Jump All Over

It's hot in Kuala Lumpur. Sure we have seasons—rainy and dry—but it's scorching 24/7 and I'm getting a bit bored of summery, requisite pedicure sandals. Enter Paul and Joe Sister's Wild Meadow Booties. Low fuss, pull-on, daytime/nighttime appropriate, Texas-tastic and packed with attitude, I'd say they were made for walking and my jumping-over-sidewalk-potholes Malaysian lifestyle!

Bauble Head

Tucked just outside Kathmandu in the dusty, bustling streets of Patan is a hidden gem of a shop, Bajra Souvenir Emporium. Based on what you'll unearth inside, it's quite fitting this boutique rubs real estate elbows with Durbar Square's majestic Golden Temple.


Learning the jewelry trade from his grandfather, Prabin Bajracharya, 34, took over the family business nearly eight years ago. Since then he's worked out of a dollhouse-sized shop creating necklaces, earrings, brooches and bracelets grand enough to impress the most discerning tastes. Prices range from $100 to $1,000—most average under $500—with standout pieces being etched silver encrusted jade bangles [$40-60] and an emerald and hand-carved amethyst filigree drop featuring Goddess Tara [$500]. After hours ogling every semi-precious stone in sight, I left with a ruby, lapis, emerald and shell pendant that I couldn't bare to part with, which seems to be a common reaction to all of their objets d'art.


Currently there isn't an online presence for this 'mom-and-pop' business, but Prabin corresponds via email and ships worldwide*. In other words, if you're willing to source a diamond in the rough, you'll be the only one in town sporting these rare Nepalese baubles.

Bajra Souvenir Emporium
bajrapasa@yahoo.com | cell 9841-233211
Inside Golden Temple | Elanani-16 | Lalitpur, Patan

G.P.O. Box 1587 | Kathmandu, Nepal

*Feel free to email me for detailed photos on a particular piece or wholesale enquiries.

Cajun Bucket List

I've owned Chef John Folse's Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine for nearly 5 years and not a single week passes where I don't thumb through this 800+ page monstrosity. I've written about Folse's Shrimp Creole and Stuffed Mirliton, but it's his Lagniappe List in the back of this cookbook that really whets my appetite. The list is dedicated to restauranteurs and entrepreneurs past and present who have blazed the Southern food trail, and it now serves as my Cajun Bucket List. Though I've already had a decent sampling of the list's contenders—some of which are included in my New Orleans post—there's still plenty left to devour. I'm not sure when I'll return to Louisiana long enough to familiarize myself with all of these gourmands, but rest assured it will happen sooner than later; it's in my South of I-10 blood.

Abita Brewing Company • Acme Oyster House • Amato's Winery • Antoine's Restaurant • Arnaud's Restaurant • Aunt Sally's • Original Creole Pralines • Barq's • Baumer Foods • Madame Bégué • John Besh • Paul Blangé • Blue Runner Foods • Bon Ton Cafe • Brennan's Restaurant • Bruce Foods • Nathaniel Burton • Café Du Monde • Cajun Power Sauce • Camellia Grill • Caribbean Room at the Pontchartrain Hotel • Casa de Sue Winery • Casamento's Restaurant • Central Grocery • Leah Chase of Dooky Chase Restaurant • Chester's Cypress Inn • Willy Coln • Christian's Restaurant • Commander's Palace Restaurant • Community Coffee Company • Al Copeland • Corinne Dunbar's Restaurant • The Court of Two Sisters • Crescent City Farmers Market • Dixie Brewing Company • Don's Seafood and Steak House • Elmer Candy Corporation • Feliciana Cellars • Ruth Fertel of Ruth's Chris Steak House • Chef John Folse & Company • Chef John Folse Culinary Institute • Goffredo Fraccaro • Galatoire's Restaurant • Gambino's Bakery • Haydel's Bakery • Lafcadio Hearn • Hubig's Pies • Jack Sabin's Restaurant • Stanley Jackson • Jacques-Imo's Cafe • Jax Brewery • Anne Kearney • Kentwood Springs • Chris Kerageorgiou of La Provence • Kleinpeter Farms Dairy • Emeril Lagasse • Langenstein's Supermarket • Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen and Restaurant • G.H. Leidenheimer Baking Company • Le Jeune's Bakery • Warren Leruth of LeRuth's Restaurant • Austin Leslie • Louisiana Cavier Company • Mandina's Restaurant • Maylie's Restaurant • Middendorf's Seafood Restaurant • "Diamond Jim" Moran • Mosca's • Mother's Restaurant • P&J Oyster Company • The Palace Café • Pascal's Manale Restaurant • Alex Patout • Pontchartrain Vineyards • Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits • Prejean's Restaurant • Gunter Preuss of Broussard's Restaurant • Paul Prudhomme • Reily Foods Company • Michael Roussel • Savoie's Sausage and Food Products • Sazerac Bar at the Fairmont Hotel • Solari's • Susan Spicer of Bayona • C.S. Steen Syrup Mill • Tabasco • Tony Chachere's Creole Foods • Tujague's Restaurant • Uglesich Restaurant and Bar • The Village • Justin Wilson • Yellow Bowl Restaurant • Zapp's Potato Chip Company • Zatarain's • Zuppardo's Economical Supermarket

Monkey Around

As these two pals prove, there's nothing better than simply being yourself. Every friendship should be so candid and unabashed.

Earning Stripes

Friday's post featuring the Field Game Cardigan reminded me of Keri Russell in the January '09 issue of InStyle. A year later, I still adore this laid back look—and her darling fuss-free 'do.

Wardrobe Change

After wearing the same suitcase-rumpled clothing for 3 weeks straight, Anthropologie's latest offers a breath of much needed fresh air. I'd love to sport each of these looks from head-to-toe, and that's a rarity in mass retail outfitting!

What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been

I'm finally back and it will take a while to digest the full intensity of India and Nepal, not to mention the deluge of photos I snapped along the way.

Though the trip was certainly trying at times with the barrage of touts, hardcore negotiations over everything from chewing gum to antiques, an overnight ride on the Indian Railways, and [holy] cow patties splattered onto my legs not once, but twice — I still found myself in constant amazement of the unforgettable sights. I witnessed every extreme imaginable; I interviewed a princess, watched a Hindu cremation ceremony on the Ganges, rode camels into the sand dune sunset, and ate my weight in garlic naan [which, by the way, is as close to Nirvana as I've ever been]. But above all else, I stood in awe of the vivid people; though I was in the world's second most populous country, each and every person had a way of standing out in the motley crowd. These memories will forever be impressed into my mind and soul.

[photos by me.]

Oscar Wild

Guest Post by Nola West

In anticipation of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, I am most intrigued by the happenings off-camera. I love these glistening images of backstage embraces, thrills and stoic moments in between curtain calls.


As preparation for an Oscar-viewing party, I am reviewing my ballot and checking it twice. What are my predictions? Well, we better not go there since I have seen only five of the nominated films it would be a bit like entering a basketball pool when I haven't watched a lick of b-ball all year. What are your favorite films from this year, nominated or not?

Thanks for tuning in this week and I hope you have a star-studded weekend!

[Photos via InStyle, HitFix and TheEnvelope.]

Mixed Metals

Guest Post by Nola West

As our days are getting longer, I am finding myself yearning more and more for these brass and rose gold hues. These colors emanate happiness like a sunset! Can you imagine how beautiful those bangles will be when they patina?

[Barcelona via c.4Rt; Fallon Bangles]

[Lady and Champ Pullover; Dandelion by William Neill]

At My Beck and Call: Clap Hands

Guest Post by Nola West

Clap hands it's Wednesday and we are almost to the weekend! It is safe to say that I have never been so energized by guests at a dinner table. Perhaps this video reminds me of all the French Quarter youngsters who strap bottle caps to their shoes or keep rhythm on a bucket; anything goes when you are born to keep a beat.

Beck and friends—acoustic guitar and harmonica required—are always welcome at my table.

Rags to Remarkable Tea Towels

Guest Post by Nola West

Ever since Courtney's Walli-Wallah post, I can not get the repetitive chanting of Jamal's "chai wallah" title from Slumdog Millionaire out of my head. I also can't get these fabulous tea towels off my mind either. I love the quirky, nostalgic and cheeky designs of Paris-based Anne Hubert combined with the photo stylings of Coco Amardeil.


So what type of walli would I be? Right now I am leaning towards vignette walli. It may be a bit like an executive title, but a girl has to have room to explore and grow.