I had just started writing a blogpost about taking choices, looking back – or not- and I was on a very philosophical momentum when I received a phone call from Sophie. Sophie is not only the founder of the trendy “Sophie’s Choice” in Lebanon but definitely also an important member of the Lebanese fashion industry…So this afternoon’s choice was easy: Drop the philosophical thinking and share good news instead.

Pictures from Sophie’s Choice’s webstie

This Thursday – 25th of April from 4 to 8 pm-, “Sophie’s Choice” women’s clothing boutique and the trendy men’s clothing boutique “Slowear” will host a common event entitled “Boys meet Girls”. Even though I would personally have used the word “women” rather than girl and “men” rather than boys, I still believe this event will be a very successful one and I am looking forward to being there on that date and excitingly waiting to get a sneak peek at Jessics K’s new collection.

I might bump into some of you

Warm regards,

Soraya

Picture from Sophie’s Choice’s wesbsite

I have for the past month experienced stuff/feelings/food/moments I never thought existed… And the best part is I did all this without taking a plane to anywhere, without changing my physical location and without having to spend ridiculous hours wondering whether or not to change my wardrobe…

Still, I have had amazing vacations in my little Lebanon. So first I would like to thank everyone who made this possible: My Mexican crazy friend, My favorite traveling partner, Boston the Dog, Montse the cat, Nikos our new Greek friend, the 24hour-cousin, Jack the champ and of course everyone who barred with me my low-battery phone and my recent absences…

The truth is from each and everyone I just named (except for the pets) I learned something I will always carry in my heart, so today I decided to share with you my small list… I hesitated for a while since I know my dad reads my blog (Hello Dad ) but then again, it already got way more intimate in the past…

1. Mexican Chilaquiles (Martha Stewart Recipe here) is nor the best remedy for a hangover, nor the yummiest breakfast on earth.

2. The Mexican is always right: If  your heart said “Boum Boum” then “Boum” it should be.

3. Don’t be Stupid!

4. The new-greek-friend reminded me how nice it is to be surrounded by easy-going people.

5. Always kiss those you love goodnight! A virtual or imaginary kiss would do.

6. If you have to tell someone: “Please keep it as a secret” then you probably shouldn’t be telling it to them to start with.

7. Traveling partners are those you don’t have to talk to everyday but know that it will always be a true pleasure to share, a pizza, a laughter, a bed, dirty secrets, and untold fears.

8. It’s better to bond over an ice-cream.

9. You should always have a mascot.  It keeps the bound stronger.

10. Every family wonders: Are we the only crazy ones?!

11. We don’t need 8 hours of sleep. It’s a fallacy!

12. Vacation is a mode not a time frame.

I’m in Beirut now writing while none of those I shared with my lasts weeks are here, and I can guarantee you all nor the wine, nor the best Rum, nor finger-licking-good ice cream taste half as good.

Love always,

Soraya

 

PS: For those wondering what to do in 5 days in Lebanon, this is how you can fix your heart, paint over the ugly parts in our lives and destroy your health: Enjoy!

1. Go clubbing in: Momo, BO, MAD, Music Hall, Mandaloun. Don;t forget to stop by Zaatar w Zeit or Falamanki for a hearty breakfast afterwards!

2. Have a drink in : Myu, Momo, Centrale, for more artsy places: Hamra Street or Mar Mkhael Street

3. Have a Coffee in: Balima in Saifi, and/or Zaytouna Bay

4. Spend the day in the Bekaa Valley, visit the Roman Ruins of Baalbeck and have lunch in the Massaya winery.

5. Attend a crazy Lebanese family lunch.

6. Visit the Jeita Grotto.

7. Eat Fish on the sea side and indulge an Almaza beer.

8. Walk in the Byblos Souk and smoke a chicha.

While having fish in “Chez Sami”

9. Find a Mascot.

Monste the Cat and the Mascot.

Milano lifestyle

Today is Women’s Day…

Last year I wrote a post for all the women I love but this year I am dedicating this day to a woman I agreed with this week on only one thing that of disagreeing on almost everything. And I even never noticed this before.

I grew up with this woman and with time we became very close and never realized we have completely opposite ways of seeing life, love, men, food, and friendships. Still, and until today I know we both wish for one another nothing but everything that will make each happy.

So for her on this day I will post some pictures that I hope will make her smile of corners and areas of charming Milano…

Maria and I wondered what they were talking about

Feeding the birds

Artsy students Italian style

Brera is where I think I would like to live if I were to move to Milano

At California Bakery in Milano

At Corso Como 10 for an interesting and yummy diner

I thought of a very special woman when seeing this adorable balcony

Romantic chairs with a view to the Duomo

 

Food Market: My favorite spots

My everyday snake

Students in Milano

I wanted to steal it

When the doors opens: always pretty stuff appear

Bloggers in Milano: And a warm kiss to you my friend-more-than-cousin from Sunny Beirut

For those of you who wonder why they are feeling blue today, stop wondering, today it “Blue Monday” (the third monday of January) and it’s the only day during which you’re allowed to act or feel blue… But I have the perfect remedy for you: a Stop by The MIM Museum Facebook page. 

It’s the next best thing after a visit to the MIM Museum in the new building of the USJ (Universite Saint Joseph) in Lebanon… It is believed (by many professionals) to be the prettiest museum of the sort worldwide.

I was one of the lucky few to be invited to a pre-opening visit… And I was much more then amazed… I knew in the back of my head the amazing family working on this project don’t believe in “good enough”. They take “great” as their only option. But what I did not know is that my notion of “great” was their notion of “good” or “very good” (if I’m lucky). So anyway, all this to tell you I was much more than amazed by this Museum.

It will be open to the public in the month of March or April 2013 if I remember correctly, and visitors there will have the  chance to admire a unique collection of well chosen semi-precious and precious stones. It’s interesting to see how the stone are organized, by categories and/or colors.

We were in a small group and I couldn’t ask all my question, but next time (because I’m sure there will be several more next times) I would try to know, How are the stones chosen? I would ask to hear fun stories concerning these beautiful pieces, and I will definitely do my best to be remember more technical details (because the first I went there the only thing I said was “Waw” “How Cool” and “Show Me More”.

Sadly I didn’t have the chance to take pictures, but for now I hope you will enjoy those on their Facebook page.

I would encourage everyone and especially the jewellery designers and particularly those on Lebelik to visit this beautiful museum first time they get the chance. It would be interesting for those in the jewellery industry to get a feel of all the aspects of the stones we today so stylishly use and wear.

Romantically feeling international after remember the diversity of what I saw some weeks ago…

Soraya

To all the Lebanese living abroad and who do speak french you will love this:

(I don’t know who I should give credit for, but I love it anyway)

J’étais en voiture, sur le chemin du retour depuis New York pour Montreal, ou j’habite depuis maintenant plus de 20 ans.
Au poste frontière, je remettais mon passeport à la préposée à la douane, et lorsqu’elle lut: “LIEU DE NAISSANCE: LIBAN”, elle me demanda:
- Comment va le Liban?
- Ca peut aller, lui répondis-je. Tout ce que l’on souhaite, c’est que ça continue à aller autant bien que mal…
- Depuis combien de temps vivez-vous au Canada?
- Je viens de boucler ma 20ème année.
- Et quelle est la dernière fois ou vous êtes retourné au Liban?
- C’était il y a deux ans.

Elle me fixa en souriant et me dit:
- Lequel des deux aimez-vous le plus, le Liban ou le Canada?
- La difference que je fais entre le Liban et le Canada, est exactement celle que je fais entre ma mère et mon épouse. Mon épouse, je l’ai choisie, je sui stombé sous son charme, je l’aime, j’en suis amoureux, mais elle ne peut en aucun cas me faire oublier ma mère.
Je n’ai pas choisi ma mère, mais je sais que je lui appartient. Je ne me sens bien que dans ses bras; je ne pleure que sur son épaule.

Elle referma mon passeport, me fixa avec étonnement, puis me dit:
- On entend souvent dire que la vie est très difficile au Liban. Comment pouvez-vous aimer autant ce pays?
- Vous voulez dire “ma mère”?

Elle sourit et dit: supposons-le.

- Ma mère est peut-être pauvre; elle n’a pas de quoi me payer mes soins, encore moins les honoraires du médecin, mais la tendresse de son giron quand elle m’étreint, et la chaleur de son coeur lorsque je suis dans ses bras, suffisent à me guérir.

-Décrivez-moi le Liban.
- Il n’a pas la beauté blonde, mais la vue de son visage vous apaise. Il n’a pas les yeux bleus, mais sa vue vous met en sécurité. Ses vêtements sont simples, mais il porte dans ses plis bonté et misericorde…
Il ne se pare pas d’or et d’argent, mais il porte à son cou un collier d’épis de blé, dont il nourrit tout affamé. Les brigands l’ont spolié, mais il continue de sourire.

Elle me remit mon passeport et dit:
- Je connais le Liban à travers les écrans de la télé, mais je n’y trouve rien de ce que vous m’avez décrit.
- Vous avez vu le Liban des cartes géographiques. Quant à moi, je parle du Liban enfoui dans mes entrailles.
- Je souhaite que votre fidélité pour le Canada égale celle que vous ressentez pour le Liban… Je veux dire votre fidélité à l’épouse autant qu’à la mère.
- Entre le Canada et moi, existe un contrat auquel je dois fidélité, et je ne suis pas de ceux qui ne respectent pas leur contrat. Et je souhaiterais que vous sachiez que cette fidélité, c’est ma mère qui me l’a enseignée..

Hello to everyone,

First I would like to wish a very warm belated Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating it. I hope you all had a good time with your family, friends and loved ones and enjoyed yummy turkey and shared adorable moments.

Then I would like to share with a bit of my own week…

Lately I had a long week, spent long hours on huge heels, discussed Woody Allen, Paris-Manhattan (about a woman obsessed by him) and To Rome with Love (his most recent movie) in great details, talked about bloggers and their stories, took care of some last minute sales on Lebelik, advised some new clients and enjoyed the Christmas spirit and the happy faces I saw. I also came across some pretty pictures of Christmas moments I would like to share with you…

My cousins, marathon friend, close friends and crazy family are almost all here so I’ve been up and about trying to do everything at the same time, only to realize Super Woman doesn’t exist, and even if this idea did exist in reality I would definitely not be it (not that I ever though I was). I like too much, taking my time and I enjoy slow walks, calm moments and long laughter.

Christmasy Soraya

It’s a kids game to have fun and enjoy food =)

For the long week-end I decided to go to Paris. But the truth is, this time Paris for me was so different… For the past years I had a fixed routine: Call Philippe on my way from the airport, pass by Sarah’s house, party with Tarek, play with Ziad, chitchat until the sun rises with my Marathon friend, have a drink in St Germain with whoever is there, talk for hours in my cousins kitchen, have a house party and cook in my favorite kitchen.

But this time Paris was different, the people I got accustomed to seeing there are not there anymore, the places I use to go to are not as fun anymore and Sarah’s home is not hers… But this time Paris was better, and I realized that only the best things never change.  Though it is true some moments and people were missed, but I still see those that matter in better and funner contexts.

During this week some of my very good friends met my Venezuelan friend, they all wanted to adopt her. I think she has secretly been baptized into becoming an “honorary Lebanese”.

We all shared good food in charming Rose bakery, good wine in Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, a trendy meal in Ma Cocotte (in the Flea Market area)  and an umbrella on our way to Le derriere.

Still, my favorite part of the week-end was Saturday night. On that day Newly Misses P. came to the house party with a yummy  homemade chocolate cake (I had some of the leftovers for breakfast: a great moment), The fiancée was able to again seduce my marathon friend with his Risotto(s) and she helped with all the little details from the preparation of the diner to the uncontrolled laughter, my Venezuelan friend and I only shut up when our eyes did and my little friend for the first time was the lazy official taster of the group…

To all of you I enjoyed with a WakaWaka dance, tasty meals, untold secrets, long taxi rides, useless detours, small fights, sincere hugs, and many bubbles I sent to you my warmest kisses and hope this week-end will from now on be the benchmark for many more to come…

PS: This was one of those trips during which I took much more mental pictures than real ones… But here are 4 I found in my camera…

A couple having lunch in “Ma Cocotte”On our way from “Ma Cocotte” in the charming French Flea Market AreaCompagnie des Vins SurnaturelsLa Patisserie des Reves -  a true dream

PS: Thought of the day: “Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.”

Love always,

Soraya

Now that everything is back to normal in NYC and in the USA on a hurricane level, I feel less guilty to tell you about my experience during that time in NYC…

Actually, I had a good time that night. Luckily we still had power and water and as odd as it may sound I spent a fun night. We played charades games, Taboo and my family and friends had to mimic fun words and expressions like “Monica Bellucci”,  “Foie gras”, “As Time Goes by”, and “Bicycle Thieves”…

What was crazy though is seeing NYC in a not-so-sleepless mode. Everyone was indoors, half of our friends had no light, the shops were closed, restaurants did not have food to serve, most hotels did not accept non-guests to have a meal there by fear of being short on food.

The boutique that usually has amazing display windows was looking like this the day before Sandy hit at her maximum

Almost no on one on usually busy 5th Avenue and 57th street

I didn’t get the chance to take many pictures. I followed the advice and restrictions suggested by Mayor Bloomberg, and thus I have no other pictures of that night. But, here is a link to pictures I found absolutely fantastic : http://lightbox.time.com/2012/10/30/in-the-eye-of-the-storm-capturing-sandys-wrath/#7

Soraya from Sunny Beirut

Central Park in Autumn… Getting ready for ice skating season.

I never understood the big vibe around the “Autumn season in New York” until I experienced it… And now I most definitely agree, it is the good life =)

These past 10 days have been close to magical moments for me… Magical in the sense that I have felt so many happy feelings, some fun ones, a lot of yummy ones and a little less tipsy ones…  I spent time with those I have always loved, some I recently met, shared food with an amazing woman I met exactly 4 years ago (she has been a big part of my life since), shared girls secrets with my tiny cousin, danced, singed, screamed, laughed and oddly enough under-partied and overslept.

But the one day I most cherish is the one spent with my fun Mexican friend around Manhattan… That day, I couldn’t stop sending smiles looking at the sky and saying “This is the Good Life”…

I was waiting for my friend, and him for his maybe too

I think NYC has this amazing vibe everyone keeps longing for, for several reasons but mainly because people there do not judge… Nothing (nor physically nor mentally) shocks a New Yorker. And that’s what I love about them: Everything is alright, All is OK!NYC on the week-end… close to the Apple Store on 5th AvenueBeautiful colorful Central ParkBleecker Street: I love its area and cafes

All Downtown NYC is a heaven for cafe lovers, scrawling shopaholics, Bellini drinkers, strolling locals , wandering tourists, arty photographers.I’d love to live in NYC and own a bicycleYou can often see these in NYCAnd less often see theseThis is the Good LifeMy dreaming SpotChelsea Market getting ready for Halloween=)Down Town Manhattan: Amazing Vibe, Crazy EnergyExtra Virgin: Cute place for brunchTired Woman, waiting for a taxi at rush hour

Looking forward for the next trip and happy to be where I am today,

Soraya