Monday, December 30, 2013

2014; Beauty Wishlist

2013 was more of a bust than a win, but I'm hoping for a better 2014 - in the shopping area of life- to be better now that I have a job. So here is my wishlist for 2014; beauty related. 

1. The Body Shop's Honeymania Eau de Toilette

                                               
I bought the Honeymania Body Butter a month back and am nearly out, but what can I do? The Body Butters are super moisturising and smell, like, heaven. Anyway, I loved the scent of the Honeymania Body Butter- it does not have a strong scent of honey at all, rather a floral scent with a slight honey undertone. This bottle of yellow yummy-ness is a must!

2. Milani Baked Blush - 03 Berry Amore

                                     Milani Baked Blush - 03 Berry Amore
Unlike the US, Milani is expensive here. I've been wanting the perfect blush/bronzer duo for a while now and this baby seems like want I've been waiting for. It's has a soft shimmer to it along with light golden undertones. Yum. However, with such a hefty price tag, I have a feeling this may be on my wishlist for a while...

3. Lusciuos Ultimate Face Case 5PC Makeup Brush Set

                                   Luscious Ultimate Face Case 5 pc Makeup Brush Set
Aside from the 80's sliver quilt pattern, this brush set is worth the price tag. My want for a stippling brush has taken it's toll and the fact that this set has other brushes along with it pretty good. Hopefully, I'll be getting my hands on this soon.

4. Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted, Gold Coin and Vixen

Revlon Nail Enamel - Minted 85Revlon Nail Enamel - Gold Coin 925Revlon Nail Enamel - Vixen 570

Say whaaaat?! Just a couple of Revlon nail polishes, right? No. Just like Milani, Revlon is damn expensive here as well. I've been eyeing these three shades for a while now. I mean, look at them! LOOK AT THEM!!!!!

5. OPI Out Ragerous Neon Mini Set

                                  
Who doesn't love neon nails? I've been wanting to try them out for a while and this amazing set not only give's you five neon polishes but a top coat for free!!! (Well, not free but you know what I mean...)

6. Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Thingys

                                 
*Siiiighhhhh* Me wants...but obviously can't get. However, to subdued my feels towards these lippy's, I've bought the MUA Power Pouts. Let's see if their good enough or I'll want the real deal in the end. 

In the words of a Veruca Salt



What's on your beauty wishlist? Have you bought anything up above? Do you like them?



Friday, December 27, 2013

2013 in a nutshell (found on Tumblr)

1: What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Talked to humans. It's part of my job.

2: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

A couple & yes I think I will

3: Did anyone close to you give birth?

If they did I wouldn't know.

4: Did anyone close to you die?

THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #toosoon

5: What countries did you visit?

Well - I went to the UK with Sherlock, around time and space with the Doctor, France with Queen Mary - nowhere. 

6: What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

Tumblr time

7: What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June something (can't remember) -> started Doctor Who
October 21st -> 18th birthday which no one remembered - felt like Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles minus Jake Ryan...
December 23rd -> Day of the Doctor

8: What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Leaving the house to go watch Frozen in a cinema with people in it and discovering "The Neighbours" (go watch it and you're life shall be complete)

9: What was your biggest failure?

Leaving the house to go watch Frozen in a cinema with people in it.  oh and losing all my friends and shutting people out but like, whateves

10: Did you suffer illness or injury?

Here Are Your Scores:

DisorderYour Score
Major Depression:Very Slight
Dysthymia:Very Slight
Bipolar Disorder:Very Slight
Cyclothymia:Very Slight
Seasonal Affective Disorder:Very Slight
Postpartum Depression:N/A

11: What was the best thing you bought?

My new laptop though it was a birthday present (my only birthday present)

12: Whose behaviour merited celebration?
 what does that even mean?

13: Whose behaviour made you appalled?

 a gif is with a thousand  unspeakable emotions. 

14: Where did most of your money go?

I have no fudging idea! 

15: What did you get really, really, really excited about?

DOCTORWHODOCTORWHODOCTORWHODOCTORWHODOCTORWHODOCTORWHO!!!


and arrow and reign and Sherlock

16: What song will always remind you of 2013?

"Waiting for Superman" - Draughty 

17: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

Sadder; thinner; richer and poorer all at the same time.

18: What do you wish you’d done more of?


19: What do you wish you’d done less of?

20: How did you spend Christmas?

Don't celebrate it... but I watched Doctor Whooooooooooooo

21: Did you fall in love in 2013?

Yes. I fell in love with Bradley Cooper. 

22: What was your favourite TV program?

Really?! Okay; here goes: 
 aaaaand The Neighbours cause it's brilliant, just brilliant. 

23: Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No. I collectively just don't like anyone. So, yeah.

24: What was the best book you read?
Silver Linings Playbook and so many more.

25: What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)


26: What did you want and get?

A job as a secondary teacher

27: What did you want and not get?

A man.

28: What was your favourite film of this year?

Frozen. Elsa is my patronus.

29: What is one thing that made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

The cards my students make for me, it's like


30: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

"I don't give a fuck" and very berry lips with a cat eye. So you know, same old, same old.

31: What kept you sane? 

Happy Meals and illegally downloaded TV shows. 

32: Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Again, Bradley Cooper with a side of Andrew Garfield and a sprinkle of Matt Smith. 

33: What political issue stirred you the most?

The refugee children in the Middle East

34: Who did you miss?

Who or what...?

35: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

Family is one craaaazy shit and:



36: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

"A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I'm the queen" - Let It Go

I tag anyone and everyone because I'm a unicorn and unicorn's share, sometimes. 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Post Doctor Who Disorder *In the words of River Song - SPOILERS*

The long awaited 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who came out on the 23rd of November aka #thedayofthedoctor  and OH MY AMY POND. It was epic. Epic. Give or take a couple of things.
The premise of the episode wasn't what a lot of people expected. Personally, I thought that the episode would take off from "The Name of the Doctor". It didn't. The episode itself covered the deepest secret, or rather regret of the Doctor - the last day of the Time War. 

Bits I loved

1. David Tennet! He was an absolute gem. It would have been hard to pick up the character after such a long time, but he's performance was brilliant.  
2. Play on words from the past Doctors and little things, like the scarf made a Whovian feel proud. 
3. Billie Piper as Rose "Bad Wold" Tyler rather then just Rose Tyler. It would have super weird and awkward bringing Rose Tyler back from the parallel world. 
4. Brining all 13 Doctors, that's right THIRTEEN Doctors into the episode, one way or another.
5. Clara being a teacher. 'Cause I'm a teacher, so yeah.
6. The score. Amazing.
7. John Hurt's regeneration. I shall not say more.
8. The Tenth Doctor's "I don't wanna go".

Bits I didn't love

1. Clara! She didn't have many lines and didn't bring oomph like she does. They used her for more of a "you should do this now" type of role - a filler for words if you will.
2. Not enough alien encounter. I wanted more Daleks. Shame.
3. IT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH! 

I have a feeling I'll know the lines of this episode by tonight. 

I have no idea why I haven't had a seizure considering how many times my mind was blown. 



Sunday, November 10, 2013

Writing is more then a passion...



I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I am afraid of.” - Joss Whedon
Exactly. When I tell people that I want to write for the rest of my life, I'm faced with the facts. The facts that writing doesn't pay (J.K Rowling is one of the richest women in the world), writing isn't a dignifying job (who hasn't heard of Jane Austen?) and so on. But when I think about writing and all the possibilities it brings, I realize that one of the best professions is being a writer.  

Cause a writer gets to be whatever they want to be. A dragon slayer? A damsel in distress? A spy? Hell yeah, you can be an ant for crying out loud. You create people out of ink and those people can influence anyone. The power of words is what gives a writer strength.

You know that gooey feeling of warmth and happiness. The feeling that gives you a goofy smile and a odd feeling of hope. That's what I get when I think about writing. Writing screenplays, poems, short stories, articles, blog posts - writing whatever I want to because I am the writer.

The best writers, Hemingway, Sylvia Path and many more were all psychologically distressed. I think that's the reason they loved writing. It was a way out. A way out from reality. And quite honesty, I think that's the reason I adore writing. It's gives you the ability to do the things you always wanted to do without leaving your chair. You create people from scratch, people who may actually talk to in reality.
              

So when I tell people that I want to write for the rest of my life, I think about the myths. The myth that writers actually help people discover themselves. The myth that writers create places that people never knew they wanted to see. The myth that writers can get people to laugh, cry, feel hopeful, scared just by words.

The bottom line is that the myths are quite real contrary to the facts.   What do you think?                




Friday, November 8, 2013

This month I was OCD for...

It's been a crazy month! Hectic and tiring but at the same time I've been glad that I haven't had a moment to myself in a while - you learn the importance of solidarity when you don't have the luxury ample.

Anywho, I'm not one to completly let go of myself and forget about things I adore. So here are the things I have been loving for the last couple of months and the current month and totally recommend them to you!

1) Reign 

Okay, if you're into period, monarchy, forbidden love, blood and gory and of course supernatural forces - then this show is for you. I knew about the show since I watched the preview a couple of months back but forgot about the show when it aired because life happened. By the time I got around to watching it three episodes had already aired so I didn't mind watching back to back amazingness. 
The show is about Mary, Queen of Scots and her engagement to Prince Francis of France. Though the show isn't historically accurate, it does leave you itching for more. 
I absolutely adore period movies and now a period TV show with all the elements I love! Fangirling is an understatement when I think about this show.

Actors? Perfection with accents 
Love? Um, so much of it! Forbidden love, love that isn't right, the fact that they don't realize how in love they are!
Supernatural? A girl with a potato sack roams around the palace and sleeps under Mary's bed. 'Nuff said.  
Blood? Hell yes! 
So? Watch Reign already! You won't regret it.






2) Maroon5 "Overexposed" 


I had only heard a couple of songs from the album way back in 2012. Then I heard "Payphone" and downloaded the entire album in the beginning of October'13 (I catch on slowly) and haven't stopped listening to it!

Lyrics? Perfection. Nothing less then perfection.
Singer? It's Adam Freaking Levine - instant love.
So? Downloaded and love it.






3) Matthew Quick's "Silver Lining's Playbook" - the book & movie.



EXCELSIOR. I watched the movie first then read the book (arrest me) and I instantly knew that Quick know's the magic words create. The premise of the book is so simple but you hang on to every word because you understand Pat.
The movie is just as good. Dramatic, yet comedic. I love how the little things are big beaucse in reality when you hold someone's hand the first thing that comes into your head is "what is this?" (if you've seen the movie then you know what I'm talking about) The words you always think but never say are portrayed by actors that speak them with perfection.

The book? Buy it and read it then read it again.
The movie? Watch it then watch it again.
The actors? Two words = Bradley Cooper. 
So? If you want to be understood, read the book and watch the movie. Best therapy there is.

4) OneRepublic's "Native"                                                              Good Life, Stop and Stare, Marchin On...a few of the songs in my never ending playlist all by OneRepublic. You know when you hear a song you get all "Holy fudge, that's how I feel". Yep. Every single song in this album will have at least one line that will make you replay the song again just to hear the one line, because that one line is you.

Lyrics? Like they came out of your mind.
Singer? Ryan Tredder, need I say more?
So? So press the download button and enjoy the ride.

5) The Hangover Trilogy


The gif basically explains the three movies perfectly. I watched the censored movies and there always something about them that didn't ring the bell. When I watched them online, the bell rang - loud and clear. The movies are the very few nowadays that don't require any actual thinking. Clear plot, crazy twists and hilariously stupid dialogues make that movies so damn good.  

Funny? The best thing about the movies, is that the comedy is so stupid, it's what makes it so good. (Oh the confusing human mind)
Actors? Zach Gallafinakeas, Bradley Cooper and two other funny guys. 
So? If you had the week from hell, watch the movies and you won't feel that bad anymore. 





Sunday, October 13, 2013

Let's Start Again Shall We?

Yes, I have been gone for a while but in my defence I was in a rut. Call it writer's block, depression or just plain laziness, I was hesitant to write cause, well, I didn't have much to write about. But after being away I've come to the realization that I don't have to have super, amazing, interesting or perfect content. I just need content and the rest follows.So I'm going to start by telling you guys what I've been up to.
In the past month:- I quit my job as a teacher in a school.-  Had no money and hated life.- Got a job as content writer but quit after a week.- Got another teaching gig .- Started my studies again.- Got a new laptop (queue happy dance here)- And realised I give up very quickly...

Buuuuuut then I read a quote (a Doctor Who quote but a quote nevertheless) and it all made sense.
"We're all just stories in the end, just make it a good one"
That's just it - we're all stories. We have different plots, different conflicts, different characters, different dialogues but most importantly, we're all the authors of our own story. And  I don't mean the in omniscient manner, but more in the sense that we have control over some things in life. I may have given up and I know that everyone does once in a while but I certainly hope it doesn't make me a bad person, in fact I feel as though I learnt a lot through the process of constantly giving up. I realized when I'm needed and when I'm being used, I realised that sometimes I don't need to like everyone and they don't have to like me and the toughest lesson that I learnt the hard way - sometimes you just have to let things go and see what happens...

So whatever happens in life, be it the good, the bad or the absolute horrible, just think of it as a new chapter in your story and how it'll change the rest of your story - you never know when the plot can change but that's up to you.

PS. I may have gone on a temporary "I hate my life" vacation but I'm back with a hypothetical suitcase filled to the brim with new ideas. 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Carpe Diem right?

The Greeks say kalos kai agathos - a singular balance of the good and the beautiful. The Greeks knew what they were talking about. A singular balance of the good and the beautiful - finding the perfect balance, be it spiritual and wordily or any other type of balance. The thing is ; we need balance in our life but then again , it's easier said then done. I can spend a whole day watching a season of a TV show and not do any philanthropy or spiritual task and BOOM! There goes that innate balance I was hoping to seek. So I found the next best thing. Something easier and well, more probable then finding "balance" in a world where you have to be amazing at everything. And by everything I mean, the clothes you wear, the way you talk, walk, sit, stand, eat, drink and all that jazz. It can get tiring and sometimes you'll feel like the world has swallowed you whole and you're drowning, looking for redemption of some sort, when you realize that it really doesn't matter what people think. This may take years, you may realize it on your death bed or the moment someone rolls their eyes at you - but the point is you realized one of life's most common yet misconceived truths - you can be the talk of the day just by doing or saying something out of the norm. 

So the thing that I found out, in my seventeen grueling years of life, that in order to find balance in life, you have to find your anchor ; the one thing (or many) that brings you back to who you are, your purpose, why you say what you say, how you say it, the way you walk and talk, eat and drink, find that one thing that brings you back to shore when your drowning in the madness of the world. 

an·chor
n. 
A source of security or stability.

Anchor's are usually used to hold a boat down and help it from floating away, similarly  the anchor of our life is a source of stability, it should help us from floating away when the tide gets rough. It should bring us back, be a source of reviving. 

 The anchor of my life, the thing that brings me back when I just can't go on, is my favorite TV show, song or book at that moment. Yes, as lame as that sounds and as worldly and materialistic as it defines me to be, those things are my anchor. The Doctor's helped me numerous times when I felt too small or unimportant, Stiles helped me when I felt like nobody understood my sarcasm,  Elizabeth Bennett helped me when I felt alien to the world. My anchor may be intangible and fictitious to outsiders but to me, it's my key to the alternative universe I created a long time ago. The universe in which I feel safe and happy. The universe that has been my anchor for so long but I only realized it when I wasn't busy trying to find a logical anchor that people would understand.

Find your anchor. Find the thing, person, day, memory that brings you back and hold on to it. People may laugh and point but that's the beauty of your anchor - it's your's. Because when you're all alone, in the night or walking to work, and all those thoughts come back to you, the ones you thought you had forgotten, the ones that haunt you and make you feel worthless, well they're nothing compared to the weight of your anchor and you'll swim back up to shore holding that heavy anchor - the anchor that isn't pulling you down but helping you swim back up to the sun rays. Truth is, either life can be sweet like an 80's movie or absolute crap, that's up to you. Be negative if you want to - you're allowed to have bad days, weeks, months or years, but when you realize how much potential you've got and how much magic is inside of you, hold your anchor to your heart, breathe in, and let life take you in. Carpe Diem right?

Friday, September 13, 2013

Things I love oh so much!

1. Teen Wolf 
Jumping onto a bandwagon once the bandwagon has left and gone really far is my "thang". The Teen Wolf bandwagon hadn't gone far off and I jumped once that thing like my life depended on it - and for five days it did. I stopped watching TVD during Season 4, it just want' good anymore and being a Stelena fan, I didn't see the point of being victim to another "friendzone" example. But OH MY GAWD Teen Wolf is like ASDFGHJKL and then some more! Let's put my Teen Wolf journey in gif using Jess

At first I was like:


Upon seeing Derek Hales:



Then it got to the point where I couldn't stop thinking about the show:


And then it was all:



Bam. I've been bitten and I do not mind at all. Plus Stiles is like THE BEST MALE CHARACTER EVER ON TV (I shall have to write an entire blog dedicated to him)

2. Mikky Ekko

He's sung with Rihanna, been featured on Teen Wolf and has found a way to my playlist. Currently, I haven't been able to stop listening to "Pull Me Down" & "We Must Be Killers". He's lyrics are beautiful and I think I've had enough of the bubblegum pop music genre for a while so Ekko has been a perfect substitute.

3. The First Time (2012)

Speaking of Dylan O'Brien (aka Stiles), he had played Dave in he's feature film "The First Time". The name of the movie kinda makes it seem like a mushy gushy romantic film, which in all honesty, it is but it isn't. It's realistic and the female lead vaguely reminds me of an Elizabeth Bennett type of character. The dialogues, cinematography, actors and story compliment each other and the soundtrack is perfect. *Sigh* uncontempary love stories make me giddy and oh so happy. 

*You can watch the movie here 

4. You little chicken nuggets! (: <3

When I started this blog, I wasn't all for the numbers. And it's not like I've hit big numbers or anything but the blog itself is about to hit 5000 views which is phenomenal! When I told my Mum she didn't believe me! So thank you, you amazing people, I cannot tell you how much ever single view means to me! xoxo

My other magical realms: 
tumblr:  http://ijusthavetobelieveinmee.tumblr.com/

instagram: hrhkulsoomhussain

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Red lips are my kryptonite!

                                               

 Top: Color Studio Lipstick in "Eternal Love"; Middle: Catrice Ultimate Shine in "Pink Me Up!" Bottom: MUA Lipstick in "Shade 1"


Pink and nude lips were always my go to colors for lip glosses and lipsticks. But in the last couple of months dark, plumy, red lips are my kryptonite. I guess maybe because I've seen so many people wearing the darker shades that I jumped onto the bandwagon but boy! - do I love this bandwagon. 

I never thought that dark shades of any type of lip  product would look good on my but I love the way the colors bring out my hair plus I don't mind the compliments I get! Darker shades look good on any skin tone but you have to make sure to play around with the different shades and tone down the lip color itself after applying by dabbing your lips on tissue. 

My go - to lipstick has to be the MUA Lipstick in Shade 1. It glides on and it's longevity is amazing. It looks brown in the packaging but is a deep wine red that gives the perfect vampy lip that I absolutely adore! Catrice's Ultimate Shine is a berry red that is perfect for the fall (but honestly I don't use lip colors per the season) and Color Studio's Eternal Love was my first red lippy, so considering that it was way too bright. A bright poppy orange red, I don't lean towards this color that much anymore, not only because of the vivid pop of color but because the lipstick itself is super drying.  

What are you're favorite lip color's at the moment? Do you like red lips?

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

How far would you go for money?

    
quote # 01

Finding a job that you really love nowadays is hard. Finding a job that pays reasonably well is hard. But what's more important? You're passion or the money? 

Recently, I started working in a school - and by recently I mean a month ago - and it just didn't feel right. Does that even make sense I wonder? The thing is that there isn't any passion, commitment, or just the feeling of plain joy working this this school that shall, obviously, remain anonymous. The other teachers seem fed up and frustrated and the curriculum itself is too shameful to discuss. 
Now rewinding back to two months ago when I got the job. I was super happy, because not only was the pay amazing, the name of the school was pretty prestigious and I was over the moon. And now back to today, right now. I'm definalty not "over the moon" anymore. I feel like I was conned and it's not a pretty feeling. But one thing keeps on circling my mind. A simple question that make's me wonder not only about the mentality of other teachers but the education system in general. Would you rather work in a place that pay's a hell of a lot but doesn't give you a sense of accomplishment or would you rather work for a place that pay's okay but give's you happiness and self- accomplishment? Basically, how far are you willing to go just for money?

P.S. I realize that everyone has personal finance problems. 

I gave my resignation letter only to be swamped with questions as to why i'm leaving which left me perplexed. I mean, don't they see the crashing management for themselves? Or has the money blinded their common sense? I was brutally honest when I said that for me, I don't want money if I don't feel comfortable working in a place where I, as a person, am not allowed to do  things that I should be allowed to do. I mean, I need room to work and "ain't nobody dulling my shine!".  Unfortunately, I think I've started a civil attack. Other teachers are now prepared to resign because they realize that the circumstances their working in are a bit too strict. I kinda feel like Katniss.

Back to my point. Maybe I'm not one to work under someone when I know their wrong? Or maybe ethics are of greater importance than money? Whatever it is, I don't think anyone should ever have to settle for less, after all

                                          quote # 03
What's more important for you? You're passion or money?



Saturday, August 31, 2013

More Random Facts About Me

1. I have never eaten cereal.
2. I love 80's movies - The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink.
3. I can quote the entire Princess Diaries, books and movies.
4. People stare at me when I use hand sanitizer in public. 
5. Public places, like malls, make me ponder about human life or rather my life in particular.
6. I have been compared to Sheldon Cooper more than once (which is a compliment.)
7. I stopped watching PLL after Soby ended.
8. I am currently reading the dictionary.
9. Words are like dessert for me. I love the sounds and the way you feel when you say a new word.
10. Babies. I love babies.
11. I don't believe in the whole "working mother" thing women do. 
12. My bookshelf doesn't fit all of my books.
13. Online shopping shall be the death of me.
14. I love typography.
15. Oscar Wilde. Just Oscar Wilde.
16. I want to get married. Be married.
17. Whenever I do something stimulating, my reaction will always be:



18. My parents are the luckiest people alive. They never had to be the Dudley's and tell me what to do. I already do it. 



19. I love movies. The actors, the plot, the score, the emotions, the screenplay, the action, the climax - movies are incredible. 
20. Most nights I wake up with a jolt because I dream I'm falling. 
21. Guys with facial hair, have style and have a sense of humor are perfection. And yes. I am talking about Andrew Garfield. 
22. I'm a Marvel girl.
23. When I was a kid I had imaginary friends (yes, more than one) and we had a party and watched Paddington Bear. The fact that my Mum went along with it makes me wonder if she just didn't want me to have any actual friends.
24. I once bit my Mum in the stomach because I didn't want to go for swimming lessons.
25. Marshmallows make me sick. 

I am a circus act.



Twas the time in the year when school begins again and one can only think of the bright "sunny side" of it and for me school's "sunny side up" is stationary! Oh how I love me some new stationary. I mean, the actual studying party is great too but I am not one who can pass up a chance to go wild with crayons and highlighters.

I was thinking of printing out some Doctor Who quotes and using them binder covers but I don't own a colour printer and I'm far to busy to get it printed out so I decided to make them myself. I used pastels (talk about messy hands) and just started drawing. 

Working and studying is a circus act. It's difficult to balance both aspects of life, everyday. The way I handle both is simple. Don't bring work home and don't bring school to work. Saying that, it is hard to separate both because both are extremely time consuming and important. I tend to get anxiety when I have too much on my plate which ends with me lashing out and being very moody, so in order to keep it together I have allocated Friday or Saturday night's as "movie dates with myself" (cue the forever alone meme) A good movie, relaxing lighting, some of my favorite snacks and no little brothers to annoy me can actually help with the whole unwinding and relaxing mojo. Current movie picks have to be: Princess Diaries 1 & 2 (obviously), The Breakfast Club, Pitch Perfect, and Easy A.

 The best thing though, about working and studying, is that you feel accomplished  like you've actually done something worthwhile which makes makes it's all better.  


Thursday, August 29, 2013

I AM SUPERMAN!

                        

The Avengers consist of my favorite superheros. You've got The Hulk - the man whose anger can save people and destroy them, depending solely on he's temperament  Spiderman - the superhero that decided to do good instead of evil; Captain America - the God-fearing, loyal, kind hearted man that never let go of his roots; Iron Man - the superhero whose ego and sarcasm makes friends and creates enemies; and so many more superheros that each have their own "superpower" making them different but important all the same. 

But in the stark reality (which I deist) there are no hero's - there is only you. Just take a minute and think about all the crappy things that have happened to you, from the minute to the big things, and the people that left and all the people that hurt you - in the end you were left standing alone, which can only mean one thing - YOU ARE YOUR OWN HERO. 

So let's get down to what makes a hero, a hero? Bravery, obviously. Courage. Strength. A cause. A cliche backstory and a costume made out of plastic, bascially.

In the brilliant words of Sarah Bareilles: 
Being a hero doesn't mean you have to know kick-ass moves or a tight costume (that people may make fun of). For me, being a hero means being brave for yourself . Once you start believing that you are worth it and that your thoughts and words and existence isn't just a mere coincidence, you could be the best version of you. And by that I don't mean having a permanent smile and being positive all the time - superhero's don't have it together all the time, look at Hulk! Basically, the bottom line is: no one is going to tell you you're worth it till you know you are. No one is going to come up to you and say you're beautiful till you believe you are. And no one will know how amazing and brilliant and different you are till realize you're amazing-ness and how damn brilliant you are! 

Be you're own shoulder to cry on, be you're own bestfriend and be you're own badass superhero.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The post in which I talk about something very close to me...

I would like to use my blogging powers to talk about something that's very close to my heart and that matters a lot to me. 

For a few years now my greatest causehas been the fight in the Middle East. Palestine, Syria, Egypt  all the countries that have been in turmoil for several years. 
Honestly, I was never one to give a crap about anything or anyone but the things I could physically see and touch but what happens and continues to happen in these rich, cultured lands of not only traditions but religion, had hit me hard in the guts. I've had open wounds about this particular subject for quite a while and I always tend to get offensive when someone brings it up. Now, I personally have never been to these countries but just seeing the images through TV channels and reading articles daily about the grotesque and just bloody unfair treatment towards humans just infuriates me. 

I know I may not be able to do a whole lot but I pray every single day that the men, women, children, freedom fighters, everyone and anyone in those countries, stay safe from the horrors I can't even begin to comprehend, and that they die in the name of God. 

It's amazes me that being who I am - a Muslim -  means I'm connected to a million people just by a vow that we all made to God and that those millions of people are scattered across the globe fighting their own battles and wars while I helplessly, sit and type with tears in my eyes. I can only hope with all my heart that God helps those people with strength and courage to go on. What would it be like to see children dead on the road everyday? To see girls raped and taken away from their homes and families? All those things we see in movies be partially true. I can't even begin to feel the pain they are going through. May God give them patience and all the happiness in the next World.

This may seem like a super religious post for many but for me it was from a philanthropist point of view - I mean that's what people do right? Say everything that they say or do is for the human cause and jump right away from playing the religious card. Well, this is a post that I wrote because it means alot to me, now you can judge if that's religion or love for the human race. 

But I'm going to use this post has a way of making a promise, a vow if you will, that is - I will, even if it takes ten years, visit all of those countries and see for myself the things that happen and even if I can't contribute to anything or anyone in that time span, I would use what I saw as life lessons not just for myself but for my children so we realise that the world may be a pretty rainbow for some but for others the hurricane is still looming above them. 

Please do not assume I'm trying any crazy manipulative brain tricks on you, I just wanted to say something that has been on my mind lately and this is what this blog is - my mess of a mind in words. 


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Lifestyle | a peek into my bookshelf

Beauty | The post in which I haul things.

                         

Over the past month I bought some things that I thought I'd share and do a small review of some of the products I have used. 
        All the beauty items (make up & nail polishes) were ordered for Just4Girls, an online beauty shop here in Pakistan. The service was alright considering it was  Ramadan and a couple of days before Eid when I had placed my order. So let's get cracking!

1. Vineyard Peach Body Butter from The Body Shop - Rs. 1700

What The Body Shop says: Hydration for dry skin. 
So I finally bought the Vineyard Peach Body Butter for TBS and it smells delicious and is moisturizing. When I first applied it, it had a thick consistency but after a few more applications it really does do the job quite well. 

2. adidas Hydrating Shower Gel in relax flower bouquet soothing - Rs. 250

What adidas says: adidas Hydrating Shower Gel line helps to maintain your skin's natural balance and awaken you're senses. 
You can tell I adore things that smell ah-mazing and one whiff of this would get any flower scent loving person on it's bandwagon. I haven't used it as yet but finger's crossed on the results.

3. Suave Professionals Color Protection Shampoo & Conditioner - Rs. 295 each
Living in Pakistan, specifically in Karachi, a problem from the million of problems that arise is that it is so hard to find a shampoo and conditioner duo and if one does find it, they seem to disappear next time you go to buy the same thing. However the Suave hair care line is readily available. I had used this duo the first time I highlighted my hair and the results were fantastic - but being new to the hair color situation I went on to use Herbal Essence which wasn't a good idea. So when I came across this again I decided to try it out once more since I need a color boost and this duo does a great job. Highly recommend it! 

4. NX Nail Laquar in Atlantis and London Baby - Rs 100/ 150 each; Color Studio Top Coat and Base Coat - Rs. 250 each; Catrice Cosmetics in Sold Out Forever - Rs. 750 *Products were ordered from Just4Girls website (I paid for them.)

The NX polishes have a watery consistently and London Baby (which is the sheer pale pink) is very opaque and needs at least 4 to 5 coats to see a visible color however Atlantis is the perfect shade of blue but again, is opaque and needs a couple of coats for visibility.
     The Color Studio Top Coat and Base Coat are worth the money. I use to use Essence's Gel Look Top Coat but it started to get sticky after a couple of months of use. 
     I have yet to use the Catrice Cosmetic's nail polish but it is said to be a dupe for Chanel's Jade, so hopefully I get the perfect shade.

5.  Essence Urban Messages Lipstick in Let's Paint The Town - Rs 350; MUA lipstick in Shade 1 - Rs 200; Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched - Rs 350

   

Let's begin with Essence. Wow. That's all I can say. I wouldn't call this a lipstick but more of a pop of color on the natural side. It gives that perfect "I just ate a popsicle" tint to your lips and is the most moisturizing lipstick I have ever used.  
    I have yet to try the MUA lipstick & shall review it. But I have tried the infmaous Maybelline Baby Lips and I'm not too impressed. Honestly it's just like any other lipbalm and frankly there isn't much that makes it different. It's a shame because I was hoping for something amazing. I still love my Vaseline. 








6. Essence Gel Eyeliner in Mindnight In Paris - Rs. 500; MUA Cover & Conceal Concealer in Natural - Rs. 200; Essence Kajal Pencil in Teddy - Rs. 150 (or Rs. 180...not entirely sure) *All products were ordered from Just4Girls (I paid for them.)

Love the gel eyeliner to bits! I have never used gel eyeliner but that's changed since I've been using this little pot of black gold (get it? Hahahaha) It's super creamy and glides on like a dream - and now a must have for me! As for the other two products, I haven't used them as yet either but shall review them in the near future hopefully!

7. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella Rs. 1095 930 off the Liberty Books website.

Should I rave on about my Sophie Kinsella love again? I think not. But I do adore her and so far this book is as I expected funny but in a witty sense. Perfect.

So that's all for now but if you want me to review any item that I haven't, do let me know...!