In 109-degree weather
Posted on October 11, 2010
Filed Under Sabrina's Style, Stepping Out, The Closet |
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In 109-degree heat, I had to meet someone for an article I’m writing, and in order to get to where I needed to be, I had to walk. Though it was a short walk (about five or six minutes) I was already sweating when I got out of the shower, so I found myself standing in my closet scratching my head. Also, dabbing the sweat off my face. Even a two minute walk in this kind of heat could mean near-certain death. I needed a plan. Starting with not being so melodramatic.
After much thought, and an ill-prepared wardrobe for this kind of heat, I decided on a long dress that would welcome a breeze (should there be one) and a loose-fitting collared shirt with buttons.
For the heat, I kept it light with the accessories, wearing only earrings (obvi) and a large medallion pendant necklace I found at some on line boutique a few years ago. Of course, I was still drenched in my own sweat by the time I got to my meeting, but at least I wasn’t wearing a bra that matched my water bottle. What? You don’t believe people do stuff like that?
Behold, Exhibit A:
Two Words: Pink. Leopard. Print.
This is L.A. Never underestimate the possibilities.
Hijab, H&M
Earrings, H&M
Shirt: James Perse at Loehmann’s
Dress: Teabags at Cusp
Necklace: Internet find
Because thinking about packing gives me heart palpitations
Posted on September 24, 2010
Filed Under Sabrina's Style, Stepping Out, The Closet, Travel |
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Packing stresses me out. If I know I need to travel somewhere, I’ll make a list of things to take with me a month in advance, and if I can, I’ll pack those items at least a week before my flight. By contrast, The Boss can pack the morning of a flight, while watching Sports Center, and playing a game on his phone. And this extreme personality spectrum in our home has nothing to do with a difference in our genders. We pack about the same amount of stuff with the exception of my (extra) makeup bag, a few hijabs, and maybe a book I’m reading. But for some reason, packing makes me anxious the way little else can.
Many years ago, I started photographing my outfits. I took pictures of things I put together and liked so I could reference these same outfits for a future time. I kept all my looks filed in a personal electronic catalog, and then it occurred to me that I should use this same methodology for when I travel.
When I headed to the east coast early this summer to visit my family and my in-laws, I knew I’d be met with lots of smiling faces, and a heat wave. I wanted to take as few things as possible, in the lightest fabrics possible, so the first piece I packed was a long skirt in earthy tones with a beautiful Indian-inspired print.
I paired it with a long blue tank dress, and an oversized shirt in baby pink.
For my next look, I wanted to implement the skirt again (one piece, two outfits!) so I went for a similar look by pairing it with a long black tank dress, and an oversized top in gray.
I realize I look like the Marshmallow Puff Woman in this picture, but I was trying on my travel outfits over my workout clothes. When an idea strikes, there’s no time to change…twice!
The next item I packed was a was a long vest in vibrant colors. I paired this with another gray top and my favorite jeans.
Since the east coast is known for its humid summer weather, I wanted an alternative to jeans (in addition to the skirt I packed) that would keep me cool no matter how hot it got.
I kept the shirt/vest combination, and swapped the jeans for a pair of white linen pants.
At this point, I had packed nine pieces of clothing and three hijabs (pink, beige and yellow.) My formula for packing hijabs is: For every one week of travel (that’s seven days) you need three hijabs. With my nine pieces, I had a just over a dozen outfit combinations to choose from because I could also mix and match the tees and tanks with the jeans and linen pants at my discretion. Essentially, this was all I needed for the entirety of my trip.
Oversized top (in pink and gray), H&M.
Racerback tank dress (in blue and black), Target.
Long skirt, Anthropolgie.
Gray top, a gift from MIL, Forever 21.
Long vest, Anthropologie.
Jeans, Joe’s at Bloomingdale’s.
Linen pants, H&M.
But because I’m addicted to accessories, the most challenging part was not what to take, but what to leave behind. I had to make some tough choices. It was like saying aloud who your favorite child is.
Gold necklace, Urban Outfitters.
Silver layered chain necklace, Urban Outfitters.
Gold circle earrings, H&M.
Silver chandelier earrings, an airport in Boston.
Silver hammered ring, a gift from bff Tina from Mexico.
White wrist watch, Target.
Pearl ring, a (very special) gift from MIL.
Swarovski crystal bracelet, a gift from my best friend Juhi.
Multicolor bead bracelets, Target.
Bracelet, Ralph Lauren at Macy’s.
Harem pants and a paisley print
Posted on September 22, 2010
Filed Under At Home, Sabrina's Style, The Closet |
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A while back, I blogged about an adorable convertible harem pant that I wanted, and then did this out of sheer joy. The outfit that brought out the ’80s in me came courtesy of MIL, but on a recent trip to visit my in-laws, The Boss’s sister had a surprise for me — another pair of harem pants!
I find harem pants quite practical. They’re ultra relaxed and comfortable (unlike most jeans) but appropriate for most occasions (unlike sweat pants) and the allotted space for each leg makes them easy to maneuver in (unlike most skirts). They’re also a great transition piece/alternative for Muslim women who want something less body-conscious.
I paired these pants with a white long-sleeve tissue tee, and a bright paisley printed tank top underneath to break up the neutral color palette.
My accessories were mostly gold accessories, though I went for something a little fun around my neck.
Ring, gift from my mama from Qatar.
Necklace, from my mama’s jewelry box.
Earrings, H&M.
Long sleeve Tissue Tee, Mossimo at Target.
Long & Lean paisley tank top, Mossimo at Target.
Harem pants, gift from my SIL from Egypt.
The top is a bit fitted (for my taste) to wear not at home, but if I were to step outside with this outfit, I’d swap the tissue tee for an open front cardigan (also in a neutral color) and slip into an ankle bootie.
Solitaire pleated blouse in gray
Posted on September 21, 2010
Filed Under At Home, Sabrina's Style, The Closet |
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Of the many gifts MIL sent me for Eid this year, she also got me this gray pleated blouse by Solitaire. I liked the bohemian vibe it had to it, but I knew right away that this was going to be an “at-home” piece. Although I’m a huge advocate for everything in your wardrobe (and fridge!) having multiple uses, since I observe the dress code for Muslim women, this automatically means I have a separate section for things I can’t/don’t wear everywhere.
Although I work (mostly) from home, I find that I am much more productive when I treat my work space (aka the couch) as an actual office. I have a regimented schedule that I follow every day (some days more successfully than others) and this includes getting dressed for work — at least a few times a week. When I look the part, I feel more reason to be productive. Yesterday, I paired this top with black leggings, a black tank top (since the blouse is sheer) and some of my favorite accessories.
Tank top, C&C California at Bloomingdale’s.
Cotton leggings, Mossimo at Target.
Raindrop necklace, The Limited.
Coil necklace, Target.
Bracelet, H&M.
Earrings, my aunt’s jewelry box.
Of course there are times that I stay in my pajamas all day, or wear my workout clothes in anticipation of a workout…any…minute…now…then then end up showering and changing back into my pajamas without actually having worked out.
We have a no-shoes rule in our home, so I walk around in these flip-flops (I have then in teal and brown) that Uzma and BIL got me while on their pseudo-honeymoon to Orlando, but if I were to pair this outfit with shoes, I’d wear sandals, or simple flats.
The fit of the top is supposed to be flouncy, but because of the pleats, and the silk-blend fabric, it’s easy for your front body to get that pregnancy-pouch look (see the poof in the front?) so I’m going to have my cousin take this in just a little the next time I’m home. Not that there’s anything wrong with pregnant women, but there is a MAJOR difference between looking pregnant and being pregnant. The former being okay NEVER.
How to go natural
Posted on May 13, 2010
Filed Under The Closet |
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Sleek, uncluttered modern pieces can make the biggest impact when it comes to simple style. Hand pick the right fabrics, keep your focus on neutrals, and let your natural assets make a statement — no excess, no confusion, just solid colors that look cool without looking contrived.
2. Maxi skirt
5. Croix ring
What to wear on a windy day
Posted on May 10, 2010
Filed Under The Closet |
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Yesterday, The Boss and I went out with MIL, FIL, and a some of their friends for a Mother’s Day dinner in Santa Monica, and it was so unbelievably windy, I kept tucking my face into my neck, and checking to see if all my eyelashes were still intact.
When it’s windy outside, I’ve found that I often worry about my clothes, and hijab blowing up and away, leaving my skin exposed. And since I’m such a delicate flower regarding that matter, I thought I’d come up with a few basic pieces that will get you from point A to point B without worrying about having a Marylin Monroe moment — though I’m pretty sure she did that on purpose.
A basic pare of wide-leg jeans are a great option for a windy day, which I prefer over a skirt or dress. The latter tend to either fly up with the wind, or wrap so tightly around your legs and thighs when the wind blows that it sort of defeats the whole purpose of wearing a dress in the first place. Well, it does for me, anyway.
Next, grab a lined trench coat to throw over top your outfit. A trench is a classic women’s piece that you can never go wrong with, and an extra layer will keep you slightly warmer in windy weather. If it’s chilly enough for close-toed shoes, try an ankle bootie with a low/flat/easy-to-walk-in heel. You want to be able to run if you see a funnel cloud forming, but you don’t want to resort to wearing sneakers purely because of the weather. Also, I think all women should have a pair of cashmere, or cashmere-blend socks. They’re a little pricey, but if you take care of them, they should last for a few years.
And finally, grab a scarf to wrap around your neck. But please make note of the following: If you’re wearing a printed hijab, go plain around your neck. If you’re in a solid color hijab, pick a print for your neck. If you don’t wear hijab, the world is your playground, and you can go print or solid. A scarf around your neck, aside from giving you extra warmth, will also hold your hijab in place when the wind blows. It’s a great resource to cover your face with when the wind thrashes against your face so violently, it’s hard to breathe. One would think that oxygen jamming itself up your nostrils would take the pressure off having to breathe by yourself, but it’s actually quite the contrary.
Seriously, it happened to me yesterday, and I’m just trying to look out for you guys.
1. Flare jeans
2. Trench coat
3. Ankle bootie
One cardigan, three ways
Posted on April 20, 2010
Filed Under The Closet |
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When investing in one quality piece, like a structured cardigan, get your money’s worth by making it work for you in a variety of settings.
With friends: A long cardigan can be worn over jeans with a basic tee underneath for a Sunday brunch with friends, or out to the movies. Pair this look with a simple leather or canvas tote, and flats.
Dinner reservations: Throw on a pretty camisole under your cardigan, and pair it with a long skirt. Mix and match prints are always fun and stylish, but if you’re more conservative, pick a long skirt in a cream, black or white. Grab a pair of heels, a clutch, and throw on some of your favorite accessories for a more downtown look.
For work: A long cardigan looks great over a basic white blouse, and dress slacks. Pinstripes are always classic, as are solid black pants, but if your workplace setting is more casual, invest in a pair of trouser jeans that you can wear to work, and in more casual settings. A low heel, a structured bag, and some classic jewelry work well with this look.
2. Trouser jean
7. Joe’s Jeans
8. Croc duffle
10. Laser cut flats
