*To get a ticket to the “StyleBlueprint Toasts a Year Well Blogged” cocktail party on Feb 4th, benefiting NCA, email liza.graves@styleblueprint.com and I’ll let you know if we have any tickets left.  $60/ ticket  $90/ patron ticket.  Now, on with the post!:

I (Liza) miss my friends Rachel and Amy. When I found out Rachel was helping Amy design a new room, I knew I had to tag along on their trip to Franklin.  Yep, Rachel’s the force behind NestEgg, a blog with which I know many of you are obsessed because you tell me that all the time!  Here’s some things we scouted out in the amazing shops found in Franklin, TN.  There is a reason this town was voted both the #1 small town in TN as well as a TOP 5 place in America to antique shop.  Welcome to Franklin:

Category #1) Like things belong together. They look better together.  Remember that for your bookcases and shelves.  Here’s proof:

Clear glass jars at Scarlett Scales

Birch "books" at Scarlet Scales. She had birch wrapped glass vases as well. See Lonny online magazine p.163 of issue 2 for this look.

www.lonnymag.com

All three of us (that's Rachel in the background) noticed the purple glass and commented, "Hmmm, never seen purple glass..." Then we walked across the street to Arbor Antique Mall and found....

More purple glass! So, be on the lookout.

Concrete balls at PD's. I think they were $3.99 each...maybe $4.99. PD's has them in blue also.

After seeing local Nashville gal Genia Gilchrist's home in Southern Living (the owner of Gilchrist and Gilchrist over in Berry Hill) I have decided I need to collect mercury glass. If I bought ALL of this at Scarlett Scales, it would only set me back $170. Reader question please comment on this: do you think a display of mercury glass is only appropriate during Christmas time? I kinda like it all year but I certainly don't want to display it and have guests wondering if their coffee will also be in Reindeer mugs....

Category #2: Rachel talked Amy and I into a stop by The Franklin Marketplace. I LOVED this store and I found a future blog post: The TN Barn Project.  Check out these tables from the brothers who reclaim the wood from the falling barns.  I love the old wood being made into a modern look.

Category #3: When hitting antique stores, it’s sometimes like hitting your own attic.  What do I do with THIS?  Here are some ideas Rachel and I came up with:

Some of these could be made into stellar lamps. You could also line these up in a cupboard--love that look. See this picture of pottery laden shelves that Rachel took in Atlanta at Market:

love this look

Fill this antique wagon with garland, berries and pine cones and place it next to your front door (if it's a covered area) each December. You better get there quick, because I just may head down to the Arbor Antique Mall for this purchase.

How sweet would these old Watkins spice containers be filled with wild flowers for an outdoor party?

You could use these old drawers as a home for potted herbs or simply place three mason jars inside and separate your silverware to place on your kitchen table, and eliminate the need for that drawer space. Perhaps a good mail catch by the front door.... Fill with apples on a mantel....you get the picture, endless possibilities.

And while we all agreed that SOMEONE needs this antique typewriter for their little girl's room (an American Girl Kit fan?), we also agreed that no one on this earth needs the following:

Is this not the creepiest?

And, some misc pics from the day:

I read on NestEgg that one of Rachel’s clients has a thing for crowns.  Check these out from The Iron Gate:

I, on the other hand, have a thing for coral. (BTW, have you all noticed all the seashell accessories lately? They are EVERYWHERE)  The Iron Gate has the best selection of coral I’ve seen anywhere:

I don’t have a picture of me from this day, but you’ve seen Rachel, and here’s Amy.  She’s too cute and pregnant with #4!

Amy at PD's. She's sitting in this chair that we all had a fit about...it's great.

We all had fun, got to hang out and “work” all at the same time.  As most of these pictures posted today prove, similar things should be placed together to show off their best.  Friends are like that too.  We all shine a little brighter when together. Grab some friends and head to Franklin.

Remember my dilemma and comment if you have thoughts: Is a display of mercury glass only appropriate during Christmas time?

Stores we hit: Scarlet Scales, PD’s, Arbor Antiques, The Iron Gate, and The Franklin Marketplace and remember to check out Rachel’s blog: www.nestegg.typepad.com

When I  opened Nashville Lifestyles magazine this month, I was happy to see an article about Naticakes in Franklin. A month ago, a couple of buddies and I headed to Franklin after a derailed trip to the movies.  For those of you who think Franklin is too far of a drive, think again.   After we realized our 1PM movie, September Issue, was not showing, we jumped in our car and headed South knowing we all had 3:30PM  carpool commitments.

In a scant 2 hours, we hit PD’s, Scarlett Scales antiques, Haven (where I bought an incredible shirt), Rebbecca’s Furniture to pick up a pillow, and finally Naticakes for our sweet reward.  Whew!

As we all peered over the counter trying to come to a consensus about which one to order, it was obvious to me that the woman behind the counter in Naticakes was the owner– so I asked her which cupcake was the best.  Bottom line–ALL OF THEM.  Consider your choices:  S’more, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Salted Caramel, German Chocolate, Key Lime, Almond Amaretto, Italian Creme, Opera Cake and MUCH. MUCH MORE

Inspired, I asked her how she got into the cupcake business and, QUITE surprisingly, even had my camera with me to snap a couple of pictures.

Nicole Sloane, owner of Naticakes

Naticakes is simply a darling shop– I say shop because it feels as if it emerged from another era. It is housed in an historic building on the Franklin Square with bright and happy colors.  The cupcakes are divine– so much so, it’s tough to decide whether you want one or two.

However, the most compelling part of Naticakes is the story of its beginnings. The owner, Nicole Sloane, began the business after moving here from Kentucky.  After the tragic loss of her niece, Nati, at only 23 months old, Naticakes was created to immortalize the memory of her niece in a truly meaningful way.

The inspiration for Naticakes began with a commitment to generate $1M to the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation which honors Nati and improves the lives of children around the world. Naticakes was created to produce a revenue stream for the foundation, and to provide an avenue for “making life a little sweeter”, particularly for hurting children.  Currently, 10% from the sale of cupcakes goes to the foundation.

In addition, for only $20 per month, you can become a member of the Nati Club to help care for children locally, who need encouragement, and globally through a partnership with Viva, a non-profit committed to providing one million meals to starving children throughout the world.

Your $20 sweet contribution provides– every month– a 1/2 dozen cupcakes to local children in childrens’ hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses and Boys & Girls Clubs and, through the partnership with Viva, 2 meals a month to starving children. $20 each month to brighten the lives of 8 children.  You can see the power of numbers here….100 people together can make a HUGE difference.

Nati

Nicole’s  background in campus ministry, coupled with the entrepreneurial skills of her husband Michael, created a vision, then a reality that will improve and build playgrounds for kids, put a smile on a sick kid with a special treat, feed a starving child and change childrens’ lives forever.  When  you think of Naticakes, smile and remember Nati.

Before the complete insanity of the holidays begins:  treat yourself to a beautiful drive down Hillsboro Rd, enjoy some fabulous shopping and indulge in a delicious cupcake from Naticakes

too many choices!

Naticakes

328 Main Street

Franklin, TN  37064

615.807.1133

Tues-Thurs  10-6PM

Fri-Sat  10-8PM

info@naticakes.com

Sunday 1-6PM

Naticakes caters too.

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The StyleBluePrint girls decided to take a RARE road trip to Franklin. It’s not that we don’t love Franklin, because we do, it’s just hard to coordinate our schedules, get the van fired up and head SOUTH.  But after our trip last Wednesday, WE ARE TOTALLY HOOKED ON FRANKLIN (We vow to cover it more!) AND ESPECIALLY ON PD’S.

We took the scenic ROUTE down Hillsboro Rd, across Franklin Rd and then a left on S. Margin.  You’ll quickly see Scarlett Scales to your left, one of the most amazing antique stores around. As we gazed right, there was a curious warehouse with no noticeable sign, BUT a very noticeable TRAIN in the front gravel lot.  We parked and walked up, still wondering, “Is this PD’s?”.  We were confused.  Was there no sign to this place we had heard people just RAVE about?  Where were we?  On the door was taped a small handwritten cardboard sign:  PD’s hours Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM.   Yep, unassuming at it’s best.

We walked in the door STOPPING DEAD IN OUR TRACKS looking at each other we silently mouthed, ”THIS STORE IS INCREDIBLE.” But to really GET the store, you have to meet the owner Sherri.    I think the word spunky was created just for her.  She is a salvage baby at heart as her parents both lived and breathed the business. Her store of 14 years is such an incredible success, with no advertising what so ever, because of HER GOLDEN ROLODEX and her can-do attitude.  If a manufacturer discontinues a line, they call Sherri. If 1000 pillows are on the open market, she’ll buy them.

PD's owners Sherri & Will Porter

Sherri has great taste.  She takes things in if she feels she can sell them.  If you were a fan of Carissa’s Antiques and Armoires, imagine that store, but everything 50-75% off. That’s the style represented here.  I’m just kicking myself over all the money I’ve spent on home decor with PD’s just 25 minutes away.

Her store requires that you walk around it one way, then the other, looking up and down, then down and up.  I promise if a picture is worth a 1000 words, then this post says it all. You be the judge.  And, HAPPY SHOPPING-it’s worth the drive SOUTH.

By the way, PD stands for Premier Discounters… granted it’s not a sexy name, but a name that says exactly what they do.  PD’S SAVES YOU MONEY on premier goods.  But, I’m changing the acronym today to Pretty Darn Smart!

PD’s 119 South Margin St. Franklin, TN 37064

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I love this mossy look

This leather+linen couch, retailing for more than $3000, is about $1000 at PD's!

The rules of the store!

At $149, these chairs are one of the few items that PD's always carries. We saw this same chair in off-white, robin's egg blue and two shades of green. If you don't see the color you like, or the number you need, ASK! I bet they can find more for you!

I have a thing for birds. All these accessories are under $18 each!

We both LOVED this huge dried fruit. At less than $6 each, Elizabeth went home with 7 of these!

This dresser has been marked down to just $399!

At just about $1000, this Hutch makes me want to build a wall just to place it on!

That chair again in Robin's Egg Blue. That lamp is about $80, the pillow is around $20. All the pillow inserts are feather- so you are getting a pillow for the same price as you would buy the insert somewhere else!

More great 18" pillows at less than $20 each!

This price is for sheet SETS...and they are 100% cotton, cotton sateen, 300 thread count!

These candlesticks are substantial. I keep thinking I need to go back and get some. I didn't write down the price, but i know they were less than $50 and I'm thinking they may have been about $24.