Style

Sweet summertimeSweet summertime

Get ready to get dressed up again

FASHION IS BACK, friends. It’s been fun wearing sweatpants and slippers over the past year. But with the summer calendar filling up with events and restaurants back at full capacity, it’s time to stash the pajamas.

Traveling safely is finally possible again, and there’s so much to see and explore just a short drive from home, too. Dozens of new restaurants have opened up over the past several months, so we headed to two for this month’s style shoot: Sweet Society, where you can try Thai tea or Japanese-style taiyaki ice cream served in a fish-shaped cone; and Boru, the restaurant next door known for comforting bowls of scratch-made ramen noodles.

But what to wear for this new season of back-to-everything? Easy. The brighter and bolder, the better. If you’re interested in what’s trending at Baton Rouge boutiques, you’ll find patterned sets that are like wearable art, sassy mini skirts and dresses, and details like puff sleeves and unexpected cut-outs.

Double duty is king, too. Think: looks that can comfortably take you from a full day of work meetings all the way to dinner and drinks with friends.

Most importantly, though: Just wear what feels good. This time last year, there was so much we couldn’t do—and so many loved ones we couldn’t see. But we made it to the other side, and that’s worth dressing up for.

Here are a few summer looks we put together from local boutiques.

INSIDE: Violet Flame Jewelry Gallery / Maria Grace Delima’s beauty tips

Photography: Ariana Allison Styling: Elle Marie Hair: Cekeisha Williams Makeup: Shelby Harriman Model: LaToya Belin Shot on location at Sweet Society and Boru Ramen

L’atiste By Amy polka-dot dress, $70 From Sophisto

Floral hoop earrings, $13 From Plushizeba

Steve Madden leopard-print heels Stylist’s own

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

IN BATON ROUGE 2020!

2018 Best New Restaurant

2019 Best Overall Restaurant 2020 Best Overall Restaurant

VISIT ELSIESPIES.COM FOR OUR MENU • 3145 GOVERNMENT ST • 225.636.5157 SUN-MON: 11AM-9PM • TUES-THURS: 11AM-10PM • FRI-SAT: 11AM-11PM

L’atiste By Amy suit, $130 From Sophisto

Star stud earrings, $10 Polka dot handbag, $15 All Time classy fedora, $45 From Plushizeba

Fashion Nova clear heels Model’s own

L’atiste By Amy patchwork mini dress, $70 From Mave Couture

Turquoise earrings, $12 Nude Jelly handbag, $20 From Plushizeba

Fashion Nova sandals Model’s own

ONLINE

mavecouture.com plushizeba.com sophistostyle.com

Hidden gems

Unique, handmade jewelry is tucked away in a new Mid City store

INSIDE A SMALL jewelry shop on Jefferson Highway, customers are transported all over the world. The jewelry at Violet Flame Jewelry Gallery makes its way to the store from as far as France, Russia, Canada and Germany.

On a May afternoon, Jason Cooper is busy sorting through the store’s latest shipment. It is stocked with interesting bracelets, necklaces and rings from India and Mexico.

Jason and his husband, Chris Cooper, opened Violet Flame last fall. After the previous owners of the Sabai Jewelry Gallery decided to retire, the Coopers moved into the Goodwood Village shopping center spot and opened Violet Flame.

Today, they have made it their own, and they hand-pick each gemstone and uniquely crafted piece.

“We wanted to bring jewelry you couldn’t find in other jewelry stores, with different crystals and unique settings,” Jason explains.

He is referring to pieces like talisman necklaces produced by Canadian brand Pyrrha. The sterling silver pendants are cast using Victorian-era wax seals. They depict images like bumblebees, mother bears and dragonflies, each piece with its own symbolic story.

The store stocks gemstones ranging from emeralds and diamonds to rose quartz and amethyst, and everything in between.

“My favorite gem is the iolite,” Jason says. “The dark blue stone just sings to me.”

When customers enter the shop, they’re greeted by rows of antique terrarium-style cases, showcasing what Jason fondly refers to as “all of the eye candy.”

Behind the glass, rings and necklaces are displayed atop large rocks or are nestled between pebbles.

Art and decorative objects accent every corner, much of which is also for sale. In the future, wind chimes, statues and other handmade items will also be added to the inventory.

If there’s something a customer wants but the store doesn’t have in stock, the Coopers will try to source it for them.

“Our main goal is to offer exceptional customer service,” Jason says. “Where people can come and find something unique.”

And in the center of the store, two plush chairs in a rich violet hue offer a resting place for customers to sit and talk through a jewelry investment.

The name “Violet Flame” is about more than purple-colored furniture, though.

It’s an homage to Molly McKenzie, the original owner of Violet Flame’s sister store on Perkins Road, Coyote Moon Crystals & Gifts. The Coopers were longtime employees of the shop before purchasing it from McKenzie.

So when it came time to open their latest venture, it seemed only fitting that they’d name it after one of McKenzie’s favorite books, Violet Flame. The book is all about healing the mind, body and soul.

And it’s the same comforting, spiritual energy Baton Rougeans have come to know the Coopers for at Violet Flame, Coyote Moon and beyond.

Violet Flame Jewelry Gallery is at 711 Jefferson Highway, Suite 9. violetflamejewelry.com

—CAROLINE HEBERT AND JENNIFER TORMO

SKIN DEEP

International beautyLocal influencer and entrepreneur Maria Grace Delima shares her 10-step beauty regimen

BY CYNTHEA CORFAH

PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

FROM THE FIRST glance at Maria Grace Delima, there’s no doubt she takes care of herself. Her designer and vintage outfits are luxurious and elegant. Her shiny, rich and lively dark brown hair drapes down her back. Her accessories are timeless and minimal.

Delima, originally from Indonesia, moved to Baton Rouge for her husband’s career in April 2018. Though the Baton Rouge content creator and entrepreneur likes to switch up her style and try new things, there’s one part of her outfit she will always hold to a higher standard: her skin.

She has been learning about her skin since she was a teenager. In high school, she battled acne. She started seeing a dermatologist and studying what her skin needed. As she grew older, her love for healthy, glowing skin grew with her.

In 2017, the 29-year-old started her blog, XMariaGrace. She wrote about travel, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She is almost always working. Her days consist of photographing new social media content, unboxing deliveries for brand partnerships, educating others about Indonesian and global social issues, and managing her online vintage and designer clothing business, Tresoux.

There’s never a dull day in her schedule. That is part of the reason why she makes time for self care. Delima doesn’t begin or end her day without treating her skin to some TLC. 225 sat down with the beauty guru to learn more about her skin care routine. Turn the page to see what she shared with us.

“Self-care teaches me about who I am.”

—Maria Grace Delima

Morning routine

My skin gets dehydrated, so to keep it hydrated I use multiple layers of moisturizing skin care products. I follow a 10-step Korean-style skin care routine. As soon as I wake up, I brush my teeth and do my skin care regimen right away. First, I use a light toner. Then, a facial wash followed by a more hydrating toner to make my pores appear smaller. Next, I use hyaluronic acid, which acts as an essence. Then, I apply eye cream to wake my face up and not have puffy eyes. Finally, I wrap up my routine with face moisturizer, facial oil, sunscreen and a lip balm.

Evening routine

After I get out of the shower, I start doing my evening routine. It is similar to my morning one, but with a few different products. Both routines take me about 10-15 minutes each. For nightime, I use a cleansing balm and salicylic acid gentle cleanser to remove any makeup or dirt from the day. Then, I use a toner, essence and serum. After, I apply an eye serum around my eyes, an acne cream (only when I have breakouts), a moisturizer, facial oil and lip mask.

Makeup

I love makeup. It boosts your confidence. But I don’t like wearing heavy makeup—only for special occasions. I like using minimal beauty products like Glossier’s Cloud Paint instead of blush, Chanel Les Beiges Water for foundation, and Merit’s Day Glow Highlighting Balm instead of compact highlighter.

Hair

I always air dry my hair. I don’t often use blow dryers and try to treat my hair minimally. Brands I like to use include Gisou and Ouai.

Self-care philosophy

Self-care teaches me about who I am, makes me appreciate myself more and shows me my highest self.

On the shelf

• La Mer The Eye Concentrate, $235. cremedelamer.com • La Mer The Renewal Oil, $250. cremedelamer.com • Glossier Cloud Paint, $18. glossier.com • Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum, $150. chanel.com • Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint Water-Fresh Tint, $65. chanel.com

THE LOWDOWN

YOU, BUT YOUNGER:

DERMATOLOGIST TIPS TO GET GREAT BOTOX RESULTS

It’s natural to lose volume and see lines in our faces as we age, especially in the cheeks and areas around the mouth, eyes, and temples. This loss of volume emphasizes the fine lines and wrinkles, causing people to look tired, and much older. Botox and dermal fillers can return these areas to a more youthful appearance—plumping and smoothing around the mouth, eyes, cheeks, or elsewhere.

“Botox” is to relaxants what “Coke” is to

sodas in the South. Botox is just one brand of relaxant. There are other brands, like Dysport and Xeomin, that dermatologists use to get the same results. These relaxants smooth those lines worn from daily facial expressions by relaxing the tiny muscles in the treatment area. Relaxants are a great way to target and smooth the areas that need it. Other types of fillers are geared towards plumping sunken, hollowed areas rather than simply smoothing out the expression lines.

Relaxants can also be used to lift the brow and give eyes a more open and wakeful appearance. At the mouth, injections can help lips to appear more full, and balance a gummy smile. Relaxants can also be injected in the jaw muscles to soften a chiseled, masculine jawline.

The board-certified dermatologists and team of aestheticians at The Dermatology Clinic have delivered personalized skincare solutions to Greater Baton Rouge residents since 1947. Committed to bringing patients the latest, most advanced products and services available, The Dermatology Clinic offers a full line of medical and cosmetic dermatology services to create a skin care plan that is tailored to each patient’s needs.

BOTOX IS NOT A PARTY FAVOR.

While a casual social environment may feel fun and less threatening to first-time Botox users, don’t ignore the potential risks. These parties are often administered by untrained professionals instead of board-certified providers who have extensive knowledge of the facial anatomy. Bungled injections can cause serious complications, and the risk of contamination is much higher in unsterile environments outside the office.

Botox and Bubbles are a bad idea. Not only does alcohol impair your ability to make sound decisions—like where to have the injections and how much money to spend on them—it also thins the blood, causing excessive bleeding and next-day bruising.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

If you’re planning to freshen up before a major event, carefully consider when you should schedule your consultation and treatment in anticipation of any redness or other skin discoloration. For the best results, allow two weeks between your treatment and the big day. Many patients notice improvement in as little as 48-72 hours, with the full benefits becoming visible after two weeks. Botox injections can last for months, and The Dermatology Clinic’s board-certified dermatologists recommend repeating the treatment every three to four months to maintain the results.

FDA-approved and safe, the Dermatology Clinic offers patients a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to cosmetic surgery. With injectable and dermal filler options like Juvéderm, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane, patients experience more radiant, smoother, and fuller skin without the extended downtime. These treatments can even be done during a lunch break with little to no downtime. Your doctor should determine what relaxant or fillers are best for you, depending on what areas and issues you’d specifically like to treat. Schedule a consultation for smoother skin with natural-looking results and little to no downtime after treatment. Visit thedermatologyclinic.com or call 225.414.5847 to request a consultation and find the right treatment for you.