WELL KEPT | Sustainable Shave, Cleaner Beaches

A vision of a man in a black and white movie standing over a wash basin with white foam on his face, and a white towel draped over his shoulder. Carefully, he slides an open blade down his cheek to glide away the stubble + the cream. 

That's a romantic, even sexy image that we've seen again and again in the media over the years. How many sexy shave scenes of women can you think of? Probably not many, or none. The narrative around women's shaving up until the last few years has been one we were meant to keep hidden behind the shower curtain. We were meant to show up smooth and well groomed without razor burn or complaining about ingrowns. And us considering the idea that we could show up unshaved at all? Shocking! Shaving trends have come + gone since the dawn of civilization, and thankfully, we're back to a time when women finally have a choice to shave or not, although it is still arguably steeped in controversy.

If you are in the shave club, you need the proper tools to make it happen. We don't want to be rubbing hair off our skin with pumice stones like they did in ancient times (ouch!).  The unfortunate thing is that since it became the norm for ladies to shave, it also became the norm to use multi-blade disposable razors and heads. These plastic atrocities are now clogging our landfills + Oceans, and they sure aren't going anywhere safe any time soon (Will we never get it right the first time?). What's the best way forward?

Photo Credit: Well Kept

The ladies of well kept found themselves asking this question too. Having shifted their lifestyles to include more sustainable options, Emilie Johnson + Natalie Farrell discovered a void for quality, sustainable products for women's shaving needs, and decided to fill it themselves. They have created a line of lovely, sustainable self-care products that will take the chore out of shaving and make it an enjoyable ritual. 

The company was born out of a genuine need to create beautiful things that help rather than harm the planet, and has grown from there. They started with a wooden handled razor, which has now been replaced with a sturdy brass safety razor that has gained an enthusiastic following. For those new to the safety razor world, the most important thing to know is that it is the last razor you should ever have to buy. The well kept team has provided us with a simple 3-piece safety razor that takes a standard recyclable razor blade. In the long run, it is more cost effective, offers a more precise and closer shave, and is less likely to irritate your skin. And best of all - you're not tossing plastic handles and blades into landfills, ever!

There seems to be a little fear out there about switching to a safety razor - we get that. Most of us have been trained our whole lives to depend on a chunky, plastic guard to cover the multiple blades we've been told we need. A safety razor is called that for a reason - it is still designed with a guard, it just looks different. well kept (and our team here who is loving them!) promises that with a little practice, there is no need to be afraid. Go slow the first few times you use one to get used to it, as it is heavier than a plastic option, and you will be just fine. The well kept ladies have written an excellent "how to" guide to go along with them, which you can find here.  

Photo Credit: Well Kept

To enhance the experience of shaving with a quality razor,  Emilie + Natalie have brought luxurious shave oils, soaking salts + milks, + other beautiful items into their line to accompany their razors, all sourced + produced with the well being of the planet in mind. It helps that everything they make not only makes you feel great, but looks great in your bathroom, right down to the packaging. Surrounding yourself with things that you find aesthetically appealing keeps the mind calm + happy.

As Vancouver based gals, these co-founders spend a lot of time around the Ocean, so naturally their desire to keep the world clean intersects with a passion for the sea. Their hearts break knowing our trash is ending up clogging the homes + bodies of marine life, and showing up on our shores. They committed to their own beach cleaning initiative - #KeepTheBeachWellKept - which for them "...means picking up 5-10 pieces, or more, of garbage that is washing up on our shores every time [they] are at the beach." We love that! The Ocean to them is a way to reset yourself, which anyone who runs a small business knows is a necessity, as often as you can find a moment away from your never ending To Do list.

We love supporting women-led companies, especially those so aligned with our values. We invite you to do your part to #KeepTheBeachWellKept by cleaning up our beaches, and by making the switch from disposable + convenient, to long-lasting + beautiful tools + products for your shaving.

Their razors have done so well in stores we are having trouble keeping them on the shelves! Visit us today to talk to our staff about making the switch to a more sustainable shave life.

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/well-kept-smooth-shave-cleaner-beaches

SIPPING SEASIDE | Beach Day Mojito

The sun is shining, the sand is hot, and the sound of the waves is lulling you into a peaceful calm. Relaxing days on the beach is what us West Coast mariners live for in the summer.  Our wicker bags, flip flops, and life jackets are always by the door ready to go. We become expert picnic packers. Just add saltwater and sunshine!

What better way to kick back against a driftwood log than with a mojito! With very few ingredients and little prep, you will be on your way to a perfect beach day in no time. Follow along for our go-to (read: made up) recipe that we whipped up on a recent Staff adventure day.

Ingredients

White rum

Lime

Mint

Coconut Sugar

Club Soda

Ice

Tip: Ice might not make it in the cooler on a hot day. Dig a little hole in the sand when you get to the beach + chill your rum + soda in the cool Pacific waters.

We could give you measurements, but who is measuring things on the beach? We're not. Pack whatever pitcher you have in the cupboard, it will probably be close to 2L. Depending on how many people you have with you and how long your afternoon will be, you'll want to pack enough supplies to fill it a time or two.

To start, squeeze a few limes into the bottom of the pitcher. Add in a handful of mint (preferably from someone's backyard), and a few cautious spoonfuls of sugar. You can always add more sweetness later if you like, but you want the drink to keep its fresh zing. Muddle the lime, mint, and sugar together. We used coconut sugar to keep it natural. If you're prepared, you'll have a wooden spoon, or you can source a piece of appropriately sized driftwood! Don't over muddle, or the mint will become mush; just enough to get those flavours mixing.

Pour in about 8-12 oz of rum, and top with soda. If you have ice that hasn't melted yet, throw some in there, and a few rounds of lime. Garnish with fresh fruit like raspberries or pineapple for a fun twist.

Pour into reuseable glasses or jars, and cheers to a great day! We used our re-useable glasses from our SALT candles. You can burn them down to the bottom, clean them out, and use them again and again for all kinds of bevies. Ahhhh, refreshing + sustainable!

Be sure that the last step of any of your beach adventures is packing out what you pack in. Even the biodegradable items like lime rinds need to be tossed into an appropriate spot to keep the beach clean for everyone, including marine life. Responsible beaching means more beaching for everyone!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/sipping-seaside-beach-day-mojito

UNDERWATER WORLD | Coolest Marine Creatures in the Pacific Northwest

Who out there dreamed of being an Explorer when they grew up? A Sailor? A Discoverer of New Lands + Species? Maybe a Pirate? Except for maybe that last one, we are right there dreaming along with you. When you become an adult, those dreams can be replaced with real jobs that you can pursue - Geographer, Boat Captain, Oceanographer, Scuba Instructor. Whether it is your full time job, or how you fill your leisure time, you should never stop exploring and being curious about our natural world.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky enough to have two worlds to explore - above and below the water. It's no surprise that we are particularly enamoured with the beauty of our underwater ecosystems. Did you know we have some fo the best cold water diving in the world? Jacques Cousteau himself said that British Columbia has “the best temperate water diving in the world, and second only to the Red Sea.” Pretty high praise!

If you grew up right on the Ocean, our local marine life that hangs out on our shores will seem relatively normal to see regularly. Venture out just a little further and there is a jungle of colours and creatures underwater that we bet anyone, from near or far, would be delighted to see up close. Here are a few creatures we get excited to find when we dive under.

 

Giant Pacific Octopus

Believe it or not, our coast is home to the largest octopus in all of the oceans! That is pretty awesome. All marine creatures are spectacular, but Octopuses are a special kind of amazing. These are the largest and longest lived of all the species, with an average length of 16 feet and average lifespan of four years. They are generally a reddish brown colour, but they can change colour to blend in with their surroundings. They will die after they breed, with the females living about 6 months to tend to her eggs, a period in which she doesn't eat! Octopus are seriously smart and mischievous creatures. We marvel at them every time we are lucky enough to see one!

Sunflower Seastar

The purple starfish you will commonly see along our tidal shores is like the small cousin of this seastar. Sunflower seastars usually have 16-24 limbs, which they can shed and re-grow, and can grow up to a metre across! They have thousands of tiny tube feet along the underside of their limbs that allow them to move at one metre/minute, the fastest pace of any seastar in the area. These flowerly looking creatures are actually predators. They will feed on shellfish, sea cucumbers, snails, urchins (their favourite), and more. Their colour varies from bright oranges and reds, to deep purples. You will find them hanging around seaweed beds, hunting and avoiding King Crabs, who like to feed on them.

Wolf Eel

This very long creature is actually a fish, not an eel, despite its name. They can grow up to 6-8 feet, and weigh up to 18 kg. While not the most attractive fish, they are actually very romantic, pairing up in long-term relationships and making homes, or "dens" together in rocky crevices. If they live up to their maximum life span of around 25 years, they may stay with their mates for the better part of two decades.  That's commitment. Their large mouths are designed to get past the spiky exterior of a sea urchin, or break open shellfish and crabs. Although known to be curious enough to approach divers, they should still be given space. 

Photo Credit to eikojonesphotography.com

Rockfish

There are many spiky, spiney fish that fall into the rockfish category, we couldn't pick just one. These fish range in colour from the browns and bieges of their surroundings, to vibrant red, orange, and yellow (Check out a great gallery of the many species here).  Most people seeing them for the first time would rightly assume they might be dangerous to the touch. These fish are characterized by "...dorsal, pelvic and anal fins equipped with very sharp spines that contain a trace of mildly toxic venom." If they keep themselves safe, some of these fish can live up to a couple centuries. Not quite prehistoric, but a good long life!

Photo Credit to Racerocks.ca

Giant Plumose Anemone

Anemones are like living flowers of the underwater world. There are so many amazing varieties the world over. The Plumose Anemone is a tall column, with a fluffy looking tuft of thin, short tentacles, sort of like the head of a cauliflower. They are usually white, but can be brown, tan, or pinkish. When touched or threatened, the tentacles may retract into the column, and shrink down. Don't let that mislead you to think they are shy though. Anemones are carnivores. They will suck small animals in with their tentacles and into the centre of their oral discs to be devoured. Pretty, but deadly to small marine life! 

Bull Kelp

We know this isn't a creature, but it sure is home to many, so we think it deserves an honourable mention. This beautiful marine plant grows up to 60 ft tall, and waves its supple blades in the waters like leaves on a tree. It is an annual seaweed, growing from spore to maturity in a year. Fish, crabs, urchins, seastars, otters, and more hide amongst it's stalks for safety and for play. If you grew up on the coast, you might have played jump rope on the beach with long dried tendrils of kelp, or used the head as a make believe bowl. Fun for the whole family! 

This is only a small snap shot of the things that you could discover in our salty seas. We hope that you find a little inspiration in the beauty of these creatures to get out and interact with the Ocean. There is a whole new world down there! And wherever you are, do remember to respect the marine habitat of where you are diving and give creatures the space they need.

If you have never been exploring underwater and are looking to start, head to Frank Whites Dive Store in Victoria for gear, courses, and expert advice on all types of Ocean recreation.

For those of you who are already big into the diving scene, what are your favourite things to see underwater? And if you're willing to share, what are your favourite spots?

 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/underwater-world-strangest-marine-creatures-in-the-pacific-northwest