Summer Style: Bahamas Vacation

I really love sleeping in my own bed, but I’m already missing all of that colorful tropical Bahamian sunshine.

It is going to be impossible to top Sophia’s first birthday party in the Bahamas. Too bad she slept through most of it! Read more about our trip below, and scroll down for links to my vacation looks! If you are planning on going to some luxury travel destinations soon, then I hope my looks can help you figure out what to take!

After doing a lot of research, we chose to stay at the Atlantis Bahamas. Our room was beautiful with a view of the ocean and a pool. I worked with the Atlantis team to make a memorable first birthday party for Sophia, and it was amazing. I was really nervous planning everything from way over here in Chicagoland, and to be honest there were still tons of details that needed to be confirmed up to the day of the event and I was freaking out a little (read: a LOT). However, once I arrived and got to meet the hotel staff, particularly Ron from the kids concierge, I knew it was going to be all good. He went above and beyond to help coordinate the party, even playing games with the kids. We reserved an event space at the hotel that had two large gazebos – called the ‘Seagrapes overlook’ – which was perfect with a beach view, and stingrays swimming around right next to us.

If you too want to visit the Bahamas, you can find Premier Bahamas Vacation Rentals located along beaches and offering breathtaking views of the ocean.

Sophia fell asleep right when the party started – all of the excitement must have gotten to her! We still sang to her and took pictures while cutting the cake – stroller and all (see photo below).

After the cake was the highlight of the birthday party- our whole family went to play with the Dolphins! Thanks to the Atlantis, we were all treated to an up close and personal play time with our dolphin friend, Magora. Everyone had a chance to do something one on one special with her. Adam especially loved feeding her some fish, and he learned a special signal that got her to do a trick.

Today’s post is sharing some of my vacay looks. (I’m still working on the video to go with this post – stay tuned!). My summer style philosophy is relaxed, effortless, and fun. I love to wear lots of white and bright colors and bold accessories. Shoes have to be either low-heeled or completely flat. No fuss and no stress – issa vibe.

The only thing I regret – I wish I had taken the time to check out more beaches. Especially the ones off the resort where the cruise ships port. They have calmer waters, and there is a lot of action out there I would have liked to check out. But I guess that just gives me a reason to go back and visit!

Bahamas Travel Shortlist:

Where we stayed: Atlantis Bahamas – The property is massive and there are rooms available at a variety of price points. We loved that there was so much to do as a family and we were constantly discovering new areas like the underwater aquarium. The shopping inside is insane, I window shopped-till-I-dropped at Gucci and Rolex. Restaurants on-site range from super casual to fancy-schmancy kind. You might also find timeshare resorts near here. Although, I’m not so sure about such property investment as I heard that many try to get out of wyndham timeshare (and similar others) as they don’t waste any more hard-earned money on these properties.

Where to eat: There are so many options at the hotel from poolside snacks to fine dining. Our group had 5 rowdy kids so we preferred the casual side of things. We did not get the meal plan, because we knew we wanted to try more local fare, but the meal plan option is great if you want to budget your trip to the dollar. Must try food on and off the resort: Conch salad, Conch Fritters – basically Conch anything! Some of our favorites: The Poop Deck (seafood), Carmines (italian family style), Sun & Ice (ice cream – traditional Bahamian flavors)

What we did:

Nothing. (preferably with a coconut water at the beach or the pool)

Dolphin Cay Experience – hands down the most unique experience we had on our trip. Fun for the entire family.

Water Park – so many water slides and lazy rivers – there are even some that slide you through a shark tank!

What else I would have done if I had more time:

Scuba Diving

Jet Skiing

Swim with the Sharks Experience

Tours – there are so many fun tour options, probably best for people with older kids or no kids – you can do a bike tour, food and drink tour, or even an art gallery ‘hop’.

Let me know if you have any suggestions to add to this list! Scroll down for outfit links.

Thanks for stopping by as always xx

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Shop my looks (see additional similar options on the ‘shop my instagram’ page)

Swimsuits: Blue one piece , also available in black (exact one I’m wearing is by Zimmerman and currently sold out) | Ruffled Two Piece | Scalloped cut-out one piece (on sale over 50% off!) | Black one piece

Outfit 1: Dress over Jeans – Dress | Jeans | Sandals| Bag | Necklace

Outfit 2: Ruffled Off Shoulder top | White Jeans | Sandals | Bag | Earrings | Necklace

Outfit 3: Striped button down dress | Denim Skirt | Swimsuit (as top) |Beach Bag | Bag | Necklace

Outfit 4: White Lace Dress | Sandals | Earrings (thanks to Rouge by Rooj Amir)

Outfit 5: Maxi Dress | Necklace (thanks to Sugarfix by Baublebar) | Bag | Sandals

Follow Me! @zahra_sandberg

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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!