joyeux mardi gras.



Though we didn't know it when we planned our trip, we managed to catch one of the first parades in the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans! The Krewe du Vieux made its way up Royal Street, right through the heart of the French Quarter. Here's a short video I shot through the crowd of the parade...apologies for the shakiness:

We couldn't have timed our visit to New Orleans better...Krewe du Vieux is the only parade to run through the French Quarter during the entire Mardi Gras celebration! Rumor has it that this Krewe is a favorite of New Orleanians. Speaking of which, the natives of NOLA were incredible hosts--check out a few photos of a few of these natives in their natural habitat:
{Did you see the bride?! SO FUN! And there really was live music about everywhere you turned...
New Orleans is definitely my kind of place!} 
After our favorite dinner of the trip at Jacques-Imo's {you really must go here on a trip to New Orleans--ask for David, the best server ever!}, we jumped next door to the Maple Leaf Bar and found some *incredible* live music...courtesy of New Orleans native Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs. Here's a {very quick} video from their set:
I posted another song from their set on YouTube--it just doesn't have blog appropriate lyrics, if you catch my drift. Think Gwyneth Paltrow on Glee and you'll know where I'm going here. If you still want to see it, you can watch it here. This song got stuck in our heads for much of the weekend--mostly because we heard it just about everywhere!


Before I go, I wanted to share with you my favorite snapshot from the weekend...


left to right: {av}, {ah}, {kj}, {ch}, + {jt}
{fun fact: I made those Mardi Gras disk beads just for girls weekend!}




I hope you all enjoyed my lengthy--but hopefully fun--posts from Girls Weekend 2011 in New Orleans! Have a very happy Mardi Gras--I've got to figure out what I'm doing for Lent since it starts tomorrow! eeks! xoxo {av}

P.S. Are you blogging about Mardi Gras today? 
Join the fun in a link-up with Jillian at Iron & Sunshine!
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33 comments:

  1. CassieMarch 8, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    It looks like you had the greatest time at Mardi Gras!!! That group shot is really cute!

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  2. jillian :: cornflake dreams.March 8, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    you made mardi gras beads?!!? how cute are you :)
    so glad you guys had a great time! love all the photos and videos :) happy mardi gras!! xoxo jcd

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  3. Virginia BelleMarch 8, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    The parade looks like so much fun! Love the group photo of you and your friends. It looks like you guys had a blast! I am wracking my brain too for things to give up for Lent. Good luck coming up with something and happy mardi gras!

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  4. courtneyMarch 8, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Looks like a blast! I don't know if you have heard of the show Treme on HBO (it's all about New Orleans post-Katrina) but the Krewe du Vieux was a big part of some of the episodes.

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  5. Dee PaulinoMarch 8, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Oh miss, you're so crafty :) I give you kuddos for making your own mardi glass. Looks like you'd a great time, I am glad you did!

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  6. Lauren CaldwellMarch 8, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    you MADE mardi gras beads?? you are incredible. must know how you did this!

    I'm sad that your NOLA posts are over! I loved all your pics! :)

    Lauren @ tickled.

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  7. MichelleMarch 8, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    you made mardi gras beads? that's awesome!

    I would love love love to go to New Orleans for Marti Gras!

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  8. Brooke TMarch 8, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    what a fantastic weekend! I'm so glad you had fun!

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  9. ashley nicole catherineMarch 8, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    i am seriously loving all your NO pics!! such a history in that town.

    looks like you had a great time with your gfs :)

    xo.ashley

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  10. JocelynMarch 8, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    ahh, i'm so jealous! Looks like it was a FUN girls weekend in NOLA!

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  11. sensiblyluxeMarch 8, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    What a serendipitous trip! I love it when adventures unexpectedly just pop up and take you along for the ride.
    I've never been to New Orleans but have always wanted to go. Everyone says the food is amazing.

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  12. JillianMarch 8, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    I can't believe you saw Shamarr Allen too! He's so good! I love his song "can you feel it" and I have the whole album from itunes. (not obsessed or anything). I'm so jealous that you got to be there for mardi gras! I'm definitely going next year...gotta buy my plane ticket MONTHS in advance this time.

    Thanks for joining my blog party! xoxo

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  13. NikkiMarch 8, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Looks like SO much fun!! I've never been to Mardi Gras, but I'm hoping next year will be my year to go!! And I just adore New Orleans!!

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  14. RissyMarch 8, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    love the videos.

    I've never been to New Orleans, but your glowing review makes me want to go. I'll be honest, I was a little scared of it before.

    You seeing that parade must have been destiny!

    CarissaExplainsItAll

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  15. JennaMarch 8, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Such a fun girls weekend! - I love all the photos and it's so lucky that you guys were able to catch the beginning of mardi gras :)

    xoxo
    Jenna

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  16. Lauren@ Not Your Average Southern BelleMarch 8, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I LOVE Mardi Gras! We went to NOLA for my birthday in December ... and are long overdue for a return trip!

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  17. KSBMarch 8, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Laissez les bon temps rouler! Happy Mardi Gras to you!

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  18. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Man, you must have had such an awesome time!

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  19. SarahMarch 8, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    How fun! Hope you're having a blast!

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  20. A Crimson KissMarch 8, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    What a sexy bride-and I love that she's surrounded by a big brass band! You guys must have just had the best time!

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  21. Rhiannon BosseMarch 8, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Amazing AV! Looks like you had an incredible time girlfriend :) Love xo

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  22. Ashley {hudson's happenings}March 8, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Oh my goodness! Looks like the absolute best time ever!! :) The pics are so fun and festive! And it's so wonderful you got to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities! You are all so beautiful!! :)

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  23. MeganMarch 9, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    How fun that y'all were able to catch a parade!

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  24. Caitlin @ Candyfloss & PersieMarch 9, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    amazing!!! I have never gone out on Mardi Gras but I would definitely go crazy if I were in NO. Amazing! Thanks for the glimpses!

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  25. natasha {schue love}March 9, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Thanks for the link up...hey, better late than never right? And once I figure out how to actually work the buttons...I'll be in even better shape! :) Hope you had a wonderful Mardi Gras!

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  26. AshleyMarch 9, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    What a once in a lifetime experience to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans! I've never been. If I don't make it for Mardi Gras I would at least love to hear some live music there... and eat good food. (:

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  27. MCWMarch 9, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    What a fin coincidence ;)

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  28. MCWMarch 9, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    *fun not fin
    ha

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  29. Sarah @ Upshaw - The Next GenerationMarch 9, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Awww yay!! Mardi Gras in New Orleans is unlike no other!! Glad you ladies had a great time!!

    Now you made me really want to get back down there soon. Its about 3 1/2 hours from where I live now but only 45 minutes from my hometown!

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  30. Suzanne Anas JurichMarch 13, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    This post made me teary-eyed!! How awesome that you were able to catch that parade! It is definitely one of the best! Your pictures are great!!...so glad you guys had a great time!

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  31. christine, just bellaMarch 13, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Your photos are beautiful!!! Isn't New Orleans fantastic?! I DO wish I could have caught a few mardi gras festivities - how cool you were able to catch the parade! I'm loving looking at all your pics, it's taking me back :)

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  32. Lindsay // Vineyard LoveknotsMay 23, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    I just got back from New Orleans and wanted to reread your posts to see if I hit any of the same spots. We didn't have time for Jacques-Imo's ... I hope to go next time. I loved it there and can't wait to go back!!!! So luck you were able to catch that parade.

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    ReplyDelete

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