*Read my 3 Key Personal Take-Aways and the 3 Key Professional Take-Aways from Type-A Mom*

To cap off my 3 Key Take-Aways from Type-A Mom I decided to end things with my 3 Key Ashevillian Take-Aways

• *Malaprops is a funky old bookstore {the very best kind there is} perched way atop a glute killing hill that serves the most amazing sugar-topped chocolate swirl muffins. OH and the uber-hilarious Amy Sedaris will be there this month.
• * Asheville offers a hugely vast array of unique and tasty restaurants.  Early Girl Eatery {also located atop killer hill} stood out as the best meal I’ve had in a very long time and their amazingly apple pie-y sweet potatoes had us asking for a recipe.
• * I missed out on some rather amazing Nutella ice cream from local eatery, The Hop, and I am none too happy about it.  Check out Freezer Burn’s review of The Hop’s Nutella ice cream. Next year, this ice cream is a must.

In Asheville, you will find an eclectic city full of treasures, open minds, and Southern Hospitality {even though many of the residents are transplants}. I really could have gone on and on here since I also adore The Biltmore, The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is chock full of history, and the Renaissance’s security detail is top-notch.

Do you have any favorite places in Asheville – any tips for people just visiting Asheville for the first time?

Share them in the comments!

Like what you read? Try these!:

1. 3 Key Professional Take-Aways from the Type-A Mom Conference
2. 3 Key Personal Take-Aways from Type-A Mom Conference
3. Type-A Mom Conference Run Down

Continuing with my Type A Mom Conference theme, here is another look at Biltmore. Looking up.

See more great photography over at I Should Be Folding Laundry with You Capture.

For more about my trip to Type-A Mom Conference, my 3 Key Personal Take-Aways, or more images of Biltmore check out my Type-A Mom Category.

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1. You Capture: Get Low
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3. 3 Key Personal Take-Aways from Type-A Mom Conference

No related posts.

A lot about myself, this blog and it’s future, but also about the multitude of bloggers who are not only moms, but are also entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and all around kick-ass. Before I get too much farther into this post, I want to throw a huge thank you out to the woman {and men} who came out and volunteered their time to make Type-A Mom so amazing. If you don’t already know them, do it now.

• Chele
• Jenny
• Maricris
• Sara
• Cindy & her hubby J.T.
• Heather
• Andrea
• Bonnie
• Lisa
• Angela
• Robin
• Katherine
• Cathy
• Nichole
• Dwan

I’m pretty certain I’ve forgotten someone…if I have please PLEASE leave a comment and I’ll add it to the post! AND accept my I apologies.

After arriving on Thursday I found myself immediately jumping into conference prep with swag bag stuffing and registration room prepping. Hours later with still more bag stuffing today, Ang and I headed out to Malaprops from some Blogger book readings. Can I just say these mamas {and a papa too} can really write?! ½ a tasty muffin and some sweet baby Adam time later, we were headed back to the Renaissance for some more swag bag prepping. Add in a near midnight airport run to pick up my girl, Shannan, and I was d.o.n.e. for the day.

Friday morning I spoke at my very first session on “Rebranding Your Blog”, check out Christina’s amazing live-blogging of my session {I need to remember to do this from now on when I’m in sessions}. Guess what?! I didn’t totally suck. I mean in my opinion I probably repeated myself a lot and skipped around {all things I can work on in the future}, but I had several people thank me and tell me I did a good job. Gasp.

After making sure my volunteers were set for the day {and that they had my phone number if they needed me} Amy, Shannan, and I headed out for a visit to the Biltmore Estate. Touring Biltmore with adult friends sans children is so much better than dragging children along. After walking til our legs felt like they might just fall off, we indulged in a little wine tasting and found I like Biltmore’s Century Wines best of all.

On Saturday I had the privilege of moderating the “It’s About Community not Competition” panel with Janice from 5 Minutes 4 Moms, Jennifer from Mom Bloggers Club, and Laurie from Kirtsy. Such an amazing group of women. I was inspired and awed by them. Seriously ladies {and gentlemen} it really is about supporting each other. Saturday night I helped a fellow blogger quickly do a rebrand {which I’ll be writing about more soon}, went out to eat at Early Girl Eatery with 20 of my closest friends, drank some very tasty Middle Sister red & white wine in the always amazing Aliza and Heather’s room before the Biltmore wine reception. Later {much later} I was able to spend some time with another truly amazing and dear friend, Caitlin.

Sunday found me heading home shortly after dropping Amy off at the airport for her flight in hopes of missing the rain {I didn’t}. I had such a great time and have a huge Thank You to go out to Kelby and Mike for organizing such an amazing conference and the sponsors for helping their vision become reality.

Next post: Top 3 Key Take-Aways from Type-A Mom and be watching for photos to pop up through out the week.

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Photo Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

I grew up surrounded by the beauty of North and South Carolina, yet I am always amazed by the majesty of them both.  One of my favorite places to visit in North Carolina is Asheville.  With the breathtaking Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop, Asheville lights up the night (and day) with excitement, beauty, good eats, and plain ol’fun!  Imagine spending 2 days relaxing under the calming watch of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Imagine getting into the hot attractions Asheville has to offer for free! Imagine getting your own piece of Asheville’s acclaimed hand made pottery to take home for free! Stop imagining! The super wonderful people over at Asheville’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are giving away to one of MY readers (that would be you) TWO Go Blue Ridge Cards and a unique piece of Asheville pottery. Go Blue Ridge Cards get you into 25 different attractions in the Asheville are for FREE! It’s your ticket to a fabulous, fun Spring Break…souvenir included!

So if you’ve never had the privilege of visiting Asheville, you may be wondering to yourself what there is to do in Asheville. Let me give you a little taste of all that Asheville has to offer. Let”s spend the day in Asheville together.

Biltmore Estate

Let’s start our day at the beautiful Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore was built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt and boasts 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 (!!) fireplaces!  Set on the most pristine 125,000 acres you’ll ever see, the Biltmore offers Guided Garden Tours and the Legacy of the Land Tour.  Spend some time walking around the grounds then step inside the estate and grab a snack at any one of the six fabulous dining spots available.  Follow your snack with a leisurely walk around the gorgeous  Biltmore Estate, taking in the history and beauty.  For a more in depth look at the Biltmore Estate and it’s background reserve a specialty guided tour where you have the possibility of viewing parts of the estate not open to the public.  If you get thirsty while visiting, you are in luck! The Biltmore Estate offers a self guided tour of their winery and free wine tasting with your admission! Admission is included with the Go Blue Ridge Card!  Be sure to pick up a couple bottles of their award-winning wines while you’re there.  If you desire to spend the night there (I would recommend it) the Biltmore offers many varying packages that are sure to fit any budget.

Outdoors

Photo Courtesy of Chimney Rock

If you are an outdoors lover, the Blue Ridge Mountains is the ideal travel destination for you!  Whether it’s going for a scenic walk through the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or going for a hike at Chimney Rock (one of my favorite places).  Take a romantic walk in Asheville’s Botanical Gardens or North Carolina’s  one-of-a-kind Arboretum.   Have a relaxing morning of fly fishing at one of their great fishing spots, then mix things up and go for a Segway tour of Asheville’s beautiful downtown.  There are so many great activities you can do outdoors in Asheville, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Arts

If you’re into the arts, head downtown and check out all Downtown Asheville has to offer! From Asheville’s Art Museum to the many art galleries, Downtown Asheville is the place for art! If theater is more your speed, take in a show at the Asheville Community Theater or be moved by  “Unto These Hills…a retelling” performed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We saw this last summer when we were camping. Moving. Powerful. Beautiful. Go shopping at the Allenstand Craft Shop at the Folk Art Center and pick something to take home with you.  Asheville’s art scene is alive and kicking, come and be a part of it!

Family Friendly

If you’re looking for great family friendly activities,  stop by Asheville’s Fun Depot and ride some go carts or play mini-golf.  Or head over to Tweetsie Railroad and let your imagination run wild! If you’re interested in reliving history, be sure to check out the Colburn Earth Science Museum, Smith-McDowell House Museum, and the Thomas Wolfe Museum.  The Health Adventure features interactive and changing exhibits to teach your whole family about their bodies and their health.

Nightlife

While you’re downtown, be sure to check out the night life.  The Orange Peel Social Aid and Pleasure Club is the premier international stop for fabulous live music and a great time.  If jazz and blues are more your speed, hop down to Stella Blue.  With many other bars, music joints, art shows and theater shows, you can stay busy all night long…if you can stay awake!

Lodging

When it’s time for bed, snuggle up in a cozy log cabin in the mountains…or stay in a great hotel and be right where the excitement is.  Save $40 with your Go Blue Ridge Card Sunday-Thursday at Balsam Mountain Inn. Try a romantic Bed and Breakfast for service with a smile.  If you’re really looking to be pampered, try one of Asheville’s fabulous resorts or treat yourself to a day at the spa!

Whatever you decide to do in Asheville, you are sure to have a great time and with the Go Blue Ridge Cards, you are sure to save a TON of money while you’re at it.  For more great money saving ideas check out, http://www.CoolAshevilleSavings.com.

Entry Rules

To enter the Great Spring Break Giveaway!! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Head over to Explore Asheville and sign up for the Email newsletter or RSS feed. Comment here.
2. Sign up for Mom of Faith’s email newsletter or RSS feed.

For extra entries

1. Blog this contest. More than a link is required; a full blog post is needed. All links will be checked.
2. Grab my button and proudly display it on your blog.
3. Tweet this giveaway: Using @momoffaith and http://bit.ly/18iP2s Earn an extra entry for every day you tweet this, just be sure to comment with the link to your tweet.
4. Send an email to your friends telling them of the contest, bcc me at amanda(at)momoffaith(dot)com
5. Post this on any other social media site! Facebook, Myspace, Stumble it…just share it, then come back here and provide a link.
   

The Giveaway ends March 20, 2009. Please be sure to Comment once for each entry.

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