The 8 Must-Have Items in Your Closet This Summer

May 28, 2014 - Leave a Comment

1) The Crop Top

This piece was an absolute Spring favorite and it’s not going anywhere this summer either. The good news is you don’t have to be a supermodel to wear one, as it shows off your midriff not your abs, just style it with a high-waist pair of pants or midi or maxi skirt and you’re go to go. If you’re top heavy then I recommend you keep it loose and boxy.

2) The Midi Skirt

Just below the knee and inches above the ankle sits the midi-skirt ( or mid-length skirt). It’s a super feminine piece inspired by the ladylike style of the 50’s that can be dressed up or down fairly simply. But keep one rule in mind, if it’s tight at the bottom pair it was something loose atop but if it’s puffy then by all means style it with that teeny tiny crop top. I also love this item styled with a classic pair of pointy pumps and a statement clutch.

3) The One-Piece Swimsuit or Monokini

I personally couldn’t wait for the one-piece to make a splash again on the fashion scene. I have two of these babies in my closet that are just begging to be worn. The designs are endless, some are very simple and others are major fashion statements. The best part is you don’t have to wear it with a top to the beach just slip on a pair or shorts or a skirt and you’re good to go!

4) The PVC Pump

Put some summer in your step with this pretty translucent heels that can go perfectly with almost any outfit especially boyfriend jeans. I haven’t included any high street alternatives because honestly the finishing on some are just plain terrible. So if you’re going to make an investment this summer, I suggest you make it on these.

5) The Fringe Bag

No longer just for the boho types, the Fringe is now making it’s appearance on even the most luxurious of designer labels. From cross-body bags to clutches everywhere we look we see tassels. But hold off on that luxury splurge this design is way too trendy to ever become a classic.

6) The Statement Ring

First came the statement necklace and now comes the big bulky ring. Personally no outfit of mine is complete without at least one or two, especially knuckle rings. They can accessorize even the simplest of outfits so make sure you’re all stocked up with these pretty things this summer.

7) The Pastel Polish

What better way to compliment a statement ring then with the perfect pastel polish. Unlike bright neon shades you don’t really have to be all that tanned to pull these colors off. Nothing puts me in a better mood than happy nails.

8) The Light Lip Gloss

Sure, bold bright colors are hot right now, but when the temperature is rising you’re going to wish you were wearing a lip color that’s sheer, light, nourishing and sexy. I hate goopy sticky glosses so here are my three recommendations to keep your lips full and luscious this summer.

Also See

Cute Animal Phone Cases and Flats

Friday Happy Hour Outfit

Outfit Du Jour

Fashion Face-Off: Who Wore It Best?

Trick AND Treat

6 Reasons Why He Didn’t Call You Back

May 27, 2014 - Leave a Comment

So you met this “amazing” guy and thought you hit it off. But you’ve been staring at your phone for 6 days now wondering why he has yet to call. You’ve gone through every moment of your encounter over and over again in your head wondering where it went wrong.

You can stop obsessing now, Here’s why you haven’t heard from him…

1) He has a girlfriend/wife. And she doesn’t usually let him out of her sight. So when he does manage to get away he’s on the prowl. He didn’t really go to the washroom every time he excused himself; he was in the bathroom texting her or putting his kids to bed. You’ve been played.

2) You put out right away. He’s now categorized you as a “fun-loving” kind of girl aka easy. And your keenness on reminding him that you “never do this” every five minutes only tells him how much you actually do this, even if you really don’t. Men like the chase. And sure, he pursued you all night, but now he has no reason to come back from more. Play your cards right and you’ve got yourself a second date.

3) You didn’t put out. I know, weird. Some men may only be on the hunt for a fast hookup. So when he knows you’re a lady, suddenly he’s lost interest because he’s not ready for potential girlfriend material in his life, didn’t want to work hard for it and just wanted something quick and easy. Consider his disappearance a blessing.

4) You scared him off. You didn’t have to tell him how all your girlfriends are married and you’re the only one left. You didn’t have to tell him how your ex broke your heart and most men are jerks. And you really didn’t have to tell him how happy your sister’s kids make you. What did you expect, really!

5) There’s hard to get and then there’s too hard to get. Your aloof and standoffish attitude gave him the impression that you’re not that into him, even if you gave him your number. Flirting with the bartender didn’t help either. Loosen up and put you’re guards down even if you’re worried about getting your heart broken.

6) You’re high maintenance. He was willing to overlook the full makeup look and sky-high stilettos if it weren’t for your minute-by-minute Instagram updates, excessive texting and the 7 selfies you took and posted in less than an hour. If that wasn’t superficial enough, looking the other way when the bill arrived only made matters worse.

Enjoyed this post? Also check out

8 Reasons Why He Won’t Marry You

5 Reason’s You’re Still Single- The Arab Men Edition

The 6 Annoying Dating Habits of Middle Eastern Men

The 6 Annoying Dating Habits of Middle Eastern Women

What Men Really Want- Especially Lebanese Men

The Lebanese Politicians’ Wedding Album

He’s Muslim, She’s Christian, All They Need is Love Right! Right??

Dating in Beirut, Ivy’s Dos and Don’ts

7 Ways To Own Your Online Reputation- Ivy Says for Entrepreneur Middle East

April 9, 2014 - Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a brand, celebrity or professional in an industry; chances are you’re always looking for ways to improve your online reputation. I share seven tactics as part of my contribution to Entrepreneur Middle East’s April Issue.

It’s a well-known fact that people are more likely to tell their social circles about a negative experience than a positive one-bad news travels fast. Couple that with the major influence online reviews have on purchasing decisions and you’ve got yourself a losing equation. This is the right around the time when brands or public figures decide to call up seasoned reputation managers looking for a quick fix to make it all go away. And although online crisis management tactics could stop some of the bleeding, the wound needs time to heal.

To understand reputation management one has to think of it like insurance, you don’t think about it when you don’t need it, but you’re really grateful to have it when you’re in trouble.

Online reputation management is relatively new, most small to medium businesses in the region have just come to terms (and budgets) with hiring agencies, freelancers or in-house experts as community managers to develop their social media strategy and manage their day-to-day online presence. While that is essential, it’s just a component of the overall long-term strategy and effort it entails to truly control an online reputation.

When was the last time you tracked or monitored your brand’s reputation? (No, the occasional Google search doesn’t count.) Are you in control of those results?

If not, here are a couple of tactics that you should be aware of Read The Rest of the Article here

Lebanon’s 4 Unknown Heroes Who Deserve Our Respect

January 30, 2014 - Leave a Comment

1) The Delivery Guy

Through rain or shine, hail or flood, this brave man will get on that worn-out zero-safety-measure scooter sans helmet and put his life at risk just so you can get your Kafta wo Jebneh Man2ousheh fresh and on-time. You don’t really think about him or the fact that his scooter almost skid under a sixteen-wheeler truck because his insulated delivery bag is too heavy carrying more than four separate orders, who cares that he’s drenched from head to toe, what matters is your food arrived hot and you feel good about yourself when you hand him 2000LL ( less than 2 Dollars) for his effort. This guy deserves a medal so next time you see him give him a hefty tip why don’t you.

2) The Washroom Attendant

This woman has to deal with your shit. Literally. She’s seen it all and most of the time people treat her like she’s invisible, no hellos no thank yous. Sometimes she even has to take the role of a peace keeper especially when two drunken males or females are having a little I was-here-first toilet face-off. She will work up until the wee hours of the morning wiping barf of toilet seats for a measly $150/month and probably have to clean her boss’s house the next day and babysit the kids. So be nice to her, don’t make her life any harder than it should be and try to aim IN the toilet.

3) The Sukleen Cleaner

Never mind the politics behind Sukleen. I’m talking about that poor fellow at the very bottom of the food chain that’s picking up the cigarette bud you so unhesitantly flicked out of your car window. The guy that keeps the city you live in clean so you don’t poison yourself with your own filth, yes him, the one that escaped poverty from his own country to come and become a slave in yours. The one that’s caught more skin rashes than you know how to pronounce just because your lazy ass can’t be bothered to wait until you find a garbage bin. Would you throw a can of soda on the floor of your own living room? I hope not, so I don’t see why you would behave any differently outside!

4) The Red Cross Volunteer

The hero of all heroes. While most of us are throwing back cocktails on a weekend night this altruistic person volunteered his/her time, for no remuneration whatsoever, to save someone’s life because that someone made the stupid decision of drinking and driving and ended up crashing their car into a sidewalk. The Red Cross Volunteer will administer first aid on you because he/she went through hours and hours of vigorous training while you slept in on Saturdays. All this while he juggles a part-time job to pay his way through college. So instead of spending a $100 on some drinks tonight go donate them to the Red Cross.