Winter Sparkle

 One of the reasons I love living in Chicago is because I love the winter season. I know today is supposed to feel like 50 degrees below Fahrenheit (no I’m not kidding), but from inside the house I don’t mind it so much. I love winter for the beauty of watching falling snow and seeing white blanketed hills along the roads while I’m driving, but also because of its purifying purpose in nature, because it symbolizes a fresh start. 

I look at my son who is almost three now, (i know, omg!) and I love how he approaches life, he wants to do everything himself and he smiles from ear to ear when he learns something new. When exactly do we go from being these happy confident children with that zest for life, to adults getting through each day like robots? 

I recently learned that someone I knew died in a car accident, he was a leader in the community and a big part of the local mosque. While reading the outpouring of prayers and heartfelt messages on social media about him, I thought how wonderful of a person he was to have so many people love him and truly mourn his passing. 

It got me thinking with this new year, this new beginning, I resolve to try and be more like my son and treat each day like a gift and not take it for granted. Like maybe instead of tuning out while driving home from work, I’ll just blast the radio and have a little karaoke session. I’ll pick up the phone when it rings instead of just waiting a bit and texting back whoever called me. Or when my son won’t let me dress him because he is to busy wiggling around being silly, I will just tickle him until he surrenders instead of threatening a time out. Basically I’m going to try to make everything in life, even the most mundane tasks, fun. After all don’t they say that only boring people get bored?

I hope I didn’t bring you down too much with my story here, but I just felt the need to write a few words celebrating a great person. Cheers to a new year and new beginnings! 

Skirt: J.Crew (extra 40% off) | Top: J.Crew (extra 40% 0ff)| Sweater: J.Crew | Coat: Maison Scotch | Boots: Hunter | Necklace: T+J Designs | Fingerless Mittens: Target |

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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!