GoShoppingNashville.com

Affordable Edge

Dressing for work is one thing, but when I am dressing to suit my own taste, I prefer a little edge. In Nashville, edge is a bit difficult to come by if you don't have a huge budget. I have learned to use my imagination and creative combinations to achieve the style that I like. If you are in need of a little attitude in your closet, then Smack Clothing Company at 2201 Elliston Place is your kind of place. For ladies, there is a good supply of denim from MEK, Miss Me, and Sang Real. These have the detail of some of the higher end denim lines with a much more wallet friendly price tag. Smack also has a large supply of unique dresses and tops for a night out on the town. I found some great country meets urban shirts from English Rose as well - a tongue in cheek take on the western vibe. Though there is a good selection of stuff for the ladies, this shop really shines when it comes to the men. They carry a larger supply of denim from MEK, Monarchy, Prangster, and more. The racks are filled with cool shirts from Monarchy, 7 Diamonds, Fender, Black Hearts Brigade, and Roar. My favorites, however, had to be the loaded with attitude shirts from Rebel Spirits - perfect for attracting attention out on the town or up on the stage. The men are in luck, as there is a carefully edited selection of shoes including some great boots from GBX with penchant for punk. One of the things that I love about shopping is that you never know where you are going to find your next favorite thing. For me, I found them at Smack....Roar long sleeve shirts for the little guys. They were pretty much the cutest things that I have ever seen; they were just mini me versions of the men's line!!! Know any little guys with attitude and style??? I know that I do!

His & Her Shopping on West End

When the man in your life agrees to shop with you, does he hover? Come on, you know what I am talking about. He doesn't really want to go shopping, but he wants you to be happy and agrees to go. But then, he is hot on your heels, breathing down your neck, fidgety and ready to go. Takes the fun out of shopping, doesn't it? Well, if this sounds like you, I have a solution. Head over to the Park Place Shopping Center at 2817 West End, where there are his and her boutiques in the form of Boutique Bella and denHim. Both stores are owned by the same folks and both offer outstanding quality items.

Ladies first, so let's start with Boutique Bella. Their new location is larger with more space to roam around, house wares and they now have more and bigger dressing rooms - a definite plus. Inside Boutique Bella, you will find tees by Michael Stars, C + C, Juicy Couture, and Velvet. If denim is your taste, well, you will have just entered paradise. Denim lines come from People's Revolution, William Rast, Rock & Republic, Rich & Skinny, AG Adriano Goldschmeid, and Hudson. There are many, many more, but these were some of my favorites. Bella carries collections from Trina Turk, Joie, Sanctuary, and Alice & Trixie. Don't forget to check out the intimates from Hanky Panky & Underglam. While you are artfully working your way through high end fashion, so can your friend next door at  denHim.  He will find belts, hats, and  loads of contemporary casual fashions. Mr. GoShoppingNashville found shirts from Juicy Couture, Fender, Modern Amusement, and English Laundry. As the name suggests, there is a ton of denim here as well. denHim carries all of the labels that Boutique Bella  does so we took note of some others like Earnest Sewn, Genetic, Southern Thread, Howe, and Tavernini.

If you are a shopper, you can tell that this is no bargain basement. But if you know what you like and you are looking for something high end, you can find a fantastic selection for you, at Boutique Bella, or for your man, at denHim. Enjoy your co-ed clothing consumerism................

High End Fashions - Sample Sale Pricing

If you find yourself on West End, you absolutely must stop in at UAL (United Apparel Liquidators) at 2918 near the Apple Market. This place is a little crazy and you need to be willing to look through all of the racks like a true bargain hunter. It is easy to get overwhelmed, but pick a rounder and go for it - I promise that it will be worth rummaging around in the hectic atmosphere. Within 5 minutes of entering the store, I found dresses from Chloe, Moschino, Juicy Couture, and Betsey Johnson to name a few. Oh, here is the twist, UAL offers all of these high end labels at way (and I mean way) less than retail....think sample sale prices. Though there was not a huge selection of shoes, I found Jenni Kayne, Hollywould, Valentino, and some crazy miu miu platforms that I have also seen on runway and in magazines this year. Not into dresses and shoes? OK....have a look through leggings, tees, and denim. We found Blu Jeanious, worn by stars like Halle Berry, for just $29.99. We also scored some genetic denim for a mere $59.99. Who else wears genetic? Oh, just Lindsay Lohan, Sienna Miller, Jessica Biel, Fergie, Ashlee Simpson, and Paris Hilton....maybe you have heard of one of them. OK, if I haven't given you enough to cause you to run to your car and head to West End, they also have kids clothes including Juicy Couture, Diesel, and Quincy. Did I forget to mention that there is more? Yes, more - including sunglasses, jewelry, and swimwear. The guys selection is not as large in quantity, but is still larger than life in the brands represented. Needless to say, I will be going back to UAL again, and again, and....well you get the picture.

Shop Like a Tourist

Today was a beautiful day in the Music City - just perfect for a little shopping and some exercise. So, Mr. GoShoppingNashville and I headed downtown to Broadway. One of our first stops was American Apparel as we were in search of some cotton basics in great summer colors. They were definitely not in short supply in the Nashville outpost of this LA based brand. Since we were there, we decided to enjoy the gorgeous weather and stroll up and down Broadway, taking in local 'tourist' shops followed by dinner at Jack's Bar-B-Que. Jack's is one of our favorites before taking in a Predators game at the Sommet Center during hockey season so why not after a few hours of shopping as well?

Along the way, we had a lot of fun going in and out of the various store fronts filled with Nashville wares. Though I won't list every one that we visited, I will give a brief rundown on our findings. On Legend's Corner (across from the Sommet), you will see the cool guitar statue called Honky Tonk Heroes - great spot for a touristy photo. So that is where we will start...Legends Gifts. This store is filled with Nashville t-shirts and novelties. We found snow globes, spoon rests, magnets, thimbles, shot glosses, mugs, and more. A highlight in the shop was a nice selection of Jack Daniel's goods including praline pecans and the famous tipsy fudge cake. We also found an interesting supply of onesies for the little ones - be forewarned...some of these were pretty ornery.

Bogey's On Broadway was the next stop on our list. Here we found a nice selection of Nashville t-shirts. There was also a pretty heavy supply of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash tees. Looking for a cowboy hat while you are in town? Bogey's has those too and lots of them. Then we decided to jump across the street to visit the other side and found DixieLand Delights and the legendary Ernest Tubb Record Shop. At DixieLand, I fell in love with a kitschy Elvis Presley guitar serving tray. This tray comes in three pieces and would be great for serving chips or veggies and dip. I love offbeat serve ware for gatherings and this one definitely fits the bill! DixieLand Delights also has a large selection of Nashville, Elvis, and Johnny Cash t-shirts. You can find western wear, Harley Davidson blankets, and more novelty items than I can even mention, including the ubiquitous guitar shaped fly swatter! So, we finished up our afternoon by heading to Ernest Tubb Record Shop  - definitely the coolest on the street. This shop has a great vibe right from the front door. You walk in and there is a small but good selection of Nashville souvenirs - we actually bought our first ever Nashville souvenir today (surprising that it took so many years!). Move through the souvenirs and you will reach the music section where there is vintage vinyl, country music DVDs, and a large selection of Cd's new and old. In the back, the stage is roped off as a museum where actual outfits worn by greats like Ernest Tubb and Marty Robbins are carefully displayed. Every Saturday night at midnight, Ernest Tubb still has a live audio broadcast of the Midnite Jamboree, the 2nd longest running radio show. As you wander around, be sure to look up and see the vintage record covers from many country greats lining the walls and further adding to the unique Grand Ole Opry vibe. Whatever your typical shopping pleasure....whether you are a native or just a visitor, take a break from your norm and head to Broadway to shop like a tourist - even if your a local! It is a fun way to enjoy some good weather and look around at the rapidly changing Nashville skyline. 

2008 Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday

It is a great day for shoppers....today marks the beginning of Tennessee's sales tax holiday weekend. The holiday runs Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27. Here is the basic run down...tax exempt items include clothing under $100 per item, school and art supplies under $100 per item, and computers less than $1500 per bundled package. A little known fact that may be of interest to you is that items placed in or picked up from layaway this weekend will also be sales tax free. If you need more info on this glorious occassion, check out the TN sales tax holiday link. Happy sales tax free shopping!

Products Paradise

For the beauty products shopping version of the grand finale, drum roll please, Sephora - one of my favorite places on earth. Exaggeration? Not for me; I love this place. I first fell in love with Sephora online many years ago as this is the place for all things in the high end beauty products world. Why? When a model is asked on television about her favorite products...guess where you can find them. Sephora. If a makeup artist says that something is their go-to product....guess where you can find that. Sephora. Read about the newest greatest thing stateside or abroad....three guesses about where you can find those too. That's right, Sephora. After reading this, you can only imagine that I was absolutely elated when Nashville got a real life brick and mortar version....I mean online is great, but we are talking up close and personal. Sephora has been here for years now, and still my love affair continues. The only difference between visits now and my very first trip are that I know exactly where to find everything - even where they are going to place the newest products. I never get over the rush that I feel every time that I walk up to the crisp modern black and white facade and see all of the colorful packaging calling out to me through the glass. Then you walk through the doors and are greeted by shop girls (and guys!) dressed in artsy black, the perfect canvas for their favorite beauty products. The place is like absolute heaven - or at least what I imagine that heaven is like.....well heaven without the handbags, shoes, and salvation! Even on my recent trip where I knew exactly what I needed (Benefits You Rebel Lite), I still managed to lose an hour in there. During that hour, I found myself looking for new perfume - which I found Thierry Muggler's Alien, another 'out of this world' scent creation with woodsy hints of amber, orange blossom, and vanilla. Before you know it, a helpful shop gal brought me a basket to carry my wares. I stocked up L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. I continued to wander around the entire store while I tried to remember if there was anything else that I should get while I was there - you know, to save on gas money. And there I found myself back at the Benefit section and spied the limited edition Justine Case, the perfect size for my purse. It has the cutest little versions of some of the lines greatest hits Eyecon, Some Kind-A Gorgeous, Benetint, and California Kissin'. Yeah, yeah, I know...a person can spend a fortune in this place. Just think though, if you become a beauty insider, you get free products all of the time so there is so much more bang for your buck. Like I said, Sephora is a wonderland of products to help you smell better, look better, and feel better. They carry the best selection of men's products in Nashville and, combine the store and the more expansive online shop, the most comprehensive selection anywhere with more high end lines than I can even mention. If you don't have time to get over to the Mall at Green Hills, check them out online where you get three free samples with every order and they always have shipping specials (right now free shipping on orders over $50). Don't forget to sign up to be a beauty insider for deluxe samples and early notification of new products, specials, and more. See you in heaven!!!

Ulta-mate Convenience

Ever have those days where you seem to run out of everything at the same time??? Well, I do....lately, it seems like each thing that I have picked up is spewing and sputtering - a sure sign that my favorite beauty product is about to go bye-bye. Being in need of a variety of items, I decided to head to Ulta, located at The Avenues on Medical Center Parkway in The Boro. Ulta has a wide variety of beauty products and fragrances for men and women with a unique twist - they offer both high end lines and your everyday lines available at the big box retailers. With that in mind, this store was the perfect destination. They have everything that you need - hair products, a hair salon, nail polish and accessories, tools of the trade, skincare, make up, bath products, and so much more. While they do not offer as many of the high end lines as say, Sephora, they have a decent selection including Too Faced, my go-to line for mascara. I am pretty much in love with Lash Injection which is basically like lash extensions in a tube. That stuff will stretch, fatten, and curl your lashes to their limit - very important when they are stick straight like mine!!! Lash Injection is available in make up artists' favorite Pitch Black, eye brightening Vivid Blue, and Hot Chocolate. They also make a great product called Lash Injection Antidote, which I highly recommend if you use Lash Injection....once it is on, it really likes to stay that way. OK, OK....enough about Lash Injection. Ulta carries loads of other brands like Bourjois, Juicy, L.A.M.B, Urban Decay (love it - picked up the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deviant!!!), Red Earth, Clinique, Anthony Logistics, OPI, Bed Head, Kenra, Chi, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Almay, etc., etc., etc. I could keep going, but I think that you get the picture. Ulta is the beauty products version of the one stop shop.

Best Brows

This week, I thought that I would take some time to focus on some of my very favorite shopping items......beauty products. I am a complete beauty products junkie and can spend hours looking through magazines, websites, and stores to get my fix. So, I headed to one of my standbys in Green Hills, Private Edition where they carry loads of high end beauty lines. Not only can I curb my products craving, but I can also get my brows fixed so that I don't resemble my grandfather so much! I first went to Private Edition several years ago when I read about them in Lucky magazine. They featured some of the best brow waxers and shapers around the country and that is how I found Gina Whittaker. Based on that piece, I knew that she would do a good job and set an appointment. I was OK with my brows before. But let me just say -  after she was done, I realized that I had been fooling myself.....the woman is an artist and a super person to boot. I have been going to Gina now for at least 5 years and am always thrilled with the results. After my last appointment, like many before, I headed downstairs to the shop. I am a huge fan of Laura Mercier products and love to see their seasonal colors. On this trip, I checked out the new Gold Digger Collection and found this Limited Edition Eye Colour Pot in Bronzed Gold (also comes in Solid Gold or White Gold) - the perfect compliment to my freshly done brows. Though I didn't have time on this visit, I highly recommend getting an eye makeover with Carmen. Now, if only I had a tan to go with my new eye color........coincidentally, you can get that at Private Edition too. If you are looking for a cancer free way to a sun kissed glow, they have self tanners from several lines or you can get a spray in the spa. They offer a wide range of treatments from beauty to relaxation for men and women. Whether you want products or pampering, this is my all-around favorite. You can check them out on the web at Private Edition  or in person at 4009 Hillsboro Pike in Grace's Plaza.

Clothes That Mean Business

OK, so it isn't exactly edgy, but Ann Taylor Loft has a reliable selection of conservative pieces for reasonable prices. For me, they have been a bit of a staple for work wear during the past few years. Now that I am in an office with a more relaxed dress code, I have gone away from my once frequent excursions. One day, while just passing by, I spied a great green belted trench with white trim - a very fresh look for spring. Being a sucker for green, I had to drop in. The jacket was a nice weight for the cool, sometimes cold, Nashville mornings  and was priced at $129. So, I continued browsing the racks and found cute plaid shorts, thin sweaters - perfect for spring and summer, and of course loads of nice dress pants, tops, and jackets. They are really starting to get some good colors in right now, particularly a new collection of pinks. Though it wasn't particularly colorful, something just felt right about this floaty chiffon skirt in grey and black. The outfit pictured here would be very easy to punch up with a pop of color in your shoes or other accessories. It could be warmed up with a cardigan or made more office friendly with a jacket. The price can't be beat at $59 - right now on sale $34.99. Loft also has a large selection for petites and there are always shoes and accessories. With three Nashville area locations (Cool Springs, Green Hills, Murfreesboro), Ann Taylor Loft is a convenient stop for something on the conservative side. 

Hip Housewares

One of my favorite destinations for home goods is Color Uncommon Goods in Green Hills. This great little shop is located at 2104 Crestmoor and they always have fun and interesting items. The front window is well done with a riot of color and seasonal items. The shelves are filled with bar ware, both seasonal and everyday, which I absolutely love. They also have a good selection of serve ware and place settings. Need cloth or fun paper napkins for a special occasion??? Color has loads of them to choose from with napkin rings and place mats to match pretty much anything. The table in the center is typically filled with seasonal place settings and accoutrement...definitely items to inspire you with different ideas for your own home. As you head toward the back of the shop, you will find trendy throw pillows, sculptural items, vases, etc. Frequently, there is a carefully edited selection of lamps ranging from vintage finds to present designs. Looking for some items for your dining table center piece? They have loads of choices. Oh, and did I mention that there is more bar ware?? Anyway, whether you are looking for a change or just some ideas for punching up your existing home goods, Color is a fun place to find your new look. The staff there is always friendly. They will usually offer a drink when you enter and manage to be very helpful without getting pushy. Getting married soon? Be sure to ask about their bridal registry.