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Monday, February 27, 2012

The Columns Hotel

Three Sweet Chic-adees! Every year my friends Christy, Julie and I get together to specifically celebrate our birthdays. We're all Pisces! Can you believe it? LOL

My birthday always kicks things off! It's February 20th. Christy's is today...February 27th., and Julie's is March 10th. Last year we went to The Melting Pot. Have you been there? If you like chocolate and cheese fondue, it's really fun. I highly suggest it.

This year we chose to have Sunday brunch (yesterday 2/26/12) at The Columns Hotel. It's a historic mansion (built in 1883) and very sophisticated hotel on St. Charles Avenue that definitely has southern charm. It's painted white, showcases the United States, Louisiana State and French Creole Fleur de lis New Orleans flags, is surrounded by lush foliage, beautiful statues and of course HUGE large white columns.

New Orleanian residents go to The Columns Hotel for cocktails, to eat, Sunday Jazz Brunch, weddings and/or baby showers. It's definitely a New Orleans staple. Reminder! I really need to showcase more of New Orleans.

Easy Like Sunday Morning (well afternoon. hahaha)! As soon as we stepped on the porch steps (yes we have porches in the south and take note of the ceiling fans) the maitre d' greeted us. I loved his purple and white gingham shirt and beautiful lavender tie. He put a big SMILE on my face when he said hey beautiful. So sweet! The weather was a little overcast and VERY windy but overall it was nice, so we decided to eat outside. Napkins were placed gently in our laps and we were handed a menu. The service was marvelous dah-ling and the price was fabulous! Who can beat great food, friends, conversation, attentive & impeccable service, and wonderful conversation. BTW Natalie of Use Your Words Little Girl, the dining etiquette book you gave me came in handy. HaHaHa



Food Glorious Food! The Columns Hotel has a wonderful Sunday Jazz Brunch. Reservations are highly recommended. There was a wonderful guitarist who played some lovely songs and you get a mimosa, choice of soup, salad, entree and dessert. I chose the seafood gumbo, house salad, blackened drum and peach cobbler a la mode. Christy and Julie had crabcakes with fried green tomatoes (another southern staple). Christy also had creme brulee for dessert. The pictures below speak for themselves.


Gift Time! We always give each other little treats in celebration of our birthdays. Nothing over the top, but little things that make each one of us smile. I gave the girls $25 gift cards to Earthsavers Spa (local day spa in New Orleans that believes in natural products and beauty techniques) and Hugs and Kisses umbrellas from Nordstrom; Christy gave each of us a beautiful fresh flower bouquet arrangement. I love fresh flowers and the colors in the bouquet are gorgeous. And Julie gave us wonderful bath-time spa treats (hot pink fuzzy socks, super sweet bath bombs, cookies and HELLO! Hello Kitty gel pens that write in pink, red and green). I loved all of my gifts!





I Love My Friends! If you can't tell, I had a really great time Sunday! HaHaHa This was my sweet treat this weekend. We usually get together 2-3 times a year. But always for our birthdays! Sorry for the fuzzy photo below, but my camera phone died. LOL Time to get a new iPhone! LOL Do you have a girls day or night out with your besties? What are some things you like to do?
A Little Lagniappe! I'm a Winner! Ohhhh BTW, I participated in an 'imaginary' Valentine's Day going-on-a-date outfit contest on Sandy's blog at Ooh La Frou Frou for her character Aimee. Everyone voted and my outfit idea won! So she illustrated my outfit idea in today's post (see a glimpse below). I can't believe I put this outfit together (you can actually buy ALL of the items below...look for my name and links on Part II of Sandy's blog to purchase these items). I'm so proud of myself. It is so beautifully illustrated! Sandy is such a fabulous illustrator. Check out "the date" in it's entirety and the outfit ON her character Aimee HERE! Have a Great Week Everybody!
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71 comments

  1. I was enjoying Sandy's post and spotted your name so I thought I'd pop over to say - Well done! I love the outfit and of course her amazing illustration! By the way, what a delicious brunch and fun time.Have a good week.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/

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  2. That looks so fabulous! Can I join in next year? My birthday is March 1st ;-) What a great way to celebrate with friends. Have a lovely week xo

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  3. It looks like one amazing place!! That's so great you all get together, the food looks yummy!! How fun!! Well done you for winning, I love those illustrations, they are wonderful!! Hope you have a marvelous monday girl!! xox

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  4. How nice! The food looks delicious, love the flowers! <3<3

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  5. Everything sounds fun and delicious. This must have been quite the birthday. Ah, to spend one's birthday amogst happy friends! xx

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  6. Happy belated birthday! You all look like you had a fabulous time. The location of your birthday lunch is beautiful. What a great way to spend time with the girls :)

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  7. Beautiful Kim, You look stunning, the food is seriously making my stomach growl, and you racked up with the gifts! HUGS FOR MONDAY

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  8. Aw, it looks like you had such a great time with your friends. Always so nice to have that one tradition that you always stick to. And congrats on winning! She really did such a great job illustrating! What a great look! Now if only I had somewhere fancy to go...
    Sarah
    http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com

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  9. That is so sweet that you all get together for your birthdays. Must be one splendid girls weekend, with this beautiful location and divine food. Yay and lovely presents! Lucky lady. Congrats on the win, well deserved, loved Aimees choice of dress

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  10. what a great girl friend tradition, the food looks lovely. happy birthday to you all ;-)

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  11. Sounds like you guys had an awesome time! You and your friends are gorgeous!!!!!

    I have been to the melting pot before. Never for dinner though. Specifically for wine and chocolate fondue. Yum!!

    That umbrella is adorable!! It could brighten any rainy day!

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  12. Kim: that was absolutely wonderful and fun that you three ladies had a birthday celebration together. Triple joy! The hotel sure has a southern charm and i like the beautiful architecture. New Orleans is a place to visit on our list, perhaps next year. I will be sure to ask an expert like you befote we go.

    The illustration is so romantic and beautiful. How awesome your idea turned into a reality.

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  13. Kim darling ... how I ENVY sitting on a veranda sipping and eating in warm weather (and that food looks delicious!)! It's still brrrrrrr cold here and I'm longing for spring! You guys all look so cute, what a great bunch of friends. Nothing is sweeter than girlfriends, I say. Snd that hugs and kisses umbrella is so adorable! Thanks, love, for sharing the illustration and link with your readers ... you chose an outfit sublime! ;) Have a fabulous week! ~xoSM

    Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  14. Kim, it looks like your celebration was a success! The good food alone made it fabulous! DROOOLING! :)

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights

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  15. WOW! The place really is beautiful.
    And the food looks beautiful. Looks like you had fun.

    www.justpatience.com

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  16. Oh I am sorry I missed your birthday post last week. I try to visit every blog atleast once a week. Anyway happy belated birthday. Also looks like you three just had a wonderful evening. It is always nice to go out with the girls.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  17. That looks like so much fun! Oh to live in the south :) I would love to see more of the city! And your sketch is gorgeous!

    http://confessionsofabeauty-holic.blogspot.com

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  18. Awww - isn't it sweet to have such wonderful girlfriends, and to share close birthdays is frosting on the cake. These photos looks amazing, the food looks great and you def. had great company - seems like you had a fabulous birthday Kim! I am so happy for you!

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  19. It must be so fun to be able to celebrate your birthday with your girlfriends every year. What a fantastic tradition! The Columns Hotel looks like a great venue and your yummy food photos are making me so hungry! Congrats on being the winner of Aimee's fabulous date outfit! Lovely picks! I'm always in awe of Sandy's gorgeous illustrations!

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  20. What a fabulous tradition! You seem to always have so much fun!

    -Jacqueline

    www.jenesaisquoifashion.blogspot.com

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  21. Sounds like a fun brunch! That food looks sooo good!!

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  22. well this looks like a fantastic time!

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  23. Haha! Yay, so glad it came in handy! This sounds like a wonderful celebration. You certainly deserve a wonderful day, girl. Have a great week! xo

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  24. Wow! You had quite the birthday! I love the umbrella! And that pie looks heavenly. YUM.

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  25. I LOVE the melting pot! Sounds like you have some fabulous friends and it looks like you guys had a fabulous time :)

    XO
    www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com

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  26. hey its my birthday today too!yayy tell ur friend happy bday.. looks like fun great freinds is always a plus

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  27. Oh, how fun!! You just made me incredibly hungry for some good cajun food!

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  28. Awww happy birthday lady!!! ♥♥♥ and congrats on winning that contest!! how could they not pick your idea!!! ur look was TO! DIE! FOR!! :)

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  29. The food looks soooo good! Man, I haven't had legitimate Sunday brunch out in a long time., must put that on my to do list! Glad you had a great time with your girlfriends! :)

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  30. Just So you know, I have been avoiding writing a paper (that is due tomorrow) so that I could spend some time on your blog. While doing last minute homework.... it sometimes is needed to take a little break and I spent mine reading your blog! I just love it.

    anyway this post is great. I really would love to visit this venue. Its so nice that you and your friends do this. I would also really LOVE to see more of new orleans!

    Happy Birthday Kim!

    -Nico

    www.SatinAndSalt.com

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  31. The food looks amazing! Nothing like good friends and delicious food!

    sextoninthecity.blogspot.com

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  32. This looks like such a wonderful day! I wish my friends would do this, but they're always too busy. I'm having some serious food envy, too!

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  33. awww looks like u had a great time w your girlfriends!!! so sweet of you all to get together each yr for bdays. the food looks so yummy!! i hope u had a lovely bday, hun!! xoxo

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  34. Happy belated birthday! It is so sweet that you get to share it with other lovely ladies and get fun presents!

    Congrats on the outfit win - I love your styling!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  35. What a lovely place to sit out and relax..... and some lovely pictures here :-)

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  36. Everything looks great!!! I love to spend time with my friends too.Cograts for winning the contest Kim, I´ll check her blog right now.Kisses from www.stylepicture.blogspot.com

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  37. The Columns Hotel looks absolutely phenomenal, Kim! What a wonderful place to celebrate your birthday and spend some much deserved girl time. I am just dying over the architecture and the porch... It's much too cold for porches to be practical where I live, but they always seem so romantic to me :)

    Glad you had a wonderful birthday celebration! Hugs.

    xox,
    Cee

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  38. Sounds like you ladies had a fantastic (and delicious) time!

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  39. That food looks ahhh-mazing. I feel like we don't have any place cool like this near me. STL is so boring.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  40. Looks like you had a fabulous Sunday celebrating your collective birthdays! It ALL looks divine.

    How gorgeous is that illustration, love the dreamy feel and liberal use of pinks!

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  41. Kim, you have so much going on! There is no place like the south for great food, and hospitality!! This is such a beautiful place, I love eating on the front porch of a home/bldg., it adds to the charm and elegance of the meal. You really know how to be good to yourself. The gifts are sweet and you look gorgeous in your black dress! Congrats on your win, what an honor. I took a peek at her post too. Have a great week dahling, I giggled when you wrote that in your post. dawn suitcase vignettes xo

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  42. What an amazing b-day celebration, that looks like such a fun time- you all look beautiful and the gifts are so thoughtful!

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  43. Wow Happy Birthday Kim - this looks like an awesome get together. Don't you just love historic Southern architecture - it's so grand!

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  44. I really wanted to go to Melting Pot for Valentine's Day... but I'll find a reason to go sooner or later! Your birthday meals looks simply delightful. A wonderful location and some great food.

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  45. WOW Kim what an amazing B-day - looks like such a blast :)
    Axox
    PS: Tagged you for a 'blogging tag game' look at my blog and I hope you'll like to play along :)

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  46. OMG OMG, I am soooo hungry so these food pics did not help, whatsoever! I also love your friends! Blimey, what amazing gifts and people!!! I love that you all have b'days near each other too!

    That illustration is stunning! Lucky you!!!

    I'm so happy you had a wonderful birthday!
    x.o.x.o

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  47. Isn't it absolutely wonderful to enjoy Sunday brunch with the people you love?

    The company itself is priceless and oh, what gorgeous gifts all of you have! I especially love the umbrella. It's true that you needn't spend a bomb on presents. Affordable presents with much thoughts put in is just as priceless as the great company.

    I'm sure you have many lovely friends coz you are such a lovely lady with a beautiful heart.

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  48. oh wow! Looks like you had an amazing birthday. It has been so long that I celebrated mine. The food and setting just look incredible. And the illustration of your outfit - exquisite.

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  49. Kim!! You and your friends look like you are having the most fab time!!! LOVE brunch and what a gorgeous place to have it! And congrats on winning the Valentine contest!! Sandy is a wonderful illustrator - thanks for introducing us to her!

    And I recieved my Mercer print yesterday and it's absolutely beautiful! Thank you again for hosting the giveaway!

    xo, sam

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  50. Omg....I love this....Looks like a nice cozy place to eat at!The food looks yummm!!

    And I agree with you about the back fat lmaoo!

    www.dashysassy.com

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  51. very nice post! loving the illustration!!
    xo
    MosaMuse

    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  52. This looks fantastic!!! All of the food looks sooo tasty.

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  53. wow that illustration is gorgeous!! Love the look you put together <3

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  54. Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering haha! That looks SO delicious! A very Happy Birthday to you all! And you've now tempted me to try The Melting Pot near us.. :)

    -j
    sorelle in style

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  55. Congrats YAY you won after all!!! Woohooo good for you darling. The illustration is gorgeous too. Team Sandy-Kim! Love it. xoxo

    http://onestyleatatime.blogspot.com/

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  56. Sounds like a lovely afternoon, great photos! :)

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  57. Sounds like you had a lovely time! Beautiful photos. That illustration is gorgeous as well!
    xx


    The Urban Umbrella
    xoxo


    http://urbanumbrella.blogspot.com/

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  58. Oh my gosh, what a fabulous time you had! That place looks gorgeous! And those gifts are so sweet! Exactly the things I love to get and give as well (OMG I LOVE Hello Kitty, like seriously, I force my girls to love her as well....hahaha...)

    The girlfriends that were closest to me moved away last year (2 of them) and it makes me soooo sad to not have them here. I don't have a close group of friends right now, where we all go out together, but am slowly making new friends with other Moms from my kids school. Every girl needs some good girlfriends!

    OH and congrats on winning on Ooh La Frou Frou! I must check that out!!! Way to go, girl! xo

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  59. so awesome you're having such a demure and fun time with your friends. you all look lovely! the food looks absolutely delish, hun!

    hugs,
    jasmine

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  60. I used to work at the Columns Hotel. I was a cocktail waitress. It was one of my jobs while I was putting myself through college. Also, Pretty Baby with Brooke Shields was filmed there in 1978.

    I miss NOLA! Looks like you guys had fun!

    xo,
    Tracy

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  61. It looks like you all had an absolutely fabulous time, and the food looks absolutely delicious and the gifts look lovely!

    I can't believe you're all pisces, none of my friends share my starsign (gemini) when I thought it was fairly popular! xx

    www.almostdelightful.com

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  62. wow, what a gorgeous outdoor seating area! Looks like such a great place to eat, and it's so fun you all get to celebrate together!

    Chic on the Cheap

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  63. I am also a Pisces. Can I get an invite to this fabulous little get together? This is so awesome that you do this. All of your gifts are great and that food looks amazing!

    http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

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  64. congrats on winning. that is a great outfit! and happy birthday!!! that food looks yummy. i've always wanted to try the melting pot and now i want to even more!!!

    http://spinning-threads.blogspot.com

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  65. How fun! Everything looks delicious and looks like such a fun day to spend with your girlfriends. Congrats on winning, the illustration looks lovely.

    xo erica

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  66. so many great things to talk about!it's a beautiful thing you guys do..b'days with friends who are all celebrating their b'days..classic..the food looks just too delicious!and congrats..that illustration is gorgeous!

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  67. i love charming places like these. i love the idea of dining on the porch! i love to get together with the girls. they usually involve the kids, now, but we meet at someones house to wine and food and conversation. on a rare occasion we are able to go out at night with out the kids! good times either way.

    [oomph.]

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  68. Belated Happy B-day! Looks like you all had a great time! The food looks delish! And Congrats on winning the contest! The dress and Chanel pearl are gorgeous!

    XOXO
    Shels
    http://followyourbliss4ever.blogspot.com/

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  69. Look at that food! YUMMM! And the venue is so beautiful. Glad you had such a great time Kim. :)

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