#PGCElife to #NQTlife

I've finally finished my PGCE! It's been an incredibly long and stressful year, but looking back on it now, I wouldn't have changed a single thing. Along the way I've learnt so many different things (not just about teaching) and I'm looking forward to having my own class in September (although this is also scaring me slightly!). I'd like to say that the PGCE year was a year full of hard work and I know that my NQT year will be no different. If you're thinking about going into teaching, the PGCE does take over your life for 9 months, but it's all worth it at the end. Perseverance, dedication and a passion for working with kids will keep you going.

Keep a look out for a graduation post in November =)



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Three Product Makeup Routine - Foundation, Brows and Blush.

I really should be prepping for the start of my second school placement but here I am blogging instead =)

Today's blog post is basically about how I've cut my everyday makeup routine down to three products. My aim is to (eventually) be comfortable not wearing any makeup on a daily basis but until then, these three products will suffice. With early starts and not much time to take a break during the day, I've reduced the number of products that I apply before going to uni/placement. These are the products that are essential for me.

- I'm a big mineral foundation lover, so my Bare Minerals Original Powder foundation is the first to be applied. I only buff a little onto my face, enough to even out my skin without looking heavy and cakey.
- The next step is probably the one that takes the longest and it's my brows. Thanks to a bad habit (pulling out my eyebrow hairs at random), my brows are quite sparse and need a little shaping and colour to make them slightly bolder and more 'brow-like'. I either use the Illamasqua Brow Powder (Gaze) or the Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade (Dark Brown). Honestly, it just depends on how much time I have on that particular morning, as the pomade takes a bit longer to apply for a stronger brow, whereas the powder gives a softer look and doesn't take as long.
- The final step is to add a bit of colour on my face with blusher. At the moment, I'm loving the Bourjois Little Round Pot (16 Rose Coup De Foudre), which is a soft pink with subtle golden shimmer. Seeing as I do rub my eyes quite a bit during the day, I avoid eyeliner and mascara, and only apply a lipbalm to keep my lips moisturised.

I'm actually quite happy that my everyday face only needs three products. I do like wearing make-up, but for university and school placements, the bare minimum is perfectly acceptable (as long as I don't look like I've been up all night/only just woken up/any other reason here). And that means that I can have a few extra minutes in bed. Now if only I could minimise the amount of useless stuff I carry in my bag!



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No rest for the wicked (a.k.a. trainee teachers!)

I knew that as the PGCE commenced, there would be a lot of work involved and I suppose my previous work in school did prepare me for the long hours, dedication and energy that is needed to teach. What I didn't really account for, was all the paperwork that is included! Observations, monitoring, assessments and not to forget the assignments! My first M-Level assignment is due at the end of the Christmas holidays, so while many prople are enjoying the festive season, I'll be stuck in books and on my laptop, trying to churn out 4500 words.

I will be going to the Boxing day sales tomorrow so there is a little break planned. I'm going to be one of those crazy people that gets up early for the Next sale (and then waits for the rest of the stores to open). Personally, I'm looking forward to sales at Lush, Dorothy Perkins and Boots. I've already started my sale shopping with some craft goodies from Hobby Craft.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Date for your Diary: Smoky Not Smudgy 2013

Smoky not Smudgy (SnS) is back again this year on Sunday 3rd November 2013! This year it's going to be bigger and better, with a larger pampering and souk area and not one, but two fashion shows. InshaAllah I'll be doing henna once again, so make sure to come and say hello =)
Visit the SnS website here for more information =)

 

Details:

 

DATE: Sunday 3rd November 2013

Where: Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ

Ticket Price: £4 entrance. (fashion show tickets: £5-£8)

 

 

I'm looking forward to being there! Are you?

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A date for your diary: Shimmer and Shine 2013

Shimmer and Shine is back again for it's annual inter-university ladies event! The beauty and fashion event of the year includes a fashion show, showcasing a wide variety of modest outfits, as well as a charity auction and a bazaar area. All money raised will go to Islamic Relief towards helping orphans and needy children across the globe. For more information about the CW program, visit: www.onecharityweek.com.

 

 

 

Details:

 

DATE: Saturday 2nd November 2013

WHERE: St George’s University of London, SW17 0RE

TICKET PRICE: £8 (Including fashion show seats)

You can purchase tickets here 



If you're following me on Instagram, you'll probably have noticed all the sneak peeks as I'll have a stall again this year, selling my hand painted canvases. There are also a lot more stalls including henna, hijabs, abaya's, jewellery, makeovers and most importantly, food and cupcakes! Come and raise some money for charity week and enjoy a ladies day out. Why not come with a group of friends and have a day out =)

 

I look forward to seeing you there =)

 

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Back to University!

So I'm not going back to university full time (just yet), but I did enrol in an Arabic Language class which started in September. So far I've learnt the Arabic Alphabet and quite a few words and simple phrases. I'm enjoying the course as it's given me the chance to start learning a new language and although it isn't Quranic Arabic (which differs from spoken Arabic), I am able to understand bits and pieces of the Quran. If anyone is wondering, the course isn't one particular dialect, but is called Modern Standard Arabic =)

The second term starts tomorrow, and I haven't done any reading over the holidays whatsoever!
What is everyone else planning to do this year? Any New Years resolutions?




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Smoky not Smudgy 2012 - who's going?

I am! InshaAllah I'll be doing henna at Smoky not Smudgy this year!

The fifth annual Smoky not Smudgy event is taking place this Saturday (17th November), from 12pm - 5pm. It is a ladies only pampering day, organised by the Islamic Society at Imperial College in order to raise money for charity. I've been to a few of the past SnS events, and let me tell you that they get bigger and better each year. There's a whole range of things to do, including attending the fashion show, having all the beauty treatments you could possibly want done (hair/makeup/nails/henna/facials/waxing etc.) as well as taking part in workshops, masterclasses and having a professional photoshoot at the end of it! There's also the souk area, where you'll be able to purchase goodies from a selection of companies and brands.


For more information, check out the facebook event page (here) and the website (here).

Also watch the trailer for SnS 2012 below =)



So. Who's going to join me (and everyone else at SnS) and get even more beautiful for charity?

 

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Who is attending Shimmer and Shine 2012?

Shimmer and Shine is Charity Week's biggest Inter-University Ladies Fashion Event! After last year's successful event (which I unfortunately did not have the chance to attend), this year Shimmer and Shine is back again on November 4th to raise money for charity. All money raised will go to Islamic Relief towards helping orphans and needy children across the globe. For more information about the CW program, visit: www.onecharityweek.com. 

 

Details:
 

DATE: Sunday 4th November (12:30pm onwards)
VENUE: St George’s University of London, SU area and Boardrooms, 2nd Floor Hunter Wing
CRANMER TERRACE, SW17 0RE

TICKET PRICE: £8 (Includes entrance to the fashion show plus a complimentary drink)

 

So, who's going to be attending? I am! In fact, I'll be behind a stall at Shimmer and Shine selling handpainted canvases =) The highlight of the day will be the unique fashion show which will demonstrate how a Muslimah can be modest and stylish at the same time. There will be henna and makeup artists alongside hair and hijab stylists! Of course, there's also stalls selling everything from jewellery to food and anything in between. Check out the Shimmer and Shine website (here), and the Facebook event page (here). Come and raise some money for charity week and enjoy a ladies day out. Why not come with a group of friends and have a day out =)

 



 

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Back to uni (aka I'm a third year student!)

It's the beginning of a new academic year again. Starting third year means plenty of work and concentrating on getting the best possible degree classification that I'm capable of. Unfortunately this also means lots of coursework essays and the final year project, which counts for 25% of my final grade. To all those who are starting/have started schooling, good luck!

Also I now have to focus on post degree life =S So not looking forward to that!

Blogging on the journey back from uni,

Asmaa

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Btw...I've just joined twitter =] anyone have any tips on how to use it? x

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