Corrected to fix website address Saturday 5 pm
JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
A reader stopped me recently to ask if I would please write a column addressing something that was on her mind and apparently on the mind of many other women too.

“Just because we live in Brentwood my friends assume that all women do is spend money. They also assume that we don’t have to watch how much we spend or be frugal in any way.” For her safety I have protected the identity of this reader.

Now I know for some reading this column, there are those ladies out there who either don’t have to watch their wallet or choose not too. I have a feeling that for the majority of women who grace our fair city, that this assumption is simply another “myth” about the Brentwood Bubble.

For myself, I proudly sport a folder in my car that holds all my coupons and discounts for various stores. From discussions with my girlfriends, they are also trying to save money for their households.

When it comes to fashion I love any advice on how to get the latest looks at a great price. So, let me introduce you to someone who can save you money and still help you achieve the style you are looking for.

This fashion-forward Brentwood Mom has started a website that gives “tips and trends from Nashville all under $100.” It started with a love of shopping – and the fact that people would ask her “where did you get that?”

Winetastebeerbudgetnashville.com is a new website created by Shannon Dorris. By day she works for a Fortune 500 company and has three children under the age of 5. And she still has time to shop!

The opening line when you visit the website is “All you people with wine taste and a beer budget..... this is YOUR site! I have dedicated this site to all things boutique, upscale and designer, yet still affordable.”

“While extreme couponing is the fad right now, it used to be ‘taboo’ to discuss what you paid for things. Now people don’t care any more,” she tells me. “The economy has forced many to want to keep living the lifestyle but now they can’t afford to pay the prices.”

The website features great finds on designer pieces found at affordable prices. One example was an $800 Chloe dress Shannon found at T. J. Maxx in Brentwood for $89.99.

The site offers a place to click for items under $25, under $50 and under $100.

One of my favorite places on the site is “Like your Look” where Shannon takes “a low end piece and turns it into an outfit.” An example was a Forever 21 pajama top worn as a dress paired with a designer piece.

Now, my middle-aged body would never fit into a Forever 21 dress, however for you younger girls or those teens, what a great idea.

“Five Fashion Finds” offers some trend pieces that every girl wants in her wardrobe. Love the scarves!

Shannon also has a weekly giveaway for her followers on Facebook and Twitter. Let her know you have invited a friend or sent out a Tweet about the site and you can be entered into a drawing to win the weekly prize.

One thing that we both agree upon about shopping in Brentwood is that while there are upscale boutiques in town, there are also great deals to be found. All this requires is time to look and spend wisely.

I hope you will check out the website Winetastebeerbudgetnashville.com as I’m now a fan on Facebook/Twitter and have enjoyed many of the tips Shannon has shared.

Speaking of some of our amazing boutiques I had to share my recent finds with Shannon and now with you…

Did you know that Hair Expressions now has some clothing and also great jewelry? Snagged a half off shirt last week that was simply ‘precious’…Yes, for my daughter.

Even stores like Pear Tree Avenue offer great sales on Vera Bradley and recently I was able to get a wonderful travel bag at half off. The bonus was a matching cosmetic tote for inside the bag, again half price.

Just recently I stumbled upon a great sale at Vignette, Raine and Fresh Style. This was an impromptu shopping experience and lesson learned -- don’t take boys shopping. Thank you, Lisa McHugh for allowing the boys to bond with your sweet birds while we girls shopped at the store.

The bad news is that after that stop we hit T.J. Maxx searching for college dorm items (my whole family loves this store). And what did the boys spy -- an ornate bird cage, of course. This made the brothers see this as divine intervention.

“God knows we ‘need’ a bird!” the 12 year old exclaimed.

“NO….we live in a zoo already, son.”

Jodi Rall is a special events coordinator and publicist who lives with her husband, four children, two dogs and various other pets in Brentwood. She has been known to play tennis. Contact her at jodi@brentwoodhomepage.com. Follow her "Jodi in the Bubble" blog by Clicking here.