Must-Know Tips When Shopping for Furniture on a Budget

With sofas costing upwards of $1,000 and many discount furniture stores sacrificing quality for a lower price tag, it may seem impossible to furnish your home on a budget. If you know what to look for, however, you can afford to invest in some new furnishings without breaking the bank. Here are some smart tips for budget-savvy furniture shopping.

  • Consider the time of year. Most furniture stores release their new collections in February and August, so they’ll likely try to clear out their old inventory in January and July. As long as you don’t mind having last season’s styles, you can usually find a great price around this time.
  • Check online. You can often find better deals on furniture by shopping clearance websites like Overstock.com and Amazon. You also might get free shipping by spending more than a certain amount.
  • Buy secondhand. Another person’s mistake might be your gain when it comes to furniture. Check sites like Craigslist to find brand new sofas, beds, and other items that didn’t work in someone else’s home.
  • Check consignment stores. If you don’t mind gently used furniture, thrift shops and consignment stores often have great deals on fairly modern styles. Check back often, as you never know what they’ll have from day to day.

How to Choose Furniture on a Budget [Overstock]
4 Tips for Finding Budget-Friendly Furniture [U.S. News]
Best Places to Find Budget Furniture [About Home]

Three Great Online Gift Guides for Any Occasion

These impressive online gift guides aim to answer the age-old question, “What do you get for the person who has everything?” Full of unique housewares, beautiful jewelry, and the latest tech items, these handy guides recommend items that any loved one will adore.

Cool Hunting
Cool Hunting is a website devoted to the latest, most exciting happenings from all around the world, and their expansive gift guide reflects that same aesthetic. Full of classic, timeless pieces like mid-century light fixtures and quirky, modern items like bitmap blankets, the Cool Hunting Gift Guide will surely give you the inspiration you’re looking for to find that perfect gift.

Real Simple
Real Simple aims to simplify gift giving by creating a comprehensive guide full of lists for every type of person. From their 20 Unique Gifts for Tech-Lovers list to their 13 Gifts for Pets list, you’ll find the perfect present for each of your loved ones.

Fab
Fab provides special deals on cool, unique items on a daily basis, so their gift guide just expands on this incredibly curated selection. The Fab Holiday Gift Shop features beauty products, kitchen supplies, smartphone accessories and tons of Star Wars-themed trinkets, all separated into personalized categories to make your shopping even easier.

The Grand Fromage: Where Cheese is King

At The Grand Fromage in Skippack, you can find delicious cheeses and accoutrements to complement that perfect get together, or even just a great bottle of wine. With this selection, you’ll think that you landed in a Paris cheese shop! Come in and look at the glass display counter, and you will find what you want. Whether it’s goat, cow or sheep, the flavors are outstanding. And you will also be able to choose from American cheeses, and European varieties from Holland, Spain, Italy, France and England. Take your time because this tasty trip around the world is worth your time. There are even some local products in stock! Make your own party tray, with help from the knowledgeable staff with cheese, fruit, breads, nuts and crackers. And for a tasty gift idea, get a Grand Fromage gift certificate.

The Grand Fromage
3910 Skippack Pike
Skippack, PA 19474
(610) 584-5400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grand-fromage-skippack

Nestology: Hatch Your Creativity

One of the most interesting local retail businesses in King of Prussia is Nestology, a store devoted to showcasing the work of regional designers, artists and craftsmen. If you’ve been shopping at the King of Prussia Mall but you couldn’t find exactly what you wanted, a stop in here might be just what the doctor ordered. Opened in 2009, the store started as a seasonal pop-up shop and made the transition into a full-time store the next year. Walk in the door and you’ll immediately be overcome by the sheer variety of merchandise here – clothing, home décor, antiques and more, all grouped by artist and priced incredibly reasonably. Some favorites from recent visits include amazing vintage Polaroid land cameras, men’s shirts from Commonwealth Proper, women’s wear from Nicole Fisher and much more. The King of Prussia area has a remarkably diverse local arts scene, and this is one of the best places to sample it.

Nestology
King of Prussia, PA 19406
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nestology-king-of-prussia

Miss Riddle’s Candy Shop: Classic Candies and More

For classic candies, there’s no place better than Miss Riddle’s Candy Shop. Located at a beautiful Victorian building on Skippback Pike, Miss Riddle’s is a shop where memories are brought back. Remember that piece of candy that you used to love as a kid? Chance is you’ll find it all at Miss Riddle’s. How about Candy necklaces, whirly pops, pop rocks and Necco wafers? They’re all here! Wax bottled and wax mustaches are also in stock, as well as all of the classic Hershey and Mars products. Become a kid again, and bring your kids with you – they’ll love perusing the cases of candy and having just as hard of a time choosing as you. There are also hand-made chocolates for sale, and come into Miss Riddle’s for some tasty gelato.

Miss Riddle’s Candy Shop
4019 Skippack Pike
Skippack, PA 19474
(484) 991-8135
http://www.yelp.com/biz/miss-riddles-candy-shop-skippack

Varner Farms: Treats of the Holiday Season!

Tis the season for pumpkins, apples, cider, and… festive trees! And one of the best spots near ARK by Korman Blue Bell to find a tree to decorate your space for the holidays is Varner Farms in nearby Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Varner Farms's tree harvest began November 23, and continues throughout December. There's a variety of species here, ranging from spruces and pines to firs. Varner Farm is also decorated for the season, so you can enjoy a complimentary cup of cider or hot cocao as you stroll through the bucolic landscape. If you want mementos in addition to a tree, there's an on-site gift shop selling delectable jams, candies, and holiday ornaments. You can even take a wagon ride around the 90 acre property. Whether you're here for a tree or a pleasant day trip, you'll have a memorable time at Varner Farms. Check the website for directions, hours, and more information.

Varner Farms
746 S. Trappe Road
Collegeville PA 19424

Upper Merion Farmers Market: Farm Fresh Flavors

The local food phenomenon is bringing attention back to America’s small producers, and it’s benefiting everyone. Locally-grown produce is tastier and healthier for you, as well as better for the environment. Pennsylvania has long been one of the East Coast’s most productive farming regions, and a great way to get a sample of the good stuff they make here is at the Upper Merion Farmers Market. Only accepting vendors from within 100 miles of King of Prussia, the market is relatively small – only 20 or so vendors – but all of them are of unilaterally high quality. Some of the most popular include the Great Harvest Bread Company for fresh-baked loaves, Shellbark Hollow Farm for excellent goat cheese, and the fruits and vegetables from Livengood Family Farm. Also sample excellent local mushrooms for just five dollars a bag. There is plenty of parking in the area as well. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May through November.

Upper Merion Farmers Market
175 W. Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-1071
http://www.yelp.com/biz/upper-merion-farmers-market-king-of-prussia

King of Prussia Mall: Retail Therapy

If you’re looking for a one of the best shopping experiences in Philadelphia, King of Prussia Mall is certain to slake your thirst for retail therapy. The largest shopping mall on the East Coast, it was originally opened in 1963 but after its owners recognized a growing demand for more upscale retail in the area, the 1970s and 1980s saw tremendous expansion in the area, culminating with a complete reconstruction of the mall in the early 1990s to lure high-end stores like Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom. The mall today has over 400 stores and restaurants, anchored by Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, JCPenney and Sears. This place is absolutely huge, so expect to spend a solid day shopping if you want to see everything. One complaint that frequent shoppers have is that parking can be a chore – there are plenty of spots, but when the mall gets crowded you might have to walk a bit from your parking space.

King of Prussia Mall
160 N. Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-5727
http://www.yelp.com/biz/king-of-prussia-mall-king-of-prussia

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