I was very much looking forward to picking out Baby Luca’s chocolate and favors as my due date approached. We’re huge on chocolates and party favors in Lebanon especially for weddings, births and baptisms and now even more for engagements, graduations, proposals and birthdays. This was an extra special occasion for me, the birth of my first child, and I had put a lot of thought into the sort of look and feel I wanted. Many of my friends had also given birth recently and although I thought some of their displays were beautiful, I couldn’t help but notice just how similar they all were, even using identical props and themes from the same store.
So I knew I wanted to find a chocolate design boutique that was unique and I also knew I wanted to collaborate with a designer who was flexible and approachable yet inspiring. I wasn’t looking for something over-the-top or complicated, but at the same time I definitely didn’t want someone to sell me a design that was recycled over and over again. So after doing my rounds on the usual suspects I fell on a gem in Kfarhbeb (Jounieh) run by the lovely mother and daughter duo, Dana and Ghada Nakhoul, the creative directors and managing partners behind Boite Sucrée.
Upon entering the lovely boutique I was immediately taken by the chocolates and decor on display, ready to be delivered to clients. Take a look at some of the gorgeous set ups below.
For our first meeting, we developed a lovely mood board of the theme I had envisioned. I wanted it to flow with Baby Luca’s nursery which was full of teddy bears, with the color scheme of grey and beige. And since the set up would be on display in my living area I also wanted to incorporate white which makes a major appearance in our home.
Besides, the creativity of Boite Sucrée. they weren’t just about the looks, their candy and chocolate range is absolutely delicious. We did a tasting and I picked my finalists though it was not easy. For the chocolates, we would have two different designs on a plain bar and another wafer one, both from the Belgian gourmet chocolate the delicious Callebaut.
I also fell madly in love with the white chocolate coated dates stuffed with walnuts and the delicious Oreo cookies coated with Callebaut milk chocolate. I added the calisson printed cookies, with Luca’s name and sugared almonds in white and a matte silver which would be placed in convenient jars as favors. I loved the concept of “Meghleh” chocolate spoons and a bucket of iced hand decorated cookies shaped like baby boots and bibs on a stick. And finally the divine white chocolate coconut balls that would hang on a little tree.
The process was easy and straight forward, I was invited back to the store to take a look at the design options Dana had prepared. It was exactly what I had in mind, and I really appreciated that there would be no backs and forths since at the time I was heavily in my final trimester.
The best part? Boite Sucrée also gives clients the add-on of delivery and set-up when you’re at the hospital so when you’re home with baby everything is perfect and ready for celebrations.
I plan on commissioning Boite Sucrée and the team for all our upcoming occasions especially Baby Luca’s milestones. You can follow them on Instagram here or get in touch at 03788178.
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