I’ve been staring at this map of New Orleans for most of the morning. ย I’m trying to memorize the way the Mississippi River shapes and bends the city. ย I’m trying to remember the order of the streets in the French Quarter, and the name of that really cool second-hand shop in the Bywater. ย I’m trying to sort out if the parades run down Claiborne Street or St. Charles Avenue or neither or both. ย Which side of Magazine Street has the best shops? ย How many steps from Royal Street in the French Quarter must I walk before I get to Cafe Du Monde?
This piece of paper has most of the answers, holds the music, the characters, and details the bustling life in New Orleans.
I should tell you now… I’M MOVING TO NEW ORLEANS!
The beignets are calling. ย The music is summoning. ย The life to be lived is just there!
I’m packing up my beach bike, mixing bowls, all the ripe avocados I can get my hands on, and moving to New Orleans. ย Come early March, I’ll call the French Quarter my home.
We’ve talked about New Orleans before: ย Hello, New Orleans!ย andย Hello again, New Orleans!
We’re going to be talking about New Orleans a lot more! ย As I explore the city, I’ll share the great places I find here. ย I hope you’ll be along for the ride.
Thank you in advance for your patience this month as I pack up my butter, props, camera, and cat and drive across a few states on this new adventure. I expect those of you who already live in New Orleans to be my friends. ย How utterly presumptuous of me, but… just let it happen. ย If you’re visiting new Orleans sometime this year, I’ll write about some wonderful people, places, and food I discover along the way. ย I like that we’re in this together. ย Thank you!
Lastly, I’ve told my cat about the move, and he’s slightly worried about frizzy hair: ย his and mine. ย I comforted him with the thought of homemade beignets and a parade or two.
Let’s live!
216 Responses
Joy! I am so excited for your new adventure!! Hope you’re loving New Orleans! If I ever get to visit there, I’m looking you up. And I can’t believe I am just watching all your cute little films now…The cherry pie one has me wanting to bake a cherry pie now ;) Love ya girl xoxo
Welcome to New Orleans!!!! It truly is the greatest place to live on earth. I was born and raised here and while there are plenty of other cities that I like to visit…New Orleans will ALWAYS be home. I’ve been following your blog for awhile (but clearly I’ve been absent for a few weeks…there was Mardi Gras and all that ya know ;)???) and am so excited to have you in New Orleans and to see my home through your eyes. I am sure that you have had plenty of offers from people to show you around, but there is nothing I love more than introducing new people to everything this amazing, crazy, wonderful place has to offer. At the very least (esp since you will be living in The Quarter), go by Molly’s at The Market and have Christy set you up with a Frozen Irish Coffee! We can’t wait to have you here!!!! You’re gonna love it!
Welcome to my hometown! Life’s great here.
that’s exciting and I am not sure how I missed this! My dad’s family is from there and i have always wanted to go. happy new adventures!
Good Luck on your travels!
Welcome home, puddin’.
Now we simply must meet.
Been following your blog and listening to the podcast-io since episode: 1.
I work in the food biz sourcing local product for James Beard award winning restaurants + chefs and would love to show you around the farms we work with. Just sayin’.
Consider us friends!! Yes!
Joy- I really don’t know how I feel about this. I wish you well and everything… but one California girl to another— I really liked having you around. I’m sure New Orleans will be great and all, I guess. (New Orleens? New Orleeahns? N’orlens? How does one properly say the name of that city anyway?!) Best wishes with the move….
Enjoy nola!! I miss living in that colorful city everyday
Woohooo! One of my best friends lived in nola for about 3 years and she still talks about it being the best time of her life. I can’t wait to live vicariously. I can relate to your cat. Lots of product?
That’s amaze-balls!!! I just moved 2 hours from NOLA and I love to visit when I can. Still need to discover all the yummy places there. So please write about Everything! Aaaand, have a meet up, I’ll totally come. Much love and good luck!!
How exciting!! Good luck on all of your adventures.
Welcome cher! The food, people and music here are great. Spring is so nice here too.
It will be fun to read about your adventures.
New Orleans is pretty magical. It’s a brave move to pick up everything and head to a new place to call home. Wishing you all the best!
LA is going to miss you, but boy am I looking forward to seeing New Orleans from your lens!
That is so awesome! We will surely welcome you with open arms! I’ve lived here for a very long time and couldn’t imagine calling anywhere else home! Can’t wait to follow you on this new journey of yours and can’t wait to see how you like (love) it here! Congrats!
Welcome to New Orleans! Martine just moved here from San Francisco three weeks ago also. (Another feather in our cap.) Good luck! Enjoy! And reach out if you need any new-resident advice.
I’m moving to new orleans in may! first thing to do when you get down there: order a sazerac.
Want a secret? Best Sazarac in the city is by Dave at Peche. Tell him Jessica sent you :-)
i really will do that!
Wow Joy–how exciting!! There’s something so amazing about the nervousness & excitement of moving to a new place! Good luck with your big move; can’t wait to hear all of the stories and learn about your adventures in your new home!
Excellent choice! New Orleans is a national treasure. There isn’t another place in the country that comes close to being like it. You obviously fell in love with that city a special way.
Congrats, Joy! Can’t wait to see all your new adventures unfold!
So exciting!! Congrats!
Joy,
I lived in the Big Easy for a little over 6 years. It is like no other place on earth! Good and bad at times, mostly good. It does have magic and I am sure you will feel it and love it. The architecture is as fabulous as the food. Enjoy and Le Bon Temps Roule!
Forget about Cafe du Monde. Too many tourists. Go to Cafe Beignet on Royal St. Much nicer. You can eat indoors, in their beautiful cafe, or outside in the garden. At Cafe du Monde, eat in a big drafty, crowded tent. Also, Cafe Beignet has a full menu – not just beignets.
i like cafe beignet very much.
Sooooooooo excited for you!!! I went to NOLA last year and fell in love with the city! There were parades all over the french quarter and cafe du monde was amazeballs! Loved how easy it was to walk around the French Quarter. Can’t wait to read your posts on living there. Congrats on the new home turf!
such exciting news! hope you enjoy your new home city, good luck with the move!
Wow! Big move!!! Best of luck! :)
Yay!!! Long time lurker, but first time commenter. I’m a fellow California girl moving to New Orleans in July. Can’t wait to see what wonderful things you learn/see!
I live in Baton Rouge! You will love life in Louisiana! Food & culture paradise!
Super exciting Joy! Just love the culture in the big easy. We look forward to your dispatches from LA (the state). Godspeed.
This is suuuuuper exciting news!! I have quite the adoration for new places and spaces and I love change….I’m from Mississippi, but have lived from San Diego all the way down to South America…I’ve lived in New Orleans for the past three years and never imagined I’d fall as hard as I did in love with the city. I’m pleased to call it home. The city welcomes you with open arms and your expectation of friendship couldn’t be more excitedly received!
until March!
YAY! I live here, and I’ve been reading your blog for years now. I love it. New Orleans will be so lucky to have you, and it will love you back! :)
Oh Joy! So happy for you and inspired by your sense of adventure in life. I look very forward to your stories about life in New Orleans!
Good luck!
Wow! I’m sure you will love it! Congrats on the new adventures!!!
OMG!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS JOY!! I’m supe r happy for u i hope you have a nice time and have nice neighbors!! Hope your cute cat loves it tooo! Love you and your blog!! You are funny !!!!!!!
I am so. so. so. jealous. New Orleans is one of my all time favorite cities. Best of luck to you, Joy! I look forward to reading about all your new adventures!
oh Joy, oh Joy!! I am SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY you are moving to our fabulous city. My friend and I were just discussing how amazing it would be if you could one day procure a king cake recipe for the blog. I’m a bit biased, certainly, as a born-and-raised New Orleanian, but I know that you will LOVE living here. Maybe I’ll see ya at cafe du monde one morning? (Royal’s not too far from cafe du monde, no need to worry)
Are you moving now!? You can witness Mardi Gras – How fun!!
So exciting! New Orleans is such an amazing city – totally original, utterly exciting and oh! the food!
You must do some snooping and find out what kind of powdered sugar they use at Cafe du Monde. It is special!
I just moved to New Orleans in August. I love it. Let’s be friends!
I’m a new reader and am so excited you are moving to my city!!! We’ve lived in Mid-City for a little over a year and have never regretted it.
I was comforted knowing you were a part of my home town and will miss that. But, I’m looking forward to posts about a whole new town. Enjoy the new adventure!
I live in Houston and I have promised myself that I will get to New Orleans this year. Living so close, I feel like I’ve done an injustice to myself by not having visited sooner. Maybe we should totally run into each other? :)
awesome, good luck with everything!
xo, cheyenne
IMO Nawlins is the best city in America, have fun!!!
joy…. i will miss you. but life is such that sometimes people see each other more the further apart they physically are! congratulations on the decision! good luck moving. text me if/when you need help…!
How exciting! Congratulations on the move!! I’ve never been to New Orleans, but I’d move there before visiting just because of the beignets! haha. I can’t wait to see your adventures there!
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
Wow! Congratulations! What an exciting and passionate life change.
Many good wishes and prayer as you travel, settle in , and live.
Wow Joy, this is exciting. The embark of a new adventure is such a motivating space to reside. Although your adventure and not my own, I look forward to postcards/photos that will accompany your post as you break in your new surroundings. I shall vicariously find myself singing along as you travel down south and open new doors that await you. Cheers to your journey.
God bless you and I may you be filled with an abundance of enough.
That is so exciting!!! I’ve only been to Nawlin’s once, but I absolutely loved it! The city, the people, the food….all amazing! Good for you girl!
Whoa! So excited for your new adventure! Hope all goes smoothly. Well, as smoothly as cross country moves can go. :)
I am Jack’s infinite jealousy. I wish I could move to New Orleans! But alas, I am still coming to terms with this Treme-shaped hole in my life, since HBO cut off my fix. I avidly await your updates!
How exciting! Here’s to tons of joy and blessing in your new adventure (and a quick ‘settling -in’ for your cat)…bonne chance!
Whhaattt!? One of my favorite bloggers moving to my city!!! So many delicious bakeries and restaurants to try in just a few visits. I think you will love spending more time here.
That is so exciting! I live in London (UK) but am taking a 3 month sabbatical this year to travel through the US, Costa Rica and Colombia… also very exciting. I will be visiting New Orleans in April! I’d love to say hi :)
How exciting for you! Good luck with your move. I’m hoping to make a trip down to New Orleans in the near future — I’ll be following whatever recommendations you give your readers!
Ha ha – I hear you on the frizzy hair! I hope you impart the knowledge you gather on that part of your adventure as well!
Dear Joy that sounds like a really nice adventure!! wishing you all the best in this change of scenery! have a great time there and please do keep us up with your stories. Following your blog and your stories is another way of travelling, knowing new places and super foods! all the best, xx
Wow – I’m so happy for you! You are so brave! I also envy you – I would like to pack up my things and go, too, but I don’t have that possibility right now! Looking forward to hearing more about your new life!
XX from Switzerland,
G.
I never made it to New Orleans – but I would love to go one day!
But until then I can’t wait to read about your adventures!
The Macadame. xx
http://www.creamstop.com
I wouldn’t expect anything less. SUPER excited for you.
Los Angeles will miss you, Joy! Best wishes to you! Can’t wait to read about your new adventures!
Oh my goshโฆwhat incredible news! I can’t wait to follow along on our adventures!
I am so happy for you. I am a Native New Orleanian. I look forward to reading your blog from the city with some of the best food on this continent. Your blog has definitely moved to the top of my list. If you need any recommendations for some oldies but goodies in the Crescent City let me know. Laissez bon temps roule.
Wow! How exciting! Best of luck to you as you adjust to a wonderful, new city!!
Congrats! I have loved all your other posts on New Orleans….such good ideas for when we go in a few weeks!
Hooray! I love New Orleans! Looking forward to reading about your new adventures :-)
Find a Tastee Donut place and buy yourself some Turtle cookies. They have the recipe from the old McKenzies bakeries who used to make them. Turtle cookies are to die for. Whenever my husband and I go back home we load up on them! Enjoy your new home!
This is too bonkers! I’m gonna miss having you in the hood.
I knew it!!! Seriously, your post on New Orleans last year was a major factor in my decision to move here :). I would love to meet you – perhaps over a pitcher of Abita? I can’t wait to see your adventures here!!
So excited for this incredible journey you’re headed on! My fiance and I are going to New Orleans for our honeymoon as part of a Southern US Roadtrip in May. After a long and snowy Canadian winter, we’re looking forward to experiencing all the food, music and culture that they have to offer. Safe travels as you make it to your new home! :)
What an exciting adventure! Congrats and enjoy! I can’t wait to read / see about your journey.
Congratulations! How excitement!
Now another reason to drag my beloved across the Pacific Ocean to the USA. The lure of beignets and parades might just tip him over the edge too :)
Congrats on your new adventure!
How exciting – it was so clear from your New Orleans posts how much you love it! I’m looking forward to reading all about this city and your adventures there! And good luck with the frizz – a fact of life for me, too…
Ohhh this brought me back to New Orleans and Cafe Du Monde… thank you so much.
https://nikitaandvesper.com/blogs/baby-blog
Good for you! Lived there 7 years. My daddy grew up there. My brother is a doctor there. I’m a native Missouri country woman…so ended up back here…much to my joy. But, there is no city like New Orleans…always beckons you back. It’s like a friend or lover you never quite forget. Could give you places to see and be in…but, I’m sure everyone will. Life will be rich there.
Don’t go! LA will miss you greatly. :( I’m going to have to get used to this idea.
Congratulations, Joy! Cross country moves are a big deal. I moved from LA to Austin this summer so I know the joy/terror/excitement/anxiety/ughihavetopackallthisstuff roller coaster of emotions. Wishing you the absolute smoothest transition.
xo,
Ashley
how awesome!!! I am a NOLA girl, born & raised! Technically, I live in the ‘burbs but I am well versed in the wonderful things New Orleans has to offer- I’m also a writer at the New Orleans Moms Blog! If you have any questions or need advice on anything, please feel free to drop me a line! I can’t wait to see what you cook up once you’re here! :)
Congratulations! New adventures are always exciting. All the best with your upcoming move.
My son lives in Algiers Point and we love to visit him there. Take the ferry to the quarter, walk or bike through the streets of the Point. Love it!
New Orleans sounds like an exciting place to live, I’m sure you will be very happy there! Best of luck with the drive and keep the cat in a cage or it will rip you to shreds, they hate the car!
Awesome news! We’ve recently upped and moved to the other side of the country where the grass is greener and the food is tastier! Sometimes a big move is just the change the soul needs. I’ve never been to New Orleans but it is pretty high up on my list of places to go to. I hope your move goes smoothly and can’t wait to hear of your new adventures. :)
Fun news!! Good luck!!
SO exciting! I live in Baton Rouge and am in NOLA all the time and would move there in a hearbeat!I can’t wait to read your posts as you experience more and more of the city, there is always something new to discover and I love seeing a place that is familiar to me through new eyes. It is one of my favorite “hobbies” discovering new spots and revisiting old favorites there. BTW- my cat’s fur does fine in the humidity, my hair is a different story, lol.
Congrats, Joy! Exciting times. I’m packing up SF and moving to a new city (Seattle) in a few months, too. Here’s to brave new adventures!
joy! this is exciting and scary and brave of you! SO proud. A life being lived, for sure. Get it girl. May it exceed your expectations and change your life in the best of ways. Can’t wait to see what comes your way. Best wished to you, lovely.
What exciting news! Congratulations and best of luck with the move! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
You lucky girl! I want a full report so the next time I visit that lovely place I have a whole list of new restaurants to try!!!
new places, new adventures—that’s so exciting! best of luck to you and your cat with the move!
GREAT!!!! You’ll be closer to Houston, so I’ll have a chance to see you in person at some point. Perhaps at your next book signing. NOLA is so much fun, I can’t wait to see the places you share on your blog.
I knew it!!!!! So perfect for you I think! And brave! You’ll be great
How exciting for you! All the best with this transition! :)
Congratulations! Big moves are so scary and awesome. Having followed your blog since 2009, I’m going to have to seriously reorient my brain in order to imagine you as a Southerner and not a Californian!
Amazing, Joy! I look forward to exploring the city with you.
so so so so exciting! yay joy! moving itself is a hassle but new adventures always worth it. (a small warning about cats: they don’t like to be moved, not even across town. just got into a new apartment and my cat wailed for a week straight.)
That sounds like such a fun adventure! I hope it’s wonderful! I also loved your comment on frizzy hair… :)
https://howtomakehome.blogspot.com
Sounds like the perfect fit. I can see you there much easier than in CA.
Wow … can’t wait to hear all about your foodie adventures there … with or without the frizzy hair!
I fell in love with New Orleans too when I visited last year. I came home and promptly began online imaginary house hunting and dreaming of a New Orleans version of my life. You are living the dream! Congratulations!
Ahhhhhh! I’m so excited for you! I cannot wait to see and read about your continuing adventures in cooking and life, in New Orleans!
Good luck with the move! xx
Oh, I’m so entirely happy for you!! I can’t say I’m surprised with the way you speak about gorgeous NOLA! Moving and starting new is such an adventure, one I’m eager to take again. P.S. Cochon Butcher….the best Muffaletta I’ve ever had….the Cuban isn’t bad either…
YAY! That’s so exciting! New Orleans really is the place for foodies! It’s wonderful and I hope you enjoy every minute of it. Also, don’t worry about the frizz, its a small price to pay for mild winters and just a beautiful vibrant community spirit. We’re one of a kind and so glad to welcome you and yours!!
What an amazing city to be in for your next adventure. I can’t wait to see all the delicious things you’ll be eating, cooking, and photographing for us!
So exciting, your pictures confirm my expectations that New Orleans looks exactly like the French Quarter by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland……haha.
That’s so exciting! Congrats :)
Congrats on your new adventure! It sounds like a wonderful and exciting change.
Welcome to New Orleans! I did the LA to Nola drive when I moved out here a few years ago, and let me just tell you….Texas lasts FOREVER
Oh my gosh! So awesome! I was literally just telling myself that I needed to plan another trip to new Orleans soon
I’ve been expecting this post. Good luck with the move! Looks like I probably won’t be seeing that cat of yours anytime soon after all! When I visit New Orleans I’m texting you and we’ll have to eat some good food! :)
JOY!!! that is so exciting! I have so much admiration for your courage and adventurous spirit. I wish you the very best in this new chapter!! XOXO
Congrats on the move! NOLA is such an inspiring and unique place ~ I look forward to living vicariously through your experiences! I’ve moved a few times as an “adult” (I guess I’m an adult even though sometimes I don’t feel like one – ha) and it is challenging but really awesome to discover a new city. Good luck with everything!!
How exciting! Can’t wait to follow along on your new adventure!
I can’t wait to read about your NOLA adventures! I went there a few months ago for the first time, and I absolutely LOVED it! It would be a great city to live in.
I hope that you have an easy move and lots of adventures in New Orleans! x
I made your beignet recipe yesterday in prep for my first trip to NOLA for Mardi Gras at the end of the month. i’ll be back for Jazz Fest too…please tell me all the great spots to go. I will constantly be thinking “OMG Joy The Baker lives here now!” because, well, you are my baking idol.
AMAZING! And just in time for Mardi Gras!! I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a blog post in my life.
I totally called that you were moving to New Orleans through some of the hints you’ve dropped recently. What’s my prize….? I am dying to visit New Orleans so I can’t wait to read all your recommendations!
You have to start saying “y’all” now. It’s required. :) I’ve never been to Nola, but I’ve lived in the South my whole life and absolutely love it.
I couldn’t be more jealous! You’re going to have an amazing time living in NOLA. It’s such a magical city (and of course, fantastic food!)
Exciting News…!
Moving is hard work but exploring a new place is oh so much fun!
Congrats! I lived there for 7 years.. until Katrina.. It’s a place that captures your soul. Fo real. All the best to you in the N.O…
I’m so excited about this post! I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you discover about New Orleans. I love seeing my city through the eyes of others. Here’s one native who will totally be your friend :)
Wow, what a big change, best of luck to you on the move and this next adventure in your life!!!
Great city, congratulations girl! You’re going to miss Jazz Fest though. :(
Well, I’m just STUPID excited for you, Joy! New Orleans is one of my favorite cities, and I wish I still lived near so I could play tour guide and go get drinks and beignets with you… and maybe the occasional Lucky Dog, because what’s the French Quarter without a Lucky Dog?
I hope the packing AND the move go smoothly, you settle in quickly and neither you nor your cat have issues with frizzy hair. (As a fellow curly-haired girl, though, I’ve gotta warn you, and I know you already know… but don’t ever attempt to straighten your hair. Just don’t. It’ll be bad news.)
And should you need any recommendations or anything, holler at me! I’d love to help you get to know your new city, even though I no longer live in Louisiana.
Hi Joy! I live Uptown. I hope you love living here, and that I see you roaming the streets sometime soon :)
WHOA!! What a fun new adventure =)
Wow, Joy, that is so exciting! Congratulations on the move and this big change in your life! This is a goooood year for change and movement, I feel it in my bones. I hope/predict nothing but the best for you.
And your friends here on the west coast will hold things down in case you want to return someday. :)
I’m so happy for you! I love that city (and saw, via Instagram, that you were there also during the New Year, like I was!) I can’t wait to hear about your new life there.
Aaaaahhhh congrats on the big move!!! So so so exciting!!
Congratulations! I only lived there for a year, but it’s one of my very favorite places in the whole world and I go back as often as possible. The people are amazing and I’ve no doubt you’ll find a wonderful community there!
I live in New Orleans and I should tell you, my 3 and 1 year old can sing most of the Joy the Baker podcast song. Their names are Evie and Josephine and my 3 year old sings “Evie Baker and Jo-ey Bean …” Ha. Just letting you know you have a young, weird fan club here ;)
so happy for you, Joy! how exciting! yay!!!
Aww how exciting!! We’ll be there in March! I can’t wait to hear all of your recommendations. Good luck with the move!
OH HOW I WISH YOU WERE THERE when we we visited a few months ago! I would adored to have scarfed down a beignet or eight with you.
Most of all, congratulations on the chutzpah to pack up and move somewhere you love.
How convenient for me :) I’m planning my first trip there for April!
Good luck with your move – I hope it’s even better than you wish for
Congrats on the leap into New Orleans! I have a feeling it will suit you. I can’t wait for the upcoming posts and the beignuts that will be consumed. love them. xoxo pam
As a resident of New Orleans, and a fellow fluffy orange cat owner, I can assure you that the humidity does great things for hair (cat and human). I’m sure the whole city will be lining up to welcome you. We definitely have plenty of butter!
congrats, joy! excited for you and this new adventure and am looking forward to seeing how the move influences your baking/perspective. xo
Congrats on this new step and excited for you! This Texan welcomes you to the Southern neighborhood!
That is fantastic! I went there when I was 22 with a boyfriend and had just a great time! I still have a painted piece of slate with a street scene. And went back with that same now ex-boyfriend to leave some ashes of his Dad on the water it was a favorite place to both of them. The music, life, French Quarter, it’s one of my favorite places!
Joy, you are so inspiring! I wish you the best of luck on your new journey!
!!!!! SO excited for you Joy!! NOLA is the hometown of my heart! You’ll have a great life there – so glad to be along for the ride!!
Holy Cow. I just got chills and might have screamed out to my office mates that ” Joy the Baker is moving to New Orleans!!!” I live Uptown and the idea that you will be here full time in March is totally exciting. Fat Tuesday is March 4th, so get your rainbow wig out and butt in gear.
P.S. The best shops on Magazine Street are definitely on the “river” side, but don’t miss out on District Donut and Sliders and Stein’s Deli, two “Lake” side hot spots.
I’m sooo envious of you -going to live in New Orleans!
I have never been, but it is one of my big dreams to visit that place.
When ever I’m in need of a bit of escapism, I google pictures of New Orleans – let my self get lost in the beauty of the place. The houses there are so wonderfully romantic and gorgeous. You lucky, lucky thing :-) Enjoy Joy!.
Oh Joy, I am so jealous. I have only visited the city once. But I must tell you that when I arrived, it felt like “home”. Perhaps in a previous life? Who knows. I love the architecture, the people, the music and of course, the food. Once when eating a meal, my daughter commented that she had never seen me so happy. Wishing you the very best!!
How exciting!! I’m dying to visit that city. The frizzy hair situation is no joke though.
How exciting!!! I can’t wait to see your take on the city. It’s been at the top of my must-see travel list for ages. Yay for new life adventures!!!
If you’re looking for ways to get involved in the community, there’s a fantastic organization called St. Bernard Project that has been rebuilding homes after Katrina. I was an intern for a summer with an Orange County church that was sending teams of volunteers to work with them (though I didn’t get to go myself because of darn summer school!) I highly recommend it.
Yay! i have been waiting for this since you first wrote of your love for the city–it gets in your blood! I am a native (grew up in Metairie/Kenner), and now I am getting my PhD at Tulane and my fiance lived in the Bywater before he moved in with me, so I know a lot of areas of the city if you need any tips~ I read the blog and listen to the podcast, so I feel like we’re friends (even though I realize you don’t actually know me!) Some sweet spots (outside of the quarter) you may want to check out: Manhattan Jack, Blue Dot Donuts, Creole Creamery, La Divina Gelateria, Sucre (some of their things look better than they taste, but the macarons and hot chocolate are great and the cupcakes and king cake are good, too). For real, reach out if you need any info on how to get to Target or where to find good swing dancing or anything. Good luck with the move!
Louisiana welcomes you! Every time I am out of state and away from my home, crossing that state line just makes me feel so light. I hope you’ll be happy here, Joy! Congratulations!
I knew it! Amazing and I will so be waiting to hear about your adventure
Hey Joy, I’ve followed your blog for some time now and you’re all I bake ;) Welcome to my city! I love it here and happy you’ll be joining us. Check out Cake Cafe on Spain and Chartres in the Marigny — best “unusual” king cakes and a great chocolate croissant. And I’ll be your friend. Check out Vintage church if you’ll be looking for a church — we meet at Rock ‘N’ Bowl. In any event, enjoy Mardi Gras, Frenchmen street, and all of our wonderful festivals and great food! — Kate
CONGRATS ON THE MOVE JOY! Super excited to see what you’ll bring us all next!
I did not see that coming at all! SO excited for you, and for all the great new things you’ll be experiencing and sharing on your blog. I hope your move goes smoothly with as little stress as possible :) Now I wish I lived in New Orleans so I could be your friend in real life :)
Congratulations! My best friend is also moving to New Orleans (in June) and I will see if I can connect the two of you. Since you are both fabulous. It gets HOT in the summer but the food is so worth every drop of sweat.
just in time for carnival season!! the best time of year :)
this is by far the quirkiest city i’ve lived in, and i’ve loved it!
This is so so exciting! I’m really interested in seeing what Bayou Joy is like compared to LA Joy. As I’m sure you know, living in another place really changes you, often in amazing ways. I would not be who I am today had I not packed up and studied and worked abroad for the better part of a year. Can’t wait to hear more about your move! Blessings to you!
Good luck on your move Joy! My husband and I moved to MD last August for his job. We boh still don’t feel settled here and I, for one, am itching to get out. What I reall want to do is move somewhere that I chose, not because of a job. You are so brave to go where your heart is calling you. Someday, my husband and I will find the place that calls our name.
Good Luck on your move. I”m a southern girl that grew up about 2 hours away from NOLA and have dotted the southeast throughout my life. I hope you love the food, music, and culture of the south. Glad to have you. Enjoy!!!!
Congratulations on the move! What an adventure that will be, looking forward to reading more :)
I am so excited for you and I will be along for the ride! Such a cool town…Good luck!
Congrats on your upcoming move! I can’t wait to read about all your New Orleans adventures. From a fellow frizzy haired gal living in very humid Washington, DC, may I recommend John Freida’s Flawless Finishing Creme? It’s a lifesaver come July and August around here…safe travels to you and your cat!
How exciting! New Orleans has always been my dream. You know what I love about the people there? They just LOVE life so much. They dance, make music, make great food, and don’t get me started on all the beautiful buildings. I can’t wait to see lots more pics and stories of your new adventure Joy!
NOLA! You lucky girl! My first visit there I felt like there should be different currency; it was unlike any other city in the US. My son is in the military and lives an hour away. He and his wife visit frequently and have “moved” far beyond the tourist places to eat and things to do. Enjoy your new adventure, but prepare for the humidity in that basin!
Yeah, Joy! I so look forward to seeing NOLA through your eyes on the regular. I love that city! Good luck with the move!
as if. I can’t possibly tell you have jealous I am – plus it’s like, YOUR CITY, so you gotta go. So excited to hear about your new life!!
All the best and all the patience (and donuts) throughout the moving Joy!
How exciting!!I I suspected as much since your second last trip there.
So much history and vibrance seems hard to resist.
Congrats!! New Orleans is a magical place and holds a special place in my own heart. I miss it! Good luck with the move!
Best wishes to you on your big move!
Long time reader, first time poster – posting to say I’m one of your NOLA readers and we are thrilled to have you! As the song goes, “the freeze ain’t hard and the heat don’t matter.” Embrace the frizz, it’s a small price to pay to live in the best city in the world!
JOY! This is awesome news! I’m so happy for you! I adore New Orleans. It was the first stop on our honeymoon across the south. I would go back in a heartbeat. Seriously, the food. It never gets old. I was reading the other day that someone asked Mario Batali his favorite food city, and he replied NOLA without hesistation. You would think he would say Italy, but no! New Orleans wins again!
Best of luck, girly! You’re going to win them all over with your heart and smile. In the South, we cozy up to people who love to cook :)
Ah! I lived in NOLA for thirteen years before I moved to Texas. Please try the Golden Lake Dill Pickle chips which are the best dill pickle chips in my opinion and an oyster po-boy from Harbor Seafood in Metairie. Those are my absolute MUSTS when I visit. And get an almond bundt cake from Maurice’s French Pastries. If you could recreate that, I would be ecstastic!! I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in the South!
Wow that’s huge news! Good luck with the move, I’m sure it’s all going to be amazing!
Yeah! This is awesome! Please eat as many beignets as possible and drink all the dark and lovely coffee in the world!
How exciting! Can’t wait to read along as you settle into your new city!
This is so exciting! I’m taking a trip to New Orleans in March and had been planning it somewhat based off your earlier blog entries. And I had a thought while I was reading them: why doesn’t Joy just move to New Orleans? So this is super exciting. And, you get used to the humidity.
You will love living in New Orleans! I was born and raised there and now live in Texas but miss it. There’s no place like it and it will take you years to discover all the city has to offer. I’ll enjoy reading of your adventures. Best of luck to you!
I went to NO for the first time last year and I want to make it an annual trip. There was so much food and music to wrap my head around there that 4 days could not do it justice. And the Preservation Hall Jazz Band….just stop it now!
congrats! I grew up in NOLA, and I still visit often because my parents still live there. The quarter is great, but some awesome places outside of the quarter to visit are Maple Street Bookstore, the sculpture garden at City Park, and Mona’s Cafe. And my very favorite that I always visit when I’m in town is Angelo Brocato’s for coffee and cookies and spumoni.
Joy! The! Baker!!! You were made for New Orleans! I am so happy. I live in Thibodaux (we’ve been here for about 2 years), on the bayou, about an hour away. We visit New Orleans almost every Sunday. It is one of the most special cities on Earth. There is something magic in it. Before we moved here (from the midwest) I found so much comfort in your blog entry. I am excited for you to discover new places abd write about them, so that we can go on new adventures. My favorite place is City Park, and to eat, The Green Goddess. Best wishes to you!!!!!!!
welcome, welcome, welcome! i love to hear about people choosing to call nola home and you will be greeted with open arms, i assure you. believe me, you will find many friends here. i’ve always said there are no strangers here, since we’ll talk to anybody (just wait until you make a friend at the grocery store!) what an exciting part of your life – i’m glad it’s going to take place in my town :)
So excited that you’re moving to the south! As a lifetime resident of the humid south, combating (controlling?) frizz is all about the right products, so I see lots of experimenting with different products in your future :) Can’t wait to see your adventures in the south!
The sun rises over the West Bank, which is weird till you realize the West Bank is in the East. There’s no north/south in the Crescent City, only lakeside and riverside. The streets can be memorized. Both sides of Magazine Street rock. Prytania is the prettiest street around and near Creole Creamery Ice Cream and a one show movie theater. St. Charles is best for parades and the prettiest views. I miss New Orleans, obviously.
Nice! Congratulations! Enjoy your new home. I have never been but my daughter’s friend lives there and loves it!
Dang girl dang! I admire your bravery, and wish you the best of luck in your new southern homestead! You’re going to do great.
AHHHH!!!! I’ve been waiting for you to make this announcement! I’m going to have to be introduced to this secondhand shop you speak of. And take you to my favorite breakfast cafes. And, of course, eat a few beignets with you. Heck, let’s MAKE SOME BEIGNETS!!! (Your spell check doesn’t like the word ‘beignet’ by the way.)
And when I’m not pregnant (again), let’s skip the beignets all together and have a night on the town. I mean, it’s necessary.
MUCH LOVE TO YOU, FRIEND!!!
It’s a but more east so I’ll take it! Congrats on the move. Get ready for humidity!!
I am so excited for you!! I was born and raised in New Orleans and will be moving back this summer. You will not be disappointed- there is no place on earth like it!
New Orleans is a great city to explore! I lived there for many years and still miss it all the time. Moving right after Mardi Gras is a good choice and being there in time for Jazz Fest is perfect! That is my favorite festival in the world. Be prepared for frizzy hair and too much amazing food. Can’t wait to read your posts about your new adventures in the Crescent City <3
wow very exciting news. Its been a few years since I was in NO, so looking forward to seeing the city through your eyes (as well as your baking). But what will Shutterbean do without you on the west coast?? :)
Wish you joy and dreams to come true in your new home!
Oh you will LOVE. IT. New Orleans was my home for the past 10 years before moving over to New Zealand and traveling. I have so many places to tell you to go, one baker to another. Congratulations! You are also I see, moving in a timely fashion for mardi gras? :)
A big move. I am excited for you. Can’t wait to hear all about your new home.
Good Luck
oh joy, this is so exciting! i have a feeling, that you will fit in there perfectly โ and in case of tougher times, there’s always beignetsโฆ
wishing you a lot of strength for the move and great new start!!
Good luck with the move Joy and look forward to exploring New Orleans through your eyes. What fun.
New Orleans is on my list of places I must visit – I’m so excited to hear more of your stories from there! Good luck with the move!
Ah, exciting! New Orleans is a great town, so alive and vibrant and I can’t wait to see it through your eyes!
FABULOUS! I just posted this quote on my blog and it feels very appropriate for you as well right now ~
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”
Henri Bergson, Philosopher
You go, girl! Keep creating your fine self!
?
Joy! This is so wonderful! You’re going to LOVE the South! Best part for your East Coast fans, is that we’ll maybe get a chance to meet you at a signing now. Keep on following your bliss, Love!
I hadn’t heard of that quote before and I’m so glad I finally did. Thanks for sharing that :)
As a former Cali girl who’s found her bliss in The Crescent City, I welcome you!!! If there’s anything I can do to help your transition – please do let me know. You can pm me at red_beansandrice at yahoo dot com.
P.S. – if it’s the place where I like to go in the Bywater (where I lived when I first moved to NOLA), it’s Bargain Center on Dauphine.
Lovely! I have a hair stylist recommendation for you. Kim at https://www.facebook.com/rocketsciencenola. She was my stylist in New York, and I fled to New Zealand and she went to New Orleans, and girl! Does she know curly and wavy hair? Let me tell you: yes! She can do punk or princess, whatever you want. I usually want princess, let’s face it.
I started reading this post and was like “How exciting, Joy is making yet another trip to New Orleans”. But then…WHOA!!! Congrats on this big step you’re taking! Can’t see, hear, and taste more of this beautiful city.
So jealous!!! Have a quick, stress free move and enjoy every minute of it!!!!
Joy this is SUCH exciting news for you!!! CONGRATS!!! Best of luck on your big move. Moving to a new city is filling with so many emotions and I cannot wait to hear how you like it there and what’s in store for you!
That is awesome! All the best for your move and your new life chapter. I’m moving in March too, back to my home town which I haven’t lived in for 10 years. I’m kinda anxious and nervous but I know in my heart the change will be great and exciting once I get there. So good luck to us both :)
yea, girl! i’m rooting for you! xo.
Thank you Joy!