Sparkles of Gold (DIY - Gown)

Hello Lovelies!

Recently I had the pleasure of making a Maid-of-Honor dress for a friend. At first I was hesitant because no one would dare mess up a dress, especially for a once in a lifetime wedding. However, I took on the task with courage and started from the top. I grabbed my sketch book and began designing the style of the dress from what my friend envisioned. The next step in this process was to create a pattern. To be honest this is the hard part! Ultimately the pattern is the dress itself in paper form, so I had to be very precise in my measurements. After all that it was time to cut & sew (easy part!) Glad to say it was a success! Although it could be stressful, the rewarding part was seeing the dress on her & realizing you actually made that from scratch! (Ayeee <3)

- hamdi keynan xoxo

Red Floral Dress (DIY)

Hello Lovelies!

♥ I recently went a 'little' over board at the fabric store; I feel like a kid in a candy shop, when I'm there. And ended up buying loads of material! I fell in love with this red floral print fabric, it's a medium weight with a decent amount of stretch (So, NO zipper needed!) For this sewing DIY dress I made it into a high low; It actually turned out kinda longer in the front then I anticipated, but it worked out nice-ish!

♥ Below is a rough sketch I drew of the high-low dress; I like to get a visual of what I'm going to make before diving straight into cutting the fabric, then realizing that it wasn't how I wanted it to look! (... because fabric is expensive!)

- hamdi keynan xoxo

Front-view

Back-view

                                    

  

♡DIY - MAXI SKIRT {SIMPLE}

♡♡♡

♥ In this DIY tutorial I show you how to make a really simple and easy maxi skirt. It only takes a few steps! Once you learn how easy this is, you'll never have to go hunting store after store for the perfect skirt.

- hamdi keynan, xoxo

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PLgYzpq_8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What You Need To Know:

♥Materials:

- 2 to 2.5 yards of fabric [Any type: I used a stretch fabric] 

- Fabric Scissors

- Thread [preferably, the same color as your fabric]

- Measuring tape

- Seam Ripper [Just in case you make a mistake]

- Fabric Pins 

- Sample skirt [ Any skirt that fits you well; I am using a midi skirt, but the final skirt I'm making is maxi.]

*Sewing Machine* (Of course...)♥

-----------------------------------------------------------

♡STEP 1:

*First lay your fabric folded down on a flat surface; then lay the sample skirt to use as a pattern to trace. 

♡STEP 2:

*Using a fabric marker or chalk; trace around your skirt [top, bottom, and both sides!] making sure to leave 1/2" of seam allowance for all sides.

* Then CUT your markings!

♡STEP 3:

* SEW the two pieces of fabric on each side together [Remember: do this on BOTH sides of skirt!] Keep in mind to leave the 1/2" of seam allowance.

♡STEP 4: Making your waistband

1. Measure your waist

2. Desired width of waistband (I did 4")

3. Length of the waistband will be your waist measurement & width

 will be the 4". 

4. Cut your measurements!

5. Fold in half, so now your width will reduce to be 2" wide & Length will be half of your waist measurement.

6. SEW the sides of the waistband together, before you attach it to the skirt!

♡STEP 5: Connecting the waistband to the skirt 

1. Have the skirt facing inside out 

2. While placing the waistband right side out, with raw edges facing downward ⬇

3. Pin ALL the raw edges from the skirt & waistband together [you will sew 3 pieces of fabric together!] 

4. SEW around ! [Careful: this part can be tricky!]

------ ♥ Voilà your DONE! ♥ ------------------

LookBook

Today marks the annual World Hijab Day! Which is a movement that draws awareness to the true meaning about the hijab while spreading knowledge to the public! This is much needed nowadays, especially in this society that is quite oblivious to what the hijab represents.
Likewise, for this blog post we came together with our own unique styles and created a sort of a Lookbook of different outfits! We all have our own twist on how we dress and put outfits together. For the most part these outfits are more formal, but really you can DIY it and make it into your own look by adding more or less of something to fit your own personal style!

--- The Keynans xoxo

 @Sumaya_Keynan

@hamdiKeynan

@AishaKeynan

 

@SabrinaKeynan

Black & Gold (HAPPY NEW YEARS!)

Hello Lovelies !

Its has been a long time since we've posted (sort of neglected the blog!). I needed some time to just think about life and what I want to do with the rest of my life; basically a line my disoriented mind (If you know what I mean!)  As this Year has come to an end, I can honestly say 2013 is a year I can never forget because I learned so much about myself and finally found my passion. Surprisingly enough, I can know say I see where I will be in the near future (Inshallah)!  I am so thankful for everything and I know that 2014 will be bigger and better! Hopefully soon we will REVAMP our blog!

Now to the OUTFIT:

So, this dress is a one of my handmade project designs. It is a one wing maxi black dress with one long sleeve. Since, its really plain I added a gold trim on from the shoulder down on the side of the arm and two lines on the opposite arm. This dress is kind of dressy in some way (well... for me at least!) Making this dress is actually simpler than it looks and it can be easily designed in other ways with using different types of fabrics or even using a pattern fabric, which could give it a really unique look!

- hamdi Keynan xoxo

Subscribe New Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh03Ey31OfZ3J-LP--lrUXA/videos

I Am From

I am from a place far from home.

I am from the coast of the Indian Ocean, where the wind speaks so kind.

I am from a place that lost too many battles, to ignorance and hate.

I am from a war torn palace, where many ran free and others died in silence.

I am from a place that was once colonized by European nations.

I am from hardship and hunger.

I am from a nation that is being terrorized by its own people.

I am from a land where my native tongue is more than just one language.

I am from the outskirts of the Sahara deserts, where the sun greets you in your eyes, and the nights are as cold as the Minnesota winters.

I am from a place where my religion is my culture.

I am from a place where we say heaven is beneath our mother's feet.

I am from a kingdom that’s divided, yet our religion defines us as one.

I am from a family larger than the average.

I am from 6ft camels and countless cattle.

I am from multicolored rice and fried pastries.

I am from Ramadan fasting and Eid feasts.

I am from a land, of great prosperity.

I am from an empire that will rise.

I am from a place I never been, yet will always be my first home.

I am from Somalia.

- hamdi keynan, xoxo

Falling for Denim

Hello Lovelies!
I hope everyone had a blessed EID, even though it came a bit too quick! Evidently, I was not quite prepared for. So, despite the cold weather, fall is beyond beautiful with multicolored leaves & is one of my fave seasons! This outfit is more of an edgy style, with a studded jean vest and a black maxi dress underneath (which is a staple item and is a MUST in every girls closet!) & of course even in this weather Tuban style is essential to finish this look.

--- Sumaya Keynan xoxo

For the Love of Purple

Hello there Lovelies!
Its been a few weeks since our last post, because its that time again, 'back to school' meaning early mornings and little to no sleep. So, the dress I'm wearing is one of my handmade dresses, personally I love plain long sleeve dress, therefore I will not stop making 'em until I have every color (literally)! Also, what I love about long sleeve plain maxi dresses are that you can basically wear anything with 'em. By throwing on a blazer to dress it up or a cardigan for an everyday look.

--- hamdi Keynan xoxo

  

EID MUBARAK !

Hope everyone had a blessed Ramadan and a happy Eid! Its sad that Ramadan went by too quick, but inshallah our prayers will be accepted (Ameen)!
So, the Idea behind our Eid outfits was to be bright and bold, because no one wants to look 'dull' on such a festive holiday.



OUTFIT 1: @hamdikeynan

--- This outfit was hand made by me (hamdi keynan). When I first saw this fabric, I just knew I had to make something out of it! Royal blue is just one of those colors that is dark, yet stands out. Also, I paired it with a blue & orange scarf to give it a POP of color & gold accessories.

 

OUTFIT 2: @Sumaya_Keynan

One of the new trends going on now in the fashion hijabi world are Kaftans. And this bright orange kaftan is light and super comfortable in this hot weather! Also, by pairing it with a bright scarf like the white one, really defines the whole outfit.

 

OUTFIT 3: @AishaKeynan

This continues our theme of bright & bold statements. This was also created by (hamdi keynan), the fabric is thick, stretchy, yet breathable. The style of the dress is pretty simple actually, its just a long sleeve top part with a flowy bottom.  Also, finishing the look by combining it with a bright multicolored scarf. & of course who doesn't wear gold accessories with red!

OUTFIT 4: @SabrinaKeynan

And the trend continues! This shows you our love for kaftans, this one is in the same style. But, is in a beautiful bright purple color with gold accents. & the gold scarf makes the outfit come together!

     

  

OUTFIT 5: @AsmaKeynan

Now this final outfit, is bright and simple. The bright almost neon pink dress, is super breezy (which of course is perfect!) and paired with a simple black blazer that every girl has in her closet. And again a multicolored scarf to give the look some spice! & of course adding gold accessories.

 

----- The Keynans xoxo

Pretty In Pink

Who doesn't love pink? (seriously) For me, anything pink is a must have for my closet!

This high-low peplum long-sleeve dress is one of my first DIY sewing projects, as a self taught sewer, let me just say sewing is NOT a walk in the park! It takes a lot of practice getting use to the loud noise coming from the machine to constantly stabbing yourself with sewing needles. Also, the fabric that I used to make the dress is absolutely amazing, its like a combination of stretchy fabric, yet soft. Which gives it a nice feel, especially for summer! Although, I am no sewing prodigy and this is far from perfect. I  have more to learn and more DIY projects to come.

---- Hamdi Keynan xoxo