Some of you may be shopping as we are on the countdown for the holidays. Me? Well, my husband has declared it "declutter in the Hines House" day.  That's not my idea of fun at all.  But, I'm part of the reason we have so much clutter. I have a difficult time letting go of things. I don't collect things, but I always feel as if I need that brochure, magazine, or business card for research on my next story.

Before I get to decluttering, I wanted to suggest a great holiday gift idea of great scents and wellness this year because it's the perfect gift for the person who already has a lot of stuff. We all know that they don't need more stuff except for the things they can use in their lives. You know the person I'm talking about. They do not need another book, dish towel, candle, or figurine.  They are your person on your list who needs no more stuff.



I've been using Young Living products for two years and certainly have my favorite products in the inventory. I like the quality and what I buy.  I adore my bamboo diffuser, and instead of candles, I diffuse great scents in my home without the risk of being exposed to toxins, or the risk of a fire. I've thrown away almost every candle in my home except one or two for a power outage. Instead, I have essential oils and essential oil blends.

Other than my years of experience covering spas in luxury hotels, I knew very little about essential oils and have really taken this year as a year to learn more.  I've learned a lot and when I do spa interviews now, I feel as if I know so much more about the wellness and therapeutic benefits of those visits. I've also learned that you don't always have to spend several hundred dollars at a spa to get the same benefits at home.

I adore the scent of Thanksgiving in my home and I can have it anytime I want without cooking a pumpkin pie or Turkey.




Here's my holiday secret Diffusing recipe:
                                                     3 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
                                                     3 drops of Clove Essential Oil
                                                     3 drops of Christmas Spirit Essential Oil        


The catalog for Young Living products is very extensive.  From protein powders to cleaning products, there is something for all. A good place to start is with the EveryDay Oils. I use their supplements as well. If you've never heard of Young Living then now is the time to start learning.




I am also a big advocate now of the Thieves products to use for household cleaning products. I make all of my own cleaning products and am saving money by doing this. I gave up my own house cleaners and decided to do it myself. I have to say that my house is cleaner and I never knew how much dirt was really around before I gave up the professional cleaners. I feel so much better not having those strong chemicals around, but now I have the safe scents of pine and lemon.



Disclosure: Affiliate links. Opinions about the products are my own. 

Sola is also a great place for lunch and dinner. The food is fresh, delicious, and local.




If visiting, Sola is closed on Sunday so make your plans accordingly.

Want to Go:
Sola Coffee Cafe
7705 Lead Mine Road
Raleigh, N.C.

Photography at our NC Blogger Network Events/Campaigns are by © Allie Miller Photography. If your business would like to work with the NC  Blogger Network and #OutaboutNC, please drop me an email at Leigh.Hines@ncbloggernetwork.com 

When planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, there's always a lot of talk about staying on Disney property versus not staying on Disney property. Some people are adamant that staying on property is the only way to vacation. I call those people "Disney Loyalists." Nothing anyone else says will change their minds and they will tell you that the magic will be lost if you check-in anywhere else.



Whether it is a deluxe, moderate or value property, these Disney loyalists will not be going to Disney unless they are staying in a Disney operated hotel. That's great and their choice.  But, don't let the price of  Disney hotels scare you into thinking you can never take your family to Disney or that you are going to have to stay in a value resort with room doors that open to the outside world. Hello, 1970! I've only stayed in deluxe Disney properties myself. The property was fabulous and so was walking to Epcot. However, the room was not worth the $300 plus price tag.  And for the same amount of money, we could have rented a villa in Europe for the five nights we were there.  As a journalist who knows a lot of other travel writers and as someone who knows her hotels very well,  I can tell you right now that if your family stays in an area near the theme parks, your family vacation will still be magical, and definitely more luxurious than a value or moderate resort. Don't hate me, Disney loyalists, I just want to give straight up hotel facts for those who may be on the fence of going to Orlando this winter.

My friends at Luxe Recess, one of my favorite hotel websites, has a great Disney/Orlando guide for the luxury traveler.



You may have heard that Downtown Disney has been renamed Disney Springs. It's about as close to the theme parks as you can get, but none of the hotels are managed by Disney. In fact, the area is kind of like a theme park itself with shopping, dining, and entertainment.  The new name Disney Springs is Disney's way of adding a little more magic with a new name, and it's very close to Disney's own Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and many of the value resorts.  In fact,  all of these seven hotels have the honor of being named "Official Walt Disney World Hotels"  and they provide a complimentary shuttle every 30 minutes to the four theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs.

November and December are magical months to visit Walt Disney World. I was there two years ago this month. Liza was four and met the Disney Princesses for the first time. We want to return again.

The hotels in the Disney Springs are offering special holiday rates so you can enjoy all that Disney has to offer this time of year.

See Luxe Recess Review of B Resort and Spa

If I were to check-in, my top choices would be B Resort and Spa. I trust Robin's judgment at Lux Recess, and she has a story on the hotel in this post.  I also would consider the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista due to its previous accolades, and the rooms are more lux than most Disney deluxe properties. It also has extended theme park hours available to its guests, a character breakfast on Sunday and heated pools.  And the Doubletree Suites By Hilton Lake Buena Vista is an all-suite hotel for those families who need extra space. And we all know that families need space.  I stayed in all-suite DoubleTree in Charlotte, N.C. last month and was pleased with the hotel. I  typically choose more lux hotels for my personal vacations, but Disney is an extremely busy destination where you are not in the hotel much so I am making the DoubleTree an exception here for a Disney vacation. The brand is also nice for families.  I have never stayed in a Disney Value resort and I have no desire to do so. I would choose these properties over Disney Value Resorts or Moderate Resorts.



You can compare all hotels at the main website: DisneySpringsHotels.com and you can view special rates plus in some hotels, children eat free. 






Love hotels? Be sure to subscribe to my hotel newsletter. Can't stand the thought of staying offsite or need help with tickets, visit Magical Adventures Travel with Jennifer Eacret. She teaches at my children's school by day and plans Disney vacations at night.

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Sweet potatoes and butternut squash are in abundance in the fall. In fact, North Carolina is the top producer of sweet potatoes in the US.  It's the perfect fall staple and it's cheap. When I was on my detox/cleanse, I ate a lot of butternut squash, and really became a fan of the vegetable.  

Skillet meals are easy because it's one-pot for clean-up. I love this recipe because it's easy, uses items found at the Farmer's Market in the fall such as apples and butternut squash, and it's fairly low-budget because the products are in-season and in abundance. 

Sweet Potatoes are North  Carolina's top crop

3 med sweet potatoes or 3 med white potatoes or a small to med butternut squash - cut in bite size chunks (Or use butternut squash and sweet potatoes together. Be creative)

1 onion, sliced

2-3 small apples cut into chunks the same size as the potatoes/squash.

1 pkg Chicken and Apple Sausage cut in to 5 or 6 pieces each

1/4 Cup Beer or Apple Pie Moonshine or Apple juice or cider

2 T Maple Syrup

Warm your chilly fall evening with this farm fresh,  easy, healthy sweet potato and chicken-sausage skillet meal