CASIE STEWART

THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
WINTER

Beat Winter SAD: Frolic in the Garden!

A couple of winters ago, I started a little series called Beat Winter SAD as a way to get myself (and hopefully you) through the darkest months of the year. Because let’s be honest, January in Toronto can feel… a lot. Short days, long nights, grey everything. So I’m bringing it back, and we’re starting with one of my favourite winter mood boosters: indoor gardens.

See my post & videos on Instagram here!!

Yesterday, my friend Holly and I took advantage of a freakishly warm January day (12 degrees in Toronto?! We’ll take it!) and spent the afternoon wandering through Allan Gardens Conservatory. The second you step inside, it’s like your nervous system takes a huge exhale. It smells like summer and feels like vacation: sunlight filtering through glass, lush tropical plants everywhere, instant serotonin.

The Science Behind A Botanical Gardens Visit

Botanical gardens have higher humidity, which can help with dry winter skin, irritated sinuses, and that scratchy throat that sneaks up this time of year. Being surrounded by greenery has also been shown to reduce stress hormones, lower anxiety, and boost your mood. I can confirm this one for sure, I WAS FULL OF ENERGY AFTER. It’s a natural antidepressant: leaves from tropical plants release oxygen and moisture into the air, making the air feel fresher and easier to breathe. It totally reminded me of being down south in Mexico or the Caribbean; it feels like a mini-vacation without leaving downtown, buying a ticket, getting on a plane, or packing.

Allan Gardens is especially magical. It’s free to visit, open year-round, and filled with little surprises. There’s a fountain bubbling away in the centre (made a wish!), vibrant flowers in full bloom, turtles hanging out, and we spotted a huge lemon growing on a lemon tree, which felt wildly optimistic for January. 🍋 Standing under palm trees while it’s winter outside is a powerful reminder that warmth and growth still exist, even when everything feels frozen and dreary.

If winter has you feeling down (or SAD is creepin’), consider this your sign to seek out some tropical air. Grab a friend and frolic in the garden! Sometimes beating the winter blues is as simple as stepping into a greenhouse, soaking up some sun, and letting the plants do their thing. 🌱

P.S. Full outfit from Adidas, see my post with a few of my favs from their site here!

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2026

Holidys 2025: A Very Merry, Cozy Reset

This year, the holidays felt extra special. My BF and I spent both Christmas and New Year’s up north at his family farm, and honestly, it was the perfect slow, wholesome, very merry, cozy reset I needed.

We rode snowmobiles, spent time with family, ate great meals, watched movies, and went to town. It was very Christmas-core in a Hallmark Movie kinda way. 🤗 There’s something so lovely about being up north, in the woods, with fresh air, making the most of winter with someone special.

On Christmas Day, we played outside, had a wonderful dinner and drinks, opened presents, ate endless snacks, and shared lots of laughs. My favourite moment? The Christmas Day parade with the John Deere tractor all decked out with Christmas lights. We drove it around the farm and past the windows so everyone could watch from inside. It was adorable and magical!

After Christmas, we headed back to the city for a bit before returning to the farm again for New Year’s. Had friends over on the 26th, went to a fun party, and hosted friends again on the 27th. It was great!

For NYE, we fired up the smoker outside and cooked a massive steak. We danced in the living room & listened to our friend’s radio show Outlaw Wax on CUIT FM, where he played a whole set of Elias’s records and gave multiple shout-outs! SO fun.

We ended up staying until January 3rd, easing ourselves back into real life. We’re doing Dry January again this year, and I am really looking forward to it. Might even keep it going next month! After weeks of celebrating, it feels really good to reset, cook great meals, and start the year feeling clear-headed.

This holiday season was all about presence: family, friends, food, fresh air, and quality time. I’m heading into the new year with a warm heart & happy. 💛 Here’s to an exciting and prosperous 2026!

Looking forward to my first workout of 2026 tonight at The Body Engineers! If you’re looking to get back to a gym routine or start something new, try a free month of ClassPass on me here!

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LIFE

A Little Life Lately – December 2025!

Oh Hello!
December!
Nice to see you!

Well, hello there & happy December! Here’s a little update on life lately. Things have been pretty busy the last month! I moved from my apartment on Ossington into a loft with my BF. My spot at Ossington was a really great transition apartment the past year, but I am so happy to be where I am now. New Chapter! New season!

Bye Ossington!
You were a great home!

I’m a firm believer that there’s no bad weather if you have a good outfit, and I’m totally set for winter with my coat collection. I found this beautiful wool vintage coat on a shopping trip in Cambridge about a year ago, and let me tell you, IT IS SO WARM.

Last week, we went to Bass Pro on our way up north. I had NO idea how big it was, they have everything there! You would think that after wearing this hat all summer, I’d been to an actual shop lol. On the weekend, I took a solo trip to Ikea and picked up everything I needed to make my home closet/office area beautiful. It looks great!

We’ve been really into making soup lately and have gone for pho a couple of times (in the name of research haha). Last week, we made a delicious chicken-vegetable soup; this week, we went for a beef-bone broth and vegetable soup. Both turned out amazing. I love soup season and being cozy!

Had an audition callback this week at Mann Casting, fingers crossed I get a booking soon. I have another audition to do this weekend for a commercial.

Have been pretty consistent with my workouts the past few weeks. Living in the area close to the Body Engineers again is nice. I’ve been back at Mosaic Yoga for a few classes, too. Feeling strong!

Looking forward to a chill weekend at home. Have a couple of holiday things next week before Christmas, including a big friend’s dinner at Swiss Chalet. 🤗 Hoping to get home to visit mum before NYE.

View from Hotel X today! Here for a holiday party!

Sending sunshine and warm vibes to you through the internet!

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Fashion

The Cutest Holiday Sweaters on Amazon

It’s officially that magical time of year when twinkle lights go up, holiday tunes fill the air, and picking out the perfect holiday sweaters suddenly feels essential. I’ve always loved a good festive knit, so this season I rounded up a bunch of adorable Christmas sweaters that caught my eye, bright colours, cozy textures, and a few funny ones too. Tap each photo to grab yours on Amazon!

If you’re looking for something fun to wear to a holiday party, family dinner, work event, or even just a cozy December night at home, I’ve got you covered. All the sweaters featured in my photos are linked in my Amazon storefront, so you can shop your favourites easily. I posted a couple other fun ones in this blog post back in 2017!

Shop all the holiday sweaters here!

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Fitness

Workout at The Swan House with Good Goddess

I attended the Good Goddess Friends & Family Class, an exclusive preview of The GG Method Lymphatic Series. The session took place at their new HQ, The Swan House on Wellesley Place. The venue was absolutely stunning with high ceilings, crown moulding, warm wood accents, and a cozy fireplace. It was the perfect place to spend a chilly morning. 🤗

The Experience

This 90-minute preview combined two of their signature workouts, Lower Body Burn and Upper Body + Core Cut. It was a full-body experience that blended movement, mindful self-massage, and education. Before class, we had a Lymphatic Detox Binder Shot that boosted our energy and supported the flow.

Upper Body + Core Cut

The first part of the class focused on arms and abs. This high-energy session paired strength work with thoughtful self-massage around the torso. Every sequence, from movement to breathwork, was intentionally chosen to activate and drain through the midsection. It was a great burn!!

Lower Body Burn

This class began with lower body sculpting paired with guided self-lymphatic drainage. It was such a cool combo! The mix of booty burn and self-massage made my legs feel lighter and more energized. The method is designed to reduce inflammation, release fluid retention, and smooth the hips, legs, thighs, and glutes. I definitely felt it!

Lymphatic Drainage

One of my favourite parts of the event was learning more about lymphatic drainage. I’d tried it before in a massage, but this was the first time I did it on my own. I left feeling lighter, refreshed, and noticeably more open through my body. If you want to try something similar at home, here is a link to a similar tool we used.

By the end of the 90 minutes, I felt sculpted, sweaty, and totally recharged. The Good Goddess team created such a great experience, I left feeling energized!

Looking forward to future Good Goddess events, thank you to Caleigh & the team for having me! Follow @goodgoddessdaily on Instagram for upcoming events and check out the website at goodgoddess.com.

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Travel

4 Fashionable Travel Destinations You Need to Explore

Some cities just have *it* when it comes to style, that indefinable something that makes you feel more fashionable just by breathing the air.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit quite a few places, and there are four destinations that absolutely blew me away with their fashion scenes. These aren’t just pretty cities (though they’re definitely that too). They’re places where fashion lives and breathes in the streets, shops, and everyday culture.

Paris, France

Paris really does live up to the hype. Walking through Le Marais on a Tuesday morning, I watched a woman in her seventies effortlessly pull off a vintage Chanel jacket with modern sneakers. That’s Paris for you—making the impossible look easy. The city doesn’t try too hard, which is exactly why it works so well.

You can’t help but people-watch here. Grab a coffee at any sidewalk café and you’ll get a masterclass in French style. No Instagram tutorials needed. The locals just get it—whether they’re rushing to catch the metro or strolling along the Seine, Parisians make everything look intentional.

And don’t get me started on the vintage shopping. The flea markets at Clignancourt are pure gold.

Milan, Italy

Milan surprised me. I expected fashion, sure, but I didn’t expect the city to feel so alive with creativity. The Quadrilatero della Moda is stunning, obviously. But what really got me was stumbling into smaller ateliers where craftspeople were actually making things by hand. You can feel the history of Italian craftsmanship everywhere, it’s not just about the big names.

During Fashion Week, the energy is electric. Even if you’re not attending shows, you can feel something special happening. The city transforms. Street style photographers camp out on corners, and suddenly everyone’s dressed like they’re ready for their close-up.

Plus, the aperitivo culture means you can discuss the day’s fashion sightings over perfectly crafted cocktails. What’s not to love?

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo broke my brain in the best possible way. Harajuku is wild, yes, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. In Ginza, you’ll see impeccably dressed businesspeople who treat clothing like armour—everything precise, intentional, powerful. Then you hop on the train to Shibuya, and teenagers are wearing things that shouldn’t work together but somehow create pure magic.

I spent an entire afternoon in a tiny vintage shop in Shimokitazawa, digging through racks of perfectly curated pieces. The owner didn’t speak much English, but we communicated through fabric and fit. Fashion really is a universal language.

What struck me most was how Tokyo doesn’t follow Western fashion rules. It creates its own. Mixing traditional elements with futuristic touches isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated.

New York City, USA

NYC hits different when you’re thinking about fashion. SoHo on a Saturday afternoon is basically a real-life runway show. You’ve got Wall Street types in perfectly tailored suits walking past art students in thrifted vintage, next to tourists trying to figure out how New Yorkers make black jeans and sneakers look so effortlessly cool.

The Garment District still hums with activity. You can watch the fashion industry at work: designers sketching, patternmakers cutting, seamstresses creating. It’s not just about the glamorous stuff you see in magazines.

Fashion here isn’t about exclusivity, it’s about expression. Much like how Americas Cardroom brings together diverse players in one exciting space, NYC unites fashion lovers from everywhere, each bringing their own style to the mix.

The energy is infectious. You can’t help but walk a little taller, dress a little bolder.

Ready to Go?

These four cities changed how I think about fashion and travel. Each one taught me something different about style, creativity, and self-expression.

Fashion tourism isn’t just about shopping, though that’s definitely part of the fun. It’s about understanding how different cultures approach style, beauty, and creativity. These cities don’t just sell fashion, they live it. So where will you go first?

LIFE

Cozy Season is Official Here!

Well, it’s officially cozy season! We had our first snow of winter this weekend, and it feels like the perfect time to settle in. ❄️🌨️❄️

I spent the past few days packing and moving into my new home, a beautiful loft in the West End, with my BF. I’m so excited about this new chapter, a fresh space, new routines, and a whole lot of good vibes. ❤️

I start a new job next month, and honestly, I’m really looking forward to spending a nice, calm winter at home. This weekend, I had lunch with a friend, we made roast chicken and salad, and then curled up with blankets to watch a movie. It was perfect. Also stopepd by the CAFTCA wardrobe sale and got a great pair of vintage leather boots. 🤗

I’m not totally sure what we’ll do for Christmas yet, but I’m excited to visit my parents and enjoy some quiet time. Here’s to cozy weekends, new beginnings, and the magic of winter ahead! 🕯️🏡✨

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LIFE

World Series 2025 – Go Jays Go!

Tonight is game 5 of the World Series 2025! It’s so exciting to see our Toronto Blue Jays playing, and I REALLY hope they win. It would be so cool for them to win the World Series.

This photo is from 1993, when the Blue Jays last won. It was such an exciting time, Mum took us out of school to go to the parade in Toronto. It’s wild that Game three went into 18 innings. It started at 8 pm and went until 2 am! We started watching it on our way home from Milwaukee in the Chicago airport and finished the game at home in Toronto.

Photos from the other day at RALLY Conference & Game 1 at Dog & Bear

Here’s hoping the Jays bring it home tonight!

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LIFE

Cute Little Thanksgiving Weekend!

This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, and it was such a nice one. I kept things pretty chill, spent time with friends, and soaked up the fall vibes.

On Friday night, I stayed in, relaxed, and ended up booking a trip. I’m going to Milwaukee! It’ll be my first time there, and I’m so excited to explore somewhere new.

On Saturday, I went to an arm wrestling competition (I know, random?!) at Henderson Brewery. Look at those pipes! It was definitely entertaining. In the evening, we went to the Danger Cats comedy show with a few friends. It was sooooooo funny. 😂

I had Thanksgiving dinner at Michelle’s mom’s house on Sunday, something I’ve done a couple of times before. It’s always warm, welcoming, and full of delicious food.

Then on Monday, I wrapped up the long weekend with a few walks, tidied up around the house, and watched the Blue Jays game with my friend Lorilynn. GO JAYS GO! Let’s hope they make it to the World Series! ⚾💙

I’m feeling grateful for friends, laughter, cozy meals, and the adventures to come!

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LIFE

Light Layers & Fall Looks + adidas outfit!

I love how warm it’s been lately, but the cooler nights have me thinking about all about fall! I am 100% a summer girl, but switching things up and starting to layer with light jackets and different fabrics is always so fun. There’s no bad weather if you have a good outfit! 

I haven’t been shopping much lately, but I was sent a gift card in collaboration with adidas, so I used that opportunity to pick up some new stuff for fall. I got a new pair of adidas leggings and found the CUTEST OUTFIT ever in the kids section. 😂 

LOOK AT THIS SET. I can’t wait for it to arrive. Sometimes the best finds are in the kids’ section!

I love this outfit so much! I also picked up the Samba – Jane shoes that are just too cute! I feel like they will look great with just about anything and even tights in the winter. 

One of my favourite workout items are these adidas leggings, they fit great and wash so well. Whether I’m walking around Queen West, rolling out my yoga mat, or working from home, they’re perfect. The adidas women’s leggings collection offers a wide range of options designed for movement, comfort, and, of course, style.

Here’s what makes them stand out:

  • High-rise fits that stay put during workouts.
  • Breathable fabrics that don’t get too sweaty!
  • Great styles that look chic with sweaters, hoodies, or even a blazer!
  • Functional details ex. hidden pockets or side pockets.

Exercise & Mental Health

Over the past few years, fitness has become an essential part of my self-care routine. It’s not just about staying active, it’s about how moving my body makes me feel. Even short workouts make a massive difference in my energy and mindset.

  • A morning run helps clear my head and sparks creativity for the day.
  • Weight lifting makes me feel strong, and I love that I know HOW to use weights now.
  • Yoga & pilates make me feel grounded and help reduce stress.
  • A walk through the neighbourhood is like pressing a reset button.

I aim for a minimum of 10,000 steps every day and try to fit in at least 20 minutes of exercise. I find fitness GREATLY improves my mood. It’s proof that exercise is just as much for your mind as it is for your body. 🤗

The right outfit also helps! When I slip on a cute workout set, I feel stylish, comfortable, and motivated to show up for myself.

In other news, I’ve been meaning to go to my storage unit to get some clothes that have been hiding there for months. Every time I think about going there, it’s been too nice out! I really hope these warm summer temps stick around for a few more weeks. I’ll make it to the storage unit once the temps start dippin’!

Here’s to crisp air, cozy vibes, and stepping into a new season feeling strong, inside and out. 💫

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