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Adventures in Antiquing: Clinch River Spring Antiques Fair

by H. Camille Smith May 15, 2013 14 Comments

This time of year is my favorite for so many reasons: warm weather, spring flowers, longer days…but the thing I love most is spending sunny weekends outdoors hitting the local antique fairs. Thanks to the favorable weather, most fairs take place in the spring and fall — check this list to discover one near you.

The closest antique fair to HGTV’s Knoxville HQ is less than 20 minutes away in the Mayberry-esque hamlet of Clinton, TN. Each year in early May and October, this sleepy Southern town draws antique and collectible dealers from throughout the Southeast for their Clinch River Antiques Fair. Best of all, mixed in with the professional vendors are lots of locals who’ve cleaned out Grandma’s attic, barn or basement — so, although the prices and quality of antiques vary dramatically from booth to booth, there’s so much to choose from that I never leave empty handed.

Here are a few of the goodies I spied:

A coat of bright green paint and a liberal sanding give this 60-year-old dresser a kicky update — $150: Distressed Green Dresser

Mixed in with the antiques were a few crafts. How clever are these?! Old Reader’s Digest books cut into initials — such a great idea for a kids’ room or nursery – $15 .

Budget Window Treatments: Rods and Finials

by Alyssa Sparacino April 16, 2013 1 Comment

Curtains can make a room. They can add color, pattern, or texture instantly, and create an airy inviting space. They can also cost a pretty penny, but don’t have to. HGTV Magazine put together a go-to guide for fancy curtains on a budget. Check out these DIY and store-bought window treatments, and read on for all the rods and ends you’ll need to finish your new look.

5 Frugal Buys
Good-looking curtain rods and finials can be as costly as the curtains themselves. Here are some budget-minded sets.

1. Umbra 28″–48″ staff drapery rod in black, $20, casa.com 2. Lincoln 28″–48″ rod in champagne silver, $27, kwikhang.com 3. Versailles Home Fashions 48″ torch rod in antique gold, $40, casa.com 4. Style Selections 28″–48″ acrylic ball rod in bronze, $20, lowes.com 5. Studio Tribeca 28″–48″ rod in Tuscan bronze, $25, jcp.com

1 Cheap Rod, 3 Ways
Spray paint the same 99-cent IKEA Räcka 28″ curtain rod three different colors, then add fun finials for a sneaky way to save!

Blue: Satin Periwinkle paint by Krylon, Skulptur finial, $5 for a set of 2, ikea.com Gold: Brown paint by Rust-Oleum Universal Hammered, Rope Ball finial, $20 for a set of 2, landofnod.com Floral: Aged Brass paint by Rust-Oleum American Accents Designer Metallic, Hand-painted amaryllis finial, $38 for a set of 2, anthropologie.com

Excerpt originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of HGTV Magazine.

Music Festival Fashion Must-Haves

by Kayla Kitts April 11, 2013 1 Comment

Festival season is upon us! My Bonnaroo countdown for this year started the day I left Bonnaroo last year. Needless to say, I’m a bit excited. It’s hot; it’s crowded; you get zero hours of sleep, but boy, is it worth it. Before, it was all about being as comfortable and cool as possible during the festival, but now it’s just as important to look stylish and fashion-forward, thanks to festivals like Coachella. Festival fashion has become its own genre, and stores like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and American Eagle Outfitters have created pieces specifically targeted to festival-goers. So, look like a rock star in your shades and fringe while listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Summer Music Festival Fashion

Music Festival Fashion Essentials at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

1. Floppy Hat / Target
2. Cotton Maxi Dress / H&M
3. Backpack / Topman
4. Necklace / Urban Outfitters (similar)
5. Sunglasses / Ray-Ban
6. Infinity Scarf / Etsy, Necklush
7. Denim Vest / H&M
8. Floral Shorts / H&M
9. Stud Boots / Topshop
10. Chevron Cuff / gorjana

Music Festival Fashion Essentials at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

7 Ways to Look Stylish at Shows:

1. Load up on arm candy.
2. Add color and layers with a light summer scarf.
3. Keep your hair back and get ready to rock with a long-lasting fishtail braid.
4. Stay cool during the music with a free-flowing boho skirt and tank like fashionista Olivia Palermo.
5. Accessorize your hair with tassels and headwraps.
6. Or, add in some freshly-picked flowers to a loose braid.
7. Block those UV rays and look stylish at the same time with a banded sun hat.

Buy HGTV-Inspired Items on One Kings Lane

by Kayla Kitts April 3, 2013 4 Comments

HGTV fans, we have a big surprise for you. One Kings Lane has paired up with HGTV to bring you all the outdoor furniture, accessories and gardening supplies you need to hop right into spring. HGTV has inspired each and every item featured in this month’s sale, so you know you’re getting our seal of approval when you purchase that polka dot pillow. The sale starts today, April 3, at 11 a.m. and ends on April 8 at 11 a.m. And listen to this: The folks at One Kings Lane are offering 30 percent off all first-time purchases (for the first 24 hours of the sale)! So, you have no reason to not buy that rug or bistro set you’ve been coveting. I mean, it’s 30 percent off! Go ahead, add it to the shopping cart.

Check out some of the incredible items you’ll find in this HGTV-curated sale at One Kings Lane. From outdoor dining and grilling supplies to lighting and gardening accessories, your outdoor space will be set for the upcoming seasons.

One Kings Lane and HGTV Spring Promotional Sale Outdoor Dining

One Kings Lane and HGTV Spring Promotional Sale Bistro Set & Accessories

See More HGTV-Curated Sale Items

Valentine’s Day Chocolate: Cheap Tricks

by Sarah Herron February 14, 2013 4 Comments

For me, the best Valentine’s Day gift will arrive tomorrow — clearance chocolate.

Retailers will be in a rush to clear shelves for Easter candy so it is hands-down the best time to buy chocolate, especially the expensive brands. Discounts range from 40% to 80% off the retail price.

You can freeze chocolate for up to six months and serve it at parties or create gifts. Refined chocolate can be used in recipes for a decadent dessert. You can also melt it to make chocolate-covered strawberries when they’re at peak season this spring.

There is a science to freezing chocolate. You have to adjust the temperatures slowly. The trick is to wrap it as tightly as you can (vacuum sealing works best), then place the chocolate in the fridge for several hours before putting it in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge first, then set it out at room temperature.

Whether you love to observe Valentine’s Day or not, have a Happy Chocolate Clearance Day tomorrow!

Best Times to Buy

by Sarah Herron January 2, 2013 3 Comments

For me, shopping is a year-round sport.

Stores drop prices and offer promotions throughout the year but knowing when and why retailers are highly motivated to clear their stock is a critical part of my buying strategy. Often stores keep old inventory when new models hit the floor but once the new year hits, retailers get aggressive about discounting and moving last year’s stock.

To that end, major appliances are typically at the lowest price point in January, with the exception of refrigerators because most new fridge models roll out in the summer.

The majority of furniture companies release new products twice a year — in February and August so January and July are great times to buy floor models.

I’m a big believer in shopping for off season items. For instance, now is the best time to buy air conditioners and grills. The only downside is that the selection is usually limited.

Electronics that weren’t purchased during the holidays are also deeply discounted. In fact, retailers will be running promotions for HDTVs and home theater systems for the Super Bowl.

One way to take advantage of increased competition during these promotional seasons is to scour ads for deals and ask for a price match from a store that offers free delivery and installation.

I’m a pretty tough negotiator and follow the old adage that ‘it never hurts to ask.’

I don’t consider it a win unless I get at least 50% off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).

Having such high bargain standards requires a great deal of research and patience but waiting for the right time to buy is always worth it.

What’s the best deal you ever scored?

Go Local: Visit the Farmers’ Market

by Farima Alavi October 8, 2012 4 Comments

Aside from buying fresh, natural foods, there are other reasons you should check out your local farmers’ market. Visiting Knoxville’s outdoor farmers’ market is one of my favorite fall pastimes. I can purchase items I don’t normally find at the store, and I’m helping out the local farming community. Plus, it’s fun! Some of my favorite finds include: challah bread, cage-free eggs and an assortment of jams.

Farmer's Market Bread

The smell of bread and sweets always draws me to the market. Many of the vendors even offer recipes.

Cruze Farm Stand

Daily Delight: Designer Shoes on a Budget

by Kayla Kitts September 13, 2012 8 Comments

First, let me start you off with two quotes:

“Men I may not know, but shoes, shoes I know.” – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
“The best way to a woman’s heart is through her sole.” – Anonymous

So true, so true. I love shoes in every style, shape and color. (My desktop background is even an image of vintage shoes from Designlovefest.) And each week or two when I add a new pair to my tiny closet, I imagine I’ll one day have my dream Carrie Bradshaw closet to display each and every one. With the DIY trend spreading into the fashion world, I may need that extra-large closet sooner than I thought.

DIY Designer Shoes - Burberry Burberry-Inspired Embellished Heels

Recently, fashionistas on a budget started buying regular heels and giving them a handmade touch with paint or embellishments to turn them into designer favorites for much, much less. Check out some of the best DIY designer-inspired heels we’ve found on the web.

More DIY Designer-Inspired Heels

Halloween Costumes for Dogs

by H. Camille Smith September 12, 2012 14 Comments

One of the really great things about my job is the chance to preview new products before they make it to stores. Usually it’s a candle or pillow but every now and again it’s something unexpected but totally fun — like these pet costumes from Target!

While I don’t exactly plan on taking my pups trick-or-treating, I couldn’t resist dressing them up for fun. Target’s expanded their already (super!) adorable selection for 2012 so if you haven’t considered decking out your dog before – this may be the year.

Here’s my little girl, Sophie, modeling one of the new costumes that just hit the shelves. She’s a 3-year old Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle) and, as you can tell, she’s pretty jazzed to be mommy’s little piggy: Sophie in her pig Halloween costume

Not to be outdone, Madeline, my 9-year-old Bichon Frise, strutted her stuff as a cheerleader: Madeline in cheerleader costume

Featured

Daily Delight: Log Cabin Tree Lodge

by Grant Dudley August 22, 2012 6 Comments

Have $20,000 laying around? If so, this Hammacher Schlemmer tree house would make for a great back-to-school gift for your kids. Since it’s such a large purchase, maybe you could just save it for Christmas?

Log Cabin Tree Lodge

Do I have you yelling, “Yeah, right!” yet?

OK OK, calm down. Perhaps this is a fantasy purchase for most parents, but still — it’s pretty amazing. Can you even imagine how your little tykes would react to something like this?