Cozy Knits and Sweatshirts

Thanks for visiting as always! Lately I’ve been going through a whole slew of emotions most probably all pregnancy hormone related –  I could probably start a whole blog called ‘Reasons Why I Cried’ which would include some gems like – ‘waving goodbye to my son on the school bus’, and ‘listening to the Golden Girls theme song’. The other day I felt so cranky and irritable that I even found myself wondering why I was so intent on getting pregnant in the first place. This is especially crazy for me, because I was desperately trying to get pregnant for two years. Once that horrible thought crossed my mind, then more negativity just started pouring in. I started to dwell on the new fine lines I noticed on my face, my weight gain (which I know is crazy because I’m PREGNANT, but I never said this was rational thought), and I even found myself comparing the success of my blog to some other bloggers. After a pretty miserable afternoon, I realized I was being so ungrateful for all the blessings I did have, and I had to do something to get myself out of this funk.

Also, after my own ordeal, a friend of mine shared with me that she was going through a period of sadness and she thought she might be depressed. I realized this is such a common experience for people, I want to share what helped me to get my mind back in a positive place.

  1. Have Gratitude – think about all of the things you are grateful for. I like to think about the fact that if I had nothing else in this world, the fact that my family is healthy is worth more than anything money could possibly buy. So I’m already rich!
  2. Get out of your head- Sometimes work and life gets so hectic, you don’t get time to yourself to  simply be quiet and meditate, or work out and get a great sweat. The mental and physical body are connected more than we realize.
  3. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Every time your brain thinks something negative, say something positive to yourself. This works so well for me because the negative mind is so irrational, if you say something positive that makes sense, you are more likely to believe it and feel it.
  4. Create a positive environment. For example for me, cleaning and organizing my house makes me feel more at peace. Lighting a scented candle or playing my favorite music can instantly change my mindset.
  5. Do not, under any circumstances, compare yourself to others or base your self-worth on others validating you. You are only going to compare your worst with your perception of someone’s best, which is a completely unfair comparison. It is also important to remember everyone has their own struggles, whether you see them or not. Lastly, trust your own journey – if you aren’t where you want to be in your personal life or career, focus on what you can control, and continue working towards your goals. I like to remember all of the now famous artists who lived their entire lives undiscovered – they must have had an incredible amount of inner strength to continue doing what they loved, despite not getting recognition from the rest of the world.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead! With love and light xx

-Z

kale-sweatshirt-gucci-slides-pom-hatknit-hat-pom levis-gucci-princetown yale-sweatshirt

Sweatshirt – Thanks to Nordstrom | Hat – Nordstrom | Jeans: Levi’s | Slides: GucciSimilar Style 

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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!