I came across something the other day and knew it was made for me. So I bought it, took a bite, and felt genuine happiness - like a little kid happy. A warm chocolate chip, sea salt cookie from La Boulangerie, the bakery in New Orleans on Magazine Street that makes beautiful and very tasty pops of joy. It was 8:25 in the morning and the cookie paired perfectly with my iced coffee and croissant in the 45-degree weather.

Not my routine breakfast, but it’s what the gods wanted, what I needed, and honestly a holiday treat we should carry out all year. It was December 30th - the sweet spot between Christmas and New Year’s where time and calories are intangible, and resetting your nerves after a marathon of family activities is much needed. The slower pace often opens up my creative channels, and I get energized thinking about all the experiences that are in store. The artwork that will come alive, the growth that’s bursting because of the progress over perfection energy that we’ll keep contributing to in 2025…it’s a New Year and anything is possible :)

This warm cookie dopamine was probably also heightened by the travel adventures I experienced trying to travel back to Charleston. I didn’t plan to return through New Orleans, but after two days of unsuccessfully flying out of Jackson, MS, Amtrak to the rescue - again! If you’re ever in that area and would like a relaxing - always on time - commute to New Orleans, I highly recommend the Amtrak train. I purchased a ticket the day before for $56, but usually it’s $38-45. Takes you straight through the Bayou and into downtown New Orleans. I spent two nights and left New Orleans early December 31st morning - back in Charleston to ring in the New Year with friends. The sadness of waking up to the news on New Year’s Day of the senseless driver on Bourbon Street is still so heartbreaking and unbelievable. Continuing to think about the families and communities impacted and sending big love to The Big Easy <3 The first city to show me the beauty of historic buildings and for sure an influence on my artwork, New Orleans will always feel like a nomadic home away from home.

2024 was a year of exploration and research. Traveling around searching for new colors, textures, ideas, conversations, and always searching to find new pieces of myself was something I needed and will continue to seek this year! Not every morning will I eat cookies, but thankfully pops of dopamine come in all forms and inspire my creativity differently. New artwork is in motion. New mediums are joining my mixed media artwork, and who knows what historic cities I’ll get to visit this year! I predict 2025 will take us all by storm in the best way possible!

What fuels your creativity? What brings you that “little kid” happy feeling? We are all right on time, and I’m so excited for what creative artwork reveals itself this year 🔥

My 36-hour spin in New Orleans Eats:

La Boulangerie - Bakery on Magazine Street. Breakfast and lunch
Superior Seafood is always open arms with warm gumbo and a great oyster happy hour.
Osteria Lupo - Northern Italian style food. Pizza, pasta, crudo, tartar, and fish entree options.
The Bell - a new favorite and they are leading the charge with properly poured guinness! An English pub meets New Orleans. So lovely, warm, and tasty.

For a later blog…but don’t be surprised if you see more food inspiration showing up in 2025.

Morning cookies, original artwork, and dopamine hits are sooo in for 2025!