May to August and everything in between

Okay, now it's time to get to blogging. You cannot believe how much my life has turned around from May to August of this year. Alhamdulillah! I have no words to describe how happy I am with the current state of my life. Allah has truly given me so much blessings, and even more that I did not ask for.

Let's start in May...

Our Walima was held last May 25, 2012. I do remember writing about some of the preparations we were doing back then but I didn't have the time to share more details about it. Anyway, it was the exact type of wedding (reception) that I always dreamt of - simple, elegant, and intimate. Everything just fell into its perfect place and no one but Allah could have willed for all these wonderful things to happen. Here, let me share some photos from that momentous occasion...

Our throne for the night

some giveaways

the venue

We couldn't contain our happiness 

With my loving husband

Backtrack to June...

Shortly after the walima, we discovered another blessing - life inside my womb! :) It's my very first pregnancy and we are so excited to say the least!

the first sign of life: 2 lines mean positive

But just because I'm pregnant, it won't stop me from going on an adventure to --- Malaysia!!! It's my first time to Malaysia and I had been eagerly anticipating that trip because my husband who stayed in Malaysia for one month never stops telling me how beautiful the country is, most especially the people. And for Muslims who are used to modernity, Malaysia is an ideal place to live in because of the balance between Islam and modernization.

The main purpose of the trip was the Al-Maghrib seminar by Sheik Walid Basyouni about the 5 pillars of Islam. It was a double-weekend course so I opted to stay the whole week instead of going back and forth to Manila. The seminar was the first Islamic lecture that I attended and it helped me gain more knowledge of the deen and it is, as they say, an eeman-raising experience.

Double weekend seminar from the Al-Maghrib Institute

All Halal

Masjid Negara

Hey, this is just June? I have July and August to tell you about. Maybe tomorrow, insha Allah...
It's been fun rekindling all these memories. Maybe I can also tell you more about my Malaysia trip coz had loads of fun!

Until then. Assalamu alaikum!

Project Runway Philippines

In between the walima preparations, setting up our clothing business and personal writing gigs, I am also jugging my duties as the over-all in charge of the TV show called Project Runway Philippines. I had to keep all pictures hidden for so long because of confidentiality issues but now that the program is finally airing, then I have the liberty to post all PRP related photos already.

I just want to say that of the 15 designers who made it to the competition, one is a Muslimah! Yay! I was so proud and surprised that a sister made it to the show because this is a first, and believe it or not, I had nothing to do with it. Insha Allah, her presence in the show breaks all stereotypes about Muslims and shows everybody that we too, know what being fashionable and stylish is all about - in a halal way.

With the designers

The cast with the show director

The 15 designers. Spot our sister!

Philippines' version of Heidi Klum - supermodel Tweetie de Leon

Walima, finally

I bring such great news after 3 months of blogging hiatus. Not even my crazy schedule can stop me from talking about this because I waited for this moment for so long and Allah is very good to me because he is granting this wish a year exactly after I asked for it, and that is our walima. Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! I am ecstatic!!!!

Walima is an Arabic term that means "banquet." I don't know if that is a common term among Muslims in the Philippines because some know it, while some don't. Anyway, a walima is basically a wedding reception and we all know what a wedding reception is so no need to expound on that. 

But I can expound on what our walima is going to be like! 

Now that we are in the process of actual preparations, I am feeling a little stressed because I am bursting with so much ideas but the minimal time and budget is preventing me from going all out. 

The walima will be held in Intramuros, also known as the walled city. Back in the 16th century, the Spaniards built a fortress around the perimeter of this area to protect it from so-called invaders, but in reality, they were just keeping the real inhabitants of this nation out, and those were the Muslims. Now, it's time to reclaim what is rightfully ours, so to speak. So a walima here is rightfully deserved.

On to our wedding pegs. How nice if this set-up can be re-created.

Love the dangling/lighting effect

Dessert Buffet

I could add more to these but I am keeping it to a minimum because this is what's realistic. In fact, I'm not even sure what can be pulled off given our budget constraints. Yet, I am grateful to Allah every second because this walima is really an answered prayer.

Will be back for more updates on the preparations, inshaAllah.

Fab finds

Assalamu Alaikum y'all!

I am so happy because my circle of Muslim friends are growing, Alhamdulillah! I remember when I used to complain about not having enough Muslim friends, but now, I not only have friends, I have Muslim sisters from all over the world. It all happened when one sister added me in facebook and from then on, I have been meeting so many sisters from different countries. This just goes to show that our religion unites people no matter what age, race, or nationality.

It's funny because I proved that girls will always be girls. Muslim girls are into fashion and beauty as much as other girls are, and this is something that not many people know about, I guess.

Anyway, I found these dresses from secret squirrel labelwhich I think would really look good on a Muslimah. You just need to "halal-ify" the look, if you know what I mean.

Monday workwear 

Tuesday hang-out (oh dear, I forgot my pants)

Wednesday luncheon 

Casual Thursday (let's go malling)

Date night Friday (don't forget hijab and pants)

Relaxed Saturday

Fashionable Sunday

Clinical chic

Classic

Project 303 - a home improvement project

Hubby is on his way to work and I'll be left all alone for the night again. I don't really like that he's leaving when I'm just coming home from work, but that's just the way it is... at least for now.

So anyhoo, I am really psyched about this home improvement project of mine. Work is already on its way, starting off with these designs from an interior designer friend of mine named Mike. It pays to have talented friends who'll do things for free. Haha! I also work with Mike for TV commercials and TV shows so there is no doubt about his taste level and excellent quality of work. 

The main goal is how to transform our studio-type unit into one functional space by dividing it into specific areas. The dilemma in a studio unit is really how to avoid making the whole house your bedroom, when really, the whole house is your bedroom! You know what I'm saying?

This is how our little abode will be spruced up:

Top shot of layout

Bedroom

So Mike's plan is to put a wall around the bed and transform this into a 1-bedroom. It's going to be a tight squeeze but I see the potential in that it keeps away the kitchen fumes from sticking to the beddings and allows an area (finally!) for receiving guests!

Living room

I want to make this living room ultra-comfy by adding pillows that you can just plop on the floor for extra seating and a couch for watching TV. I have never had a couch in all my 3 years in this house so this is really something that I can't wait to have. I am on a very limited budget so the hunt for  the perfect couch that's up to my aesthetics and sensibilities still continues. This will also be the area for salah (prayer) so the furniture must be lightweight and easy to move around.

Another problematic area in our home is the lack of storage space. Mike solves that by adding a shelving unit to keep all our belongings like clothes, shoes, and other items neatly concealed by a curtain.   That way, we can hide unwanted things lying around when unexpected guests arrive, and they can't see all the clutter behind it. 

One more thing that I'm excited about is having my own desk! At present, there's a wooden vanity dresser right at the same spot, but with some DIY magic, I shall transform it into something pretty and modern and use it as my study/work table. Some inspirations I will take from colormecarla and centsationalgirl.

I dream about the finished product day and night. Oh, if only we can start tomorrow...

2012 projects

Hello Blog, I missed you. Haven't written anything for over a month. Everyday seems never-ending. There are so many things to be done, both at work and at home. I feel like 7 days in a week is not enough when you spend 5 days or 45 hours at the office each week. When I get home, the only thing I can think about is sleeping. Why am I so tired lately? Sigh...

To put an end to such monotony, I decided to rekindle my love for crafts and DIY projects. It's been a while since I got creative and maybe it's the missing element in my life right now. So over the holidays, I invested time and did some research on what possible projects I can get into to keep my mind off work and liven up my spirits. And here are some things that I'm eyeing for 2012.

1) Home improvement

I've been living in this shoebox house for almost 4 years now and never really thought about remodeling or improving the current state of my home because I never did consider this a real house. It was more like a temporary settlement and a convenient location in close proximity to my work. But after all these years, I guess I should embrace the reality that I may have to stay here far longer than expected and must then improve my surroundings to make it more visitor-friendly. So here are some design inspirations that I plan to integrate in my home:

The biggest dilemma, as is in any cramped studio-type apartment, is the delineation between the kitchen, bedroom, living and dining. Functionality and multi-purpose furniture is key in making the house conducive for living, and that is the challenge ahead.


2) Furniture restoration

I am in awe when a shabby furniture is returned to its old glory. I envy people who can transform trash into treasure and wish that I had the knack for it. Just imagine the satisfaction when you can turn a drab chair or old-fashioned dresser into a pretty piece of art. Check out these amazing projects from centsationalgirl. I think it would be fun to be her friend!

before

after

before

after

not from centsational girl blog, but what a great idea

3) Crochet 

There's something about crocheting that makes me nostalgic. I think that it's a relaxing and therapeutic activity to help you zone out. So during the holiday break, I sought the help of my mom to teach me how it's done and with the aid of internet, I am building up my skills little by little. I try to practice daily (if I have the energy and time for it) so that I can work on some projects right away and have enough personalized crocheted items to give away during Ramadhan. Here are some cute projects to inspire me:

headphone covers

beanie

shoes

iphone cover

hat with beard

There you go. I hope that this year will be more productive, insha Allah. I will be back, blog, hopefully with a more positive lease on life and more to talk about.