From Zahra

Metallic and Black

Pants Jcrew here/top Limited old but loving this one/ Shoes Zara no longer available but I think I love these more and these too/Bag Akira/Ring from a small boutique store on a trip to San Diego/Necklace Givenchy via Nordstrom old but here is a similar one.

So funny story… the other day I was getting a mammogram because the doctor thought she felt a lump- I know that part isn’t funny but hear me out – it was a false alarm, but when I was getting my boob squished like a pancake in between the plastic of the machine, the technician decided to ask me when I came to this country.

Really? I thought. Right now? Was my second thought. I mean, I don’t have an accent at all – though my New York friends will tell me I have a Chicago accent- which to them basically means that I say backpack like byack pyack. Which is also funny to me, seeing as how I grew up in California. Oh well!
She ended up being a very sweet, albeit ignorant, woman, but I just found it hilarious that someone could be surprised to know that someone like me – an American girl born of Pakistani descent- could actually exist. I wish I knew some stats I could have given her to educate her a bit, because I do know that there are a ton of us here. Most of us have parents that came here in the 70’s after the Vietnam War was over. My American/German/Italian/Polish husband got a good laugh out of the conversation as well. 
On a more serious note (hah), here’s an outfit I’d wear for a girls night out or any ‘night out’ for that matter. It is also conservative enough for a work party or client dinner. I am in love with this clutch I got from Akira with jewels and stones on the clasp. 

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

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Last week we took a quick trip to escape the snow for some sunshine in Key Largo, Florida☀️ We spent every moment possible outside, Tom and Adam got their Scuba Diver PADI certification (yay!) while Sophia and I spent our days either swimming or drawing marine life and landscapes. This was my first trip after my sister passed last November, and even though I look so happy here, there were so many moments I felt the grief and sadness, as if it happened just yesterday. I am still figuring out how I want to show up in this space, as I have changed so much as a person since the loss. I just don’t feel called to post some of the things I shared before. Maybe that will change someday, or maybe it will just naturally evolve into something new. I think I will take this year to just process it all. (Even the idea of taking an entire year to think through something is a huge shift for my usually hyperactive type A personality) My focus at the moment is just living in the moment with my family and friends, spending time doing things that make me happy and healthy. I hope to share some of that journey here with you ~ thanks for following along ❤️
I had planned to shoot this outfit in collaboration with @lenacoutureofficial right before my dear sister passed away. Saba, the designer, was more than understanding if I didn’t want to anymore - but after thinking on it for a while I decided I wanted to - in my sister’s honor 💗 She was always my biggest hype woman. When i would feel like I’m not good enough or that I should quit (which was often) she would tell me I was unique and great and to keep it up. When I think of my sister, beauty and love is all that she embodied in her being. She expressed that on the outside also - as she loved to wear everything glam, bright & colorful, and full of bling. Hair done, nails done, everything did - that was Nusrat. For this shoot I took the time to get glam after a long hiatus - and makeup and hair took so long because I think I forgot how to do it, but afterwards I was surprised how I felt transformed. When I wore this gorgeous outfit that I know was designed with such love and incredible attention to detail by @lenacoutureofficial, I felt all of that beauty - like a walking piece of art, and very much at peace. Thank you so much to @divmophoto for capturing the feeling so well 💕
Ski weekend with my favorites ❄️❄️ So proud of Sophia for skiing on her own for the first time!
There are some trees with seeds that only grow after a fire. Their seeds are completely sealed with a resin that have to be physically melted off by a great fire in order to propagate. So to do we as humans, gain wisdom only after great pain and suffering.*
A month ago (and one day) I lost my sister and best friend to cancer. I am still completely gutted and broken. But, I’m also so so grateful to have had felt the love that now brings me so much heartbreak. ❤️ I am so inspired by her - and I will forever live my life to honor her memory. Miss you sis ❤️
Classic outfit combo: oversized blazer + denim 🖤fendi mules @shoeslutz
Just a mom who loves mums 🌸 🪴
Cozy for a coffee date ☕️
French. Toast. Egg. Bake. Save this recipe for a weekend or holiday brunch - it’s SO good and fool-proof! I’m not even a sweet person and I love it. The pecans are a non-negotiable IMO - I get honey bourbon vanilla pecans for this and it is just heavenly. Enjoy!