Bon Vivant

  There are certain made-up holidays I can get behind, including but not limited to National Taco Day, National Cat Day, International Yoga Day and, most recently, World Kindness Day. The latter didn’t even come on my radar until yesterday,…

  Until a few days ago, our mask and hand sanitizer “station” was a one-gallon Ziplock bag hanging on a decorative clip near the door. We filled it as needed with the essential safety accouterments and, while a great visual…

  A few weeks ago, my husband and I moved from the Victorian-era apartment in Uptown, where we’ve lived in for nearly seven years, to a charming circa-1900s shotgun not far away. What we gave up in turn of the…

  As New Orleans tiptoes into phase three, there are both in person and virtual events going on in the coming days and weeks. Here’s what’s up: Makin’ Bakin: Daniel Robert, curator of the meat science programs at the Southern…

  Thanks for stopping by the Bon Vivant blog. I haven’t really gone fishing. But I am out for a long weekend and will be back next week with your regularly scheduled bloggery, so stop back Friday, Oct. 9. Meanwhile,…

  Due to several past Bon Vivant posts about tea, many of you don’t realize I’m actually a fiend for coffee. It’s possible that I signed something early in my journalism career legally binding me to never turn down 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…

  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…

  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,…

  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…

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…