Can I pack NOLA in my suitcase??
As I sit here trying to fit all my sparkly purses and favorite heels into just one suitcase, I can’t help feeling a little sad. I shouldn’t though, because I am about to live in Italy for the next five months! But I realize that going on this next adventure means leaving my favorite place and my home, beautiful New Orleans.
For the next few months, I’ll be studying fashion design and art in Florence, Italy at Santa Republica International School of Art. I’ll be meeting new people, traveling to new places, and experiencing things I could only dream about. But, for the next few months, I will also be missing my favorite parts of New Orleans. I’ll miss Friday sunsets at the fly, happy hours at Chaise dela Chaise, the warm weather and spring festivals and simply just sitting on the porch with my roommates. Don’t get me wrong, I am counting down the minutes until my plane hits the ground of the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, but, part of me wishes I could just have both.
So, to those who love New Orleans as much as I do, here are a few of my favorite places and things to do on a free Saturday. From vintage shopping to trying amazing food, and of course festivals and music, I think you’ll find a new thing to love.
First, let’s start with my favorite part, the food! One of the reasons the city is known for its restaurants and food is because of the uniqueness of the culinary culture – Creole and Cajun cuisine. If you’ve never heard of the two, let me give you a quick explanation. Creole is the culture that comes from French and Spanish descent and New Orleans and the surrounding areas make up the Creole regions of Louisiana. Cajun (what I am!) on the other hand, is the people of French and Canadian descent and is in the deep south Louisiana region. Creole and Cajun are the two Louisiana cultures that come from similar backgrounds but are also very different if you ask any local. While I don’t typically eat cajun or creole dishes outside of my parent’s kitchen, I will gladly wait in the two-hour line at Jacque-imos. Jacque-imos is a small restaurant on Oak Street that has some of the best creole and cajun food I have ever had (don’t tell my mama!). If you are dying to have some good soul food, or need to show your parents a restaurant that is true “Louisiana food”, you’ve got to go to Jacque-imos – and promise me you'll get the shrimp & alligator sausage cheesecake!
One of my favorite places to find vintage gems is at a New Orleans estate sale. I started going to estate sales to honestly just look at the beautiful houses and interiors of uptown. However, as I went to these sales, I started finding amazing clothing pieces, books, glassware, art, and so on. I try to shop second-hand as much as I can because I care a lot about my own consumption and also just love being able to give something a second home. Every Friday and Saturday morning this past summer I went to at least one sale and left with something new I love and cherish. If you are in search of a beautiful piece and something to appreciate, check out an estate sale.
My last recommendation is Jazz Fest, and while this is something that everyone knows about, I know plenty of people who have never been! Yes, I understand it is on the cusp of finals week, but you could take a study break listening to amazing music and eating the best food. Jazz Fest is one of my favorite things about New Orleans, but my favorite part isn't really the event itself, it is the moments after. If you stay the whole day and leave right as everything is wrapping up and the sun is setting, you will witness the best parts of New Orleans. For a few blocks from the exit of the festival, there are house bands playing everywhere on almost every porch and street. You can just stand there listening to the music and watching people dance, and you can maybe even ask the owners of the house for a beer. I promise you’ll leave feeling like you’re in love (and it ain’t just from the beer).
As I zip up my suitcase, I wish I had enough room to take NOLA with me. But for now, give New Orleans a hug for me and make sure to love her hard because we’re lucky to have her.
<3 Taylor
