Virgo Season: It's all in the details!

HAYYYY BITCHES! It's been a minute since I had the chance to come on here and spit my game, but what better time to make a comeback then during VIRGO SEASON? 

As a prrr-oud Virgo, I can tell you we are all very excited to celebrate our birthdays, even though we play it off and make it seem like its not a big deal, IT IS. It won't be a walk in the park to find us the perfect gift, but when you do, we will surely appreciate every ounce of detail you put in the packaging and delivery of the gift, whether its a card, or a fancy customized wallet. 

We love everything thats adorned in details; stitching, studs, sequins, anything that adds to the pizazz of an item, we LOVE.

Example: the necklaces I copped from MARJ are my fave items right now. Simple, GOLD (which y'all know I love) and so personalized. The necklaces are not more than 20 bucks a piece and serve as the best gift to get your fellow Virgo friends/lovers. 

Other examples of gifts include:

1. Customizable Fragrances, for the Virgo who's always bragging about their uniqueness.
2. Kate Spade Tea Kettle with "Whistle While You Work" on the lid, so.much.detail.
3. Pinapple Deco Electric Fan for when you get them hot flashes but want to cool down in style.
4. Hotstamped Wallet from Louis Vuitton for all my bougie, fly, detailed oriented bitches.

If you still don't know what to get your fave Virgo for his/her birthday, you can always play it safe with money or a gift card, because us hustlas could always use them as we are HELLA resourceful! 

Honestly, just remember to dot your i's when writing our cards and  to neatly fold the corners of the packaging on our gifts and I'm sure our detail-oriented asses will be happy! 

Happy Virgo Season y'all! 

Shop the look and similar looks @SHOPMARJ on Instagram. 

New Coffee Spot Alert: G&B Coffee DTLA

Yes, I'm addicted to coffee... get over it! For all my caffeine addicts, G&B is a definite must-try! Their coffee is distinctly sweet, and has no acidic/bitter taste that most coffee including Starbucks coffee has. I found out about G&B while roaming around the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles, and let me tell you, am I glad I did. As I looked around I saw everyone approaching what looked like a cocktail bar, and ordering like they were ordering at a bar or pub. The staff greets you with the biggest smiles, and gladly helps you choose the right drink. I love iced coffee, and have always believed in the fact that you can tell how good a coffee is by tasting it black with nothing in it. So as a brave soul, I ordered a iced coffee black, with no additives. My first sip and I was hooked! It was so delicately fragrant and had no acidic after taste which is something that most iced coffees have. I finished the drink within 10 mins and like usual managed to get a couple drops of it on my white tee. The customers around me were ordering almond and coconut cappuccinos which smelled delightful and is something I will have to try my next time there. If you're like me and you love black coffee when its done right, head on over to G&B and grab yourself a cup of joe!

Papillon International Bakery: Home of the original Nutella Ponchik

You had me at Nutella. Papillon International Bakery is located in North Hollywood where it serves up sugary goodness "fried dough" thats stuffed with a filing of your choice. It's an Armenian treat called the Ponchik. These Ponchiks are very similar to a treat many jewish kids enjoyed every Chanukah called the "Sufganiyah"or better known as the Jelly doughnut, which only goes to show how every culture and ethnicity has similar foods and desserts but with a variation of some sort. Let me tell you, this doughnut is wayyy better than any jelly doughnut you'll get on Chanukah because it's light and fluffy, and it's filled with Nutella (the g-d of all fillings) or the classic heavenly vanilla custard. If you are ever looking for an alternative to that weekly Krispy Kreme craving you have, I suggest giving the Papillon Bakery a try! They have three amazing locations, and truly fry with love! If you're not much of a sweets person, grab yourself a "Peroshki" which is basically a doughnut filled with savory goodness. I had the pleasure of trying the feta and mozzarella cheese one, and let me tell you...besides burning my mouth from the oozing cheese (I have no patience when it comes to fried goods) it was delicious!!! Whatever you do, be prepared to use your cheat meal on these treats oozing with yumminess! Enjoy! 

One Nutella and one Custard to go please!

Cheese Peroshki = YUMMMYY CHEESY GOODNESS 

You Used to Call Me on My Cell Phone: The 3 Day Rule

That picture basically explains my life during the three days that follow a date. You know, that stupid three day rule that guys like to play like "Lemme just wait three days to make this bitch miserable and let her think every of every reason why I'm not texting or calling her, when really I'm just a douchebag." PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL MEN: Stop being a fuck-boi and playing these games. If you like us let us know and lets keep it moving, if not, we will gladly place our attention onto someone else. It just honestly doesn't make sense, who invented the 3 day rule? I have to give them credit though, because it's surely an easy way to make a girl like a guy she isn't really interested in. By making our minds race and wonder why we haven't received a call or even a simple text, guys are inevitably making us intrigued and interested in them, along with being frustrated. You could have gone on an amazing date, and he could have treated you like a queen, but poof he's pulled a disappearing act for the next three days that leaves us women feeling insecure and unsure of how interested the guy is.

Personally I'm more of a straight forward person and I hate playing games, but whats a girl to do? We are kinda living in a man's world. Maybe if Hillary wins we'll be able to put an end to this stupid 3 day rule. My advice to any woman going through this mess is to keep your head up, talk it out with your girls, and last but not least, keep yourself busy and try to forget about the idiot, theres plenty of fish in the sea.

Happy Dating! 

Netflix & Lingerie?

Fall is here and all I want to do is cuddle in bed with my flavor of the month, you know "Netflix and Chill" with a side of hot coco. I'll admit, cuddling usually leads to other things and so does Netflix, but why not embrace that and dress the part? Im talking about wearing something other than sweats and a tee or that ugly moo moo you wear when you get too comfortable in a relationship. Gooseberry Intimates are one of my favorite lingerie and intimates designers. They design delicate and intricate pieces that flatter all body shapes. Ladies, I stress this all the time, don't forget to dress up for your man but mostly don't forget to put on a piece of lingerie and strut your stuff in the mirror for yourself! Despite the common misconception of lingerie and how women tend to shy away from it due to lack of confidence, to the contrary it is one of the best confidence boosters out there. Lingerie and Intimate pieces of clothing have the distinct ability to raise your spirits and body image about yourself, as it portrays you in a new, sexy light. Take my advice and get yourself a couple pieces from Gooseberry Intimates and make this cuddle season a season full of excitement and of course a season full of lingerie on the floor.. if you know what I mean ;)

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Gooseberry Intimates:

The PrettyMuchPerfect Bra

Endless Straps Bralette

Standards: Have them

Many of us get used to things that we truly don't deserve. Personally I hate settling and lowering my standards in all aspects of life whether it be settling with an outfit, car or guy that truly doesn't deserve me, I have promised myself to always stick to my standards and never settle. Most of my friends see it as having too many standards or possibly even thinking too highly of myself, but it's not about that. It's about respecting yourself enough to know you deserve better, and that you're worth more. For example: it's your birthday, and you have been dying to treat yourself to a beautiful day at the beach or massage session, but your significant other doesn't want to accompany you due to the fact that he or she isn't really into whatever you have planned and would rather stay home. UM, Bye? It's your birthday, instead of planning your day around them, the day should be about you. Many of you may read this and think obviously you would just choose someone else to go with, but many girls sad to say don't think that way, they would rather lower their standards and settle for whatever agenda their significant other has planned. Im no relationship expert, but I do know that settling and lowering your standards will only set you back and hurt you in the road ahead.

Things to keep in mind when you're in a relationship:

1. There has to be compromise. It can't always be your way, just as it can't always be his way.
2. Don't ever settle based on the fact that you're afraid you won't have the chance to meet someone new or someone who could love you more, because you can.
3. If you're accustomed to a certain lifestyle because you've worked hard and you deserve it, don't apologize and feel guilty. You just need to meet someone who's on the same level and shares the same lifestyle. 
4. Do you. At the end of the day if someone can't accept you for who you are then it's time to move on and focus on you and the right guy or better yet the guy who is gonna treat you right will come (or so I've heard). 

I know this topic will be very controversial for some people as they might not see where I'm coming from, but for those of you who do, I salute you, and as the classy, Coco Chanel once said "Keep your Heels, Head, and Standards High"

Simple & Tasty: Balsamic Marinated Steak

Everyone loves a good steak, except for vegetarians of course! I am very picky when it comes to steak because I like my steak well-done, seasoned well, and of course not too dry. So what kind of steak suits a girl like me? I'm all about the thin-cut steaks like a skirt or hanger-steaks. Those types of cuts usually come pre packed and ready to go, but if not I'm sure your local butcher can provide you with whatever steak needs you might have. 

For this recipe, I wanted a sweet but savory marinade for my steak that would pair easily with whatever side dish I chose. Super simple recipe that uses pantry ingredients you probably already have!

Ingredients: (per serving)

• Skirt steak (0.5 lb)
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp Brown Sugar (dark or light)
• 1 grated garlic clove
•  a pinch of Chili Pepper Flakes (optional) 

Marinade the steak for about 1-2 hours and then let it rest for at least 30 minutes or until its room temperature. Best way to prepare the steak is on a grill, and if you don't have a grill I would suggest investing in one of those grill pans, they work wonderfully! Grill on each side for about 3-4 minutes to be well done (less time for a rarer steak). Make sure you let your steak rest for at least 3-4 minutes before slicing it against the grain. Spritz the pan with olive oil and My side dish for this particular meal was mashed red potatoes with olive oil and garlic salt and some yummy peas and carrots. This steak is very versatile in the way that you can basically pair this steak with just about any side dish. I hope this recipe convinces all my non-cooks out there that with just a couple simple ingredients and a dash of love, you can make an easy, tasty meal! 

-La Breeyoot!

(Hebrew for enjoy)

My Fall Statement Pieces: Animal Print, Oxblood-Colored Anything, and Dainty Detailed Jewelry

In Los Angeles the fall season is taking a bit longer to come than expected, but boy am I ready for it! I haven't always been a minimalist when it comes to fashion, but details have always been important to me. This fall season I have fallen in love with three trends: animal print, oxblood colored pants, and of course dainty yet sparkly jewelry, and the key to each one of these fall trends is to keep it simple, and not to over-do it.

If you know me, you know I'm fierce and have mad love for animals so trust me when I tell you anything animal print screams my name. Wearing animal prints are tricky though, you have to be careful you don't overdo it because you could end up as a jersey-shore look-a-like. My favorite way to wear animal print is either as a top or as an accent on a clutch or handbag. Most important part is to wear it as minimally as possible or else you run the risk of having your outfit look too busy. 

Oxbloood, "Ew whats that" totally not actual blood on clothing guys, calm down. Oxblood is a term for a color that is a rich maroon-burgundy color and its sooo delicious for the fall season. It's the perfect color to rock on your lips, handbags, or even pants: my favorite way to rock them. Speaking for myself, I know the color black has taken over my closet, and oxblood is the perfect color to throw into the mix to help you liven up your wardrobe all while staying edgy and mysterious. 

Its no secret that I love me some jewelry, and some sparkles, but my favorite type will always be dainty, detailed pieces of jewelry. Why? Because its so versatile and you can wear it with any kind of outfit, dress it up, dress it down, and my favorite reason.. layering! Dainty detailed jewelry is the perfect kind whether you're wearing jeans and a t shirt, jeggings and a tank, or even a fancy dress. The more intricate, delicate, and sparkly your jewelry is the better! 

Remember: fall is the perfect time for layering and multiple trends at a time, but the key is simplicity and detail-oriented-ness. Rock that animal print, oxblood colored pieces and those dainty detailed accessories and I promise you compliments will be rolling your way! 

Here are a few of my favorite pieces to rock this fall:

Zara Animal Print blouse

Burberry Brit Coated Skinny Jeans in oxblood

Dana Rebecca Jewelry

Effortlessly Cool in Vintage Band Tees

Its Labor Day, and we've all got somewhere to be! Whether you're attending a pool party, barbecue, or maybe just a get together with friends and family, don't stress too hard on what you're going to wear because the truth of the matter is that you probably already have the perfect outfit in your closet! Remember those vintage t shirts everyone told you not to throw away? Yeah that raggedy Rolling Stones or Ramones tee you used to wear everyday back in high school when you were going through that punk rock phase, pull it out of your closet, dust it off and pair it with some cut off shorts for a cool summer vibe, ripped jeans for a girl next door look, or even that leather pencil skirt you have for an edgy Rihanna look. Throw in some accessories, or dope kicks to up the amp, and I'm sure you'll be getting compliments left and right. For those of you who never went through a punk-rock phase in high school and never owned a vintage band tee, many retailers like Urban Outfitters, H&M, Forever 21, and of course local thrift stores will definitely have a plethora of cool vintage-like band t-shirts.  Regardless of how you wear it, you will surely look effortless, cool, and of course bad-ass.

Still not convinced that you can wear a band tee and look cool? Here are some of my favorite celebrities and bloggers showing us how to "rock" the trend:

Rihanna rockin her tee oh so effortlessly

Miley Cyrus dressing up her tee with a leather mini skirt

@Ashtianah who else could pull off donut eyes and a rock band tee like this?

@kirstyirwinofficial looking chic with her simple vintage band tee and her delicate skirt.

Mary-Kate Olsen rockin her tee with an embellished necklace 

Just Pin It!

We all know fall is upon us, and leather jackets will be the go to look. Lets not be boring girls, lets rock our leather jackets with this hot fall look: PINS! I have always had the slightest obsession with do-it-yourself fashion projects and this might be the easiest one to do! All you gotta do is collect pins that represent your personal style and attach them to a leather good that you have. I have been following PINTRILL for about a year and a half now, and have never had a reason to buy these pins because I never fully knew what I would do with them & now it is clear that I need to invest in a couple pins to stay up to date with falls latest trend. As an avid leather-jacket wearing girl, I know that my new favorite way to rock pins is definitely gonna be on my leather jacket, or other leather goods. My personal opinion? Get yourself a faux leather jacket or a simple leather clutch and place pins all over it. Make sure you grab the latest pins from PINTRILL. Here are a view of my faves from the brand :

Just in case y'all didn't believe me, here's proof that pins are a trend to rock this fall: Jared Leto rockin' pins on his leather jacket at the VMA's last night.

All Hail Virgos

It's #Virgo season y'all! For those of you who don't believe in astrological signs, let me give you a little background on the characteristics of a Virgo. Virgos are detail-oriented warm-hearted go-getters that won't rest until they have gotten what they wanted out of a situation or have found the solution to a problem. Simply put we are perfectionists and the world is run by people like us! Virgos are known to be very analytical people (I can vouch for that personally) which in turn makes us seem indecisive, but it's really us just making sure that we are familiar with all the details and know every aspect of a situation before making a decision. Virgos are also very good in business and dealing with others; if you need someone who can solve problems, think rationally, and analyze situations, you can surely count on a Virgo to get the job done. Don't forget, us Virgos, we run shit and if you don't think I do, you sure as hell know that Beyonceé and Kobe are perfect examples. So enjoy your upcoming birthdays Virgos, fuss over the little details, and plan that perfectly fabulous get-together, cause I know I sure as hell will #23! 

Below I have listed a couple of perfect birthday gifts for a Virgo:

For the Ladies

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For the Men

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Lighten Your Hair With Lemon: 4 Easy Steps

We all want Beyoncé's fabulous, golden locks, but honey can you afford a $500-$1,000 highlight session? I know I sure as hell can't. Having virgin hair, I've never really trusted putting any products in my hair and I'm very hesitant to change my hair color, but sometimes a girl wants some sun-kissed highlights, you know that perfect color Khloe K. has? What if I told you that you could achieve a similar, more natural look with 4 easy steps? All you need is some lemon juice (freshly squeezed) and a spray bottle! Literally costs less than the Starbucks you're about to purchase and it's natural! Below I have listed the 4 easy steps to get you beautiful, glowing, sun-kissed locks! 

Simple! Make sure you purchase a ripe, juicy lemon, and cut it in half.

Squeeze the juice of the lemon into your spray bottle. I made my own spray bottle using a water bottle and a plastic spray top. 

Generously spray the lemon juice through your hair in streaks for highlights, and for that ombre look spray generously on your ends. See next picture.

Lay in the sun with your hair away from your skin for about an hour. The more exposure to sun you have, the lighter the hair will be. An hour later, Voila! Sun-kissed natural hair! 

LA Love: Top 5 Reasons You Should Move To Los Angeles

Lets face it, everyone wants to move to Los Angeles at some point in their lives. Luckily for me, I was born and raised here, so I can fill you in on all the do’s and don'ts but here are The Top 5 Reasons you should pack up your bags and move to Los Angeles. 

1. You LOVE food! Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, so it's not surprise we love food from every culture and ethnicity. Ex: Roscoes Chicken and Waffles, Raffi's Place,  and of course El Chato for the best street tacos in the world! 
2. You can handle the fact that we don't really have any seasons. There is no winter, it's kinda just summer and spring all year long. Unless you live by the beach and you have perfect weather, we have our super hot 90 degree days and then our super cold 60 degree evenings, but who am I kidding, thats not even that cold, ha! 
3. You can handle laid back people. This isn't New York, we like our lattes perfectly made, long conversations, and an overflow of yoga classes so that we can be even calmer. G-d knows we need it, our traffic is insane! So if you have that fast paced mentality and expect Los Angeles to be the same way you're wrong, Los Angeles doesn't run on your timeline, you run on Los Angeles' timeline (Meaning theres gonna be hella traffic all the time and stoners everywhere making things go even slower, so either plan accordingly, or get used to running late about 5-10-30 mins). 
4. You wanna be in the Entertainment/Fashion Industry. Yea we're trendy, and yeah we are up to date with all the hottest singles and mix tapes, but you can't blame us! We live in the heart of the entertainment industry, you kinda have to know your shit, and dress like you know your shit. If you want to drop an album, or a mixtape, Los Angeles is where it’s at, there are agents and talent recruiters everywhere (just make sure you're actually good before you pack your suitcase and come out here). There's no excuse to not dressing well out here, we kinda have a mall on every corner, hence why I'm broke. Even if you're not the type to dress up, all a girl really needs to be cool out in Los Angeles is some lulu lemons, Nikes, and a cute, graphic t or tank, or as Breea's brother would say "In Los Angeles, black tights are a girls best friend.”
5. Everything is Expensive, Even when it’s on "Sale." Everyone knows New York is expensive, but guess what? So is Los Angeles! Our sales aren't even sales, it’s false advertisement! Food? Expensive. Apartments? Expensive. Parking Tickets? Expensive. Not to mention it costs a lot to keep up with the Los Angeles lifestyle I mentioned above: the good food, trendy clothes, the coffee runs that will surely become a habit, and last but not least the parking. Oh the parking. Either there is no parking and you end up parking somewhere where you get a ticket, or you will end up paying 15-20 bucks to park in a lot or to valet your car. 

With ALLLLL that being said, if you're still down with us Angelinos and Angelinas, definitely get your ass out here, you'll find me at the local coffee shop or shuffling through racks and the nearest Zara. 

Watermelon: Not The Kind Beyoncé Likes

It's summer, and not only are my boobs sweating, but I'm always craving something to cool me down. Unlike you skinny bitches out there I can't always have Ice Cream to cool me down, so I turn to the next best thing: Watermelon. Sweet, Light, and oh so refreshing! My favorite way to enjoy watermelon is cubed with some feta cheese and a sprinkling of chopped mint leaves, or with lime juice and Tajín when I'm craving some spice. If you like your watermelon in juice form like Beyonce prefers hers ;) I recommend trying  Pressed Juicery's watermelon juice that's cold pressed, fresh, and crisp! 

If you're anything like me and have trouble figuring out if you're picking the right watermelon, my dad (the grocery king) taught me to smack the watermelon and pick the one that makes the sharpest sound. If that still doesn't make sense and you're confused, just ask the nearest worker at the grocery store. Trouble cutting the watermelon? Tired of the watermelon juice all over your face? Below is a video that will show you how to cut a watermelon in the easiest, and fastest way, mess free! 

I don't need anymore reasons to love watermelon, but for all my non-believers out there here's an article that's sure to persuade you: 17 Reasons To Love Watermelon . Get yourself some fresh, crisp watermelon, and enjoy #NationalWatermelonDay, I know I sure will! 

Are You Down?

I’m that girl that everyone calls whether they wanna go horseback riding, painting, or just good old road trips. I’m always down. Being down is a form of spontaneity, it helps me feel alive, young, wild, and free. Having strict, Jewish, Middle Eastern parents I have always felt constraint to certain rules and guidelines. For example: coming home early, not going out on Friday nights, and refraining from getting tattoos or piercings, and I feel like being the girl who's always down to explore, adventure and accompany others has been a cool outlet for me to have some sort of freedom. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I will never do like camp out in the middle of nowhere without a tent, go swimming with sharks, or reply to guys on tinder who ask me if I'm DTF (down to f*ck), but it's honestly liberating to be spontaneous and go with the flow. Life is full of stressors, and sometimes you need a day, maybe a couple of hours, or just a moment to let loose! Take it upon yourself to say "yes" to at least 2/5 of your friends spontaneous quests. If you are ever in the mood to go to a random concert, or go on a trip to a random destination like Ireland or South Africa, don't forget about your girl. Let it be known that you can always "Count Me In!" 

Just Watch

Watches are an essential accessory in every fashionista's wardrobe. YOU GOTTA HAVE IT! Until the day that I can afford my Rolly's and A.P's, you can find me cop pin' watches from one of my favorite designers; Michael Kors. His watches scream class, sophistication, and effortless chic style. There is a watch for every occasion, outfit, and mood, and Michael Kors is the best designer to help you stay on top of your game. Below I have listed the top 3 watches to cop this season. Stop by your nearest Nordstrom to cop the latest trendy Michael Kors Watches. 

Michael Kors 'Pennant' Chronograph Bracelet Watch, 43mm

Michael Kors 'Large Lexington' Chronograph Bracelet Watch, 45mm

Michael Kors 'Audrina' Chronograph Acetate Bracelet Watch, 42mm

Majid Jordan: Music's Hottest 2some

Everyone loves 2somes...Well hopefully everyone (And for those of you who don't, SHAME on you!). So believe me when I tell you that Majid Jordan is the next best 2some to bring sounds of pure bliss to your ears. Majid Jordan is a musical genius duo composed of Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman from Canada (of course, all the good ones come from there) by the record label OVO founded by Octobers Very Own, Drizzy Drake. Drake is known for putting the hottest upcoming artists on, such as The Weeknd, PartyNextDoor, and now the amazing Majid Jordan. The artists have a smooth velvety voice that you have probably heard on Drakes song "Hold on, We're Going Home" and the newest release which is currently on repeat in my car, house, and headphones "My Love" featuring Drake. Peep the song below, and fall in love with the 2some that stole my heart. 

White Hot

SUMMER+WHITE ANYTHING = GENIUS! Im all about the no white after Labor Day rule, so until then, lets wear the fuck out of white! I love to sport white nails, all year long actually, but especially during the summer, its just hot, WHITE HOT! Besides white nails, I love sporting a fresh pair of white kicks, white jeans, or my favorite of all time, a white tee "Yup, In My White Tee!'. White is the sickest color, after black of course, and it always looks good on any skin tone, even pale gals like me!

Here are a few of my fave girls on Instagram rockin' that "White Hot" look:

@Songofstyle

Aimee Song wearing a "White on White" look. 

@Veja_du

Stephanie Ka in her ripped white jeans complimented by her super cute leopard print heels! 

@Thestyleriot

Katie Rose Arnold's chic airport fit: a simple flowy white tee, white leather vest, and of course white Stan Smith Adidas. 

@Nadiaaboulhosn

Nadia Aboulhosn's fresh white nails, a personal favorite, regardless of the season!

Summer Sneakers - Sneaker Con

It's HOTTT. At least in LA it is. If you look around you will see everyone sportin' some tank tops, short shorts and of course those dreaded flip flops. Im here to give a public announcement to the good people of Los Angeles, and any other city thats scorching from this hot weather, YOU CAN ROCK SNEAKERS IN THE SUMMER! In fact, the Sneaker Convention, also known as Sneaker CON,  just came to Los Angeles, and showcased all the hottest shoes for the season, as well as the classics. Thankfully, I had the pleasure of attending and took a couple pics for all my sneaker heads out there! Make sure you all follow @sneakercon on Instagram to stay up to date with where they will be heading next, hopefully to a city near you! Remember, as long as you pick the right shoe with the right breathable fabric, sneakers in the summer will become your new go to shoes!

Here are my top 3 Sneakers for Summer: (Of course they are all Nikes)

Nike's Roshe One

Lightweight, mesh/woven material, perfect for summer! Style Code: 511882-444

Nike's Flyknit Racer Multi-Color

The only shoe that feels like a second skin! Breathable, and adaptive fit. 

Style Code: 526628-304

Nike's Air Max 90 Hyperfuse

The ones pictured are the ones I happened to cop' : Women's World Cup Special Edition Air Max 90s. A classic, redesigned with a mesh upper toe for breathability and lightweight cushioning. 

Chef Mel With The Pot Boy

Food is love, but how many of us can say we truly cook with our hearts and souls? In my family we cook to make others feel at home, feel welcomed, and to feel a sense of comfort. Middle Easterns usually love cooking heavy meals that include rice, stews, and of course lots and lots of meat. Me on the other hand, I love anything thats light, refreshing, and has some sort of spice factor, whether it be curry or chipotle. 

My mom is the ultimate cook in my eyes because she cooks with her heart and soul. I have had the pleasure to watch my mom cook for many years, and have been imprinted with her love for food and cooking. To me it's a form of therapy. Guy breaks up with me? Get some greens and start chopping. Did shitty on a test in school? Start hammering away at some chicken breast to make Schnitzel. Dad annoying me? Chop up some onions and cry it out. Cooking has always helped me alleviate the stress in my life, regardless of where it comes from. 

People always ask me "Whats your specialty?", I don't really have one, but if I had to say, I would say its a healthy twist on multicultural foods. One night its taco tuesday with lettuce wraps and pan fried tilapia, and the next I can make some amazing zucchini pasta with a lean turkey meat ragu to accompany it. Trust me when I tell you, my food does not disappoint. My goal for 2015 is to move out into my own pad by the end of the year, and cook for my friends and family just as they have done for me. So put on your aprons, get out your sharpest knives, start cooking up some love && as Breea always says #WifeAGirlWhoCooks! 

Here are some Snaps and Recipes of some of my favorite meals below. To keep up to date with my latest creations, follow up on Snapchat: @MelNay26

Teriyaki Broiled Salmon w/ Cauliflower Rice

Teriyaki Salmon: Marinated in orange zest, garlic, orange juice and olive oil for at least an hour. Pop in the oven for about 15 mins at 350. Top with Teriyaki sauce, and pop back into the oven to Broil for the last 5 mins.

Cauliflower Rice: Cut the florets off the cauliflower, and then throw them into the food processor on pulse until cauliflower has the consistency and shape of rice. Throw into stir fry pan with some olive oil, soy sauce, salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you may like.

Enjoy!

Turkey Meatballs in Veggie Ragu and Quinoa Brown Rice Spaghetti

Turkey Meatballs: One pound of ground turkey meat, with a handful of chopped parsley, a grated onion for moisture, and a good cup or cup and a half of breadcrumbs. I love to add a bunch of minced garlic and garlic salt to add flavor. Salt and pepper to your liking, then shape the meatballs, throw into a hot pan of olive oil, till golden brown, and finish off in veggie ragu. 

Veggie Ragu: Any veggie you can think of with a bunch of tomato sauce is really key in this dish. Personally I love onions, mushrooms, garlic, and zucchini with fresh basil and make your life easier with some store bought tomato sauce ( Trader Joes is really the only place I shop). 

Quinoa/ Brown Rice Spaghetti: Buy it from Trader Joes haha, boil some water... just read the directions folks. 

Tuna Salad with AvoMayo and Green Apples

Tuna: One can of tuna, preferably white albacore, in water, with the juice of a lemon, salt and pepper, and a diced green apple.

Mayo: whole avocado mashed with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Then fold in tuna and enjoy your tuna salad in some lettuce, as a lettuce wrap. 

Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza and Fennel Salad

Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza: Whole Wheat dough is available pre-made at Trader Joes and many other grocery stores. You can also make your own dough, but the pre-made stuff is a life saver. After following the directions on the dough. roll it out into whatever shape you want your pizza to be. Top you rolled out dough with some homemade pizza sauce or store bought pizza sauce, either will do. Homemade sauce is super simple: Tomato sauce, minced garlic, garlic salt, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil (fresh or dried). On top of your sauce, sprinkle some shredded low fat mozzarella cheese, and any veggie you may like. Personally I love mushrooms, red bell peppers, red onions, and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and pop it in the oven till golden brown. 

Fennel Salad: One Fennel bulb with the juice of a lemon, garlic salt, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil, or any other herbs you may like. Simple, fresh, and light. 

Balsamic Steak with Grilled Veggies

Balsamic Marinade: Balsamic Vinegar with brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, pepper, honey, orange zest, and olive oil. Marinade for at least an hour. 

Grilled Veggies: Super simple, pick your fave veggies and grill them with some garlic, and salt and pepper. I love some green beans, red onions, and multicolored carrots. 

Zucchini Spaghetti with Turkey Ragu

Zucchini Spaghetti: First get yourself a Spiralizer, can be purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond or even Amazon.  After spiraling the zucchini, stir fry it in a pan with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-10 mins or until all water from zucchini has evaporated.

Turkey Ragu: Very similar to my turkey meatballs. Take ground meat and throw into fry pan, brown the meat with olive oil minced garlic and some grated onion to keep the turkey meat moist. After browning the meat, add the tomato sauce, mushrooms, and any other veggies you may want. Top with parsley. 

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia with Garlic Green Beans & Mushrooms

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia: Grab some tortilla chips, salt, pepper, lots of garlic salt, paprika, and lime zest, and a bit of lime juice as well, throw them in a ziplock bag and pound it with a roller pin or anything else, great for those days when you're stressed. Dip Tilapias in some egg whites and then dip them in the tortilla chip mixture to coat thoroughly. Throw in the oven for about 15-20 mins on 400 and enjoy!

Garlic Green Beans & Mushrooms: Sauté some garlic with olive oil throw in some fresh green beans and mushroom slivers, add salt and pepper and enjoy.