Eid :)

Taking a trip down memory lane, the memories I hold of Eid are all sparkles and dull of sweets. As a child that's all you need to put a smile on your face. However, Eid changes as you grow up. As some say it gets boring, you just dress up and sit around stuffing your face. However, I think its up to you change that perception. The excitement of Eid differs form being a child for obvious reasons. But for children Eid's associated with getting loads of "Eidi" (a fiver feels like loads when your 10)  buying sweets and still managing to get some change. I can remember being that child and running to the shop with my brothers in my fancy clothes and shoes.

 

My best friend text me at 5am, wishing me and the family Eid Mubarak. She wanted to be the first to wish me Eid Mubarak. Yeah we have that kind of relationship, we can call each other an idiot and tell each other right from wrong without taking offence. I replied to her text and fell back asleep. To be bombarded by more texts at 8am, which I didn't bother to read. My not being bothered-ness coming from having received the text I was expecting. But I was awoken by the usual hustling and bustling though, which is usually my mum trying to wake the guys up to get them ready for mosque. So I was in and out of sleep until my cousin didn't stop pestering me. "Oi are you still asleep, I need to talk to you" I mean excuse the fact that its 8am and her lack of punctuation :-P I finally gave in and woke up, about half an hour later and rung her back.

 

Anyway, as usual we all meted and greeted each other once the guys got back from mosque, That's when the Eid money starts flowing in :-D I dropped my cousins Eid clothes and presents off at hers, while I was still in my pj's :-D

 

Came home, showered and started getting dolled up. Until I had a dilemma, what do I do with my big wig. I don't tend leave my hair open, it just gets in my way and I end up tying it into a ponytail with a knot (yeah, its long enough to be knotted) in the end I needed my mums help. We had some good food Alhamdulillah :) and had a fairly good day. We visited some family, had some relatives coming over. We even managed to go to another city, which is Pakistani orientated, just for some fun and desserts. Enough of the talking for now, here are some pics of my day 1 outfit...

I promise it's nicer really.

Here's a front and back view, which is taken at a much closer range...

 

And some more close ups... check back for a post on day 2 :)

 

 

Ramadan :)

It's that time of year again when the blessed month of Ramadan has arrived. I wish all my readers and their families have their prayers answered during this blessed month. It's been a while since I blogged, and unfortunately blogging will be the last thing on my mind during Ramadan.

The days are long and tiring :( although I can't fast I try to keep up with my prayers during Ramadan. I have been meaning to blog for a while now, but Ramadan has kept me on my toes. The weather has been on its best behaviour, unfortunately we haven't been able to enjoy the best of the sunshine.

 

Eid preps are underway and Ramadan is flying by. I will keep you all updated on the Eid prep, and share some Eid snaps. In other news, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a friends baby niece :-D Just waiting on some good news. Elsewhere, a future King was born last week :)

 

 

The party...

Firstly, today I have received my results :) I have passed my second year at uni and have progressed onto the four year route!?! So am all smiles today :D

In other news, the much awaited party post....

We held the little one's party on Saturday, and it ran smoothly as per plans.  we had opted for more of a tea-party rather than a full blown on party, we had to encourage her it was more grown up as she was turning 15! We went for a Minnie themed party....

We had a candy bar...

And had the chocolate fountain out, with rainbow fruit kabobs....

Some party decorations...

The last minute birthday cake...

And finally the party favours...

I'll share some snaps of presents later, enjoy :) x

More Cuppycakeys

As I am in the process of drafting the big birthday party post, in the meanwhile I will leave you some pretty cupcakes to look at. Since I hugely believe in practice making perfect, I thought I'd get some more practice in the bag. Perfection was important for me, as my next post will tell why.

I didn't really decide to go with this colour scheme, but it just went well together. 

A close up

Here are some snaps of some more I made, a few days later. I preferred the purple one's though. 

I went with different colours, and added some butterflies.

I should have the Birthday part post up soon, cheerio till then :) x

Let the sun shine....

So when the sunshine's and little people are around, there's only one solution....Ice Cream! Can put a smile on little people's faces. So this will be a post on our ice-cream adventures. We improvised and made an ice cream bar on the dining table. We set out all our goodies...

Including the ice-cream scoop

We took out our ice-cream bowls and matching little spoons. And the adventures begun...

When it was finally my turn, I digged in :-D

Mmmm

This put a smile on the kiddies faces and even the big boys wanted some then. Elsewhere, the birthday preparations are keeping me occupied. I have a lot of shopping to do today, and I also need to collect some more resents for the birthday girl. She finally chose and bought her birthday outfit today..phew. I get my second year results in 18 days :-o , keep me in your prayers :) x

Tales of a perfectionist

Perfectionism, it's a big word with a bigger meaning. I happen to be a living definition of the word, apparently. As a perfectionist, not only have a I finished reading the book which I started reading yesterday, I've also kept myself busy with some baking. But being the perfectionist I am, The kitchen has to be spotless before I start any cooking or baking at all. Today I spent the morning giving the kitchen a good scrub, and then went on to bake...

I have been given the task of making the cupcakes of Queenie's tea-party, although I know my way around the kitchen, it's always better to bag a little more experience before the arrival of the big day. 

The pink spatula speaks perfectionism!

I decided to make some simple cupcakes with vanilla icing. I took photos of most of the steps, but I realised later I'd missed some steps out. I started with this...

The ingredients.

I then set the cupcake cases out onto the baking tray and pre-heated the oven. The mixing came next, not only is this the noisiest part of the process, its also the most important. I creamed the margarine and sugar together, until it became light and fluffy. I then proceeded to mix the eggs into the margarine and sugar. 

The curdled egg doesn't look the greatest.

I forgot to take snaps of the flour and baking soda which were folded into the above mixture, I then added the mixture to the cupcake cases which were sitting ever so patiently in the cupcake tray. 

And patiently waited...and waited. I don't really time how long they've stayed in the oven till, I just take them out when they look ready. That's what experience does to you, the instinct kicks in. While I waited for the cupcakes to bake, I started cleaning my work space and washing up. I tend to keep washing to a minimal, and get it over and done with as soon as possible. So I started working my magic on this pile...

It didn't take very long, I'm used to washing more than that, and then ta-da...

Perfectionism?

The cupcakes were ready to be taken out of the oven, and cooled. 

I think they could have done with a little more mixture.

I then waited for them to cool down and set out to decorate them. I kind of cheated as I used the good old Betty Crocker's Vanilla Icing. 

I put the largest nozzle I had into a disposable piping bag, before icing. Here was the result...

And the verdict....they were better than ever! Enjoy :) x

So she returns...

I'm back! :)

A lot has gone on since the last time I blogged. I have had exams, as previously mentioned. These were the biggie exams, they will determine whether I can complete a Masters in Law and Practise - Which is a four year degree. As opposed to the classic three year LLB course. I reallllllly want to complete the 4 year degree, so pray for me guys :) This will also be my first set of exams which contribute to my classification, when I graduate. Makes me think last year was just a waste of space. So hopefully, if I do get onto the 4 year degree, I'm already halfway there to the big graduation! Eeek, I can't wait! 

I haven't been up to much - other than revision - But I do have some meaningful snaps to share with you all, which I will - All in good time :) I get my results next month, and then I'm officially on "holiday" mode. I will be blogging more and keeping you all updated. Until then I have the Queenie's birthday on-goings to plan. I say on-goings because I'm not sure whether there'll actually be a party, it might just be a girly tea-party. Still, I suppose we still have to stick "party" in there, somewhere. 

Since I had my last exam on Thursday, I am soooo bored. I feel as if I'll have nothing to do for 4 months! I'm used to being so busy, and I think I actually enjoy being busy and occupied, rather than sitting and twiddling my thumbs. I have bought a new book, which I'm in the middle of reading, it's Nought and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman. I've been meaning to read Malorie Blackmanas series, for ermm quite a few years, just procrastinated and stuck to Law, I suppose. Now I have some time on my hands, it's time to dig in! 

Cheerio for now :)