New Orleans Street Fashion

New Orleans and I have gotten to know one another over the past few days. We've had our ups and downs (the dichotomy of rich and poor is unconscionable -- don't even get me started), but we've also found that we have a lot in common and are now becoming really good friends.

The Big Easy has so much personality that sometimes this city seems to pulse with a lifeblood of its own. From live jazz to very lively Bourbon Street, I've found plenty of entertainment to love about this city.

But don't even think of dieting in The Big Easy. New Orleans airport greets you with a sign that makes your mouth water: "Leave Your Diet at Home -- New Orleans." My five-day bacchanal has included everything from fried soft shell crabs to a a tootsie roll SnoBall with ice cream on top.

A Shopper's Dream Walk: For shopping, dining or just casual strolling, there is no place in New Orleans that I enjoyed more than Magazine Street -- outside the intriguing and notorious French Quarter. A six-mile-long stretch of this Garden District and Uptown thoroughfare features some of the best antique stores, art galleries, craft shops, and whimsical boutiques to be found anywhere in the city, sandwiched in between beautiful homes designed in Greek Revival architecture.

Danielle, from the darling boutique Beauty 101 said, "Because of the hot and humid weather, typical New Orleans street fashion is shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops." Danielle is holding a "Feed the Models - Save the World" tee ($44). 100% of proceeds raised from t-shirt sales will support EDIN’s innovative eating disorder prevention programs. (See Couture Torture.)

Paris Hilton fully supports the project. She spoke of how she wanted girls to feel good about themselves and that she thought it was important to eat healthy and “find balance.” She added, “I am not a Size 0 and I’m healthy,” She also stated that she was committed to not using overly thin models to promote her products.

Southern gal Laura Lea, owner of Ruby's, a boutique housed in a shotgun house on Magazine Street that was as charming as Laura Lea, is modeling typical street New Orleans street fashion. The Pecan Pie tee is a hot item for hot N'Awlins.

Although New Orleans and I became friends, the best part of travelling is coming home.

Have a great Thursday,

Beckie