favorite movie of all time?

9. What is the number one thing on your bucket list?

10. Have you ever had a recurring dream? If so, what happens in it?

The Rules:

1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog.
2. Link to the person who nominated you
3. Answer questions about yourself that the person who nominated you asks.
4. Nominate bloggers to receive the award. (make sure to link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know you have nominated them)

Sweater Weather Tag

Last week, I was reading A Coffee Break With Brittnay's blog. She did a Sweater Weather Tag and tagged anyone who read her post. So here is mine:

1. Favorite candle scent? That would be Butter Maple Syrup from Crossroads. Smells soooo good!

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? I’m going to have to agree with Brittany and say all of the above. It really depends on my mood. When it comes to coffee it is pumpkin spice latte. The tea I love to drink is from a herbal store back home, and my favorite cocoa is dark chocolate raspberry.

3. What's the best fall memory you have? Best memory of fall would be the time my sister and I went to Dollywood in Tennessee. We had a blast. I will treasure that memory forever!

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? I would have to go with the dark lips. I am horrible with the winged eyeliner! I like to line & fill in my lips with NYC lipstain in Never Ending Nude, then, put Maybelline’s in 300 Lavender Lavish. It is their Color sensational fall 2013 collection. I know it doesn’t look too dark, but when I put it on top of the lip stain it is dark enough for me!

5. Best fragrance for fall? I am in love with Burberry’s The Beat. It has a fabulous woodsy smell to it.

6. Favorite Thanksgiving food? My Daddy’s deep fried turkey!!!!! Wow is it sooo good!

7. What is autumn weather like where you live? Well, I live in PA, so that means it is snowing one day and in the 60’s the next day. The trees are absolutely gorgeous. I love seeing all the amazing colors.

8. Most worn sweater? This is my favorite fall sweater. I love wearing a brown tank under it.

9. Must-have nail polish this fall? My favorite fall polish isn’t new. It is Essie’s Mink Muffs. I saw this on my cousin last fall and fell in love with it! It looks very brown, but it really isn’t on!

10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? Well, I’m really not a fan of football, so leaves it is!!!

11. Skinny jeans or leggings? I love, love, love skinny jeans. They are the perfect jeans for boots!

12. Combat boots or Uggs? Uggs!!!! They are sooooo warm and sooo comfy! I love wearing them in fall and winter because they keep my feet so warm.

13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? It’s weird, I love pumpkin spice lattes, but I really don’t like pumpkin pie! I LOVE to make it, but just don’t care to eat it.

14. Favorite fall TV show? Ravenswood :)

15. What song really gets you into the fall spirit? I don’t think any song really gets me in the fall spirit, but I do like Green Day’s Wake Me up When September Ends.

If anyone reads this and wants to do it, I tag you also!

Casey Jo Update: Finally Home!!!!

Casey got to go home today!!!!!

She had a nice surprise before she left, our cousin Misty & Brady had a cookie bouquet delivered to her!!! It probably won't last long since her appetite is getting better!!!

She finally got to see her doggie!!! They were both excited!

She will be on home IV's for at least another week. She has to go back to Cleveland for a check up in a week to check her breathing and to get her Mickey-Button changed.

Her IV's come in pressurized bottles so she doesn't have to be hooked up to a pole all the time.

She is on 3 different IV antibiotics, Zosyn, which is every 6 hours, Tobramycin, which is every 24 hours, and Vancomycin, which is every 12 hours with Benadryl.

The bottles have a balloon in them that will deflate the medicine into her.

Here's a before picture:

And here is after, when the drug has been infused. Each one goes in over about an hour.

Before and after each drug is infused, she has to flush her PICC line so there is no clotting.

I just want to thank each and every one of you for all your prayers, kind words, and/or good vibes!!!!! Casey and our whole family really appreciate all of your support!

It really lifts her spirits when she reads every lovely comment!

Casey Jo Update: Day 7

So far, Casey gets to go home tomorrow!!!!!!! Although, the new Mickey-Button (feeding tube) hasn't came in, her doctor said she can come back in a week or two and have the new one placed.

She had another PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) and it was 29% which when she went into the hospital it was 24%. So the IV antibiotics are helping!

Looking a little perky today :)

Casey Jo Update: Day 6

Not much has changed the last few days. Casey had her sugar tested after her tube feed on Friday and it was pretty high, 439! So they gave her some insulin and then later on her sugar went low to 54. So they are trying to get that under control. They have also slowly lowered her oxygen level from 4 liters to 1 liter. She has also gain 2lbs!!

She had a couple of visitors today!! Our cousin Amy and Brian Harmon came and gave her a little gift while she's there in the hospital! That made her day, she hasn't seen them for a few months!

She is definitely ready to go home!!!!!

Casey Jo Update: Day 3

Another easy day for Casey today! Not much has changed, they are still debating on giving the iron through pills or the IV. She ate a whole sandwich, which is very good for her since she usually doesn't eat anything!! They are ordering a shorter Mickey-Button (feeding tube) for her because the one she has now goes in and out of her stomach too much.

It shouldn't come that far out!

The shorter one will hopefully make her not feel so full all the time and maybe get her appetite back!

Casey Jo Update: Day 2

Today, Casey didn't have any procedures to do, so she just rested. They got her IV's started and she's seems to be feeling better already. One of the IV antibiotics (Vancomycin) she is on gives her a allergic reaction called 'Red Mans' which makes her face, chest and head red. It's also itchy and makes her face swell a little bit. So she has to take Benadryl before each dose of Vanc which makes her very sleepy all day long.

When they put her PICC Line in yesterday and also went ahead and took some blood. The results showed that she's anemic. Her hemoglobin was 8 and it should normally be 12-16. So that might be a reason why she has been so tired and isn't breathing well. They are deciding on whether to just give iron pills or put iron through an IV.

She got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from one of her amazing friends, Mallory!

Casey Jo Update Day 1

Well the time that Casey Jo has been dreading has finally came. She had to break down and get on oxygen. On Oct 23th she had an overnight sleep test to watch her O2 levels. The normal levels should be around 95-99 and the test takes at least four hours but its much longer since you do it while you're sleeping. So if your O2 levels are at 88 or below for five minutes (doesn't have to be consecutive minutes) then you are suppose to be on Oxygen. Casey was hooked up for a little over ten hours and She never even went up to 88! Her lowest number was 60 and her average was 77.

So the next day the results were faxed to Cleveland and then Casey got her oxygen machine which she proudly calls Roxi, Roxi Oxi!! :)

She has just been extremely tired and worn out for about the past month. She's lost more weight and gets very short of breath doing just about anything. For example, just walking to a vehicle or drying off in the shower or even just holding a conversation can wear her out.

So she had an appointment with her doctor on Tuesday the 5th and they decided to have her stay. They got her admitting paperwork and all that done. Also, they got the PICC Line placed after 2 hours. They had a little trouble getting it in, it just wanted to stop at her armpit but finally they got it through and will be starting the IV meds soon!!!

She sounded in good spirits when I talked to her earlier today. I'll try to update as much as possible. :)

20 Books Every Lady Should Read in Her 20's

Have you been on Pinterest and seen those: '10 Books Every Woman in Her 20's Should Read' pins? I have seen many of them. I have read some some of the books on those lists and thought, why would that book be a necessity to read in my twenties???

Since the end of my twenties is close to six months away, I thought I might want to get your opinions. I am going to make my own list of 20 books every lady should read in her 20's. I will try to read each of your suggestions (If possible) and after I turn 30, make my own list.

So please, offer me your suggestions. What books would you recommend for women in their 20's that are a staple for life. I can't wait to hear your suggestions!

Fall Glitter Ombré Nails

This is my new favorite fall color!

What do you think?

Maybelline Colored Mascaras

A few months back I bought Maybelline's Great Lash colored Mascaras. I thought it would be fun to try. I didn't want to use it all the way through my lashes, because I felt like that would look a little too juvenile. Instead, I used it at the base of my lashes. I felt like it made the color have a subtle pop. I don't recommend the purple. You couldn't even see it on my lashes. The blue however, looked really pretty. I really hate how you can't see the blue on my lashes in that pic because it was beautiful!

Have you tried them? What did you think?

Pioneer Days

This past weekend I went with my family to Pioneer Days in Elizabeth, WV. Casey Jo & I too our car to the Pioneer Days car show.

Casey Jo, our Mom & Myself

Sister Car!!!! Our 1959 Dodge Coronet

Elizabeth is where our roots are from. Our Dad's side of the family is from there, and many of them still live there. After the car show we went to my Dad's cousins house for a cook out. It was really nice. We all had a blast!

Court house

The old historic Little Kanawha Hotel

Elizabeth is an extremely small town. (I pretty much gave you the whole tour through these photos)

Have you ever been there? Or know where it is?

They had a reenactment going on during the day.

Since we were going to be gone most of the day Saturday, I decided to bring Lily with me so she wouldn't be in her crate all day. Big mistake y'all! Big mistake!!! For one, it is freaking fall and it was probably the hottest day of the year!!!! Lily was so hot and freaked she stayed on my lap the whole time until the end....and then she peed on my lap. Not a little bit, but like a whole flippin gallon! I had no idea how one little Chihuahua could retain so much water!!! Luckily, I had an extra set of clothes...which I NEVER do! (Thank goodness!) So lucky me, I had to go commando the rest of the day because Lily peed though my underwear too. That's just my awesome luck! lol! ...And we didn't win at the car show. Casey was livid and said it was rigged, as usual...we WILL win someday!

Anyone else have an exciting weekend?

September Hits & Misses Video

By the way, I forgot to mention in the video that at first I didn't like the Urban Decay setting spray. Apparently you have to shake it up really well before misting it on your face. Now that I apply it right I love it!!!

Wardrobe Wednesday

Dress: S.W.A.G.G.

Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday!!! I decided to take advantage of the last of the warm weather by changing into my favorite dress to run errands. I love dressing up when I get the chance since I have been stuck in scrubs! I bought this fabulous dress from S.W.A.G.G. (To check out S.W.A.G.G's Facebook page, click here!) It is this awesome little store from my hometown. If you haven't heard of it, you should definitely check it out! You can find all sorts of stuff there!

Bella Pierre Eyeshadow

Have you ever heard of Bella Pierre cosmetics? I was just recently introduced and I love it so far!

What makes this product so cool, is that you can mix the powders with clear lip gloss and make your own shade of lip gloss. Of you can add the powder to clear nail polish and make a beautiful shade of polish that matches your make up.

I bought 3 different palettes that day. This is the first one I choose to try.

Here is the finished product. The pictures just don't do it justice on how beautiful it truly was.

Fab 5 of the Week 9/22

Goodness! When was the last time I did a Fab 5 of the Week???? It has been forever! I am sorry I've been MIA lately. Classes kicked my butt this past semester!!! My last day of finals was the week before, this past week I went on vacation, and this week I start my internship! I only have 3 more months until I graduate.....I think I can, I think I can! I am hoping this semester I will have a little more time to blog than I did this past semester. Here goes nothing!!!

#1. My last semester of classes had ended!!!! Now onto my internship. See this pretty specimen I cultured? Gross huh!

#2. I went on vacation with my awesome family. We went to Surfside Beach in SC. It was so much fun. We stayed in the same double wide beach house we stayed in last year....that's right, we partied in the trailerhood! It is a cute little gated community...Way classier than Myrtle Manor lol!

#3. While on vacation, I found this cute little soap and beauty shop. They sold this make up. I have never heard of it so I decided to buy it and try it....Will give a review later!