Beirut- Bedroom Eyes.

The recently completed Beirut Souks complex in downtown Beirut has seen the opening of many familiar shops: from Zara, MAC and H&M to Etro and Chloe. One slightly less familiar boutique is Cherine Magrabi's optical hot spot, The Counter.

Nestled between the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney, The Counter has established itself as the only place to go shopping for sunnies- the selection of mirrored aviators is well curated, and as for Linda Farrow's shades, well, there's an impeccable selection on show. With summer right around the corner now is the perfect time to shell out and protect your eyes in style.

Try: the Lina Farrow snake skin detail shades... rock the fly eye look with some welcome help from a purple snake

Buy: the Cutler and Gross blue mirrored lens aviators... 1930s pilot chic meets space age? Yes!

The Counter, Beirut Souks, Downtown Beirut.

Beirut- Shop til You Drop, Plum and Isabel Marant.

Isabel Marant
Palladium, 2 Park Avenue, rue Minet el- Hosn, Beirut

For me, the highlight of Paris fashion week every season for the last few years has been flicking through the runway snaps of the latest Isabel Marant collection. Over the years, my Marant obsession has developed into something rather worrying- I can honestly say that every look that came down the aw12 catwalk is one I would kill for. Yes, kill for. I mean who other than Fashion Goddess Isabel would be able to introduce wedge sneakers more Carine Roitfeld than Coleen Rooney? It's the power of Isabel. It has even turned me into a tie dye fan- tie dye being the one trend I vowed never to be caught dead in! What is it that makes Isabel Marant and Etoile ( the sous-marque) so irresistible to countless girls everywhere from Hong Kong to Paris? Perhaps it's the loose cotton cover ups and silk billowy pants? Or maybe it's Isabel Marant's Parisian it-girl chic which she translates so perfectly into her effortlessly cool collections. Whatever it is, Beirut girls are now amongst the lucky few to have an Isabel Marant store in their city. The boutique stands alongside Lanvin and Balmain and just across the street from Givenchy and Plum. The ground floor is used as a 'gallery', one could say, to showcase Marant's best. A few distinct runway looks are hung on a single railing, between a wooden bench and the till. A Calder-esque sculpture has been fixed just behind the till, and in the window. Concrete stairs lead you to the basement.

The selection is massive- clothes take up every wall in the room. Not much could top a visit to my favourite shop, but when my mum told me her old friend Raya Dernaika (Plum co-owner and the fashionista who brought Isabel Marant to this side of the Mediterranean) was accompanying us to the Isabel Marant store, my day was pretty much made. Raya was helpful, and gave great styling tips and honest advice. Most excitingly, she pulled out some pieces (SS12 Marant silk and jersey track pants, anyone?) from the stock room that weren't yet on show in the shop. I was in heaven. If you, like me, have a weakness for Isabel Marant then don't miss out on a visit to the Beirut shop.

Plum
Berytus Bldg, Corner of Park Avenue and Avenue Francaise, Beirut

Girls who instantly think 'Colette' upon hearing 'Paris', Dover Street Market and Joseph when asked about London and Opening Ceremony as the answer to shopping in New York will undoubtedly tell you Plum is the only place to go for an un-paralleled avant-garde shopping experience in Beirut.

I'm not sure what I like best about Plum- the snack bar (compromising of organic brownie mixes and dried mulberries, among other superfoods), the cosmetic counter, the music library (Lightspeed Champion!!!!!), the clothes or simply the boutique's high ceilings and chandelier. The ground floor is an exhibition of the season's finest Lanvin, Alaia and Oscar De La Renta garb (a girl can dream...) and the bottom a showcase of a risk taking, innovative generation of designers like Tsumori Chisato. Highlights include Christopher Kane's holographic florals, Charlotte Olympia old Hollywood heels and a Swildens blue cotton jumpsuit. The just-in Vanessa Arizaga jewellery is on every it girl's summer must have list.

Randa Khalil Raad
http://www.randakhalilraad.com/

The case of her rings at Plum was the first I had heard or seen of Randa Khalil Raad's jewellery, but the creatively designed smiley rings immediately caught my eye. After I was informed that 30% of the proceeds go to the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon, I wasted no time in pulling out my camera and notepad- ready to document my latest discovery on my blog. The silver smiley comes in at $227 and the gold rings at a much steeper $1260.

Beirut- Al Falamanki.

When my aunt suggested we lunch at Falamanki, I was not sold. I had never heard of this restaurant and I was adamant we have my guilty pleasure- Kabab Ji take away. However, when she went on to describe the grilled Haloumi cheese with '3assal w teen' (honey and figs), I changed my tune. "Take me to this place!", I begged. Hunger often gets the best of me.

I had no idea where we were headed. We arrived to an outdoor parking in Sodeco and found a leafy canopy and a few steps leading to a courtyard...a courtyard that transported me miles away from the hustle and bustle and constant honk of the horn of Beirut and into a peaceful, old Lebanese garden. The courtyard and tables were modest and familial- a welcome break from the omnipresent dazzle and opulence of the model Lebanese restaurant.

Soon after being seated, the waiter came round for drinks. I gave into my sweet tooth and went for the 'limonada w na3 na3' (mint lemonade.) This drink is the perfect thirst-quencher, it's incredibly refreshing- ideal for summer. We ordered everything from sumac scrambled and fried eggs to fattoush, manousheh zaatar, manousheh jebneh and chickpea fatteh.

The grilled haloumi with figs. 

Chickpea Fatteh.

The best thing I ate was most definitely the grilled haloumi cheese accompanied by a little pot of figs drenched in honey. The joy I felt when indulging in each bite is indescribable.

Maamoul and Ajweh.

Nutella and Halawa Saj.

Mastic ice cream beneath a bed of Ghazl el Banet. 

Mughlee.

I am a massive dessert person, so even though I felt too full to even get up, I said yes to dessert. We ordered Nutella Halawa Saj (Soft dough, rich and creamy hazelnut spread and halawa...3 of my absolute favourite things in one dessert- and I wasn't even dreaming!), Ghazl Banat (or as I call it 'Arabic candy floss') and Meskeh (mastic) ice cream, Mughlee and Muhalabiyeh. You can probably tell that I am a firm believer of diet during term time and indulge on holiday.

If you are able to stand up after your meal, pay a visit to 'Dekanet Falamanki'  on your way out. The rustic boutique sells everything from a tarboush, a cookbook on mastering the art manousheh making to sumac and chickpeas.

This restaurant gets a definite 10 out of 10 for it's exceptional ambience; families, tourists, the young and trendy... absolutely everyone dines at Al Falamanki. The food is equally impressive, as is the service. Conveniently, the restaurant is open 24 hours a day and is just a short journey from Gemmayzeh, the heart of Beirut's fiery night life.

Lounge at Al Falamanki.

Relax with friends and dig into Lebanese Mezze.

Al Falamanki
Damascus Street, Sodeco, Beirut

Beirut- Saifi Hopping.

For Londoners like myself missing the fun boutiques on and around Carnaby Street, or Parisians desperately in need of the Marais’ trendy stores, then Saifi Village will make you feel right at home while still providing the perfect dose of the rush of excitement one gets when in an unfamiliar place. Admittedly, the boutiques are nowhere near as risqué as some of the shops near Carnaby Street, but you’ll wonder into charming shops- most definitely home to several serendipitous and typically Beiruti finds. 

Nada Debs
Gallery, Saifi Village  Bldg E-332 , Moukhalsieh Street
Boutique, Saifi Village  Bldg E-1064, Moukhalsieh Street

Nada Debs Gallery.

Nada Debs Mirror.

Floating Stool.

Nada Debs has fast become Beirut's most popular furniture designer thanks to her signature quirky style, merging influences from her serene Japanese upbringing with her more ecclectic Lebanese heritage. The two contrasting sources of inspiration have come together harmoniously in the form of resin and geometric metal in-laid mirrors, wood and mother of pearl coffee tables and the funky Chiclet chewing gum print 'floating' stool, the result of a collaboration with Lebanese graphic designer, Rana Salam. The great success Nada Debs has seen in the last few years has welcomed the opening of a smaller boutique as well as the original 'gallery', both of which are in Saifi Village, just across the street from one another. Whether you are looking for furniture or just a gift (LOVE the frames and coasters), popping into the gallery or boutique is a must if in Saifi.

Plum Kidstore
Block C, Ariss Kanafani Street, Saifi

Why should kids look any less cool than their mum and dad? Shop at Plum Kidstore and your kid will out-cool you by about a mile. Girls can choose from a selection of the highly coveted Isabel Marant kiddy line... Printed jumpsuits- yes please mum! Mums, your little tyke will leave the Kidstore looking more Romeo Beckham than Denice the Menice. I'm talking fedoras, Bensimon plimsols and kafiyehs (traditional Arab scarf) pinned with badges. I especially liked the bright pink lacquered and slightly futuristic high chair. If you're shopping for a little friend, the Fashion Angels notebooks are bound to make you a serious hit with any under 13.

Cream
Saifi Village

Right across from Saifi's main square, this colourful boutique sells everything from books on being a "Leb-neh Lover" to china, beach bags and Essie nail polish. So whether it's a new set of plates or a massive clear neon lace beach clutch you have in mind, Cream is sure to have it. I like coming to Cream to browse this season's Essie nail shades, which have sold out in London. But if you are hunting for something more typical of Lebanon, the wrap around evil eye bracelets on neon yellow thread make for the perfect arm candy- just in time for summer! The arabic calligraphy beaded leather clutches are especially fun, and a great souvenir from Beirut. As for the clothes- you'll be sure to find a dress in any colour of the rainbow... What I really loved about Cream? The unusual art. It was the first time I'd come across a topless Marilyn with two Micky Mouses in the place of breasts!

Cafe Balima
Saifi Village

Give your arms a welcome break from carrying the heavy shopping bags and indulge in Nutella smothered crispy yet fluffy waffles. A freshly squeezed 'limonada' meddled with fresh mint and crushed ice will wash it all down. Growing up in a Lebanese household, I am highly against anyone labelling 7Up and Sprite 'lemonade'. And I have no doubt that after you taste the incredible Lebanese lemonade, you will be too. Aside from the tempting menu, funnily enough, it's the black-light lit washroom that keeps me coming back! Be sure to wear something white when you go.

Bokja
Mukhallassiya Street, Bldg. 332, Saifi Village

Bokja Bug.

Some Bokja Furniture.

Buried behind the main street, this furniture boutique is easily one of my favourite shops in the world. I am obsessed with all Lebanese artisanal goods, especially the brightly coloured floral fabrics. Bokja is the place to go to get a glimpse of these beautiful prints and browse Lebanese and Middle Eastern artisanal goods at their finest. Upon walking into the gallery style boutique, you will be surrounded from every angle by the incredibly colourful and fun couches, bean bags, chairs... I am in love with absolutely everything Bokja, but my favourite things are the Baroque arm chairs upholstered with a patch work of eye catching Middle Eastern artisanal fabrics.

Other boutiques worth a visit include:
Y. Knot: paradise for any yarn lovers.
Sunflowers: Similiar to Cream. Colourful Lebanese souvenirs include jewellery and purses, all adorned with Fatma's palm.