Making black and white interesting..in NYC :)

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Hey guys!! Blogging from America’s East Coast right now J I was in New York for a few days for work (my company’s HQ is in NYC…handy!!) and now I’m visiting a few friends in Connecticut for the rest of the week.

Always love NYC! Reminds me a lot of London, and I love New York for the same reasons – the diversity, the great spots to eat, the fact something is always going on.

There will be a part II blog about NYC in a few days, so this is a pretty quick one - with two outfits I've worn actually using the same top but in two different colours (black and white/cream). They are probably the most boring tops - plain batwing tops from Topshop, £16 each - but it's interesting the different ways you can make them a bit more exciting. I couldn't find the tops online on Topshop's website, but I've seen them instore at every one I've been to the last few weeks. The first outfit I've paired them with bright trousers (also Topshop) and men's style work boots from H by Hudson from Office. They are on sale but almost sold out in all sizes, but these you can get in almost any shoe store. Real leather if you want a bit more quality or there are some you can get for around £25 too. Perfect for walking around the city! You can match black with literally anything, so play around with different colours - red, green, beige... really easy.

This one I've added a statement piece of jewellery. I actually bought this necklace in Cairo in Egypt a couple of years ago for a few pounds - it's the type of thing you'd be paying £15+ for from TopShop. But you can see something simple changes an otherwise very basic outfit. This was the day I had to go into the office so I am wearing low black heels to finish off.

Here are some other cool necklaces you can try: 

Spike collar from Topshop

Woven scarf necklace

ASOS Statement Pearl and Jewel choker necklace

That's all for now - I'm about to head out skiing for a couple days in the mountains!! But will blog again in a few days about some other really interesting I did in NYC!

My Laser Eye Surgery – 22/02/12

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I just want to say massive thanks for all the best wishes over the past couple of days, it was really appreciated J

I am pulling a 5min blog about my experience and my thoughts so far.

4 days ago I underwent laser eye surgery, alhamdililah I am feeling great today J

I have been wearing glasses since I was 11 years old and started to wear contacts once I hit 16. Being the only person at home that needed glasses has always been pretty rubbish. I do think for people who wear glasses we only understand how sometimes simple things like running, swimming or even going away can be a task. I have also never felt confident in glasses as I didn’t think I suited them.

Anyways, it’s all behind me now. It seems so strange at the moment to walk around and to be able to read from so far, I keep bench marking myself next to anyone to see if my vision is better (lol. It’s pretty amazing!) I am still really overwhelmed.

For anyone who is thinking about having Laser Eye Surgery, my advice is to ‘go for it!’ I will be pretty honest in how I found it;

The actually surgery was sooooo easy and I shockingly didn’t feel anything, I must admit I am pretty much a chicken when it comes to pain! But the procedure was over under a minute. In the room there was the surgeon, 2 nurses and a hand holder (she is optional, I had her holding my hand 15mins before I was to go in! awkward Lol.) You lie on a bed and they basically put a plastic ring round your eye (nope, not a clamp like Final Destination 5) all I was told to do was look at a red light, 19 second later left eye done, same again with right, 23 seconds later, I am sorted. I couldn’t believe that was it. I plonked on Ray Bans and hugged my hand holder. I was too chuffed! I could already see and I was texting everyone. Lol.

Also on the day I just want to note the little community spirit from the patience, being a naturally chatty person, we were all given each other a pep talk. It was so funny to watch people go in and out and give each other a high five! The support is amazing. This is a whim, I met a 21 year old Asian guy who was a student who went in before me (22^nd February Manchester Optical Express - 1420), if anyone knows him get him to give me a shout, I am dying to know how he’s doing!

Anyways… after was when the horror story started (please note when reading this I am a chicken and have a really poor pain threshold!). The advice given is to sleep straight after as the atheistic fades out. Unfortunately I was messing about for at least 3 hours before I hit my bed. And I will tell you what, I have never been through so much pain ever, it felt like I had a ripped contact lens in my eyes and had been punched, my eyes kept watering and I couldn’t open them. It was very dramatic. Lol. I am not one to cry but I was sobbing because I could not see!! (My little sister was like my angel as she really calmed me down as I kept running into walls, I couldn’t relax), it was awful and took forever for me to sleep.

The next day alhamdilah I was ok, apart from feeling like I had a hair in my eye it got better. I went to see the optician and he said everything was perfect! He tested my sight and I have 20:20 vision!! I have been told to carry on with the drops and come back next week.

I must admit I do have red eyes (as in blood shot).I have been hiding in doors as I feel like a virus carrying zombie but that should clear in a couple of weeks. I am also not allowed to wear eye make up for 2 weeks (being a worrier I won’t do for 8 weeks to play it safe). I am starting to realise a lot now and I am going to start taking care of my vision more, as I think once it’s repaired you realise how much of a special gift it is!!

Please let me know if you have any questions and I am happy to advise more.

Will keep you updated on how I go xxx

Hats & Stripes

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This seasons latest look has to be stripes, they have been popping up everywhere in the high street. I'm loving them because they are great at making you look taller and slimmer :)

Check out these stunning Beatle Juice trousers, they are harem cut and satin fabric. I have matched this up with my black leather jacket and a blood red Hijab to splash in some colour.

The black stripe trousers are actually available now in River Island (Click Here) for £30. I think this is great night outfit as it is both bold and full of character, I really love it :-)

The next outfit was a little experiment which I am not quite sure about; I have always wanted to wear a hat with a Hijab but never quite found one that I can pull off? My head seems too big! I probably would wear hat in London as I am not sure Manchester is quite ready for such a bold look. I must admit I feel I may have the Hijab wrong as it possibly clashes with the jacket and the hat. I do think its a little risky teaming up a striped jacket and hat - I guess its all trial and error.

The Navy Stripe blazer is again from River Islan

d as is the Blue Belt trim trilby hat (click here) for £15. (click here) for £55.

What are your thoughts about Hats on Hijabs?

See the iconic Kate Moss look;

I kinda love it and is what I am aiming to create.

Here are a few more examples I love, I do think it’s a hard look to pull, but done

right it can look amazing. I will be blogging a summer hat look in the not so near future. Look out for this :-)

Hijab’s, Hair Loss & Frizzy Hair

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There is a massive misconception of girls believing that the Hijab cause’s hair loss and thinning. I’m coming up to my '10 year Hijab anniversary' and I personally don’t believe this is the case. In fact I would say wearing a Hijab has helped to protect my hair from elements such as the sun, wind, air, rain, pollution, styling chemicals, mousses, gels and hairspray... this list could go on. It’s a shame that I hear girls using this in one of the reasons ‘they do not want to wear a Hijab’ :-(

I must admit I find wearing my Hijab all day can sometimes make me feel flustered and restricted, so as soon as I hit my home the first thing I do is take it off and take my hair down. After a long hot day this is the best feeling ever :-) (freedom!)

I do feel it is extremely important to when possible let your hair down (in the right environment of course) as it helps to relax your head and lets the air hit your scalp.

For all girls who are worried about any kind of hair thinning or general hair maintenance, I have pulled together some hints and tips on how to style your Hijab and ‘awesome’ products I have tested from around the world that can help;

In regards to daily Hijab use I suggest the below;

• Avoid piling lots of fabrics - this increases pressure on the scalp which could possibly lead to thinning, hair loss and patches – for a special occasion great! But daily wear I would say keep it simple.

• Pulling your Hijab tight - although it looks stunning, try do this once in a while, as this can cause thinning at your partings.

• Try wear Cotton Hijabs day to day - for work I wear the lightest fabric ever and I try tie this loosely, I do this because I want to be comfortable and I also want to make sure I am not creating permanent partings by pulling too tight.

• No one ever sees under the Hijab - so it doesn’t matter how your hair is tied, use scrunches rather than bands to bun your hair as they don’t rip your hair out.

• When possible remove your Hijab and let your hair sit free - crocodile clips are perfect to tie your hair day to day at home.

For ladies who have concerns about hair i.e. thinning, patches, loss or even wellbeing. I must say I have tested and trailed so many different items as I myself have a love/hate relationship with my locks and have been through a stage of my life when I did experience my hair falling out (bad times).

First of all let me say I was way at the back of the line when god distributed tamed hair. I am the perfect example of 'John Frieda Frizz-Ease before model and nicely fit into all hair products labelled 'hard to manage, unruly, dry damaged, brittle, frizzy and stressed'. (Lol. Ok maybe I am being a tad harsh on myself) but yep I would say I am not a fan of my hair (I blame my parents, I have African and Middle Eastern heritage, so some sisters may understand my pain. Lol).

I have a number of products which I promise has worked wonders for me;

Thicken your hair

Whilst in a Bahrain salon, an Arab lady shared her secret on how the Emirate women manage to keep their hair thick and volumised. They use ‘Mane 'n Tail’ (click here) – this is a product used on horses which is also sold for humans too. This has worked wonders for me and has thickened my hair (read reviews on this, its brilliant and I would 100% recommend if you have concerns of your hair thinning ) the price is great and it actually had a shout out on the 'Kardashians' when Khloe tried it. This will inshallah help your hair to become volumised and thicker. Truly recommended in the UAE & I love it too!

Receding Patches

Sometimes hair partings can get too comfy and we often find that hair stops growing in certain parts. A lovely Thai lady told me that FRESH Aloe Vera plants help alot, use the juice from this to rub in your parting/scalp. I had a plant for years and every couple of week’s used to snap a bit off and pump the goo onto my scalp (no, I am not kidding!) Did it work? I would say it did help as it stopped my parting from settling in one spot and it’s allowed hair to carry on growing, this is something to share with your brothers too as the Thai men really rate this for baldness. You can get aloe vera plants from any garden centre, it makes a beautiful house plant as it’s handy with burns too.

More Aloe Vera - My sister who lives in the UAE actually brings me back aloe vera hair mask called Fashkool. It is fab for moisture, I try and use this as often as possible as it keeps my hair frizz free. Look out for any products with Aloe Vera it is definitely an amazing magical potion.

If you visit Dubai grab a tub (click here) – (its a shame can’t be bought in the UK).

Frizzy Hair

I am going to be bold! Everything available on the high street has never really worked for me; I know I am the extreme subject with harsh cave-woman hair. But I have spent lots on designer brands and I never seem to create the same look as the girls from the commercials.

Exciting times though - I was in Miami last summer snooping around beauty shops when I bumped into the most beautiful Latina girl ever, her hair was (ma) perfect, curls of what I could only dream about. I had to tell her how amazing she looked, when I told her she smiled at me and told me that she was a ‘curl consultant’ yes her profession was all about taming curls! I spent a good half hour complaining about my sorry excuse for curls and she gave me a list of products I must try!

Ladies please meet the ‘Nexxus’ range from the U.S! This is the most amazing hair shampoo & conditioner I have ever tried and you can buy it online in the U.K (click here). I promise you it has made my hair soft, moisturised and shiny. After a shower I can allow to dry naturally and the curls remain intact. It is a must try. I reckon the curl consultant has literally changed my confidence as I am now more than happy to ‘whip my hair, Willow style'; at any (all girls) party. I will carry on using this shampoo as it helps to calm my mane.

One last product as a day to day top off…

Is Himalya Hair Protein cream (click here), this helps de-frizz day to day and again another supplement to help with any hair loss. I have used this forever and I do believe has helped maintain good strength and condition.

Please girls don’t ever hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns’ as I am more then happy to help you as much as I can in maintaining your mane. This blog could go on forever as there are so many other hair products I love.

Also if you know any great products which helps with hair loss, frizz or even something awesome, please let us know :)

How do we fix our Muslim communities?

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I've been meaning to write this blog for about a month now.. sorry it's taken so long but it's definitely a subject I feel strongly about and think we all need to take more notice of. When I was in California over Christmas/New Years, and the previous times I've been there, I've come to realise exactly how different it is to grow up as a Muslim here (the UK), compared to there. I wrote up a status on the Facebook page about how they get the youth involved, and the way people are able to balance their deen but stay integrated into society.

To be very honest, I grew up loving God, but having little interest in practicing my religion. We feel forced to go to learn Quran, when all we want to do - as 7-year olds - is play on our bikes with our friends. We're taught to read Arabic, but understand nothing. We're in a class of around 25 other kids, and are lucky if we get 10 minutes of one-on-one recitation with the 'teacher'. If we're naughty, discipline is being smacked by a snooker cue. We go to Jummah and the khutbahs are all in Urdu (except the money collection plea at the end - always in English). Our Islamic schools are not built with strong 'education' methods as the base. I read an insightful article recently about how the high prison rate of UK Muslim youth is blamed on out-of-touch Imams, which sums this up quite well (link at end of blog). And that's something, sadly, that I've seen firsthand.

The fact is, we grow up in a very mixed environment, where going to the pub/club is the norm. Friends start drinking age 14 on the streets. Boyfriends/girlfriends and drugs are a part of life. But all of these things, we do not talk about. Not to the Imams, and definitely not to our parents.

I went on a two-weekend 'Quran in English' crash course last Ramadan, explaining its themes, topics and stories. It was quite possibly the best Islamic education I've ever had, but I had to wait 22 years. Why were we not brought up being educated that same way? And why are there not more of these kind of events? What was shocking was the teacher was telling us a story about how he had set up a similar youth class in a masjid. But the elders who ran the mosque were so frustrated about the young people being around, making noise or talking - you know, being normal teenagers - that they told him to move his class to a local youth club instead.

Anyway, I thought this was the way it was everywhere. It was only over the last few years as I've been spending more time with my family out in America that I've come to see Islam working differently over there. Let me try and sum up the contrast:

• Imams/leaders who are in touch with the youth: Take Imam Suhaib Webb as the perfect example. Here you have someone who used to be a hip-hop DJ. He converted to Islam and now uses his experience to relate to the issues that the youth are going through now. This is the person leading the masjids and community - he was born into the same lifestyle many of us have grown up around. As well as that, how about female role models, such as Yasmin Mogahed? We have so little female inspirations in this day and age. We need more people in tune with the youth over here leading us - not someone who's fresh off the boat with an old-school mentality.
  
  
• Islamic infrastructure more than the traditional masjid: We need both mosques and organisations that provide a place for young Muslims to interact, learn and relax with each other in a halal environment. Organisations such as the Ta'leef (http://www.taleefcollective.org) and the MCA (http://www.mcabayarea.org) in the Bay Area do just this. They actually set up events and programmes, so it's not just a place of worship in the traditional sense, but a way to really engage with Islam as a way of life. These type of places, as well as others including prison outreach programmes, are the way that these communities are bound together. People become more open-minded and include everyone in society - those of different races, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and more. None of this: 'I don't go to that mosque.. it's a Bengali one.'
  
  
• Don't be scared to talk about sex: My cousin and her husband in Cali have actually set up an Islamic radio station, 'One Legacy Radio', which addresses the very issues that we are afraid to mention. With shows covering everything from family matters, relationships and divorce, youth issues, the seerah of the Prophet, fitness and popular culture. There are debates and even 'Real Talk', a show co-hosted by Imam Suhaib Webb, where all of the typically 'taboo' subjects are a go - whether it's sex, pornography, drugs or racism. The fact is, we need to be more open about these subjects - something, culturally, a lot of us are not used to. Only then are we able to acknowledge and overcome the challenges our society and the future generations of Muslims face. As well as radio, they are soon expanding into other areas of entertainment, so stay tuned in. You can check them out: http://onelegacyradio.com or on FB: http://www.facebook.com/OneLegacyRadio

What I see as a challenge, and a necessity, is for more communities to follow these models, to be innovative, to understand the youth and to reach them at their level. The fact is, we can be Muslim and at the same time be integrated into society. To put it metaphorically, Islam is the perfect content. It's the marketing that's outdated.


Here are a couple of useful/interesting links:
One Legacy Radio: http://onelegacyradio.com / http://www.facebook.com/OneLegacyRadio
A support network for revert sisters: http://www.facebook.com/SOLACEforrevertsindifficulty
Article: High Prison Rate of UK Muslim Youth Blamed on Out Of Touch Imams
If anyone has any other links to share, leave a comment or email us and we'll add them in.