St. Charles Avenue Magazine April 2024

SOCIETY • CELEBRATION • STYLE

Associate Publisher Kate Henry

EDITORIAL

Editor Andy Myer

Art Director Ali Sullivan

Web Editor Kelly Massicot

Shop Talk Blogger Penn Iarocci

Penn@myneworleans.com

Event Photo Coordinator Jeff Strout

Contributing Writers Jyl Benson, Rebecca Friedman, Amy Gabriel, Megan Holt, Molly Kimball, Lindsay Mack, Seale Paterson and Sue Strachan

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kate Henry Kate@myneworleans.com or 504-830-7216

Account Director Meggie Schmidt

Senior Account Executives Brooke Genusa, Erin Chiartano

Account Executive Lauren McCanse

Marketing Manager Greer Stewart

Sponsored Content Coordinator Jeremy Marshall

PRODUCTION

Digital Director Rosa Balaguer Arostegui

Designer Ashley Pemberton

Designer Czarlyn Ria Trinidad

CIRCULATION

Distribution John Holzer

ADMINISTRATION

Office Managers Mallary Wolfe, Emily Ruiz

Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne

information

We Do!

Bells are ringing and our April issue is singing songs of love. We bring you three gorgeous local weddings that are sure to inspire, and our With This Ring writer Megan Holt has spoken with local experts who offer sage advice on topics ranging from fresh-faced big day looks to thank you note etiquette. And, of course, we’ve included gift ideas from local shops as well.

For this month’s Design column, Rebecca Friedman profiles the extraordinary Dr. Sophia Omoro, otolaryngologist, founder, designer, and CEO of odAOMO and founder of the Blooming Lily Foundation. Learn more about Dr. Omoro’s incredible work as a head and neck surgeon and discover the beautiful clothing, jewelry and accessories she creates for odAOMO, which are made in Kenya where she was raised.

We feature another amazing woman, Lori Watts, Associate Director of Development for the American Cancer Society, as our April Changemaker. As is the case with many of our local advocates who have dedicated their time to a meaningful cause, Lori began her work with the ACS as a volunteer. So many are not aware of the multitude of services the ACS offers, from providing temporary housing to cancer patients and their families at the Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge to offering transportation to appointments through the organization’s Road to Recovery program. The ACS community is an incredibly valuable one, and we are honored to share a small part in helping to spread the word.

We hope you walk away from this issue inspired by the work that the local nonprofits we highlight are doing daily and with a mission to get involved.

Cheers to all of the happy couples who will be saying “I Do” and celebrating in unique New Orleans style this spring and summer!

ANDY MYER, EDITOR

On the Cover

Amber Royanne Blossman wears a stunning Oscar de la Renta dress for her wedding to Anders Erickson Wallace at the Hotel Peter and Paul.

Flowers by Fat Cat Flowers. Makeup by Tessa Powers. Photogrpahy by Love is Rad.

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APRIL

Through April 21

NOCCA Past, Present, and Future: A 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 504-539-9650, ogdenmuseum.org

Through April 29

Gestures of Refusal: Black Photography and Visual Culture

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, 900 Camp St., 504-5283800, cacno.org

April 4, 18, 25, May 2

Rhythm & Roses Concert Series (feat. The Rumble, James Andrews, George Porter Trio, Marcia Ball)

Historic BK House & Gardens, 1113 Chartres St., 504-523-7257, bkhouse.org

1

Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, saengernola.com

4-7

The Overlook Film Festival

The Prytania Theatres at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., overlookfilmfest.com

11

Parker McCollum

Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr., 504-587-3663, smoothiekingcenter.com

11-14

French Quarter Festival Woldenburg Park, 1 Canal St., frenchquarterfest.org

12

World Ballet Series: Swan Lake

The Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 504-274-4871, orpheumnola.net

13

Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 504-218-1385, mahaliajacksontheater.com

18

Book Club Discussion –Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition

New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, 504-658-4100, noma.org

20

Parsons Dance with the Allen Toussaint Orchestra Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 504-218-1385, mahaliajacksontheater.com

19-21

Shrek the Musical Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, saengernola.com

April 25 – May 5

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd., nojazzfest.com

The city’s premier arts festival returns for its 53rd celebration of music, cuisine, and artistry. Headliners include The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, HOZIER, Bonnie Raitt, and more, plus NOLA natives likes Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Irma Thomas, and scores of other talents. This year’s Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion spotlights the music and cultural heritage of Colombia.

24

An Evening with David Sedaris

The Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 504-274-4871, orpheumnola.net

April 25 – May 12

Born with Teeth Le Petit Théâtre, 616 St. Peter St., 504-522-2081, lepetittheatre.com

26

Siren Song at the Marigny Opera House with Maggie Koerner and Friends Marigny Opera House, 725 Saint Ferdinand St., 504-948-9998, marignyoperahouse.org

MAY

2

Big Freedia with the LPO

The Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 504-274-4871, lpomusic.com

3

Teskey Brothers: The Winding Way Tour Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, saengernola.com

The Good Shop

Wouldn’t it be great if our quotidian shopping needs could somehow benefit others? Perhaps we do a little good while in service of ourselves? Sure, we see the odd glimpse of this idea during drug store checkouts. A pop up on the payment screen asks us to donate to this or that national charity organization. But what if we want to support something more specific or local? Well then, consider shopping at the adorably bright and aptly named The Good Shop. The Lower Garden District spot is teeming with products both useful and aspirational. Each purchase champions a cause, so you feel great simply buying the things you need. To learn more, I caught up with the multihyphenate photographer, designer, adjunct social design professor and founder, Tippy Tippens.

How did The Good Shop come about? After 8 years of selling products at markets and in a tiny corner of Church Alley Coffee, we wanted to start a stand-alone brick & mortar store. We had the idea, “What if every product in our shop were a social good product?!” We were much smaller then and have really grown in our current location in the Lower Garden District. Over time, we’ve invited other small businesses to join in as a “collective” and share the overhead costs and shop hours.

Who did you partner with? Heartsleeve Tees has been part of the collective since the beginning. The owner Natasha and I became shop partners after the first couple of years. We also have shop members: Poet Motors, Schweistyle Vintage, Earth Alchemy and Rocketfish Ceramics. Tubby & Coo’s Bookshop will also soon be joining the shop!

What other local brands do you support? We carry local brands that fit our ethos of having a social or environmental aspect to their business like; Tchoup Industries, Oxalis, Cora’s Girls Coffee, Walkingman Studios, Bonfolk, Smoke Perfume, Two Brothers 1 Love, Pang Wangle and Neon Zinn. We also carry books by local writers/social entrepreneurs like Christine Hamilton & Renee Blanchard.

Will shopping with you help local causes? If so, which ones? Absolutely. Many of the products in our shop donate to partner causes including Backstreet Cultural Museum, Common Ground Relief, Animal Rescue of New Orleans, New Orleans Youth Alliance, the Green Project, The New Orleans Loving Festival, Inter Tribal Council of Louisiana and many more.

Which philanthropic achievements (via your brand) are you most proud of? Our in-house brand, Goods that Matter, has donated $71k thus far to our donation partners. The shop has donated more than $80k collectively. Last year we started a community-based coastal carbon credit partnership with Common Ground Relief. These can be purchased on our site individually or via specific products like the Wool Felt Dish Mats & Sponges, 6 Pouch Totes and various art prints.

Meet Penn, Shop Talk Blogger

Penn larocci is a born and raised New Orleanian. After graduating from Tulane University she lived in NYC for nine years working in sales and marketing at an investment bank. When she missed New Orleans more than she could stand, she moved back home, met her husband and started a family. She's now raising two rambunctious little boys and spending her free time on environmental sustainability projects.

FOLLOW

Instagram: @stcharlesavenuemag

Facebook: @stcharlesavenue

Wild Things

What is an Alpaca Palooza, a Black Bear Bonanza or Jammin’ with Jaguars? Or how about a Maya Snorkel and Butterfly First Flight? They are just some of the Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St.), Aquarium (1 Canal St.) and Insectarium (1 Canal St.) “Wild Encounters” in which visitors can participate in various ways of getting a closer look and learning more about these amazing animals. Availability is limited, so reservation is a must. Pricing is based on experience and venue admission. audubonnatureinstitute.org/wild-encounters; @auduboninstitute

Secret Societies Revealed

Odd Fellows and Freemasons may not sound familiar to many modern ears, but to men in the 19th and 20th centuries, they meant camaraderie and support. Through May 10, the Historic New Orleans Collection (520 Royal St.) is featuring two exhibitions, “A Mystic Brotherhood: Fraternal Orders of New Orleans,” featuring items from its collection, and “Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art,” a traveling show organized by the American Folk Art Museum. Both exhibitions delve into history, art and culture of these all-male secret societies — some of which are still in existence, while “A Mystic Brotherhood” explores how local chapters of fraternal organizations shaped the city’s history, culture and civic life. hnoc.org; @visit_thnoc

Festival Cornucopia

Food in Louisiana is a celebration of family, friends and culture — creating a unique sense of place with festivals a great way to experience it all in one spot.

Hogs for the Cause XVI, April 5-6: Hogs for the Cause XVI kicks off on Friday with “Bacon and Wings Night” and Saturday features more than 90 teams in a barbecue competition that is also a fundraiser to support families battling pediatric cancer. Music is also on the menu with headliners including Shane Smith & the Saints and Band of Horses. UNO Lakefront Arena Festival Grounds, 6801 Franklin Ave., hogsfest.org, @hogsforthecause

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, April 12-14: It’s strawberry season in Louisiana and this festival in the “Strawberry Capital of the World” marks the occasion with strawberry-centric food and drink, carnival rides, music, even a strawberry-eating contest as well as a parade through Ponchatoula. Memorial Park, 301 North 6th St., Ponchatoula; lastrawberryfestival.com, @ponchatoulastrawberryfest

Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival, April 26-28: Shrimp, oysters and more seafood are served in a variety of ways. Music, crafts and carnival rides add to the festivities. 333 F. Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse, plaqueminesparishfestival.com

NOLA Crawfish Festival, April 29-May 1: Crawfish season may be winding down, but there is still time to savor the state’s favorite mudbug at this festival. Entertainment includes Tab Benoit, Los Bayou Ramblers, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Partners and John Boutté, among others. nolacrawfishfest.com, @nolacrawfishfest

Horror in the House

Since New Orleans is the most haunted city in the U.S., it’s a natural that the Overlook Film Festival showcases its supernatural and horror movies here. Screenings of about 50 movies from major and independent studios feature a mix of new and classic films, including the world premiere of ‘“Abigail,” starring Melissa Barrera and Dan Stevens; Brian De Palma’s cult classic “Phantom of the Paradise”; a 100th anniversary screening of the silent movie “The Hands of Orlac,” which will feature a live score from the band Think Less, Hear More; and a 10th anniversary screening of “Oculus,” a film by Mike Flanagan, who will be attending. Other special guests include Barbara Crampton doing a live recording of her podcast “Scream Dreams” and Paul Williams, who will be part of the “Phantom of the Paradise” screening. There are also parties, panels, live podcasts and immersive experiences to add to the festive horror mood. The festival is April 4-7 with a locals day on April 8 at Prytania Theatres: Canal Place (333 Canal St., 3rd floor) Place or Uptown (5339 Prytania St.). overlookfilmfest.com, @overlookfilmfest

Maple Leaf Bar Turns 50

Music lovers from around the world have been gathering at the Maple Leafs Bar for 50 years. To celebrate its place in music and cultural history — it is also the spiritual home of the Krewe of O.A.K. — the bar is hosting a number of special music shows through the year, as well as offering a “Funkin’ Golden Ticket” for special access to shows and other benefits. In the meantime, April showcases a number of great musicians including Louis Michot & Friends (April 25) and George Porter Jr. Trio with Chris Adkins (April 29), among other shows. mapleleafbar.com; @mapleleafnola

Enhance any elegant ensemble with a pair of golden rose drop earrings. Crafted with delicate pearl flower petals, these dainty earrings feature Cubic Zirconia gems that sparkle when they catch the light. Em’s Boutique, 246 Metairie Rd., 504-834-2795.

Bridal Brunch

By Amy Gabriel

Showcase your love with a personalized monogram diamond pendant. Encircled with a 25mm diamond bezel inset, select your three initials – perhaps signifying your new last name - to be presented in polished yellow gold script and secured to an 18” rope chain. Lee Michaels, 3020 N Causeway Blvd., 504832-0000, lmfj.com

Keep your lipstick at the ready for pre-photo touch ups when slipped into a multi metal toned beaded coin purse. At 4” x 5”, it’s the perfect size to keep on the brunch table to subtly let everyone know that the bride has arrived. Phina, 425 Harrison Ave., 504-571-5169, phinashop.com.

Step sweetly into the party in a pair of Darling heels from Bruno Menegatti. The neutral metallic and silver bow add glamour while an easy mid heel will keep you in comfortable style throughout the day. Ballin’s LTD, 721 Dante St., 504-866-4367; 2917 Magazine St., 504-891-4502, ballinsltd.com

Be the belle of the brunch in a Briar Mini Dress from Elliatt. Details like the one-shoulder styling, draped tulle at shoulder and beading and pearl embellishment with a floral design make this the epitome of chic. Hemline Magazine, 3310 Magazine St., 504-702-8009, shophemline.com

Coloring Outside the Lines

Sophia Omoro MD, PhD, Otolaryngologist

Founder, Designer, CEO, odAOMO and Founder, Blooming Lily Foundation

Throughout Dr. Sophia Omoro’s childhood in Kenya, heads would turn when her family walked into church. That’s because her mother, a talented seamstress, kept the children impeccably dressed. Inheriting her mother’s style sense and her father’s faith in education as the road out of poverty, Omoro dreamed of becoming a doctor. She secured a scholarship to study in Canada, and subsequent education and training led to New Orleans, where she established a career as a head and neck surgeon.

Omoro maintained her flair for fashion, designing her own distinctive clothing and having it produced in Kenya. Trunk shows and appreciative audiences followed, and in 2014, she founded her brand, odAOMO.

“It’s chaos, it’s loud. I call it coloring outside the lines,” said Omoro. The designer credits her lack of formal design training for a willingness to experiment with elements, silhouettes, and colors. She also appreciates New Orleans’ support for the “eclectic language of creativity… I love that for the brand because that’s what my culture is: no constraints.”

odAOMO designs reflect the spirit of the African continent, whether through

subtle elements or more traditional pieces, in a way that Omoro believes is accessible to anyone. “Our goal is to bridge people,” she said. Nature plays a strong role in odAOMO’s custom fabrics, like the ANT:cestry line whose pattern incorporates tiny ants. Omoro designs apparel, jewelry, and accessories, working with creative director Quentin Alexander to bring visions to life and have all odAOMO items, including fabrics, manufactured by artisans in Kenya.

Today, odAOMO has three retail locations: the French Quarter, Nairobi and Magazine Street (the newest), though Omoro aspires to a presence on every continent and traveling “experiential events.” The bicontinental professional practices “regimented time management” to balance the robust clinical load of a surgeon with the demands of odAOMO, including quarterly visits to Kenya to collaborate with team members. Omoro also founded the Blooming Lily Foundation to help girls and women find their “purpose path.”

“My biggest problem in life is that my dreams are so crazily huge,” said Omoro. “I would love my team members – I charge them with this all the time – to fulfill their [own] purpose… Because I am living mine.” – By Rebecca Friedman

Contact: odaomo.com, @odaomo

A champagne toast becomes all the more celebratory when clinking Baccarat Mille Nuits Flutissimo flutes. Slightly curved lines and flared optic glass enhance the reflection of light and give the pair a charming elegance. Adler’s, 722 Canal St., 504-523-5292; 2937 Veterans Blvd., 504-523-1952, adlersjewelry.com.

Something Blue

By Amy Gabriel

Keep up with your correspondence with a package of 8 folded notes featuring an antique-inspired fleur de lis crest surrounding the words “merci beaucoup”. Matching pale blue envelopes complete the stamp-ready set. Scriptura, 5423 Magazine St., 504897-1555, scriptura.com.

A chic table sets a stylish tone at every meal. Crafted from stoneware, the Chambray Tile Dinnerware Collection is hand painted by in-house artists then digitally translated on stoneware in tranquil tones with a matte glaze finish for pieces including a dinnerware set, dinner, salad and appetizer plates, soup bowls and mugs. Pottery Barn, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 504-219-0168, potterybarn.com

A bar cart is instantly elevated with a midnight blue decanter from Estelle Colored Glass. Made by glass artisans in Poland, this refined receptacle can hold up to 26 ounces of your favorite libation. Judy at the Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 504-891-7018, judyattherink.com. Entertaining with a decadent dessert is made delightful with a 12 inch cake plate in a Georgia blue hue. Hilltop Shoppe, 3714 Magazine St., 504-533-9670, hilltopshoppe.com.

Lori Watts

Associate Director of Development, American Cancer Society

After moving to New Orleans, Lori Watts volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s annual gala event as a way to make new connections in the city. “I felt that ACS aligned with a lot of the things I am passionate about,” said Watts. “My family has been directly impacted by cancer, and volunteering with ACS was my way of honoring those family members and a chance to be around others who have also been impacted by cancer.” She appreciated the community of like-minded people who were making a difference in the lives of others.

Now the Associate Director of Development with the local American Cancer Society, Watts is dedicated to making sure everyone in the community is aware of the many resources they provide to people affected by cancer, as well as their loved ones.

One of the biggest local impacts that ACS provides in New Orleans is the American Cancer Society Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge, as Watts explained. One of 34 Hope Lodge communities in the United States, this

facility on River Road provides a home away from home for patients and caregivers while receiving treatment in the New Orleans area. This free service helps relieve some of the financial burden that those with cancer and their families may face.

With its location in close proximity to treatment centers, the Hope Lodge offers guests a private room, kitchen space, and laundry facilities, as well as support from the volunteer community. The volunteers may help by providing meals, offering companionship, and working to make the space a comforting, home-like environment for guests.

In some instances, a lack of access to affordable, readily available transportation options may present an obstacle to people with cancer. This barrier can delay their ability to access timely care from medical professionals.

To address this issue, the American Cancer Society partners with local hospital systems to fund transportation grants, as Watts explained. Providing free transportation, rideshare vouchers, and public transit passes or gas cards increases patients’ abil-

ity to access crucial medical care.

In addition, the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program recruits local volunteers to drive people with cancer to and from treatment. If you have access to a safe, dependable vehicle and want to volunteer for this cause, then learn more at the Road to Recovery website (cancer.org/involved/ volunteer/road-to-recovery.html).

Overall, the American Cancer Society’s mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, as Watts explained. They also work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.

“Our vision and what we’re striving for is to end cancer as we know it, for everyone,” said Watts.

She hopes to see the local ACS chapter continue to thrive and grow within the greater New Orleans community through the many patient support programs, screening initiatives, and fundraising events.

One of the best ways to get involved with the local American Cancer Society is by reach -

ing out directly to learn more about the organization’s mission and impact, as well as by volunteering with one of the community fundraising events. These include the Cure by Design gala, Shuck Cancer, Men Wear Pink, and Allies Against Cancer. The local ACS community welcomes those interested in helping out by volunteering, sponsoring, or donating to their events.

Watts invites anyone interested in volunteering to email her directly (lori.watts@cancer. org). Whether you want to volunteer with Hope Lodge, become a driver for the Road to Recovery program, work a fundraising event, or something else entirely, Watts can find the right opportunity to match your talents and interests. As she attests, this work is incredibly meaningful.

“Becoming a volunteer and now working for American Cancer Society has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Watts. “I love being able to give back through the work that I do every day, and I love sharing that with others who want to volunteer as well.”

– By Lindsay Mack

GET INVOLVED

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, events, and other ways to get involved with the local American Cancer Society, email Lori Watts at lori.watts@cancer.org.

American Cancer Society, Inc. PO Box 83930 Baton Rouge, LA 70884 1-800-227-2345

cancer.org volunteercommunity.cancer.org

Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge 2609 River Road New Orleans, LA 70121 504-219-2200 cancer.org/support-programsand-services/patient-lodging/ hope-lodge/new-orleans.html

Love in Bloom

As they envision their big day, couples think about the “wow factor” that will leave a lasting impression on their guests. Wedding flowers are often the key to creating a visually stunning celebration. When choosing wedding flowers and other floral elements, it can be difficult for couples to strike that delicate balance between trendy, timeless and meaningful to them. Experts in the field advise taking into account practical considerations that will make a couple’s dream bloom into reality.

Kim Starr Wise, owner of Kim Starr Wise Floral Events, notes that research is the first step toward choosing the right vendor to create floral arrangements. She encourages couples to “Make sure [the vendor’s] style aligns with yours so you have beautiful photos that will last a lifetime.” Along with research comes clear communication, as Susan O’Brien at The Plant Gallery emphasizes. The couple should help their florist completely understand their vision, from colors, to design, to layout, to the overall vibe of the day. Sketches and photos can help the florist visualize what the couple is thinking. In turn, the florist can help the couple man-

age expectations and avoid falling into the “Pintrest trap” of wanting to recreate what they see online, observes Wise.

One of the major factors that comes into play when managing expectations is a couple’s budget. Weddings are expensive, and a couple should anticipate the sticker price being more than they thought. That being said, Wise stresses that most vendors are willing to work with couples to bring their vision to life while staying within the budget. Furthermore, O’Brien recommends that couples check to see what other rental items the florist has available, as many offer items such as candles, arches, linens, furniture and lighting. Doing so can actually help a couple save money, as multiple vendors mean multiple deposits and delivery fees.

These deposits should be put down well in advance to ensure that the florist holds the date, especially if the wedding will take place during a popular time of the year, adds O’Brien. To ensure that a couple gets to work with the florist of their choice, placing the deposit at least a year in advance is encouraged, even if the couple doesn’t have all details finalized yet.

Marais

These details should start firming up at least six months in advance, says Wise, as floral designs may require a significant amount of time to create.

An important detail to consider is whether anyone involved in the wedding—from members of the wedding party to the couple’s beloved grandparents—has allergies triggered by flowers. If so, a florist may recommend a lower-pollen flower similar in color and shape over the couple’s first choice. Fortunately, even if someone has an allergy so severe that it’s unbearable to be near any flower whatsoever, couples can still have a celebration bursting with florals thanks to an increasingly popular trend—paper flowers.

Jessica Kelly of Marais Paper lovingly crafts each of her paper flowers by hand after consulting with the couple about their vision. Her custom bridal bouquets typically take about a month to construct, and they bring her immense joy. “Any bridal bouquet I have created has been an honor and privilege to make. Knowing that a bride has chosen to carry my creation on her wedding day is such a treat,” she enthuses.

Not only does Kelly create bouquets, she also works with brides to create mementos: “Rather than preserving their fresh floral bouquet, some brides commission a paper replica of their bouquet to keep and display forever,” she explains. Should a couple want a botanical theme for the wedding, Kelly also fabricates paper flowers as wedding favors, giant backdrops, and more.

Whether paper or living flowers, most couples are gravitating toward

vibrant colors in recent years. Wise has observed floral patterns and unique colors such as chartreuse or persimmon taking center stage. She predicts that peach, which is especially popular at the moment, will play a prominent role in upcoming weddings.

Continuing this thought, O’Brien has increasingly noticed couples using a single color to make a statement, embracing the beauty of simplicity with lush monochromatic arrangements using one floral type. Couples are also moving away from more traditional floral pieces such as wrist corsages and pinned boutonnieres. In their place are simple, hand-held posey bouquets for mothers and grandmothers, and “pocket boutonnieres” designed to slide into a suit pocket without the use of a pin.

Whether modern or traditional, grown from soil or made of paper, the couple should choose something meaningful that will be a symbol of their partnership. Each floral design is as unique as the couple who commissions it. On the most important day of their lives, wedding flowers create an atmosphere blossoming with the couple’s style. and personality. – By

Megan Holt

Kim Starr Wise Floral Events @kimstarrwise kimstarrwise.com

Marais Paper @maraispaper

The Plant Gallery @theplantgallery theplantgallery.com

Bridal Beauty

Whether saying vows under refractions of stained-glass windows, laughing gleefully in a garden on a sunny day, or dancing with a disco ball overhead, a bride’s joy should shine through. The right makeup can be the key to that perfect bridal glow. Local makeup artists Dorian Hatchett, Meggan Ory, Dee Rouzan, and Javetta White offer recommendations that ensure brides will be seen in their best light.

Communication is the cornerstone of the relationship between a bride and makeup artist. White, founder of Lipsticker Artistry and Lipsticker Cosmetics, advises brides to choose an artist who understands the look they are trying to achieve. However, as Hatchett, cosmetologist at Spa Atlantis, notes, brides should be open to a conversation about how to best go about achieving their ideal look, which may differ from their inspiration pictures: “Expect your artist to customize those looks to your skin tone and face shape. The same look can be very different on two different faces.”

Rouzan, founder of Faces of Virtue Beauty Studio, emphasizes that communication is essential not only to achieve the bride’s vision, but also for health and safety. “If you have any allergies, please alert us immediately BEFORE we begin makeup services,” she urges. Similarly, Hatchett observes that “there are industry standards around sanitation, and knowing and following them is not optional for a professional makeup artist.”

These sanitation standards should be in place whether the bride is getting her makeup done in the artist’s studio or in a location of her choosing. All four experts strongly advise brides to consider the advantages a studio provides. For example, Ory, founder of Makeup

Makeup by Dorian Hatchett

by Meggan Cosmetics & Spa, says, “The lighting in most hotel rooms and houses is not suitable for artistry. Going to the artist ensures that you are getting your makeup done in proper lighting, the artist has everything they need to create any look you want, and they have the proper space to work in.”

White also points out that, while it may seem inconvenient, going to the studio actually saves money. Hatchett outlines some of the expenses when asking an artist to travel, such as parking fees and payment for equipment setup. In addition, Rouzan emphasizes that an artist’s travel kit cannot contain the wide variety of supplies found in the studio. Simply put, a studio is the optimal place for makeup application, ensuring the right environment to create a camera-ready look.

This camera-ready look is created not only with proper lighting, but with the right products. Brides shouldn’t be wary if these products are unfamiliar, as Hatchett notes: “You may not have heard of the brands in [an artist’s] kit, because many makeup artists use product lines that are produced for professional use, not consumer ones. These lines will guarantee a camera-compatible look that lasts all day.” In order to guarantee the products are compatible with a bride’s skin, the look will have been tested during a trial run well before the wedding.

White cautions brides against trying any new products the day of the wedding, no matter how wonderful they seem. All four experts stress that the day of the wedding is not the day for new products or treatments. Facials and waxing should be done well in advance, as the skin needs time to heal. Rouzan notes “Do not wax your eyebrows, lip, or anywhere else we will be applying makeup closer than four

days prior to your wedding day! Sticky wax and irritated skin make for a difficult makeup application. Makeup may not stay and leave a halo around the waxed area.”

The day of the wedding is also not the day for a new, trendy style that deviates significantly from the bride’s day-to-day look. A risky look means the bride risks not looking like herself. “Bold lines and colors are fine if you’re already a fashionista, but they can be done in ways that won’t register as dated come time for your paper anniversary, let alone fruit or bronze,” says Hatchett.

Ory especially advises against one popular bold lip color—red: “Unlike lighter lipstick, red smudges are very obvious and you need a mirror to touch up. Lighter shades are easier to retouch.” On this subject, Rouzan notes that brides should ask for a small touch-up kit for the day of the wedding. If the bride is wearing false lashes, this kit should definitely contain eyelash glue!

The final, and most important, ingredient for the perfect wedding look is a relaxed, happy bride who knows it’s her moment to shine. When she gets to let go of the stress of planning and celebrates the love that led her to this day, her carefully-chosen makeup will enhance the glow coming from within. – By Megan Holt

Dorian Hatchett @hatchettglam @spaatlantisnola spaatlantis.com

Meggan Ory @makeupbymegganspa makeupbymeggan.com

Dee Rouzan @facesofvirtue facesofvirtue.com

Javetta White @lipsticker_ lipsticker.com

Makeup by Dee Rouzan

“With Sincere Thanks”

Couples often find themselves overwhelmed by their loved ones’ generosity. Not only do their guests celebrate with them, they also bring gifts to give the couple’s married life together a wonderful start. How is a thankyou note ever going to capture the gratitude couples feel? Some of our favorite industry experts weigh in on how to best express sincere thanks.

Couples should be thinking about saying “thank you” from the beginning of the planning process. Alexa Pulitzer, owner of the eponymous company, advises ordering thank-you notes at the same time as the save-the-date cards, noting that wedding gifts will start arriving sooner than a couple imagines. Building on this advice, Betty Hunley, owner of Betty Hunley Designs, recommends stationery with the couple’s first names for thank you notes for pre-wedding celebrations such as showers and engagement parties. She also points out that couples can get a head start on saying thank you for wedding gifts by order-

ing wedding stationery in advance. However, should the bride opt to change her name, any note with the married name on it needs to be mailed after the wedding, even if it was written before the big day.

Margaret Jones, owner of Scriptura, often designs this stationery by drawing on elements from the invitation, selecting certain fonts and colors to accentuate for the thank-you note. Hunley concurs that the thank-you note should complement the invitation, with features such as a monogram or cypher incorporated into both. She observes that couples have recently preferred clean, no-frills fonts, and that navy and white is currently a popular color scheme. These classic colors are often woven into a more modern design, which Jones refers to as “traditional with a twist.” Scritpura’s in-house design and production enables couples to capture elements of places beloved to them; “we often see regional influences coming into play with local landscapes and

Betty Hunley Designs @bettyhunleydesigns betty-hunley-designs.myshopify.com

fauna taking a starring role,” says Jones. Recently, as Pulitzer notes, couples have turned away from petite fold-over notes, preferring instead large, flat cards.

A huge advantage of this larger card is extra design space. To create truly memorable designs that express the couple’s personality, Pulitzer’s signature is hand-drawn illustrations of the bride and groom. These illustrations range from traditional to playful (for example, depicting a bride named Kat with a cat’s head). When commissioning a custom illustration, couples should keep copyright rules in mind. Unless the couple purchases a logo, “I retain full ownership of my work,” explains Pulitzer; “If a couple…would like to be able to use/reproduce my art on other items that I do not manufacture, such as a website, then they may purchase Usage Rights from me, which gives them my permission to reproduce my work. If the couple works with me to manufacture items, then they would not need to purchase Usage Rights.”

All design and permissions should be completed with enough time for couples to receive their thank-you notes quite early in the planning process, as all three experts agree that couples shouldn’t wait to express their gratitude after receiving gifts. “Make sure you thank everyone that sends you a gift as quickly as possible. It is not only the polite thing to do, but it assures the sender that their gift was received,” stresses Hunley. Adding to this advice, Jones points out that the task of

writing thank-you notes will seem much less daunting if couples write them as gifts arrive, rather than letting a list of to-be-written notes pile up. Pulitzer advises not only saying thank you for the present, but also including something about the gift giver, letting that person know how truly special they are.

This personalized note also signals that the couple took the time to sit down and think of the right words to express their gratitude. As Jones notes, time is a hot commodity these days, and it may seem extraordinarily more efficient to simply fire off a quick text or e-mail to say thank you. However, these means of communication are not adequate substitutes for a hand-written note. Those who generously gave gifts should get the gift of a couple’s time and attention in return.

Not only is writing thank-you notes by hand a way to honor the gift giver, it also establishes a practice that couples can carry beyond the wedding and into the marriage. As their married lives progress, there will be many occasions for handwritten notes. These moments could be milestones such as the birth of a child or an anniversary celebration, or as simple as being treated to a lovely lunch by a dear friend. No matter the occasion, the recipient will always treasure a thoughtful note of gratitude on carefully-selected stationery. Whether that stationery design is traditional or trendy, the art of saying thank you will always be in style. – By

Megan Holt

Alexa Pulitzer @alexapulitzer alexapulitzer.com

Scriputra @scriputra_nola scriptura.com

Blossman-WallaceWith this Ring

In 2011, Amber Royanne Blossman and Anders Erickson Wallace were both working at Milk Studios in New York City, she as a barista and he in the photo department. One night after hanging out with coworkers, Anders and Amber went to a bar in Brooklyn. This was the beginning of an on-again-off-again relationship that would last almost a decade. The last time they got back together, Amber knew it would be for good

Two years later, they were on a ski trip in Montana. At the top of their favorite run, right there on the slopes, Anders got down on one knee, completely catching Amber by surprise! After she said yes, they went to a mountaintop restaurant for lunch, where Amber’s parents and sister-in-law were waiting with champagne.

Just as family helped plan a perfect proposal, the couple’s loved ones used their time and talent to make the wedding extra special. One of the groomsmen designed the invitations. Amber’s mother and stepmother worked together to make welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

Furthermore, one of Anders and Amber’s closest friends officiated the wedding, which took place on April 8, 2023 at the Hotel Peter and Paul chapel. The officiant went above and beyond to create an unforgettable moment. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had asked Anders’ daughter, Lily, to write a letter to the couple and read it during the ceremony. There was not a dry eye in the chapel. Lily, a junior bridesmaid, watched proudly as her father put a ring containing a Montana sapphire on his bride’s finger.

The newlyweds and their guests continued to celebrate at Hotel Peter and Paul for the reception. The lush florals with whites, greens, yellows and pops of blue provided the prefect backdrop for the “Camera Bar, ” with old school camcorders and polaroid cameras set out for guests to capture their favorite moments.

These cameras caught the cocktail hour, complete with an oyster bar. There were snapshots of the extraordinary menu created by Bacchanal, which included bacon wrapped dates and boudin toast. The bride and groom cherish the footage of their first dance to “Right Down the Line,” by Gerry Rafferty, a song that speaks to the long road leading the two to the altar.

After the reception, Amber and Anders jumped into a waiting pedicab to enjoy a moment for just the two of them. Then, they and their guests walked to Cajun’s for karaoke. Everyone had a blast singing and eating pizza from Pizza Delicious. The festivities continued into the next day, when Amber’s aunt hosted a crawfish boil for friends and family.

Amber and Anders celebrated their marriage with a honeymoon to Vietnam, where they spent almost three weeks enjoying breathtaking sights and delicious food. They returned to their home in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Amber is an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher at an elementary school and Anders is a photographer in the fashion industry. – By Megan Holt

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Cane &

Table Reception Décor: Firefly Ambiance, FatCat Coordinator: Kate Burke at Gabrielle James Events Celebrant: Sonia

Cox Ceremony Music: Bayou Royals

Wedding Gown: Oscar de la Renta, Jimmy Choo (shoes), Retrofete (after party dress) Groom’s Attire: P. Johnson

Engagement Ring & Bride’s Wedding

Band: Ascot Diamonds Groom’s Wedding

Band: Van Cleef & Arpels Florist: Fat Cat

Flowers Favor: matches and koozies

Invitations: Bud Cato (design); Scriptura (printing/design); Amber Blossman (calligraphy) Wedding Cake: Maple

Street Bakery Photographer: Ollie, Love

Is Rad Hair: Shawn Beirne Makeup: Tessa

Powers Music: Bayou Royals

Burks-PaytonWith this Ring

Arielle Burks and Edward Payton III first met in 2019 through mutual friends, and they got to know one another as friends. During the beginning months of the pandemic, both Edward and Arielle used that solitude to reflect on themselves and what they wanted in a future partner. This period of reflection led them to their first date in the fall of 2020, and their alignment was undeniable.

A year and a half later, Edward planned a truly memorable proposal. After a day doing many of their favorite things, they went home for a quick nap and ended up oversleeping! They frantically got ready and rushed to Eddie V’s for their dinner reservation. At the end of dinner, Edward suggested taking a picture inside the wine cellar. Unbeknownst to Arielle, Edward had secretly asked the waitress to take a few pictures and switch to video as he was going to propose. After a few photos, Edward got on one knee. Through her excitement and tears, Arielle said YES!

The couple began planning their wedding in New Orleans, where they met and fell in love. They created a Royal Romance theme and envisioned their friends and family in outfits that complemented the theme. To help bring their vision to life, the invitation included a style guide with pictures and color choices for attire.

On November 11, 2023, guests decked out in mauve, gold, burgundy, forest green and navy gathered at City of Love Church, where Arielle’s family regularly attends services. As she walked down the aisle, the bride carried a bouquet containing a locket with pictures of her grandfathers.

After Bishop Lester Love pronounced the couple husband and wife, the festivities continued at The Capital on Baronne. The grand entryway with tall marble pillars and a beautiful, intricately-designed ceiling created an atmosphere with the elegance and flare Arielle and Edward had imagined for their Royal Romance.

Not only did The Capital on Baronne provide the perfect ambiance for the occasion, it also created a spectacular menu. During the seated dinner, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a feast that included butternut squash soup with jumbo lump crabmeat, and short rib and gulf fish with shrimp. The couple had also chosen classic specialty cocktails; Edward’s was a French 75, and Arielle’s was an Old Fashioned.

The joy in the room was amplified as Edward and Arielle danced to “Why I Love You” by Major. The lyrics—which include the lines “It’s like our hearts have intertwined / Into the perfect harmony”—embody the way they feel about one another and about their new life together.

The couple continued to enjoy the beginning of their era as a married couple during their honeymoon in Bali. During the weeklong trip, they visited Ubud and Canggu to experience both the country’s inland culture and a more popular seaside city. They then returned to Nashville, where Edward works as Associate Director for VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and Arielle is Project Manager for RYCARS Construction. – By Megan Holt

Rehearsal Brunch Location:

Arnaud’s Restaurant

Coordinator: Wink Design & Events Wedding Gown: Galia

Lahav (New York City Soho

Flagship Store) Groom’s Attire: Hideoki Bespoke Groomsmen

Attire: The Black Tux Groom’s Wedding Band: David Yurman

Invitation: Upscales Custom

Collection Caterer: The Capital on Baronne Wedding Cake & Groom's Cake: Chasing Wang

Photographer: Shagari Gerard

Photography Videographer: B Bryant Films Hair: Tousled

Salon Makeup: Arjia Thomas

Music: T-Ray the Violinist, DJ Bandcamp

With this Ring

Bosio-Unglesby

In 2022, Katherine Parmelee Bosio and Lance Covington Unglesby attended a party hosted by mutual friends over Easter weekend. While both were open to the possibility of finding someone special, neither wanted to be in a relationship unless it was absolutely right. So, though Kat felt drawn to Lance while making small talk about the legal field, she was a bit cautious—until he asked if she wanted to grab a nightcap nearby and mentioned her favorite bourbon. “He had me at Basil Hayden,” she laughs.

A few weeks later, Lance and Kat, both huge live music fans, met up for the two weekends of Jazz Fest and numerous “daze between” shows. After that, they were inseparable. One year later, in April 2023, Lance proposed at the Botanical Gardens at City Park. A friend had let them in after hours, so the moment was shared by only the couple. Afterward, Kat was shocked to return home to a surprise engagement party with family and friends!

The beauty of City Park proved the perfect backdrop for not only the proposal, but also the wedding and reception, which took place on November 11, 2023, at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. They were married outdoors, with the emerald, ivory and gold décor carefully selected to complement the natural surroundings. The uplighting on the oaks gave the ceremony a classic, timeless vibe.

After the bride and groom said, “I do,” members of the Created to Worship Gospel Choir joyfully sang as the ceremony ended. This was the first of many live performances. Big Chief Juan Pardo & The Golden Comanche Tribe blessed the union and led guests into the reception tent, where Kat and Lance got the party started with their first dance to “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone.

Raw Deal kept everyone on the dance floor, and a menu created by Dickie Brennan & Co. gave them the energy to dance the night away. The reception ended with a farewell second line led by LB Landry High School Band. However, the festivities weren’t over yet.

The newlyweds and their guests headed to a property on Baronne Street, where Tony Hall and a nine-piece band were ready to kick the after party into high gear with flawless James Brown covers. Old Fashioneds made with either bourbon or mezcal were flowing well into the night, and when the party was over everyone had to take only a few steps to their rooms for some much-needed rest. They met up the next day for brunch, with music by Ben Jaffe, Charlie Gabriel, & Josh Starkman from Preservation Hall Band closing out a beautiful weekend.

Kat and Lance traveled to Santa Teresa and Uvita in Costa Rica, where they spent seven days enjoying a mix of nature, great food, outdoor activities, and killer nightlife. They then returned to their home in New Orleans’ Irish Channel. Lance is a trial lawyer with Unglesby & Crompton, and Kat is a Realtor with Rêve | Realtors. – By Megan Holt

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Coquette Reception Décor: Distressed Rentals & Revivals, Tents by Design, Lighting by Full Circle Sound Coordinator: Ana Belsome of Ana Belsome Events Celebrant: Reverend Christopher Andrews Ceremony Music: String trio members from New Orleans Classical & Jazz owned by Harry Hardin Wedding Gown: Yvonne Lafleur Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Amsale, Bella Bridesmaids Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Custom made by Mila Pielaet with Harper + Jones fabric by Loro Pianna Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Adler’s Florist: Herbivore Floral Designs Favor: Welcome bags filled with assorted items Invitation: Scriptura Caterer: Brennan’s Wedding Cake: Maurice French Pastries Photographer: Casey McMurray Videographer: Derek Wohltmann Hair: Brittany Gilbert Makeup: Pilar Miranda

SOCIETY

Written by Sue Strachan

36 | Fleur de Bra for Breastoration & Cancer Association of Louisiana

37 | New Orleans Ballet Association's BRAVO Boo Bash

38 | New Orleans Hispanic Heritgage Foundation Azúcar Ball

39 | Clover Harvest Moon Masquerade

40 | Touro Infirmary Foundation Judah Touro Society Award Dinner

41 | Jefferson Community Foundation Gala Celebration

Fleur de Bra for Breastoration and Cancer Association of Louisiana

Beautiful creativity and raising funds were the missions at Fleur de Bra, a benefit for Breastoration and Cancer Association of Louisiana (CALA) at the Hotel St. Vincent.

The event on Oct. 22 featured 14 models wearing over-the-top, fantastical bras created by artists and designers such as Pedram Couture, Hattie Sparks Collins and Kate Grace Bauer Rouchell. The bras were later auctioned off at Galatoire’s Goes Pink.

Twenty-two cancer survivors who attended were celebrated at the event, which had targeted fund-raising goals. For example, a $2,200 donation would support breast reconstruction for one woman, and included ancillary services, bras/garments, prescriptions, rides and other items; and a $1,000 donation would support lost wages and childcare during reconstruction and recovery.

Music from Robin Barnes and Kermit Ruffins, as well as enticing cuisine and cocktails, rounded out the event.

“Fleur de Bra symbolizes the strength and beauty of the women of our state coming together to support the breast cancer survivors of Louisiana,” said Suma Maddox, MD, who co-chaired the event with Michelle Burtch.

“Breast cancer and the reconstructive process after a mastectomy can be an overwhelming experience, and we aim to surround our survivors in hope and love through increased awareness.

“The many talented artists of this state displayed so much intention and elegance in their endeavors to highlight the artistic process of breast reconstruction. It was a truly inspiring day full of life and love.”

1. Rupa Jolly, Caitlyn Taylor, Erika Smith, Aaron Hahnselle 2. Dr. Suma Maddox, Rivers Maddox 3. Camille Taylor, Marcelle Beaulieu, Nicole Williamson, Melissa Coleman 4. Suzy Kingston, Karen Leong 5. Dr. Claire Melancon, Page Goss 6. Reagan Charleston, David Mullen

FUN FACT: This was the third Fleur de Bra, and Fleur de Bra 2024 will be held in October at the Hotel St. Vincent.

New Orleans Ballet Association’s BRAVO Boo Bash

The Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) of the New Orleans Ballet Association called upon all of its costumed ballet crusaders and friends when it hosted a Boo Bash benefit on Oct. 26.

And gather they did at Southern Yacht Club to enjoy camaraderie and costumes, the latter of which were part of a contest. Celebrity judges Timmy Doe and Chad Graci were mesmerized and chose their favorite costumes. Group winners included: “Witch Doctors,” Sandra Thompson Herman and Katelyn Denty; “Bumblebees,” Dr. Marcia Davila, Dr. Blanca Rosa Maldonado, Jacqueline Simon, Luz Caputto, Mayra Pineda, Maria Bonilla, Olga Garcia, Elsie Bouchette and Maria Vallejo; and “Punk Witches,” Jessica Marasco Illes and Joni Muggivan. Individual winners were Tammy O’Shea and Gerri Valene, who tied for witch hat looks; Margarita Bergen as “Ursula” from “The Little Mermaid” and Yolanda Doucette as a mermaid.

In addition to the contest and luncheon, there was a small silent auction, including premium New Orleans Saints tickets with a parking pass, a Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel staycation package, a variety of wine and spirits, art and more. Marshall Harris provided the entertainment, which included some Halloween-themed songs.

This is BRAVO’s first Boo Bash, which in the past held a “Witch’s Brew Tea” and “Witches and Warlocks Tea.” Event co-chairs were Gerri Valene and Liz Broekman.

FUN FACT: Halloween-themed headpieces were available for purchase prior to and at the BRAVO Boo Bash. They were created by Ousier and Clairee Millinery, who also created Nutcracker-themed headpieces for the holidays for BRAVO with sales benefiting the BRAVO Nutcracker Legacy Fund.

1. Tammy O’Shea, Gerri Valene 2. Tricia Lincoln, Virginia Eckholdt, Fay Wartelle, Marian Gibbs, Sandra Chaisson 3. Maria Bonilla, Elsie Bouchette, Yolanda Doucette, Laurie Guimont, Dr. Blanca Maldonado, Mayra Pineda 4. Madison Smith, Marilyn Smith 5. Sandra Thompson Herman, Margarita Bergen, Katelyn Denty 6. Timmy Doe, Chad Graci, Liz Broekman, Jessica Marasco Illes, Joni Muggivan

New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation Azúcar Ball

The exuberantly colorful image of flowers and an illustrated skull on the invitation were hints to what the theme was for the 2023 Azúcar Ball: Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Based on a tradition of remembrance of Mexico, the theme took centerstage for this New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s (NOHHF) benefit presented by Pan-American Life Insurance Group at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel.

The gala was decorated with colorful skulls, flowers and decorations native to Mexico. The decor was by the Royal Events company, and local artist Belinda Flores-Shinshillas installed two traditional altars in honor of Cristina Fowler and Hector Maldonado.

The patron party kicked off the festivities with music from Mariachi Jalisco and food from Mayas Restaurant. The gala offered food from 17 restaurants and 10 dessert donors while Latin music was provided by Javier Olondo and AshèSon and DJ Felipe Estrada.

The silent auction proved popular, with the top three items being a diamond necklace donated by Friend & Company, vacation to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic and a commissioned portrait by Belinda Flores-Shinshillas.

Also, part of the night’s agenda was the presentation of the Gálvez Cup. The recipients were Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, and Patricia Riddlebarger, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Entergy. The duo was honored because of their outstanding community commitment to New Orleans and the NOHHF mission.

FUN FACTS: It is said in Mexico that during the Día de los Muertos celebration, loved ones who are not with us come back for one night to enjoy what they liked when they were with us. On Oct. 28, it was said by a partygoer that the event had many loved people there enjoying a wonderful party.

The Azúcar Ball proceeds benefit the NOHHF Scholarship Program.

1. Claudia Maya Stevens, Mariana Hurtado Williamson, Alejandra Rosales 2. Deanna Rodriguez, George Fowler, Patty Riddlebarger 3. Eric Jones, Steven Friedman, Ileana Suquet, Robert DiCianni 4. Alex Gershanik, Susan Prieto, Mauricio Prieto 5. Stewart Mastio, Lauren Mastio 6. Dr. Leo Seoane, Dr. Lynne Seoane

Clover Harvest Moon Masquerade

Shine on Harvest Moon Masquerade, the reimagined fall benefit for Clover, was held Nov. 2.

This sold-out event was at Link Restaurant Group’s Calcasieu, which planned a four-course meal with wine pairings: first course, terrine of chicken liver mousse with traditional accompaniments; second course, Louisiana shrimp bisque with Herbsaint; third course: cassoulet lamb, sausage and duck confit served with green salad and baguettes; and fourth course, chocolate mousse.

The night’s specialty cocktail was Halloween Sangria, a blend of red wine paired with cinnamon sugar, fruit and sparkling cider.

Cellist Harry Hardin performed during the cocktail reception, while the silent auction saw partygoers bidding on a number of items, including a luxury resort getaway at the Grand Mayan Nuevo Nayarit-Vallarta, a staycation weekend at the Windsor Court Hotel with dinner at Antoine’s, and a vintage bottle of Opus One Wine.

“Experiencing the Harvest Moon Masquerade with our dedicated donors was truly a magical evening in support of Clover’s mission of educating children, strengthening families and building community, all while savoring the exquisite creations of award-winning Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski,” said Keith Liederman, Ph.D., Clover CEO.

Event co-chairs were Chimène Grant Saloy, Bill Hammack and Margaret Montgomery Richard.

FUN FACT: Costume masks were encouraged but not required. For those feeling inspired upon arrival, Clover had a bevy of options for guests to choose from.

1. Valerie Wheatley, Chimène Grant Saloy

2. Brian Springmann, Emad Jabbar, Rianne Egana, Thomas Ogg 3. Laurie Doyle, Richard Roth III, Kit Fritchie 4. Jasmine Haralson, Shelina Davis, Libbie Sonnier 5. Matt Campbell, Khi VanAllen, Isaac MacDonald 6. Melanie Bronfin, Dr. Danny Bronfin

Touro Infirmary Foundation Judah Touro Society Award Dinner

In 1989, the Touro Infirmary Foundation bestowed its first Judah Touro Society Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Touro and the New Orleans community.

The 2023 awards dinner, held Nov. 2 at the Audubon Tea Room, honored Paul Barron.

The award, presented by Stephen Kupperman, celebrated Barron’s involvement at Touro since the 1980s, serving on the governing board for more than a decade, including being chairman. He led the purchase of Woldenberg Village, oversaw the construction of the eighth floor of the hospital and issued $52,000,000 in bonds. He now leads a support group for patients with speech disorders (aphasia) as a result of stroke or brain injury.

“Congratulations to Paul on receiving this award. It is well-deserved and probably a long time coming!” said Dr. Christopher Lege, chief medical officer and interim CEO of Touro Infirmary.

Event co-chairs were Shannie and Rabbi David Goldstein, Mara and Stephen Kupperman, and Edie and Paul Rosenblum.

FUN FACT: The Judah Touro Society Award Dinner is like a homecoming event for families who have been involved with Touro over many generations.

1. Paul Barron, Stephen Kupperman

2. Ruth Kullman, Christopher Lege, Tiffany Delcour, Jill Israel 3. Tom Oelsner, Margaret Epstein, Salvador Caputto 4. Lance Estrada, Leslie Estrada 5. Kisha Laurent-Gaudin, Paul Rosenblum, Liz Nguyen 6. Savita Wadgaonkar, Sudhanva Wadgaonkar

Jefferson Community Foundation Gala Celebration

The spotlight was on Paula Polito on Nov. 3, when she was honored with the Jefferson First Award at the Jefferson Community Foundation Gala Celebration presented by the Feil Family Foundation.

The foundation honored Polito’s 32 years in childcare. She is the owner of Beary Cherry Tree in Metairie, and serves as a contract trainer for Teachstone, a maker of Classroom Assessment Scoring System. Outside of the classroom, Polito is on the advisory board chair of Louisiana Department of Education, commission member for the Louisiana Early Childhood Care and Education Commission, advisory council member for Jefferson Ready Start Network and a board member for the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The gala, held at Chateau Golf and Country Club, also featured video highlights of the year, including those from the Jefferson Ready Start Network and Jefferson Community Youth Leadership, which this event benefited. Music was provided by Abstract Productions.

The foundation’s mission is to connect philanthropy to critical community needs in Jefferson Parish. Executive Director Christine Briede noted, “We are proud to gather to celebrate 15 years of service in Jefferson Parish.”

FUN FACT: High-school students in the Jefferson Community Youth Leadership program made a presentation at the event.

1. Jim Garvey, Paula Belanger, Claudia Shabetai, Rafael Shabetai 2. Oscar Chimal, Masia Chimal 3. Sarintha Stricklin, James Gray 4. Kay Oplinger, Otto Briede, Christine Briede 5. Jim Schoen, Amy Boyle Collins 6. Roland Frank, Christina Frank

Crawfish Bisque

In search of the elusive dish

With the onset of crawfish season each year, the cooks in the kitchen at L’il Dizzy’s Café (1500 Esplanade Ave, 504-569-8997, ldizzyscafe.com) start stuffing the 10,000 precleaned crawfish heads the restaurant will need for the 3,500 or so portions of bisque sold annually from their booth at the Jazz Fest where they serve three in every bowl, two if the stuffed heads are extra-large. Concocted using family matriarch Janet Baquet’s recipe, Li’l Dizzy’s crawfish bisque is of a distinctly Creole style due to a base of peanut butter-colored roux that is cut through with the addition of a touch of tomato sauce. The rustyhued stew is offered as a special during crawfish season when we are lucky.

There is nothing simple, nothing tidy, about crawfish bisque: Not the arduous process of making it, the messy Barbarism required to eat it, nor the lengths to which one must now go to secure a bowl of this rich bliss. In years past making bisque – which only took place during crawfish season – was at least a two-day process.

In 1957 a feature in Holiday magazine described ladies dining on bowls of crawfish bisque at Galatoire’s. The

article stuck for its description of the women delicately employing either cocktail forks or pinkie fingers to scrape the stuffing from the crawfish heads bobbing in the bowls before them then gingerly hanging the empty heads along the edges of their cream soup bowls in a fashion that reminded the writer of a string of pearls.

It just sounded so civilized. Clearly, the writer took a bit of poetic license and glossed over the ladies’ frustration as they attempted with knife or fork in one hand, to impale the slippery stuffed heads against the bottoms of their bowls and, splashing gravy on their blouses, tried to pry out the stuffing with an implement (or finger). Or, perhaps they attacked the bisque as most of us do and simply plucked the heads from their bowls with their fingers, sucked the stuffing out using their tongues as implements, dropped the empties on their bread plates, and started fishing for the next head.

What to drink

Bill de Turk, a wine and spirits consultant with Rouses Markets ( rouses. com ) recommends a classic French unoaked Chardonnay, such as Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuissé with crawfish bisque. “The Chardonnay will have enough body and heft to stand up to the depth and intensity of flavor with the bisque,” de Turk said.

Galatoire’s stopped serving the laborious dish in the mid-1960s. Most other restaurants followed suit around the same time, save for the erstwhile Bon Temps Café, where the Pierce family kept it on the daily menu until they closed the restaurant in early 2020. – By

Jyl Benson

Continuous Glucose Monitors

Why to consider and how to use

There are certain things that we know to be true, assumptions we make and information we’ve accumulated over the years that we don’t even question. It’s safe to say, however, that we’re not always right, about life in general, and even – or especially – when it comes to our own personal wellbeing. We have strong beliefs that certain foods or behaviors are beneficial, for example, and that other foods or behaviors are detrimental. But what if we’re wrong? And is it possible that some of these beliefs we’ve held for years might actually be doing more harm than good? What if that evening bowl of lowfat ice

cream or yogurt with granola spiked our glucose into the ‘caution’ range for hours into the night as we slept? Or if that pre-workout carb-rich fuel source didn’t fuel us so well after all, instead leaving us bottomed out, with our glucose levels plummeting midway through our training session? As a dietitian for nearly 25 years, I thought I pretty much knew how certain foods impacted my body. And not only me – but also clients, readers and the population in general – with individual variations, of course. The data and insight I’ve received by wearing a continuous glucose monitor has been eye-opening in a way I never expected.

What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a small little sensor that measures our glucose levels 24/7, providing real-time biofeedback about how nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress directly impact our glucose (blood sugar) levels.

The sensor is applied to the back of the arm and worn for up to 14 days. By scanning the sensor with our phone, we can see our blood glucose levels shifting in real time, providing insight into how our bodies respond to what we eat, how we move and other lifestyle factors.

Historically, most conversations around CGMs were limited almost entirely to people with diabetes. In recent years, however, there’s been more awareness of the education and benefit that a CGM can provide to others who are looking to maximize energy, lose extra weight, enhance athletic performance and more.

How to Benefit from a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Maintaining relatively stable glucose levels supports our energy, focus and mood, helping us to just feel better overall. It can also help to reduce cravings – carb cravings in particular, which in turn can make it easier to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

On the flip side, chronically high levels of glucose and insulin are linked to a host of negative effects including inflammation, insulin resistance, fat storage, increased proliferation of cancer cells, joint pain, oxidative stress and more.

A continuous glucose monitor allows us to see what triggers a spike in our glucose levels, and what has a stabilizing effect. It also allows us to see how quickly our bodies process carbohydrates – e.g. does our blood sugar hover in the high range for hours on end after a carb-rich meal, or does it settle back into the normal range fairly quickly?

In some cases, it may be the shift in glucose levels – a rapid and significant drop in blood sugar, for example – that can leave us feeling light-headed and bottomed out. Knowing what foods may be contributing to this can help us to adjust our diet accordingly.

What’s normal?

While ‘normal’ glucose levels vary by individual, for people without diabetes, the standard range is typically 70-100 mg/dl when fasting. It’s natural for glucose levels to rise when we eat, ideally dropping back below 140 mg/ dl (or lower) within two hours.

Carbohydrate-rich foods (think starches, sweets, fruits, cow’s milk) raise glucose levels, along with stress hormones like cortisol. Other lifestyle factors like sleep, exercise – even certain medications – can affect blood sugar levels.

How to Get Started

Nutrisense (nutrisense.io) is my preferred system for continuous glucose monitoring, for a variety of reasons. The app is incredibly intuitive and easy to engage with in real time. And I love that Nutrisense includes personalized one-on-one consults with a registered dietitian to help interpret our glucose data, identify trends and develop and reinforce healthful habits.

It’s pricey, though, starting at $299 per month. It’s worth noting that for many people, one month (two 14-day sensors) is sufficient to see trends, learn how different foods and behaviors impact our glucose levels, and start to make changes accordingly. It’s not something that most people would need to continue month after month.

freestyleprovider.abbott) is the pharmaceutical company that provides the sensor for the Nutrisense system, the little disc that goes onto the back of the arm. Abbot sells this sensor under the brand Freestyle Libre, available for purchase through a pharmacy at a much lower price point than Nutrisense.

The app interface isn’t as user-friendly – and dietitian consults are not included – but the price is about $75 per month. In fact, Abbot has worked with most major pharmacies to ensure that commercially insured patients without diabetes won’t pay more than about $75 for two 14-day sensors. A prescription by a physician is required and it can be prescribed for people with or without diabetes.

If you do go the Abbott route and purchase a Freestyle Libre from a pharmacy with a physician’s prescription, it’s important to also ensure you have a trusted resource for nutrition education – ideally a registered dietitian to help interpret and understand your glucose data, provide recommendations to personalize nutrition modifications and to support sustainable lifestyle changes.

To find a registered dietitian near you (or for virtual visits), visit eatright.org and click on ‘Find a Nutrition Expert’. Of course, I also highly recommend my team of dietitians in our Lifestyle Nutrition department of Ochsner Health; email nutrition@ochsner.org for details and to schedule a virtual or in-person visit.

To understand what healthy blood glucose levels look like for you, it’s best to consult to a healthcare provider. For people without diabetes, this may include your primary care physician and a registered dietitian. For people with diabetes, an endocrinologist and certified diabetes educator (often also a registered dietitian) will be part of a typical care plan.

– By Molly Kimball

Back in January, we covered a dozen different habit shifts to consider implementing throughout the year as we continue to grow and evolve in our personal wellbeing. Experimenting with a continuous glucose monitor was one of these habit shifts, something that all of us can learn at least something from.

Always know that you can reach out with questions, requests, ideas and anything related to wellness and nutrition that you are curious about by emailing me at wellness@myneworleans.com.

The New Orleans Brewing Company

In the late 19th century, beer brewing was booming in New Orleans. A merger of German brewers in 1890 resulted in the New Orleans Brewing Association. They based their operations at the Louisiana Brewery plant at Jackson Ave. and Tchoupitoulas St. in the Irish Channel. In 1900, they renamed the business the New Orleans Brewing Company.

They enjoyed great success for decades, known especially for their 4-X Beer. A spokesman credited the use of Mississippi River water as the key to that success: “The fact that the water is murky seems to improve the character of the beer,” and the fermenting process “gives the beer plenty of time to settle and clear of sediment.”

As Prohibition loomed, plans were made switch to producing vinegar and soft drinks. It proved unsustainable, and in 1923, the NOBC divided its property, consisting of multiple lots and buildings taking up the entire block at Jackson and Tchoupitoulas, and auctioned them off. Once Prohibition ended, NOBC reformed and purchased the main buildings back. To beer drinkers’ great relief, 4-X Beer once again was flowing

from taps on September 1, 1934. A parade from Jackson to Canal St. celebrated the day, but some celebrants opted to spend their day solely at the brewery, with their cups “floating extravagant suds on a bed of 4-X beer.”

The successes of the revitalized brewery were so great that they installed 26 new fermenting tanks to meet demand. In 1936, to great cheer, 4-X was for the first time available in bottles; the new bottling plant had a capacity of 85 bottles per minute, ensuring that workers around the city “will now be able to buy the delicious brew on their way to work, put in on ice in the shop cooler, and have ready that welcome noontime draught of excellent brew.”

Jackson Ave from Tchoupitoulas St., taken in 1947 by Charles L Franck Photographers. Only one part of the original structures comprising the Louisiana Brewing compound remains today. The four-story brick building at 430 Jackson Ave. still stands, with “BREWING CO.” visible under the fourth-floor windows. According to the 1896 Sanborn map, the first three floors were beer cellars, and the top floor was used for fermenting.

During WWII, the Department of Agriculture reduced the beer industry’s grain usage by 30%, limiting the amount of beer a brewery could produce. In a sad day for local beer drinkers on March of 1949, 93,000 gallons of brewed beer was poured down the drains under the supervision of government inspectors as part of the company’s literal liquidation proceedings. – By

Seale Paterson

Spring 2024 Contents

3 Community Impact

4 Sustainer of the Year

6 WE Fellowship

7 League Faces

8 JLNO Diaper Bank

On

LAGNIAPPE STAFF

Editor

Kate Uhle

Assistant Editor

Kylie June Tahana

Writers

Taymika Sharrieff, Kate Uhle

Photographers

Delana Lynn Photography, Torry Dean, Rachel Robinson, LeeAnn Moss

PUBLISHER STAFF

Art Director

Ali Sullivan

Production Manager

Rosa Balaguer

Production Designer

Meghan Rooney

Chief Executive Officer

Todd Matherne

From the President

On March 31, 2024 the Junior League of New Orleans officially turned 100 years old! For an entire century, our members have served our beloved greater New Orleans metropolitan area through community projects, programs, initiatives and events.

Our key recurring themes for this milestone year are Reintroduce. Reimage. Re-engage. In this issue, I invite you to re-engage with the Junior League of New Orleans. Whether you are a JLNO member, have attended a JLNO program or event, have volunteered alongside the League at a service project, passed by our Headquarters on Carondelet, or are reading about the Junior League for the first time in this publication, we are glad to know you!

We would also appreciate the opportunity to re-engage with you this spring. Join us on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. at our Headquarters for a celebration of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs at our WE Fellowship Pitch Event. Consider volunteering with us, donating products, and contributing financially to our JLNO Diaper Bank to help us reach our bold goal of reaching our 10 millionth product distribution milestone in our 10th year of operations. Support our commitment to advancing the wellbeing of women with a donation to JLNO on Give NOLA Day on May 7. Mark your calendar for the Centennial Gala on Friday, May 31 at The Orpheum Theater.

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn

President-Elect Tara Waldron

Secretary Kelly Rauser

Treasurer Trish Thibodeau

Assistant Treasurer Paige Farrell

Business Council Director Robin Carubba

Communications Council Director

Allison Shapiro Dandry

Community Council Director Rachel Robinson

Membership Council Director Hope Clay

Planning & Development Council Director

Blair Broussard

Ways & Means Council Director Sarah Howard

Nominating Committee Chair Dale Ellen O'Neil

Sustaining Advisor to the Board Kristen Koppel

If you or a woman in your life aged 23 or older who demonstrates an interest in and commitment to voluntarism and resides in the New Orleans area, we invite you to learn more about membership in the Junior League of New Orleans. We are currently recruiting New Members for the 2024-2025 League year. If you were once a member of JLNO and want to reconnect with us, email correspondingsecretary@ jlno.org and request reinstatement. If you were a member of a Junior League in another city, we welcome you as a transfer. We look forward to engaging, and in many cases re-engaging, with you during our Centennial year.

We continue to be women leading for a greater New Orleans, deeply committed to advancing the wellbeing of women.

In service,

Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn President, 2023-2024

the Cover: Kathy Eastman at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans

Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

Photo by: Delana Lynn Photography

May 31, 2024

Orpheum Theater

Patron Party 6-7 | Gala 7-11

GALA ENTERTAINMENT: BUCKTOWN ALLSTARS

Interested in becoming a member of the Junior League of New Orleans?

Find our New Membership Request Form at jlno.org/membership.

Join the over 1,725 JLNO members that collaborate to advance the wellbeing of women and families in the Greater New Orleans area. JLNO members gain valuable skills and experiences that enable you to reach your potential as a leader in our community. Any woman aged 23 or older who demonstrates an interest in and commitment to voluntarism, regardless of race, religion, or national or ethnic origin may join the 2024-2025 New Member class.

Give at jlno.org/annual-giving

Sustainer of the Year Kathy Eastman

Written by Taymika Sharrieff and Kate Uhle | Photos by Delana Lynn Photography

From the moment you meet Kathy Eastman, you can’t help but like her. Every bit a classy, composed lady, she greets you with a kind smile and a firm, but gentle handshake. The day we met at Trinity Episcopal Church, a place very dear to Kathy, we sat in a cozy sitting room close enough to hear the soft concert music coming from nearby. It was the perfect setting to speak with an equally as calming person.

After leaving New Orleans for 15 years, Kathy returned and became a teacher at Trinity Episcopal School. Having a love of helping and a passion for people, Kathy became very involved in the Trinity community. She began participating in an outreach program called Stephen Ministry which matches you to a person who’s having a hard time in life, with anything from handling illness or losing a loved one or struggling with parenting. Someone that “just needs a listening ear, non-judgmental, and you're not there to solve the problem. It was phenomenal because a lot of times you would end up getting so much from the relationship. I was [paired] with a woman for two and a half years and it was so enriching to both of us.” Her involvement at Trinity started the ball rolling towards her

inevitable involvement with the Junior League of New Orleans. A blind date at the time (with her now husband, John) became a relationship which introduced Kathy to amazing women in the New Orleans community. “It was really through John and the people he knew, particularly Fran Villere, who was just a real powerhouse in the League. She was President, and she was just a wonderful lady. She came up to John one day and she said, ‘We need to get Kathy in the League.’ Some friends that I didn't know until I moved back here were the ones that sponsored me, and I've never looked back.”

Kathy officially joined the League in 1984, and found a secondary outlet to channel her passion for children’s education. She spoke specifically about when she chaired a League project called SAENO, a nod to Nancy Reagan’s “just say no to drugs” campaign. It brought League women into classrooms and onto panels to speak about substance abuse education, and gave the opportunity to host workshops for people to learn how to better educate kids in our community about tough topics.

Another JLNO project called Kids on the Block - “not the music!,” Kathy

was quick to clarify - brought education to schools, free of charge, through the use of puppets and teaching children about the similarities between all of us. Many of the puppets looked different and had different backstories, some with disabilities, but explained how we all live in the same community and how we can find the common threads which weave us all together.

In later years, while serving as the League’s Administrative Vice President, the current JLNO President would invite their executive team to a lunch with the current Sustainers, past Sustainers of the Year, and past Presidents. “We all got up to make a little report on what we were doing and I remember thinking when I left that day, ‘This is really neat. I'd love to come back to this.’” A few years later, Kathy was able to get her wish while serving as President, and coming back to one of the many moments which shaped her League experience.

“It's been such an amazing gift to my life to meet so many wonderful people. You always know that you want to give back to the community in which you live. And I love this crazy, indescribable place that we call New Orleans.”

When discussing the opportunities which these women and League have given Kathy, she explained how “the League not only gave me the training and exposure, but it also gave me the confidence to pull me into things that I never thought you could do. It's one thing to stand in front of a classroom of children. It's quite another to be on a board with all these women who are so accomplished, but there you are! It opened my world, it opened my eyes, and it opened my heart.”

Like most women in the League, these experiences are what helped shape Kathy as a person, which helps shape why the League is so important to our community. She discussed how pulling women together from all over the city, with different gifts and focuses, can show us how we can make a change in the world. Kathy explained that if we draw from each other’s strengths, and support each other, we can work together to find new and different facets of the community which we can make a difference.

“I think those of us that have moved on to [League] Sustainer-hood can tell who had training at the League and who didn't. I think the Junior League is such a wonderful place to nurture, to build, to inspire individual women who collectively, or as part of another group, can go on to work with others, to respect others.

You've got to give everybody an opportunity to say what they want to say. You need to hear different points of view. The world doesn't walk in step. Right now, I wish the League could have more influence on policy holders in this country about how you comport yourself, and how you respect others that have a different opinion than you.”

While speaking with such passion and conviction, it was an easy time to tie Kathy’s thoughts into how she feels being a part of the Junior League of New Orleans as it approaches its centennial anniversary. After a thoughtful pause, Kathy said, “It takes my breath away. It is inspiring. I think about those women that started this organization here in New Orleans, with a dream, and said, ‘Come on, ladies, we can do this!’

And it's grown, and it's beautifully grown, in a way where we're reaching out to more sectors of this wonderful city we love. We've grown a lot and to look back and see where it's gone, where it's come from, the fact that the thrift shop started in the French Quarter! That was formative of a difference we made. I [still] remember being

a provisional and having thrift shop shifts.”

As Kathy recounts memories of her time in the League and even the changes it has made over the years, you can tell Kathy is immensely proud of the work and progress the League has made. Smiling and softly clapping her hands, Kathy ends with a confident, “Good job, ladies. Good job.”

Being named Sustainer of the Year during the centennial of the Junior League of New Orleans, Kathy remains confident that “nobody gets [here] were it not for the people that are around them.” Thoughtfully thinking of how she has served and her hopes to continue serving, Kathy says she is “grateful and will do anything to keep [the League] a vital organization for the next hundred years. I care about it and I care about the women that I've gotten to know so well. And I care about the efforts that you all are putting forth.”

Being reminded of the present as the music streaming in from the chapel began to fade, Kathy wrapped up our time together with a simple, yet impactful, thought regarding her journey with the Junior League: “I'm grateful for it. I loved it. Even when there were some tears shed and a little angst when things happen that you have to deal with. But I'm so grateful for it.”

As we made, what Kathy referred to as, “a gracious exit,” it was easy to feel confident in the work Junior League is doing for our community. Built on the shoulders and minds of incredible women since 1924, Mrs. Kathy Eastman is another example of how the Junior League of New Orleans will easily continue to thrive for the next hundred years.

Pitch Competition

April 11th, 6pm

JLNO Headquarters

4319 Carondelet Street

New Orleans, LA 70115

jlno.org/wefellowship

Congratulations to our 5 finalists! Join us as these female owners pitch their business to win the title of WE Fellow, a $5,000 cash grant from Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R., business coaching from Trepwise, marketing opportunities, and so much more.

League Faces

(L-R) Erica Washington, Lynn Spearman, and Melissa Nunn enjoy sips and shopping at the annual JLNO Holly Jolly Market where over 30 local vendors sell art, home décor, sweet treats and more. Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

In support of Educare New Orleans, League members made Christmas wishes come true by checking lists, wrapping presents, and playing Santa while delivering gifts during a toy drive to benefit children in our community. Photo submitted by Torry Dean

To honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (L-R) Kaya Koban, Rachel Robinson, Claire Stansbury, and Kamber LeBlanc and other Junior League members participated in the National Day of Service by volunteering at the JLNO Diaper Bank to sort and pack 62,045 diapers for distribution to our network of community partners. Photo submitted by Rachel Robinson

What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than with strong, thoughtful Leauge women and guests joined together for the JLNO Women’s Leadership Summit, filled with motivational sessions and dynamic workshops designed to promote personal and professional growth. Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

Marchand Creative Kitchens hosted JLNO members and their guests who flexed their culinary skills while the Cupcake Fairies taught us how to make our very own personal king cake, just in time for Carnival season! Photo by LeeAnn Moss

Students from Ursuline Academy meet with Madeleine Landrieu, Dean of the Loyola University College of Law, and featured speaker at the JLNO Women’s Leadership Summit hosted on March 8. Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

The JLNO Diaper Bank is in need of diaper donations.

*

Drop-off disposable diapers of any size, including open packages, to JLNO Headquarters (4319 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70118)

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am until 4:30pm.

*especially sizes 4 & 6

Help us reach 10 million in year 10!

To learn more about how you can get involved with the JLNO Diaper Bank through volunteering, product donations and financial contributions to help us reach our goal of distributing 10 million products in our 10th year, visit jlno.org/community/diaper-bank .

Spring+Summer Wedding Destinations and Resources

Whether planning a grand wedding for two hundred or a quiet elopement for two, these New Orleans wedding resources and event spaces are here to make your big day a dream come true.

club XLIV & Encore

Just steps away from the Superdome, club XLIV & Encore is New Orleans’ premier luxury wedding venue. Complete with modern furnishings, an illuminated bar, specialty lighting, and an artistic flare celebrating New Orleans culture and lifestyle, the space is truly “a wedding planner’s dream!” Learn more at champions-square.com or call 504.587.3663.

Kim Starr Wise Floral Events

If you are looking for a custom florist for your event, Kim Starr Wise Floral Events offers the finest selection and customization available. By providing your custom color palette, personal design inspirations, and vision board, Kim Starr Wise’s team of floral professionals will have your wedding day blooming! Learn more at kimstarrwise.com.

The Southern Hotel

Set among centuries-old live oaks and lush native flora; the Greenwood is a beautiful event space outside downtown Covington. The Southern Hotel has reopened the doors to this stunning venue for weddings, corporate events, retreats, and celebrations. We look forward to bringing your dreams to life. To learn more, please visit s outhernhotel.com.

Dark Garden

The most experienced name in modern corsetry, Dark Garden has been handcrafting bespoke corsets and wedding ensembles in San Francisco since 1989. We make dozens of custom looks and pieces every year, each one unique in design, fabric, and fit.

Event Espresso Catering

Over the years, Event Espresso Catering has mastered the art of creating a unique onsite cafe experience. Treat your wedding, rehearsal dinner or wedding shower guests to delicious coffee confections from our friendly, professional staff. We look forward to serving you! To learn more, visit wecatercoffee.com.

Mitch’s Flowers

Mitch’s Flowers offers the finest custom, cutting-edge floral designs for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and parties. Owner Monique Chauvin is proud to have been making dreams come true for NOLA brides and grooms for over 25 years. To learn more, please visit mitchsflowersnola.com or call 504.899.4843.

PK Weddings and Events

PK Weddings and Events offers comprehensive planning services for weddings and elopements for our local and destination couples. With decades of experience combined with local knowledge, our team will take a couple’s vision and curate a unique wedding, bringing their vision to reality!

The Gallery

The premiere Lower Garden District Wedding Venue, The Gallery on Magazine Street brings historic charm and modern luxury to glittering, dazzling life. The nearly two hundred-year-old building has a stunning wrap around iron lattice balcony, a sprawling ballroom, and the finest amenities available for your perfect day.

Sorrenteaux

There’s something special about celebrating love with a customized Elevated Artisan Charcuterie from Sorrenteaux. From engagement to bridal showers, cocktail hour grazing tables, and bachelorette parties, each of our boards is an edible piece of art that will impress your guests. To learn how to order yours, please visit sorrenteaux.com.

Chateau Golf and Country Club

A luxury club just 14 miles outside New Orleans, the Chateau Golf & Country Club is the pinnacle of Southern decadence, steeped in romance, culture, and hospitality. This June, July, and August, enjoy 10% off all weddings, and let us make your big day a perfect one. Learn more at chateaugcc.com.

Historic Swoop Duggins House

Celebrate your love at the Historic SwoopDuggins House, a wedding venue steeped in elegance, history, and charm. With full in-house catering, courtyard ceremonies & a gallery balcony. Immerse yourself in the spirit of New Orleans’ hospitality & style and create unforgettable memories!

The Wedding Broom

Catherine Johnson Broussard is an author, grandmother, and the owner and designer of The Wedding Broom Company of New Orleans, the award-winning bridal boutique and the award-winning wedding broom. You can learn more about our offerings and how to schedule your free wedding consulting services at weddingbroomnola.org.

Ryan Gray Photography

Shades of Gray Photography (formerly Ryan H Gray Photography) is a full-service photography company specializing in weddings, fashion, and special events. Incorporating a fine arts and documentarian approach to wedding photography, Shades of Gray offers wedding packages with fullday coverage, photography add-ons, and an hourly package.

The Skin Bar

Elevate your skincare experience at The Skin Bar New Orleans. We are a premier skin care clinic and the exclusive EMFACE provider in Metairie. Your destination for curated, sciencebacked skincare products and procedures. Glow, Brighten, Lift, and let our experts guide you to your best skin ever at any age. Visit us at theskinbarneworleans.com and on Instagram @the.skin.bar to start your elevated skin experience.

Perlis

Offering eight formalwear rental options, Perlis takes pride in dressing the groom and groomsmen to look their best.  Tuxedos and full-dress tails are also available for sale along with a large selection of unique and exclusive gifts for groomsmen and special guests. Sales are available at all locations.  Rentals are available on Magazine Street only.

Porter Lyons

Porter Lyons is a fine jewelry and lifestyle brand with a Flagship store in the French Quarter. With a signature collection designed for the untraditional bride, Porter Lyons’ specialty is a oneon-one design experience, from reimagining heirloom pieces to bespoke custom engagement rings.

Intercontinental Hotel New Orleans

The Intercontinental Hotel New Orleans is the finest luxury hotel in downtown New Orleans, brimming with French charm, including our Grand Ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant chandeliers, and a beautiful view of historic St. Charles Avenue. Call or visit today and learn how our experienced event specialists can help craft your perfect, glamorous day.

Limousine Livery

At Limousine Livery, we have over twenty-five years of wedding planning consultation experience and help brides and grooms select the finest travel option for their big day. We know your wedding is a life-altering experience, so let us take the wheel and make it a little easier for you! Learn more at limolivery.com/services/weddinglimousine-=services/

PREMIER PROPERTIES

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Ace and the Louisiana Open Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. For more information, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-273-5718.

PREMIER PREMIER

PROPERTIES PROPERTIES

Trees of Life

Artist Rebecca Rebouché’s naturalistic heirloom family tree paintings celebrate the legacy of the families beautifully immortalized in her work. The whimsical elements in each piece tell an allegorical tale inspired by the myths and mysteries of New Orleans’ surrounding forests and waterways. The artwork makes an incredibly thoughtful, one-of-a-kind wedding gift for a happy couple to cherish for the rest of their lives. Available through Rebecca Rebouché, rebeccarebouche.com.