Due to the weirdness that is our year of the pandemic, the 146th Kentucky Derby did not run on the first Saturday in May. Rather, it is running tomorrow — the first Saturday in September. My husband and I are…
This week began with a long-anticipated announcement from Leblanc+Smith, the New Orleans restaurant and now hotel group, that its chic The Chloe on St. Charles Avenue is accepting bookings for October. The 14-room boutique hotel is housed in a…
Thanks for stopping by the Bon Vivant blog. I’m out for a long weekend, but will be back next week with your regularly scheduled bloggery, so stop back on Wednesday. Meanwhile, since you came here for something to read,…
Before moving to New Orleans, there was a period of four years in which we lived part time in Houston and part in Austin. If it was predicted that a hurricane would affect Houston, we’d plan to the condo…
As a rule, I’m a routines and rituals type of gal. However, I’ve discovered a certain capriciousness in my nature. For example, every few weeks, I get downright consumed with certain people, places and things for a bit. Then…
Cartier, Chopard and Tiffany are known the world over as creators of the finest fine jewelry, timepieces, gifts, accessories and, in the case of the latter, items for the home. On Aug. 20, pour yourself a cocktail and hop…
Among the various design and lifestyle topics often explored here on the Bon Vivant blog are entertaining and social etiquette. The pandemic has rendered the former irrelevant for the past few months, but with slightly loosened restrictions and friend…
It’s day 2,345 of New Orleans’ “Safer at Home” adventure and, well, I’ve gotten homesick. No, I don’t mean I’m pining away for the place of my birth, Kentucky, or — though I do of course miss them —…
Born into a family of landscape and floral designers, Kim Starr Wise comes by her love of flowers and nature naturally. For more than 20 years, she learned the ropes of floral design and event planning in New York…
If you’ve ever abstained from alcohol for longer than a few days to a week, you likely know how limited the choices are locally for non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits. After doing the Eat Fit Alcohol Free for 40…
Originally from New Orleans, Chad Graci has a background and education in both architecture and design, which gives him a well-rounded approach to his interiors. After graduating from LSU and studying at the New York School of Interior Design,…
Four weeks ago, my husband Mark was losing it. Which is understandable, given he’s an extrovert and we are 20 weeks and 139 days into this COVID-19 dumpster fire. (I’m an introvert — content to spend every single day,…
For five years, many New Orleanians knew Dr. Alisha Reed as Nola Bougie. Followers enjoyed engaging with the effervescent pharmacist living her best life and slinging self-care wisdom via her popular Instagram channel by the same name. In December…
Rejoice design lovers, as news and events abound this week in New Orleans. If you can’t find inspiration right now, here are a few things that will help get your creative juices flowing. Or at the very least, will…
Over the past few years, I’ve become one of those smoothie people. I make them with spinach and beets and pretty much any veggie you can stick in a blender and mask the potential weirdness with one or more…
Native New Orleanian Michael Gulotta practically grew up with a stainless-steel spoon in his hands. In 2014, he opened his renowned restaurant MOPHO, which perfectly blends a large portion of Asian cooking with just a dash of Louisiana flair.…
We lived in Texas for 12 years and to this day, I frequently crave a good Mexican Martini. For the uninitiated, it’s a margarita, but with the addition of olive juice and a lot more tequila. The extra tequila…
Last week, a coworker who serves as an alumna advisor to her college Greek organization asked me for a list of video conferencing etiquette points to share with members for recruitment. After pulling together the tips, I thought I’d share…
Penny Francis is the innovator and principal interior designer behind Eclectic Home. Working with her daughter Casi St. Julian, Francis designs both residential and commercial interiors, keeping the clients’ ideas and desires at the forefront of their concepts. In…
Most, if not all of us, are struggling in one way or another, as we work out how to live life during a pandemic. There are a lot of rules and guidelines, but no rulebook. Countless people are out…
Last year, I ran a half-marathon. Along with, “have you seen my pink tutu?” and “how many King Cakes do we need to buy for next week’s parades?” are all words I never thought I’d say or write, but…
Thank you for stopping by New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles’ “Bon Vivant” blog. Writer Melanie Warner Spencer is enjoying the Independence Day holiday and will return on Monday, July 6 with a new, freshly pressed post. Meanwhile, if you are staying inside…
For the past couple of decades, I’ve been refining my morning routine. When I was in my 20s, I kicked off each day by slamming a cold, sugary Coke within a few minutes of waking up (I’m not proud…
Since sometime in 2019, I’ve been living in the middle ages. Well, that is, literarily speaking. I’ve been reading every book I can get my hands on by Elizabeth Chadwick, foremost author of medieval tales, so thankfully I’m living…
With more than 20 years of culinary experience, Chef Phillip Lopez is now at the helm of one of New Orleans’ best known and most prestigious restaurants. As executive chef of Galatoire’s, as well as Galatoire’s “33” Bar &…
We could all use a vacation right about now. In fact, many of us had vacations scheduled, but had to COVID cancel or reschedule for much later in the year or for 2021. So, where does that leave you…
For years, I’ve been in search of the smoothest, most hydrating, gentle, chemical-free and yummy smelling lip balm. The closest I’ve gotten to my ideal are Whole Foods Organic Peppermint Lip Balm and Grove Collaborative Mint & Argan Lip…
Thank you for stopping by New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles’ “Bon Vivant” blog. Writer Melanie Warner Spencer is out on vacation this week and will return on June 22 with piping hot posts three times a week, as usual.…
Originally from India, Nomita Joshi-Gupta brought with her a worldly perspective when she moved to Louisiana to attend LSU’s architecture program. She now lives in New Orleans with her husband and teenagers, adding local flair to her global aesthetic,…
If you spend any time whatsoever on Instagram, you’ve noticed the collective obsession of platform users over charming houses. In fact, searching #charminghouses results in 11,693 posts from all over the globe — and boy are you in for…
For 20 years, Melanie Warner Spencer has covered news, lifestyle, design and entertainment at various publications, including as the design columnist at The Austin American-Statesman, a senior staff reporter at The Houston Chronicle and as the editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Houston Brides magazine. Her work also has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post and Reuters in the United States and across the globe. Melanie is also an award-winning fine art and editorial photographer. She has been honored by the Texas Press Association for her editorial photography, by the Press Club of New Orleans for writing and editing and by the International and Regional Magazine Association for writing, editing and photography. Melanie is currently serving as the President of Press Club of New Orleans. When not making magazines, Melanie enjoys cooking, trying out new restaurants and best happy hours and taking road trips. Click here to like Spencer's Facebook page and follow her on Instagram @MelanieWarnerSpencer.
