Escapism

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah dears :) how's your weekend so far?

I'm making some tea and I pair it with peppermint mints. I have been relatively long time clear from nicotine, but mints are my bad habit.. But yeah, today has been easy, alhamdulillah, just a very hot day again. Didn't do much, but I was happy to cook today because my husband asked for oven baked garlic potatoes, and any time he wants Finnish food it makes me want to make it as delicious as I ever can. Alhamdulillah. Now I've done my chores and wanted to come chat with you :)

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I was thinking about my last post, and the fashion theme. I think I've written about this before, but I want to go back again to the time I started to develop interest of fashion. 

I have always liked clothes and trying different styles, expressing myself through it. In my youth I was a hippie, boycotting multinational companies and I bought almost everything from flea markets only. I had a body like a model, just 5cm too short, but I couldn't have cared less about fashion. It represented to me capitalism, and a small box where they tried to fit women into. I thought it was so shallow, overhyped and overpriced. Not for me, never.

But little did I know that years later I would find myself at the hospital after having my first psychotic episode. Sad and bored. No one to really talk to, and nothing to tingle my brain. Until I started to look around and explored the forgotten book shelf they had. Someone had brought there piles of Elle magazines, some new and some old. And I started reading them.

They had lot of beautiful pictures. Colours, silhouettes. Textures. Something new and actually quite exciting. It quickly came a form of escapism, a dream world to dive into. I would never have had money to buy any of the items, like I don't have now either. But it wasn't about it. It was about finding back a bit of myself, the art and expression, in a situation where my whole self had crumbled in pieces. 

Suddenly it wasn't so shallow. And I enjoyed to have this secret, something I had been so against of before, and now embracing it as a best friend. It lit something inside me.

Now I don't want to read Elle anymore, it's on the boycott list. Pinterest has become my treasure chest, and often I take my time to dwell into the colors, materials and trends. I don't even dress as well as one would probably assume, hehe. For me it's like reading a book, the fittings and outfits happen mostly in my imagination before I step down to the reality and my minimalism.

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So what/who is inspiring me at the moment?

1. Max Mara

I like their FW 25 26 collection. It's more hijab friendly, ofc by being the often more modest fall season collection, and I like the belts and warm textures. Tip: you can download Vogue app and see all the runway shows there.

2. @modestmira_ in Instagram

I love this sister's style and she takes beautiful pictures. I like how she looks so cozy and same time put together, has her unique style, and dresses modestly. :)

3. Maximalism

Yes, the opposite of what I like and talk about.. Opposites attract? I dream about colors, jewelry, unexpected combinations.. but it might stay just a dream. :)

And if you want to see more what inspires me, you can check out my Pinterest @aichaelina :)

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Yeah, dreaming about autumn and winter keeps me distracted for a while. It's super hot here. 

I hope you all are fine. Thnx for reading and until next time,

Aisha