Category: Alabama Events

VIP Home: Birmingham Home + Garden Show 2015

Abby HathornLeave a comment
I had a lovely time at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show on Saturday, February 14. This particular vendor tugged at my heart strings because it took me back to the days of showing Polled Herefords.
I had a lovely time at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show on Saturday, February 14. This particular vendor tugged at my heart strings because it took me back to the days of showing Polled Herefords.
I just had to show y'all this photo of me with my heifer and Paw Hathorn. Y'all can see why I had to hang out at the beef vendor. Click here for fabulous recipes and more about beef.
I just had to show y’all this photo of me with my heifer and Paw Hathorn. Y’all can see why I had to hang out at the beef vendor. Click here for fabulous recipes and more about beef because “Beef–It’s What’s For Dinner” *smile*

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Happy Monday, y’all! Today on the blog, I have a special treat for VIP Home–it is an overview of the Birmingham Home + Garden Show 2015 AND a few sneak peek photos from the interviews I had with John & Whitney Spinks from HGTV’s Flipping the Block + The Fabulous Beekman Boys. I cannot wait to share all the fabulousness with y’all *smile* Did I mention that the sister blogs will also have coverage, exclusive photos, and more from the Birmingham Home + Garden Show? Oh, yes! Be sure to check out Sweet Sorghum Living and Sixteen & Successful all this week–y’all will not want to miss out *wink*

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show 2015!

An impressive crowd at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show on Saturday, February 14.
There was an impressive crowd at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show on Saturday, February 14. I am guessing a few were working on their honey-do lists *wink*

More than 300 companies were represented at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show–many of them offered exclusive show-only deals. There were vendors showcasing everything from home improvement to speciality cookware. From what I witnessed, a lot of folks took home some great deals and ideas!

Hot tubs were a hot item at the Home Show *wink* Hollywood Pools offered up some pretty fabulous deals on their show models. Be sure to head over to their website for not only your hot tub needs, but also outdoor furnishings and more. They can pretty much take care of your outdoor entertaining needs! Hurry up, Spring!
Hot tubs were a hot item at the Home Show *wink*

The Birmingham Home + Garden Show took over the BJCC for four days with nationally renowned experts in landscaping, outdoor living, home improvement, interior design, instructional how-to-seminars, give-aways, and more. The Western Supermarket was on the upper level of the BJCC, and it had some pretty delicious treats–from ice cream to sweet tea. This year the garden portion of the show was held on the upper level of the BJCC, where the garden designs were enhanced by natural light. Local design experts from Southern Botanicals, Trimm Landscape, Backyard Paradise, and Williams Landscape Services created gorgeous yard and garden displays to inspire the visitors. Hurry up, Spring!

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Just enjoying my favorite diet beverage *smile*
Just enjoying my favorite diet beverage *smile*
Lake Guntersville Pool & Patio had some pretty fabulous outdoor furniture and deals at the show.
Lake Guntersville Pool & Patio had some pretty fabulous outdoor furniture and deals at the show. I am pretty sure that the VIP’s mom picked this as a top pick for her blog, but y’all will have to wander over there to find out *wink* A little birdie told me that she will be posting SSL’s Top Picks later on this week.

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What's not to love!
What’s not to love!
I am totally crushing on these tees by Art Wear Tees. Y'all will have to go check out their site! Click here for more info and fabulousness.
I am totally crushing on these tees by ArtWear Tees. Y’all will have to go check out their site! Click here for more info and shopping-in-your-pjs fabulousness. Isn’t is great supporting small and local businesses!

In addition to all of the fabulousness at the Birmingham Home + Garden Show marketplace, I also had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and chat with John and Whitney Spinks from HGTV’s Flipping the Block and the Fabulous Beekman Boys! I am not going to spill the beans just yet–y’all will have to stay tuned to the blog for the interviews *wink* BUT…until then, here are some cute sneak peek photos :)

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OH! And don't forget to stay tuned to the blog for the interview with the Fabulous Beekman Boys to find out why I am taking a selfie--or as they called it a "shelfie"--with tomato sauce...Hm...I wonder why the VIP is going that??? *wink*
OH! And don’t forget to stay tuned to the blog for the interview with the Fabulous Beekman Boys to find out why I am taking a selfie–or as they call it a “shelfie”–with pasta sauce…Hm…I wonder why the VIP is doing that??? *wink*

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

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VIP Scrapbook: 2014 Fall Community Showcase with the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, live-blogging for B-Metro Magzine

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Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Special thanks to the VIP fans who tuned in for the live blogging/social media broadcast of the 2014 Fall Community Showcase with the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders!  It was so much fun getting to work with B-Metro Magazine and My Life Well Loved, for this home-tacular event, and I was so pumped that I was able to share it with all of you…LIVE! I mean, come on…how fabulous was that?!

Now, I want to share with y’all the photos I was not able to tweet and post during the live event–because there is only so much time in a few hours *wink* So, without further ado, I present to you the VIP Scrapbook of the 2014 Fall Community Showcase with B-Metro Magazine!

Be sure to let me know on this blog post or the VIP Facebook page which room of this marvelous house is your favorite! Oh, D.R. Horton did such a fab job, y’all!

Oh, isn't this show house such a dream! Stop by the Hunters Gate community in Hoover, AL to take a look!
Oh, isn’t this show house such a dream! Stop by the Hunters Gate community in Hoover, AL to take a look!
The double staircase grabbed my heart and held it tight as soon as I walked in. Oh, how I would love to have a killer staircase like this in my future home :)
The double staircase grabbed my heart and held it tight as soon as I walked in. Oh, how I would love to have a killer staircase like this in my future home :)
What a spacious living room! I love the open concept that flows effortlessly into the kitchen.
What a spacious living room! I love the open concept that flows effortlessly into the kitchen.
Yes--I'll take this kitchen in my future home--just make the counter tops darker *wink*
Yes–I’ll take this kitchen and beverage center in my future home *wink*
The VIP is head-over-heels for this breathtaking back-splash! So artsy!
The VIP is head-over-heels for this breathtaking backsplash!
LOVELY!!
LOVELY!!
Ah....this bathroom screams (or whispers) relaxation *wink*
Ah….this bathroom screams (or whispers) relaxation *wink*
So...Where do I sign for a closet like this?!
So…Where do I sign up for a closet like this?!
So in love with this closet!!
So in love with this closet!!
Yep--I am marrying this closet *wink*
Yep–I am marrying this closet *wink*
WOWZA! Check out the awesome gameroom!
WOWZA! Check out the awesome gameroom!
I decided to have a little fun in the game room *wink*
I decided to have a little fun in the game room *wink*

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A home theater...really? Yes, really! How amazing is this space!
A home theater…really? Yes, really! How amazing is this space!
The VIP is definitely digging the personal home theater *wink*
The VIP is definitely digging the personal home theater *wink*

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Check out this low-maintenance backyard retreat!
Check out this low-maintenance backyard retreat!
Sparkly fire pit....um, of course I want it *wink*
Sparkly fire pit….um, of course, I want it *wink*

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Sweet Home Alabama + Fab Giveaways

Abby Hathorn1 Comment

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Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

This week on VIP Home, I am taking a break from chatting about my home to talk about a place that will always be home–sweet home Alabama. *Cue Lynyrd Skynyrd* Sweet home Alabama. Where the skies are so blue! Sweet Home Alabama. Lord, I’m coming home to you!… Sweet home Alabama! Where the skies are so blue! Sweet Home Alabama. Lord, I’m coming home to you! Here I come Alabama…  

Throw back to when the family and I visited the USS Alabama--this was totally fabulous! I think I am going to go nag my dad to go back soon *wink*
Throw back to when the family and I visited the USS Alabama Battleship.  I was totally rockin’ those Birki’s *wink* Learn more + plan your visit to the USS Alabama here: www.ussalabama.com
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#FirstSelfie

My grandmother and her family are from Alabama…my parents married in Alabama…I met the band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd as a kid while vacationing in Alabama–and I even had the great pleasure of living in The Magic City for a few years. No matter where I may roam, I will always see Alabama as home sweet home.  So, when the Alabama Tourism Department reached out to me about their fabulous Alabama Road Trip giveaway–I just knew that I had to share it with y’all!

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The Alabama Tourism Department has recently announced a six-week Road Trip Giveaway with chances to win travel packages to Gulf Shores, Mobile, Huntsville, the Shoals, Birmingham and Montgomery.  The winner of the grand prize will get to plan their own customized Alabama Road Trip–how cool is that?! “This road trip promotion is designed to highlight the variety of travel experiences available in Alabama,” says state tourism director Lee Sentell. “There is something for everyone, from a gulf coast beach vacation, to playing on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, to fine dining in Birmingham, to trips to North Alabama for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville and tours of the recording studios in Muscle Shoals.” Prize package descriptions, complete rules and instructions on entering are available at www.roadtripgiveaway.com.  To learn more about Alabama Road Trips, visit www.alabama.travel or download the Alabama Road Trips app, available on iTunes or the Google Play Store.

To see the list of weekly giveaways + details please click here.

The infamous booty of Vulcan. If you have not visited Vulcan in Birmingham, AL...I highly encourage you too! It is a fabulous experience.
The famous booty of Vulcan. If you have not visited Vulcan in Birmingham, AL…I totally recommend that you add it to your bucket list of places to visit before you die! Plan your visit to Vulcan here: www.visitvulcan.com

In addition to the awesome giveaways the Alabama Tourism Department is hosting, the VIP is also hosting three super fabulous giveaways which will include rockin’ merchandise from all over the state of Alabama! Check out the photos below for the details :)

First Giveaway (currently running): Enter to win this sweet prize on the VIP Facebook page NOW. Click the following mobile friendly link to enter: http://tinyurl.com/mhzhqn9
First Giveaway (currently running): Enter to win this sweet prize on the VIP Facebook page NOW. Click the following mobile-friendly link to enter: http://tinyurl.com/mhzhqn9
Second Giveaway: If you love food as much as this Southern gal...then you will DEFINITELY want to enter this Alabama swag bag giveaway! Stay tuned to the VIP Facebook page for this giveaway to be announced.
Second Giveaway: If you love food as much as this Southern gal…then you will DEFINITELY want to enter this Alabama swag bag giveaway! Stay tuned to the VIP Facebook page for more details and start time.
Third Giveaway: Sh...this one is a surprise! Y'all should have known that I was going to throw a surprise goody bag in there somewhere *wink* Stay tuned to the VIP Facebook page for the date of this giveaway to be announced.
Third Giveaway: Sh…this one is a surprise! Y’all should have known that I was going to throw a surprise goody bag in there somewhere *wink* Stay tuned to the VIP Facebook page for the date of this giveaway to be announced.
My being interviewed at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens by writer and The Cobalt Club blogger Buddy Roberts.
My being interviewed at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens by writer and The Cobalt Club blogger Buddy Roberts. AND no…we did not coordinate our outfits *wink*

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Throwback Thursday: Interviewing Wedding Gown Designer Heidi Elnora

Abby Hathorn2 Comments

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Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

It’s Thursday–and y’all know what that means! It is time to throw it back to a fun VIP blog moment! Whoo hoo!

In celebration of Heidi Elnora’s NEW and FABULOUS television series “Bride by Design“, which will premiere tomorrow at 9PM CST on TLC, I decided to throw it back to when I interviewed the dazzling Southern designer at Birmingham Fashion Week 2013. 

Click here to check out the VIP Interview with wedding gown designer and reality TV star Heidi Elnora.

To see Heidi’s stunning runway show from Birmingham Fashion Week 2013, click here.

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Cannot wait until tomorrow night to watch Heidi’s fab show? Check out the preview below:

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Earrings: Sparkle Cat Studio

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Athleta Grand Opening Party Preview Party at The Summit (Birmingham) with B-Metro Magazine

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Calling all women athletes, workout junkies, gym gurus, and fitness fashionistas! Athleta is having its Grand Opening Preview Party at the Summit in Birmingham, and you are invited! Oh, isn’t this super fabulous! 

Join the VIP, Yo Momma Runs blogger Lisa Booher, All In Stride blogger Tanya Sylvan, and B-Metro Magazine for a fantastic night of shopping fun! So…what makes this grand opening so special, you ask? Well, attendees will get the first chance to shop Athleta before it opens to the public on May 7. There are 400+ attendees confirmed; however, if you would like to attend but have not registered, please register here. Note: admission is free, which saves you money for more shopping *wink* Ah…isn’t that like music to your ears *cue The Man by Aloe Blacc….this is currently my dancing jam of choice. 

If you are not an athlete, no need to fear! You can still attend the Athleta Grand Opening Preview Party, and find some cute casual wear. I am just your run-of-the-mill hobby runner and dancer who does said things to stay in shape and have a little fun–AND I like to look absolutely fabulous while doing it…that is where Athleta comes in handy! Currently, I have my eye on some cute workout clothes as well as a sassy summer dress that is perfect for a lunch date or a night out on the town–click here to see it :)  

Okay, okay, okay…that is enough chit chat about my Athleta clothes crushes–let’s talk event details!

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Event Details:

  • The Athleta Grand Opening Preview Party will kick off at 6:00pm CST. Arrive a bit early…just in case we decide we cannot wait until 6 to start *wink*

  • Complimentary light hor d’oeuvres, wine, and other refreshments will be avaliable for attendees. 

  • Snap! Snap! There will be a fun photo booth at the Athleta Preview Party…so bring your besties and snap a photo! Oh, and do not forget to hashtag #AthletaSummit when uploading it to social media!

  • Awesome athletic giveaways include: 3 Gift Cards for Pure Barre Classes, 2 Gift Cards to Aero Joe Classes ($100+ value each), 1 Gift Card to Iron Tribe ($300+ value). 

Let’s Connect! VIP Social Media:

Facebook

Twitter

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Top: Athleta (Get the Look here)

Skort: Athleta (Get the Look here)

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Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn