Archives for September 2017

A Smart Choice for Your Eyes: Phonetic Eyewear Review and Giveaway!

September 28, 2017 | Leave a Comment

I was recently introduced to Phonetic Eyewear by local blogger Naturally Hayleigh. We were having a conversation about how I get headaches from all-day screen-use through my work, school, and blogging responsibilities. She suggested Phonetic’s blue light reducing eyeglasses. They combat digital eye strain, caused by excessive screen use.

What I really liked about Phonetic Eyewear upon first glance was their huge selection of frames, with a prescription, non-prescription, and reading lenses available for a really good price. There are frames in many different colours, shapes, and sizes that will suit any face shape. After doing a little research on the topic and technology, I decided it was worth a shot because I value my good vision and want to protect it.

I decided to order the Sam frame in “brown stripe” and decided to opt for non-prescription since my prescription glasses are so weak anyway. I like how Phonetic recognizes that people with fairly good or even perfect vision may still want to protect their eyes from the harmful digital blue light.

Sam is your favorite basic, with an upgrade. The classic square acetate frame is offered in three varities, and its subtle contrasting accents are sure to bring out your unique edge. — phoneticeyewear.com

I absolutely loved them from the second I put them on. The lightweight frame makes them easy to wear and suits my face shape even better than my other glasses.

I was also very impressed by the timely arrival of my glasses and the sleek, professional look of the packaging. They came in a sturdy box with a stylish, durable neoprene case and a lens cloth.

After a couple weeks of use, I have truthfully noticed a significant decrease in feelings of eye strain and headaches. I am serious, I would never lie to you guys! I have been using them mostly when on my computer, but also when I am on my phone for extended periods or watching movies.

I really love my Phonetic Eyewear glasses and would recommend the brand to anybody and everybody. In fact, I almost insist that you get a pair of blue light reducing glasses because your body and your sight is worth protecting.

Thanks to the kind collaboration and generosity of the folks at Phonetic Eyewear, twowildtides is able to offer a giveaway of one pair of Phonetic Computer Glasses in the frame of your choice! Even better? You can choose between prescription, non-prescription, or readers. Here’s how to win:

Follow @phoneticeyewear on Instagram
Follow @twowildtides on Instagram
Like our giveaway post on @twowildtides Instagram & Tag one friend in the comments

That’s it! You will be entered to win and we will contact the winner via Direct Message on Instagram. The contest will run until October 5th at 11:59 am (Newfoundland Time!) and a winner will be drawn on October 6th.

xoxo,
char

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BC-ing You Later

September 26, 2017 | Leave a Comment

I hopped on a plane at the end of August and headed to beautiful British Columbia for a week. I’ve been thinking about this trip for a while now. I just decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it! It was the perfect way to end an amazing summer. Fortunately, I have friends and family out west so I was able to stay with them as I got a glimpse into this wonderful province. Special shout out to my cousin and his wife for being so rad and filling my belly with amazing food.

I flew into Vancouver and was blown away by the mountains from the moment the plane landed. I still look out my window here, in Nova Scotia, in search of them. As an artist, Vancouver is a city I may end up spending some time in. I really wanted to get a little taste of it, to see if I could see myself there one day. My mom kept telling me she knew I would love it out there. And she definitely wasn’t wrong. Vancouver is such a beautiful city and it checks all the boxes. The most important of course is the ocean is right there in all of its glory. It’s also super easy to get around. The public transit in the city is fantastic. It may not always be on time but it’s so easy to get around whether you’re taking the Skytrain, the bus or the ferry system. I spent quite a bit of time on transit and it doesn’t even get boring because everything is so pretty. The ferries at sunset are incredible. Needless to say, I spent most of the week saying “it’s so pretty”, “oh my god”, “it’s so beautiful”. I couldn’t help myself – it truly was unbelievable.

Vancouver

I spent my first full day exploring Vancouver. I spent a lot of time walking along the famous Stanley Park Seawall. The park is huge! A lot of people rented bicycles to get around. I chose to go on foot because I wanted to snap some photos along the way. I went as far as the Totem Poles before turning around. Before heading to Stanley Park, I had only seen Totem Poles in my grade 9 social studies textbook. They’re breathtaking works of art, towering up with the trees. This was well worth a stop. I also spent a lot of time wandering through the city. I saw the Olympic Torches from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. There were a lot of delicious places to eat as well. SMAK is 100% gluten-free and their smoothies were amazing! We also had some great Lebanese food at Nuba (check them out!). I also had the best vegan, GF mac & cheese of my life at MeeT. If you’re looking for some vegan fare MeeT is the place for you. Throw in a little shopping to the mix and it was a perfect introduction to Vancouver.

Bowen Island

I spent quite a bit of time on Bowen Island. One of my best friends from my first year at York is from BC. It was so nice to spend time with him and his family. They even let me tag along on all of their adventures. It’s super easy to get to Bowen, you can catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay and you’re there before you know it. Bowen was a welcomed escape from the hustle & bustle of the city. The island definitely has its own charm. There are a lot of beautiful places to explore such as Cape Roger Curtis. We went for a walk there and it was breathtaking. We also went to a secluded beach in a little cove for a quick swim. If you love being outside, head to Bowen for an adventure!

Salt Spring Island

I spent a day on Salt Spring. One of my best friends lives there and we simply spent most of our time catching up. She’s like a sister so it was as if nothing had changed. We went to the huge farmer’s market and then went for a dip in the lake. It was a relaxing day on a beautiful, little island. I took the last ferry to Victoria that evening and that ferry ride blew my mind. Surrounded by the mountains, I watched the colours of the sunset paint the sky and I was in awe.

Victoria

Victoria is a little city with so much charm. It definitely has some Halifax vibes. I got to explore this beautiful city with a great friend. We started by driving along the coast and I’m pretty sure my jaw-dropped. Stunning. We stopped at Terry Fox’s mile zero. Then we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf and I had some amazing GF sushi (Rockn’ Rolls Modern Sushi). We hit some of the major landmarks such as the Parliament Buildings and The Empress. We also took a stroll through Chinatown. I highly recommend checking out Victoria if you get the chance. It’s quaint and cute.

My time in British Columbia was hands down amazing. I can’t imagine ending my summer any other way. I got to spend a week exploring this beautiful province with some of my favourite people in the whole world. Saying good-bye was SO hard but I wouldn’t change a thing. I have a feeling that I’ll be back one day. I hope to explore more of this province in the future. Thank you to all of the lovely people, who made this trip so wonderful. See you soon.

xoxo,
Linds

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Trailblazing with Laura Roy

September 21, 2017 | Leave a Comment

We are super excited to introduce our next trailblazer – Laura Roy! She’s absolutely killing the music game and we’re so excited to see what she has up her sleeve. We absolutely love her music! Some of our current favourites are “Plastic”, “Bright Lights” and “Full Moon”. Be sure to check out her website and EP by clicking here. Whether she’s writing or singing, Roy’s got some serious talent. The Nova Scotian native is definitely one to keep your eye on.

Photo used with permission from Laura Roy Music

Name: Laura Roy

Hometown: Canning, NS, Canada

Favourite Travel Destination: Anywhere warm and near the ocean.

TWT: When did you start singing?

LR: I don’t really remember when I first realized my love for singing but I can easily say by age 10 I started singing more openly and dreaming about performing.

TWT: What inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?

LR: For me, I really felt I didn’t have a choice. I toyed with the idea of other career pursuits but nothing felt right to me… By age 16 I was pretty determined that I wanted to have a career in music. I didn’t exactly know how I was going to do it but I knew if I just put my head down and kept chipping away at it that eventually, things would come together for me.

TWT: What’s your favourite song to perform live?

LR: That always changes! A lot of times it tends to be the song that I wrote most recently because I usually can relate to it the most and I also just love playing new and fresh stuff.

TWT: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in terms of your music?

LR: Graduating from my college music program was definitely a challenge that I overcame. I had no prior vocal training or real knowledge of music theory before entering the program so I really had to work hard to keep my head above water in a lot of the courses. Other than that, a big challenge has been finding my own sound and identity as an artist and surrounding myself with people and creatives who understand it… which ultimately just takes time and a lot of trial and error.

TWT: Why is it important for you to keep your East Coast roots?

LR: The East Coast is home for me! It raised me… That will always be a part of who I am no matter where I travel to or where I am based.

TWT: What’s next for you? Are there any dreams, goals, and plans you can share?

LR: I just moved to London, England! I am working with management over here and plan to record an album so that is very exciting for me… There is such an incredible scene of music here in London so I am very excited to tap into that.

TWT: How can we promote music & art to the younger generation?

LR: I think through showing more examples of young people that are pursuing the arts as a career. It’s encouraging to know that there are many different pathways you can take and by sharing personal stories we can show other young people that it is possible!

TWT: Do you have a favourite quote or words to live by?

LR: I often have to tell myself “One day at a time” because really a lot of times that is all you can do. It’s easy to let anxiety win but I find by focusing on the now, working hard and having a positive attitude makes the world of a difference.

Send some love to Laura on social media @lauraroymusic and be sure to check out her youtube channel!

Thank you, Laura. We’re so excited to follow your journey in London. We’re wishing you the best – give it your all.

xoxo,

Linds

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Girl’s Night Out with Paint Nite NL

September 19, 2017 | Leave a Comment

For many of us, time with friends, a couple drinks or good food, and getting creative are all ways of having fun and practicing self-care. We all need to make time to relax, catch up with those we love, and clear our heads, even if it only for an hour or two.

When I first heard about Paint Nite, I thought it was such a great idea and I could not wait to try it out. I was a little nervous because, even though I consider myself to be a creative individual, I have never really been one for painting or drawing. I expected that it would be a fun night but my painting would not be “wall-worthy.” Nonetheless, I went and really enjoyed myself. I’ve been to Paint Nite events three times now, and I have three beautiful paintings to prove it.

Friends, drinks, and laughter – a perfect combination for a fun night.

Paint Nite is offered at many different venues throughout Canadian cities. In St. John’s, I’ve been to events at Rocket Bakery, Bier Markt, and most recently, Celtic Hearth. On their website, www.paintnite.com, you select your city and choose from the many unique paintings they offer. You purchase your tickets online and they frequently have great deals available. When you arrive at the event, you have the option to grab a drink or a bite to eat while everything is being set up.

Once everybody is seated, before you start any painting, you are expected to take the Paint Nite oath. This is awesome because it encourages you to not judge yourself or others. You are there to have fun and try something new– nobody expects you to be Picasso.

Our facilitators/instructors/support people were Emma and Georgia. They provided clear, professional, step-by-step instruction on how to create your painting. Serious props to these girls! They are so friendly and encouraging and absolutely hilarious, not to mention wildly talented. When one of our branches accidentally got botched, the girls were even able to help us fix it by turning it into a cute little owl (or baby Batman!).

As your painting comes together, you will have this immense sense of success and pride. It really is so rewarding to realize that you have done something you never thought you could.

Whether you’re with a big group of friends or coworkers, with your bestie or your S.O., or on your own, Paint Nite is a great option to let loose and take a break from your responsibilities. Here are a few words from Paint Nite NL’s general manager, Emma Dooley, on the cool opportunities Paint Nite offers:

Beyond our public events, we also offer private, corporate, and fundraiser events. With our fundraisers, we donate $15 from every ticket sold back to our fundraiser partners. Paint Nite Newfoundland has helped raise over $20,000 for local groups and charities in less than our first year of operation. With so many different paintings scheduled every week, there is so much to choose from!

We want to thank Paint Nite Newfoundland for having us out. It was so much fun, especially after a busy first week of school. We highly recommend that you go out and give this a try. It would be a perfect gift idea for someone close to you!

Give Paint Nite a follow on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out their site to see what Paint Nite events are happening near you. When you go, be sure to send us pictures or tag us on social media, @twowildtides! We love to see what our readers are up to.

xoxo,
char

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Avoiding Comparison at the Gym

September 11, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Comparisons are everywhere. We compare ourselves to others so frequently that we are oblivious to the impact they can have on our lives. The most toxic comparisons I have made in my life are those surrounding my body, I started to see myself in a very negative light. What I’ve learned is, we see our own flaws way more noticeably than others see them in us; I guarantee that the things you are insecure about likely aren’t even on anyone else’s radar. One of my friends once told me that “people think about you a lot less than you think they do”, and I totally agree.

The absolute worst place for my self-esteem used to be the gym. I would go solely because I wanted to change my body, and force it into a shape that it isn’t build to be. I would constantly compare how much weight I could lift, or how fast and far I could run, with the intensity of others’ workouts, and I frequently injured myself because I was trying to compete with them (hint: a 5’3” woman can usually not lift as much as a 6’0” man). I would spend my entire workout catching my own gaze in the mirror and picking apart what I saw. I would choose to go at random hours of the day so that fewer people would see me in my sweaty, no-makeup, insecure glory. Though my relationship with my body is so much better than it used to be, there are many days where I still don’t love it the way I’d like to. I’ve put a lot of work into my self-love journey over the past couple of years, and I’d like to share what I’ve learned with you. Here’s what has helped me when it comes to comparisons, especially at the gym:

Think of all the things your body can do. It is so easy to focus on what your body doesn’t look like, what its limits are, or what you wish it could be. But, each and every body is incredible. Think of all of the things it does for you every second of ever day! And when you think about it, part of the amazing thing about exercise is testing your body and its limits, and that’s pretty cool. Once I started thinking more about what my specific body is capable of, going to the gym, and even just walking through the world, got a lot more comfortable. I started to get excited when I could add more weight to my exercises, or when I could hold that plank or that headstand for longer than I had before. I started to respect my body, and little by little I started to like it more and more.
Wear what makes you comfortable. This could be a baggy t-shirt and sweats, it could be a sports bra and booty shorts, or anything in between. Wearing something you are uncomfortable in will only add to your gym anxiety, and it’s hard to enjoy exercise and what your body can do if you are feeling self-conscious. For me, when I first started going to the gym, I was most comfortable in leggings and my dad’s t-shirt. Now, I love working out in shorts and a sports bra. Little by little, my comfort level changed, how I liked to move and sweat changed, and my habits changed to account for these things. But if I had tried to work out in different clothing when I was more uncomfortable with my body, I probably would have walked out the gym’s revolving doors and never gone back. (Also – since I’ve started going to the gym regularly, I haven’t lost any weight. In fact, I’ve gained weight. That’s okay. Comfort in what you wear, and changing what you exercise in doesn’t have to be accompanied by weight loss; mine wasn’t! But the more you learn about yourself, chances are, the more comfortable you’ll feel in your body).
See a counselor if need be. My counselor has been incredible in helping me come to terms with body issues that I hadn’t even known that I had. She’s been a great help to me as I try to become more comfortable with myself and my body, and has helped me shift my focus from Ally as an unsatisfactory body (in my head), to Ally the friend, daughter, sister, cousin, writer, theatre artist, and yogi whose body will enable her to do all the incredible things she has ahead of her.
Challenge yourself. At first, this might be just walking through the doors to the gym or going outside in that tank top. For me, this was the case. But as you start to become more comfortable with your routine, I encourage you to take little steps to challenge yourself, even once per week. The most memorable challenging moment in my journey was the first time I practiced yoga in a sports bra and leggings. I’m a girl who would undress in the dark, who would avoid mirrors at all costs, and would never want people to see my stomach. Challenging myself in that moment, and realizing that others did not give two sh*ts about what I was wearing or what I looked like was so liberating. Self-five, Ally!
Boycott the mirror. I don’t mean you’re not allowed to be feeling your look. You’re damn fine, girl. But what I do mean, is don’t get caught up in appearances at the gym. Don’t spend all your time exercising in front of a mirror, because instead of focusing on strength or how your body feels in that moment, it might be just a little too tempting to criticize your looks when you’re already feeling vulnerable. I challenged myself to take two weeks away from exercising in front of a mirror, and it helped me a lot. I was able to listen to my body and its cues more, and actually feel the exercises, because I wasn’t stuck in my head the whole time.
Have fun! Exercise is supposed to be fun! It is often challenging, yes, but if you’re hating it, it’s just not worth it. If you hate running, try some yoga! Hate lifting weights? Try hitting the pool, or going for a hike. There are so many incredible ways to exercise, and you don’t have to stick with the first one you try. I’m not a huge fan of distance running, but since so many people I know loved it, I thought it’s what I should be doing, too (thanks, comparison!). I’ve found that, for me, a challenging yoga class, the weight room, barre, or a good swim is so much more fun. These are just some of the great ways I can get my body moving and actually enjoy it in the process! Exercise can be great self-care, so don’t forget to take the time to explore what feels best for you and your specific body.

While there’s not really a one-size-fits-all checklist for learning to stop comparing yourself to others and becoming more comfortable in your own skin, I hope that some of these tips can help you too. Don’t be discouraged, because it does take time! Learning self-love is like learning a new language. Be patient, and don’t give up! I’m rooting for you! – Ally

Ally is a mental health advocate and public speaker and works with organizations like Wear Your Label and Jack.org. She is a contributor for The Mighty and is passionate about sharing her story because she knows the power of the words “me too”. If she’s not baking in her kitchen, you can probably find her reading a play, writing slam poetry, or crying over a hedgehog video on YouTube.