A Tuesday evening in the capital presents itself with many options where after work drinks are concerned. Rather than weave in and out of a congested Oxford Street (made even worst with the run up to Christmas) thinking outside of the box has never been a better idea.

Which is how I ended up at The Shard. If you haven’t seen this colossal structure in all its glory, then frankly, you’re missing out. Dominating the current London skyline, The Shard’s exterior boasts a certain opulence, leaving your mind running wild at what to expect from its interior.

Greeted and guided to the lifts, the doors opened to the 31^st floor in a matter of seconds. No ear popping or stomach dropping sensations too, which is a major thumbs up.

The dimly lit foyer and glass doors led us to a balcony view of Aqua Shard, one of three restaurants, which stopped both myself and my friend in our tracks, gobsmacked at the attention to detail, intimate lighting and the one thing we had both been anticipating – the view.

I purposely picked Tuesday taking my chances on the crowds being manageable and was pleasantly surprised to find that there were seats available around the bar area. Result! Drinks in hand, you couldn’t help but forget about all of life’s worries.

The décor, the ambiance and the type of crowd that Aqua Shard draws in is quite refined but not pretentious. These are people who want to fully enjoy their evening in a stylish, environment and share your enthusiasm at just how spectacular the panoramic view of London is.
On a whim, we decided to dine at Aqua Shard, unable to pry ourselves away. Our waiter ushered us to a very intimate, cosy table for two with chairs positioned to give you your very own slice of the London skyline.

Not only was our waiter attentive and patient, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant’s bar could concoct my favourite mocktail. A virgin Pina Colada with a pineapple shaped Shard garnish sat in front of me minutes later.

Dinner was what you would expect at The Shard, and with Aqua Shard offering contemporary British Cuisine, it makes a welcomed change from the array of multicultural foods lining London’s streets. I won’t lie, it is pricy, but considering the environment and the absolutely sublime views, anyone going to the Shard should be prepared to part with some cash.

Baked Scottish cod and a pearl barley risotto were the dishes of choice. I’ll leave the real foodies to dispute whether or not the menu is authentically British. As far as I’m concerned, that soft, melt in the mouth cod hit my seafood craving with little St George mushrooms packing a punch.

A blackcurrant cheesecake rounded up dinner and boy oh boy was it good. A very unusual looking cheesecake with all the elements pulled apart, individually dotted around the dish. Tasting the sweetness of the blackcurrant jam with the chewy ginger biscuit and the smooth blackcurrant mousse-like cream cheese was probably my favourite part of dinner.

Definitely worth the dine, do bear in mind that tables are needed back within 2 hours, which is probably the only downer of the whole experience. Good food. Stellar ambiance. Limited time to savour those views.

All in all I enjoyed my first experience there, despite the abrupt ending to our night. To top it off, my amazing dinner date was insistent on giving me my belated 25th treat, which for me, was the crème de la crème of the evening.

Am I not surrounded by the most amazing people?

Right from the start, I could tell that the Global Peace and Unity Festival would be unlike any event I have been to this year. Stacks of name badges for guest speakers and rows of press passes lined the PR table at the London Excel’s Platinum Suite ahead of what would be a busy and event-filled weekend.

The mission statement for this year’s GPU was “Freedom for all” – something so simple and yet unheard of in parts of the world. The basic concept of bringing together Muslims from all walks of life and then adding people from other faiths and cultural backgrounds into the mix, really hit the notion of unity spot on.

Chairman, Mohamed Ali Harrath said in a statement: “The recent revolutionary waves of demonstrations and protests in the Eastern & Western hemispheres have created an ever increasing need for conveyance of ‘Freedom for All’. Citizens around the world are unjustly held captive for exercising their right to ‘freedom’ of speech, association, assembly, thought, religion, expression and choice.”

Speaking with Farooq Murad, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council, to interviewing the bright and creative Nasheed singer Ahmed Hussain, I found that every minute was precious with so much to do and see.

“I think it’s a very good strong statement and brand in the sense that the title global peace and unity resonates very much what Islam is all about and stands for contrary to common perceptions. So I think it’s a good attempt to counter that narrative,” Murad said.

“I think one of the major issues under discussion lately has been the issue of freedom and multiculturalism, which is has been used in the topic of security, and that has been used to curtail the freedoms we’ve enjoyed in this country. This year’s theme provides the scope to explore those issues through speeches, discussions and workshops. But at the same time this should be an occasion to celebrate the freedom we do have, which I think is quite empowering in many ways.”

It’s that freedom that allows exhibitors like Islamic Pixels and Pearl Daisy to connect with such a substantial community and essentially connects people over mutual interests. It’s also that same freedom that gives individuals the chance to pursue their dreams – some of whom have turned those dreams into their livelihoods.

This year’s GPU, despite it being my very first, enabled me to see just how progressive this community is, with a marriage expo incorporated into the weekend where people could register and attend in order to meet potential and like-minded spouses.

With seminars and speeches throughout the day, the evening brought with it live musical entertainment. The Saverah Fashion Show drew in crowds of women eager to see the very latest in modest Islamic fashion and a huge funfair kept children entertained for hours on end.

Amongst the fun and laughter, there was an underlying charitable purpose where people could donate to Human Appeal and help people across parts of the UK, Africa and Asia suffering from poverty, social injustice and natural disasters.

Overall I would say the GPU 2013 was a success. Whilst seen as a predominantly Muslim event, it was great seeing people from so many backgrounds attend, participate and really get into the spirit of what can only be described as a family-filled weekend out. The one piece of advice I would give to anyone attending the GPU next year however, would be to plan your time wisely. With so much going on in such a big space, one weekend is barely enough – which says a lot in my opinion.

With an unmistakable excitement in the air, the inaugural Halal Food Festival opened its doors to the public on Friday 27 September. The opening ceremony, which included a ribbon cutting and prayers led by Ajmal Masroor, allowed both the event’s founder Imran Kausar and events director Noman Khawaja to reflect on what has been an unforgettable journey.

From the early thought process of introducing such a festival to coining the term “haloodie” (a halal foodie), Kausar and Khawaja, surrounded by their family and friends, were undeniably proud of where their vision had brought them.

Speaking at the press preview, Imran Kausar said: “The objective of the Halal Food Festival is to bring together businesses, consumers, restaurants, producers and retailers together in a fun festival atmosphere so that we can all learn from each other and help understand and appreciate the size of the market, but also what businesses can deliver and for consumers to have a say as to why halal is important to them.”

Halal Food Festival opening ceremony

The array of exhibitors truly embraced the notion of what it means to be halal, which extended beyond food and drink. Skincare, clothing, jewellery and art exhibitors all featured in the three day festival, which concluded on Sunday.

Alongside my weakness for sweets, my purchases also included a beautiful rose gold Hand Daisy from the buzzing Pearl Daisy. Meeting Amena was one of my definite highlights of the day. After her delicious Chicken and Mushroom pie video on YouTube, who wouldn’t want to meet her?! She is just as warm and friendly in person and I have to say, I am in love with my first (but definitely not my last) purchase from Pearl Daisy!

Amena, Pearl Daisy

My beautiful hand daisy!

Live cooking demos by Cyrus Todiwala, Chef Abdul Yaseen from Cinnamon Kitchen and Masterchef’s Shelina Permalloo gave audiences the chance to see quick, easy to cook recipes, ask questions and even meet the chefs themselves.

Ali Imdad, from the Great British Bake Off also featured in the live cooking demos and the Cooking School where visitors could demonstrate their culinary flair and cook along with guest chefs.

Ali Imdad

I loved that the festival was very much a fun-filled, family event that included a little haloodies station for children. Mocktails by Anise were absolutely fantastic, mixing unique ingredients to produce mouthwateringly refreshing drinks. My review for Anise will be coming very soon.

For lunch, burgers by Meat and Shake which included deliciously caramelised onions and melted cheese hit the spot and for a sweet treat… well… take your pick! Aneesh the Chocolatier, The Apple Blue Patisserie and The Baking Tray all provided delicious desserts, just what I needed after a juicy burger.

Aneesh the Chocolatier

Selection of cakes from the Apple Blue Patisserie

The overall day was one that was worth waking up early for. Whilst this has been a dream come true for both Imran and Noman, the Halal Food Festival has been a long overdue event for the vast Muslim population. With such a variety of exhibitors and the strong support from the public and the Mayor of London, this very unique and fulfilling event is sure to attract even more visitors, businesses and retailers in years to come.

If I could sum up my 24th year, I would call it ‘The Year of Lessons.’ Some of these lessons have been pleasant, easy, magical and surprising. On the flip side, there have also been horrendously difficult ones to learn and heart wrenching ones to come to terms with.

But the one thing they all have in common is they’ve taught me something about myself and this unpredictable world we live in.

With one final look back, here are 24 lessons my 24th year taught me…

1. Time means everything
   One of many things I often said to my friends and former bf. You can’t put a price on the time you spend with someone, which makes it a precious privilege we often take for granted.
2. Go Back to Basics more often
   Sticking all of my loved ones under one roof with good, fresh, home cooked food, music and drinks, was the best idea ever to celebrate my 24th. Sometimes stripping it back to the very basics is all you need.
3. Don’t write off love
   I thought it would be impossible to feel that rush of passionate and unconditional love and believed I was destined to that “out of convenience” love. Little did I know that this wasn’t the case.
4. If your instincts are telling you something, pay attention
   It is so easy to ignore those worrying gut feelings and focus more on what’s happening in your heart. But if your instincts leave you with even a shadow of a doubt, listen up and stay alert.
5. Players have evolved
   As you get older, you realise that players no longer have a certain look or attitude. In fact, the most humble and respectful personality could be masking something much more deceptive.
6. Do more of the things you love
   Whether it’s in your career, or a hobby, life and time is too short to be doing things you don’t love. Why’d you think I started Habibi Lifestyle? It’s so important to enjoy what you do.
   
7. Surround yourself with people who love you
   It sounds so cliché but only when you’re faced with hardships do you realise how crucial it is to have positive, supportive and strong loved ones around you. See who they are, keep them close and repay them in their time of need.
8. Broken trust hurts every time around
   If I could liken the feeling to anything, it would be a sharp slicing sensation, which is numb at first, but after it’s subsided reveals an excruciating pain. It’s not something that you grow immune to, because in most cases trust is going to be broken by different people. If it’s the same person consistently, then that brings me on my next lesson…
9. Whoever is meant to be in your life, will be there
   …and if they leave then frankly, that’s their loss.
   
10. Prayer and solitude is such a comfort
    There’s a certain tranquility I only get at the Mosque. Being left alone to your own thoughts in such beautiful surroundings does wonders for the soul.
11. Patience is everything
    Everything falls into place with a bit of patience
    
12. Girls, regardless of their age, will always be girls
    It’s easy to get dragged into pettiness and down to levels you didn’t even know existed. Refrain from that and leave it to the pros.
13. Whenever dealing with issues to do with relationships or money, always stay classy
    It always seems to knock people for six when you’re not red-faced and ready to throw down like some possessed banshee.
14. Exert your intelligence
    There is nothing more attractive in this world than someone who can humbly bestow knowledge on people out of the desire to educate others.
15. Stand by your morals and values
    The big bad world will be filled with people who will challenge your values, lead you astray from your morals and manipulate you into being someone you’re not. Don’t let them.
16. It’s okay to have a crush on fictional characters… that means you Harvey Specter
    No explanation is needed whatsoever for this.
17. Sometimes the stereotypes are true
    I hate stereotypes just as much as the next person and even though you try and look past what you hear, sometimes you can’t overlook that fact that people are destined to live up to that. I suppose it’s in their DNA.
18. Live a life with integrity
    I never want to be the reason why others are going without or others are suffering whilst I rejoice in comfort and luxury. Integrity doesn’t stop at a person’s character, it extends to their work, their passions and their attitudes.
19. Never underestimate a good cup of tea
    I make it a point to know how everyone takes their tea. It doesn’t have it’s intended effect unless it’s just how the individual likes it.
    
20. A clean slate is not always a bad thing
    During my 24th year, I lost two important things to me and I thought, how on earth am I going to cope? For a while I thought, how did this even happen to me. But then as each day goes by, I suppose I’ve been given a clean slate at probably a good stage in my life. Instead of seeing it as a detrimental loss, maybe this is the baggage I need to shed in order to go on to better things. We should appreciate it when we’re handed a clean slate. Imagine how many people are wishing for that.
21. Mothers are like lionesses
    I always knew my Mum had it in her, but seeing how fearless she is really makes me proud that if I’m going have that kind of courage and strength, it’s going to be from her. (I get my chilled out, laid back vibe from my Dad, if you’re wondering)
22. Don’t change who you are to please other people
    If you need to change everything about yourself to fit in and be accepted by others, then it’s fair to say, those people don’t truly care about you. As corny as it sounds, people who accept and love you for you, won’t require you to change, because they’re already graced with the perfect version of you. (Altogther now, “awwww!”)
23. What is meant for you will always be
    Whether it’s good or bad, we are destined for whatever is written for us. All we can do is accept what is meant to be. Mum’s words of wisdom… she has a point.
    
24. Live your life by your own motto
    Whilst it’s great finding a quote that reflects your current mood, there’s nothing quite like living by your own motto. Sure we can all “laugh at the confusion” and “dance in the rain” but what’s the point when everyone is doing the same thing. Be original in your aspirations and how you live your life. Me? I prefer to “live a life that would make great literature” and by God’s grace, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Gathered outside the beautiful Cinnamon Kitchen yesterday morning, three key members behind the Halal Food Festival spoke about the inaugural event, set to attract an astonishing 20,000 visitors at the London ExCel between 27 – 29 September, 2013.

Imran Kausar, Founder of the Halal Food Festival, Noman Khawaja, Events Director and Cinnamon Kitchen’s Chef Abdul Yaseen who also appears on the popular cooking show Haloodies, all spoke about the forthcoming event and how it could potentially impact the future of halal food in the UK.

Kausar spoke about his childhood in Scotland where halal produce was a rarity as well as the realisation that there was a huge gap within the food industry.

“At an early age it was very apparent that halal was separate and I didn’t like that distinction, I wanted to make it normal. That was a seed that was planted. Fast forward 25 to 30 years, that ambition still burned inside me. Through attending loads of food festivals it was apparent that I was missing out and if I was missing out, my friends and colleagues who also enjoyed halal food was missing out. I thought, why can’t there be a halal food festival?

“I knew there wasn’t one in London so I looked into it and I was really astonished to find there wasn’t one anywhere in the world.”

The food festival will not only include the launch of Joho Soho – a new Indian Street food stall – but a line up exhibitors that together bring a culinary delight of cuisines, all of which are halal. One such exhibitor present at the conference was Aneesh Popat, a young, budding chocolatier who’s range of water based chocolates are a real fusion of Eastern spices and Western influences. With no cream, no butter, no eggs and no gelatine, Popat has ensured that his delightful treats are 100% halal.

From L to R: Chef Abdul Yaseen, Imran Kausar & Noman Khawaja

Whilst some may think of this event exclusively to Muslims, there is a huge urge for non-Muslims to attend in order to learn more about what it means to be halal and come away with a new perspective.

“Halal is important for religious reasons but it is also important for scientific reasons, which I think people should be educated on more and especially the people who are into cooking food and also those who hear about halal food,” explained Chef Abdul Yaseen.

Whilst supermarkets are slowly bridging a gap and have introduced some halal produce, there is also the question about the number of restaurants and whether they are proportionate to the number of Muslims in the UK, which according to the 2011 census stands at 2.7 million.

“I think it’s not so much about quantity, it’s about quality and range,” Kausar said. “I think there are a large, probably disproportionately large number of chicken restaurants and fast food restaurants and I think that might have been acceptable at one point but I think most of us want better than that. So I think there is an insufficient number of very good quality Indian, Japanese, Italian and French restaurants that are authentic in their food but are halal.”

The event promises to have something for everyone. Live demos, cooking classes, a mixologist set to concoct delicious mocktails, harmonious nasheed singers and even a little Haloodies area for children.

With a matter of weeks to go and so much packed into one weekend, I was curious to know what the ambitious founder himself was looking forward to.

“In all honesty I’m looking forward to the first set of visitors to come through the door and hopefully come up to me and say “Imran, thank you, this was really good, this was worth the £20 admission fee, we had a great time and we will come back next year.” That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

If you haven’t yet bought your tickets and are interested in attending the event, find out more on the official website.

As the quarter of a century milestone slowly creeps up on me, I’ve been taking the time to sit back and evaluate the last 25 years.

Sorry. I just had to take a moment to let it sink in that I have been on Earth for nearly 25 years. That’s insane.

We’ve all heard of a mid-life crisis but did you know that young people between the ages of 25 to 35 go through what is called a “quarter-life crisis?” Media company, Entertainment One, conducted a poll in July to coincide with the release of psychological thriller Side Effects, asking 2,000 participants to rate their happiness in addition to other questions.

Money worries plagued just under 40 percent of young Brits with work, lack of sleep and relationship troubles causing stress for the UK’s 20-something year olds.

Shockingly, an increasing number of young people in Britain are seeking professional help to combat the issue of a quarter-life crisis, with a third having undergone therapy and a quarter having been prescribed antidepressants.

Neil Shah, the Director of the Stress Management Society told the Daily Mail that:

The pressures a modern twenty-something faces are very different to their counterparts from 20 or 30 years ago.

He’s not wrong. Growing up in a time where the media glamourises rich and lavish lifestyles not only acts as an escapism most of the time, but makes us yearn for what we see. It hinders the reality of our situation and only when we step back and look around do we realise how far we are from even a hint of glitz.

Only now do I understand why Asian girls get stressed to the core at this age. In addition to achieving personal goals, they also have to satisfy the hopes and wishes of their families too – which isn’t a bad thing. But in some cases it adds another layer of unnecessary stress. Whilst you’re looking for a job in whatever you graduated in, you have whispers of potential guys and the prospect of an impending nuptial simmering away to the point where you can’t ignore it.

I can only imagine the anxiety Asian aunties would get if they realised how much of a blank canvas my life currently is after having it all this time last year. More to the point, imagine my anxiety.

But talking to friends and family, I realised that this “lady of leisure” phase I’m going through is something they would absolutely love to have. No having to deal with nightmare bosses and no relationship drama that leaves you drained. Just you, yourself and the whole wide world.

Did I want it to be just me and the whole wide world? Hell, no. But I’ve realised that this seemingly bleak blank canvas has a few blessings in disguise. Having my relationship end, inevitably prevented me from being trapped with a serial cheater. Having my job come to an end after that removed me from a position that I had outgrown. Are you starting to see my quarter-life crisis now?

But rather than stress about it all, I suppose it’s like having a brand new space to fill with even more amazing ventures and achievements. If your cosy lifestyle is taken away from you, I’m willing to bet that it’s a clear cut sign that now is the time to explore the multitude of options out there.

Only then do you realise that your Quarter-life crisis is in fact your Quarter-life transformation.

Originally posted on August 11, 2012

When you break up with your significant other, the realisation of what could have been really sets in. Whether it was the idea of living together, or even going so far as marriage and family, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

I’m sure a lot of girls (and maybe even guys) can recall a time where conversation turned to scenarios like what your ideal wedding would involve, the number of kids you’d want and what their names would be. We don’t have these bundles of joy but the abundance of names to choose from somehow draws you in. Admit it, you’ve given it some thought.

This was something my ex and I spoke about. I was so sure that things would work out, that I was emotionally invested in these names which I would one day put to a face.

Of course a meticulously planned relationship never works out, and of course I was having to deal with him cheating and lying consistently. I was so enraged he would do such a thing but after a long, long fight to get us back on track, I cut my losses and simply got on with things.

Right now, I’m more than happy not being in contact with him. I eventually made peace with the fact that he moved on and got married and I’m glad that relationship is working out well for him.

What I didn’t actually make peace with was something I stumbled upon a couple of weeks ago.

A picture on his brother’s Facebook page of a baby, his nephew to be precise. And with that, his middle name that made me freeze and wonder if I needed to bring my opticians appointment forward by a few months.

Some people might argue and question why I still have my ex’s brother on Facebook, and my response to that is why the hell not? We don’t actually communicate, in fact, I hardly communicate with a large number of people on my friend’s list. I’m more than sure that’s the case with a lot of you too.

But anyway, nested in between his first and last name was one that I had voiced my adoration for because I loved the sound of it. After some convincing he was all for it, but never in my life did I think he would actually use it after us splitting up.

I guess with relationships that haven’t quite made it to the altar, everything is sort of up for grabs. I just know that I would never move into a new relationship and use a name my ex suggested.

Is that even normal? Do people actually do that? Surely that’s like a permanent cling to the past or something? But then again it could just be that the name grew on him – even after we called it quits.

At the time I was gobsmacked but now that some time has gone by I’m pretty much neutral over the whole thing. I may never comprehend how and why he opted for that name but when I look at the way things stand right now, I would never want to bring something that personal from a past relationship to the current one I have now. The way I would see it is my beau deserves so much more than that.

You’d think the ex would feel the same for his other half.