Stella Spotlight: Nashville Boutique – The Perfect Pair

It’s easy to miss the shops tucked in the quaint little shopping area in Green Hills called the Courtyard at Bandywood.  Trust us when we tell you, the shops here should always be on your radar.  The Perfect Pair is one of the first stores you’ll find and Whitney Dunn and Casy Stribling have created a shoe oasis here.  The door is almost always open, making this shop warm and inviting before you even walk in.  Shoes line the walls and are tucked in nooks while gorgeous handbags and jewelry fill in the rest of the space.  It’s beautifully merchandised making your shopping experience more of an exploration.

We caught up with Whitney and Casey and asked them a few questions about the store and what shoes we all should have in our closets this season.

1. How did you and Casey meet and what inspired you both to open The Perfect Pair?

Casey and I actually met in college through an ex-boyfriend of mine.  They knew one another at Vanderbilt.  Great things come out of some breakups!  Our inspirations for the shop came from our desire to be boutique owners and fill a void in the Nashville market. We’d shop everywhere out of town for shoes.  In traveling, we realized that Nashville really had a spot open in it’s retail market for a fun, laid back accessories store.

2. Describe the vibe of the boutique in five words or less.

Laid back, funky, fun!

3. It’s finally sandal weather!  What styles should we all have in our closets this Spring and Summer?

A practical, yet sexy, cork wedge or heel and something nude.  Whether a flat sandal or sky high heel, a nude shoe can disappear with a jean or peek out to say hello paired with a fun pair of shorts.  Nude shoes elongate the leg and we all love that.

4. You have some gorgeous jewelry in the store.  What are some of your favorite pieces.

Favorite jewels…this is hard.  We pick all of our jewels with such love.  I’m really into these big wood bead necklaces that are blessed by a Tibetan monk.  I also adore my stack of vintage la rose freshwater pearl bracelets with saint charms.  It’s fun to wear one with my over sized man’s watch or wear them all together in a big stack.

5. What jewelry and/or shoe lines that you carry are your favorites and why?

Calleen Cordero - Her handmade shoes are sexy and extremely comfortable.  I never thought I’d be able to say those two words in a sentence.  We have carried her since the day we opened our doors almost seven years ago.  She’s consistent and cool.

Winifred Grace Jewelry – Her pieces can be worn during the day and many of them transition into night time or even pair with evening wear.  Swarovski crystals on oxidized silver.  They’re dressy, yet edgy and a little tarnished.  Her new collection combines African trading beads, gold and waxed linen.  Just plain cool.

6. What’s the best shoe advice you’ve ever given?

It’s more than okay to build an outfit from the bottom up.  Your shoes can be like the exclamation point at the end of your outfit.

7. What type of shoe best describes each of your styles?

Whitney – I’m all across the board style wise.  There isn’t one shoe that describes me.  I’m a cowboy boot and a sky high heel.  I sacrifice comfort for fashion often.

Casey – My black combat is a staple in my closet.  I’m the girl that looks at the shoe and estimates how many hours I can bare it.

8. If The Perfect Pair was a cocktail, what would it be?

A Mexican martini.  It comes in a sleek glass, a loving mix of sweet and salty, topped off with an olive accessory.  It’s a mix of fancy and fun and pairs well with tacos or sushi.

9. What are five of your favorite places in Nashville?

The store, of course, our patios at our homes, Margot Cafe, Las Palmas and Percy Werner Park.

10. What inspires you?

Traveling, music, cooking, funny friends, originality in personal style and fashion blogs.

Thanks ladies! Head over to our Facebook page to view more photos from the store.

As a special discount for our readers, visit the Perfect Pair through May 15, mention you read about them on Stella Shops and take 15% off a pair of shoes!

The Perfect Pair is located at 2209 Bandywood Dr in the Courtyard at Bandywood.

Stella Spotlight: Nashville Boutique – Local Honey

Nestled in an old house next to the local popular coffee shop Bongo Java in Belmont is the brand new location of Local Honey.  If you loved them before you will love them even more now. With more space and a newly decorated shop, inspired by old war bunkers, Local Honey is the place to go for local designers like Jamie & the Jones, Tidwell & Perryman and White  Rabbit all making appearances at Lexus Nashville Fashion Week.   Make sure and check out the shoe wall in the back next to the spacious white dressing rooms.  Last time I was there I saw some stunning Frye boots.  Too bad they were not my size or they would be on my shoe wall at home.  We recently caught up with Owner Shea Steele to ask her the usual questions.

You recently celebrated Local Honey’s fifth anniversary.  What was the original concept for the shop and how has it evolved?

The original concept for the store was simply to provide good, on-trend clothing for good prices. No one in Nashville at the time was catering to a young, fashionable demographic, or to the weak of wallet, so I wanted to step up and do it myself! The best way to keep the price point down was to go used, and my enthusiasm about local design, art, and handmades rounded out the inventory and increased the one-of-a kind appeal. That concept is still 100% intact.

How do you like your new Belmont location?

The Belmont location is a dream come true really. Its spacious and beautiful, and in my favorite neighborhood in Nashville. You can’t get much better than that. I really love the neighbors and all of the students. There’s an increased sense of community even beyond what the store already had and that relationship has always been at the core of Local Honey. I’m still chipping away at the transformation and getting settled in, but so far so good!

Describe the vibe of the store in five words or less.

Bright. Homey. Inspiring.

We love your focus on local designers and you are a designer yourself.  Can you tell us a little about the lines you carry?

I have maintained a LOCAL ONLY rule for the designers I carry because I feel it enhances not only the store’s mantra, but also the sense that you’re getting something truly unique. These designers are your peers and are forging their own creative niche in our community, so supporting them and providing others the opportunity to do the same is increasing Nashville’s presence in the fashion industry. We are all working more diligently each year and honing our skills. The garments we put out on the racks are a varied and rare mix of concepts and tailoring styles, and it’s all fun to wear. The kind of clothes that put you in a good mood!

What is your favorite era of vintage clothing and what can people find at Local Honey?

I’m an appreciator of all eras. I think they all had their own flair and there’s good design to be found in all of them. I’m not a stickler for what is vintage and what is not. I just sell good clothes, regardless of their age. Yes, there is a substantial amount of “vintage” in the mix, but overall you can expect to find a range of affordable, cool, off-beat attire. I’m appealing to the shopper, who wears what she buys until it’s threadbare, not the collector or someone looking for a costume.

What are some of your current inspirations for White Rabbit and your other mixed media?

Honestly, I feel the longer I do this the less I have prominent influences. I’m making a concerted effort to find my own voice as a designer and as an artist. So the things that are inspiring me are predominantly internal. In the design world I think there has really been no stone unturned at this point, in terms of sources of inspiration. I’m really trying to carve out my own path. But I’m a glutton for expanding my mind, wether it be traveling or watching an art documentary in my living room. So inevitably these things influence me on a subconscious level. That said, colors and bold graphics are a staple in my work. That’s a constant.

Can you tell us a little about the sewing school upstairs?

The sewing school upstairs, STITCH, is run by Alexia Abegg. She offers beginning to advanced classes in sewing, pattern drafting, and quilting. There is a nice range of commitment levels as well, in terms of time and money. If you don’t have time for a weekly class over the course of 2 months, you can sign up for a basic instructional afternoon course and, for example, learn how to hem your own jeans or make a purse.

What Spring/Summer trends can we find at Local Honey?

Oh, I’m all over the map. So you can expect all the usual suspects, just in greater quantity. We are doing even more customization these days. Expanding on our meticulous need to make our inventory JUST RIGHT before you buy it. But I think most obviously the oversized widths from Fall are converting into length for the Spring. Everything is LONG.

If Local Honey was a cocktail, what would it be?

Tequila with pineapple juice. You may have never thought to order it, but it’s surprisingly refined and good, and you’ll probably start ordering it all the time.

What are five of your favorite Nashville places?

Belmont Blvd- I remember this being one of my answers the last time you asked me this question! Now, that I’ve made it to the promised land, it’s even truer. I love it.

The Belcourt Theatre
The downtown library
Gojo
Brown’s Diner
I could easily keep going. It’s hard to narrow down.

Hillsboro Village Shopping Trip

The other day I took my family who were visiting from out of town shopping in Hillsboro Village.  It was the perfect day for coffee at Fido followed by visits to all the lovely boutiques in the area.

How cute is this little lady we saw at Fire Finch?

This on trend shoes for spring are living at Posh right now. I might take them home to live with me.  Yes please.

Very cool Diesel jacket at Posh, there are chains under the leather.  Nice.

How sweet is this floral dress from Pangea?

Jonathan Adler is one of my favorite pottery designers and they sell his pieces at Fire Finch.

Stella Spotlight: Nashville Boutique – Ivey

You may remember Ivey when it was Ivey on Main located, as their name suggested,  on Main Street in downtown Franklin.  A few months ago, Ivey made the move to Edgehill Village in Nashville and  dropped the ‘on Main’ from their name.  Mizzie and I have always been fans of this shop and were so excited when they opened the Edgehill store.  As with all the shops there, the friendly vibe makes shopping there something special.  Ivey’s rustic feel makes it comfortable and inviting and their customer service is top notch.  Mother/daughter owners Audrey and Megan Ivey and Store Manager & Stylist Katherine Mez go out of their way to make sure their customers leave looking and feeling their best.  Mizzie and I caught up with them and asked them a few questions about their effortlessly chic shop.

What was your original concept for Ivey and how has it evolved?

Megan- The original concept was an all-inclusive one-stop shop. It was this idea of being able to come in as a client and find an entire wardrobe.  Our evolution has come as we have found our customer, and we really have become more intentional. Focusing in on the client, and the beauty of specialty lines. A good example of that would be that we were carrying a lot of denim at one point, and now we have gone more into exclusive, and unique dresses and specialty pieces.

Audrey- We have taken on the mindset that we want to provide a styling environment. Weather that is mixing new pieces with what the client already owns, or you can come in and get styled from head to toe. The focus really is working with the client and giving them a personal experience, more like a styling session then just shopping.

Katherine- I think a vital and strong beauty of Ivey is the fact that we are team. We all have a deep passion for beautiful fashion, sometimes we get down right giddy when a new piece comes in…. and we gasp and laugh and fawn over it. Everyday is like the best fashion show/sleepover in a way, we just thrive off creativity and the love to see beautiful fashion on people.

Is there a story behind the name Ivey?

Megan- It’s our family name. My heartbeat for the store was to keep my family involved, since they already were …being a family owned business and all, I just wanted to honor the name and my family.

Describe the vibe of the store in five words or less.

Warm, personal, rustic, inspiring, unique

We love the focus and attention you give your customers. You really make sure everyone leaves the store looking and feeling their best. Can you talk about your vision for the customer experience?

Audrey- When a client walks into the store, I instinctually think of what we have to offer them. We may not know the person but we know the clothing. We also offer an environment that is comfortable, for quiet browsing, or personal styling.

Katherine- First and foremost, we are firm believer’s that the clothes don’t make the person look good, the person makes the clothes look good. My focus when I’m styling someone or working with a client is to draw out what they already posses inside of themselves. Sometimes we all need a little polishing with a fresh look, or top, or whatever it is… but it’s what’s inside that truly creates beauty. So our heart for customer service, is to know the customer. Making them feel comfortable and establishing relationship with them; so when they come in they feel like they would in their own closet, just with the assistance of a stylist and someone who’s passion is to draw on what they already have… inner beauty.

What are some favorite items you’re carrying for winter?

Line Cody Leather Jacket with Sweater Collar, Prairie Go Round Glovelettes, Herff Christiansen long sleeve layering shirts.

What items do you carry that everyone should have in their closet?

All: Majestic tanks, long sleeve, short sleeve, v neck, scoop neck. They work with everything and anything. Staple, staple, staple.

What new items do we have to look forward to for Spring?

Audrey- This Spring is soft, feminine, floral, blush pinks, very whimsical. The colors for spring this year are something we are really looking forward to.

Megan- Hazel Brown’s tailored light brown, to the knee dress, beautiful. Hazel Brown for Spring is incredible

Katherine – Biya has this really fantastic polka-dot dress that is just fantastic. The lines, the fabric, the shape…. Just one of those pieces that hits you in all the right places and makes you feel great.

If Ivey were a cocktail, what kind would it be?

Beautiful Boat : Vodka, Champagne, Mint

What are five of your favorite places in Nashville?

Audrey – Union Square Hotel, Edgehill Village, Whole Foods,  (Ivey) The store really is my favorite place to be it’s like a home away from home.

Megan – Edgehill Village, The Ryman, Whole Foods, Flyte, Brown’s Diner.

Katherine – The Pedestrian Bridge, Burger Up, Centennial Park in the Spring, Samurai Sushi, and of course Edgehill Village.

What inspires you?

Audrey – The people you meet in your life. The biggest inspiration comes from music, and the beauty of a well-written song, I can really apply those to everything in life. Precious old trinkets. Inspired by the past.

Megan – When you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s days, a beautiful vintage dress, a sunny day, textures.

Katherine – music, art, books, scripture, old things, trees, birds, fabrics, patterns, photography, faith.

Thanks ladies!  Visit Ivey all this month for sales, special promotions and new Spring merchandise.  If you subscribe to Stella, you’ll have a special subscriber only coupon waiting for you very soon.  Visit our Facebook page to see more photos!

Ivey is located at 1200 Villa Place in Edgehill Village.

Stella Spotlight: Nashville Boutique – Posh

When I moved to Nashville seven years ago, the Hillsboro Village Posh was one of a handful of boutiques that restored my faith in Nashville shopping.  I was in mourning after having to give up two Nordstrom’s in Indianapolis.  Even though the Hillsboro store is still basically in my back yard, it is the Hill Center store that I find myself frequenting more and more…although sometimes it’s pretty hard to beat that huge sale room and the shoe sales at the Hillsboro store.  For this month’s spotlight, we chatted with Neely Butler, manager of the Hill Center Posh, to learn more about the Posh concept, what must-haves should be in your closets this Winter (guys this is for you too!) and what we have to look forward to for Spring.

What was the original concept for Posh and how has it evolved?

Our owner, Kathy Hadley, was tired of having to drive to Atlanta to find the latest fashions/trends.  So, 12 years ago, she decided to open her first store front in Clarksville, TN.  Posh started out selling a very limited selection of women’s apparel – and then kept growing and growing.  We opened a store front in Hillsboro Village in 2000 and one in Green Hills in 2007.  We now carry men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Describe the vibe of Posh in five words or less.

The word “posh” is derived from the initials of “Port Out, Starboard Home,” the cooler & more sophisticated side of ships traveling between England and India in the mid-19th century.  So, I’d like to think that Posh is the cool and edgy, yet classy & sophisticated place to shop.

How does the Hill Center store differ from the Hillsboro Village store?  Does one store focus more on one style than the other store?  Is the Hillsboro Village shopper different from the Hill Center shopper?

For the most part, we carry the same designers at both stores, but carry different pieces from the designers at each store.  The Hill Center location has a slightly higher price point, a little more dressy & sophisticated.  You can find suiting for men and women at this location.  The Hillsboro Village store is more casual with a little more edge.  This store has a huge selection of denim and of course, our infamous sale room! For the most part, our clients shop both locations, but of course, the clients we see weekly usually live close to one or the other store.

We see Posh as a one-stop shop since you carry everything from clothes, to shoes, to accessories.  If a customer comes in with a look in mind, can the staff help them pull that look together head to toe?

Absolutely! We have clients daily who come in and ask us to put together head to toe looks.  We are here to help our clients with whatever their styling needs may be.  Frequently, we have clients who bring in current items from their closet & have no clue what to pair with it.  We help put together a complete look with what they currently have.

What I love about our staff is the diverse sense of style.  You’ll never find the cookie cutter mold at Posh.  Everyone has a different sense of style which allows us to cater to an array of clients.

What five must-haves should everyone have ready to pull out of their closet this Winter?

1.  Platform Heel

2.  Oversized Sweater

3.  Anything striped!

4.  Jeggings

5.  Aviators by Rayban

We don’t talk men’s style too often, but Posh has a full range of men’s apparel, shoes and accessories.  What must-haves for Winter should the guys have in their closets?

1.  A basic suit-Every man needs a great suit! I’d recommend a Hugo Boss suit.  It’s classic, timeless suiting that he’ll have in his closet forever.

2.   Straight leg jeans-Straight leg looks tailored and modern especially in a dark denim.  We carry this style in William Rast, Hudson, Diesel, Nudie and G-Star

3.  Ankle Boot-Very European chic look!  You can wear them with a suit or with jeans.  It’s a very versatile shoe.  I’d recommend our Byron boot by JShoes.

4.  Tom Ford sunglasses-Need I say more?

What apparel, shoe or accessory lines that Posh carries are your favorites and why?

Apparel – Plastic Island, classic pieces with an edge.  You’ll have the pieces for years to come.

Shoes – Dolce Vita-they are my tried and true, “I know i’m going to love most of the collection” line.  Each season they just get it right.  Plus they are affordable.

Accessory – fashionABLE scarves-my current obsession.  I love fashion that gives back.  fashionABLE is a great cause with great fashionable people behind this line.  Super soft scarves in gorgeous colors/designs.

Are there any new lines coming in soon or new items from an existing line coming in that you’re excited about?

We’re so excited about Spring 2011 …. Twenty8Twelve, Stitches, Alex and Chloe, Archive, LAmixx, Vince (for Men) and more! We’re picking up several other lines I can’t talk about just yet, so you’ll have to check back with us! Its going to be a great Spring at Posh!

If Posh were a cocktail, what kind of cocktail would it be?

Martini

What are five of your favorite places in Nashville?

1.  Rose Pepper Cantina

2.  Cha Chah

3.  Percy Warner Dog Park

4.  Rumour’s

5.  3 Crow Bar

What inspires you?

Lately, Project Runway & the Apprentice.  I know this sounds cheesy, but you can learn a lot about business / fashion through these shows.  Donald Trump is clearly a genius and I love hearing the feedback (about the design side of fashion) from Heidi, Michael, and Nina.
Daily, my family, friends and staff.  They are the people you spend the most time with so they are constantly making me think of new ways of doing things / handling situations.  I’m blessed!!

Thanks Neely!  Follow Posh online at poshonline.com and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Visit our Stellashops.com Facebook page for more photos from our Posh shoot.

Stella subscribers, check those emails.  You’ll be receiving your special subscriber coupon valid for Posh in January and we may even have a special give away for you too!  Not a subscriber yet, join at the top of the blog.

Stella Spotlight: Nashville Boutique – MADE