I Was a Blogger . . . on Bourbon

This past weekend, 30+ bloggers (influential mom bloggers, review bloggers, business bloggers, and health bloggers) descended on Bourbon Street

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(And, Bourbon Street didn’t know what to make of us.)

There we were — a bunch of moms, confidently walking down the street in our collection of flip flops and heels . . . amid whistles, cat-calls, and beads being thrown at us.

It seems the French Quarter likes a bunch of hot mommies.

(but, who can blame them?)

Aside from drunken boys making us feel a wee bit sexy, the rest of the weekend was free of scandal. . . . well, maybe not, but there was a pact made that what happens in NOLA, stays in NOLA. No divulging of any secrets from this Mama!

(not that I have any secrets to share . . . I was my usual boring self on this trip and avoided Bourbon Street after dark; I know — shocker, right?)

It was a weekend of friendships and memories — especially exciting for me as I met two very important people: Leah (@bookieboo) and Kim (@mentallyinked). Leah founded the Mamavation program and Kim was my fellow “Mamavation Mom” during Campaign 4 earlier this year. I had spent hours upon hours chatting with these ladies but I had never seen their faces (outside of a computer screen, that is).

And, they are beautiful faces.

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(Kim and Yours Truly)

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(Lori, another Mamavation Sista from Houston, and Leah — in her fabulous Jessica Rabbit dress)

Aside from getting dressed up and eating at some of NOLA’s best steakhouses (totally recommend Besh Steak and Dickie Brennan’s if you head to the French Quarter. . . .I’m still swooning over that food), the highlight of my weekend was our private tour of Houmas House. An antebellum sugar plantation, this beautiful estate is full of unbelievable gardens, priceless antiques and artwork, and numerous historical artifacts. Through out the tour, each of us felt our jaws dropping at one time or another. Since returning home, I think I’ve talked more about Houmas House than any other facet of the trip.

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(pre-tour Mimosas at the Houmas House)

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After walking all over the French Quarter, a ghost tour, plenty of food, breakfast at Cafe du Monde, and swag (more about that in a bit), we all headed back out to the real world on Sunday . . . back to hubbies and babies, homes and pets and, of course, our blogs.

Well — most did. A few of us ( Jess, Kat and I) headed for a quick jaunt through one of the infamous New Orleans cemeteries.

Is is weird to be in love with old cemeteries? Because I am — the weathered gray stones, stained marble, and the time-worn names just barely peeking through to a world light-years away from the one their owners left. A hushed, reverent, crumbling sanctuary oblivious to commerce, computers, and commutes.

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(maybe I am just a weirdo)

This trip would not have been possible without the hard work of Trisha (@Momdot) and Leah (@bookieboo) . . . as well as the numerous companies who sponsored meals, events, tours . . .

Collective Bias and OpenSky for the lovely dinner at Dickie Brennens

Lingerie.com for our Ghost Tour of the French Quarter

Global Resort Homes for lunch at the Houmas House Plantation

Harrah’s Casino for the fantastic meal at Besh Steak

Traveling Mamas (and wonderful Shannon) for the fun we had on Saturday

Houmas House for the tour and wonderful Southern Belle guide

Firefly Vodka for Saturday’s refreshments

Community Coffee for transportation to Houmas House

BakeMeAWish for the yummy cakes on Friday night

Uprinting for the Bloggers on Bourbon banner

Zazzle for the Bloggers on Bourbon t-shirts

Black Box Wine for . . . you guessed it : wine

and the companies who provided fantastic products for our swag bags.