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Plan Your Wedding Like You're Hosting the Olympics - Southern Bridal Show & Expo, Aug. 11 & 12

Let the Games Begin!  Tear-jerking videos, world records, Ryan Lochte .... all are reasons why you watch the Olympics.  These well planned summer Olympics just don't happen overnight. Neither do the weddings you attend.  The fall Southern Bridal Show & Expo™ has expanded to a two day event at the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds on August 11th & 12th from 10am-4pm (Sat.) and 11am-4pm(Sun.). If you're planning a wedding you'll want to attend and meet over 150 Triangle wedding experts who will inspire you as you work towards your big event.

Numbers Count: Here's a quick rundown of the stats: 26 Olympic sports; 10,490 Olympic athletes; 200,000 staffers; and an estimated 500,000 spectators per day.  Wedding numbers: How many guests do you plan to invite?  Work the 'magic formula'... as to those you invite versus those attending.  Calculate your price per person to keep your budget intact.

Crowd-Pleasers: The London Games mascots are giant one-eyed creatures named Wenlock and Mandeville. They're meant to resemble drops of steel used to build the Olympic Stadium (How lame).  Your wedding pleasers are: Great Music that everyone can dance to or at least tap their feet to &Party Favors - they come in all shapes and sizes.  Think outside the box with something that represents your bride and groom like where they are from, or what schools they attended... anything other than Wenlock and Mandeville!

Gold Standard: Olympic gold medals are 1.34 percent gold, 92.5 percent silver, and the rest copper filling. Each medallion takes ten hours to make; it gets pressed fifteen times by a nearly 2 million-pound weight.  The wedding rings are the symbol of unity. Find the perfect wedding ring for a lasting reminder of your special day.  That's what we call solid gold!

The Scenic Route: Don't place your bets on anyone getting a world record in the marathon event. In an effort to make the runners pass as many London landmarks as possible, the course planners put in more than 90 turns.  Make sure you take your guests from the wedding ceremony to the reception through a nice scenic route enhancing the expectation of the celebration, but don't take them on a wild goose chase that MapQuest can't even provide service for them.  Check out all the different transportation services for carrying your wedding party and guest to venues.

Age Is Just a Number: The oldest Olympian competing this year is 71-year-old Japanese equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu (he first took part in the 1964 Olympic Games).  At your wedding keep in mind that your older guests still want their cake and eat it too.  Cut the wedding cake early enough for the elderly guest to enjoy before their bedtime.  Bakers and cakes of all shapes and sizes will be on display at the Expo providing tastings that may help you decide what suites your pallet.

Where else can you see, hear, taste, touch and smell everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams?  All in one place, and now for 2 days!  Your admission ticket is valid for both days.  Make this an exciting weekend event with your mom, friends, and wedding party!

Southern Bridal Show Expo: Saturday August 11th from 10am-4pm. and Sunday, August 12th from 11am-4pm.;  Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds.  For tickets and more info see Website.    

To Bee or Not to Bee   

 

Too Cool For School - NC Tax-Free Weekend  - Aug 3rd thru 5th

 

Back to School. Three words that can strike joy into the heart of even the most dedicated parent.    According to the famous Staples TV ad, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  Of course, the kids get their revenge as last year's designer (list item here) is not cool and must be replaced with (list even more expensive item here).  Thank goodness for the tax free holiday to take some of the sting out of buying their "rolling" backpacks, chalk board lunch boxes, and hands-free reading headlamps.

MacBooks are also nice ... woo hoo!

  

Tax Free Holiday:  North Carolina's annual Back to School Tax-Free Weekend will take place the weekend of August 3 through August 5.  Shoppers can save money by purchasing items like clothing, school supplies and computers during the holiday.  Under the guidelines, the following items are exempt from sales tax:

  -  Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less

  -  School instructional materials of $300 or less 

  -  Sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less
  -  Computers of $3,500 or less. Tablet computers and netbooks qualify, but  e-readers do not. 
  -  Computer supplies of $250 or less

 

Supply and Demand: Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.

 

Don't Get Schooled:  For a detailed list of what is exempt from sales tax and what items are not (and frequently asked questions), click here.  Remember, no gold stars for those who fail to act..

 

 

 

Pets in the Plaza - Adopt a Pet at Lafayette Village - 1st Saturday's

 

Pet Smart:  Whether you are a pet owner, or hope to adopt a pet, be a part of "Pets in the Plaza". The first Saturday of each month (10am - 1pm) local Rescues will be at the Lafayette Village (Raleigh) with adoptable pets, as well as special pet-themed promotions, vendors and events. Lafayette Village is very pet-friendly with trails and outdoor seating for your pet to enjoy with you. Merchants have water bowls set out just for your four-legged pal.  Also, several of the merchants have special promotions including select discounts (10% & 20%), complimentary mini-facials, and even free scoops of K-9 Krunch for your pet (to go with your gelato).  Click Here for more information.

 

Where Sleeping Dogs Lie:  Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh; Website
 

North Carolina Pottery Center's 13th Annual Auction, "Going, Going, Gone to Pots"

Worth Fall Trunk Show - Worth New York for Fall is described as Haute, Haute, Haute!  With an abundance of luxury that borders on the couture - but there is nothing stuffy about it - our take is supremely modern with all the attention to detail you could want.  WORTH is the ultimate chic. The upcoming Fall Trunk Show is July 25 - August 6.  To preview the show, go to Website.  For an appointment, call Peggy Fain at 919-833-6833 or Ann Proctor at 919-417-6455.  Clothing donations for Dress for Success will be collected at the Trunk Show.

Openings at Our Lady of Lourdes School for this fall 2012 School Year - There are currently openings in the 3rd, 5th and 7th Grades at our Lady of Lourdes School.  If you are interested, please contact Pam Mueller, Director of Admissions, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. 919- 861-4635. Website.  

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. - Now Accepting Silver Consignments for a Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction.  Leland Little's silver specialists are now scheduling appointments to discuss consignments for inclusion in their Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction.  Please contact the gallery for more information, or submit photographs of your items online!  Contact: Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278, 1+ (919) 644-1243 Website.

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night on the third Thursdays of each 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. 

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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