Home & Decor

A Look Inside Luca and Sienna’s New Room

October 2, 2019 - Leave a Comment

Some of my fondest memories as a child were days of fun my elder brother and I had sharing a room together. We had a 2 year gap between us and were practically inseparable. I still remember the room we shared, my parents had installed a Peter Pan wallpaper which we were absolutely entranced by; spending hours upon hours just daydreaming and discussing endless plots for our favorite characters, mine was Wendy; obviously… I loved our room, it was ridiculously spacious for one thing, they made them big in the 80’s, at least in Abu Dhabi they did. We didn’t have a playroom and honestly we didn’t need one, our room was big enough to to play, eat, study in, and even have more friends over for sleepovers.

And today, as both my children have eventually grown out of each of their nurseries (I’m still trying to wrap my head around this), I had to start thinking about their new room, which by the way I get asked about A LOT surprisingly. The thing is, since I have a 3 year old boy and a 2 year old girl with a one year and 5 months gap in between, I was super keen on having them share a room together. “They’re going to share a room?” so many have inquired curiously like its some sort of alien concept or as though I’m the only parent with a boy and a girl that would room them together. “Of course!” For me there was no discussion there, my assumption is anyone with a sibling, boy or girl that have shared a room would know what an amazing experience it can be for those early years, I would never want them to miss out on the fun, the character-building, the sharing, the compromising, the competition and most of all the bonding. This will be my gift to them. Of course until they turn I don’t know 9 or 10? And decide they need their space and privacy. Give or take…

So before I really delve off topic and this turns into a (gasp) parenting post rather than a lifestyle one let me get back to my initial point; Luca and Sienna’s room. Of course it had to be uni-sex NOT gender neutral ( because my boy likes blue and green and my daughter likes pink and purple) so not much I can do there. I had two requirements, for the room, it had to be peaceful, calm and relaxing so that the kids would actually have LOTS of sleep in it and it had to create the perfect setting for their favorite activity- story time! I don’t know if I post enough about this but we are huge on books here, we read multiple books a day for the kids since they were only months old and its been a habit ever since. We go booking shopping on a weekly basis, so I really needed to create the perfect environment to nurture both this reading habit and their little imaginations. That’s why I wanted the setting to resemble a picture right out of a storybook.

Luca has been obsessing over tree houses and so I set off looking for the perfect tree house bed. I was close to actually getting one customized at some point until I fell across the perfect one at Home Centre. I loved everything about it, especially the adorable little windows it has where they have been spending hours pretending to play shop and theatre and all sort of games.

For Sienna, I really wanted her to sleep on the low mattress sort of bed, the same way Luca did, it was the Montessori sleep method via a floor bed, it promotes independence, freedom and exploration. So the teepee bed I found was ideal. I’m not going to lie, I find her rolling off sleeping on the wooden floors most of the time, but its a transition and I’m hoping at some point she will finally settle and stop sleeping like a pet. I also love the fact that we all get to cuddle every night before bedtime and read on that tepee/tent bed.

To bring it all together I needed the perfect wallpaper and for someone who has wallpaper in practically every room in the house, believe me I really was yearning for something different this time. The perfect opportunity presented itself when I learned that Fabric Ville, will actually customize and design ANY wallpaper you want. I was so excited. I really wanted something original yet classic, something that wouldn’t be too loud or noisy in the room, that wouldn’t stand out too much yet create the perfect environment, a wall paper that they too would look back at one day and remember some precious moments and perhaps even stories from their childhood like we do. A wallpaper unique to us. I love every character we settled on, from the Flamingo drinking juice, or sometimes “milky” according to Sienna to the “birdy in the puddle” and the made to measure giraffe sticking his head out of the book shelf. The kids love him. And I have to say I was really impressed with Fabric Ville’s ease of service and quality of the actual wallpaper. I would totally recommend them if you are in the process of designing your children’s room or any room in the house. Their services extend beyond just custom wall paper but also curtains and upholstery fabrics as well as installation.

So we’ve come a long way from the nursery’s I’ve shared with you here. I haven’t really put up any art or shelves on the wall yet or found the perfect rug, so I’m not done accessorizing, but I hope you like and get inspired with what we’ve done so far!

Jo Malone Now In Lebanon

June 5, 2018 - 3 Comments

Jo Malone London was always on my list of stores to visit every chance I would get when I was abroad, as I would any Sephora. And like many other people getting to know the brand I was eager to scoop up their iconic candles that I would strategically place on my makeup table, but I quickly came to the realization that there was more to Jo Malone besides that much-coveted Instagrammable candle.

Joe Malone is a well-versed lifestyle brand, with a luxurious collection of scents and fragrances to cater to your home, bath and body. This quintessentially British store has finally landed this year in Lebanon and I’ve been one of the lucky ones here to receive some of their latest releases and newest collections first.

I had the pleasure of getting invited to their new boutique located at ABC Verdun to meet the team who flew in exclusively to walk us through the iconic Fragrance House and experience first-hand the wide-range of lifestyle collection it offers. There I discovered a timeless quality about Jo Malone and a generous philosophy, with a story behind every scent that makes you instantly connect with the brand. I also learned about the years of research that go into the unique and unexpected combination of perfectly balanced scents that can be customized to fit your own taste, an attribute that has made Jo Malone stand out amongst the rest since its inception.

As a homemaker and a person who loves to host, I instantly fell in love with Jo Malone’s concept of styling my home with my own signature scent that would resonate with my guests, a one-of-a-kind mix and match that was unique to my place. I was drawn to the the Linen Sprays which you can spray on to bedsheets, towels and even napkins when having guests over to complement the ambiance. I chose the warm aromatic lavender in the fresh Lino New Vento Scento Surround Spray which I apply on to our pillows and towels to give our bedroom that five star hotel lavish-comfy feel.

I was also keen on trying out popular diffusers and instantly loved the scent of the Pomegranate Noir Scent Surround Diffuser, with the particularly rich ingredients of pomegranate, raspberries and plum spiked with pink pepper and Casablanca lilies. I loved how long-lasting and effective it is thanks to the special reeds they use, and the bottle adds such an elegant touch to our living space.

The English Fields collection was also recently launched, an unexpected collection of cereals and grains that capture the true essence of the beautiful English countryside during harvest season. The full set entails five fragrances created by renowned perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui who I was told actually spent time physically in the actual landscape in order to come up with these scents. I quickly made favorites, a mix of the Primrose and Rye coupled with the Green Wheat and MeadowSweet.

A little goes a long way with Jo Malone I find that one of their colognes can last me up to a year, so if you’re thinking of owning your first fragrance than I suggest you start of with one of their bestselling colognes, especially if simple yet refined is your thing. Besides their bestseller, the warm Peony and Blush Suede, which is a classic for me; I really enjoyed the English Pear and Freesia from their Fruity Collection, it’s crisp, feminine and fresh, like “a walk in an orchard during autumn.”

And can we not forget the packaging. I’m starting to collect the pretty boxes, I don’t have the heart to toss them out, they add such a lovely touch to my dressing room, I especially loved the Beirut-themed pigeon rock one. Such a lovely touch to commemorate Jo Malone’s opening in Lebanon.

If you haven’t discovered the world of Jo Malone I highly suggest you head down to ABC Verdun and get the full experience, ask them to help you combine your favorite fragrances. They’re also the perfect gift to bring along to Iftars this Ramadan. Let me know what your favorite are!

Baby Sienna’s Nursery

July 19, 2017 - Leave a Comment

I’m not going to lie, designing my Luca’s nursery was a lot of fun, but not just quite as exciting as designing a little piece of princess heaven for my Baby Sienna, truth is I’ve always dreamt of having a baby girl, and all the special girly things I would do for her.

The second time around however, I knew exactly what I needed and did not need in a nursery, and although aesthetics are a priority, they would have to take a back seat this time around to functionality. With Luca, I had naively bought an entire room set, on display in a store, the wardrobe and changing table and everything in between. But after never using the changing table once, thanks to the ideal one we had set up in the washroom, or the mattress in his room, and realizing that a tiny wardrobe in the room, would only take up space rather than actually make space, I knew the pieces of furniture for the new nursery would have to serve multi-purposes. And so I embarked on this new project, with those things in mind.

The Theme

Parisian, Pink, and Vintage, Chic, were the words that come to mind. A cozy traditional setting space that felt both serene and sweet, just like my baby girl. I wanted pieces that weren’t matchy matchy, but rather a collection of items, that work together harmoniously.

The Color Palette

I know boho-earthy nurseries are a hit this year with unusual color palettes, hot air balloons, dream catchers and what not. But I couldn’t help but be immediately drawn to a cotton candy pink. And so, instead of a bleach white, I paired it with a soft creme and a beige. I thought adding more of a saturated tone would calm the room, and dim it to give it a sleep-friendly ambiance. To me bedrooms are a place for children to sleep not play. I fell in love with this stunning wall paper from Skaff, polka dots gave the room a the Parisian chic feel I was looking for, and if you would look a little closer you would notice that the dots had a playful hint of gold glitter on them. As for the textile, I also chose two kinds, a cotton candy velour and a creme suede also from Skaff. The curtains are linen material soft beige from Wardeh which blocked just the right amount of light from the room- something I had also learned the hard way.

The Furniture

Like I said, each piece had to be different but somehow fit into the overall theme. First the crib, I searched high and low for a one-of-a-kind crib, something that resembled the kind of cribs you would see in your favorite fairytale movie fit for a little princess, a crib that was NOT white, or modern. And so I fell on this gorgeous one, a rocking chabby chic crib with a soft worn out creme wood and engraved florals and a tulle classic canopy. I found it as a last piece sold separately at Alina’s in Kfarhbeb, they have the wonderful selection of unique Italian/European high-end baby furniture that I haven’t found elsewhere in Lebanon.

As for the Rocking chair, comfort was everything, I had rocked my Baby Luca for over 11 months on an Ikea chair with wooden arms, and let me tell you, it can get painful both for you and baby. Nothing impressed me in my search, so I had my carpenter custom-make me this one, with the creme suede textile from Skaff along with a leg rest. And let me tell you that thing is one comfortable rocking chair, both baby and I can sink in and cuddle up together and at times even nap. Of course I use a throw-over because, well, suede and baby aren’t the best combo. I found the perfect side table at BHV Home that looked like it had come with the bed.

Next, the day bed and night bed. This one I’m the most proud of for coming up with. I had my carpenter also build a bed for me, that would also serve as a huge chest inside, having learned just how much baby things baby will need and just so little storage space you’ll be left with. The top part where the mattress sits simply opens from one side to reveal a big box. I asked him to do it quite high, so that it can also serve as a changing area for baby, without being annoying on the back. And during the day it transforms into a day-bed surrounded by cushions and at night, a bed for whomever is sleeping with baby. But to give it a less boxy-feel I sent it to an upholsterer to cover the entire area with the pink velour material I had ordered from Skaff. The reason I wanted it upholstered is to make it more baby proof, if Little Luca was monkeying around as I changed Baby Sienna, he can either rest his back comfortably and not hit his head on a hard surface. I’m not going to lie, it also made it all the more prettier.

The Linens

Pottery Barn was a no brainer for this. But when I found out international wedding dress designer Monique Lhullier was teaming up with them for a collection, I knew I had to have it and it didn’t disappoint, in fact it was love at first sight. The designs were everything you would expect from this bridal gown expert, handcrafted tulle, fairytale hues, satin soft beddings that added a dreamy romantic ambiance to the nursery. I went for the full set, from the gorgeous blush pink tulle bed skirt with Butterly appliqués, the sateen butterfly bed sheet, the soft all-round bumper with pretty ribbons, and the sateen quilt. I even threw in that gorgeous cushion case which I placed on the rocking chair. It complemented the crib perfectly.This had to be my favorite thing about this nursery.

The Accessories

The baskets I found at Zara Home, which I adore as well as all the cushion covers on the day bed. I used one right by the changing mat as a diaper supply box and another for all her pretty little shoes. I got an extra one for her burp clothes and to keep an extra supply of linen clothes on hand. The pink storage boxes that match the throw over on the leg rest, I found at H&M Home along with the cute little pink frame on the side table. As for the flowers and the fluffy white carpet, from Carpet Plus, although VERY overpriced, I have to say they have some of the best fake flowers in the country, so they’re definitely worth the investment.

Baby Sienna is six months young already, and I have to say, there is not a single item in this nursery that wasn’t useful to date. It’s a welcoming warm and loving space which is not only sweet and inviting but even little Luca enjoys the occasional cuddle in here. I’m very happy with the outcome and it’s quickly become a favorite hang out spot in our home. I hope it inspires you. Baby Sienna’s Baptism is coming up next months (can’t believe only last year I had Luca’s Baptism) and I can’t wait to show you all the lovely things I have planned. Follow me on both Snapchat (ivy says) and Instagram to keep up with all the fun preparations @IvySays.

Baby Sienna’s Chocolates

March 1, 2017 - Leave a Comment

I’m not going to lie, the minute we found out I’m having a girl, I knew I was going to go a little overboard with the pink. That’s right, I grew up in a household as the only girl amongst 3 (lovely) but nevertheless very male-ish brothers, and then I had quite a lovely but nevertheless boy-ish son, so you bet I was going to bask in this very girly moment. (You’ve been very pinkishly warned.)

Having had two very successful beautiful collaborations with Boite Sucrée for both Baby Luca’s Birth and Baptism chocolates and favors, I had no doubt in my mind that I would be working with them again, despite the numerous collaboration requests I’ve received from other respectable chocolatiers ahead of baby Sienna’s birth. There is something about the Boite Sucrée’s flexibility and personalized service, that keeps me coming back, the team goes above and beyond, not to mention the creativity and attention to detail that just makes everything look exactly as I had envisioned and better.

And although the color pink has been exploited for baby girls occasions, the challenge was to create a visual mood that would not remind me of just another baby girl’s birth or shower, but rather, something unique that would make it stand out, something unforgettable. At the same time, I was leaning more towards something timeless and classic yet chic.

The Theme

I’m a huge Disney fan, I grew up idolizing every single princess, from Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine and Snow White. I spent my days playing pretend and dress up with my friends as we pranced around the house with our big princess costumes trying to turn my brothers into a mice and pumpkin carriages with our magic wands. So when it came to a theme for a little girl, I was immediately drawn to a royal princess theme, something full of magic and fantasy just like my childhood and the childhood I hope to give baby Sienna. I also wanted to encompass a lot of golden glitter and tulle in the theme, to make it more romantic and enchanted. Sort of like a walk into Shakespeare’s A MidSummer’s Night Dream meets Sleeping Beauty’s Rose garden.

I chose the stands engraved with flowers and we included some mystic trees that were decorated with the chocolates. But the final touch that took the table on another level was the floral origami and paper art installation that Boite Sucrée coordinated for me with the artist. I had a white frame I had bought with me from IKEA sprayed with gold glitter surrounded by a sea of pink and gold blooms. Although this was an investment, it was totally justified as I plan on putting this up in Baby Sienna’s nursery later.

The Customized Chocolates

Even though two chocolate designs are usually enough when picking your newborn chocolates, I settled on four, because the options provided to me were just too pretty to pass up. The main ones I chose were the gold glitter crown with tulle. I also had Sienna’s name printed in plexi over pink and gold chocolate wrappers. Next we added little pink peonies with gold ribbons and finally a beautiful gold and pink tulle dresses that would cover our enchanted golden trees.

The Add-On Chocolates

Another reason I love working with Boite Sucrée is no doubt their innovation when it comes to chocolate and candy ideas. My guests absolutely delighted in the selection I had chosen for Baby Luca’s Birth that I had then brought back for his Baptism. This time; I was presented with so many interesting new ones. I chose a two-tiered white chocolate coated Marie Antoinette-style piece designed exclusively by Boite Sucrée and custom-colored to fit my theme, Cinderella pumpkin carriage cheesecake bars, rice crispy coated Turkish delights and white chocolate and pink cotton candy bites. We also added a touch of glitter to compliment the theme with a live-tray of gold dipped mini-champagne glasses and pink sugared almonds inside.

The Favors

It’s very important for me that favors/souvenirs don’t become useless in a guest’s home. I was once gifted a silver frame with a baby’s name engraved on it and could never put it to use. You can’t go wrong with a decorative piece like a candle, and to go with the theme, I chose to custom-make a lovely pink flower candle with a gold base. We added an easily removable tag with Baby Sienna’s name and date of birth and it’s already been a hit. It’s pretty and can sit anywhere in guest’s home while serving as a reminder of this special milestone in our lives.

And so I leave you with pictures of the second most special occasion of our lives, the birth of our precious baby girl, Sienna. I want to also use this occasion to thank Boite Sucrée for yet another unforgettable table which they set up for me in my home when I was at the hospital. And finally, I also want to thank everyone for their sweet heartfelt wishes and kind gestures, thank you for being part of these happy moments with us!

More Chocolate Table Ideas

6 Steps To Baby Luca’s Sweet Table with Boite Sucrée

Baby Luca’s Chocolates by Boite Sucrée

Baby Luca’s First Birthday

Baby Luca’s Baptism

Baby Luca’s First Birthday

October 7, 2016 - 1 Comment

15.09.2015. Forever My lucky numbers.

I can’t believe our Baby Luca is one already. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that a year has passed since they handed me that wrinkled little ball of peach fuzz and told me he was mine. I remember staring at him in complete awe, and being amazed at just how naturally he lay in my arms. He didn’t cry or squirm. He literally just chilled there. And although the idea of holding a newborn once terrified me, I wasn’t scared one bit. On the contrary, I was fulfilled.

I’m not going to preach to you about what an easy breezy year it’s been. I feel like I’ve climbed mountains, ran marathon after marathon and jumped over a thousand hurdles and perhaps dodged a shooting squad of bullets. And I feel like I’ve come out of it winning gold. Not because I did so good, although I hope I did. But because he’s my trophy. I’ve grown ten years older in his one year. And I’ve gone from being known as a master procrastinator to the queen of multitask.

And now enter a whole new ball game. As his first birthday approached, I was both excited and slightly confused as to what sort of celebration I would put together. I wanted to keep it simple and fun. I mean let’s face it; as many times as we tried to sing him Happy Birthday in the lead up to his big day, homebaby had no idea what the hell we were doing, but like a good sport he’d sing along. (He now thinks it’s one of his lullabies by the way) But I knew this celebration was more for our supportive family and friends, it was our way of collectively patting ourselves on the shoulder and saying- you did well, he’s turned out okay- so far…

The Theme

The jungle theme was a no brainer. There was nothing Baby Luca loved more than animals. He can mimic the sounds they make and is totally mesmerized when he spots one on television. I struggled to find a theme that wasn’t overdone in Lebanon let alone a complete set which was quite disappointing, so I had this one brought in from Toys “R” Us, in Dubai. I found everything from the tableware set, hanging cutout streamers, decoration, themed invitations. The color palette was just perfect and easy to work with.

The Venue

My set-up required a spacious grass lawn and so throwing it at our mountain house was the obvious choice. It was an intimate gathering with only ten kids below 4 years of age, so I wasn’t worried much about entertainment or animations. Instead, I installed a blow-up pool, filled it with small balls and balloons ( it was a HUGE hit) bought some hoola hoops and balls, a single-swing and a bubble machine. I also bought a set of ten toddler chairs and a table which I set up for the little ones to eat on and hang out. I love it cause I’ll be using it for all of Baby Luca’s guests.

The Food

This was an easy selection. Toddlers are fairly simple eaters and so I went with the obvious choice. Finger food such as freshly baked mini-pizzas, zaatar, halloumi, mini-burgers and mini-sandwiches. The mini-sandwiches were a selection of cheese and cucumber as well as ham/turkey and cheese. To go with the jungle theme I had them displayed into two large baguettes carved into a crocodile and a turtle. The kids loved them and they got them excited about eating, which I’m learning is a good thing.

The Sweet Table

From my many previous posts and celebrations I’ve shared here, you know by just how much this part means to me in any occasion. Why? Because it’s the table that guests gather around, and well let’s face it, it’s so pretty it serves as the perfect backdrop and is one to get photographed the most. I think I can also safely say if children appreciate anything, it’s candy and cake.

When I envisioned a children’s party I thought of giant lollipops and lots of candy, the sort you would find at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and so I thought of one place that would do the trick for me, Candylicious from Dubai Mall also available in Yas Mall Abu Dhabi. It’s a premium candy store that carries a collection of some of the world-famous candy and chocolate brands. I found swirly multicolored lollipops that I was able to get hand-custom designed with Luca’s name on using spun candy. The service is super convenient and you can watch as they do it in front of you on the spot. I also found chewy marshmallow like animal-stacked pops which I paired with the lollipops on two logs we transformed into lollipop stands on the table.

As for the cake, jungle animals also made a huge appearance, I turned to Secrets this time and they did not disappoint. The colors I selected were gorgeously pigmented and the animal marzipan on the cake were absolute crafted to perfection, almost too good to eat. I actually saved up what’s left of them and froze them for keepsake. I chose a chocolate interior, because well… chocolate!

The Balloons

I’m big on balloons right now. Actually ever since the Tiffany Blue ones made such an impact on Luca’s Baptism Lunch. Always the missing touch, they can really transform any setting into a magical one. My favorite and most creative balloon folks over at Mega Toy Store in Sahel Alma did not disappoint once again. They designed an stand-alone arrangements with letters of his name and also another large one encompassing the whole theme and colors.

And finally Baby Luca, his full outfit was from Baby Gap and his sneakers are by Adidas Marvel Avengers edition. To say he had a blast, would be an understatement. We thought he wouldn’t get it but he did, he sure knew it was his party. Especially with the smash cake his grandma made for him. Let’s just say, he didn’t hold back!

6 Steps To Baby Luca’s Sweet Table with Boite Sucrée

June 29, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Elaborate sweet tables are part of almost every occasion nowadays. Weddings, Birthdays, Baptisms, Communions, Baby Showers, Graduations, home entertaining, you name it. It’s a visual delight and a major crowd-pleaser. Personally, I love it when a host makes an effort, especially when the theme is personalized and creative.

I worked with Boite Sucrée to create Baby Luca’s Baptism sweet table encompassing all the elements of dessert table perfection –personalized chocolates, center piece cake, candy add-ons, souvenirs, statues, and props

But if you’re thinking about where to start with your own, here are 6 helpful steps to perfectly planning a sweet table:

1. The Color Scheme/ Theme

For his Baptism which I previously posted in detail about here, I chose Tiffany Blue and white, one of my favorite color palettes. For the third color I chose silver. My advice is three is enough to keep it elegant and neat. I had two sit-downs with Boite Sucrée once I picked my colors, first to come up with a mood board and brainstorm some theme ideas and the second time to finalize the table-set up and props.

2. The Chocolates

When I envisioned the table, I knew I wanted angels to make a huge appearance in the theme, but I was keen on doing things a little differently since you see A LOT of angels at baptisms and first communions. Boite Sucrée was able to hook me up with the their latest arrivals; white and silver angel molds that would be placed on each chocolate individually, the best part is that they haven’t been used before. We opted for two sizes of their standard Belgian gourmet chocolate the Callebaut bars, squared and rectangular. What set these apart from the rest of the chocolates I’ve seen is that I was inspired by Tiffany’s packaging, the chocolates would be tied up with a ribbon just the same way their jewelry boxes are, with the angel in the centre.

3. The Candy

Boite Sucrée doesn’t kid around when it comes to candy choices that would complement the chocolates. Their white chocolate coated dates with walnuts were a huge hit when Baby Luca was born, I had to put in two extra orders because guests liked them so much. I knew right away they would once again make an appearance at his Baptism but this time I also discovered something equally as good, if not more, white chocolate stuffed with Ghazel Il Banet (spun Lebanese cotton candy.) Let’s just say these didn’t last long on the table. I totally recommend you add these bestsellers to your candy selection and the Boite Sucrée team will advise you on quantities accordingly. Lollipops add such a lovely touch to a table setting so we also added a basket of tiffany blue and white ones. You can get these customized to the color palette of your choice. And of course, the traditional sugared almond in silver to go with the silver angels.

4. The Cake

The cake is a very important element of baptisms, it serves as a centre piece. I wanted one to taste just as good as it looks and I have to say, this one was delicious. I chose a three tiered, framboise and crushed almond interior, which I was told was a client favorite.

Here’s what I loved; rather than having to go through the hassle of cake shopping and coordinating, with design and delivery, Boite Sucrée will take care of all of that for you. That’s right, they take your cake orders, and coordinate with the vendors to make sure it’s flawless down to the smallest detail. It was one less thing to worry about. They even found the perfect angel to place atop of the cake. Talk about one-stop-shop!

5. The Props

Using themed props for hire can really take a sweet table to the next level. Leave it to Boite Sucrée’s creative styling skills to provide me with all these beautiful angel statues, trays and all the little things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. I especially love the ones with the floral arrangements. I also threw in some marshmallow jars and a silver frame of Baby Luca to give it a personal touch.

6. The Souvenirs

Baptism souvenirs serve as remembrance in friend’s and family’s homes of the special milestones in our lives. It’s a chance for them to look back at the beautiful memories shared that day. I wanted to personalize Baby Luca’s souvenirs without making them unusable for people, because let’s face it, people aren’t going to put up your child’s name on their bookshelves. So it made more sense to instead personalize the packaging. I chose porcelain blue angel figures carrying candles. Boite Sucrée customized the pretty tins by placing labels of his name and the date of the Baptism. I thought it added a lovely touch to the table as we piled them up for guests to take as they left.

At a time where chocolate, souvenir and party favor stores are popping all over town, it’s been a little harder to find a shop that treats you more than just a number or another customer. When I find someone who “gets it” and is willing to go that extra mile to make sure everything is perfect, I prefer to work with them repeatedly, because of the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re in the hands of professionals. And that’s exactly what I found when I commissioned the team to work first on Baby Luca’s Chocolates when he was born and again on his Baptism Chocolates, cake and souvenirs. I hope you find this post helpful in helping you plan a sweet table for all your occasions, and you can always reach Boite Sucrée at 03788178.

Baby Luca’s Baptism

May 20, 2016 - 2 Comments

A baby’s Baptism in our traditions are pretty much up there with Weddings and Births. It’s a BIG deal. So you can imagine the amount of preparations that went ahead of this extra special day for both him and us. To be honest, I don’t remember having put this much thought and effort into an event, since our wedding. And I’m not going to lie, I had so much fun getting into every little detail, from the table set up to the party favors.

Baby Luca

I only headed to one place for Baby Luca’s traditional Christening outfit and that would be Zahar Kids. The choices were endless, it wasn’t easy to decide. I had initially thought he would dress him in something very traditional, the sort of long gown set complete with a cap and pair of gloves but then I fell in love with a white romper that I knew was just right for the occasion, it was traditional without being too outdated. The team at Zahar Kids was an absolute pleasure to work with again, and I’m proud to have had them part as two major milestones, his First Palm Sunday and now his Baptism.

The Church

Like a wedding, a lot of thought into the decoration and set-up of the church. This was extra special for us, three generations of Khairallahs were baptized here, Baby Luca would be the fourth, both my husband, his father and his grandfather, in this small beautiful chapel which belongs to his family. It meant a lot for us for our Baby Luca to be christened in the same spot with the same basin as well and we hope he will continue this tradition with his own children one day. In an age of grand churches and majestic cathedrals, I was keen on keeping things as simple and authentic as can be, as I didn’t want to some over-zealous arrangement to distract from the romantic serenity of this historical chapel.

The Theme

When I thought of the setup, I envisioned a garden party, with long champêtre tables in an outdoor setting. I wanted natural light to be prevailing and I wanted the sky to be in all the photos. It’s also no secret Tiffany blue is one of my all-time favorite colors, coupled with white, it made the perfect palette. And of course the angels, a baby’s christening is not only religious, there is something mystical about this milestones in a child’s early life, and I knew when my Baby Luca would wear white, he would look like a little angel, and so I wanted angels to make a big appearance in the theme. I’ll be dedicating an entire post to the chocolates, party favors and souvenirs by Boite Sucrée but for now I’d like to give you an overall feel of the day.

The Set Up

With only 60 guests made of up family and very close friends, I thought it would be more intimate to have a U-shaped table, it also complemented the gorgeous 180 degree backdrop from the terrace of our mountain home. The two main elements that would make the Tiffany Blue theme, were the table runners and the balloons, which everyone adored as they added a gorgeous and original touch as they danced in the wind the entire time. I searched long and hard for Marguerite Daisy Flowers that were no longer in season, and finally had to settle for white Chrysanthemums flowers which I had pre-ordered from Exotica.

The Menu

Like a garden party, I wanted the food to be casual yet delicious. So we decided to go with a live barbecue made up of four stations, live chicken and beef shawarma stations, and burgers and merguez stations. So although a chef would prepare the sandwiches, there was a customize-your-own-burger stand, where guests would choose the condiments of their choice.

The Drinks

No party is complete in our books without a bar. Like the theme, I wanted the bar to reflect the freshness and laid-back attitude of the day. So we decided to incorporate lots of fruits and punches, that as margaritas and Sangrias. Our lovely bartenders also whipped up some great cocktails for guests on demand.

The Dessert Table

This is the main attraction of any Baptism and I wanted it to be extra special. So I teamed up with Boite Sucrée again and I can’t tell you how happy I am with the outcome. Angels made a huge appearance and so did Tiffany Blue as you can tell. As for the cake, I chose a framboise and a vanilla ground almond interior which was absolutely delicious. Next week, I’ll tell you more about this special set up in detail. What also stood out on this table was the Snayniyeh, a classic Lebanese Dessert prepared for Baby’s first tooth since Baby Luca popped his first two little chompers only a couple of days before his baptism and we didn’t get to officially celebrate.

I couldn’t have wished for a more blessed, beautiful and memorable Baptism. And a special thank you to the amazing Patrick Sawaya for capturing these precious moments for us.