Author: Business & Lifestyle Publishing

A snapshot of all things lifestyle by Island girls Shereen Shabnam and Natasha Dury.

Fun and sensual fragrances from Mikyajy

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NJD with her current favourite fragrance

With my new obsessions with fragrances, I have two new signature women’s fragrances, Dicey Royale and Flirt Dreams that has made me smile this week. Designed in trendy cube-shaped glass flacons, the two fragrances reflect the essence of every woman, combining elements ranging from girly lightheartedness to sexy mystery. Each fragrance pays homage to the different styles and approaches each woman takes with love, romance and seduction…..are you intrigued?

Little diva NJD loves the Flirt dreams and I love the Dicey Royale so we are both getting into bed for story and cuddle time the last few nights smelling each other and stressing what makes the one we selected better. As a  sensual, warm-hearted romantic, I naturally like Dicey Royale which has warm and dynamic notes for a sensual woman who prefers a subtle form of seduction. Rose and woody ambers are prominent notes – the composition opens with top notes of rose, peony blossom and essence of mandarin and orange as well as a base of woody ambers. This scent is intended for those who want an exceptional and intense fragrance.

The one that Tash loves, Flirt Dreams is a fresh, youthful fragrance with sparkling, light notes for a more delicate woman. I’m sending a bottle to one of my other babies in Cape Town to see what she thinks of it. The floral fruity fragrance is for the carefree girl with an upbeat personality.

Flirt Dreams and the original Flirt both share a fun floral character that remains linked through both fragrances thanks to a jasmine-dominated heart. It’s a floral fruity eau de toilette that opens with top notes of bergamot, pear, nectarine and pink pepper, with a heart of rose, jasmine, peach and violet, and a base of cedar and musk. Flirt Dreams is aimed at those who love a fragrance filled with light, airy nuances and a tinge of subtle fruitiness.

My next fragrance notes will be in a few weeks time when a regional perfume maker will make his way to Dubai and share with me his thoughts on the industry. Plus I am hoping to have coffee this weekend with the Fragrance Foundation as well as I learn more and more about mixing and experimenting with my favourite  scents.

NJD’s favourite – Flirt Dreams

Hello Kitty Beauty Spa….little diva may need spa allowance

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Yummy Yummy, in my tummy :). Hello Kitty cupcake

I don’t mind taking little diva out for the occasional pampering session to get her hair or nails done but with the world’s first ever, Hello Kitty Beauty Spa now launched at Town Centre Jumeirah, I may have to share my spa and beauty allowance as it seems the idea of going to a Hello Kitty spa appeals to little girls like her….but I love my little diva heaps so am willing to do the mother daughter bonding thingy in a spa instead of the usual bumming with a romantic comedy on the sofa with junk food session.

I was at the dazzling launch with my favourite and the sweetest diplomatic couple ever (Mr & Mrs Daisuke) from the Japanese consulate as we enjoyed branded Hello Kitty cupcakes and drinks. The Beauty Spa is themed and designed on the famous Japanese character ‘Hello Kitty’ and specially designed for ‘Queens’ and their little ‘Princesses’.

The lead designer Miyuki Okamura from Tokyo drew the character and signed stuff for fans present at the event.  Hello Kitty Beauty Spa is an innovative extension to the brand which allows a younger audience to experience the luxury and pleasures of a day at the Beauty Spa.

I loved the interior, the different lines of products they had, from organic to normal make-up, hair products and even food in the Kitty Cafe section. The design of the spa is that of ‘vintage girly look’ and the minimalist reception displays the best of Hello Kitty goodies. The services at the spa include nails, facials, hair and make-up.

The Beauty Spa offers a separate service menu for ‘Queen’ and ‘Princesses’, offering all organic nail and beauty products for young girls. Just so you know, Hello Kitty was born in 1974 – a year after I came into the world and when good things started to happen :).

Over the years, Hello Kitty has become one of the most unique and interesting icon ever created – a worldwide social icon with relevance to women of all ages, ethnicities and economic backgrounds as well as an inspiration to artists and designers. It is one of Japan’s unique cultural exports, and one of the ultimate symbols of Kawaii, meaning cute in Japanese.

Three decades since she made her debut on a small coin purse in Japan, her popularity has multiplied exponentially from Japan to the world. Thanks to Sharaf Retail, we can enjoy the chilled out side of Hello Kitty in Dubai and I’m glad I can now have spa sessions with little diva NJD on weekends.

Had loads of laughs dressing up for the official pic at entrance 🙂

Hello Kitty tattoo on a cheeky place

A Donna Karan presentation

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Dipesh is always surrounded by beautiful women…he is here with lovely Shimaa, Rania, Shweta & Sidrah

My favourite stylist Farah Kabir at Donna Karan show…..Dubai has become more stylish with her around

With Jewellery Designer Nadine Kanso @ the Donna Karan new collection presentation

I reckon everyone knows now in Dubai I love anything that is organised by Dipesh & Ayman….these boys are magic with everything they touch. Couple of nights ago I ventured into the Fashion Lounge of Dubai mall as New York design star Donna Karan presented her luxurious Spring and Summer 2012 collections, organized by The Qode.

Needless to say, Dubai’s glitterati stepped out to see the luxe tribal inspired collection reminiscent of Haiti’s glamourous heyday. Models mingled with the guests overlooking the striking Dubai fountain in an evening of high glamour. Tribal prints, Donna’s signature jersey drapes and evening wear wowed the guests.

The new Donna Karan boutique, which opened recently at the Dubai Mall is housed on the first floor of the exclusive Fashion Avenue, and is the flagship outpost for Donna Karan in the Middle East.

While there, I caught up with Nadine Kanso again whose jewellery Dipesh & Ayman introduced me to a couple of weeks ago and yes…it was something I liked heaps as it was not your usual expected designs one gets so bored of …. watch this space for more information on her creative style. Meanwhile, check out Donna Karan at Dubai Mall and get ready to be wowed!

How gorgeous is Lina Samman. She is beautiful in and out and always full of positive vibe

The Donna Karan show finale

 

It is time for Dubai Summer Surprises

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NJD after a DSS face painting when she was young….she always chose a tiger design

Summer in Dubai these days are a lot different than 10 years ago thanks to the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, an agency under the Department of Economic Development of Dubai who have planned more than a 100 exciting shows and activities over 31 days set to cement Dubai’s reputation as the finest summer destination in the region through Dubai Summer Surprises 2012 (DSS).

DSS will run from June 14th to July 14th with the slogan “Dubai. Summer Fun and More”. I remember working with the DSF/DSS team in 2000 and had lots of fun at the DSF offices then with H.E. Laila Suhail who is now the CEO of DEPE and Ibrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator General and Deputy CEO of DEPE. Both of them are just as dynamic as I knew them 12 years ago and its great to see that they keep each year’s events fresh with new activities….I’m particularly excited with all the spa offers I’m about to experience – my body certainly needs it.

To know what you want to indulge in this year, check out the “Dubai Calendar” which gives visitors and residents a month-by-month line-up of the unique and entertaining events taking place in the city all year round and it is a great source of reference for anyone wanting to make the most of their time in Dubai….it is an awesome tool for people who have visitors all the time in Dubai.

This year’s partners and sponsors which includes Emirates Airlines, AW Rostamani, Al Futtaim Group, Emaar Malls Group, Emaar Properties, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Al Ghurair City, Mercato, Paris Gallery, EPPCO and ENOC, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai Duty Free in addition to Master card and Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), all of which, over the years, have played an important role in the success and continuing growth of DSS.

Malls across the city will play host to DSS signature events, such as World of Stories, Kids Fashion Week, Min Bladi Al Emarat, and the Sheila and Abaya Fashion Show, and kids can look forward to 8 highly popular international stage cartoon shows such as The Smurfs, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, Charlie and Lola, Ice Age, and Teletubbies….man these bring memories of us going all over town with little diva. I must say I am glad she’s all grown up now and enjoys DSS the way I like – retail therapy!

My favourite bit this DSS will be naturally be the spa offers program “Dubai Spas” with cool discounts at the cream of Dubai’s luxurious spas. I’m not big into raffles partly because I never win anything but DSS usually has some mega prizes.

I’m pretty sure there is a lot more news coming up for DSS but the taster activity schedule that landed in my inbox makes me want to just here all summer.


Senses and Sensibilities

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Hend Al Falafly’s pencil and acrylic on canvas

Last week I found my yoga, zumba & Muay Thai classes missing on schedule an entire evening – not wanting to do anything in the gym that was not musically oriented, I set out art gallery hopping so my creative side gets a dose of eye candy (not male related for once).

The most delightful exhibition, being a super sensuous chick that I am was Hend El Falafly’s exhibition at Art Sawa. Hend, an Egyptian who lives and works in Cairo was sweetness and light personified and it was my luck that she was at the gallery at the time of my visit.

Over some nuts and dried apricots with fruit cocktails, we got chatting and it was interesting to marry her persona to the paintings I was so overwhelmed by on the walls.

Hend explains that realism at times worries her and she wants to express that through her work. Being inquisitive, I dig deeper and it is clear that her work has a symbolic and very expressive meaning behind it. Being a woman and despite my tomboy tendencies, I was moved by each of her sexily sensuous pieces.

Hend explores through her intimate works in ”Senses and Sensibilities” the different emotions expressed by women, usually which are part of her everyday life. She uses body language to understand the meaningful silence carried over by their experiences and stories. These are reflected in all its semantic in the facial expressions and movements of the hands, the feet, the look ,the clothes and emotions repressed.

And with the silence of the lips, it is usually the eyes which transcends all the languages and spoken in a glance, an unspeakable tongue that denies lies and hypocrisies. I agree with this fully as I’m always told that no matter what I am thinking or feeling, my eyes always betray what I really feel and are the windows to my soul….its not always a good thing but over the years I’ve learnt that my eyes betray me and if it reflects sadness at any time, I end up crying because I know the person across me knows I’m hurting….its not nice for the other person but hey….I’m a woman and I can do what I feel like.

Hend tells me that an array of different areas of reality inspires her and have great impact on her works, which is revealed through incredible movement and light. No secret can be kept hidden……if you want to see her amazing work for yourself, its at DIFC Art Sawa until 19th June. Enjoy!

With artist Hend El Falafly

My tryst with the Infiniti QX56

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The Infiniti QX56 I had so much fun with all of last week 🙂

I’m having withdrawal symptoms….normally when I get a car to be seen around in, it’s usually a sporty little number worth half a million or something that is top of the range for Millionaires but still at sedan level. And if I do get lucky and get a SUV sent to me, it never fits my shoe rack properly and if it does, there is no space left to organise my gym bag, evening bag, beach bag, magazines etc in such a way that I don’t have to do a major clean up after a dune bashing session.

So naturally when Infiniti sent me the nice big Infiniti QX56 on a truck last week, I kinda expected yet another SUV experience but once inside, even I was overwhelmed by the size….its HUGE! It’s fantastic  for buyers who need seats for eight although I would have preferred a seat for 5 and then use the rest of the space for the many things a diva can’t do without in her car….i was able to fit in about 45 pairs of shoes on the rack once I rolled the seat over plus all my bags which has never happened before….normally I have to ration what I put into the cars I get to check out.

The QX56 is Infiniti’s super big SUV and I like the posh interior, the gracefully styled dashboard and the small touches on the exterior that makes it stand out as an Infiniti. It looked like it has very rugged capabilities but as usual I am never comfortable taking cars off-road that does not belong to me…I like the comfort of knowing that if something happens, its my car and I am solely responsible for it.

As a petrol head, I love the Infiniti’s 5.6-liter V8, 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft or torque funnelled through a seven-speed automatic that gets the throttle to the max. The Infiniti promises a 0-60 mph time of about seven seconds, gas mileage and although people tell me that QX’s independent suspension does a fine job of controlling its ride quality, I had to put in some power into my arms/hands to control it in tight corners….maybe it’s just my delicate built but it was fun none the less.

Needless to say, the car is very spacious, with big front chairs and little Diva (NJD) had lots of fun playing at the back and for once she reckons, she didn’t have to bump into the ‘junk’ I normally throw in the back or shoes to fall over. She even reclined the back seat for a nap and showed me some cool features I was not aware of.

The car had all the usual power features; navigation option, DVD audio, a moon roof, a power tailgate, Bluetooth with audio streaming, pushbutton start, USB connectivity for audio players and so much more…if you have a big family or like big SUV’s, this is definitely a car for you.

Little diva NJD enjoys the space and reclining seats at the back

NJD reckons she is ready to drive … 5 more years to go!

Celebrating cuisine that’s just as spicy as moi

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My favourite Thai dish in KL was nasi Pattaya….which is fried rice wrapped in thin omelette. In Dubai its everything on the Sukothai menu 🙂

Last Saturday, I made a supreme effort to get out of my pyjamas end of day to catch up with my cool friends from The Tourism Authority of Thailand at Dusit Dubai as they launched the “Amazing Taste of Thailand Festival 2012”. I don’t normally sacrifice my weekend for ordinary people or events but I love everything about Thailand and the people from Thailand have become some of my closest friends here so I was there in all my glory…. I love the country, got married there after a crazy weekend trip from KL (in Hatyai with a few weeks in Krabi), love the food, love the spas, love Muay Thai, love shopping in Bangkok, love the people of Pattaya and the list goes on.

Basically I was invited since everyone from the Thai Embassy, the Thai spas know how dedicated I am to my food and massage sessions and they are very right. In a nutshell, the month-long festival is until 7th July 2012,during which time diners at 13- participating restaurants will have the opportunity to win gift vouchers and a number of exciting prizes including a trip to Bangkok with Thai Airways.

“The Amazing Taste of Thailand” launch event was co-hosted by the Dusit Thani, Dubai and Thai Airways and began with a welcome speech from H.E. Mr. Somchai Charanasomboon, Ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the ever so dynamic Wisoot Buachoom, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

There were also two performances of traditional Thai dancing, fruit carving demonstrations and live cooking stalls where the 13 participating restaurants show cased their individual specialist Thai cuisine. The restaurants participating in the “Amazing Taste of Thailand Food Fest 2012” include Benjarong, Blue Elephant, Pai Thai, Sukhothai, Spice Emporium, Ban Khun Mae, The Kitchen of Thai, Shang Thai, Thai Chi, The Royal Buddha, Chimes, The Thai Kitchen in Dubai and the Taste Restaurant in Fujairah.

The ‘Thainess’, which is at the heart of Thai hospitality permeates across all of Thailand, from amazing beaches and natural environment to culinary expertise. Thai cuisine is a key element of ‘Amazing Thailand’ and the ingredients used, the various herbs and spices together with cooking methods is all part of the essence of Thailand.

Looks like the next few weeks are going to be a culinary adventure for me and anyone who wants to be in my company for meals….can you stomach the spiciness levels of this diva?

Walk of Beauty 2012 wows crowds at Beautyworld Middle East

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A bit of eye candy at last years show

2012 Walk of Beauty – A MADI show is always infused with entertainment

The awesome guys at Madi International and Wella Professionals wowed crowds at the Middle East Beautyworld making it a runaway success. The Beautyworld Show looks amazing and I’m sulking about it closing so early at 7pm….I only finish work at 5.30pm so getting to DWTC takes half an hour leaving not much time to see most of the show which this year is so brilliant.

But I’m glad Madi International, one of the Region’s leading distributors of internationally reputed professional beauty brands made Walk of Beauty 2012 a grand success by showcasing the latest trends in hair-styling from across the globe.

Organised in conjunction with Beautyworld Middle East and powered by Wella Professionals and P&G Salon Professionals, people have one more day to enjoy the show…I will be on a plane to Bahrain and wish I was actually in Dubai to check out the whole show but fate has other plans for me. I would be splitting a gut to get back to Dubai the same day to see my daughter perform on stage and making it to her show is looking pretty slim right now.

I saw a video clip of last year’s Walk of Beauty at Hard Rock Café (my new hangout) and was amazed…this years is even better. The iconic event demonstrates the 2012 hair-styling trends, presented live as part of an audio-visual show on a purpose-built catwalk stage by Wella and Kadus Regional Education Team and ambassadors. Besides this, talented and professional hair dressers from leading salons in the UAE and region also showcase their skills live.

Walk of Beauty 2012 is supported by Hard Rock Café, Dubai, the partner-sponsors along with In Dubai We Trust [IDWT] Foundation, a non-profit organization that started on December 2, 2009 and striving to unify the multi-cultural population of Dubai by celebrating the Emirate’s achievements. Hard Rock Café, which opened in London in June 1971, reopened its Dubai café at Festival City and is the largest in Middle East.

With a strong international profile, Beautyworld Middle East, organized by Messe Frankfurt, has played a major role in the last 15 years in contributing to the growth and development of the beauty and wellness industry in this region….I had fun at Hard Rock Café with a few old pals and got to meet IDWT (awesome team) and caught up again with Madi Team….it has been a couple of months since we last met when they opened their biggest showroom and I enjoy the company of Madi staff who have a vision to be on top of the game in their industry by cultivating a culture of success and warmth amongst their teams.

Unlike me, if you lucky lot are still in Dubai tomorrow, check out the Beautyworld Middle East as well as The Walk of Beauty. You won’t regret it.

Check the video out below sent to me by gorgeous Sarah at MADI:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pChnqy-JOGM

In Dubai We Trust

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Ever since I got the Hard Rock Café worldwide loyalty card, I’ve become a huge fan of their merchandise and its now tradition for me and my babe to get some retail therapy everywhere we visit that has a Hard Rock cafe….the food and drinks are great but the retail is even better.

It is at Hard Rock Dubai where I met Salma and Khalid from ‘In Dubai We Trust’….a coincidence as I was there for something else and after a quick chat with them, I made up my mind that I will talk about their cool initiative….In Dubai We Trust.

As anyone will tell you, I am the biggest fan of the UAE and all the Emirates…. I constantly end up telling people who try to say anything bad about the country that they are welcome to go back home if they have issues with the UAE as there are plenty other people who appreciate the place and love to live and work here.

Although UAE and Dubai has nothing to prove to anyone as the place speaks for itself, it still is great for people who live here to talk about the best things that Dubai has to offer and show the many positive sides that people don’t usually pick up on because they are so involved in their own little worlds, they would rather stay on their sofas and complain instead of actually venturing out and enjoying the many amazing things one can do here.

‘In Dubai we trust’ is a non-profit organization striving to unify the multi-cultural population of Dubai by celebrating the emirate’s achievements. Their tag says…..’In Dubai we trust, with Dubai we bloom, in Dubai we see our future grow. Moving forth with strong will and determination, an economy with power & inspiration. With achievements across the borders untold, Dubai our land, where peace and love unfolds.’

The group since their inception has organised many events that show the different facets of the Emirates….they were also part of the Burj Khalifa opening, have organised events for mother’s day, brought women from different nationalities together in a spa environment and now they will also be part of the Walk of Beauty 2012 event. This is part of the amazingly popular exhibition Beautyworld Middle East 2012 starting on the 29th of May.

UAE and Dubai has become a second home to many….its about time we celebrated the many great opportunities the country has given us and make people aware of the many things they can do here that they would not be able to do elsewhere.

If you are a big fan of Dubai, you can join In Dubai We Trust’ on the following:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/188737619862/

Follow them on Twitter- http://twitter.com/indubaiwetrust

Youtube Videos:
(UAE 3-D Show @ Dubai Mall -Jan 2010 )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23lnTiH3sHE

( IDWT Interview)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we88TCCSqRU

Lovin my Bags now at Palm Strip

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After dreading about having to trot all over town to Lancel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and mending a zip at Burberry, I was hoping for an easy way out to tackle my annual chores with bags when I opened my email and found out I can take all my bags to one place and get it sorted…how deja vu is that!

The news I received was that Lovin My Bags, the world’s first system of handbag and leather restoration has entered the Middle East region with its first boutique launch in Dubai. The new boutique was inaugurated by ‘Aiisha Ramadan’, a leading Arab fashion designer and hosted by ‘Shereen Mitwalli’; TV presenter, & international events moderator.

Most high-end bag owners already know that Lovin My Bags specializes in the very first system of handbag cleaning, restoration and leather care products developed to prolong the life and beauty of luxury designer handbags with professional care….except that they didn’t exist here before and they always ended up having to lug stuff back to the brands themselves.

Naturally, finding a professional service to refurbish bags in this part of the world has been challenging. With the launch of Lovin My Bags, luxury buyers have the safest and quickest option to restore their belongings. Due to such extreme climates, there is a big issue of dye transfer from Abayas, Jeans & other materials and Lovin My Bags has engineered products & services specifically to address such issues.

Dhiraj Munjwani, Partner & Director of Lovin My Bags Middle East showed  me some of the products they will be using as a way of assuring me that my bags were in good hands.  He explains how leather needs protection, cleansing, moisturizing, conditioning and miracle products to keep it looking its best and his team treat handbags as ‘Souls’ that require constant rejuvenation, pampering and love.

I recall last year on my way to London, we got diverted to Vienna because of a threat and all our suitcases got checked…my Lancel got damaged in the process and it took the Airline 5 weeks to find someone who could sort it out. In the end they gave up and paid me the original cost of a Lancel suitcase. With Lovin my Bags, the running around is not necessary anymore.

These guys specialize in cleaning and restorations services for all designer brands including Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Balenciaga, Dior, Cartier, Chloe, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, amongst all others….check them out!