Birchbox in Chicago

If you follow me on Instagram @zahra_sandberg, you may have seen some of these pictures – but I have some more instagram pics that I saved just for the blog! 

I attended the party on the gorgeous terrace of the Public Hotel in Chicago hosted by Birchbox. We got to meet Birchbox co-founder, Katia Beauchamp – totally cool girl by the way – and get manicures by Ashley Crowe, better known as Astrowifey! See my mani below.
Swag
  

Red Velvet and Peanut Butter cupcakes

Hanging with fabulous bloggers is always fun! Amelia of  The Chicago Life Blog (middle) and Jiye from  Dress Up Files

 Birchbox co-founder Katia Beauchamp (2nd to right) and Beth of Chic and Glamorous (far right)

Astrowifey in action

Finished product – me and Chic and Glamorous

So excited to finally meet the blogger behind one of my favorite blogs, Amanda of Unicorn Stylings
Jess and Jill, and Glitterary


Birchbox is a monthly subscription service where you get a bunch of new product samples hand picked by beauty editors. They do everything from beauty to lifestyle products. It gives you the chance to try out new things regularly, with the hopes that you will discover your next favorite product. I think the subscription is like $10/month or some other nominal amount. 



The verdict – sounds like fun! I’m usually wary of subscription services because in the past I’ve gotten suckered into a 2-year gym membership, a 2-year cell phone contract, and a 1 year spa massage membership that I totally didn’t use to it’s full extent. Then I just end up feeling bad that I wasted money. But for $10/month, I think trying so many fun products monthly makes it a good deal. And that’s not the cupcakes talking, promise 🙂


On another note – Public Hotel is awesome and I need to go to the Pump Room to hang out again very soon!

Have a great weekend! 

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!