Blog - Page 12 of 116 - Thrive Magazine

January 2026

New Year, New Flavors

by Kerri Cooke Southwest Louisiana is famous for its Cajun food, but we also boast a variety of international food restaurants that serve up sizzling eats based on classics from around the world. The following list introduces a few new players in the local food scene while bringing attention to […]

December 2025

Let Him INN – Making Room for Christ in a Crowded World

No Room Inn Every Christmas season, we’re drawn back to the familiar story: Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, weary from travel, only to be told, “There is no room in the inn.” The Savior of the world—the One who created the heavens and the earth—entered our world in a […]

December 2025

A Festive Journey Through Europe’s Most Enchanting Christmas Markets

by Andrea Guthmann Across Europe, the scent of spiced wine and roasting chestnuts fills the crisp winter air as town squares transform into enchanting holiday villages. From the bustling medieval squares of Munich, Germany, to the fairy-tale alpine setting of Innsbruck, Austria, to the French-speaking festivities found in Montreux, Switzerland, […]

December 2025

Holiday Happenings

Enjoy the 2025 holiday season with one or a few of the many events being hosted in SWLA. From children’s events to adult-only nights, there is something to do every weekend in December. Don’t be a grinch. Go take some Christmas-themed selfies or enjoy a walk downtown with the Holiday […]

December 2025

Making Scent, Fragrances & More – Cologne Maker and Collector, Rico Ramirez

by Kerri Cooke Rico Ramirez’s love for scent goes back to his childhood when he would sneak a spray or two of his dad’s cologne before going to elementary school. The fragrance that most evocatively summons his youth is Ralph Lauren’s Polo. Ramirez didn’t dive into fragrance seriously until two […]

December 2025

Lucille Lane: Pop Art Takes on Ben Franklin, Lil Wayne

by Kerri Cooke Zoey Reed’s main job is lightyears away from the boutique she just launched, Lucille Lane. With a background in political advocacy, Reed, who is originally from Sulphur, spent years living in New Orleans, only recently moving back to the Lake Area. What began as a way to […]

December 2025

Holiday Style with Lydia & Lavender Boutique

by Kerri Cooke Holiday style is highly dependent on your personality and what event you’ll be attending. You wouldn’t wear a slinky, gold dress to an ugly sweater party. A white elephant gift exchange also calls for something casual. The Cottage Co-op Shop staff with the boutique Lydia & Lavendar […]

December 2025

Shop Leauxcal Southwest Louisiana – Sponsored by Lakeside Bank

This Christmas season, the heart of our community can be found in its small businesses. They bring joy, character and local flavor to holiday celebrations while playing a key role in keeping Southwest Louisiana strong and connected. Their impact extends far beyond storefronts, shaping the vitality and resilience of the […]

December 2025

Just Imagine SWLA: From Vision to Action – Just Imagine SWLA’s 2025 Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close, Southwest Louisiana can look back on a year marked by steady progress, community collaboration and meaningful investment in the places we call home. From major developments in downtown Lake Charles to student-led improvements in Sulphur, each milestone reflects the shared vision behind Just Imagine SWLA: creating […]