June SB Finds

Blueberries:

One food you can indulge in all day long and feel that much smarter for doing so!

Blueberries are at their peak now through July. This is the perfect time to add one of nature’s healthiest foods to your morning cereal, salads or ice cream. Freeze some for the winter, and even find creative uses for this super food (like adding to BBQ sauce – YUM!). A quick internet search will also reveal places to pick your own for an adventure-filled day.

Book(s):

A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan, is our must-read book for June. Having just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction this past spring, this book has left many buzzing. Jennifer Puryear, known for her ability to pick a good book, says this: “A Visit from the Goon Squad is a shockingly good read. You start with a group of teenagers in a band in L.A. in the 70′s and see how their lives play out as time (the “goon squad”) has its way with all of them. This subject didn’t seem immediately all that interesting to me when I read the dust jacket, but the book hooks you immediately with its cast of characters and their early drama/traumas. It just won the Pulitzer and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and it reads well by the pool. What more could we ask?!”

And, although we’ve mentioned it previously, we are also looking forward to reading Ann Patchett’s new book, which is receiving RAVE reviews and comes out today, State of Wonder:

Summer Clothes for Kids

Children in summer clothes with sun-kissed skin and an ice cream in hand are just about perfect. We were thrilled to see Pomme D’Amour open and carry clothing sized newborn to 6 from some favorite brands like Oilily, Room Seven and Knucklehead — all perfect for these summer memories. With an abundance of heirloom-quality toys that give a nod to European craftsmen, this store is one to seek out. Find it across the street from St. Thomas in the same shopping center as Coco, Ibiza and Custom Embroidery. 4231 Harding Rd, 37205 M-S 10:30AM-5:30PM

Espadrilles:

If you’ve just woken up from a 3-month long nap, we need to point out that espadrilles are a must-have purchase for Summer 2011. We’re fond of this jute pair from Jigsaw.

Available at Jigsaw

Sunday Brunch:

Summers are just a little lazier, which make Sundays especially perfect for a leisurely brunch. If you are tired of waiting in long lines at your usual brunch venue, here’s a secret: try Urban Flats and The Turnip Truck in the Gulch. We’ve had lots of luck with great food, service and seating options on Sundays at both of these spots.

iPhone picture of a great salad with seasonal berries and prosciutto at Urban Flats. The menu here changes seasonally.

SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen:

In the past month, we have walked into no fewer than four spas, and the staff at each have raved about SkinCeuticals newest SPF 50 sunscreen, with just a bit of tint, called Physical Fusion UV Defense. Say goodbye to the chalky mineral face sunscreens of the past. This one actually cools your skin and makes it glow, and we all need that. Available at Woo Skincare + Cosmetics, The Cosmetic Market, as well as local skin care centers.

Goorin Brothers Hats:

The fact that these hats come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes – and at a descent price to boot – has one StyleBlueprint girl, with a rather large head (Liza), fawning over this brand – finally, a hat that fits!  Goorin Brothers has been making hats since 1895 and the attention to detail shows.

Goorin Bothers sun hat. This site has men's and women's hats in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Click picture to find out more.

Garden and Gun:

This magazine just oozes the modern south. Not only does Garden & Gun equally captivate the minds of men and women alike, it provides the most gorgeous photography that truly captures the essence of what makes the south so special. The thicker stock paper actually does increase the enjoyment of reading and makes us think that this is one magazine that can never be replaced with an iPad. If you want to keep in touch with the happenings throughout the region, add Garden & Gun to your subscription collection.

No matter your political persuasion (i.e. even if the word gun bothers you), your gender or your generation, if you live in the south, you will be entertained by Garden & Gun.

A Perfect Father’s Day gift: Bluebird on the Mountain:

Fathers are hard to buy for, we know. How about this? Gather your whole family and celebrate with an evening of great music at Bluebird Cafe’s Bluebird on the Mountain at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory. This night promises fun for all ages. Load up your car and picnic under the stars at Dyer and, afterwards, settle in for an magical evening. While fireflies add their own twinkly applause, listen to Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and Shawn Camp talk about their songwriting while playing guitar, singing and laughing. You never know who might jump up on stage. The very essence of a Nashville summer night. (Note: up to 8 people per car for $95. Adult drinks allowed.) For tickets: click here.

Bluebird on the Mountain at Dyer Observatory

Nest’s Blue Garden Candle:

StyleBlueprint girls are divided on whether or not scented candles are a must-have for your home. But, one thing we are in agreement on is that if you are a scented candle lover, update it seasonally. Light a NEST Blue Garden candle and enjoy the scent of summer with this candle’s blend of blue hydrangea, hyacinth and forget-me-nots. Nest says that this candle, “blended with fresh green notes and a dew drop…creates the aroma of a lush floral garden.” $32. Area stores.

DIY Infused Water:

You may recall last summer that we featured how easy DIY infused water is to make. After that, we discovered this practical pitcher to make even more elaborate concoctions feasible. Last summer’s post is HERE, and any update is possible with this pitcher, available at CB2.

Monogrammed Beverage Cooler:

Local gal Karen Bone can monogram and embroider just about anything. This beverage cooler is perfect to chill the wine you’ll be serving on the patio  -or by the pool- now that the cicada infestation has subsided.

Karen Bone's custom monogrammed beverage cooler. $33

Jean Baptiste 1717:

Elizabeth Fox, StyleBlueprint Nashville, and Heidi Potter, StyleBlueprint Louisville, have several things in common, including an appreciation for many of the same perfumes. Jean Baptiste 1717 ranks high on both of their summer scent lists and is available as a body lotion, soap, candle and bath soak, in addition to the perfume. Sometimes called “that perfume from New Orleans” (because Jean Baptiste founded New Orleans as the French capital of Louisiana in 1717), this scent has acquired quite a following. Find it in Nashville at The Cotton Mill.

Just $42, Jean Baptiste 1717 Parfum

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If shopping at one of our favorite Franklin boutiques, Emmaline, is on your list of things to do this summer, or fall, be sure to check out our StyleBlueprint Deal today: $50 for $100… and you can buy TWO and use them together, or save one for cooler weather.  We adore this cozy and girlie boutique which features DVF, Vince, Nanette Lepore, Velvet, Frye boots and so much more: Click here for details.