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Marla Milling

Marla Milling

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marla Hardee Milling is a full-time freelance writer living in a place often called the Paris of the South, Sante Fe of the East and Beer City U.S.A., but she just calls Asheville, N.C. home. The History Press in Charleston, S.C. published her first book, "Only in Asheville: An Eclectic History," in June 2015. Her second book, "Legends, Secrets and Mysteries of Asheville" will debut in June 2017.

She is a former news producer at WLOS-TV in Asheville and former Director of Communications at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. More than 800 of her articles and essays have appeared in such publications as Luxury Living, American Style, NICHE, Charleston, Denver, WNC, Blue Ridge Country, Health, Smart Computing, PC Today, New Orleans Gourmet, and many others. Follow her on Twitter @marlamilling

gourmet sauce company panama

9°80° Sauce: Experience New Degrees of Flavor

Fresh ingredients. Incredible flavor combinations. Your tastebuds will thank you for introducing them to 9°80° Gourmet Sauce.
Bean-and-Goose-Chocolate-4

Bean and Goose: A Taste of Irish Chocolate

Time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish Chocolate! We take you straight to Ireland for some handcrafted delights from Bean and Goose.
Barkley's Mill

Barkley’s Mill: Put Some Grits in Your Fat Tuesday Feast

A craft farm in North Carolina makes grits like you've never tasted before. We'll tell you what makes the difference at Barkley's Mill.
atlas coffee

Atlas Coffee Club: Give a Daily Love Reminder

Combine your lover's love of coffee with a daily reminder of your devotion. You'll win her caffeinated heart with exotic blends from Atlas coffee.
Maple H20, maple water

DRINKmaple: A New Way to Enjoy Your H20

Refreshing. Hydrating. And a subtle taste of maple. There's a way to tap into one of nature's masterpieces as you live a healthy lifestyle: DRINKmaple
stiff salt

Stiff Salt Co.: Seriously Good Salt

Spice up your life, and your cooking, with some sensational salt from Stiff Salt company, including spicy sriracha blend.
three jerks jerky

Three Jerks Jerky Adds Veri Veri Teriyaki to Its Roster of Filet Mignon Beef Jerky

The co-founders of Three Jerks Jerky are going back to their grassroots beginnings on Kickstarter to launch a brand new flavor.
quinoa

I Heart Keenwah: Toasted Tastes Better

Toasted quinoa—a great new product from I Heart Quinoa that will keep your warm and energized during the cold days of winter.
southern edge shave

Southern Edge Shave: Cleaning Up for 2017

It's time to go a little old-school when it comes to creating a clean, fresh look with Southern Edge Shave's exquisite hand-crafted razors.
epicurean cutting boards

Epicurean Cutting Boards For the Man’s Kitchen

Epicurean cutting boards are the perfect gift for the home or professional cook on your gift list.
billykirk no. 497 messenger bag, dewar's whiskey

Dewar’s x Billykirk No. 497 Messenger: Be One of Only 100

The limited edition No. 497 Messenger is the result of a collaboration from Dewar's Whiskey and Billykirk. Only 100 were made, so be quick if you want one.
Darn Tough socks

Darn Tough: Beg Santa For These Socks

If you want some top-notch socks that can handle any activity you participate in, you'll be blessed to open a gift of Darn Tough socks.
little kernel

Little Kernel: Big Taste in a Mini Snack

A handful of Little Kernel popcorn and you'll be a fan of this miniature popped corn that's not only great tasting, but good for you too.
need supply

Need Supply Co: Turning 20 In Style

A 20-year anniversary deserves a big celebration and that’s exactly what Need Supply Company has done, finally opening its first brick and mortar location.
blowing rock

The Crown of the Blue Ridge: Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Our favorite places in Blowing Rock, NC
hillside bags

Woolrich X The Hillside: Bags Built for Life on the Move

The new Woolrich X The Hillside lineup includes a daypack, tote bag, backpack, briefcase, and weekender, all built ready to handle your active lifestyle.
Greenville, S.C. travel guide

Our Favorite Finds in Greenville, South Carolina

Our guide to Greenville, S.C., the former Textile Center of the World, will let you in on all the hiking, shopping, and great food this city has to offer.
Quinoa, i heart keenwah

I Heart Keenwah: Yes, We Mean Quinoa

I heart Keenwah is a great snack alternative made with crunchy puffed quinoa flour and coated in a rich, dark chocolate and plant-based glaze.
ober metalworks gauge fused fine silver loop

Ober Metalworks: Strengthen Your Style with Titanium and Silver

Last year, Patrick Ober quit his job and applied his focus to his business—Ober Metalworks which makes hand-wrought titanium & silver jewelry and more.
felt greeting cards

Felt: Surprise Friends and Family with Retro Greetings

Felt makes it easy to send cards featuring your own handwriting through your iPhone or iPad. Download the app & then design a card perfect for any occasion.
Karen's Spice Kitchen

Karen’s Spice Kitchen is Truly Curry in a Hurry

Inspired by a quick-cooking Australian spice packet, Karen Paly brought the concept to the US and started her own home-made brand, Karen's Spice Kitchen.
doux south pickles

Doux South: Get Hooked on a Pickle

An Atlanta chef wowed his fans and family with his pickle creations—now it's an expanding side business, Doux South, a soon-to-be pickling empire.
oats overnight

Oats Overnight- Your New Favorite Breakfast

Add Oats Overnight to your evening routine and you'll make your morning routine easier than ever. Wake up to ready-to-eat oats packed with protein.
lord nut

Bar Flies Rejoice: Dill Pickle Ranch Peanuts are Here

bear mattress

Bear Mattress: Soothing You to Sleep

Bear Mattress is a mattress so advanced it helps people sleep better & recover faster from the aches & pains of training or living a healthy lifestyle.
savage jerky co.

Savage Jerky: Flavors Of Your Dreams

You'll never go back to mediocre jerky once you experience the taste sensations of Savage Jerky Co. Try their Sriracha, Buffalo,and Mojos series of flavors.
The new Primal

The New Primal: Introducing New Taste Sensations

We've long been fans of the grass-fed beef jerky produced by The New Primal. We're particularly taken with their marinade called "Soak, Fire, Feast."
Krudd Soap

KRUDD: The Only Soap You Need

KRUDD soaps, a new offering from the SallyeAnder company, offer-all in-one way to cleanse and moisturize your skin, hair, and even your beard.
fly weekender bag

Manual Deals: Weekender Bag with Built-in Charger

The FLY Weekender bag has a built in batter pack to charge your phone or laptop while on the go. Check out The Manual Deals for an amazing discount.
reign gustaf luxurious time keeping

Manual Deals: Reign Gustaf: Luxurious Time Keeping

We're in love with the watches by Reign Gustaf— and equally in love with the current 85% discount. Cost $199 instead of the normal $1,400!
owen & fred, bags, mens bags, weekend bags

Owen & Fred: Define Your Lifestyle with a Great Bag

The Manual speaks to the founder of Owen & Fred about his bags and business.
HooknHide, belt buckle, belt buckle bottle opener, bottle opener, brass belt buckles

HookNHide: Belt Buckles that Reflect a Passion

Never be without a beer again with HookNHide's of belt buckles that double as bottle openers.
sea salt

Hamptons Salt Company: The chef secret to great BBQ

Hamptons Salt Company, the preeminent provider of all natural sea salt, is the chef's secret to great grilling and barbecuing.
butter, banner butter, small batch butter

Churning Up a Tastier Butter

Regular butter can be downright boring. So why not spice up your meals with small-batch cultured butter? We've got the low-down on Banner Butter.
remembering great experiences with a scent the cape

Remembering Great Experiences with a Great Scent

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Bespoke Wood Pieces for Pops

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How BBQ inspired Chameleon Cold Brew

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Sun’s Out, Grab Some New Boardshorts and Go!

woodies back on the scene with chinos

Get 3D measured for your new favorite chinos

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A Tequila Twist on Cinco de Mayo

Lusty Monk

Why Lusty Monk Mustard is so damn tasty

everyday adventures with the vinta s series backpack travel camera bags 1

Everyday Adventures with the Vinta S-Series Backpack

elsewhere light up your travel everywhere candle

Get Rid of Hotel Smell with This Little Candle

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Shake Up Your St. Patrick’s Day

epic pasture raised goodness

EPIC: Pasture-raised goodness

keap candles get them while theyre hot keapcandledesk

KEAP Candles: Get Them While They’re HOT!

the manuals southern food gift guide grounds and hounds

The Manual’s Southern Food Gift Guide

ledbury new collection inspired by quail hunt

Ledbury: New Collection Inspired by Quail Hunt

huckleberry watches driven by design watch

Huckleberry & Co.: Driven By Design

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Shop Class: Désirant Asheville