Beauty Box!

Assalamualikum.

I LOVE make-ups.But...I don't wear any.I do wear kohl and lip gloss/lip stick when I go out.But that's all.No foundation, no concealer no nothing.The reason being is that, I don't have time to wash it all off when I do my wudu'.Especially when we pray in between classes.Even then I'll put my watch and bracelts back on while walking to class, or while IN class.How?Oh how?

I've been hearing/reading about beauty boxes for quite a while.They are the ones that you pay a specific amount of money every month and they'll send you a box of samples. The price is rather inexpensive.It's only 10$-15$ per month for 5 or so products and some are really high end ones. So..I decided to give it a shot.I ordered a Glymm Box for the month of June for 12$/( http://www.glymm.com/). We did a questionnaire beforehand so that they could match the perfect color and products for us.

So here is how the packaging looks like..

And this is what I received...

1)LA FRESH Eco-Beauty® Acetone-Free Nail Polish RemoverIntense Radiance Mask

2)BELVADA Duo Lipstick | Harmony

3)SALVADORE DALI ItIsDream       

 4)VITAMIN & SEA Perfect Skin Solution 

5)CLARK’S BOTANICALS Intense Radiance Mask     

1) I haven't tried the this product since..I don't really wear nail polish...I eat with my hands..so..eating with colors on my nails..doesn't seem as appetizing.

2)I have tried the Baveda Harmony Lipstick.LOVE it LOVE it!The colour that I got was Natural Earth.I always try to keep my lips as natural as possible.I know what you're thinking, if I like it to be natural, why bother putting anything onto it?Right?I have this problem where I can look really pale.Like really.I look sick.Especially in pictures.Having this natural colored lipstick or lip gloss on, I don't look as sick and at the same time, I don't look overly done.I have a deep red lipstick that, I think looks horrible on me.Perhaps I'm just not used to putting obvious colors on my lips..oh well.This Harmony Lipstick has two ends.One for the lipstick and one for the balm.SWEET!That way I don't have to bring lipstick annnd lip balm in my purse!Again, LOVE LOVE it!

3)I admit it, I just sprayed the perfume on my wrist so that I'll know how to describe it.Hah!To be honest the first time I smelt it, it definitely reminds me of Forever and Ever by Dior.Oh I am soooo in love with that perfume. That's the perfume that mommy wears. That's the thing that I'm not sure of, do I love it because of the sweetness of its smell?or because it reminds me of mommy?BOTH.This perfume however smells slightly stronger and sexier.Okay.I admit it, I sprayed it on my wrist again. There fruity scent definetly brings out the youthfulness of this perfume.

Talking about perfumes I had been looking for a new perfume for myself. I'm absolutely 100% a floral person. ABSOLUTELY!Those who knows me well know how much I love flowers and anything feminine.I went to the Gucci counter the other day while accompanying Trisha and smelt one of their new perfumes.Gucci Flora.It smells wonderful.WONDERFUL! I was also thinking that I should perhaps get J'adore by Dior. Luck was on my side, Maryam gave me hers before she left.Alhamdulillah!J'adore smells amazing. It smells like flowers,yet there is an elegant sense to it with a  hint of sensuality.Yes.I'm bad at describing...Let's move on..

4)I've tried this product  only ONCE.The smell, again, is amazing. It reminds me of Banyan tree.Anything that reminds me of Banyan tree wins my heart.For sure.The reason why I haven't religiously dab this oil on my face everynight is because I'm still using my Clinique 3-Step Set. By this time of the year last year, I don't really have to follow the 3 step routine anymore but nope..Not this year.Half of my face is peeling and the other half is dealing with break outs.Yeappp.So perhaps when my skin is better insyaAllah.

5)I haven't tried product number 5 either because of the same reason.=(

More info on the products click here :http://myproducts.glymm.com/

Plus I also got..

A make up bag. Which I have quite a few already!But this one is smaller than the other ones I have which is perfect to put in my purse if I have events or gatherings to go to!I usually bring my lotion/cream and what not as well!

So there you go.My first every beauty box.Would I order again?We'll see..

Have a great weekend and take care of yourself!

Wasalam!

Till then, Salut!

Love,

Sofhan    

Ramla's Surprise Birthday Partayyy!

Assalamualikum!

WE ALL LOVE SURPRISES DON'T WE?So whenever someone's birthday comes up.Be prepared to be surprised at odd places,McGill lower field, someone else's apartment, your apartment or even the stairs in front of the musolla!


SO yesterday was our dearest Ramla's birthday!It was a last minute plan!We were thinking of crashing her place but her mum didn't think its a good idea (Ramla told me about her dad who wasn't feeling so well=( ).We bought the cupcake ingredients, snacks and drink the night before and baked straight way that night.
Since it was a surprise, SOMEBODY had to bring her there. I was assigned as the person to trick her into coming to our birthday gathering spot.I WAS NERVOUS!I mean..I don't want to lie, and I don't know how well I could act.I did get (almost?) full  mark for my acting in college.ANYWAYS!I was nervous.Nervous.Nervous.
I had to plan on how to get her downtown since she lives a good hour away or so.(sorry habiby!).Plus She said she's setting up the AC or something.RIGHT!of all days to set up her AC, it must be on her birthday.RIGHTTTT!

That night Sarah and I made pink and purple velvet cupcakes!No matter how much red coloring we put, it wont turn red. I usually use my liquid coloring but we ran out of it and used the powdered one instead. The powdered coloring tasted salty so we didn't want to put too much of that either..

JUST last week I had been telling how my life story and she told me whenever I need anything, she'll be there.BINGO!So I made her come.I told her my life is a mess and I need to get my mind off things.So I told her I wanted to go shopping and she should come with me.I insisted!

So there she was all cute in her skirt and peach blazer waiting for me in Eaton Center. I told her my class ends at four, which is true, but I didn't tell her I didn't go to class though.Ahah! So after looking at some dresses I told her, I need some cash and the nearest ATM is in McGill.So we walked back to McGill, I withdrew some cash and I was telling her what a beautiful day it was and we should sit outside and chill.As we were walking...tadaaaaa!Surprise Surprise!!

HAPPY 20th Birthday My Dearest Ramla Barise!
Your such a sweetheart.
May Allah bless you always!Always!
Amin!

The Lost Flower

The Lost Flower

A day like no other,

I came across a beautiful flower,

Delicate, and soft underneath my rough hand,

The smell, oh it gives summer its scent,

Beauty is its gift to us, a paradise,

Breath-taking, in my two own eyes.

Oh how it made me happy,

I loved it, I cherished it,

If only the flower could see,

What it does to me.

Being me, I selfishly kept it,

Kept it in my hands, kept in my heart,

I tried to protect it,

From the wind and rain that came,

So that nothing will change,

And everything will stay the same.

But fate says otherwise,

Attachment comes with a price,

Perhaps it’s time, to put things behind,

Letting go the flower, which is no longer mine,

A lesson that I learned today,

As I let the flower go on its way,

I let it float on the river,

May the stream brings it closer,

To the place, that is better,

Better than here.

With sadness and tears,

Each times it’s harder,

As every passing minute brings us further,

I wish you the best in the future,

You are indeed a special flower.

My dear Dahlia.

Mont- Royal and Mochica Restaurant

Resturant Review:Mochica Restaurant

Assalamualaikum!

So this is my first summer in Montreal. This time around last year, I’m already comfortably at home annoying my mum by lazing around the house and stuffing all food down my throat. This year however, I decided to stay for a bit and do 2 summer courses. One thing I’ve realized now is that I can be SUCH A NERD sometimes. Once I caught myself pushing my glasses up my nose in the unclassiest manner! A friend of mine said that I looked happy partying here in Canada.Lemme tell you, the only party we do, are birthday parties of which sometimes we are OBLIGED to go because well…they’re our friends and we love them. Plus now people are graduating, so we have farewell parties too. Bleargh, the word parties have a negative ring to it no?

Anyhoos, Maryam and I went to see people playing Tumtums in Mont-Royal. Me being so naïve not knowing what Tumtums were before. I mean, come on, we call it gendang, everything pun panggil gendang.

I don’t really know where exactly on Mont-Royal do they play Tumtums so we followed our friends instruction which led us to Mont-Royal Metro and a good 10-15 minutes’ walk on Rachel. Guess where that led us to? The park behind McGill gym. Right. =.=’

We could’ve walked there. WALKED THERE! Plus I could have saved myself from encountering with a scary person on the metro.EKK!

It was such a nice day outside, the sun was above our head but it wasn’t too hot either. People were just having fun playing Tumtums, beating on cans and other instruments that I don’t know the names, dancing like there’s not tomorrow, or smoking. There were also vendors selling their artistic goods on the pavement. The air reeked of weed from time to time. (is that why we’re having a good time? Kidding!)

 After sitting under the sun for quite some time, we decided to grab something to eat. I’ve always liked to try something new and try cafés or restaurants that I’ve never tried before. Knowing that Rue St Denis has quite a number of interesting eateries, we decided to walk along that street.

We came across Mochica Restaurant. It is a Peruvian Restaurant.

I know. PERUVIAN. Never been there, never tasted their food.

http://www.ourbis.ca/en/b/QC/Montreal/Restaurant-Mochica/120530.html

The ambiance of the restaurant is very cozy and romantic. The décor! OH BOY IT WAS STUNNNING! With the dark wood paneling, a white fresco at on the walls, small Mochica arts, as well as their candle lit tables.

The restaurant is pretty small and when we went there, there were only a few other people. So, it is most likely that the table next to you would hear you whining about your skin problem or your need to go grocery shopping. So if you plan to have an intimate lunch/dinner with your friends or loved ones, save the juicy conversation for later.(unless you don’t mind people knowing your business)

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/epicurean-life/montreal-restaurants-taste-peru-at-mochica/

In their menu, they described each and every single dish so that we jakun non-Peruvians know what to expect. However, you might not be familiar with half of the ingredients. There’s Cancha Corn, wheat soup, aji limo, Concho and what not.Yeapp. What’s that?!The waiter was very helpful to answer each and every question and gave us lessons on every seed, fruits and leaves that they put in their dishes. He also recommended a few dishes that he thinks we might like. Such a nice fella! We even talked about the protest for a bit!

After taking the time of my life, I settled for the ARROZ CON MARISCOS, Peruvian seafood risotto cooked in fish stock. To be honest, I’m not 100% sure if this is the exact name for what I ordered, but from the description in the menu, I believed that this it is although I did not recall paying the price stated on the menu. The risotto tasted a bit tumeric-ish. I can’t say how authentic it is and what not since, well…I’ve never tasted their authentic dishes anyways. Anyhoos, I’m definitely not familiar with the spices that they use. Not to say that it’s not delicious, but the taste is foreign to me. It is rich in spices but I’d prefer mine slightly saltier.But again who am I to say, perhaps that is EXCATLY how they liked it!Too much salt is not exactly a good thing Soffy!Still, it’s an enjoyable dish! The seafood was  GUH-REAT!

ARROZ CON MARISCOS

My date, Maryam ordered YUQUITA RELLENA, fried mashed cassava with seafood-stuffings.Cassava is apparently tapioca.The South Americans called the plant cassava.But in India, the roots are called tapioca. It tasted a bit like mashed potatoes!Yum! Tapioca/Cassava is apparently good for you as it boasts benefits for our body. Here is a link for the benefits of tapioca/cassava:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=174366

YUQUITA RELLENA

Being raise in a culture where our food is RICH in spices, it’s a good experience to try other foods rich in OTHER kinds of spices. I wouldn’t mind going there again and try other dishes that they offer. From what I understood from their website, their menu changes with season. Hurmmm…Hot dishes in the winter season..oboi-oboi!

There will be no more dates with Maryam. She graduated last week and flew back to Morocco and later Paris.Everyone is going places.You will too Sofhan.One day..InsyaAllah!

If you are around Montreal and would like to feast your taste buds on smething new, do try this place out!:)

Website:http://www.restaurantmochica.com/index.php

Wasalam,

Till then,Salut,

Love,

Sofhan Hasni

Pinã Colada Cuppies

Assalamualaikum!

Hola!:) Just got back from my Toronto/Niagara Falls trip last night. IT WAS AN ADVENTUROUS ONE I tell ya.Will update that in a later blogpost.I just want to let things sink in and the excitement wear off first. Or else I’ll be typing like mad and miss little details. Also, Canada had a pretty rough week so, breathe Sofhan. Breathe.

So for now, let’s have happy thoughts in mind shall we?

I always like to experiment on cakes and cupcakes. But the thing is I don’t really like to eat them. I love sweet stuffs but for some reason, cupcakes are not my favorite thing to eat. But to bake, yes! The possibilities are endless.

I always wait for an occasion to bake something OR I’ll have a baking craze when I’m stressed out. So the other day I was stressed out AND there was an event. It was pretty last minute and I had to bake with what I had in my pantry. I wanted to try making Hummingbird Cupcakes but then again, I didn’t have any pecans at home. Oh well..So I decided to make Pineapple cupcakes instead. As I was googling for recipes I came across Pinã Colada Cupcakes. In my head I go YES YES YESSS!Perfectos for the Summer-o!

I took the recipe from here but of course with some alterations!: http://iheartcuppycakes.com/2010/01/31/pina-colada-cupcakes/

Suchhh a cute name!

Pinã Colada Cupcakes

(makes 12)
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 stick butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs (room temperature)

1 large egg yolk (room temperature)

1/2 cup of canned crushed pineapple in juice, well drained

1/3 cup pineapple juice from the canned pineapples

1/3 cup coconut flakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahreneheit.
2. In a bowl, mix the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and yolk one at a time until well combined.
4. Then, add the crushed pineapples.
5. Add the pineapple juice and flour alternately in three additions.
6. Use a spoon to fold the coconut flakes into the batter.
7. Spoon the batter into lined cupcakes pan.
8. Bake for 20 -22 minutes.  

Ananas teehee..

Butter, sugar and eggs.

Add the ananas..teehee

Coconut flakes,join the club

Before

After, don't they look lovely?

Pineapple Icing and Topping

1/2 cup of French Vanilla Icing

2 tablespoon of pineapple juice

1/2 cup toasted salted coconut flakes

1. Mix the icing with pineapple and its juice.
2. Spread on cupcakes
3. Garnish with coconut flakes

Icing and pineapple

Mixed icing

Have one

or..

the whole tray...

Surprisingly the cupcakes weren't as sweet as I thought it'll be.But the icing,oh boy that was SUH-WEEEET!So next time, I'll use buttercream instead of French Vanilla Icing.Ergh.Plus it's too runny in this Summer weather.So buttercream should we a better option!Plus, you could half the recipe for this icing, because I had quite a bit of extras in my fridge.

Mummy will definitely LOVE these!

I didn't have much time to make these babies.Plus I had a final exam on Human Brain and Cognition the next week.Alhamdulillah done with that class but let me tell you,it's the BEST CLASS in MCGILL!The professor,the materials, I could not get enough of it!IT'S THAT GOOD!Now I'm doing another summer class, Perception.God help me on this!We started the class last Monday and BAM next Monday is our midterm.Four chapters to study for.OH JOY!

Have fun baking!
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

Wasalam.

Till then,Salut,
Love,
Anggerik.