Return on Enjoyment: Finding That Work-Life Balance

I find taking vacation or ‘staycations’ essential to my sanity. If you’re following my Twitter or Snapchat you’ll know that I’m always on the go doing something, events, speaking, dinner, travel. I love it, but tbh it’s pretty exhausting. Putting heaps of energy out (friends, work, or social) can take a lot out of you. In a recent TD survey, they found that us millennials have a hard time finding balance between financial and work commitments, and taking time to relax is a challenge. I can totally relate to this. TD found that 46% of millennials don’t take their allotted vacation days, mostly due to heavy workload (31%) and lack of travel funds (29%). Back when I was working in an agency, I hardly ever took vacation, felt pressure to work late, and when I did take vacation, found myself constantly checking my phone and responding to emails. I know I’m not alone here! The survey found, 90% of Canadian millennials agree that vacation time, even mini-vacations or “staycations”, are essential to keeping them happy. Taking time to recharge doesn’t have to be expensive, I find a good binge weekend with some cooking, takeout, and a nap (or two!) boosts me up. Having a financial plan and a budget will help you get that ROE – Return on Enjoyment. ? This weekend we opened the cottage, going there, even for a 24 hour getaway gives me leaps and bounds of energy. Don’t have a cottage? Make friends with someone who does (heh heh) or check out options like Airbnb or Glamping Hub for affordable getaways. Millennials like us can save for activities by creating a financial plan to account for funding life’s pleasures (or unexpected moments). We could all use a little more vitamin SEA, amiright? ? Other activities with…

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Travel Tuesday: Vacations Aren’t Just for Soaking Up Sun!

Dreaming of an experiential vacation – wine tasting in Italy, yoga in India, surfing in Costa Rica, visiting Lower Shotover New Zealand to go Bungee Jumping? People often think of vacations as a jaunt away to soak up the sun but one way to REALLY enrich your life is a vacation where you learn something or take on a new experience. An RV vacation is a very popular choice for many people who want to go and see new sights and cultures from the comfort of their own vehicle. Those that do embark on such a vacation will want to make sure they have quality equipment, like Lifeline rv batteries, on board before doing so. A couple years ago I went on a solo surf + yoga vacation to Costa Rica, it was so much fun. Visiting this country was on my bucket list and I had always wanted to tick it off. With this being said, if it wasn’t for a friend of mine recommending I checked out a site like https://små-lån.com (as she knew I was struggling financially), I don’t think this trip would have been possible, but I am glad that I was able to make this happen. While I was there, I learnt how to do aerial silks and perfected my wave riding skills in the ocean. This was the little cabin I stayed at in the jungle at Anamaya Resort. In 2013, I ventured to Thailand and took a cooking class in one of my fav cuisines. I came home with new skills and a bright outlook on a different culture. I recently chatted with TD Canada Trust about how to make an experiential vacation a reality. These types of vacations are often seen as more costly and harder to plan. BUT, if you knuckle…

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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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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

excited for a great week. bon nuit! # watching “Friends with Money” on Netflix. Good movie so far, half way. # Photo: Aggy? http://tumblr.com/xmj37r13lf # Photo: › *This relaxes me. Therefore I like it. http://tumblr.com/xmj37r016q # RE: @ValTorontoGal like, duh. “blog girl gets fat after being paid in chocolate bars” epic fail omgaga.  http://disq.us/2f5ydv # RE: @zachbussey Exactly! Last year I went to New Zealand for 2 weeks as VIP for #NZFW 10 bloggers from around the wo… http://disq.us/2f5kls # new photo is hot @danadearmond # RE: @dobbernation So many ways to integrate. I’m with you Andrew. Totally agree & great job BTW! http://disq.us/2f53x1 # RE: @zachbussey It’s more about companies pitching 2-5 ‘top bloggers’ to do a campaign. I turned down one recently th… http://disq.us/2f4xk9 # The Dark Side of Successful Blogging http://t.co/zYWtS0y # RE: @zachbussey Good post Bussey. You kinda missed my point though, I was saying there’s a difference in blogging abo… http://disq.us/2f4fsf # ate the most delish ice cream. hope i don’t get a tummy ache. haven’t had real-cream ice cream in years. ahhh # Find happiness within. # Holykawwww this place is freaking amazing! (@ Marble Slab Creamery) [pic]: http://4sq.com/kcHAzV # Thinking of you @crystalgibson. #cupcake http://twitpic.com/5hv791 # “Dad, bluetooth has nothing to do with teeth” # Great start to a new week today! Excited 🙂 # BBQ #2 of the day @ Dad’s. Salad is fresh lettuce from garden. Woo hoo. # I would love to drive to the cottage this weekend. # So many mosquito bites omg. # Dinner w/ Dad tonight! #

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yesterday was a really fun day

An old friend visited and we measured our balcony for synthetic grass. Would I have the coolest condo balcony everrrrr? Yes. I reckon we would. If you interested I can intro you to Joe. He’s a nice dude, The GrASS Man. Then I went to 1188 Films to work on an Angry Birds commercial. Yes, the worlds most best selling mobile game. I also stole the MAYORSHIP which is pretty freaking amazing. Stamped myself with their bank stamp, I’M MONEY GUYS! It was a very Queen Westy day for me. Walked from Spadina/Gardener to 1188 Queen (near Gladstone) and back home again stopping at a few places along the way. This warm weather makes me feel just like a child and I wanna play outside all day. Reminds me of a song by my friend Devendra. Press play & keep reading! Got ma hair did at Darren Kwik Studio (I’m Mayor there too NBD). Beautiful spot right across from Trinity Bellwoods. Hipster discount if you tell him you’re my friend on the internet (or IRL). Call him @ 416-361-1016 right MEOW. He’ll take real nice care of you. SALON PLANK. Darren was teaching a class after me and his student was a STUD. Ladies, I can hook you up 😉 Post hair stopped into Melagro for some Mexican upstairs at La Perla. I can’t WAIT to have a event/party here. Place is stunning & upstairs roof patio is a GEM. (Jarvis have you been there yet?) Cute boy(s) & girl(s) work there too. Think I got some sun. Everybody’s free to wear sunscreen (Baz Luhrmann). Food was good. Look at this queso! LA PERLA PLANK.

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

full bodied & bright, @senseappeal. http://post.ly/1yz9N # Fenway http://post.ly/1yz0W # Oct 21, 2009 – Interiors of "School Bakery & Cafe" in Liberty Village. For restaurant review. Photo: Charla Jones/Gl… http://post.ly/1yyzN # Photo: › Shalom Harlow wearing Marchesa at the Met Costume Gala tonight › › Shalom is always so freaking… http://tumblr.com/xmj2d7y2ex # Photo: Body Parts http://tumblr.com/xmj2d7xcre # exciting day # Photo: mermaid http://tumblr.com/xmj2d7s47c # Photo: › Christina Ricci at the Met Costume Gala tonight › › I am obsessed with this Zac Posen dress. http://tumblr.com/xmj2d7abxu # I favorited a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/aEolW1x9O3k?a N'importe Comment – The Toxic Avenger featuring Orelsan # I favorited a @YouTube video http://youtu.be/3ojq5qQk6AQ?a Yelle – A Cause Des Garçons (Official Music Video HQ) # Emma Stone in Lanvin – › Emma Stone in Lanvin › › The Met Costume Institue Gala 2011 › › (Source:… http://tumblr.com/xmj2d74rxf # Photo: Stewart. http://tumblr.com/xmj2d74gex # election tweet stream is like so fast man. #elxn41 # 1 for green. # this is not boring. #elxn41 # #tweettheresults http://post.ly/1yxmn # Photo: http://tumblr.com/xmj2d6ajva # PARTY LEADER # Whoa Jack, in the 80's. #movember #elxn41 # I can't believe how low the Liberal vote is. #elxn41 # trinity spadina!! #elxn41 # Photo: › Rihanna in Stella McCartney Costume Institute Gala in NYC. http://tumblr.com/xmj2d5zmuy # my vote counted. # Photo: › Mary-Kate Olsen in vintage http://tumblr.com/xmj2d5p912 # Photo: › Ashely Olsen in vintage http://tumblr.com/xmj2d5p1gp # here we go. the polls have oficialls closed! #elxn41 http://goo.gl/fb/zRTft #blog # alonetogetherxoxo: http://tumblr.com/xmj2d570j2 # proud to be Canadian. # #THEPARTY #elxn41 (@ Canada Federal Vote 2011 w/ @melissaiscool @stephanieceline @danspr @rlangdon @withoutayard) http://4sq.com/iB7Bm1 # Photo: › Christina Ricci wearing a Zac Posen gown at the Met Costume Gala tonight › › Breathtakingly… http://tumblr.com/xmj2d4q72b # Photo: › Blake + Karl @ Met Ball 2011 http://tumblr.com/xmj2d4okmc # Photo: Giselle http://tumblr.com/xmj2d4o1pd #…

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

I'm right up front. Omg this is going to be great. Can't believe I've never been here. I've only seen the Sony Centre on tv. Awesome! # This place is big, first time here. Seeing Egonnagata. (@ Sony Centre) http://4sq.com/dAboaA # #haircut http://dailybooth.com/u/65kwv # oh @keriblog you are so great. thanks # i'm going to french ballet tonight. wish me luck! i mean love <3 # are you growing a MO for #movember http://bit.ly/bs6IMU # people with bad attitudes have ugy faces. # holy fak @tweetdeck, lets slow it down a little ok. you're moving too fast for me. # laughed out loud RT @whitegrlproblem: My horse is a dick. #whitegirlproblems # what movie was it where the mean girl cut the loser girls long hair off? # i know RT @elsacohen: that apology was sarcastic anyways. # twoo weeks from today i will be in LA. # RT @ZoobiaIlyas: "Birds fly over the rainbow, so tell me oh why can't I?" # shit is about to hit the fan on the #yandr god i love this damn show. # some cute boys have been adding my on FB lately. i like this. # clever & funny biz cards. no mine is not there but your face is on one > http://bit.ly/93J9ol # Tough call > RT @wafflesgirls: if i make an al-qaeda joke, does that make me a racist, a freedom fighter, or a target? # "i should say go to hell but i think you are already half way there" ZING via @victornewman # omg jack and phyllis make me want to PUKE #yandr # omg so hot. pink fishnets over latex. i die a little. ILU @biancabeauchamp http://bit.ly/dijsRA # i have love in my heart for @wearehighroad. just want you to know that 🙂 # it's dark…

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i’m available

It’s true. No, I’m not looking for dates but I am looking to get together to talk with cool smart people who like to work with other cool smart people. I’m finishing up a contract this week and available as a consultant. I like to create fun campaigns that engage people online and connect them with cool brands.  I also like to get people off the couch and create experiences. I’m not camera shy or afraid of public speaking and I love having my picture taken. Since leaving CTV as MuchMusic & MTV‘s social media guru/content writer, my life has been really exciting. Over the last two months…I did red carpets and celebrity soirees during Toronto International Film Fest (TIFF). I spent 10 days in New Zealand with as an International VIP sitting front row at NZ Fashion Week (NZFW).  I hopped on a plane to San Francisco and met with the Virgin America team as their cheekly-little-rabble-rouser in Toronto. This week I am the spokesperson for the Arm Yourself campaign with GSK and for the next year, I am your Virgin America Provocateur. I’m young, smart, creative and a bank rich w/ ideas. If you would like to talk email me! Oh, I am so funny 🙂 Creep me on LinkedIn here.

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how many clicks does it take to get to the centre of the…

this post is regarding the influence project: the search for the most influential person online i feel like, if i participate in ‘everything’ that shows my ‘influence’ it devalues when i post good content. everything is becoming about your so called ‘influence’ and i hate pushing links on people all the time. what do i get if i put my name in this?  my picture in a magazine. meh, been there done that a few times. so, it doesn’t really seem worth it? who really gains? they do. where are the perks for making people click on something that does nothing for them. i like to give people value, that’s where my influence comes from. i hope someone cool gets this thingy but it surely won’t be me. as for the Virgin thing, that will provide heaps of value back to everyone who votes for me. i will be an ambassador, organize parties and create fun memories for people all over the place. all this talk about influence, makes me think it’s more about VALUE. y’know what i’m sayin? another thing, the site is all built in flash and really slow too.  i’m more than happy to not try for this one. i’m sure we will all be seeing more and more of this user generated ‘meme’ stuff floating around (ex. donttellashton.com). i only wanna take part in things that give back, things that have value for everyone not just for myself. it’s pretty much the same reason I don’t put ads on my site, i don’t want you to think i’m banking off you visiting, i like to think i make you smile, and maybe  i even inspire you. i do the internet stuff because i love it. it started out as a way to keep more memories and…

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yes, my hobby is internetting

The sound of indy cars was not my friend this morning. The bloody things were going so early. The sound travels and today, it travelled into my little ear drums as I was trying to sleep in. Didn’t like it. I totally digg the workers at the bank downstairs. Today they’re partying. They have caricature artist, barista, and a variety of pastries. This is the photo of me held up on the fridge with penis magnets from famous works of art. Good art day. I’m off to meet a friend at the AGO. Haven’t been in a while. I miss it  there & I’m also going to be late! Broken Social Scene concert at Harbourfront Centre tonight. Outdoor + free =  awesome!  

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