Strolby – The Best Small Shops in the World

Photo and Curation by Ruthie Lindsey

Have you heard of Strolby? If you not, you are in for a treat.

“Strolby is a curated e-commerce site showcasing remarkable products from the best small shops around the country”. What does that mean? It means the small brick-and-mortar scene finally has friends, really cool online friends. These friends are partnering with them, shouting from the mountain tops about their wonderful business and give them a real fighting chance in the retail scene. Strolby is on a mission to help people discover and shop online from the best small shops in the world. And most importantly, to help those shops thrive in an ever growing (tenacious) market place.

And guess what? They just launched a Nashville market!

The Nashville shops include Hey Rooster General Store, Emil Erwin, Cadeau Nashville, Arcade Nashville, Ceri Hoover, Nisolo, H. & Clark, Jamie and the Jones, Wilder, Scout, and Peter Nappi. A lovely mixture of gifts, fashion, home décor, and kid’s apparel. They also have a wonderful Nashville Guide created by the talented travel blogger, Lauren Greenberg with The Weekender .

In case you didn’t notice, small shops form local culture. They also create new trends, provide jobs and give a place for the creatives in the community to show their wares. These shops are important! Without them the city lacks spirit. And yet all too often, they get lost in the shuffle – usually due to a lack of convenience or awareness.

Although Nashville shouts with a mega-phone “Shop Local!” you’d be surprised how few people actually step foot into a small shop and make a purchase. I know this from the personal experience of owning a home décor shop in Nashville. I also consult regularly with local shop owners, and the story is always the same – lots of local love, but few customers and even fewer sales. This is why Strolby is such a great company. Their mission is to bring additional exposure and customers to these local gems, making it easier for both customer and shop owner.

One of my favorite things about this website is the easy navigation and the encouragement to look around and stay awhile. The vivid photography, the excellent selection of high-quality goods and the flow of the site creates a similar experience one would have if physically shopping in these stores. And that is no small feat! Strolby’s unique approach to online shopping is going to change the way retail does business. With this much thought and care, we are likely to see the war between brick-and-mortar and online stores finally end.

So, no more excuses! Put your money where your mouth is, and actually support your local shops. All your favorite Nashville goods are now just a click away.

Aubrey Hyde – Fashion meets Home Decor

If you have ever stepped into the darling 12South boutique Cadeau, you understand that a surprise is always awaiting you on the other side of their entry door. Cadeau, meaning gift in French, is a refreshingly chic gift shop full of local and name brand décor and home furnishings. Whenever I visit, I am delighted by all the handpicked treasures – well curated, a bit cheeky and packed with inspiration.

Recently, I stopped into Cadeau and found myself immediately drawn to the hand-dyed pillows designed by Aubrey Hyde. Gorgeous patterns, in exquisite colors and each uniquely their own. I was completely smitten by the textile designs, which varied from ink-blot, drip, cosmos and blasted colors on linen/cotton. The pillows are surprisingly different, and yet, they have a wonderful classic appeal. Best of all, they are handmade in Nashville. No silk screens or digital printers, but hand-dyed and sewn one pillow at a time.

“Always a creative child, Aubrey began her creative career at Otis College of Art & Design, in her hometown of Los Angeles. Majoring in fashion design, she followed her passion for custom couture clothing and went to work at a fast-paced Hollywood costume shop after graduation. It was here that her passion for hand work, designer details and fine craftsmanship flourished.

After a move to Nashville in 2001, Aubrey soon ran the Nashville Ballet’s costume shop and became their resident designer. It was here that she grew her love for hand dyeing. She also opened up an online shop where she sold hand dyed accessories and fulfilled wholesale orders from retailers such as Free People.”

I find that those that can design for both fashion and home, have a rare aesthetic. Their designs stand in a unique realm of luxury and style. Designing in-between two worlds, allows one to be free in their technique and a bit of a rule breaker. Which makes for a very refreshing concept.

If you are interested in Aubrey Hyde’s pillows, you can purchase them at Cadeau, online at the Aubrey Hyde store or place a custom order here. And for all you fashion lovers, go to Ola Mai and see the stunning Dipped Liberty Top that Hyde and Nashville designer Leslie Stephens created.

Photos courtesy of Aubrey Hyde, Picture Happiness and Flock South