OOTD - Same Cardi and Hijab, Different Look

I like to travel light.. contrary to when I was a lot younger. However, now that I am older, I probably think a little better due to experience, and I just don't like to burden myself with a heavy load.

Hence, I only brought to Melbourne with me 3-4 items that I can mix and match. So when I went out for brunch with friends today, I wore the same brick red cardi and hijab from the day of my flight... but instead of white, I went for black this time. Too easy! :)

For Melbournian readers... If you like crepes, Cravin' Crepes in Niddrie is a Turkish cafe and is halal. I did not order any of their crepes today... instead I enjoyed my gelati, but the girls absolutely loved it. So why not check it out if you are in the area? They have a shop front seating area, internal seating, and also a back courtyard like setting where you can also sit.

Keep in mind that there is ample parking available at the back, so don't be frustrated seeking parking along Keilor Rd. It's annoying! Luckily we went on Sunday, and were able to find a spot quite quickly (we had no idea about the parking at the back).

So yeah, that's worth a try, and it was nice soaking in the sun... make use of the last few sunny days we have I say. And yeah, I repeat, they serve halal. :) Oh and one more thing: there's only one toilet for males and one for females... so if it's packed and you have bladder issues, just don't leave it to the last minute. :)

Posted on 10:40 PM / 0 comments / Read More

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 :)

Posted on 8:16 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Out for dinner tonight OOTD

It's been quite some time since I did an outfit post. Well, my blog has been lacking outfit posts only because I haven't been going out anywhere at all since mum went back to Melbourne. So just over a month I have been stuck home... no different to imprisonment and been losing my mind a little. :)))

So hubby was kind enough to take me out to dinner tonight. I had been craving some Adana Kebab for quite some time, so it was good. :)) Also, it was an opportunity to dress a little. Since I hadn't been going out, therefore had no real excuse to dress up, I had been feeling quite sluggish and fugly. I felt really good today because hubby complimented me by telling me off "why did you have to dress so nicely, you look gorgeous?!". No matter how awful I feel, these words always do it for me. :)

Anyways, here is what I wore:

Oh, and I really need to give my blog a makeover!

Posted on 4:57 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Interview Outfit

Okay, it's not really a job interview, but something similar to it, so I didn't want to be too corporate nor too laid back. I tried to balance it out, and this is what I got:

So what would you wear to an interview, that is not so formal, yet one which a person shouldn't look so laid back? Make sense? :))

So off I go before I'm too late :)

Posted on 6:17 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Long time no outfit post

It seems like such a long time since I did an outfit post. Well, this one is just a 'slight' outfit post. LOL I only have one crooked photo, and it will have to do, because it's the only one.

The hubster wanted to go shops yesterday, so I just wore something loose, comfy, and casual, and here it is...

Jummah mubarak lovelies :)

Posted on 1:10 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Friday Outfit Post: Hellooooo Melbourne!

Jummah Mubarak (Happy Friday) to y'all. :)

After almost two months of being away in Sydney, I am finally in Melbourne visiting family. Alhamdulillah! I arrived here very early yesterday, and been on the go go goooo since I got here. On top of that, there will be an awesome family din din tomorrow night inshaallah, and a wedding on Sunday. My friends' brother is getting married and I am honoured to be booked into style the hijabs of the lovely ladies of the groom's side. The bonus is an invitation to the wedding (where I expect to see most of my friends). Then it's back to Sydney on Tuesday inshaallah.

Oh and since today is Friday, and since I am trying to keep up with my regular Friday outfit posts, here is what I wore on the plane and throughout the day yesterday.

Did you recognise the hijab? It's my floral shawl from last week's Hijab House haul. :) I just noticed my top isn't as long as I thought it was. Had I been aware, I would have worn my wide leg jeans instead. Oops!

Hijab: Hijab House, Tunic/Dress: Glassons, Jeans: Just Jeans, Blazer: Cotton On, Pumps: Windsor Smith, Bag: Nine West

Posted on 1:43 AM / 0 comments / Read More

1001 Looks with One Skirt

Okay I exaggerate. I don't know if I can achieve 1001 different looks with one single item. Who knows, it may be possible if I had 500 other different items to mix and match with. :)

However, when the lovely Zaenab @ Stylish Muslimah featured me on her blog a few days ago (many thanks), she brought to my attention that I posted a few different looks with one skirt a few months ago. I wasn't aware I had blogged the same skirt three times. Not that this is a bad thing... In fact, it is a good thing. :) You can click away to Zaenab's blog to view my three out outfit looks with the same skirt. Oh, and while you are there, I strongly recommend following her blog too. One of the many blogs that I enjoy following. :)

So, now that this was brought to my attention, I wanted to wear the same skirt again. It's a good thing that I had my dearest mother take the skirt in before moving to Sydney -it was starting to fall off my waist as I walked. LOL

This time we have a fourth look that is also different from the previous three. I remember saying I needed a beige blazer/cardi. Although I still need the beige blazer/cardi, I have a beige turtle neck and a black blazer instead. Previously I had tried this skirt with a black hijab and a green one, and since burgundy looks just awesome with beige, I opted to wear my burgundy pashmina shawl the Turkish way. This hijab look is almost the only style of hijab you see on the streets for the past year. While in Melbourne, I have only seen a couple girls and myself wear this style. My mother hates it with a passion! The only reason being that she is not used to seeing anybody wear this particular style. She really dislikes anything different and new... until it becomes her own (she doesn't wear hijab, so in general). :)

The thing that makes this style so popular is that it is very quick and easy to style, and most importantly, it elongates the face while slimming it down. A huge bonus for those who have round faces like myself.

I had personally ordered these from the Turkish hijab house that manufactures these hijabs, but put my order on hold for a few reasons. I am not really sure if they will be popular here. It might be a little too early for that, and they are not really budget hijabs. The ones used in summer are made of silk, so they are quite pricey - think Armine, Aker, Pierre Cardin silk hijabs (in terms of price). So yes, for now, my order currently awaits in Turkey...

Now here are the photos. You be the judge... :)

xx

I look like I need to pee here, when in fact, I need to do just that as I write this.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

Too much detail? Right on baby! :)

Sooooo.... If you've seen the previous three looks with the same skirt, which is your fave out of the four looks?

Posted on 9:47 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Loving Navy with White

Had to see the accountant today, so we met up with the hubster at the accountant.

I couldn't go there looking like a dag. I always wear trousers and jeans, so I thought I will wear a skirt today. So I ended up looking lady-like... i.e. sorta classy casual, if there is such a thing? :) I also thought, if I'm going to wear some decent clothing, I should be taken out to dinner. LOL So I conned him into taking me to Maccas for dinner. :))

Anyways, when I reached the accountant's office and got out of the car and walked up to my husband, he exclaimed, "Whoa! Do you always have to dress this nice!" He wasn't too happy. I found out later this evening that he wasn't too happy, because he noticed a few people on the street stare at me. I didn't notice, so I couldn't care less. This, coming from a man who says he ain't jealous. Yeah right! He is jealous alright, but he just ain't aware of it. LOL I know this, because he doesn't even like it when women look at me. He told me that when I dress the way I do, I attract attention and that I should tone it down. Tone it down? I thought I was toned down already. I wouldn't know how to do what he wants from me? He doesn't want me to wear an abaya/pardesu. So that's not the case at all...

However, I have noticed that I do probably look a little different to other hijabi women (Turks in particular) in Sydney. I think we Melbourne girls are a little more into colour, and we probably do dress a little more formal even on an everyday basis. So, in my opinion, something which is very basic and 'casual' may look a little too formal here. :/

Hey! On the brighter side, he complimented me hahah And on an outfit that I wasn't too happy with cos I would have preferred to wear a plain coloured scarf instead. I think the print on my scarf clashed a little with my blouse, but I don't have a full length mirror here just yet. I can only see my head to my mouth in the bathroom mirror. So yeah, in my defence, I didn't even really know what I was wearing. LOL

Here is my outfit of the day:

Footnote (pun intended!): I wore my tan wedges and tan handbag - not the red flats in the photo :)

Posted on 8:53 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Update on weightloss, what I wore today, and health condition...

First of all, I am sooo happy Maccas has free wi-fi! I've been able to log on through Mc Donald's the past couple days due lack of internet at the place I'm staying. :/ So this is a pre-written post during the day, and you should be able to view it late in the evening (well, if you are in Oz).

Weightloss alhamdulillah is going good... well, was going good until I've started feeling extra tightness in my lapband since last week. This tightness means that I have not even been able to get water down, let alone food.

Changing states meant changing doctors, and this meant a lot of phone calls, paper work, and finances. When the problem started, I could not arrange to see the lapband doctor in Sydney, no appointments were available. :/ I apparently had to find a GP here and get a referral too. So pfffff! It's been tough. Husband took me to a hospital's emergency last Friday. We spent hours waiting (obviously! emergency! ironic much!) then when they finally called me in, they did some checkups, took blood, put me on a drip and kept me waiting. Apparently they had no doctors available that knew how to handle my condition. i.e., no bariatrics available.

A few hours later I begged them to let me go. I had a drunk man in the next bed who kept on standing over me and staring. He also kept shouting random swear words at everyone. LOL It was uncomfy, so I signed the papers and left. That serum gave me enough energy to last until today on barely any food/water intake.

To get to the point... I finally saw the right doctor today and had heaps of fluid removed so I can comfortably get some food down now. However, there may be other resolvable problems, but I need x-rays taken etc etc. Alhamdulillah, I do feel better at the moment. I was like a walking zombie.

So obviously, I lost a couple more kilos this week. I can say that alhamdulillah I wont be fussed if I do not lose anymore weight. I am currently a comfortable size 12, and even a size 10 in some stores which are more generous in their fit. Turkish sizing, I now wear a 42. (All this information is for those of you who have messaged or emailed me) I must say that after losing such a huge amount of weight, I do have a lot of excess skin around the upper arms, belly, and some around the thighs. And yes, I do need to have the excess skin surgically removed, but that costs a looooooooooooot of $$$$, so at the moment it is out of the question. I don't mind it so much for another year or so. So once all the excess skin is gone, that should be another 6-7 kg gone, which is why I'm not fussed whether I lose anymore weight or not. Now the most difficult part is going to be maintaining the loss. :)

Oh, and if you do have any questions about the lap-banding procedure, or anything else, just email me, but please keep in mind that I will not have proper internet access for a couple weeks or so, therefore I will reply when I can inshaallah.

Here are photos of me from today. I've taken a couple angles so you can see the change. For those of you who have known me personally for many years and those of you who have known my previous state, you may be suprised, so please do say mashaallah :)

Oh and I don't really have a proper place to take photos here. This is just like a storage room, so make do with it. :)

Hijab: Armine (from edb Collection), Blazer: Cotton On, Pants: Forever New, Belt: no idea, Bag: Forever New, Shoes: Wittner

Posted on 5:05 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Let the Adventure Begin... in Sydney :)

Been here for four days now and already missing my family, friends and home... but especially my mummy...

I can't wait to settle in, otherwise seems like I'm going to be missing everyone and everything I left behind even more. However, the weather is nicer, and the place is prettier... but hmm there are many many many things I don't like either, but I wont mention them here. :) No need to be a biatch, right! :)

So! I've been to Sydney a few times before, but I never got to go next to the Opera House or even have any photos taken. So this time the hubster says, "You've been doing my head in for such a long time now because you don't have a photo in front of the Opera House, so we will go and I will take heaps of photos." LOL He really did what he said. :)

I have to admit I really love walking around the CBD for hours. It is soooo pretty mashaallah. :) The weather was quite pleasant too alhamdulillah. We just had a little rain on the way up and back in the car and that was all.

I got my husband to promise to take me somewhere every weekend. I don't know how long he is going to be able to keep that promise, but I'm sure it will be a lot easier to keep especially when it gets warmer. He loves going out and exploring new places more than myself. So that's a bonus! I can't wait to discover more of Sydney. :)

Here are some of the heeeaaaaps of photos he took of me during our stroll... Oh and I knew we would be walking a lot, so I wanted to wear something that was going to be casual but chic and absolutely comfortable. :)

The Botanical Gardens. Truely a beautiful place, and it's huge! Oh and next time I want to go on that sight seeing train. :) It's cute.

Yes! Finally a photo in front of the Harbour Bridge. LOL

And another one :) The place looks quite empty, but it was actually packed. We just tried too hard to eliminate all the other people from the photos heheh

It was soooo windy up the top of the stairs in front of the Opera House. I even thought I might fall down LOL I'm so clumsy usually, I wouldn't be suprised. It's something that can seriously happen to me. :)

Yay! The Opera House :)))

Satin Hijab: edb Collection, Silk Tunic: Colorado, Jeans: Just Jeans, Maxi Cardi: Asos, Loafers: Colorado, Bag: Nine West

This was on our way back to the car... We got lost trying to find the Art Gallery where we parked, and saw these. So hubby said, go, another photo. :))))

I can't wait for our next stroll. I wonder where it will be to next. :)

Anyways, it's eid next week. Can you believe how quick it went? Mashaallah. I have to say I am saddened to say bye to it, but eid is another joy in itself. So who has their eid outfit ready? I wonder what everybody is going to be wearing. :)

I have my outfit sort of ready from yonks ago, but just a little unsure about my shirt length. Tried to find something a little longer, but we shall see as there isn't much I can do at the moment. I wont be doing anything on eid day either as the hubster works and we don't really know anybody to visit. :/ But we will be going to the eid festa on the weekend inshaallah. :)

Posted on 11:35 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Feels like spring, does it not?

Well my question is directed to Melbournians and Sydney-siders... We have had the most beautiful weather in the last few days mashaallah despite it still being winter in Australia. Ahhh, Melbourne's gorgeous days are soon to end, but that's expected.

Anyhow, I am packing to move all my furniture to storage this weekend. Then possibly going up to Sydney the week later. Praying for all the best, and a little unsure about the future. Feels like a new life...

Ahh alhamdulillah, pretty busy and tired, so I can't blog much, but I had to go out and run a few errands today, so the first time since last week that I wore something other than my pj's. LOL So I thought I'd share rather than to leave the blog without any action. :)

So what do I love during warm weathers? Nautical! Didn't really put much thought into it, but I absolutely love this little military-like cardigan from Asos.

So how's Ramadhan going? :)

Posted on 1:37 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Friday Night

What a busy day it was today, mashaallah! Had a lot of running around to do and friends to see before leaving Melbourne. Although I do not have an exact date, should be very soon now inshaallah.

Anyhow, as usual, Friday outfit post...

I was invited to dinner at a friend's place. I had Mexican chicken for the first time tonight, and it was amazing! Great food and great company is an excellent combo. :)

Anyhow, it was all girls, at home, so I wanted to be sort of casual and comfy, but didn't want to wear trackies either! :)

So I wore my very comfy harem pants and oversized top. I can't say it's a very good look on my huge arms (just can't get those arms to down size still... they were and still are the biggest part of my body... baaahhh all in good time inshaallah), but it was so comfortable. :)))

I should note (before any haram police comments), I wouldn't wear this outfit like this out in public. I had my coat on when I left home and on my way back. So there! :)

Jummah mubarak.

Posted on 7:38 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Navy on Navy

Mashaallah such a beautiful and sunny day in Melbourne today. Nothing much to say. Had an appointment at the doctors, so tried to take in as much sunshine as possible on the way up and back. :)

Couldn't really be bothered with picking and choosing, so just wore my reliable navy jersey dress with my navy blazer. I had to add some colour, so I went along with my cherry red Hermes scarf.

That's about it... Jummah mubarak lovelies. :)

Maxi Dress: Glassons, Blazer: Armine (edb Collection), Platforms: London Rebel, Replica Bag: Burberry (edb Collection), Hijab: Hermes (edb Collection)

Hijab detail

Posted on 12:20 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Dressing up for a party

I actually thought about the English translation of the sort of party I went to. It literally translates as "circumcision henna party". I have no idea if this is a custom specific to Turks. I don't mean the act of circumcision, I mean the 'henna party' to celebrate/announce the circumcision?

Well anyways... It was that kind of party hosted by a very dear friend. Most of the guests were very close friends from highschool, uni, and religious studies classes. So it was a lovely night catching up with everybody and also full of dancing and partying as it was a ladies only event once again. :)

I may share some photos from the party in a later post, but I am so tired now, and also very very sick. I believe I now how the flu. :( I also have heaps of work, so keeping this post short...

I tried to keep my outfit simple, so I went along with a maxi dress I had hanging in the closet for a while. I also wanted to do my hijab in a way that wouldn't look too plain, but not over the top either. So I thought I could jazz it up with an embellished headband. I did get a lot of compliments, but I don't know if I will rock the same style again... :)

So, what do you think?

Posted on 11:08 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Blending with nature...

As the time to move out nears, my lovely friends and family try to make extra time to see me before I go... I have to say I am quite enjoying it alhamdulillah... However, I am also aware that I have to get a move on packing. Dreading it!!!

Anyhow, we had brunch with the family at my uncle's today. The weather was really cold, but nonetheless, I just wanted to wear my pretty and flowing chiffon skirt.

So here are the photos...

I'm actually wearing a shauna top. I think that is what they are called or something like that? Blahhh... It's one of those oversized tops that are short in front and long at the back. I bought a size 10 (I aint a size 10!!!!) and it's still oversized. :) So anyhow, I didn't really like the way it looked on the skirt, so I tucked in the front short part in my belt and let the back flow. I dunno, was happy with it, and when my husband first saw the way I wore it last week, he said "it looks like you forgot to take the front part out" LOL Anyways, yeah I have nothing more to say lol

Hijab: Hijab House, Top: Glassons, Maxi Skirt: Glassons, Bag: Forever New, Wedges: Wittner, Ring: Diva

This is more than a detail shot... this is a Princess shot. She is sooooo cute. Love her so much. May Allah protect her. :))))

Posted on 2:47 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Cold, cold, cold and simply tired inside out...

One of those days... weeks... or even months.. :)))

Yes, this month has been too cold in Melbourne. I just also feel very tired inside and out. I simply want to sleep and do nothing, which actually makes me feel worse. On top of all this, it's now that time of the month! I feel cranky, tired, sluggish and just crave everything!

I had to go out to stock up for 'that time of the month' LOL, so when getting dressed, I let my mood take over my style...

Posted on 2:46 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Oh what a wedding!

No, it wasn't really that crash hot. It was just an excuse to spend some time with family and possibly see some friends. That's exactly what happened!

It's amazing... I am starting to shock myself, because lately I seem to know exactly what I will be wearing and I don't exert much energy into the decision process. I don't now how that happened? Probably because I know exactly what is in my wardrobe? You think so? Hmm...

I wanted to keep it simple. It was a mixed event, so no going overboard with anything. A maxi dress... a crop cardi over it... and since the weather is freeeeeziiiiing, my leather jacket over all that. :) Simple!!!

The only thing that had me thinking was my scarf. I reall didn't want to wear plain black, but the dress had floral red/blue/cream print all over it. Red would be too loud... I didn't have the certain type of blue, and I seriously cannot wear plain cream around my face! Makes me look dead. If I had the blue I would have definitely gone with that, but this time round I opted to go with the black.. I sorta had to do it, no other choice. :) It didn't turn out bad, but yeah, I like doing something different from time to time.

So here's my look for the night:

Floral Maxi: City Chic, Pleather Jacket: City Chic, Black Hijab/Scarf: edb Collection

I must add that many of the young women were dressed in such a lovely way, I wish I could have photographed them. I don't feel confident approaching people to ask if I can photograph them for my blog, but I am finding that people whom I would never have guessed are reading my blog. It's such a lovely feeling... so if they know about my blog, then maybe it wont be so difficult to ask for a photo... I just don't know how I would explain the reason LOL

Posted on 8:04 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Day off from work

So I haven't posted anything since the last day of HFW, Sunday last week.

I'm currently working three days of the week; Monday-Wednesday. It's so cold and breezy in Melbourne... and also back in the warehouse I work, so I freeze all day... by the time I get home, all my energy is drained out of me, I feel very tired and ill... So I am constantly getting sick due to the cold... which is why, all I do is read all the blogs I'm following, then go to bed. Not much energy left to write unfortunately. I really do miss it...

However, today is glorious Thursday! My day off from work. :) The first thing I did last night was to sit up to a late late hour... then what do I do? I wake up in the morning at work day time! Grrrr. When I noticed that I'm actually at home today, I pulled the quilt over my head and continued to sleep a little more. LOL

So after that I had to run some errands. I thought I'll do an outfit post today, since it's been a while...

So here you go.... Another casual and neutral outfit. I'm wearing my utmost favourite hijab: the Burberry inspired pink Armine hijab. :)

I expect myself to post a little more in the upcoming days.. I have a wedding to attend on Saturday too. Sooo yeah there should be more stuff coming at you! :)

Mwahhh...

Maxi Cardi: Asos, Wide Leg Jeans: City Chic, Long Tank: Sussan, Shoes: London Rebel, Scarf/Hijab: Armine (from edb Collection), Belt: Sussan

Posted on 2:55 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Hijab Fashion Week - Day #7: Party Hostess

The last day of Hijab Fashion Week. Although I am sad to see it end, I am also relieved. :) It was fun but also tricky. Today's outfit is my least favourite and most confusing one.

I guess the type of 'party' I'm hosting is an autumn backyard party with loads of awesome snacks and girl talk. :)

I have chopped off my legs in the photo, because I hadn't noticed how short my top was. I was going for the long boots over tights look because it was intended for a ladies only 'party' at my house, but still wasn't comfortable with it. It's not a look I have tried before, and since I wasn't comfortable with it, it's not something I will try again. Looks too skimpy for a hijabi if you ask me.

I really like the way I have draoed my hijab here... again... thanks to Capsters! I am very happy to say that my Capsters is very versatile and can be worn as such to avoid showing neck, ears and chest while rocking this hijab style. So it's not only for sports. :)

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this one week journey of outfits with me. :)

 

And once again... More looks just here:

Posted on 10:05 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Hijab Fashion Week - Day #6: Vacation

As Hijab Fashion Week nears to a close, it's Vacation time! :)

For me, it has always been important to travel lightly and in style. I say style, because I usually travel to Turkey and then back to Australia, so it's a really long flight. By the end of it, I look dead, sick, everything awful. :) However, it's first impressions that count, right? :)

Therefore, I like to make it stylish with my accessories: cabin luggage, hijab, shoes. Shoes MUST be comfortable at the same time! Or you will suffer. :)

I should also note that I usually travel when it's spring-summer at my destination. So, I choose to wear light and comfy clothing. Somthing that will allow me to snooze comfortably on the plane, move around without having to think if I'm showing anything I shouldn't. LOL

That just about sums it. Now for my vacation outfit. Hope you like it! :)

Enjoy the weekend ladies... I now feel like going on a vacation. :)

You can find more inspirational looks by clicking below :)

Posted on 6:23 PM / 0 comments / Read More