This summer's color: Purple Pink

I just got back from Lebanon where I spent my summer break with the kids, up in beautiful Ehden. The breathtaking nature all around my home got me addicted to Instagram: I could not resist posting daily sunsets and stunning landscapes. I usually spend so much time on Facebook, I make it a point not to check other apps but it tuned out I was missing out on a lot. Instagram introduced me to so many talents out there!

Photo: Purple Pink

Purple ❤ Pink By Mira was one of them.

Photo: R. Abouzeid - Instagram

Mira Moawad started as a fashion designer, with more than 13 years experience under her belt at Mireille Dagher Fashion House where she played a key role in different areas from selecting fabrics and designs, media, to fashion show executions and more.

Photo: R. Abouzeid - Instagram

But it was her insatiable passion for fashion and creation that let her to launch her own label: Purple ❤ Pink By Mira. Her captivation with accessories for adults and children started with creating her own designs for her nieces and nephews every occasion she found. With time, and the encouragement of others who loved her work and asked for them, she decided to take her passion to the next level and go pro.

Photo: Purple Pink

I was really intrigued by the color synthesis that is Purple ❤ Pink and what it could mean. It turns out Mira's two-year old niece inspired the name when she kept repeating these two words over and over again for almost two days after being gifted a bunch of purple and pink balloons. Children's obsessions are the cutest!

Mia and Jad wearing Purple Pink while watering the garden in Ehden
Photo: R. Abouzeid - Instagram

Purple ❤ Pink offers a variety of accessories for boys, girls and teenagers such as hats, bracelets, bands or hair clips, personalized T-shirts, crowns and tiaras, and so much more. Her Instagram page is literally a rainbow of colors, fabric and bling!

Photo: Purple Pink

Mira says that her designs are inspired by her surroundings, trendy fashion, celebrities, and most importantly, her very own customers. She starts by creating samples to showcase the designs and the products gradually come to life.

Photo: Purple Pink

Colors, materials and fabrics are all carefully selected from haute couture stores, like Swarovski and sourced mainly from the US and France. One single item could take up to five days to be completed.

For the time being, Mira relies on social media and word of mouth to promote her work and it is not surprising the orders never stop. If you pass by someone wearing Purple ❤ Pink, you will not be able to resist asking how you can get your hands on one of your own!

Photo: Purple Pink

And bonus for all of us lazy girls: Purple ❤ Pink offers home delivery via Liban Post. Orders are placed on social media (Instagram, Facebook) or WhatsApp (+96176534245). Shipments worldwide are also available for a small additional fee and Purple ❤ Pink has already delighted customers in Abidjan, the US, Cyprus and Greece.

Photo: Purple Pink

Mira hopes to become the number one stop for accessories in Lebanon and the region, and most particularly for children and teenagers who were her original inspiration behind Purple ❤ Pink.

Photo: Purple Pink

Photo: Purple Pink

Photo: Purple Pink

Photo: Purple Pink

Mamma Mia+Jad

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It's DinnerTime everyone!

This blogs loves mumtrepreneurs, women with initiative and creativity and overall, unique and interesting business concepts that make all of our lives a little easier.

And I have had the pleasure of testing (and enjoying) one of these concepts for the past month:

The idea is simple: four meals per week, delivered to you door. 

With a twist: all ingredients are fresh, local when possible, top of the line... and uncooked. 

So basically, you receive a gigantic box, filled with your grocery shopping for the week, and a set of recipes on how to prepare four delicious meals, using these very ingredients. The recipes are always varied and creative, and each box contains one meat-based, one chicken-based, one fish-based and one vegetarian meal. All doable in, wait for it, thirty minutes only!

Now as a mom of two very young children, with a husband who works long hours and travels a lot, and no nanny, going to the grocery store requires intensive planning, which almost always ends up unattainable. 

So many times, especially when I am stuck at home with one or both kids sick, have I found myself unable to find anything to cook in my fridge.

Also, I quickly run out of ideas on what to cook, so even if I am at the supermarket, I never know what to get or always end up missing ingredients.

Well for a month now, it has never happened!

And that thirty-minute rule is golden! I have no time to waste during the day and being able to complete an entire meal in such a small time is perfect.

Photo: R. Abouzeid

My box is delivered every Sunday and sustains me for a the whole week. We usually go out on weekends, so to be quite exact, it is enough for the five weekdays. I have opted for the 4-people box, but there is also an option for 2 people. And my gluten free friends, rejoice, there also are special boxes for you!

Photo: R. Abouzeid

I will be completely honest, I have skipped some meals. Some recipes I have found to be too "exotic" for my kids (although looking absolutely mouthwatering to me), I have modified or tweaked a little to adjust to my children's taste. 

But what matters to me the most is that never, not once, in that entire month have I found myself unable to cook a meal at home. Every time I walked in my kitchen, I knew there would be enough ingredients for me to follow one of DinnerTime's recipes or improvise something if I felt like it. 

Photo: R. Abouzeid

And that is why, I feel I should share with you this wonderful business concept that will change your life if, like me, you have little time to spend in the kitchen, grocery shopping or browsing the net for new, exciting recipes.

I have had the pleasure to speak with Anette Lind, co-founer of DinnerTime to learn more about this wonderful venture and how it came to life.

Photo: R. Abouzeid

So, who is Anette?

I am from Stockholm, Sweden and moved to Dubai in 2009 when my husband got a job here. We have two kids. I studied Economy and Marketing with professional background and experience in Finance, Marketing and Sales.

I always loved food, to cook yummy meals! And now I am more interested in healthy food, what we actually eat, where it comes from, preferably organic.

Since we found out that our son is gluten and dairy products intolerant, and with an active triathlete husband, we changed the diet completely for the whole family.

Anette Lind

Photo courtesy of DinnerTime

What led you to the DinnerTime concept? How and why did you think of it?

I always had a dream to have my own company, and I have a lot of business ideas. I was on my way to start a business in Stockholm just before we decided to move to Dubai and all the calculations were ready. I came to Dubai and realized that the life here is hectic, people are busy. The mums are busy driving to school, picking up, after school activities, play dates and I thought that this popular Swedish concept would work here: to help all busy people in Dubai to be able to eat home cooked meal without the hassle of grocery shopping, looking for recipes and plan the week.

How many people are part of your crew? Can you tell us who the key players are please?

Kanika is our Chef, Cecilia is the PR and Marketing Manager who joined as a partner and the lady I started the company with, Karin who is our lady in Sweden and handles IT and Customer Service Manager. We recently we hired a lady in Abu Dhabi who will be in charge of that market.

The team
Photo courtesy of DinnerTime

How did this adventure begin and how well was it received by the UAE? 

We started the company in fall 2011 and we deliver all over Dubai, and now soon in Abu Dhabi as well. In the beginning we delivered to friends and the word spread. The challenge was to explain the unique concept that was new to Dubai: that you get the raw ingredients plus the recipes, but you have to cook. But wow, people here in Dubai loved it! It is a really open minded atmosphere here.

How difficult was it to launch your own business? Did it help that you started in the UAE rather than in any other place? 

I took some time to find the right set up, we started up as an off shore company with an local agent. Easy, fast and not so expensive. Since April 2013 we have an LLC company. I think for new ideas and unique concepts Dubai is the right place to start a business in. Open minded, multicultural, positive, growing, developing.


What is the average number of deliveries you make per week? Do you have many regulars (subscribers)? 

Around 200 per week, most are subscribers.


Do you have any plans to expand in the region and beyond? 

Yes, we are starting up in Abu Dhabi. First delivery in April, so exciting! And yes, we have plans to start up in other regions as well.


How do you create menus? Are there specific food groups that are always included?

It is a set menu every week, well balanced diet with food from all different food groups, which makes it healthy but without counting calories. Every week you will get a chicken, fish, meat and vegetarian, pasta or a soup dish. The customer will get 4 dinners, which is 16 meals for a family of 4.


Do you take into account food allergies or diet specificities should you clients request them?

For the gluten intolerant we have the Gluten Free food basket.


How do you come up with the recipes? Do you do testing and tasting before you decide which dishes deserve to be introduced and are there any classics that are always included? 

Our fabulous chef creates the menus according to our manual. All the dishes are test cooked and tasted before presentation. Sometimes we do have classics and the favourite recipes will be presented again, otherwise there are new recipes created every week.


How does DinnerTime operate?

You can order online on our website, by email or phone. We deliver all over Dubai, and soon in Abu Dhabi. Recently we launched our web shop so it is possible to pay online with your credit card or you pay cash on delivery as usual. 


How does DinnerTime differentiate themselves from the local competition? 

We cover the whole everyday week [whereas competition offer a single meal per box]. You get the food basket on Sunday including all the ingredients you need to cook four dinners. The well balanced diet with food from all different food groups makes it healthy without counting calories. With DinnerTime you get the good variation of food and it makes life easier, just decide which recipe you want to cook, open the fridge and start cooking. In 30 minutes you have dinner on the table. You do not have to worry about what is for dinner tonight. The week is covered! Home cooked meal without the hassle of grocery shopping, looking for recipes and plan the week. Simply served with love!



Do you organize special events our readers can attend? 

We do attend different events like the Tavola cooking event recently and we do events at companies who invites us: recently Explorer, different communities, coffee mornings, schools, fairs, markets and other gatherings. The latest was in Times Square, Family's Day Out, Mother and Baby Club on March 21. 


What does the future hold for DinnerTime?

We are growing, we are expanding. Abu Dhabi in April and pretty soon you will see DinnerTime in other regions as well.


In one word, if you were:

A dish: A salad

A color: Green

A shape: A triangle

A song or music composition: Happy

A film: Eat, Pray and Love 

A book or literary piece: The E-Myth

A famous character (real or fictional): Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray and Love

Mamma Mia+Jad

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Piece of Cake!

Number 2 has arrived! 

And he even has a name now: Jad.

Every child brings along new love and new joys. At our household, they also bring cake along. Indeed, Mia got to celebrate her birthday every month until she turned one, and now it is Jad's turn to give mommy yet another excuse for guiltless indulgences!

The rationale being, a newborn's age is recorded by months, and even by weeks during the first month. Makes sense, right? And that is why we had the utmost pleasure of celebrating Jad's One Week Birthday a few days ago. 

This event got me thinking about Mia's first year celebrations and of course, cake.

And cake always takes me back to Mia's 6-Month Birthday which was the first real-fake festivity. After all, many parents do pay attention to this milestone and deem it to be cake-worthy.

But in our case, since all previous months were also as deserving, I decided to make this one extra special by ordering a customized cake inspired by Mia's favorite toys for her Half-Year.

Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid

Following that yummy success, Hubby's first Father's Day was also granted the same special treatment. The key syllable here being "Treat".

Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid

The impressive chef behind those masterpieces is Erum Khalid, a Dubai-based mumtrepreneur from Pakistan who took her love for baking to the next level. And beyond.

That mother of three who is also a full-time KG1 teacher at Wesgreen International School credits her mom for being the inspiration behind her passion for cooking: "My mother used to be a really good cook, but she didn't really bake. I used to watch her cook sometimes, and this is how I got interested. I actually did a small baking course with my aunt 15 years ago, right before I got married. After I got married I moved to the UAE, but didn't really bake for a long time."

What led you to bake for others? 

It started when I tried to bake some cakes for my husband's birthday and also for his cousins. The cakes were appreciated. Then I started searching for recipes, and I discovered the Internet. After I started working at WIS, I liked to take new cakes I had tried to school for feedback. The cakes and bakes were very much appreciated. It was actually my teaching assistant Mehreen who suggested that I should start this as a business.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

Where did you learn to bake? 

I learned to bake from the course I did before I got married. The rest I learnt through the internet, YouTube and TV.

How did you discover fondant and where did you learn that art? 

I found out about fondant from TV I think. I saw how beautiful cakes can become using this medium, how lovely flowers and figures can be made. This was something I had not yet tried. So I tried different recipes from the Internet and made my own fondant. Then I eventually moved to store bought fondant because it's easier and less time consuming to use.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

How did this adventure begin?

I started baking on an order basis some time in 2010 when I baked a cake for the husband of one of my friends.

How difficult was it to launch your own business?

Well it wasn't very difficult because I didn't really want to start it off on such a large scale anyway because I am still working full time. I was getting orders from school and was satisfied with it.

How do you currently operate? 

I currently operate from home. I have a page on Facebook called 7th Heaven where people can look at the photos and if they are interested in ordering they can either email me or call me, the information is all given on the page. I am also currently listed in the Expat Echo list of home bakers. I don't do deliveries yet; and payment is either in advance or on pick up, depends on the customer.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

Are you planning to establish a full-fledge bakery in the future? 

Yes Insha Allah I am planning one, and would love to have the opportunity to set up my own business as a full time venture.

Do you organize special events to promote your services? 

I sometimes have competitions on the other page that I manage: Bakers United. We have competitions and the prizes are usually cakes and cupcakes from 7th Heaven (laughs). I had a special offer on cakes during Eid also. 

Tell us some more about the workshops you organize. 


I started giving classes and workshops because some of my friends requested that I teach them how to make cakes and decorate them. I have classes at home and have conducted a workshop for Mirdif Kids Club at Al Areesh club recently. Whenever I plan classes I post on both 7th Heaven and Bakers United so that people can be informed. 

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven
Step by step illustrated tutorial to create baby shoes in fondant

So you are very active on Facebook!


I have three pages on Facebook! One is of course 7th Heaven which is for commercial purposes where people can order cakes and cupcakes. The other page is Bakers United, which is a place where we share recipes, tips and tricks. I have photo tutorials and step by step albums to help people learn. The other page is just for fun: The Art Of Photography, where people can add their photos, learn how to take photos and just share.

What does the future hold for Erum Khalid? 

Well hopefully I would like to set up my own bakery/cafe sometime in the future if circumstances allow. I would love to make cakes on a regular and full time basis. Lets see!

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

In one word, if you were: 

A dessert, which would you be? 
Chocolate mousse

A cake filling? 
Dark chocolate ganache

A color? 
Black

A song or music composition?
'Time to say goodbye' Andrea Bocelli

A film?
Masoom (Indian movie)

A famous character (real or fictional)?
Queen Rania

Mamma Mia+Jad

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Little DEEsigns

A new creative tendency has emerged in Lebanon's trendy scene: baby fashion.

Lebanese designers have already been recognized internationally for their contributions in haute couture and that for a while now, but other designing areas are also growing, establishing new markets widely appreciated and acclaimed for their outstanding qualities. 

Stylish labels for children are launching collections and boutiques all around town and as a new mom I cannot help but be super excited about all those wonderful local creations popping up everywhere!

 

One of these boutiques is none other than DEE Little, by creator Dina Sway. 

So who is Dina Sway?

I'm a Lebanese Designer who created a brand called DEE Little, fabricating stylish trendy clothes for kids.

What inspired you to get into fashion? And why did you decide to focus on children wear in particular?

I used to customize Tshirts for myself, but when my cute niece was born I got inspired and thought of creating a line for cute kids. (smile)

If you had not been a designer, what would you have turned into?

I started as a graphic designer and turned to be a fashion designer, so I think design and artistic ideas are my only concern.

Your label is called DEE Little. Does the little Dina inside of you have a say in your creations?

Honestly I think yes, because most of the times I do things I love to wear as a little Dina. (smile)

What does it mean to be a designer in Lebanon? How does it affect your thinking and creative process?

In Lebanon, design attracts a big part of the population, and this was the main motivation I got from my customers. Their reactions encourged me to add all my senses in my creations and to try to give them the trendiest and cutest design items.

How do you select colors, shapes, themes and fabrics when designing a collection?

The colors I usually use are what kids like the most. I combine delicate fabrics so that it's soo soft for kids, with subtle and distinctive details. The other things depend on the inspirations. (smile)

How long does it take to come up with a new vision and ultimately a new collection? What is the creative process you go through? Do you get inspired by life around you? Music? Movies? Exhibitions? Or books you have read?

I'm continuously thinking and imagining what might come up, and sometimes a design just pops up so quickly. (smile) I get inspired from life, from kids and exhibitions.

Tell us a little about DEE Little. What is the label's identity and particularities?

DEE Little is a stylish and original clothes line for children. It is a smart and comfortable range of clothing for babies and kids ranging from 3 months to 10 years. All our collection of bodies, dresses, T-shirts, shorts or trousers, combine delicate fabrics with subtle and distinctive details. Your child will look unique wearing Dee's original designs. And the unique concept is that you can find matching tops for mother-daughter, and father-son.

How was DEE Little perceived and received by the local market when you first introduced it? Do you feel this first impression has evolved and how?

At first I started introducing my items in exhibitions and in some design shops and the impressions of people were so encouraging that it lead me to start building my own shop. And from 2008 until now things are evolving so quickly and customers are loving my unique items.

Where are the clothes manufactured?

In Lebanon.

What does the future hold for DEE Little?

Hopefully a bright one with lots of creations and branches in other countries.

Where are our points of sale? Can customers outside of Lebanon purchase your designs?

In lebanon, our shop is located in Sodeco Sqaure, ground floor 01-422890. And soon outside Lebanon.

A few words, just for fun...

If you were a color, which would you be?

Blue.

If you were a fabric?

Cotton and Jeans.

If you were a movie?

Slumdog Millionaire, Finding Nemo, Where Do We Go Now? ... choose one! (smile)

If you were a song?

You Sang To Me by Marc Anthony.

If you were a fruit or a flower?

DEE Little's flower. (smile)

Since you design for children, if you were a fictional character, which would you be?  

The Simpsons (smile) and Lulu w'Tabbouch (Little Lulu). (smile)

DEE Little on Facebook

Mamma Mia

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When moms get inspired

Being a stay at home mom myself, I find comfort in knowing that this role, as wonderful and rewarding as it may be, no longer means saying goodbye to a professional career. 

Indeed, Mumtrepreneurs everywhere are not only taking charge and finding new creative ways to balance their families and their jobs but they are also getting inspired by their responsibilities at home to create new career opportunities for themselves. 

In the past, women were confined in a traditional professional set-up that forced them to either sacrifice their personal desires and needs in order to compete with men in the workplace (who do not find themselves necessarily required to make a choice) or simply choose to leave that part of their life to dedicate themselves to their children. Sometimes successfully and other times living with some sort of hidden resentment or regrets, and probably the motherly-guilt that comes with feeling as such.

Today, this dilemma no longer exists: women are able to achieve both personal and professional fulfillment as they please, should they opt for such an alternative. And what is the better way to combine the best of both worlds in the 24 hours that you have in a day? Be your own boss!

That's what Mumtrepreneur Batoul Alameddine Tabbara has chosen for herself. The brains behind BettySue Beirut is a former designer who reconverted into what she calls a "Birth Planner". 

The mom who describes herself as a "box of ideas with a special temper" explains that the time she spent  as a designer was not making her "happy" and "could not convince [her] to continue". But it is only when she got pregnant that genuine inspiration finally came and she found a way to use her creative skills in a career that now feels more like a true vocation rather than a laborious job. The passion with which she speaks of her venture is enough proof that this happiness she could not find while working as a designer is now an inherent part of her life. 

"My inspiration was simply my son!"
says Mumtrepreneur Batoul Alameddine Tabbara

So how did BettySue Beirut actually come to life?

When I got pregnant I did many research on brands and accessories for baby because I wanted the best for my son. I compared strollers, diaper bags, accessories for bedrooms, beds, clothes, etc. My envy to stay at home with my son was bigger day after day so i decided to quit my job and to have my little something at home. It was a very small project that grew up slowly. With at first only one brand of clothes to begin but I ended up with everything a mom could use and need. As a designer it was easy to set up a logo, business cards and website so here I am. I ordered clothes and accessories from Spain, UK and USA and my home was transformed into BettySue Beirut!

What is the logic behind BettySue Beirut? You describe your label on Facebook as a "Birth Planner Project". What do you mean by that? What is the added value to expecting and current moms?

BettySue Beirut is not a store: I opened my house to mommies and I called it "A Birth Planner Project". I think this is the first time you hear about it in Lebanon. A Birth Planner is here to help mommies not to buy much as we tend to do when it is our first baby. We tell you what you need for the few first months and we simply help you to welcome baby and be ready. Being pregnant is not very easy and all mommies know that and to tell you the truth I wish I could have met a birth planner when I got pregnant because of the so many things I have and did not use! We are not here to sell: our client knows, we are here to help.

What kind of services and products do you offer and how do you select the brands you display? How are they different from what's already in the market? 

We offer many Services: 

Almost a 24/24 availability for any question mommies have! 

We of course deliver and we are available on Whatsapp and Viber to try to do it the easiest way as pregnant woman can't always go out. 

We have a shopping adviser guide: we can go half a day with you to shop for babies. 

We differentiate ourselves by carefully selecting our brands: we choose the best fabrics and we ask for certification. What I love to say is that BettySue Beirut offers healthy clothes, Azoic free tinting, hypoallergenic fabrics, softness and even temperature regulator such as our Bamboo fabrics. 

We also work with designers in Lebanon like Dee Little and Baby and the City. 

Are you the sole representative for those international brands in Lebanon? 

I have my brands: Kicky Pants, Inch Blue and Pasito a Pasito. These labels are  available exclusively at BettySue Beirut except for Inch Blue which you can now also find at Dee Little. 

 

How and where can shoppers browse these products? What are your points of sale? 

You can find our products on our Facebook Page, prices are under the pictures. Of course you can also contact me to come and see in person what we have at BettySue Beirut. Our clients are mostly "online": you choose, we deliver, and payment on delivery! And you can also find Inch Blue products at Dee Little in Sodeco Square.

What does the future hold for BettySue Beirut? Are you planning to expand in some way? Physical or online? Will shoppers outside of Lebanon get the chance to access your products through an online shop?

Well our target is of course to expand, we are working on an online shop and of course we will expand physically as well, but this is not for right now. I am actually waiting for my son to get older (Smiles).   

The idea is to have a “Maison pour Bebe” where you can feel comfy and shop as you want with advisors. All our advisors being mommies of course! BettySue Beirut is not a traditional store or boutique, it's a project for mommies, not only for me but for every mum that said good bye to her career! We want to expand the idea of "Mommies working at home". 

BettySue Beirut
Aramoun district, Phoenicia street
Al Fatina Bldg - 3rd floor
Beirut, Lebanon
Email Batoul or call +961.70.754714
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Mamma Mia

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