Apricot | ExpatWoman.com
 

Apricot

Apricot
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 20:33
I use my Mac in PC mode.... I defected to Windows at age 15 and have never returned to Mac OS. Maybe I need to join you ladies for a computer literacy update! Anyone else play "where in the world is Carmen Sandiago?" or "Oregon Trail" on Apple Mac II? <em>edited by Apricot on 18/04/2014</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 16:23
Yes, at N. Bar in Palm Strip Mall.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 16:20
On average I spend Hair Conditioning Treatment: Dhs 200-300 Hair styles for parties: Dhs 200 Facials: Dhs 500 Hamam and massage: Dhs 600 I currently wax at home so I don't go to a salon as consistently as before. When I do, I either use a Monday discount, or a club membership discount, or the monthly special package offered. <em>edited by Apricot on 19/04/2014</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 16:03
No. I am only annoyed when they are candid about my feet. My feet are big and I have a hereditary foot disfigurement, and I dont return to salons where the employee exclaims, "Madam, your feet are so big and ugly!"
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:47
What did you order from Pei Wei? I ordered their Thai wonton soup and lo mein noodles with shrimp, I think I ordered the wrong dishes.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:42
Ralph Lauren Home used to make these in the past, I have a few from the early 90s and they remain soft and durable. Another option is the Egyptian-style, two-color-weave cotton blankets. We use these in our home. I inherited all my stock from my in-laws, but I've seen them in Arab soft furnishing shops in Sharjah, there is a big one opp Al Zahra Hospital near the Clock Roundabout.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:36
Organic Cafe carry Omega blenders and slow masticating juicers. I know, because my BF has bought every juicer/blender available here. :) She has the Omega masticating juicer, Blend-Tec and the Vitamix, and she prefers the Vita mix for daily use. She bought hers from the dealer, Al Habtoor Trading, near Salahuddin Rd in Deira.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:32
Good to know!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:30
I think you need to go to Dubai Dept of Residency and Naturalization, and report her as absconded. Sorry I can't help with the specifics. When this happened to me, with my Indonesian maid, my DH had a fantastic office PRO guy who sorted everything out for us.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:26
costume shop? I would otherwise suggest the dodgy Classic City dept store in Satwa, 1st floor, they have a great range of mid calf length cotton petticoats.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 April 2014 - 15:25
Hi White Orchid, the photo shop inside the Union Coop opp Safa Park is still open and they are good with taking ID photos of little kids :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 23:36
Depends where in California the vineyard is. If it's in Sonoma, Napa, Carmel, Saratoga/ Los Gatos area, or an upmarket area of Southern California, then you need to wear something a bit smarter, people are quite fashion-savvy there. For other areas, the Zara dress and accessories is a great choice, and you may even out-dress other guests ;) You could smarten up the dress by pairing it with a white or coral blazer instead of a pashmina.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 23:22
The season for fresh quince is over. It is traditionally an autumn/ winter fruit. You may need to wait until Oct-Nov for the next season's harvest from Turkey.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 April 2014 - 23:07
Paper moon next to the Capitol Hotel, on Wasl Rd heading towards Shindagha Tunnel. Or Cadeaurim in Village Mall on Beach Rd.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:29
A/c on from mid morning to 3pm, then back on again from 7pm to midnight. Good so far...
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:14
Gazebo!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:13
not sure how much they pay per book but there's a café library inside ACE at festival city that also buys pre-loved novels This cafe is a branch of House Of Prose.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:12
House of prose There is also the Feline Friends book sale fortnightly at the Arte souk. HOP pays peanuts, I took a lot of new titles in which cost 50-120 each and he was offering me 5 per book! I ended up donating at the MOE during Ramadan instead wow - that's cheeky Yep, that's their standard offer for new "additions".
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 16:04
DH n I stayed at The Morgan Hotel in June 2006. It was comfortable, the daily ensuite breakfast was fab, it suited our budget and the location was a short walk from Grafton Street action and right next to Hard Rock Cafe. Opp hotel was a car parking garage with good overnight rates. We opted for the Big Bus Tour and enjoyed it. DH understood the accent as all his primary school teachers in Sharjah were Irish so he would "translate" for me. We ate most meals at Bewley's Cafe, they had a good variety of delicious veggie and veg-fish entrees and salads. We also visited a museum where there was a fab costume exhibit (name totally escapes me, but it's on the periphery of a huge public park north of the river and the Big Bus has a convenient pickup/drop off point for it).
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 15:27
Recently I set up online banking with EIB, DIB and Nat'l Bonds, and DIB had the nicest, most helpful phone staff :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 15:25
Emirates Islamic Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank. I use different banking products/services with each. I prefer the customer service end of DIB, esp since there's a ladies only branch close to my kids school, and deal with them for more frequent stuff.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 April 2014 - 15:18
I use Solgar Whey 2 Go chocolate protein powder, mixed in 300ml no-added-sugar plain soy milk. Btw the main stockists of this powder, Life pharmacy, have a voucher-back deal on currently. <em>edited by Apricot on 16/04/2014</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 19:39
blondie007, thanks for the resort tip :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 17:43
from my experience, neither. given the expense of lodging, food in said lodging, expense in acquiring things like diapers (getting there from lodging, expense and scarcity of all "familiar" brands of toiletries), prevalence of small winged insects, etc, I would take my little kids elsewhere. Tropical islands just dont vibe with little kids, and DH and I consider ourselves adventurous travelers. We had great family vacations with the wee ones in Hong Kong, Scotland and Birmingham (for Alton Towers and Cadbury World). Alton Towers is by far my fave holiday park for young kids, almost better than HK Disneyland.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 16:58
RIP, Sue Townsend was my favorite comic author. My personal favorites were "The Queen and I", both versions, and the last one, "The Woman who went to bed for a year".
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 16:52
Sam7, you caught my mistake! Dhs 200/g is the right price. I second your recommendation for buying saffron in thread form :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 23:23
Various shops in the street between Al Manal Centre and Rukn Al Mahasin abaya shop sell saffron. This is a shopping area in Deira located behind Naif Police Station. Dhs 100-200/ kg is a fair price, esp since you may buy a fraction of that weight.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 23:13
Chaasa, a Burmese-influenced dish of mung bean noodles mixed with beef and large yellow pulses braised in spiced coconut milk, garnished with fresh coriander and lime juice and dried shrimp powder (for the really macho) and crisp fried onions. When I can't have my grandmother's chaasa, I order shrimp pad thai from Lemongrass Express, who sadly closed their Jumeira branch :( Frito pie, made with my own minced beef chili, lots of toppings, the last being a nacho cheese sauce recipe from seriouseats.com. My grandmother's egg rolls, which have minced beef, cooked chopped spaghetti, boiled chopped eggs, fresh coriander inside. This dish I first ate in a tourist restaurant in Jordan which is spaghetti baked in a casserole with roast chicken and oregano-spiked tomato sauce. Hot dog omelet, you chop a beef hot dog into discs and saute them, then pour over beaten egg. I've tried it with Pinar sujuk but the nostalgia comes from the plain hot dog taste. Eggplant parmesan, served with a side of tomato sauced spaghettini. Fresh mango pureed with whole milk, chilled in little bowls and served with fresh puri Any sandwich made by my DH, he always adds a side of crisps and a kosher dill pickle. Tofu stir fry with thin wheat noodles, hoisin sauce, lots of veg. meat lasagna chicken enchiladas in greenish sauce, sadly my kids don't like it so I make it for potlucks.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 22:38
I would go the tailor route. DS1's friend had a "Frozen" birthday party at her home (the mom is a wedding planner) and she wore a tailored Elsa dress made of iridescent turquoise lace. She wore the same dress a few days ago during the school's book week.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 April 2014 - 22:19
During recent trip, we packed 2 lightweight car booster seats in the checked-in luggage and used those during the first leg of our trip. We have previously traveled with the bubblebum, while the kids were younger than 5, and it didn't work for us.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 20:32
lamb chops baked in tomato sauce and spaghetti: pour into 13x9 pyrex dish 2 T of your best olive oil. Add 1 can tomatoes in juice, pureed in blender, 4-6 cloves garlic, 1T dried oregano, 1 cup water, s n p to taste. Add 6 lamb chops or 4 lamb shanks. Bake in 190 C oven 1 hr, turning lamb in sauce every 15-20 min. Sauce will reduce. Add 2 cups water to sauce. Stir in 2 cups broken spaghetti (I try to get my kids to do this, but end up with the job), cover with foil, bake 20-30 min, checking and stirring. For veg version, omit meat and easily halved to fit in 8 in square pyrex dish. Raechel Ray has a good Parmesan-lemon crusted fish fillets recipe which I prepare using defrosted, frozen white fish fillets. <em>edited by Apricot on 08/04/2014</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 20:21
Very lazy: 1. 500 g minced meat, washed, drained, then browned in a pot. Add 1-2 Tbsp taco/ fajita/ chili seasoning, worcerstershire sauce, diced onions, minced garlic, tomato paste/ketchup/ tomato sauce (whatever is easiest), chicken stock as needed, 1 tsp cocoa powder. Served over brown rice or pasta shapes, maybe yogurt/labneh/ sour cream on side. Veggie DH has to eat a cheese sandwich on these nights. 2. 1 kg of chicken parts, 2 peeled sweet potatoes, cut in big chunks, 4 koosa, unpeeled, cut in big chunks, 4 peeled carrots, cut in big chunks, all tossed into 1 Maggi Coriander Chicken in Bag packet and baked, served with brown rice. DH eats cheese sandwich. Less lazy: I make DH a pot of veg chili in second pot using defrosted cooked black beans, grated carrots/peeled eggplant dice/grated koosa (half of which gets added to the minced meat pot) and same seasoning minus the Worcestershire sauce. If in pantry, I add non-alcoholic beer to the veg chili. Spaghetti carbonara using veal breakfast strips or Pinar beef sujuk ring and long life tetrapacks of KDD cream. Infrequent as kids inconsistent in eating this one. Some effort: lamb chops baked in spaghetti and tomato sauce. And a second dish of oven baked spaghetti, no meat.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 19:57
I currently bank with both Dubai Islamic and Emirates Islamic. I am a secondary card holder to DH's EIB credit card and successfully make Internet and overseas purchases as needed. It'll be interesting to see what kind of profit returns ADIB will promise following their recent Barclays bank buy-out. Previously, ADIB gave out the lowest rate on fixed investment timed deposits and Emirates Islamic gave better.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 19:41
...which corresponds to USDA zone 10B.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 19:15
I would guess it's similar to Texas or Florida. Similarly humid and hot, poor soil quality. I bought some veg seed packets at Walmart in Texas and grew them successfully in Dubai. Recently I bought organic Italian seeds in Hong Kong (sneakily diverted family away from HK Disneyland for a day towards Bird Market which is most easily accessed via the Flower and Plants market) and those grew really well from November to Feb. This past winter was very similar to winter 1997-99 in temp, cooler than recent years, so that may have helped the seeds.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 19:01
I know of two restaurant supply shops here, one is in Karama next to the Indonesian grocery store, and another is Al Dhiyafa/ Diyafa Trading in Courtyard in Al Quoz. Will try to dig out the business card of the first place (alternately you will easily find the location by entering "Indonesia grocery Dubai" in Google).
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 18:57
Thanks for your tips, GMKSME
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 April 2014 - 18:15
More than 10 yrs ago, yes. They were fine. I hope they open more branches because their Sheikh Zayed rd branch is a PITA to get to and find parking at.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 February 2014 - 00:19
The Four Seasons in Mahe has a lovely beach with sand the texture of icing sugar (it's unreal!) and gorgeous turquoise water, the spa has an awesome signature massif that is fairly priced, is built on a steep hill so the buggy situation applies. However all "normal" toiletries are vastly overpriced, as is the food. Hence my note about careful suitcase packing. We took a taxi into town to buy vanilla and cinnamon from the spice market, and wound up in a local supermarket searching for diapers. Turns out they only have diapers and toiletries/ cosmetics from places like Malta, Turkey and Italy, but priced well and the diapers were really nice. My favorite part of the trip was the view from the plane window during the last 40 min of descent to arrival, spectacular. Would definitely return without the kids in a heartbeat :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 23:44
Gazebo Indian restaurant, and its sister veg restaurant Kamat, have never failed me for either takeaway or delivery. Their food comes close to my expert grandmum's cooking, and they deliver on time.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 23:32
Was on the Metro last week, saw 3 prams.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 23:27
Magimix is another awesome food processor to consider. They are made in France, and all the British TV chefs promote them the way American TV chefs promote Cusinart! I received one as a gift and used it for 6 yrs, but I found the repair charges levied by Tavola to be eye-watering so I dumped my "Mag" and bought a lower grade Kenwood which is cheaper to service and buy replacement parts for (thanks to clumsy handling by many household members including a sleep-deprived me, I've gone through 3 plastic blender jugs, 3 big knife blades, 1 citrus juicer bit, etc). Before you buy the Cusinart I suggest you find out which company is the local service agent and quiz them on a few prices.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 23:11
You don't need to be Muslim, you may need to open an account with DIB which anyone, regardless of religious background and ethnicity, can open. My annual bank locker rental is about dh500, FYI. beach road branch has lockers.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 23:03
FYI Kerastase products are manufactured by L'oreal who most likely sell something similar at Carrefour for much less cash.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 20:57
Hi katnip, could u get to Al ain computer plaza in Bur Dubai? Or CompuMe in Garhoud? They may have it. There's also an area in Deira devoted to these bits, near Naïf Police Station.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 19:59
Hi katnip, not sure if this is what u require but i have a box called WD TV Live which connects to my tv, and i connect an external USB hard drive to the TV Live box to watch video files. could this be a solution for you?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 19:54
Carrefour sells these boxes, and cheaper than Ace by Dh100. I rent a safety deposit box at Dubai Islamic Bank. Last time i went, there were empty boxes available.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 19:45
Carters and Gymboree both regularly sell these t-shirts.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 February 2014 - 20:29
How about Cafe Firenze? [url='>www.cafefirenzeuae.com/‎[/url'> It's outside a hotel so no alcohol, but the food is really great. Or you could enjoy "good, unpretentious Lebanese food" at Zahrat al Emarat. I've had stellar fried calamari at the Italian in Beach Rotana Hotel. <em>edited by Apricot on 18/02/2014</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 18 February 2014 - 20:16
Just to update, I went to Dollhouse Salon in Dubai Ladies Club to experience their fab nail art last weekend, and they had a Feb promotion that included nail art plus hair conditioning plus [b'>blow dry with curls[/b'>. I was a little hesitant since I had done a recon visit prior and knew that they use Chi clip curling irons, but I decided to give it a go. The curls were amazing and the stylist totally knew her stuff! She asked me all the pertinent questions like, "how much volume do you want? do you want some texturizing balm? do you want curls or waves? curls facing in or out?" She gave my hair a second mist of hairspray and pinned up the curls before I left the salon. Best of all, the curls stayed put for 3 days! So, Becka at Dollhouse is awesome for giving fine, straight hair great curls! <em>edited by Apricot on 18/02/2014</em>
 
 
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