~Shoes...Stress....and Renewed Opportunities~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!!!

It's late here...after one in the morning, and as I sit here enjoying the peace and quiet that finally fills my busy home after another long day...I decided it was about time for me to catch up with all you ladies and find out what's been going on in YOUR busy lives...

Alhamdulillah everything has been going a bit better here.  I have found different ways to try to ease my anxiety a bit.  I've made attempts to come to grips with the fact that with a preschooler and toddler in the home chances are that at least 50% of the common areas in my home will be covered with toys laying about....no matter HOW many times I try to pick up during the day.  I've also realized that if I am constantly worried about where I'm going next and what I need to get done next...that I can't really enjoy what's going on NOW. 

I need to bake more.  (Random....I know)

Anyways....I've gotten totally addicted to this website called www.shoedazzle.com.  In case any of you amazing Muslimahs are new to my blog....I am completely, totally and helplessly addicted to shoes.  Stilettos, Wedges, Sandals, Peep Toes, Pumps, Platforms, Ballet Flats, Espadrilles....you name it.  Shoedazzle is this website where you go fill out a short profile about yourself, and name some of your preferences in shoes and they will specifically select a small selection of shoes for you each day.

I haven't placed an order...yet.  I've been trying to restrain myself until dh gets his tax returns.  But, I'm not sure how much longer I can wait. 

Alhamdulillah we had an amazing time with dh's cousin while she was here.  She has young children, one around my daughter's age, and they had a blast with eachother for the week they were here.  Seeing my princess having so much fun with someone her age, (then feeling guilty she didn't know any kids her own age) I decided to enroll her in some classes to keep the two of us busy and spending time together.  She started her classes this past week and alhamdulillah LOVED them.

While dh's cousin was here we started to discuss business ideas.  As you ladies know I am already somewhat of an entrepreneur, having started my jewelry line Love Nyla a couple of years ago, but I have about a million and one other ideas for business....we've just been waiting until we could save up the capital to start one of them.  She, on the other hand, has the capital and no ideas!  We sat and chatted about different ideas I have and decided to focus on one in particular....so I'm starting to draw up a business plan now.

I mean, how exciting is THAT?  As soon as I decide to stop sitting around the house complaining about not feeling well, and actually get busy doing things...an opportunity fell into my lap!  When Allah swt closes the door...He opens a window. 

Anywho, I've noticed more and more through close observation of friends and family members that women tend to overlook themselves way too much.  I mean, not to sound like some bra-burning feminist or anything, but we truly ARE the backbone of every single successful family unit.  It is the woman who is there for her children, her husband, her parents, and her in-laws through thick and thin, yet we practically never take the time to spoil ourselves!

That's why recently I've tried my best to make myself a priority at least one day a week (okay it's turned into more like one day a month....but whatever).  Although I feel a bit guilty spending the money, it really does help the stress levels to go once in a while and get that mani/pedi, or new hairdo (yes- even hijabis should have their hair styled once in a while!) or just a day to grab lunch and a movie with some sisters.  Alhamdulillah I have a hubby who completely agrees, and even encourages me (probably because he enjoys my less frequent nervous breakdowns LOL).  My sensational sisters, please do take a bit of time to yourselves to do those things you used to enjoy doing pre-baby/marriage/career days!  You deserve it!

Anywho, I know this post was completely random...insh'Allah I will be back to my normally sheduled program soon and actually have some fashion posts for you.  In the meantime, go grab that Starbucks or Tim Hortons and read the newest People magazine while pampering your tootsies! (then enjoy the look on the manicurist's face when you say "No polish, please!" LOL)

Ma'Salaama and Merry Manicuring!

Fashionably Yours,
The (Totally Scatterbrained) Mujahada in Prada

~It Came From My Imaan~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Night My Stylish Sisters...

The weirdest thing happened to me today.  As I mentioned previously, I have been struggling with some anxiety and stress lately, so my wonderful husband suggested I take the day to venture out on my own and spend some time relaxing for a change.  Of course this "day" turned into an afternoon and eventually dwindled down to a couple of hours, but nonetheless the thought was there on his part alhamdulillah, I just lacked the execution.

Well, I chose to spend my precious hours of peace and tranquility by going and getting a mani/pedi done at a new nail salon/spa that I saw a couple of weeks ago while running errands.  The ambiance is peaceful and elegant, the chairs are oversized with massage options, and the service is fantastic.  So, no problem there.  The problem lied with the woman who they sat me next to.

When I first walked into the spa I immediately recognized that this woman was of Middle Eastern descent, and so (incorrectly) sensing an ally I flashed her a genuine smile.  *crickets* I received a death glare in response. 

I shook it off as a mistake, or a mis-interpretation on my part and went about choosing the color of nail polish, selecting the newest magazines they had, and waiting my turn for a seat in those luxurious chairs.  Of course, as luck would have it, I was seated right next to Mrs. Mean Face.

Aformentioned glare out of my head, and with a strong determination to enjoy my time of silence and solitude I began leafing through the magazines I had selected, filling my brain with nonsense about Kim K's divorce, Jen's new romance, and who wore what where.  Then, Mrs. Mean Face's voice overtook my gossip filled conscience as I overheard her starting to bash Islam, her home country, and everything remotely related to either one to the lady who was doing her nails.

:O   *jaw drop*  AstaghferAllah I was seriously shocked.  I won't go into details about what she said, but it was definitely cringe-worthy and the poor lady who was working on my pedicure kept bonking me on the knee telling me to stop curling my toes.  I couldn't help it.  She was sitting here defacing my beautiful religion and the one True and Complete Book to some lady who didn't know any better, and probably believed everything she said.

I wanted to yell at her "I'm sorry if you've had such horrible experiences with people who claimed to be Muslim, but that was CULTURE....it was NOT true Islam, and it is wrong and inhumane and just plain haraam for you to be lying to this lady about our beautiful Islam and all of the Truth that it holds!"  I wanted to jump up and defend Our Prophet and offer to help her see the other side of Islam.  The side free from the influences of greedy men who use it in their own twisted ways to fill their social agendas.

But....of course....I didn't.  I chose to sit still, and keep quiet because I knew in my heart she was saying these things to get under my skin.  And I knew that the best way to prove that she was wrong, and to get under her skin in return was to simply be myself.  To be kind, and nice, and show her an example of how a true Muslimah acts.

In short...I forgave her.

There is a part of me who feels guilty that I didn't do more to stand up for Islam.  But in my heart I know I did the right thing, because only Allah swt will guide those who are meant to follow the straight path.  She was so determined to believe what she believed that no matter what I said she would have twisted it around and it would have just solidified what she already felt to be true.

So, instead, I caught her eye.  I gave a her a smile that came from deeper than my mouth, deeper still than my heart even.  It came from my imaan.

And you know what?  She smiled back.  As I turned to grab my things and come home to my beautiful daughters and my loving husband she even called goodbye out to me, and I could feel her watching me as I walked to my car.

And at that point, the only thing I felt was pity for her.  Pity that she had been through such horrible experiences, and pity that she had strayed so far from the Straight Path.  Instead of yelling at her for what she said, I will instead make du'a for her.

And insh'Allah you will all make du'a as well.

Ma'Salaama and Allah Ma'aku.

Fashionably Yours,
The (newly painted) Mujahada in Prada