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Day trippers

Day-lab.com is fun, funky and local. Lauded by Internet fashion blogs and publications like Lucky and Entertainment Weekly for its hip, one-of-a-kind jewelry, apparel and other gifts by indie designers, the site and its creator, Amy Shutt, has fashionistas from California to Japan clamoring for vintage Lucite rings and gaffer tape wallets.

Shutt, a Baton Rouge native, started day-lab in February 2005 as an offshoot of Cozytone, an Internet magazine she and fellow Baton Rougean Ryan Baudoin started. Over the course of its 11 issues, Cozytone covered a variety of topics, including indie art and music. “Day-lab started because we wanted to have a place to buy the products these artists had,” Shutt said. “It came from that, and then day-lab kind of took over so we had to shut down the magazine.”

Run out of Shutt’s tiny Garden District apartment with Baudoin’s help, day-lab celebrates its second anniversary this month. And even bigger things are ahead.

Now, in addition to the designs of other artists, day-lab carries Shutt’s own jewelry line as well as Little Ghost Designs, a joint venture with Baudoin. The two have also launched gemma-lab.com, an online jewelry supply shop, and night-lab.com makes its debut this month as the brother store to day-lab.

Baudoin, who will run the new night-lab site, plans to carry some modern, sleek housewares, arty graphic novels and hip men’s apparel. Also check out gemma-lab.com and night-lab.com

-—SARAH YOUNG

Horsing around

Instead of the cliché candlelight dinner for Valentine’s Day, saddle up and mosey on over to Wanetiri Lakes in Greenwell Springs for a romantic afternoon of horseback riding followed by a gourmet picnic lunch complete with fresh flowers and chocolates. Packages start at $150 a couple, and Betsy Barnes and her staff can help tailor your package to suit your personal preferences, whether you want to add on a bottle of bubbly or a six pack of beer. Call 261-4430 for reservations and gift certificates. Happy trails. wanetirilakes.com

—SARAH YOUNG

Artistic pursuits

Tom Livesay isn’t new to the art world, but at the LSU Museum of Art, he’s considered the new kid on the block. Livesay took over as the museum’s executive director at the end of January, a post held by Laura Lindsay since 2005. “I am really excited about the LSU Museum of Art and what it means not only to the university, but to the people of Baton Rouge,” Livesay said. “What amazing possibilities!”

Going back to Cali

Think you’re a dedicated Tigers fan? Well, these guys have you beat. John and Ryn Jones bought tickets and made travel arrangements for California when the Tigers still were a candidate for the Rose Bowl. But the Sugar Bowl picked LSU. These diehard fans had committed to their Los Angeles plans, so off they went. They even found some purple and gold love in the Golden State—the Christmas tree at the Pacific Palms Hotel, where they stayed, was decked out in LSU colors. Pictured are the Joneses, (right) as well as her parents, Norma and Jim Rutledge.

Cosby Kids

TV legend Bill Cosby made a charity appearance at Baton Rouge Community College’s annual fund-raising gala recently. A silent auction including paintings by Alan Laird, a gift basket from Monjuni’s Italian Café and a football signed by Les Miles—plus the $200 tickets—raised money for the college. Dressed to impress, Eric Stephens, left, and James Northern wait in the Magnolia Library and Performing Arts Pavilion for the comedian to perform. “Bill Cosby is so well respected and such an advocate for education,” said BRCC’s Rochelle Hopkins. “It’s great to have him here.”

—JEFF ROEDEL