Little Thing 52

A lovely little girls night-in complete with a home-cooked meal and surplus wine...and being classy enough to drink aforementioned wine straight from the bottle....with a straw.

Straight from the Water

Cypress Forest
Atchafalaya Basin

Henderson, LA

You might have noticed that I've been MIA since Wednesday... (if you hadn't noticed, I forgive you) I've been holed up at Lake Fausse Point with my family for the past few days - with very little cell phone/internet service.And while I had an amazzzzing time and I would have loved to stay for days and days, I'm officially back home and I cant wait to share my adventures with y'all. I hope every one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to catching up with each and every one of y'all.

((image via iPhone))

NOLA Part IV: Insane Throwback

Preface: This post is mainly for Lyla. She's been on vacation all week, and my lonely little heart misses her at work. This one is dedicated to her.

Backstory: Last month Lyla and I were at an "event" ( I won't say for what - That'll surely get me in trouble. Also, I won't even dare to use the word "party" - because that would imply an entirely different atmosphere.) Okay so we were at an "event" and there was a gentleman at this "event" - You could describe him as "mid-forties" and "straight laced."

He came by to inform us that he used to listen to country music but now he listens to that new fangled "pop music." He then went on to ask us if we had ever heard of the Black Eyed Peas, and if we knew their *new* song "Boom Boom Pow." LyLa & I shrugged and we're notified that it was his official jam - like roll down the windows and blast it sort of jam.

If you thought that was a jem of imagery, prepare yo'self.

Later in the evening, LyLa over hear these bits: ""Back in '88, I went to a bachelor party at the Dungeon in the French Quarter....," "...it was so crazy, we played whatever we wanted on the jukebox." "...you could even buy cigarettes from a machine inside the bar."

WHAAAA??! Party over in '88!

So as I was trolloping around the FQ on my little NOLA rendezvous, I stumbled upon the insanity that is NOLA's *greatest* party mecca, the Dungeon.

Please do not make me describe the crowd out front. It pains me too much.

NOLA Part III: Worst Trip Photos...Ever.

I know you kids have been waiting for these for a while.

But before we continue on, let me point out a few things so you can skip over them if you make a comment. SKing and I apparently have a very limited number of poses - I'm going to say a max of 2. It may look like more, but trust me those photos are just us transitioning into pose un or pose deux. Also. I promise we were actually in NOLA - the French Quarter to be exact - for these. I'm aware that you can't actually see this but in the background of these there are actually drunks making asses of themselves, hoochie girls making out for attention, and some old guy thinking hes going to get some because hes wearing a von dutch hat circa 2003. Hello Dirty Coast! And thirdly and lastly, you're going to be all, "Dude Kora... did you really have to photoshop each of these into black and white submission?!" Yes. Yes I did. I had to shield your beautiful bloggy eyes from our "walking dead" corpse-like-faces... a result of our tranny makeup not being able to withstand the humidity of Bourbon.

And if you're wondering about the hunky Scottish boy in the photos, We may not know many poses, but we certianly do know how to make friends and keep it classy.

NOLA Part II: Satan Moonlights as Rachel Zoe

Lets start out with this little jewel of information: Sometimes I do things with out really thinking them through. Sounds innocent enough, right? Like Sunday night when I made toast, poured myself a big glass of cold milk, and settled down with my new Women's Health... And I realized that my skim milk had gone reaaaaally bad (I'm talking chunks bad).... but only AFTER I had taken a big ole gulp of it.

Yeah.

I'm gagging a little now just thinking of it.

But really, I do silly stuff like that quite often. I just get an idea in my head, and I just sort of run with it... whether that thought is "OHH Jesus, Momma needs some yummy breakfast for dinner." or say...."Oooohweee sexy strappy hooker heels?! Perfect for NOLA..."

(Some of you see the direction this is headed. For everyone else, the point of this post is to show I'm nowhere near the perfect hair/perfect red lips/so in love with everything that makes KLaw cringe.)

So. New Orleans. Fabulous girls weekend.

My partner in crime for the weekend was the amazing and oh-so fashionable, SKing. The girl talks about Louis, Channel, and Manolo like they're old childhood friends. And although she could easy rock out a t-shirt and jeans, she overdresses for everrrrything. Not hatin'. Just saying she looks uber fab on any occasion.

So in the days leading up to our rendezvous with the Big Easy, I get to thinking that this weekend would be the time to step up the fashion game. "Heck," I think, "I used to be a fashion major. I'm certainly not afraid of the sassy. I've just gotten lazy."

In the sweaty haze of trying on 934 outfit combinations, I settle on a heatherd grey v-neck, a black leather skirt, a red Members Only jacket, and the fiercest strappy ankle booties I have ever seen. Never mind the fact that I think ankle booties make my legs look like tree trunks. I was going to sacrifice them in the name of fashion...

In the hotel on Saturday night, we were a little behind schedule so we raced to throw on our outfits, scrub off a little bit of our tranny make-up (Thank you to both MAC Cosmetics and Florescent Lighting. You kids are awesome), and straighten our hair that was already matted with sweat from running up Canal.

In the split second that I had to spare I scanned the mirror and imagined a little Rachel Zoe on my right shoulder uttering "I die." and a little Mayra on my left cooing "Bananas!" as she eyed my shoes.

I felt fab.

Until 2 minutes later...

As we trucked it down Bourbon street.

I could feel the sticky sweat start to roll down my back, so I ripped off the jacket and checked my watch.

Cursing and picking up the pace, I began to do that reallllly lame half-jog as I weaved in and out of traffic. Thats when I noticed the zippered back of my skirt was now in the front... WTF?!

Turns out the leather skirt was quickly moving up and around as I walked. No wonder I was hearing so many "Damn Girl..."'s from the Bourbon folk.

I die.

No really.

I die of mortification.

By the time I got to One Eyed Jacks, I had to duck into the shadow to adjust just about everrrrything. and sadly the rest of the night went much the same way - lots of unintentional skin, lots of adjusting, lots of swearing and moaning in pain.

Fast forward to the next morning: my thighs were literally purple from chaffing because the skirt was so fitted/didn't breathe, my feet ached so badly that I cringed to even think of walking, annnnd I had a 3 inch long blister on my feel from my oh-so fierce shoes.

Kora's NOLA Fashion: epic. fail.

Worst. Outfit. Ever.

Got that?

Palming Up...

Earlier in the year, I got involved with a local life coach and a group of women I came to refer to as my "women's forum." And after that very first sentence, some of you are flying over to close out the window - "Get me out of here! One emo post, a week or two of barely posting, and Kora's back laying it all out there with talk of therapy and meshugana women who are so allll about the feelings." Oh contraire mon frere. Stay with me. This is going somewhere. As I was taught in my very first session, life coaching focuses on the "now" and the "future" while therapy tends to delve into one's past. It's of a way of figuring out your values and living a life each day that reflects those values. Sounds a little new agey, right? Like I'm over here in billowy tie-dyed gauchos and strappy tevas, about to get my healing stones out and realign my chi....

Not quite. Most Tuesdays it felt like a convergence of Lafayette's elite - women who wanted to do more (all while being dressed to the nines). There was the stunning Argentinian newscaster who wanted to pursue journalism in Louisiana, the straight from the J.Crew Fall catalog psychiatrist who wanted to be more creative, the woman diagnosed with cancer as she took care of her aging mother who wanted to make time for herself... the list goes on. It was hours of conversation that had me walking out the door inspired and fearless - ready to do it all. But each week, before the discussions began, before we mapped out that weeks goals, before we compared notes on our struggles, we started with meditation. As Camille, our life coach, instructed - we sat up straight, feet flat on the floor, palms in our lap facing the ceiling all while she guided us through breathing exercises.

It began as a silly jab at the new agey spiritual side of coaching. When things got insane around the office or someone was pushing their redonkulous ish's on me, I feigned a meltdown and claimed that I needed to rush to the bathroom for meditation - or to "palm up, " if you will. But eventually, I found myself in all seriousness sitting on the back of the toilet, back flat against the wall, eyes shut, & palms up when things got to be too much. It was nice to just sit and breathe - just to be in that moment and not worry about what just happened or what piece of insanity was on its way.

It's no secret that life's been a roller coaster for me these past few weeks. And while a lot of amazingly wonderful things have come my way, it just feels like I haven't stopped to breathe. Ive been running around trying to fit in so much all while having the new concern of monitoring this whole "health ish." I haven't blogged as often as I would have liked to, but don't think I'm fading away. New Orleans was my so-said "swanky girls" weekend. While I had the time of my life, running around the dirty coast, chasing handsome boys, in heels on no sleep is just a weeee bit exhausting. I started my week already burnt out. Meanwhile, things have really taken off with Blog Lust. I'm so excited about all the people I'm getting to meet and all the designs I'm getting to try out, but I'm a little bit late in getting it all optimized for efficiency. This week I did some researching and bought a laptop so I could be the "Nomad of Blogging and Design" (Seriously, please refer to me as that. It's the most bad ass nickname. I die.) I'm really not complaining - I'm thrilled with so many aspects of my life these days. I just don't want you guys to think I'm not here to stay.

This weekend, I'm catching up on life. I'm taking a breather. I'm palming up in the grandest sense of it all. I'm holed up at Cajun Palms this weekend - I've got my own cabin here, laptop and design software in tow. I plan on using all the hot water in the shower, wearing stretchy pants all weekend, drinking a few Purple Hazes, and completely catching up on my blogging and design - all with no excuses. I will sleep late. I will go in the hot tub, despite the fact that its November. I will watch ridiculous amounts of Disney Channel and Sex and the City (hello pink velour book of DVDs!).

Basically, I'm here this weekend to do anything and everything I want - to do all the things I've been meaning to catch up on and to stop feeling "behind." Just to be in the moment and enjoy where I am.

Stick around cause there's going to be a ton coming your way - the rest of my New Orleans trip, coverage from Zydeco Weekend at Cajun Palms, announcements for friends, and so much more.

NOLA I: The Not So Grand Entrance

You'd think this would have been more help...

8-0. Need I say more? oh wait... WHO DAT?!

Forget New Orleans, Let's pass it up and head to the West Bank.

URRRH, We're not lost. We ♥ the West Bank... By the way, why are the exits not numbered?!

After our lengthy trip to Gretna (3 minutes), we find out theres a toll to get back into NOLA. *cue the frantic search for cash*

While we're stuck here, lets get new facebook defaults!

Still lost, but actually in NOLA

Right about the time we pulled out the giant fold-up map

Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe on Canal Street

Our Hotel on Canal

The view from 2828

See the river?!

Part 2 to come tomorrow!

Thelma & Louise

One of my favorites

SKing & KBru

One Eyed Jacks

New Orleans, LA

11.7.09

Listen to the Darkside

Okay, so I'm usually not one to post videos on the blog but we havvvve to make an exception for this one.

After hearing how talented this kid is a million times, I finally got to see (and meet) this guy, Charlie Mars, on Saturday in New Orleans. He opened up for Marc - and I loved his set so much that I bought the album on my iPhone while I was at the show. I've been walking around today mumbling the chorus of this song to myself... It's just embedded into my brain.

Just watch it.

You'll love the song, the video will make you smile, and Mary Louise Parker is a pretty lady.

Perhaps The Most Important Part of My NOLA Rendezvous

I promised Summer that if I saw any sweet staches this weekend in the Big Easy, that I'd be sure to get some photographic evidence of the stashe-osity to bring back to her. So when this guy sauntered over to the merch table at the Marc Broussard concert Saturday night, I (almost too) enthusiastically explained my love for the stache and my promise to my dear Summer. His girlfriend kept pleading for him to shave it and explaining her hatred for his facial hair, but I gave her my best "Save the Sweet Staches" campaign speech. She may have been convinced... or not.

PS - Don't forget to enter my Marc Broussard Prize Pack Giveaway! Contest entry ends 11.16.09!

Oh Thank Goodness...

4 days until my quick but much needed girls trip with SKing to New Orleans.

So many things to look forward to...but today I'm all jazzed up for our beautiful hotel on Canal Street (above)!

((image via davidepoe))

Sunlight on Sunday Pt. 2

Yesterday, I made my way over to my Grandma & Aunt Carolyn's house for a Sunday lunch. We sat outside as we ate pork-chops, spinach, okra, sweet potatoes & sausage. There was even a banana cheesecake with a satsuma-lemon glaze.

We like food.

We also like sunshine.

((didn't have my camera with me, so these are all iPhone photos))

Ça C'est Bon!

*cough*Let's pretend I didn't disappear into the murky emotional abyss for an entire week*cough*

Boudin Cook-Off

Parc Sans Souci

Lafayette, LA

October 17, 2009

The little illustration is slightly disturbing no?

Some sort of smoked boudin - so delish!

MTher in heaven...

Full of Boudin? Photo Op!

Boudin Eating Contest contestants

The third guy from the left is the one who eventually spews it

The lone lady...

Keep your eye on the kid in the bucket hat...

annnd he wins it! 6 links of boudin in about 5 minutes

To further prove his boudin-osity, he jumped around seconds after eating 6 links of boudin

The creepy illustration one more time - just for good measure.