New Orleans / About NOLA

New Orleans / About NOLA

I’ve just returned from my first summer vacation of 2018. Being a brand ambassador for ShoeDazzle and JustFab brought me and my sole sistas to New Orleans for our annual summit. What an adventure it was! It is always such a huge treat to meet up with friends that you spend virtual time with daily but see in person only once annually. It is so amazing to hug each and everyone of them and spend real time together.

At the summit we had 3 inspirational speakers and got some inside peeks into what is up and coming for sale on the websites. This year we got to hear and learn from spectacular women whose stories empower us! You should check them all out!

Kelli Saulny of Style and Taste @thestyleandtaste / Cymande Ford of Ugly Betty Boy Crush @uglybettyboycrush and @plusisaplus / Samjah Iman of Style and Energy @samjahiman

New Orleans

Aside from all of that fabulousness we get to explore a new city! I stayed at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Although it claims to be one of the most haunted hotels in the world, I did not see a ghost. I will admit though that after the hotel’s complimentary ghost tour, I was scared to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! The location of the hotel was great, being right at the beginning or end of the chaos. It was clean and elegant with a ton of charm. And like a child, I loved the pool!

During this trip I gathered a few tips about New Orleans that you may already know. 1) the FOOD is amazing and there is no shortage of new things to try 2) everyone is drunk on Bourbon Street, all of the time 3) there is SO MUCH more to see than just Bourbon Street! 4) Frenchman Street is the place to be and I wish I knew that sooner 5) the Garden District and Magazine Street is gorgeous 6) I was able to eat breaded and fried fish in many restaurants because they are breaded with corn flour!! Gluten free friendly town yahoo! 7) the swamp we air boated on was totally awesome! So lush and full of nature, I loved it there!

 

Look! There’s okra in my Bloody Mary! I had no idea I liked pickled okra but I do love it now!

I had never heard of shrimp and grits before in my life. OMG it was so delicious.

I was born and bred on an island eating a lot of seafood. But the food at Superior Sea Food really was just that LOL! Some of the best I’ve ever had. Just look at those scallops – they were luscious. I have to admit the oysters were a little bit too large for my taste and the waiter said a lot of people tend to say that. But the grilled ones were amazing.

Pat O’Briens

For a girl with as many food restrictions as myself to find seafood cooked with corn flour and no wheat nor gluten was one of the most amazing things ever LOL. Thank you so much Pat O’Briens for this feast of catfish and oysters.

Marigny Brassiere

Even though I could not eat the seafood there my husband said it was scrumptious. I thoroughly enjoyed the red beans and rice that night!

I could go on forever but rather I will end the food section with this collage! But I must also mention Cafe Dumonde even if I couldn’t eat the beignets 😒 the chicory coffee was delish!

Frenchman Street

I loved it here. So much bluesy jazz and art!

The Swamp

I will finish off with some photos of my solesistas! The whole reason for my trip! Thank you to my husband for always sharing these adventures with me with a big smile on his face!

One Last Thing…

We lost Anthony Bourdain while we were in New Orleans. May he RIP 🙁

I’m crying. I didn’t even realize how much He was a hero to me. He gave me hope. He was The face of recovery. This is Devastating news. May he find Peace ✌. Man, I think a lot of us felt we knew him. You never know, do ya 😢😢😢 Hug your loved ones a little tighter today. ❤💕❤

#rockinrobin #ambassador #shoedazzlegirl #justfabstyle #fashionblogger #fabshionista #stilettosociety #nola #neworleans #vaca #vacation #summervacation #hotel #hotelpool #travel #solesistas