Hey kind krafters!
       Hope you are all doing well and enjoying these last few days of November, before heading into the crazy month that is December. December is for most of us a busy, all over the place time of the year. For students it marks the end of term, the time of exams and final projects and assignments. It is the busy holiday season of parties, get together’s, family gatherings, and celebrations. All of that excitement and activity can be fun and heartwarming, it can also be hectic and stressful.
        Midst this stress and excitement, it is important to take time to slow down, breathe, and spend a little bit of time caring for yourself. Trust me, I know this is easier said than done. I’m about to move into a 6 day a week schedule of working retail in the holiday season, while also preparing to move across the country in a month to live on an island for 4 months. BUT the time is there for us to breathe and step back a bit, and trust me that it is incredibly important that we ensure we do so, both for the health and peace of ourselves, and those loved ones surrounding us. 

Tips for Slowing Down When Things Get Crazy

• Wake up 10 minutes earlier, and use that bit of extra time to meditate or stretch
  I do this every morning with the Stop, Breathe, Think Meditation app and it’s essential to keeping my mind and mood at ease

• Do yoga, anytime, anywhere, once a day
  Before bed, first thing in the morning, for 5 minutes at lunch, or an hour in a class after work, it will help calm your mind and ease some of that stress and excitement out of your muscles

• Be in nature!
  As your know this is always my go to and number one recommendation and it really helps, even if you can only spare 10 minutes to walk your block

• Turn off the screens and try a book for a few minutes, or an hour before bed
  You’ll sleep better and feel a bit calmer, which will help with the hectic time of year

• Enjoy the holiday sweets and treats, but make sure you still get a good fill of staples like veggies, fruit, and whole grains to help sustain your energy and keep you happy

• Try to take at least 10 minutes a day to do something you love
  Yoga, walking, drawing, reading, painting, watching that awesome new Netflix show you just love and makes you giggle, whatever it is take as much time as you can

• Enjoy your morning cup of coffee or tea, and don’t start anything until it’s done
  This one is tricky, and I’ll admit I only manage it on the weekends, but taking time to fully enjoy my cup of morning coffee while I sit with a book, and not starting my daily task list until I’m done makes a giant difference for me

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• Spend time with family and friends doing whatever makes you all happy together. I try to spend at least one night a week just relaxing with friends, usually it means just sitting on a couch in comfy clothes watching a good movie or Netflix show, it slows me down, lets me be with people I love, and is a perfect pause to a crazy week of work, events, and commitments

I hope these tips for slowing down help you in the coming weeks of business, whether they be holiday, family, school, or anything other way related. I hope you all can find the time to step back, breathe, and take some time for yourself. And as always, please feel free to let me know some of your tips and tricks to slowing down, so we can all spread the love and have some self care.

Stay Kind,
Niki 💙
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​This past summer I watched a television series on Vice called Needles and Pins with Grace Neutral. For those of you who haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend watching it as your next tv series binge! Grace is a tattoo artist and activist with an interest in alternative beauty practices and pushing the world’s boundaries surrounding positive body image. Throughout her series she visits a number of different countries, investigating the different beauty and tattoo scenes. From watching the series, it is clear that the reason behind the ink is unique from person to person.
 
My tattoo experience
 
This year I got my first two tattoos. I’ve wanted tattoos for a number of years now but was never able to fully commit to one design. After cycling through a number of tattoo ideas I finally decided on two. I thought, why not get them both at the same time? So that’s exactly what I did. 
Prior to sitting in the tattoo chair, I spent hours perusing tattoo shops, tattoo artists social media pages, and tattoo fonts. After a lot of research, I decided Oceanic Art was my spot. Josh, my tattoo artist, was amazing. He printed my tattoos at least 10 times before I was happy with them- I am “type A” person to say the least. Once printed, Josh took the time to position the tattoos until they were exactly where I wanted them- after all they don’t wash off! Not only was Josh attentive to detail, he was super calm and made the experience enjoyable.
Josh addressed all of the concerns I had and made the tattoo process almost completely painless. Josh kept me engaged in a meaningful conversation and told me stories about his tattoos, which made the time in the chair fly by. Thank you Josh for making my tattoo experience a positive one, and for sharing your tattoo stories with me. 

​Some powerful things Josh said while I was in the chair:
 
“I don’t get my own work tattooed on me, I find that kind of conceded. Think about it this way, an artist doesn’t typically hang their own artwork on their walls- they will feature other artists’ work that captivates and impresses them.”
 
“Not all tattoos have to have a deep meaning. A tattoo itself is a form of self-expression.”
 
“My tattoos tell my life stories. Some are funny, some are serious, and some are just symbols of memories I don’t want to forget.”
 
The story behind my tattoos:
 
I got a word on my forearm and a phrase on my inner bicep for my first two tattoos.
 
Meraki: A word used to describe doing something with soul, creativity, or love; the essence of yourself that is put into your work. 
The word Meraki has resonated with me since I first discovered it’s meaning. I try to put my soul, creativity and love into all the things I do. I decided to place this word on my forearm as my arm helps me translate my soul, creativity, and love into work. I hope to always work with intention; always leaving a piece of myself in the work that I do. This tattoo is a daily reminder to do work that is aligned with my core values, and to make those values evident in the work I do.
 
Enjoy the little things: A phrase to draw importance to all the little things in life that contribute to the bigger picture.
 
I was raised to see the glass half full. I am definitely an optimist. I do my best, to focus on the positives and remain hopeful when things go awry. Enjoy the little things reminds me to appreciate all the little things in my life that bring me happiness, joy, good health, etc. Although these things may seem small or even meaningless at times, this tattoo makes me take a step back and appreciate all the positive things. I’ve grown up valuing the joy in the little things, which has helped me grasp the significance of the little things for others as well- something that may not seem like a big deal to you may be a big deal for someone else. This tattoo illustrates my admiration of all the things life has to offer- especially the small things, because those collectively contribute to the bigger picture. 

​How I approached my tattoos with my parents
 
So funny story- my younger sister actually cushioned this situation for me. Neive got her first tattoo when she spent a summer studying in Mexico at age 16. She decided to try and hide it from my parents; something that many people attempt to do after getting a tattoo. Although she put in a solid attempt, the lumberjack socks on her feet by our pool in the hot summer led my parents to ask questions. After the story was out, my parents handled the news quite well. They agreed that Neive is entitled to express herself however she likes, as it is her body.  They advised us to be safe about tattooing and to do our research if that was something we wanted to get done. Our parents emphasized that tattoos are PERMANENT and that if we decided to get them done, they should be meaningful. Like most parents, our parents would probably prefer if we avoided permanent ink on our skin, but they love us either way.
I was upfront with my parents about wanting the tattoos. I also talked to my parents about the meaning behind the tattoos. I ran the concerns I had past my parents, they are good people to do this with, as they want you to be safe and make a good decision.
If you are interested in getting a tattoo, make sure you are doing it for you. If you are, and it is what you really want just be open about it. The people that love you will accept you for who you are- and you should never have to hide your self-expression whether that is on your skin or not. Plus, if you do hide it, they will find out eventually!
At the end of the day, the tattoo is for you- so if you like it, it is perfect. Tattoos shouldn’t have to be justified to anyone.
 
My advice
 
If you want one get one. If you are unsure, just wait until you are certain it’s what you want. Do your research- find an artist you like, or many artists (spread the love!). Get tattoos that are meaningful to you and do not sweat what it will look like 80 years from now- because it will look awesome on you no matter your age. Let your tattoos tell your story- lived experiences, fond memories, hardships, or the good times!
 
I personally love tattoos. I feel they are a great way to share a lifetime of stories on one canvas. I cannot wait to get the others that I want to add to my collection!
 
If you are in Nova Scotia looking to get tattooed, go to Oceanic Art. All the artists there are amazingly talented. I hope to get my future tattoos done there! Cool shop set up, rad people, talented artists- what more could you ask for? The answer is nothing :)

Stories behind the Ink
 
Public display of body art is becoming more prominent around the world- and I couldn’t be happier. Pushing the world’s boundaries about the ‘ideal’ beauty image is something I find super intriguing. Being unique is beautiful. Tattooed or not tattooed each person is beautiful. Respecting people’s desire to place art on their bodies is something I find incredibly important. Understanding the stories behind a person’s tattoo(s) can teach you a lot about a person. Let’s start learning.
 
There is so much more that can be said about tattoos and I love hearing and talking about it so please share your tattoo stories by commenting below or reach out via social media!
 
You are all beautiful people.
 
Stay kind my friends,
 
Annie 

Hey kind krafters! I hope you’re all doing well and positively transitioning into these shorter wintery days. This week I wanted to talk about something pretty important, and that is safety in the outdoors. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to make nature more accessible, and have used this blog and my posts are a platform in which to do so. Nature is amazing and should be open to everyone, and my dream is to have nature become a more inclusive space in which all people want to engage and explore, and feel comfortable and capable of doing so.
      But at the same time nature is a place in which we can find ourselves in a lot of danger, especially if we are new to the experience. And even those of us with a lot experience can find ourselves in danger.
         Two months ago, I was in the midst of the one of the worst experiences of my life. I was extremely sick, in and out of the ER, off from work, and basically confined to the couch and my bed. Sometime later and we have determined that the most likely reason for my sudden and largely inexplicable illness was a bacterial infection contracted from a strange bug bite, which made its way into my blood stream and caused my body to go a little crazy trying to fight it. The bug bite was most likely one I got while lying in the grass one afternoon at the lake, when I felt a sharp pinch and had a strange bite, but found no bug on me, and had no telltale marks of a tick or spider bite.
    So yeah, nature can be a little bit scary and dangerous, BUT it remains a place of wonder that can and should be open to everyone. Below I’ve compiled a list of some tips, tricks, and suggestions that I have learned, both the easy and the hard way, from my adventures outdoors and want to pass along. As always, feel free and encouraged to send me your tips, tricks, and suggestions so we can continue this conversation and explore the world together!

Nature Necessities…
A list of helpful and handy things to keep in your pack for everything from a short morning woods walk to a full day hike…

• A wallet or case with…a health card (if you have one), driver’s license or other form of government issued ID, some type of medication/medical condition list on your phone/your person or better yet a medical ID bracelet if you have one/need one
  *essentially anything and everything someone would need to identify you and safely get you to medical care in the case of emergency*
• A rain cover for your pack and waterproof sleeve for your phone
• A phone; great for following a map, tracking your kilometres, checking the time and of course emergency purposes
• A first aid kit, some things in mine are…
  emergency matches, Benadryl, Advil, tweezers, mini-scissors, band aids, blister pads, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, Polysporin, anti-bacterial wipes, gauze, medical tape, water purifying tablets
• Water (I always bring at least 2 bottles for any hike over 1.5 hours)
• Enough food for your expected duration (a few snacks or a full lunch for a day hike) + a bit extra just in case
• A knife (I usually have 2 pocket knives and a large hand-held saw on me)
• A compass
• A map (on your phone, in your hands; bonus points for both!)
• A portable hand-held charger (make sure it’s actually charged!)
• Enough layers (this will be weather dependent and range from gloves and an extra toque, to an extra mid-layer or lightweight outer layer)
• A quick dry towel
  
• A light of some sort (headlamp, lantern, flashlight) 

Suiting Up
Tips and suggestions for your adventure outfit of the day…

• Sturdy hiking boots that are waterproof!
  Make sure your boots are actually waterproof with a membrane and not just a spray that will break down
  Also make sure they have been broken in and have some room up front for movement while making elevation changes and climbs
• Avoid cotton!
  Cotton retains moisture and can be dangerous if you accidentally get wet, especially in cooler climates
  Stick with synthetics, such as my person favorite merino wool layers
• Bring extra socks and from personal experience make those socks merino wool
  They feel great after a long hike, or during if you’re sore
  Merino layers wick away moisture, on numerous occasions they have kept my feet dry by wicking the moisture away after stepping into an unexpectedly deep puddle
• Know your cold tolerance and which parts of your body are most susceptible
  Everyone is different so this might take some time and experimenting
  For me, my fingers and arms are always cold, so I bring gloves and an extra upper layer, my legs run warm so I usually only wear extra bottom baselayers in the middle of winter
• Have at least one article of clothing be bright and visible (think hunter orange, fluorescent pink or green, or bright blue)
• Always pack a hat, to keep the sun off in summer, and your head warm in winter; you’ll never regret having it
• This summer I also started bringing a Buff with me, after starting to sell them at the shop I work in, and now I totally recommend one! Keep your neck warm in cooler temperatures and in the summer I wear it as a headband and soak it in the river while I hike along!
  
• Sunglasses are a good plan too, even in winter when the snow can reflect light back to your eyes and make them quite sore and uncomfortable

Safety Steps and Suggestions
A little list of suggestions sourced from my own experiences to keep you safe and comfortable on trail

• Carry a long stick on any trail where there is risk of wildlife, especially coyotes (a common threat on trails here in Halifax), I usually pick one up near the beginning of the trail and leave it at the trailhead when I’m done for other hikers
• Keep your pocket knife in your pocket, within quick and easy reach
• If you start on a trail and get that gut queasy, get me out of here feeling, turn around and go home. You can come back another day, with a friend or a dog or more experience. Never be ashamed of turning around if you feel like you’re putting yourself in danger on a trail. I’ve done this multiple times, both with friends and on my own.
• If you can always wear long pants, sleeves, and tall socks to protect from ticks and bugs. THOROUGHLY check yourself afterwards, both if you have or have not taken the above precaution. Even as it gets to colder temperatures.
• On that note if you get a strange bite or bump, get it checked out right away, even if you’re mostly sure it’s nothing. Trust me on this one. If it seems out of the ordinary get it checked.
• If you’re hiking in the summer, set alarms on your phone that remind you to reapply sunscreen. It sounds strange but as someone who always forgets to reapply and spends most of the summer burnt, it’s a helpful practice.
• Tell someone where you’re going and roughly how long you should be if you’re able to.
  
• And lastly if you’re hiking with a puppy, bring some food and an extra dish for water. You’re little furry friends get worn out and thirsty too, they need to sustain their energy just as you do and can get worn out and dehydrated just the same as well. I always bring a little bag of dog food, a pocketful of milk bones, an extra bottle of water and two plastic containers for food and water for my little guy.

I hope you enjoyed these tips, tricks, and suggestions, and found them helpful and informative. Happy adventuring!

Stay Kind,
Niki

​I feel that being able to love and experience love is the best part of life. Love is a perfect concoction of passion, joy, and vulnerability. Love looks, sounds, and feels different for each one of us. Once experienced, love provides us all with this indescribable sense of belonging. This week, two very dear friends of mine are celebrating their fifth year anniversary. Sydney and Roy, thank you for showing us the type of love we all deserve. Your love for one another enchants those around you. You are #couplegoals. Happy Anniversary you love birds, this one is for you.  
 
Before I dive into their story I have this disclaimer: their love story is not lyrics from a Taylor Swift song, nor is it a chapter from a Nicklaus Sparks book, nor is it a scene from the next high school musical, despite how much it may seem so.
 
Where it all started
 
It all started in high school. Sydney was auditioning for the school choir that Roy was co-conducting. Their first conversation took place when Syd was rehearsing in the band room. Roy sat down next to Syd and told her that he thought that she was the prettiest girl in school, hands down. Sydney’s face went bright red and she was speechless. Before Sydney could find words, Roy smiled and left the room- it was a drop mic moment for Roy.
 
Over the course of a few months, their friendship flourished. At age sixteen, on a snowy night Roy drove Sydney home. Trying to keep the date going, they both refused to let the conversation come to an end. A snow plough was quickly approaching, cutting their conversation short. Syd jumped out of the car, when Roy exclaimed the words, “I love you!”. Due to poor timing, Syd closed the door as soon as Roy shared his feelings. Cute and awkwardly, Syd ran inside. 

​Recognizing love
 
“For some people, love is a spark! Fireworks even. For me it’s a feeling of comfort- a cozy and familiar feeling even when it is all so new. Love is when you look at someone and feel like you’ve known them your whole life. I am not a spontaneous fireworks kind of person, I guess love is when you look at someone and you cannot remember what your life was like without him or her. That’s how you recognize love.”- Sydney
 
Roy’s love for Syd is evident each day. Roy’s goofy persona makes Syd laugh and puts her at ease even she is overwhelmed. Roy eggs her on, making her laugh even in the worst of times. Sometimes, the most powerful gestures of love are in the simplest forms.
 
Most grateful for?
Love should not go unnoticed. It is important to tell those around us how much they mean to us. Recognizing and sharing the simple things others do for us can never be done enough.
 
“I am most grateful for Roy’s patience. His ability to remain calm and collected when I am not is what keeps me moving forward. Roy always sees the best in people. Roy’s empathetic approach to all of his relationships, makes people feel comfortable with him and confident that they will always have a friend to turn to.” –Sydney
 
“I like how strong Syd is. She is independent and is good at everything she does. She always fully puts her mind to whatever she is doing and gives it her all. I am grateful for having someone I can connect with and be myself around- Syd makes it easy.” - Roy

​For those finding it hard to find love
 
There is more to love than just romance. Love is self-love, kindness, and consideration of others. Love is about allowing yourself to feel joy, and allowing others to appreciate you for who you are. Finding love is about finding people who love you for the person that you are.
 
“It is hard to offer advice on finding love when I have been lucky enough to be comfortably in a relationship for 5 years. I guess… Don’t just go to the Dome? I am just kidding! I would say, pursue the things you are passionate about and you will connect with the people that share the same passions as you. If you are doing the things you are passionate about, you wont feel like you are in a situation where you are doing things for the sole intention of meeting someone. Cultivate your own interests and your own self-love. People will love you for who you are. Cultivate yourself first, and love will follow. Shift your focus from searching for someone to finding yourself. When you do and you find someone, you will have more to put into the relationship if you are truly yourself.” -Sydney
 
“Use Tinder… A LOT. Just kidding! But be confident in yourself. Wait until you meet someone that you can be present with. It’s not about the title of the person you are hanging out with, you know. It’s not like ouuuu I am hanging with Sydney MacLennan. It’s all about the feeling you get when you stop thinking about who they are and it’s just natural- you are just being you and they just happen to be there. Be with someone who becomes a part of you.” –Roy
 
To feel love you must love yourself first. Although people in love compliment each other well, it is important to remember your own independence and strengths.
 
“I feel like I am my own complete person. You know, I have my things and Roy has his. We are independent but when we are together we are double the flame!” –Sydney

​It’s the little things
 
Love is appreciating the little things that bring you joy. For Sydney and Roy one of the little things they share is their love for music. They started playing music together before they were a couple- music brought these two together.
 
“Before I met Roy I always played classical music on the piano. Roy taught me chords, and encouraged me to improvise. Roy expanded my exploration of music and I will always have that to thank him for.” –Sydney
 
After speaking with Roy and Sydney it was awesome to see all the little things they appreciated about one another.
 
“For some reason, Syd thinks I am the stable one, even though I am not.” -Roy
 
“Roy gets excited for my freckles. Roy loves the summer for this reason!” -Sydney
 
“I like that she can always finish my plate if I can’t. She does this thing where she will take from my plate but I can’t take from hers.” -Roy
 
It’s more than just those three words.
 
There is more to love than saying you love someone- actions speak loud than words (sometimes!).
 
“Roy admires my perseverance. When he is off the walls, I can focus… well unless I am procrastinating, in which case I put us both in the same off the wall category! We compliment each other well." -Sydney
 
Love is about respecting one another’s values.
 
“We both value the importance of family time.” -Sydney
 
Love is about support, and being each other’s biggest fans!
 
“Regardless of my awkwardness, he never gave up on me. Roy is my biggest fan for everything. We are always happy for each other and support one another in everything we do.“ -Sydney 

The love we all deserve
 
Each one of us explores life learning more about ourselves daily. Throughout this journey others will come and go and we will all experience love. Learning to recognize, to be grateful for, and to share our love with others is an essential part of life. Sydney and Roy illustrate what true love looks like. We all deserve to be with those who are our biggest fans, those who will support us in all that we do, and those who love us for the core things that make us who we are. Sydney and Roy thank you for teaching me to accept the love that I deserve. Your love for one another makes others feel loved just by being around you both. Thank you for reassuring each one of us that love is simple and kind.
 
Cheers to five years!
 
Annie 

Hello kind krafters!

    I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying the transition into the fall season. Today we are talking about a very important issue, and one close to the kind kraft community. Our current cause is sustainable transportation, with the proceeds of kraft sales supporting the work of local Halifax Non-Profit Trips by Transit. Trips by Transit is an incredible organization, dedicated to connecting students and the community with adventure and outdoor experiences in a sustainable and accessible way.
            As those of you who know me, or have read my previous blog posts will know, outdoor education is a passion of mine. I am particularly interested in the ways in which I can further promote and help to create a more inclusive and accessible outdoor experience for my community, and individuals everywhere. I spent my summer mapping trails in order to ensure that the resources available for recreationalists in my community were accurate, up to date, and informative, in order for every hiker and walker, of any level of outdoor experience, to have as much information and tools as possible to make their outdoor adventures positive and safe. Similarly, the work of Trips by Transit seeks to connect students and members of our community at large to nature in a positive and accessible way. Trips by Transit shows the community ways in which nature can become more accessible, and takes the inspiring step of demonstrating that accessibility through their guided hikes which all begin with a bus ride. 

Transportation can be a key barrier to outdoor adventure and positive experiences in nature. Here in Halifax we are extremely lucky, with a plethora of mini trails and parks within easy walking and bus ride distance from the centre of downtown. However not every city is as lucky, nor is it always easy to find accessible transportation to and from adventure here in Halifax. For example, a have a car that I use as my only method of transportation to and from outdoor adventure. It is not something I am proud of, knowing the environment impact. But at the same time it has been the number tool in making my summer mapping internship a possibility. I spent most evenings and weekends hiking, this schedule would not have been as easy or adaptable to my working schedule had I had to rely on public transportation, and would have been impossible if I relied on active transportation methods alone such as biking. Add into this the fact that I live outside of the city, in a place where the closest bus stop is over and hour’s walk away, and in 15 years I can count on my fingers the number of times I have actually seen a bus on the main road.

I’m very lucky that my lack of easy access to public transportation does not hinder my ability to spend all of my free time adventuring outdoors. But my luck highlights the reality that our current system of transportation here in Halifax, and in many other areas in the world, is not positive nor sustainable when it comes to the environment and ensuring that all citizens, of all experiences, have access to outdoor adventure. This is why the work of Trips by Transit, in the form of the open guided hikes they offer, is so vital. Not only does it take community members on adventures and encourage sustainable ways in which to seek adventure, but Trips by Transit also works extremely hard to do the difficult work of making nature more accessible to everyone. No matter your level of experience, your background, your interests, nature should in any and everyway be accessible and available to you to explore, understand, and experience.
    Thank you Trips by Transit for working everyday to put this into practice and make it a reality. And thank you kind krafts, and all of you amazing kind krafters for supporting their incredible work.

Stay Kind,
Niki