Café Beirut

Intro to being a Recessionista 101: Shoe-Clips - style on the spot

2012-03-06T08:27:00.003-08:00

Styling highlights/why I like it:

-By changing the clip-on earrings, with different colors and shapes - you have lots of options!

- It's a quick & easy way to go from office to night-out, simple stilettos to stylish stilettos.

-If you're travelling light, all you need is one pair of stilettos -- and as many earrings as you want!

Extra: Try feather, rhinestone and flower details...

TO TRY, OR NOT TO TRY?

Conspire to inspire: Socks n' sandals part deux

2012-03-05T04:43:00.000-08:00

BROWN HUES...
Via Fashionising (left) via StyleMagnet (right) read her tips on how to pull off socks n' sandals!

Embellished socks from Miu Miu

Shiny socks on the Runway from Christian Dior

casual chic...love this color palette!

Dare to wear?

Conspire to inspire: Socks n' Sandals

2012-03-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

OH HELL NAH, NOT THESE SANDALS....

...THESE ONES!

Loving this new trend, now you get to wear your favorite summer sandals in the fall and winter too!

Dare to wear?

Intro to being a Recessionista 101: the Indian Pancho

2012-02-28T04:01:00.000-08:00

Beads are in. Sequins are in. Panchos are in. Anything shiny and glittery is in. *sorry Mariah Carey, but you're out* which brings me to my next Recessionista discovery...

the Indian Pancho a.k.a Pancho Libre

Growing up in Saudi, we were exposed to lots of different cultures, since many of the people living there are foreign workers and families. I constantly used to make my dad take me to the Khobar souk so I can visit Indian and Pakistani stores, that's where you'd find the authentic stuff. Colorful Bangles and anklets, gorgeous pashminas (I used to take a whole bunch back to Canada with me as gifts) beaded purses and much much more. So it was no surprise that when my cousin in Lebanon asked me to join her on a trip to the Indian market in Dora (Lebanon) where her maid wanted to go shopping before going back to SriLanka, I accepted! We went from store to store, under the hot HOT summer sun, and bought the maid's son lots of gifts, outfits, toys, schoolbag...the anticipated reaction from the boy's face made it a worthy experience. Then we hit a couple of Sari stores, and since we were in a such a feel-good state everything looked wonderful! ...and that's when I saw it... ahh hanging there all alone..the things that I wanna do with you baby...mind if we hang?

Price: 25,000 lpd. or 16 dollars!
Shop: Indian Sari store in Dora, Beirut

Can't wait to get creative with this piece! Stay tuned to see how I style this bad boy!

Lebanese Designers at the Oscars 2012

2012-02-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

Maria Menounos (left) and Melissa Leo (right) in REEM ACRA

My favorite: Giuiliana Rancic in TONY WARD..

Mila Jovovich (Left) and Kate Mara (Right) in ELIE SAAB

Berenice Bejo from "the Artist" in ELIE SAAB

Queen Latifah in GEORGE CHAKRA

Jennifer Lopez in ZUHAIR MURAD (Wawza)

Susan Downey in JEAN FARES

Which one's your favorite?

Welcome to PolyWorld, where Music meets Fashion...

2012-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

Introducing, POLY

While attending Adonis' concert at Dictateur about a month ago, a certain someone caught my eye. I told my friend I wanted to go and take a picture of her for my blog. When it got pretty obvious that I was whispering about her, I walked up to the girl in the pink wig, vintage looking, oversized colorful jacket, and patterned stockings. I told her I liked her style and snapped a photo. After a while, I discovered who she was... My friend had described to me the Lady Gaga of Lebanon, whom everyone was raving about. As always, I was intrigued and curious... here's a brief interview with the Fashionista star about her style...

Poly gets inspiration from "everywhere"…which reinforces the idea that everything around us really is an inspiration…Nature,colors, the city, architecture, people, places…to name only a few. If you seeeverything through the eyes of an artist, like Poly, then you will feel connectedto the world around you and learn to appreciate it more. We've had enough of just watching and reading the news, how about we wear it for a change?

Poly in a Newspaper dress by

"The Recycling designers" performing Mercy by Duffy, on Heik Menghanne

Nowadays, successful artistsmust have the whole package. They make a statement not just through their musicbut through their style. I mean, who could ever forget Lady Gaga’s rawmeat dress? Artists have a say in their personal branding process, and want tostay true to themselves rather than be sell outs governed by the recordcompanies. Poly, for example, doesn’t work with stylists. She’s her own stylist,and wouldn’t allow anyone to tell her what to wear. “I’m not a model or aresult of someone’s work” she claims. Although she loves to work with differentdesigners to try and understand their vision and share their creations but atthe end of the day, she takes their pieces and interprets them in her ownunique way. An artist’s image is just as important as their talent and music,and Poly understands that really well. She’s done a great job at marrying musicwith fashion and making a point that “neither one of them would exist withoutthe other.”

Her words of wisdom to the fashionistas who dare to take a risk,and break the rules of fashion in a fashionably conformist society: “Thank you, I take my wig off to you, and not for a having aSTRONG style but for having a REAL one.” Poly’s fashion sense is a reflectionof her personality, “who she is and what she feels.”
Now many of us might infer that having a star status gives artists more leewayto break the fashion rules, and head to the grocery store in 10 inch heels andorange wigs. Even though it is their honest and true nature that brings them tostardom in the first place, along the way I do believe the privilege that comeswith that status, is to be as artistically expressive as you want! Nothing istoo wild, nothing is too crazy,nothing is too colorful, nothing is out-of-line when it comes toself-expression.

Artists like Poly, however, know not to abuse that privilege butrather use it to inspire others. In aplace called “Poly World,” scrutiny and criticism don’t have much importance.Afterall, it has around 31,360 inhabitants and the population is growingeveryday!

I remember one winter in Beirut, I was wearingan orange silk tunique with cool oriental patterns on it which I was proud to have purchasedfrom a flea market in Toronto. Everywhere I went, I got compliments on it…exceptfor Beirut, where I heard the following remark: “Shou you just bought thiscurtain from Ikea?” I didn’t really care though, because those people didn’tappreciate fashion as an art form, so the comment didn’t get to me.

Afterall, I believe that with confidence youcan pull off any outfit you desire. Whether it’s cheap or expensive, from aflea market or a high-end store, bright orange or teal green, a table cloth ora curtain… if you have an open mind and feel good wearing it, then you’re a walking inspiration!

Thanks Poly for beingjust that! Keep up the great work!

For more info on Poly:
Visit Her facebook Page
Follow her on Twitter
Check out her Youtube channel
and find her on MySpace

Home is where the heart is: Pegboards n' Bookshelves.

2012-02-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

Via Eat, Live, Shop
- You can find a pegboard at home hardware stores, or even tool shops!
- They usually come in different colors, which makes them great for decor!
- They'll look nicer if you frame them!

Via shelterness
I love reading, therefore I love books, therefore I love bookshelves... :) or bookpipes..

Enjoy!

Intro to being a Recessionista 101: A Little Pouff

2012-02-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

On the runway (left) on Rihanna (Right)

Inspiring love stories...XoXo

2012-02-15T05:35:00.000-08:00

Homage to the real love stories that have inspired me... *Names have been changed

Jack* & Jill*

When Jill was a little girl, she never played it safe.
Her heart was full of adventure, and nothing could stand in her way.

As she grew older, everything stayed the same
A fire still burned inside; an ambitious woman she became.

Strong and independent, she could hold her own
But even the strongest of warriors, hates to be alone.

One day she awoke, and on a plane she flew
Not knowing that destiny had a plan to pull through.

“Ich Liebe Dich” he declared, “B7ebbak kteer” she replied;
And in less than a year, they were man and wife.
Just Like a puzzle, the pieces came together.
Jill had a companion with whom to share her adventure.

And in this story, is a valuable lesson;
The heart knows not time, language nor religion.

Because LOVE, is the only thing that is universal…

Cupid's back in town...

2012-02-14T02:20:00.000-08:00

I found a stash of greeting cards that my dad used to send to my momwhen they were engaged…28 years ago there was no skype, emails, facebook orphones…and still they managed to stay together after years of living apart indifferent countries. Back then there was no ease of travel, especially in andout of Lebanon which was in a state of war, nor was there ease ofcommunication. They got engaged while being serenaded by the sound ofbombardments, which is why hardly anyone could make it to the ceremony…

During Valentine’s day, one thing I like to do is pay homage to the best lovestories…not the ones I see on TV, but the ones that are around me… the onesthat give me hope and remind me that there is such a thing as LOVE...

Undeniably, everyone wants it, everyone needs it, everyone’s looking for it.But just like nature, we cannot manipulate or control it, LOVE will find uswhen the time is right. All we can do is trust our instincts. I’m 23, and I’v never had a Valentine. But I am definitely a hopeless romantic, who believes inlove-at-first-sight, anticipates butterflies in her stomach, and daydreamsabout long walks on the beach during sunset. Alas, it isn’t my time now so during this week, Iwill pay a small tribute to some of the real love stories that have inspired me…(names have been changed)

When Harry* met Sally*, a friendship was born.
High school was fun and they had each other to thank for;
But at the end of this chapter, who would’ve known,
That prom night would come, and open new doors…
She was a princess, and he her prince charming,
And on his white horse, he embarked on a journey;
But Oceans away, he left his heart pounding,
And so it was clear that it belonged to Sally…

For years upon years they fought a ruthless battle

With distance as the enemy, they overcame its power

A decade has passed, and their love is stronger than ever;

You can see it through the eyes, of their beautiful daughter… :)

Now I leave you with
Some fun and creative crafts to personalize your gift:
Best Friend wall art
A Valentine's puzzle frame
D.I.Y. love frames with Arabic writing
Valentine's day D.I.Y.s

From a Beautiful Mess (left) and Belles of Beirut (Right)

Things to do in Beirut on Valentine's day:
A couples massage? A Weekend Getaway? A dinner for two? or even a dance class? You can find great deals on these websites which I find to be extremely useful!!I like to focus on the activity rather than the gift..

Makhsoom
LivingSocial
Sawa

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Karen K shoes @ London Fashion Week - "Girl with the Wings tattoo"

2012-02-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

Video of Exclusive launching on FTV

Karen El-Khazen, the designer behind the brand, was a model on Mission Fashion. The Middle Eastern version of Project Runway... I recognized her from her trademark tattoo....I remember how much she stood out because of the ink that covered her whole back. Well good for her because she guaranteed herself a permanent spot in the viewer's mind, who can forget the "Girl with the wings tattoo?"
Now she's created a whole line of shoes, inspired by the art work. Self branding at its best! (Watch the video and you'll see what I'm talking about)The Shoe line called KarinK shoes was launched during the London Fashion Week, and featured on FTV ...
What stands out in this video, other than the gorgeous shoes, is the dress she was wearing at the event!! The shimmering piece is designed by a Lebanese designer, and her friend, Rami Kadi...whose name sounds very familiar.
Mind you the guy isn't really good with interviews, and neither is Karen..it's almost embarrassing to watch..but he sure is a talented designer,and that dress looks gorgeous on her !

Agreed?

Lovebirds Brooch - Feel good accessories

2012-02-05T03:46:00.000-08:00

Vintage brooch I bought at a London market

You can easily make one yourself! On Cupcakes and Cashmere, they show you how to make this fancy brooch using nail polish!

INSPIRATION: Skinny Love by Birdy

Enjoy and don't forget to

Brooch yourself! :)

Prey - A photography Exhibition by Michel Zoghzoghy

2012-02-05T01:30:00.000-08:00

Pictures via CafeBeirut

"Beauty, innocence, power. These are the three qualities that define the fascination of predators that MichelZoghzoghi wanted to reflect through his lens. Falling into the trap of photography in 2006 in London, while he was taking photos at a polo tournament organized by a friend, he went on ‘chasing’ predators in 17 different voyages across 250,000 km and spent around 1,000 hours photographing ‘in the field’. He returned to Beirut with a collection of photos including lions roaring, tigers stretching, eagles soaring and great white sharks breaching the surface of the ocean; all predators that are quickly being transformed into prey in our human world today.

During his expeditions, Zoghzoghi discovered that the animals seen in zoos and wildlife parks are not like those seen in the wild, for the prior is not reality. Every species he has portrayed is endangered and most are on the brink of extinction. He has dedicated a special section in his exhibition to the Masai Mara in Kenya, “a predator’s paradise” that is under threat because of human/animal conflict.

“I want everyone who looks at these images to feel the urge to do something about it. They have become the PREY. The animals shown here are at our mercy. We humans are the predators in the modern world,” saysZoghzoghi "' ---------- Article Via Beirutnightlife
Info:
Beirut Souks from January 20 until February 12, 2012, daily from 12 pm to 10 pm at "the venue". All proceeds are going to the ‘Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (St. Jude)’.
This exhibition is worth checking out during your next visit to Beirut Souks. Enjoy a glass of wine and admire the beauty of wildlife photography...

Lebanese Designers at the Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012

2012-01-30T08:53:00.000-08:00

Renee Bargh (left) & Giuliana Rancic (Right) in
Basil Soda

Jayma Mays in
Reem Acra

Jane Leeves in
Jean Fares

Rose Byrne in
Elie Saab

I'm digging Basil Soda's designs this time!

Beirut Street Style - Mirna

2012-01-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

Men's style: Love or Hate?

2012-01-26T05:07:00.000-08:00

If a straight man has the confidence to pull these outfits off in Lebanon, please come find me. :)

In New York, London, Milan and all the other fashion capitals of the world, it's pretty common to see fashion savvy men who aren't afraid to experiment and dress outside-the-box. What's even better, is that they ooze confidence.

In Lebanon, this is a pretty rare find. Would you be into a guy with this kind of fashion sense?

Any thoughts?

Via Stylightings

RED or GREEN light?

When Lebanese Folkloric Pop lights up the city, who needs Kahraba?

2012-01-25T05:25:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago I received a random facebook message from an old friend...you know the one that makes you smile from ear to ear...and overwhelms you with a rush of blissful nostalgia....
In this message he described a sweet memory that came to mind as he found an old worn out folder in his bedroom while cleaning it up. In this folder there were old sheets of paper with lyrics on them and cassette tapes (remember those?) with recordings of my songs - completely out of tune - which made him laugh alot. And so the first time he actually thought about doing music was apparently a teenage version of me, sitting next to him on a random swing in my compound in Saudi, proposing we put some melody to my lyrics...
We were little birds who longed to fly...locked inside this cage called "Saudi." But with the little resources that we had, we managed to make music a part of our lives. There was a fiery lust for self-expression burning inside of us. I loved dancing, writing lyrics and singing, he loved playing the keyboards and singing. I always thought he had a unique, distinguished voice...whose power we were unaware of at the time...

ADONIS performing @ DICTATEUR

His name is Anthony.
He is now the lead singer of a hip Lebanese folkloric pop band called Adonis and a gifted architect by the way.
The Band includes Joey Abou Jawdeh on the guitar, Fabio Khoury on the bass guitar, and Nicola Hakim on the drums.
Last night I attended a mini-concert celebrating the video premiere of the band's song called "Ma kan mafrood" In English: It shouldn't have been.
What they did?
They brought to life a different kind of appreciation for Arabic music amongst the most hopeless of all.
Catering to a diverse crowd, they've also managed to attract that cynical, artsy youth of Lebanon who are more difficult to please. That daring, alternative crowd of Beirut that repels anything remotely commercial and celebrates individuality among one of the most conformist societies. *Sigh* Amen to that!

Spotted:
Me, standing right at the front, looking like a groupie.
What an exhilarating feeling it is to stand there and take in a friend's accomplishment. Literally be proud of someone from the bottom of your heart for having followed their dreams. I couldn't stop smiling, I started having face spasms. No joke. That tends to happen to me alot.
What beautiful lyrics.
What beautiful melodies. And is that a Ukelele?? I'm floating in the air right now. And I'm completely sober.
People you would usually spot at a rave are here singing along to those light-hearted, yet moving lyrics, which happen to be inspired by their daily lives in this city. They strike a cord with every single person who has experienced living here.
Beirut, the inspiration behind every word, every note, every smile, every clap and every cheer.

Strings of small colored lightbulbs light up the small stage, reminding me of the electricity cables that criss cross over some parts of the city like disoriented spiderwebs.
If only we could envision those lightbulbs dangling from them....
And, as it were a page in a children's coloring book, we could use music to color this city.
Like Adonis has.

Intrigued? Then, check them out!
Adonis Facebook page (Where you can listen to some of their awesome songs!)
Adonis Website (The new video will be available to watch online very soon)

Funky Fresh: Above-the-knee Cartoon socks!

2012-01-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

A Tim Burton Classic - The Nightmare before Christmas socks with Jack's face all over them!
The Disney weapon-of-mass-merchandising spilling into the fashion world!

A gift from San Diego...

Baby, it's cold outside... But I ain't complainin!
I wonder where and how I can rock these in Lebanon, any ideas?
Would YOU have the guts to wear these out?

Conspire to Inspire: Collar Me Burgundy

2012-01-22T04:31:00.000-08:00

Putting the "Chemise Blanche" to good use! We All have a white button up shirt that's gathered dust somewhere in the back of our closet...Here's a cool way to style it, buttoned all the way up with a black blazer and tight fitted Burgundy pants...

CORPORATE SHMORPRATE...We're takin' White collar to the streets!

When you look inside your purse, who do you see?

2012-01-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

The other day I realized that so many fashion magazines and blogs have this "What's in your purse" feature. Which for me has always been an intriguing subject to research. The attachment that we have to material objects that we feel the need to carry with us almost everywhere we go. Objects we sometimes feel contribute to our daily well-being and whose absence has the possibility to literally effect our mood and behavior. Unconsciously, we get a little uneasy as girls when someone snoops around in our purse, or tries to take a look inside, or even touches it without taking our permission. Also, culture wise we are taught that it's impolite to do so. So granted there's a reason for all that attitude.

What we have inside our purse is very personal, and we try our best to keep it candid because whether we like it or not, I believe that the things we have in there will reveal to people who we are, or who we really are.

I decided to do a little experiment on myself and try to associate the things I carry with me at all times with my personality:

What's in ma purse, mini version

Here's what I'd say about myself just by looking inside my purse:

1+2+3+4 = I'm not as bad as Howard Hughs, but I am kind of a germaphobe. I can't stand dirty, dry hands so I gotta have my handgel/tissue/cream at all times. Hygiene products matter more to me than beauty products.

5 = My mom constantly argues with me for tying my hair up like a "teta" all the time. As much as I love wearing my hair down, (f.y.i. full hair is a psychological sign of fertility which is why men are extremely attracted to girls with healthy looking hair) I need to have my huge hair tie handy at all times because If it were down i'd be playing with it all the time, in other words I'm agitated and I feel relaxed when it's out of the way.

6+7+8+10= I'm pretty low maintenance, or I try to be. When I want to touch up my makeup, all I want is some color on my face. I'd rather look healthy than look like I'm ready to party at anytime.

9 = A chipped nail irritates me, again it's the anxiety.

11+12+13+14= I like jotting down ideas that spring to my head every couple of hours. Whether it's a blog post idea or business idea; some kind of inspiration, or an upcoming appointment; if I want to share information with someone or vice-versa...I love writing things down or taking notes If it's too big to write in my planner or on a post-it, I have my usb handy at all times. Being organized gives me a rush. And since there are so many thoughts and ideas going through my head all the time, I like to give my mind some rest.

15+16= I'm an occasional smoker,and if I smoke I choose slims. It makes me feel feminine. I'm afraid of the dark and since it's hard to avoid being in the dark thanks to the electricity cuts, even if a lighter has run out of gas I'll keep it if it has that tiny light.

17=My cute Iphone case...even though it has a cover, I use an extra case. I will obsess about a microscopic scratch on my phone.

18=Last but not least, my shades. Your eyes are the window to your soul...so your shades don't just protect you from the sun..

Note: I don't like to carry a wallet with 30 cards that I probably won't need during the day. Plus I get scared to lose it...All I need is 2 pieces of id,a credit card (just in case) and some cash :)

So that was a cool experience! A short experiment of self-reflection :)

Mary Poppins must've been one troubled lady!

If you were to look inside your purse, how different or similar would it be to mine??

Lebanese Designers dominating the 2012 Golden Globes

2012-01-16T05:08:00.000-08:00

3 Golden Globe winners in

REEM ACRA

Diane Lane (left) Julie Bowen (Right) both in nude tones

Madonna (unfortunately i'm not a fan of this dress-at all) The upper half is gorgeous but the bottom...not so much

Presenters in ELIE SAAB

Jessica Biel (Left) Emily Blunt (Right) in bold yellow sequins

Actress in GEORGE CHAKRA

Morena Baccarin, pairs the dress with an emerald green clutch!

Presenter in RANI ZAKHEM

Queen Latifah

E! host in BASIL SODA

Guiliana Rancic: Also not a fan of this dress; it looks like it belongs in a Tim Burton movie -- Gotta love the way she pronounced the designer's name though "Bayzil Soda," you would think as a TV host she'd make sure to get his name right!

MY FAVORITE: Jessica Biel in ELIE SAAB

She turns around and BAM!Gotta love that back!I'm a big fan of romanticism, and her dark hair compliments the white lace just perfectly...

Which one of these Lebanese Designer gowns is your favorite??

"20 more signs you're a real fashion blogger" from IFB

2012-01-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

The Independent Fashion Bloggers website, recently posted this second list of cute signs that represent fashion bloggers... Which makes me want to write a post on fashion bloggers and blogging in general because of the amount of questions I get about this pr tool...until then here's the list from IFB!

Vintage Prada shoes I found somewhere in the bottom of my mom's closet!

20 more signs you're a real fashion blogger: (I've highlighted the ones I could relate to!)

You know what SEO stands for, and it matters to you. A lot.
Forget new purchases, you shop your closet better than Barney’s when you need a new outfit post
You set aside at least an hour a day to attend to your blog, whether its maintenance, comments, photos, or posting…
You leave sincere and thoughtful comments on your favorite blogs
You’ve been introduced to someone with, “This is my friend so-and-so, you know, the one with the blog.”
You never ask people to follow you on Twitter or in another blog’s comments – you know they’ll come around on their own.
Tumblr is one of your favorite places to find outfit inspiration
You can’t go more than a few hours without checking your Pinterest page to see what’s been added to your feed
You’ve woken up in bed from a late night of blogging spooning your laptop – more than once.
An outfit doesn’t feel complete to you without just the right shade of nail polish
Your friends totally know that look in your eye when you’re about to ask them to take your picture – alone. Looking into the distance. With a hand on your hip.
Your computer-based multi-tasking abilities are unparalleled. At any given time you might be reading a post in your RSS feed, tweeting about it, updating your blogroll, listening to music and working on an expense report for work – while eating a turkey sandwich.
The term “fail whale” is in your regular lexicon.
You have a hard time talking to people who don’t get social media
Any post worth doing – is worth doing well. Period.
HTML For Dummies is on your holiday wish list this year
Your internet browser’s bookmark toolbar includes both your ‘clip to Polyvore’ tool and your ‘pin it’ tool
You just don’t feel productive unless you have at least 7 tabs open on Firefox or Safari
You’re excited to have a little time off around the holidays because it will give you more free time to work on your site and put some posts in the bank for the next crazy work/school week
Your blog is the manifestation of the best, most beautiful, talented, fashionable and smart version of yourself

---As posted on Independent Fashion Bloggers (www.heartifb.com)

Spotlight on: Rani Zakhem

2012-01-13T02:59:00.000-08:00

It's all about the publicity in the world we're living in today...and if you can get the Golden Girl of Hollywood, the one and only Saba7 of the West to wear your dress, then you're solid!

Betty White wearing Rani Zakhem at her 90th birthday celebration

a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-08T09:23:00.000-08:00

....FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF LEBANON...

I've chosen this photo above to represent my new year for many many reasons...

Although I am not a pessimist and have a very spiritual outlook on life...from time to time,even the most hopeful and faithful amongst us feel as somber and helpless as this lonesome tree...

We all have to face life's inevitable and unexpected turns, and the worst one I can think of is one that involves the loss of a loved one... but the question is:

How do we get back on track?

Do we, or should we, prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for these situations?

How do we go to work and attempt to function like any other day?

How do we as emotional beings, gather up the might, to conceal a weeping heart?

How do we keep ourselves from getting demoralized from life itself, and from devaluing our hopes & dreams?

How do we prevent ourselves from living in a state of paranoia when experiencing the worst of the worst?

Is it by convincing ourselves that it could'v been worse?or by stating the obvious: "This is fate."

Do we just have to believe that this is the cycle of life, like this tree does?

---------------

For this New year, I ask from that Higher power that watches upon us all (or whatever power you believe in) to have Mercy on us all. To give us the patience and strength that we need to be able to deal with life's twists & turns...and to surround us with Love, because as cliche as that sounds, I believe the answer to the questions above are plain and simple:

LOVE and COMPASSION... And that's the only wish I have for everyone this year...

Conspire to Inspire: work outfits

2012-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Winter Florals (left), Chunky Knits (Right)

Left outfit:
Dress: Forever 21
Vest: Mango
Boots: Steve Madden

Right Outfit:
Knit sweater: Costa Blanca
Shorts: Random shop in Zalka souks
Socks: Vero Moda
Fur lined booties: Random/amazing buy from bourj hammoud!

The Parisian look (left) A touch of color (right)

Left Outfit:

Knit Sweater: Vintage H&M from L.A

Oversized pants: Marks & Spencer, courtesy of my aunt

Belt: H&M

Work shoes: American Eagle outfitters

Right Outfit:

Skirt: H&M

Purple coat: Random store in Hamra

Purse: Vintage, courtesy of my teta (my favorite item at the moment)

Inspiration of the week:

Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain Soundtrack

My X-mas day work outfit

2011-12-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

"Have a holly, jolly, Christmaaaass..."

Skirt: Bedo (Montreal)
Sweater: Bleu Marin (Beirut)
Booties: Steve Madden (L.A)

A Christmas message...

2011-12-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

"And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?" This song is on repeat at my house right now as I , like every body else in this country, and around the world, begin preparations for Christmas eve. It's supposed to be a rainy day here in Lebanon, and we don't have a white christmas, at least not in the city. So "I've, been dreamin of a whiiiiiiiiiiiiite christmas..."
I'm used to spending the holidays in Saudi, where you only feel the spirit of Christmas in the people around you...rather than the festivites, and decorations...Saudi itself is like the Grinch who stole Christmas. Outside your house, there is no trace whatsoever of this holiday. Nonetheless I did spend about 17 Christmases there...and they were the best ones ever. Apparently, Christmas is the most commercial holiday right after Halloween!! But spending it in Saudi, takes everything commercial out of it...which is why I loved it.

Anyway...now I'm in Lebanon. Not Saudi, nor Canada. Other than the traffic, i'm loving everything about spending X-mas here! It's warm and cozy, everyone cuddled up in their homes...preparing Christmas dinners while being serenaded with Christmas carols. Even though the weather's not so great, everyone is so jolly. Who in their right mind, can NOT be in a good mood on this day....?
Oh wait a second....
Maybe the people who are spending the holidays grieving the loss of loved ones?
Or, those who are laying down on a hospital bed, or have a loved one who has fallen ill?
Maybe someone who has traveled abroad for work, (such as my brother) and has to spend x-mas alone?
What about people who have broken families, and spend Christmas with a broken heart?
The people who are depressed, and refuse to celebrate any holiday?
Oh, wait...this list only gets worse and worse...
What about the people who can only afford bread for dinner...
Or those who will have to sit in a room lit by a candle, because they have no electricity?

There are many, many people spending Christmas Eve, with tears in their eyes, and sorrow in their hearts...and we can't really do anything about that.
The only thing we CAN do however, is be grateful. We can avoid making any complaints tonight, about the turkey, the kahraba, the traffic,the family feuds, or not being able to find a parking spot for our guests...
All we can do is be grateful...and wish for happiness for all those who need it.

And now I leave you with something a bit more jolly:
Top 5 things about x-mas that make me smile:
1- Family
2- Christmas songs
3- Christmas decorations
4- The Feast
5- Chesnuts, wine, chocolates and cookies
Top 5 christmas songs:
1-So this is christmas - Celine Dion
2- Have yourself a merry little christmas - Frank Sinatra
3- I'm dreaming of a white christmas - Michael Buble
4- It's the most wonderful time of the year - Andy Williams
5- It's beginning to look alot like christmas - Michael Buble
Top 5 x-mas movies:
1- Home Alone
2- The Grinch
3- The nightmare before christmas
4- Love Actually
5- The nutcracker

MERRY CHRISTMAS....

My fashionista girl taking Dubai by a storm!

2011-12-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

My girl is looking fabulous living in the pr world of Dubai...

Stand back Dubai, Lebanese people got style, and they're not afraid to use it!

From expat, to local - My 1st job in Beirut

2011-12-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

So I’ve officially starting working in Lebanon, a country that was a holiday destination for me. I used to spend my days here lounging, partying, visiting family members, then taking off on a plane at the end of the summer; now the dynamics have completely changed! I’m a local! I get stuck in Lebanese traffic, (a 7 min ride stretches out to an hour) and I endure the nerve wrecking electricity crisis. On the flipside, I get to live the good life. Which I’ll be elaborating on in future posts. But right now, I’ll focus on my new job…

In the past couple of years, I’ve taken on this new spiritual moto in life that’s proved to be extremely successful. I’ve acquired this strong belief in the universe and the laws of attraction with the mere practice of consciousness. I have this habit of spending about 10 minutes before I sleep fantasizing. Imagining things I want to do/ accomplish, a lifestyle I’d like to live, a situation I’d like to be in, a place I’d like to visit…etc They would start off as visions in my head, driven by so much passion that eventually they would take form in real life. Sometimes I’m even scared of the things I imagine, in case they come true.

During my 2^nd year of university I began volunteering at the Toronto Fashion Week. I was overwhelmed by the glamorous lifestyle of the fashion industry, as I watched the shows from behind the curtains, when I should’ve been working. I tried to imagine what it would be like to be some hot shot designer, or to work for a hot shot designer, or anything hot shot for that matter. Just out of mere curiosity, as I am curious about many things. And so this is it. The vision has come to life. It's meant to be there, so I will live it with all my heart...

As the new managing director of a very talented designer here in Lebanon. After a long job hunt, and months upon months of interviews…finally something spoke to my heart. The atelier is a nostalgic trip down the roads of a country filled with so much sorrow, that it lives off the memories and stories of a long lost peoples…Armenia…Beautiful Armenia. You come alive through the eyes of your people, through the strong voice of your descendants who hold your name high above their heads and speak of you with such great honor. The antique chandeliers, a grandmother’s sowing machine, a framed photo of Echmiadzin, pomegranade ornaments and framed black & white photographs of an Armenian Grandmother. A vintage atelier situated in the center of one of Lebanon’s most historical secteurs.

From the balcony, I’m facing two old buildings, with brick lined rooftops and burgundy shutters. They look minuscule in contrast to the structures around them…I instantly compare them to two old men, sitting on their stools and playing Tawle (checkers) surrounded by young hunks sipping on whiskey and smoking cigars while talking and laughing loudly. Their weakening façade, is engulfed in those plants that stretche across buildings…And one of those days, they will have covered the whole surface and formed a sort of cocoon, sheltering an important piece of history. One that’s been drowning in a sea of zmamir, overshadowed by towering dollar signs. In my pocket sized map book, called Zawarib, I could see that the whole area is dominated by banks and pharmacies. "Maybe if there were more public parks, we wouldn’t need as many pharmacies" words of wisdom courtesy of Zawarib…

I’m having constant deja-vus, I’ve seen this all before in my head….
Maybe soon it will be time for my “dancing in a musical” vision! Can’t wait for that one!

Spotlight on: Sarah's Bag

2011-12-18T11:30:00.000-08:00

Loving these designs from Sarah's bag!

For more info:

Visit their website
www.sarahsbag.com
Buy them online:
shop.sarahsbag.com or
Visit the store:
Mhanna bldg, 2nd floor, 100 rue du Liban, Tabaris, Beirut Lebanon

To Suit up, or not to Suit up

2011-12-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Suits....oh man do I hate suits. And I'm not talking about the funky, shoulder padded ones, in fun colors...cause you know I love those. No I'm talking about the ones you have to wear when you work at a bank. With all due respect to all the women who work in banks, or other "institutions" that require you to follow a certain dress code. I recently turned down a job as a pr exec at a top notch boutique hotel, and one of the reasons for doing so were the following statement:
"You will have to wear a black suit, but since we are very flexible you can alternate with a skirt....you can even wear a high waisted one!" okay, please don't sugarcoat this for me. "Also, we prefer it if the manicure is either french or black."
Obviously, I nod in complete agreement, as I discreetly try to hide my blue colored fingernails underneath the x-mas catalogue I held in my hands. I mean, I completely understand, since every company/corporation/organization has a certain image to uphold which is reflected through their staff and employees. Especially Hotels! But come on, it's like being in school again! Being forced to conform to a certain dress code, everyone dressed in the same way, monotone, like they came right out of a factory line.
I just can't bring myself to accept a job with a restrictive dress code...here's why:
Let's make some calculations shall we?
We spend about 8 hours a day, 37 hours a week, and 148 hours a month at our workplace...
Now, a bit of psychology:
One of the main composites of our well-being, is our self-image (the way we see ourselves) which effects our self-esteem (the way we feel about ourselves) which in turn dictates every aspect of our lives.
Spending 148 hours a week dressed in a black suit is....quick frankly....to put it simply....gonna make me feel like s***! I love waking up in the morning and dressing up in colors...getting creative with my outfit, and allowing everything else (Accessories, hair...etc) to compliment it.
During that final glance at the mirror before I leave the house, I need to see someone I recognize.
Most importantly, I need to see a reflection of myself.

***

Now if you seriously have no alternatives, and that pantsuit is the portal to the most successful future you could have ever imagined for yourself...then I shall sympathize with you and offer some inspiration.

Two workish outfits I love. Trade in the black pants with some orange, and the black blazer with a white one!

Via Stockholm Streetstyle

"Oh Betsy, you look lovely dear"
Let me just get that stick out of your a**

DINA JSR soon in Beirut Souks!

2011-12-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Many of you have been asking about DINA JSR's gorgeous dresses and i'm pleased to announce that her first collection will be available, starting March 2012, at

Sophie's Choice in Beirut Souks!

Just in time for the beautiful Spring season!

Also check out French/Indonesian singer Anguun (you might remember her hit singles "chrysalis" and "saviour") in a DINA JSR gown:

Anguun in a DINA JSR gown

Conspire to inspire: Snowflakes

2011-12-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

Winter blues does not apply to Lebanon! This country has the most beautiful winter weather which makes you want to linger outside all day long... lay down on the grass, read a book on a bench...unfortunately there aren't enough public spaces to do that.
Just because it's winter, it doesn't mean grays, blacks and browns should be staple colors in your wardrobe. Opt out for some whites instead! They're always such a breath of fresh air!
Here are some nice ways to style them!

With a hint of black, Via Stockholm Streetstyle

Paired with grey knits, Via ChicMuse

Take me to the mountains...

2011-12-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

Breathe in…breathe out…
Breathe in silence, breathe out noise

Breathe in fresh air, breathe out pollution

Breathe in solitude, breathe out crowding

Breathe in Laqlouq, breathe out Beirut…

And so this is the day I experienced the Lebanese Mountain Getaway. And I must say it was one hell of an experience, I wish I could repeat every single weekend. It begins with a nerve wrecking shopping trip with 10 adults and 2 toddlers, of course I’m in charge of the toddlers. Meats, check. Veggies, check. Snacks, check. Drinks, check. Chestnuts, check. Delis, check. Fresh bread, check. Babies, check. Amid the chaos, it is possible to lose one of the two. We hit the road and have a pleasant trip up having NRJ Fridays to be thankful for serenading us with the best oldschool hip-hop and mashup ever. In a car filled with kids from the 90s’, you know that turned into an hour-long, sing-along.

We get through the neverending, snakelike mountain roads and spot our destination. A 3-story house, standing there, high up on a hill, in solitude….waiting for us. The anticipation. As we step out of the car and take in the freezing cold mountain air,I look up and realize I’ve never seen such a star filled sky in my life. There’s not an empty dot of space up there. If I had a telescope it would be like putting on 3D glasses, that’s how close the stars seemed to be.

After settling in, all 12 of us, we take to the common room, which had a panoramic view of the mountains and villages in the distance. The women are in the kitchen putting away the food and preparing for tomorrow’s barbecue, someone’s baby proofing the place, another is setting up the drinks. Some of the guys are watching TV, another is entertaining himself with a deck of cards. As everyone finishes with their individual activities, we gather around a chimney and spend the night talking, laughing, singing,drinking, laughing and more drinking and even more laughing. Which eventually leads to a building blocks competition; hey it does say 2+ on the box!

The next morning as some of the men had gone hunting, and the women were looking after the kids. I sneak out through the back door, to get some fresh air; and settle on the ledge overlooking the heavenly scenery. ..

Breathe in, Breathe out…

Not a sound in the air…(except for this poor shivering kitten that’s rubbing on my leg.)

We spend another night filled with Roasted Chestnuts, wine, grilled pineapple, whiskey, and a shisha on every corner…We end the weekend with a Lebanese mashawi session. Obviously. There’s no such weekend as a kebab-less weekend.

And so, I bid a sad farewell to this wonderful weekend, which reminded me of the importance of human relationships. The fulfillment that we get from spending quality time enjoying others’ presence. Most of our days are dedicated to mundane, duties and obligations that prevent us from making time for others, and time for nature.

We as human beings, strive on human connections, especially positive ones. So make it a point, to put aside as much time as you can for people who make you smile, laugh and feel good about yourself.

Aren't mountain getaways the best way to spend a cozy winter weekend?? :)

Conspire to inspire: Chunky Knits

2011-12-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

H&M lookbook (left) & Stradivarius lookbook (Right)

Chunky Knits on the streets (Via StockholmStreetstyle)

Spotlight on designer: Krikor Jabotian - Thou shalt be titled A Chevalier of Fashion

2011-12-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

~Picture yourself wearing a white medieval gown, running through a long gateway bordered with tall trees left and right...the sound of horses galloping in the background. It's raining outside and you're drenched. You pass the large courtyard with the big fancy fountain in the center and arrive at the door. A large wooden door with round metal handles and a doorbell shaped as a lion's head that rings as loud as church bells. Who answers the door? The matron of the mansion dressed in a Krikor Jabotian gown ~

This rising designer, who graduated from ESMOD (the popular Lebanese fashion design school,home to some of the biggest names in the industry) rose to stardom at a very young age. What makes him unique though is his distinguished style.One that is not all common in Lebanon I would say. His dresses look like they've been taken out of a renaissance film, think Marie Antoinette and The Duchess, and tweeked to walk the red carpet. They're the farthest thing from ordinary, and Jabotian has proved to be a big risk taker. It's a completely new style that's been introduced to lebanon, and it's great to see that people are really embracing these alternative looks.

Enough said, I'll leave you with some photos from his lines opposite some celebrities I picture wearing the ephemeral dresses.

Keira Knightley - an avant garde beauty

Cate Blanchett in Lord of the Rings

When I think Gothic, first name that comes to mind is Helena Bonham Carter

Again, Cate Blanchett would look gorgeous in this piece

I love Anne Hathaway's dark features, they look lovely in metallics

This short number would definitely suit Kim K

My picks :)

For more info visit his website:

www.krikorjabotian.com

Or join his facebook group!

I now pronounce you Fashion & Chocolate...you may now taste the chocolate!

2011-12-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Conti Confetteria @ Sophie's Choice (Beirut Souks)

As I sit on the balcony sipping on my coffee and taking in some winter sun, I indulge myself with tiny little coffee bean chocolates all the way from Italia. A country that’s special and dear to my heart, because it produced my guardian angel, Antonia Maria, and best friend in the whole world. As well as the term “Italian Stallion….” and Umberto Tozzi.

Last night I was invited by the lovely Carlotta Laurenti, to attend the launching of Conti Confetteria. Just listen to the sound of those words, they sing with pleasure and sensuality. If you’ve read Liz Gilbert’s “Eat,pray,love” then you know what I’m talking about. The Italian language is what drives the author to abandon her life and move to Italy…and Italian food is what drives her to experience the Joie de Vivre.

Allow me to elaborate…

What is it?

Conti Confetteria – confectionery in English meaning all kinds of sweets, candy, chocolate, marzipan…etc.

“Under the Auspices and in the presence of H.E. Giuseppe Morabito, the Ambassador of Italy in Lebanon, Sophie’s Choice s.a.l., the prestigious concept boutique located in downtown Beirut, which carries several unique and trendy high-end Italian fashion brands, launched Conti Confetteria Milano.

Conti Confetteria is unique, original Italian, hand crafted and a hundred percent natural; with forty different confetti flavors. At every boutique, an atelier can be found, including a hive of activities: silk, velvet and colored ribbons beautifully put together with handmade boxes by the creative director of Conti Confetteria Mme Antonella Conti.”

My night

You are cordially invited to the sacred union between Fashion & Chocolate....do you, Houry, take this invite? Hellz yeah!

So we arrived at 8 pm and sadly missed out on the Italian Aperetivo prepared by the Italian Chef of CONTI CAFE’ Milano, Franco Mannazzu assisted by chef Gabriele Delgrossi, who were brought in from Italy just for the event! Alas, the damage is done my friends…and my heart is broken.

Instantly my five senses get to work. Lots of fashionable people mixing & mingling, sipping on their drinks (exclusively prepared by the Italian bartender Alessandro De luca). Nice house music playing in the background…the smell of chocolate in the air, and the suspense building up…but first I have to meet Carlotta. I call her up & she walks over to meet me at the entrance. You can spot her in the crowd thanks to her beautiful big hair, and illuminating smile which distracts me and causes me to half-way trip over the steps as I leaned down to hug her. Right at the entrance for everyone to see…at least I didn’t end up face flat on the floor next to the Italian chefs standing at the door, and managed to quickly dive into conversing. Adrenaline rush.

The adorable Carlotta is the-girl-you-really-want-to-meet-at-the-party. She exuded confidence in such an effortless way and made me feel very welcomed. She gave me an animated introduction to Conti Confetteria and introduced me to her lovely mother Ombretta Laurenti, who decided to bring the franchise to Lebanon. She Paired up with Sophie Salame, her friend and owner of the exclusive shop in Beirut Souks, Sophie’s choice, to bring together the secrets of Italian delicacies and the Lebanese society’s taste for exquisite and refined bites. Hence, Conti Confetteria.

My friend & I then head over to the bar where I introduce myself to Alessandro, the bartender : “Come Stai, Mi Chiamio Houry!” and after tasting the Midori he makes for us… “Molto Bene!” *complete with the hand gesture*

Hey look! There's Alessandro!

Spotted: A display of transparent boxes lined up along the walls, filled with confetti. Circle shaped candy and chocolates, with a range of flavors; Including coffee beans, jelly, vanilla, mint and even tiramisu! Taste buds at work…and cavities too. I tasted as many as I could without getting a sugar overdose and losing balance again. Finally, I was delighted to get a chocolate goodie bag on the way out, which I devoured while writing this post...You'll know what I'm talking about once you get a taste of these...

For more info visit:

http://www.conticonfetteria.it/

http://www.sophieschoice-boutique.com

Ongoing feature: fashion on the streets of Beirut

2011-11-30T02:44:00.000-08:00

Paris Street Style

Stockholm Street Style

New York street Style

Coppenhagen Street Style

London Street Style.....

BEIRUT STREET STYLE - *Gaelle*

Fashion is the art of self expression. You wake up every morning and make a conscious decision as to what you're gonna wear to go out, because every single piece you put on is a reflection of your personality, and you have to keep up with your self-image. (not the one society has imposed on you.) Fashion bloggers around the world dedicate their time to exposing fashionable people on the streets of their cities, why not put Beirut on that list. Also, I won't be mentioning where the clothes are from because ...it doesn't matter! whether it's H&M, Zara or chanel and christian Dior.
Unlike brands, inspiration is and should be accessible to everyone!

(In order to get this thread up-and-running don't hesitate to send in some photos that would fit in to this initiative!)

A pop-up fashion event in Gemmayzeh!

2011-11-28T02:47:00.000-08:00

(Redirected from fustany.com)

"A Boutique Society is the name of the ephemeral store founded by Yasmine Behnam in October 2009. Each season, A Boutique Society travels to meet its customers in Beirut, Cairo and Dubai, selling the womenswear and accessories collections for only 2 to 3 days at a time; at various venues such as art galleries, cool concept stores, hotels or even beautiful gardens. Armed with an experience of over ten years in the fields of fashion and luxury in London and Paris before landing in Dubai, Yasmine selectively picks the pieces displayed mixing between multi-brands and emerging talents. It’s a new retail experience, where shoppers become ‘regulars’ and tend to extend their visit enough to ‘socially’ gather around a cup of coffee, thus earning the boutique its name. In fact, A Boutique Society is like a best friend visiting in town. For the next pop-up event A Boutique Society visits Beirut, and will show at Kitsch Boutique & Bakery, 14 Gemmayzeh Street, on the first three days of December from 11am to 8pm.

After the success of A Boutique Society in Dubai and the upcoming event in Beirut, we hear Cairo’s will be next, we’ll make sure to keep you posted on that as well."

For more information, log onto www.facebook.com/aboutiquesociety or get in contact with them on info@aboutiquesociety.com

This looks interesting! Will definitely check it out!

French Actress/face of Lancel wears DINA JSR!

2011-11-25T06:06:00.000-08:00

BEATRICE ROSEN WEARS DINA JSR TO THE 135th LANCEL ANNIVERSARY IN PARIS.

DINA JSR is a young Lebanese designer I recently featured in my blog, who's really making a name for herself! Since she's my close friend's cousin, I've hung out with her a couple of times and I must say I'm starting to see her personal elegance reflected through this line. Her friendly, light-hearted personality will definitely play a huge role in skyrocketing her career. Everysingle person I show the dresses to, falls in love with every single piece!
So It's not surprising that she's already made it on the Red Carpet....

Actress Beatrice Rosen, Face of Lancel, attended the Lancel celebration of '135 Years Of French Legerete' on November 24th, 2011 in Paris, wearing an organza short purple dress with silver embroidery on the top, from Young Designer Dina Jsr Spring-Summer 2012 Collection.

Beatrice Rosen in a gorgeous DINA JSR dress

CopyCat: The Rocker

2011-11-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

CopyCat is an ongoing thread i'll be posting on this blog, in which I duplicate high fashion style, with what I have in my closet. I've always loved recreating outfits I see on catwalks, on models, and street fashion from around the world.
In this Rocker outfit, I've mixed lots of fabrics too, (denim, sheer, pleather) which gives volume to your outfit and makes it look extra layered!
Try mixing fabrics, and see what you can come up with!!

The Rocker look
(With Slight difference in height)

The only item purchased in Lebanon is the black pleather vest which you can find at CigaretteFashion
The outfit: Cutout Jeans,Black sheer blouse,motorcycle vest, chains
ROCK ON!

Pavoni Fashion show in Beirut

2011-11-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

While we waited outside to enter the venue, my cousin & I entertained ourselves by debating on whether or not we were overdressed…that thought was quickly dismissed, as we spotted a walking disco ball. Dressed in a sexy short, fitted, silver, glimmering Pavoni Dress, arms covered with edgy tattoos, (gotta love the contrast of an elegant dress and hard-ass ink) she hovered around the place, mixing & mingling with guests. While she lit up the place like a Disco Ball, every Eye Ball in the room was right there with her. She was to Pavoni, what Edie Sedjwick was to Andy Warhol; The Ultimate Muse.

The Muse's dress on a model

Pavoni (meaning Peacock in Italian) is a collaboration between two designers, Mike Derderian and Gianni Falcone, which has already become popular with some of the Ladies of Hollywood.(Such as Katy Perry & Carrie Underwood) Their current collection can be found in over 25 of the most exclusive retailers worldwide. The brand is already distributed in some regional boutiques, and is due to be launched at Rodeo Drive (UAE & Beirut) in SS12.

After seating ourselves in front of the platform and ordering our drinks, we braced ourselves for the photogs who swarmed towards our table. Okay, not all at once, but with a 10 minute interval in between. I must say, the attention was awkwardly flattering and also came to an end as soon as the towering models walked out. They perfectly reflected the elegance of the dresses, which ranged from long gowns to cocktail dresses. Although they were clearly Eastern European porcelain dolls, Pavoni would cater well to their Middle Eastern clientele. A Lebanese woman loves her some kharaz (beading) and dentelle (lace) and corsets that accentuate the assets. You better know her body is a mannequin for short, fitted cocktail dresses.

This was a rather unconventional show, since I’m used to regular catwalk shows in Canada. I must say I preferred this setup since you can watch the show and have yourself a drink while commenting about every single detail. (You know you wanna do that)

From the show

I did realize however, that there was more media present than guests. And since the models strutted their stuff on the club’s walkway, I kept envisioning an impending collision between them and the guests who were oh, so fashionably late.

“Someone save the dreeeeesssss!”

After the show, those who decided to stick around were entertained by a female violinist. I did stay a bit longer to watch, afterall I hated to think I dressed up on a rainy day to attend a 30minute long show. We decided to “buy” a pack of cigarettes from the waiter, (even though we’re occasional smokers) which we had to pay for on the spot. It’s cool though, the cigs were diamond encrusted and tasted like an exotic chocolate mint…yeah you wish. But they might as well have since they cost 10,000 ll. We did however get a goodie bag while leaving Whiskey Mist, (to make up for their ridiculous prices inside) a magazine called “Flair” with the slogan, “Love, live, lust, luxury.” I didn't expect to pick up & read it with my morning coffee, but I actually did. In addition to visual inspiration, they had some interesting architecture & arts related articles.

Last but not least, I was honored to meet the Armenian half of the designer duo, Mike Derderian.

Mike Derderian

I truly love meeting successful people who are so down-to-earth and friendly. Humility is a virtue, and he sure knows that. He was a one-man show, going around to every table, socializing with guests and potential customers, with a huge smile on his face. You can tell his heart and soul is in this, an excellent self-promoter; (not that he needs it) you know I love me some good pr. I had a fun conversation with him, and we bonded on our points in common. Being Armenian, living in Montreal, & loving fashion! The words he left me with as I was leaving the place were, “Blogging is our future.”

And that was the Cherry on top of the pie J
Some of my picks from the line:

For more info visit:

www.atelierpavoni.com

"A Brick in the Wall"

2011-11-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, you were just another brick in the wall...

Now It's time to Stand Out.

Styling tip:
I love pairing a feminine, girly skirt with grungy boots!
Get inspired!

"Lollies" - Oh so YummY accessories

2011-11-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Lollies is the name behind a Lebanese brand of accessories designed by the young and talented, Gaelle.Eva.D. I first came across these original pieces at the Mzaar designers exhibition, summer 2011. The colors used by the designer allow her pieces to pop out with originality. Those include clip-on earrings, rings and bracelets, each guaranteed to make a statement.
Being new to the Lebanese design industry, I was interested to find out how welcoming the market is to artists and local designers. According to Gaelle, Lebanon is the perfect playground for up & coming designers. The people are trendy, hand labor is cheap, and there’s a large availability of raw materials. In addition, there are lots of boutiques situated in hip locations such as Gemmayzeh, Hamra and the Saifi Village which mediate between her products and clientele. She does however, have some advice to give to fellow fashionistas who are thinking about starting their own line, “be careful not to duplicate other designers’ work, build your own style, and don’t be afraid to experiment!” Most importantly, they should stay motivated and dedicated, since many talented designers here apparently tend to start up a line, and fail to continue.

When asked what more can be done to support local artists and designers in Lebanon, she believed that there should be more sponsorship and funding for design campaigns. She added that the market should be able to tell apart the pioneers from the trend followers. I thought this was an interesting point to bring up! Afterall, she’s right, It has become increasingly common for a biology major student to wake up one day and decide to start a clothing line. Thanks to daddy’s money, and absolutely no background in design, their dream comes true. The line between the authentic designers and the wannabes is a bit blurry nowadays which makes it difficult for those who have actually studied the art of design, to get the credit they deserve.

Enough said,

Here are her favorite picks from the line:

Lollies can be found at:
Le Balcon des createurs (ABC achrafieh)
Birdcage (Saifi village)
Walk in Closet (Verdun)
Little Black dress (Hamra)
Kulte (Verdun)

For more info visit her lovely website:
www.lolliesbeirut.com

Fall/Winter 11' trends: Heritage

2011-11-12T11:31:00.000-08:00

"Um, hey grandpa, can I go through your closet for a sec?"

Here's where I found some of those pieces:

Get inspired!

Intro to being a recessionista 101: "Cigarette fashion"

2011-11-11T03:41:00.000-08:00

"Don't smoke it, wear it"

Cigarette Fashion is a local boutique I stumbled upon, during my recessionista shopping trip one day. I found some great finds to incorporate in my new fall/winter wardrobe and their prices were extremely affordable! If you're looking for Sequin shirts, dresses and skirts, pleather and plead vests, colorful leggings, sequin bandeaus to wear under a sheer blouse....this is definitely a store to check out! Just the pieces you need to style up a new wardrobe without spending a fortune!

Here are some photos from their lookbook for the fall/winter 2011 season:

Long sleeve body in many colors

Short sequin skirt!

Semi Laced turtle necks

Sequin dress

Pleather leggings in different colors

Gold sequins dress

Visit the store on:
Arax street, Bourj Hammoud
for more info, check out the facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/cigarettefashion

Click on the Cigarette Fashion label below for more pix!

Conspire to inspire: Blazin' Blazers

2011-11-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

Brown Suede with whites!

Saumon with black linings!

Eye Candy

Short, Navy tweed

Your grandpa's blazer

Old Hollywood, Black n White

All photos courtesy of becomegorgeous.com

A pixie dust of inspiration! :)

Conspire to inspire: Feelin' Blue

2011-11-08T03:58:00.000-08:00

Black & Blue

Burgundy & Blue

Edgy Black & Blue combo

(All photos courtesy of fashionising.com)

A pixie dust of inspiration! :)

Spotlight on: "Designs by Kay"

2011-11-07T04:28:00.000-08:00

The first thing that catches my eye, is the Lebanese Lira ring on her finger. We're sitting at a crowded bar in Hamra, there's barely enough room to stand. She takes out a bottle of water from her purse, and I ask: "Shou Mary Poppins, can you fit ME in there?" Then I realize what an intriguing purse it is, I mean that thing deserved a chair of its own.

And that's how I met, Karen Mahseredjian, the talented designer behind the Designs by Kay brand. Armenians have a historically strong background in hand crafts; every single one of us has a member in the family who's either a purse maker, shoe maker or diamond setter which are professions that require lots of precision.

Enough said, here are some pieces from Karen's collection, which has been featured in the press numerous times:

Designs by Kay stand @ The Union, Gemmayzeh

The Lira ring!

Zipper flower headbands!

These products are available at the following boutiques:

Beirut:
CREAM Boutique, Saifi Village
Kulte by Kika, Verdun Street
Pink Aubergine, Ashrafieh, Rue du Liban
The Union Urbanwear, Gemayzeh
Toxic, Kaslik
Raspberry Diva, Old Souk Jounieh

Jordan:
Pinkdust, Amman, Jordan

Dammam, Saudi Arabia:
A Stand at the International arts and design week (jan 18th to 23rd)

For more info visit:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Designs-by-Kay/162870843769523

"The night of the Adeaters" - the Joy of Capitalism

2011-11-06T01:50:00.000-07:00

This photo is not taken in Beirut, but it did look something like this!

Imagine a movie theatre with an audience blowing on horns, balloons floating in the air, and glowsticks being waved around in the dark hall. Now add a 6 hour long consecutive screening of commercials, and you get the “Night of the Adeaters.” (I stayed for 3 hours)

This unique night that celebrates the creativity of advertising, was created by Jean Marie Boursicot in 1981. (Bouriscot went on to establish the biggest advertising library in the world.) The show runs in more than 40 countries worldwide dedicated to showing the production of advertising among 60 different nationalities (including Lebanon).

There’s no remote control to help you flip to another channel, and you won’t want to anyways. This was the crème de la crème of advertising. From the 1950s till present day; it was a showcase of the wittiest, funniest, as well as most moving commercials of the century. Every single one of the clips had the power to stir up all kinds of emotions. And they did! You can tell from the audience’s loud and honest feedback. (it did get annoying at some point, the horns eventually sounded like dying ducks!)

The ads ranged from commercial products, to services and awareness campaigns. So it wasn’t all about McDonalds, Nike and Pepsi, my favorites were the Aids and Cancer awareness ads. Which at some point brought me, and many others, to tears! There were many intermissions during the show, with lots of free treats! Dunkin donuts, cool giveaways and…vodka shots!
It was interesting to see the way advertisers from around the world, package their message to present to their people. From Senegal to France, over to Thailand and Moscow. Even though there were theatrical differences between the ads (Humor, for example, differs from one country to another) we still understood what the bottom line was. The show demonstrated that advertising is based on a language shared by all. The message is brief and dense and it “transcends linguistic and cultural differences.” (Adeater.com)

Since people are now active consumers who are more aware of the media, the advertising industry has become more aggressive because it’s so difficult to get our attention. (More aggressive = a lot more creativity).
Unless you’re a communication studies major, you’ve almost always characterized the advertising industry as the conniving, manipulative hand of capitalism. Well, it is. But that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked as an art form.

Overall, a great alternative to a cozy Saturday night! J

Note

(Check out the Panda Cheese commercials from Egypt for a good laugh!)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=panda+commercial+cheese&aq=f

Conspire to Inspire: Autumn Shorts

2011-11-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Just because the weather's getting a little bit chilly, it doesn't mean we should put our shorts away!
Here's some inspiration on how to pull off shorts during fall season!
Don't forget to experiment with the color of your stockings.
Do the best with what you have in your closet, and get creative!

My creations: "A Plastik Table"

2011-10-31T03:22:00.000-07:00

I've decided to add a little funk to my living space by refurbishing old furniture and turning it into pop art. I used Plastik Magazine, a visual magazine published in Lebanon, known for its eccentricity and out-of-the-box fashion photography. It isn't difficult to put together images from those magazines and have them synchronize and tell a story. Never would I have imagined what a therapeutic project this would turn out to be. Through this I've discovered the concept of art therapy: It helps you acquire patience, train your mind to focus, and experience a sense of accomplishment. What a reward!

Here's a Before and after look at the table:

Covered in Plexi glass for better use

Stick around to see more of My Creations...and get inspired to create your own!
Bon Appetit! :)

Spotlight on fashion designer: DINA JSR

2011-10-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

My picks from "Lasting impressions" By Dina JSR

Dina JSR is an up & coming, super talented Lebanese designer whose first collection was recently introduced in Paris, France. Inspired by Lebanon’s ancient architecture, she’s created a line of cocktail dresses that can be best described as walking-talking works of art. Although she focuses on simplicity as a base, her mix of fabrics and use of pleats have given each piece a personality of its own. Put on your 3D glasses because these dresses have eccentric elements that pop out and are worth taking note of.

Although black is a prominent color in the line, there are lots of fresh colors to choose from such as fuschia pink, lavender and yellow. Pastel colors are also consistent giving the dresses an almost ethereal and angelic feel, which is accentuated by the designer’s use of muslin. The mélange of edgy cuts and feminine colors reflect an effortlessly classy look, ideal for special occasions.

The line is available in Saifi Village.

For more info on locations, visit: www.dinajsr.com

"W halla2 la wein?" (Where do we go now?) A film by Nadine Labaki

2011-10-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

Where do we go now? Perhaps, an Oscar for the multi-talented director/actor, Nadine Labaki? Why not, she already received the fans choice award at the Toronto International Film festival…but most importantly, and above all, she became Lebanon’s sweetheart.

It all began around an old, buffering TV set; in a small Lebanese village where the community, made up of both Muslims and Christians, gathered to catch a glimpse of the outside world. In other words, the world beyond their humble village. Both sects put a lot of effort into living peacefully side by side but they were separated by a mental barb wire, which from time to time would send subtle shock waves that would threaten the stability of the community.
The protagonists of the film, are a group of mothers. Strong yet gentle and caring women who represent the rest of the mothers in this country as the backbone of the family. Labaki’s feminist perspective uses badass humor to depict the status of women in this country. The women operate “under the table,” or “men ta7t la ta7t,” in order to achieve their goal. They have mental control over the situation, but when physical control is required they use the two things they believe can put Lebanese men under control: Hashish & strippers.

The unfortunate truth about men in this country, is that they are programmed to be at each other’s throats for the slightest of reasons. In this film they are portrayed as tempered, unreasonable and violent, which justifies the anxiety experienced by the women as they panic to distract them from watching the news about sectarian conflict in the city. The storyline that Labaki uses to depict religious tension between the two sects, is remarkable. Fearing future bloodshed between the villagers, the women hire a bunch of Russian strippers to distract their men, who are completely spellbound. Staged as though their bus had broken down on the road, the strippers stay at the village for a week. As the “respected” guests of the village, they are treated as tourists which makes for hilarious comedy. The interaction between the four tall, blonde Russian women, and the female villagers created a mix of sweet irony. Never in a million years would we imagine our mothers to conspire against our fathers with Russian strippers.

Although the film wasn’t a musical, it did have a couple of scenes where the actors broke out into synchronized singing. Although opinions may differ on this, I found the dance of death in the beginning, to be a breath of creative fresh air. A contrast to what the world is accustomed to seeing from this region; hysterically weeping women dressed in black burqas shouting out: “Allah ou akbar” As the group of both Christian and Muslim women marched towards the cemetery, they expressed extreme sorrow through a harmonized dance.
The music in this film was haunting and had the power to give you the chills. Most memorable, was the Hashish song that the women sing together as they prepared Hash induced cakes and manakeesh for their men to consume. The irony was in the fact that recreational drugs are not exactly praised by the mothers in this society, yet there they were serenading the audience with this uplifting Hashish song which made you want to sing along.

This film presented an unrealistic solution to a very serious situation. Yes, it’s meant to be funny, but there’s a strong message being sent and it is up to us to make something of it. Labaki uses remarkably written satire that puts the audience into a reflective mode. The catharsis that they experience during the movie makes them leave the theatre with a mixed set of emotions. An audience so moved by tears and laughter will surely take something away from this. It will ask itself questions like: Would I put effort into keeping the peace between Christians and Muslims? Can I switch off the news and not allow it to control my life? Would I trick my parents into eating space cakes?...okay, maybe not that last one. But we did all imagine how funny that would turn out…

Nadine Labaki, along with her outstanding team, really put Lebanon on the Middle Eastern and international map. Lebanon was never famous for films, sitcoms or soap operas rather it was constantly mocked. “Halla2 La Wein” has the power to end this mediocre reputation.This film will be representing Lebanon in the best foreign language category at the Oscars, and I, along with everyone else who saw the film, will surely be anticipating Nadine Labaki’s acceptance speech. J

"On the lips, Snow" a Contemporary dance show by Ali Chahrour ft. Emilie Thomas

2011-10-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

From the core of Hamra street, beat a silent drum….My heart... Literally... In both shock and anticipation. The talented Ali Chahrour, featuring Emilie Thomas, presented an intricate contemporary dance performance to a sometimes confused but fixated audience of dance enthusiasts. We shouldn’t forget that contemporary dance, to begin with, is a fairly novel concept on this side of the world. It is not a mainstream dance, such as hip hop or salsa, and demands an open mind from its audience.

Contemporary dance tells a story through body movements. It is overwhelmed with emotions and feelings which is why dancers must also have theatre skills. In case you’ve never seen a contemporary dance show before, you can check out some clips from “So you think you can dance” (USA) they’re choreographed by Mia Michaels, she’s revolutionary.

The first time I dragged along 2 of my girlfriends to attend the show. We walked around Hamra street for 20 minutes trying to find the Maqamat dance theatre, until a random guy sitting at Costa coffee overheard us and helped us out. When we got to the 2^nd floor of the building, it was isolated. It literally looked like No Man’s Land. Absolutely deserted, not a sound nor a whisper, no signs whatsoever, except for a poster of the show. We later on found out that the dance director apparently shuts all doors at the start of the show. A notice would’ve helped though.

Going back to the performance. Ali Chahrour’s piece was strongly kneeling towards avant garde theatre rather than dance. (Ali later on reveals that he’s a theatre graduate from the Lebanese University) I expected to see a lot more dance, and a lot less slow motion acting. Most of the show unraveled without any music which made it even more intense. When music did play however, in the background, I was hypnotized. They played “Patience” by Damien Marley and Nas, one of the most inspirational songs of the decade.

I myself, had a great time because I’m a fan of both dance and theatre and I love putting my mind in reflective mode. But if you’re attending a dance show for the first time in your life, then I don’t suggest you attend this one. That is, if you don’t wanna spend an hour repeating this reaction: “What the…?!?!” And if you do end up attending, do NOT stay for the discussion. Although tempting, since you’re confused and want some answers. Dance is not to be explained. Take what you want from it, and make your own story according to your personal experiences in life. That by itself, is an exhilarating feeling!

For more info on future programs visit, www.maqamat.org

Enjoy J

2011-10-28T01:11:00.000-07:00

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About Me

2011-10-28T01:03:00.000-07:00

My name is Houry, I'm Armenian-Lebanese, grew up in Saudi Arabia, and studied in Toronto, Canada. My Current Location is Lebanon, and CaféBeirut is my Joie de vivre.
While daydreaming in a Café, I felt I had to pay homage to this bittersweet city that gave me so much inspiration...and so CaféBeirut was born. As a Pr enthusiast with a passion for Fashion, Arts and writing, I've turned this blog into my creative outlet.
On The Menu, you will find:
Fashion inspiration, Trends & Styling tips, Photoshoots, D.I.Y. stuff, How to be a Recessionista, Men's style, Fashion news, Lebanese designers, local stores, bargain shopping...
Visual arts,home decor, D.I.Y, performing arts, dance, theatre, anything that catches the artistic eye!
Personal Stories, thoughts & reflections, fun reads!

'What is the use of a book', thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversations?'
Lewis Carroll

On a parallel Universe, I also am:
A Day Dreamer, A Global citizen, a Cloud-surfer,a Nutella lover,a dancing Gypsy,a Warrior of the light,a Color junkie,a Bargain shopper,a People's person, a News follower, a Foreign Films geek and a Musical Theatre groupie.
This said: Have a comfortable seat, prepare your delicious cup of Ahwé, and enjoy!