CUE April 2016

HOME | FASHION | BEAUTY

A GA M B I T P U B L I C AT I O N APRIL 2016

THE

STYLE

MAKERS FROM DRAB

TO FAB

RENTAL SPRUCE-UP TIPS

BALLETINSPIRED WORKOUTS

GET TONED GRACEFULLY

MEET NEW ORLEANS’ MOST INFLUENTIAL CREATIVES

WHAT’S

HOT NOW

BOUTIQUE OWNERS REPORT ON SPRING TRENDS

We Make

ELECTRIC

...Too.

bevolo.com • (504) 522-9485 • 521 Conti • 318 Royal • French Quarter • New Orleans

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HOME•FASHION•BEAUTY

content s

CUE • APRIL 2016

39

LUSTERPHILE Five essential makeup brushes

42

11

Wear/Where

NEW & COOL

What Mia Halloran’s wearing for French Quarter Fest

Breezy palm leaves

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17

Built in Style

Fitness

How to spruce up a rental

Your neighborhood barre

20

THE STYLE MAKERS Six creatives to watch

32

37

Spring trend report

CUE Kids

Straight from major markets

Reading’s for the dogs

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

8 Editor’s Letter 41 Resources ON THE COVER: Ashley Longshore photographed by Greg Miles

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Marry Me, Mag pie & Antique Vintage Engagement Rings for Every Budget

NOT TO BRAG, BUT ONE TIME, ASHLEY LONGSHORE TURNED ME INTO A WORK OF ART. OK, I’m totally bragging — and exaggerating. During White Linen Night in 2009, I was one of nine women who participated in Longshore’s performance art piece. She painted us white from head to toe and projected videos onto us — the same sort of images you’ll see if you visit her popular Instagram account (30,500-plus followers and counting). Washing dried paint out of my hair was no fun, but being a vehicle for Longshore’s art was exciting. Almost seven years later, with this issue of CUE, I’ve reprised the role — it’s a vastly different medium, but the feeling is similar.

This month, CUE salutes Longshore, along with Rhonda Findley, Katie Logan, Jensen Killen, Caroline Robert and Brandan “Bmike” Odums as stylemakers (p. 20). Their influence shapes our perspectives and the city we live in. If you’ve visited Odums’ large-

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SHOPPING

PALM TO PALM

new & cool

Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beach

Invigorate home and wardrobe accessories with a touch of the tropics.

Palm leggings, $98 at Pure Barre

BY ANDRE A BLUMENSTEIN

A fruitful choice

Black papaya pouch, $68.50 at DVRA. Photo by Hunter Holder

Tropical isle

Black-and-white palm dress, $65 at Rye Clothing

Great gams Best of fronds

Art by K. Kirkwood, $50 at Lucy Rose

Palm shorts, $59 at Lucy Rose

Platter of palms Square platter, $75 at Furnish

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HOME

STUDIO SPRUCE-UP

bu i lt i n st yle Over-dyed rug, $750 for an 8x10 version at Eclectic Home.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS SHARE STRATEGIES FOR MAKING A RENTAL FEEL LIKE HOME.

BY STEPHANIE METHER ALL WHETHER YOU’RE A RECENT COLLEGE GRAD RENTING YOUR FIRST apartment or a mid-career professional moving to a new city, making a rental feel like home (without upsetting your landlord) can be tricky. Designers Casi Francis and Michelle Mashon say, however, there are some low-commitment ways to style a space with a personal touch.

Making a statement in a small or temporary space all is in the details. Francis, an interior designer for Eclectic Home, doesn’t recommend buying anything permanent.

For example, invest in small pieces like cubes or nesting tables instead of a large coffee table. “You can move them to where you need them, they can be used as side tables, or you can put your feet on them,” she says.

Sometimes, moving into an apartment means inheriting damage left behind by the previous tenant. Francis suggests covering dingy floors with rugs, which are easy to pack up if you move. “I’d put a hide rug with splashes of metallic on it, anything to lighten up the floors if they’re dull,” Francis says. “Layer all types of things, from lighting to art to bedding — anything like that will liven up the space so you don’t have to do anything drastic.”

Michelle Mashon of Spruce recommends using temporary peel-and-stick paper for an accent wall.

“It’s removable and reusable, and you can put it up yourself,” Mashon says.

Be aware of crooked floors and ceilings — frequent wallpaper foes in older New Orleans homes. Temporary papers are available in panels or rolls and they needn’t be limited to walls.

“If you have scraps left over, you’ll find places to use them around the apartment,” says Mashon, who recommends covering drab refrigerators, cabinets or tables with temporary wallpaper. Spruce also sells peel-and-stick backsplashes for kitchens.

When it comes to walls, Francis suggests starting an art collection. “I try to buy things that I really love, and if you do that, it all ends up working well together,” she says.

Instead of nailing holes to hang frames, which might have to be spackled when your lease ends, try standing pieces up on a bookshelf.

Francis says as long as renters love the pieces in their apartments, they can throw caution to the wind. “It all comes together somehow,” she says.

Peel-and-stick temporary wallpaper, $42 a panel at Spruce.

Lamp, $605 at Eclectic Home.

Leather queen-plus sleeper sofa, $3,199 at Eclectic Home.

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F E AT U R E

DANCING WITH THE

BARRES

Adult dance programs and ballet-inspired classes are graceful ways to get fit.

BY ANDREA BLUMENSTEIN

Women stretch during a class at The Barre Code.

PHOTO COURTESY THE BARRE CODE

WHETHER THEY’RE REDISCOVERING A LOVE OF DANCE OR TRYING FIRST POSITION for the first time, a legion of women (and a few men) is going to the barre.

A number of adult dance programs and ballet-inspired workouts have made the art form a hot fitness trend.

The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) partnered to provide free beginner/intermediate adult ballet classes at 6:45 p.m. Mondays at the Treme Center and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Stallings St. Claude Center.

High school science teacher Simone Cifuentes hoped to return to ballet for exercise and as a form of therapy, but struggled to find adult classes in her budget. Thanks to the NORDC/NOBA partnership, she attends classes at the Treme Center near her house.

“Emotionally, it is one of those things that I do for myself, that I make time for,” Cifuentes says. “Whatever problems I have don’t matter. During that hour and a half, my focus is on my turnout.

What matters is my tendu [leg stretch].”

For Cifuentes, the feeling of focus often extends through the rest of the week.

Regardless of the format or branding, most barre classes are a hybrid workout designed to lengthen and strengthen key muscle groups. Classes in the Pure Barre model came from a former ballerina who wanted to maintain the strength, flexibility and trim figure of her dancing days. She created an intense program that is similar in effect to hours of dancing in a studio but easier on the body.

Kelley Ellis owns The Barre Code in Lakeview and works full-time as a psychotherapist. A dancer throughout her twenties, she missed the positive effects of dancing. She explored local barre classes and launched The Barre Code last month. The studio includes both barre and boot-camp style classes.

“Barre Code has a strong mantra toward positive body image,” Ellis says.

“After working for years with people suffering from eating disorders, it was important for me to promote overall health.”

Barre3 has three studios in the New Orleans area. Classes take less than an hour, which appeals to people with busy schedules. The Barre3 method also includes dietary and lifestyle tips.

“Our movements combine deep isometric holds paired with small and large movements,” says Kendall Carriere, owner of Barre3. “[Classes] can be kind of addicting. You just feel good.”

f it ness

THE GEAR 1

2

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1. Sports bra with bar code accent, $21 at Barre Code NOLA. | 2. Beyond Yoga Spacedye Leggings, $90 at Pure Barre New Orleans. | 3. Red leg warmers, $35 at Pure Barre. | 4.

Grippy socks, $12 at Barre Code NOLA. | 5.

Traditional leather ballet slippers, $18.50 at Uptown Costume and Dancewear. | 6. Black stainless steel water bottle. $34 at Barre3.

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Caroline Robert

THE

STYLE MAKERS MEET THE VISIONARIES WHOSE ART IS SHAPING OUR CITY.

BY LEE CUTRONE PHOTOS BY GREG MILES THIS YEAR’S STYLEMAKERS SHARE A COMMON MISSION OF EMPOWERMENT. Their influence goes to the heart of what makes memorable style: individual expression. Whether their mediums are oil paint, spray paint or a storefront, all send uplifting messages to their communities. And they agree that nothing is impossible. “There’s not one thing you cannot do,” says Rhonda Findley. “You just have to do it.”

TEN YEARS AGO, CAROLINE ROBERT OPENED PERCH, an interior design store and service with a knack for putting a unique spin on the design zeitgeist.

“I love classic design, but I also love turning it on its head a little bit,” Robert says. Perch quickly became a familiar name among locals. With the addition of New Orleans Dry Goods, Robert’s onsite drapery and upholstery workrooms, the business has garnered a national clientele. The custom workrooms’ talented staff and made-in-New-Orleans cachet have attracted business from as far away as Los Angeles. “It’s made us more of a resource for other designers,” Robert says. “It’s such a cool time to be here.”

What is inspiring you now?

Dresses by Rosie Assoulin, Jim Thompson Fabrics, my 6-year-old’s artwork, John Coltrane albums, vintage cigarette cases (for business cards), de Gournay wallpaper, the Mardi Gras Indians, art by Mar Rodriguez, DJ Windows, estate sale finds and French tulips.

Favorite local brands?

For music, Preservation Hall.

For fashion, I love Em’s, and for vintage, Revival Outpost. We’ve become regulars at Kenton’s and Compere Lapin, and I think Alon Shaya is a genius. And of course, there’s the enduring Mr. Okra.

Words of wisdom?

Don’t worry so much about following a set of rules. Find your own personal style and trust your instincts.

Favorite style secret?

If I love something and it has meaning, I wear it. The most fabulous accessory I’ve acquired lately is a clay necklace my son made for me at school with his thumbprint in the middle.

Favorite place to hang out?

My perfect afternoon would start with a bike ride in Audubon Park, followed by a good cocktail on our front porch. It would end with dinner at Italian Barrel and some live music on Frenchmen Street.

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Katie Logan & Jensen Killen > BATON ROUGE NATIVES AND LONG-TIME FRIENDS KATIE LOGAN LEBLANC AND JENSEN KILLEN partnered in 2012 as Logan Killen Interiors to design spaces that reflect their shared vision. The result is classic, natural and eclectic interiors.

“We strive to always be authentic to the place, our clients and materials used, creating rooms that feel approachable and easy,” say the designers, whose work has been featured in Lonny Magazine, Country Living, Design Sponge and Vogue online. This fall, they’ll open an interiors and lifestyle boutique on Magazine Street with a mix of antique and vintage items, textiles, home goods and custom furniture.

>

K AT IE LOG A N

JENSEN K IL L EN

What is inspiring you now?

New Orleans always inspires me.

Luke Edward Hall is really doing it for me right now. Garden bathrooms.

Black and white. Formal gardens.

Mexico. Collage art. Isabella Rossellini. Jenni Kayne. Nickey Kehoe. At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen by Amy Chaplin. Solange.

What is inspiring you now?

Between the people, architecture, and culture of New Orleans, there is no shortage of good inspiration. Sara Ruffin Costello’s Garden District home is currently in my dreams — that dining room with the green gray walls, Oscar de la Renta window treatments, chintz settee and red pingpong table. It’s so just so easy and cool.

Favorite local brands?

My latest obsession is Sigourney Morrison’s custom chain stitch jackets. They are so rad. Other favorites are Loomed, Bern Ceramics and Smoke Perfume. I love following Lila Fox on her adventures through the Constant Tourist (www.theconstanttourist.com). She is so dreamy. Pied Nu, Appartique and Caravan Finds always have treasures, and Little Flea NOLA seems to be the hippest place in town.

Words of wisdom?

Relax a little when it comes to your home. Think about the colors and places that speak to you, how you dress, what makes you feel at ease.

Give yourself some room to breath.

Bring the outdoors in, and a stripe never hurt anybody.

Favorite style secret?

Cover your walls with art and fill your home with plants. No one will notice anything else, and you will have something to look at besides the kitchen you want to renovate.

Favorite place to hang out?

My backyard. I love for friends to come over, but when I cannot convince them, I like to wander around the French Quarter. Cane and Table is a favorite. I just love a rum cocktail. And somehow, I still always end up at Molly’s at the Market at the end of an evening after 12 years in New Orleans.

Favorite local brands?

Saint Claude jewelry. Sure, I’m a tad biased since the artist is my cousin, but the proof is in the pudding. I also rarely leave the house without a Cool Brew coffee in hand.

Words of wisdom?

My dad always says, “Everything in moderation.” I think this can translate to a lot of different aspects of life — food, exercise, personal style, interiors… It’s good to mix things up bit.

Favorite style secret?

You want someone to walk into a space and get a feel for who you are. So start with some simple classics, then find pieces that resonate with you, say something about who you are or where you’ve been. That personal layer is what makes a space feel authentic. And never be afraid to go dark in a small space — the depth will actually make it feel bigger, and a little drama is never a bad idea.

Favorite place to hang out?

A night in, cooking and watching Downton Abbey is my idea of a good time. But when I do make it out, I like to go somewhere with a good charcuterie board and wine selection, like The Delachaise or Bouligny Tavern.

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spring style makers

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”

IN 2013, NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS GRADUATE BRANDAN ODUMS FOUNDED 2-CENT ENTERTAINMENT, which creates music videos and commercials. Odums then turned his attention to spray paint, creating large-scale murals of black civil rights leaders at the former Florida housing projects in the 9th Ward, known as ProjectBE. The result has been a game changer for the way locals think about art.

“People saw them and wanted to find them,” says Odums, whose work speaks to his African-American heritage in order to evoke change. The latest incarnation of the BE Series, StudioBE — a warehouse filled with Odums’ works — is open in Bywater.

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What is inspiring you now?

Nikki Giovanni said, “If you’re bored, you’re not paying attention.” I’m constantly inspired from just observing and listening — listening to the memories of my elders or the imagination of a child; observing the times, the present and the past. It doesn’t take much stimulation to inspire me.

Words of wisdom?

I don’t know who orchestrated these words, but they help me daily: “Learn to embrace change and you’ll begin to recognize that life is in constant motion and every change happens for a reason. When you see boundaries as opportunities, the world becomes a limitless place.”

Favorite local brands?

Community Book Center on Bayou Road to feed my mind; Rolling Fatties Food Truck to feed my body; my father’s church, House of Refuge Apostolic Church on the West Bank, to feed my spirit; Axiom Fine Art Gallery on Freret to feed my imagination.

Favorite style secret?

All black everything.

Favorite place to hang out?

StudioBE, a 35,000-squarefoot warehouse where I am creating and building my first solo art show. Come visit me.

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Rhonda Findley RHONDA FINDLEY OPENED RESTAURANTS AND WORKED AS A FOOD WRITER BEFORE ENTERING RETAIL as a vendor in the French Market, where she sold tin toys and T-shirts. Today, the Arkansas native co-owns Funrock’n and Pop City, two stores with four locations specializing in the “fun, funky and unexpected.” Findley supports local vendors and manufacturers, designs clothing and jewelry, co-wrote a cookbook (Kevin Belton’s Big Flavors of New Orleans) and is opening coffee shops in the French Market and Bywater. The common threads behind her creative endeavors are passion for New Orleans and a social conscience. “Our community is stronger if we all work together,” she says.

>

What is inspiring you now?

My partner Carlos Leon just finished renovating Pop City Uptown using mostly reclaimed and repurposed materials. It’s simply gorgeous, and he is a total inspiration. Carlos has really challenged us to become more focused on sustainability and fair trade, finding amazing crafts people locally and internationally. I want Funrock’n and Pop City to grow in that direction and with those principles in place in the next five years.

Favorite local brands?

Bywater Crafter’s photography, Nurhan Gokturk’s art, Naomi Celestin’s ReStrung Jewelry, Donna Maloney’s Sweet Spot, Holly Williams’ Small Change Finery, Michael Teal’s Absolutely SpaTacular, Jeanette Meyer’s hats, Steve Winn’s wooden postcards and coasters featuring vintage photographs of New Orleans, Dr. Bob’s “Be Nice or Leave” items, ALG Style and their Warehouse Sale, NOLA Bunarchy.

Words of wisdom?

Start making it happen today.

Favorite style secret?

Funky glasses, ponytail holder, jeans and a T-shirt with equally funky shoes, and it’s on!

Favorite place to hang out?

I love Magazine Street and the French Market, so it’s a bonus that my shops are right in the heart of both. When I’m not at my stores, I’m at Fatoush on St. Claude Avenue. I wrote a book with chef Kevin Belton right at the front table. St. Claude is happening! I predict [it’s] the next big shopping destination street. You watch!

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Ashley Longshore ASHLEY LONGSHORE FEELS POWERFULLY CONNECTED TO NEW ORLEANS. “There is an undercurrent of weirdness that as an artist I was drawn to,” says the self-taught painter and Alabama native, whose Magazine Street gallery showcases her flamboyant style. Known for paintings that depict iconic women such as Audrey Hepburn and Frida Kahlo and explore themes of status, consumerism, beauty and bravery, Longshore has become a sought-after brand. Her success has inspired women, locals and Southerners in particular, but her message of personal empowerment is for everyone.

“You must work like your life depends on it and be kind to yourself along the way,” Longshore says.

What is inspiring you now?

All the opportunities we have as Americans to be entrepreneurs.

There are not a lot of places in the world where we have this freedom.

It’s amazing, especially being a woman. I love exploring the roles of status and greed in this country.

Thankfully, there’s a neverending amount of inspiration.

Words of wisdom?

The advantage of being an American entrepreneur is that the sky is the limit. You just have to put in the work and build amazing relationships. Making your own money allows you the freedom to love who you really want and gives you the power to be as creative as you imagined, and that is true freedom.

Favorite style secret?

Statement pieces, color, sparkle, oversized rings, shiny clutches, massive pots of orchids. Embrace your uniqueness and find accessories that express who you really are. For me, the bigger the better. I prefer to be unforgettable [rather] than to blend in with the crowd. And please, whatever you do, don’t go in public with a camel toe. (You know when you have one… help me help you.)

Favorite place to hang out?

With all my friends and my team barbecuing in the garden of my studio, listening to some old-school R&B and laughing uncontrollably.

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Attendees enter February’s Magic market in Las Vegas.

PHOTO COURTESY KATHLEEN FLAHERTY

TO MARKET, TO MARKET LOCAL BOUTIQUE OWNERS REPORT ON SPRING TRENDS SPOTTED AT MAJOR FASHION MARKETS.

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MOST CLOTHES HOUNDS DON’T THINK MUCH ABOUT HOW THE LATEST fashions arrive at their favorite local boutiques — they’re just eager to try on the goods.

For business owners, however, the process is far from simple. It involves knowing their customers’ tastes, forecasting trends and making a pilgrimage to a fashion mecca known simply as “market.”

“Basically, the point of market is to choose your pieces or clothing lines for the up-and-coming season,” says Rachel Spratt, who co-owns Shopitoulas.

“It’s nice to see the clothes in person, feel them and get a sense of the line. You see these hundreds of vendors and pick and choose who you’d like to carry, tailored to your clientele.”

Spratt and Gisele Cosma, owner of Rye Clothing, recently attended Magic, a wholesale market in Las Vegas, and Rhonda Findley, owner of Pop City and Funrock’n, recently visited the Dallas Market Center, a 15-floor, 5,000,000-square-foot wholesale trade center with temporary and permanent showrooms of home and fashion brands.

“People and famous designers come and they bring everything you can imagine,” Findley says. “It’s fun and fast-paced. If you want to see Calvin Klein’s fall 2016 collection, it’s there. You can see it first.”

Findley, Spratt and Cosma share the season’s trends from market — and preview what shoppers can expect to find in boutiques this spring.

Magic attendees mingle at the Las Vegas market.

PHOTO COURTESY KATHLEEN FLAHERTY

1

LOWER HEMLINES AND A RETRO TWIST

Hemlines are lower across the board as clothing becomes more tailored, with a vintage feel. “Women of all ages are seeing you can be sexy with a longer, almost retro-style skirt,” Findley says.

“You’re seeing very structured, conservative looks,” Cosma says. “I saw a lot of separates and skirts below the knee. To me, it seemed much safer than what it’s been in the past.”

But the longer length trend doesn’t mean customers should stock up on maxi dresses. Those summer staples have gone the way of jams shorts.

2

DENIM: ANYTHING GOES

While Spratt reports a prevalence of boxy, high-waisted “mom jeans,” Findley says almost anything goes when it comes to jeans: She saw every silhou-

ette from straight-leg to flared.

Stretch denim still has a presence: “I saw lots of skinny jeans still,” Cosma says. “It is not out.”

Patchwork and printed denim in patterns like polka dots, snakeskin and florals will be a big trend, Findley says.

However, trends such as bedazzled jeans, light washes and super-high or low-rise waistlines are definitely past their prime.

3

Hundreds of designers and brands display their wares at wholesale markets.

PHOTO BY RACHEL SPRATT

COLORFUL PURSES

For once, handbags are not getting bigger, Spratt says. “Pocket-sized, cross-body purses were huge,” she says.

“I saw small handbags and satchels everywhere in bold colors.”

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SHOES: A ’90S INFLUENCE

Leslie Gallin curates the “shoe show” PAGE 35

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at Magic’s FN Platform, and reports five major trends for spring: 1990s-inspired lug soles on oxfords and heeled booties; pastel pumps inspired by Pantone’s colors of the year (rose quartz and serenity); kitten heels; monk-strap styles for men and women; and desert boots. “Both streamlined and lightweight, [desert boots] are the perfect transitional piece for spring to fall,” she stated in a press release.

5

DELICATE JEWELRY

Designers are moving away from dramatic statement necklaces toward more subtle pieces. “Jewelry has become simple, dainty stuff, not so loud and rhinestone-y,” Spratt says. “Rose gold was in for a minute, but now it’s fading out. I saw a lot of gold and silver.”

“Jewelry is going long, lean and very thin and discreet, much like what Charlize Theron wore for the Oscars,” Cosma says. Findley says these long necklaces lend themselves to layering, and she saw lots of arrows, natural stone and turquoise elements.

6

LUXE YOGA WEAR

The ”athleisure” trend is not going away, but it is becoming more refined. “Every single line is taking inspiration from yoga wear,” Cosma says. “You’re seeing that loose, drapey comfort but lovely fabrication.”

“These flattering jersey fabrics make you look pulled together,” Findley says. “You could wear that gray jogger pant with a beautiful cashmere sweater and be comfy but look classy.”

7

BARE SHOULDERS

Skin is in — shoulders in particular. “Anything shoulder-baring is a major trend, because it’s simple yet chic,” Spratt says. Nix the midriff-exposing tops (though crop tops are appearing paired with higher waistlines) and miniskirts — those pieces are out. “No more belly buttons,” Findley says.

Smaller handbags in bright colors are in.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL SPRATT

DITCH THIS Maxi skirts Metallic temporary tattoos Asymmetrical hemlines Boho girl looks Lace shorts Neon

WEAR THIS MIDI SKIRTS MIRRORED SUNGLASSES SCALLOPED HEMLINES PRAIRIE GIRL LOOKS

(cowboy boots, gingham dresses)

FLOWING PRINTED SHORTS

with elastic waists

PURPLE AND CRIMSON

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SHOPPING

PUP SQUAD

BY SUZ A NNE PFEFFERLE TA FUR

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret

by Bob Shea, $9.99 at Octavia Books

A Bayou Home

by Nancy Backus, $19.99 at Haase’s

Brilliant

by Roddy Doyle, $16.95 at Tubby

& Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop

c ue k id s

At the library’s Reading to Rover program, canines lend a paw to children practicing reading aloud.

ON A RECENT TUESDAY EVENING AT JEFFERSON PARISH’S EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY, A YOUNG GIRL with blonde braids slowly read aloud from a colorful children’s book. A sinewy Rhodesian ridgeback named Jolly curled up next to her, listening to her voice, while the dog’s owner whispered words of encouragement.

This cozy scene is common during Reading to Rover (www.visitingpetprogram.org) — a literacy program where children practice reading aloud to therapy dogs. The free events take place once a month at the East Bank Regional Library and the Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center in Orleans.

Amber McTee discovered Reading to Rover last September and has been attending the monthly gatherings with her 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son ever since. Her children often pick their books ahead of time, so they can practice reading.

McTee says they find the evenings “fun and different” and “better than reading at home every night.” But the dogs are the main attraction.

“By now they know all of their names,” she says, noting that a few canines even wear costumes. At a December session, Jolly donned a crimson, velvety Santa Claus suit embellished with shiny jingle bells.

“They get excited to go back and see all of the dogs that they remember,” McTee says. She adds that her daughter is already a strong reader but her son is not quite as interested in books yet, but they love the library events.

“It’s a change of scenery and change of pace,” she says. “This gives them something to look forward to.

It’s relaxing.”

Reading to Rover was launched by the Visiting Pet Program — the only animal-assisted activity and therapy program in New Orleans, which has more than 100 volunteer handlers. The volunteers and their trained pets visit hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and stressed teenagers who are studying for college entry exams.

Fay Schultz, the coordinator of Reading to Rover, joined the program nearly 13 years ago. She recently was seen at Ochsner Health System’s main campus on Jefferson Highway, pushing her dog — a small blackand-white shih tsu — in a stroller. “(Reading to Rover) is a good program, because we don’t judge,” Schultz says. “If the child makes a mistake, he makes a mistake.

If he asks us a word, we’ll tell him. There’s no judgment. The dog just sits and listens.”

The group size varies but can include up to 30 readers. Most young bookworms are less than 10 years old. After the child reads a few short books aloud, the canine gets a treat.

The librarian hands each participant a dog bone-shaped bookmark that bears the line: “I have read to (the name of the dog).”

Schultz notices how the young students’ reading skills increase over time, along with their enthusiasm for books.

“I see the joy in children’s faces,” she says. “I’ll look at a child and say, ‘Oh, you started out as a baby and now you’re in first grade reading.’”

But Schultz believes that it’s fun for the dogs as well, who cherish the affection and the chance to model festive canine fashions.

Reading to Rover is held the third Tuesday of each month at the East Bank Regional Library in the Children’s Department (4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 504-838-1190; www.nutrias.org) from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The next event is March 15.

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L IGHTING | R UGS | H OME D ECOR | L INENS | W ALL A RT | C USTOM F URNITURE

CUSTOM FURNITURE BY NOLA RECYCLED Monday - Friday 10am - 8pm | Saturday 10am - 6pm | Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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n e t d r r a A G

VISIT OUR FRENCH QUARTER LOCATIONS!

7 Days a week 9am - 10pm 700, 622, 606 & 301 Royal St 407 Decatur St FOREVER NEW ORLEANS

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333 Chartres St NOLA 70130 (504) 566-1340 Nola Kids

BE AUT Y

BRUSH WITH SUCCESS

lu ster ph i le “A fluffy eye shadow brush like the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. I use this brush to blend, blend, blend eye shadow, and I use it to apply and blend concealer, contour and highlights. This brush can do it all.” — S A R A H M .

“Definitely a push liner brush to highlight the brow bone.” — L A U R E N P R AT S

NARS PUSH LINER BRUSH, $28 AT Saks Fifth Avenue

TWO MAKEUP ARTISTS SHARE FIVE ESSENTIAL TOOLS OF THEIR TRADE.

E A R LY

REAL TECHNIQUES DELUXE CREASE BRUSH, $7.99 AT Ulta Beauty

BY MISSY WILKINSON

“Beautyblender is my most favorite [for blending concealer and foundation].”

— L A U R E N P R AT S OF HI-BROW BE AUT Y BAR BEAUTYBLENDER, $20 AT Sephora

“A small angled brush like the Laura Mercier Brow Definer Brush. Even though this brush is meant for eyebrows, it makes applying eyeliner and eye shadow so simple.”

“A high-density flat or domed face brush like the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is great for buffing and blending colors.”

— SAR AH M. E A R LY

— SAR AH M. E A R LY

LAURA MERCIER BROW DEFINER BRUSH, $26 AT Sephora

REAL TECHNIQUES EXPERT FACE BRUSH, $8.99 AT Ulta Beauty A PR I L. 2 0 1 6 <<<

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gambit P U B L I C A T I O N

HOME 速

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RESOURCE GUIDE A guide to RENOVATION | DECORATION | INSPIRATION

ISSUE DATE: APRIL 5 AD SPACE RESERVATION: MARCH 25 CALL OR EMAIL AD DIRECTOR SANDY STEIN: 504.483.3150 SANDYS@GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

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resou rces A LISTING OF THE RETAILERS AND PROFESSIONALS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE OF CUE.

new & cool PAGE 11

DVRA (1113B St. Mary St., 504-872-0726; www.shopdvra.com) Furnish (3413 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, 504-702-8514; www.facebook.com/nolarecycledmetairie) Lucy Rose (3318 Magazine St., 504-895-0444; www.facebook. com/lucyrosemagst) Pure Barre (701 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-342-9321; 1814 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-674-7577; 3923 Magazine St., 504-342-2208; www.purebarre.com)

built in style PAGE 13

Eclectic Home (8211 Oak St., 504-866-6654; www.eclectichome.net)

Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop (631 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-598-5536; www.tubbyandcoos.com)

lusterphile PAGE 39

Hi-Brow Beauty Bar (126 Sierra Court, Metairie, 504-325-2222; www.hibrownola.com) NARS Cosmetics (The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 504-524-2200; www.narscosmetics.com) Ulta Beauty (197 Westbank Expwy., 504-365-8716; 2900 S. Claiborne Ave., Suite 400, 504-891-4323; www.ulta.com) Sephora (Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-830-4567; www.sephora.com) Sarah M. Early (www.sarahmearly.com)

Spruce (2043 Magazine St., 504-265-0946; www.sprucenola.com)

fitness PAGE 17

Barre3 (611 O’Keefe Ave., Suite C-3, 504-371-5297; 5235 Magazine St., 504-301-3082; www.barre3.com) Barre Code NOLA (787 Harrison Ave., 504-900-1770; www.thebarrecode.com) Uptown Costume and Dancewear (4326 Magazine St.,504-895-7969; www.uptowncostume.com)

kids PAGE 37

BEFORE

AFTER

Haase’s (8119 Oak St., 504-866-9944; www.haases.com) Octavia Books (513 Octavia St., 504-899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com)

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WEAR+ WHERE

French Quarter Fest

MIA HALLORAN

MANAGER AT TRASHY DIVA

BY MISSY WILKINSON Tell us a little bit about yourself.

When I’m not working at the store, I travel the world teaching people how to swing dance. Balboa, Lindy Hop, Charleston — also a lot of lost and forgotten partner dances from the turn of the century. I’m married to an incredible man, who happens to be an incredible trombone player. His name is Charlie Halloran, and you can catch him at the French Quarter Fest. We have three crazy dogs that are equally sweet and insane. I love living in New Orleans; it breathes life into me every day.

Do you have a particular style?

I gravitate toward anything reminiscent of the the 1940s and ’50s. I enjoy keeping that retro feel but am happy to give it all a modern twist. I love big curls in my hair, retro tattoos and clothing with silhouettes that flatter a woman’s figure.

Describe what you’re wearing to French Quarter Fest and why you chose it.

I’ve chosen seersucker because it’s light and airy,

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it breathes well and it’s absolutely darling. This [Trashy Diva] dress has a fun, swishy skirt that’s great to dance around in while listening to some of the best music this city has to offer. And did I mention it has pockets?

What about footwear?

How are you balancing comfort and style for the fest?

I wouldn’t go anywhere without my Re-Mix Vintage Shoes. They recreate shoes from the 1910s to the 1950s and the construction is incredible, with soft Spanish leather and a slippery sole to dance in. They are astonishingly comfortable, and I’m happy to dance and walk in them for hours.

What advice would you give people regarding dressing for festivals?

Dress up! Have fun! Wear lightweight clothes that make you want to move and dance. A fabulous sun hat or lace parasol can be both stylish and cooling.

I always put a lightweight cardigan in my purse in case the sun gets too strong and I need to cover my arms.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

IT’S WHY YOU SHOP. Saks Fifth Avenue

Allen Edmonds Anthropologie Armani Collezioni BCBGMAXAZRIA Brooks Brothers Donald J Pliner Lululemon Athletica Morton’s The Steakhouse Tiffany & Co. The Theatres at Canal Place

333 Canal Street The Shops at Canal Place

www.theshopsatcanalplace.com theshopsatcanal

504.522.9200 theshopsatcanalplace