Spices make plain dishes sing with excitement. Check the price of a single jar of curry at the supermarket and you realize this is a great item to get at a small ethnic market such as Samosa House and Bharat Bazaar at 11510 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066.  And not only are they a market, they have great prepared foods in their deli if you need an entire meal or just some side dishes.

These spices come in large bags at a small price. Save all your small glass containers and you can start your own collection. Put on cute labels and give them as hostess gifts or share the cost with a friend.

How about a spice bridal shower? Everyone brings their favorite with a recipe. Sure you can go to a restaurant and pay $30 to $50 per person, sit around while you are served mediocre food, and buy the bride another toaster oven.  Or you can dress up your home with some Indian table cloths, have everyone bring a yummy dish with a bottle of the spice used and recipe as a gift to the bride, and give her a day that will be remembered every time she opens  her kitchen cabinet.

Now I love Indian food, however you can also use a French theme and have everyone bring a dish with their favorite herb. Try the Japanese Mitsuwa Marketplace, 3760 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066 , where they have all the ingredients for a Japanese meal and a fantastic selection of teas.  How about some exotic flavors of ice cream for dessert? Go to the Saffron and Rose Ice Cream on Westwood Blvd. and pick up pistachio, ginger, or mixed berries. 

Check out the ethnic markets in your area and see what there is.  Frugal Divas want the best and they know how to get it.

Pasadena, so near and yet so far in atmosphere. It’s a small town with a lot of culture. Start with Vroman’s Bookstore. Check out their events page and see if they have a reading, then roam this spacious old fashioned bookstore. On the ground floor they have a bargain section – beautiful art books discounted to a quarter of their price along with children’s books, CDs, and odd things that fit that strange person working in the space next to you. They even have a wonderful coffee shop for a much needed caffeine break.

The  Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 East Union Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 is  $7 for Adults, $5 for Seniors and Students and free the first Friday of the month. However they have a special offer with the Pacific Asia Museum on Colorado and Los Robles: Attend both museums in the same day and receive 50% off admission at the second museum when you present proof of entrance. Two lovely niche museums for the price of a movie. The Norton Simon has a fantastic collection and beautiful out door area. 

Take a walk down Colorado and enjoy the architecture of Old Town Pasadena, stopping at the Pasadena City Hall Location 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA  91109. You will also pass the Paseo Shopping Center at 280 East Colorado.  They have a huge DSW and a Loehmanns. If you keep going down Colorado you will reach an H & M, they are a fantastic place to pick up that trendy item at a low price. There are eateries for every taste and budget.

Besides the Old Towne area for dining there is also Lake Street  Some great choices are the Roma Italian Deli and Grocer, 918 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, (626) 797-7748. Just go to the counter and buy some fantastic cold cuts and freshly baked bread. The Corner Bakery is another great spot at 345 S Lake Ave.Pasadena, CA 91101 , (626) 578-1281. They are part of the Lettuce Entertain You chain and that means great quality, huge portions, and a lot of choice. Step up to the counter and leave satisfied.

Drive around and see the old Huntington Hotel, classic craftsman homes, and the Rose Bowl.  People fly across country to enjoy this pocket of Los Angeles. For the rest of us it’s only a short drive.