Categories
anthropologie local flavor new orleans

Anthropologie celebrates New Orleans in new store

The buzz word in the New Orleans retail scene for the past few months has been one word: Anthropologie.

  The retail space that housed Pottery Barn in The Shops at Canal Place has been replaced by something much, much more covetable and is opening this Friday. For those not in the know Anthropologie is owned by the same company as Urban Outfitters and is like Urban’s quirky older sister. Think romantic ruffles, dreamy prints and a more grown up yet whimsical aesthetic.

Rebecca Rebouche’s Mississippi River mural

Unlike other large, national companies that carry the same stock and decorating scheme Anthro has carefully selected several local designers’ merchandise to carry in the store and has employed local artists to bring a little southern sweetness to the space. The 9,000-square-foot retail clothing and housewares oasis will feature artist Rebecca Rebouché’s Mississippi River mural in addition to the local artist’s wares for purchase.

The designers list reads like a “who’s who” in the New Orleans’ handmade fashion and arts scene. Here are a few that you can expect to find:
Helene Florence

Nancy Rhett

Suzannah Murray

Katherine Dejarnette Babin

Kerry Fitts

Jill Dupré

Shelley Hesse

Ashley Longshore



I’ve also been invited to the grand opening and I can’t wait to cover the event for Go NOLA. So stay tuned for more exciting news!

Anthropologie 

333 Canal Street 
#127 Canal Place
504.592.9972 


Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm 
Sunday: 12 am – 6 pm



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Categories
contests local flavor news sales

Slow Southern News

  • Buffalo Exchange will have extended hours, 10am-8pm instead of 11am-7pm for Louisiana’s tax free weekend on August 6th and 7th.
  • Become a fan of Hemline on Facebook and receive a free pair of earrings! The offer is good at all of their locations. 
  • Rubenstein’s is offering 25% off their men’s linen suits in preparation of White Linen Night on August 7th. 
  • The New Orleans Saks 5th Avenue is having a 10th anniversary giveaway for 7 for all mankind denim. Receive an exclusive military belt with your $250 or more purchase Wednesday, August 11th through Sunday, August 15th. 
  • Confess Apparel  is having their “Medium Stakes Dress Up Contest” this week from Tuesday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 8th. Interested contestants should drop by the store and create an outfit from the shop’s merchandise. A photo will be posted on their website and a winner will be determined by onlline comments and the owner, Tiffani Sheriff. The winner will appear in a color ad in the Gambit. Also college students can receive a 30% discount from Friday, August 20th through Sunday, August 22nd. An additional15% student discount will be offered after those dates. 
  • Local designer label Jolie & Elizabeth just released their Fall 2010 collection online and will be available in stores August 15th. A preview of the collection can be seen here and right here on Slow Southern Style!
 

  •  I have to give a shout out to my girl Leslie of NOLA Eats and her new venture, Eatventul. This is a new socializing and networking event that centers around food. The first meet up will take place at Capdeville on Thursday, August 5th at 6pm. The $15 admission fee gets you food and a gift bag while they last. I’ll see y’all there!  
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Categories
jewelry local flavor men's

Museum Quality

The Historic New Orleans Collection is a “museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region”. 


They also happen to stock some very southern inspired jewelry and accessories in their shop.


Personally my favorite jewelry pays homage to nature and the things I adore. Leaves make for great bijoux and both these pieces from local artist India Stewart  are texturally interesting.

ELEPHANT PIN LRG SILVER Elephant ear leaf pin by India Stewart


BANANA LEAF FISHHOOK EARRING VERMEIL Banana Leaf earrings 
The leaves remind me of my Mignon Faget banana leaf earrings.

These handbags are literally wearable art. Reproductions of Edgar Degas and John James Audubon prints make for a unique accessory.


ART BAG- Audubon Reddish Egret LG               ART BAG SMALL AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 



The museum also stocks Pelican Coast neckware. The ties and bowties are made of 100% silk and 20% of the proceeds from their Coastal Collection is donated to the America’s Wetland Foundation. These funds help raise awareness of supporting and saving coastal Louisiana, which is more important than ever. 


MINT JULEP TIE RED Mint julep tie SHRIMP BOW TIE Pink Shrimp bow tie


All of these items are available for purchase online or better yet make the trip to the French Quarter and tour the museum and its historic buildings


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Categories
designers local flavor

a sucker for seersucker

Seersucker is the south’s favorite summer fabric due to its classic and practical nature. The puckered effect of the fabric provides a moisture wicking feature and the ability to store the iron away on the muggiest of days. Translated from hindi it means “milk and sugar”, an appropriate term for this sweet stripe.

 Local design team Sarah Dewey and Jolie Bensen of Jolie and Elizabeth is paying homage to their New Orleans roots with a brand new clothing like for Summer 2010. The line features seersucker dresses manufactured below the Mason Dixon Line that are as sweet as can be. Pieces are available via their website or at the Chartres, Magazine St, and Metairie Hemline boutiques.

 
For more seersucker and ways to wear it check out my gonola.com article on the same subject.
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Categories
local flavor

Have yourself a fashionable festival season



Those of us who live in Southeastern Louisiana know that spring means one thing- festival season. The months  between Mardi Gras and summer have so many celebrations packed in that the Gambit Weekly has started printing an annual guide! With festivals come special fest food, music and of course clothes. What you wear needs to be fun but more importantly functional. Sunny, humid conditions command lightweight, loose clothing, plenty of water and a ton of sunscreen.

The North Face Kayla wrap dress from REI keeps you fashion forward and comfortable. The  fabric offers UPF sun protection in addition to moisture and odor wicking properties.

The North Face Kayla Wrap Dress

The real reason French Quarter fest got started was to encourage locals to come back to the area after the World’s Fair made our streets inaccessible to locals in 1984. Celebrate what brought us this great fest with this tee from Ichabods, also available at Skip n’ Whistle.

Seersucker might as well be the official fabric for the southern summer. Living comes easy with the seersucker playa dress from J. Crew. Just try to keep those Ponchatoula strawberries in your mouth and off your fresh stripes.

Add a little tribal flair to your outfit without veering into hippie territory with these Misty Martin silver earrings from Sabai.

If you opt for shorts don’t just don last summer’s cutoffs. These cute pyramid stud and splattered jean shorts from Forever 21 are comfy like an old favorite but have a little extra oompf.

When the fairgrounds get mucky keep your pedicure in tact with these Hunter wellies, available in a variety of colors.

So which festivals are y’all looking forward to?

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Categories
costumes local flavor st patty's day

green it like you mean it

St. Patty’s day is fast approaching and there is no rest for revelers from Superbowl, Mardi Gras, and now the Irish Channel’s mega block party and parade.

Celebrate in style instead of relying on that same faded green tee you wear every year. The t-shirt gets a makeover from Repurposeful Punk

Green Beer Drinking ...Tank Dress My Lucky Irish Reconstructed Sweater Tank Dress

Keep hydrated with this sleek water bottle from Kor, available at Revolve Clothing.

The studs on these Frye flats give them a fun edge without being too punk.

Frye Emma Flats with Honeycomb Studs

It never hurts to have a “just in case” umbrella stashed in your bag. This one from Mod Cloth is suited for celebration.

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Categories
eco friendly local flavor shopping

Festival Fun

Whether you are still seeking that perfect Christmas gift or just a little pick me up for yourself don’t miss the Freret Market this Saturday, December 12th from 12:00-5:00pm.  The market started in 2007 as an effort to revitalize the once bustling Freret St. and is usually held the 1st Saturday of each month. However since the holiday season is upon us there are two markets in December and I attended the first one this past Saturday.  The market features lots of handcrafted items, live music, food and pet adoptions. It is a really fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, support local artists, and interact with your neighbors.

Let’s get to the goodies, shall we?

Mallory of Miss Malaprop was hawking her wares as well as other eco friendly artisans. I picked up this hilarious Frantic Meerkat magnet which is also available online.

I picked up this roll on perfume balm from Manor Hall Soap Company. It is small enough to throw in your bag so you can refresh throughout the day. I bought the cedarwood and blackberry with pink grapefruit. The perfume is made with all natural ingredients but the scent lasts longer than other non chemical perfumes that I’ve tried.
 Have you ever seen the list of chemical crap and carcinogens that goes into most fragrances? It is scary stuff that you are spraying on your skin.

Somehow, somewhere, I picked up a nasty, expensive little habit- fancy soap. I believe Mallory started my obsession when I purchased a locally made Sweet Olive Soapworks bar over the summer. Thanks a lot, Mallory. 😛
  I purchased this monster bar for only $8 from Bayou Soap Company and was told it will last three weeks. The smell is divine and those green basil bits made this soap maker the best at the market IMO.

My grand daddy of a purchase was this onyx and sterling silver ring. In case you didn’t notice the large snake tattoo in some of my pictures my affinity for snakes is undeniable. I collect all sorts of snake jewelry but it  has to be high quality otherwise you cross into tacky territory. I’m a sucker for an oversized ring so I couldn’t say no to this one! I purchased this from Golden Wagon, who usually vends at the French Market.

I stopped celebrating Christmas some time ago** but that doesn’t mean I can get away with leaving mom empty handed. This year I decided to go for an oyster theme and bought her a painted oyster shell ornament and an oyster spoon rest. Sadly I didn’t get the name of either of these vendors.

** I don’t advocate buying crap in a desperate attempt to appease friends, family, or coworkers during this “giving” time of year. You’ll never catch me running out to buy somebody a pack of socks because that is what they need. What kind of gift is that?
That said I fully get behind thoughtful tokens of appreciation and what better way to state “This made me think of you” with a handmade treasure.
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Categories
etsy local flavor saints

Black & Gold fever

As anyone with a pulse is aware the Saints are 11-0. Even though I don’t follow football I can’t help but feel proud of the hometown team when they are doing this damn good. I’m old enough to remember when people wore bags on their heads to games and they were called “The “Aints”.  Fortunately the turbulent times have changed as we now have Who Dat Nation and “Jesus loves the Saints” tees sprawled across every woman, man, and child’s chest in the form of a t-shirt. Join the love and grab an original t-shirt at any of these New Orleans stores:

Skip & Whistle
Buffalo Exchange (carries Ichabod’s)
Storyville
Dirty Coast
Ruby

If you’d rather whisper “Who Dat” instead of yelling there are a few really great handmade items for sale.

Give your updo some oomph with this black & gold flower hair pin from Flambeaux designs


1in Round Hand Stamped Saints Necklace with swarovski crystals--Who Dat with Fleur de Lis 
I love the simplicity of this crystal and aluminum necklace from metal4mommies.




Black and Gold Saints Mardi Bra


Really show your, er pride in this beaded bra from Miss Karina


When the Saints Go Marching In - Antique Whiskey Tag, Fleur De Lis New Orleans Saints Earrings


How ’bout them Saints? How ’bout these cool antique whiskey tags from NOOBOO?


 
Who Dat necklace by Heather Elizabeth Designs


Also Shoefty is celebrating sweet, sweet victory by offering 15% off everything December 1st.



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Categories
local flavor shopping show and tell

Show & Tell: More Turf than Surf

If your style is more West Coast than Gulf Coast a trip to N.O. Surf Shop is in order. I  am deathly afraid of drowning so you’ll never see me hanging ten* but the owner nicely told me “It’s about the lifestyle”.

This shop is so much more than surf and skate boards. There is a nice variety of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and a big selection of flip flops.  The owner is passionate about buying home grown threads, so much so that he plans on discontinuing anything “Made in China”.  I found his prices refreshingly reasonable without a big “boutique” markup. There are a slew of surf/skate brands as well as locally made jewelry.

For whatever reason the older I get the cuter surf brands get and I can’t help but love this Reef dress I just bought. I think the quality is great for the price and even though most are technically juniors they tend to flatter those of us *ahem* this side of 25.

As usual excuse the poor quality photos. That’s what happens when you photograph in poor lighting. Oh yes that is an ice chest in the background on my balcony. Keepin’ it classy.

So what seems like a simple, straightforward, above the knee dress…

….is actually a strappy little number from behind. Yes I have shoulders like a linebacker. A friend once told me I should be a body builder.
That bottom strap is a series of grommets and elasticized cord.
The dress lining is grey, which I love.
The heart detail is a little brass Reef logo. I’m not sure if I’m going to snip it off or keep it yet. I kind of think it is cute.

Who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually learn how to swim without holding my nose. My ex swim coach mother would be proud.
7722 Maple St. N.O. LA 70118 
11 to 5:30 Mon. – Sat. phone (504) 866-6030
*However I am a force to be reckoned with on water skis. Just don’t make me take the life preserver off. 
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Categories
french quarter local flavor

Decidely Downtown

I love Uptown New Orleans. I’ve lived in several neighborhoods and each have had a certain charm about them. However I’ve always held the French Quarter as the place to throw down be it enjoying a meal or imbibing in one too many cocktails. When I think downtown instead of the typical tourist trap bars like Pat O’ Brian’s I think of the gritty, seedy feel of Lower Decatur St. I spent many of late nights and early mornings in some of the best dive bars the city has to offer. There are a guaranteed cast of characters and I’d urge everyone to get off Bourbon St. and hang out where the locals go.

This post is dedicated to the unique style that only the French Quarter can call its own.

Rock&Republic has a reputation for rocker chic vibe and they never disappoint.

My favorite brand of jeans of all time is Citizens of Humanity. If you want  to look hot you have to feel hot and Citizens have a great cut that flatters every time. The black skinny Invaders with zipper detailing are about as bad ass as it gets.

I love the toughness of this McQ by Alexander McQueen topper.

This little Betsey Johnson clutch injects punchy color and a dash of girlie into any outfit.

Going out downtown requires appropriate footwear as the streets of the Vieux Carre can be hazardous (pot holes! cracked sidewalks! what sidewalk?), especially when one has indulged in a few too many. These Loeffler Randall heels are substantial enough to keep you upright.

Make sure you are staying out waaay past your bedtime with this pink and gold watch from La Mer.

All merchandise available from www.revolveclothing.com

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