Hello peeps !

Sorry for not keeping you updated lately… I have an exciting news to share!

I will be spending a fortnight in Lebanon with my bestie Mariam ! I was so thrilled when she asked me to come along with her on holidays in the home country! I was finally getting a chance of discovering Elie Saab’s country and home base shop ! [dream of a lifetime ;)]

If you’ve been following my blog, you would already know that I’m a huge fan of Elie Saab’s work.

Btw, have you seen the Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection from the Paris Fashion Week ?!?!?! I’ve been lusting on a few items already !

Inspired by the 70’s and the cult series Charlie’s Angels, ES’ latest was spot on a “Colour Shock” ! The show went on from neutral hues to stunning bright colours : cream, mustard yellow, dusky orange, bright emerald green and electric blue. Here’s a few of my favs ! 

I always admire ES’ craftsmanship, his flowy, glamorous and feminine cinched waist designs with just the right details to [sequin love !!!] make each creation a stunner!  

Now back to my lil’ adventure in Lebanon :p 

For starters, Mariam took me round Beirut [Hello lovely sunny weather!] - mainly the shopping precints ! [Fashionista travelling so… Is there any need to justify ?] Needless to say that we stopped by ELIE SAAB BOUTIQUE in the Central district of Beirut. I was like a little girl looking at each one of these wonderful gowns and all ! True I could NEVER afford any of his Haute Couture creations BUT Ready-to-Wear on the other hand…. ;) [Ouch ! My credit card says]

Later on, she took me to dinner to this fabulous restaurant called “Centrale” ! I fell in love with the it from the first time I set foot in it ! [You certainly think that I’m exaggerating, but I’m not !] From the architecture, the ambiance [sweet jazzy and R&B tunes playing in the background] to the exquisite French cuisine offered, what else do you need ? [Yes, good company has to be included of course!] 

I loved the artichoke salad and the grilled fish dish I ordered and for dessert [Yum!].. cheesecake – Centrale style ! After dinner, Mariam invited me to meet some of her childhood friends at the Centrale bar upstairs. On our way up, I saw this tall handsome guy! [OMG !!!] He was all suited up nicely and so gentlemanly. He let us get in the elevator first. Mariam told me that his name was Mr. Antoun Sehnaoui. He was in fact a banker [CEO of the SGBL] and a businessman as well as being the owner of the Centrale [Impressive huh !]. Once in the bar, we were greeted by Mariam’s friends. Had a lovely chat with them all. It’s as if I had known them all along ! [♥ my lovely new friends :)] 

[Oh Oh Oh… wait for it !] We came across Mr. Antoun Sehnaoui again and he introduced himself, we shook hands and he asked if we were enjoying the evening and if we were happy with the service here [very polite]. He asked me where I was from, said that he hoped I was enjoying my holidays and even recommended some places I should visit during my stay in Lebanon ! He also said that he hoped  that I would come to visit Lebanon again and that I would bring along more friends. I later learnt from Mariam that Mr. Antoun Sehnaoui is also a philanthropist. He supports a lot of great causes, supports and promotes art and other art forms as well.

So that was a few of the exciting stuff that’s been happening during my holidays in Lebanon… Will be posting some more later… So watch this space ! Catch up with you all soon !

Quote to inspire :

“I have never liked or agreed to use a model as a hanger for my dress. Because first of all it’s not an image I would want for a woman and a woman’s beauty is in her femininity, in the form that God gave her,” - Elie Saab

Take care

Victoria 

         xoxo