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 →

That’s Just Pindiculous

If you’re half as interested in interior design as I am, inevitably you’ve stumbled upon Pinterest at this point.  The concept is brilliantly simple: create a virtual pinboard where you can gather all your ideas and inspiration.  From high fashion to gourmet cooking, there are limitless images and countless categories:  A kitchen iPad holder for … Continue reading →

Stealing from the Neighbors

Just around the corner from my house is an incredible postbellum Victorian mansion.  It was built by famed New Orleans architect James Freret circa 1869.  Sadly, due to a drawn out divorce proceeding and crappy owner, the architectural masterpiece has fallen into disrepair.  It’s been dubbed the “leaning tower of Josephine” and may soon lean … Continue reading →

Confessions of a Failed Baker

To say baking is not my specialty would be an understatement.  Maybe the understatement of the year.  While I adore most everything domestic, I’ve never quite succeeded in the world of cookies and cakes.  My mother can whip up a pie blind-folded (which my husband has no shame reminding me), while I can’t even make … Continue reading →

Saving Storm Damaged Furniture

When Hurricane Isaac made landfall over the city of New Orleans in late August, the storm took its sweet time moving on.  The hurricane sat atop the Crescent City for days flooding streets, swelling rivers and in the hardest-hit areas, forcing water over our levees and inundating entire neighborhoods.  The devastation was greater than anyone- … Continue reading →

Fashion Friday: Down Here we Call ’em Shrimp Boots

Down here on the Gulf, our lives are slowly returning to normal after Hurricane Isaac blew through New Orleans, knocking out power, downing 200 year-old oak trees and flooding entire neighborhoods.  As a journalist, I was tasked with working 12-15 hour days, sleeping at the television station and reporting live in torrential rain and hurricane … Continue reading →

A Step Up: How to Choose the Right Ladder

I understand my headline isn’t exactly ‘edge of your seat’ exciting but trust me, when it comes to choosing the right ladder there is plenty to learn. I stopped by the quaint little Harry’s Ace Hardware on Magazine Street to get some tricks from manager Scott Fox and he filled me in on the basics.  … Continue reading →

Avoiding an Appliance Repair Nightmare

New Orleans is full of post-Katrina home renovation horror stories. Families, who spent every penny of their insurance claim and every minute of their free time, discover all their new drywall is toxic and needs to be ripped out and reinstalled. The examples go on and on. Unfortunately, the same holds true for appliance repair. … Continue reading →

Termites 101

  Did you know New Orleans is the termite capitol of North America?  Entomologist Ed Martin says we have to contend with two species in the South.   According to Ed, “Besides our regular native subterranean termites, we have the largest infestation of Formosan subterranean termites that were brought into North America after WWII.”  Their colonies … Continue reading →

Note to Self: Don’t be Decapitated

I found this article in the Reno Gazette Journal this morning.  Here’s hoping this DOES NOT happen during our renovation! Read article here Continue reading →