A Taste of N'awlins-Mardi Gras 2013

Ever since my first visit to New Orleans, I became just a little bit obsessed with the place. To say "I love it there" is an understatement. I somehow have a soul connection to the place that I can't explain. There is so much history, culture, music and color and so many interesting people. I then put it on my bucket list to one year do Mardi Gras. This was the year. For those that have never been, Mardi Gras is NOT what takes place on Bourbon Street, that happens all year long. There is so much more that goes on during Mardi Gras in my favorite city. 

This is some of the never ending eating that took place on this trip.
 I love Creole food! Wait, I just love food!

I have to admit. I had no idea what a King Cake was. It went really well with my
coffee in the mornings. 

One of my favorite scenes in NOLA are the street performers. 

This lovely man was on his way home from work. I commented on his
bike and he let me take if for a ride!

Tons of people on Bourbon St.

The streets were covered in broken beads that people missed 

Ah, I love the little jazz bands parading through the streets

Krewe De Seuss

Ha, this couple is pictured on Wikipedia for Mardi Gras

We started off our Mardi Gras celebrations with the Mardi Gras Indians.
This was a great cultural experience that took place in the oldest black neighborhood
in the U.S. 

The Northside Scull and Bone Gang go around early in the morning waking
people up!

Little and Big Scull Boys

Monica McIntyre

A local guy that lived right in the neighborhood. We hung out on his front step
people watching. 

So many parades. So many throws.

This fine gentleman was sitting on a corner as we walked around one evening.

An attempt to clean up after Mardi Gras.

This art sign was located in the Frenchmen Art Market on Frenchman St. where local arts are sold.

One of the coolest finds right close to where we were staying.
A Banksy of an umbrella girl.

Marie Laveau's resting spot. 

One night we went to hear Charmaine Neville band. We ended up staying for
both sets. 

Smoking Time Jazz Club was introduced to me shortly before my trip to NOLA.
I fell in love with their sound right away and made sure I caught a show while I was
in town. 

 

DeFazio's Catering

Last fall I had the privilege of photographing a gorgeous wedding in Virginia. You can see the details of that wedding here. Amongst all the perfect details of that wedding was the fabulous food made by a catering company DeFazio's out of Richmond, VA. If you are a foodie or just love food, you know how important it is to have tasty, quality food at any event. Be sure to give them a try, they won't disappoint!

Coney Island Polar Plunge 2013

The fun doesn't stop in Times Square for New Years. On New Years Day we headed on over to Coney Island to check out the madness. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club and friends were plunging into the Atlantic!!! They are the oldest polar bear club in the U.S. About 1000 people took part. 

When we first arrived I happened upon these two packages!

Sweet Bot costume.

Notice this mans hat. A replica of the tower behind him.

Popeye!!!

Chan chillin out...pun intended.

I got my free hug!

Here they are lining up.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I get cold just looking at these pictures.

Brave or Stupid?

I totally dig this outfit.

And they're off.

Captain Duck Face

No costumes needed, just guts. If these old geezers can do it I could totally do it but I'd rather not.

See? He's still alive!

Representing!

OH GRANNY!!!

Nice Tux!

I would love to know this man's story. 

Unfortunately, due to the mobs of overly eager photographers I wasn't able to see peeps jumping in the water.  But I had fun checking everyone out as they came out.

Cheers everyone! Stay warm!

NYE in NYC 2013

Since we're so close to New York City it only makes sense that we join the other million people there for the big celebration in Times Square. I really wanted to go last year and I wasn't going to miss my chance again. We booked a place in Brooklyn through Airbnb. A sweet way to travel if you don't want to spend a fortune, especially for a holiday. I will admit, I would love to take this adventure again some day. But I will not do again like we did it this year. A little more planning involved and I'm sure a lot more money out of pocket but it would be worth it to be comfortable. We pretty much did not drink a thing so we wouldn't have to use the restroom as it was going to be a very long wait and once in your spot, if you leave, you can't go back in. Plus there is no where to use a restroom if you have to go SO it's time to get creative or just hold it. The temperature was in the 30's so we packed hand and foot warmers to keep warm. Our adventure in the Times Square area began around 2pm.

As we tried to find a spot, they started closing roads and each road became extremely crowded with peeps near the viewing areas that you literally could not move.

As we traveled to the recommended street for access we pass security getting all prepared for the evening.

We finally made it to an entrance and are packed in like sardines. I've never been so close to so many strangers. At least we kept warm and chatted with a few people around us. It was pretty fun actually.

We could hear the music, kinda, and see the screen, kinda. It was Gangnam Style time! The crowd came alive and started singing and dancing.

Troy keeping his face warm.

Here we are!

The peeps behind us. Waiting, waiting and waiting.

Something to do while we WAIT some more....

Finally the count down...this is so exciting!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was sooooooo cooooooool. Raining confetti was the BEST!

 

Everyone disperses as fast as they can so they can PEEEEEE!

Love the colors on the Empire State building. To me a symbol of coming together no matter our race or religion and loving everyone, EVERYONE! Happy 2013! Peace-Love-Joy