{HFW Update}

I am sad to report this news but unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in HFW this time around. It's something I've enjoyed since the beginning and was looking forward to it this time as well. However, the next week is one of the hardest for me in grad school. Basically I have an extremely challenging oral exam and presentation that will determine a lot for me.

If I outright fail, which I don't foresee happening, I could fail out of graduate school (if I fail a retake as well). What is a more likely possibility, though, is not failing but still performing poorly. I'm working on being less dramatic about things. This exam isn't life or death nor will I flunk out of school in one fail. I will, however, be quite embarrassed about doing poorly and I need to do well so I do not waste time. My intention is to switch to the PhD program and if I do poorly on this exam, there's less of a chance I can do so. Plus, who wants to retake a high stress, anxiety-ridden oral exam on just about everything they've ever learned?

If I was intelligent, I would have taken my outfit shots weeks ago when things weren't in such high stress mode. I did not do this, however, so this is why I regret having to say I'm sitting this one out. I look forward to seeing everyone else's beautiful looks!

<3 Stephanie

{Giveaway Winner!}

I apologize greatly for my delay in announcing the winner of the Modest Sea giveaway. As usual, the life if a grad student allows for very little blogging time. After the long wait, I'd like to congratulate:

Sofia Hunter!!!

Check your inbox!



Don't be sad if you didn't win, though. I have a special treat for all the rest!

For all of you lovely readers, you are given 20% off your next purchase within the next 2 weeks!
Code will last until May 2nd.

To use the code, do the following:
1) Add an item to your bag
2) Create a user, if you haven't already done so
3) At the checkout screen (as pictured below), enter the following code: 507090



Thanks for all those who participated!

{Giveaway: Modest Sea}

I have a special treat for you all. A giveaway! This is the first time I'm doing a blog-only giveaway. Normally I do them on my youtube but, instead, I'm directing everyone here.

This giveaway is sponsored by the company Modest Sea. They offer various options for modest swimwear. For the hijabi sister, they offer full coverage swimwear, including a headpiece. For the non-hijabi sister, the headpiece is optional and they offer other suits that aren't complete full coverage.

When I say these pieces are absolutely adorable, I mean it. I'd love to sport one of these items this summer. My favorite are the Eva and the Caroline.



I've received no reimbursement for this giveaway. I'm doing this just for you all. Even if you don't win - there will be something special in store for you guys so be sure to come back after the giveaway!

To enter:
1) Go to Modest Sea
2) Comment down below, telling me your name, email, favorite item & why
(Only enter once please)
3) Return back in a couple weeks to see who wins
& to find out about the special treat for everyone


Be sure to share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, & any other social medium you'd like. Also, if you have any opinions or feedback you'd like the store owner to see, leave that down below as well, she'd be very grateful!

Giveaway ends April 8th at 11:59PM EST

{My Current Obsession}

I have an obsession with colored denim. I've always had an odd inclination for wearing bright colors. A few years ago I spotted a photo of some unimportant celebrity wearing green pants and that is when I decided I needed a pair in my life. Well, it's taken a few years to acquire said pants but nonetheless, I have found my perfect pair! I'm kind of in love with them.

{The Art of Today}

The art of doing it today, now. Not in an hour. Not tomorrow. Today. Now.


Photo Credit: Me

I'm working hard on changing a lot in my life. I'm sure that's quite apparent to many of you. In particular, one thing I'm working diligently on changing is this horrible habit of mine to postpone just about everything. I've never seen myself as a procrastinator per se because I always am very diligent in my studies. I rarely wait until any academic deadline to start something. However, being this diligent in my studies deceives me into believing that I'm not a procrastinator.

I was wrong.

Everything I do, I postpone it for hours, day, weeks. I find myself constantly telling myself, "I will do that on the weekend when I have some free time." However, on the weekends I tell myself, "I'm resting now, I will do that during the week, when I'm productive." It's a vicious cycle. Doing laundry in a couple hours turn into a couple days. Answering emails tomorrow turns into weeks. This behavior disgusts me, I must do something. There's a quote I repeatedly tell myself,

"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today" - Benjamin Franklin

I need to take this quote to heart. I need to stop procrastinating everything. One way I hope to achieve this is make a to-do list for each day. I'm always a list-maker. I love making lists. I've gotten quite lazy about paying attention to them, though. So, for now, my main goal is to actually pay attention to my to-do list. Only list things that I actually intend to do that day and work hard to not procrastinate. I'm open to any other suggestions as well.

{Hiatus}

I've decided to take a hiatus from blogging. I always told myself I would never do such a thing. However, my circumstances are dire and I must step away from everything. I wish I could explain in more detail but I need to work through some problems by myself. I've gotten so much advice from my loved ones but I've come to the conclusion that at the end of the day, we're the only ones who can make decisions for ourselves. I wish I could include you all on my decision making process but I'm kind of overwhelmed with advice right now.

I've made istakhara and inshaAllah my decision will be aided or prevented. As soon as I have an update on what is going on, I will fill you all in.

I may put up a few new videos on youtube over the next couple weeks but that is the extent of Saluff for now. I apologize in advance and hope to come back to my beloved blog as soon as possible.

Now I leave you with this cool shirt I made

{New Year, New Lab}

I've moved to a new lab. The last one was problematic to say the least. I'm really loving the new one. Everything truly does happen for a reason. 6 months ago when picking out my initial lab, I wasn't even considering this one. However, after my first semester of grad school, my goals and desires academically have completely transformed, which made me change my mind about what kind of lab I wanted to be in. Right now it seems to be a perfect fit. Alhamdulillah.


{Cardi: Kohls}
{Top: F21}
{Scarf: Gift from Su}
{Cuff: Target}