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 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh all :) how's your week going?

The kettle is on, and I am setting up a nest in the sofa corner, to relax and chat with you guys. How have you been?

My day was a bit busy at the noon, and then I have been at home, doing some home chores and entertaining our ninja turtle. Alhamdulillah I have had all this time to recharge, I really need it. Tomorrow then some other errands to run.

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My writing process changes a bit, depending on the day. Often I just sit down and talk what's on my mind. I like to keep my blog this way, like I would chat with friends. Simple but maybe also meaningful at times. 

Sometimes I have more specific things I want to get off my chest. Writing is also a way for me to process my feelings, and events, aside from tingling my creative side. It's very therapeutic. I like that I am able to fully control my story, tell my side of things in a way I'm comfortable with. In social interaction I take very easily the listener side, and not that that's bad, but I've tried lately to break free from that role. Again, balance is important. But I guess everyone wants to be heard.

It might also be that I can't write what's on my mind. For one reason or another. Of course I have to guard my privacy, and even though I share a lot, there's a lot that I want to keep to myself. So I write about the daily life, my interests, the surface level stuff.

Then it's the politics. I feel too uneducated to articulate myself well enough to make statements and such. But I take the actions I can, and encourage you too to do what you are able to. I boycott, donate, pray, and talk about the politics with my husband and friends. This is something I need to work more on, in sha Allah. I could participate more in raising awareness of different issues. If you want to donate to charity, I recommend Islamic Aid :) I have donated through them for years. I like that you are able to ear mark your donation for your preference. I usually put just "most in need" in country and project. Check the site to see all their ongoing charities.

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Then sometimes I just wanna chit chat. I have wanted to try Smuuti skin products for a while now, and today I picked their sunscreen on my grocery trip. It's vegan and unscented. I was excited to try it. 

First impression was that the consistency is nice, it's more of a fluid than a cream. Unscented, which doesn't matter much to me personally, but ok. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any white marks on the skin. But, it kinda brought out some redness. I have a bit of a sensitive skin, so maybe that's why I had the reaction. The active ingredients are watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid, and both should be safe. I'm not sure is this a product for me or not.. I will try it still couple times, sometimes my skin just has to get used to a new product. 

I used to be more strict in using natural cosmetics. Currently I have a mixed range of products what comes to all of the cosmetics I use. I'd say it's half and half, or maybe more than half I use is natural cosmetics and the rest is regular degular stuff. My go to brand is Avril, their products are affordable and good quality. Latest find was their shampoo bar for dry hair, and it is really working well, my hair is much more softer. But I did find a shop that sells the shampoo base so in sha Allah I will continue making my own shampoo bars again. 

Today I also placed an order from Limepop :) I bought bakuchi oil (it's described as a natural retinol), almond oil, shea butter, glycerin and a glass serum bottle. It's soon time to make my beauty oil again, and I will try the bakuchi oil for the first time in it. Then the shea butter will be used as a moisturizer/lotion. The glycerin will become a moisturizing serum mixed with aloe vera gel.. that's still an experiment, I'll see what happens. Generally glycerin is very common ingredient in all kind of cosmetics, and it's usually found safe to use. You just need to mix it in something, because it apparently is a bit sticky by itself.

And well, yeah, I've been shopping lately.. my latest order was a mistake though, I have to return it. But matching the theme, I bought a pre-loved copy of "Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet" from World of Books. I used to be so into natural medicine before, and now I try to wake that enthusiasm again. I have struggled with my weight and the possible PCOS (and insulin resistance), and I want to find remedies that would help me without burdening my liver and kidneys. 

Taking care of oneself is an act of self love. I feel like I start to really learn to cherish myself better. Feeling valuable. It's so important. It's also something I've found along the way since I have been able to build my life more. And it's maybe like a skill: it needs to be practiced to keep it up, and to become even better. ♡

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Now I want to take some time to see social media and organize my notes on my phone.. thanks for reading! 

Later then,

Aisha