Citymax, the contemporary budget-friendly chain of hotels, is UAE’s answer to the stereotype that a vacation in this country is as expensive as the glitz and glamour that surrounds it.

For the longest time, we were under the impression that this was all that Citymax was; a hotel stay for the wallet-savvy, and not a destination for those of us who actually live here.

Being avid fans of Chinese and Thai cuisines, we are always on the lookout for new places to dine, and Sizzling Wok came up on our radar. Surprise, surprise, this restaurant has outlets in Citymax Bur Dubai and Citymax Sharjah.

sizzling wok citimax review

Situated by the scenic waterways of the Dubai Creek, Barjeel Al Arab offers a gastronomic look into the rich cultural heritage of an Emirati past.

Barjeel Al Arab is located in the Barjeel Heritage Guesthouse, a restored historical building that has now been converted into a guest house.

Barjeel Al Arab review

Tony Roma’s has built an empire on their signature ‘Baby Back Ribs’. Established over 40 years ago in 1972, Tony Roma opened a burger joint which soon gained a reputation after he added ribs on the menu. From there, it was no looking back.

Today Tony Roma’s has over 150 chains across 30 countries the world over, and has won a number of prestigious awards including the title of ‘The Best Ribs in America’. The original ribs continue to be served, but the menu has vastly expanded to include delectable steaks and seafood dishes.

One beautifully sunny afternoon, my little family and I decided to lunch at Tony Roma’s at Wasl Vita Mall. Read on about our experience.

tony roma's wasl vita mall dubai

The lovely people at invaluable.com got in touch with me for an interesting collaboration. ‘What are your most treasured pieces of jewelry?’ they asked, ‘what makes them so special? What is the story behind each piece?’

I am a jewelry hoarder. A total boho at heart, my collection mainly comprises of silver, lucky gemstones, chunky beads and quirky artifacts. If the house was on fire, I would have a tough time narrowing down on what to run out with. However, there are a few trinkets that have a sentimental hold on me, and I also happen to wear these pieces most often. This post gives you a brief glimpse into my treasure trunk.

my most treasured pieces of jewelry

Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful mothers out there!

Meet Hermelinda. She too is a mum, and has been working in the UAE for the past two decades. Her heart-wrenching dilemma caught the attention of Radio Spice’s RJ Bhairavi, and went on to prove how big-hearted Dubaiites can be.

It’s Mother’s Day today; the perfect day for a post on a loving mother with a heart full of love and hope. Grab a box of tissues, and read on about Hermelinda and her reunion with her beloved son Jonathan.

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Chili’s, the iconic Tex-Mex casual dining chain, needs no introduction. The brand has a global fan following with over 1,500 chains in 33 countries, and has been listed as a UAE ‘Superbrand’ for 8 years running.

Chili’s recent ‘Chef Cuts’ campaign has splashed across outdoor media around the UAE. I first spotted their enticing advertising on a lamppost whilst stuck in traffic, and made a mental note to visit them soon.

chefcuts

I tend to have normal to dry skin, and prefer face creams that go the extra mile when it comes to moisturizing. Murad is a beauty brand I have been introduced to only recently, and I respect their holistic approach to skincare. When I saw the Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture jar, I had to give it a go.Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture Review

When it comes to risotto, the Italians turn into perfectionists. After rigorous training under some of the world’s best Italian chefs, Per Te’s Executive Chef, Gladwin Anton (fondly known as Chef Glady) has mastered the fine art of Italian cooking, a mean feat given he hails from a vastly different ethnic background (Chef Glady is an Indian national).

Being able to cook the perfect risotto elevates you to the status of a well-respected Italian chef, and Chef Glady has built a reputation around his very own risotto creations.

Today Chef Glady has generously agreed to share a very special risotto recipe with us:

Selvatici Risotto ai Funghi al Tartufo (Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffles).

recipe selvatici risotto ai funghi al tartufo italian cooking wild mushroom risotto with truffles

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Oh wait, it has already passed!

card
This is the very first Mother’s Day card Farasha has made for me. Mummy treasure!

 

In the UAE and the neighboring GCC countries, Mother’s Day falls on 21st March but having been raised in New Zealand (where my mother resides!), my calendar always alerts me to the second Sunday of May.

This year, Mother’s Day in the West falls on 10th May (the second Sunday of May), and I thought it would be apt to dedicate a post to this special date.