Lifestyle – Page 5

23 MORE Things Nobody Tells You About Having a Baby

July 14, 2016 - Leave a Comment

You loved 23 Things Nobody Tells You About Having a Baby, and I promised you that as time passed and I delved deeper into the realm of Motherhood I would share more observations. Well, Baby Luca just hit his 10 months mark and let’s just say if I thought I knew anything before, I knew nothing. Here are 23 More Things No Baby App, mother friend or anyone else for that matter will tell you about having a baby…

1. That first smile, that awkward toothless smile, will make your heart do a dance, and just like that, every little pain and woe you’ve felt in the first couple of months will disappear into thin air.

2. You will become addicted to your baby’s scent , like a junkie to his fix, a mere whiff of your baby will send shots of dopamine in your system. And you will keep coming back for more..

3. You will go from getting scared to handle your newborn baby in the shower to having him/her on your hip, while you make lunch, chat on the phone and have a coffee, yes all at once. Queen of Multitask

4.The profound love. This infinite, heart wrenching, deep,immeasurable love. *Sigh*

5. Tears.Lots of them. Happy tears, sad tears, confused tears, tired tears, satisfied tears, blessed tears. No these are not your baby’s tears, these are all your tears.

6.Vaccines are like self-inflicted torture. You take a perfectly fine baby out of your home only to bring a fussy feverish one back. As necessary as they are, you can’t help but resent them.

7.Teething is the evil force always lurking in the shadows. Just when everything is perfect and baby is sleeping through the night, teething steps in to turn your happy go-lucky baby into the Grinch.

8.Not everyone will comprehend this life-changing, challenging phase you’re going through and everything it entails, and that’s okay. People will comment on your absence and say things like “Where have you been?” when they know EXACTLY where you’ve been, as though to undermine the fact that you’ve just had a baby.
What’s not okay is to surround yourself with people who just don’t care and still expect out of you the time and company they had from you pre-baby. Let those ones go.

9.No you won’t MISS OUT on everything. You will just substitute one type of activity with another, that can be just as fun, way more tiring, and a lot more rewarding. It doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy or come to really appreciate those carefree nights out again or a vacation alone with the hubby, it just means what was enjoyable before isn’t so much anymore, because you changed and it’s a great change so embrace it.

10. It sounds very cliché but the truth is no job, no success, no vacation, no award can be more fulfilling and satisfying as having your baby fall asleep on your chest, because those little hands clenching you and that warm soft breath has entrusted you with everything. Nothing can ever come close. Period.

11. This one is for working mothers. Don’t apologize because your new status as a mother is suddenly inconvenient at the workplace, or you can’t go the extra mile to over-perform like you used to. As long as you’re fulfilling your job obligations and duties, it’s perfectly fine, in fact it’s recommended to give your baby those extra hours for the time being. Stop feeling bad.

12. There are days were you just want to collapse. Like literally just pass out. If it’s not the physical exhaustion that will get you then it’s the mental worry that has overtaken you since baby was born that will get to you. It’s won’t be easy but just give yourself a break.

13. You will go from wanting to do it all on your own, to accepting all the help you can get. Some mothers will understand this from the get-go and save themselves the trouble and others will keep resisting to the point of desperation. Just accept the help. And don’t be ashamed to admit it.

14.You’ve suddenly developed the hearing capabilities of a fox, that hunter has nothing on you. You can recognize your baby’s whimper in a room full of noise, and while everyone else didn’t hear nothing, you’re already by your baby’s side. Call it a sixth sense, call it paranoia, all you know is since you’ve had the baby you’ve developed blue tooth pairing.

15. You’ve never prayed more for your child to sleep through the night and when he does, you will still suddenly wake up in three times a night just to check on them. Go figure…

16.You will stare. Stare at your baby playing, stare at your baby eating, stare at your baby doing just about anything. The simple act of your baby being, just fills your heart with sheer joy.

17. Even if you weren’t a baby person before, your own baby will make you fall in love with all babies to the point where you are unable to handle yourself when you encounter one when you’re alone at the mall. Like seriously. Take. It . Easy. You are Scaring the Parents.

18. You will show and tell them about your baby even when they don’t ask. You will slowly come to the realization that not everyone thinks your baby is Amazeballs. Doesn’t matter, you’ll still do it anyway.

19.You will come to hate the doorbell and the house phone, and anything else that can interrupt your baby’s nap time. You know it’s not personal but it is, so if you can gather everyone and trap them in a soundproof room until baby awakens you would, but people will think you’re nuts so you just continue wish for it silently.

20. And suddenly you and your husband are humming nursery rhymes and Chantal Goya tunes, even when the baby is not there. At first you feel a little self-conscience but when you truly embrace it, that’s when all the fun begins.

21. Your first trip sans baby will send you into full out panic-attack mode. We’re talking hyperventilating, erratic Whatsapp messaging to whomever is babysitting, scrolling through your babies photos every hour or 4am demands for proof of life. If the worry isn’t enough to ruin your trip than the dreadful guilt will.

22. Speaking of guilt, accept it, because apparently it will also never go away. Maybe you’re working too hard, not spending enough time with baby, not looking hard enough for organic veggies, not planning enough outdoor activities, whatever it is, that nagging feeling will accompany you throughout the rest of your life. Thanks Motherhood.

23.It’s true when they say “Enjoy it, they’re only babies for a little while.” Just when you were dreading the thought that this was going to be your life forever, you look at your baby and suddenly he’s standing upright in his crib getting ready to jump and all you wish for at that moment is for time to just slow down and your baby to be a baby for a little while longer. Ok I lie. Forever. Because that smell…

Baby Luca is dressed from head to toe in Zahar Kids, Now on SALE.

Enjoyed this post? Also read

33 Truths Nobody Tells You About Being Pregnant

The 7 Types of Moms on Social Media

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.

A Fatherhood First

June 21, 2016 - 2 Comments

Although experiencing Motherhood for the first time is quite the life-altering experience on its own, we tend to put so much focus on it that we at times overlook our partners, who too are going through the emotional roller coaster of what it is to be a father for the very first time.

My husband’s journey with fatherhood began long before our Baby Luca arrived into the world, it started with the first ultra-sound, the first scare, the first baby kick, the first crib assembly, the first hospital run. Although I was the one who was getting bigger and bigger as the months passed, he was also going through some major changes in his life, suddenly our priorities changed, our hopes shifted and even our home, begun to look different.
I remember his face as they slowly strolled me to the operating room, it was the first time I see him look so worried, scared, anxious and alone. I wanted to get up and comfort him, but I couldn’t. So he sat there, for almost an hour, not knowing who to worry about more, me or the baby.

And I’ll never forget his teary eyes, as he heavily dragged Baby Luca’s crib into my room as I met him for the first time, he was filled with so much love and relief, he was bursting pride, joy and emotions that I couldn’t possible put into words.

He never left our side. For three whole days and nights at the hospital, he would spend his days between comforting me and learning everything there was to know about handling a newborn, shadowing the nurses as they showered Baby Luca, changed nappies, and burped him.

I watched him in awe as he carried him with so much confidence, as he buckled him in the car seat for the very first time, while he comforted him and at the same time helped me walk to the car. Suddenly his responsibilities doubled, like he had the worries of the world on his shoulders, though it never showed on his face.

For the first two weeks, we jokingly nicknamed him sage-femme (French for Mid-wife.) Although I was the one reading up on baby care throughout my pregnancy, suddenly he become the expert, my go-to authority, the baby whisperer. As I struggled to get my health back and heal, he was the brave one who would shower baby like a pro, he’d spend his days and nights, caring for our little one, soothing him and waking every 3 hours for the night-feedings. He was a natural. And not once did he complain, nor tell me he was tired, he did what he did with so much grace and effortlessness.

Nine months later, and he is still on daddy duty, as dedicated as ever to give Baby Luca a beautiful childhood, and although it can never be flawless, his determination is astounding. I see the sparkle Baby Luca has in his eyes as soon as he spots him walk in the door and it’s almost mesmerizing. I couldn’t have ever wished for a better role model for our little boy.

I hope Baby Luca gets his father’s patience, I hope he gets his kindness, I hope he gets his ambition, I hope he gets his optimism, I hope he gets his humor, I hope he gets weird quirks, I hope he gets his OCD, I hope he gets his charisma, I hope he gets his diplomacy and I hope one day he will love his family just as much as his father loves us.

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful new overlooked fathers out there!

Les Caves De La Crêperie- Jounieh’s Best Kept Secret

June 7, 2016 - Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of La Crêperie, ever since it reopened its doors last year to huge acclaim. This iconic establishment juts out from a cliff with a vantage point of the bay of Jounieh that captures a view you’d only see in mythical postcards of Jounieh, the quintessential glorious Jounieh our parents and grandparents boast about before the war.

But make no mistake, it’s not just the view that gives La Crêperie the praise it deserves, it’s the meticulousness in architecture and design of the venue itself is what also leaves so many guests awestruck. It pays homage to its 19th century heritage and history while adding its very own French Provincial identity.

But I’m not writing this post to talk about La Crêperie, instead I want to share with you a little secret, one that extends further beyond the cliff, hidden down the stairs, tucked in the basement. It’s called Les Caves De La Crêperie, a bar/resto extension connected to the restaurant’s back garden.

Originally open in 1972, it shares the same magnificent view as La Crêperie, except this one is enjoyed from a unobstructed-panoramic glass interior and cozy mahogany chesterfield couches. A mammoth dimly-lit bar adorned with an endless selection of drinks and spirits rests under notable stone clad archades that give the interior the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional.

Stunning views and interiors aside, the cocktails are both impressive with a different approach, and a lot of thought and philosophy behind each, as the skilled resident mixologists are more than happy to explain and as someone who’s on the constant lookout for the new “it” cocktail, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the variety. And if like me you like your drinks coupled wholesome finger-food, then make sure you order some of the star items on the menu, ideal for sharing. The mini-burgers are a must-have and so are the Calamari Frites but you can’t miss out on the Brochettes de Boeuf and Crevettes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, some of Les Caves’ house signature cocktails include the Pink Passion, White Monkey or Bramble Rose which I love. But I also wanted to share with you my personal favorite selection, it includes the Vaismakande; a special house premix of red fruits, Hayman Sloe gin and Xante. It comes in a cool coconut and tastes as exotic and refreshing as it looks. Another drink I love and recommend you try is also called Jamming, with Bombay Gin, Martini Rosato, Rose Jam and a special house premix. And finally, the Gold Digger; Bacardi gold with peach, passion fruit and a Les Caves premix.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with everything that made the past decades of this establishment so grand, but whether you’re simply looking to unwind with an apéritif before dinner upstairs or somewhere to party in the evening, you’ll find that Les Caves’ new summer program will once again be putting Jounieh on the nightlife map. If you miss the DJ’s at SKYBAR and O1NE you can now find them there on Friday and Saturday nights. You can kiss those Sunday Night Blues goodnight by busting out with some Karaoke (my fave!) , French Nights on Wednesday and Flashback Thursdays with the hottest hits that made us dance all the way from the 80s up until the early 2000s.

Les Caves De La Crêperie is understated in its elegance and subtlety, the kind of place you can bring anyone to, from coworkers, old friends or even your parents, everyone will fit right in and find a corner they love. It’s classy without the lavishness that makes many bar/restos uncomfortable and though the food and drinks are top-notch you will be surprised to know just how affordable they are, so don’t be surprised if you slowly make it a habit like I have this summer. You can follow me on my SnapChat account on Ivy Says.

Here I’m wearing Dresses by The Dress Concept
My Handbags are from Bvlgari

Serendipity on the Seine

May 30, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a Rive Droite or Rive Gauche kinda girl, you can’t help but fall in love with what separates those two parts of Paris in the first place, and that’s La Seine. And how can one not be seduced by this 777 Kilometer long river that flows through the heart of this city? It’s home to some of the city’s most beautiful bridges, like Pont Neuf and my personal favorite; the Pont Des Arts. It’s also featured in some of the most beautiful fashion shoots in the world, so as a blogger how can I resist really?

My hubby and I have developed a little ritual with this walk in particular throughout our visits, and it usually also involves a stop at Notre-Dame. After a quick visit, we usually grab some wine and a fresh baguette and head towards the Seine. And sometimes, when the weather permits we’ll take the steps down the dock to stroll on the river’s edge. We’ll watch the Bateaux Mouches as they float with hordes of tourists, gaping through the glass decks at the beautiful clichés, while we keep a watchful eye on the sleazy seagulls, who will always get a little too close for comfort. And the rest, well, we leave to serendipity.

Shoes: Flirting Espadrilles by Chiara Ferragni from the #RirixComo event at the ComoStore
Watch: Classima by Baume & Mercier
Sunglasses: Miu Miu
Bag: Chloé
Customized “Ivy Says”Ring: Ma Cherie Accessories
Top and Blazer: Zara

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.

La Bohème de Montmartre

May 11, 2016 - 2 Comments

Paris is a post card. So it’s really not that difficult to get a good shot there. But one of my favorite parts lies on a large hill, in its 18th arrondissement; Montmartre; with a 130 meters high panoramic view of the rest of the city, dominated and most known for the primarily famous white-domed Basilica of the blessed Sacré-Cœur. It used to be a hub for artists and poets of the last century like (Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh), even considered a village once with its cobblestone streets, cheap rent, tax-free wine and overall Bohemian vibe, way before Bohemian was trendy.

ivy says beauty blogger paris lebanon

sacre coeur montemartre

I’ve visited many times before, but I’ll never forget my first visit with my husband, at the time my fiancée. We had just gotten engaged and after months of planning the party, we wanted to getaway and finally get some time off for our own, to bask in the bliss of what it was to be engaged. We had just re-watched a lovely award winning film known as Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain starring the gorgeous French actress Audrey Tatou. It’s a whimsical romantic comedy that tells the life of Amélie who lived and worked in Montmartre. We had so much fun recognizing all the actual locations they filmed in and just loved how the movie came to life for us.

baume&mercier lebanon fashion blogger

baume&mercier lebanon fashion blogger beauty paris shoot

baume&mercier lebanon beirut souks ivy says fashion blogger

Later enjoyed a bottle of red wine on the famous steps at the top of Sacré Coeur while we watched a group of Brazilian perform the Capoeira. After that we walked down the hill to the lively Boulevard de Clichy.
We had visited this city again many times after that, but never quite as tourists again, always jumping from one taxi to the next, from one destination to the other, without taking the time to enjoy this Paris again. But this time was different, we had celebrated another milestone, our Baby Luca’s Baptism which also took a lot of planning, so it was also a much-needed break. And there we were again, on those steps, looking down, at the City of Light.

baume&mercier lebanon

baume&mercier lebanon fashion blogger

ivy says ma cherie paris

baume et mercier ivy says beirut city souks

adidas originals ivy says adidas levant
ivy says fashion blogger

Top: Vero Moda (City Centre Beirut)
Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters (City Centre Beirut)
Sneakers: Adidas Originals (City Centre Beirut)
Watch: Classima; Baume & Mercier Beirut Souks or Atamian
Earrings: Ma Cherie Accessories
Handbag: Celine

23 MORE Things Nobody Tells You About Having a Baby

Like this:

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

Like this:

A Fatherhood First

Like this:

Les Caves De La Crêperie- Jounieh’s Best Kept Secret

Like this:

Serendipity on the Seine

Like this:

Baby Luca’s Baptism

Like this:

La Bohème de Montmartre

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: