DVD Date: Savages

Sometimes, a good sleep is not the cure to stress but rather an entertaining movie. We squeezed in a DVD date last night. Both Hubby and I needed a break from work and thankfully, Little C was soo tired from school that he dozed off early giving as some much deserved adult time.

Hubby was hesitant at first with my DVD choice. We both don't like horror or gruesome films and the title alone is rather chilling. But I pointed out Oliver Stone is one very good director the very same one behind the documentary we watched a few years back on Cuban President Hugo Chavez. Regardless of the title, Oliver Stone always delivers something good having focused most of his films on politics and cultural issues.

Savages is a crime thriller which stars Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro, and John Travolta. The plot is simple. Two best friends head over heels in love with a girl and goes on to share her - which confronts the threesome trend. Their relationship, however a taboo it may seem, was presented artfully in a way you won't despise any of them. Blake Lively narrates the story and though I used to think she has great screen presence, I think it was Taylor Kitsch's act that was more arresting.

The baddies are composed of Hayek and del Toro. They ran this drug empire and wants a partnership with the clean-weed growing guys played by Kitsch and company. They refuse and that's where it all goes wrong. 

The DVD was released yesterday and yes I do recommend getting a copy. If you are a huge Blake Lively fashion fan, she won't disappoint here. She's was a total beach babe, all blonde hair, rich girl and punished in white maxi dress. The movie received mixed reviews but Oliver Stone succeeds in capturing the young movie goers and show how dark gruesome movies are executed.

Poetique Fashion

Armore Di Casa is a design company that are responsible for the Poetique collection found at Fashion For Home. Using natural finishes as well as contrived finishes, Armore Di Casa create furniture with an excellent standard of craftsmanship, as well using fashions that are found in recent interior design trends such as antiques and country style rustic pieces. Antiques without the age!

For example, this set of drawers. Using classical designs, this is a garish piece of furniture that is finished in such a way to make it seem antique. There are curved classical expressions on the handles as well as a floral decoration on the base. For an old time look, coupled with fantastic craftsmanship this is a perfect example. Make yourself feel like a child of the renaissance.

Another piece from the Poetique range is this side table. Perfect as a bedside table, or just an added space for items to sit on, this compliments the set of drawers completely. Romantic and elegant, Armore Di Casa can turn your house into an old time regal paradise, bursting with warmth and character this winter.

Yet another example of the Poetique range would be this beautifully finished clock. The ageing technique used on the wood has no impact on the sturdiness of it, leaving you with an antique looking clock, which has the robustness of a new, modern piece. Time has stood still here.

If the antique look isn't your style and you find yourself swinging towards more of an en vogue minimalist theme, Fashion For Home offer a wide variety of contemporary style furniture. From 40's, 50's and 60's influenced items, right up to modern day minimalist interior trends. Fashion for Home has it all. Not only are their products reliable and good looking, they all come from sustainable materials at a highly affordable price. An added bonus! So why wait, treat yourself this Christmas.

Look Who's Back!

Our luggage from a staycation at Danat Al Ain Resort. We were only away fro three days but I think I packed things good for a week yay! Well better be prepared. I packed first aid kit, swim wear and floaters, dress for cocktails, wedge and thong sandals among others. 

We came back and oly half of our clothes were used since we spent most of the days swimming =)

Tell me, do you also tend to over pack during getaways?

Fish Plate

A heart dinner at Golden Fork.

Grilled fish, chips, and salad.

An entry for

Food Trip Friday

Trakai Island Castle

Penelope sent me this beautiful castle in Lithuania.

Trakai Island Castle  is an island castle located in Trakai, Lithuania on an island in Lake Galvė. The castle is sometimes referred to as "Little Marienburg". The construction of the stone castle was begun in the 14th century by Kęstutis, and around 1409 major works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great, who died in this castle in 1430. Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the castle held great strategic importance.

Maid To Please For All Your House Cleaning Services

In this time and age when people are so busy with the demands of their work and thus are out from home almost all the time, it is very helpful to have someone to take care and maintain the home. This is where Maid Service Baltimore MD come in very handy.

There are a lot of companies now that provide you with different services you need for your house cleaning and maintenance. But certainly, there is one best company like Maid To Please that could fit all your needs. 

It takes a wise consumer to choose the best house cleaning service but I share three pointers you might wish to consider:

• The first and foremost thing to consider is the credibility of the company. Make sure that this company is dependable and its services are really satisfactory, if not excellent. You do not want your items be destroyed or lost after the cleaning service, so make sure this company hires honest, competent and well-trained maids and cleaners.

• Take into consideration the cost of the service. You may want to choose the most affordable yet equally-reliable cleaning service in the market. To do this, you may need to compare the prices and services of different maid service in your community.

• More importantly, consider how well the overall work performance. It's not just being obsessively compulsive, but, certainly, as clients, we expect total cleanliness and orderliness in our homes.

Fortunately, all these pointers has been proven by Maid To Please services so you might want to consider them when hiring professional cleaners. Visit their site and you will read testimonials of many satisfied customers like we do.

Shop For Stylish Maternity Swimwear

If you want to go on holiday, irrespective of destination, you need plenty of forward planning. Getting spending money together, buying essentials such as suntan lotion and sunglasses and making travel arrangements are all very important. However, packing is also vital, and knowing which clothes to take is sometimes problematic. When pregnant, going on holiday, even for a day trip to the seaside has its difficulties, such as knowing which clothes to take. Anything with the word ‘maternity’ such as maternity bras is usually a safe bet.

You might not believe it, but there are many items of maternity clothing that can be worn during the summer. The image of plain stretchy pants and oversized shirts may enter your mind when asked to sum up clothes for pregnant women, but items like plus size bras often serve to help whoever’s wearing them to look good as well as feeling protected and comfortable. The variety of maternity clothes made today has never been greater.

Maternity swimwear is a must-have for any mother-to-be who wants to keep exercising while carrying their child. Like many other items of maternity clothing out there, it not only protects your stomach from the elements while swimming, but it’s also comfortable, durable and looks just as good as conventional swimwear. A maternity swimsuit would be perfect for taking to the beach on a day out, just as a treat while going on the rollercoaster ride that is pregnancy.

There are items of beachwear suitable as maternity clothes. One such example is a jersey cover-up, which helps to cover up your bump perfectly, while also being lightweight yet elegant. For women who were only a few months into their pregnancy but still had a noticeable bump, a holiday was off-limits due to a lack of suitable clothing, but this has changed. Now, with an ever-expanding range of maternity clothing for summer, they can go out wearing comfortable, accommodating clothes which also look fantastic.

Little Boy's Morning Bath

Some shots I took from my little boy's bath before going to school.

Blue curtain, blue bath mat, blue potty..

And lots, and lots of bubbles!

My entry for

Blue Monday

Magnolia Bakery Mother's Day Cupcakes

In celebration of Mother's Day in the gulf next week, Magnolia Bakery in Bloomingdale's Dubai created a special vintage-inspired box of cupcakes. It is available until March 22.

Decadent vanilla cupcakes.

An entry for
 
Yummy Sunday

Mellow Yellow Monday

Shadow Shot Sunday: Tortoise At the Zoo

I think this is one of my best shot from all the visits we have done at the zoo ((^_^))

An entry for

Shadow Shot Sunday

Scenic Sunday

Ulun Danu Temple, Bali

I collect four types of postcards: landmarks, map cards, famous people, and cards of castles, churches, and temples. A new addition to my collection was sent by Linda from her home country Indonesia.

 Ulun Danu is a Hindu Temple set in the lakeside of Beratan and as an icon of the tourist destination in Bali.

Built in 1663, this temple is used for offerings ceremony to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11 stories of pelinggih meru dedicated for Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha statue also present inside this temple.

Lake Bratan is known as the Lake of Holy Mountain due to the fertility of this area. Located 1200 m above sea level, it has a cold tropical climate.

UAE Post Box

This red-hot post box at Dubai Marina Mall is where I drop my postcards. On the other side of the wall is Al Jaber Gallery where I buy stamps and postcards for swap.

An entry for

Red-Hot Thursday

5 DVDs I Recently Watched

I'm glad the lovely Chinese lady is back from her holiday. We bought plenty of DVDs from her and here are the recent movies we watched:

1. The Debt
**It stars Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain, among others. It's about Mossad agents trying to capture a Nazi criminal in Berlin and bring it back to Israel to stand on trial. It has stellar cast performance and one movie I'd recommned.

2. True Grit
**I have a thing for horses so i do enjoy watching American Western films. This one made me cry. It has beautiful life lessons -- though i wish the movie had subtitles as i had  a hard time making out some of the movie lines.

3. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
**I love the Millennium series. In fact, I've been reading all three books again and again. It's quiet fascinating. It's one heck of a movie material too. But sadly, Dragon Tattoo was poorly directed, and Rooney Mara didn't feel her character until the last scene. She may have studied Salander but some lines - which were suppose to be delivered cold and unhurried - were simply memorized. I wish it was Russel Crowe who took the role of Blomkvist and Keira Knightley would have been perfect as Salander. I have seen clips of the Swedish version of the movie and I think that was way far better than the Hollywood version. Still I am utterly delighted there will be a sequel. I think I will faint to see Salander and Blomkvist kiss onscreen hahahaaaa!

4. Footloose (2011)
**Now this..I love how it was executed. But my husband thinks there should have been a better plot. Well he's a lot older than me and definitely more conservative (peace, Honey!) but I think I like how it teaches parents to ultimately learn to trust their kids. That the more you hover and try to clip their wings, the more they will come to defy you. The bottom line is, our children do not like it when we feel disappointed with them. They are young, they will make mistakes yet that should not prevent us parents from letting them have fun.

5. Immortals (2011)
**Freida Pinto as the virgin oracle is stunning in this movie loosely based on Greek myths of Theseus. Greek mythology is always a fascinating subject and if you enjoyed Clash of the Titans, this you will appreciate too.

Heart Reef Australia Postcard

A few days ago, I received my second envelope of postcards from Australia sent by Kristy. It includes a map card of the country, an aerial view of Sydney, and my favorite, the Heart Reef.

Heart Reef is perhaps the most fascinating piece of the Great Barrier Reef. It is a stunning natural coral formation that was discovered by a local pilot in 1975. It is located in the Whitsunday Islands and must be viewed from the air as the area is protected and snorkelers and scuba divers are not allowed to enter.

Help With Buying The Perfect Gift For Your Partner

Buying a unique, long-lasting and appreciative gift for your loved one often requires a lot of thought. You have to think what gift would speak to their character, and you also want to avoid giving them a clichéd present, regardless of whether it’s for their birthday, Valentine’s Day or even your anniversary. Thankfully some retailers such as Ann Summers don’t sell clichés.


As sellers of items such as lingerie and anal sex toys, Ann Summers provide a huge number of gift ideas for all sorts of occasions, each of them guaranteed to put a wide smile on your partner’s face. Buying your partner something from their range could help to take your relationship to the next level and, perhaps, a gift from their shops or website could be for the enjoyment of both of you. Even a single item of sexy lingerie could do that perfectly.
Buying erotic lingerie from Ann Summers is ideal for an occasion like Valentine’s Day. If there’s a day that’s designated purely for couples to spend quality time together, surely it must be February 14th. Whether you decide to buy the woman in your life everyday items like a bra or pair of knickers, or something less conventional like a corset, basque or even a babydoll, if made using the right materials and colours, they can’t be bettered as a present.

Although lingerie is likely to feature quite prominently in a Valentine’s Day gift idea guide for men, it’s a massive improvement on a cheap bottle of perfume of a limp bouquet of roses from the nearest 24-hour petrol station forecourt. Sexy lingerie not only looks good, but it’s comfortable to wear and, in the case of a handful of items, can help to make the best of your assets by making your breasts appear larger.

Lingerie alone is a great gift, but if you want to buy something that strays even further from clichés, then Ann Summers have a surprisingly long line of anal sex toys for sale. These include anal beads, dildos and butt plugs, which come in all shapes and sizes. If you want something a little more playful, then you can buy fancy dress costumes, games, funny t-shirts, sweets, board games and other light-hearted gifts which will make great presents. Ann Summers have over 140 branches across the UK, Republic of Ireland and Spain, all of which will stock something which is bound to intrigue you. 

Read or Blog?

I struggled to finish all my tasks this week because all i want to do is lie down and read. I finished all three of Stieg Larrson's book and I want to read them again. Ugh. 

I am also running out of creative juices yay! I still have to do cover on New York Fashion Week but I just can't bring myself to write anything about Oscar Dela Renta's gowns. I am also too lazy to take photo of anything right now.

My son must have noticed this since he gave me the camera yesterday and settled himself in front of me with his biggest smile. I made  a few clicks before he happily continued reading his picture books.

Aaargh, the pull of a good book is too much to resist! I gotta lie down for now and read.

Ciao!

Accessorize Your Cell Phone For Less

Our mobile phones nowadays are an extension of our personality. Not only do they serve as means of communication but they express our style, status, and ultimately life choices. I will share to you today some ideas on how you can dress-up your cellphone without breaking your budget.

First, look for budget cell phone case. They are very popular as rubbers or hard casing which also function as protection from scratch or when you drop your phone accidentally. Designs vary from bold colors to leopard print, sports emblems and including insignia of your favorite house of fashion.

Next, when your phone is all dressed up, find a convenient way to carry it while working, exercising, dining, or shopping. Buy those belt clips so you can easily reach for you phone. High street stores also sell those pretty cell phone pouches that you can wear around your neck.

Then enhance your mobile phones capability. Whether sound or photo, or prolonging your battery life, it pays to buy a little more for your phone to get the most out of it. Buy a car charger, a Bluetooth device, or add a memory card. Check and compare online for best deals. I bought my current LG mobile accessories from LowerPriceUSA.com

Lastly, ensure the accessory you choose is compatible with your phone. Always refer to your carrier's website.

London Eye Postcard

I received this beautiful London Eye postcard last week from Anna.

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England. The entire structure is 135 metres tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres.

It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually. When erected in 1999, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, until surpassed first by the 160 m Star of Nanchang in 2006, and then the 165 m Singapore Flyer in 2008. It is still described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel" (as the wheel is supported by an A-frame on one side only, unlike the Nanchang and Singapore wheels).

The London Eye, or Millennium Wheel, was officially called the British Airways London Eye and then the Merlin Entertainments London Eye. Since 20 January 2011, its official name is the EDF Energy London Eye[5] following a three-year sponsorship deal.

Maids and Moore For All Your Cleaning Needs

Today, I received some beautiful portrait cards which includes a signed postcard of the President of the United States. My Aunt in Austin sent them as a thank you note for helping her out through the holiday craze.

No I didn't fly to Austin but merely listened to her pour her out over the phone last December. Her husband's real estate work keeps him away for days sometimes even weeks and with two your children, a house, and nurse duty, she was finding it very hard to keep up. And with the Christmas parties, gift shopping, and children's party invitation, she was stressed and exhausted.

I gently told her to hire part-time cleaners but she said she previously did that but found them unreliable. Maybe because they are teens who find it hard to clean-up a whole two-storey house. And she went on to say that perhaps what she really needs right now is a house helper who will clean, do gardening, and take care of the laundry. Then I recalled my cousin's office who avails commercial cleaning services Austin.

I Googled and found out the very same company Maids and Moore also offers maid services Austin.I called back my Aunt and I'm glad she considered because after two weeks, she sent an email saying she's very pleased with her house now and everything is in order. The cleaning and maid services she availed is doing a fantastic job: efficient and reliable -- that she was looking forward to hosting a Christmas lunch knowing somebody else will take care of the cleaning and all.

That's when she asked me how she can properly say thank you so I said a postcard will do.

My Current Vanity Obsession

Let's beat January blues by sharing our vanity obsession for the moment. Here's mine:

1. Bath & Body Works Moonlight Path Body Cream. I use this at night and Hubby who finds most fragrance to be very artificial agreed this one smells alluring.

2. I love a good blush. While some would pick lipstick to perk up their spirits, I turn to Milano blush in peach shade or the blush pot from Victoria's Secret Ultimate Make-Up Kit.

3. No.7 Heated Eyelash Curler. It's a beauty tool must have. Although i don't use it all the time, there are weekends when I feel like dolling up and I heart looking forward to using it. Curls stay longer.

4. Olay Illuminating Radiance Cream. While some would find that it barely covers anything, I love the fact that it does not change my skin tone. My face don't get oily and it acts as a quality, affordable make-up base.

5. Beauty Rush 3-in-1 Body Wash in Candy Baby scent. Although I ahve yet to use it as a shampoo, I love how it lingers on my skin long after I finished shower. The scent is all girly and makes you feel fun!

How about you? Any favorite beauty item these days? Do share! ((^_^))

Fresh Berries For Snacks

On one of our late afternoons at the beach, Hubby packed some fresh berries for us to snack on.

Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

An entry for

Yummy Sunday

5 Tips To Save Money On Air Conditioning Costs

It is going to be a tough year: with the Euro crisis and Strait of Hormus tension hovering and threatening our already weak economy. People are looking for ways to keep their cash and more and more households are cutting budget expenses. For the most part, keeping our air condition on is costly, yet it is a necessity -- especially when you have children and elderly in your house.

I share with you then some ways on how you can cut your cooling cost. I learned these tips from BlueAir which has provided reliable Round Rock air conditioning since 1995.

Let BlueAir Team take care of your heating and air conditioning needs.

1. The darker the color of your house, the more heat it will absorb, so if you're building, buying, or considering repainting, choose lighter colors for the exterior.

2. Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house to help reduce the heat of the sun. Install draperies on the sunny side of your house.

3. Try to install your air conditioner in a shaded area. An air conditioner that is exposed to direct sunlight will consume five per cent more energy than one that is shaded. But then, don't overcrowd it with shrubs.

4. Proper maintenance of your air conditioner can increase its efficiency. You can clean the outside compressor yourself with a hose, removing debris that impedes air flow. However, routine maintenance from professional will extend the life of your cooling system. BlueAir also performs routine maintenance and minor heater repairs for homes and businesses. Set up a schedule with their Cedar Park HVAC contractors and never worry about changing filter again.

5. Lastly, a significant percent of the heat in your house is absorbed through the roof. Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Vents in the eaves allows cooler air to enter. Turn off lights and appliances not in use as they also generate heat.

Sunshiny Winter!

We dropped by Safa Park late afternoon of Saturday for some sand play and swing ride. This is Dubai's oldest park and the closest park to our place. But somehow, we rarely get to visit -- because Little C rather enjoys the huge outdoor play area at Zabeel Park.

Anyway, Hubby has taken a liking for charcoal grilling so we're coming back next weekend for some barbecue. Here's one of the stunning scenery you will see when you visit Safa Park:

All greenery with a magnificent Dubai skyline for backdrop.

An entry for

Green Monday