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Mardi Gras 2015: Part Two

February 20, 2015 · 4 Comments

What is Mardi Gras but the people who mardi gras with you? Is that a saying for Fat Tuesday, because it definitely should be. Whether you get stuck next to terrible horrible people who will fight you for every single throw and get mad when you finally catch something, or when you’re standing next to really drunk guys who willingly give you their glowy necklace just so you’ll have one too, it really is important who you’ve got beside you. So pick the most awesome people, right!?!

I am just lucky enough to have a bestie who lives in Nola, who has an amazing boyfriend, a local nonetheless, who wanted us to experience our Mardi Gras experience with them. So we did. She told me what throws I needed to have an eye out for — and even shared when she got double of the good stuff. Of course, return the good manners and do the same — but it was a pretty amazing time with some pretty amazing people. See below for proof!

And then one good shot of all of us, just because:

Again, all of these pics (except for the B and I selfie) were taken by Lindsey. Gotta give a girl credit where credit is due!

Hope y’all have a fantastic weekend!

Mardi Gras 2015: Part 1

February 19, 2015 · 2 Comments

That’s right. Mardi Gras was too much fun for just one post! If you’ve been around here for a bit, you know how much I love New Orleans, and anything doing with it — BUT I have never ever ever experienced a NOLA Mardi Gras! Crazy right?!? So we decided that we would head down Wednesday night and stay through Sunday. We got there too late on Wednesday to enjoy the parades, but bring it on Thursday…

Thursday night we got to see Muses, and it was a blast!! B even caught a treasured shoe — the most coveted catch, besides a Zulu Coconut! Friday night we got out there a bit earlier and got a prime spot in front of a police barricade. On Friday night we got to see Hermes, D’Etat and a little bit of Morpheus. And on Saturday, B and I got up, caught the tail end of Iris (we will definitely be heading over there earlier for this next year, because it looked awesome!) and all of Tucks. In case you have never been down there, the parade route for ENDYMION is CRAZY!!! We couldn’t find a spot at all — and I let my girl Linds catch all sorts of fun stuff for me at their ball.

All of these pictures are Linds’ because I forgot my good camera, even though I made sure I had the battery charged. #fail

It was honestly a really good time! It wasn’t the crazy boob-showing booze fest that Bourbon street is — there were tons of families and kids and responsible drinking — except for the guys next to us the second night with their vodka gummy bears and jello shots from a caulk gun. NOT KIDDING. Pregnant lady as DD for the win.

So part one is the parades: next up will be the people and saving the best for last, the food!!

Nola Brunch

December 29, 2014 · 3 Comments

Let’s be honest; there are a million places in New Orleans to eat brunch. A MILLION. You can opt for the simpler beignets at Café Du Monde (although Café Beignet is your best bet if you don’t want to stand in line forever. If, of course, you’ve had Café du Monde before. Plus their Cajun hash browns are the shizz…..) But sometimes, you really just want a nice hearty brunch — especially if you were out partying the night before, which, let’s face it, why would you not?

So for you I have two fabulous locations located in the Bywater in New Orleans.

First up is Booty’s.

The menu for brunch on this is quite different than the pancakes, bacon and “normal” breakfast food you’re used to. They have different menu items from different parts of the world, and the menu does change. I found this out only because I was craving what I had the first time there, so we went back, and to my dismay, it wasn’t on the menu. And then I tried a bloody Maria and hated it. But that’s not their fault; B still stands that they have the best bloody Mary he’s had in New Orleans.

I had the Ramen, and you can see from the description on the menu how amazing this was. The noodles were delicious; the egg was delicious, and that pork belly was what I couldn’t stop eating even when I was completely full.

You can tell how diverse their menu is from the picture up there, so branch out and try something yummy!!

Next up that you have to try is Katies.

This one is more of your traditional brunch food, but of course they have their specials thrown in . AND they have bottomless mimosas for $15. I had three (they bring them out in much bigger glasses than if you ordered just a normal one), and she gave me one to go. Got to love New Orleans and their lax liquor laws. To say I was feeling pretty good afterwards would be an understatement.

Anyway, onto the food.

B had a crawfish beignet, and I had something that was stuffed with amazingness; I honestly can’t remember, but look at it. Soooo good.

Eating is definitely a must while in New Orleans; everyone knows that. But make sure to venture outside the quarter and try some of these amazing brunch spots!

Hope y’all had a great weekend!

Pack vs Saints — Annual Away Game

November 4, 2014 · 3 Comments

So it’s become annual tradition for my dad and I to go to a Packers away game. It was a little unusual since step-mom didn’t get to come, and since Nola is my favorite city, I think I may have killed my dad trying to jampack all the things I love about that place into three days. We were a bit more tame than normal (but we did get Dad to stay out till 1 the first night), but I think it was still an ok time.

Minus the Packers loss, and the not so nice Saints fans.

Anyway, we all got there Saturday afternoon. Promptly after picking Dad up from the airport, we headed straight to our favorite drive-thru daiquiri shop, then headed to the hotels to check in . After checking in, we met up with Lindsey and her boyfriend for some beers, oysters and football.

We went to the Blind Pelican, and got to sit outside on the patio, because the weather was so beautiful. When it was time for the game, we headed back toward the Central Business District and went into Walk-ons, where there were a million TVs so we could all watch our games. The Royals for dad, (as well as Auburn for him, but mostly for me and Bennett) and Alabama for Linds. We ordered a million beers, and I had some of the most amazing cheese fries known to man.

Once we had some food on our stomachs, we headed into the quarter for Hurricanes and people watching.

The next morning, we went to Elizabeths’ for brunch (had praline bacon and mimosas!), then walked back into the quarter for some beer at Lafitte’s, then the piano bar at Pat O’s. After all that, we went back to the hotel to make our go cups for the game. We walked to the Superdome, promptly watched the Packers get their asses beat, went for pizza, and then went back to the hotel room.

My dad said we walked ten miles on Sunday. Duh. That’s how you get to eat and drink whatever the eff you want. The next morning we dropped Dad off at the airport, went to get brunch, walked around the quarter/French Market, and went home.

So if the Packers wouldn’t have lost, and we didn’t force Dad to walk three miles for pizza after the game, I think everyone would have been pretty happy.

Picture dump!

It wasn’t the best trip in the world (thanks a bunch Aaron Rodgers), but it still counts for the tradition! Maybe next year we can pick a better game — one where the fans aren’t so mean, and they have a shot of winning.

But at least I had praline bacon.

And hurricanes.

And requested the loudest song that people sang along with at the piano bar. Thank you very much Don McLean.

The Rest of B’s NOLA Thirty

September 22, 2014 · 1 Comment

For his 30th, I tried really hard to make the hashtag #bturnsthirty worked, but I think it confused even me. I’ve been nothing but confused and busy all week, so today I’m blogging about something that shouldn’t be too hard for me to handle. Yes, even us small time bloggers get stressed out about blogging.

So a little while back, I posted about B’s 30 on 30 challenge, and went through night one. Well, here is a list of the ish we did on day 2. To say I was flippin tired at the end of this day would be a damn understatement.

1. try a new Bloody Mary.

2. Brunch at Booty’s. (this place and another brunch place are actually on the docket for their own post…so. damn.good)

3. Cemetery to see Marie Lavauex’s grave.

4. head to Kitchen Witch for Kitchen Witch spice.

5. Lunch at Antoines.

6. Indian museum. (they ask to please not post any pictures on social media, so I will respect their wishes). It was super freaking cool though.

7. Satchmofest.

8. Rum distillery.

9. nap at the pool. (this happened for real, but taking pictures of people sleeping unless they’re hugging an adorable animal is creepy).

10. White Linen Night.

11. W.I.N.O.

12. Play at the casino.

13. Vieux Carre Pizza.

14. Cigar by the river.

Not pictured: 15. Walk in the Treme 16. Stroll through the French Market 17. Eat a praline.

Day 3:

1. Sunday Brunch at Katie’s

2. head to Rouse’s for some much needed NOLA grocery shopping. (yep, this is my biggest Rouse’s takeaway)

3. Dive bar. (Tracy’s)

4. Head to the Bulldog for a flight.

Not pictured. 5. Magazine shave shop. 6. Buy an album at Defend Nola.

So there ya have it. 30 things done on B’s thirtieth birthday. It was a vacation, but not really a vacation — just a big ole list of shit to do. It was awesome, but probably shouldn’t ever schedule a million things to do on vacation.

And it was hot –also I learned that I do not, I repeat, do not, look good in white linen.