August 1, 2012

Stef's July Round-up.

This June and July have been some of the busiest summer months that I've had in my life. A lot of amazing and exciting things have been happening to the close people in my life and I have been lucky enough to be a part of them. I've been involved in two weddings (with another one just around the corner!) and hosted a bridal shower/bachelorette party, an anniversary party, a party for visiting out-of-town relatives, along with a number of other various events. All of that on top of running the shop, the blog, and making our first appearance of the year with Olive have me feeling pretty exhausted, so I have been spending the last week relaxing and re-charging my batteries.

My sister-in-law, Rhandi, got married this past month and I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in her wedding! It was seriously such a magical day that words can't even begin to describe. We had the most amazing rehearsal dinner in Emery's parents' gorgeous magazine-worthy backyard. All twenty of us sat at a long white linen covered table which was sitting underneath a canopy of twinkle lights and stars. We feasted on a five-course Italian meal, drank wine, laughed, made toasts, told stories and listened to music until well past midnight. Nights like that are so rare and so very special.

Now that all of the wedding festivities are done, Erin and I both decided to take a few days off work to relax, unwind, and enjoy these hot summer days. Lately it has felt like I have been gone more than I have been home so I have really been enjoying hanging around my house and doing things like trying new recipes, reading books and magazines in my backyard, and catching up on some movies that I have been meaning to watch. I even found my old film camera and have been having fun experimenting with taking some photos around the house and at different events. Sometimes it's the simple things in life that are so enjoyable.

Another piece of very exciting news is that we just booked a last minute trip to New Orleans, Louisiana!!! Emery and I have both always wanted to go there so we are beyond excited about this little trip! Erin and I each took a week off work in August and during that time I made plans with Emery to go to Wisconsin, (I surprised him with tickets to see Band of Horses in Wisconsin for our anniversary back in June!) so we figured that since we were already in the states, it wouldn't hurt to check into some different flights options to cities around the country. New Orleans was our first choice for a vacation destination and we totally lucked out that there were reasonably priced tickets for sale! So the flights are booked and we are heading down there in only a week and a half! Eee! So soon! Which brings me to my question for you lovelies: 

Do you have any recommendations of restaurants/bars/jazz clubs to go to in New Orleans? 
Or attractions/places that we must see? 

We are totally open to anything, so any kind of feedback you guys have is more than welcome! Thanks a bunch!
XO, Stef

P.S. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Erin's July update tomorrow!

19 comments:

  1. I love your photos! So bright and fun! Have fun in New Orleans :)

    xoxo Sarah
    theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

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  2. Me and my husband went there for our honeymoon <3 we LOVED it!!! go to Cafe Du Monde.......amazing coffee and beignets!!! I'm sure you've been told about it :) Have fun!!
    ~Goldinloxxx
    www.goldinloxxx.blogspot.com

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    1. Fantastic! Thanks so much for the tip, I will definitely be checking that out! XO

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  3. its nice to be busy but the wind downs just as nice. hope you enjoy your trip! All these photos are soo lovely! I got especially excited when i saw the Bust magazine as i'm in that actual one! in the bloggers fall fashion part. So excited hee hee!:)xxx
    Rachel
    www.rachelthehat.com

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    1. Eee! Congrats girl!! I saw a lot of familiar faces from the blog world in there! That's so exciting! What a great feature! xo

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    2. aww thank you! as a small little blogger it felt awesome to be up amongst some major seasoned pros :) also just been checking out your ad rates and they are fab, definitely something i'd like to do. hope thats ok! xx

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    3. well you deserve it girl! :) if you are interested in august sponsorship we do still have spots available, and the ads just went up toda, so feel free to send us an email at ohsolovelies@gmail.com. thanks darlin'!

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  4. your hair is so beautiful! completely perfect.

    enjoy your trip!

    chloex

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  5. definitely going to check out Tavi in BUST. love that gal!

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  6. Love your camera. Totally charming.

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  7. Ahhhh my husband and I were just there a few weeks ago! It was an absolute blast and you are going to love it. Of the places I recommend: Cafe Dumonde and the Coffee Pot Restaurant for breakfast, Coop's Place for jambalaya, Felix's for Oysters, and you gotta go to Frenchman Street at night for all the jazz clubs. Bourbon Street is obviously a party all day and night, and is a lot of fun, but Frenchman is where all the locals go--I definitely recommend the Spotted Cat and DBA. Try and see if you can catch Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns play at some point--they are amazing. You will love Meschiya's awesome vintage style. :-)

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    1. Ooooh thank you so much for your amazing recommendations! They all sound incredible!! I will for sure be looking into these places! XO

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  8. Love the Big Easy! I was only there for Jazzfest one year and it was a whirlwind of amazing food, drinks and (obviously) ridiculously great music. Love how all the benches have powdered sugar footprints under them from people eating beignets. Have a great time!

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    1. Hahaha I love that! I will totally check that out! :)

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  9. It sounds like you've had some great times lately and there's only more to come! Enjoy your time in New Orleans!

    Becky
    xx

    http://www.beckybedbug.com

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  10. Love it, this is all too cute!

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  11. New Orleans is the best city in the world! My husband & I visited a few times last year & loved it so much we moved here this past winter.

    Shopping isn't the very best here, but definitely check out Trashy Diva (the one on Magazine is bigger & better than the one in the Quarter), and all of the antique stores up and down Magazine. Some are crazy expensive, but there are lots that are pretty reasonable & you'll find loads of amazing stuff in.

    There are a million & one places to eat that are incredible. For casual, go to Cowbell, Juan's Flying Burrito, Dat Dog, Cochon Butcher, or Coop's (get the jambalaya & the fried chicken). For a little fancier, Cochon is fantastic & you'll be full for like a week. Luke in the Central Business District has a great happy hour - half price drinks & super cheap oysters.

    Drinking :: Definitely go up to Cure on Freret St for some fancy pants cocktails in a totally comfortable environment, Belloqc in Lee Circle is modeled after a 19th century brothel & is awesome, Molly's at the Market on Decatur for some French Quarter dive bar fun, and The Columns Hotel bar.

    Definitely take the street car up St. Charles Ave & oogle at the amazing houses!

    I hope you have a fantastic trip & love the city!

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  12. New Orleans!! How fun!! My number one rec is for the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone. The bar revolves slowly and is built like an old carousel! Bartender in the middle makes fancy martinis that are delish!
    http://hotelmonteleone.com/dining-entertainment/
    Lisa

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