Smitten: EuroGrocer

No one can agree on this economic slump/recession/depression's preferred name, but most of us can agree that it has hit a stride. In their own little way, the signs are pretty clear her in sunny California. This means, less trips to the manicurist, going "back into the closet" for shopping, & less eating out. Not to mention a slowed art market, which has made my day job, well, quiet.

My daily quiet sends me on long internet jaunts searching for strange things like pepper spray, onesies, gourmet cheese, stacked platform shoes, the cheapest surf board possible, & tomato paste in a tube. The latter lead me to EuroGrocer via Amazon & I am in love. They stock all kinds of goods I've had little success at finding state-side (like yummy hazelnut Baci!) along with stranger things I never imagined I would need but am now convinced I do (rock salt laced with lemon & edible gold!). So, for those of you feeling that nameless economic pinch, splurge on truffle paste or gold laced rock salt. You'll never even miss those fancy restaurants!

From top left:
Herbs of Provence, $17.49
Mutti Italian Tomato Paste Concentrate - 4 packs, $13.98
Perugina Baci - 28 pieces, $18.99
Lemon & Gold Rock Salt, $32.99
Polenta Bergamasca Bramata - pack of 2, $11.99