I’ve Got No Roots, But My Home Was Never on the Ground

I’ve Got No Roots, But My Home Was Never on the Ground

People often think short hair is low maintenance, it’s not. I  mean it’s quick in the morning on a daily basis but this short blonde hair is totally high maintenance. Through my partnership with Sassoon this year, I’ve had regular salon trips to trim my hairline and bleach + tone touchups every 6 weeks or so.

The crazy thing is, I’m almost always just between having it cut or needing a cut. I wouldn’t change it though, this short blonde hair is something that makes me unique, stand out, feel good, I love it.

I really love getting my hair done at Sassoon Toronto. Kimberly, who does my blonde is hilarious and I would love to have beers with her. She is also blonde, same age, has a beardy BF, and incredibly good at getting the perfect blonde.

Last week 2 things happened that were super great but stressful. One, I learned never to change my blonde and two, was in a commercial shot by 1188 (Sean’s company!).

At my Tuesday hair appointment, I told Kim that I wanted to go ash blonde. A little more ashy blonde, this on someone with long hair isn’t that big of a change. On short blonde, it is major. My hair is normally the ‘Baby Blonde’ you see below, ash is the light blonde in the bottom right. Big difference!

SO, Kimberly did what I asked and gave me a beautiful ash blonde. When I sat up from having the colour washed, I was like WHOA. No. Omg no. I didn’t like it. To anyone else, it was a cool ash blonde but to me, I looked like someone with brown hair! I don’t know what I was thinking changing my look. I’m never doing it again, and the week of a shoot fml. The team at Sassoon, especially Kimberly were so cool about it and we gave it a special rinse/wash with a product called ‘Malibu‘. It helps to rinse out the toner that made the bleach blonde turn to ash.

After I came home Sean said I looked different and I wasn’t happy with how I looked. I ended up texting the head colourist at Sassoon and making an appt for the next day at 9:30am. I woke up early the next day and bought a ton of pastries from the Portuguese bakery before yoga. After class, I went to my appt offering Kimberly a couple big boxes of croissants & egg tarts as a peace offering for having to come back/being annoying. Never hurts to be kind!

It wasn’t long before I left the salon with a beautiful white nordic blonde I’m used to. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


The title is a lyric from this video. Watched it for the first time when I posted this. After directing a music video this summer I look at things like this differently. I know she probably sang the song at a slow pace to get a specific frame rate that gives it a soft/slow feeling but she sings at the right pace in the video. I learned a lot shooting this w/ Jillea.

This week I’m directing a real estate shoot for a commercial and series of social ads. I love this type of work the most.

Enjoy!

STAY TRUE BABE

casie stewart, travel, blogger, Toronto, aeroplan

Follow your dreams. Don’t give up. Believe in yourself. You can do it. Push through. Work hard. Be nice. Don’t give up. Keep going. Great things take time and hard work. It will be worth it. You can do this. The road is long but there is joy in the journey. Savour each moment. Keep going. Try harder. Work harder. Believe in yourself.  Try new things. Keep working hard. You’ll be glad you didn’t give up. You can do this. 

This week has been pretty busy and I was sick for a couple days but I am really happy to be doing the work that I am. Last week I filmed a commercial as part of my ongoing project with Aeroplan. This week I’m directing a commercial for a new King West property. It’s gonna be so cool! Next week I’m on set for a feature film. You have no idea how many times I say to myself ‘THIS IS MY LIFE!”.

STAY TRUE BABE, DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS

casiestewart, blog, blogger, toronto, canada, travel, tech

Need New Headshots? No Problemo!

CASIE STEWART HEADSHOT, IRIS PHOTOBOOTH, NEW ORLEANS, TRAVEL BLOGGER, TORONTO

Last weekend on my way home from New Orleans I popped into the Iris Photobooth at the MSY Airport. I’d seen these booths on the internet and really wanted to give it a try. I thought the company was owned by LinkedIn but I have since learned it is not. The pop-up headshot station is marketed to LinkedIn users for new profile photos. Amazing idea if you ask me. However, you may want to use the services of a photographer who specializes in headshot photography instead.

Photos are $20 for 6 photos including retouching and you get 1 hi-res download. I unlocked the remaining 5 for $5. I also did 2 sessions because I love having my photo taken! ?

I think the photos turned out really good despite the fact that my hair wasn’t done, I did my makeup in the car, and had rushed to the airport. The lighting is super bright, almost better than a human headshot setup. (Sorry photographers, the robots are coming!) You can edit the photos right in the booth before saving in a FaceTune kinda way (smoothing, remove blemishes, whiten teeth etc).

If you’re looking to get some new photos done in Toronto there’s a booth at Ryerson near YD Square or you can catch them at airports around the USA. See locations here. I would love to be able to book it for a day at our office. I think I’ll pop into the Ryerson one next time I’m on the area. I had been meaning to get a couple photos for ages and this was SO EASY.


OK THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY OFF TO GET MY HAIR DONE BYE!

This is not sponsored I don't even know them.

Don’t Let Opposition from Mediocre Minds Hold You Back

I’ve always loved this quote and on my first draft of this post, the title was ‘That idea is stupid’ because those words were the motivation to write this story down. Also, I know there’s a lot of ‘fake’ Einstein quotes so I hope he actually said this!

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
– Albert Einstein


A long, long time ago I got a job at a Canadian media station. Most the girls there were not particularly nice to me. From what I gathered I was the weird internet girl and they didn’t like me. That’s ok, I’ve always been a little different and danced to the beat of my own drum.

The boss I was hired by believed in me and my weird internetness. I was doing something unique and it was 2009, the start of mainstream social media. I was excited to learn from him and work together making cool internet as a team. Then he left for another job. My new boss had been there for a lonnnnnng time. Like before the internet long time. He was NOT into my ideas and along with the girls, thought I was weird.

One meeting I suggested they put hashtags on tv screens while a show was on and he said “that idea is stupid“. Well, we all know how that turned out, don’t we…

A couple years later I worked a full-time job as a Director at an agency. We were planning a big event for the launch of a new vodka flavour. I knew about this cool social media printer setup that would print any Instagram post with a pre-determined hashtag to a little paper that was also a sticker. I’d followed this company since it’s Kickstarter and knew it was finally available for hire. In a meeting I recommended it and everyone loved the idea. I priced it out and we had to fly in the guy and the four printer machines from NYC and put him up for a night in a hotel. It was kinda expensive but compared to the entire event not thaaaaaat much. In the next meeting, my idea was on the chopping block. I fought like hell to keep it on. Pleading that it would be the coolest thing and social media feeds narcissism, meaning everyone will want cute photos of themselves to take home. Thanks to that idea and the printer the event was a HUGE success, trending in Toronto then Canada for most of the night.


Moral of the story

Don’t let what someone else says stand in your way.You might be able to see something they just can’t visualize it because you’re ahead of the game. Go with that. Go with your gut, believe in yourself. Put your ideas out there. Don’t be afraid to speak up. 

You never know how big your idea will be until you put it out there.

HAPPY DECEMBER!

I’m so excited for this month. I love doing Christmas things like baking and getting the tree with Sean and Emily. I love Christmas music! I can’t wait to take the trip of a lifetime w/ my mum. Next week I’m shooting a fun video I already can’t wait to share. Feeling grateful to be starting the month in New Orleans and ending it in New Zealand. It’s been 7 years since I’ve seen ANY of my family and 18 years since I’ve seen most of them! Looking forward to making lots of memories this month. Flying home tomorrow and can’t wait to see my bf!

With love from New Orleans!

Meet Me in the French Quarter

Yesterday was so lovely. I spend hours walking around and taking in the sunshine. I sat in the park reading my book for over an hour then managed to get in some shopping and good food later in the day. Today is a bit overcast and we might get rain but I’m loving the warm air and finding inspiration around every corner. There are so many friendly people and bright buildings here it’s hard not to walk around with a smile.

Gold Joan of Arc Statue gifted from France

Sending sunshine from down south in the Big Easy! 

Cyber Monday, More Like Cyber Funday! ?

Did you buy any stuff today? I’ve been out and about around New Orleans but I’m back in my apartment to check on and share a few deals before the day is done. Last week for Black Friday I ordered a new Instant Pot from Amazon and an Echo Dot. I’ve been obsessed with the Instant Post since we got one last year for Christmas and I use it a couple times a week.


SOME OF MY FAV DEALS ON AMAZON TODAY!

[amazon_link asins=’B06Y1MP2PY,B00QJDU3KY,B07456NHZ7,B074R17GS5,B01LBWEMP4′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’casiestewartc-20′ marketplace=’CA’ link_id=’1850eb58-d3bf-11e7-b8b7-f5b4dff9c389′]

Sunny New Orleans w/ Blue Skies & Beignets

Sunny New Orleans w/  Blue Skies & Beignets

Hello from down south! This week I’m in New Orleans staying at Mardi Gran Manor with a few friends from TO. We each have our own apartment in a beautiful set of units behind a big gate in the French Quarter. I’m stocked up on groceries and all moved in for the week. Hoping to catch some sun and start off December with a nice tan. I’m sitting at a small table outside my unit by the pool as I write this.

I was here in September to speak at a conference so spent a few hours then getting my bearings. In the French Quarter, we’re a few doors down from Brad & Angelina’s old place and Nicholas Cage has a spot down the street. I love the architecture and the streets are alive with music. All the buildings are hidden behind huge window shutters and or large gates. At first, I thought it seemed kind of run down but as soon you’re lucky to get a glimpse into someone’s house or behind a gate, there’s see nothing but beauty. Chandeliers, fountains, and gardens all over the place.

This morning Natalie and  I went to Cafe Du Monde for coffee & beignets then walked down the Mississippi River to the shopping outlets. It’s not nearly as hot as it was in September but it’s warmer than home and lovely in the sunshine.


Tonight we’re all having dinner together in at Compère Lapin owned by Chef Nina Compton and her husband. She was a runner-up on Top Chef and I met her a couple years ago in Toronto. Also coincidently, Sean and my really great friends from Muskoka are also here in NOLA so we’re all meeting up on Frenchman for drinks tonight.


Watch My Talk at Social Media Week 2017

Watch My Talk at Social Media Week 2017

Had a great time at Social Media Week. Was great to see so many familiar faces (like Raymi, hey girl!) and meet some new friends. Kudos to Michelle and the Pinch Social team for putting on a great festival. I’m proud to be a member of the Advisory Board and love seeing how HUGE SMWTO has grown over the years.

Deb from Rock-It Promotions and I spoke on a panel about influencers and influence and influencing. Very hot topic right now! Scroll down to watch my talk via Facebook Live video.


Watch My Talk At Social Media Week 2017

 

Time in for my influencer talk w/ Debra Sadowski at Social Media Week Toronto (SMWTO)!

Posted by Casie Stewart on Wednesday, November 15, 2017


Lauren was also a speaker and it was her birthday. I showed up with balloons to brighten her day. Take the sunshine wherever you go!

A Time and Place Story

Maybe I’m stupid for writing this down but last night I came home frustrated after paying to go to a sound meditation that was the opposite of relaxing. I was really hoping it would be like the sound bath I went to in LA earlier this year. That amazing experience changed me for the better and I’ve been a little bit different ever since. Last night was NOT what I was hoping for. Given one detail, it would have been great but something happened….

I don’t think I’m wrong for feeling this way?

I was really looking forward to last night after a particularly emotional day, hoping to calm my thoughts and body. BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO RELAX. There was a medium size dog walking around the room the whole time dinging a bell (tags) and going up to everyone’s face while they were laying on the floor. This is not the dog’s fault! It’s not about the dog! Dogs are dogs and that’s what dogs do! It’s not like a dog could get its own ticket and come by himself.

It would have been FINE if they SAID there was going be a dog or it was dog meditation or goats yoga or whatever! Or if everyone knew the dog already!

Consent is important.

Just try to imagine it was a person walking around making noise and putting their face in your face while you are laying on the floor trying to meditate in a new space with your eyes closed. (Some people might be into that but you would know what you’re getting into!)

I could not for the life of me concentrate or relax because I was listening to the dog walk in circles, worried he was going to come up to my face. I was nervous from the moment I walked in but totally thought the dog would be out of the laying down area. Maybe in the dog mediation section? I don’t know. Nothing against the dog I’m sure he is super cool but it was not the time or the place. My friend suggested to me that I should learn a little bit more about dogs at zooawesome.com to better understand their behavior so I know if and when the dog will jump up on me. But right at that moment I was still incredibly wound up.

I left stressed out and had a cry on my way home. The end. ?

This is was not the dog that was there but a cute dog at an old friends house!

The LA Soundbath was Guy Douglas and I’m considering going back to LA to go! So great!