Her Q’s: a plan for the tax free weekend.

Dear StyleBlueprint,

I want to take advantage of the August 6th – 8th tax free weekend savings and would love your thoughts on where to go, what to buy, and if it’s really worth it to fight the crowds for a 9.25% discount!  I’m not a mom, so school supplies are not an area of interest to me. Thanks,

- Betsy, Nashville

Betsy,

I love that you asked if this weekend was really worth fighting the crowds.  That is an question only you can answer as it changes for the individual.  Here are my thoughts:

For many retailers, this weekend is a chance to move some serious merchandise.  They also know that customers will be far more interested in clothing marked $99.99 and below.  Because of this, look to capitalize on clothing that has been marked down to be under the umbrella of the tax free clause (under $100).  That being said, you will be able to save far more than 9.25% on many articles of clothing.  While you may see this at some chain stores, my experience in the past has been that the local owners take far more advantage of this ability to discount than do the larger chains.  I suggest going to areas that are walkable with large concentrations of locally owned stores: Park Place Shopping Center on West End, Edgehill Village, Hill Center, the Bandywood stores, Hillsboro Village, and Franklin.  Many places that don’t sell clothes will also be having sales to compete for your dollar.  I saw this sign on Wednesday, outside of Jester’s in Belle Meade, which proves my point:

You will find locally owned stores vying hard for your business this weekend.  Nowhere will you see this more than at the Hill Center in Green Hills.

courtesy of Two Elle

To find out what each store at the Hill Center is up to this weekend, click here.  Out of curiosity, I called a store that I have loved since way before it moved to the Hill Center, Two Elle.  I found out that they have quite a weekend planned:  Two Elle has discounted EVERYTHING in their store to be under $100 so the whole store can be tax free!  WOW.  And, they will have John Martin Keith and Sacred June performing live at 3 PM on Saturday.  So, you get a free concert as well.  Two Elle is known as THE place to buy your converse as well as the Converse by John Varvatos clothing, Steven Alan clothing, Wildfox for women, Cheap Monday for men & women, OrlaKiely handbags and wallets, and Tarina Tarantino jewelry and hair accessories.

Two Elle

Whole Foods will also be celebrating the tax free weekend by hosting a free concert for kids, Friday at 9:30 AM, by the Zinghoppers. Whole Foods will also have special deals including $0.49/lb for fresh GA peaches!  Yes, I did just write $0.49 PER POUND!  The store will feature peach recipe demonstrations throughout the day as well.  And, if you want my own two cents for what to do with those peaches, look at this recipe from Garden and Gun for Southern Peach Sangria. (You should pick up a copy of G&G at Whole Foods when you are there as my decorator Rachel Halvorson is on the cover and Imogene + Willie are featured as well!)  Local skincare provider Holly Beth will be at Whole Body on the 7th and 8th and Sunday will feature a jazz brunch.  For more details, see the link here.

Pick up G&G while at Whole Foods. This month features two Nashville businesses that StyleBlueprint has recognized for great style as well: Rachel Halvorson and Imogene+Willie

Popo, also in the Hill Center, is one of my favorite stores to shop for the kiddos.  Not only does Popo has great clothes, they have the coolest gadgets, gifts and accessories for kids as well.  I know you said you don’t have kids, but lots of our readers do, so I wanted to throw this in!  From Susan Tyler, owner of Popo, “As well as participating in the tax free weekend, we will be hosting a window painting party on Saturday at 11:00AM  were children and grown-ups alike can help to paint the backdrops to be used in the August window display for the store.  Get out your inner Artist!  Appaman clothing for Fall has just arrived and it’s “way cool.”  Also the hottest selection in backpacks and lunch wares….all tax free!”

This post would not be complete without saying….. iPAD!  Yes, if you don’t have an iPAD, but have been toying with the idea of buying one, take this as your opportunity to buy one as they, too, are tax free, and very cool.

Enjoy and have fun!

-Liza

Each Thursday we answer one question from a reader for both StyleBlueprint and the Her Q’s blog found at HerNashville.com. We also answer two questions each Tuesday just on the Her Q’s blog.  Please send us your questions at: [email protected]

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