As with most festive things, Halloween is big deal in New Orleans. With block parties, festivals and halloween weekend events across the city, a great costume is a must have for any Nola native. Coming up with a good costume can be complicated, so I've done a bit of brainstorming on the some great New Orleans inspired halloween costumes. The following list is sure to be a hit at any halloween event in Nola 

SEWAGE AND WATER BOARD EMPLOYEE
​Feeling political? Look no further than the infamous city infrastructure for inspiration. 

A MARDI GRAS BEAD TREE 
It's never too early to get excited for next Mardi Gras. Show your enthusiasm by embodying the natural wonder of a Mardi Gras bead tree in New Orleans.

A POTHOLE 
In a city of potholes so large that they could eat your entire car, there is not a soul left that can't commiserate. For bonus points, feel free to throw in the many things that people attempt to fill the holes with (like beads) or throw in a witty sign from the neighborhood HOA. 

A JAZZFEST VETERAN 
Put your festival supplies to use in the off season. Bonus points if you spend all night talking about how it was better before they called it the "Acura Stage" and the Springsteen show in 2006. 

THE "HOLY" TRINITY 
Get punny with the fundamental base of all things delicious in New Orleans cuisine. 

NOLA BACHELORETTE PARTY - GREAT FOR GROUPS!
Known best for overwhelming the best brunches in Nola one table at a time. Take back the city and enjoy the limelight.

Got any other great Nola inspired halloween costume ideas? Share with us in the comments!
Enjoy the season, friends! 
-Chelsea

New Orleans is known for many great things, but definitive seasons is definitely not one of them. Our seasons are all just a slight variation of a soupy hot and humid summer mess. In late September, when pumpkin spice lattes take over instagram, I can maintain a pretty chill almost fall vibe and patiently wait my turn to wear a long sleeve shirt without a heat stroke wish. But when it's approaching October 15th, its still 90 degrees outside AND it's getting dark at 6:30 pm, I lose all chill. I'm here to report that fake fall is in full swing in New Orleans - here are 5 tale tell signs: 

1. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO WEAR ANYMORE
Are white shorts ok after labor day?? - asking for a friend. The weather is no different today than it was on August 23rd, so we're all just a little confused about how to adapt. Does wearing darker colors summon the minus 80 temps? Am I doing my part to give off fall vibes? As we get deeper into fake fall, one day it will be 75 degrees and everyone will end up like this: 

2. THE WEATHER FORECAST STARTS WITH "NO, IT'S NOT GETTING COLDER YET"
We're still mid-hurricane season, so our local metorologists are all a bit on edge. You can tell that fake fall is starting to ware on them too as the weeks go by. They'll tee up their segment with things like "we'll tell you more about if fall is finally coming this week" but let me tell you now, it never is. They'll keep saying it, and it will get more and more bitter, more and more exasperated. The limit to a Nola summer does not exist. 

3. GUMBO WEATHER IS STILL A FAINT MEMORY
Some things just taste better in the fall. Sure, make gumbo when its 80 degrees. I promise you, it will not taste the same. Thinking you'll fill the void by roasting some autumnal veggies? Too bad - it's still to hot to use the oven in your house. Pinterest has nothing to offer you beyond roasted gourds and stuffed acorn squash. Together, we suffer. 

4. HALLOWEEN IS ALL WE HAVE LEFT TO LIVE FOR 
In New Orleans, fall gives us little hope to cling on to - except for halloween. People hold on tightly and rededicate their lives to halloween decor, costumes and party plans. The level of dedication ​is easy to see in things like the Ghost Manor on Magazine and the Berger Home on St. Charles. In a town that already uses any excuse it can find to wear a costume and a good party, it's a natural fit. 

5. WE'RE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE IMMUNE
It's real cute that Starbucks introduced an iced pumpkin spice latte this year, but fortunately, my instagram has not being swarming with them. It's like together, we have all silently agreed that it's just not right and that it just isn't time yet. We'll wait our turn until the first cold snap, and then they'll all be sorry.

6. EVERYONE IS STILL IN GULF SHORES FOR THE WEEKEND
Because why the hell not? It's still 90 degrees, less crowded and the prices dropped back on Labor Day. A trip without Mobile tunnel traffic? Be still my heart. 

​Here's to hoping that we start to feel the fall before we have to organize an uprising against sweet, sweet treasure Margret Orr. 
Drop us a note in the comments below to share your favorite October Nola traditions (90 degrees or not). 

Thanks for reading! 
Chelsea