A Cup of Shai

                                                    I studied a module at uni in my third year (Semester 1: 2012)  called 'Harem and Hijab'. It explores ideas of Muslim (female) identity in literature dating from the 1800s to present day, in relation to culture, orientalism, polygamy, sexualisation of harems, faith, education, romance, and politics. Thanks to Dr. Corrine Fowler who was a great tutor :) This creative piece was written entirely by yours truly for this module, but is intended to be a 'scene' in Leila Aboulela's 'Minaret' (2006).   ('Tis a wonderful book, please read it!) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Minaret-Leila-Aboulela/dp/0747579423  Context : Najwa is an educated lady from Sudan, but is working as a maid for Tamer, a student in London who shares his flat with his mum and sister. Minaret scene.  The table is laid out with bakhlawa [1]  and biscuits. Some sprinkled with edible glitter. Some drizzled with chocolat

Figures in white and of innocence Hmmm...Bollywood. We have the highs (the debut of the one and only, green-eyed, six-fingered human angel that is Hrithik Roshan in 2000 in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai who is a human elastic band.) Just check out that boy-next-door smile. Why thank you. Thank you very much. *shimmies shoulders in and out*   Aaaand...then we also have the lows. Bollywood Item Songs. *crashing thunderstorm* They really really grate my cheese. This is a recipe for a Bollywood Item Song.   1. Lots of men, generally in long moustaches and sweaty foreheads leering and cheering the Busty Babe on.   2. Said scantily-dressed Busty Babe strutting her stuff on a catwalk/stage/village clearing. In a song, she will either a) complain about her life b) sing about how sexy and unattainable she is c) make suggestive euphemisms.   3. Sweaty men get more excited. They clap some more. They drink some more.  YEAHH! Enjoy your tea lads. Not. *throws shoe at T.V*   The main r

Hello everybody :) In this post, I speak to Nasifah Chowdhury, the Owner and Founder of Totally Covered. More than the focus of the actual products, I am interested to know her journey. She tells me how the home business started, how it developed, and how she plans to drive forward her late mother's legacy. The Totally Covered products range from anything from £5.00 to £30.00. Contact details can be found at the end of this post :)   S: What inspired you to start Totally Covered and why this particular niche market?   N: My cousin brother sells scarves in London and he persuaded my mum to take 14 scarves and see if they sold. Alhamdullilah it took off and we were stocking up to 400/500 thereafter. The idea of handmade products came soon after. S: How was the work organised and divided? My mum used to make handmade pin cushions and Tasbeehs/Bookmarkers and then we started making Hijab pins - I started off with more of the admin work online but as my mother's health dete

Novelty cakes are the in-thing now. Never have people been more so creative and adventurous with the way they bake and decorate cakes. Personally, I think it's so great the way bakers are being really expressive with their skills. Baking, I feel, is now moving away from providing the primary need of edible food, but is definitely turning into an art form. The one type of cake that really caught my eye is the 'Rainbow Cake.' This is my version :)       The Rainbow Cake Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30-45 minutes   Ingredients: 4 medium sized eggs 8 ounces of Self-Raising flour 8 ounces of caster sugar. 8 ounces of butter or margarine The juice of one lemon Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet food colouring.   Method:   Really simple Angel Delight frosting and strawberries 1. Mix your margarine and sugar together. I always find that warming your margarine up will allow for a smoother cream to be formed. Whip with a

 My hands. And some bangles. Hi there! I do hope you're doing well, and are having a lovely New Year's so far :) Today's post is going to be aaaaal about...the fantastic Hemp Face Protector. Now, you're probably thinking "What? Hempp??!! WHAT???" Relax, I do not endorse any drug-taking habits, (excepting the beneficial kind of course.) It's the same reaction when I pull out the Hemp Hand Protector. I can see people's eyes widen with horror. Or Nervous Giggling. Hemp is associated with Cannabis, but no one is going to get high on using this product. I assure you, the only 'high' you'll get is the feeling of joy when you touch your 'as smooth as a baby's bottom' skin, and the fresh plant smell (which I have become partial to) :)  This is the Hemp Hand Protector. It's the Best-Selling range at The Body Shop. During their in-store offer days, it can be purchased at only £5.50. It's a bargain. Especially conside