Tech | We’re All Just Trying to Figure It Out

Old school firehose

This might be one of my fav photos I’ve ever taken. I love it. Snapped with iPhone on a whim while leaving my sisters place. It brings back memories, nostalgia, I’m not even certain what exactly, just old times.

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Found the quote below over the weekend and it resonated with me. I’ve been reading here and there about impostor syndrome, the inability to unable to internalize accomplishments. When you feel like someone is going ‘figure you out’, realize you don’t know what you’re doing, see right through your whole charade. ‘Impostor Syndrome is the domain of the high achiever. Those who set the bar low are rarely it’s victim’ (Forbes).

It’s ok to not know what you’re doing, We’re all trying to figure it out as we go. I used to get severe anxiety before going to events, being on stage, speaking. It’s not that people wouldn’t like me, it’s that they would, and sometimes I didn’t know exactly what I was doing but I was going on experience, and making it up as I go. Being in the world of social media before it was a business (or industry!) has taught me to realx and roll with it. Preparation, constant innovation, and trying new things has kept me ahead, made me a ‘pioneer’. (It always weirds me out when someone calls me that, the thought of ME being part of the start of something.)

So I got to thinking about blogs and authenticity and why people even blog these days, and I thought about why they started. A blog, formerly WebLog was a place for non-tecnical users of the WWW to write about and discuss a topic.

A blog (a truncation of the expression weblog)[1] is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries (“posts”) typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Until 2009 blogs were usually the work of a single individual[citation], occasionally of a small group, and often covered a single subject.

The whole world of blogging has changed so much. It’s like people blog for the things, the invites. I roll my eyes when someone’s feed is contest, after contest, shilling competing brands. It looks cheap. Once I spoke at a conference with a girl who had 50k Instagram followers but she hardly gets 20 likes per photo. The worst is when you’re following someone and think, ‘wow they’re doing great’ then the next day they gain 10K in followers out of nowhere, it’s like all they care about is how to get instagram followers. Social media and blogging are built on reputation, one sure way to 1) lose all credibility, and 2) look like a narcissistic idiot is to buy a bunch of followers. There’s even services you can subscribe to now that will give you X amount of likes per photo for a monthly service fee. It’s not hard to see through. Kinda makes it all seem so blah.

BMO CASIE STEWART

I started my blog as a way to keep more memories about people, places, things, and thoughts. I’ve become addicted to documenting and if I don’t write things down, I’m afraid I’ll forget. Twitter has been really great for keeping memories, also Google. From my research on Impostor Syndrome, it’s quite common in successful women. If you ever feel the anxiety creeping over you, couple good reads below.

Those are my thoughts for the day. Hoping to get outside and soak up some sun. It was 15 degrees at 9am. Not bad for November, baby!

Remember, you’ll never be younger than you are today so make the most of it. 🙂

<3 CASIE  

Fashion | BaffiCollection Wooden Lapels for Movember

Baffi for Movember

I’ve made it clear in the past that I love little pins you can add to your outfit because they just add so much character to your outfit. On top of this, they can be used to show support for a friend, business, or charity. I know a friend who got a pin artist to design them a pin that was a quirky way to promote their new business. It worked amazingly! But I love a pin that’s got meaning behind it. For exmaple, this year for Movember my friend has created a line of wooden lapel pins that are little tiny moustaches. Whether you can or can’t grow a moustache, you can show your love for the MO and support the cause with a Baffi Moustache lapel pin. 25% of all sales will be donated to Movember Canada fort the month of Movember. These make a great gift ($20) for the stylish man or lady in your life. These lapels are mine!

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You can order your Baffi Movember lapel right here AND please use promo code ‘CasieMO’. You’ll be entered to win a Baffi Holiday Box with 2 Moustache Pins and 2 wooden pocket squares valued at $175.

BAFFI wooden pocket squares and lapel pins.

I can’t grow a MO so I show my support in other ways. Remember the MoSista pinup girl calendar I was in? You can see all posts tagged Movember here or check out my MoSista profile here. The Bloggers of Movember Canada network has raised $500 so far.

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With love from Queen West where I am surrounded by beards and moustaches all year!

<3 CASIE

Tech | Oculus, Wearables, and My Connected Life

Tech | Oculus, Wearables, and My Connected Life

One of 1188’s latest ventures is Occupied VR and last night they were on ETalk! Ben Mulroney tried the experience they designed for David Cronenberg’s Body Mind Change. (You might remember me taking part in Body Mind Change last year.) The Rift Teaser launches on the 24th of November. I tried it at the office and it was intense. It’s amazing how immersive Oculus is when you’re tapped into sight and sound. It totally freaked me out, I jumped up out my seat and screamed!

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Later this week I’m attending the monthly We Are Wearables meet up at MaRS Discovery District. There’s still a few tickets if you’d like to join! (Free) There’s a Smartwatch Panel w/Motorola & TELUS with a discussion on Nielsen’s recent Connected Life survey on Canadian Trends in wearables and wearable consumers.

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I was really into social media before it hit the mainstream and I’m really into wearables lately. Sometimes it’s hard to believe how huge social media has become, I can only imagine the impact wearable technology will have on us over the next five years. I want to know and learn as much as I can!

Old photo of Keri and I that came up when I Googled “casiestewart, nerd” Ha!

I’ve been thinking about how connected I am to the internet and it’s rare I go 15 5minutes without my phone having a notification, checking email, or taking a photo.  I was working away and my battery died this morning and to be honest, I was so productive for that period of time!  Techlogy makes us more productive and distracts us all the same.

I’ve got lots to get done today so here’s to productivity!

It may be freezing cold outside (if you are in NA) but try not to let it get you down. Put on all your winter warmies and greet the day with a smile.

<3 CASIE

 

 

 

Travel | Take Me Away To…Cuba!

Sun for everyone! #Cuba

Since it’s winter and we’re all dreaming of sunshine, I’ve decided to get a little more organized with my travel stories. Starting this week and each following Tuesday, I’ll be writing about my adventures past, present, and future. As part of my quest to keep more memories, it’s great to relive those moments and what better time than RIGHT NOW. Guys, it’s -5 in Toronto right now and I’m wearing a big fur hat as I work.

This week, we adventure to Cuba! I visited Havana back in 2010 w/ a friend. We stayed at Hotel Nacional, a famous spot where gangsters, famous people, and socialites used to hang out. The hotel opened in 1930 and Notable guests include Ernest Hemingway, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Backstreet Boys, Naomi Campbell and tbh there’s so many!

I absolutely love being in a country that speaks another language. Best way to learn I reckon! I danced to the sounds of Buena Vista Social Club, ate delicious fresh fish, and took in heaps of history about Cuba.  Each day I watched different coloured taxis roll up with old white walled tires. It was like going back in time, I loved it.  My dad builds hot rods so I’ve been around old cars like this my whole life.

My friends at Air Transat made this video a couple weeks ago and gave away all-inclusive trips to passengers. Did any of you guys see the Cuban Cab? Would you have taken a ride? I can’t imagine the being handed a trip so random like this! I could love to go back to Cuba. Especially today!

Stay warm out there!

<3 CASIE

 

CottageLife | So Long Sweet Summer Home

Winter in the city, summer in Muskoka

I rolled down the window as soon as we got to cottage county this weekend, Toronto didn’t have snow yet and I wanted fresh air. It smelled like winter, crisp and clean. Closing the cottage is bittersweet, it looks so nice all covered in snow but we can’t stay. I wanted to. I imagined staying up for weeks, making fires, taking trips to town for groceries. Wearing jogging pants.

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There was more snow than I thought and it crunched with each step.  Tossed a few snowballs in the lake and watched them stay in little circles. The water is really, really, cold, small ponds alongside the road are freezing over.

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Picked up this blanket and mugs from the Target for TOMS collection. They were sold out of the poncho I wanted but I got Sean one of the chambray shirts. He has at least five that look similar but this one was nice. He’s totally one of those ‘Lumbersexuals’  everyone is talking about with a beard, who wears plaid and the Canadian tuxedo (denim on denim).

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Had to pour out our homemade beer and tried snow painting. No Picasso!

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Winter is a season I find inspiring.  I’m planning to lay low and hibernate the next few months. Working on something I hope to launch in April.

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
Albert Camus

For now, lights out at the cottage. The very last step of closing for the season.
Until next time Muskoka, see you in the spring.

<3 CASIE

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Fashion | Gifts that Keep on Giving, TOMS for Target

Fashion | Gifts that Keep on Giving, TOMS for Target

Starting November 16th you can find a special collection by TOMS at Target stores across North America. The limited-edition collection is co-designed by TOMS founder and chief shoe giver, Blake Mycoskie and goes along with TOMS One for One® giving model where every purchase helps a person in need.

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Along withe the collection they also created this totally awesome ‘Together Sweater’ inspired by TOMS One for One. Naturall, I tried it on with all my fav people. I love togetherness. Sean has agreed to wear it to a ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater Party’ and I reckon it’s a contest winner! Sorry guys, the sweater ISN’T for sale.

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They’ve got items for for men, women, kids, and home and with this collection, Target is donating a blanket, meals or shoes in partnership with TOMS and North America-based charities American Red Cross Disaster Relief, Canadian Red Cross, Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. Each product displays the corresponding donations so you can easily see how your purchase is helping someone out.

I’ve got a couple pairs of TOMS and have picked a few of my fav items from the Target collection below.

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Love this poncho and am hoping to score one bright and early tomorrow morning. Each purchase will give a blanket so someone in need.

Sean’s fav outfit is chambray shirts and jeans, aka the Canadian tuxedo. The plan is to pick one of these up for him and by doing that, TOMS will provide one week of meals through one of their selected charities.

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The kids clothes are especially cute and by picking something up for your fav lil’ shorty you’re doing some good.  This t-shirt gives 1 week of meals and the hoodie 1 blanket.

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The housewares items are all under $30 and make great gifts. I’m a fan of these little journals. Nothing like afresh new notebook for jottin’ down ideas!

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The TOMS for Target collection is available for a limited time at all Target stores in the U.S. and Canada starting tomorrow, Sunday November 16, 2014. My plan is to get there bright and early and pick up my favs! See the whole collection at target.ca.

I know it’s only November but I’m totally in the holiday spirit. I started Christmas shopping last week and I can’t wait for holiday parties. You can count on seeing the Together Sweater a few times before Christmas too.  If you’re in the mood for some holiday tunes, check out the hap-hap-happiest Christmas playlist on Rdio.

Tweet me at @casiestewart w/ your fav item from the TOMS for Target collection for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

Here’s to a holly jolly Christmas! 🙂

<3 CASIE