Local Honey Back to School Bash: September 1, 2011

On Thursday, September 1, 2011, jack of all trades retailer, Local Honey, will be hosting the Back To School bash. Customers can get 20% off all men's and women's vintage apparel with their college IDs, munch on some eats from Pizza Buds truck, and lose all inhibitions to DJ Evan P. Donohue. If it's a party by Local Honey, you know you're going to have fun. RSVP to Facebook here.

Apricot Lane Grand Opening - Save 20%: August 6 - 7, 2011

That's right. Apricot Lane is opening in the Gulch and offering customers 20% off on Saturday, August, 6 and Sunday, August 7, 2011. And what better timing than tax-free weekend!? I know they've got some adorable merchandise (I've got the inside scoop! - Some of my students helped merchandise the store.), and friendly employees. Here are the details:

Join us for the GRAND OPENING of Apricot Lane Boutique - The Gulch, in downtown Nashville! We're celebrating with 20% off your entire purchase all weekend, beginning Saturday at 10am thru Sunday at 5pm. We hope to see you at our special Grand Opening extravaganza on Saturday evening from 5-8pm, with food, drinks, raffle drawing, give-a-ways, and a special live performance by Danger Love Saint! Don't miss this opportunity to get a first look at Nashville's most fashionable shopping destination! See you there!!

Event Review and Photos: RAW Presents Illuminaire!

Last Thursday I was asked to attend the RAW presents Illuminaire event, held at the Mercy Lounge. This was the third RAW Nashville event, but other than the original meet and greet, it was my first.

When I arrived at the event, only a half and hour late, I was shocked at the mass number of individuals flocking towards Mercy Lounge. I was flabbergasted at the individuals tail gaiting for the event. I was even more surprised at the non-cocktail attire of the people heading towards the door. It wasn't until I waited in line,  dressed to the nines and surrounded by people in band t-shirts, ill-fitting denim, and kick-your-ass boots, that I realized a Sevendust concert was taking place at the Cannery Ballroom. Needless to say, it was an interesting mix of individuals outside. 

Upon arrival to RAW, I headed up the stairs to the Mercy Lounge, and was pleasantly greeted by RAW event coordinators (all wearing adorable sparkly dresses and mile-high heels). I made my way to the back room where artists and jewelry designers were showcasing their pieces, tacked to walls and merchandised on pool tables, and met up with my friend and RAW talent, Allison McEldoon from Blue Owl Designs. She had recently finished a series of paintings centered around body image and the ideal woman. I love the colors used to express the emotions of these images, and the silhouettes of the women. 

After chatting with Allison for a while, I strolled around the room, snapping a few photos of other artists and attendees.

I loved these huge abstract paintings. How perfect for an office or accent piece in your living room!

As simplistic looking as it may be, I LOVE this orange circle painting. This would be an excellent complement to my electric blue living room walls. 

I started exploring with new settings on my fancy camera that I don't know how to use. I like the artistic look of these crisp black and white photographs. 

Making the sell...

Guests mixing it up..

I LOVED this guests outfit. The low-cut jumpsuit flatters her body and hugs all the right curves. The simplistic gold jewelry punches up the ensemble without being overbearing. How absolutely appropriate and fun!

THIS is what I'm talking about! These ladies were classy, sassy, and super sweet. I can only hope that when I'm their age I'm still attending fashion events and hanging with the best of them!

Spoken word artist/musician.

I had some clearer photos of this live art demonstration, but the dark shadows creates an eerie mood I couldn't resist. 

Crowded around the designs of Blue Owl. The creator is on the left.

I had to snap a photo of these dancers warming up!

It's a little hard to tell with the dark lighting, but this is my see-through lace American Apparel dress I love. Paired with a black bandeau bra, simple gold jewelry, and black wedges, this ensemble was especially cool for a hot Nashville night. Additionally, some girl came up to me and said, "Oh my god! I love your dress! Man, you're ballsy." I responded, "Um... thanks?"

And the fashion show starts!

 Loved these thick black heels.

I loved the dark and surprising collection of Madness Is. The fashion forward womenswear and menswear featured a color pallet of neutral blacks and whites with a few pops of grey and beige. The collection was “inspired by a mix of the Romanticism era and the 1970’s British punk movement” and in essence, “embodies a hard edge style trimmed with lace.” The designer wanted to feature clothing spotlighting chaos, destruction, and madness. Love it!

Summer Lovin' @ Local Honey: July 30, 2011

This Saturday, July 30, 2011, Local Honey will be hosting the Summer Lovin' event from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at their Belmont Blvd. location. Celebrating the season, Local Honey will "be decking the racks with fresh summer creations from all of our local designers that will help you beat the heat in style! Nearly a dozen original pieces each from 9 local designers!" Local designers include:

T&P
People Like Art
Jamie and the Jones
Amy B
WHITE RABBIT
Love, Simone
Alter Ego
Chaseash
Lladybird

Sip on spiked lemonade and dance to tunes from DJ Potamus. Check out more of the event on Yelp.com.

Design by amy b clothing.

Imogene + Willie to Host Supper + Song: July 21, 2011

Tonight, tonight, tonight! (Anyone catch that Smashing Pumpkins reference??) Denim geniuses imogene + willie are hosting another supper + song tonight, Thursday, July 21, 2011 at their retail location. Supper starts at 5:00 pm, and guests include Viva Mexico, and James Wallace and the Naked Light. Additionally, Nashville-bread / Mexico-City based art curator, Ann Kaplan, will be presenting her first Nashville show: Muñeca MEXICANA, a one-day exhibition of the work of Judith Roberts. RSVP to Facebook here.

photo credit: http://www.sacksco.com/photo/hi/imogene+willie.jpg

Nashville Listed as 39th Worst Dressed in America

I'm sorry, what? Seriously? Apparently GQ Magazine has listed our dear city as one of the nation's worst dressed. Here's what the mag had to say:

"Even in 2011, Nashville makes it clear who won the battle between the cowboys and the Indians. Here, boots replace dress shoes—and, in some extreme cases, sneakers. Dress shirts aren't monogrammed, but embroidered with a design that usually begins with a stitch and ends in flames, and by "tie" they mean the leather shoestring thing your nephew wears in Boy Scouts. Hank Williams will never die because of Nashville. Never.—Mark Anthony Green"

And the picture associated with said article? This:

I mean, seriously. Was this BRC circa Achy Breaky Heart? How old is this photo?!

Yeah, I get that Nashville is associated with country music, but as we all know, country music and country dress are not the only things that define us as a city. And as far as boots and flame t-shirts- the only people I ever see wearing these items are downtown tourists. GQ, before you stereotype cities, do the research, and get your facts straight. 

Opry Mills to Re-Open March 29, 2012

Finally- we have a date! For a few months, we've known that the Simon Mills Property staple was to re-open in Spring 2012, but now, the date has been set: March 29, 2012. And you better believe that Mills employees are working hard to complete the restoration necessary after the flood. I've previously posted about some Opry Mills Mall updates (see blog post here), but there have been some renderings released of the projected new space. Here's what we may see from the mall when it re-opens its doors next Spring: 

Casual Shopping.

Fashion shopping.

Food court.

photo credit: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2011/06/21/opry-mills-reopening-gets-a-date.html

Want to know more?! Here is a press release I received regarding the renovated Nashville shopping destination:

OPRY MILLS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR MARCH 2012 REOPENING

New stores, children’s play area and the return of the Entertainment Stage to be a part of grand reopening plans

NASHVILLE, TN (June 21, 2011) – Opry Mills will officially reopen on March 29, 2012, with a grand reopening celebration planned during early May. Four major anchors, Regal Cinemas Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX, Dave & Buster’s, VF Outlet and Sun & Ski Sport, will soon join Bass Pro Shops and open for business before the 2011 holiday season.

“Opry Mills is primed for success with redevelopment progress well underway and the announcement of a great roster of fashion brands,” said Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills, a Simon company. “We are looking forward to the next several months as we prepare for the grand reopening and once again fuel the local economy with new jobs and increased sales tax revenue.”

Momentum is building for the reopening of Opry Mills with the announcement of several fashion forward retail additions, which will appeal to style conscious shoppers. Popular names, which will be new to Opry Mills, include Coach Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Talbots, Chico’s, White House Black Market, Under Armour Factory House, and The LEGO Store.

More familiar names have already committed to being a part of the reopening during spring 2012 such as Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Banana Republic Factory Store, J.Crew Factory, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Off Broadway Shoes, and a greatly expanded Forever 21. In addition, Rainforest Café, Aquarium Restaurant and Opry Mills’ Food Court will provide family dining options.

Opry Mills’ visitors will delight in its timeless design, which will only enhance the shopping experience.  In true Nashville fashion, Opry Mills’ popular Entertainment Stage will return as a unique feature of the center, showcasing live entertainment and other exciting activities.  Plus, additional family entertainment options will be unveiled, including a new kids soft play area.

Construction on the landmark property began nearly two months ago after the announcement of Opry Mills’ agreement with its lenders, Helaba Bank and Nord/LB, to finance the rebuilding of the mall during continued litigation to have its insurers comply with their obligation to pay the amounts they agreed to in the event of a flood loss.

About Opry Mills

Opry Mills is located seven miles from downtown Nashville, between Interstates 40 and 65, and is within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and the 2,800-room Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.  For the latest information about the ongoing restoration process at Opry Mills, please call (615) 514-1000 or visit www.oprymills.com.  Opry Mills also may be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OpryMills) and on Twitter @shoprymills.

About The Mills, A Simon Company

The Mills®, one of Simon Property Group's five real estate platforms, is comprised of 16 value-oriented retail destinations totaling over 24 million square feet. The Mills offers a unique brand of shopping with a mix of popular name brand outlets, value retailers and full-price stores, plus family-oriented dining and entertainment concepts. The Mills are well-located in major metropolitan markets and many are recognized as leading tourism destinations. Notable properties include Arundel Mills (Baltimore), Gurnee Mills (Chicago), Grapevine Mills (Dallas), Ontario Mills (Los Angeles), Opry Mills (Nashville), Potomac Mills (Washington, DC) and Sawgrass Mills (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami).

Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 392 retail real estate properties comprising 263 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company's common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.