BLOOGER PRE-LOVED EVENT X ADIJUMA | STRATFORD

AIDIJUMA IN COLLABORATION WITH WORLDHIJABDAY PRESENTS

Bloggers Pre-Loved Event

What is #WorldHijabDay? Click here to find out more.

I had the pleasure of attending the blogger preloved event in Stratford. It was my first time in Stratford Westfield for as long as I can remember, I loved that Halal food was everywhere... even still, (in typical Zahra fashion) I had the vegetarian option, haha.
Here are a few of our outfit snaps and moments before the event catching up with one another.

Venue : Westfield Stratford City, Holiday inn 3rd floor.

Catching up with these two beauts: fatima - @pasiondeviajar and Sabba -@queenofsabba.

OUTFIT 

Navy Trench | H&M

Frill Jumper | H&M

Blue Shirt | Ralph Lauren

Scarf | H&M

White Jeans | Dorothy Perkins

This wonderful event was in celebration of World Hijab day. Aidijuma created a beautiful hijab to bring all the wearers together on this special day - not to mention the one hundred goodie bags up for grabs - which I was lucky enough to receive one of. Shop here to join the World Hijab Day Scarf wearers, all revenue from this hijab sales go to charity.

Doors opened at 11am to an array of gorgeous pre-loved clothing worn by your favourite bloggers with exclusive discounts up to 80% off. I was meant to be one of these rail holders but unfortunately due to my OCD - I clear out my closet on a weekly basis and eBay frequently - so there really isn't much of my unworn clothing left in my possession. 

The bloggers provided visitors with the perfect selection to freshen up their wardrobes and unique statement pieces from their outfits of the day. One hundred percent of the ticket prices were donated to charity which made me an even bigger fan.

A few of my favourite pieces include the gorgeous House of Flower hijab which looks a lot like something from Ted Baker, with all this midnight colours. Bawal Gold Print Hijab in Vapor Blue, I am aware that some people may find square hijabs difficult to style but I think they're perfect tied in a turban, especially this one with the gold bouncing off the light. I love the dark Bawal Satin Printed Border in Moonless Night is perfect for evening wear and adding a floral vintage feel to any look.

During the event I bumped into my old friends AMELGO and the creator of the brand and perfumes. We spoke about his journey to becoming a perfumer, beginning with his family roots back in Jordan. I even bought my fifth bottle from the brand for my father- who loved his first so much.

Check out the Vlog and enjoy.

#WORLDHIJABDAY ambassadors Aisha Rahman (aka Modest Street) and BubbleGumHijab did free hijab styling on the day - which you will see in my vlog. 

I had such an amazing time meeting everyone, bloggers sold their unworn goods, we all became twins sporting the same Aidi Juma hijab and we all made each other laugh which of course is the main thing.

LANIKA | BUKHOOR

Lanika is a UK based company which has been running for over twenty two years. The name of the brand means 'the best'. their aim is to be one of the biggest retailers of Islamic and Middle Eastern products in the UK.

They have been selling Islamic and Middle Eastern products since 2003 locally but due to popular demand they have begun manufacturing their own abayas and thobes. They also aim to have the largest collection of branded Brabic oils, attar, and ouds.

I ordered Bukhoor Teef Al Hub (my favourite) it has a sweet scent, Bukhoor Dar Al Hae which is sweet but richer and Bukhoor Mukhallat Sharqua which is fathers favourite for clothes. Also a little Swarovski perfume to try out.

They boast the largest collection of bukhoor in the UK. they also have a sourcing aspect to their business where they can source any attar or Arab branded oil for you if they do not already carry it in store. They sell all of the big brands which will sounds familiar to my arab followers; Al Haramain, Ajmal, Rasasi, Arabian Oud, Abdul Samad Qureshi. I personally used to ask friends from the gulf to stock me up whenever they came over so Lanika has proven to be a Godsend for me.

You can find them on their Facebook page: Lanika Abayas, Jubbas and Bukhoor - their website is still under construction but should be ready in time for Ramadan. In the meanwhile you can shop with them via eBay.

What is Bukhoor?

In most Arab countries, bukhoor is the name given to scented chips or bricks. These scented chips/bricks are burned in incense burners to perfume the home and clothing with a rich thick smoke. This is used specifically on special occasions like weddings, on Fridays or generally just to perfume the house. Its probably the same heavy scent you smell on Arabs in Harrods.

What do I need to use bukhoor at home?

• You will need either an electric burner called a Mabkhara 
• Or Charcoal Disks (the same ones used for Shisha)
• Bukhoor itself - which you can buy from various places including Lanika - which I highly recommend.
• Tin foil if you are using charcoal - to keep things mess free and help conduct the heat.

How is Bukhoor burnt?

I have included part of the process in a youtube video for you bellow, as well as a brief step by step.

• Begin by placing the charcoal on fire (a gas stove is best for this) until the charcoal begins to turn red - this means its hot enough to use.
• Secure a small square of foil over the tray of your mabkhara and carefully place the charcoal on top of this using cutlery or a coal tongs.
• Break of small pieces from your Bukhoor block or chips and place on the lit glowing charcoal or on the hot plate of the electric incense burner if you are using that. The larger the pieces the longer the bukhoor will smoke for.
• Allow the smoke of the fragrance to fill the air of the room. 

The fragrance will linger even after the smoke diminishes. Try not to open windows until the room is saturated with the fragrance carried by the smoke of Bakhoor. I fragrance my wardrobe a few times a month using the same technique and my home everyday.

I also tried out some of their attar which is to die for! Super cute  size which is perfect for my handbag and fits in with my everyday perfumes perfectly.

As promised, a small glimpse of my bedroom, still incomplete but a constant work in progress which I will share with you guys if you like?

My love for marble is evident of course, my notebook is from Coconut-lane.

My tea set is sourced from all over the place. The teapot is from morocco, The coffee cup is from Qatar, the Mabkhara is from the UAE, the sugar holder is also from Marrakech, and the tray from the 'Passport to India' range in TK Maxx.

I'm really proud of my Arab heritage and love to share parts of my culture with you all. I hope You enjoyed this small How-To.

FIFTEEN | TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Everything you need when travelling.

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1) PASSPORT | VISA
Before travelling I always ensure that my Passport is at least six months ahead of expiry. I also ensure I take photocopies of my passport with me just incase anything happens to my documents. Luckily because I hold a British passport I haven't had to use a Visa, however I would suggest you research whether or not you need one for your destination, it can save you a lot of time on your arrival if you sort it prior to your trip. I also love cute passport cases, I was previously sporting Oliver Bonas Alphabet passport holder, but I'm now using Louis Vuitton.

2) HEADPHONES | iPod
These are escentials for me when travelling. Especially when on the odd occasion there is a crying baby on the flight. I like to take my iPod mini with all of my old school R&B and Arabic tunes, as well as my iPhone 6 with a selection of my current favourites - but I usually prefer to preserve my iPhone battery to snapchat for you guys.

3) SUNCREAM
As you may have already guessed, I don't tan. No matter how close to equator I am, nothing will get rid of my milky complexion. My Este Lauder foundation contains SPF 10 to protect me from burning and the ageing effects of the sun, however I usually have my feet and arms out so I like to lather those up with some protection before I leave the house - or plane since there isn't much sunshine in the UK. At the moment I am loving Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

4) DRUGS
Pain Killers are my MUST haves anywhere I go. I get particularly bad pains if / when I am sick. I like to be prepared and I don't particularly like foreign pharmaceutical runs, I carry a huge box of 96 high dosage Cuprofen (available to buy behind Boots counters) which saves me from migraines along with everything else. I also take my usual vitamins with me in a travel carrier. If you haven't already, make sure you get a european health insurance card to protect you in case of accidents... I'm not sure how long these will be valid until since we opted out of the EU... *sigh*.

5) BACKPACK 
I never leave without taking my backpack with me, or to be more precise... ALL three of mine. Yes. Three. I usually take a black, tan and white, mostly because every outfit I wear will usually contain one of these colours in. It ensures practicality and co-ordiantion. I recommend leather (or mock leather), drawstring bags. I find these safer than zips or buckles, you can knot them as much as you like. With the friction of leather straps it makes it difficult to undo, especially with the additional popper fastening to hide the drawstrings. Remember to always carry your backpack on the front of you in crowded places, particularly public transport and keep valuables in interior pockets.

6) SLR CAMERA | MEMORY CARD
Nothing beats the quality of SLR holiday pictures. I have a long strap with mine which I tend to wear as across body so I can capture every moment. Be sure to tuck away into your backpack when you aren't using it as these things scream 'tourist'. I snap with a Canon 600D and love it, just make sure you have a 32GB memory card so you're not left deleting photos to make space for your memories.

7) PLASTERS
These are a necessity, generally not for me - I tend to wear sandals to allow my feet to breathe whenever I travel, but for my companions who aren't always as wise when it comes to shoe choices these are a life saver. Plasters are actually very expensive in third world countries where they are rare or considered luxuries. My personal favourites are Boots Cushioned and Elastoplast Fabric plasters.

8) SELFIE STICK
This should be on everybody's list. It can be a little tedious constantly asking your companions, or even random people for the perfect shot, not to mention the fact that one of your buddies will be out of the photograph. I love the Bluetooth remote shutter, I think the images come out clearer when you aren't operating the shutter with the same hand. I always make sure I have mine to hand, I normally hang it from my backpack for easy reach, its also perfect for vloging and documenting my adventures.

9) PORTABLE POWER BANK AND ADAPTORS
These have saved my life both in the UK and other countries. When I am travelling I like to snapchat, take videos, photos, use my maps, occasionally take work messages, therefore my phone battery understandably won't always last the longevity of the day. I carry two small ones from Primark as well as my Silvercrest gold one which normally will get me from 1% to at least 80%. Ensure you charge these over night so its ready for the next day. Also ADAPTORS, I cannot emphasise this enough, Ive been in situations where there have been 3 girls and one charger...not fun.

10) LIP BALM 
I have huge lips which get dry very easily, mostly when exposed to cold rather than heat. So for me its really important to top up regularly. My favourite is Blistex relief cream - this works wonders and is the only thing which works on me.

11) SHADES
I am yet to find the perfect pair of sunglasses, at the moment I pick up a random pair to wear before I travel abroad so that my eyes are protected, however I would love to find a pair that I am in love with and don't want to take off.

12) CASH
When on holiday I always try to carry cash rather than use my card. Fraud is more likely to occur when you are abroad. Unfortunately I didn't turn out like my parents when it comes to budgeting so I actually very rarely budget... I normally just take a guess at how much I will need and get the best exchange rate at Thomas Cook. I did learn this from my parents though; spread your money out and don't just keep all of the money in one place and keep some stored in a secure safe at your accommodation too.

13) WET WIPES
Absolutely life saving when travelling to less developed countries where you have to squat to use the loo, as well as use an outdoor brass gardening tap to wash your hands...been there, done that. For my messier friends these are especially important when on the move.

14) WATER BOTTLE
I LOVE Voss Water bottles. Refilling plastic bottles is one of my pet peeves because of the toxins they produce after use, not to mention the amount of damage plastic causes to the environment. I love glass bottles because they keep my water cool when they're packed in my backpack and they're easy to clean and reusable. YAY.

15) SNACKS | CHEWING GUM
I like to make the most of the sunlight when travelling and therefore don't always feel that stopping for an hour or so at a restaurant is good use of time, so I prefer to grab a fresh juice, snack as I explore and build up a good appetite for a luxurious satisfying dinner. Snacks also keep my energy levels up and mean that I don't have to waste time shopping around rather than appreciating the beauty around me. When visiting poorer countries its also nice to have something to give the excitable kids. Lotus Biscuits are my lifelong favourites for all trips.

I hope this has been helpful for my fellow nomads, I'm so restless, especially this time of year when its freezing here... I'm looking for my next destination.

POWDER PINK | HASTINGS PIER

BESIDE THE SEASIDE
_________________________

As many of you may (or may not) know, I was born and raised in East Sussex (hence the 'accent'), and more specifically the seaside coast of Hastings... well, not exactly Hastings but thats the nearest town.

My siblings and I were born here, we grew up here; in the part of England where the nearest shop is a short drive away and fields are in abundance. In a place where we were the only Muslims in the village- literally. My father was among the founders and maintainers of the Mosque here and we were the only 'brown people' in the WHOLE of our grade 1-6 primary school.

Growing up here meant we were always drawn in by the excitement and diversity of London; shops that stay open past 5pm were our idea of heaven as teenagers. It was rare for us to see muslims in Hastings and I still remember going into London when I was younger and saying "hello / Salaam" to every muslim I passed and pointing them out to my parents saying "Look there's a Muslim"... seeing one of our 'own' was a real novelty.

Like most 18 years olds, I moved out of our family home for university. I relocated to Surrey - which is equally as picturesque and wonderful as my little seaside town. I resided in Epsom, I'm not a huge city girl myself and rather prefer horse riding, visiting castles / historical landmarks and enjoying the outdoors for leisure. Luckily these were things that Epsom equipped me with (not that I had much time to spare juggling my degree and two jobs). The convenience of country living combined with a 20 minute train ride into London is by far the best of both worlds.

I then moved to London for sometime after graduating from university, its a love hate relationship. Paying extortionate amounts of rent, as well as excessive amounts spent on travelling around London, on top of  unreasonable living expenses aren't exactly my ideas of 'living life' to its fullest. At the moment its tolerance at most.

Which brings me onto my main point... Having been away from home for SO long, I have promised myself that I will learn to appreciate and explore more of my hometown than I have previously... My time away from home has made me MISS HASTINGS. 

So my first part of exploring Hastings begins at the newly rebuilt Hastings Pier. My parents went for the opening ceremony, however I'm ashamed to say that this is my first visit since its re-opening after being burnt down some years ago. They've done an amazing job with the refurb!

You know its cold when your fingertips are almost as pink as your jumper...

My friends all laugh at the fact that my feet are always out no matter the season...

I have OCD so you can imagine my delight when I saw all those shiny new screws all perfectly aligned on the deck.

OUTFIT

SCARF | H&M

FRILL JUMPER | NEWLOOK

SHIRT | H&M

POINTED BLOCK HEELS | NEXT

JEANS | DOROTHY PERKINS

BAG | DIOR

Until next time.

MARBLE GOODNESS | COCONUT - LANE

- 'All about the sass'

I recently came across this website - Coconut-Lane whilst devoting an afternoon in search for some marble pieces for my home - basically they've changed the game... and my home of course, so I just had to share them with you.

If you know me, then you know my love for marble and luxe is unconditional... when I saw all of their products and amazing presentation and photography, this weakness which is sometimes referred to as 'excessive shopping' completely came over me.

There wall art is so adorable and can be hung and displayed in different ways. Click here to see more wall art and click here for a similar minimal gold frame. I hope you all love the site and goodies as much as I do. Heres now I rocked my favourite pieces:

 

Now, my next move would've been very predictable... yes, I almost got the white marble MacBook skin, but I didn't... I went for the splattered gold MacBook skin which I think is beautiful (P.S they're reduced now too).

While I was deciding on my LMFW look and playing around with these shoes until I got distracted and realised just how beautiful they looked next to my MacBook and Chanel make-up!

Look at these similar gold babies from Newlook. Find the mules here, and the other beauties I fell in love with here.

Ive been needing a jotter pad for a while now and when I saw this beauty I couldn't help but satisfy my craving. they have a range of phone cases, MacBook skins, covers along with other marble home accessories.

For 20% off your next order use ZahraRose20 at the checkout and tag me in your purchases, I love seeing everyones fabulous taste.