Ayeshah Rose Reclaimed

I always say that actions speak louder than words but it's true what a friend just said to me. She said "why do us women always seem to hang on to the words" and it made me think because it's so true. We do and words are truly meaningless without actions. Why do we do that? Why are we so willing to accept a mans words and whenever his actions are wrong we reach for those words and use them to make excuses for his actions? We hang on to words because words are beautiful. A man who has a way with words.....omg <3 but watch his actions, because 9 times out of 10 his words and his actions do not add up and his words simply become words without meaning. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Isn't it funny how people change. You think you know a person but then you see things in them you didn't notice before; in the things they say and the things they do. Then the scary thought hits you. Maybe they haven't changed at all. Maybe they've always been like that and maybe you just didn't realise. Maybe they hid their true character. Yeah that's it. You didn't realise, they weren't showing their true self because it's more acceptable to say that then to say you turned a blind eye. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I often get complimented on how clear my skin looks and how fresh faced I always appear to be. From a young age I had very problematic skin. As I've gotten older I've done a lot of skin research. I've discovered that I have combination skin and an oily t-zone and now that I know what skin type I have I can buy the best products for my skin. This is a tell all on my morning facial routine. Step 1: Prep (cleansing and moisturisation) It was never easy to find a product that worked well with my skin. I've used olay, Avon products, no.7, nivea and palmers cocoa butter, none of which really did anything for me. A friend suggested I try Neutrogena's visibly clear range, which turned out to be my little skin saver. I first wash my face using their gentle exfoliating wash. Now I can't use exfoliators because they make my face breakout in spots. As the exfoliating beads in this product are so much smaller than normal, it does not have that affect on me. I then c

Isn't it sad how we wish our lives away? Not intentionally, we don't even realise we're doing it but it hit me this morning. It's my birthday soon. I'm getting old, fast and half the year has gone already. We pray for a superfast week so we can get to the weekend and then those 2 days of rest zoom by too. I want to try and enjoy every second, every minute, every hour, every day. Before I know it I'll be 60 odd and wondering where all the time has gone. I need to start leaving my mark in this world and make sure I'm achieving something to be proud of. It doesn't have to be anything major, just one of my own personal goals where I can look back and say "well done girl". I think it's time to slow down, take stock and enjoy life, because before we know it, it'll all be over. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jennifer Hudson's weight loss has been the topic of many a discussion. Jen has gone from supersized (not that she was big in the first place) to superskinny. When I first saw the new trim Jen I remember thinking "wow Jennifer's lost so much weight" and not being sure whether or not I liked the new look. When I could see the beauty that is Jennifer still existed in her face, I decided ok, maybe she looks alright but now I think she's in danger of becoming a lollypop head; you know that syndrome when you lose too much weight and your extra skinny body has to hold up your rather large head (which hasn't lost any weight whatsoever). It seems to me that Jennifer has lost even more weight. Isn't there a point where you just say, "ok I look good let's just maintain this". People take diets too far. I'm all for doing what feels right for you. Jen wanted to lose weight and good for her, she's done it but at some point don't you have to

ITV1s Daybreak have proclaimed that Transformers 3 will be the movie of the summer. I however beg to differ. I believe the movie of the summer, actually scratch that, the movie of the YEAR, will be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. All I can say is wooohooo hooo!!! .........Ok I'm calm now and although I am looking forward to seeing how they have mastered this masterpiece for the big screen, I am also extremely saddened by the occasion. Have you guessed I'm an avid fan yet? I should be ashamed to admit this but I'm not; I cried when I saw the trailer. Yes actual droplets of water escaped my eyes, for reasons I cannot fully explain and I do expect that I will shed a tear or two in the cinema (the Kleenex is ready). Yes yes I know people will say I'm sad but you know what, it doesn't phase me. My name is Ayeshah and I am an EXTREME Harry Potter fan!!! At least I can proudly say I am over my twilight saga phase now. The way I see it, I'm on my way to be

It's taken me a while to realise I should have written a blog post about this. The wedding of the century: Prince William weds his sweetheart Catherine Middleton on 29/04/2011. I don't know about you but when I first heard about the wedding I was happy for Wills. It's so nice to see a young couple in love, the last thing on my mind was my tax money (I'll come back to that later). When I heard we'd be getting a day off work I was even happier. Nothing beats an extra long weekend :-) On the morning of the wedding I couldn't sleep, I was that excited. Anyone would have thought I was attending the wedding myself. Of course the fact the wedding was broadcast on tv, you really did feel like a part of the day anyway. I have to say, I did feel rather choked watching the wedding and I think it was because I could feel the love between them. So many celebrities and people in the public eye claim to love one another (Katie Price claims to love everyone) but how many of the

...I know I've neglected my blog recently. I've had a lot going on so apologies to my regular readers. I've come here today as I have been inspired by a truly beautiful chocolate man. He goes by the name of Morris Chestnut. The name alone is like music to my ears, my heart starts racing and my knees go weak. Anyway....I digress. A friend of mine is in denial about the gorgeousness of this man. I feel that for this reason Morris needs to be appreciated, respected and loved, right here and right now, for he doesn't get the attention he deserves. I hereby present: Mr Morris 'HOTNESS' Chestnut. Thank you lol x - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I usually look forward to the end of the day, just so that I can put my feet up with a cup of tea but I can't think like that this week. Every hour that goes by, it gets closer and closer to the time when I won't be blessed to have you in my company every day. I wish you all the best friend and I love you very much. Sisters for life xxx - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My regular readers will know I have a series on here titled; Rated R (for Random), where I express my random thoughts. Today's Rated R is slightly different. Today's Rated R is for Raunchy. Anyone who is getting excited thinking I'm about to reveal my deepest sexual fantasies, can get their minds out of the gutter because that is not what this entry is about. Today's entry is about shoes my friends. Yes that's right. Shoes. The other night I was telling a friend of mine about a new pair of shoes I had just ordered. I, forgetting I was talking to a male friend, got all excited at the thought of slipping my feet in to these little beauties. I shouldn't have been shocked therefore when he said: "you sound like you're having an orgasm". All I could do was laugh. What men need to realise is that shoes, like chocolate, have magical powers. A hot pair of shoes can set off endorphins in a womans brain, giving her immense pleasure. This is a fact and

You know what really grinds my gears.....ok, I realise I'm not Peter Griffin (Family Guy fans will get that one lol). I really don't understand why gorgeous women wear beautiful suits and dresses to work with big ol' dusty grey trainers. I totally understand the need for comfort and I even understand the urge to power walk to the office but come on ladies, let's not forget about style. If it's comfort you're after why not wear a pair of ballerina's? They actually look good with dresses and suits too believe it or not. Trainers with dresses, skirts or anythig other than jeans and sports wear, is totally unacceptable. This entry is in memory of a dear friend who also found this fashion a bit weird. We would have endlessly long debates on the subject. RIP D xxx - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I realise it's been awhile since I've blogged about these fabulous purple pills. The reason for this in all honesty is I haven't been taking them. Some journalist I'd make right? I was so put off by the side effects I experienced in the first week I didn't want to continue taking them. I decided that if I wanted to stay fit and healthy, the best way for me to do it, is to have a healthier lifestyle. By this I don't mean only munching on salad like I'm some sort of rabbit. I mean making healthier food choices, like not having chicken cottage and a Chinese buffet for lunch every week and drinking more water, eating more fruit and veg. I'm a girl who loves food. I can't eat from the low fat ranges because I love flavour in my food and there is no way I could stop enjoying the odd piece of chocolate. It's very rare that I indulge in the stuff anyway. An old work colleague of mine always use to say "eat little and often" she was also a fir

My friends and family all know how much I hate travelling by tube in London. It is one of the hardest tasks in our day to day lives and one of the biggest tests you will ever face. If you can survive an entire tube journey with a smile on your face and not one negative thought about where you are and the people around you, then you deserve 3 gold medals. These are the 10 reasons I hate the tube (and there's probably more). 1. When the tube is packed and people tell you to move down. First of all where do you expect me to move to and second why should I move? I'm quite comfortable where I am. If you want to squeeze up in this teeny tiny space your more than welcome to come and try. 2. When you're sitting on one of those fold down chairs and somebody with a back pack or newspaper gets on and stands over you. Dude, why is your bag/newspaper in my face? Take it off and put it on the floor between your legs and stop reading because if this train jerks forward and you fall on me,

Flesh coloured tights for black people. I suppose they're actually brown tights but ladies we really need to stay clear of these hideous things. I saw one girl today wearing brown tights with white shorts and black kitten heels. The ensemble may have looked alright with black tights but with them flesh coloured things it really wasn't happening. My fabulous black sisters, please hear my warning. Stay AWAY from the flesh coloured tights. Thank you :-) x - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

To be peaceful, be thankful for all that is. Peace comes when there is no fighting, and being  thankful eliminates what you would fight against. In a state of peace, you can focus all of your energy on being effective and creative. When you are at peace, you have great power to put toward the service of your highest purpose. Peace enables you to fully accept and make use of the limitless abundance that surrounds you. Peace saves you from all the wasted time and effort of resentment, judgment, worry and doubt. What has arrived in your world is already here, and you are here to fully experience it. See if you can be genuinely and unreservedly thankful, for that thankfulness draws you into the powerful state of peacefulness. Yes, some of what comes your way is uncomfortable, inconvenient and even painful. Be thankful nonetheless, and ease the burden of your burdens. Be thankful, and truly at peace, with what is. And you put yourself in control of what can be. -- Ralph Marston

....you want something so bad it scares you? And what scares you is the thought of losing something you don't even have? It's such an odd feeling. How do you distract yourself from driving yourself insane? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Race is a very sensitive subject. You have to be so careful about how you refer to or describe someone just in case you cause offence but these days that can be said about anything. The tone, manner and circumstance of what you say makes a big difference to how something is taken. When I was in Cyprus a Pakistani sister from Manchester was in conversation with a German sister. The German sister was referring to black people as coloured. The Pakistani sister to my surprise told her off to which the German sister replied "no no you mustn't say black it's wrong". I had been keeping out of the conversation until this point when I felt the need to inform this sister that there is nothing wrong with calling a black person black. Many black people find the description "coloured" very offensive. To this the sister said "but you're not all black anyway. Some of you are brown, some of you are light brown, some of you are caramel". I had to laugh at t

I looked up on the tube this morning and all of a sudden panic struck.  OMG I forgot to put on my eyeliner!!!  It's so weird I use to be scared to wear the stuff in case I stabbed myself in the eye with it (I have a fear of eyes - don't ask lol) and now I can't live without it!!!  I suppose this has highlighted one of my insecurities. I can't go out without my eyeliner.  It's an extension of me but it shouldn't be.  I should be able to wander the streets of London completely fresh faced.  Maybe one day, when I'm 80 :-) x

My regular blog readers know that I was in two minds about going on this journey from my earlier blog entry Me vs. Me. Cyprus for me is a spiritual retreat because it is where my spiritual guide resides. I didn't go to sunbathe or party. I went to work on my ego, reflect and strengthen my faith. When we got there we were immediately hit by tests and these tests were the reason we had been apprehensive about this journey in the first place. Thankfully we overcame them all. We learned how to deal with certain situations and simply say "this was meant be". It wasn't easy and some tests I'm sure we failed but we learned from them. Cyprus has been an emotional rollercoaster for me. I'm even finding it hard to write this blog entry without bursting in to tears. I went from not wanting to go, counting down the days to leave, to not wanting to come home at all. I met some amazing and wonderful characters from all over the world (some were not so wonderful but that

After writing my last blog entry I realised: this whole journey is a test. It's not just about me. Anything that is asked of me is part of that journey. Helping me to improve myself. Helping me to become less selfish. Helping to reduce my ego. It's not easy, believe me but it's all part and parcel of this whole journey; not just for this here and now but for eternity. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I came here to reconnect. Spiritually. I don't like this negative feeling and it's only day one. I have to look at this situation and think.....ok, how can I make this better? How can I turn this around so that the negative becomes a positive and this experience is a good one for me? I need to put my head down and do what I have to in order to survive this test. I have to accept that this is how it is here and just become part of the routine. Above all I have to remain true to myself. Remember why I came here. I came for me. So when all the work is done it's me time. Time to sit and reflect and just do me. Forget everything and everyone around me (selfish as it may seem) and just do me. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You know when you sit somewhere and all of a sudden you smell something.  Could be anything (right now I'm thinking BO) and then you start to panic because you think you're going to "catch the smell" and you frantically start smelling yourself to make sure you still smell like The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter and the Armani Code perfume you spritzed on that morning.  But isn't it nice when you realise bad odours don't get passed on to you?  Aaaaah.  So fresh and so clean clean!!

Though there's much you can do, there's nothing you must do to make yourself more important. You're already extremely important. You're already unique, valuable, and worthy. For you are an expression of life like no other. You are life experiencing the beauty and miracle of itself, blissfully and powerfully aware of your own awareness. Nothing you strive for or fight over could be more monumental than that. You long to create beautiful moments, and your ambitions can indeed bring much new beauty into existence. Always keep in mind, though, that you already have an exquisitely beautiful moment, and it is here, now. There is plenty of space and opportunity for real meaning and fulfillment right now, where you are. Instead of hurrying on to something you perceive as being more, feel the fullness of joy that is already a part of you. Bring all the power of the sweet experiences you fondly recall, and the future joy you wish to create, into making new, fulfilling m

How many of you have seen the new CBeebies children's programme Rastamouse?  It features a Jamaican Rastafarian mouse and his crew of 2 (Scratchy and Zooma) aka The Easy Crew.  They solve mysteries in their native Mouseland.  Now when I first saw this I thought it was hilarious. Hearing these characters speaking patois on a children's programme was amazing to me and a sign of how far we had come in this country, accepting and promoting diversity.  At the same time I knew it would only be a matter of time before the complaints came in.  I could just hear hordes of parents saying "but this isn't teaching the children to speak real English", "I don't want my child pretending to be a gangster" (because believe it or not there is a blinged up gangster mouse on the show and he may not be behaving like a gangster but he is dressed as and speaks like one). It may sound like I don't approve of the show, don't get me wrong I actually like it. The thi

.....or has fashion gone completely mad??? Like seriously, what are people thinking??? I have seen some absolutely shocking things out on road and I'm like, "do you not own a mirror in your yard, do you have no shame?" Let me elaborate on some of the things I'm talking about.....well one of the things and let me tell you, in the words of Peter Griffin, it really "grinds my gears". Are you ready? It's LEGGINGS!!! Now ladies, leggings are NOT, I repeat NOT trousers and therefore should not be worn as such. When the fashion of wearing leggings first came on to the scene, they were modelled as under garments, to be worn under long tops or jumpers. I now see people wearing these things as trousers, with short tops, their big old VPL and stripy knickers out of door with their big asses just wobbling about the place. The only time it is acceptable to wear leggings with a short top is if you're out running, in the gym or in a dance studio!!! Now that

The Help is a fictional novel written by Kathryn Stockett, set in 1960's Mississippi: "where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver". The book follows three main characters; Aibleen who is raising her 17th white child for a family more concerned with themselves, than with their own baby.  Minny who is famous for her cooking as well as her sharp tongue (she's not afraid to tell you like it is, whether you're black or white) and Miss Skeeter, a young white woman who has returned from college to find her beloved maid Constantine has disappeared.  The three main characters become friends as Miss Skeeter who is a keen writer, decides to write a book about white families and their black maids. I first heard about this book watching a review on the TV Book Club with Jo Brand.  They seemed to be 50/50 on their opinion of the book.  Their main concern was, how can a white author identify with the black maids?  How does she know

There's been a lot of talk in the press recently about when women should be thinking about having children. Medical experts are advising that women should think about having children between the ages of 20 and 35 but does having children over 35 really have an impact on the mother and do you agree with girls having children so young? According to research women who decide to have children over the age of 35 are likely to find it harder to conceive. They are also subjecting themselves and their baby to some of the following risks: genetic disorders, stillbirths, miscarriages, diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Each year after age 35 the mother's risks for each of these increases even more. I know a couple of women who have had children over the age of 35 and even over the age of 40 and I have to say they have been fine and their children also have been unaffected but there's also the other flip of the coin. Having children at 20. I've heard so many adults talki

People thought it was an odd choice for Christmas dinner when we told them we were going to Tayyabs in Whitechapel. Of course we actually went at the end of January so it wasn't really a Christmas dinner afterall. I've heard a lot about Tayyabs. It's very popular, particularly amongst the Muslim community because all of the food is halal. If you don't book a table at the weekend you could be queuing for ages before you get one. I'd also heard some famous faces had been seen eating there, the likes of Heston Blumenthal and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli. Ok so I'm impressed so far. When we approached the restaurant which is located on a quiet side road, I was a little surprised. It looked quite quaint inside. I dont know what I was expecting, some big, shiny, sparkly palace but it was just a restaurant. The staff were very friendly and obliging, particularly when we asked if we could move tables (they had seated us very closely to some random people. I don'

So as you can imagine I'm expecting some miracle results taking these tablets.  Obviously I know the benefits won't be evident straight away; I know the affects of the miracle berry will take time to show themselves but boy I wasn't expecting the results I got within days. They claim that The Acai Berry is supposed to give you glowing skin. Hmmmm.....so why am I getting spots?  I know when you're detoxing your body you can expect to get the odd spot or two but considering I drink green or white tea every day, I'm not expecting my detox to be that detoxifying.  Am I being naive here?  Perhaps. The other side affect I experienced while taken the Berry (not to be confused with the BlackBerry), was constipation.  I was a bit apprehensive to actually write about this, I don't think I need to broadcast my toilet habits but if I'm going to journal my progress on this I have to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but (no pun intended).  I was in complete

There’s a constant battle that we face on a daily basis and I’m not talking about the battle we face to wake up in the morning and go to work.  Nor am I talking about the battle to get a seat on the tube or the arguments we have with our partners/parents about who should do the washing up.  I’m not even talking about the battle we have when hunger strikes and our heart says “chocolate” and our mind cries “think of the calories”.  No I’m talking about the personal battle we face with ourselves aka our EGO’S. I don’t know about you but I am an over thinker; my gosh it is one of the worse traits to have.  I probably shouldn’t even admit to this but I even over think what I should wear to work the next day, to the point where I can’t sleep at night!!  Sad I know.  Anything I am experiencing in life gets over thought.  I over think what I should and shouldn’t do or what I have and haven’t done or what I’ve said or haven’t said.  It’s annoying but my brain is always on over time and I ask

Don't you just hate them?  Like, people say one thing, either about themselves or a certain situation but it's the total opposite for them, like it's not ok for you but it's all good for them.    The term double standard , coined in 1912, refers to any set of principles containing different provisions for one group of people than for another, typically without a good reason for having said difference.  A double standard may take the form of an instance in which certain concepts (often, for example, a word, phrase, social norm, or rule) are perceived as acceptable to be applied by one group of people, but are considered unacceptable or taboo when applied by another group . Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_standard . I've recently been in a situation where a double standard was applied.  I didn't even realise it at first and the truth is we are all faced with double standards every day in our lives.  For example, people will say you loo

So there's been a lot of talk in the press recently about the Acai Berry; a super food which grows in South America and is the new weight loss miracle sweeping the world.  Apparently the Acai Berry is packed with antioxidants and high in fibre, reducing your appetite and can also do the following: 1. Increase your metabolic rate helping you to lose weight 2. Slow down the ageing process and help cell recovery 3. Increase energy levels and fight fatigue 4. Give you clear skin and a glowing complexion. With all of the above combined, the Acai Berry apparently makes the process of losing weight faster and easier without any side effects. Now I'm not going to lie, I was totally impressed after reading about this super food and the 5 star reviews on it.  I'm trying to eat healthier and lose a little weight and right here in front of me is a natural product I can use that will help me feel good, shed those extra pounds and look great.  So I did my research. The best fo

.....there's something missing. He can't tell me what that something is, just that it's missing. Well if that's the case I'm obviously not perfect for you am I? But that doesn't phase me. I may not be perfect for you but I am perfect for somebody else. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There's a saying in life that goes: you live and you learn and it's so true. Well for me anyway. I like to think that I've learned from my mistakes. I learned allsorts from my parents, I learned at school, I learn from friends and I even learn at work but what I don't understand is other people. Why has nobody learned the basics in life, like manners and cleanliness. Let me take you back to the start of my day.......... ..........So I'm at the tube station waiting for my train. The train is pulling in to the station and the next thing I know there's a woman pressed right up against me, right by the platform edge, invading my personal space. Why? She's spotted the only free seat in the carriage and she wants it to be hers. Obviously I'm thinking "errr nah", I was here first. What happened to queuing in this country? Anyway she barges me to get on and sit down. Two seconds later a pregnant lady gets on and is looking at her as if to say "m

You know it's so easy to forget in life how truly blessed we are. We never seem to see it. We get taken over by the really simple mundane tasks of day to day life. We wake up, we go to work, we eat, we sleep and then we do it all over again. How many of us can actually say they wake up and think: thank God I'm here another day or thank God I have a job, I can pay my bills and buy what I need or thank God I have food to eat. The answer would be not many of us. I find that I often have a lot to complain about and these things I complain about are so unimportant. How ungrateful am I? I have so many things to be thankful for. My health, my family, my job, my friends. So many things it's unreal. Yet I don't see it. Today a member of my family was in a car accident. A really bad one but thankfully they are ok. It made me realise; life is precious and life is short. Instead of spending time moaning about what I don't have, how about appreciating the things I do have, embra

I love writing.  It's a passion of mine but my problem is I have too many ideas swimming around in my head and as soon as I get a new idea I want to start working on that and my current project gets left behind whilst I start on a new venture. A friend of mine suggested I start blogging; use this as a way to write continuously.  I use to blog a couple of years ago and I remembered how fun it was.  It was like my own little diary, a release and this is exactly what this new blog is going to be.  A release. I want to keep this fresh, funky and fun.  Anything goes basically.  So my readers and followers enjoy the Confessions of a Keytarist. *Special thanks to my girls Kay B Kay, Emz and Shaykhy Baby who encourage me to think positively and achieve my dreams.  Love you girls xxx