Cup of tea with Aisha

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how's your week going? I'm on my regular  optimal setting: both my men sleeping, other in the bedroom and other in the cosy corner, me sitting in the light of tv and an ocean documentary,  have a cup of tea cooling down, and the laptop and you guys. And even some mints! To help me to concentrate. Nice :) So let's go. ... I had collected some material to make a fashion post, about next Spring and Summer.. I have enjoyed fashion forecasting, just in my own little bubble, and I do love clothing. But it seems like such a vanity now. The glam has sparkled off the subject. Even the high fashion brands like Chanel are supporting the genocide in Gaza (with Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors). These are not brands that I would usually follow anyways but it just gives a final nail to the fashion's coffin, in my opinion. Fashion encourages consumerism and capitalism, and is now out. We don'...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh dears :) how r u? Sometimes we gotta try a little harder, and this was one of those days.. Alhamdulillah. This evening has been better though, more peaceful. I wasn't gonna write but I was thinking about it and then wanted to come and check up on you and myself too. ... I would like to make conscious choices as a consumer, but what comes to cosmetics, I often stumble. Just to be clear: I don't afford the brands I'd like to use, like all these natural cosmetics brands. I have to guard my pennies so I try to find affordable options. So far I haven't tried to make my own lotions, so I've had to buy them like most of us do.  Today I bought Ziaja face cream + night mask, and was happy about it until I read that they are dermatologically tested. I haven't noticed it before this in their other products I use.. so what am I gonna do now? Those who are not familiar with the term, it means a skin test, on animals like bunnies...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how have you been doing? Today was one of those regular days for me. I went to market, did the regular grocery shopping, bought the foods/ingredients we always eat + French fries. Came home, have been entertaining/fighting with our turtle, who has so much energy but zero chill. He is actually giving a lot of trouble because he won't settle down, not even to eat. That's why I'm now sitting on the living room sofa in darkness (except tv), so he can peacefully sleep in the corner under the curtains without disturbance.  A turtle/tortoise is a nice pet, and I love him so, so don't get me wrong. But I've noticed now that these adjustment periods take time, before he settles in his normal rhythm. He's just been sleeping more than three months in the row, so of course he wants to be out and explore. Also he is very cuddly and wants to come to my lap and on the sofa all the time. He doesn't like to stay in his vi...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah dears :) how are u doing? Sad news never come to an end, so I will write something lighter, we need a balance. Not that it necessarily helps, but gives a small break in this messed up world.. I do hope you all are fine and well. I keep you in my duaas. ♥ Today I just stayed home all day. I did some chores, had a shower, made a simple leftover dinner ready, and then I've been just watching IT: Welcome to Derry. Oh, and our tortoise Suttis woke up yesterday! He's been very active and fine, alhamdulillah. Now I just try to get him to sleep at night.. he likes to sleep in our bedroom, mingled in the curtains or the always-so-comfortable corner, but it'd be better that he would sleep in his vivarium as it minimizes the accidents (in every way). Anyways! Slowly going forward. I try to do something productive daily. But like I've said, it's a process, overall. My life I mean. Still making better choices and moving towards goals.     ... So ...

Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh everyone. How are you? I did plan to start writing again, but little did I know that I would have to write about so terrible news. I just posted in Insta and my FB page that I will be back soon and I thanked especially my readers from Singapore, Hong Kong and Mexico, as what I have seen in the statistic, you guys have been very actively reading still during this break. But yesterday, later that evening, I saw in the news that there has been a devastating fire in Hong Kong, in Tai Po district. The events leading to the fire seem to be still unclear. So far there's 55 dead and hundreds missing. I am so sorry to hear about this, and I hope my dear readers are alright. May Allah swt help the families to find each other.  ... I have been figuring things out, and been on this mountain again. I'm not sure if I am learning anything at all, but I try to actively stay in the moment and not worry too much about past or future. I think many peo...

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh dears. How have u been? Week reaches the weekend, tomorrow already Friday again, alhamdulillah. I've kept myself a bit more busy and it feels good, but also time flies when having good time. I have been thinking that maybe posting two times a week is too much, not necessarily for me but just to keep things more interesting. Otherwise I just babble about the smallest things and even though I like my ways to write, I have to think of you, dear readers. So a babble about little things now once a week in sha Allah. I haven't chosen a day yet, nor know will I, so let's keep on touch in Instagram @cupofteawithaisha :) Or you can find my Facebook page under the same name.  ... I don't have much plans for the weekend, but it's ok because I want to just take it easy. I do have some little things to do, and that's enough. Next week I'm gonna meet people in sha Allah, so it's good to charge my batteries before that. No...