2 Comments// Posted in Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 08.19.11.
Razeen and I have been house hunting since returning from Hajj. It’s been long-winded, disappointing, but mostly a very frustrating endeavour… and we’re still at it.
To keep me hopeful and sane, I browse interior design and lifestyle blogs for inspiration on how to decorate my own home one day. Something that’s stuck on my dream board, is this open storage unit from a renovated kitchen I found while browsing Desire to Inspire.
I’m obsessed about tea sets, I gasp out in delight when I see beautiful teapots and antique cups and saucers. I’m definitely keeping this stunning cabinet as a concept to one day display my growing collection.
See more photos of the rest of this miraculous renovation over here.
Naturally, I went web surfing for all things tea related to fill up my unit one day.
1. Square Black and White Floral Tea Set, Divine Tea Sets | 2. Purple Satin Cup and Saucer, The Tea Pot Shoppe | 3. Eva Solo My Teapot and Eva Solo My Tea Thermo Cups, Yuppiechef | 4. Jasmine Tea for One , The Tea Pot Shoppe | 5. MacKenzie-Childs Blue and White Morning Glory Teapot, auntlettuce on Etsy | 6. Art Deco 1920s Japanese Jade & Gold Satsuma Sugar Bowl, Milk Jug and Teacup & Saucer, The Oxford Tea Party | 7. Samarah Teapot, Villeroy and Boch | 8. Samarah Turquoise Dinnerware, Villeroy and Boch
1 Comment// Posted in About Me, Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 08.17.11.
I recently read an article in ELLE about getting older. This got me thinking about myself as I’m “growing up” and I thought I’d do a retrospective post and highlight the ages that were pivotal to me, shaping me into who I am now.
19 is the cusp of adulthood. For me it was the start of working/studying. My mum would refer to it as my “neither here, nor there” phase and it is a bit of an in between age; you’re ready to flap your wings and jump out of the nest but you haven’t quite learnt how to fly yet. I was naive then but I had a good idea of what I wanted and didn’t want. What I wasn’t prepared for was the bumpy road to get where I wanted to be. I was driven to someday work in publishing and to see my design work in print; so I tripped along trying to get into the industry. Having to deal with many a criticism and being turned down for jobs can be difficult, but this time of my life taught me to lick my wounds and to get over my feelings of dejection. The lesson learnt was: when failing to succeed, dust yourself off and try again.
On a social front, I used to be the typical “quiet girl in the corner of classroom” but being out in the world turned me into a rebelliously bubbly woman; and that’s when I decided that I don’t like dating. It’s not that I didn’t like meeting guys, I just didn’t like the whole pretentious fluff surrounding a meeting, under the guise of romance and supposedly getting to know one another, while all it actually is, is a very ambient interview. If I liked someone, I preferred being blunt and to the point… and that’s how I met and married my husband.
I introduced myself to him, we became good friends, we fell in-love and we married, all within my 23rd year. Marrying my soul-mate was the biggest highlight of being 23, but this age was also the beginning to a chapter of rediscovery for me. If I never met and married Razeen, I’d never have been introduced to people who impacted my life tremendously and were crucial in me reviving my love for the Almighty, the Prophet (PBUH) and my religion. I seriously don’t consider myself holier-than-thou but during the last 5 years of marriage, I’ve had experiences that inspire me and continuously motivate me to become a better Muslim and by striving to do so, also be the best person I can be in service to humankind. My husband and I have grown together, our relationship thrived and so my path led me to my greatest experience as a Muslim, Hajj.
I was 28 when I first saw the Kaa’ba, visited Madinah and stood on Arafat. I don’t think anyone can adequately describe the spiritual impact this pilgrimage has in any amount of words. The only thing I can describe fully, is the longing and heart-wrenching yearning to want to go back again.
As I’m inching toward 30 now, I can see that after time the physical aspect of age does show; my increasing grey hairs are testament to that. But I also know that that there is a deeper meaning to life.
I recently had a conversation with a 17 year old friend who shares a birthday with me. She was telling me how she’s changing and discovering things about herself. We ended up having a long conversation about growing up and of finding a sense of self. This made me realise, that even though I now have teenagers considering me their older confidant, what comforts me is that at no matter what age, this journey of self-discovery never ends.
No Comments// Posted in About Me, Random by Nielfa Hanifa on 08.15.11.
Hijab South Africa is a style blog from a 20 year old, cupcake loving girl’s point of view. The blog showcases everything from Eid ideas to online shopping resources.
She’s just started a feature called Muslimah Mondays and asked me to be the first featured. Click here to read it. I’m wearing one of my favourite dresses from A-list Boutique in Long Street that I bought for a wedding and will wear again for Eid ul-Fitr, Insha’Allah.
Hijab South Africa is still fairly new, but it’s a definite on my reader for it’s already great posts. My favourites are the fashion profiles, the most recent one being on Maysaa designer, Hana Tajima-Simpson.
Do check out her blog filled with more awesome styles and her beautifully wrapped hijab at StyleCovered.
2 Comments// Posted in About Me, On- and offline Shopping, Random by Nielfa Hanifa on 08.12.11.
I usually attempt a wish list a few weeks before my birthday, but I’ve literally been lusting after some of these things, with most of them being way out of my budget but thought I’d make one as a dream board of sorts. Perhaps by my birthday I’d be gifted something I long for or hopefully I’ve saved up enough to afford a self-splurge on at least one item.
On the geeky gadgetry front:
I always tend to get gadgets that I can use for work and play; and an iPad would be perfect in the industry I’m in, publishing. The BookBook case has been on my covet list for a while and it’s obvious why I like it.
On the fashionable front:
The classique Christian Louboutin Very Prive peep-toe, need I say more? Ever since seeing these gorgeous red soles, I’ve pictured wearing it with my black maxi skirt and a red and black polka dot blouse, that I can’t seem to find anywhere in Cape Town.
On the beauty front:
I’ve recently been converted to using Bobbi Brown cosmetics and have just started building my collection of essentials as my budget allows each month… but how exquisite is this Exclusive Deluxe Beauty Trunk?
Then last but certainly not least, the Iconic Eras ghd. After my ghd broke, I haven’t been able to replace it but I am very much wishing that I’ll win this Glamour Collection set on StyleScoop.co.za. That would be one item checked on my wish list.
Click here or on the image above to check out the competition, it closes on Monday so hurry up. Also, like StyleScoop on Facebook and ghd South Africa on Facebook too.
No Comments// Posted in Photos, Random by Nielfa Hanifa on 08.05.11.
My husband works in an industry where appearance is very important. The suit, a double-cuff or banker shirt (with collar bones) and a perfectly matching tie. He dresses like he’s going for an interview everyday and can pull off the entire corporate look very well. I’ve never had to influence his wardrobe choices ever, in fact, I’ve probably become more fashion savvy because of him.
But it doesn’t end there, stopping short of a mud wrap at the spa, he uses a more expensive moisturiser than I do and isn’t afraid to groom his hair with a ghd.
So, I already explained why I should win a ghd and after reading this cool article on Men’s hair trends at StyleScoop.co.za, I thought I’d tell everyone that if I had to win one of the Iconic Eras Collection ghds, I’d share it with my husband (but will keep the awesome clutch for myself, hehe).
He has rocked a few hair styles since we married and because he has naturally wavy hair, prefers to keep it neat and straight. These are two of the cuts I like particularly. (Photos shared with his permission, of course!)
1. At one stage he had grown his hair for a while and I actually liked the long hair on him, much to his mum’s dismay. A ghd worked out well with keeping his “do” sleek for work everyday.
2. Then he had a haircut and has kept the shorter length (and even shorter :( since our ghd broke), that looked best bedhead and so styled with the ghd to add a grungy feel to his usual and very formal weekly attire.
Needless to say, a ghd would be an item of shared affection for us :)
To check out the competition click here or on the image above and don’t forget to like StyleScoop on Facebook and ghd South Africa on Facebook too.
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