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.

mardi gras & tons of sequins

 {coat: asos | dress: eloquii via gwynnie bee | boots: lane bryant | clutch: navoh | earrings: simply chic}

TONS OF SEQUINS: This dress is a perfect example of why I am obsessed with Gwynnie Bee!  I live for sequins, and this dress is amazing... but I was happy with wearing it just one time, because I was just renting.  The best part was getting to return it and having another fabulous outfit shipped back out to me. This is not a sponsored post, but I just love telling others about this website because I am having so much fun with my 30 day free trial.  Clothing without commitment!!! Check out other great Gwynnie Bee garments I have worn here, here, and here!  Moving on to the merrymaking: HAPPY MARDI GRAS! It is easily one of my top three favorite days of the year!  This time last year I was living it up on the streets of NOLA, celebrating with parades and parties. (Check out some pics from last year below.)  I would love to be there again this year, but alas, it was not in the plans!  However, I am letting the good times roll on the banks of the mighty Mississipi! I have plans to devour a king cake, wear more purple, green, and gold, and drink a daiquiri (or three)!  How are you celebrating Fat Tuesday?  Enjoy! And remember... not collecting beads ain't all it's cracked up to be ;)

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!)

Guest Post: The Daily Dani

Since I am letting the good times roll in New Orleans for a few days, I asked some of my closest blogging buddies to share a post with my little chickens.  Heeeeeeeere's Dani!
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Happy Mardi Gras, Chickens!

My name is Dani - nice to meet ya! I'm so excited to be here keeping y'all company while my B(logging)BFF Bekah is off enjoying herself and a few too many hurricane cocktails out in NOLA! Let me tell you a bit about myself before we continue...

I have my own little fashion blog, The Daily Dani! I post daily outfit photos, weekly blogger features, and the occasional celeb fashion update! I've been blogging for a little over a year, and I absolutely love it! Not only has it helped my style to evolve exponentially, but I've made some amazing friends - like Miss Bekah! - through the blogosphere!

I'm 25, I live in Orange County, CA, and I'm a preschool teacher! I love: seafoam green, Sex & The City, baby dinosaurs, Pinterest, The Beatles, anything Native American-inspired, and leopard print!

In honor of Fat Tuesday, I put together a little purple, green, and gold inspired outfit to wear over here in So Cal.

{Tunic, Scarf, & Watch: Nordstrom | Fleece-lined leggings: Anthropologie | Socks: Target | Boots: Hunter | Teal bracelet: Tory Burch | Gold bracelet: Boutique | Necklace: Vintage}

I threw in my green boots, purple scarf, & gold jewelry to keep in the Mardi Gras theme! I totally wish I was in New Orleans celebrating Fat Tuesday and the rest of the week with Bekah... So I'm pretending that I am! I've styled a few Mardi Gras-esque outfits that I will hopefully be lucky enough to inspire some future Louisiana looks!

Mardi Gras 2012 Bourbon St. Day Drinking by danicalifornia15 featuring slouchy sweaters

Let's all be honest... we know Bekah is enjoying some cocktails down on Bourbon St. right now, and I'm going to pretend I'm right there with her! I know the forecast down in New Orleans calls for some showers this week, so I thought a cozy cream sweater, a floral scarf, some plaid-lined boots, and a fantastic umbrella would be perfect for some bar crawling and parade watching!

Mardi Gras 2012 Team Spirit by danicalifornia15 featuring graphic hoodies

I, myself, happen to be a Colts fan, but I know Bekah loves herself some Saints football! I know football season is over, but I'm pretty sure it's never the wrong time of the year to show some support in New Orleans! Nothing like representing your team spirit with some sparkly Toms, simple jewelry, and a fun hair accessory! Who dat?!

Mardi Gras 2012 Evening Out by danicalifornia15 featuring a wrap bracelet

I'm sure a nice evening out for some delicious Cajun cuisine (followed by beignets, of course!) would definitely be on my Mardi Gras agenda! Continuing to keep in the classic Mardi Gras color scheme, I'd go for a feminine dress and shoes, with a harder-edge jacket, unique accessories, and glittering nails!

Mardi Gras 2012 Masquerade by danicalifornia15 featuring kenneth jay lane rings

I was recently informed that balls of all sorts are thrown during Mardi Gras! Now, I'm not exactly a masquerade ball princess, but it's fun to dream, isn't it? There's nothing like a classic cut dress in a great color combined with bold accessories to really make a formal look POP!

Please be sure to visit me over at The Daily Dani and say hi! For now, I'm off to live vicariously through Bekah, and maybe have a homemade hurricane of my own! ;)

Later, kittens!

daiquiri daydreams + dressy duds

{dress: dots | tights: tj maxx | shoes: LB | necklace: crack in the walk | blazer: old navy}

like the necklace? buy one here.

One of my good good friends (Hi, Amber!) invited me to go to Mardi Gras with her in a few weeks! I am so excited.  We are going to Mobile, AL for the parades and then to NOLA for Fat Tuesday!  New Orleans is one of my favorite places to be.. I love the sights, sounds, drive thru hurricane shops, etc etc! For the next 9 days (yes, I am counting down...) I will be in preparation for planning the perfect outfits to take along!

The best part? We are going to be IN the parades! We are riding a float, with a pirate theme!

Ahoy there, matey!  How many pairs of shoes will I need for a 4 day trip?!?

Laissez les bon temps roulez! 
Oh... and I got dressed up today for no reason.  Good outfit = good mood.