Collaboration

Better Late: A Summer Story with Thacker NYC

floral-dress-summer-thackernycBut for real, I’m making some changes- in life – better late than never is my motto!

Well hello there friend! Welcome! I’ve got a few life updates to share with ya today! This post was hard to type, and that is not because I have some crazy long acrylic nails on right now – even though I do (seriously how do you girls do it?). But for real, I’m making some changes- better late than never is my motto!

Anyway, for the past five years since starting this blog I’ve had so many amazing experiences: from going to runway shows at NYFW to being a ‘Fashion Expert’ (side note: what IS that even?) on TV, being featured in magazines I only dreamt of being in, to attending countless Industry events where I met and befriended some of the most creative, talented, passionate people in the world.

But lately (for like the past two years or more actually), I’ve gotten a little a lot jaded. All the content I was seeing was the same, which was actually really boring to me. Not throwing shade I swear, I get it because to be successful in this game you can’t be ‘off brand’ and sometimes that means losing your true voice and unique personality.  I’ve been declining almost every ad or sponsor opportunity because I felt like I was being trapped to keep my content a certain way to please the brands I work with.

I started on my journey to find that spark I started this blog with, and just slowly started making changes without caring what the result would be. I stopped shopping at Zara and any other place I know has unethical labor practices, which also coincidentally is a turn off to many big brands (guilty, much?). And lastly, I started writing more open and honest blog posts and videos sharing my struggles with everything from religion to colorism. I told myself I’d take these next couple of years while Sophia is still a baby and explore and find what I really love to do and focus on that.

 I really love connecting with people, sharing life experiences. I also really love having fun making videos. And, I love making people laugh. So what I’ve decided I’m going to do is…(Drumroll…) Make funny videos! Yes you read that right. I’m too old and busy to be roaming around bars in Chicago doing open mic comedy shows, so I’m going to post them here. I’ve got some in the works and I already have some collaborations planned!

I tell you guys – once you decide to do something the universe makes it happen! I hope you stick with me in this new chapter of Love Zahra – and don’t you worry there will still be plenty of fashion and beauty because – your girl still gotta look fly! I mean…obviously!

Like today’s look, in this pretty and perfect-for-summer dress by Thacker NYC that has the cutest arm peeking out detail. Or my bright new bag that is the perfect orange sherbet creamsicle hue, something I also love to eat in the summer.

Thank you so much for visiting  – I love you – bye!

xx

Z
thacker-floral-tie-sleevethacker-nycthacker-nyc-dressDress + Bag thanks to Thacker NYC | Shoes: Sigerson Morrison (avail in black) – Similar 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!