Randoms from Easter in New Orleans

Spending the weekend with Lindsey in NOLA  for Easter was one of the best weekends I'd had in a while.  The weather was perfect, the drinks were delicious, and I even got to try a few new spots.  

Which is what you do when you go there, because there are so many things to do and places to eat!  Our first night was spent on Bourbon/Frenchman, where we got the traditional hand grenades and absinthe and a fruity drink that I can't really remember.  Step-bro had never done the absinthe thing, so that was fun.

The next morning, we woke up early, although none of us quite figured out why, got breakfast and walked around the quarter.  We got some hair of the dog in the form of frozen daiquri's from The Gazebo, got some fried chicken and went home to take a nap.

With naps over, it was time to go to Bourbon again.  It was a great night filled with 3-for-1 specials and dancing.

It was a great weekend!  Enjoy some pictures from that awesome weekend!

I love being photobombed.

Banana daiquiri time!

defend nola.

Mr. Okra!!

I love this city so much.  So much that I'm going back again this weekend for Jazz Fest and Bruce Springsteen.

The Collins Bar - Birmingham

Whilst traversing through this great city one day, B and I came across this little bar.  Unfortunately for us, the first time we saw it, it was closed, and not opening for another two hours.

"Another time," we said.

So another time was this past weekend.  It was completely packed Friday night, and if you know me, I'm not a fan of large crowds.  No weird psychological fear, I'm just old and hate them.

So we went Saturday afternoon right at 4pm when they opened.  We were the first people in there.  And to say I was amazed at the place is an understatement.  If I were to open a bar, that is exactly what I would want to do (the delivery number on the door is a New Orleans number, by the way.  Go figure).  You walk in to cozy booths and amazing light fixtures.  Behind the bar is a Birminghamian periodic table.  No joke.  Every periodic element has a Birmingham theme.  Example:  Ba = Barons.

We haven't even gotten to the best part.  They tailor-make your drink.  The bartender asks you your spirit of choice, whether you're feeling sweet or tart or citrusy, asks you a few more questions about your taste, and voila.  A drink made just for you.  Of course they will make your favorites and have a selection of beer, but I have no clue why you wouldn't at least take this thing for a test drive at least once.  

First go round, he made me a sweet strawberry vodka drink with oregano leaves on top.  Second one was more of an island-y drink topped with mint.  Incredible.  Definitely stop by this joint next time you can.  They're even open to 1am on Sunday.  

Oh yeah.  And they have food.  Enough said.

A View on Instagram

I'm sorry you guys.  One day, I'll remember to post on a Sunday so the post will actually go up during the day.  

I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try.

Today's blog post is sort of a response to another blog post that I read this morning from Delighted Momma.  She deleted her Instagram account, because she was felt it was bringing on too much comparison between her life and those of her friends. 

I get it.  I wrote an entire post on being envious of other people.  It's sort of what happens when you enter in to the world of social media.  You get to sort through what people see and what they don't see.  Of course you're going to pick the prettiest things you own, the cutest pictures of your dog, and of course the best selfies.  It's only natural.  You naturally want people to think you're awesome.  And especially if you're using Instagram as a tool to gain blog followers and new friends.  It's a quick, easy, convenient way to let someone into your life.

But here's where I differ.  I don't have that many Instagram friends.  I would love for this little blog here to take off, but honestly, some nights I'm too tired to upload all the pictures from the weekend or comment on a blog that I really wanted to comment on.  I mainly use my Instagram as a platform for my Stella pictures, or food pictures or the occasional selfie ( I hate the way I look in photos, so I avoid whenever possible).  BUT for the most part, the pictures on there are a good view into the best parts of my life.  I'm not going to take a picture of Stella throw-up or a recipe gone horribly wrong.  Because, eww, why would I want to remember that for eternity?  So while I understand getting rid of a social media platform ( I no longer use FaceBook), getting rid of Instagram is just not for me.

So keep showing me your beautiful Michael Kors watches with all of your amazing bangles and the cutest pictures of your dogs imaginable, because I honestly want to see them.

Oh, and because I can, my latest Instagram addition:

Braves Baseball

Two weeks ago, I got to go to two Braves games in a week!  I got to go to the home opener (which I've never done!) and then went to a Saturday night game.

The first game on Tuesday was a bit chilly, but the Saturday night game was a shirt and shorts kind of night.  They lost their home opener, but won Saturday night.  Even Freddie Freeman hit a home run.  It was incredible.  Plus I got to spend both games with very old friends of mine.  Home opener was spent with my very best friend in the whole world, Robin.  Second game I got to see with my second oldest friend in the world, Brett.

Every time I see these people, it breaks my heart just a little.  I am so glad that I have both of them, and am so sad when I have to leave them.  I don't get sappy about high school friends, but for these two I would. Sometimes I really think that they know the true me; they saw me go through the awkward phases, make mistakes, and just love.  Love, in general.  It was great.  

So baseball... love it in person, not so much anywhere else.  And if you're a Southern girl and you don't Tomahawk chop...shame on you.  

Atlanta is only 2 1/2 hours away, so this is definitely an awesome thing to do during a fun weekend.  Plus, I would go to a Friday night game (fireworks) or Saturday (only because the sun is down!).  Sundays are the worst, because a 1pm game in July doesn't sound like that much fun for me.  Or anyone who hates severe heat and humidity.

It's getting to be that time guys!  100 million percent humidity!  Have a good weekend y'all!

#tbt: Karri's 22nd Birthday

Back in 2005, we decided to go to Botcher's for Karri's 22nd birthday.  This place was in Auburn, but to be honest I'm not even sure it still exists.  And also to be honest, I don't know if I was 21 or not, BUT the doorman happened to be a friend. 

They had $5 LIT's, giant ones.  It was a great night.  Karri even got up to sing on stage.  It was amazing.  I was also super young, as was everyone else.  And it was great.

You can obviously tell how much fun we had that night.  Ahh, the good ole college days.

My Step-Bro is a Self-Proclaimed Sketch-Bro

This past weekend, I went to New Orleans for the sole purpose of going to a wedding with my step-brother, Isaac.  Isaac and I have met before on some occasions, but never on a social outing.

Mainly holiday junk and a few emails.  We went out to Bourbon street, maybe had a little too much fun.  He ended up spending the night with Lindsey and I, and then had some breakfast, and headed to take him back to the hotel.  And then I got a text saying that his bed was too comfy to get up out of it, and that our plans shouldn't include him for that evening.

So I brought two dresses, depending on the weather and didn't get to wear either one of them.  Such a tragedy.  :)

So since sometimes I feel like the ultimate sketch ball, it made me feel good to know that someone out there exists who is like me, and technically sort of related to me.

"I am notorious for not doing things I committed to.  Do not be surprised if the wedding does not happen tonight." - Isaac. 

And while I know that half of being an adult is agreeing to things and then wishing you hadn't; I still wish I would have gotten to wear my awesome orange dress.

This is a terrible angle of me, and makes me look huge.  But it's a super good one of Isaac, so score some awesome step-sister points.

Easter 2014

So while everyone did their Easter recaps yesterday, I was too busy getting strep throat.

Thank you New Orleans for that.  For some reason lately New Orleans has been rejecting me, and the strep is the last straw.  I think that Jazz Fest may be the end of NOLA for me until it decides to love me again.

I spent the weekend with Lindsey at her new place.  On Easter Sunday, we got up an super early to go and watch the fancy and short Easter parade.  If you are a kid, you hit jackpot at that parade especially if you dig stuffed animals.  

We had Easter dinner at Dat Dog (more on that later), and then I drove on home.  Where I promptly got sick.  Hooray.

Hope you had a great Easter!