Pennies for a Fortune

June 14, 2026 Hi friends, It's been a crazy few weeks over here between recovering from what felt like every cold known to mankind and then immediately hopping on a plane to Los Angeles for Amazon's Prime Day event. Okay, actually, let's just dive right into that. Amazon hosts events for its influencers a few times a year, usually before major sales like Prime Day. We get an early look at upcoming deals, meet with brand partners, eat way too much good food, and spend time with all of our...

May 17, 2026 Hi friends, Well. The Nasir household has officially survived what I am confidently calling the plague of 2026. For almost two weeks straight, our entire family has been down bad. We’re talking 105° fevers for the boys, vomiting, coughing, sore throats, congestion… somehow NOT strep. Once the boys were about five days in, Hassaan got it and his fever shot up to 104. He said he has genuinely never felt sicker in his life. Thankfully, I got it last, right as everyone else started...

May 3, 2026 Hi friends, It’s been almost two weeks since I planted my garden beds and I’m honestly a little shocked… everything is thriving. Like, thriving thriving. I even added some potted plants, but I’m still waiting on my new planters to arrive, so I’ve been babying my delphiniums in the meantime. I got metal stakes to keep the stems upright and at this point I have to ask… who am I? I think I might actually be getting into gardening. It definitely helps that the weather in Houston has...

april 26, 2026 Hi friends, Writing this after a little break, and honestly… I missed this. My wonderful blog manager Sakina was on maternity leave, and it made me realize just how much she keeps everything running smoothly around here. I never actually learned how to post my own newsletter properly, so instead of figuring it out, I very conveniently used her absence as an excuse 😅 Last weekend I went on a girls trip to Phoenix with 60+ other DIY and home creators, and it was SUCH a fun time....

February 22, 2026 Hi friends, The first week of Ramadan is already done, which feels wild. How does time move this fast? This Ramadan looks a little different for us. I didn’t get around to decorating like I normally do. I’ve been fighting off a cold, work has been extra busy, and I just couldn't get to it :( I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the whole festive setup moment. But we’re still making it special in our own way. The boys have been helping a little with iftar prep, which has been...

February 8, 2026 Hi friends, This week had a lot of small wins, which honestly might be my favorite kind. It’s officially been three weeks since I started working out with my new trainer, and I can actually see a difference in my progress photos. I wish I were comfortable sharing them here, but you’ll have to trust me when I say… I see it. The new macros are clearly making a difference, and that alone feels incredibly motivating. Case in point: I made the best high-protein, low-calorie banana...

January 25, 2026 Hi friends, I missed last Sunday’s letter, so consider this a two-for-one. Life has been busy in that “everything is happening at once” kind of way. First up, a quick weather note. A big part of the country is bracing for serious winter weather, and here in Houston we’re expecting a hard freeze. Stores are cleared out, and I shopped too late and ended up with only a gallon of fancy alkaline spring water. We're gonna be very hydrated, albeit slightly underprepared. Please take...

January 4, 2026 Hi friends, Happy New Year 🤍 We just got back from Karachi this week, and I’m easing my way back into real life. Jet lag hit hard, I came home with a sore throat that feels personally offensive, and my brain is still operating in a different time zone. Coming home after being with family is always a little weird. Your heart is still there, but your inbox, to-do list, and unanswered texts are very much here. Also, Eesa has decided that 4am is the new and improved wake-up time...

December 21, 2025 Hi friends, What. a. week. I’m writing this note from Karachi, which still feels surreal to type out. We told my parents we weren’t coming home to Pakistan this December, and hearing the disappointment in their voices over the phone was so hard. They hadn’t seen us or the kids in a year. With my siblings and their families all flying in, the distance felt heavier than usual. Keeping this secret was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but surprising them was worth every...

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...