From Zahra

The Balancing Act

People always ask me how I manage to balance it all. With being a mom, working full-time, and having a blog (and all that comes with it). I usually just laugh off the question, because I don’t really feel like I am doing a good job of balancing at all – I always feel like I should be doing so much more and there just isn’t enough time. I wish I could focus on any one of my interests full-time, and actually have some free time to not think or worry about what I should be doing. Sometimes I feel like I am neglecting my real job that actually pays the bills, and sometimes I feel like I’m neglecting my Adam or even my husband, and sometimes I feel like I am neglecting my blog and I should be posting much more often and spending time brainstorming and coming up with great content. All this worry has been taking a toll on me and I have to constantly remind myself to stop and take a break once in a while. 
 Why is it that the one thing you should be doing is always the hardest? Like smiling when someone is trying to cheer you up, or not eating that second, third, or fourth potato chip when you are trying to eat better, or actually falling asleep when you have a big event going on the next day. Everything you should be doing is always the opposite of what you are naturally inclined to do. *Sigh* I digress.
After I wrote this, I went on a bike ride with Tom and Adam, and I swear I felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. It isn’t healthy to live in your head, that’s for sure. Get out there and taste some fresh air and get some exercise. I wasn’t really in the mood to go at first, but the weather was so gorgeous I couldn’t resist. I am so glad I did! I might not be balancing it all perfectly, but my best should be  is good enough!
About the look, I wore this for work on casual Friday. I usually stick to dark denim and quieter colors for work, but I decided to lighten up my denim and pair with a neon yellow blouse. I added the boyfriend blazer in a neutral tone to balance it out. I’d wear this on the weekend with flats and maybe lose the blazer and roll up the sleeves. 

Jeans: JBrand | Blouse: Target Similar Style| Blazer: The Limited (but here’s one I’m currently loving) | Shoes: Charles David | Sunnies: Gucci | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelet: Thanks to Ann Taylor | Bag: Reed Krakoff 

Shop The Post:

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!