New Orleans

Given the choice of New Orleans, Louisiana, or Orlando, Florida, for Spring Break this year, I had horrific visions of mini-sized people (my kid included) trampling me down on their quest to fuel their Disney-driven obsession with "the happiest place on earth".  Happy for who exactly???  Umm, thanks but no thanks, Mickey.  I chose to visit New Orleans, or N'Awlins, as we in the know call it.  hehe.

The Big Easy did not disappoint!  The New Orleans dining scene is a wonderful mixture of new and old, from the ever-faithful Commander's Palace, to the chic and modern Herbsaint.  The architecture of fabulous buildings with snazzy balconies in the French Quarter rolled into gorgeous Southern Plantations that had my inner Scarlett rummaging the hotel room for suitable curtains and tassles to fashion myself a dress that would make even Rhett swoon.  It had just enough fun touristy things to make my son excited about our daily "kid activity", and all the antique shops, history, and music to make my heart go pitter patter.

Dressed for dinner at Herbsaint. Saja coat, MaxMara blouse, Armani slacks,
Hermes cuffs, Louis Vuitton purse, Henri Bendel necklace & earrings

Sazerac, traditional New Orleans cocktail. Rye whiskey, herbsaint, bitters, sugar cube.

Homemade spaghetti in a cream pancetta sauce with a deep fried poached egg. So delish!

Acme Oyster House near Bourbon Street.

Chargrilled oysters

Gorgeous dining room of August

Egg Amuse Bouche at August. I love this dish!!!

Mardi Gras World.

Next year's Mosquito Float

Vintage 1940's gown worn during Mardi Gras. Can I take this home please??

It's a $4 martini!!! Was so cheap I had to drink it.  ;)

One of the dining rooms at Muriel's, close to Jackson Square

Can't leave without visiting Cafe du Monde for Beignets and Frozen Cafe Au Lait! Yum.

So good I went every other day...

And the other days I came here to Cafe Beignet for their beignets and chicory coffee. 
This might have been my favorite over Cafe du Monde, with a crisper outer crust.

Alligator at Bourbon House!

Baked oyster trio

Butcher. Cross between a restaurant and delicatessen

Loved my lunch here at Cochon

Alligator again! Kinda does taste like chicken...

Wood fired oyster roast

Coquette for lunch

Fell in love with their house made infusion spirits.
It's given me ideas for summer cocktails.

Fresh made spring pea ravioli. Light, airy, and perfectly delectable!

Enjoying French Quarterfest

Strawberry & Nutella crepe

Street musicians

Jazz Festival at Jackson Square with the legendary Pete Fountain

Mint julep at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe.

My fav vintage store, Vintage 329. They had an ecclectic mix of signed sports memorabilia, historical artifacts,
and gorgeoous vintage jewelry pieces.  Both the little guy and I could have spent hours here.

Favorite broach find, to be used in a future DIY project

Swamp Tour. Yes, that's a hot dog. His other treat of choice? Marshmallows.  What is this??? A campout???

I do tricks for food too...

Come on... I'm not the only one thinking it...  ;)

Acme Oyster House
724 Iberville Street
504-522-5973
www.acmeoyster.com
*Must try, but best dish is probably the crawfish. It even comes in a cute little net.

August
301 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-299-9777
www.restaurantaugust.com
*Gorgeous room. Loved the service and the food.

Bayona
430 Dauphine Street
504-525-4455
www.bayona.com
*Worth trying. Service a hit or miss.

Bourbon House
144 Bourbon Street
504-52-0111
www.bourbonhouse.com
*Nice oyster bar. Great location.

Cafe Beignet
311 Bourbon Street
504-525-2611
www.cafebeignet.com
*I really enjoyed the crisper crust they had. Much larger than the ones from Cafe du Monde.

Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur Street
504-525-4544
www.cafedumonde.com
*Must do! Still my son's fav, as it has a cake-like consistency. Yummy frozen Cafe au Lait.

Cajun Encounters (Swamp Tour)
301 Canal Street
504-834-1770
www.cajunencounters.com
*45minutes away by car, but they'll come pick you up at your hotel. Great swamp tour and nice guides.

Commander's Palace
1403 Washington Avenue
504-899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
*Traditional New Orleans restaurant. Turtle soup and tableside Bananas foster is a must.

Cochon / Butcher
930 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-588-2123
www.cochonrestaurant.com
*Delicious smaller share plates.

Coquette
2800 Magazine Street
504-265-0421
www.coquette-nola.com
*Very enjoyable meal ina charming establishment.

Herbsaint
701 St. Charles Avenue
504-524-4114
www.herbsaint.com
*One of my favorite restaurant visits. Food was delicious.

Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place
504-361-7821
www.mardigrasworldcom
*Cool experience to see the floats very close up.

Muriel's
801 Chartres Street
504-568-1885
www.muriels.com
*Can't beat $4 martinis or Bloody mary's, plus the close proximity to Jackson Square.

Palm Court Jazz Cafe
1204 Decatur Street
504-525-0200
www.palmcourtjazzcafe.com
*Dixie jazz in a great environment. Owner is a doll!

Vintage 329
329 Royal Street
504-525-2262
www.vintage329.com
*Great selection of historical, sports, entertainment, and vintage jewelry

CASA Black & White Ball Kickoff Party AT Saks Fifth Avenue

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County is a non-profit organization that trains community volunteers to serve as powerful mentors and advocates for our community’s most severely abused, abandoned and neglected children.  I've been involved with the Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon for a few years, and have greatly admired their goals, as my husband was in the foster care system as a child, and benefited by having his case worker find him his adoptive parents.  Thanks to his Mrs. Kindall, my husband was allowed his wish to be placed in a home with his younger brother, when at that time, few children had any choices available or their wishes respected.  The CASA organizations aims to give the children in foster care a voice, and be given the support and care they need.

The CASA organization of Orange County threw a Kickoff Party at Saks Fifth Avenue in South Coast Plaza for the Celebration of Children's Black & White Ball, to be held on May 19th.  Guests were served wine & champagne, while nibbling on hors d'oeurves from AnQi Bistro & Noodle Bar.  Models strutted down the runway in gorgeous frocks and furs, while guests chose which gowns to purchase for the Ball in May. 

I have my eye on the white gown in the first photo with the multicolored ostrich feather coat.  White dresses seem to be a particular weakness of mine.  Another wedding renewal, anyone???  ;)

I love the draping of this gown!

He entered amidst ohhs and ahhs from the female crowd. teehee

Drooling over this ostrich feather coat...

Sophia Nolan of stylebysophia, Joan Kim of 2bglam.
Wearing a Kelly Wearstler gown, Oscar de la Renta cuff, and one of a kind belt.

To purchase tickets for CASA's Celebration of Children Black & White Ball
www.casacelebrationofchildren.org

To donate or find out more about CASA Orange County
www.casaoc.org

ML Monique Lhuillier Saks Event

Saks Fifth Avenue at South Coast Plaza in Orange County had a ML Monique Lhuillier event last week where she was introducing her new evening ML line.  Based on the concept that not every woman wants to make a major investment on her black tie event, Lhuillier introduced the budget conscious woman to her highly coveted designs at a fraction of the cost.

MaxAzria runway line dress, Sergio Rossi platform heels, Cartier watch, hermes cuffs. 

The Deejay was playing and the champagne was flowing as models

came out in the ML Monique Lhuillier evening gowns,

featuring sleek lines and feminine details.

Seeing the next gown made me literally snatch it off the model!  The off white color with a hint of incandescent gold in the lacing looked like something you'd wear to an event you'd want to look like a goddess in, or perhaps to your next wedding renewal (hint hint, hubby!).  I'm eyeing it for the Susan G. Komen Pink Tie Ball in April.  It's not pink, but I'm sure my cheeks will be with delight in this gown!

With the lovely and charming Monique Lhuillier, wearing her own fringed design.

www.moniquelhuillier.com



Facebook hijinks

I've been on Facebook for a few years, going through its many cycles; even through a (somewhat embarrassing) article mentioning how Facebook was on its way down, as it was full of 30-something year old "geezers". Hmmm...  Where's that other article about how 30 was the new 20???  lol

In fact, it's from my postings on Facebook that I was told by friends to start a blog, as they thought I was "vastly amusing".  Blog started, unbeknownst to my friends.  Thank goodness none of them know about this yet, as I find I'm not nearly as interesting and cool on this as I think I am on FB.  Yeah, emphasis on the word think. 

Well, I'm hoping you'll bear with me as I get my footing with this blog and start to entertain you with my acerbic wit, snazzy photos, and unparralleled fascination with all things food.  In the meantime, here's a bit of me and my daily facebook ramblings. 

Crap. Totally having a "Park Like An Asian Day"

Hate the awkward moment you see the Depends in someone's shopping cart and you make eye contact with them right after.

Moon so big I was tempted to post a picture until clearer minds prevailed and I thought, "Wow, do you want to lose any semblance of street cred you have left??"

Uh. I'm having a Tawny Kitaen kind of hair day. Unless I find a 80's hot rod to writh on top of, I've gotta get this in check.

Dammit, I just waved to a complete stranger cuz she waved and I thought she was someone I knew. You know all you white people look the same to me... ;)

Stupid iPhone tried to correct my comments from "What a great bag!" to "What a great vag!" Come on!!! How do you come back from THAT??!!!

Ghost Rider 2 makes me wish Nicholas Cage wasn't broke so he'd still be living in Newport Beach. That way I could go over to his house, slap him for 2 hours of my life I'd never get back, and demand my $14 back. What a Craptacular failure!

Me to Hubby: Stop annoying me or I'm gonna step on your good foot. How would you like TWO casts???

If my son blasts Mexican folk music in the car ONE MORE TIME, I'm gonna superglue a sombrero to his head.

Saw a 16yr old girl at Starbucks this morning with heavy makeup, smokey eye and all, wearing hootchie clothes in 5" heels. Wow, that's an STD waiting to happen...

Seeing my son liberally douse himself with Axe body spray before the game makes me wonder if he imagines little 10yr old blonde girls throwing themselves at him on the field ala TV commercials...

I must really look rough after the lack of sleep last night if the "Mom With So Much Plastic Surgery She Looks Like Cat Lady" is looking at me funny.

Checking on one of my son's extra credit papers. He used at least 20 different fonts. It looks like a damn ransom note...

Drinking pear cider at Son's baseball game. The more I drink, the more I start shouting baseball tips to the batters. Yeah, pay no attention to the girl wearing prissy clothes at the game.

Son today: When you get older I'm going to buy you chocolates.

Me: Oh that's so sweet...

Son: Yeah, in 15 years when you're old and have lost all your teeth, I'm buying you chocolates so you don't choke on taffy and candy canes.

The look on Son's face at seeing his first Victoria's Secret commercial tonight was priceless. Half interest, half embarrassment that I caught him looking. I'm not looking forward to when he discovers their catalog... O_o

Hate when I get too much oil applied on me during a massage. I now feel like I need to find someone to wrestle in a ring.

Family dinner conversation in my household. Me: "So, what did you learn at school?" Son: "Sperm goes into the uranus." O_o Ummm...no. Didn't know if I should correct or ignore. I vote for ignore.

So weird seeing a big guy driving a Miata. It's like stuffing a G.I. Joe doll into barbie's dream car.

Sometimes tennis is fun only to listen to the comments. "Try to bend down for the low balls." "That ball almost hit my head." Ahahaha

Only in Newport Beach is a Ed Hardy Tshirt acceptable wedding attire.

Needed to get new glasses, so I found the most beautiful vintage 70's Dior glasses from a shopkeeper back east; they're an iridescent horn rim frame, just stunning! Waited 2 weeks for them and they finally arrived. Guess what I look like? The Communist Chinese character from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Either that or an Asian Where's Waldo. Major fail.

Short skirt and leather seats in your car left in the sun makes hot buns, but not the good kind. This should've been a Grannie Panty Day...

It's one of those mornings; Kept trying to unlock my car by pressing my iPhone button. Obviously, I was standing outside my car for a bit before I realized I was a dumbass...

I think the Korean Spa lady and I might have made a baby today. "Why are you scrubbing me THERE???!!" Well, maybe not a baby, but at least third base. Gross...

Knee socks with high heels don't look good unless you actually go to catholic school or are under the age of 22. If not, you look like a bad Aerosmith video reject or a porno star. Please fix.

Was able to slick my hair back into a ponytail today (with the aid of a full can or hairspray!), including the front that was all burned off, for the first time since the explosion. Now y'all know that too much hairspray makes little white flecks, right? Well tell that to my son who yelled "I'm sorry Mom but I think you have lice!!!" in the middle of a crowded lunch. FML

You know you're flat-chested when your son asks, "Mom, how are you keeping that up?" when you wear a strapless dress. (sigh!)

Coffee gal is a bit too snarky cheerleader peppy for me this morning. There's a spirit finger I'd like to give her..

8am baseball tournament in some run down field that smells. Ugh. Smells like where farts go to die...

Bikini waxing is NOT a speed sport! Owweee

In a misguided attempt to be "healthier", I'm drinking Mango flavored Zico coconut water. Gross. It tastes like cold armpit sweat.

New rule: if you look old enough to drive and shave, you're probably too old to have a cookie sale with your mom.

Son surprised me this week with the "sex talk". I didn't do too well, muttering something about a "special hug". He must not have been happy with it, as he asked hubby to clarify during lunch at Mortons yesterday. I heard the word "penetration" as I started choking on my steak... Fail. Major fail.

Frantically searching for hubby's cell phone. I try calling it then slowly ask "Is that your phone vibrating in your pocket??!!"...I suspect I'm not only the funny one but the smart one in this relationship too... ;)

Just saw my neighbor walking her cat in a baby carriage. Seriously gonna have to fight the urge to TP her house tonight.

Son at the pool: "I see drunk people.". Hmm...he's the Haley Joel Osment of Cabo.

I feel so sorry for that lady putting sunscreen on her husband's back hair.

Girls getting together and talking about "feelings" all night makes me want to stick a chopstick in my eyeball. WTH??!! Are we in some stupid Judy Bloom novel???

Spent the last two hours getting scrubbed & massaged at the Korean spa, praying "Please let what my hand is touching be her belly. Please let that be her belly!!!" .....It wasn't.

Have the ridiculous urge to use my new fun word, "slore". As I'm headed to my 10 yr old son's Cotillion, that may not be the ideal situation to try the word out...

Embarrassment is having your husband walk in on you while you're practicing the "Whip Your Hair" dance in front of the bathroom mirror. Now, not only does he think I'm a major weirdo, but I might have a bit of whiplash on my neck. (sigh!) This is what I get for trying to do a dance invented by a 9yr old...

Think it's really hot when you snort yourself awake during a facial.

It's always nice to realize at the end of the day that you've been wearing your clothes inside out.

Happy facebooking, blogging, tweeting, instagramming, pinteresting, snapchatting, etc!!!

xo,
Min Ji