STYLE-ENCORE COMING TO BATON ROUGE!

 Expected to Open Mid-August but if they build up inventory...Possibly sooner!

Oh, you haven't heard of Style-Encore? Me Either! But when Plato's Closet told me some of my brands were not what they were looking for (translation: Not Forever 21), they told me about Style-Encore. It is the same concept as a Plato's Closet, but with more designer, retail, and well..."work-appropriate" wear. They are aiming for an opening on August 20th, but are currently buying inventory. The quicker the inventory grows, the sooner they could open! So pour a glass of wine, make a promise to be real honest with yourself, and go dig through that closet of yours. Your size 2 jeans from High school...Come on, sister. Sell those and treat yourself to a Coach Purse. Tell them I sent ya!

Go check out the website and facebook page. Get on the mailing list to keep up with the opening!

Get Organized, Baton Rouge.

Closet Craze is the All the Organizing...Well Craze!

Have you ever experimented with one of your Pinterest projects only to find yourself covered in paint, saw dust, or glue 2 hours later with a bigger mess than when you started with? And I'm not just talking about the "chic-chalkboard paint-no primer-BS" we have all pinned to our boards. I'm talking about the organizing stuff. You know... it's that "Organized/Cleaning" board that you keep telling yourself "Next weekend, I'm totally having a re-organizing of the house." Ladies (and some gents)... You're kidding yourself. And I'm only saying this as your friend. Even if you DO get around to it, it will not look like the nice picture on your Pinterest board. Now don't click off yet because I have now insulted your DIY-natural born skills. It's just some things are best left to the professionals. See the picture above? Probably have something similar sitting in one of those lovely Pinterest boards now, huh? What if I told you there is a local company right here in Baton Rouge to make your closet make Carrie Bradshaw's closet look like a swamp.

Meet Katie Holt and her business Closet Craze. 

"I created Closet Craze about a year ago to offer my organizing and designing services for those who really just don't have the time to get to their closets! I always had a niche for closets so one day I thought, "Why not let others know I can help and turn this into a little business?!" There is no job too messy or too small! I receive feedback of clients fearing I will judge their messy closets. NEVER!  Not only does the end result look great, it becomes more user friendly!

I offer free consultations where I speak with the client and see what they're looking for! I take inventory of supplies needed (which I go out and get) and determine time and cost.

As for designing, the same consultation process applies. I outsource a carpenter to build and I come in and finish with organizing! The customer will deal only with me and I will communicate with the builder behind the scenes.

I can also provide wardrobe consulting...but this is a fine line that really depends on the customer! You don't want to dig deep and overstep as I've realized everyone is unique and sensitive when it comes to their style:)

I think that's a wrap! A basic summary of what Closet Craze offers!"

-Katie Holt, Closet Craze

So we can't have the Matching Outfits Computer Software from Clueless, but who cares? Now Baton Rouge has Closet Craze!

Go check out more about Closet Craze here and go like the Facebook Page Here!

LIL JON TICKETS GIVEAWAY...OMG

BRGEAUX.COM AND XO NIGHTCLUB ARE GIVING AWAY TWO FREE TICKETS TO LIL JON AND XO GRAND OPENING!

TURN DOWN FOR WHAT? Want a chance to see Lil Jon? Want to check out Baton Rouge's Newest Hangout Spot? Want to do both in the same night...FOR FREE? Lucky you! We are giving away two free tickets to get in the door of XO Nightclub where Lil Jon will be WHAATT??!-ing and YEA-AHH!"-ing all over the place! All you have to do is visit BRGeaux.com's facebook page, Like, and then Share the Page. A winner will be picked and announced on Facebook Friday, July 25th at 10 p.m. FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT XO-BR.COM

Pho Pho Pho Friday

New Ritual: Pho Pho Pho Friday at Dream Berrie Cafe

My only problem with this place is they don't call themselves "We have the best Pho in Baton Rouge." Some people may pass this place up because it appears, at first glance, to be a yogurt shop (Hence the Name Dream Berrie). And it is. Good Frozen yogurt too. But my new addiction is the Pho Menu. Steamed Dumplings, Noodles, and Lamb. YUM! If you can't find me on Fridays, it's because I'm hiding out here, slurping my life away. Located on Sherwood, it's not far from anyone. Try it out, and tell them I sent ya! Check out the menu by clicking the picture above or here.

XO shows Baton Rouge What A Night Club Is.

Your eyes aren't deceiving you...This place is located right here in Baton Rouge

Dance Floor. Check.

Plenty of seating for more of your "chill" folks. Check. 

Outdoor patio bigger than most bars you went to this past weekend. Check.

Two bars so you won't lose your buzz waiting for your next drink. Check.

Friendly staff that isn't texting while you are waving your twenty fiercely. And check.

I know I have blogged about XO recently, but that should tell you how impressed I am with this new joint. I think this is exactly what Baton Rouge Nightlife needed. An actual Night Club. Whether you like to run out on the dance floor as soon as your song comes on, or you prefer to sip on your vodka-sodas with your friends in a swanky-er atmosphere, XO is your stop. Every room provides a different atmosphere. And HELLO! Real VIP Sections. Like legitimate, velvet-roped-off, no-unwanted-drunkies-stumbling-in, VIP sections. Don't believe it? Well come join me August 9th for the Grand Opening. Oh and while you are there, check out Lil' Jon (Yes the "WHAT?! OK! Lil Jon). He will be on the stage you see pictured above. Go to XO-BR.com to purchase your tickets in advance. But if you are reading this on August 9th at 8:30 am, no worries. Tickets will be sold at the door as well. Tell them I sent ya!  

Art Melt is an Event for All.

Dancing, Local Art, Baton Rouge Culture..It was all there

Children dancing, Local Artist mingling with the viewers, cocktails, and...wait for it...Food Trucks. This event made my heart melt. I got to GeauxOut, GeauxEat, and GeauxShop. It was great to see a big crowd, and an intrigued crowd. It is refreshing to see how many talented artists live right here in your own back yard. Did you miss it this year? Don't kick yourself in the butt yet. This is an every year event, so make sure to attend in 2015. It will be here before you know it. But let the pictures speak for themselves on how fun this event is for the whole family...after all, that's what art is about right?

Yvette Marie's Cafe... Baton Rouge's Best Unkept Secret

The Locals know about this place...But there are being way too hush hush about it.

Considering it is only open from 11:00am-2:00pm, that is probably why the locals are keeping down on this one. Today it is busy. And delicious. The two things you look for in looking for you new lunch spot. The staff was extremely friendly and patient considering how much they had to run around. And the food...Slap yo mama good. I got the Famous Chicken Salad sandwich with the tomato basil soup. Holly got the Spring Club with the sensation salad. We picked at each other's plates and could not decide who lucked up the best. If my lunch buddy had not advise me against, I would have ran off with the whole pitcher of the Sweet Mango Tea. It was worth going to jail for. And the plus to this place? It's located right inside Circa 1857. So if you save yourself some time, go do a little shopping at one of the adorable shops open around you. Check out more info and the menu here.

ALL GONE!

Art Melt this Saturday from 5-10 p.m.

Art Melt in Capitol Park Museum Saturday, July 19th 5-10p.m.

Call me a snob. Seriously...I don't mind. But I love ART. You know why I love Art?? Because there is no right and wrong in Art! Except for not buying local. Local Art is the BEST Art. Have your friends over for wine and cheese and watch them gaze over your art wall. They will immediately go straight to your local piece and go, "Savannah, darling, where did you get this piece. It's just GORG."

Ok, ok. I'm going off there, but local artists ARE also local businesses. Buying local art is just like supporting your favorite mom and pop restaurant here in BR. So show up. Walk around. And check out some of the very talented artists that live right here in your backyard. Private Viewing is Friday, July 18th at 7p.m. The event is Saturday Night July 19th from 5 p.m.-10p.m. See you there! 

For more information, go to www.artmelt.org. 

Baton Rouge BREW AT THE ZOO coming October 10th

This girl loves nothing more than a brew in the summer time. 

It's a couple months away, but I would go ahead and get your tickets now. My educated guess is they are going to last long. At $40 a drinker and $20 a designated driver, this event is full of food, entertainment and...wait for it...yes beer. What better way to wind down summer and get ready to kick off football season (see what I did there?) Go over to brzoobrew.org to see the extensive beer list including Abita, Rogue, Tin Roof, and Lazy Magnolia.

Fitness Crawl July 15-30

Fitness Crawl throughout some of Baton Rouge's Most Popular Gyms July 15-30

OpenBarre, Studio 7, Tread BR, GymFit, Geaux Crossfit, Yoglates II, Define and Reflection Yoga are participating in the Baton Rouge Fitness Crawl. Here's how it works. From now until the end of this month, these gyms and studios are offering NEW participants free classes. Of course, do your part...and make your donation ESPECIALLY since the donations go to BREC Foundation. To find out which class you would like to try go to www.brfitnesscrawl.com/ or to find out more about this like who started it, click on the video above. When you go try out one of these fitness classes, tell them I sent ya! #GeauxWorkOut

Lil Jon at XO Nightclub...WHAT?!?

Lil Jon is the DJ August 9th at XO Nightclub..Buy your tix at XO-BR.com

I went to XO nightclub this past Friday night and I have to say...Mucho Impressed. Baton Rouge has yet to see a nightclub but it has arrived. And with big names like Lil Jon, this is going to be one of my top five places to bar hop to on the weekends. Go get your tickets at XO-BR.com and when you go...tell them I sent ya!

Uber is Here to Take you There!

Unless you ENJOY the smell of late night taxi-rides home... you are about to be REAL excited! UBER is finally in Baton Rouge

I read up on this amazing concept a couple of months ago and thought, "BR needs this." Every time I call a cab, it either takes 2 hours to come get me or it just never comes. They sit outside bars Downtown BR, and when you offer them mula in exchange for their services, they shake their head no and say someone already "Called Ahead." In my opinion...bad business move buddy. You are going to be sitting there for the next 30 minutes making no income while that "call-ahead" is chatting it up with a girl inside who is probably going to end up taking him home anyway. In the meantime, you could have taken me home and been back already. ANYWHO...enough of my rant.

UBER is here to save the day! Here is what you do. Download the UBER app, scan your form of payment (picture below), answer a few questions and VOILA! Before you know it, you can either see where the nearest UBER car is or request a pickup at where-ever you are. You can also get an estimate of your fare, see how much it cost by the min/by the mile, drop a pin anywhere to see how much it might cost later that night (you know...when that girl at the bar actually ends up shooting you down). Don't act like you aren't impressed. Drinking and driving is stupid...So download the UBER app today, before the weekend gets here!

Need your advice!

         Haven't been but dying to go!

One of my fellow shopaholic, label junkie friends sent me an invite to like Swap Boutiques Facebook page. Ever since, my newsfeed has been filled with gorgeous, gently used, absolutely authentic designer apparel. I love this concept. One problem: I'm scared to go in here! I know me and I know I will have... Positively HAVE to buy something. So before I go blow my budget... What I want to know is have you been in? Were you impressed? Email me directly or comment below. Because I just must know!

Sullivan's Has a New Attitude

HELLO HAPPY HOUR!

Yes..Yes. I've been to Sullivan's before. And yes..It is about the most delicious menu in Baton Rouge. But I'm not here to talk about the food. No sir. I'm here to talk about this Ringside experience. I'm talking about a Martini's Slinging-Loud Cover Band Playing-Singing and Dancing-Making Friends with Strangers hell of a time. As many times as I had been to Sullivan's, I had never walk through...what I now call...The Good time Doors into Ringside. It has the best of both worlds. Class, great service from the servers and all with a laid-back "good ole time" feel. I may not feel that great the next morning, but I sure enjoyed myself the night before. Happy Hour on Thursday nights usually starts in the bar, but as soon as we all see that band warming up...We cross on over into Ringside. Come see me pretending like I can dance on Thursday nights. Order the Knockout Martini and tell them I sent ya! #GeauxEat and #GeauxOut

You Haven't Shopped Yet!

Until you have been to Circa 1857 located on Government Street. 

I was introduced to this place on their annual Hot Art, Cold Nights event and immediately fell in love. My Partner in Crime Holly and I stumbled upon this gorgeous Antique Mall while running errands today. She could not believe this piece of heaven existed, and she never knew about it. Equipped with local artist, gift shops, decor, and even an adorable cafe that STILL smelled delicious hours after closing the kitchen...We could not stop looking. Door after door, shop after shop, there was more than enough to explore. This gem also holds multiple events throughout the year to support local artist and sponsored by Mid City Merchants. Events such as "A Mid City Night's Dream", White Light Night, and my personal favorite... "Cold Nights, Hot Art". With locals, wine, refreshments, and the eccentric friendly shop/cafe owners...you will catch me at every event held here. #GeauxShop and tell them I sent ya!

This Olde Shoppe on Tiger Bend

You will Spend Hours..I promise you.

My friend Holly introduced me to this place a couple of months ago, and we never go in there unless we have time to spare. You may miss this gem, located on Tiger Bend, because it looks like most the homes lining that side of the road. But it is so much more. This antique/consignment shop is a journey has you walk from room to room with Gorgeous things to decorate your home with. From the letters (pictured above) which can be ordered to your custom or the beloved "green", no sanding-no priming  Ce Ce Caldwell chalkboard paint we all look for (Pictured Below, best for those pinterest projects).

They also carry my favorite Home fragrance line that is also pretty hard to find...Orleans Fragrance Co.

Stop on in and tell them I sent you. Check out their hours and more information here or go check out their facebook page here.