From Zahra

Brunch and Shopping

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I went to a brunch yesterday at Prasino to welcome Gilt.com’s new Editorial Director, Tracey Lomrantz Lester. It was a beautiful day and I had a lot of fun chatting with some seriously fashionable people and eating some fantastic food! 

Tracey has personally curated her favorite items exclusively for Gilt Chicago members that will be on sale today beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT. She also shares her favorite places to go on Gilt.com’s sister site, Gilt City. 

Check out the sale here: www.gilt.com/midweststyle and scroll down to see some pics from the event. 

I was so busy talking to people, I completely forgot to take any pictures with my real camera (blogger fail!). These iPhone pics will just have to do…

Jill Badlotto, fellow Blogger and New Yorker!
(Ok maybe I “officially” only lived in Upstate New York for a few years…)
Tracey sharing some of her secrets 
Amazing banana bread and fruit platter- whoever says presentation isn’t everything has to come to Prasino.

Me, Tracey, and Carol from Second City Style

The Menu

My favorite flowers in the world – Peonies!

Some of Tracey’s favorite things include Missoni umbrellas, vibrant trench coats, and Neon tote bags. Check out the rest of her picks at: www.gilt.com/midweststyle.


Today’s blog post includes two of my favorite things in the world: brunch, and shopping:) 

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!