Iftar Preview at Warwick Hotel, Dubai

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting observed by Muslims the world over, is set to commence from the 6th of June this year. I love the charms of living in the UAE during this beautiful month. Office hours are shortened, malls are open till early dawn, and a whole list of enticing Iftar and Suhoor buffets make for the perfect excuse to catch up with friends and family over delicious, Arabesque meals.

Warwick Iftar Ramadan 2016 (2)

I was invited to an Iftar preview at Warwick Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road – Dubai. Bayty, the all-day dining restaurant at Warwick, gets a makeover reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. With festive Ramadan lanterns lit at every corner, the Arabesque setting boasts of an elaborate buffet featuring Mediterranean favorites.

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A ‘Fumastic’ Start to Ramadan

I am a huge fan of Fume, the quirky neighbourhood eatery with dishes as innovative as their zany menu names. I’ve been to their branch in Pier 7 a number of times (click here to read my very first Fume post, and here for a recent family brunch post), and recently got invited for an Iftar preview at Fume, Manzil Downtown Dubai.

This was my very first visit to Fume, Manzil Downtown Dubai. This branch is on the ground floor of Manzil Downtown, and has a patio boasting of spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa. Two long tables were reserved for the media, and we had a lovely time dining alfresco, cooled by the cooing breeze of the giant heavy-duty fans in the background.

Given the eclectic nature of the brand, I was curious to see if Fume could pull off something as soberly traditional as Iftar. The restaurant has created a set menu for Iftar, and although the dishes stay true to the traditional Arabesque flavours of the month, each and every treat has been given a signature ‘Fumastic’ twist.

Ramadan Table

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Shiffa Beauty: Olive and Mint Cold Pressed Arabian Soap

I am a huge fan of natural, organic beauty products, and as a Dubai dweller, I am extremely proud of Shiffa, a home-grown organic beauty brand conceptualized and created by Dr. Lamees Hamdan.

The name ‘Shiffa‘ is derived from the Arabic word meaning ‘to heal’. Delving into the beauty secrets of ancient Arabia, the brand encompasses a unique holistic stance at skincare. At the Sephora Middle East event last month, I spent a good deal of time chatting with the ladies at the Shiffa counter. They are introducing a host of brand new products for Summer 2016, and many of their best-loved formulas are getting a makeover, ensuring they are now 90% organic.

I have been using the Shiffa Olive and Mint Cold Pressed Arabian Soap, and wanted to share my thoughts on this pretty parcel.

Shiffa Olive and Mint Cold Pressed Arabian Soap review by The Tezzy Files Dubai Beauty Blogger (2)

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Grand Barbeque: A Pocket-Friendly Feast

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email inviting me to Grand Barbeque. The name rang a bell, and then I remembered driving past the place ever so often on the way to Jumeirah Beach Road.

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Located on Al Mina Road (bang opposite Ramada Jumeirah), the bright and inviting colours of the restaurant facade look every bit a dining experience for the family. The interiors are well-lit, clean and spacious, and despite being a Friday night where most of the tables were brimming with diners, the staff were ever smiling and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable.

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Michael Kors Extreme Blue Review

Sephora Middle East recently held a bloggers’ event at the scenic surroundings of Cove Beach (Jumeirah Beach Hotel). This was a sneak preview highlighting exciting new additions to the Sephora shelves, and one of the items in my goodie bag included the Michael Kors Extreme Blue eau de toilette spray for men. Hooray! I have something in my beauty bag for Hubby, I thought. But one whiff of this latest scent by Michael Kors, and my generous intentions were scarred.

Michael Kors Extreme Blue

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Yoga: Tips on How to Start by Nouf

I am so happy to see many of you found the last blog post by my dear friend Nouf useful. She really is an inspiration for those of us still contemplating on getting started with yoga (click here if you missed it). When can I start? Do I need new clothes? Where can I practice? If daunting questions like these are swimming through your head, Nouf is back with more tips on how to get started. Go on, have a read… and hopefully I’ll see you stretching into an asana soon!

nouf warrior pose yoga tips

Photo credit: Pablo Bori @PBorip

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Siraj: Emirati Cuisine with a Contemporary Twist

Siraj, the authentically Emirati restaurant with a contemporary twist, is the latest addition to the list of dining places at Souk Al Bahar (Downtown Dubai). I’ve passed its premises on a number of occasions, and the stunning interiors make me take a second peek every time.

Siraj 1

The restaurant interiors pay tribute to the UAE, with seven distinct arches representing each Emirate. A flock of golden horses are suspended in mid-air, and the artistic vibes of Siraj is all at once Arabesque yet stylishly new-age. The most striking feature of the restaurant is the cursive calligraphy, flowing across the walls and the bar-stools. These are stanzas of poetry that were composed by the ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed himself.

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Sephora Middle East: Beauty Treats for Summer 2016

I had the pleasure of being invited to an exclusive Sephora Summer 2016 event late last month, and am now enamored with a whole new list of beauty updates for you!

From brand new product launches under the ‘Made in Sephora’ label, to the introduction of much coveted international beauty brands that the UAE market has been thirsting for, Sephora promises to keep you covered with the best in makeup and skincare for Summer 2016. Today’s post is a look at what’s new in the makeup isles of Sephora Middle East.

sephora middle east event summer 2016 covered by The Tezzy Files Dubai Beauty blogger

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