CASIE STEWART

THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
Tech MaRS, Toronto

2017 Tech Trends from from @WeAreWearables & #CES2017

wwto_photo, casie stewart, wearable, tech, speaker, toronto, canada, blonde, pixie, firecracker

Last week I was on a panel at We Are Wearbles TO Meetup. Five journalists took the stage on a panel to talk tech trends from CES 2017 earlier this month. I was at the conference in Vegas and there was definitely lots to see.  If you’ve not been to CES, IT IS HUGE.  Imagine Toronto’s MTCC x 10 with other demo areas set up in massive hotels (ex. Aria).

During the panel we talked about trends and products we saw on the CES floor. Mostly sensors, wearables, VR/AR, fashion, hearables, & smartwatches.

A really cool sensor I saw at CES was the Corning ‘Glassie’  a smart mirror class that has a camera in it and can take your photo. Perfect for those OOTS amirite?!

I learned about the Nex Band that has 5 customizable buttons unlike any other smart watch wearable. The Nex band is ‘a smart band that lets you create custom hacks in seconds, with no coding required!”. Very cool, like to try one of these out.  [?? waves hiiiiii!]

Lowdown Focus is the latest from Interaxion, makers of the Muse Headband. I wrote about using the Muse here. The glasses are packed with sensors including EEG, EOG and EMG technology, they also have a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyro, 3-axis magnetometer, UV sensor (UVA and UVB), temperature gauge and a pressure sensor. Pretty incredible considering they look like a totally normal pair of glasses.

The Lowdown Focus is the brain-child of Safilo, the Italian eyewear giant that produces sunglasses, sports eyewear, and helmets under its five house brands, including Smith Optics and 22 licensed brands like Dior and Fendi- read more on BetaKit

If you’re curious about any other stuff we talked about at WWTO pop by their website so see what’s hot in wearables and tech. If you’re keen to attend the next meetup, sign up here for a free ticket.

Fashion

Knix That! Only Good Vibes Here! #SpinInYourSkin

Last week I did my first spin class at Spokehaus. I loved it so much, it was really intense and I was so sweaty. I felt great the next day, I could feel it in my muscles but I wasn’t dying. It was a great workout. I’m planning to go back and do it again. Last night I slept funny an now can hardly move my head, good for blogging bad for anything else.

The goal of the class that day was to KNIX bad words or insecurities you might have been carrying around, to set yourself free. For everyone who did the class in Knix Wear, a bra and undies were donated to CAMH.

WATCH THE VIDEO

“Over 120 incredible women knixed their insecurities by spinning in their skin and, all together, we took one big step towards loving ourselves. ” – read more

Travel Toronto, Canada

Travel Goals: RV Adventure 2017

Travel Goals: RV Adventure 2017

When I was a kid my grandpa Doug converted an old school bus into the ultimate traveller complete w/ stove, bbq, and a few beds. We would drive about 2hrs to the Down Under Summer Games with heaps of Kiwis and Aussies. It was so much fun, we would sing, dance, have a a hangi, go fishing, and watch the dads do a gumboot toss. It’s a down under thing haha.

This summer I’m planning to live out one of my dreams and so an RV adventure. GoRVing Canada has invited me and I’ve not set out the details but it’s going down. ? Or East, West, who knows!

GoRVing.ca helps RVers in Canada with information about RV dealers, RV rentals, RV parks and campgrounds. Find all kinds of info at gorving.ca. ????

The airstream section was my favourite. It’s totally hipster of me but I love the hyyge, cozy, retro of it all. I think I could do a summer living in one of these as long as I had wifi and freshwater. I’ve learned to need way fewer things over the last few years.

There are so many different kitchen/sleep/bathroom options, sizes, and pries in RVs. I knew there would be a lot to consider as a friend told me about the campingfunzone.com RV/trailer article she read and what you need to take into consideration but I was overwhelmed! I was impressed by the luxe of some, full kitchens, big fridge, queen beds.

Overheard a conversation of a few people talking about how they used to live on their boat and now are looking for a nice RV to travel land on. So cool! A few years back my mum & her bf lived on their boat for a year and sailed to the Bahamas. I’ve always admired the planning they put into that trip and that life.

Not sure where the RV adventure will take us this summer but I deff want to check out some of our the great parks and explore Canada. Parks Canada has waived all fees for 2017 in honour of Canada 150 and you can still get them here. I ordered one for Sean, Em, and I. The last time I went camping was to SandHill Park as kid with my parents. I am not really into the idea of camping now, but airstream or RV sounds like so much fun.

I’ve been looking at travel bloggers who’ve gone on RV adventures and there’s so many great photos. Love stories of people who decided to ditch city living, their house, and work remotely with their RVs & travel (LiveSmallRideFree, Aluminarium, Campendium). Lynne Knowlton also has a pretty amazing airstream for rent along with her treehouse.

The top image in this post is from Airstream Family in Australia and the one below is from blogger @ariellevy and edited w/ Color Story one of my fav apps.

I posted a short Facebook Live video from the RV show you can watch below. I had a bunch replies of people who are interested in this trip so I’ll be sure to keep you updated. Summer is a few months away but it warms my heart thinking about cottage life and this adventure.

 

When you think about you want to something for a long time and then it happens…

Posted by Casie Stewart on Friday, January 20, 2017

I’ve talked about this to my friends so many times it’s so exciting to be making it a reality! Weeeee!

????

Related Posts

Fashion Toronto, Canada

Doing My First Spin Class Today! ? #SpinInYourSkin in Support of CAMH

It’s a rainy day and I’ve been working from my bed office. It’s just so warm and cozy! I recently made some big changes to our loft bedroom upstairs where I do most of my work. I’ve got the Y&R on my iPad Pro and I’m typing away on that great little table I made (this one).

I’m leaving any minute now  to a shoot at Spokehaus for their #spininyourskin class in partnership with knixwear. They’re hosting a first-ever class focused on body positivity, while giving back.

Anyone who choses to #Spininyourskin (aka your knixwear bra & undies, ah!) multiple undergarments will be donated to CAMH Foundation (Center for Addiction and Mental Health). They’re really in need of  bras for incoming patients so if exercise with a bunch of rad babes can help them out, I’m down. Also gets me out of the house for a good sweat!

They’ll still donate a bra if you do the class in your clothes. It’s hosted by model and body-positivity spokesperson Elly Mayday.  There are more classes tonight if you want to sign up.

This is the bra we are getting. I hope it fits gahhh.

Knixwear is hooking us up with boy shorts and a sports bra and we are going to spin in our skin. The thing is I’ve never actually done a spinning class and I’m a little worried I might PUKE. I’m kinda NERVOUS ABOUT THIS OMG WHAT AM I DOING.

I feel more confident about my body since my surgery this summer. Before the new boobs, wearing a sports bra, or any bra was uncomfortable, not to mention how much I hated working out with those things. I’m going into this workout with an open heart and maybe, just maybe, I’ll like it?!

UPDATE NEXT DAY: I loved the class. It was so intense! I sweat A LOT. My bike was beside a girl who teaches spin at SpokeHause so I had a good lead to follow. Gonna go again. Feeling it today in my arms and kinda all over. Not dying but I feel it! ?

I was invited to join this class and wanted to write about it because that's what I do. I wrote about things I like. Love this partnership and supporting to a cause that's actually close to my heart, physically. ❤️

Read about my struggles w/ huge boobs most my life and how I feel now.  Spoiler - amazing! 

Speaking Toronto, Canada

2 Upcoming Speaking Things: Jan 19th & 25th – Get Tickets!

warhol, art, speaking, business, casiestewart

If you missed my post over the weekend (here), I’m super excited about 2017 and the year is off to a great start!  Last week is LA was just what I needed to motivate and inspire. LET’S DO THIS.

I have two speaking gigs this month and both are FREE to attend. You can get a ticket on the links below.

January 19th – Breaking Down Investments @ Brainstation

January 19th I’m speaking on a panel with Tangerine Bank about investments. I’ve talked about my finances a few times of the years and this panel focusses on RSP and investment stuff for millennials. Tickets are free, there’s a Q&A, and you can enjoy refreshments with us at BrainStation. ?

Register for a Free Ticket 

tang

Jan 25th: Writers Recap CES + Smith Lowdown Focus + Ingress Nex Band

I’ll be joining a panel of journalists talking about wearable tech trends coming out of CES.  I’ve spoked at WWTO a few times and they get a HUGE crowd. There’s already 400+ people registered.Pizza Pizza and beer from Lake Wilcox Brewery will be served.  ?✌?

Register for a Free Ticket

Travel Los Angeles, California

Yes! This Is Your Life, The One You Created

Yes! This Is Your Life, The One You Created

? This week in LA was a relaxing, reset, recharge. It started w/ a Sunday sound bath & breath workshop where I set my intention for the next few days. ??I spent a lot of time alone this trip, driving a convertible all over LA, one-on-one visits w/ old friends, discovering new things, random shopping, last minute airbnbs, and a fancy ? dinner by myself before flying home.


Today we hosted Emily’s 9th birthday party ? (whoa kids!! ?) and after I started thinking about work. And it made me feel good! I love Sunday cooking and tomorrow I’m making a soup for my job. Sometimes I think to myself ‘this is my life?’ and I’m *finally* starting to (hello 2017) say ‘YEAH GIRL IT IS YOUR LIFE, YOU CREATED IT‘.


I’m feeling energized and inspired by everything around me right now, similar to when I started my blog almost 12 years ago. Whoa dinosaur, April 2017 is 12! ?

I’m really exited for 2017, to try new things, and put even more action into stuff that brings me pure joy.

Feeling a fire in my soul and warmth in my heart and what is another word for #blessed bc, well y’know what I mean. Here’s to making every single day feel like vacation. ?

Related Posts

Travel

DTLA: We’re All Stars Here ?

Woke up in Beverly Hills and checked to make sure the car was there, it was! (I parked on the street and thought it was a safe spot but in the morning I learned that was actually a red zone. All good!) 

Left my airbnb to drive around Rodeo Drive before  going to The Academy, The Broad, and the Arts District. I’ve been busy so will break things up a bit, heaps of photos! ☀️???✈️


My goal for this LA trip was to spend time doing what I want when I want. I needed a reset. I needed a break. I wanted to explore LA, see friends, and take in the whole experience while driving a convertible. Well, check that off my 2017 list baby because it’s exactly what I’ve done. Yay! ?


Related Posts

Tech

TRAVEL | Vegas, Baby! #CES2017

TRAVEL | Vegas, Baby! #CES2017

First trip of 2017 starts bright and early tomorrow morning. I’m heading to LAS VEGAS!

I’ll be joining a bunch of journalists + influencers from North America for CES and my trip is sponsored by Harman Kardon (JBL, Bang & Olufsen etc). They’re hosting us at the Hard Rock Hotel and on Friday night they’ve got STING playing a concert in the hotel bar.

I AM SO EXCITED. 

Aside from my set itinerary, I’ll be exploring the conference floor, attending talks, and rounding up all the hottest tech trends.

▶︎ Later this month I’m speaking on a panel at WeAreWearables Toronto about tech trends from CES. Get a ticket for it here! I’m also checking out VR stuff for Sean’s company Occupied VR.

I can’t wait. CES is so freaking exciting. I went a couple years ago, tech heaven! It’s also a bit warmer there than Toronto. I’m also hoping to check out the Neon Sign Museum and maybe do a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon.

After Vegas, I’m driving to LA with a friend and staying in Venice Beach for the week. I can’t wait to document this trip.

Related Posts

LIFE

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! 

casiestewart, casie stewart, toronto, 2017

Did you have a nice time over the holidays? I did! I took a break from blogging and IG to recharge my batteries and I feel so alive! It might help that yesterday I went for a b12 shot and IV of vitamins at REVIV. In 2017 I am excited to focus on doing great work, telling stories about tech, and helping others.

As I was driving yesterday the sun was going down and it was so bright and beautiful I stopped to catch it lighting up my face.

Lovin’ that first Sunset of 2017!

Over the holidays I did a couple volunteer shifts for different charities including cooking & serving lunch at Evangel Hall on New Years Eve w/ the #GivingBackVibes crew. [We did this last month too, see here.]

Jen and I with a HUGE salad

I fulfilled my dream of wrapping presents at the mall before christmas w/ Nneka Elliot at TD centre in support of StepStones For Youth. The day before I volunteered to help sort clothes with the NuScreen Digital team at Brands for Canada. I feel so good that I was able to give some of my time to help others. You’re going to see more of this in 2017.

I went home between Christmas and New Years to spend some quality time with my parents. Set both mum and dad up with new tech gadgets and had lots of laughs over great food. They’re only an hour away so this year I want to spend more time hanging out.

On New Years Eve, Sean and I went to Ikea to get some organizing stuff and things for Em’s room.  We watched the Minimalism doc on Netflix a couple days before which kickstarted a HUGE purge on the entire house. It feels so good going into 2017 with more room and less clutter.

The bed I ordered from Amazon is all set up in the Boudoir (nickname for third floor) and it’s the blogging studio I was dreaming of. I’ve got a couple more lights for my home photography setup and can’t wait to take more portraits this year.

Got a b12 shot yesterday after a drip of vitamins at Reviv. They’re the global leader in IV infusion and booster shot wellness treatments.  The IV boost I got is a mix of vitamin and nutrients that restores your body w/ minerals, anti-oxidants, and electrolytes. I might check out their LA or Vegas locations this week! 

Megaboost at Reviv on King West

This morning I went for a run in my neighbourhood. I’m so loving the Junction Triangle! I usually run on the West Toronto Rail path which is being extended all the way to King Street/Liberty Village. I learned this weekend that The Drake Hotel is building a spot in the area right beside the Tower Automotive Building, where the the new Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art will be.

I’m feeling really excited and optimistic about this year. Thursday I’m heading to Las Vegas for CES then I’ll be in LA all of next week.

Mum wanted me to share this with you as a reminder you can do anything you want in your life. You are the author of your own life story.

Sending sunshine through the internet with love,

Related Posts

Tech

Talking Influencer Marketing on the #UrbanizeTHIS Podcast

Talking Influencer Marketing on the #UrbanizeTHIS Podcast

This week I was a guest on the final episode of the UrbanizeTHIS Podcast with Matthew Slutsky & Ara Mamouran. We had a blast recording and a bunch of laughs before and after. I chatted about the web, influencer marketing, social media, and real estate.

Click the play button below to listen! 


I got to try on my first pair of Spectacles from Snapchat since Ara has a pair. I AM SO JEALZ OMG. I didn’t connect my Snapchat to test out recording but they felt cool. These glasses allow you to handsfree record videos and post directly to Snapchat. FOLLOW ME ON SNAP: CASIE STEWART

 

I am hoping to try and track down a par at CES in January! I’ll also be in LA so if the Snapchat Bot is anywhere near, I WILL FIND IT!

Subscribe to the UrbanizeTHIS podcast here. I you have a topic suggestion or guests you’d like to hear from Tweet @aramammo or @iSlutsky. (Yes that’s his REAL NAME! ?)

 

Related Posts