The Cozy Home Chronicles

I’d be lying if I said our living room always looks like this BUT it can get to this state very quickly because everything has a home. Toy storage is something I get asked about often and so I’m sharing one of our favorite tricks for keeping our home as clutter free as possible. . For the most part, all of the kid’s toys are sorted by category and placed into separate bins:trains, animals, cars, tools, etc...These bins are stored high up on the shelves so that they’re not easily accessible. We manage the mess by keeping a rotating system whereby there are never more than two bins out at once. The best part is the kids know the rule: if they want a new bin, they have to pick up after themselves and swap the older ones out. . How do you manage toy clutter? . . . . . . . #decordailydose #bohoismyjam #currenthomeview #bohohome #bohovibes #diy #homefabulous #livingroomdecor #apartmenttherapy #designsponge #bhghome #diy #howyouhome #howwedwell #styleithappy #interiorboom #mycuratedaesthetic #myhousehomemade #myspaceanddecor #diydecor #myhometrend #interiorstyling #mypinterest #diyblogger #ikea #momblogger #toystorage #livingroomdecor https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXOPduhyJU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18yro8xvxfcbq

It’s Sunday and you all know what that means? It’s weekly meal prep time! A stress-free, productive week for me involves some form of planning and the first step is brainstorming the menu. Who wants to join me?! Come share what’s cooking in your kitchen this week in the comments below and let’s inspire each other to make a healthy home-cooked meal 💪🏻 This week I’ll be making: a potato chickpea curry, lentil soup, steak fajitas, salmon and veggies, and vegetable stir fry. . . . . . . #mealprep #mealplan #mealprepideas #cleaneating #wholefoodsdiet #cleanfood #vegetables #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #homelife #homelifestyle #thatsgoodhousekeeping #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #inmykitchen #food #foodstyle #eattherainbow #simpleliving #simplelifestyle #seekthesimplicity #simplelifehappylife #wholesomeliving #eeeeeats #menu #foodblogger #foodblog #muslimblogger #creativemuslimwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BnO5kc2BHUb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e1mcepkz7839

Walking into the weekend with a ton of stuff to do as the summer comes to an end. I’ll be meal prepping a bit differently now as I’ll have to pack lunch boxes two days a week for the kids. On top of that I have a presentation to write, funding applications to start, and new passports to apply for after ours were stolen on vacation. The office is a hot mess and the number of unread emails in my inbox is starting to give me anxiety. What do your weekend plans look like? . . . . . . . . . . . . . #daddyandme #storytellingmama #lifewithkids #parentlife #littlestoriesofmylife #lifestyleblogger #lifestyle #travelinggram #travelingwithkids #documentyourdays #thehappynow #thatsdarling #abmlifeisbeautiful #reykjavik #geysir #childrenseemagic #childhoodmemories #childhoodunplugged #magicofchildhood #muslimblogger #instablog #weekendvibes #weekend #iceland #icelandtravel #mytinyatlas #mytinymoments (at Gullfoss Falls, Iceland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnKY2X6Bc2g/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d66xlh4orpp

“One of the luckiest things that can happen to you in life is to have a happy childhood.”-Agatha Christie . What are some of your happiest childhood memories? Please share in the comments below! I’m looking for creative, device-free ideas ☺️ . . . . . . . #childhood #childhoodunplugged #childhoodmemories #candidchildhood #documentyourdays #ourcandidlife #flashesofdelight #magicofchildhood #simplychildren #mytinymoments #momentsofmine #lovelysquares #seekthesimplicity #littlestoriesofmylife #lifewithkids #mothersday #photooftheday #thehappynow #simplejoys #cameramama #creativemamas #momphotographer #toddlersofinstagram #childhoodeveryday #childrenseemagic #celebrate_childhood #my_magical_moments #worldoflittles #motherhood https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHtgfjhgMi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hynu06w3do6m

It’s easy these days, as a parent, to get sucked into feeling like you have to take your kids out to give them meaningful experiences. These messages are all around us; that the best mom is the busy mom chauffeuring her kids from the library to the museum to piano lessons to soccer practice. But busy doesn’t always translate into quality time. You want to keep your young children stimulated throughout the day and create wonderful memories? Make breakfast together, clean together, garden together. Simple everyday things can be fun and educational too if you only tap into a little creativity. . . . . . . . . . . #childhood #childhoodunplugged #childhoodmemories #candidchildhood #documentyourdays #ourcandidlife #flashesofdelight #magicofchildhood #simplychildren #mytinymoments #momentsofmine #lovelysquares #seekthesimplicity #littlestoriesofmylife #lifewithkids #photooftheday #simplejoys #cameramama #creativemamas #momphotographer #toddlersofinstagram #childhoodeveryday #childrenseemagic #celebrate_childhood #my_magical_moments #worldoflittles #motherhood #rawmotherhood https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEPhSGBX_5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13dc3l3tt0nec

30, say what?! . The last decade of my life has been incredible. I got married to the love of my life, became a mother to two wonderful little hobbits, finished a bachelors, a masters, and started a PhD. I renovated a basement, a kitchen, and a bathroom. I helped build a community garden and I ran in my first Detroit Free Press Marathon. I started this blog and I launched a small decor business with my sister-in-law. I also could have died in a car accident and after childbirth but I didn’t and I got to experience Alberta, Vancouver, the Grand Canyon, Sweden, Turkey, Iceland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. Some people throw around “jack of all trades, master of none” as an insult but for me being good at many things is my superpower and I can’t wait to see where else this journey of self discovery takes me. If your life trajectory doesn’t neatly fit into society’s expectations, I’m here to tell you to stop holding yourself to such an arbitrary standard. You don’t need a 9-5 or the latest handbag or a 3,000 square foot home to be fulfilled, you already have all you need within you. . And to this small community here on instagram, I’m incredibly grateful to have your support and encouragement each and everyday. It means the world to me and I look forward to many more life projects with you 💕 . . . . . . #happybirthday #turning30 #30thbirthday #birthdayreflections #creativemuslimwomen #muslimblogger #muslimahblogger #momblogger #homeblogger #lifestyleblogger #lifestyle #liveauthentic #thatsdarling #documentyourdays #modestfashion #hijabstyle #meettheblogger #instabloggers #instablog #travelgram #livesimple #simpleliving #minimaliststyle (at Venice, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm80g3oh3Cj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3zk9r1yddpll

#Sponsored If you're free this Saturday, I would love it if you would join me at the Lowe's in Warren, Michigan from 10am-1pm for a one-of-a-kind workshop. #TheUpSkillProject participants will be there along with Lowe's Red Vest experts to teach the community basic DIY skills such as painting, laying tile, plumbing, tool use, and more. I look forward to meeting some of you in person, learning something new, and getting inspiration for my next DIY home project. You can find the details for the workshop in the link in my profile. Hope to see you there! . . . . . . . . . . #homeblog #homeblogger #diyblog #diyblogger #diy #diyhome #doityourself #diyproject #diyprojects #renovation #renovations #renovationproject #diylife #housebeautiful #makingahouseahome #currentdesignsituation #detroitblogger #michiganblogger #dearborn #loweshomeimprovement #home #instahome (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm1-hWvBCUu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r0phmzgaup2c

My chickpea and Palestinian couscous(maftoul) salad tossed in a simple lemon tahini dressing coming to a blog near you. If you need a new easy-to-assemble lunch to change up your weekly meal prep or a light, meatless dinner option you’ll definitely want to bookmark this delicious gem👌🏻 . . . . . . . . . . . . #food #foodie #foodblogger #foodpics #foodphotography #foodstyling #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #thekitchn #bonappetit #flatlayfood #inmykitchen #foodstagram #foodstyle #foodart #foodjournal #foodblogger #foodblog #lebanesefoodies #lebanesefood #lebanesecuisine #lebanese #healthyfood #f52grams #eeeeeats #hautecuisines #vegan #yourlebanon #veganrecipes (at Beirut, Lebanon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm1b56yBpfq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lyyeuglh8gd0

#Sponsored In case you haven't been following my stories, I've been in Detroit the last two days sharing behind the scenes of #TheUpSkillProject as @loweshomeimprovement Red Vests work together with a local resident to bring her dream DIY project to life. If you want to learn how to build a paved patio, you can now watch the highlights in my profile👆🏻 or check back for a comprehensive blog post earlier next week. Got any questions you’d like me to cover in my post? Ask them below in the comments 👇🏻 . . . . . . . . . #homeblog #homeblogger #diyblog #diyblogger #diy #diyhome #doityourself #diyproject #diyprojects #renovation #renovations #renovationproject #diylife #housebeautiful #makingahouseahome #currentdesignsituation #patio #backyarddesign #backyardrenovation (at Detroit, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm1BO2lBd6Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x1axrwcb3pva

One of my favorite experiences in Sweden was visiting Junibacken, a children’s museum centered around Swedish children’s literature. It was so perfectly constructed to be hands on and engaging that even as an adult I felt my inner child awaken. Yes, traveling with children means there are some things you can’t do but it also means you get to experience a different side to the places you visit. To see things through the eyes of a child is one of the greatest blessings and I highly recommend this attraction if you find yourself in Stockholm with kids. Leave a ❤️in the comments if you grew up watching Pippi Longstocking and recognized her kitchen from the pictures. Pippi Långstrump is actually the creation of Astrid Lindgren, one of Sweden’s most beloved authors. Now you know 😉 . . . . . . . . . #sweden #sweden🇸🇪 #stockholm #stockholm_insta #junibacken #travelgram #travelgoals #travelguide #travelingwithkids #parenthood #parentlife #parentblogger #parentbloggers #myatlas #childhoodunplugged #childrenseemagic #childhoodmemories #candidchildhood #documentyourdays #ourcandidlife #flashesofdelight #magicofchildhood #simplychildren #mytinymoments #momentsofmine #lovelysquares #seekthesimplicity #littlestoriesofmylife #lifewithkids #thehappynow (at Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmt9cMyhXq5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=etax8mrcb0qe

“It’s almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.”-Bernard Williams . . . . . . . . . #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #travelingwithkids #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #abmtravelbug #photographer #photooftheday #momblogger #traveleurope #muslimblogger #igdaily #instablog #muslimahblogger #documentyourdays #littlestoriesofmylife #france #paris #myatlas #storyteller #louvre #sunset #mondaymotivation #quotestagram #quoteoftheday #landscapephotography #cityscape (at Musée du Louvre) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmtrr8dBL3X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qn4vzjbo6oij

Happy Monday Friends 💕I’m back home and ready to share the second half of our adventures before school and life overtakes everything. You ready? . These were the best macaroons, eclair, and millefeuille that I’ve ever had. Hands down. Aside from that and the beautiful architecture and rich history, Paris is overrated. Gasp. Did I just say that? Maybe I’m still bitter about having our backpack (with passports and wallets) stolen but there’s more to it than that. There’s nothing that Paris has that other major European cities don’t. And I know, I drove through 9 of them. . . . . . . . . . . #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #travelingwithkids #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #abmtravelbug #photographer #photooftheday #momblogger #traveleurope #muslimblogger #igdaily #instablog #muslimahblogger #documentyourdays #littlestoriesofmylife #france #paris #traveleats #sweettooth #desserts #myatlas #storyteller (at Laudree) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmtaEtYBBAP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ozvbxer1fnbl

Jet d’Eau, one of the tallest fountains in the world. So tall, in fact, I couldn’t fit it all in this shot. My son is really into fountains so of course we couldn’t pass this up during our one night stay in Geneva. It’s not bucket list worthy but if you’re strolling in the city, it’s worth stopping by. . . . . . . . . . . #geneva #switzerland #jetdeau #fountain #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #travelingwithkids #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #abmtravelbug #landscapephotography #cityphotography #photographer #photooftheday #momblogger #beautifuldestinations #traveleurope #muslimblogger #igdaily #instablog #muslimahblogger #documentyourdays #littlestoriesofmylife (at Geneva, Switzerland)

I’m not mentally ready to write about our stop in France just yet so here’s another shot of beautiful, beautiful Venice. Just before this bridge on Murano, there was a small publico park tucked away from the canal where the children played and we picked a few pomegranates from a shady tree. It’s the simple things my friends, the simple things that make an adventure memorable. . . . . . . . . #blogger #littlestoriesofmylife #lifestyleblogger #lifestyle #muslimahblogger #creativemuslimwomen #travelinggram #travelingwithhijab #igers #igdaily #documentyourdays #abmlifeisbeautiful #muslimblogger #inspiration #photography #photographer #venice #photooftheday #veniceitaly #venezia #travelitaly #travelitalia #travelphotography #travel #iphonephotography #beautifuldestinations #citiesskylines (at Murano Venizia)

It’s not impossible to take a spontaneous trip with young children but there are three things you should never mess with if you can help it: 1) meal time, 2) nap time, and 3) physical play time. Because of the long nature of our road trip drives, we took every opportunity we could to let them run around and release all their bottled up energy, naturally that included chasing pigeons in Piazza del Duomo in Milan. . . . . . . . . . #blogger #storytellingmama #lifewithkids #parentlife #littlestoriesofmylife #lifestyleblogger #lifestyle #travelinggram #travelingwithkids #documentyourdays #childrenseemagic #childhoodmemories #childhoodunplugged #magicofchildhood #toddlerlife #travelingtoddler #mytinyatlas #candidchildhood #simplychildren #mytinymoments #traveleurope #travelgram #travel #italy #italytravel #italytrip #milan #milano #duomo #beautifularchitecture (at Duomo di Milano - Duomo Cathedral Ita)

Salzburg has been one of my favorite stops on our tour of Europe because it is so family friendly. There are lots of small parks everywhere for children to play and plenty of family activities. No matter what, your travel experiences will always be shaped by your circumstances and as parents our experience of Salzburg is definitely different than those who don’t have to accommodate little people. Different but no less magical. . . . . . . . . #blogger #storytellingmama #lifewithkids #parentlife #littlestoriesofmylife #lifestyleblogger #lifestyle #travelinggram #travelingwithkids #documentyourdays #thehappynow #thatsdarling #abmlifeisbeautiful #childrenseemagic #childhoodmemories #childhoodunplugged #travelingtoddler #mytinyatlas #candidchildhood #simplychildren #mytinymoments #austria #salzburg #salzburgaustria #traveleurope #travelgram #travel #travelphotography #beautifuldestinations (at Kaprun Werksiedlung, Salzburg, Austria)

Although we’re on vacation, I still have the house that we’re working on at the back of my mind and I’m always on the lookout for design inspiration. I’ve been really into white walls, wood floors, and black fixtures for the past few years and I think this apartment nailed the look👌🏻What do you guys think, yay or nay? Also anyone want to guess where in Europe we’re headed to next? . . . . . . . . #homedecorinspo #interiordesign #interior123 #houseandhome #bhghome #housebeautiful #betterhomesandgardens #interior4inspo #scandinavianstyle #modernhome #interiors #interiorstyling #apartmenttherapy #documentyourdays #ikeahome #iceland #reykjavik #muslimblogger #currenthomeview #decordailydose #homeblogger #homeblog #homedecor #moderndecor (at Röthenbach an der Pegnitz)