Our Gulf Coast is a canary in the coalmine of climate change, and there’s no better harbinger to sound the alarm than New Orleans. We’ve been intrigued and encouraged by the the city’s various Mardi Gras bead recycling initiatives, to rescue and reuse what would otherwise slide into a drain. Upcycling and recycling movements have also been adopted by many other Mardi Gras communities across the Gulf. ‘Via NOLA Vie’ student Hannah Hogan explores a few NOLA fashion retailers that are taking the commitment one step further.   – Editor

The post How to Preserve New Orleans Natural Wonder and Wear It Well appeared first on Go Gulf States.

This past week, the county superstar opened his hotly anticipated store in the coastal Alabama town. The second Shore Thing cigar store will have a very similar feel and vibe to its flagship, located on scenic highway 30A, in Watersound, Florida.

Bryan, the five-time Entertainer of the Year and American Idol celebrity judge owns the store along with business partner and co-owner, Tobacconist of the Year and three-time Davidoff Golden Band Award-winner Paul Copeland. Luke and Paul chose The Wharf in Orange Beach because of its deeply rooted ties to live music and championship sport fishing. The Wharf also has a 10,000 seat, open air amphitheater that hosts some of the biggest names in music, including Luke himself.

In fact, guests who attended the store’s grand opening on June 15 had the opportunity to be regaled at that evening’s concert by none other than Thomas Luther Bryan, himself.

The post Huntin’, Fishin’, Lovin’… and Smokin’ at Luke Bryan’s New ‘Shore Thing’ Cigar Store appeared first on Go Gulf States.

Let the trusty Traveler Broads guide you to dress for Mardi Gras success. The first half of this article – from the last Mardi Gras before the pandemic shutdown – offers some timeless hints (while the rest offers suggestions specific to 2020). They’ll clue you in to best carnival practices and cover topics like: Heels – Yay or Nay, Glitter, Fanny Packs, and the question on everyone’s lips: How to Pee?

The Traveler Broads know of which they speak: This year, they’ve been invited to compete in the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition, The 53rd annual Greasing of the Poles at the Royal Sonesta.  –  Editor

What to wear to Mardi Gras? The answer is easy: Anything you want! Just make it fun.

Costuming is our favorite part of the holiday, and we’ve been at it for a looooong time. Feathers, sequins, boas, and beads. There’s no such thing as “too extra.” And “over the top” is just right, in our book!

So how do you join in the fun? We gathered our best tips, essential costuming hacks and top shops to help you decide what to wear to Mardi Gras. We can’t wait to see what you put together!

The post ⚜️ Mardi Gras 101: What to Wear to Not Wear Yourself Out! appeared first on Go Gulf States.

Last-minute shopping? You’re certainly not alone! And you’re not out of options. There’s a variety of markets around the Gulf states, full of local flavor and fun, where you can still find that one-of-a-kind perfect gift for that special someone.

Click the title of each market to see the full Event Listing!

Texas

South Padre Island Farmers Market

Get your holidays cooking, start with farm fresh ingredients at South Padre’s very first farmers’ market! Open every Sunday, rain or shine.

December 18 • South Padre Island, TX

Salty Santa Vendor Fair and Party on SPI

Padre Island keeps it salty all year-round, but especially during the holidays. Click below to learn more about this unique event organized by Gulf Guardians, an environmental non-profit with a “Plastic-Free Padre” mission. Games, prizes, vendors, a Santa costume contest, and tons of holiday spirit, island-style!

December 17 • South Padre Island, TX

Holiday Craft Market at McAllen Farmers Market

Every Saturday, the McAllen Farmers Market offers locally grown vegetables and in December will be featuring unique hand crafted items created by local artists and crafters, including home decor, accessories, gifts and much more.

The McAllen Farmers Market knows folks are on a tight schedule. Christmas is just a few of days away, so they are hosting Crunch-Time! one of the season’s latest markets for last-minute shoppers!

December 17, Holiday Craft Market
December 22, Crunch-Time Market • McAllen, TX

LOUISIANA

Red Stick Farmers Market

Keep your holiday table fresh at this producer-only market in downtown Baton Rouge. Besides ingredients for your yuletide spread, there are plenty of nifty gift ideas, including plants, baked goods, and much more!

December 17, Farmers Market
December 22, Thursday Market • Baton Rouge, LA

Music Box Holiday Market New Orleans

An opportunity to check off that shopping list while enjoying the fanciful hand-crafted environs of the legendary Music Box Village of New Orleans. Heck, even if your shopping is all done, you should treat yourself and go!

December 18, New Orleans, LA

MISSISSIPPI

Biloxi Visitors Center Holiday Open House

The Biloxi Visitors Center is welcoming multiple vendors on the last shopping weekend before Christmas! Shopping on a weekday? The gift shop is open daily, offering coastal treasures from talented local artists.

December 17 & 18 • Biloxi, MS

ALABAMA

Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermen’s Market with Santa

If your holidays need some small-town beach charm and low-key groovy vibes, check out this weekly market that features local produce, baked goods and fresh caught seafood, yum! Plus, this week, Santa is on the scene taking pics and names.

December 17 • Foley, AL

FLORIDA

Big Cypress Holiday Market

Native arts, crafts, clothing, and jewelry will be featured and Seminole food vendors will be on site at this 2-day market, held at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Festival Grounds on Big Cypress Seminole Reservation.

December 16 & 17 • Clewiston, FL

Lakewood Farmers Market with Santa

This Sarasota-area Market is open every Sunday, all year, but they really shine during the holidays! Besides fresh locally-grown ingredients for your yuletide or any-other-holiday time table, you’ll find unique gifts including pickles, jams, candles, succulents, honey, and much more!

December 18 • Lakewood Ranch, FL

Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival

The New Year is also a time to get together and give gifts. So, if that’s your jam, or you’re just really late and still shopping, check out this indigenous artisan market in the heart of the Everglades. Part of a 3-day festival that includes music and dance performances, it is the perfect place to find unique handmade items and support the historic Miccosukee Indian Village.

December 29-31  • Miami, FL

To see more holiday event listings, click here!   🌊

The post 🎁 Gift Alert: Save Christmas! Save Yourself! Last-Minute Markets Can Make Shopping Beachy Keen appeared first on Go Gulf States.

Nevada McPherson’s terrific interview with artist, diviner, and folklorist Stacey Williams-Ng addresses not just the simple aesthetic of “Southern Goth,” but tackles the soul of the South to boot. Be sure to click the links in our preview to see or purchase the deck, among other works (Go! Gulf States does not earn commission from any sales). Also, the artist will be headlining the 2023 Summer Magick Festival in Orlando, Florida in June. – Editor

I first came across the work of Tennessee-based artist Stacey Williams-Ng on Instagram and was immediately intrigued by her unique and magical new tarot deck, the Southern Gothic Oracle (SGO). Since I’m a fan of all things Southern Gothic and have long been fascinated by the images and messages of tarot, this new twist on an old esoteric practice and its connection to Southern folklore made me want to know more about its creation – and creator.

I caught up with Williams-Ng just as she had finished shipping out hundreds of SGO decks right from her home in Memphis, following her phenomenally successful Kickstarter campaign. Her new deck leaves room for card readers to gain insight into life experiences through beautiful imagery and a connection to the South’s rich storytelling and mythic traditions.

The post 💀 Southern Gothic Oracle Tarot Reps the Spirits of the South Like No Other appeared first on Go Gulf States.

HARLINGEN, TX – Based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Mexican cosplayer Momo Naberrie introduced her cosplay account on Instagram on Star Wars Day, May 4, 2020, wearing a Jedi outfit and carrying a blue lightsaber.

“I was a little bit afraid to [share those costumes]. Because in my mind, people will have two reactions. People love it, or people hate it,” Momo said. Exactly one year after launching her Instagram, Momo’s presence has grown to 3,017 followers and counting. The cosplayer continues to create and share Star Wars-related content. One piece of content stands out against the rest: Momo’s La Catrina Amidala costumes.

The La Catrina Amidala costumes are a combination of traditional Queen Amidala clothing from the Star Wars Prequels (Episodes I-III), paired with the striking and unique makeup of La Catrina, a symbol of Dia de Los Muertos of the tall female skeleton wearing a fancy hat with feathers.

The post 💀 How a Designer Finds Beauty & Meaning in a Cosplay Mashup appeared first on Go Gulf States.

 Antoine “Ghost” Mitchell, Graphic Designer and Visual Artist, photo by Karen LeBlanc

My fascination, respect, and appreciation for all things handmade began in my hometown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  As the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the largest anchoring “Cajunland” and offers a fascinating melange of academic, cultural, and political influences. The Mississippi River borders the city as a muse throughout history for creative expression in all its forms—art, craft, food, literature and music.

To understand Louisiana art and craft is to appreciate its visceral expressions of place, history, heritage, and culture.  As I travel the world telling stories of people making things with hand and heart, my passion for handicrafts leads full circle back to the city that planted the seeds for my work as a design journalist.

Wherever I go, my aim is the same as a DesignTourist— to keep craft alive by showcasing the talents, skills, and traditions of makers, so let’s explore the creative soul of Baton Rouge by meeting its thriving community of artists and craftspeople.

A visit to The Baton Rouge Arts Market held on the first Saturday of each month puts you in the creative heart of this city.  The outdoor market in downtown Baton Rouge takes place from 8 am to noon at 5th and Main streets and alongside the Red Stick Farmers Market.

The post Meet Baton Rouge’s Maker Community appeared first on Go Gulf States.

Gardens Alive, a supplier of environmentally friendly products for gardeners, places Houston at No. 3 on its new list of the best cities for farmers markets. San Antonio the only other Texas city to appear in the top 10, lands at No. 6.

To rate the best cities for farmers markets, Gardens Alive looked at data for the 50 largest U.S. cities in seven categories.

The post Houston Ranks as One of Top U.S. Cities for Farmers Markets appeared first on Go Gulf States.

Recently, GBTB has expanded its goal of “Helping you put your green into Black” by enabling more businesses to promote themselves through their own website – for free.

Through a $25,000 grant from the Pinellas Community Foundation’s Venture Philanthropy Fund (VPF), GBTB is on track to have completed 30 free websites for Black-owned businesses by the end of the year.

The post Black-owned Businesses Build Free Websites Via Green Book of Tampa Bay appeared first on Go Gulf States.

With nearly identical souvenir shops peppered up and down the beach road, it’s clear the community could use more variety when it comes to retail. The wife-and-husband team from Gulf Shores used their extensive retail and marketing backgrounds to develop a store concept that combines life and lore on the Alabama Gulf Coast with high quality goods and trendy apparel.

The post New Boutique Making Waves in Orange Beach appeared first on Go Gulf States.