Souvenir from the swamp

 Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh dears :) how have u been?

I had a nice day, alhamdulillah. Went to the jummah prayer, and picked two things from my favorite shop, I tell you more below. I got answers to my little prayers, and hopefully for the bigger ones too. Then I came home through market, we had dinner, and finally it's the time to chat with you guys :)

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So what did I get from the swamp? Hehe. My favorite shop is Kaurilan sauna. It's located on the same street as my favorite mosque, so two birds with one stone (I don't want to stone birds though, this is not a good saying). They sell all kinds of handmade sweetnesses, like soaps and other cosmetics, cleaning products, all kinds of sauna stuff (like sauna hats!). I bought a deodorant cream and a natural peat face mask (hence the swamp). The deo cream is familiar to me already, I know it works so well even though I'm a stinky and most deodorants won't work for me.. but this does! Unfortunately it can't be the vegan version, only the original one. The original one contains beeswax. 

I had to quit a medication which helped balancing my hormones, so my skin is currently very oily and I get pimples. So I needed a remedy! I have some neem leaf powder I could make a face mask from, and probably will, but I was also interested to try Kaurilan Sauna's peat. It's 100% natural peat, and it kinda works in both ways: it soothes dry skin, and also balances oily skin. It has a lot of healing power. I was eager to try it, but there's only one minus: it should be used in sauna to get the maximum benefits. And I don't have a sauna shift here where we live (there's a sauna in the storage level where everyone can go on their own shift). So I couldn't try it in the most optimal environment. But I tried it at home, kept it on about 15 minutes, and then rinsed it away. It's a bit messy, have to say, but that's how it sometimes is.. it did clear my skin though! Or I mean, it's not magic but my face felt very clean afterwards. Probably can see more of effect after a few uses, but so far so good :) 

The Kaurilan Sauna shop is also really good place to find nice souvenirs, if you're visiting, and also gifts. Some would maybe think that soaps and such are not appropriate gifts as you are kinda letting them know their hygiene is not on point, but I don't care about that. I think soaps and candles are great gifts, hehe. I love hand lotions and laundry vinegar, and some handmade sauna slippers would be the absolute best thing!

Freely translated, this card is telling about the benefits of peat. Peat is mainly composted swamp plants. It has been used as skincare for ages, and still works this day. The peat will activate your blood circulation, hydrates and nourishes, and balances the pH of the skin. It clears the extra oil off, and makes your skin look vital. Best to use in sauna. :)

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Yesterday I did a hike too, went to pick my mascara from this bit remote post office. Ok, it wasn't a hike, but the location is remote, city-wise speaking. I got the Avril Haute Definition mascara in color marron (brown), and it's better than it used to be! They changed the packaging and I feel like they changed the brush too. I of course have tried it already and it's perfection! My lashes look super long with it. Only thing that bothers me is that I had the Volume mascara, and it seemed to give high definition, and this Haute Definition one seems to give a lot of volume.. so.. well, I'm happy with it anyways so no worries. The Volume mascara was a bit of a pain in the butt, the applicator was very messy and I feel like it gave a very natural look or then a clumpy one. So I don't recommend it anymore. Instead I would use the Haute Definition mascara for a voluminous and clean look.

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I think I need to make a cup of hot cocoa, and take a small slice of cake. Brb.

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I have had some searching time lately. If not always. By searching, I mean that I have been looking for happiness and joy, on the side of how to grow as a person. But it seems that I have enjoyed so much that I have truly grown as a person really hahaha. It's easy to go to the deep ends, and I have mainly enjoyed by having takeout food and sweets and all that, and now it starts to show. I would dare say that this is my problem as a muslim: I don't use any drugs or nicotine, I don't gamble, no alcohol, no clubs and parties, and even though it isn't actually a problem, I don't mind at all, it just means that there's less ways to have fun I guess. At least how I have grown and learned. 

So all this time when I have been easy on myself, lived in the moment, been more active, had fun, it has also meant a delicious diet, hehe. Well, that's easily solvable. More fruits and less cake and pizza. 

But the best thing is that I've actually done those things. I mean the fun and active part. You don't know how attached I can get to this sofa! Luckily, and alhamdulillah, my anxiety has been somewhere for some time now. It's not simply that I decide that now I don't stress, it depends a lot of the anxiety but one thing is for sure: the further it stays, the better I become with fighting against it. Have to really enjoy all this time. And take some time off too.

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Often the progress comes by tiptoes. It's not a dramatic change of everything, it's all the little steps that make the difference. I'm happy I'm moving forward, and that this time it's life that's leading me. It feels good, alhamdulillah. I'm not a controlling person, but usually I find my paths and might force myself to do so. And it's hard to be your own pioneer. Not bad, just hard sometimes. So I am happy to step back for a while and see where my next path starts to form. And enjoy the process. :)

I'm happy that me and my husband have also been able to have good conversations and we are in a good understanding now. I don't talk about our relationship a lot, it's not because there wouldn't be things to talk but I just keep it rather private, you know. But if I say something, I say that I'm very glad that we've overcame some obstacles and are walking towards something new together. 

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Alhamdulillah for everything. I hope you are also doing good, may Allah ease our paths for us all. ♡

Next time then,

Aisha