GoShoppingNashville.com

Fashion + Compassion

One of the coolest little boutiques that I have visited in the area was started by individuals with a very big vision. They aim to combine the concepts and retail and philanthropy. From the charities that they support, to active campaigns, down to the labels that they carry, Philanthropy in downtown Franklin does just that. This boutique has high end clothing and accessories for men and women. Here are some examples of what you can find at Philanthropy.......accessories by PILGRIM, a company that gives money back to Doctors Without Borders. Are you an animal lover? If so, check out items from Genuine Fake; they give money to animal shelters. You can expect some high end stuff like Joe's Jeans, Jedidiah, Adriano Goldschmied, Mavi, Prophetik, English Laundry, Hobo, and more. The boutique is definitely worth putting on your go to list if you are interested in a little retail therapy and trying to make the world a better place at the same time. If you are interested in shopping, head over to 432 Main Street in Franklin. Want to learn more about the boutique, their mission, or the current campaigns? Hit them up online at http://www.philanthropyfashion.com/. Who said that you can't save the world by shopping? Well, if you shop at Philanthropy, you just might!

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!

Payless for Shoes!!!

OK, so we were shopping for bargains, right? After yesterday's post, I decided to write about a store that is a lot more affordable and a lot more common - I mean that they are everywhere. And if the price of gas has gotten you down, you can shop on their easy to navigate website. We all know that I love shoes. While I tend to splurge a bit in this area, I do love a good bargain as well. For me, Payless Shoes is a great way to try out a trend that I know that I will tire of quickly or something like that. Years ago, you could not pay me to be seen in Payless. However, I have gotten over it largely in part because they now carry styles that look like current trends from big name designers. Like these patent crayola yellow pumps available for a mere $19.99. Now that definitely brings a little bit of sunshine to my day! The store is also carrying shoes that are being featured in magazines like Teen Vogue, Seventeen, Star, Life & Style (guilty pleasure!), Maxim (yes, Maxim), Red Book, allure, and Woman's Day for their affordable style. In the May issue of O, Oprah featured some cute snake print gladiator sandals. I like them because they are a lot less severe than most in this trend. I mean, I am not a real gladiator so I don't need my sandals to wrap around my leg all the way up to the knee.  I am pretty sure that they will stay on just fine!! This version is only $17.99, so it won't bother me to only wear them a few times this summer. So I mentioned that Payless has come a long way in the past several years. At all times, they carry shoes from Airwalk, American Eagle, and Champion. The chain is also working with designers to bring in lines created especially for Payless. Right now, you can find items from Abaete, Lela Rose, and alice + olivia. I am a huge alice + olivia fan and fell in love with their Mason clutch...and at under $25, it is far less expensive than their boutique accessories.  It comes in three colors including patent black with white piping, purple with pink piping for a pop of color, or in a more subdued linen. Though I have been unable to find it at any of the store that I visited, it is available at Payless online. If you have to see it in person before you buy it, your best bet would be a Brentwood/Cool Springs/Franklin location. At any rate, I think that it is worth checking out if you haven't been in awhile. In addition to finding something for yourself, they also carry men's and kids. We all know that they grow out of those way too fast - the kids, not the men, that is....good way to save some of your cash for other expensive kid needs. Have an aspiring little dancer in your brood? Save the money for the dance lessons by buying the tap, jazz, or ballet shoes here!

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.

Growing Green Hills

My favorite mall in Nashville, without a doubt, is the Mall at Green Hills. Although traffic getting over there can be atrocious, it is worth the trip if you are looking for something fun, unique, and upscale. It seems as though that trend is going to continue with the addition of three new boutiques opening in 2008 and a new anchor in 2010. In August, Nashville is set to see Burberry come to town. I cannot wait to check out their iconic outerwear and trademark plaid. Pretty exciting, but it gets even better - Juicy Couture coming in September 2008. I am ecstatic about this one - I LOVE JUICY. I started out as a fan of their accessories because they all have a sense of fun and whimsy about them. Oh, have I mentioned that I am a dog lover? That is probably how I was really drawn to the label at first. In fact, my dog's 'Tail Waggin' Couture' terry hoodie is one of the cutest things that I have ever seen....well it isn't as cute as her wearing it while prancing and preening about, but that is a story for another time.  She has been known to run and hide under the bed when I try to take it off of her! I am definitely looking forward to some accessories for me, toys for the dog, and cologne for Mr. GoShoppingNashville. The new men's cologne, Dirty English, smells wonderful - like leather and musk. Actually, I am not likely to wait until September to pick that up, but I am sure that I will find something at the boutique when it opens. Can't wait! It was also announced that Kate Spade will join the list of retailers at the Mall, but I haven't seen a date on that one. And now, for the grand finale of the list.....Nordstrom. OK, OK, OK so, it will be a while....fall 2010 to be exact. However, I cannot wait. Nordstrom has long been one of my favorite department stores when I am out of town. In terms of quality department stores, we don't have anything that even comes close. Macy's and Dillard's make a great effort, but this is a different league. The Nordstrom anchor will be a three level story so that you are sure to find something for everyone on your Christmas list....in 2010.

With all of the growth that has been going on everywhere in town, particularly in the Green Hills area, Nashville has really turned the corner in terms of shopping during the last few years. It is great to see all of the big city shoppes heading to Music City. No longer do we have to road trip to Atlanta or St. Louis to do some serious shopping; you can get almost everything that you need right here. If we could only convince someone to build an IKEA................

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.

Flip for Men's Fashion

Since I spent a large part of the last week going on and on about beauty products - mostly for women - I decided that I needed to get in some posts for the guys. With that in mind, Mr. GoShoppingNashville and I headed down to Flip on 8th Avenue South. Flip is not your ordinary boutique, it is a resale shop. Wait, it isn't your typical resale shop either. Many of the clothes here are actually new and have been purchased from other retailers (original tags still attached). The clothes that are used are used lightly at best and are in perfect condition.....not good condition - BRAND NEW condition. Be on the lookout as you head that way, the sign isn't very noticeable if you are a newbie. When you enter the store, you will see a selection of sport coats, belts, ties (great ties!), and dress pants. The back section contains the more casual wear and suits. The staff claims to be hands off, but may insist that they know you when they do not. Let that not be a deterrent, as there are some great finds here. The prices are higher than your typical resale shop;  let me reiterate, this is not your typical reseller. Brands include everything from Adidas and Gap to Armani. Our favorite finds included new with tags Juicy Couture polo shirts for $39.99 and Juicy plaid shorts (also new with tags) for $59.99. For the man who is looking to purchase or resell, Flip is well worth the stop.

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.