Doctors Worldwide

Our mission is to serve communities in need through the provision of sustainable medical relief and health based development programmes worldwide by means of working through local partnerships and communities.

Doctors Worldwide, a Non Governmental Organisation formed solely of medical professionals who aim to provide long term medical aid to struggling countries is a charity that I had in the past heard of, however after recently meeting up with Husne Begum, the Fundraising Communications Manager, I was eager to learn more and an interview soon ensued.

The UK based organisation began in the year 2000, when a group of Doctors witnessed the turmoil in Kosovo and wanted to lend their expertise. The professional themed relief that they could provide has lead to a substantial growth in the past 12 years and the organisation has supported people in a number of countries including Haiti, Kenya and Pakistan as well as opening a sister arm in Turkey.

What I love most about the organisation, put well by Husne is how they strive for creating the "best impact not the most". Doctors Worldwide really focus on providing sustainable and long term relief within areas that need their help. More often than not you find everyone pulls together when the media frenzies over a disaster stricken area and forget about it just as quick, however this NGO will only enter an area if they can fulfil their goal of "long term implementation". Not only do they provide immediate relief to civilians but will also train locals and empower communities ready for when the NGO need to leave and turn their focus elsewhere.

Begum elaborates when talking about the neo natal unit which they have opened in the Sindh province of Pakistan, pausing to give me insightful perspective on how the medical collaborative team work.

The organisation have worked extremely hard setting up clinics and successfully carrying out 6 projects so far, tackling issues such as Poverty Reduction, circumcision, emergency famine projects and helping to rebuild lives, for example their Keshgi Refugee Camp in Pakistan that they have supported since June 2010.

Finding out more about the charity has been eye opening for me, and inspiring. I love how the organisation works with the sole intention of the civilians in mind and constantly assess what is best for them and also how they are using their hard work and talent to create a better quality of life for those who are struggling.

I look forward to hearing about their next project, launching in a few months and telling you all about it. Until then, log onto: www.doctorsworldwide.org to learn more about them and finding out how we can all help this independent organisation.

The Want # 1

Having previously posted about staples necessary to buy and build up the classic wardrobe I have come to a bit of a crossroads with Want vs Need.

I have come to finally understand that my want is insatiable. After recently becoming a comedy anecdote to friends with a secret wishlist being online, the materialistic light was cast upon me.

A little abashed, I defended my lust for the well-made and beautifully bejewelled (more to myself than to anyone else), and then came to an epiphany of sorts: why defend it and not embrace it?

There will always be something that I will want, unashamedly desire for, buy, use and the circle will bounce back to the beginning again.

At the moment it is the Miu Miu textured leather tote in blue, or so it's titled - to me it's the Miu Miu 'I'm so flawless in every way and one item keeping your life from perfection.'

Oh the qualms of a girl! To want and always want more.

The Staples # 1

I've been on a mission for a while now; to source the best from the best when it comes to garments and accessories.
In my head it's like I'd collect these pieces and have them on display, much like in a museum. They would then just hang so I could gaze at them awe-inspiringly whilst deciding how to pull them together. But reality being what it is, I find that I am not Carrie with the closet. I am me - me with the wardrobe where Ralph is pushed against the Barbour to make room for American Apparel.

Well I digress but my point: to build the everlasting wardrobe. A mean feat it seems, but one I am willing to undertake so my wardrobe can bask in it's own glory once I do.

So, what's first on my list? The jean of course. Who has a wardrobe without a pair? I myself couldn't live without a medium rinse super skinny pair. Yep it's a staple for sure - our good old Brit Katie popped them on one day and the rest of us haven't looked back since.

So I'm torn between two brands; Levi's and J Brand. Levi's is the classic whilst J Brand is the new kid on the block but the reputation for both proceeds them. A proud owner of skinny fit Levi's which equate to my right-hand man, maybe I should have the J Brand experience all the LA-ers are loving and get a left-hand man for backup?

 vs

 

 

I want the cosy life...

Here I am back again...its spring. The fashion world brings me full circle. As I browse through the usual inspirational sites - focusing on the lip colour here, the silhouette and cut there, I come across the print campaigns by designers for this season.

This particular one by Dolce and Gabbana struck me. The neat, immaculate, polished Italian family life that is poised within this frame is simply exquisite - nothing less to be expected by Italians of course.

With Monica Belluci and Bianca Balti basking in the southern Italian sun and Giampolo Sgura capturing this idyllic lifestyle who wouldn't want to be a part of this family?

What I love most about their ad campaign is how it is completely different to any I've come across so far for this season. No sweet pleats or sugary hues are seen here. The campaign embodies inner strength, grace, cleverly painting that idyllic real life that we all feel so close to yet at the same time aspire to achieve. Isn't it just that with the Italians though? So real, so at one with everything at its natural best, yet so Godlike with their beauty and fashion pristine unparalleled?

Utterly spell binding. Truly transfixing. I am transported.

Heaven was aptly named

The debut single from Emeli Sande is exactly that. Pure, gritty, a halo of a voice. The Neneh Cherry of 2011 has broken through - reaching souls with her octaves and late 90's inspired beats.

Check out her official video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=883yQqdOaLg

Did she say yes...?

Undoubtedly the sweetest proposal ever. This is the kind of thing we should be focusing on. Celebration of love.

Check out the link below for 4 and a half minutes of 'awwwhhh' time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&hl=en&v=xzEkLz-_6fM&gl=US

Marc Jacobs Celebrates Ramadhan

I absolutely L-O-V-E this; one of my all time favourite designers dressing the windows in their United Arab Emirates store to celebrate Ramadhan. Such a sweet and genuine thought for their customers  - and what a way to give importance to their customers too. I especially love how the forefront manikins have been dressed in green and yellow, colours of celebration. A few pictures from Marc are below, enjoy x

We are One World

An uneasy calm ripples through the streets and towns of Birmingham and beyond. The anarchic chaos that has saturated our TV screens, Twitter and Facebook pages, minds and hearts begins to subside.

People are grateful to be waking upto news that doesn't confirm the worst but are hesitant to let down their guard.

After days of so much anger, so many misunderstood emotions, so much 'nobody understands me' spilling out onto the streets I hope that the horrendous actions of people illustrate just how broken our society is and how futile parts of that society are towards the people of power; the government.

History repeats itself with the Tories - first with Thatcher and now with Cameron. People cannot be fooled, or suppressed. We are One World - we need to construct a well voiced society together. We need to put selfish needs behind us and re-build together.

I have the utmost respect for all the people at the 100 strong Vigil in Birmingham last night held in honour of the 3 boys who became victims of mindless egotistical behaviour and rampage. It's a heart-breaking shame that it took the death of innocent people and a grieving father for everyone to come to their senses. Tariq Jahan has become a beacon of light with his strength and grace amidst the turmoil that must be in his heart.

Cameron should take heed, that while he dithered about with his namesake cabinet and gave fruitless, unyielding speeches, it was a normal man - not a man of great power, that spoke the most sense and broke through to the community.

So too should the Police take heed that while they dithered about, normal people were doing their job. Our brothers, fathers, friends and neighbours uniting together to protect each other. Too keep the people safe, our beliefs safe and our communities safe.

To the Muslim and Sikh communities and those who helped with the clean ups - be proud.

We are all leading the way being One World and keeping Love and Peace in our hearts.

It's Time to Bring it Back

The world is in turmoil, time to re-focus. Love and Light. Let's enrich the world with positivity.

Here's a simple kick-ass track to get you back into that feeling; Beyonce - End of Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lecD2WwnME&feature=BFa&list=PL0579823B828D6C76&index=1

Cameron's Big Society Crumbles

The already cracked mould now segregates and falls away as real emotions overspill from Cameron's Britain.

Whilst opportunists use the riots as an excuse to free ride and act out - many wait for Cameron and the outcome of his 'crisis meeting' that he is set to chair.

Many MP's have already united calling a stop to the riots as many now focus on mindless looting and violence. Diane Abbot, Labour MP for Hackney earlier tweeted; 'Message needs to go out to copycat looters that it's illegal, immoral and profoundly stupid. Trashing your own community.'

While Cameron sweats, ignorant youths exploit needless opportune moments, people look to non existent police and Britain deteriorates by each second; businesses, livelihoods and communities - rebuilding not only seems a long time coming but an expensive overhaul.

Anarchy for anarchy's sake as loss of meaning is now dissolved. 

"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." - (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

London Etches a Burning Message

People watch, people scare. Police shadows quiver apprehensively.

The UK watches on as scenes of burning, looting and violence spreads outwards across South London - Hackney, Tottenham and now images of buildings blazing in Croyden and videos of youths and gangs vandalising shops as far as Birmingham too.

The domino effects of a single policeman's actions are spiralling further out of control before our very eyes. Three days into the riots many are disengaging from the stem of the issue - the now infamous 'stop and search' incident that took place on Friday in which reporters say an unarmed black man was shot and killed.

This specific incident has ignited most of Britain - the prejudice in many peoples hearts and certainly businesses and buildings alike.

As the powerful lay back and enjoy the show, the riots enrage more and the war between minorities and the state becomes apparent - the unemployed, the oppressed and the young angry.

As the public wait to see what happens next, many youths are asking: 'Cameron are you getting the message?'

Ramadhan Mubarak

That time of year has descended upon us again - and has taken over our being before we even knew it: Ramadhan Kareem.

As Muslims in the UK sit back having opened the first fast of the month, the ambiance and atmosphere that only Ramadhan alone brings into our homes, dinner tables and amongst each other always leaves me serene.

One of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar which many know simply for fasting, as eating is prohibited between dawn and dusk during this month. However the semantics of the next 29 days go much deeper due to the purely spiritual nature of this month.


This is a month for reflection, forgiveness, being grateful and humble for what we have and remembering those who do not have the same. This is a month of charity and charitable behaviour. This is a month for spreading love and peace to one another and purifying our hearts.Togetherness with each other and solidarity with Allah.

 

May Allah give us all strength during this month, answer our prayers and cleanse our souls. Ameen. 

Because Life is too short and Happiness is Fleeting

Everyday we should take a moment to appreciate what we have, be grateful and celebrate the different forms of love we share...

Thoughts go out to all those affected by the weeks news x

Little Tidings of Joy...

...to brighten up a dreary day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bTLgeqCaYMY

If Kittens can DJ maybe I have a better chance of it too.

Enjoy x

Lasers and Light

So it's been an absolutely crazy few days but before it gets any busier and the world fills up my sight and imagination I just had to take a few seconds to gush about the new sound which has re-invented my playlist...

After a long while, Lupe Fiasco is back!! His new album Lasers has been playing on repeat for the last 72 hours and I don't think I'm going to have had enough any time soon.

His hip-hop vibe is always one of a kind, lyrically outspoken and pushing boundaries but produced with the freshest beats - it's going to go far. Its also really refreshing to hear a whole album that isn't stereotypically based on sexual innuendo and instead inspired by real life, real issues and emotions.

Here's my favourite track from his album, the powerful 'Words I Never Said' ft. Skylar Grey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22l1sf5JZD0