Nicole DiGiose

What to Expect at Disney’s Art of Animation Lion King Suite

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Nicole DiGiose

It is time!

Time for a vacation, and the Pride Lands are roaring your name. Located at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, The Lion King suite is sure to pleeease anyone who grew up on the 1994 classic. With enough space to sleep six, it includes three rooms, two bathrooms, two televisions, a microwave, and a refrigerator. To top it off, this mighty little kingdom will make you feel like you’re the main event at Pride Rock, because it’s colored with fun scenery from the movie.

As if that’s not exciting enough, statues of many of the story’s characters are placed outside all areas of the property, so make sure you explore to find them all. Characters include Simba, Pumbaa, Timon, Mufasa, Zazu, Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, and Rafiki (who was mysteriously missing during a visit in November 2017). Read More

NOW Ultrasonic Bamboo Essential Oil Diffuser Review

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Nicole DiGiose

Long story short: the NOW Solutions bamboo essential oil diffuser works, and it works well! Watch the video for more information. Thanks for checking this out and have an uplifting day! Read More

Exploring Capital Cities: Paris, Dublin, and London

Posted on August 26, 2017 by Nicole DiGiose

It was the middle of springtime. The sun was glowing strong, the birds were singing, and with a new season comes fresh adventure. So it was time to hop on a plane and travel to France, Ireland, and England. There’s a forever growing bucket list to feed, and I was in need of putting an extra spring in my step.

Along with my travel-bug-bitten cousin, Brittany, we mapped out a European escapade that would have us spending almost three days in France, a little over three days in Ireland, and three days in England. Now that I’m back in the States, it’s time to break it down. Read More

Monkeys and Ziplines and Yoga, Oh Pura Vida!

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Nicole DiGiose

After returning from a getaway to the Caribbean, I was hit with a wave of post-vacation blues. Fortunately, I knew this would happen and lined up a trip to Costa Rica for New Year’s. But because the typical 9-to-5 doesn’t allow much freedom in terms of time off, and because money can also be an issue when […]

via Monkeys and Ziplines and Yoga, Oh Pura Vida! — Sprangled

Getting Away on the Getaway: An Inside Scoop from a First-Time Cruiser

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Nicole DiGiose

Before I set foot on the Norwegian Getaway, I had never been on a cruise ship. After spontaneously planning a trip with one of my favorite people in the universe, my sister-from-another-mister, Stefania, I could barely contain my excitement. We planned and paid for our cruise back in June, and had five months to go, as […]

via Getting Away on the Getaway: An Inside Scoop from a First-Time Cruiser — Sprangled

Nine Inspirational Quotes on Accepting Change

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Nicole DiGiose

Fighting through some uncomfortable change that’s got you feeling down? Below are nine motivational quotes packed with words of wisdom for the tough times life throws at you. All photos were excitedly snapped by yours truly. If you like ’em, feel free to save and share! If you’ve created your own inspirational pieces of positivity that you’d like to showcase, send an email to hey@sprangled.com, and they’ll be featured on Sprangled, my adventure-based website.

Always be the best version of yourself. And remember, don’t be afraid of change. You may be losing something good, but you may gain something better. Without change, you’d never grow. Read More

Kayaking through a Lily-Pad-Infested Floridian Lagoon

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Nicole DiGiose

It was a warm April morning during my long weekend in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and I was packing for my flight back home that afternoon. Of course, a last-minute kayaking adventure was in order. But not your ordinary smooth water-gliding adventure, but an experience through a lagoon clogged with lily pads. Challenge accepted.

Along with my brother, Ryan, and his girlfriend, Mallory, I plowed through the vegetation with muscles and laughs and maybe a few “Hell nos!”

So where is this mystical-looking work-out wonder world? Located in Fort Lauderdale, the lagoon is part of the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Kayaking aside, the natural community also includes activities such as stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, segway tours, hiking, biking, and camping, all at reasonable prices. From what I’ve experienced, the staff is friendly, chatty, and knowledgeable about their surroundings. Read More

Tips for Being Positive

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Nicole DiGiose

In this video, I discuss why you should accept who you are, ways to take care of yourself while highlighting the importance of staying physically active, how setting goals for yourself doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and the power of showing compassion.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Living the High Life: Mountains, Waterfalls, and Zip-Lining

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Nicole DiGiose

This was originally posted on my new adventure-based website, Sprangled! Check it out for fun times and inspiration, and submit your own experiences, advice, and reviews. We all share this world together!

When most people think of North Carolina, what typically comes to mind is farmland — a state that’s not typically a destination, but rather one you drive through or fly over. While North Carolina’s largest cities, such as Charlotte and Raleigh have plenty to explore, there’s nothing quite like escaping to mountain country.

Pictured above is my smiley self in front of the 125-foot waterfall, Triple Falls, located in the DuPont State Forest in Cedar Mountain. After a scenic three-mile hike, the rushing sound of water drew me in to this wild wonderland, and it was powerfully stunning.

Just standing in front of Triple Falls in the misty air is enough to get any adventurous spirit bursting with life. The location is also where scenes from the 2012 movie, The Hunger Games, was filmed (Woohoo, District 12!). Read More

How to Make Guacamole-Stuffed Onion Rings

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Nicole DiGiose

What happens when you combine homemade guacamole and onion rings? Heaven for your taste buds. These crispy snacks are a must — check out the recipe below — they’re fun and easy to make. You’re welcome.

Once you’ve been blessed with this heavenly idea, make sure you have all of your ingredients to get cookin’. You’ll need three ripe avocados, one lime, one diced tomato, 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro, and two minced cloves of garlic. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mash the avocados with the juice of your lime. Next, mix in your chopped tomato, cilantro, and garlic, and add a pinch of salt and chili powder for a bit of a kick. This will be your delightfully delicious guacamole. Read More