By Danielle Robinson

I have a motto: work hard, play harder. For the past 12 years I’ve successfully mastered this delicate balance of work and play. But last weekend, my professional and personal worlds collided in New Orleans at the 2010 Essence Music Festival. As it turns out, the event that had been on my personal “to do” list would finally get checked off – thanks to my job! Here’s a peek into how the weekend unfolded:

Thursday – July 1

7am, NYC: Flight departs. Ever saw the movie Soul Plane? Ok, it wasn’t that bad but now that you have the visual… (smile)

3:30pm: A client conference call AND a mani/pedi at Hotel Monteleone’s Spa Aria (ah, the power of the mute button). I heart Spa Aria. My first visit was during my first trip to NOLA in 2008 for my girl’s bachelorette trip. Excellent service all around and this time did not disappoint. Neither did Essie’s “Marshmallow” shade on the fingers and toes. One of my go to favorites. Simple, classy, and chic.

7:00pm: Essence Music Festival Welcome Reception at Mardi Gras World. A spirited, classy affair hosted by Essence Magazine. The inside of this place mimicked an outdoor garden at nightfall complete with a cool breeze and a moonlit dark sky painted on the dome ceiling. You’d never know you weren’t really outdoors. As I nibbed on hors d’oeuvres and sipped Moet I ran into former co-workers and a few industry pals. It was like homecoming for multicultural marketers and I was lovin’ every minute of it! At the bar I chopped it up with Emil Wilbekin of Essence.com. We got into a friendly debate about who was Mary J. Blige’s biggest fan. He says he is. I’ll let him have it but my sister, DaVida is a close second.

11pm: After the show there’s the after party and after the party there’s the … yep, hotel lobby where I met up with my clients who had just arrived. Drinks, chatter, and laughs at the hotel bar before calling it a night.