Shopping For Sunglasses

Black Friday is fast approaching and on top of my must-buy list is a pair of sunglasses. I broke my last pair of aviator two months ago - probably from too much travel and heat temperature. It's taking me awhile to find the right pair because I like to take my time and choose wisely. I am also sort of picky on frames. While some ladies go gaga with an expensive bag, I on the other hand, cherish eye wear. It's an accessory I absolutely cannot live without.

Even on a bad hair-day and I must go out to face the world, I just put on a huge pair and my spirit seems to soar. As fashion queen Victoria Beckham said, "Sunglasses hide a multitude of sins." And I thorougly agree. Even if you didn't sleep well last night or you don't have the time to put on mascara - or your false lashes for that matter, you still look like a Hollywood star with the proper, exquisite frame.

I found this website called Glasses.com where I enjoyed browsing their stylish collection of women's sunglasses. But before I go further to add on my shopping cart, let me just share you some tips on how to buy a pair of sunglasses:

1. A good pair should block 98% of ultra violet light to avoid any eye ailment. After all, the ultimate purpose of sunglasses is to protect our eyes.

2. Choose polarized lenses as they permit only vertical light rays to pass through them, not horizontal, and thus they reduce glare.

3. Are you going to wear it everyday like I do in this perennially sunny city? Make sure you are comfortable on the colors of the glass before parting with your cash. Most sunglasses have grey lenses because grey is a neutral color hence making it comfortable for eyes. While red, brown, and yellow can be trendy at times, they can distort color.

4. While a stylish frame makes for the over-all impact of a sunglasses, make sure it is also durable and lightweight - especially if you intend to stay hours and hours lounging on the sunbed or playing golf.

I am currently looking on Glasses.com for a wrap-around model which I think are quiet neat on the face. They also provide thorough glare and dust protection as it eliminates them from creeping in around the lenses.

I Bought a Tree...and a Reindeer

I've been very busy with work for the past weeks. By the time the holiday came, I was down with flu but I still had deadlines to beat. Hubby took care of Little C but the boy just wanted to go back to school. He was bored with home routine that at one time he kept on drawing, and coloring hoping that we will say the magic words: you will go to school tomorrow. So I learned something valuable: on his next school vacation, we have to bring him somewhere.

Anyway, to make up to my boys, I received payment from my writing tasks so I bought our first Christmas tree. And a reindeer lol! It looked so forlorn at Daiso Store where they packed my tree so i asked the staff to wrap the deer as well lol!

I bought baubles, ornaments, and and Christmas lights as well. I'm not yet done decorating though but when Little C arrived from school, he was completely smitten!

We Are Going 70s

Whew! The Halloween Costume Party invitations are pouring in. The latest one to arrive is from Hubby's scuba diving club. And they are giving a grand prize of one night stay at a splendid 5-star hotel to the couple in best costume.

I'd like to win of course. I need a weekend getaway to unwind. But Hubby just don't understand the fuss about the costumes. I hope that is going to change this year. I am not going to let him be himself for a change lol! He's been doing that for years - every Halloween party - so come on! I am not going to be the only one theatrical next week.

Last night after supper, I tried to pull off my convincing powers and managed to talk to him about his costume. He dreads the topic. Always do.  But I steered the conversation to his birth year the 70s. Think 70s stye fancy dress, Afro wig, flared trousers, groovy disco, the heavy rockers KIss, or simply be a crazy hippy guy. He thought  for awhile and when I was about to faint for waiting his answer, he agreed. I breathed out a long sigh of satisfaction and danced the footy jig hehehe.

So here I am looking online for some accessories and costume inspiration. I found two costumes and will let him choose later tonight. Have a look:

A groovy disco dancer costume.

Or 70s funky colored suit complete with platform shoes, yeehaa!

As for me, I hope looking for sexy costumes would be easy. I want something shiny inspired by the Dancing Queen.

Thrift Hunt: Nike Tank Top

Though I am partial to dress and romantic blouses, I like wearing  tanks from time to time -  but I hate paying for the pretty ones at a steep price. I got lucky once 'coz I was able to get a good bargain =). I bought the Nike tank top at flea market for 1AED.

At FMX Championship 2011, Jumeirah Beach Residence

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A Little Treat For My Boys

 Because blogging life is just beautiful!!

A few weeks ago, I experimented if I can withdraw from my PayPal account  to my NBDEmirates Debit Card. I usually receive a text message from my bank regarding any transaction but this time I did not receive any information.Thinking my bank probably did not accept the money (money laundering is a big issue in UAE), I just forgot about the whole transaction.

Until I saw a lovely chronograph watch over the weekend and I just knew I have to buy it for Hubby. Mentally calculating dollars to dirham, the amount was enough to buy the watch. I rushed to the nearest ATM hoping that maybe - just maybe the PayPal money was there and that my bank simply chose not to inform me. True enough, it was credited to my account and I happily punched to withdraw =D

At last, I can give a little treat to my boys from my own money! So here's what I bought for them:

This is the second watch I bought fro Hubby from my blogging moolah. The first one is a personalized watch from ArtsCow. Hopefully, I can buy his coveted diving watch next next year, yay!!

The summer months are fast approaching and winter apparell are on discounted price, so I was also able to purchase these winter boots and winter cap for my little Andreas.

Hubby had to add a few more dirham to what was left of my moolah so we can also buy these sandals for Andreas just in time for spring.

Thank you so much to my fellow blogggers for the referral and cheers to more blogging opportunities!

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Thrift Hunt: SwimSafe Floatsuit

I am joining a new meme today wherein we are encouraged to share our adventures on bargain hunting.  I do shop a lot (maybe because when you live in a city, you have to buy everything lol!)  but I never pay anything for full price - especially when I am buying something for myself. Over the years, I have learned to curb on impulse buying and opting to save for travel.

To start with, here is a floater I bought for my son. Swimming gear for children can be quiet expensive so I am gald I found these on flea market last year. They were selling the SwimSafe Floatsuit for 25AED but iIwas able to reduce the price to 10AED ($4). ((^_^))

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Accessory & Apparel Shopping

 For those who have been following my blog, you know I am a huge H&M fan. When words "Further Reductions" are emblazoned on their store window, I buy my Andreas' clothes, hats, jackets and Hubby's office wear and suits.

My son in his H&M First Birthday suit

Carrefour  Clothes section is also my favorite place for budget friendly clothing. Kids' apparel are known to be expensive but with luck, you can find bargains such as these:

Each costs 14 AED ant they usually sell for 50AED in other baby stores.

And because it is gift-giving season, I buy some from Marks & Spencer because of their gift boxes. It saves me time and still saves me money.





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Three-Day Holiday!

Hello lovely people! A blessed Sunday to you all.

The mood is light and festive here in this part of the universe because of the Eid Al Adha Celebration starting Tuesday. Private offices will also be closed from that day giving Hubby a  much needed three-day off until the weekend hooray! Eid celebration packages from hotels and travel agents have swarmed my in-box this morning. Oh how I wish we can avail those luxurious spa weekend! I wonder how it is to experience the far infrared saunas that are becoming increasingly popular in hotels. 

So far, my best bet will be a raffle draw by the Dubai Mall. On a purchase of 200AED, you get a raffle ticket that entitles you to win among others an Audi Q7, or a luxurious spa weekend at the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa.But how in the world will I convince Hubby to spend that much? Think, think, think.

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. ((^_^))

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Sleigh Bells Ring...What Do you want For Christmas?

Yess!! Hubby gave me a green light to start my holiday shopping. We got a huge balikbayan box to fill up for friends and family back home so the weekend was spent at Deira City Center and The Dubai Mall.

The boys wandered off the mall while I went around doing what I do best hihihih. I visited plenty of stores but decided to make purchases on Kinokuniya Bookstore, Aeropostale, and H&M. 

Do you still give books as gifts to children and adults? These two hard-bound Christmas books are for our new family friends. The kids are half-Filipino and half-British so I really don't know what to give (they pretty much have everything waaah!). I think books, (though boring) are always a safer choice =)

I bought two collared shirts for Hubby's nephews who are now attending the university. I especially love stores who give complimentary gift boxes. The H&M teal is for my son's winter gear.

Well, we got a long list to check off and I hope we don't miss on anybody hihihih! Share us, what do you want for Christmas?

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His & Hers Gold Bracelet

We went to New Gold Souk last week to buy wedding presents for a dear couple who will tie the knot come October.

To Oliver and Michelle, congratulations and we pray for a happy, healthy marriage all your life through. With love always, Ceasar, Rosell, & Andreas

The World's Biggest Ferrari Store

The 29th Ferrari Store in the world and the largest opened late last year at the prestigious Dubai Festival City.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Ferrari drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Giancarlo Fisichella, 

We got the chance to visit 1,000 sq metre store the other week and here are some of my photos.

A 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia greets the customers at the entrance.

The staple Ferrari shirts, caps, and jackets were available of course but i skipped from taking photos. Instead, I captured other Prancing Horse products we rarely see.

Share your loyalty to the ocean waves and ride this surf board

Cuffs and scarf

Chess and checker board

And of course the kids' section

This Swarovski encrusted necklace costs 29,000 AED (P362,500)

The store has further plans for their loyal customers. There will be a fan interaction area, in which fans can test their skills on virtual versions of several different F1 circuits. A replica of the F1 car and a Ferrari California will also be showcased. We will definitely be back when Grand Prix reaches the UAE.

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