House of Chic debuts in Dubai

March 23, 2013Leave a comment

It’s a crazy Saturday – in between the Art Show, Fashion shows and the Horse Show, little diva and I will be spending some time witnessing the debut of the first House Of Chic Asian Fashion Pop-Up Store concept today.

The Los Angeles based House Of Chic, was launched in the USA by two young ladies – Jinali Sutariya and Heena Surani – as a pop-up store with great success and fanfare. Now these two enterprising fashionistas are bringing this novel concept to Dubai for the first time. Included in the line-up are several well-known and emerging fashion designers and accessory brands.

Scheduled to take place at The Palace Downtown, Dubai, our very own uber charming socialite, Jawaher tells us of the impressive and extensive designer line-up who are:

Nikhil Thampi

Gauri & Nainika

Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna

Shashank & Prajwal

Geisha Designs by Paras & Shalini

Darshi Adani

Payal Singhal

Alpana Neeraj

Nimirta Lalwani

Poonam Bhagat

Alka Vora

Surily Goel

Hemant & Nandita

Am:Pm

Pia Pauro

Dolly J

Shivan & Narresh

Komal Sood

Rahul Mishra

Kavita Vanita

Kiran Uttam Ghosh

Farhana Zahedi

Accessories

Malleka

Janavi

Just Jewelry

House of Chic

The event is being conceptualised and executed by Unimonde Experiences so it is bound to be smashing. Don’t miss out!

Zandonai’s Francesca Da Rimini @MeydanIMAX

March 22, 2013Leave a comment

Its been weeks since Tasha and I went to see the a MET Opera production….it was Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda so news that another MET production is coming to IMAX was music to our ears. This time it’s Zandonai’s ‘Francesca Da Rimini’. The good thing is that both Tash and I don’t know the storyline or have read any reviews so this will be a total surprise and what’s great is that we will once see it on the biggest screen in Dubai at Meydan Imax. I reckon the best thing I’ve done since I met Afsana is get registered for updates via email on what’s happening at IMAX….I keep getting their latest schedules and my viewing pleasure has improved ten-fold.

The next MET Opera is at 7pm on the 25th of March. It’s perfect timing as I usually leave the office at Media City at 6pm and arrive at Meydan IMAX just in time to meet Tash, buy popcorn and see the show…plus indulge in their amazing oreo cake that is sinfully delicious and takes you to heaven for the evening.

As I keep talking endlessly about how much I enjoy the MET shows, ticket costs for everyone who makes a booking and say’s ‘Fijianchick’ get AED 50/- off their tickets. So…if you like opera and like to see the show, mention my blog and get the tickets for AED100/- instead of AED150/-. Enjoy!

The A 250 Sport: The hottest hatch in town

March 21, 2013Leave a comment

Mercedes is back in the good books of diva…after their big foray into 6×6 (I really think they should stay out of this segment and stick to their awesome luxury cars), I got news via Bassam that with the new A 250 Sport, Mercedes-Benz has entered an entirely new segment in the Middle East in the luxury compact segment.

I was cynical at first (especially after getting over the 6×6 news)…. it’s just not very ‘Mercedes’ but then I was converted when I saw the images – it certainly looks like a powerful, sporty and luxuriously designed hot hatch that will excite and enthrall the region’s aspirational go-getters of the next-cool-things.

I can only comment on the tech specs and the looks for now because I have not driven the car so my opinion on this is purely from a perspective of someone who loves cars and can comment on the looks and power based on previous experience. It is apparently a powerful four-cylinder, two-litre turbocharged engine that produces a roaring 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque, thundering a market that demands success to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds….cool aye!

Like most Mercs, it comes with GCC standard specifications and is fully loaded compared to the international market, including a very sporty interior design with red stitching, designo red seat belts, red framed SLS AMG style air vents, comfortable sport seats, aggressive exterior look with diamond grille, red brake callipers, 18” five spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in high sheen black finish and headlamps with red marker rings.

For safety, the standard specification includes, amongst other things, the radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST system. Smiles will broaden when learning that ownership of a car sporting the unmistakable status of the sparkling three-pointed star starts at just USD$37,000 GCC wide. GCC options in addition to the standard specification include Xenon Lights, Active Parking Assist, and a Light Sight Package (Interior Ambient Lighting).

Launched with the tagline ‘Drive yourself’, the arrival of the A 250 Sport to the region aims to turn the luxury small car segment on its head and marks a new direction for Mercedes-Benz in the region.

In summary…the car has good looks, performance, prestige and attitude, at a price point that makes attainability of the brand a reality for those that may consider owning a Mercedes-Benz as ‘something they want but sometime in the future’.

Not enough shoes!

March 21, 2013Leave a comment

Having over 250 pairs of shoes is driving the man in the house nuts but little diva and I never seem to have just the right shoes every time we step out the door….couple of weeks ago we actually were scuffling over one pair we both wanted and when Eric pointed out that with over 250 pairs around the house, surely we should not be fighting over just one.

See…man don’t get it. We may have loads of shoes but we have phases where we just like that one pair for each purpose and we wear it to the bone…but we also like the comfort of having heaps of choice. Currently Tash and I are into comfy chic so this is a problem that gets out of hand when we both have PMS….dealing with one woman on PMS at a time is bad enough for any man but with two at a go can test the patience of anyone.

So this show diva is currently eyeing The Rockport Company® which is introducing a group of 2013 Spring/Summer footwear collections that is avant-garde inspired, featuring a luminous color palette, silent technologies, and functional materials.

These styles are ideal for your weekend brunch to afternoon cocktails during spring and summer’s first warm weekends….with feminine styles, unique screen prints and the functional and practical elements are perfect to pair with free-flowing dresses or slim or snug fit trousers (I need to lose a few kilos before I do the snug trousers bit)

Meanwhile, the shoe fight continues in my household with males around us seeing no rhyme or reason why women can be so obsessed with shoes…as we let the men mull, we head to see what The Rockport Company® has in store for us.

Saying yes to ‘Prose’

March 20, 20132 Comments

Being a poet, seeing the word prose bring many different thoughts to my forever overactive mind so when I saw the name on a perfume bottle, I had to try it…especially as the bottle was red and I am known for my splashes of red indulgence at home and in my accessories.

Little diva is also into perfumes these days and this fragrance definitely caters to the young and vibrant diva. Not sure how thrilled I am about this as she has already taken over my extensive shoe collection and continually asks if she is inheriting every cool piece of jewellery I wear. But as much as I love Prose, which is a delectable, vivacious, and spirited fragrance, I will share this one with Natasha even if it is in small doses.

Prose emanates a feminine, warm, and playful aroma that is impossible for any young lady to resist – perhaps it’s because this charming contemporary fragrance is infused with delicious scent combinations, featuring the perfect balance between fresh, younger notes, and a more mature, and earthly aroma. I guess that’s why both Tash and I love it…. Not that being 40 means that I am the mature one J

For people who like looking at the ingredients base of a perfume, Prose combines hints of bright and fresh citrus fruits such as orange, melon, and apple, with a fruity trifecta of strawberry, coconut, and sugar – all a brief prelude to an invigorating base composed of a rich laden amber, vanilla, and musk.

Because this nice wonder comes from Ajmal Perfumes, the region’s multi award-winning fragrance house, I was surprised that Prose is priced at AED 100…very affordable and great to buy for yourself and your pre teen and teen divas…my little diva absolutely loves it.

Swan Lake returns to Meydan IMAX

March 15, 20132 Comments

Last week, Little diva, NJD and I decided to be naughty stop-outs and went to see Swan Lake on a school night – I am a sucker for nice films in general while she absolutely lives for ballet so it made sense to both of us that the opportunity to see it on a super big screen was not to be missed…the show was amazing. We were enthralled and the great news is that it’s back to the IMAX screen again tomorrow.

Since then we have seen other ballet performances from Bolshoi and they were enchanting to say the least.

If you are into the performing arts culture, the show is highly recommended…happy viewing! It’s on tomorrow, Saturday 16th March, 12 noon at Meydan IMAX.

Hey Sugar!

March 7, 2013Leave a comment

I love sugary sweet things…even my name ‘Shereen’ means sweet or is referred to as a synonym for sweets in so many cultures. Hence I always look out for anything that is sinfully delightful and news from Hey Sugar always puts a smile on my face.

With throngs of art lovers descending into Dubai this March, Hey Sugar Bakeshop gets into the spirit with a cool selection of art-inspired, Limited Edition cupcakes.

Munch on the masters as sets of 6 assorted cupcakes will be available exclusively at Hey Sugar’s Jumeirah Location for just 3 days, from the 21st till the 23rd of March….does that give me an excuse to get sugar injected and commit some calorie laden sin? Afterall it is in the name of art!

21st edition of Dubai International Boat Show makes a splash

March 6, 2013Leave a comment

Its time for the region’s number one marine leisure exhibition – The Dubai Boat shoe that every year brings stunning superyacht displays, live entertainment and exciting prize giveaways. As always, almost all the members of the Millionaire Group are associated with the show in one way or another and this year, we have also added our quarterly magazine to the show to show our support and to ensure that DIBS helps put Dubai’s marine industry on the world map. Afterall, we are the hottest contenders for the World Expo 2020 J

The Dubai International Boat Show’s 21st edition is at the Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi. I was with our dear friend Saeed Hareb – the father of Dubai’s marine industry and he was gushing about how the show intends to make a splash with more than 430 boats on display, including an impressive 30 premiers with 11 global launches and 19 regional launches…I also keep hearing the awesome figures on the radio everyday which surely makes us proud to be part of Dubai and supporting the show.

The packed DIBS programme of leisure marine activities at the Dubai International Boat Show gets under way at 3pm until 9.30pm and features luxurious superyachts, live entertainment, prize giveaways, water sports and more. With over 750 companies and brands from 49 countries selecting the Dubai International Boat Show as the platform to showcase their boats and marine industry products and services, this year’s event further demonstrates the importance of Dubai as a global platform to reach both regional and international buyers.

One of my favourite girls in town, the ever glamorous Trixie Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (organiser of the event) always has something exciting up her sleeve for every boat show. This year she says visitors can look forward to live entertainment, prize giveaways, luxury car displays, demonstrations and much more, on top of the many other industry related talks, displays and events.

Gulf Craft, who remain my favourite people to meet are there in full force…who can resist the charm and knowledge of Mohammed Al Shaali and the energy and hands on dynamism of Erwin Bamps? Every year, they do something special which is amazing and makes people feel at ease at a show. I also hope to see Sultan Al Shaali…another young Emirati who is full of surprises and is another friendly face we all love.

Visitors to this year’s show will be able to engage with members of the ‘Superyacht Experience’ from the elite Superyacht Builders Association, and also view over 19 of the world’s luxurious superyachts being showcased at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show.

The popular Retail Village and Heritage Village return this year with spectacular live entertainment to be enjoyed throughout the show. Other exciting highlights include visitor prize draws with the chance to win amazing prizes throughout the show, including a Yamaha WaveRunner, opening passes and accommodation to the Cannes Film Festival, Champions League passes, a Yas Marina F1 race package and much more.

Little diva, Natasha and I naturally will veer towards the exciting Supercar Promenade which returns to the show for the third year and brings with it a range of limited edition models and the finest examples of engineering prowess available on four wheels. Bentley, Brabus, McLaren and Rolls Royce are some of the luxury motoring brands that will showcase their latest models.

With even easier access to this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, free Water Taxis are provided by the RTA from Skydive Dubai and Dubai Marina Mall and shuttle buses will provide transportation from Gateway Towers at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah. With these services, visitors can spend ample time enjoying the vast selection of yachts, boats, and the full range of marine equipment available at show.

The Dubai International Boat Show is open to trade visitors and the general public from 3pm to 9:30pm daily from tomorrow and runs from 5 – 9 March, 2013. General admission is AED60 per person for all attendees, while children under 12 will be admitted free of charge (they must be accompanied by an adult at all times). Access to the Marina Display Area may be restricted at certain times.

Awesome demos at Qasr Al Hosn festival

March 4, 2013Leave a comment

Emiratis gather at the Marine area during the Qasr al Hosn Festival and demonstrate the traditional practise of Al Gargour (Fish Trap) making…i missed the opening last Thursday but heard it was awesome. There are loads of art and cultural events in UAE at the moment that are so cool.

Verdi’s Rigoletto comes to Meydan IMAX

March 3, 2013Leave a comment

Little diva, NJD and I are thriving on the screen culture scene thanks to all the awesome stuff coming to the Meydan IMAX Theatre – tomorrow night they will the exclusive Metropolitan Opera program from New York, which is gaining momentum in the Dubai art and culture scene.

Verdi’s Rigoletto, will take place on March 4th at 7pm (the show will begin at 7:30pm). We saw the last MET Opera and it was delightful on the big screen.

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TEEN lifestyle in the UAE, SPAIN, UK and FIJI ISLANDS

Month: March 2013