Events | Give the Gift of Sight w/ ClearlyContacts on Oct. 9th

Last night I got an email from my friends at Clearly Contacts about World Sight Day tomorrow. I’ve worked with Clearly Contacts to share new products and contests for a while (see posts here) and I’m happy to share their latest charity initiative. In exchange for this post, Clearly Contacts is donating a pair of prescription glasses to someone via Change the View on my behalf. The global  #WHOBLINKEDFIRST campaign that kicks off tomorrow. Over the last few years documenting my life, I’ve really taken time to smell the flowers, literally and figuratively. I take heaps of photos each day and really value my eyesight and ability to see beauty in the little things. I can only imagine how my life would change if I lost my eyesight. For every video shared with #WHOBLINKEDFIRST, ClearlyContacts.ca will donate a pair of prescription eyeglasses, Vitamin A tablets, or UV protective sunglasses to someone in need through Change the View. Challenge your bff to a staring contest and upload to the WSD Gallery here to win new glasses and other prizes for yourself. To learn more at clearlycontacts.ca/worldsightday   Here’s lookin’ at you loves! Share this post to spread the good. <3 CASIE

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The Tragically Hip to Play at Bridle Bash V on August 3

One of the BEST parties I’ve EVER been to is the Bridle Bash. It’s held at a friends private residence on the Bridle Path and brings together and awesome group of people, partiers, and musical guests. This year, THE TRAGICALLY HIP are playing in the ravine backyard for about 800 guests. It’s going to be so freaking awesome! Last time my sister and I went to BB, we ended up on the society page of the Globe & Mail, in the photo above. We put a  canoe in the pool and proceeded to give out vodka filled flasks to people all around. It was fantastic. Tickets for BBV can be purchased here and start at $500 each. All the money goes to the Bridle Bash Foundation which supports an array of charities and events in the city of Toronto. For more info on the bash visit the event website here. We’ve got our tickets and I can’t wait. It’s one of those parties  you’ll never forget. I have a feeling this year will top the last one! If you’re gonna be there LMK in the comments or Tweet me! Follow @BridleBash on Twitter and find the event on Facebook here. Much love, <3 CASIE

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CIBC Run for the Cure 2012! Team 5318008! We did it!

Yesterday my team 5318008 did the CIBC Run for the Cure. It was so much fun and the weather was FABULOUS! Thank you to everyone who donated. As a team we raised $1,840 and in dividually I raised $160 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Association. I would 100% do it again. The whole 5K was full of laughs, stories, and fun. And a bird pooped on Lauren’s head! I WAS RUNNIN’! Cheers to my whole team for doing the run. It was nice to use our superpowers for for good. Photo credit to Frikshun & Lauren. Check out her blog at laurenoutloud.com and Sarah’s bloggy at mokouniverse.com Do something good for someone today. 🙂 <3 CASIE

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CIBC Run for The Cure 2012 – September 30!

This year I’m participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on September 30, 2012. I’m running with Lauren, Sarah, Courtney, and Harmony as TEAM 5138008. Get it? BOOBIES! I’ve been training by running, dancing (joined a burlesque troupe!), eating healthy, and mentally preparing for 5k. At this point I can to 2.5k  and by 12 days from now, I’ll be ready! When I think about the estimated over 23,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Canada, I’m happy to be supporting a cause that touches so many of us. I heard yesterday about a friends Mum being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I wrote this post right away. As of right now I have raised 16% of my personal goal of $300. I would like to blow that number out of the WATER! You can make a difference. With your support, the Foundation will continue funding breast cancer research, education and health promotion initiatives across the country, making a difference from coast to coast. To learn more about the work the Foundation does, visit www.cbcf.org Will you support me in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure? A donation of $20, $50 or $100 will really help me get closer to my fundraising goal. Of course, any donation will make a difference and help create a future without breast cancer. You can make your donation here. Need some PINK donation motivation?  Pink glasses, pink sky! Me running for the CURE! Pink Strawberry Tic Tacs for Breast Cancer Month! Mum and I in MATCHING Pink jackets! Me yesterday in Pink wrinkle free Oxford & BF cardigan from Mark’s, Hunter Wellies, Abercrombie demin (so old), and a smile. We’re still deciding what to wear as a team put I…

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BRIDLE BASH! July, 28th 2012

No, it doesn’t have anything to do with weddings! Bridle Bash is an awesome party put on by the Bridle Bash Foundation who I’ve been friends with for almost ten years. This summer, the party will once again be rocking one of Toronto’s most elite neighbourhoods, the Bridle Path. Party date is July, 28th. At the last one I attended my siser and I took over a canoe, inside the pool and made the society page of The Globe & Mail: I’m volunteering my time to help out the team with social media & run the twitter. I’d love you to follow & tweet with me at @BridleBash. We’re not decided on who will be rocking the stage yet BUT in lieu of the fee for an awesome band, the Foundation is planning to donate $150,000 to the charity of their choice. Video from BB IV in 2010:  Here’s a wee bit from the press release (read it here): Bridle Bash parties have always featured top-notch talent, with previous parties featuring amazing entertainers such as Burton Cummings, former Supremes singer Mary Wilson, and legendary Motown blues band the Funk Brothers. This year, the foundation is looking for a high-calibre musical act to headline Bridle Bash V, taking place on July 28. In exchange for this one-night engagement, the Bridle Bash Foundation will donate $150,000 to the musician or band’s favourite charity. Hosted on the vast grounds of a private home on Toronto’s exclusive Bridle Path, the Bridle Bash stands apart from other fundraisers. Guests arrive in shorts and jeans, and many get into their bathing suits to watch the band from the pool. But the best thing about the Bridle Bash is the money it raises for great causes. I’ll be doing some super fun giveaways for tickets closer to July. The…

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Penny Drive!

This is Will. Will is amazing. Watch his story. He’s having an impromptu Penny Drive for his 75km Ride for Heart June 3rd in Toronto. I would love you to help me ‘show your roll’ and donate to Will’s Ride for Heart. I dare you to watch this any not cry. I’m off to High Park to support a friend in the Harry Rosed run for prostate cancer. It’s beautiful & sunny out. Enjoy the day. Bon weekend! <3 CASIE

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DARE TO WEAR LOVE BE AWESOME

On Friday I was one of about 20 Canadian celebrities (yes me!) to walk the final show for Mastercard International Fashion Week, otherwise known as Toronto Fashion Week. This is my favourite shot. There’s gotta be one of me spinning in this beautiful, one of a kind African inspired dress by Kingi Carpenter of Peach Berserk. It’s my fav shot because it’s so natural, it’s me, being real, having fun.  It felt really rad to be part of this show along with a heap of Canadian greats like Jeanne Becker, Dina from Breakfast Television, Trish Stratus, granddaughter of Bob Marley, Donisha Prendergast, Chef Jamie Kennedy and more all in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This is the third fashion show I’ve been in in the last few months and lemme tell ya, I love being on the runway. I used to model heaps as a teenager in local shows around Waterloo region. I got my start after winning Miss Teen Cambridge 1996. Don’t laugh! It’s been a really fun journey thus far and I’m insanely excited about the opportunities the next year will bring.  My makeup was really crazy and it doesn’t look as cool on the runway as it did up close. My hair cut & colour are done by Redken stylist and friend Darren Kwik, he’s been doing my hair for about three years now. Shoes are from long time loved brand, Doc Martens. Official information about Dare to Wear Love: Dare To Wear Love – World MasterCard Fashion Week – The Tents at David Pecault Square – March 16, 2012 The Closing Night Gala of World MasterCard Fashion Week celebrates the fashion design community’s talents and commitment to social justice. Dare To Wear Love is a high energy, massively entertaining show featuring gorgeous one of a kind fashions by…

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LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR HEART

Love a Heart from Chris Luckhardt on Vimeo. Instagram photo by @ValTorontoGal @ The Hideout I did Jump Rope for Heart and was on skipping demo team fror the Heart & Stroke Foundation when I was a kid. We travelled around to schools doing routines and raising awareness about heart disease. February is Heart Month, heart disease and stroke take 1 in 3 Canadians before their time and it is the #1 killer of women. Thanks for everyone who came out and donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada for Love a Heart. Posted a bunch of photos last week in this post. For info on volunteering or donating visit heartandstroke.com. Be part of the change. MAKE DEATH WAIT 🙂

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Semaine de Mode 2012

[View the story “Ottawa Fashion Week in Tweets” on Storify] See highlights on the Ottawa Fashion Week blog.  

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#LOVEAHEART Raises +$11K for Heart & Stroke

Last night’s event was a great success! We all had a blast and raised over $11,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Our MC’s Shannon & Hawaii did a great job of entertaining the crown and Miss Shannon Hunter did an excellent job putting it all together. Tiny Danza played a great show and George Strombo showed up to be a surprise bachelor. Thanks to Simply You for hooking me up with beautiful jewellery and Rent Frock Repeat for the beautiful red dress. I sold for $400 to Stephen from the Globe & Mail. See all the photos for the night on Facebook. Heart disease the LEADING killer of women. Please donate and Make Death Wait.

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Share the Love with Me to We Artisans

Today’s video features one of my fav pieces from a company I love & support, Me to We. I’ve been following the path of Craig Kielberger, founder of Free The Children since I was 14 years old. See the entire Me to We artisans collection here  or visit Free the Children for info about how they are changing the world. See my previous posts about the company here, metowe_casie. “Love is the mother who spends her day tending her land to support her children. Love is the daughter who walks for hours every day to collect water for her family. Love comes in all forms—friends, mothers, families, sweethearts. On February 14th, share the love not only with your loved ones, but the world.” * BTW I have successfully added a video to my YouTube channel EVERY DAY this month. Check it out & subscribe here. Give me 20 more days and I will have the hang of this iPhone iMovie thing!!

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ADVANCED STYLE

These ladies are style inspiration for ANY AGE. Someone shared this video with me yesterday when I mentioned that 73 year old fox, Haddie. They’re all from New York and somewhere between “50 and death” as one of them says. I’m not scared of getting old at all.  Life is a journey. This year I turn thirty and I’m so ready for it! I know, you thought I was younger my my youthful charm, hold the compliments 😉 In other style news, Lauren, Julio and I are in the Globe & Mail Fashion & Beauty photos of the week (from Friday’s Motion Ball Gala). Check us out!  I love the pink in my hair more every day. Photos were taken by Steve Blackburn from YYZ events. Here’s one he put on Facebook. First time I’ve really seen my new tattoos photographed. I can’t WAIT to add to my arm/sleeve and fill it all in.

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LOVE WHAT YOU LOVE

Here’s a little sneak peek into the dresse we’ll be wearing at Love a Heart on February 9th. The event is a date auction so if you have ever wanted to go on a date with me (or any of the other boys & girls) this is your chance! All proceeds go to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Last year’s event was a HUGE success! Rent Frock Repeat is a Canadian owned and operated business, based in Toronto. The concept is fairly simple – rent a designer dress, wear it, send it back. Erin Bury has talked about it before so I was super keen to give it a go. The babes behind RfR, Lisa & Kristy set up a pop up shop for us with dressing tents complete with wine, treats & cupcakes.   I picked a gorgeous red silk number by Adam. So fitting for Valentines Day <3 There were so many really beautiful dresses to pick from. I love the concept of renting a dress, it’ll be so handy come Film Fest! Raymbo & I have the devil angel thing happening here mooohahah. Who is which?                 Love this dress for another time. Love the back and how it shows tattoo. Raymi is going to be a beautiful blonde baby Björk. For more info on Love a Heart see FB. Thanks Shannon for setting this up and the lovely ladies at Rent Frock Repeat for offering  a 10% discount on rentals with code LOVEAHEART. Go rent a dress for your Valentines date or something special and 10% will go to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Love ya xo CASIE

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Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Friday Kate & I attended the Women for Women’s luncheon in support of Women’s College Hospital. It was hosted by Jeanie Beker and there were over 800 women there. My sister was in Women’s College Hospital a couple years ago. WCH is a world leader in women’s health and they do research to improve women’s lives (some male patients too). Thank you kindly for the invte and I look forward to the next lunch Spring 2012. For info about the brand new Women’s College Hospital building and the great things they have going on go here. This is from the wall at CTS and is a quote by George Bernard Shaw 🙂

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