We are so fortunate to live here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Our beautiful beaches and trails, our friendly and supportive communities and an abundance of talented artisans and committed entrepreneurs and business owners, are just a few of the reasons this area is so unique. During the upcoming Holiday season, we can do our part to support our local economy by spending our money right here in our communities. Welcome to our holiday gift guide.

The goal of the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide is to make it easy for you to locate unique, local, gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list. The Guide contains three sections. The first one Love Lunenburg came out last week. Cozy Coastal which went out a few days ago and now South Shore Spirit which rounds out the last of this years Gift Guides! Each business or artisan featured has donated a fantastic item to be included in a giveaway for each section. So be sure to enter and share this post to get the word out. Let’s all show our love for local this holiday season!

Yoga Room of Essence

How about giving the gift of good health and healing this Christmas? Yoga Room of Essence was born out of Passion and Experience. It is an organization that takes pride in offering our community a variety of wellness options from Yoga and Meditation, to Reiki, Essential Oils and Massage. They are the first full service, flexible model Yoga studio South of Halifax! Their vision is to provide people with flexible, unique, and affordable options for personal wellness, and to provide the inspiration and tools to live a fully aware, and authentic life.
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The moment you walk through the door you will feel at home. Warm, welcoming and knowledgeable staff, complimentary tea, and personalization of your experience sets Yoga Room of Essence apart from any other Yoga Studio or Spa in the area.

Brittany Hachey is the founder and owner of Yoga Room of Essence, which is located at 373 King St. You can connect with Yoga Room of Essence on their website or Facebook page. Yoga Room of Essence has generously donated a 1 month Unlimited Yoga Membership, 1 60-minute massage and a Custom Essential Oil Roller Ball valued ta $188.00 to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway.

Stained Glass by Sasha

Stained Glass by Sasha began in the Spring of 2016 with a goal to make modern glass art, home decor and gift ware accessible to all via lower than market standard and pricing. Sasha uses a combination of reclaimed and new glass but using reclaimed whenever possible.

Stained Glass by Sasha ships worldwide and select items are available in store at The Train Yard General Store on Portland Street, Dartmouth. There is about a 2 week turn around time on custom orders, plus shipping time.

Stained Glass by Sasha has generously donated three pairs of earrings to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide valued at $30.00. You can connect with Stained Glass by Sasha on their Facebook page or Instagram.

West Lahave Juice Yard

Growing up it was normal for Dieter Maier and his wife Henriette (From Fibre Arts Studio…Cozy Coastal Gift Guide…) to go out in the fall and collect apples from neighbors and friends and the 2 apple trees in our yard. They would drop them off at a little family run business who would wash, sort, grind the apples and press them, so their families had juice in the winter. Since Dieter and Henriette got married this never changed, each fall they would go out and get some apples – if they did not have them ourselves – and press them into juice. Later they started pasteurizing and filling the juice in bags and boxes, which was much easier than cleaning bottles to fill.

They never intended to sell their juice but word of mouth got out and they had more and more inquiries, so they pressed a bit more each year and their hobby evolved into a small business. West Lahave Juice Yard have no plans to grow bigger as it is and should stay, a labor of love that they both enjoy and are passionate about.

A few years ago a friend of theirs introduced them to Robert Peill outside of Port Williams and since then he is the supplier for all their apples, both organic and regular grown. From him they get apples by variety, which we press separately and each juice has its distinct taste. It’s a husband and wife operation right in West La Have! Henriette is responsible for washing and sorting out bad apples, and Dieter grinds, presses, pasteurizes and fills the juice packages!

This year West Lahave Juice Yard has juice from Ambrosia, Pazazz, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Ida Red, Red Delicious, Liberty and Masonaova apples. Plus they always make a spiced cider for Christmas. They sell them in 5 and 10 liter bag in box containers with a spout for easy dispensing. We have all varieties here for a free tasting.

West Lahave Juice Yard is located on Highway 331 in West Lahave and is open by chance or appointment. Phone 902- 693-2102 and please call ahead if you make a drive down. It is also available at the Rosebay General Store. They have generously donated a 5L box of Liberty Apple Juice valued at $13.50.

LannaThai Kitchen

With 17 months under their belt, LannaThai Kitchen is off to an exciting start! They are committed to bringing the freshest and most flavourful Thai food to the South Shore, and to becoming a social hub in downtown Bridgewater. LannaThai Kitchen has been welcomed and supported by patrons from the Bridgewater area and beyond. Since then, many have come to LannaThai to try Thai for the first time, while others tell them it’s the best Thai food they’ve had since visiting Thailand themselves. They are humbled and encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback they’ve received.

They have come to see great potential in LannaThai as a venue for highlighting the musical talent of the South Shore and beyond. From their showpiece bar, high ceilings, great acoustics, fun lighting, and dance floor, they’ve got a space that is meant to be brought alive with music, laughter and camaraderie. In addition to growing as a live music venue, LannaThai is also looking forward to introducing new menu items, establishing a regular Happy Hour, and providing more options for workplace group take-out orders.

They have recently launched their Curry Club initiative as a response to the challenge of sustaining a new independent restaurant, while also contending with the disruption of the months-long construction on their doorstep. LannaThai Kitchen has long been supportive of the Take Back the Riverbank project, and believe the end result will be an incredible asset to Bridgewater’s downtown. Yet, the result of the construction phase has meant that the boost they expected to see in the summer, didn’t happen. The Curry Club is a creative response to help us bridge the gap during the lower winter season. Love local. Love Lanna. Join the Club.

Lanna Thai Kitchen has generously donated a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway. You can connect with Lanna Thai on their website or Facebook page.

FirkinStein Brewery

FirkinStein Brewing is the project of Devin Fraser and Adam Sarty. The two Michelin co-workers began production in Mount Pleasant. They came up with the idea during long shifts at the Michelin plant, where they “talk beer 99 per cent of the time.” It started with beer-making competitions between the two of them, with the victor taking home an old wooden mash-paddle as a trophy.

Some of FirkinStein Brewery offerings are, Anchors Aweigh Pale Ale, described by the brewery as “light and refreshing, with a crisp, mild hoppy taste, and mild bitterness in the finish” , NorEaster Amber Ale and FirkinStein Brewing has debuted Rock Your Boat, a Coffee Oatmeal Stout. A smooth beer thanks to the addition of oatmeal, and the dark roast coffee which was provided by Lunenburg’s Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters.

FirkinStein Brewery is currently selling at the Lunenburg Farmers Market and Hubbards and Bridgewater during their season. You can connect with them through their website or Facebook page. You can purchase their beer in growlers, grunters, bottles and even get some labeled glasswear to go with it. FirkinStein Brewery has generously donated a Grunter to be filled and a 16 oz glass valued at $26.00 to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway.

Monica’s Floral Design

Monica’s Floral Design has been proudly serving area customers since May 2013. Located in Hebbville, Nova Scotia, Monica is a florist delivering courteous, professional service and the highest quality floral and gift items around. Owner Monica attended the Canadian Institute of Floral Design in Toronto.

Monica’s Floral Design can create floral arrangements that will compliment any occasion and meet your budget and style expectations as well. They also offer daily delivery service to all local funeral homes and hospitals. Choose from their nice selection of Green Plants, Blooming Plants, Dish Gardens, Fruit Baskets, Gourmet Baskets, Gift Baskets, Baby Gifts, Candy, Greeting Cards, Home Decor, Scented Candles, Silk Flowers, Plush Stuffed Animals and more! Their beautiful selection of high-quality flowers and eye-catching design styles are sure to bring rave reviews on your wedding day or at any festive occasion – large or small.

Stop by and help Monica’s Floral Design celebrate their 4th Annual Christmas Open House happening Friday, December 2nd and Saturday, December 3rd! Browse their Christmas Decor and gift ideas, wreaths, swags, holiday cheer and more! Stop by just to say “Hi” and enjoy a cup of our #homemade apple cider and light refreshments and also enter your name to win selected prizes!

You can reach Monica’s Floral Design at her shop at 43 Bond Dr. in Hebbville, or connect through her website or Facebook page. Monica’s Floral Design has generously donated a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway.

Sand Dollar Silver

Welcome to Sand Dollar Silver where they capture your loved one’s moments in time. Finger, hand, foot prints, even paw prints and hand writing can all be made into timeless pieces of jewellery in Sterling Silver. They design and hand make your jewellery with care here in our studio in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

Sand Dollar Silver’s unique online ordering system and special print kits make it easy for anyone to order personalized jewellery, take prints and create a keepsake to treasure for life. Treasuring memories has never been so easy and their jewellery keepsakes make the perfect present for every occasion. New this year is Sand Dollar Silver’s stunning Reflections of Nature, jewellery line.

Sand Dollar Silver has generously donated an original Sterling Silver Wrapped Rose Leaf necklace to the Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway valued at $46.00. You can connect with Rachel at Sand Dollar Silver through her website or Facebook page. Or stop by and visit the Studio in Lunenburg at 194 Lincoln Street, open by appointment or by chance.

Everyone mentioned in the “South Shore Spirit” section of the guide has generously donated items to be included in a Simple Local Life Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway. The value of this package is $350.00! Wow! Be sure to enter below…and share this post to make it easier for everyone to shop and support local this Holiday season. 🙂

Must be over 18 and a resident of Canada. Delivery will be provided within a reasonable distance of the South Shore.

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