in my white tee...yep, in my white tee

Michelle Obama riled up some European designers and fashion snobs and had them foaming at the mouth with her recent j crew-inspired outfit choice overseas.



I happen to think it's charming. Any ole run-of-the-mill gal can get dolled up in whatever expensive outfit a stylist conjures up for her. It takes real balls to wear J. Crew in London & meet the "other leader of the free world" and wear it well. She looks like a million bucks to me. And quite frankly, with the economy as it is in the States, I'm quite thankful some of her outfits veered more on the financially conservative end, and by that I mean - affordable. That's if you think $200 is affordable.

I happen to be a fan of J. Crew. I recently picked up this $39.50 cotton white tee in 2 colors...


That's kind of pricey for a plain white tee, but it's def worth it. Perfect fit. Durable quality. Silky smooth, yet still has that feel of cotton we're accustomed to having.





Cotton: the fabric of our lives.

Michael Kors sandals I dug up at UAL for an awesome $75.

I'll be in the sweltering continent of Asia for much of this summer (more on that later), so a great white tee + sandals will pretty much be my game plan.

lobster attack

Apparently, the Marriot Hotel on Canal St. has undergone some swanky renovations. I walked in and thought I was in the middle of a Las Vegas hotel lobby. I’m definitely going to have to find more reasons to go there…starting with…

Reason #1 – Restaurant 5 Fifty 5




Bread + Options. I get really excited when restaurants offer different varieties of bread or if they offer unwhipped solid chunks of real butter. They had both here! That flat cracker w/sunflower seeds was so addictive.


Traditional seafood gumbo. Gumbo is my all-time favorite. I don’t even care if it’s not good. I’ll order it anyway. It’s how I judge a New Orleans restaurant – by it’s gumbo. You can get a really good feel of a place by tasting their soups. This one fared well.


Sampler Slider with crab cake, lobster salad, prime rib debris, and duck.
three letters: O-M-G…


Lobster mac n cheese. Some shaved truffles would have really set this dish off. However, it was comfort food at it’s best. Next time, though, I’ll just get a side of it with another entrée. It’s a little rich after a few bites.


I love date nights.

serial taster

Who says a little bit of an indulgence can't hurt? I’m sure my report card will probably beg to differ at the end of the semester! When everyone else was at home cramming for the upcoming set of tests, I attended the 8th annual Taste of the Town event with my mommy and her sisters. I wish I could say I was sorry.
Well, I’m sorry for not being sorry.


It’s usually held at Lafrienne Park once a year. Due to some severe weather conditions (which aren’t uncommon in New Orleans…in fact, learn to relish this about the city) the location moved to a covered parking lot. It was a little bit of a buzz kill, but at the end of the night good food is still good food.


There were so many great vendors. All the heavy hitters of New Orleans and some refreshing surprises too!


You can’t really go wrong with Drago’s charbroiled oysters. I believe my mom went back for seconds…and thirds…and fourths. I kid you not. At one point, I had to get in line for the woman.


Cocktail shrimp. It’s nothing you can’t find on any good ole Shoney’s buffet line, but check out the display. I was thoroughly impressed for some odd reason.


Seared tuna. I forgot the restaurant’s name but she’s a beauty, huh?


Ruth’s Chris’ steak sandwich.


5 Fifty 5’s lobster mac n cheese.


Commander Palace’s famous turtle soup w/a shot of sherry.


John Besh’s BBQ shrimp.


Lilette’s cold radish soup.

The battle of the corn grits:





The old favorite wins. I prefer Zea’s corn grits with alligator over Sandro’s shrimp version. Creamy, smooth, and consistent. You can take this girl to Zea’s any day!



Sucre of Magazine St also made a debut. In my opinion: still overrated.



Cupcakes by Melange.
I believe the phrase, “too pretty to eat,” applies here. They actually tasted better in my head than they did in my mouth. The cake was heavy and dry. The frosting was unimaginative. But they sure are a sight for the eyes and in this superficial world you can’t really fault something that looks so darn good!

And if you’re a drinker, the $90 ticket basically pays for itself. There were unlimited offerings of wine, Pat O’s famous hurricanes (and let me tell you, not one bit diluted, whew!), beer, and specialty drinks made with premium spirits…


my mommy, the alcoholic =)








Mmmmm…my life revolves around food.

let the good times ROAR

New Orleans restaurants + unlimited wine + contemporary art = one great cause

Camp Tiger, a nonprofit organization started in 1985, has a mission that includes giving disabled & challenged kids of the greater New Orleans area an enriching summer camp experience. It’s such a source of pride since it’s completely staffed and organized by us, the first year medical students at LSU. A major portion of the fundraising for this free-of-charge camp is derived from our annual Camp Tiger Silent Auction Benefit and it was a success this year!

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)


Music by Dr. Jazz and the New Orleans Dixieland Sounds


NOMA is such a neat space. It definitely ranks up there in my potential wedding site list.



There was an abundant supply of great food donated by local New Orleans restaurants and the bar (where I happened to be working my shift) was kept flowing with unlimited wine and beer all night (also donated).

Some good friends of mine were able to contribute to the cause by contributing their own goods…
Chez Pierre - a local bakery known for their fruit tarts, custard, French pastries, and cake.


Hoshun - by far, the most popular table at the event…mainly due to his awesome presentation and on site sushi rolling; they’re open until 2 am daily and have a prime location on St. Charles Ave.


Auction items ranged from dermatologic peels, spa packages, artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, etc.


We raised almost $35,000. The camp will definitely be on this year.

Such a beautiful, fun evening. Looking forward to tons of fun with the kids of Camp Tiger this summer.

On a side note, I want this in my living room.


Stuart Weitzman. Shoes this good looking can’t possibly be this comfortable to work in.

i see dead people

As much as I bemoan and bewail the lifestyle adjustment that undoubtedly accompanies med school, I probably will look back one day and count the days in between bouts of energy drinks and late-night study marathons amongst my blessings. Case in point: Where, post-high school, can you relive the experiences of prom and right your previous wrongs? Now before you jump to a conclusion about my promiscuity, let me make a note that I did not get a motel room and procreate on prom night like some high-schoolers may have done. I did, however, don a hideous spandex-jersey number that I bedazzled with rhinestones. Oh, and in undeniable 17 year-old-girl fashion, I topped it off with a tiara and acrylic nails. Oh yes she did.

As much as I try to forget the memory of my previous fashion woes, the proof is in the pictures (some of which I am sure are floating around ready to create undue drama for my unborn 15 year-old daughter who will swear her mother is a disgraceful embarrassment…a picture that will instill much fear and motivation to age gracefully…a picture that I, for reasons that include self dignity, will not reproduce here). So you must know how exciting it is to get a second chance to do it all over again. With 24 years under my belt, I now believe I have accumulated the wisdom and sense, and most importantly, the funds to execute a prom vision that will, hopefully, transcend a lifetime of fashion trends.

Ladies and Gents, I present to you LSU- School of Medicine - Class of 2012’s CADAVER BALL.


Dress by Kay Unger. I knew two things before deciding on this dress. 1.) No shiny quintessential prom dresses. 2.) I want asymmetrical.
My friend Diane noted that the dress is reminiscent of J Lo, back in the pre-Marc Antony days. Regardless of whether or not this is accurate, I do have to insist that my date for the night veered much more on the handsome end of the spectrum than Ms. Lopez’ husband.


Tux by Calvin Klein. Shoes by Vans.

The ball was held in the Grand Ball Room of the Ritz Carlton and we wasted no time getting acquainted with our club-level suite before heading to dinner. Ah, yes…I did say a suite. I am, in fact, an adult now. Getting inebriated at a dance and initiating sleepovers are not above my now promiscuous tendencies. Got to keep it classy though….hence, the Ritz.

The setting of the hotel suite was so conducive to channeling an old Hollywood feel that I did just that. For one night and one night only, I was Grace Kelly and my boyfriend was (whatever your pick) the flavor-of-the-month arm accessory.






View from the backside: it’s understated yet sweet but all the while striking. I felt this burning desire to rudely turn my back to anyone I was engaged in conversation with so they, too, could appreciate this posterior aspect. And I’m sure after a couple glasses of wine I did just that. My apologies.


Vintage shrug - eBay. Clutch - Chanel. Jewelry - borrowed from Mother.
As much as I love that clutch, I do have to admit that there was much hesitation about it originally. You see, I saw it on Paris Hilton years ago and loved it. And although I refused to do anything that could be remotely misconstrued as emulating Ms. Hilton (plus that hefty price tag was no joke), I eventually caved. It’s now a staple in my closet.



Our pre-ball festivities began at dinner - Palace Café of the Brennan family on Canal St. A fun, lively atmosphere that didn’t make us feel awkward in our ball attire. The food, however, was standard.


Andouille crusted fish with an aioli sauce. I found a few scales on mine but it was nothing I was going to fault them with being that I’ve had numerous experiences here that were sans fish scales. Mistakes happen. (I also keep returning in hopes that luck will bring me that lobster w/mac & cheese drizzled with truffle oil that I once had on their seasonal lunch menu.)


Mini muffalettas. Pretty much a New Orleans classic. Get some in your life.

As for the rest of the evening, it was lovely. Great atmosphere, great people. The band was surprisingly upbeat. The drinks…well, what can you possibly find wrong with a premium open bar? Except, of course, the long lines?

Medical school sure does have its perks.