Happy New Year: 4 Resolutions For 2014

Okay, so I can't claim to have taken a blogging sabbatical. I have instead been busy earning a promotion over the last six months. Free time has been taken up primarily with writing reports, sleeping and eating. And occasionally I squeeze in my so-called social life. A little while ago, I was offered the permanent position of senior flight stewardess for the world's no.1 airline.  Hard work having paid off, I can now return to my first love - travelling the world, and consequently, writing about it.

With 2014 underway, the usual resolution rigmarole has hit me. Being a girl who loves a gimmick, I do like making resolutions. It goes in with my other indulgences, such as stationery, writing lists and packing. Don't judge.

So here are my resolutions.

Ramadan in Dubai – Where To Break Your Fast!

Ramadan in Dubai is a beautiful month. Perhaps not for those who can’t suffer the place without its nightclubs and sparkler-topped giant champagne bottles, but for those who wish to enjoy the meaning of a month-long detox and deepen their spiritual relationship with God, this is, by all accounts, the best month of the year to do so.

From sunrise to sunset, food, drink, cigarettes and shishas are stashed away, hidden and forbidden.

But come Maghrib, the sunset prayer, the daylong restraints are abandoned and Iftar comes as a spread of dishes, delicacies and intricately prepared salads, meats, and finger foods… That is if you’re fortunate enough to be invited to Iftar at an Arabic family home. If not, despair not, there are plenty of amazing brunch-like buffets to attend to your face-stuffing fancies.  Here are my pick of the best Iftar meals (in Dubai)…

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 Monday Makeover - Happy Hair Day

I don’t know about you, but personally, I don’t care for putting pictures of myself minus makeup on tinternet. It goes against my highly shallow principles.

But for the purposes of The Monday Makeover I shall show you how my hairdresser (and a little makeup) helped me swap a pasty face and bad hair day for a slightly more presentable get-up. And I'll share some of my favourite products along the way…

What's In My Bag?

Summer is here!

In Scotland, you never really come to terms with having no summer. It’s one of our seasons, we are supposed to have a summer, so where on earth is it?! We flock in our thousands to Spain, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Australia… (read: anywhere without torrential rain) every year, just to get a dose of sunshine and return home smug, showing off how much browner we are than when we left.
And when we are lucky enough to experience the rarest (but most beautiful) sunshine, you will see everyone and their grandma marching out in shorts and sandals, exclaiming that this is the first time they’ve had the chance to wear anything less than a duffle coat this year. If you’re Scottish, I’m sure you’ll know what I’m talking about…

Can you spot the Burj in the background?

Here in Dubai, this is clearly not an issue. In fact, the endless supply of sunshine was one of the factors which convinced me to move. I love the fact that every day starts with a positive, bright, and er, sunny, vibe. It’s that air of holidays, freedom and no-work (even though you’re not on holiday and you’ve got to be at work by 8) that sunshine inspires in me. I love it. I love summer. And that’s one of the reasons I love Dubai.

It also means that every day I can ask myself, “pool today Nadia?”
Today I said, “yes”.

And so I thought I’d reveal what’s in my pool bag today :)

Picnic in Pink

As an air hostess, days off become treasured moments, special occasions even, and if there's one thing I like more than a day off, it's a day off spent in the park, with a picnic.

So far this year, my picnic count sits at three. Each one has been distinctly different to the other so here's my personal Do & Don't guide to an alfresco dining success, whoever you decide to throw your picnic party with!
Plus, it's Monday, so what better way to start the week than to plan a picnic for the  coming weekend?

 

Picnic with friends, or your own family - my sister (above) came with me

 
DO wear pink - it's my personal picnic colour of choice :)

DO try weird new food - if it's totally foul, you don't have to put on that "mmm, I'm really loving it" face that you might have to with anyone else...

DO cute makeup / bedhead hair

DO bring your iPod and some speakers, just for the purposes of annoying the romantic couple taking pictures of themselves next to you... [cue evil laugh mwua-ha-ha]

Dinner in the Desert

 




Sometimes, despite Dubai's obvious bright lights/big buildings/excessive shopping appeal, it's very nice to get out and explore the quieter corners of the desert that I live in.

One such corner is Bab Al Shams Desert Resort... This gorgeous hotel is an oasis, hidden amongst the golden dunes, its stone camouflaged amongst the yellow hues of the sand.

Getting there is a bit of a road trip (pack snacks and look out for the camels), taking around 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai and we set off in the afternoon, which conveniently allows for some beautiful photographs in the low sun.