Rochambeau

Purple, Green and Gold

Here in a tiny cafe we sat nursing our coffee w/chicory, my husband and I and perk our ears we did, catching fragments of the unique New Orleans accent.  Did you know that New Orleanians and New Yorker’s have a similar dialects?  My mother has lived in both places and tells me she has heard that they were both influenced by German immigrates.

Shop fronts and  wrought ironed balconies are festooned with purple, green and gold bunting, all glamed up.........it’s Carnival!   The Mardi Gras season began on the Twelfth Night, and the celebrations becomes more and more exciting, with parades and balls beginning this weekend and running though Fat Tuesday.  The festivities will end as lent begins, on Ash Wednesday.  Streets are magically cleaned and the next day life goes on with the only evidence of the merriment, are strands of beads suspended from high trees and telephone wires.  People in Louisiana, take their celebrating seriously, it’s a part of their culture and a spirit that you can feel in the air.

We meandered along the uneven cobble stoned sidewalks of the French Quarter.  The backdrop was stunning blue skied days, punctuated by the glorious long shadows of winter.   A slight chill is still in the air, but easily avoided by crossing over to the sunny side of the street. 

 

Inspiration Galore! 

A super discovery, was happening into Masquerade, the BEST mask shop in New Orleans.  Each and every mask in this gallery is handmade.   Meeting the vivacious owner, Marian (above) was a true bonus.  She's an entrepreneur extraordinaire, as her shop features thirty-eight mask maker artists, from all over the U.S. 

There’s also a nice selection of Venetian carnival masks not to be missed.   It was fun and exciting hanging out and watching people try on different masks, reminding me of the days I worked for a milliner, how fascinating it was to see customers try on different hats and identities.

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On the way back we stopped by Gambino’ (famous for their Doberge and King Cakes) to pick up few.  A sweet ending to a happy few days away, together.

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Hope you enjoy seeing and hearing about another part of the world because I do enjoy seeing yours!

xox

Constance

 

 

 

 

Favorite Snaps From Nola

One of the best things about New Orleans is that it's the nearest place to where we live, where anything goes.  Meaning: people can express themselves and  be who they choose without worrying about what others think. No one looks twice or cares what you look like or what you are wearing and let me tell you, here you will see it all!  It's been my experience, that port cities collect such a fine and colorful assortment of people from many cultures, all walks of life.  I feel right at home and most myself in these places.  Needless to say,  there are characters aplenty and where else might you discover a life sized plastic virgin waving and blessing passers by from her balcony stationed above?  It just seems apropos in the French Quarter.

There were other balconies that caught my attention.  Peace Ya'll!  Wish I could have caught this one, all lit up at night!

We bumped into three bands featuring 4 string banjo players (even a girl banjo player) and THAT would have made my father very happy, yes indeed!  The instrament on the right is called a gut bucket.  We used to have one of those.  I know, I know, crazy but true! 

There was a most excellent looking super red door that jumped out at me...

and this curious mannequin representing what? Who knows?

An elegant detail from the most gorgeous Supreme Court Building on Rue Royal caught my attention.

 I must conclude by divulging a little secret about two of the most exquisite shops called 'Oh!'.  The proprietor of these fine establishments is an extremely creative and tasteful man named Sandy Thigpen.       The boutique on Royal reminds me of entering into a fantastic fairytale.  It took my breath away being surrounded by the colorful dresses, sequined headdresses, fashionable chapeaux,  the soft silk curtains dividing two rooms, not to mention the French boudoir dolls holding court upon two armories.  A magical confection of a shop, yes!  *Best yet, Mr. Thigpen owns two places in the Quarter, both specialize in Vintage Couture and fine lingerie and both called Oh!  

In his second shop you will not only find more pretties, but meet the stylish and a most friendly lady named Marina.  

Oh! Check it out!   It's ooh la WOW!  

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Oh! 829 Rue Royal / 504.524.8807  (Sandy)

Oh! 330 Chartres St. / 504.525.8880 (Marina)

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Hope you've enjoyed coming along for your stroll in the Quarter!

 

xox

Constance

Colors of Autumn

Fairy Bouquets

Sharon's Birthday lunch for my mom.

Noelle and Mike at a party last weekend.

Preservation Hall

Amuse bouche at Boucherie

Caezar at Boucherie

Magic light hitting a last fern.

Fruits

Mom's Birthday Throne

My new Goddog Tony!

 

xox

Constance

 

 

 

Miss New Orleans

 
Miss New Orleans is currently making her way to the vernissage at the Galerie dans la Cave in Cadrieu, France.  Laury of Soar Dream France has masterminded the show:

I Know what it Means to Miss New Orleans

The curator lived in the Crescent City for many years, but fled to France during Katrina and made Cadrieu her new home after the storm.   We met a few years ago though the magical world of blogging and our mutual appreciation for New Orleans.  We hope to meet one day in real life, but in the meantime she has met one of my friends, Katia in Germany.  It is indeed a small and wondrous world.  

On the reverse side of the assemblage you will discover a hand written scroll with words that are quintessential New Orleans.  If you've lived there or visit often, you will probably know many.  If not, you must one day discover what they mean for yourself!

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      Antoine's       Chicory     Cafe du Monde       The Carousel       The Brennan's      Lucky Fava Bean      Beignets      Boudin      Hurricane          Beads        "Hey Mista'  throw me some beads"!!       "Darlin"      "I know that's right"!     Commander's      The Mississippi          Lagniappe          Mirliton          Krewe's         Montelelone             King of Rex          Streetcar         Bourbon Street         Herbsaint            Absinthe      Crawfish           Etouffe           Jambalaya            Snowballs        Fillet Gumbo        Vieux Carré       The Quarter           Jackson Square           Jazz & Heritage  Fest          Tulane           Zulu          Zydeco         Turtle soup            Kermit Ruffin's          Louis Armstrong        Voodoo         Marie Laveau         Ersta ~ Oyster       Magazine  Stree          Central Grocery         Muffalatta        Brunch         Ursline        Pontchartrain         Poboy         Harrry Connick  Jr.            St. Patrick's Day Parade            Tipitina's            Pat O'Brian's            Garden District          Uptown           Lee Circle          Tabasco        Crescent City              Daubloons            Olive Salad     Bayou St. John     Sazerac          Big Easy     Croissant D'or      King Cake          Grits n' Grillades        Chicken Pontalba      Adelaide   Brennan         Pascals Manale       B.B.Q  Shrimp         Crawfish Monica             House of Blues          Napoleon House         The Buddy Bolden Band          Neutral Ground         Dirty rice          Wrought Iron Fences   St. Charles            Fleur de Lis            The Saints          Good Mojo       Masks          Humidity     Katrina          Riverboats       Mardi Gras            French bread            Zydeco        Hangover       Party         Saint Louis Cathedral        Rue Royal        Buskers            Jean Lafittes Blacksmith Shop       Laissez les bon temps rouler     St. Louis Cemetery            Zombi                Pirogue            Gambino's Doberge  Creole       Cajun           Blue Dog         Abita     Galatoire's        parade watching ladders        Gris  Gris      Alvin Alcorn      "Yeah you Right"!     Jazz Funeral    

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Have a wonderful & creative week and don't forget to let the good times roll!

 

xox

Constance

       

 

 

New Orleans J'adore!

Dear lovely friends,  

Right this moment I'm trying something I've never done before!!  Writing a post on a laptop computer and it is blowing me away!! 

 We're back from New Orleans where is was sizzlin' hot but BIG FUN anyway.  Above, a portrait of Marie Laveau at the Historic Voodoo Museum.

It's a small museum but quite interesting.  Voodoo dolls are displayed in the Gris Gris Room.  But the Altar Room and the Historic Hallway are fun to check out too. 

Another discovery was Gallery Orange at 819 Royal Street.  I met the cool owner, Tracy who sells the whimsically wonderful paintings of Sarah Ashley Longshore. 

   Gallery Orange also features other paintings, some by Guus Kemp a local Dutch artist and a nice collection of realistic and dreamy oyster shell paintings by Carlos Lopez.  The paintings in the gallery and the owner both make me happy. 

Further along in the Quarter, a nice detail from Restaurant Tortorici.

Little lovelies from Sucre on Magazine Street.

A chotchkie from the Krewe of Zulu spied at an Antique shop along magazine.  My parents once attended the Zulu Ball, lucky them.

Buskers playing "You are my Sunshine"......  Love it!

Last, since it's been awhile since I've posted,  here's what I've been working on!  Some puppet heads are officially and finally in the works.

Hope you are ALL well!

xox

Constance

Memory Collage

I ♥ New Orleans! 

In the French Quarter, a bathing beauty spied during a courtyard renovation.

Hot sauce Galore!

 

Saluting The Hotel Montelone ~ A class act!

And inside the revolving Carousel Bar

These are the whimsical sconces,  flanking the walls around the Carousel Bar.

Gnocchoi and panceta and grape tomatoes at Herbsaint~ A gold star restaurant!

 

An old sign for "The New Drink", Ginger Mint Julep.  Sounds pretty good!

One of the fabulous passageways in the French Quarter, Court of Two Sisters.

 

The Central Market, where you can buy Muffalatta's and Italian specialties and delicacies.

Looking up at a flower clad balcony. Wrought iron fences are one of the signatures of old New Orleans.

The maid of Orleans, St. Joan of Arc,  holding court at the corner of St. Philip and Decatur Streets.

Oysters at the Acme~

 One of the things that amazes me about blogging, is that we have the opportunity to share different life experiences in various parts of the world with one another.  For those of you who have never been to Nola, I hope you will get just a small glimpse of the unique magic of a city I adore!  Visiting New Orleans fills my inspirational cup with delight and I look forward to going back next month to celebrate my birthday......but now that I've returned, I realize that Dorothy is right!  There is no place quite like home, don't you agree?

 

Thanks for dropping by!

xox

Constance

About Dutchbaby

Happy Energy

Smiles

Smart

Interesting

Confident

Creative

High Energy

Tolerates well under Pressure

Wife

Mother

Enjoys Family

Friend

Pretty

Foodie

Humorous

Open Minded

Takes Classes

Enjoys learning

Big Reader

Photographer

Generous

Thoughtful

Dignified

Positive

Grateful

Empathetic

Unique!!

 

It was a joy to meet Dutchbaby!  She's all the above and it did not surprise me, not one bit.  She was just exactly how I thought she'd be!  And isn't it amazing the unique essence you discover while reading a blog? 

Words and photographs are mighty powerful, don't you think?

Photo above: Thoughtful gifts from DB

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2011!

January is the month that makes life feel new with a pathway of possibility ~

Listen for a new song or an old song made new ~

 

Enjoy something delicious ~

Light a candle for a dear friend ~

Meet someone new under a beautiful chandelier ~

 

Take time to dance, even if it's alone in your own kitchen ~

See life through various sets of eyes~

 
Welcome the opportunity to create wonder and magic for a stranger ~

Buy a new cookbook or an old cookbook~

Take the time to celebrate a friend or loved one~

Be aware of your achievements, especially little ones for many small actions lead to big triumph's~

Embrace and celebrate these days of hope, for soon January will disapear into a memory and February will steal all her glory~

 

 

 

Blue Frog Chocolates

These Italian Candy Bouquets by D'Alessandro of Sulmona, Italy............

 loured me into the enchanted world of Blue Frog Chocolates  at 5707 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La.

This is a jewel of a shop where you will find something for every chocolate lover on your list, even a Voodoo Queen!

 

You can discover bittersweet alligator's swimming  upon doilies....

and and sea of Bonbons and Truffles....

There are holiday treats to entice

Even a twenty five pound Santa Claus, decorated with nonpareils.

You will discover shelves of Bellagio Chocolate Truffle hot Cocoa.

And delicious looking Gift Baskets galore !

Next time you're in Nola, check out Blue Frog Chocolates,  call 504.269.5707 for special orders or easier yet, visit their online shop!

 

Spreading the Bon Gris~Gris!

  

~ New Orleans ~

A Celebration of the Senses!

Why do I love this town and her people so much?

Because of the rich history, one that tolerates and honors uniquenes. A town where characters are revered!

 

(above:  Detail from above the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone)

 

Attention to detail ~ 

Take for example Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, a class act it every respect.  I could go on and on, but simply offer highest compliments to the owner and staff for attention to detail.  It hasn't changed, it was the same great experience this week as many years ago. Customer service is at it's best at this establishemnt.

Everything extra special starts with the right people and all those minute details, when pulled off correctly, offer a magical experience.   That's Hotel Monteleone!

 

Makes my heart smile!

In the French Quarter we felt happy and positive energy everywhere, just like before Hurricane Katrina!  Visitors are returning for business and pleasure, people from all over the world.  Time has passed ( five years ) AND

It was a emotional gift to the Crescent City, that those Saint's Came Marching In and won the Super Bowl last year!  It boosted the moral big~time!  Go Saint's!!

 

(above: Oyster dishes at antique shop on Rue Royal)

 

It rained the first day we arrived, but it did dampen our spirits, not one bit. 

 

(Above:  Jackson Square)

Andrew Jackson's statue (in Jackson Square), inscribed:  "THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED".

 

 

Buskers set up after the rain, offering thier talents, some Dixeyland Jazz and this wasn't just any ole music. 

If you've never been to New Orleans, you must GO if possible!! 

You'll never hear greater live music or eat finer food and when you leave you'll have been changed in a good way.   There is something special, a gift you take away with you, but it's hard to explain (if you haven't been) but once you go you will get "it"!  And not soon forget!

Mule and carriage in front of Café du Monde.

Beignets at the Café~

Window shopping in the Quarter.

Foster the cat invites me to come into his shop.....

So I did.  This is Ronda of Louisiana Loom Works, who weaves colorful one of a kind rugs.  She combines cotton thread and cotton fabrics to create signature, one of a kind rugs.  You can feel in her shop that she is a soulful and creative artist, a gentile person.   It was great meeting her!

 

For more information or to order, email Ronda at:  ragrugs@bellsouth.net or call 504.566.7788.

More

SOON !!

Thank you for sharing New Orleans with me!

 

xox

Constance