The Flight Pack Kickstarter is LIVE!

The Flight Pack Kickstarter is LIVE!

I love travel and as you know am always on the go. My next trips (aside from the cottage) are Two Islands Weekend and a speaking gig in New Orleans. Travelling all the time means I almost always only take carry-on and keep my tech accessories/toiletries to a minimum. Seeing people who haven’t packed things up properly or don’t have their things organized at airport security is a pet peeve.

Gloria, one of my friends and long time blogging babe created something to solve this problem, THE FLIGHT PACK. They’re almost half funded and only launched today, congrats girl!


The Flight Pack is a travel bag that’s meticulously designed to keep your essentials the way you want it.

  • Minimal: We decided less is definitely more. The Flight Pack has a simple, sleek silhouette created for a hassle-free experience at the airport.
  • Modular: Carefully designed to keep your travel essentials organized your way with a removable vanity panel and detachable compartments that snap in and out of the bag.
  • Durable: Well made for people on the move – this is not the kind of bag you’ll want to replace anytime soon. This bag is simple to clean, and builds character over time.

The Flight Pack launches on Kickstarter TODAY and they’ve got some great options available including the EARLY BIRD for $85 CAD which includes 1 product and you save $55 off future retail cost ($140), with free shipping worldwide.

CHECK OUT THE KICKSTARTER


Gloria is an awesome human, you might recognize her from the last couple GIVING BACK VIBES lunches we cooked up at Evangel Hall.

Gloria (front) and the CREW! Read the full post on #givingbackvibes here.

Love supporting friends doing cool things.
If you have a cool side-hustle or project on the go, lmk!

 

THIS IS YOUR DAY 

Woke up and went right outside to stretch on my mat. I’m really going to miss doing that over the winter! Can you believe it’s already August? I’ve been making the most of my summer but it seems to be just flying by! Next week we’re at the cottage for 10 days and I can’t wait. It’s been a few weeks since we were up there.

One of my fav things on the way up to the cottage is stopping at a little Fruit Market and getting heaps of fresh berries, other fruit, and vegetables. Usually, when we drive through the Holland Marsh, I put down the window, and smell the fresh air outside. The vegetables don’t smell as strong this year because of all the rain I think. It kinda smells like fresh celery. ?

Looking forward to waking up and having my coffee on the dock. Afternoon naps. Kayak and stand-up paddle on the water. Random DIY projects. Cooking. Silence. Time to read and write. Lots of sunshine. Quality time with friends.

Been reading a poetry book called LOVE HER WILD sent over by Simon Schuster. It’s full of short ones that remind me of broken down tweets. Before I had a blog I wrote so many poems, it was my favourite thing. It’s making me want to write more!

 

With love, 

 

You’ll Never Be Younger Than You Are Today, Make the Most of It!

You’ll Never Be Younger Than You Are Today, Make the Most of It!


Toronto Life + Beach Vibes

Toronto Life +  Beach Vibes

Had a nice relaxing weekend. We went to the beach and Scarborough Bluffs on Saturday as a family. It was so beautiful out, no rain! We had to delay the Airstream trip w/ Go RVing Canada but it’ll still happen before summer is over.

Had lunch at my sister’s restaurant in the Beaches, Green Eggplant. Food there is amazing and portion sizes are HUGE. We all had takeaway that made for great snacks all afternoon.

I started by day with yoga which was so good. After being sick last week I was really missing class and managed to go 4 times this week. I have an unlimited membership at YOGA YOGA so try to make it to as many classes as I can.

In other news, the new Metro Food Basics is now open in the Junction Triangle. It was a whole thing because the neighbourhood thought a Metro was moving in and people didn’t like the idea of a discount grocery in the area. Read more about that here. There are heaps deals, if you’re into that!

Looking forward to a good week. I’ll be at home/office trying to get as much accomplished as possible before we head up north for 10 days. It’s Sean’s birthday next week and we always spend it at the cottage.

Sending you sunshine across the internet!

Sometimes I don’t feel like it #14

Sometimes I don’t feel like it #14

I started this post in the spring and it’s been sitting in drafts for a while. Sometimes I just don’t feel like it. I love writing and blogging but sometimes I really don’t feel like sharing my life online. It’s the social media that stresses me out. 

I daydream and think about people who just go to work and don’t have Facebook, they walk in a crowd listening to music never thinking about sharing it or seeing someone from Instagram. They don’t have to pretend they didn’t see that person they’re friends with on Facebook, passing them on the street.  I don’t remember what that’s like.

I know I created this, but that doesn’t mean it’s not overwhelming sometimes.

The world of social media and the internet have blown the F UP. Everyone and their dog has a blog or Instagram now. It’s almost impossible to avoid.

I try though. I spend heaps of time up at the cottage, in the wilderness, I’ve been taking more breaks, but then I get anxiety because I haven’t posted. If you’re having a bad day or not feeling well, social media can be the worst, endless scrolling of perfect lives and happy faces.  And even though you know it’s not all ‘really’ like that all the time, it can get to you. Last week when I was sick I felt like garbage on the outside and social media was not helping, I started feeling like garbage on the inside, about myself.

This weekend I shaved my head and cut off all the blonde. At first, I felt liberated and free, riding my bike home from the barber after yoga, sun on my face. Then, I kinda panicked like omg what have I done. I also decided I really don’t like my natural mousey hair colour. It’s been 20 years of blonde and other colours. So forgot what it looked like. I haven’t coloured it blonde just yet but I’m planning on it. The cut for me, symbolizes a bit of change, a restart, regrowth.

don't feel like it

I go through this “what am I doing with my life?” Every couple months and I think that’s ok.  It’s usually driven by being tired, sick, sad, or waiting on cheques. [If you freelance, you know what I mean!]

Writing about my own struggles helps me deal with it. Trust me, a blog is great therapy! 

I hope reading this helps you realize that you are not alone. The internet is sometimes a web of lies, so don’t compare your self to anyone.

The race is long and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Take a few deep breaths, look ahead, your future is bright. ☀️

Dear Diary, Send sunshine ☀️ xo


In other news, watch Céline, god she is such a queen!

Celine Dion Takes Paris in the Best Couture Looks of the Season

Céline Dion is back in the spotlight once more and modeling the most dazzling looks from this season's couture shows: http://vogue.cm/vnkW8I2.

Posted by Vogue on Thursday, July 20, 2017

Into the Wild! We’re Going on an Airstream Adventure Next Week!

Into the Wild! We’re Going on an Airstream Adventure Next Week!

I can’t believe it’s almost time! Wanted to do this for as long as I can remember! A couple months ago I received an email from GoRving Canada about going on an RV adventure and documenting my trip. It was like the universe was responding! So, over the last while we’ve been working out the details and next week it’s happening.

Sean, Embot, and I will be picking the Airstream up from London, ON, staying in Grand Bend for a night, then travelling around Ontario for 5 days. I’ll be sharing more about the trip at we get closer to the date and on the road.

This is the plan. ⬇️ I’ve never stayed over in Algonquin so we’ll be parking the airstream and spending a night there. Next, we head up to Deep River so Sean can show us where he grew up. I went camping with my parents at Sandbanks Park as a kid so we’ll be spending a night there too.


If you have any tips about travelling via airstream or RV, please let me know!

Showin’ Her the Ropes! Girls Trip to Vancouver, British Columbia ✈️

Showin’ Her the Ropes! Girls Trip to Vancouver, British Columbia ✈️

It’s just after 10om in Vancouver and I’ve been up since 5:30am EST. Emily and I have been travelling all day. It’s been pretty great! This is her first trip alone with me and it’s her first media trip ever. Tomorrow we’re on location with Subway Canada visiting Windset Farms for a planting & picking day while we enjoy beautiful British Columbia. We landed here about 11:30 PST and she was swimming in the hotel pool by 12:30.

Seeing how far we’ve travelled today, her first time in Western Canada

Since it’s our first trip together, I wanted to make it special. Instead of doing touristy things, I shared a few of my favourite activities to do on a media trip the day before our scheduled activities.  Travel can be exhausting and there’s nothing I really love more than sitting in a hotel room, having room service, and working away on my computer recharging my batteries.

Here’s what we got up to today! Safe to say she said things like “we have the best lives” and “we’re queens“.


I love to put my feet up and get into a nice robe.
Room service!
Soak up some sun in the salt water pool!
Living the dream w/ chicken fingers and fries!
Rent a hotel movie to watch before bed! Zzzzzzzz

Looking forward to tomorrow! We’ll be at the farm at 9am for a day of fun and to see where Subway harvests vegetables for locations across the country. I made a storyboard on the plane ride here to direct the video we’re creating. It’s gonna be great! Follow along on Instagram Stories or Twitter.

In the afternoon we’ll be back at the hotel for some pool, and Friday night room service + movies in bed before heading home Saturday. My hope for this trip is to leave her with some great memories and good travel habits. Ok, I might be setting her up for ‘fancy’ travel habits but there’s nothing wrong with starting that young!

OK, Boss Baby is almost over, time for bed!

I’m not a regular mum, I’m a cool mum!

 

Balance, It’s a Lifestyle!

Balance, It’s a Lifestyle!

Yesterday I was rushing around after being in ‘cottage mode’ for the last few days. I have a bunch of work to get done and will be hustling into the night to get things done by tomorrow. Today is crunch time before Thursday. Tomorrow,  Embot and I are going to Vancouver for a shoot on Friday, then home Saturday. Next week I’ve got a big client presentation w/ 1188 and a speaking gig. Safe to say, I’ll be spending a lot of time at my computer until then.


I think one of the most important things I’ve learned to manage over the past few years of not having a ‘regular‘ full-time job is BALANCE. You can easily get caught up in doing all the work and/or going to all the things.

Before the start of this year, I knew I needed to make a change. I was feeling uninspired, unhealthy, and my brain was dull and clouded. I considered quitting my blog and whenever that happens, I KNOW it’s time for change. After my solo trip to LA in January, I came back feeling renewed and inspired. I mentioned the sound bath I went to and how it really made an impact on me. I started back at yoga end of January and have been averaging 3-4 times a week since. I book my classes at the start of the week and in order for me to miss a class, it has to be work or something I really want to go to.

I used to spend so much time going to events, sometimes more than 2  night but those days are few and far between lately. I’ve had to prioritize my time and that involves staying home, going to yoga, cooking, sitting on the couch, reading, drinking less, getting sleep. I think I’d tuckered myself out by the end of last year and it really got me down. Since January I’ve made planning my me-time a priority.

My happy place is laying here on my mat after a great yoga class.
BALANCE is getting ice cream after yoga!

I biked to yoga again this morning and feel super energized to kick some a$$ today. I’m really excited to take Emily to Vancouver tomorrow. It’s our first solo girls trip together. First, of many hopefully!

Remember to make time for yourself, you can’t just do work or else you won’t have room for inspiration.

Take a deep breath. Smile. Do something for YOU.

My New Fav Summer Meal + WE SAW A REAL MOOSE!

casiestewart, metro, biking, toronto, smile, toronto blogger, blogger, casie stewart, blonde, pixie

In the last 24hours, Sean and I drove for nearly 12 hours. We were in Stoney Creek near Peterborough for the weekend, left there Monday morning to get to a meeting in Arnprior for 2, then across through Algonquin Park, up to Parry Sound, then back to Muskoka, and home to Toronto today.

Everyone stopped in Algonquin Park to see a moose & moose baby!

It was nice driving together and seeing the sights, but after all that time in the car, I couldn’t wait to get home, ride my bike, do laundry, and make something healthy. We’d been eating mostly roadside snacks (chipwagon, pizza, etc) so I was really craving vegetables.  Hopped on my bike when I got home and zipped over the new West Queen West Metro. Didn’t realise how hot it was out so I was pretty sweaty lol but it was so nice to be back on the road. ☀️??‍♀️

casiestewart, metro, groceries, rockit
WAIT, HOW DID THAT BUTTER TART GET IN THERE?

If you’ve seen my tweets you’ll know I got a spiralizer. I didn’t know I wanted one but now I am obsessed! I’ve been making zucchini noodles with avocado cream dressing topped with grilled chicken. It’s so light and delicious.

I made it today when I got home scroll done for deets, it’s so easy!

zuchinni pasta noodles, casie stewart, metro west queen west, toronto, rockit promo
These noodles are a thing of beauty!

What You Need to Make Perfect Summer Zucchini Avocado Pasta

  • Zucchini (for noodles)
  • Chicken breast (optional)
  • For Sauce
    • Avocado ?
    • Shallots
    • Cherry tomatoes ?
    • Garlic
    • Olive oil
    • Basil ?
  1. Cook chicken breast in the oven at 375 for 45 minutes/until cooked, or pop on a BBQ and grill to perfection.
  2. While the chicken is cooking, spiral those noodles. If you don’t have zucchini or a spiralizer, use regular noodles. The sauce is really the best part!
  3. Mix garlic, onion, avocado,? tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil in a Magic Bullet, Food Processor, or some other mixer thing. Set side for a minute. It’s time to make the noodles.
  4. Heat a bit of olive oil in frying pan until it’s very hot. Toss zucchini noodles in the pan for a 2-3 minutes moving them around the whole time. They will cook super fast and you don’t want to overcook or they will get soft/mushy. Think al dente!
  5. Throw in the sauce and chicken and mix it around for a minute until warm.
  6. Add salt & pepper to taste.
  7. ENJOY! 

Note how healthy this pasta is! Pop by Amazon to get a spiralizer


Pre-mixed sauce ingredients. Smells amazing!
The noodles look so pretty! This is pre-cook.
VOILA! Fresh homemade pasta perfect for a hot summer day!

I recommend eating outside and enjoying the weather. I was so hot after my ride and I decided to stay in and watch Young & the Restless! ?✌? Yes, after 35 years, I’m still watching!

 

All ingredients from my local West Queen West Metro!

Check out some other features of the store here on the blog.