The best way to jazz up your wardrobe (without breaking your budget) is with the season's best accessories. Add a belt, a scarf or a great necklace to last year's favorites and you can give the whole look a new feel. This year is all about mixed metals and feminine colors. I love a menswear ensemble with girly touches.

I found these earrings at my favorite store in the Boro, yes, Ann Taylor Loft. I love the mix of raw metal with the dainty gem, and the purple hue of the pearls adds just the right amount of color to an otherwise plain outfit. At only $29.50, you can't go wrong with this lovely pair of drop earrings. I already wore them with a black top and jeans, and they added the perfect amount of elegance.

Next on my fall wardrobe update is the perfect handbag. I hate cheap looking bags, but I also hate paying an arm and a leg for something. I like roomy bags that pair with a variety of casual looks. If you have any suggestions, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The weather is finally cooling down, and it might be time to spruce up the look of your home with fun accessories. Try finding new uses for items around the house. Candles and flowers can spruce up almost anything.

I found this water pitcher at Wal-Mart for $9.98. By just adding some fresh cut carnations, the pitcher turns into a modern style vase. It is made of heavy glass, and an innovative use gives its classic shape new life.

Check out wholesale, antique and thrift store for great ideas. Use a cute teapot as a flower planter, a mason jar as a candle holder or spray paint a dated picture frame a bright new color. The possibilities are endless when you get creative.

Want us to check out your store or have an idea of where we could find our next piece of the week? Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I love getting recommendations for the piece of the week. Anytime a friend is excited about something, it’s always a great idea to share. This week, my friend had a great suggestion (one that we see all the time, but I’d never think to feature.) This week’s piece is your community Smart Card.

Chances are if you know any kids, you know someone selling Smart Cards. Especially around this time of year, when school has just started back, kids are always selling something… candy bars, candles, cookies and Tupperware. Unlike household clutter and junk food that sits on your hips, The Smart Card is a useful little card that saves you money.

Here’s how it works: You purchase a card from a child at a participating school for only $12. They give you a card that provides savings from over 100 restaurants and retailers.  A few examples include Old Chicago, Shoe Carnival, Samurais and a free oil change at Firestone. Most of the offers on the card are good for a whole year, and the money you spend on the card goes towards helping local schools and the community.

Ask any parent with school aged children if they are selling cards. If you don’t know any, feel free to email me and I’ll contact someone who can sell you one. You can also order them online, but then money doesn’t benefit you community.

Want us to check out your store or have an idea of where we could find our next piece of the week? Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I've used many Aveda products and have always found them to be of high quality. This shampoo is no exception. The minty smell energizes and wakes me up during my morning shower. The shampoo also makes my scalp tingle (in a good way). It lathers up nicely and is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. 

This shampoo provides a balanced wash that leaves my hair looking and feeling clean, but not dried out. When I use this shampoo, my hair is full of body and shine and smells wonderful! 

It's easy to get hooked on Aveda products due to their high quality, emphasis on natural ingredients, and pleasing aromas. I have very thick hair and always use conditioner. If your hair is dry or damaged, you will probably need to use a conditioner as well. The Rosemary Mint conditioner is the perfect companion to the shampoo. It coats the ends nicely and never leaves you with that weighted down feeling afterwards. 

Although Aveda's products typically cost a little more than drug store products, they are still very affordable (and well worth the extra few bucks!) This shampoo and conditioner only run for $9. You can find Aveda’s Rosemary Mint collection at Tangerine Salon & Spa located at 845 N. Thompson Lane. They can be reached at 615.896.3302.

If you have an idea or store recommendation for next week's piece, feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

All are invited to the Roy Waldron Schoolwide Annual Fall Meeting, Open House, and Playground Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

At 5:30 PM, we will be outside for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony dedicating the new Playground funded by the Pepsi Grant, Richard Siegel Grant, and RWS Fund Raiser Money.  The presentation and drinks will be provided by Pepsi Refresh. (See www.refresheverything.com for information about the Pepsi Project.)  This event would not have been possible without the support of the entire community!

At 6:00 PM, Dr. Pewitt, Roy Waldron Principal, will welcome everyone and announce upcoming events.  The award-winning RWS Dance Team will perform, and Mr. Coulter, Assistant Principal, will introduce the faculty and staff.  In addition, Mrs. Benton, RWS Librarian, will debut the premiere edition of the Wildcat News, a televised morning news show.  Finally, the WRAP Department will share a special power point presentation.

At 6:30 PM, students and parents may visit classrooms.  There will also be an opportunity to check out the new Parent Resource and Lending Library located in Portable 4.

With a one year old constantly in to everything, it is hard to keep my home tidy and safe for him. I never like to walk into my living room and be bombarded by baby central. I try to keep sturdy practical furniture that is able to reflect my modern and ADULT style. This leather bench is exactly that and a great addition to my living room.

I found this week’s piece at Old Time Pottery. Typically, I think of this store for gardening, kitchen accessories and picture frames. Who knew that they also have quality home furniture that is affordable too? This leather bench was $70. I have found similar benches at comparative stores for as much as $200. It is made of dark, heavy wood and soft, brown leather. My kid can climb on this for years to come!

Accessory furniture like this is great for a corner or even as a coffee table ottoman. It is nice to have the additional seating in case you ever need it, and by throwing some colorful pillows on top you have added a great pop of color to you room.

Want us to check out your store or have an idea of where we could find our next treasure? Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In most homes, a pet becomes a beloved member of the family. They have their own personalities, habits, quirks and flaws. No two dogs, cats or birds are the same. That is why the furry members of your family deserve a final respect too, and Loyal Friends Pet Memorials can help.

Loyal Friends offers clients various services to help take away the stress of laying pets to rest. Clients can choose from private or communal cremation, funeral or memorial services and at home burials.

After waiting over two years to receive approval from the city of Murfreesboro, Loyal Friends Pet Memorials was able to open its doors to pet lovers in June of 2010.

“I felt it was unfortunate that people had to leave Murfreesboro for pet services,” explained Daniel Gammon, Owner of Loyal Friends. Before opening his business, the nearest pet crematorium was in La Vergne. Unlike most pet crematoriums, Loyal Friends Pet Memorials, located on Walla Court, near Warrior Drive, invites people to come visit their facility. Pet owners are able attend a memorial service on location or at a place of their choosing.

For the prepared pet owners, Loyal Friends Pet Memorial offers pre planning services that allow you to make memorial arrangements more than 15 years in advance. Clients can organize and pay up front, so the stress of losing a pet becomes at least a little easier to deal with.

Loyal Friends offers a variety of packages starting at only $125. Packages include cremation, certificate of cremation, bereavement services and a complimentary urn. They also have a variety of urns of many designs. They can help lay to rest pets of any sizes, from one as small as a goldfish to a pet of 200lbs.

If you are a pet owner, then you know how much you love your furry little friend. Call Loyal Friends Pet Memorials for more information at (615) 896-7380.

“Pets have been loyal to you their entire life,” explained Daniel. “It really is the least we can do for them.”

“My grandfather taught me pretty much everything I know,” explained Brian. “I broke stuff and he taught me how to fix it.”

Whether you have no idea how to fix that broken fence or you simply don’t have time, Brian Hughlett of Brian’s Handyman Service can handle this, along with almost any other project you have in mind. This handyman can help you with small landscaping, custom media installation, interior painting, deck building and repair or any other odd job that needs attention.

Brian started his business in July of 2009, and says his biggest obstacle has only being in the area for a short time. Still, he saw a need for an honest business that was genuinely interested in helping Middle Tennessee.

“I enjoy building things that last and that people can enjoy,” says Brian. “And if I can’t fix it, I’ll help you find someone who can.”

Brian’s Handyman Service can give you a free estimate on any job and will charge either a flat of hourly rate, depending on the project. He does not charge mark up on building materials.

“The first year of my business was both the most rewarding and challenging year of my life,” explained Brian. “I am really looking forward to the upcoming year.”

This Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce member has gotten a lot out of his involvement with the professional organization, claiming to sometimes line up multiple jobs by attending their events. “It is a great organization made up of a lot of really great members,” he said.

No job is too odd for Brian’s Handyman Service, so call for your free estimate at 615-809-4619.

While having some trouble thinking of what piece to choose this week, my thoughts slowly turned to my visit this past Saturday to Murfreesboro's Main Street Saturday Market. The hardest part now is choosing what to feature.

This is the first year for Murfreesboro to have a Saturday Farmers' Market on the Square, and I think it has been a huge success. From fresh flowers to veggies to breads and jams, everything you need to liven up your kitchen can be found at the market. This week, I particularly loved the fresh sunflowers, jalapeños and banana bread. Everything is so affordable, and best of all, locally grown. The market will be open on the square every Saturday until noon throughout September (As I understand it).

I love making an entire afternoon of the Main Street Market. While I'm already at the Square, I have to stop in at a few of my favorite stores, including Sugaree's, the Write Impression and Fun Tiques. Next thing you know it's time for lunch, so you might as well grab a bite at Maple Street Grill or Marina's. I really feel that the Downtown Square is the heart of Murfreesboro.

Want us to check out your store or have an idea of where we could find our next piece of the week? Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Murfreesboro, TN – Congressional candidate, U.S. Marine, and Iraq War helicopter pilot combat veteran Ben Leming is touring across Middle Tennessee to share his “Battle Plan” to rebuild the nation’s economy. The tour will include stops in Carthage, Cookeville, Gallatin, Lewisburg, Livingston, Murfreesboro, and Springfield.

Leming is visiting eight counties across the 6^th District this week and will be speaking on how his plan will aid in the economic development of America. Leming said the plan will not be a quick fix to the country’s economic woes but it will prepare the nation to compete in the 21^st Century Economy.

“This is a huge challenge but, make no mistake, it is also an opportunity. It is an opportunity for our nation to invest in the infrastructure and training that will create the jobs of the future and move our economy forward. It’s an opportunity for us to once again unleash America’s greatest asset, the ingenuity of our people,” said Leming of the current economic recession.

The plan calls for investments in small and existing businesses, modernization of the nation’s infrastructure, funding for technical training and education programs that train the 21^st Century workforce, investments in renewable energy, and a leadership in Washington that unites Americans behind the challenge of retooling the workforce.

Voters can view the entire plan at <http://www.benleming.com/fullarticledisplay.php?articleid=67>.

“Let’s put America on a mission to retool our economy and take a long-view of this economic recovery together. This will take some time, but it will ultimately move us forward to be leaders again. In the meantime, we must invest in education and unemployment relief for our out of work families. It does us no good to invest for the future if our communities die on the vine while our economic seeds germinate.”

Murfreesboro native Ben Leming, a captain in the Marine Corps Reserves, is a veteran of the Iraq War and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He is a Democrat running for the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Bart Gordon in Tennessee’s 6^th District.