Tired of the heat? Ready to look at some cool fall fashions? Plan an afternoon of shopping on trendy Metairie Road, home to more boutiques than you can shake a credit card at. When all that buying wears you out, Metairie Road is also the place for restaurants, salons and other spots where you can seek rejuvenation and relaxation. And remember, it’s never too early to shop for Christmas.
In a Fashion
At Elizabeth’s (204 Metairie Rd.), the selection runs from casual to cocktail, and there are lots of good choices for special occasions. This fall, expect skinny-leg pants, a wide selection of dresses and luxurious fabrics. Match the right shoes, purses and jewelry and you’re ready to go.
Dresses have been popular for a while now, and at Em’s (246 Metairie Rd.) you’ll find a great selection of fall dresses in bright colors and in prints, adorned with sequins or metallic trim. High-waisted, wide-leg jeans are great sellers, as well as skinny jeans. Em’s also has shoes and lots of purses and wallets.
FeBe has two shops, each with its own flavor. At 115 Metairie Rd., look for casual lines like Splendid and Laundry. It’s a great place to find T-shirts and less formal dresses. The 474 Metairie Rd. store is filled with new fall transition pieces, such as cropped and swing coats, wrap jackets, and ‘60s dresses with beaded trim. And to finish the outfit, there is an array of shoes from which to choose. The store will host a Theory trunk show in September.
Hemline (605 Metairie Rd.) planned a store renovation in July and will celebrate its reopening in August with a cocktail party and longer hours. This is the spot for clothes that combine fashion and funk—something for college girls heading back
to school as well as those seeking a little more mature look. Fall tip:
Look for metallics, sequins and decorative stones.
August is the time to check out fall arrivals at Mira Bella (115 Metairie Rd.). The store, a “go-to” spot for shoes and handbags, is adding such new lines as Kors and Anne Klein and will feature metallics, patent leather, and gray, navy and taupe
shoes ranging from dressy to casual—plus lots of boots.
Palm Patch (800 Metairie Rd.) is synonymous with Lily Pulitzer, but the shop has added lots of new brands. New Orleans Saints lovers will go for the black shoes with gold fleur-de-lis. The store also carries Saints merchandise for kids to wear on those
black-and-gold days at school, as well as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed clothing and an expanded line of infantwear.
For Mom and Kids
Banbury Cross (100 Atherton Drive, corner of Metairie Road) will have plenty of back-to-school fashions in August, including traditional favorites such as smocked dresses, overalls, khaki pants and jeans, along with holiday attire, shoes and jewelry. If you want photos of your children dressed alike in holiday pajamas for cards, now is the time to get those jammies while sizes are plentiful.
Maternity clothes change with the times just as other clothes do, and at Bella Materna (2700 Metairie Rd.), you’ll find new sweaters, corduroy pants and skirts for fall. If your last pregnancy was several years ago, Bella Materna is the place to update your maternity wardrobe with the latest looks.
There’s also plenty to please the small fry at Little Miss Muffin (244 Metairie Rd.), which carries clothes for newborns to size 16 (girls) and size 12 (boys). You can pick up polo shirts, chino pants, corduroys and other classics for little boys to wear back to school. Girls will go for the velvet skirts, patchwork jackets, jeans and funky tops—and of course hair bows and scrunchies. While you’re shopping for the kids, peruse the store’s selection of decorative items for the home—buy something for yourself or as a gift.
Décor for the Home
If you crave a fireplace for winter but can’t burn wood where you live, check out Eco Green Fire (2031 Metairie Rd.), which sells an Australian innovation, a flue-less, ventless Eco Smart fireplace that burns denatured alcohol, a clean-burning fuel available at any hardware store. These fireplaces can go just about anywhere, and give out 13,000 BTUs. They’ve been used in bars and restaurants for years and are really catching on in homes—go by and see for yourself.
Linen Registry
Estella’s (701 Metairie Rd.) is known for its wide variety of merchandise. Fall home accessories and gift items are on display, including great candlesticks and lamps, new local art, fleur-de-lis guest towels, glassware, bar items and fun paper plates and napkins. Look for fall, Halloween and Christmas items, and beautiful children’s clothing up to 24 months.
New merchandise arrives frequently at La Jolie (701 Metairie Rd.), which features European antiques, mostly French. Painted pieces are popular right now and La Jolie has a great selection of buffets, chests and farmhouse tables. You’ll find picture frames, plantation bowls, oyster plates and huge cheese boards—all great for holiday gifts, and the shop offers interior decorating and custom drapes as well.
FeBe at 474 Metairie Rd.
The focus at Le Mieux Gallery (200 Metairie Rd.) is on custom picture framing but the store also has handmade crafts, many of which are made out of recycled materials, such as purses created out of recycled candy wrappers. Look for ceramics, blown glass, pottery, metalwork, wooden bowls, many by local artists, and jewelry by Thomas Mann and Margo Manning.
Elizabeth’s
At The Linen Registry (204 Metairie Rd.), bedding, sleepwear and linens are making the move from the bright whites of summer to softer ivories for fall and winter. One of the store’s favorite lines, House Inc., is introducing new linen bedding in August. You’ll also find soft, cool cotton nightgowns by Simple Pleasures and other famous designers.
Catch a Meal
Perennial favorite Royal Blend (204 Metairie Rd.) café and coffee shop serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week, Sundays until 2 p.m. The store bakes its own breakfast pastries (try the delicious morning buns!) and serves soups, salads and sandwiches. Royal Blend also offers wireless Internet access, so you can surf and sip at the same time.
Little Miss Muffin
Vega Tapas Cafe (2051 Metairie Rd.) is great for people who like to sample a little bit of a lot of different types of foods. The café serves small plates of more than 30 items, including seafood, grilled and cured meats, hot and cold specialty salads and vegetarian items. Check out the whole menu at www.vegatapascafe.com, where you can read about the summer “Tour of the Mediterranean” tasting menus.
And Don’t Forget!
Chef Glenn Hogh
of Vegas Tapas Café
Naturally, you want to look your best, too. Dr. Patricia Farris (701 Metairie Rd.) recommends her Natural Advantage line. The three-piece anti-aging system is retinol-based and improves aging and sun-damaged skin. (You can see Dr. Farris on television with actress Jane Seymour discussing the product.) Dr. Farris also features a new laser treatment, fractional resurfacing, that’s great for wrinkles and overall facial rejuvenation, as well as acne scars.
Relaxation is on the menu at Salon Tereska (613 Metairie Rd.), where patrons like the European atmosphere and family-like staff. The pros at Tereska are cutting lots of sexy-looking bobs or if you crave a longer look, you can get hair extensions. Colors for fall are warmer looking. Manicures, pedicures, waxing and make-up services are also available.
La Jolie
Finally, absolutely nothing perks a person up like a great new piece of jewelry. At Boudreaux’s Jewelers (613 Metairie Rd.), check out the pave diamond fleur-de-lis jewelry, just in time for the Saints season. Other bestsellers include diamond
stud earrings. Boudreaux’s craftsmen can reset your jewels in white gold or platinum, giving them an update. September brings a big sale, just in time for the
holiday giving.
