Getting Healthy

So today I kind of got a slap in the face(figuratively). I have been neglecting my weight gain for quite some time now. Alongside Ramadan, eating out in summer and just an incredible amount of stress, I have not been at my peak health. I will, one day, go into the full story of my struggle with health, body image, weight and all of that which plagues many other young girls in the world, but for today I am making this post as inspiration for myself.

So what was this slap in the face you may ask? Well, I was packing my suitcase for a trip and I was trying on a lot of clothes that I wore just a few months ago in school. It was mostly pants that were once "super comfortable" for me. But today, they were really hard to put on. Nothing really fit me well and I honestly was caught completely off guard. I had no idea that I was this off track. So I plucked up the courage and went to weigh myself, something I haven't done in probably a year now. The scale gave me back a number that was alright. To be honest, I had guessed I was at that weight so it didn't come as much of a shock(besides, I know to not rely on a mere number to define my health). However, I've been feeling it. I've been feeling sick, my stomach hurts a lot, I have constant hunger pangs and I've been having no care for what I put in my body.

And that needs to stop. Like yesterday. I have two more weeks at home, so I'm ready to start making slow changes to my diet mostly. I don't typically have problems exercising but the food I put in my body is a whole other story.

I want to begin this journey where I really think of what I'm putting in my body and how it will make me feel in the long-term. I want to stop eating out of emotion and short-term satisfaction. It's important to start somewhere, and I hope I can start now. Saying no to what is bad for me and what isn't right to put into my body.

So one deep breath, and I want to change this all today.

Also I just wanted to add that anyone who comes across this should checkout Kayla Itsines. I first found her over a year ago on instagram, but she now has sky-rocketed and has fitness e-books as well as a blog. She's just really inspirational and makes fitness fun and ideal :)

Trend: Ombre Hair

          

I'm sure many of us have seen countless of photos and people rocking ombre hair. This trend really sky-rocketed about two years ago when a multitude of celebrities were spotted with this new trend. However, it is two years later, and we still see loads of women sporting the popular hair style. But that's still really all it is, a trend.

Khloe Kardashian has frequently had her hair ombred.

Miley Cyrus' ombre gave inspiration for those with shorter hair.

Ombre hair is really not a time-lasting style, I don't see it continuing to be popular in ten years but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take advantage of it while it's here.

I have always wanted ombre hair and still do. As a natural brunette, I fantasize about getting to try out some blonder tips while keeping what is natural to me--it's like a compromise. I plan on getting it done at some point in my life, whether it's still in style or not.

Perhaps ombre, particularly the bleached-tipped/caramel ombre has lasted so long because it allows many of us non-blondes to venture and try out what it's like to be a blonde without the long commitment. Ombre is also quite flattering and gives different dimensions to your hair without even trying. The best thing about it is that there are no restrictions. Though the aforementioned "blond ombre" is the most popular, we see loads of people sporting all kinds of colours of ombre, from blue to red to pink.

Red Ombre, which is really gorgeous for those with really dark hair. 

  

For those more daring, blue-green ombre has recently been very popular.

 
So yes, ombre is a trend, but it has been a good one at that. One that should stay a few more years so more of us can reap the benefit of this great style.

                                                    

Re-Vamped Style

Hi there! Last year I started up a blog because I had a crazy burst of energy and a vision that I would start blogging. That was in summer. School later rolled in, and with my very hectic senior year, I kind of put blogging completely on the back burner.

I've decided to give it another go. I realized how much I genuinely liked blogging and writing and expressing my opinion through this platform. Really my blog will be about anything. Life, fashion, makeup, inspiration, travel and anything else that can cross my mind. In the meantime, if you fall across my blog and posts, say hi and we can have a chat :)

You can also follow me on tumblr, which I've also kick-started and instagram.
Tumblr: the-brightestside
Instagram: @imaanla

"First last day" of high school and haul

That's what it was. Today was my first day of grade 12, but the last time I get to say "my first day" of high school. What a weird feeling. Before today, it didn't really sink in that it's my last year of "normal" school, my last year to get things right. I have spent a lot of time alone this summer and I think I was beginning to forget what it was like being around people and how school felt.
Today was an eye-opening day though. I now feel ready, excited, nervous and fine with this being my last year. I'm always afraid to say "I wish this will be the best year" because what if it doesn't become the best year? What if I disappoint myself, and it's all far from it? I guess the best piece of advice I can give to myself, or anyone really, is I hope I seize every opportunity I get and enjoy every moment of this sure to be stressful year. I think my biggest goal is to have fun and complain less(even though it's tough with all the schoolwork I'll be getting haha).

Also! I had about an hour and a half as buffer time before I had to go back to school so I went thrifting and got these.

I know, super basic, just denim but those two jeans are amazing! I'm a very short person(5feet exactly) so finding jeans that are true form and length is so rare, but these just magically happen to be my exact length! They're good quality and cheap! Can't complain there. Then the denim jacket is a must in many people's wardrobes and I really like it too, so I was so happy to get one! Oh the joys of thrifting.

This was my outfit for today. Super tomboy, I know. I'm feeling a bit under the weather so I thought going casual was best. I adore these super baggy, comfortable pants but cannot remember where they're from!

Black tank top- Joefresh

Flannel- Bluenotes

Shoes worn(not shown)- Black Converse. 

Latest Obsession: Eyebrows

The thicker and fuller eyebrow is back! Don't worry, I am aware that this reborn trend has been existent for quite some time now but I've only become obsessed with it so recently. Some may arguably say the true trend started in the 50s-60s with actresses, such as Audrey Hepburn, then regained popularity in the 90s with Brooke Shield's iconic brow. However, there was a big gap between that time, and for the past couple years, thicker brows are the way to go. 

The new craze for popular eyebrows has been popularized by the likes of:

 Lucy Hale

Lily Collins

And the one who really solidified this trend, British model, Cara Delevigne

When it comes to eyebrows, I have always favoured the most natural looking one(which is why I am so glad that this trend came back). This means no over-shaping and such, just trying to stick  to your most natural shape(which will always look better). I was quite blessed to have naturally thickish eyebrows(they aren't unbearably thick either) but there was a time where I thought that was quite annoying and embarrassing. But with these new trends, I think it's a fantastic place to highlight. Something about having a full brow makes you more confident, perhaps because it is such an essential part of our facial features and completes your look, even if you aren't wearing any makeup. Maybe now I'll be able to use a strong brow to avoid wearing excess makeup, just like Cara Delevigne often does. Either way, I'm hoping this trend is one to stay. 

Shoe Haul and Obsession

I remember when I was younger seeing adults have SO many pairs of shoes..and I never quite got why you would need(want) that many pairs. For me, I had my one regular pair and maybe a few others for occasions but I was never obsessed with shoes.

Flash forward to now, 2013, and I have finally clued into the shoe obsession. And in this month, I have gotten 3 new pairs that I absolutely adore.

The only funny part is that I haven't actually worn them yet but in my defense I really only got them within a week ago.

These ones I unexpectedly bought from Target(in the U.S.). They were only $15 or $17 dollars I believe--can you say cheap! They're kind of "cushony" on the inside and they have a leather texture on the outside with a nice floral design on the sides. When winter kicks in here, I'm sure these will become my go-to shoes.

White Converse are the craze! I have been wanting these for a good year now and I finally got them! I ordered these online from a store called 'Soft Moc' which delivered for free(the shoes were $50). I already have a pair of converse and they are my favorite casual shoes, you can literally wear them with any outfit. The only problem wit these is that I live in Vancouver, where it rains..a lot, so these can't really be worn as much as I'd like. Guess I'll just have to make the best of them while summer is still here!

And lastly, my favorite, these are the Advanced Suede Chelsea Ankle Boots from ASOS. I cannot begin to explain how badly I've wanted suede Chelsea boots. I've been obsessed with them ever since Harry Styles has been wearing his brown ones(these are NOT the exacts, he just has a pair of 'Chelsea Boots'). He's seen wearing them on multiple occasions this year..to the point where they went from being true suede to looking more like leather haha, whatta guy. Though he eloquently can match brown boots with everything, I doubt I could do the same so I opted to find some black ones.

And let me tell you, I've been on the hunt for a solid month and a half to find some good, and relatively cheap ones.That's when I fell across ASOS, which is now my favorite online store. These babies were ONLY $35(this was a sale price-they went down from being $70). And the beauty of ASOS is that they do free shipping; it took about 10 days to get to me, as the store is based in the UK. Unfortunately, once again, Vancouver weather is not the best place to sport these shoes but I don't even mind, I think I'll be able to find enough occasions to wear these. I guess patience really does payoff.

Cover Girl - Lash Blast 24 HR Mascara- Review

This was one of my many purchases(well for me) of makeup of this month. Covergirl- Lashblast 24 HR Mascara.

It's actually the first kind of mascara I've purchased with a brush of that sort-it's quite chubby. As for the mascara itself, it is very black and really lengthens your eyelashes, which is good for anyone that wants more volume. However, I found that it can clump quite easily--especially when you want to build it up, so you should be careful when applying.

As for the 24HR guarantee, I can say that it does stay true to that. It is SO hard to remove, and the next day I'd still find some residue on my eyelashes. Personally, I don't really like that type of mascara-I do like to have all my makeup off at night. But if you don't want to fret about your mascara smudging or coming off and you want long-lasting, then this product is definitely a go for you. Overall not a terrible mascara, but other than the 24HR guarantee, it is not too extraordinary.

*Disclamer: I am not sponsored, these opinions are my own*