OOTD | My sisters graduation

Salaam sisters!

A quick OOTD post, my sister had her year 11 leavers/graduation ceremony last Friday and this is what we both wore. I was going to wear a black blazer but it looked a bit too formal and it was a bit chilly that day too, so I opted for a jacket instead giving it a more casual look (=

My outfit:

Green Maxi dress - The pop look

Black maxi jersey hijab- The Pinned Veil

Brown Jacket- Gift 

Charm bracelet & necklace- ebay

Black suede boots- Zahra Shoes (Local shop)

Bag- Gift from Gap

My sisters outfit: 

Hot pink kaftan- Shop in Madinah (Saudi Arabia)

Gold silky hijab- Pearl daisy Ltd

Shoes: Unze London

Interview | Al Yaqoot Arts

 
Name: Zainab Shahid
Age: 21
Company: Al Yaqoot Arts

Tell us something interesting about you:

Hmmm... I'm trying to balance two degrees lol! BA Creative Writing and English Literature and BA Islamic Studies
 
 What is Al-Yaqoot Arts?  

That's a hard question... it's a business, I think the answers following this question will explain more properly. =) 

Where are you based?  

I'm based in Surrey, but seeing as I travel to North London for university there's no reason why I can't travel to London for sisters who want Henna done!

How and why did you set up Al-Yaqoot Arts? 

I love art, I end up doodling all over my notebooks when I'm supposed to be taking notes in class or notes for assignments. I didn't actually have a proper business name until quite recently, I used to do henna for people and after receiving positive feedback I thought I would make it more professional and even add in canvases and hand-embroidered scarves. They're all things I love to do! Also, I've seen similar services or products being sold for quite a lot of money, and I believe that you should charge the amount you'd be willing to pay and that's exactly what I've done. =)


Who/What inspires you? 

Islamic architecture has always struck me as something beautiful; it has amazing calligraphy and patterns. I started drawing and doodling quite young, so I'm not sure if any person inspired me.

What has been your biggest success?

My biggest success has to be when I did henna for many people at a charity event quite a few years ago; it was the first ever time I had been asked to do it for an event.

What has been your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle was promoting, and it still is at times. I started off by giving ads in the newspapers and online for quite some time as I couldn't afford to have a website built then. But with Allah's help I have been able to set up a website, and I'm certain that Allah will also bless my business with a lot of success in the future.

What advice would you give to aspiring henna artists?

Just keep practicing! Don't give up easily; I began learning the art of henna when I was 11 years old and I did ruin my hands many times with the most outrageous designs, but eventually you learn to control the flow. Just stick to it, unfortunately nobody can become successful overnight - you need to have faith in yourself and in Allah. 

 
How can people get in contact with you?  

They can go on my page on Facebook: Al Yaqoot Arts or through my website which has a contact form: www.alyaqootarts.com

Spiritual | Journey to the unknown

Monday: School 9am, home, TV, dinner, homework bed; Tuesday: school 9am, home, TV, dinner, bed, Easter holidays, Summer holidays then on to the next stage.

For the last 18 years of my life I've had a routine, I've always known what I was going to do next. Now as I reach the end of university I have a daunting feeling of emptiness, change and the unknown. The first summer holidays where I have no concrete plan for the coming year. Its a strange feeling really, all through school and university I've been looking forward to finally finishing education, but now the time has come I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.

It feels as though I am heading out into the big wide world after being in the little 'student' bubble. The next obvious step would be to get a job, but the way the economy is at the moment jobs are looking very scarce and to be honest I really just want a break from the constant hustle and bustle of life. I've always thought about what I'd like to do after uni such as volunteer for an Islamic charity, get back to painting canvases, do some Quran/Islamic studies part time and go on holiday. InshaAllah I will be able to do those things.

InshaAllah this Ramadan I aim to make it the best ever, long summer days might seem daunting for some but I love it! It's during the holidays so no need to think about school or uni or anything, spend all my time in worship, attend the masjid for taraweeh, helping my mum in the kitchen for iftaar, visiting my extended family and just generally making the most of everything positive in the month.

And after that? InshaAllah I really want to go and visit my cousin in Italy, even if its just for a week, she lives near Venice and who wouldn't want to go to Venice?

They say as one door closes another one opens I hope inshaAllah one opens for me very soon because I have no idea what I'm going to be doing after this summer but I'll be making the most of this summer while it lasts iA!

What are your plans for the coming year?

Review | Noble Starz

Assalaamu alaikum girlies

Here is the post which accompanies the video I made reviewing Noble Starz hijabs so please watch the video if you want to know more about Noble Starz and what I think of the hijab.

Here are pictures of the scarves (=

Perfect spring hijab

All hijabs come with a little charm with 'Made with Love' written on it..how cute?!

 All of the negative points made in the video have been fed back to the owner of Noble Starz and the sister is working on changing a few things so that customers are completely satisfied with their purchases....see what I mean about customer service? Superb mashaAllah!

Please click on this link Noble Starz and add the sister as a friend to check out the other hijabs in the range iA (=

Wsalaam!

iHijabi