You may say I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one

Good morning and happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend. I just discovered that a Muskoka chair makes a great work desk. More of these in offices!  Sitting on the deck, looking out to the lake, catching up on emails, and writing this message to the world. Had a very relaxing weekend and plan for a very relaxing week. We’ve got some work to do around the cottage and I’ve got plans to work on a few internetty things I’ve been putting off. It took me a day to get out of city mode but now, I’m ready. Listening to the ultimate cottage summer station, 104.1 The Dock. ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon just came on. 🙂 You may say I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one I’ll try to space out all my #cottagelife posts with other things so it’s not overload (this is for you and me haha). I’m about to go out on the kayak and stare into the horizon… Here’s to a great week! <3 CASIE

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I’m taking an actual no-work vacation next week.

Count down till the weekend is ON! I’m up at the cottage for an entire week starting Saturday. We have the cleaning lady taking care of the house while we’re away too. It’s the first time (in who knows how long) that I’m taking a no-work vacation. I mean, no obligatory blogging, tweeting, sponsors, or events. I’ve been around the world and back over the last five years but each time has been with a company or sponsored trip that required me to do something. Being on the internet has taken me on an amazing journey but it can also be very tiring. It takes a lot of energy to be always on, and sharing your life with the world. Here’s to celebrating each day and soaking up silence and sunshine in Muskoka! <3 CASIE    

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Top Down Cruisin’ Camaro Drive

This weekend Klout & Chevrolet Canada hooked me up with a sweet ride to cruise around in. Sean and I rented a brand new Camaro last summer in California so we were quite familiar with it’s awesomeness. The car arrived Friday morning and sadly was returned last night. I made a couple GoPro videos while on the back country roads but I’m not sure I should post them because it appears we are speeding! You’ll just have to imagine us cruising with my hair blowing in the wind. 🙂 Thanks Klout for this experience, we had heaps of fun. Best part was Sunday cruising on Southwood Road up in Muskoka. Vrooooooom, this baby is FAST! ♥ CASIE

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CSAW Company | Good Kid Mad Hope

Sean got me this Good Kid Mad Hope hoodie from the CSAW Company for my birthday. Didn’t realize just HOW rad CSAW is. It’s also super soft and perfect for this not-yet-summer weather we’re having. You’ll see me living in this and the COTTAGE sweater (both from Community 54) right into the fall. Ellie Goulding in the same hoodie. Whut whut.  I’m ready for the weekend. Heading up to Muskoka later this afternoon. Can’t wait to be on the lake, and wake up in the wilderness tomorrow morning. Hoping to have a fire tonight and roast some marshmallows to kick off the summer! Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Be safe out there! <3 CASIE

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Swimming Pool, Sunshine’s Cool, Winter Drools

I was saying yesterday how I’m really looking forward to summer and sunshine and the cottage. I found myself looking through old photos of us last night, hanging out in Muskoka, relaxing with the calm sound of nature and the lake. I’m due for a vacation. Thailand was months ago and although it was a really good time, it was the opposite of relaxing! We were on a tight media schedule and it was rare to have a couple hours alone for naps or lazing on the beach. I just want to feel that sunshine. I want to feel warm. I’ve not taken off my scarf or hat since arriving at the office and there’s a space heater beside me. This is the longest winter in 25 years and we’ve had a record number of ‘cold weather alert’ days. I try my best to stay positive and not let the weather get me down but sheesh, this is the hardest it’s been. I know months down the road I’ll look back at this and think, if you could get through this you can get through anything. It’s snowing again… <3 CASIE

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WMCFW: Here’s How I Prepped for A Busy Week!

I had a lovely and relaxing weekend. Went to Screemers on Friday night for a good scare and spent Saturday afternoon at Hammam Spa. I’ve gone there a few times lately as a way to treat myself to some relaxation. this time I went a little early to relax in the steam room before my full body mud wrap. My skin felt like silk after! Thank you Hammam Spa for this little gift bag! I had tweeted them the day before about the 20% Stylicity discount (available now!) and they left me some goodies. Oh how I love the Internet! This little pink makeup bag is from Ted Baker London and I keep it in my purse to freshen up my look since I often head to events right after work. In it are always a few of my fav things: Essence Nailpolish – dries fast! Essence mascara – not expensive but great volume Rescue Remedy – if you have anxiety, this stuff is for you! Elizabeth Grant blue stick for redness – this stuff is great! Burts Bees – staple! Elizabeth Grant dark circle concealer Dermologica Age Smart primer & tinted moisturizer – both with SPF Moroccanoil Moisturizer stays at home but it’s great and smells wonderful I recieved a few things in the mail this week to get me ready for Fashion Week. A new toothbrush from Phillips and a whitening pen. I take really good care of my teeth so these were a treat! In other news, I was in an electric toothbrush commercial when I was 16. It aired in the USA, the kind you’ll see many a Dentist in Manchester and other dentists and surgeries within the US of A fully endorse and say they can be the best for your oral hygiene. These D.…

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Kanetix Ltd. Contest: Vote for My Playlist – Win $500!

I’ve been going to the cottage in Muskoka almost every weekend since the start of May. I love it. Spent heaps of time in the car listening to tunes. My friend who works at KANETIX told me about a contest for $500! Um, yeah? They were inspired to find out what folks deem the ultimate summer driving playlist, so they reached out to me awesome blog friends to find out what our top summer driving songs are. Kanetix is an online comparison site for insurance, mortgages and credit cards, recently commissioned a study to find out how music impacts your driving. As a member of CAA and young woman who drives, I was in. VOTE FOR ME: HERE (Easy!) Vote for your favourite playlist over on the KANETIX blog before August 23rd and you’ll be entered to WIN $500! The blogger whose playlist gets the most votes will not only get the glory, they’ll also get to take home $500. Yahoo! My Playlist Let’s hope we win big money! Love ya, CASIE  

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Canon Blogtography – Step Outside of Auto!

A couple weeks ago I announced my partnership with Canon as a Brand Ambassador and over the past month  I’ve been playing around with my new DSLR. The Canon Rebel SL1 is a compact 18 mega pixel camera with touch screen and whole bunch of features I’m not quite versed in yet.  I have heaps to learn.  Canon has awesome resources and I’ve been playing on canonoutsideofauto.ca but the real way I’m going to learn is TAKING PHOTOS. I’m just getting used to using a DSLR. I’ve got a pretty good eye for composing a nice shot but right now aperture and ISO feel like new languages. Once I  learn and understand exposure (ISO, shutter speed and aperture), I’ll be in business. I know it won’t take too long! I’ve been playing around with ISO and exposure. It’s super neat how one photo can be so different by changing just one or two things. This little Rebel has built in filters too. So, naturally I took a few selfies in the park to test them out. This weekend I’m shooting Digital Dreams music festival and in August I’ll be shooting Disneyland and California! Staring in next month have a weekly fashion column for Dose.ca. This is where those Canon skills will really come into play. I’m excited to take my blog to the next level! Below are a few photos I took using (gasp) auto to get used to using the camera.  One of the most beautiful things, a perfect avocado! Limba the 50 year old elephant at Bowmanville Zoo. A baby giraffe peeks out his head at Bowmanville Zoo. I need to work on depth and focus. Flower pot at the cottage in Muskoka. The dock and boat at sunset in Muskoka. Gonna to practice camera settings in nature. Over the next couple months I’ll be…

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Real and Imagined

Got sent an advanced uncorrected proof from Simon & Schuster Canada. Thank you! Can’t wait to start it today, deep in the forest woods of Muskoka. I absolutely LOVE getting books in advance. Something so magical about it. We spent heaps of time at the library as kids. Summer reading club FTW.  Thanks Mum for that. YOU ARE THE BEST MUM! Got to have lunch with her and Dad with my sister this week for my birthday. Prettyyyyy awesome. Love you guys! Just watched Beauty and the Beast on VHS. I forgot he gave her the massive library. I love that library. And the dress. Belle is my fav Disney Princess. (You have one too, don’t lie to yourself now!) It’s kinda cold and gloomy up here this weekend but that’s perfect for writng so I don’t mind one bit. Enjoy the day 🙂 CASIE

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BLOWIN’ THIS POP STAND! HAPPY FRIDAY!

Woke up late today, and was all like… How did I miss my alarm? That never happens! Was a busy day at the office! Did a lunch & learn about social to some colleagues. Going up to Muskoka to open the cottage this weekend, and when I get there all I want to do is be on the couch, watch Netflix, eat popcorn. Get the BBQ Goin’! And on that note… BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

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