CUE Holiday 2017

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CUE’S

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

MERRY +FESTIVE BRIGHT HOLIDAY

LOOKS FOR MEN

WINTER WHITE

FOR THE FAMILY AND THE HOME

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WILKERSON ROW Handcrafted Cypress Furniture

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$595

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CYPRESS VICTORIAN BED ( QUEEN) FROM

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C U E • H O L I DAY 2017

CONTENTS 8 Editor’s Letter 11 New & Cool Find your new favorite shade of white

17 CUE’s Holiday

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Gift Guide

Check this list twice

MEN’S FASHION

Party-worthy outfits for dapper gents ON THE COVER: Model Lamar Armstrong wears a lightweight green flannel shirt, $118, knit sweater, $128, and gunmetal watch with leather band by Nixon, $375 at Vegas; and a cashmere scarf, $150 at Perlis Clothing. P H O T O B Y KENNETH L AFR ANCE

20 Entertaining Taming the stress of holiday parties

23 CUE Kids

Sydney Petite Hinds and The Village Anthology

25 Resources 26 Wear + Where

Let’s party with Andrea Chen, executive director of Propeller 6

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f rom t he ed itor WINTER ISN’T COMING, IT’S HERE. There are snow flurries (snow flurries!) in the forecast.

For those who love the cold and all the days of celebration following in its wake, we’ve gathered some of our favorite cozy winter accessories in seasonal shades of white in our New & Cool shopping feature. Also, there’s some seriously stylish clothing for the gentlemen — or the trendsetting ladies — in your life in our holiday fashion spread.

If the Big Easy’s big chill conjures visions of all those holiday preparations you’ve yet to complete, we’ve got some stories that may take the edge off your Christmahanukwanzaa.

We chatted with some organization gurus about ways to get your home ready for holiday entertaining without breaking the bank or your brains. My favorite piece of advice? Using items you find around your house — Mardi Gras beads, candy canes, fruit, pine cones from the lawn — to create a welcoming centerpiece or door hanger when company is on the way and there’s no time to run to the store.

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If the thought of shopping for your loved ones leaves you feeling frazzled, check out CUE’s holiday gift guide, which offers ideas for everyone on your list, from Mr. Scrooge and Mrs. Cratchit to Tiny Tim. We left out the family pooch, but if he likes to chew on your shoes, a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps from Swap Boutique should do.

Finally, remember to take it all in. This time of year feels like it goes on forever (especially with Mardi Gras tacked on to the back end), but good times never last as long as we’d like.

Yours in peace, love and bon temps,

MARGO DUBOS CEO + pre sident JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER publ isher KATHERINE M. JOHNSON editor DORA SISON pro duc t ion dire c tor

EDITORIAL

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SHOPPING

WINTER

These shades of white are so stunning, you may not want to wait until after Labor Day.

new & cool

WHITE

BY SAR AH R AVITS

Scentsational home Essential oil diffuser, $70 at

Lionheart Prints.

Sequined siren

A vision in ivory

Glowing warmth

Two-toned sequined jacket, $155 at Lucy Rose.

Hand-poured soy candles, $24 at Lionheart Prints.

“Megan” sweater, $84 at Lucy Rose.

Caped ecru-sader

Hooded faux-fur cape, $150 at Pippen Lane.

For sweater weather Fleece jacket, $125 at Perlis Clothing.

Hip to be square

Ceramic bowl

by Molly Kimball, $95 at Home Malone.

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MERRY BRIGHT Festive holiday looks for men ST YLED BY K ATHERINE M . JOHNSON

Navy plaid sports coat, $595, button-down shirt, $165, cloth flower buttonhole pin, $38, paisley pocket square, $60, paisley knit tie, $125, and wool slacks, $195 at Iron Horse Clothier; leather belt, $135 at Perlis Clothing.

Stainless steel watch by Nixon, $425 at Vegas.

Leather slip-on shoes by Ferragamo, $540, and plaid socks, $34 at Perlis Clothing.

PHOTOS BY KENNETH LAFRANCE | MODEL: LAMAR ARMSTRONG

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Navy and forest green checked jacket and navy slacks (not pictured) by Paul Betenly, $595 at Perlis Clothing; Louisiana ornament necktie in cayenne red, $65 at NOLA Couture; mini-check button-down shirt, $165 at Iron Horse Clothier.

Forest green necktie, $115 at Perlis Clothing; vintage tie pin, $20 at

Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes.

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Lightweight green flannel shirt, $118, and knit sweater, $128 at Vegas; red cashmere scarf, $150 at Perlis Clothing.

Stainless steel watch on leather band by Nixon, $175 at Vegas.

Leather bow tie by Jean Lorent, $69 at

Vegas; medallion-print necktie, $115 at Perlis Clothing.

Special thanks to the management and staff of Tableau (616 St. Peter St., 504-934-3463; www.tableaufrenchquarter.com) for hosting our shoot.

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DESIGNER CONSIGNMENT

D O L C E V I TA S TRAW W E DGE S An espadrille thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not afraid to show its rocker edge? Sign us up! $120

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GET

Gift ideas so good you’ll want one, too.

GIFTING

BY SUZ A NNE PFEFFERLE TA FUR

Bare your (red) sole in fringed peep-toe leather pumps by Christian Louboutin (European size 38), $325 at Swap Boutique.

Wooden oyster blessing beads are the perfect accessory for a New Orleans home — or a suspenseful New Orleans Saints game. $50 at Lucy Rose.

A blue crab pendulum clock is both a timekeeper and a conversation piece. $68 at Hyme Tyme Jewelers.

A holiday-themed bouquet fills a home with the sweet scent of roses, $50 at Federico’s Family Florist.

The stylish lady on your list will love this alluring faux leather reversible tote bag by Remi/Reid — complete with a departure pouch and removable strap tucked inside. $95 at Head Over Heels.

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Fringed and monogrammed European linen luncheon napkins from the High Design Collection are pretty and personal, $68 each ($48 without monogramming) at The Linen Registry.

For the guy who likes to be pampered, the “His Simple Ritual” box by Naturopathica includes clarifying facial wash, soothing shave cream and honey vanilla lip balm. $58.95 at Belladonna Day Spa.

This 18-karat gold electroplated 3-by-4-inch museum gallery frame, $120, is one of many luxe home decor items at Dunn and Sonnier Antiques & Flowers.

The 15-piece holiday macaron collection includes four flavors: gingerbread, peppermint, double dark chocolate and eggnog. $31.50 at Sucre.

Fabric interactive dolls by The Doll Kind come with “Pay it Forward” tokens and teach kids about compassion. For each doll sold, a doll is donated to a child in need. $59.99 at Little Pnuts.

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A Japanese-inspired silk kimono by Cocoon House easily elevates a simple outfit. $129 at Wise Buys.

Add sparkle to a holiday outfit with an elegant, gray hematite tassel necklace, embellished with a cultured freshwater pearl, $288 at

Marty’s on Magazine.

The silver and brass “Iko Iko” cuff by Maria Fomich, $550 at

RHINO Contemporary Crafts Co., depicts the sound wave of

“Iko Iko” by The Dixie Cups.

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feat u re

HOME

Preparing to entertain guests during the holidays can leave us anything but jolly.

HOME (HELP!) FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Pro tips to take the stress out of entertaining.

B Y E M ILY B IH L

AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR CALENDARS ARE PACKED WITH TIME-HONORED TRADITIONS AND CHERISHED HOLIDAY TO-DO’S. But there’s one annual occurrence that inspires more dread than seasonal spirit: prepping our homes for guests. The mere thought of all that sprucing up is enough to make any holiday host turn into a Scrooge.

In the spirit of achieving a more serene season, we’ve gathered some tips from pros with decades of experience in home organizing, cleaning and decorating. Holiday help is here.

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STEP ONE

Create a plan of attack Experts say the trick is to treat your holiday prep like any other engagement.

Block out time on your calendar and honor that commitment. Having trouble staying accountable? “Hosting a party is a great way to get motivated because it gives you a deadline,” says Stasia Cymes, author and owner of Clear the Clutter, a professional organization service. Once you set a date, work backwards from that date and prioritize the tasks that will make the biggest impact.

“Instead of focusing on the whole house, determine high-priority spaces,” Cymes says. “Then schedule a date (or several) on your personal calendar to tackle those goals. Common areas such as the kitchen, living room and guest bathroom are usually the most important because this is where you’ll be entertaining.”

This is also a great time to tackle any

HOME

minor home-improvement tasks you’ve been putting off.

“If you’ve been considering a remodel, now is the perfect time to take on smaller home improvement projects so friends and family can enjoy the fruits of your labor with you,” says Abby Sanders, marketing manager at Stone Interiors. “Investing in a new countertop or kitchen island will make you fall in love with your kitchen again, where you’ll be spending plenty of time prepping meals and gathering with family.”

Even a modest update will make a major impact, but outsource as much as possible.

Beware the trap of taking on too much and be sure you’re making smart use of the time you do have.

Cymes recommends downsizing belongings rather than wasting energy trying to find a place for items you’d be better off ditching.

“The biggest mistake you can make is wasting precious time organizing your clutter,” she says. “Less stuff creates more space in your home and you can immediately see the results of your effort.”

STEP TWO

Time for the trimmings Once you’ve got a (mostly) clean slate, it’s time to decorate. That’s the fun part … maybe. If decking the halls feels daunting, it may be time to adjust expectations.

“Perfection is an illusion and this is real life, so don’t stress,” Cymes says. “As long as your home is warm and welcoming … that’s what your guests are going to remember.”

“You don’t always have to buy holiday decorations to make your home feel festive,” Sanders says. “Chances are you’ve already stocked up on some special foods, drinks and other treats for the occasion, so make that your centerpiece. Arrange a cheese board with your favorite nuts, fruits and cheeses, and display your wines in a stylish

decanter to make the occasion feel more special.”

Another expert tip: Turn decorating into an event. Invite family members and friends to join you for an evening of tree-trimming.

With the addition of some mulled wine and music, solo tasks that can feel like “work” might become a fun, beloved tradition.

And if the Grinch taught us anything, it’s that holiday warmth doesn’t have to come from a store — so scout your surroundings for easy, natural decorations to amp up the holiday atmosphere. For a welcoming decoration on the cheap, Sanders suggests setting out a basket of pine cones adorned with a bright red bow, or stringing candy canes together with twine to display as a door hanger.

feat u re

If you need help decking the halls, throw a tree trimming party.

Decorating is less daunting with family and friends.

STEP THREE

Make future-you a happier host The best holiday habits you can instill this year are the ones that will make next year less stressful. After purging your home, plan ways to keep the clutter at bay.

“You may want to seriously consider gifting experiences instead of stuff,” Cymes says.

“Tickets to a play or a gift card to your favorite restaurant are the kind of gifts that keep giving because, instead of immediate gratification, they give us something to look forward to.”

Cymes also recommends setting up a year-round “donation station” in your home.

“Throughout the year as you come across items that no longer serve a purpose in your life — uncomfortable shoes, your old blender, those 10 extra throw pillows — move them to your donation station,” she says. “Once it’s full, take it to (a) charity, schedule a donation pickup or put it on the curb.” Not only will it encourage you to keep your home tidy well past the holidays, but the charitable aspect will help you stay in the giving spirit all year.

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SHOPPING

MINDFULNESS MATTERS

c ue k id s

BY JASMINE RESPESS

New Orleans-based The Village Anthology and its mental health mission Mindful Miracles Collection Pack, $50 at The Village Anthology.

“… we at The Village Anthology [have made] a commitment to address this mental health issue challenging the emotional health of young people.”

- The Village Anthology founder, Sydney Petite Hinds.

A WELL-ROUNDED LIFE HAS MANY ASPECTS: love, friendship, physical health and mental and emotional well-being.

Adults often neglect the latter, and overlook it completely in kids. The idea of incorporating into everyday life the practices and objects that encourage happiness has become more mainstream with the popularization of mindfulness, or the process of directing one’s thoughts to the present moment. Mindfulness has been studied for its effects on everything from mitigating depression symptoms to smoking cessation.

The Village Anthology online shop (www.thevillageanthology. com), operated by founder Sydney Petite Hinds, is filled with products that promote positivity. Items include swaddling scarves printed with positive affirmations such as “Life Grows Lovely Where You Are,” dreamy cloud mobiles and crystal healing jewelry. Clothing, shoes and accessories for babies and kids are available in vivid, fun colors and patterns.

“We specialize in sourcing artists and goods from all over

the world,” Hinds says. “It’s a lot of small-scale artists.”

The website has products from Dubai, Copenhagen, Indonesia and Australia. But it’s not simply a children’s boutique. The Village Anthology also sells mindfulness products for adults, such as grounding spray by Brooklyn-based Lovewild Design, and roll-on essential oils that reduce stress, made by CakeFace Soaping right here in New Orleans. The Village Anthology also sells hand-painted silk robes and sunglasses in bold silhouettes.

“I wanted to create a very inclusive boutique, so a parent could find something for themselves and the kids,” Hinds says.

The Village Anthology’s mission doesn’t end with curating a collection of beautiful objects.

“With the growing concern (over) significant increases in depression among children and teenagers, we at The Village Anthology [have made] a commitment to address this mental health issue challenging the emotional health of young people,” Hinds says.

Her company has partnered

with Canadian author and mom Tamara Hackett to sell her books Mindful ABCs and Mindful 1,2,3.

Each book features Hackett’s writing and water color designs. “[Hackett] was looking for a way to introduce the topic of mindfulness to her two children, but was having a hard time finding age-appropriate sources,” Hinds says.

Hackett’s Mindful ABCs encourages children to expand their emotional vocabulary by associating words, such as grateful, with a picture of a recognizable animal, like a giraffe. The book allows children to learn mindful concepts in the same way they would learn the alphabet.

Mindful 1,2,3 is more interactive. The book counts from 1 to 10 and each number offers an accompanying physical task. For example, number 2 tells readers to take two breaths, and number 8 says to feel eight beats of your heart. This encourages caregivers and children reading the book to connect with their own bodies and with each other.

Hinds further supports mental health initiatives by donating to the Seleni Institute, a nonprofit

organization that focuses on mental and emotional health for mothers and their families.

The Seleni Institute was founded in 2011 to destigmatize mental health issues and provide support for families dealing with infertility, third party reproduction, miscarriage, stillbirth and menopause, among other concerns.

The Village Anthology shop donates $1 of every purchase to Seleni and hosts a monthly “Seleni Sales Day,” when 10 percent of profits go to the Seleni Institute.

Hinds’ passion for mental health was ignited after a car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. She decided to fill her life with beautiful objects and images that make her smile, and to pass that beauty on to others through The Village Anthology.

“Everything in our store is happy,” she says. “It’s crazy, it’s eccentric and it’s colorful. This [store] is a passion project to put my energy into.”

The online shop has been open since June, and Hinds plans to open a brick-and-mortar store in fall 2018.

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

Winter white PAGE 11

Home Malone 629 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 3248352; www.homemalonenola.com Lionheart Prints 3312 Magazine St., (504) 267-5922; www.lionheartprints.com Lucy Rose 534 Chartres St., (504) 267-0305; 3318 Magazine St., (504) 8950444; www.shoplucyrose.com Perlis Clothing Jax Brewery, 600 Decatur St., Suite 104, (504) 523-6681; 1281 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 6, Mandeville, (985) 674-1711; 6070 Magazine St., (504) 895-8661; www.perlis.com Pippen Lane 2930 Magazine St., (504) 269-0106; www.pippenlane.com

Merry + bright PAGE 13

Iron Horse Clothier 523 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 644-4800; www.ironhorsenola.com Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes 4204 Magazine St., (504) 897-6310; www.facebook.com/missclaudiasvintage NOLA Couture 528 St. Peter St., (504) 875-3522; 3308 Magazine St., (504) 319-5959; www.nolacouture.com Perlis Clothing See Winter white Vegas 1924 Magazine St., (504) 410-9992; www.facebook.com/ vegasneworleans

Get gifting PAGE 17

Belladonna Day Spa 2900 Magazine St., (504) 891-4393; www.belladonna- dayspa.com Dunn and Sonnier Antiques & Flowers 3433 Magazine St., (504) 524-3235; www.dunnandsonnier.com

Federico’s Family Florist 815 Focis St., Metairie, (504) 837-6400 Head Over Heels 3112 Magazine St., (504) 603-3234; www.headoverheelsonline.com Hyme Tyme Jewelers 800 Metairie Road, Suite U, Metairie, (504) 833-7069; www.hymetyme.com The Linen Registry 200 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 831-8228; www.thelinenregistry.com Little Pnuts 209 Harrison Ave., Suite C, (504) 267-5083; www.littlepnuts.com

4 WEEK PROMOTION to increase membership and expose your brand just in time for New Year’s resolutions!

Lucy Rose See Winter white Marty’s on Magazine Dunn and Sonnier Antiques & Flowers, 3433 Magazine St., (251) 377-3833; www.antiquesfromasia.com RHINO Contemporary Crafts Co. 2028 Magazine St., (504) 523-7945; www.rhinocrafts.com Sucre 622 Conti St., (504) 267-7098; 3025 Magazine St., (504) 5208311; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 834-2277; www.shopsucre.com Wise Buys 532 Chartres St., (504) 524-3004; www.wisebuysnola.com

Home (help!) for the holidays PAGE 20

Clear the Clutter (504) 920-1800; www.clearthecluttertoday.com Stone Interiors 191 James Drive West, St. Rose, (504) 620-4048; www.nolastone.com H O LI DAY. 2 0 1 7 <<<

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WEAR+ WHERE

Holiday parties

ANDREA CHEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROPELLER

BY K ATHERINE M . JOHNSON PHOTO BY KARLA PHOTOGRAPHY

How’d you get started with Propeller?

I was a volunteer in the beginning (from 2006-2011). I’m one of the founders, but it (had a) different name — it was called Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans. It was about people taking action on the problems around them … which goes above and beyond social entrepreneurship. We became more of an accelerator program (and changed the name).

Propeller staff members are on the media and branding committee for the New Orleans Tricentennial. How did you become involved with the planning?

Our brand is strong with recent college grads, (and in) the 20 to 40 age group we have strong name recognition.

When they were envisioning the committee, they wanted someone who had their finger on the pulse of the interests of that group, so we were asked to work on the marketing campaign.

What Tricentennial event are you most excited about?

The Data Center … is running a series of essays and releasing data related to the Tricentennial. An essay (written by a Propeller member) was selected and will be published to coincide with that data release. It’s about the history of business in New Orleans … and recommendations for the future. It’s very focused on

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racial equity and the history of different demographic groups and how entrepreneurship in those groups has grown.

What events are you most excited about this holiday season?

We’re throwing a holiday party for graduating entrepreneurs, and I’m attending the Tulane (University) president’s party for past fellows.

Holiday parties can be marathons. What are your tips for dressing appropriately?

I would wear comfortable heels and make sure I have a few (bandages) just in case.

I have a few tried-and-true pairs of heels. I’d probably pack a pair of ballet flats too, and take a handbag with a shoulder strap so I could be hands-free in case there’s dancing in the street.

What do you plan to wear?

Something bright and bold and maybe sparkly. I’ll definitely dress in layers — something I can pack away in my purse if I need to.

What’s your favorite place to shop?

I’m trying to downsize right now … (but) I recently went to The Elizabeth Chronicles.

If there’s one thing I do shop for, it’s notebooks. They have really cute notebooks. I also like to shop at Swap Boutique on Magazine Street, LifeStride [for shoes] and J. Crew.

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