// LATELY

// From the studio

Wednesday at 12:33 pm, and these are my thoughts at the moment. Dan has been on call at the hospital all week, leaving poor wittle Candice all alone at the apartment. Which has looked like dinner alone, disney movies on repeat [last night I watched Marry Poppins and the new Cinderella movie], then around 9 pm I'll pour myself a glass of whiskey.. which we are recently out of so vodka soda orange juice it has been, FaceTime with Britt, then around 10:15-ish I'll shut down. Inbetween watching movies, drinking, and eating, I've had loads of time to doze off into my own head. Whenever I get down on myself aka think of all the possible reasons why I won't make it in this industry, therefore should just throw all my designs in the garbage, never try something new again in my life and just pretend like New York never happened, I'll give my head a little shake, or take a sip of my whiskey [whatever works] and read this quote. It was actually my computer desk top picture for a while. It's so true though! You always end up reaching your goals, just the way there is never the way you think it is. Trust the journey. Anyway, just my thoughts at the moment. x -C

// CKD SORT OF MORNING

// Studio life

Hay. So as I've mentioned in earlier posts, ckd will be making a couple changes in the new year. Well not so much changes - more so advancements. Advancements = fabric, and embroidery, and new packaging, and new new new new. Here's a little of my fun from this morning. Just me, myself, my dream world, coffee, and flowers :) 

// A NIGHT AT BURLESQUE

// Location: Duane Park

A casual Saturday night in New York started with Burlesque and ended at Miss Korea at around 4:30 am. Yes, I walked in the door at around 5:15 am. It's been a hot New York minute since I've done that. I took the photo below in the bathroom of the venue. Loved the wallpaper. Sort of reminds me of the inspiration behind the ckd's newest mural going up in less than two weeks in the east village. We have decided to do a custom print for the ceiling as well! Ahh it's going to look sick! Cant wait to show you the finished product! Happy Monday guys x -C

// #MOOD

// TGIF Vibes

damn it's hard coming back from a week on the beach to a full on week in nyc. so much so i've said f' it to capitals. t.g.i.f. i don't think i've stopped moving for the past two years - so  laying in the heat sipping on pina coladas which eventually turned into vodka sodas all day was a huge body shock. i most def shocked my body again by deciding to have a launch party in toronto the day after i got back. ah well #yolo. i'm in a tumblr mood trying to get some inspiration for my new spring collection coming out. so far nothing, but i fell in love with couple photos in the process. i'm off to a 'friends-giving' tonight, a term i've only really heard while living here. turkey friends and cocktails. i'm in :) I hope you guys have a good weekend. my weekend will be going down on snap ckayedesign if you wish to follow along. x -C 

// LUCKY NUMBERS

// #22

You might have noticed I have a thing with numbers. Collection N Eleven, Collection N Twelve, [Collection N Fifteen is next] - all for a reason. Some call it superstitious, I call it magic. My little piece of magic that gets me through the hustle. Last night after the ckd watercolor class at Maman, Elisa and I went back to her chic TriBeca apartment sipped on some vino and ate leftovers. It was one of those New York days that rolled into night that I've missed. Ok I only miss them a little, I'm on my second coffee and still feeling a little sleepy. 

Thanks to all the lovely people who came out last night to the class, It was so good meeting everyone. x -C

// 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.