a New Orleans weekend

Two of my very best girlfriends from college moved to New Orleans after graduation, and up until this past weekend, I had yet to go visit them...shame on me, I know! I finally found a weekend that fit into my work schedule and booked a room in the Alex and Alyssa hotel. It was like a mini vacation--a full weekend of girl time, amazing food, lots of catching up, even more laughs...good for the soul. 

Alex and Alyssa are definitely two of my loudest and most entertaining friends, and it's safe to say they're personalities are over the top and fabulous--I love every minute of being around them. They're the kind of people who soak up every moment of the day and make the best of every situation, so of course, this weekend was no exception. You can't help but be happy when you're around these two! 

I got into town Friday night (after only getting lost in NOLA once!) and we immediately started getting ready for the night out! We rode the streetcar to Superior Grill...a New Orleans must-eat. I could've hung out there allll night--such a fun place! Their margaritas and daiquiris are to.die.for. I'm pretty sure the conversation never stopped over this dinner...way too many stories to tell and laughs to be had! 

After dinner, we went to Pat O's on Bourbon...I haven't been to Bourbon in over a year, but it hasn't changed in the least bit. You could give me a lawn chair and I could just sit on the street corner and people watch all night and still be perfectly content--absolutely entertaining! The piano bar was so much fun...we stayed out a little too late but enjoyed every bit of it.

Saturday morning came bright and early, so we slept in a bit and got up just in time to get ready and head to the French Quarter for French Quarter Fest that was going on this past weekend. Thousands of people everywhere, booths full of amazing New Orleans food, lots of cool shops, and plenty of beverages makes for my kind of afternoon! I had the most amazing barbecue shrimp po-boy from Bourbon House...I think I may have had a dream about it last night--it was THAT good. After festing it up a little, we headed to the Shops at Canal Place for a little bit of retail therapy...huge Saks, Anthropologie, JCrew, Francesca's...fabulous! 

We headed home for a nap and showers before dinner. Y'all...I died and went to pasta heaven at dinner. We had the best meal at Vincent's...I highly recommend it to anyone visiting New Orleans. Amaaaazing Italian food and an incredible atmosphere...so cozy and inviting! I'll be taking Andrew back there one day, for sure! We met up with some of their friends that night at Maison on Frenchmen St...it reminded me a lot of a bar we have here in Oxford, so of course, I loved every minute of it. Fantastic music AND they have Abita Strawberry everywhere you turn, so I was a happy, happpppy girl.  

Sunday morning came too soon and I had to pack up to head back North...but first, we enjoyed brunch with Alyssa's mom at Surrey's. I could've just lived there--the food was absolutely delicious! I had Bananas Foster French toast...dang, I'm telling you--best breakfast I've had in a long, long time. Add in a mimosa and great company and you can't beat that. 

I said my goodbyes and headed home...but got to stop about an hour into the trip and visit with my sweet Mary Kathryn. She and her hubby live in Baton Rouge, so it was the perfect ending to a wonderful trip...it was so good to see her and get to spend some time catching up with her face to face and not over the phone. Such a sweet little blessing! 

This post sounds like a bunch of rainbows and glitter and happy thoughts, but really, y'all...life is good. I can't complain about a thing, and I'm so blessed to be able to say that. I needed this weekend...it was a welcomed break away from Oxford and the usual life. I was reminded of how amazing my friends are and how lucky I am to have them in my life. Okay, okay...enough cheesiness. I just can't help it--when my heart is this full, I just want to share it!

Time for a few pictures, right?

clockwise: {one} one of my gracious hosts, Alys! {two} Surrey's for brunch {three} the French toast to die for {four} the girls on Jackson Square {five} gorgeous New Orleans {six} where I enjoyed a mimosa pre-breakfast at Surrey's

 clockwise: {one} New Orleans architecture {two} sweet Alex before our first night out 

{three} another shot of me and my favorite girl {four} ready to enjoy some pasta at Vincent's {five} hey, mango margarita {six} good morning mimosas 

clockwise: {one} French Quarter Fest {two} the girls at Pat O's {three} the best margarita ever {four} waiting on Alex :) {five} precious friends {six} our pre-brunch picture 

Whew, long weekend recap, but I wanted to document all of the good times had! Monday is here and the weather is rainy and gross--mourning the end of a great weekend, maybe. I'm headed back to bed soon to sleep for work tonight, so I hope you ladies have a lovely start to your week! Make this Monday beautiful, girls :)