Last weekend was spent in the heart of the capital city, Abu Dhabi. We booked a Junior Suite at 5-star hotel Millenium Al Wahda. The hotel is located in the midst of the city, offering a great vantage point of urban life. A large, modern structure with Arabesque detailing, the hotel is conjoined with Al Wahda Mall and the residential side of Millenium Al Wahda.

Being an expert at getting lost with Google Maps, I drove into the residential side of the hotel yet the valet was kind enough to accept my car there. We dropped our luggage at the concierge, and headed to the hotel lobby to check in.

When you hear the words Mexican food, people often think of tacos, burritos, and street food, but Mexican cuisine is far more varied and nuanced than most people’s perceptions. Chef LopezMexican cuisine is bold and fun, and who better than acclaimed Mexican Chef Federico Lopez to take diners on a flavourful tour of this colourful cuisine.

Chef Lopez’s interpretation of Mexican gastronomy combines the traditional Mayan flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula with a contemporary approach, representing an authentic taste of Mexico that revolves around a selection of ceviche’s, tostadas, and tamales.

The last leg of the year brings with it the cooler weather we’ve all been craving in the UAE, and with it comes the harvest season for some of the finest the Arabian seas have to offer.

Taking full advantage of seafood season, award-winning Indian restaurant India Palace has launched a limited edition menu entitled ‘Samundari Khazana’  (which aptly translates to ‘Treasures of the Sea’).

 

Skincare derived from natural ingredients is not a passing fad, but should be incorporated as a way of life. Sadly most organic beauty brands come with hefty price tags. I was therefore thrilled to discover the very affordably priced, high-quality WoMn Cosmetics.

WoMn Cosmetics is an Abu Dhabi-based natural beauty brand conceptualized and created by Croatian pharmacologist Goran Vestermajer. The name of the brand is dedicated to his beautiful wife and business partner Nena, and stands for ‘Wife Of Mine Nena’. 

We went on a mini road trip to the capital last weekend, and decided to spend the last few days of Ramadan in Centro Capital Centre. Conveniently located in the hub of Abu Dhabi’s business district, this 3-star property has proven to be a very popular hotel among business executives. The pricing is very reasonable without compromising on the quality of the experience itself.

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Infact we had a dejavous experience! Walking into the lobby, I mistook this property to be Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana And even told the receptionist I’ve been here before! When we stayed at Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, we were upgraded to a suite but they don’t have suites in Centro Capital Centre. The bedding, the sofa and even the accessories look identical to our last stay, with everything being compressed into a smaller, cozier space.

If you were to open a fusion Asian restaurant, what would you name it? Most of us would probably venture in the food labels realm, but who would have thought of Smoking Doll?! Such a uniquely clever name! Love it and love the logo showcasing the the tattooed, fan-bearing Asian doll oozing so much oomph. I was intrigued to know if their food was as good as the name itself.

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Smoking Doll currently only has branches in Abu Dhabi (at Galleria Mall and Boutik Mall). As we were at the capital for our staycation at Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, we decided to try out Smoking Doll at the Boutik Mall branch. 

Last weekend saw our little family packing up our overnight bags and heading off to the capital. Located in the heart of the financial hub of Abu Dhabi, Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana seems to be an unlikely choice for a family getaway. With offices and convention centres a stone’s throw away, the hotel has a regular influx of business guests. However, much to our delight, the property also proved to be a nest of comfort as a home away from home.

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About a week ago, I headed off with the family for a mini break to Tilal Liwa Hotel. Located 175 kilometers beyond central Abu Dhabi, Tilal Liwa Hotel is located in Madinat Zayed – the Western region of Abu Dhabi, in close proximity to the Saudi border. Getting to the hotel from Dubai entails an infinitely long road-trip across the desert, and adds to the thrill of adventure and exploring a brand new territory right in our very own backyard.

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Tilal Liwa Hotel is a strikingly Arabesque 4-star property that was originally created for VIP guests and royalty visiting the annual Camel Beauty Contest. Yes, such a thing exists – and only in the UAE! Celebrating its tenth year, this event showcases the best breeds of camels both from the UAE and beyond. During the event, the occupancy at Tilal Liwa is on record high. However, given the unique concept of this beautiful property, the hotel has been opened up to the public and is slowly but surely gaining a steady stream of tourists and local staycationers alike.

The ‘Sunscreen Song’ by Baz Luhrmann tops my all-time favorite songs list. The lyrics are full to the brim with life advice, and the one that resonates most is to wear sunscreen.

As the UAE summers draw closer, I thought a post on sunscreens was mandatory. Read on to increase your IQ on sunscreens. I’ve also reviewed 5 sunscreens from 5 awesome brands just for you 🙂

the story of sunscreen. why we need it, how to choose SPF.

I’m travelling home to New Zealand, and the direct flight from Dubai will take me just over 18 hours in a compressed, air-conditioner thawed plane. This really sets the scene for dry, dehydrated skin. To avoid the all too common ‘jet-lagged’ look, keeping the skin well moisturized, and staying hydrated is key.

I decided to whip up my very own, all-natural, multi-purpose beauty balm for the journey. Why tow along a whole heap of products when you can make do with just one multitasking jar of goodness that you can proudly DIY yourself?

Best of all, this Beauty Balm takes under 10 minutes to create, and you only need 2 easy-to-find ingredients. Read on for the recipe!