Little Man's Morning Walk

I took the photo last month, a week after we moved in the Discovery Gardens.




Orange flowers in the courtyard.


Destination, sand play area.

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Veal Picatta

Hubby's lunch at Duo Ristorante in Jumeirah Beach Residence.



Australian veal served with creamy mashed potato and steamed zuchinni.

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What To Do With An Engagement Ring After A Broken Engagement?

Gasp! G was previously engaged.

She showed me the ring this morning at  More Cafe while we wait for the other girls to arrive. It was set in platinum with a huge sparkling stone. It was glittering and breathtaking. While I looked closely, G launched to her story of broken engagement 10 years ago.

Apparently, she tried to return the expensive ring but her ex-fiancee said that it was hers to keep since he felt guilty for cheating on her. G is happily married now for two years and she wants to get rid of the ring. She does not want to go around asking for pawnshop because she wants to get rid of it as discreetly as possible. 

I gave her a huge smile and informed her of a website where she can sell platinum ring. It is the same site our Indian neighbor is selling her gold jewels. G was thoroughly interested and asked me to explain further.

The website is called CaptainCashForGold.com where they offer to buy old gold, silver, and platinum jewels. Even broken chains, earring no longer in set, and knotted chains are welcome to be trade for cash. They offer complete customer privacy and as soon as they receive the authentic jewelries you want to sell, you will receive your money through wire transfer or PayPal within 24 hours.

Now it was G's turn to smile broadly. She shared her plans of a luxury cruise to Egypt and Jordan come Eid Holiday so maybe, this was perfect time to sell platinum for cash. When the girls arrived, they also gasped at the sight of her engagement ring. It must cost a fortune, they exclaimed. Platinum is even more expensive than gold!

The cost was nothing compared to the shame and heart break I endured, replied G. We all gave her a group hug.

Little White Dress

I'm a fan of white clothes. Shift dress, skirts, wide-leg pants, shirt, blouses, vest, I have pieces of them in white. On weekends, when I prepare Hubby's clothes for the day, it'll be white shorts and white polo. He laughs at it and jokes he looks like a sailor. I told him plenty of times that it looks good on him - fresh and neat - but he just shooks his head and smile.

Anyway, here's a little white bubble dress when we visited Ferrari World Theme park last month.

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Make Quick Money From Old Gold Jewels

 Last night, our Indian neighbors spent pizza dinner with us. They rang the doorbell around eight o'clock in the evening just as we were about to start supper. Hubby came home an hour late due to heavy traffic hence the late meal. 

We welcomed them in and offered extra seats around the dinner table. Luckily, I ordered Domino's crispy melt supreme pizza which is only available in large size so there  was enough slices to share. The couple were quick to announce the purpose of their visit. The husband had been let go by the company and they have one month to clear everything before flying back to India.

The wife asked me if I would be willing to buy some of her gold jewels. She opened the  velvet box she was carrying and it contained lustrous necklace, earrings, brooch, rings, everything you can imagine to adorn one's self. I was speechless. I've never seen such huge gold collection in person! But I always hear that Indians, especially the ladies do go crazy about golds. I felt so sorry for them that they were letting go what probably was their collection during their five-year stay in Dubai.

Feeling their urgent need, Hubby asked me to choose pieces I'd like to buy. Unfortunately, the impulsive buyer on me does not extend to gold. I spend on clothes but not on jewelries. The wife looked more dejected but I told her about a site I recently read about. It is called CaptainCashForGold.com where they offer cash for gold, silver, platinum, and other jewels. They will probably get more of their gold jewels' worth rather than knocking and begging from one apartment to another.

The couple left happy hearing the prospect buyer online. Websites offering cash for gold are plenty but the site I mentioned to them is insured and pays within 24 hours after receipt of your gold jewels. They also accept gold broken link chains, outdated jewels, gold coins, and best of all, they have experienced appraisers which assures you will be getting a fair deal.

For those interested in cash for gold trade but apprehensive on privacy, CaptainCashForGold.com prides itself for being discreet and customer names are kept confidential.

Dubai Police Cars

The fire alarm went off the other week on the building right next to ours. There was a thin smoke coming out of the third floor but authorities were quick to respond. The first to arrive was a Fortuner police mobile patrol, then two fire trucks, and then this BMW police car. Thankfully, no one was harmed because residents had ample time to get out of their apartment. I really am beginning to love Discovery Gardens Community =)

BMW Police Car

Discovery Gardens, Contemporary Area

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Garett Gourmet Popcorn

Chacago's gourmet popcorn reached Dubai a few months ago. My son is a frequent visitor to their store, (located at TDM ground floor) whenever we watch the Dubai Fountain but we always buy him the cheapest bag that is plain and salted. Over the weekend, shoppers were given free taste of their famous flavored, fluffy popcorn - caramel and cheese.

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Weekend Eating 

Trinket Box

A trinket box served as  a tip box in a restaurant called Local House in Bastakiya.

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Favorite Summer Activities

Ironically, when summer months are the time to hit the beach, summer in Dubai are the months most people stay away from parks and beaches because of fear of heatstroke. The temperature can rise up to 48 degrees Celsius. The rich will leave the country to cool off in other parts of the world. Those who are left behind will hit the shopping malls and make the most of annual Dubai Summer Surprises. This is also the time when hotel rates and entrance fees for waterparks are at its lowest.

Weekend get-away in Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Anyway, here are my 5 favorite summer activities:

1. Shopping for winter clothes (you get a good deal of bargain)
2. Weekend getaway
3. Visiting Wild Wadi or Aquaventure
4. Barbecue nights with friends.
5. Camping.

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Green Living Ideas: Coconut Basket

I saw this hand-made craft made of coconut on display at French Patisserie Eric Kayser.

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Hoy Sam Rod

A part of last night's dinner from Thai restaurant called Lemongrass.

Srir-fried mussles with sweet garlic chili sauce.

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Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne

Shoppers at The Dubai Mall over the weekend were invited to Jo Malone's recently launched Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologone.

I had it spritz on my wrist, and smelled light delicate floral. Not too sweet as you would find in other cherry blossom scents. We will probably buy 30ml bottles for my SILs when we finally take  a vacation to the Philippines.

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Wordless Wednesday

Discount Getaways Are Everywhere!

Oh wow! After Atlantis The Palm promotion, I received another marketing e-mail today informing that the 5-star Beach Resort Kempinski Hotel Ajman is offering 67% off its regular rates. For 699AED (185USD) per room per night, you get a deluxe sea view room for two people, with breakfast for two, dinner for two, 30-minute European massage for two, and other freebies.

Kempinski Hotel Ajman

I am soo tempted to make a reservation because  thank goodness, my PayPal account has sufficient funds. I must buy the package as it is only offered for four days but valid until mid-August when the UAE is at its baking heat. I e-mailed to inform Hubby and I am waiting for his confirmation. But knowing him, He won't pass up the chance for the beach property is also famous for its water sports. And having experienced Jumeirah and Aldar hospitality, we have talked about trying one of the prestigious Kempinski hotels. The hospitality group is also the one managing the grandiose Emirates Palace.

Now I must go and look for diets that work fast. Our schedule permits as a weekend getaway next month - that leaves me barely a month to drop one size and get my body beach ready.. July will be crazy and Ramadan falls on August which means in respect to Muslim culture, we should not indulge ourselves with any comfort. Oh do wish me luck!

Yas Marina Yacht Club

View from our table during a brekfast at Nautilus. The Yas Marina Yacht Club features 143-berth with mega yacht capability. Hotel guests arriving by yacht can access the hotel by the Marina wing or watch the F1 race from their boat.

Taken from seafood restaurant called Nautilus.

Photo taken from Latitude Pool Bar.

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