September already - welcome back!

Site stats were crazy for August! Although it’s always a peak month for newcomers arriving, with so many regulars to the site on holiday we usually dip a little but we have just recorded an all time high of over 130,000 unique visitors to the site in August.  I think it’s because we’re just not going away for so long – no need to, can’t afford to and as lovely as it is to catch up with friends and family, there’s a limit to how long you can live out of suitcases before it starts to get to you! Like many of you I’m sure, we set ourselves up to stay 2 days here, 4 days there, 2 days, 2 days... it’s exhausting.  We had a great holiday with family in the UK but I’m always glad to be home.  I know some of you will still be away not keenly anticipating saying your goodbyes so to help you along, here are my Back to Dubai: Top Ten Reasons to be Cheerful!

We welcome back to the site this month Kensington Nursery, Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery, St. Andrews School, Synergy Health, ISIS Fitness, Cara Jewellers and Hitches & Glitches.  And new to the site we have a great ladies’ salon Mirdif, Soft Hair Ladies Salon and 



The Pet Palace, a Five Star holiday for your cat or dog; only in Dubai, darling!  We have our usual smattering of great Dubai Deals & Competitions. Coming up later this month, we are launching a mini driving survey with AED15000 in Areej vouchers to give away so that is something worth looking out for!


Newcomers and ‘old-timers’, come and meet old friends / make new friends through the ExpatWoman Coffee Mornings, ExpatMums & Tots, ExpatBumps&Babes and weekly events.  We’ve had a slimmer schedule through Ramadan but gearing up for LOADS going on through September / October.  And yes, we have evening events in the plan too!  

September 15th 7pm – Chris Reagan, UK tax expert is flying in specifically to present at the ExpatWoman Tax Seminar on the evening on September 15th.  Getting your tax position right at turning points such as returning to the UK, taking further expat moves, buying and selling property, managing the transfer of assets and any domicile issues for your whole family, will make a huge difference to your tax liability and future income stream.  Bearing in mind the UK top tax band has moved to 50% and who knows what’s planned for CGT and inheritance tax..... it’s worth you and your partner taking the time to get ahead of the game. More information
September 19th 7pm – Mark Wilkinson & the Grand Millennium Hotel join forces to put on another great cookery event at the Mark Wilkinson Showroom on SZR.  This is a “Red Carpet” Arabic Cookery Demonstration and there are some special surprises in store!  Tickets limited to the first 75 applying so don’t leave it too late or you’ll miss this one.... more information
Also look out for the ExpatWoman Living in Dubai Morning on September 26th which promises to be fun, and of course our ever popular Burj Al Arab Breakfast on October 3rd; a great opportunity to sample the decadence of this marvellous hotel and a chance for one of you to leave the breakfast having won a fantastic holiday from Chic Collection.... more on that anon!

We are in the process of finalising the September issue of YOU! magazine so any good news / celebrations you would like to share – births, birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, exam passes......  – just let us know.  We can include just text or text and a photo if you have one of 1mb+. Email Jane@ExpatWoman.com asap to be included.  We all love that page!

And finally, you’ll have seen our ExpatWoman has been dressed more demurely throughout Ramadan.  We’re looking to highlight / celebrate different themes through her and have a list including Breast Cancer Awareness month, Dwali, Christmas, Halloween..... If there are any dates you have in mind, send your ideas to me: Jane@expatwoman.com and we’ll do our best to include them in the ExpatWoman calendar. Bear in mind, Michaelangelo we are not.... graphically we’re just doing our best here ;-)

Have a great month

Jane