» WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!
If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably know that I've been sick for the past couple of days..
With that being said, I've been spending quality time with myself (LOL), and therefor (because of the illness), I decided not to blog.
I've got many ideas on blogposts I've been dying to do - stay tuned for that.
For now; try not to get sick!
Some pictures from insta..
xx
/Laila
» TOO MUCH?
I've been talking way too much about videos lately.. And to be completely honest with you guys, I'm thinking of removing that horrible video of mine.
Why? I basically feel uncomfortable with it being up. And (this might sound awkward and really out of place), I can imagine people laughing at it haha.
Anyhow, happy v-day beauties!
Don't forget to share the love. And have fun - whether you're celebrating it with the special someone or your family.
Xx
/Laila
PS. A proper v-day post will be up tomorrow.
» WITH DEEP BREATH, I PRESENT TO YOU..
.. bigheadsTUBE.
Yup, couldn't come up with a better name so I chose to name my channel after my big head (will be explained at some point), and threw in the 'TUBE' to make it sound more fun (?).
So, head over to YouTube and search for me ;)
UPDATE: Click on bigheadsTUBE to view my channel.
xx
/Laila
» SUGGESTIONS?
OK, I have reached my final decision..
I will - nervously - upload the video I filmed.. BUT, I can't figure out a name for a YouTube channel.. Should I go with thetruthaboutlife, or something else?
xx
/Laila
» I FILMED A VIDEO..
.. but it turned out horrible..
Dear readers,
I filmed a video, as promised. The video turned out hideous, and I will not upload it, nor try editing it..
So I'll give it another try tomorrow, and see if I can smile and look happy while I'm filming - and also make sure that my shirt looks alright and not as if I've been running a freaking marathon and didn't pay attention to how my shirt was sliding up and looking awkward..
Sincerely
Laila
PS. I know that it wasn't formal what so ever (in case you start wondering why my "formal English" is so horrible).
» HOW TO - YOUR OWN CARRIE PURSE
In case I didn't watch way too many tv-shows, I fell in love with the Carrie Diaries.
If you've watched the show, you've probably seen her purse - gorgeous? YES!
So, being the crafty person I am (LOL), I decided to copy her purse-to-die-for (exaggerating.. what's new about that?). Keep in mind that her purse is black, and mine is off-white/beige. Why? Because I don't really have a small black purse (with no studs or any details) that I can experiment with.. (In need of a black purse!).
You'll need a purse (obviously)..
.. nailpolish of your choice..
.. I went for these for no other reason than that they are easier to work with..
.. splatter some nailpolish of your choice on your purse. Write your name (as Carrie did on her purse),
or go for a simple heart (I copied the heart from a YouTube video - don't remember which one)..
And there you go - your own Carrie-inpired purse!
Now I'll wait for it to dry overnight and then I'll snap some pictures while trying to rock it on a bday dinner tomorrow.
xx
/Laila
PS. I might add some pink to brighten it up..
» COOL BUTTONS AND YOUTUBE THOUGHTS
Giving it a lot of thought, and a lot of courage - I decided that I'm actually going to start YouTube-ing..
I was supposed to film yesterday, and surprise you guys with a video. But I was too tired after seven hours in the lab..
However, I will not post my "2012-favorites" video since it's February (already! Can you believe it?!). I will film another video, and if it turns out OK and if I'm happy with it, I will post it!
So stay tuned for that.
Other than that - apart from studying - I have an idea of what to do with these gorgeous buttons I received from my lovely grandma. Perhaps spicing up an old coat?
I wish you beauties a nice and productive day.
xx
/Laila
» LIFE
So what have I been up to these past couple of weeks?
Went through a horrible two-day-thing = ice-cream was my savior!
Watched the Iraq-UAE football game.. We lost..
Had tons (and went to tons) of family dinners/gatherings
Went skiing with these lovelies (and some more) - btw I WILL be killed for putting this picture up..
Studied
Ate..
Ate some more..
And ate again..
And I've been to my cousins engagement - congratulations for the happy couple!
We've had a family reunion - because of the engagement (woop wopp).
I'm probably not doing YouTube (because of some mixed opinions from different people - whose opinion I respect. BUT I might be able to talk them out of it!).
I've had multiple exams..
I've been happy - still am.
I'm on my not-buying-anything month (except for products I run out of - ex. concealer, cleanser, makeup-remover, etc. since they are basically essential). But I will NOT shop - no spring wardrobe for me.. Or exiting eyeshadows..
I've signed up in a gym! Me - gym! I haven't been to a gym for almost two years..
That's a quick update for you guys.
All the pictures above are from Instagram - I'm too lazy!
What have you lovelies been up to?
xx
/Laila
» THETRUTHABOUTLIFE AND YOUTUBE?
Say what?! - might be the expression in your heads right now.
Since I love YouTube, I love blogging and wouldn't mind sitting in front of a camera and talking to it like a weirdo, I thought "why not start making videos?".
Although that this decsion is not set in stone, I wanted to share this with you guys..
I've actually filmed a video and will edit it and see if I'll upload it to the tube (LOL).
Can you guess my topic? Haha
So, what do you lovelies think - will you support thetruthaboutlife on YouTube?
xx
/Laila
» SECOND DAY OF TWENTY THIRTEEN
What did I do today?
Basically nothing..
I watched random TV shows, changed my sheets, pulled out my books (to start studying for real) and cleansed my brushes - if they were disgusting.. How could I even use them on my face?!
I used to much, much better with regular brush cleansing - spot cleaning them after every use and deep cleaning them once a week (specially the foundation brushes).
So that will be one thing I'll hopefully manage to maintain this year.
Since I don't have anything interesting going on to write about, I thought I'd snap some pictures of the
brushes (before and after).
xx
/Laila
» TWENTY TWELVE
This year has taught me a lot.. There has been both happy, dull and some extremely sad moments..
Twenty twelve brought me tons of parties (wedding, engagement, birthdays), graduation (aka. studenten, woop woop), Dubai, hijab (head scarf, I shouldn't necissarily call it hijab since hijab is the overall "look" - oh I will write about that in another post), uni, new friends, loss and with that grieve, and just overall difficulties.
I put together some pictures throughout the year.
When I found this recipe (I lost it now, buhu) - I baked these to everyone..
The cooling from the UAE (aka Dubai) - I got him last year, but he still holds a special place in my heart
- oh the drama!
A new obsession to Chai Latte (home made).
I got a proper brush cleaner - that I hardly ever use anymore..
I did a brush cleansing tutorial on le blog
Studying for finals (high school) at the library with the lovliest group of girls
My cousin got engaged - woop woop!
My little brothers themed bday party at a childrens place (I cannot remember the name of it)..
Flower art at the long breaks at school (back in HS)
This cutie pie was adorable at my sisters bday lunch
Trying to figure out how to decorate the tables on my graduation party (our kitchen table was our model)
My very first MAC studio sculpt concealer - and I still think that the prolongwear concealer is way better
Summer BBQ
PROM
Introducing the tools - for the perfect half-updo!
And of course the makeup I used that day..
Prom dress
Food.. Pretty much disgusting
This was yummier
This was delicious!
Fotoshoot - with the graduation dress at our backyard (where the party was held)..
Decorating the truck we were going on (on graduation - cause that's how cool we are in Sweden haha)
with some classmates
Our time to shine - graduationday
Me (you can't see my face) on my graduation! This was the very first picture I uploaded of "myself"..
Our tradition - a must on every single graduation (cousins make it for cousins)
Graduation favors
The cake (Arabs need their cake, haha!!)
Cousins graduation (it was a double party - two cousins graduated from the same school)
Trip to Denmark with cousins and other relatives (and cousins cousins) 
Denmark
Mom got a baking fever
Summer 'fika' (if you've followed my blog for a long long time you know what it means, if not, it's basically
coffee time)
Another graduation
And another graduation
Cute kitty cat
Tomatoes bday
Dreaming - big time
Lunch with the lovliest grandfather - @ our backyard
MIDSUMMER
The palm - Dubai
Sunbathing (unhealthy-ly - is that even a word?) at Sharjah Ladies Health Club
Shopping at Sephora - Dubai Mall
.. but you still gotta love Bin Battuta Mall (name and spelling?)
Yummy-licious
Love-hate Cinnabon
I started wearing headscarf (hijab) the UAE
Weird stuff going on (Reem al bawadi?) not sure where we were - @Dubai
A lovely man passed away..
Posing with this beautiful creature!! (And he pulls it off better than my makeup-less face..)
Ice-cream cravings..
Smoothies smoothies
My cousin came to visit le family in Sweden.. And her adorable baby boy rocking these sunnies @H&M.
Laaaaate gift-trading with friends (graduation gifts)
Still obsessed with Gossip Girl
I TURNED 18! WOOP WOOP
The (disgusting) bday cake I insisted on baking.. Which is fatless..
It was a black and white party
I baked the cupcakes (and they turned out to be delicious - if I may say so myself)
At a wedding event - the picture is from the fashion show..
The bride to be posing with her new wedding planner-book
Iraq-Brazil game
Yup, that's Kaka - in flesh.. Did anyone say anything about falling in love? No? Oh well..
Life saver..
Getting more and more into makeup
I got the Margiela x H&M top (for men)
My baby got her license!! :') (I couldn't find a picture of only her driving...)
I started to wear this ring every single day - it's from my grandfathers antique shop (that he used to own
many many years ago - and I stole the ring from my mother haha)
I lost a very very dear person.. My grandfather - and life will never be the same without him. I love and miss
you, always and forever my dearest jiddo <3
I dropped my iPhone - and I was stuck witht this little cutie for a couple days (or weeks)
A very special day
My own collar necklace (that I'm wearing as this is being written!)
My brothers Christmas play - well done lovelies!
Having a loooong 'fika' with these beauties (and two more that didn't fit into this picture haha)
Playing with Nado
Posing with my brother
Christmas dinner with Noor and Tomatoe
Tivoli (Copenhagen) with lovely people - a shoutout to you if you're reading this :P x
And having dinner (or a very late lunch) with the same lovelies
New Years Eve - possibly the worst day of the year. Rocking my fuzzy socks and chilling with some people
Happy New Years, my lovely readers. I wish you all a year filled with happiness, success and love. Let's hope that 2013 will be a good year!
xx
/Laila
» MERRY CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas lovelies! I wish you all a wonderful holiday with your beloved ones ♥
Here comes tons and tons of pictures on the christmas dinner (aka. julbord in Swedish for all you non Swedish residents).
I let the pictures speak for themselves since I'm too lazy to write an actual post haha.
xx
/L
» IT'S OK TO BE HAPPY
You know what I came up with?
It's OK to be happy.
It's OK to keep missing him.
It's OK to never stop hurting.
But it's not OK to keep glancing back. You should move on, and look back with a smile on your lips and a happy glow in your eyes. That's what I know he would want me to do.
I truly thought that being happy would make me a horrible person.. How can I possibly be happy, laugh and keep moving on with my life while he's lying underground, buried deep down far far away? How can I go out with a smile on my lips while I'm burning inside; wanting to scream out loud?
I then realized that all my actions - cold behavior towards the people I love, that has been supporting me and helping me through this - and thoughts were a complete opposite to what he was. To what he believed in.
So how could I be missing him, but forgetting or refusing to see what he was; what he is?
He made us all happy and he still does.. And that's what I'm going to remember and live by..
Yes, I'm still hurting. I'm still missing him. I keep forgetting that he isn't here to visit whenever I want.. But that doesn't mean that he wants to see me dressed in black from top to toe, with a sad grin on my face. And he really disliked black.. So wouldn't I be a hypocrite to miss someone and show it in ways he wouldn't approve of?
When I realized all of this today, I started Instagramming again. So these pictures were taken throughout
the day today.
I hope you're having a good night, lovelies. And thank you all for the love and support - it means a lot to me; more than I could ever explain.
xx
/L
» IT'S NOT A DREAM AFTER ALL..
Since my grandfather passed away, I've kept in too many emotions and felt like a volcano that was about to explode - but never exploded.. It all felt very unreal - still feels very unreal, as if it never happened..
He got buried today, which is the same day you should pray and "send the blessings of the prayer" to him (this goes to everyone that has passed away).. I just finished praying and when I said his name, for sending the blessings of the prayer to him, something inside of me let everything explode..
I still can't believe that he's gone.. Even though some people keep telling me that "he was too old anyways", I still miss him.. Yes, he has lived 90 wonderful years, but does that make it easier for us when we lose a happy and inspiring person like him? No. (or as my uncle says; he was - and still is - a symbol for human rights..)
To some of you, this might sound odd.. That I write about how much I miss him in these recent posts.. But when you used to visit your grandfather every single day, or at least once a week - you will understand this easier.
Something funny happened today.. I actually caught myself humming, to a song he used to sing to us, today and almost sang it out loud! LOL to that, right? It is, and I'm half-quoting my sister, true that he still makes us laugh - even though he's gone.
So I just want to say this; I will keep singing ay darafsh (a song in farsi - and it's so old that Iranian people themselves don't know it anymore..) for you, my beautiful grandfather.
You will always have your name, engraved into my heart, and an image of you in my brain.
Love you, always and forever ♥
This is an extremely old picture of him, my sister and me. Handsome, isn't he? ♥
You know what I just came to think about? The reason behind me not realizing, or processing, what has happened is because I haven't given myself time to mourn. I've been studying on sunday, monday and went to uni on tuesday (and today).. With no focus of course - with a test tomorrow.. IF I'm going to fail?
I should just take it easy this weekend and not do anything.. That would clear my head up a bit - I hope..
» DARAFSH = FLAG
With tears running down her cheeks, she came to tell me about the horrific news - that we all waited for in fear. He took his last breath and left this world with an angel-like glow on his beautiful face.
I refused to listen, and went back to sleep, but woke up an hour later to get ready to leave..
When I was walking through the door of my room, she stopped me to tell me the tragedy again. And this time I listened and after processing it, broke down in tears.
Who will sing us old songs in farsi? The songs that are engraved into us..
Who will run around the house, looking for his shoes, glasses and abaya?
Who will sit on the grey sofa, reading and accidentally knock the side table?
Who will eat dates and tell us the stories of his youth?
Who will be the one we always counted on for comfort, happiness and humour?
Who will show us pictures, treasured dearly in his Quran, and tell us all about them?
Who will, who will, who will..
I miss him. And will probably never stop missing him..
But one thing I've realized is that he will be with us - he still is with us. And I can't and will most certainly not get used to using past tense when reffering to him.
"I'm sorry for your loss", they say.. What loss? He isn't gone!
But slowly you have to start realizing the truth.. His body is gone, but his pure and good soul is in a better place.
When losing people like him, from his generation, you will know what loss is.. Why? Because we're lucky if we become half as good, third as pure as them. Being loved by every single person is evidence to what he is, to what he was.
I love and miss you and your pure heart grandfather, always and forever ♥
"O soul that art at rest! Return to your lord, well-please (with Him), well-pleasing (Him), so enter among my servants, and enter into My garden".
» BANDAGE TO MY WOUND
Or maybe not so dramatic.
I have, as I have told you guys, been absent from the blog for a couple days. I may or may not tell you guys the reason for my abcence because of it being extremely personal, and something I don't find fair or nice of me to share.
With this being said I just wanted to write a quick post because of you guys. You've been extremely sweet to click on my blog with the knowledge of me not blogging for this period of time. This truly spread a smile to my not-so-very happy face.
Take care of yourselves and your loved ones ♥
xx
/L
» FEAR
Fear is a powerful feeling. It's frightening, but yet you become extremely thankful for what you have..
The fear of losing someone important in my life makes me want to stand on the top of a hill and just scream - scream for days until my voice is compeletely gone and my eyes dry as rocks. But you got to keep your head up and your mouth shut - and be strong for the other people in your life..
This is truly a feeling I wouldn't wish upon anyone.. and I'm not writing all of this to make you guys feel sorry for me. I'm writing it to feel better, to somehow take away some of the fear.
I also should add that I might not blog for a while. I don't want to turn this blog into a depressing downhill rollarcoaster; so I'll stop blogging for a that reason..
Take care of yourselves and the people in your lives, lovelies..
xx
/L
Picture is from here.
» HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!
Today is not an ordinary day because it's my fathers birthday!
I woke up way too early to have a family breakfast and present unwrapping..
Let's just say that the most difficult task, or thing, you can do is finding a perfect gift for the men/guys in your life.. My father in particular since he strongly believes in not having that many clothes.. "You should wear what you have, throw it away and THEN get new things".. So can you guys sense my/our dilemma?
Anyways, happy birthday to my sweet, lovely, caring Dad; I'm very proud to be your daughter.
Love
xx
/L
PS. Sorry for the horribly taken pictures. I couldn't bother snapping pictures with my camera - my phone all the way! LOL.
» BEFORE I DIE
Cause this is what you do in the middle of the night if you are cool like me (translates to I-can't-bother-to-study-and-I'm-getting-way-too-tired-which-makes-me-very-hyper).
So here are just some of the things on my bucket list - be warned; there are a lot of pictures..
Some of the things are already done, some are not, but that's how life is - half done! (not making any sense, I suppose).
All the picutres are from here.
» A PEAK INTO MY NEWLY ORGANIZED LIFE
I organized my closet, as I had written it down on my to-do-list of the day..
When I organize my closet, I always end up organizing my whole room, and changing stuff up at my nightstand and my everyday-makeup-area (although I didn't do that this time..)..
So here's a quick peak into my room and closet!
I love the simplicity of a magazine rolled up in a vase - it looks very chic (if I may say so myself).
My current favorite cream and a lipbalm are always resting on my nightstand - because of my awefully
dry lips.. And I added a book I'm currently reading under a silver plate with my everyday jewlery.
My current favorites. Last month I was crazy for everything gold.. But this month I've been rocking my
silver! (LOL at that!).
Fashion Now - is all about fashion.. I love reading and I love fashion - so this is the best of both worlds!
And the best thing? I got it from H&M (yes, they sell books - or one book)..
Ok, so I'm a makeup girl.. And I've epanded my "makeup collection" over the years. I could literally
just take out my nice, glittery eyeshadows and stare at them. They're too pretty to be hidden!
But this area is my go-to makeup (the makeup I wear on an everyday basis). But it needs to be cleared
out and stashed with the rest of the makeup I don't use that often..
The white hangars are killing me.. But I'm out of black ones.. I usually organize my clothes from light
to dark to be able to decide what color to wear easily. And catagorizing looks too messy.
My favorite bracelets in a jewlery-organization-thing that I got for my b-day but haven't used!
That way I can find the things I'm looking for easier - and not throw everything out on my bed to hunt
for a certain bracelet!
Some cocktail rings.
This is a quote I absolutely love! I hang quotes on my mirror - to remind myself of certain stuff and to
put a smile on my dull face (jokes jokes - but it's inspiring to read them every morning!).
My current favorite bags! (and some nicer bags that I can't store with the rest of them!).
Ok, this is cheesier than cheesy.. I hung it behind my dresses (so it can't be seen) last year when I got
it from the BD part 1 premier. I should prooobably take it down, but again, I'm such a child sometimes
that I want to keep it up!
Now I'll head back to the extremely long and boring date with my genetics book..
xx
/L
PS. I will show you the Margiela x H&M top tomorrow! (as promised, but a couple days late - or way too late).