Category Archives: Miscellaneous

16 February 2012

Bollywood Coffee Box

Want to know an Edinburgh secret? This place — this little defunct police box masquerading as a coffee stand — has some of the best curries and samosas Matt and I have ever tasted. The Bollywood Coffee Box has only been in Edinburgh for about as long as Matt and I have been here (six months — blimey, how time flies!). I figure that’s the only way there isn’t a massive line here every single day: it’s still an undiscovered gem.

Shamefully Matt and I walked by it for months always thinking “we should try some chai or one of her chickpea curries,” and then scurrying past to the warmth of our flat. Four months of wasted time and deprived taste buds tsk, tsk.

And it’s not just the delicious food that comes out of the Bollywood Coffee Box that makes visiting a delight, it’s the proprietor. Nutan is one of the sweetest, warmest people I’ve met in Edinburgh. Every time Matt and I visit, we’re left feeling lighter and happier. Oh and did I mention her fullsized curries (with saffron basmati rice) are only £3. Happy belly and happy mind for about $5!!! Deal of the century!

For those of you in Edinburgh, here are the details:
Where: Right off the Links where Bruntsfield Place and Bruntsfield Terrace meet
When: Every day, usually 11 am to 8 pm
What: Coffee, chai, snacks, curries (vegetarian and meat), samosas, pakoras, parathas

For those of you not in Edinburgh, when you come to visit, this is where we’ll take you for your first meal (so you don’t have to drink our green juice).

This is what we eat when we go to Nutan’s:

You hungry, yet? Whatchu waitin’ for? Get your bollywood booties over this way! Nutan will welcome you with the best smile in the world:

For any Dr. Who fans out there, Nutan really does own the TARDIS. I mean how else can you explain how she makes all these delicious foods in a space smaller than most people’s closets? Not possible! It would only make since that she’s the Doctor and instead of a sonic screwdriver she has a sonic spoon.

P.S. Is she not wearing the most perfect sweatshirt ever? This was not planned — just one of those serendipitous things that happen when the stars align.

—-

Dear Cath,

I can’t believe we discovered the Bollywood Coffee Box just two weeks after you guys left – argh! I know you aren’t the biggest curry fan, but I think you would love this. I can’t wait to introduce you and Troy the next time you are in town (August?! I hopes, I hopes!).

Love and Curry!

Lar

p.s. She was playing the Lagaan soundtrack the last time we were there! Though Nutan admitted to not loving the movie because there’s too much cricket in it. Another meeting of the minds.

Category: Edinburgh, Lar's Style
19 Comments
13 February 2012

Pre-Valentine’s Day Brunch

Hello Lovelies and Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you so much for entering our Shabby Apple dress contest. I’ll announce the winner later on this week, so stay tuned.

Valentine’s Day came early this year. Over the weekend my parents hosted a brunch to thank everyone that helped us out while we were in Europe for the holidays (dog sitting, house checks, drives to the airport, more dog sitting etc.). And because my mom is basically Martha Stewart (just nicer and much less egotistical), she had the house done up with Valentine’s Day flair.

Exhibit 1:

Exbit B: The brunch menu. I think my mom gets bonus points for making half the menu vegan and/or vegetarian-friendly.

Drinks included coffee, tea and mimosas. Cuppa anyone?

Exhibit D: Mimosa extras. Orange zest, maraschino cherries and lemon slices.

Since this is suppose to be somewhat of a fashion blog, I’m including a picture of what I wore to brunch. Not the most elegant outfit for such a splendid meal, but super comfy for the weekend.

Outfit details: H&M sweater, Gap tank, Muji watch, scarf from Swish in Edinburgh, Blank cords and Feiyue sneakers.

________

Dearest Lar,

Do you and Matt have anything fun planned for Valentine’s Day? Is it as commercialized in the U.K. as it is here? It’s supposed to be cold and rainy tomorrow night, so Troy and I have planned a cozy night in. We’re ordering the special Valentine’s Day menu from Oakhurst Market and plan on sharing at least one bottle of wine. At least!

We’ll also be taking Toby to his last obedience class – so romantic, no?! He’s been doing so well. If he gets a diploma, I’m totally framing it and hanging it up somewhere – maybe over his dog bowl – ha!

Speaking of dogs, here’s a pic of Boo Radley on Sunday:

And one of your Toby:

I’ll be wearing one of my hot pink tops to work tomorrow in honor of the holiday. Will you be wearing your pink sweatpants at home? I kid, I kid.

Love you,

Cath

Category: Cath's Style
10 Comments
13 February 2012

Guilty Conscience

I thought I was doing really well. I’ve been good about eating super healthy (still mainly gluten free and all vegan) and shopping at local shops for food. I’m trying to learn how to meditate and incorporate more yoga throughout the week. Matt and I have cut down our T.V. watching and actually sit around the table for dinner and talk. We eat sprouted mung beans and organic carrots when we can afford it. I was feeling all very back-patty.

And then.

I got this comment from some anonymous person in the previous post (Weekend Wear for Cold Climates):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/23/primark.children

Just a little link that I originally ignored because I thought it was spam (ahem,  Anonymous) and because I didn’t want to read about child labor and slums (such a downer for a Saturday night — feel free to cringe). I assume Anonymous linked it because I mentioned I got my Regata Gala sweatshirt from Primark.

For those of you stateside, Primark is like H&M and Target had a baby and then sold that baby for cheaper than Walmart prices. When Matt and I first wandered into Primark here in Edinburgh, our eyes lit up. We could actually afford fun, frivolous things again. What with traveling and trying to save for the future — again more back-patty action — we/I can’t really afford trips to Top Shop and Zara (£40/$63 for a blouse, no thank you!). At Primark we can buy fuzzy hot water bottles, armloads of clothes, cute necklaces, socks, scarves, pillows and belts for only £40. Heaven!

Now at the back of my mind I did have that niggly sensation (aka guilty conscience) because I knew if I was buying a necklace for £1, someone on the other end wasn’t making very much money. I’ve had the niggles when shopping at other places (Forever 21, H&M, Target, Walmart, etc.), but the sensation is never so great that I couldn’t tamp it down with. buying more cute stuff! For instance, this weekend Matt and I needed a pick-me up and we decided to just have a looksee at Primark. You can see what I bought here:

See that expression smiley with a twinge of guilt: Tank and hair feathers from Primark • Skinnies from Madewell (now I’m questioning you too, Madwell! Read here about their social responsibility) • Hunter Boots (how do you treat your rubber workers, Hunter? The only info I could find was that all Hunters used to be made in Scotland, originally Edinburgh –woohoo!– but they had to move shop overseas in 2008 due to financial pressure — bummer).

Two out of three ethically-made pieces here! June Shin necklace (jeweler based out of Atlanta, Georgia) • Snoozer Loser quarter-holder necklace (independent online boutique based out of New York) • Primark feather hair thingie (errr)

I went to upload these photos into an AsianCajun post about Edinburgh and springtime (it would have been a lot less wordy — sorry!), and that’s when I saw Anonymous’ link. Niggly turned into full on face-punch. Dang it! So I did a bit of (internet) research. It is true that since 2008, Primark has tried to stop child labor at their supplier’s factories in Bangladesh and India. But since then, very little has been done to change the terrible circumstances of a vast number of people working in the garment industry — all so I can buy a cute tank for £2.

I know other retailers are culpable, and probably the best bet for not buying something that supports subsistent living conditions for thousands is by visiting your local charity shop and thrift stores. For staples like tees and good fitting jeans and work clothes, I’m going to find companies that have invested in fair trade principles.

How about you? Do you guys have any great tips on where to shop (and not spend an arm and a leg) on ethically made clothing? Do you even care about this or does it just make you tired — another thing to do better! (I know that’s how I feel, but I really will attempt to adjust my shopping habits). Do leave comments about this! I’d love to hear tips on how to be a more conscientious consumer and if you guys struggle with this too.

Eeesh! That’s a lot for a Monday isn’t it? How ’bout some pretty crocuses to leave you feeling happy after all that serious talk:

p.s. I know this issue is much bigger and more complex than I covered in this single blog post. Please feel free to just add to the conversation in the comments below. I’ve been reading War of Want’s Love Fashion Hate Sweatshop campaign, and they suggest that you shouldn’t boycott your favorite high street stores because that means loss of jobs for those on the other end (already making too little to live on). Instead, they suggest you campaign for workers’ rights. Read more about how to do that here.

—-

Dear Kitcath,

Sorry to be so wordy lately! I really did just want to write a post about springtime in Edinburgh, and just couldn’t!

I’m looking up some good places in the UK to shop that won’t leave me with a guilty conscience. I feel like Decatur has so many great places: Mingei, Evolve Boutique, Green Mosaics, etc. I need to find the Edinburgh equivalents!

Love and Happy Monday!

Lar

Category: Edinburgh, Lar's Style
28 Comments
10 February 2012

Weekend Wear for Cold Climates

I know it might be hard to trust style advice from someone who has ‘fessed up to her love of sweat pants, but I think I found a perfect winter weekend outfit for Scotland. Oh, did I mention it involves a sweat shirt? Wait it gets better! It involves one of those sweat shirts that says some sort of fakey sporty thing on it. For instance, did you know (says my sweatshirt) that I was on the varsity regatta rowing team in high school? In the photo above, I’m daydreaming about all the time spent on the river and at regatta galas those were the days.(I just googled “what is a regatta?”).
Psst.Cath and I attended a public high school that wasn’t anywhere near a river, or boats, or galas and I’ve always had a preternatural dislike of things involving teams and water. and paddles, for that matter.

But I love a cheap dark gray sweatshirt even if it makes blatantly untrue claims about my prowess in high school and the water. So I bought it and wore it this way:

Mendacious sweatshirt from Primark ($10-ish!) • thrifted jean button-up • Next skinny jeans • Frye boots

I’m pointing to my head in the photo to the right because I just got my first hair cut since June (when Cath and I went together to get twin cuts and donate our hair). I’m going back to the salon in a few weeks to have my hair lightened organically (no smelly chemicals). It’s Edinburgh’s only organic hair salon (I didn’t know hair salons could be organic until I googled it). I’m trying to go as chemical-free as possible with my beauty supplies.

Anywhoodle, what are you guys up to this weekend? Any Regatta Galas (or is that a summer thing)? Oh! And you still have a chance to enter our Shabby Apple giveaway (just click here for details) if it’s before Sunday evening. I’m crossing my fingers for you!

—–

Dear Kitcath,

I found this at Waitrose today. It’s like the UK version of the Larabars! It’s delicious — a bit fruitier than the Larabars with smaller bits of nuts. On the back it has a union jack and says “Gleefully Made in Great Britain.” I’ll stock up on some for when you next come to visit.

Can’t wait to skype chat tomorrow (tomorrow? Sunday? which is best?).

Love,

Lar

Category: Edinburgh, Lar's Style
9 Comments
9 February 2012

How To Make Green Juice

We’ve received a few requests about our green juice, so here’s the lowdown.

For those of you who think this looks disgusting and would rather stick to your chocolate turtle mochas (my favorite! it’s like desert in a cup for breakfast!), I totally understand. But seriously, green juice is quite tasty and instead of depleting your bod (but you taste so good Mr. Turtle Mocha!), it gives you tons of nutrients without making your body work so hard — by juicing, your body doesn’t even have to break down the fiber to get to the good stuff (wait, isn’t fiber good stuff? Yes! I’ll get back to that in a sec).

First things first, the recipe:

Our juice recipe is inspired by Kris Carr. You can of course change up what goes into your juice. When we run out of stuff, we just use what we have. We’ll also save broccoli steams from the previous night’s dinner and juice those.

If you want to see a juicing recipe in action, here’s Kris Carr making juice, not war:



No juicer? No problem!
You can make delicious green smoothies instead! There’s a great veggie-full green smoothie recipe at the bottom of this Crazy Sexy Life post.

Why bother with a juicer? Can’t I just stick to my blender?
Most definitely. A green smoothie is still uber healthy and nutrient-rich. A smoothie is also great if you need something to last you a little longer — it’s got more yummy fat from your avocado and vegan milk. The upside to juice is that it gets rid of the fiber so your body can absorb the nutrients better.

So where do you get your fiber? You eat whole veggies (and grains and legumes) in your other meals. I originally thought “ooo look at me ‘eating’ veggies in the morning, I don’t have to eat another veggie all day.” Sadly this is not the case — you are adding more delicious veg to your diet with juice (yea, you!), but you still have to eat your solid/whole veggies too. So it’s really a win-win once you get over the fact that you didn’t cheat the system (fist shake).

What do you know, you’re just a blogger!
Exactly! I’m not telling you to do this or that it is scientifically proven to enable you to climb mountains in a single leap and turn your pupils into rainbows and sparkles. Matt, Cath and I thought we would give juicing a go and see what would happen. So we’ve been drinking green juice every morning for five weeks. Usually that’s all I have for breakfast, but then I’ll have a snack before lunch (I tend to eat about every 2-3 hours). Matt eats museli and Cath eats oatmeal in addition to their green juice to get them through the first part of their day. By drinking it in the morning I definitely feel more awake and energetic. It’s not like caffeine with its jolt/instant stimulate. The energy I feel from the green juice is more continuous and never gives me a sugar crash.

We decided to blog about it just so those of you who want to try it, feel a little more encouraged. If you talked to me just six weeks ago, the idea of drinking leafy greens for breakfast would have made me look at you funny while I reached for my buttered crumpet and scrambled cheesy eggs. So I know a little information can help you get on your way.

So how about it? You guys gonna give it a go? Let us know and let us know how you feel!

Oh and don’t forget to enter our Shabby Apple Giveaway in Cath’s post below (if you don’t, I’ll be forced to post more fishy-face photos of myself on models’ bodies – creepy!):

Don’t you love “my” outfit? It’s from the Shabby Apple Inca Trail collection.

—-

Dear Kitcath,

I wanted to play Shabby Apple dress-up too. I think you look so much cuter, though I do have to say my background is better. Funny how Edinburgh can sometimes look like a dessert, huh?

Can’t wait for our skype date this weekend!

xoxoxox,

Lar

 

Category: General AsianCajuns Info
9 Comments
7 February 2012

Reader Giveaway: Shabby Apple Dress

This contest is now closed.

Two giveaways in (almost) as many weeks on AsianCajuns! Thanks to all of you who entered the Feiyue contest. For those you who didn’t win, why don’t you enter this Shabby Apple dress giveaway!?!

If you aren’t familiar with Shabby Apple, it’s a website that sells beautiful women’s dresses that you won’t find at the mall. For example, this dress I’m wearing:

My Shabby Apple outfit: F21 cloche, Shabby Apple Dressage dress, shoes c/o Sole Society from this fabulous party.

My outfit is every so slightly inspired by Downton Abbey. Anyone else obsessed with that show? I’ve finally caught up to the fourth episode of the second season and just love the clothes. The dresses are so feminine and elegant. It makes me wish I had more reasons to dress up.

The next time Troy and I go out to a fancy dinner (Valentines Day, perhaps *hint, hint, Troy*) or maybe a trip to the symphony (oh la la), I’ll wear this Shabby Apple dress. I know it’s called the Dressage dress, but 1.) I don’t see how anyone could wear this while riding a horse and 2.) the idea of riding a horse scares the hell out of me. So fancy dinner and a concert it is!

Look at the gorgeous pleats:

And a close-up of my not-so-dressage-friendly-shoes:

Contest info:

One lucky reader will win a dress of her choice. I’m loving the new Mad Hatter Collection for spring – just a thought ;).

How to enter:

1.) Like Shabby Apple on Facebook
2.) Leave me a comment letting me know you’ve done so and let me know where you’d wear your favorite Shabby Apple dress.
3.) The contest will end at 5 p.m. this Sunday.
4.) I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday.

Lagniappe (A little extra):

For a limited amount of time, AsianCajun readers can get 10% off of their order at www.shabbyapple.com by typing in “asiancajuns10off” at checkout 🙂

Best of luck!

Category: Cath's Style
68 Comments
6 February 2012

My Name Is Lar and I Work From Home in My Sweatpants

When I was in my early twenties, I thought by now (28) I would be going to work wearing something like this:

I’d be able to afford these beautiful pieces from Shopbop and walk around in killer pumps all day long.

Or if I was really lucky, something like this:

PC
I’ve always secretly (hello, public blog) wanted to be an artist, work in a light-filled studio and get to wear whatever I wanted — and that “whatever I wanted” would be unique to me and beautiful and come from a place of intense creative expression (read: not sweatpants).

Just last year, it wasn’t so bad. I worked in an office (just a few minutes from Cath’s) and wore normal people clothes:


P.S. Cath always wears gorgeous stuff to work, so if you want some more tips on how to dress for an actual office, leave a comment and let her know. Once I work around other people again, I will use her as my guru.

Now this is what I wear (I can’t even show you the whole body shot, out of shame):

You can get your stylish tips from Cath on AsianCajuns because my fashion advice now goes something like this.

Purchase you sweatpants in a variety of colors, so you don’t “accidentally” wear the same pair all week long (err.cough, cough.obviously this has never happened to me). Or how ’bout this. . .

Cold in the morning? Stick your sweatpants on the radiator before you put them on to go to work (i.e. the kitchen table). Nice and toasty bum-bum guaranteed!

Before I moved to Scotland I hadn’t bought a pair of sweatpants since gym class in middle school where they forced you to get a pair in black with a bobcat on it. Rahhh! (Cat claw hand swipe).

Now, I don’t blame my sartorial deterioration on such a fair country. Plenty of ladies look gorgeous traipsing around Edinburgh on the weekdays regardless of how cold and blustery it gets. It is true that they will probably be sitting face to face with something more than a two-month old poinsettia plant during the course of the day (she never makes cracks about the sweat pants or lack of make-up, so we get along). And there’s the key to this whole decline. being alone in my flat 8-10 hours a day means that there is absolutely no one to impress.

Once my husband comes home I can kinda pretend it’s just about pajama time, so it doesn’t really matter that I’m in sweatpants (right, Matteo, right? You lucky devil, you!). And sitting by myself in my kitchen working at my mac all day is really not conducive to a pencil skirt or even skinny jeans or even jeggings (too thin for a cold Scottish flat). Really the only thing that will do is sweatpants.

The End (of being a self-claimed fashionably attired person).

p.s. Please do not feel as if I’m being derogatory toward anyone who prefers to wear sweatpants all day, every day. I sing their praises and have converted completely! In fact, I apologize for not understanding their magnificence sooner.

—-

Hi Cath!

Do you even own a pair of sweatpants? I don’t think I can remember seeing you in a pair since our ballet days.

How was the SuperBowl party? Oh sheesh! I realize that I don’t even know who won. That is easy to do here. Yesterday when I mentioned it someone said “now is that a sporting event or just kind of like a party?” That is a valid question really because I much prefer just the party part. Either way, I hope you guys had fun!

Miss you mucho as usualo!

Luv,

Lar

Category: Lar's Style
13 Comments
2 February 2012

Who Cares What I’m Wearing: Matt’s In a Kilt!

Matt’s department at the University of Edinburgh held a Burns Supper this past weekend. When going to a dinner for the poet of Scotland, you wouldn’t be caught dead in trousers (or pants for that matter). So Matt bought this dashing tartan number. He’s still working on getting the rest of the kilt accoutrements: sporran (purse), socks (he improvised with some sporty ones), dirk (knife), etc.

Apart from wearing skirts kilts, what do you do to honor Robert Burns you ask? Bagpipes, scotch, eat haggis, scotch, dancing (a ceilidh), some more scotch, topped off with poetry. If you are rusty on your Burns, you’ll probably at least remember Auld Lang Syne and My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. But if you think all of Burns poetry was sweet and nostalgic you must do some more reading here. He was a bit (read: a lot) of a ladies man and had a great sense of humor. I think he would have been pleased as punch to have men traipsing around on his birthday in kilts, toting bottles of scotch and mumbling rude poetry.

Non-Scots might grimace at the idea of having to eat haggis in order to do this Burns Night thing properly, but really it’s quite tasty. Cath and I both like the meaty version, but this year I opted for the vegetarian one .

What’s in the real version, you ask? Usually sheep heart, liver, lungs, onion, oatmeal, suet and spices — traditionally all wrapped up in a sheep’s stomach. I know that sounds daunting (and terrible if you are vegetarian), but back in the day you used every bit of your very precious animals. What does it taste like? A more irony kind of sausage. When mixed with your potatoes and turnips, it’s delightful!

What’s in the vegetarian version? Lentils and beans instead of the animal bits, and obviously no sheep tummy wrapper. I actually prefer this version most of the time because it’s less iron-y and lets more woolie sheepies roam around.

Not as scary as you thought, right?

In closing, more men in kilts for you lads and lassies:

—-

Dear Cath,

I so missed you sooo much this year! Our first Burns Night apart.

Remember this from this post a few years back?

Love and haggis,

Lar

 

Category: Edinburgh
7 Comments
30 January 2012

My Secret Bad Hair Day Weapon

As I write this post, I’m already planning on using this secret weapon tomorrow since I don’t feel like washing my hair tonight. I know that might sound gross, but I’m a firm believer in not washing your hair everyday – mostly because it allows me to be lazy.

So what is my secret weapon? My mesh hair donut!

Let me explain.

Ever since I got my hair chopped off last summer (Lar and I took the plunge together) I haven’t been able to wear my hair in a messy bun. At first my hair was too short to even pull back in a respectable ponytail and now it’s still too short to make a full size bun.

Enter the hair donut:

Look at that giant bun! I just loop my ponytail through the mesh donut (see image below), spread my hair around it and pin it with a few hair pins.

I bought it at Primark in Edinburgh when I was visiting Lar. It only cost £1, best cash I’ve ever spent. Even if you can’t make it to Scotland to purchase a mesh hair donut, you can pick one up at your local beauty supply store or just google it and purchase one online.

Hurray for bad hairs days (fixed with mesh donuts)!

________________________

Dearest Lar,

Do you ever use that mesh bump it that you bought at Primark when I bought the donut? I think that one was trickier to use.

Even though I’m easing up on the diet a little bit, I’m still drinking my green juice every morning. I love it!

How many more days on your veggie cleanse? I had seafood the other day when we went to get dim sum and I felt guilty thinking of you eating nothing but fruits and veg.

xoxo, Cath

Category: Cath's Style
12 Comments