Art Opening & Holiday Shopping Spree

Join us on Wednesday, November 30th from 4-7 pm to see new works by artist Martha Case Nemer. 100% of the art proceeds go to the Melvin Case Christmas for Kids Foundation; 10% of all other Cotton Mill sales (excluding gift cards) will also go towards the charity.

Last of all, don't forget that Cotton Mill gift certificates will be 25% off, only on Wednesday! Knock out your Christmas gifts early (for less!).

Come by starting at 4 pm. There will be light hors d'oeuvres and the champagne will be flowing! 

Small Business Saturday!

As the holidays approach, so does the question of what to give the people you care about, and where to get it.  The goal is to give them something they will love, but also something you feel good about giving. The answer? Shop in small businesses this holiday season! Support the people who make your community unique and vibrant instead of a large chain.  A diverse and supportive community is a strong one.

Ok, I'll step off my soap box now! Join us November 26th for Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday (of course, we'd love to see you on Black Friday, too!), in solidarity with shopping local, shopping small. See you then!

Brooke Worthington Jewelry at the Cotton Mill

We are always looking for something new, fresh, and fabulous to show our customers. That is why we are delighted to share Brooke Worthington Jewelry! Brooke, a student at Belmont University, makes her beaded bangles from semi-precious stones, recycled glass, wood, and bone beads and embellishes them with sterling silver vintage charms and relics. They look great in a big ol' stack or mixed in with an assortment of metallic bangles. The holidays are creeping up, slowly but surely, and these would make excellent holiday gifts!

Milly Trunk Show!

Come by and grab some amazing fall wardrobe essentials from Milly...before its all gone!

Alice + Olivia Trunk Sale! October 20th-October 22nd!

Get ready for an Alice + Olivia Trunk Show at the Cotton Mill! Running Thursday, October 20th through Saturday, October 22nd, we will have oodles of A+O fall frocks, coats, sweaters, and more! We never know what the lovely ladies in New York will be sending down South, so here is a sampling of their Fall 2011 line...who knows what treasures will be in the Mill?

Also, feel good about your fashion sense and contribute to the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure at the same time! A portion of the proceeds from all A+O trunk show sales will go to fight breast cancer. So, come and get it, ladies, because I have a feeling it will not last through the weekend. 

Happy shopping! xoxo!

The Beautiful People

So,  we all know that The Cotton Mill has been helping the lovely people of Nashville be their best and most beautiful for years...it's what we love to do! But did you know that The Cotton Mill produced a beautiful person from scratch? Our very own Jake Nemer was included in the Nashville Lifestyles Most Beautiful People 2011 list!

image via NLS

Check out the article here. Lots of lovely Nashvillians were recognized, including some of our favorite CM customers. Stay beautiful, Nashville!

Coterie & more

Tibi, lovely lovely Tibi. As usual, they brought the colors and patterns in some fabulous ways.   Even though they showed very spare and sleek designs on the runway, we saw patterns, pleats, and color at market. I took some photos to document what might be coming your way for Spring 2012.

Of course, lets not forget that we have amazing Tibi pieces in-store for fall as I type this blog post! 

Speaking of fall, here in NYC the weather has been amazing this weekend and everyone is desperately getting their last wears out of summer clothes.  Personally, I'm all about the tights, boots, and jackets so I can't wait for more cool weather.  For some fall dressing inspiration, here are some recently documented fall looks on the streets of NYC during Fashion Week.

Amanda Hearst (media empire heiress/NYC socialite) pairs a chambray shirt with a bold pattern and ankle booties. The bright accessory is a great pop of color. Add tights and its perfect for fall!

A chic and streamlined jumpsuit and blazer combo. 

Killing it with autumn neutrals! Love these accessories, too.

Love the mustard yellow paired with sequins. This could be a great day-to-night transition!

street style images via Refinery29

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xoxo

Race for the Cure: TEAM COTTON MILL!

Coterie: Spring 2012

Twice a year, retailers from all over the world gather in the Big Apple with one purpose: fill their boutiques with amazing clothes for the next season! Going to market can be overwhelming and exhausting, but tons of fun all at the same time. Not to mention that it can be hard to look at the next season just as we are getting into the current one. All I want to do is buy boots and sweaters, so looking at tank tops and sandals seems crazy. But, onward and upward to spring 2012!

Taking place in the Javits Center (a convention space that can feel more like an airplane hangar in size), there are literally thousands of vendors there, showing clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, hats and more. Every booth is decorated to the nines and shows the personality of the brand. My favorite, to no ones surprise, is Milly. I want my apartment to look like their temporary showroom! The wallpaper! The chandeliers! The furniture! Oh, and all the clothes would look great in my closet, too...

While we are on the topic of Milly, I might as well show you some of their super cute bags and shoes.  They teamed up with everyone's favorite boat shoe purveyor, Sperry Topsider, for a fresh new look for spring. The floral and bright colored bags are also looking lovely.

 

I always feel a bit like a kid in a candy store--everywhere I looked is something beautiful that I want to take home RIGHT THIS MINUTE! It is definitely an exercise in patience, since we all have to wait months and months until we see these pieces in stores. A practiced eye (like Bob and Martha's) is necessary to wade through the madness and buy for your customers, not just you!

We saw all the Cotton Mill favorites and they are looking AWESOME. Here is quick run-down on who we saw:

• DVF
• Tibi
• By Smith
• Shoshanna
• Vince
• Yoanna Baraschi
• Milly
• Rebecca Taylor
• Badgley Mischka
• Alice + Olivia
• Halston Heritage
• Kirribilla
• Nicole Miller

PLUS, there are some new lines that might be in the mix, but I'm going to wait to let the cat out of the bag on those. Be on the lookout for more Coterie posts this week! 

Meet the New Manager: Erin

The Cotton Mill is proud to introduce our new manager, Erin Foley! Hailing from Hunstville, Alabama,  Nashville newbie Erin moved here in December with her husband. When she is not styling up a storm at the Mill, you might find her jogging the streets of Nashville, enjoying time with friends, or lounging at the beach (a girl after my own heart!). Let's get to know her!

What is your fashion background?
My fashion career started in 1999 at Luna's Boutique in Charlotte, NC. I have continued to manage small boutiques over the years, such as Luna and Intermix. I love working with people and helping them to feel great in their clothes.

How would you describe your person style?
I would say that my style is classic but with an edge.  I love having and effortless and cool feel to my outfits, incorporating some trends.

Who are your favorite designers?
Tom Ford. I love Gucci and Dior, too.  Michael Kors always has the best red carpet dresses.  In the store right now, I would have to say Alice + Olivia. Their comfy sweaters, stripes, and sequined details are amazing.

Who are some of your fashion inspirations?
Halle Berry, Eva Mendes, and Jennifer Aniston. You can always count on them to look classic, sexy, and timeless.


What trends do you love for fall?
Sequins, leather, fur vests, bold bright colors, and open-toe booties!


What is the one essential must-have for fall?
A great leather jacket. Every woman needs one in her closet!

We heart Style Blueprint!

We already knew the lovely ladies at Style Blueprint have great taste, but we were super excited when they included us in their September Finds post! They picked out two of our amazing faux fur pieces, which are perfect for layering in this finicky chilly fall weather. Head over there and check it out!

Neutral Palettes

One of the things I am most excited about this fall are the amazing neutrals popping up everywhere from Tibi to Vince to Alice + Olivia!  Creamy nudes, dove grays,  bright navy, rosy coral...I love it all, mixed together and set off with a pop of bright color in the accessories.

Here are a few from Tibi that I'm OBSESSING over.

A thin belt adds shape to a chunky sweater. Also, I'm crazy about the chunky knit socks with the ankle booties.

Try a more cropped top with a higher waisted pant to lengthen those legs.

 Is it wrong that I love shorts more in the winter than the summer? Because I do.

This pale pink with the off-white pattern is so lovely and lady-like. 

It's A Sale, Y'all!

Fabulous new cashmere, tees, and denim are all 25% off today! Come on in and check it out!

Meet the Stylist: Ali J.

Meet Miss Ali J., student and Cotton Mill stylist extraordinaire. One of our newest faces, she has a passion for fashion that is hard to miss (she always comes to work looking like a million bucks!). 

1. What is your fashion background?

I am a seamstress and will graduate with a degree in Fashion Merchandising from David Lipscomb University in December.  Ever since I learned to sew as a freshman in high school, I have been in love with fashion--choosing fabrics, patterns, figuring out how to put pieces together. I love it all!

2. Who are your style icons?

I love Betsey Johnson! She has such a, over-the-top and quirky style. I also love Jessica Alba and Halle Berry; you can always count on them to look gorgeous on the red carpet.

3. What is a trend you love for Fall 2011?

Fur vests. They are so versatile and great for layering.

4. How do you describe your personal style?

Classic and chic, but with fun and playful pieces thrown in to mix it up.

5. What magazines or blogs do you read for fashion inspiration?

I don't have a lot of time to read blogs and magazines when I'm in school, but I do read Women's Wear Daily, Harpers Bazaar, and sometimes Vogue.

Ali wearing a Milly dress and DVF shoes 

One of our favorites! Ali is wearing a By Smith blouse and skirt, DVF shoes

Alice + Olivia silk top and jersey skirt with side zipper, DVF shoes 

Alice + Olivia detail

Yoanna Baraschi lace overlay dress. Stunning.

A classic must-have for the season! Milly coat and DVF suede peep toes

All the best...

Liking the new blog's look? You will like our new fall looks in the store even more!

Style Spotlight: French Kande

This little gem of a line is new to The Cotton Mill, but is sure to have serious staying power.  Based out of LA, FIDM-grad Kande Hall was inspired by some French medallion charms she picked up on a trip to Paris.  She began mixing them with rough-cut stones and pearls, creating a classic and edgy look that was unique and feminine. The end result is a collection of modern, stylish pieces with a vintage feel (and at an affordable price, no less!).

Fall is already streaming into the Cotton Mill, so keep your eyes peeled for French Kande! Personally, I'm loving the super-long delicate chain necklaces with tassels and charms. Glam it up for evening with a little black dress or wear with an oversized tee and boyfriend jeans for day.  Or, layer it with a few other pieces of varying lengths to change it up a bit. It's only a matter of time before all the It Girls are sporting FK. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the Fall 2011 collection:

Ashlee Simpson sporting a French Kande tassel necklace