New Orleans, St. Charles Street and The French Quarter

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Happy Friday the 13th!! Have you entered the giveaway yet? There are FIVE $100 gift cards up for grabs. And there’s still time to vote for our porch in Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Summer Bash challenge right here. It’s still crazy to see our little porch on BHG.com.

Last weekend Joel and I skipped off to New Orleans for our first visit to the eclectic city and what better day to show you a few of the fun sights of the notoriously haunted city than today. While we lived in Curacao I did a pretty regular series where I would chronicle our travels and just some fun finds on the island. Like a typical day, or the dogs in our neighborhood or some of my favorite Curacao beaches and sunsets. 🙂

So here is the New Orleans edition, from chippy brick walls to massive mansions.

NOLA, as I just learned it’s called, was one of those places that I had no idea what to expect and was really excited to see it first hand.

I had visions of “grandiose New Orleans architecture” and at the same time, I had no idea what that meant.

Based on a suggestion we bought an all day streetcar pass and took the St. Charles Street route to the end of the line and then got off part way back to walk and take pictures of some pretty impressive estates.

I love the variety of architectural details.

But for as awesome as these homes were, and they were pretty incredible in scale, I still felt that they weren’t exactly what I was expecting. You know those times when you don’t have a specific expectation, but you do know what your expectation isn’t?

Not to take anything away from these homes. The sheer scale is enough to be drool worthy.

I could stare at the extra-large columns and immaculate landscaping all day. And I now think I need some ivy growing up our stair risers … somewhere.

Even the more “humble abodes” have enough detail to entice us to stop and swoon.

We even saw a few works in progress. Like this colorful gem. You can partially see the crane on the left doing some second floor exterior rehab.

And this is a pseudo before and after for a pair of identical homes, the one on the left is in the process of becoming the equal of her twin on the right.

And at the end of our walk we were both still thinking we hadn’t quite seen the New Orleans architecture we had envisioned in our little brains.

So we rested up for the afternoon and ventured out onto Bourbon St at night and saw some things I will never be able to unsee. Which is unfortunate. 😉

But the next day more than makes up for it as we meandered deep into the heart of the old French Quarter and soaked in all of the rustic, shabby beauty that we love so much.

Keep walking past the eclectic groups of street performers.

And the popular Jackson Square.

And the beaded light post.

And this guy and his perfectly turquoise doors.

And just soak it all in. Because I’m disappointed to say that I didn’t take too many more pictures. I think we were just having too much fun pointing out fun features to each other, and guessing which house is Brangelina’s.

I am in love with this brick and aqua combo.

And if I did have painted brick I would definitely be tempted to just let it chip away.

And we may have struck up conversation with the guys restoring this beautiful building about local historic requirements and regulations. Because we know how to have a good time. 🙂

And I’m happy to say that we spent our last evening in New Orleans on Frenchmen Street and if you like jazz, blues or any kind of music with colorful horn players and dark, seedy back alley type bars, this is the street to be on.

And then we finally felt like we had seen the New Orleans we knew we would love … but we couldn’t resist one last walk back to our hotel via Bourbon Street just to solidify the fact that we are not wild bachelor/bachelorette party types. Like there was ever a doubt. 🙂

How you would describe yourself? The big mansion or chippy brick “row house” type? Blow out bachelorette party on Bourbon St … or a couple of your best girlfriends at your local dive bar where pitchers of beer are $3? Not that that’s what I did, but if I did it would be with these beauties.

And the night would end with homemade stove top popcorn. Of course. 🙂

Have a great weekend y’all. Hopefully you’ve got World Cup fever. We’re big soccer fans around here. And in honor, take a look back at our visit to Argentina, home of Joel’s favorite player Lionel Messi.