MORNING

FEATURING

THE HAPPINESS PLANNER

TIME 4 FLOWERS

The Happiness Planner 2016 (Dated) | Pink Flowers (not including flower hair clip) from Time 4 Flowers | Aldo Watch | Thrifted Oversized T-Shirt | Thrifted Over-The-Knee-High Wool Socks | Apple Laptop | Peppermint Tea from David's Tea

Production
The Happiness Planner created by Mo Seetubtim (Founder of The Happiness Planner) | Pink Roses and Pink Flower Centerpiece designed by Rosemary (Founder of Time 4 Flowers) | Photography by Winnie Lu | Creative Conceptualization, Photo Editing, Project Management by me
CATEGORY: MINDFULNESS/NATURAL WELLNESS

Waking up to the bright and warm sunlight dancing through my windows. The smell of early morning peppermint tea and freshly picked roses. A comfy oversized t-shirt and soft cloudy blankets wrapped around every inch of my body. Thick wool socks feel cozy and warm against my softly scented skin. The sound of my laptop turning on and slow R&B music playing through my headphones. I reach for my book and open it. The brand new smell and feel of its pages against my fingertips. The presence of a new moment, new day, new week, new month, new year.
Good morning 2016

(above are lil things I wrote about that inspired me to create this photoshoot) :) 

A big thank you to the talented team I collaborated with! xx

Ps. I am wearing no make-up except for a bit of mascara. I made this decision to portray the reality of "just waking up in the morning." It is so amazing & liberating to feel comfortable & confident in your own skin! :)

- cassandra

COLOUR

 WEARING

"Be Original" Tee from Forever21 (I'm wearing size small) | Yoga Pants from Forever21 | Black Flats from mel 
Photography by Neu View Photography and Heng Kim | Photo Editing by Neu View Photography |
Creative Conceptualization, Styling, Project Management by me

CATEGORY: FASHION STORY/EVENT

 

"Beauty is letting yourself live."

- Emma Watson

"I truly, truly believe that beauty is something that comes from within. You can only really look beautiful if you feel beautiful on the inside. It shows through your face, the way you move and the way you hold yourself."

- Emma Watson (from a September 2011 interview with Hello! magazine)

"With airbrushing and digital manipulation, fashion can project an unobtainable image that’s dangerously unhealthy. I’m excited about the aging process. I’m more interested in women who aren’t perfect. They’re more compelling."

- Emma Watson (from a March 2014 interview with The Sunday Times)

I had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with two talented photographers this spring: Heng Kim and Katie Neu from Neu View Photography. I discussed my creative concept to Katie and Heng for a few minutes the night before photoshoot day. It was our very first time meeting each other and our first time shooting together as a team. We warmed up with test shots and successfully collaborated our skills and talents together. It was outstanding how quickly and flawlessly the vision transformed into life. It was the most FREEDOM I've ever experienced during a photoshoot before! We were laughing super hard and snapping silly selfies in-between the professional shots :D. My vision behind this shoot was inspired by transformation, beauty, music, and fashion.  

Defining beauty is one of the most complicated concepts in the music, fashion, and entertainment industry. As performers we are faced with one "definition of beauty" portrayed on TV, in magazines, at record labels, on social media, on fashion websites, in newsletters, etc. What if beauty wasn't that? What if beauty was...what we each uniquely make of it? It's so important to be 110% yourself and OWN it because that is true beauty and originality. I've added Emma Watson's definitions of beauty above. Emma Watson is one of my biggest role models. Not only do I connect with her personality, but I agree with her valuable insights about the entertainment industry and her experiences.

We scouted our location at the Holi Festival. The festival is an explosion of colour. What would happen if every explosion in the world looked like this? An explosion of love. An explosion of beauty. An explosion of aliveness. We've had models struggling with defining beauty, Paris attacks, and insane things happening in the world. This is exactly what we need. A wake-up call to spark positive transformation.

Note: I am back from Italy! Follow my Instagram to see lots of photos and videos :)  

- cassandra. xx

BEACH HOUSE

Photograph by me

We're shooting right now at a beach house next to Point Pelee Island! Aren't the flowers beautiful? :) x

IPHONE 6

Photograph by Cassandra Giugno

I got the iPhone 6! I had a blackberry for about 6 years, so this is a new transition for me. I've downloaded all my apps and now learning how to efficiently use them in a productive manner. It will take time & practice - just like all things! I got started with Instagram today. Let's follow each other :-)

INSTAGRAM: @cassandragiugno

PS. what are your favourite iOS apps? and why? Can't wait to read your insights this week. It's almost 11pm here, good night loves. x 

HAPPY EASTER

Wearing floral dress from Sans Souci

Yayy for Apple webcam photos! I just got back from an Organic & Vegan Bakery. I love vegan food so much. I got amazing chocolate chip banana bread for Easter celebrations with my friends. I can't wait :-) 

Hope you're all having a lovely Easter weekend! Does anyone have any special plans? Any vegan food lovers like me? I'd love to follow your blog if you write about food/recipes. Feel free to comment & leave your link. xx

Email or RSS Subscription

You can now follow my blog posts & updates with email or RSS subscription! Widgets are located on the right side of my blog ---->

If you do subscribe to RSS or email, please let me know how it is for you (if you like it or not - I want to make sure everything is working great) :)

Happy Easter Weekend everyone! kisses

HAIR BRAIDS

 

Photography by Matt Yang | Photo Editing by me | Hair Styling by Studio H

Here are close-ups of my hair style from my last style photoshoot (posted below). I was a model for a fashion show the night before my photographer and I did the shoot. I didn't wash my hair before sleeping and when I woke up in the morning my hair was still perfectly styled! The braid is a bit messy because I slept on it lol, but I looove messy braids :)) such a gorgeous style. The hair stylists did an amazing job!

I'm off to study now. Music business lectures tonight. Have a lovely evening guys. ♥♥♥  

WILD

Photography by Matt Yang | Photo Editing & Fashion Styling by me | Hair Styling by Studio H

  White portofino blouse from Love & Liberty | Fake fur vest from Forever21 (I love animals I don't wear real fur) | Leopard leggings from Forever21 | Round mirror sunglasses from Forever21 | Suede pumps from Steve Madden

My photographer and I went downtown to a graffiti alley. We found stairs at the back of one of the buildings & that's where we shot the photos. I wanted to give a grungy & wild downtown vibe. I was inspired by animal prints and fabrics such as the fur vest and leopard leggings. I was also inspired by Madonna or a 1950s actress.. the vision was "19 year old Madonna or actress chillin' backstage after a concert in downtown NY."

I styled this outfit before the snow, but it can definitely be worn during the winter. Make sure to bundle up with a scarf, coat, & boots if it's snowy where you live. If you live in Australia, you're good to go "thumbs up* lol

I'm going to post close-ups of my hair style in a minute (it was professionally styled)! I'll finish writing on my next post. 

xx

2014 MINI RECAP

This is a mini recap of 2014 because I launched my blog only 8 months ago (January 1 2015 will be 8 months)! A lot of awesome stuff happened over the past several months & I am grateful for the connections I've made with talented individuals. More exciting content is upcoming :) I am humbled & very excited for 2015!

APRIL 2014: I launched my blog & I did my very first photoshoot outside in the snow. I wore an oversized Vero Moda sweater. Vero Moda tweeted at me and favourited the shoot on Twitter :)

JUNE: I received a VIP invitation as a media guest to attend Vanessa Natalia's RAGE MARKET Fashion Show with photographer Winnie Lu. I did a fall/spring photoshoot with Matt Zhaoliang at a beautiful railway here in Canada. I also graduated from University and celebrated with a dress from Michael Tyler Collection Montreal. Western University tweeted at me & favourited the shoot!

JULY: I went to Toronto & celebrated my birthday month with a photoshoot in a white lace dress from Ultra Pink. I also went to an amazing beach with my friends to celebrate Canada Day. Thank you Daniela Rossetto for the beautiful photography!

 

SEPTEMBER: I did a shoot wearing the Echosmith band tee featuring photography by Carlene Wiseman. Echosmith "liked" my blog post on Facebook which was awesome :):)

OCTOBER: I posted a video of me singing "How Does It Feel" by D'Angelo (Acapella Cover) and I auditioned for a singing competition which was an awesome experience!! I can't wait for more :)

Link to YOUTUBE VIDEO (for mobile users)

NOVEMBER: I did a business casual photoshoot!

DECEMBER: Last month before 2015! Ate some amazing Christmas food with friends from all over the world and did fittings for a fashion designer's custom-made gown. Photoshoot is upcoming :)

CHRISTMAS FOOD

Food styling by Isadora & my talented friends. Photo by Blackberry Tour.

Merry late Christmas to all my followers♥♥

Here are photos of the wholesome & delicious food we made on Christmas Eve :) I wish I had the recipes to share but it's mostly a mixture of fruits (mango, peaches, plums, cherries, pomegranate seeds), veggies (carrots, salad, spinach), dates, and whole grain crackers with blue cheese and olive oil. We also ate food such as turkey & stuffing and decadent cakes & chocolate for dessert. I had such an amazing time with friends from all over the world! I was learning how to speak Portuguese & Farsi lol so much fun listening to our accents.

xxx tons of kisses!

RED BLAZER

 

Photography by Winnie Lu | Photo Editing by Winnie | Styling by me
More photos from this shoot are on my Tumblr

Red blazer from Forever 21| Wallet from Coach | Black lace top from G21 | Rings from Western University | Stud earrings from Guess

Yay November! How was everyone's Halloween last weekend? I posted a photo of me as a "fashionable vampire" (lol) on my Twitter and Tumblr.

Over the last few days I was thinking I should make this blog a bit more personal. Such as posting webcam photos after I've got my makeup done, food photography when I'm out, behind the scenes photos, events I go to with bloggers/musicians/designers etc. Would you guys like that? I think I'll start & see what you guys think :) Message me on my social media to share your thoughts!

& to let you guys know I'm also posting my blog posts on Facebook. I will make a separate Facebook page for my blog & music soon - but for now follow me to stay up to date on posts. 

So much I needed to update you guys about! lol I am starving & making dinner now. Kisses & talk soon♥♥

HOW DOES IT FEEL (A CAPELLA COVER)

Link to YOUTUBE VIDEO (for mobile users)

Hi all! Last few weeks I was busy recording a video for my YouTube :) I'm new at YouTube posts, but I love it! This is an A capella cover of D'Angelo's "Untitled (How Does It Feel)." I chose to sing A capella to display how my vocals truly sound without instrumentals in the background..no editing & completely raw. It's one of my favourite Neo-Soul songs♥  & I had an audition yesterday which was super awesome! I love what I do so much♥ Only the beginning & can't wait to share my upcoming music & fashion creations with you all :)

Follow my journey with meeee xxx

LACE & BALLOONS

Photography by Matt Zhaoliang | Creative Conceptualization, Photo Editing, Styling by me

White lace dress from Ultra Pink (I'm wearing size small) | Nude Pumps from Promise | Gold Bracelets were a gift from a friend | Cassette Ring from Western University 

Throwback to last summer! This was my very first photoshoot :) Months before my blog was created or launched. It's so awesome to compare my recent shoots to my older shoots... it's exciting to see how much my style and ideas are growing & transforming.

July is my birthday month (July 4th.. I'm an Independence day baby)!! No joke I've been celebrating for the entire month and it's been amazing. Tons of trips, beach days, eating yummy foods, music/fashion collabs, and balloons of course haha. My friends shot some amazing photos at the beach a few weeks ago and I'm posting those next :)

ps. I'll post this outfit on lookbook, twitter, tumblr, etc. tomorrow morning. I'm in my pjs and so ready to sleep right noooooow (it's past 1am here)

good night xxx kisses