Gambit's CUE June 2019

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

JUNE 2019

Summer ISSUE THE

Father’s Day gift guide

Understanding ‘eco-friendly’ sunscreen

Picking the right patio furniture

Tips for finding the perfect swimsuit fit

Clean Air Lawn Care’s solarpowered mission

Bywater Clothing

[ FROM THE EDITOR ]

Gift a NOLA Beaux Tie for your Dapper Dad this Father’s Day

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GAMBIT’S

PARTY GUIDE PLANNING

CONTENTS JUNE 2019

New Orleans Gifts Local Artists & Designers

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SHOPPING Gift ideas for Father’s Day

6

HOME A guide to picking the

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FASHION How to find the best

best patio furniture

fit in swimwear

P H OTO BY K A R L A P H OTO G R A P H Y

ICYMI …

What we can’t get enough of this month: drink floaties.

Last month, my friend ordered a bathing suit from an online company. When it arrived, included in the box was a miniature inflatable rainbow-haired unicorn. She blew it up, and it turned out to be a floaty sized to fit a drinking cup or a can. I found this hilarious — I’ve seen swan floaties and floaties shaped like slices of pizza that connect to form one

HELPI NG YO THE P U PLA N ERFEC T EVE NT 2017

10 BEAUTY

Is my sunscreen ‘eco-friendly?’

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CUE TIP

Clean Air Lawn Care provides solar-powered landscaping

ON

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CUE

2

ISSUE DATE

July 23 RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE BY

July 12

Call or email Sandy Stein 504.483.3150

sandys@gambitweekly.com

large, eight-slice pie, but this was the first time I’d seen one designed to keep my favorite refreshing, poolside beverage (water, of course …) afloat. While perusing the internet for more drink floaty designs, I discovered that there’s a whole world of flotation devices for libations, including this 3-foot-long rainbow floating bar from FUNBOY (www. funboy.com), with four cup holders and space for multiple beverage bottles and snacks — eliminating the need to exit the pool for refills.

Where has this been all my life?

Publisher JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER Editor KATHERINE M. JOHNSON Creative Services Director DORA SISON

ADVERTISING

Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150 Advertising Director SANDY STEIN BRONDUM

(504) 483-3150 [sandys@gambitweekly.com]

Sales Coordinator | MICHELE SLONSKI Sales Assistant | KAYLA FLETCHER Senior Sales Representatives JILL GIEGER

(504) 483-3131 [ jillg@gambitweekly.com] Sales Representatives

EDITORIAL Managing Editor KANDACE POWER GRAVES

BRANDIN DUBOS

Contributing Writers SARAH RAVITS, SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

(504) 483-3152 [brandind@gambitweekly.com] SAMANTHA FLEMING

PRODUCTION Pre-Press Coordinator JASON WHITTAKER

(504) 483-3141 [samanthaf@gambitweekly.com] ABBY SCORSONE

Graphic Designers

(504) 483-3145 [abigails@gambitweekly.com]

WINNFIELD JEANSONNE, MARIA BOUÉ, SHERIE DELACROIX-ALFARO

(504) 483-3143 [kellys@gambitweekly.com]

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Make Every Day a Pool Day

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6 01 B A RO NNE S T. 5 0 4. 35 4. 8 43 8

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[ FAT H E R ’ S D AY G I F T S ]

“Connection” collection tie bar in sterling silver, $100 at Mignon Faget (The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 504-524-2973; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-835-2244; 3801 Magazine St., 504-891-2005; www.mignonfaget.com).

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Upcycled indigo-dyed Oxford shirt by Kate Beck, $110 at Alquimie (938 Royal St., 206-579-5219; www.alquimiestudio.com).

day

Dad

FOR

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition-style Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, $53.99 at Martin Wine Cellar (714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie, 504-8967300; Village Shopping Center, 2895 Highway 190, Mandeville, 985951-8081; 3827 Baronne St., 504-899-7411; www.martinwine.com).

BY K ATHERINE M . JOHNS ON

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Fleur de lis edition linen guayabera shirt by Dat Mambo Shirt, $80 at Bywater Clothing (4432 Magazine St., 504-5026206; www.bywaterclothing.com).

Father’s Day is June 16 — thank Dad (or Grandpa or your parran) for all the love with one of these gift ideas from local retailers.

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Single-tap draft beverage dispenser by True, $3,899 at Nordic Kitchens & Baths (1818 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-2300; www. nordickitchens.com).

Dispenser also converts to a wine cabinet or cooler with included shelving system.

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[ HOME ]

Time to

PHOTO COURTESY SUNBRELL A

RECLINE

Sunbrella’s outdoor fabrics are water- and fade-resistant, and Benson’s Upholstery store owner Mark Benson even recommends using them for indoor furniture that’s exposed to intense sunlight.

The experts’ guide to choosing the right patio furniture

BY SUZ A NNE PFEFFERLE TA FUR

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SUMMER FUN IS SYNONYMOUS WITH BACKYARD BARBECUES AND POOL PARTIES, where guests recline on patio

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PHOTO COURTESY NOL A WOODWORKS

NOLA Woodworks makes customizable outdoor furniture from locally sourced wood.

chairs while sipping sangria, or huddle around picnic tables topped with blazing citronella candles and juicy watermelon.

Outdoor furniture plays a starring role in those seasonal festivities.

It not only can complement the design elements of your home, but also gives you and your guests a place to relax.

If you are in the market for outdoor furniture, opt for durable pieces that can withstand direct sunlight and those afternoon thunderstorms that seem to peak in July. And make sure the seat cushions and pillows are meant for outdoor use.

Need more guidance? No problem.

These local furniture and textile experts will steer you in the right direction.

NOLA Woodworks (504-782-8977; nolawoodworks.com) builds customized outdoor furniture pieces by using pressure-treated southern yellow pine from local lumberyards that is coated with long-lasting stains and protective finishes. The company’s offerings include picnic tables, porch swings and slantback chairs paired with ottomans.

A standard NOLA Woodworks picnic table ranges from $250 to $325, which may seem pricey compared to cheaper models sold at box stores.

“If you buy a $150 picnic table, you shouldn’t expect it to last more than a

few years,” says Jon Dijkhuizen, owner of NOLA Woodworks. He explains that less expensive tables often lack the appropriate finish and stainless-steel hardware that renders a sturdy frame.

“If you buy a picnic table from us, we’ll warranty it for 10 years,” he says. “It’s like everything else in life — you get what you pay for.”

Dijkhuizen emphasizes the importance of keeping wooden patio furniture clean.

“Wood is a natural product,” he says. “It always needs a little love and care. If you keep it clean, you’ll have it forever, but if you let it go, it’s not going to last.”

Dijkhuizen suggests wiping down wooden outdoor furniture with warm, soapy water or wood cleaning products, such as Pine-Sol. Products containing bleach or abrasive chemicals will cause the wood to deteriorate.

When not using patio furniture, bring the pieces inside or cover them, he says.

NOLA Woodworks plans to add cedar and cypress as material options for its furniture, but doesn’t plan to use wicker, because moisture can get trapped between the strings of wood, causing the furniture to mold and eventually rot.

Shaun Wilkerson, owner of Wilkerson Row (3023 Chartres St., 504-899-3311; www.shaunwilkerson.com), says wicker furniture also takes a beating from direct sunlight — but so do most types of wooden furniture.

“The sun is just highly damaging to any

[ HOME ]

Home Works

A SPECIAL REAL ESTATE SECTION PROMOTE YOUR PROPERTIES WITH COLOR ADS BEGINNING AT $150 CALL SANDY AT (504) 483-3150

PHOTO COURTESY NOL A WOODWORKS

NOLA Woodworks’ custom picnic tables may be pricier than some prefabricated store models, but the shop’s offerings include extended warranties and durable construction.

Photo: Cassagne Photography

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What’s inside the cushion cover counts, too. Even though Sunbrella’s and similar fabrics on the market are water-resistant, moisture tends to seep through the seams during heavy rains. Benson says it’s important to use an outdoor foam cushion that dries out quickly, rather than one that soaks up water like a sponge.

“You will be faced with mildew or a cushion that squashes when you sit on it, because it has retained water,” he says.

Cleaning outdoor cushions is a cinch, he says. Remove the stuffing and soak the fabric in soapy water or have the cushions refurbished by a professional cleaner. He recommends coating outdoor textiles with a stain-resistant water repellent.

Benson’s Upholstery custommakes cushions for outdoor furniture pieces and repairs them. The company can manufacture new covers using fabrics, thread and even zippers that are made for the outdoors.

Benson also likes Sunbrella fabrics for upholstering indoor furniture, especially in rooms that are heavily exposed to sunlight.

“It’s a such a durable product,” Benson says. “It won’t fade or deteriorate over time, and it survives rambunctious children as well.”

HOME WORKS

organic substance that’s outside,” he says.

Wilkerson, a carpenter and craftsman, prefers outdoor furniture made of teak, mahogany, cedar or cypress, topped with a waterproofing product or a stain.

“If you poured water all over oak and left it in the sun, as it dried, it would split over time,” he says. “The four woods I mentioned have the ability to spit out the water and maintain their integrity.”

Seat cushions and pillows add a splash of color to your patio furniture and make it more comfortable.

But the fabrics and stuffing must be intended for the outdoors.

Mark Benson, owner of Benson’s Upholstery (3044B Galleria Drive, Metairie, 504-831-5244; www. bensons-upholstery.com), opts for outdoor textiles made by the company Sunbrella, which produces fabrics that are fade- and water-resistant and easy to clean.

“They are the premier supplier in the industry,” Benson says. “[The fabrics] are made to be outside in the sun. Initially, you may be motivated to move them inside anytime a thunderstorm comes. But this being New Orleans, that’s a lot of activity. So, if they’re secured to the base of the furniture, there’s no reason to bring them inside on any occasion.”

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Eric Silva silver/antler fragment cuff

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itajime waffle silk layover bias-cut silk crinkle top

Underneath PERFECT FIT

AND AT THE BEACH Hanoi silk leggings

with

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SWIM FOR ALL SIZES

3054 N CAUSEWAY BLVD 504.644.2500 METAIRIE | COVINGTON | BATON ROUGE

[ FASHION ]

SUIT

PETITE

Yourself

For petite women, a high-cut leg is very flattering because it elongates the body.

“An all-over print also can elongate the torso, or an all-solid suit,” Jeanne says. “Don’t break at the waist if you’re trying to look longer and leaner.”

An expert guide to finding the right swimsuit

CURVY

B Y K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N ARE YOU READY FOR THE BEACH?

PHOTO COURTESY THE BRA GENIE

This trendy flounce top ($88 at The Bra Genie) perfectly camouflages any “trouble spots.” Paired with a high-waisted bottom ($54) with a high-cut leg, the eye is drawn upward, which elongates the body.

PHOTO COURTESY THE BRA GENIE

This monokini ($89 at The Bra Genie) showcases playful cutouts that give the illusion of a two-piece swimsuit. With adjustable straps and front knot and removable pads, this trendy one-piece is designed to fit curves perfectly.

TALL

If you’re going for a one-piece, a bra-sized suit is a must. A standard-sized suit is going to stretch to accommodate a long torso, leaving little fabric to cover the bust. A suit with actual cups will provide more shaping and lift than athletic-style swimwear.

Mary Catherine and Jeanne prefer separates for tall women, because they allow more customization with sizing. Mary Catherine likes tankinis, especially with adjustable sides; Jeanne finds bikini tops and high-waisted bottoms particularly flattering for long torsos.

Most important, they urge clients to find a suit that makes them feel comfortable and confident.

“We try to push the boundaries a little bit” by encouraging women to try silhouettes they may initially shy away from, Jeanne says, “but we don’t want someone to buy swimwear that they’re not comfortable in. … People see you in your swimwear more often than they see you in your underwear, so it’s important that it makes you feel beautiful.”

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“It’s tricky to measure this yourself,” Jeanne says, because the upper body is shifting to manipulate the measuring tape. “It’s better to have a friend do it — a ‘breast’ friend, or a Bra Genie fitter.”

Bottoms are much simpler — they usually match up with underwear size, but try those on too, if you can. The fit should be snug; Jeanne points out that once the suit gets wet, the material will stretch a little.

If you’re in between sizes for bottoms, go with the smaller option.

Another mistake women make when choosing swimwear is believing that more fabric means more coverage and an overall slimmer appearance. Jeanne and Mary Catherine often have clients who default to fuller silhouettes — such as tankinis and long skirts — to camouflage what they feel are problem spots.

“A one-piece can be much more slimming,” Jeanne says, “especially a Miracle Suit or Magic Suit with built-in body slimming around the tummy. … A tankini sometimes gives more bulk around the middle.

A bikini top with a high-waisted bottom is super flattering on a lot of body types, especially [on women who have] had babies or are trying to hide a menopause pooch.”

“In reality, they’d look much slimmer if they just wore a full coverage bottom, especially with a high leg — it draws the eye upward,” Mary Catherine says. If a client is sold on wearing a skirt, the women encourage them to try a mid-length straight skirt with adjustable sides.

“You can get coverage while still showing some skin, without that billowy extra fabric,” she says.

“Within (the categories of) petite, curvy or tall, there are still so many different shapes,” Mary Catherine says, but she and Jeanne offer a few general fitting tips for these body types.

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We don’t mean chiseled abs and a base tan — we’re talking about swimwear. Does last year’s swimsuit still fit? Did it ever fit?

Jeanne Emory, owner and buyer, and Mary Catherine Emory, marketing manager and assistant buyer at The Bra Genie (3054 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite C, Metairie, 504-644-2500; 6021 Pinnacle Parkway, Covington, 985-9518638; www.thebragenie.com), can help you find a perfect fit. Their No. 1 piece of advice? Buying a swimsuit without trying it on — either online or in-store — is a huge no-no.

“Even if you think you know your size, these manufacturers are all different, and even within the same manufacturer, some of their cuts and styles will differ in fit,” Jeanne says.

The women prefer separates over one-pieces for most clients, even though one-piece bathing suits are trendy this year. If your body type is truly average — your bust, waist and hips are mostly proportionate — you likely can wear a standard one-piece suit without any major fitting issues.

However, if you’re tall, petite or curvy, a traditionally sized swimsuit can result in extra fabric or not enough coverage in key places, like the waist and derriere, but especially the bust.

“The band really gives 90 percent of the support in a swimsuit top or bra,” Jeanne says. “If your top is off by one size, one size can mean 2 inches [of difference in band length].”

Not wearing the right cup size is the most common error encountered by Jeanne and the fitters at The Bra Genie. The shop carries mostly bra-sized swimwear (in more than 30 band lengths), which insures a nearly custom fit.

Fitters measure the circumference directly below, directly over (under the armpits) and across the bust to determine band and cup size.

“Don’t be afraid to show a little skin,” Jeanne says. For curvy women, the breasts are usually the widest part of the body. Make sure they’re contained and secure — when trying on a top, bend over, jump up and down and lift up your arms to make sure you have the most comfortable and confident fit.

Accent the waistline, which often is the narrowest part of the body.

Silhouettes like the monokini, a one-piece suit with front and back cutouts at the midriff, are very flattering on women with curves.

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BEFORE YOU APPLY

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ‘ECO-FRIENDLY’ SUNSCREEN B Y K AY L E E P O C H E

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YES, WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR SKIN FROM THE SUN. Yes, we want

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to protect marine life. But dermatologist Kate Zibilich Holcomb says we should be wary of shoveling out extra money for sunscreen that claims to be “eco-friendly.”

Last summer, Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens with the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate, which some studies have found contribute to coral reef bleaching.

The ban goes into effect in 2021. In the wake of these findings, many companies are now labeling their products as safe alternatives to conventional sunscreen.

And while some of these sunscreens are manufactured so as not to negatively impact coral reefs, Holcomb says terms like “eco-friendly” and “eco-safe” technically carry little — if any — scientific meaning.

“I think this … term … ‘eco-friendly sunscreen’ is basically an advertising ploy,’ ” Holcomb says. “There’s no governing body to tell you [what] is an eco-safe sunscreen.”

When combing through the shelves (or online reviews) of sunscreen options, Holcomb says consumers should breeze past the flashy labels boasting that the product is environmentally conscious and instead flip the bottle over to look at the ingredients. Check that the product contains the minerals zinc and titanium.

Holcomb recommends these mineral-based products — also called physical blockers — for daily use to patients concerned about the potential adverse side effects of sunscreen.

Because physical blockers are made from natural minerals instead of engineered chemicals, they allow the sun to reflect off the skin, whereas traditional chemical sunscreens rely on a chemical reaction with sunlight to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. Bypassing chemical-based sunscreen is a way to avoid chemical reactions both on the skin and in the water.

Some zinc-based sunscreens tend to be pricier than standard lotions.

That could be because its thick nature requires careful processing to get the lotion to the consistency where it blends into the skin while still protecting it.

“It does take some time [and] additional manufacturing to get the zinc into a formulation that really is both beautiful on many skin types … and also goes into the skin,” she says. “However, just because it says eco-friendly and it’s expensive doesn’t necessarily mean they’re even doing that process.”

In addition to keeping eyes peeled for zinc and titanium, Holcomb suggests buyers look at the number of active ingredients listed on the sunscreen bottle to ensure optimal sun protection, since some eco-friendly sunscreens contain only zinc.

“Those may very well protect from sun,” Holcomb says, “but it’s often when we have a combination of multiple products, that it seems to protect much better than having a single product.”

Her ideal matchup? A combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

While scanning the bottle, you’ll also want to ensure you’ve picked up one that’s fragrance free, due to both allergenic and environmental factors.

“There are some reactions that can happen [between] fragrance and sun that can irritate skin or cause a reaction … on skin,” Holcomb says.

“If we’re going to consider something that’s problematic to sea life or coral, fragrance would be included in that.”

[ CUE TIPS ]

[ADVERTISING PROMOTION]

GREENER GRASS

A lawn care company with an environmentally friendly ethos

BY SAR AH R AVITS

Naturally colored necklace and bracelet. Black and gold fresh water pearls with yellow gold accents; necklace, $360; bracelet, $300 at Fisher & Sons.

use of battery-powered equipment reduces air and noise pollution and eliminates hazards associated with storing and handling gasoline.

Lawn care services include weed control and fertilization using natural and organic materials. Lynn says strictly organic, nontoxic treatment products are hard to find, but the company has a patented blend of pet- and family-safe fertilizers that promote strong root growth.

Lynn opened the franchise because he felt drawn to the “simple, innovative concept of solar power, plus the obvious use of organic products as a way to live in sync with our environment,” he said, adding, “Lawn care is ... perpetual and an avenue to make a living if you deliver reliable service and results.”

The company primarily services residential and small commercial properties, where, Lynn says, “quality and attention to detail are most important — and where loud, gas-powered machines are unwelcome.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH BUSINESS, LOOK FOR THEIR AD IN THIS ISSUE OF CUE MAGAZINE. TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS FEATURED IN THE NEXT NEW + COOL, CALL SANDY STEIN AT (504) 483-3150.

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PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER LYNN

Local Clean Air Lawn Care franchise owner Christopher Lynn uses lawn care equipment powered by marine deep cycle batteries, eliminating both air and noise pollution.

Sunny Life Pool Ring, multiple colors and styles available, $20 at NickJ. 601 Baronne St., (504) 354-8438, NickJNewOrleans@gmail.com

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

CONVENTIONAL LANDSCAPING COMPANIES OFTEN USE HARSH CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES, but the local Clean Air Lawn Care franchise (504-571-5611; www. cleanairlawncareneworleans.com) is proving that you can go green when it comes to maintaining your outdoor space.

For individuals, families and pet owners concerned about the use of petrochemicals and who want to support sustainable businesses that work to limit environmental damage, Clean Air provides lawn and garden care using environmentally responsible methods. Its services include natural lawn care packages, customized services and free estimates.

Christopher Lynn, owner and manager of the local franchise, hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he grew up with an appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

After relocating to New Orleans (his wife is a native) by way of Houston, he established the local branch of the company (which is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado) in 2017. The company, founded in 2006 by Kelly Giard, has franchises around the country. Lynn’s operation has three employees, more than 80 accounts, two full-time crews and one parttime crew. They refer to themselves as “grassmasters.”

“All-electric, solar-powered lawn care didn’t exist [in New Orleans] on a commercial level until Clean Air Lawn Care arrived,” Lynn says. The company’s website says that it helps prevent more than 23,000 pounds of lawn care pollution because its equipment runs on solar power stored in batteries. Lynn says the company’s

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