The Spring Makeup Lookbook

Well now that Spring is upon us Sydney-siders I thought it would be appropriate to write up a weather appropriate makeup post. Despite the fact that the weather may be acting a tad bit bipolar nowadays in Sydney who said you can't sport a glowy, fresh and vibrant look to brighten everyone who you happen to come across' not-so-upbeat day. It is important to first envision in your mind what sort of feelings and emotions the season Spring evokes. For many of you it would be endless arrays of flower bouquets and the far reaching golden rays of sunlight warming up the extent of your body. In order to embody I thought it would only be fitting that Spring based makeup include pink toned blushes, light CC Creams, concealers, highlighters and vibrant coral and peach toned lipstick swatches paired with bronzed eyeshadow looks. The makeup products that have been featured above (clockwise) and I have been faithfully using since this glorious season started are as follows:

  

·         Urban Decay NAKED 2 eyeshadow palette-a multitude of shades to play around with to create your ideal 'bronzed goddess' look.

·         Sephora Beauty Blender-the perfect makeup tool that every girl should own to blend your CC Creams, BB creams, Tinted Moisturizers and Foundations. Simply wet your beauty blender and blend away your cream in circular motions on your face.

·         Estee Lauder  Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher-when applied before your CC Cream, it provides great makeup staying power and an instant boost of 'freshness' to your skin.

·         Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (Jungle Peach)-my current favourite lipstick shade for this Spring season and when mixed with any pink lipstick shade it provides the perfect bright edge to your face.

·         Sleek CC Cream (Light)-foundations tend to be a bit too much for warmer weather however CC Creams provide the optimal balance and coverage needed for your everyday Spring look with the benefit of a sunscreen.

·         Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (Neutral)-provides great mid-range coverage for dark circles and any imperfections on your face.

·         EOS Lip Balm (Strawberry Sorbet)-these smell great and work just as great to soften and moisturize your lip.

·         MAC Blush (Margin)- provides the perfect pink 'glowy' look to your cheeks and can be built up slowly to your required level of 'pinkess'. 

·         Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter- when dabbed on your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and on your brow bone it provides the perfect glow and definition to your face

·         Revlon PhotoFinish 3D Mascara (Black)- simply one coat of this mascara is guaranteed to provide you with lasting, thick and intense lashes for the entirety of your day. 

Urban Decay NAKED 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (Jungle Peach)

MAC Blush (Margin) and Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter

Sleek CC Cream (Light), Sephora Beauty Blender and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (Neutral) 

The Modern Day Ophelia

“She is not someone you understand. She is someone you watch, someone you use, someone you mourn. She is made for love but love is not made for her. Everything about her runs deeper than in you; her madness is truer, her mind brighter and better broken, and her anguish is in her bones, not her blood. You will never forgive her for dying, but she will always be dead forever, and your horror means nothing to her anymore. That, more than anything is why you still dream about her and her flowers thrown like curses. She has made herself no longer yours to dream of, choking on her water, crawling through her weeds, living beneath the world; her body inviolate and violable no more, there in her resting place where no man rules.” 

                                                                           (Taken from www.okayophelia.tumblr.com)

NYC Chunky Choc-Chip Cookies

I've always been fond of eating chocolate chip cookies throughout my childhood and a uncanny appreciation or rather obsession of the "Cookie Monster" from Sesame Street as some may call it led to my infamous nickname as the biscuit itself. In my opinion the perfect cookie has to taste downright blissful upon first bite, crumble as you slowly savour the taste and leave you in a state of pure delight as you lick the choc chip stains from your fingers. I myself have never been to New York ever but I do hope to visit the land of opportunity and to be able to taste the renown "Levain Bakery" choc chip cookies as many have told stories of. Till then, one can always imitate the unique "cookie" experience from the comfort of their kitchen. This recipe was adapted from The Brown Eyed Baker's "Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies". 

Ingredients

3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
¾ cup + 4 teaspoons brown sugar
½ cup granulated white sugar
2 eggs, cold, lightly beaten in a separate bowl
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups dark chocolate chips

Method

1. Line your baking tray with baking paper and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it comes together in one cohesive mass, about 1 minute. Add both sugars and continue to beat for another 1 to 2 minutes, until all of the sugar has been incorporated into the butter. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla and continue beating on medium speed until mixed, scraping the sides of bowl once (the batter will appear lumpy). Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the flour mixture until just a little bit of flour still remains. Add in the chocolate chips using your clean hands as it allows the choc chips to incorporate well into the mixture.

4. Divide the dough into 12 even pieces, just grabbing it by the handful and roughly shaping it into a ball (it does not need to be a smooth ball. Place them (evenly spaced) on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, or until light golden brown on top. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking tray, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

The Fault in Our System

As the world slowly claps and bathes the honorary Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai with endless garlands of flowers and words of sheer encouragement I ask you all to take a moment and recall exactly who is Nabeela ur-Rehman? As you start to slowly ponder and think deep about when was the last time you heard this particular name I assume the answer in most cases would be never however in the case of Miss Yousafzai I suppose I don’t need award golden cigars for guessing who she is as many would instantly know. I myself would never come across this ten year old girl had it not been for a friend who shared a link to her video dated back to late last year where alongside the support of her brother she addressed the U.S. Congress and gave evidence against the atrocities committed upon their villages by countless drone strikes. Upon writing this article I had the choice of taking you down the sympathetic road by placing you in her current state of being to strike a chord in all your hearts and let you grieve for a minute or so only to return to the daily humdrum of your lives. However instead I’m here with the cold hard facts without the sheer lace, over dramatics and rose petals.

On October 24^th 2012 the eve of the annual Islamic celebrations of Eid, Nabeela ur-Rehman, a child of mere nine years of age was playing with her siblings where playing in the fields of Ghundi Kala, a village situated in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, whilst their 68 year old grandmother taught the children how to collect Okra in preparation for the forthcoming Eid festivities. The series of bloody, terror and confusion filled events that were soon to follow would alter the lives of all within the Rehman family forever. The children brought their playful activities to a halt as they suddenly heard the familiar buzzing sound that is produced by CIA controlled drones which are then preceded by two distinctively loud clicks. The drone strike after unleashing its wrath upon those who were in its unfortunate course managed to kill Nabeela’s grandmother whilst Nabeela had to be rushed with severe burns to her body and shrapnel wounds.

At this point in time you’re probably now wondering as to why I have pitched this child against the likes of Malala Yousafzai, a survivor of an assassination attempt by the Taliban and education advocate for that I shall like to divulge into the works of the journalist Murtaza Hussain.

As aptly put forward by Al Jazeera’s Murtaza Hussain:

“While Malala was feted by Western media figures, politicians and civic leaders for her heroism, Nabeela has become simply another one of the millions of nameless, faceless people who have had their lives destroyed over the past decade of American wars.”

Such social commentary often leads one to question as to why there is a stark difference between two girls arising from somewhat similar backgrounds and upbringings to an extent. Due to the fact that Malala managed to survive the unfortunate experience of having to face death straight down the barrel was then immortalised as a “potential tool of political propaganda to be utilised by war advocates.” From there on the West glorified her efforts, showered her with endless praises and turned her into the poster girl for all humanity based causes that formed a justification for others to justify military action within the borders of Pakistan.

However the pressing question at this point in time is what is to become of those such as Nabeela ur-Rehman who live in the constant fear of “the buzz” sound? What is to become of those who no longer love blue skies but prefer the colour grey as drones do not take flight during such weather? What is to become of the several hundreds and thousands living in a constant state of anxiety over whether they’ll awake to another day?

In response to all such questions is that nothing at this point in time. Malala was applauded for her efforts and bestowed with the Nobel Peace Prize however there will be no such grand scale conference, event or international backing for the countless Nabeela’s of Pakistan. On this note let me leave you with an excerpt from Nabeela’s evidence delivery to a somewhat empty congress room late last year upon discussing the validity of drone strikes in Pakistan,

"When I hear that they are going after people who have done wrong to America, then what have I done wrong to them? What did my grandmother do wrong to them? I didn't do anything wrong."

Vanilla Cupcakes with Rose Buttercream

Since it has long been a tradition to bake a sugary filled treat upon every arrival of Eid (religious celebration for Muslims that occurs twice a year) within my household, I opted for something slightly more creative. I stumbled across this recipe for Vanilla Cupcakes from Linda Lomelino's "Call Me Cupcake" blog and adapted it to my preferences. This recipe yields enough for 12 scrumptious and fluffy vanilla cupcakes that'll leave you savoring the heavenly flavours till the last crumb. 

Ingredients (Vanilla Cupcakes)

• 300 grams plain flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 125 grams butter
• 150 grams white sugar
• 3 large eggs or 4 average eggs
• 3 tsp vanilla essence
• 100 ml milk

Method

1. Heat oven to 160 degrees Celsius and line you cupcake tray with 12 cupcake cases.
2. Into a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy in texture. Then proceed to beat the eggs one at a time and finish it off with vanilla essence.
4. Add the dry ingredients and milk to the mixture slowly in small parts until it is entirely incorporated into the same bowl.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake cases and only filling them 3/4 of the way.
6. Bake for 18-22 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the baking tray.
7. Let the cupcakes cool completely (preferably overnight in an airtight container in the fridge) before attempting to frost. 

Ingredients (Rose Buttercream)

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 1/2 cup icing sugar
• pinch of salt
• 220 grams white chocolate (not choc chips or candy melts)
• 1/4 cup thickened cream (that can be whipped)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 2 tsp rose water

Method

1. Put the chopped white chocolate into a small bowl. Heat the chocolate in 30 second increments in the microwave set to 60% power. Stir after each increment, and continue to heat 30 seconds at a time, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside and allow to completely cool.
2. Once white chocolate has cooled, sift the salt and powdered sugar over the butter, in a large bowl. Cream the butter and sugar mixture together until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Measure the whipping cream into a cup, and stir in the vanilla essence and rose water.
4. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually pour the cream mixture the bowl.
5. Once the cream mixture has been incorporated into the frosting, fold on the melted (but cooled) white chocolate until incorporated.
6. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and beat frosting for an additional 3 minutes.

(Makes about 2 ½ cups of frosting)

The Marriage Manifesto

What about the family? What about the future kids? What about the potential in-laws?
What about your marriage?

Like a broken record on repeat, this is the continual chant and mantra of many people within our South Asian society. From a very young age when you first express your desires and ambitions as to what you may pursue with the coming of age you are then generally barraged with the “what about the”-type questions. God forbid that you desire to enter the realm of international relations or a career that would possibly require you to leave the state, country even perhaps?

Then you are certain to be greeted by several accusing glares from various elderly aunties and uncles who may now also deem you “rebellious” and having lowered your “marriage credibility and suitability”. On the other hand if you’d like to gladly make the cut, fit social and conventional norms and avoid being branded for life then surely do opt for a career pathway perhaps as a doctor, teacher, engineer or best of all a housewife will definitely keep those in-laws satisfied for the time-being.

What’s my view and standpoint in regards to South Asian conventions? I’m only jumping on the marriage bandwagon when I've completed my university education, established a career and brought somewhat of a form of stability in my life. At this point, the pessimists have started to quickly estimate and calculate the years and swaying their heads in disapproval as to the assumed age I shall be at the ‘stability point of time’. As all who are unaware of the idealistic age of marriage within South Asian society tends to centre on the ripe age of 19-24.

However those who enter the realm of the 25 plus category then consider yourself as the ‘Godfather of the Institution of Marriage’ for having deified all the culturally guided laws pertaining to civil unions. Women within the South Asian society are adorned in marigolds and whisked off when they’re not entirely ready and prepared mentally, spiritually and physically. This is a widespread concept and not confined to the borders of South Asian countries but rather families that have migrated and settled within foreign lands where the customs somewhat differ.

It is also the concept of being reliant and dependent entirely on a male for financial assistance that needs to come to a halt. At this point some people are contradicting my statement and saying but our religious texts claim the male as the breadwinner of
the family. However look again and these religious texts also further state and make clear that there is no restriction for a woman to have a profession or pursue work or that her only place is at home. For a religion such as Islam which is often misrepresented as so-called oppressing women it rather clearly states and encourages females to pursue a wide range of career choices ranging from teachers to physicians.

That being said, in my opinion the milestone or pinnacle of a woman’s life should not be marked as getting married. It is the message of female empowerment that needs to start being emphasized and not just within the confines of the South Asian culture but rather
worldwide. It is only through the cycle of female empowerment that women will pursue and invest in an education, gain employment, and develop an understanding of their rights, equality and power before opting for marriage.

Something that the South Asian culture is somewhat reluctant towards .For those who are now questioning me as rejecting the institution of marriage, that is not the case. What I’m asking is for societies to let women deliberate for themselves. Whilst others may see starting a family and running a household as a key part of their lifelong ambitions, so be it, as long as she is not being pressured or overwhelmed by her spouse or her in-laws (as is this case at times within society).

At the end of the day, this is just my viewpoint on the situation within the society that I have grown up in, been raised and come to know of firsthand. In no manner am I enforcing my stance on ‘female empowerment’ on all of women-kind as at the end of the day every female is entitled to her form of ‘empowerment’. The fact that my South Asian parents who migrated to Australia almost two decade ago and are encouraging of my choice in pursuing a law degree with a move towards international diplomacy and to be able to establish myself as an individual is clearly a step towards a change in the wider mindset of all.

As the cliched saying goes, it only takes one person to make a difference. In my case, it only takes one Pakistani family to change the mindset of many, many more.

As featured on 'The News Blog' on 18th July, 2013 (http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2013/07/the-marriage-manifesto/)

The September Review

It is only fitting that the inauguration of this blog begin with a photographic ode to what led me to start it in the first place, Instagram. Having joined the Instagram community a mere 2 years ago has been such a rewarding experience looking back courtesy of all the talented IG'ers I've come across the endless positive feedback from everyone. To those curious as to what I intend to achieve by starting up this blog, well I'd like to imagine that my writings, posts, photography and recipes will inspire and wake up the dormant creative juices in all of you. Not to sound overtly cliched but I'd like to leave some food for thought by mentioning a quote from possibly one of the greatest literary works of all time, The Great Gatsby, as F. Scott Fitzgerald once said "there are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired".

Till next time x 

                                                             The Law Student Diary