I have joined a boot camp at MomShell Fitness and I’ve started a Detox.

Beth Roth is the owner of Momshell Fitness and her philosophy won me over. She passionately believes that women, moms in particular (but not exclusively) need to put exercise into their everyday life.  If we are not showing our kids through our own actions that exercise matters, then we are raising them to believe that “If it wasn’t important to Mom, I guess it’s not important to me.” That’s harsh seeing it in those terms.  But it’s reality.  And, I have been finding extra time in my life by pushing exercise away.  No more.

A boot camp class. That's Beth supervising. She was once trying hard to maintain a size 12, now LOOK at HER!

So, I’ve only been doing Momshell for 1 week and I’ll report back to you after 6 weeks for a full report. But I will give you a sneak peak: Beth runs boot camps at 2907 12th Ave South, across from Sevier Park (where Las Paletas used to be) that are just about $10 a session (when bought in packages of 12 sessions) and the workout is HARD (in a good way).  She holds classes throughout the day to make it work for you and your schedule.  If you miss a class, jump into another class – that’s what she wants you to do.  Miss a class all together and she’ll be calling you.  You have accountability here.  If you, too, have aspirations of becoming a momshell, find out more at www.momshellfitness.com.

I don’t want to give away TOO much as I won’t have much of a post after I finish my 6 weeks! BUT- I do want to tell you about her Zumba class.

With a maximum of 10 spots, this class is so much fun. You will be shaking that thang and you WILL get a great workout.  Classes are $10 and held Tuesday nights at 6:00 and Saturday mornings at 10:00.  BUT- and I LOVE this, if you want to put a Girls Night Out (GNO) together, they can accommodate you any weeknight, except Mondays.  You’ll need at least 8 people, but no more than 10.  (I’m sure if you have 6 they can work something out) I promise, this makes the best GNO.  Go eat something healthy afterward while sitting on a great patio enjoying the Spring weather.  You’ll be sweaty enough to want to sit outdoors!  Email Beth at momshellfitness@gmail.com to set up.  This makes a FUN night for teenagers, moms or grandmas – really!

David Kirsch is the fitness guru responsible for getting Heidi Klum's figure back into shape for the cat walk 8 weeks after giving birth.

OK- The Detox.  I know detoxes are controversial, but I’m not doing a 30 day, just a 5 day.  I’ll let you know how it turns out, but I’m in the midst of it right now and I’m very happy. My energy is sky high and I FEEL good. I’ll blog about the Detox later and tell you how it went and how much I was able to keep off after a couple weeks.  If you want to start this amazing Detox with me, I’m doing the 5 day David Kirsch Detox available at Maxwell Aesthetics for $200 (I know that is steep- but sometimes you lay down the gauntlet and say “today is the day”). Maxwell is the only place in TN that sells the David Kirsch line.  And – I have lost 6.5 pounds in the last 3 days on this Detox and I have still have 2 days to go!  I don’t care if you say it’s water weight as I seem to sometimes GAIN 8 pounds in 3 days and it’s still frickin’ hard to get it off!

If you call Momshell Fitness or *Maxwell Aeshetics, tell them you read about it here at StyleBlueprint. And, I’ll write more results later….I’m so excited!

*Maxwell Aesthetics can look intimidating to walk into as it has tinted windows and is on the ground floor of an office bldg near Tayst on 21st Avenue.  Don’t be intimidated just b/c it doesn’t classically look retail.  Go on in and say what you are looking for and look around as they have some great products in their lobby.  You’ll probably see some women getting ready for a facial or some other procedure as the lobby and retail part of MA are one and the same.

We’ll be posting some of our favorite past posts and have a guest blogger (or two) over the next week as we are off for Spring Break!

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The front porch.

One of the many well thought out details: shutters that open the kitchen wall to the stairwell and family room. I love her open shelving in the kitchen.

Floors:

First of all, my friend was the first person I knew who insisted that her subflooring contain no toxins or formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, as they will add toxic gases to the house for years to come. Hmmm, I’m immediately thinking about all the toxins to which I have exposed my three small children through the years.  Crap.  Why didn’t I know about this? An easy way around this problem is to simply have your builder use traditional exterior plywood for the subflooring/underlayment, thus skipping particle board all together.

She used Homasote 440 SoundBarrier fiberboard for the upstairs flooring underlayment. This is yet to be widely used and most conventional homes use OSB (oriented strand board) or particle board which, again, outgases formaldehyde.  You can now purchase formaldehyde-free OSB, but Homasote still has the plus of being a 100% recycled product. www.homasote.com/

A great back entry which doubles as a mudroom with Linoleum being the green choice for flooring.

wood floored hallway from breakfast room to back craft room covered in linoleum flooring.

My friend has a this great mudroom/back hall entry area. The flooring choice her was Good True Linoleum – as in the real deal, not the plastic floor.  Her linoleum was was purchased through Nashville Carpet Center and she chose Forbo brand’s Marmoleum, which they had installed in two ways: 1) large tiles for an offset/diagonal checkerboard effect in the back entry hall and 2) as solid “sheet” linoleum in the lighter of the two checkerboard colors for the adjacent rooms which include a cleverly hidden craft room that logs many hours of use. www.thisoldhouse.com

The floors in this house are breathtaking. This picture is in the well trafficked kitchen.

The wood floors steal the show. They have such warmth and depth that it actually makes the house seem older because you simply don’t find floors like this in newer homes.  Her floors are repurposed pine harvested from old barns and buildings here in TN and then milled into quarter sawn planks 6 inches wide by 6 feet long by Mr. Leo Burg of Fairview 615-533-2793 who is also the installer.

Another picture of the floors In the wide downstairs hallway

Lawrence Verchota owner of Verchota Floors, Inc. finished her floors using a Tung Oil Finish. Because Tung Oil was used, the floors never have to be sanded when they are refinished.  She has found the floors in the past three years to be “super durable, no worries, even in the kitchen with water spills, etc.”  www.verchota.com

Info about the benefits of a “natural” Tung Oil finish www.sutherlandwelles.com/

Natural Fiber rug in the family room that opens onto a screened in porch

Rugs woven from natural fibers are used throughout the house including the wool wall-to-wall carpet in the upstairs bedrooms.  My friend felt strongly about using wool carpet in her children’s rooms, because it is naturally stain resistant and water repellent as well as non-toxic.  Synthetic carpets and the bonded urethane foam pads under them are two of the most toxic components in new homes.  The carpet pads used are Karastep Casual Cushion that is made from recycled rubber.  Remember to consider your choice of carpet padding as what good is the more expensive wool carpet if you’re just putting it over something that is outgasing toxins?

The living/music room has lots of builtin cabnetry that all needed painting.

Paint:

Not only are the colors through the house calming and beautiful, they are also non-toxic.  The chosen paint was Sherwin William’s Harmony (low-odor, NO-VOC).  No-Voc paints are now a common option with Benjamin Moore and Porter Paints also carrying similar lines.  To see why you should consider a no VOC paint on your next painting project, see this link: www.eartheasy.com/

Other things of note:

• outdoor lights are on timers with CFL’s
• whole-house chlorine filter to take the chlorine our of the bath/shower water.
• cedar shake roof, because folks might need to replace the asphalt shingles on their own roofs at some point. Cedar shakes cost more but have a 30 year life, much longer than asphalt shingles, so if it’s your “forever house,” it’s worth the investment. Also it’s a renewable resource, from sustainable forestry practices.

The house is gorgeous. The Shaker roof was the perfect choice.

I love the two roofing choices: notice the metal roof on the garage.

Additional Resources:

• Builder: Ramsey-Daughtery. www.ramseydaugherty.com
• Heather Hilner of Nashville and the office of Ken Tate, Monroe, LA provided architectural design assistance.
• Cabinetry was designed by Robbie Barnhart of Nashville Custom Woodwork, Inc. and bathroom tile layouts were designed by Renaissance Tile & Bath.
• Buildinggreen.com and greenbuildingadvisor.com are good resources.

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Keratin complex before & after

As I handed over my credit card to the cashier at Elan, I thought, “Have I gone completely mad?” I had just spent over $300 to have my eldest daughter’s hair straightened, using the Keratin Complex treatment, after she begged me continually for MONTHS.  She inherited what some call a curse:  the combined Fox/McDonnell gene pool of really really thick hair. Hair so thick your average Target clip doesn’t work.

Occasionally when I would take her to get her hair blown out, after about an hour, the stylist would look at me with sweat on her brow, as if to say, “Why me?” I guess my reluctance to spend the money comes from my conservative fiscal background; we’re do-it-your-selfers. I was raised in no frills household where a splurge was a “Pixie” haircut from Christine at Gould’s in Memphis.  And, believe me, you don’t want one.

Let me declare:  the Keratin Complex treatment is worth every penny. Keratin Complex infuses natural keratin deep into hair’s cuticle at a higher payload – 40% higher (but still, what is a payload?) than ever before.  This revolutionary therapy eliminates up to 95% of frizz and curl and instantly adds amazing shine, silkiness and condition to the hair.  The results are astounding.  Clients rave that “this is a life-changing experience.” But it does indeed save a HUGE amount of time.  Your hair is more manageable, smoother and easier to style than ever before.  It is perfect on all types of hair and can be used on hair that has been previously colored, straightened or chemically processed.  Keratin Complex is considered one of the most innovative products to hit the hair industry in a long time.

A HUGE advantage is that this treatment lasts for 3-5 months and can be boosted in the interim to buy you more time.

Downside: For the first 72 hours you are supposed to let your hair hang straight down and you can’t wash it.  No pulling it back (some stylists say even to wash your face.)  This makes workouts and even answering the door hard.  I’ve heard my friends compare themselves during this initial “setting period” to the Boober the Muppet stage.

If this treatment is for you, be sure to get it done by someone who has been trained in this process as it’s too expensive to experiment with a new stylist (which is why I also don’t recommend the do it yourself kits- they are about $150 and the results, from what I have read, are not as good.  Kinda like DIY color I suppose…)  Also, be sure to buy all the products that extend the life of the Keratin Complex treatment because they continue to infuse Keratin back into your hair.

Here is what real Nashvillians are saying about Keratin Complex treatment….

• “It has changed my life!  Blowout time has been cut in half, no de-frizz product necessary and my hair can endure a humid day without resembling a chia pet!“-Shelia Davis Curtis, makeup artist extraordinaire
• “Blow outs are much easier, your color looks better, faster get ready time and I don’t put product on my hair anymore.” Melissa Lyons,- nurse and wonderful mom.
• “I hate my life, I hate my parents and most of all, I hate my hair and Keratin Complex fixed ALL of it!“-Lucy Fox, typical 14-year-old who has found Keratin-bliss.
• “Absolutely worth the money…With the Keratin treatment my hair felt polished and I felt more put together. My appearance felt neater (even if I was in workout clothes). Wearing a ponytail seemed smoother and not like a rabbit’s bottom. On the other hand, as opposed to curly hair, with straighter hair you have to keep your roots colored more often…”- Mary Wilson, mom, excellent tennis player and pure barre enthusiast.
  

So, it comes down to this: if you have been fighting your hair and this will be what it takes to give you some mental energy back, this may be an excellent use of your money.

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After searching high and low, these were my top three chandeliers I found:

Oly Studio $3000- but my decorator said she could get it for me for quite a bit less bringing it into the realm of possibility

At $4200 and hefty shipping fees added, I loved this one best, but could not afford it.

By Neirmann Weeks, I love this chandelier. Isn't it gorgeous?

My favorite was that second one listed.  I loved it because it is made from old wine barrels and I knew my husband would love it.  We honeymooned in the Wine Country and this one just seemed more us than simply me.  If it were just me, I would have picked that first one listed by Oly Studio.  So, this #2 chandelier had me convinced that it needed to come live in our house.  It was listed for $4200 and that was too high for my budget.  Dang.

Then, Restoration Hardware picked up this same line of lighting and was selling the smaller one-tiered version of this #2 chandelier for $2695.  Part of me was elated that my eye for good taste had just been validated because, hey, Restoration Hardware agreed.  But, I also was saddened that if I could afford my chandelier, these chandeliers might become prolific with their new catalog and mall store presence.  However, it was just available via catalog/online.  How many people are going to order a $2695 (before tax and shipping) item without ever being able to see it up close?  So, I crossed off that hurdle to then decided that I needed to move on as I didn’t have the 5K (after shipping that’s what it would be) to spend on it.

From Restoration Hardware

I love picture #3, by Neirmann Weeks, but it, too, was hovering in that 4-5K price range.  Also, one of my best friends has that chandelier, so I thought it in poor taste to even consider copying her exact chandelier, even though she insisted she would be tickled pink for us to have the same chandelier.  I think she was lying.  So, chandelier #1 it was.

Picture of that Serena Bowl Chandelier by OLY STUDIO found in designer Brooke Giannetti's home in California. Click this picture to see her blog Velvet and Linen.

About to put the quest to rest and order the Oly chandelier, I decided to wait until after I picked up my girls from Camp Greystone.  On the way back, I wanted to make a quick stop in Waynesville, NC and check out this ONE store to see if they had anything.  We love the Pheasant Hill Cafe and Gallery as it is an ice cream/coffee/furniture store all wrapped up into one.

So, with all three children in tow, and a captains chair and dog left behind in Nashville in hopes that just perhaps I would find something, I stumbled upon this:

on close out sale for $1100! NC sales tax is just 4.5% and no shipping!

I furiously texted Rachel Halvorson, my decorator.  Is it too big?  Can it fit in my dining room with 10 foot ceilings?  Should I buy it?  I next called my husband “Can I please buy it?”  He doubted my deal I insisted I was getting – $3100 off!  But he said “Sure” and all that was left was ensuring that the Chandelier, plus two camp trunks, 3 children and myself fit into the Honda Odessey.

It didn’t fit.  It couldn’t fit into the space allowed by the sliding door.  This Chandelier is 58″ tall! But I was determined and the owner was more than happy to assist the crazy lady with the thousand dollar purchase whose three kids were chowing down on ice cream also purchased in his store.

We took EVERYTHING out of the car:  2 camp trunks, all car seats and all the extra luggage were placed on the pavement.  The back seat was lowered and we got the chandelier into the missing Captains chair spot by pushing it forward from the back.  Because my oldest was tall and old enough to sit on the front with me, she was moved to the front, my middle was was now in the third row back with part of the chandelier next to her.  My son had very little room with the bulk of the chandelier wedged next to him.  We reloaded the trunks in the back and closed the doors and drove away.  It took 35 minutes to load it in and we needed to get home!

Here is what my dining room looked like last year when our house was on the market:

Luckily, we decided to stay in Nashville.  We took our house off the market and here it was it looks like today with my new chandelier:

We added host/hostess chairs, recovered the seat cushions and replaced the chandelier. I'd like to cover the walls with a sandy/tan grass cloth as well. But, now, I think the room has the feel that I wanted and I'm thrilled.

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The location of the Ballet Ball on Saturday Mar 6, 2010: the gorgeous Hutton Hotel in Midtown Nashville

During one of our harried planning meetings, we jokingly said, “You know, one could attend the Ballet Ball on Saturday night, then go to the Oscar Night America at the Belcourt Theatre the next night, and wear the same dress.  If you are careful with your hair, you could conquer both events with one blow out and the same false eyelashes. Wouldn’t that be a great post– How to be cheap when you are in the midst of a $1,000+ weekend!”

You’d be amazed what ideas don’t make it on the blog.

We moved our discussion to WHY most women always wear a long dress to Nashville’s black tie events. Overwhelmingly, Nashville grabs for the long gown. But, when it comes to Black Tie, as opposed to White Tie (which requires long), we would like to see more lengths – long AND short.   But not as short as some of the 2010 Spring Styles.  My gosh, some of these dresses could have you flashing some serious parts down under with a simple sneeze.  And, as I ask for some more short dresses, both Liza and I will be in -  eh hem – long gowns.

So, on the lookout for both short and long, here are some of our favorite gowns that WE KNOW will be at the Ballet Ball….

Carol Peretz

Carol Peretz contacted StyleBlueprint to say she would love to have a home for her collection in Nashville.  She used to sell at Grace’s and many of her former Nashville clients are making their way to Memphis (at Kitty Kyle Kollection) and Atlanta to continue to buy her dresses. So, Nashville merchants, she has a built in clientele here!  Since she is a huge supporter of the ballet and even teaches ballet in her spare time, she graciously sent several dresses for me to wear to the Ball.  Fluidity and movement, biased cuts, unusual draping and hand sewn Swarovski crystals are signatures of her designs. For the ballerina that resides in all of us, what’s not to love about tulle and lace?  My only dilemma NOW is deciding which gown to wear to the Ballet Ball.  All of them fit like a glove and all are beautiful.  Let me know your thoughts in the comment section and your vote may be the deciding factor….!

Carol Peretz gown

Carol Peretz gown

Carol Peretz gown

Dez Zamek

Dez is one of Nashville’s  genuine treasures and somewhat undiscovered.  I am even reluctant to write about her, because there is no seamstress in Nashville with her flair, creativity and je ne sais quoi  (OK, I am completely biased).  Laura Cooper (my table host)  found a 1959 sketch of a Valentino dress that she loved, but she wanted a more updated and sleek look.  Together, she and Dez recreated the dress with modern flair for her to wear to the Ballet Ball.  I think you all of you will agree – it is absolutely lovely.  Dez is a master seamstress and can capture the essence of couture gowns by selecting the perfect fabric to enhance the design.  And, for those of you keeping score, this is short dress:-)  So, if you are going and contemplating short, you know this one will be there as well!

Designed by Dez and inspired by Valentino

The reliable black skirt

Liza is wearing one of her favorite black skirts with her newly purchased top – off the sale rack at Haven!  We talked at length about the value of a great black skirt.  Both of us own one which in a pinch we couldn’t live without.  Mine is a Tadashi, ever so fitted, and when paired with a good pair of Spanx, it rocks.

Blouse by J Crew, skirt by Tadashi, obi belt

Liza says: I bought this skirt when my oldest was 3 months old- so 11 years ago.  I weighed about 45 pounds MORE than I do now (I really thought that I would breast feed and every single Krystal double cheeseburger would magically fall off…..I was wrong.)  I bought this skirt by Laundry and it was TIGHT. But, I squeezed in.  Now, it’s my go-to “I need to look good but I really don’t have it in me to look around for anything new” fall back, savior, power horse of a piece.  And, with the help of a safety pin- it always fits.  I think a great black skirt is one of the wisest purchases you can make even if you hit just one Ball a year.  However, I do think this picture makes me look pregnant, so I’m reconsidering and I may wear the 3rd dress down by Carol Perez if it fits…..But I do love the fact that I bought this Alice+Olivia top at 75% off at Haven and I therefore I may wear it to dinner Friday at Cafe Nona and then to the Ballet Ball on Saturday!  Talk about flexibility!  But, honestly, do you think this makes me look B-I-G??? UPDATE: OK- I’M WEARING THE CAROL PERETZ 3rd dress down tomorrow night.  LOVE IT!  And yes, you all are right who have personally emailed. This outfit does not look good on me.  Being fair, it looks better in person, but when you have a Carol Peretz dress given to you to wear for the evening, you wear it!  And I LOVE it!

Liza threw this on for me. She loves having a long black full skirt as it creates the perfect black tie look with a variety of tops.

If you’re attending the Ballet Ball, the Oscar Party at the Belcourt or any of the numerous black tie events Nashville hosts (I believe we have 40% than any other city per capita!), we hope we have inspired you to step somewhat out of the box for this Spring’s black tie season.  Of course, we didn’t feature any prints, the colors are kinda dark, and most of the dresses are long.  Damn.  We tried.

The Nashville Ballet Ball

The Hutton Hotel

Saturday, March 6^th

Oscar Night America at the Belcourt

The Belcourt Theater- $200

Sunday, March 7^th

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Sheila Davis Curtis, owner of Arches

Meet  Sheila Davis Curtis. Eyebrow artist: yes, knowing how to shape and contour eyebrows requires a talented artist. I come by this statement honestly as I have had my brows waxed to the nub, plucked beyond recognition and penciled in to the point that I could have been a stand-in for Bette Davis.

You think I am kidding?  Promise, I am not. I was born with what some may say is a gift, and some may say is a complete curse; I have dark, thick and yes, very wavy eyebrows.  Believe me,  over the years I have taken the brunt of these brows – from being called Eddie Munster’s younger brother (I mean, they could have at least given me SISTER!) to the endearing nickname of “Alibeth” in college.

I have found my way to Sheila Curtis, and I will not turn back. Sheila traveled with country music stars for years calling Amy Grant and the musical group, Little Big Town, her favorites.  Tired of being on the road all the time, she decided to set up a permanent home at Apropos in Green Hills (right next to Bella Linen and Designer Finds).  Arches by SCD is the name of her business, and contouring brows is her game.  And, she is really good at what she does.  She does not believe in waxing brows for couple of reasons: it can irritate and cause allergic reactions in many women, and waxing does not give the brow artist control over the process.  Sheila says waxing brows is like cutting hair and sending you out with a wet head.  Not only do you not know what you get, you don’t know the end result.  She prefers to tweeze the brows for better control and less irritation.

Sheila is currently developing her own product line of pencils and brushes under her own label.

Before:Yikeeeeeeees!

After: Much Better

Sheila likes to  schedule her appointments through email and encourages customers to pre-book since she is so busy.

Also, Sheila is offering StyleBlueprint readers a $10 off introductory discount on your first brow shaping. Brow shaping costs $45.

Sheila Davis Curtis

Brow Artist

sheila@sdcmakeup.com

615.305.5683

www.sdcmakeup.com

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Our first stop was a famous place on the north side of Lake Ponchartrain called Middendorfs. Middendorfs is a quintessential American dive and its specialty is fried thin catfish.  We waited about 20 minutes to get in and were then served HUGE platters of thin catfish and mugs of chilled Dixie beer.   OK, I have never had thin catfish, but as I asked about the process of “thinning it” I found out that long knife toting elves in the kitchen literally cut paper-thin slices from HUGE catfish.  The end result is deeeelicious.  This is worth the 20 miles out of your way drive.

Jacques-Imos Cafe is located in uptown NO and (again) looks like a dump from the outside (notice a theme?).  Once inside, it was a rockin’ find as plates of crayfish etouffee and gumbo raced by accompanied by exotic drinks for all.  We were escorted next door to another dump-like building and feasted on maux choux ( a Cajun version of succotash with zip), and a fried eggplant shell filled with seafood delights in a lemon cream sauce (calories don’t count on vacation).  Yum.  The owner of this popular joint,  Jacques Leonardi, is a character.  If you want your own private dining experience, the car in front of the restaurant is available.  I’m serious – check it out below.  I give Jacques-Imos a sincere thumbs up.

your own private dining car at Jacques-Imos

By Saturday lunch, my jeans were tight and the idea of yet another fried anything made me queasy.  So with complete reluctance,  I headed into another dive called Domilises. This hole in the wall has about 10 tables with an exposed kitchen and the fryers going full-tilt-boogie.  Huge loaves of the famous Leidenheimer French bread were housed in baskets on the floor!  Not sure how that passes health code…   After ordering my morning coffee and a cold Dixie beer – placed together before me-  I sank my teeth into the BEST and most INCREDIBLE shrimp po’ boy I have ever had.  Another crowd favorite of Domilises is their thin roast beef sandwich with gravy.  I think it was inspired by the Rex himself.

Cafe’ Du Monde.  Everybody goes to Cafe’ Du Monde while in New Orleans.   But navigating Cafe Du Monde on a busy weekend morning takes some skills.   So, here’s my skills lesson: what you do is walk around back and wave a $5 bill at the cute man in the white hat.  He will hurry up, take your order and in less than 5 minutes, hand you a bag of piping hot beignets and cup of  ‘jo.  There are any number of places to sit and savor the delicacies of Cafe’ Du Monde.

The best pralines in New Orleans can be found at Southern Candy Makers.  Owned by the Tomkins Family, it was voted the best in the US by Bon Appetit magazine.  You can order online at www. southerncandymakers.com.

Herbsaint. How could I go to New Orleans without the sage advice of foodie, Julia Reed, creative director of Taigan and enthusiastic resident of the city?  Julia immediately emailed me her list of fave restaurants.  Herbsaint topped the list.  If it is good enough for Laura Bush (yes, Julia hosted Laura) then,  it is good enough for me.  We ordered every appetizer imaginable and then our entrees.  Plates of duck confit, dark roux gumbo, and mussels in broth arrived and yes, the food was divine.  Dropping Julia’s name (hey, I wanted  a good table and waiter) gets you primo treatment. You can read more about Julia in the StyleBlueprint interview. My sister Annie rangled the Coconut Cream Pie recipe from Herbsaint.   It’s to die for!   Herbsaint won the 2007 James Beard Award for Best Chef.

Chef Donald Link of Herbsaint

In the next couple of weeks, I will write part II:  Where to shop, where to stay and where to play.

To sister Sarah, Happy 40th!  Bon Appetit and de Reve’ la Vie.

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Also, a real quick thank you. Thank you to all of the merchants we write about and all of the readers who read.  If there weren’t so many great people and places in Nashville, we wouldn’t have a blog.  If no one read, it wouldn’t be fun to write. This post was difficult as it was last minute and I ended up with a child throwing up at home (I’m calling this school year the year of sickness), and my husband traveling.  So, Elizabeth was going to snap some shots and then SHE ended up with a vomiting child as well!  But the shops all came together and sent me the pictures I needed.  As we watch our stats rise (we had almost 10,000 UNIQUE visitors to our blog last month (google stats) and we are edging ever closer to our 1000 subscriber goal.  Please continue to tell your friends what a fun break StyleBlueprint makes each day so we can reach our goal!  Thx- YOU are the best!)  We are looking forward to debuting our new site very soon and we hope you will like as much as we do!  Oh- comments on the blog make us feel loved! Thank you to all of our readers who comment!

Looking over the Spring Centerstone Giving Card merchant list, I gathered some wants to contemplate come Wednesday when I can get them 20% off:

Pottery from Digs:

Sally Legg is the artist behind these amazing bowls available at Digs. Add an orchid and you have perfection.

Lighting from Lumen And if you need advice about a lamp shade, this is the store from which to seek advice:

Tapered Mosaic Lamp $245, take 20% off

Monochrome Textured Lamp, $345, take 20% off

Kelly Joseph leather and pearl jewelry at Caldwell Collection.  For more information on what else you can get at 20% off at this gem of a store, click here:

An impressive collection is available at Caldwell Collection and these pearls are the perfect accent to casual wear yet perfectly graceful with a suit or business attire as well. I think they are ageless in their appeal.

These dishes from Hey Day in Franklin:

Don't these dishes scream Spring? You know pottery is my weakness and these from Good Earth have me drooling while envisioning Summer gatherings and planning menus. Price range: $15- $259

Same company as the previous picture, just a different colorway - both available at Hey Day in Franklin. And no way do these have a sticker that says Made in China. NO! If a sticker is present, it says Made in Mississippi! Does 20% have these calling your name?

Shoes from Stuart Wieztman in the Mall at Green Hills:

$395

$298

Perhaps I need one of these ouch-less, headache free headbands from Posh:

Deepa Gurnani headbands

I love Le Creuset and while I have a bunch of the enamel on cast iron, it may be time to try an enamel on stainless steel stockpot.  Available at the Le Creuset store at The Hill Center, Green Hills

Think ahead about a hat for Steeple Chase from Pastiche.  Not only do they have a store full of hats right now, but Pastiche is also having an Alice in Wonderland party this Saturday from 11-3 featuring well known Louisville hat designer Vicky Hoskinson.  Steeple Chase fun:  Get a sheath dress that is simple.  Then, go all out on a hat. Vicky also does “hat makeovers” so next year you won’t have to show up in the “same” hat!  Have fun with your hat and look to turn heads:

heads will turn; you will stand out; you will smile wide!

I love the Gretta Garbo meets Steeple Chase effect of this hat.

I’ll definitely go to The Beveled Edge to get all of my framing done that has been piling up.

I might even try to make it up to Ibiza Fine Gifts to check out this store.  I’ve heard good things and I know many of you like the Deruta Italian Pottery sold here:

Prices from $31- $112 before discount applied.

Oh, dang, this post was all about ME.  OK, so for the kids, I may pop into Snap as my kids have grown out of EVERYTHING.  Snap is having a BonPoint trunk show on March 8th and 9th and these clothes are ADORABLE.  Really- click on the link.  This is how I wish my kids dressed every day.  While the trunk show is not covered by the Giving Card, you can shop the trunk show and then grab all the other sure-to-be-loved clothes from the current stock of t-bags, ella moss, j brand and LA brand and get a cool 20% off!  Hunter boots for kids anyone?  They have great swimsuits and cover-ups for Spring Break as well.  My two girls go bananas over this store so 20% off is great.

and I’ll run by Popo as I love that store and my my middle daughter loves the headbands and my son can’t get enough of the Uglies (Easter basket Uglies sound good….)  Plus, I always find the coolest things here….

…..there are just so many places to visit.

Carve out some time this week to save 20% on at these stores!  Remember to click here to see a list of all the stores

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Called by the cries from Haiti, the owners of Spruce Living in Brentwood are having an art show, showcasing local artists and benefiting Haiti on March 4th from 5-7. Spruce will donate 15% of the proceeds from the art sold during this two hour show to the Haitian relief effort.  So, if you are in the market for art, this is your destination for Thursday evening – consider it a true happy hour since munchies and drinks will be served!  You might even win a door prize….some of which are art! Spruce is one of our favorite gift shops around (gifts, art, furniture, pj’s, jewelry…).  And, everyone who works here is super sweet and helpful….we love that!

Spruce is located at 7028 Church Street East, Brentwood (near the Church Street/Franklin Rd intersection)

Check out these pictures of the affordable (yes, affordable! $100-$900) art being sold:

I have many friends who have a Streater Odom Spencer piece of art in their home. From her website: She has been the Featured Artist in the Harding Art Show, The Brentwood Fine Arts Show and The Art Event at Lipscomb.  After a trip to Tuscany, she started painting in a more relaxed style which has been received with great enthusiasm. These new works were featured in a one woman show at Cottonlandia Museum in Greenwood, MS which set all time sales records for that show. Streater is currently showing in galleries throughout the Southeast:

Painting by Streater Odom Spencer

Dana Kahan is a Contemporary Artist and Graphic Designer who calls Franklin home. From her website:  Known for her striking technique with gloss black paint, she paints vibrant, abstract backgrounds and literally squirts black gloss acrylic paint (from a mustard bottle) in various interpretations of tangible objects and scenes. The black paint dries raised and cracked on top of the backgrounds adding texture and dimension to her pieces. Whether the subject is a flower, a chandelier or a carousel, Dana’s work is expressive and colorful.  Her work is enjoyed and collected by people from coast to coast. Her paintings also hang in a number of Nashville area galleries and stores.

Painting by Dana Kahan

Emily Martinez grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. She graduated with a Fine Art Degree in 2005 
from Harding University and finished her Masters in Art Education in 2008.  



Emily taught art in Little Rock, AR until she and her husband Alex moved to Franklin, TN where 
she opened her studio in The Factory at Franklin.

  She has participated in several art shows including The Independent International New York 
Art Festival where she was a featured artist.

Paintings by Emily Martinez

Julia Carter Hansen is a self-taught artist who has been painting her whole life. Her art has been seen at various local art shows in the Nashville area. Julia’s use of vibrant colors and palette knife makes her works of art truly original. She resides in Franklin with her family.

painting by Julia Carter Hansen

Elizabeth Castleman has evolved from a nurturing art teacher, to an interior designer, to a sought after artist.  She has been fortunate to have studied under several of the top artists in the country.  Locally, Elizabeth studied under Dawn Whitelaw, Roger Brown and Lori Putnam.  While spending her winters in Naples Florida, she has been privileged to study under New York portrait painter, Angelo Grado, Indiana artist David Slonam and California’s, Camille Prowodek. Her goal in painting is much the same as her designed interiors:  both must have a balance of color and light and both must be inviting.  She wants the viewer to want to walk into the space and become a part of it.

Painting by Elizabeth Castleman

Stephen Graham, a Nashville native, was immersed in the arts at an early age.   Both parents, musicians and educators in the Nashville community, encouraged him to embrace an artistic path.  He spent several years as a musician, but was left searching for his niche.  With the inheritance of art supplies from his beloved and talented grandfather, his painting talents evolved.  Later, he experimented with using wood as a creative medium and ultimately found wood carving to be his true sentiment.  Stephen is now known for his large, impressive carvings….but as you can see below, he still finds time to paint large and impressive works of art!

Painting by Stephen Graham

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Our portrait of our three children. I have this hanging above my family room fireplace

Hands down, our portrait is the best purchase of my life.  Really.  I’m thrilled with it.  I will keep this portrait forever and I love knowing that future generations will continue to enjoy it.  If I could change anything, it might be to have supported a local artist instead of looking out of state.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to Mark Alan Burnett and Ann Cowden, two admired portrait artists who live right here, in Nashville.

Mark Alan Burnett is known for his way of capturing the essence of his subjects.  I asked Mark about why he thought people continue to seek out painted portraits when photography is so available and abundant. He compared the differences to food: you can get a lot of great fast food today, but a slow cooked home meal will leave you more satisfied in the end.  The love, care and time that a portrait takes is amazing.  Most people wait between 6 months to 12 months for their portrait.   During that time you want to 1) like the artist you are working with and 2) know that your money is being spent in a way that will leave you completely satisfied.  One of Mark’s clients grabbed their portrait when their house was on fire.  I concur that as far as possessions go, that is what I, too, would grab.  Mark has painted portraits of several generations within the same family.  They come back because, yes, they love the outcome, but they also like working with Mark, the attention he gives his clients, and the obvious joy he takes in his work.  I also just found out the Mark is about to be published in Volume 1 of the World Wide Best Artist series.  See, I knew I was impressed!

Milt Ellis

Leslin

The length to which Mark goes to assure he understands his subjects shines through in the finished portrait.  Before picking up a paint brush Mark enjoys getting to know the person he will be painting.  For example, Mark sits in on the classes of each Professor he has been commissioned to paint.  He wants to watch them in action.  Their public personae is being honored and needs to be portrayed, but he also is interested in their interests and stories.  It’s not about painting from a single session of photos, although the experience is augmented by photographs.  His approach is about capturing a personality, an essence, a completeness in the moment that is beyond the scope from what I have seen with other artists.  If you are looking for someone who will approach a painting beyond capturing the physical, then I highly suggest calling Mark Allen Burnett.  Mark will only paint a few paintings a year and he has won numerous awards for his portraits, both in oil and pastel.  STYLEBLUEPRINT READERS: Just for you Mark is offering 10% off any portrait commissioned before the end of March.  Since I’ve never known Mark to work through a portrait broker, advertise or offer a discount, this is a rare opportunity.  To read more about Mark, click here.  Also, I love that additional figures are just 50% additional in his pricing.  Many artists do not discount additional figures at all.

Dr. Harry & Jan Jacobson

Hunter

Ann Cowden is an amazing portrait, landscape and pet portraiture artist- she’s also just a nice person with whom you will enjoy your time spent.  Her energy is infectious and she really feels that it is a gift to be able to paint a portrait for a family.  I love this quote from Ann, “I am truly in love with painting, and I get excited about every project I begin.  I strive to grow as an artist and to continue to learn and improve each day, each year, forever more!”

Ann works both through individual contacts as well as through Portrait Artists of America.  Her latest portrait is of the Mary Hartong’s daughter, Mary Liza.  I bring this up as Mary Hartong is the Nashville rep for Portrait Artists of America and thus the fact that she choose Ann to paint her daughter speaks very highly of Ann’s talent.  Ann recognizes that the economy is not good right now and is giving significant discounts on portraits.  Depending on what it is that you want, you might be able to get up to 25% off. Call her and her joy for working with you will be felt.  See her website and her talent will have you hooked.

If you have ever thought about having a portrait commissioned, now is the time! www.markalanburnettportraits.com www.anncowden.com

Mary Hartong's daughter, Mary Liza

Polly Bass

John

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