What to do this month: March 2015
BEAUTY:
Visit a new salon… Loft Fifth Avenue Salon at Wasl Vita Mall
I’m loving all the projects coming up on Wasl Road – one of them which is Al Wasl Vita Mall right opposite Emirates NBD on Al Wasl Road (Jamba Juice is opening there!) Loft Fifth Avenue salon, which you might have read about when I visited their Dubai Mall branch, just opened at the mall. Hip brick wall interiors, wifi, refreshments menu with a menu including hair, nails to facial services. I recently visited the branch to check it out as well as give my ombre an SOS treatment with a toner. Christina, my lovely stylist recommended I get a Kerastase treatment, that included a combination of a booster and mask for dry hair. The hair was washed with the Elixir Ultime shampoo (it smells delicious and has oils like Corn germ, Camellia and Argan), before applying the Fusio Dose concentrate Vita-Ciment by parting the hair in small sections to treat and strengthen the hair with the high concentration of protein. Moving on to the mask, from the Elixir Ultime range, it was applied on the hair with a lovely massage on the basin before getting it washed out and having the Elixir Ultime Beautifying oil cream to protect the hair as well as keep the hair smooth.
The treatment cost AED160 excluding the blow dry (FYI Christina gives beautiful soft
curls!)
http://www.theloft5thavenue.com
DESIGN:
Make your own lace dress with Caroline Seikaly
When you can’t find something, make it. A few months ago, I was introduced to a brand from Beirut, Caroline Seikaly (I wore a set of hers to the Cle opening!) and she has just launched a cool new service where you can create your own bespoke dress. She’s worked with Christian Lacroix and Karl Kagerfeld and has been worn by Madonna and Mila Kunis – I mean, doesn’t that say it all? I recently made my own perfect lace LBD using the online service, which is quite fun and you can design everything from the colour of the lace to the hem you want or need for a specific event. The dresses are all about the fitting, so it’s really that one piece you’ll be pulling out of your closet when you need the perfect dress that will look good, and make you feel beautiful.
EVENT:
Taste of Dubai 2015
Calling all foodies! If there’s a place you would need to be hanging out at this weekend, it needs to be Taste of Dubai. I went last year with my dad, and it was definitely one of the most impressive events I’ve been to. An exciting line-up of new celebrity chefs, restaurants and attractions over a weekend food festival (perfect family outing too!) Taking place at the amphitheatre at Dubai Media City from the 12th-14th of this month, restaurants like Gaucho, The Scene, The Gramercy, Katsuya and Perry & Blackwelder are a few taking home at Taste of Dubai. Celebrity chefs Atul Kocchar and Tim Anderson will also be giving live demonstrations – and you’ll find attractions like chef’s tables and cookery classes. The festival will run from 4-12pm on Thursday, 12pm-12am on Friday and 12pm-11pm on Saturday.
STAY:
Stay home to watch a movie and order Chinese takeout.
I love Chinese food, and always on the hunt for good Chinese takeout options. I recently tried redstarwok.com, an Asian takeaway who deliver within 45 minutes and have healthier takeout options (their items are locally sourced using organic ingredients where possible.) I ordered Chicken sweet and sour (which was crispy, would’ve preferred it slightly softer), Red Star’s Beef black bean noodles (delicious) and green curry. FYI they have some of the best greasy vegetable spring rolls and a vast range of Asian food options. Their website is very easy to use, and they have gluten free options. I highly recommend it for a TV dinner at home.
LEARN:
Sushi & Cocktail masterclass at Okku
I love masterclasses, they make good plans as well as birthday ideas. I recently went to Okku with a few friends to take part in a sushi and cocktail masterclass – which they only recently introduced. Our session started with Jay, the Sushi chef where he taught us how to make three of the best selling sushi at Okku (one of the best places to have sushi, by the way. If you’ve been, you will know what I’m talking about). We did a classic avocado and cucumber, california and the famous prawn Ebi (prawn, eel sauce and fish eggs). After showing us how to make all three sushi, we were put to the test by making our own – it really is an art from putting the right ingredients, forming it well and getting it to taste perfect. A good Sushi chef can make the perfect roll in 2 minutes. The classes take place at chic sushi bar (you really do feel like a chef!) and once you’re done with the hard work, you get to eat your own sushi. Mine tasted SO good, so I can say I was a proud sushi chef. The Sushi masterclass takes place every Saturday from 5-7pm and ranges from AED250-450 depending on your drinks. If Sushi isn’t your thing, they also hold cocktail masterclasses with head bartender, John Leese. As someone who has done a few cocktail masterclasses, taking a mixology class is both fun and educational. Quite interactive, you get to learn drinks you like or drinks you’d like to learn to do at home in an interactive way – we did four drinks in the class including a classic cosmopolitan and a whisky sour. The classes need to be booked one week in advance and costs between AED250-400.
TREAT:
March Offers at The Cure
I recently did my lashes at The Cure in Dubai Media City (look out for it in Treatments to Try) and found them one of the best from the many I’ve tried around the city. The Cure are having several great deals from getting a free refill with every lash extension to getting a free shape & polish with every Spa Manicure and Pedicure. If you’re looking to pamper your mom during Mother’s day month or to pamper yourself, I suggest you check out their offers.
