Where You Land is Where I’m Gonna Be

Was all decked out in pastels this weekend. I really love my hair this colour. Thinking I’ll go back to blonde for spring but it’s gotta get a bit longer. Growing out your hair from a pixie takes real dedication. Slept half the weekend and feel great today.  Had some time with friends and got some Christmas shopping in. Can’t wait till see all my family on Wednesday. Mum is hosting a huge group for dinner including my Dad and his wife.  It’s gonna be great! Have you heard this song in the Walmart commercial? I love it, Paper Planes by East of Avenue. Was created by a TO agency. We kept singing it whenever the commercial came on and Sean learned to play it on guitar this weekend. Title is a line from it. Where You Land is Where I’m Gonna Be How cute is this little Christmas Mini! It’s got pressies and lights (kinda hard to see the lights but we were driving!).  I love all the lights on everything this time of year. Sean told me he’ll have the hugest display of lights when we get a bigger house/yard and I fell in love all over again. Timed to music too. What a dreamboat! Discovered a new app this weekend called Shift that allows you to create filters and it’s kinda net. Spiced up this photo of Queen West (it’s $0.99). Will be at the Gladstone Hotel tonight teaching a class on blogging in their new Get School’d series. I believe it’s sold out but if you are interested in coming, lmk. After today I’m going to really try and take a break from my phone and laptop. I doubt I’d be able to digital detox without being at a beach, I can’t go a day without my phone. I can barely go…

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Hey Ho Holidays! Wig out, Wear a Onesie, Smile!

We had Sean’s holiday party 1188 x Revolver Films X Bon Bon Mag on Thursday last week and come Friday I was so tired. This weekend I was getting ready to host a few friends over for a holiday hangout & secret Santa. We set up a photo booth and it was so much fun. Nothing like good times with great friends. I’ll have photos from both soon. Stopped into Philistine on Queen West, one of my fav stores. They burn these great cedar incense that remind me of the cottage each time I walk in. They have a huge selection of clothes, accessories, and I’ve snagged a few goodies from the sale rack. Spotted these tea cups at The Bristol at The Great Hall. Picked up meat pies for everyone at 1188 last the other day and thought they were so pretty. This art had been on the wall here for a while now. Makes me think about how much I’ve grown/changed. There’s been some neat experiences the last few years that have really shaped the person I am now. This is a bit of a ramble post. I blog to remember so it’s important I write things down, ok! Painted some pineapples and added glitter for my table display this weekend, Thanks Pinterest! Here’s a good article about Pinterest vs Real Life. It’s what happened when a woman tried to live the ‘Pinterest life’ for a week. Some learns, some fails, very exhausting. This was me at the end of the party on Sunday. Wig out, wearing a onesie with a smile. I’m pretty excited to see my family over the holidays too, Mum is hosting about 30 for Christmas dinner. It’s gonna be awesome! I went to the Shangri-La spa last week and it was amazing. Writing that post now so brb! <3 CASIE

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Collect Moments Not Things

  Woke up not feeling so hot and decided to start my day from my favourite office, the BED OFFICE. It’s one of my fav spots besides a busy cafe when I need to get writing done. We have a patio and huge windows that let the light in and it’s inspiring to cozy up with a coffee and my trusted Mac companion, James Dean. I treasure those moments. All my gadgets have names of famous men in history. My first iPad, Andy Warhol and old laptop, Robert live with mum now. My cameras all have girl names. Saw this sign on Queen Street yesterday. I love the word ‘meander’. Reminds me of Sunscreen by Baz Luhrman. Posted about that song back in 2008, wow that’s ages ago.     After a lazy start to the day in our loft I’m back in the office working away. One of the things I love MOST about being a blogger/writer/freelancer is being in charge of my destiny. Today is one of those days where I started out sluggish and am finishing feeling on top of the world. I’m extremely thankful that I never gave up on blogging even though there were a few times times I just wanted to throw it all away. There’s a lesson for today, don’t give up. You really never know what will happen from one day to the next. 🙂 <3 CASIE    

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Feel The Sunshine, Flash Your Smile Around

This weekend I had some much needed hangout time with my mum and sister. We had brunch and went for a walk along the boardwalk by the lake. It’s so pretty down there. Visiting to the beaches feels like a mini vacay! Took my DSLR along for the day and snapped some pix. Perfect day to be outside and have some laughs. Mum has always been a huge inspiration for me. A couple years ago she sailed to the Bahamas with her BF on their boat, I didn’t get to chat with her as often as usual so I often wrote letters to her right here. It makes me so happy to hang out and we always laugh our heads off with little jokes. Thanks for a fun day ladies! Feeling energized! Feel The sunshine on your face, flash your smile around! <3 CASIE

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Lifestyle | Always Bring Your Own Sunshine

Hello sunshine, it’s nice to feel you on my face. It’s a beautiful November day and this morning I took a stroll through the park on my way to a meeting.   Thinking of my dear Granddad today and stories he used to tell us about being at war. He lied about his age and when they found out he was put in the kitchen to be a cook. When he returned to Palmerston North, New Zealand he opened a butcher shop. Mum still has one of his aprons. Thankful for all those who gave their lives for us. Lest we forget.   Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. Anthony J. D’Angelo With love, <3 CASIE

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CottageLife | You Might Just Need An Entire Weekend of Sleep

Hellooooo November! I love summer but there’s something so calming and creative about winter that makes me want to lock myself inside and write or organize the house. I did neither of those things this weekend. I slept at least 25 hours.  I took as many extra hours of sleep as I could find! We spent most of the weekend on the couch watching shows and movies from Netflix or iTunes. The fridge is full of takeout. I was tired. I had work to do but I just didn’t have the energy. Today I feel much better and ready to take on the world! Whenever it’s a new month, year, and sometimes even day I look back and feel grateful for memories or think about how life has changed. Two years ago Sunday, Dad and I did the CN Tower Edgewalk thanks to Mastercard Canada’s Priceless Surprises. Timehop is a great app for looking back on that you posted on Twitter or Facebook that day (see posts about the app). Saw this rusty rat rod truck that made me think of you Daddio! He custom builds hot rods and is working on his own rat rod right now. It’s the start of Movember so I can’t help but think about the MoSistas TO pinup calendar from last year 2012. (Gah, I can’t believe it was 2 years ago!)  The girls and I had a good time getting dolled up. I was May. Apron was Mum’s and I love it. I use it on the regular. I hope I still have that scarf. In other news, Regina George started following me today and I’m already into the Christmas music w/ one of my favalbums by She & Him.   If you need something to cheer you up on this gloomy Monday, press play, or check out THIS happiest Christmas playlist ever…

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Speaking | Social Summit in Kitchener-Waterloo

Are you in KW? I’m heading to my hometown later this week to speak at Social Summit in Kitchener, and visit my parents of course. It’s been ages since I was back in my old stomping ground so I’m pretty excited to be going there to talk about my travels and adventures over the past few years. Speakers throughout the morning will enrich the audience with social media tips, tricks, lessons and more. I’ve been added to the mix to share stories from my social media travels around the world with brands and my blog. I’m digging up photos for my presentation and I hope to leave everyone feeling they can accomplish anything they put their mind to.  🙂     Click to Read More About Each Speaker + Session   If any of you new or old friends want to come out, get a ticket for $20! Use PROMO10 to knock $10 off the $30 ticket. I’d really love to see some familiar faces and make new friends. Thanks to the sponsors, Mad hatter Tech and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre for having me. If you’ll be there, especially if we have never met, please say HI. I’m a hugger. (Please don’t call me CASSIE.) My Mum will be there too. Here’s to a wonderful week! Looking forward to it. 🙂 <3 CASIE

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#TIFF14: The Annual Essentials Lounge #ESSENTIALSLOUNGE5

Yesterday I went to the Essential Lounge by EGPR and at the Templar Hotel, Toronto. I can’t lie, going to lounges is one of the most fun parts of TIFF! It’s a gathering of media, friends, brands, and it takes a great PR team to pull it all together. We get a glimpse of how the stars in town for TIFF are treated and to see what brands are gifting. I love rummaging through the goodies and sharing them with Mum, my sisters, bf, friends that come over. Here’s some of my fav moments all shot by Ryan Emberley. You’ll recognize a few faces! I started out with an express facial by Skinceuticals and went on to have my makeup done by tarte Cosmetics and hair by Schwarzkopf. I was gifted a fantastic new bra from Calvin Klein and switched into it, tossing my old one before picking up a cute new pair of flats from Rockport.   Lauren O’Nizzle, BFF from CBC & laurenoutloud.com Liem Vu from Global’s Morning Show Nelia from styleblog.ca The essentials lounge happens right before TIFF to hook up press with products that’ll help them survice the TIFF madness and recover after the whirlwind.  and a swift recovery. Canon Blogtography crew Andrew Dobson (Metro & dobbernationLOVES.com) & Nelia Thank you Esther, Jess, and EGPR’s team far having me! Here’s to Essentals Lounge 6 and a happy TIFF ’14! <3 CASIE

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Seasons Change: September I Greet You w/ A Smile

Good morning! Bit chilly out there this AM. Crazy that September is next week. I love this time of year. There’s lots of energy in the air, back to school, back to work, seasons change, NYFW, and TIFF. I just noticed that a documentary I’m in has been added to my IMDB. ‘Behind the Red Carpet’ premiere is Tuesday at The Spoke Club and I can’t WAIT to see it. When I shot w/ George Pimentel for YYZ Magazine last month I found out he’d added a whole bunch of his work from Getty and award shows and it was looking good. On Wednesday next week I’ve got a portrait session w/ Caitlin Cronenberg at the IT lounge. She took my photo last year too (see here). See what people are saying about #NKPRIT14 on Twitter. Really loving this violet hair. I think I’m gonna keep it! It’s the first time I’ve permanently dyed my hair anything other than blonde in about 10 years. I really wanna grow it into a bob so this will help it be healthier along the process because  i t    t a  k e s   f o r e v e r .  If you’re looking to add some colour to your hair in a non-permanent way, see my Easy as 1-2-3 post here. The sweater I’m wearing has a hot rod on it that my Dad built for Paul Horton in the early 80’s. It was Mum’s. 🙂 This afternoon I’m heading to Sirius XM Radio Canada to be a guest on The Todd Shapiro Show. Read about the show here. You can listen by tuning into Sirius XM channel 168 at 4pm or subscribe to the podcast Toddcast in iTunes. This show is rated explicit and it deff not for kids. I don’t think I’ve…

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An Afternoon w/ Susur Lee at Bent Restauraunt

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Bent Restaurant w/ world-renowned chef Susur Lee, learning about his cooking an sampling the upcoming Veggielicious menu. The five-course vegetarian menu runs September 9th-20th at Bent, which he owns with his sons. Yes, he is holding two fish in the photo but they’re for the raw sushi bar! In the garden w/ @susurlee just down the street from @BentRestaurant checking out fresh veggies they use in-house. pic.twitter.com/wVvmBv4Gc1 — CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) August 25, 2014 First on the Veggielicious menu is ‘Dip Three Ways’, a mixture of hummus, baba ganoush, olives, and spicy mustard seed tomato stew.  These didn’t last long!     We started by making meringue desserts so they could bake while we explored the menu. I’m quite familiar w/ meringue as the Pavlova is a famous New Zealand dessert I’ve been making with mum as long as I can remember. We were given Susur Lee’s merengue recipe so I’m planning whip up a batch at the cottage this weekend and impress Sean’s parents. Look out! Below on the left is the meringue Chef made and mine is on the right. Added some almonds to fancy it up a bit. It was delicious. Scroll down to see the dessert presentation, it was a thing of beauty. Chickpea Tempura Tofu    Wild Mushroom Quinoa Risotto    French Merengie w/ Golden Licorice, feat. wild blueberry, peaches, passionfruit syrup, raspberry coulis! They have some stellar cocktails you can check out on Instagram at @bentcocktails. This is the Asian Caesar, the most popular cocktail at Bent. It’s got a whole bunch of ingredients including soy & Hoisin sauce. Yep, that’s an oyster on there too. Veggielicious at Bent runs from Spet. 9-20th so make a reso and take your fav veggie lover for a nice meal. There’s a raw sushi bar too. For more info visit bentrestaurant.com. Huge thank you to Chef Susur Lee and the…

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