Afternoon Tea in The Burj…

When Mum comes to visit, I like to show her Dubai at its best. When you live in a place, all too often the shine fades and every once in a while, when a visitor presents the opportunity, it’s nice to put on those rose-tinted oversize glasses. To return to the glamour that first sparked a love affair with the place when I arrived. And to whole-heartedly embrace the frivolity and over-indulgent luxury that is one of the world’s newest super-cities.

I can think of no better way of doing so than treating Mum to a glorious seven course afternoon tea, in the world's most famous seven star hotel. The Burj Al Arab.

Seven star hotel, seven course afternoon tea… I suppose it makes sense. But in reality, I found my eyes were (as ever) bigger than my stomach.

Never fear, I won’t bore you with mind-numbing details of all seven courses in a food-envy-inducing frenzy, but I will tell you why this really was an afternoon to remember.

The Sunday Stalker

Let’s be honest, who doesn't love a good nosy through the blog world every now and then? From those who drive you mad with their ever-expanding designer collections, to the experts who are brimming with beauty advice and then there’s the rest… Home décor, baking, brunching, DIY, man repelling… you name it, the blogosphere’s got the lot. And so, that leads me to the initiation of The Sunday Stalker… where every other Sunday I spill which brilliant bloggers I’ve been stalking over the weekend.

I’m going to start with my daily go-tos. These are the blogs that, quite simply, give me great pleasure to read and I’m sure you’ll know them. If not, don’t say I didn’t warn you… addiction awaits.

The Man Repeller

That means “outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive mode that may result in repelling members of the opposite sex” according to Leandra Medine, author of The Man Repeller, lady with an impeccable eye for a shoe, and funny girl indulging a seriously admirable sense of humour. 

Honestly, I cannot thank this centre-parted divulger of fashion genius enough, for all the hours of entertainment I’ve enjoyed at the hands of her witty, refreshing online dialogue. If you fancy knowing best how to wear an overall, work a full white outfit, or any other known faux pas with panache, head on over. You will love this blog. It’s just not normal not to.

What’s In My Air Hostess Handbag?

I am constantly reassured by consumer magazines that I am in fact not the only person who likes to know what is in other people’s bags… and that is why I’m sharing today. Well, it seems only fair. You show me inside your handbag, I’ll show you inside mine.

My little maroon bag is possibly the most travelled handbag you’ll come to meet. It’s part of my uniform I grab along with my hat and suitcase before I head off to another fabulous destination with work.

As I trot through the airport, here’s what I’m concealing under my arm… my essentials you might say - the go-to items for your model air hostess (sort of) ;)

World Catwalk: Sydney Jan 2013

I’ve learned so much from my constant travelling in all the corners of the world. I’ve seen so many beautiful sights, I know my way around the major airports with my eyes shut, I can (usually) find a yummy meal wherever I land, and I can say hello and thank you in over 15 languages.

But of all the lessons learned, possibly the most valuable is realising my self-confidence is the most important travel companion I could ever take with me.

I find this particularly true when I set off along the city streets in search of stylish ladies for The Trolley Dolly’s World Catwalk street style feature. Without my self-confidence, I would falter at the thought of approaching the tres fashionable, explaining my little blogging project and taking pictures in the middle of busy streets in some of the world’s biggest cities.

As I stomped Sydney’s sidewalks in the baking Aussie sun, I felt that self-confidence replaced by an irritating nervousness that sometimes creeps up on me. Enter my silly fear of chatting to people I don't know and the shyness I feel asking to take their picture for a blog called The Trolley Dolly.

But, like a passing cloud of smoke, I wafted the apprehension away, replaced it with a somewhat forced self-confidence and carried on regardless.

I’m so glad I did, as I went on to meet three of the nicest and friendliest of my World Catwalkers.

First of all I spotted sisters Amanda and Carol from Brazil. The two put me to shame in their bright, summery outfits (compared to my black trouser/white vest/black All Stars combo).

I became a denim shirt convert after spying Amanda’s clever layering trick and if I thought I could pull off a little tropical jumpsuit, I would be considering that too!

Love the sparkly shoes!

And The Winner Is... [Winner of the Makeup Forever Lip Colours]

First of all, may I say Happy New Year to one and all... I truly hope you enjoyed the festive season, sparkly lights, piles of presents and the blistering cold. Or, should you have been in Dubai like me, perhaps you swapped all that festive fun for a little rooftop sunbathing whilst merely dreaming of a white Christmas... Either way - I'd like to wish you all the best for the coming year, I hope it's a special one for all of us!

Speaking of which...
I'm a little tardy to announce the winner of the Makeup Forever Lip Colour collection that I set up a while back, so I apologise for the extended 'suspense'... 
I do, however, have a winner - at last! After much fumbling around in a small bag with some pieces of paper with names on, I can announce that our lovely prize will be winging its way to JK TAYLOR-MORAN who should receive her gorgeous glosses in the coming days! :)