~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

~Glowing With Creativity~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Fabulous Fashionistas!

Jummah Mubarak! Insh'Allah you have all had a wonderful Friday and have some fun and relaxing plans for the weekend ahead!

I have taken the last couple of days pondering how I should post about my latest trip through the SouthWest United States. Initially, I was planning to do one article covering the whole trip, discussing the beautiful Native American and Mexican inspired fashions I saw, the gorgeous silver and precious stone jewelry I admired, and the breathtaking landscapes I enjoyed.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this would truly be unfair to both you, my fashionable followers, and to the article because I would be trying to squeeze wayyyy too much beauty into one teeeeny tiny space.

So, instead, I think I will post about a couple of items at a time, starting with the most innovative, and beautiful handmade creations I saw during my trip.

When perusing a local arts and crafts fair in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I came across a small booth of lovingly hand-made oil lamps, "Shadow Dancers", and night-lights.  Ranging from classic cylinders, to beautifully styled lanterns these gorgeous accessories have been a family tradition for years, and are as environmentally green as you can get.

Every single one of these intricate pieces of art are lovingly welded from normal, everyday tin cans.  There is absolutely no better example of a diamond in the rough, for the finished products are absolutely amazing.

They range in size from petite tea-candles to chic chandeliers, and include designs from crosses to curly-cues, celtic knots to moroccan tiles.  In Las Cruces there is one Moroccan restaurant, and the owner imported everything including the cook from Morocco...everything, that is, except the lighting.  Those he chose from this amazingly talented group of people, and their line of lights called Cantastiks.

Not only are these creations available in all different sizes and shapes, but you can also buy them in a variety of colors.  I chose the patina, because I am insh'Allah going to decorate my new home in browns and greens, but the classic pewter color is just as beautiful. 


Here are a couple of my favorite styles from their website:

Custom Created Chandelier

Small Shadowdancer

(this is the style I bought)

Medium Shadowdancer

To see more of these amazing pieces of art, you can go to their website at http://www.cantastiks.com/.  No matter the size or shape, every one of these lovely lights are glowing with creativity.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Shadow Dancing!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Green Art Loving) Mujahada in Prada 

 

~The Fashionista Muslimah's Domain~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Please forgive me for my absence these past few days, I have been keeping myself busy with unpacking and re-organizing all of our things.  Alhamdulillah I love to clean, or I would have never made it through.

But here I am, in one piece alhamdulillah.  A little tired, a little overwhelmed, but definitely happy to be home.

Speaking of home, when I was away in New Mexico I read a wonderful little article in the local Las Cruces paper about interior decorating.  Now, this article was specifically discussing the way to decorate your home in a "Country Cowboy" theme, but the suggestions they gave could work with any theme.  Nothing against any rustlers out there, but this is just NOT my style.

The paper did, however, share some very helpful, and insightful ideas for anyone re-decorating their home in general.  Whether going for an Art Deco or Minimalist influenced or a Far East inspired living space I found their advice to be great, and I immediately wanted to share it with you amazing Muslimahs.

So, here it is...along with a few tips of my own.

Express Yourself...
Now this may seem elementary, but you would not believe how many women start with the intention of redecorating their home in a way they will love, and end up with a living room or bedroom they can't stand to be in.  Whatever you do, you MUST keep in mind that you are choosing items that you can NOT just go throw in the back of your closet like you do th\at hideous sweater you chose on your last "I feel fat" day.  Especially when it comes to furniture, these are pieces that are an investment.  You must not only love them today, but you should love them next week, next month and next year as well.  I highly suggest taking a couple of days looking around at home decor stores to get a feel for what naturally appeals to you, then taking a week away, before making a final decision.  There is nothing worse than buying a thousand dollar couch on impulse because the saleslady convinces you that green is the new grey, only to bring it home and realize that it looks like Kermit the Frog vomited all over your sofa.  Your living space should be an extension of your personal style, a statement to all those who enter.  Whether you are trying to give your home a major overhaul, or simply buying some new window treatments, be sure that if that pair of bookends were a pair of shoes, you would be willing to wear them every day for quite a while.  Do not decorate your home according to your in-laws tastes, your mom's taste, or even your husband's taste.  Yes, incorporate him in the decision-making process, but keep in mind that in most cases the home is OUR domain, and the majority of men could care less if we have taupe carpet, grey tile, or brown hardwood-as long as we have dinner ready for them when they get home from work.  If you are a gal who lives alone, then you have got a great advantage over us married sisters, as you can use all the pink and flowers you want to, so get it out of your system while you can!

Start Slowly...
Before purchasing even one item, make sure that you truly want to redecorate your house.  You can usually subdue any irrational PMS- induced designing urges by simply doing a quick re-arrangement of your current items.  But if you have decided that a total makeover of your domain is absolutley necessary, start small.  Rather than going to Pier 1 and stocking up on Teak Furniture, Tiki Torches, and Mini Umbrellas, pick one Hawaiian-inspired item and incorporate it into your current living decorations.  Whether you are trying to create a SouthWestern Abode or a Middle-Eastern Modhafa it is never a good idea to try a whole new decorating style from floor to ceiling.  The article talked about working one pair of cowboy boots into a corner of a room as a planter, and then adding piece by piece a cowboy hat hanging on the wall, a rustic rocking chair with a old fashion throw, or a wagon wheel coffee table.  I, personally, love the combination of Far East and Middle East designs.  I adore the floor style seating and heavily gilded furniture and serving amenities of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria but also admire the simple, clean lines of Chinese and Japanese accessories.  When I designed my previous apartment I started small, with a few Chinese trinkets, an antique tea pot and cups from Jordan, and one Oriental rug in my living room.  After deciding that I wanted to add more, I began adding larger pieces like oversized floor pillows with heavy Middle Eastern tapestry designs, Chinese bonzai trees, and Arabian inspired lanterns all in the traditional dark red and black of Chinese sitting rooms.  The end result was sophisticated, stylish and chic, yet very comfortable and definitely ME.

Know When To Quit...
I don't say this often, but when it comes to home decorating: Less is (usually) More.  Going back to that whole cowboy theme again, you don't need to line up 20 pairs of cowboy boots in the window as planters to get the point across.  Not only will this look excessive, but it will lose the "cute" and quickly become "cluttered".  Before putting any new items into your new home, take a day or two to quickly inventory what you already have, donate what you can live without, and store any seasonal items.  I love candles, but I have seen many houses whose mantel has gone from romantic glowing lights, to looking like a candle carousel in a Catholic church.  Nothing against Catholics at all, but as beautiful as it may look in a place of worship, it begins to look quite cheesy in a place of residence.  If you love frogs that's fine- great even! ( I am a fellow frog lover)  But unless you are still six years old, or you are a herpetologist there is no reason to have any more than four or five little figurines in your house.  For those sisters who follow the more Islamic codes of decorating, and avoid any figurines, statues, or pictures (mash'Allah!) then you can always get beautiful wall hangings of Arabic calligraphy in anything from modern computer graphics, to traditional script to decorate your walls and remind you of our duties as Muslims.  But even these don't need to overwhelm every square inch of your home, in fact having one larger hanging in a beautiful frame is much more pleasing to the eye, and won't distract your guests from the rest of your lovely house.

Luxury Can Be Affordable...
Recently there are more and more companies that offer beautiful home furnishings at reasonable prices.  Gone are the days when you had to get your whole living room set at one place, lamps and wall hangings included.  You can pick and choose your items from a huge variety of discount furniture stores, that offer name-brand pieces at almost 50% off retail prices.  Be careful to always get the measurements of the item you are interested in purchasing, as shopping online can make furniture look larger, or smaller, than it truly is.  I have had a couple of family members who were overjoyed to find the perfect item on Overstock.com, only to realize it was the perfect size for their grand-daughter when it arrived.  Here are a few of my favorite online discount furniture sites:

Overstock.com
Smartbargains.com
TheFurnitureWarehouse.net
DirectBuy.com
FurnitureSuperstore.com

Also, you should constantly look out for sales at places like Pier1 and Bombay Company.  They don't sales too often, but when they do you can get amazing deals on some gorgeous accessories.  Here are a few nice home decor sites to get you started:

BombayCompany.com
Pier1Imports.com
PotteryBarn.com
SNMWorldOfProducts.com
JCPenney.com (yes JCPenney! Check out their Cindy Crawford line of bedding!)

Well ladies, there you have it.  Anyone can make their home look and feel fabulous just by following a few simple guidelines.  Make sure that no matter what style you choose, every item you purchase should be no only gorgeous, but functional as well.  Because it really doesn't matter how amazing that armoire is, if you can't stand to sit in it for more than thirty seconds, what's the point?

Ma'Salaama and Happy Decorating!

Fashionably Yours,
 The (Very Exhausted) Mujahada in Prada

~I Am In Mourning~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

I am in mourning.  I am trudging through the waters of despair, and clinging onto hope that I may reach the other side of my sadness in one piece.

Okay, so I am exaggerating (a little) but honestly I have lost something near and dear to me forever, and it seems I may never find another to replace it.

I am, of course, referring to my Matisse "Emmy" clogs. 

They were beautiful!  My sisters- they matched anything, always looked fashionable while providing the utmost comfort to my tootsies, and I received compliments and admiring glances everywhere I wore them.

But, alas, they were viciously and violently gnawed to death by my Aunt and Uncle's dogs. (*sob!*)

The funny thing is- this is not the first item of mine that my Aunt and Uncle's dogs have murdered.  No, when I was about 8 years old they ate Chuck and Chiquita-my beautiful blue and yellow Budgies.  Believe me, I love animals, but I don't think I was as sad about losing those birds as I am about losing my clogs.  (I would think they were out for me, but these are a completely different set of dogs, so I'm not sure what the deal is with them eating things closest to me...could it be jealousy? hmmm... better watch out for my daughter!)

I love my Aunt and Uncle, and their dogs are adorable, funny, and sweet, but I don't know how quickly I will be able to get over this loss ladies.  I know you are probably thinking "Get real- they're just a pair of clogs." But I know for a fact that at least ONE of my readers out there (and you know who you are!) can sympathize with my plight.

I have composed and sent off a letter to the manufacturer of these magnificent mules begging for their assistance, and here it is:


Matisse Emmy Clog
Saturday, March 13, 2010 12:28 AM



From: (The Mujahada in Prada)
To: info@matissefootwear.com

To Whom It May Concern;
I purchased a pair of Matisse "Emmy" clogs in the white color (with turquoise detailing) about a year ago and they were my ALL TIME favorite pair of shoes. (and I honestly own about 50 pairs of shoes)


I wore them constantly, and got sooo many compliments on them. Two days ago while visiting my Aunt and Uncle they were savagely gnawed to death by their dogs. I honestly feel like I am mourning the passing of a dear friend.


I have searched the internet high and low trying to find another pair and cannot find them anywhere.


Please, is there anywhere there might be another pair of these beautiful clogs?? I honestly am a shoe fanatic, I blog about fashion (www.veiledcouture.blogspot.com) and on there have talked about my Emmy clogs and how I looooved them. I not only would remain a loyal fan of your company, but would sing your praises on my blog for as long as necessary if you could PLEASE find me another pair of these shoes. I believe mine were a size 9 (they were beyond repair and I could not bear to throw them away so my mom did before I could check out the size) but an 8.5 would probably work as well.


Thank you so much in advance for your reply. I truly appreciate you even taking the time out to read my email.

 Sincerely,
The Mujahada in Prada


So ladies...insh'Allah I will hear back from them.  I will be sure to update you if and when I do.  In the meantime if any sisters out there are able to come across a pair of these incredible clogs in white, please let me know.

Ma'Salaama and Sweet Dreams!

Fashionably Yours,
 The (desperate and devastated) Mujahada in Prada

~Pucker Up!~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

As per a special request by one of my fabulous followers I want to chat a little bit about lip plumpers.  Whether lip plumping is permissible as part of a muslimah's beauty regime, or whether it's considered a haraam way of enhancing our beauty is debatable.  I, for one, have used a couple of lip glosses that had natural lip-plumping ingredients, but don't use it regularly (honestly mostly because I didn't see much result from them).  However you feel about the subject, full, pouty lips are the envy of many women, and there are many different treatments available to achieve them. 

 Women may have thin, or thinning, lips for a variety of reasons.  Some women have naturally thin lips throughout their life because it is hereditary in their family.  Many women experience thinning of their lips as they get older, as a natural part of the aging process. Regardless of the reason behind it, most women who desire to have more luscious lips, tend to choose between either cosmetic surgery, or topical treatments.

 

I am not going to discuss plastic surgery because, in my opinion, Muslimahs should not be turning to these superficial, and many times dangerous, procedures to achieve what society has determined to be true beauty.  This, of course, is just my personal opinion and I'm not one to judge any sister who believes otherwise.  Allahu Ahlem. So, instead of delving into the subject of plastic surgery, I'm going to share with you some of the best topical lip plumping products available, and discuss a little bit about how these treatments actually work.

 
Lip plumpers usually contain ingredients that stimulate the natural production of collagen, and regenerate skin cells more quickly than normal, in order to give the lips a smoother, fuller look.  More intense (and usually more expensive) products also use a mild stimulant that creates a tingling sensation, which causes instant plumping and increased coloration.
 
Some ingredients to look for in topical lip plumpers include Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Peptides, Cinnamon, Pepper Extracts, and Benzyl Nicotinate.  Hyaluronic Acid is used in the medical community to stimulate the natural healing process, and when used in topical lip plumping treatments encourages the production of new skin cells.  Peptides also do this, as well as encourage collagen production.  Cinnamon, Pepper Extracts, and Benzyl Nicotinate are all ingredients that are effective in producing instant plumping and increasing natural color.  It is also important to make sure that whatever product you use also has moisturizers like Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E so that lips stay soft and hydrated.
 
According to BeautyViewPoints.com, there are several topical lip plumping treatments that are both effective, and safe.  Although some of them are kind of expensive, they are all much cheaper, safer, and less invasive than cosmetic surgery, or even botox treatments.  Here are their top five picks, and why:
 

#1:  MaxoLip

 

Available at http://www.maxolip.com/, this product recieved a 5 out of 5 in the categories of Potential To Promote Plumper Looking Lips Instantly, Potential To Diminish Appearance Of Fine Lines Around Lips, and Quality Of Ingredients; and recieved a 4 out of 5 in Potential To Enhance Appearance Of Lips (Long-Term).

 
 

#2:  LipFusion XL

 

Available at http://www.sephora.com/, this one got a 5 out of 5 in Potential To Promote Plumper Looking Lips Instantly, and Quality Of Ingredients.  It recieved a 4 out of 5 in Potential To Enhance Appearance Of Lips (Long-Term), and Potential To Diminish Appearance Of Fine Lines Around Lips.

 

#3: Perricone MD Lip Plumper

 

Available at http://www.perriconemd.com/ his treatment has the same ratings as the LipFusion XL, but with about five times more ingredients.  It is supposed to have been developed by a doctor, but when checking around the internet I have found mixed reviews about this one.

#4: Freeze 24/7 Plump Lips

Available at http://www.freeze247.com/, this item received a 5 out of 5 in Potential To Promote Plumper Looking Lips Instantly, and a 4 out of 5 in the other categories of Potential To Enhance Appearance Of  Lips (Long-Term),  Potential To Diminish Appearance Of Fine Lines Around Lips, and Quality Of Ingredients.  This item is not recommended for use under lipstick or lipgloss, which may be something you want to take into consideration.

#5: Lips To Die For

 

 

This item by Peter Thomas Roth is available at http://www.skinstep.com/.  It received identical reviews as the previous treatment, but you apply this one more like a cream, than a lip gloss.  There is no applicator, so if you would prefer not to use your fingertips to apply, this may not be the item for you.

 

There are ten more topical lip plumping treatments reviewed on BeautyViewPoints.com, but I didn't feel it was necessary to talk about any more of them (and it's past my bed-time LOL)  If you are looking for the best value for the price, I would suggest taking a look at one of the five we chatted about.

 

So, for those sisters who are considering getting any plastic surgery or Botox treatments to achieve those (admittedly GORGEOUS) Angelina Jolie-type smackers, why don't you try out one of these items before taking the plunge?  Even if they don't work to the extent you want them to, you won't be out more than around $50.00, and better yet: you may just realize that you are perfectly beautiful the way you are.

If you want to read some more advice about how to achieve fuller looking lips you can check out this article at http://www.squidoo.com/.

For now, I am off to bed to insh'Allah catch my 8 hours before what I'm sure will be a long day tomorrow of shopping, eating, and spending time surrounded by my wonderful family and fabulous friends as we draw closer to the end of our travels. 

Ma'Salaama and Happy Plumping!!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Angelina Jolie-loving) Mujahada in Prada