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11 places not to miss in Nova Scotia

27/9/2018

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As you may know from following me here and on Instagram, I traveled to Nova Scotia, Canada for the first time this summer. I loved the experience and felt totally rejuvenated by the fresh air, scrumptious seafood, warm people and breathtaking landscapes. I launched my Nova Scotia collection upon my return and it has already made its way into many of your homes! 
If you are planning a trip to Maritime Canada and need some helpful advice on what to see, here are 11 stops I recommend adding to your itinerary. 
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Halifax Harbour

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This one seems rather obvious, but walking the Halifax harbour end-to-end was one of the highlights of my trip. Eating on-site at one of the food shacks (fresh lobster rolls and other casual foods) is quite fun . If you enjoy handcrafted ales, I recommend the Gahan House Harbourfront brewery or the Stubborn Goat Beer Garden where you could sit outside and take in the beautiful view! 
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The Bay of Fundy coastline from Blomidon to Digby

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The hilly drive toward Blomidon Provincial Park offers stunning views which make you feel tiny. At low tide, it all looks even more mystical, and I am fairly sure you will find yourself in awe of the scenery. Driving along the coast to Digby takes about two hours. You can reward yourself with the infamous Digby scallops upon arrival. 
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Halls Harbour

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Once in a while, you stumble upon a small but significant place that just steals your heart. Halls Harbour is special and quite possibly underrated compared to places such as Peggy's Cove. The windy and rainy weather set the mood for our visit. The more we tried to approach the ocean, stumbling on the rocks and pebbles that filled the shore at low tide, the more we felt like we were on another planet. A quaint fishing village, the harbour is lovely to walk around. Then, you reach the main waterfront restaurant, the Halls Harbour Lobster Pound, where you could choose your own lobster and (unless you get attached to him) take him to the cookhouse. 
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Vineyards of the Annapolis Valley

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If you're a wine lover, you'll LOVE the Annapolis valley. The valley is located between two mountain ranges and one of the first areas to grow and cultivate grapes in North America. You can get a passport booklet called "The Nova Scotia Good Cheer Trail" which gives you a list of all the wineries and brewing companies, and allows you to collect stamps to win prizes in return. I loved the service we received at the Planters' Ridge Winery and the gorgeous views at the Luckett Vineyards. On my bucket list for next time: a hot air balloon ride over the valley which ends in a wine-tasting event. Yes, please. 
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Fisherman's Cove

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What a lovely family-friendly place to spend a few hours. It's so peaceful to walk the shore and beachcomb during low-tide, visit the local shops filled with art and other mementos, and grab a fresh lunch. For a casual but delicious bite, try What's the Scoop takeout. 
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Rainbow Haven Beach

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Only a ten-minute drive from Fisherman's Cove is Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park (Cole Harbour), a long, sandy beach (with some pebbles) with a long boardwalk over sand dunes. 
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Lawrencetown Beach

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Lawrencetown Beach is about a half-hour away from Fisherman's Cove and Halifax. A surfer's beach with strong waves and currents, it's a beautiful place to take in the dramatic scenery. The beach is composed both of sand and large pebbles. 
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Peggy's Cove

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World-famous Peggy's Cove! And, once you see it, you'll understand why. This place somehow pulls on the heartstrings. 
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Try to avoid crowds by getting an early start, and take your time walking around the harbour and around the lighthouse. It's worth exploring different vantage points and just feeling like a small dot against a vast ocean. The town has done a great job at putting up signs that explain the history of the place and how the houses have been built. We ate a delicious hot dog from "Peggy's Dogs", an awesome stand run by Claire who also owns an inn in Peggy's Cove. ​
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Mahone Bay and Lunenburg

Mahone Bay was lovely and larger than expected, with wonderful shops (art, home decor, antiques, jewelry) to discover. From there, colorful Lunenburg is only a fifteen-minute drive away. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg charmed us with its architecture, shop-filled streets, bustling waterfront and, of course, the Bluenose II (a replica of the iconic racing boat you see on our Canadian dime). 
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The waterfront is a mix of old and new, with modern eateries sharing the space with the Museum of the Atlantic and an old warehouse. 

If you love oysters, don't miss out on the mouth-watering food (and wine) at the Half Shell Oyster Bar. The view isn't half bad, either!
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Martinique Beach

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Martinique Beach Provincial Park has a vast (5km) white beach. It is the longest sandy beach in Nova Scotia. It tends to be colder and windier there because of its open area, so pack accordingly! It's a lovely place to fly a kite or have a picnic.
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Cape Breton Island

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Cape Breton Island deserves a post of its own, as there are so many points of interest, especially if you enjoy hiking. You may know there is a whole discussion about whether to drive the Cabot Trail clockwise or counterclockwise. Truthfully, it's not the end of the world if you do it clockwise (even though you'll be on the opposite side of the road from the sweeping views), because there are so many easily accessible lookout points to pull off into along the dramatic coastline. 
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Personal highlights on the west coast of the Cabot Trail included Inverness, Chéticamp, the Highlands, Cap-Rouge, the Skytrail (hold onto your hat!) and Pleasant Bay. I can't wait to return to explore the East Coast! Cape Breton is a place you'll be making plans to return to before even having left. 
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Have you been to Nova Scotia? What are some of your favorite places?
Leave a comment, I would love to know!
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From my heart to yours.
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Kindly credit Veni Etiam Photography if reposting these photographs
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7 artistes que j'ai hâte de voir au marché Etsy Montréal automne 2018

27/9/2018

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Read the English version
Nous voilà à la fin de septembre déjà!

Chaque automne, Etsy Canada et ses équipes régionales de créateurs passionnés organisent un marché d'automne dans une trentaine de villes canadiennes. C'est le marché Etsy Made in Canada (qui s'appelle aussi «Etsy Fait au Québec» dans notre province).
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Le weekend du 29 et 30 septembre au Locoshop Angus à Montréal, plus de 100 créateurs et designeurs seront réunis sous un même toit pour exposer leurs bijoux, papeterie, arts visuels, articles de décoration, accessoires de mode, aliments, articles pour enfants, et produits pour la peau faits localement avec amour!
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Pour d'autres photos, visitez ma page Facebook ou cet article de blog. Partage avec crédit SVP. 
J'ai eu la chance de découvrir cette communauté dès le lancement de Veni Etiam en 2015. J'ai fait du bénévolat pour l'équipe pendant quelques marchés et j'ai ensuite été recrutée comme l'une des leaders d'équipe. Ce que j'aime le plus dans mon travail au sein de cette équipe, c'est de constater à quel point notre communauté est incroyablement talentueuse et d'encourager son épanouissement. Non seulement nos exposants sont des superbes créateurs de produits fait-main, mais ils sont également des entrepreneurs super inspirants avec des parcours de vie intéressants.

Leurs parcours de vie et leurs préparatifs sont partagés cette semaine sur Instagram et Facebook dans le cadre de notre défi médias sociaux. Vous pouvez nous suivre avec le mot clic #EtsyMtlChallenge2018. Je vous promets que vous serez inspirés par ce que ces artistes ont à partager sur leur métier et leurs boutiques!
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Lorsque nous faisons la sélection d'artisans pour nos marchés, le processus est minutieux et long. Nous évaluons près de 500 candidatures à chaque fois et marquons celles qui se distinguent selon notre liste de critères, qui comprend l’originalité, l’image de marque, la qualité des photos soumises et la pertinence pour nos clients en fonction de la saison. Cette première évaluation est déjà difficile à cause du calibre des candidatures que nous recevons. Nous devons ensuite passer par au moins 300 candidatures, catégorie par catégorie, avec un jury composé de membres de l'équipe. Nous le faisons en personne, souvent jusqu'aux petites heures du matin, puis nous continuons à peaufiner notre sélection avec une discussion en ligne.

À chaque édition, chacun des organisatrices a au moins un coup de coeur pour des boutiques qui viennent de se joindre à notre communauté ou qui ont vraiment amélioré leur marque en tant que les produits proposés et comment ces marques se présentent.
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Voici mes 7 coups de coeur pour cette édition:

Veinage

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Joannie Houle Art

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​The Softies - Tout doux

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Pease

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Lilot Poterie

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​Elisa Signature

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​Endearing Knits

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Si vous êtes à Montréal ce week-end, passez découvrir le marché Etsy Montréal! Je serai là moi aussi avec mon art mural, mes photographies encadrées et mes accessoires de déco, y compris certains de mes nouveaux plateaux. Comme plusieurs de ces artistes, je vais également prendre des commandes personnalisées et exposer plusieurs nouveautés qui ne sont pas encore dans mes boutiques en ligne!
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Voici la liste complète d'exposants et voici les détails de l'événement.
L'entrée est gratuite et les premiers 30 invités en ligne chaque matin à 10hrs recoivent un sac plein de cadeaux et de coupons rabais! 

Si vous n'êtes pas à Montréal, vérifiez si un marché Etsy Made in Canada aura lieu dans votre région! Je vous encourage fortement de découvrir ce marché pour encourager les créateurs d'ici et notre économie québécoise. 

Avez-vous une boutique préférée dans votre communauté? Laissez le nom en commentaire ci-dessous pour nous la faire découvrir! 
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Photos d'événement par Veni Etiam Photographie
De mon coeur au vôtre.
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Seven artists I can't wait to see at the Etsy Montreal Fall Show 2018

27/9/2018

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Lire la version française ici!
It's that time of year again!

Every September, Etsy Canada and its regional teams of passionate leaders host an annual fall show in almost 30 cities across the country. It's the Etsy Made in Canada market (which also goes by the name "Etsy Fait au Québec" in our province.)
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On September 29th and 30th at the Locoshop Angus in Montreal, over 100 makers and designers will be gathered under one (historical) roof to exhibit their locally-made jewelry, paper goods, home decor items, fashion accessories, food, children's items, skin care products and more! 
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For more of my event photos, visit my Facebook page or this blog post. Please credit when reposting!
I was fortunate to discover this scene almost as soon as I launched Veni Etiam back in 2015. I volunteered for the team for a few shows and was later recruited as one of the team leaders. What I love most about working on this leadership team is witnessing how incredibly talented our community is, and encouraging it to thrive even further. Not only are our participating vendors creative artists, but they are also inspiring entrepreneurs with unique life journeys. 

Those unique life journeys and behind the scenes moments are being shared on Instagram and Facebook this week as part of our seven-day social media challenge. You can follow us with the hashtag #EtsyMtlChallenge2018. I promise you you'll be inspired by what these artists have to share about their craft and their shops. ​
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When we curate the collection for each of our shows, the process is meticulous and long. We go through close to 500 applications each time and mark the ones that stand out above the rest in terms of a list of criteria including originality, branding, photo quality and appropriateness for our shoppers depending on the season. That first cut doesn't even make a dent because of the caliber of applications we tend to receive. We then have to go through at least 300 applications, category by category, with a jury of team members. We do this in person, often until the wee hours of the morning, and then we continue to fine-tune our selection through an online discussion process.

Every edition, each of the organizers ends up falling in love with shops that are either new to our community or who have really upped their game in terms of the products they offer and how they present themselves as a brand.
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Here are 7 artists I cannot wait to see at our market this weekend!

Veinage

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Joannie Houle Art

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The Softies - Tout doux

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Pease

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Lilot Poterie

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Elisa Signature

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Endearing Knits

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If you are in Montreal this weekend, stop by our show! I'll be there with my photographic wall art, framed prints and decor accessories, including some of my new trays. Like many of these artists, I will also be taking custom orders and exhibiting lots of new items that are not listed in my online shops! 
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Here is the full list of participating vendors and here are the full event details.
It's FREE to enter and the first 30 guests in line each day get a special goodie bag!

If you're not in Montreal, have a look whether an Etsy Made in Canada show is coming near you this weekend! I promise you it's a special feeling to support local makers and your local economy!

Do you have a favorite shop in your community? Leave a comment below and spread the love. ​
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Event photos by Veni Etiam Photography
From my heart to yours.
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Summer in Montreal: Acting like a tourist in my own city

11/9/2018

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When I lived abroad, I always kept a list of things I wanted to see and do in the city on my free time. Even in times of intense work with little or no flexibility in my schedule, I would try to sneak in some exploring and unwinding time to roam unknown streets, find new cafés, visit museums, fill a notebook, climb a tower for views, take a day trip.

That habit totally stuck with me when I returned to Montreal and moved from the suburbs into the city. Sometimes, it’s easier to get to know a foreign place better than our own backyard, because of that sense that time is limited. But I try to be a tourist in my own city, to look for experiences and perspectives that keep me from taking it for granted. It also allows me to keep adding new photographs to the Montreal collection, currently sold in various shops around the city. 
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I love to take long walks, tackling one neighborhood at a time, honing in on details that both you and I could easily miss! I love celebrating those details through my photography. Looking at some photos, you may not immediately guess that they are taken in Montreal, because the details could exist anywhere. But, there's something special about looking at your own city with a detail-oriented eye. Sometimes, it makes a more subtle souvenir, not only of the place, but of a mood or moment. 
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Do you like to take walks in your own hometown? Do you ever take pictures of what you see? Share them with me on Instagram - I would love to see a little piece of the world through your eyes!
From my heart to yours.
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The world's colorful houses

9/9/2018

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The child in us comes alive at the sight of a colorful house. Sometimes there’s nothing more joyful than colorful doors or shutters, like out of a storybook.

​What color would you paint your house, if you could?
Here are 5 photos to inspire you and your color palette.
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"Color palette", Burano, Venice
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"Lavender love", Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
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"Like a dream", Havana, Cuba
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"Juxtaposed", Toronto, Canada
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"When I grow up", Montreal, Canada
Have an inspiring week!

From my heart to yours.
For more of this series:
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    Kristina Kasparian

    Thanks for stopping by! #OnTheBlog are the stories behind my prints, posts about my travels, glimpses into my daily life, news about my shop, events in the Montreal community and tips on travel, home and photography. 

    Merci de visiter mon blogue! Vous y trouverez les histoires qui ont donné naissance à mes photographies, mes chroniques de voyage, un aperçu de ma vie quotidienne, des nouvelles sur ma boutique et mes conseils sur les voyages, sur la déco maison et sur la photographie. 

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