Travel | Where Did My Scion Take Me?

Travel | Where Did My Scion Take Me?

One thing I love about my job is getting to try new products and experiences I (probably) wouldn’t  get to do otherwise. Growing up my dad had a hot rod shop and my love for cars started early. I used to spend heaps of time in the garage playing, sanding, hammering, and listening to golden oldies. So, when I get to drive a brand new car ‘for work’ it’s pretty freaking awesome. Here’s my experience with the brand new Scion iM.

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chilling at Western University in London, ON
chilling at Western University in London, ON

I picked up the Scion at Toronto HQ in Scarborough on a nice sunny day in November. I had a great week of planned for us including a trip to London, Ontario to speak at TEDx Western University.

The car had five doors which were great for packing in all my things for a weekend away. I could have taken a couple passengers with ease.  Mileage was great, filled up once during the week for about $45 and again before I returned it (as you do).

why do hands look weird in photos? mine are small I swear! Moto 360 watch ?
why do hands look weird in photos? mine are small I swear! Moto 360 watch ?

I took the car on a couple road trip including a visit to mum’s house in Cambridge, ON with my sister. This is us singing LOUDLY to ‘Hello’ by Adele. The sound system was pretty good and I was able to connect my iPhone to the NAV system in a couple seconds. One of the first things I test in a new car.

sunshine driving!
sunshine driving!
sister singalong!
sister singalong!

The body kit gives this little racer a sporty feel and 17″ wheels (standard) look pretty pimp. Since it’s a hatchback, the Scion iM makes a great city car; easy parking and zipping around downtown.

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On my way home from visiting the parents after my TEDx talk I drove through a beautiful (double rainbow (you can’t see the second part in this photo but I saw it.

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Overall, good little vehicle, chill on gas, nice to drive, good sound, USB charging, and spacious. If you’re keen for a test drive click here or for more info visit scion.ca.

Thanks Toyota & Scion Canada for a fun adventure!

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See Previous Posts Tagged with Scion Below!

Motivation | Monday I’m Ready for You

 

Spring in November, Isn’t it Lovely?

 

Fitness | Running Through the Six

I started getting my a$$ in gear a week before NYE and man do I ever notice. Along with feeling better and my face thinning out, I feel great all over. I actually look forward to waking up and hitting the pavement. I roll out of bed and get into my gear, and head outside.

I was always a fit little person and I’m heading back in that direction. BF has noticed too which makes me feel even more awesome. YEAH BABY.  This morning I did my fastest KM yet of 5.35.

running selfie is hard
running selfie is hard

casiestewart, running, athlete, fast, nike, fitness, 1k

I used to stress about what to wear when I worked out and I’d pace around back and forth and then get so overwhelmed I didn’t go. It seems silly but working out for the longest time gave me anxiety. I still can’t bring myself to go to a gym for a solo workout.

Before the holidays Columbia Sportswear invited me to pick out a few items from their #TestedTough collection. I didn’t realize that the shirt & pants combo I picked out WERE ACTUALLY A SUPER HERO OUTFIT INSIDE. I’ve run a couple times in this gear (it’s inside out) and it’s really kept me warm.

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For the first time, I really DON’T GIVE A S#*% about what I wear because I’m running past anyone judging me.

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DIY | Make It Marble in 3 Easy Steps

Make something marble in 3 easy steps!

Last week I picked up a gorgeous marble cheese board form The Drake Hotel. It’s real marble and very heavy. Perfect for dinner parties and taking Instagram photos. However, my BF decided it was a great cutting board and now there’s a couple lines in it from a knife. I started thinking about how I could make another cutting board with marble accents after seeing some marble formica for countertops online.

I picked up a bamboo cutting board ($3), a plastic cutting board ($2), and a roll of faux marble for lining cupboards.  I did’t even know they had that stuff!   This was to test if it even looks good, if so, will get some of the fancier stuff from a home hardware type shop.

It seriously took about 5 whole minutes to do this and now I’ve got a marble mousepad at work that is a great backdrop for photographing things at my desk.

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Make Something Marble

  1. Get marble wrap and something to put it on
  2. Put it on the thing
  3. Take a photo & show your awesomeness

SEE HOW EASY THAT WAS OMG. YOU ARE A DIY WIZARD.

DIY marble mousepad
DIY marble mousepad

Remember the awesome marble  laptop case I had ages ago? (It’s not avail anymore, sorry) I thought I would combine that concept and some supplies form my local dollar store. Well, it totally worked!

 

marble laptop skin designed by me, formerly at GelaSkins

I recently got a permanent desk after working with 1188 for the last year and I wanted to make it nice. It’s so glam now! Look how great my coffee looks with vintage glasses on this wood/marble. OH SO FANCY.

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I know you probably don’t think of me a DIY’er but I actually make heaps of things. I’ll share more of them this year!

If you give this a try over the weekend, I’d LOVE to know what you make. TWEET ME HERE. The things in this post were just made with el cheapo dollar store marble sticker roll so once I get some of the fancier stuff. I will share!

Have a wonderful day!

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Quick Update from the Treehouse in the Woods

Helloooooo! This week has been absolutely amazing. My batteries are recharged and I’m fuelled with a fire that will last forever. ☀️??????
We have had so much fun out here. It’s truly amazing to connect with nature and disconnect (a bit). We’ve survived the last few days with no running water, a portable burner for cooking, and logs on the wood stove. Thankful for snow to melt!

Woke up early to a pink sky so I trekked to the top of a hill behind us to appreciate it. Video on Snapchat ? casiestewart.

Heading back to the city today!  

Greet the Day with a ? and the ? Will Respond

Greet the Day with a ? and the ? Will Respond

There’s a good chance you didn’t want to go to work today. The last two weeks were a weird time of year, you’re home and working less (physically/mentally) and it’s easy to forget what day it is. Or get fully dressed and leave the house if you’re anything like me. 

If you’re reading this from Canada, it’s probably the coldest day of the year. Toronto is around -14 degrees ? and I’m heading up north to the wilderness to spend a few days in a treehouse. Crazy? No, awesome! Adventure! I’ve packed a ton of warmies and food. Good thing I’ve got those vintage snowsuits.

Yesterday was a really rad day, bff brunch, cleaned house, ditched the ?, ran my fastest km, and made some great food. Feeling good about life, personal, professional, health. Mantra for 2016 is SUNNY AND BRIGHT. Was thinking last night and decided whoever said ‘the struggle is real’ wasn’t working hard enough.

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Scroll down for some snaps I posted on Snapchat. ? 

Wishing you an AMAZING day and official first day of work for 2016.

casiestewart, detroit, ford canada

Take that Monday! #mondaymotivation ?????????????

A photo posted by Tania Ds (@thrive.therapy) on

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NEW YEAR NEW YOU 

   
Found a net spot in my hood to test out a smoke grenade. Made me feel really happy, even though the smoke mostly blew in the wind. Set my GoPro on the truck for a time lapse. The high kick one is on Instagram ?

Put a smile on your face today and flash it around. Change your attitude, change your life. 

 
   

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?

Heading for coffee w/ a friend after my morning run ?

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. ????

I’m actually quite the morning person! ?

Digging the Nike app with a trainer that’s been reminding me of the next workout. I get why those people who run all the time use it. ? Have it set to the 5k beginner program to get back into the swing of it. Currently doing 2.5-3km a-ok, (only walking a little bit here and there).

Todays run to High Park and around the neighbourhood

I’m not planning to tell the world every single time I exercise but I figured since I’m 5 days in, sharing will keep me accountable. Maybe you are reading this thinking “hey me too” and if so, I’m here to be your friend.

If you have any great workouts or fitness people to follow. LMK! ??

Happy New Year! * Sweet Sixteen*

Happy New Year, 2016, casiestewart

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! 

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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.

Happy New Year, 2016, casiestewart, gopro

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 wins.

Sean did an EPIC display of fireworks last night. He also made a track to accompany the show which included Motörhead and AC/DC. This summer at the cottage we are going to do some next level displays!

Happy New Year, 2016, casiestewart

Embot was excited about firewoks! This is our second year doing them on NYE and it’s so much fun. Not to discount all the great times I’ve had over the years celebrating with friends and 100 drinks, but this brings a different happiness. Waking up and being able to celebrate New Years Day gives me so much joy.  Those few moments I had driving around with a coffee this morning thinking about the future set good intentions for the entire year.

Happy New Year, 2016, casiestewart, fireworks

Monday I’m heading up north on a road trip with April to the treehouse in the woods. I’m excited to start the year with a few days to clear my head and determine my goals for the next 12 months. Over the past 10 years I’ve accomplished a few things I only ever dreamed of, this year, I’m going big.

Travel | Detroit in January w/ Ford Canada

ford, NAIAS, casi stewart, casie stewart, #FordNAIAS

Early January (after the tree house adventure) I’m flying to Detroit, Michigan for the North American International Auto Show. This is my third time at the show with Ford Canada as part of their global blogger/media outreach.

Casie Stewart, FORD, Naias

A couple years ago I attended the show and Ford snapped this great photo of me right before the auditorium filled up for a major media announcement. The NAIAS is very exciting and a super cool experience. I even made it into the Detroit Free Press, see here! Last year 5,000 journalists attended from 60 countries. Happy to be heading back!

On Earth Day 2015 I was in Dearborn, Michigan to learn about Ford’s commitment to sustainability. Can’t wait to find out what secrets and launches will be revealed in January. TELL ME ALL THE THINGS.

The press preview (Jan 10-12th) features 750 vehicles, interactive displays,  as NAIAS is North America’s largest and most prestigious auto showcase. I’ll be documenting my experience with Ford and sharing all kinds of BTS about launches, announcements, and other fun stuff we get up to. Make sure you’ve got me on the SNAPCHAT: casiestewart.

casiestewart, snapchat

This year we’re staying at the Westin instead of in Dearborn, MI. It’s been ages since I visited the D and have a little bit of time to explore when I arrive and the start of our media adventures.

Canadian Bloggers Attending #FordNAIAS 2016:

Andréane Viau
Ann Bacciaglia
Chad Cranston
Daniel Bader
Daniel Desforges
Davindra Ramnarine
Eric Novak
Jennifer Van Huss
Jessica Terry
Justin Connors
Kathryn Lavalee
Knowlton Thomas
Matthew Tully
Mike Grenek
Nancy Polanco-Chansavang
Shannon Leverette
Shannon Mischuk
Vernon Chang

I’m ready for a year of adventure and excitement!

casiestewart, detroit, ford canada

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!

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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.


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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