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Butterfly books

Tag: travel

  • Good friday

    Alina Zainab

    Good afternoon Fellow readers,

    I apologise for not writing weekly articles on here as i should more to come more book reviews, movie and TV show reviews and fashion reviews.

    Although fashion reviews and interviews will be done on my new and second website fashionandfriends42.wrodpress.com.

    Today is good Friday where christians will attend church and do the rememberance service of Jesus Christ where they pass the bread (his body) and the wine ( his blood). Which Jesus has said keep doing this in remembrance of me. (Greek scriptures of The bible) *Matthew – revelation.*

    Good Friday is also not only a service day to God and to Jesus christ, but it is also a quiet, peaceful day to sit back, relax and reflect upon the last few years how you did, what you can improve on and think what you could do.

    I used the early mornings to pray to god, read scriptures of the bible, clean my room and bed and think what i could sell on vinted and ebay, give to charity. Calculate my credit card use. Make a shopping list now i make the essential shopping like shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, soap, toothpaste and brushes, mouth wash and dental floss and face and eye cream, glow filter primer, deodorant.

    Perfume and and make up products like eye shadow, blush, lip stick, lip gloss and lip oil and serum and lip balm i am already stocked up and of course nail polish. face masks and foot masks too.

    These personal hygiene what my mum taught me and what God has said to do look after our health physical and mental health.

  • Books to read on International women’s day 2026

    Alina Zainab

    Happy international women’s day everyone, as a book lover, author and writer i thought share some of my favourite female authors who saved me during bullying in school and female authors i started reading as an adult.

    1.) Dorothy Whipple – high wages.

    It is about women’s need and rights to work and own their own wages. When i watched the documentary at Blackburn’s museum and saw she was another female authors from Blackburn i was struck with excitement. Blackburn might not have the cold, elitists fashion like kensington chelsea and knightsbridge. But Blackburn was multi cultural, the textile industry and cotton town. Blackburn was full of art and also literature.

    High wages is exactly that story set back then when women were looked down for having a job or even self employment. Dorothy Whipple of course use her strong beliefs about working women.

    2.) Holly webb- The girl of glass.

    A fantasy fairytale about a girl who senses and suspects that the girl of glass is a ghost made to be real. Its a story about sisterhood, mother and daughter friendship. Wicked stepmothers much like you’re cinderella stories, this story helped me through primary school.

    3.) Alison Wier and Phillipa gregory

    Now the book i’m holding up is not one of Alison Weir six tudor queens series, but still written by Alison Weir. She is a historian and author of many historical fiction. Similar to Philippa Gregory and even her majesty Queen Camilla even shared these two authors on her queens reading room.

    4.) Queen Camilla has always been a big literature lover and supporter of books ever since she was a little girl. One if my main women in the literature industry i look upto. Her father and brother written books.

    5.) Dale Elizabeth Harper (Lady Tryon, third baroness) also known as kanga, i have always spoken dso fondly of Dale, called her my darling designer, Australian princess, fashion queen of my heart. Before she became a fashion designer she was a fashion writer for the melbourne office of Australian women’s weekly later fleet street office in London England. Her parents owned a publishing company in Melbourne Australia.

    5.) My mother Angelika Kraasch (Shaukat). My mother always supported me with reding she took me to the library every Saturday she listened to me read and saw me write pages after pages, saw me publish two books supported me as a young author and writer.

    Those are the authors and writers, literary lovers and supports i support for international women’s day 2026.In loving memory of my darling mama and darling designer and fashion queen Kanga Dale elizabeth Harper.

  • Avenham park.

    Alina Zainab

    (credited by Alina Shaukat)

    Nature and animals have always been the best kind of therapy for us, whether you had along,stressful day at work or school, or out on a date or perhaps to hang around with your mates.

    Avenham park just a walk away from Preston’s high street Fishergate it even has a sign outside the main gate a notice board on what is on.

    When i visited Avenham park it was on a Wednesday this week, it was after a media lecture and workshop, just before ballet but it was ballet comp on that day.

    I went to Avenham park just to refresh after studying for the media law test, I wa always fascinated with nature and parks, they were always aressetin space for me.

    So as i continued and walked from the entrance, towards the japanese garden.Jusrt how beautiful it was and back the it used to be a duck pond.

    Avenham is around the corner from winckley square garden two beautiful clean places in nature and to reset your mind.

    This is a big tip to boost ones mental health, and it is all thanks to my mother who helped me and taught me how to tend to plants and flowers, growing your own crops.

    Whenever you are in Preston come visit Avenham park full of culture and history and rewind.

  • The longest yarn – Britain at war now in Blackburn cathedral.

    Alina Zainab

    Mannequin in a war time uniform to represent women going to work. (credited by Alina shaukat).

    Recently since the war memorial and celebrating veterans, Blackburn cathedral has opened it’s doors to a war time exhibition all knitted dolls and scenes of world war 1 and 2 recreated through knitting and crocheted.

    This celebrates not just heroes and victims during world war 1 and 2, but also creativity.

    information board on each side of the exhibition. (credited by alina shaukat).

    miniature dolls knitted to war time people this is the sending to children to safety. (credited by Alina shaukat).

    news paper or paper boy during the war. (credited by alina shaukat).

    Make do and mend. women finally being allowed to work but mainly factory.(credited Alina shaukat).

    Gilian Tanner (credited by alina shaukat).

    There is more to come at Blackburn cathedral especially with the easter services, and also some special concerts well we already had a Tina Turner concert, pink floyd too, but there are some orchestra organ concert coming soon get your copy of the backburn cathedral booklet to see what is on.

  • Kanga my best friend and also how she resembles my mother.

    Alina Zainab

    (photo credited by Image Contributor Philip Ide/Shutterstock)

    Kanga my best friend and also how she resembles my mother

    Most of my articles were recently about mourning the death of a loved one, me mentioning about my mother and then the death of my truest bestie best friend the late lady Dale kanga tryon.

    I remember shortly after her death Journalist like Nigel Dempster, Glenys Roberts wrote about her in most horrific way. My fashion queen of my heart was not in a loveless marriage she and lord Tryon loved each other truly, they gave each other affectionate nicknames kanga and Ant. Yes, it was him who nicknamed her kanga king Charles.

    Both Nigel Dempster and Glenys Roberts both said she met the the prince of wales in Australia in the1960’s, well they are all wrong. Because her brother and her children say other wise, that it was lord Tryon who introduced them.

    There happened to be a mishap between back in 1998 between a builder who claims to have loved Dale and had an affair with her and the actress Sarah Miles.

    Now i already know and Dale herself, well mostly her children know that Sarah Miles was not a friend of My best friend Kanga Tryon. Neither were the two daily mail journalist Nigel dempster and Glennys Roberts, neither where any of the sun or daily mail journalist friends of my Bestie Kanga Tryon.

    I mean my bestie like me always saw everyone as a friend, she was one of the most friendly, kindhearted and caring people i’ve ever met.

    Also i remember reading an old daily mail article written by Glennys Roberts headlined what royal secrets will kanga take to her grave? and in there Roberts writes about dale resembling Diana, no, no, Dale Tryon Kanga my dearest aussie friend did not resemble Diana at all, Dale was not like Diana at all she was in a loving marriage.

    Lord Tryon never remarried after losing his precious Australian jewel, the precious australian jewel i forever keep in my heart. People on the internet those internet commentors always make up fantasy, thinking Kanga Tryon was public property. She wasn’t she wasn’t even famous, maybe visible yes but never famous.

    About Kanga’s resemblance, Glennys Robert was wrong to say she resembled Diana the late princess of wales,Kanga resembles my mother. Both were funny, kind, caring, had this zest for life. I miss them both and i always hold them both close in my heart.

    I love my Australian side and jewel, the fashion queen of my heart.

  • The true meaning of socialite and how to become one.

    Alina Zainab

    For years i have always been meaning to research both through books, articles, journals and of course going out meeting people building social connections.

    Socialites like the Kardashian jenner family and paris hilton are those American socialites who alert the press. also They have apress agent well more of a team of press agents. Who will help them not lose support and trust in the public.Remember how Paris Hilton did a lot crimes during her youth and that could have really messed her reputation, however, she had a press agent to built herself up.

    But you do not need a press agent to built your self as a socialite, a true socialite is someone who strives and values social interactions and attending social events and gatherings making a mark through their fashion what they are wearing.

    Coming from a true german socialite and best friends with an australian socialite lady Dale Tryon also known as Kanga.We both loved fashion and always challenged each other making bold statements with our fashion and social etiquette at charitable events. We were both philanthropist, i still am, a writer, author, and fashion designer.

    A true socialite and it girl do not need to be slim and skinny, even if you are chubby who does it hurt at least you are turning up to social gatherings. Paris Hilton and the Kardashian jenner family, they all have brainwashed the public and thinking people from working families cannot become socialites but anyone can be social meaning anyone can be a socialite.

    Get yourself into papers and magazines, i’m more on the local ones like lancashire telegraph. Being part of a charity event. Be good at that networking, influential people are not celebrities and social media followers, influential people the ones who own a wealthy company like a hotel owner, restaurant owner, or cafe or diner. Many social gatherings happen in restaurants and hotels. Those are built by true influential people.

    Most importantly make sure you have fun and get networking in public give both local and national media outlets something to write about outshine the haters.

    With love from Alina Shaukat (Lin Zainab).

  • Summer with Strawberry Waves

    Alina Zainab

    A Week of Colour, Craft, and Connection

    on Saturday 9th august 2025 i first went to the Blackburn museum and art gallery, for a short embroidery worsk shop with Sana Maulvi, where i embroidered a butterfly on pink fabric, now getting the hang of it and becoming more social, socialite status, i love to join in her workshop she i think holds at the making rooms.

    Then off i went to the Blackburn library to join in arts and crafts family summer activities here many painted and crafted thinks with glue and bits of papers, i allowed the children to play with play doh on the play doh table as i did a little bit or relaxing, therapeutic colouring, colouring the strawberry surfing upo n the waves with its sunglasses on beneath the sun, reminds me of the australian weather and the beaches. Also very therapeutic for the physical and mental health, swimming and surfing up on the sea, running around one the warm sand, building sand castles. Right now i’m only attending swimming pool within a leisure centre.

    Thanks for reading Alina’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

    Not following trends, but creating a world where kindness, creativity, and modest fashion bloom. And it’s beautiful. This is what i aspire and inspire to continue colouring there are so many colouring books many for adults. Spending time in nature which in fact i have done yesterday knitting in Roe lee park, Blackburn,Lancashire.

    When the time comes i’m married and have children i get them out into the community, doing community service and giving back to the community. Generosity, kindness, honesty, loyalty, hope and friendship which of course includes laughter. Bubbly, cheerful personality i like to share and no one can ever bring me down and tell me and judge i should be doing things one way or the other.

    Whilst doing all these activities attending these events i have also been reading Anne of Green gables by L.M. Montgomery, again this was a story about a young girl being misunderstood just similar to me and my number 1 favourite fashion designer and favourite person.

    My favourite quote from anne of Green gables is got to be on page 85, “There were lots i wanted to ask her, but i didn’t like to because i didn’t think she was a kindred spirit.”

    I have a;so like i mentioned been doing knitting at home in the park not just for a therapeutic activity but for my fashion label i am going to launch i’m just getting bits ready here and there, i’m all over the place at the moment.

    Thanks for reading Alina’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

  • Things to do in Southport

    Alina Zainab

    The kings garden a historical setting to the southport library to shopping charity shops places to eat and welcome to the british version of LA -Los angelos.

    Are you a history lover? perhaps a historian? or maybe you just love spending time in nature seeing birds Like white and black swan swimming in the water that was once known as the southport beach during the early 20th century. However since the 1920s and 1930s King George the 5th and his wife Queen Mary restored into a beautiful garden due to the water moving away leaving bits of land.

    Either you watch the garden from a distance or watch the cars pass by opposite the Clifton hotel from what i saw seems to be the biggest and probably luxurious hotel in southport, but away from hustle and bustle of the market street.

    Cannot wait till this historic place is restored and maybe watch a thetre show or even participate in a theatre show.

    BM bargains for grocery shopping near the historic theatre.

    Another place to stay for honey moons and holdiays.

    Broadway walk st candy shop is my go to for sweets and newspapers. Next to the shop you can either do your nails or look at luxury watches.

    And opposite on Broadway walk we have premier grocery shop and take away fast food shops.

    but moving along from the candy shop a luxurious indian restaurant.

    A family bar to spend time with the family also linked to clifton hotel.

    Here is a map of the kings garden

    The Clifton hotel

    Look at the birds in the air and here is a family swan ride.

    This is the part of the kings garden where you can train your dogs.

    The big wheel and the a play fair for your children.

    its not the wishing well this was in memory.

    The golf course.

    What a lovely view of the sea and the birds and swans swimming in the sea, good for landscape paintings.

    By the dates it looked like he could have been my husband.

    Prenade care home staff and resident are in luck with observing the kings garden and early 20th century residents would have seen the beach.

    The ally back to the main town and market.

    Time to have lunch with the king.

    Fashion lovers here is store for you

    Fashion and home

    This is the end of southport blog and i have considered vlogging instead.

  • A historic visit to Lancaster.

    Alina Zainab

    The town centre and the castle and how visiting historic places helps with my writing. Especially historical romance and fiction.

    The merchants 1688 diner/pub a place to chill and take in the historic view of Lancaster castle, the number one place to eat when in Lancaster town.

    here is a little bit of history about the place and the castle which is short walk up the hill, so get your hiking sticks ready because its about to get steep.

    Make sure to follow instructions when entering a historical building turned museum, also Lancaster Castle often have leaflets to take to help you get around the castle with historic facts, which i still got and a mini table with mao and clear pictures to help you with which is what.

    On this side is the trail room that they used to hang women accused of witchcraft during the witch trail during 17th century, and enter at your own courage.

    I do apologize for pictures being blurry it is very small doorway but this is where the women accused of witch craft where hanged.

    If you fancy a night or two in Lancaster the kings arms hotel is nostalgic and vintage for you.

    if you’re in Lancaster town and lost there road signs and maps with historical knowledge.

    Even when you come out of the bus station or you enter the bus station their is a historical fact block right outside the station about the mill race.

    I did not find the museum and library but maybe the library is closer to the bus station.

    War memorial and nostalgic buildings filled with lots of historical context which is one inspiration for my stories.#

    The lancaster court house amazing for my story and linking the witch trail in there.

    Whilst driving back to Preston just look at this stunning, old fashioned building near the park.

    And the church which i found very neatly tidied and the garden full of flowers and neat grave stones.

    again neatly looked after space garden for the locals to sit and relax on hot sunny afternoon, or morning.

    If you prefer a nice,cosy, quieter countryside rather then the hustle bustle of the town then this hotel is for you.

    Places to eat and charity shops.

    Also humble abode is actually TO LET but the business next to it to check out.

    Here is one hair salon also this for the gents mainly, or if you fancy a tattoo.

    and look at the architecture of this Church, i just ;love nature and old brick layered architecture.

    The council house also again due to it being nearer lancaster castle.

    The next article will be about Clitherore castle and its castle gate.

  • Tom Ford

    Alina Zainab

    The designer’s life story and lessons, success in the fashion industry and story behind the designs.

    Tom Ford as you may know him is a well known male fashion designer and film maker, he directed films like single man in 2009 and nocturnal animal in 2016. He revived the Gucci brand fashion house o which he received credits as the creative director.

    His early education starts with him attending New York university then later Parsons school of design the new school in New York.

    As https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tom-Ford claims that Ford He graduated in 1986 with a degree in interior architecture and then worked during the late 1980s as an in-house designer at New York fashion houses Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick. He was hired in 1990 by Dawn Mello, then Gucci’s creative director, and began work as the company’s in-house designer.

    This is New York fashion week, and of course the designer himself is american as well as being a film maker which links into why most of the cloths he designs seem to have that lively dramatic spirit.

    according to https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/tom-ford/ In March 2019, Ford was voted chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), succeeding Diane von Furstenberg, who held the position for 13 years.Ford has gathered recognition throughout his career spanning 28 years, collecting accolades such as the CDFA International award, Board of Directors Special Tribute and 2008 Designer of the year, named in the 2011Timetop 100 list of influential people, four VH-1 /Vogue Fashion Awards, two ACE awards from the US Accessory Council,GQman of the year award in 2000, the Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Savannah College of Art and Design and was nominated for a BFA Designer Brand award in 2012.

    The story behind his collection link back to his film maker role and even his interest in photography.

    Attached is one of his fragrance brand but he has designed many more like dresses and even sunglasses.

    Each day or even week depending on my busy schedule i would often research fashion, arts and music. As i am slowly becoming interested in journalism again a and the role behind a a journalist and the accountability, more articles on travelling, cities and towns will be written about constructive criticism like music, movies, tv shows and theatre and also about books.