Summer Retreat: Mammoth Lakes, CA

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Hey y’all! So between summer camp counseling, my online history class, and hanging out with friends, a nice, spontaneous camping trip was much needed! Location: the absolutely gorgeous and popular skiing spot Mammoth Lakes, California or what most people call it, Mammoth. I’ve heard a lot about the place from friends and family, but it going there for real was spectacular. Unfortunately, I was a little sick but it was still great! With the fresh air, mounting trees, cutest chipmunks, stunning lakes, and a beautiful waterfall, it was definitely the best summer trip yet!

On the road: Passed by grape vines, cornfields, ranches, and many cows. Also, first time at the Mojave Desert! It had some eerie ghost towns and some cute old towns that brought us back about 50 years.

 Almost there!! You don’t see this many trees in LA + peep the lake. So gorgeous.


After the usual setting up/eating part, we decided to take some pictures around the campsite.

Hammock view;)


“Summer” nights: Absolutely freezing- I wore an ultra chic ensemble of 2 sweaters, pants and fluffy pj pants, and my dad’s leather jacket. Also a story for the books: me, my sister, parents, and their friends were casually sitting by the fire, eating and enjoying the stars when my sister calmly whispers, “There’s a bear..” And there it was. A huge one even on it’s paw, casually opening our bear free storage locker that we hadn’t closed and locked yet. Rookie mistake. We watched quietly as the beat devoured my Hawaiian bread. Of course, no one listened to me that we were supposed to make loud noises, but I suppose I was too scared to do so. Also, it was kind of funny. Some guy was taking a video. Then we snuck to a tent where I started laughing and sister proceeded to tell me to be quiet. I texted my friend who would appreciate this kind of situation. Eventually, after trying to scare it away using the car alarm, it walked off toward the lake, which, coincidentally was where my tent site was. #fantastico


Although, waking up to this wasn’t all that bad. I had a major cold so after a breakfast of half frozen Nutella on a tortilla, I grabbed my cup of tangerine flavored Emergen-C, and observed the serene and freaking perfect Twin Lakes. Then an impromptu kayak ride was a must. Definitely felt like a ~part~ of nature.


Soo serene. I might even like lakes more than the ocean…maybe.

Free trolley rides to the top of the mountain are so worthwhile. Probably heaven on earth…

  

Morning hike to the bottom & halfway up a waterfall!!

  

Takin the road less traveled. After that, it was time to pack (or more like reading Mango Shaped Space and soaking in the last of the beauty and fresh air). Overall, it was a trip to remember! I definitely recommend going here- even if you’re super sick. On our way home, we went through Yosemite- another great excursion for another post.

Hope you all enjoyed, xo

Firda

Simple, Summery Fettuccine 

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Fettuccine is a pasta that is usually served in an alfredo sauce. However, today I changed things up and made some with a simple sauce using fresh ingredients such as rosemary and basil from my garden, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant garlic. These ever so accessible ingredients transformed the fettuccine into a heavenly dish that is perfect for a summer time lunch! 

Ingredients:

  1. Good quality Fettuccine 
  2. About a cup of Cherry Tomatoes 
  3. 2 cloves of fresh garlic
  4. Handful of Basil
  5. 1 sprig of Rosemary 
  6. Lemon Pepper
  7. Seasoned Salt
  8. Parmeasan cheese 
  9. Olive Oil + Butter
  10. Pinch of sugar ( to offset the acidity of the tomatoes) 

Directions: 

  1. In a large pot, boil water up to the brim with some salt.
  2. Cut the cherry tomatoes lengthwise. Chop the basil and 1/2 of the rosemary. Mince the garlic. 
  3. Once the water in the pot boils, add the fettuccine noodles. I added about 1/2 of a box of fettuccine simply estimating it. No need to be precise, if you have extra pasta you can use it the next day! Cook the pasta in the salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes of until its al dente.  
  4. While the pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of butter and a drizzle of olive oil in a saucepan on medium high heat. Once the oil + butter begin to sizzle, add the minced garlic. Let the garlic infuse its flavor into the oil, stirring frequently to prevent it from burning . After 2 minutes, add the cherry tomatoes into the saucepan. Raise the heat to high for a few minutes and sautée the tomatoes. They should release a sauce yet hold their shape. Add the sugar. Stir well.
  5. Next, lower the heat and add the lemon pepper, seasoned salt, basil, chopped rosemary, and the 1/2 sprig leftover into the saucepan. Stir well. A sauce should develop. 
  6. Drain the fettuccine and add it into the saucepan with the tomatoes. Combine the pasta with the sauce on low heat. Add a teaspoon of butter into the pasta. Turn off heat and add some grated parmesean cheese and mix well. Remove the sprig of rosemary. Voilà, the fettuccine is ready!

   
    
    
 
Buon Appetito❤️

Xoxo,

Shiza

August’s most adored💗

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Good evening dolls,

Today I will be sharing my monthly favorites! These products and items have me hooked this month.

Number One: Bindis ✨

So I recently went on vacation to India and over there bindis are a huge part of daily life. I am aware that the whole bindi trend might be offensive to some individuals but to me it’s a trend i would like to follow. So I went along with both, the trend of wearing it with traditional clothes and American clothes Honestly I’m so in love with them, most people think only certain people can wear them but it’s a fast growing trend which is super chic.


Number two: Mascara✨

Mascara has always been just an add on to my make up never the statement of my look. But these past hot summer days when I would contemplate what make up I should do. I often found my self leaning towards a bold mascara look with some tinted lip colors. In my opinion this is the only thing I’ve needed this whole summer it’s been my go to.

(Right to left)

-benefit they’re real

– Maybelline volume Express falsies

– pink one was a gift

– NYC showtime

– MAC false lashes extreme black
Number three: Signature scents✨
My three favorite scents this summer was J’adore by Christan Dior, Michael Kors sexy Amber, and lastly Chloè. These 3 smell Divine and go with summer and honestly all types of weather. The moment you put it on I feel like a goddess.


XOXO

Zaina 💓

Alfred’s Coffee☕️

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Who said something couldn’t beat Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Well today I went to a coffee shop on Melrose called Alfred’s Coffee. Located on 8428 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069. The Carmel Latté stole my heart. It was rich iced coffee with Carmel drizzled on top of it, iced coffee is an art to me getting it to taste right is the beauty of a good coffee shop. The ambiance of the place was quite chic. There’s a chocolate store inside and a designer boutique neighboring the coffee shop. It’s so modern and exciting! I definitely think it’s a perfect spot for coffee lovers to go there with friends for a nice chat! The shop has more than just coffee. They serve pressed juices, pastries, salads, and artisanal sandwiches. My favorite thing at the shop was their “but first coffee” mugs. Alfred’s Coffee is featured as one of the top 10 coffee shops in LA according to Timeout. 

  

      Caramel Latté  
      Inside the chocolate store   
        
      Waiting in the line.   
      My favs   
     

    Summer Diaries : Kolkata , India

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    This summer I visited the majestic city of Kolkata ( prev// Calcutta) . It wasnt my first time , I have visited this once british-raj capital city since I was young . However , I had more fun this summer than visits before because I got to experience the culture through the food. 

     I had an unforgettable experience sampling Calcutta’s multicultural cusine which melds Mughlai , Chinese , Bengali , and British-Raj cuisines forming a diverse food background.

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    Chai (indian tea with milk) is a must to start a Calcuttans day. This is a breakfast/afternoon staple for indians. This particular chai is served in an earthen clay pot , which adds depth to its flavor. It is also garnished with fresh kesar (saffron) which adds a floral aroma to a simply delicious chai!

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    Lunch// Rumali Roti ( thin indian flatbreads cooked on the stove ) served with the rich curry of Chicken Kassa, a Bengali speacialy. This is from the casual and famous restaurant , Shiraz.

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    Peter Cat Restaurant’s famous Chelo Kebab dish features two types of kebabs : one succulent chicken skewer with vegetables and two mutton seekh kebabs seasoned with Persian spices , the dish also comes with a side of rice and a poached egg on top. It is a classic Calcutta dish that survives the test of time! I love the blend of Persian and Indian cuisines in this dish. It is definitely a must try!

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    A classic british breakfast of beans on toast at the legendary Flurys in Park Street , Kolkata. This restaurant was founded in 1927 during the British Raj and it still retains its old world charm and offers one of the best European confections and breakfasts in the city.
    P.S: I have a blogpost on the recipe for Beans on Toast…..

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    Street side Sutha ( Thread) Kebabs are flavorful and moist kebabs with an extraordinary texture caused by it being wrapped in a thread while cooking. After cooking , the thread is opened and the kebab opens up into small pieces of meat packed with spice and garnished with lime wedges and chopped onions.

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    Thai Chicken Curry served with burnt garlic rice is a must try at the whimsical 111 year old Bengali Bungalow turned into a restaurant , The Corner Courtyard. This curry is rich in thai spices and the coconut milk in the curry adds a depth and body to it . The Corner Courtyard has become one of my favorite restaurants for global cuisine and the menu offers a wide range of Asian and Western offerings.

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    Image of The Corner Courtyard

    Xoxo,
    Shiza

    South Coast Botanical Garden 🌐

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    The South Coast Botanical Garden on the edge of Palos Verdes is truly a gem! One of the best places I’ve ever been in LA so far this summer! Since it was a free day (3rd Tuesday of every month), I decided to stop by with some family and friends. 87 lush acres of trees, flowers, gardens, trails, animals, and other wildlife. Walking in, we were greeted with a quaint Japanese garden, one full of cacti, a children’s garden, a gorgeous rose garden with a stunning fountain, and tons more. I didn’t get to explore the whole place; you best believe I’ll be there again soon. Everyone needs a little flora and fauna in their day. This’ll be a photo blog, cause I want the pictures to do the talking. 

    Xxx- Firda

     Pink fuchsias!🌷

    Can’t go wrong with a cute koi pond!🐟

     

    So picturesque.📷

      

    Weeping bottlebrush.😢

      

    Hungry caterpillar🐛🌸

      

    Love these!!😋

      

    The trees were great on this sunny day.🌳

      

    The Wild West for a hot sec🌵

      

    Kinda, sorta hiking? Wear comfy shoes.👟

      

    Adorable bridge that’s supposed to be over a stream but y’know that drought situation.💦

      

    “A rose by any other name would smell such as sweet..”🌹

      

    Signs if you get lost which is bound to happen- it’s huge!🚩

      

    A great place for cheeky photoshoots😜

      

    Nice place to sit and chat.💺

      

    Not the Trevi but it’s close enough🌀

      

    Bridge over a koi pond in the children’s garden🌈

     Lavender love💜 

    Caprese Eggs Benedict

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    Hey everyone ❤️
    Today I am sharing with you my take on the classic eggs benedict. I revamp the flavors by using fresh ingredients and modern cooking techniques that enhance the flavors of simple ingredients. This version will make you feel a little less guilty after eating! Its made with fresh stove roasted tomatoes, creamy mozzerella, basil, and of course, the star of the dish, easy to make hollandaise sauce! This breakfast recipe will be using the flavors of italy to make breakfast a little more interesting.

    1) Make the Hollandaise Sauce
    I use Ree Drummond’s Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce Recipe from her website : http://www.pioneerwoman.com
    Ingredients:
    – 3 egg yolks
    – 2 sticks of melted butter
    – 1 lemon
    – dash of cayenne pepper
    Directions:
    1) Melt the butter on a saucepan.
    2) Separate the eggs, keep the egg whites for the benedict.
    3) Place the egg yolks into a blender and on low speed blend the yolks for a minute or so.
    4) Then, slowly pour the melted butter into the blender with the blender on. Be sure to pour it on slowly so that you dont scramble the eggs!
    5) Blend until the all the butter is combined with the yolks. Afterwards, squeeze the juice of a lemon and add the cayenne pepper, while blending. Voilà, you have just made homeade hollandaise in a matter of minutes!

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    Part 2:
    1) Cut the english muffins lengthwise using a serrated knife.
    2) Place both halves into a toaster on a medium high heat setting so that they have a crunch to them.
    3) Once the english muffins have been toasted, butter them generously, and set asideZ

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    4) Now once thats ready, begin slicing your mozzerella in thin slices.
    5) Next, slice the tomatoes as well.
    6) Heat a pan on medium-high heat and spray with some olive oil. Place tomatoes on the hot skillet in order for them to brown slightly. Once they are on the pan, season them with a dash of garlic powder, seasoned salt, and italian seasoning. These spices elevate the flavor of the tomatoes.

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    7) Fry the eggs. I prefer fried eggs rather than poached eggs, but poached eggs would work as well. I use the eggs whites left over from the yolks used in the hollandaise sauce. Be sure to season your eggs with salt and pepper!
    8) Assemble the benedict. First, place a slice of tomatoe onto both halves of the buttered english muffin.

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    Next, place a few leaves of basil on top of the tomatoes for an added layer of freshness.

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    Then, place the sliced mozzerella on top of the basil.

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    Lastly, top the benedict off with the fried egg and drizzle your hollandaise sauce.

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    Enjoy! Bon Appetit

    Xoxo,
    Shiza

    Cleo @ SLS Las Vegas

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    Aloha❤️
    This past weekend I went to Las Vegas for a mini-vacation. Las Vegas is known for its flamboyant restaurants and culinary acclaimed cuisine. At my stay , I dined at several amazing restaurants but none compared to the Cleo . This restaurant truly captivated me from the minute I walked in. I felt as though I had walked into an ancient wonderland. The ambiance had a rustic look with a book shelf lining the walls which was filled with an array of vintage images in black and white and numerous books stacked almost messily. To make things feel even more picturesque, there was a massive wood fire oven and open kitchen in the center of the restaurant . It felt as though I was dining with Cleopatra herself.

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    Aside from the ambiance, the food was divine . Cleo is known for its Mediterranean inspired cuisine, and it lives up to that. All of the dishes have a sublime flavor from the use of traditional spices and cooking techniques . My favorite dish was the Branzino Tagine , which is cooked in a ceramic dish in the wood oven . A tagine is a Morrocan layered pilaf with a meat and rice or cous cous and cooked in spices. I requested the chef to make it with fish instead of meat or chicken ( fish tagine is not on the menu but they were kind to make it for me) but my parents ordered the chicken tagine and that too was spectacular.

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    This is the branzino tagine.

    We also ordered a grilled haloumi salad with heirloom kale, hazeulnuts, tarragon, and citrus. This salad had a refreshing flavor and the grilled haloumi was perfect. Halloumi cheese has bedouin roots from the middle east and is semi-hard and has a high melting point which allows it to hold its shape when grilled.

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    We also ordered a shrimp and salmon kabob . Both were well seasoned and had an earthy flavor from the dill. The kabobs were served with a spicy chilli sauce that complemented the kabobs well.

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    I recommend this restaurant to any one visiting Las Vegas.

    Xoxo,
    Shiza

    One of A Kind Study Tips 

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    May. It’s that time of year again; the dreaded month filled with finals, standardized tests, and AP’s. Studying is on the top of your ‘To Do’ list. I for one am not a fan, and probably, neither are you. Here are some un-cliché tips that I have used for studying: 

    1. Delete apps on your phone. Instead of doing the turn off your phone or putting your phone in a different room drill, try deleting apps instead. I listen to music while I study on my phone so turning it off is not an option. Also, texting classmates about the material definitely helps. I delete social media apps, such as Instagram and Twitter. If a texting friend is a distraction, block their number for a bit, your grade will thank you 😉

    2. Keep a glass of water besides you.

    This is one idea that I discovered last year. Instead of grabbing my phone, I would grab my glass of water instead. It definitely helped. Additionally, the water replenishes your cells which keeps you energized and awake. It’s also a great way to stay hydrated. Lastly, the bathroom breaks and refills will keep your legs moving. 

    3. Set alarms

    This is a great way to keep yourself from procrastinating and not sleeping too late. Set a timer on your phone for 30 minutes to study algebra and when it rings, take a break or move on to a different subject. It will keep you accountable.

    4. Make it fun!

    Can’t stand reading the chapters in yor history book? Find quizzes and games online (quizlet.com is great) that will make studying more interesting and won’t make you fall asleep. I also find images of concepts I am studying which also helps because I am a visual learner. And if you don’t get off topic easily with a friend, get a study buddy (do this with caution). 

    5. Create a schedule. 

    Don’t know where to start? Create a schedule based on the day the test is, the rigor, how important the class is to your grade (don’t study 2 hours if you have a high A), and the amount of material you need to study. This will relieve your stress and keep you accountable and organized. Keep it where you can see it everyday, such as your mirror or on your phone.

    Hope these tips helped & good luck my friends!❤️

    XO, FS

    Summer Salad Recipe

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    Aloha ❤️Today I am sharing with you guys a mouthwatering summer salad recipe. This recipe is super healthy and flavorful. It is like eating California in a bite. With local ingredients and lovely flavors, you will forget that you are eating a salad!!

    Ingredients:
    – 1 Box of Spring Mix Greens
    – 1 Tomato , thinly slices
    – 1 Persian Cucumber, sliced
    – 1 Lime
    – 1 Avacado, sliced
    – Handful of Blackberries
    – 1 Fuji Apple , thinly sliced with a squirt of lime juice to prevent it from browning
    – Handful of fresh mint and basil
    – Pinch of Red Chilli Flakes
    – 1 tsp. Red Chilli Powder (optional)
    – Handful of Walnuts, chopped
    – 1 clove of fresh Garlic, minced
    – dash of lemon pepper
    – dash of Italian Seasoning
    – dash of Mediterranean seasoning salt
    – Salt & Pepper, to taste
    – drizzle of Olive Oil, for sautée
    – leftover roasted/baked chicken

    Directions:
    Part 1: Cook Chicken
    Drizzle some olive oil into a pan on medium high heat. Add minced garlic. Allow the garlic to infuse into the oil for a minute. Then, add the chicken.
    Allow the chicken to warm through and get slightly browned. This adds flavor. After, add the spices ( lemon pepper, seasoned salt, chilli powder & flakes, italian seasoning) . Stir the chicken on low heat. In the end, add a handful of chopped basil ( about 1/4 cup or so). The basil adds an earthy and fragrant flavor to the chicken. Voilà , your chicken is ready! Set aside.

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    Part 2:
    Wash all of the fruits and vegetables needed for the salad. In two bowls add some of the spring mix. This is the base layer of the salad. Next, add the sliced avacado on both salads. Squeeze a bit of lime on the avacado so that it doesn’t go brown. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to flavor it. Next, neatly arrange the cucumbers, tomatoes, blackberries, apples, and mint on top of the salad. Afterwards, add the chopped walnuts. Lastly, place the chicken on to the salad.

    Tips:
    Add the same amounts of fruit/vegetables to both salads. Arrange in a pattern for a pretty presentation.

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    Variation: You can leave out the chicken for a vegan salad. It will taste just as good!

    Bon Appetit
    Xx,
    Shiza