Off to the Races! Queen’s Plate 2014 #QP14

Off to the Races! Queen’s Plate 2014 #QP14

Queen's Plate 2014 #QP14 w/ @backseatstylers at #Woodbine

From the cottage to the red carpet!

Yesterday Sean and I went to the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Raceway as soon as we got back from the cottage. We both rushed around to find an outfit and Queen West vintage shops saved the day for me once again. Picked up this purple hat from the Public Butter and dress from another little shop near Queen/Lansdowne (Parkdale).

We bet on the last 4 races and unfortunately didn’t win. I’m not a fan of horses, for some reason they really creep me out but I do love horse racing. When I lived in Australia it was such a huge event to attend the races. Everyone there was dressed to the nines! I remember going surfing and rushing back to the house, throwing on a dress, makeup, and a huge hat before gracing the red carpet.

Big thanks to the Sharon from the Backseat Stylers blog and Flare Canada for having us as their guests. Hoping to go back to the racetrack to place some bets before the next Queen’s Plate rolls around. It’s so fun!

Song of the day…

<3 CASIE

Party at Casa Loma w/ @MetroNewsCanada

Party at Casa Loma w/ @MetroNewsCanada

Went to a fancy shindig at Toronto’s famous castle, Casa Loma on Thursday.

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Kevin asked me to recreate the purse stealer. Did a good job I reckon!

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This is me wishing the castle was MINE. ALL MINE.20140704-121935-44375320.jpg

Dresses made from Metro News.

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Thanks for the new LazyPants! Metro special edition. I’ve got a couple pairs and LOVE THEM. See past posts here. 

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Hope weekend is treating you well!

<3 CASIE

Cottage is the Life for Me

Cottage is the Life for Me

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It was a short week but to me it’s seemed like ages.  Sean was shooting The Tea Party this week and tonight we are going to see them in Barrie. Heading back from the cottage to go to the Queen’s Plate on Sunday. Looking forward to some R&R in the wilderness. And sleep.

<3 CASIE

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500 Days of Selfies

Stumbled upon this the other day. Mayjahhhhhh throwback Thursday! This is a collection of 700+ photos uploaded to Dailybooth from 2009-212.

I was an avid user of the ‘booth. It was a selfie style social network with a really strong community of users who posted a photo a day. Most of my photos were selfies from travels around the world (LA, SF, NY, London, Mexico, Costa Rica, and more) and events with friends, visitors to my house. These are fond memories for me and maybe a few for you too!

 

 RIP Dailybooth!

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Events | No Good Woman Left Behind

Events | No Good Woman Left Behind

Last week I told you an awesome story about how Telus went out of their way to do something awesome for one of their longest standing customers, Ramona. See that story here. This week, they are sponsoring a story on my blog for me to highlight someone in my community. I’ll be donating the money earned from this post to the story I’m about to share.

I’ve picked a friend who has contributed to the Toronto tech & social community for years, graced the stage with her burlesque skills, and recently displayed the utmost strength as she was recently diagnosed with Cancer.

I’d like you to meet Carolyn Van.

Carolyn is a 28 year old young woman, born & raised downtown Toronto.  She loves spending time in dance studios, tweeting & talking about technology and sharingher love for design. She’s an educator, entrepreneur, innovator and all around amazing human.

In mid-March 2014, Carolyn was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer. I can only imagine what it would be like for a woman who is so busy working, teaching, speaking, and making the world a better place, to have Cancer disrupt her mojo. I’m impressed with Carolyn’s ability to remain positive and share her story. She’s been documenting her ups and downs on her blog “Cancer Chose The Wrong Woman to F%$! With“.

I’ve known Carolyn for a few years and two years ago we were part of the Army of Sass with the fine ladies below (and my sister!). Run by Carla Catherwood, the Army of Sass is a burlesque troupe empowering women to put on their high heels, share their high hopes, and bust a move on stage. We had so much fun!

We performed in December 2012 at the Mod Club for 2 nights to a totally sold venue each night. It was a an amazing bonding experience for us all. The experience of performing on stage for a packed house is so energizing!

I’ve joined some of Carolyn’s closest friends from the Toronto dance and technology communities,  to put together a fundraiser for her on July 30, 2014. The “No Good Woman Left Behind” fundraiser at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club will be in Carolyn’s honour and to drive awareness of Lymphoma Cancer. Event ticket and auction proceeds will go towards helping to subside her medical and personal costs during treatment and healing.

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You’ll be able bid on some fantastic gift packages from Toronto Symphony OrchestraArts & Crafts ProductionsHigh Heels High Hopes and see performances  To donate, get tickets, or find out more information visit nogoodwomanleftbehind.com.

 I would like to thank Telus for sponsoring me to highlight a strong person I admire in my community. Carolyn has been reading my blog and been a friend for years. I’ll be donating the money earned to No Good Woman Left Behind and I hope to see you at the event on July 3o, 2014.

With love,

<3 CASIE

TELUS truly cares about the communities where we live, work and play. Putting customers first is our top priority and guides everyttelusvideohing we do, from our Give Where We Live philosophy to our Customers First days.  See how TELUS gave loyal customer, Ramona, a big surprise to thank her for being such a great customer for almost 20 years. Watch it here.

 

World Pride 2014 – TORONTO

World Pride 2014 – TORONTO

Pride was SO MUCH FUN. I’ve been going for years and this year, Toronto was host to WORLD PRIDE and it was bigger and better than ever. After coming back from the cottage on Sunday afternoon I met up with all my besties and my sister and we danced the night away. Can you believe that it rained then there was a double rainbow right over Church Street and the closing ceremonies? Could not have been more perfect. Surely a day to remember 🙂

World Pride 2014 Photos

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<3 CASIE

It’s your life. Make the most of it. #TasteLife

It’s your life. Make the most of it. #TasteLife

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One of the things I love most about summer is heading up to the cottage, taking in all the fresh air, and boating on the lake. It’s an amazing way to really soak up life’s greatness.

Over the next few weeks I’ll he sharing some of my fav ways to #TasteLife in partnership w/ [yellow tail] wines from Australia.

I’ll be encouraging you to share the great things life has to offer on Instagram by tagging @YellowTailCanadawith the hashtag #TasteLife. Each week over the summer, [yellow tail] will post a new inspiration on Instagram and you’ll be able to win a weekly prize by participating. One winner will be selected to win an ultimate grand prize adventure worth $10,000.  Their winning photo will influence the label design on two [yellow tail] bottles next summer (2015).

Here’s my first Taste Life photo, underwater blogging! I was using a DryCase product to project my iPhone while I was in the pool during a film shoot.

To me, the ‘taste life’ mentality means making the most of each day, embracing those around you., taking in the simple pleasures, being spontaneous, and having a positive attitude. I look forward to seeing how you taste life this summer!

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Stay tuned for the weekly challenges and in the mean time, get out there and do something awesome!

<3 CASIE

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Let’s Do The Time Warp Again! Blog History #TBT

Let’s Do The Time Warp Again! Blog History #TBT

Today I’m taking you back in time and showing you some memories from June 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. The main reason I started THIS IS MY LIFE was to keep memories. Writing things down has improved my ability to retain information over the last 10 years.

June 2008 – SATC Movie came out and I went to a pink carpet party.

Gave away an Energi to Go charger for iPod on the blog. It was one of the first things I gave away to readers like you. It was also one of my first pieces of branded YouTube content. Here’s the video. This hair, omg so long and dark!

June 2009 – Pink hair for Pride.

Blogged about Dermalogica for the first time. I use their products now and love them still.

This old shirt of Dads. Bare arms with hardly any tattoos.

June 2010 – Gladstone Hotel event, that feather tattoo has been covered by more tattoos. It was a nice one though.

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Went home to see Mum, she gave me flowers from the garden.

It was also summer of G20, I retreated to the island to escape the madness.

I also protested in the G20. Well kinda, mine was more like a sexy protest. I wore lace leggins and combat boots and took photos of cute boys.

2011 – Katy Perry concert and I wore a sequin bodysuit with ruffles on the bum. It was so freaking cute.

Always great to go back in time and remember fun moments in blog history.

<3 CASIE

Look what Telus did for one of their longest standing customers…

Look what Telus did for one of their longest standing customers…

When I watched this I couldn’t hold back the happy tears. I imagined what it was like for her, what it be like if that was me, or if it was my Dad who has been a Telus customer for almost 20 years too. If it gives you the feels, share with a friend 🙂

This act of kindness to show appreciation is the things dreams are made of. I think it’s incredibly awesome that Telus did this for one of their customers of 20 years. If your day has not been made yet, you will feel like making someone else’s after watching this.

A month ago Em and I volunteered at the Harbourfront Community Centre in Toronto for the #givewhereweliveday. Thousands of company employees and friends from across Canada took part that day.

This week the Telus Care-a-Van team is in Guelph, ON with a host of events and activities to specially thank TELUS local customers and the Guelph community. Telus truly cares about the communities they live, work and play. It makes me happy to have worked with them for the last five years. They’re a great bunch!

Hope your day is great. Bring the sunshine if you don’t see it!

<3 CASIE



Watched The Institute on Netflix Last Night…

Watched The Institute on Netflix Last Night…

Last night I watched theinstitutemovie.com on Netflix and I was really intrigued It reminded me of the BMC Labs ‘thing’ I was involved in earlier this year with Body Mind Change and the David Cronenberg project.

I knew that Body Mind Change wasn’t real but there were elements that seemed real and then played out by people I didn’t know and to be honest I still don’t know who was in on it or not. Sean wasn’t sure at times either and he worked on it. Remember when I picked up my pod in the lab and someone tweeted me but I never saw them and it was all really weird? I like that feeling of the unknown. Nervous/excited.

Here’s the trailer for The Institute, it’s kinda weird and artistic and if you don’t like it I’m not sorry. I thought the extravagance of it was pretty neat. I would like to take part in an Alternate Reality Game. If you know of one somewhere, let me know? You can watch The Institute on Netflix here.

The Institute is a documentary that examines a San Francisco-based Alternate Reality Game, where thousands of participants got more than they bargained for. Told from the players’ perspectives, the film looks over the precipice at an emergent new art form where the real world and fiction narratives merge to create unforeseen and often unsettling unsettling consequences. Written by Spencer McCall

Note made via Noteography 🙂 

To those dark horses with the spirit to look up and see… a recondite family awaits.