HorizonMum2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

HorizonMum2

1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 16:54
could you email me your itinerary and any suggestions you may have... were both your children allowed on the game drive? or did you have to take turns babysitting them? did you club the safari with any other activity? how long did you go for? what sort of accommodation did you choose? would love more details [email protected]
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 16:16
Hi, I really have no experience with in living maids in Dubai, so what includes an in living Maids package . Many thanks in advance i'll try to help with as much info as possible... for all live-in maids you would be expected to provide the following: - room with bed, two sets of linens, some storage (for her belongings) and sufficient lighting & airconditioning / fan - basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, towels, sanitary pads, deo) which you would need to refresh as the supplies run out... I for example, budget to provide this every couple of months - access to a shower/toilet facilities (most apartment or villa maid rooms come with attached toilets) - if she's not going to have access to your food then a separate food allowance some additional items some employers offer include: - tv screen and cable connection for their - laptop with Skype access - mobile phone and top up credit - uniforms - extra money for overtime hours spent babysitting, etc. maid salaries are purely subject to your own budgets and the minimum salary set by the maid's home embassy... for example, in my case, I have a Nepalese maid... her embassy states a minimum salary of 900dhs per month... but we pay her 1400dhs per month... some nationalities expect higher salaries due to the average salary earned by their counterparts... for srilankan maids I think the average they expect is 1800dhs per month... and philipinos in the range of 2000-2500per month. of course you will always find a set of employers who pay their domestic help much higher or much lower than this average... but this is just to give you a rough idea... you will also need to factor in health insurance (noor takaful offers insurance for domestic help with a 1500dhs per year premium)... and their visa charges which are roughly 5500dhs per year hope this helps...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 15:40
how did he confirm bronchitis? did he do a swab test of the inner throat? Typically they should order a chest X-ray to rule out a condition like pneumonia, and may sometimes order a breathing test (called spirometry) to rule out asthma... if your doc hasn't done these I would insist on it before medicating the child any further... with antibiotics most children start to show improvements in symptoms within 48hrs... but if the fever and cough is persisting it may be signs of something more severe...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 15:29
hi... here are some sites that currently have deals on these... [url=http://couponsouq.com/products/electronic-tie-rack-for-aed99'>link[/url'> [url=http://www.hstdeals.com/motorized-tie-rack'>link[/url'> I had bought mine from the company in the second link <em>edited by HorizonMum2 on 15/04/2014</em>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 15:25
has the doctor confirmed bronchitis and ruled out pneumonia? just asking coz my 2yr went through a similar episode two months back and after two different courses of antibiotics and no improvement - finally blood tests and chest xray was done which clearly showed pneumonia... then poor little bubba was admitted for a week in hospital on heavy meds until she got better... she was exhibiting all the very same symptoms and even we tried out all the very same home remedies at first hope he gets better soon
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 09:17
I think it all really depends on how well the mattresses have been taken care of... ours, for example, come from a smoke free, pet free house... and (due to our eldest having asthma) we get our mattresses, sofas, rugs, professionally cleaned every six months by BedMattressDoctor... we've bought used beds for ourselves as well... unfortunately the cheaper frames in IKEA aren't very long lasting (especially if they get moved around)... we learned it the hard way when we initially bought IKEA furniture for our kids... IKEA mattresses are fine though but they were substantially more expensive than the bed frame...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 April 2014 - 08:44
we have a pre-loved sofa bed (used in our guest room) that opens out to be a spacious double bed... I have listed this advert in the classifieds section (link below) [url=http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/viewclassified.aspx?pid=30&cid=classifieds&clid=154777'>link[/url'> if you're interested please let me know... it's in very good condition and the covers are removable and washable... and fits perfectly into our study room (which is the approx. size of the average maids room)... the pictures have exact dimensions for you to see...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 15:18
pls send me an email and i'll be happy to help... I would need some details on what sort of balloon decoration you're looking for (arches, pillars, helium/air balloon bouquets, etc.) and also what your budget is for the event, whether the party hall allows sticking, etc. to the walls and so forth... also, please send location details, time of the party (and time available for setup), balloon colour choices, themes if any, etc. <em>edited by HorizonMum2 on 15/04/2014</em>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 11:16
EW needs to have an option to 'opt out' from email newsletters!! If I need info I will go on the site to find out... my inbox is cluttered up as it is!! just select their address as spam......... Also they need to remove your banned addresses from their database... as a courtsey didn't want to do that in hope of miraculously winning one of their contests!! :)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 April 2014 - 11:07
EW needs to have an option to 'opt out' from email newsletters!! If I need info I will go on the site to find out... my inbox is cluttered up as it is!!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 15:25
hahahhaha... complete rofl moment! :) have a lovely day!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 15:02
hehehhe thanks GE... that's more like a wishlist for me! :) cant wait for a milestone bday!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 14:57
a little see through box (lots in daiso!) with a note saying 'break in times of emergency'... and have the following items in there... - one mini nail file - one chocolate - one sanitary pad/tampon - 1dhs coin - tiny pot of lip gloss - miniature bottle of alcohol - small tube of hand crème!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 12:35
dragonmart and satwa also!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 April 2014 - 12:34
seaman's club in mankhool... simply to die for ribs!! :) cheap and cheerful too!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 April 2014 - 14:57
some ideas from a party planner :) theme the area with colours pertaining to Garfield... so lots of orange white and black... then print some party printables large on A4 or A3 size cardstock paper... http://www.creativeprintables.org/free-garfield-party-ideas.html get a Garfield themed cake! printables are also available on etsy from invites, welcome posters, cupcake toppers, etc. fill the area with paper lanterns in orange (but stripe them or put on whiskers and eyes to make a look-a-like Garfield head) and look online for inspiration... just saw a cute Garfield Italian theme party on catchmyparty http://catchmyparty.com/photos/1127413 I haven't seen any Garfield soft toys around lately... but take a stroll through AL KABAYAL discount centre (if you happen to pass Deira)... I remember seeing Garfield and Odie toys there before...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 09:27
Can I just ask if any of you who are able to live comfortably out here still manage to put money aside for retirement, wherever/whenever you are planning for that? DH and I with just three cats and two dogs in a 2 bed villa, with very little garden would struggle to have change out of 25k having pets can put a huge strain on your expenses and savings... just like having kids really... so I agree that it would be a struggle... but what we learnt in our earlier days of no kids and small apartment is that even setting aside 1000dhs a month and sending it elsewhere (offshore) where we couldn't access it... would result in a small pot at the end of the year... which, otherwise, if we had in our local bank accounts we would have easily blown away in just a club night out!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 09:27
Can I just ask if any of you who are able to live comfortably out here still manage to put money aside for retirement, wherever/whenever you are planning for that? DH and I with just three cats and two dogs in a 2 bed villa, with very little garden would struggle to have change out of 25k having pets can put a huge strain on your expenses and savings... just like having kids really... so I agree that it would be a struggle... but what we learnt in our earlier days of no kids and small apartment is that even setting aside 1000dhs a month and sending it elsewhere (offshore) where we couldn't access it... would result in a small pot at the end of the year... which, otherwise, if we had in our local bank accounts we would have easily blown away in just a club night out!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 April 2014 - 09:16
just wanted to add in some feedback as well... Dubai really is a place where people from all walks of life can really live a quality life... it all just depends on the kind of lifestyle you choose to live... just to give you two examples... [u'>our life[/u'> both my and DH work... combined income of approx. 60K a month... housing upto 160K paid by company so that covers our three bedroom compound villa in jumeirah... schooling covered for both children that go to a 40K a year school... we have a full time live in maid so that's approx. 1.8K a month in expenses (including all visa and medicals)... we have no pets and hence no vet fees to consider... our weekend meals are nearly always out (no brunches though) and we both have cars (one luxury saloon and the other a regular small hatchback)... we get medical insurance from both our companies and everyone's covered... DEWA/Etisalat/Phones etc all cost roughly around 1.5K a month which is out of our pocket but at the end of the day we still manage to take one international holiday, set aside offshore savings as well as have managed to buy (and fully pay for) two properties one here and one back home... our groceries are done in union coop and the main fruit/veg/fish market in deira and works out to roughly 2-2.5K a month... both my kids were born by csection and fully covered by our insurance (costed the insurance around 25K each) [u'>my sis in law's life[/u'> both sis in law and her hubby both work... combined income of 21K... they live in a very spacious 2bedroom in shj and have a monthly rent of 30K... they have one car which he takes to work and she goes by a hired transport bus to work in jebel ali... they have an agency maid that comes home to take care of their one son after school hours till hubby gets home and roughly costs them additional 2000 a month... he goes to an GOOD british curriculum school (KHDA rating) but one that the fees is only 12K a year!! (yesss imagine that!)... he goes and comes by bus so that's an additional 4K a year on bus fees... their DEWA bills are only 500dhs a month as the chiller is free (as in some apartment blocks)... they spend most weekends in the park, beaches and prefer home cooked food as opposed to eating out... they have still managed to set aside money for future education for their son as well as have bought one property back home... they shop for all their groceries at lulu and at the main market in sharjah and works out to around 1.5K a month... she delivered her son by csection at a government hospital in sharjah and although her insurance didn't cover maternity she only ended up paying around 8K in fees. so just goes to show that everything boils down to how much you allocate in terms of your budget for your different aspects of your life...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 11:48
most of the bakeries do it... basically they just print on edible sugar paper... though I think the size is limited to A4... try Mr. Bakers bakeshop... or Caesars... or Bakemart Plus...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 11:48
CHOCOA in Barsha - and their chocolate cake is amazinnggggggg! http://www.chocoa.ae/ they are quite heavenly but extremely expensive (imho)...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2014 - 11:46
hi there... absolutely furious with the offers I have got via dubizzle for my DD's high chair... it's in excellent condition (no scratches, tears, bite marks) - GRACO one that can be used by either gender and its just nice and bright... I paid around 350dhs for it... but some people have ridiculously offered me 40dhs for it!! the nerve I tell you... I have priced it very reasonable at 150dhs so if anyone's looking for one pls do let me know... thanks...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2014 - 09:41
posting just to see what mine is!! :) hahhaa... explorer!! hmmm if I hadn't got unceremoniously banned before would have probably had an Expert status by now... sssshhhhh (hope the mods don't notice this!) <em>edited by HorizonMum2 on 27/03/2014</em>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 March 2014 - 11:57
Thanks HorizonMum2 here my e mail [email protected] I want to have the colour in my bedroom. Did you paint yourself or do you have a good painter on hand? you've got mail... we did one wall in our living room this colour... we just got our villa maintenance guys to do it... so much cheaper as they had all the equipment and we just had to buy the paint from jotun for them... you can remove your emai now
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 11:56
why not just get an extra mattress that will fit under the cot (when not in use) and can be pulled out to serve as a cushioning when child is sleeping (similar to a trundle bed concept)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 11:15
sounds good... thanks! :)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 09:49
sarahlou... do they only make a standard size? or do they fit all sorts of cushions? excuse my ignorance but would like to know a bit more about this... we were planning on buying a pre-loved ACE outdoor lounge unit
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 09:48
how lovely... I must tell my DD who's turning 7 next week about this... hopefully it will inspire her to do something similar! :)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 March 2014 - 09:21
sorry to hijack... I don't have a folding z-bed but I do have a sofa cum bed that may serve the purpose for you... have placed this on dubizzle to sell... so am taking the liberty of attaching the link here... [url=http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/furniture-home-garden/furniture/sofas-futons-lounges/2014/3/16/sofa-bed-very-spacious-2/'>link[/url'>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 15:01
hi ladies... I've emailed you... so you can now remove your address...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 14:53
black tshirt and lack tights... and buy yellow crepe paper or tape and wrap around :) add two feelers for the head gear and fairy wings in white! :) viola!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 14:44
I try on and off ;) I find it easier on the weekends!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 14:40
I've got stuff to sell too... and I tried expatwoman for a couple of weeks and got absolutely no response from the site visitors :( so then went on dubizzle... and honestly the people on that are just out to haggle!! I put an item (originally for 3500/-) for 1200/-... and its in great condition... and I had some people ask me whether I would consider giving it for 100dhs!!! I mean come on!!! anyway... I had some amount of good response via facebook... there are a few pages called 'Second Hand Dubai (UAE)', 'Pre Loved Dubai' and 'Buy It, Sell It, Swap It'... which has more reasonable buyers... try that route if possible... and if anyone's interested in a corner unit, a sofa bed, a wooden dressing table with mirror and a large rug (black) do let me know :)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 12:59
I'm off to our school's annual charity ball tonight!! hopefully we wont get washed out by the rain! :)
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 12:58
rinco tailors in bur Dubai (meena bazaar) do stitching in 24hrs and u can buy the material from them as well... Do they stitch casual dresses? Like if I show them a pattern or style will they replicate it exactly? Do you know how much they would charge roughly? yes they would... provided you buy the material from them... I paid around 200dhs for a gown all inclusive...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 12:56
its more of an adult's party :( but i will go and check favourite things in marina mall. would you need alcohol at the event? in that case it has to be at a hotel... budget ones that fall into that spectrum (75/- per head) include: - four points Sheraton on bank street bur Dubai - marco polo hotel, deira - holiday inn close to bur juman centre - London suites hotel inside al wasl sports club - flora creek on riqqa street
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 12:13
rinco tailors in bur Dubai (meena bazaar) do stitching in 24hrs and u can buy the material from them as well...
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 11:35
try cocos on shk zayed road... restaurant (not hotel)... for hotels the minimum rate is 75/- and that too at 3star hotels
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 09:45
NEW Look, MATALAN, BHS, Marks&Spencers and H&M all stock wide fitting shoes! :) all the best... can't say I've seen any lavender ones though! <em>edited by HorizonMum2 on 13/03/2014</em>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 March 2014 - 09:16
we've been at horizon for the past three years and love it here... sorry but cant comment on safa as I don't have any personal experience there
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 March 2014 - 09:07
I second ASOS (online store)... they have an awesome selection of stuff and pretty cheap! they offer free delivery to Dubai if you don't need urgently (usually reaches you within 20days)... otherwise you can pay for urgent shipping
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 March 2014 - 08:20
Mango currently have a few long sleeved maxi dresses... but the only challenge is meeting your price budget... most of them are in the 200 mark... perhaps wait for them to go on sale?
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 March 2014 - 15:03
quick search on dubizzle revealed the following options: [url=http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/residential/villahouse/2014/3/6/4-br-villa-with-private-garden-in-jumeirah-2/?back=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&pos=1'>link[/url'> [url=http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/residential/villahouse/2013/12/15/4-bhk-villa-in-a-compound-with-shared-pool-2/?back=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&pos=5'>link[/url'> [url=http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/residential/villahouse/2014/2/9/very-spacious-semidetached-4br-maids-villa-2/?back=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&pos=9'>link[/url'>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 March 2014 - 16:14
hi... has anyone does this recently? which one do you recommend? it's for my movie mad 7yr old girl and her classmates
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 14:17
just call the guys at TAKE MY JUNK
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 14:06
sounds fantastic - thanks for the link. will definitely be there to support! thank you! :) hope you have a lovely evening!
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 13:45
HorizonMum2 thank you so much I am interested in how is to live there with a toddler. Now I can do everything on foot can take big walks as we live in the sport city kind of in AD. How is the traffic and parking. Are the building very noisy from tenants? I think it is such a big change to move to Dubai from here or from AD to Dubai. Other thing here you are able to skip agents there not so much and I have very little trust in them just by reading papers and forums :-(. sorry being so agitated but it is so stressing we have been living in this apartment block for the past three years... a few pointers to note when living on shk zayed road... - choose the side on the crowne plaza side (offers easy access to back road, satwa, jumeirah, etc.) - to get the most competitive rent choose a building that is slightly old but well maintained - try and get an apartment that faces the back of the building (so not road facing but sea facing) - choose a lower floor as opposed to a higher floor (as rents seem to be higher for the top floors) - most of the apartment buildings on this strip popularly called Trade Centre 1 & 2 come with party hall, swimming pool, squash courts, gym, etc. - the biggest advantage of our building has been a park (Satwa park) that is just opposite... so a short walk away - nearly all the buildings offer residents parking spots... paid street parking is also available but can get a little tricky between 8pm-10pm at night and sometimes on weekends - most of the buildings are managed by real estate companies so no need of additional agents... just contact watchman and ask for details of the real estate company to coordinate with
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 13:23
I'm moving out of my building and we live in a building across the road from DIFC metro station... could give u more details if interested
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 13:18
loads in dragonmart... or then try this one on souq [url=http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/square-rug-6295371/i/'>link[/url'>
1257
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 06 March 2014 - 13:17
horizon mum2 - does josh do amazing sound looping and play harp by any chance? if so i saw him play at the fridge and he was sensational...will get there early to catch him. no he only does the guitar... here's a link to his performance... maybe you recognize his face... he's played at Fridge loads of times! :) [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXpcdR8FW0c'>link[/url'>