CASIE STEWART

THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
DIY

Made a Thing: Little Wooden Laptop Table

Made a Thing: Little Wooden Laptop Table

This weekend I did more than just watch Netflix, I made a thing! On Friday night I saw this cool bed table laptop stand thing found it on Etsy. It was $60 but then $40 in shipping and I was like HELL NO. So I decided to make one!

Original inspiration from Etsy

Saturday morning I went to Home Depot and picked up 1/2″ copper pipe, 4fittings, and 4 steel flange. I asked a dude who worked there for help to save time and he cut the pipe for me too. I didn’t think about cutting the pipe so this was a huge help!

If you’re reading from the UK, you can buy copper from aluminium warehouse or somewhere similar instead.

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I used a large cutting board we had around the house as the table top. Next time I’ll use a bigger piece of nice wood from the bunch we’ve got at the cottage. I think rougher edges would look nice.

All the pieces cost just under $50 and it didn’t take long to put this stuff together. The glue is to hold the pipe bits together and I let it dry overnight.

So happy with how this turned out. I saw it, wanted it, and made it! I’m no expert on DIY, yet but I’ve got a long list of things I want to make for the house and cottage.

This does however mean that I am going to have to invest in some more tools! Most important of all, I need to find a good cordless drill. The staff over at Coolest Gadgets made a comparison of the top-rated cordless options, so I will definitely be checking out their article for some inspiration.

Making things gives me so much joy, I used to spend heaps of time in the garage with my dad growing up. This DIY category is about to grow.

2017, am SO ready for you!

Finished product! I think it looks great!

casie stewart, blogger, toronto

DIY | Make It Marble in 3 Easy Steps

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LIFE

Blog Day Afternoon

This week I’ve been doing work around the house and on myself. I actually look forward to this winter wonderland weather each year so I stay inside and complete projects I’ve had on my to-do list. Thanks to Amazon Prime, Ebates, and Uber Eats I can get free 2day shipping, money back on purchases, and my fav food delivered. Why leave the house? 

Today my new glasses arrived and some furniture from Amazon. Amazing!


Would like to take a min to say THANKS everyone who joined the #InstaxHolidays twitter hang last night. We were trending in Canada for a WHILE and earned millions of impressions! There were 15 winners with $3,500 in prizes.

This weekend I’m installing a new bed frame (yay Amazon!) and have a couple DIY projects I really hope I can pull off. It’s like you make the Pinterest board, get the supplies, then give it a go. More often than not my projects don’t nearly look as good as they should! We will see.

I’m really focussed on planning for 2017 right now and have a couple projects in the works. Blogging might be a little sporadic over the holidays but it’s been like that for a decade so no real news here.

Hope you are warm wherever you are and making the most of this holiday hangout time.

Sending sunshine through the internet. ☀

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LIFE

My Fav Tech Gifts from the 2016 Telus Holiday Guide

My Fav Tech Gifts from the 2016 Telus Holiday Guide

Christmas is just over a week away and there’s a good chance you still have few people on your nice list (including yourself!). ?? Telus has a ton of amazing gifts you can buy online or from one of their interactive stores across Canada.

You’ve gotta check out the Eaton Centre store in Toronto if you haven’t yet, theres heaps of things for your home, travel, audio, AND toys, aside from phone stuff. Last year I got a Nest thermostat, amazing JBL speaker, great USB cables, and a MIP robot for the child.

Here’s a few of MY FAVS from the 2016 Telus Gift Guide. These are all things I’ve gifted or been given in the last year – Fitbit, Instax camera, BB8, and the PureGear Metallic Cable.

BB8 Sphero Robot – $189.99

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Last weekend I surprised Embot with a tiny little BB8 Droit. She loves Star Wars and robots. BB8 comes with a stand for charging and connects to Force Band through the app on your phone via Bluetooth. Once connected, you use THE FORCE to push, pull, and control BB-8 like Em is doing here. She’s been having so much fun using to guide him around the house. He can easily go over carpet, rug, tile and wood floors too.

Her face! She’s concentrating so much!

Instax Mini 8 Camera – $99

This camera is great. A total hit at holiday parties and with the parents. I took photos of everyone at mums one Christmas and this year I’ve packaged up some stuff to send back to New Zealand filled with Instax prints from the last few months. You can order one of these online or pick up at a Telus store. They’ve got the Instax Mini 8 cam available in Rose Gold, Blue, Black, and white. See this post for an #InstaxHolidays giveaway + Twitter party details for tonight! 

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Fitbit 2 Charge  – $199

I gifted mum one of these for her birthday in September and she was so jazzed about it. She’s been wanting one for a while and was excited to track her steps at work and throughout the day. I downloaded the Fitbit app from the PLAY Store and connected the device to mum’s Samsung in a couple minutes. My friend told me that you can change your band on your Fitbit charge 2 so if you get bored of your strap, you can buy another!

PureGear 4ft Metallic Braided Cable, Rose Gold – $24.99

I used to be losing cables and chargers all the time but this cable has been with me everywhere the last 12 months and I’m so proud to still have it. A good/unique charging comes in handy more than you know. This is what yours might look like after a lots of travel and adventure, a little run down but still working great. Piece of leather around it is a little Cord Taco from Amazon.

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You can check out the WHOLE gift guide at telus.com or pop into the Telus store when you’re out and about. If you’re going to Yorkdale, make sure to show your RBC Avion Card for free valet parking + coat/bag check.

In other news, make sure you register for tonight’s Twitter party to get your hands on one of those Instax cameras! Click here and add your Twitter handle in the boxes.

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Fitness

21 Days Till the New Year – Why Wait to Make a Change?

https://www.gaiam.ca/default.aspx

Went for my first yoga class in a while today. I feel so good. Found a studio that’s a 7min walk and beside a great coffee shop. I also downloaded a countdown app for my next trip (California!) and set a countdown till the New Year. There’s 21 days till 2017 and since it’s been such a sh*t year for heaps of reasons, I’m gonna try and make the last bit really great.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

In case you’re just tuning in, I had breast reduction surgery this summer and have been a bit slow getting back to it. The recovery was not too long/hard but big stretches with arms over the head were not in my favour. I did some aerial yoga about 3 months after but not full on yoga-yoga. Plastic surgery is something that I had been thinking about for a long time so I made sure to do as much research as I could before committing to a procedure. One of my friends has recently had a breast reduction operation at the luxurgery facility in New York. I cannot wait to meet up with her soon so we can swap stories about our procedures.

Today was the day.

Registered for a noon class at YOGA YOGA and set out to make it a good one.

A couple weeks months ago I picked out some great yoga gear from the new Gaiam website as a gift from the brand. THANK YOU! Today I opened all the packages and put on new stuff for class. WOO HOO.

YOGA YOGA is a vinyasa yoga studio in the Junction Triangle super close to my house. Had it not been a snow storm I’d totally have been there in 2mins via bike.

Felt good to stretch. The class was warm and it was nice to see a familiar face in our teacher Sandy Braz (owner). Namaste, girl!

One of the items from Gaiam was this non-stick yoga towel (turquoise) for extra grip. I didn’t use it today, but the thing I like about it is you can pack it for travel and use instead of a mat. As you can tell it’s pretty new… ?

The yoga carrying bag (black) is great. You can also wear backpack style. Has a small zipper to easily fit a wallet and keys. For $15 makes a great gift for the yogi in your life! [see here]

Gaiam has a big sale on rn FYI: $10 off $50, $25 off $100

Wore my entire Gaiam outfit and the bra is definitely my new fav thing. It doesn’t move and holds your bits all in one place. This is the FIRST yoga class since surgery and I’ve not been able to wear just 1 bra to a fitness class in a VERY LONG time. It felt so good.

  • Luxe Yoga Pant – These are pretty thick as they’re ‘compression’ fabric. Great leggings for around town but a bit hot for hot yoga. I was sweating A LOT.
  • Iris Layering Bra – This is the best sports bra I’ve had ever. It’s also good for running! Had worn this before today.
  • Clover top – Love the back details on this top (below). Will be so nice for spring/summer.

gaiam yoga gear

Feeling pretty good over all that I went for a workout. I also set intentions for the week and did some meal prep/baking.

Other things I’m really feeling right now:

  • Signed up for ebates and bought a pair of glasses at eyebuydirect.com. Wasn’t sure about it but then I got back $2.39 on my $30 purchase. Ebates also gave me a 20% discount code.
  • Still loving AmazonPrime and made a whole list of things to order for the 3rd floor bedroom reno. You can use ebates there too!
  • Beach Body 21-Day – I saw my friends from Instigator Communications were reppin’ this workout so I asked for a copy. It arrived JUST in time for 21 days till New Year.
  • Photo Studio is A+ – had my sister over for a photos shoot and I can make headshot magic at home anytime now. I’m so impressed with this ring light (Amazon obvs haha).
  • CALIFORNIA – In January I’m spending a few days in vegas then a week in California. I can’t WAIT. On my own schedule this time to checking a few things off my bucket list!

The next 21 days are going to be GREAT.

casiestewart, blog, blogger, toronto, canada, travel, tech

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Contests

#InstaxHolidays | Printer + Camera Giveaway & Twitter Party Signup!

#InstaxHolidays | Printer + Camera Giveaway & Twitter Party Signup!

Two things I totally love things about blog life are travel and new tech. Nothing like a great adventure or new gadget to kick things up a notch!

This week I got the new Instax Sp-2 printer and this lil’ thing is so awesome. It’s a sleek printer that takes any photo from your phone or tablet and prints it on Instax film. It makes a great holiday gift for someone you love or yourself because you can print out your all your selfies for the fridge/fam. I already have so many of these prints around the house!

I’ve joined forces with a couple blog friends to do a sweet giveaway worth $350 that includes the Instax SP-2 Printer, an Instax camera, and a bunch of film. We’re also hosting a Twitter party with $3,500 in prizes.

Scroll down and enter both ASAP!

You know I’m a big fan of the Instax camera ever since I directed the commercial for it last year (this one). This new printer is next level, you seriously print ANY photo from your phone or tablet in t-10 seconds.

It’s super easy to use right out the box and you don’t need to be tech savvy to operate it. Pop in the film cartridge, line up the yellow stripes, charge it up with the USB cable, and you’re almost about ready to roll. Just download “instax SHARE” from the App Store or Google play and connect wifi to your phone or tablet.

The thing I like most about it is the design, you can store it on your book shelf or dresser as decor.

These photos are amazing keepsakes. I have so many in our home. It’s super easy to enter the giveaway, sign up  below!

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Twitter Party Prizing: $3500 Value!

  • One Grand Prize: SP-2/camera/film prize pack
  • SP-2 + X70 Camera + 1 Pack of Regular Film
  •  2 Prize Winners of – SP-2 + Xmas pack (2x$270)
  • SP-2 + Holiday Bundle (3 Packs of Film and 20 Border stickers)
  • 4 Prize Winners of – mini 70 + Xmas pack (4x$200)
  • Mini 70 + Holiday Bundle (3 Packs of Regular Film and 20 Border stickers)
  • 8 Prize Winners of – mini 8 + Xmas pack (8x$130)
  • Mini 8 + Holiday Bundle (3 Packs of Regular Film and 20 Border stickers)

Sign up for the Twitter Party by clicking this blue button ↓

casiestewart, happy holidays

 

Disclosure: I am participating in the FujiFilm campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions are my own, obvs. Love this little printer! 

instax, sp-2, amazon, casiestewart, fuji printer

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LIFE Toronto

Send Money in Style with PayPal’s Holiday Cards Designed by Jonathan Adler

paypal, jonathan adler, casiestewart, money, giveaway, contest

When it comes to holiday shopping, I do it from my couch with PayPal. If you follow my tweets you’ll know my love for online shopping borders on obsession! 

Scroll down to read about PayPal’s holiday digital greeting cards AND leave a comment with something on your wish list this year. I’m gonna surprise two people with some holiday spending money in their PayPal account. ??

I have a few loved ones on my gift list who love shopping online as much as I do. This year, I’ve decided to surprise some of them with money in their PayPal account so they can go out and treat themselves to a shopping spree. Weeee!

I was jazzed to see PayPal launched designer digital gift cards with New York based designer Jonathan Adler when you send money as a gift. If you’re not familiar with Jonathan Adler, his company has designed luxury homes, hotels, and restaurants around the world. His website has basically everything I want my dream house to look like.

Jonathan Adler’s unique holiday card designs make sending money easy and fashionable — something you don’t normally find in gift cards/traditional holiday cards.

You can also add a message to make it even more personal. Here’s one of mine!

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“Money makes the world go round, which kind of makes it the perfect present. Sending money digitally as a gift never felt truly personal or stylish — until now,” 

“With PayPal, we have created something that with just a few clicks, lets you send money easily and chicly. It’s a gift people are as excited to receive as they are to spend.” The digital holiday gift cards — six in total — include festive greetings for Christmas and Hanukkah with fun text like: “Joy to the World”, “Merry to the Max” and “Glamorous Greetings” and an appreciative card which says: “You Rock”!

– Jonanthan Adler in PayPal’s release 

Here’s how PayPal Holiday Cards Work:

I’ll send a PayPal surprise to a couple of people who leave a comment w/ something on your holiday list. You can never go wrong with the gift of cash!

casiestewart, happy holidays

 

 

 

Post sponsored by PayPal Canada.

* These cards are available in 17 countries, including the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria.

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#tbt Photos Make a Great Gift

#tbt Photos Make a Great Gift

This week my computer had a non-fatal heart attack. Luckily I’ve got a backup of all my files. During my 3.5hr stopover at the Apple Genius Bar yesterday we wiped my Macbook Pro clean and started fresh with the operating system. It was so full before that it could not even. It’s so much faster now, I’m never letting that happen again!

I’ve been looking through thousands of photos on my backup drive and came across these ones of my mum and sister. We hung out in the beaches one afternoon a while back and for christmas I edited and framed a few of them for my parents.

One year I had a bunch of stickers made with Social Print Studio and stuck them on everyones cards. Once you download the SPS app you connect Instagram, and easily print your photos in frames, on wood, cards, stickers, life size prints.

This year I’m working on 2 projects one for holiday cards and another photo thing for my fam. I’m a little behind but going through these photos is good motivation.

Can’t wait to spend some quality time with these ladies over the holidays!

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Events Toronto

Auchentoshan + Sam Roberts Band at Common Sort

Auchentoshan + Sam Roberts Band at Common Sort

I’ve been a fan of Sam Roberts Band since the debut album with ‘Don’t Walk Away Eileen’ and those long glorious locks he had . Each summer he closes out Labour Day weekend at the Kee to Bala in Muskoka and we usually take a crew from the cottage. They’re a really good live band, amazing acoustic, and even better up close!

This weekend, Sean and I were guests of Auchentoshan Whisky for a private meet & greet + acoustic show at Common Sort. It was honestly so fun and I finally got to MEET SAM ROBERTS. YAY! (I posted an excited selfie on Twitter.)

There was a huge line, thanks to Auchentoshan we had VIP!
Sean w/ Sam Roberts Band bros

The show was at 5pm and we arrived a bit early to sample cocktails from Auchentoshan. Sean’s dad loves this brand. I quite enjoy whisky in the winter, a nice sipper to warm you up on a cool night. Auchentoshan is single malt Scotch whisky, triple distilled near Glasgow, Scotland.

The band played a few tunes then took requests from the crowd. As you can see I was RIGHT up close. There were a couple kiddos jamming in front of me and a huge crown behind.

Hit play on these tweets to watch! 

After the show, Sam (first name basis now heh heh) grabbed his drink and walked right down to the kids for photos. I gave him a cheers and said ‘that was great’. I felt a bit like a dork but whatever! 

SO CUTE! Caron’s son Owen having his photo w/ Sam Roberts

A day before the show I posted a giveaway on Twitter for 2 VIP tix to join us. My winner was Stephanie, aka @stefiedrew from the internet who writes  ‘The Tallest Mermaid‘ blog. She is a babe and brought her BF Adam.

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We took an exit through the gift shop and Sean picked up the new  Sam Roberts Band record. His company, (weare1188.com) was up for a ‘Best Post Production’ MMVA for a Sam Roberts Band video in 2014. A friend of ours has worked almost on all of their vids! 

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You will be pleased to know the record is good and looks very cool. I’ve never seen one quite like this. There’s a second one in the package that’s pink!

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Thanks Auchentoshan for the invite, cocktails and experience. See more photos from the event at #DistilledDifferent and follow Auchentoshen on Twitter / Instagram. For info about the brand pop by auchentoshan.com.

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Post sponsored by Auchentoshan!

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LIFE 1188 Office

Feeling Better Finally

Feeling Better Finally

After 72 hours of couch + takeout + binge watching I feel a bit better. Back at the office today and have actually had quite a productive day. I did however answer the phone at nearly 2pm with ‘good morning!’. Being sick really sucks. This moring I felt like I had so much to do and the house is a mess and I’m still not 100%.

Thanks everyone who sent well wishes. Appreciate it! I’m still in love with my new light! Snapped this on my phone over the weekend. It’s so bright you can’t even tell I’m sick!

Early night, home by 7pm ??? + Pho + Netflix. Any lesser known series or movie recos? I feel like I’ve watched everything.

A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on

Tonight I’m picking up a tree for the office at Bacardi’s Holidega. Later this week I’m having my sister over for a photo shoot. Hopefully by then I’ll be back to my old self w/ lots of energy!

Here’s to a great week!  

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LIFE

Netflix Binge weekend + Lots of Soup

Netflix Binge weekend + Lots of Soup

I spent most of yesterday in bed or in the couch.

Today I’ve been watching Marcella on Netflix. A drama series about a female detective trying to solve a serial killer mystery based in the U.K.  I’m on ep3 but will probably finish the season today.  This little JBL speaker is usually in my travel bag and is perfect for watching Netflix in bed on my computer.


Earlier this week Ricola sent an advent calendar and it is saving me right now. Sean has been such a dear, made me soup & toast while I’ve been in bed nearly the entire day.

I finally set up my Saje Wellness humidifier thing and it smells like a spa in here.


The other show we’ve been watching is HBO’s Westworld. It’s a futuristic show about an alternate reality game. A tweet I posted last night was RT’d by the show and over 100ppl showed love for it.

I’m really keen to find a new book. If you have any recos please let me know! I like twisted dramas with murder mystery. Or chick lit!

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