Simply Stylist in Chicago

Breaking News: The President of the United States does NOT wear make-up. I know this because Tia Dantzler is his makeup artist, and she told me. He pretty much just wears moisturizer in case you were wondering. That was just one of the many things I learned at the Simply Stylist event this past weekend. 

This event brought together style and beauty experts to share their secrets and tips for all enthusiasts in attendance. After the panel discussion, there was a fabulous room set up where you could eat, drink, shop, get a blowout, and just get pampered. My kind of a day.

Scroll down for pics, and more about the event below!


Me and Jacey of Damsel In Dior



Brunch Goodies
(L-R)  Catt Sadler – E! News,  Celebrity Make-up artist Tia Dantzler, Stacey Roney of Glossed and Found, Jacey Dupree of Damsel In Dior, Corri McFadden of Shop E Drop Off, and Trish Townsend (not pictured) Celebrity Stylist.
I posted this to show you Catt’s outfit – LOVE those leather shorts – don’t you?
Damsels in Chanel? Corri McFadden of E-Drop Off and Jacey Dupree of Damsel In Dior looking gorgeous as usual!


Something she said cracked me up!
Fun meeting up with fellow bloggers and fashion lovers- Luis of Chic Overload and Lauren of ldotcdot. Lauren is not mad, really.


Stephanie of The Naked Canvas, Sabrina of Sabrina’s Souffle, and Justine of Short Is The New Black
Vegan leather bags from Olivia + Joy


Some beautiful baubles from Capwell + Co


Amazing hand-made pieces from Bella Colletta – I swear these are all works of art. Check them out for sure!


Adorable jewelry – I couldn’t decide on what I wanted at the time but I am definitely going back here! Check out Chicago designers See Song Designs for cute original pieces that are affordable!



And a few more Instagram pics for those of you who don’t follow me!


Celebrity Makeup artist (J. Hud, Barack Obama) Tia DantzlerMarcellas Reynolds, Nikia of Chitown Fashionista

Ashley of  Pursuit of Shoes and Nikia of Chitown Fashionista

Rachel of Chicago Chic Blog

Jeans from Henry and Belle!


I had so much fun at the all-day event Saturday, where I met some of my favorite bloggers and television celebs. I loved meeting Ashley Torres of Pursuit of Shoes and Marcellas Reynolds – Stylist and TV personality from How Do I Look. 
I also loved chatting with Catt Sadler of E! News – I asked her how in the world she has two kids, an amazing job, and still looks hotter than most 25 year olds? She told me about her excercise routine, or actually the lack thereof. Basically she dosen’t overeat and just has good genes. Ugh. don’t you love that answer? At least she is honest! I also think she is a ventriliquist or something because we were both talking and laughing when that picture above was taken, but she looks perfect in every single shot and I am laughing way too hard!

 The panel shared their personal stories and secrets of success, and the underlying theme, as my friend and fellow blogger Nikia from Chitown Fashionista aptly surmised – they all took a leap of faith at some point in their lives to get to their dream gig. Some knew what they wanted to do early on, and some didn’t, but whether they started early or late in life – their life experiences certainly shaped their decisions and make them better at what they do now. So the lesson here is that it is never too late to make a change!

I got a chance to speak to most of the panelists after the talk, and Corri McFadden’s story really inspired me. She was ridiculed when she reached out to a teacher with her business plan idea to start an online luxury consignment store (back before it was a ‘thing’). She then used that negative criticism to fuel her motivation and she founded the company E Drop Off, which now has 44 employees. She also looks amazing – see above picture- that Derek Lam outfit is to-die-for! 

Ok I could go on and on but I’ll end here! There are some fabulous Chicago designers that I met and will be spotlighting here on the blog soon – stay tuned for that! I will also post my outfit details later this week!

Thanks for visiting! 

XO,

Z

Follow Me! @zahra_sandberg

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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!