   Hi friends! Hope you had a nice and relaxing long weekend enjoying the last bits of summer. Yes, yes an entire week has passed since Labor Day weekend but better late than never! And although summer isn't over yet, I'm also excited for Fall including the festivities and whats to come. Not to forget all the outfits and cute little kiddos Halloween costumes. Speaking of which ( and yes, this may be too far in advance) I have a cost saving Halloween costume tip for kids and adults included. I scored brand new (New with tags) Halloween costumes for Jordan & Nora from Poshmark for under $15 each. I'm looking forward to sharing my favorite finds from this month but also the books and TV shows I loved. Although I regularly share anything I hope is useful directly on stories, I've been trying to consolidate the favorites into these blogposts in order to help you find anything you may be searching for. Starting with my favorite reads/listens ( because I actually listen to my books over on Audible while walking, running errands, driving, doing dishes and everything in between) Book- The secret keeper of Jaipur - Part 2 of Henna artist trilogy. I highly recommend if you are interested in novels with complex characters, a page turning suspense & mostly an escape into a different time. Book- Verity - a very dark suspenseful book by Colleen Hoover. Just a heads up - there are several trigger warnings, without giving away too much of the plot. I finished this book in 3 days and trust me it was hard to put down. Book - It ends with us. another Colleen Hoover bestseller. It starts a bit slow but the end is worth it. TV show/movie - Wedding season on Netflix is a light Indian romantic comedy TV show - Surface on Apple TV created by Reese Witherspoon is a suspense and although it's a slow watch, it's worth checking out. TV show- Marvelous mrs maisel (Season 4 )is Amazon Prime's hit comedy and I finally caught up on it. It was heartfelt and everything that Maisel fans love this show for.  Aug favorite finds involved a lot of style finds that are perfect for end of summer and early Fall.
These gorgeous heeled socked booties from Zappos This very affordable oversized camel blazer that would be functional for work or evenings This tan colored faux leather blazer that is not only trendy but also a piece you could trust to wear for a few years This knit tank that is great for layering or wearing on its own ( styled in this reel) These strappy heels that are a must for dressing up. I have them in black too. Wore these tan ones 2 nights in a row and were extremely comfortable. This white poplin shirt that is a great basic to have These highwaisted paperbag shorts that would be great with boots or with loafers ( worn here) This special occasion pearl bag from Amazon that is great quality These black jeans from express that are a must! This white blazer dress for a fun night out ( which I pinned in the chest area for more modesty) You can also find lots more Fall looks inspo over here on my LTK page or Tiktok if you're not following me on there yet, I share easy quick healthy meal ideas over on tiktok too! Also for friends who have long work days that involves commute and being on your feet often, I shared a list of stylish work flats over here And that concludes our August favorites although I know there are a 100 more items I would like to share with. But I'll save them for another time. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read through this. Have a great weekend! Sophia Photos - Igda Warner
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 Hi friends, This goes without saying - Summer is absolutely flying by. As fun as fall fashion and activities are, I always feel a little bit of seasonal depression when I realize how summer is fleeting. Am I the only one? July was filled with pool days and finding kid activities indoors. We started off the month with a trip to Jacksonville, FL for 4th of July weekend which was wonderful .Did a solo parent day at the Please Touch museum in Philly and the kids absolutely loved it and already asking to go back. We also did a weekend trip to New York and although there was a heat warning, we made the best of it. I've received questions before about kid activities in NYC and I have a highlight saved here from last and this summer. Here are a few of my favorite TV/Podcast/Books for this month. TV Trying - Comedy/Drama Available on apple tv about a couple in London trying to go through the trials and tribulations of adoption process MOVIE Not Ok -Available on Hulu about how sometimes social media is so far off from reality and sometimes the consequences are irreversible ted lasso on apple tv PODCAST Broad ideas - A celebrity podcast series with rachel bilson discussing current affairs and female relationships/challenges We can do hard things - Another star studded guest line up on this Glennon Doyle podcast READING One true loves - Book by Taylor Jenkin Reid, a novel about how sometimes some choices arent as simple. It's being adapted into a movie and has the true Notebook romance kind of feel.  Here are a few of my July favorite finds
July favorites These adorable toddler besties tee here this portable fan on Amazon here this multicolored baublebar ring here for under $10 This fabletics dress that I cant get enough of here styled 3 ways These fabulous fun shoes here These matching mommy and me dresses from JessaKae These target sandals I've been loving lately (available in white too) This lovely mesh ruched maxi dress if you are looking for a special occasion dress here Hope you have a wonderful month ahead! Thank you for reading! Sophia  Hi friends, Hope your summer is off to a great start! I know summer technically doesn't start until June 21st but I always start off my favorite season after memorial day weekend- trying to stretch out summer for as long as possible! Started the month off with my birthday and it was a good one. Got to celebrate with my girlfriends doing what I absolutely love - working out, brunch and dancing the night away. Played hookie ( half day) from work with my husband and went on to celebrate with the family in the evening. Here is a quick snippet. I love celebrating birthdays! Of my loved ones and my own. Life is too short not to. Also got to do a cooking class datenight mid month as a continued celebration with my husband which was so much fun! Highly recommend checking out cooking classes at Sur La Table for any special occasions- I've been for a friend's birthday celebration and for date night, and both times its such a fun experience. Speaking of celebrations, if you are local and looking to setup/plan something, l shared details here on female owned vendors that came together to setup a picnic bloggers' event featuring so many great resources from alcohol free spirits to charcuterie boards and balloon setups- they have it all covered. Moving on to favorites of the month - I had a personal goal for the month of June to hit my steps of 4.5m a day and GrowwithJo channel on youtube was the best to stay motivated & achieve the goal. Speaking of goals, I also have been trying to read/listen to more audiobooks. I finished a Reese's book club recommendation- Counterfeit ( plot had potential but the writing didn't quite meet my expectations) & Find your unicorn space ( A self help book on making sure to carve out time for ourselves as women. Again I thought the book had more potential but the writing was too scattered) as promised easy trader joes recipes on tiktok (noodles & fig toast) I recently started Loot on Apple TV with Maya Rudolph and other big name in the comedy world & would highly recommend if you're looking for an easy laugh. Last month I asked if there were any specific topics I could share in these monthly favorite blogposts and I got a couple of requests to share easy Trader Joes recipes/items; so here is an easy shrimp noodle recipe & fig ricotta toast that I shared over on tiktok. I'll be sharing more as I go but you can always find my TJ favorites under my highlights over on Instagram Moving on to other favorites of the month- This red dress from Nordstrom was a top seller for $22 and this linen vest & pant set from Banana Republic factory that has petite sizing as well. You can find more over on my LTK page & Instagram . June's favorite 5 items were easy pieces that I plan on wearing all summer long and are staples for scorching hot months to come.   I also shared a few summer items I picked up for the kids in the last few weeks ( all on sale) and will be sharing more soon . I'll be covering Nordstrom anniversary sale picks in the next couple of weeks hopefully along with more fun things planned for the blog so stay tuned!
Thanks for being here. Hope you have a great month ahead! Sophia  Hi friends! Hope you've had a fantastic May and summer is finally here! I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to long days, backyard nights under the stars, endless watermelon, beach trips and icecream. May has been a busy month with the daily grind of course but also many celebrations. I also managed to catch up on some TV shows and podcasts/books besides my regular favorites Handmaids season 4 ( finally) (TV series) Working moms season 6 (TV series) The girl from Plainville (TV series) Grace and Frankie (TV series) The staircase 2022 on HBO (TV series) The Paris Apartment (book) How to become happier (podcast) Are there any books/tv shows/podcasts you've enjoyed lately? June happens to be one of my favorite months and in anticipation of many reasons to dress up, I did a dress try on a few weeks ago here linked below. I've also shared 3 linen outfit ideas for anyone looking to find modest wear this summer here  Here are a few of my May favorites I've picked up and will hopefully be using in the coming months. This cute shoulder tie top These sandals that keep selling out, for very good reason These highwaisted dad jeans This coil basket that is currently half off These peach colored pants that are so flattering This BEBE slip dress available on Amazon and fits like a glove These ice trays ( I tried adding blueberries and raspberries and they add a nice touch to lemonades or even water) These claw clips have been my go to the last few weeks and will be on heavy rotation in these coming months This $20 backpack I picked up from Target for a day at the DC zoo with the kiddos and is multifunctional with tons of pockets and comes in several colors This Supergoop suncreen I love   IWhile summer days are hot and humid, the nights can get cooler and a light denim jacket is always something I keep within reach. Linking a few of my picks here. I do have the oversized Target one, the white denim and the lightwash denim as well. I have also been loving wearing an oversized lightweight button down over my workout clothes or fitted dresses like this one.  Lastly, with Father's Day fast approaching, here are a few gift ideas you can browse if you are still brainstorming.
This under $50 portable grill for the dad who loves the outdoors This personalized apron for the dad who loves to grill This under $33 golf polo for the tee-riffic dad A local mini golf experience to spend time together Massage roller for the dad who works too hard A thermoflask for the dad on the go Personalized fathers day books on Hooray Heroes Under $90 Monogrammed wallet for the dad who is forgetful Hope these were useful! Next month I plan on sharing some easy meal ideas, Trader Joe's finds, maxi dresses for shorter frames besides my monthly favorites. Let me know what else I can share! Thank you for reading. Always appreciate you taking out the time. Sophia    And somehow its May already! I mean I know we feel this way every month but seriously. April was a month of patience with it being the month of Ramadan for muslims observing around the world. My cousin got married in a small intimate ceremony and we got a chance to get dolled up in our fanciest Indian outfits. We cooked a lot of meals at home and spent time outdoors as much as possible with the kids. And while it was a fairly lowkey month in terms of purchasing new items, I did find joy in reaching for some favorites like these clear coffee mugs ( I made green tea in them after iftar dinners every evening). I also spent quite some time watching TV shows and listening to podcasts. Here's what I've been watching/listening to Love Me (Australian Series- a romantic comedy series) Julia - Series on HBO. Based on the television chef Julia Child Selling Sunset season 5 - My guilty pleasure but it's impossible not to watch with the over the top outfits and the drama Podcast - Hidden Brain episode called Healing your heart. Focuses on grieving and moving forward after tragedies. Podcast - TED Radio Hour episode titled Work, Play, Rest about the work burnout and the great resignation after the last few years of working remotely, the job market & how productivity is not tied to in person work requirements. I feel like I'll keep this blogpost short and sweet and maybe leave the rambling for May because it's already felt like a long month. Here are my April favorites. Thanks as always for trusting my recommendations and having faith in what I share. I really appreciate you using my links to purchase products I've tried and shared. Wishing you a great week! Sophia Outfit details - You can shop my full outfit on my Instagram here   Happy Friday friends and a happy Ramadan to all observing. For those who may not know, Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, prayer & reflection, celebrated and observed by Muslims around the world. While I grew up in a very moderate household and am looking to learn more of the religion, in little baby steps , I find it quite encouraging for many retailers and household brand names fostering diversity by promoting and selling Ramadan decor and products on mainstream channels.  March was a busy month with traveling to Puerto Rico ( travel guide linked here) and the kids starting a new K prep and attending for half days only. While I've been trying to juggle work and entertaining the kids in the afternoons (thanks for all the kids activity suggestions), I have found a growing interest in coming up with snack ideas (shared a few in my highlights here) and found these fruit cutters on Amazon that so many of you loved. Pinterest has been a major source of inspiration lately in terms of snack ideas but also for recreating outfits with staples in my closet. Some of these staples I have linked in March's favorite finds. Aside from staples in my closet this month, I have kept up with reading and listening to favorite podcasts. This month I finished reading The Invisible Husband of Frick Island ( a light and easy read) and caught up (more like binged) on Smartless after a few weeks. Are there any new favorite podcasts you've been listening to lately? In terms of workouts, I am at the tail end of the Heather Robertson's 12 week 2.0 Free YouTube program (have 1 week to go!) and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of pushing my endurance and feeling more toned. Do you have any workout programs you've tried and really noticed changes with? Here are a few of my favorite purchases/staples I've enjoyed in March and hope you may find of use this spring. Do let me know what you think. 1.Platform converses 2. Marc Jacobs Tote bag ( great for traveling, everyday use for work or even as a tote turned diaper bag for all moms who are in betweeners) 3. White loafers 4. Kid's fruit cutters 5. High rise 90s jeans 6. This lip balm 7. Classic trench coat  And that's all for March favorites. Hope you enjoyed these finds and hope to bring you more this summer/spring.
Thanks for being here! Sophia  Hi friends! We recently traveled to Puerto Rico and had the best time exploring the charming and colorful city of San Juan. This was our first family trip traveling by air in 2 years so I was extra prepared and overpacked. Prior to traveling we did have to get rapid tests(online appointments required) done for our kids ( ages 3 & 2) at the CVS minute clinic, within 48 hours of traveling. For myself and Marjan since we are fully vaccinated, we presented that information to get a QR code upon entrance into the Luis Munoz Marin airport. If you are curious, you can find further information on travel guidelines here. We flew from Dulles IAD and our total travel time was little under 3.5 hours. I packed coloring & learning activity packs from the dollar section at Target and they did keep the kids engaged for quite a while ( in case any fellow parents are looking for plane activities).  Condado Beach Our Airbnb was about a 12 minute Uber ride from the airport located in Condado Beach -a busy touristy area filled with hotels, shops, restaurants & beaches within walking distance. Our Airbnb host was very generous with sharing local recommendations for tourist attractions, restaurants & family friendly tips. We tried to explore on foot (bring comfortable shoes )for the most part and fair warning, the winds are challenging. The local beaches by the way are absolutely beautiful and very family friendly. We spent two whole mornings at the beach and with the music from the local stands, the fresh coconut water & pina colados in pineapples, the island breeze, all of it . A VIBE. We were able to find local restaurants through recommendations our Airbnb host gave but also just by walking in and reading yelp reviews. Here are a few of our local favorites in Condado Beach area that were great with several options- Senor Paletas - If you're looking for ice cream bars with seasonal flavors on a hot day, do walk in to this cute shop. We tried the guava cheese, tamarindo, pistachio & passionfruit flavors and they were all delicious. For a quick on the go breakfast spot in Condado beach, do check out Waffler Avenue. Their menu consists of waffles of course besides regular breakfast items & also acai bowls which I enjoyed. For a sit down dining spot, we really enjoyed Tostado for breakfast. Their mini pancakes and coffee hit the spotttt! trust me! Serafina is an upscale Italian restaurant chain with beautiful outdoor dining and great music. The menu accommodates everyone and we thoroughly enjoyed dining their. Keep in mind they have a very long wait list so try to arrive earlier in the evening to get seated outdoors.  Old San Juan Old San Juan is about a 5 minute Uber ride from Condado beach and filled with rich history from the 16th century. The San Felipe del Morro fortress is worth exploring for an entire day along with its breathtaking views. The bright streets of Old San Juan are vibrant and cheerful and every corner is worth capturing on your camera. Restaurants are bustling at all hours of the day so be sure to keep that in mind in regards to wait times. There are a few fresh fruit and juice stands in the plazas and are perfect for a balmy hot day. A few highly recommended restaurants in Old SJ we didnt get to try but were raved by locals - Barrachina & Raices. We went to Cafe Manolin for lunch and really enjoyed the local favorites (their habanero hot sauce was everything)     Lastly if you're in the miramar area of town, I do highly recommend checking out Casita Miramar for not only their colorful venue but their inventive Carribean dishes were great for a special evening. Overall we fully enjoyed San Juan and know there is so much more we didnt get to experience. From my research leading up to our visit, the local art shops and museums are great for an enthusiast. One of the best aspects of Puerto Rico travel is that it funds more than fun. Its common knowledge that the island has experienced numerous challenges, from natural disasters to economic struggles. Every dollar spent on local tours, hotel stays, shopping and dining helps the people of Puerto Rico bounce back. Let me know if youre planning on taking a trip or have visited before. Thanks for reading! Sophia   Happy Wednesday friends! ....And we are in March! I can almost FEEL spring in the air. How was your February? My month was filled with the usual sprinkled with a couple of fun Galentine's get togethers with close friends, a John Mayer concert that Marjan & I attended (mom & dad's night out) at the Capital one arena together. While life is always busy, I always try to find the time ( keyword TRY) to listen to a few podcasts or read. This month I read 'Edie Richter is not alone '( A story about a woman coming face to face about a truth she has been trying to avoid. It's funny & heartbreaking at the same time. If you're looking to read something in the same genre, I'd recommend checking out the outline. Word of caution- it does center around grief). I also continued listening and obsessing with The worlds first podcast as well as Smartless. If you're looking to find entertaining yet informative podcasts, check these two out. In terms of TV shows I watched on Netflix - The woman in the house across the street from the girl in the window, Tinder swindler, Inventing Anna , The Hookup Plan (A French series about friends & their romances- a comedy/drama. Subtitles available of course). Have you watched any of these? I'm continuing with Heather Robertson's 12 week 2.0 Free YouTube program and if you're looking to commit to a routine & need the motivation or extra push, I'd recommend checking this one out. While the wide legged white pants & Abercrombie curve love jeans I shared on IG stories were very popular this month, here are a few of my favorite purchases/staples I've enjoyed in February and hope you may find of use. 1. old navy pajamas (these cotton pajamas, come in several fun prints and are $35) 2. crew statement hoops ( great quality and if you're like me and love the oomph it adds to everyday outfits, these hoops are for you) 3. mini mac lipstick ( in shade mocha) 4. Gold Tea strainer ( $8 ideal for loose leaf tea or even sprinkling powdered sugar on your favorite desserts) 5. Vegan leather belt ( If you're looking for a staple belt- this is a great option) 6. chain link bracelet ( A very good non expensive option for the chain bracelet - under $13)  Is there something you would like to add to the mix? Or recommend I check out and share?
I do plan on sharing a Spring staple outfit reel & budget friendly Spring dresses reel in the coming week or two. Styling reels are a challenge to put together, film & edit but I greatly appreciate the ideas some of you have been sharing . Please continue to slide into my DMs.. kidding! I did share a floral arrangement hack that Tiktok really loved. Also this easy quiche recipe that took no time and made breakfast meal prepping for the week, a breeze. Would you be interested in more cooking/hacks/lifetyle reels? Tell me, what you have planned in the coming month? A few things we are looking forward to - Friends visiting us from Atlanta and a trip to Puerto Rico with the kiddos! Our first flight together is January 2020- send good vibes please & tips! Thanks for reading and being here. Have a great week! Sophia Outfit details- Wrap top on sale - here Wide legged pants on sale (under $35)- here Bag - here Sunglasses- here  Happy February friends! Did January feel like a long month or was it just me? Hope you have had a good start to the year so far. Started off the year with a quick girls trip to Charleston and it was such a welcome break. I've visited Charleston(great family friendly city but also perfect for a quick girls or romantic getaway) a few times before and always enjoy the food scene so much. I have a list of recommendations here if you're looking to visit. With kids back to school after a long winter break and being under the weather, and work in full swing along with life commitments (mostly trying to keep kids busy indoors in the cold) and blogging projects, January has been a very productive month. While life and work has been busy, I've enjoyed sneaking in an audio book and some podcasts. Absolutely loved reading A woman is no man and would highly recommend. My current podcast obsession has been The Foster sisters' podcast The World's First Podcast and have been binging all the episodes. They tackle multiple relatable everyday topics that are not only enlightening but their humility is refreshing. I also started a new at home workout program- Heather Robertson 2.0 free 12 week program on youtube here . I did her previous 12 week program last summer and saw a significant difference in toning. I share free workout youtube videos in a highlight here. We celebrated our 6 year wedding ( nikkah - islamic wedding ) anniversary this past weekend at Tail up Goat in DC and thoroughly enjoyed trying from the Michelin guide menu. The dress pictured (linked here) would be great for any upcoming celebrations or a wedding guest outfit. I have a long list of favorites to share from this past month and from last year's monthly Friday Favorite Fives I got some great feedback. I usually try my best to share items on sale or finds I think would be useful as soon as possible on stories & my latest favorite has been styling items on reels. For example I shared a petite denim try on with Express here or if you're looking for daily winter outfit inspiration, shared this one here. So here is a roundup for you ICYMI. WINTER FAVORITES With winter in full swing and no sight of spring just yet, I've picked up a few everyday trusted items like these fleece leggings priced at $18, these petite soft fleece joggers, this fleece pullover under $20, these lace up lug boots that I got in the cream color but is also available in black. A couple of items I've had for 2 winters now that I reach for often - This oversized sweater from amazon is a great winter staple & these fleece lined combat boots that have been great in the snow. I've linked everything below on my liketoknowit page here.  TODDLER WINTER PICKS Next up, and my favorite type of shopping these days ( after home decor shopping) is shopping for my toddlers and wishing I could get them in adult sizes for myself. All of these are on sale currently and would transition well into Spring. Linked all here  MAKEUP, HOME & ACCESSORIES FINDS Linking a few finds that I recently purchased for everyday use. Would also be cute as V-day gifts like these under $15 sunglasses, these blue light glasses that I wear since I'm on the computer for long hours, these heart shaped cookie cutters that are the perfect excuse to bake cookies for the upcoming Valentines day season or really anytime , this $5 peony candle that you need to check out on your next Target trip, this giorgio armani luminous silk foundation I've loved since last summer & lastly this earring set (here and here) that I wear almost everyday.  And that's all for January. I told you it would be a long list but I wanted to capture everything that you would find useful. So what do you think of this new format of monthly favorites Do you prefer the stories format or blog format?
Would love to hear your thoughts. Hoping this new month is productive, healthy & filled with love for you. Thanks for reading always, Sophia  Happy New Year, friends! Hope you’re having a restful and healthy start to the year. A quick thank you to our healthcare workers that have worked tirelessly, holidays or not. With the holidays behind us and a brand new year filled with possibilities ahead, I’ve been thinking of a few goals/resolutions to kickstart the year. What are your thoughts on new year resolutions? Are they totally cliche or do you look forward to having a renewed chance at setting intentions for yourself? Sharing a few of mine in 2022 below. 
Thank you for reading. Wishing you a great year ahead. Sophia  |
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