Monday, March 31, 2014

Anya’s 3rd birthday celebration.

Hey lovelies, I am back after a little absence this past week as this space got a little update on its look. Glad to know that you guys liked it. Hopefully it will be easier to find posts now. Let me know if you have any feedback:)

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I shared pictures from the day Anya turned 3, and as promised sharing some more today from the little party we had to celebrate the event. Alhamdullilah there are so many special people around us, who shower Anya with so much love and even though we wish we could celebrate with all of them, our tiny house doesn’t allow that. So instead we decided to celebrate with our immediate group of friends and their families. Since our kids get to meet often, they have developed a nice little comfort level with each other and Anya loves having them over.

Here is what our little party looked like.

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A festive corner by the food area including some garlands and balloons and lights (Here’s a tutorial for the tassle garland). I like to put out all of the birthday cards she receives from our families, to feel like they’re a part of our celebration in a tiny way. The hats were leftover from last year, and I hot glued lace edging I had lying around and pom poms to makeover them a bit. Put out the little favors gifts, fancied up using tags and little clothespins I already had, and added some vintage books along with some Alice in Wonderland quotes to decorate some corners.

I have a tendency to drive myself a bit crazy planning such parties. I have big ideas that involve particular colors and items which I go crazy looking for. A week or so before the event, I realized it was not working for me. And I started questioning myself on why I was having this party in the first place! I ended up keeping it simple and using what I had on hand. And it worked out just fine. In our quest for perfection and need to throw Pinterest worthy parties sometimes, we can forget what actually matters and what doesn’t. Thankfully I was reminded.

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Here is what the snacks table looked like. I tried to keep them simple by using pre-made items I could find, and took help from my husband and some friends too. The cake was also ordered at our local grocery store. 

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Hope you enjoyed this little peek. Anya had an amazing time and that’s what matters in the end.

Thanks for reading and much love.

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Most of the pictures thanks to Nabila and Ayesha, my super-awesome friends.

PS: Here is a glimpse at her first and second birthday celebrations.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Inspiring me lately

Motherhood

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‘I know that these are the days that will occupy a huge part of my memories forever. I will look back on my life, and these days, when the kids are little, will be days that I ache for. I can already feel that ache, and the kids haven’t even grown up…When you have a baby, the fast forward button on the remote of your life is superglued, duct taped, and nailed down. It is happening — fast… Feel it. See it. Breathe it. Remember it.’

- What a beautiful reminder in this post.

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- Loved this post on taking a little time for ourselves when we get ready and what it says to our kids and specially our daughters.

Food

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- Love her recipes, specially as we try to bring more veggies in our dinners and eat more healthy.

Style

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LEFT Loving the printed kimonos all around. RIGHT via Forever21

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- Modesty is beautiful and love this post on dressing with intention.

‘It’s a fine line—I know, I’ve been there—and it’s not a bad thing to want to look drop dead gorgeous. Whether you’re set to go out dancing with your girlfriends or hoping for a chance encounter with Mr. Right, could it be that wearing cookie-cutter clothes with the sole purpose of looking hot may perpetuate the cycle of not feeling attractive enough? …... Next time you are getting ready to go out for the night, try dressing with intention, instead of dressing for attention. Dressing with intention is not about denying the expression of your personality, rejecting your sexuality, or the countless other outcries against the idea. Dressing with intention allows you to move beyond the confines of merely “sexy.” What is it exactly that you want to say?’

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- Inspired by this to makeover my home clothes

Home and Decor

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LEFT In love with the color of the cabinets

RIGHT Absolutely wish we could add an extension like this to our home.

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- Love this post via West Elm on how to make your gallery wall.

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- via abeautifulmess

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- Would love to do this for Anya

Early Learning

- Found out about the KUMON workbooks through a friend and trying out tracing and uppercase letters with Anya right now.

Crafts/Activities for Kids.

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- Had this pinned for a while and just tried this today. Anya loves it.

- After seeing a friend do it, we have been doing a bit of toddler yoga. Loving the experience. Here’s the YouTube link.

Faith

- Read these words somewhere and they resonated so strongly with me.

‘The bottom line is pray. If you’re tired, sick, emotionally overwhelmed – pray. If you’re on cloud nine and life seems perfect – pray. if you lack direction, pray. if you doubt that prayer makes any difference – pray. if the circumstances of your life are out of your control – pray. if the circumstances of your life seem well within your control – pray even harder. whatever you do – pray.’

- Love this ayah.

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Clinking on the pictures will take you to the original sources and none of the images are mine.

Hope these leave you inspired. Thanks for reading.

Lots of love.

Friday, March 14, 2014

WHAT WE WORE in Pakistan: Weekend in Lahore

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I wear: Kurta from Khaadi (gift from a friend), Coat from DKNY (also worn here), Tights from Target, Shoes from Stylo

Anya wears: Top from Outfitters Junior, Coat (also worn here) and Boots (also worn here and here) from Old Navy, Skinny jeans from Osh Kosh, Toy from Liberty Market1

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Location: Gulberg, Lahore
Picture Credits Waliya Najib

To see more in this series, go here.

Thanks for stopping by. Lots of love.


FYI

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The day you turned 3

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A picture story of how your day looked like. Pancakes you helped me make in the morning followed by unwrapping your present, a doctor set. The essential birthday celebrations on Skype and helping decorate some hats for your upcoming birthday party. A cupcake party with some friends and a family dinner at Cheesecake Factory and finally ending with another birthday treat and a visit from a favorite aunty.

Pictures from the birthday bash, coming soon!

Thanks for reading, much love.