Mommy's little helper.
Do your children know which box to check? Many tots learn more about their heritage by doing a fourth grade genealogy project than they would sitting around the dinner table. Some parents make sure their family roots are well known, while others pay little attention to educating their wee ones on their ethnicity. In last night's "You Gotta Get Read more
If a classic evening or an indoor picnic don't have enough adventure for your liking, take a culinary tour of the world with your Valentine's Day date. Serve up dishes and cocktails from around the world and create a music playlist to match each course. By the end of the night, you and whoever you've shared this experience with will have bonded over all of your "travels." Here are some ethnic Read more
With the Oscars at the end of the month, Naeem Khan's gorgeously crafted red-carpet wear couldn't have come at a better time. Head-to-toe sparkle, full-length prints, embellished pants — Khan's wildly beautiful Fall '12 confections are begging to be worn right now. Beginning with an essentially ethnic-inspired feel, Khan sent ornately crafted tunic-style dresses and gowns down the runway that Read more
With rouge lips and heels to echo his bold red leather and pink color pairings, Thakoon honed in on a dramatic palette and rich detail to deliver a feminine Fall '12. We expect Thakoon Panichgul to veer toward the ethnically themed; this time, he steered clear of more exotic references to focus on a re-imagining of ladylike charm. Demure silhouettes were manipulated in patent, colored leather, Read more
When it comes to food shopping, I buy the bulk of my groceries from Whole Foods. However, I love to hit up San Francisco's ethnic markets for specialty items. The Asian markets on Clement Street are a great resource for quail eggs and fresh crab, while the Latin grocers in the Mission District are full of chilies, legumes, and spices. Oh, and piñatas! How about you? What do you like to buy at Read more
Whenever you're complaining about the ferocity of Winter, just remember things are much, much colder in other parts of the world. But while Russian Winters may be brutal, they've got plenty of amazing, comforting recipes with flavors designed to take that chill out of your bones. It's time to call up your babushka, put on your copy of Doctor Zhivago, and grab a tall glass of vodka, if you see Read more
To me, Berkeley Bowl is a sacred place worthy of a weekly pilgrimage. Perhaps the ultimate food-lover's grocery store, this massive Berkeley, CA, food emporium carries a huge selection of goods from around the world, and at great prices. I consider it a must stop for friends visiting the Bay Area, so why not share my adventures? The most remarkable part of the store is probably the produce, Read more
One of my favorite things about food is that we're able to dive into different cultures just by tasting new spices and flavor combinations. Food is such an integral element of society and culture and it's actually quite accessible for us, if we're willing to be somewhat adventurous. Even though the luxury of travel isn't always available, we are still able to experience the world with our taste Read more
If you're on the hunt for beautiful block-printed and handmade textiles for your home, check out a relative newcomer to the market, Allem Studio. Founded as a design collaboration between friends Mitali Seth and Lovisa Shergill in 2009, Allem Studio creates lovely hand-embroidered and block-printed textiles for the tabletop, bedroom, and living room. Their collection of pillows, bedding, and Read more
If you've never been exposed to tasty Thai cuisine, the time to check it out is now. Thai food is known for its spicy, seductive flavors influenced by Chinese traditions, beautifully blended with other cuisines from Southeast Asia including Burmese, Laotian, and Cambodian food. One size does not fit all when speaking about traditional Thai dishes. Vast differences between regions correlate to Read more
