The 'Somewhat Daily' Diary - Bye Bye July

July made me Smile :)

I finally went to the Zoo with my dad, probably after 24 years!! Lol, I *might* have gone in the middle but the last time i recall was back in 1987 SO, July was a month to smile about. 

Fashion Feature: Sue me I'm a Season Behind!!

I'm continuing to Love Browns this fall, But I guess I'd mix it with Prints or Stripes!

No Matter what i do, I keep turning to this colour palate (and the monochromes - black, white and grey), I'm just not feeling the neons and brights anymore!

Yes this look is about a Season too old, Sue me I'm loving it still

The 'Somewhat Daily' Diary - Joy of Eating Alone.

Most of my meals are either in a rush, or lost in chatter, or taken for granted or something mundane... Those who cherish every meal are truly lucky. For me, such meals are few and far between, owing to nothing but my own fault and putting 'enjoying meals' way low on my priority list... way below say - running errands, or messaging a friend, or thinking of what to do after the meal. 

It's only when you're sitting in front of a plate of food, in an unknown side street where you know no one and you have no where in particular to go to and for some reason your phone has gone ballistic on you do you truly take time to enjoy something as predictable as Spaghetti Bolognese.

To give Christopher's Cafe (which is what I think it's name was) in a James Street (off Oxford Street) its due, the Bolognese was just right, with the right amount of cheese and pepper sprinkled on top. I'm not saying it was out of this world... but at that moment, it made my meal time perfect. 

Fashion Feature - Flared Crepe Dress by H&M

Every time I try telling myself that I've now officially outgrown H&M something random comes up and makes me fall in love. This Mustard number may not be the most creative piece to hit the universe but to me it weaves this beautiful magic of the 70s that I 'oh so' love!

Flared Crêpe Dress with Wide Sleeves with Cuffs, an Opening and Button at the Neck and a visible Metal Zip at the back. Lined. 

In celebration of the 70s, the following collage is an ode to Peggy Lipton who could totally be the inspiration for this H&M shoot!

Blog Tips - Upgrade the Blogger Comment Box with CommentLuv

How I was envious of all those ladies who have beautiful blogs and know exactly what they want to say in them (as opposed to my random rants) and to top it all have gorgeous comment boxes that unlike my boring blogger comment box actually seemed interested in the commentator. I mean dig this:

Blogger Comment Box:
Name
Email
Comment

Lovely Ladies' Comment Boxes:
Name
Email
Website
Comment
Latest entry to your blog
Twitter Name

Essentially, their comment boxes just seemed NICER!! I mean hello Blogger!! Is it too much to ask?? For you to make me sound nice?? SO, as much as I love Google, I decided to soup up my comment box and go hunting for the much needed CommentLuv.

This is what I found:

1. It's really VERY Simple
2. Go to www.intensedebate.com
3. Sign up through a simple/regular Sign In process
4. Register your Site (it will automatically take you to the link)
5. Intense Debate will give you the options to either add a widget or template, to new comments only or all old comments.
6. Select Widget and New Comments only if you're on Blogger.
7. Simply click 'Add Widget' once you're done and you'll be connected to your blog
8. As a last step: Click 'Sites' on top of the Intense Debate Page > Click 'Plugins' on the left Menu > Scroll Down to Comment Love > Click Activate

If these instructions are too loony for you, watch this simple vdo that does the trick. Blogger does have a new dashboard interface so some of the links on the vdo might not exactly be where it says but I'm happy to help.

The 'Somewhat Daily' Diary - Walking the Walk

The one thing I am absolutely loving about being in London is WALKING!! I never walk in Lahore... Even to go to the corner store, I take the car. This is owing to the scorching heat, the general 'if you have a car why walk' school of thought, bundled with laziness... Now top that with being pregnant.

In Pakistan, being pregnant gets you VIP status. Don't move you're pregnant, Don't bend you're pregnant, Don't work you're pregnant and so on so forth. Hence, being here in Uxbridge is delightfully refreshing! I am still enjoying my 'Oh I'm pregnant benefits' with my younger Brothers and Dad carrying all the heavy grocery bags back from the store BUT, I'm not far behind them, hopping and skipping (in my heart) & enjoying the lovely weather...

Life's Like That - Before you know it, they're taller than you and showing you the way!

Harrawal's Graduation Day

The 'Somewhat Daily' Diary - Hello from Uxbridge

I am in disbelief! My little baby brother (ten years younger to me) is all grown up...

As I get done with Ironing my clothes and getting set for his graduation tomorrow, I'm trying to recall when the little baby who used to sleep with me at night turned into this loving grown up man taking care of me... I am plopped on his couch right now and he is cooking away some fancy Biryani for me!!

Eons Ago, Aahad, Harry and I

The Night before Graduation - Biryani and Keema Veggies!!

Time flies... But I'm so proud of the Person he's become.
Harry I ♥ You!!

I ♥ Etsy - Jezebel Charms

'Beware the Ides of March.' Act I, Scene II Julius Caesar (the soothsayer to Julius Caesar warning him of his forthcoming demise)

Haunting scripted quote from William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (written in 1599), set upon 19th century imagery of the Act and Scene that particular quote is from. Finished in stormy blue with a weathered appearance.

The Art of Complimenting

Recently, I have been receiving a lot of comments about my bloooooming size, I would like to believe that most of them were intended to be compliments - They were 'after all' given by some lovely people I know as they smiled staring me up and down but honestly, I don't know if whether its my hormones or what but they didn't sound very compliment-ish!

Say for instance 'Wow, you're looking all fatty pattatie' *million dollar smile* ummmm Just because you added a 'Pattatie' at the end Hun doesn't make the Fatty any better!! Or, 'Your face has filled up' ummm ok. What am I supposed to make of that?!?

Anyway, the point being, the compliments were clearly lacking! This got me thinking... What of the compliments I had been giving all my life?? And the following is what I learnt:

1. Everyone can use a 'genuine' compliment at any given point in time...
2. If you look hard enough everyone has a reason to be complimented all the time.
3. If you can't find something to compliment, you're not looking hard enough...
4. Good friends are not just honest in critique they are also generous in compliments
5. You don't need to be friends with someone to compliment them.
6. If you're feeling envious and are hesitating to compliment someone, go right ahead and do it anyway.
7. Don't give half-hearted compliments
8. And having said all this, above everything... don't ever force a compliment.

Note to Self - Drop of Wisdom: Episode 4

Blog Tips: Myth Busting 'Feeds'

When I started blogging some months back (and to date) 'Feeds' were yet another thing that boggled me. I in my limited understanding of the phenomenon, assumed that if I put all possible widgets available on my site, suddenly people will start subscribing to my feeds and I'll be a million hits blog. I am extremely embarrassed to report that so far in 6 odd months of existence I have a grand total of ZERO followers and 3 Feedburner hits!!

This got me thinking... obviously I wasn't doing something right and this post is an attempt to help myself while hopefully helping you. The following is my take on simplifying this in hope that things will get better (even one follower would be a face saver -  lol).

What are Feeds?
Feeds are simply a way of getting your content to people rather than getting people to your content. Simply stating if someone subscribes to your feed, the don't necessarily need to come to your site each time and can simple read what going on through their blog readers, some designated website or even through email. 

What is RSS?
Well, RSS could potentially be RDF Site Summary, Real Site Summary OR Really Simple Syndication). Essentially, An RSS document is popularly known as a... FEED!

The Art of Slowing Down.

For as long as I can remember I have been in a hurry. In a hurry to meet deadlines, to check all the items in my to-do list, to get somewhere, to get back from somewhere, to get things started, to get things finished, when I was meeting someone I was already on my blackberry organizing the next meeting with someone else... That was life and I thought that to achieve a lot in life, I had to get a lot done... very quickly. 

I thought that to achieve a lot in life, I had to get a lot done... very quickly!

The result in retrospect was almost catastrophic. The experiences I gained in a hurry were shallow and almost task like. I had done a lot but I hadn't enjoyed a lot... I had seen many places, but I had barely experienced any. I made hundreds of acquaintances but friends remained few. I had achieved a lot but hadn't learnt much!

The one thing I'm trying to learn (from Ali) is that it is as important to stop and smell the flowers as it is to walk by them smiling. Life isn't infinite, but it is long enough to enjoy fully. 

Life's Like That - Time Flies when you're in Good Company

Ali and I on our wedding. July 2009

HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

MY BESTEST DECISION EVER. 

Simply Delightful - Osborn Corte Denim Oxford

Could a boring little shoe gain more Funky Guts??? This little number by Osborn breaks all possible barriers of what to expect from an Oxford. Starting at approximately $100, Osborn offers an array of colorful shoes to match your rainbow soul... while making your feet smile!

Recipe: Smoked Salmon with 'in a jiffy' Potato Salad

I have loved Salmon for as long as I can remember. I don't know how it started but I know in Salmon I have found a great companion. In my past life, during my many odd-hour business class travels (which I can only dream of now that I pay my own tickets), I was consoled that no matter how bad the airline food was, they'd serve some Salmon somehow.... Salads, Appetizers, Sandwiches somewhere.

Oft when I'd be stuck far away from home and waking up early in the morning to make it to some meeting through a traffic packed city (I consider mornings torture) I would sit with the newspaper (usually the entertainment section) and some beautiful slices of fresh Salmon at the breakfast table and wait for my senses to come alive enough to face the world.

When unsure what to eat in some unknown new location, I would often opt for Salmon Sandwiches or Salmon Salad or even Pasta which I knew would NEVER EVER fail me. So now, in my new not so jet set life, some nights when I really don't want to put much effort in and still have something great tasting... a Salmon Salad is what I head for! This is pretty much what was happening at dinner the day before.... and now I must share my never fail idiot recipe with you which has made me a happy idiot many a times!

Ingredients:
Smoked Salmon - One Packet (or more depending on how hungry you are)
Potatoes - 5 medium sized ones (you can again have more but this particular recipe features this sized serving)
Olives - As many as you want depending on how much you love them
Been Sprouts - You can add Rocket or Spring Onions or anything that works for you (just boil or steam before adding)
Rosemary - To taste
Salt - To taste
Pepper - To Taste
Mayonnaise - 4 Teaspoons
Vinegar - 2 Teaspoons  
Mustard - 2 Teaspoons (or more if you want)

Recipe:
Mix the Mayo, Mustard and Vinegar in a Bowl. Boil the potatoes (and the greens of your choice if they need boiling). Chop into small pieces and mix everything in the bowl. Add Salt, Pepper and Rosemary and keep trying bits and pieces till you get exactly the taste you want.

Serve on a platter and munch away.

Sadaf Z's POSTCARD - Dreaming Phiphi

In July 2009, Ali and I set off for what some of our friends jokingly called the longest honeymoon known to mankind. Maybe it was... given that it was a month long and spanned over 4 cities/towns in two different countries. Our Bangkok, Phuket, Phiphi, Kuala Lumpur trip was by far the most fun trip I have ever been on, and while it would take at least a couple of cards to take you through it, I will start with Phiphi because that is where I am absolutely dying to be right now.

We had divided our trip into 4 parts, the big city, the fun island, the relaxing resort and another big city... And Phiphi played its part beautifully as a relaxing retreat for two over excited honeymooners!

A 45 minute ferry ride takes you from Phuket to Phiphi leaving you at the most delightful little 'around the pier' settlement comprising of shops, diving and snorkling clubs, bars and restaurants and back packer hotels... The Island beyond this is mostly occupied by various resorts and this is where you're picked up by the resort boat to head to your respective destination.

If you're looking for young-single peeps type partying you should either stay on Phuket or on the Pier... Once you're at your resort, it takes a minimum of 10 mins boat ride to get you back to the rest of the world and is only possible during the sunlight hours....

We had booked Phiphi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa and enjoyed 6 beautiful days there. While most of our time was spent relaxing, we didn't forget to do what this Island is most famous for... Snorkling and Scuba Diving! The aquatic life around this Island deserves as personal visit and if you're in Phiphi, I recommend ensuring you do check all items on the list below:

1. Snorkling
2. Scuba Diving (You resort will probably offer a safe high end package, if you want cheaper options look around the Pier)
3. Canoeing around the Island
4. A walk around the Island (you need to start early to make sure you're back in time)
5. While we didn't take any boat trips from Phiphi they do have a lot of them taking you to James Bond Island etc
6. You can also go cave exploring in boats from Phiphi

Beyond this I recommend some serious chilling out on the gorgeous piece of heaven on earth and soaking in as much beauty and peace you possibly can!

Simply Delightful - Elliot Mann My Bag.

If you love Boho... there is absolutely no reason you'll be able to resist this beauty by Elliot Mann.

This hand knotted bag comes in a variety of colours with funky coin and embroidery detail from reclaimed tribal belts... With adjustable leather cross-body strap it is a Boho Dream come true!!! For $209 it could be yours. Enjoy...

Blog Tips: Showing HTML Codes in Blogger Posts

While most seasoned bloggers would scoff at the idiocities I am learning each day, I will persist for my sake and those who are taking baby steps into the world of blogging...

Yes, while showing a simple HTML script may not feel like a mean feat... I can tell you if you don't know what you're doing you're in for a few frustrating rounds... Anyway, Remember the HTML code I spoke about in the post about making blog buttons? Well I decided to take this a step further and like a pro blogger give the script right under the button, allowing peeps to add my button simple by copy pasting this script.

Each time I put in the script Mr. Blogger decided to read it and give me a brand new button instead of displaying the code! So, with my latest challenge at hand I set about figuring out the HOW and this is what I learnt...

HTML Codes are enclosed in angle brackets < and > e.g.,

Simple replace < and > with the 4 letters & l t ; and & g t ; e.g.,

...and the result is what you see in the image on top an HTML code showing as an HTML code :))

Alternatively, if HTML code is JUST NOT your cup of tea.... simply go to this site or this site enter your HTML code and it will automatically alter it for you giving you a code that will reflect on your site as a code... *phew* doesn't get simpler than this!!

I ♥ Etsy

Latest ETSY find definitely worth a drool.

'Elegant and luxurious, these golden intricate earrings are sure to make you feel like a princess! Paired with flawless gold encased royal blue faceted glass, the sparkling blue stone is reminiscent of Princess Kate's gorgeous ring, you know, the one we have all drooled over! Super sexy and saturated with rich color, these are sure to be your "go-to" earrings.

From the top of the earwire, these earrings measure: Just over 1 3/4 in tall and 3/4 in at the widest part of the earring...'

Recipe: Leaching onto Lychees!

It's the time of the year again!! The time when fruit just overwhelms me... Fruit, Gorgeous Fresh Seasonal Fruit everywhere at dirt darned cheap prices (well compared to any foreign super market anyway)... Mangoes, Jamuns, Falsas, Water Melons, Melons, Peaches and of course my favorite Lychees!

Yes, There is something no Pakistani has ever disagreed upon... Fruits just taste better here. It's almost as if the world has mastered the art of great looking fruit but hasn't quite cracked how poor little fruit, grown in poor little conditions, by poor little farmers, in poor little Pakistan can be so darned lip smacking delicious! Pardon me, this statement isn't meant to offend anyone, nor force any cliches... but what I can I say, we are just a little too passionate about our food!

Note to Self - Drop of Wisdom: Episode 3

Boho in my Closet: Tilla Kolapuri Slippers

I'm CRAZY about Boho Fashion!! While I haven't quite pursued my interest to the extent I could have, who knows I might now... BUT today just randomly going through my closet I realized that even unknowingly I had managed to collect quite a few gems which may not have much value given the local fashion sensibility but really were something!!

I am extremely sorry for exposing you to this picture of my foot, but this Tilla (gold thread) Kolapuri (this style of slipper has its origins in Kaulapur) was something that I had to share. Costing as little as 25 Dollars, this handmade gem is embroidered by the skillful hands of a local craftsman and honestly, is pretty much taken for granted here in Pakistan.

Hand stitched Leather Slipper with Gold Embroidery *heart*

After absolutely wearing my last pair out over a span of a year, I recently brought this 'identical' number :) If you're boho crazy like me, do write in... I may just help you get your hands on a pair like this one. 

Blog Tips: Creating a Drop Down Menu for Labels

So, if you're suddenly too free and perhaps too addicted to blogging, kind of like me... chances are in addition to filling your blog, you have an ever growing list of labels on the side panel which perhaps started as a smart index of all you have on the blog but has now evolved to a list of everything you have ever ranted about. Result: A horrendously long list of random words, really good for nothing.

The solution as I have now found is simple... provided you're ready to take a few risks and burn a bit of that grey matter God so generously gifted you with.

MOTHER OF ALL DISCLAIMERS: MUST DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE BEFORE MAKING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHANGES INCASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG, YOU CAN ALWAYS REVERT TO WHERE YOU STARTED.

1. Start with Changing the Title of your 'LABEL' Gadget to ZZZZZ

2. Go to your Blogger Dashboard and Click 'DESIGN'

3. Click Edit HTML

4. Search (ctrl + f) for ZZZZ and you will find a code line reading:
<b:widget id='Label1' locked='false' title='zzzzz' type='Label'/>


5. Replace this entire line with 

<b:widget id='Label1' locked='false' title='Labels' type='Label'> 
<b:includable id='main'> 
<b:if cond='data:title'> 
<h2><data:title/></h2> 
</b:if> 
<div class='widget-content'> 
<select style='width:100%' onchange='location=this.options[this.selectedIndex].value;'> 
<option>Click to choose a label</option> 
<b:loop values='data:labels' var='label'> 
<option expr:value='data:label.url'><data:label.name/> 
(<data:label.count/>) 
</option> 
</b:loop> 
</select> 
<b:include name='quickedit'/> 
</div> 
</b:includable> 
</b:widget>

6. Save Template and you're DONE. Result...

Oh yeah, I went back to the widget and changed the title from ZZZZ to label categories.