TGIF

{original photo source}

It's that time of year again. Time for the parades, the music, the lights, the colors, the beads, the extravagant, the loud, and the easy. The time when everything goes, spirits are free, and everyone's your friend. It's a time when my Louisiana pride swells up. Where I look around at the families, the friends, the neighbors, and the out of towners all movin' with the spirit of the times, with their hands flyin', bodies groovin', and all screamin' the same thing-- "THROW ME SOMETHIN', MISTER!" These are the times I look around, sit back, and take in where I'm from, where I've grown up, and where I call home. It's the Mardi Gras, y'all.

{this past weekend at the Orion parade in Baton Rouge}

And this year is super special. I turn 21 on Sunday! Luke and I are headed down to New Orleans on Sunday morning and staying until Monday night. I'm hoping to do some shopping and use some of my gift certificates from the #SFBtea on Lundi Gras. What about you? Anything special this weekend? Wishin' you were in New Orleans??

Happy Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

x.o. Mattie

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P.S. If you want a taste of what I'll be doing, seeing, and experiencing at Mardi Gras this year, follow me on Twitter. I plan on tweetin' pics all weekend!