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Photography by Michael Siu | Styling by Katie Dumestre | Producer: Carmen Orange | Hairstylists: Terilyn Young and Yvelisse Pierre from 1 on 1 Day Spa | Make-up Artist: Navis Hill | Assistant Stylist: Carley Townsend

By Katie Dumestre

Skincare is a hot topic in the beauty industry and we all strive to have perfect skin.  Flawless skin is what makes a person feel confident and beautiful.  Beauty has several different meanings depending on what part of the world you are coming from, but one thing seems to shine through; flawless skin.  Most of us use a face wash from the drug store and cleanse our faces twice a day, but there has to be other ways!  Oh and don’t get me started on waxing of the eyebrows!  Hot wax being ripped off my skin is making my eyes water just thinking about it!  Since women in Japan and India are known for their beautiful skin I thought I would take a look at what their skin care process entails.

Japanese women believe perfect skin defines beauty in their country.  They seem to age so gracefully that it just doesn’t seem fair.  To ward off wrinkles, they eat collagen-infused foods to keep their skin silky smooth.  They also wash their faces with quite an interesting ingredient; nightingale droppings.  This ancient ingredient is made into a powder which is then mixed into a soap and used as a face wash.  Facial scrubs using natural food products such as ground adzuki beans are also a common occurrence among Japanese women.  These beauty secrets have been passed down from generation to generation

Indian women go the natural route as well.  To give the skin a natural glow, women in India use Tumeric, a common ingredient found in Indian food.  Tumeric is usually mixed with honey and is used to exfoliate dead skin revealing a natural glow.  Indian women also have beautifully shaped eyebrows.  Instead of plucking or waxing their eyebrows they perform an ancient method of hair removal called threading.  This technique originated in parts of India and the Middle East using 100% cotton thread.  This technique I could try out for myself.  I set up an appointment at Earth Savers and gave it a try.  The result, perfectly shaped eyebrows with minimized pain.  That’s a success in my book!

Skincare is important to all of us and some of these rituals might be worth trying.  Well maybe everything except for the Nightingale poop, but the fact of the matter is who doesn’t want great skin?

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By Carley Townsend

The Zeitgeist Multi- Disciplinary Arts Center is not your typical theatre in New Orleans. It showcases both foreign films and independent documentary films. On a typical night at Zeitgeist you can find films being played from different places around the world as well as films from known and unknown artists. Although films are the most common type of art featured at Zeitgeist it is not the only type. On my visit to Zeitgeist, Dan Cameron was one of the guest speakers that particular night. He is founder of Prospect New Orleans, the largest biennial of international contemporary art in the U.S. In addition to guest speakers, Zeitgeist’s art ranges anywhere from Avant-garde music, poetry readings, visual art, and live music are just some of the art events found here.

Zeitgeist was created by founder Rene Broussard in 1986. After many location changes, it finally resided on 1986 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd in New Orleans. Upon graduating from the University of New Orleans, Rene opened Zeitgeist as an experimental theater troupe.  His vision was to bring alterative art to New Orleans and show films that would otherwise not have made it here. Zeitgeist is nonprofit, operating entirely off of volunteers. The money comes from ticket sales and its fair trade gift shop.

Some upcoming events this month at Zeitgeist include the French-Canadian comedy The Trotsky, playing July 30^th through August 11^th at 7:30p.m. During the opening weekend Jacob Tierney (writer/director/actor) and Emily Hamphire (actress) will be presenting the film, followed by a Q&A session. Also this month, on August 8^th at 8:00 p.m., Foold for Rowan, the next band bursting from Nashville’s indie rock scene, will be performing live.

Check out more about Zeitgeist and a list of upcoming event at their website www.zeitgeistinc.net. This is a wonderful way to add world-wide culture to your everyday life without having to leave the city!

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On assignment in South Africa during the first round of the 2010 World Cup, I was on the lookout for anything notable in South African street fashion. I traveled from one end of the country in Kruger National Park to Cape Town at the other end.  What I noticed was that their fashion was just like ours. It was their winter, and weather was much New Orleans winter—mild—most people wore dark colors, leather jackets, boots, etc. Even the South African version of the world’s largest women’s fashion magazine I picked up could have easily fit in on an American newsstand. However what was notable, was the World Cup Fever, and the fashions that the games and the respective participating (and non-participating) nation’s fans brought.

Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, and the fans are crazy for their teams. You could equate it to entire countries of Who Dat Nation status. It’s easy to get caught up in the crazy outfits of these fans, however, if you look past the surface humor of it all, you will find that there is something very special behind these “fantics”. There is a powerful sense of community created by these fans, and wearing a certain country’s colors automatically qualifies you to be included in that community. I experienced this when I wore a Honduras jersey to the Honduras v. Chile match (and again when I wore a Ghana jersey for the Ghana v. Germany match). Honduran fans were thanking me, Chilean fans were taunting me (all in good humor); I felt like I was a part of the secret club. Apparently you’re supposed to wear your own nation’s colors to all of the games, even if your team isn’t playing. At this game, I saw plenty of Chileans and Hondurans, even though the crowd was mostly South African fans, but I even saw a fan with the flag of Ukraine—who did not play in the Cup this year. All of the teams in the Cup were represented by their fans across the country from the safari trucks of Kruger to the Cape Town beaches. But, no matter how many different countries I saw represented, the most support was for the South African host team, Bafana Bafana.

Like most nations, South Africa has a very interesting history, complete with settlers from distant countries, war over control of  the land, and human rights struggles. One of the most interesting aspects of their history, is that South Africa did not become the nation it is today until the mid 1990’s. Their first democratic election in which people of all races voted for the first time, including the majority black South Africans was in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected. Their new constitution was adopted in 1996, and is one of, if not the most progressive constitutions in the world. Racial tensions are still present, as they probably will be forever, but I can’t help but think that it’s events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 1995 Rugby World Cup (the story of which is told in the film Invictus which is based on the book Playing the Enemy) that really unify people into a real community.

This was the first World Cup ever hosted by an African country.  The excitement was high, and the pressure was on.  Everywhere you looked, people were wearing yellow and green (the colors of Bafana Bafana). Everyone in South Africa cared about the soccer—even the part of the population who have never paid attention to the sport before. There are South Africans who probably couldn’t have named a South African soccer player before the Cup. For comparison, this would be equivalent to finding a mentionable fraction of the US who could not name any NFL or MLB players. I spoke to South Africans who were self-proclaimed rugby fans, who even said that they’d never been to a soccer game before. But these people also bought a Bafana Bafana shirt and tickets to the games. They said they were proud of Bafana Bafana, and called them “their team” despite the outcome of the tournament. I saw people walking in the street wearing the same shirt; people who just 20 years ago were kept apart by law, and who hated one another because of the differing colors of their skin.

During my stay in South Africa, I really discovered the power that fashion can have on our lives. I watched people come together to celebrate and console one another simply because of the color of their shirt. It’s often easy to forget that everything we do, say, and even wear sends a message to those around us. If you’re conscious of this fact, you have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on those around you without saying a word. And I, for one, plan to take advantage of that opportunity from now on, with everything I wear.

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By MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley

While sitting in the Green Goddess, a diminutive restaurant in the French Quarter, I became suddenly nostalgic for a New Orleans of the past; a time when locals tackled the summer months sans A.C. in buildings intended to withstand and alleviate, not clash against, our epic summers. Historically, the tropical climate here has dictated and inspired local architecture, striving to create a fluid relationship between the opposing forces of the outdoors and indoors, natural and artificial. The Green Goddess successfully embraces this spatial dichotomy and environmental tension. Housed on the pedestrian mall, 307 Exchange Alley in the French Quarter, the Green Goddess sits privately amongst a row of eclectic buildings, including a notary office, art gallery and apartments. The restaurant’s interior spills onto the sidewalk, providing three outdoor tables, shaded not only by umbrellas but also by trees and leafy potted plants. The verdurous sidewalk space, therefore, introduces the restaurant and serves as an unconventional entryway. Three arched doorways, each painted bright red, offer multiple methods of approaching the inside, either directly through one of the window-paned doors, or through the interior alleyway that flanks the restaurant, granting access from the side.

This porous façade absorbs you into the restaurant. Equally tropical in feel, the inside continues to blur the distinction between various functional areas, melding dining room, bar, and kitchen into one small, yet fluid space. Even the four interior tables seem to mimic this idea of blurred boundaries as their edges are quirkily undulating. Nearly blob-like in appearance, these tables were constructed by the restaurant’s chefs, Chris DeBarr and Paul Artigues, the masterminds behind the interior overhaul completed in May of 2009, when the Green Goddess opened. Chef Artigues mentioned that with their odd shapes, the structure of the tables cannot be judged as right or wrong in appearance; they are made to fit the small space and to aid in the flow of traffic. In addition to building the tables and an angled wooden banquet bench along one wall, DeBarr and Artigues also elongated a pre-existing counter, making an L shaped bar that is placed with Tetris precision. If seated at the bar, one can watch outside passers-by or turn around to peer at the cooks working hard in the kitchen, just on the other side of the array of bottles. Black and white checked floors, bright green walls, and a mesmerizing copper and green ceiling give the small space an added sense of whimsy. An assortment of trinkets such as basketball player bobble-heads, a stuffed hula dancer, old bottles and postcards of Hindu gods are neatly arranged in cubbies along the ceilings edge, elevated like shrines to haphazard detailing, bringing the space visually to life. The miscellaneous nature of the interior décor mirrors the menu, which is equally as eclectic and international.

Before leaving the restaurant, I asked Chef Artigues, who is the Green Goddess? With a slight smile he answered, “I don’t know. I think of her as a female Godzilla conquering the culinary world. But [Chef DeBarr] thinks of her as something different.” The Green Goddess’ atmosphere is ripe for this sort of individual experience and interpretation. The space simultaneously piques each sense, with colors, breezes, sumptuous smells from the kitchen and shouts and laughter from the cooks and customers alike. According to a plaque on the restaurant’s facade Edgar Degas, whose paintings created atmosphere and life through the use of color and brushstroke, was an original owner of the building. Today, however, it is Chef DeBarr and Chef Artigues who are the artists in residence.

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By Laura Keith

Giving your home a little culture can truly give that extra flair you were looking for. Just by adding a few accent pieces can transform a room into a scene from a far off country. Choosing your inspiration is very important. Many popular worldly styles include Mediterranean or Moroccan, Asian, Scandinavian, and French Country. Each fashion can be accentuated to your own personal style.  It’s all in the details.

The Mediterranean consists of French, Spanish, and Italian cultures.  Rich hues of blues and warm reds engulf this background. Ironwork and mosaic tiles are a good way to embrace this style. A great place to find these uniquely detailed pieces at a great price is Pier 1 Imports. Adding rich textiles in your pillows, throws, and curtains will add that final touch.

French Country takes a slightly different turn from the Mediterranean. They focus on the details however, a little less dramatic. Antiques in lighter toned wood paired with light blue shades will emphasize this chic style. Details in your furniture and textiles are important to make this style look complete. Antique stores and Perch on Magazine Street are great places to start.

If you are looking for a bold yet peaceful atmosphere, Asian accents can be very refreshing. Try to compliment your warm color tones with light bamboo pieces. Ornate tea sets on a coffee table and hand crafted wooden sculptures will bring out this culture. Pier 1 Imports is also a great place find these items along with Orient Expressed Imports on Magazine Street. A finely detailed rug will be sure to complete your look.

Decorating your home can be very enjoyable or very stressful. They key is find a style that is relatable to you and your home. Stick with that style and find elements to embrace it. This will be sure to give you a more pleasurable experience and positive outcome. Just remember to have fun with it and before you know it your home will feel welcoming and cultured.

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Photographer: Laura Merikay Hoffman
Model: Teri Wyble
MUA/Hair: Sherrie Dix
Wardrobe Stylist: Elsa Brodmann
Assistant Stylist: Katie Dumestre & Carley Townsend
Wardrobe and Accessories Provided by: Violet’s, Francesca’s Collections™ & Water Lounge Swimwear Boutique
Assistants: Edmund Kee & Jasmine Holzenthal
Boat Owners: Jeffrey Watkins & Buddy Lindsey

By Katie Dumestre

Tucked away in the heart of the Marigny, 2116 Chartres St. to be exact, lays an art gallery by the name of Fair Folks and a Goat.  Usually the first thing that comes to mind when I think of an art gallery is a large open room, a few benches here and there, and paintings on the naked, white walls.  After spending some time at the gallery and to my pleasant surprise, Fair Folks and a Goat is the complete opposite of that notion.  Fair Folks and a Goat’s founders, Anthony Mazzei and Aurora Stokowski, began their journey of sharing their vision with the world on the Upper East Side of New York City.  Located adjacent to The Guggenheim Museum, “the Carnegie Hill tea salon” shares similar characteristics with “the Faubourg Marigny shotgun.”  As far as the eye can see, everything in both galleries is for sale; from the fixtures, to every piece of art on the wall.

On a lazy summer afternoon I had the pleasure of chatting with the gallery’s Art Director, Theo Eliezer.  Before filling this old New Orleans structure with one-of-a kind art, jewelry, and fashion, the home served as a local bed and breakfast for tourists and locals alike to escape reality and experience a taste of New Orleans, while feeling like they never left home.  In keeping with that trend, Fair Folks and a Goat allows each and every patron to feel at home while experiencing the magnificent artwork local artists and designers have to offer.

When fully operational, six of the eight rooms will be accessible for the public to enjoy.  Currently, “the foyer gallery” “the parlor” and the “design studio” are complete for your viewing pleasure.  “The concept that we’re building for that room [the “design studio”] centers on a fictional narrative of a designer’s studio, and soon we’ll have mood boards and garment making tools to really flesh it out conceptually.”  Eliezer goes on to explain that, “no shortcuts” can be taken in renovating this space.  “The back bedroom is going to serve as a showcase room that’s fully curated with items for purchase, [a place] that people can also rent to stay in.  The concept is still in the works, but it’s being built around ideas of comfortable luxury, nostalgia, and a familiar dream-like quality.”

Eliezer then goes into explaining the plans for the back room.  “The back room is going to serve a few purposes. Visitors are going to be welcome to spend time there, as it will be a secondary parlor with more privacy for socializing, working, playing cards, etc, and we will eventually serve food in that room.” Everything you see has a story behind it and has been meticulously thought out from start to finish.  For the full renovation to be complete, the kitchen will be receiving a complete face lift to not only fit with the concept of the gallery, but to be fully functional.  Patrons will have the opportunity to quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger with Southern favorite cocktails such as Mint Juleps, and local delights from their ever changing menu.

Unlike the typical art gallery, Mazzei and Stokowski want each person that walks through their door to not only admire the beauty around them, but experience it.  They envision art enthusiasts to come and, “sit a spell;” for this gallery to become a part of them and their lives.

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By Carmen Orange

Do you ever wonder what’s in our every day beauty products?  I do! Lately I have been wondering if there are natural ways to get the same or even better results.  So many things are going “all natural” and “green”, beauty regiments being one of them.  So I thought maybe it would be fun and informative to research some natural ways to perfect our beauty. The recipes that I found are easy to follow and are made up of common household products.   I have tried a few of the recipes and I found it rewarding to mix up my own products and the fact that I did it in the comfort of my own home just made it even better.  I thought that I would focus on recipes that are for the face, body and hair.  I’ve included some of the homemade beauty recipes for you to try.  Use them regularly to achieve the best results! Enjoy!

For Your Face:

The Honey Mask

One of the best facial masks is honey.  Simply place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores.  Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.  Rinse off with warm water, and then use cold water to close the pores.  Use once a week to see the difference in your face.

The Lemon & Egg Facial Mask

Squeeze half a lemon and mix the juice with one beaten egg white. Leave on your face overnight, or for a quick pick-me-up, just 15 minutes. Rinse by splashing warm water on your face to remove the mask. The lemon works as a natural bleaching agent so this particular mask helps to remove blotches.

The Under Eye Treatment

To reduce the appearance of bags under your eyes, take Chamomile tea bags and steep them for a few minutes.  Remove them and squeeze out the excess water.  Place the tea bags under your eyes for approximately 10 minutes.  You should notice a decrease in the bags under your eyes.

Potato Rub

Try potatoes to get rid of wrinkles, whiteheads and blackheads.  Simply grate one potato then rub it on your entire face.  Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse.

Sugar Scrub

Pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar into the palm of your hand, rub hands together then gently scrub your face.  Be especially careful and gentle around the eye area.  Your face will feel amazingly soft.

For Your Body:

Brown sugar lemony body scrub recipe

In a large bowl mix together ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix until it resembles a paste. It should be applied on moist skin, the best time is after you take a shower. It will help the skin cells slough off faster. Use circular motions and massage gently using your fingertips. Rinse off with warm water.

Strawberries body scrub recipe

Mix together a handful of strawberries, add an essential oil of your choice, a bit of oatmeal, a bit of honey and use it as a scrub. There are no specific amounts, add oil until you get the pasty consistency. Strawberries act similar to honey; they disinfect the skin, smooth it out, and decrease the appearance of dilated pores.

Smoothing Skin Lotion

Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon lemon. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Milk as a homemade hand lotion

Warm 2 cups of milk and pour into a bowl. Add a teaspoonful of salt and stir. Soak hand in warm milk and salt solution. Keep massaging and rubbing around the knuckles and finger joints. Wash off after 10 – 15 minutes. This exfoliates and nourishes your hand.

Natural Homemade Body Deodorant

Melt 2 tablespoons of beeswax with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, stir it very thoroughly. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of lavender and rosemary essential oils. Pour into an empty deodorant stick container or any suitable mold and leave until set. Enjoy your natural homemade deodorant!

Relaxing Foot Massage Oil

Mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 25 drops of tea tree oil.  Carefully massage your feet heels, toes and nails. Then just relax!

For Your Hair:

Egg Conditioner

Beat the 1egg yolk until it’s frothy, add 1 teaspoon of baby oil then beat again. Add in 1cup of water. Massage into the scalp and throughout your hair. Let it set for 10 minutes then rinse.

Avocado & Coconut Milk Conditioner

Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk. Comb it through the hair and let sit for 10 -15 minutes then rinse out.

Mayonnaise Conditioner

Mayonnaise is a great conditioner for dry hair. Depending on the length of your hair, apply approximately 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to your dry hair. Work into hair really well and then cover your hair with a plastic bag, allowing it to set for about 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and then shampoo as usual.

Smooth Fruit Deep Conditioning Detangling Hair Mask
(Blender needed)
Blend ½ banana, ¼ avocado, ¼ cantaloupe, 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil, 1 tablespoon natural yogurt & 1 vitamin E capsule (optional). Apply to your hair and leave in for 15 minutes. For a deeper treatment cover hair with a plastic bag. Rinse out thoroughly with clean warm water.

Cucumber/Oil Hair Treatment

This mixture is great for those who swim in a pool often. Mix together 1 egg, 1 eggshell’s worth of olive oil and ¼ of a peeled cumber.  Spread evenly throughout your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse.

Super Body Hair Treatment Recipe

In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin, 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk & 1 tablespoon stale beer. Comb or brush into your hair. Cover your hair with a plaster shower cap or wrap with a sheet of plastic wrap. Cover with a thick terrycloth towel. Leave this hair treatment on for 30 minutes, then rinse in warm water. Shampoo your hair.

Take control of your beauty regimens, have fun and experiment with the natural recipes. Write us and let us know which recipes are your favorite!

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By Angie Hernandez

This month’s cover look has been inspired by the style of the open seas. It may be mid summer but it’s not too late to make waves by incorporating some nautical inspired pieces into your wardrobe. The style is reminiscent of the French fisherman’s iconic Breton stripped shirts and wide leg trousers. Traditional nautical wear consist of a simple pallet of colors; crisp whites, bright reds, navy blues with gold accents.

However, the idea isn’t to look like a French sailor but to mix and match pieces to bring out your own personal style. Here are some key pieces to look for and where you can buy them.

Breton shirts are one of the main staples for this look and usually have either black or navy blue stripes. When choosing a stripped shirt, be careful and take note of the size of the stripes the thinner the stripe the better. Thick stripes can tend to make one look wider than they appear to be. Don’t limit the striped pattern to shirts only, try the pattern on dresses or skirts as well. Francesca’s Collections™ has a great selection of nautical inspired tops and dresses

Next try to invest in some good quality white linen pants. You can find some at victoriasecret.com. You can also stick to dark wash skinny jeans or navy blue pants. If you go for a skinny pant, balance it out with a white or navy blazer.

To complete the look, add some gold jewelry in playful shapes like an anchor, helm, lifesaver, or a tiny sailboat. Try to add red in small but meaningful quantities like a handbag, belt, or cardigan. Bright red lips can also add an instant pop of color.

Whether your planning a picnic on the lake or getting ready to sail the high seas be on the look out for these timeless pieces.

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