Tag Archives: travel bags

Southern Hotel Charm

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I love the modern furniture mixed with a hint of vintage decor in the lobby and the way light shines through the floor to ceiling windows is simply stunning.

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The red room is by far the coolest spot in the hotel.

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The vintage record player in the master suite actually works and has plenty of records for you to choose from.

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I absolutely love the exposed brick walls in the all of the guest rooms.

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Rarely will I ever share photos of a hotel bathroom, but this one is just so beautifully designed and the morning light shines through so perfectly that I had to show you!

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Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Photography

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Her Outfit: J Brand Photo Ready Cropped Jeans | Rails Plaid Shirt | Joie Kidmore Sneakers c/o Emmas Shoes | Pink PJ Set

His Outfit: Tailored Slim Khakis | Wingtip Oxfords | Rayban Aviator Sunglasses | Navy half-zip Pullover (Marshall’s) | A huge thank you to my boyfriend, Blake for participating in another one of my blog photo shoots even though he didn’t want to! Such a trooper!

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Travel Bags: Chelsea Weekender & Metro Backpack c/o MZ Wallace (available locally at Emma’s Shoes & Accessories) | Pink Harper Ave Patent Leather Backpack c/o Emma’s Shoes | Striped Duffle Bag c/o Barrington Gifts | Warren Backpack c/o Botkier | Personalized Leather Bag Tag c/o Graphic Image |  Jenn Bucket Bag (Designed by Haute Off The Rack in collaboration w/ GiGi New York) |

Good Morning readers, today I’m continuing my review on the Southern Hotel in Downtown Covington, LA. In case you missed my first post of their restaurant, Ox Lot 9 you can view it here–>My Perfect Date Night at Ox Lot 9

Just to give you a little history behind the building, the Southern Hotel opened it’s doors to the public on June 1, 1907.  Hotel guests enjoyed hot water, electric lights and carpeting, which were considered luxuries in the early 1900s. Can you imagine considering hot water a luxury? Old Newspaper reports mention the property’s fine china, linens and attentive customer service.  Don’t worry the hotel still maintains those standards with their excellent customer service, pristine fine china, fresh linens and of course hot water! 

During the 1960s, the Southern Hotel closed it’s doors to overnight guests. The building occupied a variety of different businesses including government offices, the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse, a drug store, a florist, a post office, jewelers, and even a Dollar General store! Can you believe the history this hotel holds!

Finally in 2011, two couples purchased the property and began renovations in 2012. The new owners took care in preserving the hotel’s character and charm by keeping most of the original bricks, archways and original layouts of the corridors, which is one of my favorite parts. The hotel’s rich Covington history displayed around the property in pictures, paintings, the exposed brick walls and antique furniture is what really draws me in. Those elements along with its sweet southern charm are just a few of my favorite characteristics of the building.

The Southern Hotel opened it’s doors to overnight guests once again in June 2014.  I actually attended one of the first few weddings hosted in their courtyard that same June. This hotel also holds a special place in my heart because one of my best friends got engaged there this past December. I was there of course witnessing the moment and taking pictures!

During my last stay when shot these photos, we had the pleasure of occupying one of the master suites. We (me, Kaela and Brooke) ended up “politely” sending Blake home and stayed up half the night drinking wine and eating the leftover chocolate strawberries from my Valentine’s shoot earlier that day. The following morning we listened to old records on the vintage record player while enjoying the hotel’s local Abita Roast coffee. Once we finally packed everything up, we regretted sending Blake home because the hotel doesn’t have a bellhop. For most travelers that is no problem, but for someone like me who likes to bring half of her room with her…well, you know. Just picture three girls trying to push an over-stuffed dolly cart down the hall while juggling multiple bags and pairs of shoes in our hands. It was quite the scene, but we got a good laugh and even a workout! Haha!

Make sure to check out our behind-the-scenes video by Brooke Boyd of the Southern Hotel on my YouTube channel here–> Date Night at the Southern Hotel

Ox Lot 9 (985) 400-5663 | Southern Hotel – 428 Boston Street, Covington, LA 70433 (844) 866-1907

Thank you to Ox Lot 9, The Southern Hotel & Socy’all Media for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Day 1 of my New Orleans French Quarter Stylecation

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Lipstick c/o Kismet | Krewe Du Optic Sunglasses c/o | Toiletry Bag,  Metro Tote, Metro Backback, Chelsea Weekender, c/o MZ Wallace (available at Emma’s Shoes & Accessories)– Best and “chicest” travel bags!

Hi everyone! I apologize for the late post today, but I had the worst sinus headache all day. Anyway, I’m all better now and I’m so excited to share day 1 of our New Orleans French Quarter “Stylecation” with you!  I teamed up with Krystal of A Pinch of Lovely and Juley of Upperlyne & Co to give you five whole days of New Orleans fashion, food and fun just in time for Mardi Gras! We’ll tell you all of the best places to drink, dine and wine (oh and sleep) in New Orleans.

French Quarter Stylecation:  (noun) /stīl/ + \vā-ˈkā-shən, və-\ = a style guide on what to wear to all of the best places to eat, drink, party and sleep in New Orleans!

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(not pictured– the ridiculous amount of luggage that we really packed for the week!) Thank goodness that the bell hops were top notch and helped me lug two whole carts full of my stuff up to our room! I give the Saint Hotel not 5, but 6 stars for their impeccable customer service! Check out my twitter (@hauteofftherack) if you want to see what my luggage really looked like!

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On Day 1 of our French Quarter Stylecation, we checked into one of New Orleans’ newest hotels, the Saint Hotel located on Canal Street just around the corner from the Quarter. I love the hotel’s modern style with a mix of heaven-meets-hell.  The lobby is simply stunning with it’s long dining room table surrounded by lucite chairs and the beautiful chandeliers that hang inside of large gold bells.  My favorite part about the rooms other than the perfect city view and comfy beds is the exposed brick walls and long white curtains.

See more on the Saint Hotel tomorrow!

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If there is one place that you must absolutely visit in the French Quarter, it is none other than Cafe Beignet. Cafe Beignet on Royal St. is the most darling little spot to enjoy mouth-watering beignets and café au lait! The cafe is open to the street, so it’s perfect for people watching in the Quarter. The characters in the Quarter are pretty interesting even on a normal Wednesday morning! So keep your eyes open!

Cafe Du Monde is another great place to stop for beignets too, but I love the sweet and quaint atmosphere of Cafe Beignet especially when I want to avoid the hustle and bustle of tourists in Jackson Square! It’s a local hidden gem!

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Outfit: Denim| Sleeveless Trench Coat | Sweater | Dolce Vita Ankle Boots | Parker Satchel c/o Gigi New York

 Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Photography

Check back tomorrow for Day 2 of our French Quarter Stylecation. Visit A Pinch of Lovely & Upperlyne & Co for their reviews and outfit details.

This post was brought to you by the French Quarter Business Association. All opinions are my own.

No Place Like Home For The Holidays

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Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Photography

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Outfit: Citizens of Humanity Rocket Skinny Jeans, Cable knit Cardigan & Foldover Boots c/o Amor Boutique in Lafayette, LA (337) 456-1932 | Infinity Scarf c/o Ann Taylor | Textured Sweatshirt | Boot Socks | Jenn Bucket Bag (designed by Haute Off The Rack via Gigi New York) |  Metro Backpack & Chelsea Weekender c/o MZ Wallace (available at Emma’s Shoes in Mandeville & Metairie, LA (504) 407-0668)

Jewelry: Druzy Necklace c/o Elizabeth Stone Jewelry (use code: HAUTE20 for 20% OFF your entire purchase)

Good Afternoon readers, I am so excited to share this travel style look from one of the most amazing new boutiques in Lafayette, Louisiana. Yes, I am talking about Amor! In case you aren’t from around here, let me fill you in on the whole boutique deal…..Sweet southern customer service and exclusivity is what shopping in Louisiana is all about! Since, there is a lack of department stores here in Louisiana, fashionable women thrive on local boutique shopping. Most boutique owners as well as their employees call all of their customers by name and know exactly how to dress and style them. They even keep track of who bought what and where that customer plans to wear it to in order to do their best to help women avoid wearing the same outfit as someone else to the same event.

Even though Amor is new to town, I know it won’t be long before it’s named as one of the “hautest” places to shop. I know this because the owners already run two very successful boutiques in Baton Rouge, Love and Eros!  Plus Amor carries all of your/my favorite lines of denim, sweaters, boots and dresses and not to mention that they have top quality customer service!

The sweet girls at Amor helped me pick out this outfit to show you the perfect “home for the holidays” look! Doesn’t get much better than a cozy cardigan, distressed denim and ankle boots. Right? It’ll take you from traveling all day by car/bus/train/plane/ and then out to get togethers with friends and family tonight. I hope you all have safe travels to wherever you’re headed for Thanksgiving!

Amor | 500 Settlers Trace Blvd Ste 4 Lafayette, LA | (337) 456-1932 | @AMORLAFAYETTE

How To Layer a Cropped Sweater

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Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Photography

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Outfit: Chambray Shirt | Cropped Sweater  SALE Alert! Get 40% OFF w/ code: SHOPANN | Over The Knee Boots | Ballet Flats c/o Dee Keller | DL1961 Jeans c/o Elle Boutique in New Orleans, LA |  MZ Wallace Chrissy Bag (smaller version), Large Metro Tote & Marlena Backpack available at Emma’s Shoes in Mandeville & Metairie, LA (504) 407-0668

Good Morning readers, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Today, I want to talk about how to wear cropped sweaters.  There are a few ways to wear them in the winter. You can wear a cropped sweater with a high waisted skirt or pants with a little hint of skin showing or you can wear a slightly longer cropped top that doesn’t show any skin at all like this one (here).  However, my favorite way to wear a cropped sweater lately is layered over a long button down shirt.  Remember when I wore a dark grey cropped sweater just like this with a white oversized shirt here–> The Debut of the Jenn Bucket Bag

To avoid looking bulky or boxy up top when layering, you need to try on a few different sizes and styles of cropped sweaters to see which style works best for you. Some of you may look great in a snug tight sweater while others rock a more loose fitting style. It really all depends on your shape and preference. Since I have a short torso I went with a size petite small for a more cropped fitted look. The regular small was too long on me and hit at an awkward spot on my stomach, which made me look boxy.  Try a few out and let me know what you think! I highly recommend trying the style shown in today’s post. As you can see below, I liked it so much that I bought it in two colors!

Keep your eye out next week to see how to wear a cropped sweater with high waisted skirts!

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