New Orleans // Part Three

The next day we woke up, early again (urgh!) and went back to The Ruby Slipper. Yet again we had an amazing breakfast, seriously if you are in New Orleans go to Ruby Slipper, you will not be disappointed. 

After breakfast we went on a walk around The Garden District and looked at the outside of some celebrities houses. It was intresting but after a while all the houses look the same and you can never remember which house is which in the photos. 

Then it was time to go to lunch! We headed over to Deanie's Seafood restaurant, and we went all in on the food. 

Me, my mum, my dad and Sophie all went for different types of crab, from stuffed crab to a cheesy crab pie thing which was delicious.

And the my brother went for a whole tray full of crayfish. I must say I had to try a few and they were very very good. 

That evening we went to watch a basketball game which was amazing. The atmosphere was brilliant and I found my self shouting along and everything and they actually had cheerleaders which I found great. I only ever see this big Thing about cheerleaders in American movies or tv shows so seeing cheerleaders in really life was cool. The actual game was brilliant and I would happily go see another one. 

I also tried one of the hot dogs at the game and a bit of the pizza they sell.

It was amazing. But it was also our last night in New Orleans which was sad. 

Tune in for the next place on my USA trip soon!

New Orleans // Part Two

My official first day in New Orleans started with a way too early wake up and breakfast at The Ruby Slipper. It was an extremely beautiful day in New Orleans, we headed into the cafe and got seated at a large table for multiple groups to sit down at. I went straight in for the large pancake stack with bacon and syrup. It was amazing, syrup with bacon and pancakes?! I'd never had it before and thought it was a crazy combo, however I must say, America you were right. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I can't even remember what everyone else had because my face was buried in my plate. 

After breakfast we went for a walk to the French Quarter Festival, I had to pop into h&m to get some sunglasses because I stupidly forgot mine! When we got to the festival, Sophie and I went straight in and got some daquaris, we both ordered the same Absolut Mango. It literally tasted like an alcoholic slush puppy! I recommend getting your hands on one of these if you ever go to the French Quarter Festival. 

After taking a long walk round the festival and watching some of the bands performing, we all decided we were rather hungry. There were so many food stalls it was hard to pick one thing! Sophie and my dad went for nachos with pulled pork, my mum and brother went for po boys, and unfortunately I wasn't feeling all too good so I went for a simple burger. I also didn't get any pictures, I'm terrible I know, but there will be a hell of a lot of food pictures to last you a life time so don't worry! 

After lunch we headed back to the hotel, had a snooze and got ready for the evening ahead. We started the evening at a cocktail bar, which had a rotating bar! 

After sipping on some incredibly strong cocktails we had a walk around French Quarter and found a restaurant called Desire, we queued a bit then got let in and popped down at a little table. I immediately saw what I wanted on the menu and away we ordered! 

For starters I got baked oysters with Parmesan, which were unbelievably tasty, I could have eaten 12 of these! My mum and brother shared some oysters as well which Sophie tasted, considering how quickly they disappeared I can only imagine they tasted amazing. My dad had fish cakes as he can't eat oysters, so he was very jealous of our starters but he loved his choice too. 

Now for mains! My dad had pork chops and large wedges, my mum had gumbo or jambalaya, I can't remember! My brother had Muffuletta with chips which look very good and Sophie had a pulled pork po boy. Finally, I had alligator meatballs with spaghetti. There was so much food that me and Sophie ended up taking half of ours back to the hotel and popped it in the fridge to eat another time! 

The first full day in New Orleans was amazing, the food was spectacular and I had just tried alligator, which I had never had before. 

Come back soon for the next day at New Orleans! 

London to New Orleans

You may be wondering why I haven't been posting anything for the last two weeks (or more) and it's because I was in America! We had this holiday planned for ages, since last year, we being my mum, dad, brother and his girlfriend Sophie. My mum and brother planned all the travel whilst the rest of us just got more and more excited the closer it got. The first day we spent travelling on one flight for about 8 hours, then stopped off in Chicago for 3 hours, then got another 2 hour flight to New Orleans. When we stopped off in Chicago, I had to get myself a Krispy Kreme doughnut, I mean you have to really don't you. 

We arrived in New Orleans which is about 6 hours behind London, so when we headed out at 6 -7 ish it felt like 12-1 ish, along with all the jet lag, I didn't want to walk for ages, I just wanted to eat. I may have repeated this about twenty times to my family, they finally settled on a place and we waited only a little while then got taken to our table. I only managed to get two decent pictures and can't remember the name of the restaurant, I was literally so tired that I almost fell asleep in my food.  Anyways, let's explain the wonder you see below, this is turkey, bacon and cheese on French toast with chips. For the first night in New Orleans, half asleep at the table with my nose almost deep in chips, it was delicious!! It was so tasty that I have to make it at home, I'll maybe pop up a recipe if it goes well. 

The only other snap I got was of my brothers dinner, which was three little tasters of Louisiana food. These included Gumbo, Jambalaya and Shrimp Étouffée.

After we stuffed our faces, we lazily walked back (with a bag of Cheetos) and as soon as I was on the bed, I was asleep! 

Restaurant Story // Part One OOTD

This is in fact my second outfit post... Ever, I think.

Anyways last night my amazing parents took me to Restaurant Story for my 21st birthday (which is Monday).  However this is going to have to be a two part post as I don't want to overload your screens with pictures! So this is what I wore, what do you think?

Topshop hat

Missguided kimono

River Island cami

Topshop Jamie jeans

Kurt Geiger boots

Rings : Dorethy Perkins, gift, gift. 

Nail Varnish : Essie, Sole Mate

And finally a cheeky picture of me and Alice. I am so happy with this outfit and how these images came out. I thought it was perfect for a casual smart meals. This was my first time wearing my Missguided kimono and it was really comfy to wear, only problem was that it just fell off my shoulder every now and then. Other than that I love this outfit! 

Please please please let me know what you think of the outfit pictures and also if you think it looks better with the writing on the left instead of the middle. Thought I'd try something different! 

Treat Time

Me and my friend Alice decided to treat ourselves to an expensive meal!

Our loans arrived in on monday and on monday night we managed to book a table at Heston Blumenthal's Dinner in London.

We arrived at the Mandarin Hotel at 6:00pm and still had half an hour before our table was ready.

We decided to take the plunge and have some cocktails. I had the BaoBao, which I finished! That is quite a big deal for me, I usually order them drink a third and then leave the rest. Considering these were a whole £16.50 for one I was making the most of it, it was so good I was almost got another one! Go me!

For starter I had the Roast Marrowbone with pickled vegetables. Which tasted just amazing, it was unbelievable. Alice had the Meat Fruit, but she left a bit, which I just had to eat, because you just can't leave even a crumb left over its so good. 

For main Alice had the steak and I had the pork belly, which I was so excited to eat that I forgot to take a picture of it! So I've been super cheeky and grabbed a picture off the internet for you to see what I pleasantly enjoyed. All the flavours were amazing, I'd have it everyday if I could. 

Then there was dessert, I'm not a huge dessert fan unless it's cheesecake or profiteroles. Therefore, I opted for the cheese, which is just exquisite. Each cheese tasted amazing. I can't remember all their names but my favourites were the blue and the two hard cheeses. 

Finally we finished the meal with ice cream! We really went all out but you might as well, no point holding back with something like this. I went for the frozen raspberry bits on my ice cream, again! I couldn't help it they just taste so good! 

If you save up some money or already have the money (you lucky buggers) make sure you book and definitely get the ice cream!! 

P.S. Look how close we were to the kitchen!! (Excuse embarrassing excited kitchen face!) 

And here's a quick bathroom selfie of my outfit!

Christmas Taste Festival

This post is really late! I've been planning to do it since I came home from the Christmas Festival last Sunday, but I've been so busy with uni work that I haven't had the chance. Here we go any ways!

So last Sunday I went to the Christmas Taste Festival with my family and my brother's girlfriend, Sophie. We have been every year since 2011, so this was our 3rd time attending. This year it was held at Tobacco Dock. The first stall we saw was Alex James' cheese stall. Straight away we bought two of his cheeses and I even saw him (but didn't say hi or get a picture!). The cheese tasted amazing and me and Sophie ate so many tasters. 

The pictures below are of the sausage roll I bought from this rather handsome sales man. He was blonde and had a spectacular beard! Anyways on to talking about the sausage rolls. They were huge and tasted so good! He gave me his card saying it was in case of pastry emergencies, how amazing is that. I took the sausage roll home and popped it in the oven, it was even better warm and crispy. 

Below is my brother and dad having a drink at the Grolsch beer stand. And how amazing is that beer bottle wreath! 

So me and Sophie spent the whole time eating cheese tasters from the same stand. We spent our crowns very carefully. Crowns are these vouchers that are the equivalent to money, you pay £10 and get 10 crowns. Theres a load of mini restaurant stands where you can get a little meal. 

It is such a great thing to attend and really gets you into the mood for Christmas. Tobacco Dock was such a good place to hold the event, felt a lot more homely. 

Make sure you go next year! Did any one else go?