From Zahra

Tie-Front Dress and Off-Shoulder Top

nordstrom-tie-front-dress-button-down

tie-front-dress-off-shoulder tie-front-dress-Dress: Nordstrom | Shoes: Chanel – Similar Style (on sale!) | Bag: Chloe | Sunnies: Ray-Ban | Stroller: Babyzen Yoyo | Bracelets: Monica Vinader | Thanks to Pali Roots

These days my outfits always require two things, 1) a low neck or a button-up for easy nursing, and 2) flat or low heeled footwear, preferably ones you can slide your foot into. Functional tops and comfort footwear sound like a recipe for some really boring and unflattering clothes, but it doesn’t have to be. Example: this tie-front dress with cut outs and button detail, layered over an off-shoulder top.

I wore this look to lunch while mom and sis were in town recently. The same two family members who were with me in Paris last year when I purchased these sandals – the same fateful day I lost my DSLR camera and a year’s worth of photos on my memory card. Le sigh. We spent an entire afternoon retracing our steps that day, spending an obscene amount of money on taxis, and crying and then laughing at our (read: my) own stupidity. These sandals were the silver lining to an otherwise dreary day, and to this day they bring me joy.

In addition to wearing my favorite shoes, I’m also employing my favorite layering trick, an off shoulder top worn under a dress or a vest. The cold shoulder look without the need for a strapless bra is a win-win IMO. Oh and the bag is actually a cross-body. If I were any more comfortable here, I’d probably be asleep.

It took me five years of blogging about style to finally understand how important is is that a wardrobe fit your lifestyle. I used to buy stuff I just thought was cool or looked great on the model, but then I never really wore. Besides ending up with a cluttered closet and nothing to wear, I also had no money left for practical clothes.I love clothes way too much to compromise my personal style simply for comfort though.

I now make sure to only buy clothes I love  that are also easy to clean (hello baby spit up!), and aren’t a pain to walk in. Side note: painful shoes should be reserved only for girls night’s out and Drake concerts. It takes a little creativity to be both stylish and comfortable enough to get through the day, but its worth the effort. When I’m comfortable, I’m confident, and confidence is what makes me feel beautiful.

In other news, you may have noticed a slow down in how often I put out new blog posts lately. I’m actually working on some really fun projects at the moment to be shared here soon (stay tuned!) but I’m also taking more time in general to unplug and do things that fuel my own creativity – more time to read books, journal, cook, play with my babies, and basically just appreciate life and all the blessings I have. In essence, it will be quality over quantity around here. My mind is still always racing with my to-do lists and blog ideas, but I just keep on telling myself to slow down and enjoy the ride. Thanks for riding with me, always xx

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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!