Things That Made Me Chuckle in 2018

December 29, 2018December 29, 20184 Comments

I’m sure many of you have heard the quote “laughter is the best medicine”. Whether or not you believe that it cures all, it definitely helped me through the rough patches of 2018. My old roommates and I would initiate a “5 things that made me chuckle” circle at the end of each week (maybe the end of the day? I forget), and it was a great tool for reflection and positivity. Here are some things that made me chuckle this year.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- I watched this movie for the first time this year…Ferris’s personality and childish antics killed me.
Noah Centineo’s tweets (@noahcent)- Unfortunately, the beautiful Peter Kavinsky of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, does not have beautiful tweets. They’re more sad boi/ I’m trying to not “lose my soul” in Hollywood tweets. A couple of my favorites: “If you can get me out of my feels then you’ll have me in my feels forever” and ‘”Can I sit here? No sorry, I’m in Love” -Sarah Bahbah’. Incredible.
A Simple Favor– Described as a “black comedy”, a mommy blogger named Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is enthralled by glamorous Emily (Blake Lively) and they hang out for like a day and become BFFs. Then Emily goes missing and the plot gets crazier and the dialogue gets funnier and you are left shocked and appalled that this script succeeded through the pitching phase.
The Yee Haw meme- 🤠🤠🤠 Enough said.
Elon Musk- Started dating emo singer Grimes. Smoked a blunt live. What more does it take to chuckle at a tech billionaire?
The Show Ponies- Okay so, long story short, my friends and I went to a Mowgli’s concert and The Show Ponies were their opening act. We didn’t know what we were in for- and chuckled at the folksy-bluegrass (🤠) music. Also, it was their last show which was kind of sad. (No hate to The Show Ponies + fans, just not my thing)
Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony- Obviously, selling data is horrible and all, but the questions that Congress asked were ridiculous, i.e. asking how Facebook made money, bringing up floppy disks, “is Twitter the same as what you do?”, etc. Comedy gold for us, and gold for Mark as he realized most of Congress doesn’t understand how the Internet works and he can still get away with a lot.
Riverdale- Every small town has big secrets, and this goes for Riverdale as well. Add in a groovy diner, characters named Jughead who say things like “I’m a weirdo. I don’t fit in, and I don’t want to fit in…” and weird parent-child dynamics, and this show is a perfect recipe for guffaws.
@OverheardLA- This Instagram/Twitter account will make me laugh any year, but 2018 especially since I was away from LA most of the year for school. Overheard conversations about veganism, crystals, oat milk, and the new coffee shop in Silverlake with $8 matcha lattes in the best city in the world garnered both laughter and homesickness.
Realizing a lot of people still listen to One Direction- Mostly from looking at people’s Spotifys’. And also realizing you still remember most of the lyrics to their songs too. #NeverForget

As you can see, many of these are pop culture/ media based but I can assure you my family and friends are comedic as well. I hope some of these made you look back at 2018’s absurdities and chuckle as much as I did!

XO,
F

Summer Sunday : Afternoon Tea

June 29, 2018June 4, 2018Leave a comment

My idea of an ideal Sunday afternoon is getting my closest friends together for an English inspired afternoon tea session.

Conversations and the aroma of baked goodies filling the air. It wouldn’t be tea time without an elegant selection of tea cups and fresh cut flowers from the garden!

Here is whats on the Menu:

Daarjeling, Masala Chai | My grandmother brought loose leaf Daarjeling tea from a tea plantation in Daarjeling, India. This tea was so fragrant and infused with spices such as whole cinnamon and cardamom for an added warmth.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches | thinly sliced cucumbers, pepper jack cheese, lemon-dill mayo
Chicken Cranberry Sandwiches |oven roasted chicken, cranberries, smoked chipotle gouda, sourdough bread , dijon mustard
Personal Chicken Pot Pies | Chicken, carrots, peas in a creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with crust
Cinnamon Streusal Muffins | These are from a boxed mix, but are delicious!
Sparkling White Grape Cider | Passionfruit Italian Soda

This is from another tea that I hosted with Zaina. We switched things up a bit and added homeade vanilla bean cupcakes with chocolate frosting to the menu. Strawberries and nutella, meringue cookies from a local bakery, added more sweetness to the table.

The understated yet elegant runner is from Crate and Barrel. Crate and Barrel has fantastic dining decor items.

We added a string of Christmas tree lights for some fun.

This comforting and light pumpkin spiced cake is an amazing fall addition to an Afternoon tea. I added some color to the platter with some fresh sprigs of rosemary from the garden.

Scones are traditionally the heart of an English Afternoon Tea. The Tea parties depicted above did not have them. But, I do love make lemon blueberry scones. I use Tiffani Thiessan’s recipe – https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/blueberry-lemon-scones

They are super easy to make and always come out spectacular. I serve them with raspberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream from Whole Foods. Clotted cream can be difficult to find in the States; the one I buy is the real deal and imported from England.

XOXO,

Shiza

Holy Trinity: Carbone, Bardot Brasserie, and Julian Serrano Tapas| Aria Hotel, Las Vegas

June 23, 2018June 4, 2018Leave a comment

The Aria Hotel at the City Center, Las Vegas, is one of those places that has all of the best offerings for European Cuisine. It has my favorite Italian, French, and Spanish Restaurants – Carbone, Bardot Brasserie, and Julian Serrano respectively.

These three restaurants are not ordinary in any way. They offer a stylistic and modern yet traditional take on its cuisine. Everything about this holy trinity is divine. Hands down the best Spanish tapas that I have ever had! and the most similar to France, French food! Carbone is truly old world Italian.

Carbone | Italian

We ordered the lobster ravioli , fettuccine con funghi, and Branzino. All were impeccable.

I love the retro, glamorous ambiance of this restaurant. It reminds me of 1950s New York. The plates are Italian ceramic and very reminiscent to the ceramic plates in Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Bardot Brasserie by Micheal Mina | French

We started our meal with a cheese board. The cheeses were imported from France, grilled crostini, candied hazelnuts, grapes, whole grain mustard, jam, and currants. You can choose from an array of cheeses which one you prefer. We opted for a Crémeux de Bourgogne, triple cream brie like, a goat cheese, and hard cheese recommended by the restaurant.

I had the LOUP DE MER AU FENOUIL which is a mediterranean sea bass with caramelized lemon, fennel, and fingerling potatoes. The sea bass was so juicy and emanated an earthy fragrance of fennel.

My dad had the 8 oz Filet Mignon served with Frites and béarnaise sauce ( I tried the sauce and its the best béarnaise I have had in the States)

Julian Serrano Tapas | Spanish

Their non-alcoholic, virgin Sangria is hands down the best drink ever! I don’t know what they put in it but its a symphony of perfection.

My favorite tapa to order is their Bronzino Donostiarra which has the a crispy skin and sits atop a medley of tomatoes and olive tapenade.

Not depicted because they were too beautiful not eat first are the desserts. My favorites are the Molten Chocolate cake topped with vanilla bean ice cream & the Crema Catalana which is an orange blossom creme brûlée.

XOXO,

Shiza

The Perfect Weekday

June 16, 2018June 4, 2018Leave a comment

I love a casual weekday where I can do things that I love. These ideal weekdays are a rare treasure. However, when they do occur, although understated, they are beyond special.

I started the day poolside with a homemade breakfast parfait. It had greek yogurt, fresh berries, granola, almonds, and a drizzle of honey.

After this delightful breakfast, I went to Rolling Greens, a local nursery, to get some indoor trees for our house.

This was an adventure in itself. I love Rolling Greens.

I ended up getting this tree for our living room. It adds so much freshness and a splash of color to our otherwise monochromatic living room.

They had some rustic flowers laying out on the counter.

For lunch, I decided to make a Cleo inspired Grilled Halloumi, Watermelon Salad on a bed of lettuce with a light vinaigrette. Halloumi is a Mediterranean semi-hard cheese and its flavors are released when grilled.

This was scrumptious.

Afternoon snack

Would it even be a relaxing weekday, if you didn’t watch your favorite tv show? I had to make some stove top hot chocolate with dark chocolate, some half & half for added creaminess, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I also cut up some fresh strawberries and had a mini chocolate croissant from Whole Foods.

Ramekins make everything better, right.

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For dinner, I arranged a cheese board with three types of cheeses, grilled crostini, fresh grapes, walnuts, raspberry jam, and a drizzle of honey.

XOXO,

Shiza

Shakshuka : A Mediterranean Breakfast

June 8, 2018June 4, 2018Leave a comment

This is my signature and go to breakfast dish – Shakshuka. A Mediterranean staple, I fell in love with this in my travels to Israel and Arabia.

Shakshuka is essentially eggs that are cooked in a homemade,stewed tomato sauce.

I serve cucumbers and feta on the side. Sprinkle a little Zaa’tar (Middle Eastern dried herbs- thyme, oregano, etc.) on top for an earthy finish.

I also serve with some warm pita bread or buttered well done, English muffins.

Shiza’s Shakshuka

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Step 1: sautee in olive oil

1 minced onion
1 minced green or red bell pepper
A few cloves of minced garlic

Spices:

Ras El Hanout, sold at World Market, healthy amount (few tablespoons) | this adds an incredible layer of warmth and fragrance
cumin powder (about a teaspoon)
red chilli powder or paprika depending on how spicy you want it to be
salt to taste

Step 2:

1- 35 ounce can of Whole Italian Tomatoes (chop these canned whole tomatoes yourself prior to putting in the pan)
After adding in the spices, if the sauce tastes acidic add a little bit of sugar to offset the acidity – this depends on how it tastes after adding in the spices. You have to taste the sauce and decide for yourself.
Harissa – morrocan tomato paste , sold at world market ( a few tablespoons); deepens the flavor of the sauce ; can substitute tomato paste

Step 3: in a separate ramekin, crack each egg one by one and then start placing the eggs directly into the sauce one by one. I add as many eggs as I think will fit into the sauce and the pan. Typically about 8-10 eggs are added.

Once all of the eggs are in the pan of sauce, sprinkle a tiny bit of salt and pepper over the eggs
Place the Pan of Shakshuka into the oven to cook for 30-40 minutes.
You know it is ready when an inserted wooden toothpick into the egg comes out clean
Garnish with some chopped cilantro for added freshness

Fresh flowers are completely optional, but I think it makes all of the difference to the aesthetic of the table. I arranged these bouquets with flowers from our garden. All of the flowers are different and even though their sizes vary greatly, I still love the look of it together.

Bon Appetit!

XOXO,

Shiza

Malibu Farm + Zuma Beach// Pointe Dume

June 3, 2018June 3, 2018Leave a comment

Cruising down PCH, wind in hair, Lana del Rey’s 13 Beaches, playing boldly in the background. This is my favorite way to spend a Saturday morning.

My first stop: Malibu Pier, to have an iconic California breakfast at the Malibu Farm restaurant. Everything about this place makes me happy.

From the rustic decor, the plants hanging from the ceiling, the rooftop terrace, and most importantly, the spectacular food!

Not to mention they make the best iced lattes + homemade watermelon juice.

Their Swedish Mini Pancakes are my absolute favorite!

An artful juxtaposition of the most perfectly complementing flavors. The thin, soft yet subtly crisp pancakes, are topped with a tart medley of cooked berries, and then finished with a dollop of light homemade whipped cream.

I also adore their fried egg sandwich. I ask to sub the bacon for avocado.

Farm fresh vegetable stand on the Malibu Pier.

A quick, breezy drive down PCH later…….

Stop 2 : Zuma Beach : A secluded haven

Hike trails to Pointe Dume

Sand in my toes, a breathtaking view- I wouldn’t want it any other way.

XOXO,

Shiza

The Floating City: Venezia

June 3, 2018June 3, 2018Leave a comment

Summer in all of its anticipated glory is the time of the year we make concerted efforts to explore, traverse, and adventure hoping that we can accumulate a collection of memories that will last a lifetime.

You never know what experiences will be memorable. Last summer, while planning my trip to Italy, I initially thought that Venice would be an overhyped destination. I was more excited to see the less well known regions of Italy such as the Cinque Terre.

To my surprise, out of all of the extraordinarily beautiful cities that I visited in Italy, Venice is my favorite.

Venice is essentially a luminous labyrinth of bridges and canals interconnected in the most uncanny yet majestic way. Below the countless bridges, reveal centuries old water from the Adriatic Sea that was diverted into creating the Venice Lagoon.

Me, Shiza, enjoying the Gondola ride

Opulent & Ornate | St. Mark’s Basilica

Inside the Gold laden Basilica

Where to Stay | NH Collection Palazzo Barocio

One of the most daunting aspects about visiting Venice is knowing where to stay. If you don’t choose wisely, you will have to haul your luggages around through cobblestone roads and bridges.

Therefore, it is vital that your hotel has its own water taxi dock. Once exiting the train station and fashionably enjoying a water taxi ride ride along the Grand Canal, our hotel had its own private dock, making it so easy for us! We stayed at the NH Collection Palazzo Barocio hotel.

The rooms are of stellar quality, the staff are wonderful, and the lobby always had a warm welcome of Pelligrino and fruit infused waters.

Hotel’s private water dock entrance

View from our Hotel’s private dock

XOXO,

Shiza

from above

June 2, 2018June 2, 2018Leave a comment

Long time no blog! But here I am, fresh out of my first year of college, with new experiences, friends, and thoughts under my belt for lots and lots of posts. Much of my inspo and ideas stem from photos or videos- and this post was the brainchild of browsing through my photos from the past year.

I feel like many of us are enthralled with being up high- the popularity of rollercoasters, lookout points, hiking, and skydiving are evidences of it. My collection of photos preview places I have visited that are upon higher altitudes- airplane trips, hikes, even the view from my dorm room. What makes views from up above so mesmerizing? Maybe because it gives us a sense of power- having the means to be able to look upon the city from their corner office is every successful lawyer’s or businessperson’s dream. Or maybe its the opposite- being up so high, reflecting upon the struggle to get to the point, humbles us and lets us dwell on the insignificance of our existence.

Whatever the reason, incredible views from above mesmerizes most. I’ve shared some of them below- many were taken on a whim after realizing their beauty, so some are not the best quality but I hope they make you feel something anyway.

: From the plane, LA

: From the plane, sunrise from OAK -> LAX

: From the 2nd floor of The Last Bookstore, LA

: From a bridge in Berkeley, a highway

: From the hills of Palos Verdes, the rocky coast and ocean

: From the Santa Monica Pier, the sand & the Pacific

: From the fire trails of Berkeley, the Bay

: From the Getty Center, LA

: From the side of the freeway, on the way to Lake Arrowhead

: From the freeway, San Luis Obispo

: From Twin Peaks, sunset in San Francisco

: From the Campanile, buildings and hills of Berkeley

: From a bridge in Berkeley

: From the hills of Palos Verdes, tide pools and the ocean

: From the Campanile, the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge (if you squint)

: From a bench in Palos Verdes, overlooking the Pacific Ocean

: From the 7th floor lounge, a dorm building, the Bay, and the Campanile

: From the Getty Center tram, the freeway

: From the Big C at Berkeley, the Bay

: From the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica, the pier, sunset, and Pacific

Xo,
F

La Dolce Vita : A Summer in Italy Series

May 10, 2018Leave a comment

Hello everyone,

Happy New Year!

It has been over a year since my last post, I apologize about that! But now I am back and better than ever, so be prepared for posts about what this past year consisted of for me.

Last summer was one of the easily one of the most unforgettable summers of my life. I will begin my summer ’17 series with a recap of my trip to Italy.

Italy stole my heart and I left a part of myself there. I cannot wait to visit this remarkable country again!

To begin my La Dolce Vita series, I will start with a post about Milan, the first city that I visited in Italy.

Duomo di Milano

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In all of its grandeur, magnificence, and charm this picture is a mere glimpse into the stunning Duomo. Definitely worth seeing in real life!

Stunning Sunset in the streets of Milano

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Inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Teatro alla Scala (gave me Count of Monte Cristo vibes)

XOXO,

Shiza

Midsummer in Paris

February 10, 2017Leave a comment

Currently obsessed with the song, Paris by Chainsmokers and it has gotten me feeling nostalgic about last summer in Paris. I never thought I would miss Paris as much as I do now, or that I loved it that much, but it is one of those places that you wouldn’t know you would miss so much until your gone. And now I miss it , immensely

Paris is one of those places where people are truly living. I don’t mean simply existing, but actually living life.

From two long lost friends eating a 3 hour lunch at a Parisian café , a meal complete with the finest French wines and dessert, to couples dancing the salsa along the River Seine and pecking on a scrumptious French picnic lunch of cheese and baguette in the evening, these people know how to live life. In this new year, I hope to learn from the Parisians and adopt the : ” C’est La Vie “mantra to my life . This translates to “That’s life or Such is Life”. What I find so admirable about this outlook on life is that it makes me not overthink the little things and simply go with the course of life because that is life.

Here are pictures from my trip , hope you enjoy :