~The Shoe-aholic~

aSalaam uAlaikum...My Name is Mujahada in Prada...and I am a shoe-aholic.

Ok, so you laugh, but seriously I have a major shoe habit, one that is starting to become more of an obsession..maybe verging on an addiction. ( at least it's halaal! )

And the thing is, I have a very strong feeling that it is not entirely my fault.  I believe it is actually hereditary in the women of my family.  My mom's closet is so full of shoes that she had to add a little rounder in the center just so she could fit some more in there!  Even my daughter (who is only two years old) has close to twenty pairs of shoes.  Ok...so I guess that one is my fault since I'm the one who buys them for her, but it's kind of a tradition.  We go to Dillards (my all time favorite place to buy shoes) and my mom buys me like three pairs of amazing shoes, so of course it's only fair that we go upstairs and I do the same for my daughter, right?  (Is there even any logic in that statement?? hmmmm)

Well anyways, my absolute favorite style of shoe is the clog.  Mule, clog...whatever you want to call it, they are the answers to any fashionable Muslimah's shoe desires.

They hide your feet.
They are comfortable.
They look great with pants, or skirts, or abayas, or whatever you choose to wear them with.

Now, before I go any further let me specify something.  I am NOT referring to those lunch lady style clogs that our grandmothers used to wear. 

(and no offense to any ladies who like those...they just simply are not my style)

I am talking about the new, funky, fun, feminine clogs that are back in style for this summer.  (yes I did say back in style!!!)  I cannot explain how overjoyed I was to be skimming through my March 2010 Lucky Magazine and find an article about these amazing foot accessories that we know as clogs and their re-emergence on the fashion scene. YAY!  Let's take a look, shall we??

Hellooooo there Sacagawea...those are NOT your average moccasins! (not really an average price either unfortunately)  "Tamara" style clog by Cynthia Vincent...available here.

If you can get past the weird name of this shoe, the wedge heel is fabulous and the rouched leather adds a bit to an otherwise mundane style...Blowfish Hedonic Wedge Clog..and you can find it here.

Just like the name says, these are the PERFECT traveling shoe...easy to slip on and off through security, comfortable, warm, and oh sooo cute!  Rocket Dog "Globetrot" and you can get them here.

Now these are a bit simple for my taste...I usually prefer something a little funkier, but I can totally picture how well these would go with some classy slacks and a nice tunic..Corso Como "Simple" available here.

Not sure why they couldn't take a couple of minutes to think of a better name for these...but nonetheless these are adorable...gotta love that tassle! Michael Kors Backless Women's Pumps...you can get them here.

My favorite pair of shoes at this moment.  I wear them with everything, and going everywhere.  You can put the strap up for more security, or wear it the way it's show.  Jessica Simpson Xain...find them here.

Matisse is probably my all-time favorite company for clogs.  These are adorable, the perfect combination of casual chic...Matisse "Taylor"...you can get them here.

Personally, these clogs by DSQUARED2 are a little out of my pricerange at the moment...but for those sisters who have a little extra cash to spend, these would add a great splash of color to any outfit! DSQUARED2 Sling Back "Pippi" and you can spend that extra cash here.

I own these in the white with turquoise combo...when I first found them I was a little apprehensive of buying white clogs, thinking I would have nothing to wear with them...but they quickly became my "go to" shoes in my closet...Matisse "Emmy"...and you can "go to" them here.

So I guess I should stop now.  When I told one of my close friends last night I was going to blog about shoes her reply was "What took you so long?".  I could easily go on and on about shoes, show you pictures of all my newest ones, or even explain to you all of the technical names for the different parts of shoes.  I sold them for four years at a high-end department store, which just worsened my addiction, and a few months ago when I was planning to move somewhere, but later changed my mind, I shipped 15 pairs and never got them back.  And I still have at least 30 pair in my closet now (but that is partially my mom's fault because she hides them there so my dad won't get mad LOL)  I know, it's bad...but I don't think they've made any support meetings for shoe-addicts.  If you know of any, please let me know...

Ma'Salaama and Happy Clogging!

Fashionably Yours,

The Mujahada in Prada

~Trenches, Tuxedos, and Blazers...Oh My!~

aSalaam uAlaikum and how are you my Stylish Sisters??

Insh'Allah your weekend has been lovely so far, and if you live in a country where your weekend was over yesterday, then...well insh'Allah you have had a wonderful start to your week!

As I'm sure you are all well aware, one of the biggest fashion events of the year is happening right now in New York City- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!  This year it runs from February 11th-18th, and as always, is full to the brim of all of the couture pieces that will soon be made into ready-wear garments and trickle down through Bloomingdales, to Macy's, and eventually Forever21, TopShop, and other trendy stores.

I've decided it would be fun to pick a trend that is emerging from the Fashion Week catwalks and try to find comparable pieces at prices that those of us with who have mortgages, car payments, and kids can afford.  One of my biggest pet peeves in magazines, and on fashion sites is when the non-designer item looks NOTHING like the original, so insh'Allah I have gotten as close as possible...but I am also keeping in the back of mind that I am trying to find comparable pieces that, as Muslimahs, we can actually wear.  (a feat that is not as easy as it may sound)

The trend I've chosen today is jackets.  From deconstructed to ultra-structured, from flowing capes to military style, and from leather to boucle tweeds, jackets are a huge part of this year's show. 

Mash'Allah jackets are a wonderful garment for fashionista Muslimahs, because they are something that we can wear modestly, and still look well put-together and stylish.  For those of us who do not wear abayas (and mash'Allah to those of you who do!) a nice long, lightweight jacket can be the perfect attire for any occasion.

So here are some of my favorite picks...enjoy!

The Cropped Front Jacket

Very funky, with a shorter length in the front, there were variations of this style jacket in everything from leather to wool.  This example is from Alexander Wang's Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

And here is a wonderful adaptation of this style for everyday wear from Lulus.com

The Boyfriend Blazer

For us this style would be the husband blazer LOL...but you get my point!  This one is from DKNY.

And here is a very cute, and affordable variation, from Asos.com

The Jacket Dress

It's a jacket...no it's a dress...well it's kind of both.  Very chic, very trendy, this one is from Bersoni:

And this one is from C.C. Couture by way of Overstock.com

The Military Jacket

This style is nothing new, but is still going strong, with variations by every designer from Chanel to Roberto Cavalli.  This one is by Chanel for their Pre-Fall 2010 collection.

And here is one from Newport News.

(which I love so much I own in two colors...word of advice: get it in a size bigger than you normally wear so it's not so form fitting)

The Feminine Trench

Probably my favorite jacket out there is the feminine trench that was introduced by Burberry Prorsum (which makes sense, because they were the first designer of the trench) This year it was released in pastels and satins, with interesting sleeves, rouching, and details.

And here is a gorgeous variation that is definitely on my Must Have list.  Available on Overstock.com, and designed by Jessica Simpson.

 

The Cropped Tuxedo

I left this style for last because it is next to impossible for those of us who wear hijab to be able to wear this cute little number, anywhere other than around the house.  But it is so adorable I couldn't pass up mentioning it.  This one is by Dolce and Gabbana.

And who better to do a great copy of this style than Forever21

So there you have it.  Alhamdulillah, one of the hottest trends this coming seasons is one that we can actually partake in.  I can think of nothing easier and more chic than a great jacket with some wide leg trousers or a long skirt, a coordinating scarf and some accessories to look like the fashionista muslimah you are!  Oh, and of course- don't forget those marvelous mules that are a must-have for this summer...but we'll save that for next time...

  

Ma'Salaama and Happy Shopping!

Fashionably Yours,

The Mujahada in Prada