Dedicated Follower of Fashion

INSTA #NOLA

This past weekend was spent in New Orleans with some truly fabulous people. Our purpose was to meet with the bloggers of New Orleans to promote community - both their own and the community of Two Point Oh! PLUS. Our latest project. That and to eat EVERYTHANG.

I don't normally do these Instagram round up posts, and it's not generally something I'm planning on doing in the future, but since I'm, personally, relatively new to Instagram (I insisted that the "instagram I'd been using for years, Hipstamatic X Tumblr was sufficient. It was not) I thought it might be fun to share a few snaps and rather bluntly insist you follow me there too.

So enjoy these NOLA snapshots. Fully grown posts are on their way.

Pictured above: Jackson Square and Café Du Monde - taken with Hipstamatic (Salvador 84 Lens and Ina's 1982 Film)

Left to right: Ashe & Chanelle (when LA meets L.A). View from our room at the W New Orleans - French Quarter. First Gumbo of the trip. The Back Bar at Erin Rose where we feasted on Killer Po-Boys. Gina & I taking instant pics by the Mississippi river. My bed at the W New Orleans - French Quarter - wearing a tux. Iced Coffee at Café du Monde. 25¢ Martinis at Commanders Palace. Thrifting with Crosby and Gina. Gumbo Z'herbes at The Gumbo Shop. Wine, Bread and Cheese to Go from Bacchanal, with Crosby and Chanelle. Riding the Street Car with Crosby, Gina and Chanelle. Willie Maes with Ashe. My First Fried Chicken and a big fat veggie fail at Willie Maes. Café au Lait & Beignets at Café du Monde. Gina and I riding the street car.

Kelsi x

Dedicated Traveler: #DixieTrip: Graceland, Mississippi

Visiting Graceland is something I've wanted to do for a lifetime. Way before living in the US was even a remote consideration, let alone possibility for me. Everything about Elvis is the America I fantasized about, and to this day reflects my vintage sensibilities, love for romance and for kitsch. Elvis is fairly responsible for all of this.

I also think he was one of the most handsome and talented men that ever lived. So there's that (seriously - Elvis in his early movie days...hottest thing ever)

So, obviously, Graceland (and by default, Memphis) had to be a stop on our #DixieTrip.

I'd been warned that Graceland was "not what you expect" before I arrived - and it certainly wasn't the ostentatious sprawling mansion that we've come to expect of the celebs of this decade - but it's definitely a size-able, and beautiful home.

They let tours in small group by small group, to make sure it's not overwhelmed by visitors, and your guide is an audio guide which can be paused at anytime. We deliberately fell behind our designated group, and took the time to really take in the place, and take unobstructed pictures for your viewing pleasure - I highly recommend you doing the same should you visit. We were there on a Tuesday...a slow day, and it still felt crowded at times.

The first stop is the living room.

Aren't the colours amazing? I can't decide whether I love the peacocks, the clock or the TV the most. SO pristine and yet oddly inviting, the knick knacks and family pictures make it a home. Now who's going to do my oil painting portrait?

Whilst I'm sure Elvis' parents bedroom isn't on anyone's Graceland checklist, it is the only bedroom you'll be seeing on the tour, Elvis' bedroom is private, as is the entire upstairs portion of the home.

The real treat was the bathroom, yes I want the poodle wallpaper and the powdery pink tiles, and the peek into Gladys Presley's wardrobe.

This is where those infamous peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwiches went down (amongst the other, more traditional, southern fare, I'm sure)

Favourite room in the house. Not sure if it's the multiple TV's (bona fide TV addict over here), the colour palette, the mural, the weird ephemera or the monkey. But I wish this was my basement.

Across the way from the TV Room and the monkey is the Pool Room. One of the most visually stimulating rooms in the house. I mean the couch matches the fabric draped walls. C'mon!

The Jungle Room. It features a waterfall and tiki everything (including a bar) - it's heavily influenced by his time in, and love for, Hawaii. Now I want a jungle room.

Click through for even more pics from my trip to Graceland, including the jets and the cars!

Dedicated Traveler: The Fox and Anchor - London Throwback

My baby sister in the bath tub

I think this is longest delay on a review probably ever. In about all the history of time. Back in February (yes, February) I got to stay in one of the most glorious little hotels in the world. And my delay in writing about it is far more a result of my need to fully digest it and give it the time it deserves, than a disinterest in writing about it.

The Fox and Anchor is an historic pub (or as they describe it "a proper London boozer") in the Clerkenwell area of London (if you read this review on the Malmaison, also in Clerkenwell, you know my feelings on the area, it's so pretty!) the pub is also home to six rooms (so making it officially an Inn!) - available at a remarkably affordable rate for this area (starts at £125 on a weekend)

The pub itself dates back to the Victorian era - and has been beautifully and authentically restored. The interior echoes the history of the surrounding area and the attention to detail is remarkable. This isn't a theme pub, or a cheesy "gastro-pub" or even a brewery owned personality-less generic pub - it's a proper pub.

Pork Pie and Mushroom Soup in an Mug

Pork Pie

Welsh Rarebit

Roast Pork Belly

My favourite thing about the pub (well one of them) is the food. My sister and I had a truly phenomenal three course, traditional British meal, this did of course mean I had to pretty much throw out my vegetarian ways for one evening. We were seated in the "Foxes Lair" a tiny private dining room built for two - extremely romantic - or at least it would have been if I'd not been with my sister!

I started with a pork pie and mushroom soup, and followed it up with "The Daily Roast" (Pork Belly that night). My sister had the Welsh Rarebit, followed by some fishy concoction including mussels (by fishy I mean literally seafood..she said it was amazing...I'm not a seafood fan!). We were ridiculously full by this stage but decided to go all out and squeeze in a bit of cheesecake. Equally divine.

After eating way too much we made our way up to our room - which was quite the trek - we were on the top floor, no elevator, so it was a bit of a climb, one that would have been zero fun with a large suitcase, but the room was really lovely.

A cozy bed, warm colours and an amazing roll top, claw foot bath tub (which was just what I needed to relax the our show room event/London Fashion Week and subsequent fashion flu off). The bathroom also featured an amazing copper sink. The whole place was so tastefully done and completely within the historic and traditional aesthetic of the entire space.

It's a beautiful and special place, if you're visiting from overseas - it's a real London experience, and if you're local - it's an amazing escape from the hustle and bustle and a great romantic hideaway - even just for a really good meal, I know I'll be back for seconds next time I'm in town!

For more info on the Fox and Anchor, visit their website.

Kelsi x

Our stay and meal at the Fox and Anchor was complimentary - but the thoughts and subsequent dreams of the place are all my own!

 

Dedicated Traveler: #Dixie Trip: Clarksdale, Mississippi

Clarksdale, MS. Home of the blues. Future home of Kelsi Smith. Seriously. I want to live here. Or at least "sometimes" live here. If it's good enough for Morgan Freeman, it's good enough for me. Plus property is like, $20K...

We were in Clarksdale less than 24 hours, but it's the kind of place that you'd practically be a local in under a week. It's charming, welcoming and even on it's quietest night - there was something going on. Live blues in a bakery - vegetarian food in an organic café, blues and beer in an old commissary. Monday's are their slow night.

We kicked off our night at the Oxbow Café. We were told it's the best, if not only, vegetarian restaurant in town and happened to be the only restaurant open on Monday's. We walked in and were welcomed by a big sign that said "vegetarian? let us know" - so we did, and the chef immediately offered us up a plethora of custom options.

Mr Style opted for veggie tacos and I opted for homemade pimento grilled cheese. Both were ridiculously good. I still salivate to think on that grilled cheese. The café also served local beer - and even had my new favourite Abita Strawberry. Perfection. The manager at Shack Up Inn, who recommended the place, was also dining there - and I don't think it was because it was the only restaurant open in town :)

We had a wander around the town - which was mostly shut up thanks to our Monday night timing - but it was an interesting place - that I look forward to returning to. We weren't quite ready to head to bed for the night, so we headed to Hopson Commissary - on the grounds of the Hopson Plantation - where the Shack Up Inn also is.

There we drank more beer from Lazy Magnolia Brewery, caught the tail end of a set and were regailed with story's from the bartender on Clarksdale history (another Tenessee Williams spot!) and a local musician, who apparently wrote lyrics for and was sampled on a Wiz Khalifa record, gave us his life story.

Clarksdale is most famous for being the birthplace of the blues and the crossroads of the blues. Where Highways 61 (The Blues Highway - New Orleans - Memphis)  and 49 meet - The Devils Crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to play the blues. Of course we had to stop by for a photo op.

We also stopped by for more of these...

This was our breakfast at Shack Up Inn. We liked them so much we decided to stop by for more. But at 12pm, they were already sold out. *Super Sadface*

Next time Clarksdale. Next time.

Kelsi x

 

Dedicated Traveler: #Dixie Trip: Shack Up Inn Review

The Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, Mississippi. Quite possibly the coolest place I've stayed on the planet. It's not for everyone - and they know it (they even make it quite clear on their website in the most amusing FAQ's I've ever read) but it's the best value, and the best overnight experience you're going to get, that side of the Mississippi (I've always wanted to say that - but never had the opportunity!)

The "Robert Clay" Shack

The Shack Up Inn has a variety of shacks for a visitor to the birthplace of the blues to rent - all between $65-$95 a night depending on the day of the week or time of year (lots of music festivals in the area). You can choose between the Fullilove Shack, the Cadillac, The Electric Blue, The Tinth - and many more. We stayed in the Robert Clay - named after the original owner of the Plantation on which the shacks reside.

Our Shack, slept three, at $65 a night, and featured a piano and a bar. So I could both drink and pretend I could play the piano as well as I wished I did.... ;)

The property also has a bar on site - serving local brews such as Magnolia Brewery - Pecan Beer. Yup. It's as yummy as it sounds. The bar also features live music and serves locally made donuts and coffee every morning for breakfast (included!)

We were there on a Monday - which is a fairly quiet night for Clarksdale - but the Hopson Commissary - also on the property, still had live music and was open late.

It was such an amazing experience - I wish we'd stayed longer, we were merely passing through - next time we'll make it a full stay. Though we loved Clarksdale so much I want to buy my own shack and move in!

Kelsi xx