I'm Aliiiiiiive!

Just a quick check in, I am not still in New Orleans, lost among the discarded beads and empty daiquiri cups.  I've been home for almost a week, which is about the amount of time that it takes to recover from such a trip.  This week is Spring Break, so it is another slow week where I will rarely change from pajamas lounge cloooothes and won't bother to get up from the couch between catch-up episodes of my favorite television shows.  Except maybe to get a Kleenex during this episode of Parenthood...

Here are some of my favorite merrymaking highlights from my Mardi Gras trip!

I hope to get back to regularly scheduled programming soon, xo!

Best times, good drinks, and great people always makes for a fabulous trip.

Now... back to the Netflix binge.

New Orleans Bound

Unless you avoid me on all social media outlets, you are not aware that I am heading to the Big Easy next week for Mardi Gras!  If you're a Twitter/Instagram follower then you are beyond bored of hearing about it already.  I can't help it, y'all, I'm so excited! I am like a little kid who can't sleep the night before Christmas.  I'm making the road trip with one of my nearest and dearest old friends.  We have made the trek every other year since we turned 21 and it has made for some of the best memories.  Since Fat Tuesday is ONE week from today, I wanted to share some of my favorite tastes of New Orleans-style merrymaking with all of my little chickens today!

Un, deux, trois... laissez les bon temps rouler!

I've visited New Orleans more times that I can count.  It is only six tiny hours from Memphis, and I have travleed by car and train to the city of frozen beverages at all different times of the year.  There's no bad time to visit NOLA, but here are some of the things I am most looking forward to doing during Mardi Gras.  I love the sounds of the music on every corner and the traditional costumes mixed in with the crazy bead tossing parade float riders.  From cafe au lait and beignets to hot dog carts and frozen daquriris in 88 oz cups.  You know what, why don't you just come with me!?  Ok deal.

All images pinned here.

#bloggerblingring2012

I mentioned a few posts ago that I recently had my first official blogger meet-up with some super fabulous bloggers (Dani, Sarah B, and the other Sarah B.) in New Orleans.  Here are some more pictures and fun stuff from that trip!  And if you wanna laugh harder, check out some pics from Sarah's blog.
I was definitely super excited to meet some of my favorite blogging friends in real life.  And to be honest... it was like we were all old friends instantly.  Sarah B (blonde) met me at the train station and we dove head first in to some margaritas and it felt like home!  We did a little shopping and met up with Dani at the airport, where we hid for 30 minutes behind a pole in anticipation of a surprise.  We laughed for the rest of the day, schooled Dani on southern cuisine, took a hilarious trip to Sonic, and laughed some more.  We left Sarah behind in Baton Rouge and journeyed to NOLA where I showed the girls around my second favorite city and all of the merrymaking that is to be had!
The trip really showed me how much I stinkin love the blogging community.  Building real friendships and relationships with people across the country is such a FUN FUN FUN benefit of our hobby!  All three girls were precious and I am so glad that we are IRL buddies now too!

 Taking jumping pics with Sarah, the professional.

 :)

The first three pictures are courtesy fo Think Twice Style.  I straight up stole them.  XOXO.

 Graffiti.

 Approaching Jackson Square, the St. Louis cathedral.

 The other Sarah B, myself, and Dani!

 Jackson Square

I love old advertisements.

I cannot CANNOT wait for another meet up next year.  It is a hard decision,,, CHICAGO, MEMPHIS or LOS ANGELES?!  Let's start planning...Happy hump day!

{insta}Merrymaking

Here are just a bundle of pics from my blogger meetup this past weekend in New Orleans.Stay tuned for some great camera photos & giggles.  My first week at summer camp started this week and I am still catching up on work and sleep and dreamcatcher crafts.Enjoy! xoxo

one: playing in the spanish moss

two: beignYAY!

three: train rides 

four: bayou cocktails

five: new friends, yolo.

one: they bitetwo: bbff necklacesthree: shrimp everythingfour: seriously love this girl
SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Good Morning, America! How are ya?

Chickens, I am outta here!  As you read this post, I am packed up and aboard a train to New Orleans!I am going to meet some of my best blogging friends soon to be my best real life friends.(Dani CA, Sarah LA, and Sarah TX)See you on Monday! Have a great one!

The City of New Orleans - Willie Nelson

ps weird screen shot, right? but seriously, listen to the song.  it has little to do with babies.

photo via

Back To The Grind...

{day two: shoes: LB | dress as skirt: ross, top: tj maxx, purse: steve madden, beads: acquired legally & tastefully}

I'm baaaaaack!!!!

The day back to work after a short vacation is never easy, but coming back after Mardi Gras was a crash landing back in reality! I had so much fun & met a lot of nice people and enjoyed myself immensely.

I hope everyone had a lovely President's Day & Fat Tuesday.

Thanks again to Faye, Laura, & Dani for guest posting, you are the best little chickens!

Here are some sneaky peeks in to my whirlwind trip:

{crazy crowds on bourbon}

{our last night in the city}

{outfit day one: top: thrifted, dress as skirt: ross, boots: LB, tights: welovecolors, drink: delicious}

{crawfish pasta}

{SHARK ATTACK!!!!}

{Jackson Square}

{bloody mary & a (HUGE) muffaleta}

{on The Lords and Ladies of LeMoyne float}

{daiquiris, our first and last stop of the trip!)