CASIE STEWART
THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
Creativity Muskoka

Day 183: You Don’t have to Monetize Every Hobby

Day 183: You Don’t have to Monetize Every Hobby

I’ve loved sewing my whole life. I also have a new sewing machine that I’ve hardly used for about 8 years. I want to sew, but never had the time or made the time to do it. As a kid, I spent heaps of time sewing with mum. I even started my first business in grade 3 sewing gym bags for classmates. Early into quarantine, I took the time to make things for the pure enjoyment of making them. I did heaps of tie-dye, turmeric dye, made friendship bracelets, and practised line drawing on iPad. The art of creating gives me so much joy. It inspires creativity in other areas of my life. I loved sharing the things I made on social media and mailing some to friends. I was reminded you don’t have to monetize every hobby, it’s incredibly freeing to create for the sake of creating. This weekend, I started sewing again. I took a few items of clothing that were ripped or on their way to donations and made a few scrunchies. The big pink ones are a soft rayon fabric and flop when you doa top know. they used to be part of Joe Fresh shirt from years ago that had a mark on it. It was so fun to make them and patch together my old clothes to make new patterns. I spent most the day sewing, listening to music, watching Netflix, and letting my creative juices flow. After posting my creations, I had a few people saying they want to buy or ask where to order. I’m not there yet, I might never be! For now, the Quarantine 2.0 version of me is Casie Sew-Art. I’m back at my machine baby, who knows what I’ll create next!

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Writing QUARANTINE

Day 106: The Hummingbird Bar

Day 106: The Hummingbird Bar

What a difference a day makes.  Your heart breaks, your body aches, you need rest.  It’s a test, a level you have to pass.  The feelings you’re having won’t last.  Get some sun, read a book. Find a mirror, take a look.  Like hummingbirds at the feeder,  Tomorrow’s sugar will be sweeter.  We have hummingbirds and they drink the sugar water, they’re realllly into it. Making a mess, drinking, coming back. Closest to a bar I’ve been, cutest birds I’ve ever seen. Hard to get a good photo of one, they move so fast! ?? Been writing a lot more lately, little verses here and there. I love to write, to rhyme, to take inspiration from things I see and hear. I made this video last week and wasn’t sure it turned out so I chopped it up and gave it an edit,. took a page from my own talk to ‘use what you got‘, I think it turned out pretty good!

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Writing Toronto, ON

The hardest part of writing is writing.

The hardest part of writing is writing.

You have to write the thing. You have to sit down at our computer and type your fingers along each key forming words into sentences. It sounds easy but it’s hard if you ‘ve been thinking about it for a while and you know you can do it, but time is running out. You’re already a day late and you don’t want to hand it in at the end of the day tomorrow. All you need to do it sit down and not get distracted. Drink some water. Sit up straight. Open a window. Check the fridge. Sit back down. Your anxiety grows to form a mountain range that now you have to climb over before you reach the spot where you can just sit down, and write the thing. Sit down, start writing. Sometimes just writing about writing helps the worlds start flowing.

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BLOG Toronto, ON

Ok, Tuesday.

Ok, Tuesday.

The sun was setting and I thought wow you should really go out for a walk. I looked out the window and since we moved the couch it’s easier to see out. Neighbourhood watch. I decided against the walk and wondered why am I so tired? I started going through the things I did today and realized, whoa, no wonder. I feel like I should keep going but I had a video shoot, pulled an event outfit, signed a contract, made burritos, and we switched our internet plan today. Add in a bunch of emails and remembering a script. I need to charge my batteries. I don’t know if Daylight Saving has anything to do with it but I’m definitely tired. Couch time. I grabbed my iPad, put on the show, and made some food. Caprese salad, banana on toast, simple, delicious. This weekend I finally set up another pair of Phillips Hue lights so we can dim the front door and entryway lights. I tackled the mess that was the entryway over the weekend and it feels nice now. The living room is tidy and filled with coloured balloons from the shoot. It’s still light out at 7:30pm. I can’t wait for spring.

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Writing

I’m Internet, but I’m Human Too

I’m Internet, but I’m Human Too

Do you ever just feel like you need a break? To run away. Get on a plane. Be alone. Put away your phone. Take flight and be free. I don’t know exactly why but today I feel frustrated. There are lots of things to feel great about but with a few roadblocks, no amount of meditation, water or walking is going to save me right now. I want to curl up with my computer on a patio of a villa somewhere far away, alone. I’ve got things I want to write and I feel like I need a secluded place away from everyone and everything. Life is full of distractions and no matter where I go, they’re all around. Maybe I should turn off wifi. I’m doing a wellness retreat this afternoon and in the middle of planning a trip with Aeroplan. Maybe I have travel jitters and I just want to leave now? Please remember that no matter how many smiling selfies, cute couple photos, designer dresses, great skin, and clean houses, nothing is that perfect in real life. We all have our struggles, battles, and have no idea what we are doing. But we’re doing it. I had no idea what I was doing when I started my blog and stuck at it. I was addicted to documenting, I love writing, smiling photos. Most of my blog posts aren’t even about anything other than how I’m feeling or where I’m going, but we all feel things and go places. Writing it down helps me deal with everything, it’s great therapy. I’m gonna go for that walk now. I think it might actually help.  P.S. When I opened up Twitter before leaving my computer for the aforementioned walk, this Tweet was waiting for me. Good read. I relate to this ‘smiling depression’ quite a bit. Hiding…

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BLOG DEAR DIARY

Let’s Talk

Let’s Talk

Three events today. Ignore…. 33 Facebook notifications. Too many unread emails. Twitter notifications. Instagram notifications. Unread messages. It’s overwhelming. Then add on [that you’ve been keeping a public diary about your life for a decade and] all kinds of people who don’t really know you who think they ‘like totally’ know you because they’ve known you for 5+ years. They know about the cottage and people, places, things, thoughts. Boyfriends, birthdays, best friends. They’ve had babies and you’d recognize their kids now, but you don’t really know them. They know you, part of you, the sunshiney part where you’re always smiling and wearing bright colours, or going somewhere great looking good. They don’t see behind the screen, in the pile of clothes or messy closet. The days when you just can’t even, when you think about leaving the house. Or going to that event. When all you want to really do is stay home and cook in your kitchen or go to yoga because it makes you feel better. I feel like I need a break and maybe it’s the winter blues talking post vacation SAD*.  Maybe it’s because I’m on the waitlist for yoga at noon. Maybe it’s Time’s Up or Me Too. I don’t know. It’s freezing outside and blowing snow gives limited visibility. It’s also Bell Let’s Talk and Spring is just a few weeks away. It’s ok not to be ok. I’m not always ok. The last few weeks have been really hard. The trip to New Zealand was super fucking hard. My nana died and one of my uncles was being super controlling from the day I arrived to the point where I blocked him on Facebook. Travelling with your mum is not easy. I cried a lot for the first week of the trip. I cried…

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LIFE SCROLL FOR SHOES

Thanks Converse.ca ?✌? New Shoes for Me! New Shoes for You!

Thanks Converse.ca ?✌? New Shoes for Me! New Shoes for You!

In celebration of converse.ca (Welcome to ?? !) they sent an awesome package. The box is an old computer with a lenticular screen, and it’s full of disks. A couple disks have codes for FREE SHOES and I’m sharing then w you. YAY! I gave a pair to Matt @ 1188 to test shipping. Ordered Friday shipped Monday, on his feet Tuesday in TO from Montreal. Every summer I get a new pair of white Converse because after wearing them all summer with no socks, trust me, they’re worn out done.  I’d like a pair of white leather hightops but I also love the little white Dainty. Really feeling the Nike X Flyknit but they only come in mens sizes and my feet are too small. ? The new Converse II  soles are more comfortable. They’re a great summer staple, love them with dresses or jeans, shorts, and rompers. They’re my fav. I have a framed photo of my Andy Warhol converse in my room and another couple pairs tucked away in under bed storage for safe keeping; an Andy Warhol pair and classic Chuck Taylor high tops with my signature on the tongue.  HOW TO WIN? LEAVE A COMMENT! ?? Scroll over to converse.ca, find your fav shoes, and say hi in the comments w/ a link to your fav pair. I’ll pick two people and shoes will be delivered to you anywhere in Canada. Extra points for good manners, jokes, or kind words. GOOD LUCK! ?  

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Inspiration

You Can Achieve Anything You Want If You Work At It

You Can Achieve Anything You Want If You Work At It

I found this photo in a box of tax receipts and it gave me such a warm feeling. I’m pretty sure mum has this costume still hanging up in a closet at home. When I was about 9 my jazz class did a competition number to the Inspector Gadget song and to this day I still remember some of it. I spent heaps of time at the dance studio as a kid. I started ballet around 3 and a half, had my first recital at 5, and spent a few years competing. I went all over Ontario, NY, and the National American Dance Championships in South Carolina a couple times. I distinctly remember times ballet was hard. Sometimes I hated it. I’d be crying after class, begging mum to let me quit. But she never did. And thank god for that. Although it was tough, dance taught me so much. It taught me hold my head high when I walk, how to enter a room, how to be on stage. I learned to not give up. I’m so thankful for the decade I spent dancing as kid. For my teacher Miss Lisa at Meyerhofer Academy in Cambridge. I’m grateful for mum who taught me to persevere through all the tough times. Also thankful for all the late nights, mum sat at the kitchen table making ballet skirts for the studio to pay for it. As I get older ,I appreciate more and more the hard work I put in when I was younger. This week Emily and I signed up for Tae Kwon Do. It’s her first go and my first time back in 20 years. [Side note: WHERE DID THE TIME GO, HOW AM I THAT OLD?]  TDK is another thing I spent a few years doing that taught me so much.  I have my green belt, won an Ontario trophy for…

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Writing

Hi Mum, I just called to say thanks.

Hi Mum, I just called to say thanks.

Today I rung mum at work and I think she must have been busy because she seemed a little surprised when I said ‘hi mum’. I told her I was calling to say thank you for having me and being so supportive. She didn’t have a lot of time to talk but I wanted to thank her for everything. To tell her I love calling her all the time when something exciting happens and I can’t tell anyone else or they just wouldn’t feel as excited as her. For all the times she stayed up late sewing ballet skirts to sell at the studio so she could afford our dance classes. For driving to all those dance competitions, skiing, skating, birthday parties, recitals, modelling, tae kwon do, and to all my friends houses for sleepovers. For showing me how to bake and encouraging me to make things in the kitchen, thank you. For embracing my weirdness and letting me wear what I want as a child no matter how bizarre the neighbours thought she was for doing to it. For putting us in summer reading club at the library. For all the work that went in to creating JEANS Publishing company and helping me write that book as a young teenager because I know it was shit ton of work and late nights (for her). For teaching me to work hard and not listen to anyone who says ‘you can’t do that’. Your strong attitude is with me everyday and I carry it close to my heart and I hear your voice in my head. For teaching me to be tough and know how to throw a damn good punch (whoops!) and studying Tae Kwon Do together. For getting me braces because you knew that my smile would bring joy to other people and I…

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LIFE MONDAY SCROLL

SCROLL – 5 Good Things for Monday, March 6, 2017

SCROLL – 5 Good Things for Monday, March 6, 2017

Hello & happy Monday, here are a few good things to start your day. ☀️ On Sunday I went to detox yoga at noon and it was a really good class. Sean picked me up after and we got groceries and other stuff. Lately I’ve been more conscious of things I’m doing and why. I think it goes back to that sound bath I went to in LA. I swear something happened that day. So, instead of laying the couch and scrolling I’m sitting on the bed writing. I promised to write more. Although, one of my favourite things is sitting and scrolling. I love reading Steph’s The Catch Up or Weekly Enabler Posts on her blog LEOPARD is a NEUTRAL. I also love Gracie’s recipes, yesterday I tried to make cauliflower rice but it ended up being mash. Which was still good. I tried to do a newsletter but I failed miserably, despite ‘wanting‘ to do it I only sent it once. Sorry subscribers. ? Maybe one day I will get there but baby steps are ok. Here are five things I think you might like too. ONE: TRAVEL & LIFE TIPS FROM ONE OF MY FAV BLOGGER/YOUTUBERS Kristen Sarah created Hopscotch The Globe and has been travelling for 13 years with her husband. They’re also moving into an AIRSTREAM. If you haven’t read noticed, is one of my travel goals. TWO: VICE + OCCUPIED VR + CREATORS PROJECT OCCUPIED VR (Sean, my bf’s company) is featured on the VICE Creators Project right now. Watch it here or check out my behind the scenes experience at the shoot in yesterday’s blog post. THREE – THE BANKSY HOTEL  This place is all over headlines with it’s “worst view in the world”. The ‘Walled Off Hotel’ (a play on Waldorf?) is in Bethlehem and looks right out to the concrete wall around the West Bank.The decor inside is crazy/awesome, every room…

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Writing

The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started

The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started

I’m not sure if I did something or what but my lower back is so sore today. I can do a forward bend but if I only go 15-45 degrees, it hurts. I’ve got a heating pack on now and I’m watching Dragon’s Den/not moving till tomorrow. I did however, still go to yoga today. Six weeks ago I would have probably cancelled anything that made me leave the house with this pain but since I’ve been working out I feel stronger. A couple days ago I told my yoga teacher (Sandy) how I came to class even though I was feeling blerghhh and tired and she said “Nobody ever regrets going to yoga” She was so right. Today I initially cancelled going to the nooner (via the app) but when I was home from work at at 11:45 I decided to just GO FOR IT. Jumped into my gear, ran out the door, and was there 2min early for the 12:15! IT FELT SO GOOD. There was only other person in the class with me so it ended up being semi-private. I feel like it was a stroke of luck after hustling to get there! I’ve been going to class at least 3 times a week for just over a month and I’m so happy for finally dedicating time to myself for myself. And screen free! Last year I wrote about JOMO, The Joy of Missing Out and I’m still on that vibe. I’ve spent the last 5-7 years doing so many things every weeknight and lately, making time for yoga has been a really great change. If I ever think about teaching yoga, I know https://www.siddhiyoga.com will give me all the information I need. I’m more mindful of the events I do go to, and I make the…

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LIFE JOURNAL

Waiting for it, that green light.

Waiting for it, that green light.

I wasn’t really feeling like myself today. I don’t really know what it was but there’s a good chance it had something to do with the drinks Sarah and I had AFTER seeing Book of Mormon last night. It was totally hilarious, highly recommend. So funny. I slept in and dragged myself most the day except for the amazing creative idea Shawn Hawaii  (A+ real estate agent!) and I had in the middle of the day for a 12th anniversary blog party next month. After doing some planning I started having anxiety about the whole thing and thought maybe it’s silly to plan a huge party for myself? For the blog? (This idea is really good tho and it would be SO FUN.) It’s a lot of work and might be expensive, but it’ll also be a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of the blog all these years. You reading right now and every other set of beautiful eyes that’s ever graced these pages (web pages ?). All the agency people I’ve made friends with and so many great clients. All my friends from the internet (which is actually real life because they are the same thing but you know what I mean). It would be so wonderful to see everyone and their smiling faces in a room. I might even cry if that happens. Happy tears! ? Being on the internet is hard sometimes and other times it’s awesome. Theres days when I daydream what it is like to be a person who doesn’t Facebook or check notifications. Someone who can go for a walk without checking their phone or taking a photos. I mean I can do that, I just don’t. In other news, there’s new LORDE. New Zealand represent. Love her. 

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Art AFTER SEEING A TIGER

I promise to write more.

I promise to write more.

I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise I will write more. I will write more. I promise to write. More, more, more.  I promise to write more about things.  I promise to write more stories. I promise to write more often. I promise I will write more. I promise to write more random stories. I will write more. I will write more stories. More. More everything. I promise to write about more things. I promise to write more.  I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise I will write more. I promise to write. I promise to write more often. I promise to write more posts about everything. I promise to write more about my life. I promise to write about more things that bother me. I promise to write more feelings down. I promise to write more about funny things that happen. I promise to write more about my work. I promise to write about more.  I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. To write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise to write more. I promise. I promise to write more. Words. About myself. About life. About living. I promise to write more. P.S. I was walking home from yoga the other morning and someeone in the neighbourhood had two of these tiny fur tiger things just sitting out on the columns at the end of their walkway. I looked at them and it was like we had a moment. Took this with Portrait Mode in on my iPhone 7+ (no filter). Such a cool feature. Mine is from Telus obvs. I don’t know if they are still there but I will never forget their stare and sharp, sharp teeth.

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LIFE

This is My Life | Why Does Monday Suck Though?

This is My Life | Why Does Monday Suck Though?

‘Mondays are fine, you hate your job’ Years ago I worked as a tech recruiter in the financial district. We had a team meeting each morning at 8am. Thus meaning I would leave the house each day at 7:30am, dressed in a business type suit, with my briefcase style bag, Lenovo Thinkpad computer (it was 2008), and head down to Bay Street.  Around the 1-year mark on a Monday just before lunch, my boss pulled me into his office and said ‘Case, what’s wrong, you don’t seem your happy self?’ It was true. I wasn’t feeling it.  I didn’t want to do this job anymore.  I thought about quitting but I didn’t have much money and being lay off and getting two weeks would be much better. So, I toughed it out and kept going in for those early mornings. At this point, since my boss brought it up, I came out and said ‘I don’t wanna work here anymore’. He told me he knew and it was ok. we talked it out and I cleaned out my desk after lunch. They gave me 2 weeks pay and I never looked back. If you have going into work on Monday morning, BE THE CHANGE. Do something about it. There are heaps of new jobs in new industries being created each and every single day. or, if you’re not ready to leave your job, spend the weekend working on your hobby so you’ve got something exciting to think about. Work to make THAT your job. I work pretty much every single day, often less on weekends but sometimes more! Doing something I love means it doesn’t always feel like work. I mean sometimes I don’t feel like it but most the time I do. We only live once so don’t spent weeks, months, years doing…

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