June Favorites by S

June 17, 2016June 17, 20162 Comments

Hello summertime. Goodbye real life.

It has been so invigorating relaxing this past week. I have set aside this week, the first week of my summer, to doing what I want. This means not touching my tons of AP summer homework stacked up on my desk and neglecting studying for the SAT’s for just this week. I really wanted to destress and have time for doing the things that I love the most. Anyways, with that being said, this week I have had plenty of time to catch up with old friends, shop, and have a spa day… something that I needed very much after the hectic month of May. How has everyone else been doing?

With that being said, let me get into my June favorites.

Lately, I have been loving the 80s fashion trends. I had such a fun shopping day with my mother on Monday and I picked up a few 80s inspired things from my favorite shop, ZARA.

Here’s a mini haul as to what I purchased, and I can honestly say that they are my current fashion favorites

Bomber Jacket

Don’t hang clothing off of chandeliers , not a very good idea, but you got to do what you got to do for the blog, right? Anyways, what i particularly love about this jacket is that it has the cute green stripe through the sleeves and also the “Don’t grow up” message on the back of the jacket adds extra flair to it. I love the color scheme of the jacket and it can easily be paired with a simple crop top and some jeans. It can also be worn with a light colored dress and I wore this with my baby blue halter maxi dress.

2. Simple tops

I got this sparkly grey crop top with patches on it. Patches were a major trend from the 90s and they are in right now. The patches on this top make it more interesting and fun. I also bought this peachy pink top and I love the material of it and the contrast with the white.

Also, in this shopping trip, I went to Topshop , and picked up some ballerina-esque black tie up heels. They are my ultimate favorite heels right now. I literally could not resist them. I have been loving the Ballerina trends right now from tie up heels/sandals to wrap tops. This trend is by far my favorite.

TS42D24JBLK_Zoom_F_1

Beauty favorites:

I have been loving the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Concealer. This is the best concealer of all time. With dark circles caused by finals and stress, this concealer has been my go to. A little tiny bit goes a long way to cover up the darkness under my eyes and brighten them immediately. Although this is not a permanent solution to getting rid of dark circles, this concealer does an excellent job in concealing them. Definitely worth it. I got mine from Sephora.

2. My second favorite of this month has been the Bath and Body Works Italian Citrus Sun Body lotion. It has a sweet and citrusy scent to it which makes it smell divine. I can’t get enough of this flavor. I have also been loving the perfume , Chance by Chanel, that I recently got. It has an energetic and floral scent which I love.

3. My last but most favorite, beauty favorite of June is the Rosewater Aromatherapy Mist from Target and the California Rose Sea Salt Souffle from Whole foods. The Sea Salt Souffle is a 2 in 1 bath soak and body scrub. It has dried rose petals in it and smells like a rose garden which is incredible to bathe in. The aromatherapy mist is a great facial toner and I love spritzing it all over my body, face, and hair after I shower . Its a great addition to your post-shower routine before putting on lotion. Rose water is an excellent toner and keeps you hydrated.

Miscellaneous Favorites:

Chocolate covered Stawberries are the best fruit and chocolate combination there is. I have been making them so often this month and they are my favorite thing to snack on. It is so simple and easy to make all you have to do is melt some semisweet chocolate chips in a double boiler ( a pot filled halfway with water, boiled, and then place a stove proof bowl on top of the pot and let the heat of the water underneath melt the chocolate. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water or you can just melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals until the chocolate melts). It is super easy to make these. Or if you are really lazy, you can always by them from Godiva because Godiva is the best Chocolatier there is. There truffles are my absolute favorite.

2. Room DIY. My cousin got me this cute wooden heart for my room. It was blank and I decided to paint over it in some shades of emerald green and paint the word “live” on it in a cursive font. This has been my favorite room decor item so far and it is so easy to do yet so cute.

That sums up my favorites of the month, so far, considering its only been half the month. Hope you all have an adventurous summer filled with happiness and positivity.

XOXO,

Shiza

Brunch Party

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016Leave a comment

Hello everyone, so last month , we threw my dad a birthday brunch in our backyard and I can honestly say that it was perfect. My dad is the kind of person that doesn’t like to go out on his birthdays and would much rather spend the day at home with his family and friends because he goes out to eat so often that he is literally tired of restaurant food. Therefore, my cousins and I decided to throw him this surprise brunch party.

To throw a birthday brunch you need a plan and the first step to your plan is the menu. Get together with your cousins and/or parents and map out a menu. Divide and conquer is the strategy. Have one person make the eggs dish, one make the sweet breakfast dish such as (french toast, homemade waffles, pancakes, or crepes) , and one person make the sides such as (breakfast potatoes, hash browns, fruit salad, and sausages). A fun way to serve the sweet breakfast dish is to have a toppings buffet with all of the yummy treats we all love such as whipped cream, nutella, strawberries, caramel, etc.

Remember to keep the menu short and simple because less is more. Here is our menu:

Birthday Brunch Menu

Italian Frittatta cherry tomatoes, basil, mint

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Italian Breakfast Potatoes onions, bell peppers, garden rosemary & thyme, jalapenos, cheese

Mango Cake

Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Set the table with your prettiest plates and cutlery. We used our Portugese printed plates from the World Market , oversized water goblets, and plain cloth napkins. Set the table with your favorite tablecloth, this one is a new satin sheet we had lying around the house. Its fun print and soft fabric made it a perfect tablecloth. A runner also makes for a great decor piece and this floral one is perfect for the summer. Last but most importantly, have a bunch of fresh flowers in the center of the table as the centerpiece.

Ferry Building Marketplace

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016Leave a comment

The Ferry Building Marketplace is a haven for food lovers. It has numerous local eateries and cafes that create artisanal, organic food that is scrumptious and sustainable. From cheese shops with local cheeses, handmade pastries, organic coffee houses, and other breakfast/lunch time eateries – The Ferry Building has something that will satisfy any palette. It also has some cookware shops, small grocery shops, and flower shops of the garden. This place is THE food lover’s sanctuary in the heart of San Francisco with a view of the gorgeous Bay.

Outside the Ferry Building

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Soft Scrambled Eggs with herbs

Bon Appetit,

Shiza

LA’s Stunning Cafe’s & Restaurants

June 11, 2016June 11, 2016Leave a comment

Hello everyone. I know that it has been awhile , but we are finally back on! So we are gonna start the year off on a delicious note, with a list of the yummiest places around LA to eat. I love to cook it and try both trending and hidden restaurants wherever I go. I have been to MANY restaurants in Los Angeles, but these ones definitely hold a special place in my heart.

Angelini’s Osteria – 7313 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

If you are looking for some down home, traditional Italian food this is THE place. The restaurant has a rustic and cozy atmosphere, with an exposed brick wall, large pit fire oven, and be sure to make reservations before hand because the restaurant has only one dining room and some patio seating and it is always packed. The menu is impeccable with food that could have been your Nonna’s food but with a modern twist.

Grilled Prime Rib Eye // Swiss Chard Ravioli ( I promise you this is the greatest ravioli that you will ever taste) Who knew Swiss Chard could taste this good?

El Floridita Cuban Restaurant – 1253 Vine Street , Los Angeles, CA 90038

This upbeat, authentic Cuban restaurant will take you to the Caribbean and back . With friendly service, nightly dance and music performances, and a menu in which almost everything comes with a side of rice, beans, and fried plantains you will never want to leave!

Tilapia en Mojo, a Cuban scampi sauce. The sauce is packed with flavors of garlic, tomatoes, onions, and spices and the tilapia is an excellent, delicate choice of seafood to pair with the bold Mojo sauce.

Nobu, West Hollywood – 903 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

This is the shining gem of the LA fine dining food scene. Japanese food takes a whole new level with extraordinary entrees and sushi that have a Peruvian flair.
FullSizeRender 2

FullSizeRender

These deceptively, un-spicy, Shishito Peppers are crunchy, sweet, and addicting. Hands down the BEST appetizer ever.

Tender Greens- 9523 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

If your a looking for a lunch place that is healthy, fast, and has many vegetarian friendly/plant based options, this should be number 1 on your list. Tender Greens has the BEST salads from varieties such as Vegan Salads ,Backyard Steak, and Tuna Nicoise topped with quail eggs are my particular favorite. They also have refreshing homemade lemonades such as mint lemonade.

Seared Tuna , Tuna Nicoise Salad, Falafel with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Tuna Nicoise

Aroma Bakery and Cafe- 7373 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Aroma has been one of my favorite breakfast spots for as long as I can remember. It’s chic and has no wait time because its a large amount of space both inside and out (because we all know that Brunch in LA always has a wait time, sadly) , Aroma doesn’t follow this norm and gets you seated right away which is one its best qualities asides from the spectacular Middle Eastern inspired breakfast.

Knowing how to make Shakshuka at home, I know what makes a Shakshuka (Eggs in Spiced Tomato Sauce) truly spectacular- Harissa and the right amount of Ras El Hanout (Moroccan spice blend) and this particular one hits all of the right notes. Having travelled to Israel, has set the bar very high as to what i classify as a good Shakshuka, and I can honestly say that this is the most well done Shakshuka that I have had in any restaurant in Los Angeles.

This Middle Eastern platter is a glimpse as to what a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast consists of which is an array of fresh cheese such as feta, hummus, traditional creamy yoghurt called labneh which has a sweet and tangy taste and is definitely my favorite thing on the platter.

Barney’s Beanery Redondo Beach – 100 Fishermans Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

For a casual , Mexican -Californian breakfast , Barney’s Beanery has a lot to choose from. You can order the Mexi-Cali favorites such as Huevos Rancheros, Ranchero Omlette, and Chilaquiles or opt for a simple American breakfast of pancakes. My favorite thing to order are the Chilaquiles with the classic Chocolate milkshake.

The Chilaquiles are tortilla chips topped with scrambled eggs and a red chili sauce, served with refried beans and rice on the side, and guacamole and salsa.

Il Cielo – 9018 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

This beautiful house turned Italian restaurant with a charming courtyard has an excellent selection of traditional Italian cuisine. However, I personally adore the desserts more than the food itself. The gorgeous Panna Cotta was hands down , sublime. I would come here specifically for the desserts . The silky , subtle texture of the Vanilla bean Panna Cotta is perfectly complemented with the strawberry coulis and fresh berries complete the decadent dessert. The Tiramuisu was delicious but did not match the unparalleled beauty and taste of the Panna Cotta.

Brunch @ Blu Jam Cafe- 7371 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Make sure you arrive at this Melrose / West Hollywood neighborhood brunch gem right when it opens because if it hits 10 AM, the cafe has a long line outside of it ( More than an hour …#hectic ) However, the Crunchy French Toast with a Hot Vanilla “Milk”(kinda like a sauce) is a breakfast that is truly worth the wait. This is by far, my favorite french toast in the whole world. Its the culinary balance of textures from the creamy custard like bread to the crunchy bite on the outside and the luscious hot vanilla bean milk all of which pair perfectly with tart seasonal berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Also , they have fresh juices, made with fruits that you want. A healthy juice can help you forget having just devour a french toast a few moments ago.

XOXO,

Shiza

OOTD’s

February 29, 2016March 2, 2016Leave a comment

Hey dolls,

Today’s post is going to be a couple outfits I’ve tried out this past week. Hope you guys like it! (I will be uploading pics of me in them shortly)

OOTD number 1 :

This is the whole outfit, with the blazer. I was trying to go for a Shophisticated yet modern look. I think the boots make this look more refined along with the white-short rompers. If you please, you can add a layer of sheer stockings depending on the weather.

Boots from GUESS ( there called cilantros)
White rompers from FOREVER 21
Gold necklace from FOREVER 21
Glasses ( forgot)
Black belt to add a waist shape.
Blazer from FOREVER 21

OOTD number 2:

The second ootd is more for weekend mall trips or running errands. I think the pink body suit adds a bit of sweetness to the look. I was trying to go for a edgy look. Yes believe it or not the pink body suit is my ballet leatard.

These are my all time fav boy friend jeans! If you guys are looking for the best pair that actually look like your bf’s jeans CHECK OUT my current fav store ZARA. I got these from the grove location.

The holes are so cute 💕

glasses from Express
Nerd glasses from Forever 21
Gold watch MK

Leather jacket from Forever 21

Shoes were a present from my mom 🙂

OOTD number 3:

This look is super casual. I’d suggest you wear this if you’re having a lazy day or maybe for school. Also though you could Easily dress it up w the perf jewlery.

Light wash high- waisted jeans Hollister
Glasses from TopShop
Bluè Bralet VS
watch Dufonte

Ootd idea:

I think this would be a very cute OOTD idea. Maybe for a dinner or lunch date. Or honestly any venue.

body suit
Zara pencil skirt
Glasses Nordstrom
Ring forever 21
Bracelet forever

Thanks Luvs hope you guys enjoyed🌩

XOXO

Spa Night

February 11, 2016February 11, 2016Leave a comment

With all of the stress, work, and everything going on in our busy lives, it is important for us to occasionally RELAX. I mean put down our phones , turn off its notifications,and spend a couple of hours devoting some time to doing what we love and DE-STRESSING ourselves both mentally and physically.

To me a spa night consists of my best friends , some yoga, a luxurious Bubble bath, some baking , and tons of LAUGHTER and a good Old Hollywood movie to watch at night ( Breakfast at Tiffany’s and How to Steal a Million are some of my favs ) .And thats what I did this past Sunday. It truly made all the difference and has helped me clear my head and gave me amazing vibes. I swear vibes are everything.

Bubble Bath Essentials:

A good bubble bath NEEDS

dark chocolate ( Godiva has the best)
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Pink Grapefruit Italian Soda Cocktail ( its virgin) with a splash of orange juice, ginger ale, Pink grapefruit Italian soda, and fresh fruit (sliced strawberries and tangerines) + mint & plenty of ICE
A good body scrub
Candles
Classical or Relaxing Spa music (pandora has some good stations)

The ultimate comforting dessert is PECAN PIE and since baking is like the most therapeutic thing EVER to me, I had a lot of fun making it and devouring it with tons of whipped cream

This is the opening scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Your Fifth Avenue outfit cannot get any cuter than this ? It can if Hubert de Givenchy was your designer and stylist.

A little yoga with a watermelon lemonade candle from Bath & Body Works burning on the side, is the perfect duo and the best way to get some relaxing exercise into your Spa Night. I love the after feeling of yoga, my body and mind feel rejuvenated.

I hope my version of a Spa Night has inspired you to have your own. Good vibes only.

XOXO,

SHIZA

Manhattan , New York

November 11, 2015November 22, 20156 Comments

Hey guys , I know its been a while, but we are finally back on! Last month, I went to Manhattan for a short five day trip. It was truly a dream come true moment for me, because it was my first time visiting and I have been obsessed with Manhattan since I started watching Gossip Girl. Manhattan was truly everything I expected it to be and more.

Here are pictures that I took from my trip…. Enjoy!

Times Square at Night

Times Square in the day time

5th Avenue (I was definitely having an Audrey Hepburn moment!)

Flatiron Building in the Flatiron District , one of my favorite buildings straight across Madison Square Park

Empire State Building when I was having an Affair to Remember Moment here!!

View from the deck at night at the Empire State Building

Manhattan Skyline

Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island

New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street

Being an APUSH nerd, I was very excited to see Federall Hall, where President George Washington was inaugurated

Being an APUSH nerd, I was very excited to see Federal Hall, where President George Washington was inaugurated

I had a Gossip Girl moment at Grand Central :
Spotted Serena van der Woodsen getting off the train at Grand Central, look whose back… XOXO Gossip Girl

Chuck Bass’s Hotel, the Empire, in the Upper West Side ( Gossip Girl lovers would know)

Manhattan from a helicopter’s view

The lovely Central Park

Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Upper East Side

The cutest building EVER in Little Italy

Winter ice skating at the Rockefeller Center

The aesthetic of Manhattan is so fun, energizing, and upbeat. It’s almost as if the city never sleep, you will se people walking around at midnight. Its really truly beautiful. I can’t wait to go back. Xx

Shiza

Alfred’s Coffee☕️

August 19, 2015August 19, 20151 Comment

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

Cleo @ SLS Las Vegas

June 1, 2015June 1, 2015Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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.

I recommend this restaurant to any one visiting Las Vegas.

Xoxo,
Shiza

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

Sapphires in Paradise

the little things in life

Tag: love

June Favorites by S

Brunch Party

Ferry Building Marketplace

LA’s Stunning Cafe’s & Restaurants

Angelini’s Osteria – 7313 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

El Floridita Cuban Restaurant – 1253 Vine Street , Los Angeles, CA 90038

Nobu, West Hollywood – 903 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Tender Greens- 9523 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Aroma Bakery and Cafe- 7373 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Barney’s Beanery Redondo Beach – 100 Fishermans Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Il Cielo – 9018 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Brunch @ Blu Jam Cafe- 7371 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

OOTD’s

Spa Night

Bubble Bath Essentials:

A good bubble bath NEEDS

Manhattan , New York

Alfred’s Coffee☕️

Cleo @ SLS Las Vegas

5 Things to do on a Sunday @ Home