Category Archives: Art and Artisans

Top 5 Local Economy Growth Hacks through Buying Local

Happy small business woman with We're open sign

The local economy grows by supporting small businesses more than larger corporations. Why, you ask? Well, buying from small local businesses strengthens the local supply chain and retains more of your purchase dollars locally. Not to mention also reducing your carbon footprint. If you haven’t already, you can take a closer look at how this […]

How to Support Local on your Vacation

Support local on holidays poster with car overloaded with luggage and travel items

Whether planning a staycation or travelling abroad, it’s worth supporting local businesses in the communities you travel to. Some local businesses may have unique and artisanal souvenirs or traditional food from recipes passed down through generations. And it’s just a great way to support the local economy.  But how exactly can your contributions to small […]

Nova Scotia Local Events

vLife Blog Things to Do in NS Updated 2022 image

If you’re looking for Nova Scotia local events, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ve put together a regularly updated list of the best events all around Nova Scotia From festivals to farmers markets, for you to enjoy. To make it easy for you, we add our most recently added events to the top […]

Valentines Day Gifts for all of us — even you!

vLife Valentines Day Advice Blog image 2022

Valentines Day gifts: Asking for a friend Valentines Day is here again, and with it the PRESSURE to find perfect Valentines Day gifts. And, well, frankly to enjoy Valentines Day. (Or is it Valentine’s Day?? Stay tuned till the end for a brief polemic on the use of attributive apostrophes!*) Fear not. Auntie Erin is […]

More than local gifts: Holiday 2021 is all about YOU.

vLife Holiday Blog Local Gifts and Self-Care Dec 2021

You’re in for a treat this month. Why? Because in addition to plugging the many benefits of local gifts this festive season, I’m gonna get personal about my journey as a recovering holiday stressball. Local gifts are closer — and easier — than you think. Before I overshare, I want to acknowledge a few things: […]

Local gifts. The perfect solution to supply chain anxiety.

vLife Blog 2021-11 Supply Chain Local Gifts image

Worried about that pesky supply chain? Local gifts to the rescue! As yet another pandemic festive season barrels down upon us, our thoughts turn to making the hopes and dreams of our loved ones come true. Of course, here at vLife, we want you to think local gifts first. And this year, taking a buy […]

Top 5 Nova Scotia Travel Tips: March Break 2021

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The 2021 Nova Scotia travel season looks a little different this year. Observing tight Nova Scotia travel restrictions that thankfully loosened a little bit recently, let us turn our thoughts not just to making Dr. Strang proud (because he’s kind of like everyone’s dad), but to supporting local Halifax and Nova Scotia businesses as they […]

Local Valentine’s gifts perfect for your special person

vLife Valentine 2021 Blog image Show Your Love with Local poster with heart and hand holding gift

Spoiler alert: This post is definitely about finding local Valentine’s gifts for that special someone. Or someones. Even if that someone is YOU. For a day meant to celebrate love, February 14th can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned gift giver. Finding the best gift for Valentine’s Day is entirely subjective […]

On local gift baskets and how they saved my holiday bacon

Local Gift Basket curated by vLife writer and passionate buy local supporter Erin Casey

Local gift baskets — and shopping for said baskets — has taught me a lot this holiday season. Mainly that while I seem to be quite good at locating and spending money at small businesses near me, I am NOT very good at actually assembling my haul of local goods into an attractive package. Before […]

9 Ways to Shop Small & Local this Holiday Season

Two hands giving a red and gold wrapped local gift

How can you shop local? Let me count the ways… But first, a moment of recognition of the stresses that can accumulate with all the demands on our time during the Festive Season… Holiday Stressors The Pressures of the Holiday season can mount pretty quickly – and it seems to start mounting earlier and earlier […]