Beautiful... In Every Sense

I am writing up this post for a dear, childhood friend - Rathai, at Apsaras Fashions.

Last Eid, my shopping spree for sarees was made really easier. And rather than using the word easier, I would like so say it was made more comfortable, cosier and so much happier.

Much thanks to my friend, Rathai, who is now a new online business owner, at Apsaras Fashions. She is jointly running the business at home, with her very sweet younger Sister, Mythili.

Also a new Mom to a gorgeous Baby Boy, Rathai is now enjoying the new momentum as a Mum-preneur, and I am quietly proud of my friend. All her sarees above are my personal favourites from the selection that I went home with this last Eid. In-laws were all smiles with these, of course, as well as some friends I got them for (the ones with peacock print! I cldn't get them for Mum or in-laws because of these images but were just too pretty not to get for someone else).

Every saree she showed me ever so patiently turned out to be more beautiful than the other, and I was really pampered with so many choices. Well, but sarees are sarees, they will always be beautiful in some way, weren't they? What I actually want to share then is about what I believe makes Apsaras Fashion special.

I always feel that what a business really is about is or are the people behind it. When we started our humble ' Al-Barakah Abayas' business, AZ and I felt the business must reflect our values in life, and we will do our best to upkeep them.

Today, when I think of Apsaras Fashions, I think of Rathai, and her kind-hearted nature and demeanour. The patience she carries in her, and the sense of calm she always exuberates. Always, and I mean it.

I have my memories from school days to back me up. Rathai, in our blue skirt and white blouse - school uniform, holding hands with me as we both were among the first in class queue. We both were among the shortest in class , had two trademark plaits, and were probably among the most timid too. This was years ago (oh my!) in our first year at Primary One. I remember my late grandmother telling me every time she fetched me from the school gate, that I must learn to take care of this friend because she could see that she was holding my hands so tightly as the teacher has instructed till we meet our family members at the school's entrance. Now, I sometimes recall that image. Rathai is always the friend with whom I am able to reconnect even when we may have not met for many years!

Talking about grandmothers… like me, Rathai has been very close to her Grandmum too (her grandmum passed away very recently). I think we both have this thing about lovable grandmothers. And I found it especially sweet that Rathai gave some of her first saree arrivals to the sweet grandmums in our neighbourhood. She did not tell me this though, I just learnt it from the folks who live among us. Way to go, my dear!

(And for Muslim sisters, Rathai is sure to be sensitive to aspects of religion as she has clearly made a mental note on image prints. )

So, for sisters who live near us, you can be assured of a comfy shopping experience, and for others who are online shoppers, making purchases at Apsaras Fashions will be definitely make you a happy shopper. Well, Deepavali is just round the corner right? 

Eid... And Towards The New Year

We are on 27 Zulhijjah, Masha-Allah. I hope that this beautiful month gave us all abundance of blessings.

I also hope that many of us had the opportunity to fast and arrange for sacrifices this year for Eid.

Alhamdhulilah, all’s been well for us and work and family have been keeping me on my toes these months. I am not complaining, at all.

Amongst writing on this space, trying a new dish, planning a day out with friends, there are also these reads (below) that are shouting for my attention, or rather, it's been the other way round – I am the one battling  to make time for them all.

Our Islamic New Year is round the corner too, in fact, just three days away. A good time to start renewing our goals, intentions for the year ahead.

In-Shaa-Allah.

This Is Home, Truly

We have just celebrated Singapore's 51st National Day yesterday. For us at home, it was a day of complete bliss, Alhamdhulilah. A day to just chill and enjoy one another's company, on a weekday. Mum made some simple, yet comforting food for breakfast and lunch that always soothes our souls. Dad slept in till much later than on usual weekends (we all did actually).

AZ and I wanted to catch up on some movies from the Internet, but we ended up with other activities - we both felt it wasn't just a movie day. AZ with his computer games, and I with my books. 

And Brother had a good break after his shift at work too.

Sitting back in the afternoon after lunch, and while waiting for the National Day Parade to come on 'live' on the television, I had some inspiration to bake. Especially since Mum had decided to make some lovely vadai for dinner. And so I made some cranberry muffins with a newly-bought muffin pan that (finally) fits our oven.

And as we munched into our very early dinner and immersed ourselves in the spectacular performances, a first for a parade held at the new National Stadium, humming along to the classic songs related to this place we call,Home - it sure was a time for reflection for me.

Thinking of my dear Mum's cute antics on insisting I take pics of her 'work of art' as well while I was snapping shots of my muffins, brings such a huge smile right here, right now. Bless all our Mothers always, Ya Rabb. Ameen.

Watching the parade live at the Padang, Marina Bay or from home always brings on some beautiful emotions. As with recent years, it's hard not to drop a tear or two - either when reciting the pledge, mouthing the lyrics of the National Anthem or when watching with absolute awe when the Apache Helicopters salute the State Flag with such style and splendour it so deserves.

(I am sharing this link for fellow Singaporeans who may be reading this space - not that you have to agree with the author though. I did, every bit, and was beaming with pride as I was reading it. Seriously lah! ;))

Probably at this juncture, also because, I have had far too many things on mind (to complain about, and sometimes, compare with others about, Astagfirullah!) that I probably have forgotten to be thanking Allah for all that abundance I already have been blessed with. Instead, I have spent time on some weeks with some negative energy. 

AZ (May Allah bless him, Ameen) has been keeping me level-headed and reminds me to have sabr (patience), and even more than that, shukr (gratitude) every time we are tested.


Privileges are aplenty in this tiny dot that we live in and I should keep thanking Allah for everything that we have here - good homes, great neighbours, a good job, considerate and tolerant colleagues, and Bosses who appreciate flexi-work hours, and above all, a supportive family. Alhamdhulilah.

Everybody has struggles, only that they are all different.

May Allah keep us all in good Iman always, and may we all remember that in end, everything belongs to Allah. And this dunya (world is only temporary).