The Super Quick Change Show!

The city is so much in a jovial mood because of the Dubai Shopping Festival activities.  Streets are decked with lovely, artsy lights; shopping complex doing everything to keep you inside their glorious malls  -  and entice you with 75% off discounts on retail.  Really, if you want to visit the city, come in Decemebr or during the annual DSF which usually commences in middle of January. 

While wives and mommies go frantic with further reductions, kids and daddies are entertained by international carnival performers. During our random visit to the malls we have witnessed pop-ballet, traditional Indian dance, and more recently, The Super Quick Change Show in Burjuman Mall.

I share with you my shots.

The show started with the lady wearing a beautiful red evening gown. In mere seconds, she changed to a blue romantic blouse.

Then she quickly changed to a dazzling yellow dress and then a black number.

The male performer also changed three times during the show. Their finale was, after a drop of confetti, the lady changed to a shimmering white gown. Like they say, the audience was left in trance =)

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The Gold Rules

Five years of expat life in the Middle East and with no plans of giving up our citizenship, we’ve been thinking of various investment options. Hubby and I are talking about real estate, sustainable farming, and even a food business when we finally pack our bags to go home. But for now, we are planning to buy gold coins or bullion  as a way to start the family’s investment portfolio.

Reading through the weekly Financial Times, I learned that the price of gold is constantly soaring and one factor is due to the weakening dollar. This is a risky move for us but it’s time we have other source of income. I am just glad that i found a website that provides a free and extensive investor gold guide. It talks about everything from fixing gold prices to 24 hour live gold spot. 

I used to think that buying gold jewelry is a lousy investment but I read on, the current golden rule is to invest in gold.

Dean & DeLuca Cupcakes

Wish granted! I finally got to try Dean & Deluca cupcakes over the weekend.

Their best seller includes coffee flavored cupcakes. They all sell for 10AED each ($3).

We tried Vanilla and Blueberry.I found the vanilla flavor too sweet for my liking but the blueberry cupcake was heavenly! Even Hubby was impressed and he's a loyalist of red-velvet flavor. =)

The cupcakes were dipped in honey to keep their place in absence of the cupcake stand. That was the part I didn't like because it was a little messy.

But I also really like the elegant box =)

Dean & DeLuca is chain of upscale grocery stores. The first one opened in New York City's Soho District. Dean & Deluca branch opened in The Dubai Mall last year.

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Our Little Visitor

A few nights ago after our trip to The Dubai Mall, we saw this little birdie trapped inside the elavator down the basement. Hubby scooped up the shivering poor little thing and brought it all the way to our room. We made the little bird drink and left it our on the balcony. We spread a little towel to warm him and placed a small piece of bread beside him. 

After a few hours, we checked the balcony again and our little visitor was gone. I hope that he had a good safe journey.

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My Top Five For 2011

I am soo stressed (and hubby too hihi) and I need this to put things on perspective. Gosh, we need all the combined forces of the universe from today until April!

5 Things To Buy
1. Desktop
2. Video Camera
3. Underwater Camera
4. Levi's for Hubby
5. Living room furniture

5 Things I Look Forward To
1. Ladies Night Out after 5 years!
2. Anniversary giveaway for my blog.
3. Our 5th wedding anniversary come April.
4. Short city breaks to Bath or York.
5. Visit At The Top, Burj Khalifa

5 Things I Learned In The Past
1. Do not push your luck too far.
2. SAVE.
3. Never pay for anything in their original price.
4. Don't ever forget the sunscreen.
5. Always be gracious.

Please Help Translate

Writings in Arabic Calligraphy. I really want know what it conveys. Thank you so much!

Bracelet Bag By Chloe

The Chloe brand was established in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, a Parisian of Egyptian descent. Turning her back on the impersonal staid of fashions of the Fifties, she used fine fabrics to create a soft, body-conscious garments that she referred to as "luxury ready-to-wear."

Now an icon for the brand, the Bracelt Bag was launched in 2001. Inspired by the bracelets worn by by women in India, it gracefully transposed the bracelet shape into an embroidered handbag of many colors and materials, decorated with strass.

For 2010 Festival Colbert in Dubai, an exclusive design was unveiled: a satin version of the Bracelet Bag, delicately embroidered with crystal beads.

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Tips On How To Remodel Your Home

We are talking home improvement today. The topic is inspired by our apartment hunting in the capital. There are new properties beyond our budget and there are old properties that with a little paint and kitchen and bathroom remodeling can turn into a cozy home. 

1. Know what style or theme you want. Dream. Look for inspiration.

2. Try as hard to sketch what you are dreaming to see in your home or in the room you want to remodel.

3. Ask for estimates. Talk to reputable contractors such as Remodeling Conractors Vancouver WA. They offer free estimates and been around home remodeling business for the last 29 years.

4. Hire, select a contractor.

5. Schedule weekly visits to the contractors to see and talk about their progress. This way things can get fixed sooner before building progresses too far. Be friends with the employees. Bring them non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Stay in a nearby hotel apartment so you don't compromise your privacy. But definitely, vacation is not a good idea.

Tickle Me Pink BMW!

Ain't this the preetiest X5 you will ever see? I spotted this beauty at Al Ghazal Complex. Scroll down for the interior =D

See a pink Hummer H3 here.

TABASCO Original Red is So Much More Than Hot!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

We're a family who likes, loves spicy food that Tabasco is a staple in our cupboard. It is such a common sight in our dinner table that our then-toddler learned to identify letter S from the bottle lol!

Hubby will not grab a bite of buffalo wing, pizza, or mutton shawarma without adding TABASCO® Original Red . I on the other hand always like my pasta sauce to be a little spicy so I always add Tabasco. Now that it is football season, my mouth is watering just the thought of drizzling Tabasco on our pizza. It's a family tradition that we invite friends over to watch the Super Bowl and share a huge pepperoni pizza. 

I especially love how Tabasco enhances the flavor of food and cocktail drinks. Yes, we add it as well to Bloody Mary we serve.  There are plenty of ways in which you can enjoy Tabasco so you must visit their Pizza Perfected page as well as their Game-Day Party Menu. The possibilities are endless and fun!

Tabasco is a brand has been around for 140 years and uses three simple ingredients - fully aged red peppers, Avery Island Salt, and high quality distilled vinegar.

A is for Aquarium

My photos from our visit to Sharjah Aquarium last November 2010.

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10 Things I Have Not Done Before

I am no good at keeping New Year's resolution, instead I snagged this fun meme from Prinsesa Samusang. I hope that I have ticked off this list successfully by the end of the year and move on to a new list.

10 Ridiculous Things I Have Not Done Before because I’m scared, lazy, or broke

1. Play chess

2. Attend a Halloween Party

3. Enroll in a driving school.

4. Backpacking with friends.

5. Go on narrowboat holidays.

6. Watch Cirque De Soleil

7. Learn to flip a pancake

8. Know how to give proper massage

9. Visit the world's highest building.

10. Identify 10 species of fish.

Beans, Herbs, & Spices!

Photo taken during Al Qasba's Food Festival, November 2010.

Turmeric, paprika, pepper flakes, saffron, etc..

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WB Follower Caravan #3

Thank you to my new followers!

 

Boudreaux's Butt Paste

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

When we traveled for our holiday in Italy, my son just turned two years old so he was not yet completely toilet trained. With rigorous travel that includes airplane, train, boat ride, and a whole lot of walking to visit three cities of Italy, I have to be prepared in case Andreas gets sick.  I packed a first aid kit especially for him.

Inside his own first aid kit are pain and fever relief syrup, nose drops, cough syrup,  anti-allergy, vitamins, and a travel size Boudreaux's Butt Paste for care and treatment of diaper rash. I first heard about the product five years ago through my Aunt who is a registered nurse in US. She recommended it after seeing it was an effective ointment to treat her daughter's nappy rash. It contains 16% zinc oxide and was especially formulated by a pharmacist with direction from a well-respected pediatrician.

While we were on board the train bound for Milan, I reached for my son's first aid kit because I needed to put nose drops as he was suffering from colds. An elegant lady  seated across us noticed the yellow tube poking from our kit. She said that Butt Paste is thoroughly effective as well to soothe and treat  eczema. I was amazed! We chatted and I learned that it was her sister who used and praised Boudreux's Butt Paste.

The product has been featured on talk shows and magazines such as Oprah and People Magazine. If you would like to try it out for free, simply visit their website for further details.