Liza and I took an afternoon to scout out three new stores in the area: Table 3, Judith Bright and J. Craighead & Co.  We give each a hearty thumbs up.

Table 3

We all breathed a sigh of relief when we heard the dynamic trio of Wendy Burch, Elise Loehr and Will Ulhorn were opening a classic French Bistro next to the Green Hills movie theater. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why Green Hills doesn’t have more restaurants that offer casual dining with an interesting menu.  While the rest of Nashville continues to wow us – Belmont, Germantown, East Nashville, Franklin – with their recent restaurant openings, Green Hills seems to pale in comparison with more chains than the small, charming, locally-owned restaurants we all adore.

Both Liza and I have tried Table 3 and had delicious meals — we recommend Table 3 to our readers.  I have been once, after seeing Social Network, and had a lovely salad of fricassee with onion soup.

Liza went recently and enjoyed her Nicoise Salad.  The presentation was lovely – as were the pommes frites.  She and her friends ordered the pommes frites without the truffle oil and loved the outcome.  If you love truffle oil, keep it on and indulge – they are great!  They also enjoyed the $6 cocktails.  I have read a number of glowing reviews about Table 3 and want to offer them this advice: do what you do best.  Give us fresh, locally-grown food in true bistro fare: a great steak with crispy pommes frites, a savory roast chicken, and pates and cheeses that will make our eyelashes curl.  Don’t forget, we love chocolate – any way, any time.

When it comes to wine, pour a generous glass and keep your waiters well-versed in the varietals and why we should order them.  If Table 3 continues to keeps its quality up to the standards of its sister restaurant, F. Scott’s, we will come in droves. Why?  Because, Nashville loves to support locally owned and operated establishments.  Local = Loyalty.  www.table3nashville.com

Judith Bright

OK – are you now salivating for Table 3 and wishing you could sample the food?  Well then, we are here to hook you up!  Local jewelry designer Judith Bright is celebrating the grand opening of her new store TONIGHT, Thursday Nov. 11th, at The Mall at Green Hills.  Stop to see her new store, which is fabulous.  Festivities include small bites from Table 3 and F. Scotts, wine (provided by The Wine Chap), Bellinis and door prizes!  From 5-8 PM, come celebrate local Nashville all in one place: Judith Bright!  You are all now officially invited.  Liza will be there, kids in tow, at 5:00.  The store is on the upper level next to Free People.

JB, as we like to call her, was one of our first interviews for StyleBlueprint, or SB as she likes to call us.  We have mentioned her often and we are tickled pink that Nashville will have more access to her designs in her new retail location.  Previous to this, you had to visit her home studio or find her online.  Do stop by and give her a big high five.  Local girl done good!  We anticipate this store being quite successful.  We are HONORED to be a sponsor of her grand opening party tonight:  www.judithbright.com

J. Craighead & Co.

This quaint store is right next to one of our absolute favorite stores, Digs Interiors.  Now there are two reasons to pull into this parking lot on Bandywood.  When you walk into J. Craighead, it feels like you’ve walked into an antique store on Magazine Street in New Orleans, with no feeling of pretense.

J. Craighead & Co. is near Digs and The Crow's Nest

A quick glimpse up and down, and you begin to realize that a whole lot of energy has gone into this store.  The energy you feel is over 40 years of collecting by the owner, John Buntin.  Just ask, and you will get an amazing tour of the store from his view and you’ll love it.

J. Craighead has everything from the most gorgeous vintage alligator purses I've ever laid eyes on (starting at $650), to wonderful porcelain and stemware for wedding gifts.

“In all honesty,” he declared, “I don’t really buy what I think people will like; I buy what I like and hope they will buy it.”

Canes and Walking Sticks at J. Craighead & Co.

Love, love, love this modern chandelier that is $1200

John’s eye for art is found everywhere, from the impressionistic painting by Edie Maney to a wonderful vintage auto part displayed on an exquisite antique sideboard.  J.Craighead is one of Nashville’s most eclectic and interesting shops and it’s right in the heart of Green Hills – on Bandywood next to The Crow’s Nest.

Check out THIS WEEK to see great savings at: Santa’s Trees, Ann Cowden Portraiture, Anatra Jewel and the sister stores of Therapy Systems, Cosmetic Market and Private Edition.  Plus, you’ll need to see our amazing giveaway AND our Do. section, which is getting longer with each passing day!

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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 December 26th b-day, my Sister-in-Law’s January 19th b-day, my oldest daughter’s January 30th b-day and then my youngest’s February 19th b-day…..oh, and I haven’t even touched the surface of bff’s with January and February 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:

Nest Interiors

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

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

Tory Burch

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

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

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.

Judith Bright

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!

Homemade with Love

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

Art & Invention Gallery

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 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:

1106 Woodland Street
Nashville 37206
Phone: 615-226-2070

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:

Patricia Mathews

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:

J.Crew

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.

Fire Finch

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

Thomas Darnell

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.

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

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

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!

© 2010 – 2011, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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 five 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); three 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

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

Trunk Show

Tonight from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. or Wednesday, April 29th, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. head to 99 Westover 37205 for a fabulous trunk show featuring Rowanne McKnight’s jewelry, Hannah Lavey’s by hand by hannah stationery 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!

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.  Judith Bright

Climb Nashville

A year membership. Go by Saturday May 16th  from 8:00 a.m. to 12:-00 p.m. 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!  Climb Nashville

Caramel Cake

Need I explain further? Dessert Designs.

Chocolates

The Cocoa Tree, on 5th Avenue, in Germantown.

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 (615-385-2800) to arrange a beautiful arrangement for you.

Trabeautiful Designs

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. Trabeautiful Designs

His is Hers Nightshirt

Order online from Claridge & King 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.  Claridge and King

Mickie Quick

Newborn at home?  Ask, beg or demand this: three 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 615-400-3984 for this Nashville Baby whisperer to come to your house!  10 p.m.-6 a.m.

Queen for a Day

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!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

Here’s a bit of what I learned a couple weeks ago when we got to sit down, with six kids running around, Judith’s two lovely assistants and me shooting questions her way…..oh, did I mention the tasty freshly baked cookies that were awaiting our arrival?  Remember, we love her.

Here is a condensed version of our conversation:

Background:

I grew up in D.C. and graduated from Vanderbilt in 1987 with a nursing degree. I landed in L.A. working at Cedars Sinai with Aids patients literally holding the hands of dying men whose families had abandoned them.  Fast forward a few years and I was heading up Quincy Jones’ music publishing company.  I worked for him for 12 years.  I gave him a full years notice when I quit.  He’s fabulous.

How did you get into Jewelry design?

During the year when I prepared to leave my music production job, I took some jewelry making classes at Barnsdall Art Center.  My husband and I decided that we were pulling up and moving somewhere away for a year.  We choose Florence, Italy.  While there, I had private instruction at Le Arti Orafe School of Jewelry in both silver smithing and wax carving.  We came back to Nashville, where my husband was raised, and I honed my skill and style.  Three years ago I launched my first collection.

What are you most known for?

My rings

Primarily, how do you sell your line?

A few ways: Henri Bendal Trunk shows, trunk shows at homes throughout the country, my home during Salon hours (Fridays from 10-4), and online at www.judithbright.com.  I’ve also been flattered with Sundance Online Catalog having picked up my collection.

Anything new coming out?

Sandalwood bead bracelets.  You can find knockoff sandalwood beads around.  They loose their scent.  These are pure sandalwood beads that will smell good forever.  They are modeled after Mala beads: traditional Buddhist prayer beads.  I’ve added some of my stones to them.  Most are under $100.  The scent is very comforting.

Biggest kick since starting the line?

Seeing my jewelry on Christina Applegate in “Samantha Who.”  The whole cast seems to have worn something from my line.  Julia Dryfuss has worn some on “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”  Portia De Rossi can also be seen wearing my designs in “Better Off Ted.”  It’s a thrill to see my designs on T.V.

Three things you can’t live without (excluding family and friends):

• Travel
• Red wine
• Belly laughing

You can contact Judith from her website www.judithbright.com and then drop by and see her collection.  She will have a trunk show at her home/studio on June 19th & 20th.  Also to note is that 15% of the proceeds of any Ametrine pieces are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

So, here are Liza’s picks:

“His is Hers” sleep shirt: Available at Rebecca Vaughn, and designed by local resident Liz King.  Really.  I want nothing sexier than this.  If you buy me a Pajam-O-Gram, you can sleep in the guest room.  Claridge & King

KOBO Red Grass Candle.  I love these. $34.50. Fabu

Dorsey McHugh. Local artist known throughout the country, has started a newline of mixed media work.  One gem is this still life that has words written across the top.  It’s hard to read in this picture, but across the top left it says, “Love- liking, affection, kindness, attachment, esteem…”  Dorsey says this medium allows her to “weave words among the images.  A new way to layer meaning and interest.  Poetry and image sing together.”  This would fit anywhere and into any decor.  Buy this for your husband or wife and look at the layers of wonder for years to come.   Dorsey McHugh

Judith Bright. Earrings from local designer. I love these and they are 15% off this week.  What’s not to love?  Love yourself and buy these for you! Reg $108, this week $91.80.  Judith Bright

Happy Valentine’s Day!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.