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contents
january 2011
FASHION
14
indie friendly
19
what guys want
31
winter formal
Vintage jewelry gets a makeover.
Sumptuous gowns
23
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new & cool Chandelier envy
cue in
Fashion entrepreneur Francine Ballard
cue Kids Party time
cue tiPs
Facial yoga, a Rex book and New Orleans-inspired perfume
PERSPECTIVES
Lean and clean style
SHOPPING
11
39 45
from the editor A woman of taste
shoP dogs
Steven Sobel Hair Salonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midnight
BEAUTY
43
lusterPhile
Hair protectants help take the heat off
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FIND YOUR PERFECT
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Shop late with us Thursday Dec. 16th until 9pm
Sparkle this Season 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday Friend us on facebook: shopemandliv
7611 Maple Street, Suite 101 A 504-861-7272 www.emandliv.com
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clothes + accessories
maple 865 . mon - sat 10-6 7732
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from the editor
i
oN CUE m i S SY W i L K i N S o N |
ph oto by c a r lto n m i ck l e
own an etiquette book published in 1952. as thick and outdated as a telephone directory, its 786 pages offer wisdom to smooth every potentially jagged social or domestic edge, e.g., wives should change into a fresh outfit before serving their husbands homecooked dinners. husbands don’t have to do much of anything except make dinner requests in advance and refrain from complaining too much. (author amy Vanderbilt later killed herself by jumping from a second-floor window. She was divorced.) but Vanderbilt offers one bit of advice i can really embrace: never get rid of a lovely gown. even if your social circle has seen it before, you should keep it on hand for those formal dinners that arise when you travel via ocean liner. i will supplement her excellent advice with my own: if you encounter a smashing gown at a good price, buy it without hesitation. When people find out you own an exceptional gown, they will be more likely to invite you to black tie affairs, if only for the privilege of being in the presence of such a garment
for a few hours. browse our fashion spread (p. 31) for a selection of gowns that may bolster your popularity. i also want to make it known that i bought a fancy gown while pulling clothes for this feature. that gown would make an excellent guest at your next dinner party or bal masque. i will accompany the gown, but i am not a liability in most social situations. Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Book of Etiquette has taught me that much.
mArGo dUBoS | editor
editorial
dorA SiSoN |
micheLe SLoNSKi
adv e rti s i ng adm i n istr ator 4 8 3 -314 0 micheles@gambitweekly.com
contributing writers
chriStiN JohNSoN
c A r r i e m A r KS , m o r GA N r i B e r A production
gr aphic designers
S h e r i e d e L Ac r o i x-A L fA r o, L i N d SAY W e i S S , LY N B r A N t L e Y, Brit t BeNoit pre- press coordinator
meredith L Apre intern
m A r K W AG U eS pAc K d i s p l ay a dv e r t i s i n g
S A N dY S t e i N B r o N d U m
advertising director 4 83 -3150 sandys@gambitweekly.com
Boots $42-$54
production director
m anaging editor
interns
8141 Maple Street (in Riverbend) 861-5002
Holiday Dresses $48-$138
p u b l is h er
K A N dAc e p o W e r G r Av eS
Lee cUtroNe
Tulle Coats $78
adv e rti s i ng co or d i n ator 4 8 3 -313 8 christinj@gambitweekly.com acco u n t e x e c u t i v e s
JiLL GieGer
senior account executive 4 8 3 -313 1 jillg@gambitweekly.com
clothes for the holidays
JeffreY pizzo 4 8 3 -3145 jeffp@gambitweekly.com AmY WeNdeL 4 8 3 -314 6 amyw@gambitweekly.com L i N d A L Ac h i N 4 8 3 -314 2 lindal@gambitweekly.com ABBY SheffieLd 4 8 3 -314 1 abbys@gambitweekly.com J e N N i f e r m Ac K e Y 4 8 3 -314 3 jenniferm@gambitweekly.com meGAN mic ALe 4 8 3 -314 4 meganm@gambitweekly.com
GAMBIT | 392 3 Bi eNv i L L e Stree t | N e W o r L e A N S , L A 7 0 1 1 9 504 . 4 8 6.5900 | response@gambitweekly.com
Daily
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7814 maple street · 861-9028 The Encore Shop is owned and operated by Symphony Volunteers Inc., a non-profit organization benefitting the LPO Musicians. www.SymphonyVolunteers.org
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NEW + COOL
SHOPPING
REVERE THE
CHANDELIER AN HOMAGE TO THE MOST OPULENT OF LIGHTING FIXTURES BY MISSY WILKINSON
LINEN PILLOW WITH CHANDELIER SKETCH, $275 AT SOURCE (2103 MAGAZINE ST., 561-7558; WWW.SOURCENOLA.COM).
BOTTLE-CAP CHANDELIER DESIGNED BY BECKY VIZARD, $1,800 TO $2,800 AT BUSH ANTIQUES (2109 MAGAZINE ST., 581-3518; WWW. BUSHANTIQUES.COM).
CHANDELIER EARRINGS, $79 AT YVONNE LAFLEUR (8131 HAMPSON ST., 866-9666; WWW.YVONNELAFLEUR.COM).
CHAIN AND CRYSTAL NECKLACE, $45 AT HEMLINE (206 LAKE DRIVE, COVINGTON, 985-892-9436; 605 METAIRIE ROAD, METAIRIE, 3098778; 609 CHARTRES ST., 592-0242; 3308 MAGAZINE ST., 269-4005; WWW.SHOPHEMLINE.COM).
POWER PLANT WALLPAPER BY FLAVOR PAPER, $200 A ROLL (4213 CHARTRES ST., 944-0447; WWW.FLAVORLEAGUE.COM).
CHANDELIER DECAL, $59 AT DALI DECALS (877-769-3254; WWW.DALIDECALS.COM). J A N U A RY. 2 0 1 1 < < <
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little joule
carla wax
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fA S H i O n
i n d i e f r i e n d ly
brOOcHing tHe Subject
OLD MEETS NEW AND EAST MEETS WEST IN JEWELRY DESIGNER NANCY RHETT’S CREATIONS
ewelry designer Nancy Rhett crafts necklaces from vintage brooches, clips and buckles and artfully tattered sari silk. Displayed en masse, these bright, quirky clusters of fabric, rhinestones, knots and enamel radiate a razzle-dazzle effect, like wearable pyrotechnics. “They’re very exciting to look at,” Rhett says. “People are attracted to the color at first — they’re like, ‘Ooh!’ Then when they’re drawn closer, they come into a more intimate appreciation for the pieces on the silk.” Rhett scours estate sales, flea markets, shops and online retailers for the vintage jewelry pieces that anchor the necklaces in her jewelry line, To Be Continued, which consists solely of recycled materials. “I love figural pieces, little animals and birds … butterflies and enamel flowers. I also love the beautiful old rhinestones and things that are more abstract. Even pieces from the ’70s and ’80s that people would think are just junk,” she says. In her home studio, Rhett lays out hundreds of jewelry finds alongside the strips of recycled sari silk she orders from a women’s collective in Nepal, where she begins the intuitive process of sorting and sewing. “I let the little pieces tell me what they want. It is (a process of) creating something and looking at it in a different way,” Rhett says. “I love the idea that everything has existed before in another form.” Rhett’s vibrant, East-meets-West aesthetic resonated with an Anthropologie accessories buyer. Rhett was wearing one of her necklaces when the buyer came through on a studio tour. “They saw (the necklace) and connected with it. We really hit it off,” Rhett says. The famously chic women’s
EvEry PiEcE is handMadE By rhEtt in hEr hoME studio.
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$38
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Ph oto s By sa r a EssE x
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By Missy Wilkinson
I N d I e F r I e N d ly
FA S H I O N
clothing and home furnishings chain ordered 300 of Rhett’s pieces to stock on its website and its stores nationwide. “So my first collection was for Anthropologie; it was kind of crazy, but it was great,” Rhett says. “It really built my confidence.” The necklaces she built for Anthropologie have a more pareddown look, featuring one or two pieces of antique jewelry, and retail for $138. Rhett currently is spending hours in her studio every day, preparing 150 pieces for a February trunk show. “I am presenting a collection of art nouveau Czech jewelry that is stunning and phenomenal,” Rhett says. The pieces will range from $90 to $350. The Columbus, Miss., native cites her grandmother (a collector of pieces by eminent costume jewelry designers like Miriam Haskell and Stanley Hagler), her art history background and a sojourn in Europe as major influences on her style. “I spent time in Europe, which I think formed my aesthetic. Picking the most European place to live in America, I landed in New Orleans,” Rhett says. Rhett sometimes makes custom pieces for locals who wish to rework heirloom jewelry they have that may not reflect their taste but has sentimental value. “There is a nostalgia that women have about jewelry. (Jewelry) connects them to their family or a woman in their family, which I think is cool,” Rhett says. She hopes to do more custom pieces in the future. In the meantime, she continues to meld present and past jewelry traditions while linking different cultures through her To Be Continued designs. “Our world is getting smaller. I am taking something from women in this part of the world and that part of the world and putting it together,” Rhett says. “The connective factor is what I like about it.” For more information about Nancy Rhett’s jewelry, visit www.tobecontinuedneworleans.com. The necklaces are available at Anthropologie (The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 592-9972; www.anthropologie.com)
Rhett cRafts heR necklaces fRom vintage jewelRy and Recycled saRi silk.
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BEYOND ANTIQUES
BECKY VIZARD STOCKINGS
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B R E M E R M A N N 3943 MAGAZINE STREET
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W H AT G U Y S W A N T
SLIM PICKINGS
FA S H I O N
ESSENTIAL PIECES FOR A LEANER, CLEANER SILHOUETTE BY C ARRIE M ARKS
A
mid all the talk of a ’90s revival, one thing is clear: The baggy pants and slouchy flannels remain a thing of the past. A return to the slim and sophisticated silhouette for menswear celebrates the masculine form at its most basic, even for gents with a less than Beckhamesque physique. According to David Rubenstein of Rubensteins (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666; www.rubensteinsneworleans. com), key basics are a slim lapel on a jacket, a shoulder line that closely hugs the natural shape and a flat-front pant worn without cuffs. “It’s definitely a more modern look,” says David Perlis of Perlis (Jax Brewery, 600 Decatur St., Suite 103, 523-6681; 1201 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 6, Mandeville, 985-674-1711; 6070 Magazine St., 895-8661; www. perlis.com). “One of the best things about it is the range of price.” Guys in search of a sleek update don’t have to break the bank to get there, and the silhouette’s versatility makes it even more fiscally sensible. A great pair of flat-front trousers can be worn with a spread-collar dress shirt and a slim tie for the office, or pared back a notch with a plaid button-down shirt and cardigan. “We don’t have young customers asking for anything else,” Rubenstein says. “They know it from Mad Men and from fashion shown in magazines.” Not ready to trim back 100 percent? “The best way to incorporate the trend into an existing wardrobe is to invest in one new suit or blazer, Rubenstein says.” Of course, there’s always room for some panache. The clean cut of slim-fitting clothing makes it an ideal canvas for expressive accessorizing. A skinny knit scarf and art deco-inspired watch keep the look casual, and when the occasion presents itself, guys can take their style to the limit with the ultimate in tailored sophistication — a classic tuxedo, jazzed up with colorful pocket squares and a set of jeweled skull cufflinks.
Signature tuxedo modeled by Will DuBos, $795 at Jos. A. Bank.
Suburban Riot plaid button-down shirt, $27.50 at Buffalo Exchange (3312 Magazine St., 8917443; www.buffaloexchange.com). Geoff Nicholson plaid tie, $85 at Perlis.
Simon Carter skull cufflinks, $95 at Aidan Gill For Men (550 Fulton St., 566-4903; 2026 Magazine St., 5879090; www.aidangillformen.com).
Scott Barber flat-front pants, $145 at Perlis.
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W H AT G U Y S W A N T
PAGE 19
Eildon Hills sweater vest, $100; Geoff Nicholson black tie, $85; and Forsyth of Canada wrinkle-free dress shirt, $85, all at Perlis.
Cheap Monday Jeans, $25 at Buffalo Exchange.
Jack Victor suit, $595 at Rubinsteins.
C&G polka dot pocket square, $45 at Aidan Gill For Men.
Drifter striped terminate cardigan, $29.50 at Buffalo Exchange.
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SHOPPING
SOCIAL PHENOMENON FRANCINE DAVIS BALLARD TURNS HER LOVE OF FASHION AND YEARS OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE INTO A GROWING INTERNET BUSINESS. BY LEE CUTRONE PHOTOS BY THERESA CASSAGNE
BALLARD IS WEARING A NARCISO RODRIGUEZ DRESS. THE RING IS ALEXIS BITTAR FROM DESIGNERSOCIAL. J A N U A RY. 2 0 1 1 < < <
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W
hen I was 7 years old, I’d go out for P.E., and I’d bring my purse,” says fashion executive-turned-entrepreneur Francine Ballard. “The only time my mom would lose me (in a department store) was when we’d walk past the jewelry case.” Last year, Ballard turned her lifelong weakness for handbags and accessories into a growing Internet fashion business called DesignerSocial.com. In just one year, she has developed a niche in e-commerce by purveying a chic, hand-picked inventory of high-end, consignment designer handbags and accessories (there are secondhand pieces in mint condition as well as never-been-owned merchandise from sample sales and showrooms) in a social media format that is attracting droves of followers. (The e-commerce site has 30,000 email subscribers, while the blog’s numbers are nearing 25,000.) Inspired by curated Internet boutiques like Net-A-Porter, fashion blogs like The Sartorialist and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, Ballard is changing the way luxury consignment goods are sold. On DesignerSocial, clients buy merchandise for far less than retail cost, and social shopping applications allow customers to share their favorite finds with friends on social networking sites. “I don’t like the word consignment,” Ballard says. “I’m trying to reinvent the concept.” Ballard pulls together her own fashionable ensembles with finesse, having honed her skills at fashion publications on both coasts, including Los Angeles, Jane, Lucky and InStyle, where she spent seven years as American fashion director. But she’s also passionate about technology and where it can take fashion. Ballard speaks quickly and knowledgably about her industry, peppering conversation with phrases like the “democratization of fashion.” Publishing taught Ballard the importance of market research and branding. “There was always a lot of research and discussion about the new generation of consumers from an esoteric, intellectual marketing standpoint,” Ballard says. “We were always asking ‘How do we stay relevant?’” When Ballard moved to New Orleans to marry businessman and New Orleans native Westy Ballard and start a family (the couple’s daughter, Sloane, is almost 2), she decided to create an online business. “When I moved here, it was a dramatic adjustment,” she says. “I
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SLOANE’S ROOM IS DECORATED WITH A PALETTE OF PINK, BLACK AND WHITE. “I’VE ALWAYS LOVED THE TRADITIONALISM OF TOILE,” BALLARD SAYS. “AND FOR A BABY GIRL, THERE’S NOTHING MORE PRECIOUS THAN PINK.” PAINTING BY SARAH ASHLEY LONGSHORE. RUG FROM POTTERY BARN KIDS.
CUE I N
SHOPPING
CHANEL SHOES
IN THE SITTING ROOM, BALLARD PAIRED CHAIRS FROM PERCH (HER FAVORITE LOCAL HOME FURNISHINGS STORE) WITH A QUARTET OF PAINTINGS BY ARTIST AMANDA TALLEY. THE CHEST WAS PURCHASED AT AUCTION AND THE PENDANT LIGHT FIXTURE IS FROM PERCH. BALLARD’S DRESS IS BY NARCISO RODRIGUEZ AND THE SHOES ARE CHANEL.
didn’t still have the same inspirations to draw from. So I used the Internet to stay connected to what had become a big part of me.” Sites like ShopBop and Net-A-Porter had struck gold by offering the latest designer merchandise delivered to consumers’ doors, while sites like Gilt Groupe, which grew out of the sample sale concept, sold elite designer-label goods at discounted prices. “I tried to look beyond that to what the next big thing would be,” Ballard says. “To me, the next big market was secondary retail.” Well-connected in the fashion world, Ballard launched DesignerSocial out of her Uptown home, the dining room piled high with merchandise. “I had my nannies shipping stuff,” she says. Sales took off and today, DesignerSocial’s Magazine Street showroom allows customers to shop in person. Ballard travels regularly to New York City and Los Angeles, meeting with vendors, attending shows and building and maintaining relationships with fashion insiders. She also maintains a blog, www.designersocial.tumblr.com, devoted to fashion trends and news. “Sometimes I’m the quintessential Internet entrepreneur,” she says. “There are days I can’t get out of my pajamas until noon. I get in creative mode and writing or working becomes the priority over dressing.” Ballard prefers simple, minimalist clothing. When she’s in New Orleans and Los Angeles, she favors a relaxed look, combining jeans with statement accessories and classic staples like Phillip Lim or Marc Jacobs blazers. In New York, she dons pieces by Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Givenchy and Narciso Rodriguez, designer names she describes as “the price of entry” for an executive who moves in fashion’s upper echelons. “When I got into the business, I had to sort of emulate the people around me,” Ballard says. “I was surrounded every day by the most stylish women. My personal style is
BALLARD CALLS THIS ALEXIS BITTAR CAMEO NECKLACE “BEAUTIFUL AND EVIL AT THE SAME TIME.”
A LOUIS VUITTON KEEP-ALL BAG BALLARD PURCHASED WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE IN FRANCE.
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much less trendy now. I have more confidence, and I look at fashion in a different way. Aesthetically, if it appeals to me, I’ll buy it. It doesn’t have to be right on trend. I love finding things that no one else has.” Like her wardrobe, Ballard’s home is anchored with lasting pieces and punched up with the au courant. “The way I dress is sort of the way I decorate,” she says. “I like stark interiors mixed with something unexpected or unique or contrasting in some way.” The DesignerSocial showroom — where a spiral staircase leads to a bright white space that feels like an artist’s atelier — is an extension of her tastes as well. Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Angel Jackson and Alexis Bittar are among the brands Ballard stocks for a clientele of discerning women. “The retail website was an immediate success since the initial outreach was to many of the people who independently make the fashion industry go,” she says. “It was all viral from there, and it continues to grow exponentially. We sell to so many different people. The woman who is going to sell her Chanel handbag on the site is just as interested in buying something I have.” Unlike sites like Avelle (formerly Bag Borrow or Steal), which rents bags to fashionistas with a yen for serious arm candy, DesignerSocial makes purchasing an affordable option. The concept has plenty of room for expansion, Ballard says. “DesignerSocial is just in its infancy in terms of what we’re trying to accomplish,” she says.
ONE-OF-A-KIND JEAN PAUL GAULTIER NECKLACE MADE FOR THE RUNWAY. BALLARD GOT IT FROM A STYLIST.
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A CABINET FOUND AT A LOCAL AUCTION HOUSE IS USED TO DISPLAY VINTAGE ACCESSORIES AND BAGS IN THE SHOWROOM. BALLARD IS WEARING A NARCISO RODRIGUEZ DRESS PAIRED WITH A VINTAGE VICTOR COSTA SEQUINED COAT FROM LILI.
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VINTAGE TULLE DRESS, $245 AT LILI VINTAGE; TIERED NECKLACE, $129, AND BRACELET, $129, BOTH AT YVONNE LAFLEUR.
ALL EYES ON HUE GLIDE FROM HOLIDAY FUNCTIONS TO BALS MASQUES AND BEYOND WITH THESE VIBRANT GOWNS. STYLING AND PHOTOS BY MEGANE CLAIRE
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Red silk dRess, $379 at Yvonne LafLeur; checkeRboaRd necklace, $140 at Prima Donnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CLoset.
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Peacock featherdetailed gown by tony bowls, $1,050, necklace, $50 for a set with matching earrings, all at The Red CaRpeT.
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ON THE COVER: VINTAGE BEADED WHITE DRESS WITH TRAIN, $250 AT ON THE OTHER HAND. MODEL: BRITTANY VIPOND PHOTOGRAPHER: MEGANE CLAIRE (WWW.MEGANECLAIRE.COM) HAIR AND MAKEUP: DALLAS ALLEMAN AND MANDI CHAMPAGNE FOR SALON DU BEAU MONDE (612 JULIA ST., 5680050; WWW.SALONBEAUMONDE.COM) STYLING: MEGANE CLAIRE AND MISSY WILKINSON STORE INFORMATION: LILI VINTAGE BOUTIQUE (3329 MAGAZINE ST., 931-6848; WWW.LILIVINTAGE.COM) ON THE OTHER HAND (8204 OAK ST. 861-0159; WWW.ONTHEOTHERHANDCONSIGNMENT.COM) PRIMA DONNA’S CLOSET (927 ROYAL ST., 875-4437; 1206 ST. CHARLES AVE., 522-3327; 3213 17TH ST., METAIRIE, 835-1120; WWW.PRIMADONNASCLOSET.COM) THE RED CARPET (1901 HWY. 190., MANDEVILLE, 985-231-7177; 3425 MAGAZINE ST., 281-4610; WWW.REDCARPETLLC.COM) YVONNE LAFLEUR (8131 HAMPSON ST., 866-9666; WWW.YVONNELAFLEUR.COM)
BLACK DRESS BY HAROLD CLARKE, $499, BRACELET, $99.99, BOTH AT PRIMA DONNA’S CLOSET.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO JULIE YATES AND THE STAFF AT OMNI ROYAL ORLEANS (621 ST. LOUIS ST., 529-5333; WWW.OMNIHOTELS. COM) FOR GRACIOUSLY ACCOMMODATING OUR PHOTO SHOOT.
T. 3900 Magazine Street at General Taylor open Monday - Saturday 504.891.8101
Inhabit • Graham & Spencer • Genetic Denim • Raquel Allegra • Rag & Bone • Etoile by Isabel Marant • Jerome Dreyfuss J A N U A RY. 2 0 1 1 < < <
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We could have shown you our satin gowns,
BUT THEN YOU WOULD HAVE MISSED OUR PAJAMA SETS.
And if we would have shown you our pajamas, YOU WOULD HAVE MISSED THE LITTLE LACE NIGHTIES.
Then we thought we’d feature the ruffled babydolls
BUT THAT WOULD HAVE MEANT LEAVING OUT THE ECO-FRIENDLY, ‘SOFT AS A CLOUD’ NIGHTGOWNS.
So we gave up.
Now Open in the French Quarter
NEW ORLEANS’ LARGEST SELECTION OF LUX IMPORTED NIGHTWEAR
You have to see for yourself. Conveniently located at
534 CHARTRES STREET
OPEN DAILY 10-6 OR CALL FOR AN OFF HOURS APPOINTMENT.
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Holiday Collection 2010 This holiday season Trollbeads has a brilliant blizzard of glittering snowflakes and stars for both your bracelet and earrings.
Silver Beads
Glass & Gold
Earring Accessories
Special Edition Holiday Release Christmas in Hawaii and Christmas in Australia
3331 SEVERN AVE. | NEXT TO LAKESIDE MALL | 504.779.3202 1901 MANHATTAN BLVD. | FOUNTAIN PARK CENTER | 504.304.4861 WWW.ISABELLASGALLERY.COM
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Happy New Year!
MATERNITY * NURSING 2917 Magazine St.
Inside Courtyard of Cafe Rani Private Parking Lot!
504.304.2737 • Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
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WINE, COFFEE AND SUSHI
BUT NOT
GIVE UP
James Jeans • Citizens • J Brand • Japanese Weekend • Olian Maternal America • Bravado • Hooter Hiders • Amazing Orbit Stroller
FASHION!
BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT
CUE K I D S
SHOPPING
KEEP THE PARTY RAGING TILL THE BREAK OF DAWN (OR NAP TIME) WITH THESE FUN FAVORS. BY MORGAN RIBERA
BIRTHDAY SUNGLASSES, $8.50 AT ORIENT EXPRESSED (3905 MAGAZINE ST., 899-3060; WWW.ORIENTEXPRESSED.COM).
BIRTHDAY BOY CROWN, $24 AT NIA’S JUST FOR KIDS (3252 SEVERN AVE., METAIRIE, 457-0120; WWW.NIASKIDS.COM).
TWENTY-FOUR PIRATE CUPCAKE HOLDERS AND TOPPERS, $24 AT CHARMED (6257 GEN. DIAZ ST., 482-1561; WWW.CHARMEDETIQUETTE.COM).
agic M idaeygif t from que! l o i H uniqu t e u t a o a B Cre with
N
rk A ola’s
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SHOPPING
CUE K I D S
SEQUINED PINK PARTY HAT, $8.50 AT ORIENT EXPRESSED (3905 MAGAZINE ST., 899-3060; WWW.ORIENTEXPRESSED.COM).
BIRTHDAY CAKE HEADBAND, $15 AT PIPPEN LANE (2929 MAGAZINE ST., 269-0106).
SEQUINED PARTY DRESS, $135 AT PIPPEN LANE (2929 MAGAZINE ST., 269-0106).
Our Sleigh is full!! 20% 50% OFF
MOST clothes and storewide orient expressed•3905 magazine•899.3060 10am to 5 pm m on -s at • 12 - 5 s u n de c 19
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TWELVE PRINCESS PARTY INVITATIONS AND THANK-YOU CARDS, $24 AT CHARMED (6257 GEN. DIAZ ST., 482-1561; WWW. CHARM-EDETIQUETTE.COM).
An Urban Picnic Bag
FEATURING:
• zip-out fleece blanket with water resistant bottom • padded sleeves for water or wine bottles • pocket for take-out containers or up to a 17" laptop
!
6 0 4 7 M AG A Z I N E S T. • 8 9 9 - 4 2 2 3
532 Saint Peter Street new OrleanS, la 70116 504-522-8738 www.muSeinSPiredfaShiOn.cOm 42 CUE
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LUSTERPHILE
BEAUTY
NO FRY
ZONE GUARDIANS AGAINST HEAT DAMAGE BY KYLA BOUTTE
3 1
1
Kiehl’s Heat-Protective Silk Straightening Cream harnesses the power of soy beans and sesame and sunflower seeds to deliver sleeker strands — $29.95 at EarthSavers (Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-0225; 3414 Hwy. 190, Mandeville, 674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., 899-8555; www.earthsaversonline.com).
2
Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection Gloss guards against heat damage while smoothing the hair shaft with hydrolyzed silk, macadamia oil, shea butter and pro-vitamin B5 — $18 at Macy’s (Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 484-4600; www.macys.com).
3
It may smell fresh and spicy, but Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother is a hard-core warrior against humidity, fighting flyaways for up to 12 hours — $24 at Salon du Beau Monde (612 Julia St., 568-0050; www.salonbeaumonde.com).
4
When applied to dry hair before flat ironing or on damp hair before blow drying, Haute Iron Spray from TIGI Catwalk’s Sleek Mystique collection is a powerful heat protector that shields hair against temperatures up to 450 degrees while preventing moisture loss — $19.96 at Salon Arte (Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 834-9758; www.salonarteinc.com).
5
Sebastian Trilliant Thermal Protection and Shimmer Complex delivers impressive shine and protection. Simply shake to activate and apply to wet or dry hair — $19.95 at Trade Secret (Esplanade Mall, 1401 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 464-6211; www.tradesecret.com).
6
Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Blow Dry Cream by Organix uses heat memory technology to ensure long-lasting style while conditioning and protecting hair — $5.99 at Walgreens (citywide; www.walgreens.com).
7
Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode hairspray is a frizz-prone girl’s new best friend. When sprayed on hair prior to styling, it prevents heat damage and doubles as a finishing spray — $15 at Stardust Salon and Day Spa (1904 Magazine St., 525-7777; www.stardustneworleans.com).
8
Hot off the Press by Paul Mitchell shuts the door on humidity with rice hull extracts and wheat proteins — $15 at Mariposa Salon & Spa (3700 Orleans Ave., Suite 1D, 484-0440; www.mariposasalonandspa.com).
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4
5
7
6
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hudson jeans current elliot miss me la made big buddha bronx shoes kensi bb dakota and much more!!! CLOTHING
JEWELRY ACCESSORIES
GIFTS
622 S. CARROLLTON NEW ORLEANS, LA 70118 504.301.9410 MONDAY-SATURDAY 10AM-6PM SUNDAY 10AM-3PM
Be ready for the celebration.
placemats • platters • glassware napkins • cookbooks • tablecloths
Open SundayS BefOre ChriStmaS! 2900 magazine St. new OrleanS, la 70115 504.891.4393 BelladOnnadaySpa.COm
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CUE T I P S
SHOPPING
ALL HAIL REX O
ne could say that Stephen Hales’ Rex: An Illustrated History of the School of Design was 140 years in the making. His book tells the story of Rex, the Carnival krewe synonymous with Mardi Gras itself, in a way that does it the most justice: through sketches, artifacts and vivid photography displayed on large, glossy pages. Hales, a local pediatrician who has served as Rex’s archivist for five years, often came across beautiful images while preserving the krewe’s history. “I realized I was seeing these things, but no one else was seeing them,” he says. “The book grew from a wish to share the visual history of Rex, which really is the visual history of Carnival.” Readers can learn about the origins of “Boeuf Gras,” “If I Ever Cease to Love” and other Rex traditions, as well as view floats, costume designs, parade throws and memorabilia — notably ducal medallions and bejeweled crowns and scepters — dating from the parade’s 1872 inception to the present. The book also features a large selection of photographs from more recent years and text about the krewe’s history and traditions. Hales says Rex’s history is important because it mirrors that of New Orleans. — Lauren Laborde
SCENT
OF A CITY
All proceeds from the book benefit Rex’s Pro Bono Publico Foundation, which Rex members started after Hurricane Katrina to support the public school system and local public safety initiatives. The book is for sale at local bookstores, the Preservation Resource Center and online at publisher Arthur Hardy Enterprises’ website, www.arthurhardypublishing.com.
T
he 9/11 terrorist attacks inspired perfumer Laurice Rahme to create a signature scent for downtown New York City —“I decided to do what I could to make New York smell better, symbolically,” she says — and in the same vein, New Orleans’ rebirth after Hurricane Katrina inspired Rahme to create a signature scent to celebrate the energy and resilience of New Orleanians. “There is a big parallel between our cities, much bigger than anyone can imagine.” Rahme says. “We have been through hell and back.” Contained in a bottle adorned with fleurs de lis made of hand-applied aurora borealis Swarovski crystals, the limited-edition fragrance (only 400 will be sold, 200 of the men’s and 200 of the women’s scents) features notes of rose and vanilla. “Rose because it is super feminine and romantic, and I look at New Orleans as a romantic city,” Rahme says. After she created Saks New Orleans Bond No. 9 for New Orleans, a number of other cities clamored for their own perfumes. “After I accepted this city, everybody wants (a fragrance). So I couldn’t say no,” Rahme says. To keep up with the demand and her mission to create a scent for every New York neighborhood, Rahme works long hours, even concocting perfumes on international flights using a kit of perfume lab samples. “Sometimes people complain to me, ‘Why are you putting this perfume on?’” Rahme says. “I say, ‘Excuse me, I am working.’” — Missy Wilkinson Saks New Orleans Bond No. 9 costs $350 and is available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue (The Shops at Canal Place, 301 Canal St., 524-2200; www. saksfifthavenue.com).
YOGA FOR
YOUR I
FACE
’m a certified facial toning instructor,” says Happy Face Yoga creator Gary Sikorski, and with his animated features, tight jawline and bright complexion, he looks it. His entire face is unusually buff. Facial exercise tones muscles in the face, scalp and neck. Like its full-body counterpart, facial yoga involves deep, conscious breathing and good posture. “It’s a natural facelift,” Sikorski says of his program, which targets the face’s 57 muscles using 32 different exercises. “Weakening muscles are the main cause of aging. As you tone the muscles and put them back in the original positions, the fine lines in the skin are smoothed.” Sikorski recommends practicing the exercises for 15 minutes a day. In his classes, he also shares nutrition, supplement and skin care information. A side effect of the class, one that instantly makes participants appear more youthful, is mental relaxation. “You will leave the class feeling more energized and satisfied and peaceful,” Sikorski says. “You will feel the energy come into your face.” — Missy Wilkinson NOLA Fit (2116 Magazine St., 941-7083; www.nolafit.com) and two Curves locations (1000 S. Carrollton Ave., 8661123; 4121 Magazine St., 899-1440; www.curves.com) host facial yoga classes. The Happy Face Yoga DVD is available at www.happyfaceyoga.com. J A N U A RY. 2 0 1 1 < < <
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C
C
shop
METAIRIE ROAD for the holidays pearl southern couture trunk show
Dresses made for the South
December 15-18 HEMLINE m eta i r i e
Metairie • 835-0808
4632 Hwy. 22
Mandeville • 985-845-2424
1201 East Judge Perez Dr.
605 MEtaIrIE road 504-309-8778 MoN-sat 10-7
Chalmette • 278-3400
{ Open Mon-Sat • 10-6 }
C
C
2047 Metairie Road
www.allaboutmestyle.com
Find the perfect gift
for
her...
LINGERIE ROBES PJs SLIPPERS
gift certi
fica availab tes le
1 1 5 M e ta i r i e r d , S u i t e a
www.facebook.com/bellecouturenola
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(504)322-2931
bra fitting available
701 MEtaIRIE Rd OLd MEtaIRIE VILLaGE
Old Metairie Village Shopping Center 701 Metairie Rd., Metairie 504-304-6829 www.lil-attitudes.com
shop dogs
MIdnIghT
pERspECTIVEs
A
By Missy Wilkinson Photos by Cheryl Gerber
fter interviewing a number of shop dogs, you begin to expect a predictable-but-cute collection of occasionally naughty antics and soft underbellies. However, Midnight, a handsome goldendoodle (half golden retriever, half poodle) refuses to join that number by conducting his interview in a traditional, more tactilely removed format. In all his curly haired, 100-plus-pound resplendence, Midnight demands to be experienced. He relentlessly nudges his muzzle under my hands while I type owner Steven Sobel’s answers during the interview at the Steven Sobel Hair Salon (7818 Maple St., 866-1593; www.stevensobel.com). As Sobel says, “Midnight loves to eat. He has to eat everything,” the dog roots through my bag and steals an almond butter sandwich, as if to demonstrate the veracity of Sobel’s statement. “He ate my ham and cheese croissant the other day,” stylist Eric Coyle says. “Once he got a box of donuts,” receptionist Emily Weyer adds. The 3-year-old designer dog cost Sobel three sets of highlights — a good deal for both parties, considering Sobel has 30 years of experience and was named one of the country’s top colorists by Allure in 1999. In 2009, Elle listed Steven Sobel Hair Salon among the country’s top 100. Perhaps Midnight has a paw in that selection. “He really does make people feel at ease, especially if it is their first time coming here,” Sobel says. “He is sort of an icebreaker.” Midnight is beloved by almost everyone he encounters, including his coworkers and Sobel’s children, ages 7 and 10. In fact, one of the only people not entirely under Midnight’s sway is Sobel’s wife. “My wife is on the fence (about Midnight),” Sobel says. “She is not a dog person, and that’s okay, but it’s one of those things I have a hard time understanding. Not loving a dog? Come on!” Sobel credits Midnight, along with his family, for helping him mentally recover from cancer. After being diagnosed in 2005, Sobel had Midnight officially designated as a service dog. “Since having cancer and getting healthy, the dog has given me a lot of confidence in things. He has helped my mental well-being,” Sobel says. “I can take him wherever I go.”
my
favorite things ... hIdE-andsEEk BEggIn’ sTRIps TakIng dIps In ThE pool playIng wITh CaTs
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www.poggenpohl.com
Exclusively at
4437 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006 504.888.2300 | fax: 504.888.1911 sales@nordickitchens.com
nordickitchens.com