Maxi Pleats

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the blogger features I had in store for you while I was out of town! I’ve got a list of bloggers I want to feature here, so stay tuned for more coming soon.
 I am a little sad my vacation is over, but I have to admit there is nothing better than coming home and being in my own bed with my favorite blankets and comforters to snuggle in while I write this blog post for you!
So, every time we go on vacation something crazy happens. One time I mistakenly thought our departure time was our boarding time, so we decided to kill some time by lounging and grabbing a bite at Chili’s in the airport. When we finally started strolling over to the gate, the doors had already closed and they promptly told us they would get us on the next flight – which was three hours later. We had a connection taking us internationally which we would have missed, and so we would have lost at least a day of vacation time. I then started freaking out at the gate, and they actually took pity on us and reopened the doors! They even had to kick out a few stand-by travelers to get us on…whoops!
Then there was the trip to Jamaica that was supposed to happen after a snowmobile weekend in Wisconsin, but I ended up getting in a serious accident and didn’t wake up for 3 days.  I’ll share that story here some day, but obviously we didn’t make that trip…
This time, we had to get rush passports made for Tom and Adam because we lost our important documents file (go figure!) and luckily I was fine because I knew I had mine in my dresser in my favorite leopard printed ASOS passport case. Well we finally get their passports delivered the evening before our 6:00 a.m. flight – talk about a close call! Then as we are driving to the airport, I decide to look at everyone’s passport pictures just for fun, when it hits me like a ton of bricks- I realize my passport is in my maiden name! I never changed it – but we booked our tickets in my new last name! Anyone who travels internationally knows that with all of the new security measures at airports, you can’t change names on tickets and changing anything at all is extremely difficult!
We almost gave up and went home because we lost our marriage certificate in that same important documents folder, and we thought that was the only way to prove we were really married. Then out of desperation I started asking for help from the ladies at the check-in counter. By some amazing stroke of luck, we were able to convince the airline people to make the change, and we were able to get on the next flight about an hour later! 
The lessons I learned here: 1) always double check your flight boarding time and 2) never take no for an answer!
Will post more about my trip and my vacation outfits this week and next!

Dress: Bisou Bisou | Shoes: J.Crew (exact in different color) and similar style | Hat: J.Crew | Bracelets: Lia Sophia, gift | Watch: Skagen | Necklace: J.Crew | Rings: David YurmanTissh | Sunnies: Gucci | 

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!