Tag Archives: new orleans

I mean what is Mardi Gras 2022 without a Mardi Gras Boho Sale, right!!! I feel like it’s around the corner and wanted to do a fun sale featuring all of my Mardi Gras designs! Some are my old designs and some are very recent but either way they are all staple pairs to have in your collection!

I have not done a Mardi Gras Boho Sale in ages. Ever since Covid decided to pop in everyone’s lives, things haven’t been the same since. Especially in New Orleans where I live. We are known for this holiday in particular. It’s kinda bizarre because even the kids in school are off for an entire week! Make sure to read below to find out all the reasons why Mardi Gras is a staple holiday in the South’s eyes and why you should come at least once in your life!

Who’s ready for Mardi Gras 2022!!!! Oh, and you can’t celebrate without a pair of my handmade boho earrings!

MARDI GRAS 2022 BOHEMIAN LEATHER EARRINGS

NEW ORLEANS Mardi Gras BOHEMIAN LEATHER EARRINGS

What Is Mardi Gras?

Is there an “official” Mardi Gras?

No! Mardi Gras is a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone. In some parts of the country, official organizations control their Mardi Gras celebration, but this is not true in New Orleans.

When does Mardi Gras start and end?

The Carnival season always begins on Jan. 6, which is King’s Day (Feast of the Epiphany). Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), however, is on a different day each year. Fat Tuesday changes every year because Easter Sunday is never on the same Sunday each year. Fat Tuesday is always the day before Ash Wednesday.

What is the weather usually like during Mardi Gras? What should I pack?

The weather during Mardi Gras can vary from very cold to very warm, almost hot. Sometimes it will change from one extreme to the other during the same day. It’s a good idea to layer your clothes since a chilly morning may turn into a warm afternoon. Welcome to Louisiana, haha!

Since you will be spending long days outside, pack comfortable shoes and clothes that can get somewhat dirty. Don’t forget to check the forecast for rain.

Where can I book a room with a balcony to watch the parades go by?

The best option is to reserve a package in the French Quarter or along the parade route that offers a balcony, food and a bathroom pass. Getting an airbnb is also another great experience especially in the downtown area! Check out some rad packages HERE.

How much does it cost to go to Mardi Gras?

It’s free! Not only that, but you’ll leave with bags of Mardi Gras beads and throws. That’s why we call it the “Greatest Free Show on Earth!”

I only have limited time. What is the prime time to visit during Mardi Gras?

The weekend before Fat Tuesday is the prime time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This is the weekend when Bacchus and Endymion, two of the biggest parades of the season, roll down the streets of New Orleans. The streets are packed all day Saturday and Sunday with parade watchers. If you can stay longer than a weekend, Monday (Lundi Gras) and Fat Tuesday are also great days to experience Mardi Gras. Orpheus, another big parade, rolls on that Monday night, and the Zulu Lundi Gras festival goes on all day. On Fat Tuesday, walking around the French Quarter and seeing all of the costumes and masks is a unique and thrilling experience.

Why does Mardi Gras fall on different dates each year?

The date of Mardi Gras changes every year because it’s connected to Easter, which can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April 25. Mardi Gras day always takes place 47 days before Easter.

What should I do with all of the throws?

After a few floats, you may have so many beads around your neck, you’ll need a place to put them! Be sure to bring a bag to store all the beads, trinkets, coconuts, and doubloons you’ll catch right off the float.

I hope this is enough reasons why you SHOULD come to Louisiana and experience Mardi Gras! Happy Carnival

The rest of this week a few crafty bloggers are joining together with Infarrently Creative’s “Show Your State Pride” tour to conquer the world, or just every state. Each day there will be a handful of us sharing something special about our STATE! Make sure to check out Infarrently Creative’s blog on Monday the 23rd for a ridiculously huge link party! Since I am from the crunk state of LOUISIANA I figured I would add a little FINE ART with FOLK ART. These are not for sale! This is completely an inpiration post and it is illegal to sell anything with the blue dog in it! My main goal is to show you how to draw on tiles using Sharpies!

I am linking to a crazy talented blogger so you have to check out what she did for her STATE project! Roeshel @ DIY Show Off

I was born and raised in good ole Louisiana. I have traveled to many places throughout my years but I have to be honest, nothing compares to Louisiana. It’s truly like another planet when I compare it to other places. Louisiana is known for many things. One of the hot spots is New Orleans and everyone knows about Mardi Gras! I live close enough that I can hop in my car and hang out for the day then come on home!

Our culture is filled with Mardi Gras, jazz music, crawfish, the Saints, great museums, people dancing at every nook and cranny, food cooking in any home you go to at any time of the day, where everyone is called “sha & baby”, George Rodgrigue, big swamps, Bourbon Street, strong drinks,and strangers who give hugs instead of looking at the ground. I am a proud girl from this quirky state. I hope you enjoy this fun tutorial!

Here is little snippet of George. He is great and I love him. Here are some other fun facts about Louisiana.

SHARPIE MARKERS | WHITE TILES | GLASS CLEANER

I love making sharpie coasters. They are really easy and so much fun!

To make them look more like folk art I added a few fun quotes to them.

When you start clean your tile with glass cleaner then draw away. When you are completely done with your OWN coasters place them in an oven that is not heated. Place oven on 350 degrees and leave them in there for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes is up do NOT take them out of the oven. Just like we heated them up slowly we have to allow them to cool down slowly. This last step will marry the sharpie with the tile and your image should be on for good. Now, I have to admit lot’s of people say this is dishwasher safe but I have no idea because I don’t have one! I would hand wash them anyway!

I sure hope you enjoyed this tutorial and learning a little bit about my great state. Please do not replicate the blue dog and try to sell as you can get into a lot of trouble!

Make sure to make your way to Tricia @ Simplicity in the South . What a perfect ending to my post right!

Huge glittery hugs—See you in the next post! Visit me on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest, or Instagram!

Well here goes another dam edition of face it friday. That lovely day of the week where we are all forced to “face things”, well at least only here you are. Can you believe the 4th is over already? I thought my birthday celebrations were big, but holy guacamole-yyy. I didn’t have fireworks at my party. SMH = Shaking My Head.
{Can we say a little conceited “Merica” as Bernie Mac would say} At least my little one told me yesterday that he didn’t want to buy fireworks because they are a waste of money. Let’s face it that’s a SCORE!

On to bigger and better things. Like this shirt I ran across. Now before you freak out let me just say first that I love Brit, for goodness sake she is a Louisianaian just like me. How can I not love her! But let’s face it, how can we ever forget this radical moment in her life? SMH.

My bestie bought me the best graduation present this year. Stackable mugs, which are rainbow. There is one problem though, every day I try to drink out of as many colors as possible. Yep this would be considered a little “cray cray” but let’s face it after I get through the yellow mug life get’s a little blurry. Maybe I can blame the caffeine for that.

In case you didn’t know I graduated from college in May! I am still trying to get adjusted to the fact that I don’t have to go back in August but I will prolly just go anyways. I want to go to a large class all semester and see how long it takes for them to figure out that I am not actually enrolled. I am doing Dr. Evil’s laugh right. about. now. Let’s face it>>>>the speech we got for graduation was sorta… well boring?! I think it was so boring all I did was Vine videos while it was going on. One of my fellow graduates tagged me on facebook yesterday and said this is the speech we SHOULD have received. I liked the post and now I am sharing. Please watch, PLEASE!

The picture I decided to share today is from me and the wifey’s walk the other day. I seriously love eucalyptus. I love it so much that I “borrow” fresh pieces from our neighbors tree every once in a while. No, she does not know but I have a feeling deep down she would not mind. After all, her yard is a little “ungroomed” anyways. I am just trying to help! But let’s face it, it’s much easier to get fresh eucalyptus when someone cut’s down a tree and has it all stacked on the side of the road. FU-REE. We picked this bunch and walked for 2 more miles with it in tow.

Happy Happy Joy Joy >>>>it’s Friday Y’all. Don’t forget to give someone a huge hug today and stop to smell the roses or eucalyptus.

So, it’s that time of year where you can let your feathers out and get loose. Mardi Gras is pretty big here where I live in the South. I don’t mean big like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, bigger. It’s what we look forward to all year long. Lot’s of fun things come along with Mardi Gras like parade’s practically every night, ton’s of bead throwing, ton’s of getting hit in the head with beads, people enjoying the “drinks” that Louisiana has to offer, balls, more balls (and I am talking about the fannn-cayyyy) balls where you wear pretty dresses, not the balls in the play ground at McDonalds.

I scanned my favorite sites to gather 12 great tutorials/projects for you. If you don’t celebrate Mardi Gras where you live you can bring it to life with everything in this post.

Don’t forget to say “THROW ME SUMTHIN MISTER” when you scream for your beads! Check out my last two Mardi Gras posts HERE and HERE.

*I will be posting a fun Martha Stewart valentines craft later tonight.
* Check out my friend’s sewing machine post HERE, I am in it!
* Congrats to the Baltimore Ravens for winning the Super Bowl!
*Mardi Gras is in 8 day’s people, 8 days!

Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

I just had to share tonight’s dinner with you because it is so fabulous. After a recent trip to California I felt it was necessary to share the EASIEST CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE recipe with my “Cali” girls since they all wanted me to cook for them. Now, just know I made it as simple as possible so “anyone” can do it.

Étouffée or etouffee:
(pronounced: [e.tu.fe] ay-too-fay) is a dish found in both Cajun and creole cuisine typically served with shellfish over rice. It is most popular in New Orleans and in the bayou country of the southernmost half of Louisiana.

Ya know, Louisiana has some of the BEST food ever. Lafayette actually just won Southern Living’s tastiest town award! Can you believe that! It’s amazing!
Click HERE if you want to read more about this!

Let’s get started!

Grab a bell pepper and if you like, an onion.

Start by melting 2 sticks of butter. (I know, I know) Super healthy, right! Have you ever seen Paula Deen?

Dice your bell pepper and onion and throw them in the mix.

You KNOW I am using my “slap ya mamma” cajun seasoning. Just add a little sprinkle in the pot.

Add 2 pounds of crawfish and sautee for a while until everything becomes wilted… Ya know, a little SOFT!

After sautéing for a bout 15 minutes add a can of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup.

Add a splash of Louisiana HOT SAUCE. (ya know us cajun’s NEVER measure)
Just add till you feel it’s spicy enough.

Sprinkle some garlic salt (um…about a teaspoon) to add a twist of garlic in it!

Well lookie here! We have some FABULOUS food to eat! How simple and refreshing. Don’t worry if your belly feels REALLY full, it’s supposed too! You can put this on top of rice, baked potato or a juicy steak! Toast some bread and that will really finish it off.
p.s. don’t forget your sweet tea!

Just “incase” you can’t get crawfish locally you can order some from The Louisiana Cajun Crawfish Co.
I hope you enjoy making this yummy meal and lemme know how it comes out!

Don’t be afraid to add your own seasonings to to satisfy your taste buds! I typically add WAY more but wanted to keep it simple for ya!

Sending you full bellies full of LOVE,

I received product for this post. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

DIY: Mardi Gras Bead Onesie

Happy (almost) Mardi Gras! Living in the SOUTH all of my life I got to experience the best of MARDI GRAS, year after year. I think most people in the world refer to New Orleans when they think of Mardi Gras. Lafayette gives New Orleans a run for it’s money! I grew up knowing that when Mardi Gras comes around it’s time to PARTY. Lemme tell you, people in the SOUTH can drink. Probably too much. I really love Mardi Gras for the Krewes, Balls, Parades and the best parties.

What Mardi Gras is also known for is the BEADS!!!! I know you heard of what we do, right? It is “known” (fine it’s TRUE) that women AND men will do anything to get a bead, including lifting their shirts. Ya know, it’s like a free peep show, realllly free. Just warning ya now, your picture can appear all over the world in like…5 minutes so make sure if you DO lift your shirt that it is a bead with diamonds in it!! HAHA

During this holiday season you will see EVERYONE walking around with loads and loads of beads around their neck. It’s kinda like bad manners if you don’t have at least ONE bead around your neck. I found some pictures of me and some friends in New Orleans last year on my computer and I got to thinking. I know babies start young here and I wanted to create something that is super easy and ANYONE can do! Ya know, it’s prolly not the safest thing in the world putting loads of bead around an infants neck. JS

Let’s get started because I am ((((aghhhh)))) so excited!!!

Grab some “all in one” get ups!

Of course I used Martha Stewarts new line of paints. I got them from Michaels Arts and Crafts and they are AMAZING!

These are the colors of the paint used for this project. Make sure you note that some are glitter, high gloss and metallic.

Just in case you don’t know, her new line of paint can be used in multiple ways. One way that I love the most it being able to use it on fabric. Grab some fabric medium and follow the directions. It’s super simple and you can put ANYTHING you want on fabric!

Your MAIN tool though is this sucker! Yes! Can you believe it! Just a simple pencil.

I have these little trays I use for paint but if you don’t you can use whatever is laying around. A paper plate works great!

Just dip your eraser into the paint.

I put a piece of paper in between the two layers so the paint wouldn’t bleed through.

Start making dot’s. If you notice I am making a “eraser” bead necklace. How fun!!!! OH wait till you see the end result!!

This is what it should start to look like.

Doesn’t this look like something you could just eat up!

I know you are like… OMG!! This just makes me feel so happy inside. Oh, did I mention it’s a little safer than REAL beads choking a baby’s neck!!!

So this little get up is 18 month’s. I am doing a quick GIVEAWAY. If you want this or know someone who would like it then SIGN UP TO WIN IT! Plus it’s super fun to win things!

To enter the GIVEAWAY you will need to leave a comment to this post and tell me why you love this onesie, why you love Mardi Gras or your favorite memory of Mardi Gras. If you have NEVER experienced Mardi Gras then just tell me what you like about this cutey patootie outfit!

Extra entries are and extra way to enter!!!

Following me on Facebook (extra entry)

Leave a comment on Facebook telling me why you love this outfit! (extra entry)

Follow me on TWITTER (extra entry)

Subscribe to my feed on my website www.jaderbomb.com (it’s at the top right and you will enter your email)

Jaderbugs! That is up to 5 entries!!!! GOOD LUCK AGAIN!!! It will end on Saturday!!!

Trying to hurry and finish this post before my computer dies,

JADERBOMB

HANDCRAFTED + SPIRITUALLY INSPIRED