8 Good Morning Questions to start the day in Happiness

Woke up late this morning. My schedule has been out of wack since the last 10 days of Ramadan. Yesterday was full of lots of work. Everyday I feel like I wake up and my heart and mind go on a treadmill. Do this, do that. I had a schedule but it fell apart. Now I have to reclaim it slowly. This week I have to go to the doctor's because I have something wrong with my right hand since Ramadan. I have to wedding to go too as well (the Sultaness is conducting a custom order for her jewelry that day).

Nafiza J's Handbook for Life (its time for a change)

Peace and blessings,

I can't tell you how many times I contemplated ending my blog. I felt that no one was reading, it wasn't relevant anymore, and it wasn't nearly as chic and fancy enough as my other accomplished blogger sisters.

It wasn't until recently after reading a passage of Mastery where I started silently mulling why exactly was I even having those thoughts?

Thoughts about others. 

Thoughts about keeping up.

Thoughts about not feeling good enough.

Post launch thoughts

Ah man its been so long since I blogged. I almost do not know what to say. Alhamdoolilah I launched the Sultaness and it is a certainly amazing company I am proud to run.

I think since launching I drink something called "Reality Juice 5.0" and I went from having expectations (before launching) to adjusting to reality. Positive and Negatives included.

But alhamdoolilah I am glad I made the jump so now I can focus building my knowledge and this business.

Whenever anyone asks me how Ramadan is going I sometimes have to force a positive response. I have nostalgic feelings for being a student back in uni with the freedom to arrange my day and worship to my hearts content. If I close my eyes and envision an ideal situation it would be far from what is present. Sometimes days are much harder then others as I barely get a break managing so much. I am Senora Complainsalot basically.

Sultana is amazing. Beautiful. Happy and well taken care of by me.

As for me...I haven't taken a picture in a LONG time for a good reason lol.

Some days become so hard I just want to shout or bang my angry woman fists and spew all the bitterness and regret I can muster. I think things are more exacerbated because I am still going through a legal divorce and for some reason Ramadan all of it is picking up again.

It feels as almost as if I am being attacked from all sides to prevent myself from enjoying this month.

And soon Ramadan will leave and be lost forever.

I wish I had something powerful, intellectual, or perhaps inspiring to say but that would be forcing it. Right now I am taking deep breaths and pacing myself.

Current goals I am setting and working towards:
1. Finishing reading Quran for the month
2. Memorizing new surat inshallah ya rab
3. Writing an ebook or presentation on networking for Muslim business owners
4. Taking advantage of the upcoming days as if they were my last (inshallah)
5. Daily reading and increasing my knowledge for my career
6. Downsizing..getting rid of some of my emails and even this blog...what do you think?

Adventures in Not having a Cell Phone!

Question 1

Have you ever gone without having a cell phone (we all did before they were invented) and for how long?

Question 2

How did it make you feel?

My Interview with Sweet Modesty!!!

Read my interview with Sweet Modesty here: 

http://www.sweetmodesty.com/#sthash.XVBcodFj.4MgbpGOQ.dpbs

xoxo!

6 more days until the launch of the Sultaness!!!!!!!

Inglot Cosmetics and the Sultaness Launch Party!

I am quite excited. I am ecstatic. Time passes by so quickly and there is not enough subhanallah I am so busy. Please help support me and let people know about this historical undertaking! Post to your blogs, Facebook pages, and social media. It means so much and it enables to me to have a boost in creating a successful brand that appeals to all! (inshallah)

My story on Coming to Faith site!

Salams and peace to all my dear readers, newbies and veterans! 

I wanted to pass you all my Coming to Faith story submitted here. It is my reflection on how I came to my state of faith and the process of my trust in Allah.

I'd love to know your thoughts!

 This is the first real submission (for another site)I have done online I think! 

Alhamdoolilah. 

Story here: http://www.comingoffaith.com/2013/06/the-climb-up.html

Featured Events: Premier Showcase Event!

Peace and Blessings folks! 

Last night I went to an app launch party in Inglot and stood around pretending to be helpful. My outfit caught the eye of this really sweet woman who inquired about the biz. I told her just a little about it and asked her to attend our launch party. She said she would be really excited to do so and threw in some other exciting stuff that may or may not happen. A collaboration of some sorts! 

I really love being a business woman. I feel on edge and overwhelmed most of the time yes, but its a profession that allows me to meet so many amazing people, learn and grow daily, and be able to potentially affect many lives. We haven't even started yet, which means there are probably lots of uphill battles and road bumps ahead...I will face them inshallah! 

Here is a question! 

Are any of you going to be in the New York area on Saturday?

 If so, I'd love to see you at the event happening at the Gregory Hotel. See flyer below.

I am really excited because I have seen some of the product adverts and there will be some great pieces on sale. Also, I get to meet the designer Zeba Ramos (again)! She is one of the sweetest hardest working people I know in NY now, and she will be featuring her designs there for sale inshallah.

See zeba ramos store here

Btw, if you come I WILL HUG YOU! 

Product Review: Princess Arabia Fashion

 Peace and blessings folks!

Ok, so about 10 forevers ago I purchased some maxi dresses from a Facebook storefront called Princess Arabia Fashions. It was the second time I ever ordered something on Facebook as I am an old woman and sometimes don't trust doing it.

Adventures with Sou sou!: Hair Creme and a 2 year old.

A while ago, sis and I were brainstorming some important stuff for the biz. We ASSUMED sultana was being productive playing with her blocks...that is, until we saw her run into the room and show us excitedly that she did her hair...

um....I have no words for what you are about to see...

Doing a little bit of Spring cleaning!

Peace and blessings folks!

I am doing a little bit of spring cleaning on my blog. Its time for more integration and spreading of lots of love! You can be sure to see changes in my pages (shopping destinations, ebooks, my favorite links) as well as some general visual changes. 

Let me know what you think! 

Isn't today a beautiful day?

Don't forget to share some love and tell everyone about my business! Everything is hand-made (that's why I don't sleep) and we will soon be partnering with some really great causes. If you are in the New York area, we will be launching June 29th in Chelsea square with Inglot studios inshallah! yay! 

Preparing for the Photo-Shoot Number 2

Peace and Blessings folks! 

Tis a photo-shoot around the corner for my sis and I. We are designing new items, prancing around the house in scarves and fleshing out the details like skin tone, make up, scarf style, and products. 

Our lovely model Rima is scheduled to show. We also put a casting call out for some more models. Inshallah one day I hope to host a casting call for any folks in New York and see if I can gather some girls in the local area! 

Working...working through the night. 

Project Coming of Faith! Yes and Yes Again!

Peace and Blessings folks!

Link

Have you heard of Coming of Faith? It's an up and coming project that features stories of Muslim women from various backgrounds of how they came to identify as Muslims. Usually we have all these "Hijab Story" posts all over the internet. While I do think they have some value, they don't effect me on a deep way as much as reading about someone's personal journey towards their current spirituality.

According to the Coming of Faith Project, 

"these stories are kept within our own selves, shared only during special occasions or with certain individuals, with the fear of judgement and misunderstanding. This prevents the world from gaining a more nuanced understanding of the different pathways that Muslim women take and the struggles we go through as we strive to embrace and fully realize the potential of our faith. Many of us have had deeply transformative experiences that have shaped and continue to shape us as we walk on our faith journey. It's time we shared them with one another.We are not looking for the typical ‘hijab story’ nor are we looking only for stories about reaching a ‘higher level’ of Islam per se. Rather, we’re looking to collect a variety of stories of real women who faced real struggles and at the end of the day, identify as a part of the Muslim faith."

Go, and show some love and support! Inshallah it would be great to read your stories there!

Coming of Faith site.
Coming of Faith facebook

How can I help you?

Peace and blessings folks! 

I am really excited right now because I have so many good things going on in my life. I am starting a business, meeting so many inspiring and beautiful

Link Loving: My favorite Nasheeds

Here are my absolutely favorite anasheed and religious songs! Let me know if you have listened to any of these and any recommendations you have for moi!

The Sultaness: Soldering techniques

Featured Events: Sister Swap Event!

Peace and blessings folks!

I always ALWAYS wanted to attend a swap event and yesterday alhamdoolilah I got my chance! I met up with a few other NYC sisters at Cafe Bene near Time square. 

First of all let me mention that Times square is not fun for me anymore. There are too many people, too much stimulation, (I sound like a grandma) and no one seems to know where they are going!

Tips for a Better Life Tag: Eco friendly and money saving tips that anyone can do!

Peace, love, blessings, and good health to all of you reading this!

Ok so I created a tag! I have no idea why, maybe just to spice things up a bit and to hear some practical tips we can all share between us.

My favorite new blog: Markers and Thread

Peace and Blessings folks!

I am very happy to share with you a new love of my life. 

My Style: High Tea Fashion Show Outfit and Markers and Thread BLoggy!

Peace and Blessings to all my dear readers!

Welcome to all the newbies and veterans! Its been foreversville since I had outfit posts. Last Friday, I attended the sisters only fashion show at St. Johns University. It was featuring Nida Mirza from IslamicGems and her new clothing line. 

I don't know if it's because I barely get out of the house, or because everyone was so nice,but I had an awesome time! I even got to meet the amazing Sadeel Allam from Sweet Modesty blog! Not only is she beautiful but she is sweet too (go figure!) 

I hope one day to host sisters-only events too (as you can really let loose) but for now I am very excited about the opening we will be having in NYC. Inglot Cosmetics (producer of the water permeable nail polish/found to be wudu permissable by many) will be launching the Sultaness (fb page, website)at their studios in Chelsea Square. 

This is a big deal. 

Life Updates and Biz Updates

Salam and peace and lots of love folks! 

To the regulars and the newbies, I have neglected you indeed! 

Gratitude List: Happy Friday April 5th 2013!

Hello Folks!

Salamz, peace, blessings, love and forgiveness and all the awesomeness to you! 

Was a bit stressed last night but after talking with my friend J I feel like a boulder lifted off me.

I am rising again and I can breath...

My Business Planning Chapter 8: the Sultaness Spring 2013 Photos!

Salam folks! 

Ok I got a stomach flu not too long ago which wasn't much fun. I  slinked around the house like a witch afraid of the sunlight. It definitely threw me off. You can bet that whenever I am not updating this blog I am either extremely busy, or extremely slow and probably sick.

Alhamdoolilah for everything. Don't you think sunlight makes a difference?

Last year, I lived in a basement for many months and barely had sunlight so whenever I get the sun peeking through in my room I just feel so much happier. I sit in front of my window to work because of how much I love it. 

Can I also brag about how I can smell the sea?

Oh lets throw something else in there....late at night if I listen, I can hear it! 

Alright, enough bragging! 

Basically I am doing a thousand things at once:

1. Working with a sewing contractor for the pin cushions
2. Going back and forth with our amazing photographer and web designer from Mirror51 who is in the process of starting our website.
3. Recruiting possible future empoloyees
4. Applying for our wholesale certification in NY
5. Reading, researching, and writing.

If you are ever bored and you want to be stupid busy, start a business of some sorts.

I swear, its just the beginning but this is one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It is so exciting :)

Here are the lovely finished photos from our photoshoot.

Please note: You can take these and re-post anywhere you like!!!!

Company info:

The Sultaness, meaning "Empress" in Arabic will make its debut at Inglot makeup studios June 29th in NYC!

We feature handcrafted luxury jewelry and accessories inspired by Persian, Indian, Turkish, and Middle Eastern art and architecture. Each of our pieces are handmade and undergo a vigorous design and quality control process making beloved pieces by all those who own them.

We use lots of spring inspired colors, gold, crystals, animal motifs, ornate styling, floral and geometric patterns. Our pieces are for the fearless woman who is proud to celebrate her identity.

For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://thesultaness.com/

the Sultaness Facebook Company Page

the Sultaness Website

the Sultaness Twitter Page

the Sultaness Instagram Page

the Sultaness Pinterest Page 
the Sultaness on Stumbled Upon

What do u guys think!!!\?

Dear Readers...

Adventures with Sou sou!

Its about almost 2 am. I am looking over at my daughter lying sideways with her shirt flipped up and her stuffed camel propped up on her belly.