California Cool

 If you follow me on Instagram @zahra_sandberg, you know that this past weekend we spent exploring San Francisco, minus the little one. I grew up in Northen California, so it is always great to go back home where my parents and sister still live. We were total tourists and did a walking food tour in the Mission, where the neighborhood is an interesting mix of artists and tech executives, the artists make the neighborhood cool and full of culture, but the apartments are renting for ridiculous prices these days, so most artists can’t even afford to live there anymore. The murals that decorate the alleyways are very politically charged and it was exciting to feel that energy and passion in the air, mixed with the scent of one particular herb, of course. My favorite places on the food tour were Craftsman and Wolves for the almost-too-pretty-to-eat pastries, Ali Baba’s Cave for falafels, and Tartine Bakery for rocher.

Other notable eats: Cioppino at Scomas restaurant on the wharf, the Top of the Mark for a drink, and dinner at The Slanted Door in the Ferry building. Overall we spent the weekend relaxing, walking the streets of San Francisco, and eating (lots of) great food. 

We also visited the Tesla Manufacturing plant in Fremont and got a tour (and I now officially want one as my next vehicle…) Could you imagine a world with only electric cars? If we could stop relying on oil, we could actually stop depending on Saudi Arabia and all of the rest of the oil producing countries and maybe there would be less war as a result! Unless there is an electricity producing country out there- now then we’d really be in trouble…I kid, I kid!

This outfit I think has a California cool vibe to it, slouchy pants and a t-shirt dressed up with some killer heels and a statement necklace. It is an easy way to be super comfy and still look put together. 

This mini-break without Adam was the longest we’ve ever been away from him and the last day was the toughest! As I type this I’m flying back home and can’t wait to squeeze my little munchkin’s cheeks. Hope you get to squeeze some cheeks of your own this week!


P.S. I was nominated for the #Chicagomomsrock contest on Facebook! If you have a free moment and would like to vote for me, you can do so HERE. Thanks! Xx

Pants: Nordstrom | Tee: James Perse | Shoes: BCBGeneration | Necklace: Thanks to Ann Taylor | Scarf: Thanks to Alpha Gypsy | Rings: David Yurman, Edith Hart | Watch: Michele

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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!