Live oak trees with hanging Spanish moss lining old plantation entrances or any nature area and park. Jazz music fills Frenchmen street night after night with each new venue a magical atmosphere that forces your hips to sway in rhythm. You only have to walk a short distance to intake all the delicious smells of Cajun and Nawlins style cuisine (a few of my faves would be the fried po’ boy sandwiches, bbq shrimp, everything banana foster, and beignets). There’s constantly a party raging on bourbon street, whether it’s 2:00 in the afternoon or in the a.m. Step inside a voodoo shop and the smell of incense will overtake. This is New Orleans. There’s something about this lively, vibrant city that always captures my heart.

I won’t deny it can be a little dirty and putrid smells on occasion may overtake the senses. However, there’s just something about this city. I find it like none other that I’ve visited inside the United States. It’s a pillar of charm with a southern accent just waiting for you to step up and take the city for a spin.

Obviously I’m behind on blogging—but back in May I traveled with some of my girlfriends to commemorate turning the big 3-0! I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to celebrate and ring in the new decade. So enjoy this trip with me through memory lane and start planning your own adventure to The Big Easy!

I found the most amazing apartment for our stay in NOLA. It was a block off the quieter end of Bourbon and I’m still in love with the decor. They also stole my heart by leaving a bottle of champagne in the fridge everyday.  On a previous trip to New Orleans I visited the Oak Alley & Laura plantations. This time around we drove to the Houmas House Plantation. We took a tour, strolled through the grounds, and had our own mini photo shoot—because, you know—photographer. 

Below: Oak Alley Plantation—Since I’d been there before, and it was getting late, we didn’t stop but we did a quick drive by to grab a photo.

I’ve always wanted to photograph a wedding in New Orleans. Mostly because of the wedding parade through the French Quarter. Maybe one day I’ll get the chance—in the meantime I happened upon this couple and took a few snaps of their French Quarter stroll. 

A trip to NOLA wouldn’t be complete without a sit-down at Cafe´ Du Monde´ for some coffee and beignets. 

The amount of video clips I had from this trip was lacking but I was still determined to throw a video together of my 30th birthday travels. Enjoy!