Travel | See The World Your Way – travelcuts FilmFest

After working with travelcuts earlier this year, I’m happy to share they’ve hired me as a travel expert to judge their travelcuts Doc Film Fest. Yeah baby! The festival will be a collection of short travel docs covering awesome featuring young travellers on exciting and unique adventures. This contest gives aspiring filmmakers a chance to show off their talents. It’s expected that a lot of people will enter this competition, meaning that the standard will probably be high. To ensure your film stands out amongst other entries, it might be worth looking into some specialized software. As many professional filmmakers make use of digital cinema package editing software, people entering this competition might want to look for an online DCP guide to include some advertising in your travel film. This is the first teaser trailer for the four-part mini-series. [iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/-lQOwG2XNAQ”] Now it’s YOUR chance to show us where you’ve been. At the end of November, we’ll have an official screening where the top three submissions will be showcased as well as the full-length videos from the mini-series. One finalist will be announced as the winner of the $2,000 travel card. Look out world! How to Enter the Travel Cuts Doc Film Fest Upload your video to YouTube and include your first name + last initial and #travelcutsDOC in the description. Videos should be 2-5 minutes in length, and must be created by YOU! If you’re using footage from a trip you took a while ago, make a nice new cut for your entry. Contestants must fill out the form on travelcuts.com/filmfest, only entries accepted will be those submitted using the entry form. On October 21st, we’re hosting on online Twitter chat from from 9-10PM and Id love you to join. I’ll make sure to remind you closer to the…

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Beauty | Hair Damage Science w/ L’Oreal Pro-Fiber Professional

This morning I stopped at Wildflower inside the Thompson Hotel soon as we get back from Muskoka. I was there as one of the first in Canada to experience L’Oreal Professionnel’s new technological breakthrough Pro-Fiber Professional Hair Damage Science.  I had my hair done last week and it was the first time in years I didn’t bleach my roots. Over the last 10 years I’ve reallllllly put my hair through stress. Although I love being blonde, it’s really hard on your hair.  Luckily, L’Oreal Pro-Fiber helps reverse hair damage. L’Oreal Canada took me to Taz Hair in Yorkville, a L’Oreal Professionnel salon, where I got to experience the Pro-Fiber treatment first-hand. My stylist took me through a series of questions to determine my damage level. Since I don’t brush my hair heaps (it’s too short!) and I haven’t fully bleached it in a while, I was level 2. I’m sure it was level 3, the most damage not too long ago. This bearded babe Marcus doing my @LOrealParisCAN #ProFiber treatment helloooo. https://t.co/9AIBwrYcgx pic.twitter.com/Ohz7Sw6mJw — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) September 28, 2015   There are three different levels of “hair damage” and three different lines of Pro Fiber products: to resurface hair with damaged cuticle [REVIVE], to repair hair with a damaged cuticle and cortex [RESTORE] to restructure hair with a very damaged cortex [RECOVER]. For my hair the perfect line was the Restore. My hair felt healthier right after the treatment. I’m not used to it feeling so soft! Cool thing about this product is it’s the first ever that starts in the salon and continues at home (it never washes out). There’s a whole suite of products to use at home to continue the nourishment. Damaged hair, beware! Introducing #ProFiber featuring #EvaGreen. Unleash the star in you. A photo posted by lorealprocanada (@lorealprocanada) on Sep 28, 2015 at 11:52am PDT…

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Events | LCBO’s Harvest Menu w/ Love for Local w/ Chef Lynn Crawford

Thursday was a busy one! I went to 4 media events and was home just after 8pm. It’s fun but exhausting! Today is chill time, hair, nails, lunch, art show w/ bae.  Had a great kickoff to fall yesterday w/ LCBO & Wine Country Ontario over lunch hosted by Chef Lynn Crawford (Food Network Canada & The Cooking Channel). The event featured a Thanksgiving menu prepared by Chef Lynn, along with several other talented winemakers, chefs, and food artisans from Ontario. I don’t go to heaps of ‘foodie’ events, although I enjoy them! It’s always a bit funny for me because the foodies are REALLY serious about the food, flavours, textures, pairings. I love listening. My take is usually, much more relaxed, a lifestyle writer approach. Does it taste good? Can I cook this at home? Will my friends like it? Can I impress the BF/parents? Here’s some Tweet highlights from the #LCBOTasteLocal event: Ooh, this is a thing! @LCBO's taste local event w/ harvest menu. #lcbotastelocal pic.twitter.com/SWivcM1VOw — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) September 24, 2015 Oh my this looks good @LCBO! #lcbotastelocal pic.twitter.com/Lfb43EjWaW — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) September 24, 2015 So feellin' this @LCBO local Harvest Menu. Next up turkey, mashed, cheesecake. Not a bad afternoon! #lcbotastelocal pic.twitter.com/XTQuIiAVGd — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) September 24, 2015 We learned how to make a thanksgiving feats like a pro using preservatives, and items from local markets, and our own backyards. The menu is now available at LCBO stores across Ontario and looks like the top photo in this post. The little book features ideas for hosting, cocktail & cocktails, food/wine pairings, and recipes. I’m not 100% on our plans for thanksgiving yet this year but it’s one of my fav meals of the entire year. Would love to Chef Lynn’s cauliflower & celery root mash w/ onion thyme marmalade.…

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Fashion | Rethinking Pink w/ Rethink Breast Cancer’s 2015 Collection

This morning I had the opportunity to preview the 2015 Rethink Pink Collection with Rethink Breast Cancer. Next week kicks off Breast Cancer Month, and Rethink is the young women’s breast cancer movement. This year’s Rethink Pink partnerships range from beauty, to artisanal goods, practical tools (see pink tool kit, excited about this tbh!), apparel, and more, making it easy to support the cause. The girls from Rethink chatted me about how breast cancer is rare in the under 50 group but their mission is to raise awareness and help women recently diagnosed, and going through breast cancer via various programs. To see all products in the 2015 Rethink Pink collection visit rethinkbreastcancer.com. Here’s a few of my favs. Had a nice morning previewing the 2015 Rethink Pink Collection. See all @ http://t.co/bfFQSUXscS #RethinkingPink pic.twitter.com/ZrCIhFgZP1 — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) September 24, 2015 On a personal note… In February of this year I was having serious sharp pains in one of my breasts. Note to self, Google is NOT a doctor. After a few trips to the CIBC Breast Centre at St. Michaels hospital we found that it was from my birth control and was manageable. I’m generally a pretty healthy person, so having all these appointments really freaked me out, I was scared. I’m a-ok now but the experience made me ‘rethink’ (see what I did there) my health and the importance of taking care of your body, being aware of changes etc. If you would like to get involved visit rethinkbreastcancer.com. If you’re looking for  a reallllllly FUN way to get involved, get a ticket to the Booby Ball next week. It’s SPACE THEMED!  ?? CASIE

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Fashion | There Are No Rules In Fashion But One

Love this campaign and all the people in the video. Not sure how long this has been out but I just rediscovered it in my drafts and watched it another 2x. You’ll like this one. The voice is Iggy Pop who is also in the vid. H&M’s Close the Loop collection and Global Recycling initiative, which to date, has recycled more than 260 billion pounds of unwanted clothing. [More here…] I’ve donated heaps of clothes in my lifetime and second hand clothes growing up kept me looking stylish. It’s probably where my love for clothes hoarding started. Heading to breakfast w/ ReThink Breast Cancer then a  few other media things today!      

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This is My Life | Stop. Drop. Office. 

It’s rare during the day that I leave the house without my computer (or at all during the cold months). This morning on my ride I stopped for a call that required some immediate internet support in the form of computer.  So, here I am sitting on Roncy, on a bench, computer on my lap, with bike and yoga mat. Feeling quite grateful my life is weird and wonderful. Next stop home because I forgot my wallet then to a new office space, somewhere with coffee!  If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. Jim Rohn  Here’s to a wonderful day!  ?☀️?✌CASIE

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This is My Life | Brunch, Preloved 20th Anniversary, Drake

Oh hello! Started the day with a preview of Toronto designer/store Preloved at the Drake Hotel with April. We hung out and had a long brunch in the cafe downstairs after.  It won’t be long till these warm days are gone so savouring every last moment possible. It’s quite warm today!  Have gotten a few compliments on this dress the last couple weeks, it’s from Forever 21! Crystal pendant (you can hardly see) was hand made by my friend Jodi (NeNeLu Handmade), I’ve been wearing it so much lately. Preloved used to have a shop across from Trinity Bellwoods park on Queen Street, this year they celebrate 20 years. Clothes are all upcycled with vintage material along with new fabric. They’ve also done collabs w/ Roots, Holt Renfrew, The Bay. There were lots of cozy items there today. I love wool sweaters, warm mits, super long socks. Shop the 20th Anniversary collection here. Have you heard this yet? In other news, say hi to my mum and dad! I went to my hometown yesterday for a funeral, but on a positive note, got to hang out with these two awesome people and more. We were about to go our seperate ways when I had to stop-drop-selfie. They’re getting pretty good at it after all these years. LOVE YOU MUM AND DAD. Hope you’ve having a great week. Get some of that sunshine on your face! CASIE ☀️??✌️

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Contest | Show Off That Brilliant Smile! Brush. Whiten. Go.™

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Colgate* Optic White™. All thoughts and ideas are my own. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I work with. [symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”5″] If you know me, you know I smile a lot, heaps in fact. It’s a huge part of my life and I’m generally a pretty happy person. I’ve always been the one flashing her teeth around, spreading sunshine with a smile. ??? Having nice teeth started early with mum’s influence. In high school, I had braces and unlike other kids, loved going to the orthodontist for updates. Brilliant smile! Skip ahead a few years after coffee, wine, age etc., keeping that smile bright is important. Colgate contacted me a couple weeks ago about trying their new Colgate* Optic White™ Toothbrush + Whitening Pen and I was totally down to give it a go. (Tbh, I’d seen it on tv and wanted to try it already). Got one for Sean too. I’ve been using the new Colgate* Optic White™ Toothbrush + Whitening Pen for about a week and it’s quick and easy. One thing to note is the whitening gel has a nice minty taste and won’t hurt your gums. Maybe you’ve considered getting your teeth whitened, but have yet to do so. If this is the case, you may find that visiting a Dentist in Healdsburg for example, could be the push you need to get you the smile you have always wanted. Anyway, I have sensitive teeth so I wanted to test this out before giving you my thoughts. This is a convenient and affordable way to get whiter teeth. Saying this though, if you have considered getting your teeth whitened professionally as you know that you won’t be able to be consistent while using this whitening…

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This is My Life | There’s Harmony in Autumn, and A Luster in it’s Sky

That’s a wrap on summer! Had a nice relaxing weekend at the cottage. Still a few weeks before we close the place up. The leaves have just started changing. It’s beautiful. Yesterday Sean and I heard this crazy loud noise when we were out for  drive. It was Ontario Watercross Racing – snowmobile racing on water.  I didn’t know this was a thing! They have to keep going at pretty fast speed to stay on top of the water. Saw  few go down and get pulled up from the bottom of the lake. The course includes going around a couple buoys then sliding back to the sand. It’s super fast. We watched a few runs and victory laps on the grass before heading home. They’re REALLLLLLY loud. (Sorry this is showing up so small!) Picked up a few of these little guys . I love this time of year! I know I say that about every season but they each have their charm, they really do. Been thinking a fair bit about halloween and what costumes I want to go with this year. Had a nice sunset cruise in the boat last night. Perfect way to close out summer at the cottage. Have a pretty crazy adventure planned for next weekend at the cottage. A brand is sending two private planes to take some friends and I  and flying around Muskoka and to Port Carling. I’m excited. Will share more about that later. There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been! Percy Bysshe Shelley Here’s to a great week! ?✌️ CASIE

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This is My Life | Hello Darling, Have a Wonderful Day! ??

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Contest | Spread The Love: Reese Spreads French Toast Sandwich

Happy Friday! I don’t often blog about food but I made something reallllllly amazing for family breakfast at the cottage last weekend. Sharing with you today in case you’ve got someone you’d like to impress. My creation, Reese Peanut Butter Spread French Toast Sandwich! I used a pancake batter to lather a Reese sandwich made with white bread and then French toast it. Reese contacted me and asked if I’d tried their latest new product.  As it turns out, I had JUST created this. It’s quick and easy (not so healthy) breakfast! YOLO! Reese Spreads French Toast Sandwich You’ll need: Reese Spreads Bread Butter 1 Egg 1/2 cup milk 1 cup Flour 1 tbl spoon Sugar q1 tbl spoon Cinnamon 1 tbl spoon Baking powder Maple Syrup – as much as you want! Strawberries & whipped cream to top it off Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Put some butter on there. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder. Whisk it. In a small bowl, mix together the milk, egg. Whisk again. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until combined but still slightly lumpy. Put Reese spread on bread into a sandwich. Make 4-6. Dip each sandwich in batter and put on the grill. Flip after 3 min or until fully cooked. Should be a bit brown. Add more butter to pan if necessary. Set aside or on a warm plate until they’re all ready. Serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruit, as desired. Add bacon on the side! To make all your Reese peanut butter and chocolate dreams come true, they’ve included a prize pack worth $100 for you. Simply enter below and I’ll pick a random winner next week. For more recipe ideas visit the Hershey website or find Reese on Facebook. If you end up making this…

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Contest | TIFF ’15 Win A Celebrity Gift Bag from the #NKPRIT15 Lounge

Last week I visited the NKPR IT Lounge at the TIFF bell Lightbox. This lounge, hosted by NKPR, celebrates it’s 10th year and brings together an array of great products and sponsors, to offer gifts to celebrities in town for the festival. I was very Ellen Degeneres/Justin Bieber when I visited. haha.  “Celebrating 10 and 40 years respectively, NKPR’s highly sought-after IT Lounge and the Toronto International Film Festival will officially partner for the first time – a coming together of the decades – to create an exclusive anniversary Festival experience at TIFF. … In 2006, NKPR’s IT Lounge was the first gifting suite in North America to bring cause to the forefront. This tradition of giving back continues, and in 2015 a donation will be made to Artists for Peace and Justice for every celebrity who sits for a portrait.” Since Last Week An Array of Celebrities Rolled Through   What’s in the NKPR It Lounge Swag Bag?   The winner will receive premium festival treats below, plus extras including an eOne DVD collection of popular films from previous TIFF years. – Racinne Lady I Messaging Rejuvenation System $69.99 – Saje Natural Wellness Pocket Pharmacy $59.95 – OGX Beauty Organix Sea Mineral Moisture Surge Treatment $14.50 – Case of Flow water – BottleGreen Sparkling Elderflower Water – David’s Tea – Pumpkin Chai – Barilla Pasta – CROSS Pen – Square One – $50 Gift Card – Festival Hair Essentials Pack from Goody valued at $50 – Fuzz Wax Bar – 1 free service – Tom Tailor Canvas Bag Enter to Win an The NKPR IT Lounge Celebrity Swag Bag   a Rafflecopter giveaway For an EXTRA entry retweet this tweet and comment on this Facebook post. Each one will get you another entry and increase your chances of winning the mega prize. Open to anyone in Canada. Sorry Americano &…

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Events | The Lowdown on the The Flat White At Second Cup

Last week I was invited to hang out at Second Cup on King and learn about how to make the perfect Flat White. The flat white is a fav in Australia and New Zealand, something I’m very familiar with!  When I lived in Australia, each morning I’d ride my bike over to the Le Paris Go cafe in Bondi Beach and get a flat white to start my day. I’m so glad it’s made it’s way to Canada! Nicole from She Does the City, me, Wendy from Hip Urban Girl, Nicole from Dainty Girl The girls and I sat down at the coffee bar with Second Cup’s in-house coffee expert and curator Pat Russell, Senior Product Developer. Pat has been with Second Cup since 1996, so he REALLY knows his stuff. A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Sep 8, 2015 at 6:55am PDT The flat white is known for its smooth texture which highlights the true taste of the espresso, without any bitterness or excess of milk. It features a double shot of Second Cup’s rich Espresso Forte, velvety steamed milk, and a thin layer of micro-foam. I prefer a flat white over a latte because it has less milk.  (I had a lactose allergy growing up so I try to do have too much milk these days.) If you’re not a milk drinker, you can request your flat white be made with almond or soy milk for a bit of added sweetness and nutty flavour.  Another thing to note is the Flat White is only available in one size – an 8oz/250 ml cup – this is to preserve the proper ratio of espresso to milk. How a Flat White is Different than Other Coffee Drinks I invite you to switch up your coffee routine and try a Second Cup Flat White…

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TIFF | Premiere of ‘The Meddler’ & Festival Music House  

Yesterday I went to the premiere of The Meddler starring Susan Sarandon, JK Simmons, and Rose Bryne. It was so good, laughed, cried. Great movie to take your mum to when it comes out in theatres in a few weeks.         Later I the day I saw Brave Shores, Allie X, and Dear Rouge at Festival Music House. Allie X was amazing. I’m in love now.     Finished the night off at a new spot called CANDYLAND for the world premiere party of GUILTY. I was really excited to check it out because 1) it’s not open to the public yet 2) they have circus style performers (apparently) and cirque-type acts. It was ok. Kinda disappointed tbh. Will give them another chance though!  In other news, I’m pooped. After tonight’s event I’m ready to hibernate for winter. ? ? CASIE

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