DH and I, before getting hitched, agreed that any name change I may make need not be legal- the expense and general bother just wasn’t worth it to us.  Alas, the many surprises that marriage brings included a complete about-face on the legal name change issue.

The Fashion Mujahid marches on, and finds formidable foes lurking in her husband’s closet.

Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah!

I have had a few crappy days lately: illness, tough times at work, and celebrations past, present, and impending have been wearing on me. I've gotten better about indulging in self-pity, however, and tried something that I hope may help you: when I'm having a bad day, I've sought out extra opportunities for kindness: offering a seat on the subway to an older/pregnant/parcel-laden person, making sure I've extra change for my favorite homeless folk, that sort of thing. It gives a lift to the spirits like nothing else, and it's free, for whatever I loan to God through charity will be repaid. And the promise of the Lord is true. 

Now that we've got everyone togged out in the latest fall fashions, I'll get to some ethical, fun options for makeup this fall. Bold colored lips and smoky eyes are still in, but please don't combine them, unless you want your makeup to be critiqued by Anousheh Ansari while she orbits the globe. This should be balanced by natural looking skin (Laury, hon, you've got gorgeous skin, so don't let me catch you hiding under cream foundation) and lightly enhanced lashes. Thanks to companies like The Body Shop and Burt's Bees, we can all look good, have fun, and be good to the earth while doing so. The products I feature have not been tested on animals, and a few are vegan. A few of my favorites:

Childhood is an incredibly precious time of life. This is a time to grow mentally, morally, and physically, to be shielded from adult cares in order to better prepare for them. This precious time of life is indeed meant to be fleeting, but it rankles me when I see children being pressed into adult roles – or clothes.

Time to 'fess up. I was a tomboy as a child, and I still require my clothes to be, above all, comfortable. What's the point of putting something on that makes you feel uneasy? If you're looking for discomfort, life will provide many opportunities for such. I also enjoy children's company, and I find those wearing clothing that they can run, jump, wiggle, climb, in short, be kids in to be happier children overall. There are places where highly restrictive clothing is appropriate, but those come with padded cells and nurses. If you are allowed to have shoelaces, you should be in clothing that allows you to bend over to tie them.

By Brian Murphy ASSOCIATED PRESS 10:39 a.m. August 9, 2006 TEHRAN, Iran – It's an undercover movement – literally: Tattoos have become a fad among many young Iranian women who proudly display them in private but must keep them under wraps from authorities.

“This is the tattoo generation,” said Milad, a 24-year-old artist who does body art as a sideline in his Tehran studio. He gave only his first name, fearing police might crack down.

Advertisement “It's the new sign of being hip.”

It's a select, largely female clientele, mostly teens and 20-somethings in Tehran's most affluent and style-savvy districts. But these have been the birthplaces for nearly every limit-testing trend since the strict dress codes of the Islamic Revolution began to erode in the late 1990s. It began with nose jobs then moved on to makeovers, body-hugging jackets, funky sneakers and head scarves that leave more hair exposed than covered.

Nakia, our Fashion Mujahid takes a look at Shukr's new fall line. Pointing out that cutting clothes just a little wider doesn't quite make it fashion, especially for women with curves. The Fashion Mujahid points out what styles look good on what shapes and what colors are right for your complexion.

No, Shukr is not taking cues from European fashion- at least not from this millennium. Shukr's new togs for women feature the same earth tones and neutrals as they always have, and the same medieval cuts and hemlines. They tend to assume that if you cut wide enough, it will hide any semblance of a figure, which is partly true. However, pick the wrong cut and/or fabric, and you will wind up highlighting just what you wanted to conceal.

Like this wee number:

Shukr's Mock Wrap Discernment Dress

OK Ilan killed the personal ads idea, so I shan't be playing auntie for anyone on PI.org. I still think we should have a discussion on progressive Muslims finding mates that are spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually compatible (among other things). Marriage isn't the same as it was when our grandparents were getting hitched, and for those of us who have multifaith families, we've got several traditions/forms of baggage to handle. Let's talk about love, people!

My new PI.org name is Fashion Mujahid. I plan to offer something on the Fashion Jihad in a bit, I'm thinking something along the lines of selecting one's best colors. Stay tuned, and be beautiful to yourself.

One common tactic to dissuade people from doing something, anything, is to argue that it's frivolous, that there are better things to do, that with all the human suffering out there, why in the world are you leading prayer/listening to music/talking about love, life, etc.?

I won't waste time talking about how idiotic that argument is, but I will ask why I've not seen that tactic used in another fashion. Why is it only used against folk who are working for more personal freedom, or simply enjoying life? Why not turn that "Don't you think you should be focused on the poor?" on the imam who screams for an hour about lipstick, MTV, or Naseeb? I don't hear anyone use those lines against the hateful characters calling for death to America/Israel/Asra Nomani/Irshad Manji/etc. We can't be pansies- I'm sick of progressives being pushed around. So, here's what I want y'all to do:

1. Next time you hear someone spouting hateful nonsense, just say: well, I'm sure that's very important, but we need to focus on poverty/public health/ education/human rights/just about anything else first.

2. As they sputter for a rejoinder, seize the reins of the conversation, and steer it towards your suggested topic, or one related. Bonus points if you can get people to donate to the charity of your choice.

3. Pass on this topic, and repeat when needed.

Good.

Now, I promised a little something on the Fashion Jihad, and I'm not one to break my promises. One of the stated goals of the Fashion Jihad was to make sure that all who participate in beautifying the believers are paid well and treated fairly. Since we're not going to get makers of "Islamic" clothing to go organic and fair trade anytime soon, I looked up a few places that do have organic, fair trade clothing, and weeded out those that lack the modest clothing us Muslims crave. I included some Islamic sites that have natural clothing, maybe we can work on them.

Key:
$ – downright cheap
$$- moderately priced
$$$ – slightly expensive
$$$$ – maybe if you mugged Madonna.

One World is Enough
http://www.one-world-is-enough.net/
Casual, some stuff for work (unless you're an accountant), some dresses for evening
$$

Mehera Shaw
http://www.meherashaw.com/boutique/HOME/cat/collections/fall-winter
Casual, some stuff for work (unless you're an accountant.), evening wear
$$$

Al-Farah
http://www.al-farah.com/
Casual, work (based in US)
$$

Primo Moda
http://www.primomoda.com/
Casual, work, formal
$$$

Artizara
http://artizara.com/webcart11/index.php
Casual, work, formal (based in US)
$$

Crescent Moon Boutique
https://www.crescentmoonboutique.com/default.aspx
Casual, work, formal based in US (they use black models!)
$$