I took one final trip to NYC this summer, and it was bound to be fun at the HGTV Magazine Blogger Block Party. Since my career actually started because of cable HGTV that we accidentally started getting all those years ago, this was kind of a big deal for me, finally getting to meet some of the folks at the mother ship. Did you know that HGTV has a magazine? Its part of the Hearst family, so of course they are located in New York. Pick up their latest issue, which is covered in color, or keep reading for a little surprise.

The magazine is all about helping you make good design decisions at home, and helping you be creative with affordable projects that are easy, don’t take a lot of time, and pack a nice punch. Check out this high impact kitchen art idea that you can make with wooden spoons, an IKEA frame and, of course, paint.

We had fun watching the Editor vs. Blogger Flea Market Flip challenge, where both had a side table, chair and lamp to make over during the event. Oh, the pressure of making over 3 pieces in just a few hours! They were both winners when each was judged, and my friend Beth Hunter  (she’s also one of the amazing founders of Haven Conference) won some of the goods. How clever is this woven touch from Brett Bara?

Brett’s other project was a little out there, but turned out so cute. She made a over an ugly lamp with hot glue and plastic spoons!

Really, all of the projects were beautiful and colorful, like the matching lamp wrapped with pink twine, and the old table covered with washers for in industrial look.

One of my favorite things was the photo backdrop and the stage backdrop. It was hard to take your eyes off those luscious, vibrant colors on the doors. But it became easier when Scott McGillivray, star of the long-running HGTV show Income Property, showed up to share Contractor Confessions. He totally nailed the top 5 ways to add value-generate more equity than the cost of the project in any home, with a load of humor as he told us how he got started when he was just a college student.

Here are his top 5 value adds:

5. Flooring updates

4. Fixtures, hardware and light switches.

3. Bathrooms. Can you believe some people put up with this?

2. Kitchens, whether it’s a small project or a big one.

1. Income suites. You’ve seen his show, right?

Yes, we’re buds now.

It’s always fun meeting up with friends, like Kelsey Hubbard.

And my friend Diane Henkler from In My Own Style showed up, as well.

Since the event was open to the public, I even made a new French friend. Estella and her boyfriend popped in on their 10-day tour of New York. I got to parler Francais un peux and explain HGTV and DIY. Sorry for the blurry picture, but aren’t they adorable?

Like me, Kelsey is also eyeing up the possibility of a new kitchen in the vintage home that her family just bought last year. We talked to Marilyn from Cabinets to Go, and we both picked out our new cabinets. You’re having them delivered, right Marilyn?

Since it’s all about color, I had to stop and admire Timothy from the security team for the party. Snazzy, right? You know what they say, it’s always the shoes that make the outfit. I want them.

Thanks again to Editor in Chief Sara Peterson and her team that put on a fun party. Do you think she likes color, too?

If you haven’t had a chance yet, pick up a copy of the magazine soon. Or, you could enter here for one of the two magazines + cute bags that I’ll be sending to winners by September 10. I hope you win! Just enter below. And be sure to visit the other giveaways I have going on right now for a HomeRight paint sprayer and a Calphalon slow cooker.

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