I hope you enjoyed our honeymoon vlog which is wayyy overdue, but I hope it made up for the time you guys waited for it, hehee. So as promised (from the vlog), I want to get right into the details of our trip; where we stayed, places I highly recommend you eat at, where to go to watch the sunset, and where is the best places to take your Instagram photos.

WHERE WE STAYED

Airbnb 1 - Studio With A View, Oia

This was the first our of the two Airbnb's we stayed at. The first four nights were spent at Oia, which is where most of the images you would've seen on the internet/my Instagram. This is what everyone assumes Santorini looks like. This is without a doubt the more picturesque and quaint side of the island, where boutiques, high-end hotels and homes are all colour coordinated to perfection. Our first Airbnb was not big, but it had everything we needed, a cleaner that came everyday, AND at an incredible location. Though the limited space did make us want to go out and explore more, rather than stay indoors. Located on the cliff of Oil, it is just steps away from central Oia, walking distance to the shops, restaurants, photogenic spots and supermarket. And as you can see, the view was just breathtaking, waking up to this was just a dream really. 

Airbnb 2 - The Holiday House, Fira

On our fifth day, we checked out and moved to the other side of the island, Fira. Before I went, I didn't know there were two parts to the island. I LOVED this Airbnb so much I wish I had a holiday home just like it. The minute we stepped inside the compound we felt so relaxed. This home had everything we needed too, a daily cleaner, an outdoor jacuzzi, a seating area outside and at the top of the house so you can watch the sunrise. The house was so nice we dedicated one day to just spend time indoors. Its location was really convenient too, just five minutes walk to the central area with all the ah-mazing seafood restaurants. Fira, is the less upscale side of the Island, but you can definitely find more activities to do on this side. And if you're on a budget, I recommend you staying on this side of the Island, as there are way more options here at more affordable prices. Stay at Fira, but you can always take the bus shuttle to Oia to snap your gorgeous pictures and watch the sunset. 

WHERE TO EAT

The food! Yes, the food. In case it wasn't obvious already in the vlog, one of the highlights of our honeymoon was the seafood. It was so hard editing the footages while fasting, I literally had to stop because it made me too hungry. I'm only recommending three places as there are soooo many but each of these had something unique about it. 

1. PARATHIRI RESTAURANT ART CAFE, Fira - This is where we tried our first grilled octopus (which is what everyone was asking us to try). It was so good that we are here three times! Order their signature garlic pasta too. I came back to KL and immediately tried to recreate it. I officially know how to make Santorini style pasta *pats self on the back*. It's not a fancy place. Laid back decor with delicious pasta and seafood platter. I rate this place 4.5 out of 5.

2. PELICAN KIPOS, Fira - Imagine eating in a garden, with grapes drooping down as you look above, with ambience music playing, laughter and chatter everywhere, and flowers blooming in big pots in every corner you can see. I actually took loads of footages here for the blog but I wasn't able to include it in due to some technical errors, ggggrrrrr. When we stumbled upon this cafe, we had just had lunch so we just went for a drink to chill and rest. I was blown away as just how beautiful the restaurant was. We went back for dinner a few nights after. Food wasn't amazing as the restaurant mentioned above, but it wasn't too bad either. I recommend you go for drinks and dessert. I rate this place 4 out of 5.

3. DIMITRIS AMMOUDI TAVERNA, Oia - We didn't actually get to eat here because when we drove down to the port it was closed as we went during off-peak season. But, this is one of the best places you can have seafood in Santorini. It's been there for decades and you are literally right at the water. Have your dinner there, at the foot of the cliff overlooking the sunset. 

4. LOLITA'S GELATO, Oia - Because it's so good and you need this for your Instagram. Enough said. You need that ice-cream shot against their pink wall and bright blue sky. 

*If you are looking for restaurants with a Halal certification, you will not find any. Just enjoy the seafood there and request that there be no alcohol cooked with your food (generally they don't anyways).

BEST INSTAGRAM PHOTO SPOTS

ANYWHERE IN OIA - You want to be at Oia to get all your photos. I actually tried my best to take note of street names so I can share this with you guys, but there are no street names there, just narrow alleys and rocky steps. Want to know where the best spots are to take your Instagram photos IN OIA? Literally ANYWHERE. I'm not even kidding, that's why Santorini is an Instagrammer's dream. Every door, every alley, every cliff, left and right, is as gorgeous as you can hope it to be. 

If you go off-peak season as we did (mid November), there is a lot less of a crowd, therefore making it uber easy for you to get in as many ootd's as you want. The down side to this is that, you don't get the super bright blue skies in the summer, and therefore lighting may not be as great as its potential here. We had two days of rain and overcast on our last few days here. My friend went there during summer but she said it was so hot and hard to get great photos because were just too many people crowding almost all the streets and alleys in Oia. So my suggestion is, go in September, while the weather is still warm and the summer crowd has disappeared.

WHERE TO WATCH THE SUNSET

1. VITRIN CAFE CREPERIE, Oia - The best spot to watch the Sunset at Oia is at this little cafe in between hotels on the cliff. They serve waffles, crepes, smoothies and greek coffee. We had the crepe and it was so nice to wind down for the day with the view of the sunset. But, keep in mind, there will be loads of people crowding there, so you have to go there early. If you don't get a place at the cafe, you can just stand around there as what we did on our first night there.

2. ORTHODOX CHURCH, Fira -  If you can't make your way to Oia for the sunset, make your way to the walkway in front of this central place as it overlooks the caldera. 

WHICH BEACH WE WENT TO

PERISA BEACH, Fira - There are so many beaches on this Island, but Yusuf chose this one and I was happy he did because they had black sand, lol. There were lots of restaurants a long the beach and cute little places to rest and relax. 

WHERE DID WE HIKE

HIKING, Imerovigli - This was the hiking trail we did in the vlog that had the amazing view of the Island from the bottom. I highly recommend you bringing your sport shoes and going for an easy hike like we did so you get to see another side of the island. Bare in mind there are so many more hiking trails. If you're up for a more intensive one, do the hiking trail that starts from Fira and ends on the other side of the island, Oia. Lots of people do this so they can catch the sunset at the end of their hike, then they take a bus back to Fira. 

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I hope this post can help you on your upcoming trip to Santorini, whether you're planning on going with your girlfriends or husband for your honeymoon. I can't rave about this island enough. If you have anymore questions you'd like to know that I haven't already answered, leave it in the comments below and I'll try my best to share as much as I know from my experience here.

See you guys in my next post! xx

When I got the surprise that we were going to Santorini for our honeymoon, I was speechless. I hugged him so tight and tears piled up at 

the corner of my eyes. 

winter was just around the corner. the island was quiet and calm. it almost felt like it was just us two there.

santorini was ours to explore.

I never told anyone this, but Santorini Island was THE place that sparked the wanderlust in me. My urge to travel the world became stronger and I knew I HAD TO visit this ridiculously picture perfect corner of the earth, one day.

Ten years ago, before the era of Instagram existed, I was working my first full-time job as an editorial assistant at Herworld magazine. Among the first few responsibilities I was given by my editor Sakinah, was to handle the travel page, the last two pages of the magazine. I had to collect travel images from people my editor asked me to contact, get their captions to the images shared, and write a short paragraph about the city based on the stories told by the person.

One day, I opened my replied email and downloaded the images. My jaw dropped looking at the pictures this lady had sent me. I saw one breathtaking picture after another. The crispy blue sky, perfectly matched whitewashed and pastel buildings, enchanting cliffs and inky waters. Where on earth is this place? I googled it right away, and knew that I needed to see it with my own eyes.

Fast forward ten years later, two and a half months after the wedding, I couldn't believe the surprise I got. Yusuf initially didn't want to tell me where we were going. Insisted the honeymoon was a surprise and he would only tell me four days before going because he said he asked Vivy and Ajjie and they said I only need four days to pack. I said NOWAY! I need to know right now because I need at least two weeks to plan what I want to pack to where ever it is we were going to go. 

Right after dinner, in the dining area, I pinned him down to the floor and forced him to reveal where he was taking me. When he finally caved and told me, I was speechless. I hugged him so tight and tears piled up at the corner of my eyes. 

After ten minutes of being emotional, my head was already planning what I would be packing on this vacation that I have been dreaming about at the back of my head for the past decade.

Describing Santorini as beautiful would be wrong, describing it as deeply impressive and at times, awe-inspiring would be far more accurate. 

Santorini. Husband. Honeymoon. I knew I needed outfits that were romantic, effortless and comfortable to explore the island in. And with winter just around the corner I knew I wanted to bring some pieces I could layer on like this cute pleated sleeveless top, worn over this white ruffle sleeves blouse. I wore it with these green pants which I got from my mum, which I've made a point to bring with me on all my travels because my memory of these pants were that it was worn by my mum on her travels too. I've labelled them my Travelling Green Pants, hoping that one day it can be passed down to my future daughter too, so she can wear it on her travels, inshAllah! 

Photos by Yusuf Ibrahim (hugsband)

What I Wore:

Scarf - dUCk scarf in Sugar Icing (matte satin silk range)

Top - Olloum ruffle sleeves top

Top - Duchess & Co sleeveless top

Pants - Trussardi cropped pants

Bag - Ferragamo bag

Shoes - Mel & Molly heels (similar version here)

(I swapped back into my flats after this photoshoot hehee)

OMG, there is a new post. Yes, that's me being sarcastic with myself. This habit of mine, disappearing from the blog for long streaks of time is just annoying. But let's not focus on that, and just enjoy the fact that I'm here typing away. So thank you guys, truly, for still making time to pop by here.

Basically, I'm back in London again, yay!

It is truly by Allah’s grace that I am here again. When I came here earlier this year and told you guys I fell in love with this city, I wasn’t kidding even the slightest bit. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to find anyone that wanted to hire me hence not moving here anytime soon, nor did I find a man to marry that lives here (I found an even better one that lives closer to home), but I still did find myself back here in this charming city for the third time this year. And the best part is, with my sister Huda. We've been wanting a trip together without her four kids for the longest time, so I'm still pinching myself that we're actually here.

Though, I think the long flight got to her because she fell sick on the first day we landed, which led me to have an afternoon and evening all to myself. Ahhh yes, I have embraced the fact that I'm one of those that really enjoy spending time by myself.....

....Ideally at a picturesque cafe, with a cup of coffee and a good read.

Right now, as I write this post, I’m leaving the city for a few days and on a train en route to Birmingham to stay over at a really good friends place. The view outside the window of the English country side mirrored against the overcast is just giving me all the feels, lol. The kind of feels you imagine experiencing as you zone out and immerse yourself in your thoughts. And so I'm here, about to write my next post about how I met the man I never once doubted Allah would pair me with, and it sure happened when I least expected it. I guess just like everything else in life.

This is my favourite surprise, and I can't wait to tell you guys all about it.

There is a familiar feeling that creeps up on me every single time we are about to launch a new collection. And that feeling is running through me right now. ANXIOUS. I worked ever so closely with our designer Aimi, trying to create something really special for you, with fluidity, a story and a symphony of details. We wanted the collection to truly reflect all the different LtD woman that have supported us all these years. And that's why each dress has its own name, with different personalities as a reflection of all you real women out there.

So here is a sneak peak of the first four out of ten dresses that will be launched starting tomorrow morning inshaAllah. (click here to shop).

The majestic setting of Allah's landscape was our inspiration. And it was just perfection.

Don't forget to subscribe here to be the first to see the launches to come. :)

Two months ago I posted my first vlog and it was nerve wrecking ya'll! But I'm glad I decided to just do it anyways. Firstly, I love the interaction that I'm having with you guys on Youtube land, I love editing the footages because it's like reliving the moments and, it's encouraging me to slowly coming out of my shell one vlog at a time.

So if you guys haven't caught my latest one, here it is. Not only will you see me casually talking with stuff stuck in between my teeth, but you'll also see me bare faced with 4 am transit eyebags hahaa. If I'm going to share moments with you guys, they better be real ones. And I promise to try my best to always keep it real with you guys.

Hope you'll enjoy watching this one!