// CKD TONIGHT AT MAMAN

// Location: Maman Cafe, 239 Center Street, Soho, NY

Tonight I'll be teaching how to paint the famous Candice Kaye Design rose whilst designing your own thank-you cards for the holidays. From 6pm - 8pm tonight Maman and I will be hosting another watercolor class [this time serving wine] [my kind of painting party] hashtag #HellYas. If you're interested we have a couple spots still available! Email info@MamanNyc.com if you're interested in a painting party tonight. Seats are only $40.00 [drinks sold separately]. Hope to see you there! x -C

// HOLIDAY CONFESSION

// Gift Wrap

So I have a confession - I hate wrapping gifts. Seriously I'm really bad at it. I guess it's more of I suck than "hate". I always seem to leave too much or not enough paper on the ends of my gifts. I can never get that folded side finish you see on Pinterest.  I initially decided to turn Collection N Twelve into gift wrap for the holidays for my own selfish reason of camouflaging my wrapping abilities. Then I got them printed, that rolled into opening a shop, which rolled into setting up a photoshoot for the shop. That's generally how things work, a small idea usually explodes into something the initial idea was never intended to be. Anyways, getting to my point - when I was setting up the shoot I had to wrap a couple boxes. I'm not going to lie, my wrapping looked A+. The paper just folded the way I wanted it to, and the design sort of just did all the work for me. I'm not trying to say my work is amazing, I'm just saying there is something to be said when you put that extra bit of work into your gift giving. Attention to detail is always appreciated. I'm printing a new design that will launch in December :) Stay tooned! x -C

// MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT

// Location: Soho, NY

I love New York and it's walls. I passed by this one whilst on my walk with Rachel [another New York transplant who's killing it] and naturally asked for her to take a shameless photo of me in front of it. It's the perfect representation of life lately - Gloves out, head up, while causally dressed in leather. Also, speaking of gloves out, Rach and I did a boxing class at Gotham [no it's not because Gigi Hadid goes there. Yes obviously I was on the look out, she's my girl crush] and I'm officially in love. If you're on the lookout for something new and effective you must try a boxing class. It's the best workout - next to a dance class. Which I need to get my ass into. Ok. that's all. x -C

// CKD GOES TO BACK TO HER ROOTS AND LAUNCHES IN TORONTO

// Location: Love The Design

Photos by: Marlee Maclean

New York has a funny way of playing with your ego. When it feels like being nice it can pick you up and place you on top of the world. Then within seconds it can kick you off. Leaving you to pick yourself off the floor struggling to stand again. I've felt both. I really love what I do. I enjoy refilled coffee while painting and an open schedule just as much as I enjoy running around the city carrying easels that are heavier than me, setting up photoshoots, and late night edits, last minute changes, and jumping into the dark when taking on projects I've never done before. I love the fast pace of it all. Regardless of my love for my work, New York at times makes me feel like I need validation for my love. Who have you worked for, what projects have you done, what's coming up next, the usual questions. The same questions that give me anxiety. I had a friend ask me "why Toronto" on Friday night. I forget what my answer was, but looking back at that question now my answer is pretty simple. I collaborated with the prettiest store in Toronto, had an old friend work her magic and style Collection N Twelve around the store, another friend (whom I met through my Roots Canada collaboration) take photos of the event, and filled the room with friends, family, and whatever designers wanted to come through. I didn't need validation that night, nor did I care for it. CKD is designed to be enjoyed not validated. I moved to New York for a bigger life, and I always felt once I get "there" life will start for me and all my hard work will pay off. Friday night taught me a lot about what I actually wanted. Life has begun and life is happening. CKD will be slowing down at the stop signs for the full three seconds for the next little while. I don't want to miss anything. Thank you to everyone who came out Friday night. It was so amazing to see everyone and to show you what I've been working so hard on. x -C

 Ashley Davidson - Your styling abilities made the entire event perfect. Christine Flynn- THANK YOU for your space. Your store is so incredibly beautiful. Cake Jar Co. - I enjoyed your delicious cake Saturday morning with my Tim's coffee. Marlee - These photos are beautiful. Rob and Kyra from Twenty2 Wallpaper for your beautiful quality. 

// TAKING A MOMENT

//

I'm back in New York City after an hour of being held up at the border [I'm Canadian with a VISA], and two hours stuck on trains + taxi to my front door. I had a huge heavy suitcase, and two carry on bags. It was not the prettiest sight. Shout out to the kind man who helped me lift my bag up a flight of stairs. The escalator wasn't running. #NewYorkLife am I right? I woke up this morning slightly sore and excited to tell you all about Friday night. The launch of Collection N Twelve in Toronto. For the first time my family and friends got to see what I've been working hours and sleepless nights on here in New York. But - before I get to the party stuff, I wanted to take a second to talk about Friday. The attacks on not just Paris, but the rest of the world. Isis scares the shit out of me, I'll admit it. Even writing the word "Isis" makes me feel weird. It's like a living Voldemort from Harry Potter. Isis killed just about 129 people on Friday night in Paris, and 43 people in Beirut. In Syria, people see this number of deaths every day. With blood on both sides Syrian people are running, but now with no where to go as borders are closing. Rightfully so, the terrorists are fleeing with them. Which just makes things so much more complicated. There are people out there risking themselves and their families for a better life just to get stopped and told to turn around. I've been reading essay after essay on this issue, and still feel extremely naive to speak publicly on my perspective. So I pray for those in charge to make the best decisions, I pray for Paris, for Beirut and for all the Provinces Isis has declared. I don't know about you but I can't read anymore on this. It's too real and scary, although #WeAreNotAfraid.

// HAPPY LAUNCH PARTY DAY

// Location: Love The Design

It's here!! The launch of Collection N Twelve in Toronto! I have a full day ahead of me of picking up easels, and flowers, and wine, and glasses and decorating the store, at some point I really need to get my nails done - but I wouldn't have it any other way [also I have the luxury of my Jeep, screw you New York subways]. It's going to be a fabulous night. If you're around from 5-8 pm tonight come by 1226 Yonge Street - Love The Design! Shoot me an email candicekaye@candicekayedesign.com so I can get you on the list. Hope to see you there! I have fabulous Marlee Maclean as our photographer tonight, can't wait to show you the photos of the event Monday! x -C 

// RESORT LIFE

// Location: Hardrock - Punta Cana

I just landed in Toronto and it's freezing and uncomfortable. Mostly because I thought it was a good idea to travel in sandals. It's not a good idea. Ever. It's been a while since I did an all inclusive, six to seven years long time. My favourite part about the week [besides the wedding of course] were the easy-slip-on-whatever-you want outfits. Big hoops, red lips, high heels, white and black leopard pants - all acceptable. No noisy subways, or taxis, the warm nights let you wear whatever you wanted, with the exception of frizzy hair that - that was my only option.

Although I couldn't fully unplug from work [we just launched the shop] it did feel nice to lay in the sun and day dream about all the new things I can't wait to be doing in the new year but now back to reality I need to focus on the right now. Likeeee the launch party tomorrow at Love The Design. I'm so excited to 1. Celebrate in my own city, and 2. Celebrate in my own city. It's going to be a good time. I really hope to see you there! It's bed time for CK. Talk tomorrow x -C

// #GIRLBOSS

//

Sophia is the mastermind behind Nasty Gal. She started from Ebay and from there found herself in a multi million dollar company. Her street smart personality is what sucked me in. I love reading about an entrepreneur who threw out the business plan, didn't worry about investors, and just did. She started small, and worked her way up. If you're in the mood for an inspiring read about work/life/success I highly recommend it. I've personally had many people in my life tell me my ideas were crazy. I've also been told I work too much, talk about myself too much, and for that reason no one would want to be around me. I actually just laughed out loud writing that because it's absolutely ridiculous. Chasing dreams will work you like a dog. And that's a fact. I don't think I'm at the point in my career where I can say "look at me now", but I've definitely come a long way from my blog writing days in Toronto. In the words of Sophia Amoruso, "Fortune favors the bold who get shit done". 

It's Wednesday which means there are new horoscope up! Read read read. x -C

// HOLA

// Location: Punta Cana

So I think it hit me. Headache, sore body, and sleepy eyes. I've caught the go-go-go-stop syndrome. I get it often when I'm at home in Canada for a weekend, but Punta Cana operates on one level - very slow. The first couple days of being here I didn't know what it felt like to just sit and relax, as in I totally forgot what it felt like. At the moment - it's currently 8:40 am - I feel like I've got run over by a train and all I want to do is sleep until I feel better. Which is most likely what I need. I'll sleep on the beach. Problem solved. Anyway back to the reason we are all here, Britt and Evan's wedding. Aside from the fact that the bride and groom got rained on by a typhoon [literally, the poor bride was drenched] they bounced back with new outfits, and threw the most incredible party. Our Brittany Rapp is now a Mrs. Blainey and I couldn't be more happy for her. I hope you're enjoying the week [throws on her beach coverup] x -C