I’m not sure what else to say right now other than, I’M SO EXCITED!

Today is media day for TIFF, the day before the festival officially opens. This is my 10th year as a media (blogger) type person and each year I cover events, entertainment, lounges, and of course, film.

So far this year I’ve seen pre-screeners of two Canadian films, Black Conflux, and White Lie. (I’ll share a movie reviews post early next week.)

Last night I attended an event for Warner Bros ‘TheGoldfinch’ This is my attempts at painting a colourful ‘goldfinch’ at the event last night w/ The Crazy Plate Lady. Check out her amazing work here, she’s INCREDIBLE.

Yesterday I started my day with a fresh manicure then picked up a sweet red Volvo S60 so I can drive around to everything which is INCREDIBLY CONVENIENT.

Today tho, today is one of the most wonderful days of the YEAR. I’ve got a full day of visiting TIFF gifting suites to experience a range of products and services including a facial, botox, makeup, a blowout, and more.

What is a Gifting Lounge?

A gifting suite (or lounge) is a popup location, often during an award show of film festival, where companies give products to celebrities in exchange for the famous person takes a photo with the product, wears the gift on a red carpet, or while standing in front of a step & repreat wall displaying company logos.

One quick google search for ‘celebrity gifting TIFF‘ will bring up a slew of articles about the business of TIFF gifting. As a media, I get to go behind the red carpet to see and experience some of the stuff celebrities do. Media receive heaps of things but I will tell you right now, the celebrity bags are jam-packed with high-end designer items and top tier experiences you can only imagine. Remember my Biologique Recherche facial from Visage Medical two weeks ago? It costs about $400. On that note, my skin STILL feels good from it, soft, clarified, it feels cleaner, not clogged if that makes sense.

TIFF ’19 Lounges I’ll be Visiting:

• Essentials Lounge by EGPR – a one day lounge for media only and in its 10th year!
• Bask-It Style by GLO Communications – Celebrating its 11th year, this lounge is hosted at Thompson Hotel where celebrity guests can ‘bask’ in great products.
• Ann Kaplan’s 2nd Annual Pre-TIFF Glamfest – Hosted in her home ‘Mulywood‘ on the Bridle Path, former Housewives of Toronto star has a lounge in partnership with her husband’s medical clinic offering a range of beauty and cosmetic services.
• NKPR IT Lounge – Hosted by NKPR in partnership with the Property Brothers, this lounge has gifting, a Rolling Stone portrait studio, and also presents the TIFF Producer’s Ball.

I’m working on a TIFF giveaway for will hopefully have details confirmed today.

The next few days are going to be full of adventure and exciting experiences. I have a loose idea of where I’ll be and when but it’s TIFF and anything can happen!

Good luck to all my media and film industry friends! If you’re reading this, my up-to-the-minute action will be on IG Stories or IG profile at instagram.com/casiestewart.

HERE WE GO!