The Weekly: My 10 #EssenceFest Essentials
PLUS: What I did last weekend in DC. Heads up: There are no Talia Talk Tuesdays July 2 and July 9!
Happy Monday!
I’m drafting this newsletter at a drag show.
Capital Pride was this past weekend, and Shea Coulée closed out the weekend with a show at The Howard Theater. The show started at 9pm. I’m typing this at 10:11pm. The DJ is still spinning oontz oontz and we still have an opening act.
Either way, I had a great weekend. Saturday, I attended Limani’s rooftop grand opening at The Wharf. Gorgeous waterfront city views for summer hanging with the girls! Watch my recap on TikTok or Instagram. Afterwards, I danced for two seconds at Pride on the Pier before ending the night with more rooftop views at La Vie’s Penthouse. Sunday, I went to a going away brunch at Agua 301 in Navy Yard. Meh. Watch my weekend vlog on TikTok on Instagram.
Looking forward to some rest this weekend. My calendar on Saturday and Sunday is empty, and I plan to keep it that way, because I need to go heads down for my Essence Festival panel!
-T
Talia Talk Tuesdays
Set your alarms! Another Talia Talk Tuesday is going down tomorrow night at 8pm on TikTok Live.
Looking ahead: we’re not going Live on Tuesday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 9. I’m busy.
10 #EssenceFest Essentials (with links)
We're less than four weeks away from the 30th Essence Festival of Culture! Here are my must-haves for making your time in the Big Easy easier. Thank me later.
PORTABLE & RECHARGEABLE FAN. New Orleans is the hottest and most humid place on earth. I’m bringing two just in case one has to charge. My favorite fan also triples as a phone charger and flashlight.
PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER. Your phone will be dying in the middle of the day and during the evening concerts. Don’t get caught slipping!
CLEAR BAG. Caesar’s Superdome has a strict clear bag policy. I like this clear clutch and clear bag with more space too.
SUNSCREEN. You need SPF for your face AND body. Don’t play with the sun. My favorite sunscreens are from Bolden, Black Girl Sunscreen, Murad and Sun Bum.
ANTI-CHAFING STICK. The relief your thighs will need with all that walk and dancing.
BOOB DUST. You can do baby powder, but you got a little money now. Here’s the spray version.
WHOLE BODY DEODORANT. Let me say this: Your underarms actually need ALUMINUM for this trip. Whole body deodorant for everywhere else.
SETTING SPRAY. If you can go bare faced in NOLA, do that! For the rest of us…it works for Beyoncé.
BLOTTING POWDER. The makeup/skincare/lingerie/hair care lady did something with this!
COMFORTABLE SHOES. You really don’t need heels the entire weekend. Cute, yet walkable, sneakers and flat sandals only! I’m bringing my Teva Mevia sandals, Nike Vomero 5, New Balance 1906R and STAUD x New Balance 57/40. Also, bring a sneaker you wouldn’t mind throwing away for Bourbon Street.