I wanted to share some of the photographs I took while traveling in Cuba. These photographs are some of my favourites but will not be featured in other articles. This is a photo essay to give you a glimpse into my time in Cuba. Enjoy! xoxo -linds
Archives for January 2017
What’s in my Sightseeing Bag?
Whether I’m exploring locally or on an international adventure, my sightseeing bag and it’s contents are pretty consistent. I thought I’d share my necessities for a day trip- these are items you can take from your home, your tent, or your hotel room for a day out and about, taking in the sights and scenery of wherever you may wander.
We should probably start with the bag itself. My criteria for the perfect sightseeing bag includes a shoulder/cross body design, thick strap, spacious but not bulky, and cute. Some people prefer a backpack, but I find it annoying to have to take my bag off my back every time I want to retrieve an item, which is why I always go for a bag with a shoulder strap. The strap has to be thick so it’s comfortable to wear. And let’s be real- this bag is very aesthetically pleasing.
I bought this bag from Litton Fine Camera Bags on Etsy, and I was devastated to find out that they are no longer in business. It is perfect because the strap and hardware are heavy duty, and the canvas material makes it very durable. It fits all of my necessities perfectly with room to spare. 
So what do I pack? I try not to carry any junk because carrying around a heavy bag all day would be exhausting and hard on the body. The following are the items I consider necessary for a day sightseeing in a new city, hiking in another country, or road tripping around my own province.
Camera gear is always a priority. I always carry my DSLR (Nikon D7000), an extra lens (normally a 50 mm), my charger in case the batteries run low, an extra memory card, and my GoPro.
I usually bring a couple notebooks, a tourist guide to whatever area I’m visiting, and a map.
I always make sure to have a full bottle of water so I can stay hydrated throughout my adventure. My sightseeing bag has a pouch on each side that fits my bottle perfectly.
In terms of personal items, I typically bring several items in a small pouch that fits perfectly in my sightseeing bag without adding bulk or weight. And let’s be real- this little bag is adorable. I always bring hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a facial wipe (I love these from Yes to Cucumbers), a hair elastic, a pen, and a granola bar or some other nutritious snack. These bars from MadeGood are gluten-free and made with veggies! I also like to carry a lighter and small flashlight, because you never know!
What are your sightseeing essentials? What kind of bag do you carry? Where will your next adventure be? Let us know in the comments or on our social media (@twowildtides), we love hearing from you!
Stress Free Dining: Crystany’s Brasserie
Eating out with allergies is absolutely terrifying and anxiety inducing. I speak from experience. Whenever I go to a restaurant I wonder if I’ll feel sick before I leave. Will I make it through this meal? What if there’s cross contamination? What if it’s too risky? What if the servers don’t understand that this isn’t a choice? All of these questions run through my brain when I go out to eat a meal. And sometimes it results in me simply having a drink while my friends eat. There’s a certain risk involved in going out to eat and if I do have a reaction it can take a week or more for my body to get back to normal.
Thanks to Crystany’s Brasserie I was able to enjoy a delicious meal with zero anxiety. The entire restaurant is gluten free (YES!). I’m also allergic to dairy and the kitchen staff did an incredible job of accommodating me. There were plenty of options for me to enjoy. I wasn’t limited to a salad.
I was lucky enough to be there for rib night and it was delicious! It was a large portion that included ribs, french fries, and a warm salad. Every part of the meal was tasty! The food wasn’t boring or flavorless as is sometimes the case with gluten free options.
This restaurant is family owned and operated. It’s located on Main Street in Canning – a wonderful addition to the Annapolis Valley and culinary community. Make a reservation or pop in for a delicious meal. Check them out!
Have you tried this restaurant? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We love hearing from you.
xoxo,
char&linds
England, You Were Magical
My adventures in England were short and limited to London and Cheltenham. However, they were absolutely magical.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham is a quaint little town situated about two and a half hours from London (by train). Wander through the streets, take a walk in the park, and stop into Smokey Joe’s for some waffles and shakes!
Sight-seeing
London is a beautiful city. It has so much to offer from the sightseeing to the theatre – London is a must! This city is beautiful on foot. Take in some of the architecture and world famous sites like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and The London Eye.
Camden Lock
Visit the Camden Market! It’s a must! This was truly one of my favourite adventures of the trip. There is literally something for everyone. Your taste buds will be overwhelmed with all of the delicious flavours that will surround you. You will have trouble deciding what to sample and end up just trying everything! Make sure to visit on an empty stomach. There are also plenty of places to grab a souvenir that’s not so cliché like a piece of jewellery or a book – something that will last longer than a keychain. ENJOY!
Globe Theatre
We visited The Globe Theatre and took a tour. It was stunning. It made my jaw drop. To stand there was incredible. A dream come true for any history and/or theatre nerds. It was well worth the experience.
Tea Time
We couldn’t miss the opportunity to have afternoon tea while in London so we stopped at a restaurant/café nearby. We enjoyed our tea and selection of sandwiches and sweets. It was a great experience and something that should be on your London to-do list.
Showtime
My love for theatre is immense and I could not visit London without squeezing in a show. Luckily, Shakespeare’s The Tempest was playing at The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and we snagged some incredible seats. To experience theatre by candlelight in an intimate setting was an absolute dream come true. Next time you head to London check out what’s playing at The Globe and The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and get tickets. You will not regret it. I don’t care if you don’t like theatre – you will after this. It’s one of the most human experiences. Go. See live theatre. Fall in love.
We wish you magical adventures in London!
xoxo,
char&linds
Don’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover: Old Book DIYs
I was scrolling through Pinterest a few months ago and saw a headline: “30 DIY Projects Using Maps,” and was immediately inspired. I never even looked at those projects because so many of my own ideas started flying through my head, and from that moment, I was on a mission.
Turns out that old maps and atlases are really, really hard to come by. I scoured every thrift store in town- nada. I know I probably could’ve found something on eBay, but I was weary that I would end up spending money on garbage. So, I diverted to old books. I picked up a couple old novels at Goodwill and got to work. Here is what I came up with:
Lampshade:
I started off by taking the old shade that I’ve been dying to replace off of my lamp. This was a perfect way to change it up without having to dish out a pile of money. I tore out some pages and started plastering them on with Mod Podge. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the end result (the pictures do not do it justice!).
Room Decor
I used the same Mod Podge plastering method to cover these old canvases that just didn’t match my decor. They were a little boring with just the pages, so I decided to handwrite some of my favorite quotes with a black paint pen. I found the Atticus quote as well as many other wise words in Linds’ article (read it here). Okay, next step: practice my cursive!
Bookmarks
This DIY is probably my favorite of the bunch because they are gorgeous and so unique. I just cut cardstock into rectangles and you guessed it- Mod Podged on the pages. I also punched a hole and strung through some twine, but that is totally optional. This is your chance to get really creative- write a quote, draw something, highlight your favorite word or phrase on the page, or just leave it blank. 
Gift Tags
These involve the same process as making the bookmarks, you just cut the cardstock into a slightly different shape. You can make them any shape you like, but I love the look of these because they have a vintage vibe. Your gift wrapping skills are about to advance to a whole new level!
There you have it! I had so much fun making these. Some other ideas include picture frames, Christmas tree ornaments, phone cases, vases, notebooks or journals, you could even decoupage desk or dresser drawers!
One piece of advice: at least take a quick glance at the books before you buy them. I grabbed the first books I saw at the thrift store without reading what they were actually about. Now I have a lampshade full of obscenities…whoops!
We want to see what you create! Tag us in your pictures on social media (@twowildtides) or leave us a comment below! We love hearing from our readers.
Happy crafting!
