Axelle | ExpatWoman.com
 

Axelle

Axelle
163
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 April 2015 - 11:26
on youtube you can see videos of each area in Dubai, that helped me. I think most places are very suitable for families. what I do notice is that a lot of singles tend to choose for the Marina too. just noticed, this doesn't mean ofcourse that this makes it less suitable for families.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 April 2015 - 11:04
we always go to Feetlounge Executive Towers in Business Bay, the massages are fantastic, and not expensive at all. We also have the loyalty card, after 10 bookings, you get 1 hour massage for free. Location-wise it may not be what you are looking for. I gave birthday presents to my mom, my sister, my brother in law, and sent other friends there too, and they all think the massages are great. Feetlounge also offers packages (2-3 hours)
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2015 - 10:37
I was very happy with Aleena Curtains, Call Joseph Saje 052 638 54 65/ Curtains are of excellent quality, not expensive at all.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 09:05
rates are very high indeed. I would love to take Zumba,Yoga classes, but the prices are way too high. The Zoga Yoga costs 85 AED for one session! And I get a 10% discount, and I still will not go. Luckily we have a free gym so I go there until maybe one day I am willing to pay that much for a session :).
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 09:47
I agree, where you shop also depends on where you live. I go every 2 days almost to Carrefour Xpress, and every 2 weeks to the Big Carrefour in Mirdif and sometimes to Spinneys (because that is the closest to where I live). Im not a good planner and realize we could safe so much more if I would plan meals ahead. See also this link on cheapest supermarkets in UAE: [url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/06/revealed-top-10-cheapest-supermarkets-in-the-uae/#.VQkQFY6Uf5g'>link[/url'> <em>edited by Axelle on 18/03/2015</em>
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 09:25
Feetlounge Business Bay
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 12:50
Thanks Geordie expat! That is great news, I live near a Carrefour Market. In Europe a smaller market of the same brand is typically more expensive, but here I had not done a comparison yet.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 12:44
We use Metropolitan Maids, same maid every week, 35 AED per hour
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 12:41
does anyone know, are the small Carrefour Markets equally priced than the big Carrefours?
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2015 - 12:34
Same here, my son has been sick at least once a month. In fact, I am taking off from work today to care of him :). No nanny here and am not considering. It can be tough, but we are managing fine. In January, there were a few days that we really could not take off from work, so after reading tips on this forum, we hired a nurse from Emirates Nursing for 2 days, she was great and my son loved her. It is expensive though, but worth it and a great solution. First day, I stayed closeby to make sure everything went well, and it did! Good luck, and I also believe the frequency of your child getting sick, will get less and less over time, but it's better if you are prepared that it will be at least once a month.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 February 2015 - 11:00
I have not done a safari myself but I am copying info on this that I kept (from seeing this question on facebook for instance): - I heard good things about [b'>Arabian adventures[/b'> - sun downers. - Expensive but best is [b'>Platinum heritage[/b'>: is not as touristic and provides you more with the authentic cultural experience I heard, more emphasis on the beauty of the nature. Does not serve alcohol. See also: http://www.emirates247.com/news/your-perfect-getaway-the-5-must-do-uae-road-trips-2014-11-01-1.568433 http://ibccard.org/best-desert-safari-dubai/
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2015 - 09:18
I think it depends on where you live. I think the maintenance of the water tank is not the job of the filter company. I am looking into having filters at home and I sent an email to Liquid of Life (company who installs filters) in which I asked more info about the quality of the water. I am copying the reply I got from them, hopefully you find it useful: "You are correct to question the quality of the input water when considering filters and as a company we would not install filters where we are not confident or educated on the maintenance of the tanks for the buildings in which we install drinking water filters. The quality of the water does vary from Emirate to Emirate but the quality of the DEWA water is actually very good and we independently carry out regular testing of the water from our filters for both our corporate and domestic clients. The SR apartment buildings are managed by ECM (Emaar Community Management) and they carry out a monthly microbiological test of the water, which tests for bacteria and a Legionella test every 2 months. The tanks are also regularly cleaned in line with Dubai Municipality requirements. I have spoken to someone at ECM this afternoon and they have confirmed that there have been no issues with any of the testing to date. We also have a number of other families living in the Downtown where we have installed the filters and they have not had any issues over the last few years."
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 21:29
Hi, see also this thread, I asked similar question, I was asking about Liquid of Life company and people seem very pleased about it: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic232765-liquid-of-life-filters-or-other-filters-for-water-kitchen-shower-forum23.aspx
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 13:05
No idea, but you can try in the Dubai Mall lot of baby stores are close to eachother (I believe 2nd floor) so one of these should have it I would think. You can also call them all to find out. Or JustKidding (I once sent them an email and they responded quickly).
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 11:08
Good to know, many thanks :)
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 11:06
Did anyone go to the "Meet the principal" event of Hartland International School? curious to hear your thoughts. We will be looking for a school for our son, we live downtown, but it would only be for Sept 2016 (FS1) or Sept 2017 (FS2). My current thought is that he can do FS1 in the nursery where he currently goes, as we are very pleased with the nursery and they offer FS1. I hear good things about GEMS Primary too, they are also conveniently located from Downtown Dubai. They only accept admissions 1 year prior so other parents have advised me to not only focus on one school as Schooling is like a business in Dubai :).
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 11:00
thanks so much! I think we will make an appointment. I had enquired more info from them and they mentioned the following on the cost: " The filters cost AED950 including the installation and will last 12 months. We then give you a cal after 12 months and will arrange to have a technician come and change the filters for you. " I am not sure whether this is the price for only the kitchen filter or also for the bathroom (shower filters). So it does seem quite a cost, but buying bottles will be equally expensive I think.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 09:19
Apparently there is a new, confusing law around this. I think the grey zone is for kids born in the Sept-December timeframe. This is the 'old' information I have (I am only pasting the info relevant to your child). For children born 1 September 2012 - 31 August 2013, FS1 would be September 2016 and FS2 would be September 2017. Also see this website for more info on schools in Dubai. http://www.khda.gov.ae/pages/en/Howtoadmitchildtoschool.aspx
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2015 - 13:02
I have a Metropolitan maid for cleaning, am very pleased with them. Now I am looking for an occasional babysit. Metropolitan Maids also offers this service, so I was wondering whether anyone has experience with them already (for babysitting)? Thanks
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 January 2015 - 12:12
lately I read somewhere that Maggi or Knorr stock cubes contain MSG, E-number and therefore not healthy... I have used these for years in all my soups ;(. I am now looking for an alternative ( I do not want to make stock myself as I dont have a freezer). So does anyone know, [b'>Kallo [/b'>stock cubes or [b'>Ina Paarman[/b'> stock powder, are these OK to use? thanks <em>edited by Axelle on 22/01/2015</em>
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2015 - 08:56
http://www.thebabysittersclub.ae/
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 January 2015 - 10:14
just curious to hear your opinions, how much money, do you (your family) want to save each month in order to make financial sense to stay in Dubai? is that 5000 AED, 1000 AED, 500 AED or more, or less? just curious, i am not trying to make any judgement here...i realize this is a very subjective and personal question.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2015 - 21:02
We are in the same situation, but only 1 child, both working parents, and our boy goes to the nursery. we manage fine but the problem is when LO is sick, and this happens a lot, not very sick, but viral and fever at least once a month and we alternate taking vacation to care for our LO. I am not in favor of having a nanny so it is our choice to handle it this way, but I have to admit, it is though. We do have a great nursery which offers vacation camps too, so we have full year registration, otherwise you have a problem each academic vacation. I am curious to know which agencies barlas will start to use (for parttime help) and whether you are satisfied?
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2015 - 13:55
Dear all! First of all my best wishes to you. A question: we have a 17-month baby boy who goes to nursery downtown, we both work as parents. When our boy is sick (which happened already 4 times since he goes to nursery as of September), one of us has to take off from work to care for our boy. I know that there are home nursing agencies who can come to your house to provide best care to your child when parents go to work, it is quite expensive though, so I was wondering, whether an insurance exists that covers these costs (or part of the cost)? Many thanks for any tips/information. If this insurance does not exist, any recommendation on agencies that do provide this service?
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2015 - 13:52
I agree with above replies, and think you need to relax a bit more before thinking about another child, tension is not good for pregnancy nor as a mother. There is nothing wrong with more age gap between your children, and there is nothing wrong with having one child only (we decided only to have one child for several reasons, and I have come to terms with it). Whatever you do, all is fine! and above 30, what is wrong with that? :) i was 34 when I had my son.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2014 - 13:52
every 2 weeks we go to C4 for big shopping, and mainly also because they have the loyalty card, which easily adds up to discounts. and if we are too lazy we shop from GEANT and have it delivered to our home for free. thanks for the CO-OP tip, I will try that. but in general, i found groceries very very expensive here.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2014 - 13:47
we live in South Ridge, Downtown and love it! very vibrant, very childfriendly (big grass area in front of the apartments, very unique for Dubai), play area outside, and our son goes here to Jumeirah International Nurseries, South Rigde branch. we are walking distance from the Fountains, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa. Im not sure though to Media city how the traffic is from here. I commute to Healthcare City which is ideal but my husband works in JLT so he has to deal with more traffic.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2014 - 16:41
Old thread but I am looking where I can have nice photobooks printed from. Do the services mentioned here below (like Blurb, shutterfly and photobook worldwide) deliver to Dubai without problems? Any other tips on where to have nice Photobooks printed from? can also be a local shop
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 October 2014 - 15:54
I dont know, but you could ask this question on Facebook, there is a group called "downtown mums"
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 October 2014 - 09:44
do you know if the Japanese restaurant Kanpai offers good views to the fountains? thanks
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 October 2014 - 09:44
Kanpai is in Souk Al Bahar
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2014 - 11:26
To be honest I can't imagine why anyone would go and stay with someone else and not pay their way. I wouldn't dream of heading off to my 'friends in Dubai' for my accommodation free holiday and not paying my way. It's just basic manners. Most people with any manners would surely offer to split the bill for any activities you're doing together? I've never had to worry about asking people for money because they're falling over themselves to offer it. We often say 'no, it's our shout' but they'll usually pay for something else later on. If it was parents we'd treat them to meals but I know for a fact, neither of our parents would sit back and expect us to pay for everything. I guess there are lots of cultural differences for families though but for friends I would say they should be coughing up the money for their own daily tourist excursions!! I completely agree with Catlady!
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2014 - 11:11
we also pay 30 per hour for our babysit, we always round up to above though eg for 40 minutes we pay 1 hour, and we pay the taxi fare
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2014 - 11:07
I have a question related to this, when you think the fountains have the best show? is the same show/music every evening and timing of the evening?
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 October 2014 - 08:47
I dont know the name but we have a guy picking up our laundry from the apt, for ironing only, for instance for a men's shirt the rate is 3 AED per shirt and for trousers 4 AED, If interested let me know and I will drop the telephone number in this conversation thread,
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 October 2014 - 08:43
this is how I lost 6 kg in 6 weeks: 1 week I cut down on carbs completely (no rice, pasta, potato, bread,...), so instead of carbs you eat more vegetables, vegetables with meat or fish. No sugar, no candy, nothing. For breakfast I ate yoghurt with nuts & fruit, but not everyday because nuts has quite some calories. I also had one of those shakes (food replacer) in the morning. The other 5 weeks I allowed myself to eat carbs (but not excessive) during the weekend and during the week i tried to avoid carbs. I did not do any sport and lost kilos easily. try to find good recipes online and you wont miss the carbs. The good thing is avoiding carbs becomes more of a habit, I mean, I eat carbs now but try to limit more than I did in the past: eating bread for breakfast, bread for lunch and pasta for dinner is just very bad for your weight control.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2014 - 11:40
no experience sorry. my son goes to JINS southridge downtown.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 20:58
see also this thread on nursery downtown where I was asking for experience on JINS: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic221942-jumeirah-international-nurseries--southridge-branch.aspx
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 20:38
where do you buy the mince for the bolognaise? i dont like the pure beef mince
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 20:32
my son goes to JINS South Ridge branch (Jumeirah International Nurseries), he loves it! we did check out Blossom too when searching but I found the rooms very very compact, and I did not like the sleeping area. it is a pity because other than that, BLossom looked very good, professional etc, but I could not see my LO playing in such a small space. JINS has very spacious rooms, I like it a lot, my son goes there since one month and he is 13,5 months old now. Every baby has their own bed there.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 17:28
thank you!
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 15:12
Does anyone know? In my homecountry, I make spaghetti bolognaise, soup with meatballs with minced meat of both [b'>pork [/b'>& beef. Here I only saw beef minced meat so far, I just made a soup with pure beef minced meat and do not like the taste. thanks a lot.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 15:07
thanks HorizonMum!
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 11:43
hi everyone, is there a (huge) price difference between buying your vegs/fruits at Farmers market (Dubai Mall) or the Deira Market? I have not tried any, but want to go next weekend. Thanks for your advice:).
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2014 - 09:51
I tried KCAL last week and liked it a lot, I had a salad avocado sweet potato quinoa for lunch and for dinner a burrito with side salad, total was 60 AED. it was very tasty and very fresh. But for daily use it would be too expensive for me.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 September 2014 - 15:35
thanks, that was me :)
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 14:52
thanks will check them out :)
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 10:17
Thanks! I will try these shops for my hunt on leek!
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 10:06
Thanks so much Sarah! Do you know if "leek" exist here in Dubai as a vegetable? I love to make lots of soups and in Belgium I use onion and leek as a basis, so I ate it a lot, but here have not found it, I was in Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose, but not there.
Axelle
163
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 09:56
THE organic store's prices are SHOCKING. I'm glad that smaller ones are instead popping up everywhere. I also love all the farmer's markets and delivery services. where can I find the farmer's markets and delivery services you are mentioning? Thanks :), looking for great places to buy fresh.
 
 
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