Localtrotting: Dark Sugars

As I am no longer a London girl and instead situated in a beautiful market town in the East Midlands where the abundance of scenic nature marks the shortage of desserts places (holding back tears), I couldn’t help but reminiscence over one of the BEST hot chocolates I have ever had. This is the stuff of legends – pure indulgent liquid cocoa. What you envision the chocolate fountain in Willy Wonka’s factory tasting of!

 Behold, I present to you Dark Sugars of Brick Lane.

Contemplations: Seeking My Worth From Others

My recent article for Amaliah

How many times does the approval of others make you feel good about yourself?

I wouldn’t have to think twice before responding with a defiant “No way!”, but, deep down I know well and truly that a well-placed compliment puts a spring in my step. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that the appreciation, admiration and confirmation from those around me are often what drives me. When I’m without this, I feel my self-worth slowly slipping away from between my fingers, leaving me abandoned in my own cave of self-loathing.

Too many times I’ve felt let down by those around me – under appreciated and undervalued, resulting in a deep-rooted bitterness. But are the people around me really to blame? Sure, our Deen encourages us to value other people’s feeling so much so that showing gratitude to those around us is an extension of showing gratitude to Allah SWT.

“He has not thanked Allah who has not thanked people.” (Hadith, Abu Dawud 4811)

Image from Amaliah

Unicorn Party: Akeekah Shenanigans 2

Bestie had another pretty little princess around two months ago Allahuma barik laha and where there's a princess involved, there has to be a party brimmed with unicorns, sweet treats, frosting fights, and tassel garlands doubling up as teatowels!

It seems like only a few months ago when we were welcoming bestie's first little princess into the world and now, nearly two years later, she has grown into the cutest interactive toddler-turned-teenager with a teeny tiny pretty sister in tow!

This time round, with unicorns blowing up on social media, we decided to adopt this fun pastel theme for the Akeekah party and create a Pinterest-worthy evening complete with a dessert table, unicorn cake and plenty of DIY decorations to welcome new bebe to friends and family. Although new bebe wasn't too well aware of what was going on and probably won't until she gets older, we 'grown ups' certainly enjoyed the unicorn party on her behalf!

Street Eats – Halal Gems 2017

Being a lover of all things food related, I was so excited when I discovered Street Eats 2017 organised by Halal Gems #StreetEatsFest whilst browsing social media hard at work. Street food is all the scene in London at the moment, and although it isn't too difficult to find halal street food, there's nothing better than having all these vendors under one roof at Spitalfields Market.

After pestering the little brothers to join me from Luton, we embarked on an afternoon of feasting, munching, slurping and plenty of...... queuing. Sadly, there wasn't a shortage of that!

Before committing to any of the 30min+ queues, we deemed it wise to scour the stalls to see what type of delicious treats were on offer. From Khao Suey and adorable mini-Dutch pancakes to 12-hour smoked brisket and Indian fish and chips, there was something for everyone! 

Localtrotting: Picnic in the Park

There is no easy way to say this, but I am truly, utterly and wholeheartedly ashamed of my blogging writing habits. I really don't know how to justify the absence of posts over the last three months; however, the lack of exciting content is certainly not the case, I assure you! I put it down to discipline and self-control, something I am currently reading up on, which may be able to account for this post in particular! 

So much has happened over the last year, so we have a lot to catch up on. But the best way I see this working is recounting recent events and working backwards (let's hope I've finished reading The Marshmallow Test by then to see this ambitious goal put into practice).

As part of my Eid gift stash (A one-month late Eid Mubarak! Better late than never, hey?), my parents and brothers gifted me with the most precious picnic basket ever. Now, if you've read my previous posts, you'll know I adore all things vintage, dainty and quaint, with a nod to quintessential English countrysides and cottages, so when I peeked through the packaging and saw the beautiful ash willow, I knew for certain that my picnicking-in-style-dreams had finally come true! 

Contemplations: Forget planning the fairytale wedding and start preparing more for married life

My recent article for the Muslim Vibe

As a young girl, I always dreamed of my perfect wedding day – the non-traditional big white dress, the pretty flowers, the carefully co-ordinated cake, background drapes and bridesmaids, but most importantly, I dreamed of the day where I would feel like a queen with all eyes on me!     

Throughout my teenage years right to my early 20s my fantasy evolved, and with each wedding I attended, be it a cousin’s, friend’s or a complete random stranger’s, my plans solidified, and I had put together the exact blueprints for my big day. All I needed now was a husband in order to execute my dream wedding.

And when the time came for marriage, try as I might, no matter how hard I tried to prevent myself from getting completely engrossed with wedding preparations, all I could think about was that one day, those few hours sitting on a stage in my white dress and my long-anticipated fantasy turning into a reality.

It’s only now, six months into marriage, that I realise how easily sidetracked I had become with all the wedding preparations.

Image from the Muslim Vibe

Localtrotting: Tea on the Thames

The great thing about living in London, or what I mean to say is that in the four months that I've come to live in this road rage capital, there is so much to experience aside from the reckless half-wit drivers you encounter every passing day who are determined to hospitalise you as you drive!

 On a lighter note, as part of our Eid together as a married couple (yup, more details on the wedding to come!), my family gifted us with an afternoon tea for two on the Thames! Now, me being me, I love my cottages, remote countrysides, period dramas, Louisa May Alcott, china teacups, homemade lemonade, Wuthering Heights and most importantly....CAKES. Call me pretentious all you like, but secretly (to the knowledge of most people) I love the idea of living in a picturesque cottage in Cornwall or Devon, fishing on the weekends and running my own vintage tea shop. I often joke with my friends that I was born in the wrong era.

So, on a sunny, slightly blustery day, the hubby and I decided to take the trek to Tower Bridge and embark on our tea for two! I've always loved the concept of afternoon tea, way before it became on-trend, and always thought of it as a very delicate and appropriate way to consume treats. Taking the hubs along, I was very interested in how he, being a consumer of large 'manly' portions, would take to this, and to my amusement as our platter emptied away, he looked around casually, trying to catch the attention of one of the waiters: "Time for a re-fill," he announced!