CASIE STEWART
THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
Travel HOTEL X TORONTO

Beat Winter SAD: Book a Staycation

Beat Winter SAD: Book a Staycation

We are almost through January and the countdown to spring is ON! OK, it’s 50 days, and yes I’m counting. I’m really working on finding ways to make this winter not seem as long, cold, or depressing as 2019. Last week, I shared a post about beating winter Seasonal Affective Disorder by taking a vacation. This week, I’m sharing an AWESOME recommendation for a staycation. Sean and I spent a relaxing ~24-hours at Hotel X Toronto in downtown Toronto and it was a really nice mini-getaway. If you’d like to see more of my stay in video, check out my Staycation highlight on Instagram. I magically picked the BEST day for a staycation because we had a major snowstorm that morning. I arrived at noon for a hot yoga class and to see the amenities before checking in at 3pm. From the moment you walk in the hotel, it feels luxurious. It makes for a great staycation because there are lots of plants, several restaurants, a great gym, and amenities, meaning you don’t have to leave the hotel. There’s also a kid’s play center if you have little ones. I have added the Guerlain Spa to my ‘must visit‘ list for next time. Hotel X Toronto definitely has a resort-type feel. There’s a pool on the roof that I imagine is absolutely stunning in the summer. Yes, I did test it out in the winter. Scroll down!

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Writing

Hi Mum, I just called to say thanks.

Hi Mum, I just called to say thanks.

Today I rung mum at work and I think she must have been busy because she seemed a little surprised when I said ‘hi mum’. I told her I was calling to say thank you for having me and being so supportive. She didn’t have a lot of time to talk but I wanted to thank her for everything. To tell her I love calling her all the time when something exciting happens and I can’t tell anyone else or they just wouldn’t feel as excited as her. For all the times she stayed up late sewing ballet skirts to sell at the studio so she could afford our dance classes. For driving to all those dance competitions, skiing, skating, birthday parties, recitals, modelling, tae kwon do, and to all my friends houses for sleepovers. For showing me how to bake and encouraging me to make things in the kitchen, thank you. For embracing my weirdness and letting me wear what I want as a child no matter how bizarre the neighbours thought she was for doing to it. For putting us in summer reading club at the library. For all the work that went in to creating JEANS Publishing company and helping me write that book as a young teenager because I know it was shit ton of work and late nights (for her). For teaching me to work hard and not listen to anyone who says ‘you can’t do that’. Your strong attitude is with me everyday and I carry it close to my heart and I hear your voice in my head. For teaching me to be tough and know how to throw a damn good punch (whoops!) and studying Tae Kwon Do together. For getting me braces because you knew that my smile would bring joy to other people and I…

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LIFE

Capital One Canada – What Type of Leader Are You?

Capital One Canada – What Type of Leader Are You?

A couple weeks ago at the Enactus World Cup with Capital One Canada I did a survey to see what type of leader I was. I love doing these types of tests. (I have a tattoo based on a personality test I did a few times in high school & university.) What I love about the Enactus program is how it’s helping create young leaders around the world collaborate, implement, and celebrate, ideas. Their businesses are having an impact on global food, water, and sustainability. These leaders are socials conscious innovators, who take matters into their own hands, they look at the world and think ‘how can I make a difference?’ Aside from being super inspired by this experience, it was also awesome that Canada WON the competition on home soil in Toronto. Read about their innovative hydroponics system that’s bringing fresh produce to Canadian communities HERE. My first result in the Capital One Survey survey was ‘Visionary Leader’ but I think there’s characteristics of all the different types I can identify with. What kind of leader are you? Take the survey below to find out! My Test Result – Visionary Leader: Big goals + big picture = big payoff! “The dreamer who likes to operate at 30,000 feet. You have a vision of what the world will be like in the future and you set about to make things happen. There’s no idea too big for you to tackle.” I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In primary school there was a rule implemented where you needed a gym bag to put your clothes in for class. So, I went home that night and made a bunch of drawstring bags on the sewing machine with mum. The next day I had three sizes and sold them to kids at school.…

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LIFE

Travel | A bad day at the cottage is better than a good day at work! ?

Travel | A bad day at the cottage is better than a good day at work! ?

I was a bit slack on blogging last week. Was feeling overwhelmed, I’ve had so much going on lately I feel like I’m constantly running. This weekend we closed the cottage. It was so beautiful out, the weather was fabulous, saw lots of stars, sun was shining shining, the leaves had fallen.  It was lots of work but nice. Something like ‘A bad day at the cottage is better than a good day at work.‘  

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LIFE

Blogger Essentials: What’s in My Bag + New Shades

Blogger Essentials: What’s in My Bag + New Shades

As a blogger there’s a few things you need to have especially around fashion week, camera, phone charger, biz cards, stamina, and a good attitude. It can be really exhausting! Tonight I’m meeting Lauren at the WMCFW tents to attend the VAWK show together. In my purse you’ll find ALL these things: Canon Digital SLR – mine is Rebel SL1 GoPro camera Boxed water – gotta stay hydrated! Sunglasses – never leave home without them! How amazing are these bright orange ones!?!? They’re from Polette Eyewear in France. See more about my partnership with them HERE. Packet of Dermalogica PreCleanse wipes – on the go makeup fix or when you get home realllllly tired. MyTagAlongs SOS Beauty Kit – safety pins, nail file, tweezers, sewing kit. This little pouch has everything! Love this new lip stain by BITE Cosmetics.  It’s the colour I was wearing on set yesterday for the ‘secret project’ show I was filming at NKPR. I was also given the Line & Define lip primer, feels great on and smells nice too. Learned about this awesome product from my makeup artist yesterday Jodi Urichuk. It’s amazing for giving your skin a nice GLOW.  Get it here -> PRTTY PEAUSHUN Skin Tight Body Lotion. Get out and enjoy some of that sunshine today. Hopefully it will start feeling like spring SOOOOOOOON! With love, CASIE

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Art

Sunday Magazine Selection: Wired, W, HouseBeautiful 

Sunday Magazine Selection: Wired, W, HouseBeautiful 

The sun is shining, and I’m gonna head outside, make the most of the day. Spent the morning finishing up House of Cards Season 3 and reading magazines. I won’t share any spoilers but man I really love that show. Clair Underwood (played by Robin Wright) is amazing. I remember doing a magazine review a few years ago (2011) and putting a little cut out of my face on the magazine, funny. Finished S1 of Transparent on Shomi today. Good show. The music is really great. I’ve added NextIssue added to my weekend relaxation routine since starting the trial last month. I love reading magazines but buying a whole stack is 1) heavy and 2) expensive. This morning I  read Wired, W Magazine, and HouseBeautiful. I’ve been given a code from NextIssue that allows you to get free 60-day trial of the app too. Download NextIssue – Easy as 1,2,3! Click here -> bit.ly/1EaIH3L Enter code 60Free Enjoy! I love scar Jo’s hair right now and am still on that mission to grow mine out. Now that I made it through House of Cards without being influenced by Claire’s hair, I feel I’ll make it to a bob no problem. This *slight* winter warmup has be thinking about the cottage and what we can do this spring to make some changes around there. We’re building a new deck and I’d love to get some new patio furniture and curtains. There’s so many great design ideas out there. I’d love to get my sewing machine in action and actually MAKE new curtains for the cottage. These lamps are lovely. I’m sure there’s a Pinterest on how to do this in detail. It’s been ages since I made anything but I really want to this spring. (I feel like I say this every single year but this time I mean…

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LIFE

Counting Down to a Pinterest Worthy Workspace

Counting Down to a Pinterest Worthy Workspace

OK, don’t mind all the crap behind me because I’m going to clean it up right now after seeing how much of a mess it is! I’ve been talking about ‘getting the home office in order’ or months and really have been so focussed on doing work I’ve neglected the space. I would just die if someone came in with a TV camera from Hoarders right now. Don’t even go there. It gives me anxiety to think about cleaning and all the crap I’ve collected, then I drown myself in the Internet and pretend it’s not there. (Update: I’ve spent another 45 minutes writing this post and not cleaning. Cue anxiety even more.) So, I was all like AHHH I have a client Skype call. They’ve never met me before! I better get dressed! I should shower! These jogging pants, time to do laundry. AHHH! So, I put on a nice shirt, makeup, lipstick, brushed my hair, fur vest, smile. AND GUESS WHAT… it was audio only. So, selfies. (BTW did you read my 10 Tips for Better Selfies? I’m a pro!) Note my sewing machine, new, just sitting there. I’ve promised myself for two years that I’ll use it. This year, I will. I’m actually pretty good at sewing. I’ve just not made time to sit down and make anything. (*Note to self, GET OFF THE INTERNET!) Ok, time for me to clean this mess behind me! I’ve got two hours an hour and a half of good daylight for cleaning. In due time I shall have a beautiful, Pinterest worthy workspace.  <3 With love, CASIE

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LIFE

Get a Fresh Perspective ✌️

Get a Fresh Perspective ✌️

I’ve given myself a few days to check some tasks off my list. Nothing like the change of seasons to clean out your closet, rediscover your wardrobe, and organize before hibernation. If this winter is anything like last winter, I’ll be spending heaps of time at home and I’d like to be productive. One of my fav things about winter is to stay home and unleash creativity. I’ve been meaning to break out my sewing machine and creative cabinet since I moved over a year ago. What have I been doing!? Where has the time gone!? Come Friday, studio will be back in session. I’ve got a few days to make magic happen. Here’s to a great week! Get your creative juices flowing and share them with the world. There’s no time like right now. <3 CASIE

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LIFE

To Do List: Create a Gallery Wall

To Do List: Create a Gallery Wall

You know those things in your home that you mean to get done for days, weeks, months but them years go by and they still aren’t done? Sigh… I’ve got a spare room and gallery wall on my list along with all the sewing projects (that have been sitting for years). My friend told me that photo mounting helped her get through her wall gallery project quicker so I might consider that going forward. Came across this inspiration on the Globe this morning and am sharing for two purposes: 1) To tell you (ovbs) 2) To remind myself to actually do this I love this look and our home needs some love. I think some black and white prints could add a really classy aesthetic to this gallery wall, so I’ll be sure to do some research and find ones that I like best. This video gives some tips and will get your brain thinking. Found a bunch of help on Pinterest here too. You can check out 200+ of my fav art pieces on my Nuvango profile. Yes, I do work there but Nuvango but is also a great place to find affordable art for your new gallery wall! How to Create A Gallery Wall for Your Home

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LIFE

Not Quite Open Season | Cottage

Not Quite Open Season | Cottage

I could tell from my Timehop app that the lake had no ice on this day last year, I was doing yoga on the dock and relaxing in the sun. We went up for a few hours on Sunday and it was still winter up there, frozen lake, snow covered driveway. The cottage was warmer inside than the air outside and it was warm enough in the sun for a spring jacket. Thanks to Sean, my lovely beau-tographer for snapping my photo. It’s great to have a TV/filmmaker boyfriend who knows how to work my camera better than me. I’m in love with this sweater from Community 54, it’s super comfy and I wore it almost the entire weekend (don’t judge!). I’d like to start making my own versions. My plan is to do some sewing at the cottage this summer. I know how to make things and use patters but I’m constantly letting TEH INTERNET distract me. Sewing and reading. Less internetting. Funny that I mention less internetting right now, today marks 9 years since this blog has existed. I better start planning my 10 year bloganza. <3 CASIE

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LIFE

A Hard Days Night

A Hard Days Night

It’s Tuesday and you are back to work. Hold your head high and put on a smile. I hope you had an awesome weekend. Lucky for us the weather is warm and the sun is gonna be out all week. I relaxed a lot this weekend. Spent time alone, got good sleeps. I wrote, I read, I cooked, I cleaned. I laid on the couch with the tv on playing with my iPhone. It was magical. One of the best things about ‘double Sunday’ as Raymi calls it is one extra day to do things you have not been doing. I even sewed something with Zoey my sewing machine. I feel new again! Quote below is by Steve Jobs from the blog of Jack Dorsey who created Twitter. Mashable posted 15 Steve Jobs quotes over the weekend and if you are looking for some Monday Tuesday Motivation, you’ll find it here. “My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other’s negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other. And the total was greater than the sum of the parts. Great things in business are not done by one person, they are done by a team of people.” Steve Jobs Photo by Hawaii at the CNE over the weekend. My hair is in Beatles mode. We listened to heaps of Beatles growing up. I love when Mum tells the story of them first getting a TV in New Zealand to watch the Beatles arrive.  I can only imagine how exciting that would have been. Do something exciting today.  CASIE P.S. In other interesting and nerdy news you can now analyze your Facebook data by going to Wolfram Alpha’s site and typing “Facebook report” into the search box. Have fun!

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Art

Flower Power, Rain Shower

Flower Power, Rain Shower

This was a fun lil’ afternoon project yesterday. Took flowers and make my first summer flower crown. I used to make heaps of things as a kid, I really should make more. You should make more. I’ve penciled in some time with my sewing machine, Zoey. We’re well over due for a hang out. I can’t wait for my hair to grow now.  Any tips? Send peanut butter solution to the glass castle in the sky. What you need: Flowers Glue gun Flower tape Fun attitude Creativity Good movie helps 😉 Behind the scenes. The cat is watching. Hope you had an awesome weekend. Source: tumblr.com via CASIE on Pinterest

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Writing

Circadian Rythm, Reflective Clothing

Circadian Rythm, Reflective Clothing

Cleaning up my office today was so good. I’m BACK! Made sewing corner and set up my sewing machine. I call her Zoey and its really about time we spent some time together. I have some patterns I’vebeen dying to make and this is the perfect time. There are so many simple things in style I could make and heaps of DIYs on the web. Note on paper says this probably was written a year ago, fitting for today. Title of post was scribbled on the paper too. I don’t know the significance. I have a bad memory. It’s cold outside, Wanna stay warm, Wind whipping my windows, Winding my thoughts, Whirl wind, words spin I always wrap things around my head. I like my head covered. I like the way it feels. Thinking about wearing a gorgeous vintage silk turban tonight. This is one of my old favourite quotes by the best Dr. around.This almost blank notepad was uncovered when I excavated office junk mountain. It’s amazing the treasures you find cleaning! Must get ready & find something to wear tonight. Lauren and I are going to the Future of Art & Music warehouse party, ‘FOAM. It’s at Brickworks and there are all kinds of art, music, food & beverage things going on. Lozzie Pops did her first segment on the news for CBC today. I woke up early to catch her. So cute. Fav person on Canadian TV.

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LIFE

You look just as beautiful as the day we met.

You look just as beautiful as the day we met.

We had a breakup last summer but we got back together fairly quick. It’s nice getting messages like this to celebrate anniversaries. It’s the little things that count. My relationships with technology (hardward & software) are some of my most cherished ones – Andy (iPad), James Dean (Macbook Air), Robert (my old PC), Olympus cameras, Zoey (sewing machine) and the most recent addition, XBOX360 (he is yet to be named). Made this shirt for Foursquare Day in 2010. I was working with MuchMTV at the time but they didn’t really get that I was wearing THE badge on my shirt. Ha! This pic showed up in the deck for Puma International’s “After Hours Athlete” campaign before they hired me. Check out some of my Things to Do in Toronto (Generated by Foursquare Checkins): Must Hit Sandwich Places Must Visit Parks Must Visit Music Venues Clothing Stores (add CTS on there!) Must Visit Bars Food & Drink places to Visit Went crazy on Joe Fresh nail polish the other day. Three for $10 and they go on thin so dry pretty fast which I like. Was given a few at the TIFF Tastemakers Lounge in 2010 and have been hooked since. Playlist today is Bon Iver on Soundcloud. Sam woke me up early but made brekky to make up for it. Feeling grumpy and the weather doesn’t help. Slow sad music is quite soothing. Hope your day is good so far 🙂

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