GoShoppingNashville.com

Prim & Paper

It seems like I have been involved in or attending a lot of special events lately. I guess it is that time of year. We always seem to be at a wedding, baby shower, or housewarming party. All of these occasions have me on constant lookout for that special something. While in downtown Franklin recently, I decided to head over to Prim & Paper located at 123 South Margin in search of something unique...that and I must admit that I am a bit of a sucker for paper stores. I am not sure why, but I love stationary. I don't actually use it, but I truly love it - nostalgia, I guess. Anyway, it had been awhile since my last trip and I had almost forgotten what a great little shop this is. They have some great choices for wedding and housewarming gifts. I loved the personalized clear serving trays and glasses - they seem just perfect for a newly married couple. Thinking of housewarming, I found great selections like Trapp candles and then spied some that can be personalized from Solebury as well. Who doesn't use candles??? My favorite for the housewarming bunch of gifts, however, had to be the personalized soap sets. They were a neutral cream color, came in a large variety of scents, and were absolutely adorable - a nice finishing touch in a new home. In terms of gifts, they also have some very cute items for babies. I fell in love with the personalized toddler dishes. They looked like adult versions (yes, they are breakable!), only cuter and divided so that the food doesn't touch - you are laughing as you read that line if you know me!!!

Prim & Paper truly stands out in their stationary and invitations. They have invitations for pretty much every occasion and range from elegant to modern to fun and everything in between. There was a great selection of invites for children's birthday parties, cocktail parties, housewarming parties, backyard barbeques, baby showers, wedding showers, engagement parties, etc. As I was browsing the shelves, I found myself trying to decide what type of gathering that I will be hosting so that I could pick up some great invitations. Prim & Paper is full service and will even help custom design invitations for your event if you can't quite find what you have in mind. If you are coming in to order your invites, don't worry about bringing the little ones....they have a play area where the children can play or watch TV while you finish up your errands. And though they are located in historic downtown Franklin, they have their own parking so you won't have to worry about walking. Be sure to check them out before you host your next event. I am certain that you will find something that you like in this great little place.

Maxximum Style with Minimal Investment

News flash, I LOVE TJ Maxx.....shocker, I know. I understand that this type of store isn't for everyone. However, I cannot afford my own taste.......unless I buy selective pieces at boutiques and fill in the gaps at TJ Maxx. This is one of those places that you have to go and check out frequently to find the best stuff and you need to be willing to search a bit. Lately, I have had some big time scores. In most locations that I have been to in recent days, there has been a good selection of high end finds.....or maybe I have had some really good luck. During the last 2 months, I have picked up denim from seven for all mankind, Juicy Couture, and J & Company....all for around $39.99! Kind of makes you sick to your stomach if you are like me and have paid far more than that for jeans from these labels. I have picked up Ed Hardy shirts for myself and Mr. GoShoppingNashville....Baby Phat for my niece and Hurley for my nephew. I have also found a great collection of Michael Kors, Lily Pulitzer, and BCBG. And with a little bit of vision and willingness to overlook the labels, you can find some great pieces. Take for instance the Pucci inspired print dress that I spied last weekend...too bad, they did not have my size; I guess you can't win them all. When you stop in, be sure to check out the accessories. Right now, you can find watches and rings from Gwen Stefani's LAMB line and shades from Marc Jacobs, Dior, and Valentino. Oh, and don't forget the handbags and luggage. Most of the outposts are regularly getting Betsey Johnson luggage in stock and you can find pieces from $59.99 to $89.99 - might be perfect for your summer vacation. On the never ending hunt for the perfect handbag there are some great selections like Michael Kors, Juicy, and Dooney & Bourke. Although I am not a huge fan of Kathy Van Zeeland bags, I know that many of you out there are and TJ Maxx almost always has several styles and colors in stock - I have even found a couple that I like! If it isn't obvious by now, I could keep going on and on. Sadly, I didn't even hit the housewares, but there are awesome articles there as well. TJ Maxx has locations in Antioch, Bellevue, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. If you love housewares and furniture, then you need to hit up the Brentwood or Mt. Juliet locations where they have  HomeGoods stores too. Just be sure not to maxx out your credit cards - that defeats the purpose of bargain hunting!

A World of Good

If you have never been to a World Market, then you are missing out on a world of good. The greater Nashville area now boasts three locations, The Avenues in Murfreesboro, on Charlotte in Nashville West, and the Glenbrooke Shopping Center of Hendersonville. At World Market, you will find items for the home like candles, art, mirrors, rugs, furniture, dishes, barware, and so much more. Right now, there is a large supply of outdoor furniture like adirondack chairs, tile top tables, and umbrellas. On a recent excursion, I found this great wine rack that I will use to keep all of my countertop cookbooks tidy. I also found a wine decanter and funnel for two friends who are just starting their lives together. World Market is more than just furniture and housewares. There is also a pretty solid collection of items for the furry members of your family. Our dog is a big fan of some of the treats and occasionally eats her meals from dog bowls that look like Chinese take out boxes - yes, from World Market. Then there is the great selection of Swiss chocolates - can't really go wrong there. Like beers and ales from around the globe? They have those too. Gourmet food items imported from everywhere? Yep, they have those. If you have never been to World Market, you should definitely make the trip. It's like Pier 1 and a gourmet grocer all jacked up on Mountain Dew - OK you got me, I just watched Talladega Nights for millionth time (I know, I know - but it IS funny). Let that not deter you, World Market is a world of fun.

Haunted Housewares

So the housewares aren't really haunted, but for those of you that know me, you know that I love skulls. I have loved skulls forever, but now they are truly easy to find - even for the home. Z Gallerie has long been one of my favorite shopping destinations for fun and trendy housewares. The Nashville outpost is located in the Green Hills Mall. Several months back, I was reading a magazine - Dwell or Metropolitan Home, I can't remember which now - and saw a picture of this great dinner plate. It was white with a platinum skull and crossbones on it. After searching, I learned that this and more were available at Z Gallerie. So off I went and I have added this to my 'china' collection and they fit quite nicely and require much less TLC than the other pieces. They also have skull place mats, serving trays, barware, flasks, and more. On a recent trip, I was in search of some art to fill a couple of gaps around the house - still trying to get everything settled in! I found this great print by Zachary Plume and I am trying to find a place where it will fit in the house...I am thinking bonus room, but time will tell. Not in to skulls? No problem, Z Gallerie has housewares for all styles and color palates. Right now, the window is filled with items in crisp white and spring green. There are all types of art prints - food, contemporary, pop, traditional, and more. I also found a large selection of seaside decor with items from the sea like, fish, seahorses, sand dollars, and turtles in various shades of white, blue, and teal. Anytime that I want to change something around the house, I always head to Z Gallerie for a little bit of interest and a good dose of seasonal color. It is also a lot of fun to check at the selection of novelties near the registers. I have picked up humorous new parent instruction books and travel checklists, grocery item checklists, tongue in cheek post it notes for the office, and a toothpick holder that looks mysteriously like a voodoo doll. Z Gallerie is also a great place to look for items with personality or for the perfect housewarming gift. In addition, items are priced in a wide range with many offerings to make your home look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.

IKEA in Nashville!!!!

So, here we were with a new house and needing a few more pieces of furniture in guest rooms, etc. IKEA seemed like the perfect solution as they offer affordable home furnishings and accessories with a modern aesthetic. OK, OK, OK, so there is no IKEA in Nashville and no plans, as far as I have heard, to bring one to our fair city. However, there is a pretty fantastic alternative to an actual IKEA. Mr. GoShoppingNashville and I were planning a road trip to Atlanta with a truck to pick up a couple of dressers when a friend turned us onto moderNash. This is a local company started by two guys in Nashville who also thought that it would be cool to have our very own IKEA. Since we don't, they came up with the clever idea of bringing IKEA to Nashville. That's right, these entrepreneurs take orders from people for IKEA wares and take a truck every few weeks to Atlanta and pick up everything that has been ordered. Yes, they do charge shipping - but a fraction of the cost that you would pay if you ordered online. That is, if you are even able to order what you want online. For those of you who get IKEA catalogs and have tried to order online, you understand that just because you see it and have the item number does not necessarily mean that you can get it. Many items in the catalog are only available in stores - who, coincidentally, do not ship. As far as I can tell, moderNash is the perfect solution. We had a great experience with them. We placed our order and were told when the next pick up would occur. We were not charged until our items arrived in Nashville. The whole transaction from order to home delivery took less than 2 weeks for us. moderNash offers other services like furniture set up and partners to offer kitchen design and IKEA kitchen set up. The only thing that they request is that you not order small individual items of less than $10. At any rate, if this sounds like a service that you might need, look them up (moderNash) and try it out. I bet that you will receive the same great customer service that we did. We will definitely keep them in mind as we continue to fill up and outfit our home. Oh, and did I mention that they give 10% of their profits to various non-profit organizations? Just one more reason to give them a shot.....

Shopping in the Gulch

I don't know whether you have been in the Gulch lately, but things are really starting to get interesting. Loads of lofts and condos are going in, great restaurants are already in, and soon, retail will hit the area. Urban Outfitters has announced that they will be opening a Nashville outpost in early 2009. The store will be located on 12th Avenue South in the current location of popular music venue, City Hall....never fear concert-goers, City Hall owners are seeking a new location with better acoustics and parking in mind. OK, back to Urban Outfitters....

What a cool place! This store is always so much fun to check out and I am glad that they will be here soon. The shop offers trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women. I always find great graphic tees or something a bit offbeat, even subversive. More fun than the clothing are the objects of interest and accessories to be found in the store. I am impatient and already shop UO online and found an awesome set of 2 branch hooks for $18. I'll use them to display my necklaces. I also found hilarious Star Wars USB flash drives, and even a heavy metal activity book - too funny. At any rate, Urban Outfitters will definitely be a breath of fresh air with its eclectic offerings with a sense of humor. If you can't wait until 2009, be sure to check them out on the web at Urban Outfitters.

Edgehill Village

Edgehill Village is a cool little area one block off of Music Row near Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities. There you can eat, drink, live, and shop with an eclectic mix of vendors. Get your shop on at Flaunt, a trendy plus size boutique or My Sister's Closet (now offering items for men, too). You can also find some cute gifts for kids and great invitations, assorted papers, and handmade jewelry at Queen Bee. If you are in need of something for the house, be sure to visit Utopia for the home, where we found some hilarious wine bottle labels (FFF - Forced Family Fun) and more. Urban Patio left me in lust with all of the outstanding modern outdoor furniture and accessories. Finally, one last - but not least - shopping stop is not for you or your house, but for your four legged friends that help make a house a home. Lucky Pup offers up a large supply of pet beds (including those that look like a pink Cadillac or a jet), toys, leads, collars, and treats. They also have 2 do-it-yourself dog wash tubs - more like dog wash spas in the back.

If the thought of shopping all afternoon makes you hungry, never fear, you can eat here. Light lunches and coffees are available at the Edgehill Studios Cafe. Rosario's Mexican Restaurant offers full on meals and drinks - and a great outdoor dining section. If you just need to quench your thirst, go to Fat Straw for bubble tea and smoothies. But if you are like me and have a sweet tooth, you will definitely want to check out Dulce Desserts, where they offer cupcake and cake of the month clubs and loads of decadent desserts.

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. 

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.

Springtime Staples at Anthropologie

I always find Anthropologie to be a refreshing change from the norm. While the place is filled with decidedly boho-chic clothing and accessories, many of my favorite finds here tend to be unique home goods that just fit. This trip was no different. I immediately spotted a great vase to hold your spring flowers at home or in the office. The Tehla oval vase (also seen in Life & Style Magazine) is a steal at $18 and the retro green print seems so modern.

Among the clothing selection of bright sweaters, smocked and ruched tops, skirts, Joe's Jeans, spring sandals and wedges, I found the perfect non-traditional spring cardigan. Springtime in Nashville means that none of us have any idea of how to dress.....freezing in the morning and 70 degrees by lunch calls for ladies to become clothing chameleons everyday! My preferred defense against the consistently inconsistent climate is to dress in layers and I lean toward hoodies and cardis. While I find cardigans a necessary article, I have no desire to look like I am 200 years old. So, I fell in love with the Mansfield cardigan. It is part layering piece and part fashionista favorite. It looks great paired with a fitted tee, jeans, and flats or fabulous at work with a silk blouse and pencil skirt - add a skinny belt to help define your waist. Anthropologie also has some great printed bags that scream spring. One of my favorites this time was the hand painted dahlia bag with room for your daily essentials and then some...and at $48, it is an affordable change of pace from a heavy winter bag.

Regardless of whether you are in search for interesting home goods, nature inspired clothes (showing a lot of butterflies this season), clothes with a twist on the classics, jewelery, shoes, or kids, Anthropologie has everything on your list. Though the selection is quite large and can be overwhelming, it makes for a relaxing Saturday afternoon, if you ask me. Located in the Hill Center of Green Hills, Anthropologie offers items at all different price points and is well worth the time to take in all of the goodies.