The Muse.

I am returning to work soon and I must admit, I’m absolutely looking forward to it because the month or so leave has been hella long. I love keeping my own company but not too much of it. No. Anyway, the time off has been greatly appreciated – creative wise. I have managed to make a believer out of myself with these words, ‘The muse visits during the act of creation, not before. Don’t wait for her. Start alone,’ by Roger Ebert ringing through my head.
Instead of writing about individual pieces, I have decided to share all of them at once even if they all were created on separate days, weeks with different moods. The proverbial ‘muse’ paid me a visit during this period and I went to work on nurturing my other skills – jewelry making.

From L-R: Button Bracelet, Rings, Necklace and Chain Bracelet.

Let’s start with the button bracelet. Most of you won’t believe that it is out of buttons because it looks really good and rich. I got the buttons off my sister’s sweater and I couldn’t wait to use them. With all my excitement, you’d imagine I’d get to it right away, no? Well, it took me awhile. The mood was never right. I don’t create just to create, I create when I feel it is time.
Then there was the little rings. To be honest, I just pimped up two plain adjustable silver rings. I added on this column of jewel stones and little flowers on both and they turned out amazing. It is the second time I do this with rings. First time was so long ago in that the ring even got stolen.
My first necklace! I’ve had the black squares sitting in my stuff for quite the longest time. They were a form of embellishment on a dress that I thought looked better without them. Besides, some of them had broken off so I proceeded to remove them entirely. Making this necklace was killer on my neck and nails. The process was painstakingly slow to say the least.
The little bracelet. I enjoyed making it. I got the little flowers and leaves to hang onto the chain from a pair of old earrings as I am in the process of getting rid of really old stuff. So, these little charms were quite the coup I needed to tweak up the chain.
I have enjoyed making all these pieces especially the necklace. I had never made one and to have it look really well done is unbelievable, so is the button bracelet. You know what really is exciting, knowing that most of my friends like everything and thinking I am a creative GENIUS!

Fringe Benefits.

It’s only logical for me to miss being all cute and dolled up now that I am on leave, right?
In my teen years, my cousins and I used to have a day in the week to look all glammed up. The expression , ‘all dressed up and no where to go’ literary described us those days. It was a day where we not only made up but dressed up in some of our finest to perk up our mood. I also had these days with my childhood bff Sofia. She would come to my home and we’d go all out with a mini photo shoot too. Yes, we ‘werked’ our inner Tyra Banks and found the FIERCE within.
Seeing that I have been on leave for almost a month or so, I woke up one morning with the decision to have a glam day. I went all out with the make up and bling after the shower. With almost everything done, I wondered how to style my hair. My signature hairstyle – side swept bangs/fringe didn't quite cut it as I thought over doing something new? With that in mind, I proceeded to comb my hair all around my head and face.
It is at this point that I realised the lock of hair between my eyebrows was quite long to the point of grazing my upper lip and longer than the rest, yet not so long ago, I had gotten a cut. Logic won over the fear of how it would look and what my mother would say once she saw it. Suffice it to say, I cut off the extended locks with no qualms. Then… hello fantastic FRINGE! It’s been a few days but I am absolutely and utterly in love with it.
I don’t know if my excitement is as palpable as it was then for the first thing I did after combing it out was whatsapp my girl Mayi with pictures of proof. LOL. Yeah, glammy days are for taking pictures too to remind me of that moment. Hearing back from her took awhile but she loved it. I look fan –freaking – tastic. And best of all; my mother approves, says I look like my over a decade obsession Kenshin Himura from Samurai X. So weird she would remember this.
Anyway, I am not so sure whether I have done some exciting things this year but what I do know for sure is; this takes the cake for 2013. I am still excited over it.

Over It!

First and foremost, I’d like to thank everyone for the anniversary greets. Most of you almost made me wish it were my birthday instead. Thank you.
I am on leave from work until further notice and loving it because I get to be a couch potato and catch up on most of my favourite shows on telly. Old reruns of Grey’s Anatomy, Glee (which I shall sorely miss as it comes to an end after next season) a season of Made In Chelsea, Beauty and The Beast 2.0. Speaking of Beauty and The Beast 2.0, I’m not that huge a fan of Kristin Kreuk since her Lana Lang days. I, basically, stopped watching Smallville the season Clark Kent chose to save her instead of his dad. I felt he should have saved his dad, after all she moved on to date Lex Luthor. Who does that? Anyway, she is growing on me as Cat (although she is such a nag in season 2) in Beauty and The Beast 2.0 and Jay Ryan isn’t that bad to look at either.
I don’t know if this is good fortune, but, there is a channel showing reruns of Beauty and The Beast 1.0. The only recollections I had of bad ass Linda Hamilton are the ones stemming from her Terminator days as Sarah Connor. With these aired reruns,  I get to see her before work with Ron Perlman, judge and also marvel at the wonders of technology between then and now.
 BATB 2.0 is so dated and totally relevant to my generation. The subtle references to pop culture, social media and JT’s dry comebacks make it watchable. I have friends who hate it apparently and my brother thinks they should have stuck with the fairy-tale plot of it like in the cartoon. If beast in BATB 2.0 is a result of an experiment, then how about the original one? Why or what made him into a beast?
You know; when you have a lot of time on hand, you begin to reflect and realize a few things. It is through these realizations that we grow into the people we want to be or who we are. I have had a lot of time to know without a doubt that I am so over some friendships. We all know a friendship is a two way street so why expect me to walk it alone? I’m over that. You can only do so much for the people you think you care about. No wonder I edit my contacts every year end. To be honest – the fewer friends the better. And, the one or so few friends that make time for you are the good friends you should keep around. No dead weight!

Fan Fact: Beauty and The Beast 1.0 is 22 years old! Can you believe that?

Third Anniversary!

My baby (Simply Shanah) is three years old now. Wow!
Before it dawned on me that 4th of November is the same day my maternal Grandfather passed away in 2005 and the day I started up this blog in 2010, I had toyed with the idea of writing a birthday post and publishing on the actual day. Seeing that the days coincide, writing an anniversary post on the exact day will not be happening anytime soon. On the 4th of November, we hold memorial prayers for my Grandfather as a family and it is a big thing. And it is what we were doing on Monday.I rarely talk about him because I miss him the most when I do. I miss him a lot.
Well, the day before the 4th, I got out of hibernation to attend my cousin’s small do. She brought her boyfriend to officially meet the family and make things official. I rarely see her but, when I do, it is such a pleasure. I can’t believe she is getting engaged and married. She asked whether her boyfriend passed muster and he did. He is tall, dark and handsome…just like I like them. LOL. I love guys with height. I’m so happy for her. She was so beautiful and she will be even more beautiful at her engagement and wedding.

From L-R: Farida (bride to be) and me, Mayi (my gurl), Maria (Farida's sister)

On the 4th; we had memorial prayers for my Grandfather. I’m proud of my mother’s family for maintaining this event in his memory. It has been eight years and not all of them easy. Being there, on that day makes it hard for all of us but I love hearing stories about my grand father from his friends or people who knew him. It keeps him alive in our memories. May Allah accept all our deeds on his behalf and bless us as a family. Little known fact, both my grandfathers (maternal and paternal) are deceased.
It’s three years of Simply Shanah… I am glad to have a platform where I can ramble on and on and have people read what I put out there. Really, I am thankful to each and everyone who takes the time to read, comment and follow not forgetting tweet. I’ve received a few positive tweets (although I deleted the old account) and they make me happy and appreciative of everyone.
Most of you ask me where I am taking this blog or rather what I want out of it. Right now, all I know is like the idea of having somewhere to keep memories, thoughts and a chronological progression of my life with room for whatever comes.
Happy 3rd Anniversary to my baby and a huge thank you to my friends, family and followers for the encouragement and positive feedback.

J’Adore: Neon Hoop Earrings.

You find the most unexpected things when you’re not looking to buy…like these neon hoops in lemon green and hot pink. These were an unexpected find and I had to have them. I mean, how often does a girl come across hoop earrings in hot pink?

The day I got them, we were in a rush to go somewhere and I unfortunately didn’t have any money on me but I had to have them. As a quirk, I NEVER bargain when it comes to jewellery. But, this particular day, I bargained for them and after coming to a satisfactory price, I asked my brother to loan me the money and I was one happy customer.
I love them because of the colours – lemon green and hot pink (this is why I had to have both pairs) plus they have this gold trim inside that caps off all the uniqueness. They have character which I am into, lately. I am tired of the common hoops; gold or silver with no texture. I’m in the process of getting rid of the common ones for fierce ones like the ones Tia and Tamera or Lady Gaga wear. Those are banging.

My collection (so far) of hoop earrings with character

If most of my current pictures are to be believed, I have gotten more mileage out of the lemon green ones than the hot pink yet I love pink. The thing about hoops with character is; you can wear them with anything and feel instantly over dressed so invest in a good pair whenever you can.