Acadiana Lifestyle

Acadiana Lifestyle Acadiana Lifestyle - Celebrating The Bayou Life Follow along with the award-winning publication each month in print or through social media.

Acadiana Lifestyle has a five- parish coverage area and has been celebrating the people, places, events, art, food and music of Acadiana for 30 plus years.

Meet the next group of Stars of Style contestants! ✨ Each brings a unique story, a passion for serving the community, an...
07/13/2026

Meet the next group of Stars of Style contestants! ✨

Each brings a unique story, a passion for serving the community, and a personality that’s sure to light up the stage. 🌟

✨ Ricky Eskind — A lifelong public servant and entrepreneur, Ricky has dedicated his career to helping others as a firefighter, flight paramedic, investigator, and business owner while continuing to give back to the community through charitable work and music.

✨ Jay Florsheim — Owner of Peace, Love & Smoke, Jay combines his love of gourmet food, local restaurants, theater, and community service to make Acadiana a little brighter and believes every day should begin with a smile.

✨ Hayley Boutte — A healthcare leader, entrepreneur, and community volunteer, Hayley is dedicated to improving the lives of others while balancing business ownership, motherhood, and service to causes close to her heart.

✨ Taylor Hernandez — A hairstylist, makeup artist, content creator, and devoted mom, Taylor uses her creativity and authenticity to inspire confidence while staying active in youth sports and uplifting her community.

⭐ Stay tuned as we continue introducing this year’s Stars of Style contestants. We can’t wait to see them take the stage!

✨ Meet the first contestants of Stars of Style! ✨The countdown is on, and we’re excited to introduce the first group of ...
07/13/2026

✨ Meet the first contestants of Stars of Style! ✨

The countdown is on, and we’re excited to introduce the first group of incredible individuals who will take the stage for Stars of Style! From community leaders and entrepreneurs to passionate advocates and hometown heroes, these contestants bring talent, heart, and a love for Acadiana to this unforgettable event. 🌟

✨ Karleigh Crochet Sigur — A proud New Iberia native, physical therapist, business owner, and mother of four, Karleigh is dedicated to serving her community through healthcare, leadership, and initiatives like the Teche Area Senior Olympics.

✨ Troy DeRouen — A New Iberia entertainment icon with more than four decades in the music industry, Troy has built a career as a DJ, radio personality, entrepreneur, and community connector while always keeping family at the center of his life.

✨ Matthew Oldenburg — Owner and Director of Zoosiana, Matthew has transformed his childhood passion for animals into a lifelong mission of conservation, education, and creating memorable experiences for the community.

✨ Courtney Svendson Oldenburg — A storyteller, brand leader, and co-owner of Zoosiana, Courtney brings creativity, energy, and Acadiana spirit to everything she does—from growing local brands to making memories with her family.

We can’t wait to watch these stars shine! ⭐ Stay tuned as we introduce more contestants and get ready for a night celebrating style, personality, and community.

Did you know only about 80 whooping cranes call Louisiana home?🦩Children in the Jeff Davis Parish Library’s Summer Readi...
07/10/2026

Did you know only about 80 whooping cranes call Louisiana home?
🦩
Children in the Jeff Davis Parish Library’s Summer Reading Program recently got an unforgettable lesson about one of North America’s rarest birds from International Crane Foundation Outreach Specialist Brittney Palode. Through interactive activities, videos, and the story of “Super Whooper,” they discovered how these endangered birds live, grow, and thrive in Louisiana’s wetlands.

From learning about crane dances and camouflage to creating their own “crane heroes,” the program inspired a new generation to appreciate the vital role our wetlands play in protecting this incredible species.

The countdown is on! ✨✨The 2026 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Stars of Style Gala is almost here, and it’s shaping up to...
07/06/2026

The countdown is on!
✨✨
The 2026 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Stars of Style Gala is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening of glamour, community, and giving back!
🌾
Join us July 25 at the Cyr Gates Community Center in New Iberia City Park as 20 outstanding contestants compete for the coveted Top of the Crop title. Enjoy an evening of cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, dancing, and exciting silent and live auctions—all while supporting the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival.

🌟 Want to help your favorite contestant shine? Cast your vote through 9 p.m. on July 25 and be part of the fun!

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the gala beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Don’t forget to check back to meet this year’s Stars of Style contestants and learn more about the incredible men and women representing seven sugar-producing parishes.

CommunityStrong NewIberia SugarCaneFestiva

July is here! This month, we will meet the nominees for the Stars of Style. Happy reading!
07/02/2026

July is here! This month, we will meet the nominees for the Stars of Style. Happy reading!

Women in Business //  Wendy Williams-LacourFrom learning the insurance industry on her own to becoming the owner of her ...
06/22/2026

Women in Business // Wendy Williams-Lacour
From learning the insurance industry on her own to becoming the owner of her own agency, Wendy Williams-Lacour’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and a genuine passion for helping others.

After joining her stepfather’s agency in 1994, Williams-Lacour immersed herself in the business, teaching herself everything she could while building a future for herself and her family. Nineteen years later, she purchased the agency and transformed it into Wendy Williams-Lacour Allstate Insurance.

Today, she leads with integrity, strong family values, and a commitment to putting people first.

For Williams-Lacour, success isn’t just about policies; it’s about finding solutions, building trust, and treating people the way she would want to be treated.

Women in Business // Lisa Barker  “To me, success is health and happiness.”  What started with a love for linen became a...
06/17/2026

Women in Business // Lisa Barker
“To me, success is health and happiness.”
What started with a love for linen became a business centered on comfort, community, and helping people feel their best.

After moving back to Louisiana from California, Lisa Barker discovered the magic of linen in our Southern humidity and turned that discovery into Southern Linen Co. in New Iberia nearly three years ago.

From clothing and home essentials to creating a welcoming space where customers stop by just to say hello, Southern Linen Co. is about more than shopping; it’s about connection.

Women like Lisa Barker are weaving creativity, community, and heart into Acadiana’s small business scene.

Women in Business //“Keep asking, keep learning and keep showing up.”From social worker to successful broker, Cindy Brou...
06/16/2026

Women in Business //
“Keep asking, keep learning and keep showing up.”
From social worker to successful broker, Cindy Broussard Herring’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and taking chances.

After becoming a widow with a daughter headed to college, Herring knew she needed to create new opportunities for her family. She earned her real estate license in 2004, opened her own agency in 2008, and has never looked back..

Women like Herring continue to inspire Acadiana with their resilience, determination, and heart.

New Opening: Baits Motel //What do you get when a $2 fishing bobber ice chest, Bayou Teche, and a whole lot of Cajun cre...
06/15/2026

New Opening: Baits Motel //

What do you get when a $2 fishing bobber ice chest, Bayou Teche, and a whole lot of Cajun creativity come together?

Meet Baits Motel, downtown New Iberia’s newest boutique stay that’s equal parts motel, art project, and Cajun fever dream.

With themed rooms like Mardi Gras Madness, Pirate’s Cove, and Sportsman’s Paradise, every stay feels like stepping into a different Louisiana story. Located along Bayou Teche, the motel celebrates local art, history, music, and culture, all while giving visitors a one-of-a-kind bayou experience.

Future plans include kayak launches, fire pit patios, live music, and even a floating stage because, as owner Mickey Bellot says, “The bayou isn’t just the view, it’s part of the experience.”

Forget cookie-cutter hotels. This is Louisiana at its coolest, most creative, and most beautiful.

Read our full feature on how Baits Motel is helping put New Iberia’s culture center stage and proving that not everything has to be polished to be unforgettable.

Address

124 E. Main Street
New Iberia, LA
70560

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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