DivineBeet | ExpatWoman.com
 

DivineBeet

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Latest post on 12 March 2014 - 21:58
Destination Maternity also has a location in Dubai Mall. Its still pretty limited in choices, but at least has things beyond the pjs and loungewear the other mat stores all seem to be full of. They also have some more fashionable denim brands such as Joe's and Sevens, as well the Jessica Simpson maternity line.
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Latest post on 04 March 2014 - 22:47
I would recommend visiting the diamond district in NYC. While Bluenile and other chains are convenient as they have pricing available online, the smaller stand-alone and "whole sale" shops in the diamond district are often able to offer much better prices as they do not have the expenses of marketing, large staff, web, etc. of the brand name stores.
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Latest post on 24 February 2014 - 02:50
If you have hard water which leaves minerals & other deposits in the fabric, making it rough, you can also try using a water softer, instead of fabric softener. I find it leaves clothes less "filmy" (if that makes sense) than fabric softer but considerably softer than using detergent alone. It comes in liquid or tablet form and you just add it along with your regular detergent. Some people add vinegar to their wash for the same reason, but I've never tried myself. Worried that everything would end up smelling like pickles.
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Latest post on 19 February 2014 - 10:05
You can also find it at Safest Way.
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Latest post on 17 February 2014 - 13:04
It was at the Marina Mall branch, about a month ago.
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Latest post on 17 February 2014 - 12:44
Here is a link to an online calculator I've used in the past, it has PointsPlus values, as well as the previous system - http://www.calculatorcat.com/free_calculators/weight_watchers_calculator.phtml
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Latest post on 17 February 2014 - 12:35
I have seen date vinegar at Waitrose, in the vinegar section.
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 18:00
Quick update, in case anyone else was wondering - I emailed OSN to ask about the lack of info, and they got back to me immediately letting me know that the the Winter Games schedule should be posted by tomorrow, but is unavailable at this time.
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 17:48
Thanks Mrsg I wonder if they secured the rights to the broadcast only today, hence the press lease. There is still no info on their site and I checked the schedule for the sports channels through the next week and still no mention of Olympics. I guess I will check back there for updates.
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Latest post on 04 February 2014 - 12:53
I have - used the Search tool as well as looked through the Feb TV guide on their site, and can't seem to find any mention... which seems very strange. Hoping I am just missing something, and someone on here would have more info.
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Latest post on 29 January 2014 - 19:51
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeph_eX_pVw This is a lovely video of random acts of kindness caught by dash cams.
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Latest post on 28 January 2014 - 19:57
I think it depends where your friends are from, what they're looking to purchase, and the expectations they have. You can find some bits and pieces that are worth it, but a lot of the clothes are from 2 or more seasons ago and many are damaged. Much of the 'original' displayed pricing is over inflated to make it look like you're getting a better deal than you really are, which really irks me. If you're friends are here for a while and don't have access to discounted retail back home, then it could be worth it.. personally I think this mall falls flat.
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Latest post on 26 January 2014 - 23:50
Hi donnam, If it helps, I once left on day 39 and no one said anything to me, just stamped me out and let me through. <em>edited by DivineBeet on 26/01/2014</em>
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Latest post on 15 January 2014 - 10:46
Just want to add, bought a new car on finance in December and were not required to leave any checks, blank or otherwise. The dealer did require a 1,000Dhs (refundable) deposit to start the finance process.
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Latest post on 15 January 2014 - 10:45
I would advise you to think twice before leaving a signed BLANK check with anyone..
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Latest post on 08 January 2014 - 01:26
Try KINOKUNIYA book store at Dubai Mall. I don't know if they have this planner specifically, but they have a very large selection of Moleskine books, so there is a good change they might have it.
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Latest post on 23 December 2013 - 14:00
I have been using the Blue Bonnet brand for years and it has been worked great for me. It is dairy free, so it might be exactly what you need. I most recently saw it at a couple of pharmacies and at Nutrition Center at Ibn Battuta mall, in the refrigerator. I take one a day, with breakfast. I also a great verity of brands at Boots, on the regular shelves. The pharmacist did say that those should be refrigerated as well, once opened. However personally, I like to buy probiotics that are stored in the fridge at time of purchase, and there are not nearly as many choices of those. I think the biggest differences to keep in mind when shopping around, are the amount of bacteria (from millions to billions per capsule!) and the ingredients used to make the capsule coating.
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Latest post on 21 December 2013 - 20:04
If you’re looking for jellies with sugar alternatives (sweetened by stevia, etc), they’re available at all major large supermarkets. Depending on the store, they’re either right along regular jellies, or in the “organic" or “special diets” sections. Finding jellies that are sugar free AND artificial sweetener free is a bit more challenging. I think the best bet for those would be to check one of the Organic Foods & Café locations.
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Latest post on 20 December 2013 - 14:05
I've bought passion fruit jam at Safestway in the past and have seen fresh passion fruit there, as well as at C4, Spinneys, and Wairtose.
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Latest post on 18 December 2013 - 14:41
Please do post an update if you're able to find some! My local C4 does not have, but I am willing to travel !
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Latest post on 18 December 2013 - 12:29
Johanna - Over the past few months, every time I think I've found some dill, it turns out to be anise/fennel greens :( Its practically impossible to tell them apart visually, so please be sure to pinch a bit off and smell it before buying. I have given up on finding dill.
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Latest post on 12 December 2013 - 21:38
Try adding slices of avocado in place of dressing. Avocados have tons of nutritional value. The creamy texture makes the sandwich less dry, takes away some of the flavor of the filling. You can sprinkle some salt, pepper and/or other spices to your liking. Yum!
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Latest post on 12 December 2013 - 02:32
Hey Betty, how did it go at Etisalat? Interested to hear how things turned out - hope you were able to get this resolved.
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Latest post on 10 December 2013 - 14:46
She was actually diagnosed last year, but it has only been made public now..
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Latest post on 10 December 2013 - 10:18
Do you have any close friends here you can confide in? Or over skype/phone with friends or family back home? Sometimes letting it all pour out and having a good long cry brings peace, a cleanse if you will. You’re only going to drive yourself crazy by keeping everything bottled up. Its often difficult to let walls down as it makes you feel uncomfortably vulnerable and also you might not want to “burden” anyone else with your problems, but that’s what friends and family are there for. Is there any chance you could talk about this with DH? I would encourage you to open up to him a bit, so he understands just how much you are struggling to keep it together. Not so much to look for a solution, but expressing these feelings might bring you closer. After all, DH is probably under a lot of stress as well. If all else fails, may be see a therapist. They are not perfect, and will not fix everything, but having someone to unload the weight you’re carrying (which sometimes is easier to do with a stranger), can have a tremendous affect. Hang in there. Please please don’t keep everything bottled up.
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Latest post on 09 December 2013 - 11:35
If you have access to raw fresh honey, I recommend giving it a try and dabbing that on your cold sore. I have been getting them since I was a kid (cold/flu, sun, lack of sleep, stress.. all sorts of things trigger them) and only about 2 years ago tried honey and it blew my mind. It was out of desperation that I tried in the first place – I was at work and felt the telltale tingling coming on and did not have my abreva with me, but had tea and honey stashed in my desk. Everyone is different so its not a guarantee, and the honey should be unprocessed and pure which is not always easy to get.. but for me, it worked as well as abreva has.
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Latest post on 08 December 2013 - 12:59
No, you don't need Ejari to set up DEWA. You just need to know the DEWA number attached to your apartment/villa, which the realtor should be able to provide you with, if it isn't already on your tenancy contract. We did it via the DEWA website and service was turned on within 24 hours. Here is the link to the application: https://e-services.dewa.gov.ae/activation/activationrequest.aspx
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Latest post on 08 December 2013 - 11:15
Might depend on the person processing the application then. We didn't have the DEWA bill yet and had paid the deposit online. We were turned away, as they did need the bill/deposit receipt and would not accept the email confirmation as proof of payment. We were told to go to DEWA and come back with a stamped receipt showing that we've paid. As for the LL passport copy.. on second thought, I don't actually know if they needed it. It was part of the paperwork the realty gave us and when we were at the typing center, they just took the whole bundle from us, including the copy.
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Latest post on 08 December 2013 - 10:59
We were required to either bring a bill or receipt of deposit from DEWA. If you've paid your deposit online, you must go to DEWA center and obtain a stamped receipt from them. Also, we needed LL's passport copy. The process is fairly quick. However, upon applying, we learned that the previous tenant was never de-registered from our apartment, so there were additional steps we had to take to remove that tenant before we could proceed (which should have been already done by the LL / property manager before we moved in). If you find yourself in this situation as well, this is not difficult to fix, just delays the process.
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Latest post on 06 December 2013 - 21:00
I love Ulta! Just clicked through and see that on their shipping page it says "ULTA.com does not ship to international addresses"right at the top. Is this not the case? Are the shipping costs reasonable? Would be so great to order from them!
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Latest post on 06 December 2013 - 20:47
Thanks Asti! Unfortunately, I've found that China Glaze's neon colors chip immediately for me, something is up with the formula for neons specifically. I've given them a try more than once (different bottles) and always the same story. I'll look through the other brands on this site though.. thanks again for the recommendation! ETA - would be nice to find some in person though to properly check the color before buying. Sigh, the search continues. <em>edited by DivineBeet on 06/12/2013</em>
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Latest post on 06 December 2013 - 20:09
Oh, thank you for this post, I have been looking for neon/fluorescent nail polish as well, without much luck. Hoping someone can give good suggestions. I splurged on a couple from Illamasqua not too long ago. They're around 100dhs and good quality (on my nails at least, minimal chipping).. but looking for some fresh colors and preferably a bit more affordable.
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Latest post on 02 December 2013 - 11:33
It seems to be the standard for US banks to charge 3% on foreign transactions, although that fee can vary depending on the bank and type of account. Currently US-based HSBC charges 3% on all transactions made abroad (atm withdrawals and/or purchases). If you were charged something different before, then you might have been "grandfathered" under a previous policy. If this is the case, it might be worth a try to give them a call and have them waive this as you were not properly advised about the changes.
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Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:03
I can only share my experience - DH and I moved around between 3 different hotels for a period of 2 months, while we were looking for an apartment this year, and at no point were we asked by hotel staff to prove that we are married. Only one hotel actually asked for both of our passports and I was sure they'd want our marriage papers since I did not change my surname to DH's when we married... but nope, they didn't even mention it.
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Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 18:01
Watching live coverage from Paris on TV right now. According to the commentators, the decision should be announced "within 3 hours".
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Latest post on 27 November 2013 - 00:21
I too have been suffering from allergies since the storm. Not quite sure what type of pollen it might be, but there is definitely something in the air right now. Hope it passes soon, and your LO feels better!
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Latest post on 22 November 2013 - 18:11
I believe I have seen these at Ace.
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Latest post on 17 November 2013 - 14:39
Not sure when their sale will start, but you can always check their outlet location for discounted items.
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Latest post on 17 November 2013 - 14:26
If you travel often, you can pay to have the passport be issued with double the pages.
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Latest post on 29 October 2013 - 12:14
You should look for a dye-stripping shampoo at a beauty supply store. It will likely not get your hair to the exact shade you want, but will definitely be helpful in getting some of the pigment of the dye out. However, to be safe, may be best to consult with a salon before attempting more diy methods. <em>edited by DivineBeet on 29/10/2013</em>
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Latest post on 28 October 2013 - 21:41
Hi Kiariosoh - although I have yet to visit myself, a friend told me about a consignment store called Garderobe in Umm Suqeim. They also have a website www.garderobe.ae
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Latest post on 26 October 2013 - 16:28
Store called Daiso at the Dubai Mall sells pipe cleaners, not sure about the colors though. Good luck!
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Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 21:22
I came across Thai Time last week, upstairs in the Safestway Supermarket building. The place doesn't look like much, only stopped in because I was starving really, and was quite pleasantly surprised! If you're into home style Thai food, I recommend it! I went to Thailand on my honeymoon and have been searching out delicious Thai food ever since. Okay, now I am officially hungry.
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Latest post on 25 October 2013 - 02:13
Mine was locked from the UK and I got it unlocked here for AED50 Would you mind letting me know where you were able to get it unlocked? Looking to get this done with mine but haven't had much luck. TIA