Oct

IT’S ALL GOING TO BE OK

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

it’s been a just over week since a lamp dimmed in this world and started her journey into the next.

my friend nish was a beautiful soul. a dynamo daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, and friend to so many. who three years ago got hit with heartbreaking news of cancer running through her body. since then she’s been fighting the good fight, doing whatever it took to “win” this.

she was a good one. a really good one.

and it’s unfair and upsetting and unsettling to think about all that she has left behind and all that could have been, but the silver lining here is that she’s home. so… it’s ok.

right? they say the moment you are born is the first step in your journey to death. because that’s where we are all headed. to be enveloped in Gods presence more so than now.

home.

and at first it made me so sad to think she was not ready or willing to die; she just wanted to fight to be here with her boys. with her family. talking with my own friends and family, as one needs to do at times like these, opened my eyes to something else. now, i think, when death happens, there is an enlightenment that goes on and you see the bigger picture and you want nothing else but that. i don’t know. and i guess i’ll never really know until it happens to me, but for now, that’s comforting. and something to have faith in.

rest in peace nish. you will be so so missed. see you insha’allah on the other side.

ps. please please please do your part in this. register yourself to be a donor, get swabbed, and maybe possibly save a life like the beautiful one we just lost. click here for more info and to order your swab kit online, but i’m telling you it takes almost none of your time and is painless and could yield huge rewards. one match is also running a donor drive at hillcrest mall in richmond hill this saturday november 1st from 10-1pm if you want to come out and do this in person.

6 days ago Short URL Comments

ART/LIFE/PEOPLE

inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajieoon/kullu nafsin dhaaikatul maut/nishaat sheraly/one match/tahsin dhirani/tahsin the good

Sep

PATIENCE & FAITH

our visits to the hospital have been happy of late.

alhamdulillah.

we watch videos, eat in-season fruit, talk about life, and cheer on baby steps and big strides. yes, my father in law is doing so much better.

some may call it luck.others, the natural course of science and the body at work. but i call it a miracle. and i don’t mean to be blunt, but my father in law was on the brink.

and he came back. and i have seen my fair share of family at this point with no return, or who have suddenly passed with no explanation.

that’s God’s will.

and work at hand. He only needs to say “be”, and it is.

still, we were so scared. but i think hopeful and patient at the same time. is that what faith is? i’m beginning to think so.

i need to continue incorporating this into the fabric of my life.

i worry about work.

and what i’m contributing to the world. a lot. and i more often than not come down on myself for not doing enough. not bringing in enough. not living up to my abilities enough. and then that leads me to question the effects this will have on my kids. and there begins the dance.

and i know that that is not a good way to be. not the routine i want to be in.

so i’m going to remind myself that it will all be ok in the end. to have faith that He is taking care of us.

its funny, i got an email about the concept of tawakkul, or having complete trust in God’s plan, at around this time of flux. and it’s a relieving thing, you know. when you fully give in to His will, every outcome is ok. it just has to be.

المقيت the nourisher.

الوالي the protecting friend.

الرزاق the provider.

but i also know that it takes work to get there. so these are my reminders and maybe they can be yours too as we’re all in this a little bit alone and lot a bit together.

1 month ago Short URL Comments

INSPIRATION/LIFE/LITTLE GEMS

faith/god's plan/light + good/light and good/patience/tahsin/tahsin dhirani/tahsin the good/tawakkul

Sep

FACE PLANTS AND FACE-GEAR

i got myself a pair of glasses after maybe five years with my old ones (i rarely wore them. i’m more a contacts kinda girl.)

i realized if i don’t take care of my eyes by giving them a break every so often, i could lose one of my most valuable tools. and that’s not good or going to happen insha’allah.

i always get excited when buying a new frame because i love glasses, but once the lenses are in i just don’t want to wear them anymore. my script is really high and that leads to a less than ideal look with them on.

this pair is different. they are such a classic frame, with a little edge. and the fact that they fit my abnormally small face, an issue i have had with my glasses in the past, is a huge plus! and also, now, i just don’t think it’s worth it to worry so much about how an item i require to see properly looks on my face.

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW.

i found them in a cute boutique in playa a few months back, and the shopgirl told me johnny depp swears by this brand. haha. that didn’t sell me, but for some reason i keep telling people that little tidbit of info. lol.

i ordered the frame online here and got my aunt to fit the lens. et voilà. my new face-gear for slow mornings, evenings and sundays!

do you wear glasses? i bet you my prescription is worse than yours!

ps. niyya, my thrill-seeking, daredevil-ish little rascal gave me a big scare the other night. i had to take her in to see a doc (let’s be real, it was an er doc) for a gash she got on her lip and gums from “surfing” on, and taking a big wipe-out off the bed.

SHE ACTUALLY LEARNED TO STAND THAT WAY. ON UNEASY, UNSTEADY GROUND.

she’s some kind of wonderful. lol. my cheeky little monkey. and knowing her, she probably had something in her mouth to cause extra damage. she’s a tough cookie, though. and it seems she can withstand a lot alhamdulillah. not too many tears despite the crazy amount of blood and my short-lived moments of panic, and a silly and playful attitude afterwards.

pic.

i think i’m beginning to get this whole second born/last born thing.

FUN-LOVING, AFFECTIONATE, REBELLIOUS.

i only worried and took action beyond what i could do for her at home, because the cut seemed big and, i don’t know… you never know.

2 months ago Short URL Comments

DESIGN/KIDS/LIFE/STYLE

glasses/glasses style/moscot miltzen/moscot originals

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?

2 months ago Short URL 1 Comment

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 /

2 months 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 months 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.