Slice of Italy in LA

May 4, 2015May 4, 2015Leave a comment

Hello loves!! A super cool place in LA everyone should definitely visit are the Venice Canals located in Venice Beach. Just a couple of blocks away from the pier, it is proxy of the real ones in Italy, but they are still quite beautiful. The entrance may seem a bit dodgey and the water may seem murky and unwelcoming, but as you walk on, it becomes more delightful. Bordered by unique and gorgeous homes and their beautiful flowers and plants, it is stunning in the spring time. In the canal itself, we spotted some fish and ducks in the water. Also, we spotted a sea slug and abandoned boats (a black swan shaped one!). And to top it off, there were pretty monarch butterflies and bees flying around. There were bridges of different truss (engineering side ha) designs that connected the canal to adjacent streets. It’s a wonderful place to get a bit of exercise and chat with a friend. So simple, yet so lovely at the same time. Can’t wait to go again soon. Enjoy the pictures.

xx- Firda

Spring OOTD’s:

May 2, 2015May 2, 2015Leave a comment

Hey Dolls✨

This post is about 2 casual outfits you can wear to school, the mall, the beach and really any other places in Cali.

OOTD 1:

• Floral off the shoulder top: Forever 21 (off the shoulder clothing is a hot trend for Spring 2015)

• light washed blue semi distressed shorts: Brandy Melville

•Sandals (unknown)

Model: Tati G
OOTD 2:

•White basic crop top: unknown no tag

•High waisted boy friend jeans: inovation sport

•Watch: Rue 21

•Sandals: unknown

Model: Saki K

XOXO

Z💫

AA Factory Adventures✨

April 23, 20154 Comments

Hey guys.

Over the weekend I went to the American Apparel Factory in Downtown LA. I don’t usually wear such retro clothing but I got inspired! There’s a flea market and the boutique. (There right next to each other) The flea market has clothing for everyone, Men and Women. The clothing quality is surprisingly really good as well. I ended up buying a pair of Classic Jelly heels in white. I advocate you guys to go there and check out there flea market and boutique!

747 Warehouse St, Los Angeles,CA 90021 (212)-488-0226 Ext.1459

entrance of the boutique.

How you enter the flea market area.

Classic Jelly shoes.

xoxo~

5 Things to do on a Sunday @ Home

April 21, 2015April 22, 2015Leave a comment

1) Bake. Nothing is more aesthetically pleasing than baking something delectable that you can devour afterward. I find baking to be relaxing and stress-relieving. I can be having the most chaotic week, but when I put on that apron, I forget everything and drift into a world of sugary dreams.

I made my favorite crispy chocolate chip cookies ( I have a blogpost on the recipe) along with a lovely darjeeling chai.

2) Read or Watch a Good Movie
Most of us have busy schedules and our fridays and saturdays are packed with parties and fun. We often don’t have time to do things as simple as watch a movie or catch up on reading. I believe that Sundays were made to do the things you love and most of all relax. Curl up with a good book or put on an old hollywood movie on netflix and have fun!

This is an excerpt from one of the cutest books on style by Nina Garcia, “The Little Black Book of Style”. This is one of my favorite quotes❤️.

3) Go for a long walk
Long walks are always fun. I love going on a walk and taking pictures of the beauty of nature and perhaps doing a mini-photoshoot while I am walking… It depends on my outfit / mood. But it is honestly so fun and adveturous.

Here are some flowers , I picked up from my front yard after the walk. I love fresh flowers. It looks so rustic and crisp. Placing flowers in a mason jar or cute bottle makes your floral arrangement look vintage and unique.

4) Take a bubble bath
A hot bath with some good music, “spa water” or tea , and a fizzing bath bomb or bubble solution is all you need for a pleasant bath. Baths are calming to the body and often require alot of time. That is why I prefer to take long bubble baths on Sundays. I love addig some essential oils to my bath for a calming aroma and some bath salts.

This is my all time favorite bubble solution. I have been using it ever since I was a little kid and still love it! You can find in the baby section of Target. It smells like berries and last forever. I also love using this lemon sugar scrub. Its exfoliating and has a lovely citrus scent that lingers on your skin throughout the day. I am not exactly sure where its from, but bath & body works sells great scrubs. A combination of these two make for a luxurious and relaxing bath.

5) Exercise
This means do anything athletic. It can be anything from yoga to playing dance games on the x-box or just going for a run. My definition of a workout is jumping on the trampoline. It is a great workout for the lymphatic system. I also love doing yoga. It relaxes me. I think sunday’s are a perfect day to do fun workouts if you get lazy during the week! Make sure your playing some of your favorite music while doing so. Music radiates energy and motivating vibes during workouts.

Xoxo,
Shiza

Spring Break- Point Mugu, Malibu

April 2, 2015April 2, 20151 Comment

Happy Spring Break! This past weekend I was blessed to be able to go camping at Point Mugu State Park in Malibu. It was totally last minute, I literally packed 15 minutes before I left. Turns out last minute plans ARE the best, because I had an amazing time. With the beach across the street and plenty of hiking trails to choose from, there was a ton to do! I arrived from the always beautiful PCH around 6, and after putting our stuff down, went promptly to the beach to see the sunset, which was absolutely gorgeous. After, we had the typical camp dinner by the fire. Have you ever had Thin Mint s’mores? Cause you totally should. Oh, and the stars we absolutely mesmerizing, I saw Orion, the Little Dipper, Big Dipper, and maybe even Jupiter (if it wasn’t the North Star).

After a very cold and uncomfortable sleep, I was waken up by the sound of birds. And after an amazing breakfast of homemade funnel cake (best I’ve ever had) and Samoas and Thin Mints (the girl I was camping with is a Girl Scout), we decided to go on a hike at one of the park’s many trails. We chose the overlook one, because we wanted to see the ocean from the hills. The hills were luscious and the flowers were a beautiful yellow. It was slightly foggy and a bit chilly but nonetheless beautiful. The ocean view was decent.

The beach was really cold and the waves were huge, so I mostly stayed by the shore. There was the coolest rock formation at the side of the beach with caves and such but the tide was too high so we couldn’t explore.

In sum, Point Mugu is a total must go! There’s something to do for everyone and the nature is stunning.

Till the next adventure,

F xx

Quick & Easy Homemade Breakfast Sandwich

March 26, 2015April 22, 2015Leave a comment

Aloha ❤️ This morning I was frazzled on what to eat for breakfast. That’s when I decided to make an impromptu breakfast sandwich using ingredients on hand. This sandwich turned out amazing and is one of my new favorite breakfast treats.
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
• 1 bottle of your favorite jarred marinara sauce
• English muffins
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• Olive oil
•Sprinkle of salt & pepper
•Butter or Margarine

Directions:
1) Cut the english muffins lengthwise and place the halves in a toaster on medium high heat setting. You want the muffins to be well done so that it can hold the weight of the marinara and egg.
2) Heat a pan with a drizzle of olive oil on medium high heat. Add the marinara . Warm the sauce thoroughly.
3) While the sauce heats up, fry your egg any style. I prefer the yolks to be cooked fully so that it doesn’t run through the marinara. However, the yolk can add richness to the sauce if you prefer your eggs runny. Poached eggs can work too. This recipe is flexible for change so I recommend you to alter it to your own preference.
4) Take the muffins out of the toaster and spread a tablespoon of butter on both sides. Then, on the larger side of the muffin , spoon a few tablespoons of the sauce. Place the fried egg on top of the muffin w/ sauce. Sprinkle some cheese. The heat of the eggs and marinara will cause the cheese to melt. Lastly, put the second smaller side of the english muffin onto the sandwich. Voilà, your breakfast is ready!

Fairytales

March 22, 2015March 22, 2015Leave a comment

Hey y’all! This past weekend I had a wonderful time at my local museum ESMOA. With only 1 floor, and pretty small, it is a gem I adore. There most recent theme is Spark- filled with fantasy and imagination. It was like stepping into a storybook with ogres and princesses. My most favorite exhibit yet! Check out my experience below!

Adored the mystical vibe and everything about it.

XO- F

LAFW : Style Fashion Week

March 20, 2015April 25, 2015Leave a comment

Hey guys! So yesterday I went to my first fashion show. It was at Style Fashion Week in LA. I viewed shows by Ophelia Song, Coco Johnson, and Tatiana Shabelnik. Unfortunately , I couldn’t stay for the grand finale which was a Red Dress show with dresses by designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier. However, I did get to see the dresses backstage and was stunned. Everything felt so surreal. I think the best part about it was that I go to experience both perspectives of a fashion show ; The ramp walk and Backstage where all the action happens. Backstage was so chaotic and productive. Every inch of space was being put to use and everyone was busy. There were hairdressers, make-up artists, designers, photographers, models all preparing for the show. Its astonishing how it takes hours and days to prepare for a 1 hour or less show. You truly gain a sense of respect for all the people who work backstage to make the show possible. However, My favorite aspect of the evening was the ramp walk. It felt like dream come true. I was so honored to be a part of such an event. It was such an exhilarating experience. To sit there, amongst designers and such affluent people to the fashion industry, was an unforgettable experience.

Backstage:

In the pink is designer Tatiana Shabelnik.

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Ophelia Song
This show showcased clothing that were very soft and elegant. There were many aqua/blue shades, whites, and specks of black in the collection. It gave me a mermaid-y vibe .

(This picture is not mine)

Coco Johnson
This show was very edgy and outgoing, The collection was bold and dark colors such as red and black were prominent throughout the show. I love the cuts and eccentric styles of the jumpsuits and dresses that were a part of this collection.

Tatiana Shabelnik:
This show was the most whimsical and fun . The collection was colorful and vibrant . It began with a model dancing onto the stage wearing a stunning dress. Then, a man model joined her and they performed a lovely dance/walk. The music was energizing yet traditional. This collection had ensembles with different textures, patterns, and colors. All of it coherently worked well with each other. Some of the looks were a little bit medieval/fairytale looking. Overall, I loved the uniqueness to this show.

All of the pictures were taken by me on my iPhone 5s unless otherwise stated.

Xoxo,
Shiza❤️

Daytime Spring Outfit Inspirations

March 19, 20154 Comments

Aloha❤️ As the weather gets warmer, our wardrobes become more fun and vibrant. With spring break just around the corner, I am sharing with you guys three casual spring break daytime outfit ideas . These outfits are fun and perfect for your spring-time activities whether your going to a music festival or a tea party.

Look 1 : Bohemian

This outfit is perfect for a music festival, spring time party, or the beach . Its laid back and has an aura of effortlessness to it.

Top : Nordstrom
Skirt: Marshalls
Sunglasses: Nordstrom
Bindis: Indian Store
Flower Clips : not sure

Bindi Tip : Usually Bindis are worn between the eyebrows on the forehead. However, I like wearing one just below the “wing” of my liquid eyeliner.

Look 2: Spring-time Chic & Casual
This look is very crisp yet casual. It is perfect for a lunch date or afternoon stroll in the garden . I love how it looks so put-together when its on , even though its utterly simple. I think it’s something about white jeans that can make the simplest of outfits look so chic. Also , I love the bell sleeves of this top ( this used to be a huge 70s trend) . The top paired with the jeans is a perfect mix of vintage and modern style coherently complementing each other in an outfit. The maroon hat adds a splash of color to the outfit.

Top: TJ-Maxx (thats surprising? sometimes department stores can have the cutest of things… )
Jeans: Hollister
Hat: Charlotte Russe

Look 3: Day to Night Sophistication
This look is perfect for someone who needs there outfit to work for both the day and night. It will look stunning at the mall during the day and even more gorgeous at dinner in a restaurant during the evening. It’s that quintessential outfit that everyone needs when they’re busy. I particularly love the fun print of this kimono. It matches perfectly with the lacy white top. I love how classy it looks and the dark wash jeans add a great contrast. If the outift is worn during the day, you can wear strappy sandals with it and the cute black peeptoe heels during the might. Did I mention that these heels have a cutout in the heel? Foot cleavage is trendy. Continue reading →

Best Ice Cream Ever…..

March 15, 2015April 22, 2015Leave a comment

Hey guys , so today I went to a liquid nitrogen ice cream lab and fell in love. I am not exaggerating, it was simply extraordinary. The Ice Cream Lab in Beverly Hills serves up ice cream with a fun and modern twist. The flavors are unique and some of them are seasonal. The flavors most of us ordered were Blue Velvet, Banilla ( Banana + Vanilla) , Salty Caramel Pretzel, Cookies & Cream, and Vanilla . I ordered the Banilla and was in love. It tasted almost like a banana cream pie but in ice cream form. What I particularly love about this place is that the ice cream bases are pre-made , but they mix all the flavorings and liquid nitrogen in front of you. It is a really fun experience to watch them adding the liquid nitrogen and the ice cream base is magically transformed into a delectable concotion. The liquid nitrogen makes the ice cream have a smooth texture. In my opinion , the ice cream had a richer and creamier taste that ordinary ice cream. This is definitely one of the best ice cream places in LA! Here are some pictures of what we got.