In the know
Lauren Greene has a keen eye for smart fashion design. This St. Joseph’s Academy junior recently won the Jolie and Elizabeth Young Designer Competition. Greene’s dress prevailed over 150 other entries, and will now be produced and sold nationally under the New Orleans-based Jolie and Elizabeth label.”It’s definitely inspired me to keep creating and experimenting,” Greene says. “I like math, so I’ve always wanted to major in engineering or architecture. But maybe I could add a fashion minor. That would be an interesting combination!”
An adorned front door creates a welcoming ambiance for guests. This year, look for colorful, natural embellishments. The wreath pictured combines fresh magnolia leaves, pomegranate and juniper, and is artfully accented with red ribbon. Consult your favorite florist for a similar style. This wreath available at creeksidefarms.com.
Grab the whole family and head to the Renaissance Hotel Dec. 8 for an afternoon that will have everyone feeling like royalty. At the annual Gingerbread Tea, presented by Baton Rouge General Volunteer Auxiliary, children’s activities will include cookie decorating, story time, and photos with Santa Claus. Adults will enjoy a raffle, with chances to win a chartered fishing trip, a day of indulgence at Bumble Lane Spa, and more. The afternoon event begins at 1:30, with High Tea set for 1:45 p.m. Visit brgeneral.org/events to purchase tickets.
The Woodhouse Day Spa opens its doors this month at The High Grove, an upscale apartment community near the Mall of Louisiana. Co-owners Erin Warner and Deneb Warner (no relation) have operated a location in Slidell since 2007. “We were recognized as the number one day spa in Louisiana on the Travel Channel,” says Erin Warner. “We felt after five years of building a loyal following in Slidell, the time was right to open a second location and introduce Woodhouse to the Baton Rouge community.” Woodhouse will offer 40 different treatments in the areas of massage therapy, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable products.
Let me reintroduce you to the men’s leather jacket. It’s a great holiday gift that has been overlooked by retailers in recent years. This is no patched-together, multicolored monstrosity or silly shearling-laden coat that would be too hot even at the North Pole. The classic zip-up, waist-length smooth leather jacket is as cool today as it would have been on James Dean. Glance around: Leather is everywhere. The jacket looks right, on the town or at a game. And because better leather is thinner, you can wear it nine months of the year.
—For more men’s fashion advice, follow Matt Watson Clothing Knowledge on Facebook.
She’s the founder of Yoga Bliss, she’s a professional singer with a Christmas CD to her name, and she is opening a cold-press juicery this month. “I juggle a lot,” Kim Matsko admits. “But if something is worth doing, I just make it happen.” Look for The Big Squeezy juice bar in the Perkins Road overpass area. In the mood for some holiday tunes? Kim Matsko Christmas, a locally recorded album, includes collaborations with Baton Rouge and New Orleans musicians. Go to kimmatsko.com for more information.
Mission: To support young women statewide with resources that may not exist for them otherwise. Through educational outreach and community-based projects, the organization aims to build confidence in young women and to instill in them the importance of community service and the value of giving back.
Co-Founders: Sarah Dupree and Shelton Jones
Advisory Council: Paula Brooks, Mike Edmonson, Sonya Gordon, Ashley Hebert, Rickey Heroman, Bob Jacobs, Louis Minsky, Kim Nevils, Nanette Noland, ReRe Shaw, and Marc Whitfield
Address: 17732 Highland Road, Suite G, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: 302-0203
Website: cinderellaprojectla.org
Founded: Founded in 2008, The Cinderella Project’s roots run deep with volunteerism and extensive grassroots support. Started as a small-scale effort to assist students at one high school in Baton Rouge, the organization’s impact has grown to meet the needs of young women from across Louisiana.
Of note: To date, the organization’s chapters in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, Shreveport and Pointe Coupee have collected approximately 15,000 donated prom dresses and distributed 4,300 free dresses to students in 84 high schools in 18 parishes statewide.The Baton Rouge chapter also partners with LSU to host an annual Leadership Academy to prepare high school students around the state for college. As part of this college-prep program, the chapter has provided more than $25,000 in college scholarships to academy graduates.
