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We're into wedding season now, which means bridal showers, honeymoon send-offs, and housewarming parties. A set of these hand-painted ceramic measuring cups or spoons from Chicago-based 7 Doors Studio would make sweet one-of-a-kind gift, particularly for animal lovers!

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If you do one thing this summer, pick up a package of grains of paradise. Your grilled steaks will thank you. Also your fish. Also your potato salads. In fact, I think the warm, spicy, woodsy flavor of this little known West African spice is going to make a top-notch addition to just about all our favorite summer picnic foods. Now that I've discovered it, I can get enough.

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I've spent a lot of time at the beach, in rental houses, and as a guest in other people's vacation homes, so I know what I can't live without. (You should see the list of beauty products I need for a week!) Here are the five things I must have in my beach kitchen: More

If you've ever wistfully eyed the table linens at Anthropologie, but cringed a little at the price, here's something that may perk you up: a do-it-yourself version! Inspired by some block-printed napkins she saw at Anthropologie, Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day decided to make her own. And all it took was a $15 tablecloth and some potatoes!

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I've heard it said that curry powder — that deep yellow blend of spices you can find premixed and on offer in almost any grocery store's spice rack — is not for serious cooks. And there's some truth to that. Curries are a complex category of dishes, and a true curry will have a specific blend of spices to match the ingredients and methods used. There are thousands of curries and to apply one generic powder to all of them is frankly insulting. That said, I still keep a small jar of the generic curry powder in my spice cabinet and I feel it has its place, but just not in most curries!

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Samosa stuffed twice-baked potatoes, coconut shrimp, and roasted vegetable dip in today's Delicious Links. 

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Q: I am preparing to take an all-day exam and will have to bring enough food to get me through eight hours of testing without the need for refrigeration or a microwave. Also, I need to avoid feeling sluggish or sleepy. Do your readers have good ideas for food that can be eaten at room temperature and keep my brain energized all day? 

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Lately I've gravitated towards light, non-white kitchens, and this Portland kitchen definitely fits that bill. How refreshing is that light blue beadboard?

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Double Wall Glass Mug from Leif

• $20
• Leif

These double-walled glass mugs are luminous and light, as good for a chilled mojito over crushed ice as a hot cup of coffee.

3" wide x 3.5" high, 8 ounces. Made of borosilicate glass. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

After the first few blissful days of staying in a hotel, I start to get tired of eating out for every meal and begin craving the simple, comforting foods I make for myself at home. So when a reader asked for advice about cooking real meals while staying in a hotel, I read the answers with interest — and then excitement. So many smart tips!

Whether you're headed to a hotel, motel or even a dorm room this summer, here our some of the best reader tips for cooking satisfying, healthy meals without a kitchen: what to bring, what to buy, and how to use that coffee maker to cook dinner.

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