Wanderlust: New Orleans, LA

It looks like I'll only being partaking in domestic travel for awhile, so I'm making a list of trips I want to take and retake. One of my favorite places to go, aside from Palm Beach, is New Orleans and I've really been dreaming of it more and more, especially with what should have been Mardi Gras happening this week. Each trip has been memorable in it's own way - the first time I went Emeril came out of the kitchen to meet me, the youngest person to order the spiciest dish and not break a sweat, the second time was to visit my cousin right before mardi gras, and the last time I went was to boost my spirits after being laid off. As you can see, NOLA has a special place in my heart and might be my first post-pandemic trip! Below is a small roundup of things I would want to do, touristy or not. 

My first choice would be to stay at the Soniat House, a boutique hotel in the French Quarter, but there are so many fabulous places to stay in New Orleans. Depending on what you want your trip to look like, you may want a bigger hotel or a hotel in a different location. What I love about the Soniat House is that it's in a quiet spot of the French Quarter and they also have a fabulous antiques shop!

Breakfast at Cafe du Monde would be a daily ritual. Beinets are addictive, I have a major sweet tooth, and because I only get to enjoy these every once in awhile they would be the ultimate vacation breakfast treat for me. 

If I'm being honest shopping is not exactly my main activity of choice when in New Orleans, but M.S. Rau is an absolute must visit for me. Brimming with exotic, rare, and chic antiques it goes without saying that M.S. Rau is my antique store of choice. Although everything is out of budget, it doesn't hurt to look, train my eye, and just admire the museum worthy pieces! In the meantime, I'll settle for their fabulous "Bourbon with Bill" series. 

There is so much to do in New Orleans that I wouldn't know what I wanted to do first. A few favorite things to do are going to jazz clubs for great music and cocktails, visiting the fabulous sculpture garden, and maybe learn some more about Louisiana Voodoo! 

I would definitely plan an outfit of easy, breezy clothes (major focus on dresses here). It gets so hot and humid down there that I can't think of anything else. Ann Mashburn is my go-to shop for chic outfits, so I'd probably start there for this trip. This leopard print maxi dress caught my eye and it's machine washable so double score! 

Hoping today's weather turns around,

ARS xx

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