The New York Nest

a mother's memoir of style, home and travel

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About

With a desire to create an inspiring place to share experiences and personal style, this blog was born. Throughout life’s experiences, I have grown to trust myself and my abilities. Here, you can expect to find my personal reflections, with an eye towards style, home, and motherhood.

Me and my son, Noah

It is my earnest hope that all of you who are reading–moms or not–trust yourselves enough to know that you are more than good enough, not just for motherhood but for ANYTHING. 

It is my intent that through the power of shared experiences,
this space will help to foster the unification of likeminded women.

If my words can benefit just one person, that will be ample.

To work together, please email thenewyorknest@gmail.com

Hello! I’m Zaynab, wife, mommy and your virtual older sis! Here, you can expect to find my personal reflections, with an eye towards style, home, and motherhood.

thenewyorknest

I’m Zee, sharing motherhood, style & beauty while working on our 100+ year old home
💌 thenewyorknest@gmail.com
Shop my feed & explore ↓

Spent all spring seeing little lamb cakes everywhe Spent all spring seeing little lamb cakes everywhere and couldn’t resist making an Eid version this year 🐑🌸🍰  
  
A lamb holds special meaning during Eid al-Adha 🫶🏼 a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world that centers around faith, sacrifice, family and sharing with others. Families gather and cook big meals, and distribute meat to loved ones and those in need. So this tiny little lamb cake felt like such a sweet and whimsical nod to the holiday!   
  
My question to you, should we give it eyes and a nose? ‼️ I wanted it to look more sculptural and less like a cartoon, but now I’m thinking it needs eyes 😆😂💁🏻‍♀️ DO WE GIVE IT EYES? Let me know below 👇 ALSO, what do we name her/him lol 🐑✨ 
 
🌸👉🏼 LAMB MOLD is linked in my LTK in bio and I also shared it on my stories 🫶🏼🍰🐑 #eidaladha #eidcake #eiddessert
fun fact ✨ every single person on this earth was o fun fact ✨ every single person on this earth was once loved, carried and created by a mother 🦋 motherhood is the thread connecting all of us in every generation and in every story.  🌎🍃🫶🏼
 
I’m thinking of all women, mothers, future mothers, grieving daughters, aunts, caretakers and women still finding their way through this chapter of life. 🫶🏼❤️ there is something so sacred about womanhood in all its forms. I hope you all had a wonderful mother’s day weekend! #mothersday #motherhood #motherandchild
I may be deeply connected to my Punjabi roots but I may be deeply connected to my Punjabi roots but I’m also deeply connected to convenience 💁🏻‍♀️🫶🏼✨ while I’ve definitely gotten much better at cooking over the years, some days lunch is still ✨saag in a can✨ and frozen roti. My ancestors may be sighing… but my schedule understands 😭

Also I genuinely thought everyone knew about this canned saag/palak situation, but apparently not because it was SUCH a hit on my stories 😂 if you’re unfamiliar, saag/palak is a cozy South Asian comfort food made from slow cooked leafy greens, butter, garlic, and spices. 🥬🧈🥘 And judging by your messages, a ✨LOT✨ of you have tried/loved this canned version too 😭 honestly it’s a solid 8/10 especially given the convenience. I use it once every few months, it’s definitely not a staple, but somehow it still brings home the nostalgia and aroma even from a can 🥹🫶🏼🇵🇰 #pakistani #pakistanifood #desifood #southasian
camera roll lately 📸 summer is just starting and a camera roll lately 📸 summer is just starting and already teaching me so much 🦢🌸 I almost talked myself out of taking her on the train into the city, but it ended up being so much easier than I imagined… I had her in the baby carrier, a backpack diaper bag and comfy sneakers, hands free and able to actually enjoy the day! 🚕❤️ we did a full day in the city and made it home before dinner like it was nothing 🚂👏🏼💅🏻

turns out you’re braver than you think… sometimes you just have to give it a try 🥹🫶🏼 #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #mommyandme #motherdaughter
Proof that the slow, messy process is what makes i Proof that the slow, messy process is what makes it feel like home. Swipe to see some progress images of this room.  
 
This room started with zero storage, so we built out closets and added a desk under the window. It’s honestly proof that if you take your time (and scroll Pinterest long enough) you can turn even the simplest space into something really special. 🫶🏼✨
 
We finished it with soft blue tones, warm brass accents, a fun light fixture and a creamy linen paint on the ceiling and trim so it feels calm, timeless and easy for him to grow into! It is so important to me that the space grows with my son, not too childish, and not too mature. How do you think I did? 👀💁🏻‍♀️❤️ #boysroom #kidsroom #boysbedroom
Soft florals and a flowing cape that feels like a Soft florals and a flowing cape that feels like a modern nod to a Pakistani dupatta 🌸✨ 
 
South Asian inspired silhouettes are everywhere right now, and while it’s beautiful to see them appreciated I hope they’re recognized for what they are, timeless pieces rooted in our culture and not just a passing trend. 🫶🏼🦢✨🌷 
 
Light, elegant and effortlessly modest this is the kind of dress that feels perfect for every spring and summer celebration. I finally got a chance to wear it, and it made me feel so beautiful. 🥹🫶🏼🌷
 
Would you wear something like this to your next event? Dress is linked on my ltk in my bio! 💐 #weddingguestdress #modestdresses #springdress
#AmazonAlexaPartner Spend the day with me as CEO o #AmazonAlexaPartner Spend the day with me as CEO of the house. 🫶🏼💁🏻‍♀️ As the primary homemaker and caregiver to my kids I handle 90% of all home and school tasks while my husband is at work. Between school and contractor emails and all the never ending reminders my brain is always on overdrive. That’s where Alexa+ becomes my helper! With Alexa+’s Artifact Extraction feature, I just forward my emails or documents to her and she pulls out all the important information so I can focus on my toddler who is at such a playful age and requires so much of my attention. If you’ve ever thought about hiring someone just to read your kids endless school emails, Alexa+ is THAT GIRL. Did you know she can do this for you too? @amazonalexa #AlexaPlus
camera roll lately 🎞️ birthday breakfast in bed 🎂🫶 camera roll lately 🎞️ birthday breakfast in bed 🎂🫶🏼☕️ also… is it even a birthday if you don’t sit in bed and cry a little 😅 oh and for their spring break ✨activities and entertainment✨ I’ve perfected the art of making these kids follow MY daily agenda, because the alternative is… sitting at home 💁🏻‍♀️ follow along for more parenting hacks.
Hi, I’m Zaynab 🦢🫶🏼 but you can call me Zee!  There Hi, I’m Zaynab 🦢🫶🏼 but you can call me Zee!  There are so many new faces here and it feels like the perfect time for a little reintroduction. 
 
🍃 I’m just a girl balancing home, kids and everything else that life throws at you in your (late) 30s! Lol! Which means things are usually a little hectic but always full of intention. I romanticize the smallest moments… morning coffee, a new dress, a clean kitchen, all of it. 
 
🌸My brain feels like 100 tabs open at all times, so I love anything that helps me offload the mental load and make life feel lighter. I’m equally a “let’s plan something beautiful” and “let’s just wing it and hope for the best.” 
 
🌸 I will absolutely fall under a spell over a dress, a candle, or a perfectly styled corner of my home. I love a good system but only if it actually makes life easier… not more complicated. Always chasing the balance between whimsy, calm, and realistically livable. 
 
🌷My kids are at the center of everything I do, even when I’m pretending I have it all together. School activities, routines and snacks are basically an ongoing creative project for me.  
 
🦢I truly believe everyday life can feel a little more special, even on the most ordinary days. 
 
💐 A few random things about me… I’m a sucker for anything pistachio, honey and cardamom. I love farm to table vibes, indoor/outdoor spaces, and slow unplanned weekends. I overthink captions but will impulsively rearrange a whole room in 20 minutes. I’ll always choose aesthetic and practical, in that order, sometimes. Lol.  
 
🫶🏼 Most importantly, I’m here to share real life, but in a way that still feels beautiful. To make everyday routines feel a little easier and more enjoyable. And to create a space that feels like a mix of inspiration and honesty. 🥹✨ 
 
I’d love to know what resonates with you most here… what kind of moments or content do you find yourself coming back for? As always, thank you for being here! I love our little corner sooo much! ❤️
Wearing this abaya was a happy accident. My Eid ou Wearing this abaya was a happy accident. My Eid outfit didn’t arrive and I realized I truly had nothing to wear. I don’t keep many desi pieces in my closet, and most of what I have is deeply sentimental. 💕

But just a week before a friend gifted me this beautiful abaya… 🫶🏼🥹 and it ended up being my Eid look. 👑 What do we think? Personally I love wearing the scarf like a duppatta, it looks so old school glam. Especially since all the western dresses have little matching scarfs (LOL), we gotta reclaim our culture back! 👀💕✨ #abaya #modestfashıon #modestdresses 

🌸 abaya gifted by my friend @iamascia 
👗 abaya @muse.dxb 
👛 bag @demellierlondon 
💕 robe @papinellesleepwear 
🌷fragrance @ffern.co spring 26
Framed the kids’ Eid outfits, something I’ve been Framed the kids’ Eid outfits, something I’ve been wanting to do for so long 🖼️👗🦢✨ 
 
Preserving these tiny, once worn pieces felt so special… like turning a nostalgic memory into something permanent, and it was so easy and budget friendly to do! (I got a few quotes from a local custom framing shop which were quite pricey).  
 
 
A few tips I learned  
✨ Bulky pieces or anything with ruffles especially girls outfits look best in a shadowbox 
✨ Flatter pieces work beautifully in a regular frame 
✨ I didn’t love the original backings so I swapped them out velvet for the shadowboxes and linen for the slimmer frames 
✨ Added custom plaques for each piece to give it that art installation feel 
 
It truly feels like the most beautiful way to preserve a special piece of occasion wear, a great idea for baby’s 1st birthday or newborn outfit also.  
 
How I did it 
 ✨ Replace the backing with your fabric of choice using a fabric adhesive 
 
✨ Carefully pin the outfit onto the backing and take your time playing with the drape 
 
✨ Hold it upright as you go so you can see how it will actually hang on the wall 
 
✨ Use a stitch gun for trickier areas to keep things in place (sometimes pins don’t work well with dresses that had a lot of fabric)  
 
Attach your custom plaque using adhesive! You’re done! You are now an artist.  
 
👉🏼 I’ve linked all the materials used, including custom plaques, type of adhesive, exact fabrics and frames on my @shop.ltk in my bio! ❤️🖼️👗 #eidalfitr #eid2026 #shadowboxframe #eidmubarak❤️ #diyframe
It hit 70 degrees today and we are BACK BABY. We a It hit 70 degrees today and we are BACK BABY. We are SO back. ☀️  
  
I’ve been saving this hat all year and finally got my moment to wear it. My husband swears it looks like a lampshade but honestly… I stand by it. 👒💕💁🏻‍♀️  
  
We took a little walk through the garden with my darling baby girl, soaking up that warm sun after what felt like the longest winter ever. I don’t think she’s felt the sun on her skin quite like this since entering toddlerhood. There’s something SO special about that first warm day of the yearrr!🌷🫶🏼 The air feels lighter, everyone is outside, and it’s like the whole mood shifts overnight.   
 
Also how cute is Reem's heart dress! By @miniboden ❤️👗👶🏻
  
Tell me… what’s the first thing you do when we finally get that first real warm day of the season? ☀️🌸💐🌷 #springhassprung #springtime #springoutfit
Last Eid was my daughter’s first, and I spent a lo Last Eid was my daughter’s first, and I spent a lot of time researching and asking you all for the best places to find her Eid outfit (particularly those that ship overseas)🌙✨ I’ve shared this list so many times in DMs and stories, so today I’m putting it on my feed for easy reference!  
 
Please note I have no affiliations with any of these places, but they did come highly recommended by YOU all! Please order at your own discretion.  
 
Special thanks to @fatimaasharofficial for my daughter’s first Eid outfit last year, the gold pishwas and hand painted duppata 😍 A timeless piece I plan on preserving and hanging in her nursery forever! 🥹🦋🌸👗
This is a super easy and healthier alternative to This is a super easy and healthier alternative to our childhood classic Rooh-Afza (a refreshing rose flavored beverage commonly served  in South Asia during the summer, especially during the Holy month of Ramadan).⁣ 
⁣ 
The flavor profile of this drink lands somewhere between a strawberry açaí refresher and that nostalgic flavor of Rooh-Afza! 🌹🥛💗⁣ 
⁣ 
INGREDIENTS⁣ 
🌸 agave syrup by @intheraw (this is a great alternative sweeter but you can use any sweetener you would like) ⁣ 
🌸 rose extract (I’m using @angelbake rose extract, it’s a pure extract (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ROSE WATER) it is very strong so use a tiny amount and build up your flavor 
🌸 dragon fruit powder for the pink color and overall vibes  
OPTIONAL- fresh edible rose petals, also just for the vibes (I’m using a rose herbal tea which is simply dried rose petals) ⁣and whipped cream, I used strawberry! 🍓  
⁣ 
Mix all of these ingredients into a cold glass of milk, and enjoy! ⁣ 
⁣ 
ALSO, do you think it would it taste the same if it WASN’T PINK? 🤔💖⁣🌸🌹#roohafza #ramadandrinks #ramadanrecipes #pakistanirecipes #easyrecipes
An east coast summer is elite because it only show An east coast summer is elite because it only shows up for a small portion of the year (big sigh) but when it does, it truly shines and gives us memories nostalgic enough to power us through this endless winter we were having. 🦋🌸😭🫶🏼

We got 24 inches of snow this morning, with more predicted midweek. ❄️⛄️ If you’re feeling a little blah today, seasonal depression is a real thing! 😅 We’re almost there guys, just a few more weeks until life looks like this again! #eastcoast #eastcoastsummer #eastcoastwinter #nyc
In my coffee princess era 👸🏻☕️ once you get a full In my coffee princess era 👸🏻☕️ once you get a fully automatic machine, there’s simply no going back 💁🏻‍♀️ this is a hill I will die on ☕️💁🏻‍♀️ I realized I don’t actually enjoy making coffee in the morning if it involves too many steps and a ton of cleanup.

Last year we invested in the @delonghiofficial @delonghi.na Rivelia Fully Automatic, and after a year, I can confidently say that I have no regrets. Lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, iced drinks, it makes them all at the push of a button! (Seriously my kids can make me a drink all by themselves). Minimal cleanup, super easy to use, and the drinks are always perfectly delicious.

Girl math ✨ between me and my husband, we make 4–5 drinks a day. At $40+ saved daily, this machine basically paid for itself in about a month. Not bad, right? RIGHT? ☕️✨ Do you enjoy your morning coffee ritual or are you a press a button and get it done type of person? 👀☕️☀️ #coffee #coffeemachine #delonghi #latte #icedcoffeeaddict
This is my routine every morning before my daughte This is my routine every morning before my daughter wakes up. Small house living with young kids means every room does double duty. We don’t have a separate playroom, so my bedroom becomes the one space where I can keep her safely in view throughout the day. 
 
🧸 Nightstands blocked so there’s no climbing, drawer opening, or knocking things over 
🧸 A soft reading, TV, and lounge setup using our extremely versatile @nuggetcomfort 
🧸 A simple play area with a soft mat and larger toys (playmat from @houseofnoa_ ) 
 
When I share our home’s square footage, I often get skepticism but trust me, I declutter constantly. I’m very intentional about what comes in, no unnecessary toys, and before buying anything new, we donate to make room. Living in a smaller, cozy space forces you to be more mindful and honestly, that’s been a gift! 🫶🏼
 
This might be a hot take, but I think smaller homes work beautifully for younger kids. As they grow into teens, larger spaces and privacy become more important. Would you agree? #playroom #kidsroom #playroomideas #smallhome #cozyspaces
Can we dare call it CHAI-MISU? 😆💁🏻‍♀️☕️ Growing up Can we dare call it CHAI-MISU? 😆💁🏻‍♀️☕️ Growing up, my grandma used to soften cake rusk in a little chai for me since I wasn’t allowed to drink chai yet… and share it like a sweet little secret. This tiramisu takes me right back to that flavor! 🇵🇰☕️🌙 
 
Ingredients  
cake rusk 
strong chai for soaking 
mascarpone cheese 
heavy cream 
sugar 
cardamom powder 
vanilla essence 
pistachios, rose petals and cocoa powder for topping 
 
Method  
Layer cake rusk, whip mascarpone, heavy cream, sugar, cardamom, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Splash chai on top of layered cake rusk then spread a layer of the mascarpone mixture on top. Repeat layers until the dish is full (don’t do more than 2 layers) Top with crushed pistachios, rose petals, and a dusting of cocoa. Chill for a few hours or overnight. Best if eaten within 24 hours. 
 
An easy yet extremely nostalgic and traditional dessert option for Ramadan. Have you made this before? 🍰☕️❤️ #ramadan #ramadan2026 #ramadanrecipes
Your reminder that even after a week like this, sp Your reminder that even after a week like this, spring still comes. 🦢🌼☀️ We got over a foot of snow and have been stuck indoors for the past few days… and there’s still some more on the way 🙈 Just a little reminder… only 7 Sundays until life feels like this again 🌷How are you holding up after the snowstorm? ❄️ #springisnear #snowstorm #nyc
SAVE/SHARE ✨ Last week I asked for your favorite b SAVE/SHARE ✨ Last week I asked for your favorite blow dry brushes and these two were the most recommended! 🫶🏼 I tested both and honestly, there’s no clear winner. They give very similar results on my short hair but they work for different needs. The @sharkbeauty Glossi is great for everyday use, short to medium hair, and is more budget friendly. The @ghd_northamerica duet blowdry is more of a splurge, less heat damaging, and shines if you have longer hair or want voluminous, curly blowouts. (I’ve seen it do some amazing salon worthy hairstyles on longer hair!) 💁🏻‍♀️😍

Since I have short hair and don’t usually do big blowouts, both worked beautifully, but if you’re looking to switch up styles, especially curls, it’s worth seeing how each performs on different hair types. 🫶🏼🥰

Have you tried either of these? 💁🏻‍♀️Could you tell which side was the more expensive brush? 👀 also never forget heat protection! I love using my @kerastase_official Nutritive thermique 🫶🏼✨ #blowdry #blowdrybrush #shorthair #blowdrystyle
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