Interview: Vocab Comm Influencer Tuesdays

I recently did an interview w/ Chrissy, longtime friend, OG PR, and founder of Vocab Comm. I talk about the social media landscape, influencers, and my career. I included part of the interview below, read the whole thing here. Chrissy used to host MMVA and celebrity gifting lounges at the beginning of social media, we worked together on a few. This was a fun one. Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Cambridge, Ontario. My parents immigrated here from New Zealand and my dad had a custom Hot Rod shop growing up. I created my first business in grade 2 and at 14 I wrote a book and started a publishing company. I went to Conestoga College and last year was given an Alumni Award for my work from the President of the college. I went to university in Australia and have a B. Com in International Business. I have lived in Toronto since 2005 when I started my blog. Through my blog, I’ve built some amazing brand partnerships (Pepsi, Telus, Aeroplan, Sassoon) and traveled to incredible amazing places in the world (Thailand, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Disneyland). How do you define an influencer? I think the word ‘influencer’ has really taken on a whole new (kinda negative) meaning with the rise of Instagram influencers. To me, influence is a product of something someone does. It’s not something you get by having a lot of followers. My influence has grown from being a pioneer in a new industry and constantly innovating. I share my life with the world and love discovering new things, my influence comes from building trust with my audience. What advice do you have for other people looking to become an online influencer? Don’t do it. Find something you love and do that! Don’t…

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Fashion | Love My Hood + Bench Canada AW15

I was invited into Bench Canada this week to check out the latest collection for fall winter. Was pleasantly surprised to see more fashion vs. athletic wear and less things with a big logo. I’ve been doing things with them since  2011 so this was fun.  The girls in the store know me by now and I have a blast picking out clothes There is in fact a bench there. I think it’s new. And a selfie mirror. HIIIIII! I got all these things. Pants, shirt, sweater. I think they’ll be versatile pieces to mix with dressier items, layers, etc. Glasses are Polette.Phone case is Ted Baker. Necklace is by Shop for Jayu, remember I was in their look book a couple months ago? Oh heyyy, looks like somebody had a make out. Netflix? Chill? Right now if you spend over $150 or more you get 1 of 3 bags. Bench hooked me up with a nice gift card so when I got my total I didn’t feel too shabby shilling out. Gift for BF ✔️ A few years ago I hosted a room in the BHD Gifting Suites on MMVA weekend. It was fun. I hung out all day while celebs & media rolled through receiving gifts and hanging out. This post from 2011 has heaps of people you will recognize – Liz from Much/eTalk, Tyrone, Jesse Giddings, Jay Strut, Lissa Monet, Brock, Carly, Kardinal. Last September I had a shoot with Bench Canada + my fav fall items. Remember this? Maybe we’ll do that again. Wore my new pants yesterday and today was perfect weather to rock my new hoodie on the bike ride. To check out the latest from Bench, pop into your local store or visit bench.ca.  Thanks MacIntyre Communications for inviting me in! I’ll snap some more outfit photos this weekend 🙂 Beautiful morning for a cruise! #ComeTogether…

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Tech | Oculus, Wearables, and My Connected Life

One of 1188’s latest ventures is Occupied VR and last night they were on ETalk! Ben Mulroney tried the experience they designed for David Cronenberg’s Body Mind Change. (You might remember me taking part in Body Mind Change last year.) The Rift Teaser launches on the 24th of November. I tried it at the office and it was intense. It’s amazing how immersive Oculus is when you’re tapped into sight and sound. It totally freaked me out, I jumped up out my seat and screamed!   Later this week I’m attending the monthly We Are Wearables meet up at MaRS Discovery District. There’s still a few tickets if you’d like to join! (Free) There’s a Smartwatch Panel w/Motorola & TELUS with a discussion on Nielsen’s recent Connected Life survey on Canadian Trends in wearables and wearable consumers. I was really into social media before it hit the mainstream and I’m really into wearables lately. Sometimes it’s hard to believe how huge social media has become, I can only imagine the impact wearable technology will have on us over the next five years. I want to know and learn as much as I can! I’ve been thinking about how connected I am to the internet and it’s rare I go 15 5minutes without my phone having a notification, checking email, or taking a photo.  I was working away and my battery died this morning and to be honest, I was so productive for that period of time!  Techlogy makes us more productive and distracts us all the same. I’ve got lots to get done today so here’s to productivity! It may be freezing cold outside (if you are in NA) but try not to let it get you down. Put on all your winter warmies and greet the day with a smile. <3 CASIE      

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Lifestyles of the Queen West and Fabulous

[View the story “As Keri says \”Best Night of the Week!\”” on Storify] As Keri says "Best Night of the Week!" Thursday is always a good day. There are less than 15 working hours till the weekend so make them COUNT! I’ve got a busy day at work and am excited about upcoming projects. Being Director of Social Media here at community is so fun/crazy/exciting. Each day is a new adventure! Storified by CASIE STEWART· Thu, Jan 10 2013 07:33:11 Good morning! I have a really great feeling about today. Passing it on :)CASIE STEWART This is my Thursday alarm. I plays Lady Gaga ‘Edge of Glory’ super loud. Morning motivation to get moving is great! Gonna be real nice out tomorrow 🙂 http://pic.twitter.com/eNYzSZVhCASIE STEWART Meet Charlie – My new 3-speed Linus Dutch bike. It’s like a dream to ride. I LOVE IT! Akamaihd Have you SEEN how nice the it’s gonna to be this weekend? Thanks to Lauren for posting this because I am SMILING just as big for Toronto’s weekend weather. To be honest, I don’t mind if spring comes next week. PLEASE SPRING! Akamaihd Got a little haircut last night. I’ve gone back to Sonya and her new salon (Evolve Hair Studio on Fort York) I love the details she takes to doing my hair. Next week I’m bringing back the bleach blonde. It’s gonna be hot.  Akamaihd Made a smoothie and had an avocado for breakfast. I’ve got this ‘Start the Year Off Right’ thing down pat.  Biked to work. Made smoothie. Ate avocado. Sun is out. Day is good! @ Pulp And Fiber http://instagr.am/p/UTjCIoSa9t/CASIE STEWART Tried to make a video while biking today and it was a bust. I looked super stylish on my way to work though.  Akamaihd In other news… Looks like #BritneySpears is set…

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Howard Green on BNN: What’s the deal with Klout?

It’s always a pleasure for me to go back to 299 Queen Street, the most famous address in Toronto and the home of my last full time 9-5 job. Especially when it’s to be on camera! This time I was on BNN talking online influence with Headline News anchor Howard Green who also spoke to Shelby Walsh, VP of Operations at Trendhunter and Joe Fernandes, CEOof Klout. Watch the entire episode on the BNN HERE or my single clip HERE. Ok, here we go, 00:30 seconds and we’re LIVE. No anxiety. I love being on TV! I’ve officially moved from ‘Social Media Expert’ on eTalk to ‘Pro-Blogger, Casie Stewart, BLOG ENTREPRENEUR on BNN.Look out world! 🙂 Mum, Dad & Nana are gonna love this!  

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