When I was younger, one of the most delightful things about the holidays was the food gift baskets my dad would bring home. Teeny jars of mustard and dried sausage and the assortment of crackers and cheese that didn’t need to be refrigerated. It was pure magic. And while my tastes have evolved, the lure…
Cozying up: Warm up your home for fall
In our parts, central Texas that is, fall lacks the iconic entrance our neighbors to the north enjoy. While fiery leaves might be relegated to our imaginations while brown and crunchy is our reality, there is still something to celebrate when the first day of fall arrives. And autumn is the perfect time to warm…
Naseem’s Office Decorating Ideas: New School Supplies for Grown-Ups
I always loved the beginning of school. There is nothing more thrilling than a brand new box of crayons, freshly sharpened pencils, or the crisp page of a new notebook. Even in elementary school I enjoyed organizing my papers under various file tabs in my binder and having everything meticulously placed in my backpack. As…
Wall Décor Ideas: Styling Your Wall with Our Store Favorites
Nothing personalizes a space more quickly than wall décor. We may have two different approaches to hanging it – Naseem’s is more intuitive, mine is more measured – but we are both addicted to styling our walls. Here are our five picks in store and tips for choosing complementary pieces to create a display wall….
Finding Home Furnishings: Infusing Classic Style with a Unique Twist
When my husband and I first married we moved into a house sparsely furnished with hand-me-downs from generous family and friends. Our first end table was an overturned Bed, Bath & Beyond box, and a wire rack served as our media console. Over the past decade our home furnishings have undergone a slow evolution. The overstuffed…
Three Ways to Celebrate National Iced Tea Month
In our home growing up, iced tea is a year-round affair. Brewed extra strong and served over a glass heaping with iced, never sweetened. My mom toted around her specially brewed magic elixir everywhere. I learned early on to eschew tea that was bottled and ask before ordering at a restaurant to determine whether or…
Saba’s Kids Space Ideas that Will Inspire Every Room in Your Home
Our little house has evolved a lot over the years, especially since welcoming our little one. We went from two junk rooms to one to none, as nothing will crowd out your excess like a tiny person. Our office converted to a nursery and then our room switched to our daughter’s as we learned our home needs…
Naseem’s Stunning Sanctuary Full of Favorite Things
In my small-town Texas loft, my bedroom is the one place where I embrace the “less is more” philosophy. The minimalist mix of neutral linens, light walls and carefully curated objects is a stark contrast to my inclination toward a more maximalist décor. The result is a true sanctuary. A Persian rug served as my…
Celebrating the Persian New Year: Saba’s Favorite Nowruz Traditions
The Persian New Year, or Nowruz, is my absolute favorite part about being Persian. Although my Farsi and Persian culinary repertoire are quite elementary, I love everything about the tradition – the beautiful, full-table spread, the new clothes and the food. Each year as spring approaches, I set about the ancient tradition of preparing our…
Saba’s Valentine’s Day Picks: Thoughtful gifts for you, your friend and your love
I am a sucker for Valentine’s Day. Not the orchestrated Valentine’s Day full of gifts of roses and perfume and dinners at crowded restaurants. My affinity lies with the pink, red and white Valentine’s Day of my youth – paper hearts and little gestures. Except instead of passing out conversation hearts, I now shower my loved…
Naseem’s Valentine’s Day Picks: Sweet gifts for yourself and your best girlfriends
I am always ready for an excuse to gift my girlfriends, or myself with something to perk up the everyday. A gift for you or a friend, or two: A candle is a simple gift that is anything but. There is nothing like infusing your home with an intoxicating scent. The White Tangerine candle by…
Saba’s 2016 New Year’s Resolutions: Daily Rituals
Last year was BIG. I felt like I could not fit one more thing into each day or week or month, and then I did. In the midst, or perhaps because, of all the things I realized the importance of daily rituals – tedious, one-more-thing-to-do, nourishing daily rituals. Here are a few I resolve on…
Lost Pines Art Bazaar 