Welcome back to “Ask Casey”, one of my favorite series to write. I love answering your thoughtful, funny, and practical questions…nothing is off-limits here.
These questions came straight from my Instagram DMs and stories, but feel free to drop your own in the comments below. I’ll do my best to include them in the next edition.
How did you decide on your kids’ schools? CPS (Chicago Public Schools) is overwhelming!
Oh my gosh, I feel this question in my soul.
When we bought our house in 2019, we didn’t have any kids. School wasn’t even a thought. We didn’t tour schools, check rankings, or think ahead at all. We just lucked out. It turns out our neighborhood school (which serves Pre-K through 8th grade) is amazing. And in Chicago, every child is guaranteed a free spot at their neighborhood school, with lunch included. So, our original plan was simple: Rory would go to our wonderful neighborhood school.
And she did…she went there for preschool last year. But we started noticing some early signs that she might be gifted. She was reading by three, and by four, she was devouring chapter books and doing addition and subtraction. She was just always hungry to learn.
I wanted to make sure I was supporting her the right way, so we:
Enrolled her in weekend/summer programs through Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development. They offer some really fun classes and she has loved them all!
Had her tested at Northwestern and found out she was off the charts in math and reading. This pushed me to make sure I was on top of getting her into the right program for school, so she wouldn’t be bored.
In Chicago, we’re lucky to have something called selective enrollment, where kids can test into gifted or classical programs. (Gifted focuses on critical thinking; classical is more achievement-based and heavy on reading and math.)
So last fall, at four years old, Rory had selective enrollment testing. Parents aren’t allowed in the room (so not totally sure what they even do back there!), and you wait 4-6 months to hear the results. In the meantime, I toured schools, ranked our favorites, and hoped for the best.
This past spring, we got the news that she got into a fantastic classical program for advanced learners. Even though she’s starting kindergarten, she’ll be learning a first-grade curriculum alongside other kids who are at a similar level.
The only downside? The school is 20–25 minutes away. Our neighborhood school is a 5-minute walk. It was a tough decision, but we feel like this is the best choice for her right now. And if it ever doesn’t feel right? We still have our amazing neighborhood school in our back pocket.
As for Ellis, he’s not old enough for CPS just yet (he misses the September 1st cutoff by just two weeks!). So he’ll be heading to a Catholic preschool this year. Next year, the plan is to send him to our neighborhood school for Pre-K, and eventually have him tested too (though with zero pressure…we’re taking it one step at a time).
If you’re navigating CPS and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. I grew up in the suburbs, where you just went to your assigned school, and that was that. Chicago is a whole different world.
One resource that helped me was the Chicago School GPS. I even booked a consult with them to talk through our school options, and it was worth every penny. Highly recommend if you’re in this boat, too!
How is the laser hair removal going?
Okay, let’s back up a little. A couple of years ago, I got laser hair removal on my bikini area at a local med spa. I completed the entire package, which consisted of six sessions spaced out every six weeks. It definitely reduced the hair, but it didn’t eliminate it, and over time, it just kind of… came back. And considering how expensive it was, I swore I wouldn’t do it again.
But then, a brand sent me their at-home laser device, and I thought, why not? I’m giving it a go.
Here’s the gist:
Week 1 to 3: Use 3x per week
Week 4 to 12: Use 1x per week
Week 12+: Use 1x per week until you achieve your desired results.
I’ve been testing it on my bikini area and underarms, and once summer fades and I’m less tan, I’ll probably try my legs too. Laser works best on light skin with dark hair, and while I’m blonde up top, my body hair is just dark enough to (hopefully) get results.
Right now, I’m still in that first month, so I haven’t noticed a significant difference yet, but I love how easy it is to use. It’s painless, quick (like 2 minutes), and I can do it right after a shower. Compared to the whole “drive to the spa, undress, wait, treatment, get dressed, drive home” situation? This is so much better.
So far, I’m into it. I’ll keep you posted on whether it actually works long-term, but I’m hopeful this might be the solution I was looking for.
What’s the latest with your book?
So much has happened since the last update, so let’s catch up!
This past spring, I officially signed my contract and finalized the table of contents. Once my publisher approved that, it was full steam ahead!
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you’ve seen lots of behind-the-scenes moments from the book photoshoots. (If you missed them, I’ll link the highlight here so you can catch up!) We did 15 full days of shooting throughout June and July. It was a lot, but also so fun.
And when I wasn’t shooting? I was writing.
This summer, I wrote the entire manuscript. I’m still in a bit of disbelief typing that out. Right now, I’m in the polishing phase and reading through it slowly, tweaking sections, making sure everything flows and sounds like me. I’ll be handing it over to my editor this fall, and then we’ll start a few rounds of revisions.
What’s next?
We have one more shoot day planned in late October for fall/winter content (can’t have pumpkins and mums in July, after all).
Everything is due to the publisher by November 1st.
In 2026, we’ll focus on layout, design, and building a marketing plan.
If all goes to plan, you’ll be able to pre-order the book by the end of 2026 (!!!).
And then, drumroll please, January 2027 is when the book officially comes out.
It’s wild to even say that out loud. I’ve poured so much of my heart into this project, and I truly hope it becomes a go-to resource for homeowners everywhere. I can’t wait to share more as we get closer!
What supplements do you take?
I’ve worked with a functional medicine doctor for a few years now (more about that experience here), getting my labs done every six months or so. Because of that, I only take supplements based on my blood work. Everyone’s body is different, so I don’t recommend copying my exact plan (in fact, that could be dangerous!). Your supplements should be tailored to your own needs.
That said, here’s what’s in my current morning routine:
Vitamin D – Many people are deficient, especially if you live somewhere with long winters or spend a lot of time indoors. I take it daily, but I still recommend getting your levels checked before starting.
Omega-3s – These healthy fats support brain function, heart health, and help fight inflammation. I only buy from a reputable brand (this is the one I use from Ritual) instead of grabbing them off Amazon, since I’ve heard quality varies.
Electrolyte hydration mix + creatine – Every morning I mix my electrolytes (use code CASEY for 40% off) with a scoop of creatine. Creatine is one of the most well-studied supplements out there, and it’s been a game-changer for me as I’ve worked on building strength. It supports muscle growth, performance, and recovery. Honestly, I think most people could benefit from it.
Sunfiber – Since I’m eating a high-protein diet, I add a scoop of this to help me hit my daily goal of at least 30 grams of fiber. It’s easy to add to my morning drink and helps keep things… moving.
Beyond supplements, I also take a few prescribed medications:
Lexapro for anxiety
A statin for hereditary high cholesterol (prescribed by my cardiologist)
Low-dose oral minoxidil for hair growth, which I started about nine months ago…and wow, it’s made a huge difference!
I’m a big believer in testing first, supplementing only when needed, and investing in quality products.
What are you most looking forward to this fall?
Honestly? Getting into a rhythm.
With both kids starting new schools, this fall is all about finding our footing: learning the new drop-off and pick-up routines, and making sure everyone feels comfortable and happy in their new environments. That’s my number one priority…helping my kids feel confident and settled. Once we hit our stride, I’ll breathe a big sigh of relief.
That said, we also have a lot of fun things on the calendar.
We’re heading to a Notre Dame football game in early October, which is always such a treat. The campus is stunning that time of year, and it’s so fun to share a place I love with the kids.
Apple picking is on the agenda (we go every year), and our neighborhood goes big for Halloween, like, full-blown block party energy.
In September, we have a wedding and one of my good friends is throwing a big 50th birthday bash, which I’m so excited about.
And… we might plan a little family getaway over Thanksgiving break. Rory has the whole week off from school, so we’re toying with the idea of a vacation. TBD!
I’m also starting our mudroom project this fall! I’ll be sharing more when I’m back on the blog in September.
Now that you’re staying in your home indefinitely, do you have any plans to add on?
Yes! We would love to add on to our home.
As you probably know by now, we adore our neighborhood. It’s walkable, tight-knit, and filled with so many wonderful families. And now that school is starting and we’ve committed to staying put, moving isn’t even on our radar. So instead, we want to make the most of what we already have.
I’ve always envisioned an addition someday, I’m just not sure how it would work logistically. Would we go up? Would we go out? We’ve got that half side yard that could be a possibility, and our attic is unfinished, although it’s not quite tall enough as-is. So maybe it’s a combo of both? Perhaps we raise the roof (literally)? I have no idea.
My next step is to bring in an architect and figure out what’s actually possible. Like, what are the Chicago rules when it comes to building up or out? What can we do within the footprint? What kind of permits would we need? It’s a whole world I don’t know much about yet.
If you’ve been through a similar process or happen to be a Chicago-based architect (👋 hi!), I’d love to connect. Even just a consultation to explore our options would be incredibly helpful.
What we do know is this: we’re not leaving. And that means if we want more space—like a proper guest room, a second office, or just a little breathing room as the kids get older—it’s going to take some creative thinking. But I’m excited about the possibilities.
That’s it for this month’s edition of Ask Casey!
Thanks for reading and for always asking such thoughtful questions. I love putting these together.
Drop your questions for next time in the comments below.
Thanks for sharing about laser hair removal! I had the same experience with it coming back (light skinned, dark hair here), and have been hoping for a better option out there. Tuned in! Also, I’m on Lexapro for anxiety as well. It’s helped me so much!
Just wanted to add. Made the cowboy cookies! Yummmm. Also take omega 3 always
Thinking I will try the brand you suggested. Costs more for im in the Kootenays Canada