tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501745573935685812024-03-13T06:54:54.045+04:00Expat Make Up AddictExpat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.comBlogger791125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-84884967886611191402018-04-16T21:24:00.000+04:002018-04-16T21:30:27.223+04:00february twenty eighteen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>There's being fashionably late and then there is being so late to the party that it finished 6 weeks ago…..that's me clearly as I post my February update in the middle of April! But there were some great restaurants I went to in February that are definitely worthy of a mention and it was a really great month overall! So excuse my tardiness but here is what I got up to in February.<br />
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<b><u>La Petite Maison-DIFC </u></b><br />
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LPM is one of my absolute favourites in Dubai and I have spoken about it before on my blog. It's won numerous awards and booking ahead is a must. The food is consistently excellent and the service is formal but friendly. It's definitely one of the most expensive restaurants in Dubai but must be experienced at least once. I'm really looking forward to going to LPM in Nice in July and seeing how it compares with Dubai!<br />
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I highly recommend the seafood dishes here and the lamb chops are insanely good.<br />
<i>My favourite dishes: Burrata et tomates, crevette tiédes à l'huile d'olive, aubergine grillé, mozzarella et crevettes au pistou, cȏtelettes d'agneau vivienne, pain perdu façon</i><br />
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<b>Marina Social-Intercontinental Dubai Marina</b><br />
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I visited a lot of my 'all time faves' in Dubai in February and I really enjoyed a girls night out at Marina Social to see Jason Atherton cooking up a storm in his kitchen. We got to meet him which was such a pleasure and the food was amazing. I've been to Marina Social 4 times this year and each time has been flawless and they are the nicest people. I've never had a bad dish and I'm already planning my next visit! They do a lot of special deals so it's definitely worth checking their website for events.<br />
<i>My favourite dishes: Goats cheese churros, rack of lamb with shepherds pie, roasted Barbary duck, tart tatin</i><br />
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<b>Play, H Hotel</b><br />
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Play is a super cool restaurant/bar on the 36th floor of the H. I love the layout of the restaurant, it's on multi-levels making it amazing for people watching-and this is a restaurant to dress up to visit, whatever night of the week you go. The food is Asian fusion and everything I have tried has been amazing-the slight let down in this restaurant is the service-it's disinterested, cold and borderline rude. But if you can look past that, you won't be disappointed with the food!<br />
<i>My favourite dishes: Truffle fries, black cod, fish in banana leaf</i><br />
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<b>Coya, Four Seasons Restaurant Village</b><br />
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I went to Coya to try their brunch for the first time and I absolutely loved it-so much so I booked it immediately for my birthday afterwards. I love Coya as a restaurant but their brunch was just phenomenal-the food, service, vibe and music were all perfect. This is an a la carte brunch where food is served to the table and then afterwards the music cranks up and everyone is up dancing-including the staff. It's definitely one of the classier brunches in town-the food is exceptional quality and I am a high fan! I could talk about Coya for hours-its in my top three restaurants in Dubai.<br />
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<b>Zuma, DIFC</b><br />
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No surprises here, I go to Zuma at least once a week for their business lunch-it's incredible value for money for the food quality and choice. I'm a creature of habit and usually, we order the spicy beef tenderloin and black cod, and various starters. Zuma has a great reputation for good reason-it's one of the best in Dubai. You need a reservation here for sure unless you're happy to sit at the robata or sushi bar (which we always are and actually love). I am a big fan of Zuma and am desperate to try their brunch.<br />
<i>My favourite dishes: Tiger prawn tempura, miso black cod, spicy beef tenderloin, beef and green chilli skewers, green tea and banana cake, passion fruit souffle</i><br />
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<b>Gaucho, DIFC</b><br />
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So speaking of all times faves, a month wouldn't be a month without a visit to Gaucho....need I really say anything?? Flawless service, the friendliest welcome-the staff at Gaucho are now genuine friends now and I love them so much, and exceptional food-it's my go-to for everything. My best friend in Dubai and I went for lunch, not really realising it was also Valentines Day but we got our own personalised cheesecakes for dessert-<i>the cheesecake</i> I absolutely rave about!<br />
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Gaucho also very kindly sent dessert for my whole office-trays and trays of brownies arrived at the office to much delight!!<br />
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<i>My favourite dishes: Dulce De Leche cheesecake, Chateaubriand, empanadas, braised beef back ribs, grilled lamb rack, thin chips, fat chips :)</i><br />
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<b>Amal at Armani Hotel</b><br />
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Another incredible restaurant with (in my opinion) the best view of the Dubai fountains you can get. I love Amal, I love Indian food but am fussy and the chefs there bend over backwards to accommodate requests. The food is beautifully presented and they do a fabulous and reasonably priced set tasting menu. This is also an excellent choice for vegetarians as they have a vast selection of options. I highly recommend this restaurant for a special dinner.<br />
<i>My favourite dishes: Raj kachori, murgh makhni, coconut semi freddo</i><br />
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<b>Bombay Shirt Company</b><i> </i><br />
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I was invited by the lovely girls at Pop Comms to have a bespoke shirt made for me by the <a href="https://www.bombayshirts.com/">Bombay Shirt Company</a> who are located in DIFC and the whole experience was fantastic. It was also an education-I literally knew nothing about tailoring to this level but every detail of the shirt was completely customisable. In my appointment I got so much guidance around the type of collar, the positioning of the buttons, the style of cuff, the seams etc-all to suit my body shape. They also asked me so many detailed questions to help with styling such as 'do you wear your cuffs rolled up'? and 'how many buttons will you leave open at the neck'? to ensure it was a shirt that fits with my own personal style. I loved the results and have worn the shirt so much since-I'll definitely be going back for more.<br />
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<b>Bloomberg Square Mile @DIFC</b><br />
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One of the most fun events in February was the Bloomberg Square Mile which was hosted at DIFC. Companies can enter teams of 10 runners who each run a mile around the DIFC in a purpose-built course for the event and Barclays entered 3 teams-I didn't run (obviously!) but I went along to support and I was so so proud of my colleagues who ran and did amazingly well. There was such a fantastic atmosphere and 90 teams took part. It almost made me want to participate-maybe next year ;)<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-17414576583669867362018-03-03T06:00:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:05:41.591+04:00Current beauty favourites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>Beauty faves....it's been a while! I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet because believe it or not I took these photos back in December! But they're all still definitely favourites so let me elaborate further.<br />
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First up is the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in 01 Moonlight-particularly the bronze shade. In all honesty the highlighter at the top is a bit meh, and doesn't really pack much of a punch. And I guess also the bronzer won't be to everyones taste-but if you're pale and like an illuminating bronzer or a glowy finish to your make up, this is so beautiful on the skin. It blends seamlessly and has more of a grey undertone-so no fears of being orange. But it's very glowy-I use it only for nights out and holidays-but it's absolutely perfect for looking radiantly lit from within and like you've spent the day at the beach.<br />
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My second favourite is the Burberry Kisses lip gloss in Nude Pink. This is just my perfect every day gloss. It adds a subtle pink tint to the lips and feels like water-no stickiness at all. I love shiny shiny glosses and this gloss also illuminates and plumps the lips without that horrible tinging sensation. The packaging is also lush-not that I would expect anything less from Burberry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw3m2_xAQRCoX8rbqKt-skfhWTc44OSCqatk1qjmqZYk37HeizNK_xPCtr92t1SM7Yyg6uZsTK8tZelb1wyCMKxtiz68AB1s77I4PKi7nW0qtqVK5QKovDL1ToATlLr2hOBABWM2YWcI/s1600/PB110334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw3m2_xAQRCoX8rbqKt-skfhWTc44OSCqatk1qjmqZYk37HeizNK_xPCtr92t1SM7Yyg6uZsTK8tZelb1wyCMKxtiz68AB1s77I4PKi7nW0qtqVK5QKovDL1ToATlLr2hOBABWM2YWcI/s1600/PB110334.JPG" /></a></div>
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Moving onto slightly more affordable options, I have fallen head over heels in love with L'Oreal Lash Paradise mascara. I rarely buy the same mascara twice but I have repurchased this and another back up! It gives incredibly full, black, voluminous lashes without smudging or flaking and isn't too wet so it's perfect from first use. I have spoken before about how I suffer from the terrible affliction of flaking and smudging mascara but this one gets a big thumbs up from me.<br />
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Another affordable and brilliant product is the Lee Stafford Coco Loco Genius Lotion. I picked this up on a whim from my local supermarket as I was looking for something to replace the Aveda Damage Repair lotion that I loved but is just so expensive. I have terribly fine hair and I need products that don't make it greasy but do weigh it down just enough to stop it being flyaway and unmanageable. This stuff is perfect for that. I massage a small amount just into the ends of towel dried hair and when I blow dry my hair it leaves it smooth and tangle free-and behaving! It definitely does exactly what the Aveda lotion did for me-without the price tag.<br />
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My final favourite is the least talked about product in the Farsali range-it's the Volcanic Elixir. This is a heavy oil with a very pungent smell-it reminds me of balsamic vinegar but I've heard other people say it's 'earthy'. I use the oil maybe twice a week in the evening as my last step in my skincare routine and it's brilliant for improving scarring left from old spots and for stopping spots in their tracks. It's very soothing and anti-inflammatory and perfect for skin like mine that can be a little temperamental. I honestly love all the Farsali oils, I think they're great!<br />
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I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and if you love them as much as I do!<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-34173447740976196402018-02-28T06:00:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:06:04.845+04:00It's not me...it's you<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>So after a dose of shiny happy beauty products in my <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2018/01/my-top-17-beauty-products-of-2017.html">Top 17 products of 2017</a> post I thought I'd introduce a reality check and a post about some products that just aren't doing it for me right now. These are the products I should have avoided and saved my pennies.<br />
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First up, the Huda Beauty Lip Strobe in Snobby (pictured below). Now let me be straight, I'm not dissing the Lip Strobe rangely entirely-I also own Angelic (beautiful but photographs horribly and makes my lips look grey but I still love it in real life) and Saucey (I like this one, haven't worn it for ages, must dig it out) but the reason I dislike Snobby is that it's so full of glitter-which doesn't really translate in the photo below-but it is and I am 37 years old and glittery lips isn't something I can pull off. Snobby is packed with brown and pink glitter flecks and just looks a little bit odd on my lips.<br />
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<b>Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder</b><br />
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Why are people raving about this? I heard it was amazing for setting concealer under your eyes but I find the formula to be so tightly packed and dry that I struggle to pick up product-even with the densest brush. I'll try and work with it a little more but I was expecting to be wowed-I'm not.<br />
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<b>Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer</b><br />
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I so expected to love this-it seems to be rated so highly and I fully expected it to be possibly a holy grail bronzer for me. I'm pale so I purchased the Milk Chocolate version but the reality is, it pulls way too orange on me and just looks horrible. I also find it really difficult to blend out seamlessly and it looks blotchy on my skin. Too Faced is a very inconsistent brand for me....I love some of their products but there are some that I think are just not worth the hype-and they're usually the ones that are raved about in the beauty blogging world such as the Better Than Sex mascara and the Chocolate Bar eyeshadow palettes.<br />
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<b>NARS lipstick in Orgasm</b><br />
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I was so excited when I saw this on holiday in France last year-I have always always loved Orgasm blush and have used it for years so a matching lipstick seemed like a no-brainer. Sadly on me, this lipstick has absolutely zero pigment. Nada. It actually looks like I have just applied a clear lip balm. I'm so disappointed because I have a few NARS lipsticks and love them all but this one is too sheer to be worth keeping in my stash.<br />
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Have you tried any of these products? What make up products have disappointed you recently?<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-63246994916086736192018-02-24T06:00:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:06:19.725+04:00january twenty eighteen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>So admittedly I'm a bit late posting my January update but I really enjoying keeping this 'diary' of what I have been up to, and recommending places for you to try.<br />
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January literally felt like the longest month ever-I was totally on board with all those memes saying 'it's January 74th'.<br />
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2018 didn't get off to a brilliant start, I was sick from the second I landed back in Dubai on New Years Eve until the 7th January. Usual winter ailments, nothing serious but it was so tough to shift and left me feeling really crappy.<br />
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Luckily after that the month picked up...I had a parental visit, a trip to Cairo, a ton of trips to the gym, lots of food as always and I made a further commitment to my health by signing up to Personal Training sessions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvG-hj_Y1LJIH2YZFdw4nZR-aqXll58CeKLU3BUsFV7EYIggHqvJFTtUXzQvncXhrvpEfrM7iioUY-KioMIcdtAPPUdpzgZMFvs8jr2K9-_Jb0NV9oz9umFo-GK-o3NKYAv1cLYTzWac/s1600/Zuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvG-hj_Y1LJIH2YZFdw4nZR-aqXll58CeKLU3BUsFV7EYIggHqvJFTtUXzQvncXhrvpEfrM7iioUY-KioMIcdtAPPUdpzgZMFvs8jr2K9-_Jb0NV9oz9umFo-GK-o3NKYAv1cLYTzWac/s1600/Zuma.jpg" /></a><b> Zuma, DIFC</b><br />
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My most frequented restaurant of January was Zuma-I went 5 times for their business lunch with Maz. We always sit at the Robata bar and always in the same seats...it's the perfect escape from the office and it's a minutes walk away from our DIFC offices.<br />
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I love Zuma, the food is exceptional, the business lunch is phenomenally reasonable, the staff are great, the restaurant is light and airy and I have never been in there without seeing someone I know! I highly recommend booking a table but I also highly recommend if you're visiting Dubai and want to go somewhere really special that is always busy, Zuma is the one.<br />
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<b>Marina Social, Intercontinental Dubai Marina</b><br />
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Whilst dad was working in Dubai, mum and I went to the Marina Social Friday Brunch. For me, this was a long overdue return and we absolutely loved our afternoon there! Everything was exceptional-the food, the drinks, the service, the views-this is one of my top 3 restaurants in Dubai (FYI Gaucho and Coya make up the other two). I know my mum absolutely loved it too. I also went for dinner there at the end of the month for <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2018/01/december-twenty-seventeen.html">Kirsty</a>'s 30th birthday and we had such a brilliant night. Another place I highly recommend.<br />
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<b>Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem</b><br />
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I got the best surprise in January when an old friend popped over for a quick visit and I met her at Rockfish for a drink. Heather is my old boss Nick's wife and I love her very much-she has an infectiously positive personality and a wicked sense of humor. I haven't eaten at Rockfish yet but I absolutely love the setting-it's right on the beach with stunning views of the Burj Al Arab and is an amazingly place for sundowners in Dubai's winter.<br />
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<b>Novikov, Sheraton Grand Hotel</b><br />
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I paid a visit to Pan-Asian restaurant Novikov. I think we went on the wrong night because it was really quiet and lacked atmosphere and the service was cold and unfriendly but the food was pretty good overall. It's definitely on the pricier side and if I was asked to chose my favourite Asian restaurants I would tell you to go to Hakkasan or to Asia Asia for a better experience. The restaurant decor was beautiful though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdgcl2uo9oAcd_e0IA8SHzsm4LO3bPy1Gk0ad8U2mB1TwdlJnS4-Ta15lyLwoU_AZOfpQakhcRg5jbyPegFordxElCNYIebRHmHLBtI26NN4apEuu0hirM0Qt6KFJwSiqwhWB60v9yNQ/s1600/BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdgcl2uo9oAcd_e0IA8SHzsm4LO3bPy1Gk0ad8U2mB1TwdlJnS4-Ta15lyLwoU_AZOfpQakhcRg5jbyPegFordxElCNYIebRHmHLBtI26NN4apEuu0hirM0Qt6KFJwSiqwhWB60v9yNQ/s1600/BB.jpg" /></a><b> </b><br />
<b>BB Social Dining, DIFC</b><br />
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When a restaurant opens under your office you have to check it out! Introducing BB Social dining. This is a great addition to the DIFC dining scene and is quite niche in concept, isn't overpriced like many DIFC restaurants and has an interesting and varied menu. I follow the restaurants instagram page and chef and I like their approach to social media. The restaurant has a very French bistro feel to it, it's narrow and cramped yet cosy and feels a world away from Dubai. I definitely want to go again-every course I tried was strong. I really liked their innovative desserts and a lot of my friends have spoken highly about this restaurant too. I hope they keep to their niche and brand values.<br />
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<b>Gaucho</b></div>
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Well obviously I went to Gaucho. The fact I only went once is the most shocking part! But we enjoyed another absolutely amazing evening dining at Gaucho-I love absolutely everything about this place-Danny and his whole team are the absolutely best, I love the food, the decor and obviously the cheesecake!!! The amount of instagram messages I get from people who have been and tried it too or want to try it is crazy!! Forever my fave, Gaucho you have my heart!<br />
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<b>Other stuff</b><br />
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I went out to Cairo for my first business trip and had a very very hectic 48 hours where I saw over 20 clients and then flew back overnight and was at my desk by 9am on Wednesday. By some miracle I got bumped up to business class on the way home which literally made me want to dance with joy! <br />
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I had some health concerns in January (other than man flu lol) but everything is under control at the moment. I also had to have a bone density scan after I had some tests showing I had critically low Vitamin D levels and my oncologist thought I may have early onset osteoporosis. Luckily that scan was fine but it really made me focus on my health.<br />
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If you read my <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2018/01/december-twenty-seventeen.html">December</a> post you know my friend Maz and I were pretty committed to a crazy gym challenge we started in November. We did it for fun to start with but the truth is it became routine-it's the perfect de-stresser after work, we really enjoy it and so we have continued on into January. I want to lose weight-I'm overweight and I don't like it. I have set a goal of 20kg this year. We do at least one class every day and it's just become part of our day now. Actually the best part of the day and having Maz's support has been instrumental in me sticking to it. We need it to cover all the Zuma's, Gaucho cheesecake and burgers we eat! But seriously, I'm getting so many benefits from going-it really boosts my mood as well as being good for me.<br />
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I got chatting through instagram to one of the Personal Trainers at one of the Fitness Firsts I use after I mentioned how much I loved his RPM classes on my instastories and when I told him my goals and a bit of my health background he offered to be my personal trainer to help me work towards those goals. I have had a lot of offers of personal training but it really scares me to be honest! But the reason I decided to give it a go with Ricardo was because I really love his energy and the way he pushes people in his classes in a very motivational way. He always looks like he is having fun in his classes and I am really sensitive to my surroundings-I feed off the energy around me-when that's such positive energy like Ricardo's it makes me feel inspired and motivated and I absorb it! So I felt like working with him might work. And so far I am loving it. I'll give a further update in my February post which I will write soon but I think it's one of the best decisions I have made.<br />
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That's all for now folks, I hope your January was awesome too<b>!</b> <br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-82249243644033183352018-01-14T06:00:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:06:44.790+04:00My top 17 beauty products of 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a><span id="goog_1713074585">97% percent of my Instagram-story followers voted 'yes' to a post on my 2017 beauty faves and so here it is...all the products I couldn't have lived without in 2017!</span><br />
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<span id="goog_1713074585">Three products in my top 17 also appeared in my <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/01/my-top-16-beauty-discoveries-of-2016.html">Top 16 products of 2016</a> and have remained absolute holy grails. Which brings me nicely to my first favourite of 2017.</span><br />
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<b><span id="goog_1713074585">Violet Voss Holy Grail Palette </span></b><br />
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My palette is bruised and battered, torn and tattered and has clocked up almost as many air miles as I did last year but this palette has absolutely everything you could ever want in a warm-toned palette as well as having a delightfully buttery and easy to work with formula. The pigmentation is fantastic across the whole palette and there's an excellent balance of matte and shimmer shades. It's utter love for me.<br />
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<b>Garnier Micellair Oil Infused Cleaning Water </b><br />
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Cheap as chips (and usually on offer in Boots or Superdrug whenever I am in the UK), the Garnier Oil Infused micellair water is my chosen weapon for blitzing through heavy eye makeup and stubborn waterproof mascara. This is not a product I personally use on my face-I use it solely around my eyes but it's super effective, non-greasy and doesn't dry out or irritate the delicate skin around my eyes.<br />
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<b>Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse</b><br />
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<span id="goog_1713074585">I should technically own shares in this product because I am constantly repurchasing it-but I can't find anything better! This dry body oil gives the most beautiful sheen to the skin, absorbs almost instantly and leaves behind no residue or sticky feeling. It's literally <i>perfect</i>. I slather it on most days after showering and am never without it.</span><br />
<b><span id="goog_1713074585"><br /></span></b> <span id="goog_1713074585"><b>Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil-Free Photo Edition foundation </b></span><br />
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Last year a Laura Mercier powder made it into my top 16 products of the year, this year one of their foundations has been my holy grail. I'm so happy I tried the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Photo Edition foundation, especially because I hated the original Silk Creme. My problem with the original Silk Creme was that it settled into my pores really badly and separated on my face throughout the day. I tried so hard to make it work but it wasn't for me. But the Photo Edition formula is perfect and this is my third consecutive tube of it and I purchased another replacement in London. It's a medium-full coverage, luminous foundation that glides onto the skin and works well applied with either fingers or a damp beauty blender. It sits really beautifully on the skin and the lasting power is also great. I also mix this foundation a lot with other foundations and it seems to make any formulation sit better. Big thumbs up.<br />
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<b>L'Oreal Lash Paradise Extatic </b><br />
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A discovery late on in the year but the Lash Paradise mascara from L'Oreal is my bae. It gives the fattest, blackest lashes without clumping, flaking or smearing-everything about it is a delight-apart from the fact I can't buy it in Dubai. And I really really struggled to get my hands on it in the UK when I was there in December. Luckily I now have two back ups because this is such a good mascara-and I'm a total mascara whore-I know good mascara.<br />
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<b>Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Incandescent Electra</b><br />
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If you're purely into matte flushes this blusher isn't for you. But if like me you like your cheeks to shine bright like a diamond then you can't go wrong with this peachy pan of perfection. I have banged on about how much I love coral blush for as long as I can remember but coral really is my go-to. The formula of this blush is so seamless on the skin and the finish is so luminous I rarely add a highlighter on top. It's not overly pigmented (my pet hate in a blush) and perks up pale skin tones like mine with one swipe. It's love.<br />
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<b>Make Up Geek Foiled Eyeshadow in Grandstand</b><br />
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Make Up Geek is an amazing brand-at an equally amazing price point. I have a whole Z-palette of their eyeshadows and they rival MAC any day of the week. I've chosen Grandstand as my ultimate favourite because it's bronze-y, slightly rose gold tone really suits my eyes when I add brown liner and a shit ton of mascara. The pigmentation and lasting power of these shadows is tremendous and when I layer this over a cream eyeshadow stick I know my eye makeup is going to be intact until I go to bed. Or the gym. Whichever comes first.<br />
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<b>Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil in Barbarella Brown</b><br />
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The Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl liners really are the easiest liners I have ever used-and I am so crap at eyeliner it's embarrassing. I love the fact that they literally glide across the lashline and the pigmentation of the liner is so strong and even. I use Barbarella Brown, a rich deep neutral brown at least 5 days out of 7 to line my upper lash line and I can't see that changing anytime soon.<br />
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<b>Kiko Long Lasting Stick</b><br />
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At least twice a week someone will ask me something along the lines of 'how do you get your eyeshadow to last all day without creasing or fading'? or 'why does your eyeshadow always look so pigmented'? and the secret is to use a cream eyeshadow stick first. I've been doing it for years and couldn't tell you the last time I used an eyeshadow primer. I have very strong opinions on cream eyeshadow sticks-the very 'popular with bloggers' By Terry Illusion D'Ombre and the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon sticks are dead to me-I've tried and tested and discarded them. My holy holy holy grails are the Trish McEvoy 24hr shadow and liner sticks, I have raved about them <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/11/product-rave-trish-mcevoy-24hr-eye.html">here</a> but at £24 each they are pricey. Step forward the Kiko version at a fraction of the price and these are almost on par with the Trish McEvoy ones I adore and they make a fantastic eyeshadow base.<br />
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<b>By Terry Sun Designer Palette in Light and Tan Vibes</b><br />
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Everything about this palette is perfection apart from two things 1) It was limited edition and trying to source one now is like trying to turn water into wine 2) It's fragile and this is the second one that hasn't survived a flight.<br />
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But everything else....perfection!! The bronzer is the perfect tone for pale skins-it blends effortlessly into the skin and it's too red or orange toned. It has a 'luminous matte' finish aka brushed on health to pale skin.<br />
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The blusher is just stunning and has an inbuilt highlighter meaning this palette is brilliant for travelling-if it didn't break so bloody easily. If anyone sees one anywhere please let me know as I feel that bronzer is pretty much doomed.<br />
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<b>Dior Lip Glow in 001, YSL Volupte Tint in Oil in 05 and Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer</b><br />
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The Dior Lip Glow is one of those gimmicky products you think you don't need but then you try it and you realise you absolutely do! That's how I justify buying 9/10ths of the make up I own! The concept of the Lip Glow is a moisturising balm with an inbuilt tint that reacts with your skins PH levels to create a bespoke colour on the lips-001 is 'Rosy Glow' and leaves a subtle pink flush on the lips.<br />
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I tend to keep this in the car so that if my lipstick has worn off at the end of the day I can apply this and have 'something' on my lips and I also tend to wear this to the gym, just to keep my lips hydrated and try and distract people from the fact the rest of my face is make up free and hideous! The balm has a lovely hydrating feel and the effect is subtle enough that you can apply without a mirror. I know Dior has just launched an extended line of these and I am extremely tempted to pick up some more!<br />
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YSL Volupte Tint in Oil is my favourite lip gloss. It feels like water to apply and is so hydrating and nourishing. Initially, you'll get a really glossy, glass-like sheer lip but the formula leaves behind a lovely stain that lasts for hours-I love them so much I own 4 different ones. Once thing I will say is there isn't a huge differentiation between the colours so 4 is probably unnecessary if you're a normal beauty user....but hey, the clue is in the title of my blog.<br />
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The Tarte Opening Act lash primer builds your lashes before you add your mascara to add additional volume, separation and length-you just swipe it onto your lashes first and then apply your mascara before the primer dries. A lash primer can also help to stop your mascara flaking and smudging so if you're prone to those terrible afflictions a primer might be the way forward. I also highly recommend the Lancome Cils Booster.<br />
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<b>Armani Eye Tint</b><br />
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The easiest and quickest way to get a super awake, put together look to your eyes is to apply a brightening champagne toned shadow across the lid and the Armani Eye Tint in #9 is probably my all-time favourite-this is about the 5th tube I have gone through. The consistency is a mousse-y cream and the doe foot applicator makes this super easy to just swipe across the eyelid, blend out a little to diffuse the edges and you're done. The formula sets and then doesn't crease or crack and shade number 9 is a beautiful pearly champagne colour.<br />
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<b>Urban Decay De-Slick</b><br />
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<span id="goog_1713074585"></span><span id="goog_1713074586"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1713074585">The best setting spray hands down that I have tried. Nothing much else to say!</span><br />
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<b>Farsali Rose Gold Elixir</b><br />
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I am so in love with this elixir infused with gold particles, I have been using it every day for 3 months now and my skin has improved so much! It has a multitude of uses and is rich in Vitamin C (great for brightening) and Vitamin A (anti-ageing). It's a dry oil mainly made up of rosehip which is fab for nourishment and reducing scarring and I have been using this as my daily moisturiser even though I have combination skin. But it makes my skin so hydrated that makeup sits so much better on top. It's not greasy, it's just glowy and magical! I highly recommend trying it if you can.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Dr Sebagh Breakout Cream</b><br />
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Finally, the Dr Sebagh Breakout Cream was a huge game changer for my skin in 2017 and if you suffer from hormonal, cystic acne, especially around your chin and jawline this range is worth checking out. Since using this my breakouts have reduced dramatically to almost zero. The product is two parts-you get a pot of cream and several vials of antibacterial powder. You simply tip out a little of the powder and rub it into a little of the cream and smooth onto your face. This stuff really worked, my cystic lumps cleared and my skin didn't dry out. I use it maybe twice a week now in the evenings for 'maintenance'. It is expensive-I just looked it up and its now £90 but it's one of the only things I have ever had excellent results with.<br />
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So that's it-my top 17 of 17! I would love to know your thoughts and what your favourites were.<br />
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I hope January is off to a positive start and I will try and blog a little more regularly this year-although this post has taken me most of the day haha!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*NB none of the products included were PR gifted to me, everything was bought with my own hard-earned money except the L'Oreal mascara and the Dr Sebagh cream which were actual gifts from real life friends!</span></div>
Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-1375859459038925872018-01-04T06:00:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:06:56.249+04:00december twenty seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First post of 2018! And I've decided to make a concerted effort to blog more frequently this year and get back to feeling like I can actually say I am a 'blogger'!<br />
<a name='more'></a>December absolutely flew by. There was a weird mixture of emotions as I guess this time of year can often generate-there was some real highs of the whole year in December but also the biggest low for my family.<br />
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Let's focus on the highlights and review what I got up to in December 2017.<br />
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<u><b>I ate...</b></u><br />
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...at a few new restaurants which is one of my favourite things to do...<br />
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<b>Toro, City Walk</b><br />
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My favourite new place in December was tapas restaurant Toro in City Walk where I met up with my friend Siobhan who has recently moved to Dubai-we met through Instagram a couple of years ago and we're both from the North of the UK so we just clicked immediately. Siobhan was a great person to eat with because she was up for sharing dishes so we ordered several to try and share. A note on the service which was genuinely phenomenal-all the staff were brilliant but our waiter Taoufik was particularly brilliant-guiding us through the menu and adjusting dishes to suit our tastes. Highlights were definitely the Tartar De Atun (pictured top left), the Paella Mixta (pictured top right) and the Churros-but all the food was tried was very good. As were the cocktails. A definite thumbs up from me and I can't wait to go back.<br />
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<b>Sean Connolly at the Dubai Opera</b><br />
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Another relatively new restaurant I tried in December was Sean Connolly at the Opera. We took an 8pm table on a night there was a show inside the theatre so when we got there the restaurant was actually empty and this may be a more happening place pre and post theatre. However, it meant we got the best seat in the house and an incredible table under the stars and the enormous Burj Khalifa.<br />
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The food is modern British and decent fare-it's also not as formal or as expensive as you would expect a restaurant in the Dubai Opera to be.<br />
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The starters were definitely the highlights-we shared a burrata and peach salad (if burrata is on the menu I always order it-burrata is life!), meatballs and lobster rolls-all were excellent. The other courses were solid-I had lamb cutlets and my friend the Wagyu. The desserts were ok but nothing to go wild about.<br />
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If the menu is seasonal I will go back again and it's definitely a good place to go post theatre for a cocktail with a view.<br />
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<b>SALT, Kite Beach, Jumeirah </b><br />
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I had my first SALT burger. SALT is an independent burger franchise in Dubai that has grown and grown-initially the burger van moved around the city and you had to 'find' Salt which created so much hype but it now has a permanent pitch in the beach in Jumeirah. I love a Shake Shack but I did really like Salt-I liked the setting and it was the perfect post gym treat!<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Pret-a-Portea, The Berkeley, London</b><br />
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The last new place I visited in December was The Berkeley in Mayfair with 4 of my friends for afternoon tea whilst in London. It was so good to catch up with <a href="http://www.elisabethrilatt.com/">Lis</a> and <a href="http://www.sophiameola.co.uk/">Sophia</a>, two bloggers I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting in real life in Dubai when they have been on holiday and my friends Dani and Sazzie were also there.<br />
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It was a really lovely afternoon tea with plenty of food and cakes and it was so lovely to just sit and chat with the girls-I love them all so much and there was lots of laughing and Danielle taking the mickey out of me which is pretty standard! Dani, Lis and I finished the afternoon in the Mayfair Hotel bar before Lis returned back to Wales. I genuinely can't wait to see all 4 girls again.<br />
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<b>Ruya, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina </b><br />
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I paid my third visit to high-end Turkish restaurant Ruya and was definitely not disappointed. We sat on the Terrace overlooking the Marina because the weather was absolutely perfect for outdoor dining but the whole restaurant is beautiful and very opulently decorated. This is a restaurant where I highly recommend you taking the waiters guidance on the menu as it can be a little confusing and trying several dishes and sharing is definitely the way to go. This restaurant is famous for its grilled meat dishes and its Pide however they also have a very good vegetarian set menu which I have had previously.<br />
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<b>Zuma, Gate Village, Dubai</b><br />
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I went to Zuma twice in December with my friend Maz-once to celebrate his birthday and once just because we had some spare time and didn't want a vanilla lunch!<br />
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Zuma really does do a phenomenal business lunch, its excellent value and the restaurant is packed noon and night. Everything I have ever tried has been amazing and it's a 'must do' in Dubai. The passion fruit souffle is absolutely divine as well and well worth an extra 30 mins working out to burn it off! An hour if you eat it all to yourself but I shared so......<br />
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I talk more about Zuma in my <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/09/a-food-lovers-guide-to-dubai.html">food lovers guide to Dubai</a> and there's a good reason it's been in my last 4 monthly round up posts-it really is that good.<br />
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<b>Mint Leaf, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC</b><br />
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We also tried the business lunch at contemporary Indian restaurant Mint Leaf and this was quite an interesting experience. The good points-the view is exceptional and you can literally see as far as Dubai Marina on a clear day. The food is plentiful and we were stuffed-it was also excellent value for money for the set 3 course business lunch. And the food was delicious as well. What slightly annoyed me was the inflexibility to cater to dietary needs. I was happy to order a la carte so that I could avoid turmeric in the food but the waiter-and the chef believe it or not couldn't pin point which food actually had turmeric in it. And the manager said to me 'if it's marinated in turmeric is that ok?' Erm no. In the end I risked it and went with the business lunch and it was fine but I've never experienced that before-in Amal at Armani they literally bend over backwards for you to accommodate you. Both very similar price points and I would personally choose Armani-I've written a review on Amal <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/08/queen-of-fancy-indian-places.html">here</a>.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Gaucho, The Gate Village, DIFC</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwUWZ-UUrSn54t6zPMdrIDlQN_-5_JezoQzJJnxoXtbAzsXBOBl6e3L72uQI59Oz3wRYw2s4QJ6MdsAddJqSWDfXYBNURt6_STlt2vU6V0FIrL46KE5b6k_r69B80TJ5KrQ5DXbfsPTk/s1600/gaucho.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gaucho, The Gate Village, DIFC" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwUWZ-UUrSn54t6zPMdrIDlQN_-5_JezoQzJJnxoXtbAzsXBOBl6e3L72uQI59Oz3wRYw2s4QJ6MdsAddJqSWDfXYBNURt6_STlt2vU6V0FIrL46KE5b6k_r69B80TJ5KrQ5DXbfsPTk/s1600/gaucho.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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You didn't really expect a monthly round up without a homage to Gaucho, did you? It was the perfect place to spend my last night in Dubai before flying home to the UK for Christmas and the perfect way to finish our 40 x 40 fitness challenge (more on that later). As usual, Danny and his team were exceptional and the food, service and whole experience was flawless. Looking forward to more Gaucho in 2018-assuming there's no restraining order!<br />
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<b>I saw..... </b><br />
<br />
....my family and friends in the UK and my nieces for the first time in a year. And they were an absolute delight. It's so hard being an expat sometimes and I was actually really anxious about my visit home because I always find it so stressful-I genuinely want to see as many of my friends as I can so I end up going from one end of the UK to the other at the speed of light and I feel horrid only spending a few hours each with my friends and end up exhausted and living out of a suitcase.<br />
<b> </b><br />
I was so anxious I almost cancelled the whole trip and in the end pushed it back by a week and left on the 21st instead of the 14th because I wasn't mentally able to push myself to go on the14th. I've never felt like that before and still don't understand why. By the 21st I felt ok to travel even though I was totally in denial it was 4 days to Xmas. I don't think I have ever travelled home so late.<br />
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I am glad I didn't cancel because unfortunately, my grandma passed away on Christmas Day. I did see her when I was at home and I was with her on Christmas Day and my mum and aunt and uncle were with her when she died. My heart literally broke for my mum and I felt an enormous amount of guilt leaving-especially as the funeral isn't until Friday this week. Another incredibly difficult part of being an expat because I want to support my mum.<br />
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On to happier things, I did manage to catch up with some of my friends in London as you saw but it's such a busy time of year for everyone that there were sadly others I wasn't able to see. I had lunch with my old boss Nick who is such an inspiration to me and I spent a lot of time in London with Danielle my best friend. I managed to see my oldest and very treasured friend and my god-daughters and my family which was really important to me. I also much prefer dressing for winter than summer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2r3IsKnD40fypHMYnebpo35DsN_d-3up1BoCvVNE2BZv_BSDIqrDhsIvd9K2JKD0bZySXYOsBjeFNXjtEcoG_vdM-GyL2kOQV9eDTyU4BV40EMYrfkSs6K-NITZZjkxmPMi9jxV7njA/s1600/nick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2r3IsKnD40fypHMYnebpo35DsN_d-3up1BoCvVNE2BZv_BSDIqrDhsIvd9K2JKD0bZySXYOsBjeFNXjtEcoG_vdM-GyL2kOQV9eDTyU4BV40EMYrfkSs6K-NITZZjkxmPMi9jxV7njA/s1600/nick.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>I'm proud of....</b><br />
<br />
....committing to and completing a 40 day fitness challenge (which I loved so much it was extended to 50 days) with my friend Maz. I spoke about this in my <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/12/november-twenty-seventeen.html">November 2017 roundup</a> but we continued until the 19th December (then ate Gaucho on the 20th)<br />
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The highlight for me was realising that my body could do things I didn't think was possible. We did back to back gym classes most days and rather than feeling exhausted I felt elated. We did the Al Qudra cycle path twice in December-that's 100km in total within a week. The first week we did it, a gentleman said to me if it was my first time he recommended that I only did the 'easy' 20km run and I retorted 'no we're going to do the full 50km' and we did it. And we did it again the next weekend and then again the weekend after. 150km in total from when our challenge started. When Maz and I told people in the office we had done it they were shocked and I could see in their eyes they couldn't believe that obese Stacey Fell could just go out and do that-except Maz-he has never ever once doubted me and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for supporting me and believing in me all the way through this challenge. Working out was never boring and it was never a chore with him there and I highly highly recommend having a gym buddy because it made such a massive difference to me. Not only do I feel physically fitter but I feel more focused, calmer and happier. I lost almost 7kg in the challenge and am hoping this is now a foundation to lose another 20kg in 2018.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizq_FPTwiE1YomHFNyZdbeQsOeWKyWiq1bW7Lae0sbXriG11LLtSmEQJulG24iWAO7CoCMvAdBOZ70XOIzaycZ1mDWjDzc0eIPJs3iSI_7qjKLrvufzBLZPkwIzSdEYQw_qw2h17bc1s/s1600/cycling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizq_FPTwiE1YomHFNyZdbeQsOeWKyWiq1bW7Lae0sbXriG11LLtSmEQJulG24iWAO7CoCMvAdBOZ70XOIzaycZ1mDWjDzc0eIPJs3iSI_7qjKLrvufzBLZPkwIzSdEYQw_qw2h17bc1s/s1600/cycling.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>The highlight of the year?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9yXDa453nMEq5Wc-GfBphfZjiB6vszDcijjqNUl7BDLwhh4dUfVfcwZdWfF0Wql5_F2V2fEKJaw3LwbFvlRDlhnjYeh-FhQbE2hRMoL1aqTOdHxn4SGySMN0yIjPPIyB1z7eCI8bkVg/s1600/ferrari1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9yXDa453nMEq5Wc-GfBphfZjiB6vszDcijjqNUl7BDLwhh4dUfVfcwZdWfF0Wql5_F2V2fEKJaw3LwbFvlRDlhnjYeh-FhQbE2hRMoL1aqTOdHxn4SGySMN0yIjPPIyB1z7eCI8bkVg/s1600/ferrari1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKceHhhoLhcZLjHdvpUH0-Sf3K0JenQhyphenhyphenRMYunZmnZhyphenhyphenOXDwGlXJNr-OIWUb7rgrPxS1gHvUVBNNdBR57y-fHHnHmBkxFPj989b510LwJWI8Dm7fXN0lE55glnmRHOhgzAiOWRfNzAiE/s1600/ferrari+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKceHhhoLhcZLjHdvpUH0-Sf3K0JenQhyphenhyphenRMYunZmnZhyphenhyphenOXDwGlXJNr-OIWUb7rgrPxS1gHvUVBNNdBR57y-fHHnHmBkxFPj989b510LwJWI8Dm7fXN0lE55glnmRHOhgzAiOWRfNzAiE/s1600/ferrari+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6-W-H-048wUftSWqpCxh6U_PFeq3_6OCt4N4UBg09xXZJgBpmc4yytNVjdc_EKTsutzdy3Wy7wJzHJzTTMvq4LgnAc7yD5AsNMphnygeficgzTxaDMXEkhuYWr2tBGWa9pReik2mG18/s1600/jj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6-W-H-048wUftSWqpCxh6U_PFeq3_6OCt4N4UBg09xXZJgBpmc4yytNVjdc_EKTsutzdy3Wy7wJzHJzTTMvq4LgnAc7yD5AsNMphnygeficgzTxaDMXEkhuYWr2tBGWa9pReik2mG18/s1600/jj.jpg" /></a></div>
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I think 2017 was a great year despite whatever challenges cropped up along the way but hiring a Ferrari 488 Spider and driving out to Jebel Jais as a birthday treat has to pretty much top the 2017 memories. What an amazing location-Jebel Jais is the highest point in the UAE and it was absolutely, incredibly, beautiful. Its a typical UAE thing-like Jebel Hafeet, its a road to nowhere (at the moment)-you drive up to the peak-then you drive back down again. But the road is smooth and wide and an absolutely incredible driving experience. The vistas are stunning and the sound of the Ferrari roaring through where the open road cuts directly through the mountains is something I won't ever forget. Everything was perfect (apart from the tiny fact I got us <i>slightly</i> lost on the way home and onto some no mans land rubble strip in the pitch dark) and I feel like Jebel Jais was an incredible discovery in an incredible car.<br />
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I've literally run out of adjectives and feel in this post I have probably overused 'phenominal', 'amazing', 'incredible' and the word 'absolutely' but Dubai in the winter really cannot be beaten and there were so many good things packed into December.<br />
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A new year is now here! And I'll finish by wishing you all an amazing 2018 and by thanking you all sincerely for your support, kindness and love. I can't wait to see what this year has in store.<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-80883218251263917852017-12-06T18:29:00.000+04:002018-04-15T22:07:17.502+04:00november twenty seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9uoucrzIA5OSocnNcsnMJEX6oG9AAAMLxDrGtD3jTjGL_vzEM68GJgOdg65uTgfbbiKJVf19mBl5vZ4nar62XO-e8CcTKZEIYAB19fED8Mtlgj0QY2FWHj7KF4uDYufPgtof1kh0n6M/s1600/brunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="al qasr friday brunch dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9uoucrzIA5OSocnNcsnMJEX6oG9AAAMLxDrGtD3jTjGL_vzEM68GJgOdg65uTgfbbiKJVf19mBl5vZ4nar62XO-e8CcTKZEIYAB19fED8Mtlgj0QY2FWHj7KF4uDYufPgtof1kh0n6M/s1600/brunch.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>November felt like such a long month...and just when I thought October was crazy, November literally was nuts.<br />
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Here's what I did...and ate....in November.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeu0ipA9KpVjKW5wTx8WGjXpSdFWiES6viFK_g6-WgXNU9KpsnclVKtT6d1xLbqZ1vtdVdrDWVXQaErhIoMQdugKTO3MGjnDtvy1OjAO_dyvCBpwf9Ucebq_Dg5fZev973xcskPZK46W0/s1600/brunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeu0ipA9KpVjKW5wTx8WGjXpSdFWiES6viFK_g6-WgXNU9KpsnclVKtT6d1xLbqZ1vtdVdrDWVXQaErhIoMQdugKTO3MGjnDtvy1OjAO_dyvCBpwf9Ucebq_Dg5fZev973xcskPZK46W0/s1600/brunch.jpg" /></a></div>
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The month kicked off with a short but sweet visit from my parents. It's always good to have them here with me and now the weather is <i>perfect, </i>Dubai is just an awesome place to be.</div>
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We had a wonderful Friday brunch at Al Qasr hotel, this is my all time favourite brunch and it never fails to wow people. Brunch is spread over 3 restaurants but I prefer to sit in The Hide, the steakhouse-I love the big comfy chairs and tables. and the relaxed atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrT8nSG1mytWqMxd2QN-4AEs4jzBHHPgJRZaWOhmQVLDYumtcr35KIGpJSVwjnykqq-Fx6bqGoZwizsDl3kDfw4mmojZ2VEQG6CC3u1IvILZ74Vd1kgxTAbTtoGvaxeek4orG6SJZrrI/s1600/afternoon+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jolie afternoon tea dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrT8nSG1mytWqMxd2QN-4AEs4jzBHHPgJRZaWOhmQVLDYumtcr35KIGpJSVwjnykqq-Fx6bqGoZwizsDl3kDfw4mmojZ2VEQG6CC3u1IvILZ74Vd1kgxTAbTtoGvaxeek4orG6SJZrrI/s1600/afternoon+tea.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Something not so wow was afternoon tea at Jolie cafe (City Walk). It had been highly praised in Time Out Dubai but when we went we were the only people there and the food was basic at best. It also took ages to be served and the service was very passive. There were nice little touches like fresh roses served with the drinks but I struggle to see how Jolie will survive in Dubai. I should have stuck to what I know and taken my parents to The Palace for their <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2015/10/dubai-lifestyle-afternoon-tea-at-palace.html">incredible afternoon tea</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW-NDkZnyF3ehWE6T7qulEiDHaMLO5VKNrGEzYLs2_hQJATJxBEPOPnYzzlZIR_I-FPaXv1_Ej_VdEIG9Xb2ztUgJi_Wd8njYBUkP-xoTJzaLGIqq2mwQItXR46kqCXPMLul_4vUwfoA/s1600/dad+bidat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rhdoes W1 Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW-NDkZnyF3ehWE6T7qulEiDHaMLO5VKNrGEzYLs2_hQJATJxBEPOPnYzzlZIR_I-FPaXv1_Ej_VdEIG9Xb2ztUgJi_Wd8njYBUkP-xoTJzaLGIqq2mwQItXR46kqCXPMLul_4vUwfoA/s1600/dad+bidat.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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My favourite meal with my parents was at Gary Rhodes, Rhodes W1 (Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina). I spoke about this restaurant in my<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/10/september-twenty-seventeen.html"> september twenty seventeen </a>post and again we had the most amazing experience. The food is divine and the service is wonderful. They still do an incredible extended happy hour every day and this restaurant should be far busier than it has been when I have visited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AfF12cW7cjfS9SmczZx5fB1b61N9xccIDtfbqHeqSd2UdQvrm0CLg0ph6BhFynp3K9mw3hrQTVcRoPAB6mx9MGsQa1GyLXjkMps7sSxB3gXhKP4qwZ_tvMsvm6z64UWIUr8S69y3gj0/s1600/gaucho+terrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gaucho terrace DIFC Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AfF12cW7cjfS9SmczZx5fB1b61N9xccIDtfbqHeqSd2UdQvrm0CLg0ph6BhFynp3K9mw3hrQTVcRoPAB6mx9MGsQa1GyLXjkMps7sSxB3gXhKP4qwZ_tvMsvm6z64UWIUr8S69y3gj0/s1600/gaucho+terrace.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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A month would be incomplete without a visit or two to Gaucho (Dubai International Financial Centre, Gate Village) and the 1st November saw the opening of their new terrace which I was invited to. The terrace is super cool and they have several promotions throughout the week-a brilliant ladies night and a AED23 drinks promotion between 5-8pm. More details can be found <a href="http://www.gauchorestaurants.com/events/event/sundowners/">here</a> </div>
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Of course I didn't just just go to Gaucho once in November-I went four times in total-twice to eat a proper meal and twice to eat dessert (obvs cheesecake) on the terrace.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeuY-HU3TivVtRW9yH6AaUcTZqZqWXe72NhmsRdGOCFWskCyinE7yeMgjLD7vwaG2IAKWqODIW-JXzixIPfboTcs7MlYgQXZYenh0o3W-LyrmXtufFA2WeWibbjOTayHZsBUGaSoxBFY/s1600/cheat+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shake Shack Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeuY-HU3TivVtRW9yH6AaUcTZqZqWXe72NhmsRdGOCFWskCyinE7yeMgjLD7vwaG2IAKWqODIW-JXzixIPfboTcs7MlYgQXZYenh0o3W-LyrmXtufFA2WeWibbjOTayHZsBUGaSoxBFY/s1600/cheat+day.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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I've been doing this crazy fitness challenge with one of my best friends (more about that later) and we planned a cheat meal at the end of last week which was supposed to be our favourite burgers from Shake Shack-but on the way home we decided to detour to Gaucho for cheesecake, making it the ultimate cheat day-and Danny the General Manager at Gaucho gave us very appropriate desserts to mark the occasion!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf7HPCAP88PuisnWkW4QHHs11Z5Y6ryLhiLHdAE1JrrUVaj3Xt8zXT-BA-s2klq8lZBinzb9qSzoNRHh-FKW9f3jYPF4SiRVKA8FYSs0Jx1wF8kZaNlX8vOOE_a6clpABzhl6Uld9UPo/s1600/gaucho+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gaucho Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf7HPCAP88PuisnWkW4QHHs11Z5Y6ryLhiLHdAE1JrrUVaj3Xt8zXT-BA-s2klq8lZBinzb9qSzoNRHh-FKW9f3jYPF4SiRVKA8FYSs0Jx1wF8kZaNlX8vOOE_a6clpABzhl6Uld9UPo/s1600/gaucho+1.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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I also had a wonderful lunch at Gaucho with Chloe last week where I had an amazing rack of lamb-it was literally so incredibly tasty I couldn't believe I hadn't had it before and it's definitely something I will order again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWjHIaWaiTLJXr5994Tt9QKTCGuKiO2sfrq3_ZoNnj4XscS2Bx-lRuxmRhylS1TNriJnwO7yRAAFFFz5BEprJeK_ocqydVq5lWMi4Ybai94DjXeHWiDIViajuMoWOIYhMibcqf3Ry_kA/s1600/LPM+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Petite Maison Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWjHIaWaiTLJXr5994Tt9QKTCGuKiO2sfrq3_ZoNnj4XscS2Bx-lRuxmRhylS1TNriJnwO7yRAAFFFz5BEprJeK_ocqydVq5lWMi4Ybai94DjXeHWiDIViajuMoWOIYhMibcqf3Ry_kA/s1600/LPM+1.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<img alt="La Petite Maison Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55h6TPdLQ94_boO0NZT_HBNKaYjMF6rh-BXRvNETcmd7UGBV5pyPDUxYWd93lAf0zb8Od9aXm2YyMuGNzSEN3FccCS7PQGEomy2rZ5G0t9c47cYCYq98a433ZDz1KIvfhb18HC9ESRrY/s1600/LPM2.jpg" title="" /></div>
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Not only did I do Gaucho last week for lunch I also did 3 of the other very popular restaurants in the DIFC at lunchtime-La Petite Maison (DIFC, The Gate Village) is <i>incredible, </i>everything about the meal was flawless. It definitely one of the most expensive restaurants in Dubai but for special occasions you cannot go wrong-make sure you book in advance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLzF9-u5pLmADIWED25ARAbdI1Fr9-gK5u_W3J5zXPHTPvZ5wzl_ndcWMk9E0UUa2bhpWCgBumHPO1A0NZPgdRxcug1Zoz8rfN9k-4_3daaasYwQ1dsu4UOA1R0jwmGCajwpa6itfvpQ/s1600/robertos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roberto's Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLzF9-u5pLmADIWED25ARAbdI1Fr9-gK5u_W3J5zXPHTPvZ5wzl_ndcWMk9E0UUa2bhpWCgBumHPO1A0NZPgdRxcug1Zoz8rfN9k-4_3daaasYwQ1dsu4UOA1R0jwmGCajwpa6itfvpQ/s1600/robertos.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Roberto's is also a DIFC favourite of mine (DIFC, The Gate Village), they offer a good value business lunch and wonderful views of the Burj Khalifa. Their terrace is now open and I am dying to try their brunch on a Friday.</div>
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I also squeezed in a quick business lunch at the ever impressive Zuma (The Gate Village, DIFC). This is always busy and bookings are a must but their Japanese cuisine is exceptional quality and I have never been disappointed. You must try the passion fruit souffle, it is absolutely to die for. I already have two bookings here for lunch in December!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mY3B2GhwJH6_8h5KcwuK1EJg6goe_mrenIEadiT4fQAsxiCGeAi2wwZXZdU0Rf4EM6w90_5ccWK-WB0jjSEcteume15jCQqiOx3q2yF6AY6E6Lq22swqCl-ui_OpyOTx_6fQ3ghf4v4/s1600/seafire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mY3B2GhwJH6_8h5KcwuK1EJg6goe_mrenIEadiT4fQAsxiCGeAi2wwZXZdU0Rf4EM6w90_5ccWK-WB0jjSEcteume15jCQqiOx3q2yF6AY6E6Lq22swqCl-ui_OpyOTx_6fQ3ghf4v4/s1600/seafire.jpg" /></a></div>
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The most disappointing meal of the month was definitely at Seafire (The Atlantis hotel). I was so looking forward to it because when I have been before I thought it was excellent but it was hideously overpriced (and I have no issues paying for good food) and nothing was that good! The Wagyu wasn't as tender or tasty as I would expect, the sides were unseasoned and the desserts were so dry. I was so disappointed that I would never go back there.</div>
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I didn't just eat in November, I did other fun stuff too!</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULapP75jk8jlNRQmetspg9j_4MW3q8I-kgho9EOkwPbEm64nM8fzP9X7yg48IaFjY1pwErXeCkshhqAAj6ZKjngSXJwd68ieMDzGM6uCuape3e9LjvOOECldcv_qGhOtWt-h-M7fAbTE/s1600/desert.jpg" /></div>
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We went for a team desert safari which was really good fun and I ticked off a 'bucket list' wish-a camel selfie! Desert safari's are a 'must do' in Dubai-I've probably done about 10 in my time here! I love the desert-it's so beautiful and we were blessed with an amazingly clear day and the colours of the dunes were just stunning!</div>
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The car loving geeky side of me was happy last month to attend the annual Dubai International Motor Show where everything was super shiny and super fast! There were some unusual cars on display including the £1.25m Karlmann King mega SUV-I've never seen anything quite so cool!</div>
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I did a short trip to Cairo for work, my last of the year and my 28th flight of 2017. I was very happy to be upgraded to business for the flight back, especially as it was overnight so I got some much needed sleep. My 29th and 30th flights will be my Xmas flights when I will be back in the UK for a short time.</div>
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<img alt="motion cycling dubai" border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0xL8qn2L_hIg72JUGxeY9BEuCEAPTHx43PD171tQrQbA0kG3sbshKJ17TCesrqgE73hUQGMwfnxhlAEIWTnpLYscphU1mK0MLUraro5DTnl1QwH9ddm4B19mZ4upKYuM4qD7zm1XCtI/s1600/motion.jpg" title="" /></div>
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I was invited to try a Soulcycle class at Motion Cycling in Business Bay, Downtown Dubai and it was so cool! The girls who lead the classes are <i>fit </i>and the class is so fast paced and energetic. The soundtrack was epic and although I felt like the least fit person there I would definitely go again. You can check out their location and timetable <a href="http://www.motion-cycling.ae/">here</a>-you'll definitely walk out feeling amazing!</div>
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I went to see JLo!! I honestly think she is one of the most beautiful women in the world and her show in Dubai was outstanding. She literally gave it her all and put on an amazing show-the dance moves and the costume changes were just beyond incredible. I had such a brilliant night I didn't want it to end!</div>
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Without a doubt the most fulfilling thing I did in November was start a fitness challenge with one of my best friends. We have been pushing each other, setting goals and doing as much as we can-and I have loved it. The only annoying thing is I have lost hardly any weight (but then you look at the meals I have eaten and that may explain it) but we've been doing more and more exercise each week and clocked up a 'never before done by me' 1585 minutes of exercise in November. Bearing in mind this was despite the fact my parents visited and I was in Cairo 4 days-I am honestly pretty impressed with what we achieved. We've been doing mainly gym classes and I can see improvements in my fitness levels and recovery times week by week. Having a friend with you really makes a difference too-if I was on my own I would do one class then think I had done enough and go home-but when there is two of you, you push each other-and my natural super competitive nature comes out.</div>
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The highlight absolutely was heading out to the desert very early one Saturday morning (my alarm went off at 4.30am) to attempt the 50km purpose built cycling track at Al Qudra. There are shorter versions but we decided to go all in-and we did it! I was so so so proud of us-we did it non stop and then went back 6 days later and did it again! Obviously that's not a picture of me riding the bike-if I took both hands off the bike I would fall straight off!!</div>
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Finishing off the post with some random highlights from the month-top left is one of the mini Gaucho Dulce De Leche cheesecakes I asked Danny the General Manager from Gaucho to order for me to celebrate my friends first year with us in the office. They looked amazing and I am sure they tasted amazing but someone forgot to include herself in the numbers when she was ordering them.....what a rookie error!</div>
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Top right is my best friend in the world, Danielle. If you have been watching the ITV Be show Tamara's World then I am sure Danielle will be a familiar face! I am SO proud of her, she works so incredibly hard!</div>
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Bottom left is a photo I took during the Art Week in DIFC where I work. Alongside all the banks and law firms, DIFC hosts a range of art galleries and special events and there were some amazing installations dotted around the DIFC for a few days-the one above was my personal favourite!</div>
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Finally I went karting again and I feel I have upped my game-yep thats me in position #1! You can read more about my 'secret past' <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/11/october-twenty-seventeen_4.html">here</a>.....</div>
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December's here...and I should be travelling home to the UK this month for the festivities. You can follow my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/expatmakeupaddict/">instastories</a> daily for a sneak preview on next months post!</div>
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-7696862333239338872017-11-04T06:00:00.001+04:002018-04-15T22:07:37.495+04:00october twenty seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeVkj7XzNRIswBm6q0-wntRcywMbjmQDdL5bUIjgWZVuu5TNgBWQPJdHsoQlLAXnvrCsoHW-EXkqZJGhr1iVvkG0qSOjipZEWgVSErKRuMnwyiUrB7NouD2qGAW6kTNrDqDjQgssuwxw/s1600/LPM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeVkj7XzNRIswBm6q0-wntRcywMbjmQDdL5bUIjgWZVuu5TNgBWQPJdHsoQlLAXnvrCsoHW-EXkqZJGhr1iVvkG0qSOjipZEWgVSErKRuMnwyiUrB7NouD2qGAW6kTNrDqDjQgssuwxw/s1600/LPM.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>October
was more than hectic. There was lots of fun stuff, some amazing food,
two events I am really proud of and an unfortunate health scare.<br />
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Let's start with the fun stuff first:<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u> <u><b>ALL THE FOOD</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeVkj7XzNRIswBm6q0-wntRcywMbjmQDdL5bUIjgWZVuu5TNgBWQPJdHsoQlLAXnvrCsoHW-EXkqZJGhr1iVvkG0qSOjipZEWgVSErKRuMnwyiUrB7NouD2qGAW6kTNrDqDjQgssuwxw/s1600/LPM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeVkj7XzNRIswBm6q0-wntRcywMbjmQDdL5bUIjgWZVuu5TNgBWQPJdHsoQlLAXnvrCsoHW-EXkqZJGhr1iVvkG0qSOjipZEWgVSErKRuMnwyiUrB7NouD2qGAW6kTNrDqDjQgssuwxw/s1600/LPM.jpg" /></a></div>
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<li>I had an amazing lunch at La Petite Maison, one of the very best
restaurants in Dubai-which incidentally is right next to my office. It
was a celebration of the completion of an important work project and the
food and company were divine. I am so lucky to work with such amazing
people!</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH4oYT_PdzbFUjCYPhuUiCrdd0KZEPog6s5Lox6VTCE5k0R7O9hNnpWn8nmjvVj9ld3QCnAxEotNYubQEPejUmSyeF2Q8QXnI-LFwSzy_fm7iwKOSO1BMFn2J3RID0cT9Y6S8OhEF9Pk/s1600/coya+MS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH4oYT_PdzbFUjCYPhuUiCrdd0KZEPog6s5Lox6VTCE5k0R7O9hNnpWn8nmjvVj9ld3QCnAxEotNYubQEPejUmSyeF2Q8QXnI-LFwSzy_fm7iwKOSO1BMFn2J3RID0cT9Y6S8OhEF9Pk/s1600/coya+MS.jpg" /></a></div>
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<li>One of my best friends in Dubai had two really important
celebrations in October so I took him for dinner to mark both of them-I
strongly believe in celebrating everything! We went to Coya for his
birthday and the food was amazing-possibly my favourite visit. I highly
recommend this Peruvian restaurant at the Four Seasons-it's definitely
one of the best in Dubai</li>
<li>To celebrate being awarded his Fellowship, we hit another of my
favourites and I took him to Marina Social where we had a wonderfully
warm welcome from Tim and his team. The food was top notch-definitely
try the new apple crumble cheesecake-it's amazingly crafted as well as
tasting incredible! The meat dishes are also amazing at Marina
Social-and the chicken leg agnolotti is just insanely good.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnITtXx7BSgurfnFeVdcm_87Ob_cTsjvUYlCysnOMEmHbjdXNIyg1kqpTrw1Ysd4J-K3N5FekgPHWz51WjbmiD4-P4AyDFLn9_Rs_GXJrHAMIV95SsqOKor2TUd1jB0tub_x6U6rw_RbQ/s1600/Armani.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnITtXx7BSgurfnFeVdcm_87Ob_cTsjvUYlCysnOMEmHbjdXNIyg1kqpTrw1Ysd4J-K3N5FekgPHWz51WjbmiD4-P4AyDFLn9_Rs_GXJrHAMIV95SsqOKor2TUd1jB0tub_x6U6rw_RbQ/s1600/Armani.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I was invited to try the Fashion themed afternoon tea at Armani and so <a href="http://www.lifeinexcess.com/">Kirsty</a> and I dressed up and ate cake! I've written a full review <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/10/fashion-afternoon-tea-at-armani-hotel.html">here</a>-the
Fashion theme for October has now become a Gold theme for November.
I'd highly recommend trying it out and it's very reasonably priced.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY8Q4y8kvmLAINRaDHFlNJKtTVdy-xUQqz31KiAvLScO5_u6hH0PvVFZNQREEW0obJKesSKRo1QmYqs4p6vrMurLnvsc3a3v_rz89D9vJlMJr9iXAaE-C-3_fMAn15FCB1h8stBGT2A4/s1600/Amal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY8Q4y8kvmLAINRaDHFlNJKtTVdy-xUQqz31KiAvLScO5_u6hH0PvVFZNQREEW0obJKesSKRo1QmYqs4p6vrMurLnvsc3a3v_rz89D9vJlMJr9iXAaE-C-3_fMAn15FCB1h8stBGT2A4/s1600/Amal.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I dined for a second time at Armani, this time a much-needed girls
night with Chloe and Becky from my office at Amal, the Indian
restaurant. The food and service were exceptional and for the first
time since the summer we were able to sit on the amazing terrace for the
most incredible view of the fountains. Thanks to Becky and Chloe for
helping me out/calming me down when my nerves were a bit fraught!</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh_se4iUbGgmTCg-h7QdRArTxEpR27aBWettY9TOy-jVvhEQMxYzUjxvDEqjx94IVSk82jFTRSqtblIx6saBlzMpPi7t5Q-ooQEESoIHYVzaREpb-2EhwDSleiQizWQ1dDX8WszjyKq8/s1600/Gaucho+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh_se4iUbGgmTCg-h7QdRArTxEpR27aBWettY9TOy-jVvhEQMxYzUjxvDEqjx94IVSk82jFTRSqtblIx6saBlzMpPi7t5Q-ooQEESoIHYVzaREpb-2EhwDSleiQizWQ1dDX8WszjyKq8/s1600/Gaucho+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I managed to squeeze in four visits to Gaucho in October-the
addiction is real! Someone even asked me if I ate there for free...I
don't but that's the dream people! #SponsoredByGaucho. Four visits
means 4 Dulce De Leche cheesecakes and again, the service and food is
beyond amazing. I'll be starting November by attending the opening of
their newly revamped terrace and I cannot wait! I know Danny the
General Manager has worked incredibly hard on the new terrace and it
will be amazing! I also love the fact that my Instagram followers
message me when they have been to Gaucho too!</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtJK4GDtqEQCQJrJvI8c7NeqrHKRtMB1TllWWbFfdKNJtGsVxYLuImDMSt096lSgQ1cekuOX9BJbrtzcg34YLXCbbTihD9G31qstLHtfUvIbgp4ug8O1ITllpdLIr5RBG5svYM2CDNhc/s1600/h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtJK4GDtqEQCQJrJvI8c7NeqrHKRtMB1TllWWbFfdKNJtGsVxYLuImDMSt096lSgQ1cekuOX9BJbrtzcg34YLXCbbTihD9G31qstLHtfUvIbgp4ug8O1ITllpdLIr5RBG5svYM2CDNhc/s1600/h.jpg" /></a><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>One of my favourite new discoveries in October was Hakkasan in the
Emirates Towers and I loved it so much I went twice. The restaurant is
dark and intimate and has an incredible bar. The dim sum is one of the
best I have had in Dubai and the black cod in champagne sauce was to die
for. The desserts were unexpectedly good. I can see my returning
again and again and I am dying to try the Friday Brunch. The fact that
it's in the same location as my favourite club, La Cantine, is an added
bonus.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEXhz8LiSvC8a0borKQMcOSoMvtLrg2p3aTlRUb6n7kAVUEbCegV-TcB8fHIRtIjGWPTzgnAdqkg2HsohyphenhyphenudBgrC_JVGWGg7HQZUCEhK3psxYyjzJVqjuzQZgNMpc4_sM3TWyuUHMksM/s1600/lounge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEXhz8LiSvC8a0borKQMcOSoMvtLrg2p3aTlRUb6n7kAVUEbCegV-TcB8fHIRtIjGWPTzgnAdqkg2HsohyphenhyphenudBgrC_JVGWGg7HQZUCEhK3psxYyjzJVqjuzQZgNMpc4_sM3TWyuUHMksM/s1600/lounge.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>One of the things I enjoyed doing most this month was catching up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/buynowbloglater/?hl=en">Laura</a>
over a few glasses of wine at the Siddhartha Lounge at Grosvenor
House. It was just about the perfect temperature to sit outside and
this lounge has seriously cool terraced seating overlooking the Palm and
the Marina. We only ordered chips and focused on the wine and Laura
also had shisha. It was a wonderfully relaxed evening and I can't wait
to do it again!</li>
<li>The most disappointing meal of the month was at Aji on the Palm. I
had heard such good things about this restaurant but we went on a Friday
night expecting it to be packed and have an amazing atmosphere (I was
expecting Coya vibes) but it was empty and the waiter we had was
seemingly in the worst mood <i>ever</i>. I couldn't raise a smile from
him and the food was mediocre at best. My friends actively disliked two
of the dishes and we all hated the desserts. I rated it a 3/10. I've
heard they do a very popular ladies night midweek but their weekend game
was weak.</li>
</ul>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>I had lunch at Zheng He which is another fantastic Asian restaurant
and look at the view! Dubai has just become perfect-I absolutely love
this time of year! The food was amazing and I highly recommend this
restaurant if you are vegetarian as they have a specific menu and they
do a literally amazing, vegetarian version of crispy duck! Pictured is
the actual real crispy duck-it's a show in itself having it intricately
carved at the table. The staff are also incredibly knowledgeable about
the food. I cannot wait to go here again. </li>
</ul>
Not pictured but I also ate at:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Zuma-I went for the business lunch and it was exceptional. I also
had reservations there for last Thursday but sadly had to cancel as I
was in hospital! I will re-book asap!</li>
<li>Shake Shack-I love a Shake Shack with my friend Maz. We try and fit
one in once a month at least. We had two in October #SmilyFace</li>
<li>Cipriani-another very very disappointing meal. I think this
restaurant in DIFC is over-hyped and over-priced. It was heaving the
night we went and attracts an 'important business people' type crowd but
for Italian food, I would hands down go to Roberto's or La Petite
Maison in the DIFC over Cipriani. </li>
<li>Maison Mathis-this was a fun night, again with Kirsty. We went for
the ladies night and put the world to rights over plenty of wine. For
AED195 they do a set 3 course meal and 500ml of wine which I thought was
amazing value. I'll definitely be going again-it's literally my local
and is right on my doorstep! The Halloween decor was top notch as well!</li>
</ul>
<u><b>THE OTHER THINGS I'VE BEEN DOING </b></u><br />
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<u><b>Standard Chartered Cancer Awareness Dinner</b></u><br />
<br />
The
thing I am most proud of doing, possibly this whole year is hosting a
cancer awareness dinner for Standard Chartered last week. The picture
above shows the preparations for my talk-ably assisted by Fizzy! I
don't have any pictures of the night sadly but it was truly a wonderful
evening.<br />
<br />
I was approached by <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaireRDXB?lang=en">Claire</a>
who works for Standard Chartered and asked if I would share my own
personal story. Claire and I have followed each other for years but
this was the first time we had met which was fantastic and long overdue!<br />
<br />
I've
never done anything like this before and getting to the point of being
able to stand up and talk for 45 minutes about the last 3 years and the
journey I have been on was quite the emotional roller coaster. Hence
the need for a pep talk from Chloe and Becky a couple of days before the
dinner. I also read old blog posts, laughed and cried and reminisced
with people who have been part of that journey to formulate my 'story'.
I was nervous but the ladies at the dinner were all so kind, so engaged
and so friendly that by the time I got up to tell my story I just went
for it. I <i>think</i> I spoke really well, I didn't forget anything or
stumble over my words and they laughed at my jokes! The ladies were
incredibly kind and generous with their feedback after the talk and it
boosted my self esteem no end. Thank you to all the ladies who came!<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u> <u><b>#Throwback....I went karting</b></u><br />
<br />
I
went karting with my friend last weekend at Dubai Autodrome. I never
talk about this on my blog but I have a motorsports
background/upbringing. My parents run a kart track in the UK which is
an amazing facility (shameless plug for <a href="https://www.cumbriakrc.co.uk/">Cumbria Kart Racing Club</a>),
my dad was a multiple award winning rally driver and both my brother
and I both raced karts to a very high level. I 'retired' when I was
17-I wanted to focus on school and having been in that hugely
competitive environment since the age of 8 I found the pressure quite
hard to cope with, even though I was really good! The picture above is
from when I was British champion at around age 15/16.<br />
<br />
It's
been about 15 years since I have been karting but it was very much like
riding a bike and it turns out I was much better than I expected to
be! Apparently there's going to be a re-match between my friend and I
next weekend-to be fair he knew my past and what he was getting into but
we're both so into cars/motorsport that it's such good fun!<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u> <u><b>Falling sick</b></u><br />
<br />
Not
something I really want to focus on here or dwell on because I am
dealing with it but I have been a little bit sick in October. At the
beginning of the month, I saw my doctor because I was really struggling
with over-production of adrenaline and I was literally shaking all the
time and just a few days ago I was admitted to hospital with severe
abdominal pain on the left side. Given my history I have to say that <a href="https://dubailondonclinic.com/">Dubai London Clinic</a>
treat me exceptionally well-I'm seen immediately, prioritised, results
pushed through quickly and both Dr Rajesh and Dr Anna, my key doctors,
pushed patients to see me. I am incredibly grateful for the care they
show. Everyone is telling me to slow down and rest-and I might address
my thoughts on that in another blog post. For now, I am on the mend
and back to business as usual.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Beauty haul</b></u><br />
<br />
To
cheer myself up I had a little splurge in Sephora and look forward to
sharing my thoughts on what I picked up-especially the Huda Beauty
foundation soon!<br />
<br />
<u><b>Barclays Global Investment Outlook </b></u><br />
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Another event I am super proud of, Raj and I hosted an event in Cairo with our Global Director of Research and Investments, <a href="https://www.smartinvestor.barclays.co.uk/experts/henk-potts.html#">Henk Potts</a>
for 45 of my Egyptian clients. The event was done in a 'Michael
Parkinson' interview style where for an hour I asked our Henk various
questions about the global economy. It was so well received by our
clients and I was really proud of myself because I knew I did a
brilliant job. Raj keeps joking he is going to lose me to CNN!<br />
<br />
The
reality is I really really enjoyed doing it and I've had a real
confidence boost this month by doing this and the Cancer Awareness
dinner.<br />
<br />
<u><b>The twist in the tale:</b></u><br />
<br />
Straight
after the event Raj and I had to head to the airport as we were on the
overnight flight back to Dubai. By some miracle, as we were boarding
the plane, both Raj and I were upgraded by Emirates to First Class. We
honestly couldn't believe it-it was the perfect way to end the day. I
think we were like two kids in a sweetshop-Emirates First Class suites
really are next level. I think I pressed all the buttons in the suite
and ate a four course meal at 3am! I drank Bollinger and thoroughly
enjoyed every single second of the experience!<br />
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So that's October! I genuinely think that had to be the busiest month of the year. It cannot possibly get busier....can it?<br />
<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-85150850035828198102017-10-28T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-28T06:00:09.438+04:00Thoughts on... Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3L4o6FvCmxabYjQr2JxLVQlMT-G3IhjZgMrRqdJfOcEuKyUEyayyfNko2_J90fmOzkMNA8O0eEEvU0pg9kKr_Kzg8b8SmXCIJsOPVa_-GaQWYXQyYnj-qlQIp_95BTiNKoX_Aqjx6pc/s1600/P9160124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear foundation" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3L4o6FvCmxabYjQr2JxLVQlMT-G3IhjZgMrRqdJfOcEuKyUEyayyfNko2_J90fmOzkMNA8O0eEEvU0pg9kKr_Kzg8b8SmXCIJsOPVa_-GaQWYXQyYnj-qlQIp_95BTiNKoX_Aqjx6pc/s1600/P9160124.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I have to admit that I'm not as into new releases as I used to be. I used to be extremely on the ball, setting calander reminders for anything I was vaguely interested in and I knew every upcoming MAC launch. I don't know when it changed, but it did. It doesn't mean I don't still <i>love</i> beauty, I'm just possibly less adventurous. I don't need any more lipsticks that's for sure. My skin can be quite sensitive so I tend to stick to foundations and primers I know don't break me out. Eyeshadow is the one thing I am a sucker for, yet I pretty much use the Violet Voss Holy Grail palette 5 days a week (it's phenomenal, you should buy it)<br />
<br />
Fenty Beauty totally passed my radar. Sarah whatsapped me the morning of the launch saying 'what are you buying?'. I was like 'huh?' I just happened to be in the Mall the day it launched and so nipped into Sephora-for research.<br />
<br />
I ended up buying three of the highlighters, the foundation, powder and lip gloss and today I am sharing my thoughts on the foundation. Should I review the other bits or is it done to death?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3GVCZBbIsnbi-exaXLcItkiSs3XT-YPVlGkAwKGQMAyhA9WONXW577owCqzaUSgM0bVnfJ2NO4Ry04HTeBRq9DtRuUARkyVAJu7O7Gr9I5SixF_But0-kbcstYsKLgj2cXOOJrmRjzE/s1600/PA200045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear foundation" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3GVCZBbIsnbi-exaXLcItkiSs3XT-YPVlGkAwKGQMAyhA9WONXW577owCqzaUSgM0bVnfJ2NO4Ry04HTeBRq9DtRuUARkyVAJu7O7Gr9I5SixF_But0-kbcstYsKLgj2cXOOJrmRjzE/s1600/PA200045.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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So the photo above is taken with a flash only but there's no filter. This is warts and all. Figuratively speaking. I don't have warts I promise!<br />
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So let's talk firstly about the application-the foundation is a dense cream, not as thick as the Urban Decay All Nighter or Kat Von D Lock It, but denser than Estee Lauder Double Wear. It's a formula that works much better on my skin than those 'very thin but pigmented' watery formulas. I did buy the accompanying foundation brush and it's ok but I do find that it leaves streaks on the face when you buff the foundation in. This foundation dries <i>super</i> fast so I recommend that you apply to the face in sections. Don't use a damp beauty blender, it will suck up the foundation and I would add a hydrating primer underneath-this foundation could potentially look horrendous on dry skin. I have combination skin but I find that this foundation can look quite matte and flat once dried.<br />
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It's definitely fuller coverage and does a decent job of masking blemishes and redness but be careful if you tend to sweat around your nose or hairline because just after I took this photos I noticed that my foundation had completely seperated on my nose and I couldn't blend it back in. It was really weird and if I hadn't noticed it before I went out I would have felt so self conscious because I coudn't 'fix' it without putting more of another foundation on to cover it. The problem is that this foundation can't be build on without it becoming cakey. <br />
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I've heard lots of complaints of this foundation oxidising-I bought shade 170 and it changes to a slightly yellow undertone on me but nothing I can't work with-I just have to be careful it's properly blended around my neck.<br />
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In all honesty I think I am likely to continue using this as my 'going out' foundation because it photographs well but probably won't repurchase because it is relatively difficult to work with. I like the finish on me once I have added contour, powder and highlight, and I do prefer a heavier coverage to boost my confidence-I just don't like the effort or the seperation. I don't agree with the claims that it is sweat and humidity resistant nor the claims that it has a 'light as air' texture-I <i>know</i> when I am wearing this foundation.<br />
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So I just don't love it. I want that more fuller coverage 'plastic' skin look from a foundation-I like heavy coverage but with a bit of glow.<br />
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Have you tried this foundation? I have to say I saw the Holiday releases in Sephora today and they did nothing for me....who am I even becoming?<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-86623263132229142632017-10-11T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-11T06:00:07.603+04:00Current beauty favourites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN0zo6IltqL9Dn6HS2MpuV16QL4wWZpCtwyXLW5t4sd81J4IRlpiQ2O6RaJD73oOh13coNRgUPQCXq4Q33dhuk9udWlT0gJC7jziZ9l8Fq3CO2icIm690GRdC1lDd-2sgJIiP-OCdjaE/s1600/P8120002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN0zo6IltqL9Dn6HS2MpuV16QL4wWZpCtwyXLW5t4sd81J4IRlpiQ2O6RaJD73oOh13coNRgUPQCXq4Q33dhuk9udWlT0gJC7jziZ9l8Fq3CO2icIm690GRdC1lDd-2sgJIiP-OCdjaE/s1600/P8120002.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>A beauty blog with an actual post about beauty products on it?? It's been a while but finally, finally I am sharing some of my current beauty favourites!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDy-RPrzvd6fr0I8t6a5P4a7fLDIs2mVoe2q-1-I0JPoHGFh6dxRquNMU-b6XhdAWHbUZbscG1bK4o4eqOpJJhED1RTmA58IW6XHDp0qTae6hKDp2kSP-cxXzpAXkqSwrP1M5l677CDE/s1600/P8120006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NARS liquid illuminator in Hot Sand" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDy-RPrzvd6fr0I8t6a5P4a7fLDIs2mVoe2q-1-I0JPoHGFh6dxRquNMU-b6XhdAWHbUZbscG1bK4o4eqOpJJhED1RTmA58IW6XHDp0qTae6hKDp2kSP-cxXzpAXkqSwrP1M5l677CDE/s1600/P8120006.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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<b>NARS liquid illuminator in Hot Sand</b><br />
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I feel like I have spoken about this product before but it's such a great 'add in' product-I use it predominantly mixed into my foundation to add a little bit of extra glow but you can also smooth it onto limbs or use as a standalone primer. Hot Sand has a peachy glow to it and will suit all skintones. If you're really pale, Cococabana is the one for you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI0F-RQiaH7HULxdaSu9fai0wrX7LgrDRHQ4ZtIusCbFJo2y28e5uegfT5Wg2iOgCQEXc5Xd3qlpmRoH4fFljy6Y3S1fqJEUxPkG4ycG9KV8lHeXeNqhLGblqgLUIWuWnybZuO0QSg2Q/s1600/P8120008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" MAC Pro Longwear liner in He Said She Said" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI0F-RQiaH7HULxdaSu9fai0wrX7LgrDRHQ4ZtIusCbFJo2y28e5uegfT5Wg2iOgCQEXc5Xd3qlpmRoH4fFljy6Y3S1fqJEUxPkG4ycG9KV8lHeXeNqhLGblqgLUIWuWnybZuO0QSg2Q/s1600/P8120008.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b> <b>MAC Pro Longwear liner in He Said She Said</b><br />
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I really love the Pro Longwear liners-I think they're far superior to the normal MAC lip liners but I never really see anyone talking about them. I find them slightly softer in texture and more waxy which means they glide over the lips easier. He Said She Said is a brilliantly versatile red-it works with any true or blue toned red and is definitely my most reached for liner when I am wearing a red lip. It doesn't bleed at all which is so important when you're wearing a bold lip-you want the colour to stay on your lips, not migrate all over your face!<b> </b><br />
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<img alt="L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes, Feline" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKqCH1HNZbL23uB8EMC6gDq8fyyOshFvpBx8PeD5w8ESs8zlWV5_2aPSo4zwBb_-Ys7jHRU62oKrZMFryfY4mss0ksvGnAiZJWbg0SszYhKTmjVSrLG0Ef33DH49oLY8p7Yyk6DqBTzQ/s1600/P8120010.JPG" title="" /></div>
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<b>L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes, Feline</b><br />
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L'Oreal mascaras rarely let me down-I would quite happily use drugstore mascaras for the rest of my life, I think there are some really incredible ones on the market. This one is one of my favourites-the plastic bristle brush doesn't scratch the lashes and the curved wand means that it's easy to get to each lash. The formula is so good-it gives long, voluminous<b>, </b>separated and lifted lashes and the mascara doesn't flake or smudge at all. Love love love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_f5LzbMKyf-oEvdxyoe1hAZK8Qo1_jkK19sDjgxS32WXHJQZY9RUDkQQ8ndjPM1s4grXoqTXzrhPef0ujOfOfwYv-7i2NmuQ9jx3OgWqdTo_ubibGSTjlaTarQEL6l_BNqd2Bg7BmzE/s1600/P8120012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 03 Strawberry Kissed" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_f5LzbMKyf-oEvdxyoe1hAZK8Qo1_jkK19sDjgxS32WXHJQZY9RUDkQQ8ndjPM1s4grXoqTXzrhPef0ujOfOfwYv-7i2NmuQ9jx3OgWqdTo_ubibGSTjlaTarQEL6l_BNqd2Bg7BmzE/s1600/P8120012.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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<b>Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 03 Strawberry Kissed</b><br />
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I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of matte lips, I think they are quite ageing on me so I try to look for a matte but luminous formula-<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/09/charlotte-tilbury-matte-revolution.html">Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution</a> is an excellent example and the Sephora Cream Lip Stains are probably the best example in a liquid lip formula.<br />
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The texture is light and moussy, yet even and completely opaque. The doe foot applicator makes it really easy to apply and MAC He Said She Said is a great lip liner to pair it with. Once dried it doesn't look chalky or dry and the staying power is immense. Hands down my favourite liquid lip. You can see me wearing it <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/06/sephora-lip-products-tried-and-tested.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2015/02/lip-six_16.html">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk-UDHlHusjqOxP9yID5IKfjFtNwIvi3hF_swAvqZqqhyU66kUH-qCjPu6a3Xj_f39ocE2d1x3aGndejH9B2cMojxfUIbh7_qehGcS9aeo8aOA9IbsX60Y0_PhHJPyxJAYzCo3DCk12E/s1600/P8120017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Incandescent Electra" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk-UDHlHusjqOxP9yID5IKfjFtNwIvi3hF_swAvqZqqhyU66kUH-qCjPu6a3Xj_f39ocE2d1x3aGndejH9B2cMojxfUIbh7_qehGcS9aeo8aOA9IbsX60Y0_PhHJPyxJAYzCo3DCk12E/s1600/P8120017.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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<b>Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Incandescent Electra</b><br />
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This is the first Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush I have really loved. When they first launched I bought a few of them but I felt like they were all a little over pigmented and they looked really obvious on the skin rather than blending seamlessly. The idea behind the blushers is that it is coloured pigment mixed with their famous Ambient Lighting Powders. Incandescent Electra is an absolutely beautiful peach which molds to the skin, leaving you with fresh and glowy-this isn't one for you if you love matte cheeks. It contains no shimmer or sparkly but it does have an almost frosty sheen to it-I don't usually add highlighter because this blush does it all.<br />
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I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and love them as much as I do?<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-39382887154146847182017-10-08T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-08T06:00:12.997+04:00Fashion Afternoon Tea at Armani Hotel Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUMwEmB052A7uh8IRhNRv8cQZksxoKRNpAIAxcaOe7BZbwBhRhYrK6cxOEW-l-wNA37gPRNFudqw8xekLBH5IBAUapZT5q98Ll8p7GyR0FPVTvbG_FbGuCiTLZB0fwh_gzbomzr2gVGs/s1600/Image+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea at Armani Hotel Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUMwEmB052A7uh8IRhNRv8cQZksxoKRNpAIAxcaOe7BZbwBhRhYrK6cxOEW-l-wNA37gPRNFudqw8xekLBH5IBAUapZT5q98Ll8p7GyR0FPVTvbG_FbGuCiTLZB0fwh_gzbomzr2gVGs/s1600/Image+6.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<i>To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail</i></div>
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<i>-Giorgio Armani </i></div>
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<a name='more'></a>I've tried a lot of afternoon teas and my favourite ones are always those where the food is immaculately and creatively presented-and, of course, you'd expect an afternoon tea at Armani Hotel to tick both of those boxes-which it absolutely did!</div>
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Each month, Armani Hotel presents a themed afternoon tea which is served in the light and airy Armani Lounge which is housed inside the worlds tallest building-the Burj Khalifa. The lounge is spacious with huge comfy chairs and the window seats have incredible views of the Dubai fountains. Armani hotel is hands down <i>the best place</i> to watch the fountains-all of the restaurants have amazing panoramic, uninterrupted views.</div>
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Octobers theme is fashion and the amazing pastries on the stand all had an exquisite creation linked to the theme-the perfect combination of high fashion and fine dining. The divine signature cheesecake had a golden 'mock-croc' topping, there was a passion fruit-filled white chocolate sun hat, a praline ganache 'handbag' and the highlight-a dark chocolate mousse filled chocolate stiletto. Each item was perfectly formed and utterly delicious.<br />
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I was also a big fan of the vanilla and chocolate marble cake and the petite but beautifully presented 'sandwiches'. The scones were light and moist and I loved the addition of Nutella and lemon curd alongside the more traditional jam and clotted cream. Nutella on a scone is definitely my new thing!<br />
The food was plentiful and the tea is excellent value for money.<br />
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The service is warm, friendly and flawless whilst also being discreet and unobtrusive. We were offered top ups to our tea and were fortunate enough to meet Fabien the head pastry chef who gave us a sneak peek into some of the upcoming themed teas. It's safe to say I will definitely be back!<br />
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Armani Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a sophisticated yet relaxed afternoon tea with beautiful food, impeccable service and beautiful views.</div>
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To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail. Giorgio Armani<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/giorgioarm392438.html</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail. Giorgio Armani<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/giorgioarm392438.html</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZgOjw6jVO5JeDpUjMQQpZanSQM-1jf-MIwC_PiDQ5p_Mdv9RbSYKjX0J0LdXBJL6aqROqamJhP7CIO484qbAFxSW4vgN47muk1TirQ1yDKy6VvPBsGObpcZM_gdXq3yT-zZEupXdzvg/s1600/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea at Armani Hotel Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZgOjw6jVO5JeDpUjMQQpZanSQM-1jf-MIwC_PiDQ5p_Mdv9RbSYKjX0J0LdXBJL6aqROqamJhP7CIO484qbAFxSW4vgN47muk1TirQ1yDKy6VvPBsGObpcZM_gdXq3yT-zZEupXdzvg/s1600/collage.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG12V9ouR9SXrF0REZpifgc1bFxHcRP0ha62Suk-HPGP8vkQ78gPD9BHfDyNCtrw0oPnZasBVGASx5-u19rHTIMeYsSzg28mkyJActUqGpMBi5mWMe9RjDlyvFprNVRB_1EqOyflSOH0/s1600/Image+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon tea at Armani Hotel Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG12V9ouR9SXrF0REZpifgc1bFxHcRP0ha62Suk-HPGP8vkQ78gPD9BHfDyNCtrw0oPnZasBVGASx5-u19rHTIMeYsSzg28mkyJActUqGpMBi5mWMe9RjDlyvFprNVRB_1EqOyflSOH0/s1600/Image+13.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Armani is one of my favourite hotels in Dubai, you can read my thoughts on their amazing Indian restaurant Amal <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/08/queen-of-fancy-indian-places.html">here</a>, and my review of their wonderful spa <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/09/august-twenty-seventeen.html">here</a>.<br />
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The Armani afternoon tea costs AED170 per person or AED300 per couple and is available every day. I think it's my new favourite!<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-8459569135550457352017-10-01T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-07T22:11:42.807+04:00september twenty seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
September was manic. In fact, as I write this on the 30th September I am actually wondering how I survived!! Of course, the highlight was the 9-day visit from Sarah and Aimee-you can read all about their time here <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/09/a-food-lovers-guide-to-dubai.html">in this post</a>. But the rest of the month though was equally as busy....here's my monthly round up<br />
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<a name='more'></a><u><b>I ate:</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0t8KmN6j4hzEnL3eNiTjds0VvbGUFJhNIL-p5zCemohi2xgFrR4PP7q_ca-cIftLHtIpgKau1rTrkDlzvSWvVUnLIFUEqz17zDyUo4Zu_Bljl7Cz8v9a3SZ_7C5sddMPa2bZvSCr3Ak/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0t8KmN6j4hzEnL3eNiTjds0VvbGUFJhNIL-p5zCemohi2xgFrR4PP7q_ca-cIftLHtIpgKau1rTrkDlzvSWvVUnLIFUEqz17zDyUo4Zu_Bljl7Cz8v9a3SZ_7C5sddMPa2bZvSCr3Ak/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0eDS0f-PDeqYi1jbQqDYv_5tuKhwEatKyOleSLvL-xz93cEyNlMvojwkQw040_WBlxr5S4W3U2AQrOFg1xO8z-eQacMq_nTd2hfmIx0EEEBA4_ibCX-vGBIw1qWKGO7c_HIeB1nrSaM/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0eDS0f-PDeqYi1jbQqDYv_5tuKhwEatKyOleSLvL-xz93cEyNlMvojwkQw040_WBlxr5S4W3U2AQrOFg1xO8z-eQacMq_nTd2hfmIx0EEEBA4_ibCX-vGBIw1qWKGO7c_HIeB1nrSaM/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
....just way too much. On top of all the nights out with the girls, I ate at all these places too<br />
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<li><b>Gaucho, DIFC</b>-I went to Gaucho <i>three</i> times this month, there have been jokes about a restraining order.... Amazing food and service every time-I already have my October booking pencilled in. Still working on getting the GM to rename the cheesecake after me and getting a drink on the cocktail menu. Read more <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/09/a-food-lovers-guide-to-dubai.html">here</a>.</li>
<li><b>Armani, Amal</b>-probably my favourite Indian restaurant in Dubai with the best views of the Dubai fountains and great food. Read my review <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/08/queen-of-fancy-indian-places.html">here</a></li>
<li><b>Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carlton JBR</b>-a long overdue catch up with <a href="http://www.lifeinexcess.com/">Kirsty</a>, we went for a lovely girly afternoon at the Ritz Carlton. The hotel is a bit dated now to be honest and this wasn't the best afternoon tea I have been to in Dubai but we had a lovely afternoon eating cake and drinking tea</li>
<li><b>Carnival, DIFC</b>-I've eaten a few times at Carnival and I have reviewed it <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/08/queen-of-fancy-indian-places.html">here</a> but honestly, this meal didn't impress me at all. To the point where I suggested we go to Gaucho for dessert (100% the right decision). I would recommend trying Carnival at least once if you like modern fusion food and there is definite 'drama' to the experience, but I just think I have overdone it now. </li>
<li><b>Buddha Bar, Grosvenor House</b>-consistently good pan Asian food, I've been to Buddha Bar three times this year and each time the food has been great and the service fab. The cocktails are amazing here-my personal favourites are 'Single and ready to flamingale' (pictured) and '#mycathasmorefollowersthanyou' It definitely is a place to go later in the evening and has a live DJ-the music isn't really to my personal taste but the upstairs lounge is a great place to chill with friends after dinner.</li>
<li><b>Spice and Ice, JLT</b>-a really fun place to go with a group of friends, last week <a href="http://www.lifeinexcess.com/">Kirsty</a> and Sarah and Zeinab from <a href="https://www.popcomms.ae/">Pop Comms</a> went to their weekly Tuesday ladies night. There was a great selection of complimentary cocktails which were definitely free flowing and 25% off the food. The music was great, the service was awesome and the mimosas were moreish! We'll definitely be back.</li>
<li><b>Rhodes W1, Grosvenor House</b>-one of my favourite meals of the month was at Gary Rhodes fine dining restaurant. I went with my lovely friend Polly and everything was exquisite! I had pork ravioli to start, braised beef in red wine and then raspberry soufflé-so so good! And the bottle of prosecco for AED99 was probably the highlight! Of all the places I have been this month, Rhodes W1 and Gaucho would be the two places I will rave about and recommend to everyone!</li>
<li><b>Zuma, DIFC</b>-one of the trendiest places in Dubai and somewhere I am going back to next week, Zuma is consistently excellent and always packed out. Reservations absolutely necessary as is a big credit card limit. Try the business lunch though for a very cost-effective way to sample some of their dishes.</li>
<li><b>Switch, Dubai Mall</b>-I went for a casual dinner here and was really impressed-the desserts are insane! I wish I had photos but the Kinder Melt was amazing-a white chocolate ball that dissolves when a hot chocolate fudge sauce is poured over it.</li>
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I'd love to say that in October I am going to reign in all the eating but I have 8 meals out in the first week of October! Stay tuned to my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/expatmakeupaddict/">Instagram</a> to follow my food adventures.<br />
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<u><b>I bought:</b></u><br />
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<b>New Loubs</b>-Treated myself to the nude patent Iriza 100mm and they look so nice on. Uncomfortable AF and definitely car to bar shoes but I needed nude heels in my wardrobe and these fit the bill perfectly.<br />
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<b>Fenty Beauty</b>-I was not interested in this launch at all but I just happened to be in Sephora on the launch day and I picked up 5 things...review coming soon but I have to say I am impressed....<br />
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<u><b>On my playlist:</b></u><br />
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I'm hugely into music and these are the current songs I'm overly obsessed with!<br />
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<u><b>I feel:</b></u><br />
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Ending this post on a more personal note, I feel a little bit emotionally all over the place at the moment and I recognise signs in me that I'm running away from my own emotions-keeping myself super busy, saying yes to everything, working ridiculous hours including the weekends, trying to do it all and be it all. I need to re-evaluate some friendships I have and I need to start putting myself first. I've had only <b>five</b> days annual leave so far-absolutely at my own decision but I feel like it's starting to take it's toll on me at the moment.<br />
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Having my braces moved from the back of my teeth to the front of my teeth has crushed my self-confidence. I'm so conscious of them and I honestly hate them. Hopefully, they'll be off asap.<br />
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I had good intentions of going to the gym this weekend to start repairing some of the damage I have done in September-I never ever regret going to a class but I honestly lost all motivation for it over the last two days-I need to <b>force</b> myself to go and get back into some kind of 'normal' routine where I am in control of my own life. I'll report back next month on if I am successful!<br />
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Finally, I know this used to be a makeup blog and I apologise if you're frustrated with the lack of beauty reviews and thank you for sticking with me. I keep promising beauty posts and there will be some asap so please bear with me.<br />
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Hello October......<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-75609389397841323812017-09-24T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-07T22:12:07.775+04:00A food lovers guide to Dubai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGAEaD0H6gXUkL49ciOOxni35g810Wzsa0qCjWQiSJMU8vEablxcS2_jRY76-tkn780bqml67-3g3w1DizVCk9qfBOYU-sp9UO3A-aG9gkdq4GBeP46OEurNY3I2y_y1xOj7mxwHLhr4/s1600/Image+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gaucho restaurant DIFC Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGAEaD0H6gXUkL49ciOOxni35g810Wzsa0qCjWQiSJMU8vEablxcS2_jRY76-tkn780bqml67-3g3w1DizVCk9qfBOYU-sp9UO3A-aG9gkdq4GBeP46OEurNY3I2y_y1xOj7mxwHLhr4/s1600/Image+39.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<i> People who love to eat are always the best people</i></div>
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<a name='more'></a>If you follow me on Instagram you'll know I have just had <a href="https://twitter.com/sarahandbeauty">Sarah </a>and <a href="https://twitter.com/friendsthatshop">Aimee</a> stay with me for the last 10 days and we have had an <i>epic</i> eating journey. Today I'm sharing where we went and what we ate in one big post and giving you my personal recommendations.<i> </i>If you love food as much as I do and are visiting Dubai I hope this will be helpful!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The top 3:</b></span></div>
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<b><b>Gaucho, Dubai International Financial Centre, 04 422 7898, <i><a href="http://www.gauchorestaurants.com/restaurants/dubai/">website</a></i></b> </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-fDN4PyJCSA2rjzIWhvWYycTX8r9kGI8QeMgesOPXqK7zhKgH_kFz2zVJEuB_7wAIie2M_Tf7TexHktNetldpc1WpAwdtuYCWjWFUTbYtRYa4fA9VJsqqONMKIeAZ8rqMLfZiPKGKo/s1600/Image+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gaucho restaurant DIFC Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J-fDN4PyJCSA2rjzIWhvWYycTX8r9kGI8QeMgesOPXqK7zhKgH_kFz2zVJEuB_7wAIie2M_Tf7TexHktNetldpc1WpAwdtuYCWjWFUTbYtRYa4fA9VJsqqONMKIeAZ8rqMLfZiPKGKo/s1600/Image+25.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<i>Argentinian Steakhouse // Fine Dining // Reservation required // Good for vegetarians // Amazing service // £££</i><b> // </b><i>Serves alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Valet on site</i><b><br /></b></div>
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Gaucho has a really special place in my heart-I love the brand and have been to their restaurants in London, Manchester and I swear my heart skipped a beat when I found out they were opening in Dubai a few years ago-next to my office!</div>
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We went to Gaucho to celebrate my third anniversary of being in remission from cervical cancer and we had the warmest welcome, the most amazing food and the best service. I do visit Gaucho in DIFC quite a lot and every single time I am blown away. Danny the General Manager is an incredible ambassador for the brand and has such a passion for his role-every time I go he always takes time to say hello, recommend new dishes, cater for my vegetarian friend and ensure our experience is flawless.</div>
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Gaucho has a consistent theme across all their restaurants-I love the sleek monochrome and cowhide and that no matter which Gaucho I am in (my favourite in London is Swallow Street), it always feels lavish yet intimate.</div>
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We went to the new #MeatMeMondays where you get 100g each of their rump, sirloin, fillet and rib eye steaks with a variety of marinades and sauces, their amazing thin cut chips, salad and signature Humita for AED250 or AED395 inclusive of half a bottle of grape. Sarah is pescatarian and she was really well catered for with the seafood and vegetarian options.<i> </i>The food was exceptional again and I enjoyed every second!</div>
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Gaucho do a variety of special offers- including a fabulous Friday brunch, an excellent quality roast dinner on a Saturday and a hugely popular business lunch from Sunday-Thursday</div>
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<b>My tips:</b></div>
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<i>Eat-the lobster tacos, any of the steaks (they are fabulous cuts), the thin chips with chimichurri sauce, the blue cheese mac and cheese, the Dulce De Leche cheesecake (save room for cheesecake whatever you do)</i></div>
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<i>Drink-The Passion Canela cocktail, the Earl Gray martini, or the Curacao mocktail for non drinkers</i></div>
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<i>Do-Say hi to Danny! And if you're in the mood to party book a table at 9pm and then head to Indie which is upstairs after dinner</i></div>
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And did I mention the cheesecake is<i> <b>insane?! </b></i></div>
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<b>Coya, Four Seasons restaurant village, Jumeirah Beach Road, 04 316 9600, <i><a href="http://www.coyarestaurant.com/dubai/about">website</a></i></b></div>
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<i>South American // Fine Dining // Reservation required // Good for vegetarians // £££</i><b> // </b><i>Serves alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Valet on site</i><b><br /></b></div>
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I spoke about <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/08/july.html">Coya</a> in my July monthly round up post and this was my 4th visit to the very popular South American restaurant at the Four Seasons restaurant village. This is an excellent choice for vegetarians, the menu is plentiful and there is even a vegetarian tasting menu. The tasting menus they offer are an excellent way to explore a variety of their food for a fixed price.</div>
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The menu is vast and actually quite confusing but get a good server and they'll help you navigate round the options. That's one problem I have found with Coya-the first time I went the service was incredible and we were blown away, the second and third times the service was pretty patchy and this time the service was a bit mixed-we had about 5 different people at the table throughout the night, two were excellent (one told Aimee he loved her accent lol) but the others were a bit dismissive.</div>
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This restaurant is always very busy and very lively-it has a terrace and a bar and in the winter you can dine al fresco. Coya offers a Friday brunch which I am dying to try...it's definitely on my list.</div>
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I never get bored of Coya, they switch up the menu quite a lot and every time I have been I've tried new dishes as well as some of my favourite staples.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b> </div>
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<i>Eat-Crema de Calabasa (v)-an amazing pumpkin dish, the Agucate tacos (v)-amazing avocado tacos, the Cazuela Vegetariana (v), potatas bravas, Langostinos Tigre-prawn skewers, Bife Ancho if you're a meat eater</i></div>
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<i>Do-Save room to try the insane sharing dessert platter-definitely one for instagram</i></div>
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<b>Marina Social, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, 04 446 6664<i>, <a href="http://marinasocialdubai.com/Home">website</a></i></b><i></i><br />
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<i>Modern British // Fine Dining // Reservation required // Good for vegetarians // £££</i><b> // </b><i> </i></div>
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<i>Serves alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Valet on site</i><b><br /></b></div>
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This was the second time Sarah and Aimee have been to Marina Social, we all loved it the first time we went and were eager for a rematch! It did not disappoint in any way-amazing food, great service and a prosecco cocktail that was to die for.</div>
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Marina Social has an incredible setting-from the candlelit bridge leading to the restaurant to the sweeping marina views on the terrace, this is a restaurant that is great for any occasion and they have many offers throughout the week which I would highly recommend you check out. </div>
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We starved all day and had 5 courses-a 'snack' course, a starter, a pasta course, a main and then dessert. And the dinner was finished off with a traditional sweet trolley where we were served a mini macaroon, mini chocolate brownie, mini bakewell tart, mandarin jelly and a raspberry marshmallow which is a really cute little touch but a bit inconsistent-I've been to Marina Social around 10 times this year and only twice have I been served the dessert trolley at the end.</div>
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Marina Social does a lovely Friday brunch-it's not as full on as the buffet style brunches but a great place to go with close friends and visiting parents-it's still quite dressy but has a more casual feel. They also offer various tasting menus-it's worth asking in the restaurant about the options.</div>
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Their Social Club on Monday and Tuesday was an amazing offer of unlimited starters and desserts and one main and they had alcoholic and non alcohol inclusive packages-but I haven't noticed that they have changed the format and it's now a three course fixed price menu, again with alcoholic and non alcohol inclusive packages. They also do 'Wellington Wednesdays' and a Saturday Roast.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Eat-Goats cheese churros, Chicken leg agnolotti, Pulled Lamb pizza, Cod with beurre noisette, whatever souffle they're serving (although if it's the rhubarb and custard you're going to die happy)</i></div>
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<i>Drink-The Sptitzumber-prosecco, cucumber, elderflower syrup and sweet vermouth-so so good!</i></div>
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<i>Do-Take a photo on the bridge and check out the views from the terrace. </i></div>
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<b>The breakfasts:</b></div>
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<b>Cocoa Room, Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road </b></div>
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<i> Breakfast // Casual // No reservations // ££</i><b> </b></div>
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<i>No alcohol</i> // <i>Parking on site</i></div>
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I've spoken about Cocoa Room before on my blog-I actually really like the food but the service is shocking and it's a very strange concept-it only operates as Cocoa Room until 11.30 before turning into Slider Station.<b> </b>They have a huge menu of sweet and savoury dishes so something for everyone. I've done a full review on my blog <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/09/3-places-to-breakfast-in-dubai.html">here</a>.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b> </div>
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<i>Eat-Lotus pancakes, nutella french toast</i></div>
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<i>Avoid-Marshmallow hot chocolate-you won't be able to eat anything else-for instagram only</i></div>
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<i>Do-Get there before 9am otherwise the wait is long. Expect rude service and expect your food to arrive at different times and in no logical order</i></div>
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<b>Azkadanya, Mall of the Emirates, 3rd floor</b></div>
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<i>Arabic // Casual // No reservation needed // Good for vegetarians // £</i><b> // </b><i> </i></div>
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<i>No alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Parking on site</i><b><br /></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Sarah and Aimee went here whilst I being very busy, doing very important things in the office. They were going to go to Common Grounds in MOE but they found the menu had changed significantly and it no longer floated their boat.</div>
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Azkadanya was a couple of doors down and they took advantage of their 'breakfast for two' offer which was a tasting platter of dishes where you choose one egg dish, one flatbread and four cold appetisers. They feasted on shakshuka, Arabic bread, nutella and banana flatbread, feta and zataar and foul. They thought it was great value and a bit of a hidden gem</div>
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<b>My tips:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Eat-The breakfast offer allows you to try things you wouldn't normally</i><br />
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<b>Parkers, Dubai Mall, 3rd floor-next to the Apple store</b><br />
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<i> International // Casual // Doesn't take reservations // Good for vegetarians // £</i><i>£ /</i><b>/ </b><i> </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Parking on site</i><b><br /></b></div>
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Our final breakfast of the trip was at Parkers in Dubai Mall, a really light and airy space with excellent attention to detail. From the same people who brought Find Salt, Parkers is quite quirky but with a homely, welcoming feel.<br />
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We went for breakfast but Parkers is open all day-I need to go and try their dinner options. The food is similar in style to Cocoa Room-plenty of egg dishes and the pancakes and waffles are insane.<br />
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The staff are pretty friendly and accommodating of changes to dishes-I really wanted the grilled mac and cheese (because mac and cheese mmmmmm) but without the poached egg and the sirancha sauce-this was no problem at all. I'll definitely be back!<br />
<br />
<b>My tips:</b><br />
<br />
<i>Eat-Sarah and Aimee said the shakshuka was one of the best they'd ever had, Mrs Parkers Babkha was insane.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Drink-I'm not a coffee drinker but Sarah and Aimee say the Lotus Coffee Shake is incredible-the Lotus cappuccino is also very insta-worthy</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Do-get in early on weekends, this is a popular place by mid morning</i><br />
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<b>The rest:</b></div>
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<b>Sunday night: Reem al Bawadi, Jumeirah 3, Jumeirah Beach Road</b></div>
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<i>Lebanese // Casual // No reservation required // Good for vegetarians // £</i><b> // </b></div>
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<b> </b><i>No alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Valet and parking on site</i></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Reem Al Bawadi is one of the places I love to take visitors-it's not a tourist place, it's where residents go and is hugely popular. Although Reem now have restaurants across Dubai, the beach road one is the original and the best and it's actually situated on the site where I had my first job in Dubai so has been somewhere I have been going for 12 years!</div>
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Service can be a bit hit and miss, you either get someone really good or really bad-we were lucky and got someone really good. The restaurant is absolutely huge and I recommend sitting in the 'smoking' area even if you don't smoke as it's busier and has a better atmosphere.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b> </div>
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<i>Eat-grilled halloumi, lamb chops, babaganoush, fried kebbeh</i></div>
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<i>Drink-fresh juices</i></div>
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<i>Do-this is the place to get your shisha fix </i></div>
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<b>Home Bakery, Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road</b></div>
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<i>Bakery // Casual // Does not take reservations // £</i>£<b> // </b></div>
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<b> </b><i>No alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Parking on site</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Home Bakery has supplied numerous birthday cakes to my office, they do the most amazing, decadent celebration cakes which can be collected from the store or delivered. But they also have a small, busy bakery in Galleria Mall where you can try not only their cakes but their dessert menu also.<br />
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We went at 9pm and managed to grab a table outside but the wait times can be long here and the service chaotic. The desserts are generally all on the heavier side-we had the sizzling brownie, the sizzling chocolate chip cookie and the brioche 'burger' and then rolled back to the car in a sugar coma.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b> <br />
<i><br /></i> <i>Eat-The chewy melt cookies are insanely addictive. The warm sizzling brownie is also amazing.</i><br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Roberto's, DIFC, 04 386 0066</b><br />
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<i> Italian // Fine Dining // Reservation required // Good for vegetarians // £££</i><b> // </b><i>Serves alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Valet on site</i><br />
<i> </i><b><br /></b></div>
Another amazing restaurant right outside the front door of my office-Roberto's is perfect for lunch and dinner. Inside there's a restaurant, a lounge and a terrace with beautiful views of the Burj Khalifa. Definitely one of the classiest restaurants in Dubai and always busy which is testament to it's great reputation. It's light and airy inside with starched white tableclothes and beautiful floral displays. It has an excellent business lunch and a smart but not formal vibe. I've also heard amazing things about their Friday brunch and it's definitely another on my 'to do' list. My one criticism of the restaurant is that the tables for two are very close together-if you need to have a discreet conversation then choose your table wisely. If you work in the DIFC as I do, you're bound to see someone in there you know at lunchtime!<br />
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<b>My tips:</b><br />
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<i>Eat-Caprino for starter-goats cheese with beetroot and caramalised walnuts, the burrata ravioli for main and La Mela-the warm fresh apple tart for dessert.</i><br />
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<i>Drink-Primavera mocktail or the Pavarotti Punch</i><br />
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<i>Do-Admire the twinkling Burj Khalifa through the floor to ceiling windows in the restaurant, try the business lunch for a more cost effective way to sample the menu.</i><br />
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<b>Al Reef Bakery, Al Wasl Road</b><br />
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<i>Open 24 hours // Casual // Takeaway only // £</i><b> // </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><i>No alcohol</i><b> // </b><i>Parking on site</i></div>
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Not somewhere you're likely to see recommended on trip advisor but if you want cheese manakish (essentially a piping hot spongy flatbread filled with gooey melted halloumi) this is the best in town and I've been going for 12 years. Everyone who visits me gets taken to this 24 hour takeaway place-usually as soon as they land as it's the perfect post-flight meal. Over the last 12 years I've eaten their manakish for breakfast, lunch and dinner and it's only been a good night out if you end up in Al Reef! I like to think of it as the Dubai equivalent of the UK kebab shop post a night out on the town. They offer all kinds of fillings in their manakish but the plain cheese and the cheese and zataar are by far their best sellers.<br />
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<b>Friday Brunches-Bubbalicious at The Westin hotel and Friday Brunch at Al Qasr</b><br />
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The concept of Friday brunch in Dubai is really difficult to explain to someone who has never been before and in all honesty they take several different guises in Dubai. The basic concept is that for a fixed price you can, over a set period eat and drink as much as you like<b>-</b>most brunches will offer a package including soft drinks and a package including alcohol plus a package including free flowing champagne-you can check the brand with the hotel but LP and Moet are common. What varies is the size of the brunch-the two we went to are two of the largest brunches in Dubai-both are spread over three restaurants (all in walking distance don't worry) giving you an infinite array of options. It's definitely something I would highly recommend if you love food and have the budget for it and it needs to be seen to be believed! You can expect fresh seafood, sushi, live cooking stations, every cuisine you can think of, salads, cheese tables, a crazy amount of desserts, roasted meats, dim sum, drinks stations and live entertainment.<br />
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<b>Bubbalicious, 1-4pm Fridays only, The Westin Hotel</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo2LlQTFL9aYlKIinPjzJTQ3fs2rkm7RJxm17Lkdt13Sjq0B-SKSxgi-soyt4Rtx0ezEobNYk3Nhy3ll3ltbrJX59RFoEIX6C44ujKdhFUFmfbhW8Pn-z1l2hoCso-0fo4DB8Hk0oUHM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Friday brunch in Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo2LlQTFL9aYlKIinPjzJTQ3fs2rkm7RJxm17Lkdt13Sjq0B-SKSxgi-soyt4Rtx0ezEobNYk3Nhy3ll3ltbrJX59RFoEIX6C44ujKdhFUFmfbhW8Pn-z1l2hoCso-0fo4DB8Hk0oUHM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<i> All you can eat // Smart casual // Reservation essential // £££ </i><b>// </b><br />
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<i>Alcohol available </i><b>// </b><i>Valet on site</i></div>
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Spread across Blue Orange, Hunters Room and Grill and Spice Emporium<br />
Packages-With champagne AED680, with prosecco AED 550, with soft drinks AED450, kids 6-12 AED225<br />
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The alcohol packages also include beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks.<br />
<i><br /></i> <b>Friday Brunch at Al Qasr, 12.30-4, Al Qasr Hotel</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyugvY0VxOQS9TwwpL76-1oMPv2N8BT9bB83_yRmeTjQ4a6pFVzX_TPQ-4OfRHR7t7MdDFcBEoMhCTA82aI-LGnDnKiuSbTe3o88YN1JpTF6Hrzyhn-4M_7uChbe8jAFmUSCyPEk06KaE/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madinat Jumeirah Dubai" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyugvY0VxOQS9TwwpL76-1oMPv2N8BT9bB83_yRmeTjQ4a6pFVzX_TPQ-4OfRHR7t7MdDFcBEoMhCTA82aI-LGnDnKiuSbTe3o88YN1JpTF6Hrzyhn-4M_7uChbe8jAFmUSCyPEk06KaE/s1600/Image.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<i> All you can eat // Smart casual // Reservation essential // £££ </i><b>// </b><br />
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<i>Alcohol available </i><b>// </b><i>Valet on site</i></div>
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My personal favourite-just look at the setting!<b> </b><br />
Spread across Aboretum, Al Hambra and The Hide-I prefer to sit in The Hide or on the terrace in winter<br />
Packages-With champagne AED595, with soft drinks AED495, kids 4-11 AED250<br />
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The alcohol package also includes beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks.<br />
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<b>Afternoon Tea-Al Bayt, The Palace Hotel</b><br />
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Absolutely one of the best afternoon tea's in Dubai-this was Sarah and Aimee's second visit to Al Bayt and my umpteenth! I've reviewed this on my blog twice before-you can read detailed reviews <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2015/10/dubai-lifestyle-afternoon-tea-at-palace.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/03/afternoon-tea-al-bayt-palace-downtown.html">here</a>. Each month they change the theme slightly and Septembers theme was distinctly autumnal. <br />
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Afternoon tea is served in the tea lounge and pretty dresses are the order of the day. The terrace has an incredible view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Opera and there is usually a harpist.<br />
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<b>My tips:</b><br />
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<i>Do-go on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday as they are the days they do the 'buffet' style afternoon tea which is unlimited. The other days they do a traditional tea stand (I have reviewed both)</i><br />
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<b>Check out Aimee's blog <a href="https://friendsthatshoptogether.co.uk/">here</a> and her instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/friendsthatshoptogether/">here</a>. </b><i><br /></i><br />
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I hope this post provides some motivation if you're visiting Dubai-I know I have enjoyed Sarah and Aimee's visit immensely and we're already planning their third trip! But now you'll need to excuse me whilst I detox and check myself into rehab to recover!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PS the last line is a lie, I already have 5 meals planned out for the coming week</span><br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-90795128432372839922017-09-08T06:00:00.000+04:002017-09-08T06:00:31.181+04:00August empties<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been an absolute age since I have done an empties post! The last two months empties I did on my instastories and the feedback was so so good, so I would love to know how you prefer for me to do them-through a blog post or through instastories?</div>
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I don't have too many empties this month so here's a quick run down on what I finished up.</div>
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<b>Pixi X Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse</b></div>
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I finished up one at the start of the month and one at the end-I go through this stuff at lightening speed-I wish she sold bigger tubs of both halves of the cleanser so I could buy both. This cleanser is relatively bland (in the nicest possible way) and it stops my skin from misbehaving. I've written a full blog post on it <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/03/i-really-like-this-cleanser-but.html">here</a> and I recently ordered 4 more from ASOS.</div>
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<b>Origins Eye Doctor</b></div>
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I personally didn't rate this eye cream and it was definitely one for the 'I'm not in love but I'll use you up' category. I didn't find it hydrating enough and I think it would suit a 20's undereye far better than a getting towards late 30's undereye. I didn't see any difference when using it and I wouldn't repurchase. That being said, I'm now using the Origins Starting Over eye cream (I was on an Origins binge earlier in the year) and it's much thicker, creamier and more hydrating and I definitely prefer it to the Eye Doctor.</div>
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<b>Clarins 'Relax' Oil</b></div>
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This is a multi purpose oil from Clarins and I have to say I really do love Clarins skincare and body care ranges. This relaxing body treatment oil has Geranium, Petit Grain, Camomile and Basil and is designed to help relieve stress and fatigue and it also helps soothe tired muscles after exercise. You can use it in the bath and as it's not a heavy oil in texture I also use it sometimes mixed into my moisturiser on my surgery scars on my tummy to help fade them. I really want to pick some more up and might ask Sarah and Aimee to get me some at duty-free later this month! </div>
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<b>Bliss Fabulips </b></div>
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I've realised this is now discontinued so I won't spend too much time on it but this was a lip plumping serum for lips and it was really moisturising as well as plumping. I have a Dior lip plumper which I love that does a similar job if you're looking for something similar.</div>
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<b>L'Oreal Magic Lumi</b><br />
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This is a drugstore dupe for Mac Strobe Cream and is also similar to the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl. It has a really light texture and I use it as a primer before foundation-it doesn't really keep makeup in place-its just about the additional glow. It has a pearlescent finish to it without being too in your face and is a great dupe for MAC strobe cream.<br />
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<b>Tom Ford lipstick in Pink Dusk</b><br />
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Love this shade from Tom Ford but this is the second one that has snapped on me (cry face). You can see me wearing it in my Tom Ford lipstick post <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/07/7-days-of-tom-ford.html">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector </b><br />
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Another discontinued product which shows how long I had it for! This was really good for adding a more bronzed tone to my foundation when I had a tan without changing the consistency of the foundation. But it's no longer available so that information is not particularly useful to you!<br />
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<b>MAC Studio Fix foundation</b><br />
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Although this is, in theory, a powder foundation it's really light in texture and I use it to mattify my skin during the day. I have lost count how many of these I have gone through but I have to say they last forever. I must touch up my combination skin 3-4 times a day and these will last a good 6-9 months. Non-cakey and very finely milled I don't see myself ever being without one.<br />
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<b>Kat Von D Lock It Setting Powder</b><br />
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I really enjoyed this setting powder from Kat Von D-it comes in 'translucent' but it doesn't add any colour to the skin-it's purely just to mattify and lock down the products you have applied before it. It's not cakey and doesn't leave a white cast and I would buy it again. In the marketing blurb, it states that it has 'micro blurring technology' but I didn't honestly feel that my skin looked perfected from that aspect. It's not too matte and leaves skin with a velvety satin finish. I do have to touch up throughout the day (with the MAC Studio Fix powder) but my skin naturally produces oils that no powder can control for a whole day no matter what I do.<br />
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My final empty is the perfume I wore obsessively throughout August-mainly because I felt like I had had it a while and I wanted to use it before it expired! Stella McCartney 'Summer' is a light, fruity, non-offensive, clean scent with top notes of lemon, apple, peony and rose. I feel like I say this all the time so apologies if this is old news but I have a very very very weak sense of smell (it's pretty much none existent) and I can't smell this on me. But I finished the bottle lol so I am high fiving myself!<br />
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Have you tried any of these products? Please let me know as well if you prefer this format or the instastory format for empties going forward. Thanks for reading!<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-18707220116138342202017-09-04T05:00:00.000+04:002017-09-04T05:00:00.189+04:00August twenty seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I loved writing my round up of July post-it was an excellent way to reflect on the month and reflect on how amazing living in Dubai really can be. I've decided to continue and I'm realising that what I thought was a pretty uneventful August was actually a pretty amazing one!<br />
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So without further ado, here's my round up of an awesome August!<br />
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<u><b>I went: </b></u><br />
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I'm starting with the best thing I did this month-I went on another road trip. I loved going to Hatta last month but I decided to make this one just that little bit more special and hired an Audi R8 for the day as a surprise for my friend and we headed out to Jebel Hafeet which is about 2 hours drive from Dubai. We had the most amazing day ever-what you may not know about me is that I have a motorsports background and I absolutely love driving. I've been to Jebel Hafeet many times but this was, without a doubt my very favourite time there.<br />
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It was a beautiful day, albeit it's still in the 40-degree temperature range in the UAE but once we got to Jebel Hafeet we put the roof down, braved the heat and sped up the mountain. The feeling of the wind in my hair and the roar of the engine was something I will never forget. And check out the vistas. Jebel Hafeet stands at almost 1300 metres with panoramic views across the UAE and over to Oman.<br />
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The car is AMAZING. The R8 wasn't my dream car-it was my friends. But it's mine now too, I absolutely loved every second driving it. I'm a really good driver as well-I did the 11.7km mountain road (which as you can see twists and turns like a snake all the way up) in 7.09. I want to go again so badly-it was my favourite day of the year so far.<br />
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<u><b>I ate:</b></u><br />
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<b>Gaucho, DIFC</b><br />
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I didn't eat out as much as in July but I had some pretty good dinners. The first highlight is dinner at Gaucho in DIFC. I have so much love for Gaucho, I could go there every night of the week. They serve my favourite dessert in Dubai-the Dulce De Leche cheesecake which comes with hot salted caramel sauce and toasted marshmallow. I cannot wait for my next visit and I would highly recommend a visit. Danny and his team will definitely ensure you have an awesome night.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Zuma, DIFC</b><br />
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I also went for the business lunch at Zuma. It's very dangerous working where I work because there are so many amazing restaurants on my doorstep-Gaucho and Zuma are literally 20 steps from my office, my office is positioned between La Petite Maison and Cipriani and I am literally spoiled for choice. This was actually my first time at Zuma which has won award after award for its food. They do an excellent business lunch with a really good variety of dishes. You can choose two starters and a main and then add a dessert for a reduced price. I had the gyoza and the beef sashimi to start and black cod for my main. Chloe and I then shared the signature Zuma chocolate dessert but I could have easily eaten one to myself, it was amazing!<br />
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Highly highly recommended but this place is packed every day for lunch and dinner so book ahead if you want to go!<br />
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<b>Shake Shack </b><br />
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Ok so if you know me at all you know I love a fancy dining experience but I also love a Shake Shack as well! You know those places that you always go to with the same person and sit at the same table and have an amazing time? Well, that's Shake Shack for me. Hence why, after long days in the office we went twice in August! </div>
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My tip? Always get the cheese fries!</div>
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<b>Buddha Bar, Grosvenor House</b></div>
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Another recently rediscovered favourite of mine, I went for dinner at Buddha Bar where the food is consistently good and the cocktails are epic. I mean who doesn't love an inflatable flamingo? The food is Pan Asian and it's best to go on a Wed/Thurs or Friday night but you'll need to book-I could only get a 10 pm table on a Thursday night. But we left at 3 am so we got our money's worth. I definitely recommend checking out the bar upstairs-it's quite small and intimate but has a really nice vibe and excellent service. I think we were the last to leave!</div>
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<u><b>I relaxed:</b></u></div>
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I was lucky enough to spend time at 4 spas in Dubai in August-The Talise spa at the Burj Al Arab, The Talise Ottoman spa at The Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Armani spa and The Ritz Carlton spa at the Ritz Carlton DIFC. They all cost around the same and I had a 90-minute massage at all of them. It's worth noting if you want to book a spa treatment in Dubai that although many places offer a 'couples' massage, there is a gender policy in the hotels where a female therapist treats female guests and a male therapist will treat male guests. What this also means is that a lot of spas have separate facilities for men and women-different saunas, pools, steam rooms and relaxation areas.<br />
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The Burj Al Arab, as you would expect, is opulent. It's rich blues, emeralds and golds everywhere and the treatment rooms were absolutely beautiful with views across the Marina and JLT for the ladies spa and across Downtown Dubai in the male spa. The massage I had here was nice but it wasn't mindblowing in all honesty. I loved the indoor infinity pool (available for men and women) and the views over the Jumeirah Beach Hotel are always breathtaking.<br />
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We both agreed the massage at the Armani spa was the best, hands down. We combined the massage with a scrub and honestly, my skin has never ever ever felt as soft as when I rinsed it off in the shower. The spa was very cool and contemporary as you would expect from Armani, there are no mixed facilities apart from the pool but as the pool was outdoors we didn't use it in the searing August heat. Armani does not have a jacuzzi either.<br />
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The massage I had was incredible. I wasn't offered a choice of oil although my friend was. I also wasn't asked about the pressure I wanted but Alice, my therapist nailed it. I felt like I was walking on air afterwards.<br />
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This is a spa I will definitely return to in the cooler months so I can enjoy the pool-it's worth noting that if you have the Entertainer spa book/app then Armani is included in there.<br />
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We had dinner at Armani Deli afterwards which has amazing views of the Dubai fountains. They serve mainly Meditteranean/Italian food and do an amazing Burrata salad.<br />
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We also went to the spa at the Ritz Carlton in DIFC and here the staff were the most friendly and helpful. I was advised what type of massage to have and combined it again with a body scrub and I was given a choice of 3 oils depending on how I wanted to feel after the treatment-I chose the invigorating one given I was going out for dinner afterwards. The scrub here wasn't as nice as Armani-it felt much drier on the skin on application but my skin was soft afterwards. The therapist was very attentive and offered advice and frequently checked everything was ok. I was also given Natura Bissé skincare samples to take away. Given this one is right on my doorstep I would definitely go again.<br />
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The final spa was the Talise Ottoman spa in the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. This was, without doubt, the largest spa with the most facilities but unfortunately, because we were running 5/10 minutes late I felt that I had the worst experience here. The treatment was at 7 pm and we arrived at 7.05pm. Ideally we would have got there earlier but unfortunately, workload meant that wasn't possible. I was rushed to the changing room and into the treatment room and even though I was the last client of the day, because we started at 7.10pm the therapist knocked 10 minutes off the 90 minutes I had paid for.<br />
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We both had a hot stone massage for 90 minutes (or 80 in my case) but my friend said that the stones used on them were not as hot as they would have liked and the treatment room was really cold even though the therapist turned off the air conditioning. I wasn't given a tour of any of the facilities-after the massage I was shown to the female relaxation area and I asked for a peppermint tea but they were out of stock. My friend was shown round though and saw the Hamman and the 'snow rooms'-I'm so disappointed I didn't.<br />
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This is, without doubt, the most beautiful spa and it's beautifully decorated with a Turkish theme-I just wish I had seen more of it. It's worth noting that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BYiBx7pnbum/?taken-by=lifeinexcess_">Kirsty</a> went there this weekend for the couples treatment and absolutely loved it-she put an Instagram post up about her experience and if she blogs about it I will link it into this post.<br />
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<b>I bought: </b><br />
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Nothing! I've had a few spendy months and there just wasn't a real desire to buy something. Prices in Dubai are so expensive compared to the UK and although I do love an online splurge I also really enjoyed actual shopping in London and France. However I have two things on my wishlist currently that are seriously tempting me-the first is a larger YSL bag. I've narrowed it down to the large Lulu or the large College-but I think I am leaning towards the Lulu (the bag on the left). I want to go and look at them instore but it's likely I will buy from London in December.</div>
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The second item on my radar is a pair of Malone Soulier 'Maureen' heels-I love the look of these burgundy velvet and gold ones-they seem so perfect for Autumn and Winter. I need to try them on to see if they look too weird on me but I think they're stunning. If you have tried these I would love to know if they're comfortable? The do sell Malone Soulier here so I can try them on in the Mall and then order from Net a Porter. I just need someone to tell me to buy them lol!<br />
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<b>I watched:</b></div>
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Not sure how I had time for TV but I binge watched 'Big Little Lies' which was epic and has an amazing soundtrack-it was very gripping and I devoured it over a weekend after discovering it on a flight home from Cairo. I also started watching Line Of Duty on Netflix and am now season 3-I love crime drama the most so this is right up my street even if I am late to the party!<br />
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<b>I hated: </b><br />
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I hated my skin and it hated me right back! I got a horrendous hormonal breakout that took ages to clear but I found 4 products really helped. 1) Lancome Hydrazen moisturisor-I know this doesn't irriate my skin and it's lovely and soothing 2) Using the Marc Jacobs coconut face primer-again I know it doesn't irritate so it's a safe bet 3) (pictured) The Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective which is a very watery serum-I apply 3-5 drops a night to my fingertips and press over my chin and 4) (pictured) Dr Sebagh Supreme Maintenance Youth Serum which I use in the morning which is helping to fade the scars left from those horrible spots.</div>
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August was pretty awesome and September is going to be incredible. Stay tuned to my instastories because I have so much planned and some special visitors from the UK. It's going to be epic.</div>
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-9904944795600822932017-09-02T06:00:00.000+04:002017-10-07T22:15:53.941+04:00Loves and regrets: Shoes I've bought recently<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>The fact is, it's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun-Carrie Bradshaw</i><br />
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<a name='more'></a>I've gotten back into shoes recently. Like in a big way. Today I'm going to share with you some of my recent purchases in one condensed post and give you my honest thoughts on whether I think they've been a good buy-or not.</div>
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<u><b>The Loves </b></u></div>
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<b>Saint Laurent Lulu 70 Mules</b><br />
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I debated over these shoes for a long time. I first saw them on Net A Porter but they were already sold out in the 70mm heel and then I saw them in Bloomingdales in Dubai but again they were out of stock. But there is a lovely SA in Bloomingdales who sourced them for me from another store. I needed to size up in these-I am usually a 38.5 but I went a full size up as they are quite short. At first I was worried they were a bit chunky but I consulted my personal fashion stylist (ie Lis from <a href="http://www.elisabethrilatt.com/">Elisabeth Rilatt</a>) and she told me to buy them-actually she never tells me not to buy anything! My favourite thing about these shoes is the detailing on the heel-I veer more towards gold detailing over silver detailing these days and I love the Saint Laurent logo on each heel.<br />
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These shoes are immensely comfy and I wear mine mostly with jeans or a denim dress. For me they fall into my casual wardrobe rather than something I would wear on a night out.<br />
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Saint Laurent have embedded this style into their permanent range but bring out new colour ways each season-this season there is a red and burgundy and a powder pink but I've also seen a metallic gold pair which are amazing. <br />
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Bottom line, these are the easiest and comfiest heel I have and I'm super pleased I took Lis's advice and purchased them.<br />
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<b>Gianvito Rossi Plexi heel in 85mm</b><br />
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The Gianvito Rossi Plexi heel was a real impulse buy-one minute you're talking to your assistant about them in the office, the next you're in Harvey Nichols in Dubai buying not one but two pairs! I went for the 85mm heel in black leather and nude suede and both are brilliant shoes for the office and don't break any pain barriers. The way the shoe is cut makes your legs look longer and they're really flattering. I'd love a pair in red matte leather and the metallic ones are also lovely. The only slightly annoying thing is that you have to keep the plastic clean-I usually just wipe mine with a wet wipe<br />
after wearing them. I can definitely see me buying more of these in the future.<br />
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When I posted these on instagram people asked if the plastic was hard and cut into you but I can categorically say that it absolutely doesn't and it feels like any normal shoe. They're also true to size but the SA recommended trying them because he said that there is a slight difference between the leather, patent and suede ones in sizing but I found 38.5 fit me in the leather and suede.<br />
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I also have to say I love shopping in the Bloomingdales and Harvey Nichols shoe halls in Dubai-the staff are always really really helpful.<br />
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<b>Louboutin Baila 85mm heels in Rosa/Light Gold (limited edition)</b><br />
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<i>Be still my beating heart, I fricking adore these shoes. </i> Danielle my best friend hates them! I was actually considering putting them into the 'regret' purchases purely because I was too scared to wear them<i> </i>because the ankle strap is quite delicate but I wore them to dinner with my friend last weekend and I absolutely loved them! They're very statement with the fuchsia pink suede studded with gold spikes and the cork graffiti heel and gold ankle strap but I seriously love them. And by some miracle, they're easy to walk in and dare I say comfortable?? I felt so confident and swanky in them and they pair perfectly with a simple black dress. I don't think ankle straps are the most flattering on bigger girls like me but because the strap is gold it's less obvious on the skin than a darker coloured one would be. These were a limited edition design and I picked mine up in Harrods (which has an amazing Louboutin boutique) in June. I'm so so happy I did!<br />
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<b>Chanel Escarpin heels</b><br />
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I'm utterly in love with these Chanel Escarpin heels with the pearl embedded into the heel and wear them for 'posh' days in the office. The leather is so soft that it moulds to your feet and even at 85mm these shoes don't hurt by the end of the day. I do have an office job so unless I am on a business trip my movement in the office is limited to walking to the printer, the bathroom or the kitchen but they were comfortable right from the first wear. These shoes were purchased at Chanel in Cannes and I had wonderful service there. I loved Cannes and so these are a fantastic reminder of that holiday. Again these are true to my normal size.<br />
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<b>Gucci Ace sneakers</b><br />
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<span id="goog_55112000">I feel like I am gushing about all th</span><span id="goog_55112000">ese shoes but I genuinely love them all!! These Gucci trainers are just amazing-I love the pearl and spike detailing and the classic red/green Gucci stripe. These were my favourite of all the various variations of the Ace sneaker line and they feel like clouds on your feet. I bought mine from Selfridges in London in June and these are still available. I'm guessing these won't be to everyones taste but I am a sucker for spike or stud detailing on anything.</span><br />
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<u><span id="goog_55112000"><b>The Regrets</b></span></u></div>
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<span id="goog_55112000"><b>Louboutin Neoalto in Lame Sirene (limited edition)</b></span></div>
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Ok so I can't really comment on these shoes from a comfort point of view because I'm too scared to wear them lol and that is what is driving the feelings of regret! These shoes are so so beautiful and I bought them to celebrate my 12th anniversary in Dubai. They have a rose gold metallic diamond print embossed heel and the shoe itself is made of patterned mesh with pink gold accents, trimmed with metallic rose gold. But they are so incredibly delicate and I'm worried my toes are going to burst right through the fragile mesh. But I love them even though I do regret buying them. I just need to build up the courage to wear them! The Neoalto style is still available but this was a limited edition colour way.<br />
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<b>Louboutin Decolette in black patent</b><br />
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My second regret purchase is another pair from Louboutin-because they're so god damn uncomfortable. I also own the Pigalle style and they're pretty much the same! And these are the lower heel height than the standard 100mm. The Decolette are cut lower on the toe box than the Pigalle to show toe 'cleavage' but the toe box is also really narrow so they're not particularly comfortable. The Decolette also has the narrowest heel across the range which I really like. All my Louboutins are true to my normal 38.5 size.<br />
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I am sure I'll continue to wear these but probably only when I know I won't need to stand up for any length of time! There is one pair of Louboutin pointy heels that are comfortable-the Iriza pump-they're the ones I can wear quite comfortably in the office all day and would be my recommendation if you do have slightly wider feet because of the cut out vamp on the inner size.<br />
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I'd love to know which shoes are your favourite? <br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-73169780565110888482017-08-18T06:00:00.000+04:002017-08-18T18:52:13.009+04:00I'm not in love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>As much as I want to, the sad fact is you can't love everything. But sometimes, products aren't <i>bad</i>, they're just annoying in some shape or form. Or they're not <i>as good</i> as the beauty blogging industry led you to believe. These are the products that I'm personally not in love with, but I am probably going to use up anyway....because either ££££££ or I believe I can make them work, somehow.<br />
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First up is the <b>Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or</b> which is the golden shimmery version of the cult dry body oil. I love the original version (I raved about it <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/01/my-top-16-beauty-discoveries-of-2016.html">here</a>), I always have a bottle of it at home and in my opinion it's the best dry oil on the market. I love how it absorbs so rapidly, that you don't feel greasy and it gives a beautiful sheen to the skin. But this version is just messy AF. I can't deal with it. The glitter clogs up the spray nozzle and collects in the lid. Even though the shimmer is fine, I have to apply this as my very last step otherwise once I am dressed and ready to go otherwise I end up with golden shimmer everywhere-on my face, my clothes, my bag-because it clings to my hands and clearly I touch<i> everything</i>. And then perhaps worst of all, I don't find the effect to even be that obvious once it's on the skin. I'll be sticking with the original for day to day use and will try and use this up on holidays.<br />
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Another oil, but this one specifically for hair is the <b>Ouai Hair Oil</b>. I fell so in love with the Davines Oi oil that I thought I would try this one as a potential alternative-especially as everyone seems to be raving about Ouai products. My hair is fine and flat, not your usual candidate for a hair oil, but I find one pump of the Davines oil once I have dried and GHD'd my hair helps to real tame flyaways and frizz. But I just don't like the texture of the Ouai one-it's much lighter than the Davines one, it almost feels like water when you pump it into your hands. But I feel like for my fine hair, too much comes out in one pump and therefore it leaves my hair greasy and lank rather than tamed and glossy.<br />
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I'm determined to find a way to make this work for me though-I'm going to try it through damp hair before blow drying to see if it adds sleekness that way-or as a hair treatment. I'm not giving up on it yet.<br />
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I feel like I could be the only person to not like the <b>Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish foundation stick</b> but I honestly just feel a bit <i>meh</i> everytime I have used it. Granted, pan stick foundations are not my preferred choice, but I do like the convenience and compactness of them. My first issue when buying this was getting a good colour match-although there are 26 shades in the range, at the paler end there is not a huge choice. And Alabaster, the shade I settled on, is slightly too pale whereas the next one up, Porcelain was way too yellow. Usually if I have a foundation that is too pale for me I warm it up with a couple of drops of liquid bronzer but it's harder to do that with a stick formula. This is supposed to be a long wearing, full coverage, extremely pigmented foundation that is meant to be applied with a brush but I feel like the finish on me looks very flat and dull and the foundation settles into my pores. By the end of the day I feel my skin looks quite dried out and the foundation looks 'speckled' around my nose and cheeks-it's literally found every tiny pore and sat in them. Again I am prepared to work with it but whilst it's so hot in Dubai at the moment, I'm not drawn to a base that is as heavy as this foundation is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjbwL4kRb7HS6QdsLcU3-7cX8h93tOxyn2ZiudOOMtiP2PAILHi5nMxDqeQci2eW-iDWvMEmEFbXZ5M7jRLX9JpqLOeepmI7LfAMB2gExpw2Osy2WpmCNRpunCZEXnJRbeFdTkUW9F2E/s1600/P7220051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjbwL4kRb7HS6QdsLcU3-7cX8h93tOxyn2ZiudOOMtiP2PAILHi5nMxDqeQci2eW-iDWvMEmEFbXZ5M7jRLX9JpqLOeepmI7LfAMB2gExpw2Osy2WpmCNRpunCZEXnJRbeFdTkUW9F2E/s1600/P7220051.JPG" /></a></div>
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My final product is actually something I have used up because I found a way to make it work for me. I really liked the <b>Dior Forever foundation</b> when it was first launched-and then it got reformulated and people were still saying really positive things about it. But for me, I just couldn't get it to sit right on my skin-I found it quite difficult to blend and that it settled in pores, even with a primer underneath. I struck gold with it when I was on holiday in France and I caught the sun a little. I didn't want to wear a heavy foundation so I started to just use one pump with a squirt of the NARS Illuminator in Hot Sand-a gorgeous golden peach liquid illuminator-plus a couple of drops of the Armani Liquid Bronzer. This combination meant I got the coverage I needed, a customised foundation shade and a glowy, even and long lasting base. That's how I continued to use it (and fake a tan when I got back from France) until I finished it up. I probably won't repurchase but at least I didn't waste my money.<br />
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Do you have any products in your routine that you don't love but are using up because you don't want to waste your money?<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-39250651592581327852017-08-13T06:00:00.000+04:002017-08-18T18:53:33.960+04:00July<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Poor little neglected blog. I'm not going to do a whole 'where have I been' spiel but I thought I'd share some of my favourite bits of last month as my first foray back into blogging. Is anyone still there reading? If you don't follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/expatmakeupaddict/">instagram</a> you probably should-that's where all the good stuff happens!</div>
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<b><u>I ate........(out a lot)</u></b></div>
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<b>Breakfast at Cocoa Room, Galleria Mall</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYSQYV4DGjnpm-P0Lpm4NSEA0YYNtouq_siQMRxMX9KFlZK0Z4vO_0t9vshjYzGCuKa_RXP5YkzBJ9A4DASWLyika9B0Jm_EHNKve1I3OKfRwciUP3D_mjQZwpDShNEat12yf1u-TmrM/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYSQYV4DGjnpm-P0Lpm4NSEA0YYNtouq_siQMRxMX9KFlZK0Z4vO_0t9vshjYzGCuKa_RXP5YkzBJ9A4DASWLyika9B0Jm_EHNKve1I3OKfRwciUP3D_mjQZwpDShNEat12yf1u-TmrM/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" /></a></div>
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Starting my dining highlights of July with Cocoa Room which is best for a show stopping, calorie laden, sugar rush inducing breakfast. A great place to take visitors because they have a huge array of sweet and savoury dishes for breakfast but you need to get in early-ideally before 9am. This place is insanely popular despite the rather unfriendly service. My top pick is the Lotus Pancake dish-I've written a full review previously <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/09/3-places-to-breakfast-in-dubai.html">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Afternoon tea at Al Fayrooz Lounge, Al Qasr Hotel </b><br />
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Definitely in my top 3 afternoon teas in Dubai, I spent a leisurely Saturday afternoon eating sandwiches and scones and enjoying the little extras that Al Fayrooz Lounge offers such as the mango soufflé and the chocolate fountain.<br />
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<b>Dinner at Coya, Four Seasons Restaurant Village</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhlv41yUNYeTBj6gyXnm5GQeK5_TYVQYmlrA75fLd_x0izBWoErMhYQ9Lsxo8OY4A3XNWW3M26RnTpHIhIZ1-SRxRq_5_Mwzs2gRLLebvcNiNz2oW8OnGqxnTWq_O8z4TIvp4Y1tS2KQ/s1600/coya+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhlv41yUNYeTBj6gyXnm5GQeK5_TYVQYmlrA75fLd_x0izBWoErMhYQ9Lsxo8OY4A3XNWW3M26RnTpHIhIZ1-SRxRq_5_Mwzs2gRLLebvcNiNz2oW8OnGqxnTWq_O8z4TIvp4Y1tS2KQ/s1600/coya+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dinner at Coya always seems to turn into a very late night and this time was no exception. I have a habit of always being the last to leave a restaurant..and then we went to a club....<br />
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I would say Coya is currently my favourite restaurant in Dubai-they have a hugely extensive menu including a complete vegetarian tasting menu and each time I have been I have loved it. The cuisine is Peruvian with Japanese influences and the dessert platter is a must have. The price tag is hefty-this is a restaurant for special occasions and your favourite people.<br />
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<b>Dinner at Greg Maloufs Zahira, The H Hotel</b><br />
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I went for dinner at Michelin starred Greg Maloufs newest Dubai venture, Zahira. The restaurant offers modern Middle Easten food and everything we tried was a hit. The venue was intimate and cosy and the service was excellent-I even got to meet Greg himself. The disappointing thing was that the restaurant was almost empty on a Friday night-this is such a hidden gem and people need to know about it! The pricing was extremely reasonable and I would highly recommend paying it a visit.<br />
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<b>Dinner at Nobu, Atlantis The Palm</b><br />
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Nobu is my fail safe option for a great meal. It's always busy and it's always faultless. The cocktail selection is amazing and they cater really really well for vegetarians despite being known for their seafood. Again it's not cheap but you can't go wrong.<br />
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<b>Dinner at Katsuya, Al Naseem hotel</b><br />
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We stumbled on Katsuya by accident-we were trying to go to the highly rated Il Barro but it didn't open until 7 and we went straight from work-but Katsuya was open so we got a great table in the open plan, Philip Starck designed restaurant. The food was good but the service was hesitant and the waiters lacked conviction on the menu and making recommendations. The interior is slick and I hope this restaurant survives the hectic pace of the Dubai restaurant scene.<br />
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NB-we did also try Il Barro and I personally thought it was a very average Italian restaurant<br />
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<u><b>I saw.....</b></u><br />
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I'm so happy <a href="http://www.lifeinexcess.com/">Kirsty </a>is now in Dubai and living just 10 minutes away from me! We caught up on the anniversary of my cancer diagnosis for dinner at Waka in the Oberoi Hotel and had a really fun night.<br />
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<u><b>Beauty things I loved......</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqpX6APcEydn4gwPDePdp5QsjUXFrUTAVmmoPis5sDBRwmc9nHX0fErIuOxAsm5sQXoNdG3G4k8Zuf0qcD2J-vrJYrh05krB8Xsalhg-Y6hIxyDh2bOOUx-mjM7cSGqnE539BITEITSs/s1600/beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqpX6APcEydn4gwPDePdp5QsjUXFrUTAVmmoPis5sDBRwmc9nHX0fErIuOxAsm5sQXoNdG3G4k8Zuf0qcD2J-vrJYrh05krB8Xsalhg-Y6hIxyDh2bOOUx-mjM7cSGqnE539BITEITSs/s1600/beauty.jpg" /></a></div>
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My best friend Dani donated the Rodial Bee Venom moisturiser to me when I was back in London and I loved it. It's super super thick and not my usual type of moisturisor at all given my hormonal and easily agitated skin but this stuff was just so brilliant. I used a tiny bit and as soon as you smooth it on your skin it becomes almost a nourishing oil-it doesn't feel heavy in the slightest and it plumps and smooths the skin and is an excellent make up base. I'm a big fan of Rodial products and I loved the cleanser from the same range which I reviewed <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/10/the-review-rodial-bee-venom-cleansing.html">here</a>.<br />
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Clichéd but I've been aiming for a more glowy base and I found combining the Dior Forever foundation with the Armani Liquid Summer Bronzer with the NARS illuminator in Hot Sand was the perfect combo. I didn't like the Dior foundation on it's own, I found it difficult to work with and that it settled into pores. But mixing the other two products in alleviated this problem and I found my base to be long lasting and luminous.<br />
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<b>I bought........ </b><br />
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Gianvito Rossi plexi pumps in black..and also in nude suede. I got the 85mm and have been wearing them for work and they're so incredibly comfortable. They come in a huge array of colours and I am so tempted to get a pair of red leather ones if they bring them out-I am keeping my eyes peeled.<br />
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I also finally found a comfortable pair of Louboutins-I picked up the Iriza in black patent this month and they are actually pain free! My other black patent Louboutins (Pigalle and Decolette) are literally horrendous to wear.<br />
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<u><b>My favourite accessory.....</b></u><br />
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I get SO many compliments on my Louboutin card holder-literally every time I use it someone says it's amazing. It was limited edition and I got mine from Net A Porter but they launch similar every season. I <i>love</i> this one though.<br />
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<b>I visited.....</b><br />
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Despite the piercing heat of the UAE at the moment I went on a road trip out of Dubai for the day and discovered this little hidden gem out in Hatta. I've been to Hatta numerous times before and didn't know this existed-we literally stumbled on it by accident by taking a few random turns. It was breathtakingly beautiful and I can't wait to go back when it's cooler.<br />
<br />
If you are still reading then thank you....it means a lot to know you're still here! I asked on instagram stories a while ago what kind of posts you would like to see on my blog and wrote down all the ideas and so I am starting to formulate ideas for posts.<br />
<br />
I hope you're having a wonderful August so far xxx</div>
Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-27794694697236408232017-03-17T09:13:00.000+04:002017-03-17T09:13:05.226+04:004 things I'm using right now #9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xfw4e2ABmABNmfKqkYk1pxVzmj2hNSnMBtk_VAAIfzAHypatYHtp7O7yWf45_4goDdHKFhAoBAJZAm-kMJIVXTbr28f7oqqy-Z23ArU-cMhGpqpExnWYIfhL3QtQTjJcFv85YA52Cvg/s1600/P2250121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Givenchy Teint Couture Balm" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xfw4e2ABmABNmfKqkYk1pxVzmj2hNSnMBtk_VAAIfzAHypatYHtp7O7yWf45_4goDdHKFhAoBAJZAm-kMJIVXTbr28f7oqqy-Z23ArU-cMhGpqpExnWYIfhL3QtQTjJcFv85YA52Cvg/s1600/P2250121.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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Here's my 9th snapshot/mini review of 4 things I'm using regularly right now. <br />
<br />
The
Givenchy Teint Couture Balm is not my usual type of foundation. I've
not dabbled in Givenchy foundations before because I always find the
shades a bit too dark for me. This product came to my attention via
Sali Hughes-she wrote about it and I really trust her opinion. The
formula is quite a dense cream but the coverage is light to medium at
best. I tend to use this at the weekend when I want a lighter base and I
do like it. I am using the shade 3 Nude Sand which is a surprisingly
good match for me and rather than adding colour to the face, the formula
just seems to even everything out. Having said that, this is a glowy
base that I need to set with powder and re-powder a couple of times a
day. It's a bit heavier than a tinted moisturiser but a lot less than
my usual full coverage week day base. I just whack it on with my
fingers and smooth out.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyCDEbdd1oPRUTtc62hdn7tXGzHDf2hHbrrT7VEmcEjW-6dvSFlNiVyKTtOTBLKA0g5sukY4xJiuBACu1wwUbXz4av-v6lkngavkXx5aAGtVuDcqtC3ya-i9-oGTUQ2LhnRx-KiLmdQ4/s1600/P2250116.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Becca Backlight Priming Filter" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyCDEbdd1oPRUTtc62hdn7tXGzHDf2hHbrrT7VEmcEjW-6dvSFlNiVyKTtOTBLKA0g5sukY4xJiuBACu1wwUbXz4av-v6lkngavkXx5aAGtVuDcqtC3ya-i9-oGTUQ2LhnRx-KiLmdQ4/s1600/P2250116.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
Adding
to the glowy base the Givenchy offers, I have been using the Becca
Backlight Priming Filter after I finished up using the Marc Jacobs
coconut face primer (which is hands down the best primer I have ever
tried). This primer from Becca has a slightly thicker cream texture and
a definite peachy undertone to it. The peach tone isn't visible on the
skin but it definitely imparts a glow/luminosity to the skin. The
Marc Jacobs primer has a slight tackiness to it which I believe helps
foundation to stick longer and I don't feel the same tackiness with this
primer. But it definitely gives the skin a more radiant, soft focus
look and it seems to work well with any of the foundations I have tried
over it. There's a lot of positive hype around this primer-I just
don't love it as much as I did with the Marc Jacobs. I would say if you
have very dry, dull skin this is a good option, otherwise I would go
for the Marc Jacobs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7CWB1pY_Nsv_IOTR0CrzCXmAOM6zcbygFojIwP1IvfeUbRxLbbIy3qXyJYHkS6hoGURqyTmj2zcW_1D1Zu4eLrasgGcxTvJ2LjSHNhnDiF3aMLYqJKBI7hG36xKbNOSzn-SKmEn-ZW8/s1600/P2250129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kate somerville Oil Free Moisturizer" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7CWB1pY_Nsv_IOTR0CrzCXmAOM6zcbygFojIwP1IvfeUbRxLbbIy3qXyJYHkS6hoGURqyTmj2zcW_1D1Zu4eLrasgGcxTvJ2LjSHNhnDiF3aMLYqJKBI7hG36xKbNOSzn-SKmEn-ZW8/s1600/P2250129.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
This
is my second experience with the Kate Somerville range-and my first
experience was not a positive one. The Goats Milk cream broke me out
really badly, and I donated it to my mum. I'm happy to say that this
Oil Free Moisturizer is much more agreeable to my skin. I bought this
cream before I went through the menopause and my skin was a bit oilier
and it's probably not something I would pick up now-but that doesn't
mean I don't like it. I love the hygienic dispenser of this moisturiser
even though the packaging is a bit chunky. This is a really light,
unfragranced cream that absorbs instantly, providing just enough
hydration. There's no greasy residue left behind and it seems to even
out the skin. It's a great base for make up and doesn't destabilize
anything you place over the top of it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg5y13-lkqxc3h6CIvIoHUKDHXol5cLvKJW8Xmkm9Rq_-p8lNmqLrzBuqHNQ8lhl6EH-05wz6NEh7AZRGT0CTpTYXo3zqkBk2AvAsmepkmAOmWAA34iY8tdugtNcAC8rqImv4N1_6LM4/s1600/P2250132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg5y13-lkqxc3h6CIvIoHUKDHXol5cLvKJW8Xmkm9Rq_-p8lNmqLrzBuqHNQ8lhl6EH-05wz6NEh7AZRGT0CTpTYXo3zqkBk2AvAsmepkmAOmWAA34iY8tdugtNcAC8rqImv4N1_6LM4/s1600/P2250132.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
The
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner is immense. I have the shade Deep
Aubergine and it was included in a Trish McEvoy gift set and wouldn't be
something I would usually pick up. Deep Aubergine is a very dark
blackened purple colour-it really pulls out green tones in my eyes. The
formula is so smooth and almost fluid for a pencil liner. I love the
fact this is much softer than black and is so easy to work with. I'm
tempted to get more!<br />
<br />
I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and how they're working for you!<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-16022724128880143432017-03-13T08:59:00.000+04:002017-03-13T12:56:20.502+04:00The Dream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrext7uaraMu0SYmR-U3AXcNiQpr10eeoyRtaVnuFvEaQ5sPyclWFwubPjDOAdeeUik5b7kryocJYoi9Bu4ZJIP02A9TLJJphMpDsaFSkDgs8e7ERudKfR7ctD5CiFNT8wmxX2bC5kHY/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image credit-TripGlide.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrext7uaraMu0SYmR-U3AXcNiQpr10eeoyRtaVnuFvEaQ5sPyclWFwubPjDOAdeeUik5b7kryocJYoi9Bu4ZJIP02A9TLJJphMpDsaFSkDgs8e7ERudKfR7ctD5CiFNT8wmxX2bC5kHY/s1600/image2.JPG" title=""></a><br>
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As I write this post I am currently on a flight to Cairo and I am typing it into a Notes app on my phone. I'm pretty sure the creepy guy sat next to me is reading over my shoulder as I type as well.<br>
<br>
Scrolling through twitter this morning I saw a tweet that jumped out at me. And it stuck in my head and through the day all these thoughts have been popping up at me. Then, I was having another (whatsapp) conversation with a friend this morning and she said to me 'Just enjoy life Stacey, don't worry about the little things. Do all the things you've dreamed of now not tomorrow...'<br>
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And that made me think even more during the almost 4 hour flight (I'm a big thinker) <b>'what is the dream'?</b><br>
<br>
Now I'll be honest, I like my blog posts to normally end with a conclusion-a decision made on whether I like a product or don't or, if it's a personal post, a summary of what I am going to focus on/change/start. This post isn't going to have a conclusion because I still haven't decided.<br>
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I've spent the first 3 months of 2017 telling people 'the dream' this year is to go to Paris in Spring and buy a Chanel handbag. I felt like that was the way to best 'celebrate' what I achieved last year professionally as it was my best year ever, but also to 'celebrate' surviving the challenges last year threw at me-the breakdown and break up of a 13 year relationship, a secondary diagnosis, further surgery and the menopause which really hit me like a charging rhino. I felt like I deserved it. <i>I still feel like I deserve it</i>. And I wanted to do Paris in the spring because that really sounded like the dream-I want to go with Dani my best friend and enjoy dappled sunshine, cafes, wandering the streets in pastel colours (me not Danielle, she'd rather die than wear pastel) and practising my French on any poor French person who will listen. I wanted to stroll along the Champs-Élysées and take so many Instagrammable photos I'd struggle to choose what to post. I wanted to visit Chanel (and maybe Dior) and buy '<i>the</i>' bag and then skip out, black and white Chanel bag in hand, full of the joys of Parisian joie de vivre. And in all honesty, the trip to Paris still feels like the dream. I would love it. I haven't had a holiday since July 2015. I have visited the UK but any expat will tell you, going home isn't a 'holiday' because you get pulled (and want to be) in a million directions trying to catch up with everyone who is important to you.<br>
<br>
But Chanel? And here's where the story might get a bit controversial and this is <b>NOT</b> a dig at anyone at all, this is my own personal thoughts. And something I am still completely undecided on. I own two Chanel WOCs-one is brand new, still in the box and has been for 2 years. The other I have used maybe 3 times. The thing I use from Chanel the most is my Chanel card holder and that was a gift from Danielle. I'm actually thinking of selling them both WOC's to put the money towards something I would use more. But why am I thinking of buying more Chanel if I don't use what I have? <br>
<br>
To me Chanel is the most luxe I would buy without stepping into Hermes (and personally, I'm not going there). A Chanel bag was always, in my mind the symbol of success. But I now feel like it's losing its exclusivity a bit. It seems to be becoming more and more mainstream (I feel) with seemingly every twenty something YouTuber I watch owning multiple Chanel bags. Now again, please please please do not think I am making a statement of hate, jealousy or being snide here-I watch Lydia, Victoria, Claire and Tamara (to name a few of the UK based bloggers) and I absolutely enjoy their content. They all have completely different backgrounds and I am a big believer of you don't know what goes on behind closed doors. You can see how hard some of these girls work because they're constantly on the go, churning out content. Some of them have agents, brokering deals behind the scenes and a lot of what you see is, I suspect bought with discounts, gift vouchers or is simply gifted directly. Some of it is just bought with cold hard cash they have earned. I'm not touching on disclosure here, that's a whole different topic, I'm simply saying that it's important to keep perspective that this is their job, we see a tiny fraction of their lives, we don't know their financial backgrounds or situation and therefore we have no right to judge and that not everyone can 'become' a YouTuber who spends their days being dressed in Dior, Chanel, Gucci etc. These girls have wardrobes that are completely unattainable for me-and I'm a 36 year old investment banker. It's important to retain perspective. These girls make it look effortless and easy-who wouldn't want paid trips to the Maldives, to attend exclusive events held by luxury brands and to collaborate with a promote these luxury brands? But it's not 'normal' and sometimes I worry that viewers may start to feel inadequate if they can't afford the lifestyle some of the big youtubers enjoy. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work, you won't have the opportunities you see Youtubers getting. Maybe I overthink these things-maybe young girls are savvy enough to separate youtube life and what they see in a 20 minute 'luxury' vlog from the reality of most peoples daily lives. But I hold my hands up and say I do watch their content avidly and I do lust after certain bags-and that's why big brands are working with these girls. But honestly, the vast rate at which some of these girls are accumulating luxury, designer handbags is starting to feel uncomfortable. My YouTube subscription feed is filled with unboxings and luxury hauls and 'come shopping with me at X luxury store'<br>
<br>
But back to me. I am questioning if I am falling for this very consumerist, materialistic 'I must have designer to show I too can have my Instaglam life'. Is it the dream or is it just what I am being told is the dream? I genuinely haven't decided. <br>
<br>
Then there is the minefield of which Chanel bag I would buy if I did go. And here's where I have actually made a decision. I'm going to stop listening to everyone elses opinions and chose what I like. I've had conversations in real life and online where people have said 'oh I don't like that style of bag' or that colour/material/size and I've made a mental note that I mustn't then buy that bag-that's just insane! If I'm going to drop a toe curling amount of money on a square piece of leather I am going to god damn love it. Other people's opinions don't and can't matter in a purchase like this. I mean, yes I will do my research into the bag-see if people who actually own it dislike anything in particular about it so I can make a sound decision that it's the right bag for me. <br>
<br>
Longer term and being more 'deep' for a moment, I know that I need in invest some time working out what is 'the dream' ultimately. I've lived in Dubai almost 12 years now. I honestly thought I would be married and have children. The dream would be based around my hopes for my children and giving them the best life possible, making memories and not necessarily buying things. Taking photos of everything and making old fashioned scrap books of our adventures. But that's not the way life panned out.<br>
<br>
At the start of each year I write down 3 mantras I want to work towards that year-they might be a single word or they might be a phrase. One of the three things I wrote down at the start of the year this year was 'make more memories not buy more things'. And that's why Julie's tweet stood out to me so much today because it reminded me of one of my mantras for the years.<br>
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This 'dream' though kind of encapsulates both.<br>
<br>
I honestly don't know whether I will take the trip to Paris and buy the Chanel. If I don't do it by May, I feel like I am unlikely to do it at all. Part of me thinks 'just do it, you deserve it, go and make memories/treat yourself', the other part of me thinks I should be more sensible and save that money for some yet undetermined event in the future. It's that feeling of 'screw it, you only get one life' versus 'am I doing this for the right reasons'? <br>
<br>
I also fully accept that it could be pouring with rain in Paris in May and that the SA in Chanel could potentially be rude as hell and I wouldn't enjoy the shopping experience! The other thing I lack at the moment is the time to plan the trip-to research properly where I want to stay, to shop and to eat-because eating is important in Paris and I want all the excellent French food. <br>
<br>
As an aside, I did spend the whole weekend thinking I was going to stop blogging. Temporarily at first until my exams are done in July but maybe if I didn't miss it, just stop altogether. I really do love Instagram and feel sometimes you can make a point more easily there than in a blog post. It's 'lazier' and it's easier. And it takes <i>so </i>much time to do good blog content and although I believe I have a valid voice I'm just not 'big' enough even after 4.5 years to get the views I think that effort actually warrants. But a strange thing happened. I got a flurry of comments on my last two posts over the weekend. And it made me feel kind of 'valid' again. <br>
<br>
If I have learned one thing about all these jumbled up thoughts today it's that I am going to focus on doing things that make me happy. I don't need to please or impress anyone else. I also don't need to justify myself to anyone. I won't be ashamed of liking a bag because I've seen it on social media. I'm not in competition with anyone. I'm going to do me. And I don't need a designer handbag for the Instagram post. I think I am quite a 'real' person, I've blogged about difficult times and on my instastories I try to be positive but also real. <br>
<br>
And that's why I need to be sure about this purchase-that it really is going to reflect surviving 2016 to me and not just be a way to boost my own self esteem through an Instagram post. Every blogger has done it, everyone wants to create content others like. I openly admit, I sometimes need validation that people like me. Even though I am a grown up, I have massive insecurities about pretty much everything about me. It's my birthday this weekend and I am hugely excited but at the back of my mind I am already thinking of the photos I want to take and have you seen my friends??? They're all god damn goddesses. I'm going to look horrendous next to them.<br>
<br>
But Instagram isn't really validation and it shouldn't really be a measure of validation-because people are liking the content they see on the screen not necessarily the person behind it. <i>Those likes on an Instagram post are a very temporary high. </i><br>
<br>
I would love love love it if you shared your thoughts on any of the above-I know it was a bit all over the place and covers a few different streams of thought but if you have any thoughts on my thoughts I'd love to hear them!<b><br></b></div>
Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-11452610251747004332017-03-12T06:00:00.000+04:002017-03-12T06:00:37.976+04:00I really like this cleanser but....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vaI0tDrs5GyDUd9N2NQ9NFWf9cvDCDMZizRwAGYmz8wqaWAH9SzksHddGRQ0y8anbuuLxqZ16eo-l279ee7ZhVhYgwDc4p2RZjATmjSj-hrVwhqGuAnb_HgAej9WCtIL3S3Rgw8GAHc/s1600/P2250059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vaI0tDrs5GyDUd9N2NQ9NFWf9cvDCDMZizRwAGYmz8wqaWAH9SzksHddGRQ0y8anbuuLxqZ16eo-l279ee7ZhVhYgwDc4p2RZjATmjSj-hrVwhqGuAnb_HgAej9WCtIL3S3Rgw8GAHc/s1600/P2250059.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG3ZDTsNvPE17adwuddjpVSJWLKDKsiIFwTEOoh6uI4jQI663uSL810UNdIxigitobbv3d8TSmI-qJnHRtMYFqYFl59ZKwD4Rmb6te7uXZ_bhCrJ52gtIOkr8cjRe9rPoyAZ7jQL3IuI/s1600/P2250065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG3ZDTsNvPE17adwuddjpVSJWLKDKsiIFwTEOoh6uI4jQI663uSL810UNdIxigitobbv3d8TSmI-qJnHRtMYFqYFl59ZKwD4Rmb6te7uXZ_bhCrJ52gtIOkr8cjRe9rPoyAZ7jQL3IuI/s1600/P2250065.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Let's be honest, a Caroline Hirons cleanser collaboration was also going to interest me-she's the reason my skincare routine looks the way it does and she brought double cleansing, a deeper knowledge about acids and a love for facial spritzes into my life.<br />
<br />
I asked my friend Sydney to pick this up for me when she was in London and I started using it almost immediately, shunning other cleansers in my stash to jump onto the bandwagon. It was also the reintroduction of double cleansing back into my routine because I had admittedly gotten a bit lazy with my cleansing and my skin really does benefit from taking that extra time and effort and doing a proper double cleanse.<br />
<br />
I won't ramble on and on because I am sure the internet is flooded with bloggers reviewing this but the concept is simple-a solid cleansing oil on one side and a nourishing thick cleansing cream on the other. 50ml of each in one solid round tub-good for travelling as it's everything you need to break down make up and grime and then treat the skin.<br />
<br />
I really like it. The solid oil literally melts on the skin and you can get a really good facial massage because of the 'slip' in the oil. It contains Vitamin E, Camellia Oil and Evening Primrose Oil and it feels really lovely on the skin as well as being very effective. It rinses easily but I do use a damp flannel to ensure it's all removed.<br />
<br />
I then pat my skin dry and massage in the cleansing cream. This to me, feels luxurious and nourishing. It contains Vitamin C which my skin really likes and is good for brightening and Arginine which improves elasticity.<br />
<br />
After cleansing my skin just feels clean, balanced and nourished and when using this cleanser I did not get one spot. My skin literally welcomed it with open arms.<br />
<br />
The only downside? I feel you get such a small amount of product and I went through the cleansing oil in almost exactly one month. I still have some of the cream left but I felt I went through the balm at lightening speed. I probably could have used less but I don't feel I was overly generous in my usage and I have a big face ok?<br />
<br />
But that is literally the only downside. I want to repurchase it. I really rate it and it's probably my favourite cleanser I have tried in a while.<br />
<br />
I'd love to know if you have also tried this cleanser and if you agree with me!<br />
<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-76063220808192118922017-03-10T06:00:00.000+04:002017-03-10T06:00:03.453+04:00Three mascaras currently on rotation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>Totally normal to have three mascaras on rotation right?<br />
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There's something about applying mascara daily that I find really therapeutic. It's the make up step that pulls the whole look together and I feel kind of naked without it! <br />
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<u><b>Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara</b></u><br />
<br />
The best mascara ever if you need something budge-proof because this is one of the only mascaras I have that never ever smudges or flakes on me. It's not a waterproof formula but it's a tubing mascara meaning that it coats your lashes with little 'tubes' that are removed with warm water rather than an eye make up remover. I have used a tubing mascara before and I wasn't impressed-I thought it was a pain to remove and I didn't get much effect on the lashes-but this mascara changed my opinion.<br />
<br />
The mascara wand is probably the most traditional fiber wand shape and it's quite small and precise. The formula is thin and not overly wet but is buildable and the lashes look nicely defined without looking OTT. Once dried, this mascara will not move-it even survives a spinning class with zero smudging.<br />
<br />
Removing it does take a little bit of getting used to but is weirdly satisfying. I tend to cleanse my face as normal and when removing the cleanser with warm water I gently pull at my lashes and the mascara 'tubes' come off.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Tarte Tarteist mascara</b></u><br />
<br />
Both the Tarte and the Marc Jacobs mascaras are ones that have gotten better the more I have used them-I think as air gets into the formula it starts to dry out a little bit making the mascara a bit thicker. The Tarteist mascara gives a lovely look to the lashes-it adds volume and length that can be built up to <i>drag lashes</i> standard. However there seems to be a tipping point with this mascara where one coat too many ends up in a giant monolash so it's worth wiping off the excess from the wand and using it to comb through the lashes. The plastic bobble brush doesn't scratch the lashes or pull out too much product from the tube. This is probably my favourite mascara of the three when it's applied initially but it is the one that can smudge on me the most-and the one that I think fades the most by the end of the day. I'm playing around with layering the Trish McEvoy over the Tarte to seal the mascara in and that does help with the smudging issue.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara</b></u><br />
<br />
The Marc Jacobs is the wettest formula of the three and again you need to really take time to comb through the lashes to avoid clumping. The biggest annoyance of this formula is the amount of excess product the hourglass shaped fiber wand pulls out of the tube. I always have to wipe the excess before using the wand. But I do really like the elongated feathery effect this gives to the lashes even though it doesn't add quite as much volume as the Tarte mascara. But this one doesn't smudge much on me and is easy to remove with a good bi-phase eye make up remover.<br />
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The one I am most likely to repurchase (and actually already have) is the Trish McEvoy because it's so hard wearing and because I am going to the gym straight from work 2-3 times a week at the moment.<br />
<br />
Have you tried any of these mascaras?<br />
<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-17190952699426138592017-03-06T06:00:00.000+04:002017-03-06T06:00:18.193+04:00Lip Six<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Monday!<br />
<br />
This week I've been loving:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The fact it's March becasue March is my birthday month and therefore March is always awesome.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The gym-yes I have become <i>that</i> person. Last week I did 2 body pump classes, a spinning and a step class-they were all fab! </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Dubai restaurant week-apparently this happens every year but I only learned about it this year. A ton of swanky restaurants put on a specially curated 3 course menu for AED199. I went to Gordon Ramsey's Bread Street Kitchen with my friend Lisa and Rib Room at Emirates Towers with the girls on Saturday. Both really good value but Bread Street Kitchen was definitely a clear winner for the food and service.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Here are my last six lip picks:<br />
<br />
Top row (L) MAC Huggable Lip Color in Feeling Amorous (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/01/mac-huggable-lip-colour.html">review!</a>) (R) Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Jake (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/01/tom-ford-lips-and-boys.html">review!</a>) (I adore this lipstick)<br />
<br />
Middle row (L) Marc Jacobs Love Marc Matte Lip Gel in Shout (R) Tom Ford Gloss in Peach Absolut<br />
<br />
Bottom row (L) Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips in Liv It Up (R) NARS Audacious lipstick in Anna (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/01/tom-ford-lips-and-boys.html">review!</a>)<br />
<br />
Which is your favourite??<br />
<br />
My 100th Lip Six giveaway is in it's final week-find out all the details <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/01/tom-ford-lips-and-boys.html">here</a><br />
<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-16789184584130449222017-03-05T06:00:00.000+04:002017-03-05T06:00:03.293+04:00Gucci Beauty Magnetic Color Shadow Quad in Rose Quartz<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh8aD5ctAHXVoFl1_eI3jHtyM_NaFVe54QMckwM8O92BF9W-xwmMXYBhuqVKHLmSLtRaqWGHLcCvt9_F6_gLeESU4k7tiG8G68shbSJdzLjKFshyphenhyphenZ3CfndRWxjpWiOPf5cZaf4eD1dKw/s1600/P1071294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gucci Beauty Magnetic Color Shadow Quad in Rose Quartz swatches" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh8aD5ctAHXVoFl1_eI3jHtyM_NaFVe54QMckwM8O92BF9W-xwmMXYBhuqVKHLmSLtRaqWGHLcCvt9_F6_gLeESU4k7tiG8G68shbSJdzLjKFshyphenhyphenZ3CfndRWxjpWiOPf5cZaf4eD1dKw/s1600/P1071294.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>What
I have tried from Gucci's make up line has really impressed me so
far-one of their lipsticks is a permanent fixture in my handbag, their
bronzer was amazing (review <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2016/02/the-review-gucci-golden-glow-bronzer-in.html">here</a>), their glosses are gorgeous and their mono shadows come in some beautiful colours.<br />
<br />
I've
mentioned before that the black and gold perspex packaging feels quite
80's and like old school classic Gucci rather than the more modern,
ornate style of late but actually I like it a lot.<br />
<br />
The
shades in the Rose Quartz quad aren't my typical bronze tones and it's taken
me a while for this to grow on me-but it's getting there. There's a
perfectly toned matte light brown shade that is brilliant for carving
out the crease, a light shimmery pale peachy pink shade, a shimmery
pink/lilac and a shimmery mid brown with subtle lilac reflects through
it-it looks much darker in the pan than it pulls on the lid.<br />
<br />
With
a primer, I have to be honest, I felt the colour payoff was poor.
There's very little fall out and the shadows blend beautifully, but they
blended to pretty much nothing and the differentiation between the
shades was difficult to pick out. But, layered over a cream eyeshadow
stick, I'm getting much prettier results. The shadows are sticking the
the cream base and that is pulling out and boosting the pigment within
the shadows. I love the iridescent shimmery look and by using the cream
eyeshadow stick as a base, the longevity is incredible. But the brown shade still isn't as pigmented as I would like it to be even though I actually think layered on top of a cream it is super pretty. The quad definitely lacks a dark shadow as a contrast to the other tones-but it's a very soft, Spring appropriate palette. I actually don't think the photos below do justice to how pretty the palette is over the eyeshadow stick.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIcVobRlSwdXWRCPviekGQInmWyfoH8zNui56Dz23plaz2KLoWtDc3XIqnmIIeIGG2exsgRNWDPUoCBgR_Rvi40mzROOA8yUsLNuG9AW3Wp54A6Hd9j_8L-IEYywcNYZMvdn-Rum7eW0/s1600/PicMonkey+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gucci Beauty Magnetic Color Shadow Quad in Rose Quartz" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIcVobRlSwdXWRCPviekGQInmWyfoH8zNui56Dz23plaz2KLoWtDc3XIqnmIIeIGG2exsgRNWDPUoCBgR_Rvi40mzROOA8yUsLNuG9AW3Wp54A6Hd9j_8L-IEYywcNYZMvdn-Rum7eW0/s1600/PicMonkey+Image.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Using a cream
eyeshadow stick is my number one tip for eyeshadow-it makes pretty much
all eyeshadows punchier and longer lasting. I mainly use Trish McEvoy,
Bobbi Brown and Kiko ones and I pretty much use one daily.<br />
<br />
I
don't think this will be a palette that I reach for really really
frequently but I think the pink shade in it is so unique in my
collection that this palette will be a very pleasant rediscovery in my
collection from time to time!<br />
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Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250174557393568581.post-87619658026481679022017-02-27T06:00:00.000+04:002017-02-27T06:00:14.180+04:00Lip Six <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a name='more'></a>I'm lax at blogging at the moment. I just don't seem to have the time and sometimes not the inclination as well-anyone with a blog and a full time job knows how much time it can eat up. I leave the house at 7am and I get in most nights after 8pm now that I am a gym bunny (how long that will last who knows) I also have exams I <i>need</i> to study for and so far have got as far as printing off the course material. But I'm trying. I took some photos at the weekend and will attempt to knock up a few posts over the next few days.<br />
<br />
This week I've been loving:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mariah Carey-she was amazing in concert last Thursday night. Generally I love concerts in Dubai as they're much smaller than you would get back home in the UK. Next up, Justin Bieber with the Laura's. </li>
<li>Having a good clear out-I've been sending to charity all the clothes that don't fit me and I should never have bought in the first place. I'm not getting all Marie Kondo but I'm liking decluttering.</li>
<li>The Voice-Will.i.am is my guilty pleasure and last week Gavin Rossdale followed me on twitter </li>
<li>The Michalaks-I have really gotten back into their youtube videos after
quite a long hiatus-the editing on them is absolutely incredible and I
look forward to them so much each Sunday. </li>
<li>The gym-who even am I but I did 4 classes last week-two of which were Spinning. Bonkers</li>
</ul>
This week I have been hating:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The weather-Dubai give us a break! Grey skies every day for two weeks and today, buckets of rain. I'm so over it now. </li>
</ul>
Onto lipstick. Here are my last six lip picks.<br />
<br />
Top row: (L) Tom Ford lip color in Spanish Pink (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/12/tom-ford-lipsticks-review-cherry-lush.html">review</a>) (R) NARS Audacious lipstick in Fanny (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2015/08/three-new-bffs-from-nars.html">review</a>)<br />
<br />
Middle row: (L) Dolce and Gabbana lipstick in Gorgeous (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2015/02/dolce-and-gabbana-make-up-haul.html">review</a>) (R) Givenchy Le Rouge Givenchy in Rose Precieux<br />
<br />
Bottom row: (L) Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Mona Lisette (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2014/04/christian-dior-fluid-sticks-review.html">review</a>) (R) Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Bitch Perfect (<a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2013/11/charlotte-tilbury-kissing-fallen-from.html">review</a>)<br />
<br />
Which is your favourite?<br />
<br />
Don't forget you can still enter to win 6 MAC lip products of your choice and create your own lip six-all the details <a href="http://www.expatmakeupaddict.com/2017/02/100th-lip-six-and-giveaway.html">here</a><br />
<br /></div>
Expat make up addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730254118992909887noreply@blogger.com0