I don't mean to name drop but Ottolenghi and I are tight. If you follow me on Instagram (@belleannee) you'll even find a pic of the two of us totally hanging out at Food Blogger Connect in London a few weeks ago. And that...
When Nick and I started dating we were both in our early 30s. We were both going through divorces. We were both trying to figure out our way in the world, again. We were also equal participants in what would become a whirlwind romance...
It's hot. That's not news. You are sweating right now on the subway, waiting for a bus or in a taxi. Or you are freezing in your office because you are dressed for the weather but your office air conditioner is barely...
Striking fear into my teenage heart was as simple as this: "Hey, Jessica, grab a container to put this leftover rice dressing in" NOOOOO! Anything but that! That meant walking around to the side of the counter facing away from the kitchen, opening the cabinet...
If you really think about it I bet you perform way more selfless acts than you realize. Picking up a trinket for a friend because you know she'd like it. Asking your doorman if he'd like a cup of coffee when you go out. ...
Tell me you didn't do it. Tell me you didn't let the entire month of May pass without noting that it is National Barbecue Month. Wait, you did? Well, don't worry. While you were trolling the internet at work looking for a flattering swimsuit,...
There are soooo many occasions during the year to be a gift giver. Christmas, Hannakuh, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Administrative Assistants' Day, Bosses' Day, Birthdays, Anniversaries...
Do you have plans for this weekend? Do you either live in the Gulf Coast or are you a monster at sourcing ingredients? If your answers are no and then yes then I have an idea! Let's host a Louisiana Crawfish Boil! The memory of my...
About a year after Nick and I met we were having a discussion about smoking. We had both smoked a bit in college and we were both very anti-smoking at the point of the conversation. I told him that I had been absurdly excited when...
My mom was born in Somerville, Tennessee and moved to New Orleans at 10 when her father and mother opened a truck stop and diner just east of New Orleans. It was called Powers Junction and it was a booming business located at a crucial...
It's not all Jazz Fest and Cinco de Mayo prep down here in New Orleans. No, we have a horse race to think about this weekend too. So much build up for a two-minute race! I know California Chrome is the favorite but I've had...
Here is how much excuse I need to throw a party: Zero. In Spanish that's Cero. So I'm thinking, with Jazz Fest and Kentucky Derby this weekend, can I handle Cinco de Mayo on Monday night? Si, Mucho! Mondays have gotten too smug anyway. Too...