Brangelina’s French Quarter mansion hits the market

New Orleans may be saying farewell to our favorite celebrity couple.  Then again, they might just be sick of the French Quarter! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have listed their 1830’s New Orleans mansion with Latter and Blum for $6.5 million.  It’s a steep price, at $850/sq ft. Located at 521 Governor Nicholls Street, the … Continue reading →

La Provence: Fine Dining on the Farm

There are few things I enjoy in life more than a delicious meal on the town… except maybe a delicious meal on the farm!  I’d been dying to check out famous New Orleans chef John Besh’s restaurant “La Provence.”  However, it’s about an hour outside of town, so Joe’s birthday was the perfect excuse to … Continue reading →

Kingsway House: Contemporary Design With Rich History

A while back my neighbor told me he found his dream home.  Since his house is MY dream house, I figured this place must be amazing.  He was working on a movie that was being filmed at the Kingsway House, on New Orleans’ historic Esplanade Avenue.  It’s a 12,000 sq ft private residence that’s rented … Continue reading →

Why Everyone is Talking About Goop

Remember Gwyneth Paltrow’s “conscious uncoupling” from Cold Play front man Chris Martin!?  Late night comedians had a hell of a time cracking jokes about that one.  But for many folks, it was also the first time hearing about Paltrow’s lifestyle website, Goop, on which she announced the split.  It probably was not the type of … Continue reading →

Fashion Friday: Flower Headbands and Floral Crowns for Festival Season

Festival season is upon us and there’s no hotter accessory than flowers for your hair, thanks in large part to music and fashion muse Lana Del Rey. Whether you go for a headband or crown, bold buds or a simple twist, the floral touch is a perfect accent for your festival attire!  Last summer, my … Continue reading →

Home Saints Home

Think you’re the ultimate Saints fan?  Instead of taking home your favorite black and gold memorabilia… how about making your home the ultimate memorabilia!?  Saints coach Sean Payton’s sprawling Dallas mansion is on the market for a mere $3.45 million. According to Realtor.com, the “Texas-chic abode has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and nearly 7,800 square … Continue reading →

Start Saving Your Pennies! Celine Dion’s Estate is on the Market

My best friend Deepak has a not-so-secret obsession with Celine Dion.  He’s been trying to drag me to her damn show in Las Vegas since the day it opened.  So, for Christmas next year, I think I’m going to save my pennies and buy him her sprawling $72 million estate, which just went on the … Continue reading →

A Peek Inside New Orleans’ Haunted LaLaurie Mansion

If you’re an avid Hammer-and-Heels reader, you know I have a small obsession with American Horror Story: Coven.  Aside from the awesome fact that much of the show is filmed just blocks from my house and the super cool fact that my neighbor worked on the set design… the show is also based on some … Continue reading →

Modern Design for New Orleans Entrepreneur

It’s not common for the trash guy to be a local celebrity, but such is the case in New Orleans.  St. Bernard-raised Sidney Torres IV is a real estate developer and venture capitalist, who rose to fame after founding SDT Waste & Debris Services following hurricane Katrina.  He was the face of the operation, starring … Continue reading →

American Horror Story to Feature New Orleans Architecture

Louisiana has coined the phrase “Hollywood South” to describe our ever-expanding film and television industry.  It couldn’t be a more accurate description.  Our humid city is swarming with celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, looking to catch a break from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood proper and enjoy the eccentric, Southern charm New … Continue reading →