Nadine Blake

I wandered into Nadine Blake the first time I visited New Orleans and fell in love with the shop.
The shop is wonderfully curated with everything from house goods to stationery. I go for the stationery each time in town, there are so many wonderful cards to choose from. Nadine is always friendly and that’s why I keep coming back.

Several years ago i finally decided to stop in and see the shop with the curious and ever-​changing window display. Should have done that sooner! This is my absolute go-​to for cards or stationary for every occasion. Most are prints from whimsical drawings (whole series on the star signs for birthdays). Some cards boast daring or interesting quotes from Churchill to Confucious to Charmaine Neville. Everything is tasteful and on good cardstock.
There are some unique options for gifts and keepsakes. It feels like the inventory is almost curated. That bulletin board someone called «inspiration wall» reminds me of being a teenager and still very optimistic and experimental about one’s «likes». Only with a touch more panache, to be sure!
Lastly, Nadine and staff are very personable and friendly even though i don’t fit within their regular clientele. Thanks, ladies!

I absolutely love this place! Nadine Blake has a keen eye for unusual items and a great sense of taste. I discovered great finds that I didn’t see anywhere else during my visit to New Orleans. And Nadine herself is a warm and welcoming individual. Be sure to stop by her fantastic store.

I just posted a negative review of another business, and it reminded me that customers often only post when they’re disgruntled, not pleased. So I decided to counter that negativity by reviewing one of my favorite shops in New Orleans. I don’t even remember how I first discovered Nadine Blake but it has been a go-​to ever since. The merchandise is unique and contemporary and reflective of New Orleans culture, though not in a kitschy way, and the proprietor is a total gem – warm and generous and helpful with information even when it isn’t about her store. Also, she treats customers the same whether they’re buying a postcard or an original work of art.

Walked by Nadine Blake the first night of my New Orleans vacation, and was delighted with what I saw in the window. I made a mental and verbal note to go back there. I found Nadine herself to be so friendly and welcoming, and the shop itself so refreshing, in that it had items that I did not see anywhere else on my trip, and they were, as Edina from Absolutely Fabulous once said, «Gorgeous, tasteful, little stylish little gorgeous things», It was the only place in New Orleans that I purchased anything to take back home with me. Being the holidays, I found some very special artisan Hanukkah cards, a special horse themed «winter» ornament for a hard to shop for, Christmas loathing best friend, fleur de lis mercury glass ornaments that I surprisingly did not see anywhere else in New Orleans, and that I called and ordered after I got home. She also had a great little carved skull for my Physician husband. It was a surprise find. I liked that… If you’re in New Orleans, and making the shopping rounds on Royal Street, take a peek inside!

Nadine creates the most beautiful window displays in the French Quarter. She updates the window regularly with the new goodies she has brought in. So many little objets dart some whimsical and haute decore. Hooray Nadine.

I return to New Orleans every year, and every year, I go get a croissant at Croissant D’or and make it a point to stop in to see Nadine and her shop. My girlfriends and I happened upon this inviting little space several years ago, and Nadine was so friendly and gave us tips for what to do in the area. She knows all the spots!
Her taste is exquisite too. I love her inspiration wall! It’s amazing how long you can spend wandering around the two-​room shop exploring all the interesting and stylish little items. We always leave with a few items to take back to SF. One of these days I’m going to splurge on that amazing furniture!
Make sure you give Solomon, her adorable bulldog, an extra ear rub from me.

Walking on Royal, despite being closed, this shop caught my eye because of how many things in the window display were items I have lusted over from afar online. Some of these things for YEARS. So I made a pact to come back the next day when they were open and promptly spend my entire holiday present budget there, if not find some special souvenir for myself.
I didn’t quite go that far, but I did pick up some exceptional items. For my graphic designer mother I bought a Pantone mug, bathed in a specific color from their world renowned palette and printed with its code number. For myself, there was the pillow with a sperm whale printed on the front (It is my firm opinion that the sperm whale will at some point overtake the owl in terms of design adoration. Haha).
There were also antique Christmas ornaments of Indian elephants adorned in colorful makeup and whales with glittery ‘water’ coming out of their spouts, pillows featuring cartoons of various dog breeds, two spectacular lamps built out of large chunks of quartz, and little cast doo-​dads of things like leaves and nuts to sit around your abode and just look pretty.
Besides the ridiculous abundance of radness in the products, Nadine herself is just as cool. Friendly, obviously in love with her charming hometown, and eager to chat with customers about their purchases and interests, her casual air is the feather in her shop’s stylish cap. If I lived in Nola, it’s the type of store I’d go out of my way to walk past, just to check in on new inventory. It’s only a partial blessing that as I don’t live here, I won’t have the chance-​I know I’ll be missing out even if my wallet catches a break.