something big is coming....

I helped out with TwestivalTO in February, an event that took place at CiRCA and was part of a world wide effort to raise money for Charity Water. Toronto raised over $10,000 and we had hundreds of people out. It was a great party! Our friends at Daily Challenge are doing something awesome and when they asked for me to join their team for the event, I was all in!

The event is called Pay It Backward Day and the idea came from one of the earliest challenges for DC. It involves doing something nice and purchasing a drink for the person behind you in line (see image->). The goal is to beat Starbucks who have the current world record and get 500 people in a row to take part.

It is on Saturday, April 4th at Queen & John, Second Cup. It's right across the street from Much Music. The New Flow 93.5 will be broadcasting live, there will be all kinds of interesting stuff going on.
I've never broken a world record, that I know of, and I would really like your help to do it. So come. Join in on FB. I took this pix-mix of our city on the way to work today - Toronto the GOOD!

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah! i am nude no more!

Dear Threadless, I'm Casie & I love you. ♥

Today after a meeting I came back my desk to find a lovely little t-shirt shaped package from Threadless. They are having a huge sale and I ordered a few goodies. I love getting mail. Their packaging is adorable, it arrived fast and prices can not be beat. Also, you are more likely to have unique clothes than the other kids who pick up their stuff at wanna-be hipster retail chains. Here's my new goodies. I got two shirts that glow in the dark too. Yahoooooooooooots!

there's gold in the air of summer

I went to grab a coffee this afternoon and it was so cold and windy. I hate that. However, I did meet someone cool while I was at the coffee shop. His name is Jeff Adams. You may know of him? He is a two-time Olympian, four-time Paralympian, six-time World Champion, and former World Record Holder in the 1500 m men's wheelchair event. His 800 m gold in Sydney was a record-breaker. He is co-founder of Marvel Wheelchairs and his workshop is right near my office. He invited my to check out the shop and I would really love that!

one of my favorite ones

This is a photo of one of my pieces I did with pastels. It is called 'Strike Out in a Different Direction'. It is full of light, energy, attraction, fire & passion. This is one of my most expensive ones because I like it the most. I think I will keep forever, unless an offer comes along I can not resist!! I'm planning on doing some painting this weekend. Looks like rain is on its way and thatinspires me to make art.

dear memory, please pick up your socks and get to work!

I don't remember where it came from. I think I was watching a movie or something? If you know please inform me, I have a bad memory, as you already know. I drew this sketch as I was watching [insert movie here]. There is a chance it was not in a movie and it was my real life or something that really happened. This, I may never know.

I over heard "anyone deemed rich enough to plant their own orange trees". I think it means if you can plant your own orange trees, you aren't doing too bad. I've never had an orange tree. Granddad had passion fruit trees in NZ, now that's my favorite. I guess a passion fruit tree would mean you're living a passionate & sweet life!

some more unnecessary things made in to necessary art

I first posted my collection 'Unnecessary Wheels" late last year. I have added more to the ever growing group of 'things with unnecessary wheels'. I took photos of a few today to share. I'm really looking forward to displaying them all together some time. Each image is made up & drawn with pastel, paint, marker etc on 60lb, 30% post-consumer acid free fiber. I use a Strathmore sketchbook from the first and only U.S. paper manufacturer to use wind generated electricity to run their paper mills. I share with you from my Unnecessary Wheels Collection - dumbbells, matchbox & motor canoe.

going back to school...cool school.

This morning I stopped into School Bakery & Cafe in Liberty Village before work. I was pleased with my coffee and toast. The prices are a little more than most other morning spots but, I liked the way it looked. I checked out their site and it seems they have Friday Night School dance party that looks like fun by the hot babe in the the ad. They way all their stuff written online and offline has gotten my attention for sure. I love the typography of the big 'schoolish' letters and the chalk boards. I think I'll be going back to School.

you make ME wanna shout and dance

I'm a big fan if any type of dance party and especially improv dance parties. Might you recall the subway dance party? I've seen this video along with various others from improv groups around the world. This one, a T-Mobile commercial was filmed at Liverpool Station. It's my favorite. I'd love to take part in something like this in our wonderful city! Mum sent it to me and I thought other peeps might like to check it out also. Enjoy!

the brightest light in my life

On the weekend I spent a lovely day with Mum. She has just returned from New Zealand and brought back some treats. I feel quite lucky because she managed to find and bring back some of her old clothes for us. I got a great dress she made (yes, made) when she was about 15 as well as a gorgeous leather belt. She brought my sister back a pair of her old boots that are totally rad. Mum found some old photos of herself, she is so cool and has always been a stylish young lady!One of the things I really miss about NZ are the treats. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy! Mum packed up a goodie bag for us each! Yum yum!We stopped into Lahore Tikka House for lunch. The food was fantastic as usual. However, they are using Styrofoam plates and cups which I find to be wasteful and horrible for the environment. Maybe they will change this behavior? I did see the following things that I found to be amusing:Note the handwritten sign stating that you can have a "piece of history" by purchasing an Obama t-shirt. Nice.

This needs no explanation except for "ha ha". Have a great day!

cut copy and paste my love

On Friday night I went to CiRCA for Cut Copy. It was packed. There were heaps of hipsters and cool kids crowding the stage & stairs. I ran into some cool friends and made some new ones also. There was lots of neon, sequins, and anything that might have rocked the eighties. This, I loved. I wore the shiny late night mini skirt from American Apparel in electric purple with a reversible clutch from BettyKiss. I first posted about Cut Copy last summer. They are from Australia and totally rad. I connected the boys later in the evening and snapped a few pix. The band is made up of Dan Whitford , vocals/keyboard/guitar, Tim Hoey on bass/sampler, & Mitchell Scott on drums. They were really nice guys. I'd really like to catch them at a small venue or a house party. Next time!

things in my room

When I was last home visiting Mum I came across an old journal of mine from when I was eleven. To read it is simply divine. I am happy to relive my own life through it. My writing style is similar and my attitude is the same. I will post some excerpts from it one of these days!

Also in my room is this lovely photo of Audrey and a quote I admire. It from a book by Genevive Antoine Dariaux called A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions. It's a great read and contains everything from accessories to zippers in a classic & elegant style. I discovered it reading Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro, also a great chic lit book.

fashionable by choice

Last night I went to the Escada fashion show at the Spoke Club. It was fun. The clothes were nice. Nothing stood out to make me REALLY excited. The models were skinny as usual. It was really nice to be at the Spoke again after such a long winter. It made me excited for summer! I saw familiar faces including Tony Charr, Julian & Derek.

We had a really nice time. Our bartender was making these lovely cocktails with fresh crushed raspberries. It was delicious.

Escada Toronto Fashion Week 2009 from Casie Stewart on Vimeo. I made a mistake on this video and the audio is longer than necessary. Forgive, for I am only a human!

green is my favorite colour

St. Patrick's Day was a fun time. It's pretty hard to screw up a night filled with everyone feeling 'green' and filling themselves with beer. I had green stuff all over me. The Brazen Head pub was packed so we filled up a 20 person table at a different location and started the fun.

In the spirit of 'green' I'd like to point out a few things. My office building is green and has an Inorganic market for electronic waste. This is a growing problem in our world and I am proud that they are on it.

This beautiful mural is my favorite shade of green. I walk past it everyday.

Someone keeps spray painting this on garbage cans and buildings around. I am a fan of creative street art and creative graffiti. This is neither. I know infowars and what it is about but seriously, this is totally unnecessary. #FAIL.

this is raphael saddiq

he came close to me
from the stage
his voice was warm
as it graced my ears

enlightened by his
performance
i share it with you


Raphael Saddiq & Me from me on vimeo.

where in the world is carmen sandiego?

If not for the weather, it is definitely spring judging by the amount of going out I've been doing over the past week!

This morning I located the Elusive Carmen on Twitter and has a pretty cool site with agents and stuff. I like it. I am now following @vile, Carmen has tips on interesting things.

I feel like I have so much to share! On Monday night I had drinks with the lovely Aga followed by the Raphael Saddiq show at the Phoenix with Bonga and some friends.

I ran into Rahim otherwise knows as @funkstop.

Then I saw this cute girl.

It was a great show. As usual, I showed up fashionable & late when it was already in progress. Such is life!

arts & culture writer = me

I wrote an article a few months back about a fascinating artist named Michael Golland. Afterwards, I found out that it was going to be the feature cover story! I was quite excited given I'm yet to have 'write a cover story' checked off my list. An excerpt is below. You can read the whole article here. "He wants people to be captivated, to find and immerse themselves in their flow of consciousness. Michael’s art is about finding the Zen within and connecting to its powerful energy. His paintings are unique and recognizable. Fluid lines dance across the canvas creating trajectory spaces filled with monochromatic colors. He aims to draw connections between the objects, the lines, the space, the spirit within and the essence of life itself. Michael was born in Yorkshire, England during the Second World War." [get all the juice]

all the things i said i said i would do before the sun came out and wanted me to enjoy it

Today, I am reminded of a poem I wrote in Australia. It was 7am, I was walking with my feet in the ocean on Bondi Beach. It was my favorite time of day. Peace, bliss, energy, sunlight ; it was freedom. This untitled poem is my most favorite one I've written, I think. There are so many! I'm in the process of picking my favorites so I can have a new book out later this year. Enjoy!

As the waves crashed on the shore,
the wind washed them away.
And as I walked along the sand,
I felt I could not stray.
For I was walking towards the sun,
and it was a brand new day.
Casie Stewart 2004

yeah, a real green dress. that's cool

We've been having quite lovely weather the last few days. The air feels like spring and resonates positivity through vibrant sunlight. I walked to and from work yesterday and thus far, am repeating again today. It makes my mind clear and body feel great. I can definitely feel the multiple hours of walking paying off already!

In spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I will be celebrating at Brazen Head Irish Pub in Liberty Village after work. They were setting up yesterday on my way to the office.

I snapped this guy while getting lunch.

you make music to my ears

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event bridging the League of Kickass Under 30 and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The League is 'a social network for young leaders and influencers that are the future of their industry' & in partnership with the League of Kickass Business People. The League (#LOKU30) had the privileged of having Music Director, Peter Oundjian and VP of Marketing & Business Development Mike Forrester speak to prior us to the performance . They both were great to listen to and spoke about the TSO, the value of the symphony in Toronto and the importance of the arts.

this is my orchestra from me on vimeo.

The performanceI saw is part of the New Creations Festival and featured acclaimed violinist and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Hilary Hahn, Cellist Shauna Rolston and a beautiful work for the string orchestra by Tōru Takemitsu.

There was even an afterparty post show where I mingled with musicians over cocktails. It was a truly uplifting experience. I'm really looking forward to returning. If you didn't know the symphony was this cool, you do now. I am excited to inform you that TSO on June 20 & 21st you can see The Music of ABBA! #OMG. I wondering if it would be frowned upon to dance in the aisles? All I need is a ticket because I doubt I could stay in my chair since they are playing everything from Dancing Queen to Take a Chace on Me. Totally awesome!

spring has sprung out!

I went for three walks today. Yes, three. Hello spring, beach body and bike riding!

Walk 1. Brekky with some friends at the Old York Bar & Grill. I was in good company and we laughed our heads off at continuous random hilarity.

Walk 2. Went for a beautiful stroll in the Toronto Music Garden. "The garden was built in Inspired by the pictorial element in Johann Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello with each dance movement within the suite corresponding to a different section in the garden." [Learn more] I'm working on a video of my Toronto Symphony experience. Will publish later today! Took some cool photos by the water & in the garden.

Walk 3. My roommate and I walked down by South Beach & Marina 2. There is still ice on the water and it looked pretty neat. I did not know there was so many little places to walk around.