lifestyle

June 27, 2019

A Few Things You Need To Know…

I hope you find relief here.  My goal is never to make you feel like you NEED something in your life, rather to inspire you.  In whatever way that is.  Whether through a new choice in clothing, makeup, thoughts, confidence – whatever!  Get inspired beautiful babies, to glow!

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May 7, 2019

How Do I Eat Healthy, When my Husband Doesn’t?

Surprisingly, this is a common question I get asked when people know I drastically changed my diet.  Pretty quickly, someone will ask how I eat the way I do, when Wafiq can eat anything he wants.

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March 26, 2019

Life Stories: SXSW, Planting a Vineyard and More…

I haven’t written my little life stories in awhile & they’re my favorite – the entire reason I started MissBassmater.  I’m trying to creep away from capturing all my life details on Instagram Stories, so I thought it would be fun to catch up here!

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February 26, 2019

5 Favorite Quotes on Love

Let LOVE prevail.  This was challenging you guys.  I’m not a big cheesy love quote person, I’m actually very far from it.  There are few romantic quotes that speak to me, but in my relationship, it’s hard to take most romantic quotes seriously.

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June 19, 2018

Tony Robbins Live! 3 Easy Takeaways…

My first time going to see a motivational speaker & it was freaking TONY ROBBINS!  You guys.  I don’t think you understand how much I used to obsess over this man & his story.  I saw him on Ellen years + years ago.  I bought one of his books while in Dubai & when I finished it, Wafiq read it too.  We’ve both tried to steal his energy in our day to day living, so to get the opportunity to see him live was so fortunate!

I wanted to quickly pass on a key point or two that we took away from hearing him speak.  Obviously in no way will I be able to reproduce any of his information, you’ll have to go see him for that, BUT there were a few things that gave both of us a beautiful refresher on this wonderful life we have.

I’ll set the tone, Tony started his speech by saying we had nothing to truly complain about.  If we were able to afford tickets to that convention & had health enough to participate – we are fortunate.  I always remind myself of that exact same thing.  If we’re functioning, if we have our health & we can walk around – we should be grateful.  (You HAVE to watch this 2 minute YouTube video.  I stole it from Joe Rogan’s podcast. OMG it’s fucking everything.  Watch: here)

Tony Robbins doesn’t see himself as a motivational speaker because he doesn’t tell you to change your mind, or to think positively.  He believes & teaches a strategy.  He said, if there’s a weed growing in your backyard he’s not going to tell you to go think really hard & be as positive as possible about this weed going away & any future weeds coming into the garden.  Instead, he’s going to tell you to go out to the backyard right away & pull out the fucking weed.  He’s more than simply thinking positive.  Strategy.

He major believes in movement & energy.  Physically moving.  That’s why he jumps around a lot at his conventions & “Go Crazy!” is flashing on the projector screen.

His energy is UP.  And ours should be too.

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April 3, 2018

A Wardrobe Staple: The Blazer

What a perfect Tuesday thought!  BLAZERS.

I remember I had this New Years Eve moment w a red sequin dress & a black blazer that I was pretty happy about – but that was the extent of my Blazer history,  until recently.

A few reasons I’m bragging about this current wardrobe staple:

Professional:  I hate professional because I’m bad at it.  I’m always too tight, too short, cheap or uniform.  I prefer sparkle, shimmer, pink, fluff, short, tight, creative.  Without any effort, a blazer makes you look professional the second you throw it on, pretty much no matter what you’re wearing under it.

Easy AF:   I loooooove easy.  Love love love.  A Blazer WILL make you look put together w zero thought. No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.

Smart:   People talk to me smarter when I’m wearing a blazer.  Almost like I’m a little more business intimidating?  Ha!  Try it, you’ll see.

Rich:  Maybe it’s the buisness-y look?  The idea that suites are expensive?  But even a cheaper blazer makes you look $$$.

Skinny: The structure of a blazer kills compared to a heavy jacket or baggy cardigan.  You gonna look gooooooood girl.

Grace:  Do you watch Grace & Frankie on Netflix yet?  I have major wardrobe envy from Grace; blazers, popped collars, beautiful scarves – they’ll all be staples soon.  Work in progress…

Versatile:  You can wear a sequin dress under a Blazer for a night out, or throw on your blazer over a shirt + pants for work.  Any place, any combo – a blazer keeps you looking put together.

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February 9, 2018

Furniture Shopping & 5 Tips To Stay Out Of Debt While Doing It

Let’s not pretend furniture shopping is affordable.  I was fooled into believing I could go buy unique furniture pieces that I loved for reasonable prices due to the fairytale that is: INSTAGRAM.   On my last move I knew it was time to be an adult & purchase my own furniture.  It appears as though everyone else can easily make their home pristine so I should be able to too!  Well well well, little did I know you had to be a multi-millionaire to purchase new, quality, unique furniture that you actually liked.

I don’t know how it works across the world, but that’s how it works in America.

Who would have thought 1 single, basic dinning chair would be $500?  Not me.  I have a new appreciation for fully furnished homes, & Ikea.

Needless to say, I’m glad most of my major furniture shopping is done because it was a fucking gut punch & took a lot of time.  I’m here to help, even if you didn’t know you needed it, you do.  The new furniture experience will hit you someday too.

The perk to badass new furniture?  How your home will make you feel.  The energy can change dramatically when you have furniture that you love – trust me.  After redoing my bedroom, I realized everything else had to change as well.  As painful as furniture shopping is, it’s worth it.

5 Tips For {Affordable} Furniture Shopping

1.  Look For Sales
Yes, furniture goes on sale.  And even then, it’ll be sickening to pay for, but a sale can make it manageable.  I have a Pottery Barn Outlet close to my house & I went OFTEN.  One lucky day that I stopped in the store, all sale pieces happened to be an additional 40% off.  I ended up getting one of my comfy, white sofas for $100!  That’s fucking insane pricing btw.  Try shopping for a badass sofa & you’ll feel me.  So pay attention to sales & outlet furniture stores, that was as close to finding a gold mine as I can imagine.

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February 2, 2018

10 Favorite Things From 2017

Better late then never sharing all my favorite things of 2017.  We shall call this a mix up, because why limit ourselves to one category of favorites?  These products were not all created in 2017, rather things I used through 2017.   Weird but true, I typically don’t like something right when I get it.  I put it down.  Stare at it.  And on one random day pick it up & use it consistently after that… or throw it out.

CHANEL Soleil Tan De Chanel

The obvious.  Bronze anything will make my list, just be happy I’m not talking about my at home spray tan.  I try not to wear a lot of makeup most days & bronzer is one of the few products I need daily.  I ditched powder bronzer most of the year for this cream bronzer.  I take a medium sized brush & blend it on my cheekbones to look alive everyday.  Because it’s creamy I don’t feel like it drys me out & I like how it blends into my skin.  I’ve had this one jar of bronzer for 45 years, used it every single day & am just now at the point where I need to repurchase.

ColourPop Echo Park Satin Lip

I’ve had this lip color for a long time & used it almost every day in 2017.  I realized using a natural color on your lips, even without anything else on your face, makes you look like you’re trying.  It’s such a cheat to looking ready, that or a nice lip gloss.  (My fav: here)  This one in particular keeps my lips super moisturized which is hard to do, and doesn’t rub off in 1 mili second.  I put the smallest amount on my lips in the morning after I apply chapstick, and then use my finger to smudge it around.  Au naturel.

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January 30, 2018

What is ONE Thing You Learned This Year?

I was in a meeting earlier this month & everyone was asked: What is one thing you learned this year?  They asked a lot of hard questions like that…  What’s a trait in yourself that you would not want to give someone else? 

But, one thing I learned this year… Oddly enough, I feel like I’ve had a pretty comfortable year.  The years before 2017 were chaotic & I’d probably respond to this question with answers like: patience, confidence, staying positive, ect.  Moving to Dubai, adjusting there, working there, then moving back, my relationship with Wafiq, his immigration process, being broke, moving everywhere again, needing a job – every year contained variables.  And in the moment, I often felt frustrated – like I was wasting time.  I couldn’t wait to be “normal”.  Get my life on track like everyone else.

Then, this year I finally had it!  Normal & comfortable.  At the very least, it was appearing to be on track.

But, throughout the year, and I think I’ve said this before on my blog, I found myself missing the variables & chaos.  Even being broke!

For example, when you have no money, other parts of your life strengthen.  Your creativity, your imagination, your hustle, your ideas, your friendships.

For example, when you have big life decisions ahead of you,  the opportunity to impress yourself by being brave & making choices presents itself.

For example, when you’re not “on track”, you don’t have pressure or expectations.  People are either disappointed & judgemental OR they’re believing in your journey & supportive.  Relationships are defined.

There’s so much learning happening in the stages that you can’t wait to get through!

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January 23, 2018

6 Must-See Places in Dubai (& they’re free!)

I would argue one of the best things about Dubai, if not the best, is how much you can explore & simply see.  Without having to pay anything or work very hard.  Not without effort, Dubai sets records & created a visual piece of artwork.  You can fill your entire trip just driving around exploring the different landscapes – for FREE.  Sometimes paying for the view, isn’t as good as actually searching for it yourself.

I wanted to show you how to make a trip adventurous without spending a ton of money!  I feel like I’m a master at going on budget friendly trips, including Dubai.  Food & drink is expensive, but there’s SO much to do for free, or nearly free – if you can just get yourself there.  You wouldn’t even be able to finish this list in one trip!  And if you do, I can add to it 🙂

This is MY checklist when I go back – things to go stare at.  And they never get old.  Even when I lived there, going to stare at the items on this list was one of my favorite things to do.  And a way to ensure I won’t waste my precious money.

1-  Burj Khalifa
This twinkly building still takes my breathe away.  Because it’s right outside the Dubai Mall there’s plenty of space to go walk around the building & look at it yourself – without paying a dime.  Get yourself to the Dubai Mall & walk outside.  You can eat near it, shop near it, walk near it, or just sit down & stare at it.  The fountain show that plays outside the building at night will also take your breathe away.  Go check it out during the day & at night for completely different views.  Until Dubai builds their next world record setting building, this is the top spot for me.  And you absolutely need a GoPro to fit the whole damn thing in a photo, OR spend $$$$ to have a tourey sales man take one measly photo for you…

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January 16, 2018

Missbassmaster Favorite Posts of 2017

For anyone that hasn’t had a chance to read my old posts, below are a few of my favorites from 2017!  Enjoy!
Dating A Muslim Immigrant… During The “Muslim Ban”
Tis a sign of the times…  I love this post because, Wafiq.  What an interesting time it was.  We happened to just be finishing our own immigration journey during this time & learned TONS of immigration info we never knew before.  Which I think is why we were super comfortable.  Even though people were freaking out.  I remember we were happy, lucky & together 🙂

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January 15, 2018

DUBAI! Top 5 Pieces to Pack.

There are 3 questions I get asked all the time: how I was treated as a woman in the middle east, did I feel safe AND “did you have to cover up the whole time”.

I hope I’ve done a good job clarifying, go to this post to see my answers to all 3 of those questions if you haven’t already.  (We went to the public beach on this trip & there were girls in thong bikinis & topless tanning, so I think people are comfortable doing whatever they please.)

For me, I wanted to fit in.  I wanted to act like I’ve been there before & I know what the fuck I’m doing.  There’s something powerful in that.  Also, for any destination, isn’t it fun to fit in?  Wear what they wear.  I think it makes you appear well traveled, like you know what you’re doing in you life.  So that was my goal this trip.  I stuck to coverage.  When I was living there, I pushed this boundary w my cut off shorts & dresses all the time, because I was bored of being covered & it was HOT AF.  Being that I was just visiting, I had a different approach this time.

The theme:  BLACK BLACK BLACK.  If this is the color of your wardrobe, you’re in luck!  I like bright colors, florals, sparkles, drama – so I had to go shopping.  An abaya & burka are black, so that’s the colors you’ll see a lot of when you’re out.  I asked someone why black?  Why not beautiful colors + design on the abaya?  I was told the original purpose of the abaya was to avoid attention.  Bright florals & colors will do the opposite, drawing attention to the people wearing them.  So black is the theme!

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