Samar Ikram

Three of us have pretty different skin, so a mask that works beautifully for one of us can be a complete miss for another. I have oily, dehydrated skin with a tendency toward blackheads and whiteheads. One of my sisters has sensitive, acne prone skin, while the other has dry skin. Instead of calling something simply “the best,” I wanted to share what worked for each of us, as well as the times it did not. Some of these became regulars, some were occasional treatments, and a few definitely will not be making a comeback.

I travelled around Jordan in February and quickly discovered that packing for "Jordan" isn't quite as simple as it sounds. Petra, the Dead Sea and Aqaba were surprisingly warm, while Amman was genuinely cold and Wadi Rum went from warm days to very cold nights. These are the things I took with me that actually proved useful, plus a couple of things I wish I'd packed after learning the hard way. By the way, I always pack light and feel more warm and cold so luckily had enough lightweight cotton clothes with me.

I went to Jordan in February 2026 and honestly didn't know what to expect. What surprised me most was how different every place felt. If you love history or simply like to soak up the vibe of a destination, Jordan gives you something new at almost every stop. Ancient cities, dramatic landscapes, desert nights and so much history woven into the experience.

These are kitten foods I've actually tried with my kittens, plus a few that are on my list to try next. I've included everything from affordable everyday options to more premium foods, because finding something your kittens actually enjoy, and that works well for them. Matters just as much as the price.

I’m Pakistani, but I’ve also lived abroad, and that was when I really understood how much I missed my own food. When you're at home, you don't necessarily think twice about biryani, karahi, haleem or a plate of crispy samosas. They're just part of everyday life. But when you're suddenly living somewhere where you can't easily get the food you grew up with, you start craving very specific flavours. That’s when I started collecting recipes that could help me recreate those flavours at home. And the funny thing is, my non Pakistani friends loved them too. Some of them had never tried proper Pakistani food before, and suddenly they were asking me for the recipes. This is a collection of Pakistani recipes I genuinely love, from everyday comfort food to dishes I make when I’m craving something special. I’ve also added a few cooking essentials that make preparing these dishes easier, especially if you’re building a Pakistani kitchen or cooking desi food away from home. Some links are recipe resources, and some are product recommendations. I hope this helps you discover a few new favourites and makes your next Pakistani cooking session a little easier.

Ran out of my Soon Jung barrier cream and Laniege lip mask, so I went to reorder on yes style. Turned out some of my favorite items were on sale too, and stocking up meant free shipping anyway. So that's exactly what I did today. Same products I use for my oily, dehydrated skin. My total bill was $276.18 today. Without discount, it would have cost be $361.75

Started with Korean skincare during COVID as a curiosity, ended up a full-blown junkie. This is everything currently in rotation for oily, dehydrated skin; mists, toners, sunscreen, cleansing balms, retinol. Updated as I switch things up.