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art contests Florida louisiana miami new orleans

A Call For New Orleans Artists

 I took two years of art class in high school, thinking a little instruction would do me good. I’ve never been a natural talent when it comes to sketching or painting, but somehow I  made it into the National Art Honor Society and won a department award. I think it was one part hard work, two parts the teacher feeling sorry for me. Having peaked my sophomore year, my rudimentary skills have dwindled to glorified stick figures. Needless to say, I’m sitting this one out but if you’ve got real talent and live in the New Orleans area, enter your original artwork in the 2012 Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series in New Orleans, hosted by Cathedral Creative Studios and L’entrepot Gallery.

All local 2D and 3D visual artists may submit original artwork before August 24, 2012. Participants will be featured at L’entrepot Gallery on Julia Street. Winners will earn the opportunity to compete at Art Basel Miami, with the chance to exhibit at Rush Arts Gallery in New York.  Submit your work at the Bombay Sapphire website or contact info@cathedralnola.com or 504-333-6713 for more information. 
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skirts summer what i wore

What I Wore: Red Lips Red Skirt Blue Shirt

Whenever I get bored of my old favorites, I like to mix them up with new pieces. Mind blowing concept, right? I’ve owned this chambray button down for two years, and I’ve pretty much styled it every way I can. Canadian tuxedo, tucked into a skirt, thrown on with hiking pants, you’d think I’ve almost milked this baby dry. I was trying to put a more personal spin on this trendy red polka dot skirt (last seen here), and a subtly patriotic color palette came together. I like that the skirt has an unexpected asymmetrical hem, which gives some oomph to an otherwise straightforward outfit. Throw on some masculine accessories and my overwhelming feminine charm balances itself out. Commence eye rolling right about…now.

Chambray button down- Abercrombie (don’t judge) via Buffalo Exchange (similar here)
Asymmetrical polka dot skirt- c/o Abeille NOLA
Brown buckle back brogues- Frye via Buffalo Exchange (similar here)
Turquoise cuff bracelets- Native American made via Buffalo Exchange (similar here, here, here)
Leather and drift wood earrings- gift from Bayou Bohemian

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secondhand shopping summer school

Summer School: eBay Shopping Secrets

In case you don’t feverishly hit the search engines seeking out every morsel that I spit into the digital world, this week’s Summer School is a piece I wrote for my Uptown Messenger column. Click on over where I share the tricks that I use to navigate that online marketplace behemoth that is eBay. Hint: narrow your selection and reap the rewards.

http://uptownmessenger.com/2012/07/christy-lorio-tricks-of-the-ebay-trade/

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beauty food georgia

Savannah Bee Company- Worth the Buzz

An in store hive- behind glass of course

The honey tasting bar

My obsession with Savannah Bee Company began when my sister sent sent me a box of their goodies for my birthday back in February. Ever since, I can’t get enough of their products- and I do mean all of them. From their limited edition and seasonal offerings, honey infused coffee, honey hand soap, honey hand creme, well you get the idea. I’m addicted to all of it. The honey isn’t your typical mass produced sticky stuff that’s sold in a bear shaped bottle. There’s wildflower honey from Georgia, Orange Blossom from Southern Florida, and varieties specifically made for grilling, enjoying with tea, or smearing on cheese. I was lucky enough to visit two of their three stores when I visited Savannah in May, and stocked up enough to last me until my mom went a few weeks ago and brought back more goodies, including a 20oz. bottle of black sage honey that’s only produced once every 4 years.

I never thought I’d use hand soap to wash my face, but the Tupelo Liquid Honey Hand Soap is gentler than most facial soaps I’ve used in the past. I’m prone to breakouts, and since I started using it on a daily basis I’ve only had a handful of blemishes. And the hand cream smells heavenly. Did you know that honey never goes bad? Not that mine sits around long enough to question if it’s still edible or not. I drizzle my ambrosia on ice cream, slather it on toast, or (dare I say it) eat it straight from the jar during a 2:00 am pantry raid.  Pick up their foodstuffs in your city, including Rouses Supermarkets here in New Orleans.

Founder Ted Dennard kept bees as early as high school, and went on to join the Peace Corps after college where he taught beekeeping to village farmers in South America. In 1998 he started selling his honey in found bottles as a hobby. His first expansion went from the kitchen to the garage, then later into an 800 square foot former classroom.  That’s humble beginnings considering production is now housed in a  40,000 square foot warehouse just outside of Savannah.

Southern hospitality- bee style

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essence fest new orleans southern street style what i wore

Essence Fest Street Style

Essence Music Festival is held July 4th weekend every year right here in New Orleans. It’s one of the biggest music festivals the city hosts and the streets turn into impromptu fashion shows. Charle’ Washington and I hit the pavement, hotel bars, and pop up shops to bring y’all the style. Check out our findings and learn more about the fest on the Buffalo Exchange blog and check out more photos on Facebook. Here’s what we wore to brave the heat.

American Apparel bodysuit and belt, Cameo print silk skirt, Melissa Campana flats
cameo skirt detail, necklace detail, my can’t live without accessory- SPF 70 sunblock

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summer school vintage

Summer School: Sanforized

If you’ve ever wandered into a vintage shop, chances are you’ve seen a garment with the word “sanforized” proudly stitched into the label. First trademarked in the USA in the 1930s, sanforization is actually a way to treat fabric so that it doesn’t shrink, even after repeated laundering. I always equate the word with vintage apparel, yet the Sanforized company is still around today.


The process itself is rather fascinating. Fabric is fed through a special machine that dampens the cloth, then a cylinder presses a rubber band around another heated cylinder, which shrinks the the band. The treated cloth is sandwiched between the rubber band and the cylinder, which allows the fabric to expand and contract. The result? Fabric that doesn’t shrink during the manufacturing process. Textile mills can use the Sanforized trademark only if they comply to strict testing requirements. If a garment is comprised primarily of Sanforized material than it may be labeled as such. 



If you’d like to learn more, there’s a wealth of knowledge on the Sanforized website.

Original 1963 Sanforized ad

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contests events local flavor

Sinnin’ and Feudin’: Southern Contests



I grew up Catholic, or Cat’lic if you’re going to properly pronounce it wrong. So I know all about sinning- and may or may not have done a little myself. The Creative Nonfiction Foundation (CNF) wants to hear all about your repentance worthy behaviors for their Southern Sin Essay Contest. Your story can be serious or humorous but you have to tell the truth- after all lying is a sin. Deadline is July 31st, selected essays will be published in Creative Nonfiction #47 and one lucky writer will win $5,000 for Best Essay. To submit, visit: www.creativenonfiction.org


From their press release:
“Creative Nonfiction (CNF) and the Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference & Workshop are looking for essays that capture the South in all its steamy sinfulness–whether you’re skipping church to watch football, coveting your neighbor’s Real Housewife of Atlanta, or just drinking an unholy amount of sweet tea. Confess your own wrongdoings, gossip about your neighbor’s depravity, or tell us about your personal connection to a famous Southerner headed down the broad road to Hell. Whether the sin you discuss is deadly or just something that would make your mama blush we want to hear about it in an essay that is at least partially narrative–employing scenes, descriptions, etc.”


  

If your group of friends are feuding like a modern day version of the  Hatfields vs. the McCoys, you might want to take it to reality t.v. A well known cable network wants to share the blood bath with a national audience, so they’re putting out a casting call in the New Orleans area. If your group of friends is age 21+ and have a score to settle with a rival group, e-mail reality@lizlewis.com with the following info.


⋅ Name
⋅ Where do you live?
⋅ Occupation
⋅ Phone
⋅ Email
⋅ Describe your group of friends in three words
⋅ How long have you known each other?
⋅ Who are the members of your crew?
⋅ Describe your enemies:
⋅ Why are you enemies?
⋅ How long have you been feuding?
⋅ Have you ever had a confrontation?
⋅ Please include a photo of you and your friends.

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jellyn morvant jewelry lafayette louisiana

Secondline Jewels

written by JeLlyn Morvant
A reflection of a shared love for handmade, UPcycling, music and jewels.

Secondline is a representation of her southern roots,her second line of handmade
jewelry and the second life of broken drum cymbals.All growing from a gift her
husband made her with a piece from a broken drum cymbal. It seems he may
have inspired that niche she was searching for. I recall her journey clearly, she
would often get discouraged with faint spells of wanting to give up but like most
natural born creative types she could not stop creating. It’s just the nature of
creativity and inspiration. A special little life lesson, through love and
perseverance greatness can be attained.



In her own words taken from here and said so well.
“SECOND LINE JEWELS was born on the bayou of south Louisiana when a 
multi talented musician stepped into his wife’s world of jewelry design, and made her 
a necklace using one of his broken drum cymbals. This gift inspired a whole line of 
accessories combining the couple’s love of music and jewels. Second line is mostly 
created using chunks of upcycled brass drum cymbals along with other metals, including 
salvaged copper, sterling silver, and gold. Accents of precious/semi precious stones, 
vintage treasures, and random oddities are thrown in for an overall look that just rocks. 
Hard.”  
Roz’s father and hubby are both percussionist, an art she has been exposed to since
she was a little girl. She is thrilled to have found a place for these heavy metals in her
work. Her collection is evolving and developing one piece at a time into something
uniquely beautiful. An expression of her own rhythm, consisting of what used to beat to
a different drum.

To upcycle and reuse is a part of her families everyday life and this is clear before you even 
walk through the door of their gypsy fenced yard.  A stones throw from downtown Lafayette 
is where Roz lives with her young family and where she creates her jewels of interest.  
Beautifully selected natural stone, an assortment of vintage treasures along with with hand cut,
shaped, filed, sanded and drilled drum cymbals combine to make her one of kind collection of    Secondline Jewels.
What would be your ideal way to spend your day?
sleep in, yoga, healthy lunch , make jewels, dinner with the fam, hot bath in the claw foot, 
a little DIY tv, early bedtime
What is your favorite thing about being a maker?
I can create whatever I want for others to enjoy and keep my most favorite pieces for myself.. 
as advertisement , of course!
What inspires you?
Pictures are very inspirational… if I feel a connection to it I try to create my version of that 
image, whether it be a piece of jewelry or a style of clothing, so I can have it for myself. 
I also love mixing shiny and earthy elements together- it feels necessary to achieve a balance 
of the two. I love rocks and stones..  I am amazed at what beauty lies in our earth.

What has been your biggest challenge along your creative journey? And your greatest joy?
MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE has been to find the time to create! I have 3 children now:
one in high school, one just starting school, and an infant. I think the inconsistency of
creating has been the culprit in whats taken so long for me to finally find my ‘niche’ 
in this business. 
MY BIGGEST JOY is to look back and see how far I’ve evolved, style wise, at what I do. ..
and I’m so excited about everything I have yet to learn, as well!

What advice have you learned along your way that has made a big impression on you, that you 
hold dear?
a wise girl once told me:
‘ITS ALL BEEN DONE BEFORE.. THERE IS NO . NEW CONCEPT- 
JUST OUR OWN UNIQUE VERSION OF ART.’ Somehow that took this huge 
pressure off of me and reminded me that the wheel has already been created, 
I just have to create my interpretation of it to be able to ride! It helped me to stop 
constantly comparing my work to others’. I believe her advice applies to all modalities 
of art. I think it’s important to impress this concept on kids , especially, so they can grow 
up being less critical of themselves and more accepting of their own and others’ creations.
Where would you like to see yourself creatively in the next year or two?

In the very near future, like ASAP, my goal is to quit my day job and work at home. 

Raising my babies. Where a mother belongs. as long as I can remember, I’ve longed for 
a creative niche. I’ve explored many styles and modalities of crafting, trying to bring it all 
together in one line that I can market and earn a decent living from. To have my passion 
feed me mentally, spiritually, and physically is my idea of the American dream. But no matter 
what, I want my kids to see me practice what I love everyday so they know it’s an important 
thing to do.

What do you admire most about being a southern gal? If you could live anywhere else where 
would you go?

Being a southern gal is almost an indescribable feeling to me. It’s like being part of the 
coolest club ever! It gives me license to be charming and sweet yet hard core all at the 
same time. A tough cookie in a big grand vintage dress with cowboy boots on:) If I could 
live anywhere it would be right here except add clear watering holes( I can’t relax in muddy water)and more outdoor activities that don’t require a boat. Honestly, I think I was born 
in the south for a reason. The strong sense of family that we are raised with here is such 
a blessing- one that I want to give to my children. I love adventures, but I know where 
my heart lives.

…and she thinks she’s not that interesting!  I believe she is in fact.
A wife, mother of 3, massage therapist and a maker.  She doesn’t have much free time 
but for the most part thats how she likes it. She likes having things to do and like me 
she likes getting things done.  Maybe our strong bond has something to do with that or the
fact that her middle and my eldest are only a year apart while her hubby is one of my oldest, 
best’est’, closest friends ever. Also she introduced my hubby and I. Set us up even. For months preceding our meeting she would tell me “there is someone you need to meet I think he is your soulmate” and she would tell him the same thing.  Both of us had newly healing hearts from 
failed relationships and would respond the same way ‘please, I am not interested’.  Funny enough 
it only took one meeting and we both had instant crushes, a year later we were married and 
now 4 years later we are happy and thriving.  I guess I should add matchmaker as a word 
to describe her.




















<> Roz pictured here with her hubby <>

Rozalyn Galyean. An eclectic spirit who does things her own way. She is determined 
and overtly creative. A prime example of following your path steadfastly. No matter 
how rocky or bumpy, stay true to yourself and your passion with your eyes and heart 
open to the inspiration that surrounds you. Do not let the challenges discourage you. 
Let your dreams prevail. Keep creating!
You can visit her online at SecondlineJewels.com
She was mentioned before right here on SSS and she is 1/4 of boho mercantile.
WEBSITE // SHOP // BLOG
From one southern belle to another,
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boutiques new orleans shoes shopping skirts summer what i wore

What I Wore: Polka dots and peter pan collars

As much fun as it is helping other people get dressed, sometimes it’s equally fun having someone help me get dolled up. Meg, the feisty owner of Abeille NOLA, offered to put together this outfit for me from her store. All of the pieces come together to form a cohesive look that is decidedly “me”. Cuff bracelet? Yea, I own a few. High waisted skirt? I practically live in ’em. I’m already scheming up ways to break apart this baby and mix everything up with what I already own. 
Swing by Abeille and tell ’em Slow Southern Style sent ya. Also be sure to check out their boutique within a boutique- Shoeffle has set up it’s own soleful shop in the back room, offering up everything from practical sandals, comfy wedges, and sky high heels. 

All clothing and accessories c/o Abeille NOLA, patent leather wedges c/o Shoeffle

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meghan wright summer school vintage

Summer School: Vintage Tips

Text by Meghan Wright



Vintage is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s a great way to find unique or one of a kind pieces. Whether you’re scouring through the racks at your favorite thrift store, or browsing a cute boutique, here are some tips to help you better understand your vintage shopping experience.

Is it Vintage?
Pieces from the 1940s to the early 1990s are vintage. Anything older is antique, anything newer is contemporary
{editors note: I’ve always considered vintage to be 30 years old, thus placing 80s and 90s attire in the retro category.  However it seems everyone has a different opinion on what’s truly vintage these days.}

What decade is it?
With the way trends and styles come back, the best way to determine if an item is actually vintage is the construction of the garment. I’ve seen some amazing crochet dresses, that if it weren’t for the contemporary tag, would appear to be straight from the early ’70s. Once you’ve determined that a piece is vintage, the best way to know what decade is to simply study up on the styles of previous decades.

Here are some tips on determining true vintage and what decade:

  •  Clothing didn’t have washing instructions on the tags until the 1970s. This makes it particularly easy to discern whether an item is from the ’60s or ’70s, as certain styles were very similar in those decades. 
  • Clothing from the ’60s and earlier will often have a metal zipper. Most clothing is now made with plastic zippers, or nice metal zippers. Vintage metal zippers are rough and slightly thicker than modern zippers.
  • Earlier pieces will sometimes have buttons instead of zippers, but they’ll always have one of the two. Pullover dresses with elastic waists didn’t come about until the ’70s.
  • In the ’60s and earlier, tags weren’t as mass produced as they are today. The tag on the garment will typically be a rectangular shape, with only the brand name and sometimes a location.
  •  Let the different patterns and prints help you identify what decade the item is from. For example: Light florals, muted colors, polka dots, pin dots and checkered patterns were common in the ’40s and ’50s. Color blocking, bigger, brighter florals, paisley and geometric prints were common for the ’60s and ’70s. Neons, animal prints, geometric prints (again) were common in the 80′s. Darker florals, ditsy florals and plaid were common in the 90′s.
A tag from a 1950s era dress

Where to get it:
Thrift stores are always a great place to search for vintage, though you’ll mostly find pieces from the ’70s – ’90s. Consignment shops and vintage stores are an excellent place to find rare pieces in good to excellent condition. They are of course a bit pricier, but you’ll almost always find a treasure.

Keep up with local estate sales. Some of the most amazing pieces I’ve come across were from estate sales. You can also find great vintage jewelry at flea markets.

Then of course, there is online vintage shopping. eBay and Etsy are two great places for vintage. Two things to remember: Some retailers will label an item “vintage” when it actually a contemporary reproduction. Pay attention to the item’s photos and details. Secondly, vintage sizes are drastically different from modern sizes. You may be a size 6 now, but that size 16 dress from the 1950s might fit you perfectly. Measure yourself and pay close attention to the measurements listed in the item’s description. If there aren’t any, ask the seller to measure the garment for you. Never rely on the tag’s size.

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