pink rickshaw

turmeric latte

"Each spice has a special day to it. For turmeric it is Sunday, when light drips fat and butter-colored into the bins to be soaked up glowing, when you pray to the nine planets for love and luck." -Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

It seems like in the last year or so, turmeric and turmeric based drinks are having quite the moment. There is a lot of discussion about turmeric being a "miracle root" due to its very long list of health benefits and medicinal properties. And recently, on mainstream lifestyle and food sites, I am seeing a lot of variations of a very classic Indian home remedy: turmeric milk (also known as golden milk or haldi dood). While sadly, the sudden spotlight on turmeric milk is probably a classic case of Columbusing, the good news is, that the different takes on the drink do add some flair to a very plain recipe. Traditionally, Ayurvedic turmeric milk is warm milk with about a teaspoon of turmeric. Each family has their own variations ranging from adding ginger or cinnamon. So, chances are, if you are of South Asian descent, you have reluctantly had some version of this in your lifetime if you were not feeling well. So, I will be really candid. I don't know if it is because I have only drank this when I was sick or about to be, but I find the traditional, warm version pretty hard to swallow. But knowing it can be so beneficial, I was excited to find so many different recipes including some iced or chilled versions. So, if you are like me and not a fan of the warm version or just new to the turmeric game (welcome!), why even bother? Well, the health benefits are quite compelling.

Turmeric is a well-known remedy in Ayurvedic medicine for a plethora of ailments but it is a proven anti-inflammatory which can be helpful for numerous things like muscle fatigue, joint pain, and aiding with digestion and gut inflammation (which can actually help with weight loss). Turmeric Milk or Golden Milk,in particular, is primarily used to help with colds, sore throats, headaches and depression. The spice is full of anti-oxidants, calcium, and iron just to name a few of its important elements. Also, all the scientific buzz around turmeric has grown because the main compound in turmeric, curcumin (which actually gives it its bright hue), has also been studied for its ability to potentially ward off serious health issues like heart attacks and diabetes. Another compound in turmeric that is currently being studied is aromatic tumerone, which has been found to promote repair to stem cells in the brain. With a list like that, in lieu of taking a spoonful of turmeric (I do not suggest that...eeech!) it's definitely worth trying to add some turmeric to a smoothie or whipping up a dairy beverage. To incorporate turmeric into my own diet (on a more regular basis) I tried multiple recipes: most that I did not like. So being an iced coffee/shake lover, I ultimately landed on this variation.

favorite pens

"You want to be a writer, but you don't know how or when. Find a quiet place; use a humble pen." -Paul Simon

I love a good pen. I mean, really love a good pen. In fact, I frequently have to stop myself from turning Pink Rickshaw into a website exclusively about pens (I'm really not going to do that; in case you were planning on unsubscribing). So, warning: if you're okay with writing with a hotel ballpoint pen (no judgement), this is probably not the best post for you (I'll give you a second to instead read this, this or this). But, if you are like me (and I know you're out there) and are always on the hunt for a good pen, this, my friend and fellow pen aficionado, is dedicated to you. These are my some of favorite, inexpensive pens (Note: These are not your fancy heirloom type pens, specialty pens (fountain pens, etc) or international pens (those are the best!) but more your disposable, everyday use, mainstream pens that retail for about $2-8 each) 

fashion friday

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulder of giants."-Issac Newton

I am in New York this weekend and being in the fashion capital of the world, fresh off of Fashion Week, is energizing. The inventive street styles and the fresh spring lines at all the shops and boutiques provide lots of sartorial inspiration.  I will tell you, what is not inspiring: how bone chilling cold it has been. It definitely makes me miss the warm temperatures back home which are perfect for one of spring's hottest trends: the off-the-shoulder top. I'm seeing variations of these shoulder baring styles pop up everywhere. The silhouette is  an updated take on the 90's version and the off-the-shoulder blouse is a great transition piece that shows just the right amount of skin. Here are few from around the web (pictured clockwise):

Tibi Draped Twill Off-the-Shoulder Top
coolchange Skye Stripe Beach Blouse
Bailey 44 'Yarrow' Woven Off the Shoulder top
Cupcakes and Cashmere Sunset Lace Off Shoulder top
(Not pictured) Free People That Girl Off the Shoulder top
(Not pictured and under $20): H&M Off-the-shoulder blouse  

-SD

 

 

dfw south asian film festival (2016)

“We live in a box of space and time. Movies are windows in its walls. They allow us to enter other minds, not simply in the sense of identifying with the characters, although that is an important part of it, but by seeing the world as another person sees it.”-Roger Ebert

Tonight kicks off the second annual Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival and there is an impressive line-up of films. The festival opens today at the Perot Museum with a screening of Miss India America directed by Ravi Kapoor and starring Tiya Sircar (read a past interview with Pink Rickshaw here) and Hannah Simone (Hey, Cece from New Girl!). The 2014 film which has been getting some buzz at Asian film festivals in the U.S. is a coming-of-age comedy about an academically over-achieving high school student, Lily (played by Sircar). She enters the Miss India Golden State pageant in hopes of wooing back her ex-boyfriend who has left Lily for a reigning beauty queen. If you have ever heard about or experienced an Indian pageant in the U.S., you can see why it would make an interesting backdrop for a film. The Hollywood Reporter's review praised the film saying the "screenplay quickly establishes an authentic tone that pays respect to Indian cultural norms, while poking gentle fun at the often-divergent interpretations that these traditions receive in overseas communities. Kapoor’s television directing experience translates smoothly between formats as he competently navigates Lily into increasingly conflicted situations, while maintaining a comically light touch throughout."

Other films in the festival that caught my eye are the Bollywood film Aligarh (which closes the festival on Sunday) starring Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao in a biographical drama about a professor who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. Umrika is a 2015 Indian dramedy starring Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi) and Prateik Babbar (Dhobi Ghaat, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na) where Babbar's character sets off for the United States to find a better life but things are not exactly as they appear. The festival is also rounded out with a number of short films (my favorites) and documentaries including the art documentary, Blue Like Me, featuring the work of artist Siona Benjamin. Benjamin is a Jewish women raised in India and her paintings span themes of feminism, race and identity.

The DFW SAFF runs this weekend from February 19-21 at the Perot Museum (opening night) and Angelika Film Center in Plano. Festival passes and individual tickets can be purchased on the festival website or at the box office.
Update: Looks like all the films are sold out but there may be tickets for purchase at the box office for the Saturday and Sunday shows.

image source: DFW SAFF

-SD 

meet: 6th and Detroit

"Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
I attended Create & Cultivate last month (which I highly recommend to any woman who is in the digital space whether you are a blogger, entrepreneur, photographer, or even just thinking about starting something) and met so many cool, creative and enterprising businesswomen (#ladyboss). One of them was Michelle Qazi, who specializes in selling vintage home decor pieces. Michelle is the epitome of California cool and her chic, personal aesthetic is reflected in her beautifully curated Etsy shop: 6th and Detroit. Personally (like many of you), I am constantly redecorating and have been trying to incorporate in more vintage items, but shopping for the right pieces can be a little intimidating. So, I turned to Michelle for some advice. Michelle launched her Etsy shop in April 2015. The shop is named after her first apartment on (you guessed it) 6th and Detroit in Los Angeles. As a recent college graduate on a  Top Ramen budget, she furnished that apartment with vintage treasures from Goodwill and Salvation Army. Over the years her love for vintage shopping grew into her business today. In a very crowded marketplace, Michelle makes her shop stand out by styling her items in creative diverse looks, providing high quality products and presenting stunning photography. Here are some of her tips for buying and decorating with vintage pieces...

 

PR: What are some of the trends in home design in 2016 that can be accomplished with vintage pieces?

MQ: Mid Century design continues to hold a strong presence in 2016 by mixing in sleeker newer pieces and adding warm textural textiles.  For smalls, copper and brass are still an accent favorite, but the updated version is now a more mixed metals vibe and marble.  

 

PR: What are your tips for incorporating vintage pieces into a modern or contemporary room?

MQ: The key to incorporating vintage is to make it work in a modern setting.  Making vintage “new” again.  If you are new to the game, start with something small like bookends, a vase, etc. that would work with your current setting and grow from there. If there is a larger vintage item that is the main focal point in the room, like a couch, then pair it with one or two lighter armchairs with clean smooth lines.  I am all about mixing vintage styles and eras with the new to keep it from looking too literal.

 

valentine's day dinner

Cooking is love made visible.

Looking for a little inspiration for a last-minute Valentine's Day dinner at home? A classic Indian meal with a few Valentine's inspired touches may add just the right amount of spice* to your night. *If you can get past my lame pun, I promise these are a few must-try recipes of Indian favorites from some great sources. Happy Valentine's Day!

Hors D' oeuvre: Start with this Indian inspired cheeseboard
Main: Tandoori Chicken from  one of NYC's hottest Indian restaurants, Babu Ji
Side: (or vegetarian Main): Spicy Cauliflower Steaks from Vij's at Home: Relax Honey (from the famed Vancouver chef Vikram Vij of Vij's and Rangoli)
Side: Beetroot Raita from Shef's Kitchen (If you are in the Austin area, Shef has a class coming up next week. You can see her class schedule here)
Dessert: Strawberry Lassi

image sources: tastingtable.com; shefskitchen.com; houseandhome.com; saveur.com

-SD

fashion friday

"People come up to me all the time and say 'you should be a model,' or 'you look just like a model,' or 'maybe you should try to be a man who models.' And I always have to laugh because I'm so good looking. Of course I'm a model."-Derek Zoolander

Happy Fashion Friday! New York Fashion Week is in full swing this week. It runs thorough Feb 18, so we're only a few shows deep, but here are some of the looks that have caught my eye so far.

Top (from left to right):
1. Marissa Webb
2. Sachin and Babi
3. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

Bottom row (from left to right):
4. Creatures of the Wind
5. Tadashi Shoji
6. Yeezy Season 3  (Note: This line is a bit of a head scratcher for me but it is of course, the much hyped Kanye West show and was the release of his new album, "The Life of Pablo". I'm pretty sure there is much more discussion to come on both topics. )

If you need more for your fashion fix, here are some fresh images from today's shows including Jason Wu and CG.

image source: runway shots  via NY Mag's The Cut

-SD