Pomegranate and Patchouli

BE SO GOOD…

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:46:00 +0000

Sorry for the long absence! I’m busy trying to be “so good” that they can’t ignore me.. But really it’s just work.. hehehe

Image: Pinterest

LOVE THIS LOOK: THE PEACH SKIRT

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:48:00 +0000

I’m in love with this skirt, and can think of a million ways to wear it.. I really like how Aimee from Song of Style paired it with a bunch of un-matching things like a striped top and purple socks.. It seems so wrong but it works!

ILLUSTRATED STONES

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Absolutely in love with these digital illustrations of faceted stones like emerald, amethyst and aquamarine by illustrators Tabitha Bianca Brown.

See more of Tabitha’s artworks here at her Etsy shop.

THE BASICS OF HERBS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:40:00 +0000

What an easy and useful guide to herbs. Print this and hang it in your kitchen for quick and easy ways to pair herbs with your dishes. Personally, I find that all of them are best used fresh. However, rosemary, thyme and sage are still tasty when dry.

Image: Illustrated Bites

FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:42:00 +0000

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS PLACE!!

pinterest.com/alya/

PS. Leave a link to your page in the comments – I’d love to take a look!

TREND: TROPICAL PRINT BAGS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Proenza Schouler PS1 Tropical Print Canvas and Leather Clutch

Jimmy Choo ‘Candy’ Sunset Print Acrylic Clutch

Jimmy Choo ‘Candy’ Surf Print Acrylic Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Pandora Animal Print Perspex Box Clutch

Charlotte Olympia Pandora Feather Perspex Box Clutch

Dolce & Gabbana Canvas and Leather Mini Shoulder Bag

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Floral Print Canvas and Leather Satchel

Marni Printed Leather Tote

KARI HERER

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:49:00 +0000

I’m absolutely in love (I know, I say this a lot, but it’s true!) with photographer Kari Herer’s still life photographs of flowers.. I’m especially drawn to the combination of real flowers with illustrations and natural materials like antlers.

You can find prints of them on Etsy.

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:02:00 +0000

We’ve done it! We printed the second issue of Khaleejesque Magazine, titled the “Art & Design Issue”! It’s being sent out all across the Gulf this month, so keep your eyes peeled because we were told that people are scooping them up like crazy! I am SO proud.

Here’s where you can find the “Art & Design Issue”.

Just Say Yes.

I love reading about emerging talents. Meet Mai Al-Athel.

Design-savvy resumes!

Stunning Rock Soap..

Ombre Stain Mani..

Easy to remember Dinner Etiquette rules.

i am a food blog.

An INSANE grilled cheese sandwich!

For breakfast..

Can’t wait to watch this show!

This blog makes me laugh so much!

So does this one!

And this one!

Have a hilarious weekend!

Image: We Heart It

AND THE WINNER IS…

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:50:00 +0000

Congratulations SZABINA and NILA! You each won a “Royal Love” tee from T-Shirt Policy!

You will be receiving an email from me shortly asking for your details (Full name, email, shipping address, phone, etc) so I can forward them to the appropriate people.

Thank you everyone for participating!

Note: If the winner does not respond within 4 days after being contacted, another winner will be chosen at random.

BE SO HAPPY…

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:43:00 +0000

Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy too…

Image: Song of Style

COPYRIGHTED FAMOUS HAIRS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:16:00 +0000

Copyrighted Famous Hairs, by graphic designer Patrícia Póvoa, is a minimal design poster series of “the most recognizable haircuts on the planet.”

Hairdos include Superman, Marge Simpson (of course!), Princess Leia and more. I think Marge’s “afro” has got to be THE most famous hairstyle of all time.

See them all here.

LOVE THIS LOOK: THE MIX

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Looooove the mix in prints and styles. This combo – I believe – is the epitome of “awesome” and utterly and incredibly stylish.

Image: Stockholm Streetstyle

BRUNCH BY THE BEACH

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:13:00 +0000

These photos are from two months ago, but I just remembered that I never posted them. My friend invited us to a brunch by the beach. The weather back then was sooo cold (we had to cover ourselves with beach blankets), but it was pure bliss sitting and eating under the beautiful bright sunshine.

We sat at the garden overlooking the sea. My friend improvised and created the perfect setting, half filling glass vases with shells and stones from the beach, as well as a few orchids.

My friend couldn’t have picked a better day, because the day after, it rained non-stop!

Scroll down for food and outfit shots..

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:33:00 +0000

Last week I was feeling a bit blue (not a bit, but a LOT).. The stress of work, deadlines, as well as some personal issues, made me want to pack my bags and move to an exotic island like the Maldives.

But since I can’t do that, I decided to take a more practical approach and do things that make me happy.

Here are some:

Check my favorite design and fashion blogs.
Bookmark recipes (and actually make them).
Try out new food combinations (a recent favorite is grilled cheese sandwich with apricot jam).
Have a hot mug of coffee or tea (always with milk). For some reason, it makes me feel better..
Read. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Curling up with a good book (or a favorite magazine) is an instant stress reliever.
My ultimate pick-me-up is a nice gathering with the family. There’s something about being surrounded by the people you love (and love you back) that makes you feel warm on the inside.

What makes you happy?

Image: We Heart It

HOT SUMMER

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:32:00 +0000

Can you believe this is a Guess ad campaign? It screams high fashion more than high street! For its Spring 2012 ad campaign, Guess by Marciano went for poolside glamour.

Photographed by Hunter & Gatti, modeled by Heide Lindgren and Klara Wester, and styled by Martina Nilsson, the photos are very “fashion editorial” and are on par with ad campaigns shot for designer brands like Gucci.

The models look gorgeous in swimsuits, colorful dresses and voluminous hair..

To see all the images, go to Fashion Gone Rogue.

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 10:57:00 +0000

Well, I can officially say we’ve wrapped up work on issue #2 of Khaleejesque Magazine, and it is hitting the presses tomorrow morning! I’m so excited! We had so many challenges and last minute changes but it all came together really well and I can’t wait for you guys to see it!

I need a huge stress-free break from work right now. And whenever I feel overwhelmed or blue, I head to the blogs and Pinterest for inspiration. Check out these cool links:

The Underwater Project.

This is how your brain ages..

What dew looks like on a dandelion..

Diane von Furstenberg’s NY apartment.

Miss Piggy is everywhere these days!

The Hunger Games’ costume designer discusses the styling..

Man Repeller and DANNIJO collaboration..

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the world.

Kill me now because these are the 20 Most Beautiful Personal Libraries!

Giveaway: T-Shirt Policy Tees!

Another giveaway: Waterproof Beach Bag with Beauty Oils!

Grill this: Turkish Kebab.

Enjoy your weekend!

Image: Pinterest

LOVE THIS BAG: ALEXANDER WANG "BRENDA"

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:52:00 +0000

I have yet to own an Alexander Wang (no idea why because I tabsolutely adore them - most of them anyway). I've seen and held them, and I must admit the leather is so buttery, and they're incredibly light for a leather bag.

I was thinking of getting one of the shoulder bags that can fit a DSLR camera so I can take it with me during travels and short trips or excursions.

This Alexander Wang "Brenda" leather shoulder bag in Aqua is so delicious and so on trend!

On my wishlist as of right now...

GETAWAY GLAMOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:33:00 +0000

'Tis the season to frolic at the beach (or by the pool), and what better way than to get decked in summer's finest and most glamorous beach getups from NET-A-PORTER.COM?

Take your pick from chic summer sandals, gorgeous swimsuits and stylish coveralls... Oh summer how we've missed you!

GIVEAWAY: T-SHIRT POLICY

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:44:00 +0000

I LOVE t-shirts, and I have a really huge collection with years worth of tees. So when T-Shirt Policy offered this giveaway to my readers, I couldn’t resist!

Launched in 2010, T-Shirt Policy started out with white t-shirts with black screen prints then grew to add more unique designs as well as limited edition t-shirts, designed by hand in London.

T-Shirt Policy now has an online boutique on ASOS, and can be found in select boutiques in Kuwait, Egypt and the USA.

T-Shirt Policy is offering 2 “Royal Love” t-shirts (pictured above) to two lucky readers.

To win a T-Shirt Policy “Royal Love” t-shirt:

Leave any nice comment below.
Leave your name and email in the comment (a first name will suffice).
This giveaway is open to all international readers.
The winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.
If the winner does not respond within 3 days, another winner will be selected.
Only ONE comment per reader.
Not following the above rules will disqualify your entry.

The contest ends Friday May 4, 2012. The winner will be announced the following day.

GOOD LUCK!

LOVE THIS LOOK: STRIPES AND FUR

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:18:00 +0000

It’s too hot to wear a fur vest, but it doesn’t hurt to admire from afar (and make a note of it for next winter!). What an awesome combo right?

Image: Karla’s Closet

GET A GRIP

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:31:00 +0000

I’m a relatively new iPhone user (4 months and counting), but I’ve been dropping my phone like there’s no tomorrow. Just a couple of weeks ago, it got its first chip. So I think it’s about time I get myself a cool iPhone cover.

I’m very classic when it comes to my gadgets, but this “Get a Grip” iPhone case is really cool! It reminds me of a coffee mug.

Q8MOMMAS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:29:00 +0000

I’m not a mother, but a lot of my friends are. So between all our gatherings, dinners out and coffee breaks, there is a LOT of talk about kids.

I follow a lot of blogs that also post about motherhood and kids (for example Cup of Jo, Oh Happy Day), but I’ve never seen one with a cultural and regional perspective until now.

Q8Mommas is a blog by two moms in Kuwait who work full time jobs and are full time moms of course. They wanted to share their experiences with other new moms, including pregnancy, childbirth, nannies, schools and more.

ROALD DAHL STAMPS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:47:00 +0000

Roald Dahl is perhaps my favorite author ever. I devoured his books when I was a child (I started reading really early) and his stories really touched me because of his brilliant imagination and story telling. I also loved the Quentin Blake illustrations on the book covers. So when I saw these Royal Mail stamps on A Cup of Jo, I sort of did a little jump!

Have you read any Roald Dahl books? What are your favorites? Mine are: The BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and The Giant Peach, and The Witches. In no particular order, as I love them all equally. (The BFG has a special place in my heart though)

KISS OF THE MATADOR

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:33:00 +0000

Two words: Bianca Balti. Enough said.

In “Kiss of the Matador”, Vogue Japan’s March 2012 fashion editorial, the stunning model shines in Spanish inspired pieces fresh off the runways.

Photographed by Giampaolo Sgura and styled by Anna Dello Russo, the editorial leaves me speechless. Not only is the model drop dead gorgeous, but the outfits she’s wearing are stunners!

For more images go to Fashionising.

BRIGHT SPARKS

noreply@blogger.com (Alya) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:38:00 +0000

It's probably spring or summer right now depending on where you are in the world (in my hometown it's a cross between both). I think a change in season is a good reason to go shopping right?

I'm always looking for a reason to shop - I am dyiiiing for some print Proenza Schouler bags and some colorful ballet flats and sandals - perfect for work.