Rain in the Quarter

It seems these New Orleans posts are becoming more and more regular. This time was much more low key than other trips, though. After heading home to Covington on Saturday for some grilled (yes grilled) pizzas, I drove down to the South Shore to spend time with friends. Since there was no special occasion, it made my time there nice and relaxing.

The next morning/early afternoon after going out, my friend, Frank and I drove down to the Quarter for lunch at Stanley's (after trying a few other places that were PACKED). I love the French Quarter in the morning - especially when it's raining. It really is a beautiful part of the city, and it was so nice to get out and walk around despite getting a little wet. Not surprisingly, the restaurant was deeelish. (Try it if you haven't been! I got the Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Salad Poor Boy – French Bread Pizza with Pepperoni, Provolone and Mozzarella Cheeses, Basil Pesto, Romaine Lettuce And House Made Spicy Chipotle Caesar Dressing. OMG) After that and a Bloody Mary (clearly), I took a quick nap then headed back to good ole BR. Good to be home...even if the word "home" is a bit ambiguous right now...

RDR 2012 - My Oh My

Last year was my first time attending the Red Dress Run, and I had so much fun. This year - I have no words. It was one of the best weekends I've ever had. Instead of just going in for the run, we decided to make a weekend out of it. Ryan booked a room at The Clarion (aka - House of Clarionne) where he, Matt, Stephanie, Brennan and I called home base for the weekend's activities. It was one of those out 'till four, up at 8 kind of scenarios - thank God for Tylenol and Powerade Zero...

Despite my slight wardrobe malfunction where a small rip turned into a full fledged slit up the butt when Michael and Ryan went to "fix" it, I'd say it was pretty much a perfect day. Starting at Lafitte's for Purple Drank at 10:30ish we eventually made our way to Bourbon and St. Ann where we spent the rest of our afternoon drinking like fools and getting cray. Cray cray. How we made it out that night (again until 4) I'll never know.

Favorite quotes of the day:

- Fanny packs; they're just so sensible.
- Your crappy friends, but you're all I've got.
- You're dress is offending everyone here.
- On the Causway!

- Dominique Moceanu, you look like you just finished your floor routine!
- Bitch stole my look!
- #nakedsissies
- What's happening? Ryan, not now...
- The Haus of Clarionne
- Oh, Zanielle's gonna be real real mad...
- OMG - glitter is the STD of the crafting world

It's Mah Birthday, Y'all!

Tomorrow (August 11th), you're all cordially invited to attend my birthday party. Look for me - I'll be in the quarter in a red dress.

But seriously, how great is it that my 26th birthday falls on the day of The Red Dress Run?! "Sponsored by the Hash House Harriers, a self-proclaimed "drinking club with a running problem," the Annual Red Dress Run through the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans is another of those uniquely New Orleans fun events that doubles as a fundraiser. It is open to men and women alike and though the concept originated as a charitable event to raise money for breast cancer research, it donates its proceeds to other charities as well." - Courtesy of neworleansonline.com. Truly, it's a pretty standard New Orleans event where thousands of people gather in the French Quarter to drink and party - the only difference is that it's done in a red dress.

I'll be posting Mondayish about this year's RDR, but I thought it would be fun to repost the pics from last year to give you an idea of what we're getting into. Hopefully see you there!

Michael!

 

 

On Tuesday night, a bunch of our friends headed down to NOLA to celebrate my obnoxiously attractive friend, Michael's birthday! That night, we all ate at Rock-n-Sake before squeezing 6 guys in a little convertible, en route to the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon...if you know what I'm saying. It was one of the best nights out EVER...despite a few hiccups along the way (right, Ryan?). 

The next morning, my friends, Ryan, Matt, Jason, Patrick, Johnny, Michael, and I had brunch at Stanley's in the Quarter (so good). Then, a few Bloody Marys and mimosas later, we drove back to BR to enjoy a pool party at our friends', Joe and Chad for the 4th. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty awesome birthday for both Michael on the 3rd and America on the 4th.

Happy Birthday, America

Blow your candles out, America; it's your birthday! What's a better way to celebrate than with a big banana split (with carrot cake at the bottom). I know, right?...YUM. Before heading to a pool party at a beautiful home on the LSU lakes, a bunch of friends and I decided to order a little dessert at Stanley's (read tomorrow) to celebrate the 4th of July. Well...dessert and a few cocktails. Cheers!

Brunch with Mariee' - Feelings Cafe

OMG, it's Monday already? UGH. At least I can relive yesterday at my desk over and over and over. Mariee', Jeri's mom took my cousin/basically brother, Alex and myself to Feelings Cafe in New Orleans for brunch. Alex and I are the two oldest grandchildren on my mom's side other than one other cousin who lives in London. The point is we had her to ourselves for a long time before my brother came along 5 years later. We have such a special relationship with her, and yesterday was the first time in a while we were all free to get together. The food, the drinks and the company were all top notch. We had an absolutely wonderful time.

Afterwards, Alex had to go play in a soccer game, so MawMaw and I had the afternoon to ourselves. First, we visited the house where she grew up on Music St. (below). According to her, it's totally different now with the colors and ornamentation, but either way it's a pretty cool old house. It's deceivingly small - it's camel back style, and the top portion in the back held 4 bedrooms. Not too shabby! We finished the day off by driving around New Orleans and doing a bunch of nothing. I loved it. Before we left the city to go back to the Northshore (Covington), we stopped for coffee and cannolis at Angelo Brocato's. OMG. If you've never been...GO! They make them fresh right in front of you, and it's hard to think of something better than fresh cannolis, coffee, and MawMaw.

Friday Finds - La Boulangerie French Bakery

From open faced portabella sandwiches complete with a pesto mayo and caramelized onions to apple walnut and cream cheese danishes, La Boulangerie French Bakery, located at 4600 Magazine St. has it all. The impact of the aroma that hit us when we walked in was only trumped by the first bite of the apricot preserve danish that we bought. I was in heaven. I LIVE for starting my Saturdays by walking down the street for early morning coffee, a yummy (and fattening) breakfast, with a good book to read...and lots of people to watch. La Boulangerie is perfect for all.

If you're in New Orleans this weekend (and near the 46 hundred block of Magazine) I cannot recommend this place enough. In fact, let me know if you go - I have a to-go order I'll need you to pick up for me!

Weekend Recap - Caroline's Christening

Happy Monday! These are some pictures from our Sunday morning and afternoon when we went down to New Orleans for Beau's niece, Caroline's christening. First, we all went to Mass, and immediately after was the Baptism. The church, St. Francis Xavier, was absolutely beautiful and the ceremony was so wonderful and intimate (as you can see in the pictures above).

Afterwards, all 50 (light exaggeration) of us went to eat at Mandina's on St. Charles. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snap any pics of my turtle soup or messy-but-delicious-as-hell roast beef poboy OR Beau's sweet Italian sausage poboy...because I was too busy stuffing my face. If you haven't been to Mendina's then GO!!

As always, we had such a great time with Beau's families. We love them all and are so blessed to be part of such wonderful people. BTW - how cute is Isabel (above)?!

Friday Finds - The Creole Creamery

The Creole Creamery! I have to tell you, this hit the spot as we were in New Orleans just finishing up the best fried chicken in the city...according to the Food Network. (sound weird, but I'll explain in a later Friday Finds post) We visited the Uptown location of The Creole Creamery since Taylor lived right around the corner (and we were staying there).

I loved this place. It was typical New Orleans - kind of hole in the wall, nothing too fancy, cash only, and totally delicious. Per suggestion, I got the flavor, Nectar...something-or-other. It was sweet, simple, with a very mild flavor. On the other hand, I also tasted the flavor, Red Velvet Cake. Holy Sh Moly!! with chunks of REAL red velvet cake, it was bold and exciting. I was in heaven.

Check the out. Scroll across the this to check out their website!

...As Seen on HGTV

Does this house look familiar? It should if you're a true HGTV fan! A few months ago, Beau's cousin, Taylor and his family were featured on the popular HGTV show, House Hunters as they were in search of a "Getaway Home" in New Orleans. #mustbenice.

Well, this is the house on Magazine St. I keep mentioning when I post about our New Orleans weekends. More often than not, it's where we sleep when we're down there. It's beautiful - located right in the Garden District/Uptown (I can't REALLY tell the difference) on Magazine St., I can't tell which part I like better: the house or the neighborhood.

With it's 100ft. ceilings (seriously - they're so high), original hardwood floors, and stunning windows, this house is incredible to be in. I just feel so fancy. Furthermore, Taylor and his mom, Kim have done a great job decorating, if I do say so myself. My favorite parts: the pops of color. Generally, I'm afraid of color, so maybe I should be taking notes? Best part (and this has totally happened - no lie) people will stop you as you're coming out/walking in and say, "OMG - is this the house from House Hunters?". How cool is that?!

Wedding Night - Elizabeth and Miles

Wedding pics are here! Doesn't it look stunning? I didn't get too many photos from the actual ceremony because I didn't want to turn my flash on, but you can still get a great idea of how beautiful it was. Both the wedding and reception were held at Latrobe's in the French Quarter in New Orleans. It felt just like a movie - Beau and I were practically running to the ceremony through the French Quarter in suits, making it there just in time!

After the ceremony, we all joined in, waving our handkerchiefs, for a 2nd line around the quarter while the reception was being set up. Have you ever been in one? They're SO MUCH fun. Speaking of the reception...talk about well done! The food, drinks, band, and location were all topnotch. (I even had to undo my top button!)

The last picture (my favorite) that you see is from when the bride and groom were leaving the reception on their way to the honeymoon. We all formed a aisle for them to walk through and held sparklers out as they passed. If you've never seen this, you're missing out. It created such a magical and special exit for the new couple.