A City to Share: Madeline Ellis

I’m Madeline Ellis, founder and designer of MIMOSA Handcrafted. Baton Rouge has shaped so much of what I make and what I notice, and I’m drawn to the parts of the city that feel layered, lived-in and full of stories. My ideal Baton Rouge day involves good friends, good food, old trees, locally made things and room to wander into something unexpected.

Breakfast and Coffee

A very Baton Rouge morning for my family starts with a Bet-R breakfast. For us, it’s one of those places where everybody knows your name, and a day just doesn’t feel right if we haven’t made at least one trip for something. If we’re in the mood to go out for breakfast, lately we’ve been picking Louie’s Cafe or Simple Joe's. For coffee, I’ll walk to Magpie Cafe or meet a friend at Las Brujas and probably stay longer than I meant to.

Shopping and Treasure Hunting

I love beautiful things, but I especially love things with a story, so shopping for me is usually more of a treasure hunt. I’m usually checking the estate-sale listings before I even leave the house. I like to hit the Baton Rouge Arts Market early to see what new pieces the local makers have made, then make a quick trip to Purple Cow, because you have to go regularly to find the good stuff :) If I have extra time and allowance, I’m definitely spending it at Red Onion on something from their perfectly curated collection. I almost always need one more spice from Red Stick Spice, so that’s a Saturday stop for sure.

Local’s Tip: Check the weekend’s estate sales ahead of time and map out your day so that you hit the best sales! Bonus: invite a friend, some of my favorite days have been finding quirky treasures with my best friends in hidden-gem-houses around town.

Local Eats

I love a restaurant where the atmosphere is as thoughtful as the food. BLDG 5 is one of those places for me. It’s tucked beneath the Perkins Overpass and somehow manages to feel cozy, interesting and hidden away. We love date night at Eliza's or Little Village for something special and The Chimes, of course. Hannah Q's is our go-to for lunch and Luna Cocina is a new favorite, especially when the weather is good and you can head upstairs and make dinner feel a little more like an occasion.

Get Outside

I’ve walked the LSU Lakes for years, and they are still one of my favorite places in Baton Rouge. There’s something about the live oaks, water, birds and people out walking that reminds me how much nature is woven right into the middle of our city. If you can time your visit with a live concert, even better. I’ve seen so many good ones in the last year. I love the time between buying the tickets and the concert itself, prepping by listening to all their songs over and over, almost as much as the actual concert.

Local’s Tip: I love walking the lakes early in the morning or near sunset, when the animals are out, the light is beautiful and it’s hopefully a tiny bit cooler. Bonus: Invite a friend to walk with you and catch up while you walk.