Henna

Ever since I went to Saudi Night at Oregon State University last spring, I've been in love with henna. I got to know that henna is also a cultural art in India, where my father is from. 

Henna has been practiced by people in North Africa, Middle East and India for many centuries, especially for weddings. It is a body painting made of flowering plants.


I enjoy the smell of it as well as the beauty of designs. I choose to use henna because it lasts only about a week unlike permanent tattoos. Besides, I don't need to have professional drawing skills. I can be my own artist!

I bought a couple of henna tube at the Middle Eastern restaurant Al Jabal located on south 3rd street in Corvallis, and the price was only $2.99 per tube. Tube has quite a bit of paste that I didn't have to use all of it at once.

Before I applied the paste on my arm, I looked at images of design so that I could have an idea of how to draw. Even if it didn't turn out to be like the image, I created my own design as I went along. After completing the drawing, I led it dry for about thirty minutes. Once the paste got dried, I started peeling all off. My drawing may not seem like professional, but I did enjoy another cultural legacy of the world! :)

I pictured flowers in my head and this is what I ended up with 

Henna Paste I used

Spring Fashion 2012

Daffodils blooming. Robins building nests. Storms sweeping through town. It must be a sign of another season, spring!

I'd like to share some photos of outfits that will come on the scene this spring. There are a few of them I personally would like to purchase.

I'd definitely get a lace top. I'd choose the black one because it'll go with any bottoms like shorts, jeans and pencil skirts.

The pictures below are fringed tops. This style is a trend in almost every spring fashion.

Collaboration of lace and fringes

 Poka dots pattern is used throughout the year. The one on the left can be worn as an office work style. It looks elegant and adorable at the same time.

Actress Keira Knightley

Holi: Festival of Colors

India celebrated its annual festival called Holi. It is a celebration of the new season, spring and is a religious celebration by Hindus. Many took to the streets throwing colored powders at each other. People get colored in pink, yellow, red and purple. Also they splashed colored water on themselves.

The festival took place on March 8th according to the Hindu Calendar. It can be seen in other countries like Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

This is the day when the entire nation enjoys its heritage bringing all the people together regardless of their age, gender and economic status. The atmosphere was filled with joy and enthusiasm.

Summer Accessories

Glaring sunlight pouring down on the skin. Gentle breeze blowing through the window. Bright moonlight shining into the room. Splendid fireworks in the night sky.

With a season of glorious days coming around the corner, what do you think is the hottest accessory for this summer fashion? One single accessory sometimes plays an important role in pepping up the style.

Sunglasses; they are the must-have item to avoid the direct sunlight. Besides protecting your eyes, sunglasses have become a part of the costume. 

Over-sized sunglasses, which was a trend in the 80's, are brought back into a current fashion. If you want to let your sunglasses stand out, choose ones in bright colors of frames. If you don't care so much about looking like a dragonfly, try on shutter shades sunglasses. No doubt your style will look funky! 

Another way to protect yourself against the sunlight, yet looking stylish at the same time is by wearing a hat. This summer, basket-weaved fedora hats will take on. Black, white, and taupe. Either color goes with the outfit, but taupe is more in common.

Even if you are not going to the Kentucky Derby, put on floppy straw hats. They will be likely to catch on the street style, so why not to lead it?

Jewelry lovers! What would you ornament your dress with? Braided hoop earrings, pearl bracelets, multi-layered necklaces, and beaded knuckle rings are such goodies. These are handy tools to brighten up the look.

Or get starched up with "bling-bling!"

Too lazy to coordinate the entire style? There is an instant way of looking like a fashionista: headbands or headwraps. It is a way to impress for less as well as a quick way to hide messy hair

Of course, anyone can become a fashionista from any moment on. With or without accessories, you can invent your own style. Use your own sense. Every one of us is unique, but it's all up to you to make good use of that uniqueness.

Before ending this column, I'd like to give my special thanks to all the readers. I had fun writing especially about fashion around the world, because I personally got to learn intriguing cultural values behind the fashion.

And lastly, I wish you all have a dazzling summer with flashing smiles!

Summer Sandals

Ladies! It seems like the season of pleasant breezy days is almost here.Yes, by which I mean time for summer sandals is on its way!

For those who were yearning for rapture, hang tight. Because who would want to miss the touch of the sun on your skin? Well, unless you are allergic to the sun, perhaps. Besides, wouldn't it be an amenity just to ornament your feet? So snap out of the past, and let's look forward.

Do you remember when gladiator sandals hit the sensation a few summers ago? After popping up in wardrobe in the late 1960's, gladiator sandals revived back in 2008. Beyond my personal expectation that this trend would die off soon, they are still in style. So if you have a pair, don't hesitate to stomp in them. Gladiator sandals are still rocking!

Typical gladiator sandals are flat that have several strips across the front of the foot. Other types of gladiator sandals feature heels, a zippered closure, a braided strip that goes up to the knee (even make you feel like a Roman goddess), and multiple adjustable straps.

Be aware gentlemen! You guys are not left alone at all. There are gladiator sandals for men too, so don't be disappointed. One of the best known British fashion designer Alexander Mcqueen has produced gladiator sandals for men. The definition of a gladiator is a male combatant during the Roman Empire, so why not to design them for men as well?

The most popular summer sandals, I believe, are flip-flops. I suppose they are not a seasonal item because I see people wearing them no matter which season.

Sure, flip-flops are simply easy to put on. But how about dressing up your style with sandals like thong flat sandals for this summer?

A round open toe with rhinestones is fashionable to upgrade the entire look. Considering your toes being visible, paint your nails with whatever color you like. A simple work like pedicure can make the difference in your fashion.

If not enough, try on ankle wrap sandals to get your style into the next level. Though some sandals can be spendy, choose ones that involve beads, shimmering stones or a floral motif on the front. As long as the outfit is plain like a one-piece dress in a single color, your style won't appear too gaudy.

If you are a fan of vibrant colors like shocking pink, neon-yellow, or brilliant green, I suggest the top wear to be black or white.

Those who longed for refreshing days, buckle up your feet in favorite sandals. Summer is near!

Slip on Sandals :D

What to wear on a sunny breezy day like this?

Yes, a season of sandals is here!




An example of summer sandal



                                Bare Foot Sandals 

Unique Beauty of Afghanistan

What do you associate with the word Afghanistan?

Many probably will picture of wars, terrorists, the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden.

I presume that to the eyes of many, Afghanistan is unfortunately not famous for some of its delightful traditions.

In parallel with each country, it has its own cultural beauty and legacy.

Surely, Afghanistan has been known for its struggles due to constant wars and a negative portray as a home for terrorists. 

Despite the dark image of its reputation, Afghanistan's traditions like women's costumes are colorful!

( The picture shown above is Girls in traditional clothes for the fashion competition hosted by a private television channel in the city of Mazar-I-Shariff, north of Kabul.)

They are made with such a beautiful complexion. Because of embroideries on clothes and gorgeous motif, it reminds me of Saree, Indian clothing, in some ways.

In short, Afghan clothes reflect ethnic, social, cultural, geopolitical and historical diversity. It also illustrates the intersection of the connection to Arabs, Persian, Turkish and Asians. 

Burqa

Perhaps the most famous clothing for women is Burqa: an outerwear that covers entire body from head to toe with blue in color.

Under the Taliban regime, women were required to wear Burqa. Even after the Taliban was overthrown, some women stayed on Burqa by choice.

Similar to Hijab, Burqa is considered a figure of Islamic faith and modesty.












Traditional Afghan clothes vary in ethnicity and regions.

Unlike Burqua, Afghans' other traditonal clothes are multicolored.

Salwar kameez is one of many dresses worn by both men and women. It is made mostly from either silk or cotton. As I mentioned earlier, it comes in variation of colors like red, pink and green.

Salwar kameez is also popular in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It was first introduced to India by Muslims spreading throughout neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Pakistan, it is considered as a national dress. In India, Sari stemmed from Salwar kameez. No wonder it's resembling!

Salwar is loose flowing pants reaching down to the ankle whereas Kameez is a long tunic top with slit-like openings at the shoulders. Women finish off this style by putting Dupatta, long scarf-like cloth, across the shoulders. Dupatta represents a symbol of modesty because it covers the head.

According to the website Zarinas.com., there is more than a dozen of different dresses for special occasions. The beauty of those dresses is beyond words.

Nastaran, for example, is made in every color of the rainbow with bright pink pants and head scarf that are ornamented with embroidery of beads and silver. Palwasha is turquoise in color including pants and head scarf. Brilliant embroidery seems to be common in those dresses.

Besides their traditional clothing, Afghanistan consists a unique culture of different ethnicity intermingled.

Unfortunately, cultural and social tradition of Afghans have been overshadowed by invasions and wars. Having said that, I hope this was for all of us to recognize the precious part of their culture we hardly see in the current media.



For more:

Afghan beauty emerges from beneath the burqa

Diverse Hamilton

Nastaran

                 Palwasha