by Danielle Nava
A good playlist is essential for any party, and Mardi Gras is the biggest party in the world! I have hand selected my top 25 songs to create the Perfect Mardi Gras Playlist. Feel free to listen year round, though, as it will come in handy when you’re having Mardi Gras withdrawals or even if you’re just having an overwhelming sense of pride and love for New Orleans. I promise it’ll get you movin’ 365 days out of the year!
The parade routes are up and you most likely already have tickets to your favorite balls, but Mardi Gras is so much more than that. As you know, Mardi Gras is an entire season starting on 12th Night (Jan. 6th), but the real fun begins about 3 weeks before Mardi Gras day. Whether you live in New Orleans or just visiting, if you’re looking to jazz things up this year and get off the beaten path, here are 10 events you can mark your calendar for.
Let’s talk shop. I love spoiling the ones I love with thoughtful gifts. Don’t get me wrong, I love receiving them too, but I am one of those people who thoroughly enjoys going all out for Christmas presents. It’s my favorite time of year to show my friends and family how much I love them. As I get older, I appreciate the thoughtfulness and presentation more and more too. The time and thought that goes into finding that one thing that perfectly fits their personality, wants, needs, desires (ok I need to calm down) all wrapped up in my latest gift wrapping pinsperations…and then the joy on their face…it’s just priceless and oh-so worth it! It’s truly a gift for me as much as it is for them!
There’s something about the Fall that just makes everything better. After the EXTRA long summers in New Orleans, the first cool snaps in October can make you want to skip down the street with a plaid shirt and a scarf on and hug everyone in sight. We need that extra energy because it’s the beginning of a long holiday and festival season here, and it’s time to make your schedules!
Since moving to Esplanade Avenue, Bayou St. John is quickly becoming a new favorite neighborhood of mine. It’s a small historic neighborhood in between City Park and Broad St. along Esplanade. The homes, street names and bayous give it beautiful character. Bayou St. John is just a 10 minute cab ride down Esplanade from the French Quarter, so I recommend venturing out. You’ll find many hidden treasures, but none quite as charming as the French Restaurant, Café Degas.
I get asked pretty often what my favorite restaurant in New Orleans is. My response goes something like this: “oohhhh that’s a tough one. What neighborhood slash category are we talking about?” Yes, I have a working list of favorites, but it’d be wrong to just pick one. Unnatural even. I can, however, stomach picking a favorite from each area in the city.
First up, is Uptown.
