Author Archives: Tarkaan

November

Dashing Through Cities: The Kardashians Take Over Slowly

If people touched by magic possess a special kind of light, the Kardashian sisters are positively glowing. Unlike luck, though, magic is a thing created, and the magic of Kourtney & Khloe Kardashian is a result of a prodigious amount of work and talent. In everything these women say about themselves and each other the affection they share is evident.

September

August

Strawberry Hot Cake: The Benefits of This Delicious Gift of Nature

We all know strawberries are delicious, but they are also nutritious, and ideally should be a part of everyone’s daily diet. You’ll enjoy some health advantages by eating strawberries regularly, and the best part is strawberries are one of the most delicious fruits. Adding fresh strawberries to your diet, whether they are in salads, smoothies, or on their own, is a great way to get the servings of fruit you need for a well-rounded body and a healthy immune system.

Set Yourself Free

All of us have, at one time or another, been so deeply hurt by the words or actions of others that we harbor feelings of resentment, anger, and even hatred toward the offender. These emotions, if left to fester, can be detrimental to our health and well-being. Letting go of them and forgiving those who have hurt us can set us free from the negative attachment that unforgiveness brings.  

Transracial Adoption

My mother has this story she loves to tell now, much to my sister’s chagrin. “Awww….look at her – is she loveable…?”  a woman asked, looking at my 1 year-old sister, sitting in the shopping cart. This is where my mother now breaks out in laughter, but at the time, as the story goes, she looked dumbfounded at the woman and just stated “yes.” 

Singa Far From Poor

After a long flight, the first thing I am interested in doing is getting OUT of the airport as soon as possible and beginning my fabulous vacation.  But once I arrived at Singapore Changi International Airport, quite possibly the world’s greatest airport, I have changed my tune and found it sad to leave it. What makes an airport so spectacular? 

Hipsters and Digitalism at South by Southwest: How Technology is changing the Face of the Ultimate Music Fest

At the South by Southwest festival this year I am invited to an after party on the East side of Austin, Texas, the proverbial barrio or town which is now rapidly morphing into the truly hip neighborhood. Condominiums, still modest, relatively understated structures, are popping up next to houses, coffee joints are sprouting beside taco shacks, and I know it’s only a matter of time before the high rises of downtown Austin cross the dividing line of Interstate 35.

Salt Water Therapy: An Ancient and Pocket Friendly Path to Tranquility and Well-being…

Therapy comes in all sorts of packages and is good for the mind, the body, and the soul. Sea Salt in all of its simplicity is more than just a seasoning, but historically a very powerful and therapeutic substance. Popular and pricey at Spas, a rejuvenating Salt Water Bath is at your fingertips, but it’s more affordable to do at home.

Destination: Peru

If this is your first trip to Peru, you’re probably headed to Machu Picchu, which is a good choice. However, don’t forget there is more to this country than the fabled lost city.  Peru is a wonderful country, full of bright colors and friendly faces, where the people make the most of their day. Take a trip and explore the historical cities where the ancient Incas once walked and the capital hill of modern Peru now stands.

Harajuku Love

With designers like Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto for Y3 as some of Japan’s most recognized fashion names, it is no wonder Tokyo street fashion has evolved into a source of inspiration for designers worldwide. With their avante garde designs these designers have been paving the way for Japan’s fashion conscious since the 70s.

Beauty in the Workplace: Exuma Discovered

Exuma is a sandy wonderland of unscathed beaches and raw beauty.  Unlike the cold-cathode chromaticity of a cityscape the colors that this island boasts come from mother earth.  The ocean sparkles a calming celadon and aqua and remains a still body of water year-round.  As with so many beautiful places around the world, it has become a desired destination to visit.  Here small town nature meets affluence. 

I Adore Vintage: A Modern Old Way of Shopping

“My mom’s kind of a hippie,” says Rodellee Farren. Her mother is also the woman who inspired her to explore the world of vintage clothing. At an age where children were learning about the birds and the bees, Rodellee was in her mother’s closet trying on clothes that wouldn’t fit her for decades. Back then, trying on muumuus brighter than the sun was as much an activity for her as hopscotch. Little did she know that the pastime would turn into a career.

Shopping Trip: Monrovia

If you’re ever in sunny California, be sure to stop by boutiques that match your personal and intricate style. While on a summer vacation, my first stop was a contemporary women’s boutique called Jenni B. in Monrovia, California. After 3 steps in the door, the smell of tangerine and sweet nectar invaded my senses.

Shannon Elizabeth’s Got Rhythm…

Shannon Elizabeth walked into the loft of the RecCenter in Los Angeles; hair in a ponytail, fresh faced, with celebrity-sized sunglasses, all while donning short shorts and a tank. Perfectly personifying an all American college beauty with a beaming smile to match, I knew we would have an easy-breezy shoot. Shannon was radiant even before spending hours in hair and makeup, which is exactly where our girl talk took place.

Newborn Country

Indeed, America has finally been born. Countries of the globe have been waiting these past two hundred and thirty-three years for the baby establishment that is America to expel itself from the womb. At last the U.S. is now alive and bravely crying aloud in the world.

The Marybest: The Island Hybrid

“When you let go of something negative, you’re given a gift in return.” – Mary Beth
I ran into Mary Beth’s art exhibit at the Haleiwa Arts Festival on a sweltering summer afternoon on Oahu’s North Shore.  I stood patiently waiting under the shade for the chance to talk to her, watching Mary Beth confidently sign her drawings for some very excited buyers while she joked and laughed with them as if she’d known them since childhood.

Let’s Play a Love Game

Love begins as a gamble. You don’t really know what the heck is going to happen, but it seems like it’s worth the risk. You put in a little, you get back more, so you put in more, and still get back some more. Perhaps sometimes you fold. You bail out. Perhaps the risk is not worth the return.

Lost and Found

The recent economic downturn has affected our lives in a variety of ways. Many would choose to look at this with a negative eye but I would like to propose a different outlook. Rather than focusing on having to curb our spending and streamline our budgets, we should look at the possibility of being able to recapture what may have gotten lost… our humanity. Years of consumerism have taken a toll on our lives and society as a whole.