Summer is officially over. And if you are like me, you aren't totally convinced on if that should cue fireworks & confetti or rain & tears. So, while we all spend the next few weeks deciding, here is a comprehensive list of my top summer highlights... I'll kick it off with my most anticipated album of the summer. I met the most talented person I will ever know about 5 years ago, and a few weeks ago he released his first album of original music. It's impossible to take friends, like Nick Dayton, for granted when there are so many reminders of their genius. Emily Bagwill would shoot me dead if I didn't include at LEAST one of our summer deities in this list. Sorry Bella Thorne and Camila Cabello... you did not make the final callback. With so many summer bops bouncing around on the radio waves, Selena Gomez's Fetish is the perfect transition for ANY summer playlist. You can thank Emily and Emerson Steele for this next summer obsession. After our movie date to see our future Sister Wives husband, Ansel Elgort, in Baby Driver, we simply could not stop singing this song for at least 2 weeks. Facebook will never let me forget about my middle school One Direction infatuation. So rather than suppress the urges, I welcomed Harry Styles's new album with open arms. I was a little hesitant after he released a few of the singles last Spring, but I have to admit that if you are planing on taking a bubble bath, this should be your anthem. For all my cynical teens out there, we sleep on Amy too much. Minus the whole drug dependency, she is an ultimate idol for all thing style and aesthetic. Her badass attitude will forever be missed, especially as us girls gain more confidence in our voice. Look to this early 2000's gold for a surge of girl power.  Unless you have literally been living under a rock, you should know by now that my summer was completely fueled by the first season of Riverdale. There is no exaggeration when I confess that I watched this 4 times from start to finish. With a look like Veronica Lodge and the personality of Cheryl Blossom, I am sitting on my hands in anticipation for October 11. The CW is just turning. them. out. As a self diagnosed chronic binge watcher, I'm almost embarrassed to admit how fast I got through the 2 seasons available on Netflix. And what a pleasant surprise to see some familiar faces and shooting locations throughout the second season. Also spoiler alert: I called Kieran from the very beginning. Crazy Ex Girlfriend flew under my radar for way too long. With the disappointment that Unbreakable Kimmy Schimdt has left us all feeling, CEG easily fills that void. We can all thank Santino Fontana for carrying his weight, and then some. I imagine that the voices of the angelic choir we will all hear at the pearly gates will sound very similar to this masterpiece. And if anyone out there is looking for a body positivity idol, look no further than Rebecca Bunch, played by drop dead gorgeous Rachel Bloom. One of the first bombs I drop on anyone is that I am not a fan of movies. You can feather and tar me all you want but I just don't see the lasting effect of a plot line that only has 90 minutes to develop. However, when it is 2 a.m. and you just cannot get yourself to sleep, a SciFi/Thriller that exploits our fear of the future is perfect lullaby material. What Happened to Monday follows this summer's badass female lead theme, so definitely check this one out. This is another show that flew under my radar for a while. This is a perfect late night comedy relaxing type of moment. It's probably safe to say that anything TruTV produces these days fits that type. Billy Eichner took home an Emmy nom. for the newest season this summer; I'm pulling for a win. And finally, as if Ansel Elgort hadn't already torn our hearts out and ripped them into a million pieces enough on the big screen, Baby Driver sealed the deal on my literal obsession. It was the perfect summer girl trip movie date, and was released right when we all needed a break from the Hairspray madness at TSL. The album is a playlist on Spotify... perfect driving/commuting jams.  I have always been quick to judge Bourbon St. and everyone who goes there un-ironically. I guess my talents are better utilized on shopping on Royal St. or in Canal Place. But this summer gave me a serious change of heart. Bourbon is becoming more than just the tourist destination. Every block has it's own personality.. and though you still won't catch me there past sundown, I'll admit I'm a fan. The easiest way to feel like you are in high school again is to ride up and down the Northshore Lakefront with your windows down and your music pumping. I even went there a few times through out the summer to blow off some steam and run. (I think it ends up being about 2.5 miles.) There is a great lunch/dinner spot at 1917 Lakeshore Dr. called Rips On the Lake... keep scrolling for that review. If you are looking to take some gorg photos, head over to the City Park Sculpture Garden ASAP. It is a great place to sit and read/relax as well. And fun fact, it was the location of my first commercial shoot for Louisiana Tourism. (Bonus points if you can find a video of it..) Lastly, I loved stopping by one of the most beautiful places to hold a reception in the entire city. The Audubon Tea room completely transforms the atmosphere around it from literal zoo to elegant night out. This particular event was the Southern Rep Season Announcement Gala. Tickets are now on sale for Fun Home, which is the show my performance supported.  Imagine the will power it takes to drive past a storefront advertising a cheesecake stuffed snowball everyday and stay faithful to a diet. Literally impossible. So of course one day I just had to give in and go to the Uptown location of Snow-La. Yes, it was everything I dreamed it would be. You can't leave New Orleans for school and not have a huge plate of beignets to commemorate signing over all of your right to seasoned and flavorful food. Cafe Du Monde is the given, but if you are in the need for a quick fix, Morning Call will do just fine. Just be careful you don't get scammed like I did... This is easily the best salad I had all summer. I'm slowly becoming a fan of spinach, but this made the transition incredibly easy. Throw in fruit, and I'm sold. Rips on the Lake is sure to offer incredible views of Lake Pontchartrain and amazing selfie lighting at Golden Hour. If you followed me on Snapchat at any point in time this summer, you are no stranger to my Velvet Cactus addiction. Tell me one thing more perfect than cheese grits and a strawberry margarita and I'll tell you you're wrong. Sit outside for the beautiful weather or inside for the artwork. Check out the Gene Wilder caricature next time you are there... we are trying to convince my brother to buy it for his first home. I am a sucker for all of the sweets, all of the time. Especially anything wedding cake/almond flavored. Mix in the single best dessert ever created with ice cream and you have the scoop of heaven that is Petit Four on a cone from Creole Creamery. Ask me if I went back a second time... guilty! It wouldn't be a trip down memory lane if I didn't stop at St. Roch Market. You can find an array of NOCCA students, past, present, and probably future, here at any given time on any given day. While we all mourn the closing of the crepe station, I went one kiosk to the left to enjoy this PB & J smoothie from JuiceNOLA. All and all, I have to say this was one of the best summers I have ever had. I was very hesitant to be coming back home instead of continuing out-of-state, but everything really does happen for a reason. I wouldn't be where I am or who I am today if I hadn't spent the last 3 month surround by the people and places that made me.
That being said, I couldn't be happier to announce that this blog is relocating to New York City for the semester! I am back in the greatest city in the world ready to make incredible memories and try remarkable things. Come along with every update and experience life with me! Summer may be over, but the year is just beginning. XOXO, Maddie
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