Last Friday we were invited to the Best Dressed Brunch at Great British Restaurant. Located in Duke’s on the Palm, one of Dubai’s newest five-star hotel properties that was inaugurated in March this year, the very synonyms ‘best dressed’ and ‘British’ had me stressing over what I was going to wear!

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Friday brunches are usually laid-back and casual, and post work-week, I like to sleep in and keep my brunch look as simple as possible. Not so for this one! The Best Dressed Brunch gives you an excuse to pull out that sparkly number you’d usually reserve for a special night out. And the best part of all is that they even choose a ‘best dressed’ diner who walks away with a night’s stay at this much coveted property! So here I am, all glammed up in my Debenham’s number with bright red Mac Ruby Woo lips to boot!

Are Selfies fun or narcissistic? Arguably the backbone of social media as we know it, selfies are no passing phase and here to stay. Despite its popularity, selfies also get a whole load of slack. 

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.

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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!

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…

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. 

‘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.

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.

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.

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.