All the way to Nashville I jammed and bopped to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and a mix made by Margaret (a wild compilation of tunes including GaGa, Metric, and even some Jay-Z… I am not ashamed).
I made the trip to meet my parents and show them some of my favorite Nashville hot spots! It began with lunch at Provence in Hillsboro Village. I got my European fix of mozzarella and tomato salad and orange Pellegrino soda. Afterwards we roamed around the village…stopping to get some flavored coffee (I chose Amaretto Royale this time)…looking at used books, and trying on vintage finds (I found a pretty, Casablanca-worthy caramel trench for $20).
Let me tell you something…my mother and I are totally obsessed with stationery. Fine stationery. We indulge. I didn’t but a thing, but took many photos instead, to share with you! The store, Social Graces, is one of my favorites (not beating some others in NYC or Colorado, but it sure comes close).
After that round of stores, I dragged my parents to Venus and Mars, The Showroom. The house is nestled on Belmont Blvd. next to Chah Chah, one of my other favorite places to dine when I am in Nashville (the Mexican hot chocolate is so to die for… an Aztec king would agree with me). It is owned by Karen Elson (it was featured in VOGUE last Spring), and is amazingly reasonable. This trip they didn’t have anything I particularly lusted over, but that is exactly how vintage shopping goes- sometimes you lose and sometimes you win… but when you win you normally win BIG. Even though no purchases were made, my eyes were very pleased to be able to feast upon all of the gauzy fabrics and sharp men’s wear.
Post Venus and Mars we wandered around West Elm (they have the best photo frames ever), Anthropologie, and Billy Reid (the store itself was incredibly inspiring…an experience). My poor Father had to put up with the shopping desires of Karen and Abby.
Like most outings in my family, the trip ended with coffee after dinner. We discussed things like “How are you doing in French?” (oopsies) and “When will you be home next?”
A lovely day for sure.
For now…. goodbye Nashville!
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Family days are days to be cherished, indeed!
NASHVILLE!
and to think i only know this area because of you! you rock, mr. garcia.
Very nicely curated.