Sep

TEN BOOKS / 1

it’s been a few months short of a year since i dropped out of my book club. and i want to get back into it, because i enjoy getting into a good story or reading about someones account of their life. i just can’t seem to find the extra time to read in the way my book club required of me.

recently i was tagged by my friend to list off 10 books that come to mind that i have read that have stayed with me in some way. so i’m re-living the fun of my past reading exploits by way of this challenge.

THE KEY IS TO NOT THINK TOO MUCH, BUT TO QUICKLY WRITE OUT A LIST OF BOOKS THAT HAVE TOUCHED ME THROUGHOUT MY READING “CAREER.”

some of mine are from my book club days; some are post-purge (when i dropped out a few others did as well and we jokingly called it the purge) reads. others are classics from highschool and university, and some are from the days i was able to stay up all night reading under the covers with a flashlight in my bedroom.

here goes:

1. the great gatsby - super classic. i read this for my highschool english class. still haven’t seen the movie though.

2. 1984 - i remember staying up late while traveling in pakistan reading this. it made me a little uneasy being alone and reading about being constantly watched.

3. the glass castle - this book affirmed my love for the memoir. i loooove a good memoir. and this one was a great look at an oddly functioning, totally dysfunctional family.

4. a new earth - around the time oprah made this one big. life lessons on destruction of the ego and waking up to the bigger picture. little and big gems in this, i’m telling you.

5. the twentieth wife - what a magical and different time. i felt so immersed in this book and actually started to read it slower and slower as it came to a close beaucse i didn’t want it to end. thank god for the feast of roses.

6. eat pray love - another memoir. and such a good one. i’m definitely not the only one who thought so too. major bestseller, major motion picture. i bought copies of it for my moms one eid.

7. confessions of an economic hitman - eye opener to say the least. a little depressing, a lotta interesting, and so plausible and real. and when you think about it, really, it all makes sense.

8. bright shiny morning - this book made me want to move to california so freakin bad. my book club counterparts didn’t love this book as much as i did, but i think its because i’ve got a little west coast swag in me. it’s there. deep down.

9. if tomorrow comes - i devoured this book more than once. tracy whitney was hella cool to me as a teenager.

10. the shack - a touching and beautiful account of an interaction with god. papa has never been so familiar to me before and i loved it.

i realized as i was writing this list that i could go on an on.

THERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF COMFORT, INSPIRATION, ESCAPE AND PLEASURE.

so insha’allah i will share 10 more books every so often. let me know some of yours, too. i could always use a good recco. and i will be officially challenging a few of you on insta. so get ready!

also, isn’t this library a little too lovely for words? it’s hootie‘s house!

photo credit / julia lynn for domaine

19 hours ago Short URL Comments

BOOKS

10 book challenge/book list/book reccos/books/life and style blog/lifestyle/lifestyle blog/reading/reading list/tahsin dhirani/tahsin the good

Sep

THE POWER TEN / 8

this list has been a long time coming. and i did it for you! yes, you. here are some links and things i’m feeling/craving/jones-ing this week.

have a happy weekend and be blessed.

1. fashion month is in full effect starting with new york and the streetwear is sometimes more exciting to me than the shows. maybe that has a little to do with the fact that i have not gone to a live fashion show in a while, but perhaps also to do with the fact that i love streetstyle photograpahy and personal style in general. some of my fave looks and shots from the street are from this current season and also from ones passed. check out more of my favourite style shots here.

2. i’ve really been wanting to see this show. maybe me and the husband will get a chance this run in toronto. (book of Mormon)

3. kismet is something else. so is instagram and blogging. and oddly enough it is the vehicle for many a fateful meeting. i feel like a i turned the corner and was meant to bump into this amazing lady. she is such an example of light, strength, realness and positivity. what she’s been through recently definitely resonates with me right about now.

4. this workshop is going to up your photo game. and bonus, well you might think so at least - I teach it! register now for the next class.

5. thinking of doing something like this for daani’s third birthday present. but I’m debating between a photo of her baby dolly katia or one of her and her real-life baby dolly niyya. what do you think?

6. her feed, her shop, her taste. drool-worthy. impeccably styled. just 👌. must a do shop girl feature on this homegrown, guelph talent.

7. adding this to my workspace pinboard for my above desk real-life pin board. confused? i am too. just a little bit.

8. mase watched this a few weeks back without me. i think i’m going to unwind with my feet up sunday night.

9. if you know me even a little bit you know I like my denim distressed. (see above photos and pinterest style board…) the more rips the better. here’s an awesome diy with tips from the pros at madewell for ya!

10. kinda want to eat this right now. who wants to share a plate?

4 days ago Short URL Comments

FOOD/GET THAT SHOT 'SHOP/INSPIRATION/LIFE/STYLE

distressed denim diy/fashion week/interiors inspiration/link of the week/nyfw/the power ten

Sep

AND ALLAH IS WITH THE PATIENT

my father in law is sick.
like, really sick.

and it came on so suddenly and his condition worsened so quickly that it’s hard to keep my feelings in check. and trust me, it’s been a roller-coaster of them. as you can imagine it’s an emotional time for my husband and our family.

and for as fast as his sickness came it will be just the opposite for his healing. this is going to take some time. we are well aware of that. and prepared for it.

INSHA’ALLAH WE’VE GOT TIME.

it’s just hard to go through it, you know. it’s hard to see my family hurt so much, but i’m so proud of them for their courage and faith in the face of such scary things. together, we are finding comfort in prayer and dua and small signs of improvement as the days pass since last week around this time when he was admitted.

it just goes to show how small we are, right? how fragile. my father is law is a very fit, lively and active man and something so simple literally knocked him out. we may think have have control of things, but we actually do not.

THERE ARE BIGGER THINGS AT PLAY.

so cherish your loved ones. appreciate life.

AND THE FLEETING MOMENTS YOU HAVE HERE ON THIS EARTH AND DO GOOD WITH THEM.

listen, i’m not trying to sound preachy here; i’m totally taking this advice too.

and please, if you can and are so inclined, make a small prayer for my father in law. my husbands father. my children’s only living grandfather.i truly believe prayers are the most powerful tool we have. don’t you think?

photo credit /

1 week ago Short URL 4 Comments

LIFE

allah is with the patient/faith/hope/life/prayer/quran/sudden sickness/surah al baqarah/tahsinthegood

Aug

SOME THINGS / 3

it’s my turn to cook for wednesday dinner again. i can’t believe how fast five weeks goes by. i swear, it feels like I just cooked for my fam.

BUT, I GUESS THE CALENDER DOESN’T LIE, RIGHT?

I think I was unwise in my choice of food too. bbq chicken and shrimp, with corn, green pea rice, grilled veggies and a salad. not that the meal is going to be bad, because it’s not. it’s just that the prep is taking so long! when cooking for the big fam less prep is best and in this case skewering all those shrimp and chicken pieces took forever.

and then, whenever I think anything is arduous, I think of my friend nish. and I say to myself - what on earth are you complaining about?

and some things so are.

while I’m stressing about making a good meal for my family, nish is fighting for her life.

LITERALLY.

she was recently told that her cancer came back. a devastating piece of news I’m sure you can imagine. and when I say came back I mean she was diagnosed (with acute myeloid leukemia,) fought hard, won and then, a little over a month age, the bloody thing came back. no pun intended.

she’s strong as hell. a true fighter in my opinion. and will likely say sayonara to this round of cancer soon insha’allah because she is so tough. her mental is on point.

but she needs your help.

you see, in order for her cancer to be fully gone she needs a stem cell/marrow transplant. she needs a match. and so far she hasn’t found hers. but that doesn’t mean one isn’t out there.

this weekend, one match is holding a drive so you can come and get swabbed and potentially save a life.

here are the details /
sunday august 31st at the jcc
9000 bathurst st
1-4pm

so now, I have a really big request of you. well actually it’s a small thing, but could yield very big rewards.

please come out and get swabbed. and if you cannot come out please connect with one match to see how you can do it at home. it really only takes a minute of your time. the husband I did it together after daani was born because we couldn’t make it out to a drive the first time around.

and granted, you may not be a match for nish, but who knows. you could be a match for someone.

AND THEN YOU MIGHT JUST BE ABLE TO SAVE A LIFE.

and what’s a bigger reward than that?

photo / some things are not important, by conceptual artist, author, ilustrator and all-round creative, keri smith.

2 weeks ago Short URL 2 Comments

FOOD/LIFE/PEOPLE

aml/cancer/fighter/keri smith/nishaat sheraly/one match/some things/some things are not important/wednesday dinner

Aug

GET THAT SHOT ‘SHOP / NEW CLASS

the next get that shot ‘ shop dates are up. the last two workshops were really awesome, but because the class is so packed with information and tips i kept running out of time to get the class to put into practice the things learnt. and i really felt like that was a problem. i wanted so badly to actually physically be there to assist my students in setting up their shots, helping them with the editing process so they could find their own personal filter, and taking that extra time to munch on snacks and talk to everyone in the class.

SO I TWEAKED THINGS A BIT. BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE THINGS NEED A CHANGE.

so now, the timing for the workshop is a little bit longer and the cost is a little bit more. now when you register for the class you’ll get a half day workshop out of it with just enough time to cover all the bases. and for those of you who are new here and have no idea what i’m talking about, check this.

get that shot ‘shop is a mobile photography workshop i created for you to learn how to take better photos using the camera you seem to pick up majority of the time for your blog, business or home photos. it’s a response to so many of my friends asking me how i get my pictures to look the way they do. and i give it all away. really, i do. i want you to be happy with the photos you take so you can be excited to look back on them and proud to share them.

and just to be clear, i’m in no way saying that dslr’s or better quality cameras are unimportant. because i soo am not. they definitely have their place. it’s more let’s make the photos we take with our mobile phones way better. because we take way more photos with them. right? but you can easily parlay some of the tips you learn into your experiences with photography in general. regardless of what camera you use.

THE “AHA” MOMENTS ARE HONESTLY THE BEST.

and then seeing the outcomes of the class makes me so happy. check the hashtag #getthatshotshop on instagram to see some of my favourite shots and my students new skills at work.

you can read more about it here and also register for the next class which will be on saturday october 4th from 10-1pm here.

here are a few snaps of the last few workshops -

goodie bags/mini polka-dotted rice bag pouches included monogramed notebooks, a cheat sheet on the workshop topics, and a set of notecards from light+good.

and here are some “best in class” shots. you know who you are.

so whether you are interesting in ambling your skills for your next vacation, the launch of your online shop, or simply want to take better photos of your ever-growing kids, come. you can guarantee you will learn at least one trick or two, taking your photos from being ehh to ooooohhhhh!

again, you can register for the next class which will be on saturday october 4th from 10-1pm here.

3 weeks ago Short URL Comments

LIFE

better instagram photos/family life/get that shot 'shop/instagram/instagram photos/iphone picures/iphoneography/iphoneography workshop/life/lifestyle blog/lifestyle photography/mobile photography/mobile photography workshop

Aug

FIELD TRIP / KIDSTOWN

now that camp, big summer events and some work projects are out of the way we are making the most of what’s left of our summer. and even though it’s pretty chilly for august it’s not stopping us from getting a little wet!

today we went to this splash pad that, before earlier this summer, I had never heard of. it’s crazy how you can live in a place for so long and not know what’s out there. anyway, a few weeks ago when my mom, the girls and I were at the park at high park, a lady told us about kidstown in scarborough. and let me tell you, it ain’t your ordinary splash pad. it’s a free, city-run kids water park, with slides and huge water apparatuses dumping, squirting, spraying and shooting water at your kids. we went with “the gang”, our fun-loving three-pack of cousins and they all loved it.

and if you’re a parent of young kids, you will know that splash pad water is freezing. like, freezering freezing.

but that didn’t stop them from jumping in and having a blast.

my kids, well at least the littlest one, was a bit too small to enjoy fully. she’s only just getting steady on her feet on dry, flat land, so that was a bit of a challenge here. next summer insha’allah.

in the end we picnicked, we parked and we splashed, then we all crashed for nap. myself included!

have you ever been to kidstown? how have I never heard of this place?! and if you have not been, check it out the next time we get a sweltering hot day. which will hopefully be soon!

ps. I realize how funny this all looks that there is no water in any of the shots. ha. for some reason this particular zone didn’t have water running yesterday, but it ended up being my kids favourite part!

3 weeks ago Short URL 2 Comments

PLACES

family blog/field trip/kidstown/life and style blog/lifestyle blog/places/toronto/water park toronto

Aug

#SOPTEAPARTY

holy mother, it’s been a while. the last month has been busy busy to say the least (ramadhan, nights of qadr, my first pop-up shop, camp, eid, the salad exchange, the #mvbbq… phew! that was. mouthful!) and it all comes to a head today with my second pop-up shop for light + good at the silk of paradise tea party.

i met sundus, the mind behind this party and online shop of fun costume jewelry, at a meet and greet in the city back in april and keep, happily, bumping into her at different events since then. she’s a pretty rad girl doing so many different things (full-time jobbing, blogging, night-time jewelry ‘slinging, event organizing,) I was really excited she asked me to take part in her tea party.it’s going to be fun, so come out with your girls, your fam or your man for some local shopping, cupcake-eating and davids tea-drinking. yep, this girl got davids tea to sponsor her party, so this ain’t gonna be your gramma’s cuppa. not to say that’s bad or anything, but you get my drift. so come and sip a little forever nuts or kokomo green with us (those are my two favourites!)

oh, and it’s a free event, so you can spend more at my booth! lol.

no, seriously.

i’m going to have a selection of prints, some new notecards, tassels, kid necklaces, tees and some other goodies with me. cash is king, but I’ll take your plastic too. 😉

here are the deets -

silk of paradise anniversary tea party pop up
artscape youngplace
180 shaw street
toronto, ontario
today from 12-9pm
click here for more info and to rsvp if you are so inclined.

i really hope to see some of you there!

so anyway, that’s where i’m at these days. back to a bit more regular programming here on the blog in the next little bit. and i’ve got lots to fill you in on. hope you’re all well!

besitos mamis,

4 weeks ago Short URL Comments

DESIGN/LIFE

life/lifestyle blogger/pop-up shop/shopgirl/silk of paradise/sopteaparty

tahsin, the good.