So happy the winter is gone!
Nature is flawless and although we do need winter, I couldn’t wait for the first day of spring to greet me with a warm, soft kiss of sunshine!
Spring gives new life to everything, the flowers, the baby birds, and romance!
Time to say goodbye to Old Man Winter, and goodbye to those “Siberian” outfits!
Happy First day of Spring!
What season renews you?
xo,
E.
Many argue that Los Angeles does not feel like a city, but more like a resort.
For me, the City of Angels is THE BEST CITY!
You can find everything here. You can even find New York in LA! Although it might have slightly better weather and a few less people to bump into …kidding of course!
.But LA is my top pick for fashion and fun! There’s no better place for me! 🙂
What city stole your heart?
xo
E.
So I took my own advice and “Sailed Away” like Columbus discovering America and on my voyage I accidentally stumbled upon a true treasure!
I have spent many years searching in vain for this priceless gem. I have looked high and low, in ever shadowy gourmet shop and every well-lit grocery store shelf and had no idea, that all along, it has been hiding in plain view at our local Starbucks!
Growing up with parents who were “slightly “ obsessed with Japanese culture, I recall watching many Japanese movies in which tea ceremonies were revered almost as much as the Pope himself. They were so important that if someone stole the secrets of the ceremony they would not be tried or convicted. The Japanese viewed the crime as so severe that the only punishment was death!
Very dramatic I must say!
The tea was always made from a mysterious green powder instead of traditional tea leaves. This was very puzzling to me. And yet I spent years looking for this powder with no success. I even scoured the stores in “Little Tokyo” to no avail.
But yesterday while was waiting for my drink at my local Starbucks, I glanced over to see how they were making their drinks. One of the drinks that they were making was Green Tea Frappuchino and that’s when I saw it. It was right there behind the counter.
The Elusive Green Powder!
The mysterious, magical, green powder I had been searching endlessly for!
The Matcha tea!
This glorious green powder comes to Starbucks prepackaged with a bit of sugar. After it arrives, Starbucks then mixes it with MORE sugar, milk and ice and it becomes a 2000 calorie, unrecognizable, Green Tea Grande Ice Latte Whipped Cream on top Frappuchino drink!
Since I am still on my Lenten Journey I am trying to strip everything I ingest down to the absolute bare minimum. So I asked the fine barista to make a tea for me just by mixing the green powder with hot water. And once that indulgent elixir touched my lips, I think I tasted heaven!
The authentic high quality powder is made from green tea leaves and is produced in such a way that all of the delicate aroma and incredible creamy taste is retained!
Now I completely understood Japanese! It is sooo good!
Matcha is so powerful that it cannot be consumed like a 2 Litre Coke at 7-Eleven! So no Grande here!
It is meant to be savored and enjoyed in moderation. The tea should be consumed no longer than 10 minutes after the powder is mixed with water.
Matcha is kind of the espresso of teas, if you will.
Tasting it for the first time is similar to tasting dark chocolate or wine. The sensation triggers the 5th umami taste buds. The blend is so creamy and complex that it may not appeal to everyone the first time. It is more of an acquired taste then an immediate crush.
Matcha green tea has 10 times more antioxidant powers and vitamins than the regular tobacco tasting green tea . Matcha helps strengthen the immune system, provides glowing skin and is a great energy booster. Their official sites state that monks have been using Matcha tea for years to enhance concentration and mental alertness. And if it’s good enough for the monks, it’s definitely good enough for me!
I would be curious to hear if anybody has tried it before.
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you do!
You might actually fall in love at your local Sturbucks, with Matcha tea!
‘Til next time!
Xo
E.
The only constant thing in life is growth. Learning, becoming better and reinventing ourselves is the way to continue to grow. Sometimes we need to step away from our lives to do this… Maybe even sail away to gather new insights and discover what lies beyond our own horizons!
Change takes place on three levels, physical, mental and spiritual. Changing your style and your location are ways to achieve change. But genuine transformation comes from within.
What are you doing to re-invent yourself?
How are you nurturing your physical, mental and spiritual growth?
Today we have a reason to celebrate!
It is my blog’s 1 month anniversary! I am so excited!
This has been such a wonderful journey for me. I cannot tell you all how happy I am to meet you all and learn from your powerful insights, expertise and advice! I feel truly blessed to have been given such a warm welcome into the blogging community and to finally be part of this exciting, creative, living experience!
I love reading each and every one of your updates. Viewing the wide array of viewpoints and seeing my blog from your perspectives has really helped open my eyes to the possibilities that are available to me through this platform. I have enjoyed visiting your blogs and feel like I am part of something much bigger than just this one blog.
I believe blogging is quite paradoxical because it is very intimate and at the same time a very transparent and public phenomena. This method of private exposure and public communication gives me a real connection with all of my followers. I really feel like I actually know all of you, even though we have never met in person.
I’m happy to report that in this one month you have stopped by and visited my blog over 13,000 times and have been kind enough to hang out and post more than 500 comments! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart… because without you, this blog would be nothing!
I hope you all stay with me for the rest of the journey, because the ride has just begun!
Thank you Kenny, Timothy and Benjamin for your constant support!
Love you all!
The whole Oscar frenzy reminded me how important it is to always have an inspiration for everything you do. Yesterday I posted about exactly that and Benjamin mentioned that my coat reminded him of Audrey Hepburn style. What a great eye for fashion, Benjamin!
His comment jogged my memory and I recalled that I did have some sketches from a while ago that were actually inspired by Miss Hepburn and her wardrobe in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s ” as well as the outfits she wore in “How to Steal a Million.”
I absolutely love 60’s style and am curious to know if any of you find it enticing as well….
What is your favorite Style Decade ?
My inspiration for today comes from several of my all-time favorites…
Bikers and Russian Gypsies with a dash of 80’s British Punk Rock!
I bring retro into the current century by always accessorizing with my ever-present celly!
(..and yes!…Still addicted to my phone)
What inspired your ensemble today?
Living an inspired life is a key to happiness.
Inspiration can be found in everything and everywhere, we just need to look for it.
What Inspired you today?
;
Monday morning!
Goodbye fantasy world… hello reality! I really did not want to have to unplug from the glorious evening…
And plug back into iPhones and iPads.
Mondays bring opportunities and adversities. And always, always… solutions!
Happy Monday ! Fresh Start!
Start your week off in the solution… not the problem!
…a lot to remember, and reflect on…. was a fun night 🙂
Was happy about Daniel Day-Lewis, he is an amazing actor. It is really cool to know that our society embraces and celebrates art with such abundant enthusiasm! It reinforces my belief that every one of us wants to be inspired!
We all want to dream!
What was your favorite part of the night? The pageantry, the comedy, the glamour?
Good night !…Sweet dreams 🙂
