Melanie Spencer

1 week 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?

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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).

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: 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.

2 weeks 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.