CASIE STEWART

TORONTO BLOG EST. 2005
LIFE

This is My Life | Is it Friday Yet?

Oh man yesterday was one of those days…I was trying to get something done ALL afternoon and every. little. thing. was distracting me and before I knew it, the day was almost done. I’m ready for the weekend. You?

We’re heading up to the cottage and I seriously can’t WAIT. It’s amazing how I’ve become so addicted to silence and the wilderness. I love staying home, sitting, reading, relaxing. I guess that’s what happens when you get older?! 

Yesterday I had to turn down an offer to go on a press trip to Tulum, Mexico because timing conflicts with another job. A bunch of friends are going and I was pretty bummed. I’ll just have to plan another trip! This winter I’m determined to get away 1-2 times. Sean and I both worked so much last year we didn’t go on vacation.

I’m not tooooo crazy about the stars but Mercury is in Retrograde  ? until the 9th and I’m ready for the switch back. Kiwi blogger Gala Darling who lives in NYC now has written a few posts about Surviving Mercury Retrograde. Read her 10 tips here ?

A few of my favs from her list of Ways to Make the Most of Mercury Retrograde:

  1. Clean out your closet. (Me today)
  2. Forgive and Forget ?
  3. Rejuvenate your living space! (See Pinterest!)
  4. Work on your CV or personal mission statement.
  5. Read old journals. (Or Old blogs ➞ 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009)

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Events

Events | Weekend Dining at Woodbine Racetrack

This weekend I’m taking my sister Carynn on a date to Woodbine Racetrack for her very first time. Instead of eating at the concession, we’re getting a lil’ fancier at Favourites Dining Room (located on the 2nd Floor, west end).  It IS Thanksgiving weekend after all! Thanks Woodbine!

If you’re just tuning in or don’t recall, I’ve partnered with Woodbine for the entire racing season. See my previous adventures with Dawn at Ricoh Mile, the Queen’s Plate w/ Carla, and the first race of the season, Woodbine Oaks w/ Sean.  

  The racing season goes until November so you’ve still got time to plan a little outing. If you are a smoker, you’ll be happy to know there’s smoking areas and you can actually smoke beside the track. Crazy I know. 

  
Woodbine has an #OffToTheRaces contest running the entire season where you can win $1,000 Woodbine Racetrack gift card just by snapping a selfie at the racetrack and post to Twitter/Instagram w/ the #OffToTheRaces hashtag.

Get more info on Woodbine and upcoming races by visit their website at woodbineentertainment.com.

 CASIE

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Events

Speaking | We Are Wearables – Capturing the Future

Speaking | We Are Wearables – Capturing the Future

Last month I was a guest speaker at MaRS Discovery District for the We Are Wearables event themed around cameras and capturing the future. Last time I spoke at MaRS I was on a panel about panels, see here.  I love being in this building, it’s always filled with smart minds, creators, and people making a difference in the world.

This event, in partnership with Best Buy Canada, took a deep dive into how wearable cameras and new technologies are changing the way we capture our lives.

One of the things I was really intrigued by was the ion Snapcam for lifelogging. It’s a 1½” square that weighs just over an ounce, you snap it on via magnet/carabiner clip and tap once for still camera shots or twice to start HD video. Then, it connects wirelessly to your smartphone for instant uploading. I need one of these ASAP. 

Where’s Waldo?

Before ending the night, a panel made up of Giovanni Tomaselli – Founder and CEO of iON Worldwide, Zayn Jaffer – Director of Merchandising, Emerging Business at Best Buy Canada,  Oskar Kalmaru – Co-founder & CMO of Narrative, Steve Mann – the Father of Wearable Computing and Chief Scientist at Meta, Tom Fowler – Chief Marketing Officer at Recon Instruments and one of Canada’s top bloggers and pioneer in social media, Casie Stewart sat down with We Are Wearables founder, Tom Emrich to talk about lifelogging and the impact of wearable cameras on society.

Read more about the night at wearewearables.com

The next We Are Wearables look sat Sports & Entertainment and there’s another event on October 13th that covers Changing the Game of Sport. See more about upcoming events and Wearable happenings at wearewearables.com/events.

Will keep you posted for my next public speaking gig, love to see you there!

CASIE

 

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Fashion

Fashion | Converse Holiday Preview 2015

Fashion | Converse Holiday Preview 2015

Last week I went to the media preview for Converse 2015 Holiday. I’ve been wearing these kicks my entire life. Mum reminded me the other day that I had them as a wee little kiddo. I’ve gone through heaps of pairs over the years and love how they change slightly, yet remain the same.

This year Converse released the Converse Chuck Taylor Chuck II. The new Chuck II is nearly identical to its predecessor, with advances in construction and technology, including Nike’s Lunarlon cushioning. They’re more comfortable! This neon colour is limited edition FYI.

“[The Chuck II] continues to reflect the spirit of the Chuck Taylor and what it’s meant all these years. It still has all of the most recognizable exterior attributes of the Chuck — that’s important to the consumer. We’re just addressing the new needs of the consumer while staying true to this iconic sneaker,” said David Allen, GM and VP of Converse North America.

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There’s two new styles from the Holiday 2015 Collection I’m majorly crushing on. First, these rubber Chuck Taylor high tops. I can see myself wearing these all winter, summer, spring, and fall. They’re waterproof and have a sleek zipper down the back. Get on my feet you guys!  ????

549589 Second is not released in Canada yet but they will be soon.  I’m not supposed to say anything about the collab just yet but I found this tweet on Twitter and won’t go into detail and just leave it here… You can see why I love them!

MAJOR SWOON BABY!

✌️??? CASIE

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LIFE

Events | WeDay 2015 w/ Team Telus Advocates

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,

On Thursday last week Emily and I got up realllllly early and drove down to the ACC to see the red carpet for WeDay with the Team Telus Advocates.

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,

I’m pretty sure it was her first time attending a red carpet. She did however, do her first live hit on TV and was seen on Breakfast Television by people across Canada. I’m teaching her the ways of the media early! Don’t mind the pixelated photo and my windy hair. 

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,
The ACC was filled with about 40K people, mostly students, there to kick off 365 days of making the world a better place. It was a bit overwhelming but totally inspiring.

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,

Loved seeing all the performers and speakers including Hozier, Nick Jonas, and Shawn Mendes, Rookie Mag editor-in-chief Tavi Gevinson (LOVE HER) and social change activist Tonika Morgan.

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,
Photo via WeDay

It was great spending the day with this group of ladies from the Team Telus Advocates.

This is Em watching Nick Jonas perform ‘Levels’. I snuck her down to floor level to see him up close, it was for her I swear. ?

weday 2015, toronto, telus, casiestewart, nick jonas, tavi gevinson, acc,
Photo via WeDay

After lunch, Telus took us back stage to the media area where we had a meet & greet with Francesco Yates. He was so nice. Very chill. Took heaps of photos with everyone. I chatted him about meeting Justin Bieber in NYC a couple years ago.

Leading up to WeDay 2015 Telus asked people to answer the #CallForChange and be part of his latest music video. It premiered at WeDay for all 40,000 people to see. Take a peek below and see who you recognize, there might be a few people!

Thanks Telus for a fun day I’ll never forget. It was amazing to see so many young people making a difference in the world. For more information on WeDay and how you can get involved, visit the website here. For info about Telus and how they are shaping better communities in Canada visit about.telus.com/community.

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Art

Fashion | Fitzroy Boutique X Adidas Popup

Fashion | Fitzroy Boutique X Adidas Popup

Last week the girls from Fitzroy Boutique opened their latest pop-up at 12 Ossington. They’re partnered with adidas Originals and during Nuit Blanche last weekend, you could have your new kicks customized by two awesome Toronto artists, Andre Kan or Madison Van Rijn.

My shoes were customized by Madison (above) and I picked a little love note envelope similar to a tattoo on  my right arm. I’ve had a few pairs of shoes customized over the years with my name so now, I’m adding adidas to my collection.

Photo by Becca Lemire for She Does the City

I also love the dress Julie (one of the Fitzroy babes) was wearing and I picked one up for myself. I was feeling pretty tired after going to WeDay so a little retail therapy was JUST what I needed.

Photo by Becca Lemire for She does the City
Photo by Becca Lemire for She Does The City
Photo by Becca Lemire for She Does the City

The pop-up runs until the end of November. I suggest making sure there’s some room on your fav credit card because there so many really nice items in the store. If you can’t make it there IRL, check out @FitzroyBoutique on Instagram or visit shopfitzroy.com to shop online.

Thanks again for having me ladies! ??

CASIE

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Art

Art | The Inside Out Project – On Display Until October 12!

Art | The Inside Out Project – On Display Until October 12!

The INSIDE OUT Project is ‘a global art project transforming messages of personal identity into works of art’ created by world renowned street artist JR. Photobooths for this project have travelled all around the world photographing regular people and turning their faces into massive art installations (Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, etc) since 2011.

  Last week I waited in line for about an hour with Paddy Jane and Jennifer Hollett (former Much VJ, current NDP candidate) at Nathan Phillips Square on the last Toronto dat of photos from the INSIDE OUT project. I really wanted to have my face be part of it! IMG_2292.JPG This past weekend during Nuit Blanche, I was spotted! A couple people sent messages with photos of my face in the square. So cool. Here’s a shot of it being wheat pasted to the concrete.

Photo via BlogTO

The documentary on the INSIDE OUT project is on iTunes and I’m planning to watch it soon. If you’re keen to look for some familiar faces downtown, the portraits will be in Nathan Phillips Square and around the city until October 12th.

?? CASIE

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Travel | Sky High in Cottage Country – My KD Golden Noodle Adventure

Travel | Sky High in Cottage Country – My KD Golden Noodle Adventure

Last weekend I went on an epic cottage adventure. If you were following Twitter or Snapchat you’d have seen a bunch of tweets from myself and Lauren as 2 planes landed on our lake and took us flying around Muskoka for the afternoon. My guests included Lauren, Steve, Sean, and one other special guest…a golden KD noodle. Ok so you’re thinking what? A Noodle? Yes, a NOODLE! 

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KD is celebrating the love it’s fans have for it in a way that’s truly worthy,  WITH GOLD. Until October 5, Canadians have the chance to win a 1-LB 24K Gold Noodle, worth approximately $30,000 CAN. To enter pop by your local grocer and pick up a limited edition box of KD Gold. Next, enter your unique PIN, found inside specially marked 4 and 12 pack bundles of KD Macaroni & Cheese, at kdgold.ca.  No the noodle is not in the KD box! It’s pretty heavy!  You can also win hundreds of instant prizes, including gold-plated KD cuff links, sunglasses, flip flips, or a gold plated coin.

If you’re wondering how I like my KD, I like to switch it up, sometimes ketchup, maybe hot dogs, other times a healthy dash of black pepper. As a side note, I didn’t actually try Kraft Dinner until I went to college. My parents are from New Zealand and they don’t have KD there. Thankfully my college crew introduced me! It’s one of those things everyone has in their pantry and sometimes the perfect fix  to feed your hunger.

My KD Golden Noodle Adventure in Muskoka

Here’s a few snaps from our float plane experience. We flew from Bala to Port Carling, went for lunch, and flew back. It was beautiful to experience an aerial view of Muskoka this time of year, the leaves are all starting to change. Special thanks to our pilots at Lake Country Airways for a great trip!

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Our friends from across the lake saw us off cottage style proper, a sea doo chase!

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Magical.

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Hey Lauren & Steve!

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I would love to be a pilot one day. I was feeling like Paris Hilton at this moment as we rode off in our private planes. I could get used to this! 

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Landed in Port Carling

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Sweet ride!

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After lunch it was time to head back to the cottage. Me n’ my crew! 

float planes

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Thanks KD for an awesome and unforgettable afternoon. I think the noodle enjoyed it! Ha.

For info on how YOU can win the golden noodle visit kdgold.ca or check out  @KraftDinner on Twitter or Facebook.com/kraftdinner.

??✈️? CASIE

 

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LIFE

Cottage Life | So Long, Sweet Summer

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I had one of the most fun summers of my life. I really took time to relax, recharge. Feeling greater up for all the new friends and old ones I got to hang out with. 

I’m at WeDay in Toronto today and will do a summer recap this weekend! 

Sending you love and sunshine through the internet! 

?CASIE

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LIFE

Travel | See The World Your Way – travelcuts FilmFest

http://casiestewart.com/travelcuts-travel-doc-film-fest/

After working with travelcuts earlier this year, I’m happy to share they’ve hired me as a travel expert to judge their travelcuts Doc Film Fest. Yeah baby! The festival will be a collection of short travel docs covering awesome featuring young travellers on exciting and unique adventures. This contest gives aspiring filmmakers a chance to show off their talents. It’s expected that a lot of people will enter this competition, meaning that the standard will probably be high. To ensure your film stands out amongst other entries, it might be worth looking into some specialized software. As many professional filmmakers make use of digital cinema package editing software, people entering this competition might want to look for an online DCP guide to include some advertising in your travel film.

This is the first teaser trailer for the four-part mini-series.

[iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/-lQOwG2XNAQ”]

Now it’s YOUR chance to show us where you’ve been. At the end of November, we’ll have an official screening where the top three submissions will be showcased as well as the full-length videos from the mini-series. One finalist will be announced as the winner of the $2,000 travel card. Look out world!

How to Enter the Travel Cuts Doc Film Fest

Upload your video to YouTube and include your first name + last initial and #travelcutsDOC in the description. Videos should be 2-5 minutes in length, and must be created by YOU! If you’re using footage from a trip you took a while ago, make a nice new cut for your entry. Contestants must fill out the form on travelcuts.com/filmfest, only entries accepted will be those submitted using the entry form.

travelcuts doc film fest, travel, casiestewart, costa rica, mexico, budget travel, travel deals

On October 21st, we’re hosting on online Twitter chat from from 9-10PM and Id love you to join. I’ll make sure to remind you closer to the date! We’ll be talking travel destinations, tips and tricks I’ve learned, the importance of insurance, and more.

For more information in the Travelcuts Doc Film Fest or available packages visit travelcuts.com/filmfest.

Excited to see the entries and all the exciting adventures people have gone on. Sure to be a few things I’ll add to my bucket list! ?????

?? CASIE

 

About Travelcuts

Travelcuts is a trusted Canadian travel company. At one time located on university campuses, today travelcuts is an online-exclusive brand, but continues to focus on searching out and delivering the best deals on everything from flights and hotels to all-inclusive vacations and tours. Travelcuts is owned by Merit Travel Group.

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LIFE

Beauty | Hair Damage Science w/ L’Oreal Pro-Fiber Professional

This morning I stopped at Wildflower inside the Thompson Hotel soon as we get back from Muskoka. I was there as one of the first in Canada to experience L’Oreal Professionnel’s new technological breakthrough Pro-Fiber Professional Hair Damage Science. 

I had my hair done last week and it was the first time in years I didn’t bleach my roots. Over the last 10 years I’ve reallllllly put my hair through stress. Although I love being blonde, it’s really hard on your hair.  Luckily, L’Oreal Pro-Fiber helps reverse hair damage.

1Milk2Sugars, L’Oreal Professional Canada, pro fiber, casiestewart, thompson hotel, taz salon, yorkville, toronto

L’Oreal Canada took me to Taz Hair in Yorkville, a L’Oreal Professionnel salon, where I got to experience the Pro-Fiber treatment first-hand. My stylist took me through a series of questions to determine my damage level. Since I don’t brush my hair heaps (it’s too short!) and I haven’t fully bleached it in a while, I was level 2. I’m sure it was level 3, the most damage not too long ago.

Screen Shot 2015-09-28 at 5.05.57 PM

 

There are three different levels of “hair damage” and three different lines of Pro Fiber products:

  1. to resurface hair with damaged cuticle [REVIVE],
  2. to repair hair with a damaged cuticle and cortex [RESTORE]
  3. to restructure hair with a very damaged cortex [RECOVER].

For my hair the perfect line was the Restore. My hair felt healthier right after the treatment. I’m not used to it feeling so soft!

Cool thing about this product is it’s the first ever that starts in the salon and continues at home (it never washes out). There’s a whole suite of products to use at home to continue the nourishment.

Damaged hair, beware! Introducing #ProFiber featuring #EvaGreen. Unleash the star in you.

A photo posted by lorealprocanada (@lorealprocanada) on

1Milk2Sugars, L’Oreal Professional Canada, pro fiber, casiestewart, thompson hotel, taz salon, yorkville, toronto

Thanks 1Milk2Sugars and L’Oreal Professional Canada for the pampering today! Learn more about Pro-Fiber Professional treatments and technology at lorealprofessionnel.ca.

?☀️? CASIE

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Events

Events | LCBO’s Harvest Menu w/ Love for Local w/ Chef Lynn Crawford

Events | LCBO’s Harvest Menu w/ Love for Local w/ Chef Lynn Crawford

Thursday was a busy one! I went to 4 media events and was home just after 8pm. It’s fun but exhausting! Today is chill time, hair, nails, lunch, art show w/ bae. 

Had a great kickoff to fall yesterday w/ LCBO & Wine Country Ontario over lunch hosted by Chef Lynn Crawford (Food Network Canada & The Cooking Channel). The event featured a Thanksgiving menu prepared by Chef Lynn, along with several other talented winemakers, chefs, and food artisans from Ontario.

I don’t go to heaps of ‘foodie’ events, although I enjoy them! It’s always a bit funny for me because the foodies are REALLY serious about the food, flavours, textures, pairings. I love listening. My take is usually, much more relaxed, a lifestyle writer approach. Does it taste good? Can I cook this at home? Will my friends like it? Can I impress the BF/parents?

Here’s some Tweet highlights from the #LCBOTasteLocal event:

We learned how to make a thanksgiving feats like a pro using preservatives, and items from local markets, and our own backyards. The menu is now available at LCBO stores across Ontario and looks like the top photo in this post. The little book features ideas for hosting, cocktail & cocktails, food/wine pairings, and recipes.

I’m not 100% on our plans for thanksgiving yet this year but it’s one of my fav meals of the entire year. Would love to Chef Lynn’s cauliflower & celery root mash w/ onion thyme marmalade. Like, how good does that sound?!

Here’s to a great weekend. Heading up to the cottage w/ Lauren & our BFs tomorrow and flying Muskoka in private planes on Sunday. **Pinch me!** This is my life, gahhhhh!

?☀️✈️?✌️CASIE

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LIFE

Fashion | Rethinking Pink w/ Rethink Breast Cancer’s 2015 Collection

rethink, breast cancer, rethinking pink, casie stewart, rockit promo

This morning I had the opportunity to preview the 2015 Rethink Pink Collection with Rethink Breast Cancer. Next week kicks off Breast Cancer Month, and Rethink is the young women’s breast cancer movement.

This year’s Rethink Pink partnerships range from beauty, to artisanal goods, practical tools (see pink tool kit, excited about this tbh!), apparel, and more, making it easy to support the cause. The girls from Rethink chatted me about how breast cancer is rare in the under 50 group but their mission is to raise awareness and help women recently diagnosed, and going through breast cancer via various programs.

rethink, breast cancer, rethinking pink, casie stewart, rockit promo

To see all products in the 2015 Rethink Pink collection visit rethinkbreastcancer.com. Here’s a few of my favs.

On a personal note…

In February of this year I was having serious sharp pains in one of my breasts. Note to self, Google is NOT a doctor. After a few trips to the CIBC Breast Centre at St. Michaels hospital we found that it was from my birth control and was manageable. I’m generally a pretty healthy person, so having all these appointments really freaked me out, I was scared.

I’m a-ok now but the experience made me ‘rethink’ (see what I did there) my health and the importance of taking care of your body, being aware of changes etc.

If you would like to get involved visit rethinkbreastcancer.com. If you’re looking for  a reallllllly FUN way to get involved, get a ticket to the Booby Ball next week. It’s SPACE THEMED! 

?? CASIE

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