[Tess Mar Khan Movie Download
Kody Coste
Through our Giving Tuesday campaign, we met an inspiring woman named Shermeen. She is a strong, funny, and visually impaired mother of two, who just took her second little one home from the NICU. She reached out to Team Jilly, who shared her story with us. And well... after talking to her, we knew instantly that we wanted to share her story with all of you! Meet our newest #smashtessfam feature, Shermeen Khan.
Oh, and we're both almost completely blind (my husband and I, that is--not the whole lot of us). This means we travel with guide dogs, read braille, use screen reading software on our computers, and basically do not rely on sight at all to navigate our world, raise our children, and work.
It was among the most thoughtful things I have ever been sent. On October 23rd, two months before she was due to arrive, Stella decided to burst onto the scene with spectacular speed (probably to show us who's boss). It marked the beginning of one of the scariest and most profound journeys of my life--I think I reached the outer edge of every emotion there is: regret and insidious mom guilt, hope, fear, and the most crushing love for which there are no words.
It can be so much easier to shower new moms with gifts and kind gestures, but NICU moms tend to have unique needs. Because we're in a pandemic, the mask was comfortable and necessary (ripped that bad boy off to kiss my little girl, that's for sure), used the lavender pillow spray to drift off to sleep in as calm a way as possible given how flustered I am, and have already blasted through the all-purpose balm that's just as good for nipples as it is for little baby bums!
And, although this may not seem immediately obvious, the hands-free hand sanitizer was such a needed touch, as being blind, it can be difficult for my husband and me to locate the approximately 42523534398 hand sanitizer stations in the hospital without having to grope walls and all manner of gross Covidy surfaces.
I owe the discovery of this to one of my co-workers, who swore up and down that the rompers would flatter all body types (I'll admit I didn't initially believe her, because she's one of those people who can probably make most things look stylish).
I then heard more and more about them--especially from women in my mom groups, and I knew these were women of all different shapes and sizes, with bodies ranging from hugely pregnant to those healing from C-sections, rough deliveries, breastfeeding, post-partum weight fluctuations, and everything in between. I started to think these people were onto something.
Eight or so rompers later, I think it's safe to say I'm a convert. And they're a Canadian company. and the owners/founders busted out of a more mainstream work-life to make it happen. And hello, it's a complete outfit already put together. Blind girl's dream come true.
Being a blind parent, I think most people probably assume they know what my daily struggles might look like (changing diapers, feeding, etc.), but they would be wrong. I can change a diaper in the dead of night like it's nobody's business (the plus is that I don't need the light on, so don't need to wake up the baby, and as for the diaper change itself, clean skin feels clean). No, more than anything, my biggest challenge will always be transportation.
My husband and I do not drive (you're welcome), and so this means that we get around using a combination of walking, public transportation, and cabs. We intentionally chose a home where we can walk to as many useful places as possible, but because we don't have a car, transporting car seats is a nightmare.
If we take a cab, there's us, the car seats, both guide dogs, the kids themselves, everyone's stuff, and we're basically our own travelling caravan. Plus we have to take the car seats out and carry them around with us when we reach our destination and don't have any extra hands, so the struggle is real.
We have also come up with really creative ways to keep track of the kids as they become more mobile: squeaky shoes, bells attached to clothing, them naturally being used to being in closer physical contact with us, and a strict adherence to the rules about answering us when we call their name in public places. There's also a lot of baby-wearing until they are strong enough/can be trusted to govern themselves accordingly.
But there are advantages, too. I'll never forget the time when I knew Semele had an ear infection entirely based on the sound of her holding her breath when there were no other signs her ear was hurting. There is beauty and possibility everywhere if you look for it, and you can use so much more than your eyes to find it.
"I've got a feelin...that tonight's gonna be a good night!!". Brings me right back to my days in university, when I was significantly less responsible and was just so carefree. I sometimes wish I could be 22 again but appreciate it this time!
That everything is just a bit better while wearing a romper? I'm only half-kidding. Probably that in many respects, we have very similar goals and challenges, with the added challenge of transportation more than usual.
But also, that we've developed so many systems and techniques for achieving the same outcomes, and hope to raise thoughtful, open-hearted children who trust their community and who see excellence reflected in the differences around us, and who will grow up knowing the value of creative problem-solving, loving fiercely, and inter-dependence.
This was a hard one. Many people inspire me in the different areas of my life, but I'd have to say that the person who inspires me the most is my father. We lost him in 2014, but I will forever be in his debt for teaching me so many things: the value of education, perseverance with a wicked sense of humour, the far reach of generosity, and most importantly, how to be brave.
Just these things: Rompers look great on literally everyone - take it from a blind girl! This has been such a crap year, but crap experiences sure have a way of making the important things rise to the top, amiright? Finally, don't believe everything you think--about yourself, about other people, about your own capabilities. The most amazing developments in my own life have come about when I've changed my mind about something, someone, or myself.
Oh, and finally, for real this time, I'd like to give a huge shoutout to the NICU nurses and staff at Grand River Hospital, especially Mary Jane, Robbin, and Beth. It is largely because of your love that Stella is breathing next to me as I write this. Words are inadequate for how much I owe you ladies, not only for your work with Stella but also for being so open-minded about learning about blind parenting a NICU baby. We travelled that road together, and we won.
Smash + Tess was founded in a region south of the Fraser River which overlaps with the unceded, traditional, and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem peoples. We acknowledge and express deep gratitude to these peoples, on whose territory Smash + Tess operates, benefits, and flourishes.
From modern takes on the classics to the most original boho-chic dresses with floral decorations or to fresh alternatives to white and ivory, these are the top styles every spring 2020 bride should have on their mood board.
Monique Lhuillier collection is a celebration of romance where rose jacquard, duchess satin and mosaic lace transform classic silhouettes, creating an air of royalty, such as in the clean, long-sleeved ballgown in duchesse satin.
There is no lack of princely dresses, with wide skirts, in the collections of Zuhair Murad and Reem Acra, where we find models enriched with lace, embroidery and tulle.
Viktor & Rolf first look was a ball gown with an enormous rose folded at the hip, but they also showed an off-the-shoulder ball gown with a huge, deconstructed bow in the back, like a bustle and sculptural sash drape gown where a soft, modern mikado creates a charming take on the classic voluminous ball gown.
Absolutely spectacular, soft and irresistible, the cloud-like effect wedding gowns have left their mark on the 2020 bridal catwalks.
These models are characterized by a wide use of ruffles, trainers and many layers of tulle or organza.
The result? A sophisticated bride destined not to go unnoticed.
Simple but sophisticated boho or country style is widely used for 2020 wedding dresses. The floral ramage enriches these models making them even more romantic and chic: floral patterns develop on bodices, bustier, sleeves and embellish the skirt.
In the use of fabrics 2020 sets a new trend: not only lace for the boho-chic wedding dress, but also macram, crochet and sangallo.
From the Dior ready-to-wear collection comes the inspiration for the boho-chic model. The maison for spring/summer 2020 presents a dress with perforated inserts and small flowers sewn into the fabric. Lace and chiffon are delicate.
Zuhair Murad proposes a boho-chic dress enriched with feathers, deep V-neck and meticulous floral embroidery. Quintessentially British, deeply romantic, ethereal and decadent wedding dresses, exquisitely executed from the finest tulles, silks and laces and adorned with intricate embroidery, are proposed by Temperley London.
Brides-to-be with minimalist tastes will be inspired by the tapered satin dress with long sleeves proposed by Danielle Frankel, by the simple and linear dresses proposed by Amsale in different lengths or by the long and neckline lace dress in Victorian style by Mira Zwillinger.
Blazers make a grand entrance into the bridal world for spring 2020.
We saw power blazers, statement-making pantsuits and trousers paired with elaborate veils and stunning accessories or even a modern take on the bridal train at Danielle Frankel, Viktor&Rolf, Roland Mouret, Cushnie, Reem Acra, Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta to name a few.
Modern brides want to feel comfortable in the dress and experiment with new lengths and silhouettes. Many of them buy a second dress to wear during the reception and this is where the mini dresses come in.
Asymmetric cuts, strategic slits, maxi pockets, balloon skirts and feathered sleeves are just some of the details that make the 2020 short wedding dresses a mix of elegance, sophistication and originality.
These dresses, able to give a trendy and refined look to the bride, represent an alternative to the classic long dress, equally refined and classy.