~Good Hijab vs. Bad Hijab~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

Insh'Allah you all had a restful night's sleep.  I am only on my first cup of coffee for the day, and won't fully wake up until at least the second or third so please forgive me for my typos.

First off this morning I would like to address a little issue that slightly hurt my feelings, and caused me not to write for this last week or so.  As I'm sure most of you ladies have noticed I like to put a small poll at the upper right hand corner of my blog so I can keep my sisters involved in choosing the topics we discuss.  This past poll I asked what you would like me to talk about next, and jokingly included an option that said "Nothing, we've heard enough" not realizing I was opening myself up to criticism.  You can imagine my shock and disappointment when I logged on a few days ago and found someone had chosen this option.

I know it is impossible for everyone to like you all the time.  It's actually something I've struggled with since a child, trying to spread myself too thinly in the effort of appeasing everyone's opinion regardless what my own personal beliefs were.  It has gotten me hurt and disappointed in the past, and even though I'm grown up now it still hurts to know someone out there doesn't enjoy my posts.

I debated about not posting anymore, wondered if perhaps my time and efforts would be better spent elsewhere, and seriously considered giving up on blogging for good.  But then I realized that if I stopped blogging, if I stopped meeting with you amazing Muslimahs from time to time, then I would be putting that ONE person's opinion above the 26 opinions of my fashionable followers.  And that wouldn't be fair to all of you.

So, bottom line is this.  There will be times in life that people don't agree with what you're saying.  For one reason or another there may be a clash of personalities, a difference of opinion or some other obstacle between you and another person.  Whatever the case may be, it's important that you listen to that person's opinion, but don't let it stop you from being yourself.  Because for every one person who may NOT like you, there are probably twenty more who DO like you!

So, now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'd like to chat a bit about an issue that has come up several times throughout my years as a hijabi.  It's something I've struggled with every so often, one that has caused me to experiment a bit and find a happy medium between my inner modest Muslimah and fashionista.  The issue I'm talking about is: what is considered "good" hijab, and what is considered "bad" hijab?

There are those sisters who may feel that only black, grey, or browns are acceptable colors for a Muslimah, as well as others who feel that as long as their hair is covered it doesn't matter what color or print their scarf is.  There are those who feel that we should wear only abaya or jilbab, and many who prefer to wear jeans or long skirts with tunics.  The styles of hijab vary as much as the Muslimahs who wear them, and it's important that we consider the fact that each Muslimah is at a different point on her path in Islam before we judge her style of hijab.

Here are some pictures of different styles of hijab.  Take a look at them, and pick out those you consider "good" or "bad" then ask yourself- why am I jumping to this conclusion?  Don't worry- this is NOT a test; there are no right and wrong answers here. (well there probably are, but I'm not the one to be the judge of that-only Allah swt can judge our intentions)

So what do you think ladies, are any of these hijabis better than the other because her hijab style is better?  When you walk through the mall and see a hijabi wearing tight jeans and a three quarter sleeve top do you automatically judge her or make a comment under your breath?  I know it is only human to do this, it's hard to reserve judgement when you feel strongly that someone is not behaving in the way we feel is required of us.  But instead, next time you see someone wearing something that you feel is "bad" hijab ask yourself this: How do you feel when someone judges you?  Have you always been as strong as you are now in your faith, or at the point you are now on your personal path in Islam?  Giving our fellow Muslims their 70 excuses is as much our responsibility as a Muslimah as is wearing hijab, so if we are jumping to these conclusions, in a way we are foregoing one Islamic duty for another.

Let's try to be a little more understanding of eachother.  Of course it is our responsibility to kindly remind eachother if our intention is purely for the sake of helping our sister in Islam to follow the guidelines set forth for us.  But at the same time, that hijabi you are judging, or backbiting, or pointing out and giggling over with your girlfriends at the mall is a Muslim like you, a daughter like you, and most importantly she is your sister in Islam. 

Remember: Compassion is Always in Fashion!

Ma'Salaama and Enjoy Your Own Path!

Fashionably Yours,

The (far-from-perfect) Mujahada in Prada 

P.S.  Here is a link to a fatwa regarding this very subject.  Insh'Allah you find it beneficial!

Good Hijab, Bad Hijab?

~Forever Stylish~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

I am pretty sure by now I don't have to tell you ladies how much I loooove Forever 21.  Whenever I am looking for that certain accessory, or newest trend at a reasonable price, I know I can always rely on my friends at Forever to have exactly what I need.

Not only do I love Forever 21 because of the hundreds of styles available in every store, their constant re-merchandising of the newest trends, and their amazingly low prices, but I also love them for the story behind the scenes.

Forever 21 was started in 1984 in Highland Park, California by Korean immigrants Don and Jin Sook Chang.  Don, while working at a local gas station, noticed that the people who drove the nicest cars, were those who worked in the fashion industry, and that was all the inspiration he needed.  The couple soon opened their first store, initially selling cheaply made knockoffs of popular styles, and gradually built that single store into the multi-million dollar empire that it is today.  They have worked hard, and give much of the credit of their success to their deep belief in their Christian faith.  (They even printed the bottom of their shopping bags with a reference to a Bible verse. John 3:16)

Don and Jin Sook's most recent and successful introductions in their business are not new styles at all, but are their two daughters.  Both are Ivy League graduates, and have worked their way up in the company as any other employee, starting out by tagging merchandise with price-guns.  Today Linda Chang heads the marketing department, while her sister Esther oversees the all visual operations. 

With the help of their two daughters, and the devotion of their adoring customers, Don and Jin Sook have recently opened an 86,000 square foot store in Cerritos, and have plans to open many more similar super-sized stores in locations that were once Mervyns department stores.  They are also planning the grand opening of a 96,000 square foot Times Square location in New York City in June 2010.

To me, Forever 21 is such a huge success story.  Just the other day I made a post about the husband-wife team behind Prada and how their devotion to eachother and their product have helped them succeed even during the most trying times.  Although Forever 21 is a much different product, at the opposite end of the price spectrum, in both cases their dedication to hard work, to their product, and to each other is what made them successful.  This kind of relentless determination should be an inspiration to each and every one of us, no matter what industry we want to succeed in.

Ma'Salaama and May All Your Ventures Be Successful!

Fashionably Yours,
The (totally inspired) Mujahada in Prada

~Stylishly Casual~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!


You know, I just realized that it's hard for me to blog about fashion, beauty, and style when I've been living in sweatpants and hoodies for almost two weeks now.  My days lately have consisted of unpacking, organizing, and making room for way too much stuff in way too little of a space. 
So, it got me to thinking...why not blog about those comfy, soothing, casual clothes that go along with chicken soup, and a good book on a rainy day?  After all, I met my husband when I was wearing a pair of VS Pink sweats, toe socks, and flip flops.  (he still refers to those beloved toe socks as my "toe gloves")  I mean, isn't our casual wear important enough to mention?  Don't our fleece sweats and oversized sweaters deserve the same credit as our skinny jeans and stilettos?  I think they do- even more actually, because these are the clothes we look forward to slipping into after a long hard day,


So here it is....my ode to those Absolutely Fabulous Casual Clothes...

Socks

Smurfette Socks from www.GirlzLyfe.com           Toe Socks from www.Buy.com

I have learned that there are two types of women in this world.  Those who can't stand to sleep in socks, and those who can't stand to sleep without socks.  I am one of the latter.  Although I loooove my flip flops (I do live in Cali afterall!) I absolutely can't stand to walk around my house barefoot, nor can I handle going to sleep without a pair of nice, cozy socks protecting my tootsies.  My husband makes fun of me, because he's never seen me wear a pair of plain white socks.  No way, tooo boring for me.  I love funky socks with stripes, cartoon characters, or silly sayings on them.  When it comes to socks the crazier and more colorful the better!  So tell me, which type of woman are you?

Loungewear

Now, I realize I will probably get some disagreement from some ladies when I say this but I'm going to say it anyway: I do not condone wearing loungewear outside of the house... except for two occassions.  One is traveling, and the other is if you are going into or being released from the hospital.  Don't get me wrong, I'm as big a fan of Juicy Couture velour suits as any girl is... but to me, if we start cruising the mall or going to the movies in our sweats then we will no longer have any right to complain about how lazily men dress.  (This really only applies to America, where guys think it's acceptable to show the world the print on their boxers, and choose which tee shirt to wear based on which one has the fewest pizza grease stains on it.)  But there is no reason we can't wear these trendy little track suits around our house, a wonderful way to stay comfy but still look like a diva for our hubbies. 

Hoodie,   Lounge Pants,   and   Tee  available   at   www.Aeropostale.com

Personally though, I prefer Aeropostale lounge wear to Juicy Couture any day.  Not only are their pieces a quarter of the price, but they are cute, quality made, and always have the best options of mixing and matching tees, sweats, and hoodies.  I love their tunic-length hoodies to wear around my house when non-mahram men are coming and going.  I just pull up the hood, tighten the ties and don't have to worry about scrambling to grab a scarf. 

Accessories

I'm pretty sure most of you ladies are thinking I've lost my mind.  I mean we are, after all, talking about loungewear; about relaxation and comfort.  But in my opinion just because we are sitting in our house, doesn't mean we can't accessorize our outfits.  It's especially important that those of us ladies who wear hijab do our best to take care of ourselves and look our best for our husbands.  It is easy to fall into the normal routine of the day, spending our time and our effort on maintaining our kids and our husbands and our house, while bypassing our own grooming.  But it only takes a few minutes to pull our hair into a sleek ponytail, dab some lipgloss and mascara on, spray a couple of spritzes of perfume on our neck and throw on a couple pieces of jewelry to keep that flame of love at least flickering.  Here are some of my favorite feminine frills that we can use to get glossy, but still kick back and be casual.

Headbands 

Headbands are a great way to look feminine and cute, but they are also a wonderful way to keep your hair out of your eyes throughout your day of cooking and cleaning.  I personally always have my hair pulled back, even when I'm around the house.  Continuing to pull your hair into a tight ponytail can cause breakage, damage, and eventually thinning or even balding.  Using a headband to loosely pull your hair back is the perfect way to give your hair a break, look pretty for your hubby and keep those annoying little flyaways out of your eyes.  Here are a few that are especially cute:

Flower Headband from http://www.jestjewels.com/   Green and Pink Headbands from http://www.ecrater.com/

Printed Wide Headbands From http://www.stylishmode.com/

Slippers

No matter what the season is it is always important to take care of your feet.  You're on them at least 25 hours a day, stuffing them into uncomfortable shoes, neglecting and abusing them.  They deserve to be just as comfortable as the rest of your body, so why not spoil them while you can?  A wonderful way to give those tooties the attention they deserve is by splurging on some truly luxurious slippers to wear around the house.  Here are some I found that look wonderfully plush and comfy:

 

Coddles Slippers from www.Zappos.com 

Cowboy Boot Slippers from www.Zappos.com 

Ugg Slippers from www.Nordstrom.com

Jewelry

 Some of you may think I'm crazy talking about wearing jewelry around the house, but I think it's important to wear a little bling even when you're just having coffee with your husband or playing with your kids.  When you start wearing hijab you very rarely get to wear earrings anymore, and lately I've started wearing a small pair of hoops underneath my scarf.  You can get a petite, pretty pair of hoops that you can keep on at all times that will add a bit of flash, but still be comfortable enough to wear under your hijab when you're out; cook, clean, play, shower, and sleep in when you're at home.  Hoops are more comfortable than studs because you don't have the post digging into your neck when you're laying down, and they look feminine and pretty.  Here are some cute little at-home hoops:

 

Silver Wrapped Hoops from www.Billythetree.com               

Marc Jacobs "Key To My Heart" Hoops at www.Zappos.com

Kate Spade Small Orange Hoops from www.Piperlime.com                       

Small 14k Gold Hoops from www.Macys.com 

 In my humble opinion Casual can still be Classy, Comfortable does NOT equal Sloppy, and Simple can easily be made Simply Stylish.  By just taking a couple of extra minutes a day you can look better for your husband, and to feel better about yourself.  If you spend all those hours in the day making your house look its best, why not take a couple of minutes to do the same for yourself?

Ma'Salaama and Happy Lounging!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Toe Glove Loving) Mujahada in Prada

~Not Sherlock's Trench~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Fabulous Fashionistas!

I'm sure some of you are wondering by now why I ask you to participate in those polls on my page, if I never even mention them again.  And you're right- I guess my mind works that way sometimes.  Always interested in asking questions, but never quite following up on the answers.

But, I decided that's not fair to any of us, because truth be told- your opinions ARE important to me, and I do want to make sure that I continue to chat about topics that interest you, instead of rambling on about subjects that make you yawn.  *yawn* (Why is it that even TYPING that word makes me yawn?) *yawn*

Anyways, the first poll was about topics you would like to see more of, and the #1 vote from that poll was...*drumroll*......

HIJAB TUTORIALS!!

That gets a huge YAYYY! from me, because I looove to wear my scarves in new, funky, fabulous ways, and love even more to share that with my friends.  BUT, it will be another week or so until I'm able to actually post those, because I am still living out of boxes and suitcases and I have noooo idea where my styrofoam heads are, and my camera has yet to arrive.

The second poll was about your favorite jackets for this season, and the #1 vote for that poll was......*drumroll*....

TRENCHES!!!

This gets another huge YAYYY! from me because I also loooove trenches!!  Even though we already talked about the different jacket trends for this season, I've seen some really fabulous jackets lately, and thought we could take another look at this gorgeous garment one more time. 

Fergie, Naomi Watts, and Eva Longoria in Juicy Couture Trenches

I would not consider myself the girl who runs out and buys whatever I see the hottest celebrities wearing.  Usually their styles are too risque for the average Muslimah Fashionista to wear, and let's face it- I definitely can't afford to spend $10,000 on a shopping spree.  But this item is not only modest and classy- you can find styles almost identical to it at great prices!

For this one I turn to my old favorite http://www.forever21.com/.  Available in Black or Khaki and for less than $40.00 this trendy trench can be made totally halaal with some pieces like these:

Skirt: http://www.justdenimskirts.com/ 

Top: http://www.oldnavy.com/  

Scarf: http://www.alhijabworld.com/

There are dozens of other fabulous styles of trenches out there now as well:

I love this precious polka-dotted piece from http://www.lulus.com/

 

This funky feminine twist on the classic plaid trench is available at http://www.macys.com/

For sisters who want a break from the classic khaki, here is a gorgeous coral trench at http://www.overstock.com/

And for those sisters who want something truly unique, I love the army green color of this coat, with contrasting black and white gingham detailing from http://www.forever21.com/

Any stylish sisters who prefer a more basic black, here is a trendy twist on a military inspired trench, at an amazing price.  Go to http://www.sears.com/.

From Sherlock Holmes...

...to Audrey Hepburn...

...the trench has always been a fashion staple that exudes sophistication and class.  You don't have to pay a bundle, in order to bundle up in one of these gorgeous jackets.  A fashionable way to shield yourself against those spring showers, or cool summer evenings, you will always look like the Fashionista Muslimah you are when wearing a trendy trench.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Trenching!

Fashionably Yours,

The (*yawn*) Mujahada in Prada

~Double Duty Beauty Buys~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Insh'Allah you have all had a wonderful weekend full of relaxation, quality time with those close to you, and both loving laughter and quiet concentration.

I am going to take a quick break away from my posts about my adventures in the SouthWest.  I have a few items I purchased that I want to take pictures of so I can share them with you, and I'm waiting for my new camera to arrive. (yay!)  So until then, I wanted to share a few tips that insh'Allah will be helpful for you lovely ladies.

I have always been a girl who has loved budgeting myself.  I spend Sundays cutting coupons and writing my grocery lists, and nothing excites me more than seeing a sale sign in a window.

So, I am especially excited to find products that I can use in multiple ways.  I feel I'm getting more for my money, while still getting results, and that's a great feeling!  It's great when you can get "double duty" out of your every-day cosmetics, and here are a few ideas that can help you do just that:

Lip Balm

That's right! Your $2.00 lip balm can be used for a variety of things, such as smoothing wayward eyebrows, hydrating dry cuticles, or even rub on severely dry elbows or knees.  Lip balm is basically a super concentrated moisturizer, so feel free to use it just about anywhere you have dry skin (just make sure to keep any menthol lip balms away from sensitive skin!)

Hair Conditioner

Hair conditioner can be used a couple of different ways.  In addition to your every day conditioning, you can create your own deep conditioning treatment by adding a couple of drops of Olive or Rosemary Oil, massage it into your hair and scalp, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.  Hair conditioner is also a great alternative if you are out of shaving cream.  I know it sounds kind of strange, but next time you shave your underarms or legs, use your conditioner instead of your normal shaving cream and see what happens! I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised with a smooth, even shave!

Lipstick

You know that lipstick color that you just can't live without? The one that adds just a bit of oomph to your natural color- enough to give your lips a little definition, but still natural-looking enough to wear outside?  Well that lipstick also works perfectly as blush.  Because you know the color is already perfect for your skin tone, it will add a bit of rosiness to your cheeks, but still look very natural.  Simply blot the lipstick with your fingers and rub into the apples of your cheeks as you would with any cream blush and you're good to go out looking sunkissed and refreshed!

Straightening Iron

Not only can you use this handy little gadget to straighten out your locks, but it's also a great way to iron out any wrinkles in your clothes when you're in a hurry.  No need to drag out the ironing board, just heat up your straightening iron, run it over that pantleg that is crinkled, or that collar that needs straightening and you're good to go in half the time it would have taken you to use your clothes iron!

Cotton Balls

I never go anywhere without a few cotton balls packed away in my makeup bag.  Not only are these fluffy friends great for removing nail polish or fixing smudged khol, but if you accidentally forget your powder pad or eyeshadow brush you can use a cotton ball!  They're also handy if you're wearing some new pumps that aren't quite as comfortable as they felt when you were trying them on in Macy's.  By sticking a couple of these multipurpose marvels into the toes of your stilettos you can push your foot back, where it belongs.  This aligns your arch where it should be, and prevents your toes from being smooshed too far forward.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is not just to keep your teeth bright and clean, but also has agents to fight bad breath, so take a couple of seconds to brush your tongue as well as your teeth, and you may be able to pass on that piece of gum you usually pop into your mouth as you leave the house.  Also, if you are traveling light, and have an unwanted acne friend visit, put a dab of toothpaste on it.  By morning the redness will have subsided, and it may have dried out completely.  If there is still some sign of a blemish there, exfoliate, dab a bit of concealor, and you're good to go!

Vaseline

Vaseline is another wonderful product that can be used for a dozen different things.  It's great to use on extra dry skin, such as on the elbows and feet; it's also a good, gentle, eye makeup remover.  But one way you may not have thought of using Vaseline is by applying it to your eyelashes instead of using mascara.  It adds a glossy sheen to your lashes, and clumps them together just enough to add accentuate them, but looks much more natural than your regular mascara.  You can also go one step further, and using your fingertips apply a bit of Vaseline to your eyelids instead of eyeshadow.  It adds a bit of a dewy, shimmery glow and looks totally natural!

Preparation H 

Okay, so we all know what this is for, and I admit it can be a bit embarrassing to carry around with you.  BUT  Preparation H can be used as a wonderful way to calm puffy eyes when you're suffering from allergies or lack of sleep.  Ask anyone-this is the secret of Hollywood stars! How else do you think they can sleep 4-5 hours a night and still look fabulous in all of those movies?

Deodorant

Deodorant doesn't just keep you smelling fresh throughout your hectic day, but it can also be an excellent way to prevent razor burn or wax bumps.  Simply apply deodorant liberally to any area that is freshly shaved or waxed, to prevent those annoying little breakouts.  You have to apply it immediately for it to help, so if you go somewhere to get waxed, be sure you take a travel size deodorant along with you in your purse.

So there you have it.  Some great ways to get the most out of your everyday cosmetic and beauty products.  When you're on a budget, but still want to be a fashionista Muslimah, all you need is a few key items, and some creativity!  Because, as much as we have to multi-task, isn't it only fair that we demand our products do the same?

Ma'Salaama and Happy Multi-tasking!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Budget-Loving) Mujahada in Prada