The Toast of New Orleans

Arguably one of the most outrageous holidays, and thus one of the most fun, Mardi Gras should not go by without a party. Break out the glittery glue in February? Yes, please. Go crazy with feathers and glue guns, circa elementary school, and party like you’re in New Orleans, even if you can’t be.

Serve Some Cajun Cuisine
Louisiana has some amazing food so there is no shortage of recipe inspiration. You could make a king cake complete with green, yellow and purple frosting or go for some traditional gumbo or Jambalaya. Beignets are a delicious donut dessert, which are simply amazing and for those of us without deep-fryer access I found a great oven-baked recipe from Delish. Or you can just crack open some crawfish.

Turn Up the Jazz
New Orleans is credited as the birth place of Jazz so what better music to accompany a Mardi Gras party than some of the greats including Joe “king” Oliver, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and the Preservation Hall Band. If hip-hop is more your scene put together a play list of New Orleans rappers- Lil Wayne, Lil Romeo, Master P.

Paris of the South
If you’d rather celebrate low-key, sit down with some gumbo and watch one of the many movies set in New Orleans including my personal favorites:

A Streetcar Named Desire- A classic starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando, the film takes place, of course, entirely in the French Quarter of New Orleans after World War II.

The Toast of New Orleans- Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza are singers from two different worlds, he’s an opera singing fisherman and she isn’t, and David Niven plays their agent who brings them to New Orleans where they engage in many fun musical numbers.

It’s carnival time! Check out our collection of Mardi Gras invitations and start celebrating.