Melanie Spencer

New Orleans

Deputy Editor at Gulfshore Life (Bonita Springs, Florida)

Journalist, photographer and nap enthusiast.

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Articles

Community Kitchen

1 week ago | acadianaprofile.com | Melanie Spencer

When Sanjay Maharaj opened The Little Big Cup with his then business partner Kevin Robin in 2012, the duo envisioned a coffee shop where the Arnaudville community could gather. The space would include a kitchen to be used as a catering space. In time, the concept grew and evolved, and The Little Big Cup morphed into a popular Cajun restaurant that keeps locals and visitors alike coming back again and again.
A New Hope - Acadiana Profile

1 week ago | acadianaprofile.com | Melanie Spencer

In a long, gallery-style hallway not so far, far away, a storm trooper, Boba Fett, Darth Vader and the Emperor Palpatine live in relative harmony. It helps that they are in the form of a suit (for the storm trooper) and busts (the rest), otherwise it might not be so harmonious, despite being on the same team — the dark side.
Explore a Charming Historic Home in Uptown New Orleans

1 week ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

In the spring of 2017, Christine Albert’s plans included dropping by an estate sale. Rather than coming away from the sale with a new addition to her art or vintage décor collection, Albert says, “I actually bought the house.” The Eastlake side-hall-style home in Uptown was built sometime between the late 1800s or early 1900s.
Wediquette Wednesday: What are the rules for gifting the wedding party?

2 weeks ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)Question: I just got engaged and am in the beginning stages of putting together the budget and getting the planning process underway. I know we are supposed to give gifts to the wedding party, but I have a few questions. First, how much are we supposed to spend?
Wediquette Wednesday: Does the bride’s name go before the groom in save the dates and wedding website titles?

3 weeks ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)Question: I’m working on my save the dates and like how his name before mine sounds versus mine before his. Is this a huge no-no? Does the bride’s name go before the groom in save the dates and wedding website titles?
Wediquette Wednesday: Are guests not invited to a small destination wedding included in the engagement party?

1 month ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)Question: If your son’s wedding is a destination wedding with a limited number of guests, is it OK to ask friends to the engagement party that will not be receiving an invitation to the wedding?
Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses in New Orleans

1 month ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

In the age of internet hauls and subscription boxes, the notion of an in-person shopping date seems downright quaint. Shopping in real life (or IRL, as the kids say) where you can interact with other human beings (and shop dogs and cats), see, touch and try on potential purchases, take in the fragrance of scented candles and, if nothing else, just get out of the dang house, is a blissful antidote to screen time. Also, as the saying goes, it’s cheaper than therapy.
Safta’s Table Comes to Lakeview, The Batture on the River and more Dish

1 month ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Later this year Lakeview residents are getting a new Mediterranean cafe from Pomegranate Hospitality, helmed by Emily Shaya and James Beard Foundation Award-winning Chef-Partner Alon Shaya. Safta’s Table is a more casual sister eatery to the group’s Israeli eateries Saba (in Uptown, New Orleans) and MICHELIN-recognized Safta (in Denver, Colorado).
Wediquette Wednesday: Do I have to invite all three of my stepsiblings to my wedding if I only know one?

1 month ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)Question: My fiancé and I are working on the guest list for our upcoming wedding. My mom remarried over the past year and my stepdad, whom we all adore, will be involved in the festivities. He has three grown children, but I’ve only met one.
Local Photographers Share Their Do’s and Don’ts

1 month ago | myneworleans.com | Melanie Spencer

Picture it: You and your betrothed are surrounded by loved ones amid the elegant ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery in Leeds, England. It’s time to exchange rings and a majestic barn owl swoops in from the rooftops to deliver the wedding bands. Or that was the plan. According to reports from the real 2024 wedding Juno, the owl, took off for seven hours. Thankfully, Juno eventually returned to its handler and the rings were recovered.