ETHNIC MARKETS
We've shopped the world at www.ethnicgrocer.com
Every pantry needs authentic "south of the border" ingredients. At www.mexgrocer.com you can get hard-to-find cooking gadgets and name brand Hispanic foods. They also share wonderful information about Mexican holidays including recipes and folklore.
Where can you shop for fresh curry leaves or extra hot lime chutney? At www.indianblend.com, you'll find the widest selection of authentic Indian spices and groceries. They carry a "Holiday Spice Kit" that gets our nod, maybe because it includes a free holiday cooking book!
Immerse yourself in Russian culture at www.russianfoods.com. We particularly like their selection of Georgian wines, and have spent hours reading and researching Russian folk medicines. For a Russian theme dinner party, check out their offerings in home decor and authentic music.
And for the feast of a lifetime...check out the aisles at www.caviaretc.com. Choose from foie gras, smoked fish, truffles, and of course, caviar fit for a czar!
At www.asianfoodgrocer.com, you'll find a market that has everything including cooking ingredients, leading brands, stationery, origami and tableware. We love the full line of Mama Sita's mixes which include adobo mix, annato powder and tamarind soup.
GOURMET SHOPS
We like designing our own gift baskets for gift giving. At www.designityourselfgiftbaskets.com you have the freedom to choose the theme, the basket, and the stuffers, like a fine selection of imported chocolates.
We've found very unique qift baskets at www.cheeseandwine.com. Kosher baskets, port wine baskets, and their non-alcoholic baskets are rare finds.
Take the guess work out of wine shopping. At wine.com you'll find the largest international selection we've ever seen! When we are planning a theme dinner, this site comes in very handy. Spend some time at "Wine 101" for a quick lesson in wine etiquette. Search for the cookbook "Wine, Food, and the Good Life." It's a wonderful story with recipes and historic photos from a leading California wine family.
Simply stated: Without Goldberg's Peanut Chews, there is no happiness! If you grew up on Black Jack gum, Sen-Sen, and Sugar Daddy lollipops then visit our friends at www.candydirect.com. It's the place for all sweets.
Does sending roses sound cliché? Then consider long-stemmed chocolate chip cookies from www.cookiegarden.com. They come delivered in a long floral box. What a yummy surprise!
The greatest department store on earth was once Harrod's of London. Today, we would vote www.ebay.com as the virtual department store of the decade. If you aren't already an eBay customer, you really don't know what you're missing. Did we mention, they have everything!
Where did we buy our wedding china? At Dishes, Decor And More
Once upon a time we had a real "Sno-Cone" machine and used it at every party we hosted. The most fun was substituting the candy flavorings with bottles of "schnapps!" You'll find these machines and so much more at www.instawares.com.
One collectible we just couldn't live without is our gumball machine. Our children have taken it as their own and one day we hope to see our grandchildren playing with it! Log on to www.concessionstands.com for gumball machines, popcorn carts and wonderful "spin art" machines.
THE NEWSTAND
Gourmet Magazine for $11.99 for a full year! That's the lowest price to be found. Check out all the gourmet cuisine magazines at www.mags4cheap.com.