Little Corner Chats (2025)

22/10/2021

Turn the Clock

I’ve often wondered why we think about things we could have done better in hindsight.

Different reactions we could have had. Different choices we could have made. Different paths we could have taken.

We berate ourselves, spiral in self-doubt, spend endless hours wondering what could have been.

Would we be where we are today, then?

So instead, I’ve found myself learning and reaching these conclusions.

Yes, I can do better as a person.
Yes, I have the ability to do anything.
Yes, I can turn the impossible into infinite possibilities.

It’s easy to have regrets. Misgivings. It’s a lot harder to find the will to self reflect and change.

Who’s to say that no matter what path you would have taken back then, you wouldn’t be exactly right here, right now?

Different roads often lead to the same destination.
And there’s solace in knowing the conviction of your own choices.

What could have been versus what I can do now.

What’s the stronger pull for you?

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This post is in collaboration with these lovely humans on “If I could go back in time, I would”
andmylittleworld

bloopers

18/09/2021

Things I’m good and bad at.

Disclaimer: I tried to make it educational but thought I’d keep it real and hilarious? Only way to be 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve always wanted to be exceptional at something. A skill, a craft, a prodigy (wishful thinking)? While that didn’t turn out as I’d hoped...I did discover that I was good at a few things.

After a lifetime of being pampered at home, once I was living on my own, it turned out that I was great at burning rotis. Or generally ruining the entire texture. Bless my husband who still ate every disaster I made back then.

I’ve also found out that I’m quite good at swiftly changing diapers. 20 seconds and I’m done. A speed test, I wasn’t aware I would be a success at.

While these latent abilities have improved my quality of life. I’ve also learned that I’m not quite good at waking up early. I try but the thought of an extra 5 minutes in the bed all to myself is too great a chance to miss.

If you stayed to read all this, thank you. 🤣❤️
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This post was in collaboration with these great people I’ve gotten to know in this virtual life.
andmylittleworld

style.mom

#ᴀᴅᴜʟᴛɪɴɢ

11/06/2021

We have come together with an exciting giveaway for you all🥳

WIN: Mommy’s self care pack (SUMMER ESSENTIALS)
Two winners take it all! (Two separate self-care kits)

To enter the Giveaway follow the rules below:

➡️FOLLOW ALL HOSTS

vsays

➡️TAG as many friends as you like (minimum 3)
➡️REPOST on your stories and mention ALL THE HOSTS
➡️ENGAGE with at least last 5 recent posts of the hosts

🛑We will be closely watching the efforts put in by you by engaging on our content and stories.

🛑Giveaway will end on 22nd June. Winners will be announced on 24th June.

🛑Tagging fake or celebrity pages will disqualify you from the giveaway.

🛑Unfollowing will result in permanent ban. Will block those accounts permanently.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is not sponsored by instagram.
Good luck!!

08/06/2021

I’ve been in Lahore for a couple of months now and every single time I’ve wanted to purchase something for Ansha, I’ve had to do a lot of research, try out so many different places all over the city, come across low stocks and basically come home empty handed. Planning to make a trip again soon, or just forgetting about what I needed to get and finding an alternative instead.

Case in point being shoes for Ansha. Checked every possible shoe store in Lahore only to never have the right size. Found the same issue with finding a one stop shop for all things kid and baby related.

I had heard of from friends but mostly thought it’s an online shop until I discovered, honestly the largest kids store I’ve ever been to in Packages Mall Lahore. It had everything under one roof with easily named aisles, really helpful staff there to guide you, play areas for children, a HUGE variety of toys, stationary, books, shoes, baby gear, feeding items and what not. I was honestly so pleasantly surprised.

Ansha had a ball of a time roaming around the store and playing on the swings and we ended up finding everything we needed in really good quality all in one place. Honestly, I decided that every time I need something from now on, I’ll just visit the store to avoid the hassle of going to different places for different things.

Bachaa Party is having a Toys Festival right now in stores and online. You can head over to www.bachaaparty.com or check out their stores in Clifton Punjab Chowrangi, Lucky One Mall, North Nazimabad KDA Chowrangi (Karachi), Emporium Mall and Packages Mall, (Lahore), Gulgasht Avenue (Multan) and Boulevard Mall (Hyderabad)!

Happy shopping!

19/05/2021

It’s a privilege to be able to hold and kiss your children in the morning.
It’s a privilege to be able to hear your parents voices the next day.
It’s a privilege to tune it all out when you’re feeling overwhelmed or just busy with your life.
It’s a privilege to go to bed and wake up without utter fear each night.
It’s a privilege to plan for your and your children’s futures without any hurdles.
It’s a privilege to be able to forget and move on.

It’s a privilege to be able to do whatever you want.

The world has a short term memory. And most of the times, selective empathy. Choosing to raise your voice for one movement and staying silent and oblivious on another. Do some lives matter more than others?

Where are all our idols in the West on this one now? Just because it’s not happening on their turf, it somehow doesn’t matter much, right?

Imagine each moment out there in P@-les-t!ne and the terror and trauma of each individual. They can’t breathe. They can’t be. They’re barely surviving. They’re burying faster than we can blink. They’re trapped with no end in sight and no way out.

So lest we forget,
It’s a privilege and a RIGHT to be free.

Photo credits:

14/05/2021

Eid Mubarak from our family to yours.

This Eid is once again so different from those of the past. But we were extremely lucky and grateful to be able to spend it with our families in Pakistan after so many years. Alhumdolillah.

My heart goes out to families still not reunited and to families who’s tables are no longer full with their loved ones. Please know that you’re all in my thoughts and prayers. May Allah end this pandemic soon and ease our sufferings. Ameen

In the meantime. Stay strong. Stay safe. Protect yourselves and your loved ones. If you’re fortunate to have them around you, hug them a little tighter and pray for their health.

For us, we all kept us simple and dressed in traditional white with a small dinner at home with our family. And for a change Ansha didn’t immediately destroy her hairdo 😂

Eid day one.

My 👗: .est1993
Ansha:

.opedia @ Lahore, Pakistan

11/05/2021

🕊🌙 International Eid Giveaway! 🕊🌙

Eid is just around the corner and we are officially in the festive mode. My friends and I are hosting this wonderful giveaway for our insta fam to thank you for your love and support! 🤍

Win PKR 10,000 giftcard of your choice (T&Cs apply) OR cash equivalent. Follow these simples rules to enter:

1. Follow everyone on this list:
dadgram

andmylittleworld

2. Like and save this post.
3. Tag three friends in comments.

⭐Multiple comments = Multiple Entries
⭐Pls don’t tag celebrities, bloggers and giveaway accounts.
⭐Do not follow to unfollow later. You'll be disqualified.

This giveaway will run for a week until Tuesday, May 18. Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on May 20.

Pls don’t spam hosts dms. That will certainly NOT increase your chances of winning. We do however appreciate your support and would love for you to spread the word by sharing this on your stories.

*This giveaway is not sponsored or associated with any organisation or Instagram. T&Cs apply.

03/05/2021

When it was time for Ansha to start solids, I knew I had my job cut out for me because I chose to keep it as organic and healthy as possible. This obviously meant a lot of research and sometimes extra work for me, but it’s been worth it. Alhumdolillah. Especially because now Ansha eats everything we make at home and there’s hardly ever a fuss.

Through research into baby cereals, I discovered that majority cereals were not suitable for my baby because of the artificial sweeteners, sugars and preservatives and that’s how I ended up being a HUGE fan and customer of **er products for Ansha. Cereals, snacks and munchies (which I always keep with me whenever I’m traveling and in case Ansha refuses to eat anything).

Finding these products was quite easy in UAE but in Pakistan I always faced some hurdle. Whether there was a supply issue at popular stores, or the right product wasn’t available and in most cases when I did find them, sellers were charging two or three times the price of the actual item.

So when Maryam from reached out to me after she had also identified a similar gap, I was absolutely delighted because I had finally found not only a seller who had everything I needed in stock, but who also didn’t fleece me.

is importing authentic stuff from the US, UK and UAE and has every possible Ge**er product stocked. Cereals, snacks, puffs, teething biscuits etc and they also have a few baby products like Munchkin cups etc.

So head on to their page and place your orders while stocks last. They’re based out of Lahore and delivering in Lahore and other cities soon.

**er **erbaby

30/04/2021

So excited to be a part of this Ramadan series hosted by

Joining me today for are these ladies. Be sure to check out their amazing Iftar recipes as well!

For my Iftar today, I’ve made

Coffee & Salted Caramel Tukrey (my spin on Shahi Tukrey)

Base Layer:
Homemade Coffee Choc Chip Loaf Cake

- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tsps coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water
- 1/2 cup choc chips or nuts of choice
Mix dry ingredients together separately. Set aside. Beat butter and sugars, add eggs and milk. Add dry ingredients and coffee syrup. Beat together. Fold in the choc chips/nuts.
Preheat oven to 170 C. Lightly brush the loaf tin with butter. Pour batter and bake for 1 hour.

Second Layer:
Salted Caramel Sauce

- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp salted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (at room temp)
- 1 tsp salt
Put sugar in saucepan over medium heat and keep whisking with wooden spoon until sugar becomes liquid. Add butter and keep stirring until both are mixed well. Slowly add cream. Mix well and leave on medium heat for 1 min. Be careful not to burn anything. Take off heat and mix in salt. Allow to cool. Leftover sauce be stored and used for anything.

Third Layer:
Homemade Vanilla Custard

- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp corn flour
- 3 cups milk
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla essense
Whisk eggs, corn flour and milk in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture becomes creamy and thickens. Take off heat and mix in sugar and vanilla. Allow to cool.

*Layer a rectangular dish with coffee cake, salted caramel sauce and vanilla custard. Garnish with nuts and choc chips. Cool in fridge and serve.

Voila! Hope you enjoy this as much as we will today!

@ Ramadan

23/04/2021

Never been as fascinated as I was with this viral trend. Maybe because of the soothing music or the backgrounds.

But here we go. Our version of the

18/04/2021

Thought my baby was a sweet angel that kept smiling at everything. Sat where we plopped her up. Grinned when the camera clicked. Squealed in excitement when in a crowd and displayed general amicability when cuddled.

Then came the

Where this once “sweet angel” can now scrunch up her face and wail on demand to get her way. Where she’ll bang her entire body on the couch upon hearing a “no.” With a tear rolling down her cheek which instantly disappears with her face brimming with a smile when we finally give in.

So how do I deal with a ?

🌼 DISTRACTION - I try to distract her with something else. Mostly singing her favorite nursery rhymes or taking her out for a walk. Works like a charm.

🌼 EYE CONTACT - I get down on her level and calmly talk to her.

🌼 WAIT IT OUT - I let her express herself the only way she knows how to right now and once she’s done, we hug.

🚫 Never yell or get physical with your child. Their developing brains are only equipped to handle and express one emotion at a time. Scaring them into doing your bidding will only damage their confidence and way of expressing.

🚫 At this stage they’re too young to be given a time out. Or punished. A little love goes a long way.

🚫 If you’re feeling overwhelmed as a parent, it’s best to temporarily remove yourself from the situation and ask for help for a while till you feel better.

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This post was in collaboration with the following moms:

1.
2.
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4.
5.
6.
7.

13/04/2021

Ramzan Mubarak to all those observing and to the ones who aren’t 🌙⭐️

We’re so grateful to be able to spend this Ramzan with our families in Lahore. Hoping and trying our best to savor every moment. To stay at home, protect ourselves and our families and most of all, increase our remembrance of Allah.

We hope this Ramzan brings good tidings and most importantly health for everyone. May Allah answer our prayers and protect all of us. Ameen.

Making a small prayer for everyone who still hasn’t gotten a chance to reunite with their loved ones and for anyone who’s suffering in any way. Ameen.

Please keep us in your prayers too.

Love and duas,
Mahrukh, Umair & Ansha 🤍

09/04/2021

Ever felt like you just need a break from everything?

Today was that day. Ansha was being unusually clingy and cranky. I kept feeling like I’m doing everything wrong. Be it in my tone of parenting or just the general exasperation in dealing with her.

Felt like exploding and wanting to evaporate at the same time. Desperate for a few moments of silence. Checking the clock over and over again, counting the minutes till her nap time. Breathing a sigh of relief till she was finally down, only to have my respite cut short with her awake earlier than expected.

She had dropped her teddy and I crawled into her bedroom like a ninja in stealth mode 🥷 to give it to her, only for her to somehow smell me and cry out. Picked her up and was greeted by a poopy diaper 💩.

Iced coffee now just murky water. My cherished packet of Cocomo forgotten. Netflix on a perpetual pause.

If I closed my eyes, could I just be alone?

It’s a thought we all get once in a while. That doesn’t make us selfish or ungrateful. Just honest and human. No need for mom guilt. It’s okay to be a mom and still have moments where you wished the noise would fade and you could just be by yourself without another human constantly asking for your attention. Being a mom doesn’t mean forgetting your own existence. It also means taking care of yourself well enough to take care of your offspring.

So hey mom, you’re not alone. If you want to scream a little loudly or cry your heart out or sneak away for a while...You’re not alone.

I’m right there with you.

Anyone else needing an escape?

27/03/2021

Marriage

A rollercoaster ride of laughs and tears
Fights and hugs
Giving in and holding on
Starting from scratch and building
Forgiving and letting go
Wanting space but hate being apart

Joking and teasing
Farting and smelling
Eating out and eating in
Sleeping cuddled and sprawled out
Snoring and poking to stop
Turning the AC up and down

Willing to experience new things
Scared to swim but taking the chance
Watching thrillers together
Taking turns and making deals to give massages
Making bets on stupid things
Getting angry over who made the bathroom dirty

All said and done
It’s two very different people coming together
Building a life
A home…and

Becoming a family.

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This post is in collaboration with these lovely people on “What Marriage is According to Us.”
andmylittleworld
dadgram momgram

Haha I hope you enjoyed the humorous side and my take on marriage.

Drop me a comment on marriage is to you guys?

24/03/2021

Trying not to laugh too much, feeling happy but dreading what can go wrong
Living in fear of “what ifs” and forgetting to bask in the now
Remembering what it felt like to laugh without abandon as a child,
Till tears streamed, stomach clenched and words muffled in between guffaws

Sitting with memories of the past, worries of the future, overshadowing the present
A smile creeping in with a thought, “I had a good week,”
But insides contracting at what could possibly ruin this now
Tired of feeling this way for so long, wishing it could disappear

But I’m here. I keep moving. Therapy, sharing and prayer
I can be happy without fearing sadness
It’s just in my head, remember?

Take a moment now, close your eyes, tell yourself
It’s just a feeling,
Joy, pain, fear, excitement and more,
So let it be and let go

Surrender.

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This post is part of a word series and in collaboration with these amazing writers:
andmylittleworld

Anyone else scared of being happy and fearing something bad will happen?

#ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｓ

16/03/2021

I’d been missing winter and spring in Lahore for the past 8 years and enviously looking at all my friends and family enjoying in what is my favorite time in Lahore. But this year, after so long I got to come back when winter was in its last vestiges and spring was around the corner. So I got to do all the things I had in my mental checklist and the things I had grown up doing.

The cold winter mornings with fog. Smell of parathas and chai. Sardiyon ki baarish.

Toasting under the sun in the garden and enjoying a cup of coffee and family gup shup.

Cozying up in the living room and watching movies. Singing songs. Binging on childhood snacks.

Saying Ammi and Abba out loud and seeing them in front of me. Alhumdolillah

Driving through main boulevard and liberty and having Benazir ka Kulfa in the fog. H block ki chaat, McDonald’s kay fries.

Houses adorned with wedding lights. Gardens waiting to bloom. Rickshaws holding up traffic. Lahore preparing for Jashan-e-Baharan.

Long drives and mellow music with my sister around places we’ve grown up in. Swerving, stopping, gazing and enjoying like it was my first time doing Y block ki sair.

🎵 Late Night - Shamoon Ismail

05/03/2021

• RECIPE •

Oatmeal & Blueberry Muffins

🫐1 cup oatmeal
🫐1 cup milk (of choice)
🫐1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
🫐1/2 cup honey
🫐1 1/4 cup flour
🫐1 teaspoon baking powder
🫐1/2 teaspoon baking soda
🫐1/2 teaspoon salt
🫐1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
🫐1 egg at room temperature
🫐1 teaspoon vanilla essence
🫐1 cup blueberries (or fruit of choice)

Method

1. Combine milk and oats. Set aside for 20 mins so the oats puff up and soak up some moisture.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners.
3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl until combined. Set aside. Whisk the melted butter, honey, egg, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stir a few times, then add the soaked oats (milk included, do not drain) and blueberries. Fold everything together gently just until combined.
4. Bake for 5 minutes at 425 then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 16-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Total time is 22-23 mins
5. For GLUTEN FREE version substitute flour for oat flour (grind oats to a powder)

* Recipe inspired by

🎵 Electric - Alina Baraz Ft. Khalid (I do not own rights to this song)

Save this recipe to have a healthy dessert for yourself and kids. It’s suitable for babies (10 months +) and toddlers as well!

14/02/2021

10 years of planning sometimes really proper Valentine’s date nights and sometimes low-key intimate ones. Fast forward to 2020, when Umair was traveling back from a work trip on 14th February and brought home a single red rose.

He reached at midnight. Ansha was asleep. He handed me that single stem and hugged me. It felt peaceful. Honestly? Probably the best Valentine’s we’ve had. We were tired but so happy to see each other after a week. Because that simple gesture meant more to me than anything. He was exhausted from work, it was late at night but he still remembered to make me feel special, while I was dressed in PJs with my hair all over the place and dark circles under my eyes.

Whether you have big plans or mellow ones this year…what matters most is celebrating your love for your person. Whether you believe in this day or not, celebrate it or not. Just take a moment to celebrate each other, how far you’ve come and how much you mean to one another. The date or the day probably isn’t that important, but since we get busy with our daily routines, taking time out to make each other feel a little more special seems like a good idea, no?

My plans for this year involve a WhatsApp video call, but I’ll dress up and share that call time with Ansha’s antics in the background.

Umair jokingly said last 14th February: “Keep this rose till next Valentine’s.”

And you know what? I did.

Swipe left to see us 8 years ago just as we were about to graduate LUMS in 2013. 😱

Valentine’s Day or no? What team are you on?

❤️ @ Lahore, Pakistan

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