Weekend Getaway: Las Vegas

February 2, 2015February 2, 2015Leave a comment

This past weekend I took a vacation to Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though I’ve been going to Vegas since I was two, every time I go it’s a new experience.
This time I went to go visit one of my childhood friends. I stayed at the Vdara hotel. Vdara is one of my favorite hotels. Although it doesn’t have a casino at the lobby they have several other things. The Crystal mall is waking distance to the hotel, which honestly is amazing! Down stairs they have a convenient restaurant called the Market Place, I had breakfast there too. While I was there I went to go see KÀ by cirque du soleli, at the MGM Grand. The show was astonishing! The production is about the up rising of young men and women and how they encounter love and conflicts and the difference between good and bad. I definitely recommend you all to watch it! I dined at a very welcoming Cafè called Sunrise Cafè. The Cafè is located on 8975 South Eastern Avenue #6, Las Vegas NV 89123. I had brunch there and it satisfied my taste buds! The food and service was impeccable. The rest of my trip consisted of hanging out with my sister and our childhood friend. We all spent quality time with one another, swimming, shopping, and eating. Here are some pictures of my vacation!

Xoxo
– Zaina 💗

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift: Vanilla Cakepops Coated in Chocolate

February 1, 2015February 2, 20156 Comments

This Valentines Day inspired recipe is a sweet, thoughtful gift for your loved ones. It requires no special ingredients or tools, and is simply scrumptious. My friend Saki decided to teach me how she makes these delicious bites and we tested out the recipe yesterday and were pleased with how it turned out.

What you need:
1) A Container of store-bought frosting any flavor you prefer. I used vanilla.
2) Yellow boxed cake mix & the ingredients the box calls for, in order to prepare the cake. (mine called for 3 eggs, water,& oil)
3) Semi-sweet chocolate chips.
4) Cake Pop sticks ( if you cant find them, just cut wooden skewers in half)

Directions:
1) Bake cake according to package. I simply mixed all of the wet ingredients with the dry and baked the cake for 35 minutes in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven.
2) Cool cake for about an hour ( its takes waaaaay less time if you cool it in the fridge).
3) Break the cooled cake into small crumbs.
4)Mix the frosting into the crumbled cake. Add enough so that the mixture is not too wet nor too dry. Make sure there is enough frosting in the mixture in order to form cake balls. Do not add too much frosting or it will cause the cake balls to break.
6)Form meatball sized balls. You can use an ice cream scoop in order to obtain uniform sized cakepops. I simply just estimated the size of each cake pop.
7) Insert the sticks into the center of the cake pops. Place the cake pops in the freezer for 10-15 minutes so that they can harden.
8) Melt chocolate chips over a double broiler or in intervals of 30 sec in the microwave until the chocolate has completely melted. You can use candy melts if you want a colorful coating on your cake pop.
9) Coat each cake pop in the melted chocolate. You can top the coated cake pops with festive sprinkles for another added touch.Allow it to cool on a tray in the fridge.

Xoxo
– Shiza

Guest Appearance: Saki

Thin, Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

January 30, 2015April 24, 2015Leave a comment

This recipe was not created by me and in no way am I claiming credit for it. I am simply sharing a slightly altered version of them because I am absolutely obsessed with them and may or may not be addicted…..This is Ree Drummond’s recipe from thepioneerwoman.com , who also happens to be one of my fav chefs and someone who has an amazing show on the food network. Yes, I am a teenager who watches food network, judge me for it. But its a channel whose spectacular chefs such as Giada and Bobby Flay have inspired me to have an immense love for cooking.

I have tweaked the recipe, to better fit my tastes. Also it is halved and makes about 13-16 cookies depending on how large you decide to make each cookie. If you want the original recipe search, “Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies” . Hope you enjoy this recipe.

Preheat Oven: 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Bake time: 10 to 12 minutes ( I typically bake mine for about 10 so that they’re chewy and crisp)
Ingredients:
– 1 c. all purpose flour
– 1 tsp vanilla
– 6 tbsp brown sugar
– 6 tbsp white granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 c. or 1 stick butter (recipe calls for
unsalted but salted works just as
well… trust me)
-1/4 c. malted milk powder ( SECRET
INGREDIENT)
– 1/2 bag or 6 ounces semi sweet
chocolate chips
– 1/4 c. walnuts or pecans ( or a
mixture of both, I kinda just add as
much as I want ) .
*You can sub almonds or completely
leave out any kind of nut if you’re
allergic. It will still taste amazing.
– splash of milk (less than a tbsp) in
case batter gets too dry

Directions:
1) Preheat Oven
2) Cream butter, add the two sugars ,
continue creaming until mixture is
fluffy. Add vanilla. Mix.
3) Crack egg in a seperate bowl and
whisk with a fork. Add eggs to
butter sugar mixture. Beat until
it is thoroughly combined and add
the malted milk powder. This is
what makes the cookies thin and
crisp.
4) Sift the flour and baking soda.
Gradually add into the butter sugar
mixture. Be sure to add about 1/3 of
the dry into the wet a time so that
you do not end up in a cloud of
flour. Mix well.
5) Add the nuts and chocolate chips
and stir gently.
6) Bake, Cool, & Enjoy. Bon Appétit ❤️

XOXO
– Shiza

I apologize on the messy quality of the pictures , they were taken by an iPhone 5s.

Cafè Buna

January 26, 2015January 31, 2015Leave a comment

Heey guys!! One of my all time favorite Sunday brunch spots is Cafè Buna. Omg you guys I’ve literally been here like a million times. The ambiance of this place will give you such good vibes! It’s walking distance to the beach additionally, which makes going there even better. However whenever I go there I usually get baffled between what to order. If I am trying to satisfy my sweet tooth I get there Red Velvet Pancakes, which are incredible! Of one my fav savory dishes is the lobster omelet. The omelet is stuffed in with sautéed lobster and topped with a delectable pesto sauce 😍.
Here are some photographs of my food!

Xoxo
Z

Hidden Gems : Malibu Cafè

January 26, 2015January 31, 2015Leave a comment

I absolutely love Malibu Cafe. Its in a discreet part of Malibu a hidden place where only some now about, up in the mountains, at Calamigos Ranch. Although I’ve only been there twice everything about it is simply breathtaking. From the gorgeous lake in the middle of the outdoors-y rustic restaurant to the sublime food the cafe has to offer it has honestly captivated my heart and is one of my favorite places to go to. I love the relaxed vibe the restaurant gives off and is truly a must go spot in California. Also, be sure to paddleboard or row on the lake , while your waiting for your food to come. I promise its amazing. Here are pictures from my adventures yesterday💞

XOXO
– Shiza

Hey Everyone

January 26, 2015January 31, 20152 Comments

We wanted to have the first blog post explain a little bit about who we are and why we started this .

Hello everyone! I am Shiza. I am 15 years old and I love all things beauty, fashion, and food. I have a passion for traveling and experiencing culture through food. Also , I love baking and cooking and I am often asked by friends on what I make, so through this blog I will share my favorite recipes. In addition, I am absoulutely obsessed with fashion and may or may not be a bit of a shopholic. I currently have a kimono fashion line and I aspire to have a major clothing brand when I am older. In my opinion, fashion is an art, the first glimpse of your personality, and as Miuccia Prada said,”Fashion is an instant language”. I will share ootd , wardrobe essentials , styling tips and tricks, and other miscellaneous fashion things on this blog. Hope you enjoy! XOXO

-S

Hey guys, I am Zaina. Currently 15 years old. Fashion, Music, and trying new restraunts and cafes are among the things i love most. Also i am a bit of a coffee bean addict, all my money ends up being spent there Ooops.. My mother thinks i need coffee rehab. One of my weekend habits are going to the hidden restaurants in LA, the obscure places most wouldn’t think of. Music is also a big part of my daily life, my bose speakers are literally on blast everyday 24/7. I have been obsessed with fashion since i can remember, even as a toddler my parents always dressed me in baby couture. I can literally spend all day at the mall, being a shopaholic is genetic. Through this blog i will express my unnique style and share with you guys how i style my outfits, talk about cute DIYs, and all about my food obsession! XOXO

-Z

Hey humans (or not ;)), I’m Firdausi, but you can call me Firda. Currently 15 (16 on Feb 10), and blessed to live in a small beach town in Los Angeles. I am so in love with nature, especially the beach (so California), finding new music, reading books (the library is my 2nd home) and going on adventures around LA, whether it’s an art museum or a hiking trail. I also enjoy taking pictures, painting, and writing really bad poetry in my journal. Also I have a small obsession with space. My main goals in life are to create world peace and stop global warming. I also want to travel, like, everywhere. In sum, I’m just in love with the world. Can’t wait to share my adventures and lifestyle with you all, it’s going to be a blast.
Xx, F

Sapphires in Paradise

the little things in life

Tag: food