Prepping for my trip to New Orleans adventure was a bit of a quandary mainly because, at most times of the year, the city is quite warm and humid but you never know when you’ll be hit with a bit of cool climate change. All and all, my Patricia skull sweater seemed like the most appropriate piece to bring along given the location.
#ootd #patriciaskull #27milesmalibu
There’s more to the city of New Orleans other than Mardi Gras, plastic beads, and Bourbon Street debauchery; deep rooted in history, rich in culture and haunted with old memories said to linger along the avenues of the French Quarter. The air is thick and humid and the ghostly imagery of bygone days make this town a time capsule of authentic American history. Being a true believer of the supernatural, a bit of a history buff in my own rite and a love of antiques and good food, this trip definitely satiated my appetite. From the antiquated architecture to Voodoo Museums, ghost tours, swamp excursions and jazz, I quickly fell in love with the city’s gritty charm. Here are some of my favorite “haunts” (pun intended).
After a short stint of unemployment, I found an ample amount of time to dedicate to catching up on my “stories”. One of which, being my new obsession with American Horror Story’s season 3: Coven. Upon arrival, I was all too excited about traversing the famous Garden District with its glorious plantation homes and oak-lined streets. First stop was Buckner Mansion, the main stage of Coven. With intricate wrought iron fences and Grecian columns, it’s hard to imagine living in such a spacious place.
#bucknermansion #coven #gardendistrict #nola #bitchcraft
Getting lost within the general splendor of this neighborhood, I made my way to the Hot Tin, the new “it” bar set atop the historic Pontchartrain Hotel equipped with signature cocktails, vintage decor and sprawling views of the city and Mississippi River.
#hottin #nola #gardendistrict #bar
If you are into beignets or have never had a beignet–perhaps never even heard of it until now, there are two types of experiences you can have when finally making your way to the French Quarter to have a bite: the tourist experience, or the equivocal, less congested kind. Built in 1862, Cafe Du Monde is the original coffee shop found in the French Market and still stands today and open 24 hours. If you really want a piece of history, stop by early in the morning or later in the evenings to beat the crowds. But if you’re looking for a less populated place to experience the soft, doughy slice of fried fritter heaven dusted with powdered sugar, try Cafe Beignet a personal favorite for its quaint infrastructure and friendly house cat.
Wandering the streets of the French Quarters with no particular point of interest is an easy feat given the amount of sensory overload that this little town has to offer. There are so many amazing photo opportunities around every corner along with cute, quaint little vintage shops, bakeries, and museums tucked away into the crevice of original housing structures. Cajun zydeco music and Jazz bands fill the streets with melodic tunes. There is so much incredible talent here and so easy to just sit around and catch a free show (tipping generously of course).
#frenchquarter #nola #neworleans
#streetart #koi #neworleans
#frenchquarter #patriciaskullsweater #27milesmalibu
#jacksonsquare #neworleans #frenchquarter
Bambi Deville has an array of carefully curated pieces and she is a delight to converse with. A deep love for all things vintage and stationed within the remnants of what used to be a single-family home in the French Quarter, this vintage store is a true gem.
#vintagestore #bambidevillevintage #neworleans
#frenchquarter #patriciaskull #neworleans #27milesmalibu
The Voodoo Museum on Dumaine Street featured a plethora of old relics and interesting artifacts.
#voodoo #museum #voodoodolls
To add to more creepy undertakings of New Orleans’ haunted past, I went on a 2 hour ghost tour of the city. If you find yourself wanting to partake, find a man named Niko and join his group. His detailed and accurate history of the city coupled with his dark sense of humor really made the tour so much more personal and less cheesy than the other guides dressed up in old time garbs and adopted guttural British accents.
We visited the home of Madame LaLaurie–another Coven character and real life monster known for her mistreatment and cruelty. Photos of ghostly orbs have been said to be captured when visiting the home at night.
#madamelalaurie #haunting #neworleans #frenchquarter
After the tour, we visited Muriel’s to experience their seance room and satisfy our sweet tooth with a bit of bread pudding. Located within Jackson Square and set above the fine dining restaurant, the space is filled with plush couches, oil stained mirrors and the ghostly presence of the owner who frequently visits.
#muriels #seanceroom #redroom #haunting
The one untapped resource that I always seem to forget when traveling, is Groupon. Never allow yourself to be sucked into overpriced tourist attractions and hit up Groupon for discounted experiences. Take a swamp tour and save yourself $50. Here’s a tip: pay the extra $20 for transportation. Unless you’re renting a car, Uber won’t take you there. The swamp tour was amazing. Sitting atop a fan boat that takes you through the bayou was reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I half expected to hear a banjo playing amidst the rustling trees of ancient Cypress and Spanish Moss.
We were lucky enough to spot a few gators.
As far as the nightlife is concerned, I made my way over to Frenchman Street to enjoy some genuine Jazz. At the price of a drink, you can visit one of the many Jazz clubs and get lost in the music for a true, authentic New Orleans experience. Although Bourbon street may be more of a tourist attraction for its notorious clubs, I found it more equivocal to Vegas and not particularly my scene but definitely worth the experience to saunter through! Just be prepared to be bombarded by club promoters trying to entice you to come in and party. If you do find yourself on Frenchman Street, pay a visit to the Art Market for some local art pieces.
Above all, the most charming aspect of the city are the people. It’s easy to fall in love with New Orleans because of its distinctive character, unique culture, architecture, social ethos, and way of life; a blend of Cajun, Creole, and Caribbean and inhabited with friendly people who carry much love and pride in their city.
As they say in the Big Easy, Laissez les bons temps rouler–Let the good times roll!
THE BIG EASY: My New Orleans Adventure Prepping for my trip to New Orleans adventure was a bit of a quandary mainly because, at most times of the year, the city is quite warm and humid but you never know when you'll be hit with a bit of cool climate change.