The Uptown Acorn

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Mardi Gras at Acorn Cottage: Purple, Green, & "BOW-LD"

If you’ve been following along, you know that Acorn Cottage underwent a festive transformation recently. She is officially dressed in her purple, green, and gold finery, standing tall(ish) and ready for the most wonderful time of year here in the South.

However, there was one finishing touch missing.

The Quest for the Perfect Bow

After adding a massive red bow to the entrance during the Christmas season, I fell in love with the scale and drama it added to the cottage. I knew I couldn't go back to a bare entrance for Carnival! I set out to find a Mardi Gras equivalent, but it proved to be much harder than I anticipated. Finding a bow that matches the grand scale of the cottage’s entrance is no small feat.

Local Artistry: Art by Stacie

After a long search, I finally connected with a talented local artist on Facebook: Art by Stacie. I reached out to see if she’d be up for a custom project, and she graciously agreed to take on the task!

After a few collaborative "back and forths" regarding the vision, we settled on a final design. To say I’m happy with the result would be an understatement.

Festive, Functional, and Fabulous

This isn't just any ribbon bow. Here is why it’s the perfect fit for the cottage:

The Scale: It is over a yard wide with even longer tails, creating a bold, festive statement that can be seen from down the street.
The Durability: The material is completely weather-proof. In our unpredictable climate, it’s a relief to know this investment will stay vibrant for years to come.
The Design: It perfectly captures the spirit of the season while maintaining the elegance of the cottage.

A huge thank you to Stacie for bringing my vision to life! Acorn Cottage is now officially ready to welcome friends, neighbors, and the spirit of Mardi Gras.

Be BOW-LD, y'all!

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

From Tinsel to Trinkets: Mardi Gras at Acorn Cottage

The saying goes that there’s no rest for the weary, but in New Orleans, we prefer to say there’s no rest for the festive!

As soon as the last bit of Christmas tinsel was tucked away and the house was scrubbed clean, the calendar flipped to January 6th. For us, that doesn't just mean the start of a new year—it means it’s officially Mardi Gras in the Crescent City. The red and green have been swapped for the iconic purple, green, and gold, and I’m so excited to give you a tour of this year’s setup.

Local Artistry at the Entrance

This year like most, I really wanted to focus on supporting local makers, and the front entrance is a testament to the incredible talent we have in South Louisiana.

Carnival Sculptures: I added several new "float flowers" from Carnival Sculptures. They give the house that authentic parade-route feel right at the doorstep.
Facebook Marketplace Find: I also discovered a new local NOLA artist on Marketplace whose floral work adds the perfect touch of whimsy to the greenery.
The Custom Jester: Welcoming every guest and neighbor is a custom-made jester. He has such a distinct personality and has quickly become the neighborhood favorite!

The Focal Point: The Door & Windows

The front door is the heart of the display. This year, I'm featuring a papier-mâché King Cake "wreath" by yet another local artist, Dats Awtsy. It looks good enough to eat! To elevate it, I added custom ribbons and a beautiful crown charm sourced from Red Onion in Baton Rouge.

For the windows, I wanted something that would catch the light. I ordered metallic purple, green, and gold ball wreaths from Blanc Box, and the effect is truly magical—they shimmer even on the rare cloudy January day.

Tried and True Traditions

While I love adding new pieces, some things are classics for a reason. I’m still head-over-heels for my Mardi Gras bunting from the flag emporium on Magazine Street. Believe it or not, I’ve had these since 2018! It’s a testament to the quality of our local shops that they still look as vibrant and sturdy as the day I bought them.

While the house looks bright and cheery by day, the real magic happens when the sun goes down. The way the purple, green, and gold lights hit the metallic wreaths and float flowers sets the perfect tone for the season to come.

Stay tuned, because I can't wait to show you how the whole display glows at night! Until then, Happy Carnival Season to you and yours.

"She" will have her own post. Stay tuned!

Bevolo lantern

Laissez les bons temps rouler, y'all!

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Best of 2025 {Most Viewed Posts}

Though I didn’t blog as regularly in 2025, I always love taking a moment to look back at the posts that resonated most with you. Revisiting these favorites feels like flipping through a well-loved scrapbook—full of moments you were especially drawn to and stories that sparked connection.

As you might guess, the most-viewed posts of the year centered around the unforgettable snowfall in New Orleans last January. It was truly an extraordinary and exciting time for New Orleanians, and sharing that rare winter magic clearly struck a chord. From there, posts highlighting my love of seasonal decorating and glimpses of my travels rounded out the list—topics that continue to bring me joy and, thankfully, seem to interest you as well.

Below is a look at the most-viewed posts of 2025. As always, thank you for following along, for reading, and for being part of this little corner of my world. I look forward to sharing more with you in 2026 and hope to see even more of you in the year ahead. Cheers!

#10: December at Acorn Cottage: Living Room