Coffee Addict -- Part 2

I love Thai Iced Coffee, and have always wondered how I can make them myself.

Thanks to Google, a two minute research have made me aware that a mere $4.00 investment at a local Thai market would give me gallons of this sweet goodness.

Oliang powder is a blend of soy beans, corn, and coffee bean.

It runs about $3.00 at any Asian market for about a pound, and you also need a strainer, which I bought for 99 cents at the same place. 

You need about 2 TBSP of this Oliang powder per one serving (10 to 12 oz.) so you will be able to make A LOT of ice coffee with just one bag. 

Here is how you make this concoction:

Oliang Powder

Boiling Water

Strainer I bought at Thai market for 99 cents

Straining (do it three times)

Sweeten to your liking -- with sugar and condensed milk

finished

Add creme and enjoy!

Note: once you empty the strainer of the used powder, wash with ONLY water, do not use soap.

Coffee Addict -- Part 1

Caffe Bello

I am a coffee lover, and I do love a good espresso.

Recently I found a fabulous little cafe in West Hollywood that serves the best coffee I have ever tasted in my life; and I've had coffee in many many places.

Caffe Bello is the name and I can not express how GOOD this coffee is.

I have gone in so many times, that when they see me come in, the baristas there smiles and asks if I want my 'usual.'

Caffe Bello -- inside

My "usual" -- two espresso shots with hazelnut syrup topped with cream

Afternoon coffee time

My other thing I have been doing recently is making my own Thai Ice Coffee at home to enjoy whenever I want to.

Tutorial will be coming up in my next post.

Caffe Bello address:

8719 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Sparkly feel

I am not too big on holidays.

Being in aviation, I have never been too concerned and most of the time, I was working on the actual holiday or the day before/after.

However, lately I have been very interested in the sparkly polishes and make up items that adds just a touch of festivity to your day.

MAC "Hundred Degrees" Illuminizer 

Essie Polish "Play Date" "Golden Nugget" "Set in Stones" "It's Genius"

Physician's Formula Highlighting Powder "Warm"

 

Glittery eyeliners

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush sparkly shadows to put in inner corner of your eyes

NARS "Night Clubbing" 

From the Hills of Hollywood...

I have been quite consumed in my life this past calendar year, and I have put my blogs (my other blog is http://upgrd.com/blogs/thoughtsfromthesky/) on the back burner.

One of the things I focused on while being absent (aside from working as well as taking some writing classes) was to look for a place of my own.

Since moving cross country a year and a half ago, my living situation changed 3 times -- mostly due to making hasty decisions on a whim.

First two places I lived in just didn't agree with me (and of course they were things you notice about 5 days after you move in) though I was very lucky to have been on month to month lease for both places; I was able to get out of the situation fairly quickly without penalty of any kind.

However, the third one was a year lease and I regretted it signing it the first week I moved in.

From that day forward, it was a drag.

Not having your own oasis to come home to can do a number on your mind, and your self esteem.
It is hard to live in a place that you just don't care about.
Getting out of a lease would have been expensive and since I was in a transitional phase with my career, I had to put the notion of having my own apartment on hold till my lease ran out.

Finally, starting in the fall, I started to do my research.

Looking around, there were few things I had in mind.
Since L.A. is so big, when looking for a place you have to have in mind exactly where you want to be, otherwise you would be looking forever -- options are limitless.
Do you want to be by the beach? Or up in the hills? Budget?
For me, having an awesome pet sitter who only can go so far for her service limited my options in a good way.

Since I have two very active boy kitties, I wanted to have enough space for them to play around.

After looking for few one bedrooms, I inquired about a studio that was available in Hollywood Hills.

Bingo.

Even though it is a studio, it is a very sizable place. Pricing, parking situation (covered and gated), location, all was there.

Not everything is finished as there are few pieces I wanted to purchase, but just a snippet of my new gorgeous sanctuary.

Beautiful view from my balcony

Kitchen

Just a sneak peek

Bar stool at the kitchen counter

Froggie in the shower

My jewelry display

My Barbie Art 

Oasis of my Own

In a few months I will be moving into my own place, and recently I have been looking for ideas that would make my own space more enjoyable.

I love using girly colors, and I am saving money to get the bed frame with the tufted material.

Some ideas I picked out from online:

The last one is my favorite as purple is my favorite color.

All pic courtesy of Google.

I would also like to mention that today is Sep. 11th and I will never forget what that day stands for in my industry.

I just didn't want to make a big post about it this year.

Summer Lovin'

My summer favorites that I have been wearing all summer.

Essie Tarte Deco, OPI Strawberry Margarita, OPI Pandamonium Pink

Bebe knotted racerback in deep green, black, white and royal blue

Tissue paper thin T-shirts from random boutiques

Copper colored earring and yellow+gold bracelet from Target

Bow bag from The Limited

Flower earring and ring from F21

One year - it has been a blessing!

It has been a year since my departure from commercial flying, and my transition into corporate aviation.

My recurrent training was not 3 weeks ago, and I enjoyed every minute of it. (I actually love any and all kind of training, weird, huh? I learn so much though!)

In the past year I have had the very pleasure and fortune of flying/working with some AWESOME people and made friends, not to mention meeting people I would have NEVER met (or attend to) if I were to keep working in the commercial aviation.

Every flight I take is an excitement and a learning experience, and a chance for me to better myself and extend my career.

I tell myself everyday - lucky me!

It's been a while....

I apologize, I have NOT been a good blogger.

I tried to blog a few times in the past couple of months, but I really couldn't find the words.

To me, writing is a very revealing thing - raw and real - and with what was going on in my life, it was too scary for me to write.

Lets just say that things are better now, and I have taken a better control re: my life.

Not going into details -- but I'm glad to be back is all.

Save Me

It all seemed to disappear
Like it was never really here
This gets so emotional
Nothing left to fear
The pull of ocean tide
Teardrops hung out to dry
I don't want to let go
Not this time
Bring back you lovin'
I'm out here alone
Bring back your lovin'
Don't say our love
Is set in stone

Don't turn away from me
Our love is our energy
Baby
Don't leave me in silence still
Trapped in my own free will
Baby

You shine a light
That ignites in me
And you're the only one right now
who can save me
So come save me

Come save me
Baby
Come save me

You shine a light
That ignites in me
And you're the only one right now
who can save me

Shogun feat. Emma Lock -- Save Me

Make Me Smile

Things that make me smile these days.



Caudalie Cleansing Water - for my lazy morning routine






Sahale Snacks Tuscan Flavored Almond - so so SO good!






Forever21 Cupcake Necklace - My youngest friend approves!






Magic Bullet - My client gave this to me after using it on the flight (they bought a new one so they can make smoothies onboard) and I have been using it everyday to make protein shakes






Bright Pedicure - Call Me Poppy by O.P.I





Accessories I have been wearing everyday - from F21, Nordstrom, etc.





Monogrammed "S" Candle I found at Homegoods - purchased 2, one on my desk, one by the bed

Giveaway Winner Announcement

Congratulations "Chocolate Martini" a.k.a. Shari :)

I will contact Shabby Apple and the necklace will be on the way!!

Thank you for those that entered!!!

Latest buys

I have been some what reserved in regards to shopping lately, but here are some of my purchases in the past few months that makes me smile.



Turquoise bracelet set

This came in a set of 3 but I usually wear it with other bracelets to mix it up

Essie polish in "Play Date"

My favorite color is any shade of purple -- especially lavender

Juicy Couture Rain boots in Olive

Believe it or not, these were $29. at Marshall's.

Yes, you read that correct, and it retails around $100.

It's olive, so it's THE perfect neutral, since I already have a black riding boots, and who really needs another pair of black boots?






Bebe striped drape front cocoon cardigan

I am a sucker for stripes, and this was just perfect in every way - drape in the front, button-less, and how the stripes vary in size and pattern.

Great for traveling as well!

I am trying to just have things that matter to me and not just have tons and tons of "stuff" in my closet.