BLcontents

14 / RISE & DINE

Surprise your sweetheart with breakfast in bed this Valentine’s Day. Taylor Bennett created a curated tray to inspire those looking for a thoughtful surprise for their special someone.

16 / CALATHEA

The Calathea is a great houseplant and is known for its beautiful patterned foliage and unique leaf movements. Calatheas are part of the ‘prayer plant’ family.

22 / BERRY BOURBON

Looking for a signature drink this Valentine’s Day? This berry bourbon cocktail is the perfect way to start out date night.

42 / MARDI GRAS MANTLE

Taylor Bennett’s mantle décor was inspired by Mardi Gras bead trees in New Orleans. Break tradition with this whimsical design.

52 / DATE NIGHT

From flirty dresses to sassy dusters, these looks are perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond. Hats off to our local boutiques for providing these red haute looks.

58 / VALENTINE CRAFT

76 / YOGA MADE SIMPLE

The physical practice of yoga has long been known to supply practitioners with many health benefits from improving flexibility to helping stress relief, and increasing strength.

April 2018

Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids for Valentine’s Day? These cute crown crafts are a great project for your little princess.

66 / MARDI GRAS IN THE TWIN CITIES

This magnificent, costumed, beaded and feathered carnival is rich with tradition and is all about having a good time. These fun events can be found right here in the Twin Cities.

68

/ CREATING CHARACTER

For most, the idea of creating a world of their own is just a dream. But for Inique Harris, it’s reality and has been since she was young.

96

/ BAYOU ICONS

Because of their loving example as a couple and of their devotion to this region, Jeff and Elizabeth Guerriero are our February BayouIcons.

108 / BAYOU EATS

Nick Carlson zigzagged his way into becoming the owner of Seventh Square Coffee, currently the only coffee roaster in Northeast Louisiana.

February is a time to honor those we love, recognize the central role of African-Americans in U.S. history and gather together to celebrate Mardi Gras and prepare for the Lenten season. It’s a month that the Livingstons celebrate in a big way –my oldest daughter turns eleven and my baby will be nine, and my mom will be the big 7-0! It’s a party all month long for our family.

This month’s issue has timely articles on gardening, Valentine’s Day projects, people who have shaped our community, recipes, outdoors columns and more. Our artist this month is Inique Harris. For most, the idea of creating a world of their own is just a dream. But for her, it’s reality and has been since she was young. She doesn’t use a hammer and nails to build her worlds, though, and she doesn’t say things like, “Let there be light.” Instead, she grabs a sketchbook and pencil, paintbrush and canvas, needle and thread, or crochet hook and yarn. Read her article on page 68. Some scoff at the idea of love at first sight, but not Jeff Guerriero. He remembers clearly the first time he saw Elizabeth Johnston when they attended River Oaks Academy. He went home and told his mother that he had met the girl he was going to marry. It took a few years, but Jeff finally won Elizabeth over and they started dating when she was a high school junior. The two had been great friends for several years, and that friendship grew quickly into a love that has lasted a lifetime. Today they are partners in every way – in marriage, parenting, business, and volunteerism. In spite of incredibly busy lives, they have always found time to give back to their community. Because of their loving example as a couple and of their devotion to this region, Jeff and Elizabeth Guerriero are our February BayouIcons. Read their story on page 96.