Ben’s at Home Win’s best Feature at Canadian Film Fest!

This weekend I went to the Canadian Film Festival premiere of Ben’s At Home, directed by my friend Mars  Horodyski and Dan Abramovici. It’s a romantic comedy where Ben decides to stay home and not leave his house. In doing this there’s some drama, laughs, and romance. HUGE congrats to Mars and Dan for winning BEST FEATURE  at the festival. They’ve been picked up for distribution AND have a web series on the way. So neat to see someone you know really killing it. I’m looking forward to the web series as Ben blogs about staying home for an entire year. I couldn’t even imagine doing that! BEN’S AT HOME TORONTO PREMIERE Running Time: 74mins Genre: Romantic Comedy Producers:   Dan Abramovici, Mars Horodyski, Anneli Ekborn Director: Mars Horodyski Writers: Dan Abramovici, Mars Horodyski Editor: Mike Reisacher Cast: Dan Abramovici, Jess Embro, Jim Annan, Inessa Frantowski, Craig Brown, David Reale, Rob Baker, Kimberly-Sue Murray, Emma Fleury, Ruth Goodwin, Sarah Booth Another cool thing about the premiere was the short film before that starred Donnie form Orphan Black (Kristian Bruun). Soon as he came on screen I was like ‘omg, it’s Donnie, I love him!’. Little did I know he was sitting right in front of me.Facepalmlm.  That’s him beside the guy holding the mic below. Check out the trailer for Ben’s at Home the web series below. All views help them in a chance to win funding to produce it, so give it a watch! We're making Ben's at Home into a web series! Please watch and share our teaser: https://t.co/jJn8pPXmphDan… http://t.co/B0qhcoeXRJ — Mars Horodyski (@cine_mars) March 2, 2015 These are roses Sean got me after my Army of Sass performance last week. They’ve bloomed so beautifully. Being in love is the best. Hope you had a great weekend! <3 CASIE

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Daylight, Saving Grace, Feel That Sun Upon Your Face

Started the day bright with a nice little brekky in our home office. I do social media coaching and consulting aside from my blog so the morning is when I check those appts off my list.  My love for granola is still going strong. I need to get some good running shoes. I’m ready to hit the pavement again too. I love daylight savings spring forward. That sun, feels so nice. Warm air, free hair. This photo has a couple ‘Sia’ comments on IG. Busted out the leather this weekend and threw on a fur vest. Anything to ditch the old winter jacket! Glasses are from Polette Eyewear in France, jacket Rudsak. Had lunch w/ April in Kensington. So bright and colourful round there. Went to buy her some flowers and realized I forgot my wallet. Thank heavens for Uber being connected to my card so I could pay by phone. Have I mentioned my excitement about mobile payments coming soon? Learned about it a bit in a dinner with Interac last week for Fraud Protection Month. Read the post here. I think I’ll do a bit more work and head out for a walk since we’ve got more daylight today. It’s amazing the motivation that comes from a little sunshine. Take it where every you go 🙂 CASIE

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

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. 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). — CASIE STEWART November 24, 2014 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.) A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:17pm PST 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…

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Long Weekend: #TasteLife + @Contiki Contests for You!

I can’t wait to be up at the cottage tomorrow. Last night I slept for about 10 hours and when I woke up it was like I had been in a coma and was still tired. This week has really tuckered me out! I’ve got a friends birthday after work then we are heading out tomorrow. My long weekend plans include sitting, sleeping, cruising the lake in the kayak, and more sitting. I’ve been working with Yellowtail Wines this summer to promote their Taste Life contest. This week’s prize is an iPhone5 and a picnic basket set and all you have to do it tag your Instagram posts w/ #TASTELIFE to enter. So, do something fun, soak up some sun, and tag your photos! For contest R&R or to see all the available prizes go here. My friends at Contiki are running a contest w/ Nuvango for the next 24 hours and you can win the goodies below. All you have to do is like and comment on the post below. So, visit their FB here to win! Post by Contiki Holidays. Here’s to a great long weekend! No matter where you are in the world or what you are doing, remember you will never be younger than you are today so make the most of it. Ok? With love, CASIE

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Om T.O. Free all-day Yoga in the Distillery District

I don’t know bout you but I’m feeling it could/should be Friday already.  This week is a busy one as I’m working 9-5 and 4 nights this week w/ client events/freelance. It’s been a while since I hit my mat for some sun salutations so I was happy to see an email about Om T.O. – Free all-day Yoga-thon in the Distillery District. I’m gonna try and head there first thing Saturday morning to start my day. “Last year, 1,000 people go onto their yoga mats and participated in our inaugural event This year, we’re hoping to double that number and bring yoga to the masses,” said Casey Soer, co-creator of Om T.O. and co-founder of Spynga Inc., a participating studio. “It’s wonderful to see yoga enthusiasts with different skill levels come together to share a truly unique community experience.” Participating studios: Spynga, 889 Yoga and Wellness Spa,Bikram Centre,Downward Dog, Moksha Yoga Uptown,Soghrati Yoga, Yoga Tree, Yoga Sanctuary Senior Sponsor: Global Botanical Presenting Sponsors: Tonic Magazine, Spynga Beverage Sponsor: Wh2ole Water 114 #OM MY! #OmTO14 is just around the corner! Make this #SummerSolstice special with #FREE #OutdoorYoga with @OmToronto! pic.twitter.com/isH0faYGiw — Yoga Tree ॐ (@Yoga_Tree) June 17, 2014 If you wanna join me, I’ll be heading there around 9am. 40 min classes will be running all day from 9-5pm and it’s BYOM (bring your own mat). Follow on Twitter at @OmToronto #OmTO14. NAMASTE! CASIE * this one time in Costa Rica I was in a yoga video. Check that view baby!

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Canadian WeBlog Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award Nom!

Woke up this morning to a nice email today! Casie Stewart: This Is My Life has been nominated for the 2014 Canadian Weblog Awards in the Lifetime Achievement, Sponsored & Product Review Blogs, and Travel categories. The 2014 Canadian Weblog Awards are a juried competition — no voting! — with nominations that are open in 25 categories between January 1st and September 30th, 2014. The nominees shortlist will be announced on November 15, 2014, and winners will be announced on December 1, 2014. A running blogroll of the nominees is kept throughout the year so they we can highlight Canada’s blogging talent. 

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Stop to Smell the Roses, Treat Yourself

I started this weekend off right with a trip to Hammam Spa early Saturday morning. I spent about 30 min in the steam room before my St. Tropez treatment. It’s a sunless tan type application and to be honest, I think it wore off already and I won’t do it again. The experience itself was great and I booked with Cynthia who is awesome. Smashed up some bananas in the blender to throw into this mix when it came out of the juicer. It was a great way to start Sunday morning. I made Sean and I nice breakfast and we watched Romancing the Stone, an old romance-find-the-treasure movie from the 80’s. These shoes arrived Friday from the NastyGal Shoe Cult. I made a mistake in the postal code when I purchased them and I totally thought they were on their way back to NG HQ. Had lunch at Free Times Cafe for Ariel & Chris’ engagement party. It was fun and the food was amazing. I really like Yiddish music. I wish I understood! The piano player was from the National Ballet of Canada too. Stopped by the Parkdale Flea Market on the way home. It was such a nice day out I just wanted to do things outside! I picked up a shirt for Sean with an illustrated bear that is running. It’s super cute. Made a delicious juice this morning with spinach, kale, grapefruit, apple, pear, and a dash of cinnamon. It’s so freaking good! If you missed our latest Cooking with Cuisinart episode with the juicer, watch it here. I feel good if I keep posting the juices I make because it serves as a good reminder for me to keep making them. I’d determined to drop a few LBs this month! When I arrived at the office…

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Mellow Yellow Monday

It’a super nice out today. I took off my jacket to snap some photos on my way to work and the sun was already beating down. I heard it might get up to 20 today. It’s about time I start using my Canon DSLR now that it’s nice out. Last summer I was just getting to learn how to use it as an ambassador w/ Canon for the Canon Blogtography program. I’m happy these pants still fit, I really need to get my summer bod rockin’. Since the winter was so long and cold I managed to stay inside and hibernate for months which also meant a million movies, snacks, takeout. These jellies were sent to me by Narrative PR & Call It Spring, I feel like a kid when I wear them. Especially with my backpack on. It’s a great feeling really 🙂   Our quick visit to the cottage yesterday was ok, the lake is still frozen and it’s still winter up there. The snowbank was too high to put the car in the driveway.  The water is going to be so cold this year! Luckily I have my garden at our house in the city to work on before getting into full cottage mode. It’s much more fun up there when it’s warm! Thinking of my friends in Boston and everyone in the marathon today. Last year Sean and I were in Boston that weekend and downtown right were the bombings happened the day before. I knew a couple people running and it was pretty scary. I hope everything today goes fine ad everyone is safe. Thinking I’ll venture out into the sun over lunch, check out the hood. Try and find a good photo spot, maybe read some of my book. Have a few cool things…

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An Enchanted Party

  This month was EmBot’s 6th birthday, and like any little girl she wanted a Hello Kitty party. I’m not very experienced in this type of thing (AT ALL) so when a friend told me his  friend  had a party supplies company, I was all ears! The lovely ladies at Enchanted Party put together a package of Hello Kitty party favours including plates, napkins, super kawaii hats, loot bags, and cutlery for me to contribute. It was my chance to shine! I dressed EmBot in a Hello Kitty dress (H&M) and all the kids all looked so cute in their party hats! EnchantedParty.com was started by mother and daughter team Sheryl and Tamara Murie. They wanted to make it easy for you to have the best parties for your kids and of course, wow your guests. Both ladies are Aussies living in Canada and experienced party planners with heaps of events under their belts. (Australians really know how to throw down so I have no doubt they can party!) HELLO KITTY PARTY .12 brightly colored scalloped edges plates 9” add a cute touch to your party table .1 set of napkins 6”- let Hello Kitty help keep things clean .12 cups -for an adorable Hello Kitty table .8 lovely Hello Kitty loot bags … fill them with treats . 24 pc matching cutlery set .1 table covering in matching pink – Measures 54″ x 108″ . 6 pretty Hello Party hats for the little guests .24 balloons .1 set of candles One thing I learned in this whole process is how hard it is to actually get the kids to sit still for photos! And not make silly faces!  Urghhh. EmBot had a Hello Kitty cake to match and before we knew it the kids were all hopped up on sugar and running around…

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Toronto Mini Maker Fare: 3D Printing & more!

I’ve told you about my love for 3D printing for months now and today is a special day, my bf is having a 3D printer delivered to his office, it’s also his birthday.  [LOVE YOU!] (He subscribes so this will be in his email :)) You can subscribe too. I so freaking excited to learn how to print in 3D. Next month is the Toronto Mini Maker Faire where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. I’m stoked to soak up inspiration and see just what’s possible. For two days, innovators, artists and hackers from all over the city are busting out of their garages to take part in the biggest show and tell around. It’s going to be 3D printing, robots, Tesla talk, flame throwing unicorns, oh y’know, all my fav nerdy things. Gahhhhhh.  A friend on the organizing team called it “burning man meets craft show” so when she emailed me I knew I had to tell you. You’ll get the to make and learn through interactive activities and workshops too. What can you do at Toronto Maker Faire? Make your first robot Get inspired to design your own wearable electronics Learn how to solder Take your skills up a notch by attending a hands-on workshop Find a project that inspires you and talk to the maker who built it! Tickets – Get them here! Adult per day: $25 Student/Senior/Unwaged per day: $15 Child (6-12 years) per day: $8 Sunday Morning Family Pass (10am-1pm – 2 adults, up to four children): $25 Children 5 and under are free. AND IN OTHER 3D PRINTING NEWS… The crew of volunteers running the show are giving you one more reason to get your tickets early, the chance to WIN a 3Doodler, the world’s first 3D printing pen! DON’T EVEN, this thing started out as a…

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The Wilderness, Downtown People

It’s hard to sleep in up here. The air is so fresh and it’s oh so quiet. The lake is still as a rock, frozen in time. Watched the sunset on the roof. It was realllllly cold. I had tears running down my face, almost turning to icicles. Sean took some snaps with the camera, camera. Nice to have a break from the city and be back up here. It’s warm inside with the fire and heat but I can’t wait for summer! Good luck to all my peeps running in marathons today. Sending love to Boston too. Enjoy the day xo ❤ CASIE

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If You Want Someone To Do Work, Pay them!

Ok, it’s Social Media Week around the world and whether you are part of it or not, one thing you can’t deny is that social + media has become an integrated part of our lives. Raise your hand if you’re on Facebook? Bloggers are taking front row seats at fashion shows, writing for magazines, being written about in magazines, appearing on TV, travelling on sponsors dimes and snatching up newly created jobs in just about every industry. You can’t avoid the shift in how media is now delivered or consumed. Something happened today that inspired me… I was scolded by a PR person (from an agency that I really like whom I have been posting & making videos about their things FOR FREE for over a year) because I didn’t promote a contest on MY blog to MY Twitter, enough. Some, but not enough. The second part of the scolding was because I didn’t make it to opening night for their ticketed event AND the winner I picked for my contest cancelled. So, the tickets went to waste. I’m sorry, I was ditched on Valentines Day ok!  The thing is, if they had of made a little contract and sent me some money, I would have been there (regardless of what happened) and promoted it. I probably would have asked friends to take part so we could go together. I often get people wanting to me to post about an event, run a contest, share with my friends, and attend events. Do you know how long that takes? To and from event easy 2 hours, blog 1-5 hour, contesting, sharing online, writing copy, taking photos, coordinating winners. It takes hours to make and create content. If you paid me minimum wage I’d barely have enough to take myself out for…

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Devil in the Blue Dress, Ford Blue

On Friday I went to Ford Canada’s annual Ford Blue party. I sat in this sexy blue 2013 Mustang, wore my fav Ted Baker London blue dress, and ate a bunch of blue candies. I love Ford events and how the brand consistently caters to media with small details to make sure they have a great time. The food was excellent, the entertainment was fun, and I had a few drinks of my fav Grey Goose. Last year I travelled to Detroit twice with Ford and I really got to know the brand personally and learn that they reall know how to do social well. Ford is one of the top social brands in the world. Definitely a brand other brands should be following. Thanks Ford for hosting us for a great night. They even had a shuttles running to take everyone back downtown from Sound Academy. I’ll be at the Auto Show next week to check out all the new cars Ford and the other auto companies have in store! CASIE Airplane #fordblue vine.co/v/bnLvXnhX5JK — CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) February 9, 2013 It’s @casiestewart and I at the @fordcanada #FordBlueTO twitter.com/clickflickca/s… — Joallore (@clickflickca) February 9, 2013 Having a Grey Goose & there’s Bacardi chillin’ in the background. Happy Friday to me! Thanks @fordcanada. #FordBlue twitter.com/casiestewart/s… — CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) February 9, 2013 Keri & team Ford.

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You think YOU have #FirstWorldProblems? Think again.

We are all guilty of it, taking things for granted because of the amazing lives we have and forgetting that millions of people in the world have much less than we do. About a year ago, my Mum returned from a one year sailing expedition to the Bahamas. They spent and entire year living on the boat sailing to the Bahamas from Ontario and back. One of the things I remember Mum saying once she returned to work, despite missing her sailing life, was “But CASIE, we have FRESH RUNNING WATER!“. I always remind myself of that moment when I’m about to complain that my XBOX isn’t connecting to the TV, or my wifi going down, or a chipped nail, or my iPhone app crashing, or when they don’t have my fav soup at the coffee shop that day. These aren’t REAL problems! My friends at Me to We are all about living the change and making the world a better place. Craig Kielburger and his brother Marc has written a book called My Grandma Follows Me on Twitter: And Other First World Problems We’re Lucky to Have. Below are some of excerpts from the book: Me to We have an awesome collection of gifts for the holidays. Check out the Artisans collection for jewellery made by women in Africa. There’s a TON of stocking stuffers with IMPACT. Don’t just give meaningless gifts this season, give gifts that help spread positive messages. For You from Me to We I have a few books that I would love to put a note in and send to you for the holidays. Leave a comment with your worst FirstWorldProblems or Tweet me. I’ll pick winners by the end of the week so I can send them off to you in the mail. Tweet to @CasieStewart Happy Holidays from…

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