ODE TO AUTUMN

Taylor Bennett mixes dried Gumball tree foliage with beautiful Cappuccino garden roses, dried blue thistle, olive branches, and gorgeous sunset-hued mums to create a festive Thanksgiving arrangement. Florals generously donated by Carlstedt’s

This arrangement combines beautiful fall foliage with fresh-cut florals to create a delicate balance.

IMAGE BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Duck Duck Goose

The Softer Side of Simmons

BY GLENN MIERS

LIVING IN AN INFORMATION AGE IT’S EASY TO FORGET things from a simpler time. Before cell phones, social media and DVRs, we found ways to entertain ourselves. Even kids played games on their own like Red Rover, Tag or Duck Duck Goose. Some things are similar, like outdoorsmen still enjoying their favorite hunting season, but other things have taken on a whole new meaning.

Duck Duck Goose is not just a kid’s game anymore. It’s actually a stylish boutique nestled right in the heart of the south’s largest sporting goods outfitter, Simmons Sporting Goods. So, one may ask, “What is a ladies boutique doing in a hunting store?” That’s a great question. Simmons has been in business since 1983 in Bastrop, LA, and most folks in Northeast Louisiana know exactly where to find it. Of course, the family patriarch and company founder, Jeff Simmons never thought it would be the empire it has become, taking up almost two city blocks and featuring 70,000 square feet of retail space. And he definitely never thought there would be a ladies boutique in there, either.

Simmons’ daughter, Lindsey Simmons, has served as the COO now for nine years and has obviously made her mark with savvy business decisions and the introduction of a softer side that has taken off like a rocket. “We knew we were missing out on a market when we would sometimes see women that may or may not hunt, tagging along with their significant other and looking like they wished there was something for them,” said the younger Simmons. “Now there is something for them in Duck Duck Goose.”

Many of the same styles and brands can be found as what you may find in the Twin Cities, but where Simmons makes a big difference is in the price. They have so much more volume across the store, they can afford to sell those name brands at a lower price. That may sound too good to be true, but it is true. Delectable casual styles, great selection and much lower prices are usually a winning combination for the ladies that love to shop.

Duck Duck Goose Boutique features about 1500 square feet of tops, jeans, sweaters, dresses, hats, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Just browsing through the boutique hearing the “oos” and “aahs” can give would-be shoppers an idea of what the ladies in their life may enjoy. The target ages are quite expansive with offerings for small kids all the way to fashionable grandmothers. “There’s really no age limit to looking good,” said Simmons.

“Something we’ve added this year is an incredible collection of long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts from Southern Marsh and Southern Shirt. Duck Duck Goose is getting bigger by the week and right now we have more than 50 lines of casuals to shop. The kid’s section on top of that makes us a great stop for fall apparel.”

New arrivals are coming in daily, to boot. That sounds like such a cliché line when talking about fall clothing, but they really are coming in every day. The staff is having an incredible time just trying to keep up and get it out on the racks. Simmons says she has already started hinting at needing more floorspace and with all the successful moves she has made so far, she’ll likely get what she’s asking for, which just means more for the shoppers.

The evolution at Simmons includes an incredible outlet to shop online at simmonssportinggoods.com. Just like in the store, they have amazing sales and clearance deals for the sportsmen in our lives, and with Christmas around the corner, who doesn’t need some help saving a few bucks? Astonishingly, in an election year, during a pandemic, with material shortages for many manufacturers, Simmons is having its biggest online year ever, which allows for more volume discounts in multiple categories. More folks are choosing online shopping these days, but how convenient to do it with a name you know while supporting a local business. Now everyone can find just what they want from the comfort of wherever they are and get free shipping on orders over $99. “Customers often tell us how much time they could spend in our store,” says Simmons. “After more than three decades in business, that’s great to hear, because it means we’re offering a variety for everyone and they want to come back.”

So if it’s fall fashion at a really great price you’re looking for or you just want to see a ladies boutique inside the bastion of masculinity that is Simmons Sporting Goods, come check out Duck Duck Goose. Your fella may be surprised when he mentions he’s headed to Simmons and your reply is, “I think I’ll go with you.”

SIMMER & SPICE

Breathe autumn into your home with the melding of seasonal scents from a carefully curated simmer pot.

IMAGE BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Taylor Bennett whipped up his favorite fall simmer pot by combining cinnamon, orange slices, lemon spices, fresh cranberries, rosemary and whole cloves. Add ingredients to two quarts of water and let simmer. Refill the water when the liquid is around half of what you started with.

Sleepy Friday

Skip The Black Friday Lines And Shop Early WITH THE HOLIDAYS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, many are looking for a respite from the stress of day to day life. Some are adding coffee stops to their daily routines while others are booking massages to work out the tension life brings. Top off the regular to-do list with an added trip to Black Friday shop and the holidays can seem more menacing than merry. Robby Compton, owner of American Mattress Outlet in West Monroe, has seen his fair share of crazy Black Friday lines which is what led him to run a preemptive Black Friday Sale the week leading up to the big day. According to the US Department of Human and Health Services, getting enough sleep can help you “get sick less often, stay at a healthy weight, lower your risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease, reduce stress and improve your mood, think more clearly and do better in school and at work, get along better with people, make good decisions and avoid injuries,” among other heath benefits. The first step to achieving a healthy nights sleep is selecting the best mattress for your body and sleep needs. With over 35 years of experience to his name, Robby Compton and his team are more than qualified to guide you towards the perfect mattress selection. Choosing the mattress to suit your needs may seem daunting, but according to The Sleep Foundation, the selection comes down to just a few key factors. Selecting the basic type of mattress make you want (foam, innerspring, hybrid, latex, etc.) can help narrow down exactly which type will provide the best sleep for your body type, height, weight, and sleeping position. Once the make is selected, Robby can help you choose the best level of firmness for you from extra soft to extra firm and everything in between.

No matter what type of mattress you want or which level of firmness best fits you, the sleep experts at American Mattress Outlet in West Monroe, Louisiana are prepared to get you in the mattress of your dreams to achieve your best night’s sleep. Skip the lines this Black Friday by shopping all week at American Mattress Outlet on North 7th Street. Once you experience all a quality mattress has to offer, we guarantee you won’t be waking up to that midnight alarm after Thanksgiving to stand in line for a discount! Stop by today and ask about the details of the sale including buy one mattress get a mattress protector free and so many more!

The ABCs of Financial Planning

Argent Advisors in Monroe Explains

FINANCIAL PLANNING IS AN MANAGING A PLAN important step towards a financial peace Once a plan is set, we manage the plan of mind. How much money will I need and make changes as needed. We will also to retire, when can I retire, or will I run out manage a client’s portfolio based on agreedof money are questions everyone will think upon investment objectives that go hand-inabout in their lifetime. At Argent, we like hand with the goals of their financial plan. to view financial planning in three parts: When we manage a client’s investment establish, manage, and protect. portfolio, we always review the downside risk ESTABLISHING A PLAN and will happen, they must be managed as

Every client’s goals will be different and not to derail a client’s financial plan. Planning should be treated as such. An idea that works software also enables us to interact with a for one family may not necessarily work for client to run different “what if” scenarios. A another. So, the first step in establishing a plan common example is the decision of when to is listening to the client and getting a greater begin taking social security. understanding of their needs and goals. Then, of a negative market move. While these can we jointly set a realistic, attainable financial PROTECTING A PLAN plan. Financial plans should include savings Part of a proper financial plan is to goals, lifestyle needs, planned retirement date, understand the risks of a plan not working retirement income and expenses. The effects properly. Since life changes are inevitable, we of inflation, required minimum distributions, offer regular updates to a client’s financial and taxes must all be considered. plan. Market changes, income needs and life goals vary, and planning needs to be updated regularly as changes occur. We will also discuss other “risk” factors, such as the need for life insurance, long-term care risk, retirement income planning, proper structure of assets, and estate taxes.

WHY CHOOSE ARGENT ADVISORS IN MONROE?

Our mission is to help establish, manage, and protect our clients’ financial plans, and we take that very seriously. No matter where one’s objectives fall, we help our clients establish a definitive goal-oriented plan for current needs and for the future. Argent Advisors in Monroe is a fee-based Registered Investment Advisor firm. We agree on an annual management fee, and then we work for you. We do not make money on account activity or have proprietary products. Our independent process assures you that we are acting in your best interest, not in ours! If you have any question about your financial planning needs, please contact our office.