Happy Norouz (Iranian New Year 1393)

My favourite time of the year is here again. Another year has passed us so quickly. This year has definitely been eventful and filled with memories that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful for everything that has happened this year, for everything my family and friends have done for me. I always like to look back at the highs and lows of the year, it always seems to determine and motivate how we act in the future.

We Iranians do not tend to rely on New Years resolutions, instead we follow tradition and learn from those who have been teaching us what's right and wrong our entire lives, our loved ones. Throughout my entire life, I have always celebrated Norouz with my family. Regardless of where we were living, what time of the day/night Norouz would take place and how busy we were. We would always gather around, even for a split second. That second of silence marks a new beginning in all our lives. 1392 was an amazing year and a lot has changed. But I am eager to learn what 1393 has in store for me and everyone I care about.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Norouz celebration, allow me to explain things very briefly. Iranians celebrate the new year on the first day of spring, at the exact second the eart goes back to it's original place. We also set up a table with the 'Haft Sins'. Haft sin is also a tradition that has been carried on from the Zoroastrian era which includes seven things that start with 'sin' (S in Farsi). Each sin represents something that should be included in your upcoming year. What I love most about Norouz is how the streets are filled with all the elements you need for the haft sin, how everyone is wishing strangers a happy new year and how relatives who have hardly seen each other visit one another to share memories on this joyous occasion.  

This time of year is when all Iranians flee their city/country and go somewhere new during the 13 day holiday period. But in my opinion, the best place to be during the Norouz celebrations is Tehran. The streets are empty, the weather is once again clean. It really is a fresh start. What better way to start the spring season?

I wish you all a happy Norouz. A year filled with love, laughter and happiness. Have a great year!

Happy Birthday Pain Oh Chocolat

Paris, France
2012

Can you believe that it has been over a year since the launch of Pain Oh Chocolat? Because I certainly can't. It has been a crazy year and this blog has definitely changed things for me. It has given me the confidence to share my work and opinions with you. Beforehand, I was always too shy to show any of the photographs I had taken over the years. With the launch of this blog, those photos are now available to you rather than being trapped in an iPhoto album on my laptop! The blog has also helped me develop my own sense of style - both in fashion and in writing. It has made me push myself to work harder and achieve what I desire.

I had been wanting to start a blog for months and yet always came up with an excuse not to (too much homework, not enough time... the usual!). But with the help and support of my mother, we decided to start thinking of a blog name. This took me a good few days (even weeks). I had spent the previous summer in Paris studying fashion photography at the Parsons Paris School of Art and Design and so I wanted a blog name that would represent my time in France. I came up with so many different names that represented Paris but did not represent me at the same time. Luckily one night, me and my mother were brainstorming names and when I told her what I wanted for the blog name, she suggested something to do with pain au chocolat - seeing as it is one of my favourite pastries and my mother and I shared a tradition of having them every Saturday when I was a little girl. I remember telling her that I liked the concept but it is too simplistic and does not have a twist. My mother then suggested that I could play around with the name. For example Pain O'Chocolat. And that's when the way of writing the blog name came to me. I started the blog that same night (on the 3rd of March 2013) and the rest is history...

I know I'm always being optimistic, but I do believe that this blog will open many doors for me in the future. It is my portfolio and my way of communicating with different people - from loved ones to strangers. I aim to commit to it fully in the future once I have completed my time at university. I look forward to the future opportunities, but for now I am going to take the process and development of this blog one years at a time.