New sensations in New Orleans

There is a cartoon called “Princess and the frog” which is remarkably accurate in its animated portrayal of New Orleans. I had seen the cartoon long before my visit and already recognized certain landmarks as a result. An example is the fabled swampland of “the Bayou” located just outside the city where alligators are plentiful and have become associated with the area as a result; being either featured in most menus or décor.  Another landmark I recognised was St Louis Cathedral, pictured below.

St Louis Cathedral



New Orlean's tourist friendly central Canal St truly reminds me of Cavil Ave in Surfers Paradise (on the Gold Coast, QLD AUS) because it has the same sort of set up. Its skyscraper hotels house souvenir shops at their bases, as well as an assortment of restaurants and shopping; from the tacky and morally questionable variety to high end fashion and jewelry. 



Canal Ave

The visual similarity between the two cities stops at the waterfront because while Surfers Paradise greets a white sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean, New Orleans fronts the murky Mississippi River. It is at the foot of this river that the very old and well maintained history of New Orleans begins to show. First settled by the Spanish and later by the French, there remain tell-tale signs from both eras and cultures, in the varying one-of-a-kind architecture and in the diverse range of culinary options established along the boulevard.  An icon to the French settlement is the "French Quarter,” some four or five blocks of traditional housing in which the French made their homes true to their style of connected housing. These are still today maintained as new and lived in by the city’s locals.  

French Quarter
Photo Credit:
27kindsofcrazy.blogspot

 This party city is full of history, culinary delights, music, first rate bars and cafes intertwined with some of the weirdest people and practices you’ll encounter.  Unlike Surfers Paradise where a market stall means arts and crafts; the stalls in New Orleans attract palm readers, psychics and insane looking people who proclaim to know voodoo. Of course if the history of New Orleans is to be believed; they more than likely do know it!  But once you pass the stalls it’s back to jazz, dim lanterns and a very lively atmosphere.



Photo Credit: pipesmagazine.com

New Orleans is one of the only places in the States where you can drink on the street and almost everyone you pass is holding a beer or a custom made plastic daiquiri glass in the shape of their city’s symbol; the French fleur de lis. Bourbon St, which has long been known as party-central America hosts a variety of parties, carnivals and festivals all year long; the biggest of these is the legendary “Mardi Gras” parade; which unlike Australia, has no association with gay pride and is actually the age old celebration before the fasting of lent. We were there for the commencing of Jazz Fest which was truly an experience to behold! The largest street party I had ever attended and I can’t wait to visit again soon!



Jazz Fest

All photos published without credits were taken by me.

First year in the US



Midtown Atlanta: our "secret garden"

Today is the anniversary of my first year in Atlanta US. I’m feeling quite mixed because time has flown by so fast and it doesn’t feel at all like I’ve been away from home an entire year. I still almost feel like I’m on vacation since Will and I travel so much and explore every chance we get. But when I realize that I have been away from home an entire year it makes me sad and suddenly I’m feeling pensive and missing home very much.

Some of the major things I miss (aside from the obvious friends and family) are random things that I never would have expected to! Like sausage rolls or being called “love.” I often miss living close to the beach and picture the sea spray caressing my skin or inhaling the salty air. I remember how strange it seemed to me the first time I flew over America that cities stood in the middle of land mass without a coastal outline anywhere in sight, just like ant hills in a desert; and it almost made me feel trapped since I have never lived more than a half hours’ drive from an ocean.

Of course I’d met Americans back in Aus but never suspected there would be such a cultural difference between us. It’s just wide enough to ensure my automatic gravitation towards anyone Australian in the US and feel a bond of friendship even if they turn out to be a real tosser!  At least we have the same sense of humor and understand what it is to crave things like “normal” bbq sauce, bacon, lattes and a decent cup of hot tea. We know what it is to occasionally forget to tip hairdressers, sales assistants and other people who are already paid to do their work; or how to laugh at ourselves when we've made a really great joke, as well as the pleasure of not having to explain that Kath and Kim or Steve Irwin were a gimmick – and not how most Aussies actually behave!


Photo credit: emerils.com



I guess more than anything I miss familiarity – and predictability. It’s so unsettling when you can’t predict basic things like dress codes (everyone in the South dresses WAY up for football games and sports bars!) and food presentation (this is an American “chicken salad sandwich” – it’s an actual chicken-salad). Of course a lot of that is starting to stick but often when we do eat out Will tells me “don't order that – it’s not what you think it is.”

 Reflecting upon my first year, I would definitely say my highlights have been: my gorgeous apartment and lifestyle in Midtown Atlanta, my mini poodle Baxter who Will bought as a companion for me within the first week of our arrival, my 1st white Christmas and snowed-in day, the amazing experience of seasonal changes, baseball at the stadium, my professional photo shoot for my fav boutique My! My! My! in Atlanta (which is now featured on their website!!), trips to NY Fashion Week and the privilege to meet and work with the most amazing, elegant and inspirational women’s’ (old-school European) couture designer: Nina Gleyzer.


Spring blossoms Midtown Atlanta
Baxter and I

Although I feel homesick and pensive with "I still call Australia home" stuck in my head; I have enjoyed my first year in the US immensely. My favourite places have so far been: New York City, New Orleans, Biloxi, Fort Worth and College Station Texas. I will expand on why I loved these places and more of my travel highlights during the week. For now I will wrap up and go to dinner to celebrate: happy anniversary to me.

The 'Australian slang' dictionary

I came across this Australian Slang Dictionary the other day and after I stopped laughing, I realised that it could really help the rest of the world understand what we're going on about half the time! 


Photo credit: listal.com



Music Midtown

Living in Midtown Atlanta sure is awesome! Just this Saturday past I awoke to the sounds of mic checks and strummed guitar chords coming from Piedmont Park where Atlanta’s fabled Music Midtown festival was being resurrected for the first time in five years. Throughout the day, I enjoyed band after band take the stage and at one point I sat in my dining room with a beer and a smirk counting my blessings for the crystal clear sound and view I got to enjoy for free!

The legendary music festival and Piedmont Park have, over the years, hosted bands of extraordinary caliber like The Eagles, Journey, Dave Matthews Band, Silverchair, The Killers, the White Stripes, and Paul McCartney to name only a few; growing to an epic three days and six stages of music with crowds of 300,000 in its heyday. 

It was at this point of glory in 2005 that Music Midtown proved too much for the city’s council who were forced to cancel the annual attraction, which by then had earned its reputation as the biggest music festival of America’s South and drawn spectators from all over the US. This year, on Saturday 24^th September, the festivals’ (small in comparison) one day comeback was headlined by Coldplay who are so-hot-right-now with the anticipated release of their 6^th album due in October.  

Unfortunately I left my apartment at 6pm and missed Coldplay’s’ performance but out of the bands I heard during the day, “Walk the Moon” (who played from 2:45 – 3.30pm) and “the Joy Formidable” (who played immediately after them until 4.30pm) where my favs. The first had an unreal 70’s punk band sound and the latter; amazing and powerful lead female vocals that ricocheted off every high-rise building in the vicinity.

Since the smaller crowd of 50,000 behaved and the festival went off without a glitch; next year’s Music Midtown has been given the thumbs up and planning is already underway! I can’t wait! (Of course I won’t be one of the crowd who pay an excess of $50 to get sunburnt and dirty – but now that I know how cool it is, I will share my beer, smirks and awesome views with friends!)





Photo Credit: joeyfoley.net





Photo Credit:
Music Midtown 2011 Website



The cost of looking pretty

Manicures in the US are so stinking cheap! $15 a pop! And I was shocked to discover that a full set of acrylic nails costs between $20 and $30! - that's less than half the amount girls pay back in Aus!  In fact, most beauty services cost roughly half over here in the States.  Including waxes, spray tans, massages and make up application!!

In case you don't believe me, here is a link to the Polished and Primped nail bar/boutique in Midtown Atlanta; check out the services tab!


The 'Pedicure Lounge' at Polished and Primped
Photo credit: polishedandprimpedatl.com

My first trip to the Fair

Last night was my first time at an American fair, and not just any old average county fair – Will and I went to the North Georgia State Fair. As expected, there were rides, games, soft toys, flower and local craft competitions, a dog show, junk food and fairy floss as far as the eye could see!

A little unexpected was the live alligator show and the two things that turned out to be my personal highlights. Those were: the traditional (not to mention enormous!) American carnival “snack” of an entire smoked turkey leg (!) and the baby animal petting zoo that this city girl had to be dragged away from.

I had never seen a real, live teacup piglet before but they are every bit as cute as they are made out to be! The photo really does no justice to the little guy – he was roughly the size of my size 6 foot and just like puppies, these piglets wag their little tails and jump around wanting to be picked up!

The pic below is of the alligator show. Of course when you grow up in Queensland (QLD) AUS like I did – these alligators aren’t a big deal.  We have crocodiles back home on most Northern beaches and in all rivers and swamps that are much more aggressive and territorial than alligators with the advantage of being able to live in both salt and fresh water.  Farming them for their leather is a part of Australia’s economy and of course we are known internationally for our dare-devil heroes “Crocodile Dundee” and Steve Irwin who wrestle them without hesitation and wear their teeth as the prize.  

The interesting part about the alligator show from the Fair is that these guys travel all throughout America with two 8ft (2.44m) alligators in a custom made enclosure on the back of their truck doing shows nationwide at schools and fairs! The alligators originated in Florida – as did the duo who present them – but with their busy schedule they have grown accustomed to life on the road.

Definitely an interesting experience, the North Georgia State Fair is on until October 2nd and will feature a lot more entertainment throughout; including concerts by popular country music groups, BMX stunt shows and a hypnotist spectacular. 

New York, New York: It's a heck of a town!

How many people are lucky enough to say that their first trip to Manhattan was an all expenses paid trip as an Editorial Fashion Writer?!  I am!  Not only had I spent the past year watching Gossip Girl episodes and dreaming of the day I would visit the city of dreams, that never sleeps, where the streets are paved with gold for myself... but I had an all access pass for 3 days worth of runways, models, red carpets and exclusive after parties at Couture Fashion Week!

Almost the entire time I kept smiling and pinching myself, completely drunk on excitement and gratitude!  There’s really nothing equal to the anticipation and atmosphere at a runway fashion show; but there is something else entirely about a couture runway: something so personal and endearing … romantic even!  While sitting in the audience, you are overcome with the knowledge that what you’re witnessing has never been done or imagined by anyone else and will never be repeated in exactly the same way again.  It's like you're the first to hear a big secret and you feel honoured.

The perfect setting for this love affair was Manhattan’s historic landmark hotel: the Waldorf Astoria. Located in the Midtown region of the island, it’s close to all the major attractions like Times Square, Central Park, Madison and 5^th Ave and Grand Central Station, which Will and I explored during free moments (you didn't think this girl would travel alone, did you!?)

Here are some happy snaps of my first trip to Manhattan and NY's Couture Fashion Week:

CFW night 1

Fave Dress



CFW Night 2



The Plaza Hotel; a must-see Landmark

Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Times Square

Fallin' in love

Today marks the official arrival of my favourite seasons: here in the US it's autumn and back home in Australia: spring. The flower shows Australia-wide during September are truly spectacular, with the golden wattle  (Australia's national flower) even celebrating its very own day to commemorate the passing of the chilly winter month (no that’s not a typo!) and to embrace the start of almost 11 months of gorgeous warm weather and longer days.

Although that sounds awesome, anyone who's lived in Queensland, Australia for more than a year knows that the changing seasons are very uneventful. Sure, the outside temperature slightly declines, the days become an hour shorter and certain flowers no longer bloom, but there is no magical display of seasonal festivity like there is here in the US.  

Fall, as autumn is known in the US, is the most miraculous and visually tantalizing season of them all. Nationwide, the pilgrims are still remembered and honoured through decorations of harvest vegetables and grains that are seen adorning houses, shopping centers, street lamps and basically anywhere they can be fitted. The pumpkins, which abroad are an association with Halloween, are in fact a harvest icon and sit proudly in all shapes, colours and sizes on porches everywhere!

It’s hard not to get swept up in the breeze that scatters leaves of yellow, orange and red all around. The atmosphere becomes so cozy as sweaters, coats and gloves are taken out of storage and gas lanterns and fireplaces are lit ablaze once more, while friends and families gather together inside to watch the football madness or sip cocoa by the fire.

This Australian can’t help fallin’ in love with the splendour of all that is fall.