Okay Pretty and Smart ladies it’s August and Casey is our featured contributor of the month! We are well into the dog days of summer and hopefully you’re faring better than those ancient Roman dogs. With a little help from, Samantha’s beach essentials for all budgets, Brooklyn’s summer staycations list, and Casey’s summer like no other, of course. We all get by with a little help from our friends, right?
So that brings us back to Casey! Casey has been with P&S Co. since February, 2020 (ah years ago now). You’ve probably seen her write about her journey to journaling, feeling good natured and her experience as an Au Pair. Casey has shared a few things about herself so her readers can get to know her a little better.
* Drum roll please * … Meet Casey Clearwater
Name or nickname if you have one:
Casey, but almost always referred to as Case, and some family members call me CC.
Zodiac sign:
Scorpio
What makes you feel pretty and smart/what does it mean to you:
I feel pretty when I am unapologetically being myself, and I feel confident and happy about who that is. As I have gotten older I realize more and more I want what’s on the inside to be the prettiest and it will shine outward from there. Meaning working to be the best person I can be, self-reflecting, and continuing to grow. Also when I treat my body with lots of love by eating well and staying active. Red lipstick helps too, of course.
I think one very important skill to master in relation to feeling smart is listening. Ask for help, absorb what others know and can teach you. I am a very loud chatty person so as I continue to grow I try to listen more and more. This could be listening to what’s going on in the world overall, listening to a co-worker/supervisor, or peers who can give you new perspectives on things.
One piece of advice to your younger self:
I think one of my greatest strengths but also weaknesses is how passionate I can be. Sometimes, this means I might act impulsively. I take a very “life is short, seize the day” kinda approach to different situations. To my younger self, I would say, think some decisions through more carefully. I think it is very important to still embrace that and I always will because it’s who I am but what I have learned over the years is how to revise those impulsivities. To actually listen to the advice given to me by my friends and family instead of learning the hard way. Not that I don’t make mistakes anymore, those still happen quite often (haha). OH and to educate myself sooner on taxes and credit, they really should include that in curriculums, I swear.
What you’re reading/watching/listening to:
I am currently reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG. Lately, I have been watching one of my favorite guilty pleasures, Love Island. I’m almost finished with season 5 and Greg O’Shea, you beautiful Irish man you, if you’re reading this… I’m available. There is always a song that takes me back to summers previous and the one for the summer of 2020 will definitely be Stolen Dance by Milky Chance. I can’t sit still and it makes me feel happy and light!
Favourite thing in your closet right now:
My bathing suits! We have been so lucky to have such amazing weather in Northern Ontario and all of my spare time has been spent at the lake! Also when not in the water I have been living in lounge tanks from Aerie! Cool and comfortable!
Biggest role model or icon (fashion, career, personal or otherwise):
Some names that come to mind are Angela Davis, Diane Keaton, and Ashley Graham. Angela Davis just embodies everything it is to be a strong woman, who stands up for what she believes in. I would love to spend a day with Diane Keaton drinking red wine while perusing through her closet. Also, Ashley Graham really has really helped me to feel confident in these hips of mine that don’t lie. However, no one compares to the amazing women in my life. I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by inspiring ladies from my best friends to older cousins my mom and aunts. They inspire me every day and are always there for me when I need advice.
Best word to describe you and why?
Not going to lie I cheated a little on this one because describing anything with one word is difficult, nevermind yourself. I may have asked some family and friends for their thoughts and ideas. Jokingly one of my friends described herself as hungry and I almost wanted to take that but in all seriousness, the word that was given to me many times was effervescent. Whatever is going on in life, good or bad, how you react to it and your attitude is everything. I really try to be positive and enthusiastic in any situation and I am very happy that translates to those around me.
What is your fitness or wellness routine:
Summer is difficult for me to maintain any strict gym schedule… well actually to be real it’s hard for me any time of the year. I like to exercise in other ways such as hiking, walking with friends, swimming, kayaking, and most of all I absolutely love to dance. Zumba is my favourite, I am actually an instructor! Before COVID-19 my favorite thing to do was dance with my classes 3 times a week.
I would have to say I am more passionate about nutrition and wellness. This summer I have experimented with food challenges eliminating sugar and trying to eat as whole and healthy as possible but have returned to my preferred plant-based diet. Recently I have fully eliminated using electronics before bed and dug out my old alarm clock so I could leave my phone in the kitchen overnight. My three main wellness tips to others would be…
1) Try to read for an hour each night (no screens in the bedroom)
2) Moisturize…literally EVERYTHING (WRINKLES STAY AWAY)
3) Drink lots of water
What is your favorite thing to write about?
Normally I believe it would be travel but due to the circumstances of the world, I would have to say lifestyle and wellness. There is nothing better than writing about personal experiences and having peers comment on how relatable and helpful an article was for them. I try to write very similarly to how I would communicate with close friends and family so hopefully they give people a laugh as well. Unless I am not funny in real life, then we may run into some problems.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Reality television paired with Ben & Jerry’s vegan chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.
Favourite quote:
Hmmm, I have so many… but one that stands out to me is…
“There is power in looking silly, and not caring that you do” – Amy Poehler
What is your favourite piece you’ve written for PSCO?
My favorite piece I have written for PSCO would have to be my debut article for all my fellow single ladies. That one was so exciting as it was my very first and also I love to write about fun personal experiences.
Who is the one person you wish you could have dinner with, dead or alive?
This one is easy, the Queen of Tejano herself, Selena Quintanilla. HOWEVER – we wouldn’t just sit down and have dinner we’d go dancing for sure. I absolutely love her music, her wardrobe she designed herself, and the positivity she portrayed.
If there’s anything here we haven’t covered and you’d like to know more about Casey – feel free to ask her anything in the comments below.
