North Carolina

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Holiday Shopping Made Easy: Shop the #OutaboutNC Virtual Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up Market

2020 will go down in history as the year the world stopped being what we were used to living in daily.  We stopped basically everything we loved, and unfortunately, many people lost people who they loved.

 

In 2020, we are more attached to the internet than in any year prior. Travel stopped. Eating in restaurants stopped. Shopping in person stopped. Retail stores closed down for months, and to survive, many retail stores had to turn to online sales to survive the economy. 



Callahan's of Calabash Opened an Online Store During COVID in NC


For my OutaboutNC community on Instagram, my focus is 100 percent on North Carolina, the same place where I have called home for a lifetime. When I started my #OutaboutNC chats on IGTV in late March, getting to know the individuals behind North Carolina's businesses put a little spark in my step in 2020.  


These local businesses have had to pivot with some developing an online store for the first time ever. Even I have somewhat pivoted in a new direction during COVID as my HouseStalker YouTube Show shoots halted, and travel and leisure content became limited. 


I've put more emphasis on working with brand affiliates, which align with my lifestyle such as my passion for clean beauty education/advocacy with Beautycounter. This beauty and skincare brand is a leader in the Clean Beauty industry with a Never-List of about 1800 questionable or harmful ingredients not allowed in its products.  My Beautycounter affiliate is now a primary source of revenue to support this blog over sponsorships, enabling me to keep the majority of my OutaboutNC and blog content editorial. 




Beautycounter wrapped up a three-month partnership with Sephora, and awareness about health over beauty is now greater than ever. More and more companies are cleaning up their act and making more products safer for consumers. My #BetterBeauty VIP group on Facebook shares all brands of Clean Beauty and helps educate consumers to make better choices at all price points. I also offer flash sales and discounts. 


For my latest #OutaboutNC project, I hand-picked vendors throughout North Carolina to work with me on a virtual holiday pop-up market for three weekends in October, November, and December. My longtime friend, Kim Prejs, of Teach Learn Style.com, is also sponsoring the event with her main affiliate, Zyia Active, a new favorite brand. 



The NC Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up


NC Small Business Pop-Up Participants

Wellness by Ari, located in Matthews, NC. Ari candles are made using 100% natural ingredients, starting with organic hemp wick and beeswax. 

Curry Wilkinson Pottery, located in Burlington, NC. This NC artisan specializes in jewelry, gifts, and pottery decor made on-site in its pottery studio. 


Hometown Goodie Boxes, based in La Grange, NC, This online shop specializes in gift boxes filled with NC made food/products. 


Callahan's Of Calabash,  located in Calabash, NC. This popular gift store has 35,000 retail space and has been a staple on the North/South Carolina border for forty years. Callahan's debuted its new online shop in 2020.  


Our October pop-up shop will be hosted in a special online Facebook group, and we will also share some items on Instagram. Join the pop-up shop on Facebook. Also, respond to our event RSVP as well so more people can learn about it. 


We will be having a few other vendors join us for our November and December pop-ups. 


Each vendor will be hosting a giveaway for one of the events. In October, everyone who joins the October 9-11 pop will be registered to win one of our two October gifts. 


This adorable fall patchwork pumpkin gnome from Callahan's will look great in your home for a festive fall.




Hometown Goodie Boxes has put together an exclusive goodie box for one lucky winner who attends the pop-up. 




The winner will enjoy a hot cup of tea from Asheville Tea Company. Working closely with local growers, Asheville Tea creates unique blends using botanicals, herbs, and other natural ingredients. From the piedmont area of NC, Lindley Mills organic muffin mix is healthy, easy, and delicious! A 10th generation organic specialty flour mill, Lindley Mills'  Muffin Mix is great alone, just add water, or toss in your favorite fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips. Top off your hot muffin with delicious peach preserves from Deans Farm Market in Wilson, NC. A local working farm, Deans Farm, gathers local produce at its peak, capturing the essence of that peach taste. 


We look forward to you attending the October 9-11 OutaboutNC Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up.

Sponsored by Beautycounter with Leigh Powell Hines and Zyia Active with Kim Prejs

Beautycounter and Zyia Active: Two Great Brands










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Holiday Shopping Made Easy: Shop the #OutaboutNC Virtual Small Biz Holiday Pop-Up Market
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#OutaboutNC: Pain Au Chocolat is a Must-Try at LaFarm Bakery in Cary, N.C.

UPDATED with new Information LaFarm Bakery Location Information: October 10, 2018


Ooh La La! Yes, sometimes I tell my daughter that every restaurant with a play place is closed because I would rather step inside a North Carolina French bakery.  I love to order a Pain Au Chocolat pastry, and coffee at LaFarm Bakery in Cary, N.C.  This Cary bakery brings the taste of France to North Carolina. 
LaFarm Bakery in Cary, North Carolina brings a taste of France to the North Carolina Residents. With baked French breads and several locations in the Raleigh area, LaFarm is the French Bakery everyone loves.
A Taste of France at LaFarm Bakery in Cary, N.C.

The Pain Au Chocolat has Belgium dark chocolate wrapped in a flaky croissant. It is delicious. I haven't had lunch at this North Carolina French bakery in a long time. The classic Le Parisian Baguette is a must choice when looking for authentic French baked goods in the triangle. Also, the children's menu is one of the more reasonably priced in the area with a grilled cheese for $2.25.  Liza loves LaFarm's baked cookies. 



LaFarm Bakery on High House Road in Cary, N.C. is my Fabulous Friday Pick for this week.  
LaFarm Bakery in Cary, North Carolina brings a taste of France to the North Carolina Residents. With baked French breads and several locations in the Raleigh area, LaFarm is the French Bakery everyone loves.

You may see me pop in on a Tuesday before my daughter's dance class in the area.  You can view the LaFarm Bakery Menu online. I love their seasonal soups. There are now several LaFarm Bakery locations in the Raleigh area, and you can also buy their fabulous bread at local Whole Foods. LaFarm now has a production facility on Chatham Street in downtown Cary as well as a cafe in the Alston Town Center in West Cary.  LaFarm Bakery is also a staple vendor at the Raleigh's NC State Fair. 








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#OutaboutNC: Pain Au Chocolat is a Must-Try at LaFarm Bakery in Cary, N.C.

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A Few of My Loves at My Favorite Inns

As 2012 draws to a close, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my travels this year and give you the lowdown on what I really loved at each property I visited.  I had a fabulous time featuring so many different hotels on the Hines-Sight Blog and Skimbaco Lifestyle.  All these hotels are so different that there is no way to compare the properties and say that one was the absolute best.

Each hotel I visited this year was unique, and each property has its own special story to tell. I loved something about every visit.  Some hotels are better suited for romantic getaways, and others are perfect for families. The six properties I visited this year all have different price points, and the experience at each one was vastly different.  What stood out at each property?  Here are some of my loves from my “Pack Your Bags” features.

The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/02/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html

I loved the Southern, elegant décor with verandas overlooking a championship golf course and resort pool. The rooms had the same traditional lux feel.
I loved the Spa experience. It is a gorgeous facility and ranks as an all-time best experience.
I loved the coconut cake in the Gallery Restaurant, and it was probably the best I’ve had anywhere in a long time.
I loved the original artwork throughout the hotel.

The Mast Farm Inn, Valle Crucis, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/05/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-the-mast.html



I loved the décor in our cabin. I felt as if I was staying in a place that could grace the cover of a magazine.
I loved the coffee served in our cabin. It’s some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. It also was a plus that I could drink it on the porch overlooking the mountains.
I loved that it had little extras like children’s books and games in the cabin.
I loved the Southern cheese grits the next morning.

The King’s Daughters Inn, Durham, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/08/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-kings.html


I loved that it felt as if I was staying in a private mansion.
I loved the individual and outstanding décor of every room.
I loved the chocolate chip waffles, scones, and other delicious goodies at breakfast.
I loved the black towel in the bathroom that said “make-up.” It’s brilliant.
  
The Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/11/the-beautiful-hotel-roanoke-in-roanoke.html

I loved the grand Tudor architecture of this hotel.
I loved the chocolate chip cookies at check-in.
I loved the formal breakfast in this hotel and dessert on the veranda. Food definitely gets an A during our stay.
I loved the location of this hotel. It is in the heart of Roanoke.

The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/09/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html


I loved the Southern character of this hotel. You truly felt as if you were transported to a genteel time in the South. 
I loved the fire pit at this hotel. It’s a great place for families to gather and get to know each other while vacationing.
I loved that we had the same housekeeper daily, and we got to know her while there. We also got to know staff in the restaurants, too. 
I loved the resort pool at the Homestead.  It is fantastic.
I loved that my son got to ride a horse and learn archery. I love that my children still speak fondly of Zip the horse. I truly loved our time at the Homestead. It was a grand family vacation, and it has really sold me on the resort concept for a vacation.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2012/12/travel-insight-the-ritz-carlton-charlotte-offers-chocolate-trees-tea-and-priceless-family-memories.html



OK, I’ve not yet published my “Pack Your Bags” yet for this property on the blog, but there is very little not to love about a Ritz-Carlton.  I’m going to save my loves for the upcoming feature in January, but I’ll give you a small hint with these words: chocolate, turn-down service, a granite bathroom,complimentary bottled water, and an indoor pool.  True loves!

Trust me, you would be happy to check in at any of these properties.  Here’s to more traveling in 2013.







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A Few of My Loves at My Favorite Inns
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