RoseLAC

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 November 2014 - 23:16

You will find things, but they are scattered. For baby food and groceries in general Waitrose has a fair organic variety, which includes organic baby food, milk, meat, eggs, pasta sauce and pasta, etc. Another place worth checking out is the organic cafe in Dubai. They deliver in abu dhabi weekly: www.organicfoodsandcafe.com/ Finally I just heard there's a weekly street market going on Saadiyat Island called RIPE where organic produce is sold. For baby wipes and personal care items you may also find some brands on Waitrose/Abella. A few things like organic sunscreen I was able to find at Carrefour. At big pharmarcies here you find the Mustella brand, which is free of many of the chemical hazards, although I can't remember if it is all organic. The BabyShop in Dubai has a larger variety, including a extensive line from a brand called 7th Generation. As for non toxic items such as toys, mattresses, furniture, and other larger items, it gets really tricky as there's not enough consumer demand/business knowledge on the subject. I nearly lost my mind looking for an organic crib mattress, and had to settle for a mattress wrap that I ordered from New Zealand company. Pottery barn sell some organic bedding. I hope this helps.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 February 2014 - 21:53

Call me cynical if you like, but how come only new posters have used this agency? I've only posted a few times on this board and I'm new in Abu Dhabi, but I don't work for FindYourMaid. In fact, I'm a Marketing Manager at a Hospitality Company. I just used them and was able to find a maid within 5 days. I was going mad searching for 3 weeks because of my job. I tried asking the maids from my compound for references, tried asking friends, and even posted a thread here. I was getting cold leads, maids who didn't show up to interviews, or that took my offer only to later tell me they found something better. I was out of options when I found FindYourMaid and I went for it. At least it seems all the maids I interviewed from the website are genuinely ready to take a job. You see their profile info, a small interview. It is far more info that I'd gotten from any other source. On the down side, there's lots of maids who have a "tourist visa" and I don't know if it is easy to sponsor someone on that type of visa. Anyhow, the website seems transparent and accurate. I liked all 3 people I interviewed from the website and I decided to hire one of them. Her work visa was expiring on the date I was starting work. So I hired her. How good the maid is, only time will tell. I will try to report on it later. Rose

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 February 2014 - 11:47

Hi Ladies, Just wondering if anyone else is struggling to find a decent maid to join their family? I have been looking for 6 weeks since I fired the last one for stealing. We are a British couple with 2 dogs, no kids, so quite low maintenance. We provide accommodation, visa, food, annual ticket home & a decent salary, but it's still not good enough. I have been reading the posts on the site & calling maids regularly, but it seems they all want the world, or don't actually do a maid's job anymore! Typical things that are annoying me are; Maids advertise themselves but don't provide a number to call, so I email them, they don't reply. They don't answer their phones when I call them ( I understand some are not allowed to have their phones during the day? !), nor do they call back at any stage later. They don't want to work in our area - Al Barsha, the villas are too big so too much work They don't cook - I would only like some help, not every day They want live out - I thought that was illegal if under our sponsorship They want to go out each evening, this is a new one to me so I'm unsure When I meet them, they say they'll think about the job & call back - they don't It is so very frustrating & I wondered if I am being too picky - my DH says so - or is anyone else finding the same things? All I'd like is a filipino lady who is not absolutely terrified of dogs to join us, I'm now using agency maids to help me out while I'm sitting in the office writing this with the dogs at my feet! I refuse to use an agency to find a maid as not many good reports have been placed here. Next job this week is to advertise in the notice boards. Any other suggestions will be gratefully received! Hi there, I totally get your frustration! I've been looking for 3 weeks and I start working TOMORROW!! And I haven't finalized yet to find a maid. I had one Philipino who asked for 3,000Dhs salary + 30Dhs/hour for babysitting + Food! HA ha ha. I haven't had luck with the interview process. The one thing that is helping me now is this website: http://www.findyourmaid.com/ You can see their profile and an interview. I was able to interview 3 ladies in a couple days. I'm now with one of the 3 who is Philipina and very nice. My *only* hesitation is that she's young (26) and single, and I'm terrified of any problems regarding boyfriend, etc. I spoke with their previous employer and the references were good. I'm just unsure if single is a risk factor or not. Anyhow, try that website. I hope it helps you too.

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 February 2014 - 11:53

Hi, We are living the country in four weeks and our maid visa expires today. Do I have to do anything else? Does she needs a release? If yes, where could I get the form, what are the exact procedures? Thanks in advance Hi, is your maid looking for work? I am looking to hire a full time maid urgently. Perhaps I can sponsor her? Can you message me and let me know if she's interested? What nationality is she?

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 January 2014 - 17:29

Hi, can you tell me if she's in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Also, what nationality is she? I am looking for a full time for mid-end of February. Hi all After a long search we have finally found our maid who starts next week. In the end it came down to two candidates, both of whom I thought were great and I had trouble deciding between. The lady that I decided against is still looking for a job and I think would be great so am just passing on her details if anyone out there is looking. Her name is Juliet, phone number is 055 761 7529. She had a good reference, good grasp of English, friendly and punctual to the interview, good with kids and pets etc.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 January 2014 - 13:44

Hi everyone, I am looking for a new maid to start in February (but will take her right away if available). I hope one that comes highly recommended. We are a small family with only one child, a 3,5 year old boy. Need to be someone caring, reliable, responsible that cleans well and has good English. Thanks!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 January 2014 - 13:37

Hi: I am going to need a full time, live-in maid coming February. Can you let me know if she's still available? We are a small family, only one child, a 3,5 year old boy. We are offering a good salary. Thank you, <em>edited by RoseLAC on 23/01/2014</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 November 2013 - 20:47

you can check the ratings here : http://whichschooladvisor.com/guides/best-schools-in-abu-dhabi-school-ratings/ Kinda of scary that GEMS American Academy is considered Top 2 school in Abu Dhabi. I am o.k. with GEMs this far, only because my son is on KG, but by all means I know there's gotta be better schools out there. There's gotta be.

19

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 November 2013 - 11:09

I had heard good things about Exile and hired them to do a move-in clean up for my villa. The villa wasn't super dirty, but after appliance installation, there were footprints all over the house. So I hired them. They charged me $1,200 for a 4-bedroom villa move-in cleanup. The home was empty and I asked them that they polish all kitchen cabinets inside out, clean the windows inside, wipe down all doors, wash bathrooms (floors and tiles), and clean up the floor. Exile team left water marks all over the marble floor and the kitchen cabinets were not cleaned inside. The doors were not polished. I really doubt they washed the bathroom tiles as I request (hard to tell, but I doubted after seeing the quality of their work). So I was upset and ask them to redo the floors and the kitchen cabinet. One lady came back with literally one mop in one hand and one cleaning spray bottle on the other. She fixed the floors, but then used something inappropriate for Kitchen cabinets, because it made several stains on the cabinets' veneer that won't come off. And they also took my cleaning bucket. So in all, I felt like a complete idiot for burning 1,200 for a cleaning that not only didn't happen, it actually left me with damage in my kitchen cabinet and almost one cleaning bucket poorer (I called later and they returned it). When I called about the stains on the cabinet, Exile spokesperson said they could try to replace the cabinet, but then I wasn't willing to go through that headache, I just wanted to move in and settled down, so I said I could live with the uneven/matte spots left in the cabinet. Instead, I asked for a discount, which she refused to give me. I am not sure how they are for every day cleaning, but stay away from them if you want a move-in cleanup. A complete waste of money. <em>edited by RoseLAC on 03/11/2013</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 12:06

Ace Hardware in Yas Island will have them, they were really nice last year. I think you can order them now around 400 dhs. Thanks!!

19

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 October 2013 - 22:29

Hi everyone Want to know how is gems America academy Abu dhabi thinking of putting my 3 year old in this school. Please help Thanks Ivr Hi there, I have my 3.5 year old at Gems. I have mixed opinions. While they have amazing facilities and good teachers (at least I like my son's teacher, and my other friends who have kids in different grades are happy as well), the school is very disorganized (admin). They've grown too fast, in my opinion, and now have a hard time streamlining communication. However, to me, the most important thing is that my son enjoys and learn new things at school (he's only at KG1 after all) which he is. So, in short the teachers are good, the facilities are great but the organization overall could improve. <em>edited by RoseLAC on 28/10/2013</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2013 - 23:38

delight are good For pest control? Thank you busybee, always so helpful!

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 October 2013 - 22:28

I have a garden and the grass is dead, with lots of ants (that are making their way to the patio and my kitchen!).Any recommendation for landscaping/garden maintenance and pest control? I'm particularly interested in Pest Control recommendation, because I've read horrifying stories of unlicensed companies who have used stuff so strong that killed children! I have a 3-year old, so I want to have peace of mind. Thanks!

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 15:43

Also, I think Hyunday has some good deals as well. Price reduction with some perks. We almost went with the Hyunday Santafe, it is an awesome car, but last minute decided VW.

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 09:26

Hi, I just got a Volkswagen Tiguan for me and a passat for hubby, because they extended their Ramandan promo. So you get: 5 years warranty, 3 years road assistance, 3 years of free service, 1 year of free insurance and registration, plus 2 nights in a Hotel in Dubai (we didn't want the hotel nights, so they gave us a 1,000Dhs discount in each car). The only problem they are literally out of stock, we had to wait a couple weeks for my car to get here, and I'm getting it next week, hopefully.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 31 August 2013 - 08:51

Thank you busybee! Your suggestion to look at Khalifa B is a good one. Thanks!!

19

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 August 2013 - 10:07

Hi ladies, I finally arrived in Abu Dhabi this past week and began my house searching right away. I had set my mind in a 3-bedroom townhouse/villa in Al Raha Gardens, but to my surprise, my 200K budget is not buying anything in that area right now. Apparently the prices just started going up. So I'm looking at Khalifa City A, and I'm so disappointed with the quality of the units (old, cheap looking). While my 200K budget is good for Khalifa City A, they usually show me bigger villas (6+ bedrooms) instead of a good-quality 3-4 bedrooms which is what I want. With that in mind, I have a couple questions: 1) Am I missing any good compounds in Khalifa City A that have contemporary/good quality/finishes small villas? 2) Any other place I could have a chance at finding a 3-4 bedroom townhouse/villa around $200k (not Al Reef, I don't want to be that far). Thank you so much!! I'm quite desperate as I need to find "home" in 4 days :( Rose

19

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 17:59

When we left Doha, our wonderful maid decided to return to the Philipines and get married, which was perfect. We have kept in touch over the past few years, and heard from her recently that her husband has died, and she is now desperate to start working again. We can't bring her into Qatar, as no new Philipino visas are being issued, so I need to try and find her a job in Abu Dhabi. She is hard working, cheerful, honest, my kids loved her, she was responsible with all the animals we had, and cheerfully cleaned up messes or walked dogs if we needed her to. If you are looking for someone like that, please let me know. The downside is that she is still in the Philipines, so you would have to arrange entry and visas etc. for her. I will be moving to Abu Dhabi in August, so if by then she hasn't find work, please msg me. I will need a full time maid for a 3-bedroom villa, and I'd happily check if she could be a good fit to our family. We're planning to sponsor a maid and incur the fees associated with visas, etc, so it wouldn't be a problem.

19

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 18:09

yes the majority of places will be unfurnished and no applicances. some of the bigger high rises or compounds may have a cooker etc, but the majority wont. most people just buy the necessary bits until the shipment comes or they buy something second hand in the first instance Thanks busybee2! I will be sure to budget for kitchen appliances.

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