CASIE STEWART
THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
LIFE TORONTO

The Hardest Part is Through

The Hardest Part is Through

This past week was a hard one for me. Actually, this entire month has been a challenge, I’ve been on the verge of a meltdown since May 2017 started with birthday anxiety. I had a trip to Jamaica that started with an allergic reaction in my eyes, where I couldn’t see that well, it rained heaps, I missed my bf, and I got my period. When I got home I was overwhelmed with anxiety about work I needed to get done, and it was a short week. I went to the 1188 office every day to get the music video I directed wrapped up, and didn’t really have time to work (at home like usual) on blog things. The week finished week with a full day on set. I was so tired. Finally, on Saturday, it happened. I legit had a meltdown. Our car had a problem with the tire so I rented a car for the afternoon with my car sharing app and left around 11:15 to make it to Scarborough by 12:15. Well, no, that wasn’t happening. It took me 45 min to get to the DVP (highway downtown for non-TO peeps) and by then I was feeling super stressed after leaving the house in a huff w/ Sean. Then mum called and it opened the floodgates to me balling my eyes out, stuck in traffic. It seemed like everything around me was collapsing. Then, it started raining and the event I was about to drive an hour to was canceled. BUT, I was already on the DVP and still in traffic. I took a few deep breaths and decided to get off the highway. Didn’t really know where I was heading but the end goal was home. I decided to put on the Lumineers album and for…

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LIFE

Friday Fri-Yay for Reals!

Friday Fri-Yay for Reals!

Oh man this week has been so busy. The house is a mess, and although it’s Friday, it ain’t ova’. Tomorrow we shoot this music video and it’s gonna be along day. Soon as we’re done shooting, off to the cottage we go! I love spending my birthday weekend at the cottage just chilling the ffff out. I left my Kobo there 2 weeks ago and have been missing it so much. I was right in the middle of an intense thriller book!  Yesterday I worked with acclaimed Canadian Director + Revolver Films founder, Don Allan, to submit a directors treatment for MuchFACT. The fund supports the Canadian music community through $$ and promotion of music videos and other content for all media platforms. Gah! It’s crazy to be doing something new and different. It’s a bit stressful  but I love it. Thankful for Sean and the ability to learn from him and everyone at 1188/Revolver. Who knows where I’ll be in 5 years!?!?   Found this pencil today when I started making a list. I love wring in pencil. Years ago I remember writing about ‘pencil on paper twill’ and how I liked the way it scratched across. Pencils with sayings are my fav.

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LIFE

Bring on Those May Flowers! 

Bring on Those May Flowers! 

Oh spring how I have missed you! The last week I’ve been a bit slack on writing my ol’ diary as I’ve been in pre-production for the first ever music video I’m directing with 1188/Revolver Films. It’s exciting to do something I’ve never done but it’s also hard work and learning something new has it’s challenges. I know it will be awesome but until then, I’m a bit anxious about the whole thing! Gahhhh. Sean reminds me all the time: ‘You can do anything you put your mind to, IF YOU DO THE F*N WORK.‘ We film this weekend, crunch time! In other news, May is my fav month and Monday is my birthday! I’m not planning to do anything crazy, all I really want to do is go to yoga and eat cake. I’ve asked a couple friends to come to class with me on Monday night and I think I’ll bring a cake for after. ALSO, on the 13th I’m going to Jamaica! I’m Lovesey’s guest for a week long all-inclusive in Ocho Rios and I can’t wait for that either. The last couple months have been super busy and I’m planning to wear next to nothing and do next to nothing for 7 whole days.  

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Inspiration

Enjoy A Little, Endure a Lot

Enjoy A Little, Endure a Lot

This week felt like a long one and it’s finally Thursday. As Keri would say, “Best night of the week!”. Tonight I’m heading to my BFFs house out of the city and tomorrow we rented a sweet hotel room in a random Ontario town, not too far, for a well deserved girls getaway. Sometimes when I look back at my story of the day, on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook, my short term memory forgets things even happen. This was the case a few times this week. I started the week slow, was super tired, and had a sore shoulder from an awkward sleep on Sunday. Tuesday I spent most the day dragging my a$$ through the motions, but, by the end of the day I was so inspired I couldn’t sleep! I was a judge at the Women in Wearables Tech Meetup for the Female Founders Cup.  It was  great to be surrounded by incredibly amazing women making waves in the tech community. You can watch the livestream here if you’re looking for some inspiration.  Women & Wearables: An evening of celebration, discussion & activism Full house for #WWTO! #techtuesday (@ MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, ON) https://t.co/YBfoWuGYVy pic.twitter.com/Rhlijqql5j — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) March 28, 2017 Wednesday seems like a blur. Did yoga at 7:30 then drove home, picked up Emily and took her to school. Shawn Hawaii came over for quick head shot shoot around 9am and by 10:30, Sean and I we were heading to 1188. The rest of the day was non-stop and by 9:30pm I was finally ready to sit down and do things on my computer. I am SOOOOO looking forward to a 2 night getaway with my BFF and a s-l-o-w pace. I love what I do but life is exhausting and I’ve had to teach myself to take breaks. Also, I can’t wait till we open the…

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Tech

Behind the Scenes w/ @OccupiedVR + VICE @CreatorsProject

Behind the Scenes w/ @OccupiedVR + VICE @CreatorsProject

I popped into Wallace Studios during this shoot to see Sean and the Occupied VR team at work. I love catching him in his element! Occupied VR is the *new-ish* company created by the 1188 Films Inc. partners created to focus on VR, 360, etc. work. They recently did the VICELAND CUT-OFF documentary w/ Justin Trudeau. It was so awesome to see how this VR experience was created. Screens were setup to watch the super-slow motion shots in real-time, inside the VR experience. I’m really not the best person to explain! Check out this behind the scenes video by VICE Creators Project Both 1188 and Occupied VR have done some reallllly awesome projects, visit occupiedvr.com or weare1188.com to check them out. If you’re interested in creating something, send me an email at the office!

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HIGH TEA HIGH TEA

My Blog is 12 years old in a month. Here are some thoughts I have about blogging.

My Blog is 12 years old in a month. Here are some thoughts I have about blogging.

Someone asked me the other day ‘If I knew what blogging would turn into now would I do it over?’ These questions are kinda dumb because they could never happen and are totally hypothetical in an alternate reality that doesn’t exist.   HOWEVER…I don’t think I’d start now if I hadn’t started over a decade ago. Not for the thousands of hours at events and meeting people, or what feels like a million nights alone at my computer. Sometimes my hands actually hurt from scrolling. BUT maybe I would for the trips and the stuff, if I tally it up it really does seem kinda glamorous. I feel like that though, is why a lot of people start these days which is totally backwards. It also shows when you try that hard, it looks desperate. Clinging to any ol’ brand that’ll throw you (budget) bone or some free face cream.  A blog isn’t just a money maker, a way to get ‘free stuff’, it takes a lot of work. I only started making money in the last couple years, and for most of the years I made less than zero many months and other jobs kept me afloat. (BTW, I still have other jobs, I’m producer/director at the 1188 studio and have a speaker agent) It was always a hustle and I thought about quitting so many times that I never even told you about.  I started a blog to keep a diary about my life because I have a sh*t memory and to be honest, I was drinking a lot at the time and I would always forget things. These days, I scroll past posts on IG or FB and literally shake my head saying ‘what the f*ck?’  Someone promoting healthy one day and then fast food the next, or every alcohol, and every brand of shoes. How the hell do you build brand loyalty or a…

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Advertising

Some Stuff I Directed for Bacardi Canada Instagram

Some Stuff I Directed for Bacardi Canada Instagram

Had a fun time directing this shoot for Bacardi Canada’s agency with 1188. We spent two days on set in a studio. one shooting the people and another shooting product. We had a cast of about 5 people, most found via casting with the addition of my sister, Brock Mclaughlin, and Garrett. I love doing these fun shoots! Safe to say we had heaps of Bacardi left over! Slow Motion Challenge your friends. And your tastebuds. 3 drops of @tabascocanada + Fuego = #FuegoFace #Fuego #TruePassion #Shot #Tabasco #BACARDI #Weekends #RedRum #Party A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 17, 2015 at 2:05pm PDT The shot. All turnt up. #Fuego #FuegoFace #RedRum #SpicedRum #Tabasco #BACARDI #TruePassion #party #weekends A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 25, 2015 at 10:04am PDT Hey #Toronto. Want those @veldmusicfestival tix? Show us your #FuegoFace for a chance to win! No purchase necessary. Must be 19+, Transportation not included. Full R&R: http://bit.ly/1Ku7IJh #Fuego #VELD #VELD2015 #VeldFest #FestivalSeason #TruePassion #BACARDI #Tabasco #RedRum #SpicedRum #Contest #YYZ #Selfie A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 27, 2015 at 1:00pm PDT Fair warning. Your #FuegoFace is hilarious. And it will be shared at www.Fuegoface.ca #Fuego #SpicedRum #RedRum #TruePassion #BACARDI #Tabasco #SundayFunday A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 26, 2015 at 2:07pm PDT The shot. All turnt up. #Fuego #FuegoFace #RedRum #SpicedRum #Tabasco #BACARDI #TruePassion #party #weekends A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 25, 2015 at 10:04am PDT Continuous Pour Fair warning. Your #FuegoFace is hilarious. And it will be shared at www.Fuegoface.ca #Fuego #SpicedRum #RedRum #TruePassion #BACARDI #Tabasco #SundayFunday A post shared by Bacardi Canada (@bacardicanada) on Jul 26, 2015 at 2:07pm PDT Stills First time #Fuego. #FuegoFace #SpicedRum #RedRum #Tabasco #Party #FridayNights #TruePassion #BACARDI #Selfie A…

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Events Toronto

Auchentoshan + Sam Roberts Band at Common Sort

Auchentoshan + Sam Roberts Band at Common Sort

I’ve been a fan of Sam Roberts Band since the debut album with ‘Don’t Walk Away Eileen’ and those long glorious locks he had . Each summer he closes out Labour Day weekend at the Kee to Bala in Muskoka and we usually take a crew from the cottage. They’re a really good live band, amazing acoustic, and even better up close! This weekend, Sean and I were guests of Auchentoshan Whisky for a private meet & greet + acoustic show at Common Sort. It was honestly so fun and I finally got to MEET SAM ROBERTS. YAY! (I posted an excited selfie on Twitter.) The show was at 5pm and we arrived a bit early to sample cocktails from Auchentoshan. Sean’s dad loves this brand. I quite enjoy whisky in the winter, a nice sipper to warm you up on a cool night. Auchentoshan is single malt Scotch whisky, triple distilled near Glasgow, Scotland. The band played a few tunes then took requests from the crowd. As you can see I was RIGHT up close. There were a couple kiddos jamming in front of me and a huge crown behind. Hit play on these tweets to watch!  Uhhh @samrobertsband is so good. Thanks for this @CommonGood @Auchentoshan! ?? #distilleddifferent pic.twitter.com/gvSCKrjLdW — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) December 3, 2016 Don't walk away Eileen! ? @samrobertsband w/ @Auchentoshan ✌?️ #distilleddifferent pic.twitter.com/A8heTxTrLZ — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) December 3, 2016 After the show, Sam (first name basis now heh heh) grabbed his drink and walked right down to the kids for photos. I gave him a cheers and said ‘that was great’. I felt a bit like a dork but whatever!  A day before the show I posted a giveaway on Twitter for 2 VIP tix to join us. My winner was Stephanie, aka @stefiedrew from the internet who writes  ‘The Tallest…

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LIFE

Learn From Yesterday, Live For Today, Hope For Tomorrow

Learn From Yesterday, Live For Today, Hope For Tomorrow

Yesterday was full on. By 4pm I was back at the 1188 office and would have killed for a nap. I had 3 things earlier in the day, a call about a new project, then had to pick up Em form daycare, help her w/ homework, and make sure all was cool w/ sitter, and head back to work. I really love what I do but some days it’s super exhausting. Working for yourself has perks but being the face of the brand, writer, editor, admin, finance, marketing,  agent, and accounts receivable can take a lot out out of you. I’m only one woman! Add on step-mama to an 8 year old and partner to an entrepreneur, tbh I get damn tired. Although yesterday was tiring, it was really great. Arrived at the 1188 office w/ Sean early to help out. Then went to the ReThink Breast Cancer breakfast. I’d done a bunch of things on my phone before then including Nike (NTC) workout on the roof and didn’t realize my phone was almost dead. URGH! So, off I went to the breakfast sans phone. Ready to show off @rethinkbreastcancer’s latest partnerships and brand new #giveacare collection tomorrow! A photo posted by Alison Lawler-Dean (@allield) on Sep 20, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT A photo posted by Lauren McPhillips?Toronto (@thisrenegadelove) on Sep 21, 2016 at 11:48am PDT The new collection is so nice. I truly love the work they’re doing. Once I get photos I’m going to share here. ReThink is a breast cancer organization that aims to help raise awareness for young women dealing with breast cancer. One of the things I reallllly love is their BARBIE brand partnership. If you know me well, I FREAKING LOVE BARBIE. I still have all mine at mum’s house. Also a few collectors ones still in the box.…

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LIFE

End of August Thoughts & Things

End of August Thoughts & Things

This week has everyone talking about how summer is ‘over’ but tbh guys, there’s still a bunch of nice days left. It was so hot out yesterday. It’s that perfect time of year when the days are warm, nights cool for sleeping, and there are NO bugs. As I mentioned the other day it’s a great time to ditch old habits, clean out that closet, and make a new routine. I really need to get my ass in gear when it comes to what I’m eating and exercise. Maybe I just need to workout more? People always said that after 30 your metabolism slows down and damnit they were right!  A photo posted by ? C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Aug 30, 2016 at 6:07am PDT We hadn’t planned to be at the cottage this past weekend but in a twist of events, it was vacant so we jumped in the truck and hit the road. We never stop for anything but burgers (Webers!) on the way up BUT Sean asked if I wanted to go to the 400 Market. It’s just before Barrie on the 400 HWY and neither of us had ever been. WELL, it’s a sight to be seen. Before we event went inside the building I fell in love with this fur coat. Sean tried on an awesome leather biker jacket with a half-naked lady on the back. I wish I took a photo but only posted it on Snap. ? Sorry! Follow me over there: casiestewart.  There were so many treasures in there. We got some amazing hot sauce, samosas, a couple sausage rolls, sunglasses, and a few other knick knacks. SUMMER OVER? ??WHATEVER. ✌?️ New jacket from market. ? @weare1188 ? #furbaby #winter #cottagelife A photo…

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