Contributors
/Meet the inspiring contributors in this issue
Summer Contributors
For this issue, INSPIRE ME Magazine asked contributors their favourite thing about home — be it a house or a place. Read on to see what they have to say.
Lori Carter is a gardener, nature lover, baker, pursuer of living sustainably and supporter of local products and businesses. Natural areas around her and elsewhere are also incredibly important to Lori, including how people and communities interact with nature, growing plants and food. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, she transplanted to the west coast 14 years ago to explore all that the west has to offer, including the incredibly long growing season of Vancouver Island. Her heart is in Nova Scotia and her hands are in the soil of Victoria, British Columbia.
Read Feel at Home in your Garden by Lori
Kaleigh Chiasson currently lives in Halifax N.S., with her husband, two-year old son, and their loyal pets, dog Lenny and cat Lucy. Kaleigh’s background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Applied Health Services Research, and 10+ years as a Personal Fitness Trainer and Lifestyle Coach.
My favourite thing about home is the family I share it with. They motivate me to create beautiful and functional spaces where we can all relax and make memories together.
Read Create a Home Sanctuary by Kaleigh
Dr. Ashley Margeson, ND has a clinical practice focused on Burnout Recovery and Prevention, as well as hormone optimization, at her Halifax, Nova Scotia clinic, Cornerstone Naturopathic. She is the co-founder of Burnout Blueprint, an online course to help busy people recover and prevent burnout. She and her team have treated thousands of cases of burnout over the past decade. Dr. Ashley is also the host of The Superwoman Code; a weekly podcast educating young professional and busy women about how to make their health work for them, not against them. She is also a full-time stepmom to her five and seven-year-old children.
My favourite thing about home is the coziness of it. Home should be a feeling. That feeling of curling up with a good book, taking off your shoes, and relaxing. The actual exhale of breath that comes with a space that is cozy, comfortable, and simple.
Read Beat back-to-work burnout when work-from-home ends by Dr. Ashley
Alanna McIntyre is a self-proclaimed lover of languages, art, and tasty things. A certified sommelier since 2002, with experience in wine education, wine travel, and wine judging, she is also a certified yoga teacher with the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association. McIntyre started working at Bishop's Cellar in 2007 and is still there, using her extensive wine knowledge and product expertise to fulfill several roles within the company.
There are so many things I love about my home as the house I live in was built by my husband with a lot of love and attention to details.
My favourite thing is a room I use for yoga practice and dance in the basement. Every morning I wake up and head down to this space to start my day. Having a separate space in my house that I use only for yoga and dance helps me get focused as soon as I step into the space.
Discover Hot Summer Wine Selections by Alanna
Jen Meza backpacked around the world and is now a mom of two striving to up-level family life and to teach her kids never to settle for anything less than great. She wants to inspire others to up-level their family lives as well. Originally from Vancouver B.C, she now calls Nova Scotia home. Jen is an artist--her business Fringe Street Designs offers woven wall hangings as well as DIY Loom Kits. Jen is the creator of the best-selling Our Best N.S. Adventure Journal and the Our Best PEI Adventure Journal.
My favourite thing about my home is the feeling of comfort... and my heat pump on a hot day!
Read When life gives you 2020, do your best by Jen
Jenna Morton is a New Brunswick-based, Cape Breton-raised writer who believes pride of place builds resilience, creativity, & economic growth. She created Pickle Planet Moncton to offer families ways to connect with their community & build that sense of belonging among children.
My favourite thing about home is the moments when its peace washes over me. When I feel my shoulders drop, my breath slows, and my lips curl up in a smile, all because of a simple smell or sound or memory. That feeling is home.
Read When a house, place, or person feels Like home by Jenna
Alicia Simms is a local entrepreneur and media personality in Truro, Nova Scotia. A tattooer by trade, she runs a private studio, Rolling Sea Tattooery, in Truro. She also owns a social media marketing and promotions company called Truro Buzz focusing on what it's like to live, work, and play in Colchester County. Her tour company Secret Nova Scotia offers guided tours revealing experiences in the hot spots of rural Nova Scotia.
My favourite thing about home is my hammock. Last year, my darling fiance built us the most incredible new deck complete with a perfect spot for my hammock. It's a little sunny, a little shaded, and it's my absolute favourite place to relax with a good book. A perfect day is one where I can squeeze even an hour of hammock time in!
Read Falling in Love with a Home Away from Home by Alicia
Kathleen Steele is an outdoor enthusiast and proud Nova Scotian. An outdoor ambassador for @trailshop and @takeitoutsideinc she has hiked many of the province’s trails and been witness to countless waterfalls. Born in London Ontario, Kathleen lives in Truro, Nova Scotia, her home for most of her life. When not working at her full time job you can find her in Truro’s own Victoria Park. She believes when you spend time in nature, nature transforms your life. She is always looking for a new hiking trail, waterfall or beach to explore.
You can follow along on her adventures on Instagram
Read Take a Hike by Kathleen
Rebekah Streeter is the founder of Voda Curated Experiences. As a mom and creative professional, Rebekah has learned first-hand the importance of self-care. Her goal is to show people that even the smallest acts of self-care can make a difference in your life and to take the guesswork out of how to care for yourself. Rebekah strives to provide a way for people to pamper themselves that they can do anywhere and anytime.
My favourite thing about home is the feeling of calm and restorative energy I receive when I find myself in familiar surroundings. This applies to my own personal space, my childhood home or even my home city ( Halifax) when returning from abroad. It all evokes similar feelings for me.
Sometimes I am able recreate these feeling and environments with: taste, using food cooking comfort food from my past, scents by choosing smells that are native to Nova Scotia ( like the ocean, lavender or fresh grass after it rains) or from a specific memory like the sweet small of rose water or tea I experienced in the middle east.
Sometimes I choose to feel the memories by wrapping myself in the blanket my Grandmother made for me as I sip my tea, or see them by surrounding myself with images of the ocean.
Read Summer Hygge by Rebekah
