April-May 2023 Issue of Inside New Orleans

Publisher Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

Associate Editor Kelly Hightower

Art Director Brad Growden

Senior Account Executive Genevieve Daigle-Buring

Account Executives Sarah Daigle

Stacey Lala Amalie Murphy

Renee Simon Summer Tallant

Executive Assistant Summer Tallant

Marketing Assistant Renee Simon

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On the cover

page 20

Joneé Daigle-Ferrand

As a Woman IN Business I am always honored to be among the many amazing local female business owners. Every year, Inside New Orleans April-May issue features Women IN Business. I highly encourage you to view their profiles, explore their websites, and visit their businesses- please tell them I sent you!

Woman-owned companies are growing, and this year is the largest amount Inside New Orleans has ever featured! K. Lyn Photography hosted many of the Women In Business photo shoots, mine included.

I am looking forward to hosting 150 guests for the sold-out Women IN Business Luncheon on April 20 at one of my favorite restaurants, Briquette. An informal fashion show will feature Art by Christy, Charli Boutique, Halo Bikini Boutique, Indigo Boutique, Symmetry Jewelers, and Reagan Charleston Jewelry.

In this issue, you will also find our Home and Garden 2023 Readers’ Favorite list and editorial by Leslie Cardé, showcasing “Serene Outdoors and Luxurious Bathrooms.” Use our Home and Garden Resources to find the most qualified local businesses in the industry. Our Scoop calendar is filled with fun events; get ready for lots of great music and delicious food!

Joneé Daigle-Ferrand, owner and publisher of Inside New Orleans Magazine, can be reached at 504-251-4818 or by email insideneworleansmag@gmail.com

Never Enough Gold

by Kelly Hightower

Cover Artist TinaMarie

WHILE CHATTING WITH TINA MARIE in her studio, we happened upon the coincidence that we both took our daughters to Paris when they were teenagers. When Tina Marie mentioned the Aubrey Hepburn quote, “Paris is always a good idea,” I knew we would get along just fine. We connected over a beloved actress and motherhood. Tina Marie considers raising her two children her greatest accomplishment despite being sought internationally for her art.

Tina Marie began creating art professionally in 2013. As a self-taught artist, she uses her hands and fingertips only. The subtle and harmonious expression of her work is the result of a technique alien to brushes. “Touching the canvas with the paint on my fingertips allows me to create my emotions with every stroke of my hand. It’s a dance between me, the paint, and the canvas.”

Her fingertips create an individual piece, never repeating the same image. Tina Marie calls her art interpretive due to the physical interaction between hands and canvas. Each piece has its own story and a special place in Tina Marie’s heart. “It’s not just paint on canvas to me. It’s someone’s emotions for a moment in this journey of life we are all on.”

When Tina Marie speaks about her angel canvases, she says, “It is my belief that there is no figure more delicate and at the same time expresses such a profound feeling of strength and beauty. Angels have been painted through the centuries in all trends and schools of each era, making their artistic influence clear to me.” Tina Marie is contacted regularly by clients who wish to commission her for a unique, serene angel of their own.

According to Tina Marie, “My angel series is very special in ways it’s hard to

describe.” Angel of Hope with one wing was inspired by Tina Marie’s travels to Rome. Many clients message her after buying an angel and tell her of a lost child, a loved one, or a battle with cancer. The soft, soothing gold shades of her angels bring healing. To have a unique guardian angel canvas to view in their homes gives her clients a sense of peace. She is deeply touched by the stories people tell her of how much the paintings mean to them. “The attachment I have with all my pieces is hard to part with at times because they are created with such passion and expression, but,” Tina Marie continues, “knowing that each painting has a background story dear to my clients gives me joy to create more each day.”

Tina Marie also enjoys primary colors as seen in her A Love Like This series featured on this month’s cover. Inspired by walks in the New Orleans French Quarter, Tina Marie imagines the romance of a gentleman whispering “I love you” and the reaction in the face of the woman walking hand-inhand with him while sultry jazz music plays along the streets.

When Tina Marie discusses her functional art lamps and chandeliers, she explains that she would not have ventured into this art form without the influence of Hernán Caro, a prominent, local artist who is her biggest fan, her significant other, and her traveling companion for the last five years.

The artistic styles of Tina Marie and Hernán come together in chandeliers, lamps, sconces, and candelabra. Dazzled by the unrestrained use of gold all over Paris, the City of Lights, Tina incorporates gold in all her mediums. After returning from a

mesmerizing visit to the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, Hernán decided they were limiting themselves, and Tina Marie came to the conclusion that there is never too much gold! Hernán realized that, “the pieces they created together at the beginning took a significant turn as Tina developed a more elegant, feminine style.”

In this sculptural lighting, functionality is just as important as the design of what is created, and Hernán says, “It is essential to never forget simple details, such as the amount of light that a lamp emits contributes to the serenity and style of the home” in which it is placed. Hernán and Tina Marie visit a client’s home together, observe the surroundings, and design lighting to elevate the space.

Last fall, Tina Marie traveled to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia with Hernán and spent six weeks immersed in the culture and the natural surroundings, recreating on her canvases the vibrant oranges, optic yellows, and turquoise hues where Hernán was born. Their accommodations were only accessible by boat, so it provided her an unparalleled view of the Caribbean Sea from the balcony where she painted. She plans to return to paint there again and will bring her pieces back to New Orleans for her clientele.

View TinaMarie Art in her exhibit, “The Divine Struggle of Art and Life” at Steve Martin Fine Art Gallery on Julia Street from April 1 to May 30. Inquiries/Appointments-Studio contact 985-210-9307. Instagram: @Tinamarieart18

INSIDE

Design Symposium

April 20-22 Longue Vue House and Gardens hosts its annual Design Symposium, featuring designers of both interior and exterior spaces. For tickets, call 504-4885488 or go to longuevue.com

April

1 Hogs for the Cause. Benefiting families fighting pediatric cancer. This pork-themed festival is marking its 15th year. Festival goers can expect live music and a variety of pork dishes at the University of New Orleans Lakefront. Tickets are on sale on the event website. hogsfest.org

1 WYES Dooky Chase Tasting & Launch Party. During the event guests will see the first episode of the new 26-part national cooking series — The Dooky Chase Kitchen: Leah’s Legacy before anyone else, enjoy a cooking demonstration, and sample dishes from the series. Some of the stars of the series will be on hand and series producer and director Terri Landry will share highlights from the series. 2pm Tickets are $45 per person and benefit WYES. Proceeds help support future local cooking series and documentaries. Purchase tickets online at wyes.org/events

1 The Historic New Orleans Collection’s 2023 History Symposium: Democracy in Louisiana. 9am-5pm, Hotel

Monteleone, 214 Royal Street in the French Quarter, Champagne reception immediately following the program. For tickets, my.hnoc.org/11857/11858

1-17 People and Places in the Vieux Carre Exhibit. The Historic New Orleans Collection. Through 22 individual pieces, this exhibition features artists from around the world who have worked to capture and share their impressions of New Orleans’s most iconic and historic neighborhood. my.hnoc.org

2 Book Signing Goodnight, Pothole with author Shannon Kelley Atwater. 12-3pm, NOLA Boards, nolaboards.com

5-16 Moulin Rouge! The musical. Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, saengernola.com

6 Johnette Downing’s Family Music Series. First Thursday of every month,11am, 916 North Peters park office in Dutch Alley of the French Market. These culturally immersive programs for families, school groups, and play groups teach children about the rich musical

heritage of the region from jazz to zydeco through toe-tapping, hip-shaking tunes. frenchmarket.org.

12 24th Annual Bill Russell Lecture: The Banjo at the Crossroads of New Orleans and the Caribbean. 6pm,Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street, $20. Registration is required, my.hnoc.org/11855/11856

13-15 Festival of Hope. Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute. Proceeds support cancer education, screenings and treatment. Visit thibodaux.com/festival-ofhope for details.

13-16 French Quarter Festival. food, music, and fun in the Vieux Carre. Free admission, frenchquarterfest.org

13 Big Freddia & The LPO. The Orpheum Theater, lpomusic.com

14, 15, 16 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Ponchatoula Memorial Park, North 6th St. Ponchatoula, 1-800-917-7045, lastrawberryfestival.com

18 Vodka: A Cocktail Class. 6:30-8pm, Nola Boards, nolaboards.com

2023 Power Up Women’s Leadership Conference. This all-day event is an unparalleled professional development experience for women, including three keynote speakers and multiple breakout sessions sponsored by network partners. Visit powerupnola.com

20-22 Design Symposium. Longue Vue House and Gardens hosts its annual Design Symposium, featuring designers of both interior and exterior spaces. For tickets, call 504-488-5488 or go to longuevue.com

28-30 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. NOLA Motorsports Park. The weekend promises fun for the whole family with car corals, autograph sessions, a grid walk, and an open paddock so you can get up close with your favorite cars and drivers! gt-world-challenge-america.com/ event/84/nola-motorsports-park

21 Audubon Zoo to Do for Kids. Presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans LCMC Health, 5-9pm, Celebrate Audubon Zoo’s spider monkey habitat expansion and conservation efforts. Purchase your tickets online, events. audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztdk/

28-30 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. An annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. 12 music stages, nojazzfest.org

28 AJ’s Italian Wine Dinner. 5 courses $125.00 per person, All inclusive. Briquette, 701 S. Peters St., New Orleans, 504-3027496, Briquette-nola.com.

28 45th Annual Hancock Whitney Zoo to Do. Black tie or white linen suit for gentlemen and cocktail attire for ladies. 8-11pm. Purchase your tickets online, events.audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztd/

29 The Dooky Chase Kitchen: Leah’s Legacy. WYES is excited to announce that the new 26-part national cooking series will premiere on WYES-TV. The series celebrates Leah Chase, the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” and features members of the legendary chef’s family. Episodes will premiere each Saturday at 10am and will repeat on Sundays at 11:30am. For all series details and to order a copy of the series’ companion cookbook, visit wyes.org/ dookychase

May

4-7 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. An annual celebration of local music and

culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. 12 music stages, nojazzfest.org

12 Boss Up: Business Breakthrough. One-day event to revolutionize your business. Leave with the strategies you need to achieve your growth goals for 2023. 9am-5pm. The Conference Centre on 11 601 Poydras Street, 11th Floor New Orleans, tickets available on Eventbrite.

14 Mother’s Day Brunch.11am. Briquette, 701 S. Peters St., New Orleans, 504-3027496, Briquette-nola.com

16 Japanese Whiskey: A Cocktail Class 6:30-8pm, Nola Boards, nolaboards.com

19 28th Annual Women of Substance Luncheon. An event benefiting Bridge House/Grace House at Audubon Tea Room. Presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. Tickets available online at bridgehouse.org/events/women-ofsubstance/

19-21 Bayou Boogaloo. Featuring Juvenile, Yonder Mountain String Band, Rebirth and many more! Mid-City along Bayou St. John with live music and a comedy stage. thebayouboogaloo.com

20 Give Kids the World Gala. The gala will celebrate all that is the Big Easy. Mardi Gras World. For tickets, gktw.org/gala.

30-31 To Kill a Mockingbird. 7:30 P.M. Individual tickets will be available at the Saenger Theatre box office 504-287-0372, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, and through Ticketmaster. 1111 Canal St., New Orleans, saengernola.com.

Looking Ahead

June 10 Brooke E. Posey Swim-a-Thon Family FUNdraiser. Benefitting the Brooke Erin Posey Foundation, Saturday, 10 Am-5 P.M., Southern Yacht Club 105 N. Roadway St., New Orleans.

June 24 Crown Me Annual Gala. This night will honor the Crown Me Image Awardees chosen by the community and also award scholarships to high school seniors and college freshmen. The RitzCarlton, 921 Canal St., New Orleans. To purchase tickets, sponsorships, and/or vendorships, please visit crownmefoundation.org

NOTE: Send your event information to scoopINOLA@gmail.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside New Orleans.

Contributors

Our contributors give Inside New Orleans its voice, its personality and its feel. We are proud to highlight some of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Veteran journalist Leslie Cardé began her career reporting for NPR in Los Angeles. From there, she landed in New Orleans as an anchor/health and science editor before moving on to anchor three hours of daily financial news and host an entertainment show for CNBC. She’s reported from the Middle East for CNN, worked as a producer and narrator for E! Entertainment and wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary America Betrayed.

Anna Tusa is the Director of Operations for Briquette, the Briquette Wine Room and New Orleans Creole Cookery. On page 82, Anna shares her keys to a festive Cinco de Mayo.

Dean M. Shapiro is a freelance writer living in New Orleans since 1981. He is the Senior Editor for Breakthru Media magazine, a contributing writer for the TimesPicayune/New Orleans Advocate and the author of six published books. Brad Ferrand

Brad is an attorney who lives and works in Covington. Brad writes guest articles for Inside New Orleans. He enjoys cooking, playing the guitar, golf, watching sports, playing pickleball, and traveling with his wife, Joneé, and daughter, Lilette.

Leslie Cardé

Anna Tusa

Dean M. Shapiro

A PICTURE IS WORTH a thousand words. Nowhere is this adage more apparent than inside Steve Rapport’s (Mostly) Rock ‘n’ Roll Gallery. Located at 627 Saint Peter Street in the French Quarter, this new gallery from acclaimed British photographer Steve Rapport showcases an outstanding array of photographs of rock and pop icons such as Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, and Joe Strummer from The Clash. Gallery owner Steve Rapport has photographed some of the most iconic rockstars in his lifetime, and his new gallery shares his stunning images taken during his career. Each image in his gallery has an incredible story that Steve himself is eager to tell.

“I’ve always had a love of photography dating back to my childhood in England,” Rapport says. I got my first camera as a child from my father, though I’d rather not say how he acquired it,” he exclaimed cheekily. Steve grew up in London, and as his passion for photography grew, he found himself drawn to the local British punk rock scene in the early 1980s and their social messages. Steve fondly remembers smuggling his Pentax camera into

Steve Rapport

a show performed by The Clash in 1981 to photograph the band. As soon as he developed the film from that performance, he knew he had a special talent. Steve continued smuggling his camera inside of venues to photograph concerts. Soon, his hobby turned into a paying job. Rapport began shooting musicians all over the world as a freelancer for Rolling Stone, Sounds, Smash Hits, The Guardian, and NME, among other publications. One of Steve’s favorite shoots was photographing The Clash front man Joe Strummer during the 1983 London Marathon. “I remember getting out of my car at the start of the race, and there were 16,000 runners at the starting location, and all of a sudden, I stumbled upon Joe, and

by Brad Ferrand

Behind the Lens of One of Rock’s Most Iconic Photographers

I just started photographing him,” said Steve. “We had met in LA about a year before and bar-hopped all night, and he remembered me,” Steve recalled. Steve was able to drive to different spots along the route to capture several shots of Strummer running in the Marathon. Another memorable shoot was in 1982 when Steve accompanied a small Irish band in a minivan between gigs along a highway in Ireland. After spotting a sunlit barn on the side of the road, Steve asked the driver to pull over and ordered the members of U2 out for an earlymorning photoshoot. The images capture a baby-faced Bono and the members of U2 posing in front of the old roadside barn. These images are some of the many treasures that adorn the walls inside Rapport’s gallery.

Rapport’s status as a premier rock and roll photographer grew, and soon, Steve found himself on music video shoots for The Eurythmics and David Bowie. Steve fondly remembers shooting Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart

Left: Annie Lennox inside London’s Churchill Hotel. Inset: Mardi Gras Indian Chantz Stevenson. photos: STEVE RAPPORT

during the music video shoot for the hit single “Here Comes the Rain Again.” Steve remembers this shoot well because his coat caught on fire while shooting Lennox and Stewart. “I was leaning against a table with all these candles on it, and Dave Stewart casually pointed out that my jacket was on fire in the most leisurely fashion,” Rapport remembers. Steve still has the photo Stewart took of his burned-out jacket that day. One of the most remarkable photographs featured in Rapport’s gallery is a black and white print of Annie Lennox which Steve took inside the Churchill Hotel in London in 1985. Steve recalls Lennox as a passionate, yet shy woman who he would love to reconnect with in the near future. In March 1985, Rapport was personally hired by David Bowie to photograph Bowie during the filming of the “Loving the Alien” music video. The cover of that single features a blue-faced David Bowie which Steve shot while Bowie was standing inside a bathtub on the set. These are just some of the many stories that Steve loves to share with guests of his gallery.

Steve continued working as a photographer until 1992 when he decided to take a long hiatus from photography. Steve moved from England to San Francisco that year, where he worked as a martial arts’ instructor and web developer. His photo archives remained in England, stored in filing cabinets in a friend’s garage in Oxfordshire. The camera kept calling, however. Steve eventually went digital when he purchased a Leica digital camera in 2004. Suddenly, he found his muse again, and the passion was reignited. When he opened a gallery in Pacifica, California, in 2017, Steve’s archived photographs were reunited with him, which he digitally scanned and restored. Then, Nola came calling.

Steve’s journey to New Orleans began with a chance phone call in December 2021 from Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Ben Jaffe. Ben had seen Steve’s photographs posted on his Instagram page and wanted to purchase a few photos from Steve’s collection including a limited-edition print of The Clash and a print of David Bowie. Steve actually was planning on visiting New Orleans later that March to catch a few concerts, so he and Ben agreed to meet when Steve visited. When Steve arrived in New Orleans, his life changed forever. Jaffe asked Steve to photograph his band, and, >>

Photographer Steve Rapport.

photo courtesy: STEVE RAPPORT

while doing so, Steve fell in love with the city, its culture, and its music. New Orleans had such a profound impact on Steve that upon his return to California, he promptly put his house on the market and, in June 2022, Steve ultimately moved to New Orleans. Since then, Steve has immersed himself deep into the New Orleans music scene, just as he did in the 1980’s when he photographed U2, Duran Duran, and dozens of other European and American music icons. Now, Steve photographs iconic New Orleans’ artists such as Ivan Neville, John Boutté, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Charlie Gabriel. This “second act” of Steve’s career showcasing his New Orleans’ photographs can be found in his gallery’s courtyard and is aptly named the SemiSecret (Mostly) Jazz Gallery.

Rapport’s gallery opened last fall, and a portion of sales of local artists goes directly back to those artists. When you stroll into Steve’s gallery, chances are you will find Steve spinning a vinyl of The Clash, eager to tell you the story behind each photograph that hangs in his gallery…if he can remember it. His work is a welcomed treasure in the heart of the French Quarter. We are all lucky that Steve’s passion for photography was awoken, and that he decided to listen to the rock and roll in his soul and move down to New Orleans. Oh, the stories he and his photographs can tell!

The Clash frontman Joe Strummer during the 1983 London Marathon.

photo: STEVE RAPPORT

by Kelly Hightower

Zana Brown Studio and LiBird Studio

ZANA RANĐELOVIĆ BROWN AND LISA ALPAUGH call each other flowerheads and fittingly so. Creating whimsical art adorned with flowers is their kindred connection. Zana and Lisa also share a similar journey into the art business. They both started working with art as a medium of personal expression which grew into a career.

Together they opened The Zana Brown Studio/LiBird Studio on October 1, 2022, the night of Art for Art’s Sake. According to Lisa, “We are humbled to be in the space formerly occupied by Mario Villa and Julie Neill of Julie Neill Designs. The floor in the front room still bears a golden sunburst hand painted by Mario Villa, and the ceilings are adorned with four of Julie’s beautiful chandeliers.”

The window overlooking Magazine Street always welcomes visitors with a playful floral arrangement. The combination of Zana’s floral paintings with Lisa’s blooming ceramics creates a stunning aesthetic in their gallery. The gallery is a welcoming artistic experience and a place to interact with art lovers and make new friends. Shoppers are able to meet Zana and Lisa and discuss the art with the artists who created the pieces. Having a gallery to display their work has exposed Zana and Lisa to a wider clientele of out-of-town visitors and art enthusiasts. They are thrilled to be a part of the Magazine Street art community.

“It is our joy to help our clients find the perfect piece of art that will speak to them,” Zana says. “Nothing excites us more than

seeing our work in our client’s homes, and we love the process of creating custom pieces to fit these spaces.”

Zana grew up in Serbia and relocated to New Orleans in 2008. Zana started painting during a transitional time in her life, beginning with figurative abstracts. Out of those abstractions her beautiful female flowerhead figures emerged.

Lisa is a native of Kentucky and has considered herself a New Orleanian for many years. Lisa has always been a ceramic lover and collector. It is now, later in life, that she has the opportunity to create pieces with her own hands.

They are often busy creating work offsite, so give them a call to make sure the gallery is open or to make an appointment. “Collecting artwork will feed your soul, enlighten your home and make great family heirlooms,” Zana advises, “so always buy artwork that speaks to you!”

Zana can be reached at (504)355-7528 or zanabrownstudio.com, and Lisa can be reached at (504) 874-5131 or libirdstudio.com. Their combined gallery is located at 3908 Magazine St. and open Thursday-Saturday. Contact them for an appointment.

Informal Fashion Show starring Charli Boutique, Indigo Boutique and Halo Bikini Boutique. Champagne Hour music by Vocalist, Maria Lamarque.

GlassClasswith

by Dean M. Shapiro

photography by Jeff Strout

EVER SINCE ANCIENT TIMES when people found uses for the byproduct of lightning striking sand, glass has been a vital commodity. The most common uses are in the manufacture of windows, lenses and bottles, but it has also evolved into a colorful art form.

This is where Juli Juneau excels.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, who made her home in New Orleans in 1989, Juli is a world traveler and the creator of Nomad Collection. In 1999, while she was the local vice president of CNN news radio, she started blowing glass as a hobby. Her passion developed into an avocation, and collectors followed.

Today, with over 20 years of expertise, Juli’s creations are offered for sale in more than a dozen galleries and displayed in museums throughout the South. Many of her works are in private collections, including those of the following celebrities: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Dave Chappelle and Oprah Winfrey.

In a recent interview as a featured artist at Ariodante Gallery on Julia Street’s “Gallery Row,” Juli shared some of her expertise in the complexities of the glass-blowing process, explaining how raw material transforms into a colorful masterpiece.

“The pieces start out the same way,” she began. “I begin with a tiny bubble. The glass is 2,200 degrees, like molten lava. With my 5-foot blowpipe, I open the door to the tank of molten glass and gather glass on the end of the pipe. Then I start, gingerly at first, blowing a bubble.”

From there the process gets more involved; success depends on two main elements, timing and temperature. The glass on the end of the pipe has to remain hot and in a fluid state while it’s being shaped and layered with colors, but maintaining the right temperature is critical.

“If it’s too hot, it collapses on itself. If it’s too cold, it cracks,” Juli explained. “Either way it’s a total throwaway. You can’t fix it or melt it and make something else. You must start over from scratch.”

After more blowing, layering and shaping with wooden and metal tools, the piece is transferred to another 5-foot pipe where the final finessing happens.

When the piece is fully shaped, it is placed into a 950-degree computerized oven where it will stay overnight until the temperature drops to 130 degrees. Then the piece is ready for the

final sanding and polishing.

Over the years that Juli has been blowing glass, her skill set has expanded greatly from making wall art to intricate bowls, glass balls and other colorful pieces that are both utilitarian and decorative works of art.

Her custom designs include working with cremated ashes of deceased loved ones and pets, encasing them in an urn, glass heart or paperweight. “With cremation being a choice of so many people today, having a memorial piece for family members is very important,” Juli said.

Juli has been commissioned to create glass sculptures and other decorative installations for hospitals, senior living centers, hotels, botanical gardens, private homes and other public and private facilities. On a smaller scale, she exhibits and sells at juried art festivals in and around the Southern U.S. throughout the year. She’s a familiar face, sharing her art and explaining the process to locals and visitors alike.

A seasoned world traveler and adventurer, Juli has been to more than 80 countries on five continents, drawing inspiration and ideas from her sojourns. For two and a half years she trekked solo by whatever means were available, including pirogues and animal-drawn carts, through 23 African nations starting in Dakar, Senegal, and ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

Most recently, over the course of 25 days, Juli traversed – on foot – the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route across the Pyrenees from France into and across Spain to the shrine Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. “The Camino was such a magical trip, and it was really hard, but it was one of the most special things I’ve ever done,” Juli said. She also ran with the bulls in Pamplona and managed to escape unscathed.

Summing up her eventful life and her unique art form, Juli mused, “I am very blessed that what was once a private hobby has become my full-time passion and is a unique part of myself that I can share with others. By bringing to life their dreams and visions, I am fulfilling mine.”

Juli Juneau’s work can be viewed and ordered online at www. nomadcollection.com or at Instagram@julijuneau. To commission a work or for other inquiries call (504) 615-2113 or email jjuneau@ nomadcollection.com. You can also follow her on her Facebook page.

Opposite page: Julie’s dress was hand-painted by Lisa Harrell, ceramic artist/painter of Mobile, AL, to match Juli’s glass, for the dedication of Juli’s permanent installation in Mobile Botanical Gardens.

Brittany Picolo-Ramos

Godwyn Realty is located at 1943 Sophie Wright Pl. in New Orleans. 504-300-5179. Brittany.godwynrealty.com

Dr. Zeena Al-Dujaili

New Orleans Aesthetics (NOA) brings a New York style to New Orleans. Founded and led by Dr. Zeena Al-Dujaili, our team is singularly focused on clean, beautiful, and healthy skin. We provide medical and cosmetic dermatology to the discerning client. Dr. Zeena opened NOA in 2019 after practicing on the Upper East Side of New York City for 10 years. Double board certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery and fellowship trained in Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Zeena is wellknown for utilizing a multi-dimensional approach and the latest technologies to deliver natural aesthetic results. “My goal is to make my patients look and feel better, not different. I enjoy enhancing my patient’s natural beauty.”

She employs specialized techniques with injectables and lasers for rejuvenation of the face, neck, chest, and hands. Dr. Zeena is passionate about treating the whole person and provides each patient a customized treatment plan to address their specific needs. “What I strive to do is deliver highly personalized care to everyone. No two patients are alike, so I don’t have a standard cookie cutter approach to anything that I do.” Staying up to date with the latest trends is very important in this ever-evolving industry. For 2023, “a new generation of super skin machines that help to strengthen the skin from the inside out are favorites at our office.” The microneedling radiofrequency treatment penetrates deeper than the skin surface and improves skin texture, stimulates collagen and elastic tissue while reducing scarring and wrinkles. “Combine this treatment with superficial treatments for pigmentation, veins, and brightening, and you have the ultimate rejuvenation option for those that want to age gracefully, healthier and visibly fresher but 100% you.”

When not in the office Dr. Zeena enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and trying new restaurants. She admits that “Balancing home and work life will always be a struggle, but nothing is more rewarding then being able to step back and appreciate all the hard work. As a women in business and mother I feel empowered. I know I am setting an amazing example for my daughters to push themselves and become independent and strong.”

New Orleans Aesthetics is located at 3434 Prytania St., Ste. 420, in New Orleans. 504-475-1000. neworleansaesthetics.com.

Jessica Marasco Illes

As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I love that I get to wake up every day and create wealth with my clients. I became a financial advisor after seeing the grave need for women in the financial industry, as well as someone who understood entrepreneurs and people with unconventional careers.

Because Edward Jones is a privately-owned company and not publicly traded, I truly work for my clients—not shareholders—when I give advice and create a strategy. As a team, we create a plan to get them to their goals.

I find that a common misconception of financial advising is that people do not think they have enough money to need a financial advisor.

Whether you want to plan for retirement, education, or ensure you have income to cover your expenses, I offer personalized service and longterm investing strategies instead of the latest investment fads. My go-to advice is to pay into your retirement like it’s a monthly bill.

I am a series 7 and 66 licensed financial advisor, and proud alumna of Northwestern State University, Dominican High School, and NOCCA. In addition to serving as president of the St. Martin’s Moms’ Club, I am a member of The Touchdown Club of New Orleans, Fidelity Bank POWER, Gretna Economic Development Association and the Krewe of Cleopatra.

When not working with clients, I enjoy cheering for the New Orleans Saints. I am the wife of Derek Illes, an audio mixer for film and television. Together, we have a very curious and independent 2 -year-old named Scarlett, and two lovable rescue pups, Baby Colston and Buster.

New Orleans Creole Cookery is located at 510 Toulouse St., New Orleans, 504.524.9632. NewOrleansCreoleCookery.com.

Anna Tusa

Briquette is located at 701 South Peters, New Orleans, 504.302.7496. briquette-nola.com.

Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery owner Dr. Claire Melancon’s love of art, detail and working with her hands made facial plastic surgery a perfect niche. “Naturally, the progression to starting my own practice and patient experience developed in large part with my creative side, as well as a desire to offer patients a very personal, boutique plastic surgery experience,” she says. Being female-owned and -operated, offers a unique perspective on facial aesthetics. Dr. Melancon specializes in the face and neck, which is a very small sector. Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery is designed to be concierge and personal. It is a soothing, modern but classic space positioned around making patients feel

at ease and at the center of their entire experience. Each patient receives a unique treatment plan specifically incorporating holistic treatments to give the best possible results.

“I love the ability to spend time with patients in a peaceful, patient-centered environment where I hope patients can feel that they are the focus of our entire mission. The ongoing patient relationship that develops between a surgeon and patient, especially in surgical interventions of the face, is extremely rewarding. I love being a part of restoring a patients’ confidence in such a personal, impactful way.”

Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery is located at 6001 Magazine St., Ste. D., 504-264-7833. audubonfacialplastics.com

Claire Melancon, MD

Beginning her career in health benefits as a team of one, HUB International Gulf South Senior Vice President Annette Dowdle is proud to look back on her now 20-plus year career. She is now backed by an “A-Team” of over 15 employees sharing a common goal of taking the mystery out of benefits.

With a focus on corporate and employee wellness, she collaborates with clients to implement traditional medical programs as well as workplace health including mental and physical. “The employee benefits industry has drastically changed over the last few decades and staying on the leading edge of those changes has allowed me to take the client and employee experience to a whole new level,” Annette says.

Annette’s resources and consulting options include voluntary benefits; data analytics; health & performance; program design & implementation; and more. HUB has a very collaborative and innovative approach when it comes to new strategies and the benefits they offer and can adapt to this ever changing business.

Thriving in the industry, Annette aims for a healthy employeecentric environment for her clients. “I love the satisfaction of helping my clients and their employees live a healthier lifestyle. I enjoy meeting with companies in our community and speaking on HUB’s innovative tools and resources that set us apart from the competition.”

While competitors often “check the box” with team members wearing multiple hats, HUB fully staffs for every resource that they offer with specialists in each respective field. “Creating a positive experience for employees to learn about enrollment and their options is what we strive to do,” Annette says.

To further her leadership skills, Annette is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany, Leadership Louisiana, and Loyola Women’s Leadership Academy. Annette is a member of National Women in Construction and serves on HUB’s National Best Practices Task Force.

Within the community, she is a member of Women United, a leadership group of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Additionally, she is a part of Leadership Jefferson Class of 2023. Annette has served as Co-Chair for the 2021 and 2022 American Heart Association Northshore Heart Walk and was the first to join the prestigious giving society, Northshore Heart Walk Executives with Heart, last year.

annette.dowdle@hubinternational.com. 504-491-5576.

Annette Dowdle, RHU, CCWC, CHRS

Lisa Alpaugh

Lisa has always been a ceramic lover and collector. Now later in life, she has the opportunity to create pieces with her own hands. Lisa’s pieces are covered with vines, flowers, pods, and other elements found in nature and some found in her imagination.

LiBird, pronounced “Lee Bird” was Lisa’s childhood nickname. The name brings back happy memories of growing up in western Kentucky where she was surrounded by farmland, rolling hills, and flowing rivers.

Lisa was one of 20 award recipients featured in Garden and Gun’s 2019 Made in the South Awards contest. Her work was also represented in Shumacher’s 2020 fall issue of The Bulletin.

Zana Ranđelović Brown

Local artist Zana Ranđelović Brown relocated to New Orleans from Serbia. Her work is a joyful expression of the feminine soul and the beauty of nature. Each of the women she paints is a soul whose energy Zana embraces and portrays on canvas.

Zana’s work has been featured in several publications including Elle Decor. Her work is pursued by many international collectors.

Zana is the mom of the adorable boy Luka. She loves spending early mornings in her studio, sipping coffee and painting with her pet tortoise Lola.

Zana can be reached at (504)355-7528 or zanabrownstudio.com, and Lisa can be reached at (504) 874-5131 or libirdstudio. com. Their combined gallery is located at 3908 Magazine St. and open Thursday-Saturday. Contact them for an appointment.

“It doesn’t really feel like a job to me,” comments Stacie Carubba, associate broker and partner at Athena Real Estate. Because real estate is such a personal business, many of her clients have now become friends. Results, not excuses. Stacie’s tagline is from her late grandfather, Dr. Rosario Carubba. Pappy, as Stacie called him, was a renowned musician and band director. After his death, Stacie says, “our family received an outpouring of love from his former students and many expressed how his ‘famous words’ stuck with them. By the fall of 2016, I was searching for my next step and how

to brand myself when it hit me…Results, not excuses. Not only was it a catchy and unique tagline, but it had such a deep personal meaning to me.”

Stacie is very creative and solution-oriented, which is important in the real estate industry since things rarely go as planned. “It is great to have the autonomy to run my business and reap the rewards of my hard work.” When you choose to work with Stacie as your agent, you get Stacie. She doesn’t pass her clients off to an assistant or team member. She is with them every step of the way from start to finish, and Stacie handles all aspects of the transaction.

If you’re looking for an agent that delivers “Results, not excuses”, call Stacie at 504-434-SOLD(7653). staciecarubba.com.

Stacie Carubba

Danyel Nicole Black

Danyel Nicole Black, Founder and CEO of Crown Me Foundation, founded the nonprofit organization in 2020 as a way to help women truly identify their self worth and heal. Danyel says, “In the midst of a divorce years ago, I needed resources to help me undo unhealthy patterns. I needed guidance to help me evolve and navigate to a healthier version of myself. I wanted to create the resources that I needed the most when I could not afford them.”

As an educator, motivational speaker, and Certified Life Coach, Danyel explains, “When we heal ourselves, we heal our families. We heal our communities. We heal generations. Allow this to be your gift to the world!”

Crown Me Foundation is not only a business. It is a powerful, pink and gold movement of femininity and power. Danyel is educating women and girls about the power of their femininity while educating and rewiring their minds to think and receive healthy relationships. The formula is simple at Crown Me. By educating women and girls, we lessen the chances of them accepting toxicity in their lives, and they make better decisions about who they choose as their life partners. In turn, this strengthens families and communities.

On June 24th at the Ritz Carlton, Crown Me will host its annual gala. This night will honor the Crown Me Image Awardees chosen by the community and also award scholarships to high school seniors and college freshmen. Please visit crownmefoundation.org to purchase tickets, sponsorships, and/or vendorships.

crownmefoundation.org

Victoria Giglio INDIGO BOUTIQUE

Ditching a dance competition to shop in NYC, 15 year old Victoria Giglio walked into Saks Fifth Avenue for the first time. Stars twinkled in her eyes as she purchased her first high fashion accessory: an indigo blue denim Dolce & Gabbana jacket. Fashion became her ultimate passion and a part of who she is.

In 2005, Victoria opened Victoria’s Indigo Boutique in Houma, giving a nod to her D&G jacket. Victoria also published Houma’s first fashion magazine and was invited to speak to the marketing department at Nicholls State University about business and marketing. As a stylist for American Idol contestants and Official Sponsor for Miss Louisiana and Teen USA, Indigo has received national name recognition. Indigo’s Online store has also been featured in Elle Magazine as one of the best women’s clothing websites. Now Victoria has a second Indigo Boutique in Metairie. Victoria hopes to make everyone’s shopping experience the best it can be. According to Victoria, “Indigo is different from other stores because we pride ourselves on customer service and personal styling touches. We don’t just want customers....we want lifelong friends who trust us to make them feel and look their best for every occasion.”

In addition to fashion, Victoria is taking off into the world of furniture and interior design. Victoria offers interior design consultations and orders specific items for clients in addition to custom orders. She has worked on renovation jobs and complete gut jobs for clients whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Ida.

Indigo Boutique is located at 605 Metairie Road in Metairie and 1795B MLK Blvd., Suite B, in Houma. shopindigoboutique.com

Allison Herrera

Allison Herrera, a New Orleans native, is the founder & CEO of Uptown Girl Media, LLC., a marketing agency specializing in digital advertising.

Herrera is a valuable player in her industry, as she is the first minorityowned company that transformed the idea of digital advertising, specifically video advertising, in New Orleans. Before launching her own agency in 2019, there were no local marketing agencies who produced videos in-house. So, instead of creating a seat at the table, she had to create a whole new table herself. Today, Herrera and her agency work with well-known, Louisiana, household brand names, as she takes pride in how her company successfully grew over the past few years as an all-female-operated powerhouse. From a family of Cuban immigrants, Herrera is a proud leader in her industry - proving hard work and determination can truly make dreams come true.

Prior to opening up her own agency, Herrera’s passion stemmed from her professional career in broadcast journalism with Raycom Media (who at the time owned television networks such as WVUE Fox 8 in New Orleans and WAFB Channel 9 in Baton Rouge). She fell in love with the idea of using the knowledge and tools she gained in media to help businesses & brands advertise themselves. She then left the news industry with a heavy, but hopeful, heart to pursue her dream - opening a media marketing agency focusing on video for digital advertising. After almost a year in business, she began expanding the depth of services Uptown Girl Media offered, thus positioning the company as a full-service marketing agency - all during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Herrera also received experience in sales, advertising and public relations throughout her career. She is an alumna of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Louisiana State University and Delta Gamma Fraternity, where she obtained countless honors from national honor societies and recognitions from a handful of organizations throughout her time in school. Herrera now receives several invitations to speak at universities, marketing events, and media forums. She currently serves as President of the American Marketing Association.

From working hands-on with students at St. Michael Special School to supporting charities such as Son of a Saint, Herrera is a strong believer in giving back to her community. In her spare time, Herrera enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, watching Louisiana sports, reading, trying new dishes around the city and watching movies with her Yorkipoo, Gumbeaux.

Allison Herrera can be reached at 504-788-2UGM or allison@uptowngirl.media. www.uptowngirl.media.

Chazzie Williams

Chazzie Williams is the owner of Healthy Portions Meal Company in Mandeville, LA. She is a passionate believer in the potential of every person to be the best that they can be and strives every day to help others to believe in themselves. This passion is the driving force behind her brand. A former personal trainer, she understands the difficulties in changing behavior, but believes that if you focus on health as your goal and not weight, you can succeed in achieving your goals.

Chazzie’s clients for personal training were always trying dieting fads that never worked. Also, she was concerned that her three children were resistant to eating healthy foods. Ultimately, when she received a cancer diagnosis and underwent a double mastectomy, she was determined to turn the tide. She explains the ramifications,”My own health, the health of my children, the health of our generation, and generations to come should not be compromised by synthetic ingredients, fried foods, and overprocessing.”

Healthy Portions Meal Co. offers New Orleans flavor and achieves and maintains healthy weight targets through proper nutrients and clean ingredients that are desirable for all ages.

Healthy Portions Meal Co. subscriptions include: keto, low carb, low fat, paleo,and vegetarian. It’s proud to be a part of the Ochsner Eat Fit program. Chazzie also furnishes meals to feed your entire family. Each week, the menu is crafted for your success.

Now cancer-free, she inspires others by her own journey. Her hard work and perseverance have led to success and health for herself, her family, and her clients. Chazzie and Healthy Portions Meal Co. will be there for you along your journey.

Tori Pasentine

Dr.

Kiley Lyn and Kasey Lyn

We are a women-owned and family-owned business run by two sisters, Kiley Lyn and Kasey Lyn. We have two studios on both sides of the lake located in Metairie and Madisonville. Our business started as a side hustle for both of us and gradually expanded over the last 12 years to become our full-time careers.

We have a unique and timeless style that will look beautiful in our clients’ homes for decades. We love capturing families and children from the newborn phase all the way up to graduating seniors. Many of our clients refer to Kiley as “the baby whisperer” because she is gifted with the ability to soothe and pose newborns.

Our goal is to capture the special moments in our clients’ lives with stunning images that will forever magnify their memories. We achieve this by creating a fun, enjoyable, and stress-free picture experience for our families.

Sonam Sadhwani

“Our niche is skincare.” Sonam Sadhwani, owner of Glasskin, continues, “We don’t provide other aesthetic services. Instead, our focus is cutting-edge skincare that is clean and effective. Before we launched our space, skincare was found only in dermatologist offices, med spas, or day spas. All of these options can be intimidating, time consuming, and not as convenient.”

The core of Glasskin facials are skin workouts, high-tech facials, and clean ingredients. Hence the motto: Active Skincare.

“I want our clients to have transformative skincare experiences in a design-led setting. I love presenting our treatments and products in a way that feels luxurious yet very attainable.

Glasskin is located at 4025 Magazine St. in New Orleans. Getglassskin.com

I Do Bridal Couture is located at 4343 Perkins Rd. in Baton Rouge. 225-361-0377 and 316 Lee Lane in Covington. 985-327-5598

Ramsey Roberts Sims

LeNae Goolsby, JD

LeNae is the Cofounder/COO of Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center which was established in 2013. Her husband and business partner Dr. Goolsby began his medical career as a Board Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, but as a team, they felt called to transition into integrative and regenerative medicine with a niche focus on health optimization, age-reversal, and regenerative medicine.

Infinite Health sets itself apart from other local businesses because of the results that patient-partners realize when they truly commit to taking back their health power. LeNae co-authored the book Think and Live Longer with Dr. Goolsby, and together they promote the coaching program of the same title to help patientpartners go from getting good results to getting truly transformational results.

LeNae is excited to announce that together she and Trip Goolsby, MD will be launching the “Your Infinite Health Podcast.” Their plan is to share patient-partner success stories and to educate through interviews with healthcare experts.

As a Certified Public Accountant and a real estate broker, Jessica LeBlanc is in a league of her own.

“Even though it can be challenging to be an entrepreneur, it is extremely satisfying to see my businesses grow over these past eight years. Now I have a team that works with me at both businesses, which includes my husband and my son.”

Jessica’s diverse skills set her apart from other businesses. As she observes,”There are several CPA firms and several real estate brokerages in the area, but I am not aware of any that own and operate two separate businesses, in which one business provides accounting services and the other business provides real estate services.”

Jessica LeBlanc, CPA/CFF, RENE/ePRO

Kelly Martin, the Executive Director of The Laurel Senior Living, has extensive knowledge of the functions of a senior living community and skills for working with seniors experiencing memory loss. She explains, “My career in senior living has taught me that everyone needs a purpose, especially those suffering from memory loss, and it is so rewarding to help the elderly discover that purpose.”

To ensure you choose the right senior living experience for you or your loved one, Kelly emphasizes that touring a community is more than just a tour. “Talk to more than just the team member giving the tour; talk to a caregiver, the activities director, a resident, or a family member you see while on your tour. Meet the Executive Director and the Director of Nursing, and schedule a time to experience a meal or an activity.” Kelly continues, “Does the team member giving the tour know the residents by name? Do they take a minute to acknowledge them?” Taking note of your interactions and observations will ensure that you decide on the best community.

Kelly was recently chosen to attend the Alzheimer’s Association’s Leadership Summit in San Diego. She says, “It allowed me to bring back so many amazing resources to share with my team in an effort to enhance programming for our residents living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.”

Symmetry Jewelers was founded in 1975. We feature local, national, and international jewelry designers. We also have an extensive collection of antique and estate jewelry. Symmetry is a full-service jewelry store offering traditional jewelry repairs, antique jewelry restoration, and the finest in original custom design.

Kelly Martin

The Laurel Senior Living is located at 1101 Aline St. in New Orleans. 504-350-2244. LaurelNOLA.com

Symmetry Jewelers is located at 8138 Hampson St. 504-861-9925. symmetryjewelers.com.

Anna Hollinger and Connie Thompson

“Confidence is what we’re selling!” Melissa Perreand of HALO Bikini Boutique enthusiastically asserts. “My favorite aspect of owning a business is encouraging women to step outside of their “comfort zone” and helping them feel confident and sexy in their own skin by selecting the proper swimwear piece for their body type.”

HALO not only offers swimwear, apparel, and activewear year round but also offers sunless tanning and “tarnish resistant” jewelry. That’s right- HALO gets you ready for your trip from start to finish, providing the perfect beachwear and GLOW for your vacation.

Stephanie Shank

Fluff Gourmet Fairy Floss began at Stephanie Shanks’s kitchen table. “I learned how to use the machine, experimented with creating flavors, and the rest just fell into place,” recalls Stephanie. She started by filling orders for friends and began to branch out into wholesale and corporate gifting. In April 2022, Stephanie opened her shop in Mandeville. With 35 flavors and extras like glitter and edible stickers, Stephanie makes everything in house. Fluff Gourmet is the first interactive cotton candy party store in the U.S and also supplies wholesale cotton candy nationwide. Fluff Gourmet offers several in-store birthday party packages as well as customizable catering packages for events large or small.

Halo Bikini Boutique is located at 3333 Metairie Rd., Metairie. 504-910-1400. Book a tan: haloglo.glossgenius.com.

Shop online: halobikiniboutique.myshopify.com

Follow on Instagram @halo_glo and @halo_bikinis.

Fluff Gourmet Fairy Floss is located at 3075 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70448 and open Tuesday through Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 12-5.

Fluffnorthshore@gmail.com

Melissa Perreand

Paula Polito

Paula Polito is the third generation woman in her family’s business, following her grandmother who started Cherry Tree in 1974 and her mother who opened Beary Cherry Tree in the 1980’s.

Paula’s child development center is grounded in interactions. Her team’s work is intentional and focused on preparing children emotionally, socially, and academically. Paula and her team do this work because they truly love children.

Each day offers an opportunity to make an impact in the life of a child. 90% of brain development occurs between birth and 4 years old; therefore, Paula advises parents to “interact, read, and engage with your children!”

Jennifer Hayes

Jennifer operates Archer Hayes Tax Relief, a boutique tax representation firm that helps individual and small business taxpayers with IRS tax debt that range from five-figures to multiple six-figures.

Jennifer was inspired to start her business after dealing with an IRS issue of her own. This prompted her to learn more about tax law, and she began volunteering with the IRS VITA program. Soon, she became an Enrolled Agent and began representing taxpayers struggling to navigate complex tax issues like she once did.

“My favorite aspect of running my business is providing nervous and anxious taxpayers peace of mind by taking over their cases and resolving their IRS issues.”

Beary Cherry Tree is located at 3117 Lake Villa in Metairie. (504) 455-1950. bearycherrytree.com.

Archer Hayes Tax Relief is located at 3350 Ridgelake Dr., Suite 200 in Metairie. 504-308-1004. archerhayestax.com

Doll House Hair and Beauty Salon is a full-service luxury salon located at 4650 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 103, Metairie. 504-835-7474, and online at  metairiesalon.com

Rachel Neumeyer considers dentistry the perfect combination of science and art.

Revival Dental combines the latest technology with a team who treats you like family. We are proud to offer our patients the greatest advancements in dentistry such as same-day crowns, digital impressions, Botox for TMJ pain and headaches, cosmetic Botox, and dermal fillers.

“My favorite aspect of owning my own practice is the freedom to create the office of my dreams.”

To ensure you have a relaxing experience and receive personalized care, customized amenities include complimentary beverages, weighted blankets, and headphones/TVs to watch your favorite shows. We welcome all ages.

Liz Duboue

As a certified family nurse practitioner, Lizette Alvarado has just celebrated the grand opening of Syn Skin Aesthetics and Wellness, the first Latina-owned aesthetic, small business on the Northshore.

The uniqueness of the practice is that it combines beauty and primary care needs. LIzette provides consultations in weight loss and overall wellness. injectables, fillers, hormone therapy, and VI peels.

Lizette works with patients to enhance not only outer beauty but inner beauty as well. Lizette explains,”My patient care experience and training set me apart. I take extra time to devise individual care plans.”

Mary Jane Walsh is an international executive coach who has helped thousands of individuals to expand their vision, develop strategies for growth, achieve revenue goals, and gain back their time.

Services include business and executive coaching, company consulting, leadership and sales seminars, professional speaking, and executive retreats.

Clients span industries including real estate, wealth management, lending, IT, marketing, retail stores, photographers and creatives, event planners, C-suite executives, credit unions, and many more.

Syn Skin Aesthetics & Wellness is located at 4244 LA 22, Unit 9, in Mandeville. 985-515-0198. synskinaesthetics.com

Please

Lizette Alvarado

Cortes-Johnson

Meggan

Ory

Renowned for her gracious Southern charm, delightful sense of humor, and love for New Orleans, Eleanor has dedicated her career to sharing her love for the city and to helping her clients find the perfect home. A native New Orleanian, Eleanor attended McGehee School and Tulane University; however, it was her childhood growing up in a Henry Howard home which taught her her first lessons in fine architecture, and which first ignited her passion for historic homes.

Eleanor’s 42 year career is studded with accolades and record breaking sales, yet nothing makes her prouder or can attest more to her success than the loyalty of the many clients who seek her out again and again for help in buying and selling their homes, and who recommend her so warmly to their friends and family. Some of Eleanor’s most notable awards include being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and selection for the 2019 CityBusiness Women of the Year Award. Her certifications include Historic Residential Specialist (HRS), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI), and Buyer Representative Certified (BRC).

An active member of the community, Eleanor is a member of the Junior League of New Orleans Gardening and Decorating Clubs, the Orleans Club, the Preservation Resource Center, the National Trust in Historic Preservation, and the PAWS Society of the SPCA; and a YWCA Role Model. Eleanor enjoys spending her time with her three children, eight grandchildren, and her beloved Cavalier King Charles, Oliver.

“Every day is a new adventure,” Eleanor says. “You never know who is going to call, or what they are going to need. The best feeling, though, is finding the exact right home for a client, and watching that person fall in love with the grand possibilities a new home can offer.”

Eleanor is licensed by the Louisiana and Mississippi Real Estate Commission

2727 Prytania Street, Suite 15, New Orleans, LA

O: 504-891-1142 C: 504-669-0211 sold@eleanorfarnsworth.com

@buzzedbayeaux

Eleanor Farnsworth, CRS, GRI, BRC, HRS Latter & Blum

Heather Massel

Poured Bayeaux rentals are available for all events in the Greater New Orleans and Northshore areas. View and learn more about Poured Bayeaux and Buzzed Bayeaux options on Instagram @pouredbayeaux and

Party Supply & Rental Shop

Mobile Bars, Hedge Walls & more...plus Vocal Guest Book - A modern version of a guest book. Voicemails you will keep forever.

Having the opportunity to instill confidence in women through the power of beautiful hair is empowering. Working with each guest, one on one, allows me to truly connect with my clients on a personal and professional level.

This career is much more than exceptional hairstyling. I have the power to change a woman’s life. As someone who struggles with my own insecurities, creating that feeling of value in another woman is exhilarating!

My business is supported by so many remarkable women, whether they sit in my chair or we work together to build from the knowledge of one another. A special thank you to all of the women that have supported me on this beautiful journey!

Studio Lu Elle is located at 3348 West Esplanade Ave., Ste. 204, Metairie. 504-655-9868, and online at  studioluelle.org

Raven Davis

Christy Boutte

Christy has been creating art professionally since 2000. At the age of one, Christy suffered a childhood illness that led to her loss of hearing. Christy’s determination as a young girl and unwavering belief in herself has continued throughout her career and led to many successes as an artist.

Her work is known and seen worldwide, but she prides herself on showing her work in her home state of Louisiana. This year, Raising Cane’s chose Christy to create three custom paintings to be used throughout their Mardi Gras Campaign. In the near future, look for her sculpture to be displayed in Metairie along Veterans Highway. Learn more about Christy and see more of her work by visiting her art gallery, Art by Christy, which was chosen as our readers’ favorite by Inside New Orleans readers.

Art by Christy Gallery is located at 4616 Magazine Street and Art by Christy Studio is located at 603 Lafayette Street in Gretna. For more information visit artbychristy.com or on social @artbychristy.

Jiarra Rayford

Jiarra Rayford is the owner and broker of Rayford Realty, consisting of six agents specializing in commercial and residential real estate. She began her real estate career in 2015 and now holds licenses in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Jiarra is the president of the New Orleans Metropolitan Women’s Council of Realtors and 1st vice president of the Louisiana Women’s Council of Realtors.

She is also a 2022 Goldman Sachs Alumni and 2022 City Business Honoree for Real Estate and Construction.

Jiarra is married to her soulmate Lionel Rayford, and together they are the parents of Lionel, Jr., and twins, Jada and Jackson.

Jiarra Rayford of Rayford Realty can be reached at 504-584-7533 or email Jiarra@RayfordRealtyNOLA.com

Frances Love Harris

When Frances Love Harris received a gift certificate to a local spa as a high school graduation gift, she was elated. She enjoyed every moment of her first spa visit, specifically the massage. Frances recalls, “I paid close attention to every technique that was being performed by the therapist.”  Frances envisioned creating that level of rejuvenation, well-being, and mental escape for others. Thus, Peace of Serenity Massage & Wellness was born.

By providing guests with massage services since 2016, Frances recognized the need for self-care which led her to begin developing wellness retreats for groups, couples, corporations, and businesses. Be sure to sign up on her website for newsletters.

Megan Naccari Munster & Brittani Naccari Farrell FNP-C

From facial treatments to injectables, Saintly Skin offers an array of services to help you accentuate your beauty. Owner Megan Naccari Munster earned her aesthetics license from John Jay and holds eleven additional certifications for various skin care treatments and services.

Brittani Naccari Farrell, a Family Nurse Practitioner, began her education at LSU Health Science Center, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2012. While working on a Cardiology unit, she earned her Masters of Science degree in Nursing-Family Practice, graduating with honors in 2016. Brittani is a Louisiana-licensed Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She then obtained Esthetics Certifications in Botox/ Xeomin/Dysport, injectable fillers, threading, and thread lifting procedures. Megan and Brittani, along with their team, make it a priority to be detailed in informing and educating clients on all the services and products needed to achieve their goals. Megan assures that Saintly Skin delivers “achievable cosmetic results through professional services. We aim to educate our clients through our own training and experiences.”

Peace of Serenity is located at 2439 Manhattan Blvd., Ste. 300 in Harvey. 504-858-4848. posmassage.com

Saintly Skin is located at 3000 Kingman St., Ste. 101, in Metairie. 504-475-5510. saintlyskin.com

Claudine Christiansen

What sets Claudine Christiansen apart from other realtors is her relationship with her clients. As Claudine puts it, “My successes are a direct result of my hard work and dedication. I love when I have clients coming back to me ready to make another move or when they send me their own friends or family members as referrals.”

Dr. Diane Rose

Dr. Diane Rose followed in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather when she decided to join the medical industry. Last summer, she celebrated her 25th anniversary as a board-certified dermatologist.

Dr. Rose will always go the extra mile to do what is right for each individual. She visits a nursing home once a month to see patients that are unable to leave the facility. Officially opened last July, Rose Wellness customizes any Vitamin IV therapy to the patient to treat fatigue, chronic pain, weight loss, and inflammation. Having a physician, not only on-site but very involved, truly sets Rose Wellness apart.

Rose Dermatology and Laser Center and Rose Wellness will soon be in a bigger space (with more parking), and the new facility will reflect Dr. Rose’s high standards.

Katie O’Leary

Working in the real estate business for six years, Katie O’Leary has been focused on relationship building. Katie loves working with families and helping them achieve their goals of home ownership.

Katie says, “No two real estate transactions are the same, so I always look at what specific goals my clients want to achieve and diligently work to get them accomplished.”

Rose Dermatology and Laser Center/ Rose Wellness are located at 2221 Clearview Pkwy, Metairie. 504-885-8363.

Claudine Christiansen can be reached at 504.232.0112 or cgroe1@gmail.com.

Katie O’Leary can be reached at 504.228.3061 or katie@katiesellsnola.com.

Jolie Bernard

Jolie Bernard is the principal owner of and chief strategist for The Bernard Group LLC, a full-service, award-winning, strategic communications and branding firm based in New Orleans. She is also a 2021 New Orleans City Business Women of the Year honoree, a 2022 Biz New Orleans Woman to Watch, a 2022 New Orleans Magazine Woman of Influence, and the inaugural (2022) Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R. Woman of the Year.

Intentional about leading with a servant’s heart, Bernard is the founder of four youth-serving nonprofit organizations that provide financial support, resources, and equitable opportunities to young people across the country that live, learn, and work in underrepresented communities.

Jolie Bernard of The Bernard Group can be reached by phone at 504.909.5650 or email at jolie@thebernardgroupnola.com thebernardgroupnola.com

Kristin Sparks and Raquel Nunez

As Owner and Director of Special Events, Krisitn Sparks has a clear goal: “Show our guests what dining in New Orleans is all about!” What sets Annunciation apart from other venues is not only its menu selections, which embody the heart of New Orleans Creole and Southern Cuisine, but its seasoned team of servers and management allowing them to execute every event flawlessly.

Kristin is excited to work with Raquel Nunez, new Special Events Coordinator, whose attention to detail and service is unmatched, making every moving part of each event a priority. Raquel attends each event and meets her guests personally. “I love managing events from their beginning stages to final presentation. Each detail, conversation, and coordination is needed to lead to a successful event. It takes time, commitment, and consistency. The most rewarding part is watching the event come to fruition.”

Annunciation Restaurant is located at 1016 Annunciation St. 504-568-0245. annunciationrestaurant.com.

As the granddaughters of sculpture artists, it’s only natural for Reagan Charleston and Reina Tucker to create. Inspired by travel, Reagan’s journey into jewelry making began in 2013 following her second trip to Florence, Italy. She says, “I fell in love with everything there, especially the lion doorknockers, which reminded me of the gates at my grandparents French Quarter art gallery. I wanted to make a piece to commemorate it, so I found a wax artist and had a lion doorknocker carved. When I started wearing it, I couldn’t go anywhere without someone asking where I got it and that’s when the light bulb went off.”

Reina became interested in jewelry fabrication while taking art classes at Tulane, but a design expedition with Reagan to Croatia sparked her jewelry design flame in 2018. Shortly after, Reina enrolled in metalsmithing class. Since then, she has begun designing and collaborating on new collections with Reagan. Reina says, “I love traveling and becoming inspired by a city, region, or country, and working with Reagan to create a signature collection. I look forward to our summer travels to Europe to work on our next project!”

Reagan Charleston Jewelry is located at 333 Canal Street, Ste 200A, and online at reagancharleston.com

Kathryn Perrin

CATERING & EVENTS

Reina Tucker and Reagan Charleston, Esq.

At Gustafson Wealth Management, we are redefining wealth. Our clients have helped us recognize how transactional and product-centered financial advice had become over the years. As a result, we have purposefully embarked on creating a very different experience for our clients, one that starts by truly taking the time to not only get to know them but to discover what really matters to them and why it’s important as it relates to their financial future. With more than 60 years of combined experience, our team takes a refreshing yet mindful approach to wealth management, helping clients to position their finances as a strategic and efficient tool and providing clarity where their lives and money intersect.

Dr. Suma Maddox is a double board-certified plastic surgeon located at Hedgewood | 1603 Second St., 3rd Floor, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Appointments can be made by calling|texting 504.439.9728 or emailing admin@drsumamaddox.com

Becky Gustafson can be reached at 504-335-2134 or email becky.gustafson@nm.com

Becky Gustafson, CFP, AEP, ChFC, CLU, RICP, CASL, LUTCF, CLTC

Dr. Suma Maddox

Asia Dillon

“Although I am young, I don’t let my age stop me from striving for more.” Fifteen year old Asia Dillon has participated in over fifty pop-up shops since she started Sassy A Cosmetics with the help of her mother four years ago.

When Asia’s little sister needed relief from chapped lips, Asia came up with a formula and made lip gloss that helps with cracked, peeling, dry lips. Her lipgloss is handmade with all-natural ingredients. Her business has grown to include lipsticks, lip creams, lip balms, and also body/face glitter.

As the youngest Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R. member, Asia has received a Certificate of Recognition from Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a shout-out from Governor John Bel Edwards, and a spotlight on The Five News.

Follow Asia Dillon on Facebook: sassya11, Instagram: @sassyacosmetics, and Linkedin. sassyalipgloss.com

Bridgette Readlinger

Typically the garbage industry isn’t a place you would think to find someone like Bridgette Readlinger running the show. Bridgette has developed her career with the nation’s second largest publicly traded waste services company, serving as the general manager for Republic Services in the New Orleans market. According to Bridgette, “Garbage doesn’t stop, it’s all day… every day! Being part of such a vital service in our community is very fulfilling. I tell people all the time… It’s more than just trash. We optimize collection, removal, recycling, and waste solutions while delivering world class customer service.”

Her attention to detail and her human centered management style earned her the title of “Best Boss” out of 144 other general managers last year at the company’s annual conference. Waste 360, the waste industry’s leading publication, has selected Bridgette as one of their “40 under 40” winners, and she will be recognized at the National Waste Expo held in New Orleans in May 2023.

Bridgette with Republic Services can be reached at breadlinger@republicservices.com republicservices.com

Caryn McDougal

Closets by Design offers so much more than custom closets, and so does the team behind it. Co-owner Caryn McDougal says, “We are here working for a purpose - our customer’s complete satisfaction. I believe its our people who drive that purpose. Our team consists of the very best local talent in our industry.”

Offering custom garage systems, laundry rooms, pantries, and more, Closets by Design has the experience it takes having been in business for 40 years and locally for almost 20 of those years.

“From the time our experienced designers arrive at your home to create your dream closet, to the precise production in our very own warehouse, to the custom installation, you can be confident that your overall experience will not only be a quality one, but the absolute very best. We stand for nothing less.

Tracee Dundas

Closets By Design of Southeast LA is located at 72397 Industry Park in Covington. 985-247-0230.

neworleans.closetsbydesign.com

Tracee Dundas introduced New Orleans Fashion Week in 2011. The annual event is a platform for designers, models, beauty industry professionals, and artisans to showcase their talents. Throughout the years, NOFW has seamlessly elevated the brands of Gulf Coast designers with runway shows, special presentations, and exclusive features infused with local culture.

The weeklong schedule showcases the region’s fashion elite through its Top Design Competition, Fashion Industry Career Day, and support of local non-profits. NOFW promotes awareness, creates opportunities, and gives back to the community by partnering with Dress for Success New Orleans. Now Tracee has taken on the role of Programs Director for the organization.

“My greatest pleasure is to see the success of the people that I’ve worked with, be they designers, models, or my team members. Their success is my success as well.”

In addition to overseeing the annual production of New Orleans Fashion Week, Dundas is a freelance fashion stylist and contributing fashion editor to numerous publications in the southern region. Dundas is an on-air contributor for New Orleans FOX station, WVUE, hosting regular styling segments for the morning and noontime broadcast. Additionally, she coordinates fashion shows, productions, and events throughout the year for clients in the region. National clients such as Essence, Nike, Lucky Magazine, Saks, and Macy’s continually call upon her styling expertise and assistance.

This year’s New Orlean Fashion Week is September 19-23, 2023.

Kelly Hopkins Brown

KHB INTERIORS

Principal Designer, Owner

Interior Designers Transforming Luxury Homes In New Orleans and Old Metairie

Creating Unique, Beautiful, Timeless, Functional Interiors

khbinteriors.com

504-251-7009

117 Focis Street, Metairie

Alison L. Burns

Alison founded Precision Payment Systems on the foundations of honesty, transparency, and exceptional service for the independent business owner. Says Ms. Burns: “We sell a top 3 overhead expense for businesses, and the pricing structure is highly unregulated. We try to not only educate on merchant services, but we love to help our businesses retain more of their revenue. It’s a passion!”

Alison is one of a handful of recipients of the prestigious Certified Payments Professional designation in the southern region and a leader with the Gulf Coast chapter of PayTech Women. PPS has offices in Metairie, LA, and Orange Beach, AL.

Alison with Precision Payments can be reached at  aburns@precisionpaymentsystems.com.

with LeNae Goolsby of Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, David Herrerra was contemplating selling his beloved sailboat. As an avid racer, he just could not maneuver around the deck without significant joint pain. Not only was he suffering from neck and back pain, but also knee pain from a torn meniscus. Adding to his pain was a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder keeping him from enjoying his other hobby, bowling. Needless to say, David was frustrated that his physical condition prevented him from enjoying his pastimes.

According to LeNae Goolsby, Cofounder/COO of Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center, David was concerned about his physical deterioration over the preceding five years,

Medical Condition: Extreme Joint Pain, Right Knee Meniscus Laceration, Low Energy, Fatigue

by Kelly Hightower

accompanied by weight gain (40 lbs), malaise, sometimes overwhelming fatigue, muscular wasting, and polyarticular joint pain precluding his normal activities.

During his consultations with Trip Goolsby, MD, David was impressed by the significant amount of time Dr. Goolsby spent with him, asking numerous questions and listening to his concerns. Dr. Goolsby created a comprehensive health optimization and longevity plan for David which included the following:

• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) plus metabolic and nootropic supplementation

• Low-carb nutritional guidelines coupled with conscious hydration

• Physical optimization which included HIIT

• Dr. Goolsby & LeNae Goolsby’s proprietary mind-body coaching program entitled “Think and Live Longer”

• Prolotherapy utilizing Wharton’s Jelly derived MSC exosomes to the right knee and shoulder to address early degenerative joint disease and ligament laxity syndromes and torn meniscus and labrum respectively

Within 4 months, David realized substantial improvement. His pain was reduced significantly due to an overall decrease in inflammation in his body. Within 8 weeks, David was bowling again. After 1 year of treatment, David was back to competitive boat racing. “I realized after the race that I had no joint pain,” David said. “I had great stamina and strength throughout the day. The couple I was crewing for was surprised at my age.”

At the age of 62, David marvels, “I find myself operating as though I am in my 40s. I feel much better, and my overall mood is better. Activities I gave up decades ago, I have started doing again. I have dropped 20+ pounds. My cholesterol is normal. I cannot wait to see the progress after another year of treatment.”

Trip Goolsby, MD began his medical career as a Board Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist. In 2013 he transitioned into integrative medicine with a niche focus on health optimization, age-reversal, and regenerative medicine.

For more information visit YourInfiniteHealth.com

Antique Shop

Keil’s Antiques

M.S. Rau

Renaissance Interiors

Tara Shaw

The Occasional Wife

Architecture

Albert Architecture

Flynn Designs

Greenleaf Architects

The Hopkins Company

Art Gallery

Art by Christy

Claire Elizabeth Gallery

Fos Gallery

Octavia Gallery

Terrance Osborne Art Gallery

Zana Brown Studio

Closet Company

Bayou Closets Inc.

California Closets

Louisiana Custom Closets

Ruffino Closets

Closets by Design

Commercial

Builder/ Contractor

CM Combs Construction

Impetus

Landis Construction

Ryan Gotee General Contractors

Flooring

Acadian Carpet Flooring

America

Floor & Decor

Jim Owens

Premier Flooring

Furniture Store

Doerr Furniture

Eclectic Homes

Eros

Fur.nish

JADE

Niche

Villa Vicci

Gardening

Bantings Nursery

Charvet’s Garden Center

Harold’s Plants

Perino’s

The Plant Gallery

Home Decor

Eclectic Home

Eros

Fur.nish

Greige

Hazelnut

JADE

Niche

Home Meal Delivery

Clean Creations

Healthy Portions

Home Edition

For Inside New Orleans’ Readers’ Favorite Home Edition, we asked you for your top picks in various home and garden categories. Congratulations to the winners below!

Be on the lookout for more Readers’ Favorites online at insideneworleansmagazine.com

Meals made easy

Snap Kitchen

Insurance

Beneficial Insurance Agency

Serving North Shore & South Shore

Gabe Corchiani, Riverlands Insurance

Jeff Stern, Allstate

Zachary Fanberg, Eagan Insurance Agency

Nora Vaden Holmes, State Farm Insurance

Susan Geoghegan, State Farm Insurance

Interior Designer

Abode

Flynn Design

JADE

KHB Interiors

Maria Barcelona Interiors

Legend Interiors

Sylvia T. Designs

Kitchen Design

Campbell Cabinet Company

Cabinets by Design

Classic Cupboards

Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath

Showroom

Mattix Cabinets

Nordic Kitchen

Landscaping

Benton Tree Service

Exterior Designs, Inc.

Landscape Images

Matyas Landscape & Design

Mullin

Roussell Outdoors

The Plant Gallery

Lighting

All Star Lighting

Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights

Fur.nish

Greige

JADE

Southland Plumbing Supply

Mortgage

Brokerage

Alex Shafirovich, InterLinc Mortgage

Hung Le, Movement Mortgage

Christen Jones, Nola Lending Group

Marcus Buring, NorthStar Mortgage

Paul Plaisance, GMFS

Outdoor Furniture Store

Eros

Niche

Outdoor Living Center

The Plant Gallery

Pest Control Company

Audubon Pest Control

Billiot Pest Control

D A Exterminating

J & J Exterminating

TrueNature Pest Control

Pool

Greg’s Pools & Spas

Kingfish Pools

Oasis Pool and Spa

Paradise Pools and Spas, Inc.

Pleasure Pools

Pool and Spa Center

Real Estate Agent

Brittany Picolo-Ramos - Godwyn Realty

Claudine Christiansen, Athena

Real Estate

Daniel Munn, Keller Williams

Eleanor Farnsworth, Latter and Blum Realtors

Elisa Cool Murphy, Team Cool

Murphy Real Estate

Kara Breithaupt, Snap Realty

Katie O’Leary, Athena

Real Estate

Mary Danna Realtor, SalePending.com

Molly Koenig, McEnery

Residential

Sissy Wood, Sissy Wood Realtors

Stacie Carubba, Athena

Real Estate

Residential Builder/ Contractor

C3NOLA

Chatagnier Construction

Crosby Development

Entablature

Jason Hand

MLM Incorporated

Precision Home

JLV Construction

RMC Construction

Rug Shop

Banana Manor

JADE

Nola Rugs

Solar Panels

Joule Energy

Posigen

South Coast Solar

Stone/Tile

Acadian Flooring America

Palatial Stone & Tile

Stafford Tile and Stone

Triton Stone Group

Tuscan Stone Imports

Wealth Management

Beacon Pointe

Becky Gustafson- Gustafson

Wealth Management

Emmett Dupas, Northwestern Mutual

Jouet Lawrence, Nola Wealth Management

Jason Duplantis, Faubourg Private Wealth

Waterfront Wealth Management

Jessica Marasco IllesEdward Jones

Home and Garden

Resources

Art by Christy 4616 Magazine St., 504-274-9622 artbychristy.com

Athena Real Estate

Claudine Christiansen 425 W. Harrison Ave., Ste. 1200 504-232-2112 cgroue1@gmail.com

Athena Real Estate - Katie O’Leary 425 W. Harrison Ave., Ste. 1200 504-228-3061 katie@katiesellsnola.com

Athena Real Estate - Stacie Carubba 425 W. Harrison Ave., Ste. 1200 504-507-8331 staciecarubba.com

Closets By Design

72397 Industry Park, Covington 985-247-0230

CPA Realty

Jessica D. LeBlanc 504-812-8807 cparealtyllc.com

Edwards Jones

Jessica Marasco Illes 606 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-8645 Jessica.Marasco@edwardjones.com

Exterior Designs, Inc. Beverly Katz 504-866-0276 exteriordesignsbev.com

Fidelity Bank 800-220-2497 Bankwithfidelity.com

Fur.nish 3413 N. Causeway Blvd, Metairie 504-702-8514 shopfurnishnola.com

Godwyn Realty 1943 Sophie Wright Pl., 504-826-8426 godwynrealty.com

Gulf Coast Lanterns 401 N. Columbia St., Covington 800-910-3275 gulfcoastlanterns.com

Gustafson Wealth ManagementBecky Gustafson 504-335-2134 BeckyGustafson.nm.com

Hilltop Shoppe 3714 Magazine St., 504-533-9670 hilltopshoppe.com

Indigo Boutique & Interiors 605 Metairie Rd., Ste. C shopindigoboutique.com

Judy at the Rink 2727 Prytania Street, 504-891-7018 judyattherink.com

J&J Exterminating 416 Commerce Point, 504-833-6305 jjext.com continued on page

Serene Outdoors and Luxurious Bathrooms

by Leslie Cardé

THERE’S SOMETHING SERENE about strolling through the manicured garden of this Uptown home, just steps from Audubon Park. As you gaze upon the intricate series of plantings, you’ll realize that every detail of the foliage surrounding the main home and guest house was precisely thought out. The landscape is accentuated with various pieces of statuary, drawing one’s eye to different elements within the garden.

This home had previous owners, so when landscape architects Marianne and Alan Mumford approached a redesign in 2009, there were many facets of the space to consider. The in-ground pool, designed by René Fransen of Fransen Mills LLC in New Orleans, was an element the current owners wanted to keep, so it was a matter of enhancing the surroundings to the taste of the new inhabitants of this home.

“In thinking back on this design, it reminds me how an important part of the project is to weave together the various selections, so we can recommend various sizes and shapes in order to keep things in proportion,” recounted Marianne Mumford, V.P. and Landscape Architect with

Landscape Images, Ltd. in New Orleans. “The tables and art elements must be in sync with the gardens they are surrounded by, as that’s what makes the end result successful. Integration of art is not by accident, and is one of the most personal selections in a garden.”

Since the 1980’s, this particular home has been owned by three different families. In fact, the folks who lived here prior to the current owners liked a bit more of a whimsical style. The rectangular-shaped lawn on display had a twelve-foot topiary elephant sculpture, which Landscape Images, Ltd. had previously maintained.

The current home owners and their decorator were instrumental in deciding on furniture and statuary. The job of the landscape architects was to provide a structured, ordered look around the art objects.

Most of the statues are of classical Greek women, but one of the sculptures, a giant urn ensconced in holly and tucked away on the perimeter of the backyard property, was so heavy that it took five men to transport it to the site.

“The idea of tucking statuary into a hedge was inspired by the gardens of Villa Gamberaia, in Florence, Italy, even

though this is a French-style garden,” Mumford said. “To make this gigantic piece feel in scale with the rest of the garden, we used plantings to do this, tucking it into the interior of the Dwarf Burford hollies.”

The owners wanted a white canvas to unfold between the guest and main houses, so most of what’s blooming reflects that color. While a large Savannah holly brings out a hint of crimson, everything else, from a Japanese maple and Sasanqua to Daisy Gardenia azaleas and Alta magnolias, brings out the snowy white palette. As spring overlaps into summer, seasonal selections like white Alyssum and white Torenia produce an added pop of white.

Arizona flagstone pavers punch up the color coordination with the planters and furniture, and abut the turf areas of monkey grass and Empire Zoysia.

All around the back-scape you’ll find Dwarf Yaupons and Boxwood sprinkled throughout as accents, making this tranquil space a great place to relax after a busy day at the office.

Speaking of tranquility, what better way to relax and unwind than in the comfort of your own backyard oasis. Pools have evolved into habitats, and certain pool builders known for their creative designs are building environments that look like they came out of a tropical rainforest.

“They either know what they want, or they want me to tell them,” explained Greg McSwain, owner of Greg’s Pools and Spas. “I’ve built 1400 pools over the course of my career, and I’m a pretty creative guy, so many of my clients trust me to have a vision for their backyards. You want a waterfall? No problem. A grotto? We’ve got you covered.”

For this freeform pool in Madisonville, right on the Tchefuncte River, McSwain was faced with a dilemma: a prior pool that was sinking on one side and emptying itself right into the river. Unfortunately, you cannot jack up a sinking ship, according to McSwain, so it meant ripping the old one out and starting over. The problem stemmed from the fact that the former pool was not on pilings, making it highly unstable, especially perched right alongside a river.

“We jackhammered the entire property and hauled away the contents,” explained McSwain.

“Then, I took the dirt from another house’s digs and filled in the crater. Afterward, we dug pilings into the mud, which had seepage from the river. You pile-drive until you get enough resistance. All told, we drove 40 foot pilings; there were about 75 of them. The ground itself ends up sucking onto the pilings after they sit for about a month.”

With a now-stable environment, the creative process begins. The owners, David and Carolyn Briggs, had seen a house a couple of doors down, which McSwain had designed and built, and liked what they saw. So, they entrusted him to come up with a design that would be fitting for their property. Flexible boards were placed right on top of where the pool would eventually be dug. As the pieces are laid out, the design takes shape. The clients are there to make any changes and give their input, so essentially the pool is formed right in front of them.

For this particular pool, which was built in 2019, prior >>

photos: MILES REESE MUMFORD

to the pandemic, supply-chain issues were not yet a problem nor was the destruction of a Texas resin mill which supplied PVC pipe to construction jobs. This includes filters and pumps, which are a part of any pool. A standard pipe which was $8 then, is now $52, increasing the bottom line on all pool construction. Starter pools that used to come in at around $39,000 are now $69,000. Most of McSwain’s pools, like this one, run six figures. He just finished a pool in Hammond, known as the Lazy River Pool, with a price tag of $350,000. So, save your pennies if you’ve been enticed by these environments and are thinking about an exotic pool.

Exotic is the operative word. This particular pool contains a grotto, a waterfall, a hot tub, and a tanning ledge, where adults can soak up the rays while still being covered in cool water, and with only an 18” depth, the kids have a place to play. The boulders framing the pool are made of Tennessee moss rock, the deck is made of flagstone pavers, and glass tile stepping stones serve as an eye-popping accoutrement while forming the beach entrances on both sides of the pool.

“Waterfalls are beautiful, but are a lot of work,” McSwain said. “Half of all of the fountains in this city leak, and it’s the same principle. If you don’t do it right, the constant water movement causes cracks and fissures then leaks, and the water starts to back up into your garden.”

As far as add-ons, the diving boards and slides that many of us grew up with are passé, not because they’re not wonderfully fun additions, but because insurance companies have blacklisted them in terms of coverage.

These decorative pools elicit a vibe all their own, brought forth by both sight and sound. LED lighting systems with an array of seven different colors can be changed based on the moods of the owners and can be controlled quite simply through one’s smartphone. Natural sounds of the waterfalls, spitting cranes, or anything else can be enhanced or turned down completely.

So, who needs a vacation to paradise, when you’ve got one right in your own backyard?

And, if you get bored, take the yacht out for a spin down the river to the many local watering holes.

When Susan Currie, Interior Designer, with offices in New Orleans, Atlanta and Brooklyn, was called in to transform a New Orleans bathroom belonging to a doctor and his wife on one of the gem streets at the lake, she had her work cut out for her. With a six-figure budget, she still aimed to minimize total costs by trying to keep the renovation’s structural details in check.

“The bathroom had to be gutted,” said Susan Currie, ASID, owner of Susan Currie Design, LLC. “The plan they went with kept things in the same approximate place as before, so the construction costs wouldn’t be sky-high.

photo: RANNA MCSWAIN

photo: RANNA MCSWAIN

photo: JACQUELINE MARQUE

They were given other options and other ideas, but when moving more plumbing and tearing out more walls is involved, the costs just naturally go up. So, we figured out how to design what they wanted, while at the same time keeping major reconstruction to a minimum.”

Currie discussed at length the couple’s wants and needs. Everyone agreed that the bathroom/closet/dressing areas were cramped and small and closed off. No one

particularly cared for the darker greyish pink tile on the floors, and the floorplan was very chopped up. By keeping the tub in the same location, but stealing space from the walk-in closet, and opening the space up with a lot of glass, it wouldn’t seem as claustrophobic. And, there were specific requests. The wife requested a tub deck so she could sit on the edge to get in the tub. This was accomplished by adding a bench seat and a grab bar.

The goal was to transform the primary bathroom from a dark ‘80’s flashback to a light, airy oasis with all new finishes in brighter more reflective colors and contemporary champagne bronze fixtures, in this case by Brizo. The small shower needed to be expanded and was enhanced by the addition of a glass panel, allowing daylight to stream in. An abstract floral wallpaper by WallQuest and fun pendant light fixtures by Circa Lighting give the space a touch of tasteful glam.

Other areas were brightened and lightened with natural stone, mosaic tile, and porcelain tile in the shower enclosure. And, there’s a lovely chandelier providing visual solace. With sinks by Kohler, a vanity stool by Ballard Designs, and cabinetry by WoodMode, the whole look feels refreshing and pulled together.

“I do my best to match my clients with the best contractors for their design specifics,” noted Currie. “If it involves complex structural issues, I pull in an architect or a structural engineer. Most importantly, when all is said and done, I want my clients to have a great project that’s beautiful and functional at the same time.”

If opulence is what you’re going for, and budgetary constraints are not an issue, then feast your eyes on the 20,000 square foot Mandeville home of Ingrid and Tyrus Murdoch. Together, they built this house on over an

photo: JACQUELINE MARQUE

photo: THOMAS

B. GROWDEN

acre of land. It took three years, has three levels, and essentially has an entire home on each floor. It boasts three separate giant master suites which contain a parlor, a sunroom, two fireplaces, a sleeping area with an adjacent plunge pool room, a large bathroom, a laundry room, a safe room, a two-story closet, and a kitchenette. Remember, the main area of the house has its own large kitchen. Their daughter has her own master suite containing 2,000 square feet, but as an 8-year old, she has other rooms more useful for a child, like a playroom and the nanny’s room.

“I have no idea how or where I got this taste,” said Ingrid Murdoch. “I’ve never been to Europe, nor do I have rich ancestors. Before my business took off (she is the former CEO of Sensible Meals), I lived in a shed with no running water. So, I created vision boards, which some people thought were outrageous and unattainable. But, I believe in creating a life of abundance.”

Married to a WWE wrestler, comedian, and now broadcaster for Fox News in New York, it’s a long-distance relationship, with her husband primarily living out of hotel rooms in NYC during the week. It’s a hectic schedule which they would eventually like to change.

Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this home is the two-story bath and closet, which is connected by a floating staircase from the lower to upper floor. It was modeled after a woman’s home in Texas, purported to have the largest closet in the world. In this residence, it begins in one of the master suites with the large two-story bathroom, replete with an eight-foot tub and a massive shower. The ornate bathroom includes Sherle Wagner 24-karat gold plated faucets and hand-painted sinks. It is here that the spiral staircase emanates, heading upward to the second floor of the closet.

Murdoch believes in Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese traditional practice which claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environments. Bad Feng Shui could mean putting a bed on the same wall as the door. The beliefs even extend to paint colors, associating pink with the energy of partnership. The Murdoch bedroom and bathroom are both pink.

A famous interior designer once said: “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”

Leslie Cardé can be reached at leslieinolamag@gmail.com

Home and Garden

Resources

KHB Interiors

Kelly Hopkins Brown 117 Focis St., 504-251-7009

khbinteriors.com

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. 504-486-6331

dignitymemorial.com

Latter & Blum New Orleans Luxury Real Estate - Eleanor Farnsworth 2727 Prytania St., Ste. 15 504-891-1142

Sold@EleanorFarnsworth.com

Laurel Senior Living 1101 Aline St. 504-350-2244

LaurelNOLA.com

North American Insurance Agency 2255 N. Hwy. 190, Covington 985-871-5480 naiala.com

Outdoor Living Center 1331 N. Hwy. 190, Covington 985-893-8008

outdoorlivingcenter.com

Rayford Realty Nola

Jiarra Rayford 6803 Press Dr., Ste. 170 504-584-7355

Jiarra@RayfordRealtyNOLA.com

Republic Services

Bridgette Readlinger 804 L and A Rd. 504-837-8950

republicservices.com

Ruffino’s Custom Closets 110 Camellia Dr., Covington 985-809-7623

ruffinocustomclosets.com

St. Anthony’s Gardens 601 Holy Trinity Dr., Covington 985-605-5950

stanthonysgardens.org

Southland Plumbing Supply 2321 N. Arnoult Rd., Metairie 504-835-8411

southlandplumbingsupply.com

2. New Navarette Collection, great modern farmhouse style, 3 sizes and multiple finishes, gas or electric. Gulf Coast Lanterns. Covington, 800-4013275, gulfcoastlanterns.com

3. Skinbetter Science oil-free, broad spectrum sunscreen. New Orleans Aesthetics. 475-1000, neworleansaesthetics.com

4. Bright and happy salt and pepper mills perfect for spring time. Hilltop Shoppe. New Orleans, 533-9670, hilltopshoppe. com

5. Customize your home with creations from Closets By Design!  A gift that lasts a lifetime!  Closets by Design, Covington, 985-247-0230. neworleans. closetsbydesign.com.

1. Graham Footed Bowl, $195, Judy at the Rink. New Orleans, 891-7018, judyattherink.com

6. Hang this colorful, natureinspired, all-weather outdoor canvas piece on your patio, porch, or even a fence. 30” x 40”, $199,Outdoor Living Center. Covington, 985-893-8008, OutdoorLivingCenter.com

7. Southport collection hand painted, wrought iron chandelier by Crystorama. Southland Plumbing. Mandeville, 985-893-8883, SouthlandPlumbingSupply.com

8. Whimsical, blue, ceramic bowl with gilded edges, $350, LiBird Studio.New Orleans, 874-5131, LiBirdstudio.com

9. Heart Shaped Walnut Ring Box, $36, custom engraving available, Nola Boards. New Orleans, nolaboards.com

10. Tiny original paintings $90, Zana Brown Studio. New Orleans, 355-7528, zanabrownstudio. com 11. Our beautiful gilded Cachepots are affordable and perfect for every season!

Fur.nish. Metairie, 702-8514, shopfurnishnola.com

1. 18k yellow gold, turquoise earrings by Ippolita available exclusively at Aucoin Hart Jewelers, $1,595. Aucoin Hart. Metairie, 834-9999, AucoinHart.com

2. Boudreaux’s Louisiana collection diamond pendant, $695, Boudeaux’s Jewelers.Metairie 831-2602, Mandeville 985-6261666, BoudreauxsJewelers.com

3. Smooth, moisture-rich lip glosses that don’t leave a sticky mess; vegan and gluten-free. SassyA Cosmetics. Facebook: SassyALipgloss.com sassya11, Instagram: @sassyacosmetics, and Linkedin. 4. Aquagold Microinfusion stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture. Dr. Suma Mattox, New Orleans. 439-9728.

5. Classic Chanel Sunglasses, Eye Wares. 830-5911, eyewaresnola.com

6. PQ Swim pink pearl Tri Top in handwoven Macrame pairs with our best selling basic ruched bottoms, Halo Bikini Boutique. Metairie, 910-1400, halobikiniboutique. myshopify.com

7. Vitamin C Super Serum $82, Makeup by Meggan Cosmetics and Spa. makeupbymeggan.com

8. Sparkling, 14k yellow gold, diamond, bar earrings with 2.40ctw opals in a diamond halo, $1830, Symmetry Jewelers. New Orleans, 861-9925, SymmetryJewelers.com

9. Hemp Relaxation Massage

Cream and Post Workout Cream for inflammation or discomfort in joints & muscles. Peace of Serenity Massage & Wellness. Harvey, 858-4848, posmassage.com

10. This fun and flirty set is all the rave; available in two colors. $89, Indigo Boutique. Metairie, Shopindigoboutique.com

11. The newest and most advanced solution for non-surgical skin tightening and lifting, including reduction of lines and wrinkles. EuroBrow LLC, Metairie. 618-0303, eurobrow.com

12. Morpheus

8 is your one-stop procedure for head-to-toe skin tightening, stretch marks, and debulking cellulite. Rose Dermatology, Metairie. 885-8363, rosewellnessla.com, rosedermatology.com

13. Double-breasted, stretch cotton ottoman, $772, SOSUSU Boutique, New Orleans, 504-309-5026, sosusuboutique.com

Amber Lynn Murphy of Metairie, Louisiana, and Zachary Shane Sullivan of Corning, New York, were married at St. Louis Cathedral on January 28, 2023.

Amber relied on Leslie Campbell as her wedding planner and Brooke Boyd as her photographer. The music Amber chose for the ceremony was performed by her cousin David H. Howard. While the flower arrangements and greenery were dreamy and airy, the focus of the ceremony decor was the exquisite interior of the cathedral itself. Amber’s oldest brother, Corey Murphy, walked her down the aisle to the sanctuary where they met Amber’s step-father, Ryan Manale; mother, Tami Manale; and younger brother, Brody Manale; who altogether gave the bride to the groom.

Amber’s elegant, white wedding gown, from Town and Country Bridal, featured long sleeves with lace detailing, satin-covered buttons down the back, and a fitted bodice with a Cathedral train and veil. The bridesmaids wore white mermaid-style strapless dresses, also from Town and Country Bridal, with the addition of fur jackets and pearl gold earrings to complete their ensembles.

Joel’s Catering prepared a lavish New Orleans feast that highlighted the local cuisine. Passed hors d’oeuvres included ahi tuna cornettes, duck poppers, miniature grilled cheese

sandwiches, blue crab beignets, chicken and andouille gumbo, and caramelized onion and gruyere tarts. Family and friends could also fill their plates at four scrumptious food stations: crawfish ravioli; grits topped with either shrimp or ratatouille; fried chicken and cornbread; and cochon de lait with grilled vegetables and dirty rice.

In keeping with a Big Easy theme during the carnival season, Amber’s mother surprised everyone when Mardi Gras men on stilts arrived at the reception to entertain the crowd. The party revved up to the tunes of The Phunky Monkeys, and the dance floor was customized with Amber and Zach’s crest designed by Paume Design Co.

The cake table was draped with greenery, freesia, calla lilies, and roses arranged by The Plant Gallery. Amber’s wedding cake was created by Charisma Cakes of New Orleans. It consisted of five tiers of freshly baked white almond cake filled and iced with almond buttercream. The entire cake was covered in marshmallow fondant and adorned with edible, handmade rose petals.

The happy newlyweds reside in Metairie just around the corner from Amber’s mom. Amber and Zach plan to soak up being married before their planned vacations to Norway in June and Greece in September.

Murphy-Sullivan

Feeling Great Looking Good

Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Claire Melancon

60001 Magazine St., #D, 504-264-7833 audubonfacialplastics.com

Charli Boutique

200 Metairie Rd., #102, 504-599-8111 shopcharliboutique.com

Culicchia Neurological

New Orleans, Jefferson and Northshore, 504-340-6976 culicchianeuro.com

Doll House Hair and Beauty Salon

4650 W. Esplanade Ave., #103, Metairie, 504-835-7474 Metairiesalon.com

EuroBrow

4608 Rye St., Metairie, 504-618-0303 eurobrow.com

Eye Wares

Lauren Agnew, MD 800 Metairie Rd., #Q, Metairie 504-301-1726 eyewaresnola.com

Halo Bikini Boutique

3333 Metairie Rd., 504-910-1400 halobikiniboutique.myshopify.com

Healthy Portions Meal Co. 1705 Highway 59, #9, Mandeville 985-635-1132 EatHealthyPortions.com

HUB International

3510 Causeway Blvd., #102, Metairie 504-491-5576 Hubinternational.com

I Do Bridal Couture

316 Lee Lane, Covington

Also visit the Baton Rouge location 985-327-5598 idobridalcouture.com

Indigo Boutique & Interiors

605 Metairie Rd., #C shopindigoboutique.com

Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center

LeNae and Trip Goolsby, MD 3900 Veterans Blvd., #204 Metairie, 504-323-0025 Yourinfinitehealth.com

LCMC Health Urgent Care

Algiers, Gretna, Clearview, Lakeview, Covington, Marrero and Uptown LCMChealthurgentcare.com

New Orleans Aesthetics

Dr. Zeena Al-Dujaili

3434 Prytania St., #420 504-475-1000 neworleansaesthetics.com

New Orleans Fashion Week

Tracee Dundas

September 19th-23rd, 2023 504-628-3223 NewOrleansFashionWeek.com

Peace of Serenity Massage & Wellness

2439 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey 504-858-4848 Posmassage.com

Revival Dental

4432 Conlin Street, #1B, Metairie 504-889-1209 Revivaldental.com

Rose Dermatology and Laser Center/ Rose Wellness

2221 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie 504-885-8363 rosewellnessla.com rosedermatology.com

Royal Retreat Day Spa

3571 US 190, Mandeville 985-231-7329 royalretreatdayspa.com

Saintly Skin

3000 Kingman St., #101 504-475-5510 saintlyskin.com

SassyA Cosmetics

Facebook: Sassya11, Instagram: @sassyacosmetics SassyALipgloss.com

Dr. Suma Maddox

Reconstructive/Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

1603 Second St., Hedgewood, 504-439-9728 drsumamaddox.com

Syn Skin Aesthetics & Wellness

4244 LA-22, #9 Mandeville, 985-515-0198 synskinaesthetics.com

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center 602 N. Acadia Rd., Thibodaux 985-447-5500 thibodaux.com

Go Red for Women Luncheon

On Friday, March 3, New Orleans Go Red for Women luncheon welcomed almost 400 guests at the Marriott Hotel. Sharonda Williams, general counsel and director of government affairs at Loyola University, chaired AHA’S signature event featuring an inspiring survivor story from local pharmacist and self-care strategist Dr. Alisha Reed, the Live Fierce Fashion Show, silent auction, hands-only CPR lessons, and more. Go Red for Women is locally sponsored by Entergy, United Healthcare, and LCMC Health.

1. On International Women’s Day, March 8, Women’s Council of Realtors had the opportunity to work with @rebuilding_together_ nola for their She Builds NOLA Day to help a fellow woman homeowner in need.

2. Christy Boutte of Art By Christy, Todd Graves and Raising Cane III of Raising Cane’s at a print signing and meet-n-greet for their Mardi Gras collaboration.

3. New Orleans Fashion Week hosted “Crescent City Meets the Crown”; a meet and greet with pageant and fashion industry professionals at the picturesque Virgin Hotels Dreamboat Room. The event took place during the 71st Miss Universe week long festivities recently held in New Orleans. The event was moderated by Tracee Dundas, NOFW Founder & Creative Director.

Mad Hatter’s Luncheon

On March 7, The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association hosted its annual Mad Hatter’s Luncheon. This major fundraiser supports the great tradition of “Opera” to remain vital to the community. With this year’s theme “All That Jazz with a Little Pizazz,” Marian Gibbs and Kathy Weidner served as Event Chairs. Guests were treated to a patron party with beautiful opera singing and delicious fare at The Hilton Riverside. Ballin’s professional models graced the runway highlighting current fashions. Guests enjoyed hat competitions and a silent auction.

Republic Services

Republic Services general manager, Bridgette Readlinger and her team of female coworkers help restore a home through Rebuild Together New Orleans.

Fidelity Power Luncheon

Guests joined Fidelity P.O.W.E.R. on Tuesday, January 31 at the Treme Market Branch to celebrate the inaugural P.O.W.E.R. Woman of the Year Luncheon. Congratulations to Jolie Bernard, Owner and Chief Strategist of The Bernard Group LLC., on winning the P.O.W.E.R. Woman of the Year Award! Inside New Orleans publisher, Jonee DaigleFerrand, was one of the 26 Woman of the Year nominees selected.

by Anna Tusa

Viva, YaVe!

The key to a festive Cinco de Mayo

WITH EARLY SPRING weather in New Orleans and summer heat just around the corner, I created some refreshing tequila cocktails with a new brand that was recently introduced to me.

YaVe Tequila has a very smooth finish and does not have any extra sugar which makes it great for mixing cocktails. In Spanish “key” is spelled llave and pronounced “yahveh”, so YaVe Tequila will be the “key” ingredient in all of this month’s cocktails.

YOU PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT

2 oz YaVe Coconut Tequila

1 oz fresh pineapple juice

1 oz fresh lime juice

½ oz cream of coconut

Mix in a blender or shake up and serve over ice. Garnish with fresh pineapple and toasted coconut.

COMING IN HOT

1.5 oz YaVe Mango Tequila

1 oz Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur

1 oz mango puree (if you don’t make your own, Finest Call is a good one)

.5 oz orange liqueur (I used Gran Gala)

.5 oz fresh pineapple juice

1 oz fresh lime juice

.5 oz Pineapple-infused Demerara Syrup

Tajin & pineapple leaf for garnish

Rim a rock glass with Tajin. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain over ice and garnish with a pineapple leaf.

SPICY WATERMELON PALOMA

2 oz YaVe Jalapeno Tequila

1 oz watermelon juice

1 oz lime juice

2 oz grapefruit soda

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a chilled Coupe glass rimmed with salt (or sugar). Garnish with a lime wheel.

WHAT’S YOUR PASSION?

2oz YaVe Mango Tequila

1.5oz Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur

1 oz fresh lime juice

.5 oz Agave Nectar

1-2 mango slices

Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake. Rim a rock glass with salt and muddle a piece of fresh mango in the glass, now fill with ice, and strain the cocktail shaker into the glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. The last treat is enjoying the fresh mango at the bottom of the glass.

MANGO MULE

2 oz YaVe Mango Tequila

1 oz Fresh Lime Juice

4oz bottle of Barritt’s Ginger Beer (this one is more expensive, but made with fresh cane sugar)

Pour all ingredients into a copper cup filled with ice, stir, and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.

THE TOASTED COCONUT ESPRESSO MARTINI

2 oz YaVe Coconut Tequila

1 oz Coffee Liqueur

1 Single Shot of Freshly Brewed Espresso Toasted Coconut flakes

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin filled with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with coconut flakes and three espresso beans (for health, luck, & prosperity).

I hope you enjoy these cocktails as much as I did. These will be Great for Cinco de Mayo!

A few of these cocktails will be featured at Poppy’s Crazy Lobster in Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. The restaurant underwent a major renovation and boasts a new lobsterinfluenced menu and innovative craft cocktails like these.

Send me photos of your favorites to my new Instagram account: Shaken’ Up Nola.

Haute Plates

A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around New Orleans and beyond.

Annunciation

1016 ANNUNCIATION ST. NEW ORLEANS 504-568-0245

ANNUNCIATIONRESTAURANT.COM

Annunciation restaurant is located in the New Orleans Warehouse district. It is the ideal spot for an intimate evening, corporate dinner or celebrating any special occasion. Pictured above, Filet Mignon topped with Crimini Mushrooms and Cabernet Sauce accompanied by Pancetta and Kale Potato Galette.

The Blue Crab

7900 LAKESHORE DRIVE NEW ORLEANS, LA 504-284-2898

THEBLUECRABNOLA.COM

The Blue Crab invites you back to the golden days of lakefront dining. With the desire to reestablish dining on Lake Pontchartrain as a destination for families once again, The Blue Crab invites you to join us for the freshest seafood. Come enjoy the sunset. Let the little ones wave at the boats as they pass by.

Blue Line Sandwich Co.

2023 METAIRIE RD. METAIRIE, LA 504-309-3773

BLUELINESANDWICHCO.COM

Farm fresh breakfasts and lunches at Blue Line Sandwich Co. Pictured above is the homemade, locally sourced St. Patty’s Day Massacre Corned Beef sandwich. Catering and Delivery available.

Boulevard American Bistro

5171 CITRUS BLVD. NEW ORLEANS 504-410-5171

BOULEVARDBISTRO.COM

Boulevard American Bistro features classic American dishes, exceptional service, and consistent quality. Our Metairie, Elmwood, and Covington locations offer dine-in, curbside pick-up, and delivery. Visit our website to view our menu and make reservations.

A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around New Orleans and beyond.

Briquette

701 SOUTH PETERS ST.

NEW ORLEANS

504-302-7496

BRIQUETTE-NOLA.COM

Award-winning contemporary coastal cuisine featuring Gulf seafood and fish, beef, lamb, chicken, Maine lobster and unique chef specials daily.

April 28th, AJ’s Italian Wine Dinner, 5 courses $125 per person, all inclusive. Mothers Day brunch, Sunday, May 14th. Open French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard

819 RUE CONTI

NEW ORLEANS 504.581.3866

BROUSSARDS.COM

Since 1920, Broussard’s sensational French-Creole cuisine and historic French Quarter architecture have delighted locals and visitors alike. Enjoy brunch in the courtyard or dinner in our elegant dining rooms. Broussard’s offers an extensive brunch and cocktail menus carefully crafted by Executive Chef Jimi Setchim.

Furloughed Four

504-319-9071

FB/IG: @FURLOUGHEDFOUR

THEFURLOUGHEDFOUR.NET

Crispy Pork Belly with compressed melon, chili cucumber ribbons, and hoisin available on our Spring Menu!

The Furloughed Four specialize in seasonal tasting menus with wine pairings in the comfort of your own home or venue.

Healthy Portions

1705 HWY. 59, STE. 9

MANDEVILLE 985-635-1132

EATHEALTHYPORTIONS.COM

If you want to reduce the time you spend on making food, let our chefs create your meals based on your preferences, keto, low-fat or double protien meals. We prepare New Orleans flavored, perfectly portioned and calorie restrictive meals for you weekly. Order your meals weekly or drop in and pick up meals to go from our refrigerator. Approved Ochsner Eat Fit NOLA food provider.

Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails

337 CHARTRES ST. NEW ORLEANS 504-598-5005

KINGFISHNEWORLEANS.COM

At Kingfish, we tip our hat to the Huey P. Long era. Everyone who eats and drinks with us is treated like a king! Serving up new-school twists on traditional New Orleans cuisine and our bar, with its mix of signature and classic cocktails, is the perfect place to meet up with friends and family for a drink in the French Quarter.

La Cocina Nola

305-336-6877

LACOCINAINFO00@GMAIL.COM

IN/FB: @LACOCINANOLA

Indulge in generation-old Cuban classics. From Cuban sandwiches with housemade mustard and 13-hour roasted pork to Abuela’s arroz con pollo. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a 7-course tasting, La Cocina Nola can do it all.

New Orleans Creole Cookery

508 TOULOUSE ST. NEW ORLEANS 504-524-9632

NEWORLEANSCREOLECOOKERY.COM

Experience the traditional Creole tastes of New Orleans in the historic French Quarter. Specialties include jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, shrimp creole and raw and chargrilled oysters on the half shell. Open for French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.

Southern Oaks

SOUTHERN OAKS

7816 HAYNE BLVD. NEW ORLEANS 504-245-8221

SOUTHERNOAKSWEDDINGS.COM

Southern Oaks’ famous praline chicken is a delicious savory-sweet option for guests to enjoy. The crispy fried chicken paired with southern praline syrup and topped with fresh pecans has been a crowd favorite for years! This is just one of the over 80 different New Orleans-style hors d’oeuvres Southern Oaks provides.

The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Basin BBQ Shrimp & Grits. Served with a cheese biscuit over a bed of creamy stone ground cheese grits.

MANY OF US who grew up in the New Orleans area have fond memories of afternoons spent at the Lakefront dining on seafood with our family and friends. After Hurricane Katrina, all of the West End restaurants were lost.

When it opened ten years ago, it was the goal of The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar to capture that atmosphere again. With spectacular views of Lake Pontchartrain and the marina, guests can enjoy the sunset, and the little ones can wave to the boats as they pass by.

The Blue Crab proudly serves only the finest, Louisiana seafood with BBQ Shrimp and Grits featured as a New Orleans classic. The freshest, local Gulf Shrimp are coated in the house blend of creole seasoning, pan sautéed in a spicy rosemary and garlic butter sauce, and then laid on a bed of creamy, stone ground, cheese grits.The dish is garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and a savory, cheddar cheese biscuit.

According to owner Nick Asprodites, other customer favorites include chargrilled oysters, chargrilled crabs, blue crab dip, and, of course, boiled seafood. The regular menu also features selections for Eat Fit NOLA and gluten-free choices. The catering menu is extensive and can accommodate parties of various sizes.

The Blue Crab has Happy Hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:30 in the evenings. Happy Hour Specials include $1.25 Chargrilled Oysters, .90 cent raw oysters, and $5 select appetizers. In addition, $3 house wines, half off wells and calls, and $1 off Draft beer discounts round out the drink specials for Happy Hour.

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the breeze and the seafood at The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 7900 Lakeshore Dr, New Orleans. 504284-2898. thebluecrabnola.com

by Kelly Hightower