Alyssa in ...

Tales House This week is Tales of the Cocktail and I went to an interactive/ "immersive cocktail experience." We journeyed through 8 different rooms with various themes where a cocktail and appetizer were served, and learned about mixology along the way. My friend Tara from Han and the Solo Cups led the "arts & crafts" room. NOLA really is a small town.

Big Island, HI June 28-July 7 total relaxation.

Parade Fashion One of my favorite things is getting dressed up for parades as a parade watcher. Pre-parade promenades are like a neighborhood catwalk where a great outfit scores selfies with strangers and dozens of compliments in a night.

June 13 Pride Parade Great to see the Dollys, Han & the Solo Cups and the 610 Stompers at the parade.

Giant Puppet Festival Parade I reconnected with my former chicken collaborators at Sunday's parade. People were so happy to see these crazy puppets wandering through Bywater.

Gay Easter! The final parade of the day was over the top fun! I saw a friend from other parades (last photo) and we got so many compliments on Dad's hat.

Chris Owens Easter Parade We got so many throws! The photo is just from the first parade of the day!

Easter Looks Loved catching up with friends along the parade route. So many people liked Dad's hat!

April in New Orleans

Saturday, March 28 Spoiled for choices today. The Congo Square Music Festival, the Danny Barker Banjo Festival, Rock & Rouge, two random second lines, plus the St Joseph's parade. I had lunch at Congo Square- beef yakamein followed by a peach mango huckabuck. I found an impromptu porch concert down the street from my house (last image) and a wedding second line before I reached the St Joseph's parade on Canal. I was surprised at all the Italian themed costumes as this was a very low-key parade.

Uptown Super Sunday, March 15, 2026

Irish Channel Parade Beautiful day to be out for a parade. I saw some of my friends- Tara from Han and the Solo Cups and my friend Val and her family. The first part of the parade were guys in tartans who trade flowers for a "kiss from an Irish lass "- and everyone is Irish for today. No bands or dance krewes but about 30 floats, which were all recycled from other parades. There were very interesting throws. Not pictured, but caught: cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Moonpies, an Irish Channel baseball cap, Irish Spring Soap, nips of Jameson whisky, stickers, sunglasses, plus all the expected beads. The glittered potato was unique.

Friends, Floats, Fashion, Mardi Gras Day

Bourbon Street Awards Some of the wilder costumes.

Around the Quarter, Mardi Gras Day

Group Costumes, Mardi Gras Day

Costumes, Mardi Gras Day Spotted in the Marigny.