Who you callin' fat???

Mardi Gras!!!! It's coming up-- well, the celebrations have already started in NOLA, and Feb. 5 is the actual date. If you've never been, and the only vision you have of Mardi Gras is Bourbon Street, drunkards and flashers, you are missing out.... that's cool for some tourists, but locals and those "in-the-know" appreciate the entire process of festivities and often celebrate for an entire month by decorating their houses in purple, green and gold, chomping on tons of King Cake, and subsequently biting that plastic baby's butt!

It's also pretty sweet that, in New Orleans, often Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) and Mardi Gras (Phat Tuesday) are paid holidays at work and people are encouraged to take those days off and participate in parades and balls, debutante balls, that is.

Mardi Gras celebrations date back to the 1580's in Europe, and the rich tradition of the mysterious and secret society Krewes and their Kings has been alive for over 150 years in America.

Krewe of Endymion parade float

It really is one of the activities you must partake in before you die; from Mid-City through the CBD, and Uptown there are hundreds of parades to catch, second lines to step to, and other lagniappe...but stay away from Bourbon Street if you're not into random boobs.



photos: flickr.com

Just because she's FABULOUS

My artist/writer/creative/PR friend Jesse Hendrix-Inman was a blushing bride this past spring and she had such a unique and memorable wedding that I just have to share it. All of her planning ideas exemplified who she is as a person, artsy and fun-- and where she loves to be, New Orleans!

I did her makeup!

Jesse and Jamez (jay-MEZ) got married on April 27 at the stunning Unitarian Church on Archdale Street and were received at Gage Hall, just down the way, in a New Orleans fantasy- themed bash. Jesse wore a dress that was handmade by her mother, tres Audrey Hepburn, a chic birdcage veil (read about her on Unveiledbridaldesigns.com here!), and red satin shoes. Her bridesmaids wore fire red dresses and carried candles down the aisle instead of bouquets. The groom and groomsmen wore grey pinstripe suits, red vests, and pimpin' fedoras. The ceremony was a touching celebration and in such a beautiful venue.

The Unitarian Church, so pretty

Guests received mardi gras beads as they walked out of the church and cool mint juleps as they entered the reception. The decor was red and festive with beads and masks placed throughout. Mediterra Catering cooked up some bayou classics like gumbo, cajun catfish bites, roast beef po-boys (OMG so friggin' good) and crawfish bread! The cake was a decadent chocolate raspberry party in your mouth.

Everyone got down to the tunes of the River City Dixieland Jazz Band, and they even got in on the action! The newlyweds were even treated to an impromptu acoustic performance of, you're reading it right, "Jesse's Girl" by the bride's sister Britt and her fiance, Jeff, who are both in a band in Nashville.

This wedding was the antithesis of a stuffy, traditional affair; it was laid-back, intimate and truly a New Orleans fantasy! Congrats lady!

Flowers by Flowergirls, LLC

Photos by Ron Bailey Photography

It's a Festival Out There!

On the heels of Charleston's own Spoleto Festival USA, today's post involves things that a lot of people have come to enjoy: Music + Parties = Music Festivals! Summer is a prime time for the crowds, food, alcohol, herb of choice and the main ingredient, a wide array of music to be heard.

A fun-filled fest close to my heart is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fesitival which takes place the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May each year at the New Orleans fairgrounds. This year's jazz fest drew over 350,000 music and food lovers from all over the world. Who wouldn't come when crawfish sausage po-boys, shrimp bread, seafood gumbo and muffelattas are just a few items on the menu?! (Click here for a crash course in New Orleans cuisine, complete with mouth-watering photos!!!) Not to mention the lineup of artists that played like Van Morrison, Norah Jones, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and countless Zydeco and Cajun music makers.

When I went a couple years ago, I couldn't help but tap my feet and do a little jig past the Fais-Do-Do Stage. New Orleans has an energy that can't be described... it's unlike any other place I've ever been. I'm glad I got to live there, if even for a little while, and let it be a part of me.

Bonnaroo is coming up this weekend, and though I can't make it this year, I'm going to try to do the Roo before it's no longer just a few hours drive from where I live. The festivities take over Manchester, Tennessee June 14-17, and artists this year include The Police, The Roots and up an coming Brit Lily Allen.

One of the activities at the festival that proves to be a must-see is Bonna Rouge, "rock & roll cabaret at its finest"! I'm sad I missed Cabaret Kiki's last show, I heard it was cab-tastic.

Here's a link to a blog that seems to cover any and all music festivals, great reads.