Hijabi with Style

How to cook tasty mince meat and peppers

2012-01-20T21:18:00.002Z

So this is a dish which I have learnt from my mother, and as I love it so much I thought I would share with you.

Just a note that when I cook I rarely use measurements- I prefer to guess and add according to taste (or in my case smell) Yes I smell my food to see whether it needs more spice, lol don't ask why but it works for me.

So the measurements that I will provide are approximate, but remember you can adjust according to taste.

This will feed approx 3-4 people

500g lamb mince meat
Red and green peppers
garlic cloves or powder (or can use both)
Ginger (fresh or powder) approx 3 cloves/1 teaspoon
Black Seeds/Nigella Seeds
Garam Masala
Salt
Coriander
Chilli powder and fresh chillies
Curry Powder
1 large onion
Oil

So first heat the oil (approx 1 teaspoon) then add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the mince meat and cook for further 3 minutes then add the garlic and ginger, salt and all the spices. After 10 minutes add the peppers and cook until they soften. The mince meat should be cooked until brown (approx 30 minutes in total) Once cooked the onions should have softened and dissolved with the meat.

So that's how I make mince meat. I will use the same technique to make the mince for shepherds pie, although I will add potatoes instead of the peppers.

I like to have this with basmati rice and with a tasty salad. I add Cheddar cheese, juice of a lemon and mint sauce to my salad. This meal will provide protein, carbohydrates and nutrients.

I may do a separate blog post/video for other recipes if it is requested.

To watch the video of me cooking see below:

Hope you enjoy- happy cooking :)

My LUSH Goodies!

2012-01-16T18:05:00.003Z

Yayyy for Lush!! If you're a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I am kind of obsessed with all things Lush. So when I was given some lovely goodies from there of course I got excited and had to blog about it. The top 2 body creams are really soft, but I especially love 'Sympathy for the Skin' and will be making a seperate blog review on that in the future. The face masks in the middle are lovelllyyy! I tried the 'Brazened Honey' last night and it left my skin so soft and smooth that I skipped moisturiser.

I haven't tried the 'Celestial' moisturiser yet.. It is for sensitive skin so I may pass to my husband.

This is soo yummmy!!! You only need a tiny amount so I can see this lasting a very long time!

Hope you enjoyed this post. I will be uploading a video onto Youtube talking about each product. So until my next post, take care x

My Trip to Istanbul: A Travel Guide

2012-01-12T14:09:00.001Z

Just before the year ended I went on holiday to Istanbul for a week. I've been a few times before, although the last time was around 6 years ago so I was looking forward to seeing if it had changed. I've never been in Winter before but as I had checked the weather report, I was prepared....and good job as it was freezing!! I believe it was even colder than London :-O We're talking 3 degrees Celsius at night! Apart from the cold I am grateful it didn't rain once (apart from the day we we're leaving).

So Turkey overall is a beautiful country. If you have been to the coast (Marmaris, Fethiye,etc) for a beach holiday then Istanbul is totally different. First of all its more of a city break and there is certainly no beach nearby. Also if you want to emerge yourself into the true culture of what Turkey has to offer then a trip to Istanbul is a must. I would recommend staying in the Sultanahmet area, as this is where many of the attractions are and you can find a lot of different hotels which will suit all budgets. This time I stayed in an apartment, which is a good option for groups but if you're on a budget then stay at a hotel.

British citizens do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. You simply pay £10 at the airport in Turkey (make sure you have the exact money as they do not offer change) and in turn you will obtain a visa. Of course check details of this before you leave the UK. Other nationalities will need to check for their own visa requirements.

Once you arrive at Istanbul make sure you grab a map/guide. These can be found in hotels/also at tourist hot spots. This is essential to plan the places/areas you wish to visit.

I take this each time I travel to Turkey. It comes in handy!

Travel

Travel in Istanbul is cheap as there is the metro, local taxi and of course if you are in the Sultanahmet area then you may walk to most destinations. The metro covers most of the area and is relatively cheap. It costs 2 Turkish Lira (less than £1) one way. Tokens can be bought from machines at each station. The machines take notes as well as coins, but always carry change around with you. Ask for a metro map at any station, but if you are lost, someone will probably help you even before you ask. To go to the huge shopping malls take the metro. I cant remember the one I went to but it wasn't far from Taksim. You may also use the metro to travel to the Ataturk airport, just make sure you travel well in advance in case you get lost and purchase a few tokens as you will need these when you change stops.

Taxis are also a relatively cheap way to travel and are not hard to find. Make sure you check that the meter is running before you set off. You can also travel by bus, but I never did and with taxis, metro and walking you really don't need to.

Attractions

There are many places to visit once in Istanbul. If you are passing through for a few days, you will be very busy trying to fit everything in. A week would be enough to sample all that this wonderful city has to offer.

Topkapi Palace- This was the home of Ottoman Sultans. You need to dedicate a few hours in order to make your way around and appreciate this wonder.

Princes Islands- This is just one of the islands that you can reach by ferry. It is the last stop on the journey. To travel there you can obtain a token from the machines at the port (like the metro) again it costs just 2 Lira one way. I would recommend purchasing the two tokens (if you plan to return) before leaving the port. The ferry is a great way to travel and allows for a clear view of the European and Asian side. On the Island you can take a horse cart ride around, have something to eat in a restaurant and enjoy the ambiance. In the Summer this would be an excellent day out, but I would recommend to visit any time of the year.

Make sure you check the return times from the Island as you may find yourself stuck there if you miss the last ferry!

Taken from the ferry

Princes Island

Visiting the Asian Side- You can take a ferry from the European side from the area of Eminonu (the same area as the ferry to Princes Islands) there are several ports which take you to different parts, so make sure you go to the correct port. It will all be signposted so you shouldn't catch the wrong ferry! It is well worth while visiting the Asian side as they have some beautiful mosques and also for shopping on a budget. Also it is another excuse to see the beautiful Bosphorous, the birds, and take lots of photos! Again it costs just 2 Lira one way.

Basilica Cistern- This lies beneath the city with Roman columns. Not much to see (there really isn't) but if you're into history then may be worth a look. It cost 10 Lira for entrance fee and can be located near the Hagia Sofia. There is also a madusa head carved into one of the columns. They did big this up but when you see it you will think "what is that it??" Yep its nothing special, but I enjoyed practising with my SLR and taking plenty of photos.

Can you believe they had a 'cafe' in the cistern? It looked so out of place

Hagia Sofi- This is a former monastery and later mosque. It is now a museum, which you could add to your 'to do' list.

Blue Mosque (also known as the Sultan Ahmet mosque)- An absolute must! Tourists can visit as long as it isn't prayer time. I enjoyed praying Jummah in the mosque on a Friday, with Muslims from all around the world.

Blue Mosque at night

Grand Bazaar- No trip to Istanbul would be complete without visiting the world famous Grand Bazaar, even just to have a look around. If you are a serious shopper dedicate a whole day as it is HUGE. They sell apple tea, cushion covers, desginer handbags, etc. If you have come to Turkey especially to purchase a designer bag or two, don't bother going to Istanbul as they prices are way expensive compared to other places in Turkey. For example in Antalya I was given the price of £50 for a mulberry bag, in the grand bazaar it was £300, and it was the same quality.

If you are after a bargain don't spend much in the Grand Bazaar as it is geared towards tourists. Take a stroll out of any of the exits and you will come across places where the locals like to shop. I believe its an area called Mahmud Pashar, but you can always ask a local who will be more than willing to help.

Would you wear one of these wedding dresses? :-O

Food

The food consists mainly of kebabs, bread, delicious salads and also vegetable dishes. Although it was really nice, as a Pakistani a week of no spice in my food was kind of difficult for me. They did have some chilli flakes in a pot, but this barely tickled my tongue. So if like me you love hot food, make sure you take some chilli sauce with you. (My auntie carries some around in her handbag-yes really!) If you are vegetarian don't worry its not all kebabs-you will be able to find vegetable dishes. The lentil soup is a dish I have every time I'm in Turkey, and it's especially soothing in Winter.

Lentil Soup

Dont think this needs a caption!

Corn on the cob stand


Turkish Tea

Turkish tea is basically black tea (minus milk) If you want English tea, ask for Lipton with a separate jug for milk. I became obsessed with apple tea whilst in Turkey. It was so delicious and refreshing and is available in cafes/restaurants. You can also purchase the teabags or apple powder from the grand bazaar or most shops.

I hope you've enjoyed this guide to Istanbul. Of course this doesn't cover all of the city and places to go. If you want to see what Istanbul has to offer take a trip there. You won't regret it :-)

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will try my best to answer x

Outfit of the Day: Fashionably ill

2012-01-06T10:54:00.003Z

This outfit is what I call casually me, as it casual and sooo me! I've been ill all week so thus have been house bound. This was the first day I ventured out....to Asda! OK so it was nowhere special and just around the corner, but as I have been in my pj's all week I fancied something different. I didn't go over the top but added the bag for some pizz-azz. (Is that a word haha!) I purchased it from a shopping mall in Istanbul from some fancy smancy shop called Charles & Keith. I saw Amena from Pearl Daisy with an almost identical bag a few days ago (Great minds think alike ;) ) I believe she bought hers online from Asos.com. I like how it matches the top of my shoes (which I have rolled down) from Forever 21.

The brown blazer which is also from Forever 21 is light enough to be worn in the Summer or layered up for Winter. New Look had the exact same blazers for around £25, but it was much cheaper in Forever 21. The Primark jeans are so comfortable and easy to throw on with any outfit. As I wanted to keep the outfit simple, I've not worn many accessories, but the bead bracelets (which came as part of a set) do not interfere with the overall look. The hijab style is something I more or less discovered accidentally. Well kinda... I like to call it the Twist, lol. It's not as clear in the photo but I simply draped and pinned in random spots, leaving it to drape in a loose fashion.

What the photos fail to show is the blocked nose and me having a coughing fit, but thank God that wasn't in Asda-now that would have been embarrassing!

Outfit of the Day-A Chilly Day Along the Bosphorus

2012-01-04T13:07:00.000Z

Ok so this isn't much of a stylish outfit but you know what it was FREEZING out in Istanbul, even colder than London! So I wore like five layers and a thick coat or my trusty thick cardigan from Forever 21. This was in practicularly all my photos so for the sake of these piccies I took the cardigan off (for like 10 seconds anyway) Of course the main attraction is the lovely view of the Bosphorus- I just happen to be in there somewhere... (Can you spot the cardigan in question??) I believe this was near the dolombache palace.

So I'm sure you guys know where majority of my outfit is from, but I'll tell you anyway just in case lol. The jeans are from H&M, the boots which I know I do live in (they are too comfortable!) are from Primark, I purchased them last year and they are excellent quality.

The maroon dress is from Primark and the black cardigan is from New Look. I have these cardigans in different colours as they are great for adding to any outfit. They are also loose and light weight. I have another layer underneath which isn't visible, but it is a long sleeved polo top from Primark. The 'Black Wonderland Hijab' is from Princess Rockz- it was just what I needed to keep my ears and neck warm.

You can follow the tutorial of how I styled the hijab by watching the video below.

Hope you guys enjoyed this rather boring outfit of the day, but I hope to make a post of my trip to Istanbul with lots and lots of photos.

Until next time, take care :o)

M.A.C Store in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul!

2012-01-03T13:11:00.000Z

On my recent visit to Istanbul I stumbled across a M.A.C store in the Grand Bazaar. Who would have thought that amongst the gold jewellery and leather handbags there would be a M.A.C store?? Of course I got snap happy and just had to have a sneak peak inside. However I was pretty dissapointed that the prices seemed more expensive then what I would pay in the UK. Still it was fun to have a nosey!

I WANT this chair!

I could happily live in this shop

Which unusual places have you discovered a M.A.C store?

p.s I will be blogging about my recent trip to Istanbul, including photos and outfit of the day over the next week or two. If you haven't already join my facebook page

Until next time, take care :)

Kabuki Brush for Flawless Makeup

2012-01-03T11:48:00.001Z

I have always wanted a kabuki brush so when I received this mini kabuki during a meet up with other bloggers, I was DELIGHTED! I can't remember who gave the brush, but I would like to thank that person!

It is truely soft and I love to use it! I like to apply my Maxfactor Facefinity Powder using the brush and it is truely amazing. It gives a flawless application and can be carried in your bag for touch ups on the go. I'm not sure the brand as it doesn't have a label, but you can purchase kabukis from most cosmetic stores.

My hubbie commented that it looks like a shaving brush. Lets hope he doesn't borrow it for that purpose :S

Do you own a kabuki??

Haul: Boots and Accessorize

2012-01-01T17:59:00.001Z

This is is haul from a week ago. The Accessorize gloves came in handy for my recent trip to Istanbul, as it was freezing there! They are very thick and can be worn fingerless or with the cover. They cost around £12 but will be cheaper now in the sales.

I purchased the Botanics cotton pads from a small Boots store as there wasn't much choice. However these are very good quality and are organic. I love the fact they don't come apart so easily and are actually very good quality. The pack contains 100 pads for £2.25 which is quite pricy for what I would usually pay for cotton pads, but I use both sides to make it worth the price.

This is my favourite night cream at the moment as it doesn't feel greasy so is perfect for my skin. it leaves my skin hydrated and glowing. If you have very dry skin then this wouldn't suit you. Instead try a night cream for very dry skin.

Until my next post, take care :)

Outfit of the Day: Slogan Tee

2011-12-24T10:30:00.000Z

I've always liked slogan tee's so when I spotted this one in TK Maxx I just had to have it! I especially like the message lol.

If you live in London head to Camden as they have a huge range of slogan tee's as well as other quirky clothes/jewellery. To soak in the true atmosphere go on a Saturday and also enjoy the food stalls. Anyway, to find out what I've worn with the t-shirt have a look at the YouTube video below :)

Outfit of the day: Visiting the Egyptian Pyramids

2011-12-23T13:02:00.001Z

Visiting the pyramids, wow what an experience! You can read about it here. So again I didn't want to get my sandals dirty so opted for my favourite Primark boots. Thank God as well because it was pretty dusty (You'll find out once you visit Cairo) So I'm wearing jeans from H&M, the red dress I purchased from Forever 21. I've worn a black top underneath as the dress is short sleeved.

I've tried (I do try my best sometimes lol) to match the hijab with my outfit. So I figured the colours kind of match my dress. It's the 'Splash of Paint Maxi hijab' from Princess Rockz. What do you think? Then of course the all ESSENTIAL sunglasses, and not just for the obvious reason, I wore them for blanking out the touts and they worked a treat! So there's a great tip for you guys ;o)

Eyeliner Tutorial-Daytime to Evening Look

2011-12-22T19:20:00.001Z

I've been asked many times how I apply my eyeliner. Its' a really simple look using two products- a liquid and pencil eyeliner. I use liquid for my upper lid and pencil on my waterline. I like to use liquid because if I apply the pencil to my upper lid it wears off easily onto the top of my lid (I have droopy eyelids). Whereas with the liquid it stays put until I remove it.

The whole process takes me around 30 seconds-quick and easy, perfect for a lazy bum like me :p

If you have droopy lids like moi then the flick at the end will really help to open and extend your eyes. Draw a thicker line if you have small lids, but if you have bigger lids then a thin line will do. Finally apply the GOSH liner on your water line.

For an evening look I have applied a really thin line of liquid under my bottom lashes, just to add depth. If I'm going out for a special occasion then I will also apply mascara (Not worn in the photos). At the moment I'm using Maybelline Collosal Mascara.

You can purchase the liquid liner from Body Shop

The velvet Touch pencil is from GOSH

Look how tiny the liner is! I don't waste ;)

Taa Daaa! Like magic ;)

If you want to know how to achieve the look then watch the video below :)

Outfit of the Day: Visiting the Egyptian Museum

2011-12-22T17:34:00.001Z

So while in Egypt I visited the Museum ( A must if you visit Cairo). The museum is big and I mean BIG! There are a serious amount of artifacts in there! The building is lovely, and has such a vintage look to it. I found this to be the case for most of Cairo, although this was less dirty lol.

So as Cairo is quite a dusty city I didn't want to wear my sandals, so opted for my trusty PRIMARK boots. The blue long sleeved dress is from TK MAXX. The jeans are from H&M, very good quality considering I've had them for years. As it was chilly in the museum I wore a cardigan, which is a latest buy from MISS SELFRIDGE for £20. The bag is from Turkey. I decided to keep my hijab simple and just draped a plain pashmina with a bow elasticated headband.

Yes I know my outfit is a miss match of various colours and styles, but I think it works ;)

This is the burnt out building at the side of the museum. I think it might be a government building??

Anyway until my next post, take care :)

Im on Youtube!!

2011-12-21T21:54:00.001Z

Yes guys if you don't know already, I have a Youtube channel so please subscribe to receive updates on new videos.

My channel is a mix of hijab tutorials, beauty videos and also hauls. You can check out these seperate videos from the various playlists on the channel. Hope you enjoy :)

You can find me on Youtube here

If you have a youtube channel please leave a comment so I can check it out :)

HAUL: Lush, Dorothy Perkins and Superdrug

2011-12-20T20:06:00.002Z

The sales have already started on the British high streets and I thought I would have a little look. I didn't get much as I want to wait until after boxing day when the price will be lower. Anyway in Dorothy Perkins I purchased a leaf clip which I can wear in my hair or on my hijab/a jacket. I love Sleek products and have a Pout Polish in a berry colour. It is very moisturising and the colour can be built up. I purchased 'Pink Cadillac' to add to my collection and I love it.

Lush was close by so I popped in to grab some Herbalism. My sister has been using this recently and has commented how it has cleared her skin. (It's the green stuff) Unfortunately they didn't have any pots in store, however the lovely Lush assistant did provide me with a small sample to take away. She didn't just give me one, but two small pots- that was nice of her!! I will be sampling and providing a review after.

Until my next post, take care :)

My Holiday to Egypt-Sharm-el Sheikh and Cairo

2011-12-20T00:11:00.000Z

I've decided to do a post on my trip to Egypt and to also give tourists an insight as to what to expect. Before you go I would recommend reading a travel guide- try this one.

So I visited Sharm-el Sheikh and Cairo. Sharm is a beach resort geared towards tourists and Cairo is the real Egypt. it was nice to experience both-the calm, and the chaotic!

By the way if you are visiting beach resorts such as Sharm-el Sheikh and not Cairo,(and are a British citizen) you do not need a visa. This was something which was not made clear to other tourist whom were all directed to purchase a visa at the airport. Many did not know about the visa issue so purchased one for no reason. And the prices for visa are made up by the person behind the desk. We paid $18 per person when in fact it was $15. So check and make sure you are aware of the visa price BEFORE.

In Sharm we relaxed on the beach, and as it was an all inclusive hotel ate a lot (my favourite part of any holiday lol). The entertainment at the hotel is the kind you find in most hotels abroad. There was belly dancing, snake charming and traditional dancing. The snake act was definitely worth watching. By the way I hate snakes, just the sight of one makes me want to puke, yes I know pretty weird but they creep me out! The snakes in the act actually looked drugged up (they probably were) At one point the guy put the snake in his mouth (yes really!) unfortunately for me I didn't record this moment but it did make me cringe. I did however record other tricks with the snakes.

Sharm is popular for snorkelling and other water sports. We planned to go on a boat with glass floor providing a view of the ocean. Unfortunately the day we planned this the weather was very windy, so didn't fancy the trip. I made use of the scenery and took photos of the sun setting and the beach.

Beautiful scenery-is that mount sinai in the background??

For my beach outfit of the day, have a look at this post

Cairo...

Cairo and Sharm are two opposites! The trip to Cairo, well I fell asleep for most of it ha! I find this makes the journey shorter ;o) Upon entering Cairo, we were met with BEEP BEEEPP BEEPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The traffic was immense. We headed straight for our hotel which thank God was out of the busy downtown area. When we reached the hotel my face was like :-( as it looked grotty from outside, but one thing I have learnt from Egypt is do not judge a book by its cover. We found the hotel from a website I frequent EVERY TIME before booking a hotel (It hasn't let me down yet) www.tripadvisor.com and from the photos (traveller photos not just the hotel photos) we did see that it was very different inside from the outside. The hotel reviews were also positive. It was really great to return to the quiet hotel after a long day sight seeing.

As a general guide I would not recommend staying central/downtown if you want a good night sleep, also the pollution is pretty bad.

So what did we do in Cairo?? Well on one day we visited the Pyramids in Giza and did some shopping in Khan el Khalili. The Pyramids was an experience-good and bad.

The one thing (apart from the food) I have been looking forward to is visiting the pyramids in Giza. Unfortunately the experience was ruined by the constant bothering from the touts. Eventually we agreed to a camel ride and agreed the price before hand (I have learnt this from past experience in Morocco) as soon as I am on the camel the guy decides to change his mind about the price and even sworn to God he did not agree on the initial price-er hellloooo??! Eventually after a heated argument he agreed to the first price. The camel ride was a great and we were taken around one of the pyramids.

The site of the pyramids and the sphinx I have to say my initial thoughts were wow this is bit of a construction site. There was also camel/horse poo everywhere and of course with the touts bothering you (I learnt to ignore them) the experience was ruined. There were signs on the pyramids stating you may not climb, however everyone did, and the security guy didn't even batter an eyelid.

Once we were done, our driver took us just behind the pyramids and that was the view I was after! You know the view they show you in magazines and on tourists boards of the untouched beauty of the pyramids. We took a few photos but were told to leave by a security guy. I can't believe they don't allow you to see that view, why the broken bit at the front with the touts?!!

The untouched part behind the pyramids

After eating at the Pizza Hut opposite the pyramids (Yes I know Pizza Hut isn't traditional Egyptian food) we headed to Khan El Khalili, a traditional souk. If you are a serious shopper you need to dedicate half a day at least to exploring the souk, or a day if you want to stroll at your own pace.

I didn't purchase much, just a pair of sandals and some hijabs. But if you are visiting Cairo for a few days, I would recommend you fit the trip into your schedule. We stopped off at Al-Azhar Mosque, which was mashallah very beautiful.

We had tradtional Egyptian food, or so I have been told-forgot the name though..

The next day we visited the Egyptian Museum, the building was amazing! Opposite it you could see the government building which was torched-a sad reminder of the revolution by the brave Egyptians.

The entrance fee for tourist adults was 60 Egyptian Pounds. Students was 30 Egyptian Pounds. Entrance to mummy room is extra. I could have got in as an Egyptian as they assumed I was one, but I was honest and got a tourist ticket instead. The museum was HUGE! I've heard it may move to another building because there isn't enough space for the constant artifacts being discovered. The mummy room was very cold to keep the bodies chilled. Looking at the bodies It was extraordinary to think how they have been kept preserved. Although some of the faces were pretty creepy.

In the evening we decided to take a local boat on the Nile. We were hoping for a relaxing ride but instead the boat had music BLASTING. Entertainment was some hijabi dancing (lol) and we enjoyed the views of the Nile for ten minutes.

If I had to sum up Cairo in a few words I would say it's chaotic and unfinished- but a charming city. It has a vintage look to it (rust and dirt?) but it's what makes the city such a vibrant place. I would happily visit Egypt again, perhaps to visit the Valley of Kings in Luxur, or Cairo again. The Egyptian people are genuine and welcoming, making Egypt a must have destination.

Have a look at my video on Youtube to see me talking about my trip to Egypt.

Evening Wear Look from H&M-Modest & Glamorous

2011-12-15T16:36:00.001Z

Image Credit

I've seen this dress in H&M a few times and have been very tempted to purchase, but never did. Looking on their website the dress has gone down from £34.99 to £14.99! It is an absolutely gorgeous, glamorous dress. I'm obsessed with evening wear and love to glam up every now and then, so this dress is on my wish list.

Image Credit

For some reason I reckon a cherry hijab and matching shoes with a Tika would go perfect with this dress. Or you could style with a patterned hijab such as the Cranberry Country garden Hijab from Princess Rockz and keep accessories to a minimum.

Cranberry Country garden Hijab

Team with a blazer or long sleeved cardigan. For modesty I would style my hijab in such a way to cover the chest, but so you can still see some of the panelling. For a women's only event the dress can be worn as it is :)

To purchase the dress visit H&M online, or find instore.

For a simple hijab tutorial that can be worn for every occasion, watch the video below:

http://youtu.be/1E33ltWKvZw

What do you like to wear for an evening out?

Oufit of the Day- Beach Look!

2011-12-15T09:46:00.001Z

This is an outfit I wore whilst in Egypt. The temperature was perfect, around 22C, so I decided to don some simple and light attire, perfect for a day on the beach.

Everything I'm wearing is from the great British high street, apart from the bag which is from Turkey. I purchased the top from Tesco for a bargain price of £5. I decided to team with a cream long sleeved top worn underneath. The boyfriend cut jeans are from Primark and very comfortable. I really like Primark jeans as they fit my waist and small height perfectly. I've matched the colour scheme of blues and whites with gladiator sandals from ZARA. These were purchased during the sale, although I can't remember how much for (think maybe £10).

I decided to wear a plain light grey hijab as I didnt want to be too matchy matchy with my colours. Add a bow headband for some pattern, finish off with a cream handbag and a smile... and I'm done!

What do you think? What do you like to wear for a day out at the beach?

Foot Detox Patches-Do they really work??

2011-12-14T15:52:00.000Z

So I've not been posting for a while, but it's because I've been on holiday in Egypt (I'll make a separate blog post on that!). Anyway on the aeroplane to Egypt I was reading the flight magazine to pass the time and discovered foot patches for detoxing. I've never heard of the patches before so of course in the name of beauty I decided to purchase them. They were £6 for one pair.

I can't remember the brand but it claimed to rid the body of toxins, make you feel more alive, help clear your skin, body pains, etc. It contained all natural ingredients, which help with drawing toxins from your body in a similar way to reflexology.

The diagram below lists the areas of your feet that are linked to your body. According to the area(s) you want to treat, you would stick the patches on these. It is recommended to keep on for at least 8 hours.

Image Credit

*Note do not use if pregnant or diabetic

So just before bed I stuck the patches to the soles of my feet, and let it work its magic whilst I slept. In the morning I removed the patches and look what i discovered....

Yep the patches turned black! Apparently this indicates the amount of toxins that was in my body. My feet did feel tender but I also felt a lot more awake and full of energy (coincidence, could it be because I had a good night sleep??)

On the packaging it recommends to use every night until the patches come out clear, and follow up a few times a year. It's very expensive to use every night but I've discovered the patches on Ebay for a decent price (search for 'foot detox patches') So I'm going to purchase these and see the results.

Conclusion

As I've only used the patches once I can not give a fair conclusion, but I would like to use a few more times and post an update.

Have you used the patches or even tried reflexology? If so please leave a comment and let me know, I would love to hear your views :o)

Haul: Miss Selfridge, TK Maxx & Superdrug

2011-11-30T21:31:00.001Z

Have a look at my haul video on YOUTUBE:

Handbag: £24.99 TK Maxx
Cardigan: £20 Miss Selfridge
Olay spf day cream (not shown): £6.49 Superdrug

Muslims in the West

2011-11-21T20:22:00.000Z

I'm featured on Muslims in the West

EOTD: Green Dramatic Look

2011-11-21T18:30:00.000Z

So here's another green eye look that I recently tried. This time I've added false eye lashes for a more glamorous look.

Oh dear the lashes look a tad grotty ha ha!

Products Used

Sculpt Beauty Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Primer Potion
GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Woody Green
GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Black Ink
Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner
Eylure Girls Aloud-Kimberley eyelashes
Maybelline Volume Collosal Mascara
Maxfactor Mastertouch Concealer

I need to practice my technique of applying false eyelashes as it's pretty rubbish! I plan to purchase this handy little applicator to make it easier and fuss free. My must have product when applying eye shadow has to be the Primer Potion, as without it the shadow would crease!

Hope you guys enjoyed this look. I'm still practicing my eyeshadow application, but think I've done pretty well for this look :)

If you have used an eyelash applicator, please let me know if it works for you xox

NOTD: Sherbet Lemons with Barry M Lemon Ice Cream

2011-11-21T13:04:00.000Z

I'm usually a red or pink nail polish girl, but lately I have tried brighter colours and love them! I picked this colour along with Cyan. My first impressions was that it reminded me of sherbert lemons. Just like Cyan, it smells like pear drops.

I applied two thin coats, however with this technique I found it didn't apply evenly and the colour was not as bright. I would recommend applying thicker coats for an even finish. It does take a few minutes to dry between each coat, but I like to give more time just in case.

Conclusion

This is my first yellow polish that I have tried and I am delighted with the outcome. I will be purchasing other yellow polishes and already have my eye on 17's Fury Fast Finish Nail Polish.

Barry M Nail Paints are great quality for the price, and there is a wide selection which will appeal to everyone.

You can purchase from Superdrug or online

Winners of the Princess Rockz Competition!!

2011-11-20T20:28:00.001Z

So the winners have been decided for Princess Rockz latest competition and the 2 winners with the most 'likes' on their photo are......

i think hijab is one of the righteous deeds and it's a sign of honor. A hijab gives me air of authority, dignity, respect and most important of all, obedience to Allah (SWT). Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that those women who do not wear proper Hijab are blatantly defying the commandment of Allah (SWT). One of the most important thing about wearing a hijab is that it gives me an identity of a musim and it has also brought me one step more closer to Allah (SWT). I consider hijab as a blessing from Allah (SWT). :D

my hijab is the most beautiful part of me,
it is something that makes me feel safe and truely free,
It is my modesty , integrity and my safety,
It's my shame and dignity,
My hijab is my pure beauty and shower of my chasity,
It is my worship to God, who is my protector before my hijab,
It is my way of life,
It's my freedom and liberty,
And because of that I love my hijab, simple in the way it is,
It's the most beautiful part of me..... :D

thank to princess rockz for making people love wearing hijab...

Also the one winner that Princess Rockz has chosen is...

Hijab is strong and beautiful, modest and expressive, tangible and spiritual. Hijab completes me. ♥

Winners please email us at: info@princessrockz.co.uk stating your name and one item you would like from the website (you can choose anything :) ) Congratulations :)

Review: LUSH FRIDAY- Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask

2011-11-18T16:59:00.000Z

Cosmetic Warrior is described as "A superhero face mask to combat spots, cleanse dirt and calm and soothe all troubled skin.". It contains garlic, fresh grapes, tea tree essential oil, and kaolin just to name a few of the ingredients.

Lush recommend keeping the face mask in the fridge and use within a month. This helps to keep the ingredients fresh and also felt cool once applied to the face. The mask comes in a black 75g pot, which can be collected and exchanged for a fresh face mask once you collect five (pots can be from their other product range) I have tried this particular face mask over a year ago and liked it, although it did had a super strong smell of garlic, which didn't bother me, but I know a lot of people had an issue with it. This time I have noticed the garlic is not as potent, and I can notice the lovely tea tree, which feels refreshing on my skin. I purchased this time around because my skin has been playing havoc and I have had a few pimples.

For pimples I like to apply the mask to the offending area and leave for around 30 minutes. I find this is effective in drying them up. I'm not sure if I would recommend this mask for sensitive skin as the garlic may be harsh, but you can visit a Lush store to find one suitable for you. Also don't be afraid to ask for a tester if you are unsure (they give testers for the cleansers as well) I have tried this many times in the past and have never been refused, which is a reflection of Lush's amazing service!

Cons

Here is the problem, because it is fresh you have to use around three times a week in order to finish off the pot. I applied the face mask twice a week and still have half a pot left! Usually I wouldn't mind, but having paid £5.50 I think it is a lot of money to pay for leftovers. I really wish Lush would consider selling their face masks in tiny containers suitable for two applications, at £1 a pop. I know this would be a major hit with their customers!

Conclusion

For acne prone skin this face mask is a must. It helped to dry and heal my pimples. The only con is the price, so I may refrain from purchasing again and instead collect 5 black pots to exchange for a mask.

EOTD: A Simple Smoky Black and Green Eye

2011-11-15T17:00:00.000Z

I'm not a makeup professional by any means, and I have always shied away from using eye shadows. However ever since I have received the Sculpt Beauty eyeshadow palette from my sisters, I have been experimenting with a few looks. I was invited to a wedding a week ago, and as I was wearing a green shalwar kameez, I decided to incorporate green with black for a smoky eye look.

The photos were taken at the end of the night, so some of the black eyeliner has disappeared from my water line and the green is not as vibrant.

Products used:

Sculpt Beauty Eyeshadow Palette
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara
The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner
Max Factor Mastertouch Concealer Pen 309 Beige
GOSH velvet Touch eyeliner in Woody Green
GOSH Velvet Touch eyeliner in Black Ink
GOSH eyeshadow brush
MAC Eyeliner brush (not shown)

First I applied the maxfactor concealer under my eyes.Next I applied the brown to the inner corner, green in the middle blended out and black at the end, blended with the green. Green eye shadow was applied with a small liner brush (not shown) under my bottom lashes, and the Gosh green eyeliner on top for a pop of colour. Next I applied liquid liner to the top and pencil liner on my water line. Finally 2 coats of mascara to finish off the look!

Without flash

With Flash

Looks like I have falsies on, but they're all really baby ;)

I will be posting another EOTD pretty soon with falsies, so keep a look out for that :)