Another one for my girls to remember?

I love ladies' night.  I don't mean the typical ladies' nights that bars around every town offer which is just codename for 'meat market'.  A few of my girlfriends and I have been quite good at making it a point to spend one evening together around once a month, a tradition we have kept up for the last 6 or so years (I think deep down we would like to think we are our own version of the SATC girls).  Yes a few of us have moved in and out of Dubai recently, but we still kept up the tradition as best as we could.  

Again to clarify, our ladies' nights aren't a bunch of girls totally wasted dancing on bar tops.  We usually go someplace where we can have some great wine, sometimes accompanied by great food like cheese fondue, and we have great conversation.  Last night was ladies' night.  Last night was different.  I'm not sure if it's because summer is here that we decided to go to some vegetarian, organic restaurant for dinner.  It sounded good enough, quite unusual for a place like Dubai...and we didn't mind the change.  The conversation was lovely as always, the wine was admittedly delicious.  But the food was a DISASTER.  It's not that it didn't taste good, well some of it didn't taste of anything really, it's just that it wasn't a meal!  And that sucks when you are going with the intention to eat.  Let's see, we had a tasteless avocado - tomato salsa thing with literally the tiniest bread stick ever.  We had beetroot with a small cube of feta cheese to split between ourselves.  We had some scary looking purple potato carpaccio. These were the starters but you get the point.  We left the place slightly tipsy, not because we drank a lot but because of the lack of food in our tummies.  We left the place strangely bloated.  And we left still very hungry.  I don't know who in their right minds would think that was a good meal and go there again or recommend the place. The place should have a warning sign outside or call itself Coloninox or something.  Now on a brighter note, I have come to learn that Wendy's has finally opened in Dubai, at least I wont feel as guilty going there for lunch today.  

London calling

I've been away for the past 10 days, went to what in my humble opinion is the best city on earth - London. It's always been my favorite place, and living there for 2 years only made my attachment stronger.  But it was my first time to venture the fast paced side walks, public transport (remember I live in Dubai) and 7 hour flights with Yousef alone, so I was a little apprehensive to say the least. 


The flights were interesting.  Going there I took a day flight, and that was a disaster because all he wanted to do was crawl around the entire air craft and eat people's shoes.  And so by the last two hours all hell broke loose, and let's just say that when we finally landed, the flight attendant offered "to rush me out first".  Kill me now.  The flight coming back was a red eye, which was OK in the sense that he was sleeping or rather mellow most of the time, but then totally over exhausted and ready to kill me once we were back home.  You can't win.  And what made the flights even worse was that both ways, I happen to sit next to someone who has the calmest, most silent, well behaved baby - while mine was screaming, stealing the other's toys, playing drums on the table, being returned to me by random people who he went to visit etc. etc.


But I have to give the little dude some credit, when it came to my shopping sprees in London (which are quite intense and last all day), he was great.  He was either charming the sales people or clapping his hands and trying to sing or napping.  And I'll take well behaved while shopping rather than well behaved on a flight any day.




Image: weheartit

Met Costume Institute Gala

This was way more interesting than the Oscars in terms of who wore what.  There was a lot of nude, ivory and white as well as a lot of metallics. There was a lot of scary stuff too.  I'll begin with the looks I loved.

• Blake Lively in Marchesa - as much as she annoys me on Gossip Girl (have you seen how she pouts when she talks?), I have to admit the girl knows how to dress.  This turquoise dress is fun and sexy, and she wears it well, it's not wearing her.
• Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney - she looks glamorous and laid back which is hard to do.  
• SJP in Halston Heritage - love, love, love this.  The pleats, the shimmer, the flower in the hair... It just puts a smile on my face.

• Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren Collection - there seems to be a lot of 20's flapper inspired looks happening, and she is working it perfectly. 
• Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for Gap - I love this color and surprise surprise it looks great with Jessica's skin tone.
• Emma Watson in Burberry - could it be that the girl from Harry Potter had one of the coolest looks of the night?  Apparently so.

• Sienna Miller in Emilio Pucci - This is very sexy. Love the color because maybe another color would have made her look like a show girl of some sort.  I also love the funky twist on how to wear lace.  Her accessories aren't all that bad either ;)
• Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney - I like this gown, it's strong and simple. 
• Rachel Zoe in Marc Jacobs - I'm not really into velvet but I love the color and style.  The necklace rocks too.

• Jessica Biel in Ralph Lauren Collection - She looks very elegant.  How small is this woman's waist? Ugh, as if having JT as her man isn't enough.  
• Nicole Richie in Marc Jacobs - Boho chic at its best.  The velvet belt is so cute.

• Camilla Belle in Jason Wu - I never figured out who she is, but I think she is stunning.  This is a gorgeous gown.  The one shoulder gives it a little modernity.
• Dree Hemingway in Calvin Klein Collection - Very sophisticated.  I think I am going to practice that pose.
• Maggie Gyllenhaal in Louis Vuitton - she has managed to pull off the gothic and romantic look at once.  Very cool. 

• Gwen Stefani in L.A.M.B. - This is an elegant version of the corpse bride (I mean that in a good way I think!)
• Iman in unknown - Who cares who she is wearing, she is stunning.
• Claire Danes in Burberry - I'm beginning to really like her style.  This is very elegant and still has attitude.

These are the looks that I didn't find so hot, not even a little bit.

• Eva Longoria in Marchesa - Ukh this is awful.  The length from the front, the long train and embroidery that make it look like a curtain.  She seems desperate for some attention. 
• Kristen Stewart in Chanel Haute Couture - What is that?  Really, is this a joke?  
• Renee Zellweger in Caroline Herrera - This is ugly, I don't have much else to say.

• Marion Cotillard in Dior - I'm not finding this very flattering.  I just think it's too much sparkle all at once. 
• Chloe Sevigny in Proenza Schouler - As a risk taker, she wins some and loses some.  In this case, she didn't just lose, she took a beating. 
• Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein Collection - She looks like a gymnast that's sponsored by Clorox.

• Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte for Gap - The dress is half the problem, what are those shoes? Did she borrow them from the Marie Antionette set?
• January Jones in Yves Saint Laurent - too many thoughts all at once! The gloves are the icing on the cake. January darling fire your make up artist quickly.
• Rosario Dawson in Giambattista Valli - Cotton Candy is never a good inspiration for fashion.  My eyes are starting to hurt.

• Anne Hathaway in Valentino - I actually think she wishes she was a princess, maybe she is one of a far far far away land?
• Elizabeth Banks in Gucci - This has to be one of the worst outfits ever!  Seriously, there is NO WAY she looked at herself in the mirror and said "yes I look hot".  

• Kate Perry in CuteCircuit - I'm totally speechless now (which doesn't happen often).  A frumpy, badly made dress... that lights up... in different colors!!  WTF?!  I'm very curious to know what you think of this?  I personally think she was she trying to outshine Lady Ga Ga in the nutty department.

Images: People, InStyle, Stylefrizz

When I grow up

I am a HUGE Madonna fan. I've loved her since I was 6 years old (not sure how my parents feel about this).  I once had a birthday party where the theme was Madonna and when I didn't win the prize for best Madonna costume, I locked myself up in my room.  Again I was 6!  I wont go into a full defensive speech as to why I adore her but I will say, she's beautiful, she's smart, she goes after what she wants and she has balls.


So why do I bring this up now?  I just came across these pictures on Interview Magazine's website and was in total awe.  Even if you don't like her, even if you think she's a little mad, you have to admit the woman has changed what it means to be in your 50s - the body, her energy (if you've seen her Live you would know what I mean), Jesus Luz...  I want to be like her when I grow up.  Actually I want to be like her now.

(Sorry if the last picture offends anyone)


Images: Interview Magazine

R.I.P. Milla

We've just had to put our lovely cat of 8 years to sleep.  She had cancer and it reached a point where it was the only choice.  In honor of Milla, I've copied one of the funniest forwards I had ever received as well as two really cute videos which really capture how adorably funny cats can be. Milla, you were the absolute best. R.I.P.

Subject:    Animal Diaries

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 PM - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 PM - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 PM - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.
DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.
DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.
DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer.." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.
DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has
got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time.

What I fancy this week

It's quickly getting hot here in Dubai so I need to get prepared! Summer for me is about effortless style and having versatile pieces that can work from day to night.  This is my wish list... for the next few days anyway.

1. Raffia metallic braids flat sandals by Stella McCartney.  Very cool and go with pretty much anything.

2. Maxi slip dress by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent.  I'm not super into florals or patterns for that matter, but this is cute and subtle.  I love maxi dresses, they make life simple.  Pair of sandals, a long colorful necklace and you're done.  

3. Striped ruffle top by SONIA by Sonia Rykiel.  It's got the nautical feel and it's laid back, perfect!

4. Aztec bag by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent.  Love this.  It's summery, it's got the tribal thing going and it's big. 

5. Luxor Bikini by Melissa Odabash. I love black swimsuits and I'm loving this one. Simple, modern and sexy - perfect!

6. Linen-blend jersey jumpsuit by Stella McCartney.  This can be dressed up or down very easily and is effortlessly stylish. 

7. Panama Jersey Dress by Ella Moss.  I really like this.  It's sexy and has a bit of the boho chic thing happening.  I also think one of the nicest ways to show off a tan is with an open back.

Images: Piperlime, Tobi, Melissa Odabash, Net-a-Porter, Shopbop