Sale! Soldes! Rebajas!

Yes it’s that time when we all rush to the stores trying to score the perfect bargain or get our hands on a designer jacket that we have been dreaming of since last season.

But once you step in the store and especially the big ones, you feel as if you walked into a war zone. Pieces of clothing scattered everywhere, too many people to pass through and nothing is in its right place.

What do you do? You walk out and go back home! NO

Be a smart shopper and follow these simple steps:

Timing:

Go at times when the shoppers are busy. Personally, I believe the best times would be at opening hour when the store is tidied up and most people are either at work on weekdays or sleeping through a hangover on weekends.

Be thorough:

During the sales period stores usually display everything they’ve had in stock for the past 2 seasons at least. So it’s not going to be a nice sight. All you need to do is take a deep breath and go through each and every shelf and rack (if you’re patient enough). You would be surprised by how many hidden items you might find.

Don’t even try it:   

After you’ve made your picks, you’ll head straight to the fitting rooms.  It’s going to be hell. Women will have at least 6 items each, they would want to mix and match outfits and run outside to get their man’s approval (of course after a 5 minute discussion). You can go two ways here: 
- If the store offers refunds, I suggest you take your stuff and go home. Try them at your own pace, create outfits with what you already have and keep what you want and return the rest. 
- If the store doesn’t, try sneaking into the men's or kids’ fitting rooms. They are usually less crowded. And if you’re not sure if you’re an S or an M, make sure you grab both sizes to avoid going back outside and repeating the process again.

Size does matter:

If you are petite or plus-sized then wait it out. You don’t have to be in the store the first day, week or even 2 weeks of the sales period. Wait until the storm of shoppers has settled down and then go shopping. A 36 size pair of wedges won’t go anywhere and neither will an XXL silk blouse.

Ditch the friend:

Finally, if your friend is impatient, hates shopping, gets annoyed from crowds and is always nagging to leave to go have lunch, then leave her/him at home!

Happy shopping!

Until next time…

Ghida

Winter Statements

A lot of us get excited about the winter season. Not for its cold nights or rainy weekends, but for the new winter trends we eagerly wait for from year to year.

This winter, the trends are simply jaw dropping and flamboyant. From head to toe velvet outfits to military jackets, and from oriental looks to leather skirts and coats… and the list goes on.  

The best part is mixing and matching new trends with your own unique style. And nothing screams ME more than your final touch of accessories. These small statements can make a big difference.

Here is a list of my personal favorite winter accessories:

Bubble Umbrella:

Your everyday companion! It looks great with any outfit, whether dressy or casual. And mostly, it’s fun to carry around.

Photo Source: http://cdn.indulgy.com/jC/t4/j6/195202965068317113CIjHzZCQc.jpg

Earmuffs:

You’re never too old for earmuffs! They come in all colors and material: black leather, white fur, green and pink striped wool… They look good and get the job done without messing your hair. What else can you ask for?

Photo Source: http://cdn.indulgy.com/jC/t4/j6/195202965068317113CIjHzZCQc.jpg

Chunky Eternity Scarf:

Colorful, big and just looking at it makes you feel warm, so how about having one wrapped around your neck! Match it with dark tones to create more excitement to your outfit.

Photo Source: http://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/6176978/il_570xN.275065638.jpg

Leather gloves:

Leather gloves are a must-have in winter! We can't deny the chic and glamour they add to your outfit. Go for black and neutral colors for an elegant look, while try more flashy colors for a dramatic look.

Photo Source: dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com

Until next time...

Ghida

Color Rush!

Walking around the streets of Beirut, I came across several outstanding jobs, aiming at beautifying the city, while allowing a creative and imaginative flow of fun & colors!  

Spotted in Hamra, Karantina and Achrafieh (among other places): The Graffiti Scene:

Finally the “M+T=LOVE” and “Bhabbik ya Fofo” are fading gradually and making way to more artistic and innovative graffiti. Stories are told through the colors and designs, which always keep you on the look out for more.

A group of young designers, who go by the name of Dihzahyners, came up with a fun way to reinvent the worn out stairs in Beirut. They painted stairs in Sakiet El Janzeer and Ras Beirut from top to bottom with fresh bright colors bringing them back to life.

An innovative movement called Dispatchwork that started in Italy and spread across the world has finally reached Beirut. Thanks to the help of a group of Lebanese enthusiasts, Dispatch Beirut have been working on patching cracked walls around Beirut with Lego pieces. Yes… pieces of all colors, shapes and sizes have been used to restore walls around the city.

So grab your paint buckets, shake your spray cans, gather your old Lego pieces and hit the street. Give back to the community and have fun!

Until next time...

Ghida.

Revolution on Wheels

Hey there readers,


This week I'm hosting a guest blogger, Raphael Sartorius!  
What brought him to Lebanon? No one really knows. But, after 26 years of life in cold Germany he woke up on a sunny day in Beirut and started making some observations which led him to my blog. In his very Gonzo way.... Here you go! 


Revolution on Wheels!


How the Arab revolutions are linked with wheels.


A state is to be judged by its state of exception. This is said by a German philosopher named Carlo Schmitt in the swinging 20s of the last century. He was referring to politics of course, but if we switch it to the daily traffic life, it will still tell a lot.


Its a hit and run, once you're off the popular Corniche beach walk. A video game, but you are the main and real player – on a bicycle. Within the concrete jungle, asking yourself whether you're top or bottom of the food chain. Jumping up and down the pavements, chasing in zig-zag lines between the cars: left right left, full stop, squeaking brakes, foot down to push. Honking cars. You will earn a lot of comments.
From the scooter riders, Beiruts' busy jungle bees, who even reject you as one of their kind. You're alone in the jungle. From the car drivers, sarcastically smiling at you. And I bet somebody took pictures of me with their mobiles like they did of the Kerserwany sisters riding camels in “3al Jamal bi wasat Beirut”. Youtube it, and after this the “Marsian biking in Beirut” or something similar if you wanna see me.        


                              “Botoxed beast, I'm not poor, I'm a fanatic!”


Is it because of sympathy or is it the mere astonishment that keeps the Beirutis' jaws down? “Hey you Cayenne-bitch pointing at me,” I'm thinking to myself, “botoxed beast, I'm not poor, I'm a fanatic. I spend on bikes the money others spent on Cars! My treasures are a low tyre racing bike and full suspended mountain bikes among others! With golden brake lines! I want it that way!”


Well, who cares. I continue my way and take the next giant pavement hole with an elegant hop. That's the same kind of person that complains about how noisy, polluted and ugly Beirut is on a weekday. Boost your brains and not your boobs, baby. The traffic is horrible because of people like you, the air is toxic because you're going the three hundred meters to work with a V8 instead of a Smart – or a bike. In London and Paris, there are bike lanes. In Berlin you can rent a bike and drop it off on every single corner. Once upon a time, even the automobile fetish Americans declared New York's 5th Avenue as a pedestrian precinct. Why can't that happen in Beirut?


A movement called Arab spring took the region last year. I think Beirut should join. By bike. It would be a lovely and peaceful, exceptionally revolution.


Raphael Sartorius

Stripping Down!

Summer, with its new trends and fads, is almost here; and its time for you to get rid of your winter wardrobe and replace it with the fun n’ fresh colors and hues that the new season’s bringing in.

Since most of us dread the day when we’re stuck in our room for hours deciding what to keep and what to let go, here are some tips to make your seasonal wardrobe shift fun, easy & efficient. 

-       Remove every clothing item from your closets and drawers: have everything visible to you to easily manage your pile.

   * If you haven’t worn an item for the past two seasons and you can’t figure out why you bought it in the first place, then give it up. You won’t change your mind this season and there are many people who need it more than you do!

  * If it’s washed out or linty, then it’s time to let it go. And no, you can't wear it at night thinking no one will notice and no, don’t attempt to cover it up by wearing a jacket over it.

  * If it doesn’t fit today then it will never fit! Thinking that one day you’ll grow into it is the wrong way to go!

  * Don’t give up on the items that you can't find anything to wear with. Keep a note of it and the next time you go shopping, make sure you find something to match it with.

  * If you have a unique piece that you can't let go of, gather your creative ideas and re-design it yourself. For example, cut an old sequins vest and sew it onto a plain white tank top.

  * And finally, divide your wardrobe according to occasion: casual, formal, work, eveningwear… It will make it much easier for you to find what to wear every morning.

Bottom line, as hard as organizing your closet and letting go of your favorite clothes sounds, just do it. A neat closet is one step closer to a clear mind.  

Until next time...

Ghida.

Clown Faced!

Wearing way too much makeup is one of the top mortal sins that Lebanese women are famous for committing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love make up. I can't live without my black MAC eyeliner and my Shiseido matifying compact. But everything should be done in moderation.

Being the skeptical person that I am, I couldn’t but contemplate about the “How? Why? And Where?” of wearing too much makeup.

How?

Where do I start? The colored eye shadow that looks like a layer of paint ready to be peeled off? The bronze foundation that looks as if she deep-fried her face before leaving the house? The fuchsia blush that scares children away thinking the circus clown has escaped? Or the smoky eyes that apparently she’s born with and is never seen without no matter what?

Why?

Does she apply makeup at home without consulting a mirror? Does she think that every color in the eye shadow palette should be used at the same time? Does she watch too much Jerseylicious and look up to Ashly, Tracy or whatever their names are? Or does she think the more makeup she applies, the more marriage proposals she will get?

Where?

Applying makeup depends on the occasion. But sometimes, even this is ignored. Whether it’s wearing full makeup to the beach where you usually spend most of the day sunbathing and getting wet in the pool, or applying 2 inches of blush to the gym where you’re supposed to sweat. And I can’t but mention the infamous Lebanese brides who paint their faces with too much makeup and end up looking like a love child from Lady Gaga and Krusty the Clown.

So to all you Lebanese makeup extremists out there, take it easy on your faces and think of this:

“Kiss and make up--but too much makeup has ruined many a kiss.” Mae West.

Until next time…

Ghida.

Colored Jeans DON'Ts

As most of you have noticed by now, one of the season’s most popular trends is the colored jeans: bright, bold, neon and pastel colors. Everyone seems to be excited about it and ready to adopt it. But unlike the tips you’re reading in fashion magazines on how to dress it up or down and how to complete the look, I’m going to give you some tips on how NOT to wear the colored jeans so you can avoid becoming a fashion victim.

-       DON’T over do the color mixing and matching. Although the colors are bright, fun and very tempting to wear but you don’t want to end up looking like Betty in Ugly Betty. So avoid mixing more than 2 or maximum 3 bright colors at the same time.

-       DON’T rush to Zara and buy all the colors of the same jeans on display. First it’s a fad, it might not last for long. Second, don’t be too selfish. Your friend who feels like wearing a pastel colored jeans will think twice before doing so, since there is a high probability you will be wearing the same thing the next day, the day after and the day after that…. And trust me, your boyfriend wont even know the difference in color between orange, peach, salmon or mustard. For him, they are all just things to eat!

-       DON’T do the 2 color assortment: sky blue top, yellow pants, sky blue pumps, yellow clutch, sky blue earrings... (yawn) It’s boring and so uncreative.

-       And finally… DON’T buy it just because it’s the trend and everyone is wearing it. You will not be punished, laughed at, nor made fun of if you don't. First and foremost, to pull off any trend, it should look good on you.   

   


  I hope that helps!

  Until next time...

  Ghida.