Follow Friday: @Honeyfordays aka Hanan

Honeyfordays

Hanan aka Honeyfordays is the epitome of California cool.

Salaams my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful day inshallah. As you know, today is Follow Friday where I recommend a stylish hijabi on Instagram to follow. Today’s Follow Friday hijabi @honeyfordays (Hanan) is not only stylish and beautiful, but she also gives back to the community. I had the pleasure of meeting Hanan at the Fashion Fighting Famine San Francisco show in Jan 2014. I can vouch that she is not only stunning in photographs, but also very beautiful in real life too mashallah. @honeyfordays was modeling for FFFSF while I was MCing the show. I personally think it is wonderful when we see have hijabis who are trying to make a difference in their local communities. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to connect too much that day since we both were focused on making Fashion Fighting Famine SF successful, but I was struck by her poise and beauty in person for the brief moment we did meet! Actually, it was nice to meet a whole collective of stylish hijabis in the Bay Area overall. However, when @honeyfordays was on the runway you could literally hear a pin drop because all eyes were on her. She rocked her outfits like no one else because she has an effortless beauty about her.

@honeyfordays not only has killer style, she is a fresh faced beauty that can pull off dramatic eye makeup or trendy lip colors without looking overly done. Whether it’s a smoky kohl eye or a velvety plum lips, @honeyfordays can make trendy makeup looks more accessible. I love following her Instagram account if only to get ideas on how to wear makeup trends well. She is not a big accessory girl, but when she does wear accessories you know it. From bejeweled headbands to cinched belts, she wears accessories to complement HER, not her outfit.

Make sure to check out @honeyfordays on Instagram and while you are there, feel free to add me too @hijabilife!

Fashion Friday: Long Tulle Skirts

Imaan Ali from The Hijablog rocks the tulle skirt

Imaan Ali from The Hijablog rocks the tulle skirt perfectly.

Salaams my lovelies and Jumah Mubarak to you! You are in luck because I have another Fashion Friday blog post for you today!

I don’t know about you, but in terms of modest fashion, you have to get creative if you want to keep your wardrobe fresh. I personally get a lot of my fashion inspiration from Instagram so when I saw long tulle skirts on bloggers like Imaan Ali and Winnie Detwa, I just knew I had to let you readers know about it. What I love about long tulle skirts is that it is something that you can wear not just to work, but kids’ birthday parties, special events, or any time you want to have a girly moment. My favorite tutu moment is when Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing her tutu through the streets of Manhattan in the opening credits of Sex and the City and no one bats an eyelash. While most modest fashionistas may not want to wear that exact skirt, it can certainly serve as a bit of fashion inspiration.

I promise you that if you wear a long tulle skirt, you won’t be getting strange looks because there are some excellent skirts that just have added swing, but none of that dreaded frou frou puffiness of a traditional tutu skirt.

I personally prefer long tulle skirts in neutral colors and a little heavier so that there is less of a puffy tutu factor. For example, this gray long tulle skirt by Anna Hariri is perfect for work because it looks less ballerina and more polished. For some reason, my favorite work clothes are gray and then I pair the gray pieces with more colorful accents. In the Anna Hariri skirt, you can see just how swingy and pretty long tulle skirts can be.

My favorite thing about long tulle skirts is that there is a lining in them because tulle is so sheer. So you can always stay modest yet stylish. What are your thoughts on long tulle skirts? Yay or nay?

Hijabi Trend: Embellished Shoulders

embellished shoulders with spikes

Embellishments on the shoulders are an emerging trend with the hijabi set.

Are you looking to change up your hijab style a little? One emerging trend from the hijabi fashion set has been to embellish the shoulders of their outfits. If you are a little fashion risk averse, this is the perfect trend for you. I mean think about it, shoulders are pretty much standard on every one so you know a little shoulder embellishment will look as good on you as it does on a runway model. It is the perfect place to take a little fashion risk without looking too foolish. Here are some tips to pull off the look:

Give it Some Edge:If you are tired of super girly pastels and florals and want to embrace your inner edge, you may want to consider putting some finishing touches on the shoulders of your abaya. The hottest hijabi trend has been to pump up the style of your abaya with strong shoulder pads, ruching, and even spikes and chains for a look that is definitely not your auntie’s style.

Make It Pretty:If you are looking for a softer feel, you can always spice things up with sequin detailing at the shoulders, or contrast color blocking too. Whatever you choose in terms of shoulder embellishments, it will be a look that will stand out from the rest.

Do It Yourself: This is the perfect trend to refresh some dated pieces in your wardrobe. Do you have an old blazer you don’t wear anymore? Bring it back to life by sewing some ribboned chains from the craft store to the shoulder, adding some spikes, or even making it sparkle with some hot glued crystals. Your imagination can run a little wild and you may end up with a cool piece without breaking your budget.

What do you think of this trend?

Follow Friday: Saman Munir

Saman

Saman Munir is a Canadian vlogger who teaches hijabis to be beautiful inside and out.

Salaams my lovelies! Jumah mubarak to you all. It is Friday, which means another Follow Friday post. Today, I want to feature Saman Munir from Saman’s Makeuphijabs YouTube channel. Not only is she beautiful to look at, she is also a hijabi fashion vlogger who teaches her fellow hijabis how to not only look their best, but feel their best too. This hijabi fashionista is also a full time mommy and part time hijab stylish and makeup artist. If you have a chance, check out her Instagram account @makeuphijabs for the most beautiful hijabi style inspiration. She has an eye for putting together colorful yet feminine outfits that anyone can try. I call her style accessible elegance.

What I love the most about Saman Munir is her ability to connect with her viewers in her YouTube videos. While her chiseled features makes her beauty especially striking, she shares personal stories of her own struggles such as being considered the ugly duckling in her family, or her weight gain/loss journey that allow her viewers to be able to relate to her. In the end we are all the same like most hijabi vloggers, but Saman Munir has this uncanny ability to make viewers feel like she is a hijabi next door that they can have chai with and ask beauty/hijab advice.

Her online tutorials are especially helpful. If you ever need help with styling a difficult yet beautiful hijab like the Neva hijab, make sure to check out her fool proof tutorials. Her makeup tips are also easy to follow and she uses tools that most women possess (which is helpful since Sephora is like a sticky fly trap for me). I really love that her looks are never too extreme and that they always look pretty. On top of having a YouTube Channel and an amazing Instagram account, Saman Munir also sells hijabs and accessories online too. What a Wonder Woman mashallah!

Make sure to check out Saman Munir and let me know what you think!

Follow Friday: Noor Tagouri

Noor Tagouri

Noor Tagouri aspires to be the first hijabi news anchor on a major US network

Salaams my lovelies! Jumah mubarak to you all. As you know, I typically do a Follow Friday blog post on a hijabi’s Instagram account that I adore. Well I know I have blogged about Noor Tagouri before, but her Instagram account just begs to be followed. Why is that, you ask? She is a globe trotting, fearless example of a hijabi who is trying to show the best side of our faith to others. Whether she is studying domestic violence in Italy, or going on speaking engagements, Noor Tagouri’s Instagram account can serve as a inspiration to empower other hijabis to be active in their communities.

She is also beautiful too mashallah! However, she is not just a pretty face. What really strikes me is the beauty of her actions. You can really see her trying to understand where others are coming from. I feel like this is an essential quality of news anchors. If you look at the most popular news personalities, it is not their looks that make them successful, it is their ability to relate with the people that they are interviewing to get them to open up about their lives. I think Noor Tagouri will follow in those footsteps and really shine as a news anchor inshallah.

Her Instagram account is @ntagouri. Make sure to follow her for your own daily dose of community activism.

For scenes in my own daily life on food, fashion, and family, feel free to follow me @hijabilife too.

Hijabi Trends: Bras That Fit

Jockey Bra Fit Kit

Finding a bra that fits is important if you want to keep your fashion modest.

What item can instantly slim you and help you have better posture? A proper fitting bra. In terms of modest fashion, most hijabi fashion bloggers/vloggers focus more on the actual outfit or accessories, but what about under garments? No matter what your body type, having the right under garments such as Spanx, bras, or slips can actually help set the tone for your entire outfit. Think of under garments as the essential foundation of your outfit.

Personally, if you wear items that help smooth over trouble spots and wear under garments like slips, you actually stay more modest too! Whenever I see my skirt is too sheer, a slip always does the trick. As a curvy hijabi, having the right bra is important. You want to invest in one that fits properly so you can avoid jawline cleavage, quadriboob (when your cups runneth over), and back bulges. Bra shopping may be a pain because you may not even know your true size. In fact, 85 percent of women wear the wrong one, according to a 2011 study conducted by Griffin Strategic Partners.

Well if you don’t know your size, Jockey has created a new way to get fit for bras that is absolute genius. Jockey recently introduced the Jockey Bra based on a Volumetric Fit System that allows you to measure yourself at home. The bra-sizing kit, which you order online for $20, includes plastic, breast-shaped measuring cups in sizes 1 to 10, a color-coded measuring tape, a lingerie wash bag, and a $20 coupon to put toward a Jockey bra. To determine your size, you choose a cup and lay it on top of your breast. If there’s gapping, you try a smaller cup; if there’s spillage, you try a larger cup. Repeat until you find the best fit, then measure your ribcage. I actually fit myself at the local Jockey store near my home. I ended up with the most comfortable bra I have ever owned. No more back fat, no more spillage, and no more gaps! Yes, it was expensive for me to buy, but this under garment was worth every penny since it ends up making me look skinnier and that is priceless right? I am joking, but jokes aside, my shoulders, neck and back are all thanking me for better distribution of weight. Your body is a gift from God, so please take care of it and try a better fitting bra. If wearing Jockey is not your thing, you can also be fit at any Victoria’s Secret store too. Their Body collection is also very good.

If you are interested in trying the new sizing system but don’t live close to a Jockey store, order a Jockey Fit Kit here. Please note, that I did not get paid or given anything to share this with you. I just happen to really love this bra! I hope you do too.

Hijabi Obsession: Jeweled Kaftans

Jeweled kaftans add just the right amount of glitz of glamour while still being modest.

Jeweled kaftans add just the right amount of glitz of glamour while still being modest.

I have a confession to make: I love to look stylish, but comfort and convenience often seems to win out in my personal battle of comfort vs. style. I love how some hijabis can put some effort and time into looking so beautiful, but for me, it is a challenge to ensure my toddler is dressed (and allows me to comb her hair)! Forget about me! What is a mom with an active toddler to do? I truly don’t want to wait till my babykins is in her 20s to start looking good.

The answer to this dilemma of comfort vs. style is a jeweled kaftan. My dirty little secret is that you can always don a jeweled kaftan over your pajamas. I kid you not ladies. I was running late to a dinner party and had no idea what to wear since I literally had 10 minutes to get ready. So I threw on a jeweled kaftan over my pajamas and voila! I was instantly dressy without having to do much else. The hostess pulled me aside to tell me how beautiful I looked and well that always makes anyone’s day right? I happened to buy my kaftan from a specialty hijab shop in Lilburn, GA while I was visiting my sister, but there are plenty of places you can find a nice kaftan to wear for weddings and special occasions.

If you are an online shopper, make sure to try out Mohajababes. They have a large selection of beautiful jeweled kaftans. I also love that they help support one of my favorite organizations as a featured designer: Fashion Fighting Famine. Make sure to check them out and let me know what you think! I will be posting a review on their kaftans, hijab accessories and hijabs soon inshallah!

Pastel Blazers!

Pastel Blazers!

Morris linen blazer
$490 – nelly.com

River Island collarless tweed jacket
$77 – riverisland.com

Charlotte russe jacket
charlotterusse.com

Forever 21 blazer
forever21.com
As a curvy hijabi, it is definitely a challenge to dress modestly but still look stylish. I would like to think I do a pretty good job of covering my bust, but like any normal hijabi, sometimes I fall into a fashion rut where I buy the same iteration or style of clothes. My summer uniform has consisted of maxi dress, cardigan, and wedge heels. I didn’t even notice my fashion rut until my older sister told me that perhaps I should try something different over my maxi dresses. She suggested a blazer.
Ah blazers and I have an odd relationship. You see, I have never gotten along well with blazers. Since I am not small framed, when I wear a blazer, it tends to make me look like a hijabi linebacker. Yes, you can just imagine how a hijabi with wider shoulders would look in a cute demure blazer. It is not a good mix. However,  after trying a few on, I realized it is not ALL blazers that are terrible, just most. If you wear a blazer that is cropped and cinched at the waist with a maxi skirt or dress, it is actually a cute alternative to the cardigan. I have done a Polyview set of my most figure flattering blazers that are easy on the eyes as well as your wallet. So make sure to try them out and tell me all about it!

Morris linen blazer
$490 – nelly.com

River Island collarless tweed jacket
$77 – riverisland.com

Charlotte russe jacket
charlotterusse.com

Forever 21 blazer
forever21.com

Follow Friday: Indah Nada Puspita

Indahnadapuspita

Indah Nada Puspita captures a fresh almost anime style for hijabis

Salaams and jumah mubarak my lovelies! I hope you are having a wonderful Friday inshallah. As you know, I typically do a Follow Friday blog post on a hijabi that I think is inspirational on Instagram. Today I want to introduce you to Indah Nada Puspita. a super cool hijabi blogger from Indonesia. She launched her own fashion line in 2012. One thing that really struck me was the theatricality of her styling. I guess that isn’t surprising since Indah Nada Puspita’s secret dream is to be an opera singer or Broadway actress.

I love her Instagram account because it illustrates how transformative hijabi style can be. Sometimes, Indah Nada Puspita is almost unrecognizable to me with her style transformations. So that is why I love to follow her and see different ways to shake up my own wardrobe and makeup so I don’t fall into a style/beauty rut. Make sure to follow @indahnadapuspita on Instagram for all sorts of fashion fun and let me know who you think I should feature next on my Follow Friday post!

Until then, keep living well and remember me in your prayers!