First Class Ticket to Capitol Hill

Snapped this last night just before my talk at The Working Group. The sun sets so beautifully on Queen Street West. I love Toronto.

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I thought I was going to miss my train this morning. Luckily, I thought it was at 6am but it was really at 6:40am so I had more than enough time. Unfortunately I rushed out of the house and my luggage is all smushed in a bad and I only have two pairs of shoes. TRAGEDY! The platform was cold and dark but I sat down in my first class seat and went back to sleep.

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Sitting on the train to Ottawa now with Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas/Call Me Fitz), Gail McInnes (TDot TV), and Cory Lee (Degrassi). We’ve got rehearsals this afternoon for tomorrow’s “Runway for a Better Way” charity show in support of Unicef. Cory and I are wearing Canadian designer Rachel Sin who’s an architect turned fashion designer. I slept most of the way here.

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Last time I took the train it was meant to be a short little ride but we got stuck by flooding or snow and I made this video; 420 consecutive photos, one train ride. Via Rail won’t let you watch videos or “download big files” so I’m unable to embed it. One of my most fav things I’ve ever created. I’d love to make a new one on the way home Monday.

There was a Zombie Girl on my money last night.

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I hear a limo is picking us up when we arrive then we head to rehearsals for 1pm. At 2pm I’ve have an interview for a book about Canadian media. So much going on I feel like a whirlwind but I love every minute of it. Last night at the SM Cafe closing party for Social Media Week they asked what tips we had for people to take away, my tip is below 🙂

Hope your weekend is off to a great start. We arrive in Ottawa in ten minutes and it’s bright & sunny out.

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Betsey Johnson & Bloggers Are All the Buzz at #WWDMAGIC

Some of my friends were in Vegas this week for MAGIC, the preeminent trade event in the international fashion industry. There were all kinda of global buyers and sellers of apparel and more. I’d have loved to be there but I was involved in Social Media Week and the Auto Show in Toronto.

My friends Elle PR in LA sent me these photos of Betsy stopping by MAGIC on Valentines Day and I thought they were so cute I would share. I love Betsy for her style, clothes and super bright flare she adds to everything.  They were at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Vogue Blogger Lounge where a bunch of North America’s hippest fashion bloggers shared tips and trends. Next year, I hope to be there! Thanks Jamie for sending.

Toronto International Auto Show

This photo was taken using 360 pano for iPhone. I love this app. Check out the interactive 360 here.

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This is similar to the Sonic I won from GM last year. Man I loved driving that little car.

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This mustang is modelled after Hot Wheels. I get to take the brand new mustang for a spin this summer. Ahh, I’m so looking forward to summer. I’m totally gonna drive it wearing a muscle shirt listening to hard rock.

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The size of the booths at the Toronto Auto Show vs Detroit Auto Show is very different. Been coming to this Toronto show since I was a kid and always thought Toronto’s was so huge but  Detroit is MASSIVE. There’s a lesson there… Something about not knowing how big/great things are until you go out and see them. There’s a big world out there.

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Lauren and I are driving this bad boy allllllllll the way deep down south to Austin, Texas. The team at Ford Canada are really cool. Thanks for car hookup guys!

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They won a couple awards last night. NICE WORK!

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I’d love to drive this little rocket. Probably only a concept car. Small, fast card are my favourite. I didn’t love driving until I started taking all these cars for test drives. It’s rad to take so many different ones, I know what features I really like. I’ve never owned a car but I’ve always seen my first one as a Porche. Not joking.

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I’ve never driven a Mini either. I’d like to. MINI, CALL ME!

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Thank you GM for breakfast.

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I’m prepping for my panel this evening while this presentation takes place. I think it’s full but if you are keen try & sign up here. It’s 6-8pm at the TWG office in the Burroughs building.

Happy Friday!

Social Media Friendships, Anxiety and You

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Talk is about to start. Met Jim Cuddy last night!

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PART OF THE MADNESS

Noticed this morning that the one & only G.A.Elliot was in the neighbourhood last night. He’s a Toronto artist who leaves these hearts all around the city. You’ve probably seen them on Queen, in Kensington or on Spadina.

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Woke up early and got lots done before noon. Standing desk is an excellent way to increase productivity. Today was one of those days where y0u’re running around and then UHHH MY GODDD it’s 4pm. You say to yourself, where DID the day go?

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Got my hair done at Darren Kwik Studio on Queen which took up most the afternoon. Short blonde hair is high maintenance   & Darren’s been doing  mine for years.  He is really great and you should go see him. Scalp massage is my favourite part. I’m helping him with some online stuff and made this little vid while showing how to YouTube.

I rode Bixi a couple blocks & walked the rest of the way. Was quite lovely out.

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Before I left the house I accidentally (no clue how) locked my bathroom door. BUT HAVE NO FEAR, the INTERNET IS HERE. I tweeted a pic asking how I can pick the lock then  and va-va-va-voom got a hotel key I was in. Thank you internet, ILU.

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Now I am rushing to ENtrinsic for a party with a bunch of friends. The madness, it never ends!

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This one time I sent a really mean valentine.

When I was in primary school this boy Adam really liked me. I was in grade 5, Mrs. Rolt’s class and he was in grade 4. I did not like Adam. I wasn’t a romantic then like I am now. (Mum is going to have a giggle when she reads this.) I made a bunch of valentines on our old computer to give to friends in my class and around school. They were quite lovely, beautiful actually,  I hand coloured the hearts by hand with pencil crayon. (This was back when printer’s were black & white and  the paper had holes on the sides.)

I wrote recipients name & class number on valentines and cupid would deliver them by end of day. Well, my valentine for Adam was REALLY special. I coloured his in with special care and signed my name.

Before sending I wrote “I HATE YOU” in bold pencil.

I hated him. He was really mean to me all the time and I was really upset. It’s not nice to be picked on. As a creative person & writer this is how I dealt with the bully. It was not really the right way to deal, but, hey, I was in grade five and I didn’t know any better.

The valentine did NOT go over well. I had a pending application to the leadership council and my Mum got a ring form the school and  was told how “that type of behaviour would not be tolerated” and I should not be a leader on the council.  Mum explained how he had been bullying me and I was upset and I was just a kid and I was a creative person and I had hurt feelings. I got let off the hook and joined the leadership council the following year.

Adam was so sad at the time. In retrospect, I really should have not signed my name. I’ve never sent another mean valentine. Sorry Adam! Please accept my apology twenty years later. By chance do you still have that card?

These flowers just arrived from a dear friend in the U.K. Thank you lovely.

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

For all you lovers out there, like me, Happy Valentines Day! If you aren’t wearing something red or hearts grab a sharpie and write something on your knuckles or your palms. Then show somebody. And smile.

Got these beautiful sweetheart roses this morning. So bright and full of love. Have you noticed what ELSE I got for Valentines Day… take a look at blog, near the top, pretty eh? Working on a few things around here. Huge thank you to Leschinski Design.

Having love for Valentines is nice but if you are single, don’t go wasting one minute on feeling lonely. Tell your friends you love them, make valentines and go buy yourself flowers then take them for a walk. You’ll have smiles flashing you from all directions.

Pinned a pile of hearts on Pinterest last night. I’ve been pinning things about fashion, travel, food, and inspiration. Check out my Valentine board here. If you  need/want some v-day card ideas, someecards has the best selection for cheeky kids.

someecards.com - You're the top trending topic in the Twitter feed of my heart

On top of love for yourself and friend, it helps to have a really really sexy Brazilian babe around! Check out this video starring my girl Carol Zara one of the internest’s hottest babes. If you are at work you might wanna check from iPhone or save it for home.

Valentine from Eric Barnett on Vimeo.

Happy Valentines Day. Love Casie xo

 

 

Speaking | Panels, Parties & People #SMW

Social Media Week kicks off around the world today. Here’s my picks on what you wanna check out including parties and panels. I’m speaking on two that fall on Thursday & Friday. There’s a TON of things going on so check the schedule & see what peaks your interest. Image is from Say Media’s blog, LEGGOOOO, VROOOOOOOOOM!

Monday: 7pm: SMW Tweetgasm & Official Launch Party (Both at Gladstone Hotel)

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday: there’s LOTS of great stuff!

Friday: 

Information about my panels: 

Thursday, 1-2:30: Social Media Friends, Anxiety & You: Hosted by Maria Lianos-Carbone, publisher & editor of amotherworld.com, this panel will be talking about the anxiety that can come along with being so open in social media and sharing more of your life than ever. I’m looking forward to this cause I deal with anxiety ALL THE TIME. Other panelists include Stéphanie Montreuil Principal, The Lotus Pad Consulting, and Chris Eh Young. Location is The Office Pub, 117 John Street, 2nd Floor at Adelaide. There will be networking after so come say HI.

Friday 6-8pm: Building Valuable Social Features into your Web and Mobile Applications: Moderated by Andrew Peek  from Jet Cooper, this panel of strategists, designers and developers talks about building true value through social features inside web and mobile apps. Other speakers are Dessy DaskalovJeremy BowerErin BurySatish Kanwar.
If you see me at something please don’t be shy to say hello. I love meeting new people and especially ones who ready my blog or follow me on Twitter.

Enjoy the sunshine today. Gdo something that inspires you!

P.S. We’re having a GenYTO party Tuesday next week at Lou Dawgs on Tuesday. Get a ticket here!

Friday Night Lights #FordBlue

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We all donned blue & headed to the Liberty Grand Friday to get a first glimpse at Ford’s new cars. I’ve got to meet a bunch of the Ford team lately and I’m super impressed with their attention to detail and how they integrate social media into everything. Well done team.

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Sammy and I played magnetic car racing. We had one of these tracks at my house as a kid.

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Nice chatting you Lena. Check her (Mommy) Blog here. She’s LOVELY!

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Then Lau and I we went for drinks with the boys. The end 🙂

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Weekend Tune: “Lust For Life” by Girls

Happy weekend everyone! How are we all dealing with the February blues? Alright I hope! It’s nearly Valentines day so I thought I’d post something sweet.  Whether you’re happily one of a pair or single like me, there’s no harm in a little lovely song.  So here’s a recent indie classic to sing-a-long to. Grab a pizza and a bottle of wine, it’s ‘Lust For Life” by Girls!

Enjoy!
xo Kate