From Zahra

20 Facts

A few days ago I was tagged by Asma of Haute Muslimah, to share 20 things about me. It took me longer than I thought – 20 things are a lot of things! 

Hope you enjoy getting to know me a little bit better! 


  1. In 2009 I got into a snowmobile accident that left me in a coma for three days, with a hematoma in my head, and a shattered collar bone. As a result, I now have a metal plate in my right collarbone (you might notice it in pictures – it looks a little freaky). I also have a new appreciation for life, and I am so much more grateful and positive than I was before.
  2. I can’t eat calamari because I am still traumatized from when I was in sixth grade, our class dissected a squid and then our teacher fried it up for us to eat.
  3. I have three tattoos that I got on a whim when I was still in high school, and I managed to keep them a secret until one day returning from college, I forgot about them and mom found out.
  4. I wore hijab for a little over a year while I was in college, but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me.
  5. I have a degree in History and Religious Studies. I love reading and analyzing historical text.
  6. I am the fourth out of five children, 3 girls and 2 boys.
  7.  I’m also the family therapist because everyone comes to me for advice on everything from relationships to fashion! I actually love it 🙂
  8. I believe my husband Tom is the most genuine, funny, humble, caring man in the world and I am so lucky to be his wifey.
  9. I absolutely love Karaoke but I have a horrible singing voice. 
  10.  I love cooking, and my favorite thing to do is create my own dish out of whatever we happen to have in the kitchen. I take it on as a personal challenge.
  11. My parents are from Pakistan, they both are from Sindh, but they met here in the U.S. and had a ‘love marriage’. They lived near each other, and my dad would wait outside of his apartment when he knew she was coming home, just to chat with her. 
  12. I speak English and Sindhi, but my Urdu is terrible. 
  13. I was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Sunny California, lived in New York for college, and now reside in Chicago.
  14. I love gardening and growing my own vegetables and herbs. 
  15. After having my son Adam, I gained a new sense of confidence that I never had before. The old me never would have felt comfortable putting my pictures online and subjecting myself to criticism. I wish all girls could learn to be confident and love themselves – it feels amazing!
  16. It may seem like I am always on the go because I get to do a lot of fun stuff with the blog like attend fabulous parties, but ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a total homebody. I love being at home in my backyard listening to music and hanging with my family better than anything in the world.
  17. I was a total bookworm growing up, and I love reading, but rarely get a chance to do it at all anymore.
  18. I am a true girl’s girl and I despise cattiness amongst women. #girlpower
  19. I dabble in photography and I have to say I am pretty good! I’m considering sharing some of it on my blog…
  20. I am always cold. Always. My husband is like my personal heater – i warm up my cold feet by putting them on his when we sleep.

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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!