Malika that sounds amazing, I keep meaning to make the trip, I have family there. You must be happy to be back in your own bed though. I always miss my bed when i travel, regardless how comfy hotel/home beds are.

I have reservations about putting FOOD on your hair when so many in the world are going hungry & are destitute. Trim your hair once every 2 months, keep it moisturized. Simple. If you don’t want to go hair salon you can do it yourself. Re-think the shampoo & conditioner you're using, a lot of the mainstream brands have harsh chemicals in them that strip the hair of natural oils, hence the 'shine'. Try paraben/SLS free ranges from health stores. Aragan oil, jojoba oil & almond oil are all great for keeping hair in tact.

I don’t see how another’s personal choice affects us. I have both friends and family who have foreign partners and contrary to mass hysteria and buuq they lead contended uneventful lives.

Val, hey, as long as you enjoyed it yourself there is nothing to worry about. I am happy to make sambus during the weekends but weekdays we eat healthy. Guests are nice but they make you miss tarawix and Ramadan is not about feasting and chatting late into the night.

^^I think it is even more relevant to the sisters who cover up. That doesnt mean sun between 12 & 3 is still not harmful though.

Val, why would you want to deprive yourself of one of the great pleasures in life? There is much joy in a cup of tea...Try Lady Grey if you haven’t already, so lemony and such a great taste, you just need water, no sugar, no milk and not too herbal like some other teas. Redbush (lipton range) is naturally caffeine free and also very nice.

Hey I dont mind anyone who gives me 20 mins more to drink, and longer time to pray. Will see if I can convince the family. I was reading about fat & cancer the other day, seems it's best to stick to greens and a bit of protein on the whole with some wholegrains making up a corner of your plate.

Nuune surely it should be no later than 10pm? Are you in Sweden? I thought Ireland was close behind. Ngonge, it's not that bad, its all psychological.

Why does Islam Channel say Fajir starts at 3:17 am and Regent's mosque 3:38? That's a whole 21 mins difference that people could be eating.

Nuune, not ALL of it in one go, only one at a time lol. Yes no saxur works well when saxur time is 3 am.

To avoid heart burn stay clear of heavy foods & especially fried stuff which has too much herbs added to it. Ramadan is about self-restraint, that includes after you afur as well. Good Saxuur foods: Yogurt with a tea spoon of flaxseed Cereal/Weetbix with banana or berries Porrige with Agave nectar Toast / sandwich (light toppings) Pancake with dates (malawax from earlier on) Fruit with frozen yogurt or ice cream (it’s really hot at the moment) Slice of plain cake and milk Soup with a bun or slice of toast (if you’re very hungry) Or at least that’s what I would eat if I ever woke up for saxur, the prayer & cup of tea and a glass of water if there is time is usually enough. I am always astounded that people can eat full meals at that hour of the night. People eating heavy afur/saxur are doing themselves no favours.

Ibti is just going through an adjustment phase. She will be fine. How do I get rid of this pic? Her eyes are quiet disturbing.

Poor baby, 80% burns . What baffels me is how the mother got out of the house without her child...and the father.

Like I said before, I don’t see why July 1st has anything to do with the current situation in Somalia. It is about those before us who fought for a return to independence & freedom. What later generations choose to do with it is up to them. It means different things to different people. It might just be an excuse to party for some.

It should be Remembrance day.

Aaliya, all this seems like too much work. Whatever happend to wash and go? Or a trip to the salon?

looool@sambus wadkis. Eat well, stay healthy. Sound like a nice break. Ngonge, the kid was ultra polite, very respectful, they don't make them like that anymore. LOL@chocolate covered biscuits. I stick to pure organic chocolate these days. Juxa, you & you invisible barur. But if you insist, come Salsercise with me. It's lots of fun...

lol@ma nooleyd, yes Alhamdullilah. Adiguna ma wali ba jin ka hadloosa? No trip to Africa this year? Which part of 'kid' did you not read? It was more of a older-sisterly way Nuune.

Hello Ngonge, I have watched that show for the 1st time ever this year but lost track of it now, not enough time. I met a lovely Somali kid during lunch, well I say he is a kid, in his late teens. Fresh of the boat from Somalia. So sweet and genuine and amazing fluid Somali. None of this I-was-born/raised-in the west -kibir. Totally adorable, he was lost and didnt want to admit his English was crappy. I wanted to give him a hug.

Hello? Juxa it's not even that warm! You should sue your work.

It’s unprofessional the way they handled her application but she DID get an interview eventually and didn’t get in. Having excellent grades is not enough for entry to Oxford or Cambridge, that is expected of all applicants. It’s how you conduct yourself in the interview and your achievements outside of academic life that do it and I suspect this is the area where minority students fall behind. Anyway, UCL is an excellent university and one of the best so she has not lost out.

Val, I am in the same situation since I ditched the trousers this summer, and have been having more luck online than in stores. For work skirts, you’ll most definitely have to tailor-make, you may find the odd long black skirt but that is it. I am trying to have this wool skirt from netaporter tailored, at £480, it’s way cheaper. Plus you can be sure its to your exact specification, and the material of your choice. If my new local tailor has made a masterpiece out of it I’ll forward you his details. If you like the printed, flowery style, here are a few I saw online. Long skirts also need fabulous heels, I think flat shoes kill long skirts. New Look very.co.uk www.awear.com Dresses are not bad either but they are a bit more difficult to handle in wet weather, so skirts get my vote. Lots of knitted dresses around too. Dresses the trick is if it looks slightly loose to go 2 sizes up. www.warehouse.com again by warehouse, going up a size or two works. Even in mid-winter, a leggings, slip and knee-high boots are all you need. I dont see people stop wearing short dresses in winter. I hear Istanbul is a nice little shopping destination. Don’t shop at M&S! Try mangooutlet.com as well, although the stuff there goes fast, and understandably so. Malika, it is hard to pray in ¾ skirts & looks a bit dodgy with hijab, (if you wear one that is). It also looks like you’re not really committed , or at least it makes me feel that way

^^Actually you will glow, i dont believe a little tan is bad. It's amazing for the skin, remember that looooooong winter? lol@labaxsatay. CL,I have to keep my foot/ankle elevated, anything that doesnt involve walking too much

Happy friday all, Enjoyed getting tanned & baked at the park for lunch.I highly recommend it.

Quiet impressive, times like this you realize what a power house nature is.