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Nature is Always a Good Idea

When we enter into adulthood and especially parenthood we get caught up in a cycle that doesn’t stop. From work to traffic jams to relationships to managing a household to caring for our little ones, these daily actions accumulate to create stress that is sometimes unbearable. If you add to that the fact that our generation is technology oriented and places importance on being connected all the time, the result is not ideal and cannot be handled for long periods of time.

We sometimes forget to get back to basics, nature! read more

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Why I Love Star Wars

And why you should too!

My perspective on being a female in the fandom.

I get asked a lot about why I love the Star Wars franchise or why it causes worldwide pandemonium. For those of us who are part of the fan base, this needs no explaining, not Star Wars day, not the Comic Cons, not the cosplay, not the movie or series releases, nothing needs explaining because it is being felt. All this is innate and reverberates from one fan to another, the same way that we are adamant that “Han shot first”, the same way we love the cantina music, the same way we all tried to re-watch the movies in the “machete” technique. But for those who haven’t seen a single movie or have tried to but couldn’t get through, this all doesn’t make sense, and for a female nonetheless to be so into this universe is surely something that isn’t understood. read more

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Not Your Typical New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s resolutions are bull.

That’s what I thought because why would people make a list of changes on a random day of the year and hold them so high when they know that they will be broken during the first week. I refused to give in to any form of social pressure and never cared much for New Year anyway. I spent year after year going through the motions of a new year but it wasn’t until lately, after a series of experiences (you can read about them here and here) that I have been feeling that I can take life by the neck and carve my path. My journey of inner peace, focus and instability that led to me finding (or trying to) find myself came together same time last year, right before saying goodbye to 2018. read more

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Ibn Al Bahr Dubai

Ibn Al Bahr is a traditional Lebanese seafood restaurant at Club Vista Mare in the upscale Palm Jumeirah area of Dubai. It is known as the local hotspot for a fancy meal that doesn’t lose its marine authenticity.

The decor is reminiscent of a fisherman’s boat, with blue and white being the main colors including decorative elements made of rope. It happened by coincidence that I was dressed to match the theme!

Prepare your appetite because you wouldn’t want to miss a bite out of the dishes ranging from traditional cold fresh salads like tabboule and fattouch, to mezza (appetizers) such as hommos and fish tajin. read more

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Brambles Dubai

Brambles is a bohemian inspired cafe in Barsha Heights Dubai that serves fresh wholesome items in a perfectly dainty atmosphere.

The details are what make the cafe unique, from the green elements adding an environmental touch bringing the outdoors in, to the faded pink that is integrated in the furniture and the tableware.

I am following a diet and eating out is sometimes a challenge, which is why I gravitated towards Brambles because it serves healthy and vegan options. I was very mindful of what I ordered, and decided to balance my food intake between trying new items while being aware of the quantity. The menu is wide and it’s quite a conundrum to decide what to order. That being said, you can’t go wrong with a guilt-free avocado pizza that has a rich vegetable based topping, including delicious cilantro. You can add an egg or chicken if you want a non-vegan option. Make sure to add appetizing salads to your table, a smart way to keep the calorie count low and the tummy full. read more

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The Truth About Being a Freelancer

*Cover photo taken by the producer of the radio show on Dubai Eye station, part of Arabian Radio Network during my on-air interview about modern motherhood and being an influencer.* Click here to listen to the podcast.

The reason why I opened my entry with the above is because once you believe in yourself and the message you have to relate to the world, nothing can stop you!

The moment I decided to step out of the corporate world two and a half years ago and shift from a traditional work environment with rigid hours and no self fulfillment (click here to read) to a more flexible setup from home, I didn’t know what to expect. I took the leap, forgoing the security of a monthly salary and all the benefits to an unknown territory. At the time it was impossible to know if I had made the right decision, but the amount of personal growth I have gone through and the essential business material from entrepreneurs I have read and listened to, have made me more confident in my present lifestyle as each day passes. However external factors throughout these years in the form of unsolicited advice or opinions haven’t stopped, and some people choose to undermine my work and take a jab at freelancing and entrepreneurship to make themselves feel better at being stuck in a rut they don’t have the courage or ability to get out of. Others judge at face value and think that things come easily without hard work. read more

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Jumeirah Creekside Hotel

Jumeirah Group sets the bar high in the hospitality sector and gives luxury travel a new meaning. I had previously stayed at Jumeirah Emirates Towers (click here to read about my experience) and was excited to discover another property, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel. Even after the perfection that was JET, I was confident that I would find something fresh this time around, with the architecturally intriguing Creekside structure that boasts a location that is close to DXB airport and multiple attractions. read more

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Izmir and Antalya

All great adventures begin at the crack of dawn, and what better reason to wake up early than a flight to explore a new destination? I went to the airport and finished my check in procedure to find myself in the comfy seat on board Wings of Lebanon with Nakhal. After my previous trips with this renowned travel agency to Antalya and Fethiye (click here to read), I was excited to see what would be in store. The destination was Turkey and the first stop was the Antalya airport to catch the connecting internal flight to Izmir. To my delight, the team had prepared for each of the travelers a kit with all the needs of the hotel, including room and towel keys, bracelet for the purchases if any, and the luggage tags all in one pouch. read more

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Jumeirah Emirates Towers Dubai

Jumeirah is a name that is synonymous with luxury and lifestyle. I am no stranger to the Jumierah Emirates Towers, as I have previously attended a Christie’s auction launch with watches from the SIHH and private viewing of jewelry from the world’s most coveted collections. The hotel, although located on Sheikh Zayed road, feels isolated and peaceful. This is due to the grand and sweeping entrance that makes the property private and exclusive. During my stay and each time I headed out, attentive doormen would call a taxi on my behalf, making transportation easy and efficient. The lobby, other than being architecturally beautiful, is a calm place that allowed me to catch up on my daily business and correspondence. read more

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Andes Dubai

One evening in May I cabbed my way from Sheikh Zayed Road to a building complex dubbed the World Trade Center. As the taxi dropped me off at the entrance of the private area, I walked past restaurants, a mall and a hotel until I reached a magnificent series of buildings lit up in contrast to the dark sky.

Andes is nestled in this Trade Center area, amidst the trees and beautiful modern architecture, and thus I entered.

The space is cozy in size, nothing too imposing that would leave a foodie feeling overpowered, with the exception of high ceilings and impressive decor inspired by what I can only assume is a citizen of the world. This mix of eclectic and quaint describes both the menu items and the ambiance. read more