Chic vs. Geek: Autumn or Fall?

This Wednesday, we celebrate the beginning of autumn — or fall — when the weather begins to chill and colors begin to turn. So what’s your favorite part of the season?

CHIC (PEARL)

I love everything about autumn, but my favorite thing has to be kicking up a pile of red, yellow, orange-y brown leaves and hearing them snap, crackle, and pop underneath my feet. It makes me feel like a kid again, even just for a moment, and you can’t trade that for anything.

GEEK (KEVIN)

I cannot tell a lie. I live for pumpkin spice. Lattes, muffins, waffles, milkshakes. I will literally try anything with that precious taste that’s not quite pumpkin, not super spicy, and all things delicious. Of course, this obsession has a bad effect on my health, so I have to learn to control the urge.

Summertime, and the livin's fizzy!

It’s Summertime, and the livin’ is easy, especially when you can kick back and enjoy one of these refreshing beverages on your backyard patio!

Food for Thought: Celebrating Culture

Every culture has its own traditions for celebrating a new year, and more often than not, these traditions center around food. Here’s a list of popular Lunar New Year treats and the fortunes they symbolize:

• Steamed fish bring an increase in prosperity

• Dumplings and spring rolls lead to wealth

• Tangyuan rice balls signify family and togetherness

• Fruit like tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are considered good fortune

• Round and golden fruit typically symbolize fullness and wealth

• Niangao rice cakes will lead to a higher income or higher position at work

• And longevity noodles signal happiness and, you guessed it, longevity

Some of our favorite foods around this time of year come from Vietnamese kitchens. Here’s a handy guide:

• Bánh chưng: Square shaped sticky rice cake

• Bánh tét: Cylindrical steamed sticky rice cake

• Thịt kho tàu: Braised pork with eggs

• ‘Mứt: Dried candied fruits

• Canh bóng: Vegetable soup with pork skin

• Thịt Gà: Boiled chicken

• Mâm Ngũ Quả: Five-fruit tray

We wish you a very Happy (and full) Lunar New Year!

Shop Small

While the holidays might look a little different this year, it's more important than ever to support our local communities and small business owners. This year, I'm looking forward to shopping small. Here are some of my favorite local vendors:

Therapy Stores – Let your favorites do the choosing! Send a gift card to a loved one that they can redeem for whatever strikes their fancy at this SF online boutique.

Present – A friendly store in Downtown Los Altos featuring gifts, gift baskets, and gift boxes of artisanal food, chocolates, beauty and spa products, candles, mugs and vases.

Sugar Butter Flour – You can get any kind of cake or dessert you can imagine at this Sunnyvale staple. My favorite is the Princess Cake. It melts in your mouth!