The Palette of Life: lifestyle

When you feel Sad, do this

Because Life is already hard

sometimes all we need

is that piece of chocolate

When I feel down sometimes I want to give up. I feel like I'm done with this life and there is nothing more out there for me. This way of thinking is very destructible and I've been starting to build a stronger character that doesn't make me give up on everything.

We all have ups and downs in our life. And for sure our ups will be more than downs. And the downs are there to make sure we keep our feet on the ground. So what can we do to feel better when we have a down moment? Here is my top things to do.

1. Buy a candle with your favorite scent and light up. It’s been proven that certain fragrances can have an effect on your mood.

2. Spend time helping others. Like playing with children, sit with elderly people or do some charity work. Helping others is always rewarding and gives you a sense of being useful to the society. Spending time playing with children can always make you better. Children are innocent and always fun. Elderly people always have a good advice.

3. Exercise. Because exercise gives you endorphin. And this hormones are the responsible of making you happy!

4. Grab a tea or a coffee your favorite biscuits/chocolates/popcorn and watch your favorite TV shows. This doesn't even need explanation. It includes food and TV. Watch those TV shows that everyone is always afraid to admit they watch. TLC is full of them.

5. Pinterest. Go to Pinterest and search inspirational quotes. I always spend to much time on Pinterest. I start by searching food recipes 3 hours later I'm watching funny inspirational quotes or thinking about redecorating my bathroom. For sure you will not be thinking about what is bothering you

7. Shopping. Shopping always gives a sense of happiness. Pampering yourself is important to feel like you're worth. You are the most important thing in your life. So treat yourself nicely. Even if you don't have a lot of money buy that cheap nail polish from the dollar store something that would make you feel good at the time. But don't exaggerate, don't spend your whole salary or you will have one more thing to worry about.

6. Pray. Pray comes in the same category as talking to someone. But much better. I'm not saying we shouldn't talk with a close friend or a relative but sometimes we talk with someone and we don't get the support we were expecting or their opinion is really hurtful so instead of getting even more sad, why not pray? Whatever your religion is or even if you're not into praying, try. Just seat and try to talk about what is making you feel sad. There is nothing better. When we feel sad we just want to talk about what is hurting us. All we need is someone to listen. You can be sure that you will not hear: I told you so or I knew he wasn't man for you, etc, etc, whatever the reason is making you feel sad. And if you believe, God is always listening to us. And He always helps.

What about you? what are your tricks to lift your mood?

10:47
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Friday!!

lifestyle

12:38
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New Blog design

lifestyle

15:21
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Modesty at H&M

Fashion

H&M launched a new campaign that featured not models but real people. One of this, is a woman wearing hijab, the Islamic veil.

This is a game change in fashion. For the first time a big world brand like H&M featured a Muslim woman with her headscarf. a lot of brands have started to look at the Islamic fashion and brands like Zara and DKNY have made Ramadan collections. There is a new movement of modesty and stores are full of midi skirts, long cardigans and flowing pants.

Fashion and beauty are known for showing the body. And Islam teaches us to be modest and protect our beauty and our bodies.

So Muslim woman cover their entire body. In the west this is viewed as oppression of the woman but what really means for Muslim woman is freedom. Muslim modern woman are not oppressed they are free and independent. You can go to YouTube or the the blog world and find a lot of Muslims girls blogging and working and doing what they love without any restriction.

What means exactly wearing the Hijab, the Islamic veil?

In Quran, Allah (which is the Arabic word for God) tells us:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over their bosoms and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their women, or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”

[al-Noor 24:31]

Protect our beauty and our bodies to us and to our husbands. I find this extremely special. No men in this world except husband and close family can see the beauty this women.

wearing Hijab means that you are expressing your individuality, your personality and your religion. The head cover says listen i'm here, I choose to be modest, I want to be respected I'll respect you and my words my thoughts or my opinions are what you have to care, not my body. Being a Muslim is being kind, generous, saying good words, being trustworthy and respect. so when you wear the Islamic veil we are also showing that i'll be good to you, you can trust me.

I find that in a crowd full of showing everything if someone comes with her modesty it catches more attention and people are really paying attention to what you say instead of being eluded with beauty.

But Muslim woman don't have to be ugly. in the other way. Muslim woman are beautiful like any other woman. And they also wear make up and take care of themselves.

I hope that this new campaign for HM brings more fashion brands to look into the market of modest fashion to give Muslim woman more options for clothing and also to bring awareness of the west for the real use of the hijab and what really means for woman.

Some Hijabistas street style

That's me in the middle!!

12:54
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Closet by 30's

Fashion

I'm not 30 but coming, hopefully, slowly. Building a closet is sometimes cost and we end up spending money in things we will never wear or that are one season trend and we will never wear again.
The Basics on this list are items that are the glue that helps the rest of the wardrobe together because it goes with everything and you can over and over again

Black blazer - if there is one item all closets without any exception should have is the black blazer. this piece is so versatile even if you want to wear your jeans and snickers everyday you can still wear your black blazer and look so elegant. Pair the blazer with jeans and high heels for a night out or with black trousers and shirt to a business formal.

Good pair of jeans - a woman struggle: to find the perfect jeans. You will buy a lot of jeans in your life and maybe you will only really loved one or two. The trends also dictate a lot in this area. We used to use the boot cut jeans and now the trend is skinny jeans. In my opinion go for what is more flattering to your body. Choose something in between of the boot cut and skinnier and you will have all season jeans.
Jeans can really adapt to different occasions. You can wear with high heels and a blazer for a polished look of with some flats and white shirt for daily.

Black and nude pumps - if you can't get both get the black one. But if you can get the nude also. Both of this colors are perfect in shoes and you will not need anything else. Use the black ones to work and the nude to a date night.

Black Trousers - this item is good for business environment. if your workplace requires a formal attire or if you have a lot of meetings opt for the black trousers. they give a clean look and if you want to hide from the basic black trousers white shirt, pair the trousers with a cool t shirt with letters and high heels. surely you will make a difference and still look polished.

Trench coat - woow burberry. This is my dream trench coat. They are perfection. I now live in UAE so I really don't need trench coats or coats of any kind. But if I move again to a country that has some kind of rain and cold. This is on top of my list.The trench coat for me in only one colour: camel.

White shirt - the all time classic. The white shirt is actually not easy to find, or better there is plenty of choice but you will buy a lot until you find one that suits your type of body. But buy it spend extra time and if possible money because you will wear it for ever,

Classic jewelry set - Probably you will get some pearls from your mother or grandmother. if not get a classic pearl earrings and a match necklace. They are iconic pieces and you will look so classy.

Signature perfume - You should find your scent by the time you arrive the 3 0. This you should look for something that describes your personality. Weather you want something more sweet if you are kind, gentle and you like to be seen as someone who is always there for others. Or a strong scent to impose your person in a room or if you are a leader. If you are a free spirit maybe you will go for more fresh scents.
The important is that by 30s you have found the scent that defines you.
One thing I love about my husband is that whenever I go if I smell his perfume i start looking around to see where he is and when I travel I always take a little of his perfume to remind me of his presence. A signature perfume is one of the most important things. And as Coco Chanel said "a woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future"