The Tasty Travels of the Swanky Budgeteer.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

#FashionCrazedFoodie at Essence Festival 2017: First Look

A first look at this year's Essence Festival with FashionCrazedFoodie


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I'll start by stating the obvious: I LOVE New Orleans! I visit the Crescent City at least 8-10 times a year; each visit, more fun and eventful than the last. Calvin and I spent our honeymoon in New Orleans thirteen years ago, and over the years, we’ve created numerous indelible memories there.The distinctive food, (obvi) countless festivals, and our family and friends there, in the birthplace of Jazz, summate our adoration for the city.


Daytime at the Convention Center
Enjoying Daytime Festivities during Essence Festival at New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Each year, the city of New Orleans, in partnership with
Essence Magazine, hosts the Essence Festival- an acclaimed annual 4 day fete, celebrating contemporary
African-American culture, as it relates to entertainment and empowerment. I cannot fathom missing #EssenceFest, as each year is somehow more sensational than the last. Calvin and I always have an amazing time-dancing to the live music of our favorite artists at the Superdome, meeting numerous awe-inspiring celebs, and bouncing in and out of parties and clubs from Treme to the French Quarter, and beyond.

Most importantly, I leave the Essence Festival inspired by the artistry witnessed, rejuvenated by my experiences, and making plans for the next year. The most memorable? A chance meeting with Soledad O’Brian, (I spotted her in a hotel lobby and bravely approached her), while attending the 2014 Essence Festival in which the renowned journalist was gracious enough to bless me with invaluable career advice regarding blogging/journalism.  Mrs.O’Brian’s words of advice and encouragement inspired me to apply for and acquire media credentials for Essence Festival 2015. Since that fateful meeting, I’ve been honored to attend the festival as press, covering the yearly event for my blog.


FashionCrazedFoodie EMF 2014
Left: That fateful meeting with Soledad O'Brian at Essence Fest 2014 Right: Attending Essence Fest as press in 2015


FashionCrazedFoodie
The cast of OWN's Greenleaf visits the press room for a question/answer session

Now that I’ve divulged the details of my obsession with New Orleans, and my love for #EssenceFest, I ask that you stay tuned for my upcoming blog posts. Over the next few days or so, I’ll feature exclusive footage from the Essence Festival Press Rooms, concert footage, mouth-watering food pics, (including pics from a Brunch link up with my Houston Food Blogger Collective friends) and my first ever lookbook featuring  #wiw each day.



Street Smart
A sneak peak at my first-ever #lookbook







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