From Zahra

Blue and Purple

September is my favorite month for so many reasons, number one being it’s my birthday on the 6th! Also, I loved going to school so it was always an exciting time for new beginnings, meeting new people, and learning new things.  
This weekend I’m heading to Virginia for a wedding, and I plan to do a day trip to D.C. and see some sights that I haven’t seen in a few years. I’m also going to a wedding in Buffalo later this month, and I’m definitely going to hit up the falls- the Canadian side especially! 
The only thing that I am sad about is that I didn’t get to go to the IFB Conference this year – and all of the pictures and tweets make it look like so much fun! This week there is Fashion’s Night Out Chicago – on my birthday no less – but I’m having a hard time finding anyone to go with me. I get that it is a weeknight, but come ON! I may have to go alone…I shop better that way anyway. If you happen to see me there, probably texting or instagram’ing something, come say hello!

Okay back to watching reruns of my favorite Chicago-based sitcom Happy Endings! Love this show. Please never get cancelled. Okay bye.
Skirt J.Crew/Blouse The Limited/Shoes Nine West (old) similar/Belt AnnTaylor/Necklace Banana Republic (old) similar/Watch Skagen/Bracelets J.Crew/Bangles Vince Camuto via Nordstrom (can’t find a link)/Bag H&M/Lips Mac Impassioned (Amplified)

Have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

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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!