If you’re stocking up on school supplies or a new computer for school, this long weekend is the time. A Sales Tax Holiday kicks off at 12.01 am on Friday August 4th until 11.49pm on Sunday August 6th

The sale covers the following items:
School Supplies under $100 each such as binders, book Bags/Backpacks, calculators, chalk, crayons and lunch boxes.

Unfortunately, art supplies such as paints and sketch pads and computer supplies such as printers (not purchased with a computer), disks and handheld Electronic Schedulers
aren’t included.

Clothing under $100 such as Belts, caps, jackets, jeans, pants, school uniforms, shoes and socks are included.

But not fashion accessories, sports and recreational or protective clothing.

Computers are tax exempt if they’re under $1500 and are not to be used for a trade or business. Any other accessories that don’t come with the computer, such as a printer or software are not tax exempt.

For a more detailed list, click on this link: http://tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/reference.pdf

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the garage sale circuit. Almost a year, in fact, since I scored a Pottery Barn-esque coffee table for $40, so I decided to do a little warm up exercise before the world’s longest yard sale kicks off this Thursday.

Cruising a couple of local sales on Friday I was reminded that it’s the thrill of hunt and laughing at the downright peculiar ‘treasures’ you find that make it fun. One yard saler was clutching his newly purchased portable heater when the previous owner, displaying amazing salesmanship, advised that he should keep all of the doors open when operating it as it would likely cause any wallpaper in the room to peel off. Rather than looking horrified, he quipped back – "is that a promise?"

Anyway, it's the massive US 127 Corridor Sale (it spans 450 miles and four states) which starts the first Thursday of August every year and continues until the Sunday, that I've been saving myself for! To get more info log onto: www.127sale.com

I've just got a hot tip! A kid's clothing sale starts today at the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church at 9132 Kingston Pike. And it's supposed to be a good one. Here are the times:

Friday, July 28
9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
and
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 29
(1/2 price sale)
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

So, it’s my fault the last threads of lycra in my droopy swimsuit could give way at any moment and I’ve yet to choose a swimsuit for the summer. I should have been onto it back in January. Now swimsuits have been tossed into baskets at the back of the store to make room for the fall stuff. And you know what that means, all of the odd sizes are left and nothing matches.

This week Obligato is doing its Final Spring and Summer Clearance Sale with up to 75% off. And while you’re there be sure to check out the $20 Backroom Sale including skirts, t-shirts, pants, tanks and bathing suits.

And another favorite store, Zümfoot (they used to be known as the Birkenstock Specialty Store) have got up to 50% off select styles during their Summer Clearance.

Obligato - The Kingston Pike Shopping Center, 4626 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tel: 865 558 0822
Zümfoot – The Kingston Pike Shopping Center, 4618 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tel: 865 558 6848

They say that all of your cosmetics have a shelf life, for instance mascara is good for only 3-4 months once you start using it. But for those of us on an economy drive, it’s feast or famine. I can’t just buy one item when I go to the store, so I tend to use the same makeup for much longer than I should. Once I’m in the drugstore, that new foundation gets thrown into the basket with a lash lengthening mascara, then the eye shadow that’s more current than what I wore in 1999 and how about some ‘plumping’ lip gloss – you know how it goes.

It was pretty easy to cope with the warm weather this summer, up until last week when it got really toasty. And then we all began to melt. Carefully made up faces started looking a little less glowing and a bit more shiny.

Then I found Palladio Rice Paper Oil Blotting Tissues; you blot them over your face to remove excess oils without disturbing your makeup. They come in a teeny box you can stash in your purse and dispense a rice powder coated tissue, whenever you need it. Find them at Sally Beauty, they’re $3.99 for a box of 40.

Now this may be a little controversial, but I still can't get used to stores selling hunting gear. It's not like I want to go out and protest against it, but the idea of popping into a shop picking up some everyday items, a camo jacket (think 70s rocker Ted Nugent in VH-1's Super Group) and, then thinking, oh, we're almost out of ammo - I must stock up.

But anyway, as you know, I love camping accessories, so it was interesting to notice a sign advertising the future site of Gander Mountain on Parkside Drive, Farragut. At the moment, it's just a bunch of construction equipment, but come September expect a mecca for the outdoorsy types when they open their 102nd store in the US.

Was the summer always too short when you were a kid? Flash forward twenty or so years and with a kid or two underfoot you probably feel a little differently. Right?

So for the next few weeks I'm going to keep my eye out for products that could buy you just a minute or two of peace & quiet. And not the kind that will have you wondering what they're up to!

Why not set up an art exhibition using Post-It drawing pads? They come on a portable easel, so there are just two steps:

1. Create Masterpiece
2. Use sticky back to display for all to see. -

25 sheets for $9.96. Buy them at Target, Office Max, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Toys R Us, Kroger, CVS or Michaels

For more great ideas, check out our other http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/kids

If your summer wardrobe needs to be revived, be sure to check out Kristi's current 60% off sale. They've discounted tops, bottoms, dresses and denim from well-known designers.

Kristi - 5807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, Tel: 865 584 1952

Several years ago Earth to Old City was actually located in the Old City, but luckily for us you can now find it in Market Square, Farragut and Gatlinburg.

The imminent closure of the Fountain City Target store has been a hot topic in the media and amongst my friends this week. The new store at the old Farmer's Market site at the intersection of Washington Pike and Interstate 640 - will be opening in just under a week. Word is the current Fountain City store looks quite sad with empty racks of dwindling merchandise.

So, will the big move be worth it for local shoppers? Is it about time North and East Knoxvillians had to trek out west for a schmick new 'Super' store? (excuse me Clinton Hwy Store). I'd love to hear what you think about the move - post a comment and express your opinion.
To read more about what the new store will have to offer read Roger Harris' article in the News Sentinel.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/business/article/0,1406,KNS_376_4837664,00.html

This year I stopped resisting. I didn't get refills for my diary and started using a PDA. I'd moved to the electronic dark side at last. But more than half way through the year, I've resorted to scribbled notes on scraps of paper and a wall calendar. OK, so I'm not ready to give up the old ways.

Then I spotted three ingenious organizational products from Buttoned Up, I felt a little hope. Created by sharp Tennesseans, Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch, there's a kit for organizing a house move, another for consolidating your important records and contact details and my favorite - the CrossItOff.List.

When the 10 second rule in our house (you know, dropped food can be eaten if you pick it up within 10 seconds), stretched to 'phew, it's just a cheerio', it was time to take our cleaning routine up a notch.

Clorox Daily Anywhere Sanitizing Spray ($2.97) is easier to use than regular disinfectants because of the spray bottle. It has a fresh, clean smell but it's safe to use around food and kids. Clean down that high chair, wipe down counters and plastic cutting boards, toys, almost anything. You can wipe off the excess after two minutes or just leave it to dry, there's no dull residue. It even left my kitchen counters whiter than usual.

And, for some clever reason they packaged it in a box, so it's easy to spot amongst the other cleaning products on the shelf.

Available at Kroger

Dick's Sporting Goods are continuing their huge tent sale until Sunday 16th July. They've crammed in tables and racks full of bargains. Swimsuits and exercise clothing are 60 to 80% off. You'll find Columbia pants for women and Men's Tevas for around $20. Plus there are $10 and $20 racks waiting to be rummaged through.

Dick's Clothing & Sporting Goods
221 North Peters Road, Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 531-2221
www.dickssportinggoods.com

Years ago, our first home was a three man tent. But several years later, we've added a family member and although he's half the size of us we had to upgrade. This meant moving up to a 2 room (with screened porch) 7-8 person tent.

With room to swing several cats (not that we would) we set off on a trip the weekend before last. As we prepared to listen to the gentle patter of rain during the night we discovered several indoor ponds. All of the major seams leaked! Is it too much to expect that they'd already be sealed on a brand new tent? Especially since the tent was made with trademarked 'Go Be Dry' technology.

What should we do?
a) Return it and replace it with the same brand and style (we love the layout) and pray it won't leak after we take the precaution of sealing it first.
b) Get our money back and choose another brand or
c) Give up camping and switch to 5 Star hotels?

I love it when a chance conversation unearths some interesting retail gossip - well, actually I heard it straight from the source. A returned Knoxville native is in the process of opening a new furniture store in Market Square - hopefully, by October. I won't say what they're selling, but take it from me there isn't anything like it in town right now. With news of another cool restaurant opening too, the square seems to be finally filling up and now more than ever is becoming a Must-Go-To destination.

I'm still adjusting to the fact that the best way to spend a holiday is to shop in Knoxville. Amongst all of the sales brochures for the 4th of July, I noticed Planet Xchange is winding up its 50% off sale tomorrow. Be sure to pop in and bag yourself a bargain.

Planet Xchange - 157 N.Peters Road, Knoxville, Tel: 865 470 2230, www.planetxchange.com

On Saturday, we did catch my husband's parents in the parking lot eagerly awaiting the Apple store opening. A full 30 minutes before the doors were due to open! A little extreme? Well, at least 100 groupies, errr, customers, would disagree with you. Crowd control barricades were up and the line stretched down as far as Abercrombie & Fitch!