A December to Remember

December 22, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Is it Christmas yet? Because I’m counting the days- actually the hours.There’s so much to love about everyone’s favorite holiday season. The tree, the jingles, the lights, the mistletoe, the festive cheer not to mention the gift exchange. I mean who doesn’t love to gift and be gifted? As much as I love shopping for myself, I love shopping for others, especially my loved ones. And now that I have a little family to call my own, I find myself taking a long pause, trying to figure out, what to get my husband and my son. Baby Luca is 13 months old, should be fairly easy right? Not really. Toddlers have a short attention span, one minute they’re really into the new train set and the next it’s the laundry basket that’s intriguing the most. So I decided to buy him a plastic bucket… just kidding. But I did get him a kid’s toy shopping cart full of produce which he can drag around the house and pretend he’s at the grocery store. It’s not exactly a present he’ll hold on to forever but I think it’s guaranteed to keep him busy for at least a day.

But it’s my husband that deserves the real prize this Christmas, as we bid farewell to a very busy year and get ready to welcome 2017. He’s been an absolute dream father and husband. Someone I can truly count on despite his very demanding career. I never once doubted just how great of a life partner he’d make, his hedonistic side is equally balanced by his utter dedication to anything he puts his mind to. As a first time parent, lord knows we’ve had our fair shares of struggles, but he never faltered, even when I did, he always kept it under control, and made sure the anchor holding our ship never drifted.

So it only made sense that the end of our first year as parents was marked by something special, something memorable that would help us look back and bookmark this beautiful year that turned our lives around. The year we learned to cherish time more, and understand just how scarce it is, how fast it flies and how precious it ought to be treated. Because this year it was no longer about passing time together as a couple, but about witnessing our son hit his first milestones, and feeling grateful over and over and over again for this blessing.

I also wanted our gifts to match somehow. So when I thought of something that would last forever it was between a timepiece or tattoos. We opted for the timepieces. And as a proud ambassador of Baume & Mercier in Lebanon it was the obvious choice when shopping around.

Sami usually tends to lean towards the usually more classic Clifton models but this time, a stunning Classima caught his eye. Don’t mistaken the name for the style, although it is indeed a classic, the contemporary twist makes this watch appeal to a younger generation of men looking for a luxurious yet accessible model. The Classima is understated, without being conservative, something that was important for Sami. He settled for the 10274, my favorite, with a 40mm round steel polished look, and his personal favorite; self-winding movements with the date and second time zone covered with sapphire crystal glass. The strap also elevates this model, dark brown alligator curved to fit the curve of the case.

As for me, and now that I secured my Petite Promesse, it was time to move on to something more delicate, yet distinctive. I decided to stick within the family and opted for the big sister Promesse Collection, the initial inspiration behind the Petite Promesse.

The model I chose, (10178) is a steel 34mm natural white mother-of-pearl bezel, with 8 gorgeous diamond-set dials, decorated with the brand’s renowned “drape” guilloché pattern, which it describes as “a visual interpretation of the ripples produced by a drop of water.” I love the overall feminine feel to it and masculine touch of the stainless steel strap, perfect for both day and night.

I hope one day, when these watches become vintage pieces, Luca would ask me about them. I’d love to tell him the story of how these beautiful Baume & Mercier timepieces represent a milestone in our lives that was so special to us, and worth investing in; his. Even more I know one day, Sami will want to pass his down to Luca, and perhaps one day I’ll be lucky enough to have a daughter and do the same.

Merry Christmas from ours to yours!

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!

What’s In My Hospital Bag

October 5, 2015 - 2 Comments

As some of you may know my hubby and I welcomed our precious little boy Luca into the world on September 15, 2015 at 7:50 am. We couldn’t be more humbled, overjoyed and grateful to call ourselves the parents of this sweet little guy and I want to thank each and everyone of you for your well wishes.

Like most expectant mommas, it’s been months and months of shopping and preparations as we counted down to D-Day- and I couldn’t complain that I finally had a legit reason to shop. But I have to admit, things started to get real as soon as I was told a number of times to keep the hospital bag on standby.

I found most of the items at City Centre Beirut which has an entire level (2) dedicated to babies, so it served as the perfect one-stop spot for me as I went through my long-LONG list.

But first I knew I had to find the perfect hospital bag, something spacious and pretty to go with all the adorable little outfits I had bought for baby.

My first stop happened to be at one of my favorite baby boutiques, Jacadi at City Centre Beirut. I fell in love with this large travel bag and I thought the size was spacious enough to fit almost everything including some diapers, and the zippers inside and multiple pockets on the outside were ideal for socks, hats and accessories. A month later I was surprised to find a parcel from Jacadi had arrived only to find that they had sent over an identical bag to the one I had except it it was the diaper bag from the same series. Great Timing! Although this one came with a convenient changing mat, bottle bag and pouch for the time being I planned on using it as my own bag for the hospital. Matchy Matchy with baby, we we’re off to a perfect start!

I also wanted a cute little onsie for baby Luca, something special that he would wear as we left the hospital to head home for the first time. This white cute velvet cute one caught my eye, it felt baby soft and I knew it was just perfect! Jacadi also sent over some much-needed all purpose muslin clothes and a sweet little Doudou which I also included in his bag.

Next up, I wanted to personalize a blanket for baby Luca, and headed over to Pottery Barn Kids also on the same floor. I picked out this gray wool one which I got monogrammed with his name check out my full post on this amazing service here and I also picked up a set of three swaddle blankets with playful prints.

My next stop was at Mothercare at City Centre Beirut for some more outfits and found an adorable set of three onsie PJs, with a zebra theme. My favorite was the black and white striped one which I thought would make for a good laugh and it sure did.

And for my final stop at City Centre Beirut, I picked up this pregnancy beauty guide and skin care kit courtesy of Clarins Spa , I blogged about how much I loved their pregnancy massage in a previous visit and I was delighted to receive this package which included a Stretch Mark Minimizer, an Exfoliating Body Scrub, Beauty Flash Balm for the face and Tonic Body Treatment Oil from plant extracts which I used to firm and massage my body during my stay at the hospital.

And of course no baby hospital bag was complete without a full set of Mustela products, this top brand found at most pharmacies had helped me completely avoid stretch marks during my pregnancy, read more here and now they were about to keep my baby, clean, hydrated and uber soft. They’re hypoallergenic, chemical free and paraben free, I packed the entire series, from baby shampoo and cleansing products to his first perfume Musti which smells like pure love. My favorite also happen to be the No-rinse Cleansing Water, Skin Freshener which I like to use on his hair and face and the Massage Oil which baby Luca enjoys thoroughly after his bath.

I can’t wait to share many more new finds as I embark on this new journey with my little love 🙂

What’s in your hospital bag?

A Unique Baby Gift Idea from Pottery Barn Kids

September 9, 2015 - Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you but my Facebook timeline has been flooded with pictures of my pregnant friends or newborn babies lately. And unless someone has already registered for a Baby Gift Registry, finding a nice, unconventional gift can be a little challenging.

So I was very happy discover Pottery Barn Kids, an offshoot of one of my favorite furniture and home style stores I’d stop by on a regular basis in both Canada or Dubai, Pottery Barn, was available in Lebanon only at City Centre Beirut. During my many visits, in preparation for my own baby’s nursery (more on that in a later post) I discovered that Pottery Barn Kids offers an in-store monogramming service on most of their own textiles and beddings for an additional fee. There were so many options to personalize from lovely quilted pillows, initials on babies towels or fleece and wool blankets.

I picked out two super soft Satin Trim Blankets, in grey and baby blue, from the new collection for two different friends with baby boys, Brian and Karl. You can never go wrong with a nice blanket, that can be thrown over a stroller or placed on a rocking chair.

The Monogramming Station

The friendly staff will give you a form fill out, where you will be asked to write down the baby’s name, and then proceed to choose the size and font you like. Next, you will be given a choice of yarn colors available on display. If you’re unsure about where you would like to monogram either the baby’s full name or initials request that the staff provide you with some in-store samples. Keep in mind that it takes around a day or two for the monogram to be ready after you purchase your items so don’t expect it to be done on the spot.

I have so many plans to customize my baby’s beddings, linens and towels and I’ll be sharing those with you as I go along so make sure to follow me on Instagram. If you too are having a baby for the first time and are still new to this baby shopping thing, then I suggest you pay a visit to Pottery Barn Kinds located on Level 2 at City Centre Beirut. You can find everything from unique furniture, rugs, lamps, decorative pieces and so much more for your babies or children’s rooms.

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The Top 5 Perfumes This Season

July 21, 2015 - Leave a Comment

1. Black Opium by YSL

Derived from its 1977 classic Opium, trust me when I say Black Opium smells just as good as it looks. It has notes of coffee ,electric pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and cedar and is one of those scents that lingers on even after you’ve left the room. It now one of my signature scents and favorite fragrances to date from YSL.

2. Versace Eros Pour Femme Fragrance

I was immediately drawn to the feminine accents of Jasmine, peonies, pomegranate and sandalwood of Versace Eros, the newly launched fragrance by Versace. The bottle also makes the perfect addition to my makeup table, with the design house’s classic motif on the edges and the Versace Medusa right in the center. This definitely smells and looks like a classic on my counter.

3. Fatale Agent Provocateur

It’s no secret that like everything from Agent Provocateur, Fatale is very seductive. It’s also smells super sweet, with bold top notes of spicy Pink Pepper with succulent Mango and exotic Blackcurrant and chocolate. I love the combination of fruity-floral-gourmand and just the longevity of the scent. I also appreciate just how practical the compact bottle design fits rights into my purse. If you love your perfumes sugary than you need to try this one out.

4. La Nuit Trésor by Lancome

Dubbed as the black Diamond of Lancome and announced as the first gourmand aphrodisiac from the brand, La Nuit Trésor is the result of combining the heart of a black rose, with vanilla orchid and my personal favorite, Lychee praline. It also has a very distinct raspberry top note as soon as you smell it. If I would describe this smell in one word, I would say it’s romantic. The bottle is exquisitely shaped like a diamond with a pretty satin black rose and bow. If you loved Lancome’s original bestselling Trésor then you will love the modern sultry take on La Nuit Trésor.

5. My Burberry

An iconically British fragrance that is inspired by the brand’s famous cult trench coat and the smell of a London urban garden after the rain. It opens with notes of sweet peas geranium, freesia flowers rounded up with patchouli in the base, joined with Damascus and Centifolia rose, in other words, it’s very floral and feminine. I love to put this one on during the daytime, especially when I have meetings

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My 7 Favorite Things This July

July 3, 2015 - 1 Comment

1. Fuji Green Tea Body Sorbet by The Body Shop

Though I usually go straight to their Body Butter Collection I’m currently obsessing over the texture and spa-like smell of The body Shop’s Fuji Green Tea Body Sorbet. It’s actually gel-like and really feels as cooling and light as sorbet and smells marvelously fresh, the perfect remedy this summer for all your after sunburn woes .

2. Oysho

As you may have noticed, Oysho is no longer just for those cutie animated PJs, the brand has totally evolved into a full-fledged line of beachwear, gymwear and even footwear. I’ve been in invited to take part of their #OyshoMomentsLebanon campaign and it’s been fun discovering and mixing and matching their different collections together. I’m loving this crimson monokini and a pair of espadrilles which I picked from their Summer 2015 Collection.

3. Starbucks Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Can we please discuss these new desserts we’ve been seeing at Starbucks? My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I spotted this not-so-little baby, the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake and instantly had to have it. It tasted exactly how it looked and exceeded expectations, two layers of extra-creamy cheesecake batter sandwiching a dreamy, sinful yet wholesome (I can’t find enough adjectives to describe it) layer of caramel. You won’t be able to move after you’re done but who cares, you’ve reached your destination.

4. Tufenkjian Pearl Necklace

The mono-pearl short chain necklace has been trending for a while and leave it to Lebanon’s most prestigious fine jeweler, Tufenkjian Freres, to add a pair of diamonds to each corner to take things up a notch. I’m loving staple piece that I wear with almost anything, day and night, it also makes the perfect memorable gift for a friend or loved one.

5. Versace Eros Pour Femme Fragrance

Last month, I attended the launch of Versace’s Eros Pour Femme. I’m very particular with my scents and usually stick to what I know but I was immediately drawn to the feminine accents of Jasmine, peonies, pomegranate and sandalwood. The bottle also makes the perfect addition to my makeup table, with the design house’s classic motif on the edges and the Versace Medusa right in the center. This will definitely be a classic on my counter.

6. Brunch at The Four Seasons Grill Room

Although The Grill Room is mostly known for those magnificent Charolais cuts of beef and fine dining, it also boats one of my favorite gourmet brunches in the city. You can indulge in an entire selection of pastries from the buffet but for your hot dishes, you can choose from an unlimited selection off the menu and the best part is you can have your pick of local Lebanese and international favorites. So my recommendation is to start with the labneh, mhammarah foul, grilled halloumi round up and then be sure to go for their amazing eggs Benedict with your choice of endless sides. And for the grand finale, if you still have some room in there, get the pancakes. It’s makes for the perfect birthday or celebratory brunch and it goes for $40 per person but totally worth every penny.

7. Adidas Flip Flops and Tank

I’m loving this pair of monochrome spotted flip flops by Adidas which I matched with this Royal Blue (also spotted) workout tank, perfect for the beach or a quick swim after hitting the gym.

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My Top 10 Favorite Things This Spring

May 12, 2015 - 2 Comments

The new Makeup Forever Primers. It may still seem like a foreign concept to you, but primers changed my entire outlook on makeup not to mention routine. They’re meant to smoothen your face, fill in imperfections and uneven coloring, plus create this amazing protective layer between your skin and makeup so it can eliminate grease and seriously last all day especially when temperatures are rising. Makeup Forever created this entire range called STEP 1 Equalizers that come in 11 types depending on your needs. I recommend: Mattifying Primer, Hydrating Primer, Nourishing Primer and the Smoothing Prime all available at Makeup Forever stands.

Mel wedges by Melissa– they’re playful, they’re plastic but most importantly they’re super comfortable. I’m really feeling this powder pink pair of wedges this Spring, they go with almost anything. I also love how environmentally conscience this brand is, since mono-materials, which means they can be easily disassembled and recycled. Fan fact: they also smell like bubble gum.

From the folks who brought us BRGR.CO comes Pzza.co this gourmet Italian eatery located in the heart of Beirut Souks. I can go on and on about the Bocconcini in Carroza, Rigatoni Creamy Bolognese or one of the best pizza dough’s in the country, but I’m going to insist you try out the half-Nutella half Lotus Biscuit Spread pizza. It’s surprisingly lighter than it looks, so have it even if you’re simply in the mood for something sweet with a friend while you shop.

I’ve been a huge fan of BCBGMaxAzaria since forever and their Spring/Summer15 Collection can add a super stylish not to mention gorgeous fresh perspective to any wardrobe. I like to shop there for both special occasions or everyday staples but either way it will always be a piece that stands out and gets noticed A LOT. I fell in love with the all-white short and sheer skirt combo with a matching vest. Find them at their large stand-alone in Beirut Souks or ABC Dbayeh.

We all need a Brusher and Bronzer this season so when you find a compact that joins both you know you have a keeper. Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics released this limited edition I Love You Mum for Mother’s Day this year, and I’m loving the color combo and just how pretty it looks both to gaze at and applied on my face and cheeks. The bronze base gives off a natural tan while the rose subtle-shimmery butterfly comes of like a sun-kissed glow. Tip: Apply both with a Bronze Blush all-over for a dewy matte finish.

Each season I invest in a designer bag and since the micro-bag trend is huge right now, I loved everything about Saint Laurent’s ‘Sac De Jour‘ Nano sized-version of this incredibly good looking and well-structured tote. The detachable straps make it the perfect cross body bag and it comes in a range of colors, like Royal Blue, Sea Blue, Sugar Pink and Red but I’m a sucker for black. You will be surprised how much you can carry in that small space. Available at Saint Laurent Downtown Beirut.

No matter how many times I recommend this dish it won’t do it any justice, whether or not you like lobster you just have to go have the fresh Lobster Roll at my favorite gourmet sandwich spot in Mark Mikhael; Acoté. Everything on the menu is heavenly (trust me I tried them all) but this little beauty is tastes like something right out of the original ones they serve in Maine. Also have the pastrami,Slow-braised lamb and the cheesecake and pancakes. But not before you try this!

My brand new Barista Espresso Machine in aRoma red. I already had the Perla Machine but what sets this new one apart is the capsules, which are also Nespresso compatible, which I happen to have as well! If you’re feeling more adventurous then they also have one in a fun Aroma Army Print. Be prepared for a strong flavor assortment of espressos- none of that water diluted stuff, this definitely isn’t for the lightweights.

Imagine, a box full of local and regional treasures handpicked by your favorite food blogger each month delivered right to your doorstep. That’s right The Box is NoGarlicNoOnions creative solution born from his desire to share all his latest discoveries with all his followers. I was one of the lucky ones to receive the first batch to ever go out and I can’t tell how both delicious and fun it was to explore all those little things in there. I loved how it also included a fun gadget and even some wine! You can sign up for yours here

I love how Adidas NEO line is all about sporty and casual and it doesn’t hurt that Selena Gomez is also the face of the label this year. I wanted a pair of navy chic sneakers to wear with a lot of my outfits (skirts/dresses/ shorts) this summer and I was immediately drawn to this pair of super easy slip-ons. I won’t lie I was also a big sucker for the pink stripes that add a much needed pop of color to most outfits. They’re available at most Adidas stores now.