Smiles Better Fundraising Dinner

So, last Saturday evening I volunteered to help out at the Smiles Better fundraising dinner, which was organised by Islamic Help and Pearl Daisy. I went along to do henna, but managed to get involved with a lot more! Alhamdullilah the event ran smoothly and was a success, with two fashion shows, an auction, and stalls, as well as a three course meal. It was held at The Ecology Pavillion in Mile End, which is located in Mile End Park.

For anyone who doesn't know about the Smiles Better campaign, it is a campaign which helps to provide support to victims of acid violence. The videos will explain the campaign in much better detail than I could possibly write out.







If anyone would like to donate to Islamic Help, the information on how to do so is available HERE, on their website. You can also donate via the Pearl Daisy JustGiving page (or set up your own).

I didn't manage to take many photo's during the event (as I was doing henna), but here are a few that my sister took (as she was volunteering her photography skills) =)

[all set for the event]

[it's all in the details]

 

You can see more pictures from the London Highlights video (see if you can spot me in the video) =)





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HFW May 2012: Day 5 - Special Occasions

Theme for Day 5 is special occasions! Just because we wear hijab does not mean that we can't dress up for special occasions. Here's my special occasion outfit, which I wore to the Smiles Better dinner, hosted by Islamic Help and Pearl Daisy (more on the event in another post). I kept the accessories minimal and simple, as the abaya is pretty blinged out with the pink diamantes and ball chain detailing. I love this abaya as it's one of those really loose free size abaya's with a belt on the inside. It's made from satin and is loose and flowy, which just makes it even more suitable for the occasion =)

Abaya and matching scarf: Gift from a friend

Shoes: Satin Ballet Flats (Debenhams)

Bag: Accessorise (tucked away in the bottom left corner)

Rings: H&M

Check out the rest of the outfits from HFW participants here




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HFW May 2012: Day 2 - Favourite Hijab

So the theme for Hijabi Fashion Week Day 2 is to create an outfit inspired by your favourite hijab.

Now, my favourite hijab has to be this one. The Pearl Daisy Princess Rafi hijab. I love the colours and the paisley floral design, not to mention that pretty much goes with most (if not all) of my abaya's and outfits. It's the essential black hijab that's just a little different. This hijab can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion/event. The size is perfect, not to wide or narrow, nor too long/short. And it's not too stiff or heavy, which makes it great for wearing during Spring time (and possibly during Summer, especially if it's a typically British one!). This hijab has been worn so many times that there are little holes where I have continuously pinned the hijab down in the same place (it's one of the signs of a favourite hijab!).


And here's a quick outfit that was put together this morning =)

[photo credit to my sister]

Princess Rafi Hijab: Pearl Daisy

Purple Stripe Abaya: Green Street

Rings: H&M

Lace Ballet Flats: Deichmann

Sunglasses: Primark

Check out the rest of the outfits from HFW participants here and check back tomorrow for Day 3 =)





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HFW Nov 2011 - Day 3

Break the Rules: Abaya + Trainers

Actually, I was going to 'break' a different fashion rule, until I realised that it has become a fashion trend itself. Nevertheless, I have still incorporated this 'not-so-broken' rule into my outfit =)

Abaya and trainers are not really a good combination (in my opinion). Especially when you're wearing a fancy, blinged-out abaya (but I didn't wear mine for Today's theme). However, seeing as I can't walk in heels, and there are some days when I can't be bothered to wear flat shoes/boots, trainers are the only footwear option available (did I mention I hate showing my feet? That rules out sandals!). Anyways, here's my outfit for HFW day 3 =)

Also, the other not-so-broken rule is the mixing/clashing of colours and patterns. But like I said before, it's becoming the norm to wear different colours/patterns in an outfit.

(click image for a bigger picture)

Abaya: Green Street (can't remember store name)

Hijab: Bella Maxi Hoojab (Pearl Daisy)

Trainers: Nike (JD Sports)

Bag: Accessorize

Bracelet and Pearl Hijab Pin: handmade by me

Yay for actual photographs!

Outfits from everyone else who is participating can be seen here =)



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Eid:OOTD and other stuff

My first ever OOTD (of yesterday) and random ramblings about Eid. 

(click image for bigger picture)

So, on Eid I wore a jilbab that I had previously worn to a neighbour's wedding at the beginning of July. The jilbab was made in India and is a turquoise/green colour with embroidery, beading and crystal embellishment. I wore bangles (from The Inayah Collection, with additional diamante bangles) and managed to do henna on one hand only (unfortunately). My hijab style was inspired by this tutorial from Amenakin, and I somehow achieved this look using plenty of stick pins, two mirrors and a bit of trial and error. I used the scarf that came with the jilbab and a teal lace scarf from Pearl Daisy.


Also, prior to Eid day, we had done some baking (it's kind of a tradition to do baking before Eid) and here is a picture to show you some of the goodies we made. These included Cake Pops, Lamingtons, Toffee Tarts, Aero biscuits and Hungarian Tarts among other tasty things =)

Yummy Treats!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Eid as much as I did! (Although the Eid celebrations are still continuing for another day or two) =)

and InshaAllah I'll be announcing the winner of the Ramadhan Giveaway tomorrow =)




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Pearl Daisy - August Order

So, I was going to do a post on hijab storage, but then this morning the postman arrived with a much anticipated pink parcel. As Pearl Daisy is having a 15% off sale (using the code PDLOVE, until Saturday 20th August) I took advantage of it and decided to place an order. My sister and I ordered four hijabs each, and you can see which ones I received in the picture below.

The Borage Jersey Scarf was on the list because I wanted to try wearing a jersey hijab and I preferred this pattern, compared to the other one on the site. This (I'm hoping) will be the perfect 'put on and go' hijab, for all those times when you barely have a minute to wrap your hijab.
I'm currently loving crinkle scarves because they don't require any ironing before you wear them. I ordered the Black Pot Pourri because I actually don't own a black crinke scarf.
The Bella Maxi Hoojab was a spur of the moment decision. Originally, I was planning on buying one of the handloomed hoojabs, but I wanted to know what made the Bella Hoojab so popular (so much so that it would previously be out of stock soon after it had been restocked).
I love the pattern on the Princess Rafi Scarf (previously mentioned here) and I do wear a lot of brown, so I thought the perfect hijab to finalise (my part) of the order, would be to get the Agra Wood Patterned Scarf, which has the same pattern but with a different background colour. I'm definately looking forward to wearing this one out and about.

What scarves have you purchased recently?



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Pearl Daisy - Pictures and Mini Review

Pearl Daisy is an online hijab store run by the wonderful Sister Amena. At this current moment, the website is unavailable and will be relaunched tomorrow (inshaAllah), so I thought I'd include some photos of the PD products that I own and a mini review. If you want to keep updated with PD news, then join the PD sisterhood on Facebook and become a Pearl Daisy!

 [pretty hijabs]

[closeup of Princess Rafi hijab] 

[close up of lace hijabs]

I personally love the lace hijabs because I've never seen them before and they are super versatile as well as adding an interesting layer to hijab styles. I prefer to layer them with plain thin scarves, but they can also be worn around the neck. The 365 hijabs have a wonderfully soft texture, which is inlike normal pashmina's. They aren't stiff, and can therefore be used to create folds which adds volume to hijab styles without an excessively large hair piece. I bought the purple colour, but there is a whole rainbow available, in both block colours and patterned styles. The Princess Rafi scarf is made of the same fabric as the 365 hijabs and I love the pink/orange paisley and floral design, as it's girly but sophisticated at the same time.

These are the Pearl Daisy Ali Baba Trousers in Black which I mentioned in my December wishlist. I've worn these a quite a few times and they are really comfortable. They look like denim, but are way lighter than a pair of jeans. I wore them a few weeks ago to Thorpe Park, and they survived the day at the Theme Park! The button detailing adds a little extra something and there are pockets! (which are essential).

I'm hoping to order a few more PD products when the website relaunches tomorrow, especially the Sheen Hijabs, which will definately come in handy for the wedding season and for special occasions.

Hope you enjoyed this blogpost =)


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Wish List (a.k.a. what I'm liking at the moment)

Okay, so I don't celebrate Christmas, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy shopping (window shopping!) for products that seem to be popular during the holiday season.

At the moment I'm looking at this: Philosophy - Under the Mistletoe lip gloss gift set. I love the cute, food related names and for the price of £16.50, it's practically a bargain. Considering that a single Philosophy lip gloss costs around £10.75, I'd say that a saving of £26.50 is well worth it.

Alongside lip gloss, I'm also checking out Pearl Daisy's Ali Baba trousers. I prefer the black/charcoal coloured ones rather that the blue, probably because I'll get more wear out of them instead.

I think that's pretty much it for this wish list, although with the post-Christmas sales coming up, there'll definately be a few more things that will have caught my eye!



=)
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