Travel | Nuit Blanche à Montréal

This weekend Sean and I went to Montreal as you know. It was a short but fun trip. I love Montreal and even though we were gone and back within 24 hours, a getaway is always nice. Here’s a little sneak peek of what we got up to! Only packed one small Sully Wong overnight bag for the trip. I’ve become a master at packing lite! It’s quite lovely taking the Via Rail in the daytime. We sat at the front of our car and were able to experience the beautiful trip in the sunshine.  The sun was so bright the car was heating up, it felt like summer! There’s wifi on the train so we were able to get a bunch of work done. Sean’s beard is getting so big! Huge thank you to Fairmont Montreal for all the treats they sent to our room. A bowl of fresh fruit and a card arrived just after we checked in.  We popped over to the Apple Store to pick up a HDMI cable so we could watch some House of Cards and plan our night. Next they sent a gift bag with our media passes and some delicious chocolate treats from a French patisserie. @casiestewart you are very welcome! Have fun tonight! #NuitBlanche #MTLMOMENTS — Fairmont The Queen E (@FairmontQueenE) February 28, 2015 We stopped into a church on rue Sainte-Catherine for a poetry reading in the pews before heading to Place des Arts to see all the action. There was heaps going on! We walked through a couple domed filled with winter activites before heading up the stairs to try the ZIPLINE. It was longer than I thought and went over the entire crowd at Place des Arts. Huge thanks to Montreal tourism for the media passes because we were able to skip the line! Nuit…

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Montreal | Hi-Speed Blogging in the Sunshine at 90MPH

This week was a busy one and I’m looking forward to a nice sleep at the Fairmont Montreal tonight. We’re on the train heading to Montreal for Nuit Blanche and thanks to Montreal Tourism. Remember that contest I entered and a bunch of you guys helped me fill the train? I didn’t win the contest but they invited me to come along for the ride and experience Nuit Blanche Montreal. Bae working away, looking all cute. Earlier this week I was working form the new 1188 Films office and dressed the place up with some spring flowers.  There’s 8 days until daylight savings, if you;re counting down like me. This is the before face of going through the worst pain I have felt in my entire life. I’ve been having high blood pressure along with those chest pains I mentioned so I’m unable to take my old contraceptive and got a IUD. I wasn’t expecting it to be so painful and felt nauseous after, it was brutal. Good thing it’s a five year plan. I’m thankful my doc was so lovely and took great care. Lucky for me, House of Cards is BACk so we binged a couple episodes last night while I was in recovery. Much better today and back to my regular bouncy self. Claire Underwood, I love you. Maybe I should keep short hair? This internal ‘cut it or grow it’ battle never ends. We’re on the train for 4 hours, currently going aboout 90MPH. I’m glad to have NextIssue and will be reading magazines once I hit publish. I’ve been reading magazines I never used to buy since I’ve got them all at my fingertips now (Nylon, More, Condé Nast Traveller, Dwell). This cover of Vanity Fair is awkward, no? Loving the images in Condé Nast Traveller. Makes me want to just…

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Lookbook + Video: #JayuBlogged Fresh Collection SS15

A couple weeks ago I was on set at a Toronto studio w/ Canadian jewellery designer Sally Han of Shop for Jayu. Last summer Sally and I exchanged emails about their first look book and I wasn’t available to take part at the time but this round I was. We had heaps of fun on the full day shoot and I’m happy to share the final product! For my looks I went with, ‘Glamour Calling’, inspired by big hair and bright colours a là 1992, and ‘Vintage Traveller’ inspired by Twiggy & Pan Am Air in the ’60’s, with a bit of Edie Swgwick. The other bloggers featured are Jodi Blk in monochrome and Victoria Simpson from Haute Canada in with the pink balloons (and the legs!). Here’s a behind the scenes video by David Sztrimbley and a peek at the lookbook. See the whole thing here and check out the latest collection at shopforjayu.com. A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Feb 20, 2015 at 3:57pm PST

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All The Girly Things Post on a Sunny Friday

First things first, HAPPY FRIDAY! Started my day with some work and an amazing croissant from Cafe Neon in my hood.  I’m all out of Tassimo so ventures out into the cold sunshine to treat myself.  I really love working from home and for myself. It’s been about six months and I’ve got myself a schedule. I can’t wait till summer when my schedule means staying up at the cottage during the week here and there and morning coffee on the dock after kayaking. I’ve started a new subscription with NextIssue, the Netflix of magazines and I love it. I spend so much time on my phone, and love magazines, but buying heaps and carrying them around is not practical for me. They’ve given me a code for you to get a 60 day trial (double the regular offer), visit this link and use 60free to sign up. Mum joined me at The Spoke Club for the press preview of Behind The Red Carpet film. Doesn’t she look amazing? Thanks for coming Mum! Love you. The film is on CBC’s doc channel 9pm, Feb. 23rd. I’M A JUNIOR MOVIE STAR! Ok, let’s not get carried away here. You CAN see all my film/tv stuff on IMDB tho. Let’s hope for more this year. I’m working on a few things and hope they pan out. You might be seeing even more of my face, if you can believe it. Are you on Snapchat? ADD ME OMG RIGHT NOW. You know I love short videos and this is your behind the scenes look at even more of my life and silliness and things I do in the day. You’ll not regret it. You’ll find me at: CASIESTEWART. Stopped into The Loft Toronto for a little snip to clean up my hair before the shoot this weekend.…

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I’m Gonna Master Ukulele One of These Days!

Had another ukulele class last night and I feel like I’m starting to get it. I knew learning a new instrument was going to be a challenge but it’s really like learning a new language. Fortunately, I can read music and the chords already. Also, a simple strum on the ukulele sounds quite nice. A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jan 26, 2015 at 6:17pm PST I’m finally getting the G7 chord and my fingers are moving in time to make strumming sound like an actual song. I’ve really got to make a point to practice more though. Even if I pick up my uke for a few minutes a day I’ll have it by summer. If I sent 10% of the time I spend on computer playing I’d be a pro! I’ve been documenting my progress on Selfish app with a story called Learning Ukulele. The photo below will take you to the app so you can check it out. I’m digging this app so far. Have a few stories about travels, my nails, blog stuff, etc. Thanks to The Gladstone Hotel and Toronto Institute for the Enjoyment of Music (TIFEM) for great classes. I’m hoping they have a few more at Gladstone to help me along my ukulele learning journey. TIFEM has a whole bunch of classes including a free class on Sunday afternoons.   Had my nails done yesterday and I’m convinced they help my play better! Have any ukulele apps I should know about? Songs for beginners? I’ll take all the help I can get! Can’t wait till I can play a little ditty for you! Have an awesome day. <3 CASIE

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My New Friend from France, Polette Eyewear

Eyewear have always been a staple in my wardrobe. I’ve always had a large variety of costume glasses of different shapes and sizes. I’d much rather have a bunch of affordable styles instead of one or two fancy ones.  I like variety but I’ve also been known to lose and break them (unfortunately!). Late last year I was contacted by Polette eyewear in France and offered a spot on their blogger team. In exchange for sharing my fav glasses from the site, I get to pick a couple pairs EACH MONTH.  Perks of the job guys, squeeee! I can’t wait to stock up and share new shades every couple weeks. My First Polette Eyewear Order:  Devil – rose coloured lenses Léosummer – yellow/green fashion lenses Gracie Mile B – blue/black lenses Polette has a pretty neat story. Founded by Pierre Wizman, a young entrepreneur at 16, he launched the website in 2011 with his biz partner and just like that, they were in business. Their goal was to be the only intermediary between the consumer and manufacturer to cut down on price without skimping on quality.  When you visit polette.com you’ll see there’s a wide selection of styles starting at $6.99. One of the cool things about placing your order is first you pick the frame, then lenses (anti-scratch, reflective), then lens tint (ex. red/black), and finally tint level (red ones above are 85%). I didn’t really understand this at first but I know for next time now! I’ll be posting my new glasses monthly as they arrive. Would you like a pair too? It’s been ages since I did a contest so enter below and we’ll send you your choice of glasses including prescription if you need them (mine are not prescription). Contest doesn’t include Vintage or L’Atelier collections. BONNE CHANCE! <3 CASIE a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Target Canada: For good times and bad times, I’ll be on your side forever mooooore!

Before I get to todays regulary scheduled news blog post I would like to take a minute to remember some of the great times I’ve had with Target Canada over the years. I have a few posts posts mentioning the brand and had the opportunity to work with them on a few things since they arrived in Canada. I’ve visited a store nearly once a week since one opened close to my house about a year ago. Did nearly all my holiday shopping there too! A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Sep 9, 2012 at 12:28pm PDT Who remembers that AMAZING Target Lounge at World Mastercard Fashion Week a few years back??? Toronto has NEVER seen such luxury. And we probably won’t again tbh. It was marvellous. Food, open bar, two floors, charging stations, tables to work at, open every night before, after, and during the shows. I’ve never had such a great time at WMCFW. Oh behalf of media & bloggers, everywhere, thank you Target for showing us how to really go ALL OUT. Let’s not forget the recent Toms for Target collab. They sent out Together Sweaters to bloggers and media around North America to promote the collection. So cute. Keeping mine forever. This blanket from the Toms for Target collection makes a great poncho. Can’t wait to open the cottage again. Got my Instax Camera from Target this summer. Decorated our roof patio with Target things this past summer including items from the Oh Joy for Target collab. Target partnered with popular bloggers/Pinners to create a whole collection. Thanks for recognizing us internet people! A photo posted by C A S I E S T E W A R T (@casiestewart) on Jul 13, 2014 at 2:22pm PDT And finally, I’m…

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TBT: Diary of a Background Performer

Years ago I used to work in film & tv as a background actress. I spent hours, and hours sitting in holding waiting to be called to set. It was a really fun experience and I met heaps of cool people. One summer I spent months working on the set of American Pie: Beta House. There were heaps of really cool people on that set including now CP24 weather reporter Patricia Jaggernauth, recording artist Ish Morris, actress Meghan Heffern, and my sister (who had her own trailer for part of the summer).  Eugene Levy was in it too. Below is a little diary entry  wrote while sitting in background holding on the set of Degrassi at Degrassi High in 2008. This photo was taken years later when I worked at MuchMusic & MTV and was given a Degrassi shirt. I started thinking to myself as I sit in Background Holding for Degrassi High…. Here I am working on a show I’ve never seen surrounded by a bunch of people whom either I’ve met over the last six weeks or are new faces. Its’ great. I hear the sound of “Its Raining Men” on the set, I’ve managed once again to avoid being used or getting on camera. (This is often a goal! lol) It’s a total dream when you get to spend the day sitting in Holding, getting paid to do whatever it is your little heard desires until they call for lunch or “everyone on set”. I’m hoping that today I make it until lunch. My first experience as a Background Performer was working on the set of “American Pie presents Beta House”. I was booked with my sister to do four days of continuity at a mansion in Thornhill. The place was beautiful! We met at Background Holding,…

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Day 5/365 and We’re in Business, Baby!

What a whirlwind yesterday was whoa. I took a walk to get my nails done (manicure Monday!) and decided it was cold enough (-20 something w/ windchill) to whip out the vintage mink coat I inherited from Sean’s aunt via his mum last summer. Went well with my new YSL glasses & long read leather gloves. This coat is heavy and insanely warm. After about 10 minutes of walking, I opened it to get some air, I was sweating! I know how people feel about fur but this thing is already made and would be sitting in a closet if not worn by me. It’s back in hanging in mine now for a special event in the dead of winter. A friend of mine loved the coat but didn’t like the fact it was mink (understandable). She got a really similar faux version from Lily Lulu Fashion. It looks great and can’t even tell it’s faux fur. A floor length mink coat really isn’t practical for a girl on the go. Chuckling to myself as I wrote this. A few years ago I made a New Years resolution to take care of my nails. I’m not really into ‘resolutions’, I like setting goals all year but I felt this was something reasonable. Having your nails tidy and polished makes you look put together. Notable.ca posted yesterday that having your nails done is one way to look richer than you might be. I got this fancy shellac design to kick of the start of 2015 business. You like? In other news, my hair is crazy right now. I can’t decide that to do with it. It’s the awkward in between stage before a bob and the colour is so faded. I’m bored with it. Looks like I’ll be rocking hat head…

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Ok Here We Go, Bundle Up! ❄️

Ok it’s back to the grind and totally freezing outside. I know it’s hard to keep your head up but you MUST. Your attitude will shape everything around you. Grab some summer photos and keep them close by for inspiration. Make sure you have super warm gloves, hat, scarf, jacket, boots. The only way to get through this it to bundle up! It appears that I am frozen in. #dlws pic.twitter.com/ScBHTDmsv5 — CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) January 5, 2015 Here’s to a great first day back. I’ve planned out heaps of new and old things to write about and I can’t wait to share. With love, CASIE * Also, on a positive note, I feel it’s appropriate to bust out my vintage mink coat!

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