My nursery is finally complete!!

My favorite purchase for this room was this Moroccan swing from Urban Outfitters.

Animal heads add a playful touch.   The newspaper paper mâche deer head in the center is from West Elm and the other two ceramic ones are from Z Gallerie

Grey map rug:  I was drawn to this particular rug because of its simplicity, and how it is so fitting for a child’s room.

I fell in love with Pottery Barn Kids ruffle curtains, but wasn’t loving the price tag.  I randomly stumbled across these panels at Target, which were similar to the PB Kids’ curtains.  At a much more affordable price, I couldn’t let them go.  I am pleased with how the ruffles  give the room a slight, feminine touch.

Absoultley adore my Argington Bam Bassinet/Crib, I was very particular about clean lines and this one was perfect.  The quilt is from the Missoni for Target collection and coordinates perfectly with the zig-zag pattern on the wall and swing.

My biggest challege: the accent wall.  Due to my design being too complicated, my painter bailed on me 5 minutes before he was supposed to begin painting.  Heart-broken, my hubby took pity on me and said that he will help me paint the wall.  He had no idea what he had gotten himself into!  This was definitley no easy project. It took us a week to complete, working on it every night until 1 a.m.

I decided to update my daughter’s white changing table.  I got tired of all-white furniture.

I definintly took a super lazy way to refinish this table. Actually, I didn’t even sand it before painting it.   Instead, I used a product called Liquid Sander, which removes the glossy finish so new paint can adhere to it.  Suprisingly, it worked really well.

I used high-gloss black paint, and then lined the shelves with specialty paper from my local Micheal’s.

I am totally captivated by the soulful, electric vibe of Solange Knowles’ voice.  I have heard this song repeatedly a bit too many times and absolutely LOVE this song!  I also enjoy the video–it’s shot in Cape Town, Africa and captures the authenticity of the colorful people there.  Her music is soulful and her tamed wild style is unlike her sister’s, Beyonce.  Can’t wait to hear the rest of her album.

-Anika

Waiting for the arrival of my baby girl, I’ve been on a major crunch-time.  Been super busy converting our current guest room into a  nursery AND transitioning our two year old’s room into a “big girls room.”  Having one more month left,  I have been redecorating, repurposing and redoing these two rooms.  My latest project was this chest of drawers that I painted!  To spice up her room, I purchased this chest of drawers in an unfinished wood from Ikea and decided to paint black and metallic silver stripes, creating a feminine yet elegant look.

I used 1″ thick blue painters tape and laid it vertically across the whole chest 1″ apart.

Then, I used a silver color paint with primer before painting each stripe with metallic paint.  I used Behr paint and primer and Martha Stewart Metallic paint.

Normally, when painting stripes, I paint the whole surface one color (the lighter stripe color) and then use painters tape to separate the space for the darker stripe color.  However, since I am using metallic paint, the second color (in my case, black) will not have a smooth finish over the metallic paint… hence the extra step.

Each silver stripe was then carefully covered with 1″ painters tape and ready to be painted in Behr’s hi-gloss black.

The results, after removing the tape.  I love how you can still see the wood grain underneath the paint.

After a few touch-ups and adding the knobs, the chest of drawers is now finally complete.  It was definitely a lot of work but well worth it.  Continue following the blog to eventually see the whole room.

-Madiha

So the weekend before we made plans to hit Atlantic City, to gamble gormandize (look it up)!  The Borgata hotel was offering a ticketed event (which sold out quickly–lucky us) to devour freshly prepared foods by our most favorite and famous chefs, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck and Geoffrey Zakarian (to name a few).  As soon as we walked in we noticed that all the chefs and their individualized stations were situated on each side of the amber lit banquet hall.  Desserts and drinks were  decorated beautifully in the center.  High cocktail tables and low sitting tables were dispersed around the room.

Immediately, we went towards Bobby Flay’s station where we had a chance to say hello and of course tell him how awesome he is.   He leaned over and thanked us, hence the photo.  We were served a deconstructed Philly cheese steak taco that had a southwestern twist to it and creamy grits with Maine lobster.

In between a passionate foodie, my husband and the culinary master, Bobby Flay!

After eating several of Bobby’s southern delicacies, we headed to Wolfgang Puck’s station.  Surprisingly, he was right behind a wok cooking in front of us and serving us sautéed shrimp with gnocchi and basil infused tomato sauce.  He was extremely personable and even gave me a hug!

Wolfgang and I share one thing in common here: our lit up noses!

Not only did we have the opportunity to try their food but also had the chance to talk to them!  Each chef had their own method–Bobby signed his cooking books, and instructed his staff and gave off a celebrity status aura.   Wolfgang Puck comfortably cooked and served as if you were a guest in his own home.  And Geoffrey Zakarian stood at the end of his station and made certain to shake each person’s hand and thank them –he genuinely seemed interested in people.

Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Tuna Tartare Slider

We concluded the night with key lime cake pops and eventually crawled into bed and slept like overweight babies!

-Anika

I love being creative in the kitchen especially when it comes to making omelette.  I seriously can write a whole cook book on making exciting omelets!  This recipe is hearty, spicy and slightly sweet–perfect for the crisp, autumn weather.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 3 slices pastrami deli meat
• 1/4 sliced onion
• 1 teaspoon mango chutney (I used Crosse & Blackwell’s Major Grey’s Chutney)
• a sprinkle of cheese (I used Muenster)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2  tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, save some for garnish

Recipe

Sauté sliced onions on medium-low heat for ten minutes until onions are soft and transparent.  Add two tablespoons of mango chutney and saute for five more minutes.  Meanwhile, whisk eggs, cilantro and spices in a bowl until well blended.  Fry the egg mixture in a separate frying pan on a medium heat.  While the omelet cooks, lift the edge to allow the uncooked egg to flow underneath.  When most of the egg is cooked, sprinkle the cheese over the top.  Allow the cheese to melt slightly, then add the pastrami and the sautéed mango-infused onions.   Fold the omelet and garnish with cilantro.  Enjoy!

I was invited to a small wedding reception this past weekend. Needed something not casual but not too dressy to wear. So I whipped out a quick outfit for the reception. Since it was nippy out and I didn’t feel like putting a jacket on I decided to wear a cardigan under the blazer, and because it was towards the end of October I had to mix it up with some fall colors.

You can always mix a dotted shirt with a dotted tie, or micro-check shirt with dotted tie or vise versa. Here’s some examples…

Mixing a dotted shirt with a dotted tie, camel-brown blazer to bring out the colors of the outfit

Wore my work loafers (bruno magli), with socks that match the rest of the outfit.

Shout out to my photographer, Asad Gillani!

-Faisal

…polka-dots and wallpaper…

Currently, I have two walls in my home covered in wallpaper and I recently bought the cutest yet sophisticated black and white polka-dotted shirt.  However, people, I discovered the mix of two:  polka-dotted wallpaper….did you think that was possible?  I’m so tempted to drape my bedroom in a sea of polka dots, NOT the juvenile colorful type but the delicate metallic dots that shimmer like gold

The delicious juxtaposition of the playfulness of the over-sized polk-dots with the elegance of the chandelier and trim work

This wallpaper is available at Anthropologie but I’m certain I can use circle-shaped stencils and metallic paint for a fraction of the cost

So one of my close friends just got married.

He will be missed.

A little something classy and modern to go along with the theme color (purple)

Shark fin 3 button blazer with black trousers, purple power tie, black ferragamo’s and of course the purple socks to match the tie.

The 2 Shah brothers on the sides along with the beautiful groom and bride oh and the token white guy.

-Faisal

another one of those videos where the opposite sex makes fun of the opposite sex pretty successfully

Hooray!  It’s Friday Saturday….ok, I admit, I missed Friday.  My Friday was so super casual that I worked from home.  Unfortunatley, my Friday was not a Flyday.  However, I needed to attend a lunch meeting today and thought what better way to motivate myself than dressing for the part.

-Faisal

Absolutely, my new favorite lip color.   Try a bright lip with jeans and a plain tee, it’s unexpected and instantly makes you look chic and trendy.

Lipstick: MAC shade Rebel

-Madiha

(reposted from snapette)

(reposted from d’femme)

Fashion can be seductively intoxicating….and so smokin’ hot.  Lovin’ this Prada clutch (sadly, sold out everywhere–except eBay).

-Anika

Alrighty folks….

Yet again Friday has bestowed it’s blessing upon us….

If I could work from home I’d just post pics of me in my pajamas but that’s not the case…Therefore I gotta outfly everyone as I step into the office.  Sadly, I’m the first one in the office.  So when I step in, I really can’t outfly anyone because there is no one here to outfly.  So, I sit there by myself.  Usually  doing things I normally wouldn’t if there are others around. That gives me a whole hour to cut my nails, spit in my coworker’s cup (not because I don’t like him, just so I can get a giggle about it later.  But I usually forget and never get that giggle, play music through the sick speakers on my phone really loudly, go through my coworker, Shahab’s drawer and take his candy, etc.  Sometimes i’m even nice enough to pour water in the Keurig machine for others so don’t take me for a jerk.  Anywho, back to the topic at hand:  Fridays…Casual Fridays….Casual Fridays + dapper = Casual Flydays… (and they said I suck at math).

Sadly Summer is gone but it’s time to move on, to bigger and better things….Autumn–arguably the best season in the history of seasons.  Great things happen in the Fall:  football begins, the great date of October 23 (balloons and cake), the race for president elections BUT even BETTER things happen in the Fall:  scarves, light jackets, dark colors, tweed prints, winter hats, beanies, gloves, socks, boots, thermals, sweaters, blankets, earthy colors, and so on and so forth.

Please let’s start the season off right….

Polka dots brings out this simple outfit mixed with a paisley pocket square.

Dark Jeans, Dark Blazer, Dark Shoes, Join the Dark Side.  Grow your beard like a real man.  Grooming is important, fellas.

Yea that’s a blackberry….it’s not a toy phone…it’s a gentleman’s phone.

Break it down……aight….. Shoes: single monk strap Salvatore Ferragamo/ Blazer:  H&M/ Shirt:  H&M/ Jeans:  Tommy Hilfiger found at Filene’s Basement/

Tie:  J. Crew Sunglasses: Ray Ban/ Socks: Gap/ Pocket Square: Nordstroms/ Belt: Banana Republic/ Haircut: Yours truly

I’m gonna sit on this….Oh damn who’s that walking by….

Adios Amigos

-Faisal

Over the summer, I celebrated my daughter’s birthday by throwing her a well-requested-with-a-thousand-pleases-and-cherry-on-top princess party.  The problem was how to incorporate the boys into a princess party?  Not every boy wants to be a prince BUT a knight is much more virile and violent–perfect!

Upon arrival, each child was seated and handed an immediate goodie bag.  Princesses received a crown, a glittery wand, a purple tutu and a picture frame.  Knights’ goodie bags consisted of  a sword, a helmet, two shields (one they can decorate and another to play with) and a picture frame.  I was nervous…Would they get bored? Should I have gotten a moon bounce?  My doubts disappeared; the kids got into their crafts and started decorating their crowns and shields.

One of the most memorable part of the party was getting out the Polaroid camera and taking pictures of each kid for their personalized picture frame.  The attention that that camera received was outstanding.  The children just couldn’t believe that the pictures came out so quickly.  Comments received were, “Don’t you have to wait for it to download first?”  ”Wow, like a picture booth!”  “Where’s the printer?”

-Anika

There’s no doubt that staying stylish and fashionable during pregnancy can be a bit of a challenge.  It also doesn’t help that affordable maternity clothes are just plain hideous, and anything that is remotely cute will cost you an arm or a leg.  I personally couldn’t justify spending hundreds on clothes that will last me only a few months, instead I splurged on a couple of key basics.  My favorite maternity purchases were a pair of skinny jeans (since most of your shirts will be loose and longer than what you normally wear), a couple of maternity tanks, and a belly band (so I can continue to wear my pre-pregnancy pants).  I continued to wear my pre-pregnancy cardigans, blazers and maxi dresses.   However, instead of purchasing maternity tops I just bought tops that are made to be loose or a size bigger than what I normally wear.   I found that they still fit me better than maternity wear, are cheaper, and more stylish.

So, ladies don’t give up and have fun with that bump.

-Madiha

cardigan: Urban Outfitters/ necklace:  J.Crew/ shoes:  BCBG

Love Maxis- So comfortable and fun!

coral pants:  H&M/ butterfly shirt:  Forever 21/ shoes:  Tory Burch

shirt:  Madewell/ jeans:  Destination Maternity/shoes:  Coach

Well it’s that day of the week again!  The day we been waiting for all week, when everyone is happy, relaxed, with fresh haircuts, new clothes, and smelling great…

Well Fridays as we know it in the workweek is aka Casual Fridays, or what I’d like to call “Casual Flydays.” It’s the day we can throw our trousers and slacks to the side and throw on a pair of denim. Well, I more often than not see too many people who bring sadness to this day with their pink polos that they owned for 15 years which used to be red, but due to the age the color has completely faded….amd their hideous jeans probably by lee, payless shoes, distressed leather, not by choice, but due to the wear and tear…

Seriously?

On the most jubilant day of the week?  And you decide to wear your sh!tty clothes!?!!?!

Well here’s a few simple things you can do… first and foremost, follow SHAHS of STYLE on facebook, wordpress, instagram, and twitter.

Once you have done that…  Know your body, wear clothes you are comfortable in, fitted jeans (doesn’t have to be skinny jeans), then make sure your shirt, jeans, jacket, blazer are not baggy or saggy.  Most people aren’t comfy wearing vibrant colors that stick out, that’s cool… stick to colors you’re comfortable with, but dress according to the season.  Don’t wear all black in summer and all white in fall.  If the outfit is too dull then add some accessories to spruce it up… bracelets, watches, necktie, collar pin, tie pin, lapel brooches, funky socks, etc…

Here’s how I pull Casual Flyday off at the office…

A simple outfit with vibrant colors to put the summer away.  Goodbye

A simple breakdown…. shirt: J Crew/ tie: J Crew/ belt: Gap/ jeans: Levi’s 501/ shoes: Cole Haan/ sunglasses: Vintage Bausch & Lomb/Ray Ban ClubMasters

Keep following us here, as we’ll continue to bring you fresh new styles and Ideas

– Faisal

What’s in for 2013?!??!  The same trends (hell ya! gotta save my dough) AND new trends (fashion industry’s gotta make money somehow).

Same trends that were on the runway include horizontal stripes, color blocks and flourescent hues.

Marc Jacobs

Diane Von Furstenberg

Chado Ralph Rucci

SO what arre the new trends.  New trends on the runway include fringe, digital prints, and crop tops that are even more crop-ier!

Carl Miele

TIbi

Philip Lim

Blue is the color of the season:  cobalt, navy, royal, sapphire…blue me baby.

Tadashi Shoji

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: fashion, horizontal stripes, philip lim, ralph rucci, sapphire blue, style

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Sock Game Proper

Posted on September 10, 2012

Gentlemen,

The most overlooked piece that can make or break a man’s ensemble is the socks.  Yea, that’s right.  Socks.  Now, if you are a man that still wears a pair of athletic socks with his dress shoes, loafers you have committed a crime not only against fashion but humanity and you need to die; because only Michael Jackson or a Richard Simmons can evade with such a heinous crime.

But, let’s sit down and discuss the sensitive art of donning the right pair of socks.  Color blocking and creative patterns are the way to go, although avoid argyle patterns unless you plan to play a few rounds of golf or you are relaxing at a retirement center.  Be very cautious if you plan on going too wild, it may not translate the way you plan.  People may assume that you recently have been liberated from the zoo.  Socks should either coordinate or contrast appropriately.

Be creative, imaginate and use your pretendination.

Truly yours in Sockdom,

–TQ$

Follow us on Twitter at @ShahsofStyle.  Follow Tariq personally at @tqmoneyshot.  Questions, comments and concerns please holla@tariqshah.com

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: #feetgame, #men, #socks, #tq$

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Fashion’s Night Out

Posted on September 8, 2012

Yesterday marked the first official day of Fashion Week and what better way to celebrate than Fashion’s Night Out (FNO)!  FNO is fairly new and major cities all over are making FNO bigger and better.  I remember FNO in its infancy when the economy was struggling and it was a means to get everyone to shop.  Now, not only is it a place to shop and find terrific sales but a it’s the place to be.  There are parties going on inside and outside stores–balloons decorations, photo booths, make up bars and live djs arouse the FNO guests.  Major stylists and marvelous fashionistas were on the prowl.

Posin’ with the posse

Balloon artist resembling Lady Gaga

Madiha scopin’ the scene

Towards the end of the night, we hit Quick Pita for some gyros and decided to walk towards the car.  We were suddenly stopped by pair of stylin’ sisters who asked to take a snapshot of my Chinese printed red shoes, so I graciously let them.  However, moments later, the heel of my shoe broke!

The demise of my shoe, the last tangible memory of FNO

Maybe for next year’s FNO, we’ll venture into the heart of Fashion Week, New York City (and shop for new shoes).

-Anika

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: #dc #fashion, #eastern, #fno, #fnogeorgetown, desi, fashion, fashion week new york, pakistani, shopping, style

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Affordable Style

Posted on September 7, 2012

 Accessorizing can be simple and affordable with the Timex Weekender $45 and a Profound Aesthetic bracelet $18

-Faisal

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: #bracelet, accessory, watch

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Stripes

Posted on September 4, 2012

So, I was a little bored watching reruns of the Real Housewives when I decided that the wall behind my T.V. needed a little pick me up.  I ran to the garage and grabbed blue tape, left over paint (different finish then what I had currently on my wall- but same color), and a measuring tape.  Thirty minutes later this is the end result!  Great way to add a little life to boring walls.  What do you think?

-Madiha

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: #accent wall, #living room, #stripe wall

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Friendship bracelet

Posted on September 3, 2012

Sixth grade was the very first time I created a friensdhip bracelet and I was addicted to them.  I would create them for my friends or wear half a dozen of them on my wirsts.  I’m so happy they are back and mixed with thick metal pieces, they look fabulous!  They give off a handmade vintage look and look great mixed with modern chunky bracelets or boyfriend watches.  There are so many styles to create but my fave is the chevron style.  It took me about an half an hour to create it.

At Anthropologie, they are selling them for $58 but to make one costs less than a dollar.Friendship bracelet at Anthropologie

Love this photo, who knew a cheap friendship bracelet would look so glam

-Anika

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: #bracelet, #DC, #friendship bracelet, fashion, style

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beaded Mexican necklace

Posted on August 31, 2012

Just came back from vacationing in sunny Mexico.  Before leaving, I spotted this unique blue-on-blue bib necklace and wore it immediately.  I love the fact that it’s handmade.  And as always I love buying jewelry as a souvenir for myself!  Have to remember the trip somehow!

-Anika

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hello world!

Posted on August 29, 2012

Welcome to shahs of style!  Our passion for style on every aspect possible is found on this site.  Here you will be introduced by the Shah siblings:  Anika, Madiha, Tariq aka TQ$, and Faisal.  Our exotic eastern culture, fervor for fashion and love for interior decorating will be expressed post after post.

 Category: Uncategorized    Tagged: clothing, decorate, desi, fashion, middle-east, pakistan, pakistani, style

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