isla del encanto part II

One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.
Richard Burton

What I love most about this country, are the people. I love that the children initiate smiling and waving at you and when you greet them first, they return the pleasantries without a hint of mistrust (even the 12 year old boys!) I love that the women walking with their men would pass you by with a smile, without protectiveness (even if one accidentally were to glance upon her companion). I love that the men are not afraid to sit with their legs crossed or show vulnerability. I love that they may just tango in a tea cafe, and that they will tango with their eyes closed and with succinct talent, exactly in step, despite how distant the sound of the music may be. I love that a person will leave their job to walk you to a place that you asked directions for. I love that young men may just come up to you and start a conversation without a comprehensible ulterior motive, and then pleasantly walk away, without even asking for your name. I love that you can just share the snack you are eating with the Puerto Rican lady behind you, and she will accept it, wordlessly. I love that when you speak an inarticulate Spanish, the people respond as if you were fluent. I love that cafe owners will close their shop and still not kick you out. 

In summary, regresaremos.

M.A.

M.A.

M.A. (what a beautiful child)

M.A.

M.A.

T.W.

M.A.

M.A.

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.
Lin Yutang

the great affair is to move -- isla del encanto

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move. 

Robert Louis Stevenson

Last month, three lovely companions and I traveled to Puerto Rico. My thirst to travel is starting to be an inconvenience to my life, or the necessities of my life are starting to be an inconvenience to my thirst. The fulfillment from finding beauty in movement is lush but brief, and I am soon back online role-playing a ready traveler, until the credit card page appears.

I am debating if there is worth in explaining the details of the trip, or to just post photos and let it be just that. I think the latter is sufficient for this avenue. I can just say that it felt unbounded. 

credit: Maleeha A.

credit: Tasneem W.

credit: M.A.

T.W.

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land.

Gilbert K. Chesterton 

that familiar conviction

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Lunch at Café L'Aube, Philadelphia (great coffee, fresh, delicious food)

Sheerin- pants: NY&Co flats: Express jacket: H&M

Me- clutch: MMS via Marshalls shoes: Michael Antonio via 6pm.com, shirt dress/jewelry: Forever 21

Summer Brights

“Give your daughters difficult names. Give your daughters names that command the full use of tongue. My name makes you want to tell me the truth. My name doesn't allow me to trust anyone that cannot pronounce it right.”  - Warsan Shire

White Linen Pants: Calvin Klein, Orange Palazzo Pants: Asos.com, BW Striped Clutch: Newlook.com

Lazy summer brunch at a new local cafe.  And of course, summers are all about the brights and the lights, hence our vibrant ensembles- we love these colors. 

-S

"...poems by heart"

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”  ― Rainer Maria Rilk

I love late Spring. I was born then, knowingly, of course. No other season does one wholly appreciate warm weather than that of late Spring (unless you don't have four distinct seasons). Though, by the middle of Summer, gratitude is rapidly wilted. I've been taking advantage of these days as much as work stingily permits, and spending them outdoors with my family and friends. I don't usually have my camera with me, but here are a few shots. I went to downtown Annapolis a couple of times, more Philly, and spending time locally, too. Annapolis had delicious seafood (Subhanallah to the fresh crab cakes) and a sweet, cozy downtown with lots of charming yet overpriced boutiques. There were good-postured boys in white Navy uniforms everywhere and all seemed to know each other, so our large group of Muslim ladies were definitely attention-gathering (as per usual). Cute and friendly town, I'm surprised I had never went earlier! 

Sheerin; keeping it classic with a basic blazer, maxi dress, and clutch. I have a thin mint green oversize blouse with boyfriend jeans and classic strappy leather sandals by Nine West (really into that old lady look these days) with a casual bag by Etienne Aigner (that I bought on Ebay of course). The thick black and white striped hijab is from H&M.

-A

Kale & Goat Cheese

Salaam y'all,

It's been a little while since our last food post but alhamdulillah, I'm done with my first year and now I have some time to straight up cheeell so ya know... that's what I've been doing. I wanted to do a quick post on some of my latest summer obsessions: Kale and goat cheese (chèvre, for the french & fancy).

Unless you've been totally AWOL, you've probably already been made privy to the superfood that is Kale, mA. Personally, my go-to with kale is kale chips - a recipe that is essentially foolproof. Literally all you have to do is dry the leaves, rip into pieces, and bake on a sheet for about 10 minutes. Just drizzle some olive oil on top and season with some salt and anything else you please. I love using garlic salt or adding some lime juice and chili powder for a little kick.

Kale is also really good sauteed- just add some olive oil, garlic, and onions in a pan along with kale leaves and good for about 10 minutes. Once its soft, add tomatoes (preferably fresh - canned works too for the economical). Sauteed kale pairs very nicely with cannellini beans so if you have them, don't be shy. It makes for a delicious and healthy meal that you can serve over whole-wheat pasta.

I become a huge smoothie fiend over the summer and kale is incredibly versatile and you can add it to all kinds of smoothies. You can add it to all kinds of fruits- I love blueberry-kale with yogurt or almond milk and a little honey. Strawberries, pineapple-ginger, Orange-banana, all paired with kale are also delicious. Or mango-pineapple. The list goes on, as you can see.

Finally, sauteed kale paired with walnut and goat cheese is seriously a stunningly beautiful combination. I made some pastries out of phyllo dough stuffed with kale, onion, garlic, walnut with goat cheese, baked for about 25 minutes. Gorgeous. Goat cheese with strawberries, cinnamon, and honey is also quite satisfying. Do try!

- S