Gift Shopping (Part II)

I went out today to buy a few more things to wrap. I picked some random stuff at H&M and Splash in case we will have unexpected visitors who will drop by come holiday season.

A couple of polo shirts, Black vanilla moisturizers, beauty pots, and other stuffs for pampering ((^_^))

Stocking Filler: Decorative Quilt

I found this beautiful decorative quilt at Souk Madinat yesterday. It's a wonderful gift for the ladies of the house. But I think even more perfect as family giveaways. You can add to embroider your family initials and it's a treasured gift that will pass on for many years to come.

 I also wish to take this opportunity to thank Tracy for the thoughtful Christmas card she sent us from New York complete with Christmas stamps. =)

An entry for

Green Monday

John Lewis Christmas Ad

Beware: your eyes will stung.

After watching the child countdown to Christmas, I went out to complete our family gift list.

The track, "Please, Please, Please let me get what I want"was originally recorded by the Smiths in 1984 but re-recorded by emerging artist Slow Moving Millie.

Father's Day Gift Ideas: Motorcycle Apparel

 Are your gifts and surprises ready? That special man deserves to be pampered over the weekend =)

 I accompanied my friend Molly to the Emirates Post Office this morning to pick up a shipment. It's a motorcycle apparel for her husband who is fast becoming an avid fan of motocross sports. It all started when we went for a day trip to Jebel Ali Golf Resort last year. Just before entering the hotel grounds, we saw a group of people cheering as they watch motorcycle stunts. I have seen stunts even more daring at Gulf Bike Expo events but still, it left me very thrilled. Molly's husband decided to stay with the crowd and watch. Before the day ended, he joined us again and broke the news that he signed up to be a new member.

Wind Suit

Accordingly, Molly's husband had always been crazy about sports  motorbikes. But never really got the chance to explore his daredevil interest because his work as engineering consultant always kept him on travel. But now that they are in contarct to stay in Dubai for two years, he is grabbing the chance to learn more about the sports.

Molly has always been very supportive, buying him all sorts of motorcyle accessories -  jackets, helmets, pants. Until she got bored because there is only one store we know in Dubai that sells such specialized products. I helped her check online and we came to know about Cycle-Parts.com. It is an exciting online shop that sells vast motorcyle parts, apparel, and accessories. I was especially smitten with the classic biker jackets and came this close to clicking purchase for Hubby. I tried hard to remind myself that what he urgently needs now are day blazers =)

Anyway, if your Husband or Dad is the sports type, or if you are simply looking for unique Father's Day gift ideas, then I strongly suggest you visit Cycle-Parts.com

Gifts For Her: Eco Friendly Diamonds

Come Valentine's Day, there is no better way to sweep your loved one off her feet than a gift of beautifully cut diamond. It is the ultimate symbol of love and commitment. 

However, diamonds are uber expensive because mining them entails a lot of risk both to the environment and the people concerned. You have to dig deep into the earth just to get one carat. These holes leave an ugly scars on the eco system, pollutes the environment, and adversely affects the health of humans and animals around the area.

I come in good news today because you no longer have to bear guilt on buying diamonds. There is a growing trend right now about man-made diamonds. A diamond seed is placed in a laboratory with  carbon environment. It is allowed to grow molecule by molecule just as it grows deep in the core of the earth. This makes the eco-friendly jewelry identical in every aspect to the real mined gem.

Moreover, while colored diamonds are rare and far more expensive, lab grown gems come in variety of colors such as green, pink, blue, and red. Lastly, because of the least environment impact, these man-made diamonds are far more cheaper making 14th February Gifts easier than you thought.. This is your chance to sweep your loved one off her feet this Valentine's Day with  a stunningdiamond that won't break the bank.

Gifts For Her: Designer Bag

It is barely two weeks before the V day and your inbox could now be flooded with Valentine promotions and gift ideas. If you know better, you should be staying away from giving your lady another scarf. So how about a replica designer bag - - of the best quality?

Ask any lady and we all need a statement bag. And no matter how many bags we have bought, there is always another room for another leather bag - especially if we are talking about Hermes handbags. They are most coveted among Hollywood celebrities and socialites all over the world.

So listen up guys and fashionistas. I found a website based where you can buy the highest quality replica of designer bags. You can choose from luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and of course Hermes. All their  Hermes birkin bags are made from different leather such as togo, calf, epsom, chevre, clemence, crocodile, ostrich, lizard. They can even customize the bags according to your preference.

Given the chance, I shall be the happiest girl on the planet when I can get my hands on the birkin bag below.

30cm alligator birkin in beige color

With soft lamb skin leather interior.

So go now and place your order. Be your lady's hero come Valentine's Day!

Stocking Filler: Air Jordans

Anybody out there doing last minute shopping? Still at loss what to give your teens? Perhaps they would love some Air Jordans?

Air Jordan II

Champkicks.com has vast, stylish collection and  they are renowned for selling Cheap Jordan Shoes. I've been a frequent visitor of the website because my youngest brother has been asking for Jordan shoes. While waiting for a good deal, I noticed that every month, the collection is updated. They also offer the fantastic Air Force Ones sneakers. Prices for the Air Jordan shoes starts from $64.99 and comparing to other sites, no one else offer anything more affordable than the Champkicks.com price.

Hurry now and finish your Christmas shopping today.  Your teen might just give you his word that he will keep his room neat and tidy for such awesome Christmas present!

Festive Settings!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly fa la lalalalaa... 'tis the season to be jolly fa la lalalalalalalaa..

I am humming to myself early this morning as I finalize our guests for Christmas dinner. This is our third year to host and I feel more confident now to receive guests. We are expecting around eight people -composed of our closest family friends and relatives.

I share with you today some decorating tips and must-have accessories for throwing a successful Christmas Eve dinner. Take it from a frugal Mom =)

1. Get an impressive table cloth. teamed it up with interesting table runner. If you can get your hands on those crafted in India table runner from Pier 1   the better. It will add a touch of oriental on your table and will definitely start up conversations among your guests - if they are meeting for the first time.

2. Note on choosing table cloth and table runner: Use prints sparingly to keep the attention focused on the centerpiece.

3. For an easy, classic table centerpiece, I use a basic pine wreath in the center of the table. You can add candles, ornaments, bows, whatever you fancy. You can also ask  your child to help make the centerpiece - then you can show off your guests your kid made it. There will be ooh and aahs and praises and your kid will feel extra special and might just behave himself for the rest of the evening.

4. Another easy accent on the table is to fill shot glasses with beads, white roses, or other delicate flowers. Add water and place in the middle of the table.

5. Decorate ribbons or net bows around the chairs.

We always make it a point to give small token of appreciation to our guests for a wonderful evening. I feel very lucky to find  Pier 1 where I can buy unique and affordable holiday gifts . I chose their brooch and gem clutches for our lady guests. They are all for $10 each!

As gifts for men, Hubby chose something more fun like the metal musical dogs which sells $15 each.

One more thing I love about Pier 1 is their astrologically friendly gifts. It's a brilliant guide if you are at loss what to give somebody who seems to have everything.

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite my readers to like Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys For Tots.

Red Velvet, Anyone?

mmm home-made cupcake!

My boys were very delighted to see me arrive just before supper with a box filled with red velvet cupcakes. It's their favorite flavor and they got the goodie for free from my friend Chef J. I went to Sharjah early today to help out Chef J who received plenty of  orders for her homemade cupcakes.

It is the week of company Christmas parties and one organization decided to order 100 cupcakes from her. They saw it an affordable option with home made quality. Cupcakes in Dubai are sold between 10-12AED and Chef J is selling her kitchen produce for 5AED each!

She actually hates being nicknamed Chef J but among the six of us, we all look up to her for her baking skills. Her family owns a renowned bakery business in our home country hence her cooking skills are inherent. She actually stopped working now and is planning to concentrate on cupcake delivery business. During her visit to us last week, she showed me the business logo design she tried to sketch. This will be placed on the business cards she will order in time for January. She asked for my opinion but since a logo is also very crucial to a business' appearance, I suggested  we research online for tips on logo design.

I hope that when Chef J's cupcake business takes off, our family will get a discount card lol!

Hublot Big Bang Diego Maradona Limited Edition

You read it right, footie fans!

The luxury watch brand Hublot released limited edition of Big Bang Maradona Watch. It has an oversized case measuring 44.5 mm in diameter in micro blasted textured black ceramic. The material is also employed on bezel set with six H-shaped titanium screws which is embedded, polished and locked. 

In an ultimate tribute to the legendary football player - and what I, like many others consider as the Greatest Footballer of the 20th Century - the luxury watch features the following Diego Maradona connections:

 a) The black ceramic at the back casing is coated with sapphire crystal featuring etched silhouette of Diego Maradona raising arms in victory;

b) Argentine Blue color on the appliques;

c) Maradona jersey number while he was playing in Italy and Argentine National team - "10" inscribed on a sub-dial at 3 o'clock position;

d) Diego Maradona's signature at 6 o'clock.

Your chance to own a piece from the "Hand of God" as Essential Watches of Beverly Hills offers the special watch in a reduced priced. Only 250 pieces are made and they are selling fast! Voted by fans as the FIFA Player of the Century, Maradona's wit, charm, and spectacular sports skills are all reflected on the watch in a way a name as prestigious as Hublot can only do.

Cartier Accessories

Howdy glamorous fashionistas!

I got good news for you today if you still can't decide what to buy yourself for Christmas. How about a Cartier watch to match your Cartier handbag?

Marcello from House of Cartier, The Dubai Mall

The photo is from the 2010 Festival Colbert - an exhibit of French Fashion Houses. Naturally, Cartier was included and ladies kept on hovering around this uber-exclusive Marcello bag. The Cartier booth during the festival offers its clients an option to customize the bag: you choose what color, python or calfskin, and you choose as well which Cartier charm to decorate your bag. The bag arrives after six months of placing your order.

And so for devoted Cartier fans, your chance to own an authentic Cartier watch has arrived. It will definitely not cost  you more than what you paid for the  handbag. Essential-Watches.com offers the best prices on the internet for new and pre-owned authentic Cartier Watches.

Essential Watches of Beverly Hills have wide range of Cartier watches such as the iconic Ballon Bleu and Cartier Roadster. All purchases comes with a box and pertinent papers. New and pre-owned time pieces are marked accordingly. Moreover, customers receive a one to two year guarranty.

Visit Essential-Watches.com to complete your Cartier collection of accessories!

Stocking Filler: Panerai

Chatting with my friend S last night, she revealed how she is enjoying my stockings filler posts. She went on to say that I should go get one for myself since I do not wear any time piece. I rely on my Blackberry to tell me if it's lunch time. S, however is fiercely devoted to her Cartier accessory. She even pulled the strings for me to attend the 2010 Cartier Exhibit at The Dubai Mall.

S works for luxury retail here in Dubai so she gets discounts and freebies every now and then. She is generous to share them that my birthday and Christmas presents are always from the French fashion house. She just arrived from a holiday and I know she is late on her Christmas shopping. So last night during our conversation she asked what brand of watch do I fancy lol!

Perhaps I am saving for a Panerai watch. Our family goes snorkeling and swimming a lot that only a  submersible watch will work best for me.  I want something elegant, yet sporty, and with an attitude.  Panerai watches are known to have large illuminated dials and tightly sealed steel casing. Their reputation started when they were commissioned by Italian Navy in 1860's to create a watch that can be easily read underwater.

But the thing is they are very rare. They are produced in a very limited number of pieces that they almost have a cult-like following.

Stocking Filler: Patek Philippe

I received my copy of Holiday Gift Guide from a popular Paris-based department store yesterday. Although I recently heard that the Hublot is one of the most sought after watch, I learned that many sophisticated customers -- especially those that are fascinated with history of time piece -- opt for the brand Patek Philippe.

 The exclusive Patek Philippe Store in Dubai Mall

Patek Philippe was established in 1851 and dominated the Swiss watch market for over 150 years. They are credited for inventing the "Perpetual Calendar" which as we all know now, keeps track of how many days in each month and knows when it's leap year. The luxury brand can also boast that from the 53 auctioned watches, 50 of the highest prices ever paid for were Patek Phillipe.

Patek Philippe has a store in The Dubai Mall.  For pre-owned authentic Patek Philippe, you can visit Essential-Watches.com

Stocking Filler: Rolex

This will probably the most show stopper of all your stocking fillers ((^_^))

I mentioned to you my dear readers that I am looking for online deals on time piece for Hubby's Christmas present. I am glad to share with you that I found a fantastic website that sells authentic new and pre-owned Rolex watches. 

All time piece you purchase from Essential Watches comes with one-two year warranty. They have established business located in Beverly Hills, CA and joined Ebay in 1999 with 99.9% positive feedback.

Waste no time browsing over those luxury gift guides and check the latest deals on Essential Watches!

The Gift For Who Has Everything

Last night, I was reading a couple of luxury gift guides for Holiday 2010. I noticed that they all have one thing in common in the top three list - the charming, elegant, and expensive grandfather clock. Recalling the beautiful  floor clock I saw in our hotel in Milan early this year, I have to agree that they are the perfect present for somebody who seems to have everything. 

It was the first time I saw such treasure. I only see them in movies! And for a moment, I stood in awe in the lobby admiring the Howard Miller Grandfather Clock. Right then,  I thought  the hands and the pendulum were floating!  Its lovely chime was very comforting after a long train travel from Venice.

But did you know that the proper name is "long case clock"? According to a legend, while staying at the George Hotel in North Yorkshire, England, Henry Clay Work was told of a clock that completely stopped working when the manager of the hotel died at the age of ninety. After listening to the legend, Work retold the story of the event in a song, which became popular. From this song, the long case clock became known as the grandfather clock.

As you all know, we are a couple who goes crazy on wood works. Someday,  a  grandfather clock would be a  perfect housewarming gift for us. Yes, I am dreaming to own one. It doesn't have to be antique but either made from cherry, oak, walnut, or mahogany. Dream on, lady!

Authentic German Beer Mugs

What is a fun gift for men? For awhile now, I have been looking online for Christmas gifts to give Hubby's  closest friends. They've been a family to us during our five-year stay in Dubai and every year we make it a point to show our appreciation - no matter how inexpensive  the token is. This year could be the last Christmas we will spend all together so I am in search  for something unique, fun, yet elegant enough to display and remember all the fun we shared.

I was thinking of a personalized shirt but I think I found something more interesting online. They are all beer lovers. Their idea of de-stressing and a relaxing weekend is composed of beer jugs, guitar, and roaring laughter. And so I am thinking of Authentic German Beer Mugs  for present. I think that perfectly represent all the goofiness they shared. We will need four mugs and they had to be classic, very practical and yet decorative. These are currently my choices:

Strassburg Mug With Lion Crest because of the engraveable surface. This would be fun to personalize.

Bavarian Flags Father & Son Set with its smooth sturdy glass bodies.

Or if the budget permits, a traditional German Beer Steins as shown below.

Any dedicated beer lover would really be excited to have these collectibles! I am really excited to show these to Hubby when he comes home later so we can move on with our Christmas shopping list.

At The Beauty Section

I splurge on fragrant body moisturizers. Although the weather in UAE rarely allow us to generously apply moisturizer at daytime (as it can get very hot and sticky) -- i love, love to sleep smelling yummy ((^_^))

Here are my two favorite shops for body moisturizers.

The Body Shop for their body butter. A soft skin pampered in papaya body butter is the next best thing to wake up to in the morning =)

And I was ecstatic that finally, Bath & Body Works opened in Dubai.  Over the weekend, I asked Hubby if we can drive to Mirdiff City Center and check it out. The store was huge and very, very busy. Oh it's one of those things you love about America!

I was soo thrilled to be reunited with one of my favorite winter scents: Black Raspberry Vanilla. I always opt for fruity scents on summer and vanilla based scents for winter. To have them both in one lovely moisturizer bottle is simply gorgeous.

45AED for 330ml

Really, if you want to make me happy, they're all I want for Christmas. ((^_^))

An entry for

Gifts for Andreas (Part 4)

From Ninong Teddy

Mothercare Boots

From Lance

A very nice and comfy hoodie!


From Tita Rhea

Andreas love to make noises so this is really perfect!

From Tita Jazmine and Tito Rainer

This is Andreas' third Benetton shirt. The first two were given to him on his first birthday.

From Kuya Pitong

Now this makes his Dada very excited but we opted to put away first due to small parts. He will have to enjoy it later this year.

Thank you so much! People who take time to give always finds pleasure wherever they go. God bless you more!!!