How to Make Iced Coffee

I remember the mornings my parents spent at the breakfast table- having conversation, drinking their coffee, buttering the toast... How I loved the smell of coffee. How I wanted to be an adult and join in! I remember that it was a no-no for kids to have coffee. We were all told that it would stunt our growth. So, to "compromise", Mommy allowed me to have coffee... with "plenty of milk". Which in reality was hot milk with a few granules of coffee. But still... I believed I was having coffee. Drinking moffee (mock coffee) with them made me feel grown-up and important! Weekend mornings, I would ask my nanny, in a very sing-song way, to give me "Little coffee and plenty of milk!!" At that early age of 4, my love affair with the latte began.

Then in the early 80's when I was about 11 or 12 , on one of our trips to Tokyo, I saw my Dad drinking something very interesting. Iced Coffee. In fact it was Pokka Iced Coffee. I took a sip. Then that was it. I knew that it was THE ONE. I knew I was in love. It was weird because I only drank iced coffee when we went to Tokyo for our summer vacations. I guess I was attempting to make it a bit more special by having it only when I visited the country. Buying it in the vendo machine for Y100 was as eventful as drinking it!

By the time I was in my teens and twenties, my sisters and I would make our own iced coffee and drink away during Sunday morning breakfasts while we talked about how our Saturday nights went. And after perfecting the formula, we even toyed the idea of bottling and marketing it! Then Starbucks arrived. That marked the beginning of the end of our Iced Coffee empire.

Aaahhh... Iced Coffee. As much as it's a great summer refreshment, it's more than just a drink to me! Be it Seattle's Best, Lavazza, or Nescafe 3-in-1 packet, iced coffee is here to stay. Try and awaken those sleepy summer afternoons with this cool beverage.

How I make my Jiffy iced Coffee:

1) Brew a pot of coffee slightly stronger than your usual pot. For me, 2 tablespoons of dark roast.

2) Do you take sugar with your coffee? If so, mix sugar to taste already in the pot. It melts better this way.

3) In a tall plastic tumbler, fill it with ice, right up till you make a mini mountain past the rim, and then pour the coffee in slowly. If desired, add your milk. Leave it a minute to chill.

4) Enjoy!


If you have more time to spare, you can try this:


1) Just like my Jiffy Iced Coffee, brew a pot of fresh coffee slightly stronger than what you usually brew.

2) Mix in your desired amount of sugar

3) Let the coffee cool down. You can either keep it in its pot or transfer it into a pitcher or carafe. After about 30 minutes, stick it in the fridge to make it colder faster.

4) After about 2 hours, it is ready to drink!

5) Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

6) Pour the coffee into the glass and mix.

7) Add milk if desired.

If you really want to make sure your coffee doesn't get watered down, try making coffee iced cubes beforehand to use!

Accesorize, Summerize...

I looove summer accessories. They perk up your basic white tee and jeans look. They brighten up your plain cotton dress. And you don't have to break your bank account to get them! The short cut to looking stylized yet hassle-free ( I know I'm sooo lazy!), is to accessorize. So where do I shop? Right at Etsy of course! ! And my latest find... Relishdress' Etsy store.





I've managed to compile my favorite summer inspired goodies from her store (I couldn't sleep so I laid out my faves). If no one gets these, I sure will! Especially the Lovers On The Beach pendant... so romantic! The Greenery Jumbo Magnets would be great for a beach house fridge too! The Sea Mist earrings would definitely go well with a white eyelet summer dress. And the Teal Octopus Necklace ? "Disarming"!

Check out relishdress.etsy.com and relishdress.vox.com . Definitely bookmark worthy.

My Favorite Magazine

If there's a magazine I cannot give or throw away, it would say it's Coastal Living Magazine. Just seeing the cover is enough for me to grab a magazine at the bookstore. As you all know by now I just love summer and island style of ANYTHING. Homes, food and travel- and this magazine just transports me to that state of summer-high. It helps me get hungry for that dream to build a beach house. It makes me head to the kitchen to try a new recipe. It relaxes me at the end of an intense day at work.

If you're a summer nut just like me, Coastal Living will surely make you go nuttier for that coastal or island summer lifestyle. Check out their website at www.coastalliving.com for fresh ideas for your home, food and vacations.

How to Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

All those years obsessing about summer vacation and quick beach getaways has honed my skills in packing the perfect beach bag. I've had my share of experiences! There were those times when I finally parked myself on the best spot on the beach, only to realize I forgot something in the car or the hotel room. Aaargh! Those days are finally over! Check out my list!


1) The Beach Bag. I prefer big canvas totes. And they don't have to be expensive. Canvas totes are perfect because not only are they spacious, but they're very low maintenance. You can just throw them in the washing machine to launder. The Beach Tote Bag pictured above would be a good buy. Or, check out my fellow etsyan's Floral Reversible Beach Tote at only $10! (Devon if no one is getting it... I will!)

2) Sunscreen. I'm trying to go organic so now I use Aubrey Natural Sun Unscented SPF 20 Sunscreen. I think I'd also like to try Alba Hawaiian Green Tea SPF 30+ Sunscreen next time.

3) Bottled water and fruit. Keep yourself hydrated! Water is still better than any other juice or soda. And instead of messy chips, munch on a healthy apple when you get hungry!

4) Book or magazine. Sometimes it's better to visit a 2nd hand bookstore before your trip and buy a book you feel you won't feel bad if it gets soiled with sunblock or falls in the ocean. Or, you can try something new and get The Beach Book, a water-proof book published by Durabooks.

5) iPod or MP3 player. Make sure your iPod is in a protective case, or a water-proof case!

6) Sunglasses. Don't bother with expensive designer sunglasses. Your sunglasses can get scratched or lost along the way, so better yet, get a cheap one. I think these Jackie O sunglasses are stylish and affordable! Only US$9!

7) Swimsuit. Check out my crochet bikinis! After swimming in them, make sure you have a Ziploc bag to put it in. Or if you want to feel a bit more luxurious, put it in a Wet Bikini Bag.

8) Beach Mat or Sarong. Since I try to avoid carrying a heavy and oversized beach towel, I use a Beach Mat or sarong to lie on the beach. Getting the sand out is a breeze.

9) Towel. Just big enough to wipe yourself with- a hand towel to be exact.

10) Hat. Protect your face from the sun! The hat in the picture is from jcrew.com.

11) Goggles. If you want to go do some serious swimming, packing the Speedo Women's Vanquisher goggles might be a good idea.

12) Say Cheese! If you're a shutterbug, bring your camera but make sure it's in a water-proof encasing! Or, you can just get the Kodak MAX Water & Sport Single Use Camera.

13) Don't forget your wallet! I usually slip it in a sandwich size Ziploc if I feel extra cautious.

It was funny though, I remember taking my perfect beach bag with me when I was visited my then boyfriend (now husband) in Hawaii. We were going beach hopping around the island and despite the sleekness of my packing, he laughed hard when he saw my bag. "You don't need all that!" he said. All he took was a towel! And when we swam, he stuck his flip flops in a coconut tree!

Sneak Peek!

I'm still taking pictures of my new collection, but here's a sneak peek!

Introducing, the Malia! My version of the string bikini. Seemingly baring and daring, the Malia bikini bottom actually gives your tush full coverage while it still flatters your shape with it being a low-rise hipster. It is accented with a thin crochet belt. The top, though straps are "string", gives your breasts a nice comfortable coverage without being too skimpy.

And the best part? You are given the chance to BYOB- Build Your Own Bikini! With BYOB, you can buy your size and color of choice per piece! You can buy a small vanilla top, match it with a medium baby pink bottom, and vanilla belt! Or just like the photo below!



Soon, the Malia will be in my store! Watch this space!

48 Hour Sale!!

Because I feel like it, I am selling my Flamingo Espresso Josefina's at US$25 for the next 48 hours!



I've read the latest issue of Elle magazine and saw about 4 crochet bikinis featured. All over $150. Imagine getting your very own crochet bikini at only $25... for the next 48 hours that is!

The flattering halter top has a band 1.5 inches thick, and the sexifying low-rise panty has the same band thickness of 1.5 inches. The panty has full coverage of your bum, and unlike other crochet bikinis that are string, this panty has a garter to keep it up even while you swim! Both top and bottom (the crotch area) are lined.


Definitely a conversation starter, and a show stopper, make sure to buy this Flamingo Espresso Josefina for your next resort vacation... or pool party.


Available in Limited Quantity for S, M, L and XL.

SMALL : (2 pairs)
Bust: 30-32 in
Hips: 32-34 in

MEDIUM: (1 pair)
Bust: 33-35 in
Hips: 34-36 in

LARGE: (2 pairs)
Bust: 36-38
Hips: 37-39

EXTRA LARGE: (2 pairs)
Bust: 39-40
Hips: 40-42


The clock is ticking! Buy your Verao bikini today!