2014 – Favorite Outfits

2014 has been a whirlwind of a year for me. The biggest change would definitely be leaving my full-time job in order to have more time at home with my son. It took two years of trying to balance blogging with work and family time, with no assurance that anything would actually pan out, but I finally got to a point where the blog was bringing in enough income that could finally take the leap. I am now even more of a believer that you can do anything you want to do – it is just a matter of following your intuition, working hard, and believing in yourself enough to not give up.

Last year my New Year’s resolution was to be more present and to really focus my energy on anything I did. I have always been a multi-tasker, something I even used to brag about, but I realized that instead of doing anything well, I was just doing lots of things really poorly.

While I don’t think I have completely mastered the skill of always being present, I think I have taken some major strides. I now try to have more moments without the noise of social media, like during meal times and play time with my son, and I try to compartmentalize my day so that I make sure to accomplish the things I want to that day.

So for 2015, I am going to stick with the same resolution and try to get even better at appreciating everything life has to offer. Rather than going through my daily routine in autopilot, I’m going to try to remember to stop and smell the roses. After all, as the saying goes, tomorrow is not guaranteed and today is a gift, which is why it is called the ‘present’.

Here is a round-up of my favorite looks from 2014, cheers to a safe and Happy New Year!

Striped_Top_Chartreuse_Skirt Sahar_Dada_Blazer_Asos_Skirt_4Heritage_SWhite_Full_Skirt_Topshop_Grey_Kate_Spade_top

ElizabethandJames_Sophia_Reyes_roomandboard Rebecca_Taylor_Short_Sleeve_Zip_Tweed pleated_orange_maxi Jcrew_Sweater_Jcrew_Collection_Skirt_Vince_BootiesSania_Maskatiya_Dress_Eid___ Leith_Dress_NordstroM_Louboutin_Heels Linen_Shirt_Dress_Ann_Taylor Missoni_AllSaints_RoomandBoard Peach_Eyelet_Skort_JCrew_ALC_Tank1 pFW JCrew_Ikat_Skirt_Sahar_Dada_Blouse_Isabel_Marant_Pumps HM_Dress_ Fur_Vest_Vince_Booties_Givenchy Chartreuse_MIdi_Dress_Asos_Cobalt_necklace1 Burberry_Trench_Coat_Boyfriend_Jeans All_Saints_Zadig_et_Zoltaire BIBTM_Feather_Skirt1 Black_Leather_Skirt_Stuart_Weitzman_Heels
Gilt_Boots_Zara_Skirt_Jcrew_Blazer
Adam_MommyAnn_Taylor_Skirt_Zara_heels_Jcrew_sweater.jpg Red_White_Blue_Kate_Spade.jpg Ann_Taylor_Mesh_Skirt_Blue_Shoes.jpg

Blush_Pink_Jumpsuit_Topshop.jpg Zara_Leather_Skirt_Vince_Booties.jpg
Tory_Burch_Skirt_Alexander_Wang_Bag
White_Chelsea28_Burberry_Trenchcoat_Vince_Booties Topshop_Culottes
Club_Monaco_Reyna_Coat_AG_Jeans_JCrew

White_Jcrew_Chanel_Louboutin_ZaraTutu_Shoplately_Lulus_Sweater_Sprinkles-_Cupcakes1

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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!