If you’re looking for out-of-the-box transportation ideas for the big day, look no further. Nothing is off the table. Read below and explore elegant entrance ideas, creative group travel options, and some of the coolest wedding transportation ideas you’ve ever seen.

One-of-a-Kind Wedding Transportation Ideas

Want to make a grand entrance, travel between wedding events, or get sent off in style using a unique mode of transportation?

1. Antique Luxury Car

Don’t arrive to your wedding in just any old car; an antique is a glam way to get yourselves to the ceremony and reception and it’ll create the perfect backdrop for classic black-and-white photo ops. While any ‘antique’ would do, a few suggestions include a vintage Rolls-Royce, a 1937 Bantam, a 1959 Cadillac Coupe deVille, or even a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

2. Vespa

Ride off into the night on the back of a Vespa! They’re easy to maneuver, environmentally conscious, and you’ll easily get plenty of frame-worthy photos and memories to look back on. Just make sure you practice riding in a dress and heels before your wedding day.

 

Ricky Rogers and Colleen Cowley Rogers. Photography by Scarlett and Louise Michaud Photography

3. Golf Cart

If you or your partner are big fans of golf, are getting married at a country club, or are hosting a wedding reception that requires a long walk from the ceremony location—use golf carts as wedding transportation. Some venues are quite large, and hosting events in different venue loca-tions could require an uncomfortably long walk for some of your guests. Additionally, golf carts make it easy to move around quickly without breaking a sweat.

4. Horse-Drawn Carriage

Experience the ultimate storybook ending in a horse-drawn carriage. Buggies can fit between two and six passengers—so you can even bring your wedding party along, or rent a few carriages to lead the entire wedding party on a royal-style procession. Depending on where you are getting married, some cities offer pedicabs—which are a playful getaway if you love the idea of a classic horse and buggy, but prefer a more modern feel.

Wedding Transportation Ideas for Groups

Are you hosting wedding events in different loca-tions or at different venues? Do you have a lot of out-of-town wedding guests in attendance? Are you looking for awesome wedding transportation ideas for the wedding party? If so, explore these unique group transportation methods for your wedding travel needs.

5. Shuttle Service

This is one of the most tried and true wedding transportation ideas on this list. Take the guesswork out of wedding trans-portation by booking a shuttle for your guests. Many hotels offer shuttle service to and from local venues, or couples can research local shut-tle companies operating in the area. Additionally, group shuttles come in a variety of sizes and price options, making them suitable for a variety of wed-ding budgets and sizes. 

6. Stretch Limo / SUV Limo

A classic option, the stretch limousine combines formality and function with a sleek design and enough room for your wedding party and parents to feel like VIPs too. (Most stretch limos hold 8 to 10 passengers.) Or hop in a town car, which is basically the sedan version of a limo and seats up to four.

For a limo-like experience with a little more flash, check out a stretch Hummer, Escalade or Naviga-tor. These mega-SUVs come with fiber-optics, disco lights, lasers, mirrored ceilings and top-notch sound systems, and they can fit up to 20 people.

7. VW Bus

If you’re hosting a ‘70s-themed wedding, or are a lover of nostalgia, use a vintage Volkswagen bus for wedding trans-portation. Reserve a classic bus, which can hold up to 12 passengers, or book the new-est version of Volkswagen’s electric micro-bus, which can hold up to eight.

8. Trolley

Taking a trolley ride used to be reserved for San Franciscans or New Or-leans. But thanks to the modernization of cable cars, however, many modern travel and ride services offer trolley transporta-tion—even in Shreveport-Bossier.

On average, trolleys can accommodate between 20-35 people, making them ex-cellent options for carrying your wedding party or the entire guest list for a small, intimate wedding—and make great photo backdrops.

9. School Bus

For a blast from the past, a yellow school bus holds 40 to 50 passen-gers (just make sure it’s properly air-con-ditioned for your guests’ comfort).

10. Hayride

Hosting a rustic wedding? Get your guests excited for some fun on the farm. Ride to your gorgeous rustic wedding with the rest of the wedding party on an old-school country hayride. Hitch a wagon to a tractor or truck and see your guests smile as they watch you arrive (and exit) in true farm fashion. Keep guests from getting their shoes muddy and offer a ride from the parking lot to your outdoor ceremony location. Keep the wagon hitched up during the ceremony and offer guests a ride to the re-ception afterward.

11. Party Bus

The ultimate wedding trans-portation idea for couples who appreciate a great party and an epic entrance—traveling in a party bus ensures the wedding week-end festivities never stop. Invite your guests (usually up to 40 per bus) along for the ride, complete with a bar, lights and music. If you’re planning on popping open some drinks, triple-check that the rental compa-ny is licensed with the local municipality.

Transportation Ideas for Weddings on the Water

Are you getting married lakeside, on the coastline, or even on an island? Take ad-vantage of the setting and travel to your wedding on the water.

12. Sailboat

Whether you’re hosting a lake wedding or getting married on the beach, you’re sure to leave your guests in awe when you arrive or depart on a sailboat.

13. Yacht

Any ceremony that includes travel-by-yacht is sure to impress your wedding guests. A fantastic option for destination weddings and seaside cer-emonies, yachts come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. With the ability to host an entire wedding or carry the couple only, yachts are a luxurious and flexible wedding transportation option — if it fits within the budget.

14. Ferry

Book a ferry boat for coastal wedding transportation service. A popular choice for destination weddings, bring guests to your wedding ceremony or bid them farewell on a ferry boat. Ferry boats vary greatly in size, from smaller commercial ferries transporting 300 people or less to massive boats than accommodate over 5,000 peo-ple. The Staten Island Ferry, for example, can hold 5,200 passen-gers at once.

Transportation Ideas for Adventurous Couples

Finally, here are some options for couples who appreciate excite-ment and like to live on the edge.

15. Paddleboarding

Perfect for an adventurous couple, row your way across the water on paddleboards. Just make sure you prac-tice a lot before the big day!

16. Canoe

Another great transportation idea for weddings near the water. While there’s a higher-than-zero risk of getting wet any time you step into a canoe, making an entrance in one definitely makes a statement.

Use a small canoe for the bridal entrance or the newlywed send-off or rent a larger canoe with multiple seats to accommodate the bridal party. For a wedding party entrance, however, it is recom-mended to designate non-wedding party people to steer the canoe.

17. Tandem Bicycle

After the reception, hop on a two-seated tandem bike and pedal away with your partner. A low-cost and fun wedding transportation idea for couples with some quirk, riding a tandem bike is sure to lead to adorable wedding photos. Be sure to practice beforehand to find your rhythm to avoid an unfortunate wedding day accident.

18. Horseback

You can certainly arrive at your wedding in the classic horse-and-carriage, but you can also choose to take it up a notch. Ad-venturous couples can opt to forgo the carriage altogether, arriving at the ceremony on horseback or literally riding off into the sunset.

This idea is great for wedding parties who enjoy riding horses or have some experience. Picture the look on your guests’ faces when they see a line of groomsmen riding into a wedding on horseback with the groom leading the pack.

19. Helicopter

If you want a wedding day that unfolds like an action movie, make a grand en-trance or an epic exit by flying in on a helicopter. A chartered heli-copter can typically carry three to six people, in case you want to take your attendants along for the ride. Keep in mind that you need a certain amount of open space to land a helicopter safely, and local air travel laws can ap-ply. Consider your reception lo-cation and check for restrictions with the charter company when making your choice.

20. Hot Air Balloon

Thrill-seek-ing couples can bid their guests a heartfelt adieu as they travel up, up, and away in unforgetta-ble fashion.

Tips for Booking Wedding Transportation

To help get you started on the wedding transportation planning process, here is a shortlist of helpful tips to help you plan, book, and communicate wedding transportation details.

• Brainstorm Transportation Ideas and Book Early. Confirm wedding transportation bookings, reservation information, and other details early. Experts recommend booking 4-6 months before the big day. Share transportation information with wedding guests on your wedding website and encourage guests to confirm their travel plans early.

• Offer Transportation if You Change Venues.
If the wedding reception is taking place at a separate location, and the travel time between venues is more than 10-15 minutes, couples should plan to provide wedding transportation for guests. If there is a significant time gap between events, or the travel distance is significant, you may see the number of attendees drop between wedding events. Offering transportation can help prevent this problem, as well as ensure that the reception starts on time.

• Book Transportation for Wedding Guests.
Providing guest transportation is typically necessary
for destination weddings unless the wedding venue and reception are within walking distance of the guest hotel, or the guest hotel is providing a shuttle to the venue. In high-demand destinations, transportation demand is often high as well, and availability may be limited. Ask the planning professionals at your destination wedding venue for recommendations, and book wedding transportation early.

• Don’t Forget the Wedding Party.
Engaged couples have a million things on their plate on the day of their wedding, and wrangling members of the wedding party is not a task they should have to manage. Keeping the wedding party together as you move from event-to-event can help ensure that the wedding day goes smoothly, and that wedding participants are where they need to be when they need to be there.

BY ADAM BAILEY

The post SB WEDDINGS – Transportation Options – by Adam Bailey appeared first on SB Magazine.

A MODERN FRENCH 

Country Style 

SMART HOME 

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With stunning curb appeal and carefully curated design features, this custom build by Bella Mason is a serene sanctuary. Take a peek at this gorgeous St. Charles  Place retreat!

Shreveport. Grayson Bailey isn’t a stranger to luxury. As a successful business-owner, Bailey has built arguably the most successful Bail Bond firm in the Northwest Louisiana area. So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that there is something special about one particular property located within Shreveport’s outskirts, just south of where Southern Loop meets Norris Ferry Road. A place he calls home.

Located in the exclusive gated community called St. Charles Place—a stone’s throw from Wallace Lake the roughly 4,300-square-foot residence rests on an eloquent third-acre lot. The two-story stunner, a secluded French Country-style sanctuary, infuses incomparable warmth and welcome!

Traditional elements mingleD with French country features elevate this home into a stunning and timeless classic. Details, colors, and textures work together to establish the unique style of the home. Light and airy, substantial and welcoming, this home shines because it accentuates and appreciates the simple things.

But what exactly is French Country? Just like it sounds, French country style springs from the countryside of France to neighborhoods across the U.S. with widespread interpretation. It’s an unstudied, collected approach, built on firmly entrenched local traditions and on cherished objects handed down through generations. The look is effortlessly chic and includes many architectural variations from French farmhouse to chateaux, French colonial, and Creole to Acadian. Simple and sin-cere yet effortlessly elegant, it satisfies the soul as much as the eye.

Bailey’s affinity for designing something that fit his family’s needs helped inspire the four-bed-room, four-and-a-half-bath family abode, which boasts an open floor plan, oversized windows, and a backyard fit for entertaining. Old World charm, use of open space, and iPad technology remotely controlling HVAC/media/lighting/security, are just a few of its additional innovative features. It all seamlessly flows together to form a perfectly picturesque landscape.

“The curb appeal is the first thing that grabs you,” says Bailey. Additionally, Bailey’s innovative and inspired de-sign style lends itself to a tranquil interior that highlights organic tones and capitalizes on natural light. The home, which was completed in 2019, has been a longstanding dream for Bailey for some time. “I had been looking to buy a home for years, but I couldn’t find any-thing that was the right fit for me and my family. So, I decided to build. That way I could have everything I wanted.”

As far as the location. “St. Charles is such a unique little community,” Bailey admits. “There aren’t very many gated communities in Shreveport, and it has been there for several years. I just love the neighborhood and the community. Furthermore, the house doesn’t give away all its secrets the minute you walk through the front door. It’s a home you have to explore, and every new room is a surprise.”

The Right Fit
Bailey was able to complement the setting of the home with an equally extraordinary design team—designer George Plaxco, builder Christopher Strandridge of Bella Maison Builders, and Michael Moore of Morehead Pools, who helmed the pool and landscape construction. Together, they poured their visions and expertise into a house filled with tried-and-true decorating ideas that stand the test of time.

Refined Ease
Noticeably, it’s the details of this home that give it a Country French flavor. Sidelights and arches dress the front door, offering a warm welcome. With a steeply pitched, hipped roof and exterior walls of stucco and brick, the house offers elegance as well as Southern charm. Inside, rooms are thoughtfully proportioned with airy 10-foot ceilings. Careful placement of the windows and doors allows both tradition-al and contemporary furniture arrangements. The plan features a central foyer flanked by the study and the dining room. The comfortable family room contains a fireplace, a bookcase wall, and view-catching, wall-to-wall windows. French doors expand the living area onto the patio and outdoor kitchen. The kitchen opens to a spacious breakfast area with a box bay window. Up-stairs, a central stair hall organizes the bedrooms, baths, art room, music room and theatre.

Centralized Kitchen
The modern kitchen is a sight to behold, with a beautiful brick archway that stretches into the living room—giving the space a heightened level of warmth and depth. The hardwood floors provide the home with an aged look. “The goal was to give it an old world-meets-modern feel,” Bailey says of the ambiance. “The house has a transitional feel, but you have that warmth of texture there, so it’s not too cold. There’s a sense of coziness.” The result is a space that perfectly balances out the neutral-colored walls. Other standout features include the granite countertop on the island and the backsplash behind the stovetop.

Establishing Whole Home Control
Technology was very important in this home’s design. Bailey, along with Matt Hollowell with Electronic Interiors, was able to seamlessly integrate smart technology throughout the home, starting in the driveway and lead-ing all the way through to the landscaping in the backyard. From doorbells, security cameras, and control panels—nothing was off limits to be able to regulate. Essentially, every room provides audio, temperature, and lighting control. “I wanted to ensure I had the basics already in-stalled when the home was built, but also leave the door open for upgrades and further integration.”

Creating an Outdoor Attraction
The rear covered porch—with plenty of room of living space—is divided into two sections: a cooking area and a sitting area. It wouldn’t be a true Southern house without somewhere to watch the world go by.

“Typically, you see an outdoor living room attached to the main living room and an outdoor kitchen attached to a kitchen. We flipped that notion and set the outside living room right behind the kitchen,” Bailey says. The furniture can easily withstand the elements, while low-maintenance flooring mimics the look of hardwood. Centering the hangout zone around the fireplace keeps the space inviting year-round. A fire pit and pool lie just beyond. The space is perfectly designed for not only weekend cook-outs, but any type of outdoor event. Between the outdoor kitchen, the lounge area on the patio, and the fire pit, there are plenty of places for guests to gather.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post A MODERN FRENCH COUNTRY STYLE SMART HOUSE appeared first on SB Magazine.

Water features to enhance your yard

By Adam Bailey

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]From waterfalls to koi ponds, garden streams to birdbaths, here’s a list of all the best backyard bubblers, gurglers, and soothers. These are just a few water features associated with tranquil, idyllic outdoor spaces. You might, however, be surprised to find out how they impact your home’s value.

A manicured lawn, colorful flowers, and stylish patio furniture all make for a pleasant exterior, but they don’t necessarily help your house standout from any others in your neighborhood. Give your landscape design a boost by adding a water feature. In addition to being a pretty thing to look at, there are many benefits to including a water feature—like a garden creek or small pond—in your landscape. Water is soothing to the senses, it adds texture to your yard, and can buffer noise pollution. Whether you have a big or small space, there are different ways you can incorporate a water feature. Keep reading to see ideas for how a water feature can elevate any yard.

1. Garden Creek. This one will take a bit more work, but a babbling garden creek is a wonderful backyard water feature to make you feel like you are right in the forest. This water feature is ideal for larger backyards and for homeowners who want to incorporate something into a large portion of their yard.

2. Splash Pad. If your kid loves running through sprinklers, then you can easily upgrade backyard water adventures with your very own splash pad. Splash pads at home have the same appeal of a splash pad you would find at a water park, but there isn’t any required transportation since you are already at home! Splash pads can be a good alternative to swimming pools be-cause they are safer, cheaper and much easier to maintain.

3. Outdoor Shower. The ultimate water feature is one you can step right into. A back- yard shower provides a liberating alternative to your daily shower routine and lets you extend the pleasure outdoors.

4. Koi Pond. If you have the space and resources, consider building a tranquil koi pond. You’ll want to make sure you have enough space, so the pond is large enough to allow fish to live comfortably and grow. Koi eat plants, so you will need to add non-toxic plants to the pond, such as water lettuce, water lilies and other floating floras. If you don’t want to maintain the pond to the point of keeping koi, you can also use a number of different pond designs minus the fish.

5. Bird Bath. This is one of the simpler and easiest to maintain water features which also attracts wildlife into your outdoor space. A bird bath doesn’t have pumps, filters or costly installation. It’s a budget-friendly way to add a water element to either your front or back yard. Bird baths come in in various colors and shapes, so you are sure to find one which fits your home’s style.

6. Fountain.  Fountains  are a good way to add some water into your landscaping. Fountains typically come in kits, so they can be installed with ease. These are also available in a variety of styles and sizes to fit your needs. If you love the sound of moving water, a fountain is a great addition that is still easy to maintain. If you place your fountain in the middle of the garden, birds can enjoy it. You can also keep it next to a window or patio and enjoy the soothing sound. Consider installing this feature in a prominent area of your yard like close to your front door to greet visitors and guests. There are almost endless options with a fountain. Some designs include pipe fountains, spouting fountains and disappearing fountains. There is even one called a ball fountain and doesn’t require much setup. Fountains will typically fit into any sized yard.

7. Waterfall. A waterfall is a great way to incorporate some movement into your garden. Concrete, rocks and fiberglass can be stacked to create a path for water, while grasses, succulents and flowers make great additions which add some color.  Pondless waterfalls  are great for smaller backyards. These are also low maintenance and can be designed with plants and stones for a natural look. For a more modern feel, you can create a staircase waterfall, which can be created to fit any size yard.

8. Water Wall. Not to be confused with the waterfall,  a water wall is a great way to transform a drab wall into one with character. This is a great feature for smaller yards that want to incorporate something beautiful into the landscape.

Backyard Versus Front Yard Features

There are water features that are typically more appropriate for a backyard setting, instead of a front yard. Anything designed with relaxation and tranquility in mind should be considered for your backyard. You probably don’t want company relaxing by your koi pond in your front yard or your kids partaking in a splash pad.

However, some water features compliment any outdoor area. For example, a fountain or bird bath work well in both the front yard and backyard.

If you’re planning a water feature in a spot where people naturally like to sit, think about creating a comfortable seating area nearby so you can actually enjoy the view and the sound of the water. Even a simple bench or patio set becomes more inviting when you dress it up with custom made outdoor cushions that fit your exact style and space. It turns the feature into more than something pretty to look at because it becomes a place where you can unwind with a morning coffee or watch kids play without having to stand around.

Maintaining Water Features
While some water features are easier to maintain than others, there are several things you will need to know, along with seasonal considerations. With most water features, you will need a skimmer, and its parts, in order to keep the surface of the water debris free. A debris basket will be the first line of defense inside the skimmer. This will collect any debris, such as leaves or twigs, that blow or fall into the water. It doesn’t take long to empty the debris basket.

Every water feature will experience water loss and evaporation. The amount of water loss will depend on the water feature, along with the amount of sunlight and the temperature. During any hot spells, additional water will need to be added to counteract evaporation. In order to check the water level, open the skimmer mouth. The ideal water level should be set at about ¾-inch below the top of the mouth. During the fall and winter, as leaves start to fall, you may need to empty the debris basket more often.

If you live in an area where water freezes, you will need to decide if you want to keep the feature running or winterize it. The best time to perform a pond cleanup is early spring. To clean a water feature, drain it, then use a garden hose to rinse the gravel and rocks. Start at the top and work down to the bottom. Turn on the clean out pump to remove the dirty water. Once the bottom begins to look clear, remove the pump and begin filling the water feature again.

 Proper landscape drainage is also essential to protecting your water features and surrounding areas from cooling or erosion. Good drainage ensures water flows correctly, prevents overflow, and keeps your yard looking its best throughout every season 

Water features add plenty of style to any yard. Some water features are more functional than others, such as a splash pad or a bird bath. However, no matter which features you choose, it is import-ant to maintain them, especially during colder weather, providing you with years of enjoyment out of your outdoor living space.

Regardless of what you choose, adding a backyard water feature to your home can be a great way to promote relaxation, peace, and even being one with nature. Before spending a huge chunk of money on a permanent water feature, it’s best to run your plans by an experienced landscape architect, con-tractor, or maybe even a real estate agent. Any one of these professionals can help you gauge your proposed water feature’s impact on your home’s marketability.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Water features to enhance your yard! appeared first on SB Magazine.

Summer Skincare

By Dr. Lindsey Pennington

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Summer is officially here, and skin is in! With summer comes the heat and humidity that take a toll on your skin. Increased heat and sun exposure can worsen melasma or increase pigmentation. Heat congests pores and leads to breakouts. Sun exposure breaks down collagen, causing aging.

Now is the time to re-evaluate your skincare routine and get started if you don’t have one. It can be as simple as a cleanser and a sunscreen but picking the right ones for your skin type is very important. Here are some tips to help pick the best prod-ucts for you!

If your concern is Pigmentation

There are different types of pigmentation from sun spots to me-lasma, but the root cause of both are sun. The best way to pre-vent pigmentation is with a quality sunscreen, and the Ameri-can Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum SPF 30. In addition, Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Skylar Souyoul recommends using a sunscreen that provides physical protec-tion from the sun. These have an active ingredient of Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.

PREVENTION Avoid heat and direct sun and know that hor-mones can worsen it. Using a high quality, potent Vitamin C dai-ly can help prevent oxidative damage that can lead to increased pigmentation.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is great for individuals with com-bination skin types who want to focus on preventing pigmenta-tion. This serum (10% I-ascorbic acid, 2% phloretin, 0,5% ferulic acid) improves the appearance of discoloration and overall skin tone. Effective for 72 hours, this is a must-have product in your morning summer routine!

TREATMENT Use products that contain glycolic acid, niacina-mide, and azelaic acid. Azelaic acid, in particular, is an excellent choice for individuals with redness in the skin, acne, and pig-mentation concerns.

SkinCeuticals Phyto A + Brightening Treatment contains 3% azelaic acid. This product pairs azelaic acid with a soothing, botanical blend to color correct, hydrate, and calm the skin. It doubles as a brightening treatment and a moisturizer: win-win!

SUNSCREEN SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 is a daily corrective moisturizer+spf that not only prevents discoloration but reduces it as well. It brightens skin’s radiance, hydrates skin, and protects against UVA/UVB rays. With niacinamide and tranexamic acid for brightening and glycerin for hydration, this is a great everyday sunscreen for your summer vacations.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Classic is another daily lightweight option with universal tint. This oil-free, chemical- free sunscreen is another great bright-ening option. With niacinamide as the active ingredient, Colo-rescience Face Shield will brighten the skin while also protect-ing against blue light damage (the light damage that you can get sitting in front of a screen).

If your concern is Acne

Hot, humid weather can make some people’s acne worse due to increased oil production. In addition, when sweat sits on your skin, it mixes with surface bacteria, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

PREVENTION Eat clean, drink lots of water, and rinse off af-ter getting overheated. Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, tow-els, and hats before wearing them again. Use non-comedogenic products on your face, neck, back, and chest. Labels may also say “oil-free” or “won’t clog pores.” Use cleansers with glycolic and salicylic acids.

SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser Gel with glycolic acid is a gel cleanser that speeds up cell turnover while improving texture.

TREATMENT SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense is a great product because it has high concentrations of salicylic acid. It’s great for treating acne and preventing post inflammatory hy-perpigmentation.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum, which has a combination of retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid to help improve cell turnover, is a great nighttime product to assist in keeping your skin clear during the summer. The salicylic acid will help to decongest pores and kill surface bacteria that can worsen acne.

SUNSCREEN Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Facial Sun-screen SPF 46 is great for acne, hyperpigmentation, and rosa-cea. Another effective product with niacinamide, this is one of our best tolerated sunscreens for acne. The hyaluronic acid found in UV Clear is the perfect hydration to keep the skin’s barrier happy and healthy! This can be worn without makeup or as a primer for those who prefer to wear makeup. This is also a favorite product for males due to how easy it blends in and how effortless it is to wear.

If your concern is Aging

There are two things working against us when it comes to aging: sun exposure and time. While we can’t slow down time, there are plenty of things we can do to stop the external effects of pho-toaging from the sun causing fine lines and wrinkles in our face. Vitamin C, paired with an SPF 30 or higher, is so important in keeping the collagen and elastin in our skin protected against external factors that cause us to age faster.

PREVENTION Use sun protection, maintain a healthy diet, lim-it alcohol, avoid tobacco, and use Vitamin C to prevent oxidative damage.

TREATMENT SkinMedica TNS Advanced + Serum is a growth factor serum that should be included in every woman’s skincare routine! This product helps rejuvenate collagen and elastin in the skin, which is something we lose as we age. Patients see re-sults in as little as two weeks, with full effect at 12 weeks and patients looking six years younger. This is our holy grail for anti-aging and a must-have for those of us fighting the clock!

SUNSCREEN SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sun-screen SPF 50 is a weightless, tinted, 100% mineral sunscreen that protects against UVA/UVB rays. We love this sunscreen for pool or lake days due to it being water-resistant for 40 minutes!

If your concern is Dryness

If you feel like your skin is drier in summer months, you are not alone. Things like chlorine, salt water, and air conditioning can lead to dryness. If your skin starts to feel dry and irritated de-spite the humidity, try to shower and shampoo immediately af-ter getting out of the pool.

PREVENTION As the seasons change, so should our skincare. In the winter months, our skin may be dry and dehydrated. In the summer, there is more moisture in the air, causing our skin to produce more oil. Adjust your products, like cleansers and moisturizers, to keep up with the changing seasons. Use a mois-turizer even in the summer but transition from a heavier to a more gel-based moisturizer.

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream removes impurities and excess oil while soothing dry skin.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is an oil-free, hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid that puts moisture back into our skin for a smooth radiance. This is a great summertime moisturizer due to the lightweight feel of the product, and it is especially good for acne-prone skin.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging cream that contains lipids, ceramides, and natural cholesterol to nour-ish skin and correct signs of aging. It is the ultimate night cream; some people love it so much they use it in the morning too!

TREATMENT If your skin is still dry, try SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture. This is a great lightweight moisturizer for dry skin. This product is also great for reducing the appearance of pores.

SUNSCREEN Intellishade Matte, an anti-aging tinted moistur-izer with SPF 45, is a great summertime sunscreen. The matte finish is great at absorbing the oil on the skin. This 5 in 1 anti-ag-ing product is a home run. Intellishade will moisturize, conceal, correct, protect, and brighten your skin to give you great cover-age without the heavy feel of makeup.

Dr. Lindsey Pennington is the only female double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon with a solo private practice in the State of Louisiana. She focuses on both non-invasive and surgical facial rejuvenation. She is joined by Dr. Skylar Souyoul, Board Certified Dermatologist, in Shreveport at their office on Line Ave, Lindsey Pennington, MD Facial Plastics. penningtonfacialplastics.com

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The post L’ AMOUR DE SOI Summer Skincare! appeared first on SB Magazine.

Renzi Center Celebrates 25 Years Helping Children

By Rosalind Bellamy

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The Renzi Education and Art Center is celebrating 25 years of being a source of stability and inspiration for the youth in the historic Highland neighborhood. Many children have been through its doors and discovered a love for art and creativity with guidance from their teachers. Today, the center services between 20 and 60 children across the Shreveport-Bossier area by providing a FREE after-school art and academic program for grades K through 12.

The Renzi Center has been a gem of the neighborhood since it was first established in 1997 by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows and local artist Donna Service. The Sisters received a donation of a large house in the historic Highland neighborhood that, with much love and dedication, took eighteen months to renovate into what is now the Art Building. By 2000, the program had grown significantly, and the Sisters acquired the house next door, designating it as the Academic House. Since then, hundreds of children have attended Renzi’s free after-school program and summer camps. In 2020, the Sisters purchased a third house, which will be dedicated to performing arts.

Since the beginning, Renzi’s mission has been to service the underprivileged and at-risk youth in the area. The Sisters realized the importance for these children to have the opportunities to learn, explore, and create in a safe and nurturing environment. Most of the children’s parents were away from home, working multiple minimum wage jobs to support their families. Many of the

children had nowhere to go after school, and their parents could not afford to provide them with an enriching after-school program. For25 years, the Renzi Center has met this need in the low-income areas of Highland to keep children off the streets during peak juvenile crime hours and help them with their academic needs to succeed in school. 

The Renzi Center has many fun events planned to celebrate its 25th birthday! From summer camps to BUNCO, keep an eye on their Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/RenziCenter and Instagram @renzicenter pages to stay up to date with all the latest happenings. We look forward to seeing all the wonderful things they have planned for the rest of this year.         http://www.renzicenter.org/ 

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Teaching Children

Water Survival Skills

By- Elizabeth Deal

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It can take less than a minute for a child to drown.

Preliminary data from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) shows that 25 infants and children died from drowning in 2021. Between 2017-19, drowning was the third leading cause of injury-related death in Louisiana children (0-14) with top risk factors being child unable to swim (96%), not supervised (72%) and no barriers to water (54%).

Extremely passionate about teaching water survival skills are Tara Hardin, Emma Burnett, Ashton Hardin, and Hallie Horne of ISR ArkLaTex. They are instructors certified through Infant Swim Resource (ISR),a national organization founded in 1966 by Dr. Harvey Barnett. The goal of ISR is to teach safety and survival. At a minimum, a child will learn to  roll onto his or her back to float, rest, and breathe, and to maintain this position until help arrives. Children as young as six months can learn to save themselves. According to the ISR website, the ISR Self-Rescue® instruction for students is the product of over 45 years of research and achieves unparalleled results.

Tara is the mother of Emma and Ashton, and Hallie is her close friend. They are part of over 300,000 ISR graduates, and they are also CPR certified.

ISR has over 800 documented survival stories, one which hits very close to home. Emma’s own son, Eddie, is proof that the ISR survival skills work. As a toddler, having already completed the ISR course, Eddie fell into a body of water adjacent to a pool. No one was aware that a grate covering had not been replaced after the daily maintenance of the pool. Fortunately, Eddie was found inside—floating on his back—just as he had learned.

 The ISR program emphasizes that competence leads to confidence. “Once they become competent and know what they’re doing, we see the love of the water come,” says Emma. There are programs that teach kids to enjoy the water first before learning any skills, but she thinks that may be dangerous. A child might be drawn to the water even more without having any skills. The ISR instructors encourage  the kids to become skilled first, and then they encourage them to use the skills to have fun. They are survival skills, but they can be used for recreational swimming as well.

To become a certified ISR instructor, individuals undergo two weeks of academic training and six weeks of in-water training, conducted by a master instructor.

ISR lessons are one-on-one for 10 minutes a day, five days a week, and last about four to six weeks. The child works with the same ISR instructor every day, so they pick up right where they left off the day before. “We teach the short, frequent lessons because that’s how kids learn. When we watch our kids learning how to crawl or learning how to walk, we don’t see them practicing it for 30 minutes once a week. We see them doing it every day, little, short spurts of practice. So, we’re meeting them with what their attention spans are able to handle. It’s physically challenging and a lot of work, so 10 minutes is enough,” Emma explains. “Initially, we see kids are nervous. They’re not very comfortable in the beginning of lessons. We’re asking them to do so many new things in a short amount of time. But our job and what we get trained to do is to break those skills down in a way that meets each child’s needs where they are.And in that way, it’s a really gentle method. As they master those skills, we’re constantly moving on to the next thing.”

 ISR instructors aren’t completely on their own. They are supported with a host of resources through the national organization. Nurses have set medical protocols around placing the children in the water, taking them out, and the length of time that  it’s safe to be underwater, so there’s guesswork. Instructors can reach out to master instructors with questions. “If we’re having an especially difficult time with a child, we can take a video and send it in, and they’ll let us know if there’s anything within the lesson we can do to make the progress we’re promising. There’s no cookie cutter way to do this—you  know they’re all different,” says Emma.

Students can be as young as six months, but they must meet certain developmental milestones first. They need to be able to sit up unassisted. It helps if they can roll back to belly and belly to back. Crawling isn’t required but is beneficial to learn how to roll and float.

Emma offers advice for parents choosing a swim lesson. “I want people to know what to look out for that can help them choose the right kind of lessons for their kid, whether it’s with us or somebody else. Look  for those lessons that the instructor is helping them learn how to hold their breath immediately. Not blowing bubbles but holding their breath. Learning how to float and rest and breathe. Learning how to go into the water and get to the edge swimming horizontally, eyes down, kicking a little, using their arms a little. Holding their breath about three seconds is a good amount of time before they need a breath.”

One of their primary teaching locations is Southside Swim Club, where Tara Hardin is the head coach for both the High School/ Middle School Swim program and the Flying Fish Summer Swim Team. They teach traditional lessons for beginner/intermediate/ advanced swimmers in addition to ISR survival skills there. “Here at Southside, we are providing the programs that see our students through from when they are babies who need to learn how to self-rescue all the way up through swim team! We work to get our young students safe first and then show them how to use their survival skills to have fun in the water and eventually be able to compete,” says Hardin.

ISR believes pool fences, supervision, and pool alarms are important parts of a necessary multi-layered approach to drowning prevention, but the core conviction is that the child is the most important part of a drowning prevention strategy.

“Learning to swim is within us. We teach survival first,” says Emma.

Find a Certified ISR Instructor at swim.com. Search “Instructor Locator.” You will find this group in Shreveport, Bossier, and Minden. In Benton, you will find instructor Courtney Haas.

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SB Parenting 

Keeping Kids Engaged this Summer

by- Ursula Brantley

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As summer eases in, children look forward to all the free time they can catch up on now that school bells have stopped ringing. Children and adolescents see summer vacation as a chance for more screen time, less studying, staying up late, and sleeping in. An article in the medical journal Frontiers in Public Health reports that sedentary behavior, or physical inactivity, increases during summer months from 1.7% to 8% for children ages six-nine. The article also states that, “Regular physical activity reduces the health risk of childhood obesity and associated chronic diseases as well as mental health problems.” Though these findings were centered around children ages six to nine, children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds can fall victim to the summer slump.

Parents should do their best to keep their kids’ idle hands and minds busy in a positive way until school bells start ringing again in the fall. The National Library of Medicine, part of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, published an article that states, “Out of school periods  affect children’s physical activity as it is mainly left to the interest and motivation of their parent.” Making sure children and adolescents stay active and engaged during the off-season keeps them healthy physically and mentally, ensures they don’t fall behind educationally, and keeps them from finding or creating trouble.

Parents can do their part in lots of ways, such as taking their families on vacations, on field trips to museums or aquariums, enrolling kids in sports, participating in fun family time, or enrolling kids in a summer camp or class. There are all types of summer camps and classes geared towards children and adolescents’ interests, such as art, STEM, outdoors, or dance. Summer activities can be very expensive, but some organizations offer fun half or whole day camps, classes, volunteer and/ or intern opportunities that peak many interests of children and adolescents at no cost or low cost to parents.

Though there are those who will participate in camps, sports, family vacations, field trips, family time, or other fun activities, there are some kids who aren’t able to experience any of this. For them, summer is waiting around until the opportunities of the school year present themselves. The research services team at Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida reported that children deprived of healthy stimulation can lose a significant amount of the skills they learn during the school year. Researchers call it “summer learning loss.” It can impact students at all grade and income levels, but its effect is strongest among low-income children.

Summer learning loss can be prevented in the simplest ways possible. One big way is through reading, and many schools and libraries offer summer reading programs. Whether it’s short picture books or an entire book series, the goal is just to read and enjoy.

The Shreve Memorial Library hosts a free summer reading program open to all ages. This year, the theme is Oceans of Possibilities. Registration will continue until August 15. Children up to age ten are encouraged to read at least five books, ages 11-17 are encouraged to read at least three books, and adults are encouraged to read at least two books. Participants will log their books online and receive digital badges for each book read. Those who complete the program will receive prizes like drawstring bags, books, pencils, and other assorted promotional items. Throughout the summer, there will also be live, interactive performances inspired by this year’s theme at the local branches.

Another way parents can mentally stimulate their kids is by turning anything into a learning opportunity. Start a discussion about some things that your children are interested in, and then plan out a fun time to do a little Google research to find facts together. Parents can also buy or make fun learning workbooks for their kids to give them something to do on car rides or while watching TV.

If kids are going to have screen time, why not push them towards educational screen time? There are educational games, online quizzes, and short videos or documentaries.

Kids often see summer vacation as an opportunity to turn their brains off. There’s nothing wrong with letting your hair down a little during the summer, but it’s best to keep kids from completely checking out or breaking routines in the off-season.

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SB WEDDINGS

Avery Bryan & Joseph Bingham

APRIL 30, 2022 • SHREVEPORT, LA

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Avery Caroline Bryan and Joseph Anthony Bingham were united in marriage on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at David Toms 265 Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. Parents of the bride are Kevin and Donna Bryan, and the groom’s parents are Jeff and Connie Bingham.

Avery and Joe love riding their tandem bike and chose “Let’s Ride” as the theme of the wedding. A beautiful sketch of tandem bike image enhanced the dance floor, and a tandem bike was parked nearby, with a beautiful floral bouquet in the basket. Garden and tea roses, ranunculus, peonies, eucalyptus, hydrangeas, snaps, tulips, bells of Ireland, and hypericum adorned the venue.

Beautiful green bars were set up outside, along with plenty of lounge seating and round tables. Champagne was passed during cocktail hour and guests were treated to pasta, carving, salmon, charcuterie, and Louisiana-specialty stations. For dessert, cakes in four flavors were served. The five-tier round white wedding cake was decorated with a cascade of florals down the side.

Sparkling overhead were 21 disco balls hung from the sail cloth tent. Guests had a great time taking photos in the photo booth, donning hats and glasses, and dancing into the evening.

Avery and Joe exited the reception under a shower of sparklers and left in the same 1988 Jeep Wrangler that Avery’s parents drove away in from their wedding reception almost 32 years ago.

VENDORS:

Wedding Planning & Coordination: Delia Jeffcoat Events

Florals & Designs: The Colony House

Tents & Rentals: Pelican Tents and Events

Additional Rentals: P .O.S.H Couture Rentals, P erch Event Décor

Catering: The Upper Crust

Cakes: Social Bites

DJ: DJ Michael Green

Venue: David Toms Academy

Linen: BBJ LA Tavola/Nuage Designs

Photographer: Jamie Pratt Photography

Picture Booth: Pikcher Booth

Dance Floor Design: Rebecca Hargrove Design

Paper: The Paper Tulip

Dress: Bridal Boutique

Dress Designer: BERTA

Hair and Makeup: Chemistry Hair Salon

Graphic Design: Evan Bryan

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Mental Health

deserves our attention

more than ever.

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with some form of a mental health condition. They are our friends, our family members, and our co-workers. One in four adult Americans have a diagnosed mental health condition. Many of these individuals get up every day and make meaningful contributions to society, all while privately struggling with their own issues. Since May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s use this opportunity to educate ourselves on how we can positively protect our own mental health, along with that of our children and others.

BY DR. MICHELLE YETMAN

First and foremost, we must make a concerted effort to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health struggles so more people will seek the help they need without fear of being negatively labeled. Individuals’ suffering with mental health should not be treated any differently than those diagnosed with other diseases.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of your life, mental health problems will likely impact your thinking, mood, and behavior. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• Family history of mental health problems

Mental health challenges are common and often a normal reaction to life stressors. It is important to remember that it is okay to ask for help in life. When life becomes overwhelming, it is important to know that there are valuable resources that are available that can help an individual manage and cope. We should all be vigilant about protecting our mental health, just as we try to stay in the best physical shape possible. Managing stress, maintaining social contacts, and engaging in purposeful tasks all help to bring balance to our lives.

It is important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Below are simple, practical suggestions to help promote mental well-being:

1. Talk about your feelings. Do not let negative emotions build up. Talking things out can often resolve issues. If you do not have family or friends who are willing to listen, therapy can be a valuable way to help process things and learn more about yourself. You can also develop effective coping skills.

2. Keep active. Regular exercise has been shown to be a wonderful stress reliever. It can improve concentration, mood, and sleep. In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, the mental health benefits are many.

3. Eat well. You are what you eat! A healthy diet can impact mood and improve cognitive functioning.

4. Drink sensibly. Alcohol is a depressant. Drinking to change our mood can make bad things seem worse. Alcohol or drugs are never effective coping strategies. When the substances wear off, you will feel worse. Never use alcohol or substances to manage difficult emotions.

5. Keep in touch. Loneliness is a toxic emotion. It is essential for people to maintain meaningful relationships throughout their lifespan. Calling or texting someone to let them know you are thinking of them will brighten someone’s day and is a good thing for your mental health.

6. Ask for help. Life can be hard. No one is superhuman and there is no shame in asking for help. Therapists and doctors specialize in treating individuals who are having mental health challenges. If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out. Things can get better, but you might need to ask for some help first.

7. Do something you’re good at or what you love. What did you do for fun as a child? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? People who had hobbies faired better during the pandemic. Enjoying yourself can help you beat stress. Work to find a group of people who also enjoy the same hobby.

8. Finally, accept who you are. No one is perfect. Acknowledging your weaknesses and being proud of your strengths is part of being a mature adult. Growth is a lifelong process. Continue to discuss what you like about you.Michelle Yetman, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor Clinical at the Children’s Center at the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport.

If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or like you want to har 11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Helpline 800-985-5990. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741.

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bringing generations TOGETHER 

He has an infectious smile that radiates joy. His serious look is shadowed with calmness that is both composed and super cool. Lance Thompson, one of Shreveport’s own sons, is one of the most musically talented young men I have had the pleasure of meeting. He sings, he dances, he writes original music and lyrics and can entertain a diverse audience.

You will have the opportunity to see for yourself July 9th as Lance brings his show to the Rooftop of the Remington in downtown Shreveport.

Lance was born to sing. At the age of three, he had his first solo, “Jesus Be a Fence All Around Me,” at the Little Union Baptist Church in Shreveport. His late mother, Brenda Wesley, recognized his gift and was instrumental in nurturing his love of music. She passed away when Lance was 16 years old, but her influence and support has long been a vital part of his success. The late Betty Akins, his piano and music teacher at South Highlands Elementary School, also contributed to the development of his many musical talents. He further developed his confidence in front of an audience with his membership in the Red River Children’s Choir.

Lance got serious when, in 2016, he began building his music career. He has been on the rise ever since with a Pop R & B style that has become his signature. Inspired by his favorite artist, Michael Jackson (favorite song: Human Nature), Stevie Wonder, and Bruno Mars, Lance composes the music and writes the lyrics to his songs in his home studio. He choreographs every movement that brings dynamic energy to his shows. On July 9th he will be joined by two, exceptionally talented dancers: Rachel Jackson, who comes to Shreveport by way of the United Kingdom, and DaniaAlvarez, who was the first dancer in his first music video. DJ Josh Scott will be on the mix.

For those who have never tried it, dancing while singing high energy songs is no easy feat. Lance compares his shows to a roller coaster ride. He starts with a huge rush of energy, a twist to the right, a slow steady climb to the next peak, another burst of excitement, a left twist, and

a slow down before you get out of your seat. And just like every roller coaster, you cannot wait to get in line for the next ride. Lance “brings it” with energizing visuals and aunique vocal quality I have not heard in a while. His music has purpose and tells a story – a refreshing concept in today’s music.

In addition to having a successful musical career, Lance has another goal. “To express unapologetically a love for God in a secular arena.” He believes that when you show sincere love with people, they will feel that love and be inspired to pass it on to someone else. He draws his inspiration from a personal relationship with the Lord, his life  experiences, and his relationships with people.

Among his many accomplishments, Lance won a Golden Ticket and went to Hollywood to compete on American Idol. He has performed throughout the state including headlining at the Red River Balloon Rally, the Red River Revel, and the State Fair of Louisiana. He was also the 2020 LA Music Prize winner, a division of the LA Prize Fest that was live streamed to thirty-seven states and nine countries despite the pandemic. He serves on the Shreveport Community Church Praise and Worship Team.

Lance has succeeded in building bridges with his music, transcending age, race, ethnicity, and gender. He appeals to almost everyone and is just what we need in this crazy world. He has just returned from Prescott, Arizona, where a diverse group of fans were so enamored with his performance, they went with him from his first venue to the next one. That, my friends, is the very definition of “a following.”

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