New Orleans, Louisiana

From the customer: I always thought I’d end up living in New Orleans. Originally from Louisiana, I’ve lived in many cities in the state — from growing up in Sulphur, to school in Baton Rouge and lots of friends in Lafayette — to say that Louisiana is important to me is an understatement. I’m sure everyone feels a certain nostalgia about their home state, but for Louisianians it definitely runs deep. We’re a culture set apart from the rest of the country; our food, our holidays, our accents, our pride, they’re all different and unique and so rich. New Orleans in many ways is the embodiment of the state’s personality. When you’re in New Orleans, you just feel lighter. You feel happier, more carefree. You feel like life is about living to the fullest, enjoying every single moment (and every plate of food). It’s about laughing and smiling and getting to know friends and meeting strangers.

Five years ago I moved to Texas — Austin to be exact — and while I adore the city I reside in now, I try to make it back to New Orleans every moment I can. And you know what I do when I get there (after I’ve eaten every Cajun dish I can get my hands on)? I take a walk. Under stunning oak trees stretching their huge branches out over you, splashing much-needed shade over roads, I take in the local architecture (and maybe daydream about one of those big, beautiful Southern homes being mine one day) and listen to neighbors gossip and catch up. It’s these moments of walking through the streets of New Orleans where I get to reconnect with my roots and dream about my future. And since I can’t be in two places at once, I appreciate that any time I need to relive some New Orleans walks, I’ll be able to glance up at my beautiful New Orleans map on the wall of my Austin home and transport my mind to those gorgeous oak-lined Southern streets.

~ Adrienne B.

From the map maker: Thanks for the post Adrienne. It’s evident from your passionate words that NOLA lies close to your heart. It’s been years since I’ve visited, but hearing your story made me check for flights. Readers: Make sure you check out Adrienne’s blog, 2Modern, by clicking here. She’s got a way with words as you see here and I’m sure you’ll enjoy her posts on interiors, architecture, art, fashion and more. ~ Tony