Sarii Loves...

I've decided to start a new feature called 'Sarii Loves, Sarii Loathes' which will be to do with absolutely anything I choose.

This week I have chose makeup as my theme. I have selected a few products which I have literally been wearing pretty much everyday for the past few weeks.

(From left to right)

1. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight - My fave nude lippy, a muted peach, it compliments most of my looks. I am on my third one so it just proves that it rocks my world!

2. The Body Shop Powder Blush in Apricot Shimmer - Absolutely LOVE this TBS blush. I used to wear it ALL the time when I worked there. It really illuminates my cheeks and makes me look radiant.

3. Be Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful Cream Highlighter in Blazer (no longer available) - I rarely used to use a highlighter but this is amazing. It is a bronze/pink highlighter which I apply on my brow bones and cheek bones to uplift those areas

4. Manhattan Ultimate Long and Curl Mascara - A friend of mine from Bosnia sent me this as a gift and it is another product I am really liking. It is almost a jet black and really does curl my lashes.

5. No7 Perfect Lips Pencil in Nude - This is a product I continually purchase from No7. It is the perfect Nude lipliner that you can use soley by itself or with a lipstick/gloss. I like to wear this with Nude Delight and also MAC Cut-A-Caper for beautiful nude or coral lips!

6. Avon Luxe Super Shock in Black - This is my No1 black eyeliner to use these days. It definitely surpasses UD Zero. I just haven't reached for that in literally months. I find Avon to be super black (I love anything super black, jet black, you name it hehe) and longer lasting than UD.


So girlies what are you loving this month? Beauty, clothes, celebs, flowers....it could be absolutely anything :)

Haulage

Hey lovelies :)

Yesterday after enrolling at university ( yes I am officially a PGCE Primary student!) I popped into central as I needed to pick up a few basics for my work wardrobe. I also used it as an excuse to spend my John Lewis and H&M gift vouchers :)

I have combined an earlier haul too but more about yesterday :P

I popped into Peter Jones as I had reserved my favourite concealer, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in 4 (I have been trying everywhere for the past month and finally got a hold of it!) It really is a lovely John Lewis store and the makeup artist was lovely too.

Afterwards I headed to Oxford Circus in search of some wide leg trousers. I went from Topshop to Zara to House of Fraser to Debenhams and yes I found the most comfy trousers from Debenhams ' Collection' brand even after trying on a load of others from various concessions. I purchased a pair of wide leg trousers for £35 which isn't too bad at all.

I admit the photo is rubbish but you can still have a peek!

H&M is probably where I did most of my haul. I picked up a pair of tan ballet pumps. I had originally wanted to purchase a pair from Dune but I couldn't find my size anywhere. I picked up four capped sleeve tops in turquoise, black, beige and navy, a black long sleeved top, a black cardigan, a yellow capped sleeve top and a beige jumper (which I think I might return for a smaller size) I was pleased with what I got from H&M and glad I finally have some new clothes to wear to my work placements when I am teaching.

I popped into Aldo to have a look at their jewellery, sometimes they have some really unique pieces. I actually saw these earrings a while ago and wasn't decided on whether to purchase them or not and was so happy when I went in yesterday and there were still there for a bargain price of £6!

As summer is pretty much over I headed to Boots to hunt down some autumny/dark nail polish shades as most of my polishes are summery/neutral colours. I picked up a No7 Stay Perfect Nail Polish in a deep metallic damson (it is beautiful!) and I have been lusting over a midnight/dark blue. I used to own Barry M's Navy but I didn't like the fact you had to apply 3 coats and it looked quite flat. I saw this little gem in 17 and it really has a lovely metallic deep blue sea finish. I will definetly be sporting these this season - looking forward to bringing out my Winter Wardrobe.

Last and not least I went to M&S, now I don't usually shop in here at all but I was gifted a perfume by a parent when I finished my job as a teaching assistant and I fell in love. It is called ISIS and is part of the M&S Fragrance range which I have to say is pretty damn good. It is light, floral scent with notes of violet, rose and lily of the valley. When I first applied it my sister told me it smelt of a more expensive perfume called L' Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake. It smelt both and it does indeed for a fraction of the price!

Mini Haulage

A few weeks ago I was in central, as I had a hair appointment. Afterwards I went along to Oxford Street for a mooch and purchased a few things..well jewellery to be precise.

I picked up a pair of purple boho earrings from New Look. I don't own many purple pieces of jewellery and really like the look of these. I then ventured into Forever 21 and have to say although I made a few small purchases I wasn't pleased at all. The store is tiny considering it is on Oxford Street. I much prefer the Birmingham store where they have a massive floor dedicated to just jewellery and accessories and there is so much more variety!

Anyways I picked up a chunky navy and gold raffia bangle, a wooden abalone shell ring and a pearlescent shell flower ring too. You can never have enough jewellery my lovelies :P

Enjoy :)

Henna

With Ramadan coming to an end, I visited my cousins to prepare for Eid celebrations. I love this time of year when it is Eid as I get to henna everyone in my family. Usually I make the henna pasta using a simple recipe consisting of henna powder, lemon juice, sugar and essential oils but this time I decided to order a tube from a henna artist online. I opted for the mini henna kit which included a cone of henna, henna seal spray and a glitter cone for decoration.

I created these patterns on my sister, cousins, aunty and myself... ( Some pics don't want to send to my laptop for some reason will try and post the rest soon!)

Henna after 6 hours

Henna after 24 hours

I am absolutely amazed with the results. Amazingly dark henna which looks beautiful!

How did your henna turn out? Do you create your patterns or go and get it professionally done?

Handmade Cards

A while ago, I decided that I was going to spend the afternoon making some cards my friends as some occassions were taking place.

I purchase the blank cards and then unleash my creativity to make some beautiful pieces of art.

An engagement card for my sister's friend Hazel.

Hand dyed paper in purple, angel hair paper in cornflower blue, various sized hearts

cut out from white/cream paisley paper.

A wedding card for my friend Raj

Maroon card, gold, red, copper foil flakes heated and pressed ethnic design on cream 

card.

A birthday card for my friend Ayesha

Angel hair paper in silver, indian paisley patterned paper layered on top

I hope you have enjoyed looking at them as much as I have making them!

I have recently finished my first handmade card collection which I shall post on my new business blog soon.

Check them out soon girlies :)

Moving things...

I think I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I moved place about 3 months ago now and then recently had to move into another block. Yes, moving place no longer excites me with the amount of times I have had to pack up my mass of things, unpack and then to arrange them all in my place.

Well I have finally gotten around to snapping some photo's of how I have tried to make my place feel more homely and cosy. I re-arranged it more recently as I am due to start my PGCE in Primary teaching soon and I needed to free up space for my books, literature, files and things...

I wanted my room to feel light, airy and spacious, so I purchased bed linen in cream which has really made a difference to the whole space. I was looking for an ethnic cushion cover but they were all so extortionately priced so I made do with a simple, pleated teal cushion from Wilko's. I am so happy as the colours match well with my room.

I decided to use the noticeboard on the wall for hanging up my necklaces. I like this method as I can view them easily and unhang/hang them up easily too. I turned the corkboard I used for my earrings around so it was landscape and then pinned up all my earrings. Originally I wanted to lean it on the small ledge but it kept falling so I have had to just sit it on my table with the ledge as support.

I moved my bangle/bracelet boxes into a drawer as it looks much neater. I have tried to arrange them into colours so that I can see what I want to wear more easily.

I bought this moroccan style tea light holder from poundland just as an ethnic accessory and have placed it on the windowsill.

My sister came up with the idea of using my coat/clothes rail to hang up my scarves. I prefer having my scarves hung up as I can see each colour/design and it is so much easily to slide it off the rail than to tie/untie it to my previous Ikea rack.

Have you 'themed' your room? Do you store any of your things in a particular way?

Hope you enjoyed reading.

Home Sweet Home

So I spent last week at home which is Birmingham. I had a nice relaxing time with my family - spending time with my cousins and friends and opening iftar together. It was really nice (apart from the fact that I may have eaten a bit too much!)

I also went home as one of my good friend's was getting married. I had been so excited about attending the ceremony as it was my first Sikh wedding and even sorted out my outfit weeks in advance, only to change it on the day! I ended up wearing a mustard coloured heavily embroidered suit, my grandmother had made for me whilst she was in Pakistan. I also ended up curling my hair and I really like how my Corioliss Curling Wand styles them.

I also spent the few days before her wedding making up henna to apply on my hands. Only for disaster to strike! I decided to make up a different recipe and as a result the colour was not as dark as I had intended it to be but still the pattern prior looked beautiful.

Here is a picture of the beautiful couple. She absolutely amazing in her bridal suit and her makeup was flawless. They make such a lovely couple!

So my time at home was lovely and although it seemed short it was a nice break. It is currently coming to the end of Ramadan now. I can't believe how fast it has come and gone, whilst I will miss it as it's my favourite month of the year (apart from my birthday in June of course :P) I am looking forward to losing the few pounds that I have put on. I intend on joining a Zumba class and also returning back to Bellydance class too :) Also it is not long until I return to university although I still have a few pre university tasks to complete. The list is neverending and I have done so much reading already, goodness knows how I will cope for the next year. I just know that inshallah it will be worth it when I qualify as a teacher :)

I hope to post a blog on my handmade card collection and also the re-arranging of my jewellery in my room...so look out :)

A Week's Break...

This morning I am currently packing my things as I am heading up north to spend some time with my family. With it being Ramadan, I can't wait for some good ole' home cooked food :)
I am still deciding whether to take my laptop or not as I have packed some books to read for my uni course and also some sewing for my handmade card collection and I think I should get stuck in to that rather than procrastinate a 'little' on the net :P

So just to say that I shall be back in a week or so...

Take care and enjoy :)