Absence

They say absence makes the heart grow stronger. Hope that's true for you guys :) 

Sorry for my silence. Lots of stuff on my plate these days! 

Until then feel free to follow me on 

Instagram

Be back soon. 

<smooches> 

Hijabified {Integrity Boutique}

I first heard of Integrity Boutique through facebook. I was smitten as soon as I saw their designs. 

I attempted to narrow down my order to a couple, but the list just grew from there. 

They were kind enough to ship my order from Australia to Malaysia, 

so no worries if you don't live down under. 

 Although they don't yet have an online site that you can order from,

you can place your order through facebook. 

 They also have a store front.

 I'm hoping to pay it a visit when we are in Sydney early next year.

Watch Integrity Boutique featured on Faith Fashion, Fusion

Also make sure to 'like' them on facebook

I have a photographer friend who needed some hours behind the camera. 

So I thought it would be fun to play model for the day (don't worry, I'll be keeping my day job.) 

This is my own personal review of Integrity Boutique dresses.

*I was not gifted or or paid for this review.

This dress is Navy and is heavy jersey, no liner needed. Gold buttons embellish the sleeves. 

This can definitely be dressed up or down.

This dress is beautiful. It's knit and fully lined.

They don't specify on the website the material of the dresses, so I was a bit bummed when I realized this would be pretty heavy to wear in this climate.

This dress is my favorite! I love the design of it. 

It's extremely flattering with the middle panel. This dress is a light polyester blend and you'll need to wear a slip underneath. 

This one you've seen before. I wore this on Eid Al-Adha. It's a satin blend and sits really well. It can be worn with or without a belt.

-INTEGRITY BOUTIQUE-

Centro bankstown

ML327/328 Stacey street

Bankstown

(02) 9791 0708

-Stay tuned for one more photo shoot and review for AbayaAddict-

Cool things

This made my heart ache. 

I love the simplicity of the video.

{Check it out here}


*not sure why it won't let me embed the video :(

Delish {afghan style}

The other day I decided I was going to make Afghan food. 
If you have never had it, you are seriously missing out. 
Big time!

You see, I grew up in a city in Northern California that is better know as Little Kabul. It also is the same city the book Kite Runner refers to when he moves to the United States.  You can drive down the street and find restaurant after restaurant tantalizing you with delcious aromas and tender meats. Since I wasn't going be going to the Bay Area for a visit, I needed to fulfill my craving. 

So boys and girls I decided to cook it myself!!! 

I know! 

Trust me, this was huge in my house. 

I really felt like the local news should have been notified, but whatever. 

I might publish a cookbook.

I made two main dishes, intending to make a third but I got lazy busy.

Feast your eyes on this. 

Afghan Dumplings or better known as Aushuk:

Adapted from Food 52

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 3 teaspoons Kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound scallions, washed
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 package won ton wrappers
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 cup plain, whole milk yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried, ground garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried mint

Makes 25 dumplings

1. In a large pan, saute the chopped onion over medium heat in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until tender and translucent. Add the garlic and sauté another minute. Add the lamb and sauté until cooked through, breaking it up like finely minced taco meat. Add the tomato sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, the paprika, coriander and black pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring regularly for 20 minutes. Set aside.
2. While the meat is cooking, trim the root off the scallions and finely chop, using the entire onion (both white and dark green parts). A food processor is useful here. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat and add the green onions, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the crushed red pepper. Turn heat to low and sauté until tender, 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. To assemble the dumplings, fill a small bowl with water and put it at your work station. Set a won ton wrapper on your work surface and dip your finger into the water. Moisten the edges along two connecting sides of the wrapper. The water will serve as glue for the dumpling. Put about a teaspoon of sauteed green onions in the center of the wrapper. Fold the dough in half over the green onion in the shape of a triangle. Use the tip of your finger to firmly press the edges of the dough together to form a tight seal. Next, lift the two longest points of the triangle and press them together, creating a little circle over the dumpling. It will look like a fancy napkin fold. *I filled mine with the lamb mixture rather than the green onions. I also saved some lamb and sprinkled on top of the finished dumplings along with the green onions. 
4. While you are assembling the dumplings, bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Add the vinegar. Once all of the dumplings are done, immerse them in the water and boil according to directions on the won ton package (about 4 minutes). *I didn't wait for the water to boil and it could have been disastrous but wasn't. Next time I will steam them. 
5. While the dumplings are boiling ,quickly make the yogurt sauce. Stir together the yogurt with the garlic and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt.
6. Gingerly scoop the cooked dumplings out of the water with a slotted spoon, a few at a time, and arrange on a large platter. Spoon the yogurt over the dumplings and the ground meat on top of that. Sprinkle with dried mint and serve immediately.

They came out really good and were devoured within minutes. 
Yay! for me. 

The next dish I made was Afghan rice. Pretty easy and so satisfyingly good

Adapted from: Persian Recipes

Quabili Pallow (Polo)

Ingredients: 

1. 1 medium onion - chopped 
2. 1 cup shredded carrots 
3. 1 cup raisins 
4. salt / pepper 
5. oil

Directions: Soak the rice and set aside (add some salt to the water).

 Saute the chopped onions in oil until they begin to slightly turn a golden color. Add salt/pepper, and some turmeric powder (optional).

Wash the shredded carrot and saute in oil until it is tender. Wash the raisins and saute them in oil as well until tender. Set both aside.

Boil water to cook the rice, and once the rice is ready drain the water.  Add oil to the bottom of your pot along with a bit of water and pour half the rice into the pot. Pour the broth over the rice, mix then place the carrots and raisins over the rice. Cover the pot and allow the rice steam. 

*This recipe originally called for cooking the meat with the rice. I cooked a leg of lamb on it's own and sliced the meat after it cooked over the rice.  

 Both were relatively easy to make. 

Pat on the back for me!  And needless to say my family was impressed.

This is a traditional Afghan recipe that anyone who likes raisins and carrots is sure to enjoy.

Quabili Pallow (Polo)

Ingredients:
3 cups rice
Lamb meat (or other meat)
1 medium onion - chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup raisins
salt / pepper
Brown food coloring (unless you are using brown rice)
oil
Directions:
Soak the rice and set aside (add some salt to the water).
Cut up the meat if needed. Saute the chopped onions in oil until they begin to slightly turn a golden color. Add the meat, salt/pepper, and some turmeric powder (optional). Add a cup of water and cover and allow it to cook. When the meat is ready make sure you keep the broth because it will be used later.
Wash the shredded carrot and saute in oil until it is tender. Wash the raisins and saute them in oil as well until tender. Set both aside.
Boil water to cook the rice, and once the rice is ready drain the water. Add some food coloring to the saved broth. Add oil to the bottom of your pot along with a bit of water and pour half the rice into the pot. Pour some of the broth over the rice and mix, then add the meat. Add the remaining rice and the rest of the broth over the rice, mix then place the carrots and raisins over the rice. Cover the pot and allow the rice steam (dam bekeshad).


Read more: http://www.persian-recipes.com/persianrecipes/category/afghan-recipes/#ixzz2DIqU2xFL

This is a traditional Afghan recipe that anyone who likes raisins and carrots is sure to enjoy.

Quabili Pallow (Polo)

Ingredients:
3 cups rice
Lamb meat (or other meat)
1 medium onion - chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup raisins
salt / pepper
Brown food coloring (unless you are using brown rice)
oil
Directions:
Soak the rice and set aside (add some salt to the water).
Cut up the meat if needed. Saute the chopped onions in oil until they begin to slightly turn a golden color. Add the meat, salt/pepper, and some turmeric powder (optional). Add a cup of water and cover and allow it to cook. When the meat is ready make sure you keep the broth because it will be used later.
Wash the shredded carrot and saute in oil until it is tender. Wash the raisins and saute them in oil as well until tender. Set both aside.
Boil water to cook the rice, and once the rice is ready drain the water. Add some food coloring to the saved broth. Add oil to the bottom of your pot along with a bit of water and pour half the rice into the pot. Pour some of the broth over the rice and mix, then add the meat. Add the remaining rice and the rest of the broth over the rice, mix then place the carrots and raisins over the rice. Cover the pot and allow the rice steam (dam bekeshad).


Read more: http://www.persian-recipes.com/persianrecipes/category/afghan-recipes/#ixzz2DIqU2xFL

Read more: http://www.persian-recipes.com/persianrecipes/category/afghan-recipes/#ixzz2DIqU2xFL

Remodel

{Please be patient as the blog goes through a lil' bit of a remodel}

(Being weird, is my normal)

Until then, feel free to find me on Instagram. 
You'll find the icon on the right under {Everyday}

Hijabified {animal print}

 {Top; Zara. Wide leg palazzo pant; Zleqha. Shoes; TJ Maxx}

My life

Lately...

(afternoon snack)

(morning tea. Green tea w/ jasmine)

(collection)

(late night stroll) 

(Afghan food prep. Mantu)

(grocery store find. Quail eggs)

(mini me)

Cool Things

Why do I always feel like the last person on earth to see this stuff? 

Have you all heard this cutie pie!

You can watch the official video here.

Clean eating

Hey folks!

 I'm about to start a 21 day Eat Clean diet detox. 

Yes, really! 

Do you know what that means?

• No sugar
• No flour
• No processed foods
• No cola
• No red meat

Basically not eating the way I'm used to. 

I'm not that bad. 

But I did want to try eating raw again. I tried it a couple of years back and it made me feel amazing. It's hard to keep it up with the busy lives we live. 

If I had more willpower, I think I can do it. 

My diet detox will consist of having fresh fruit and veggies throughout the day, more veggies than fruit. Some nuts. 

And one proper meal which can include chicken or fish. 

I'll probably do quinoa, chicken/fish, and sweet potato or avocado. 

Along with my daily vitamins (advised to me by my natruopathic doc)

You guys already know this, but I'm no doctor ;) 

So please do not follow this without consulting your physician or nutritionist first. 

Here are a couple of websites that might be helpful to you:

The Gracious Pantry 

Live Life Active

Mystic Medicine

Morocco

 Morocco is my love affair. 

I'm seriously obsessed with anything to do with this country. 

It's the one place I'm dying to visit.

2013...maybe. 

{images via Pinterest}

vanity

I've been using this precious beauty for the last month. 

I'm head over heals in love with it. 

It leaves the most fascinating, yet faintest scent. 

You will looove it. 

The following is the description and ingredients from it's online site. 

98.1% of the ingredients in this Dry Oil are of natural origin, it is a unique combination of 30% Precious Plant Oils and Vitamin E to nourish, repair and soften your face, body and hair. With its unique concentration of 6 Precious Oils (Borage, St. John's Wort, Sweet Almond, Camellia,  Hazelnut and Macadamia) and Vitamin E, this easily-absorbed, multi-usage Dry Oil will leave your skin soft and silky in a single step, 

while your hair will be left with amazing softness and shine. No preservatives

cool things

Latest itunes download

hijabified

 I'm slowly stepping out of my shell. 

This skirt was bright!

 I toned it down with the black and white stripe top and solid black scarf.

Hella

I 'Hella' miss San Francisco!

Hella. Originated from the streets of San Francisco in the Hunters Point neighborhood. It is commonly used in place of "really" or "very" when describing something. (Urban Dictionary)

My parents and siblings all reside in the beautiful city I was born and raised in. 

And this year for the first time in my life, I've spent it away from them. 

Needless to say, I'm one sad girl. 

{via}

Man of style

I really appreciate when a man takes the time to consider what he wears. 

I know the general stereotype is that men don't put in any effort when they dress. I feel like it's important to put at least some consideration in the way you look, man or woman. 

Always keep in mind that first impressions leave a lasting impression. 

As a Muslim woman I take that seriously. 

What you wear, like it or not, says a lot about a person. 

No need to become a slave to fashion or the latest trends, but a little effort can go a long way. 

In everything you do remember this,  

{God is Beautiful and He loves Beauty} 

-A few manly tips-

1. Never wear white socks with black shoes. Ever.
2. White socks are only if you're wearing sneakers.
3. The 80's called they want their pleated pants back.
4. Flat front pants only. They are the most flattering.
5. Navy and brown make an excellent match.
6. Denim on denim is never okay unless you live on a ranch.
7. White running shoes are for old men.
8. Ankle socks should be worn only with running shoes.
9. Never underestimate the importance of a well fitted suit.
10. Unless you are on safari, earth tones on earth tones is never a good idea.

And last but not least, if you are a man and own a pair of skinny jeans, burn them. 

Now. 

*Grooming tips* coming soon.