I don’t even have the words to explain to you how much I adore House of Stella. The gorgeous decor, lovely clothing, my beloved Jeffery Campbells and of course the unbelievable prices. It seems very fitting that the girls of Stella Shops would select House Of Stella for this month’s Shopping Spotlight.

- Article by Stella Shops

What you’ll find at House of Stella, located in Cool Springs in the Target Shopping Center, is a nicely edited selection of apparel, including Blank NYC, Wildfox, Motel Rocks & the Betsey Johnson Fusion line, as well as loads of accessories and gift items.  The best part…they’re all priced under $100.  And what better way to compliment your super affordable and bang on trend ensemble than with a pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes.

House of Stella is a family affair, so on any day expect to find owner, Stacy Pelerossi, her mom Felicia or her sisters.

We stopped by to ask Stacey a few questions about the store and what we can expect to find for the holidays – here’s what she had to tell us.

What inspired you to open House of Stella?  I was inspired to open the store mainly because my mom and I were always helping our friends with sewing and painting projects. We thought by having a store front we could share our talents with more people. Our idea was to try and accommodate anything our customer requested.

Who is the inspiration behind the name?  We named the store House of Stella after our orange tabby cat Stella. She has gotten us through a lot of hard times.

Describe the vibe of House of Stella in five words or less.  Whimsical, Warm, Comfy, Inspiring, Vintage.

What items that you have in the store should be in everyone’s closet this Winter?  High-waisted Corduroys by Blank Jeans, Floral Litas or any Litas by Jeffrey Campbell, Betsey Johnsonprinted Sweaters and tights, tights, tights!!

What are some of your favorite lines that you carry and why?  My favorite brand is obviously Jeffrey Campbell Shoes, because they are literally works of art you can wear on your feet. They give you the height you need without the pain. The shoe boxes come plastered with cats, crossword puzzles, and everything that is weird which we love.

The holidays are around the corner. What are a few of your favorite gift items in the store?  My favorite gifts for the holidays are the Simpatico Reindeer candle, “All My Friends Are Dead” storybook, Pyrite and leather cuff bracelets, and the tyvek Mighty Wallets.

Describe the customer experience at House of Stella. What should a customer expect when they arrive?  Our customers need to know that House of Stella is a family operated business, and not a chain. Expect to be greeted by and cared for by the family. The store is eye candy. You will feel happy and welcomed, but never ever pressured.  We value everyone who comes through our doors, even the ones who only ask to use our bathroom. We just love having people come in to see all the hard work we have put forth to make House of Stella the go-to shopping place.

If House of Stella was a cocktail, what would it be?  A Blue Valium of course. It’s a hidden treasure that not everyone knows about yet.

What are five of your favorite places in Nashville/Franklin?  The Perch, The Five Spot, The Flea Market, Baja Burrito and Gas Lamp Antique Mall

Visit House of Stella in the Target Shopping Center off of Moore’s Lane seven days a week. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter too!

Thanks to Daniel C. White for the photos. We’ll have more pics from the House of Stella shoot on the Stella Shops Facebook page!

House of Stella – 1709 Galleria Blvd., Ste. 1007  Franklin, TN – 615.628.8079 – Monday through Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm

My friends at Stella Shops visited Habit/I See London for the October Shopping Spotlight. See what insider finds these ladies discovered…..

Nestled in the shops at Bandywood Center in Green Hills, next to one of our favorite shoe stores and former Spotlight Store, The Perfect Pair, sits Habit & I See London. This quaint shop has a white-washed, relaxed, shabby-chic feel, and it’s stocked full of the perfect essentials for every season. We had to know more about this nicely edited store and recently caught up with owner, Meg Blackney.

What inspired you to open Habit/I See London?

I saw a need for up and coming, smaller designers in the area.  We like to only bring in one piece per size of a piece of clothing.  That way it is not seen all around town!

How has the store evolved since you first opened?

When we first opened we were trying to do too much – be too many things for everyone.  We have settled into our current role of providing Nashville with different, amazing pieces that are actually wearable in real life.  I have kids, and my customers have kids (not all of them, of course!) and there is a real need to dress in a way that inspires you, but also is not dainty and breakable.

What’s the inspiration behind the name of both stores?

A habit is a nun’s headwear.  We were just looking for terms that address clothing, and we liked the way it sounded.  It can also been seen as a “good” habit or a “bad” habit…..depending on your budget    For I See London, we just loved the cheeky-ness of the old “I See London, I See France….”

Describe the vibe of Habit/I See London in five words or less.

Comfortable. Light. Cozy. Open. Friendly.

What items that you carry should be in everyone’s closet this Fall?

Ponchos, stripes, lace trimmed dresses, wide leg cords.

What are some of your favorite lines you carry?

Rebecca Taylor, Splendid, Ella Moss, Joie, Eberjey

Describe the customer experience at Habit/I See London. What should they expect when they arrive?

We want people to feel comfortable.  Fashion should be fun, and hands on.  We like for people to take a tons of options to the dressing room, as questions, get opinions.  We want people to expect great service and honest answers.

If Habit/I See London was a cocktail, what would it be?

Probably a dirty martini.  We are about the real ingredients….not trends and showboating.  Like a martini, we get straight down to business – the business of getting you looking your best.

For the full article and many more photos visit Stella Shops!

Visit Habit & I See London in the Bandywood Center in Green Hills (2209 Bandywood Drive) and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

All photos courtesy of Daniel C White.

Carla and Mizzie from Stella Shops met up with Holly at H. Audrey to showcase the September Shopping Spotlight…. This store is unbelievable stunning!

H. Audrey is definitely not a boutique flying under the radar.  This stunning Nashville shop has caught the eyes of editors from Elle, Lucky, People, Self, Travel & Leisure and Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle site, Goop. It’s easy to see why. This beautifully merchandised store is filled to the brim with some pretty covetable lines like Rick Owens, Helmut Lang and Rag & Bone. Owner, Holly Williams’ (daughter of Hank Williams Jr.) impeccable taste shows in this store, which is like walking into someone’s very chic loft apartment complete with an art gallery. It’s easy to see why H. Audrey is a celebrity and stylist favorite. The girls at Stella Shops caught up with Holly and asked her a few questions about the boutique.

Describe the vibe of H. Audrey in five words starting with “H.”

This is hard!! Ok….Hip, haute, heavenly, hot, happening

What is one of the best perks of owning a boutique?

Clothes at wholesale!!!! There is nothing more fabulous, and meeting new customers when I’m here is great. If I have nothing to wear for an event, I can run in here after hours and take a necklace and dress off the rack. I also love when all my friends and family are here for an event, drinking Prosecco, shopping and hanging out…that’s a ball!!!

What local lines do you carry?

Amanda Urrego has an amazing jewelry line called “Many Will See.” They are brilliant statement necklaces. Lizzy Couture has stunning cuffs and earrings with a vintage feel. She is out of Franklin. It’s important to always support the locals and be in search of local talent!

Many Will See ($598)

Many Will See ($1198)

What’s the inspiration behind the name of the store?

It’s actually my first initial and middle name. Holly Audrey Williams is my full name. People always think it’s Audrey Hepburn spelled backwards. They are more clever than I am!

We love the photo gallery area of the shop. Why did you decide to include it?

It is called the Morrison Hotel gallery. There is one in NYC and another in LA. Henry Diltz is the photographer who shot the original Morrison Hotel album cover for The Doors. He started putting his work in a gallery along with other renowned music photographers. He shot my very first album cover and I have been a huge fan of his work for years. I love the shot of Dylan with all the children and of Mick & Keith in the studio with the microphones. They’re pricey but worth it since they’re limited edition photographs. I love having them here. Taylor Swift just came in and bought some great ones.

How does it feel as a boutique owner to have so many celebrities and stylists publicly admire your store?

It’s so rewarding! I love to turn on the tv and see who is wearing what to which awards show, or on album covers. It’s kind of like songwriting. When I pick songs to record and then put them on a record to sell, it feels similar to picking out clothes and selling them here. Everyone is an absolute sweetheart and so complimentary. It’s nice to have already known so many people in the industry before the store opened. Easier than paying for marketing ads!!

You carry some amazing lines in the shop which ones are you favorite?

Thank you! I would have to say I could probably live in Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, ALC, J Brand jeans, and Rick Owens jackets for the rest of my life and be happy. Also, Nation makes the most comfy jersey tops for $58 that I wear constantly!!!

For the full article and even more images, visit Stella Shops!

The girls from Stella Shops visited Serendipity in 12th South. Read their article about this month’s Shopping Spotlight!

Serendipity boutique on 12th Ave South in Nashville is appropriately named.  This eclectic boutique has been a staple on 12 South for the past 11 years.  It’s filled to the brim with beautiful jewelry (some of which is local), fantastically affordable dresses and tons of fabulous gift ideas.  When Mizzie and I pulled clothes and accessories for our June Her Nashville shoot, we couldn’t believe the treasures we found in this shop.  We are obsessed with a particular line of re-purposed jewelry called Re-creating Juliette and we’ll have more to share on that line later this month!  Owner, Julie Lutz and her staff are warm, welcoming and at the ready to help you find the absolute perfect items.  Here, Julie tells us about the inspiration behind Serendipity and what we can expect to find for Fall.

What was the inspiration behind Serendipity?  How has your original concept evolved over the years?

The inspiration behind the name is linked to it’s meaning…”making fortunate discoveries by accident.“  Serendipity’s look and feel has continued to evolve throughout the years, along with the ever changing style and needs of Nashville.  The main concept is a place where a mother and daughter can shop and both find something nice.

Describe the vibe of Serendipity in five words or less.

Eclectic and peaceful.

What are some of your favorite lines in the store?

Johnny Was and Weston Wear are probably everyone’s favorite lines that we carry at Serendipity.

We are in love with the jewelry line, Re-creating Juliette.  Can you tell us a little more about it and why it’s so special?

Re-creating Juliette is a line of jewelry started by my sister, Debbie.  It is named for our Grandmother, Juliet.  Debbie takes a lot of interesting old pieces of watches and jewelry and is able to re-create them into something that is truly one-of-a-kind.  Her design sensibility really shows through in her pieces and the line is exclusive to Serendipity.

What are some great pieces that will help us stay cool now, but can also take us into Fall?

We have a great short cargo skirt that can be worn with a tank now, but later with a great sweater and boots..layering is still very popular.  We also have many dresses that will keep you cool, but can go into Fall quite easily.

Speaking of Fall, what apparel and/or accessories can we look forward to finding at Serendipity?

We are all looking forward to our leather boots that are coming in by Bronx.  We always have a great variety of hand-made sweaters that I love getting in too.

What kind of woman are you thinking of when you choose the items you have in the store?

All of us here at Serendipity participate in the buying process and as our individual tastes vary widely, our selections vary as well.  It works.  Anyone can find something in here whether young, old or in between, hipster or hippie….we usually have something for everyone.

To read the full article, visit Stella Shops!

This month’s Spotlight Store takes us to West End where tucked into the shopping center behind Ted’s Montana Grill sits a gem of a boutique.  Boutique Bella is a lovely shop full to the brim with designer denim, accessories and casual wear to cocktail attire.  They’ve been a mainstay in Nashville’s shopping community for the past ten years and it’s easy to see why.  The shop is comfortable and nicely merchandised and the staff is super friendly.  What more could you ask for?  The girls from Stella Shops asked owners, Renae Baird and KC Nickolai a few questions about the boutique, the lines they love and what all of us should be wearing this Summer. To see the full article, please visit Stella Shops!

What inspired you to open Boutique Bella?  How has your original concept evolved over the years?

We were great friends who both shared a dream of opening a store. We were pretty open to what kind of store it would be, but after we found the retail space on West End Avenue, a clothing store seemed like a natural choice.  At the time, Nashville didn’t have many boutiques, so we thought a clothing store that was convenient to Vanderbilt students and other shoppers in the mid-town area was a good idea.

When we opened 10 years ago, designer denim was just starting to become popular, so we kind of fell into the jean market a little by accident.  We still sell a lot of dresses, tops and tee shirts, but I think we are definitely known as a denim shopping destination more than anything else.

The original concept hasn’t changed much over the years, but I think we have evolved into a store that caters to a wider demographic.  When we first opened, the majority of our customers were college students, but now we have a lot of customers in the 25-55 range too.


Describe the vibe of Boutique Bella in five words or less.

Relaxed, comfortable, friendly…and full!

What are some of your favorite lines you carry and why?

Citizens of Humanity jeans look and feel great and they seem to fit just about every body type well.  Trina Turk does a pretty fantastic job of making quality clothing for just about every age that fits well and is timeless without being boring.

Velvet and Michael Stars have elevated the tee shirt (and now a lot of other things too) to another level of sophistication and comfort.

As far as jewelry goes, local designer Robin Haley makes beautiful pieces that are extremely wearable and Chan Luu wrap bracelets are nothing short of an obsession for our entire staff.

What items should all of us have in our closets this Summer?

Summer in Nashville is HOT, so easy day and maxi dresses that you can pair with flip flops or wedges are a must.  Tee shirts and white jeans can get a little tired looking after a season or two, so it’s always good to freshen up your wardrobe with some new additions.  A pair of dark ankle or cropped straight-leg or skinny jeans  is also a great basic that you can wear day or night with so many shoe and top options.

Read more at Stella Shops…

There are some fantastic shopping options in the Hill Center and another one of our favorites is Hemline.  This boutique can literally outfit you from head to toe and for any occasion.  You’ll find maxi dresses for day or night, gorgeous sequin dresses and skirts, breezy blouses, denim in all styles and a perfectly edited selection of shoes, jewelry, hats and other accessories.  The girls at Stella Shops caught up with store owner, Mary Maddox and asked her a few questions about the shop and what all of us should have in our closets to beat the heat this Summer.

What inspired you to open Hemline?  What was your original concept and how has the store evolved?

Hemline is a franchise and I worked in one of the Houston boutiques for a year before we came to Nashville.  I learned the business and became close with the founder, so when we moved here, I thought it would be a great boutique for the Nashville woman.  We have always stayed pretty true to the Hemline vision…..having a little something for everyone.

Describe the vibe of Hemline in five words or less.

Flirty, fun, bohemian chic

What are some of your favorite lines you carry and why?

I love Myne.  It is a newer, fresh, line that we have been carrying for awhile and it just fits really well.  Of course, Loretta Jane, which is a line that Kelli Cooper who used to work here, designs.  It is impeccably made and is feminine without being too girly.  Leona is another dress line that is southern and sophisticated and just beautiful! (Loretta Jane and Leona both showed their collections during Lexus Nashville Fashion Week!)

What essentials should we all have this Summer?

Maxi skirts, white flared jeans, wedges, layered bracelets and necklaces, denim cut-offs, easy flowy tops and light-weight dresses to keep us cool in the heat!

What splurge-worthy items should we have?

We have an amazing irridescent sequin dress that is just gorgeous and a taupe sequin skirt both by Basix that are show-stoppers!

This article by Mizzie and Carla at Stella Shops. To read the full feature visit stellashops.com!

This month’s Shopping Spotlight is an amazing little shoe and accessories store tucked back in the Courtyard at Bandywood, The Perfect Pair.  The Perfect Pair is one of the first stores you’ll find in this shopping area 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.

The girls at Stella Shops 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.

For the full article and many more pictures, please visit Stella Shops!

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.  The girls at Stella Shops 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.

To see more photos and the full interview visit Stella Shops!

Ivey, formerly known as Ivey on Main which depicted their Franklin Main street address, is a welcoming, friendly, chic boutique. Being that I frequent Franklin often, I have shopped this store many times and was so excited to learn that they moved just down the street. Their rustic touches coupled with their unrivaled customer service makes shopping at Ivey an experience that will keep you coming back.

The girls over at Stella Shops were able to sit down with the mom and daughter owners, Audrey and Megan Ivey, and Store Manager & Stylist, Katherine Mez, to ask them some questions about their wonderful store.

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…

To read the full article visit Stella Shops…The girls at Ivey tell their favorite in-store pieces and let you know the secrets for spring!

Ivey is located at 1200 Villa place in Edgehill Village, go check it out and let us know what amazing pieces you find to add to your wardrobe!

This month’s Shopping Spotlight is an amazing boutique with high-end signature pieces coupled with the newest trends and a shoe display that can’t be beat – Posh! Posh has been the go-to local store for unique, fun and truly cool items that you must have to complete your wardrobe. The girls from Stella Shops met with manager Neely Butler to find out what makes Posh such a wonderful Nashville staple and what items we shouldn’t live without!

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

Read the full article on Stella Shops!