No power, minimal 3G and cell phone reception. Still raining a bit and quite windy. Some damage to our house, nothing that can’t be fixed.
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Categories
Month: August 2012
Last week I was asked to be a guest on It’s New Orleans, an online radio station with a slew of interesting programs. Every week they do a show called Happy Hour that highlights intriguing people in the city. I had a lot of fun talking about Marrero (ahh suburbia), Slow Southern Style, and my long standing love for fashion. I also played flute in front of an audience for the first time in about 9 years- that’s what I get for listing it as a hobby in my bio. I’ve already picked apart my 1.5 minute performance and noted every single flaw, but you be the judge. Listen to the show online by clicking here.
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Categories
Hurricane Isaac
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| Nash Roberts- a hurricane legend |
We’re hunkering down for Hurricane Isaac at Slow Southern Style headquarters- with extra toilet paper, kitty litter, and enough bottled water to last us for a while. Pandemonium ensues anytime there’s a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, and this time is no different. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I’ve learned that the only thing predictable about hurricanes is their unpredictable nature. I’ve rode out some bad storms, and I’ve evacuated for no good reason. You just never know.
As I’m writing this on Monday night, things might change by Tuesday morning. We could get a category 5, or we could get an extra breezy day off work. While everyone is working themselves into a tizzy, I’m reminding myself that my house didn’t flood for Katrina and my grandparents have a generator should I need the luxury of air conditioning. Whatever your decision, stay safe my friends.
{Edited to add: Looks like we are in for a category one. }
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| monogram necklace from Abeille NOLA p.s. Xty- short for Christy since my initials CLL are redundant |
This it it y’all. September is nearly upon us and the lazy days of summer have been hitting me hard. Maybe it’s the biblical amount of rain we’ve had, coupled with intense heat and humidity but I’ve been savoring my downtime. Weekends have been spent watching documentaries, hanging out with friends, and catching up on forgotten issues of National Geographic. September brings a road trip, a wedding, and preliminary plans for Halloween costumes. Yea, that’ll be here before you know it.
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| riding the midi skirt trend from last year |
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| my retired athlete- here’s an article i wrote about retired greyhounds on Uptown Messenger |
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| last days of summer- chambray and silk |
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| Winged rabbit cutouts from the Frenchman Art Market |
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| Hourglass Productions- purchase it online here |
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| Made & Made- custom handmade millinery |
I love strolling through a good art market, discovering little handmade treasures from local artists. But most of them are daytime outdoor events, which means slathering on sunscreen and sweating it out during the summertime. And since I’m working weekends now, my work schedule doesn’t always align, and the tables are packed up long before I’m punching the clock. Frenchman Art Market founder Kate Gaar is helping fill the need for an alternative time slot every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5:00pm-1:00am. The market is located in the midst of Frenchman Street, New Orleans’ venerable hot spot for good eats and live music when the sun goes down. Tucked into an empty lot across from D.B.A. and next to Spotted Cat, it’s easy to catch your favorite band, then stroll across the street with beer in hand to scope out another form of local talent-handmade crafts. There’s plenty of art, jewelry, re-purposed vintage clothing, housewares, even twinkling fleur-de-lis topiaries and a documentary film maker were out on my last visit.
John Dyer, a friend and co-organizer, explains how the Frenchman Art Market came to fruition.
“Basically this was a pop-up market that started during Jazz Fest weekends this year. Kate just has a passion for art and artists and has basically single handedly (excluding yours truly) put this together. We are seeking a very diverse group of art vendors. We don’t really want food/drink vendors and we definitely don’t (can’t have) musicians because it’s already on Frenchmen and there’s plenty of other places for that.
This is a venue strictly for diverse local artists and we want to gear it towards festivals/conventions that are in town. Meaning we want to have a strong base of artists that we can book according to what’s happening in the city that weekend. As of now we are leased through January and hoping we can sign longer. We have started a petition at the market and are trying to get as many locals to sign it in show of support to the city.”
Keep up with the Frenchman Street Art Market on their Facebook page. If you’re an artist interested in participating http://neworleans.craigslist.org/ats/3194148695.html
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While summer is supposedly winding down and the school year is upon us, we’ve still got two or three months of nasty hot weather ahead. I’ve been wearing a lot of neutrals these past weeks, perhaps in a subconscious effort to kick start fall. This is the time of year I start to loathe everything I own. Is it just me, or do you feel like you’ve been wearing the same warm weather staples since….scratch that, we didn’t get a winter this year.
This khaki skirt has seen me through the entire summer, and I’m sure I’ll continue to wear it with a sweater and tights when the temperature hopefully drops. It also makes an appearance on the Oxford American website via Parish Chic.
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| tee- three dots via Swap Boutique belt- Target skirt- Zara via Buffalo Exchange gold cap toe flats- Melissa via UAL leopard print bow- c/o Sproos Shop black and gold bracelet- c/o Abeille |
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Back when I was in high school, fancy nails were the trend du jour. Girls would get garish fake ones- always square across the top, preferably with a french manicure. My mom would never condone such a frivolous thing so I learned how to spackle my own. I was pretty damn good at it- I played flute for years so I maintained great dexterity and control of my fingers. My weekends were spent adhering minuscule decals and rhinestones onto my natural nails with toothpicks and tweezers. It was a fun way to express myself, especially since I went to an all girl Catholic school where uniforms hindered personal style. I’m not sure where that level of patience went. These days I’m lucky to find time to paint my paws, and when I do I usually manage to tarnish my handiwork with a smudge here and a chip there.
If you want to start your young artist off right, the Mid-City branch of the New Orleans Public Library is hosting a DIY nail art class for girls ages 11-17. Space is limited, so make sure you call in advance to reserve your spot.
DIY Teen Craft Ages 11-17
New Orleans Public Library
8700 Orleans Ave
Saturday, September 8th 1:00-2:00pm
Call (504)596-2654 for a reservation
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Growing up, I’ve never gave pause to the southern status of the desserts my family made. Everyone eats Bourbon balls and pecan pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas, right? When Southern Living offered to send me a copy of their latest book, Classic Southern Desserts, I hungrily agreed. I’m not much of a baker but this is a good excuse to take a crack at some of those favorites that bring back a flood of memories. On the shopping list? Buy an electric mixer, pronto. My brother is actually the real chef in the family, working at an organic bakery in Kentucky. At least I can bombard him with questions if Maw Maw doesn’t know the answer.
The book is chocked full of every dessert imaginable, from innumerable variations of bread pudding, cobblers, tarts, pies, and cookies. There’s a recipe to satisfy your deepest cravings, no matter the occasion. From classic sugar cookies for an after work treat, lemon tea bread for Sunday brunch, or a cherry bread pudding fit for a special dinner party. If you’re as inexperienced as I am, you’ll appreciate the detailed instructions and photos. In keeping with our tradition for rich storytelling, the anecdotes behind these time honored recipes will keep you entertained and amused. If you’re counting calories, consider this a good excuse to cheat. After all, everything is okay in moderation.
Southern Living Classic Southern Desserts (Oxmoor House, $21.95 paperback) is available for purchase via Amazon.
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Wear what makes you feel good, end of story.
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| vintage Haspel skirt and a favorite necklace |
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| chambray+neon+khaki |
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| silver cuff + sherbet orange linen scarf + embroidered tea length skirt |
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| not quite preppy in black and blue |
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| golden accents with a touch of neon pink |
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| Everlane- my new favorite t-shirt brand. |
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by JeLlyn Morvant
“Our eyes see beauty in simplicity and modesty and we highly value quality over quantity in every aspect of our lives. All our products share the common thread of craft.”
the summer uniform
‘Thread & Crescent is a New Orleans based lifestyle brand created by brother & sister, Donovan & Mitzi Guidry.’ Just a few clicks around their online boutique and their passion for quality and craftsmanship becomes evident. Mitzi’s favorite quote sums up her vision quite well:
“Because there is complexity in purity, Elegance in plainness, Intricacy in streamlining, Richness in reduction, Depth in minimalism, Surprise in uniformity, Innovation in re-use, Cool in the avoidance of cool, And there is true sophistication in simplicity” -MUJI brand philosophy
Mitzi currently resides in Los Angeles, where she’s stayed since studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She now co-owns and operates Los Angeles Leather Craft, a private label leather manufacturer “offering a complete product development service from raw material sourcing & sampling to production & quality management‘.” Having worked alongside skilled and experienced professionals before their previous employer closed its doors leaving all of them unemployed. Mitzi and her team put forth the effort to source their raw supplies from the USA, while keeping the manufacturing talent known to L.A. alive and well. Using this misfortune as an opportunity, the workers come together to create Los Angeles Leather Craft. Goodness happens with vision, heart, passion and bravery. This is Mitzi Guidry ya’ll, born and bred in Louisiana and half of the whole of Thread & Crescent.
you can find this picture and a full article on LAL here
What is your earliest memory of having an interest in fashion?
Growing up in a small town in South Louisiana, we didn’t have a lot of shopping options so my mom would commission an elderly woman in our neighborhood, Mrs. Costen, who was an amazing seamstress to make a lot of our special occasion outfits. Everything from my First Communion dress to my high school dance dresses were made by Mrs. Costen. My mom always let me choose fabrics and as I got older I actually designed these dresses and Mrs Costen would put them together. I was always fascinated by her sewing room tools and the whole process i.e. taking measurements, having fittings and then the idea materializes into something that you wear and feel special in.
Tell us a little something unexpected about yourself in one sentence.
My dream is to be an elementary school Home Ec teacher.
What inspired the idea for Thread & Crescent? When and how did it all begin?
Thread & Crescent has been a dream for my brother and I for maybe 10 years. We’re both obsessed with curation, design, art and home life. We’ve spent hundreds of hours talking about perfect rooms and perfect scenarios. Thread & Crescent is that perfect world where we get to package a lifestyle with finds and creations we love and are inspired to share.
What’s one of your favorite things to do and places to visit when you are back home in New Orleans?
I love music on the patio at Bacchanal in the Bywater. Its a great spot I like to take my west coast friends to and the food is remarkable!http://www.bacchanalwine.com/
How about sharing a little advice with our southern readers, maybe something beneficial you’ve learned along your way that has helped you get where you are today.
Building a network is probably one of the most important things I’ve learned. More than half of the work I get or products I sell come from a personal connection. In exchange I share my resources with friends and colleagues. Now with the internet the playing field is even and everyone has access to the same resources so that part has become easier. Using these tools to foster relationships is what takes effort but that’s where the real payoff can be.
Now available at threadandcrescent.com with The Summer Uniform and The Perfect Belt you can find the Bayou Bohemian indigo dyed hemp tent tank and dress, along with many beautiful items inspired by simplicity and travel being both elegant and comfortable.
A fellow Lafayette native, a friend, a maker. Mitzi and I were introduced many years ago by some of my oldest, closest childhood friends. Oddly enough our meeting was in sunny San Diego, no where near our roots. Since she and I shared a strong bond with the same very special folk, it only made sense that we too would share a friendship. We met when she was in town visiting mutual friends, who along with me lived there at the time, so our visits were always short but intimate and we always had our love of fashion in common. Each one of us is on our own path in the industry, not expecting that we would one day naturally collide. And here we are today.
Intricate, streamlined, rich, minimal, innovative, local…Thread & Crescent!
Thank you Mitzi!
From one southern belle to another,
JeLlyn @bayoubohemian.com
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