The month of May signals the impending end of springtime, as well as the school year. They can be bittersweet or exciting milestones, depending on your perspective, but they also bring to mind two very important groups of people that deserve a little tribute this time of year: moms (Mother’s Day is May 13) and teachers!
Both hardworking groups put in a lot of long hours — not to mention their hearts and souls — to ensure the development and well-being of children. A kind word of thanks and a token of appreciation can go a long way towards letting them know how much they’re appreciated.
Here’s a handy list of establishments on both shores that offer either the perfect gift, or the perfect gift card!
Fun Activities
Posh Paint Pub (Metairie)
Pottery shop offering painting activities for all ages
Painting with a Twist (Mandeville)
Adult instructional art classes that feature friends, wine, and a lively instructor
String a Bead (Metairie)
Bead supply store also offering jewelry-making classes
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts (Kenner)
Performance art theater that stages countless adult and children’s productions year round.
Playmakers Theater (Covington)
Theater group that produces multiple annual plays
Creole Queen (French Quarter)
New Orleans Paddlewheeler with various cruise options on the Mississippi River
Be Hooper, Be Happy (Mandeville)
Hula Hoop Dance/Fitness Classes
KKD Photography (New Orleans)
“Capturing life as it happens.. the beautiful, silly and fun moments!”
Kali Norton Photography (Hammond)
She specializes in wedding and motherhood photography.
Coffee & Eats
P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans (Multiple location on both shores)
Locally based coffee chain that originated in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans.
Starbucks (Multiple location on both shores)
Ubiquitous coffee stores with stand-alone stores, plus locations inside many Target and Barnes & Noble stores.
Core Meals (Hammond & Multiple New Orleans locations)
Healthy, ready-made meals that are prepared fresh in a commercial kitchen under the direction of an award-winning chef.
Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant (Gretna)
Low-key bar and grill offering comfort fare with a southern twist, plus live events and outside seating.
Salons & Spas
Body Art Day Spa & Hair Salon (Destrehan)
Hair, eyelash, brow, makeup, and nail services, plus therapeutic massages, body wraps, facials, teeth whitening, and laser therapy
Earthsavers Spa + Store (Mandeville, Metairie, Uptown)
Full menu of spa services, plus unconventional healing services, and immunotherapy
Jacqueline’s Family Hair Studio (Mandeville)
Hair services, plus mani/pedi, facials, and lip/eye waxing
Kristi King Skin Care & Brow Specialist (Mandeville)
LED light therapy and other state of the art technology, in addition to standard treatments
Michael Franks Salon (Harvey)
Haircuts & styles, hair color, makeup, waxing and more
Nicole Caro (Mandeville)
Facial/acne treatments, plus tinting and facial/body waxing
Books, Music & Movies
2nd & Charles (Covington)
New and used books, plus video games, records, DVDs, t-shirts, and eclectic gifts and accessories
Barnes & Noble (Mandeville, Metairie, West Bank)
Huge selection of books, music and gifts with multiple locations and easy online shopping. (Plus, Starbucks!)
AMC Movie Theaters (Hammond, Harahan, Harvey, Metairie)
The Grand Theatres (Kenner, Slidell)
Movie Tavern (Covington)
Features full in-theater food and beverage service, plus roomy, luxurious seating.
Shopping
Simply Chic Boutique (Mandeville)
Stylish women’s clothing and accessories
Sales of these ethically crafted accessories and home decor empowers impoverished women around the world and provides entrepreneurial opportunities for American women.
Fun, fashionable, comfortable women’s clothing
Fleurty Girl (Multiple location, Both Shores)
Kitschy, fun New Orleans gifts, t-shirts & accessories
Auraluz (Metairie)
Linen and gifts, in addition to children’s clothing.
