

What You Need To Know About New Orleans' Newest Luxury Resort
For anyone who knows me, they know that whenever NOLA calls, I come running.
So was the case when Bluegreen Vacations invited xoNecole along with several other journalists to experience all that New Orleans has to offer in the comfort of their newest luxury boutique resort, The Marquee. This weekend marked the grand opening of the newest addition to the resorts' The Cityscape collection. And when you're in need of a moment to take a breath from all the sight-seeing or while you recover from one too many hand grenades, The Marquee Resort fully intends to be a little slice of heaven away from home.
When I think of New Orleans, I think of the food (oysters are always and a forever a must), the energy of its people, the pulse of the culture felt all around you, and magic. Inescapable, infectious magic. I'm convinced it casted a spell on me--in that hauntingly inviting way that it does--when I first visited in 2015. Since then, I've been coming back for more and finding more reasons to love it. This weekend, I added The Marquee to that ever-evolving list.
Here are a few more reasons to think of The Marquee for your next NOLA adventure:
Location is king and so are the amenities.
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
Conveniently located on Elk Place, the Vaudeville-esque property just off the lifeline of New Orleans' bustling city, Canal Street. It's also a 13-minute walk to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (ESSENCE Fest, anyone?). In other words, you're in the center of all of the excitement and wonderment NOLA has to offer with most things just a quick $10 Uber ride, a trolley, or a sight-filled walk away.
With their one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options all coming fully decked out with a full kitchen (with a coffee maker and blender as an added plus), a washer and dryer in unit, walk-in showers, walk-in closets and more, it's definitely on my list to revisit with friends for a long stay where we'd want to share rooms without sacrificing privacy. Hey, whatever happens in NOLA, stays in NOLA.
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
The magic it serves is undeniable.
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
Magic could be felt all up and through The Marquee, as we were treated to some of the magnetism of what makes NOLA a place I love to return to. The Marquee is all about theater, a touch that acts as a callback to the history of the neighborhood, that was at one time referred to as Storyville. Story Val is the embodiment of the linear 3D sculpture that greets you in the lobby and acts as the narrator for The Marquee. Story Val leads guests through The Marquee's story and allows them to become a part of the overall story. In fact, once you check-in, your name gets added to the hotel's Featured Cast display.
Instead of dropping our things down and looking to our app for the nearest Uber to get into some excitement (or mischief), you're captivated enough to want to stay a little while and indulge in the little Wizard of Oz-esque moments around the property.
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
The integrated AR takes art to the next level.
Sheriden Chanel/xoNecole
AR is everywhere, breathing life into the art pieces that surround you. Portraits move on the walls behind their curtain, hushing you from telling their secrets. On the ground level, you experience a black and white color scheme that boldens and saturates with color as you level up and go higher up on the floors. The idea there is the higher you go on the elevator, the "naughtier" you are, which is why bold reds that spark passion are the choice of color. On your headboard, portraits move too, this time with the help of a mobile app called Inter-Blue that will allow the art piece to tell her story to you.
The Marquee is completely unique in that way from other accommodations that I've had the pleasure of staying at over the years. The reason being, Bluegreen Vacations are resorts that allow friends and families to own a piece of the city that they are visiting, so that they have a go-to vacation spot in their favorite city when it's time to travel.
You'll get all the amenities of home, but with the added magic of being on a vacation. A little piece of heaven in the unforgettable paradise that is New Orleans, Louisiana.
Featured image by Getty Images; all photos by Sheriden Chanel
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Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
It’s almost as if most of the traditional sugary sodas that we grew up loving were swapped out for most health-conscious alternatives. If you walk into any grocery store and find yourself in the soft drink aisle, what you’ll discover is a new, fast-growing selection of gut-friendly drinks that are improving our digestive health, one sip at a time.
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as "good" bacteria, that help maintain a balanced and healthy microbial environment in our digestive system. With probiotic beverages that contain live beneficial bacteria, these drinks deliver probiotics to the digestive system in a convenient and enjoyable way.
Although it may seem as if probiotic sodas have had an instant surge in popularity, these low-sugar, tummy-soothing beverages have earned their position by tasting good and being good for you. From their support in maintaining good bacteria in the gut to keeping your immune system balanced and in check, there’s truly nothing like sipping your way to better gut health.
From fermented seltzers to probiotic pops, we’ve got the best bubbly, gut-focused sodas for you to try.
Poppi 12-Pack Sparkling Prebiotic Strawberry Lemon Soda
Poppi
This sparkling soda from Poppi is packed with the good stuff to keep your immune system boosted, your stomach less bloated, and your digestive system flowing.
Health-Ade Pop Prebiotic Soda
Flavor and fuel for your tummy, who could ask for a better duo to keep your digestive system happy?
Mayawell Bubbly Prebiotic Soda
Amazon
Looking for a soda that puts your gut health first? Mayawell has all the good prebiotic fiber to keep your immune system strong and metabolism burning.
wildwonder Sparkling Probiotic Juice Drink
We love a silly little drink that’s serious about giving your gut the good bacteria it needs, with both prebiotics and probiotics packed in every can.
KeVita Probiotic Sparkling Refresher
The secret behind KeVita’s sparkling refreshers is that it’s been fermented with their water kefir culture to keep the “good bacteria” happy and working for you.
OLIPOP
Amazon
Whether it's for the taste or its endless gut benefits, OLIPOP is providing a healthier alternative to sugary sodas with high-fiber ingredients that support your digestive system.
culture POP soda
Amazon
Sipping on your favorite soda is even better when you know that it’s juicy, fruity, and made with organic spices and herbs, along with billions of live probiotics that are as soothing as it is satisfying.
Humm Probiotic Seltzer
Amazon
If you’re looking for a seltzer that’s good for you and loaded with two billion probiotics in every can, you’re gonna love these seltzers from Humm.
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Featured image by Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography/Getty Images