All yellow

 Assalamu aleikum dears :) how's your weekend?

I have had ups and downs this weekend, but mostly it's been nice, alhamdulillah. Yesterday was one sister's walima, and it was a beautiful occasion. She had all servings made at a catering company, and almost everything was vegan. So delicious! My favorites were sandwich cake (yeah that's a Nordic thing) and raspberry mousse cake. The sister was so happy and it was nice to hear more about their story. Alhamdulillah love needs to be celebrated always ♥ it was also nice to meet other sisters.

Today me and hubby went to check out a new second hand shop, Hertsikan kirppis. Nice! We didn't really find anything though, but a new wifey for Suttis, hehe. I saw it there on the shelf and when I showed it to my husband, he was smiling right away, we found it. The previous wife was maybe too different, but have to say that Suttis wasn't really interested about this wife either.. he's a mamas boy and that's it :) The second hand shop was worth to visit anyways. It's located very close to Siilitie metro station. They have some ice cream and coffee on sale there too. I took a take away cup and in my opinion that tastes the best, a little walk&coffee :) After the little tour we took a bus and went to a halal shop and an African shop and came home. My husband went out again after prayer, and I relaxed a bit and then prepared dinner. In the evening I was still hungry and was craving pizza so I went to market and bought a frozen one hehe. It did it's job, and now I relax again and chat with you :)

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I have my hibiscus tea and lot of things on my mind. This time I'm not gonna write it open. Mainly I just am not happy with myself. But I try to tell myself that it's ok. I feel like I'm at my best at home, where my husband accepts me as I am and sees me pretty and kind and all these good things. He even said I could go to the market without makeup.. I don't ever wear a lot of makeup but I can't go with a bare face! But this is how we are different. My husband doesn't see my flaws as I see them. That encourages me to just be myself.

When I reverted to islam, I didn't wear makeup outside for some years, I wore always an abaya, and I was a better muslim in many ways. But then I gained a lot of weight, and my self esteem hasn't been the same since. It looks also that I'm not losing that weight either, due to my medication and diet too, so it would be best to just start to see myself in a better light. And I try to be a better muslim too.

Weight and height, hair color and skin tone. Eyes, hands, feet, ears, noses. All is made by Allah swt. This dunya is just temporary as we know, and in the end some differing opinions don't matter. Keep close those people who support you and see your heart. And more your heart is clean, more it will show also outside.

So it's better to shine :) shine on you, crazy diamond. 

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I have reached some kinda strange milestone of having all yellow skincare. I don't know what it means but it cheers me up and makes my minimalist eyes rest. I need a new perfume though. I'll try to find the same one I've been using, I like it so much more than the floral scents I've used to use before. This has a more elegant mix of spices, without being too strong or overpowering. 

My routine is still simple. I use face wash gel, then my own serum mix of aloe vera gel and glycerine. Then I apply day or night cream, and in the evenings I add also my own beauty oil mix, which contains almond oil, castor oil, carrot seed oil, bakuchiol oil and rosemary essential oil. For my lips, heels and body I use shea butter. Then sunscreen, a must! And then the perfume :) oh and antiperspirant too. So it's a very simple routine. I would even use only one moisturizer, but Ziaja sells the day and night cream together so I always get that. These Ziaja products are the ones I've used that even my husband noticed that my face looks brighter! 

Also overall my skin is in so much better condition now. I've had acne like always, since I was a teenager. It just never went away and continued into my adulthood. It can be very frustrating, and even now I still feel bad that my skin has more texture than it being smooth. I'm taking Metformin to balance out my hormones, and it has helped. But also changing to more simple and natural skincare has helped a lot. If you have acne, I would start from almond oil and rosemary essential oil. Almond oil is a good carrier oil, and contains lots of vitamin E. It also usually goes well with all skin types and doesn't increase acne in my experience. Rosemary essential oil is antiseptic, I feel like even the scent itself feels healing. It might help a bit with the infection and calm it down.

Note: what comes to the natural products, it's a trial and error, and success matter. You might be allergic, so always try a small amount for example on your arm first. But these ingredients I share here in my blog are usually well tolerated, that's why I use them myself too, with my somewhat problem skin.

If you're in Finland, try Limepop. I always advertise it, I'm not getting paid and this is not a collaboration (could be though, I'm open to it Limepop! Hehe). I just think more people should know how good products they have and so affordable prices! If you're not in Finland, there must be other online shops I'm not so familiar with. Also they usually sell some oils in halal markets, like almond oil and castor oil. Check your local shops range, you might surprise. Also you might find rose water or orange blossom water, which can also be used in skincare. (My skin don't tolerate rose water very well, so again note, try new products cautiously and small amounts first).

For me a warm shower and the skincare routine after is also a way to calm down, and wash away the worries of the day. To reset the anxiety carried on the day. Heal myself a bit, and then throw on some nice home dress, make the cup of tea and feel good, alhamdulillah.

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I see less of you readers lately. Which is surprising because last month I had like the most views ever! Maybe it's the holiday season or something. I am here when you're ready, hehe. Next time again,

Aisha