Day two in New Orleans (that was yesterday) started with — yup, you guessed it! — beignets and a cafe au lait. I fueled up at a cute little place called Cafe Beignet in the French Quarter.
The beignets at the shop were denser and not as sugary as the ones at Cafe du Monde (mmm, so good!), but I’m not one to say no to fried dough…so of course I ate ’em anyway.
After breakfast, El Hub and I trekked out to the Garden District again to look at more fancy-schmancy houses.
When I win the lottery, this is the house I plan/hope to live in…
I love the huge windows and the magnolia tree in front.
We also walked by Anne Rice’s former abode, and I wondered which windows she looked out of when she had writer’s block…
More neat houses…
After checking out more houses we wandered around Magazine Street, which has lots of cafes and shops, including this one funky store called Miette…
Apparently, it’s the place to go if you need a bag in the shape of a cat’s head, a colorful wig, glowing beaded lighting fixtures, panties with pockets, or a beard.
More cemetary pics (because NOLA has dozens of incredible centuries-old cemeteries)…
When we got back to the French Quarter, I found a cool local perfume shop (there are quite a few here, maybe due to the French influence) that has been around since the 1920s. I grabbed a few bars of tea olive soap from there as souvenirs.
And then more sightseeing around the Quarter…
It was another great day and night, and today was fun, too. Now it’s back to reality and the beautiful Bay Area. See you from Novato soon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wow, NOLA is full of charm! I’m happy that you shared your amazing experience with us!
Remember to keep celebrating your special birthday all month! Tabs will be so happy to see you!
Thanks for taking us with you! Now I want to re-read Interview with a Vampire.
Living vicariously through your pics 😉 Looks like such a great low-key trip. Right up my alley! Beards, panties, and bearded panties *with* pockets?! Now I know where to head if ever in need….. XD
So jealous! I’ve never been. I just got accepted to the French Master’s degree program at my alma mater though, so maybe I can go for “research.” Wink wink.
Love all the pictures! Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to share with us. 🙂
I love your pictures and I love the cat bag! I hope you bought one that looks like Tabs.
I find it fascinating how the French influence still lurks in different corners.
Beautiful houses indeed even if I will always be puzzled by the fact that many seem to be build out of wood. I come from a hot and humid place and the houses here had very thick stone walls to keep the inside cooler. Would love to see all these in person
we have no natural supply of stone in louisiana.
I love NOLA. I’ve been there three times and that isn’t enough! I ate my way through it (Cafe du Monde (de riguer), Coquette, Restaurant August, NOLA (Emeril’s restaurant), Commander’s Palace and Atchafalaya). Good memories. We rented scooters but it was scarier than riding a dirt bike through the desert. Driving through the French Quarter on scooters is like playing live action Frogger with all the people darting in and out. We scooted through the French Quarter and my beloved — who drives like a grandma — slowed down during a turn onto Magazine Street and, because my choices were to slam into him or crash into a parked car, I opted not to kill him and instead crashed into the parked car (not sure if that was the right choice). I ended up on my feet with a broken toenail and a broken wrist. NOLA residents are so kind. Many of them stopped to ask if I was okay. One lady asked if I wanted a glass of water. I was in a cast for four months, but I always will love NOLA. I can’t wait to go back again. I’m so glad you had fun!
**Actually, we scooted through the Garden District (which is where I broke my wrist)
Those are some pretty pics!
Gorgeous photos, you’re making me want to travel, now 😀 Safe travels to you!
Too bad you called dibs on that house! It really is beautiful! The cemetery is really cool too.
Whoa. Cat bag clips.
And that cemetery!!! Love!!
It looks like ya’ll had a great time! I love all the funky shops in the Quarter. Once, my bestie and I went during Spring Break in college (this was pre-Katrina) and we stumbled upon this little magic shop that was so cool! The shopkeeper kept us entertained and amazed with an illusion using little foam bunnies that just kept multiplying and disappearing in his hands, right in front of us! Unfortunately, I think it closed after the hurricane because I never saw it again in my later trips to NOLA.
I’m starving now…. I love the little perfume shops. My favorite thing to do (I’m a huge sucker for soaps and other toiletries). This looks like an awesome trip!
Be sure to check out Voodoo Authentica Cultural Center in the Quarter to see and buy the Muertos Meows, handmade ceramic Dios de Los Muertos designed custom kitty sculptures by local artist Kristof Corvinus. I collect them as a crazy cat lady and it’s a unique place in NOLA, Gallery Burgieres is also cat-filled and right around the corner and don’t miss Kawaii NOLA as well! Mycat tour week was awesome!!
Have never wanted to visit New Orleans – until now! I love all the pics. Is there a specific place you would recommend staying at? Hotel? B&B?
Loving these trip photos Karen! 🙂
I have those star shaped paper lanterns all over my house – love them. NO is unique, without a doubt. Last time I was there I hung mostly in the warehouse district, which has lots of art museums, restaurants, and the WWII museum.
The perfume shop looks charming. Wow at the houses. I’d want one of those if I won the lotto too. I love all the architecture. Cheers!
Your posts about NOLA really make want to go there; it looks so authentic! And when I saw the pastries I actually started drooling: I want them all ;).
Yes!! Cafe Beignet! Haha I was hoping you’d go there. The houses in NOLA were some of my favorite sights because they’re all so unique and full of character. Glad you’ve had a fun trip!!
These houses. If only winning the lottery was more reliable!
A good friend of mine is from NO, I really want to visit one day. I have a huge list of things I’d do there.