New Orleans Snapshot

<p> </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8670051933/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="512" id="blogsy-1366603534830.7153" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8670051933_913c0cea18.jpg" width="780"></a></div> <p>I had a spectacular week last week in New Orleans and there will be many posts to come on the sights, sounds (jazz baby) and tastes of the amazing week spent with BlogTourNola. While I'm organizing my many, many photos (nearly 200!) I wanted to share a little bit of my week. </p> <p>But first, I wanted to say that while I was having a great time, my heart was in Boston. I have never been more proud to be from Massachusetts as I was this week. My heart is so heavy for the unimaginable pain that those who lost family members are feeling right now. And for the nearly 200 injured whose lives have been changed forever, I cannot imagine their pain. But I have so much pride at how our city rallied around the victims and each other, and how well all the law enforcement officials and first responders pulled together to make the captures so quickly; it is a real testament to their professionalism. At 2:50pm on Monday, we'll all be participating in a moment of silence. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8670052441/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="650" id="blogsy-1366603534790.175" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8670052441_4d56684597.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> I spent my week in New Orleans with a great group of interior designers and kitchen designers and have come away with lots of inspiration that will undoubtedly help my design business. We visited the famed Garden district to admire the gorgeous architecture, strolled Magazine Street antiques shops, visited some of the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Katrina and met some truly inspirational people who are still working hard to rebuild their lives. We finished the week at KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath show, and were wowed by some beautiful products. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8670051933/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="427" id="blogsy-1366603534801.2239" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8670051933_913c0cea18.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> Meanwhile, take a peak at some of my favorite textures and colors seen over the week. <a href="http://www.duverre.com/" target="_blank" title="">DuVerre Hardware,</a> one of our tour sponsors, has asked us to put together a <a href="http://pinterest.com/linda_merrill/the-duverre-hardware-nola-sculpture-pinterest-chal/" target="_blank" title="">Pinterest board of sculptural elements,</a> lighting and textures that we found inspirational. Click here a check out some of what I saw and loved. And I'd love it if you would click the like or repin your favorite images a there's an iPad mini on the line!</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8670054169/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="310" id="blogsy-1366603534803.0125" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8670054169_893b356985.jpg" width="500"></a></div> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>

New Orleans Snapshot

  I had a spectacular week last week in New Orleans and there will be many posts to come on the sights, sounds (jazz baby) and tastes of t...

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New Orleans: The French Quarter, A Street Car, Garden District, Shopping and Food

Well, the title about sums up today's <a href="https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23BlogTourNola&src=hash" target="_blank">#BlogTourNola</a> adventure!<br /><br />BlogTour is all about great design, local culture, a lot of walking and plenty of sustenance to keep us going!  We're starting today with an amazing champagne brunch at <a href="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/" target="_blank">Lüke</a>, Chef John Besh's restaurant.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/sites/default/files/lukeSA_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/sites/default/files/lukeSA_logo.png" /></a></div><br />Lüke is Chef Besh's homage "to the grand old Franco-German brasseries that once reigned in New Orleans". Check out the sample menu <a href="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/sites/default/files/pdf/menus/luke_breakfast_menu.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Yum. Speaking of yum, so is Chef Besh:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/sites/default/files/images/bios/besh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lukeneworleans.com/sites/default/files/images/bios/besh.png" /></a></div><br />Our hosts for this breakfast is <a href="http://www.kbis.com/" target="_blank">KBIS</a>, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, which starts on Friday. KBIS is the world's largest international trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. It showcases the latest products and most innovative design ideas that change the industry to meet the needs of the marketplace. This captivating event features the largest array of product displays and demonstrations, professional development courses, keynote & session speeches, interactive roundtable events and the opportunity to network with thousands of industry professionals. The show attracts key decision makers from national and international markets and targets dealers, designers, distributors, retailers, home centers and more. I'll be extensively covering the show here later on in the week and likely in the weeks that follow.  As an interior designer,  I'm always excited to bring to my clients the latest in great design,  technology and finishes. I'm also going to be gathering ideas for my <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda%27s%20Dream%20House" target="_blank">Dream House</a> project as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nFjiBVfUMrpbblAHj9Rh5avM6K7j55y0kgR9UecMfiO4LqvYsfFrSZf0RrK595z3XTY2WTtXraEEfKmFYHaZyn-BRZVnTQZOh4HUIsGVVxGIq5y4_HnqpnQ1oS_cI4bOrZgEv60nwww/s1600/KBIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nFjiBVfUMrpbblAHj9Rh5avM6K7j55y0kgR9UecMfiO4LqvYsfFrSZf0RrK595z3XTY2WTtXraEEfKmFYHaZyn-BRZVnTQZOh4HUIsGVVxGIq5y4_HnqpnQ1oS_cI4bOrZgEv60nwww/s1600/KBIS.jpg" /></a></div><br />After our hearty breakfast, we'll be taking the St. Charles St. Street Car for a scenic tour of the Garden District and then walking through the Antebellum splendor to the famous Magazine Street which is filled with design shops for miles. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://travelwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/StreetcarNewOrleans1-e1350412850484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://travelwritingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/StreetcarNewOrleans1-e1350412850484.jpg" /></a></div><br />We'll be headed to <a href="http://shaunsmithhome.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Smith Home</a> where the designer himself will lead us in a tour of great design and antiques shops on the street. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu2UZ5i1wXn0F68J5ngaEh3cWFH2hSMPftbkByKa9XmRMfUSqfjddbB9B8miesNk188VyUOzDnMUZOfC0-WhW717WCNSKo0o64ZmP8qfbGCoOlQW7rH-cIIf8PT51Kkum2geW5ZzBQjwP/s1600/025_print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu2UZ5i1wXn0F68J5ngaEh3cWFH2hSMPftbkByKa9XmRMfUSqfjddbB9B8miesNk188VyUOzDnMUZOfC0-WhW717WCNSKo0o64ZmP8qfbGCoOlQW7rH-cIIf8PT51Kkum2geW5ZzBQjwP/s1600/025_print.jpg" /></a></div><br />We'll return to Shaun's adorable shop for some much needed refreshments (hopefully something long and cool - it's gonna be a bit warm there!)<br /><br />We have a couple of hours break to do some more sight-seeing/shopping and head back to the hotel to freshen up for what is going to be a spectacular evening which includes a meet and greet at the Odgen Museum with the amazing designer Miles Redd!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ogdenmuseum.org/imgs/o_header.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ogdenmuseum.org/imgs/o_header.gif" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://ogdenmuseum.org/" target="_blank">The Ogden Museum</a>, which is part of the University of New Orleans, was one of the first museums to focus solely on Southern art, helping to identify and define the genre. Ogden's collection helped to revive the forgotten works of great Southern artists and preserved an important aspect of Southern culture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/events/New_Miles_Redd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/events/New_Miles_Redd.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>I interviewed Miles Redd at <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/11/chatting-with-miles-redd.html" target="_blank">The Skirted Roundtable</a> last Fall when his fabulous new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1614280614/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1614280614&linkCode=am2&tag=chameleoninte-20">Big Book of Chic</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1614280614" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> came out. I actually have the electronic version of the book, not a printed copy. I wonder if he would sign the cover if I just printed it out... tacky?  Maybe, but much lighter in the luggage<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.wix.com/media/82d02f_02b168c75d2be70966d9375fef2e4b1b.jpg_srz_218_113_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.wix.com/media/82d02f_02b168c75d2be70966d9375fef2e4b1b.jpg_srz_218_113_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz" /></a></div><br />After the Miles event, we'll be headed over to Chef Susan Spicer's <a href="http://www.bayona.com/" target="_blank">Bayona Restaurant</a>, taking in some music at Lafayette Square on the way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550439_10151320432531579_1735291177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550439_10151320432531579_1735291177_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/735037_10151477350011579_1273785165_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/735037_10151477350011579_1273785165_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Boy, I do hope we're sitting outside for dinner! After our long New England winter, this looks pretty amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/484753_10151616975326579_1537010862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/484753_10151616975326579_1537010862_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although the inside doesn't look bad either! (images via Bayona's Facebook Page)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/261261_10151322174547066_748811118_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/261261_10151322174547066_748811118_n.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This certain to be delicious dinner is hosted by <a href="http://www.mrsteam.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mr. Steam</a>, a premier source of upscale, and high quality steam products including towel warmers, shower speakers, shower seats, aromasteam and chromasteam™ systems. Their advanced technology, engineering, and design provides equipment that enhances lifestyles worldwide. The company has refined — and redefined — value and reliability, assuring the highest level of quality. In addition to providing private luxury enhancements for residential use, from smaller homes to estates, our products service a large roster of hotels, resorts, health clubs, spas, and professional team headquarters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ahh.... While I think New Orleans provides its own steam quite nicely (humidity frizz, here I come!) Mr. Steam seems just about right for a cold New England winter (well, fall and spring too, to be honest!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gTdqicHfn4A" width="640"></iframe> </div><br />This is going to be a great day! And tomorrow, we're headed out to Gentilly to tour some of the homes that have been rebuilt after the devastation of Katrina. We're not just focused on the sparkling gems of New Orleans, but also the real-life aspects of this amazing city as well.<br /><br />Laissez les bons temps rouler!<br /><br />If you would like my help on your dream house project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

New Orleans: The French Quarter, A Street Car, Garden District, Shopping and Food

Well, the title about sums up today's #BlogTourNola adventure! BlogTour is all about great design, local culture, a lot of walking and ...

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Travel Tuesday: Renaissance Arts Hotel in New Orleans

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/msydt_logo.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/msydt_logo.gif" /></a></div><br />It's been a while since I've done a Travel Tuesday post and since I am traveling today, I though it was appropriate to showcase the beautiful hotel that will be our homebase during <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/category/blogtour" target="_blank">BlogTourNola</a>. The Renaissance Arts Hotel is situated in the Warehouse District of New Orleans and features a world class collection of art, including sculptural chandeliers by glass artist Dale Chihuly. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour01.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour01.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour25.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour25.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour29.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour29.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour26.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour26.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div>"From the flowing, asymmetrical Dale Chihuly chandeliers that greet you in the lobby to the visually stunning John Scott paintings and sculptures placed throughout the hotel, you will find your senses are both satisfied and stimulated." (via <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/msydt-renaissance-new-orleans-arts-hotel/" target="_blank">website</a>)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour30.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour30.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour27.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour27.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour28.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour28.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour32.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour32.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br />This bedroom will be a fun and perky way to start each morning!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour31.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour31.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour33.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour33.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hospitality suite. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour39.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour39.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div>The Rene Bistrot Bar where the BlogTourNola gang will convene the week of amazing events.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour53.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour53.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div>Lovely rooftop pool area - though based on our schedule, we're not likely to spend much time here!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour55.jpg?Log=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.marriott.com/propertyimages/m/msydt/phototour/msydt_phototour55.jpg?Log=1" /></a></div>Though I do hope they stay open late!<br /><br />But first, we'll be heading off to the French Quarter for the first of what will be many amazing meals. Dinner will be at <a href="http://www.sobounola.com/" target="_blank">SoBou Restaurant</a>, which is owned by the Brennan family of the venerable Commander's Palace and Brennan's Restaurant, and others. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sobounola.com/templates/client/images/default_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://www.sobounola.com/templates/client/images/default_header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Per their website: "SoBou is inspired by our family's colorful time at the Absinthe House, as well as by the great barkeeps as far back as the inventor of the Sazerac in New Orleans, Antoine Peychaud, all the way to today's King Cocktail Dale DeGroff. Our reverence for a well-run tavern where the food makes your eyes roll back in your head and the showmanship of the bartender pales next to the beauty in the glass - that's the kind of joint we imagined. Classic but current, not weighted down by the past, but fueled by it, professional but unserious; an entire spirited restaurant where everyone seems to have an "I just did something slightly naughty" perpetual grin on their face like BarBar, our elephant.  BarBar has that SoBou style - he's debonair, but always up to something. He has plans and you can join him at any point along the way."<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/MainDiningRoom_1347035634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/MainDiningRoom_1347035634.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Main Dining Room</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/TheApothecary_1347035714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/TheApothecary_1347035714.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Apothecary at SoBou</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/TheBeerGarden_1347035714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/TheBeerGarden_1347035714.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Beer Garden at SoBou</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/ChocolateComaBar_1352313657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sobounola.com/uploads/gallery/large/ChocolateComaBar_1352313657.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know what's in store for our <a href="http://www.sobounola.com/lunch-and-dinner-menu" target="_blank">dinner</a>, but this looks pretty tasty!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow we're hitting up the Garden District with all it's amazing architecture and a day of shopping on Magazine street, plus more meals. More on that tomorrow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can follow everyone's tweets at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23blogtournola&src=savs" target="_blank">Twitter #BlogTourNola</a> and you can follow my <a href="http://pinterest.com/linda_merrill/nola-style-blogtournola-new-orleans/" target="_blank">NOLA Style Pinterest Board here</a>. </div><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Travel Tuesday: Renaissance Arts Hotel in New Orleans

It's been a while since I've done a Travel Tuesday post and since I am traveling today, I though it was appropriate to showcase the ...

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