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Around the World in Charleston: Best Ethnic Dining

August 8, 2012 by

In Charleston,  we like to give our taste buds a little adventure, and luckily, we don’t have to jet-set far for a bite of global cuisine. With our local restaurants showcasing classic dishes the world-over, all we have to do is decide where our hunger will take us next! Here are some of our favorite places to dine the world right in our beloved Lowcountry:

  • Basil: When we’re in the mood for authentic Thai cuisine,  only Basil will do. Whether it’s peanut-sauce-glazed satay, their famed basil rolls, curries, or Pad Prik, no other Thai restaurant comes close to Basil’s dishes or their lush, sophisticated ambiance. Be sure to top off your delicious meal with one of their signature cocktails—a perfect nightcap.
  • Zia Taqueria: Looking for something a little south of the border? Zia is an authentic Mexican taqueria offering regional Mexican, Southerwestern, and Tex-Mex cuisine and beverage with only natural ingredients. Be sure to try the savory tortas, carne asada, and baja fish —you’ll never forget that wonderful baja sauce!
  • Tabbuli: To sum up the magic of Tabbuli in a word: babaghanoush. Their fire-roasted rendition of this beloved eggplant appetizer is worth the trip alone! Of course, we stay for their glorious salads—fattoush, tabbuli, and the tahini salad. And the falafel. And the kabobs. Who are we kidding—we love it all.
  • La Fourchette: This French bistro will have your heart before you can say moules a la bretonne (their steamed mussels with shallots in a buttery garlic and white wine sauce). For the vegetarian diner, they offer a plethora of soups and salads, as well as an otherworldly delicious eggplant dish, replete with tomatoes, zucchini, and goat cheese, all in a decadent leek sauce. Don’t leave without sampling their succulent cheeses, paired perfectly with any wine from their full list!

Which ethnic eateries have you sampled in Charleston?

 

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Simple Summer Makeup Tips

August 6, 2012 by

With summer’s heat in full swing, it’s a good time to shakeup your daily routine—your makeup routine, that is! Embrace the heat and look divine with these tips that make your face as vibrant as the day is bright.

Get naked: Well, not literally. But who wants gobs of foundation melting off the tip of your nose in this record-breaking heat? Instead, try setting your face first with a little bit of lotion (SPF is your friend!), and only use a touch of concealer under your eyes (pro-tip: make sure to use a concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin color if you are prone to bags under the eyes). Finish your base with a loose powder, like MAC’s Select Sheer Loose Powder. A loose powder absorbs sweat and shine, but gives your skin the airy look of bare skin.

  • Glow: Summer is the perfect excuse to try out the bronzer that’s intimidated you all winter. Instead of using blush, sweep a little bit of bronzer just under your cheekbones (this will make them look extraordinarily pronounced!). Next, use a bronzer that’s slightly lighter to highlight the actual cheekbone and make them pop, all while giving your skin a radiant glow.
  • Go au natural: As for the eyes, less is more in the summer. Choose a light, matte shadow to brush all over the eyes, from lash line to brow-base. Next, dab a warm chocolate shade in the crease and blend. (Color tip: we especially love Nars Cosmetics Eye Shadow Duo in Key Largo).
  • Lash out: Spare no expense when it comes to coating those lashes. One of summer’s sexiest looks is a dramatic lash. Give Maybelline’s Illegal Length mascara a try. This mascara noticeably lengthens lashes thanks to its fiber extensions, and it builds well. Don’t forget the bottom lashes!
  • Kiss: Forget about lipstick—grab your favorite shade in Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm and apply generously. It keeps your lips healthy, moist, and lends just enough color to complete your gorgeous summer look.

What are your best-kept summer makeup secrets?

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What are the Symptoms of Capsular Contracture from an Implant?

August 3, 2012 by

The below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

What are the symptoms of capsular contracture from an implant?

Capsular contracture is commonly described using the four-grade Baker Scale.

  • Grade I — the breast is normally soft and appears natural in size and shape
  • Grade II — the breast is a little firm, but appears normal.
  • Grade III — the breast is firm and appears abnormal
  • Grade IV — the breast is hard, painful to the touch, and appears abnormal

The symptoms can be varying from mild to severe.  Mild capsular contracture may only be detectable by your surgeon.  If the process worsens and becomes severe it may lead to changes in the breast that a person easily could tell themselves.  In other words, the shape may change, the breast may become different in shape, and clothes may begin to fit differently.  The breast may become hard and the skin and tissue over the implant can change in appearance and color.  The most severe problem related to capsular contracture would be pain and discomfort that may eventually limit the range of motion and movement of the shoulder and upper body.  Some patients relate symptoms that they describe as an “iron bra” across the chest when the scar is so thick and tight.  The chest feels like it is wrapped in something as wrapped in an “iron bra” all the way around.  Sometimes the process can worsen and actually press in, move the muscles away from the breast area, and change the shape of the ribs.  This would be the most severe form of capsular contracture and at that point we would recommend removing the implant and replacing the reconstruction with a muscle-sparing procedure.

Did you find this post helpful? We’d love to hear from you in our comments section.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Best Fro-Yo in Charleston

August 1, 2012 by

The frozen yogurt craze is sweeping the country—and Charleston, too!  One of the healthier indulgences around, frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit is also the perfect summer treat.  Come see a few places where you can get your fix, and get in on the fun:

TCBY: Right off Folly Rd, you can get your swirl on at the chain that started it all. With delectable soft serve flavors (cake batter, anyone?), you can dress your fro-yo with toppings ranging from fresh fruit and almonds, to brownie bites and cookie bits. Show restraint or indulge as you see fit!

  • YoBe Frozen Yorgurt: With two locations to choose from, one in West Ashley and the other off International Boulevard in North Charleston, it’s easy to tour the delicious offerings of this renowned yogurt stand. The distinctive yogurt-rich taste of their soft serve is unlike anywhere else and absolutely delicious.

  • FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café: This frozen yogurt café on St. George Street is sure to woo with its pleasant atmosphere and fruit-infused menu. Stop by for a perfect late-night dessert, and enjoy some of the finer local fro-yo offerings in Charleston.
  • Yogurt Mountain: A lively stand on King Street, this frozen yogurt eatery has an abundance of soft serve flavors and toppings to make the perfect treat. For the lactose-intolerant diners, they even offer sorbet in wonderfully fruity options!
  • Menchies Frozen Yogurt: In Mount Pleasant, you’ll find this fro-yo joint has all the flavors and toppings you could wish for, and a hands-on approach to the whole endeavor: the soft serve machines, lined along the wall, are customer operated. So get creative! Mix and match to your heart’s content. Menchies even accounts for the indecisive fro-yo imbiber with little cups to sample each flavor.

What’s your favorite frozen yogurt flavor and topping combo?

 

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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