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Fashion, Food & Fun 

Flea's a Crowd  - Hunt & Gather and The Raleigh Flea Market 

Sure, Cinderella ended up happy.  But her journey was no picnic.  (When you're friends with mice, you have some issues.)  For a surefire fairytale ending, you need a fairy godmother who will take control of your destiny (and keep rodents at bay).

Poof!  Antique flea markets will grant all your wishes.  Head to a couple of Raleigh's favorite shabby-chic shopping destinations and keep your wish list in your pocket while hunting for fabulous wares.

Hunt & Gather - From French provincial dining tables and apothecary jars to vintage chandeliers and antique armoires (and if you're lucky, glass slippers), Hunt & Gather in High Park Village at 1910 Bernard Street has this and much more.  With over 50 vendors and over 11,000 square feet of merchandise, anyone with the love of collectible antiques, high end furniture and decorative accents will want to shop Hunt & Gather.  Store hours are; Monday through Saturday's 10am to 6pm & Sunday's 1pm to 5pm. Website.

The Raleigh Flea Market- at the NC State Fairgrounds features a fun, family-friendly atmosphere and acres of merchandise!  There are more than 600 vendors, located both indoors and out, selling a huge variety of items.  With a large selection of antiques, jewelry, and furniture you are bound to find something from your wish list.  Discovering great bargains on unique treasures that may need refurbishing, or repurposing is all part of the "thrill of the hunt".   Finding deals from golf clubs to power tools, and tasty treats like hand-dipped ice cream and homemade fudge makes a great time for your whole family.

Here are some unique finds we found at the Raleigh Flea Market:

Seagrove Pottery has re-located to the Raleigh Flea Market from Cameron Village.  We were thrilled to find platters, bowls, mugs and so much more in beautiful colors and glazes from the Seagrove potters.  You can find them in the Education Building on the east side.

Charles Chips� - Remember when deliverymen would bring legendary Charles Chips� to your home?  Years ago, when the distinctive gold and brown tin showed up at your front door there was no mistake...Charles Chips� had arrived and they were considered the best snack ever!

We discovered the great chips just outside the Education Building at the Raleigh Flea Market.  In December 2011, Charles Chips began making its comeback.  You can purchase the snacks in four of the classic recipes, Original, Barbeque, Waffle and the Pretzels.  With an introductory price of $13.99 per 1 lb. tin, a whole new generation of Charles Chips Fans will be able to taste the joy that came from its beginnings for generations past.  The chips are produced the very same way as they were in 1942.

Raleigh Flea Market: Open Saturday and Sunday's from 9am to 6pm, located at the NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.  Website. 

Be a crafty fairy and repaint, refurbish, and repurpose old things to make them new.  Weather any piece to your liking.  Stop by Hunt & Gather and the Raleigh Flea Market to make your wish.  

Go get 'em, pumpkin!

To Bee or Not to Bee     

Down (Hillsborough) in Mexico - Cinco de Mayo Block Party

Sinko de Mayo ... No, not another Titanic memorial but a day of celebration for Mexican heritage and pride.  This year Hillsborough Street, Raleigh comes alive on Saturday, May 5 with the first annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party hosted by Chile Bomba Mexican Eatery, 2400 Hillsborough Street.  Festivities run from 12pm to 8pm and are free and open to the public.

Sombreros Welcome:  Chamberlain Street, located between Chile Bomba and Chipotle, will sparkle as the celebration embraces Mexican culture with live music, dancing, and great food and drink specials. Corona and Corona Light representatives are co-sponsors of the event and will have your favorite Mexican beer available for sale.

Plenty of Salsa:  DJ K Stones and the Guillo Carias Salsa Band, along with other local bands will be playing throughout the day on the outdoor stage to help get the party started. Cinco de Mayo giveaways, tequila specials, and Mexican cuisine will create an exciting atmosphere filled with Mexican spirits.  For more information, check out Chile Bomba's Facebook event page  or click here.

Road to Roses Kentucky Derby Party - May 5 at The Oxford

Mint Julep Jubilee!:  The Derby is not just about horse racing. It is about the magic that makes the first Saturday in May unique in sports, fashion and style and how people come together to honor Southern traditions (like Makers Mark Mint Juleps). So grab your friends and family and watch the races with friends and family at The Oxford in downtown Raleigh for the Road to Roses Kentucky Derby Party. Festivities begin at 2pm.

Makers Mark Feature Cocktails:  Makers Mark has three speciality drinks on feature (listed below) at The Oxford for this special event! They will also have an awesome Makers Mark glassware wax dipping station for the first 46 people who arrive. You will be awarded a unique Makers Mark glass dipped in traditional Makers Mark wax just for showing up - so be sure to be an early arrival!

 
-  Makers Mint Julep: Makers Mark, simple syrup, muddled mint over ice
-  Makers Bourbon Crush: Makers Mark, ginger ale, Cuantro, muddled orange
-  Mad Hatter: classic Manhattan with Makers Mark 46 and an Oxford twist

And The Best Part ... The Best Big Hat and Best Seersucker Suit Competition! The Oxford is giving away swag to the best dressed. What is a Kentucky Derby Party without amazing hats and seersucker suits?  Come dressed to the nines so that even if your thoroughbred loses, you will look like a contender for the triple crown.  Now, start practicing for the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home"

The Oxford: 319-105 Fayetteville Street Raleigh; 919.832.6622; Website;  Event Info:

3rd Annual BrickMagic LEGO Festival -  May 19 and 20th, 10am to 5pm Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Sunday. Help Certified Professional LEGO Builder, DAN PARKER build a 6-foot wide LEGO Deathstar.  See a huge hall filled with custom LEGO creations.  Be the first to see top secret new sets that LEGO will unveil.  Build with thousands of bricks in the Free Build Room, participate in workshops on building techniques and customize a LEGO mini-figure with professional customizer, JARED BURKS.  View animated LEGO films and learn how to make them with the pros from SHATTERPOINT ENTERTAINMENT, watch a robotics competition by teams from area schools and shop for hard-to-find LEGO parts and sets.  Enter the Spaceship Building Contest, and see presentations on Mindstorms and more! Tickets: $12 adults, $8 kids (age 4-16) and Seniors (get a $1 discount when you order online). Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Phone: 919-449-0344. Website.  

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night once a month!  On the third Thursday of each month you will find great markdowns, refreshments, and friendly faces at Hunt & Gather, 1910 Bernard Street, Raleigh 27608.  

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined:  I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Price Reduced $599,000: 2748 St. Mary's St. Raleigh, 27609. Ideal Location! Walk to great schools, greenway and North Hills! Renovated in 1995. New paint/ refinished floors. DR w/FP, LR/Sunroom & large FR. Large White Kitchen w/granite & subway tile backsplash. 5 bedrooms. Private quaint backyard -wooden play equip, greenhouse, climbing trees, Covered Carport, & 1car garage, 2 decks, fully landscaped.  Contact: Jill Rekuc, Olde Raleigh Real Estate at 919-389-0555.  Website. 

Mia Francesca Trattoria, which opened its doors in North Hills this past October, is introducing 'Eat and Earn', a unique program established to support local non-profit organizations. Through this initiative, participating non-profits looking to raise funds can organize pre-set nights for their respective groups to dine at the restaurant, and Mia Francesca will, in turn, donate 15 percent of the dinner bill to the organization.  For more info call 919-278-1525. Website.

Did You Know?  For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain. Please support our local business!  This is what The Beltline Buzz is all about.   

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