{Willa Jean – New Orleans newest bakery and brunch spot}
{DIY Cuff Bracelets – From a recent class at The Bead Shop}
{A beach hat turned personal – DIY monogram}
{Cold cocktails – For HOT summer days from Bouligny Tavern}
{Willa Jean – New Orleans newest bakery and brunch spot}
{DIY Cuff Bracelets – From a recent class at The Bead Shop}
{A beach hat turned personal – DIY monogram}
{Cold cocktails – For HOT summer days from Bouligny Tavern}
I just finished this book and absolutely loved it! If you love fashion and a good life story, it’s the perfect mix of both!
I picked up these shoes from Zara and have nothing but rave reviews! Super comfortable and a great stacked heel!
Warby Parker is now open in New Orleans! Right on Magazine St. I recently stopped in and fell in love with the place.
It’s Jazz Fest time here in New Orleans and I’m currently loving one of my favorite times of year!
*All photos my own >>> Instagram
As I have gotten older my appreciation for the city and state I come from has grown. I’ll be 30 soon and it still amazes me how many things I want to do in and around New Orleans and the gulf south that I haven’t done yet. A few weeks back on a beautiful Sunday afternoon my boyfriend and I took a drive to Oak Alley Plantation. It’s still so crazy to me that as a born New Orleanian, I had never made the trip, it’s just up the road after all! The grounds are just beautiful and the history is interesting as well! Looking for an afternoon away from the city, I highly reccomend a quick drive up to Oak Alley!
Mardi Gras festivities are well on their way and this is the perfect companion; besides a cocktail of course! Hershel Supply Co. back packs are the perfect practical, yet stylish carryall. Can’t wait to get a little use out of mine over the weekend! And after Mardi Gras, it’s the perfect carry on!
In New Orleans? RUN, don’t walk to the brand new West Elm on Magazine St. I’ve been watching the progress on the store since the beginning and can’t believe its doors open tomorrow! We’ve needed this in New Orleans for quite sometime now. The unique merchandise selection and the affordable price point makes West Elm a perfect fit for the city! I’ve got my eye on this lamp and this super cute gold tray. Also, newly engaged? West Elm now has a wedding registry!!
*Keep up with West Elm Nola over on instagram!
New Orleans is constantly inspiring young artist, business owners and entrepreneurs to find their way, and create a living of their own. One of my dear friends happens to be doing just this. I’ve been able to watch his business grow and seen him turn his dreams into reality. His pieces are unlike any others and I recently had the pleasure of playing around his shop. Today, get to know Alex, the man behind New Orleans based Doorman Designs, handcrafted southern made furniture with a storied past.
Q. Tell me a little about Doorman Designs and how you got started?
A. I founded Doorman Designs two years ago after graduating from college in Mississippi and returning to Louisiana and a job in New Orleans. Limited by a dismal post-graduate budget, I desired to furnish my 1880s apartment with furniture that embodied the charm and grit of the Crescent City. So, I decided to start making my own pieces. My first creation: a headboard crafted from an old growth cypress, five panel door salvaged from house flooded in Hurricane Katrina. I inlaid the panels with ornate, 19th century ceiling tins to give the piece more character and history.
From there I started to make and sell more headboards and eventually began designing lighting, coffee, and dining room tables. The materials I use are architectural salvage with an emphasis on reclaimed wood from New Orleans homes destroyed or damaged by Katrina. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I know how much history is to be found in New Orleans’ architectural details. After Katrina, my heart broke seeing the city’s soul, flooded and ruined, and being torn down. I’d like to think that I’m keeping those stories alive through my designs and furniture.
Q. When you are looking for inspiration where do you head?
A. Right now I’m drawing a lot inspiration from two different eras of design-1950-1960s modern design and also French colonial style. These are two completely different styles but they both seem to agree that more is not more when it comes to the details of the furniture. Both looks rely on the simplicity and functionality of the furniture to make a statement and allow the material that they’re made of to create the furniture’s personality. I appreciate the refined, and sometimes primitive approach. And even better, these styles work great in almost any type of architecture and can be mixed in with an eclectic blend.
Outside of furniture I draw a lot of inspiration from folk art. I’d like to think this style of art is no longer conceived as a hooky, cliché depiction of rural country life. But instead, it’s a bit abstract, a bit modern, and has a very simplistic reality that a lot people can relate to. A lot of folk art has this layer of grit to it that I really gravitate towards. It appreciates imperfections and I try to emulate that gritty vibe by using reclaimed, weathered materials that have lots of patina to it.
A. Living and staying based in New Orleans has almost all the inspiration you could ask for. Sometimes I get a little too inspired living in a city with so much flare and culture! New Orleans has adopted a new mantra of looking forward but still appreciating and respecting its historical past. Down here we appreciate all things old so I get a lot of inspiration from the way people used to live, work, think and operate their lives.
Q. Not to play favorites, but it there one piece that sticks out in your mind as a favorite?
A. That’s a tough one but I have to admit that I love making lamps. Don’t get me wrong I love making beds almost as much but making lamps are like this little compact puzzle that has lots of twists and turns that challenge me. No two lamps are created equal and each have its own obstacles. Plus there’s nothing better than placing a really great lamp shade on a piece and then turning it on. It’s the perfect light bulb moment!
Q. Do you have any advice for young designers/artist trying to make their dreams a reality?
A. Sure, no one can ever question your motives or personality if you’re being authentic. It’s that simple. As humans we all have this internal sensor that says “you’re not good enough” or “no body will like what you’re doing”, “you suck”. I like to think of that sensor as a screen on a computer that you can minimize and make go away. I named my sensor Rex (get it? he Rex things) and every time he shows up, I try to minimize him back below. My best advice is to not let our sensors get in the way of our authenticity. If that sensor weren’t there, what’s the absolute best design or creation you could imagine in your head?
Thanks Alex for sharing your story! Be sure to check out more of Alex’s work at DoormanDesigns.com and follow along on Facebook
*Photos a mixture of my own and from DoormanDesigns.com
You never know what you will notice when you walk around New Orleans, this alligator museum is just down the street, and I’m so intrigued as to what is inside. We took these pictures while shooting the Langford Market City Guide, and these jeans are my absolute fav. Now, I wouldn’t call them a Lucky Girl Find {they are pricey} but I’m 5’11” and they are extremely long and oh so soft, so for me they are worth the investment.
Jeans; MiH Top; Forever 21 {similar}; Necklace DIY {similar}; Watch; Michael Kors
I’m so excited to be a featured contributor for Langford Market. I’m over on their blog today sharing my New Orleans City Guide. Check it out for all my favorite places to See, Shop and Dine in the Big Easy!
{afternoon views from my bike}
{brunch cocktails and oversized sunnies}
{little white lights and evening skies}
*all photos my own, a few from here
Today I share with you my favorite places to sip and see {live music} in New Orleans. I could go on forever, and my list today is a bit lengthy, so I will get right to it.
The Bulldog: Grab a pint or a pitcher, an extremely large list of beers on tap and a great patio
The Columns: The perfect place to sit on St. Charles Avenue and enjoy the scenery and a few cocktails of course
The Delachaise: Situated right on St. Charles Avenue as well, boasting an extensive wine list, as well as amazing food {think little french bistro}
Pat O’Briens: The only touristy bar on the list, but as a local, it’s always nice to go every once in a while, check out the piano bar, the line is worth the wait
Davenport Lounge at the Ritz: A great place to grab a fancy cocktail and listen to the jazz of Jeremy Davenport
The Sazerac Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel: The bf and I’s all time favorite bar for a fancy drink {try a Sidecar on the rocks, or a Ramos Gin Fizz}
DBA: A great place for live music on Frenchman Street
Tipitina’s: Live music hotspot, in Uptown New Orleans
The Goldmine: Late night dance spot, best DJ and flaming Dr. Peppers
Image credit: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
*Again, looking for more suggestions? Feel free to email me luckygirlfinds@gmail.com. See my post {here} for brunch, lunch and dinner favorites!