CRYSTAL SHOP + FRIENDS

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Our last day in Louisianna, we went back into the french quarter on the hunt for a crystal shop.  We had been looking for one the whole time we were there and finally found out that we were right around the corner from one the first day we were down there.  We were so happy we found it last minute.  It was the best crystal shop Ive ever been in.  So many amazing beautiful stones.  I had to be very decisive and only get ones that really spoke to me for specific things.  Im very happy with the ones I came home with.  ​

We didn't go into the fortune teller shops, but I loved the old signs.  I could walk for days around there just taking photos of old walls and signs.  There are so many nooks and crannies full of textures from age, decay and the amazingly eclectic culture.​  Everything down there is eye candy for the artists eye.

On our way home we met up with my dear friend Katelyn from Gypsy Moth Sol and her two beautiful babies.  It was so nice to see her even if it was just for lunch.  She picked an amazing greek restaurant to eat at.  It just so happened to be Leena's birthday, so I felt super lucky to get to see her that day.  She was all dressed up in costume she got from her party the day before.  And she was in a super sweet mood.  Melted my heart.  It was awesome for my family to get to meet her in person b/c I talk about her alot!  It's kind of funny b/c Ive seen my friend from another state more often this year than Ive seen most of my local friends!  It was the perfect way to end the vacation!​

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION

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On our 3rd day in Louisianna we visited the Oak Valley Plantation.  More than anything I was enthralled with the huge 300 year old oak trees.  They were tremendously huge, hard to tell in these photos just how big they were.  And what made them so enchanting was that they were covered in small ivy called resurrection ivy.  And the roots of them were all knobby and sticking up out of the ground.  And their tree limbs were so long they came back down to the ground and began to grow into the ground.  Truly magical fairy tale land trees if Ive ever seen any.  ​

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They had the prettiest flowers beds around the plantation too.  Below were some of my favorites.  ​

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After the tour of the plantation house, we ate at their little restaurant and I had the yummiest meal.  Im excited to make it at home.  It was parmesean portabello risotto with breaded eggplant and a friend egg.​  so so good!

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SWAMP TOUR

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On our second day in Louisianna we went on a swamp tour.  It was my favorite part of our trip I think.  I loved our tour guide, and the sights were just amazing, and so different than Texas.  The trees in the water were just beautiful.  I didn't have my camera with me, just my phone.  I really wish I had brought it on this trip.  I could of captured so many amazing things that I couldn't see with my phone.  Like the peacock in the tree next to our house we stayed in that was there every night.  And the yellow crested night herons in the tall trees of the swamp.  And the little yellow birdies that were flying around the swamp.  So many times I said, damn I wish I had brought my camera!  I was just in awe of the swamp.  Everything about it.​

​click on the images above to see them larger.

1. tour guide feeding the aligators a weenie // 2. crazy windy hair on the boat while it was going super fast // 3. beautiful trees // 4. more trees // 5. alligator // 6. my auntie holding a baby alligator

I took a million photos of the trees, but I decided to spare you and just share a few.  Really, they all look the same, but man they are beautiful!  Ill be back soon with pics from the plantation we went to.​

STAYING IN SLIDELL

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This was the backyard of the house we stayed in.  It was so magical and peaceful.  I was smitten by the shadows and reflections on the water.  My favorite part was seeing beautiful red headed woodpeckers in those trees the whole time.  Right after telling my cousins about the flicker/woodpecker family being my astrological animal totem according to the native americans.  I have seen a few woodpeckers from a distance, but never up close like that.  I saw two different species that Ive never seen in Texas.  And then, when I got home, I saw my very first woodpecker in my own backyard!  I couldn't believe it.  It was so so magical, especially after the connections that my vacation brought about.  ​

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​My cousins and I really bonded on this trip.  We talked alot about animal spirits, tarot, crystal healing, our life plans and soul purposes.  It was really amazing to open up to them in this way and for it to be something we all were on the same level with.  Honestly something I never ever thought would happen within my family.  There was even a night when I read everyone's tarot, even my nanna!  And it was amazing how connected each reading was to their lives.  It was unbelievably rewarding to feel safe with my family in these respects.  For me personally, it made me feel even more connected with them.  The women in my family have a deep rooted strong connection to each other, whether or not we hang out or talk alot doesnt matter.  There is a thread between us all the keeps us so safetly jointed to one another. 

This wall of paintings above was very significant.  After telling my cousins about the woodpecker (the top left image is one, but its hard to tell in this photo, its sitting on top of a man), they looked up their animal spirit and were both the raven.  And we also talked about my parents alot, and my connections with 'two birds' being them, and my concerns about losing their house.... And the opossum has been by my side for a few months now.  So we walked in, sat down, and then began to look around, and all at once we noticed the painting above us... a woodpecker, raven, opossum and two birds sitting on top of a nest with keys.  What the heck?  We were pretty much floored.  And to the locals probably looked like wacko tourists staring at these animal paintings.  We all took it as a pretty big sign.  ​

Then when we were done eating, one of the locals, an older man, walked up to me and asked me if i was an artist.  I told him yes, and he said he could tell from the way I looked.  Then he asked me what kind of artist, and I told him.  He he figured I was a jewelry artist.  How cool is that?  Then he told us that his friend painted those paintings we were so into... I told him about our connections with them and he was so pleased to tell his friend.  Every local we came in contact with in Slidell was so nice.  ​

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Some moments from the place we stayed that I really enjoyed was having my morning coffee and walking around the property looking at all the things that were different than back home in Texas, which was just about everything.  In the bushes I found that super amazing glass bottle above.  Still not positive what it is.  Alot of people said antique water bomb or antique oil lamp.  Im leaning towards oil lamp b/c the cast iron top has a peice that goes down inside that looks like a wick would go into it, and it has screw laces on the top of the glass, which means it definitely attaches to something else.  It was kind of funny... I was so excited to find it and what I loved most about it was the coloring and appeal from laying on the ground for so long, and I came in the kitchen to find my cousin washing it!  I gasped at her, and everyone started laughing b/c I didn't want it clean.  They all thought I would want it cleaned up.  I was like noooo!!!  Ha ha.  So now, it doesnt look like it does above.  (don't worry dee, i still love you!)​

I found the leaf above and just thought it was the prettiest leaf with all of the speckles on it.  And I found two dove feathers.  I was super excited when I found the pine cones still on the branch!  I was so careful with it the whole time, and then it broke during the last few hours of our ride home... Total bummer.  But its okay, at least I still have it.  The pine trees are amazing in that area!​

Ill be back with so much more!  Btw, Im about to start listing some of my new wall hangings in the shop.  Some that were sneak peeked in my latest lookbook, Sea Song.​