The Big Easy!

Another amazing trip officially on the books.  We just returned home from New Orleans, and let me just say that I certainly need to start taking more trips.  I'm thinking at least every other week.

How is it that I'm 40 years old and have just now made the trip to NOLA?  The city definitely did not let me down. Music, food, architecture, shopping, entertainment...it had it all.  Not to mention an incredible husband who treated me like a princess the entire time. We had a bit of rain on the first night, but it didn't stop us a bit.  We arrived around lunch on Friday and immediately took off for the streets. Rob took my photo as we headed out for my first day in this great city.

And this is me at the end of the day. Soaking wet from the rain, but still had a smile on my face.

Thankfully we only had one day of rain and the rest of the trip was perfect. So many firsts happened in NOLA, and did we documented it all? We certainly did, and you get to see it all! In other words, you've been warned. Typical boring tourist photos coming your way. Hey, it was my 40th b-day trip and I wanted to remember everything. Where do I begin? Perhaps I'll start with Amy, the alligator.

She doesn't look all that mean, but if you didn't hold her just right, she'll take off a finger. Or at least a good chunk. Either way, I wasn't taking the risk.  Ya I have a cheesy grin on my face, but come on people, it's an alligator I'm holding. Rob and I headed out on a swamp tour in true Louisiana style. It was a gorgeous day to be on the water, and we actually saw quite a few alligators.

Captain Sam kicked up the speed in the boat at times, so we had to wear these beauties to protect the ears. Just in case you were wondering if Rob always packs these when traveling. Actually he's probably thinking it may not be a bad way to keep out the noise of my voice.

 The scenery was gorgeous and we both really had a great time. It was fun to get out of the city a bit.

I enjoyed my first Abita beer. Abita brewery is located just about 30 miles outside of New Orleans.

And of course I enjoyed my first Hurricane! Rob lived in NOLA when he was younger and also went to LSU, so he's had plenty of these during his college years. I however, was a Hurricane virgin!

Now the food...oh dear lord have mercy on my hips, the food! Amazing. We of course ate out every meal of every day, and each time we were truly pleased. Honestly, nothing disappointed us. I of course had my first beignets from Cafe Du Monde. Words can't describe how happy these made me.

My dear husband, the great photographer, definitely helped me document everything. I can't believe I'm posting photos of me stuffing my face. Oh well, it's vacation in New Orleans, this is a must. Not only with having my first beignets, but also enjoying my first shrimp po'boy. More goodness!

After looking at all these photos again, I'm certainly glad I skipped Weight Watchers today. Besides the food and drinks we consumed while touring the Big Easy, we also had a chance to see some gorgeous homes in the Garden District. We took the trolley down one morning after breakfast, and I fell in love with these homes. If you want a front porch, these homes have them. Not to mention a balcony or two.

Does this house look familiar? It's the house from one of the Real World series.

We spent some time in the Garden District walking around Magazine Street, and also hopped on a double decker tour bus for a few hours. I loved walking around the cemetery. I was hoping to find a good cemetery tour at night, but nothing really caught my eye. I wanted a good scare.

We hit up Mahony's for lunch. This came recommended from my boss and it was fantastic.

There were beads hanging everywhere. I love how they aren't cleaned up. It gives the area such character. They were hanging off street signs, in trees and on the roofs of houses.

Enjoying some much needed time sitting on a tour bus and letting someone drive us around.

Another thing that I loved while walking around all the areas, but especially the French Quarter, were the amount of musicians just relaxing and playing their tunes. I could have sat for hours listening.

I of course had to hop in for a photo with some of the boys. Yes I know my hair looks a little insane, but I was lazy that morning and didn't feel like blow drying. I know, it's frightening.

Ok, who needs a break to re-fill their wine glass? Don't say I never warned you about the amount of photos. I think Rob and I took close to 800 total, so just be lucky you aren't getting a months worth of posts on this trip. Just suffer through it once, and it will all be over. Ok, back to me and my trip. :) Have I mentioned how amazing the architecture is? I was in love as soon as I walked into the French Quarter and around Jackson Square. Loved the shops, flowers, trees and just overall energy.

So I'm not sure if you can tell, but we truly did have an amazing time away, just the two of us. We ended each day this amazing view from our 28th floor room, and also indulging in some room service.

It went by way too quickly. 

It was the perfect trip. 

Thank you again to my amazing husband for an incredible 40th celebration!

Now go get your butts to New Orleans! 

Random weekend happenings

It's Wednesday and I'm just now getting around to capturing my weekend.  I don't necessarily have a big urge to share since it wasn't anything too exciting, but here I am anyway, posting while watching The Shining. Seriously, I love this movie.  Ok, back to the weekend.  Rob and I were with my family all weekend.  My Dad had surgery last week, and thankfully came out of it beautifully and with good results.  We stuck around for the weekend to spend time with him and help around the house.  My brother and his family also came up. I love relaxing at my Mom & Dad's with the entire family.  The weather was gorgeous as well, which is always a bonus.  I mean look at these beautiful blooms in their yard.  Yep, I'm jealous!

I see these and it makes me crave for a yard.  Of course I am loving one of my trees that's starting to bloom. I'd love it even more if I knew what kind it was.  Any thoughts?

Since Rob and I will be away this coming weekend in New Orleans, that's right, did I mention that trip?  I may have a time or ten before.  Speaking of New Orleans, my boss just got back and brought me some great brochures. I of course noticed that haunted cemetery tours immediately. On my list to do!

But as I was saying.  Rob and I won't be here for Mother's Day weekend, so I had a chance to celebrate with my Mom this past weekend.  A family owned jewelry store in town was hosting a Mother's Day breakfast on Saturday, so my Mom and I went.  It was their first year having this event, and it was fun. Best part, we both walked out with some new jewelry.  Each Mom received a certificate, and then I just splurged a bit on myself.  Win - win situation.

 Happy Mother's Day, Mom! 

They also asked each daughter to write a small something to have read as a surprise to their Mom. This is what I wrote for mine, and she was definitely surprised.

It was decorated beautifully.  The store was closed and only those with tickets were allowed in. They only sold 40 tickets, so it was a nice intimate setting. After getting dressed up for breakfast, we were back home changed in comfy clothes and working outside.  I was also thrilled to have my nephew and his best friend visit.  They hung out with us on Saturday and then hit up DC for the day on Sunday.

 Yes, they even bought cheesy tourists t-shirts for the day.  They had a blast! 

 Well hello Mr. President!

Can you believe after a weekend full of family around the house, that I didn't get any photos?  Well I did snap this one of my brother since he decided to open a beer just before 11:00 AM.  I guess too much family time can make any time seem like 5:00 PM.

Well I certainly hope y'all had a fabulous weekend!

Horses and Home

Hello ladies!  

This past weekend was one of the few weekends I've had at home.  Don't get me wrong, I love having lots of fun stuff happening, but I also look forward to a quiet weekend at home that involves sleeping in, lazy moments with Rob, and working on things around the house. The weekend here in B'more was gorgeous!  Lots of sun - finally!  Of course it hasn't stopped raining since yesterday, but the weekend was perfecto!  

Friday we tried out a new restaurant here in town.  Any fellow B'more bloggers, we ate at Verde in Canton/Fells Point. It's a cool little place, and even better that they have outdoor seating.  

It still amazes me the amount of restaurants B'more has.  Sadly we seem to hit the same ones all the time, so it was nice to venture out a bit. I know, we are just so exciting.  :)  

Saturday was a day spent at the races! Great spread of food, plenty of wine, relaxing with friends and enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks again to Steve & Stacey for the tickets. It was roughly 30 minutes outside of the city, and the scenery just amazed me. Rolling hills, green grass and lots of trees.  

I could sit at events like this all day and people watch.  There were some elaborate spreads, and outfits! I mean look at these flowers on their food table.  These were more amazing than my wedding flowers.  

I bought the girls plastic wine glasses and then personalized them.  Fun touch for the day! 

Such fun with these ladies!  

The rest of the weekend was spent at home working on our back patio. After finally getting some warm sunny days, I'm so excited to start planting some flowers. I hope y'all had a fabulous weekend as well.

This time next week I'll be packing for my trip....New Orleans!