MODESTE

Photo By Capturing Concepts Photography

Modesty for me may not be the same as what it is for everyone else. For some, it may be something more internal and emotional like lowering ones voice when speaking, humbling oneself in front of others. For others, a more external and physical picture comes to mind: wearing over sized clothing, avoiding unnecessary prowling eyes;  basically covering your butt. 

To me, I am naturally extroverted (being a teacher and all) so in some respects the idea of emotional modesty doesn't come easily for me 'cause I constantly have to raise my voice in class and sometimes I present that to the world as well. In fact, Nur has to constantly remind me that I am not at school and that I need to remove my teacher hat! (laughs). 

So while I'm trying my darnest to work on my inner modesty, surprisingly, it seems that my outta modesty comes a little more easily. Some may comment that often dressing modestly may be boring and often mundane. I am here to dispute by saying "ABSOLUTELY NOT"!. One thing I love about dressing modestly, is that it does not imply wearing a head scarf the way I did here. You can do hats or even style your scarf into a Turban style which is usually my go-to style of late!

Here are Some of my tips for shopping modest wear: 

Whenever I shop around for clothing like basic shirts and dresses (dresses I tend to make it Bohemian), I purchase it slightly over-sized, with the exception of jeans and shoes of course. If I feel that jeans are too tight for me and I need to make my outfit a little more modest-y, I'll opt for a pants like this one. But if you are a more jeans Kind of Girl, you can totally wear this Shirt with a light colored jeans or Indigo if that floats your boat! 

When I say purchase slightly over-sized, I don't mean granny or to make you look like you wearing fat Amy's clothing, but rather to the point where you are still looking reasonably presentable. If you struggling to trudge the line between Fat Amy and Granny, take a trusted friend along to help you with this. Usually a sales consultants' opinion will also help you cross that river!

About this look...

Much of this look has been inspired by one of my favorite modest Fashion Bloggers, Saufeeya, from feeeeya.com. 

 I wanted to show you ladies how you can take seemingly loose fitted pants and shirt without looking like you are drowning in your clothing! I find that cuffed pants is key to achieving this look. In addition, making sure that my shirt is mid-length (depending on your height) also gives a great variation. Also, because I know it's still a little bit chilly, pairing this coat from Maya Maya just gives me life! In fact, I've decided to pair this with my Eid outfit InshA-Allah! 

On a final note, don't be afraid to shop around; that is heading into thrift stores and rummaging through the sale section. Sometimes expensive designer wear can make you look tacky and takes a toll on your pocket. 

Cuffed Pants/ Woolworths, Mid-Length white shirt / Mr Price, Grey Strappy Pointed heels / Zoom , Bag & Watch / Guess , Fringe Scarf in LOLA/ the Scarf company.

About my photographer...

Capturing Concepts will be having a Crazy Winter special!

Book a family, couples, pre-wedding/engagement, kids or an individual shoot and get a 20% discount. One Hour location based shoot in and around Cape Town (25km-30km) radius or even a studio set up at your home. You can have unlimited amount of looks and outfits with an unlimited amount of people. Limited to one Hour and a MAX of 30 edited High Def images supplied on a DVD disc for ONLY R280. 

Contact Abdul/ Rasheeqoh on 082 9920 703/4. 

SPECIAL RUNNING FROM JUNE-AUGUST 

Happy Shopping and be a doll and let me know what you thought of this outfit on my SM platforms or below!  

Love, 

Iptishaam   

MY ACNE STORY

Recently I was looking at myself in the mirror and I just felt a surge of frustration when I sat and analyzed my skin. Needless to say, the overall picture didn't look very pretty: Talk about large pores, break outs on the my chin,  an oily T-zone area and a uneven skin tone! 'Damn,' I thought. What the heck is going on with my skin? I know I always had these issues but lately it felt just all too much and completely over-whelmed me and pretty much knocked my self-esteem !

This wasn't new to me though. I've seen this a thousand times before. Mostly in my teenage years. There were many times that I didn't even want to head out the door, call it normal teenage insecurities but it really got me down. I remember the feeling after my and Nur's road trip. That familiar feeling of despair and total embarrassment similar to what I felt when I was a teenager suffering from mild acne. 

Later, I sort of became obsessed with skin. So much so, that whenever I would meet someone new. Their skin would be the first thing I'd analyze: Particulaly at how flawless it looked. So much so that I'll find a way to adroitly make SKIN CARE a topic. I think I did this to maybe stop their eyes from wandering over my large pores and also to make them aware that   " yeah I have bad skin" so let me just put it out there in case you wondering if I know Kinda feeling . But mostly, I'd want to know what their secret was to amazing skin. I mean, what were they doing that I wasn't??
 
To clear the air:I don't have ACNE acne but I do have a TON of imperfections that seems better when it's covered with expensive pore clogging make-up. I guess it became so bad that I just couldn't leave home without piling on the make up. And on every other occasion I noticed it was getting more and more thicker and even THIS I did not like! Critics would say that I am being too hard on myself (maybe I am) but I am a really observant person and I know when to admit when I am wrong or when something calls for some reflection time.

 I'd always joke to Nur and Friends -' time to put my face on.' But I became a little worried when make up became my face. I mean sure, I've heard it before, that 'make-up should enhance your beauty and not become it.' Being a blogger and at times in the spot light I feel as if it was so important for me to have perfect skin the way others do. And to fit the blogger norm of 'perfect skin'. I later did some more reflections and noted that bloggers are actually real people who were going through normal things.

 I turned to rant about my story on the ONE platform where stories are widely watched by a large audience - Snap Chat! I love Snap, not only because your story gets deleted after a few hours but also you get to see the people behind their blogging persona's. And that's what I did. I needed people to see what I was really going through with regards to my skin. And although some would admit that social media is never a good place to divulge ones feelings, I felt that it was the perfect forum. So much so, that the love, support and advice I got from you who follow me on Snap have reached out and given me awesome advice and most importantly hope that I am not alone in this! Thank you!

As for blogging and my look posts, It's all make-up guys and really good editing and photography.Zeenat and Miskaa edit my pictures and I always ensure- before posting that my skin looks dewy and flawless- when beneath its actually suffering.  I love make up but when it begins to take hold of me and my ultimate beauty or the ability to look beautiful naturally then I have to take another step.And that's what I hope to do from now on wards. In the hopes that I can inspire those young girls who are often left feeling frustrated after looking in the mirror. You're not alone. 

Until next time! 

XO

Iptishaam   

Its been a while

                   

                   Hi Everyone! 

It's been a while since I last wrote anything related to blogging! I'm SO glad I'm finally on holiday so that I could blog MORE just because I have the time and I love it so much! You probably wondering where I've been anyway?! 

BUSY!! Especially the last few months of this year is probably the most busiest time in a teachers life. You see, I needed to prepare my learners for finals, assist them in completing any outstanding tasks, set up exam Q papers, marking over 500 scripts, moderating (this is where we check the quality and accuracy of one anothers work) and then -the best feeling of all- handing in your marks! And all of this came with a strict dead line! 

Finally, I managed to hand my report cards on time and had the pleasure of reaping the rewards of learners glowing faces when they open their report cards and realise that they were proceeding to the next grade! In that moment I am smothered with hugs and an abundance of love from the student who I thought hated me all this time (laughs). 

Then there are the unfortunate few who didn't progress to the next grade. Let's just say I had some twin savers with me and a rehersed speech about not giving up and that everyone fails and it's not the end of the world (etc,etc,etc). But Alas nobody could prepare me for the sobs and a downpour of emotions from an-already emotionally driven-Teen! 

At that moment I dazed out of my window and realized that this is probably how I will be holding my kids one day (just a random thought)! 

So think about all those things and STILL finding the time to blog!! 

And that's not even all... 

But that may be for another blog post. 

PS: expect a look post coming soon! 

 Love, 

Iptishaam 

LIFESTYLE | 5 SURVIVAL TIPS FOR WINTER

By Iptishaam Davids

I actually don't recall when IT happened. One day I was asking the learners to open the windows in my class because it was sweltering hot. I practically had to teach with a fan and had to put it on its coolest in my class. The next moment I found myself wearing a tights underneath my pants and invested in a heater for my classroom.Yes, the IT just happened. Winter has arrived. 

Here are 5 easy tips to survive the 'coolest' season around: 

You would find that in winter everyone commutes to work with their car due to convenience and mostly because of the weather. This makes the roads almost unbearable especially if you're traveling to the CBD. Leaving earlier, relieves the stress of traffic and keeps your time-keeper at work happy. 

I know that when you come from a long day at work you cannot wait to snuggle up with your electric blanket and Pj's... but you need to think long term. When winter leaves us you will be thinking about getting your body in shape. So why don't start now? My advice would be is to pack your gym bag the night before and place it in the boot of your car, at the end of your shift, remove your work attire and put on your gym clothing. This gives you more motivation to actually go to the gym. 

It's rainy and cold outside so take this time to spend time with the Le Familia indoors! Organize game night at your place. The games that you could enjoy are games like scrabble, 30 seconds and twister. Alternatively, you could have a cook-off whereby each person brings their ingredients to your home and cooks it at your place. This way you learn a new recipe and you enjoy the company of your loved ones!

Due to the increase of colder weather you will find that your hair will so start to become dry and brittle. Opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and apply a treatment mask to hair every second week to prevent damage.In addition, try as often as possible to wear some form of head covering to prevent any further damage. Similarly for your skin, according to research, your skin dries out faster in winter due to the evaporation of the air and your skin doesn't produce as much oils as oppose to the other seasons. Therefore, try and look for a moisturizer that suits your skin type and apply this moisturizer in the morning and evening. In addition to this routine, also try and exfoliate every second week. 

People often use this season as a time of complaints and a reason to be negative. The fact is that you cannot change the weather to suit you. So to be frank, just deal with it. Alter your daily routines so that you can enjoy the season and become a happier person in your work place and your family. 

I hope these tips were helpful!

What are some of your tips on surviving the chill?

I'd love to hear, 

Love, 

Iptishaam 

WRAP SKIRT | TWO WAYS

Hi  everyone. 

While I'm typing this I have a crazy Monday-week ahead - with parent meetings and assignment due dates  I don't know how I am going to survive! But yet, I still find the little time to squeeze in a little blog post here and there. I do this just so that I can feel normal through all the craziness. Lately, I've just been procrastinating to a huge level which makes me wanna write up a post on how not to procrastinate (laughs). 

I've been searching for a cross-over skirt like this one for the longest time now so when I randomly popped into Ackermans the other day ( like when last? ) I saw this skirt on sale and I knew it was meant for me. 

I like the fact that I can wear this outfit up and down. Dressed up with my fav Woolies heels for a date night look or dressed down with my DC's for a Sunday afternoon out with the Hubz! Either way, I like it both ways. 

Thank you to Miskaa from Iridescence Photography for always shooting such great pics for my blog! Follow her for bookings. 

Oh! and don't forget to follow me on Instagram and to Like my Facebook page. 

Check out the cool pics after the jump 

Have a awesome week ahead! 

Love, 

Iptishaam 

BLOOMING

Dress, Forever 21// Shoes, Gifted// Infinity Rings, 4flavour at YDE// Gold Arm candy, The Ramp Store // Earrings, Fashion Express 

My morning routine usually starts with jumping up at 7 'o clock the morning, rushing in the shower, quickly packing my lunch, eating breakfast whilst driving and with the last few minutes I have left,slither to my seat in the staff room before the principal walks in for his morning briefing. This is a Everyday occurrence without any alterations. I am sure that from my morning routine there are one or two things you can relate to. Right? 

In any case, the day when I had a little extra time on my hands, I had an epiphany: I am truly happy with where I am in my life. 

Regardless of the morning rush, I wake up and I think about all the things that I am grateful for like my health, the ability to think, my caring and supportive husband, the beautiful friendships that I have gained through the years as well as the fact that I am FINALLY starting to love my job! Yes, being a teacher is my true calling. I am bursting to tell you about my experience but let me do that in another blog post? 

As my life is blooming, so is my outfit! 

With its dark floral print and fitted ribbing piece in the center I knew that this dress would be the perfect dress that I would be able to wear to various occasions. Whether its for Eid (with a beautiful styled turban) or a comfortable yet classy date night look (as I've done here), this dress screamed all kinds of WOW for me. I complimented it with my favorite cork inspired heel, minimal make-up and accessories from 4Flavour and The Ramp store. 

How pretty are these images though? I always have so much fun with style photographer, Miskaa Price behind Iridescence Photgraphy. She made my dreams a reality because for the longest time now, I wanted to shoot a bohemian look! Yay! Follow to have your life captured through her lens! 

What are your mornings like?

See you soon

Love, 

Iptishaam