CASIE STEWART

TORONTO BLOG EST. 2005
LIFE

Ford Escape: Track Driving, Kayaking, Rock Climbing

Last week I had a full on escape from the city. It was so much fun. It reminded me of camp when I was a kid but it was way better. We drove cars fast and had beers after.

Chantel, Keri, and I have awesome jumps lol

There was about 20 bloggers on our ‘escape’ and the day started with lunch, then games, kayaking, rock climbing and extreme driving on a closed track. We finished with dinner and drinks at Arto Gallery in Distillery District. I’ve been on a few trips with Ford this year and am consistently impressed with their innovation as a brand. Thankfully, they provided us with kayak trailers so we could easily move them from point A. to point B.

I scaled seven stories like a spider monkey. First time outdoor rock climbing and I was awesome at it.

Instagram: This was GNARLY!

My driving partner for the day was Toronto blogger Lisa Charlieboy. I’ve known Lisa for years so spending the day wth her was awesome. We were in Banff together in July for the World Media Fest. See her post from the day at Urban Native Girl. Follow her on Twitter at @UrbanNativeGirl. We did pretty good in the challenges and laughed our heads off.

Gas, sharp turns, slamming brakes. I really, REALLY loved driving the Escape (hard) on the track. This is my face after totally tearing it up. I may have injured a few pilons on the way. They are fine.

Ford Park Assist: Look ma’ no hands!

Extreme Kayaking (with my phone):

By the time we drove back to the gallery and got dinner the digital team had produced a video of all the days content. We all watched it together, there are some really funny parts and crazy driving. I’m trying to get it to show you. Photo credit goes to Michael Marmur, Pinpoint National Photography.

This weekend I’m driving a Ford Fiesta to Montreal w/ a friend and will be writing about it for the Ford Canada Blog. I’m ready for some relaxing, great food, and adventure. We’re staying at the W Montreal which I LOVE. Spent NYE there w/ some friends a couple years ago. It’s hilarious looking at old posts and seeing how things have changed, writing, hairstyles. I had the ‘Miley hair back then. You know what I’m talking about. Should I cut it again?

<3 CASIE    

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LIFE

Pass the Courvoisier: BBQ Chicken & Cognac Cursed Peaches

The other day we had a BBQ inspired by Courvoisier as part of a their current Courvoisier Challenge contest. I must give credit where due because I was in charge of the cognac and Barbie did all the cooking. I’m no chef! It turned out REALLY tasty so I asked her to share the recipes. I took the peach photos.

If you are a budding chef, go get a bottle and cook something! The Courvoisier Collective Culinary call for Submissions ends Friday, August 24th. Visit courvoisiercollective.com or Facebook.com/CourvoisierCanada for details.  There are cash prizes and trips to Toronto.

You can copy the recipes below if you like!

CASIE

BBQ Chicken with Cognac

Blend the following together:

  • 3 Inches Fresh Ginger
  • One Small Papaya
  • Honey to taste
  • Courvoisier by free pour
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Salt
  1. Marinate the chicken: Put chicken breast strips in a container or bowl. Generously pour marinade over the chicken; let sit for several hours, the longer the better.
  2. BBQ the drunken chicken:Brush grill with oil and put chicken pieces on the grill. Turn frequently and bbq till fully cooked. Enjoy tender chicken with whatever side your heart my desire – I recommend a spicy fried rice to offset the sweetness in the chicken.

 Cognac Cursed Peaches

  1. Buy a variety of peaches to make it interesting. Cut peaches in half and remove pits.
  2. In a bowl mix together 3 parts Courvoisier to 1 part honey. Add ground cinnamon to taste.
  3. Place peach halves in large Ziploc bag(s). Pour cognac marinade into the bag. Let the peaches soak up this marinade for a few hours, at least one hour before cook time.
  4. Brush the grill with oil. BBQ peaches on the grill, 5-7 minutes on each side or until you can easily press a fork into the flesh. Leftover marinade can be drank, as it’s delicious, or poured over the fully cooked peaches. Serve peaches with a side of your favourite ice cream or pie.

This Courvoisier Peach Nectar WAS AMAZING!

 

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Fashion

REAL PEOPLE: The Lanvin FW12 Campaign

I am in love with this campaign. The guy who eats frozen blueberries, the one with out a car, the bearded blonde looking for a grant. My favourite is Former Apollo dancer, Jacquie “Tajah” Murdock, the film ends with her saying, “Well I said that when I was 18 I wanted to go to Paris so he could turn it around and put the eight in front and the one behind it… Eight one, instead of one eight.” In the background you hear Alber Elbaz say, “Paris is coming to you!” With a big “MWAH!”.  It’s magical.

I think we’re going to see more ‘real people’ in campaigns. Real people like me and you. The girl with purple hair is NY blogger Stella Rose who writes Confessions of a Female Drag Queen. Her blog is as awesome as her style.

I feel like Telus uses real people and Mastercard just did a casting for ‘real people’ for Toronto Fashion Week. I sent in my photo late so the chances of me getting that one are slim.

 

Sebastian Simon Lifschitz, the one who eats frozen blueberries, used to be a blogger. It is the first time I’ve seen a post on someones blog saying “I don’t really use this blog anymore, if you want to follow me, find me on instagram: sebastianlif”. 

I guess times are changing. Change is good.

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Events

Media Dinner at Church Aperitivo Bar

I wasn’t sure what Italiam sashimi was but I love Italian food so I was in. The meal at Church was excellent and I tried a few things I’d never had before.  My notes are not nearly as neat near the end as I’m sure I drank a bottle of wine to myself.

Italian sashimi is cut thinner than traditional sashimi and comes served with toppings. I appreciated this because although I enjoy eating raw fish, sometimes it’s cut too thick at Japanese places and I struggle to get it down my throat then spit it out in a napkin. I know that’s gross but it’s true ok! I can’t be alone here?

I felt pretty great because they had a section ready and a personalized menu. Thanks guys!

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LIFE

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

I slept more in the last three days than I have in ages. I was wiped. I didn’t even tweet until late in the day last night which had friends wondering if I was ok. It’s good to take a digital detox. I’ve got heaps to blog about and will get all those thoughts updates out this week. I was going to call this post Monday Motivation when I wrote it Sunday but now it’s Tuesday.  I have lots of work to do before I’m off Montreal this weekend.

Applications are now being accepted for TEDxToronto. I’ve been a delegate the last two years. I love watching TED videos. Great motivation to do anything, ex. clean your room or write that paper. I think to myself “if they can do that, I can surely do this”. Try it, it works!

Check out this amazing light photography:

This book was in my mailbox from the publisher when I came home last night. I’m already halfway through. I was saying I needed a book to read and something about this one is just right. I can’t wait to see it at TIFF this year.

Enjoy the day 🙂

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LIFE

THIS: Summer Tech Accessories & Apps

A brand new ep. of my show on Coral came out today. This week I’m sharing some of my fav gadgets for playing in the park and summer chilling. We had a big week for the channel passing 1,000 subscribers. Make sure you are one of them by visiting youtube.com/coral

Things in the Show:

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Art

I’ve Been Meaning to Write You… So I will Today!

Letter Writing Party tonight 8PM. BE THERE.

Lower Ossington Theatre, Performance Bar. PWYC!

Storified by CASIE STEWART · Fri, Aug 17 2012 15:50:34

When was the last time you wrote someone a note and sent it in the mail? People don’t do it much but I really love the art of writing, sending, and receiving. This week I recieved a hand written note (thanks Erica!) and sent a love note to someone special.
Sent a handwritten love note today. Did you?CASIE STEWART
Send a love note tonight at the Performance Bar, Lower Ossington Theate <3casiestewart
See my post on the SummerWorks blog here:
Performance Bar – Letter Writing Party tonight! " " SummerWorksSummerWorksWhen was the last time you wrote someone a note and sent it in the mail? People don’t do it much but I really love the art of writing, se…

After I write some letters I’m heading to the Mod Club for Chick-A-Boom Room’s Electronic Cabaret: Part 2. I’m stoked. I went to the first one and it was so good. Steve Jobs & Apple images with a ton of dancers on stage in electronic inspired , glowing outfits. Love it.

Events

Take Me Away!

I’m escaping for the day! Ford is treating a bunch of media to a day long adventure that includes lunch at the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District, some driving in a Ford Escape, rock climbing, and dinner. We’re venturing to Rattle Snake Point to rock climbing and for a hike. Nature FTW!

I’m really into adventure sports lately (see skydive). Last time I went rock climbing with the City of Cambridge Mayor & city council in high school I somehow got a bloody nose and ended up ambulancing to the hospital. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen!

This is gonna be me:

Check out this video of me at the Ford Innovation conference in Michigan last month talking about green technology.

I’m not dressed and need to be there in 30 minutes. Damn you Internet for being so awesome and full of interesting things to distract me. Hopefully  that is you reading this blog right now when you are supposed to be doing something else. Ok, now more importantly, rock climbing, hiking, dinner, and an art gallery, what the heck does one wear?

Follow along today’s adventure on Twitter @casiestewart or the hashtag #FordEscape. My tweets have been a lot of First World Problems today and you might like them. I’m feelin’ sassy.

SAVE THE PLANET!

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Events

Media Dinner at Alimento Fine Food Emporium

The other day I was invited to an intimate Italian dinner for media at Alimento Fine Foods on King at Bathurst. I live right around the corder but wasn’t sure what was going on there. It looked kinda intimidating in there TBH.

Inside is a huge selection of groceries, mostly imported from Italy & around Europe. There’s heaps of gluten free pasta options, and a massive selection of meats & cheese. There’s a great dining area and bar. We ate a ton of amazing food and drank lots of wine. It was wonderful. I suggest you check it out. Find Aliemento on Twitter at @alimentofoods or at alimento.ca.

I seriously loved the lasagna, I had two pieces. The owner had the chef bring me out another piece! I was kinda embarrassed but I didn’t even care. GAGA GARFIELD STRIKES AGAIN!  Thanks to Ryan Emberley for the photos and this great shot of Pay Chen and me. Follow her, she’s awesome. See all photos from the night at cdaily.ca/AlimentoMediaDinner

Salute!

 

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Art

This BLEW My Mind: Invisible Bike Helmet #fashion

I was at Sazerac Gastro Lounge for a media dinner last night and my Andrew Dobson told me about this crazy Invisible Bike Helmet. Say wha? I hate wearing a helmet but I have one. Call me intrigued…he sent the video but I hadn’t looked at it yet. Today, Lauren O’Nizz wrote a story about it for CBC “Would you trust an invisible bike helmet?“. Call me intrigued…

 If you haven’t seen this yet, please watch:

The Invisible Bicycle Helmet | Fredrik Gertten from Focus Forward Films 

Hövding operates like a collar for cyclists around the neck that inflates like to an airbag for your head.  The trigger is controlled by ‘sensors which pick up the abnormal movements’ before you get into an accident.

My favourite parts of the video other than being invisible:

 

Art

SummerWorks Performance Festival: Peachy Coochy at the Performance Bar

I subscribe to the Say Media blog and truly love the Venn diagrams that come every Friday morning. This one is from one of my favourite books “Steal Like An Artist”.

Tomorrow night, 9:30pm at The Lower Ossington Theatre, a Peachy Coochy performance will grace the stage at the Performance Bar as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival. The name comes from the Japanese ‘Pecha Kucha‘ where each presenter has 5 minutes to deliver 15 slides with only 20 seconds for each slide. I know these as Ignite presentations, people do them at conferences sometimes.

The cast will be sharing Venn diagrams in a form that is  ‘smart and playful, sweet and earnest, with a healthy dose of cheek’.  See the description on the SummerWorks site. I creeped YouTube for Peachy Coochy and there’s some funny ones. I’m looking forward to this!

Performance Details:

  • Date & Time: Thursday August 16, 9:30 pm –
  • Location:
  • Ticket: Pay-what-you-can

Participants:

  • Philip Akin: Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre Company
  • Tara Beagan: Artistic Director, Native Earth Performing Arts
  • Ravi Jain: Artistic Director, Why Not Theatre
  • Matthew Jocelyn: Artistic Director, Canadian Stage
  • Laura Nanni: Festival Director, Rhubarb Festival
  • Richard Rose: Artistic Director, Tarragon Theatre

Cost is PWYC so if you are broke as a joke or rollin’ in dough you can still go and have some smart fun. I’ll be there and hope to see some familiar faces so we can laugh together.

 

 

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Events

Media Preview: X-Men: Gordon Smith Exhibit at TIFF Bell Lightbox

[insert Jaws music]  It’s coming! TIFF is a super exciting time of year for the city of Toronto. So many international people, celebrities, films, events, and business deals. I’ve got a few things in my calendar already as it’s less than 25 days away.

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Today I went to the media preview of the X-Men: Gordon Smith Exhibit at TIFF Bell Lightbox. It was so cool! I’m a big X-Men fan despite not talking about comics that much.

Tried to get a good 360 for y’all to see the exhibit but it was dark and there are restrictions on what you can photograph. Looks like this but bigger. If you click on the photo it will take you to 360 website for an interactive view.

Gordon Smith is an Ontario native and thirty-year veteran in the film industry who has worked on some MAYJAH films (X-Men, Platoon, Natural Born Killers) . His Imdb is stacked. Mine will get crazy one day I hope!

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The contact lenses, so much variety.

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Skin of Mystique uses silicone prosthetics that could be applied directly to the skin. Has a life-like texture.

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It took 12 hours for each shooting day and four makeup artists to glue them onto Rebecca Romijn’s skin, then apply paint, powder, and makeup. This is the pattern.

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Nightcrawler had plaster moulds and they used computer graphics paired with real actors wearing 3D silicone prosthetics to make the characters life-like.

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The scarification on his skin, which represents his sins used Maori moko tattoo as inspiration. I always knew I had a special connection to this movie. Maori are native New Zealanders and Gordon Smith is Canadian. Anna Paquin who plays Rogue is  Kiwi/Canadian like me too!

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I love Wolverine. Such a babe. They used plastic blades for most the movie but these are actual metal and super sharp/dangerous.

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 Those were my favourite things along with the full body Mystique mannequin but we  aren’t allowed to publish take those photos.

The exhibit opens Friday, August 17th and runs through March 2013 and it is FREE! It’s up on the 4th floor  of the Light Box. If you are into comics, makeup-artistry and or the X-Men movies, go see it.

Now, if I was a super hero, what do you think my skills would be?

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LIFE

You’re Part of It, We’re In This Together

Yesterday I treated myself to a nice brekky at the Drake Hotel before afternoon meetings, SummerWorks, and a media dinner. I was feeling meh and a dining experience for one always makes me feel better.

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I’m working on some new things to launch at casiestewart.com in September. This space hasn’t changed much since it started in 2005 and I feel that it needs to grow along with how I have. It all started as “people, places, things & thoughts, in attempt to keep more memories” and it’s an amazing memory bank for me but I feel it could be better.

I’d love your thoughts on things you would like to see me do, write about, or cover. Some ideas from around my head and the Internet are:

  • Monday Inspiration
  • Memory lane – stories of meeting people IRL
  • Contests
  • App/Product reviews
  • New music
  • Travel Tuesday
  • WIWT (what I wore today) – my outfits
  • Blogger interviews
  • more videos

Hat & collar from H&M

I just went to this totally RAD media preview of the X-Men exhibit at TIFF and have a really fun SummerWorks theatre show to tell you about. I’ll be writing all day and trying to keep mute as I’m fighting a cough. I have little to no voice at the moment so don’t bother calling me, Tweet!

I hope your corner of the Internet is full of sunshine 🙂

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