A few weeks back hubby and I got to go away, just the two of us!! It had been a few years since we were able to do such a thing, and boy did we enjoy it. A company Joe works with flew us out to New Orleans for their annual conference. We got to stay at this fancy hotel right in the French Quarter.
Pretty much as soon as we got there, we hit up Bourbon Street. Disclaimer: If you take Bonine or Dramamine, I highly recommend not getting a Hurricane Drink. I don’t do well on planes or with motion sickness in general, so I popped a Dramamine. Oops. I then didn’t really eat a whole lot because we traveled all day. While I did chug a bunch of water, drinking this extra sugary beverage was not the best idea. It was all fun in games until I came to a screeching halt! I survived, but didn’t enjoy Louisiana raw oysters….dem roast beef po boys though—mmm!
I felt much better after sleeping and the next morning we had breakfast at some funky little joint. The french toast was to die for and of course I #putaneggonit
We went looking for my lifeline aka Starbucks, and stumbled onto the Mississippi River. Haha typing that out reminds me of when my grandma used to make me spell it for her!
After our humbling experience at the Boone Hall Plantation last year, we definitely took note of the history here in New Orleans.
When we took a mini carriage ride/tour through the French Quarter, he shared with us the layouts of the homes. There was usually a kitchen on the bottom, servants quarters above, small courtyard in between (to be like Versailles) and the owner’s home to the side or front? Well, one night we were at a jazz bar and I went out back to use the bathroom, which I had to walk through a mini courtyard and when I opened the door to the ladies room this is what I saw! How crazy, cool, weird and amazing was this? The old ‘kitchen’ fireplace was still in tact. Sure enough, there were a bunch of rooms above, which Joe and I thought gosh how hot it must have gotten in the servants areas! I just loved seeing history like this.
On Tuesday we did a Food Tour with the whole group! It was so cool. I made sure to chug my water after my hurricane escapade the night before.
While we didn’t care for the raw oysters, these little guys were quite tasty! Charbroiled, butter, lemon, wine, parm cheese & breadcrumbs–can’t go wrong there!!
Roast Beef Po’Boy. So. Freaking. Good. The French bread makes it!
We relaxed outside while waiting for the next round.
Fried Gator Bites! It truly tasted just like chicken. I’m wondering if this Remoulade sauce would taste like what we enjoyed down there. I’ll have to ask my sister-in-law as she is from NOLA!
These shrimp were so tasty! I love dipping the bread in too…
Then as a dessert, we enjoyed Bread Pudding, which apparently you use the leftover French bread from the Po boys to make it. I’ll need to find a recipe for this too! Any suggestions??
The owner of the company insisted we visit the Oldest Bar in America, Lafittes Blacksmith Shopso we basically had a giant happy hour here!
Wednesday was Joe’s 42nd birthday!! It was also the day where he had to speak on the panel. Now, I don’t have to attend, but honestly I truly enjoy the keynote speaker and of course, I love supporting my husband. I take credit in some of his success; he would not be able to get up and do all that he does, if I did not work 100% beside him doing all that I do. We are a great team and if I can handle the behind the scenes stuff, then he can focus on his career. Don’t get me wrong, I do work with our business too, but the main breadwinner is Joe. Plus, I love getting all dolled up!
He actually won an award, I was so proud of him! He hates the extra attention, but he deserves all the applause.
Joe’s 42nd birthday, NOLA at a conference.
That evening we met for cocktails in hotel lounge and before we left for dinner, we stopped to admire my favorite –white roses!
The company pulled out all of the stops for their 20th Anniversary dinner. We enjoyed French 75s at Arnauds as well as a spectacular dinner and conversations.
Our random table of new friends. I was seated next to a Canadian foodie, but he’s not pictured. We were going on and on about all the foods, drinks…he was a trip!
He was the one who ordered some fancy liquor and we toast to Joe, the company, life.
After celebrating into the night, Joe had to wrap up the conference and by noon he was able to go grab lunch with me and see more.
That shrimp again!
This guy did me in, and I honestly think I’m still feeling its effects!! Good old Buffalo sauce slathered on a fried oystery po boy. #worthit
The one big #BUST of the trip was that for Joe’s birthday, I gifted him a really awesome racing experience, where he was to drive a Lambo around the NOLA race track. Unfortunately, though it had not rained in 6 FREAKING WEEKS, it poured as we made our way 30 minutes there…thus resulting in no driving the Lambo. I was crushed, pretty much in tears, and he was sad but not nearly as I! I swear there will be a next time, maybe then my dad could drive and Bradley could watch. Ugh, it totally sucked though, how cool would that have been?? He did sit and start it though… #lame.
We wandered around a little and I found William Faulkner’s house. So cool!
We stuffed our faces, yet again with some po’boys.
One of my breakfasts was super yummy! Loved this NOLA version of eggs benny…sweet potatoes yum!
We were at Café Beignet but didn’t try any. #fail We did enjoy the view, live jazz music and some drinks…
Random old bar…
After our carriage ride/tour, we had to make sure we went back to the Oldest Bar in America for an authentic Hurricane. According to our guide, he said these are the best on Bourbon St. They use real juice, not a powder, so you don’t get all that nasty sugary taste/flavor and don’t feel sick afterwards! It straight up tasted like juice, and I could see how very dangerous these could be!!
I was trying to have Joe take a photo of me in front of the bar/sign…this will do though! Haha. It sums up the end of our getaway quite well: Messy hair, crumbled red bull can/garbage…oh, Bourbon Street!
We attempted to rally that last night, but I could barely do dinner, I was beat. My reflux/body had enough of the booze, the fried foods and all the things, so while I did enjoy a Muffalatta pizza, we were back in the hotel quite early. I just couldn’t get into the whole drunken frat boy/puking scene happening on Bourbon. BTW these shoes I bought specifically for NOLA and they did not disappoint! $20 and they were comfy, covered my toes from any–errr…grossness on Bourbon– and they seriously went with everything!
#ad
While we had so much fun and were so grateful for this experience, by Friday night/Saturday I was really missing my babies! We love traveling and it’s something that I want to do more of in years to come. Rumor has it next year’s conference will be in Miami. I haven’t been to South Beach since I was 20! Oh, I better prepare better for next time around!