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Thursday, November 24, 2016

"Basket Cases of Ingratitude"

To celebrate today’s holiday Rachel DiCarlo Currie of the Independent Women’s Forum brings us a transcript of some remarks that William F. Buckley made about gratitude in 1988.

Buckley explains that we, American citizens, owe our forebears a debt of gratitude.  They have bequeathed us a great nation. And they have also bequeathed us a great civilization. Buckley adds that we can never repay the debt.

And yet, he intimates that we are stewards of the gifts that we have received from previous generations, so the best we can do is to cultivate them and pass them on to the next generations.

Buckley begins with some thoughts about our patrimony. Those who do not appreciate what our ancestors have given us form what he calls “basket cases of ingratitude:”

Our offense, however — the near universal offense, remarked on by the Ortega y Gasset as the fingerprint of the masses in revolt — is that of the Westerner, rich or poor, learned or ignorant, who accepts without any thought the patrimony we all enjoy, those of us who live in the Free World. We are left with the numbing, benumbing thought that we owe nothing to Plato and Aristotle, nothing to the prophets who wrote the Bible, nothing to the generations who fought for freedoms activated by the Bill of Rights. We are basket cases of ingratitude, so many of us. We cannot hope to repay in kind what Socrates gave us, but to live without any sense of obligation to those who made possible lives as tolerable as ours, within the frame of the human predicament God imposed on us — without any sense of gratitude to our parents, who suffered to raise us; to our teachers, who labored to teach us; to the scientists, who prolonged the lives of our children when disease struck them down — is spiritually atrophying.

Buckley then calls for a “rebirth of gratitude,” a new appreciation of the achievements of those who came before us. It might even include a reflection on what our lives would be like if we had been born at another time in another place:

To fail to experience gratitude when walking through the corridors of the Metropolitan Museum, when listening to the music of Bach or Beethoven, when exercising our freedom to speak ... is to fail to recognize how much we have received from the great wellsprings of human talent and concern that gave us Shakespeare, Abraham, Lincoln, Mark Twain, our parents, our friends, and, yes, the old lady in Stratford. We need a rebirth of gratitude for those who have cared for us, living and, mostly, dead. The high moments of our way of life are their gifts to us. We must remember them in our thoughts and prayers; and in our deeds.

Speaking of “basket cases of ingratitude” yesterday brought us news of Yale undergraduate English majors who wrote an open letter to their department demanding that the curriculum stop teaching so many straight white males. You know, like Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer, George Eliot,  Dickens and Henry James.

The students wrote a manifesto:

We oppose the continued existence of the Major English Poets sequence as the primary prerequisite for further study. It is unacceptable that a Yale student considering studying English literature might read only white male authors. A year spent around a seminar table where the literary contributions of women, people of color, and queer folk are absent actively harms all students, regardless of their identity.

To have the opportunity to study the great writers of the English literature at a place like Yale and then to complain because there is not enough diversity tells us that these young people lack character. At the least.

One hesitates even to address their puerile rantings, but one must mention that every serious English literature curriculum includes Jane Austen, George Eliot and Virginia Woolf. And how could these idiots have forgotten that Henry James was gay and that Shakespeare wrote his sonnets for a male lover.

Apparently, they have learned nothing at Yale… except how to whine and complain. And they do not care that they have learned nothing about English literature. They refuse to take the opportunity to learn about how to communicate, how to use language or how to tell stories. Explain to me how they got into Yale. Explain to them that these puerile rants devalue the degree that they are pursuing.

As one might expect, being adolescents they are insolent. They end their letter with these words:

It is your responsibility as educators to listen to student voices. We have spoken. We are speaking. Pay attention.

These delicate snowflakes have closed their minds to anything that does not echo their beliefs. They reject the greatest achievements of English literature because they do not want to see themselves as loyal Americans or as recipients of what their ancestors have created. They do not want to see themselves as part of the Anglosphere—which they believe to be a hegemonic, colonialist, imperialist, capitalist vast right wing conspiracy.

They insist, instead, on living in an echo chamber where they only hear things that sustain their own identities as members of an aggrieved group.It's a form of tribalism, verging on pagan idolatry.

They refuse to learn and might be incapable of learning. They are only willing to be coddled and to have their ignorance recognized as an achievement.

Katy Waldman took out after these youngsters in Slate:

For all the ways in which their particular identities shaped their work, these writers tried to represent the entire human condition, not just their clan. A great artist possesses both empathy and imagination: Many of Shakespeare’s female characters are as complexly nuanced as any in circulation today, Othello takes on racial prejudice directly, and Twelfth Night contains enough gender-bending identity shenanigans to fuel multiple drag shows and occupy legions of queer scholars. The “stay in your lane” mentality that seems to undergird so much progressive discourse—only polyamorous green people really “get” the “polyamorous green experience,” and therefore only polyamorous greens should read and write about polyamorous greens, say—ignores our common humanity.

Buckley would want us to add a slight correction to Waldman’s fine argument. It’s not so much humanity as our civilization itself that is being ignored and repudiated. Basket cases of ingratitude… is a nice way to put it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trigger Warning said...

Thought for the day:

What if all you had today was what you remembered to thank God for yesterday?
--- My Wife

Anonymous said...

If they hate Eurocentrism and Anglocentrism, why are they taking ENGLISH LITERATURE courses?

Why not study Urdu or Swahili and study their works instead?

Anonymous said...

SLATE and other such web-zines promoted radical identity politics for a long time.

They have no right to complain.

AesopFan said...

Anonymous said...
If they hate Eurocentrism and Anglocentrism, why are they taking ENGLISH LITERATURE courses?

Why not study Urdu or Swahili and study their works instead?

November 24, 2016 at 9:39 AM

The agenda is not about the curriculum; it is about power.

* * *
"One hesitates even to address their puerile rantings, but one must mention that every serious English literature curriculum includes Jane Austen, George Eliot and Virginia Woolf. And how could these idiots have forgotten that Henry James was gay and that Shakespeare wrote his sonnets for a male lover."
For the further benefit of the Yalees, George Eliot was biologically female, back when transgenderism was only a quaint eccentricity rather than an excuse to burn down offending bathrooms.

Whereas I might be excused for my ignorance regarding James and Shakespeare, who had not been "outed" when I took English Lit decades ago, the only legitimate reason for removing James from the list is his insufferable classism and stultifyingly boring prose.

Ares Olympus said...

Gratitude is a vital quality for life satifaction. I have wondered at time, when I've seen someone who seems to complain excessively, while their personal plight might be considered mild compared to many others, whether gratitude would help them.

Myself, I hope I've been sufficiently grateful, but when I've asked myself, I've seen guilt tag along, sort of like when your mother mentioned starving Chinese children as a reason you should really eat those mushy peas. Do we really need to be grateful for canned peas? But yes, even peas.

And wider, when I've asked myself if I'm worthy of what I've received, and of course the answer has to be no. Surely no one can be worthy of all the gifts they've received in 20 some years of growing up and all the dozens and even hundred of adults who made a mark on each of us as we grew, and then the entire modern culture of millions and billions of people, with modern technology that allows many of us to have more power at our finger tips than kings just a century ago. How does any person handle such power responsibly, and not take it all for granted?

But back to guilt, perhaps we do need to consider that further. Obviously gratitude alone isn't sufficient to convince us all to help continue this grand experiment called civilization, at least in a world of 7 billion people, it does seem like we've taken our religious charge to "be fruitful and multiply" and now many of us do not have a moral mandate to reproduce, and perhaps there are other mandates we've neglected, ones that see stewardship on the earth is more than just exponential growth, and slowly choking out all life that gets in our way, or isn't useful to us, and its hard to see how it all ends.

I appreciate E.F. Schumacher's perspective, that says humanity hasn't yet solved the problem of production, and that we've instead simply learned to reduce everything in nature into fundamental components, so now farming is reduced to fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers, and we can grow all the food we need, and transport it across the whole world. But because of our cheap fossil fuels, we've become dependent upon them, and no longer know how to feed ourselves without them. And if you're include to believe in the greenhouse effect, accumulated atmospheric CO2 may heat up our world beyond what can sustain 7 billion people, so that's a scary unknown. And now we have a president who wants to expand coal production and mountain top removal, so we can keep the game going at least one more generation, but still there has to be an end here. One-time inheritances don't come back when you burn them.

So where should young people's gratitude be held, in all the unearned material abundance they've been given for a few generations, or in a natural world that has sustained life on earth for millions of years? Where should their loyalty lie? And that's where guilt comes back - what if Today's youth are fearful that the world given to them is only an illusion of stealing millions of years of solar energy in a few decades?

Should they feel guilty at having so much, or guilty that they can't promise the same gifts to their children or grandchildren? And does gratitude help them out of that predicament?

If they accept the sweet dreams of their parents, who say it all can go on forever, if they just work hard enough, when should they question this vision? What signs are big enough that mere gratitude no longer suffices?

Ares Olympus said...

I'm not a twitter user, but someone shared this Thanksgiving wish from President-Elect Trump, and it confused me greatly, until finally I saw it was dated 2012.
@realDonaldTrump 4:23 PM - 24 Nov 2012 - Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. But get ready, our country is in big trouble!

So 4 years ago Donald was concerned about our future, his gut told him, while now 4 years later, with Trump heading towards winning the Electoral college on December 19, a large number of American guts have has the same message in our concern about his punch-down sort of leadership.

I think Donald Trump has put some sort of fear of God into many agnostics and unbelievers, but maybe it was just fair play with those already in their own fear for an uncertain and worsening future.

We all can hope someone higher up is in charge, rather than our guts, however much guts appreciate a good Thanksgiving meal.

And I can be thankful Trump won in 2016, since I was sure the Republicans would pick someone even more unfit in 2020. Maybe now we have a real experiment to test the new republican revolution. I'd never pick this experiment, but here we are.

Anonymous said...

Ares: "I'm not a twitter user,"

Maybe you should start so you won't have so much time to comment here. Twitter needs you.


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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Giveaway Drawing Time!

Hello, all. It's time to draw a winner for the Adventure Awaits giveaway.

So, here's the deal. I got so many great responses and follows that I decided to do the 1st giveaway as planned, with the print and the notebook, and then to do a 2nd bonus giveaway for another print! Woot!

Thanks to everyone who participated. I've had fun connecting with you! And thanks so much for all of the book and music recommendations. If you're like me and needed these, you should seriously go back and read the comments on the giveaway post. So many fun suggestions! You can follow me on Goodreads (link to the right) if you'd like to trade book ideas in the future.

That being said, on to the winners! Yay!

drum roll, please....

seriously, here's a guy doing a drum roll if you want to amp up the suspense...

I'll be sending you messages shortly to get your addresses. :-)
Thanks again all, and have a great week!

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Posted on

Air Jordan Future Infrared + AJ1KO High OG

We at Studiiyo23 feel very fortunate to be one of the few lucky retailers carrying the all new Jordan Future Premier this upcoming weekend. We’ll be stocking the Black/Infrared colorway of this new model which will retail for $185. We will be releasing the shoes on a first come, first serve basis at 10am sharp. Also […]


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Monday, July 19, 2010

Ok - I have to go back to work

Dinner is over and this is MY time - going back to the studio to play - uh - work.  But first, a few pix from today.  Casey worked on paper today - thickened dye deconstructed and drop-dead gorgeous series.
Here are only a couple. There are many more...yum!

Kate printed some cool fabrics today and I covet one of them - but oh, well. Can you guess which one?

Suzanne was so excited to print that she was in the studio before breakfast!
Calli did some really layered prints and here's one I captured today.  The second layer really made a difference.
This is a work in progress - can this fabric can be saved?
Maybe we'll know tomorrow.

Dianne Hricko said...

Looks like a great group... how many students. We are 16-or 17 marbling away. Lots of fun.

Jeanette said...

What fun. Wish you were here!

Eva said...

Guess it was the black and white one with the slight yellow tint, no.5!

Anonymous said...

What Gorgeous stuff! And knowing how much fun Rayna's classes are, I"M SO ENVIOUS! Can't wait to see more! And photos of artists! Want to know if I know anyone there! Nosy Debbie Bein

Sujatha said...

Gorgeous!! Do you covet the third one??? Thickened dye...sounds fun...when do you plan a work shop for your NJ followers???

patty a. said...

I wish I could take a class on this technique. I am just in awe of what you are showing. I have your book, so I guess I am going to have to re-read it again and see if I can put two and two together.


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Archive for the ‘hair cut’ Category

Back Where I Started

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

After five months in Australia, one week in Missourri, and another three weeks hanging out with Ryan I now find myself right back where I started, in my apartment in Fredericksburg. It was here that I first hatched the plan to go abroad over a year ago, and from the desk I am currently sitting at that I filled out and filed all the necessary paper work that enabled me to travel all those thousands of miles away.

Since being back at school almost everyone who I have run into me has asked me about my time in Australia. I have run into people who I wasn’t even that close with who have made comments to me about my blog and how much they enjoyed following it, and I have been surprised, bashful, and flattered every time I have encountered this.

The study abroad office here at Mary Washington encourages those of us who have already studied abroad to take an active role in promoting the studying abroad program. To this end they put out an email advertising two opportunities to do so early this semester. They held a study abroad photo contest asking for photo submissions from student’s time abroad. Each student was allowed to submit up to three high resolution photos, and ten winning photos were to be selected and then printed on canvas, framed, and given a permanent home hanging in the study abroad office. I submitted three photos, two from my trip to Thailand and one from Sydney. Much to my surprise two of my photographs were selected among the ten winning images! Ironically neither of them were taken in Australia.

Me and my kitty friend La La will forever hang in the Study Abroad office

Monks praying, forever in the study abroad office

Even with the promise of having my face forever hung in the study abroad office, they just couldn’t get enough of me, and after seeing a small sampling of my photos, I was asked to sit on a study abroad panel discussion for the first UMW discovery day in September. Since I was already going to be there giving a tour for the Washington Guides, I figured why not. The panel ended up being me, a male senior who had just returned from being in China, and a friend of mine Sara, who had done a faculty led summer program in Italy. Out of the three of us I was the only one who had kept a blog, so I put my blog up in the background on the projector and scrolled through all my images for an hour while we took turns talking about studying abroad and how to go about it. At the end of the presentation a high school senior from Fairfax County came up to me and told me that she was very interested in going to Australia to study government. I almost laughed in her face, because the ideal place to do that would be Canberra, but as that is also a location I wouldn’t wish upon my fiercest of enemies, I cautioned her against it. I ended up chatting with her for a good twenty minutes after the panel discussion was over and she asked me all sorts of questions about flights, transferring credits, places to go in Australia, and how to do it all on the administrative end. I ended up giving her my phone number, email address, and the name of Bill Bryson’s book on Australia so she could be sure and understand the horrors of Canberra before she committed to going there.

In addition to becoming the poster child for studying abroad at UMW, I have also been killing myself trying to graduate early by taking 18 credits this semester in addition to working a job part time at a restaurant downtown to repair some of the damage that Australia did to my bank account. I have been doing all of this with about five inches less of hair.

Right before coming back to school I decided I needed a change. So, the Friday morning before Hurricane Irene hit I went and got my hair cut by a woman named Irene, whose birthday was that day. Hows that for a coincidence?

So the plan for now is to survive this semester, get an internship for next semester, graduate in may, and get on with my adult life. (which will probably involve moving back home, such is the state of the economy these days) I’ve started looking into programs where I could go abroad again to a spanish speaking country and teach English for a year or so if I can’t find a decent job in the US. I might even end up chasing my boyfriend ( I will never get used to using that word) somewhere as his career moves him around. Who knows?

As this is my 89th blog entry I think I am going to say that this venture in blogging is officially finished. What started as a way to keep my mom informed of what I was up to while I was half a world away, ended up becoming a passion of mine and a scrapbook of my adventures abroad. I never intended for it to be widely read by my friends, or for anyone to discover that I am an atrocious speller, often hopeless at punctuating, and occasionally funny, but this happened anyway, and I was pleasantly surprised that it did. While I probably won’t post again on this blog space, I hope to have another blog in the future when something more interesting than working every weekend and reading english literature till my eyeballs roll out of my head is going on in my life.

I would like to thank everyone who ever took the time to skim one of my incredibly verbose ramblings for stopping by and allowing me to share my experience with them. I had a blast living this experience and writing about it, and despite the occasionally misspelled word I hope you have enjoyed reading.

Thanks and g’day.


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Thursday, May 02, 2013

What Are We Doing at RT? The Tyson Clabo Report

Now that the smoke has cleared from the draft weekend, we believe that the Cowboys are doing what they claimed they would be doing this week: Trying to sort through their right tackle situation.

This is clearly difficult when your stated objectives seem to be to handle it at a really cheap price, given the lack of cap room this year, but more importantly are the cap issues that lie ahead after the 2013 season.  This limits the Cowboys to a series of 1-year solutions at right tackle, and frankly, when those are the parameters of your search, your options all have flaws or issues.

The least difficult solution at right tackle is to go back to the Doug Free well.  The reason that this is easy is obviously because he is already under contract, is likely to agree to a pay cut, and you are familiar with his realities.  Of course, you are also familiar with the fact that he led all NFL tackles with 15 penalties and conceded 6 sacks, 4 hits, and 41 QB hurries in 2012.

On the other hand, Free did finish 2012 with 3 consecutive games of very solid play as games against the Steelers, Saints, and Redskins all were almost completely clean from just about every perspective.  Free seldom struggles in the running game, so all of his issues start with his feet and his difficulty in closing the edge off on pass rush.  Even the penalties start there as he is usually cheating the snap and trying to get an extra step against pass rushers so he false starts.

Free is 29 and expensive, but I assume the Cowboys can give him a rather large hair-cut and he will accept it because this is no time to be looking for a job.  In fact, the timing of this couldn't not be better from that perspective if you are the Cowboys.  Eric Winston and Tyson Clabo have been free agents for a month now, and since they have both gone unsigned, you can see how Free must be doing the math in his head.  Here, if he takes a pay cut, you would assume RT would be his job to lose.  On the street, he is looking at a minimum deal and a chance to compete for a job after June 1.  He really is in a bind and the Cowboys can use that against him to a point.

However, let's say they are determined to "fix" this spot and really improve the offensive line with the additions of Travis Frederick and a new Right Tackle who can give them strong play.  I confess that they would really fix their issues offensively if Free and center were suddenly upgraded.

And that leads us to Winston and Clabo.  After talking with a few people in NFL Personnel, the discussion rather quickly dismisses Winston as an upgrade.  One simply said, "That wouldn't be an upgrade at all."  It wasn't long ago that Eric Winston was thought of as solid down in Houston, but the feeling in the league right now is that he would be a solid backup option.

So, to Tyson Clabo, where there the word is not as unkind.  I decided to break down his last 2 games for the Falcons and then an overview of his year in Atlanta before they released him on April 4 as a June 1-cut designation.

Before 2011, Clabo was given a 5-year deal for $25 million with $11.5m guaranteed.  The base salaries were low in 2011 and 2012, but from 2013-2015, they would head north to $4.5m per.  The Falcons are, of course, a team that is constructed in a way where they are young and building.  One of the byproducts of that is needing to put some big numbers on "QB1" Matt Ryan, and to do that, they need cap space.  With Clabo 31 years old, they see him as a replaceable veteran with 2 former 3rd Round picks ready to battle it out to play RT for the Falcons in 2013 at a significantly cheaper price.

But, in looking at Clabo from a Cowboys perspective, the questions are as follows:

1) - Is he an upgrade from Doug Free

Yes.  I think he has shown that he is a very good pass protector on the edge.  He had a disaster game against Carolina in Week 4 when Charles Johnson ate him for dinner (3 sacks against Clabo, 4 sacks in the game) but after that Clabo is not debited with a single sack against for the rest of the year.  In the running game, he might be slightly less that Free as far as running to space, but in the zone blocking scheme, he is fine on play-side and on the back-side his expertise in the cut block has landed him on the NFL's "dirtiest players" lists several times for chopping linemen down.

He played both Seattle and San Francisco in the playoffs last January and both of those sides can really stress you with their pass rushes.  He was absolutely fine in both games against the edge rushing, so much so that in many cases, they attacked elsewhere on the line and only half-heartedly attacked Clabo.  Ray McDonald did have a strength advantage against Clabo on a few plays - mostly on the run - but, that is a very large and strong player who will do that against most challengers.

Clabo seldom had help and seldom needed it (he committed just 5 penalties in 2012).  He really looked strong in all of his pass protection sets and was giving the Falcons plenty to help hold up Ryan's strong side.  I think he would be a tremendous upgrade from Free for a team that wants to pass 40 times a game.  He will give up some pressure on occasion, but most weeks, he gave the Falcons plenty of protection on the right flank.

2) - Is he a candidate for a 1-year, $3m or $4m deal?

I kind of doubt it.  And this is the tug-o-war that is going on with Clabo and his suitors.  I am sure he thinks he is worth a multiple year deal at his going rate (say, 3-years /$15 million) and teams around the league all have tackles and/or cap issues.  Once you sort through and find teams with both a need a tackle and cap room, your options are limited as a player - even one who has been to many pro bowls and has played well for 8 years on a playoff team.

But, I assume there is a happy medium and it looks like Miami is knocking on his door pretty hard.  They might be playing the same game by using Winston and Clabo (and Bryant McKinnie) all against each-other in a game of poker to see who will take the least years and the least money.  Miami also needs a tackle after losing Jake Long to St Louis this year and needing another starting tackle, too.

The Cowboys absolutely want a 1-year deal with Clabo, I suspect.  There is no doubt that his camp is holding on to the idea that he has earned more than that.  He is an upgrade from Free, but given the storm clouds of cap issues hitting them again next winter, I figure they want to use their cap surplus that they currently have (almost $5m after the Romo deal) but not dip into 2014 funds if possible.

If it is an issue of upgrading this OL, then I think you go get Tyson Clabo on a deal if you can get a 1-year deal or a multiple year deal with limited money guaranteed in year 2 or year 3.  But, football issues are always balanced against cap issues, and that is why we know the Cowboys will be careful not to get crazy.  Miami controls this game with their money, and if they bid too high on Clabo, expect Free to be your right tackle in 2013.

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Lectio and Conversion

A reflection by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB.

I was reading the other day a book that was talking about how God's Word is ever fruitful. He spreads it to everybody, but it's our duty to be open. It's our duty to be the good soil that helps it to bear fruit. And God will ever give it to us. The power of Lectio Divina. I think that really is the central part of our conversion as Benedictine Nuns.

The reason why scripture so often hold healing is because it so often holds the human condition. We see ourselves in the people presented to us in the Bible. And every time we read the same story, we can see ourselves in something different because we are at a different place each time. Lectio really uncovers the depths of our own being and God's love for us. How do we react when God pours His love on us and we feel like we have nothing to give? Do we simply accept that we're totally loved and rejoice? God gives us confidence and we have to be confident in His ability to change within us what needs healing. I think that's the power of it all. That's why it's so important to use the Word of God. His power is in that Word to bring all that is necessary to help us to constantly convert to the truth of who we are. God is calling us to the holiness within us.

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Thursday, June 25, 2015

No Greater Service

A reflection by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB

It seems to me that people who pursue God faithfully have their priorities straight.  Consider St. Paul: his priorities are quite straight.  For him, it is always Christ.  He does everything to serve the people.

Now being wayward people we are always fluctuating.  We will have some days when we are more fervent than others.  We will have times during which we may not be as Christian as we want to be.  But God always sends someone our way to encourage us; He believes in us.  There is nothing God wants more than to encourage us in the ways that we will fulfill, most perfectly, the image of Christ within us.  We should strive for that at all times, but don’t be surprised when things don’t go perfectly.  That is the lot of man.

In our constant pursuit of this image of Christ within, we will always be rearranging our priorities to keep God in the first place.   Prayer, too, must have its priority in our life.  All the rest will settle like the dust.

We carry responsibilities in community in the name of God.  That means when we pursue our responsibilities we also pursue God.  When we embrace what has been given to us to serve the community, whatever it may be – sweeping the hall, doing the dishes, serving the guests, feeding the cattle, pulling weeds – we do it in the name of God.  Only God knows the value of each one.  It has nothing to do with the work itself but everything to do with the intention.  Everything done well and for the glory of God has the highest value.  Our responsibilities may change over time but we must always be growing in the way in which we do them:  from the heart.  When we fulfill our responsibilities for the love of God we will be filled with peace and joy.

At the end of his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul says, “Because I do not love you?  God knows, I do.”  What a wonderful way to end everything!  “God knows, I do.”  Carry this with you in whatever you do.  Do it for love.  There is no greater service.   If we do everything out of love, we will shine with the glory of God and our priorities will be straight.


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Ditch The Weave, Please! 10 Celebs Who Look Better with Short Hair

Ditch The Weave, Please! 10 Celebs Who Look Better with Short Hair

With stylist at their beck and call and disposable incomes to pull hair swithcheroos whenever they’re good and ready, celebs change hairstyles quicker than models change clothes. And although long strands tend to bring out our favorite stars’ inner bombshell, clean cropped ‘dos are a much more attractive option for some. Here are 10 leading ladies that we prefer with short hair…

1. Kelly Rowland

If Miss Kelly ain’t the poster child for pixie cut cuties, then who else is? Sure the singer can rock longer locks, but for a while there we were worried about the slew of bad lace front wigs that we practically begged her to come back to the short side. A face like hers needs to be seen!

2. Toni Braxton

It’s not so much that Toni doesn’t look sizzling hot with waist length hair, it’s just that we know her best with a close crop. Plus look at those cheekbones. They’re dying to be seen!

3. Solange Knowles

We love our Sol Angel, but wouldn’t you agree it’s like she came to life when she chopped off her tresses in exchange for a TWA? Her outfits and makeup definitely popped more and the singer/DJ definitely started receiving more accolades for her style after the cut.

4. Chrisette Michelle

Obviously she has the same buttery smooth soulful voice whether short or long, but we definitely connect more with the singer’s close coils and spicy flipped short ‘dos.

5. Selita Ebanks

Gosh, this woman is beautiful. She could shave her head like G.I. Jane or rock a big Nicki Minaj wig and she’d still be a hot chick, but we definitely like our Selitta short.

6. Rihanna

The woman of many, many hairstyles and yet we still love the way a boy cut looks on the Bajan popstar.

7. Keri Hilson

Though the brunt of many jokes around the internet, there’s no denying that this pretty girl rocks better with short hair.

8. NeNe Leakes

Long hair seems to hide that fiery personality of Linnethia’s. With her baby doll eyes and fierce brows, we can’t see this Real Housewife of Atlanta any other way but short.

9. Kandi Burruss

It’s not that we hate Kandi with flowing tresses, it’s just that the singer/songwriter definitely rocks ear length and shorter looks like no other.

10. Amber Rose

 They say “long hair don’t care”, but when it comes to Amber, it’s “no hair don’t care”. The brazen beauty was born for a buzz-cut! All long hair does is block all her fierceness.

StyleBlazers, you agree? Should these celebs ditch the weave and embrace the cropped?

Danielle Gray

  • ooj

    Suprise Halle Berry didnt make the list

    • just sayin

      She should have. Long hair looks terrible on Halle!!!!!

      • Jeremy

        Umm no, she is much hotter with longer hair, just like eveyrone else.

    • Samantha

      I agree. Halle is gorgeous, especially with short hair.

  • Nujarulz

    i really don’t understand why a majority of black female celebrities wear fake hair. are they afraid of their own hair? i have a 5 year old daughter and i don’t want her to think thats the norm, but every time i turn on the television or go to a website that is what i see…

    • Nat

       we live in a world where “mainstream” america cannot handle the versatility of Black female hair.  try going natural in a law firm, or corporate america, or even on CNN.  we need to challenge these “norms” of eurocentric hair, so that children of color realize how gorgeous their natural hair and beauty really is and don’t grow up in a world that penalizes them for being real and gorgeous. i believe we’re getting there. or at least i hope.

      • Littlbyt10

         Very well said. I agree that we are getting there, as more black women realize that they do not need to wear other people’s hair to look beautiful.God gave us this texture hair  because of who we are .I say wear it with pride.Love yourselves ladies.You are all beautiful.

    • Lovergirl

       so just cause an article tells you all these women are wearing weaves you believe them and make such a dumb statement??

      Not all of them wear weaves! the author is an idiot. and even if they did theyre celebrities they are constantly being judge by media and have to make appearances all the time so maybe they dont have 5 hours in a day to be redoing their hair all the time so chose an easier tamable hair style like used in a weave..

  • So_What

    overall, i think that they ALL look great either way.  but i must say, that the choice of color should have been in question regarding this article.

    i love Kandi’s short cut the best.

  • CriticXtreme

    Please ditch the weaves!!! It makes many of you look like animals, it smells and starts you going bald. If you want to be taken seriously, be real and natural. And I’m not talking that stereotype Side Show Bob look that the media says every black woman has. Some of you look so beautiful when you’re sporting a nicely groomed, without a million colors, TWA.

  • Livingdreamentertainment

    Had to be a woman who wrote this…NONE of these women look better with short hair no matter how you analize it. Hair helps, cutting it off makes you look lazy, like you too lazy to wash, curl and take care of hair. Just my opinion. But, really, none of them look better with short hair….

    • Nat

       are you serious?  please tell me Amber Rose looked better with hair!  seriously!  Most of them looked good with both long and short.  some MUCH better with short.  it’s so liberating.  you’re just seeing the message you want.  it also says “i’m a strong and confident woman who does not need to hide this beauty behind layers of hair”

    • Allie

      Let me educate you a little bit if I may when it comes to shorter hair, being a female who has short hair, short hair still requires a lot of maintenance, cutting your hair does not in any show that you’re lazy, and in my opinion all of the women featured looked great with shorter hair, just because your not able to pull it off yourself, doesn’t mean you have to come on here spouting ignorance about a topic which you obviously know nothing about

    • mybiz

      With that logic long hair is lazy, you just wash it and put it in a ponytail. Get real, I’ve had both, naturally and they both have their perks.

    • Ladylub23

      I’ve never had short hair. I’ve been a hairstylist for 8 years and let me to u…short hair requires a lot of maintenance. My long hair doesn’t.

    • Jen

      Why does it make you look lazy?  If you weren’t born with long hair what other choice do you have?  A weave or lace front wig?  Why, to eventually damaged what hair you may have left?  Just asking.

    • lillyputt

      You must be male.  All females know it takes much more effort to live with short hair.  Long hair you can just toss in a pony and go.

  • fashionoutlier

    Anyone can go out and buy long hair, but not everyone can pull of a short ‘do. Loved the article!

    I think that as soon as we [black women] start accepting the fact that we are beautiful with what we are born with, no matter our hair length or texture, then society will follow suit and we won’t be forced to conform with long, off-colored weaves just to feel like we’re being given a fair shot.

  • jusmedlin

    lovin Toni’s hair!!!!

  • Chebrown55

    Its a shame how ignorant people are to think that only black women are wearing weaves. And men who say they dont like weaves are lying. Get educated.

    • Dolly Darling

      What is interesting is this article left out all of the non blacks that rock weaves:
      The Kardashians, Charlize Theron, JLo, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, to name a few…..

      • vonmiwi culvero

        Yeah and their hair grows straight from their scalps and not in coils. Get real!

    • Resignleonitus.

      Who told u that lie? No self respecting man likes a fake woman with fake hair. If u cant love yourself as you are without fake hair, why should i love you at all?

      • kat

        I don’t think that it’d that they don’t love themselves, sir. They like what it looks like and they do it forbthen. Not you. And all of you guys saying that all guys hate weaves are wrong. Different people have different opinions. Some like them, some dont. And realizing that males you an adult. Grow up, people.

  • NegRican24

    I think they are all nice looking women and the ones that SHOULD stick with short at ALL times are Amber, Ne Ne, Toni, and  Khandi.

  • Gmarie

    sorry but I hated kandi’s short hair style. not even that it was short, just that whole woody woodpecker thing was unbecoming. and tbh I think longer hair softens her face up a bit more.

  • Jen

    Maybe I should cut my hair…sigh!

  • Sabbyt2003

    Selita, Kerri,and Chrissette look much more wholesome with the longer dark hair, Toni too. The Blonde alternatives make them look like they sell tail. NeNe looks better with the short colored hair. Rhianna’s wig put her in that category as well.

  • Shae M.

    Lol @ “Ditch the weave”. Some women that wear their hair in a short style STILL wear pieces in their hair (usually for texture, fullness, and/or color). I think short hair looks great on a woman! It takes confidence to rock your hair out of your face.

  • nene needs to stick with tht short hair.. make her look a lil better

    • mrslynndavis

      why would you say that about another women? A women you don’t know. I thinks she’s a very majestic, tall, bevy of a woman and that’s the reason you women have so many unnecessary things to say about her. If i knew her in person, i would love to hang out with her and all her gorgeousness. Do you think she would automaticly just start putting down your looks? Some food for thought!

  • nene needs to stick to the shot hair, kinda let her look a lil better. short hair for you amber..

  • Londonner

    Really? Why do all the comments have to be about ‘blackness’ and ‘being yourself’ – How far would you prefer it to be taken? no relaxer? (because none of the above seemed to have ‘natural’ hair except maybe Amber) No coloring? (most of the above had colors in there) No Make-up? No blowdrying? It’s fashion plain and simple, people, and it only becomes an issue by people making it an issue – I hate a bad weave just as much as the next person, but if you get your weave done properly and maintain it well, it wont stink or make you bald. Black women should be able to wear their hair any way they want to – just like white women are (Who weave, straighten. curly-perm, and colour their hair just as much) – without being judged for it…

    • rae

      I agree women of color should be able to choose what pleases them, not what other people think..We are the only people judged for choosing to be different

    • Why do people have to pull out the race card. Ugh. SO ANNOYING.

  • Harey33

    What about Halle?

  • Dest

    Rihanna , amber rose in this article look the best with short hair to me

  • Dest

    I so agree!

  • Pukah_j

    I think the majority of them look better with long hair.  The only exceptions I would make are Rihanna and NeNe Leakes–they need short hair.  Kandi Burruss looks great with short hair, but she also looks beautiful with long hair.  Amber Rose is another one that I think looks good either way–the only thing I don’t like about her long hair look is the over done fake bake (too tan).  Just my opinion.  They are all beautiful women, though!  =)

  • shakeymae

    I love Amber Rose. She’s stunning but more so with her signature buzz cut. It allows her sweetness to shine through.

  • Satindoll36

    nope! not all these women look good with shorter hair for one reason or another. Solange, Amber and Nene really stood out as “shorties.” But Toni Braxton needs some hair on that tranny face.

  • guest

    how can you judge an entire race’s appearance as a whole like that? that doesn’t make any sense. many women of any race can pull off short hair.

  • Mr Steve

    I could not disagree more with this article..They all look better with long hair.. I thought this was a joke but after seeing the entire run down I see someone is serious.. I think they should have allowed the people to vote I think that the person who wrote this and collected the pictures is completely wrong.. The long hair looks better on all of them

  • Halle Berry? Meagan Goode?

  • Odori_chan

    Seriously?  You’ve GOT to be kidding.  Every single one of these women looked MUCH better with long hair.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if whoever put this spread together really thinks these celebs look better in the short hair pictures, (s)he’s either from another planet, is smoking something strange, or has some kind of wierd short-hair fetish. 😛

  • Witt_woody

    Each and everyone of them look far better in the long hair pictures, sorry but most women look like boys with short hair…….. and to the dude crying racism above, nowadays almost every white American has someone black in their lineage, and almost every black in american has someone white in their heritage… bottom line, no black no white no yellow, we’re all human, and unless your 100+ years old STFU about slavery, none of us were part of it and only the most ignorant support the idea of it.

  • Wayne

    All these women are beautiful and with the short hair the focus is on their face.
    The problem with these weaves/wigs is that they are all styled and look the same way. It’s just unappealing to have everyone from baby sister to prostitute look the same. They are distracting. You can see the humps,new growth,texture/color not matching, parted in same fashion and just the fact when you look at it ,you know it’s not real. Black or white, they are not appealing.

  • brilliantmind

    Who the Heck is Nene??? She is certainly NOT a “celeb”. Besides that she is fugly as they come, with or without store bought “hair”. The sooner everyone stops watching these “Housewives” shows and listening to these women them when they tell everybody they are “celebrities”, the sooner they will ALL go back to the rocks they came out from.

    • mrslynndavis

      i sense a little shade. next time write your thoughts down before you type them, so that we all can read what you’re trying to say. STOP HATING HATER!

  • troycustominc productions

    what about beyonce wonder what she looks like without the fake hair………..

  • katitia

    I think that if you are constantly required to have a different look like most celebs do,they should let THEIR hair stay in the natural state they were born with and wear colored wigs or longer wigs for length and style and when theyr’e not enteratining “between gigs”,during the “private time” , they should take off the wigs and just be natural and they would be able to let their hair grow if they would choose or be short and natural. I say this because that is what I am doing,I wear wigs if I want blonde,red or any color and I wear my real hair natural,it is getting long now. If one wants to wear extensions or relaxers that is their preference to each His or Her own and also noone has mentioned how many men(yes men of all races) in the industry color their hair,perm/relax,wear wigs,extensions, braided extensions and dredlock extensions.

  • ThomasM195

    NONE of these women look better with short hair. These people are INSANE!

  • You have to have long blonde hair if you live in Hollyweird (is an unwritten law that when you move to Hollyweird you have to bleach your hair)
    Personally, I don’t like it when women (“colored” or “white”) who look beautiful with dark hair bleach their hair to fit the “Hollywood standard”

  • Elemdub

    Ummm…to the author, editor, whomever, just because the women are wearing shorter hair does NOT mean they do not have weave. IJS

  • elle

    I agree with elemdub… and ALSO just because their hair is LONG does not mean it IS weave… like solanges hair. It’s disturbing to me that someone, somewhere wrote this with really no more than their imaginations. Short hair can be weave, and contrary to popular belief..black women CAN grow their hair out…I found that this article was more an issue of race… After all… kim kardashian, britney spears, and also SO many olderrr.. caucasian women… also have weaves/hair extensions – EITHER WAY you cant put your fingers to the scalp, I’m assuming (I’ve never had either)… so why aren’t their any white women. I’m mixed personally… but its disturbing me greatly.. so… hm. depressing.

  • ur an idiot

    you can.. TAN though right?… you dont.. feel like you HAVE to…you dont feel like you put on NEW skin do you?…. shut…up… if you’re gonna CRY ignorance.. THINK IT… THROUGH… see that? the dot dots.. gave me a chance to think.. and I still THINK.. you’re ENTITLED sounding. “WAH”

  • don’t hate

    toni braxton looks GREAT with long hair! i couldn’t criticize her glamour look one bit.

    but amber rose needs to stick with short hair. i love long hair, but somehow it just doesn’t look good on her. which is weird b/c she’s a beautiful woman.

  • Beth

    Toni braxton has had some work done….

  • The only one that looked better was Rihanna, Keri Hilson didn’t “lose the weave” she colored her hair or added a weave. Seriously, you guys couldn’t be more wrong. Kandi Burruss looks like someone took a hatchett to her hair, hideous. I think it’s Amber Rose’s lips she looks better without.

  • Jihan

    Sad. But true

  • Almost ALL of these look better with the long hair. Seriously. Except for Amber Rose and Rhianna. Kandi looks like someone took some bad dye and a machete to her head. Her hair is AWFUL.

  • I disagree with MOST of them EXCEPT Rihanna, Nene, Kandi and Amber….

  • Analisa Burden-carrillo

    Weaves are gross, unsightly and fool no one. Everyone knows it’s fake hair…so sad

  • Jeremy

    All of them are hotter with the longer hair.

  • SonnySky

    The short hair is ghastly looking.

  • Jersangel12

    It’s disgusting watching everyone pull out the race card. This right here is why racism will never die. And this is coming from a white chick. I see plenty of women regardless of race wear extentions and weaves. So get your head out of your @$$ and quit playing race cards. Thank you and have a nice day.

  • Geekymomz

    Honestly, some of the “natural” hair looked weaved in to me.

StyleBlazer is a fashion and beauty website dedicated to edgy, progressive, chic and globally-minded women. Topics covered on StyleBlazer include street style, trends, expert beauty advice, and industry news.


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30 September 2009

Request From "Islamic Fashion"

I made a quick style tip post the other day about putting your 'useless' scarves together to create a properly covered hijab look and someone called Islamic Fashion wanted to know how to get the above look that I was talking about so I have put together perhaps the most simplified hijab tutorial (if you can even call it that..) in the world. Hope it helps Islamic Fashion and that you like my amazing paint pics :D
1. Wrap a long narrow scarf shayla style (quite tightly) or put on an Al Amira one-piece if you prefer:

2. Wrap a bigger pashmina-style scarf around this but really loose and pin into place at the sides. I pin my scarves with those small gold safety pins from the inside so you can't see them and they don't slip out but you can use staright pins if you like them better:

This is what my hijab ends up looking like It's slightly different to the one up top but I prefer this style as it's not so tight so a lot more comfortable if you're wearing it all day. Sorry about the white-out, I don't wana be on the big scary net lol:

Believe it or not, I wore this for several hours the other day and it didn't slip off or anything and looked exactly the same when I got home :D What makes it better than some other loose hijab styles is that you know your neck, ears and chest are completely covered by the shayla underneath. Hope you like it!

28 September 2009

There is NO such thing as wife beating in Islam

Something that really bums me out is when non-muslims think that wife-beating is allowed in Islam. What sickens me even more is when Muslims (with the term used veeery loosly) themselves think it's OK. Anyway, I did some research on it and have found this long read but interesting read written by somebody called Osama Abdallah who has compiled Ahadith and Iyat on the subject. The post is taken from this site.

Wife beating anytime and for any reason is never allowed in Islam. There is however a questionable condition where Allah Almighty seems to allow the husband to beat his wife, and that is after he gives her two warnings to stop showing ill-conduct and disloyalty.

Let us look at Noble Verses 4:34-36 "(34). Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
(35). If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation: For Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.

(36). Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;"
The Arabic word used in Noble Verse 4:34 above is "idribuhunna", which is derived from "daraba" which means "beat". The issue with all of the Arabic words that are derived from the word "daraba" is that they don't necessarily mean "hit". The word "idribuhunna" for instance, could very well mean to "leave" them. It is exactly like telling someone to "beat it" or "drop it" in English.

Allah Almighty used the word "daraba" in Noble Verse 14:24 "Seest thou not how Allah sets (daraba) forth a parable? -- A goodly Word Like a goodly tree, Whose root is firmly fixed, And its branches (reach) To the heavens". "daraba" here meant "give an example". If I say in Arabic "daraba laka mathal", it means "give you an example".

Allah Almighty also used the word "darabtum", which is derived from the word "daraba" in Noble Verse 4:94, which mean to "go abroad" in the sake of Allah Almighty:

"O ye who believe! When ye go abroad (darabtum) In the cause of Allah, Investigate carefully, And say not to anyone Who offers you a salutation: 'Thou art none of a Believer!' Coveting the perishable good Of this life: with Allah Are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves Before, till Allah conferred On you His favours: therefore Carefully investigate. For Allah is well aware Of all that ye do. (The Noble Quran, 4:94)"

So "daraba" literally means "beat", or "go abroad", or "give" but not in the sense to give something by hand, but rather to give or provide an example.

Important Note: Notice how Allah Almighty in Noble Chapter (Surah) 4 He used "daraba (4:34" and "darabtum (4:94)", which are both derived from the same root. He used both words in the same Chapter, which tells me that "daraba" in Noble Verse 4:34 means to desert or leave, since that's what its derived word meant in Noble Verse 4:94. The next section below will further prove my point.

I am sure there are more Noble Verses that used words derived from "daraba" in the Noble Quran, but these are the only ones I know of so far. In the case of Noble Verse 4:34 where Allah Almighty seems to allow men to hit their wives after the two warnings for ill-conduct and disloyalty, it could very well be that Allah Almighty meant to command the Muslims to "leave" the home all together and desert their wives for a long time in a hope that the wives would then come back to their senses and repent.

Noble Verses and Sayings that support the prohibition of any type of wife beating:

The following Noble Verses and Sayings from the Noble Quran and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him respectively seem to very well support the above interpretation:

"...Do not retain them (i.e., your wives) to harm them...(The Noble Quran, 2:231)"
Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)"

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah: "I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2138)"

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: "He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women. (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 008, Number 3468)"
"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"

"And among God's signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males as mates for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquillity and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect. (The Noble Quran 30:21)"

"Women impure for men impure. And women of purity for men of purity. These are not affected by what people say. For them is forgiveness and an honorable provision. (The Noble Quran 24:26)"

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Apostle said, 'The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 135)"

Narrated Abu Huraira: "A man said to the Prophet , 'Advise me! 'The Prophet said, 'Do not become angry and furious.' The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, 'Do not become angry and furious.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 137)"

Abu Huraira reported: "I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: One is not strong because of one's wrestling skillfully. They said: Allah's Messenger, then who is strong? He said: He who controls his anger when he is in a fit of rage. (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining of the Ties of Relationship (Kitab Al-Birr was-Salat-I-wa'l-Adab), Book 032, Number 6314)"

Allah Almighty loves those who restrain anger: "Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good. (The Noble Quran, 3:134)"

The Prophet forbade striking on the face:

Let us look at the following narrations about Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:
Narrated Salim: "....Umar said: 'The Prophet forbade beating on the face.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Hunting, Slaughtering, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 449)"

Narrated AbuHurayrah: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: When one of you inflicts a beating, he should avoid striking the face. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 38, Prescribed Punishments (Kitab Al-Hudud), Number 4478)"

These narrations do not prove the interpretation that wife beating being ok as long as it is not done on the face, because the narrations are general and do not mention any wives. The striking could be done on our children when we discipline them. In this case, the above two narrations would fit perfectly with the situation, because while we can still physically discipline our children, we are not allowed to hit them on the face.

What about the saying about striking the wife lightly on her hand with a siwak?

There is not a single Saying or Noble Verse from Prophet Muhammad or the Noble Quran respectively that mentions any such beating.

A siwak is a small piece of wood that is approximately twice as long as an index finger and as thick as a thumb, which was used 1400 years ago to brush the teeth and the bad breath.
This saying actually belongs to Imam Shafie, and not to Prophet Muhammad. Imam Shafie or Minister Shafie is a popular Muslim scholar that came 100s of years after Prophet Muhammad. I used to have the reference information to his saying about this subject, but unfortunately I lost it. When I find it insha'Allah (if Allah Almighty wills it) I will post it.

According to the Noble Quran and the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him above, wife beating in Islam is definetly prohibited, possibly even in the case where the wife fails after she was warned twice for her ill-conduct and disloyalty.

It is definetly a valid interpretation for Noble Verse 4:34 that Allah Almighty commanded the Muslim men to desert and leave their wives, and not to physically beat them as many scholars believe.

I personally favor this non-violent interpretation, because (1) It is very well supported in Islam as clearly and unquestionably shown above; and (2) It makes more sense and seems more practical in dealing with the bad wife who insists on showing ill-conduct and disloyalty toward her husband and family.

And Allah Almighty knows best, and may He forgive me if I made any mistake here.

27 September 2009

A Quick Style Tip

I always get excited when I see a hijab shop or stall and usually end up getting a new scarf but sometimes I get a bit carried away and don't pay full attention to what I'm actually buying. Like yesterday I was looking for a really thin hijab which I found and bought but the fact that the thinner the hijab the more transparent it is seemed to slip my mind until I got home :( anywayyy, the other day I bought a new black hijab but it was on a hanger thing and I failed to notice that it was really narrow so it looks like a tiny Al Amira hijab when you wrap it shayla style so it doesn't give any chest coverage at all :(
So I thought I'd just wasted a tenner on two useless hijabs but then I had a eureka moment and put them together and voila!! I've ended up with a look a lot like this but with black underneath and straw-coloured on top:

I put two pins on either side to secure everything in place and I love it! So if you have a few scarves you think are useless as hijabs try putting them together or use one as an undercap, it's fun and you'll probably end up with a couple of new looks :D It turns out two hijab wrongs can make a right after all lol.

24 September 2009

Those Long Sleeved Stretch Tops..

Have you ever seen a 'hijabi' who wears a short sleeved dress and pairs it with a long sleeved skin tight top underneath to cover her arms? How is the arm covered and hijabified when you can seen every single tiny lump, bump and curve through the material?! It is soo much more important to cover your entire body shape than your hair so here are some alternatives that are actually modest and I genuinely think they look better, fashion wise, than the horrible skin tight tops anyway!

Here are some formal gowns with models wearing headscarves:

Instead of the top underneath, I would say add a long sleeved bolero, jacket or cardigan over the top. I would personally go for the latter 2 as they will also cover your waist line better. Here are formal gowns modelled but women wearing hijab:

This next picture is soo modest, the dress is a good length and the jeans are loose and un-reaveling. The only problem is the arm covering:

This women is also wearing a dress, but has properly covered her arms (and neck..). And I think the outfit looks so much better:

Now I must say at this point that I don't completely and utterly hate them, in fact I have a few myself! But I use them on dresses with 3/4 length or slightly sheer sleeves and sometimes underneath a top with very loose sleeves so that your arms stay covered even if the outer sleeve rides up. Here are some examples:

I love the last outfit, though I don't like the hijab style very much :S Anyway, next time you get told that one of your hijabi wardrobe essentials is a selection of tight long sleeved tops remember Surat Al Nur and make sure you know exactly how they should be worn and you'll live hijabily ever after :D

23 September 2009

University Outfit Idea

You might have gathered that I'm starting university soon (next Friday!) so I've been thinking of potential outfits (never too soon :D) for my first day. Here's one I like:

It's not crazy, I know lol but I want to keep it simple but not typical uni scruffy if you know what I mean. I'm in love with those flats ^-^ Anywayy hope you like it!

22 September 2009

I'm Still Alive...

I know I haven't been posting much lately but it's because I moved house over the weekend and there's still loads of stuff to sort out. Also starting uni in 10 days!! Quite scared :S Anywayy just to say, I should be posting again soon and if you have any requests just email me or put it in the comments. And last but certainly not least EID MUBAREK!!!!

Zaenab xxx
P.S. What a cute abaya?!

16 September 2009

An Interesting Hijab Choice

Arghh I'm so bored and my internet is running soooooo slooowwww atm it's drving me mad :-O Anywayy, I finally managed to get the blog open just to post you this lol:

I like the look on the left, not sure about the material choice on the right though, what do you think?

15 September 2009

107-year-old Malaysian Hijabi Seeks 23rd Hubby

Check this article out, I don't really know what to make to if apart from it made me chuckle a little.

12 September 2009

Hijabi Beginner: Work Wear Request

Modest, non-hijabi/hijabi in training Nafessa has asked me to make a post on work and smart wear as she has a job interview next week. Although she doesn't wear hijab at the moment, she would like to wear it in the future, Insha'Allah, and is very conscious about dressing modestly first.

Now, Nafessa I have made this outfit especially for you but I am not going to make a whole post about smart dress because I have done so many smart hijab fashion articles before so check out the links at the end of this post of previous stuff in the blog!

In this outfit, the shirt is a tunic and the trousers are a wide-leg cut; left open, the cardigan will drape over and cover your figure without making you look swamped. I have added a scarf so that you have the option of completing your look with a smart Turkish style hijab.

Smart Wear

Here are some other posts I have done that you might find useful:

I hope that helps Nafeesa and best of luck with your interview, you'll walk it, Insha'Allah!

10 September 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Stylish Muslimah

It has been exactly one year today since I started the Stylish Muslimah blog and it's gone sooo fast, it's unbelievable!! This actually also marks the end of my gap year which I have enjoyed working in but am ready to move on and go to university (2nd October!) so you will probably see a lot more outfit sets for uni popping up :) I have made some very slight changes to the blog and have added a search box so that you can look through a whole year of hijab style at the click of a button :D Insha'Allah the second year will bring even more!
Salam Alaykom my lovely stylish sisters!

07 September 2009

Around The World Hijab Style: Algeria

By the request of Ellen Mann today's instalment of around the world hijab style is Algeria and I've found some really cute photos:

I'm sure you all recognise her, Al Jazeera news reporter Khadija Ben Genna is Algerian and I love all the different smart outfits she wears with her hijabs, here's one:

Algerian women in abayas, I love the wrap style of the red and white hijab:

I love the loose, casual way they have wrapped their scarves, pink hijab day sorted!

A traditional hijab fashion shop selling Galabiyas in Algeria:

I like the glam abaya on the left:

I think they are outside a school or college, a striking photo with clear contrasts:

Clothes shops:

A mother and daughter? They clearly share hijab styling tips:

There are lots of different styles of hijab in Algeria:

More coming soon, Insha'Allah! If you have a request, email me or put it in the comments :D

04 September 2009

Outfit Ideas

I love this outfit!! I found it while clearing out my Stylish Muslimah photo folder as it was getting insanely full :S To make it more casual, you could wear some loose jeans or those loose linen trousers you get in the summer or you could replace the jacket with an oversized on-trend version :D

02 September 2009

Long Sleeve Maxi Dresses

I was browsing my faaavorite site ASOS today for some day dresses (they have the best range ever :D check out this post I did a while back about them) and noticed a new and unlikely mini trend: long sleeve maxi dresses..
I do like this one but I'd buy a size up to make sure the fabric isn't too clingy, it only £30.00, I know!!:

Nicole Richie is pictured here wearing the same dress:

I love this, it's £32.00:

But this is my favorite by far, it's also £30.00 :D but unfortunately at the moment all the sizes above 8 (UK) are out or stock :( and I was so ready to order..

Check out ASOS's complete range of day dresses here!


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Sunday, October 21, 2012

High Quality Essay at Extra Essay Service

Essay is a common task given to students as the part of studying process. Everyone who gets essay assignment must complete the assignment whatever it takes. Even though some students may find difficulties to finish the task, there is a clear rule that the students must submit the task on time. In this case, they could be in a big problem. This is the reason why they should contact an essay service that will help them to finish the task well. is the right place to order essay writing assignments. There are some basic and important things why ordering the essay to is recommended. The first reason is that this online service provides experts who will write the essay. They know that essay is a term of writing which needs high level of expertise. The next is the authenticity of the products. It means that the students who order the essay to this online essay service do not need to worry about the quality of the writing because the results will be out of any plagiarism issue. also understands that oftentimes the clients need to communicate with the experts. For this, the support team will be always ready to help and answer any question given.
 Well, you know now where to go for high quality essay writing, just visit the site now!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

There is no Reason for Not Buying Car Insurance

       I have a caution for any car owner who reads this article: “There is no reason for you not to buy car insurance and ignore what the car insurance can do for you in the future!” Is it a metaphor? I don’t think so. Well, you understand that today’s roads conditions are getting worse and worse because of the bigger number of cars driven in every single day. It means that your chance of getting problem on the road, and even on the parking lot, is getting bigger now. What should you do then? Do you want any bad thing happens with your car and you have to pay a lot to fix it?
        This is the reason why I show you the caution above. It is because car insurance now has become your need if you do not want to waste your money for unexpected expense to fix the damages on your beautiful car when you get a bad day. I also recommend you to compare the quotes of several car insurances offered because this is the way to know which one is the best for you. Well, you do not need to waste your time for this because I have given you the links to compare the car insurance quotes now!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Your Best Chosen LIfe Insurance

        In life, sometimes you have to face a condition when you have to choose one thing among some different things. If there is no big different between them, it would be easy for you to choose one. But, if the different things will give you a big difference, you have to be wise enough in choosing the best one. Yes, it is because your life sometimes consists of difficult options. An example for this is the different life insurance quotes that you have to choose one because you know that it would give you different results.
        Finding the best life insurance quote actually is the basic thing you have to do before you buy life insurance that you thing as the best and the most suitable for your need. In this case, you have to find the best website where you can compare between one another. The best website will give you clear, updated and of course trusted information about life insurances and the companies provide them. Besides, only the best website that will give you a kind of recommendation about which life insurance you should by and what company you should choose as your future partner. Well, you can do it now by following the links appeared here.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Get the Payday Loan and Lift up Your Life

         There is no doubt that problem is an important part of your life that will make you alive. It is very reasonable because often times your problems are the challenges that you have to face and the test that you have to pass. It means that if you can pass the test very well, you lift your level up because that is how a test works naturally. However, you should also realize that you belong to a social individual that always need someone. Once you get a financial problem especially the instant cash need, payday loans lender must be the best partner that will give you the help you need.
         The best idea you may want to know about payday loan is that you can apply for the payday loan online now. It means that you do not need to go to a physical lender just like what your grand parents might do in the past. Besides, online payday loans also offer you the convenience you need because of fast and easy application. However, you have to make sure that you visit the trusted lender’s website just to make sure that you really get the money. Clicking the links will lead you to the recommended one.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Online Education Help

            You activities during lesson inside the classroom could be very boring so that you cannot follow the whole things being discussed. When it happens to you, you may think to find another fun way of learning so that you will be able to master the same portion just like what your friends have. The same condition should be done for other thing such as the assignments. It means that you have to make sure that you find the way to do the assignments very well, so that you can submit them and get the high score just like what you expect.
            Well, the development of the information and technology has influenced the educational area so that you can learn through online. The best thing that you may want here is that the online service for education help is available special for you who need the help especially for some difficult tasks such as the tasks of Math, Physics, Biology, English, Chemistry, and even academic writing task. What I want to recommend to you here is a website that will help you with professional and high qualified teachers. It is eduboardtutoring that will answer your need of the best academic help online.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Biology Help - 5 Ways to Learn Effectively

Biology is a very different subject, working with the research of single celled creatures to large creatures and vegetation to entire environments. It is the research of life in all its types and it offers learners a glimpse into the inner working of every living factor. Amazing as it is, chemistry can get boring as a result of the actual number of information that learners need to keep in mind. Including some framework to your research programs will help you remain on top of your sessions. If you're having difficulties knowing chemistry or keeping in mind the new language, try putting these steps into exercise.

1. Study your training daily. Then see it again. Whatever you are studying is new, and it needs a chance to comprehend it well enough to maintain it. Studying the subject more than once is a sure taken way to understand the content well and keep in mind it longer.

2. Create notices while you research. Guides are very illustrative and if you want a quick run down through the details, the best factor to do is help create your own list. Scribble them down in your laptop computer, the edges of your publication, or anywhere else that's practical.

3. Try to research the subjects organized for the next category. Put your category programs to good use and have a glimpse through what you can anticipate for the next category. Before you grumble about the longer, effort and dullness, try it for a week. Information about the principles will help you comprehend them in depth than if you were listening to them for once.

4. The blueprints are important so exercise them. Yes some of them are quite complex, however the blueprints are a visible reflection of what you are studying and hence, aid your knowing of the subject significantly. You will also need to know them for examinations and assessments, so get your illustrating pens out and doodle away.

5. Change. Whether you do it daily or every week or bi-weekly, modify everything you've discovered regularly. By doing this you will keep trying to remember the details and keep track of how much you've protected.

You might also want to consider developing research categories. Study categories are an excellent way to research and help you out in various ways. All the associates will be more prepared to adhere to the research routine and can help each other concentrate. You can also understand from each other as each undergraduate delivers something different to the team. If associates remain devoted, research categories help you get ready for assessments and examinations, get help on task, or even plan tasks together.

An alternative to developing a research team is chemistry training. This is customized, one on one studying and benefits learners who need professional help with the subject. Online chemistry help is a fantastic way to find certified chemistry instructors, at practical moment and cost-effective rates.


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Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Sunday Salon: It's Book Fair Week!

At first, I thought I'd just do this sort of post just now and then on a Sunday, but everyone seems to be enjoying it, including myself, so for now I'll keep it up.

Outside my window: it's dark because it's currently Saturday night... again. How'd that happen... again? Man the weeks fly by fast.

I am listening to: silly kids.
I am watching: Castle! This past week I watched several episodes of season one while stapling book fair flyers. Love him! The solving of the murders? Yeah, that part is just okay. But Castle? He's awesome of course. Oh, and I watched The Vampire Diaries on Thursday after their big break. Oh. My. Word.

I am thinking: January went by just plain too fast. I am thinking I can't keep up!

I am grateful for: my sweet little job at the library.

I am reading: Hush by Kate White. Almost done! And then I hope to finish The Winter of Our Disconnect... and then hopefully finish The Way We Live Now. And then start... hmmm.... I don't know for sure what'll be next!

I am photographing: sadly, nothing this week really.

I am listing: nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I am creating: a scrapbook for my son...the letters he's been writing to us these past couple of years, the letters we've been writing to him, and all the mementos he's sent home for us to save. It's not very fancy, but it's a scrapbook!

On my iPod: there's nothing new. Same as last week and the week before.

To live my faith: I will eliminate negativity.

I am hoping and praying: that book fair goes smoothly this next week. Did I tell you it's my last one? After ten years of being the book fair chair?

Around the house: we've been moving junk from one spot to another! A junk shuffle of sorts. But, we did throw away a computer.. the first one we bought after marriage in fact from the 80's! It was actually sort of sad. I have a hard time getting rid of stuff. I can attach a sentimental value to pretty much anything.

From the kitchen: ICE CREAM! We are officially addicted. No, we didn't make it, but we just got home from buying it. And it's not the first time this week.

One of my favorite things: reading in bed, in the morning.

The children this week: will be doing a lot of taking care of themselves!

Plans for the week: The only plan I have is to survive the book fair. And somehow manage to fit it around work at the library. Oh, and make sure a birthday celebration of sorts happens on Friday for the nearly 16 year old son!

On this date: last year, I was rambling. Imagine that! Wait! Two years ago I was also rambling! No way! Oh, but THREE years ago, I wrote a review!

Thanks to Ibeeeg of Polishing Mud Balls for the inspiration for this post's layout.

  1. It was a pleasure to read your post!

    Here is my Sunday Salon post!

  2. I love reading this format--and hope you don't mind that I stole it from you and use it on my blog? Book fairs are the best, now that my baby is in high school, we no longer get to have them, and I miss them. His eager little face bringing home the flyer begging me to come after school and buy him a book...oh the memories!

  3. Well, may I suggest the next book you read be, a madness of angels? I'm dying to know what you'll think about it and to talk about it, of course. Also, email me about the book fair. I want to come spend money I don't have.

  4. I do love this insight to you!

    Maybe we are mirror-imaging each of my all-time favorite things to do is stay in bed and read in the quiet of the mornings. Gone are the years of waking with little ones and immediate needs. (I miss 'em though sometimes :)Summer mornings with no where to go vacations with no set time to be up and a good book to fall that's decadence.

    Good luck with the Book Fair. I love the service that's involved there and the joy of seeing kids spend money on the perfect book. Tone up the 'set-up' muscles and more power to ya!

    Enjoy the ice cream for me. I "lourve" it - but a work weight loss challenge has me watching you from the sidelines. Could you eat some Moose Tracks or Caramel Caribou for me please?!?!

    Oh BTW, Hush just arrived for me at the library on Friday - we'll be neck and neck once I finish a book to be reviewed!
    Have a great week!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails


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Morning all....

Vicky here today...and I am showcasing the Vintage Adorable "Annabel"...and I so love her cute hair..!

 I have teamed Annabel with some pretty Pion papers..

  And have coloured her in Copics, Chalks for her cheeks and Prisma Pencils for added shading..

The corner flourish is made from MDF...the flower is from MFT and the gorgeous butterflies are from Memory Box...

For more details please pop over to my blog here..

So thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely day too..

big hugs Vicky xx

1 comment:

Julie said...

Just gorgeous! Love the gorgeous embellishments.


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Wednesday, 13 April 2016

I'm amazed

Round 36: November 2043 (Spring)

Evan Moretti is 54, Ione is 47, Aurora and Bianca are 17 and Francesca is 9.
(Olivia is 46, Justin and Xavier are 22)

Narrated by Bianca Moretti.

We’ve been pestering Mum and Dad for a pet for just about forever and they finally relent, just when Aurora and I are headed off to college.

I wouldn’t say Coco is the cleanest dog in the world but it’s a lot of fun having her around anyway.

She’s pretty smart, so I’m sure her annoying habits will be history in no time at all.

Justin and Xavier don’t even live here any more but they’ve claimed Coco as their dog as well.

They’re living apart for the first time now: Justin with his girlfriend Louisa and Xavier with a couple of friends.

Xavier is super-busy with law school these days but he and Justin still drop by regularly.

They even lent a hand at Mum’s toy store last weekend.

Mum has had a dream of opening her own store for years now and next year, with the help of a small loan, she’s finally made it happen.

Toys & Tales is a bit of a mess at the moment though and she’s not quite ready for opening day yet.

Being able to open in time for the Christmas rush would have been ideal but it unfortunately didn’t work out that way.

We’ve all been down at the store a lot lately, helping to get Mum set up. She’s hoping to open in a few months and she’s so excited about it.

Well, most of us help. Francesca gets distracted and ends up playing with the toys.

Aurora and I will be heading off to college next year, so we probably won’t be around when the store finally opens. Mum is saying the store will keep her mind off how strange it will feel to have only one kid left at home.

Mum and Dad were both pretty low-pressure about college; Dad didn’t go and has been successful, so our parents know it’s possible.

Aurora and I both really wanted to go though, so we’ve been working hard to make sure that we get to.

Aurora wants to be a mechanic but she’s going to study business, so she can maybe run her own place one day. Or maybe manage a place for someone else. She just knows she wants to work with cars.

She just finished fixing up her own car, which was an old wreck Dad found for her.

He helped her a little in parts but 99% of the work was all her own.

It’s not the prettiest thing in the world but the important thing is that it works!

It’s Aurora’s car but I have twin privilege and can use it whenever she’s not.

Cars have never been an interest of mine. I got right into sewing a few years ago and I want to go into fashion design.

We don’t really have the space for my own machine at home but I work at a fashion design house part-time after school and I sew there.

My boss is kind enough to let me use one their machines for my own projects during my downtime. It helps that she’s a good friend of Mum’s.

But she also just likes to encourage young designers. She calls me her protégé.

I used to think I’d want to design women’s clothing but I’ve been rethinking that lately. The women’s clothing market is oversaturated around here, so I want to focus on kids instead.

It started out as more of a convenience thing, making things for Francesca, just for practice and because she’s an ever-present (and willing!) model.

But I found that I really like making kids’ clothes. I love using really quirky patterns and people are more willing to buy those for their kids than for themselves.

I can’t wait to get to uni and start learning more about the craft and the industry. Normally, I’d be really nervous about such a big change but having Aurora with me is going to make it a lot easier.

The one person I’m really going to miss is Gabriel. He’s a year younger, so he still has one more year of high school left.

He’s going to visit - he’s already made his dad promise he can use the car on weekends - and I’ll come back home when I can.

But going from having him right across the street to having to wait all week to see him is still going to suck.

We want to stay together and I’m confident that we can. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy or fun though.

  • Title is from I'm Amazed by the Pixies.
  • I decided that story-wise, it was time Ione had her toy shop but I had no motivation to actually decorate it! So I threw some boxes and duct tape in and pretended she was still setting up. ;) For those curious, she took out a $20,000 loan and paid back $7,000 immediately, as she didn't need that much. The family is about $10,000 in debt now, which I imagine they'll be able to pay back fairly quickly.
  • Both girls made it into Suffolk easily! My sims need an SAS of 40 to get in and Aurora got a 62 and Bianca got a 66. Bianca has the highest score in the family now, beating Justin's SAS by two points. :)

  1. Great read, thank you! Loved the pictures of the family members playing with the dog, and "working" at the store.
    I'm extra busy these days with many things, so I don't get to play my own Sims right now as much as I'd like to - reading about someone else's is a good replacement :-)

    1. Ha, "working"! Yes indeed. ;)

      Reading about someone else's sims is something I enjoy doing when I can't play too. :)

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  2. I was just noticing how gorgeous all of Evan and Ione's children are in their own distinct ways. Each of them look totally different, but you can really see the family resemblance on both sides in all of them. (I don't know why I was also just randomly wondering, before I even read this one actually, if you'd ever done family trees for Sullivan?)

    Aww, I have my fingers crossed for Bianca and Gabriel. They are cute. I'm sure they'll be fine, but I also hope she manages to have an enjoyable first year at uni. I know it can be kind of a downer to be attached but not have your guy around, especially in college, and especially if everyone around her is into the partying/dating lifestyle. She might feel either pressured or left out, which isn't fun either way.

    Also, this made me miss pets in my game! That looks like a big dog!

    1. Seeing they all ended up with brown hair and grey eyes, the diversity of their looks with everything else is pretty pleasing to me! I have a family tree for Sullivan with MyHeritage but I really need to update it! I don't think I've done it in years.

      I tried to keep Gabriel and Bianca away from each other at first because their chemistry is just so damn high. I knew once they got together, that would probably be it for them! I just hope they're not too miserable being apart for a year. It will be tough, I think.

      Ha, Coco is probably taller than Francesca!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  3. I couldn't help but laugh that they got a pet just as the girls were about to leave for university. That how it seems to work, from the kids point of view, but as a parent, you don't want a pet most times when you have a bunch of kiddos running around. LOL

    1. That was inspired by gameplay too! The girls have had a want for a pet for ages and Evan and Ione only rolled it this round, lol! I can imagine having to care for a dog or cat on top of five kids might be a bit much. ;)

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  4. Oh, that's so cool that Bianca and Gabriel have such high chemistry, and I hope the year goes well for them. Bianca's got her interest in design, though, to keep her busy, right? I wonder if he'll have any trouble getting into Suffolk.

    Ione's store looks terrific even if it's not totally ready. She's waited a long time, at least as a reader I remember reading about her wanting a store for quite a while.

    We used to have a doberman in real life, he died a couple of years ago at the age of 13. He was so sweet and very obedient, VERY smart. But he wasn't messy at all. Their Coco seems adorable and sweet too. And you mentioned him being taller than Francesca; when my youngest was little, Obi was taller than she was.

    Somehow your blog dropped off my email notifications and I didn't realize you'd updated till now.

    1. Gabriel is already into Suffolk, so no worries there. Depending on where they fall in my play schedule, my sims do their SAS at either 16 or 17, whenever their last update before college would be.

      I've still done nothing on Ione's store, though it's not a huge deal, as I won't be using it for a while anyway. I've been working on another project - a career lot for the gaming career. :) I do want to get in to do the store at some stage though. Ione has wanted it for a very long time indeed, and I'm excited to finally be able to give it to her!

      My uncle had a couple of dobermans when I was a toddler and I was terrified of them! They weren't unfriendly at all - I was just terrified of all dogs back then, including my grandmother's tiny little cat-sized thing! The dobermans were definitely taller than me at that age though, even when on all fours, so it's no wonder they frightened me!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  5. I love that Ione finally got her toystore! Can't wait to see it up and running.
    Love the posing of the family working in the store!

    Gaberiel and Bianca make such a cute couple, I hope they make it work once she's in college. It's just for one year, and their chemistry is pretty high, so I really hope they stay together!

    1. Glad you liked those pics in the store! Some were surprisingly difficult to pose, purely because I just didn't have the kinds of poses I wanted. A lot of selective photography going on there. ;)

      Gabriel and Bianca could become a new favourite couple of mine, assuming they go the distance (which I hope they do). Not much chance of them meeting anyone they like better, at least!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  6. This was such a fun update! It will be so weird when their next update happens, only Francesca in the house will be strange after so many personalities. I can understand why Ione is fine with a dog now, and finally getting that toy store started. It's looking great too, and I like that you just did a set-up for it, I understand not being in the mood for decorating something but wanting it for the story.

    I'm excited about the careers for the girls, the design is fun especially the spin on kids clothing and the auto mechanic will be fun to see played out as well. All their kids are doing so well for themselves, can't believe how old the boys are now!

    1. Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the next update is going to be very quiet indeed, I imagine. Both sets of twins will probably visit though. None of them are the types to have to be nagged into visiting their folks. :)

      Still haven't started on the toy store, lol. I got distracted doing Sophie's restaurant, which I'm about to finish off and put up a lot tour for. :) I did download the stuff I wanted for Ione's store though...and then had second thoughts over whether I actually wanted it or not!

      All my current designers do women's wear, so I thought I'd mix it up a little. I'd like to have my future designers specialise a little more, like a lot of designers do in real life. It'll give me an excuse to build more clothing stores!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

  7. So cute that Aurora is into cars and wants to work as a mechanic. I just find it adorable and how cool she is to have fixed up an old wreak and made it run again. She's a cool chick! ;)

    Bianca is a sweetie too. They both seem to know exactly what they want to do, well at least in the industry they want to work. Hopefully Bianca and Gabriel area able to stay together while she is off at Uni. Love Coco the dog too. She is a Doberman? My favorite breed of dog. :)

    1. As long as Aurora lives in a place with a driveway, she'll never be short of money. Those wrecks are really cheap to buy and you make something like $3000 or $4000 profit on them. It'll be a nice little earner for her in the future.

      She and Bianca are both very sure of themselves, a bit more than most of my teens. Hopefully, their choices will work out for them - career-wise and otherwise!

      Well, Coco was one of the dogs available for adoption via the phone, and in TS2, they don't show the breed name in that section. But she certainly looks like a Doberman, so I'm saying she is. :)

      Thanks for reading and commenting!