Tech | Canada’s Leading Digital Media: NextMedia + Digi Awards 2016

Last week I was a speaker at NextMedia, Canada’s leading digital media conference. the 2 day conference focusses on creation, distribution, and monetization of digital media content and technology. Our panel, moderated by Amber Mac, was Blurred Lines: Best Practices for Disclosing Paid Content. I’ve mentioned it a few times how this is a hot topic. My thoughts are that if you are working with someone or got the product/thing as an in-kind donation or gift,, just say so. If you always work on things you genuinely like, being authentic is easy. This isn’t a great photo but it was a memorable moment. Jake said people who will just work for any brand and do it for the money are ‘brand whores’. It’s hard to trust someones opinion if they don’t really have one and they’re just slingin’ stuff at you all the time. Discussing the #BlurredLines on #Disclosure of #Paid #Content via new #Advertising Standards #Rules ☠️ #nextMEDIA16 #handshake A photo posted by Kevin September (@septembersphere) on Nov 10, 2016 at 7:49am PST Amber asked me to be a presenter at the Digis which is the award show closing out the conference.  In it’s 10th year, the awards celebrate Canada’s most successful digital media companies and creators. I wasn’t nervous at all until it came time for rehearsal and I had to read a teleprompter. Which, by the way, was easier than I thought! I presented the award for Best Branded Content. The winner was Lilly & The Snowman from Cineplex. In other news, I left getting a dress to the last minute. So, I popped over to my go-to girls at Studio Fitzroy to rent something. Remember in the summer when I blogged about their dress rentals? That biz was SO SUCCESSFUL they’ve opened a dress rental spot on Dundas West.…

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Morning Commute for a Change

It’s amazing how much you forget how to take the subway when you haven’t in a while. This morning I went from Dundas West to Summerhill and somehow made three mistakes along the way, wrong stop, wrong way, wrong side.  What a n00b! I’m nearly done my book on Kobo so I guess that’s the real reason.  I use do take the subway to work at my first job in Toronto. About an hour each way from Broadview to Yorkdale. It was worth it because I wanted to work in fashion SO BAD and this was my foot in the door at a really big private retail company.  It’s so weird when you catch eyes with someone on the subway. Quick, look away.  Typing on my phone is a great way to stay entertained. Almost done my coffee but I’m here now. Took way longer than I expected. Should have taken an Uber. It’s not as close to the subway stop as I thought, I really screwed up these directions but it’s pretty nice out today. ☀️

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Photoset | YYZ Magazine: Issue 7 Launch Party

Here’s a few snaps from the YYZ Magazine Issue 7 launch party last week. See the full gallery here. Above is Editorial Director Lonelle Selbo  with (my man crush) model and man about town, Paul Mason. The digital issue was released mid November and you can find the print version at Chapters and select stores around the city. I wrote about Dundas West in this issue and you can find my photo by George Pimentel on the masthead.  Photocred to Brian Hamilton for the photos in this post. Love this one of me! Thanks Brian. LMK what you of the issue, read it here.  

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Media | YYZ Living Magazine Issue 7 is Now Online!

I wrote a little ditty about my beloved Dundas West hood for the latest issue of YYZ Living Magazine. It’s their first time working with a blogger in the iSpy editorial. My masthead photo was shot by George Pimentel and I’m wearing Ted Baker London.  In the feature I’m wearing a black & white dress from the Ted Baker London holiday FW14 collection. You can check out the issue here or click on the photos below.   YYZ LIVING shines a light onto our city, projecting its qualities through the lens of breathtaking photography, provocative storytelling, and exquisite fashion editorial. Each issue is a love letter to the city that is our namesake. We bring our readers the Toronto that parties with New York, dresses like Paris, schmoozes with London, and eats like Rome; a world-class city with a personality that is completely its own. YYZ Living Masthead Sneak Peek at Issue 7 iSpy: Dundas West Not the greatest photo of me. Motivation to drop a few lbs over the winter. Photos on this page are by fashion editor,  Alexandra Loeb.   Thanks for having me guys. Looking forward to the Issue 7 party later this month when the hardcopy hits the stands! <3 CASIE

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Wallace & Co. – The Neighbourhood Diner

This weekend we stopped into Wallace & Co. for Sunday brunch, it’s an urban diner at Dundas West. The food was good, atmosphere quiet, there’s  rock n’ roll in the background and hipsters in the kitchen. It’s just down the street from our place. Very kid friendly, there were so many little monsters there!  Also, the coffee was excellent. I’m quite enjoying the new neighbourhood. It’s super quiet and I love having a nice roof top patio. We’ve found a new local bar in the hood and taken a few nice night walks along the Toronto West Rail path. Now, how long till the weekend? I’m ready for you. <3 CASIE        

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Friday I’m in Love (with Weekend)

That long weekend was a magical thing. Was planning to head up north to the cottage but got stopped by the snow. Which, turned out for the better, got a bunch done around the house and we made it into a staycation. This is the awesome 3Dprint from the Hop Pop Factory kissing booth last week w/ Sean. We had such a great Valentines week long celebration starting last Sunday (with a little blue box gift from Tiffany’s!) and went until the following Monday. We’re both full time romatics so Valentines Day lasts all year.   He gave me the most beauty rose before a dinner date.   We went to Playa Cabana Cantina, Dundas West for Mexican. It was wonderful. I need a vacation. Kenny played a little prank at work on Friday.   Sean and I watched the entire season on House of Cards this weekend. great show. Had a chuckle at the movie categories on Netflix, can you guess who is who?   I love Claire’s style in House of Cards. Elegant, she means business. This week is gonna be a wet one. Don’t let it get you down. Spring will be here soon and the weekend even sooner Have a wonderful day 🙂

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425: Better Days Are On Their Way

Had such a nice bike ride today after work. Went over to see April and hang out in the backyard. I’ve been loving these warmer temps and wearing cute clothes. We walked about 5km from her place, up to Dundas, to Bathurst, and back along Queen West. The trees are all starting to bloom and it will be summer in no time. Don’t lose hope, better days are on their way. Sending you love from the internet, have a great day!

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HideSeek: Real Life Recess

The other day, Cory Lee and I went to HideSeek, a “pop-up experience inspired by childhood nostalgia“.  We spent over an hour taking photos, changing outfits and laughing our heads off and got to meet the team behind the experience. It was heaps of fun.  I’ve been to a bunch of Instagram friendly pop-ups over the last year (Happy Place, Museum of Ice cream, Museum of Illusions) and this was was my favourite one in Canada so far. There are 15 installations with multiple photo ops in each. Grab your BFF, kid, parent, partner, or a date and go back in time. I have heaps of photos from the experience so if you follow me on Instagram (HERE) you’ll see some of these rolling out over the next few weeks. HideSeek is at 305 Dundas St. West. Toronto and you can find them on Instagram at @gohideseek. It’s running until June 2nd so you have a little while to get in on the action. Visit gohideseek.com for tickets & info.

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Things That Are Distant Though Near ☀️

Sitting outside yoga and feeling happy. The sun is bright, air warm, I’m sipping coffee at a picnic table before biking home.  Had a pretty magical day yesterday, took Steph to Drake Commissary before her flight. After, I walked Queen West and popped into the Trinity Bellwoods farmers market to pick up some stuff. What a gem that place is, there was a babe playing guitar and singing, lots of fresh flowers,  vegetables, fish. I got an organic chocolate fudge popsicle and sauntered down Dundas on my way home. I wasn’t listening to music but it was so lovely it was like there was a soundtrack playing.  Went to yoga last night and this morning which makes me feel back on my game. ??  After so many days at the cottage I was really missing my vinyasa flow. We did yoga outside today and it was so nice. The sky was a bright blue and breeze warm.  Finally replaced this little thing aka my personal photographer. It’s a Bluetooth remote for your phone. It works great and aside from photos you can use it for Snaps, Stories, or Boomerangs. Ordered on Amazon via Prime after I lost my other one. ??? In other news, Lauren and I are doing something crazy today for the new Spider-Man movie. Make sure you are following my Instagram for Stories as they happen! ? With love, 

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Fitzroy Boutique Does Rentals Now! ?

Last week I had an event and as usual was scrambling to find something to wear. A few days earlier the girls at Fitzroy Boutique sent a note about their new dress rental service. Decided to popped by there a couple hours before the event to see what they had. I needed a Cinderella moment! The store is always full of beautiful dresses, flowy things, and great accessories. The latest pop-up is at 98 Ossington, half-way between Queen & Dundas, west side. They’ve got two racks of dresses for rent, and for $50 you can borrow a beauty for 3 days AND IT INCLUDES DRY CLEANING. Check out all the dresses here. I wore this super cute Sea Shell dress by Blessed Are The Meek. The back is open making it fit really nice in the front, not too tight on the tatas. It’s super flowy and short making it the perfect dance number for a wee lil’ lady. This is the intro price so if you have a summer full of weddings and garden parties, book now! Thanks A&J for making me feel like a qween! Some fun stories coming up this week, 2 upcoming trips, a HUGE life change, some thoughts on mindfulness, being your best self, an upcoming workshop, AND a Kobo giveaway. I’ve been reading heaps since I got mine and love it, perfect for on the boat, in a hammock, or on a long drive (to the cottage!). Here’s to a great week and sunshine all around!

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Made in Canada: Bathing Belle Swimwear – CUTENESS ALERT!

Ok, this is a special post because I don’t usually post things with kids/for kids but after visiting the High Park Studio of Bathing Belle, I absolutely HAVE to share. I met Danica (the designer of Bathing Belle Swimwear) a couple weeks ago, we had a little hangout and she gave me a tour of her studio. She ALSO measured me for a custom made bathing suit. I’ve always had a hard time finding swimwear that fits, I’m fairly petite but heavy in the breast region. To be honest, finding a bathing suit that fits properly had been more like a nightmare. Last week I popped by the Bathing Belle studio to pick up my new, custom suit and good lord, IT FITS PERFECTLY. I know mum will be happy to read this because she was there during high school when I broke down to tears in the Bikini Village fitting room over nothing fitting right. Danica makes a great selection of women’s swimwear in gorgeous and fun prints, available on one piece, two piece, monokini, and mastectomy.  Excuse the hangers, I really should have taken those off! These are three of my favs. One of the cutest things ever are the matching mum/dad + kids suits. Burger and fries loving family? This one’s for you. Those are little onion rings with the burgers, ahhhh. Little scrunchies to match as well. Cuteness overload. Danica was recently at Dune Studios in NYC to shoot the kids suits with photographer Paul Wright. Art Directed by Ellen with Burnie, hair and makeup by Akiko Owada, kids suits look absolutely adorable. She gifted one of these little kitten suits for Embot (Sean’s daughter) and I can’t wait to see her in it. Is it too much if I get a matching one for the cottage?      Check out Bathing…

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What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

I had a great day yesterday. I haven’t taken the subway for a while. It’s different taking the subway during work hours. I always wonder what everyone is doing. I don’t mind the streetcar, I don’t like the underground. I used to write TTC Tales (last one 2012) when I took the TTC to work. At one time, I travelled about an hour each way to work. I made a few videos about TTC loudtalkers after that. I wouldn’t make those videos now, social media wasn’t as popular back then. Heading easton the Bloor Line; try not to make eye contact. Look out the window, look out window. There’s a young guy with his sunglasses on playing golf on an iPad. I can’t see if he has a bag…is just carrying the thing? I smell hot food. It’s not McDonalds. Doors open. Please don’t let someone gross sit beside me… Went to the Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market yesterday to pick up some green goodness. The market is on each Tuesday in the summer from 3-7pm. I was so hungry that I started chomping on lettuce leaves as I walked down Dundas. It was delicious. I can only imagine what I looked like walking down the street eating leafy greens. 🙂 Passed this house on Dovercourt, as I so often do and asked on Twitter if anyone had seen inside it. Have you? Turns out it’s crazy! Anyone seen inside this enchanted palace at 224 Dovercourt? Been on sale for a while. #queenwest pic.twitter.com/wf7t0UIcw4 — CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) August 19, 2014 The decor has some personality. It’s not for everyone but I would love to have this house. It’s right in my fav part of town and if I could afford it and do some renos, I’d be all over it. Kick out all the furniture and add some…

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Free Outdoor Yoga in the Junction

A couple months ago I moved from downtown’s the Condo Valley to  Toronto’s West End Meat, the Packing District, otherwise known as The Junction. This area is growing as fashion hub, place to get great eats, and a great place to live. Tomorrow morning, I invite you to join me for yoga! Did you ever watch this synchronized group yoga video of me in Costa Rica looking out into the jungle? Stop, Drop, & Roll Out Your Mats for Free Outdoor Yoga! Mass Yoga session THIS SUNDAY at DUKE @besthealthmag @smartwater @breatheyoga_TO @tasdesignbuild #junctionlife pic.twitter.com/wDWAdO49xe — Duke Condos (@dukecondos) September 27, 2013  Presented by TAS in partnership with Best Health, Breathe Yoga Studio and Vitamin Water, the hour-long yoga class is part of a series of events introducing DUKE Condos, a new project in the hood. The session will be led by David Good, Lululemon ambassador & yoga instructor.  WHO:         Anyone Who Loves Yoga WHAT:       Free Outdoor Yoga Session WHEN:       September 29th, 2013 at 11am WHERE:    DUKE Condo Build Site (Dundas Street West & Indian Grove) Visit junctionlife.ca to find out more about @DUKECondos. I’d love to see you there for sun salute at 11am! <3 CASIE Buy Buspar Buy celexa Buy kamagra

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Fashion’s Night Out in Toronto: Thursday, Sept. 6th

This is a full on busy week for film and fashion in Toronto. My fav things! Thursday night Toronto joins the world in celebrating Fashion’s Night Out and kicks off Toronto International Film Fest.. There are Fashion’s Night Out events ALL OVER the city, in fact, it’s famous for it, making it one of the most desirable places to live. Take a look at Toronto Real Estate if you fancy moving to one of the most exciting cities in the world. See below below for a list of participating retailers. Check out The Biebs, T.Swift, Coco Rocha and that cute boy from Glee in this jam packed celebrity PSA for FNO. Let me know in the comments what you are looking forward to! There are so many deals. If you are back to school shopping, stocking up on new season, or wanna treat yourself, THIS IS YOUR EVENT! Also, my friends at Peacock Parade have the official FNO tees & totes for sale until Thursday at 11pm. I’ll be spending my time between Yorkville and Queen West for the Hazelton Lanes group of events and the Raq Boutique Bazar at The Burroughes Building. Find more info at fno-toronto.com. NOW, WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR? CASIE Tweet to @FNO_Toronto FULL LIST OF RETAILERS BELOW…

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