Posts in Nov 2018
#OOTD Week of 11.12.18
Wearing: H&M Sweater | Free People Overalls | H&M Booties

Wearing: H&M Sweater | Free People Overalls | H&M Booties

Shop Similar Below:
Wearing: Kotn Turtleneck | Waverly Grey Pants | Okthein Bag

Wearing: Kotn Turtleneck | Waverly Grey Pants | Okthein Bag

Shop Similar Below:

Wearing: Macy’s Overalls | United Wood Top | Gucci Loafers

Wearing: Macy’s Overalls | United Wood Top | Gucci Loafers

Shop Similar Below:

Wearing: Nicholas Dress | Michael Kors Flats (similar)

Wearing: Nicholas Dress | Michael Kors Flats (similar)

Shop Similar Below:

Wearing: Hunter Bell Coat (similar)

Wearing: Hunter Bell Coat (similar)

Late posting my Instagram outfits, but between flying back to Miami, getting work done, and planning my next trip — it’s been exhausting to say the least. However, I am glad I’ve been able to keep up with posting outfits consistently. I’m trying to steer away from counting likes and just posting in the moment exactly what I’m wearing. A shit ton of posts, but I always notice and appreciate those who always show love!

I Quit Drinking
simply gharib
simply gharib

I Stopped Drinking and It’s Hard for Some To Understand Why

Let me start by saying, I am not an alcoholic (lol) most of the time when someone says “I don’t drink anymore” others assume they’re recovering alcoholics - sorry to disappoint, but that is not my reason why. I will say this, it is very strange to openly talk about the fact that I stopped drinking, because that would be admitting I did drink. In my culture (and with a strict Muslim father like mine) you-do-not-drink—period. But yes, I have enjoyed my fair share of alcoholic drinks. My husband and I bonded over Eminem and Jack Daniels in high school. With that said, me and my party days have all pretty much parted ways a while ago. If that sounds familiar its because it’s Eminem’s lyrics. After college, I definitely loved to enjoy the occasional glass of wine, especially in a profession like mine where architects drink wine like water.

Its been a little over a year, and trust me I’ve heard it all.

  • Are you pregnant?

  • Is it a religious thing?

  • Why, were you a heavy drinker?

  • Oh, is it because you’re driving?

Which I understand since, someone who chooses not to drink is something of a curiosity. Plus I was usually the number one person to suggest a wine night. The simple answer I give is, I just don't want to drink. The real reason? I promised my mom I wouldn’t, but I can’t say that without it getting pretty awkward at a fun social happy hour.

I hid the fact that I drink from my dad, but I never hid it from my mom. She was my best friend and like I’m being open now, I was an open book with her. My mom wasn’t a drinker, but that didn’t matter, because when she got sick her liver and kidneys started failing.  She used to say we think eating the way we do and drinking the way we do doesn’t matter, because we’ll go to the gym and get over our hangover in the morning. To my mom, health was the number one thing we should care for, so I decided to stop drinking. Not out of fear that I’ll be damned or even for my health honestly. I stopped because she loved me so much, and the last thing I promised her was that I would stop. She just wanted to protect me, so how could I not continue honoring that promise.

Do I miss it? I guess, I miss the fun social setting. It was a little strange to talk at a happy hour without a glass in my hand. Actually it felt like others thought it was strange, so I started holding a glass of water. It doesn’t bother me when I’m around it, I don’t judge those who drink and those who don’t. It just feels normal now. It’s been a little over a year and so far nothing has proven worth breaking my promise. I hope nothing ever will.

Wearing: Clu Sweatshirt | Frame Jeans | Steve Madden Boots

Shop Similar Below:

Nothing to do with drinking, and all to do with the last fall looks (for now) since I’m back in Miami. Think oversized sweaters in warmer knits, black denim, and booties to match. I also like to a bit of color, even if its just a touch of yellow plaid.

#OOTD Week of 11.5.18
Wearing: Carven Pants | F21 Crop Top | Vintage Denim Jacket (similar)

Wearing: Carven Pants | F21 Crop Top | Vintage Denim Jacket (similar)

Shop Similar Below:
Wearing: Shoshanna Dress | Samantha Sipos Faux Fur Jacket | F21 boots

Wearing: Shoshanna Dress | Samantha Sipos Faux Fur Jacket | F21 boots

Shop Similar Below:

Wearing: Amur Dress | F21 Stocking & Beanie | Fendi Boots

Wearing: Amur Dress | F21 Stocking & Beanie | Fendi Boots

Shop Similar Below:

Wearing: Halston Heritage Coat | F21 Crop Top | Yoga Pants | Phillip Lim Handbag

Wearing: Halston Heritage Coat | F21 Crop Top | Yoga Pants | Phillip Lim Handbag

Shop Similar Below:

IMG_20181108_131549-01.jpg

Shop Similar Below:

“I’ve got 99 problems and 86 of them are completely made up scenarios in my head that I’m stressing about for absolutely no logical reason.” When I read that the other week 1. it made me laugh and 2. I realized how true it is! Not that I’m going to write a long post about suddenly realizing I need to learn the art of not giving a damn, but it truly is an art. In general just trying to be more open and share, because I’m tired of stressing over all these hypothetical scenarios in my head. But baby steps... I just started to take a quick photo of my daily outfit (whether it’s the outfit I wore to the office or to lunch with friends). So here’s to week one.

Fall Finds
simplygharib
simplygharib

Working On Myself

I want to go back to go back the old ways, the Instagram of 2013-way, a time when we all posted what we wanted, when we wanted. When I didn’t count likes or comments, I didn’t worry about what others would think of my post or worry if I was posting too often in the same week. I kept away for a month and I realized I can very easily disappear from the social media world. But I enjoy picking out my outfits and taking photos, sharing my work experiences, my commute. I enjoy writing my thoughts and reading the thoughts of others.

I have been on Instagram since 2013, as the years passed, it changed from being a friendly environment, into a competitive social platform where either everyone filters out their lives to get the most engagement or fear of showing it so others won’t judge. This comes from a feeling that the people around us approve of us, which we may or may not be able to control. I’ve had friends who have posted pictures they love, but when they only have 50 likes in the first hour within posting it, they delete it and say ‘just wasn’t getting the likes I thought it would’. But what does it matter if YOU love it? Somewhere along the way I lost my self-confidence, consumed by the “what ifs?” others may think of me based on my social media. It’s a self-confidence issue I’m trying to work on these next few months.

We gain a sense of self-efficacy when we see ourselves (and others similar to ourselves) mastering and achieving goals that matter. This is the confidence that, if we learn and work hard in a particular area, we'll succeed; and it's this type of confidence that leads people to accept difficult challenges, and persist in the face of setbacks. I’m not talking about succeeding in architecture or in this website, I’m talking about succeeding in gaining a positive self-image and confidence in myself. It’s crazy that it has taken me this long to deal with it, especially after watching my mom (nicely) say ‘fuck the world, I’m living my life the way I want’ and she did so in a very positive way. When you realize how finite life really is, it’s suddenly not worth spending any time doubting yourself or living your life to how you think will best please others.

Some people believe that self-confidence can be built with affirmations  and positive thinking; gaining a general sense of what's going on in life, and understanding that we have a right to be happy. So we’ll see, I’m starting this journey by focusing on doing what I want to do, what I want to share, and just having fun!

simplygharib
simplygharib
Wearing: Shoshanna Dress | Samantha Sipos Faux Fur Jacket | F21 boots

Wearing: Shoshanna Dress | Samantha Sipos Faux Fur Jacket | F21 boots

When I think of Fall — oversized sweaters and jackets definitely come to mind. Since I don’t get to experience it in Miami, I have a lot of fun layering up in deep hues when I visit New York. Starting with the perfect Fall combo of sweater dresses and leather jackets.