Fall Wardrobe Styling

 My cancelled trip to New York turned out to be blessing in disguise because Adam came down with a fever on Friday afternoon – the highest he has ever had in his life so far – but thankfully it cleared up by Saturday morning. I am happy to report he is as rambunctious as ever now. 
Another bonus for staying in town, I got to meet with Renee earlier than scheduled to pull together a few looks with the new items we purchased on our shopping session last weekend. Scroll down to see how we put different looks together using what we bought for (slightly over) $500, and what Renee already had in her wardrobe. I’ve also listed the prices of the items we purchased and where we bought everything from.We had so much fun, and we had to limit ourselves to how many looks we shot for this post, or we would have been busy all weekend! Enjoy!

1.

2. 
3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11.
Loved this look so much, I had to show you two angles of it!
12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 
16. 
Even though I love all of the looks, my absolute favorites are 1, 4, 11, and 16. Which ones are your favorite?
Here is the break down of what we bought with our $500 budget:
1. Teal Green Blazer – Nordstrom Rack – $29.97
2. Peach high-low blouse – Nordstrom Rack – $14.97
3. Black patent pumps – Steve Madden via Marshalls – $34.99
4. Animal print pumps – Target – $29.99
5. Dark Purple long sleeved dress MaxStudio via Nordstrom Rack – $39.97
6. Chunky knit far isle sweater – Calvin Klein via Nordstrom Rack – $69.97
7. Fuschia blazer – H&M – $29.95
8. Nude pumps – Guess via Macy’s $97.23 – $50 giftcard Renee already had = $40.57
9. Suede neutral grey pumps – Coach via Marshalls – $79.00
10. Black suede ankle strap platform pumps – Target $14.99 (clearance) 
11. Moto blazer – mixed material – H&M – $49.95
12. Striped gold & black high-low blouse – Nordstrom Rack – $18.97
13. Black tie neck blouse – H&M – $24.95
14. Sequined sweater – H&M – $34.95
15. Grey shift dress with leather detail – MaxStudio via Nordstrom Rack – $39.97

Grand Total: $553.16

Note: We went over budget thinking we would return one pair of shoes, but they were such a great deal and we felt that it was something that Renee would get a lot of use out of, so we decided to keep it!

***

I had to stop and think on Saturday, after Adam’s fever ordeal, just how grateful I am for everything I have in my life. Saturday morning, I got to snuggle with Adam in the morning and play with his fingers and toes in bed for a little longer than usual. During breakfast I sipped my cinnamon laced coffee with hazelnut creamer while I leafed through the new US weekly and Allure magazines, the smell of fabric softener from the laundry room filling up the house at the same time (one of my all time favorite scents). 
The day was packed but I enjoyed being productive. Tom did some much needed yard work getting ready for the coming winter, I had my client appointment mid-morning, and we had some family coming over for dinner that night. Even stopping by the grocery store and getting a freshly squeezed beet berry smoothie and picking up some good cheese and fruit for appetizers and ingredients for home made pizza was a treat for me. It really is the small things that make life great. I just wish I could always feel so grateful! 
Thanks for visiting! Have a great week!
– Z

Follow Me! @zahra_sandberg

Instagram

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!