Home Sweet Home

Finally, after weeks of waiting...   and as of 4:30 pm this evening, Mark and I are happy homeowners!!!!!  It has been a long process filled with its fair share of struggles and bumps in the road, but each and every one of those lows led us down this crazy journey to the most joyful evening!   Our little nest is a converted Victorian double that was renovated into a single with a camel back, so it has loads of modern amenities without foregoing its old New Orleans charm.  From its gas lantern and its gingerbread architecture to its original hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and its recessed ceiling, it is just the loveliest house a girl could ever ask for!

After getting the keys, we met my mom, dad, sister, and her bf at the house where we enjoyed some pizza from Slice Pizzeria and champagne that my sister and Milton brought to celebrate our happy beginning.

I have to thank Sarah Martzolf Grossman, our realtor, with Latter and Blum.  As we faced challenges along the way during this process, she was constantly there to guide us, to assure us, and to find solutions when we thought that none remained.

Thank you for your patience my dear blogging friends.  I know that I have not been very responsive these last few weeks, but with this big day officially behind us, I look forward to checking in with all of you.  And I look forward to sharing all of our new adventures as homeowners with you.

Much love and sweet dreams!

In Just One Week...

  

I will be turning the Big 3-0.  Holy cow!!!  I will honestly say that this milestone has me a bit nostalgic.  I just can't figure out where all of this time has gone.  Just yesterday, I was turning 21 and using my very own real ID to go to Pat O's for a hurricane and to Harrah's for my first try at black jack.  In fact, I still have a $2.50 coin that I won that night in my wallet.  It was a birthday full of celebrations surrounded by family and friends.  

And thoughts of celebration makes me very excited about what's in store a week from now!  It is going to be a week of making wonderful 30th birthday memories.  We'll have dinner with my family on the actual day, and then we're celebrating on Wednesday at the Chef's Table at Commander's Palace, on Thursday two of my best girls from SC are coming down, Friday we're having a huge dinner party at Luke, and on Saturday a birthday brunch at Commander's and a final friends dinner at Clancy's.  I'm full just thinking about it!!!  I can wait to turn 30, but I can't wait to start the party!!!

I think this fabulous wine glass would help 30 go down so much easier, don't you!!

PS - BIG NEWS POSTING TOMORROW EVENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winter Wishlist

The signs of fall in New Orleans have barely just arrived, and already, I find myself wishing for winter.  You see, yesterday, I met a friend at the mall after work.  After finding the perfect Steve Madden booties to pair with a few new sweater dresses she recently added to her closet, we thought we'd stroll around and see what other goodies there were in store for us.

Steve Madden Carlsen Suede Bootie

Somewhere between this fabulous and perfectly holiday party appropriate ultra-mini lace tulip skirt

And this gorgeous silk and lace shell that would look tres chic under a fitted velvet blazer

I spotted the most amazing black coat I have seen with my very own eyes.  Maybe that's a bit dramatic, but seriously, it has all the elements that I admire in well designed women's outerwear.  It is simple and stylish and has a bit of whimsy in the details.  I love that it is single breasted, that it has straight lines, but that it has the added touch of femininity in the rouching at the waist.  Pure perfection...

It might have to sit on my wishlist for a while though because we're about to make a very VERY big purchase.  I can't wait to share all of the details with you really soon!!!

Beignet's First Festival

Hi yall!  I hope your week has gotten off to a good start.  After yesterday's superb win by the Saints, mine couldn't have started off any better...  Finally, we saw an offense that was clicking on all cylinders.  And that was without two of our best weapons in at running back.  I think once our guys are healthier, we'll be playing up to our championship form!

Speaking of yesterday, we took Beignet to her very first festival, the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival.  We happened to be in town for this great event last year, and boy has it grown in popularity.  For a Sunday evening, Lafayette Square was hopping!  Beignet loved to people watch.  It was an eclectic blend of local music lovers and visitors alike who were attracted to the sounds of Ruthie Foster and the smells of cochon de lait po-boys.  

Beignet also loved to sit in Mark's lap and soak up all of the attention she attracted for being the world's cutest puppy.  I mean, seriously, does it get any cuter.  New Orleans might just be the perfect place to be a dog.  Where else could you have this much fun at six pm on a Sunday?

Off to Cajun Country

The final tax deadline for the 2009 year was yesterday, and boy was it busy in my office.  It was a busy week overall for Mark and me.  We had a wonderful dinner with Trish from Pink Preppy Lilly Lover's hubby Wednesday night.  Since it was such a beautiful fall night, we met at a restaurant on St. Charles Ave. called Delachaise.  It is a wine bar with a bistro menu.  The guys both had the steak frites and I had the most delicious grilled ham and cheese sandwich EVER!!!  It was St. Andre, tuscan ham, and arugula on toasted ciabatta, but the best element of the sandwich was the addition of fresh rosemary.  WOW!!!  It was so great to meet Matt and share a New Orleans night with a new friend.

Last night, we had one of those perfect Nawlins-y evenings.  The weather was just right for a stroll through The Quarter.  So before meeting some friends for dinner, we walked down Royal Street towards Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse (where my sister is the pastry chef).  They have a $5 bar menu that is just too good to pass up.  For just $5, you can choose from a selection of amazing small plates and also two different cocktails.  I had the crawfish and artichoke dip which was very very tasty and a spiked Arnold Palmer, and Mark had the steak skewers and a martini.  We walked to dinner in the nearby Marigny neighborhood  which is packed with jazz bars and little restaurants.  We chose Adolfo's because we love the food and the atmosphere.  It is a small Italian place that sits above a music bar.  Our friends had never been, and I can say by the end of our meal, I think it my be a new favorite for them!!!  If you make it there, I highly recommend the Spinach and Italian Sausage Cannelloni...  DIVINE!

As for today, we are about to take off on a country drive.  We're headed to New Iberia, LA for some quality time with some old friends.  I'm looking forward to driving through Houma on the way and stopping at Big Al's for seafood.  I'm also looking forward to the peace and quiet that comes with a nice drive through Southwest LA on a cool October day.  It's the time of year when the sugar cane farmers light the cane fields on fire, and the smell in the air tells you it's officially Fall.  There is absolutely nothing better...

Yall have a good weekend!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I promise that blogging really is one of my favorite things.  I have had a bit of a harder time adjusting to being home than I thought I would.  Our housing situation has been a complete roller coaster ride, and I felt like blogging about it would bring you all down as my spirits have been pretty low.  But, I think we may have turned a corner in that department, and I'm hoping to share some exciting news with you very soon.  

I hope you forgive my lack of posts and that you stick with me for a week or two until we settle in a little more. 

A few weeks back, the lovely Sarah from Living Well tagged me in a fun question and answer game about some of my favorite things. 

1. What is your dream job?

I would absolutely L-O-V-E to own a little French bakery with my sister.  We'd call it Soeurs Patisserie for Sisters Bakery.  Our shop would be sweet and charming and have a lovely navy blue awning and flower boxes in the windows!  And we'd know all of our customers by name!

  

2. Favorite Halloween costume idea?

Seeing as I have decided that rather than turning thirty right after Halloween, I will instead be celebrating the 30th anniversary of 1980, I will vote for an all out perfect 80s costume similar to the ones my favorite NYC ladies once wore!

3. Favorite dish to bring to a party or potluck?

My friend Anna's uncle is a caterer, and he makes the most delicious baked brie I've ever tasted.  He scores a wheel of brie and wraps it in Pillsbury crescent rolls and bakes the cheese until the crust is golden.  Then he mixes a box of brown sugar, a stick of butter, 2 tsp of vanilla, a cup of chopped pecans, and a few dashes of bourbon and heats the mixture in the microwave until melted and blended.  The praline mixture is poured over the brie and served with sliced apples and buttery crackers.  DEEEELISH!

4. Favorite magazine?

It's a tie between In Style and Food and Wine.  Fashion and tasty recipes - how do you beat that!

5. Best restaurant you've ever been to?

Without a doubt it would be Hidden Kitchen, a private supper club, in Paris.  You can read all about our unique experience at this amazing spot HERE... 

6. Favorite thing about fall?

I would typically say football, but seeing as how poorly this season has started, I think I'll go with a different favorite thing about Fall... pumpkins!!!  Every year on the first weekend of October, my parents would take my sister and me to the French Market to pick out a pumpkin.  It was something I always looked forward to, and it always signified that Fall had arrived!

7. Most romantic love song in your opinion?

My roommate from college sang our first dance song at our wedding reception.  We chose Etta James' At Last, and each and every time I hear it, it makes me so very happy.  I will never forget that feeling of exhilaration as we danced for the first time as husband and wife!

8. Current item at the top of your shopping wishlist?

I am in loves with these abacuses from CB2.  I have a set of them on my birthday wishlist!!!

Catching Up

Hi everyone!

It is downright chilly here in New Orleans right now.  I mean sweater wearing chilly!  And I love it.  These last few days have been relaxing and busy at the same time if that is possible.  We tried to squeeze as many fun things into the last few days of our staycation.  Here's a few highlights...

Lunch at St. James Cheese Company

My sister and her bf joined us for lunch at SJCC.  I felt like we were in Paris!  We shared a variety of meats and delicious cheeses, including my very favorite from our trip to Paris Saint Felicien, and a lovely bottle of wine.  If you are looking for a great New Orleans lunch, you must add this shop on a bustling area of Prytania Street to your list!

Daiquiris at the Fly

After this relaxing lunch, the four of us decided to get daiquiris and watch the boats and barges float down the mighty Mississippi at "The Fly."  The fly is the grassy section of heaven that follows along a section of the river where people of all ages come to relax, play soccer and kickball, or, as in our case, to drink daiquiris!

Harvest the Music Fest - Featuring the Rebirth Brass Band

Every Wednesday from September 15th until November 1st, Second Harvest Food Bank is sponsoring a huge concert in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans.  All of the proceeds from food and beverage sales goes to benefit the fight against hunger in the Louisiana area.  

We were lucky enough to be able to catch Rebirth Brass Band performing at last week's event!  Their music has become synonymous with New Orleans, and from the second we heard the familiar sound of their horns, we felt right at home.

Biloxi Beach

Knowing that real life was quickly approaching, Mark and I scheduled an impromptu getaway to Biloxi.  We stayed at The Grand Hotel and Casino.  While Mark was having some success at the blackjack tables, I was enjoying an amazing message at the Bellissimo Spa.  It was just what the doctor ordered!  I highly recommend Mary Grace if you are ever in the area and looking for a wonderful and sweet masseuse. 

For dinner, we went to the BR Prime at the Beau Rivage.  I cannot begin to explain just how delicious this meal was!  I had the lobster bisque to start and it was rich and warm and wonderful.  For dinner, I had a petite filet, and Mark and I shared the duck fat fried potatoes and chipotle creamed corn.  We split the smores with passion fruit marshmallow cream for dessert.  It was a perfectly sweet way to end our meal.

 Girl Time

Saturday, my friend and college roomie, Sarah, and I went shopping for her 30th birthday dress.  After much browsing, I think we found just the thing!!  It screams flirty and thirty!  It really is the most amazing party dress and I can't wait to celebrate with her in a few short weeks!!!

Saints Win Another Ugly Game

I cannot possible be the only member of Who Dat Nation who is ready to see a good ole fashioned whoopin!  I figured our offense would certainly come alive against Carolina, but once again it didn't.  Huge props to the defense who held their ground on Carolina's final drive.  They saved the day!!!

First Day of Work

Today was my first day of work with the firm I left when we moved to Beaufort four years ago.  During the orientation process, the firm's values and culture were explained to us, and I was reminded why I wanted to re-join this wonderful organization.  I am looking froward to a very long career there!

I promise to get back into my regular blogging routine within the next week.  We are still settling in here, and I am trying to find the balance between work and family and life and blogging.  I know it will come in time, and I hope you can be patient with me as we continue to adjust to our new routines!

I'll be by to check out what's been going on in your world's very soon!!!