Meet Cassie O’Brien, Writer

A few weeks ago, we asked our friend Cassie to share13 Ways to Recapture Summer’s Simple Pleasures — if you haven’t read the blog post, there’s still plenty of time left to soak up the season (and it never hurts to read our list during the colder months as a reminder that warmer days will return). That’s not all you’ll be seeing from Cassie — we’ve asked her to join our team as a writer and editor, who’ll primarily focus on our blog.

While Cassie currently lives roughly ten minutes away from the Barn, we actually became acquainted with her during her past-life as an Editorial Manager at LivingSocial, the same DC-based start-up Sean worked at prior to joining BOP full-time.

As a first-time mother who now stays home with 5-month-old June, Cassie’s story is one many of us can identify with: a new parent swapping happy-hours and 9 a.m. meetings for baby giggles and 3 a.m. feedings. Discover more about Cassie in our Q&A below:

Describe a typical day in the life of Cassie O’Brien:

I’m beginning to understand that when you’re home with a baby, each day is simultaneously typical and atypical — you can count on the fact that diapers, bottles, and an epic struggle for naptime will all be part of it, but, it’s also full of new discoveries and challenges that you can never fully see coming. Let’s just say that my day usually involves lots of coffee until it’s socially acceptable to have a glass of wine.

How’d you get into the writing industry?

Before I learned to write, I used to dictate stories to my great-grandmother and she’d jot them down for me. This was also likely the first indication that I enjoyed telling people what to do.

Many, many years later, I began an internship at a magazine in New Hampshire (my home state), and then eventually joined an alt-weekly newspaper, where I wrote about pretty much everything from small-town community news (hooray ice cream socials!) to restaurant reviews. Add in some public relations experience and freelance work for a home and garden magazine, and you’ll have the beginnings of my career in a nutshell. Simply put: I’ve always been passionate about writing, regardless of the subject or if I physically even knew how to put pen to paper.

Beyond writing, what else sparks your creativity?

I really enjoy cooking, although I don’t find a whole lot of time to devote to it these days (unless you count mixing together oatmeal to feed the baby. I don’t.). Regardless of how the week goes, I do try to pull together a Sunday dinner for myself and my husband — there’s something soothing about chopping onions and invigorating about trying new recipes.

Any advice for other hardworking moms and dads?

Hmmm… I feel like I’m still to new to this whole parenthood thing, so I’m going to stay quiet on this one. I am, however, accepting advice if anyone would care to leave some in the comments below. :)

Here at BOP, our motto is“Words Matter”. What are some words you live by?

“We can do hard things.” I used to sit by a sign stating these words at my last job, and, now, as a parent, I find myself repeating it on particularly tough days. I find it speaks to so many different situations in life.

And now, a few last things we want to know just for fun:

• Favorite item in the BOP shop: I often scroll through themotivational collection when I need a pick-me-up. Recently I was struck by the “make today an adventure” sign. A few days later, my husband and I went kayaking. Coincidence? I think not.

• Go-to comfort food: If calories weren’t a thing: ice cream, chicken wings, and bourbon. Probably not together, but I wouldn’t turn down two out of the three.
• Something that always makes you laugh: My baby has recently started cracking up over the dog’s antics. If a baby guffawing over a pup chasing a comically large chew toy shaped like a lobster doesn’t make you smile, then I don’t know what will.
• Lake or beach:I’d happily pack my bags and head to either.
• Children's book or movie you secretly enjoy: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” and “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss. I’ve read both a billion times throughout my life, and now I get to read them a billion more to my daughter.
• If you could have a superpower, what would it be?To be able to function without any sleep. I’d have so much more time to get everything done and those 3 a.m. feedings would be a breeze.

Let's give a warm BOP welcome to Cassie!  We are so excited that she is joining the team here at the Barn!   If you have any questions for Cassie or would like to just say hello, please leave a comment below and she will be in touch!  

xo ~ kristi