Digital Detox #tbt 

Looking back at my Amazing trip to Costa Rica where I stayed at Anamaya Resort. Read about my digital detox here. I’m ready for another one TBH! Check out this cool Summer Solstice RESET happening on June 20th in Trinity Bellwoods. Have a beautiful day!  XO CASIE A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jun 9, 2016 at 8:26am PDT

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Travel | My Digital Detox Diary on The Co.

I know I’ve Mentioned how great my last trip to Costa Rica was but was the first real vacation I’ve taken in a while. I’m feeling inspired and I’ve got a fresh perspective on life. I wrote about the experience on The Co. by Jones Media and it’s on the front page today! Read it here!  Today I’m picking up a little Ford Fiesta and cruising home to spend some time with mum. Tomorrow I’m speaking to the grade 6-8 kids at her school about bullying and following your dreams. I wish i had someone like me come and tell me everything will be ok, it’s cool to be weird, and that the job I’d be doing didn’t exist yet. Still eating healthy since my trip and exercising daily. About to go for a run! ? It’s truly amazing what a good getaway will do, staying at Anamaya Resort is a magical experience. Here’s to a wonderful day! A photo posted by The Co. (@voiceoftheco) on Apr 12, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

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Beat Winter SAD: Take A Vacation

Last winter was really hard, we had one of the coldest seasons in ages, there was ice everywhere, and my arm was messed up. I spent most of the winter inside our house going Marie Kondo through every cupboard and drawer. This winter, I’m determined to find joy in simple things and actively make an effort to warm myself up and beat winter SAD. I wrote a few posts with ways I’m trying to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder with the hope it will help make our days a bit brighter. Some take a little more money/planning but others you can do at home right now. I’ll update this post with a link to each so you can scroll once they’re live. Vacation The easiest way to boost your mood in winter? Take a vacation. I know this isn’t an option for everyone with work/family/finances but if you can do it, it’s so nice. This year, I took a 7-day all-inclusive trip to Cuba with a friend. We have been talking about doing a low-key beach getaway at the start of January for 2+ years and finally did it! Cuba was a good option because we were not going for luxury, our conditions for the trip were affordable, beach, sun. The beach was beautiful and the sun was hot. The food wasn’t luxe but we managed to eat simple, the main things I ate were bread, rice, fruit, pasta, and eggs. I read an entire book, took heaps of photos, and finished the week well-rested and refreshed. We went to bed early (and sober) most nights. I stuck to Amy’s 1K a day challenge and did some type of activity each day (long walk, dance, NTC). It was just what I needed and a perfect reset to start the year. I…

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Long Live the Weekend – Love You Canada!

Been having a pretty relaxing weekend. Can’t believe it’s already Monday. Back to the city tonight or tomorrow. I love being up here but I’m looking forward to going home. Feels like I’ve had more time at the cottage than home lately! My friend Steph is here from New York City. Sean and I met her last year at Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica. [Read about it here!] The weather has been a bit meh but it’s finally nice and sunny today. We created a super tasty wine spritzer with Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc mixed with La Croix, strawberries, and a bit of juice.

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SCROLL – 5 Good Things for Monday, March 6, 2017

Hello & happy Monday, here are a few good things to start your day. ☀️ On Sunday I went to detox yoga at noon and it was a really good class. Sean picked me up after and we got groceries and other stuff. Lately I’ve been more conscious of things I’m doing and why. I think it goes back to that sound bath I went to in LA. I swear something happened that day. So, instead of laying the couch and scrolling I’m sitting on the bed writing. I promised to write more. Although, one of my favourite things is sitting and scrolling. I love reading Steph’s The Catch Up or Weekly Enabler Posts on her blog LEOPARD is a NEUTRAL. I also love Gracie’s recipes, yesterday I tried to make cauliflower rice but it ended up being mash. Which was still good. I tried to do a newsletter but I failed miserably, despite ‘wanting‘ to do it I only sent it once. Sorry subscribers. ? Maybe one day I will get there but baby steps are ok. Here are five things I think you might like too. ONE: TRAVEL & LIFE TIPS FROM ONE OF MY FAV BLOGGER/YOUTUBERS Kristen Sarah created Hopscotch The Globe and has been travelling for 13 years with her husband. They’re also moving into an AIRSTREAM. If you haven’t read noticed, is one of my travel goals. TWO: VICE + OCCUPIED VR + CREATORS PROJECT OCCUPIED VR (Sean, my bf’s company) is featured on the VICE Creators Project right now. Watch it here or check out my behind the scenes experience at the shoot in yesterday’s blog post. THREE – THE BANKSY HOTEL  This place is all over headlines with it’s “worst view in the world”. The ‘Walled Off Hotel’ (a play on Waldorf?) is in Bethlehem and looks right out to the concrete wall around the West Bank.The decor inside is crazy/awesome, every room…

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You Know That Feeling, The One Like You’re Flying

Last night I went to an aerial yoga class at Fly Fitness . It was a media class and my first time trying it. Small group, couple friends in there, but MY GOD did I need that. I feel so fucking good! Seriously. I don’t usually swear (sorry mum) but that’s really how I feel. This summer has been a life changer, having the BR surgery, recovering, reading, thinking, and setting some goals has really made me feel good. I’ve spent a lot of time cottage chilling but September is like a fresh start, a new start. Last night took me back to sitting at opening circle at Anamaya in Costa Rica. We all sat around together and had an uplifting talk about intentions, positive thoughts, it was so wonderful. We connected and smiled and tbh thinking about it makes me feel all warm inside. Yes, it’s a bit cheese but if you were there, or you have been in a moment after a great class like like that, you know what I mean. Thank you Lisa Simone Richards for the invite. They studio gave me a 2 week unlimited pass so if anyone out there in the world wants to join me for a class I’m gonna give it a go. I’m going back for hardCORE reformer pilates tonight after I pick up Em from school. I’m really keen to get fit again and want to keep this momentum! Also, not having to wear multiple bras makes it that much better. Ha!   

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Putting the JOY in JOMO

There’s a good chance you met me at an event (if we’ve met IRL). Over the past 10 years I have gone to as many events as I could. Some weeks 3/night for 3/5 days a week. It’s a great way to meet new people, make friends, and expand your network. It’s also quite tiring, as is living on the internet and sharing your life throughout the day. I still love going out but since my digital detox in Costa Rica I’ve also come to love being home. There was a time when I would trek across the city just to see everyone be seen at a party, then back to another event, and dance the night away.  Now, quite often, I find myself scrolling photos from people who were out the night before thinking ‘ooh, that looks fun’ and feeling joy that I didn’t make it. [vine id=”5BwdTgWVVIa”] You see, I’ve been to SO MANY things that I don’t really feel like I’m missing out. I know there’ll always be cool new things but I also knowI mentally feel great when I have a good sleep and get up early, checking things off my list. I make a point to pop by things hosted by people I care about or someone I’d like to meet, I’m just a little more choosy now. I find it’s great to bundle them and make pit stops early so you can get home at a reasonable hour. Clearly I’m getting older, ha! Follow along my adventures on Snapchat (casiestewart) for real time hilarity and a break in your day. ??    

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Friday Fun! 

This morning I was at the Four Seasons for a shoot with Kelsey who is a co-owner of Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica. We were taking about my digital detox and the importance of disconnecting in an uber connected world.

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Remember the Moments

This weekend was so nice and chill. We had a couple friends up at the cottage. Saturday was super sunny and beautiful while Sunday was the perfect lazy, rainy, couch day. Put the LayBag in the water and it is so awesome. I purchased it after seeing ads on FB and I’m super glad I did. It’s a bit harder to fill up than it looks in the commercial but I’ve almost got it down. This summer Sean and I have had heaps of time up at the cottage and it’s really helped me chill out. Ever since my digital detox in April I’ve really tried to take some relax time on the weekends. This weekend I’m going away with Ford Canada on a mystery getaway. If you check the #EscapeandDiscover hashtag on Twitter a bunch of us bloggers have been anxiously trying to try and figure out what we’re doing. Blog friends, #EscapeAndDiscover? — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) May 30, 2016 Oh Internet ILU.

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Mindful Driving with the Ford Edge

For me, last month was all about taking a break. The first three months of 2016 were super busy and I was feeling tired. Like, over whelmed don’t-feel-likeinternetting tired. After 10 years of blogging and being part of the internet, I’ve learned that it’s important to recharge your batteries with a break, reading a book, or taking a vacation. Being in media/social media can take a lot out of you and I needed to chill. My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect way to slow down and take a digital detox. When I got back, Ford hooked me up with a brand new Ford Edge Sport similar to those that they sell at Wichita Ford Car Dealers Conklin Cars, for a week and taught me about mindful driving. I had a private yoga session with YuMee in the Ford Edge where she taught me some tricks for long drives (cottage) or in car stretching (back, wrists, hands, fingers). We did a few poses outside the car too. YOGA ANYWHERE. YumMee reminded me it’s important to do a posture check when you’re in the car, it’s easy to slouch which can leave you tired or strain your shoulders. Reminder to sit up straight right now! A couple things I really like about the Ford Edge that I found made it relaxing and chill to drive: – Ford SYNC3, you can use Siri while driving and voice commands to control the console – no cap on the gas thing aka EasyFuel – lumbar support on the front seats, great for lower back – Enhanced Active Park Assist, major stress saver for parallel and perpendicular parking – Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), the car actually beeps when there’s someone in your blindspot Next month I’m going on an overnight adventure with Ford…

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Sweet April Showers Do Spring May flowers

Last weekend I spent heaps of time outside doing stuff and today my allergies kicked in. HELLOOOOO MONDAY! I also think I have glass in my foot. I feel like I’m on extended digital detox since Costa Rica. Today I return the Ford Edge, it’s been so great having my own car. Just love getting up and hitting the road! My goal this week is to spend heaps of time writing my blog. I quite like Monday, it’s an opportunity to hustle hard, do your best work and take it a bit easier each day till the weekend. Here’s to a great week!  Title quote is a short poem, by  Thomas Tusser 

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FYI Spring Sale @ Polette Eyewear – 25% off!

It’s spring and who doesn’t love new sunnies! The eyewear company in France I’ve been rocking for the past 2 years has a sale on rn for 25% off! Use code ‘Spring’ at the checkout, sale ends on April 26th. Writing a quick post from the cottage as I’ve been working my BOOTY off doing yard week etc around this place to get it ready for summer.  I’ve been taking time to relax since my Costa Rica trip, that digital detox was like hitting the reset button. I’m looking forward to a great week! I’ve been part of the Polette Blogger team for a bit now and amassed a big collection. I love that they’ve got heaps of different styles, new ones all the time, and you can afford to pick up more than one pair. They’re got a new means of distribution cutting out rhe middle man and sending you glasses right from their factory where they have a lab and lenses. They’ve got great prices and so many original frames. I love getting their emails because there are SO MANY NEW ONES all the time. I never leave home without my sunnies no matter time of day or season, but I also find I lose/break a few along the way. These are a few of my favs! A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jan 18, 2016 at 12:10pm PST A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jan 3, 2016 at 9:33am PST A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Oct 22, 2015 at 4:20pm PDT

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Travel| Refreshed, Recharged from Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica!

I’m home. The last week has been so wonderful. I wrote down some thoughts about my Anamaya Resort/Costa Rica experience last night and it’s hard to explain it all in words, but I’m gonna try. Working on an article about my first real digital detox (SPOILER: it was awesome!), and posts about staying at Anamaya Resort, the yoga retreat, the INCREDIBLE food, activities, new friends, the circle (I’ll explain), the treehouse, and a style guide to packing light for jungle living. One things is, Anamaya is an incredibly amazing place to go alone, with a family member, partner, or when you really need to hit the reset button on your life. After 7 days of gluten, dairy, and mostly sugar free free, with no red meat, heaps of fresh juice, tons of water, sunshine, and fresh warm air, I feel alive, and calm. [iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/5tiGSZ4KAJU”] Picked up groceries today and loaded up on healthy grains, coconut milk (instead of my usual lactose free), heaps of veggies, fruits (papaya and plantain too), and I’m going try and keep this way of life going. Made a new BFF and am hopefully going back to stay with her in Costa Rica in October. Here’s to a wonderful week and *hopefully* spring like temperatures!

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Anamaya Resort – Welcome to the Jungle, Pura Vida!

Good morning from Anamaya Retreats in Costa Rica! Yesterday was our first full day here and it was magnificent. I’m really making an effort to take a digital detox on this trip but documenting is something I love. I’m running on wifi and often not able to connect with the online world. I’ve been taking photos, making notes, voice recordings, I wanna remember all my thoughts and feeling on this journey. It’s absolutely beautiful, photos don’t do it justice! Feels good to be back on the yoga mat too, I’ve been a bit slack this winter and this trip is like hitting the reset button. Our menu this week is all gluten free and local, Anamaya has a farm that we’re visiting Wednesday to see where a lot of our food comes from. We are staying in a treehouse that is 50ft up with a yoga/hammock deck, and a loft bedroom. It’s the most beautiful treehouse I’ve ever been into, it’s fully equipped a king size bed, drinkable running water, and AC. It’s giving us some good inspiration to build one at the cottage.

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