Liza:

I must admit I ♥ Valentines Day, but it also stresses me out.  I mean you have Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, with Christmas madness coming next.  Throw in remembering my mother-in-law’s Dec 26th b-day, my sister-in-law’s Jan 19th b-day, my oldest daughter’s Jan 30th b-day and then my youngest’s Feb 19th b-day…..oh, and I haven’t even touched the surface of bff’s with Jan and Feb b-days..and my sweet godson.  You see?  It’s hard enough with the b-day’s and then a cute little holiday?  And so it goes – Valentine’s Day is for me the holiday of perpetual good intentions with lousy execution.

The worst thing about Valentine’s Day is the the exposure to so many of those Pajam-o-gram commercials.  They make me wince.  I mean that guy patting the bed wearing the silk red boxers with the do not disturb sign…really? Does the sign come with the o-gram?  Oh- just writing o-gram made me see this commercial differently and now I hate it more.  Ewwwww.

So, let’s play make believe for a moment. Here are some things that I would put on my own list of lusts for this day of love:

These heart accessories for the kitchen, from Nest Interiors, simply make me happy: year round happy (and they are offering free chocolate and champagne Thursday, Friday and Saturday while you shop!)

Heart Measuring Spoons, Heart Tea Strainer, Coffee Spoons and Quotable Measuring Spoons by Beehive (all hand-crafted; lead free pewter and copper) Prices range from $26-67

How about using that tea strainer with some of the loose variety from Partner’s Tea Co. that I wrote about yesterday?

Online, I am DROOLING over these two items from Tory Burch (if you spend $300 or more online through Feb 15th, enter BDAY and get 25% off!:

Pyrite Heart Cuff, $295. I love this as hearts are usually "too sweet" for me. But this one is tough, original, and fun while the heart makes is just a teeny bit sweet.

Wild thing, you make my heart sing. Can we just pretend those are my feet? $325 by Tory Burch.

Judith Bright designs always makes my heart race. Her ENTIRE site is 15% off right now with the code: HEART Since she lives in Nashville, you can tell your guy to order it with the message “Can I pick this up?”  and my bet is that the answer is “of course”!

$113 but just $84.75 with that HEART code!

Lastly, I have had so much fun with my kids making valentines this week:

I’m feeling all craftsy – really – and I think I want to make some grown up Valentines all by myself, with no more glitter being added to my house, as it is now EVERYWHERE.  Realistically, I’m still recovering from the consignment sale.  But, you could go for me, make me one or send me some pictures (hint hint):

Make Your Own Valentines! Join us at Art & Invention Gallery (1106 Woodland Street, Nashville 37206, #226-2070) to create a Valentine’s masterpiece for the one(s) you love. Decorate a card or wooden heart, or invent your own Valentine’s sentiment from our table of goodies:

If you supply the time, we will supply the materials!

Cost: $ 6.00 per card, $7.00 – $10.00 per wooden heart

Walk-ins welcome:

Friday, February 12,  noon – 8pm, Saturday, February 13, noon – 6pm, Sunday, February 14, noon – 5pm Reservations a must for groups of 5 or more!

**There’s lots more I’d like to add, and I’ll gladly take anything from my 2009 list: Click here to see that list.**

For some serious Valentine’s Day sales, see one of our favorite local blog fashion sites Stella Shops.

Elizabeth weighs in:

Whew!  Liza, I’m exhausted after reading your list of “to-do’s” with so many to buy for during the early months of the year.  I have the same challenge, but mine occurs starting in September and ends in late October where EVERY member of my family, except moi, celebrates a birthday.  By the time my husband’s birthday rolls around on the 19th, we all suggest a nice pie– forget the candles.   Throw in an anniversary, some Halloween costumes, class parties and Thanksgiving. By the time Christmas rolls around, I always feel like I am a day late and a dollar short.  And, I am.

But, let’s face it, holidays for Moms are complete hassles, eh, I mean blissful fun. Yesterday, Liza said she was going to fore-go buying her kids’ valentines and let them make some at home (have you gone completely mad, Liza?) and I said, “Why the hurry? Valentine’s Day is on Sunday this year!”  Wrong, all wrong – while that may be true I was suddenly reminded of school parties.  I had forgotten.  Moms are ramping up for Valentines Day right NOW…or yesterday.  I have three kids.  How had I forgotten?

Don’t get me wrong.  I love Valentines gifts – especially when I am the recipient of beautiful things. Hopefully, if you like some of our ideas, they will find their way to your husbands or boyfriend’s email.  Next year, we may just add a Valentine’s gift registry so you are sure to get what you really want.

So, without further ado, here is my list:

StyleBlueprint has not written about Patricia Mathews’ jewelry before, but I am a huge fan of her work. Her line is sophisticated, lovely and reasonably priced.    A couple of years ago, I went to a home show she was having and found a ring which I did not buy.  It still haunts me as it was exquisite.  Here is one of my favorite pieces:

Liza loves those fabulous pink shoes, but I think if I wore them, people would whisper behind my back, “Cute shoes, but they are too young for her.” Here are my favorite shoes for Spring and they are from one of our favorite stores, JCrew:

$235 from J CREW. But, I just got this email and if you order online, and spend over $175, you can get 20% off with the code: SHHH - good through Saturday.

I popped in Fire Finch in Hillsboro Village to pick up a new pair of readers (something I am not too young for!). Their supply of readers was low, but their supply of absolutely darling wallets and clutches was great.  What a great gift for Valentines.  Look at this pretty and pink wallet.   Also, their new shipment of readers is coming in next week.  At $20 a pair, they are the best in town.   By the way, I do NOT want readers for Valentines Day as they fall in the category of unromantic gifts, right up there with small appliances and grocery store roses.

Love this clutch from Fire Finch at about $100

Finally, since everyone is bemoaning the economy and not spending too much cash these days, my last gift is expensive, really expensive.  But, I am absolutely, positively in love with Thomas Darnell’s roses.   The first time I saw his oil paintings at Caldwell Collection, I vowed that somehow, one day, I would own one of his fabulous works of art.

Take your breath away. This is a painting by Thomas Darnell

Darnell at work painting...you see why I want one, don't you? Fabulous.

Liza and I wish all you Valentine warriors and purveyors of Cupid’s dream, a heartfelt and wonderful Valentines Day.  Put your feet up and breathe a sigh of relief, “It’s over.”  Now, let’s get started on St. Patrick’s Day!

I love jewelry. One of the most fun things about writing this blog has been learning more about jewelry design and our local jewelry designers.  As much as I love jewelry, I find that I gravitate to the same few pieces daily–  My go-to’s.  I bet you are the same.  It’s the 80-20 rule: we really only wear 20% of what we have.   I think I’m more 50-50 in jewelry, but none the less, this post is about simplifying your jewelry organization to save time and mind in the a.m. hours.  My one stop for jewelry organization?  Don’t laugh (well, OK, laugh): it’s PBTeen.

It’s the new year and cleaning up your jewelry is kinda like a mini-closet makeover and will leave you feeling like you have accomplished something BIG!

My favorite way to display and organize my jewelry is this Dress Frame Jewelry Organizer, $59, PBTeen:

I like the wrought iron three tiered display shown here as well.  It all depends on the amount of room you have balanced with the amount of jewelry you actually wear.  Even if you have all the room in the world, mentally you still need to pare down your basics and separate them out.  This way, your busy morning routine can be streamlined.

I keep on my dress frame:

Earrings: the dress frame comes with 5 large pins to stick into the bodice, creating an easy catch for earrings. Mingle Sliver Hoops from the Perfect Pair, gold drop earrings from GoodmanSpalding, wired hoop earring with garnets from All Strung Out Designs, Judith Bright Gold and Topaz earrings, Rowanne Designs gold & turquoise earrings and a small pair of silver and gold earrings from Silpada.

Necklaces: Gold chains from GoodmanSpalding and All Strung Out designs; silver chain All Strung Out Designs; small delicate gold necklace from Stella and Dot; platinum chain with diamond encrusted cross; silver cushioned square chain from Tiffanys; fun long necklace from GoodmanSpalding; gunmetal multi-strand necklace from Fabu, and a cloudy-clear chunky necklace from Rowanne Designs.

Bracelets: Silver Cuff from Banana Republic (this link is to a gold bracelet they have right now that I think is fabulous); Gold cuff from What’s N Store (in Franklin, I promise I paid $3.50 for it and I wear it at least once a week); 3 sandalwood bead bracelets from Judith Bright; and one pearl bracelet from All Strung Out Designs. Missing: I will have a cuff (click here) from All Strung Out Designs….I know Carol (owner), I just need to order it…like I’ve been saying I would do for months!!!

As you can see, I gravitate more to metals than stones. The few stones I have are almost always green. That’s just me.  It’s like my boring closet: neutrals and and some greens and a little orange.  But, I know that’s what I’ll wear!

So, the moral of this tale is this: pare down your jewelry to what you honestly wear most days with a little variation for inspiration.  Place these go-to’s somewhere easily accessible that does not require you to open a box.  Then, put the rest in those boxes and jewelry drawers.  This way, you will always have access to your things, not just one earring or a tangled necklace, when flying out the door!

As a last little hint, as I do wear metals so often, I love this little cleaner cloth from The Container Store. A simply way to keep your metals at their best, $5.99

We’ve written about Judith Bright before as she is absolutely one of our FAVORITE jewelers. She represents everything that is great about Nashville– she has a big city view with wonderful small town charm.  Her passion for jewelry began as a small girl playing in her mother’s jewelry box, a journey that took her to Italy and back to her family home in Nashville.  Judith’s creations are worn by women all over the world.  Her jewelry is available online but, she also has several trunk shows at Henri Bendel each year.  Many Judith aficionados will say that while wearing her earrings, necklaces, bracelets or rings, that they’ve never received SO many compliments.  Here are a few examples of her collection.  I just ache because I want it all…..

If you believe birds of a feather flock together (and I certainly do!), then fly over to 607 Cantrell, 37215, to just gander and marvel at this collection of eclectic and inspiring artists as well as the jewelry and, oh yeah, the awesome house (it’s for sale!). I stopped by yesterday to grab a few photos and felt like I was on a movie set in LA.  607 Cantrell was bustling with activity and an energy level that was exhilarating!  This gorgeous spec house was designed by Nashville’s own Stephen Wells, an architect known for his clean lines and contemporary look.  Judith and her husband Will love to transform average abodes into simply spectacular homes.  Believe me, the house has all the bells and whistles: the welcoming open kitchen with spacious counter tops, a gorgeous limestone mantle, wine cellar and a state of the art home theater.  Another one of Nashville’s faves, Tory Fitzgibbon (who can be reached at fitzcentral@comcast.net) is responsible for the interiors.   The house, nestled just south of  Woodlawn Drive and Woodmont, is Architectural Digest worthy… you simply can not miss it.

Back to the sale.  Judith has assembled a cadre of artists from photographer Will Connor to one of my personal favorites Greg Decker. Also included is acrylic artist Mary Cummins (you may have seen some of her fabulous work at MANOR in Berry Hill.) and the queen of bottle caps- Beth Horton.

Here are some examples of their works.

landscapes by Will Connor

Beth Horton's original bottle top art

new works by Mary Cummins

Greg Decker currently resides in Asheville, NC

As I watched all the activity in and secretly thought, “How are they ever going to pull this off by Friday at 10AM?”,  I saw Will place the most beautiful photograph of an expansive tree over the mantle.  It reminded me of the oak trees in Mobile, Alabama, but this one was photographed in North Carolina.  As artists were unloading their work, workman were pounding away,  and florist, Elizabeth Blalock  (now working at the Tulip Tree), was working her magic.  The only word that comes to mind is VIBRANT!

under construction!

don't miss the wine cellar

Hope you enjoy these pictures of some of the works you can expect to find at 607 Cantrell.

Judith Bright.  What more can I say?  She’s lovely.  OK, if you really want MORE, read our interview with her from last Spring, right here.

The Judith Bright Sale

607 Cantrell Avenue

Oct. 9 10AM-9PM

Oct. 10 12PM-7pm