Halloween with Spirit Cruises

Guaranteed to get everyone off of their electronic devices – at least for a couple of hours…

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I’m always looking for fun things to do as a family, but with Sophia only eight months old – our choices are a little bit limited to keep everyone entertained. So when the opportunity to partner with Spirit Cruises came around, I thought – let’s do it!

We went on a family friendly Halloween themed cruise. It was a ‘costumes encouraged’ party but since we had just hosted a Halloween party the night before, no one was really in the mood to dress up again, but I did get Sophia in to her Wednesday Addams costume one more time since she didn’t have a say in the matter.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect sunny day – I felt especially lucky because the week following was absolutely dreary and rainy every single day. The brunch was served buffet style and the DJ played a mix of party favorites and spooky tunes like ‘monster mash’ and ‘thriller’.  Adam majorly cut a rug, confirming the fact that he got his daddy’s dancing skills, haha. Sophia had fun just watching all the kids in costumes dancing on the dance floor. We went upstairs and played a few rounds of checkers and headed outside to lounge and take in the beauty of Lake Michigan. If you caught my instastory that day, you definitely saw more Lake Michigan views than you probably needed to 🙂

Overall we loved the experience, there was a ton of stuff to keep the kiddos busy, and Tom and I just loved getting outside for a change and enjoying the gorgeous lake view. The cruise staff was wonderful, and the warm baked chocolate chip cookies they passed out on the way out was a really nice touch. Since they dock at Navy Pier we went for a walk afterwards, and Tom and Adam took a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Two and a half hours without a phone or iPad turned out to be some of the most fun this family had together in a while!

Many thanks to Spirit Cruises for having us! 

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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!