I hope you took my advice and went to something at SummerWorks this year. As someone new to the theatre scene, SummerWorks introduced me to a culture of awesome in the city. It was amazing to see so much talent from around the world brought together through art. I wish I could have seen every show and performance. Huge congrats to SummerWorks Theatre Festival Team! If you didn’t experience the festival, now you know for next year!
My letters from the Letter Writing party should arrive this week!
I loved the creativity in the live art sessions, Dare Night Lockdown, Letter Writing. Taking part in them infused a childlike fun that I feel people lose when they grow up. Don’t ever lose that. Festivals like this open your mind and heart to see things that inspire your life.
You are not getting younger but you can always get awesomer.
Last week I had a full on escape from the city. It was so much fun. It reminded me of camp when I was a kid but it was way better. We drove cars fast and had beers after.
There was about 20 bloggers on our ‘escape’ and the day started with lunch, then games, kayaking, rock climbing and extreme driving on a closed track. We finished with dinner and drinks at Arto Gallery in Distillery District. I’ve been on a few trips with Ford this year and am consistently impressed with their innovation as a brand. Thankfully, they provided us with kayak trailers so we could easily move them from point A. to point B.
I scaled seven stories like a spider monkey. First time outdoor rock climbing and I was awesome at it.
Instagram: This was GNARLY!
My driving partner for the day was Toronto blogger Lisa Charlieboy. I’ve known Lisa for years so spending the day wth her was awesome. We were in Banff together in July for the World Media Fest. See her post from the day at Urban Native Girl. Follow her on Twitter at @UrbanNativeGirl. We did pretty good in the challenges and laughed our heads off.
Gas, sharp turns, slamming brakes. I really, REALLY loved driving the Escape (hard) on the track. This is my face after totally tearing it up. I may have injured a few pilons on the way. They are fine.
Ford Park Assist: Look ma’ no hands!
Extreme Kayaking (with my phone):
By the time we drove back to the gallery and got dinner the digital team had produced a video of all the days content. We all watched it together, there are some really funny parts and crazy driving. I’m trying to get it to show you. Photo credit goes to Michael Marmur, Pinpoint National Photography.
This weekend I’m driving a Ford Fiesta to Montreal w/ a friend and will be writing about it for the Ford Canada Blog. I’m ready for some relaxing, great food, and adventure. We’re staying at the W Montreal which I LOVE. Spent NYE there w/ some friends a couple years ago. It’s hilarious looking at old posts and seeing how things have changed, writing, hairstyles. I had the ‘Miley hair back then. You know what I’m talking about. Should I cut it again?
The other day we had a BBQ inspired by Courvoisier as part of a their current Courvoisier Challenge contest. I must give credit where due because I was in charge of the cognac and Barbie did all the cooking. I’m no chef! It turned out REALLY tasty so I asked her to share the recipes. I took the peach photos.
If you are a budding chef, go get a bottle and cook something! The Courvoisier Collective Culinary call for Submissions ends Friday, August 24th. Visit courvoisiercollective.com or Facebook.com/CourvoisierCanada for details. There are cash prizes and trips to Toronto.
Marinate the chicken: Put chicken breast strips in a container or bowl. Generously pour marinade over the chicken; let sit for several hours, the longer the better.
BBQ the drunken chicken:Brush grill with oil and put chicken pieces on the grill. Turn frequently and bbq till fully cooked. Enjoy tender chicken with whatever side your heart my desire – I recommend a spicy fried rice to offset the sweetness in the chicken.
Cognac Cursed Peaches
Buy a variety of peaches to make it interesting. Cut peaches in half and remove pits.
In a bowl mix together 3 parts Courvoisier to 1 part honey. Add ground cinnamon to taste.
Place peach halves in large Ziploc bag(s). Pour cognac marinade into the bag. Let the peaches soak up this marinade for a few hours, at least one hour before cook time.
Brush the grill with oil. BBQ peaches on the grill, 5-7 minutes on each side or until you can easily press a fork into the flesh. Leftover marinade can be drank, as it’s delicious, or poured over the fully cooked peaches. Serve peaches with a side of your favourite ice cream or pie.
I am in love with this campaign. The guy who eats frozen blueberries, the one with out a car, the bearded blonde looking for a grant. My favourite is Former Apollo dancer, Jacquie “Tajah” Murdock, the film ends with her saying, “Well I said that when I was 18 I wanted to go to Paris so he could turn it around and put the eight in front and the one behind it… Eight one, instead of one eight.” In the background you hear Alber Elbaz say, “Paris is coming to you!” With a big “MWAH!”. It’s magical.
I think we’re going to see more ‘real people’ in campaigns. Real people like me and you. The girl with purple hair is NY blogger Stella Rose who writes Confessions of a Female Drag Queen. Her blog is as awesome as her style.
I feel like Telus uses real people and Mastercard just did a casting for ‘real people’ for Toronto Fashion Week. I sent in my photo late so the chances of me getting that one are slim.
Sebastian Simon Lifschitz, the one who eats frozen blueberries, used to be a blogger. It is the first time I’ve seen a post on someones blog saying “I don’t really use this blog anymore, if you want to follow me, find me on instagram: sebastianlif”.
I wasn’t sure what Italiam sashimi was but I love Italian food so I was in. The meal at Church was excellent and I tried a few things I’d never had before. My notes are not nearly as neat near the end as I’m sure I drank a bottle of wine to myself.
Italian sashimi is cut thinner than traditional sashimi and comes served with toppings. I appreciated this because although I enjoy eating raw fish, sometimes it’s cut too thick at Japanese places and I struggle to get it down my throat then spit it out in a napkin. I know that’s gross but it’s true ok! I can’t be alone here?
I felt pretty great because they had a section ready and a personalized menu. Thanks guys!
I slept more in the last three days than I have in ages. I was wiped. I didn’t even tweet until late in the day last night which had friends wondering if I was ok. It’s good to take a digital detox. I’ve got heaps to blog about and will get all those thoughts updates out this week. I was going to call this post Monday Motivation when I wrote it Sunday but now it’s Tuesday. I have lots of work to do before I’m off Montreal this weekend.
Applications are now being accepted for TEDxToronto. I’ve been a delegate the last two years. I love watching TED videos. Great motivation to do anything, ex. clean your room or write that paper. I think to myself “if they can do that, I can surely do this”. Try it, it works!
This book was in my mailbox from the publisher when I came home last night. I’m already halfway through. I was saying I needed a book to read and something about this one is just right. I can’t wait to see it at TIFF this year.
A brand new ep. of my show on Coral came out today. This week I’m sharing some of my fav gadgets for playing in the park and summer chilling. We had a big week for the channel passing 1,000 subscribers. Make sure you are one of them by visiting youtube.com/coral
After I write some letters I’m heading to the Mod Club for Chick-A-Boom Room’s Electronic Cabaret: Part 2. I’m stoked. I went to the first one and it was so good. Steve Jobs & Apple images with a ton of dancers on stage in electronic inspired , glowing outfits. Love it.
I’m escaping for the day! Ford is treating a bunch of media to a day long adventure that includes lunch at the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District, some driving in a Ford Escape, rock climbing, and dinner. We’re venturing to Rattle Snake Point to rock climbing and for a hike. Nature FTW!
I’m really into adventure sports lately (see skydive). Last time I went rock climbing with the City of Cambridge Mayor & city council in high school I somehow got a bloody nose and ended up ambulancing to the hospital. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen!
This is gonna be me:
Check out this video of me at the Ford Innovation conference in Michigan last month talking about green technology.
I’m not dressed and need to be there in 30 minutes. Damn you Internet for being so awesome and full of interesting things to distract me. Hopefully that is you reading this blog right now when you are supposed to be doing something else. Ok, now more importantly, rock climbing, hiking, dinner, and an art gallery, what the heck does one wear?
Follow along today’s adventure on Twitter @casiestewart or the hashtag #FordEscape. My tweets have been a lot of First World Problems today and you might like them. I’m feelin’ sassy.
The other day I was invited to an intimate Italian dinner for media at Alimento Fine Foods on King at Bathurst. I live right around the corder but wasn’t sure what was going on there. It looked kinda intimidating in there TBH.
Inside is a huge selection of groceries, mostly imported from Italy & around Europe. There’s heaps of gluten free pasta options, and a massive selection of meats & cheese. There’s a great dining area and bar. We ate a ton of amazing food and drank lots of wine. It was wonderful. I suggest you check it out. Find Aliemento on Twitter at @alimentofoods or at alimento.ca.
I seriously loved the lasagna, I had two pieces. The owner had the chef bring me out another piece! I was kinda embarrassed but I didn’t even care. GAGA GARFIELD STRIKES AGAIN! Thanks to Ryan Emberley for the photos and this great shot of Pay Chen and me. Follow her, she’s awesome. See all photos from the night at cdaily.ca/AlimentoMediaDinner
