A Fashionable Hijabi

Salaam.

Yup!  Even I, clumsy and grace-challenged as I am, find myself with days that I look absolutely fabulous.  ( :  I've decided to toot my own horn and share those days with the world.  Obv.  I think this could be a recurring segment!  Nifty!  In the last few weeks, I've worn two outfits that I'm really proud of.  Comfy, coordinated and colorful.

I love this light airy blouse from Forever21!  It floats like a (short and manageable) princess ball gown.  <3  I adore the lace detail, and I'm quite impressed with my styling and accessories.  How perfectly did the hijab match??

Top: Forever21, Gap; Pants: DKNY Jeans; Shoes: Payless; Gold-tone necklace: Macy's; Watch: Lowen

This second dress I've had for a while, but had never work before.  Teal and lime green is a favorite combo of mine (I mean, what doesn't go with lime green? d: ) and I love this look.  Color without looking clownish.  It falls easily, moves well, and isn't super clingy.  It feels classy, with the vibrant pop of color I love so much. And no, I don't usually match my phone to my outfit, haha!

Dress: Live and Let Live (Sears); Top: Nordstrom Rack; Necklace: Forever21; Ring: handmade

xoxo

Business Ventures Continued!

Salaam.

It's approaching the end of August, which means that it's time to post the finished products from MJ's order!  I'm really happy with how they turned out and MJ was so excited about them that she hugged me.  Twice!  ( :  And to top it off, she showed two other coworkers, one of whom has already asked me to make three bracelets for her.  THREE!

For the necklace, I went for a simple design, knowing MJ would prefer ease and sparkle over a complicated look.  Plus, I didn't want the earrings and the necklace to have to compete for attention.  I went back to the bead store, matched the colors and materials, and came up with this.  Actually, my mum was with me at the bead store (we were having quality time!), and she helped with the piece's center focus.  ( :

Simple necklace in sterling silver, Swarovski crystals in clear, light pink and light champagne/peach, and Swarovski light pink pearls, with a lobster clasp.

The earrings, a birthday present for Mayra, are in the same style we've seen before, only in gold (tone, plated, and filled).  The colors were supposed to be "funky" like Mayra.  WHAAA??  Choosing the colors was actually the hardest part.  I would compare two colors against each other, love it, then bring in the third, only to be horrified at how badly they all clashed.  Repeatedly.  Luckily, I was able to use my mum (again!) as a sounding board and it really helped.

Gold dangle earrings (chain is gold-plated and findings are gold-filled) with Swarovski crystals in deep red orange, green, and golden yellow and Swarovski light bronze pearls.

Shameless plug time!  I'm convinced that I need to compile a portfolio of sorts of my pieces.  Well, to be honest, I was told that I needed to do it, so I'm seriously considering it now.  I am looking into free hosting sites instead of using Etsy, though I should probably start an account there as well.  I'll post it here when I'm done.  For now though, you can see the small sampling of my work here.  I'd love to try to supplement your collections with my simple but elegant pieces.  I'm open to self-designed ideas - we can work together to make it work, inshaAllah.  I can be contacted at JustBecause.WithLove@gmail.com.  I hope to hear from you soon!

xoxo

EID MUBARAK!!!

Salaam.

I know it's almost a week late, but better late than never, right?

Courtesy of the proud Muslims of Jackson Heights, NYC

Ramadan has passed and inshaAllah it was easy for all of us.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Eid (on Sunday or Monday!), filled with family, friends, and good food.

xoxo

Let the Summer Games Begin!

Salaam.

Of course I title a mid-summer post like that.  Of course.  Right?  ( :

First of all, It's a week into Ramadan and Alhamdulillah it's going well.  I was really nervous.  Summer days are quite lengthy here in Beantown, and I'm not exactly in practice.  But after a bit of struggle on the first day, Alhamdulillah He made the days hot and long, but bearable.  With a smile even.  ( :  Still, I'm incredibly tired all the time.  On a more serious note, I'm realizing just how much I've been slacking in the practice of my faith.  I intend to use the rest of the month to pray more regularly and work on some things, behaviorally.  I read somewhere, probably on Twiter, that Ramadan isn't just about forgoing in food and drink, it's about letting go of anger.  So I'll be working on that, inshaAllah.

I went back to make sure I'm not reblogging this info, and I'm not!  My dear coworker MJ?  Who bought my earrings?  She has insisted that I make her a matching necklace!  And as though that's not crazy enough, she wants a second pair of earrings (in fiery, funky colors) to give to another coworker for her birthday.  Why?  Because Mayra loved her pair so much.  CRAZY.  Alhamdulillah.  My deadline is mid-August, so I should (have to!) have pictures for you by then, at the latest.  (I just can't believe that this idea could actually become a reality.)

And the big finale to Summer 2012 is going to be ISNA!  It's on Labor Day weekend this year, in DC.  I can't wait!  It's been a while, and it's going to be exciting to be able to attend, inshaAllah.  Huzzah!!  I'm excited about the speakers, yes, but honestly, right now I can't stop thinking about the bazaar.  Is that absolutely terrible?

xoxo