New Orleans Trip Recap | Where We Stayed & First Day

*Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring today’s post!

I’m so excited to share our New Orleans trip with you today!  We ate, we drank, saw the sights, shopped and hung out at the pool and did I mention, ate?!  It was a lot to pack into two days, but we made every second count!  This recap post was becoming longer than a novel, so I’m breaking it into two posts- Day 1 today and Day 2 tomorrow.  You’ll definitely want to come back so I can share ALL the good food we ate with you!

Our trip was couples only and we went with four of our good friends.  We’ve traveled with them before and it’s always fun when you have a great group to spend so much time with.  Unfortunately, my husband got called away on work at the last minute so he didn’t get to meet up with us until dinner the first night there.

gingham top

Gingham Top ⋅ Boyfriend Jeans ⋅ Sandals ⋅ Necklace ⋅ Bracelet ⋅ Watch

I wanted to be comfy and cute for the trip over, so I wore my relaxed boyfriend jeans and the fun gingham top with tassel sleeves you saw in my latest dressing room post.  I got so many compliments on it, seems everyone is a fan of classic black and white gingham, but the petite tassels put it over the top in the cute department.

It’s a quick flight from Houston to New Orleans, so we arrived in a jiffy.

gingham top2

Gingham Top ⋅ Boyfriend Jeans ⋅ Sandals ⋅ Necklace ⋅ Bracelet ⋅ Watch

We stayed at the new NOPSI Hotel, near Lafayette Square, which is the historic headquarters of the former New Orleans Public Service, Inc.  It’s where people used to pay their utility bill and the hotel lobby still has one of the old counters in the center.

The staff was wonderful and super courteous, and the hotel itself is beautiful! It’s a smaller boutique hotel with 217 guestrooms—including 76 suites. The decor is fresh and modern with pops of blue throughout, down to the pretty doors in the hotel rooms.  There are two bars in the lobby, each one featuring a different alcohol, but you can get any type of drink at either bar.

NOPSI hotel3

Our room was a generous size and immaculate.  I love a comfy bed in a hotel room and this one did not disappoint! In fact, on Saturday we ended up taking a long siesta before dinner.

NOPSI hotel

After dropping our bags, the first stop was to the rooftop pool and bar to unwind with a drink outside. It’s super hot and humid in New Orleans, just like it is in Houston, so we’re kind of used to it!

NOPSI hotel pool bar

Similar Yellow Top ⋅ Blue Aviators ⋅  Similar Embroidered Dress ⋅  Pink Sunnies ⋅  Swimsuit ⋅  Coverup ⋅  Similar Sunglasses $12

NOPSI hotel pool and bar

NOPSI hotel pool bar drinks

Nothing a cold drink and dip in the pool can’t cure!

Becca crochet swimsuitSwimsuit ⋅ Sunscreen ⋅ Necklace ⋅ Sunglasses ⋅ Stud Earrings

I’m obsessed with this swimsuit!  It’s my go-to for feeling sexy and covered at the same time.  The crochet is perfectly placed and it has light padding at the bust.

Becca crochet swimsuit2

Stud Earrings

New Orleans is known for their Cajun and seafood cuisine and there are no shortage of options! Unfortunately, we were only there two days so we had to really narrow it down.  My friends are a bunch of foodies, so they did most of the research, but y’all gave us lots of ideas on my Instagram!

On the way to dinner, we popped into the landmark Sazerac bar at the Roosevelt hotel for a drink and also to pick up these little chocolate espresso cookies (holy yum!) at Domenica that my girlfriend is crazy about.

floral romper dress (1)

NOLA floral wrap dress romper

Similar Romper ⋅ Floral Romper Dress ⋅ Necklace ⋅ Nude Heels ⋅ Similar Ruffle Dress ⋅ Similar Necklace

Us girls loved getting all dolled up for a change.  I got to wear this floral dress that’s actually a romper that I picked up at Nordstrom before we left.

It was also fun to see the guys cleaned up too!  They all coach the little league sports, so we’re used to seeing them in ball caps and athletic wear.  I spotted their outfits from Nordstrom a mile away!  Turns out everyone likes to shop there!  I know what my hubby likes to wear from Nordstrom, so I’ll pick up things for him from time to time while I’m shopping for myself and the kids.  It just makes life easier when you can shop for everyone at one place!

We were comparing notes and talking about what jeans we like and kinda joking about how Jimmy will only wear Wranglers and Levis, but Adam was saying he prefers the fit of DISEL and AG, even the slim fit that Nordstrom carries.  Jimmy would say those are only for male model types! 😉

drinks

Shape Fit ShirtSimilar Check Shirt

And finally he got to join us!  He was soooo ready for that Old Fashioned after being at work since 4am that morning! Talk about a long day!

men's plaid shirt

Similar Plaid Shirt

For dinner the first night we went to Cochon, a local favorite for Southern Cajun cooking in the Warehouse District, with amazing food.

cochon review

Wood-Fired Oysters ⋅ Boucherie Plate ⋅ Fried Alligator

cochon review 2

Mac & Cheese ⋅ Dry Rubbed Ham Hock with Quinoa, Herbs & Goat Yogurt ⋅ Rabbit and Dumplings

We all agreed that the fried alligator appetizer with chili garlic mayo sauce and the Boudin balls were the best things we tried that night, but my meal with ham and quinoa was also delicious.

money clip

I managed to snap a pic of the infamous binder clip that substitutes as a real wallet!  He said in his Nordstrom Anniversary Sale post that if he ever switches to a traditional wallet, this one by Tumi is the one he’d chose.

mens plaid shirt

Similar Plaid Shirt (& Wranglers & Cowboy Boots) – they don’t sell those at Nordstrom, honey! 😉

Back at the hotel, here’s that counter I mentioned that people used to use to pay their utility bill.

boys NOPSI

Cowboy Boots ⋅ Sneakers ⋅ Magnanni Hi Tops (oh, you fancy!)

NOPSI pool scene at night

We returned to the rooftop pool for some after dinner drinks. It’s a pretty happening bar scene up there and didn’t feel too hot since the sun had set and there was a nice breeze.

NOPSI hotel (1)

L to R : ShirtShortsShoes | Similar ShirtSimilar ShortsShoes | ShirtShortsShoes

Now this is the look we’re used to seeing boys!

We got up so early the next day because there was a breakfast spot we were dying to go to, and 7:45 a.m. was the only reservation time they had!  Come back tomorrow to see where we went and Day 2 of our trip!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

22 Comments

  1. New Orleans is so much fun! You almost can’t go wrong with the food. One day I’ll have to make my husband and some of my friends go on a couple’s trip.

    If he’s feeling fancy, you should get him a gold toned binder clip. I can’t tell if the one in the photo is black or something else.

  2. So fun!!! I love this post and seeing you and friends in NOLA! Looks like a great time and the food and outfits were?

  3. Your trip looks so fun! We just came back from a stay at The Roosevelt. It was wonderful ~ my new favorite hotel! I’ll have to look up Nopsi though for future reference!
    Can’t wait to read more…

  4. What a fabulous write-up! That black swimsuit IS AMAZING on you. I love your blog. When I think I’m no longer interested in getting into shape your blog such as this reminds me of how important it is to take care of ourselves. You are a darling friend and an inspiration in so many ways 🙂

  5. I burst out laughing at the infamous binder clip! I thought my dad was the only one…!! Looks like a great trip! We should really plan something like that with our good friends!

  6. Only in NOLA can you have actual glass in the pool. LOL! I’m originally from Louisiana and have to have a NOLA fix at least once a year. Love it and glad you had a great trip!

    As for your husband’s “wallet”, you should check out http://www.thegrandband.com. My boyfriend was using a rubber band until I bought him one of these for a gift and he loves it. He’s used it for 5+ Years and is still happy with it.

  7. I LOVE Cochon! I had an anniversary dinner there once. I have flown Southwest and Spirit (the megabus of the sky) from Houston to NOLA and it is always a better idea than driving! You and your friends are adorable! Thanks for this recap!

    1. These friends are parents from James’ school- such a great group of people! Their kids are awesome too! Can’t beat that quick flight!

  8. When I saw you were at Cochon I was hoping you tried the mac & cheese. It’s ahmazing, isn’t it? The chef/owner is from the area I now live and my step-daughter (who lives in NOLA) had her rehearsal dinner upstairs at Cochon. I’m pretty sure I know where you went for breakfast, so I can’t wait to read tomorrow’s post!

    1. Were you right on the breakfast spot? When we got there it didn’t seem like we needed that early reservation, but we were still glad we went!

  9. Looks like a fun trip! I live in New Orleans – love the Roosevelt Hotel, but have not been to Cochon yet. The NOPSI hotel looks very cool, I will have to check that out as well. And that crochet bathing suit is stunning!

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