a whisper of love

2012-03-02T22:20:00.011-05:00

I love when my room is perfectly spotless with nothing laying around. keeping it simple makes it much more comfortable too with just a few things that add that pop of color (Native American rug, wall art)

hash browns aren't much of a "picture pretty" food but these were delicious. (Paula Deen's recipe)

home-made sugar cookies topped with sweet frosting and sprinkled peppermint candy bits...what more can you ask for? :)

2012-02-22T23:01:00.002-05:00

this past weekend I went to go visit my sister at her apartment since there was a three day weekend, the snowfall down there was beautiful and I couldn't help but bring my Instax camera along!

p.s. is it just me or has Blogger been acting weird lately? whenever I try to rearrange my layout or add a header it hasn't let me -_-

latest

2012-02-15T16:17:00.008-05:00

just a few new photos I felt like sharing that i've taken over the past couple of days.

very berry chocolate cake

2012-01-30T15:05:00.006-05:00

I'm more of a vanilla than chocolate person but lately I've had this random craving for a very moist and sweet chocolate cake so I decided to give it a try & bake one. Most of my cake recipes are taken from Martha Stewart since hers never disappoint me and I was so pleased with this one too! It's a two layer cake with a raspberry jam filling, creamy chocolate icing, and topped with juicy strawberries.

* get the recipe here!

vintage magazines

2012-01-29T13:28:00.004-05:00

I have this obsession with old magazine covers especially Vogue, the photographs are all so remarkable + sadly you don't see many like them today.

D.I.Y. flower garland

2012-01-27T19:53:00.006-05:00

A lovely and super easy way to decorate plain walls or curtains, maybe even hang from the wall..whatever you prefer.

all you need are: flowers of your choice, thread/yarn

*make sure to not cut off all the flower's stem since it will be harder to tie

* if you use dead flowers like I did & don't want to worry about having petals break off, add a little hairspray to them)

Lay the thread on a flat surface and tie a flower starting from the end of the string
Continue tying on more flowers and double knotting each one using one end of the string
Make them as long or short as you want and be as creative as you can!

2012-01-20T21:37:00.005-05:00

dark + cold evenings, homemade breakfast, and lots of baking=my kind of winter

(please link back this site if you post any photos taken by me)

2012-01-15T19:13:00.006-05:00

Forever 21 polka-dot dress

Nordstrom long cardigan

Forever 21 combat boots

2012-01-11T09:44:00.003-05:00

finally we got some snow! probably the best thing about where I live is how beautiful the trees look during the winter when it snows. the downside is that I got excited about not having school but it ended up not being canceled :\

pretty cakes

2012-01-01T22:54:00.007-05:00

simple yet elegant.

these cakes are a work of art, i love the detail.

dibujos

2011-12-29T20:00:00.003-05:00

there's something so peaceful and bliss of taking a pencil and sketching away or picking up a brush and and dabbing soft strokes onto my paper. it's like once i start i can't stop.

greetings from the beach

2011-12-29T19:54:00.004-05:00

cocoa beach, florida. [nov. 2011]

2011-12-21T14:12:00.004-05:00

I feel bad for neglecting this blog because I really love posting on here, as a student we all know how difficult that is though. but i'll shut up about that and just mention that i'm on break for 2 weeks. z came home and is now on the way India, so exciting! i promised her she can't come back without bringing me tons of jewelry, tunics, and beautiful treasures haha.

it also still hasn't snowed yet, kinda depressing because I wait months for this time of the year. [tomorrow's the first day of the winter]

2011-12-09T16:10:00.004-05:00

via Elle + Topshop

2011-10-28T16:18:00.003-04:00

I haven't had much time to sketch lately but I felt like I hadn't posted any of my drawings lately so these are just some I've done the last couple months.

fall/winter street style

2011-10-04T16:51:00.003-04:00

there has been a sudden drift from the hot to cold weather and i'm too excited to get out my winter clothes hidden in the closet. summer was great but I really am ready for the crisp, cool Fall days especially with a minty hot chocolate to drink, the scent of pumpkin spice lingering, and a soft, cashmere sweater. hello, Fall!

photos via VanessaJackman, HijabHouse

p.s. Happy birthday to my blog!!! it's been more than a year since I made it & I didn't even realize it!

2011-09-29T16:36:00.006-04:00

my cousin's birthday is today so I did my best to make a home-made cake and gave it a try! it was my first time so obviously it didn't look exactly the way I planned. however it tasted great + nothing burned haha. the only thing I would probably fix next time is the icing because it wasn't thick enough. in the end she loved it as well as the painting I made her <3

recipes--> for the cake + frosting

autumn, again

2011-09-23T18:43:00.008-04:00

it's fridaaaaaayyyy! feels good to be able to relax and not worry about any school, not that I don't have homework. anywho I felt like I needed to have a new outfit post 'cause I'm always lazy with these since i'm not so photogenic haha. hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, xoxo.

wearing// Forever 21 scarf | H&M tunic | H&M coat | thrifted backpack | Urban Outfitters shoes

recuerdos; june twenty sixth

2011-09-18T00:36:00.003-04:00

my sister snapping a photo at the dock

captured this of a random lady, maybe I should have gotten her permission but she looked so deep in thought.

2011-09-07T17:39:00.006-04:00

since i've spotted this new trend going on, I think it's a fave. My favorite way to wear them are with nautical stripes and blazers which you can never go wrong with! they can easily be used for a lovely, day-to-night outfit. xoxo

2011-09-02T15:28:00.018-04:00

during the long, summer days I like to spend time baking and making new things. however school starts next week so I will barely have any time to which sucks because I love to bake haha :) these are a few things I made this summer break:

lemon cake & lemon frosting, with a filling of blackberry preserves.

rainbow cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting. this is one of the coolest cupcake ideas, props to whoever invented them!

if i knew how simple it would be to make funnel cake, i'd probably try to so long ago. they taste just as good as the ones at the carnival too! [recipe]

this was a cake I made for my little sister, instructions found on betty crocker's website.

chocolate chip muffins, nothing can beat those. [recipe]

2011-08-29T21:30:00.014-04:00

Eid mubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sisters!! May Allah accept all our good deeds and duah and let us be able to be here next year to celebrate again, inshallah. Leave a comment and let me know how you'll be celebrating Eid! What is Eid?

(I wore this to Eid prayer, traditional Afghan clothes)

2011-08-20T08:56:00.006-04:00

I couldn't sleep tonight. I was half awake the whole night and once we woke up for sahr going back to bed was not possible. so I was awake at sunrise and I haven't woken this early since school ended but I need to get back in the schedule of waking up early so that's alright. anyways it is beautiful outside. fresh air and the glimpses of morning dew, of course I had to snap a few photos =)

Scotch & Soda: Maison Scotch collection

2011-08-17T11:38:00.006-04:00

wool cardigans, red pants, lots of layers, plaid, loafers & booties. just the perfect pieces for my fall wardrobe. (view the rest of the collection here)

last friday night

2011-08-14T12:34:00.012-04:00

wearing// Target scarf, Forever 21 tee, H&M cardigan, Ross jeans, Urban Outfitters shoes

passion fruit gelato...probably the second best flavor after pistachio mmm.

which Afghan doesn't love kabob? oh & their halal cheeseburgers are amazing.

2011-08-07T19:10:00.007-04:00

note: I changed the size of my post entries so if you look at my older posts they may look a bit funky :-)

2011-08-03T17:16:00.002-04:00

there is just something special about the comfort and simplicty of an all-white room that I really like.

2011-07-30T10:05:00.007-04:00

I needed something to satisfy my chocolate cravings and these little, moist and delectable chocolate sandwich cookies really did the job! (they're like Oreos but better) the recipe also makes plenty of cookies so they'll last for awhile. the only down side is that it takes a couple hours of refrigerating and freezing the dough till the cookies can finally be baked.

they look a lot like macarons, dontcha think?

2011-07-27T22:07:00.006-04:00

scarf: H&M

shirt: Ross

jeans: Forever 21

shoes: Forever 21

I finally wore these heels I got a few weeks ago, they go with everything and the heels aren't too high. the only thing is I always wear flat shoes so I can barely walk in `em :X anyways I took these photos today when I went to my grandparents house. there's a really pretty park behind their house so my cousins and I took a million pictures lol :)

2011-07-26T00:05:00.007-04:00

her style looks so effortless and I love her leather accessories.

2011-07-18T21:52:00.009-04:00

Anthropologie's new bedding, enough said. they are so boho & one of my favorite things about them are the colorful patterns and paisleys-- you can't go wrong with that. maybe one day I'll actually be able to afford any of their products haha.

P.S. want to do me a great favor? click here and vote my for art entry for a competition. it's just one click! (you need a Facebook to do so)

2011-07-08T21:42:00.007-04:00

you know something is good when you turn around and their all gone! I was surprised because my cookies don't always come out right but that didn't happen this time. they were soft and crunchy, melted in my mouth, and the sweet icing completed the taste!

2011-07-03T23:25:00.017-04:00

sunday evening horseback riding on trails in the Shenandoah Valley

2011-06-20T17:27:00.005-04:00

looking through this talented lady's set of photos from Europe makes me want to go on a trip to France. I love how royal everywhere looks and how the buildings are filled with so much history. je veux aller à Paris!!

style inspiration

2011-06-18T17:54:00.002-04:00

one \ two \ three

strawberry-stained fingers

2011-06-13T13:27:00.005-04:00

2011-05-13T18:09:00.006-04:00

Isabel Lucas

Olsen twins, of course they always amaze me & their style works perfect for a hijabi :)

2011-05-11T17:56:00.000-04:00

Lucky Brand collared shirt

Forever 21 necklace

Macy's scarf

-this has been a strange & sad week, a death in the family can be so tough
-so many ~~weddings~~ baby showers are coming up this month
-excited for my baking "project" i went to Michaels yesterday to get my supplies
-SOLs start next week which means school is almost done.
-what else is new?

2011-05-07T21:14:00.004-04:00

photos via my Flickr

2011-05-06T18:15:00.001-04:00

lovely images by Mariam Sitchinava

2011-04-30T00:28:00.002-04:00

what I've been listening to

2011-04-29T23:14:00.003-04:00

||||||

Spring break

2011-04-29T23:05:00.009-04:00

Ottoman calligraphy

2011-04-12T17:04:00.006-04:00

by Ozcay.

cherry blossoms

2011-04-04T17:18:00.004-04:00

Cynthia Vincent Fall `11

2011-03-31T17:25:00.003-04:00

ummm yeahh I'm kinda in LOVE with her Fall collection. (yes I know it's not even summer yet)

2011-03-28T17:08:00.005-04:00

I just read this interview on the Malaysian singer/songwriter, Yuna Zarai, and boy I'm really starting to like her.. well, her sense of fashion and taste in music specifically, but the fact that she's Muslim and getting "out there" is really great!

images via refinery29, lookbook

back to the future

2011-03-25T22:48:00.002-04:00

Irina Werning photographed these fascinating photos. how coool are they?

2011-03-18T12:13:00.001-04:00

black + neutrals

2011-03-12T22:10:00.003-05:00

1. Modcloth

2. Jones New York

3. Topshop

4. DSW's

5. Topshop

6. Forever 21

ghosts with just voices

2011-03-11T22:08:00.013-05:00

today was a beautiful jumaah alhamdulillah. my mom picked me up early from school and took off from work. my sisters and I had lunch together, roamed bookshelves and shoe racks, went to friday prayer after what felt like months, and I also gave my sister a mini photoshoot =)

if we could read minds

2011-03-07T16:52:00.002-05:00

Forever 21 maxi dress | Target leather jacket | Pacsun ring | H&M scarf

I bought this maxi dress just because well, numero uno, maxi dresses are one of a hijabi's must-have essentials and, dos, it was only 10 bucks. the thing was that I wasn't sure how to dress it but I like the leather jacket with it--a nice, edgy look!

princess

2011-02-19T15:03:00.009-05:00

my little sister is beautiful.

2011-02-16T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hurley; Billabong; Urban Outfitters; O'neill

one of my absolute favorite things to wear are ethnic-inspired prints, especially Native American. these bags are to die for!

2011-02-06T16:28:00.005-05:00

family <3

2011-02-05T13:38:00.003-05:00

...pretty things around the house

2011-02-04T19:30:00.003-05:00

Anthropologies february lookbook

2011-01-28T17:14:00.005-05:00

shirt + belt: thrifted, cardigan: Charlotte Russe, shoes: Vans

ugh I have to wash the dishes and then i'm problably going to go to an event at the masjid, inshallah. oh and there's a protest in D.C. tomorrow because of what's going on in Egypt, i really hope we go!

heart of gold

2011-01-27T21:42:00.014-05:00

Forever 21 jacket + boots, Target scarf, thrifted skirt

I love this new skirt I got, it has really pretty ruffles and a bohemian look, i'm just waiting for warm weather so i can wear it! anywhooo I've had a bad cold this week, luckily the schools are closed or else I would have missed a lot of days oh + it snowed again yesterday more than the usual amount it has this winter + the roads were absolutely crazy. It was only like 4 inches of snow yet there were cars parked in the highway and people walking on the roads.. haha I felt like I was in a movie.

2011-01-27T15:27:00.006-05:00

Newest things i did in my notebook.

Florals + paisleys

2011-01-25T13:49:00.010-05:00

Scarves available at American Eagle

It really needs to be spring, i can't wait to start wearing bright colors + summery prints, all this freezing below 20 degrees weather isn't helping. (and neither is the horrible cold i have)

fifteen.

2011-01-22T16:57:00.003-05:00

They say "life flies at the blink of an eye"...now i'm starting to believe it.

free people

2011-01-20T16:39:00.002-05:00

My favorites from their January lookbook.

the new

2011-01-18T16:31:00.004-05:00

Arabic calligraphy i made for my mom's friend

my new oxfords!

pencil and watercolor

watercolor pencils

2011-01-15T23:03:00.004-05:00

I've always been a fan of Nicole Richie so i knew i wouldn't be disappointed at her fashion line unlike other celebrities. (cough cough Lauren Conrad) I also love how her style is so bohemian & modern at the same time.

her silent dreams

2011-01-15T15:19:00.007-05:00

Today has been kind of boring. I've just cleaned a bit so i took some more photos around the house, inshallah my mom and I are going to check out some new thrift stores later on :) I also have no school Monday so that means more time off, oh yeeeeah.

there's a flower that grows

2011-01-12T12:42:00.005-05:00

my Flickr

unplanned moments are always better than planned ones

2011-01-01T22:40:00.011-05:00

[Wearing: Old Navy sweater, thrifted floral shirt, INC jeans, thrifted purse]

My winter break is over and i started school again on Monday. Next week i have two SOL tests too which are really important so other than preparing for S & F's wedding on Sunday, i'll be stuck studying Biology & Algebra..We might even throw a surprise party for Sarah which i really hope happens so we can dance and i could wear my mom's beautiful Indian dress!

p.s. it is two thousand and ELEVEN, still hard to believe. I still feel like it's 2007.

hello west coast

2010-12-28T23:24:00.002-05:00

Some photos that were taken from alhamdulillah my beautiful trip to Las Vegas, Arizona, & California during thanksgiving break! I have a million more that i'll be posting periodically so look out :)

2010-12-23T11:55:00.005-05:00

Some recent drawings I did. still working on the last one!

please fly with us again

2010-12-22T17:12:00.008-05:00

Crushed Mints

2010-12-21T17:02:00.006-05:00

With candy canes filling the aisles of stores, I wanted to bake something using them so I made peppermint bark. This was my first time yet it was the easiest thing i've ever baked! All you actually do is melt chocolate (white + dark) and let it harden. It tasted pretty delicious as well + would make a really nice + easy gift!

Recipe

Flickr Faves

2010-12-20T18:19:00.011-05:00

{click the images for source}

more street style

2010-12-17T21:49:00.005-05:00

dirtyrichmond; fashiontoast; aimfordsky; (the rest are unknown)

2010-12-13T16:34:00.005-05:00

shirt: Forever 21 | skirt: Forever 21 | belt: thrifted | shoes: Converses

I saw this striped dress at Forever 21 a while back and wanted it really bad but didn't get it, so when I went this weekend with my cousins it was half off & I couldn't say no 8) ...Anywho life has been the same, it snowed less than an inch today which was the first snowfall here & apparently there'll be some more on Thursday!

maxi skirts

2010-12-10T20:36:00.004-05:00

A big fan of this trend going on, I love how you can wear it in so many different ways too.

(i don't recall where i got these images from so if it's yours, let me know)

thanksgiving break

2010-12-06T16:38:00.007-05:00

Monday- we went to Red Rock Canyon (we took a gazillion pictures there) and Mount Charleston. When we were driving up the mountain we saw cars leaving with snow-covered cars which was very surprising because we were in Las Vegas, right? Only later we realized the mountain was filled with snow! The beauty on top of the mountain was unexplainable, the only thing was that we were not dressed for snow (uh yeah, we barely had jackets on). Then, on the way back to the city we also saw cute, wild donkeys. I'm guessing it's a "furzee" thing to feed them bananas *cough cough Mom.

Tuesday- we visited Hoover Dam and drove to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon West. We didn't get to see the entire canyon, however, because it cost hundreds of dollars to do so which sucked but we did see beautiful landscape and drove hours in the desert on an abandoned road filled with joshua trees and Native American territory (teepees!)

Wednesday- we went to California and visited Death Valley which is in the Mojave desert. It was breathtaking especially the hotel which was surrounded by tall palm trees and pink flowers!

Thursday- we went to Valley of Fire, (i got really good sunset pics there) and the petroglyphs we saw there were really cool.

Friday- spent the whole day on Las Vegas blvd. visiting all the grand, luxurious hotels, Bellagio and Venetian were my favorite.

Yes my trip consisted of lots of mountains, canyons, and deserts. Honestly, there's not much to do in Las Vegas itself if you're not a gambler and drinker.

2010-11-19T18:43:00.002-05:00

I can't believe i'm really saying this but i'm going to Las Vegas tomorrow with a bunch of my cousins, inshallah (God willing)! I've always seen it on t.v. and movies so i wonder what it will feel like seeing it in person? Also i won't have internet for a week so i won't be able to update but i'll definitely post pictures when i get back inshallah =)

untitled

2010-11-17T16:46:00.007-05:00

New rings i bought

Arabic calligraphy i did a while back.

Awesome things i got at the thrift shop--book, polaroid camera, and that carpet!

My cousin and I at an Eid celebration

evening wear

2010-11-15T15:48:00.008-05:00

Being a recent "hijabie", i haven't gone to a wedding yet but i've noticed for many that choosing what to wear to one is a big challenge. Fortunately, Asos can solve that problem with their lovely apparel!

p.s. Eid mubarak to those celebrating it today! For Americans it is tomorrow, inshallah =)

i just want to be ok, be ok.

2010-11-12T17:23:00.017-05:00

sweater: thrifted | purse: thrifted
It's been quite a long time since i've updated my Blogger, unfortunately! I plan on changing that from now on [inshallah] so keep following + leaving lovely comments =) Anywho, i've been feeling so sick this week, i think i have a cold or allergies, it sucks. On the bright side, i found out today i got a B on my algebra exam. I'm so happy 'cause i'm horrible at math!

p.s. Inshallah i'm off to Las Vegas in a week!!!

2010-10-13T16:07:00.012-04:00

theblondesalad; asos; teampeterstigter

colors of the wind

2010-10-10T12:49:00.007-04:00

shirt: H&M | jeans: Pacsun | boots: Forever 21 | scarf: H&M

Friday was my school's homecoming game, we finally won after 3 years of losing! My sister also came from college for fall break this weekend. Tomorrow, school's closed because of Columbus Day! That's an extra day to sleep in haha =) Well, hope everyone had a great weekend, xoxo.

Free People's October lookbook

neutral prints

2010-10-07T16:10:00.005-04:00

source

in all directions

2010-10-02T21:48:00.008-04:00

shirt: Michael Kors | pants: INC | scarf: Target | belt: thrifted | shoes: Forever 21

My weekend has been pretty chill. I was suppose to go laser tagging with my cousin but that didn't work out so i went to an event at the mosque. Tomorrow we might go to a Turkish festival in D.C. and i also have to do tons of homework. Spirit week starts Monday so i'm so excited!

asos magazine

2010-10-01T21:02:00.003-04:00

source

red and blue

2010-09-30T18:41:00.017-04:00

scarf: Target | shirt: Forever 21 | shoes: Converse | bag: Urban Outfitters

This past week has been sooo rainy! I somewhat like it because it's calm and relaxing but this morning it was pouring rain outside when i was waiting for my bus and i had to stand outside like an extra 15 minutes because it was late, not fun. -_- Anyways, i haven't been getting much homework this week so that's a plus, all i have to do is write an article for Biology which isn't due till Monday! XO

2010-09-27T16:46:00.003-04:00

What can i say? I absolutely love Anthropologie. (lets not talk about the prices)

Chair $1,298

Pillow $78

Chandelier $998

Book $35

Dinnerware $10-16

Calendar $22

neutrals

2010-09-24T16:52:00.009-04:00

Surprised at how many different outfits you can make with just a couple key pieces?

[shopbop]

denim + studs

2010-09-24T16:20:00.013-04:00

jacket: Forever 21

tank top: thrifted

bag: Urban Outfitters

sandals: Forever 21

belt: thrifted

First outfit post & i'm so glad it's Friday! High school has been awesome so far too! Except now i have a pile of binders and books that i need to study for my tests on Monday :\ Anywho i think i'm getting allergies or a cold, thanks to the crazy weather in Virginia. One second it's cold and the next it's 97 degrees. Xo

street style

2010-09-19T15:16:00.012-04:00

SOURCE: 1 2 3 4 5

Independence Day

2010-07-08T14:47:00.013-04:00

Last weekend i went Virginia Beach with my cousins for Fourth of July. It was an amazing trip! The weather was perfect---breezy and not humid. We relaxed on the beach, read books, and also walked the boardwalk. At night, we watched the fireworks and laughed at crazy people. Since my dad took the dslr, my sister decided to use a disposable camera for the trip and the pictures came out lovely!