The InvadeNOLA Guide to New Orleans Issue 3

003

THE INVADENOLA GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS art, fashion, music, and culture with a nola twist

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TABLE OF CONTENTS THE invader’s guide to mardi gras

f o l l o w the l e a d e r : Tori bush

IN T E RVI E W : B y a n d b y s t r i n g b a n d

fashion Spread: Far out

I f * c k i n g h a te v a l e n t i n e ’ s d a y

F o o d f o c u s : s w eet he a r t s

letter from the editor It’s not that I hate Valentine’s Day. It’s just that as far as holidays are concerned, V-day is so saccharinely sweet that the mere thought of giving someone a pink bear dressed up as cupid makes me want to vomit.

Our February / March issue is much like the perfect sazerac, sweet but not overwhelming. We start with the Invader Guide to Mardi Gras written by Emily Jensen, We take a stroll through our favorite sweet shops with Lizzie Ford-Madrid and Dominique Ellis, and Rachael Kostelec collects her favorite tales from people who hate Valentine’s Day more than you.

Our Fashion spread, art directed by Charle Washington and shot by Jordan Blanchard, spotlights men’s fashion. During the session, I literally got chills.

For you, dear reader, we might not offer a box of chocolates, but the InvadeNOLA staff would love to be your Valentine.

Justin Shiels

CULTURE FOCUS

Photo by: Lizzie Ford-Madrid

THE INVADER's GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS B y : EMILY J ENSEN

Beginnings

Photo by: Lizzie Ford-Madrid

Thousands of years before women

By the time Christianity arrived on

busted out their boobies for a pair of

the scene looking to clean up Rome’s

plastic beads, they instead bared all

act, Lupercalia was too ingrained in

to earn forgiveness for their sins. As

the culture to abolish it completely.

a part of the Ancient Greek festival

So as a compromise, the early Church

Lupercalia held in Second Century A.D., came up with a Christian interpretation a group of priests sacrificed a goat,

called Carnival, derived from a Latin

made whips out of its flesh, and chased

phrase meaning “farewell to the flesh.”

naked men and women through the

Carnival was a time to let loose before

streets, where they were whipped as

the 40 days of fasting during Lent

a form of penance. Held around mid-

began, to wear silly masks and indulge

February, Lupercalia is the earliest

in carnal pleasure that would soon be

traceable origin of the Mardi Gras we

off-limits. It was the closest ancient

celebrate today.

celebration to what Mardi Gras looks like today, later spreading to other

When Lupercalia customs reached

European countries, including France—

Ancient Rome, locals took it from weird

the last stop before Louisiana.

to wild. They hosted elaborate public orgies during which slaves, priests

It was Lundi Gras night in March of

and patricians alike indulged in a day

1699 when a small band of French

of cross-dressing and recreational

explorers made their first encampment

prostitution. Lupercalia was the one

on the banks of the Mississippi. In awe

time of year when social, sexual and

of their mysterious subtropical port,

hierarchical boundaries disintegrated,

the explorers toasted the occasion,

and Romans of any and every station

and in the morning, Pierre Lemoyne

could party as equals. Had ancient

d’Iberville formally took possession of

revelers possessed the eloquence of

the territory. It was the first (and easily

the modern American vernacular, the

the most boring) Mardi Gras Day in

celebration might have been described

Louisiana history.

as “off the hook.”

Masked festivals in New Orleans have

green for faith, gold for power, and purple for

endured a rocky past. First encouraged by

justice.

the French then banned by the Spanish in the late 1700s, they later were re-legalized

The purple may stand for justice, but Krewes

under American government and eventually

and Mardi Gras in general have a long,

became despised by the press for their

unfortunate track record of excluding black

pervasive violence in the 1840s and 50s.

New Orleanians. Slaves were prohibited from

Although the first documented Mardi

wearing masks, and the lavish balls and

Gras parade took place in 1837, it wasn’t

elaborate parades were clearly not designed

until 1857 that the first Krewe formed in

to be inclusive to the city’s largely poor black

an effort to save Mardi Gras from its own

residents. In response, African Americans

bad reputation. Known as the Comus

who belonged to benevolent societies (the

organization, this first Krewe established

first form of health and burial insurance

the tradition of secret Carnival societies and

in the black community) started their own

sharpened the festival’s image by organizing

counter-krewes.

themed float parades followed by elaborate balls, a social beautifying process that

In 1909, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure

ultimately saved the holiday from stateside

Club put on a parade that reclaimed racial

extinction.

stereotypes through satire. Zulu revelers danced through the streets wearing

The countless Krewes that came after Comus

blackface and grass skirts, and crowned

founded some of today’s most prominent

their king with a lard can—a fantastical

traditions. Endymion, named for the most

fuck-you to the white version of Carnival. And

handsome of men and the god of youth and

though Zulu’s bold presentation has always

fertility in Greek mythology, began featuring

been somewhat controversial, their first time

celebrity guests in their parades, and have

rolling down Canal Street in 1969, a route

ridden with such stars as Kool & the Gang,

once reserved only for old-line krewes, is a

Dolly Parton, Chuck Norris and Britney

sign of their acceptance into the mainstream

Spears. Bacchus has also been known to

Mardi Gras tradition.

roll with celebs, including Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, Drew Carey and Dom DeLuise. This year, Will Ferrell will reign as Bacchus XLIV. A Krewe was even responsible for choosing the official Mardi Gras colors - Rex chose

Krewes

Photo by: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

Photo by: Lizzie Ford-Madrid

Mardi Gras Indians On our way to meet Miss Joyce Montana,

I’ve ever set foot in. Her living room is

the longtime companion and widow of

filled with framed photos and articles

famous Mardi Gras Indian Tootie Montana,

documenting her and Tootie’s life work as

we pass by several abandoned homes, as

two of the best, most devoted creators of

well as the remnants of a funeral wreath

Indian suits in Mardi Gras Indian history.

marking a fatal shooting from the week

The ceiling has a dome built into its

prior. And when we arrive at her address,

center with a chandelier hanging down, a

the outside of Miss Joyce’s double shotgun

testament to Tootie’s profession as a metal

doesn’t look much different from any

craftsman, and the air in the house is thick

other house on her 7th Ward block. But

with the pride they both took in masking. A

once she pushes open her heavy screen

banner from Tootie’s funeral hangs by the

door, beaming in a t-shirt that proclaims

window, bearing his own words: “You can’t

“My Black is Beautiful,” it’s clear that she

just like it, you gotta love it, til the day you

lives in one of the most incredible homes

die.”

Miss Joyce leads us into the kitchen to

to allow violent Indians to mask with him

show us the beadwork she’s been sewing

and insisted that they “fight with a needle

all morning for her son’s suit. Every single

and thread” instead.

sequin and bead must be hand-sewn from head to toe, a process that takes an entire

On Mardi Gras morning, men dressed as

year.

skeletons known as the Skull and Bones Gang go around the neighborhood waking

“For people who don’t really know, that’s

Mardi Gras Indians to come out and mask.

a big job,” says Miss Joyce, who helped

The tribes consist of a Spy Boy, who Larry

Tootie sew 52 suits in his lifetime. “Just

Bannock calls “the baddest of all the

before he died, my husband used to tell

Indians” as his role is keep watch for rival

people I was the fastest sewer in the

Indian tribes; the Flag Boy, who passes

world!” Tootie gained national attention

on the message that a rival has been

for having the most elaborate, beautifully

spotted; the Indians; and the Big Chief,

made suits around. But more importantly,

who dances through the street wearing the

he won contests to be the “prettiest” on

8-foot-tall, 300-pound suit from morning

Mardi Gras Day year after year—and that is

til night. In the side of her shotgun devoted

the whole point of masking.

solely to displaying Tootie’s old suits, I asked Miss Joyce how they kept the heavy

The tradition of masking as Indians began

headdresses on their heads. She placed

as a way to honor Native Americans who

my hand up in the top of one of the crowns

helped slaves to hide from bounty hunters

to feel a huge steel ring the shape of a

and evolved into an integral part of black

skull - no padding. “Some people would

culture unto itself here in New Orleans.

take their crown off at some point during

Early in its history, the Mardi Gras Indian

the day, but not Tootie,” said Miss Joyce.

customs were rife with violence, and

“When he put that crown on, he kept that

Chiefs meeting in the streets would often

crown on.”

end in casualties. Tootie is also famous for putting a stop to that violence: he refused

There’s no better feeling on your first

Bill,” which stipulated that coconuts

Mardi Gras than the growing weight

handed from floats were not liable for

of caught beads around your neck—

any alleged injuries, thus reinstating the

especially if you didn’t have to do anything

tradition. While I distinctly recall several

questionable to get them. Now, the

coconuts flying past the general vicinity of

throwing of “trinkets” started in the 1870s

my skull last year, I’m not tellin’.

courtesy of the Twelfth Night Revelers, and Rex started throwing doubloons in 1884,

The jazzy hand-decorated shoes

but it wasn’t until the 1920s when Rex

distributed from floats during Muses also

started throwing cheap glass beads that

up the game on Mardi Gras throws, and

the whole bead phenomenon came to be.

are even harder to get than coconuts,

Nowadays it is not uncommon for a krewe

although, as it happens, the original

to spend up to $2,000 on beads for each

inspiration for the shoes actually came

parade ride, and they must place their

from Zulu’s coconut handiwork. As Muses

orders for beads by September to have

lore goes, the first year that they threw

them filled in time for Mardi Gras.

shoes back in 2001, a fight broke out over a shoe-bead necklace at Bourbon Pub. A

Far more interesting than beads, however,

police officer who witnessed the scuffle

are the more uncommon throws—the

predicted that Muses was going to be a big

throws you have to work for. The coconuts

deal, and he was right. Attention to details

thrown during the Zulu parade, for

like throws can make all the difference.

example, are a tongue-in-cheek dig at racial stereotypes that simultaneously add an element of danger to being an onlooker (in a good way... I think). Lawsuits filed by parade goers who claimed to have been injured by coconuts hurled into the crowd actually prevented Zulu from receiving insurance coverage in 1987, forcing the Krewe to eliminate the throws that year.

Luckily, the Louisiana Legislature passed SB188, otherwise known as the “Coconut

Photo by: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

Throws

King Cake

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smoorenburg/

Around Mardi Gras season, you may find that your breakfast, lunch and dinner all suddenly, mysteriously consist of a single pastry item: the glorified cinnamon roll known as king cake. They’re inescapable.

They’re at the office, they’re at the parties, they’re at your house, glinting in all their sprinkle-crusted, tooth-decaying resplendence. King cakes can be traced all the way back to medieval times, when knights would ride through the countryside before Lent bestowing cakes upon unsuspecting peasants. The tradition of hiding a plastic baby in the cake echoes ancient rituals, but in New Orleans it began when the Twelfth Night Revelers chose the queen of Mardi Gras by giving her a cake with a golden bean baked into it.

Based on the Christian celebration of the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus,

the cakes are named for said Kings, and contain that creepy little plastic baby as a symbol of the Christ child.

According to tradition, the person who finds the baby in their slice of cake will have good luck that year, excluding the fact that they have also just been saddled with the responsibility to buy the next king cake.

The cakes are typically made of a rich Danish dough, filled with everything from chocolate to cream cheese, and topped with thick white frosting and fantastically gaudy candy sprinkles. Bakeries throughout New Orleans have their own little riff on the classic, and so many varieties have developed that the Times-Picayune now hosts an annual competition to vote on which is the best.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

REAL P EO P LE Name

Tori Bush Career

Program Director at the Creative Alliance of New Orleans. My job requires me to be a passionate advocate and supporter for New Orleans’ artists. CANO's mission is to provide training, education, and information for creative artists, cultural producers and the community, to protect our cultural legacy and promote the revitalization of the city as a cultural and economic center.

3 word bio

Writer. Artist. Obsessive.

O n h e r fav o r i t e g a l l e ry

Oooh, I think that answer changes exhibit to exhibit. I love how exciting Parse Gallery’s shows have been. I also love the community around Antenna. Good Children and The Front will always have my heart. Also, I have to give a shout out to Byrdie’s.

Her hero

Today it is Ira Silverberg- Literature Director at the NEA. He is scary smart and pretty cute to boot.

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Best place to get drinks in New Orleans

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IN t e r v i e w

Interview: By and By String Band By: ELIZABETH TRAN

d

Photography provided by band

Kiyoko never meant to move to New Orleans. She never meant to start a band, and she never meant to commit her life to Appalachian music. There is a lot about Kiyoko McCrae’s life that is happenstance, worldly, and somewhat whimsical, despite her nonchalant attitude that everything is quite unintentionally ordinary.

“I don’t have a great story of how I got into Appalachian music,” she says. “It’s not in my family. It’s not in my blood. It’s just something that I was really drawn to.” Kiyoko moved to New Orleans five years ago, but only formed By and By String Band in 2008 after meeting them through a gig she got while playing the bluegrass jam at the Hi-Ho Lounge.

“I didn’t move to New Orleans for music, I came to volunteer for Katrina,” she says. Eight weeks turned into five years, an ironic change considering that her life is now all about music and being a part of the New Orleans music community.

By and By brings traditional Appalachian country music to

a scene full of brass bands and bounce music. Lilting melodies and the soothing intertwining sounds of strings make By and By’s music nostalgic for simpler times, long lost loves, or even just a humble home cooked meal. “The kind of music that we play isn’t particular to New Orleans, but I think we’re really lucky to live in a city where we have so much street culture,” she says of our unique and passionate approach to the arts. “Second lining, the culture of just being outside, the role that music plays in bringing people together in the community is just incredible. It’s unparalleled.”

As former Royal Street buskers, By and By draws a lot of inspiration from the integral function that traditional and cultural music plays in our little New Orleans bubble and are planning to keep most of their shows for April and May, which are currently in the works, to local venues.

Kiyoko has already done the whole touring thing, from the East Coast and northeast to Ireland, England, and Italy. “What was most memorable was being in Ireland and

“

It’s not in my family. It’s not in my blood. It’s just something that I was really drawn to.

“

Photography provided by band

Scotland because a lot of the music we play really comes from that region.

Being able to trace the roots of the music that we play was really amazing.”

The band is truly invested in not just playing their music, but knowing about it—about the Scottish ballads, the Irish fiddles, and the West African banjos that are so deeply rooted in the history of their work.

Their first and—at the moment—only album, Little Darling Pal of Mine, is directly inspired by the Carter family. “It’s an homage to them. A lot of people consider them the grandparents of country music. They were one of the first recording artists that brought this kind of music to the masses,” Kiyoko says. The album is By and By’s own arrangements of traditional Carter family songs, and is filled with Kiyoko and guitarist Gregory Good’s rich vocals and the band’s collection of acoustic strings. Good and McCrae write together and the entire band arranges together, a unity that you can hear in the final product. While they croon about life, love, and death, I really do feel as if I am wading through a cold creek and basking in crisp mountain air, even though dank humidity and schizophrenic weather is my current reality.

Right now, the band is all split up doing their own things before reuniting for their shows in the spring. Kiyoko is in San Francisco while Good is all the way in India studying yoga. They are truly a hodgepodge of talented and bohemian souls. Kiyoko, who was born in Atlanta and raised in Tokyo, has moved around a lot. “I grew up in a very global community,” she says.

Here’s hoping that New Orleans has enough heart to keep her here.

“There’s no Frenchman street anywhere else,” she says. I think there might be a good chance we can keep her.

Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded locally with store customers. Bring in your former favorites for trade or cash on the spot!

3312 Magazine Street | (504)891-7443 | www.buffaloexchange.com

FASHION

FAR OUT STYLED B y : CHARL é WASHINGTON P HOTOGRA P HY B Y : J ORDAN B LANCHARD MODELS : RON MORRISON AND ELI J AH B RADSHAW Sp e c i a l t h a n k s t o N i c o l e H e i g h f o r use of her home.

On Ron: Checkered shirt, equestrian vest, and vintage flared trousers available at Buffalo Exchange. Shoes, model's own. On Elijah: Pink tuxedo shirt, vintage trousers and straw hat available at Buffalo Exchange. Bow tie, model's own.

On Elijah: Silk suit, shoes and socks model's own. Straw hat and seersucker shirt, available at Buffalo Exchange. For Dutch wax print pocket square contact CharlĂŠ (504)214-1262.

On Ron: Chambray and checkered shirts and green pants, available at Buffalo Exchange. Shoes, model's own.

On Ron: Vintage cropped linen suit and Obedient Sons shirt available at Buffalo Exchange. Shoes, model's own. On Elijah: Silk suit, shoes and socks model's own. Straw hat and seersucker shirt, available at Buffalo Exchange. For African print pocket square contact CharlĂŠ (504)214-1262.

On Elijah: Seersucker shirt and blue pants available at Buffalo Exchange.

Shoes and socks, model's own.

On Ron: Red shirt, Penguin vest, Ralph Lauren jeans, and bowtie available at Buffalo Exchange. Shoes, model's own.

On Ron: Checkered shirt, equestrian vest, and vintage flared trousers available at Buffalo Exchange. For kente cloth pocket square contact CharlĂŠ (504)214-1262.

SEX

I F*CKING HATE VALENTINE'S DAY Five Tales from Those Who Hate V-Day More Than You Do By: Rachael Kostelec

For many of us, it doesn't feel like Al Capone and Bugs Moran led the only St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Whether or not you are in a relationship when February 14th strikes, the pressures are still on. If you are committed to someone the expectations are probably high. Serious planning, large quantities of money, and grand gestures are in order if you plan on keeping them around next year. If you haven't been struck by that little bastard cupid and his notorious arrows, you are probably not anticipating the annual reminder of your singledom and you have some serious decisions to make. Do you try your hardest and pretend that this day magically fell off the calendar this year and go about your business? Do you break your New Year's Resolution already and kill an entire box of chocolates that you bought for yourself while watching a self-induced rom-com marathon? Or do you do as I do and rally the few friends you have who are still riding solo, get naked wasted and celebrate your singlehood? Because contrary to what this holiday will leave you to believe, there is nothing wrong with being alone any day of the year if you can enjoy your own company, pay for your own dinner, and have at least one working hand.

Regardless of your love situation, many people freely admit they fucking hate V-day. Here are five who hate it more than you do.

“V” is for: ViRGINITY If you plan on losing it in the second most cliché way of all time (the first, of course, being prom night), make sure your Valentine can at least spring for a Howard Johnsons.

Elizabeth got her cherry popped (when she should have been popping chocolate covered cherries) at a $35 a night motel that required reservations because of it's proximity to a local maximum security prison. Apparently this place was pretty popular amongst the inmates, and due to the graphic nature of what was seen, that content has been edited out for her safety. I can say that the cleaning service was not at all surprised to find blood on their sheets.

“V” is for: Vocabulary Sarah had been dating her 2,000-mile-away boyfriend Jeff for two years and everyone was skeptical that he was seeing other people—everyone besides Sarah that is. It wasn't until "something came up" with work and he had to cancel his trip to come see her for the lovers’ holiday that she started to wonder. She didn't have to question it for too long because when her two dozen red roses were delivered the card attached read, "Mandy, the past six months with you have been the best times of my life, I can't wait to spend our first Valentine's Day together tonight! Love, Jeff." Sorry Sarah, those flowers could come in handy for a little game of he loves me, he loves me NOT. As far as Jeff is concerned, I wonder if 1-800-flowers does refunds when they make these kind of "mistakes."

“V� is for: Violently Ill Yes, it's true, one of the reasons men love women and put up with their emotions, gossip, and neediness is because we feed them. Brian was excited when his long time girlfriend (who had never as much as made him a sandwich) surprised him by getting herself cooking lessons for Valentine's Day and cooking him a feast meant for a king while he had planned on surprising her by proposing. Unfortunately, his lady was too busy texting him during class and missed the segment about the proper handling of poultry and the dangers of salmonella. Brian decided he couldn't marry someone who could potentially kill him or their unborn children, so as soon as they had both recovered, the engagement was called off.

“V� is for: Venereal Disease Finding out you have one would majorly suck regardless of the day, but feels even more painful (and itchy) when everyone else you know is at five-star restaurants drinking the finest champagne toasting to the STD-free sex they will be having once the bubbly starts to kick in. Karen received a phone call from her ex on February 14, 2005 as she was getting ready to celebrate with her current beau. He called to share the news of what he had already shared with her a few months back: genital warts. Props to this douche for his timing, though maybe next time he should spread the word (instead of his wart-filled legs) with a card covered in hearts with this brilliant,uber-romantic poem I just wrote: Your chocolates will get eaten, your flowers will surely die; But the genital warts I gave you will only multiply! Cheers to the gift that will keep on giving!

“V� is for: Vindicated A scheduled Valentine's reunion was planned and preempted by some provocative photos to get the female half of this equation excited for the visit. If it's true what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words, then the words must have been "I fucking hate Valentine's Day" when she (okay, I) noticed the wedding ring on the hand that held his two-timing penis. The consolation prize was pretending to have believed the series of lies he spun to try and get himself out of it and letting him proceed with his travel arrangements only to be left at the airport alone on Valentine's Day while his wife was at home wondering where her husband was, and I was sitting at a bar somewhere drinking my face off.

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FOOD FOCUS

SWEET HEARTS B y : DOMINI Q UE ELLIS P HOTOGRA P HY B Y : LI Z Z IE FORD - MADRID Models: Kimmie Smith & Andrew Serpas

BROCATOS New Orleans is an historic city. It’s a place for old souls. What better place for a pair of soul mates to begin a day of sampling the many scrumptious treats this city has to offer than with a trip to Angelo Brocato’s in Midcity? Grab your heart ‘s desire and snuggle up at one of their café tables for a perfect outing of soul sharing and sweetness sampling.

Opening their first shop in the French Quarter in 1905, the Brocato family has carried on their tradition of bringing Italian desserts and treats to the hungry New Orleans masses for over 100 years. Perhaps their most famous treat is their Lemon Ice, perfect for cooling down on a hot and muggy Crescent City summer day. Their spumone, biscotti, cannolis and cookies are perfect for winning over your paramour’s heart as well. Dig in!

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Kimmie sips a delicious cappuccino.

Cucidati (almond fig biscotti) and Anise Iced Biscotti

Creole cremery When the heart is racing there’s only one cure for that passionate heat – ice cream. From dishes of Green Fairy (it has Absinthe in it!) and Goat Cheese & Mission Fig (it’s a real flavor), Creole Creamery never fails to deliver the perfect frozen treat.

Located uptown in the old McKenzie’s Bakery on Prytania Street, this sweet ice cream parlor plays host to everyone from after school kids looking for a sugar rush, to couples on date night. Even Ryan Reynolds has been spotted in the shop a few times treating his Gossip Girl honey to a sugar cone.

It’s easy to spend hours surveying the eclectic mix of ice cream staples like chocolate mint and strawberry mixed in with their more decadent delights like their Nectar Sodas. They even have a Tchoupitoulas Challenge – 8 scoops of ice cream loaded with 8 toppings, served in grand fashion with whipped cream, cherries, and wafers. Over 400 people have taken the challenge and won.

http://www.creolecreamery.com/

Creole Creamery’s Signature Nectar Soda

Ice Cream Sampler. Blue Cotton Candy, Lavender Honey, CafĂŠ au Lait, Butterscotch English Toffee, Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake, Green Fairy

Leah’s pralines Tucked in the heart of the French Quarter at 712 St. Louis Street, Leah’s Pralines is the ultimate in Southern candy goodness. Since 1933 the shop has been creating its delicious confections for locals and tourists alike. The oldest candy store in New Orleans still in operation, Leah’s descendents continue in her footsteps using the same recipes that made her famous.

Who can resist perusing the troves of pralines and chocolate candy treats to share with their honey as they stroll the streets of old New Orleans at dusk? Pecan brittle, chocolate fudge and of course the creamy caramel sweetness of pralines fill the air here. Let your love pick a few of their favorites and take them with you to remind you of your day together spent high on love and sugar filled delights.

http://www.leahspralines.com/

Assorted pralines

Assorted chocolates

STAFF Justin Shiels is a digital strategist and creative entrepreneur. Originally born in Memphis, TN, this self proclaimed New Orleanian loves reading short stories and watching British television. He is the founder of www.InvadeNOLA.com.

DOMINIQUE ELLIS is a consultant offering marketing, social media and PR solutions with a personal touch. Following a 3 year stint in New York, she is happily back living and working in NOLA where she can combine her love of work, the Saints, excessive tweeting and good coffee. You can contact Dominique at www.copythatservices.com.

Lizzie Ford-Madrid is a photographer living and working in New Orleans. Her work has been featured in City Limits Magazine, TimeOut New York, Resource Magazine, and of course InvadeNola. She would love to take your picture. Get in touch with her at www.lizziefordmadrid.com Zachary Wilson is a New Orleans-based writer, pop music enthusiast and avid thrift store shopper. His journalistic work has been published in Fast Company, Town & Country, and New York magazine, among others.

He can frequently be found dancing to Britney on Bourbon.

CONTRIBUTORS Emily Jensen is a folk-singin’, camera-totin’, wordlovin’ Portland girl who fell hard for New Orleans years ago and never really left.

Mark Johnson is a Metairie native and graduate of Loyola University New Orleans. A musician trying to keep well rounded, he is a guitar and drum instructor for the New Orleans Academy of Music and the bassist/guitarist for local folk-rock band The Acadias.

Charlé Washington is a stylist, illustrator, and designer. Born and raised in New Orleans, she finds it grating to the ears when people pronounce it NAH`lins.

Elizabeth Tran is a writer, born-and-raised native New Orleanian, LSU Tiger and devout Saints fan. She loves concocting short stories, collecting turtle figurines, and eating bacon.

Rachael Kostelec is originally from Harrisburg, PA where she plans to be mayor one day. In the meantime she keeps busy cleaning the skeletons out of her closet, catering to the needs of a very spoiled Siberian Huskie, and hosting her own radio show, Plan DD: The morning after Rachael.

Chic

An event thAt keeps the fAshionAbly Astute in mind. www.lAvlifestyle.com

ADVERTISERS Buffalo Exchange

New Orleans Fashion Week

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http://nola-fashionweek.com/

Constance

Southern Rep Theatre

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http://www.southernrep.com/

Copy That Services

The NOLA Project

http://copythatservices.com/

http://www.nolaproject.com/

Eifel Society

Twisted Hair Salon

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http://www.twistedsalon.com/

Lavish Lifestyle

Uptown PR

www.lavlifestyle.com

http://www.uptown-pr.com/

Leah’s Pralines

Wildlife Reserve

http://www.leahspralines.com/

http://www.thewildlifereserve.com/

Lizzie Ford- Madrid Photography http://weddings.lizziefordmadrid.com/

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