*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.

Last Sunday I had one near perfect afternoon. My friend Hunt Slonem (extraordinary New York artist) was in town and we decided to explore the antique stores of Columbia and Franklin.  There is nothing better in this world than antiquing with someone that loves the art of the find. As we wandered the aisles and pondered the china, linens and such, I thought, for me, this is NIRVANA; for others, I am sure antiquing may be CHINESE WATER  TORTURE.

I mentioned to Hunt an incredible store called Scarlett Scales, but how it was never open.  On previous trips, I would peer through the windows of the locked doors and absolutely DROOL. Scarlett Scales Antiques screamed SoHo, the way it USED to be. As we rounded the corner of South Margin St.,  THERE IT WAS …AND IT WAS OPEN!

So fellow Styleblueprint Devotees, here is my ABSOLUTE FIND OF THE WEEK

Scarlett Scales (Yes- this is also the owner’s name.  She was named such by her very literary mother who loved alliteration.) opened the store while a student as O’More College of Design, hence the quirky hours.  She grew up in a family who loved antiquing as a hobby; she knew early on that design and antiques were  in her future.  Many of her items are re-caste from architectural finds with lots of lamps and ceiling tins.

Together, with her ever so talented Dad, she has collaborated to create empire tables that are in covered, quite painstakingly, in galvanized metal.  Her father is the type who will wander through a farm, pick up a gnarled piece of fence and create an object of beauty.

She is proud of her gift items: most  of which are quite affordable.  Everything from jewelry by Lizzy Designs to soaps and tiles. My personal favorite is the concrete crown caste from the tiara of Ms. San Antonio 1973 for $18. 

The entire store feels SO comforting probably because it is eclectic and familiar all in one breath.  It  fits together so nicely; it makes you sigh with happiness.  Scarlett’s magic graces the store from a TOTALLY retro garden made from gears and chains to her funky architectural lamps.  Oh, did I mention she is only 27?

Consider this perfect weekend (not necessarily in this order!):

• Go to the Main Street Festival
• Stop by Scarlett Scales boutique
• Order an incredible (probably the best in a 50 mile radius) margarita and homemade guacamole from SOL on Main Street.
  

It doesn’t get any better!

Scarlett Scales Antiques

212 South Margin Street

Franklin, TN  37064

615.791.4097

Open 7 Days a week!