Balloonee Helium Balloons Kit (Party in a Box!)

Balloons are synonymous for happy days, a happy childhood. A helium balloon, hanging on to a string, is a little piece of magic for young children. As a little girl I always daydreamed of flying off like Mary Poppins with a bouquet of brightly colored balloons, and my heart sank whenever I lost one to the clouds.

Balloonee Brothers Gas Helium Balloon Kit DIY Party Birthday Child Blogger UAE Dubai The Tezzy Files (8)

Last week this big, cheerful box arrived in my post and reignited childhood memories. This is the Balloonee Helium Kit, an ultra cute, ultra convenient pack that allows you to make helium balloons yourself. Wish we had these when we were kids!

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Measure and Excess: Dubai Debut by 17 Year-Old Moroccan Artist Hiba Khamlichi

Can Measure and Access really coincide side by side in peace and harmony? Moroccan teenager Hiba Khamlichi takes on this philosophical puzzle with stunning paint on canvas. At a mere 17 years of age, the complexities of her creations far beguile her tender years, and her masterpieces are going up on display in the very prestigious Art Space exhibition at DIFC Dubai from today.

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I had the pleasure of having a wee chat with the very talented young lady before the exhibition, and here is what she had to say about her debut in Dubai…

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Meaty Turkish Feasting at Ard Zaytoon

Located right across the road from Mercato Mall on Beach Road (Jumeirah, Dubai), Ard Zaytoon has been a favorite with the local community for years. Originally a Lebanese restaurant, the establishment has had a change of chef and cuisine and the menu offerings are now of Turkish origin.

The interiors are bright and inviting with perky yellow-green upholstery and smiling staff. Sleek, minimalist and modern, the space has no hint of exotic Turkey… that is, until you meet the curly moustached chef clothed in traditional ‘shalvar’ and head gear.

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Arjwan: Authentic Emirati Fine-Dining in the Heart of Sharjah

‘Arjwan’ is a vibrantly blue flower that blooms against all odds in the harsh heat of a Mediterranean desert. This rare, beautiful bloom has been a part of Emirati culture for centuries, and has even been used for topical medicine.

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Inspired by this desert beauty is an authentically Emirati restaurant by the same name, located inside the very pristine property of Sheraton Sharjah. I was in awe with the place as soon as I stepped in. From deep, dark woods to the aqua-blue upholstery befitting the Arjwan bloom, the ambiance here is delightfully astute and Arabesque.

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Real Momos (Karama Dubai’s Hidden Gem for Indo-Chinese Cuisine)

A true-blue foodie would agree that the tastiest of cuisines are often hidden in the shabbiest of corners. We recently uncovered yet another hidden gem, this time in the heart of Karama (Dubai), a block or so behind West Zone Supermarket. This is Real Momos, a tiny little restaurant the size of a cafeteria you’d honk down for tea at.

The cafeteria/restaurant can be spotted a block away thanks to its bright yellow signage. The interiors are sparsely decorated, and have three small tables with makeshift chairs.

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Beauty Review: Avocado Dream Body Butter by Womn Cosmetics

As a part of my bedtime beauty regime, I love a good, highly moisturizing body butter. Even in the peak of summer, I feel certain areas need extra TLC and I therefore prefer highly nourishing formulations.

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I am becoming a huge fan of Abu Dhabi-born organic beauty brand Womn Cosmetics. Conceptualized and created (hand-made to boot!) by husband and wife duo Goran and Nena, every product in their range is loaded with natural goodness. I was therefore elated to receive a jar of their Avocado Dream body butter.

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Dinner at Noodles Corner (Mangrove Hotel, Ras Al Khaimah)

We were in Ras Al Khaimah earlier this month, and stayed at Acacia Hotel. However, by dinner time, we decided to venture out towards town, enjoy the scenic corniche area and then head on to our dinner invite at Noodles Corner, located in Mangrove Hotel (yet another Bin Majid Hotels and Resorts property).

Noodles Corner, as the name suggests, is tucked away in a quiet corner of the hotel. Elaborately decorated in the auspicious red and gold Chinese symbols of luck, this quaint, dimly lit restaurant with scenic views of the Ras Al Khaimah corniche, is a budget-friendly hidden gem.

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Lunching at Farzi Cafe (CityWalk Dubai)

Last week I was back at my all-time favorite Indian fusion café on CityWalk (phase 2); that would be Farzi Café ofcourse! We had a hearty lunch covering many of our favorites, and a few brand new quirky gems.

‘Farzi’ translates to ‘illusion’, and that is exactly what you get here… each and every item served on the table comes with an unexpected surprise of its own.

Farzi Cafe CityWalk Dubai Lunch Menu Review UAE Food Blogger Lifestyle Blog The Tezzy Files Indian Cuisine (6) — A dainty Mango Amuse Bouche to whet the appetite.

Eid weekend and a table at Farzi? Next to impossible! Clever me, I had us booked in well in advance. With its earthy woods and chic café artwork, Farzi Café is a beautiful nook to spend time with friends and family, and especially so with all that sunshine flooding in. All this natural lighting does wonders for my Instagram feeds as well!

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Fayon Kids: Indian fashion for the entire family

Eid Mubarak all! I hope you had a wonderful time with your loved ones, and feasted like kings. Here is my little one, decked up in her Eid finery from Fayon.

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I first came across Fayon at a Numaish exhibition last year. This Indian label specializing in children’s wear caught my attention for its gorgeous attention to detailing. From traditional Indian to a fusion of Western silhouettes, Fayon really knows how to dress up little ones and it is therefore no wonder that the designer behind this beautiful Delhi-based brand is a mother herself.

Today I am introducing you to the very talented Preeti Jatia, an interior designer who turned her talents into fashion once her two beautiful young daughters came along.

I too am a mother to a little 6 year-old, and Fayon was kind enough to send her this gorgeous silk lehenga last Eid. It’s her favorite outfit till date, and she has been nagging me to get her more!

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Lime Crime Venus 2 Palette Review (My Latest Buy from BasharaCare.com )

Look what came in my Bashara Care monthly box this month… the Lime Crime Venus 2 palette! If you’ve been following my beauty posts for a while now, you already know how much I love Lime Crime. I’ve been ordering in their crazy cool shades of Velvetines lipsticks well before they hit the UAE market (click here for a recap), and I did a complete review with swatches on the original Lime Crime Venus palette here before.

Lime Crime Bashara Care online shopping UAE Dubai Venus 2 palette review

I absolutely LOVE my original Lime Crime Venus eye-shadow palette, and will surely keep the gorgeous box well after all the product has been used up. I am a sucker for great packaging, and love the pop-art take on the renaissance inspired Venus.

So imagine my delight to find the funkier, nose-ringed bad ass twin palette on none other than BasharaCare.com ! Retailing at a very affordable AED 155 and with no shipping fee within the UAE, and speedy delivery within 24 hours, buying this brand new beauty was a piece of cake.

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