CUE: The Northshore issue by Gambit New Orleans

A GAMBIT PUBLICATION | J U N E 2 0 1 4

NORTHSHORE LIVING HOME FASHION BEAUTY

STANDOUT FASHION AND HOME DECOR NORTH OF THE LAKE PLUS HERB FRIENDLY GARDENS & TIPS FOR SCULPTED BROWS

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CONTENTS

JUNE 2014

SHOPPING

Northshore style

New & Cool

Chic rainy day accessories

Summery looks from Northshore boutiques

CUE Tips

HOME

31 12

The Riverwalk’s reopening and flip-flops for a cause

Herb appeal

BEAUTY

Family legacy

High Brow Sculpt your features with elegant brows

FASHION

What Guys Want Gear for the open road

09 35

How to grow an herb garden A storied plantation in Covington

PERSPECTIVES

From the editor A bridge too far.

Shop Dogs

Callie of Candy Apple

ON THE COVER: Tracy and Baldwin Reads’ plantation-style house was built in the 1830s. Every year, the Reads host an Easter egg hunt for their neighbors.

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FR OM T H E EDI TOR PHOTO BY JANINE JOFFE | MAKEUP BY MARIA BARREDA

y parents moved to the Northshore as a compromise. My mom, a New Orleans native, yearned to return to Lakeview, but my dad missed his hometown of Baton Rouge. Mandeville seemed like a convenient way to split the difference, plus the public schools were good. Fifteen years later, they’re still there, with no plans to leave. I have to admit, I didn’t see the appeal at first. It was so quiet out there, nothing but shopping centers and trees. But these days I find myself looking forward to the sun- and seagull-spangled trip across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. I enjoy the quiet afternoons spent on my parents’ porch. I see fireflies at night and I don’t have to worry about my car getting broken into if I forget my purse on the seat. There’s something restorative about the Northshore; it’s easy to see why New Orleanians have historically chosen it as a place to reinvigorate themselves. But the Northshore offers more than a place to convalesce. There’s fantastic shopping (see the fashion feature on page 25) and historic archi-

tecture (see the home feature on page 17) nestled among its peaceful copses of oaks and pines. And as the weather heats up, its shady trails and breezy lakefront entice residents to make the trip from south of the lake — as they have for generations.

ON CUE

MARGO DUBOS |

MISSY WILKINSON |

EDITOR

EDITORIAL K ANDACE P OWER GR AVE S

M A N A G IN G ED I TO R

CO N T R IB U T IN G W R I T ER S

NICOLE C ARROLL, LEE CUTRONE, P A I G E R I TA N U LT Y PRODUCTION

G R A P HI C D E S I G NER S

PUBLISHER

DORA SISON |

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

CHRIS TIN GREEN

A DV ER T I S IN G CO O R D IN ATO R

483-3138 christing@gambitweekly.com ACCOU N T E X ECU T I V ES JILL GIEGER

S ENI O R A CCO U N T E X EC U T I V E

483-3131 jillg@gambitweekly.com

LY N V I C K N A I R , P A I G E H I N R I C H S , JULIE T MEEK S, DAVID K ROLL, J A S O N W H I T TA K E R

JEFFRE Y PIZ ZO 483-3145 jeffp@gambitweekly.com

P R E- P R E S S CO O R D IN ATO R

LINDA L ACHIN 483-3142 lindal@gambitweekly.com

K AT H R Y N B R A D Y

DISPL AY A DV ERT ISI NG S ANDY S TEIN BRONDUM

A DV ER T I S IN G D IR EC TO R

483-3150 sandys@gambitweekly.com MICHELE SLONSKI

A DV ER T I S IN G A D M INI S T R ATO R 483-3140 micheles@gambitweekly.com

SHANNON HINTON KERN 483-3144 shannonk@gambitweekly.com KRIS TIN HARTENS TEIN 483-3141 kristinh@gambitweekly.com KELLIE L ANDECHE 483-3143 kelliel@gambitweekly.com

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shop our dress stores 537 Royal St.

2048 Magazine St.

shop our shoe stores 839 Chartres St.

2050 Magazine St.

shop our accessories store 829 Chartres St.

www.trashydiva.com

NEW + COOL

SHOPPING

April showers bring May flowers, or you can tote your own bloom with a yellow sunflower umbrella, $26 at Auraluz (4408 Shores Drive, Metairie, 504-8883313; www.auraluzlinensgifts.com).

Rainy day

CHIC THESE WET WEATHER ACCESSORIES OFFER A DOWNPOUR OF STYLE. B Y

PA I G E

R I TA

Monogrammed rain boots are a sleek way to stay dry, $110 at Miss Smarty Pants (5523 Magazine St., 504-8916141; www.facebook.com/ misssmartypantsnola).

A Rainrap is a lightweight, waterproof alternative to a bulky raincoat, $75 at SoPo (629 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-609-2429; www.soponola.com).

N U LT Y

The message on this hand-stamped silver necklace makes for a sunny mood, even if the weather is bad, $45 at Pop City.

Brelli’s umbrellas are more than cute parasols to protect you from the sun. They also withstand rain and wind up to 40 mph, $79 at SoPo.

Bright rain boots with cowboy-inspired silhouettes liven up a dreary day, $48 at Pop City (940 Decatur St., 504-528-8559; www.funrockn.com). J UN E. 2 0 1 4 <<<

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FASHION

W H AT G U Y S WAN T

Day

trippers Key pieces for hitting the open road.

PHOTOS BY ROMNEY PHOTOGR APHY MODELED BY M AT T M ADDEN AND R ACHEL SPR AT T

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W H AT G U Y S WAN T [FACING PAGE] Porsche Carrera S convertible courtesy Porsche of New Orleans (3700 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-832-2112; www.neworleans.porschedealer.com) On Matt: Plaid crawfish logo shirt, $79.50, belt, $68, blue shorts, $75, all at Perlis (600 Decatur St., Suite 104, 504523-6681; 1281 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 6, Mandeville, 985-674-1711; 6070 Magazine St., 504-895-8661). Sunglasses by Persol, $270 at St. Charles Vision.

FASHION

Sunglasses by Persol, $270 at St. Charles Vision (citywide; www.stcharlesvision.com).

On Rachel: Sunglasses by Salt, $415 at St. Charles Vision; dress, $298, strappy heels, $278, both at Elle Boutique (2126 Magazine St., 504-522-4929; www.facebook. com/shopelleboutique).

Alligator iPhone case/wallet, $495 at Rubensteins (102 St. Charles Ave., 504-581-6666; www.rubensteinsneworleans.com).

Loafers by Harrys of London, $575 at Rubensteins.

Messenger bag by Spikes and Sparrows, $325 at Rappâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Luggage and Gifts (3250 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504-885-6536; www.rapps.com). J UN E. 2 0 1 4 <<<

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SINCE 1940

C A LL 5 0 4 . 2 8 8 . 8 3 81 TO S I G N U P FO R F R EE P I C K - U P A N D D ELI V ERY. NEW ORLEANS

CONNECT • LAKEVIEW | 905 HARRISON AVENUE | 872-0931 • UPTOWN | 6227 S. CLAIBORNE AVENUE | 866-5371 • YOUNGSDRYCLEANING.COM •

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BUILT IN STYLE

Herb appeal

HOME

HOW TO CULTIVATE A HOME HERB GARDEN FOR YEAR-ROUND FLAVOR. BY K AT STROMQUIST

he finishing touch on a farm-to-table dish is the newly clipped herb, which garnishes salads, pasta and fish courses on restaurant tables nationwide. For home cooks who don’t have the yard space to grow heirloom tomatoes and carrots, an herb garden is a simple way to add freshness and color to any meal. “Herbs are pretty easy … [they] don’t need as much light as vegetables,” says Megan McHugh, co-creator of Pistil and Stamen Flower Farm and Studio. “If you have good soil, other issues that are involved in herbs are relatively minimal.” Though herbs can be grown indoors, McHugh says an outdoor garden helps plants receive the light, water and nutrients that allow them to thrive. Outdoor arrangements pave the way for the continued growth of biennials like parsley and sage, which will grow for two years, as well as plants that last from year to year. “One main benefit of [herb gardening] outdoors is that you can cultivate a lot of perennial herbs, which are herbs that are not annual, so they last indefinitely,” McHugh says. “For example, rosemary is a real winner; you can just stick that into the ground and it will grow into a bush in a year’s time — also oregano, lavender [and] tarragon are really good ones. [Tarragon] needs a lot of space but it’s really awesome.” Herb gardens often fall into two categories: container gardens and bed gardens. Either should be set up in a partially shaded area that receives up to six hours of indirect morning light. Since container gardens don’t have access to water retained in the soil, they’ll need water every day, but they carry certain advantages: They can be moved easily in bad weather or if problems arise with their location. Containers also confine plants like mint, which grow aggressively and can choke out other herbs. Bed gardens are raised structures with a planting medium mixed for optimal growth. For all arrangements, McHugh says a nourishing medium is key for productive output. Experienced gardeners use everything from the ash from burned-off sugar cane, high-quality pine chips, blood and bone meal, sand and chicken manure to create their planting medium. “If you buy [soil] in bags from a store, nothing will grow in it,” she says. “A lot of bag soils are not really soil yet; they’re just sand mixed with mulch. I would add compost to any soil I buy in a bag from the store. “There’s also [a technique called] cover crop, where you plant a bunch of peas and other nitrogen-producing things in the box and it’ll be more nutrient-rich when you plant the herbs.” Over the summer, established beds or in-ground gardens should be watered once every few days. Louisiana’s temperate climate means gardeners can grow herbs yearround. Plant dill, parsley, fennel and cilantro alongside broccoli in the fall, and move on to other herbs in spring, the main growing season. “This time of year is great for almost all herbs,” says Babs Choppala of Harold’s Plants. “[In spring] we can get whatever a customer is wanting, with [more available] at this time of year than at other times. Basil will grow well all summer, but it doesn’t like cold weather. … [At this time of year] fennel and dill can be frail.” Well-stocked nurseries offer the most variety, as they carry everything from mint to curry plants, lemongrass, the stevia plant called sugarbush

Container gardens need to be watered every day, but they can be easily moved if the plants aren’t thriving in their present location.

and exotically named hybrids like magic carpet thyme and red beard bunching onion. Cultivated flavored plants, such as chocolate or pineapple mint, add an extra dimension to a finished dish. Other unexpected benefits to herbs include a flowering stage with edible blooms. Some flowers (like certain nasturtiums, chrysanthemums and borage) also are edible and attract pollinators such as bees. If the flowers remain on the plant and die, trim them off. This process is called deadheading. Choppala says regular trimming encourages growth, as long as the trimmings aren’t taken from the very bottom of the plant. For yardless gardeners who yearn for fresh herbs to sprinkle over soup, indoor herb gardening is a solution. Windows that receive lots of high-quality light are best. The kitchen also is a good place to start herbs from seeds, as the even temperatures will help establish the seedlings and protect them from the vicissitudes of Louisiana weather. Herbs can be started from seeds any time between late October and Easter, though Choppala says novice gardeners may have more success buying young plants from the nursery. McHugh says an outdoor, dappled-shade garden is the most promising starting point for gardening neophytes. “If you’re not a super-attentive gardener and you’ve never done it before, putting the garden in part shade is the best bet for you, just because that’s the most forgiving situation,” she says. J UN E. 2 0 1 4 <<<

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Family

Legacy Tracy and Baldwin Read’s historic Covington home is where memories are made. BY LEE CU T RONE | PHOTOS BY T HERE S A C A S S AG NE STYLING BY MATT VOELKEL AND HOLLY BIGGS OF STUDIO MV

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estled on 1.4 acres near the Bogue Falaya River, Tracy and Baldwin Read’s Covington home has a stately presence and a storied past. Built in the 1830s by one of the children of John Wharton Collins, founder of Covington, the plantation-style residence was home to Captain John Grant (engineer, inventor, railroad builder and state legislator) during the Civil War and is believed to have served as a haven for Union Gen. Benjamin “Beast” Butler. What also resonates here is the Read family’s 53-year legacy as owners of the historic house. Purchased by Baldwin Read’s family in 1951 and then by Baldwin in 1999, the house has been cherished by three generations of Reads, not to mention countless friends and extended family members. Featuring huge columns, double galleries, 12-foot ceilings, crown moldings and plaster medallions, the Read house is the oldest house in Favrotville, a 20-acre enclave of 14 houses, mostly vacation residences owned by the Favrot family. Baldwin’s great-grandfather, Charles Allen Favrot, founded the community in the early 1900s. Once a thriving port area due to its deep river, Covington became a sleepy ghost town when the railroad was extended to New Orleans after the Civil War.

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But with the turn of the 20th century, the Northshore once again became a busy destination. Known for its wealth of pine trees and excellent air quality, it drew people from all over the country as a place to convalesce. “My great-grandfather rented a home nearby and fell in love with the area,” Baldwin says. “He started acquiring property and later his children bought or built homes on the property.” The Read home, which in 1956 became the first Favrotville house to be inhabited fulltime, still offers the quiet seclusion of the country even though it’s just minutes from downtown Covington. It hosts an annual Easter egg hunt for all of Favrotville. (One year, when there were no small children, Baldwin’s parents hosted the event for adults, substituting tiny bottles of liquor for eggs.) It’s still alive with a profusion of azaleas in the spring, and it’s a spectacular wedding venue: Tracy’s daughter will be married there this May. Some things have changed. Since Baldwin bought the house, its interior has been updated. The process, which began in 1999 with a kitchen and living area renovation, has been a slow evolution. But over time, Tracy and Baldwin, who married in 2003 and moved into the house full-time after Hurri-

The spacious family/dining room originally was a back porch. Baldwin’s father extended its footprint and later glassed it in and added the fireplace. Matching Verellen sofas slipcovered in linen anchor the seating area. The linen-covered chairs are from Studio MV. Tracy found the coffee table at a thrift store years ago and updated it with gray Annie Sloan paint. Silk pillows lined with linen are from Chet Pourciau Design. {PREVIOUS PAGE] The antique mirror in the foyer came from Crown & Colony Antiques in Fairhope, Alabama. The table is from Tara Shaw, the bowl is by Julie Katich and the antique olive jar is from Crown & Colony. [FACING PAGE] In the dining room, a federal-style dining table is made less formal with the addition of white slipcovered chairs. The painted buffet is from Crown & Colony, the artworks to the left are by Lynette Walker and the abstracts above the buffet are by Karen Stastny (from Cole Pratt Gallery).

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PAGE 19

FEATURE

HOME

cane Katrina, have merged their two households to create a light, airy retreat. “Most of the work was really about giving the house a facelift,” Baldwin says. “It has good bones, but it was dated.” Downstairs, the renovation included turning the existing galley kitchen and informal living areas into a large, open space. Walls between the kitchen and breakfast area and between the breakfast area and sun porch (originally an outdoor porch extended and enclosed by Baldwin’s father) were removed, the kitchen was remodeled and floors of reclaimed pine were installed throughout most of the first floor. Comfortable seating, neutral colors and a pared-down mix of old and new furnishings prevail. “Both of us would be considered minimalists as far as furniture and furnishings go,” Baldwin says. “We don’t like clutter.” “It’s fairly casual,” adds Tracy, who is fond of painted pieces with a Swedish feel and has repainted everything from sofas to chests herself. “We have antiques and contemporary things and abstract art by local artists.” Baldwin’s father installed the pool, which is surrounded by raised brick flowerbeds and pink azaleas, a concrete patio with potted plants and a huge oak tree dripping with Spanish moss. Inspired by the classical design of the fountain, it was conceived as a cocktail

[ABOVE] The pool’s classical design was inspired by the tiered fountain, a gift to Baldwin’s parents from friends in Guatemala. [RIGHT] Baldwin transformed a small galley kitchen by removing an existing wall between the kitchen and breakfast area and remodeling the space with new surfaces and appliances. The breakfast area pairs a French wine table with reproduction French chairs from Julie Neill Designs that Tracy upholstered with canvas and raffia.

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HOME

FEATURE

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I was reluctant to move to the Northshore, but I’ve grown to love the quietness of the place. I understand the specialness and nostalgia of (the house). — TRACY READ 22

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The lamp in the background is from Studio MV. The Mora clock is from Tara Shaw and the chandelier is from Karla Katz Antiques.

pool and is just four feet deep. Both the pool and the landscaping were designed by Baldwin’s cousin, Virginia Provosty Bessent of Via Matris Landscape. The grounds include dogwoods, camellias and annuals planted by Baldwin. “The garden today is more natural and not really manicured for a couple of reasons,” he says. “I don’t have the green thumb my dad had; he had a beautiful rose garden. And I tend to allow things to grow as is.” Recently, the couple consulted friend and architectural designer Matt Voelkel of Studio MV to help redesign their master bath. “I was reluctant to move to the Northshore, but I’ve grown to love the quietness of the place,” says Tracy, who has been fine-tuning every detail and corner of the house for her daughter’s spring wedding. “I love Baldwin’s stories. I understand the specialness and nostalgia of (the house).” For the Reads, enhancing their home isn’t just about layering it with things. It’s also about layering it with memories. “When my parents owned the house, there was an open door policy,” Baldwin says. “We try to continue that tradition.”

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SUMMER BRIGHTS

HANDCRAFTED IN AMERICA 3801 Magazine Street 504.891.2005 • Lakeside 504.835.2244 Canal Place 504.524.2973 • www.mignonfaget.com

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FASHION

Summer sums The total of these simple staples? Breezy summer looks, Northshore style. B Y

M I S S Y

W IL K IN S O N

= Summer weddings

Woven straw clutch, $129.99, and pleated orange dress, $49.99, both at UAL; peep-toe bootie, $40.50, at Francescaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

= Fest dressed

Aztec print swim top, $68 at Bra Genie; neon sandal, $45.99, and skirt, $79.99, both at UAL. J UN E. 2 0 1 4 <<<

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Magazine St & Louisiana

BuffaloExchange.com

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SUMMER SUMS

= Picnics in the park

Clutch, $88 at Hazelnut; striped dress, $44 at Francesca’s; woven hat, $47.99 at UAL.

= Girls’ night out

Sequined camisole, $105; jeans, $49.99, both at UAL; enameled bee cuff, $45 at Hazelnut.

Bra Genie (2881 Highway 190, Mandeville, 985-951-8638; www.thebragenie.com) Francesca’s (2885 Highway 190, Suite 1A, Mandeville, 985-674-7799; www.francescas.com) Hazelnut (2735 Highway 190, Mandeville, 985-626-8900; 5515 Magazine St., 504-891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com) UAL (518 Chartres St., 504-301-4437; 2033 N. Highway 190, Suite 1, Covington, 985-871-0749; www. shopual.com)

FASHION

SHOPPING

CUE T I P S

Flipping out W

hat distinguishes $60-$80 leather flip-flops from pairs that cost a fraction of that? A lot of things, according to Lila Stewart, who founded Hari Mari (www.harimari.com) flip-flops with her husband two years ago. “[The flip-flops] are made from recycled rubber and premium fullgrain leather, so they will patina well with time and last forever,” she says. “There’s a year-long warranty. Our engineer came from Teva and designed a patented toe lift, arch support and a spring lift at the front of the flip-flop. There’s memory foam in the toe piece.” But perhaps the best-feeling

aspect of the flip-flops isn’t the way they mold to feet — it’s the company’s charitable donations. “For every pair purchased, Hari Mari donates $3 to kids battling cancer in the U.S.,” Stewart says. During September, National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, that commitment doubles to $6. Hari Mari flip-flops are available at The Blues Jean Bar, Rubensteins and SNAP New Orleans. Stewart says she aims to make Dallas-based Hari Mari a nationally known brand. “We have grown so quickly, and I think it’s a testament to the fact that [the flip-flops] are made responsibly and give back,” she says. — MISSY WILKINSON

Hari Mari flip-flops are extra-cushy thanks to memory foam toe pieces and heel-cupping soles. Photo courtesy Hari Mari.

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Walk

this way

CUE T I P S

SHOPPING

An artist’s rendering of The Outlet Collection Riverwalk and Spanish Plaza.

n Thursday, May 22, after a $70 million renovation and expansion by the Howard Hughes Corporation, The Outlet Collection Riverwalk (500 Port of New Orleans Place, www.riverwalkneworleans.com) celebrates its grand opening. The first outlet collection located in a downtown area, the Riverwalk brings more than 1,000 jobs from national and local retailers including Coach Factory Store, Coach Men’s Factory Store, Forever 21 and Last Call by Neiman Marcus. “Our redevelopment and repositioning of this symbolic riverfront property will deliver a distinct mix of retail and entertainment offerings unmatched in the region,” Howard Hughes Corporation President Grant Herlitz said in a news release. To celebrate, Gambit and Riverwalk have partnered for Indulge at the Riverwalk, a special shopping event from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 23. There will be after-hours shopping, discounts, drinks and refreshments. The Junior League of New Orleans will collect clothing donations. Tickets are free, but attendees must register online at www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/Indulgeattheriverwalk/page — MISSY WILKINSON

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LUSTERPHILE

High

BEAUTY

Brow TWO LOCAL MAKEUP ARTISTS HOLD BROW-SHAPING EVENTS… AND SHARE THEIR TIPS FOR THE PERFECT ARCH.

BY MISSY WILKINSON AND K ANDACE POWER GR AVES

hether they’re bass clef curvy or Brooke Shields bushy, eyebrows define a person’s face. “Brows can create a mood,” says Michelle F. Martinez, founder of Beso Makeup (3515 Melvil Dewey Drive, Metairie, 504-315-0888; www. besomakeup.com). “They shape your entire face, definitely.” Perhaps this is why eyebrows are the facial feature du jour. Makeup artist Martinez and Lauren Prats (3126 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-339-4904; www.facebook.com/ hibrownola), an aesthetician who has worked at Earthsavers for nine years, have launched their own eyebrow-shaping products and classes, where they teach women

Lauren Prats offers brow-shaping pop-ups citywide.

how to shape, define and contour their arches. “I pride myself on helping people beautify their brows,” says Prats, whose makeup line, Hi-Brow, includes seven products for eyebrows. “I like to be easily accessible to my clients, and once I show them how to apply (the products), it’s easy. It’s a really fun line.” Products include a brow mascara that colors the grays and makes eyebrows look fuller. There’s a brow pencil that turns into a powder instead of being waxy. The most popular product is a liquid, waterproof eyebrow pen. “It gives you a sheer look … a really defined arch,” Prats says. There’s also brow pow-

PHOTO BY STUDIO ROE

Michelle F. Martinez at Beso Makeup.

PAGE 33

MAC Fluidline Brow Gel Creme, $16 at MAC Cosmetics (The Shops at Canal Place, 301 Canal St., 504-581-7723; www.maccosmetics.com).

Use Layar to watch a video of Michelle Martinez shaping eyebrows & sharing tips.

Download the free Layar app.

Open the Layar app, hold your mobile device over the page and tap to scan.

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LUSTERPHILE

BEAUTY

PAGE 31

der and a highlighter for under the brow and clear brow mascara. They’re now sold at Earthsavers, Buff Beauty Bar and Glow, and soon will be available at Fini in Lakeview. Prats says she is doing pop-ups around the city, and has been invited by Chanel and Saks Fifth Avenue to do at least one brow-shaping event at The Shops at Canal Place. Martinez offers brow-shaping classes in her studio. The 22-year-old NOCCA graduate draws heavily from her art background and uses her signature Beso makeup line and brushes. She has also created a long-lasting, soft latex eyelash adhesive. “I teach the technique, and you can use it on yourself or other people,” Martinez says.

Hi-Brow brow set, $17, and Hi-Brow waterproof brow pen, $20 at Earthsavers (Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504835-0225; The Premier Centre, 3414 Hwy. 190, Mandeville, 985-674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., 504-8998555; www. earthsavers online.com).

Beso brushes for eyebrow shaping, $5$6 each at Beso Makeup.

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Callie

SHOP DOGS

PERSPECTIVES

TEXT & PHOTOS BY NICOLE CARROLL

n a boutique lined with bold, colorful garments, a spunky Shih Tzu lounges by the window, waiting for customers. “She has to sit at the front door, right where people walk in,” says Cassie Bienvenu, who owns the dog and the boutique, Candy Apple (701 Metairie Road, Suite 18105, Metairie, 504-304-8840; www.facebook.com/shopcandyapple). Candy Apple is a fashion and accessories shop created by sisters Candace and Cassie Bienvenu. The women always wanted to open a store together, and the time was finally right two years ago. Both had returned to New Orleans after spending time away, Cassie in Chicago and Candace in New York. Candace studied fashion merchandising and designed jewelry in college. That was the beginning of the sisters’ venture. “I was going to sell my jewelry and we were going to blog about our favorite things,” Candace says. Using only social media, mainly Facebook and Instagram (@ shopcandyapplenola), the sisters began holding flash sales on other items as well. “We started selling purses and clothing and it would sell out in literally five minutes,” Cassie says. The Bienvenus held pop-up shops throughout Louisiana, usually for three hours at a time, where all items cost less than $60. “We’d have 200 people come out,” Candace says. After about a year of online flash sales and pop-up shops, the duo opened a permanent store last September. Callie, who was a gift to Cassie on her 16th birthday, is a family dog. When Cassie went to college in Chicago, the dog stayed with Cassie’s mom, Cathy. Even though she still lives with Cathy, Callie has sleepovers with Cassie and Candace at their respective homes and comes to work with them almost every day. Customers often mistake Callie, who is 11 years old, for a puppy. “She’s kind of had nine lives,” Cassie says. “She almost died a couple times.” Callie’s near-death experiences include an autoimmune disease and a severe case of mange. Callie loves the spotlight and posing for photos, but she’s not the only star at the shop. The Bienvenu sisters have enjoyed a considerable amount of success recently. They were selected as honorees for this year’s March of Dimes Spotlight on Success (www.marchofdimesnola.com), which highlights young professionals. The sisters handle all aspects of the business themselves, including working in the shop together six days a week with no other employees. They work well together, often filling complementary roles: Candace prefers to style and photograph ensembles to post online, while Cassie enjoys modeling the garments. Working together has its challenges, but Cassie and Candace say they are able to overcome them because they are sisters. “Let’s just say, if we were best friends, we probably wouldn’t be in business anymore,” Cassie says. “We have our moments, but for the most part we know we can’t do it without one another.”

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