Dinner with Chef Chef Nina Compton + Saint Lucia Tourism

On Monday night I travelled to Toronto’s Queen East for a mini escape to Saint Lucia with Chef Nina Compton and their tourism board. I’ve never been to Saint Lucia but I’ve also never wanted to go more than right now after tasting the food and hearing travel stories from other guests. Chef Nina cooked up some seriously delicious food. My fav was the cacao beef short rib with polenta and baby veg. The spicy cacao martini was a nice start to the night. You might recognize her from Bravo’s Top Chef, she was the runner-up and fan favourite on the most recent season. Chef Nina is in Toronto as the first culinary ambassador of Saint Lucia. Now that’s an awesome gig! = Here’s some snaps from the night by the lovely Becca Lemire. Did you know Saint Lucia, aside form it’s natural beauty, has a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. DRIVE IN VOLCANO. A DRIVE IN VOLCANO. I can only imagine the other magical wonders waiting there for me. Thanks to the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and Chef Nina Compton for a delicious dinner and some time to catch up with Andrew (aka Dobbernation). I had a great time meeting Charlene who has been reading THIS IS MY LIFE for years had never ran into me IRL. HI CHARLENE. It’s a truly humbling and awesome experience meeting people who have been reading for a while. It’s nice to get to know ya. You know heaps about me! Here’s to a wonderful day. It may be getting cold outside but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the sunshine wherever you go.

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Fashion | Look Into My Eyes, Air Optix Colors Canadian Launch

Last week I went to the Air Optix Colors launch w/ Cohn & Wolfe. I got to pick out a pair of colour contacts and have my makeup done. This photo is really close, I hope it doesn’t scare you lol. Reminds me I’ve aged! Those lines are from lots of smiles though. My usual hazel green eyes were transformed w/ this vivid Sterling Grey. I’m not a usual contacts wearer but these guys come in a variety of colours and last 30 days.  There’s a really bright blue I’d love to try! You can check them out at airoptixcolors.ca Loved this fur. Sadly it’s not mine, was just there for the photo booth. Quick reminder that Rudsak Canada is having a sample sale starting tomorrow at 99 Sudbury and there will be heaps of leather and fur goodies. I’ll have a sneak peek for you tomorrow! <3 CASIE

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Lifestyle | Always Bring Your Own Sunshine

Hello sunshine, it’s nice to feel you on my face. It’s a beautiful November day and this morning I took a stroll through the park on my way to a meeting.   Thinking of my dear Granddad today and stories he used to tell us about being at war. He lied about his age and when they found out he was put in the kitchen to be a cook. When he returned to Palmerston North, New Zealand he opened a butcher shop. Mum still has one of his aprons. Thankful for all those who gave their lives for us. Lest we forget.   Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. Anthony J. D’Angelo With love, <3 CASIE

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Lifestyle | Interstellar IMAX, Korean Karaoke, Stew

  Found these glasses while I was cleaning up this weekend. They’re House of Harlow by Nicole Richie and I can’t believe I forgot about them. DOH! It’s amazing what you find when you dig through clothes mountain and put your stuff away. On Friday Sean and I went to see Interstellar in IMAX. I liked it. I didn’t know anything about the movie except it had something to do with space. I like seeing things in IMAX but this movie made me a little bit dizzy at times they were spinning around in the station. Matthew McConaughey was great and I don’t know why people hate on Anne Hathaway but I think she’s great too. I deff had space dreams/nightmares that night.  I hope to go to space one day. On Saturday we joined Lozzie and crew for for Karaoke in Little Korea and IT WAS SO AWESOME. I’d never been to one of those karaoke places where you get a room to yourself to sing your hearts out. I can’t even begin to tell you all the songs I sung. Sean loves it too. Despite just meeting the birthday girl that night we really helped out by being the entertainment! I’ve been thinking about why I started blogging heaps lately and it was all in an attempt to keep more memories, documenting people, places, things, and thoughts. I’ve also been thinking about how much blogs have changed over the years. Have you noticed a change? Is anyone even reading this? You know so much about me and I don’t know anything about you. Is that strange? I don’t know! Anyhoo, here’s to a great week. <3 CASIE

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Fashion | Ted Baker London Now Open At Eaton Centre

Last week Ted Baker London opened a new store at the Eaton Centre. The store is located right across the the Apple Store on the second floor near Queen Street. Love that Apple & Ted’s new shop are so close. Media, bloggers, and brand lovers filled the store to check out the latest collection, intimate details of the store, and dine on English treats from P&L Catering. These little savoury pies were divine! I ate my share of mini sausage rolls too. Here’s some snaps from the event via Katherine Holland/Faulhaber Communications. I was wearing that darling hot pink dress I absolutely love. It’s available the store right now along with a bunch of other great dresses perfect for the holidays. The whole gang of Ted Baker London Brand Ambassadors was on site for the opening. I’m sure you recognize a few faces! Tweeters gonna tweet, tweet, tweet! I really love the attention to detail in everything Ted baker London. Pattered jacket linings, quotes on accessories, little monogrammed initials, unique buttons, there’s personality in all the details.  In the new ‘Bakers Arcade’ themed shop you’ll find something special in every nook and cranny. There’s so many darling pieces in the shop right now. I love this blue number! Collar dresses are my fav. This green suit. I die. I have a version of this camel cape coat from last season. So nice. I’m hoping to pop in over the next few days to pick up a super cute riding hat for winter. Here’s to a wonderful weekend! Happy Friday! <3 CASIE

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Media | YYZ Living Magazine Issue 7 is Now Online!

I wrote a little ditty about my beloved Dundas West hood for the latest issue of YYZ Living Magazine. It’s their first time working with a blogger in the iSpy editorial. My masthead photo was shot by George Pimentel and I’m wearing Ted Baker London.  In the feature I’m wearing a black & white dress from the Ted Baker London holiday FW14 collection. You can check out the issue here or click on the photos below.   YYZ LIVING shines a light onto our city, projecting its qualities through the lens of breathtaking photography, provocative storytelling, and exquisite fashion editorial. Each issue is a love letter to the city that is our namesake. We bring our readers the Toronto that parties with New York, dresses like Paris, schmoozes with London, and eats like Rome; a world-class city with a personality that is completely its own. YYZ Living Masthead Sneak Peek at Issue 7 iSpy: Dundas West Not the greatest photo of me. Motivation to drop a few lbs over the winter. Photos on this page are by fashion editor,  Alexandra Loeb.   Thanks for having me guys. Looking forward to the Issue 7 party later this month when the hardcopy hits the stands! <3 CASIE

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