Mark and I were actually booked for a staycation on the same weekend as Cat's party, but I made sure not to miss the latter. Plus, it's been a while since we last had some catching up.

A couple of weekends back, I got an invitation from Splash Tours UAE for a tour around Dubai's coast and its coastal landmarks on board a speed boat.

Wait, what?! A garden? In a desert?!

Early this year, our dear friend, Kristel, visited Dubai. We haven't seen each other for quite some time so we made sure to allot time to show her around the city. Since our schedule's won't permit, Mark and I only had a day to spend with her. After a sumptuous brunch, we headed to Dubai Garden Glow.

We also haven't visited the place when it opened last December, and because it was just near our place. we decided to give it a go on their first season.

Mark and I, together with Cherry, were privileged to be part of an exclusive media preview of Halloween in Wild Wadi Waterpark last weekend. We got our watches and wrist bands at the ticketing booth at the entrance the moment we arrived at Wild Wadi.

Although it was cut short, Mark and I enjoyed our #AGCDubFest experience.
So when I got an invite for another event in Al Ghurair Centre, I was more than excited to experience another showcase of talents.

STREETCON (Street Art Connection) is an Urban Art Festival organized by Al Ghurair Centre which kicked off last 23rd of April and spans to the 2nd of May 2015. Just like the Dub Fest, #AGCStreetCon is one of Al Ghurair Centre's signature events that happens annually and celebrates art, music and culture.

The bloggers meet was once again held at Paul, Al Ghurair Centre, where we were served with a delectable array of canapés, juices, and coffee. And just like before, it again was a great way to jump-start a fun day.

PRESS RELEASE

Bring the whole family down to the event of this ART SEASON - StreetCon 2015!

Date: April 23 to May 2, 2015
Location: Al Ghurair Centre, Deira

Outshone by the bigger malls in Dubai, Al Ghurair Centre was never known to me until one instance when Mark badly needed to pee and the restroom in the mall was the closest remedy. We got into the part of the mall where it's a bit dark and uninviting, so the mall didn't really appeal to me.

Apparently, Al Ghurair Centre has taken on a new persona with its tagline ‘Soul of the City' and has undergone renovations to become at par with the fast-developing Dubai. They've expanded physically and added new fashion brands and conducted events to cater to families in Dubai--locals, tourists, and expats alike.

One of which is Al Ghurair Centre's Dub Fest 2015, which I got invited to last Friday to mark the start of the fest.

The bloggers meet was held at Paul, Al Ghurair Centre, where we were served with a delectable array of cocktail food, juices, and coffee. I tagged Mark along and we both had great day. :)

Just like in every fast-growing nations, life in Dubai also seems to be fast-paced. Living here for more than half a year now, I observed that most of the people, locals and expats alike, tend to be too preoccupied with work that they almost forget to unwind, spend quality time with their families, and "live life".

And I think it's a great idea for The Westin Dubai to try to get people back to "living life" with its Saturday "Pik-Nik".


The Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, announced its new Saturday "Pik-Nik", which launched last Saturday, March 7, 2015. Mark and I were lucky to be part of the launch along with other families. Seeing the place immediately made me feel as if we were transported to a different site, far from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

PRESS RELEASE

- Final line-up of restaurants and celebrity chefs confirmed including ‘Retro Feasts’ mastermind Luke Thomas

- Tickets still available for the long-awaited al fresco food, drink, and music festival from www.tasteofdubaifestival.com

The much-awaited Taste of Dubai is all set to sizzle from tomorrow, Thursday (12 March), with the annual three-day extravaganza of food, music, attractions, and celebrity personalities ready to ignite a memorable weekend for the whole family.


Now in its 8th year, Taste of Dubai is a food lovers' fantasy, packed with exclusive new restaurants, world class chefs, cooking classes, world class entertainment, and tantalizing fresh features. No restaurant lover should miss this tasty event which has already become a firm fixture in the Dubai social calendar!

Bolstering the celebrity chef line-up is fresh-faced Luke Thomas, founder of Retro Feasts – Dubai’s newest foodie hotspot. At the forefront of revolutionising the UK’s culinary scene and dubbed ‘Britain’s youngest head chef’, the 20-year-old promises an eclectic new experience for Dubai diners.


Thomas joins a fiery-hot line-up of international heavy-weights set to wow crowds with live demonstrations and classes including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Atul Kochhar, Tim Anderson, Andy Bates, Jose Pizarro, Dhruv Baker and Bader Al Awadhi.

Guaranteeing food-filled fun for the whole family, the Kids Interactive Zone, organised by Funky Monkeys, will roll out a daily schedule of creative, lively activities. Tiny tots will enjoy children’s mani-pedis, cookie and cupcake-decorating, pizza making and a bouncy castle.


Guests will also enjoy a variety of musical treats from leading Bon Jovi Tribute Band, as well as local favourites Adam Baluch, The Boxtones and DJ Jonny Dub. Female festival-goers will receive two complimentary drinks on Thursday in celebration of Taste of Dubai’s first ever Ladies Evening.

Taste of Dubai will showcase a tantalising array of flavours from Dubai’s cosmopolitan gastro-scene, featuring more than 100 dishes from more new restaurants than ever before.

Confirmed restaurants include: Aseelah, Burj Al Hamam, China Club, Eataly, Gaucho, Joe's, Katsuya, The Noodle House, Patiala, Perry & Blackwelder’s Original Smokehouse, PF Chang's, Royal Orchid, Shang Palace, Sonamu, The Act, The Cheese Cake Factory, The Gramercy, The Scene, Tresind and Vida Food Truck.


Showcasing the best food offerings in the city, Taste of Dubai takes place at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from Thursday (12 March) to Saturday (14 March). The festival will run from 4pm – 12am on Thursday, 12pm – 12am on Friday and 12pm – 11pm on Saturday.

Advance tickets are available now from www.tasteofdubaifestival.com, starting from as little as AED 75 AED.

For updates about Taste of Dubai, you can visit and like them on Facebook: facebook.com/tasteofdubai, or follow them on Twitter: @TasteofDubai, and on Instagram: tasteofdubai. You can also visit their website at www.tasteofdubaifestival.com

     sweetnothings.kriskamarie
       kriskamarie   kriskamarie

I was undeniably in awe when I first got to see the Dubai Aquarium when I first set foot on The Dubai Mall on my first weekend in Dubai. A lot of firsts eh? But I don't think that will top Dubai when it comes to firsts and world records. :p


Another one of Dubai's world record title-holders, the 10-million-liter Dubai Aquarium tank is one of the largest indoor aquariums and is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. I was very excited when Mark brought me here again for a close encounter with the aquatic life.

Date of visit: September 19, 2014

Read full story HERE :)

After going to burger heaven at Shake Shack, Mark and I went on to our snow adventure in Ski Dubai. :D Another world record for Dubai, Ski Dubai is the world's largest indoor snow park!


We availed of the Super Pass and got one locker for our things.

Super Pass - 220.00 AED/person, Locker - 25.00 AED

Date of visit: September 12, 2014

Read full story HERE :)

After my first dining experience in Dubai, I was very much excited to explore what else Dubai has to offer. But because Mark had to go back to Abu Dhabi for work, I was basically all alone on my first week in Dubai. Mark got back to Dubai on the weekend and made sure that I get to enjoy my first weekend in Dubai. :)


I've been in Dubai for just more than two months, and more than anything else, there's one thing that I've observed. It seems that being ordinary is just not the Emiratis' cup of tea. Everything here seems to be so grand!

Just like the Dubai Metro, which is hailed as the world's longest fully automated metro network.

ADCB Metro Station (Red Line), formerly known as Al Karama Metro Station