Beverly is the owner of Planet Kids Academy, a preschool for children ages 1 to 5. As we talked, her passion for children was evident, as was her philosophical approach to beauty, life and parenting.

MD:        As an educator, I know you always want to convey professionalism and set an example. How is your style influenced by what you do?

BMc:        I would describe my style as classic but comfortable. The classic look of a starched white shirt with something as simple as a pair of jeans is always appropriate to me. Of course, I always walk around with a fish hook in my mouth.

MD:        A fish hook?

BMc:        That sounds so funny doesn’t it? I was a local model for some time. You are taught to hold your head up as if a fish hook were pulling you. It just sort of stuck with me, and I do that every day as a practice. It keeps my head up and my shoulders back!

MD:        If you say that, then you must have had a slouchy phase.

BMc:        I did at one point. I think we all do. When I  was in high school, I dressed sort of punk, with short hair, piercings and really baggy clothes. What can I say? It was the ’80s. I didn’t really pay attention to what I wore until after my kids were born because I went through another slouchy phase having babies back to back. I think I was trying not to accent my body, but hide it.

Riller and Font dress, $332; crystal bead necklace, $138; long gold beads, $302; gold chain bracelet, $655; all from Izabella’s Villa. Blue oval topaz ring, $435, Champagne Jewelers. Chinese Laundry shoes, $89, Fleurt. Copyright 2012, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:        At what point did you just “get it” about dressing better?

BMc:        I have to say my mother-in-law deserves a lot of the credit. She showed me how to put things together, and she is an inspiration. Also, I saw friends and the way they dressed. I just started paying more attention.

MD:        Has being 6-feet tall ever hindered your style or made it hard to find clothes? I would imagine you have never had to hem a pair of pants!

BMc:        You’re right. And if something does fall a little short, then it looks like a cropped pant, which is fine with me. Actually, I had a harder time finding a man tall enough for me! Luckily, he is 6-foot-4, so I can still wear high heels.

IN Fashion with Beverly McQuaid. Blouse, $194, and shorts, $198, from Izabella’s Villa. Crystal bead necklace, $138; long gold beads, $302; all from Izabella’s Villa. Pearls, $1,150, with Swarovski enhancer, $175, Champagne Jewelers. Jeweled handbag, $129, Three Divas and a Sugar Daddy. BCBG shoes, $89, Shoefflé. Copyright 2012, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:        Beverly, no one can say you don’t look amazing now. I know you work out very hard.

BMc:        I do, and I credit my gym for helping to reshape my body. I do circuit training three times a week, and I try to run 3 to 4 miles at least twice a week. I do love to exercise—it is sort of my time to myself.

MD:        Earlier, we talked about taking time for yourself and how that influences your life.

BMc:        I am firm believer in finding balance. I am always trying to balance my family, my business and myself. I truly believe that comes out of taking care of yourself first. It is almost counterintuitive to think that, but it is so true. I feel I cannot be better at all the things I do if I have not fueled myself and taken care of me.

Stephanie Cerise left Louisiana for the bright lights of Los Angeles to train with hair and makeup professionals. “Producers would call for help with hair and makeup on the set,” says Stephanie. “I was fortunate to work with people like Minnie Driver, Swoozie Kurtz and Steven Webber.” After five years in LA, she followed her heart—and the movie crews—back home to Louisiana, working on local movie sets until her daughter was born.

Stephanie Cerise. Photo by Thomas B. Growden

A year ago, Stephanie’s family moved to Mandeville, where she joined Kent Jacob Salon as a stylist. When asked if she had tips for a great carnival ball or Valentine dinner look, Stephanie had plenty to share. On hair, she stressed that natural colors are in, and one color in a box doesn’t create the dimensional look offered by the blending of three or four shades in the salon.
“I use lots of neutrals on the eyes for everyday, punching up color on the outside corner of the eye for evening, perhaps a touch of glitter for a formal occasion,” Stephanie says. “For lips and cheeks, go soft and subtle, using neutrals. False lashes are definitely in; individual lashes are soft and natural, but a strip gives you a big evening look.”

Stephanie is the hair and makeup stylist for Inside Northside’s IN Fashion series. She says, “I love working on IN Fashion. It feels like the old days of lights, camera, action.”

If this scenario sounds familiar to you, we hope the following fitness trends will pique your interest and give you motivation to move. But remember—if you want to work out and get fit, you have to get up and go!

Train Together
Group personal training is becoming more popular not only because it’s more economical for the clients, but also because it provides peer support, says Mark Bascle, fitness director of Franco’s Athletic Club in Mandeville. “It builds relationships and encourages people to keep working out by providing group accountability,” he says. Franco’s offers a variety of group classes, including senior fitness programs and dance workouts, as well as their popular Lose Dat weight-loss program.

Up The Power
If you’re looking for an in-house cardiovascular workout that’s easier than running and that burns more calories than a workout on an exercise bike, the elliptical—the fastest-growing category in exercise equipment—is the answer. “Younger people are getting exposure [to ellipticals] in health clubs, and that’s what they want,” says Jennifer Duebler of Fitness Expo in Mandeville. Precor, the inventor of the elliptical, now offers a more affordable, cost-efficient machine without sacrificing the quality. For those who have trouble standing, seated ellipticals are also available.

Mix It Up
A specific type of workout that is becoming popular is high-intensity interval training. People are going back to basics, doing more pushups and pullups and other short-duration exercises, says Erica Alexander-Leeling, fitness director of Stone Creek Club & Spa in Covington. One example of HIIT is Tabata intervals—eight sets of the same exercise for 20 seconds at 100 percent, then a 10-second rest. “It’s a great workout; it burns calories and helps you lose weight,” Erica adds.

Don’t Resist Resistance
For those looking to gain strength through resistance training, the Pilates Plus/SPX Fitness experience offers anaerobic resistance training without going catabolic. “It’s a great full-body workout—the newest thing in resistance training,” says Lee Credeur, co-owner of Pilates Plus in Covington. The combination of Pilates, strength training and cardio elements helps strengthen, tighten and tone the body. “It’s a hard workout for anybody, no matter what shape you’re in,” Lee adds.

Shake It Off
Popular West Coast dance exercise methods using a ballet bar have recently debuted on the northshore. These workouts combine interval training, dance conditioning and isometrics to increase strength and flexibility. Without impacting the joints, the ballet bar exercise works each muscle of the body to exhaustion and then stretches it out, toning the body instead of building a lot of bulk, and creating a long, lean look. “I think the reason it’s a trendy workout is because it works,” says Jennifer Thomas, owner of Pure Barre in Mandeville. “I was a cheerleader with the Saints, and I’ve never seen results so quickly!”

Full Service—24/7
If time management is your problem, visit Gym 24/7, located behind Associated Physicians Group in Madisonville. It’s open any time of day or night, so there’s no excuse! The 3,000-square-foot fitness center offers Zumba classes, cardio equipment, weight machines and equipment that is unique to the healthcare industry. During business hours, members can ask a doctor any health or nutrition questions. “It’s a warmer, intimate setting because it’s smaller,” says Dr. Nicky Nicaud. “It’s a workout facility that allows people to get healthy and not be intimidated.”

Outfitting Candice in sparkle, elegance and architectural details, we subjected her to the bright lights of the camera and were amazed by what came through the lens. She is a beauty—a natural, easy, beauty who doesn’t take herself and all the glam too seriously. As a new mom to 5-month-old Hailey, Candice is in amazing shape, and the camera loved her. Need we say more?

Candice Vaughn. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    Candice, this photo shoot was amazing. You were gorgeous. How did you feel doing that shoot?
CV:    It was fun, though I was nervous in the beginning. I don’t really dress like that often, so I was not sure of how it all looked. But, I got more comfortable at the end.

MD:    What were your favorite pieces?
CV:    I love the sparkle dress. It was really something. I felt comfortable in the jeans look though—that is more my personality.

MD:    Do you think you have a strong personal style?
CV:    I think my style is evolving. I can tell I focus on different things since I have been married and have had a baby. I probably dressed a little more close to the body before, but now I am getting more comfortable with myself and wanting things that are a bit more classic.

MD:    Tell me where you grew up. Do you think that has had an influence on your style?
CV:    My father was a Navy man, so I spent half my life in San Diego, and then Tampa. When I was 13, he was transferred to Louisiana and we moved to Mandeville. I think I have always been the kind of girl who is really comfortable in a pair of chino shorts and a nice t-shirt. I like to be comfortable.

Candice enjoys the picture-perfect fall day near the aluminum Spirit Gates by artist John T. Scott. Kensie pants, $144; Samuel Dong jacket, $159, and blouse, $99; all from Columbia Street Mercantile. Kenneth Cole Reaction Know Entry shoes, $79, Shoefflé. Earrings, $75, and ring, $90; both from DeLuca’s Expressions in Gold. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    How has being a mom changed the way you dress or changed what you wear?
CV:    I definitely dress in clothes that can move with me. I need to be able to pick her up and bend over to pick up toys several times a day, so I don’t want to feel constricted in my clothes. I still like to look very put together, but I have a real need for fit and comfort right now.

MD:    What about trends? Do you follow the current trends or do you find them hard to navigate?
CV:    I don’t branch out much. I like the trends, but I am a very frugal shopper. If I buy something, I really need to know I am going to get a lot out of it. I tend to use the trends as just a guide for accessories, but like I said, I really am interested in keeping it simple so I can get the most use out of an outfit.

MD:    You said to me that as a banker you want to look professional and put together. Do you wear things at work that you don’t wear otherwise?
CV:    I wear a lot of pants to work, but when I am going out anywhere, I really am a dress girl. I like my legs and I feel best in a skirt.

MD:    Well, we all commented on your legs during the shoot. Fabulous! What do you do to stay in shape?
CV:    Actually, I do less now than I did before the baby because I have less time. But, I was very careful when I was pregnant and ate very well. I play tennis now and do what I can when I have time. I think it is genetic.

Candice takes in the extensive African collection on NOMA’s third floor. Boyod sparkle dress, $295, The Mix. Alexis Bittar earrings, $225, and cuff, $395; Jimmy Choo shoes, $785; all from Saks Fifth Avenue. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    I love the story of how you met Hunt, your husband. Tell me a little more about that.
CV:    When [my family] moved to Mandeville, Hunt and I went to the same high school, and we were very good friends. We were friends all the way through LSU, and I even dated his roommate. After college, he told me about a position in Resource Bank, where he worked, and I applied. After working there a while, we started dating. Soon after that, we were married. But, it is so great. We have known each other so long, and we were very good friends first.

MD:    What do you think he will say about the pictures when he sees the magazine?
CV:    I showed him some that you sent me. I thought he would just laugh. He said I was a sexy mommy.

MD:    Much has changed in your life since you finished college. How satisfied are you with your current style?
CV:    I feel really comfortable in my own skin now. I always try to look put together. I don’t really plan my outfits or spend a lot of time thinking about my wardrobe, but I think it is so important to always look your best. I try to do that everyday.

She is a beautiful, uber-organized, incredibly polished woman with a subtle grace about her. Being an attorney and married to chef John Besh would be a busy life on its own, but tackling the schedule of her entire family requires something more than just organization. It requires laser-precise details. She not only wrangles her brood of four growing boys (Brendan, 15; Jack, 10; Luke, 8; Andrew, 7), but often slips into an alternate, more glamorous life as wife of a busy popular chef. If you add to that the fact that Jenifer is never underdressed, or even remotely near that, then you are left with the same word I came up with—WOW!

MD:    Well, my first question is the one that everyone looking at these pictures will want to ask. You are the mom of four boys. Just how do you look so good?

JB:    I have to say, I do like my exercise. I enjoy running and spinning. But honestly, I have always been really thin, and since my pregnancies I have sort of filled out, if you will. So, really, this is me just filled out a bit.

Wool pencil skirt, $530; poplin blouse, $480; and tweed cardigan, $580; all Brunello Cucinelli from Saks Fifth Avenue. Pave shrug earrings, $5,600, and black Tahitian pearls, $5,045; De Boscq Jewelry. Ebel Beluga diamond bezel watch, $5,250; Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    Okay, back to the gym for me! But seriously, you dress your body very well. I have never seen you in ill-fitting clothes or in something that did not suit you.

JB:    I am a firm believer in fit. I cannot say enough about taking the time to find the perfect fit for your body. I have come to realize that you have try on many different things, even if it is 30 pairs of jeans, to get the right look.

MD:    I completely agree with that. What did it take for you to “get” that concept?

JB:    After my first child, I was just wearing whatever was comfortable and easy, because I was a new mom. But, after I got back into shape, I started to want to do more and look better. I really put the effort into looking my best and what flattered my figure.

MD:    Everyone has a style personality. What is yours?

JB:    I prefer a very classic look with a twist. I like to add just enough edge to my look to take it from boring to chic.

MB:    Do you remember describing an outfit to me once as “sexy secretary.” Is that what you mean?

JB:    I do remember that.

MD: Thank you, by the way. I use that phrase all the time.

JB:    That’s funny! But, you get what I mean. A little classic, with a little something that pops. That is what I go for.

MD:    What are you most comfortable in?

JB:    I really am a dress girl. I love my skirts and my dresses. Again, it goes back to what fits my shape. I know that I look best in a skirt and that is what I live in. I do have jeans though, and I wear them often, but I make sure that the fit is right for me.

MD:    How has your style changed?

JB:    I don’t know that it has changed, per se. But I have gotten better at choosing my looks. I did wear more of a uniform when I was practicing law, because I always wanted to be appropriate for my clients and to be taken seriously. Now, I dress with a little more emphasis on the fun—but always fit, fit, fit.

Vince black ponte knit riding pants, $235; Saks Fifth Avenue. Silk cami, $59, and Due per Due jacket, $144; The Villa. Black tote, $64; Suzanne’s Gift Boutique. Pave diamond cross, $11,432; diamond ring, $8,000; and tennis bracelet, $8,000; all De Boscq Jewelry. Double white gold hoops with two Tahitian pearls, $2,375; Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers. Indigo boots, $129; Shoefflé. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    What about your fashion regrets? What would you do over if you could?

JB:    I regret wearing those large, flowing maternity dresses. When I was pregnant it was not cool to show off your body. I would have liked to have had today’s [pregnant] look back then. And, I regret not taking the time to find the right things for me, which I cannot emphasize enough.

MD:    You said to me that you feel as though you have two fashion lives. What do you mean by that?

JB:    Well, I have the life of a mom, which requires one set of clothes and effort. Then, I have the other—what I call glamorous—side of my life, where I travel with John and we are whisked away to high-end places. I need another wardrobe for that. Thinking of both parts of my life and making pieces work for both requires a lot of organizing on my part.

MD:    There is no way you can live the life you do without being organized. How do you make it all come together?

JB:    I plan everything. You cannot find me in the grocery store and tell me something and have me remember it. I live by the calendar. All of our schedules are written down and in front of me. I focus on one day at a time, and I plan for each day. If I have more than two things in a day, I know I can call my parents, or John’s parents, or my sisters. They say it takes a village, and I believe that.

MD: Are you organized in the kitchen as well, or do you get help from John with that?

JB:    What John does for me is really set me up for the week; he does big things all at once. So, if he cooks several chickens, or cooks steaks, then I know I have that protein for however many days during the week. I prep my vegetables and have my meals pretty much planned for the week.

MD:    Describe your life in a few words.

JB:    Busy mom of four boys.

MD:    You seem to handle the pressure very well. Is your life overwhelming at times?

JB:    My life is a blessing. When things aggravate me, I try and let that go, because I have my family around me, and I always remember that. In the end, that is what matters, and I just try to take it all in stride.

Without a doubt, northshore wives think their husbands are HOT—for many, many reasons! Most of all, they expressed their love for and their deep appreciation of their guys.

This year, we received more than twice as many submissions as in 2010. Many thanks to all of the wives who entrusted their unique love letters to us. It was a privilege for us to read them. We are able to share here only edited selections from representative responses—but we hope that each original letter found its way to the intended recipient as a Valentine.

Left to right: Larry Decuers, Danny Boudreaux, Kenneth Newton Sr., Byron Beck, Joe Vigil, Jeff Watkins, Mark Pilie, Jason Finley, Damon Duke, Anthony Delpidio and Matthew Lee. Shot on location at Champagne Beverage Company. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

Larry Decuers
Submitted by Beth Decuers

I met Larry when he was serving in the army over 15 years ago, and even after many years of marriage, he is more and more loving each and every day. He can make me laugh non-stop at any given moment. He has the uncanny ability to know exactly when to pick up the phone and call me if I am having a tough day at work.

One of the very hottest things about my husband is the passion with which he approaches his unique career. Larry is the Collections Curator for the National World War II Museum and his vast knowledge and passion for the history, the artifacts, the weapons and the stories of the Veterans who served is truly inspiring.

I am so proud of him for turning his hobby of WWII history and military re-enacting into a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity for himself. But more importantly, I am extremely proud of his role in helping to preserve for future generations the important military history of those who served from the greatest generation before us to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

We recently lost our beloved pet named Kramer, a 13-year-old Weimaraner, and it was Larry that got me through those toughest days with countless funny memories we shared. He is a writer, painter, actor, marksman and adventurer. He is extraordinarily handsome but his internal qualities are far more impressive and enduring. To me, he is a loving husband, inspiration and best friend.

Byron Beck
Submitted by Regina Beck

Not only is Byron the hottest husband on the northshore, he is truly the BEST father and friend any child or friend could ask for.

Over the 24 years we have been married, I have seen Byron go above and beyond for his children and his friends. He has a love for our three kids that is so amazing, and he has instilled such a sense of respect and truthfulness in his children that sometimes is hard to believe. Byron has taught his children the value of hard work and honesty, while still being a friend to his kids. I have never seen a father be able to be the disciplinarian as well as a fun dad to hang out with, but he is all of that and more to his kids.

One of the sweetest gifts my husband gave our children really wasn’t a gift at all, but a life lesson they will never forget. When we were in New Orleans after Katrina, he was so touched by all of the homeless families that were living under the bridges that he helped organize an act of kindness through Wal-Mart, where he works as a Market Manager. Byron brought our daughters with him to give out tents, food and warm clothing to all those families that were devastated by the storm.

So when someone asks me how to describe my husband, I simply say he’s an angel living here among us. I thank God every
day that he blessed me with Byron Beck—my lover, my friend and the father to our three children. He is truly the love of my life and the hottest man on the northshore.

Anthony Delpidio
Submitted by Christie Delpidio

Talented, faithful, intelligent and honest are just a few adjectives that describe my “hottie husband.” Anthony is one of the hardest-working men you will meet. He refuses to fail in anything he does, and thus far, personally and professionally, he has been a total success. Everything he does is for me and our girls.

Anthony and I are high school sweethearts. After dating for 10 years, we were married in 1998 and have been enjoying our life together ever since. After 22 years, each day is still an adventure. He is a dedicated father to our two beautiful daughters, Maiya, 10, and Isabella, 4. There is nothing he would not do for his “ladies.”

I have yet to find something that he cannot do. Within 18 months, our family home was flooded and rebuilt, we had a baby, sold our home, left Anthony’s job, moved to Tangipahoa Parish and purchased The Cocoa Bean Bakery and Cafe in Hammond. It was a very stressful time for me, but he maintained a can-do attitude through it all and made it happen with no major issues.

I am very lucky to have Anthony as my life partner. As far as we are concerned, he already holds the title of “Hottest Husband” in our house. I hope that he knows how very much he is loved and appreciated, and I can only pray that we will have a long and happy life together. I am proud to say that I am Mrs. Anthony Delpidio.

Joe Vigil
Submitted by Nikki Vigil

I will never forget the day I realized how special Joe was. We had just started dating, and Joe was working a college job at a facility for mentally disabled adults. One day he took me up to meet “his guys.” The care he showed for those men was like nothing I had ever seen. His actions spoke 1,000 words about the kind of person he is. In that moment, I knew he was the one.

Fast forward 15 years and we now have a severely disabled child of our own. Although our life is more hectic and busy than many people can imagine, Joe will always take time to talk to someone who needs him, whether it’s a friend, acquaintance or person on the street. Joe has always been that “best friend” that everyone needs. Consequently, he chose psychology as his profession. The way he can spend all day at work listening to other people’s problems when he has so much to deal with in his own life is amazing. He never complains.

Just because Joe is always there for others does not mean he’s not there for his family, too. He never misses a gymnastics class, a soccer game or a birthday party that our kids are invited to, even if he is the only father in the room at the princess tea party. He makes sure that our older daughter never misses out on any experience that will enrich her life, regardless of her disability. This confidence and caring are what makes me love him…oh, and he’s pretty hot, too!

Kenneth Newton Sr.
Submitted by Mary Newton

I count myself as a very blessed woman to have been married to a wonderful husband and terrific father for nearly 22 years.

Thirty years ago, we meet in high school. As the story goes (according to his account), it was love at first sight. Years later, after landing his dream job with NASA, we began the next phase of our life together in marriage.

Ken has spent many years coaching little league soccer, football and basketball for our three terrific children—Kenneth, 18, Kameron, 15, and Kaleb, 10. He is the ultimate encourager and consummate father with a never-give-up attitude. He attends every game and, of course, is one of the loudest cheerleaders and sideline coaches! After moving to Mandeville, Ken quickly involved himself in the MHS band program, and together we headed the concession stand for many years.

Ken’s job requires him to travel often, but ever since the kids were very young, he made a point to call them every night to pray before they went to sleep. (Oh yeah…he’s an ordained minister, too!) My only prayer is that our sons will see their father’s genuine love for them, his work ethic and his faith in God and desire to be like him!

Throughout our marriage, we have come through many challenges: a miscarriage, the loss of his mother and the recent death of his father. I was recently diagnosed with health issues; at times when I become discouraged, Ken reassures me to remain positive and continues to pray over me nightly. He remains a source of strength, dependability and compassion. He is one of the “good ones”! I consider him to be the most multifaceted, intelligent, sensitive, loyal and loving man I’ve ever known. Now that’s hot!

Mark Pilie
Submitted by Catherine Pilie

My husband, Mark, remains the most unique, sexy and truly exciting man I have ever known. We have been married 16 years.
As a husband, what more can I say; he is my best friend. We laugh, we cry, we parent, we fight, we love, we are who we are, nothing more. We have been through some great times and some very difficult ones. Mark has a true sense of family and togetherness. And he will always seize an opportunity to make me happy.

As a father, he has always stressed the importance of literature, books and music to our children, Noel and Claudia. He still knows how to be a kid. Mark is a huge Rolling Stones fan—“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” was a favorite bath time song in our house.
One of the most appealing things about him is his “go for it” attitude. After Hurricane Katrina, I was completely rattled and vowed I would not let life pass me by. I approached Mark and said, “Let’s go to Paris in July to see the Rolling Stones.” He sat silent for a moment and then said, “LET’S DO IT!”

After Katrina, Mark took a position with the Shaw Group, which enabled him to oversee the majority of the debris removal in St. Tammany Parish. His compassion for the people of Louisiana devastated by the storm made him determined to do his part to make sure people could return home, rebuild, open their businesses and return to school.

What makes Mark so sexy is that he fits into any situation and is always himself. Watching him gazing out at Paris at midnight on top of the Eiffel Tower, to navigating a boat through a misty swamp, I am marveled by all of the things this man can be. Mark is as raw as he is refined, which by any standard is completely sexy.

Damon Duke
Submitted by Nikki Duke

I suppose that every little girl grows up forming and perfecting her idea of what her future husband will be like. I know I did. What I didn’t know, however, is that the hypothetical “Prince Charming” would pale in comparison to the man that I would ultimately be blessed to marry. Not only is he physically handsome with his perfect smile and crystal blue eyes, he is the kindest, most patient and caring person I have ever been privileged to know.

Damon is very laid back. We have been married more than seven years, and I have never heard him raise his voice out of anger. I think that’s pretty hot! He is clever and oh-so-smart and can defeat just about anyone in a good game of trivia.

For work, Damon makes television commercials, and I’m always so proud when I see a cool new commercial that he’s made on TV! Not only is he smart and talented with computers and cameras, Damon is also a drummer. He is one of the original members of the local cover band Bottoms Up, and he loves it! He’s pretty hot playing those drums, by the way!

Most importantly, Damon is respectful, kind, courteous, honest, reliable, funny, charming and just downright likeable. Ask anyone who knows him. He’s one of those “good guys” that people fear aren’t around anymore. His presence makes everyone around him feel immediately comfortable. He is a fantastic husband and a great friend, uncle, son and father to our sweet cats that he spoils rotten! He is truly an amazing man. I thank God every day for being able to share my life with him.

Jeff Watkins
Submitted by Heather Watkins

On a daily basis, my husband is the best father, husband and friend I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. After my first husband passed away in a tragic car accident, Jeff showed me the friendship, understanding and support that I needed.

Almost a decade later, we married, and I was a part of an instant family, including his two sons, Evan and Lane. Since then, we have welcomed Jack and Emory, Jeff’s first baby girl, into our family. To watch Jeff focus his entire being on his family is amazing. It brings tears to my eyes every night when I watch and listen to him snuggling with our kids during bedtime.

Jeff has always been my rock and support. After moving back to Mandeville last year, his attention was mostly on his new job, but he never lost sight of what was most important—his family. In October of this year, he left his career of almost 20 years to focus, yet again, on his family. Jeff humbly took a job paying much less, with MW Components as a farm equipment broker, so he could work from home to be with us at least 15 more hours each week.

He loves God and teaches our kids the importance of keeping Jesus in our hearts and lives. In addition to being a monthly United Way contributor for 20 years, Jeff has traveled to El Salvador to install water wells for villages that had no running water.

This man is my everything. He loves me for who I am and has never asked me to change anything about myself or compromise any part of my morals or values for him or anyone else. Did I mention he loves to cook, sings a mean country song and looks great in jeans and cowboy boots?

Matthew Lee
Submitted by Lauren Lee

When it comes to husbands, Matt is the complete package! I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life. He is a hard worker, loving and most certainly a family man.

It can be difficult for a working mother to keep the house together and care for the children, but Matt helps share these responsibilities by tending to the lawn, cooking and cleaning. He will take our children to the doctor, drop them off at school and pick them up. Matt doesn’t even have a problem with changing dirty diapers!

Now you might think that he is a stay-at-home dad, but he is not. Matt actually works very hard to provide for our family. The key here is that he is a hard worker, not a workaholic. When he is at home, his mind is on our family and not his occupation.

Matt’s work schedule of 12-hour shifts at the Naval Air Station Base in Belle Chasse provides him with the opportunity to have two or three days off during the week. Most people would use this time to stay home and rest. Matt, however, has chosen to use his down time to continue his education by attending the University of New Orleans.

Among all of Matt’s wonderful characteristics, the commitment he has made in being a father is his best! He has coached our son’s tee ball team, often eats lunch with our oldest child at school, has accompanied me to as many doctors’ appointments as possible during both pregnancies and almost always ends his day by reading a nightly story to our 6-year-old. And I think that’s hot!

Danny Boudreaux
Submitted by Hillary Boudreaux

Danny is so one-of-a-kind, I’ve never met anyone like him.

His creativity is one of my favorite things about him. For our engagement, Danny made sure it was as unique as he is. We bought kayaks, paddled our way to the “beach” at the mouth of the Tchefuncte River and picnicked until sunset. Danny presented me with a bottle of pink OPI nail polish that was named “Marry Me Berry” (my maiden name is Berry). The way Danny proposed is such an example of how he puts so much thought, love and effort into making whatever it is the best.

I love to see him make other people laugh. He’s all about having fun, and that is what makes him such an awesome daddy to our daughter, Camille, 4, and our two sons, Walker, 2, and Porter, 7 months. The kids adore him and that just makes me even crazier about him. Danny has always been into spending quality time with me and our kids and doesn’t like to be too far away from us for too long. He’s sweet and sensitive to when we need together time. He also makes sure we go to church as a family, which sets such a good example for our children.

Danny works as financial advisor for Edward Jones in Slidell, and I get to stay at home with our kids. This is an amazing sacrifice for him, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be home with our sweet babies while they are little.

I haven’t even mentioned yet that Danny isn’t too hard on the eyes! Overall, what makes him the hottest husband is the whole enchilada! He’s cute, romantic, smart, funny, a great daddy, friendly and loved by everyone, and he makes me feel incredibly loved. Now that’s hot!

Jason Finley
Submitted by Lisa Finley

My husband is beautiful on the inside and out. I could not have asked for a more perfect husband and father of my children than him. We were best friends for over 12 years before we got married. It is truly better to marry your best friend.
We just had our 10-year anniversary, and we have a 9-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter. Jason is a man of God, extremely hard working, very generous and loving. He always puts his family first.

Jason runs our two Smoothie King stores in Mandeville and Hammond, and he comes in from working all day, does homework with our son and helps with our baby. Seems like he never gets tired. He coaches our son’s basketball league, helps clean house, does laundry, works out and plays tennis.

A few years ago my father passed away, and what did my husband do? He built a new house for us and included a mother-in-law suite so my mom could live with us. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things he has done for people and about his generosity.

Jason is truly a wonderful man. I feel I don’t thank him enough for everything he does. I hear all the time about how gorgeous my husband is, but he is even more beautiful on the inside. I thank God for him all the time. As the famous movie quote goes, “He completes me.”

My mother came to America from the small island of Skopelos, Greece, when she was just 9 years old. Her father had died of pneumonia when he was very young, leaving my grandmother with three girls under the age of 5. After they spent several years alone in Greece, a relative helped to bring the family to America to create a better life for themselves. My grandmother poured herself into raising well-rounded daughters. Weekends were spent cooking, gardening and learning to sew so that the girls would have an arsenal of knowledge at their fingertips as wives and mothers.

Martha Goodson. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

As a result, my mother and her sisters are incredibly creative, and each in her own way continues my grandmother’s lessons every day. I have incredible memories of my mother, always busy in the house and always beautiful.

To say that I never remember my mother underdressed, or dressed inappropriately, is an understatement. She has always been the most put-together, gorgeous and beautifully coifed woman I know. I’m biased, maybe, but I never saw a hair out of place, a lipstick smudge or an unpressed blouse. Never have I caught her rumpled or tousled or untidy. NEVER. She was quite simply perfect—and a perfect style role model.

Of course, it is sometimes difficult living up to all that perfection. How did she hold her style together so well with two kids, a busy husband and an entire household to run? I wanted to know, because honestly, I have never really asked. So I sat down with my style-icon mother to ask her just that.

MD:    I always remember you so perfectly put together.

MG:    When I was young, my mother instilled in us that we should always be presentable, as it was a direct reflection of the pride you had in yourself. I wanted to project to others that I had pride in myself, and I did so by focusing on every element of what I wore.

MD:    So it was not necessarily about fashion back then—it was about being presentable?

MG:    Correct. I never knew what my day was going to bring or where I would be. I could go from the grocery store to getting gasoline for the car and then out to dinner. I never wanted to be seen as unpresentable, so I prepared for anything each day.

MD:    But I would say that when I was growing up you were more than just presentable. You set such a high bar for me. Did you do that consciously, or did you just fall in love with clothes?

Martha and Maria.

MG:    I did want to set a good example for you, but along the way I learned more about how to dress, rather than just how to look “appropriate.” I really paid attention to what worked for me and my body, and tried to buy only things that made me look better and set off my shape. I was really just “accentuating the positive.”

MD:    You are such a perfectionist; I can only imagine how driven you were to always make your look better each season. Is that a fair statement?

MG:    I was excited to buy something new each season, but I was never really driven by trends. I remember in the ’70s when the wooden platform sandal was so popular. I don’t think I bought shoes for two years, because I could not picture myself in those shoes. The chunky heel was half the shoe, and I hated them. They were not “me,” and I was depressed about that until the trend passed.

MD:    Well, my favorite image has always been of you wearing a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress, a look I am still in love with today. When I bought my first one several years ago, my first thought was “Martha, 1975.” That was your signature look for a long time.

MG:    Oh, yes! Every time I found a different wrap dress, I bought it. I thought it was the perfect complement to my figure, and it was comfortable, which many clothes were not back then. You have to remember, that was before Lycra. The wrap dress could be dressed up or down, it could be casual, it was sexy and it was always appropriate on top of that.

MD:    It’s funny how fashion really does come back around. When you would wrap your hair in a silk scarf, almost like a turban, I always thought it was so fashionable. I recently saw a magazine picture of a major movie star wearing one and I thought of you.

MG:    If my hair was not presentable, I would just wrap a scarf around my head. It was colorful and chic at the same time. And I still looked neat.

Jones New York white pants, $79; Sunset Road orange sequined top, $49; Chaus royal blue trench, $129. Dillards. Smokey quartz-and-glass bead necklace and earrings, $144. DeLuca’s Expressions in Gold. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:    It is inspiring to me that you always knew what worked for you and never really deviated from that. We have not even discussed your love of red lipstick. When did your obsession with red lips come about?

MG:    I saw that red complemented my face. I got a lot of compliments on it, so I kept it as part of the repertoire. I think I will always wear some version of red lips; it just makes me feel so put together.

MD:    I am going to reveal your age because you look so great! You are turning 70 this year, and I still never see you with a hair out of place. You make 70 look amazing. It is incredible that you have only two gray hairs, and that your hair is your natural color.

MG:    My mother was barely gray when she passed away at 96, so it runs in the family. Thank you for thinking I still look great. I look in the mirror and can see that I am growing old, but it is okay. I am still at it.

MD:    Mom, I hope you know what a great role model you have been and how proud I have always been of having such a put-together mom. I love that you continue to challenge yourself to look your best.

MG:    Thank you, dear. If you think I look good today, then I am still proud to be setting an example for you. I like that.

Raffaele came to Louisiana straight from Milan, Italy, in 1970. “At the time, it made sense,” he says. His American bride wanted to return to her hometown of Lafayette to be near her aging mother. Raffaele’s parents had five daughters near them; they were in good hands. But they were devastated by their only son’s departure to this far-away land. Raffaele wishes they were alive today to see his successes. “The fact that I am not struggling,” he says, with a heavy accent and emphatic gestures. “That would be their repayment for their grief.”

Raffaele Raimondi.

Repayment didn’t come easily for Raffaele. When he came to this country, he brought his craftsmanship with textiles and fur, but little else. Born in Belcastro, a small town in southern Italy, he began apprenticing with a tailor at age 7. Learning a trade early was, in those days, part of the culture. By the time he was 13, Raffaele was working after school in a bustling fur shop in Milan. There, he “fell in love with the process” of making fur coats. He also formed friendships, which would lead him to his next job with Italy’s Meloni Furs. “To you that name means nothing, but in Italy!” His voice rises, conveying importance. “That was the fur house that was designing furs for the royal family when Italy was a monarchy.”

It was with Meloni that he was able to work with a wide range of furs and learn a great many tricks of his trade. Fur, unlike fabric, is not simply cut to the desired size and shape. Pelts must be matched and pieces assembled masterfully for quality results. No two skins are alike, and different techniques are used for different furs. Before he was 18 years old, Raffaele had many of these techniques under his belt.

Raffaele arrived in New Orleans with this training and work ethic and landed a job in Godchaux’s fur department. “When you’re young, you’re full of this energy, this spirit, like you can do anything! But then, reality—it’s a different story,” he says, with a deflated tone. “To go across the ocean when you don’t speak the language, it’s like jumping off of a cliff.”

That free-fall feeling set in the moment that Raffaele approached his new boss with a dilemma—the $60 he was paid for a week’s work would not sustain him. “But, hey,” his boss answered, with a dismissive shrug, “you don’t speak any English.” They had him, or so they thought.

“It was like a window shattered and all the pieces were on the floor,” Raffaele recalls.

But Raffaele’s first American employer had done more than undervalue his talent; he had underestimated his determination. It didn’t take long for Raffaele to take both to a nearby competitor. The fur department at Maison Blanche was leased by Evans, Inc. There, Raffaele’s talent and passion were recognized, so much so that after a few years, they began transferring him to places like Minneapolis and Cleveland to restructure faltering stores. Their corporate managers promised to move him back to New Orleans after the first transfer, then after the second. When it became clear that they would not make good on their promise, he returned on his own dime.

Once again, Raffaele found himself in Louisiana, in search of employment and armed with only knowledge and experience—this time not only of furs, but also of the business end of the luxury apparel industry. He began his own designer labels, Milan International clothing and Bernini shoes, and launched them in stores across the country.

Raffaele worked tirelessly to build his brands. “For four years, I saw highways and hotels,” he recalls. But when two of his Italian manufacturers unexpectedly folded, he couldn’t deliver his goods. “If I had only known in time, I could have saved the season,” he laments. In the competitive world of fashion, a lost season equals a lost business. Such was his next dark cloud.

Raffaele was devastated. Downtrodden, he accepted a job offer that was about as far from his calling as it could be—insurance salesman. He made it as far as their aptitude testing. The results were analyzed by a psychologist and recorded onto a cassette tape. Raffaele recalls the deep melodic voice that said, “You can assign anything to this guy, and he will fly high. You will be pleased with him.”

“That was like a shot in the arm for me,” Raffaele recalls. He went home that afternoon and began putting together enough borrowed money for a sewing machine, fur machine and a couple of tables. “Because I said to myself, ‘What is the thing I know how to do best?’ What I did was fur.”

Raffaele Furs opened for business in 1979 in a new Lafayette shopping center, one with enough empty storefronts to take a chance on a guy who asked for an extension on the first month’s rent. By the third month, he was out of the red and building a steady following. Then, the next dark cloud drove right through his storefront. Actually, it was a 20-foot-long Oldsmobile (he thinks). The car had lost its brakes and, to avoid turning into oncoming traffic, had turned into Raffaele’s store. His carpet was an accordion, his sidewalk lighting atop the car’s hood. His storefront was gone. Miraculously, no one was hurt.

And the disaster had a silver lining—free advertising. News of the incident was splashed across every local newspaper, news channel and radio program. The headlines read, “Local Furrier Opens Drive-In Window.” Before the insurance company could calculate the damages, everyone in town knew about his store. By the time he reopened, he was working 16-hour days. Two years later, he opened the apparel side, Dolci Modi, which translates to “a sweet way of life.” Lafayette customers kept him so busy it would be 20 years before he began opening more stores, first in Baton Rouge, then in Mandeville in 2010.

These days, Raffaele is looking forward to continuing his expansion. He has plans to open in Metairie and to launch a new designer line that features fur accents on high-fashion apparel. He doesn’t seem concerned about the possibility of more hard work or more dark clouds. He knows how to find the silver linings.

Life in the Carpool Lane

If you don’t know Kimberly Hahn personally, chances are you’ve probably seen her face around town. Maybe you’ve spotted her painting backdrops at Kehoe-France for her son’s school performances. Or perhaps you’ve seen her at the Madisonville Drug Store, where she and her pharmacist husband Kristian run their family business. You could know her from her work with the Madisonville Chamber of Commerce, as she served as president for three years. If you don’t know her from any of those places, it’s almost certain you’ve passed her on the highway at some point. She travels up and down Highway 21 in Covington so often that she claims she should install a mini-kitchen in the back seat. “All I do is drive and drop off. Then I drive some more and pick up. Then I start all over again,” she laughs, describing the task of carpooling that is dreaded by so many northshore moms.

Kimberly Hahn. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

Being constantly on the go is understandable, considering the busy schedules of Kim’s two kids: Madison, age 13, and Mason, age 6. The children’s current activities include soccer, karate, dance, theater, gymnastics and baseball, to name a few. So it’s just as likely you’ve seen her waiting in the wings at a dance studio, dojo or recreation park. Kim admits she brings the busyness upon herself by allowing her children to be involved in so many activities. “I never want to take an opportunity away from them, because that one missed opportunity may just be the very thing they find themselves good at,” she reasons. “I never want to tell them ‘no,’ which I think a lot of moms can relate to. It’s so much different from when I was growing up. When I was a kid, if you couldn’t ride your bike or a bus to whatever it was you wanted to do, you just didn’t do it!”

Kim somehow finds time to fit in volunteer work, noting that giving back to the community is something she’s simply drawn to do. She currently serves as co-chairwoman of St. Scholastica Academy’s annual fundraiser, the Falaya Fling. She has also worked diligently for more than a year with a group whose goal is to build and sustain the Milne Home for Women, a residence with facilities for mentally challenged women in southeast Louisiana.

What makes Kim so remarkable is that throughout all her activities she exudes boundless energy. When her lawn needed landscaping, Kim hopped atop a Bobcat to spread dirt and even learned to lay her own sod. When her home’s bathrooms required renovation, Kim dug in and learned how to install a toilet with her own two hands. And throughout her neighborhood, she’s known as the ultimate party planner. She’s hosted everything from murder-mystery-theme parties to full-blown scavenger hunts—sometimes even removing all the furniture from her living areas to set the scene.

When asked if there’s anything she doesn’t do well, Kim’s eyes grow wide. “My son’s gone to school with a lunch packed with chips, a Twinkie and a Slim Jim. And the folks at Menu Express know me by name. And I sometimes tell my kids when they’re getting out of the car to just ‘tuck and roll’ because I’m in too much of a hurry to fully stop the car,” she quips. “Does any of that count?”

Designing Woman

For Michelle Braswell, life went from busy to extremely busy practically overnight. She had been accustomed to life’s daily demands, maneuvering from the role of schoolteacher to bookkeeper for her husband Josh’s contracting business to stay-at-home-mom to now 6-year-old son Connor and 4-year-old daughter Caitlin. But it wasn’t until she and a friend decided to dabble in designing and marketing children’s clothes and accessories that her busy life grew exponentially.

Michelle Braswell. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

They started out small, selling their felt hair clips and simple A-line dresses with homemade character at local school fairs and festivals, before making the leap to showcasing at a retail store in Mandeville. “The first order sold out in a week,” remembers Michelle. Soon they were traveling to Jackson, Miss., where they met a rep at a children’s clothing show. Shortly after that, their Blue Juniper clothing line was placed in stores spanning eight states across the Southeast. “It was virtually overnight. We went from six stores to around 30 in a matter of months. Now we’re traveling to New York to try and expand our market. Sometimes I think my biggest fear is that we’ll be even more successful and won’t be able to manage it all!”

While the clothes are manufactured in North Carolina, just about every other aspect of the business is home-based. In a modest office in downtown Covington, the partners pick their own fabric designs and styles. Upon receiving the assembled clothing, they do their own ironing, labeling, tagging and shipping. The kids are often found at the shop. Young Caitlin plays nearby while Connor digs in to help mom with the work. “He labels dresses for me and it keeps him busy,” says Michelle. “And girls in his class wear the clothes and call them ‘Connor’s Dresses,’ so he’s pretty proud of that!”

Michelle is familiar with the carpool scene, delivering kids to dance rehearsals, golf lessons, soccer practice and T-Ball games. And this spring saw her dedicated to Josh’s campaign for a seat on the Covington City Council. She says life is hectic, but she finds ways to keep it all in check. “I used to sleep two to three hours a night, but I fit in five to six hours nowadays,” she quips. “I realize this is all a self-inflicted busyness. At any point I can take a step back.”

The biggest trick up her sleeve to managing it all is accepting help from family. Michelle and Josh truly share parenting responsibilities, and their extended family provides unmeasured support. Josh’s parents live three doors down, and Michelle’s are a mere six blocks away. “I couldn’t do it all without them. They help me fill orders. They help with carpool. They do whatever it takes.”

One of Michelle’s other biggest allies is her smart phone. She says she sets alarms to go off throughout the day to keep her on track and remind her of even the smallest duties that must be completed. “My entire life is on my phone! I set alarms all over the place,” she chuckles, admitting to setting them also on her husband’s phone for important events. “Josh is way more relaxed than me. He’ll take a break on a Sunday afternoon and just sit there and relax. I can’t remember the last time I sat down and did nothing. My days are pretty tiring, but I keep pinching myself because I’m having so much fun.”

Busy to the Sixth Degree

Lisa Pellegrini does it all—and then some! A well-respected dentist with a practice in Madisonville, she has served as president of the Northlake Dental Association. Lisa was named St. Scholastica Academy’s Alumna of the Year in 2004 and is recognized for her involvement in many local charities, including the JL Foundation and Kids Wanna Help. She can paint, play tennis and golf and even throws pottery. Oh—did we mention she’s raising six children all under the age of 14?

Lisa Pellegrini. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

Lisa is mom to daughters Isabelle, Caroline, Natalie and Gabrielle and sons Jack and Max. She says the primary key to keeping everything on track is their hands-on dad. “Greg and I make a good team, and I couldn’t handle my day without him,” she says, just before acknowledging their secondary key to survival—organization. Five of the kids are involved in two after-school activities, in addition to weekly religion classes, so Lisa keeps a master calendar that lists everyone’s activities. The kids are also used to a very fixed schedule at home. Weekday bedtime is 8 p.m. sharp, when the house “shuts down” to allow her quiet time with her husband (or with a pile of needed-to-be-folded laundry). “My friends say I’m too strict at times, but the kids always know what’s going on without too many surprises, which makes for happy kids.”

She also says giving her kids independence is not only a necessity in their home, but an added help to the family as a whole. Lisa laughs when she admits that her four-year-old knows how to make microwave macaroni. “But with six kids, that’s all they know—to help themselves—or they would be sitting around waiting on us. We are very nurturing, but we don’t hold their hand for things they can truly do themselves.”

Lisa learned to create a successful balance between motherhood and career by watching her own mother, a pediatrician who left private practice to work in a more flexible hospital setting in order to spend more time with her family. “Having my own dental practice allows me to set my own schedule where I can pick the kids up from school four days a week and take them to all their activities,” she notes. “Family is so important, and I like spending every moment I can with them. My greatest hope is that when the kids are all grown they will want to come back home every Sunday for family dinner.”

Of course, even though life sounds perfect in the Pellegrini household, there are times when Lisa admits being a busy mom takes its toll. Several such times have come when one of the kids needs to be disciplined. Lisa puts the child in “time out,” which is a designated room just off the living room that has no door. The child is placed on a chair in the room for an amount of time based on his or her age. The arrangement works great—until Lisa forgets that she placed the child there. She moves on to do other things in the house and not only forgets the child, but also often forgets what the punishment was to begin with. “I’ll leave Greg home with the kids but forget to tell him that one is punished. I’m gone for a couple of hours, and when I get home, the kid is still in there and has fallen asleep waiting for me to get them. Or sometimes, the other siblings have walked by the room and asked me why someone is in there and I play it off like I didn’t forget and giggle inside knowing that I did it again!”

An Educated Success

Mandeville’s Sharon Leumas is a mom who’s lived the lives of the previous three women and is living to tell the tale. She and her husband, John, have raised two very accomplished daughters. Caitlin is a 20-year-old kinesiology major who not only plays soccer for the University of Southern Mississippi, but was recently selected the team’s MVP. Hannah, a senior at Fontainebleau High School who will enroll at Auburn this fall, serves as president of the FHS Student Council, works multiple after-school jobs and recently scored a 34 on the ACT. Both girls maintain perfect 4.0 grade point averages, all while keeping up with their busy schedules. But, as they say, the apples didn’t fall far from the tree. “I remember fussing at one of my daughters to slow down, saying she was too ‘go-go-go,’” Sharon laughs. “And she looked right back at me and asked, ‘Just who do you think I get that from?’”

Sharon Leumas. Copyright 2011, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

Growing up, both of her daughters played competitive soccer and Sharon was beside them all the way. She worked as an administrator for the Mandeville Soccer Club while John volunteered to coach his daughters. The two believe that the recipe for raising successful kids begins with being involved in their lives. “Get involved with sports and school. Make dinner together a priority. Go to church together,” she says. “And don’t be afraid to tell them ‘no.’ You’re their parent, not their best friend. That’s my best advice.”

A certified teacher, Sharon has been involved in education on various levels. She taught in Indonesia when her husband’s job as an engineer took them oversees. She was an active school volunteer when the girls were younger and pioneered the Artist in Residence program at Magnolia Trace Elementary in Mandeville, where she now works as a long-term second-grade substitute teacher. Her love for teaching unquestionably inspired her girls to excel. “I always tell my girls that school comes first; activities second. If the grades aren’t there, then all the activities go away. It must’ve paid off. Now, I’ll call my oldest daughter and find her studying in an airport waiting to board her flight to a soccer match.”

The list of volunteer activities Sharon is involved with grows longer every day. She is active with her church’s Angel Tree program, Relay for Life, Project Graduation and various food drives. “I’m always finding myself on some committee,” she chuckles. Yet she still finds time to bake and decorate cakes for family and friends and is a talented potter whose work is sold in retail stores on the northshore. Her most notable fault is self-admittedly one that many busy moms share. “I’m horrible at keeping the house clean. I would rather sit on a sofa full of unfolded clothes and hug on the kids.”

Now that her youngest is about to leave the nest, Sharon spends a lot of time reminiscing about her busiest years of parenting and wondering about how life will be without kids in the house. “It’s hard to think about, but John and I have plans to travel together. We’ll go see a lot of Caitlin’s soccer games and visit Hannah. I’m sure I’ll be as busy as ever.”

Rahmé is creator and founder of the internationally recognized fragrance house Bond No. 9 New York. Raised in Paris, she likens the passion of New Orleanians for history and tradition to the European ideals that first intrigued her as an artist. Each scent she creates, what she calls a second skin, is as intimate and distinct a portrait of a person as there can be. “Perfumery is an art. The bottle, the fragrance, the amber, the richness all of it,” she says.

The Saks collaboration began with the introduction last year of a collectible fleur de lis bottle and a very spicy scent, a huge success. To follow that, they’ve expanded this year’s limited edition perfumes to include one for men and one for women.

Laurice Rahmé (center) and Carolyn Elder of Saks Fifth Avenue, New Orleans.

“This men’s fragrance is very festive, with predominate notes of peony, cassis, vanilla and amber. It’s like when you drink Kir Royale, which is Champagne and cassis—that’s the top of the fragrance,” says Laurice. The more feminine version is an intoxicating mixture of bergamot and mandarin, with hints of jasmine, rose and vanilla. She chuckles. “Vanilla came to be used in perfumes because some believe it has an aphrodisiac effect.”

The distinctive bottles are designed to give the impression of the human figure. Laurice says, “It is a canvas that allows us to be dressed differently, as we do with the different scents.”

To take this sensuous gift to the next level, consider visiting the fragrance house and having a scent custom blended just for you. The experience is complete with “fittings” to test the elements on your skin and the effects of the resulting blend of your favorite “notes.” Maybe a custom his and hers?