Hoorah! There is a Ban!

Guess what I found out today. New law bans smoking indoors in Lebanon.  Surprised?? I was. Will it work this time? Are they going to be serious about this? Or is it going to be like every other law?  Like seatbelts.. speeding.. jaywalking (even though I'm not sure it's a law but it definitely should be).. no parking.. double parking.. taxi stops not sure that's a law either but I'm pretty sure everyone would agree with me when I say it should be enforced along with mopeds not having any restrictions when it comes to traffic signs) . Anyway, here's the article on the Daily Star that I found:

Parliament endorsed a law banning smoking in all enclosed public places, including restaurants, bars, cafes and offices during its legislative session Wednesday.

The law makes tobacco advertising and promotion illegal, including billboards, magazine ads as well as tobacco company sponsorship of events and concerts. The bill also calls for a pictorial warning of the dangers of smoking covering 40 percent of each pack.

The law imposes fines on individual smokers who violate the smoking ban. Hotels are allowed to set aside 10 to 20 percent of their room for smokers. Companies now have a set period in which to implement the new policies.

Lebanon has been obligated to pass tobacco control legislation since the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the country signed, entered into force in 2005.

Interesting no? Wish us luck! Even though I am a smoker myself, I'm looking forward to coming back home without the stench of tobacco in my hair and clothes.

As for the song selection.. don't mind the irony in the title..






Excited,
Bambi

Hellow Hellow!

Oh my where does the time fly? Oh how I've missed you, blogging world. I've had way too much going on in my life that's why I've been away for so long.

Anyhoo, it was one of those Sundays after a long weekend of.. well.. it's summer in Beirut and everyone was here from out of town.. you do the math.. and the only thing any of us wanted was to be in the dark where no one can see the effects of the nights before all over our faces and in our slow function.. our best option? Cinema and sushi. While we await the movies to begin and the rest of the weekend survivors to 'convene', we decided to silent our rumbling tummies with some frozen yoghurt from Pinkberry. Enough to settle our cravings and hunger till after the movie. During our very random reminiscence about the summer we've encountered, a very stylish man was rushing to grab his coffee to meet his friend. I stopped him, asked if he minds I snap a photo with my phone he agreed, and was on his way. Please don't mind the bad quality but my phone just had to do at the moment. It was refreshing to see a lebanese with such a great sense of style. He was in such a rush I had no time to get the details of his wardrobe. I do hope there will be many of these 'Sartorialist' moments.

As for today's song selection, he's one of my favourite artists and he's definitely on the road to great success. Ladies and gentleman, Joshua Radin.

Chillaxed,
Bambi

Style Crush ♥

Good morning,

How is everyone today? I was just wondering, is it normal for someone to forget how to blog after a certain absence? Because I feel like I'm a newbie, when I first started. Ahh, how time flies. I wish I can go back to university days. But enough small talk, and let's get down to business. One of the daily emails I get from WhoWhatWear really caught my attention. Every once in a while they browse the web and the streets for women with great style and the 'chosen one' is one ever-so fabulous Blair Eadie, 25. Where do I begin? Step aside peoples, a new style icon is emerging. Her style? Layering and mixing patterns and prints to create an ensemble that demands appreciation. From the colours, to the accessories, to the hair-do, Ms. Eadie is quite meticulous in her choices.Paying attention to the tiniest detail, she always comes out looking polished and immaculate. She actually looks like a cross between Sienna Miller and a modern day Audrey Hepburn.

I'll stop with my awe-struckness (yes yes one of those words), and I'll let you judge for yourself. I picked out a few of my favourite looks:

And for today's song choice, it's easy, I just got it from a friend, and yes it's oldish but I love it. It beckons summer to make an earlier appearance this year.



Peaceful,
Bambi

Scarves and 25 Ways to Wear 'em

Hello hello helllllloooooo...

I can't believe how long it's been and I can't believe how busy I've been with a little thing called LIFE. From travelling, to entertaining to work to weddings and events. It's been insane. But I'm back.. And hopefully I'm here to stay. Well not technically but I will do my best to be more blogger active.

Anyway, I came across this video and I thought it was brilliant. There aren't enough ways to wear your scarf, and if you're a scarf lover like myself, you'll love love LOVE this video, 25 ways to wear a scarf. Thank you Wendy's Lookbook.

Wrapped up,
Bambi

Bambi's Spring Trend Report

God damn Rebecca Black ruined Fridays for me. I can't say "it's Friday" without the song getting stuck in my head. Back in the day whenever I would get excited about it being Friday R Kelly's Thank God it's Friday or Krayzie Bone's Friday would come to mind. Pretty gangsta eh? Well I was a fan.. Not anymore because they don't make them like they used to. Ahh Bone Thugs.. I loved! But now.. It's Rebecca Black! Things will never go back to the way they used to be. *sigh* Anyway, a little warning.. I might throw a little tantrum every Friday until it wears off.

It's FBFF and today I get to choose 5 spring trends that I'm looking forward to. There are many but I'll try to pick 5 of my favourites .

• Wide Leg Pants: I love 'em. Day or night, party or beach. Doesn't matter. The variations from sequins, to neutral to denim and even floral, with heels, flats, clogs.. I'm crazy about this trend. Here are a few of my faves.

Left to right: 3.1 Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Zara, Zara, Vintage

• Flared Jeans: Oh the excitement. I'm loving this trend and everything about it. I'm just going to post a post that I really think shows you how they should be worn. Love Michelle William's look. Just love it.

• Florals: I don't do flowers. I also don't do pink. But this season, I'm doing both.. To those who know me, this may come as a shock, but pick up your jaws people, and embrace the girly me.

Left to right: H&M, Luisa Beccaria, Zara, Banana Republic, Paul & Joe

• Crayola: (yes yes I know I know they're called block colours, but I like Crayola.. it's perfect in every sense of the word). Bright, solid colours, No print or stripes, or lace or embroidery. Just 1 item.. 1 colour.. mixed with a different item.. and different colour. This is for the bold and the freak. Alas.. behold the beauty of crayola colours.

Left to right: Jil Sander, Diane Von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung, Marc Jacob, Nina Ricci

• Blue Jean Baby: L.A. ladyyyy.. seamstress for the bannddd.. Ok enough Elton, more denim. Last year's trend is back with a big bang this season with more options. Now as big as skittles-coloured jeans are this season, I'm still crushing on the original blue.

Elie Tahari, Derek Lam, Celine, D&G

Well if you haven't figured it out already, my song choice of the day is Tiny Dancer by Sir Elton John. Only this video is a clip from one of my all time favourite movies, Almost Famous. Best part of the movie. Enjoy!

Feeling girly,

Bambi

No Country for Old Me

I just realised how long it's been since my last post. I truly apologise. I was.. hmm... distracted to say the least and I had no time.. at all.. nor was I in the right mind set. Weekend's over, I have a feeling it's gonna be a long week as well and I'm not looking forward to it at all. So yes, I've got the Monday blues.

So the ACM awards were last night, and since I'm not a fan of country music, I didn't even bother. However, I was looking forward to spending hours picking out my favourite dresses on the red carpet.. That was until I actually started looking through the image gallery. Oh the horror. I'm sorry but I really don't think it deserves a post. Yeah I get it, it's country music, but that doesn't mean you dress COUNTRY! That's bad.. bad.. bad.. One dress was stunning. Just one. And I'm talking dress.. Not look. Taylor Swift in a stunning pale yellow Elie Saab frock. It kinda has that Mila Kunis at the Oscar's flair to it. Now I'm not sure about the hair.. Or the colour on her. But compared to the rest of them country folk, she's definitely the sherif. Does that even make sense? Arghh I hate Mondays. Oh and in case you actually like other dresses, I just want to say that I went through 75 photos and wow! Really. Just.. WOW.. And not in a good way. So I just gave up and decided not to give the rest a chance. I just couldn't.

Oh I never got back to you about what ended up happening to 'M' and the whole Aishti/mannequin debacle (click here for a recap). As you know, in Lebanon it's all about wasta (I don't think there's a correct word for it in English, as I really believe it's the Middle Eastern way.. the closest definition I can give you is friends in high places), and 'M' had one with Mr. Salame's partner (Tony Salame is CEO of Aishti), and they actually called and apologized for the "misunderstanding". What a loada crock! Excuse my French but really, it's just frustrating.

Song choice of the day? Something a bit upbeat to get you through this horrid Monday.


Blah-ish,
Bambi

Google Goes Gaga

This is for all Lady Gaga fans. I'm not sure I fit under that category but then again I don't hate her either. She's definitely a phenomena this one, a weird one at that. But anyway, whether you or you or YOU or I for that matter, give a crap or not, she's a living breathing legend, who will be immortalized as a music icon and an inspiration to many (that kinda scares me ..), but anyway.. check out the Google Goes Gaga videa.. An exclusive interview with Lady Gaga courtesy of Google.



Gagafied,
Bambi

Robots and Kaleidoscopes

Wasn't planning on posting anything today but I came across a Chanel ad that was so cute and fun I just had to share



Adorable is it not? I also came across the Target Kaleidoscope Fashion Spectacular, which may be a bit old, but is still smart and amazing. Now that is what a fashion show should be about.. Even though we really can't see the garments at all. Ok so maybe it's not what a fashion show should be all about but it is a showto be remembered.



And since it's all about fashion, this is the song played at the finale of Galliano's A/W 2011 show, same song that was in the Christian Dior 2008 fashion show.




One Smiling,
Bambi

Chanel thinks it's a Man's World!

The long awaited Keira Knightley ad for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle is finally here. Well, it's more like a mini movie but that's not the point. The point is, it's amazing. Keira Knightley is the type of woman we just love to hate (who wake up looking like that anyway? Flawless and perfect! What a b****! And her 'love interest' is - for lack of a better word - YUMMY.



I won't post a song today because ya see, it goes both ways. It can also be a video for Joss Stone's This is a Man's World.

Little Miss,
Bambi

Break a Leg, 'M'

I'm skipping the morning blas and monday blues and I'm just going to tell you an experience a friend  of mine (we'll call her 'M') had with one very established and renowned AISHTI. So 'M' passed by Aishti with Im A'antar on a lazy Sunday afternoon in hopes of finding something for her mother for mother's day. There was a dressed up mannequin leaning against the wall. Im A'antar wasn't sure if it's a woman or not because the face was covered. So 'M' lightly knocks on the back of the mannequin to prove that it's not real and walks off. A mere 5 seconds later *CRASH*. The mannequin falls on it's side and breaks(the leg did, and according to them, the other leg and the arm). The manager was summoned, and he informs M that this was a piece of art that was on sale for €40.000, and that he can not be held resposible for any of this. He took 'M''s contact details and states that the lawyer will be in touch with her the next day.

1. Why would, something of that much value, be exposed to an accident of such a sort, like a running child for instance? How are there no parameters, no DO NOT TOUCH sign or a simple price tag indicating it's on sale? Especially that it was clearly not very stable or sturdy and can be easily knocked over.
2. After it broke, it was then properly positioned to look exactly as it were before it broke. What makes us so sure that it wasn't already broken?
3. Considering the fact that Aishti is a department store that sells fashion retail (designer brands), and that it is typical to find a mannequin dressed in clothes in such a department store, shouldn't a piece of art be displayed a bit more originally or distinctively? For example different lighting, a base, a glass box ANYTHING that would indicate that this is NOT a regular mannequin.
4. And last but definitely not least, INSURANCE. Art that is shipped from France with a price tag of a whopping €40.000, should definitely be insured for.. hmm.. I dunno theft or perhaps a mere clumsy accident that can cause breakage?

The way this situation was dealt with was farcical. Yes it was a clumsy act on 'M''s behalf, but this was bound to happen.

The piece of art AFTER it was broken. 

I wonder if the artist knows how careless Aishti is with his work. And accident waiting to happen. And it did.

Anyway, I will keep you updated with what happens. Hopefully all will be resolved soon. Your thoughts?

Today's song is an obsession of mine, there's something so dramatically sad yet uplifting about this song. The contradiction between the beat, the lyrics and her voice renders it a perfect musical composition.



Perturbed,

Bambi