Shopaholic in Alabama

Hello Shopaholics! Hope your Sunday is wonderful! Yesterday we attended our first Mardi Gras parade of the Carnival season! It was a small parade on Dauphin Island, but lots of fun! A few "Fun Facts" about Mardi Gras that you might not know: Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, AL. I know, I know. You thought it was New Orleans. It wasn't. NOLA doesn't really like to admit that, but it's true. Support from our friends at Wikipedia: Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama is the oldest annual Carnival celebration in America, having begun in 1703, over 15 years before New Orleans was founded (1718). From Mobile being the first capital of French Louisiana (1702), the festival began as a French Catholic tradition, celebrating until the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, until midnight on Mardi Gras day (French for "Fat Tuesday" or Shrove Tuesday). However, Mardi Gras in Mobile now has evolved into a mainstream multi-week celebration across the spectrum of cultures...

Happy Monday, everyone! Just wanted to say "hi" from Mardi Gras! Above picture was taken from the "after party" at Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile. Second photo was taken on the float.....the other couple is my uncle and his long time girlfriend.  My sister and her DH were our partners in crime....oops I mean party companions. :-) Don't forget, today is the LAST DAY to enter my Mardi Gras giveaway! Go HERE for the original post.  Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, AKA Mardi Gras Day. Have you decided what you're giving up for Lent? I'm not Catholic, but I like the idea of giving up something (maybe cookies!). Life will return to normal around these parts on Wednesday. Have a great afternoon!

Happy Thursday everyone! Are they serious about snow? I just can't wrap my little brain around it today. I don't want to minimize what's been happening to my friends in the Northeast, Mid- Atlantic, etc.....I KNOW you guys have been pounded by snow for the last week and are thinking "why is she complaining about a little snow?". You must understand - this part of Alabama NEVER gets snow. The last time we received any accumulation was in 1996, if that gives you a little perspective. What does one do to prepare for such an event? I feel like I should be rushing out to the grocery store, filling up the car with gas and removing patio furniture. OH! I forgot! That's what we do when a HURRICANE comes. That's how we roll down here! So here is how I'm preparing today - I'm listing a few items on Ebay, digging out heavy clothes, attending my 5:30 class at the gym, and heading to Mobile for a few days as we're riding in our Mardi Gras parade on S...

Happy Saturday, my fellow Fashionistas! Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! If you're one of my pals "snowed in" up North, I'm hoping your heat is working and you have plenty of things to keep you entertained! Wine, online shopping, etc! :-) Did you know it's Mardi Gras season all over the Gulf coast? "Let The Good Times Roll" is the English translation of today's blog post title. Parades, balls and other celebrations from New Orleans, LA to Panama City, FL are in FULL swing! Next Sunday, DH and I will ride in our parade in downtown Mobile. This will be my 18th year to do so! I can't even believe it's been that long. Whoa how time flies when you are having FUN!  Most people do not realize that Mardi Gras in the US originated in Mobile. Everyone presumes it began in New Orleans, because the city is larger and so are the parades. So I thought I'd give you a little background (from our friends at Wikipedia) about the origin of...