What I Wore to the Henna Party - Hijabi and the City

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Ladies Dance Night in Melbourne - OOTD and Make Up

I've been in Melbourne for the past three days now. Hanging with the fam, and enjoyed seeing most of my friends at a ladies only dance night tonight. It's been awesome the past few days... However, just received news that hubby has severe flu and is sick in bed. 

Unfortunately he found the wrong time to be sick. Nothing worse than being sick and all alone. :((( I wont be back until Wednesday, so he has to endure it alone. Please make du'a that he gets better soon.

As for the night... I really didn't know what to wear, so I just threw in a couple items in my luggage when leaving Sydney, so I was stuck with it. I've worn the skirt and blazer before, but who cares. Different scarf transform it into a different outfit. :P One of my friends told me I looked like a strawberry and that she wanted to eat me, so I guess that's good. LOL

Oh and did I enjoy the night? It sure was awesome, but now... I am aching all over, tired, sleepy... yet I cannot sleep!

Took off the jacket once we were inside and dancing away :)

Also did my niece's make-up

She wanted something dark, but I thought even this was too much for her age

Jummah mubarak - Happy Friday :)

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Some more "I made it myself"s :)

I had mentioned visiting the fam in Melbourne a few weeks back, yeah? I can't really remember, but I think I did... I think I also mentioned that I would be styling my friend and her family's hijabs on her brother's wedding day. Yes?

Sadly most of the photos came out blurred. The photos are generally rush jobs on the day, so some of them tend to come out crapola. :( It's always great to know the photographer on the day so you can ask for a copy of some relevant ones that also make one's collection look more professional.

Fortunately though, I have a couple that are okay enough to share. :)

This beauty is the youngest of the groom's three gorgeous sisters. She was in the bridal party. Yes, the bridal party wore black gowns with white sashes. I must say I was suprised at first, but they looked beautiful. The bride, I was told, loves the colour black. The reception colour theme was also black and white.

This gorgeous young lady is the mother of the groom. She is one of those women who have been blessed with both inner and outer beuaty all in one. Mashaallah. Wearing her lilac dress matched with her very light grey and lilac hijab, she looked her part.

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International Hijab Day - Gala Dinner with Sarah Joseph

Last Monday night I had the opportunity to attend a Gala Dinner to celebrate International Hijab Day. Thanks to the ladies youth group in Melbourne, Sareera... They put in great effort and put together a lovely organisation.

I got together a table of 11 for the night, mashaallah. The more the merrier at such an event, isn't it? Anyhow, tables were not reserved and on a first in best dressed basis, so someone had to get there to grab a table for the rest of us.

Hmmm... No children, no regular job, and no hubby at home... So guess who had to go? :) Moi of course. :) I didn't mind as I had no other obligations to attend to that day, alhamdulillah.

I did get there quite early, but still, the front row tables were full... hmmm wasn't too surprised but I still managed to pick a good table. :)

Approx. 5 minutes later one of my friends walked in. We waited and waited for the others, but it seemed that they were going to be a little delayed... and we were hungry... with a whole lotta colourful mezzes before our eyes... So we thought, let's start. :)))

There were two platters of each mezze on the table, but some were too far to reach, and no body to pass it on to us, so we thought let's get one of each and put it right in front of us. My my, did that work out well or what! :))) Yummmm, the thought of all that yummy mezzes still makes my tummy grumble. :)

OMG the sujuck that came made us all go wide eyed... we immediately got a piece each (this after all the girls had arrived) while they were warm, wrapped it in Lebanese bread and scoffed it down... mmmmmmm yummmmmmmm :)

Then there were inspirational female speakers. The highlight was speaker Sarah Joseph, the CEO of Emel Magazine. However, I was a little disappointed, because we couldn't hear much. The speakers were not very good... Some may argue that we chattered away, but that is only because we couldn't hear/understand. Seriously! So that was my disappointment for the event. I didn't get to hear what I actually went for. :(

Then there was a very powerful speech from the founder of Sareera. We were able to hear her most of the time because she spoke with a very powerful voice, and the main thing that was left with me from her speech was this:

"We have mosques on this land... We are blessed with having these mosques in a country like Australia... and our mosques are empty!!! Instead of seizing this opportunity, we don't attend mosques, we do not take advantage of the classes offered, the events organised. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had said, "May Allah's curse be on those who live next to the mosque, but do not attend prayers at the mosque." There are muslims who live in those houses beside the mosques, but they do not attend the mossque!"

How true! Unfortunately... this is true... and I never remember thinking about it until she pointed it out. Alhamdulillah, we really are given many opportunities on this land, we must show our gratitude by making use of all the facilities and opportunities available to us.

The next speaker was from ICV (Islamic Council of Victoria). You know, she was amazing, I remember just listening to her with my mouth open, but if you ask me what she spoke about, unfortunately I just cannot remember! :(

All in all, I remember being quite disappointed that night, because I guess I expected more, knowing how successful Sareera is. Now that I look back, I think it was because the sound system was a little poor, and I have a very poor concentration. I cannot listen to one person for more than 20 minutes. That is the maximum for me. Anything more, the speaker must be amazing and the sound must be clear. There have been occasions and teachers whom I have been able to sit and listen for longer periods of time, but yeah.. I just think the speeches could have been kept shorter or the sound system could have been tested beforehand. However, that would be my only 'criticism'.

The day before, Sareera had organised a huge event for International Hijab Day at Federation Square in the city. I really wanted to attend, but couldn't due to loads of work... I totally regret not going, because I have heard amazing things about it. I had friends who attended both the event in the city and the dinner, and they had mentioned that the event in the city was so much more inspirational and bigger... but that is acceptable I guess...

Anyhow, the setting was great, you could tell a lot of effort and hardwork was put in. I congratulate and thank Sareera for such an event, and look forward to many other events in the near future.

These paintings were part of the set-up. I liked them :)

These are all silk hijabs prepared by the girls for display. I think they look great.

Some more hijab displays :)

One of my friends... posing her style for you. :) The painting is also lovely... work of one of the girls if I am not mistaken.

I was unable to get a photo taken at the reception so did one at home. It was a formal/evening attire event, but I couldn't do it. Didn't really have the time or energy for it, so I went ahead with my peplum dress on trouser looking jeans :)

Before I end... The main message of the International Hijab Day events was: be proud of who you are and your hijab!

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Hijab Fashion Week - Day #2: Formal Attire

So today's category is formal attire. We were asked, "What would you wear to formal event?  This can be traditional/cultural events, black tie event, weddings, etc etc."

I have not had the chance to attend a formal event in yonks... literally! So I do not have much suitable for such an event. Therefore, I chose to attend my own henna party. :) Why? Well, that is like the only over the top dress I have. I also thought it would be an opportunity to do up my hijab to give an idea to those who may need it.

Now, I had to cinch the dress with pins all over at the back as I weighed a lot more on my own henna night (five years ago). So that's why it really doesn't sit as it should.

I should also note that, although very simple, the dress is my own design. I drew it up, and my tailor did the sewing. :) My original hijab style was different, and it was done by someone other than myself as I didn't do hijab styling back then. I have to say I wasn't too happy with it, because even though the style was a nice one, it was very wrong for my face shape. I didn't really have a say in it as it was the first time I saw what hijab styling actually is. I had not seen any designs prior to my own henna party. So the stylist just did it up as she desired.

So, important tip for those who may be getting their hijab styled anytime in the near/far future: make sure you google various styles well in advance or even ask your stylist if she can show you any of her work. Check out the face shapes and what styles look best on certain face shapes. Because no matter how gorgeous the style is, if it aint gonna suit you, you aint gonna be happy with your photos. Trust me!

The style I used for this occasion is an Ottomanesque one... it was inspired by the head-pieces that were worn by the Sultans (the women in the Royal Families)... As I mentioned many a time before, I find them to be more elegant compared to the bunched/scrunched up ones.

Oh, I shall be doing a post on tips for hijabis planning to have their hijab styled for certain occasions soon. So make sure you follow my blog! :)))

Okay, this has been too long of a post for HFW, so I shall stop at this, and share the photos for today's category: Formal Attire. As I mentioned above, my outfit is more suitable for my own henna party, or an engagement/wedding of a very close friend or family.

Check out the leopard print platforms (from this post) peeping out from under ;) I wanted it to be slightly different to the standard strappy evening shoes. :)

  

  

Hijab & Hijab Style: edb Collection, Accessory: Lovisa, Gown: design by edb Collection, Shoes: Forever New

The make-up and head-piece. You can click on each individual photo to see in larger, detailed format.

Don't forget to click back for Day #3's outfit tomorrow! Also, click on the loveHFW button below for more details on the event, giveaways, many other blogger looks, updates, and more more moooooreeeee :)))

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