The Little Cottage that Grew Up!

Ruth showing off Fall 2009 vive les fleurs overalls

Ruth Hickman wanted to create something special…so eleven years ago, after realizing that her two daughters could not find the clothing they sought for their children, she decided to open a very unique children’s clothing store.  The store was located in a quaint little cottage that was over 100 years old – beautiful, but too small to house the vast array of merchandise for which the The Little Cottage is now known.

One of the things that Ruth loves about her thriving boutique is where the store is now located – The Factory – a unique retail environment with strong historical roots in the community.  Built in 1929, The Factory has been home to Dortch Stove Works, Magic Chef and Jamison Bedding. Calvin Lehew, a unique individual, bought the sprawling complex seven years ago and, after an environmental clean-up, began opening the facility in sections. Today, The Factory at Franklin has 83 tenants.  Calvin’s philosophy is simple: “The Factory is for artists and creative folks. What I want to do is bring out more of the artist in people. I want an environment here that is conducive to creativity. To be able to open a place in The Factory it either has to be creative, unique, artistic, musical or food.”  The Little Cottage Children’s Shoppe fits the bill!

This beautiful store is a family business, known for the extensive selection of top drawer merchandise, and excellent service.  Ruth’s two daughters, Julie Craig and Elizabeth Martin are there in the store to be sure that everyone has a positive experience while shopping.  Customers love spreading the word about Little Cottage’s attributes:

“This is a great store! …The staff is very friendly and helpful in both stores. If you are looking for upscale children’s clothing I highly recommend The Little Cottage!”

“This is a wonderful, wonderful store! …Very friendly staff. I can’t wait to go back after I know if I’m having a boy or a girl.”

Located near The Grand Ole Opry the store has attracted many celebrity customers, including Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley (a customer since she was a baby,) Reese Witherspoon and Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.  Ruth says it doesn’t matter if they are celebrities, because everyone gets the best service!

The Little Cottage is open 7 days a week.  They have an informational website and love taking phone orders!

The Little Cottage Children’s Shoppe
230 Franklin Rd # 11R
Franklin, TN 37064-2278
(615) 595-7874

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MOTHER’S DAY CONTEST: Most “Memorable” Present

Jamee’s post of her very first Mother’s Day bling-of-gynormous-gems-present made us want to hear your stories! le•top blog would LOVE to see photos and hear about your own stories of the most creative, special, funny or otherwise memorable Mother’s Day present. Click here to submit your photo and story for a chance at some fun retail therapy: Win $250 worth (retail value) of le•top baby and kids clothes from our latest spring and summer collections!

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Moms’ Double Trouble

Miranda in Flamingo Bay (left) and Sophia in Strawberry Fields

A couple of weekends ago, we drove down to Southern California to attend a baby shower I’d been invited to. Knowing that the weather there is always much warmer than the San Francisco, I packed summer wear—mostly le•top outfits—since it’ll be awhile before we really get to wear them here in the Bay Area. We met up with my cousin and her kids at a park so that my daughter (Miranda) and her daughter (Sophia) could get some play time. They’re like sisters, these two. We call them “Double Trouble.” They’re both bossy and like to pick on the boys.

I was delighted to see Sophia in the le•top Strawberry Fields dress that I sent to her as a birthday gift. Meanwhile, Miranda was decked out in my favorite le•top collection, Flamingo Bay. What’s fabulous is, that although these outfits are from two different collections, they complement each other very well! Perfect for sisters, twins, cousins, friends — who like to dress alike but not exactly the same.

Visit our store locator to find these lovely collections near you.

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Mother’s Day Presents Contest: Win $250 Worth of le•top Baby and Children’s Clothes

Breakfast in bed starts a day full of gifts on Mother's Day... 😉

I laughed reading Jamee’s post about her very first Mother’s Day present from her then three year old daughter. Given that Jamee’s a fabulous graphic designer (one of her many talents), I understood why her husband awaited her reaction with some trepidation — but mom’s love transcends even some of the tackiest style disasters! 😉

Jamee’s story made us want to hear your stories! le•top blog would LOVE to see photos and hear about your own stories of the most creative, special, funny Mother’s Day presents that you’ve received through the years. Please click here to submit your photos and stories for a chance to go on a $250 virtual shopping spree: Win $250 worth (retail value) of our beautiful le•top baby and kids clothes!

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Mother’s Day Presents

Mother’s Day is coming up and I’d have to say, ever since my daughter was old enough to make crafts, I have been looking forward to this special day. Last year was the first year it started. She was three years old and in her first year of preschool. I didn’t even think about Mother’s Day being for me, until she handed me her wrapped present (wrapped, meaning a white lunch bag with marker doodles – precious!). I excitedly opened the gift and found the tackiest brooch… A puzzle piece glued with gynormous gems! My husband looked at me with uncertainty, checking to see what my reaction would be.

I loved it! I immediately pinned it on and wore it with pride. My daughter said, “We’re going to have to share that because it’s too beautiful. I want to wear it, too.” I can’t wait for what she is making this year at preschool. Whatever it is, I will cherish it forever!

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Nerve-Wracking for New Parents

Mama Sandy being a clever and sneaky nail trimmer with a napping Henry Mantu

Seeing this photo reminded me of the first time I visited one of my closest friends, Dawn, after she had her first child, a daughter. We’ve been friends since we were barely teenagers, so to see her as a newly minted mom was a very different experience. I think they’d only had their daughter home for about 6 week when I visited. While her husband was with the baby, Dawn and I were taking a little break, trying to catch up a bit on our own (like old times!). Well, not much time had passed, when we heard a blood-curdling cry. Of course we both rushed over and found her husband looking sheepish, anguished and horrified by what he’d done. While trimming the baby’s fingernails, he had nicked a tiny bit of skin. Oooh, agh…we know how much the tiniest paper cut hurts…I couldn’t imagine the pain this little baby was feeling on tender baby skin! I’m sure her parents were thinking the same thing. Even though we all knew it’d heal, and that she’d stop crying eventually, logic wasn’t really going to help that day, not with the amount of guilt and remorse in that room!

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le•top Love: Letters From Dad

Here’s a letter from one dad you might know…Barack Obama, who will be sworn in as our 44th President on Tuesday, January 20! His touching and poignant letter to his daughters, Malia and Sasha, is excerpted below. It first appeared in Parade Magazine. To read his entire letter, please click here.

Photo by Kwaku Alston/Corbis from Parade.com

Editor’s note:
Have a letter from Dad to share? Email us, and we’ll post it to share with our readers!

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