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.

Nail Art: Mambo Melon + Vintage Floral Nail Wrap

For this look I used Avon's Speed Dry in Mambo Melon which is a pinky coral shade teamed with a black/floral nail wrap from Primark.

Avon Mambo Melon with floral nail wrap

The nail wrap was a bit of a nightmare to apply as I you need tiny scissors to cut around it. However, one I applied a clear nail varnish on top, the wrap lasted until I peeled it off (around 6 days).

Avon Haul + Mini Argan Shampoo review

Here's my Avon Spring Haul (which I was supposed to put up a few weeks ago but the pic wouldn't upload).

Clockwise from left: Glazewear lip shine in Pink Watermelon;
Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo;
Speed Dry Nail Polish in Mambo Melon;
Hydrate and Grow Nail Conditioner;
Nail Art Tool (brush and pin double ended - as seen on top of the catalogue);
Blemish Mark Treatment (in roller ball form, containing glycolic and salicylic acid).

I have used the shampoo and it feels really silky lathering up and your hair feels soft once dry too. Would purchase again. I got it for £1.40 for 400ml.

Muslim Personality Test Challenge

I took the Muslim Personality Test which can be taken here. It also shows you your ideal partners personality. Anyone reading this MUST take the test and post it on their blog (but leave a link/let me know in the comments section below) or if you don't have a blog, post the results in the comment box!  Here are my results:

You in a nutshell

You are compassionate and loyal to your family and friends and place a higher value on those relationships than on work. You are sensitive and kind so you become deeply affected when people are in pain or unhappy around you and feel compelled to help them. You are a very private person and it takes a long time for others to get to know you. You like to have your own space and to work within your own time frame so you are not very organized and find it difficult to make long term plans. You enjoy the present moment and what is currently going on around you, leading you take pleasure in simple everyday things. You dislike disagreements and conflicts so you are extremely tolerant of people’s beliefs and opinions.

Your Personality

The BLUE Personality

Avoids Conflict Calm Caring Cautious Helpful High Standards Indirect Loyal Nurturing Patient Respectful Sensible Sympathetic Thorough Thoughtful Tolerant Understanding  Take the test for yourself and see what it will say.