We are thrilled to introduce our community to eight new members of the New Orleans Moms Blog team. Each one is a dynamic, warm and inspiring New Orleans mom, and we can’t wait for you all to get to know them both online and in person at any of our upcoming events. We received an overwhelming amount of interest in these spots, and we are humbled and honored to have these women join our team.
Amy Garner
Her krewe: Ruby (12 months)
Originally from: Miami, Florida
Her last NOLA meal would be: a po’boy from Parkway, chargrilled oysters from Drago’s, and scoop or three of baci from Brocato’s
Her favorite snowball flavor: strawberry shortcake with condensed milk
She believes the best king cakes are found: at Randazzo’s
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: on St. Charles near One Shell Square
During Saints games you’ll find her: cooking and hosting friends and family at her house
Kids at Jazz Fest? That’s a yes for me. It’s part of what makes growing up in NOLA so fun! Strap that kid on and dance!
Raising kids in New Orleans is: a unique opportunity. There is so much history, culture, and tradition to steep them in. I look forward to seeing the amazing, broad-minded human this environment will help us raise!
Alicia Barnes
Her krewe: college prof hubby, 3yo boy, and welcoming a baby girl this August
Originally from: mostly Mississippi via the USAF, but my family is from coastal North Carolina. I’ve just never lived there.
Her last NOLA meal would be: Gelato and marshmallows from Sucré
Her favorite snowball flavor: half Strawberry, half blue raspberry
She believes the best king cakes are found: La Boulangerie – traditional puff pastry style
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: at too many parades from NOLA to Mississippi to the Northshore
During Saints games you’ll find her: Pacing from the couch to the kitchen, afraid to look at the screen
Kids at Jazz Fest? My 3 year old is a Voodoo Fest pro, so Jazz Fest would fit right in for us
Raising kids in New Orleans is: what I always wanted to do. So happy to be in a place where my multiracial crunchy bunch don’t stand out.
Marie Hebert
Her krewe: Maëlys [Mah- Elise] (18 months old) and “Baby 2” (due in October)
Originally from: Paris, France. I grew up by Reims in a small village in the middle of champagne vineyards.
Her last NOLA meal would be: Seafood gumbo from my mother-in-law. Lots of crabmeat, and a side of buttery toast freshly out of the oven.
Her favorite snowball flavor: Lemon-lime
She believes the best King Cakes are found: At La Boulangerie on Magazine Street. The French-style cake, with thin layers of buttery puff pastry and an almond cream filling … Mmmm I only wish they had it all year long.
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: AWAY. With a little child, I may attend one parade before school is off and then, fly out of the city. Probably in North Carolina, hiking, or in the Alps, skiing. Some place cold to get my yearly dose of winter.
During Saints games, you’ll find her: with guacamole in one hand and crab-artichoke dip in the other, asking one million questions to my husband about “why this player did this or did that”. Or looking for the ball on the field.
Kids at Jazz Fest? Nope. Too hot and crowded. One day, when they can appreciate the music with me, tolerate the noise, and stand on their feet for longer periods of time, absolutely. There’s a time and place for everything.
Raising kids in New Orleans is: an adventure for the whole family. We can walk around butterflies at the Insectarium, cruise the Mississippi on a riverboat, listen to jazz music at an outdoor festival, pet alligators at a farm, or eat delicious food at a local restaurant. I believe that it is an enriching multicultural experience that very few cities in the world can claim to offer.
Jennifer Coleman
Her krewe: Evangeline Rose (2 3/4 years) and Vivienne June (10 months)
Originally from: Charleston, SC
Her last NOLA meal would be: Boiled peanuts at Purloo (I’m from the Lowcountry of 
Charleston, SC); Pizza Delicious; oyster happy hour at Luke; grilled shrimp and avocado spring rolls at Pho Cam Ly; cochon de lait po-boy at Jazz Fest; and peppermint ice cream with hot fudge sauce at Clancy’s
Her favorite snowball flavor: Cream of Chocolate with Cream of Nectar topped with marshmallow and two cherries, at Hansen’s
She believes the best king cakes are found: at Haydel’s
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: Either at Muses or hiding at home…I’m still scarred from the years we lived so close to the route that our house shook for two weeks and a port-a-potty was delivered to our address by a fraternity who was living in a rental truck on our street!
During Saints games you’ll find her: Wearing Black and Gold, but at the grocery or another store or restaurant that would normally be packed
Kids at Jazz Fest? Yes, slathered in sunscreen and sporting headphones if they’ll wear them!
Raising kids in New Orleans is: Prideful. Sweaty. Crazy fun. Scary. Delicious. One-of-a-kind.
Megan Olsen
Her krewe: Emilia (1 year)
Originally from: New York
Her last NOLA meal would be: Gumbo or fresh boiled crawfish.
Her favorite snowball flavor: I’d never heard of snowballs until moving here! So far, watermelon is my favorite.
She believes the best king cakes are found at: Sucre
During Mardi Gras you’ll find her near: Outside our French Quarter apartment watching the parades roll.
During Saints games you’ll find her: Cooking up some red beans and rice and watching the game!
Kids at Jazz Fest? Sure!
Raising kids in New Orleans is: a blast!
Jaime Mackey
Her krewe: Dillon (2)
Originally from: Pensacola, Florida
Her last NOLA meal would be: Masaman curry from La Thai Uptown followed by five scoops from Creole Creamery.
Her favorite snowball flavor: Wedding cake with condensed milk
She believes the best king cakes are found: at Randazzo’s
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: sidewalk side on Bonnabel in Metairie
During Saints games, you’ll find her: on the couch, wearing her jersey, shoving her face with homemade nachos
Kids at Jazz Fest? I’ll let you know when I’m ready for that.
Raising kids in New Orleans is: about teaching them what it really means to love New Orleans – the culture, the music, the food.
Emily Schneller
Her krewe: Brennan (2)
Originally from: Peachtree City, GA
Her last NOLA meal would be: Short ribs from Commander’s Palace
Her favorite snowball flavor: Lemon Ice from Sal’s
She believes the best king cakes are found: Hi Do Bakery
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: Either uptown, the CBD, Mid City or the Quarter depending on the day!
During Saints games you’ll find her: Helping my husband cope with his emotions while he monitors his fantasy team.
Kids at Jazz Fest? Absolutely! My son has been every year!
Raising kids in New Orleans is: a cultural opportunity
Tara Rosenkranz
Her krewe: Drizzt’an (7), Bregan (6), Charley (16 months), and Baby Kranz (due August 2015)
Originally from: Ballston Lake, NY
Her last NOLA meal would be: Pasta St. Charles from The Palace Café
Her favorite snowball flavor: Chocolate and coffee with condensed milk
She believes the best king cakes are found: at Manny Randazzo’s
During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her: writing my phone number in Sharpie on the kids’ arms on Napoleon in NOLA or Veterans in Metairie
During Saints games you’ll find her: asking Siri for the score so I can sound like I care more than I actually do
Kids at Jazz Fest? Only in the morning – after it gets good, they go home to jam with the babysitter
Raising kids in New Orleans is: the last thing our parents wanted us to do, and yet they can’t seem to stop visiting
Yay- it’s official! Happy to be part of the team!
What a great looking group of writers, NOMB. I look forward to their future contributions, especially Amy Garner’s!
I’m looking forward to reading what these ladies have to say. I am curious if y’all “chose” people that weren’t from New Orleans on purpose? I’m genuienly curious…it’s interesting to read about people who grew up in other cities & what they have to say about Nola. Just wondering. 🙂
Hi there,
As one of the co-founders of the blog, I am happy to lend you my perspective. We have a rigorous selection process. More than 45 women applied, and a dozen of us read applications, interviewed them and met with them in person. All of these women are dynamic, smart, interesting moms who actively choose to make New Orleans home. Some are married to “locals” (if we define that as being born here), and some own businesses here. Some work in the city, some teach in our schools and some stay home. Many own homes here. We don’t believe that being from a place makes a perspective more valid or relatable. New Orleans is a melting pot attracting talented and dynamic people daily, and we like our team to reflect that. We already have 15 “natives” on the team and firmly believe that these eight women are as dedicated to and knowledgeable about the city as we are. They went through a multi-step process to receive spots and we believe they are more than deserving AND will offer great content. It’s truly happenstance than none were born here, but all are now New Orleans moms in our community and we are lucky to have them — and think you and others will soon agree!
Was wondering that too! None of your NOLA moms are actually from here!
Welcome to all the new contributors!! Maybe one day I will become one 🙂 I just love y’all and everything you do!!