I’m not a gruesome Halloween girl.  All the graveyards and skeletons kind of freak me out…just a bit.  I’m partial to decorating my house for Fall and then throwing in some Halloween touches (like cute cats, black pumpkins and white ghosts) a couple weeks out.  Well, a couple weeks out is this Saturday and I’ve scouted out some fun stuff for your house, all available locally from locally owned stores.  So, stock up on pumpkins and mums, grab some bittersweet vine, orange mums and roses, and perhaps some white cabbages from Import Flowers (see pictures at end) and then add some Halloween Decor.  When Halloween is over,  you can take your ghosts and cats away and still be left with some seasonal decor.  Be sure to see the end of this post for a fun party on Thursday, Oct 15th!

First off, these fun crows and eggs from Fabu. The eggs are $7 each and the crows are $12.  I know the pictures are terrible; they are from my iphone…..but you’ll get a good idea!

Next, check out this cute Halloween Village at The Beveled Edge. That’s my 8 year old daughter staring in amazement.

The Beveled Edge also featured all this skeleton stuff which wasn’t overly creepy to me, just fun!

Caldwell Collection has these magnificent witches, and many more, for sale. There is even a HUGE one (maybe 3 feet big?) that you could buy and just bring out each October for the next few decades!  She is fabulous.  Witches start at $95 and the huge one is just over $300.  Drop by Caldwell Collection, on Bandywood, to see them!

a la maison has lots of Halloween decor as I pointed out last week. My favorite are these pillows, black on one side and white on the other, handmade in Nashville and just $25-$30 each!  These old style jars are filled with fun witches brew ingredients for $17.95.  I hear they have some more in a similar style, made by the same person, for $25 that have candle wax dripping and more fun ingredients!  I love these….

Speaking of a la Maison, Jason Parker Counce’s handmade witches and other creations continue to be available for purchase there as well as at his booth at Gas Lamp Antiques next to the 100 Oaks Staples. His booth is at the far back of the showroom. Check out these pictures from his booth:

Custom Embroidery has some cute Halloween things as well.  They always have fun seasonal items.  They were closed when I went by, so here are some pictures from the outside looking in:

Import Flowers has some beautiful Bittersweet that they just got in on Wednesday (it’s yellow in the picture b/c it takes about 24 hours for the yellow “shell” to fall away after taking it out of the box).  I was there as they opened the box! Check out the box of bittersweet ($18 a HUGE bunch).  I love the cabbages as they last FOREVER (I got them one Thanksgiving and I still had them out at Christmas!  They will start smelling like cabbage after a few weeks though….)

*As a final little decorating touch, Lou Ferrel’s (owner Import Flowers) wife is having a “garage sale” from the trailer behind Import this Saturday.  Worth checking out if you are over there!

AND- Remember that EdgeHill Village is hosting a Halloween Block Party Thursday night, Oct 15th from 5-8!  Nest Interiors, located there, will also be hosting a Ransom+Scout handbag trunk show from 2-8.  20% off all Ransom + Scout purchases!  Feel free to go in costume:-0!  Yes, I know I put the “0″ not the “)” as in “ooohhhh, if you dare!”  Featured Band: The Young Republic.

Mother’s Day is NEXT WEEKEND, May 10th! Have you ordered something for your mom?  How about your MOL? (That’s Mother-In -Law).  Well, if you want to go local, here is my Top Ten List:

1)TONIGHT from 5:30-8:30 or Wednesday, April 29th, from 9-2: head to 99 Westover 37205 for a fabulous trunk show featuring Rowanne McKnight’s jewelry, Hannah Lavey’s by hand by hannah stationary as well as Mary Catherine Healy’s hand-painted stools and Tote bags. We all love something original, unique and local.  You will not be disappointed.  Stop by and you are sure to find that something special!

2) Judith Bright is having a 15% off Mother’s Day sale! Stop by her house on the two Friday’s left before Mother’s Day, during her Salon hours, and pick up a piece from one of Nashville’s biggest jewelry stars.  OR, order online and enter the code:MAMA at checkout.

3)A year membership to Climb Nashville. Go by Saturday May 16th  from 8-12 and buy one for just $400!  This includes all the yoga, climbing, core conditioning and kick-boxing you can take.  Yes, this is AFTER Mother’s Day, but you can bundle the thought up in a card and then go there together on the 16th.  You could even throw in lunch afterward!

4)Caramel Cake from Dessert Designs. Need I explain further?

5)Chocolates from the Cocoa Tree, on 5th Avenue, in Germantown.

6)Fresh Flowers arranged by YOU. You can do this- go pick out some great ones at Import Flowers, place a grid of scotched tape across a clear glass rectangular vase and insert the lovelies.  Who wouldn’t be giddy to receive these? Or, call Ilex (385-2800) to arrange a beautiful arrangement for you.

7) Elizabeth Trabue, owner of Trabeautiful Designs, makes original, custom notepads sure to make any mom sigh with appreciation. Email her at trabeautiful@comcast.net. Order by Tuesday May 5th to ensure your order is ready by Friday May 8th.

8 Claridge and King His is Hers Nightshirt- order online and get the cool Gothic Monogram! We’ve had lots of readers order these and they all rave! Rebekka Vaughn, in Green Hills, also carries this line.

9)Newborn at home?  Ask, beg or demand this: 3 nights of sleep with the help of Mickie Quick.  For $456 for three nights, Mickie will help your little one sleep and give you your much needed sleep! She will have your little one well on his/her way to sleeping through the night. Call #400-3984 for this Nashville Baby whisperer to come to your house!  10 p.m.-6 a.m.

10)The bottom of this list, but the perennial top of all my gift wishes: A night, BY MYSELF, at a hotel… with a spa attached.  I want to stay up late watching sappy girl movies, have room service, sleep late and then get a massage.  Join the family for a late lunch the next day.  Gaylord Opryand has Relache Spa and is local company as well as a fun one night retreat!

I love the beauty of branches in Wintertime. The starkness holds it own special beauty that the leaves of summer hide.  When I pull down my last Christmas decoration, I see my house with the same view as that stark branch…and I love it.   I don’t want clutter now.  I want to see the bones of my house that have been hidden under Christmas decor and garland for 6 weeks.

This is right where I was      3 1/2 weeks ago.  My house was stripped bear, yet I needed some flowers- or something- for my large clear glass vases on my mantel and on a table in my front room.   I went to Import Flowers and looked around.  I saw some Red Twig Dogwood branches.  Perfect.  I filled up the three tall vases for a combined $76.  They are modern, fresh, alive, and yet not fussy.  They are my January mood.

The branches are starting to turn green and bud with leaves and tiny flowers.  My kids love to see the progress of the branches coming to life.  As a preliminary celebration of our impending Spring, these dogwood branches have been perfect on all counts.  I fully expect to have them for another 3 weeks.  $76 and 6 weeks of life in my vases- a good deal.  And, perfect for my mood and the season.

Import Flowers is located on Murphy Road past the Bowling Ave intersection. Owner, Lou Farrell, advises that while the Red Twig Dogwood are near the end of their season, there are many other branches to choose from. I saw some Quince- both white and peach that are coming into season. Pussy Willow-native to TN- was also on display.  And he gave a great tip to share with all our readers: Keep your Pussy Willow (I know- I hate the word, too) for a week in water and then spray them with a matte hairspray.  This will make the Willow (see I eliminated THAT word….) keep for at least 6 months in great shape.  He has some that have lasted three years with this technique!

The website also has a price list and weekly availability as well as great local designers.  Check out these pictures of the Quince as well as Lou holding some great West TN Curly Willow- available in red, green and brown!          Are branches the match for your Winter mood?

-Liza