Think of it like picking a curtain in Let’s Make a Deal. You could get the Pontiac, or you could get the donkey. But the thing about the Tennessee State Fairgrounds Flea Market is there’s probably someone there looking for a donkey.

And there are hundreds of curtains. Dealers and vendors from 30 states are there selling everything you can think of. Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, arts and crafts, tools, housewares, handmade clothing. Hundreds of thousands of things of every shape.

It’s one of the top ten flea markets in the country. I don’t know how they judge, but I do know people travel hundreds of miles to go, often by the bus load.

It’s held on the fourth weekend of each month (except December when it’s on the third weekend). It’s free to get in and parking is only $3! Can’t afford not to go…

Dane

If you like art and seeing stuff you don’t see everywhere you should try the Art & Invention Gallery. Even if you’re not that big into art, Five Points, where the shop is located, is a really cool part of Nashville.

But the gallery is worth it I think because they have all different kinds of art, including some really awesome unique furniture (that I wish I could afford!). Attached to the gallery they have their studio, Garage Mahal. (Love the name. I guess it used to be a garage.)

They’re becoming more well known and have been in Southern Living, Travel and Leisure, even Spin (I learned that on their site). A lot of it is because of how popular their shows are (there are about six every year), including the Tomato Art Show in August.

TTFN!
Jennifer

After talking about BookMan/BookWoman Used Books the other day some people reminded me of other good bookstores in town. Can there really be too many?

Elder’s is definitely up there. It’s over at Elliston Place near Vanderbilt and is really sort of a landmark in Nashville. It’s been around since 1930 and deals a lot with books about Tennessee history and the south.

But it’s also got plenty of other stuff. Mr. Elder loved history so there’s a lot of history books, which I love, as well as literature, cool leather-bound volumes, illustrated children’s classics, antique maps. It’s the kind of place to poke around in and see what you find.

And check out the rare books while you’re there. They at least used to have a first edition Faulkner, a limited edition Warren, and a signed Hemingway. Don’t see those every day.

See ya,
Dane

One of our guests just asked me about the Bellsouth building and I thought it was probably something interesting to pass along.

If you’ve been to Nashville you probably remember the Bellsouth building. It’s one of the more interesting ones in the city. A lot of people call it the “Batman” building because of its two spires.

The story is that the building was actually supposed to look like a telephone at the top, being the Bellsouth building. If you look closely you can see a bridge that supports the company’s logo, and it does sort of look like a receiver. But the spires kind of ruin the effect.

Still, it’s a pretty cool sight, and at 33 floors it was the tallest building in Tennessee when it was built in 1994.

So when you’re in town, head down to Commerce Street and decide for yourself: phone or Batman.

See you there,
Dane

There is this little place here in Nashville called the Wild Horse Saloon. Ever heard of it? If you’re from Nashville, or if you’ve visited, you have. It’s probably one of the most famous spots in town for music and a night out.

I just checked their web site and I would’ve guessed they’d been around a lot longer than since 1994. But they get pretty big name bands like right now I see that Little Texas, Gina Blossoms, Ringo Starr and Pat Benatar are all coming in the next month.

But you don’t have to go for the music. The place is huge and has all kinds of other stuff to do. It’s also got a restaurant, a bar, darts, pool and dancing. They even have free line dancing lessons. Line dancing skills are a good souvenir — they don’t take up any space in your luggage!

TTFN!
Jennifer

Have you ever read this book Blindness? Incredible. I read it a couple of years ago. All I’ll tell you is that it opens with this guy going blind all of sudden. And then another person, and then another.

A guy I used to work with recommended it, even though it’s written in a sort of unusual way, it totally grabs you. I’ve recommended it to a bunch of people.

Well, yesterday I’m in BookMan/BookWoman (the best used bookstore in town) and my eye stops on this book called Seeing. Turns out it’s by the same author (Jose Saramago). So I pick it up. Turns out it’s a sequel to Blindness. I didn’t even know there was a sequel.

Just started it last night. Very interesting already. So if you liked Blindness, just wanted to let you know there’s a sequel.

Later,
Dane

Bonnaroo is now officially on! I’m not even sure how to explain Bonnaroo. Last year was my first time and it was crazy! It’s a music festival but there’s also art, movies, comedy, food. Last year’s highlight was definitely seeing The Police.

This year, Bonnaroo (which is even fun to say) runs from June 12-15 out in Manchester. Just about every kind of music is there. Like this year there’s Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Pearl Jam, Kanye West (love him!), Willie Nelson, Chris Rock.

The list goes on. Just look at their web site. Every other place in the country must be empty that weekend! This year, I can’t wait to see Swell Season (the two people from the movie “Once”) and Aimee Mann. She’s great.

See you there,
Jennifer

Hey ya’ll! Hope you had a nice long weekend! We had to go out of town. Not for fun. It was for a funeral for the parents of friends of ours who died a week apart from each other. Very sad. We almost didn’t go, but we’re both glad we did.

To make myself feel better I went shopping! I’m not a huge shopper actually. I like to go, have a coffee and then I’m pretty much done. I get bored. So I usually kind of know what I want when we go.

But Pangaea is different. It’s just full of such unusual stuff you have to look around. I love their purses. They’re so creative in what they sell. We went and I bought a dress. And then of course we went and had coffee. At Fido, Dane!

TTFN,
Jennifer

The Pink Slip has ended its run of live art at the Hotel Preston, for now. The live art has certainly been a great talking point for us here on the blog, and guests have commented on how much they enjoy seeing the “art in a box” exhibit. Have no fear, there will be more live art coming your way in the future.

With that being said, Shea has written her last post. She’s off doing wild and fantastic things that she says will surely be “outside the box” (no pun intended). I know we’ll have something new at the hotel soon so keep up-to-date on all things Preston here on the blog.

Thanks everyone!
- Jennifer

I didn’t know it but I guess there’s a screenwriters conference in town this week. I know because after checking in three different people from L.A. I had to ask.

I looked up one of the guys and it turns out I’ve seen two of the movies he wrote! How exciting is that?! I can’t tell you who, but let’s just say Keanu Reeves was in one. Just another day at the office.:-)

Speaking of the office, now that it’s getting into wedding season I wanted to make sure everyone knew about our new “Just Hitched” offer at the hotel. It includes a rose petal turndown, sweet champagne and fresh strawberries, and some special, um, romantic toys. We even clean the “Just Married” from your car!

So why not get your marriage started in style?

TTFN,
Jennifer