Simple Summer Hosting Hacks for Outdoor Dining

Last weekend at the cottage Emily helped me put together lunch for the fam. It was so fun to do this together, she’s 8 now and a great little helper! She was also quite stoked to help with the blog. ? Scroll down for a few ‘hacks’ we can up with using stuff you just might find around the house, the kitchen, or the garage.  It was all pretty simple and not too expensive, BUT when we put it together, it looked great! I guess that’s why they’re called HACKS. On the Menu We made mini sushi-style BLT wraps, a hot dog bar,  and mini bacon grilled cheese using products from Butterball Canada we picked up at Loblaws. Simple Summer Hosting Hacks for Outdoor Dining   Make an outdoor table using an old door.  Use wrapping paper to decorate the table. Makes for easy cleanup!  Organize your napkins or cutlery with Washi Tape. There are HEAPS of colours/prints! Freeze lemons to use in cocktails. ??? No need to water down those drinks with ice!  Use a muffin baking tray for condiments.   Raid the dollar store for plastic plates and stack them. These same items were more $$$ at houseware stores.  Baking cups inside little mason jars for sauces. Heaps of colours in these making mason jars even cuter.  Put skewers in watermelon for easy snacking. I put them in the freezer so they were MAD CHILL. ☃️ If you loved this post LMK! Was fun putting it together. It was my first time trying turkey bacon which is 50% less fat than using bacon from pork. Found that it cooked a bit faster and made our meal a *little* healthier. The following day we used some leftovers to make cracked pepper maple bacon  that I’ll share in another post soon!   * post sponsored by Butterball Canada but Emily and I totally did this all ourselves!

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Winter Doesn’t Have to Suck: How to Make Snow Paint + Some Stuff to Watch

Woke up early yesterday and made myself breakfast in bed. Spent some quality time on my computer quietly typing away and chatting with other early risers. Our roof top patio extends from the loft bedroom upstairs and the morning light is so lovely. I like making the most of a cold winter morning all cosy up in the bed reading or writing. A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jan 1, 2015 at 7:23am PST My Lost My Marbles laptop skin is quite a hit. The Apple cutout gives your laptop a sleek and classy look. If you wanna add some marble to your gadgets (iPhone, Android, computer, tablet, gaming system) visit nuvango.com/casiestewart. They don’t offer the apple cutout on designs but if you email [email protected] with your order and request it they’ll make sure you get it. TBH this design really looks better with the cutout. We got some pretty gnarly snow in the middle of the day. Thank goodness we have new tires on the truck. EmBot really wanted to go play outside with the snow paint so I put on the hot pink 80’s 2 piece I inherited from Sean’s mum and got ready to roll. A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jan 1, 2015 at 1:27pm PST These exact paint things were a Christmas gift for her but making something like this to do with friends or kids is super easy. We used to do this heaps when I was little. How to Make Snow Paint Get some type of squirt bottle ex. old shampoo, dish detergent Mix food colouring + water (careful it WILL stain your clothes) Go outside and have a blast! Sean picked up…

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Rewrite Your Own Destiny

I still have all my Barbies and their clothes, the accessories, cars, living rooms set, pool furniture, and more. While I don’t usually write about things for kids, Mattel always thinks of me when there is something they think I’ll like. Thanks guys! I recently got sent these two lovely Ever After High dolls, Meet Apple White (Snow White’s daughter) and Raven Queen (the Evil Queen’s daughter). The line is based upon  characters from fairy tales and fantasy stories.  They each come with inspirational little stories, clothes, and there’s a whole online component at  Everafterhigh.com.  My BF’s daughter is five and she was so happy when I let her open them. In the story, the school gets divided in ‘Royals or Rebels’ which is between those who know they will have a happily ever after, those with less favourable destinies, or those who prefer the idea of writing their own destiny. Writing your own destiny is 100% my vote! The package arrived with this little locket inscribed “rewrite your own destiny”. This product may be for kids but the message is something that lasts a lifetime. The team at Mattel said they thought of me when learning about this new brand. I’m writing my own destiny each day, found something I love and made my dream a reality. Go out there and follow your dreams people! <3 CASIE   buy Bactroban cream no prescription buy bupropion no prescription buy cipro no prescription

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The Ballet on Ossington w/ Ivana Santilli

Went to Ballet on Ossington for my first time Friday night. It was a blast! We popped bottles and danced the night away with Ivana Santilli. Who is awesome by the way! The Ballet is not ‘the ballet’ like the time I was in the Nutcracker with the National Ballet of Canada ballet, it’s just the the venue name. Me as a Canon Doll in the Nutcracker w/ the National Ballet of Canada It’s a sexy, fairly small, upstairs bar, with old school booths and often features burlesque dancers. See the full set of photo here, a few of my friends & favs below! @casiestewart -some great shots u in this album– thank u 4 comin & uppin’ the ante with ur vibes. again the 18th https://t.co/UFUmY8ovXE — Ivana Santilli (@IvanaSantilli) October 16, 2013   Haha I crack me up… DANCE FACE! Have an awesome day. Much love to you all! <3 CASIE Buy Cozaar Buy Diflucan Buy Finasteride

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#BanffMedia2012

VOTE HERE!

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Over $100,000 Raised for @TorontoFashion Incubator

Was great to be on the comittee with this group of young ladies. Thanks to the lovely Gail McInnes for including me and for making this event a HUGE success. My dress was vintage black suede peplum from Timeless Apparel and jewellery was graciously provided by Swarovski Canada. Best social media committee ever: @geekigirl @styleblogca @backseatstylers @reneeswilliams @casiestewart @laurenonizzle @advera #TFI25 <3 — Gail McInnes (@gailmcinnes) May 10, 2012 Photo Credit: Société Perrier Canada &  Becca Lemire for She Does The City “Over 700 of Canada’s fashion elite flocked to the Royal Ontario Museum this past Thursday to take part in a milestone event for the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the TFI hosted guests at a champagne reception, VIP dinner, Barbie(R)-inspired celebrity fashion show, the annual TFI New Labels(R) fashion show competition and an after-party in the ROM’s Crystal. Thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) was awarded during the evening which was emceed by award-winning performer Jully Black and over $100,000 in net proceeds was raised for TFI. TFI25 also featured performances by award-winning student dance group the Wexford Gleeks and recording artist Anastasia A and an installation of 25 looks from the past 25 years curated by FLARE Magazine’s award-winning Fashion Director Elizabeth Cabral.” Read full release on Reuters. 

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Nella Bella FW 2012 Collection @ Urbanspace Gallery

Last night went to Nella Bella’s FW 2012 media reception. I’ve been taking NellaBella bags on all my travels, bike rides, festivals & fun for the last two years. They’re got lots of different shapes & styles this year. One of the designers for this collection, Andreas Kyriakos who started working with them at 15, he’s 16 now, but still,  he designed a whole batch of beautiful things. I got to catch up with a few really lovely girls I hadn’t seen in a while.  Thanks Raymi, you babe, for photos and Tarek for the invite. Can’t wait to get something new and BRIGHT! Bring on, SPRING on! My current fav is the KIEV bag in black (in photo but hard to see). It fits my 11 Macbook Air, camera and a few other necessities. Comes in handy when’re always on the go/working!  Shirt: Joe Fresh Cardi: GAP Pants: Bench – shopping trip! Hair: Ken Murphy Color Bug, Goody Accessories Shoes: Ego & Greed One things I love about clothes is the stories they tell. Links to the above items go to past posts wearing. Archives rule. Crashed my bike the day I got the Joe Fresh shirt, ordered shoes from solestruck.com. Got GAP  cardi over holidays cruising vintagey shops in Cambridge with Mum. Tarek, Val Photos via WE REPRESENT THE LOLLIPOP GUILD  on RaymitheMinx.com   Walked home home with the Septembre & Bella. Made .gif with Loopcam, from Berlin! Check out Jessica’s post & pic here. It was really fun. Good night. Nice to see beautiful bags and smiling faces. The food was excellent and catered by The Daily Bread Food Bank’s catering campany. They put all the proceeds from catering, right back in. Been busier than ever planning and preparing things for SXSW. We have a new blog coming. I’m super excited. Let’s do this.  😉 <3 CASIE    

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you missed this yesterday

Photo: Gingerbread http://t.co/OpontYPd # No white Christmas for #Toronto Thoughts? http://t.co/6Pw9q5qn via @zite # The most important page on the web is the page you build yourself http://t.co/A426KWlZ via @zite #thisismylife #lifestyle #branding # New iPads Expected to Arrive in the Next 3 to 4 Months http://t.co/r4eve0Fb via @zite # Last day 🙁 (@ Thynk Taynk) [pic]: http://t.co/13jbNPNR # Got some treats for the plane 😉 (@ Ah Cacao Chocolate Café) [pic]: http://t.co/aERtSXfb # Diet coke, rum, chicken fingers, fries & wifi, great lunch! (@ Margaritaville) [pic]: http://t.co/j8C5Ggla # Photo: Huge pretty tree (Taken with Instagram at Terminal 3) http://t.co/UIT5sWgl # I'm at ORD Terminal 5 (Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago) w/ 5 others [pic]: http://t.co/9yVkVhtt # 1449 miles! http://t.co/w3dUtcrZ # Left this to cold & dark 🙁 http://t.co/Emyf6iRJ # I just unlocked the Level 4 "JetSetter" badge on @foursquare! High five! http://t.co/qAtG7pRk # 15 airports woot. http://t.co/K5fhdzc6 # My friend @aganova always called this place Chika-GO. #chicago #cute # Air Canada in flight ent. and my own row. See ya soon Toronto! # Holy crap just found out a friend is McSteamy's brother on Grey's and lives in LA now. Another reason to go to LA!! Yippeeeeeee. #lovelife # Excited to be in my own bed tonight. #travel # I said "bless you" to a man who sneezed and he don' even say thank you. Hate that. What a fcuker. # Take off for real now. Catch ya on the flip side! # I wanna be in a scooter gang. Step 1) get scooter. 2) get friends. # Wilder Valderama is HOT in Tom Hanks new 'Larry Crowne' movie, meow. # Ho Ho Home! (@ Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) w/ 21 others) [pic]: http://t.co/tQzxR5xc # Photo: Meaning of life #pacman http://t.co/MkaUr0UC # "Keep away from people who…

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you missed this yesterday

Found it! Unopened and ready to play. So many new/good songs. #kinect #dancecentral http://t.co/fk9LTgy5 # Found so many good things when I cleaned my room: Burger/beer/gas/jukari/gift cards http://t.co/1RbBe4Sw # Photo: First competition ballet solo, age 9, The Clown (Taken with instagram) http://t.co/kqJ2uwzO # Morning http://t.co/gRmSZi8V # It's amazing how great of a sleep you can have when your bed isn't 60% clothes! # Photo: Casie’s Cameras http://t.co/3j4fDnrv # i ordered a pair or barbie doll hand earrings # URGHHHHH RT @melissagrelo: Confirmed from City Hall: property tax increase by 2.5% in 2012. # Have you seen this yet? I posted last week. So good. RT @AdFreak: The gay-marriage spot that has Australia talking. http://t.co/cFWhIfc0 # Look out world here I come….: It’s been just over a week since I had brekky… http://t.co/RssiFlj5 #thisismylife # dang thats a long do http://t.co/fM38hEst # yall are gonna have mad heart attacks, let's talk about bacon a little more ok? http://t.co/JjQfTY88 # RT @TechCrunch: How To Get A Job At A Startup If You Have No Skills http://t.co/SOxS1vFd by @justinkan # Whoa! Trying this! RT @TechCrunch: New Siri Hack Will Start Your Car If You Ask Nicely http://t.co/avAit9k9 by @chrisvelazco # Team http://t.co/1sPrfv7t http://t.co/vUiICpNT # Work date w/ @katekillet. (@ SPoT Coffee w/ 3 others) [pic]: http://t.co/ShxM7WWm # New #DODOCASE for Andy http://t.co/Sgf3cvRg # Urban lumberjackie http://t.co/klvFlcb1 # need a makeup artist for a shoot Wednesday. i know i have a friend who is one but i can't remember right now! # what's a good gift for Dad's 60th tomorrow? # Suggestions on where (online) to make a nice PDF press kit for download? # see that last tweet? ya 200%! interested in getting into http://t.co/1sPrfv7t holiday gift guide/contests email http://t.co/HE7TnYet 😉 # "Visitors referred by a fashion magazine or blogger drive a 200%…

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The #CCSpeakeasy

I would say good morning but as I write this it’s already the late afternoon. What can I say? I’m still recovering from last night’s awesomeness. The Canadian Club Speakeasy was an old timey shindig if there ever was! Who doesn’t love dressing up all flapper-esque and pretending to be in Boardwalk Empire?! Here’s some photos I snapped of everyone dolled-up and  a ditty for you to listen along to! This car was outside and begging to be posed with. The bartenders were all dapper and pulled out some tricks as they mixed the Canadian Club cocktails. They were all Boardwalk Empire themed too. The hit of the night seemed to be the Nucky! Casie and I couldn’t help but have a mini photo shoot. The location was just so cool looking! This 1920s girl is always working! How handsome! It’s no surprise that Jason won best dressed! Although he did have some stiff competition… This Barbie is so classy! Sam and Ross all suited up! Can the men of the world just agree to dress like this all the time please? All of you guys just have a meeting and discuss it at least? Cool thanks. Well that’s all for now! Thanks so much to Canadian Club and HBO for putting on the ritz and feeding us tasty drinks! Now excuse me while I get back to my recovery and giant bottle of water. Maybe I’ll lazy about on the couch and watch something. Can you guess what? xo Kate

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Dear Diary, I have so much to tell you. xo

Baby you’re my heart You can follow me #lifeoftheparty # #TVONTHEINTERNET http://t.co/WXE1DrK # Photo: i love our condo grsss. http://t.co/YGSUbVm # writing. writing. reading. coffee. writing. reading. morning! # Dairy Queen Blog Cake http://t.co/NYChcvu # ha! @torontogeorge as me. (bangs @dollbarinc) http://t.co/heeOb8L # mermaid, hunk, fashion, crazy things. http://t.co/lQJfX3j # brunch time 🙂 http://t.co/tVTdi2u # Photo: @laurenonizzle @pinkmafia4life http://t.co/bUVZDsP # “i can’t write today, something’s wrong. i can’t smile today, life is a sad song. my heart hurts… so…” http://t.co/rzhb8II # Photo: what? you have good grams?. yippeeeee. http://t.co/1cjBFe6 # euro trip in sept i think. this makes me happy. I got a new campaign launching next month and need a wicked photog to take my photo. My BFF photogs are all out of town next week. LMK. Thanks for the photog recos dudes. Heaps of good peeps. Reckon I’ve narrowed it down 🙂 The Australian, he is so lovely. Great brunch with a good friend today. Awesome way to start the day. Inspiring! RE: It’s mega scary. I seriously felt like someone passed away. I was completely distraught.  http://t.co/9BgSULh # This week i was a professional hipster, Dad said he’s proud. pretty glad I gave away that HP Tablet now. looking or a residential commercial space about 4000 sq. ft. on the right track baby i was born this way. yes this. #smart #right #left http://t.co/9d8ewHC # This post is for you http://t.co/6v4zPe9 #budcamp @Canadian09 @budcanada @carlyannedotcom # Casie Winehouse #memorial #party http://t.co/auwuZO5 casa de nIZZLE – @laurenonizzle wé @brockmclaughlin @natekogan @frikshun, The Australian & Scotti… http://t.co/vcGF8wU Polaroid picta partay.

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

So many photos @raymitheminx. We are cute. #seniors # In room #wifi thanks @methotels Toronto! # So far loving #crystallightchallenge Great dinner with ladies & designers. Stoked for tomorrow. # In hotel room watching #criminalminds w/ king bed. Shopping spree @ #holtrenfrew tomorrow. #thisismylife # Omg so full. Dinner w/ @urbannativegirl @valtorontogal @cammipham & designers. #crystallightchallenge (@ Lai Wah Heen) http://4sq.com/mcSYgA # I just eyefucked @ValTorontoGal‘s prawn. For reals. Then she fed it to me. #inthemouth # Omg so hungry. # Fakkkk. Get cigs a-holes RT @raymitheminx: Muhahahaa @casiestewart u will never get your ten dollars back! Never! http://twitpic.com/5eidlc # #bloggang hang w/ @valtorontogal. #vino http://twitpic.com/5eithb # Where the hell are you @raymitheminx. In the lobby @methotels. http://twitpic.com/5ehoci # Omg this just arrived in my room from @holtrenfrewRP. Thank you! (@ Metropolitan Hotel w/ @urbannativegirl) [pic]: http://4sq.com/lUIUKN # Checkin’ in now @raymitheminx @methotels. Txt me your room! # In taxi to #crystallightchallenge hotel. See you soon girls don’t be surprised I’m late haha. #bloggang # staying at @methotels #toronto tonight for #crystallightchallence see you soon @raymitheminx @urbannativegirl @valtorontogal & more 🙂 # ooh Adam Newman. Way to screw that hussy Dianna. #yandr # please do RT @jusfrais i’m gonna put that @casiestewart said i was handsome on my bio # haha so funny when @itsbrownbarbie say’s on the phone “i’m watchin’ my show” re: #yandr #cute # but srsly, if @ladygaga tweets me I might put that in my bio @shariyatweets @zachbussey 😉 # RE: @erinbury awesome! stoked to see you 🙂 http://disq.us/2c3pdz # if you love #bizmedia too comment ‘aww’ http://t.co/75zlMyP # RE: also starving @raymitheminx nomnomnom http://disq.us/2c3dxw # Saw a bio saying ‘followed by Obama’ he follows heaps yo. Was onto me back in 2008! Remembrance Day too. http://post.ly/2Fco7 # I liked a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/vkb9oWSxECc?a Catch Me When I…

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

Beat that. #bhdsuites http://twitpic.com/5djxwo # How fucking cool am I now? Pretty much the baddest bitch everrrrrr. #bhdsuites http://twitpic.com/5djugb # Custom converse FTW. Be le jealous. #bhdsuites http://twitpic.com/5djtn1 # Totes flirting w/ @karlwolfs. New bffs. #bhdsuites # Second gifting lounge of the day! #vocab (@ ING Direct w/ @dvln) http://4sq.com/jy5p4X # live from #BHD suites #MMVA gifting lounge at le germain http://flpbd.it/TnRC # here choke on this giant pill http://flpbd.it/ZRso # Thanks @raymitheminx! You almost here? Love ya #bhdsuites # Mum is home from the boat after being away from one year!! #excited # #bhdsuites w/ @jessegiddings & @nicolemtv http://twitpic.com/5dg35n # chillin’ #bhdsuites #mmva lounge w/ @hustlegrl @benchcanada (@ Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square w/ 3 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/mov4sF # Photo: reminder to bring barbie printout to next party http://tumblr.com/xmj326ru3g # Photo: um, strange but i like it http://tumblr.com/xmj326rkzc # chilling w/ @brenter37 in my @benchcanada #BHDsuites #leafs #babe # had a cucumber sandwich. is that wierd or funny? i think it’s funny. #bhdsuites # playin’ DJ Hero w/ @kardinalO in #BHDsuites w/ @benchcanada. #mmva # Celebs and Bloggers: Today’s Branding Experts http://bit.ly/iicUzy # the #EMbot so cute. http://twitpic.com/5dbufd # whats for lunch today guys? # kinda wish i didn’t look so tired today omg. #nxne #nxnei #bhdsuites # woot @7dollarpants & @benchcanada @ #BHDsuites http://dailybooth.com/u/9yh82 # RE: yeah dude. it was insane. bacon roses, quail in turkey in pig & roasted.RTRD. http://disq.us/2b59fm # DIE. “@M3foods: M3Foods and @casiestewart at the #bizmedia @EpicMealTime event http://t.co/yLBnNv0” # * pix are from the VOCAB Communications gifting lounge at ING Direct in Yonge Street. Thanks for the invite & the goodies team! Everyone & every thing is a brand 😉

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

Yup @epicmealtime, so #epic See blog https://casiestewart.com #bizmedia (@ The Biz Media w/ @sachasayan @tedinframe) http://4sq.com/jB4zRI # ahhh, @epicmealtime just said 'bacon condom' omg… #bizmedia # aaaaaaaaaand the #EMbot has left the building. sucha cutie pie kid. # addicted to documenting. # i amaze myself with how i can get so many things done sometimes. # RE: @TweetgasmTO So rad! I bet I will love @ladystarlightNY too 😀 #mmva http://disq.us/2az5f4 # Loving your linens @aulitfinelinens. OMGAGA need some for my bed! http://t.co/XSljUcF # Aw, me & the #EMbot both have baby blue #Converse #swag http://twitpic.com/5czayc # iblog https://casiestewart.com # omg. so hungry. must. wait. for @epicmealtime @ #bizmedia # bahaaaaaa RT @shariyatweets: Anyone checking out the Jersey Shore festival… I mean Taste of Little Italy! # yo! you live there? if so we're neighbors. RT @TheNameIsIsh: Poolside… http://lockerz.com/s/111625752 # omg little monster Emily is coming over to play. she is 4. look out! # going to Alabama in August I think. Gonna be an exciting experience. # omg thank god for time shifting. pvr didn't record mama's show today. #yandr # you had a hot date last night @shawnhawaii. hope night was fun! #nxne http://twitpic.com/5cyb6b # the other night @cobranightclub w/ @bucky_buck #DWW #mmva #nxne http://twitpic.com/5cyasm # #Nerdbird @VirginAmerica's Newest Plane Is a Hashtag #FTW http://t.co/yC8bEiK via @mashable # I'm speaking at @mashable #SMday June 30th about building your personal brand. Come http://bit.ly/ms8sst # i'm so hungry for @epicmealtime. # epicnaptime. # Wieners for #bhdsuites are @Shananigans5 @brockmclaughlin @carlyannedotcom @7dollarpants. See you tomorrow! Thanks @BHdiaries # Photo: The Australian. http://tumblr.com/xmj31ncuki # this kitten needs a cat nap! epic nap time before @epicmealtime tonight. zzzzzzzzzzzz http://dailybooth.com/u/9y11j # Met a couple fans today. Makes me happy! #nxnei # "I go to a lot of parties, like Casie" @stephenhenrik during @globeandmail session at…

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