On a totally unrelated note...

Ok, anyone that knows me knows I LOVE clothes, especially heels, and I love to try different styles and LOVE to dress up. Living in Alabama can make these passions hard to accomplish, but I do my best. I pour over my monthly Vogue and mentally dissect every photo, article and aspect on its pages from cover to cover.

So in an effort to update my wardrobe for Spring/Summer, I’ve acquired a few new items:

1. a white, button-up, safari-style blouse - Lauren Ralph Lauren
2. green & white tunic – Banana Republic
3. blue & white silk blouse – Michael Kors
4. black, ballet flats – Jessica Simpson
5. white trousers – Banana Republic
6. 2 pairs of nude heels – Nine West

Ok, but here is what I'm really looking for - a black, halter or strapless pant jumpsuit with flowing legs (not harem) – here’s the catch – for under $100 – like this one below:

Suggestions are welcome! I’ve been looking all over and can’t find one and a lot online are no longer available.

It's fun to stay at the...

YMCA
I find it very funny interesting (not funny haha) that in Birmingham - and probably in Alabama in general - the Y is the gym to belong to and the place to get your work out on. And there is one in every part of town.

Based on my hometown, I was of the school of thought that the YMCA was from the '70s when the Village People had a hit and the facilities were all old and outdated with moldy locker rooms.

So when I moved to the Ham and wanted to join a gym, I was drooling over the new UAB rec center, but realized I couldn't be a member unless I was a student. So I found an apartment first and then chose a gym based on proximity - Dawson Baptist Church's gym - because I could walk there.

It wasn't quite the state-out-the-art facility I was looking for, so when I asked a Bham native where I should join, and they suggested the YMCA, I was flabbergasted. I'm sure I made a face and said, "Are you kidding?"

No, they weren't kidding and the YMCAs here in Birmingham turned out to be a very different story from the ones in Southeast Louisiana. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoy having the multiple locations as an option (I can even walk to the one downtown) and love the classes they offer. A far cry from the seedy, falling-apart Ys I grew up with.

What's Chicory?

Being back in New Orleans suddenly to be with family, has made me grateful for only living a 5-hour-drive away...and for real coffee.

At dinner Saturday night, my sister-in-law order a cup of coffee and when it was set on the table, the most amazing aroma drifted from the cup. And instantly, I was like “ah ha!” now that is something you can’t get in Birmingham. You can’t just order a cup of joe, even in the nicest restaurants, and get something as warm and delicious as a good cup of coffee and chicory like you do in NOLA.

Most restaurants in Birmingham, including Stitts’, serve Royal Cup coffee…yuck! Even most offices use Royal Cup because they are a big, local provider who can meet the demand and make it easy - forget taste! I guess they would be considered the equivalent to Community Coffee here in New Orleans, not that the two are anything alike.

But a good, thick cup of aromatic coffee - New Orleans style - is hard to beat and hard to come by outside the city.

Taste of NOLA in the Ham

So, usually I go back home to New Orleans about once a month. Well since 2010 started, I’ve been to NOLA about twice a month due to playoff games, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras and a work retreat. So needless to say I’ve have been very well fed this year.

Last time I was home I was lucky enough to dine at some of my favorite restaurants – dinner at Jacque-Imo’s, lunch at Commander’s Palace (can we say 25 cent martinis?) and Galatoire’s – and show some Birmingham residents the taste of New Orleans.

It gave me an interesting perspective as I got to compare and relate Creole food and New Orleans restaurants to what is available in Birmingham. So it got me thinking about our amazing chefs and delectable dining experiences here in the Ham.

For example, Chef Tom Robey at Veranda on Highland reigns from New Orleans and worked in the Commander’s Palace kitchen. He even brought the Turtle Soup recipe with him. Chef Robey’s culinary repertoire includes Gulf Shrimp served in a traditional Etouffee Sauce with McEwen and Sons Yellow Grits, Seared Veal Tenderloin with Shallot Confit and fresh, flavorful meats – think andouille and boudin! Veranda is also famous for their Sunday brunch – serious yum! They also have a chef’s tasting room upstairs where you can arrange private dinners and even store your favorite wines. And having a dry, classic martini at "Papa's" bar makes you feel like you're in an episode of Mad Men.

Another Birmingham gem is Café Dupont with Chef Chris Dupont. Another chef from New Orleans who also worked at Commander's Palace, but he also had the opportunity to work with Susan Spicer at Maison du Ville. Chef Dupont has a modern, yet Southern take on his dishes and works will local ingredients while adding a hint of his New Orleans background with delicacies such as his Fried Oysters and Eggplant with Cayenne Butter Sauce, Horseradish Crème Fraîche and Soy Glaze. And of course I adore that he is located on Northside to add more dining options to downtown nightlife. I also recommend the Café Dupont bar for happy hour after work as well.

So if ever I'm home sick, I know just where to go to get a taste of New Orleans.

New Orleans/Bham Links

There are a lot of ties to New Orleans that I’ve found in Birmingham – people that are from there and now live here, or businesses that started in NOLA and now operate in the Ham.

One I find most interesting is Green Cream, a topical retinol gel whose formula was created by a New Orleans dermatologist, is produced and based here in Birmingham.

This is a miracle product that most people I know in New Orleans swear by. I just got a bottle of my own and am eager to see results. There is no prescription needed and can be bought over the counter (which I love, so you don’t have to pay for a doctor visit) and spas and skin-care specialists are even allowed to carry this product, so it is easy to obtain. It was even featured in national mags such as Vogue, Lucky and Self. I totally recommend you give it a try.

My Oscar Best Dressed Picks

Last night’s Academy Awards was entertaining, classy and a true celebration of Hollywood’s talent. But I can’t help but feel it lacked the “WOW” factor. Maybe it’s the economy, but the stars didn’t seem as studded as usual.

My favorite dress overall was Maggie Gyllenhaal's strapless, blue, hand-painted Dries van Noten gown. Now it wasn’t the most show-stopping red carpet dress ever, but I think it was my favorite because it is something I could see actually wearing and owning (not that I could afford it).

Second place would have to go to Elizabeth Banks in chiffon Versace with a corset top and ruffled bottom.

I feel like both Sandra Bullock and Kate Winslet looked sleek and amazing - I think they tie for third. Sandra in a lace-bodice gown from Marchesa with shoulder detail (I love the way it tapers and drapes at the bootom)…
And Kate in an Yves Saint Laurent gown with structured bodice and fluid skirt….

And lastly, I loved Rachel McAdams wearing Elie Saab Haute Couture with a pleated bodice and sweetheart neckline – I feel it really suited her.

66 Degrees

It is supposed to be 66 degrees in Bham this Sunday and I know all the locals are itching for warm weather. I’m sure everyone will be heading outdoors on Sunday to nearby parks, walking trails and hiking paths.

I mentioned to my sweet husband that we should get out this weekend, meaning something active like taking our dog hiking, etc. He came back with, “Yeah we’ll take Darby to the dog park and then sit out at Rojo and have a drink.” Haha, can you see why I married him?

So what are you doing this weekend to get out in the weather? I hear a lot of people are going to the Exceptional Chili Cook Off Saturday in Homewood. I myself am really looking forward to Weim & Cheese – a fundraiser to benefit the Weimaraner Rescue of the South (it’s not outside, but nevertheless a great event for a wonderful cause).

I have to give a shout out though to Birmingham Magazine for hosting a very high-end event last night at Ted’s Garage (a very cool venue). It was their “Top Attorneys” party sponsored by Belk and it had a great turnout with wonderful sponsors such as Fish Market and Woodford Reserve providing yummy fare and libations. Julie Keith and her staff did a phenomenal job!