ZINAH

What a pure coincidence that a 'blog post' day falls on the same day as my birthday (I swear I did not plan this in advance haha)! I just happen to pick Monday and Thursday as blog days, because:

1. I love Mondays (I really do! I even consider it my lucky day, I am super optimistic & happy on Mondays. Call me crazy, but it's true!)

2. To keep the week balanced with blog posts, Thursday is the logical answer!

Another reason I love Mondays is because I was born on a Monday (this makes me sound absolutely vein and narcissistic. I am far from it!).

So today is my birthday…I am a year older, but can't say that I'm wiser or smarter. Alhamdulillah I have been lucky to reach this far in my life, to have experienced so many years and Allah has blessed me with so many wonderful things, including experiencing another age. I'm eternally grateful.

I'm not really a birthday celebrator kind of person…but I tend to spend the day with loved ones. Today is a special day with my love Alye and later in the evening with family, including my favourite sister Jihan inshallah.

Happy Birthday to ME! 

I must admit I'm a little in love with the author Mitch Albom ever since I've read 'Tuesday's with Morrie', so be warned that my review may come across a little too enthusiastic and optimistically biased.

The book is called 'The 5 People You Meet In Heaven'.

It's a little saddening that I haven't written a review once I've finished reading the book, and that was awhile ago (I've read it around January)…I still remember the best parts of the story; the parts that stuck to me and inspired me. The small connections I had with the main character Eddie made me make some  changes in my life (this does not mean I am easily influenced by the way, just greatly inspired!).

The beginning of the story is the ending of Eddie…It's a story of the after life, about an old man who had dreams/ambitions, lost track of the meaning of life and hopeless. I don't want to ruin the story for those who are planning to read it, but it's a book that is thoughtful, a gentle reminder of how precious life is, how we forget about our goals & ambitions, just because we get too comfortable with the present day. It's a book that'll make you think and reflect, regardless of your believes, cultural background, situation etc. 

I highly recommend you to read it.

I've done a post on Caffe Concerto in the past, showing you guys pictures of delicious cakes. Turns out they serve more than cakes and coffee! It's an actual restaurant, with proper breakfast, lunch or dinner. I sound like I just discovered Caffe Concerto, but the reality is that I would only get cakes from there, until I saw their full menu!

Breakfast/brunch is my absolute favourite meal of the day and I never ever skip it (regardless of what time I wake up!) so I was delighted to find out about Caffe Concerto's lovely breakfast menu.

I went on a lovely brunch date with the lovely Mal from Helay Scarves. We had a a nice chat, caught up on whats going on in our worlds and of course talked about Helay Scarves. I shall be putting up the interview in the near future. 

I'm not literally wearing striped pyjamas, it's just that this shirt reminds me of the film 'The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas'…this may not be the nicest resemblances or remark. In fact, I'm a little worried for even mentioning this, although the film itself is fiction, the story stands true. 

This is purely an observation of the pattern of the shirt. Ok, I will stop now!

I haven't started admiring Dior until recently. I assumed Dior was one of those highly overrated design houses that build name and reputation throughout time. I must say, I couldn't be more wrong. Dior is now one my top favourite design houses, right next to Elie Saab and Erdem. 

These designers are made out of love, femininity and romance. Elegance and sophistication is within every single thread of each piece and I look up to them.

I normally don't even bother planning my outfit, but as this was a rather special occasion, so I decided to go all in white, keeping it elegant, simple and sophisticated. Do I sound vain? Don't mean to!

This was taken during the Dior Exhibition at Harrods. I've wrote an article on the whole experience on Aquila Style. Have a read!

The Lady Dior bag was the icing on the cake for the outfit, of course it belongs to my sister who invested well in a designer bag! It'll be my turn soon…I'm thinking Mulberry Bayswater? Yay or nay?

So many girls love fashion, express their style via social network websites and even run their own blog. 

I'm obviously one of those many girls who shares her admiration for fashion & style through this blog.

Not everyone runs a blog or constantly posts outfit pictures online, but perhaps some may want to but just can't for whatever reason? Here is your chance to share your personal style with the virtual world! 

I've been doing Style Spied for Aquila Style for some time now and have had a chance to communicate with lovely girls from all over the world. Now it's your turn to shine and show your unique style.

Would you like to share your personal style with the Aquila Style readers? For a chance to have a short Style Spied feature on Aquila Style website, submit 6-10 images with descriptive captions and a brief bio for consideration to info@zinahns.com with the subject 'Style Spied'.

I normally don't like wearing black, especially during the warmer weathers. Despite the fact that it's such a classic 'colour' and goes well with everything, I still find it a little depressing to wear it during sunshine season. As a matter of fact, I'm not too fond of wearing black anytime of the year, regardless of season. I mean, yes the basic black scarf, shoes & handbag are something I need to have in my wardrobe, but clothes? Not so much! 

I love pastel colours (isn't that obvious?) but also like bright colours, so when I wear black, then it's never head to toe! The bright orange maxi skirt is just what I needed to brighten this outfit!

This outfit was actually for an Aquila Style article 'Wardrobe Essentials' I wrote late 2012. You can read it here

Anyone missed me? Well I have missed you all so much. It's been a while since I last blogged and as much as I wanted to get back to it, I just never found the time. Guess that's what it means to be a grown up huh? Always busy, on the run from one place to the other, from one job to the next and from meetings to more meetings. 

It's about time I sit down with you lovelies for a cup of tea and catch up on so many things. I don't even know where to begin!

It was only meant to be a short break, roughly 4-6 weeks away from blogging to find time and catch up on things; more importantly to find inspiration and motivation. I felt like after over two years of blogging, my motivation was dying slowly, I started prioritising other things and perhaps they are more important than blogging, but I had to remind myself that this blog is my baby (yes, I just referred my blog to a baby).

I remembered my intentions for blogging (on an inspiring night; 24th of July 2010) , why I even started it from the first place and how important it was for me to have my voice heard by at least one person. My intentions were and still are; to at least inspire one person with my blog posts. Not just creatively, not shallowly just about fashion, not about a whimsical lifestyle, but inspire them about being passionate, affectionate, the little things in life we take for granted. Inspire them about kindness, communication, love, friendship (real & virtual) and how to cherish the people in our lives. Inspire them about cooking, reading, travelling and Islam.



I can't say I have done the above things for many, but I am really hoping that I have at least done so for one individual. To all my active readers, the silent admirers (for my blog not me), the quick visitors; thank you ever so much for joining me in my adventures journey. I do love you all with all my heart.

Subconsciously I was sort of blogging during the last four months (it's been THAT long huh??!!) by taking outfit pictures, doing photography of my adventures and a lot of design work. However, the problem was finding time to sit down, edit those photographs and upload them onto the blog. 

Now I'm slowly finding few hours a week dedicated entirely for blogging. I think two posts a week is enough for now until I magically find more time? 

Have you noticed the new blog design? Simple, just the way I love it!

In the meantime, how about you tell me what you've been up to while I get my head around blogging again?