Ladybirdsarethebest | ExpatWoman.com
 

Ladybirdsarethebest

Ladybirdsarethebest
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Latest post on 20 May 2013 - 15:18
You might find it is your credit rating that is the problem. Daft as it sounds. My Dad looked into getting a joint mortgage with me for a buy to let but as neither of us have a credit rating, we couldn't. He hasn't borrowed for 30+ years, pays off his credit cards which he has had for 20+ years, has substantial savings but no credit rating. Person at the bank suggested he gets a new card and spends a bit on it and pays it off and it will improve. He didn't and we decided not to go ahead with the house purchase.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
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Latest post on 14 May 2013 - 11:10
Anyone interested in a trade? I have 6 mocha pods that I wasn't a huge fan of. Bought them in the US, they don't sell this flavor here. I have some that we aren't using, where are you?
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 12:07
Even if you supply them with the details they will lose them (about 5 times) and when you need something like a new cheque book they will say you cannot have it as they don't have a copy of your visa. I now make them sign to confirm that they have received copies and pull this out if they ask for it again. Not been bugged since.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 11:36
I find that if you are ordering DVDs especially if it is more than GBP 100 then you are better off using their delivery as you get the VAT off and this covers the cost of postage. Takes longer though, up to a week normally and we have never had any problems.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 16:06
There is in Bin Sougat, the typing centre is in the basement and the DNRD is on the 1st floor. There used to be one in Arabian Centre, not sure it is still there.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 09 May 2013 - 12:43
I lost my passport years ago and your first step is to go to the police, they charge for the report (about AED 25 from memory, probably has gone up), they will then advise what you need to do. From memory, I had to get the police report stamped by the 2 departments in the building next to the courts and at immigration. Then to the embassy, apply for new passport and then back to immigration to have a replacement residence visa. Seem to remember it wasn't a new one but a replacement, still cost lots of dirhams. At some point I had to go back to the police station. The police station I went to was really helpful, in fact everyone was. I have a Dutch passport so replaced very quickly, the whole thing only took about 2 weeks but it was a few years ago.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 14:10
I use Right Maids (www.rightmaids.com) and have been happy for about 2 years now. I have a regular lady that comes twice a week.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 13:56
We kept DD at nursery for FS1 as we preferred the hours and the majority of her friends were staying. Also DHs company pay for schooling from FS2 and nursery is slightly cheaper. We didn't have a place for FS2, applied for 2 schools and didn't get one but got the other. One school has FS1 (the one she got into), other one doesn't. Most of her friends are going to the school she got into. I think it can vary where you are and what schools you want. One of the schools we applied for didn't open their list until last January (i.e. 18 months before admission).
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 13:48
Ikea but not with cartoon pictures, they have different shapes. We have the flower one.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 13:47
Max Burger is good (there is one in MCC). I also liked the option of omitting the bun and having lettuce instead. I always end up leaving the bun.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 11:32
How about Funky Monkey? They are above Safestway supermarket. The cafe is run by Pizza Express and there is a soft play area.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 12:11
Have you tried these: http://www.reachtransport.com/service.html http://www.fancytransport.com/iframefancy.aspx?pg=about I did a search because I remember an article a few years ago about a company that parents could use and they provided seat belts on buses.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 11:32
The second picture on this website made me laugh (dated 3 May). http://theproudparents.com/ We have bought a little pillow with a pocket on the front so we don't have to disturb DD. She hasn't lost any teeth but it was so cute. When I was little, it was a coin under the pillow.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 12:54
We had this problem about a month ago with the Grande Intenso. Apparently they were having problems with the importers, we asked in Lulu and they called us when they were back in stock. I am now keeping a months worth of stock at home all the time. If you call them on 800 348786 they should be able to tell you when they will be back in stock. We struggled to find this too, but happened to see the sales rep when in Waitrose and he claimed there was not shortage just that the stores had stopped ordering it. We called Dolce Gusto as I always take what shops tell me with a pinch of salt and they also said they were having problems and offered to call me when the stock was in. Fortunately Lulu called me a week later and I bought 6 boxes.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 05 May 2013 - 09:10
We had this problem about a month ago with the Grande Intenso. Apparently they were having problems with the importers, we asked in Lulu and they called us when they were back in stock. I am now keeping a months worth of stock at home all the time. If you call them on 800 348786 they should be able to tell you when they will be back in stock.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 11:42
As soon as this happens to me, I have to drink more water. It soon disappears once I have had two or three glasses of water.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 April 2013 - 14:01
Go early, about an hour before they say. Do not park in the sand, my friend got a parking ticket. Its a long walk from the car to the tables, so try and borrow a trolley and take as much on each trip as you can. Are you taking children's clothes? If so try and separate them by age/gender.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 April 2013 - 09:08
I was in Spinneys in Bin Sougat and saw they had the packs but only Diet Pepsi. I thought I would pick up a couple of packs but only ended up with one pack as someone (or some people) had methodically opened every pack on the shelf and taken the vouchers out. Grrr
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 15:36
Of course you have rights in Dubai as a customer, you just need to know who to call if you feel your rights are not given. Every shop has a sign with the website of Consumer Protection. I had a problem with a travel agent who didn't inform me my ticket was non refundable, which I found out when I was trying to cancel. I got my money back after some arguing and threatening with Dubai Tourism Board (Who took on my case but it already got solved). Really as consumers we need to know our rights, and not allow businesses to get away with cheating us. Just call Consumer Protection and see what they say. Sometimes you don't even need to call them. Twice I have had the problem that the price on the item is different to the amount that comes up on the till. I have the taken my phone from my handbag, asked for the number for Consumer Protection and have instantly been given the price on the item. I didn't even need to dial.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 12:43
It is also frustrating that they always ask you if you want the Al Shaya card, I always answer, I will get one once I benefit and not just Al Shaya benefiting. I said this to the store manager and he said so many people say this I recently had to go back as they had charged me full price and not the sale price on an items and they tried to tell me the item shouldn't have been on sale and they would refund me to the card. I made a stand and they gave me the item at the reduced price but wouldn't sway on the difference being refunded back in cash (I had paid cash) fortunately my DH had found a shirt he liked so bought that with the change.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 14:21
Post got deleted i guess it was because i put my email address on it grrrrrrrr can you please let me know when you upload your handysit for sale as i have no way of contacting u I'm very interested Thanks If you have a look on classifieds, I am also selling ELC Lights and Activity table, my mobile no. is on there.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 11:48
We did have the Antilop, a quick push to the front of it quickly takes the tray off - obviously with baby out! We then moved on to a plastic booster seat and then the Stokke Handysit. I am about to put the Handysit onto classifieds.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 April 2013 - 11:40
We have had ours for about 7 years now, very simple. We have the most basic one but might change it to the My Zone one. http://emiratespost.com/content/english/indiv-main-eng.jsp;jsessionid=ec285cfc83d443e686a7d6bb9014d2a6
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 12:18
There is also a Dubai Library Distributor shop in Arabian Centre - next to the food court.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 10:19
Not worth it. As the others have said, a good set of knives, a knife sharpener and chopping board are the best tools.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 April 2013 - 09:52
Then it is expensive. Do they include use of the facilities afterwards? Is there a reason for wanting an indoor pool? As I said, we take our DD to classes that are outdoors and they are in the morning and the pool is covered so it's not too bad.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 11:20
I wanted to make something at home which requires fleece, foam board, and felt in small quantity and the teacher shop has really high prices, is there a specific place in Satwa I can find these for LESS?? Thanks in advance ladies! Fida in Satwa has felt. Daiso also has felt. For fleece, the cheapest way, I would have thought, is to buy a fleece blanket from Ikea/C4/Lulu. Sorry, I cannot help with the foam board, perhaps ask in Dubai Library Stores.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 11:17
Grand Hyatt hotel has an indoor pool and offer swim lessons for kids however they ask dhs90 per lesson! We pay AED 65 for classes that are outdoors and in classes of 4 so AED 90 would be good if it is one on one classes.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 12:08
We realised this at the weekend. If you look at OSN First +2 all the programmes are there just 2 hours later. I record everything so it doesn't make much difference to me. I hate the adverts so record so I can forward through them.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 12:04
http://www.emiratesid.gov.ae/en/eida-services/services-for-individuals/Renew-ID-Card.aspx At the bottom of this page, it say AED 20 per day up to a maximum of AED 1,000.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 April 2013 - 11:30
I love being in the water when it is raining. You are wet anyway so what difference does a bit more water make. When we lived in Venezuela we could set our watches by the monsoon rain and we were all in the pool about 5 minutes before hand. Might be interesting when you are trying to get a bite to eat though.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 02 April 2013 - 12:54
Decathlon is the name of the shop that sells cheap but good bikes. They are in Mirdif City Centre. Near Debehams/Cinema. Debehams! - I mean Debenhams <em>edited by Ladybirdsarethebest on 02/04/2013</em>
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 01 April 2013 - 16:09
A bit late but Dr. Ngo at Welcare in Arabian Ranches is amazing, she used to be in Mirdif and we still drive to see her. She is British trained.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 01 April 2013 - 11:43
Crate & Barrel in MCC does Cuisinart. I bought the mini food processer by Cuisinart and a Moulinex grater as I didn't want a big machine.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 26 March 2013 - 13:37
What area are you looking at? We use Waves Academy (www.wavesacademy.com) but they are in the Mirdif area. Active Sports are in various locations. (www.activeuae.com)
Ladybirdsarethebest
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Latest post on 19 March 2013 - 12:10
My DH always pre-orders cheesecake with a candle in it for me when we go out for dinner for my birthday. I hate cheescake. Other than this he is pretty good although he does suffer from man flu. Whoops, edited to say we have been married 16 years this year. <em>edited by Ladybirdsarethebest on 19/03/2013</em>
Ladybirdsarethebest
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Latest post on 19 March 2013 - 12:05
I have seen them in Spinney's. It was the very small one in Mirdif so I would have thought they will be in the larger ones. <em>edited by Ladybirdsarethebest on 19/03/2013</em>
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 15:31
My DD wasn't the greatest of eaters and wasn't keen on milk but I tried the milk with the purple label (not camel milk) as it has extra protien in it. She loves it. I started with strawberry milk powder in it (she is another one that doesn't like chocolate) and slowly reduced the amount of powder. She now has it without. She was allowed to choose the shape of her pasta as she would eat that. First she would get it with just a bit of butter on it, then cheese was added she now eats a meat sauce with it. It is my go to meal when she is being stroppy about food. It is made with 500g of mince and 1kg (min) of veg so I know she is getting veg. I make the veg sauce, puree it and add it to the mince. She makes me promise that there are no carrots in it. There are but she doesn't know :) She was a fabulous eater until she hit 2 years and 6 months. Curries, spice, veggies the lot. She is slowly getting better. I just don't make a fuss at meals. She is nearly 4 now. If you look at what she eats over a week, is it okay? Somedays my DD eats/drinks next to nothing but the next day she has hollow legs. It balances out over 7 days.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 11:51
I used to work for a very big company here, they kept the passports for the lower grades of staff. I was on the highest grade on which they kept passports (it wasn't in the contract). I asked how quickly I would get it back in an emergency, say I needed to get to the UK on a Friday morning as something had happened that needed me back. I was told probably within 12 hours but more than likely Sunday. I asked if they were kept in a fire safe, I was told no, just an ordinary filing cabinet. I went to Oman the following weekend so got my passport back and refused to hand it over. HR emailed me every month asking for it back, I simply deleted the emails. Fortunatly they made me redundant a year later.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 March 2013 - 14:14
I bought DD some at Funky Monkey.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 10 March 2013 - 16:42
We have been in Mirdif for nearly 11 years now. We love it and wouldn't move. This is partly because we both work locally. We have lived under the flight path and you get used to it although we have now moved to the otherside of Mirdif (near Emirates British Nursery) and we rarely hear the planes. We are in a small compound of 6 villas with a pool and it suits us. No garden to speak of but it keeps the DEWA bills down and there are parks near by. The place has changed beyond recoginition in the last 11 years but in the last 2 or 3 years I have noticed that there are more and more things to do. This is partly because we now have a DD who is about to turn 4. She now has swimming lessons locally (used to have to go to Jumeirah) and she has tennis lessons locally. She wants to start football lessons as well. We have joined the sports club at the Grand Hyatt has we wanted a pool DD could use during the Winter (our pool isn't heated) and DH wanted a gym near work.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 07 March 2013 - 14:22
If you cannot find a suitable school maybe suggest a nursery for a year instead.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 15:56
My DD didn't move she was just entranced. We went to see The Gruffalo and had front row seats for that and again she stayed sat. Some children did walk up to the front and it was only when they were about to get onto the stage did parents intervene. Very annoying. I would say about 95% of the children didn't leave their seats. We have only been up in the balcony when we have been without DD. I don't think you see as much and the atmosphere is different.
Ladybirdsarethebest
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Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 12:46
Last year they did 'The Tiger who came to Tea' and we took our DD who was 2 (2 months shy of her 3rd birthday) and as we booked so late we were 2 rows from the back. It is a proper theatre layout and the seats are staggered. She could see really well. She didn't wriggle as she was enthralled. We booked early this year and have front row seats. The show time is brilliant this year, she is guaranteed to be awake and we can go and have lunch afterwards.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 28 February 2013 - 10:31
If you are willing to invest in one, there is a kiosk in festival city (i think there is one in ibn batuta as well) that covers your iphone or ipad (front, back, and sides). The cover has a lifetime warranty so if it ever peels, take it back to them (with the cover still on) and they will replace it free of charge :) i paid 130 dhs to get my iphone done for just a clear film.. They have some with designs at the back for 180 dhs. Not sure of the price for the ipad though. The one at festival city is on the hyperpanda side of the mall. If burger king is to your back, walk straight towards damas etc and it will be on your right (i think by the elevators). Its the only one there. We have had this done on our iPhones & iPads. We had it done at Arabian Centre. They don't say anything no matter how many times you take it back for recovering.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 14:42
Go Sport in MCC had lots of Zoggs stuff.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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Latest post on 21 February 2013 - 16:21
Well I am going to gross you all out, my grandparents (Dutch) lived in a house with their 5 children and they didn't have a bathroom, there was a toilet but everyone washed in the kitchen. Everyday you locked the door, stripped off, filled the sink and washed yourself. Used clean water to rinse off, got dressed and the next person went in. Eventlually they had a sink put in the master bedroom but you could only get cold (icy) water out of the tap. It was all they knew. There was a sink outside the toilet room so you could wash your hands.
Ladybirdsarethebest
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Latest post on 21 February 2013 - 16:05
We went there a few weeks ago using one of the discount vouchers. The girls loved it and the staff were great and security was good. Not sure I would have paid AED 160 for the experience but AED 69 was well worth it. I think the soft play is AED 25 per hour. We did the whole thing of mani/pedi/dress up.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 16:57
Try Decathlon in MCC. Columbia or Timberland or even North Face (MCC). I would suggest lots of layers.
Ladybirdsarethebest
384
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 16:07
We have done 11 Summers in Dubai and I don't mind being here. Our DD will be 4 this Summer, she is in nursery for the day and then lots of playdates at the weekends. At the weekends we head down to the beach early. We went away for 2 weeks one August and whilst I loved the holiday, I found the rest of the Summer hard. Getting off that plane and the humidity hitting you is just horrible. Staying means the heat builds up so not too hard to cope with. We plan our days so we are back for lunch so that we can eat at home. Driving and parking anywhere is bliss. My journey into work is 25 mins during the rest of the year, about 10 to 15 mins during the Summer.
 
 
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