Credit: Jaimee Lee Haddad
Another whirlwind of a week is behind us! So it’s time to take a breather and indulge in some well-deserved downtime.
How will you be spending your precious time off? Personally, my recipe for the perfect weekend is good food, great tunes, and engaging in something a little active. Luckily, this week's Breakfast in Bed lineup has us covered on all those fronts.
Each week, we curate a list of our best reads for the weekend, so you can curl up with your cheese & za’atar croissant, block out the news headlines and indulge in an inspiring blend of articles to make you feel good.
As always I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
On the menu this week:
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
If you find yourself in Paris and craving authentic Lebanese cuisine, La Sajerie is your go-to spot for a delightful weekend brunch. If not, reading about how Mo’s gluten-free creations are taking the 9th arrondissement by storm, is the next best thing.
Now, some of you might be suspicious of a gluten-free saj. (Will it rise? Will it maintain that soft chewy texture we all know and love?) But rest assured that Mo has been meticulously curating his menu and perfecting his recipes for years to conjure up the nostalgic flavors of Lebanon. Plus, he’s found the solution to the post-manouche slump!
Saint Levant: Palestinian poster boy and activist
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
Sure, Saint Levant has become somewhat of a heartthrob for Gen Z music fans, but there is far more to his stardom than his charm and style.
In fact, Saint Levant's journey is just as captivating as his music and distinctive aesthetic. Born in Gaza to a French-Algerian mother and a Palestinian-Serbian father, and raised in California, his latest album, "Deira", is a call for justice. His music also interrogates themes of gender and identity. Why not try "Deira" as a soundtrack for your weekend reading.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
To boost your spirits this weekend, I recommend checking out L’Orient Today’s recent video series, a collaboration with the Samir Kassir Foundation’s center for Media and Cultural freedom. The short videos celebrate the diversity of human experiences by highlighting stories from six different individuals in Lebanon. They each belong to marginalized communities but refuse to be defined by societal labels and you will quickly discover there are far more noteworthy traits that set these people apart.
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
Summer sports are in full swing, the Euros are underway, Wimbledon is just kicking off and we’re now less than three weeks away from the Olympics. Of course, this has us excited to see some Lebanese representation in Paris and Gabriel Blondel helps us get familiar with the Lebanese athletes we’ll be cheering on in a range of events, from judo to fencing. Yalla Lubnan!
Illustrations by Jaimee Lee Haddad
In the spirit of finding a peaceful moment this weekend, Zena Zalal’s exploration of Seta Manoukian’s journey through art and mindfulness is an ideal read to help you unwind. Seta Manoukian, a pioneering artist during Lebanon's Civil War, was part of a circle of influential artists and intellectuals who frequented Hamra’s Horseshoe Cafe, shaping Lebanese painting. But how did she transition from Beirut’s war-torn streets to spending a decade as a Buddhist nun in LA, only to return to the art world with her current exhibition at Marfa’ Art Gallery? Zena Zalal tells us this fascinating story.