Tag Archives: halifax

Supporting Local Music for Thriving Communities.

2023-03-26 vLife Blog image Supporting Local Musicians

Music is the artistic pulse of any lively community. An active local music scene is always a sign that the community’s arts and culture play a valuable role in its social life.  That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that local music doesn’t typically encapsulate what we think of as mainstream music. Oftentimes, […]

Student Guide to Buying Local in Halifax

Group of university students researching local businesses online.2023-02-22 vLife Blog Student Guide to Buying Local in Halifax

It’s hard to get through this struggling economic climate, but it’s even harder to get through it if you’re a student. I know this from personal experience. As a student who can only work so many hours while juggling a full course load, I also find it hard to support small businesses while saving money. […]

Tribute to Small Business Owners: Hardworking. Resilient. Supportive.

Islamic woman small business owner holding blackboard with smiling.2023-02-01 vLife Blog image Tribute to Small Business Owners

Ever look at all the small business owners at your local market, admiring their wares, and thought about how much work goes into them just being there? We think about this a lot at vLife. About our hardworking small business clients. So much so that we put on a Local Market featuring some of our […]

Halifax Guide to Local International Food Stores

vLife Blog. Halifax Guide: Small Local International Food Stores. Written by Sarah van Achte. Globe cut in half with fresh peppers, an avocado, tomatoes, and fresh lettuce in between the two halves.

Hey again! We all have heard of Gateway by now, living in and around Nova Scotia. It is inarguably the most well-known independent grocery store in Nova Scotia. But did you know there are others? Today, I’m going to highlight different independent grocery stores that are focused on international food. For all of you adventurous […]

Supporting Local Wineries and Breweries: Nova Scotia Options

vLife Supporting local Wineries and Breweries in Nova Scotia. Large pint of craft beer with lobster dinner in the background.

Local wineries and breweries play a vital role in your local economy. While many people will still go for your typical Budweiser or Barefoot selections, the increase in local drinks connoisseurs over the past few decades has been significant – infusing strong growth in the microbrewery and micro winery industries. Especially in Nova Scotia! As […]

A Newcomer’s Guide to Halifax: Resources, Supports and Things to do!

Smiling Asian woman holding a Canadian Passport pointing to vLife Blog: Newcomers Guide to Halifax. Supports & Things To Do.

Being newcomers to any country can be confusing as well as overwhelming when you don’t have someone to guide you. I know this from first hand experience. In July of 2014, my family and I made a very big…..change. We decided to move from the warm, tropical, and top tourist destination known as Jamaica to […]

Gifts for Men – Local Options for the Gift Giving Season

Woman holding laptop looking very confused. vLife blog featured image Gifts For Men Nova Scotia Local ideas Nov 2022

Gifts for men. Let’s be honest, like ‘gifts for women’, the whole concept is a bit simplistic. People are complex. Trying to pin down a stereotypical gift for these ‘guys’ – it’s nearly impossible. Not to vent, but I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent looking for good gifts for my father. I’ve […]

Five Unique and Local Nova Scotia Gift Basket Ideas 

2022 vLife blog featured image Holiday Gift Baskets Nov 2022

The holidays – they’re stressful. Cooking, cleaning, baking, gift giving, gift wrapping, planning, and planning noise. Noise noise. I’m starting to stress myself out already. I think all of us, at some point, loaded up Google and threw in “Christmas Gift Ideas For…” x, y, and z.” I’ve always found researching gifts helpful and all. […]

Nova Scotian Local Deals this Canadian Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

2022 vLife blog image. Nova Scotia Local Black Friday Deals two shoppers looking into shopping bags Nov 2022

Here we go again, Canadian Black Friday shopping. We’ve all seen those clips on YouTube – the ones of endless shoppers and pandemonium in a Walmart. Don’t get me wrong. Black Friday is tempting. I have had the same laptop for longer than Cyber Monday has even existed. And, unfortunately, even a sustainability nerd like […]

Comparing Learning Music Online or In-Person

2022 vLife blog Main image Online or In-Person Music Lessons Oct 2022

Learning music online or in-person go hand-and-hand with your own development. One study in 2010 found that the structural and functional cerebral neuroplastic processes emerge as a result of long-term musical training. Or, in words for laymen like myself, learning music makes you smarter. But as we all know, music is more than just something […]