// NOVEMBER 5TH, 2013

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I’ve been writing and collecting/ taking photos since 2011. Not the best writing, but I wrote everyday for years before I started Candice Kaye Design. I rarely missed a day. It was my happy place - my own little world of magic I carved out for myself. I’m sipping on my second glass of red wine and have spent the last hour reading through my old iCandi posts. Firstly I can’t believe I was that brave to write and share as many photos as I did. iCandi was before Instagram. It was not cool to take your camera out back then. Haha, but I did. All the time. Anywhere and everywhere. I have always wanted to turn iCandi and this “life” section into a book. I imagine the book taking place in real time. Like a biography, a biography of a normal girl with a huge dream going through the journey now - not after the fact. A large coffee table book filled with life lessons, my journey, my clients that helped build me, my hopes and dreams and goals and the people i’ve met along the way with photos to prove it all.

This week is going to be a big one for CKD. One of my biggest collaborations launching this Thursday. Can’t wait to finally tell you about it. Happy weekend x C

// COLOMBIA

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January 6th, 2020. Feels like the official start of the new decade aaand I have been spending it in Colombia, alone. My entire family flew home last night. I have a rare gift of managing to book myself flights on the wrong dates. I once showed up for a flight to Australia just to find out my flight took off the night before. Thankfully it always works out. I spent the night in a king size bed and woke up to breakfast in bed answering emails while watching Disney movies in Spanish (for about an hour before I figured out how to switch the channel to English). I’m ready to get back to the studio. SO much already in the works for 2020. But before I hop on this plane home I wanted to share my week in Colombia celebrating Kayla and Flip’s engagement with his family. From all of my travels I can honestly say this was by far one of my favourite adventures and best New Years yet. There were so many traditions! Including dress up. One of my favourites was their tradition after the countdown. At 12:00 am everyone gets a glass of 12 grapes. You make one wish per minute for 12 minutes for each month of the year. There were so many tears and moments shared that I know each and every one of us on this trip will never ever forget. I learned how to ride a horse, who I nicknamed Charlie - short for a name I couldn’t pronounce. I fell in love, with Colombia, with the people, and somewhere within this week I felt like myself again. It’s been a while since I laughed as hard as I have all week. I am so fortunate for the family and the people that surround me. 2019 taught me how truly important that is. I hope you had an incredible holiday! xx C

// 2019 RECAP

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I have no words for 2019. What an insane year. I had the busiest months in CKD history mixed with some of the most confusing months in CKD history. I learned (or was forced to learn) how real institution is. It’s not just a feeling, it’s the feeling I needed to listen to. I took the time to really get to know myself this year. The process has completely changed my perspective not just in everyday day-to-day life, but the people I keep around me, my boundaries, my thought and behavioural patterns and my future. There are already so many things lined up for 2020. I really can’t wait to jump into this new year! I am taking off for Columbia tonight! Spending the new year with my family :) Updates soon. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

// DEC 12TH

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I feel like I’ve been running on a hamster wheel since October. A very exciting hamster wheel, but it’s definitely testing my endurance. I really need to get my butt back into BOLO. Last week I was in New York to build the set of Fluffy the Musical with Francine from D’AquinoMonaco. Fluffy premieres next Monday at the Producers Club on 44th Street! I took off straight to Miami for my very first Art Basel. It was a couple days of looking at art installations, finally seeing Papi Steak in person, meeting up with clients and dressing up for fancy dinners. Sounds glorious right about now. There was a really cool vibe in Miami.

What else is going on… CKD has her very first client in LA. The LA market is one I’ve been wanting to tap into for a while now. It’s a start :) Really excited about it. Rustic wallpaper is definitely coming back. Building it from scratch is not an easy task though. The girls from Motelier Life and I are SO close with Sauble Beach’s boutique hotel’s print. Final colour and scale samples. Did I tell you I’m working on the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto with Studio Munge and TarTar Art Projects? The prints have been approved and are moving into sampling. Can’t wait to share!! I feel like I’m missing something but I need to run and buy paint for a mural I’m working on at the Congress Centre. Talks soon! X C OH I did! Something SUPER SPECIAL IS COMING SOON TO CB2. But I can’t say what lol. K bye

// CKD X BACARDI

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Bacardi and I created a pop-up restaurant on Ossington. Fully functioning dinner, premium rum tasting (did you know Bacardi has a premium rum?!) all furniture and tableware by CB2, and bespoke CKD wallpaper that drifted onto the menus and coasters. LOVE the way this turned out! SO much work, but the team at Pomp PR and I pulled it off :) So happy with this! If you’re walking down Ossington take a look! Photos by Elaine Fancy