The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival is in full swing! Along with the extremely talented movie makers comes the glitz and fashion from the attendees… my favorite part! I was pleasantly surprised to see so many modest dressers this year. I picked out a few of my favorites.

TOP: Aishwarya Rai in Elie Saab Spring 2013 Couture, Berenice Bejo in Alexis Mabille Spring 2013 Couture, and Carina Lau in Elie Saab Spring 2013 Couture

BOTTOM: Fan BingBing in Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture, Samantha Barks in Dior Spring 2013, and Kirsten Dunst in Michael van der Ham Fall 2013

Hands down, Aishwarya Rai and Fan BingBing are my absolute favorites in their stunning dresses from Elie Saab Couture. So elegant and classy. They were a picture of beauty for sure.

Who are your favorites so far during this year’s Cannes Film Festival?

Spring is almost over, but the spring collections are still rolling out! Spring is my favorite time of the year, and spring collections are usually full of styles and colors that are just so appealing to me.

Zeena recently released their Spring 2013 collection and I was psyched! I like Zeena. You won’t find anything too crazy or out of the box in their collection, just pieces that are pretty timeless. Everything always looks comfortable and suitable for everyday wear. I like that about their brand!

I took a minute to highlight my favorite items from their new collection! I’m loving these trendy yet functional shirts!

Drape Neck Cotton-T, $42.00

Everyone needs a nice comfy  piece like this Drape Neck Cotton-T. Even better with long sleeves!

Classic Collar Dress Shirt, $52

I love this one! Work place friendly and great for the summer months coming ahead when it is going to be scorching hot! Cotton is definitely my friend in the warmer months.

Classic Hi-Lo Shrug, $58

This one is my absolute favorite! The material looks so comfortable and it is still super trendy with the hi-lo hemline.

You can check out the rest of the items from their new collection on their website, Simply Zeena.

What do you think about Zeena’s new Spring 2013 collection? Would you rock these looks?

PS: This post is part of the GiG Spotlight #5: Spring Fever!, hosted by the lovely Caity of Moi Contre La Vie and Mari of I Love Green Inspiration. Never heard of Girls Inspired Group? Click on the image below to check out their blog and join!

Spring is here and it is time to bust out the pastels and bright colors once again. I’m lovin’ it! My style is a bit lazy lately, so I decided to go for a comfy look this time around.

 

PS: This post is part of the GiG Spotlight #5: Spring Fever!, hosted by the lovely Caity of Moi Contre La Vie and Mari of I Love Green Inspiration. Never heard of Girls Inspired Group? Click on the image below to check out their blog and join!

Wahoo, giveaway time! This giveaway is sponsored by A Taste of Something Unimaginable and Origami Owl Custom Jewelry.

Welcome to the Owl Charm You giveaway event. For a while now Origami Owl has been making amazing necklaces that are built to tell a story. Completely personalized to describe your life. I had seen pictures of these necklaces floating around on Facebook, but I did not know just how many charms there are to choose from. It took me forever to go through all the charms because I just couldn’t decide on one! There were so many cute charms that could have described something about me. Once you actually receive the necklace you open the adorable box and you actually put the necklace together yourself. I was worried about this at first but it is actually really easy and fun.

Origami Owl is an inspiring company founded by a girl named Bella when she was only 14! Their brand revolves around their “living lockets”, that can be customized according to taste to represent an infinite amount of possibilities. It really is the next level version of the typical locket we think of.

As you can see from the examples above, the lockets are gorgeous and because of the sentimental value they would make an awesome gift. When you go online to Origami Owl, you follow a simple process to pick out your locket. After that, you can customize it with charms, plates, chains and dangles. There are so many adorable options, you are sure to find your match.

The independent designer who worked with us for this giveaway event was Leslie Rhoads, and you can purchase your own living locket from her website http://owlcharmyou.origamiowl.com!

Origami Owl has graciously decided to give away a $50 gift card to their online shop to a reader. One lucky reader will get the chance to create their very own Origami Owl necklace. Excited? Then scroll down and enter the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dress: Thrift Shop  / Cardigan: Old Navy / Jeans: Aeropostale / Shoes: TOMS / Hijab: Indonesia

Life has been a little crazy for the past month and a half. I can’t believe I’ve been back in the states for that long, time flies! I was so ready to leave Japan and spend some quality time with my family at home last month, but now that I’ve had time to settle in here I get a little “homesick” for the little life I had there. I was only in Okayama for three months, but it felt like forever! I had gotten used to the sights, tastes and smells there. Everything was so different and new!

It sounds silly, but my biggest regret when I left Japan was that I didn’t get to say goodbye to the cashier at the Hallows near my apartment. I saw her almost every day and even though I couldn’t speak Japanese and she couldn’t speak English, she always tried to interact with me. On some days when I was really lonely, it was very comforting to me! Oddly enough, she wasn’t there right before I left. I wish I would have had the chance to tell her how much I appreciated her kindness.

The hubby surprised me by suggesting that we go out to dinner tonight. He has been so busy working full time and I jumped right into teaching when I got back, so we haven’t really had a chance to have much couple time. Between our jobs and visiting family after being overseas for so long, we definitely needed a date night to ourselves!

We went to our favorite Turkish restaurant in town, Anatolia. I absolutely love that place! I always order the same sujuk and eggplant pide. The hubby really likes their lamb shank and gets that every time too. In fact, we go there so often the waitress said “welcome back” to us when we came in!

I decided to switch it up a little and ordered babaganoush for an appetizer. It was pricy at $5 for a small plate, but babaganoush is something I can never make at home well! Bleh. It’s ok for a treat every once in awhile. Plus, it goes so nicely with Anatolia’s homemade bread and red lentil soup. Yum! I’m pretty much in love with Turkish food. It’s really good for my Dad too because he is such a picky eater, a real meat and potatoes kind of guy. He doesn’t really like experimenting with his food. We tried to get him to try Indian food once and it didn’t go down very well, haha. He loves this place though!

Hmm, hmm good. It never gets old. We had a nice dinner and then dashed out to the car afterwards since it had started raining. The weather has been so bipolar lately you never really know what is going to happen. I know I’m really looking forward to warmer weather!

Since I made an effort to dress up, I thought I would take a shot at posting my first outfit of the day. Feels strange! I think it turned out quite well for my first time. What do you think? I’m in love with the colors on my dress, I think they are beautiful. It definitely catches your eye in a good way. I found it at a thrift shop, and it is one of my favorite purchases.

Inayah is at it again! This time around they hit us with a collection of everyday workwear, perfect for the sophisticated modest woman. I’m always in love with every collection they release and this one is no exception.

Their new precocious collection is full of versatile pieces that are maternity friendly! As with every Inayah collection, every piece is full of class, comfort and sophistication. I always love seeing the photoshoots when they are released, the models look so beautiful.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

Coalesce Midi Dress, £57.95

Black Soft Georgette Hijab, £12.95

I absolutely love anything mustard yellow, so this was an instant hit for me! No matter what my sister tells me, mustard yellow is such a pretty color. I love this Coalesce Midi Dress, the draping on the back is effortlessly chic and gives an interesting look that you wouldn’t expect for such a casual piece. It really looks put together and professional, with minimal effort!

Left: Ebony Abaya, £54.95 / Raspberry Red Maxi Jersey Hijab, £11.95

Right: Urbane Abaya, £54.95 / Black Maxi Jersey Hijab, £11.95

The Ebony Abaya takes the classic abaya style to create a simple piece that every woman needs in her wardrobe. Sometimes it is nice to have a good quality plain abaya to accessorize. There are so many possibilities! Just adding a pop of color can give the abaya a whole new look, like the model did here with the Raspberry Red Maxi Jersey Hijab. I’m loving that bright raspberry color!

For a more contemporary look, their Urbane Abaya is a nice comfortable oversized piece that would be great for a day when you just want to throw on something comfortable while still looking put together.

Ensconce Abaya, £57.95

Navy Blue Soft Georgette Hijab, £12.95

While the Urbane Abaya is a more muted piece, girls who want a more bold color combination will like this eye catching blue abaya with a pop of white along the shoulders. The slight raise at the front allows you to showcase your shoes.

Left: Latte Abaya, £57.95 / Crushed Coral Soft Georgette Hijab, £12.95

Right: Mauve Haze Abaya, £54.95 / Mink Maxi Viscose Hijab, £7.99 / Oatmeal Cocoon Cardigan, £39.99

This Latte Abaya is the ultimate functional piece for your wardrobe. With a simple pleated design in a stone color, this abaya is easily individualized by some cute accessories or an eye catching hijab like the Crushed Coral Soft Georgette Hijab that the model wore. This abaya even has invisible pockets, which is always useful!

The Mauve Haze Abaya (also available in black and blue) is a beautiful mauve with lilac and hints of grey. Another absolutely stunning color that I adore. The abaya flares out at the bottom, making it ideal for maternity wear, or for people who hold their weight around their tummy. The real star of the outfit though is the Oatmeal Cocoon Cardigan! I love the pattern and the draping can match so many outfits.

Roseate Abaya, £54.95

Black Maxi Jersey Hijab, £11.95

Bam, a beautiful berry colored abaya! This collection is chock full of stunning colors. This is another comfortable piece that doesn’t compromise style and elegance. Inayah’s Roseate Abaya is lightweight, which makes it perfect for warmer weather. How awesome would this look on the beach?

Ruched Abaya, £64.95

I don’t know about you, but this outfit looks like serious comfort to me. Not only is this Ruched Abaya in a cool charcoal color, but the ruching around the waist just brings the whole look together. Sometimes simple is just better!

Left: Scarlet Braid Abaya, £64.95 / Cream Soft Georgette Hijab, £12.95

Right: Salient Midi Dress, £52.95 / Mink Soft Georgette Hijab, £12.95

For a bolder option for the Ruched Abaya, the Scarlet Braid Abaya is the ultimate pairing of comfort and eye catching style. The bright scarlet hue will ensure you are seen while the jersey material will keep you super comfy!

The Salient Midi Dress is the second dress in their Precocious collection. With the same detail as the Coalesce Midi Dress, the Salient comes in a basic cream color for a more classic look. I personally prefer the mustard yellow myself!

Ah, fashion lust! Inayah never fails to deliver on style. What impresses me the most though is that they maintain a very high quality without charging a fortune for their creations. It is pretty hard to find a stylish abaya of high quality that is less than $100, at least for me! Most of their items are just under that price mark.

What do you think? Did the new Precocious collection from Inayah impress you like it did for me?

Check out other Inayah collections that I’ve featured on my blog here: Inayah Collection and Inayah ‘Eid 2012 Collection. Of course, you can always find them on the web at their website or on their Facebook page. Stay beautiful ladies! ♥

I’m obsessed with abayas, I’ll admit it. When I first saw an abaya, I thought it was pretty boring. It was a simple black one that I later came to love due to the easiness of being able to throw it on and go out to run a quick errand or for a quick walk to the mailbox. Ah, abaya. So easy to slip on and go!

As time went on however, I stumbled upon so many unique abayas from various designers. You check out my post on Inayah here that I posted about before; super classy designer abayas! I love designer abayas, but they can be costly.

I love finding new abaya designers that offer affordable abayas with absolutely beautiful designs. I found a new design label based in Mexico called Bella Luna Abayas. I found them randomly on tumblr. Let’s check them out, shall we?

I love love love this abaya named Mañana En México. It has a beautiful aztec border in bright colors. A total eye catcher! This one retails for $100.

Ah, pastels. Bella Luna also has maxi dresses for sale. This watercolor dress is a lovely pastel pink and grey/black combo that is so versatile! This can definitely be dressed up or down for a casual day out or for a more fancy event. At $95, it is pretty affordable!

There are also these really cute chain belts on their website that you can add to an abaya that doesn’t have a lot of detail to spice it up. I really like the one in the middle on the bottom. I’m looking forward to seeing the new designs for this! All of their chain belts are $17 on their website.

It looks like they will be debuting their new collection soon. I was really excited when I saw the picture because I love lace~ literally anything in lace I drool over. I like the contrast between the black and red here. I’ll update again once their new collection launches!

What do you think of Bella Luna Abayas?

Find them on the web:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bellalunaabayas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bellalunaabayas
Website: http://bellalunaabayas.com

Not only is Ramadan great for meeting family and friends who you don’t see that often, but you also have the added perk of new Ramadan collections from fashion brands! One of my personal favorites, Zleqha, is rolling our their Ramadan collections now and I’m loving them. I like to dress in very simple and classic designs, so I tend to prefer outfits that are beautifully cut with a simple accent. Zleqha’s new designs have just that!

Batwing Soft Cotton Dress, RM 307 (~$99 USD)

Oh, yes. I absolutely love this dress. I love batwing styles because they are so flowy and beautiful. The lovely burnt pink color is one of my favorites! You can’t get more modest than this!

Pastel Turqoise Sleeveless Pleated Satin Dress, RM 217 (~$70 USD)
Stretchable Cotton Cardigan with Chiffon Details, RM 194 (~$62 USD)

I’m loving the pastel colors used in this collection! This material looks gorgeous and lets you pair it with a cute cardigan with its sleeveless design.

Pleated Soft Cotton Dress with Lacey Collar, RM 297 (~$96 USD)

More of an everyday outfit, this breathable cotton dress would be totally comfortable for the summer heat. I love lace, and the lace collar on this dress gives the simple design a nice pop that fits in with the current embellished collar trend.

Lycra Jersey Dress with Chiffon Ruffles, RM 387 (~$125 USD)

Hmm, lycra. I’m not usually a fan of lycra because it sticks on the body which can sometimes jeopardize the modest fit of a garment. However, you might be able to pull it off with the ruffles cascading around the dress. This also comes in a dusty pink.

Lacey Lycra Jersey Dress with Black Ribbon, RM 397 (~$128 USD)

This outfit is so classy and timeless. I love the lace top with ribbon on this dress so much, I’m willing to overlook the jersey bottom! Once again this material can jeopardize the modesty of an outfit. But the design! I’m loving it.

What do you think about Zleqha’s new Pre-Ramadan and Ramadan collections? I’m loving the colors used and the simple cuts of the dresses.

As usual, you can fine Zleqha online:

Facebook
Store Website
Blogspot
Twitter

It is no mystery that I love the brand Inayah. Their collections are always so chic and beautiful! This morning, I saw that they had their ‘Eid collection up, and wow! Once again, many stunning designs.

Threaded Vines Abaya, £109.95

The first abaya that jumped out at my was one of their more modest designs called the Threaded Vines Abaya. It looks like a maxi with a super simple design on the chest that just pulls the whole look together. Seriously classy! I like that you can peak a little bit of the design from behind on the sleeves. The design is hand sewn with silver thread, making this a truly beautiful piece. The fabric looks gorgeous as well, a french crepe that gives it a very expensive look.

Tribal Abaya, £99.95

OK, I am totally in love with this Tribal Abaya. It looks like a maxi, and it is in my favorite color, a stunning mustard yellow. I absolutely love the beading on the chest that sort of resembles a necklace. It is like a built in accessory! This abaya is also a gorgeous French crepe and the feel of the fabric looks so smooth. This is one of their more affordable abayas for the ‘Eid season.

Knotted Gems Abaya, £128.95

Once again, a stunning design! I love how they incorporated rope with crystals to create a stunning neckline that grabs the spotlight! The mix of rustic style with glamourous crystals is definitely an eye catcher. It flows really nicely on the body and is definitely a very classy piece in a subtle light tan color with a touch of class. If you want to find an abaya for a fancy event but don’t want to wear a bold design, this classic piece is the perfect choice.

Allure Abaya, £159.95

For the bolder fashionistas out there, this stunning Allure Abaya in a bright plum purple is a beautiful piece that will guarantee the spotlight at any event! The flow of this abaya is extremely modest and the mix of crystals, oxidised stones and pearls create an eye catching neckline that is glamorous!

Concealed Beauty Abaya, £194.95

My personal favorite from their ‘Eid 2012 collection is this Concealed Beauty Abaya. It sort of reminds me of a fusion between a salwar kameez and an abaya. Whatever it is, I love it! With a mix of crystal, oxidised stones and pearls on the wrists and ankles, this abaya emphasizes little pieces of the design that stand out. Less is more, and this abaya embodies that saying! You don’t need a lot of beading to make a beautiful outfit. This abaya comes with leggings that feature their beautiful beading around the ankle, adding to the comfort of the outfit in my opinion. The high-low hemline pays tribute to the style of the season which I thought impossible to do while wearing hijab, and I’m happy to see it being done modestly! The only downside to this abaya is that it only comes in small/medium which excludes some of our larger sisters. Because this abaya is made from lycra jersey, the material might stick in places that you don’t want it to stick!

What do you think of Inayah’s Eid 2012 Collection? Would you wear any of these? Like usual, Inayah’s clothing is extremely versatile and can be worn fabulously by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

As always, you can find Inayah on the web:

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/InayahC
TUMBLR: http://www.inayahshots.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/inayah.collection
RSS BLOG: http://www.inayahc.blogspot.com
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/theinayahcollection
LOOKBOOK NU: http://www.lookbook.nu/inayahc