When we got back from NOLA, a friend of mine linked me to a picture on JamBase of Mick and I at Jazz Fest, holding up a Crawfish Monica. I remember the guy taking it, but for it to show up on a music blog…that’s funny.

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So many photos to share, and so many stories…but I thought I would start off with the first one. Lets start at the very beginning, its a very good place to start.

The adventure started off a little late. We spent most of Wednesday traveling, and then when we were in Dallas for our 3 hour layover, at the end of it they told us that the flight to NOLA was oversold, and asked if anyone was willing to give up their seat for a voucher. So we had 2 choices…we either get in at 8:50 as planned…or wait another 3 hours at the airport and get in at 11:20, and get a $300 voucher for a future flight. Sold. We can now plan our next vacation accordingly.

So we fly in to NOLA at 11:20 and our dear friend ERay (and host for the week) picked us up and immediately took us to a drive-thru daiquiri shop. This is something I am NOT familiar with at all…being from California, we have rules about these things…they are called DUI’s, open-container, whatever…but in Louisiana, you can drive around with a daiquiri you purchase like fast food. They expect you to not drink it…but I wasn’t driving, so after a long day of travel, I dove right in. 32oz of cold, frozen goodness. I think I got a pina colada/crawgator combo…per the lady’s suggestion. (more…)

a few pounds heavier (the food was insane)…a lot more exhausted (the night life ruled)…but more cultured, experienced, and definitely with more room to boogie. There is never enough dancing in New Orleans.

I am going to upload a bunch of photos tonight, and share stories as I go…but I’m still wading through piles of work that were waiting for me to get back.

I’ll let you wait and check out some of my iPhone photos that I already uploaded…Hipstamatic at its finest. Love it. This one is from one of the many awesome cemeteries. The Hipstamatic prints looked awesome from there. Click through to go to the set.

I can’t remember the last time I was so excited for a vacation. Sure, when I visit Southern California, its nice to get away and see family and friends…but I’ve done that before. Even when I go back east to NY. Done that before too.  This time is different. I get to go and visit a city rife with history, a city I’ve never visited before…and a city that will be booming with great music the whole time I’m there.

I’ve never been to New Orleans. Its always been on top of my list. I can’t wait to hang out with friends, and dance my face off. Not doing all things Jazz Fest, but enough to get a taste. Check out the city, drive thru daiquiri’s and fried alligator.

Two days of work this week…and we are on our way on Wednesday. I’m sure there will be a ton of pictures to follow.

Even better…is the fact that I’ve been watching what might be my new favorite show on TV…and its getting me even MORE pumped to get there.

Have you seen Treme? If you haven’t..its the best show on HBO that you aren’t watching. In the first 5 minutes of the first episode, they had one of my favorite horn bands, Rebirth Brass Band, cruising the streets. In the 2 episodes that I’ve watched….too much good music to count. From Kermit Ruffins, to Galactic, and Elvis Costello being in both episodes, the list goes on. And the fact that we can go see these bands live…in NOLA…is huge. Granted, I’ve seen many of them live before…but I want to be totally immersed in it.

Eray, our wedding photographer, and NOLA native, will also be taking our engagement shots while we are out there…so thats pretty sweet too.

After Wednesday, I will be computer-less…we are going SANS computers, which is pretty big for neither of us to take one. I mean…I’ll have my iPhone, but I know I won’t be updating the blog from it. For all my readers…I’ll report back. I promise.

Though it has a greater history that goes back over centuries, for me and many others, the fleur-de-lis is often associated with areas formerly settled by France, such as Quebec, St. Louis, Louisville, and Louisiana.I know that there are a few things that I always associate it with, so that is why there are so many reasons to choose the Fleur de lis as my tag today. 1) I’m super excited about my upcoming first time visit to NOLA for Jazz Fest in April. 2)The Saints won the Superbowl! and 3) Fat Tuesday is tomorrow, and its Mardi Gras time!!

I think that these bookends by Knob Creek Metal Arts add a touch of class to any living room.

Eeeps! Fleur de lis baby shoes by Child of Privilege !! So cute.

Sew Many Doodles has a few items with the Fleur de lis, but this stool caught my eye.

Bmused has an amazing collection of belt buckles, some with more apparent Fleur de lis than this one, but I am seriously considering this one for my collection. I like the muted pattern and color pallate.

This  Mirliton soap is made from a cajun gourd and stamped with the Fleur de lis. Sweet Olive Soap Works is based in NOLA, so its only fitting.

You can show your pride with these cute earrings from Stella Designs.

Well, not just yet any way, but I finally made the commitment that I’ve been avoiding for many years in the past. Sure the idea of New Orleans Jazz Fest has always been appealing, but money has always been the issue. This year I said screw it, and 10 minutes ago, I just purchased a ticket to New Orleans. I am soooo excited! I’ve never been before, and I figured my first time, I should make it for something special. 4 days of live music sounds special to me!

It doesn’t hurt that our wedding photographer and good friend Eray (one and the same) lives there, and just started leasing a place with a hot tub. Maybe we will take our engagement shoots in NOLA. What an amazing backdrop that would be!

I can’t wait to have a vacation in a new city surrounded by friends, amazing food, and more music than I know what to do with. I don’t know if I can wait till the end of April!!