The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Some of the perks of Egypt’s ever
more sophisticated economy are shops like Bellissimo Flower Boutique. Bellissimo
stocks cute candles and fresh flowers, but it also functions as a comprehensive
event planning business.

A beacon of style on Maadi’s
posh Road 200, Bellissimo’s shop front is bright and inviting. Inside, shelves
are stocked with locally-made candles in a variety of shapes and sizes (25LE
and up), high-quality plastic house plants (60LE and up), and cut flowers ready
to be arranged into pleasing bespoke bouquets.

A highlight of the shop is
its impressive display of Yankee Candles, an American line of scented candles
rarely found in Egypt.
Although pricey, with a twelve-pack of votive candles ringing up at 65LE and a
column candle going for 165LE, the selection of scents is varied and heavenly,
with more traditional vanilla and sandalwood choices complimented by exotic
options like black cherry and jasmine.

There is also a display of
Yankee’s Christmas candles with pungent holiday scents that are enough to
induce yuletide nostalgia – we especially liked the vanilla, fig and
gingerbread options.

Shop employees are friendly
and pleasant, helpfully answering questions about Bellissimo’s event planning
services and inquiries about the prices of different items in the shop.

The shop’s modest inventory
belies the event planning power of Bellissimo’s owner, Maha Nagy. A veteran
event planner, Nagy has been staging events ranging from private parties to
corporate conferences and weddings since 2006.

Nagy and the Bellissimo team
offer all encompassing and fully tailored event planning services that include
everything from researching themes and reserving venues to designing
invitations and booking catering as well as decor, including flowers,
furniture, lighting, sound and AV. Nagy can even recommend top local DJs and
photographers, and she can coordinate ushering, check-in stations and agendas
for corporate events.

Judging from the portfolio on
Bellissimo’s websites, Nagy’s events are tasteful, elegant and understated. A
wedding setup featured trendy square dining tables and decor in a subtly chic
white and silver colour palette. Creative flower arrangements took centre stage,
with white lilies arranged in martini glasses, making for fun and original centrepieces.

Candle lovers should
definitely pay a visit to this shop, particularly around Christmas time, while
those looking to plan seamlessly executed and elegant events will not be sorry
if they engage the services of Nagy. So much more than a flower shop; Bellissimo
Flower Boutique goes above and beyond what its name suggests.