Are You There Fitness? It’s Me, Casie.

I’m loving this warmer winter. Yes, a temperature around freezing in Canada is a warm winter! The last two years have been insanely cold, blaming them for my lack of motivation to do anything but Netflix and chill w/ takeout and sit on the couch. Ok, let’s be real with the excuses, I blame myself for being lazy. After a few ups and downs with my health this year combined with early 30s kicking in, I’m looking fitness right in the face. HEY FITNESS, REMEMBER ME? I was always one of the smallest in school, dance, cheerleading, tae kwon do, skating. I was thin through college and university and didn’t really exercise much or regularly. I turned 30 three years ago and all those “it’ll catch up with you” people I rolled my eyes at, yeah, they were right. If you’d like to look into options for you in order to keep fit and healthy, you may want to look firstly at this Shepherd’s Code review and see if the book may help you in finding your new fit and healthy side again. So, I’ve found a yoga studio in my hood to test out and I’ve worked out the past 5 days. I decided to get a jump on the whole New Years fitness thing by starting a week early. It’s January 2nd and I’m feeling good. I’ve eaten great food the last week and haven’t had any alcohol. Maybe it’s just me but my face feels less puffy and I’ve been sleeping better. Drinking has been a big part of my life the last ten years and I need to cool it. It’s time. ???? Digging the Nike app with a trainer that’s been reminding me of the next workout. I get why those people who run all…

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Happy New Year! * Sweet Sixteen*

Well ladies & gents, 2016 is here and I am so glad.  16 is a favourite number of mine and to be honest 2015 was a hard year. Felt I was getting off track a bit and my health wasn’t 100%, so,  I’m facing 2016 with a clear head and excitement. The tattoo I have on my left arm is 16 dots, evenly spaced, in two shades of green like a beaded bracelet. It’s a perfect square, and 16 2x 8, my fav number of them all.  This is the sweet sixteen!  [symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”5″] Today was a good day, went out for a drive around 9:30am, the streets were bare and the air was calm. After, I made a nice breakfast and spent some time cleaning up the house. I had this plan where I wanted to go out and take a great photo with my GoPro and a confetti cannon. After driving around with BF and child, we wound up getting lunch and coming home. I went out to an alley near our place by myself, set up my camera, and popped the cannon. Much to my disappointment, it wasn’t recording video and the confetti made a beautiful display, then flew away in the wind. That moment will forever be in my memory and NOT on Instagram. Whoops! It’s ok, everything doesn’t always go as planned! I took a deep breath, laughed it off to myself and went back home where it was warm. This is my first selfie of 2016. I mean it’s my ACTUAL first selfie in the 20 I took to get a nice one (which we all know is what happens). I added some lighting to brighten it up a bit, but the first one is always the best. I continuously take a pile to get the perfect one and then, voila, the first one…

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Events | Go Further with Ford & Get Free Leafs Tickets!

Wanna go to a Leafs game? The Ford Fanatic account on Twitter exists to provide an experience to check out TO’s hockey team. They’ve given away over 9,000 free Leafs tickets to the Ford Fan Deck. Last year I checked out a game in the Ford Fan Deck and they actually WON! [symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″] This year the Leafs are back with a new roster,  new game, and new hopes at actually winning the Stanley Cup. [Don’t hold you breath there tho!] In order to get free tickets, follow @TheFordFANatic on Twitter and keep an eye on their weekly challenges. they’ve got heaps of tickets to share with followers like you. Follow @TheFordFANatic Another young fan got a Sittler signed jersey, right off his back! #fansgofurther pic.twitter.com/Itn6w8n3rA — Ford Fanatic (@TheFordFANatic) December 1, 2015 My first leafs game was in 1997 after winning Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Cambridge, Ontario. Former NHL all star Darryl Sittler came to our city to present the award. So cool!  Read more about that here. To win tickets to a game before the 2016 season is over, follow @TheFordFanatic and take part in their weekly challenge. I’m not certain which game I’ll be at but when I know, you’ll know!

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I’m Going to a Treehouse!

2016 is almost here and I’m feeling excited, finally. The last couple of months my energy has been low and I’ve been spending more time at home recharging. Well, it worked!  I’ve got three trips planned for January and this year will be full of adventure. [symple_divider style=”solid” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″] The first on my travels is a short stay at a treehouse North of Toronto via glampinghhub.com. I’ve been working with them to plan a stay at one of their many glamping (glamourous camping) locations in Ontario. I’ve never been one for camping but glamping or a quaint cabin in the woods is right up my alley. This is a new take on the winter cottage, cottage life! We’ve chatted about building a tree house at the cottage in Muskoka and something like would be a DREAM. I can’t wait to take you on my adventures! The Glamping Hub location I’m staying at with April next week is a solar-powered treehouse hidden between trees, located on 6,000 acres of forest and trails. It’s the peaceful escape I’m looking for without being TOO far from the city. I hope that it’s snowy and we spend our days reading by the fire and cooking up hearty, healthy meals. If winter has left by then (you never know these days!), we’ll take advantage of the trails. If you’re keen to book a weekend in a fancy tent, cabin, treehouse, cozy cottage, or some other unique space, check out Canadian Weekend Getaway or other glamping spots around the world at glampinghub.com.

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Monday Feelin’ Like Saturday

Had a great weekend. Good Christmas. Went for a nice walk to the park and enjoyed the warm weather on Chrismas day. Sean enjoying a scarf mum sent. Looks great on him tbh!  Had a bbq with some friends on Saturday night. Was great to get out of the house after hibernating for a few days. We’d been in serious holiday mode watching movies and binging Netflix. Not feeling so hot today. Feels like I’m getting a cold. Gonna rest up and keep this holiday mode spirit alive! Hope you had a great weekend too.

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BMO’s #HelpGiven Will Warm Your Heart

[iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/J4z5DiwzF68?list=PLeS2JeMvu-JvSVtq-hJWQkERb7LyJz_vL”] I absolutely love stories like this! Over the past few years I’ve had a few friends help me out and I don’t know if I’d be where I am without their generosity. Sometimes a little here is all you need to get on track or get closer to your goal. It warms my heart to see generous people being surprised with a gift that helps make their dreams come true. I feel it’s important to give unconditionally, giving is it’s own gift! Seeing peoples faces light up when they open a gift or receive a surprise is so wonderful. There’s a playlist of videos BMO created through this Help Given initiative. I love them all, get a tissue, I couldn’t help but have tears of joy. Seeing how happy Arash is when they give him a day off here is so great. [iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/JLtZPCR9h_s”] Kindness Brings Good Karma A couple weeks ago I helped out a friend who was going through a tough time, I was able to help them but it involved using money I’d been saving for travel. Yesterday, out of the blue, I was invited on a trip to a sunny destination. The two things weren’t related but in the whole grand scheme of the universe, I feel I’m somehow being rewarded for my generosity. More details about that next week! Sending my love for happy holidays, warm wishes for a great new year. To see more from BMO’s Help Given initiative, see here. With love,      * This blog post was sponsored by BMO but the opinions & stories are my own!      

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Holiday Mode

This time is year is so hectic, ahhhhh! Lots of running around from now till Friday! Today mum is coming down to help me with some office elfing, aka getting presents ready and delivering to clients. This weekend at home was so nice, a great start to holiday mode. With Christmas on a Friday this year, I think it’ll be easier to really take some time to relax. I’m totally in in love with these little sweaters Telus sent over to help get into official #HolidayMode. The entire campaign is great. [vine id=”imeeM6z0dHx”] Do you know a tablet Dad? [iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/R37Cx8QwDtg”] I probably spend the most time on my gadgets around my family but this holiday season, my goal is to spend less time staring at my phone and more face-time with the ones I love. I like putting on the (digital) fireplace, reading a book, or simply relaxing on the couch and staring at it. If  you don’t have one via cable already, pop over to the Telus YouTube and put this one on your tv. [iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/WSpXLtbhRaU?list=PLZzZFlOdIAXahCRBhRx-t44BlBcRFPdEL” autoplay=”yes”] I love the Internet and technology and how it keeps me connected to the world, but, taking a break from it is totally awesome too. Your batteries need a recharge. Thanks Telus for helping me get into holiday mode. Can’t wait to cook Christmas dinner later this week! OK, off to do my efling! Enjoy the day!          

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Murray Christmas & More

It’s Christmas week, again already. Crazy to think how time flies, feels like I was just saying this the other day. (Omg how old am I? I sound like my parents!) Can’t believe it’s trench coat weather!  Dug up this Ted Baker scarf today, reminds me of spring. Spent most of the morning driving around doing holiday things. Ford hooked me up with an Explorer for the weekend to help de-stress my holidays, and it totally worked. Dropped off stuff to donation centres, picked up something from Umbra, holidays gifts for the office. Learned how much a two-four of Jack Daniels is. See Snapchat before tomorrow for that one. The stereo in this Explorer Platinum is amazing, also heated massage seats w/ screens for back seats. In other news, I’m on the TV at Umbra. GO STOP BY THE STORE AND SAY ‘I KNOW HERRRRRRRRRRR’.  There’s ton of gifts there and that’s why I was back today. I had about 30 favs to put in my holiday video but that would have made it too long so we went with top 10. See the video here if somehow you missed it! If you're near Queen & John, pop into @umbra_ltd! Not just for great gifts, to catch me on the tv! ????☃ pic.twitter.com/hrBV0GVpnU — CASIE STEWART ☀️ (@casiestewart) December 21, 2015 In other news, Netflix really knocked it out of the park today with their holiday gift. A Murry Christmas Bill Murray Christmas sweater. Wow, wow, wow. @Netflix you have outdone yourselves! #MURRAYCHRISTMAS ?????☃ A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Dec 21, 2015 at 11:51am PST Tonight I am a judge Respect the Agave, tequila bartender battle. It’s at the Addison’s Residence, love this venue, looks like a rich friends house! Hope…

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Travel | Got Wanderlust? Take That Trip!

As winter starts to creep up on us I find myself looking back through old blog posts of my travels. I’m keen to book a trip for Sean and I for a little R&R under the sun early 2016. I’m thinking Dominican Republic, Cuba, or Costa Rica. I’m dying to feel sand on my skin and salt water in my hair! ?? Over the last few years I’ve been to Thailand, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and LA during the winter. I absolutely LOVE to travel but preparation is key if you want to have a good time for example, a travel shoe bag is a must for me and I don’t travel without them. Also, if you don’t manage your money right, it can be expensive. Up until a few years ago I didn’t even have a credit card because I was still paying off my student debt from school. This doesn’t mean to say that just because you’re at university, you can’t have a credit card; those studying away from their home country can still get a credit card for International Students. Having a card with travel rewards was really important to me now. I want to get something back from all the purchases I make on my trips. I’m also really interested in qantas credit cards which are another travel-based provider, as they offer rewards for frequent flyers which is certainly what I am! I would rather take a great trip in the winter to boost my inspiration and pay it off my credit card, than not go at all and let the winter blues get me down. You never know what’s going to happen, YOLO! I’ve partnered with a Capital One Canada one to tell you about their new and improved line of Capital One Aspire Travel MasterCards.…

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There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. 

Have been laying low and trying to slow down for the holidays this week. Monday I was at the office and took a little test drive w/ Chevrolet in the new Cruze. Title is a quote by Jane Austin, today is her birthday. This is my fav coffee shop in our neighbourhood, Cafe Neon. Walked over this morning and grabbed two coffees, for myself. I’m working from home today and wanna be prepared. Had a chuckle to myself wondering if that is a weird thing to do but don’t really care if it is! Quite warm out still, it’s nice walking weather. ? Started reading Makers by Cory Doctorow yesterday, someone sent it to me in the mail. If it was you, please lmk. I am loving it and it’s crazy how it was published 2009 yet foreshadows the future and right now. Reading before bed helps me wind down the mind. Continuous scrolling made me forget how much I love turning pages. Heading home to hang out and get a tree with mum this weekend. Can’t wait!

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