~The Unlikely Hijabi~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

I have missed you all soooo much! Insh'Allah everything is well with all of you and your families.  I am sitting here sipping my cup of coffee, enjoying a beautiful morning in the eye of the storm before I get swept up in the whirlwind that I call my life.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a huge Lakers fan.  And anyone who knows the Lakers well,  knows Kobe Bryant and his amazing basketball skills.  But, did anyone know that he is an undercover hijabi?

Not really of course, but he DID recently participate in a controversial photoshoot that was released in this last weekend's Los Angeles Times where he is wearing white from head to toe, and wearing a scarf wrapped as a hijab in a couple of the pictures.

If you haven't seen the pictures, take a look:

Now, you would think that both of these pictures would cause a bit of a stir, maybe some criticism or even conversion rumors about Kobe coming to Islam.  Although men who wear a keffiyah or huta often throw it over their shoulders while working or just to keep it out of their way, it is not common practice for a man to tie it in such a manner as in this shoot.  What is most interesting to me, though,  is the fact that the picture that has created the biggest stir is not the "hijab" pictures, but this one:

In fact, Kobe was quoted as saying the pictures were "a little too artsy" but mainly complained about the cover picture as being too "doctored up" and photoshopped, he has made no mention of the pictures wearing the scarf. Honestly, when I picked up my Sunday paper and saw this insert I had absolutely no idea that it was Kobe until further examination.

Reviews about these pictures have been mixed. Some say they are horrible, ESPN anchors teased Kobe relentlessly after Tuesday's game, others even claiming they are racist. Personally, I think they show a very artistic, fashion-forward, and en-vogue side of a celebrity figure we normally see in a jersey and sneakers. I also think it was pretty brave of him to do such a styled shoot, and it shows how comfortable he is in his own skin. I don't think he has any certain future in being a supermodel, but it was a wonderful attempt to show an alternate side of an outstanding athlete.

So tell me ladies, what do you think? Do these pictures interest you?

Disgust you?

Appeal to you?

Offend you?

Let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ma'Salaama and GO LAKERS!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Purple and Gold-wearing) Mujahada in Prada 

~Insomnia or Inspiration?~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning My Stylish Sisters!

This morning I'm a little tired.

Okay...A LOT tired.

You see, I have been agonizing over a detail of one of my recent projects.  It's a line.  Yes, just a normal line, nothing too fancy...but I just can't seem to find the line that is right for the job!

Some people may think this sounds silly, maybe even ridiculous, but I KNOW there are some sisters out there who can totally understand what I'm saying.

I'm the type of girl who feels that I might as well do everything myself, because I know if I have someone else do it, I won't like the outcome as much.  When typing that it sounds a bit conceited, thinking I can do everything better than everyone else but that's not what I'm saying at all.  I mean, when you think about it if Edison hadn't agonized over every detail of the light bulb, or Henry Ford over the many gears and parts of his automobile, or Sarah Goode over all the parts of her filing cabinet, we wouldn't be able to drive to work every day, and read our paperwork under a well-lit lamp!

I've been called everything from a perfectionist, to a control freak, to OCD.  I wouldn't really say I'm any of these things, I would just say that I'm slightly further up on the 'picky' spectrum than the majority of the population.  I strongly feel this is a characteristic many artistic people have.  Perhaps it doesn't carry on into every aspect of their lives (I know many designers whose apartments are distasters, even though their creations are perfect) but I think this obsession with detail is vital in order to motivate them to improve on every design, and continue to create new things.

I have to admit, there are some nights I wish I weren't quite so detail-oriented.  This isn't the first time I've lost sleep over a minute detail of one project or another, and it does make for many exhausted mornings and far too much coffee consumption.  But in the end it's all worth it to me, because once I have completed something I know that I did it to the best of my ability.

And we all have our quirks, don't we? 

Tell me...what's yours?  What is that one thing, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant to others, that keeps you awake at night?

Ma'Salaama and Sweet Dreams!

The (counting down the hours until I can take a nap) Mujahada in Prada

~Salaam and Hola!~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Again I must apologize to my fashionable followers for my inconsiderate delay in posting about a topic that I promised you loooong ago.

Remember when I first arrived on the West Coast after I had completed my journey through the Southwest?  And I told you all I would share some of my adventures, both fashion-related and otherwise?  Yes...that is what I am referring to.  That promise.

Well, better late than never, right?  (personally I despise that excuse, because usually the answer to that is a firm "NO", but I am going to be slightly hypocritical at this point and use it)

Anyways, I would really like to share with you some beautiful pieces of authentic Mexican embroidered clothing that I purchased.  The first one I found in Bisbee, Arizona at this amazing little shop called Ceramica La Tortuga (roughly translated Turtle Pottery) that was full to the brim with everything from hand-embroidered Mexican clothing, to tourist-y trinkets to beautiful tablecloths straight from Lebanon.  Yes, Lebanon.  The owner's mother was from Lebanon, his father from Mexico, which contributed to his ecclectic assortment of accoutrements.

After a long personal debate between if I should purchase the amazing Lebanese tablecloth he had, or a traditional piece of Mexican clothing I decided on the latter. 

Here is the beautiful hand-embroidered Mexican huipil that I purchased there:

Huipil refers to the traditional sleeveless Mexican tunic.  To the right is a closeup of the detailing.

Here is an adorable little traditional Mexican dress that I got for my daughter in Las Cruces, New Mexico:

I love the peacock on this dress, the embroidery of its feathers is especially beautiful.

After seeing so much gorgeous embroidery along my way through Arizona and New Mexico, I realized how much this style has impacted more European and Western styles of clothing.  Everything from caftans to tunics, and shoes to handbags lately can be found with intricate designs resembling those of the more traditional Mexican garments.  Take a look!

Anna Sui Shift available at 247Steals.com

I looooove this beautiful caftan from eShakti.com

.

And this amazing maxi from eShakti as well.

And really, how beautiful is this handbag by Lucky?  It's available at Zappos.

This tunic by INC is a more modern take on Mexican inspired embroidery.  You can pick this up at Macys.com.

And saving the best for last, look at these stunning stiletto sandals from Valentino! They can be yours at SaksFifthAvenue.com.

All of these styles I have shown you are merely a taste of the many Muy Caliente pieces that are out there incorporating the detailed, intricate embroidery resembling that of traditional Mexican garments.  I love this trend, and think I will do a little searching around for some scarves that have a south-of-the-border feeling to them too.  Can't wait to share more of my adventures with you ladies soon, but for now Adios Amigas!

Ma'Salaama and Hasta Luego!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Spanglish speaking) Mujahada in Prada

~Older and...Wiser???~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!!

I can't believe a whole week has gone by without me posting! Subhan'Allah how time flies!!

I want to apologize, but it was for good reason...I promise!  You see, I turned another year older this week, and actually took a few days to relax!  I can't believe I've gotten this old already!  Alhamdulillah for everything, I am most greatful for all I have been blessed with, but it was quite a shock to realize that another year had gone by so quickly!

I can remember my last birthday like it was just yesterday, and now all of a sudden it's time for me to set my body's clock ahead a whole 'nother year!  Well, it wasn't as tough as I thought it would be (this was a milestone birthday, although I refuse to disclose which one) thanks to my hubby, and good people surrounding me.  I look at my daughter and can remember so vividly the day she was born, and subhan'Allah she has another birthday coming up too!

Well, I'll make this short, because I really had no plans for this post.  Just thought I'd ramble on a bit so my sisters wouldn't forget about me.  But another birthday always makes me realize just how quickly life flies by us.  In fact, just the other night I was sitting with my hubby and a couple of family members and they were fondly recounting memories of their grandfather.  And all of a sudden they realized he had already been gone for almost ten years, and here we were sitting and talking about him as if he had just walked out of the room.  In fact, not a day goes by that we don't refer to him, to his actions, to the way he dealt with those surrounding him, and all who loved him so dearly.

I got to thinking, will I be remembered in this way?  Will anyone think back ten years after I have died and still love me the way they did when I was still in this life? 

It made me think of how every single action we perform, every word we speak, every helping hand, or unkind remark is counted either for, or against us.  It's too bad it takes a birthday for me to realize this, but insh'Allah I will get better at remembering this every day.

Anyways, those are my ramblings for the day.  Tomorrow we shall return to our stylish chats and fashionable quandries, but for now let's reflect on ourselves, and our actions...and be grateful for this opportunity to share the time we have with eachother.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Reflecting...

Fashionably Yours,
The (Older and Wiser) Mujahada in Prada

~Hijab Tutorial...finally~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Well, just as I promised yesterday I have put together a couple of hijab tutorials for you lovely ladies.  I decided I should do one simple one, for those sisters who are just starting out wearing hijab (and mash'Allah to you!) and one more complicated one for those sisters who have been wearing a scarf for a while, and would like a new, fancier way to wear their hijab for a night out with their hubby or a trip to the cafe.

Let's start with the basics, then go from there, shall we?

This first style is a basic way of wrapping a rectangular scarf, with an extra twist to dress it up a little.  I like to call this one:

~The Sophisticated Scrunch~

All you need for this one is a simple scarf, preferably one without tassles.  You will also need four or five simple pins.

As my beautiful assistant is modeling, you start the scarf out with one end much longer than the other.

You can either hold the shorter end in place, or if you are wearing an underscarf you can pin it.  Then start to wrap the longer end of the scarf across your chest, under your chin, and continue to wrap it over the top of your head.

Once you have wrapped the scarf all the way around at least once, make sure you still have quite a bit of the scarf left to make your Stylish Scrunch.

Pull the scarf across your chest, under your chin, one more time then pin about 3/4 of the way up the side of your head.

Start scrunching the scarf , and once you have two or three scrunches that you like, pin them into place.  Continue gathering two or three scrunches at a time, and try to arrange them into a circle.  This will take a little practice, and you may have to do it two or three times until you get the arrangement that you like.  Remember: this is not supposed to look perfect, the idea is to create a flower-like arrangement of scrunches. 

You will probably have to use at least four or five pins to arrange the scrunches in the way you want them.  You can continue scrunching to make the design bigger, or leave it smaller, like I did.

Here is the finished product.  A casual enough look to wear out everyday, but with a simple, sophisticated twist.

Now that we have the basics down pat, let's move on to something a little more complicated.  This one I call the:

~Twice As Nice~

For this look you will need two scarves, and three pins.  I chose to use two basic hijab pins, and one of the beautiful, fancy hijab pins made by Love Nyla.  It is up to you if you want to use two plain colored scarves, one print and one plain (as I chose) or even two coordinating prints.  Either way they both should be rectangular and pretty long.  I am going to refer to the black scarf from now on as Scarf 1, and the printed scarf as Scarf 2.

Wrap Scarf 1 around your head, and tie it in the back, leaving one end much longer than the other.

Take Scarf 2 and lay it over Scarf 1, leaving a little bit of Scarf 1 showing. 

Bring Scarf 2 around to the back of your head, and tie it under the tie you made with Scarf 1.

Wrap Scarf 2 around over your chest and under your chin.

Continue wrapping scarf 2 until you reach the end, and pin securely in place with one of your basic hijab pins.  The longer end of Scarf 1 should still be loose, hanging out from under Scarf 2.

Wrap Scarf 1 around the front, over your chest and under your chin loosely so that Scarf 2 shows.

Loosely drape Scarf 1 over your head, allowing Scarf 2 to show.  Using the second of your basic hijab pins, pin Scarf 1 at your temple, making sure you allow the scarf to drape low enough to expose Scarf 2 at your neck.

Using the fancy hijab pin, secure Scarf 1 on the other temple, making sure it sits far enough back on the top of your head to let Scarf 2 show.

Tada!!! Here is the finished product.  Using a fancy, fringed scarf makes this look especially formal.  This is a great way to wear your scarf to a wedding, a party, or any get-together that you want to look extra special for.  Enjoy!

Well ladies, there you have it.  Insh'Allah you enjoyed our first Hijab Tutorial.  I'm sorry it took me soooo long to finally post them, but insh'Allah it was worth the wait.  Remember, practice makes perfect.  Take the time to play around with different scarves in front of the mirror.  Every face shape has different styles that look best, so if you try one of these styles and you don't feel it looks quite right, feel free to change it up a bit and insh'Allah you'll find a look that makes you feel like the Fashionista Muslimah you are!!

Ma'Salaama and Happy Wrapping!

Fashionably Yours,

The (sooo sorry I'm late!) Mujahada in Prada

~ECHO...Echo...echo...~

Salaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters...

I have to get something off my chest ladies.  It's something I've been keeping quiet about for a little while, hoping insh'Allah I was just imagining things or being a little oversensitive.  But now I know for sure, my eyes are not fooling me and I am not just being emotional.

I've noticed recently that I am getting nooooo comments for my posts.  Nada.  Zip.  Zero. 

If it weren't for my hit counter, I would think no one visits me anymore.  I am not chastising you or anything like that, just asking as a friend and a sister: why?

I must admit I get a little sad when I read some other blogs and see five, ten, even twenty or more comments after every entry and I can't help but wonder, am I THAT boring?  Are my topics not appealing to anyone anymore?  I enjoy having these little chats with you ladies, getting your input, your ideas no matter how short your comments are.  I look forward to hearing your input, logging on and seeing what you think of what I've written.

So please, let me know what I can do differently.  Like I said from the birth of this little blog, I don't want this to be a place you ladies come to in order to be talked AT...I want you to come here to talk WITH me.  To sit with a cup of coffee or green tea and chat a little about fashion, about family, about friends, about our lives as fashionistas.

But now...*sigh* I feel I am sitting here sipping my peppermint mocha alllll alone.  In a big empty room.  And I'm talking to myself...the only reply I get is my own echo.  I miss you ladies...and I look forward to hearing from you. 

And if you're mad at me because I haven't posted any hijab tutorials wallahi wallahi wallahi (i sweeaaar) I will post one tomorrow.  I just received my styrofoam heads in the mail from my mommy and I will get myself together tomorrow and post away.  Okay?  Do you forgive me?

I hope so.

Ma'Salaama and I Miss You!

Fashionably Yours,
The Mujahada Mujahada in Prada Prada

~My Fashion Inspirations~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

In every woman's life there is at least one person who especially stands out as an inspiration for her fashion sense and personal style.  And I don't mean a famous designer or celebrity.  I am talking about that one lady who is near and dear to you who has helped mold you into the fashionista you are today.  She may be your mother, your sister, or just a close friend, but whoever she is, I think she deserves some recognition, don't you?

Personally, I have two Fashion Inspirations.  Being a revert (convert) to Islam, I think I deserve two.  I mean for my sisters who are reading this who are also reverts, when we take our Shahada aren't we starting a brand new life in a way?

My first Fashion Inspiration is my wonderful Mom.  Ever since I was little I can remember her wearing the most beautiful, classy, and unique outfits.  Although our styles were never quite identical, she was an inspiration to me for always dressing like a sophisticated lady.  She is the type of woman who gets up, gets dressed and does her hair and makeup in the morning even when she has nowhere to go.  She has never owned a pair of jeans, and instilled in me the value of always looking your best, without sacrficing modesty or femininity.  When I started wearing hijab, she wasn't crazy about it at first, but since then has even gone out looking for scarves for me.  She always has great ideas about what looks nice on me, and my idea of the perfect day is when I go out shopping with my mom and my daughter.  (especially if the mall has Auntie Anne's Pretzels!)

My second Fashion Inspiration is my Amto G.  She is a fashionista muslimah in every sense of the word.  She was the woman who took me to buy my very first hijab when I decided to start covering.  I can still remember it was turquoise and salmon, and she stood me in front of her mirror at her house and wrapped it carefully for me, re-doing it three times before she was satisfied.  She was the woman who would show me ways to twist, tie, and flip my scarf to make a dozen different styles for every occassion.  Whether she is in jeans with flats, or a skirt with heels she always looks amazing, and I think of her every time I put on my scarf.

These two women are so precious to me, and I miss both of them terribly.  Every time I look in my closet to pick out an outfit I remember where I was with my beautiful mom when I bought it, and whenever I wrap my scarf and pin it into place I think of my Amto G.  Every piece of clothing represents a mood, an emotion, and a memory and I am so grateful that these two women are part of that.

So, my Stylish Sisters...who is your Fashion Inspiration?

Ma'Salaama and Happy Reminiscing!

Fashionably Yours,
The (sentimental) Mujahada in Prada