Spring is Nature’s Party!

Went for a run this morning for the first time in 2 weeks. I was going out pretty consistently in the first two months of the year then kinda fell off my game in March. Good thing is, you don’t need to wait for a certain day to start again, there’s no time like today. Thankfully it was less cold than recent temps and the sun was out. Spring is nature’s party!

So happy we made it through winter and it will be Taurus season soon. I’m starting a new challenge with my gym in April and am ready to give it my best. I was in a challenge for the first 6 weeks of the year and came in 2nd place, and was the only woman in the top 3. 😁

Have been going to more yoga classes lately and overall feel pretty good. Looking forward to warmer termps, gardening, and flowers in bloom. 💐

Fresh Hair for Spring

It’s spring! Finally! Soon enough flowers will start blooming and it won’t be as cold. Hard to believe we’re almost into Q2 of 2023. The start of this year has been interesting, sometimes I feel like it’s all going as planned, and then the next minute I just don’t know!

In other news, I hadn’t had my hair done in ages and decided it was time. A friend recommended. Beni at Blunt Hair Co. so I booked an appt and went. I am so happy with how my hair looks now, obsessed. Book him here, he’s incredible.

I am also so in love with my new freckles done by my friend Misty Fox! She’s an incredible makeup & SPF artist who is now doing semi-permanent makeup freckles. If this is something you’re interested in, send her a DM on Instagram @mistyfox and tell her I sent you.

If you’re looking for a new cut, color, or style, go see Beni! Follow him on IG at @hair.by.beni.

Bend when you can, snap when you have to.

I’ve been going to yoga again since the start of January and it’s made a difference in my life. I love yoga; moving, stretching, bending, breathing. It sounds so simple but they call it a practice for a reason, you have to work at it.

For years, I had class 4x a week with Sandy, and it changed my life. Part of my ‘Trying New Things’ this year includes going to more fitness classes at different places. I signed up for a free month of ClassPass this month to experience new places. I went to Mosiac Yoga today and I was kinda nervous for a few minutes before leaving the house but once I got outside I was fine. It was great, I already booked another class. Join me for free here.

I used to have a really hard time being still, alone with my thoughts, resisting the urge to move. In 2019 I wrote a post called ‘It takes Practice” where I talked about learning how to be still, slow down. Looking back, I’m so glad I started to make changes before the pandemic. It would have been harder otherwise.

Seeing the person I was in old blog posts makes me prouder of the person I am now. It’s hard to grow & change, but so worth it when you come out the other side. This is a quote from the end of that post from 2019:

“If you’re feeling stressed or holding something inside, let it go. Write it on a piece of paper and throw it in the fire. There is no sense carrying it with you for another day, week, or year. Free up that space in yourself to fill it with something that makes you happy, with sunshine.”

CASIE STEWART, 2018 ‘ It Takes Practice

The title of this song is from ‘Dear Reader’ by Taylor Swift.

Shoppers Beauty Event 2023

casie stewart shoppers beauty ryan emberley

I recently attended Shoppers Drug Mart’s 2023 Beauty Event and oh my, there were so many great products! I came home with a bunch of goodies that I’ll be testing out over the next few weeks months. Fun fact you might now know about me, I used to work at Shoppers Beauty in my hometown while in high school/college. 🤗

casie stewart shoppers beauty ryan emberley

We got to learn about the latest product launches from top skincare & beauty brands and also a peek at the 8 new brands coming to Shoppers this month. I had my makeup and nails done, which was perfect timing as I was speaking at an event later in the evening.

It was the first time in ages I’d been to such a massive event filled with creators, beauty editors, and influencers. I loved catching up with OG bloggers and friends. One of the best parts was my friend Ryan Emberley taking photos, everything aside from my selfie in this post was snapped by him.

PRADA, casie stewart, shoppers beauty, ryan emberley

For years, I’ve been helping Ryan out at events with product shots so here are a few of my favs. We had a good laugh going around and snapping pix of the best products.

My beautiful suit is from Fitzroy Rentals, wore it for my panel on sustainable fashion & the circular economy. More on that later! Have a beautiful day!

Trying New Things: Puppy Yoga!

The other day I went to Puppy Yoga with my bff Michelle! Hosted by Toronto Doggos, pet-friendly events, Puppy Yoga includes a 1-hour yoga class, cute puppies, and a mimosa. Honestly, it was pretty cute.

Puppy Yoga with Toronto Doggos, Casie Stewart

I’m not the hugest dog person, (I get scared!) but these little furballs were just lovely. If you’re looking for a cute time with a friend, highly recommend. If you’re looking for a great yoga workout, this isn’t it! Too hard to concentrate on moves with these little cuties roaming around.

You do not need to bring your own yoga mat, they’re supplied by Toronto Doggos as the puppies have accidents sometimes. They do have a team circling to make sure there’s no mess unattended, plus cleaning supplies are in clear view.

The best part was how happy it made Michelle! She was smiling from ear to ear the whole day. It’s a great activity to cheer anyone up, especially on a cold winter’s day!

Event: Sustainable Fashion & The Circular Economy

Have plans for the day after Valentine’s? On Wednesday next week, I’m moderating a panel that brings the fashion industry together to talk about the value of goods in the circular economy. It’s been a lil’ while since I was on stage at a live event! 🤗

The event is hosted by Zane Aburaneh (founder of ZANE on Queen) and it takes place at George Brown College at 6:30 pm. There will be an interactive Q&A about how to improve sustainability in fashion by working within a circular economy. The focus is looking at how we can maintain the value of goods through restoration and regeneration.

Zane will be introducing his latest venture, Gluu, a web-based platform restoring the chain of production for after-purchase care, with skilled craftspeople in your local area to restore jewelry, leather goods, and fine artifacts.

There’s a great group of panelists who are all leaders in the Canadian fashion industry:

  • Inder Bedi – Founder of MATT&NATT and BEDI Studios – BEDI bags, knits, and outerwear are handmade in Canada with landfill-destined materials, conscious fabrics, and fair labor practices.
  • Amanda Cosco – Fashion Futurist & Founder of Electric Runway
  • Nada Shepherd – Founder of ReSuit, is a fit-based peer-to-peer clothing-sharing app that allows you to buy, rent or sell. 

A couple of fun facts, I’ve known Zane since high school and the last time Amanda and I were on stage together, she was the panel moderator. It’s gonna be a great night.

If you’re in the city and interested to join us, RSVP here. It’s free!

Art Show: The Great Wall of Love

Earlier this month, I painted two small canvasses that will be part of an art show in support of CAMH that opens next week & runs until the end of February.

On Valentine’s Day 2023 studio IDFK will launch an art exhibition called “showURheart”, a mass collaboration artwork that’s made up of hundreds of individual small pieces to create a ” Great Wall of Love“.

Each canvas will be included in a silent auction with 50% of the proceeds to CAMH.

Here’s a little peek at my two canvases while I was working on them. If you want to see MY final artwork or the rest of the paintings, you’ll have to pop by Studio IDFK next week at 190 McCaul St.

The exhibition will run from February 14 to 28, 2023

Trying New Things: Pottery

This month I started a 7-week pottery course at ArtScape Youngplace w/ Toronto Potters. I’ve spent a few hours once a week learning hand-building and how to make things on the wheel.

I’ve wanted to try pottery since I was a kid, probably since I saw GHOST w/ Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze. 😊 Before class, I thought it would be a nice relaxing experience to make some pottery, and do something creative away from screens.

I quite enjoyed the first class and building things by hand. In the second class, we learned how to use the wheel. It’s harder than I thought! In class three I made a bowl, it took almost the whole class. Learning new things can be challenging but I like it. I feel like I’m using a new part of my brain.

Pottery is frustrating, the smallest movement or too much pressure can ruin your creation. It’s a lesson in patience and staying calm. 🙏 You’re also using different muscles and strengths, felt it in my arms after our first class on the wheel.

I keep seeing inspo everywhere I go, from Chapters to small shops, and the farmers market. I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to make, your guess is as good as mine. 😝 My course was covered by my work as ‘Creative Development’ so I’m hoping to make something cool I can show them.

May the Ghost of Patrick Swayzee guide me in my next class. I could use the help!

Self-Care: Cold Plunge, Meditation, Sunshine, Mani

This is me right before spending a good 2.5 minutes in Lake Ontario in the middle of winter, on a windy -11 day. Sean and I joined Meghan Yuri Young & Chloe Wild for a cold plunge hosted by Soho House Toronto. It was, as you would expect, cold, but fun. I had a full day of self-care and it was lovely.

Sean dropped me off at the 1 Hotel (the old Thompson!) as I was attending a workshop hosted by NüLove featuring my friend, Coach Carey. The best thing happened, walked into the lobby and looked over to see Lisa Sonshine, who was also attending! Both Lisa & Coach Carey have been guests on our Cast of Creators podcast watch or listen to all our eps here.

The workshop was so good, we meditated, had a healthy lunch, got inspired, and wrote letters to our future selves. 1 Hotel is going to mail the letters to us in a couple of weeks. I really love this idea and might send my future self a few letters this year.

My wonderful day of self-care continued with a walk down Queen Street in the sunshine, popping into shops. My friend Angela has just re-opened her new shop in her old shop’s old location. Check out aka The Store on IG or in person at 662 Queen. There are so many cute things, clothes, shoes, jewelry, glitz, and glam!

My final stop (before spending a quiet night at home) was a bright mani with my girl Amanda. Her manicures last WEEKS and I love how she’s helped my nails grow longer & stronger than ever. If you’re looking for a great gel mani, book an appt here. (I realized after that these colors are a little Mcdonald’s but IDGAF, I like it.) Smiley ring is from Santa Isla. 😊

A Break From All The Hustle and Bustle

Took the train to Kitchener recently to spend a weekend with dad & family. Was nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, have a nice slow weekend.

I didn’t realize I could catch a train to KW from the Bloor Up station right near our house. It was a nice ride! Up until about a week before I don’t think I’d taken the Go Train, ever! The train goes out near the airport, past Brampton, Guelph, and into downtown Kitchener. I had a window seat and watched the sun go down the whole ride.

Dad and I got up early on Saturday and went to St. Jacobs Market. I hadn’t been there in a *very* long time, it was just as I remembered it (even though dad said it’s changed a lot).

Took a nap on Saturday afternoon and noticed this cutie grabbing a snack outside the window. I watched quietly and admired her beauty.

Went for a 7km walk w/ dad on Sunday morning, it was perfect. The greatest gift is spending time together hanging out. It was quite cold but energizing. We looked at houses in the neighborhood, walked through a park beside the grand river, and tackled a few hills.

She Does The City: Taking The Plunge

Over the holidays I was interviewed by Jen McNeely, founder of She Does The City about cold water therapy. If you’ve been here a while, or follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve been dipping myself into cold water for the last couple of years. It started at the cottage just before the pandemic and when we lived up there in 2020, I really got into it. Check out my interview here

READ THE FEATURE HERE

I’ve got my galvanized stock tank set up on the roof at home and go in it 3-4 times a week, usually after my run and before a shower. I need to get some new lights set up for night dips.

If you’re interested in taking a guided dip, check out Unbounded Well or Othership. See my past posts on cold water therapy here.

Use this link for a $10 credit at Unbounded in the Stackt Market. Their outdoor experience has cold plunge wells, Scandinavian saunas, a geodesic breathwork studio, and bonfire lounges. It’s great!

I’ll be there in the evening on January 18th if you want to join. 😁

HELLO 2023, IT’S ME!

After a nice relaxing winter break, I’m relaxed, recharged, and ready for a new year. You can’t deny the fresh feeling of January, it’s like a reset. My theme for this year is TRYING NEW THINGS. I’m applying it in a few different areas and have no doubt it will bring me closer to my goals.

I started the year not hungover and went for a nice run through High Park.😁 Sean and I stayed in for NYE, watched a show on Apple TV (Tehran), and went to bed around 12:15. It was glorious!

cold hands / shop Titika – code CASIE20

Today was my first 2023 workout at the gym & I’ve joined a 6-week challenge. I’m dedicated to making some serious gains by the end of it. I love working out, it really helped me get through some hard stuff last year.

Last week I tried my first Lyra Class at a studio in my neighborhood. It was fun but hard! Working out the past year definitely helped, upper body strength is key.

In other news, tomorrow I’m starting a weekly pottery course that will take me into the spring. It’s a dream come true! Have wanted to try pottery since watching Ghost as a kid haha. I’ve got a few things I’d like to make and look forward to learning a new skill.

Here’s to a New Year & trying new things!

TITIKA’S 100 Fit Women – Casie Stewart!

I guess my workouts have paid off in more ways than one! I’ve been chosen as one of Titika Active’s 100 Fit Women. The image below is from their November newsletter that went out to their entire database! That same day I attended an event they were sponsoring and was totally caught off guard when someone from their team said “hey I recognize you“. 😁

Titika 2023 Ambassador

I picked out a whole bunch of my fav items from the website that you can see here. As an ambassador, I have been given a discount code ‘CASIE20’ that works sitewide, even on sale items. I’ve been wearing Titika to the gym and running for the past two months. I love how stylish their collections are and the buttery soft leggings.

Check out my picks from Titika & use code CASIE20

Titika is a female-founded, Canadian company, started by Eileen Zhang, a George Browm College grad. In 2015, she was highlighted as a change maker in the fashion industry by the BBC, and in 2016, she designed sportswear for Madonna’s Hard Candy gym in Toronto. There’s a great feature on Eileen here on Style Canada (2021).

I look forward to sharing more activewear with you soon! I did a photoshoot with my gym recently so will hopefully be able to share some images of me actually working out.

In the words of Hal Johnson & Joanne Mcleod, keep fit & have fun!

Playsuit Party w/ Biddell!

The other day I joined a bunch of Toronto fashion ladies to hang out with Evan Biddell at a gorgeous studio where we modeled his new line of Playsuits. It was a Playsuit party!

If you haven’t heard of the Biddell Playsuit, it’s ‘an oversized flying squirrel-shaped onesie for any body type that inspires movement and creativity.’ I swear, as soon as you put one on you feel fabulous. I. ordered my first one in 2020 and now I have 3!

Black & White Playsuit

The Black & White Playsuit has pockets! This new edition to the lineup is 92% Bamboo, 8% spandex, machine washable, and “equal parts casual & dressy”. I love it. It’s super soft and so comfortable.

Gold Lamé Playsuit

An absolute stunner. Perfect for the holidays, or any day. This one looks so nice layered with big jacket, a belt, and great shoes. She fancy.

All The Playsuits

I also have one in yellow and this glamorous black & gold chain print. Seriously comfortable and can be worn around the house (for hosting?!), with heels/accessories, or as a casual look for any time, really. The best thing about the Playsuit is it fits EVERY BODY.

This photo from the 2021 summer Playsuit show is so fun. Look at all these beauties.

More photos here!

I love you Evan Biddell! Thank you for your friendship and fun times!

P.S. We talked about having an actual Playsuit party. Do you have one? Download our Hvr browser on your phone so you can comment on my blog & LMK if you’re interested.