Around the World from Home: Cultural Festivals in Texas

One of my favorite outdoor things to do is attend festivals. Growing up I looked forward to the Houston International Festival every year; the music, the food, and the cultural exposure...there’s always something fun to do and cool to see. Updated monthly, here’s a list of cultural festivals/exhibits taking place here in Texas:

Art: Celebrating Frida Kahlo

It’s Frida Kahlo’s birthday (July 6th); she’s an inspiration and a fellow cancerian, so it’s only right that we celebrate her. Frida’s fearlessness and uniqueness is what I admire the most about her; it seems she lived unapologetically and wasn’t afraid to be herself which is what I strive for daily. Check out these upcoming Frida Kahlo events in Texas:

Around the World From Home: 7 Interesting St. Patrick's Day Facts

Haigh (hi) Butterflies! Like so many others, I've participated in the fun traditions that are apart of the "St. Patrick's Day" holiday for as long as I can remember but the only thing I truly knew until recently was 1) it's always celebrated on the 17th day of March and 2) you have to wear green to avoid being pinched. This year I decided to do some research about this green holiday and here’s what I've learned...

Around the World from Home: Celebrating Mardi Gras & Creole Culture in Texas

Celebrating Mardi Gras and the Creole/Cajun Culture is something I look forward to every year; the festivals, the food, the music and the atmosphere in general is why so many people are intrigued by the culture. In the Big Easy (New Orleans) Mardi Gras celebrations usually began in January and end in February or the first week in March depending on what date Shrove Tuesday falls on. Shrove Tuesday, also know as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Around the World from Home: Holiday Card Exchange 2023

Butterflies! For the last eight holiday seasons, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in an old fashion holiday card exchange; sending and receiving beautiful handwritten cards is so heartwarming and it defiantly helps spread holiday cheer. I wrote a guide post sharing gifts from around the world and that post inspired me to expand my reach so instead of just exchanging cards with people in the States, I started exchanging holiday cards with people from all over the world. It’s a great experience and makes for a wonderful holiday tradition.

Around the World From Home: Best Places for Cultural Cuisines in the Houston Area + World Food Day

Foodie Butterflies, what’s your favorite cuisine? Mexican and Italian are my favorites but I definitely enjoy experiencing all cultures of foods. How do you know if you don’t like it if you don’t try it?

Anyway, it’s World Food Day (October 16th) and I wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite places to enjoy international cuisines + checkout my favorite foodie quotes below:

Around the World from Home: Celebrating Eid

Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid) Butterflies! If you’re unfamiliar with Islam, Eid is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all over the world, marking the end of the dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan which lasts between 29 and 30 days, depending on when a new moon is sighted. Since the exact date of Eid depends on the lunar calendar, sighting of the new moon means that Eid al-Fitr can begin.

Around the World from Home: Date Night at Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting

Butterflies, I recently attended a tequila tasting for date night and it was so much fun. Tequila is a product of Mexico and is one of the world’s most recognized and favored spirits. Ironically, Mexico City is one of my travel goals…I’m looking forward to touring the tequila and Frida Kahlo museums while visiting. Until then, I’ll continue to enjoy my tequila drinks here in Texas.

Around the World From Home: 7 Places to Buy Gifts From Around the World

 

This is a sponsored post.

Exploring foreign lands and learning about different cultures is genuinely exciting to me; I also love to shop occasionally so I figured I'd get a head start on holiday gift shopping and start looking for gifts now. Whenever I shop for gifts for friends and family or even just for keepsakes for myself, I always prefer unique, handmade gifts with a story behind them rather than a meaningless mass produced product. I'm currently on a quest to find unique, handmade products from all over the world that I can purchase online, these are a few of my favorite choices so far...

Around the World From Home: Oh Ship! Tales of a Cruising Chick and Other Travel Adventures Book

Butterflies! So I've been trying to get back to reading regularly, my goal is to read at least one new book a month but you know life gets busy and before you know it months/years have gone by. Anyway, I recently read a really nice book about traveling and being adventurous and if you know me or read my blog regularly you know this is my kind of book. The book, Oh Ship!: Tales of a Cruising Chick and Other Travel Adventures by Lori A. Moore is composed of several short stories about the many trips the author has taken.

Around the World From Home: The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker was in Town.

Hey Butterflies! I was recently presented the opportunity to see a live performance of the holiday classic The Nutcracker; performed by the Moscow Ballet. Although I wasn't able to take any pictures, I was able to pick up a Nutcracker keepsake ornament after the show. I took my kid with me and we both really enjoyed it, my favorite part of the show was the "Arabian Variation", those two dancers were phenomenal! 

Around the World From Home: Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker

The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is coming to Houston Nov. 6! My Readers Can Save on Tickets Now with this exclusive offer from US Family Guide! It's the ultimate holiday tradition and creates memories for a lifetime. The production includes over 200 romantic costumes and 10' tall playful animal puppets; shimmering colorful, backdrops splashed with 3-D effects; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls and a puppet show for shadowing the Nutcracker Story at the opening Christmas Party. During the battle with Nutcracker Prince and the 3-headed Rat King, a golden cannon shoots roses! In the Magical Snow Forest an authentic Russian style Troika Sleigh, known as the fastest sleigh in the world, is escorted by Father Christmas (Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) on their way to Act II.

Around the World from Home: Chinese New Year 4712 (2014) Year of the Horse + FREE Ling Ling Egg Rolls

Happy Chinese New Year! Friday, January 31, 2014 marked the start of a new year; it's the year of the horse. For many horses represent strength, power, and freedom. 

In celebration of the Chinese New Year Ling Ling Asia Kitchen has a high value coupon. Visit the Ling Ling Facebook page and “like” them to get a printable coupon good for $3/1 Ling Ling Asian product. Target and other stores offer the small boxes of Ling Ling Egg Rolls for @ $3, making them FREE after this coupon. 

Around the World From Home: Serena Accepts French Open Trophy in French

If you know me you know I love the French culture (I'm a huge fan of Serena too) and their language is my favorite. Anyway, I came across this video and thought it was cute. It reminds me of the many times I tried speaking French.

Serena speaks french while accepting the French Open trophy: