From Zahra

9 Fun Things To Do To Celebrate Eid

I can’t believe the month of Ramadan is almost over and Eid is coming up! I hope everyone who is observing had a blessed month and received tons of rewards. Today I am wearing a dressed up look that could work well for Eid or Chaand Raat (Eid Eve) or any formal occasion.

Also, I grew up with certain traditions for Eid, (mainly to eat, eat, and eat some more) but in case you are looking for more ways to celebrate, I have listed a few ideas below for both Chaand Raat (Eid Eve) and Eid day. If you don’t celebrate, all of these activities are still really fun to do in general so I hope to get you inspired for some new ways to have family fun this weekend. I hope you all have a wonderful Eid and I will see you next week!

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Outfit Details: Necklace: Thanks to Happiness Boutique | Top: Zara (Similar Style)| Tulle Skirt: Thanks to Shabby Apple | Heels: Valentino | Bracelet: Thanks to Kendra Scott – from the Mystic Bazaar Collection (now available!)

Fun things to do to celebrate Eid:

For The Night Before Eid also known as Chaand raat (night of the moon):

1.  Make a garland– Create a beautiful garland together as a fun activity after dinner. Use the finished garlands to decorate the home for Eid day festivities. Check out this link for 38 DIY garland ideas.

2. Apply Henna/Mendhi – Go to your local Indian or Pakistani store and pick up a henna/mehndi cone, and for some design inspiration check out @hennabyfatima

3. Dance – Put any of your favorite tunes on that iHome and get a move on! I prefer bhangra music for this, but you can feel free to play whatever you love. (P.S. If you follow me on Snapchat @lovezahra.com this is what inspired my little mid-day Bhangra break)

4. Make samosas/pattis – Prepare some special food as a group for the upcoming Eid day festivities. My favorite memories somehow always included eating samosas or pattis. But cookies, cupcakes, or pies work just as well!

5. Write letters to family/friends (to be opened on Eid day) – get some special stationary and have everyone write letters to each other – topics could include how they experienced Ramadan, what they learned about during Ramadan, or just how happy they are to celebrate Eid!

For The Day of Eid: 

1. Host an open house – one of my favorite memories of Eid growing up was after prayers at the Masjid, heading to several different homes to visit with friends and family. Sadly, it isn’t as feasible to just invite everyone you know to come over these days, so I suggest planning to designate 2-3 friends to visit with each other after Eid Prayers. One could be breakfast/brunch, lunch, and dinner.

2. Have a step and repeat for memories – People always want to capture a great Eid memory. Create the perfect backdrop by preparing an area of the home by getting rid of extra furniture, and add some flowers or a few garlands.  Or create a step and repeat at your home and have guests and family take amazing pictures to remember for years to come. Here is a way to DIY one and here is a Youtube video step-by-step using a pipe.

3. Read a Ramadan story aloud (for young children): Here are a few stories to choose from and here is my newest fave!

4. Have a fun day out with the family! Go out and see a show, go for a bike ride, and just enjoy nature! If you are in Chicago, I’d check out some exhibits here.

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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!