Gucci Boston review

It has been more than a year since I bought my Gucci Boston bag so I have decided to review it for anyone thinking of purchasing one. I find these reviews helpful when deciding whether or not to buy an expensive item. 

Customer service: Perhaps it was my bad luck but I ended up with the rudest, most unhelpful sales assistant ever. Not sure if this is because it was at Heathrow (terminal 3) and she was sick of tourists or something but she had a chip on her shoulder, and I would certainly not have put up with her crap service if I hadn't been getting the bag tax-free. No idea why some designer SAs act like they own the brand but moving on.. 

Bag:

The style and size is pretty much the same as a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30. The main differences are that the Boston has more leather trim and the canvas is more like fabric than the Speedy canvas, making it less waterproof. I think the Speedy canvas is more durable overall.  

One of my favourite parts of the bag is actually the zip - it's excellent quality and makes the nicest sound when zipped xD

Although I have travelled with it, I have by no means used this as an everyday bag and it has already gotten some colour transfer from clothing. Boo. 

The leather has held up fairly well but there are some obvious scratches on the handle.  

It comes with a quality leather strap, but I rarely use it. 

There is a useful zipped pocket inside and two pouches for phone/keys etc; the fabric on the inside is cream, so is prone to get dirty.The bag itself is very well made and definitely feels like a luxury item. I know a lot of people are not keen on the 'in your face' monogram print but I personally love it. 

Value for money:

As the price goes up annually and I purchased it in duty-free last year, I paid less than the current online price of £700. Having used this bag for a year I do not think that it is worth £700, although I would probably be happy to pay the duty free price. 

Overall: 

Taking everything into consideration, I give this bag 7/10. I would recommend it if you can get it tax free, and you don't mind the potential for colour transfer or scratches on the leather. Despite it's drawbacks I think it's beautiful and it's still one of my favourite bags - I'm not planning to sell it any time soon!

Hope this review helped anyone thinking of getting this bag :)

WTH has happened to hijabis on YouTube..?

People who have read my blog for a while will know that I am not particularly judgemental and I don't call people out on things in public but seriously - what on EARTH has happened to Muslim YouTubers?! 

Don't get me wrong, some of them are awesome but I cannot believe that it has become acceptable for Muslims to produce satirical videos about making the hijab 'sexy' or 'halal chat-up lines' or mocking videos about halal food or about having extramarital relations, all produced, edited and posted by Muslims. How on earth did we get to this level of acceptance towards mocking our own religion? To the point where the producers of these videos are congratulated, interviewed and loved by thousands of Muslims. Since when did it become okay and encouraged to make light of such serious topics? We as an Ummah are heading down a very slippery slope.

Once you start making light of a subject, even for a joke, it's seriousness will lessen until eventually you hold it in no regard at all. This is the way the shaytaan manipulates and deviates man and unfortunately we are making it all incredibly easy for him. 

I am not suggesting that Muslims should just get off YouTube but how about making useful videos? Not necessarily about Islam but about something that is positive or educational or comedy that is respectful and does not mock our way of life, or anyone else's. And definitely something that is not riddled with inappropriate language as I have seen on many Muslims' videos, and it looks ten times worse when hijabis do it. 

A word of advice: modesty and shyness (hayaa') are loved characteristics in Islam - they are beautiful and they beautify the person that possesses them. Please don't throw these traits away by mocking your own values for a cheap laugh. You should hold yourself and your beliefs in a much, much higher regard than that.

If you ask them, they declare: "We were only talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allah, and His Ayat and His Messenger (SAW) that you were mocking?" 

[Al-Tawbah:65]

Hijab work outfit idea #2

Smart hijab by stylishmuslimah

Since entering the world of work I have come to realise that the simple act of getting out of bed at 6 am after 5 hours of sleep is such a feat that putting together a remotely coordinated outfit is one of the last things I care about anymore. So I have taken to Polyvore to create virtual outfits in an attempt to make up for what I am now lacking in reality :O

It is not Al-Birr (righteousness) that you turn your faces towards the East or West (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of his love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the poor, to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and sets slaves free and performs As-Salat, and gives Zakat, and fulfils a covenant when he makes it, and is patient in extreme poverty and ailment and at the time of fighting. Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun (pious).

[Surat Al-Baqarah:177]

Hijab work outfit idea

Hijab work outfit by stylishmuslimah

The Givenchy bag is the latest addition to my wish list :)