Hijabi City Walk Style

Salaam ladies! Today I'm going for a city look. Many hijabis that live in the major cities of the U.S obviously have style! This is a post dedicated to them! I went for a fresh, easy style. The colors of black and blue are perfect winter colors. Of course we wouldn't use the sandals for the ladies that live in the cold states, but a pair of black boots would complete the look!

The hijab could be wrapped so that the earrings are shown, or you could opt to keep them for an indoor look. Enjoy! May Allah bless & reward us all. ~ Nisa

Hijabi M.I.A

Asalaam alaikum everyone! Insha'allah I will begin to update more. I lost the password to my blogspot account, and I have finally recovered it. It has been such a long time, and I'm ready to share my thoughts again! May Allah bless and reward us all! ~ Nisa

Asalaamu alaikum sisters!

Insha allah I will be posting a bit more often. I had to take a break from the blogger world. It was getting a little too much to keep up with the blog and all. Now I need to catch up with all of the blogs of other sisters. One thing that really shocked me when I came back was the fact that sister Kimdonesia left Islam. I am so heart broken about this.

Other than that, I will be back with more polyvore outfits, knitting, facial ingredients, poems, stories, my life, and so on. May allah bless and reward us all! ~ Nisa

Blueberry Muffins are delicious!

Blueberry muffins are a delicious treat for suhoor, so if you sisters can get up early enough make your families or yourself some muffins. My Mom made them for my family this morning complete with oatmeal. Very filling, and I'm not even hungry yet. Ramadan went very quickly! We only have 11/12 days left depending on the sighting of the moon, alhamdulilah! I got this really pretty Cinderella-copy baby blue dress. It's so pretty, but now I need a nice cardigan, hijab, socks, jewelry, and a hijab. Insha allah on Saturday I will be doing henna to make money for those things, and a few gifts.

Speaking of gifts, I knit my friend A a pair of fingerless gloves. I can't find the name of the pattern I used to give you an idea of what they look like, but they are so pretty. I really want to keep them for myself. Lol. They are a soft lime green with a lime green bow. Then I made my mother a cowl, scarf, shawl thing. It's the Irish Hiking Scarf but I knit it on big needles so that it could be 3-in-1. Next I'm knitting my little sister a Zig Zag Trellis Scarf. Insha allah I will have that finished before Eid if I work hard enough. I still have to knit a few pairs of slippers, some more fingerless gloves, and maybe another scarf if I have time. If not, I'll just buy the rest of the gifts that I have to give.

We have been going to Iftar night at the masjid every Saturday and Sunday. There is so much good food there, the sisters in my community really know how to cook! I have so much fun when I go. My friends are always there, and we have a table reserved for us that we sit at every Iftar Night. Alhamdulilah, I have amazing friends. This Ramadan is going way too quickly. I'm getting used to breaking my fast and fasting so much that it doesn't really feel like anything anymore. These days of Ramadan are like clock work. A typical day for me, get up for suhoor, make fajr, read quran, go do school work, make zuhr, take hour nap, clean house, prepare iftar, more qu'ran/arabic, exercise, Isha/Taraweeh, bed time. Then it starts all over again.

The Qu'ran reading is going great. I'm still memorizing surah al-Fajr. It's a beautiful surah, but it's taking me awhile to memorize it. My younger brother has memorized more of it than I have, but we all work at different paces. Speaking of learning, school started yesterday so I'm doubly busy.

This Ramadan has been amazing for me so far! I love Ramadan, I love being Muslim! Alhamdulilah! May Allah bless and guide us all! -Nisa

Things you should have in your purse!

I have put together a polyvore set for the things that you should have in your purse! I have the problem of filling up my purse with the basic needs, so this is a basic guideline for me. I hate having to carry around a half empty purse, but I don't want it to be too junky either.

1. Pocket Mirror

2. Extra tampon or pad

3. Three million different kinds of lip gloss

4. Chewing gum


5. Matching Eye Glass case

6. Sunglasses that match with almost anything

7. Hand cleanser

8. A book/ Noble Qu'ran

9. A pad and pen

10. Hand lotion

11. Clear nail polish

12. Eye liner and Kohl

13. Wallet that does NOT match.

14. Cell phone

15. MP3 Player

Charity, Kindness, and Random musings

Today I really am feeling hungry, but I can handle it. I'm keeping my mind off the idea that hunger pain sharks are ripping at my stomach. OK, so it's not that bad. It's just uncomfortable. I believe I am keeping control of my temper. Haven't had an argument with my siblings yet. If they do something to irk my nerve, I just keep it low-key. Doing a great job over here, alhamdulilah! :D

Last night we did attend taraweeh prayer. I wore my blue abaya with a blue hijab and white under cap. My friends were all there. The sheik let his son and brother lead a few of the prayers this time, so we had three different types of recitations last night. Alhamdulilah, it was really nice. There were more men there than usual, but not many more women. That's usually the case at our masjid. My friends were talking of an organized sleep-over at the masjid. The young sisters in one room, and the brothers in another big room. To be quite honest, I don't think I would feel comfortable. For one, if we have to sleep in hijab that is no fun. If we don't, what if someone comes in? Two, I don't like waking up looking at a whole bunch of people who have just woken up. Three, what if someone steps on me while trying to get to the bathroom? No thank you, sleeping over at the masjid seems like a terrible idea. Maybe a huge late night get-together, but not a sleep over.
This morning for suhoor we had cheerios, apple sauce, and water. My Mom wasn't feeling well so we were expecting her to cook. I can cook, but I don't like to cook. Rather not risk burning our suhoor, so we just ate cereal. It was really yummy anyhow. I am still trying to memorize surah al-fajr. Tonight insha allah I will do Qu'ran. I don't know if we will be attending taraweeh at the masjid tonight. We'll see what my Dad says.

I have been thinking about giving charity. On my own. As an individual. What could I give as charity? I don't have much money, but I can knit. So I think I will find an organization to knit preemie baby hats for. That would be such a nice thing to do. I love babies. So insha allah I will try to do my best. What about you? May allah bless and reward us all! -Nisa

All I can think about is food...

This is the fourth day of Ramadan. I missed yesterdays post. You know how Mondays are, hectic. So, on Monday we had Oatmeal mixed with unsweetened apple sauce. It was soooo good, and so filling. It kept me full all through the day. I wasn't even really hungry until 7 PM came around, and the hunger pains started their attack. Alhamdulilah, that was a wholesome suhoor. Then we had Spanish rice and chicken for Iftar. We did not pray taraweeh at the masjid, my brother led it at home instead. Yesterday went by so quickly, I forgot that I was fasting. I practiced the surah Al-fajr yesterday for my daily dose of qu'ran. Beautiful surah with a beautiful meaning.

Today for suhoor we had cereal. I had Apple jacks and a banana. Yummy! I do not know what we will have for iftar tonight. I do think we are going to attend Taraweeh at the masjid tonight, so insha allah we will go. I will probably wear my blue abaya to the prayers if we do go. It is a little heavy, but I can handle it. It's not all that hot today either. It's actually very cool. Allah is ever merciful! I'm going to read surah al-fajr again today, insha allah. I have no idea what I will be buying for my friends for Eid. I will probably go to two festivals to do henna to make money. Then I can buy an Eid outfit, and gifts for my family & friends. May Allah bless and reward us all! - Nisa

I'm hungry!

This morning for suhoor my family had Oatmeal and peaches. It was delicious! I'm feeling a little hungry now though, but I think it's because we went out to visit Grandparents today and my aunt was cooking. So now I feel a little weak and hungry, but I only have three hours left! We read a few more pages of Surah al-baqarah after Fajr in both English and Arabic. My reading is getting better, alhamdulilah. Little bro still needs some help, but he reads very well.

I think my family is doing an amazing job of keeping good temper. No one seems irritated at all, and I know that I'm doing my best to avoid argument. That's probably one of my worst traits, quick tempered. Last night we attended Taraweeh prayer again at the masjid and we had Iftar there. I ate Moroccan cous cous, fried chicken, russian salad, Spanish rice, spiced chicken, and mixed rice. Oh, and a piece of chocolate frosted cake. When we came home I had some ice cream, a chocolate donut, and some pistachio nuts. Believe it or not, I did NOT eat as much as it seems. It all tasted /really/ good though. I mean, really.

So insha allah we will probably attend taraweeh prayer again. My Dad is making chicken enchiladas tonight for iftar. I truly do love Ramadan. May allah bless and reward us all - Nisa

Taraweeh Outfit: Summer Grass Green

If you attend taraweeh after Isha at the masjid on iftar nights, you want something nice, but not too formal to wear. I usually wear a nice skirt or slacks with a long, long blouse. The outfit I created below is a beautiful green, perfect for summer and beginning of fall wear. Please sisters, do not forget to bring socks with you to the masjid. Your feet must be covered so that you can make prayer.

I am so in love with that brooch and hijab! I am still trying to find the perfect green hijab because it goes really nice with the color of my skin. The only green hijab I have is a really dark green, but it's way too thick. I like hijabs that are thin, and easy to wrap. Oh, from the conference that we went to so that we could give out speech I bought two hijabs. One is a pale pink, and the other is a hot pink and black color. Both were really cheap, and they're really nice! In fact, I'm wearing the hot pink & black one to iftar at the masjid tonight insha allah. :) May allah bless and reward us all! -Nisa

Ramadan Mubarak Everyone- From Nisa's Family to yours!

Alhamdulilah, Ramadan is finally here! Last night I attended Taraweeh prayer at the masjid last night. It was really nice, but my feet started hurting half way through the prayer. Insha allah tonight we will attend it again, and we will have Iftar at the masjid. This morning for suhoor my family had pancakes, eggs, milk, and fruit. Yummy! It was a filling breakfast, and I'm not really hungry. After Fajr we sat down and read surah al-fatihah, and a few lines of surah al-baqarah.

It's not really hot outside today. I was a bit nervous about it being hot and fasting. I fast on Monday and Thursdays, so I should be used to it. Alhamdulilah, the weather is really nice today. Insha allah ladies I will try to blog everyday of Ramadan so that I can keep you updated. I seriously can't believe Ramadan came around so quickly this year! May all of you have a blessed Ramadan! - Nisa

The big day/Ramadan preperations

Tomorrow is the big day of our (my friends and I) big speech at a bigger masjid. I believe I told you ladies before that we will not be going to the really big masjid where we were supposed to go, but a doctor will be speaking so the people who asked us to speak switched it to a masjid smaller than the original, but bigger than ours. Alhamdulilah, we will have the honor of speaking either way. We will be speaking about the Wives of the Prophet instead of hijab. Everyone else speaking at the conference will be lecturing on Ramadan. Insha allah, I really hope everything goes well. I'm nervous, but super excited. We also have to cook something to bring, and we have no idea what to cook! Oh nooooo! Insha allah, I will probably wear my blue abaya to the conference because blue looks really nice on me. :D I love blue and pink clothing!

Have any of you begun preparing for Ramadan in any sort of way? The most that my family has been doing is preparing breakfast/dinner menu's for the four weeks of Ramadan, switching around schedules, deciding what to do for Eid gifts, and fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. We will probably be going to Iftar nights on Saturdays and Sundays at our local masjid. Everyone will have to cook something and bring it. Or, we can send something to the masjid for those that will be there. Either way, I'll be spending time with my friends and family during the holiest time of the year! Alhamdulilah! My family and I will also take turns reading the Qu'ran in the morning while we are cooking breakfast so that insha allah we will finish the entire Qu'ran before Eid day. I am knitting a scarf as a gift to give to someone, and I have plenty of other things on my list that I need to start knitting! I also need to find an Eid outfit, and I have no idea what it will be. So, how does your family prepare for Ramadan? Insha allah I will try to blog everyday of Ramadan, because I love documenting these things. It will be something to go back and read during next years Ramadan. Let the count down to Ramadan begin, I am fully prepared to bring myself closer to Allah, to finish the Qu'ran, and to spend time with family and friends! May Allah bless and reward us all! ~Nisa

Around the house style: Pink Slumber Party

If I could walk around my house freely, I would definitely wear this style. A short pajama-like shirt with a pair of flip flops. It is so comfortable! I personally love flip-flops especially because they are like slippers without covering the whole foot. I hate wearing socks or traditional fluffy slippers in the house. My feet need to be free, but protected. So flip-flops are the best alternative for me. As for spaghetti strapped dresses, they are so comfy to sleep in, and hang around in the house in...especially in the summer time. May Allah bless and reward us all! ~ Nisa

All Natural Hijabi: Kitty Litter Mask!

Ladies, today I have an new all natural face cleanser that will blow you away. You may use this on a daily basis if you have a few tinkling kitties around. Yes, kitty litter. I am not talking about the kind that has deodorizer in it or the clumping kind. All natural clay kitty litter. It MUST say 100% all natural ground clay. Alot of the times, these all-clay kitty litters are the "cheap" brands of litters, which is fine for a economically thinking hijabi! A big bag will usually last months, because only a small amount of litter is required when using it as a mask. The mask is a great acne treatment, and I have read that it gets rid of acne within a few weeks of usage. The litter is basically the same ingredients used in the expensive spa facial treatments...only it's cheaper.

You will need:

1. A bag of ground 100% clay kitty litter. NOT litter that has deodorizer or clumping ingredients. It MUST say clay only! DO NOT USE KITTY LITTER THAT HAS BEEN PEED OR POOPED ON BY A CAT!

2. A bowl and spoon
3. Water
4. All natural moisturizer

Take a tablespoon of kitty litter and place it into the bowl. Add a tablespoon of water and mix it with the kitty litter. Once the water looks brown and cloudy apply only the watery part of the mix. Do not put on the paste it makes because it is way too rough on the skin. Leave the mask on until it dries or for 15 minutes. Wash all of the clay from your face in a circular motion. Pat dry your skin, and apply your favorite all-natural moisturizer. May Allah bless and guide us all! ~ Nisa

References:
1. http://beauty.about.com/od/fragrance/r/catlitter.htm
2. http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/02/kitty_litter_facial_poll.php
3. http://www.ehow.com/how_2122981_make-cat-litter-facial.html
4. Michelle Phan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-x6hCI9X0g

For more All Natural Hijabi skin care tips and recipes, please click on the tags below!

Reporting live: Nisa!

I'm sorry sisters about the lack of posts, I've been busy this week! On Saturday my family went to our Muslim family friends house. It was really fun, but we didn't get back until a little late. Then Sunday was family, but we didn't go but I still didn't have access to a computer. It has gotten a little hotter here now, but I can't complain because alhamdulilah; I've had a cool, breezy summer so far! It's just a bit humid now, and always thundering. I like thunder anyway. Insha allah I will have another All Natural Hijabi post for you all tomorrow. May Allah bless and reward us all! ~Nisa

Juma Mubarak! + Popping Oranges Outfit

Juma Mubarak everyone! I know the times around the world are different, so you may or may not have already attended Juma. You also may just be getting ready for Juma, or you are already there. Regardless the time, Juma mubarak! It is my favorite time of the week, I mean sincerely! I don't go for Juma (my Dad does), but I feel the excitement of it! I have done a set that I think would be nice to wear after the lecture at the masjid (orange is a bit too bright). I love how orange and black mix together. I don't limit colors like that to pagan holidays like Haloween. They are just COLORS.

I don't know, now that I look at the colors they don't look so bright. Plus, it's only a small amount of orange. What do you ladies think? May Allah bless and reward us all! -Nisa

Babies and small children! ♥

I love babies so much, I can describe them in one word. Adorable. Well, if someone asked me to describe babies in one word, I would. However, there's so many more words that I can describe them as. Adorable, fluffy, sweet, cuddly, cute, beautiful, a blessing, and all that mushy jazz. :) My teacher from my masjid just had a baby, and I had watched her baby grow while she was pregnant. It was so weird seeing her baby out of her stomach for the first time. The baby is beautiful (the picture to the left is not her)! I was amazed when I touched one of her perfect little toes. Masha Allah! I love babies so much!
At our masjid, there is a large community of small kids. On Family day events it gets kind of hard to control them all, but my friends & I do a pretty good job of keeping them in check. We play games, talk to them, and cuddle them (even though they aren't our children so we can't keep them! Lol). I cannot wait to get married, finish my schooling, and have myself a baby. Although, I am a little afraid of them growing up. Because when they are 18 you can't cuddle them like that anymore. Then what with all of the terror birth stories, I get really nervous. Other than my little fears, babies are such a reward. Ladies, if you have babies you should be sooo thankful! I am so jealous when I hear that someone is having a baby, but I am also excited for them too. Alhamdulilah.

All I can do for now is play those virtual "baby" games, and play with my baby doll. Lol. Insha allah one of these days I will be blessed with a little one myself. :) May Allah bless and guide us all! -Nisa

July Sisters Youth Conference

On Sunday my best friends, sister, and I had a conference. Before we began the conference, my friends & I helped set up the tables, podium, did henna (I did my Mom, myself, another girl, and Sis double you), and food. Then we talked, and had a little bit of then. When the people finally arrived, we talked about the Wives of the Prophet (saw), as I told you all before. It was great! All of my friends did their essays nicely, even my friend who doesn't speak English very well. She did amazing! This time we stood in the Musallah and spoke to the audience over speaker. Some people took pictures, and some took video recordings, alhamdulilah. Wipe the horrified look of your faces, there were no men. :P Not one, except for some sisters Husband and my friends brother. They stood outside for three hours waiting for us to finish when they didn't have to, subhanallah.

Afterwards we had a bake sale and henna art. My Mom made coconut pound cake and Patti Labelles carrot cake (I do NOT like carrot cake at all, but this cake was delicious! You NEED to try this cake! We didn't add raisins though.) My friend # 1 made home-made brownies and strawberry cake. Friends 2 & 3 made these Moroccan cookies that are made with honey, and strawberry cupcakes (she made 54!). Friend #4's mother burnt whatever she made. Friend #3 and I also did Henna Art. I had brought my portfolio, but she didn't bring hers...so she used one of my patterns. I did one little girl, and she did the little girls sister. When the conference was finished we made Asr, split up the remaining cakes among each working family, and went home. I was so tired! We were going to go to a soccer field to play soccer afterwards, but everyone was too tired, and it was too late!

As for my Henna, insha allah I will be having a Henna Art business because my customers that I do randomly really like my work. Insha allah I may also be doing Henna art for a bride at my masjid! I can't wait!! Next month we will be going to a big masjid that is a bit far away to do another conference on hijab. We are really excited about that too. We were supposed to be doing a speech on hijab at another masjid that is closer, but the sister wants us to do it in front of MEN and women. We were like, no way! So insha allah we we will see. May Allah bless and guide us all! ~Nisa

Around the house style: City lady!

I love just a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. You can dress them up with a few pieces of jewelry, some make up, and a cute hair style. This style could also be worn outside and hijabified with a hijab and one of those really, thin shirts to go underneath.

A good hairstyle for this set would be the pig tails in the picture. As for make up, a bit of grey eyeliner, dark blue eye shadow, and lash extending mascara would work well. Remember, the make up should be light. You cannot make salat with too much make-up on. You don't want to waste your time reapplying all of that, now would you? May Allah bless and guide us all! - Nisa

Parent V/S Teen; Who has the upper hand?

In todays society, some teenagers think they have the upperhand. Yelling at their mothers, arguing with Dad, getting loud when told not to do something, and ignoring parents when they are asked to do something. Subhanallah, I really hope this isn't the case with Muslim teens. Allah (swt) and the Prophet (saw) tells us to respect, obey, and take care of our parents. Mothers of course deserve the most respect, but parents are supposed to be treated kindly regardless.

“And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and that you shall show goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “Ugh” nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word.”
Noble Qur’an, Surat Bani Isra’il (17) Verse 23

In this surah, Allah tells us to show goodness to our parents, and when they are old we are supposed to repay them by taking care of them. Being undutiful and rude to your parents (MUSLIM OR NON-MUSLIM) is one of the greatest sins that you can commit.

Narrated Anas:
The Prophet was asked about the great sins He said, “They are:–
(1 ) To join others in worship with Allah,
(2) To be undutiful to one’s parents.
(3) To kill a person (which Allah has forbidden to kill) (i.e. to commit the crime of murdering).
(4) And to give a false witness.”
{Volume 3, Book 48, Number 821 : Sahih Bukhari}

You don't have to wait for Mothers Day or Fathers day to come around to treat your parents kindly. You should thank your parents every day that you live. What if you die and you are waiting for that useless holiday to come around? You waited for that day just to thank your parents? How will you answer to Allah for it? How will you answer to the fact that you treated your parents with disrespect, but decided that you'd "treat them nice" for that day? Small acts of kindness such as doing what they ask you to do without giving them lip, doing your chores, studying hard, and helping them out are all small things to do.

You should never, ever hesitate to help your parents when they have a problem. Even when you are an adult, you still have to obey your parents. None of that "I'm twenty-one and grown now..." crap. That isn't Islam. Islam says to obey your parents, so you do it! If you disobey your parents, you are disobeying the Prophet (saw), and if you disobey the Prophet (saw), you disobey Allah (swt)! See how all of these things connect?

Your parents loved you, cared for you when you were helpless, and protected you from harm. "Blah, blah, blah," you may say. Yeah, it's the same old story. It's the same old TRUTHFUL story. Thank your Mother for enduring that pain when she gave birth to you. Thank your Dad for providing food for you. Thank them both for protecting and loving you. May Allah bless and reward us all for being dutiful to our parents ~ Nisa

All Natural Hijabi: Brown Sugar Scrub

This recipe for a brown sugar scrub can be used as a daily cleanser. It leaves the skin feeling extremely silky soft and looking radiant. Wallahi, your face will feel like a baby's butt! Seriously! You can also use it on your hands, feet, and lips.

Brown Sugar Scrub

You will need for a basic face scrub:
1 table spoon of Light or Dark Brown Sugar
1 table spoon of Olive oil
A wash cloth

Mix the brown sugar and olive oil together. Smear on the face and scrub GENTLY in a slow, circular motion for one or two minutes. When you are done, wash the sugar off of your face with luke warm water. Your face will feel very greasy. Take the wash cloth, wet it, and wipe off your face. Rinse your face off once more with cold water (to avoid having to do the ice treatment afterwards, use ice water), and pat dry your face with a soft towel. Moisturizer shouldn't be needed, but if you have extra dry skin applying a dime sized amount of Aloe Vera can't hurt. Let everyone feel the difference in your face. Beautiful, bright, and soft! If you have any left overs (your hands should already feel soft), use it on your lips. May Allah bless and guide us all ~ Nisa