From Zahra

Cotton Candy

A while back I mentioned I had a few things planned this month, including the Chicago Ideas Week talk about fashion, girls night out, Dogtoberfest, and a fashion preview of Cotton Candy Couture’s new lines. Well, I honestly planned to do all of these things, but life sort of got in the way and I didn’t get to all of them. What is it they say – people plan, God laughs? Right. I decided that from now on, I will wait until after I do something to talk about it.

So, here is a good summary of the Fashion Talk that I missed out on – I heard it was really inspiring!
Dogtoberfest happened on the coldest, rainiest day yet this year, and I wimped out and didn’t go. However, I do have some adorable pictures from the doggy costume contest from their Facebook page here! The hot dog is my favorite!
I almost wimped out from attending the Cotton Candy Couture preview because of my surgery to remove the piece of glass that my toddler accidentally smashed into my face. I have a little bandage on my chin and I was feeling majorly insecure about it. I know that is a little shallow but it is the truth. Eventually I bucked up and went, mainly because I didn’t want to go back on my word and I had already rsvp’d over a month ago. I am so glad I went because I was really impressed by the pieces! 
I met the designer, Jenna Zielbauer, who was equally sweet and beautiful. Below are some pictures I took of the collection that will be available for purchase soon! I would describe the clothes as a fun, beautifully feminine, one of a kind collection of formal and semi formal pieces. 
Loved this sweet entry table!

One of my favorites is this yellow and white dress for sure.

Such fun detail on some of these dresses, from beads to feathers to peplum. Also, I’m in love the the animal prints!

Jenna Zielbauer
You can visit Cotton Candy Couture’s website here.
By the way, my styling session with Renee is NEXT weekend, I got my dates mixed up. I’ll have a post about that session then. Promise.
Thanks for visiting! 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!