My Grandpa x

So, it's been 2 years today since my grandpa passed away. That's a total of 730 days since I last saw him. It feel like yesterday since he left us, time passes by ever so quickly. But, the pain is still raw. I miss him now more than ever, he was the best father anyone could have asked for. All we're left with now are memories  I didn't realise that the day he closes his eyes, it will rock my world. You just can't imagine it happening to someone you love, but it does, we all have to go one day. 

My grandpa was more than just a grandpa to me, he was everything any child could ask for. I looked up to him and we shared a close bond. He raised us with all the love and care a child needs. He never let anyone feel left out. Sometimes, there's that one person in your life who keeps your world together like superglue. Once they leave, the world crumbles around you. My superglue went, my world crumbled. All I have now are memories. 

My grandpa was an honest and law abiding citizen, who had a heart made of gold. my memories of my grandpa start from a very early age. Around Christmas, when I was around 4, he came around with a black bag full of Roses chocolate boxes. We all got one each, he was entertaining us and pretending to be Santa. He looked after each of his grandchildren without a spare of love. I spent a lot of my weekends and holidays at my grandparents house. We were spoilt rotten and got everything we asked for. As we grew up, we didn't part, we just grew fonder of each other. For a good few years, when I was in secondary school, I would pack a bag on Friday morning. Because I knew when I got home from school that day Dad would be waiting to collect me. He'd shop on a Friday morning, and would be as excited as me. I would spend all weekend at my grandpa's and then he'd take me back home on Sunday night. All day at school I would be so excited and full of anticipation, I couldn't wait until the bell went off at 3 o' clock. I hated Sunday's. because I didn't want to go back. I also lived with him for a 2 and a half year period. I loved every minute of it. 

Looking back at the memories I have, I often think of what I would have changed if I could go back in time. The first and last funeral I ever went to was my grandpa's, and not only was it a new atmosphere to me, it was unfortunately also the last time I would see my beloved Dad. He had a sudden death, so he left without little warning, only if I'd known. I visited him on the day he passed away and was fortunate enough to make him his last cup of tea. Oh how I yearn to go back to that day and tell him how much I loved him. He passed away 10 minutes after I left him. I have gone through a circle of 'what if's' and always come back to the same point - God gives life and he takes life. x

New month, new thoughts

The first month of the year seems to have flown by, a little to fast. it makes you think how fast life is passing by. How one minute it's new years eve and before you know it, it's Christmas again. What do we do all year round? The same things, each and every year. Perhaps we should put life into perspective, what do we aim to achieve in life? What is your purpose in life?

In my honest opinion, I don't want to be the owner of a headstone without having achieved anything in life. What's the point of doing nothing all your life, and then resting 6 feet under? I want to make a difference. We as a society cannot control peoples minds or actions, but we can demonstrate a purpose in life. We can make a difference, it takes one to set the trend off but usually the rest follow pursuit. I think if you follow someone for a good purpose in life, it is not being a sheep but it is gaining recognition of the difference the leader is trying to set. 

We have all seen society for over a decade or so, what changes have we seen in society  Is society yet exempt of evilness? No, Why? Because we cannot control peoples thoughts and actions. But what can we do? We can help others, I'm sure it's no crime to be compassionate and kind. Has the question of what will happen to disabled children once their parents pass away ever crossed your mind? We cannot control God's decisions, but we can make life better for those surviving.

My aim in life is to make a mark, a positive mark, something which will influence society in a  positive way. Not something, big, bold or loud - the loudest person in the room is always the weakest. To influence  a positive change in society, first we need to influence a change to the attitudes of members of society. What makes a good attitude? Humble behaviour, kindness, a positive image, politeness, good manners, compassion and sensitivity. We as humans, are prone to turning a blind eye to the problems around us. Why? Because we are weak, we can't face the truth. The sooner we start identifying the problems in society the sooner such problems will diminish. We all need to judge ourselves and leave the judging of others to God :) x

Diamonds and Rubies

Hmm, not quite diamonds and rubies, but they do make a girl smile or grin. Here are some of my buy's from ASOS.

It is a Crepe tunic, from the ASOS Collection. It's not quite fancy and it's just right to dress up or down. You can smarten this with the flick of a blazer or perhaps dress it up with some heels. The next one is my favourite one!

This one is a lace insert tunic, and is by Vero Moda at ASOS. Thus providing the elegance such a tunic requires ;-) Again you can dress it up or down. But being the Plain Jane that I am I'll most probably dress it down. 

I also have my eye on this...

but, they don't have it in my size :-( I think I'll be patient and wait for the website to update or I might go for the black. I really liked this camel colour! It can be worn during the Spring/Summer seasons and is elegant yet casual. I like looking smart but casual at the same time, that's where I've earned myself a nickname of 'snob'. I'm not a snob, I just like dressing well :-) x

Monsoon

One of my favourite shops would be Monsoon, I just love the way everything has an ethnic twist to it. The most bold and bright colours can be integrated into a dress, yet it can still be as elegant as ever. Most of their childrens wear (if not all) is ever so pretty, yet not all are pink or flowery. They have a unique style which just makes children look so adorable. But, we can’t all fit into childrenswear, even if we can I don’t think a 20 year old dressed in a childrens dress looks right ;-p

I have brought a handful of tunics from Monsoon during the past few months, which I am sure you’ll all love when I get to share them with you. The womens tunics can be dressed up or down, I am a fan of wearing tunics. I find dresses to be rather dressy, whereas tunics can be pulled off nice and elegantly, without all the frills and flares. I also like how beadwork on tunics is casual and subtle. During one of my many many visits, I came across this tunic. The actual tunic was covered in a peacock print, but only the neckline was embellished. Here are a few snaps of the neckline details.

The design is pretty simple when observed; it’s pretty much made of sequins and beads rather than any sort of embroidery. The neckline is the eye catching part of the whole tunic, in my opinion. But the rest of the tunic is made of blues and greens, with a sort of dark background.  The material used is a shiny thick satin. Perhaps it was supposed to be a warm evening tunic, paired with a pair of tights and some heels, it would be a nice outfit. But to observe modesty, others may choose to wear it in a different way. I personally might have worn it with a churidaar, which is almost like leggings but with more pleats at the bottom and not as tight as leggings. With one of my Monsoon tunics, I have opted for a churidaar. I shall share it in more detail in a separate post. 

Let is snow, let it snow!

That's 4 assignments down and another 3 to go, and 3 EXAMS!!! Anyway, we're all snowed in! It's toooo cold and the snow is almost knee deep in some areas. But I think that only applies to me, I am very petite :-p     it's quite good fun though. I'm not complaining, since we don't have to go to uni nor anywhere else, I think it's more of a matter of not being able to go. It's now the time to take out all those woolly socks, gloves and scarves. Let's share some white and magical photos now...

It doesn't help when you live up near the hilly areas, let the big freeze begin! There's not a person in sight, nor animals. Although there seems to be a wild fox on the loose, scary! And it's quite big, it's been spotted a few times hopping from garden to garden. A few days ago we were parking up in the drive and it ran across us, with some poor animal between it's teeth! :) x

The postponed post

As previously promised, here are some photo's of my Eid outfit. So, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

My suit was a deep purple, it had minimal embellishments, and was pretty elegant. All that it had on it were the paisley patterns, on a fabric with some kind of design in the background. The top photo's is of my matching duppatta, which had  beads on it, and  huge paisley designs on the plain background. It was elegant yet occasional wear. I am looking for somewhere to wear it to again, perhaps for a meal out. I'm not really fond of a lot of beads and sequins. The suit came in two other colours, aside from this purple, they were black and white. But as it was Eid and I don't really wear white, and black was too dull for Eid (my mother would have killed me if I wore black on Eid!) I was happy it was in purple, it was a lifesaver...phew! I was particularly glad to have caught sight of it, as my mum puts it I'm toooo picky. So if I did set my heart on it and black and white were out of question, my mission would have been incomplete!

And here are my ever so sparkly shoes, which I went shopping for the day before Eid. That's why I kind of bought the first one's I could buy. I hate being rushed while shopping! If I had the time and strength, I may have opted for some more sparkly shoes, perhaps in gold. Oh well, it got me through Eid! 

On a side note, I have just been told that training contracts are under review. So I have ended up in a pickle, I'm unsure of where I stand. I was supposed to start applying for training contracts in September, but if they're under review, what do I do? They might be replaced with a shorter term training program, with a higher salary and less walking over the 'trainee solicitor'. I suppose it's good in a sense, but it leaves the likes of me unsure what path to walk down. Anyway, I'd better crack on with my criminal liabilities assignment, wish me luck :) x

My Year

A new year means new missions, so let's think back to January 2012 and reminisce over the good memories and happenings of last year. Hmm...

January - So January started with a bang! With all the colourful fireworks and the usual New Year celebration. But in my life, in January I hit realisation. Me being me and spending my Christmas holidays procrastinating, was hit with a bombshell of having 12 teaching weeks and then EXAMS! So that's when I kind of woke up, and thought I'd better get my life sorted.

February - This was a sad month, as the one year anniversary of my beloved grandfather approached :-( RIP Pop's x

March - March was spent with some more procrastinating and then rushed note making and fast paced revision. The dreaded word arrived - Revision.

April - Hmmm April, was spent procrastinating and stressing over my exams, which would take the following month. 

May - Yeah, May arrived and I went into hibernation. This was Exam Month. But, not everything was smooth flowing. The day before my exam, which is traditionally spent ramming in the last minute extra information, there was a big revelation. Exam's had been cancelled, this was a sad and frustrating time. Everyone was prepared to have their exam over and done with in the morning, but a particular "someone" decided to put the answers of the pre-released materials up on to Facebook. So that was plagiarism apparently, and so we were given new materials, less time and new topics to revise. Yes, I felt like tearing my hair out! Lo and behold, I got through it all.

June - As my holidays had begun in May, just before exams had started, that meant I had a looot of time on my hands. I had 4 months off uni, so we thought we would through the little one a birthday party. Her birthday was on the day of the Queen's Jubilee, it was an eventful and happy occasion in our household. Furthermore, the Tutu's & Glitter blog was born :-) And I got my Exam results, I managed to pass my first year at uni :-) I also got my Solicitors Regulation Authority membership.

July - As Ramadan approached, preparations began. And that meant Eid was just around the corner. We had an eventful Ramadan, although I don't fast as I have medical exemptions. But I spent most of Ramadan, if not all, ill :-( 

August - It was Eid in August, and it was the moth where I said farewell to my teenage years. I was no longer a teenager! It was a day of mixed emotions *sniff* Although I was not the stereotypical teenager, yeah yeah call me a geek or nerd or whatever ;-)

September - I shopped for my second year at uni, and my 4 month long holidays were soon to be over. Towards the end of September, I finally started my second year. I was just sooo glad holidays were over, I got to the point of where I wanted to go back to uni. 

October - Hmm, October, another Eid was approaching. That was something to look forward to, more shopping and more dressing up. My younger brother also got the snobby apprenticeship he really really wanted, a day before Eid. So it was smiles all around :-)

November - Hmm November  was spent working hard as was some of December. I had 3 pieces of coursework to get done. So it was study, study, study!

December - Finally got 3 pieces of coursework done, which only meant I had another 4 :-/ I think I spent most of this month if not all in my furry slippers and gown, since the weather reached minus degrees! We had a lot of fun this month, as Christmas holidays began. Everyone was off work and school etc, so it was a time to get together. 

An eventful year it was, roll on 2013. With many more good memories and happy occasions to share. I hope you all had as good a year as I did :-) 

Happy New Year x