Salams everyone!!!!! How's it going? Hope you're all in the best of health and feeling all pumped up for two thousand and seventeen.

I'm so ecstatic to be back in Brisbane again with my sister and the kiddos (which you probably would've seen a lot of if you're been watching my insta stories). Ended two thousand and sixteen, and woke up to a new exciting day in the heat of the summer, with these beyond beautiful bunch of Peonies. They're so fluffy I just want to plant my face into the bunch. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world during this time of the year. Come to think of it, I just realized it's my fourth year in a row being here during this time. I guess I didn't realize it has become somewhat of a tradition. I think I like this tradition very very much!

Family, sunshine and, peonies.

Happy New Year everyone! Hoping this is the year you and I do something we've always wanted to but was afraid to do so last year. Sending you guys lots of love and light from sunny Brisbane! :)

I’m not gonna lie. I am feeling quite nervous coming into the new year knowing very well that thirty to thirty-five will be the next age bracket I'll be ticking on the next form I fill up (who checks these forms anyway). Breathe in, breathe out, You’re going to survive this. *runs to mirror again to check if any more white hair popped up. OMG, five new strands? Crieeesssss*

Okay, white hair jokes aside. I feel super blessed that I am turning thirty in this particular day and age. The year of 2017. Been thinking a lot this year (and writing less as you can see, sorry!), and I couldn’t be more grateful to be alive in this era. I’m not sure if you feel it too, but I think we’re living in exciting times right now.

Probably the best of times for women, where our successes are embraced and encouraged much more. And the typical expectations that were attached to women have changed in a good way. I’d be naive to say there isn’t still some expectations. But not like what was expected during our mothers' generation.

Had my life now, been taken back to my mothers' generation, I would totally be seen as quite the failure because on an eligibility paper, this is me. Soon to be thirty, loves her job, divorced once, no children, and doesn’t own a house or car (although I am in the process of renting my own house, woohoo, but I’ll save that for another post). And, can barely cook. I can make juice and smoothies for days, and a mean yogurt bowl, though. Okay, fine that doesn’t count as cooking.

So juicing aside, I genuinely believe and feel that we’re living in exciting times to be a woman. I don’t think that our mothers felt all this permission to be all the things that we are now. What a blessing it is to be able to chase our dreams. To be successful in our careers. To not put ourselves last in our relationships. To go for what we want, whether it’s initiating a marriage proposal or asking for a pay raise.

Today, I feel women are learning more, they’ve started thinking, they’re exposed to more and therefore much smarter. If there’s something universal that I’ve learnt from the Quran is that God has gifted each of us are with different skills and potential. And, it is within us to do something about that passion. That is our purpose. To serve our Creator by doing the most we can with the innate passion we’re given in this life, while we have it.

And with that, it has to be said that we, as women, we are already complete on our own. Regardless of what our culture has embedded in our thoughts, what I've gathered from my journey of learning the true meaning in the Quran and the life of past heroes is that we don’t need to be married or mothers to be complete. If you come across a man who compliments the life you've built or want to build, then that calls for a huge celebration. But if he hasn't come along, it's all good. That is an added gift and one of the ways to do more goodness. But don't make that your purpose. On your own, God created you complete to serve your purpose. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't stop yourself from living a beautiful and full life just because yours isn't the same as the next woman.

So whether you're about to turn twenty, thirty or fourty, I hope you'll realize that we are truly blessed to be alive in this era. Women are respected for who we are and what we do. We may not be able to have it all, but know that we have every permission to create our own path, our own happily ever after.

I'll end this post with a throwback photo of my twenty-six-year-old self. But, as much as I miss that age, I like the soon to be thirty-year-old me better because now I'm not afraid to go for what I want.

May Allah swt, the All-Provider open doors for opportunity for all of you to go for what you want, to continue to learn more about this beautiful faith, and be the best versions of ourselves.

I'm so ready for 2017 and hope you are too! ;)

Photo by

Kim L.

I always find myself having the most food cravings (minus pms week) when I'm stuck in the office with the girls, working all day. And it's during those after lunch hours that me and the girls find ourselves craving for a snack or dessert. But the nearest thing available around our office is usually our local 'goreng2' options which are a no-no to me (I used to be a goreng pisang addict until I realized the reused oil they fry it in does nothing but harm to the insides of my body).

Exit goreng pisang, enter smoothie bowl. I've always wanted to try the smoothie bowls from Impressedmy, but never got around to it because their outlets are placed at locations I just don't go to. So when I found out they deliver to your doorstep, I was like yasssssssss. Just a heads up though, you have to order a day before you want it delivered.

Yay to the existence of smoothie bowls because they're definitely a much healthier snack alternative. Let's try our best to fuel my body with fresh foods and less processed foods. And these smoothie bowls are slayin' it for me. My favourite from ImpressedMy are the Mango Tango and Choco Nana. ;)

Good morning! I'm excited about two things today. One, Love To Dress' Lounge collection is out today on FashionValet! And second, I have just safely landed in Brisbane. So so happy to be back with my sister and the kids! Click the image below to start building your new comfortable wardrobe. ;)

Just in case word hasn't reached you, Love To Dress is back at it with something totally different. This collection is by far the most special one I've worked on focusing on.....wait for it.....LOUNGEWEAR! When my sister shared this idea, we were like, why didn't we do this sooner. Of course we need lounge wear in our life.

What do you wear when you're chilling at home? When you go to bed. When you have to quickly run out for errands. When you want to take a relaxing walk in the park. When you have to stay over at your in-laws. When you want to still look good for your hubby, but decent enough to be around the kids or family members. These are some of the moments we tend to forget about looking and feeling great about ourselves.

With comfort being on the top of the list, LtDLounge is all making sure you feel uber comfortable and looking chic inside the home with minimal effort. And this collection is all about the stretchies. I mean who's going to say no to stretchable fabric, come onnnn. A tag line I came up with that didn't make it to our newsletters was Stretch Your Way Through Life, lol. You get what I mean right.

We spend so much time and effort trying to look our best when we step outside, it only makes sense that we are looking and feeling equally beautiful in our homes, where things matter so much, and where we are with our loved ones. These moments are just as important, if not more than the time we spend outside.

So here's my note to all my LtD women:

Have you ever wondered where you are most comfortable, most yourself? Most beautiful? I think women are most beautiful when she is in her element. With her loved ones. Where she has no fear of being judged, able to express her thoughts ever so freely. With no hesitation, she is her truest self.

Take us with you, into your comfort zone, where you are most vulnerable…most beautiful. Let us lounge with you.

Made especially for you, this #LtDLounge collection is all about chic and comfortable dressing.

And, because you (my readers) are super special to me, I want to share our look book with you first. So click here to be the first to see the look book for the first launch this 27th December 2016.

Also, I want to know where you guys feel most comfortable, and why? Share it with me in the comments below, because I most probably will be giving one of you guys your favourite piece from the lookbook.

I can't wait for these to be your everyday go-to's because I've literally been living in them. :)