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Pennies for a Fortune

Transform your space without breaking the bank! I'm Fariha, the creative force behind Pennies for a Fortune. Join me as I share tutorials, tips, and hacks for crafting beautiful spaces on a budget. Subscribe to my newsletter for DIY inspiration straight to your inbox!

Best Holiday Gifts 2025

Sunday Letter #29: Luxury Gifts, Stocking Stuffers, and the Best Deals

November 23, 2025 Hi friends, I hope you’re all easing into the holiday season because Black Friday week is officially here and deals are rolling in nonstop. I’ve been deep in my spreadsheets, comparing prices, checking sell-out risks, and making sure the things I share are actually worth grabbing. I love this time of year because it feels like a big treasure hunt, and I get to do the digging for you. If you’re shopping for the holidays, this is the best week to do it. I have a full list of...
Ninja Outdoor Pizza Oven

Amazon Black Friday 2025: My Top Picks

Hi friends, Black Friday always feels a little overwhelming, so my team and I spent the last few days digging through all the Amazon drops — scrolling, comparing, and shortlisting the deals that are truly worth checking out. From home and kitchen to tech, beauty, fashion, and kid essentials, I’ve rounded up everything in one place, including a few personal favorites and the categories you ask me about the most. Happy Shopping! Google Nest Smart Home Breville Barista PS5 Console Ninja Crispi...

Sunday Letter #28: Fall Weather and Early Black Friday Scoop!

November 16, 2025 Hi friends, We finally got some cooler weather in Houston, and I am not wasting a single minute of it. I’ve been pulling out my new fall fits, sipping hot chocolate without sweating, and pretending the leaves are changing somewhere nearby. It’s been bliss. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on a few exciting brand partnerships, and one of them I’m especially thrilled about is with Google Nest. We recently upgraded our old doorbell and camera system, and I’m honestly so...
Sunday Letter #27

Sunday Letter #27: Back from the Amazon Creator Summit and WOW!

October 26, 2025 Hi friends, What. A. Week. I’m just back from Palm Springs, where I spent two days at the Amazon Creator Summit, and it was honestly such an incredible experience. The summit brought together influencers from around the world for a few jam-packed days of sessions, surprises, and major inspo. And it happened right after my birthday, so I basically went straight from cake and candles to catching a flight the next morning. The event itself was amazing. We had educational...
Sunday Letter 25

Sunday Letter #25: A Full Circle Design Moment

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 Hi friends, This week has been all about dreaming up my powder bath makeover. It’s funny, this was actually the first room I tackled when we moved into this house. I was in my farmhouse era then, and I had someone put up shiplap and found the cheapest vanity I could that still looked halfway decent. It worked for the moment, but now… I’m so ready for a change. This time, the vision feels much more like me. I’m using my Jaal wallpaper in purple tan on the top half of the...
Sunday Letter 23

Sunday Letter #23: A sweet mix of everything

August 24, 2025 Hey friends, I just got back from Chicago where we had a full-blown sibling reunion at my brother Owais’s house. It was one of those trips where time slows down in the best way — lingering at the breakfast table with endless cups of tea, cousins running wild, and everyone piling into cars for shopping trips and lakeside evenings. We celebrated two big milestones too: my eldest brother’s early 50th birthday and my niece Aimen’s high school graduation. Now we’re home, and I’ve...
Oak Accent Chair

Sunday Letter #21: Squeezing it all in before summer ends

August 10, 2025 Hey friends, This week was such a fun one! We had round two of the book photoshoot and the stylists came out to work their magic. Everything turned out so good!! If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you might’ve seen a few behind-the-scenes moments on my stories. Next week, things get even busier. My brother’s family is flying in from Dubai and then we’re all heading to Chicago to meet my other brother. Basically, a mini siblings reunion and we’re all so excited for...
Best Paint Colors for Nursery

Sunday Letter #20: Let's talk skincare...

July 27, 2025 Hey friends, It’s been a fun little mix of DIY and self-care over here lately. I’ve been walking everyone through the behind-the-scenes of my guest bathroom tub-to-shower makeover on stories, and I cannot wait to share the final reveal soon. The project is fully done but I’m loving taking you through the step-by-step, especially the shower area which turned out better than I imagined. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve also been deep in my skincare era. I am...
Sunday Letter 19

Sunday Letter #19: This one simple DIY made life so much easier

July 20, 2025 Hey friends, This week’s been a blur of writing, planning, and getting our house ready for the second round of my book photoshoot (it’s crunch time!). Honestly, at this point I’m just proud of myself for remembering what day it is. All the chaos got me thinking about the little wins — the kind of projects that make everyday life feel a little easier. And one of those for me is: The Garage. Last year, I added a simple shelving system to finally tame the mess, and it completely...
Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint Color

Sunday Letter #18: The most asked question on my blog...

July 13, 2025 Hey friends, If you've been following me on Instagram, you know we just gave our kitchen and dining area a full makeover: new paint, fresh wallpaper, and all. One question has come up more than any other: “What’s the best paint and finish for kitchen cabinets?” Well, this topic is hands-down one of the most visited post on the blog, and for good reason! Picking the right paint type and sheen isn’t just about style, it’s about surviving life in the kitchen. Cabinets take a...