Lifestyles of the Queen West and Fabulous

[View the story “As Keri says \”Best Night of the Week!\”” on Storify] As Keri says "Best Night of the Week!" Thursday is always a good day. There are less than 15 working hours till the weekend so make them COUNT! I’ve got a busy day at work and am excited about upcoming projects. Being Director of Social Media here at community is so fun/crazy/exciting. Each day is a new adventure! Storified by CASIE STEWART· Thu, Jan 10 2013 07:33:11 Good morning! I have a really great feeling about today. Passing it on :)CASIE STEWART This is my Thursday alarm. I plays Lady Gaga ‘Edge of Glory’ super loud. Morning motivation to get moving is great! Gonna be real nice out tomorrow 🙂 http://pic.twitter.com/eNYzSZVhCASIE STEWART Meet Charlie – My new 3-speed Linus Dutch bike. It’s like a dream to ride. I LOVE IT! Akamaihd Have you SEEN how nice the it’s gonna to be this weekend? Thanks to Lauren for posting this because I am SMILING just as big for Toronto’s weekend weather. To be honest, I don’t mind if spring comes next week. PLEASE SPRING! Akamaihd Got a little haircut last night. I’ve gone back to Sonya and her new salon (Evolve Hair Studio on Fort York) I love the details she takes to doing my hair. Next week I’m bringing back the bleach blonde. It’s gonna be hot.  Akamaihd Made a smoothie and had an avocado for breakfast. I’ve got this ‘Start the Year Off Right’ thing down pat.  Biked to work. Made smoothie. Ate avocado. Sun is out. Day is good! @ Pulp And Fiber http://instagr.am/p/UTjCIoSa9t/CASIE STEWART Tried to make a video while biking today and it was a bust. I looked super stylish on my way to work though.  Akamaihd In other news… Looks like #BritneySpears is set…

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Do You Pin or Tumble? iBoth.

I have 18 Pinterest boards and follow over 800 blogs on Tumblr. They are excellent ways to keep your mind fresh with ideas and inspire creativity. Last night I updated the cover photos on each of my Pinterest boards. I think they look so pretty now. Something I realllly love seeing is brands who use these well. They are great ways to visualize content and show creativity. I also blogged some style photos on my Tumblr, OH CASIE. I’ve had that thing for years. I love it. Some great high fashion, constant gifs, and weird wonderful things. I have about 10 tumblr blogs but I don’t update them all, yet. Since I started blogging in 2005 I’ve started and stopped SO MANY blogs. My fav one I still update here and there is borderline artistic on blogspot, my drawing blog. INNOVATE OR DIE. <3 CASIE

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Work, Work, Worker Bee Babe

Busy day today. This weather is great for working. I was invited to Blundstone, the Australian boot company to check out their new style of shoes.  They come from Tasmania, I’ve been there. Toured a brewery and went to a spa in Hobart. Will share those tomorrow. Have dance tonight at King West Fitness for Nuvo Burlesque’s Army of Sass. I’m stoked. It’s so much fun. Things are going great at work. I really love it here.  Do you love my new glasses? They’re ‘Love’ by Derek Cardigan for Clearly Contacts. I’m terribly excited for Halloween BTW. Hope you are having an awesome day! <3 CASIE

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Bot & Sold on Twitter (RE: Article from @FastCompany)

A couple of times over the last few years a photo of me has been used as a Twitter bot. I didn’t think much of it. I figured there was nothing I can do other than report for spam.  To be honest, my first thought was “you’ve made it” then it happened over a handful of times and it was kinda unsettling. Have I been targeted? What is going on here and why does this keep happening? Yesterday, Keri sent me this article from FastCompany  “Who’s That Woman In The Twitter Bot Profile? by Jason Feifer. I got a couple Tweets about it too. @casiestewart remember how there was a twitter bot of your Sunshine girl pic? Seems like you weren’t the only one! bit.ly/P2cemr — Breanna Hughes (@unbrelievable) August 9, 2012 They’re sometimes called “bimbots”–the army of Twitter bots with pretty profile pictures. Who are the women pictured in those photos? This is the story of the quest to find out.” Omg, it’s a thing. I read on… “After dozens of searches, a pattern emerged: Most bot photos had a long digital tail, having been posted on dozens of sketchy porn sites or blogs devoted to the barely legal. Occasionally, I’d be able to track a photo back to what seemed like an original source–like when a bot’s photo showed up alongside many others of the same woman, all posted to the fratboy site Barstool Sports. The site claimed her name is Aurora. But when I reached out, as was always the case, nobody cared to explain where the photos came from. …I tracked two bots back to the 2009 SUNshine Girls calendar, a lingerie showcase produced by the Toronto Sun. (I guess newspapers have to make money somehow.) The calendar only offered the models’ first names, and the paper’s photo…

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No. If you ask to ‘pick my brain’ that is your answer.

Student, charity? Sure. I’m a nice girl. BUT, if you are a professional, a big company, an agency, a brand, a beer, a burger co., an app, a toy, a product, a service, and you operate on currency, don’t ask to pick my brain.  We can chat about an idea, you can call me for advice on clarity.fm, or run something past me in an email. Totally cool. Sometimes I brainstorm over lunch, brunch, and sometimes I really get creative after beers. As Harlan Ellison says “cross my palms with silver and you can use my essay“, ideas in this case. I think it’s the actual TERM that drives me mental. It’s basically saying “give me your ideas so I can use them”.  If you are asking someone for advice, it’s because you value their opinion. An amature will give you their ideas for free but a professional’s ideas are what you really want.  Forbes posted a great article and if someone ever asks to pick your brain, you should send it to them. Please don’t use that expression. It’s my biggest pet peeve aside from people calling me CASSIE. It’s happened at least twice in emails today. My email is [email protected] How can you get my name wrong?! Doh. In other news…!!!!!!!!!! Mooohahahahah! Women are now officially smarter than men zite.to/SFhugv #work — CASIE STEWART (@casiestewart) July 17, 2012 READ MORE BOOKS!

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‘Survival of the Fittest’: My TechVibes Interview on Blogging

This week TechVibes, Canada’s leading online tech publication posted an interview I did during NXNE. Some quotes below, read the whole interview on TechVibes. ‘Survival of the Fittest’: Casie Stewart on Blogging ht.ly/bVl5t @casiestewart by @herbertlui — Techvibes (@techvibes) June 29, 2012 Thanks to Herbert Lui for a well written piece. His previous articles are with the Creative Director of TAXI, Harley from Epic Meal Time, and renowned speaker Stephen Shapiro. So, I’m in good company! IT’S NOT A WALK IN THE PARK “I think the toughest things are when you have no money; essentially, I am an entrepreneur, and I’ve built up my business around my life,” she admits, briefly alluding to her time on TV show Maxed Out. “I’m really super online, so people always think that I always have all these people around me, and we’re all like best friends. But when you’re a blogger, or you’re starting your own business by yourself, you spend a lot of time alone and at the computer,” she explains. “My life – yeah, a lot of times it is pretty glamorous and really fun, but – you spend a lot of time by yourself.” HOW DO ASPIRING VLOGGERS/BLOGGERS WIN ONLINE? “You need to do something every day that brings you closer to your goals,” Stewart advises. “When it comes to the internet, it is survival of the fittest. You gotta be the best, most consistent, you gotta stick at it…When I got home from the airport in Banff this morning, it was 4:30 and I published something on my blog about my panel today so I knew I could just get up and come here.” I mentally calculate that she’d gotten probably four hours of sleep, and marvel at the fact she just did a panel. On four hours, I would have been passed out by this hour…

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The Weekend: Boating, Floating, & Banff Blogging

I’m absolutely in paradise. If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram you already know. Last night we roasted marshmallows on the dock and I fell asleep in my chair mesmerized by the lakeside fire. Please take one second to vote for me in the Banff 2012 Blogger comp, voting closes Tuesday. Please help me win, VOTE FROM EVERYWHERE! Go to Apple or BestBuy, Futureshop, Nana’s cottage, your Dad’s phone! Glasses broke. Boating & floating are two of my fav pastimes. We’re about to make the Great Canadian Outdoor Breakfast with fire cooking and BBQ.  After Imma take this kayak out for a spin! Happy long weekend, summer is finally here! Wear sunscreen 🙂 <3 CASIE

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May 1, 2012 – Looking Back Over The Years #archives

May is my fav month of the year. April showers bring May flowers, it’s time to get summer ready and celebrate my born day. I feel a bit silly making a big deal about my birthday so my sister is planning a little dinner next Tuesday night. You’re welcome to stop by. I’ll post details. I joined Twitter in May 2008 so, May 5th is a cool day too. I’m gonna give daily videos another go this month along with the Instagram May Photo a Day Challenge. I’m trying to develop a more consistent routine. Anything you’d LIKE to see? Wanna know? For the fist 7 days of the Month, I’m going to look back at a couple people, places, things & thoughts from each year I’ve been blogging. Then, on the 8th day we celebrate 30 years of my life. Woo hoo! WE ARE YOUNG. Here We Go, 2005 Throwback: Moved to Toronto. Lived in the Annex at Bathurst & college. Bracelet on my wrist says “CAS” my nickname in Australia. Had a mullet and the first pair of skinny jeans seen in Toronto since the 80’s. That ring was glass & Armani. It was a gift from HighRise Magazine. Remember that mag? Worked at YM Inc. as Assistant to Director of Product Purchasing. First ever job out of Uni. Was lucky to meet someone on the plane home from LA who worked in fashion. Introduced me to the right people. ABC – Always Be Closing, baby. I was pretty obsessed with moving back to Australia. And Myspace. And VICE Magazine. Was publishing lots of poetry on MySpace I wrote at Uni and in college.  Here’s a couple old guys: Brand New Day Writers Block My Game Now Watch for Starlet Spring Love Acutely Ironic A bird writes a sonnet Sings the…

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You’re a winner! (thought it was spam too but it’s not)

I really AM one of the top blogs in Canada! First of all, no, I’m not going to be on Canada’s Next Top Blogger OR The Canadian Bachelor. I rocked up third next to a mom and a gay in the Canadian Blog Awards category of Best Life Weblog (weblog is original name of blog). Next year, I’ll be a lesbian with a child and TAKE FRST PLACE.  Seriously though, I have lots planned for 2012 in content and design and I’m gunning for first. The Ninjamatics’ 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards saw 461 nominations across 37 categories. Their 46 volunteer jurors used  ten criteria in content & design to judge each of the 461 weblogs in the first round and approximately 175 in the second round to arrive at the winners. Best Life Weblog/Mode de vie First: No Ordinary Rollercoaster Second: The Kitchen Magpie Third: Casie Stewart: This Is My Life To celebrate here’s the Charlie Sheen ‘winning’ commercial I was in for the Comedy Network last year. I HAVE ONLY ONE GEAR, GO.

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I’d like to thank the academy & blah, blah, blog!

Remember a couple months ago I asked you nicely to click a link and show some love for my life(s) work? Welllllllllll…..thanks for your votes and thank you for reading because…drum roll please…we made the shortlist for Best Life Weblog in Canada!  Congrats to my friends for noms in their categories Unbrelievable, Shop My Clothes and Dear Photograph. To check out all nominees or judging criteria go here. In other exciting news…MY SXSW panel has been scheduled. If you are going to be please please don’t miss it. There’s lots of things to see & do there but our panel is Psychology of Narcissism & How It Affects Brands. The hashtag is #LOOKATME and it’s sure to be entertaining. On that note I leave you with this song I’ve been diggin’ ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ feat. Kimbra from Gotye’s album Making Mirrors. Sitting at Darren Kwik Studio waiting for toner in my hair while blogging and tweeting away. Thank you Telus & iPhone for the MAGIC of Personal Hotspot. I now have the freedom to stop & blog it like it’s hot any time, any place. Heading to get Sammy & meet my darling sister Jenie & friends at Gio Rana’s Really Really Nice Restaurant for her birthday dinner. Have an awesome night!

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International Auto Show Day 1 #naias

Well hello and good morning from Detroit. I haven’t been up this early in a zillion years (by choice). Heading to the International Auto Show for a press conference. Expect it will be an interesting & jam packed day. Had a lovely time last night. Check my tweets for all the pix! xo Casie * dark photo is view from my room, YEAH, that early! ** breakfast staff are very accommodating here!

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PASSIONATE VOICES + SAY MEDIA: Canada’s Social Media Cool Kid

Here’s an excerpt from a recent interview I did for SAY Media’s blog ‘SAY DAILY’. SAY is an awesome company out of San Francisco that works with “passionate voices” like me to to pair us up with brands and stuff. They publish cute venn diagrams each Friday. Your blog is called Casie Stewart: This Is My Life – in 140 characters or less, what is your life? Lots of hard work & dedication turning my dreams a reality. Celebrating life’s moments and making the most of each day. Awesome! You’re a social media expert in Canada – what are some of your social media secrets for the rest of us? Life is about building relationships and so is social media.  If you want to grow your audience, have conversations about other things than ‘just’ your business. You’ll make more friends that way. Start a blog! A blog is the home for everything you do online. Use Disqus commenting so that Twitter & Facebook are integrated within your commenting system. Read the rest of the interview here. Some of their other voices are Tavi Genvison, Seth Godin, and The Sartorialist. Check out interviews with Honestly WTF fashion babe Leah Chernikoff.  The HTC campaign I was in last year was with SAY and so are the fancy advertisements in my sidebar. In December we went to the their holiday party in Toronto and guess who was in their signage?! Me! I was totally surprised. I know Mum would have loved to see it. Next stop, billboard then broadway! Ok, no broadway but billboard has a nice ring to it. Stay warm out there!!

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DESIGN: Let’s talk blogs.

I want a change. Something that integrates these four so called blogs that make up “my life” that really, are ALL part of “THIS IS MY LIFE“. I included FB because timeline looks & feels kinda like a blog to me now. Twitter and Facebook have recently changed their UI (‘user interface’ for non-nerds means the design, layout jazz) and mine has mostly remained the same since it was born. See here: We’re coming up on seven years this spring and I think my baby is deserving of a makeover. These are all the ‘blogs’ I update on the daily, Tumblr, Posterous, Twitter, Facebook, WordPress. I think Facebook is the prettiest. Tumblr Posterous Twitter Facebook WordPress (rotating header) I’d love to know what blog designs you really like, fav blogs? Ideas, things you might love to see here?  Ultimately, I’m gonna come up with some creative & fun way to spice things up for 2012. I’m ready for adventure! Ok, now I must prep for being back on stage in ballet shoes for The Nutcracker! I hope Mum brings me flowers! Ok no I don’t 😛

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Tech | Ticket to the Art of Sales Conference for Tuesday

I’ve attended both The Art of Leadership and The Art of Marketing and left each event inspired with new thoughts in my pocket. My friends at The Art of… have got it going on. There’s a bunch of great people who make these massive events happen. Tuesday at MTCC is The Art of Sales, a unique one-day conference featuring five amazing international speakers. One of them is NYT best selling author Seth Goodin (125k+ on @Twitter). I’ve never met Seth but I know his blog and he also works with SAY Media. I have 2 tickets for you to attend. If you would like to go then watch this and tell me your favourite part in the comments. I will take both winners out for lunch on conference day. Approximate value of each prize = $450/ticket + lunch experience/pricele$$. BONUS! Conference is at Metro Toronto Convention Centre and goes from 8:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday November 22. [How is it almost DECEMBER? ahh.] If you are in sales you probably have a fav line and will like that I posted this. If you are in sales and you have NOT seem this then… PUT THAT COFFEE DOWN. Coffee’s for closers only. If you have never commented, it’s easy, don’t like, be shy. I’m not shy. Winning is fun. Watch the video leave’ a commento and win. Voila!

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