From Zahra

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

This year will mark 5 years of marriage and almost 9 years together for T and I, oh how the time does fly! Holidays like Valentine’s day tend to lose a bit of luster after you have been with someone for a while though, am I right? Add a kid or two in the mix and you might not even notice the date as any different than any other on the calendar -which is truly sad. I believe it is so important to always carve out moments to celebrate your love for each other, so when a friend of mine came to me with some personalized valentine’s day ideas, I started thinking about all the amazing ways that we could make the day special for each other again. My friend told me about this website that could make personalized Moon lamps (or Lámpara de Luna con Foto Personalizada if you’re Spanish). He decided to make one that had the photo of him and his wife on their wedding day, and he couldn’t wait to see her face on Valentine’s Day. That sounded amazing, it got me thinking of some ideas of my own! And the fact is, there are so many different ideas for different couples – perhaps you just want to get something small and sentimental – in which case a Film roll keychain will be right down you street, customized with photos of the both of you. Oh how the variation in gifts these days makes it so hard to choose just one!

Below are five Valentine’s day gift ideas that I think are all really easy and budget-friendly, but also a bit extra special…which is your favorite? valentines-day-minted-art1. Customized foil-pressed art prints – starting at $60 these are a beautiful way to share your favorite poems, quotes, or even your wedding vows! I chose a verse that I love by Sufi master Hafez (though its authenticity as a proper translation of the work of Hafez is highly debated – I still love it).valentines-day-gift-camera

2. I’ve had my instant camera (on sale now!) for a couple of years now and I just love the way it captures the moment like no other. Be sure to take a few pictures of yourself to personalize it even more, and add some of your valentine’s favorite sweets – mine loves his Swedish fish!

valentines-day-gift-rocksbox3. Give a Rocksbox subscription. The other day my husband bought me a bracelet, and it was lovely, but as it turned out, I had almost the exact same piece already! I am the biggest Wonder Woman fan, and it was a Wonder Woman bracelet he got me, he ironically thought ‘to the rescue!’ but I had to let him down gently I brought myself the same piece a few weeks back. Jewelry is always a great gift idea, but instead of agonizing over which one to buy, try gifting a subscription to Rocksbox. After a short profile survey, a stylist picks pieces that you will love, and you can either purchase at a discounted price, or you can send back (free shipping) when you are done wearing them and get another box of new pieces! I even have a free code for your first month, it is lovezahraxoxo – enter that at checkout and you are good for a trial month!valentinesdaygift-bijou-candles4. Gift a luxurious Bijou candle. The style of these reusable resin based candle holders is inspired by 19th century French modernism and expressionism. I love that you can refill the same holder with a new candle – or use it as a pretty tray for anything from jewelry to candy- how brilliant is that? I am currently burning the Bois de Vanilla Bijou of the Boudoir collection, and it is absolutely divine.valentines-day-baking-cupcakesvalentines-day-cupcakesvalentines-day-gift-candy5. Gift something sweet! A little natural dopamine-boost every once in a while won’t hurt anyone 😉 Bonus points if you make it, and extra bonus points if you involve your children and make it a family affair. If you aren’t up for the task of baking, grab some cute valentine’s day candy – I love the ‘Hottie’ Hot Tamales and the ‘UR GR8’ heart-shaped Russel Stovers. You also can’t go wrong with heart shaped candies or conversation hearts either!

Honorary mention for all the gamers out there – give your partner roms of classic Nintendo games like Pokemon, Legend of Zelda etc. You can find nds rom for various games at websites like Gamulator and give your partner the surprise of a lifetime!

More lessons I’ve learned and try to live by: don’t take anything for granted, don’t wait to say you are sorry, and always show how much you love someone, don’t just say it. Happy Valentines Day!

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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!