Blooming Tea - A great way to entertain guests

I know this has nothing to do with hijab or fashion...but I just wanted to take a minute to say how much i love blooming/flowering tea. :)

If you are new to the world of flowering teas, this is a great way to entertain guests. A beautiful show unfolds before their eyes, and then they are able to enjoy the light, flavorful tea after the bulb has opened and steeped.

My personal favorite brand is Numi. Their teapots are beautiful and their tea bud designs are exquisite. ENJOY! :)

Find Numi glass teapots here

Numi flowering tea buds

How to Wear the Basic Turkish Hijab Style

Have you wondered just how the Turkish hijab style is done? Here's a great video tutorial!

What you'll need:

- a square scarf - satin, chiffon, print....whatever style/design you like
- an underscarf - the most popular is the satin style, but any kind will work
- straight pins
- hijab broach
- a hijab shaper - this is optional

SPRING 2009: Harem Pants

I was soo excited when a sister commented and let me know she purchased Harem pants and that she needed help finding ways to wear them! This trend is super hard to wear- but if you do it right, you can look elegant, grunge, girly, or anything you want to be-- fabulously!

The best tip I have, is to wear structured pieces with them. Because the harem pants are very loose, having many elegant folds, one should wear a structured piece like a blazer for a complete, well thought out look. Here are two outfits I created:

Ankle boots would work amazingly with harem pants. Boots are an accessory that can really chanage the outfit you're wearing. If you go with a more vintage boot- it can transform your outfit respectively. Adding details like gorgeous buckles, and studded heels will really make your outfit stand out.

Try a leather jacket with your harem pants- but if you do so, don't go for ankle boots that scream "tough", rather go for ones you wouldn't think to wear right away- like colored ones. Notice how I used the studded ankle boots with the broad shoulder blazer on the right instead of the studded leather jacket on the left.

Remember to go for chunky rings to complete the look.
Two of my favorite designers (along with others) have Harem pants featured in their collections! Let's take a look at their outfits, and take ideas from them!
Proenza Schouler:

This one above is worn with a long top (like a tunic), and you can wear it like this, unless yours are much looser, or if it's low crotched.

Diane Von Furstenburg:

The pic above is an alternative to the "structured top for harem pants" rule that I mentioned above. It works really well, but cinch it somewhere so it provides for some structure in the outfit.
A structured top-- wear a structured button up or stiff longsleeve.

A structured top, and a loose blazer.

^This is just cool.

DO NOTS:

- Do not wear a tunic with your harem pants if they have low crotches. If they do not, and are tapered at the bottoms, that's fine (check proenza schouler pics above).

- Do not cover the waistband because they allow for more detail, and show where all the folds are coming from.

- Do not go for heavy fabrics like cotton - unless you love them. That's always an exception.

Leather Gloves, Gorgeous Bags, Modern Umbrellas and Structured Trenches.

Ideas:

- If you're buying a bag this season, go for one with straps like the above (I'm refferring to the metal chain that the leather runs through). 

- Another tip for buying bags, browns are nice, also burnt oranges and the color above. 

- Leather gloves-- I just bought a pair. An amazing buy actually. They're Joe and only cost me about 5.00! They were small and I need like a large or med., but they were five bucks, so I thought "These are going to fit!". Haha, but now they've stretched out a bit so it's all good. Good thinking Asma, gooood thinking! 

- For umbrellas- GO NUTS! 

- Olive green hijabs!! I want one! Inshaallah.....

Dress a Mannequin-- For Hijabi Spring

Soooo, we all know how much I love a good trench coat, so here's yet another post including one. 

Now, I've recieved a lot of emails about making outfits for larger sizes. I def. want to expand the blog and make specific posts for larger sizes. However, I want you girls to understand that a lot of what I've already posted can work for all sizes. Just because the pictures of the clothing are pictures of small sizes doesn't mean the larger ladies can't wear them. So take this as a piece of advice to all the women (and man) who are reading this- take my posts as an idea... if there are jeans, wear jeans but find ones that flatter your body type (and i'll post specifics soon), and if there's a trench (which really flatter everyone.. depending on where the belt is, and a few other factors), find a trench that you like. You catch my drift? 

<3>

A Hijabi's Take on Breakfast at Tiffany's

If you don't already know, I'm in love with the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Just watching it is a feast for any fashionista's eyes.

The inspiration for this outfit came from the very first scene where she climbs out of a taxi cab and walks up to a Tiffany store window. Below:

Her hands are full, it's early morning, and I just lllllooooooove it! So I hijabified it!
I'm in love with trench coats for spring. Why not go for a light, breezy one like the above? The diamonds she usually wears on her head, I put on her feet (no ladies, I was not going to make you put diamond clips on your hijab or something equally weird that I would most likely advise you to do.) WAIT A MINUTE! That sounds kinda nice. wait for it.. YES! I like it! A brooch on your hijab! DOOOO IT!
The long gloves complete a look of elegance you can acheive in a few seconds in your quick, morning routine. With a clutch and newspaper under your arm, juggling a coffee (not from starbucks), and croissant- or whatever else you like (I'll eat anything haha)- you'll look gorgeous sporting an outfit inspired by a fashionista's fav classic!

Hijabi Romantics

High waisted trousers are still in, ladies! Bask in the hijabiness! hahahaha. Add a thin belt to very top, as a transition piece from the blouse to the stark white in the trouser. I love these heels, they're so off of Whitney's feet from The City. I added the lipstick because I love a light pink on the lips- especially with a white hijab, you'll just glow!

<3 HijabiFashionista