Nail Art: Lace & Nude

Hey everyone, been a long time since I've blogged. I have been very busy for the past few months, but really want to get back into the swing of things in terms of blog posts.

Today, I have a nail art look which was done by using Rimmel lycra pro nail polish in Beige Style and lace nail stickers from ebay. I then added a clear top coat.

Black lace nail stickers over a nude base.

Rimmel's lycra pro has amazing staying power.
What do you guys think of this nail look?

My first giveaway!

Salam ladies,

I am happy to announce the first ever giveaway on Muslimah Delights.
Up for grabs is a printed maxi hijabalong with an Arabian deodorant body spray "Touch Me"

Up for grabs: Hijab and Spray

What do you need to do to be entered into the draw?

1) SUBSCRIBE - If you haven't already!
2) Send an email to muslimahdelights@gmail.com with the title "First Giveaway" by MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER and post your city within the email along with what you would like to see more of on Muslimah Delights e.g. recipes, natural beauty, reviews, OOTD or anything else that you particularly enjoy reading about.

The lucky winner will be contacted mid December via email.

Eid Mubarak

Hope you and your loved ones have a very special day.

Halal Food Festival review (London)

Salam lovelies.
I went to the Halal Food Festival yesterday Saturday 28th September.

Halal Food Festival London 2013 guide/wristband

I was soo excited especially with all the hype and advertisements. I imagined it to have a vast array of delicious multicultural foods and products. I regularly visited the site to check on the list of exhibitors and all looked promising. Being the organised person I am, I made a list of stalls I wished to visit -around 12 in total. Of those, 4 were not there!! One of them was completely empty (Bobo Macarons) and Exotic Tagine was replaced with something else. An Indian affair wasn't there either.

People were crowded around for free samples which some stalls offered such as chocolate samosas, Malaysian pancakes, cheese and so on. Some sampling visitors wouldn't budge an inch. With that in mind plus the crowds as it was a small space, it was hard to see everything on offer.

Source

I also received a £5 voucher for Sisters Magazine which stated it was no strings attached. But indeed upon visiting the stand it became clear that you were expected to sign up for a subscription before being given a free (old) copy of their magazine with the voucher.
There were non food items such as itr, books, scarves and clothing.

I did purchase some vegetarian sweets from goody good stuff, a scoop of pistachio ice cream, a falafel wrap and a pack of chocolate & nut samosas which I am yet to sample!
All in all, I would give the event a 5/10. They should maybe cut down the number of days to two and work on hiring a larger space and more stalls. I liked the demo classes they held where you can watch chefs prepare different dishes. When we got there it was quails that were being made.

Bhangra Burger Stall

Falafel Wrap

Pistachio Ice cream

Were any of you guys there and what did you make of it?

Falsh lashes in a bottle! Divaderme Lash Extender review

I recently purchased Divaderme Lash Extender after hearing about it from groupon. I did some research and found that it is a tube of brush on fibres designed to go on wet lashes (i.e. that have just been applied with mascara) which they cling onto. This is then sealed with another coat of mascara creating a false lash effect.

Divaderme lash extender

I used an Avon mascara with this and they recommend that you use a "wet" mascara so that the fibres can cling on easily. A tip I found for getting waxy mascaras to become runny again is to put your tube of mascara in a basin of hot water for a few minutes.

Once you have applied a coat of mascara, immediately apply the fibres to your lashes...you can concentrate on the roots for volume or ends for length. It's best to have the lash extender tube already opened and the wand on a piece of tissue so it's ready to use straight upon applying mascara. To avoid fall out, place a  piece of tissue under your eye area and LOOK DOWN! You don't want to get fibres in your eyes (although, you can easily blink them out).
After you have applied the fibres, put on one more coat of mascara to seal the fibres in place. Then repeat with next set of eyelashes.

I found that if you apply many coats of mascara in between applying the fibres, then you can end up with spidery eyelashes, so it's best not to go overboard with the mascara or use a separating mascara.
You do end up with longer lashes so I would definitley recommend this product as it is cheap and can bring out the shortest of lashes and makes good use for any mascaras that you have lying around that you don't really use/feel is not that good.
I did experience a bit of fall out, but then again I did use a mascara that wasn't runny so maybe that was why. You can just brush them away anyway.

Here are my pictures just for you!

Bare lashes before Divadereme lash extender and any mascara

Lashes after Divaderme lash extender applied in between coats of mascara

Before (right) and after (left) Divaderme lash extender

Eid in the Square: 17th August 2013 (Review + Pics)

This Saturday just gone, I attended an Eid celebration in Trafalgar Square. There was a stage with a variety of guests and performers such as Adam Ali, Saif Adam and Darren Cheesman and a few others.

Stalls were also set up selling food from different cultures, they had Turkish Delight, Baklava, Koshari, smoothies, waffles, chicken satay, biryani etc. Huge crowds surrounded the food stalls, so it was a bit difficult to see everything that was on offer.
Having never tried Malaysian food before, we decided to go for the chicken satay (see pic below) which came with peanut sauce and (plain boiled) rice cubes. Although the flavour and seasoning of the chicken and peanut sauce was delicious, some parts of the chicken were pink so we didn't get to finish the dish. However, there was quite a bit of a crowd so they must have rushed to make the food and I'm sure if you were to go the their restaurant, they would ensure the food is cooked through properly.

As well as food stalls, there were stands selling Islamic books, costume jewellery, party handbags and itr.
Here are some pictures of the event:

Stage

Crowds of people and food stalls

Fountain

Costume Jewellery

Chicken satay with peanut sauce and rice cubes from Nur Muhammad stall

I purchased this lovely smelling purse/pocket spray

Cute illustrated children's book of stories from the Qur'an

OOTD: Eid fitr 2013 & Easy Henna Design

Long time no see!! I know it's kind of late, but I thought I'd do a quick Eid post. I've posted snippets of 2 outfits as well as a quick and simple henna design I did for all you novices out there new to henna. This design is easy peasy, give it a go!
Hope you all had a great Eid! x

Benefits of Fuller's Earth

Fuller's Earth (aka Multani Mitti) is a natural occurring clay. Its typical mineral content includes silica, alumina, lime, sapphire crystal, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and calcium oxide. Fuller’s earth facial masks reduce oil and remove impurities from skin, and as such, are highly recommended for people with acne problems, spots, and blemishes. Below are some benefits.

•  For Sun burn: usually extra exposure to sun gives dark and burnish skin , to heal such skin,  apply one tbsp of  rose water and fuller’s earth each, or you can also try with one bowl of 1 tomato juice with 1 tbsp of fuller’s earth for about 15 to 20 mints. (Avoid and wash immediately, if redness or burning sensation occurs).

• To remove blackheads: not many of us know that fullers earth can actually dig out the white and black heads.  Mix 4 ounces of powdered almonds, 2 ounces of glycerin soap and one ounce of multani mitti in a ¼ cup of water. Rub this scrub on your cheek bones, nose and chin in circular motion. Massage for 20 mints and wash off. Exfoliation removes blocked pores.

•  For prickly heat: it is also an excellent reliever from prickly problem.  Prepare a paste by soaking 2 to 3 tbsp of clay into a cup of chilled water and remove after 20 mints of application.

For dull and damaged hair: Moisten your hair with warm water first and massage it  with few drops of sesame or apricot oil and wrap a plastic cap on your head and a towel for about one hour prior any application. Next step: apply a mixture of 2 tbsp of Fullers Earth to your scalp for 30 mints.  Rinse your hair throughout with warm water.  Shampoo mild.  Apply a liberal amount of refined oil to your scalp to dampen the roots.  Towel -dry the scalp.

• Treating split ends: Massage your hair with few drops of olive oil and leave it for 2 hours.  After that steam up with hot towel wrap for at least half an hour. Wash using mixture of fullers earth  and curd 1 tbsp each.  Wash off with your regular shampoo next day. * use butter milk for oily hair.

These are just some of the benefits of Fullers Earth, there were way more that I came across. Also, this product is available in Asda!

Source

Iftar

Strawberry and banana fruit salad

Pakora and lamb samosas

Lamb Stuffed Peppers with mashed potato and mixed olives

What did you have for iftar?

Borek

Here is my recipe for borek stuffed with feta, spinach and potato. Great for iftar with a salad.

Delicious meal idea for ramadan: Spinach and feta borek. Yum!

Ingredients:

Puff pastry or filo pastry

Potato (large)

Feta 1 - 1 and 1/2 block

Cheddar Cheese 100g

Spinach leaves (or if using frozen, saute with onion)

Onion x 1

Chilli flakes x 1/2 tsp

Paprika x 1tsp

Black pepper x 1/4 tsp

Olive oil

Egg x5

Butter

Yogurt

Method:

• Take pastry out of fridge/freezer to thaw

• Chop and boil the potato in salted water.

• Meanwhile, sauté an onion with some olive oil.

• Once boiled, drain and roughly chop into smaller pieces and add the onion, feta, spinach leaves and season with black pepper, paprika and chilli flakes. No need to put salt as the cheese contains salt. Taste to see if it’s okay and then add 4 eggs and combine.

• Make a mixture of egg, yogurt and melted butter to brush between layers if using filo pastry (if you’re using puff pastry you will not need this step)

• Brush a baking tray with butter.

• Add first sheet of filo and brush with yogurt, butter and egg mixture. Repeat until half of the filo sheets have been used up.

• Add the filling and spread.

• Grate some cheddar cheese if you like your borek cheesy (or if you just like cheese).

• Place a sheet of filo on top and brush with yogurt, butter and egg mixture. Repeat until all of the filo sheets have been used up. Add a bit of extra egg/melted butter on top of the last sheet and place in oven until golden brown.

Iftar Meal Plans 2013

Salaam, I hope that Ramadan is going well for you all insha Allah.
Last year I posted a link to ramadan recipes from the Nestle website.
Here is the link: http://www.nestle-family.com/my-ramadan/english/recipes.aspx
Here are just a few of the recipes featured: Red pepper pasta, Potato and Lamb Kibbeh, Light basbousa with almond.

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Mubarak everyone!!

May Allah grant us the tawfeeq  to exert our efforts in this blessed month. May we use each moment  productively and may this be our best Ramadan ever. Ameen.

Feel a Million Dollars for £1 or Less

To feel full until lunch

Two eggs – 50p (based on £1.46 for six medium free-range eggs)
Studies show eggs for breakfast reduces calorie consumption throughout the day by up to 18%.
“That’s because they make you feel full for longer, cutting the desire to eat more,” explains Cheryl Wilson, head clinician at The Nutrition Coach (thenutritioncoach.co.uk).
Try boiled, poached or scrambled eggs with a slice of wholegrain toast.

To improve posture and help back pain

A ball of kitchen string – 50p (40m string ball from Wilkinson)
Chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo says: “Every morning, stand tall and pull your tummy muscles in as far as you can. Now, release them by half. Tie the string around your middle – under your clothes – and keep it there all day.
“It acts a constant reminder to engage your core muscles, flattening stomach muscles, improving posture and helping to beat back pain.”

To beat the bloat

Mint leaves – 40p (based on 30g fresh mint leaves for 80p from Tesco)
Herbalists swear by mint for its anti-inflammatory effect on the gut, aiding better digestion and reducing bloat.
It also cleanses the mouth, zapping the nasty taste and furry tongue that often comes with it. Infuse some leaves in boiling water for a few minutes.

To get rid of verrucas

Duct tape – around £1 (available from hardware shops)
Studies show that it can work better than freezing treatments.
It’s not known if it’s down to the tape preventing oxygen reaching the wart or verruca, or a component of the tape itself. Dr Annabel Bentley, Medical Director for Bupa Health and Wellbeing says: “Cover the wart or verruca with tape for six days. "Then remove the tape, soak the wart or verruca in water and rub with a pumice stone. "Leave it uncovered overnight and apply more tape the next morning. Continue until it disappears.”

To soothe a cough

Panda All Natural Soft Liquorice Bar – 65p (from Holland & Barrett)
Liquorice root is used in various herbal cough suppressants and throat lozenges because it has expectorant, antiseptic, antiviral, antioxidant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory benefits.
It’s thought to coat mucous membranes, helping to reduce inflammation and soothe a sore throat and tickly cough.

To ease heartburn and improve concentration

Wrigley’s sugar-free chewing gum – rrp 49p
Scientists say the saliva stimulated by chewing gum seems to neutralise digestive acid and help force fluids back to the stomach. The study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, asked volunteers to chew sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after heartburn-inducing meals. Gum can help you stay focused for longer on tasks that require continuous monitoring, say Cardiff University researchers in a study published in the British Journal of Psychology.

To relieve hay fever

Vaseline – £1 (pocket-sized tin at Poundland)
Smear a small amount of Vaseline just inside your nostrils to catch the pollen, preventing it travelling further up the nose and triggering an allergic reaction, says Allergy UK (allergyuk.org).
Remove it every two hours with a tissue and apply again. If you prefer to take an antihistamine, don’t pay through the nose for big brands. Boots Value Health Non-Drowsy Hayfever and Allergy Relief tablets (99p for seven) contain the same 10mg of active ingredient Loratadine as market leaders that cost four times as much.

To ease sciatica

Tennis ball – 20p (based on a pack of five for £1 at Poundland)
Tennis balls, the plastic spiky balls used for tumble dryers, or even a potato, are great for massaging tight buttocks and relieving the muscular pain of sciatica, explains Sammy. “Either sit on one or stand against a wall and place it against the affected area. By pressing into the muscle, the ball provides a pivot over which the muscles stretch. "This ‘digging in’ relieves the muscular tension. Repeat several times a day for maximum relief.”

To get a good sleep

Cherrygood Cherry juice – £1 (Asda)
A study from Northumbria University found that two daily glasses of Montmorency cherry juice helps you get an average 25 minutes extra shuteye a night by increasing levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

To soothe aching muscles and flatten your stomach

Cup (approximately 125g) of Epsom salts in bath water – 75p (based on 1kg bag at £5.95 from epsomsalts.co.uk)
The high magnesium content of Epsom salts means that they’re great for soothing sore, tired muscles and are popular with stars before red carpet events. Add one or two handfuls to a bath to draw out toxins and flatten your tummy.

To lower cholesterol

Handful of almonds – 50p (based on Tesco Wholefoods Snack Pack, 50g for £1)
Unsalted nuts, like almonds, are high in protein and good mono saturated fats, explains Cheryl. Compared with other nuts, almonds contain the highest levels of six key nutrients – fibre, magnesium, protein, potassium, copper and vitamin E. Although renowned for their healthy heart benefits, one study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a daily portion of almonds could cut your bad LDL cholesterol levels by 30%.

To boost your fitness and lose weight

Pedometer – £1 (Poundland)
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, US, found that regularly using a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and weight loss and improvements in blood pressure.
After reviewing 26 studies involving 2,500 people who were mostly female, overweight and relatively inactive, the researchers found that pedometer users increased their physical activity by 2,491 steps per day and helped them increase their overall physical activity levels by 27%.

Source

OOTD: Grey Snake Print with a Pop of Colour - Keeping it Cool with Light Layers

Salaams all... It has been really humid lately so this is a great outfit for those hot summer days as the high-low blouse is lightweight and can be worn with a thin top underneath. You can also layer it with a short cardigan.

Awesome blouse with concealed pockets on either side.

Close up of the collar.

How do you ladies keep cool in summer? Any tips?

Magazine Freebies (5): July 2013

Free in July's Cosmopolitan magazine:

A pair of sunglasses in a choice of 3 styles- Wayfarer, Aviators & Jackie O
Smints
Mentos - not halal/veggie (or questionable)
You also get a sachet of Nivea bath lotion inside and a Thierry Mugler alien perfume sachet/cloth strip thingy!!
Available NOW, grab yourself a bargain!!!

 

Marie Claire: Ciate's Mini nail polish and caviar kit in  Cookies and Cream worth £10

Rodial Brazilian Tan tube (58ml) In Light, Dark or Clear worth £13.50

Instyle Magazine: Neal's Yard Remedies Daily Moisturiser

 worth £12

Mr.Falafel

So me and my sister went to Shepherds Bush Market last weekend and decided to try Mr Falafel as we heard good things. We got there just before midday so it was empty and took a seat. The man behind the counter was so friendly and smiley. I ordered a number 9: Supreme falafel wrap which comes with avacado and feta. My sister ordered number 11: Falafel and Halloumi cheese wrap.

What the shop looks like from outside. This was taken of a picture on the wall inside the shop.

It arrived pretty quickly, wrapped up neatly thus making it easy to eat. In addition to the falafel there was so much more going on inside the wrap – tomatoes, pickles, hummus, cabbage. The only downside is that I would prefer the halloumi to have been grilled (can’t resist some grilled squeaky halloumi) and the chilli sauce more spicy.

The menu is straight forward, they only do falafel wraps and platters and a small selection of drinks. Next time I think I’ll get a batata harra wrap mmm.

When paying the elderly man (also very friendly) gave me £10 back from £20 when he should have given less, nevertheless, we gave the remainder and left with a huge smile at the generous hospitality and friendly smiles.

Meal 9: Supreme falafel wrap with hummus, tomatoes, fried aubergine, feta, avocado, olives and pomegranate syrup.

Home Made Remedies to get Rid of a Sun Tan

- A mixture of lemon juice, rose water and cucumber juice should be applied on the face as a face pack. Lemon juice is citric acid that helps remove the tan and the cucumber and rose water are cooling agents.

 - Mixing together some honey and lemon juice and applying it on the affected area can be one of the best anti tan pack mixtures.

 - Preparing a paste of some raw milk, turmeric and some lemon juice. This mixture should then be applied on the skin and be allowed to remain till it dries up. Thereafter, it should be washed with some cool water.

 - Prepare a mixture of oats and buttermilk. This mixture should be rubbed onto the tanned area as the oats will help in exfoliating the skin and on the other hand the butter milk is known to be extremely soothing for the skin.

- Mixing together some gram flour (chickpea flour), lime juice and some curd on the affected area on a regular basis gives best results against tanning.

 - Applying some fresh lemon juice and allowing it to remain for at least 15 minutes on the elbows, knees or patchy areas helps remove the tan and making it fair.

- A regular use of fresh coconut water on the hands and face is known to be very effective in getting rid of a tan as well as making the skin supple and soft.

- Aloe Vera gel is an excellent remedy for taking care of dark tans. It will lighten the skin in as little as a week, if applied everyday to the affected area. However, aloe has the property of making your skin photosynthetic and can darken it if you go out in the sun without sunscreen lotion. This makes it important to remember to use sunscreen every time you go out.

- A cream with equal parts of milk powder, lemon juice, honey and almond oil can be applied and left on for 20 minutes. This will help lighten your tan. You can store this for about a week and use it thrice daily for best results.

- Apply a paste made with turmeric powder and lime juice thrice a week. This will lighten the skin colour considerably and remove the tan.

- Soak almonds overnight and grind them into a fine paste the next morning. Add equal quantities of milk cream to the paste and apply on the affected area to make the skin fair.

- Apply a paste of oatmeal, yogurt, a few drops of lime and tomato juice. Wash this with cold water after half an hour and see the difference.

- Mash the papaya pulp and massage the sun tanned area. Papaya is excellent for the skin and also helps in anti-aging.

- Combining ash gourd juice with Fullers Earth (multan mitti) and applying it all over the face helps reduce the tan considerably.

Source

I also found a Q and A style article from Khaleej Times which has natural remedies including for suntan, open pores, dandruff and facial hair.