So I'm not dead I just haven't blogged in a while

Asalamu alaikum
Sorry for not really blogging much I’ve been so busy and a rubbish blogger, seriously who would have thought going to university was going to be so hard ☹ the only thing getting me through this degree is it will all be worth it in the end ☺ my life seems to be consumed by this horrible thing called a dissertation and feel like if I don’t get this done I will not graduate yes I know what you’re all thinking get of here then girlfriend (clicks fingers does funny hand movement in the style of cat in the hat) I just feel that is the perfect way to vent all my queries worries and dissatisfaction okay that sounded suicidal and I’m not at that stage yet Alhamdulillah, hmm well I do have ambitions after this degree as lame as they sound here goes no rolling on the floor in fits of laughter please:
 Learn to knit
 Do some freelance photography
 Bake cakes and make nice things
 Buy a mini cooper / range rover seriously I may have to loot a few banks <- I am joking just in case one of you starts ringing the police ☺ and maybe one bank may not be enough as were all going through this recession yes us students are feeling this too
So onto fun things it’s not that I hate my dissertation topic as I get to choose it to a certain extent it’s on. …Feminism Islam the Barbie and the veil or hijab (no surprises there) its just the writing aspect I hate and I know I know you’ll all be like but you’re a blogger wannabe fool!! ←(MR T voice is back) it’s the theory and sheer amount of reading don’t get me wrong I don’t mind a good read but seriously like 800 pages with not one photo insight jeez visual learner alert I wonder which plonker thought it would be a good idea I know we’ll make creative write pointless essays on theory that don’t even matter! And the books I like reading are cookbooks and fashion magazines that counts as my one a day reading ☺ if I’m not feeling like a total hermit I shall post more things and make my blog interesting for now take care and lots of love
The hijabi Barbie xxx

So I WON yes me I won something and a little review :)

Asalamu alaikum and a warm welcome to all my blog readers
So as some of you may know or not know I entered a 1000 fan giveaway hosted by the Ihijabi team and sponsors (which I will list below) ☺ to my surprise I actually won amongst all the beautiful entries. I was the chosen one <- that sounds like something out of movies so carrying on…. First of all I’d like to say shukran/thank you to all the fans that voted for me on the Ihijabi Facebook fan page and the sponsors for the 1000 fan giveaway yes as much of shock it was to me I won a competition I never win anything and especially when there was so much competition from other creative sisters around the world!! I entered two categories and won the photography part after much deliberation whether to enter or not I decided I had nothing to loose and all them tempting prizes could be mine so I sat and pondered what would represent me, my country and my phrase. After many attempts good and bad I finally chose the image that would be good enough to enter having a photographers eye is the worst thing especially photography related once you get used to them expensive cameras at university you feel your digital camera at home is useless ☹ So moving onto the main part the part I know you’re all wanting me to mention the prizes what did this fool actually win well (starts suspense filled music) Well I won a whole load of things and please bare with me while I write through them and please forgive me sponsors if I miss anything out as I don’t know which sponsors provided certain items ☺ The package arrived really quickly and I was on my way out I signed for it and waited to rip through this huge package I received I had a quick glance before I popped out to the shops and I liked what I saw ☺ So starting with this beautifully wrapped jersey material hijab provided by Hijab Obsessions UK a charcoal grey colour from their couture range, I think sister Zarrin knew I had a shortage of grey hijabs ☺ this hijab is super light and drapes itself without any effort the seams I’m very impressed with the over locking on all sides is really small and delicate allowing the fabric to move around freely. I have big plans for this hijab and different styling methods as you can see on my mannequin who still needs a name. The closeup of the seam for you all to see what I mean.

Another super soft item I received was a pashmina shawl in a light blue and lime green with different coloured tone of threads running through how soft is that pashmina I absolutely adore it and have a perfect outfit for this awkward summer we’re having in Britain where the weather can’t make its mind up ☺ I have included a close up of the pattern detailing for you all to have a closer look.

In the same package there were two additional items
One the beautiful tube scarf I can’t get enough of these at the moment with a fine white thread detailing and diamantes. Every h you can accessorize it with almost anything every hijabi needs a tube underscarf and a colour like white is always appreciated especially as I seem to loose them every other day ☹

The other item I didn’t notice until I took my hijab out of the packaging was a small shining star straight pin with a little closure thingy <- my word for not being able to describe the closing ☺ the pin itself is star shaped with a chain hanging of and the little diamantes are super shiny and I think would suit a plain hijab as this is a little statement piece in itself.

Talking of accessories another beautiful item I received was a blue Swarovski like beads headband the headband has these beads all the way across and has pearl like ends, another item I’ll have to pair with a plain hijab ☺

Yes I’ve still got more to talk about so stop rolling your eyes I can see you
I won the most beautiful cards from the Islamic greeting store yes you may say well why not go to Clintons I think I’ve changed my mind and might start buying my cards from here the colours concepts and design are beautiful and so useful to the modern Muslim ☺ I was very impressed with the way the cards were wrapped and the explanation or Du’a on the back of the card were very useful.

Last but in no means least the other pashmina I received a floral explosion of greys, blacks and whites. Super soft I bet you’re all like shut up with the soft but I fell like an old grandma that needs soft hijabs as my face and skin is very sensitive the little tassels on the end a re super cute and this scarf I managed to wrap around my mannequin didn’t even slip without an underscarf which I’m surprised at ☺ in a good way of course.

And the hand written letter and other leaflets I received which all my family will no doubt steal of me were a nice finishing touch that letter is so encouraging and I’d like to thank Sister Zarrin and the Ihijabi team and not forgetting the sponsors for such a wonderful opportunity and kind words of encouragement inshAllah I hope to carry on photographing and for Dawah purpose too. I ‘d love to take photos for the Ihijabi team blog or Facebook page I’d be absolutely honoured.

As promised earlier the companies who participated ☺
- Hijab obsessions
- Unique Hijab Pins
- The Islamic greeting card store
- La Decence Hijabs & accessories
- Hijab Fashion Shop
- Silver Spring Hijabs Galore
- Pardah Collections
My Trendy Hijab

Sorry for the long rant all done in good faith enjoy and take care for now speak to you all soon
The Hijabi Barbie xxx

AlNisa Hijabs review

So I finally got my paws on some goodies and what made it a gazillion times better AlNisa hijabs had some hijabs for 75 pence yes you heard right pashminas for 75 pence so I filled my basket in a rush to check out considering this was a bit past midnight I was highly alert I think its these fasts making my sleeping pattern awkward ☹ The hijab I was stalling for had been put back in the sale and sister Lubna at Alnisa let me have it and added it for free to my order now that’s what you call customer service and I’m not just saying that for example I queried if I could get it added to my order and on the Facebook page came a swift reply like seriously a minute later, I’m really shocked at how quick it arrived to the postman clutching a pink parcel asked for me I signed for it and thought what could this be and then a little sign saying AlNisa hijabs peered through the documents and I was delighted as to how fast my items arrived, like I ordered on the early hours of Friday morning and received my order on Saturday and it wasn’t even express delivery I know where to go for late minute hijab and hijab accessory shopping ☺ I held in my excitement so I could get a picture for you all of the awesome packaging and the hijabs inside normally before I even shut my door I end up acting like a cavewoman and ripping through the packaging to see what I get :| but I thought no calm down take this parcel upstairs photograph it and then rip through it like the banshee you are all the photographs are taken by me and my trusty mannequin who needs a name so a little challenge for you all name my mannequin something ☺ hope you enjoy the review and check the site out for hijab bargains ☺ For now take care and hope to blog some more
Lots of love
The Hijabi Barbie

The purple pashmina is super soft and not a bright purple it’s a cross between lilac and a dark purple so just the right colour and very long fabric at the front just to show how much is left after wrapping 3 times ☺

So the salmon pink pashmina I would say it’s more a coral colour and super light like all the pashminas I received as sometimes they can be heavy and I wrapped this around my mannequins head at least 3 times and I s till had the coverage including the folds I put in ☺

The aqua colour is very unique and I haven’t seen a hijab like this and I have way to many hijabs its super soft and not that to blue like you normally find again the fabric is bought to the front to show the fabric can be draped to the front.

The turquoise colour is super soft and very vibrant again all the pashminas have tassels hanging of them and are super long.

So I can’t for the life in me remember the green coloured hijab name it’s stiff so you can get volume and folds without it being too heavy. It has a frayed edge and the pattern is very beautiful all the way around the hijab I’d recommend layering this hijab up or wearing an under cap or tube scarf.

So I knew exactly what I was getting with this next hijab the brown crochet hijab in the lace section of the website as I’ve got the brown lace one in a peach colour all I can say is this hijab has the wow factor layered with another hijab or placed around the neck which I like to do with another hijab ☺

The Pink parcel :)

So I thought I'd blog it's been a long time

So finally the parcel arrived her wait was over she pulled the wrapping apart like Eid or her birthday had come early there they were her brand new (well vintage new brogues) Pre owned of course my Crockett and jones I stared and admired these beauties for a long time. Well you may ask how I thought about them and why am I writing about them? Well that day sorting through my Narnia like wardrobe I found my brogues all hidden under a pile of mass produced rubbish throwaway shoes that break or look horrid they don’t make things like they used to (imagines doing a grandma impersonation while saying this) and putting my foot into these beauties again made me a tiny bit sad how could I have abandoned them for shoes that always let me down wearing my old clothes made me realise I had changed so from this day forward I’m going back to my old vintage ‘moth eaten’ clothes as my sister likes to put it. So on the subject of this particular sister gosh I must write like I hate her at times I do but hey that’s siblings for you, (you really do <3 them but never admit it) she broke my belt yes my belt for my newish (I wore them once) palazzo trousers NOT GOOD!! Currently trawling through the big bad sometimes-good cyber world that we today call the Internet for winter bargains and as I don’t follow fashion much I don’t care if it’s not in season because what I like might have been in season a few decades ago!! Currently loving anything blue I have my eye on a blue hoojab come to mama (does the evil laugh muhaaha kinda laugh) so I’ve been busy looking researching a new business venture I shall be starting so keep your eyes here @.@ I might also get back into the habit of trawling the Tuesday market for nice finds I come across bargains and teacups and any another thing. I’m currently /have always been fascinated in opening a tearoom/ gallery when I get enough money Inshallah and make something of my life well till that day unfortunate for some and fortunate for others you are stuck with me and my brogues which get a lot of attention at uni yes the university of Huddersfield are obsessed with my shoes I have fashion students and people like me ask me where I got them from but judging from this picture they’re nothing special and I’m no icon. For now take care Lots of love the hijabi Barbie ← might change the name soon I don’t really like being branded a Barbie xxx

The hoojab in peach

So as you all know I have a soft spot for pearl daisy products ☺
I wish payday would hurry up so I could get my paws on a peach hoojab that hoojab is like a saviour for all those neutrals laying in my cupboard wanting a good hijab/ hoojab to sort them out my love for the hoojabs is already present in my hijab wardrobe, but I need this one yes girlies the ‘I need excuse’ is there once I’ve ordered the hijab I shall show you what you’re getting and the other pictures I have for the products that already exist in my wardrobe ☺
Ahha some of us have to go work to earn pennies to buy more wonderful hijabs so for now take care .
Lots of love
The hijabi Barbie xxx

Ps- I hope sis Amena keeps up the good work Inshallah

So

So me and my sister had a little bit of an argument that we laughed off afterwards when she decided to mock why I call my sisters in Islam sister as there not blood relations I put it down to her immaturity and not understanding but hey we’ve all got to learn one day ☺

So the topic of the BBC documentary on the prophet (SAW)
The programme was ok but for the educated Muslim nothing new a few manipulative words here and there but that’s the BBC for you! This is something that annoyed me particularly. Another rant I’m going to have is the twin towers being mentioned err hello what has that got anything to do with the life of the prophet (SAW)? There were the jibes by others and the satanic verses book mentioned seriously couldn’t they think of anything else, the random Arab men smoking shisha was also a bit weird what about looking at beautiful scenery instead of them? I hope the other 2 parts are better and would hope they show women in Islam in a positive light which they did with Khadija may Allah SWT be pleased with her and how she proposed to the prophet (SAW) and how it is still rare for women to do this today. However they didn't mention women's rights and how as Muslim women we do have the right to choose whom we marry. But that probably would be asking too much (sighs) as personally I think the media are fixated by the ideology that women in Islam are oppressed and are not equal to their male counterparts. That is a WHOLE debate in itself that I won’t get into I’ll save for another day.
Take care
Lots of love
The hijabi Barbie xxx

Fasting

Peace be upon you and welcome to my blog
Today I’m fasting Alhamdulillah I’ve kept these fasts nearly every Monday and Thursday this month and last as voluntary fasts as our prophet (PBUH) did. I find these fasts help me prepare for Ramadan, they detox your body and you feel much calmer spiritually. Inshallah I hope to keep these fasts from now on and I’m finding them pretty easy as being in the UK I thought of all the negatives first like it’s going to be hot, I’m going to get thirsty but by the will and power of Allah I have survived I think fellow sisters I’ve spoken to build up a unenthusiastic view before they even try it too. The excuses come and then when Ramadan is upon us and they realise it’s not so bad. The month does have advantages and they put your life into perspective through fasting, a Muslim tends to experience hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day. Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and goodwill toward others. Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits. Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more of a healthy lifestyle particularly with regards to diet. Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year and not only for this month
I hope this year Ramadan is as peaceful as before for everyone around the world
Ameen

Take care
Lots of love
The hijabi Barbie xxx

Amazing new discovery

So between the midst of a jungle I call the internet and hours trawling through numerous sites looking for hijabs I discovered another hijab shop (plays suspense filled music found in films) ……… well enough of the suspense you guessed it another hijab website yes AlNisa hijabs is absolutely fantastic pay day really needs to hurry up so I can get my paws on some of these beauties and when I do inshallah a review with photographs will follow that’s a promise ☺ the site has amazing hijabs and I really want some ruffle scarfs and a few of the crinkles what could be more better they’re based in the UK so I don’t have to wait very long either
Take care for now and check out the site it’s AMAZING
Lots of love
The hijabi Barbie xxx

Mixing high street style & your own look

My experience as a hijabi bought the age-old dilemma every girl has what do I wear? I dressed conservetley before but now was the time to leave my skinny jeans and go for something more loose and covered up after finally tearing myself away from the clothes at one point I adored, to something still stylish that was my aim to find modest clothes for me to wear. (Goes of on a one woman mission)  I figured little changes so I started to wear hijab and then thought I’m getting them looks as to what is she wearing the disapproving ones from fellow hijabis yes ladies it does happen the few second looking you up and down like you’re an alien or the disapproving looks continued so I decided it was time for a change. Initially I didn’t know what to find the highstreet was all the same until I discovered I was looking for the wrong things I naively thought going into these shops will be my answer and I will instantly find long tops to be fair there were some but they were like basic tops and I didn’t want to dress like my nan!!  (My one-woman mission continued) This is when I decided to follow and inspiring lady who helped me change my fashion sense with being modest check out her look book another inspiration for all of us that feel we don’t have enough clothes or don’t know what to wear J With this and looking for the right things I think I’ve managed to get my style down to a T with it all being hijabi friendly J

Well that’s my thought for today hope you enjoy it and stay tuned for more exciting news coming soon inshallah 

Lots of love

The hijabi Barbie xxx

The hoojab

A hoojab tutorial I watched and wanted this style so badly pearl daisy to the rescue I wore this initial style to a wedding I attended after being surprised at the long length and amount of coverage I was hooked like a child in a sweet shop <3 Within a month my collection of hoojabs grew. I love these hijabs because of the concept of a hood and hijab in one the hood sits comfortably and is ideal for this crazy British weather, which can’t make its mind up this tutorial is one that I learnt to master even before the hoojab drape

Lots of love
The hijabi Barbie

Pictures coming soon Inshallah

A Website I absolutely Love

Pearl Daisy
I absolutely Love this site Sister Amena inspired me to wear hijab Mashallah 2 years ago properly and through her support in the form of video tutorials on her youtube and her facebook fan page I embraced hijab fully If you want good quality hijabs with unique prints I recommend this website

A Quick Hello

Hola  My first post just wanted to say welcome to my page hope you like what you see <3