RuthM

I have used both, now just use Bobbi Brown the loose mineral powder. Which Bobbi Brown do you use? I am considering changing though, I have heard good things about Jane Iredale and did a makeup trial last time I was in Canada, it's just so difficult to get here. I also like Laura Mercier, they do a fairly big mineral makeup range. The makeup artist for my wedding used their normal range which I was really happy with, but I am going to try a Laura Mercier mineral makeup trial at Fenwicks when I go to the UK at the end of the month.

By the same standards; I presume you lovely ladies will be cancelling your shop 'n' ship accounts and buying local from now on? I think we're talking manufactured and frankly the UAE doesn't manufacture much of anything (although we have some hangers from here). Now for a long post! I make a conscious effort to not buy products made in China where possible but it is not easy. So many manufacturers are moving production to China. I prefer to buy Made in UK but will look for anywhere made in the Western world and Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Not only because you have no idea the conditions workers in the Far East have to work under but also because I believe the western economy needs a boost right now so what better way to help than to buy from home. Just in Dubai we have a sofa from Crate & Barrel, made in North Carolina, US, Ethan Allen desk and chair made in US. Pans from Lagostina, made in Italy, Knives from Shun made in Japan. Scott Zwiesel glasses from Pottery Barn made in Germany. Tableware from Crate & Barrel made in Italy, tableware from Denby, made in England, we wanted Wedgwood for a formal set but much of their manufacturing is now moved to China so we are now looking at Nikko which are made in Japan. B&O stereo made in Denmark, Pioneer TV made in Japan, And So To Bed… bed made in Italy, we are looking at ordering more bedroom furniture from Simon Horn which are made in England. Sadly we bought some furniture form Pottery Barn and were disappointed to find it was made in China. I have a Medi-Ball made in Australia and a Zsig badminton net made in UK. DH buys his shirts from Turnbull & Asser and shoes from Crockett and Jones which are made in England. Our camera bags are both Billingham and made in UK and we have some Zeiss binoculars (inherited) which are not just made in Germany but made in West Germany! In the UK we have in storage and stowed at my mothers for visits. Oak dining set made in France (the brand name escapes me but most French oak is awesome - especially farmhouse style). More Denby tableware (I kind of ended up with 5 sets, bit of an addiction!). Barbour wax jackets, made in England. Johnstons cashmere scarves made in Scotland. Le Chameau wellies made in France, don't kid yourself with those fashionable Hunters (which are made in China) Le Chameau are the way to go, my father bought them in the 60's used them all his life and would not touch Hunter. (I must confess, I did once buy some Hunters, I was taken in by the purple neoprene lining but Le Chameau are so much better!). Two shotguns made by William Evans in England and a third shotgun made by Browning in Belgium (before they relocated their manufacturing to China and other places). I can't express how upset I am Apple products are made in China but still can't help buying them. :-( And we are currently looking at ordering a Loewe (Germany) TV and Duresta (England) sofas in the not to distant future, and I am hoping for some Dubarry's (Portugal, formally Ireland) when we visit the UK at Christmas (if only DH checked this forum!). Perhaps I should have mentioned, buying things not made in China is kind of a obsession of mine. However even with my efforts I still find tons of my clothing is made in China, Thailand, Indonesia etc. I have a bit of a summary of the best places to go to for certain items, in order of preferance. For wool go to Scotland, for audio electronics England or Denmark (if you have cash to burn), for Plasma TVs Japan for other electronics Germany. For kitchenware US, Italy or France, for knives Japan, Germany, maybe France, for furniture England, France, Italy or US, for bedding Italy. For shirts England or Ireland, for suits England or Italy, for shoes England, Italy or Spain. For wellies France, for wax jackets England, for guns England, Italy or Spain, For pilates equipment, Australia. I would love to hear other peoples opinions and also ideas for more types of items. For those interested here is a list of some manufacturers I buy from and what I know of their production details, any corrections/updates gratefully received and wold love some more brands to add. Although I do have a spreadsheet (somewhere) which is a more complete list but it needs updating (one of my summer chores whilst in the UK): Home Denby - Made in Denby, England Nikko - Made in Japan Wusthof - Made in Germany Shun - Made in Japan Lagostina - Made in Italy All-Clad - Made in US (but sometimes China so beware) Mauviel - Made in France Le Crueset - Made in France (stoneware made in China) Laguiole - Should be made in France Crate & Barrel - Made in US Pottery Barn - Made in China And So To Bed… - Made in Italy (some made in Philippines) Simon Horn - Made in England Duresta - Made in England Duresta - Made in England Fou Furnishings - Made in Italy (some lines) and organic Ethan Allen - Made in US and Mexico (rumours of some stuff coming form China now) AGA - Made in Shropshire, England Falcon - Made in UK Smeg - Made in Italy Weber - Made is US (some products made in China, notably the Spirit line Miele - Made in Germany (some lines made in China) Sebo - Made in Germany Clothing & Accessories Crockett & Jones - Made in Northampton, England Turnbull & Asser - Made in Gloucester, England Thomas Pink - Very few lines made in Ireland the rest made in Thailand Johnstons - Made in Elgin, Scotland Le Chameau - Made in France Hunter - Now made in China Dubarry - Now made in Portugal LK Bennett - Made in Spain Smartwool Socks - Made in US (some line made in Korea and China) Mulberry - Made in England (however 70% of manufacturing now outsourced to Turkey and China) Longchamp - Made in France (however many now made in China) Swaine & Adeney Brigg - Made in Cambridge, England Zimmerli - Made in Switzerland Falke - Made in Sauerland, Germany Sunspel - Made in England (some products outsourced) Pantherella - Made in Leicester, England Barbour - Made in Derbyshire, England (some products outsourced to Eastern Europe, Indonesia and India) John Smedley - Made in Derbyshire, England Derek Rose - Some products made in England Dunhill - Heritage line made in England, shoes made in Italy (need confirmation) other products need confirmation Mont Blanc - Made in Germany Billingham - Made in UK Electronics Bang & Olufsen - Made in Denmark, although some now in Czech Republic and some parts are imported form China, Taiwan or Korea (they use Samsung a lot) Loewe - Made in Germany Bowers & Wilkins - Made in UK (some lines) Pioneer Televisions - Made in Japan (Panasonic are now) ARCAM - Made in UK (some lines made in the Far East) Meridian - Made in Cambridge, England B&W - Made in Worthing, England and Denmark (some lines made in China) Leica - Made in Germany (the Panasonic rebadged lines are Made in Japan/China) Other Mediball - Made in Australia Beretta - Made in Italy William Evans - Bespoke made in England, other lines made in Italy or Spain and finished in England <em>edited by RuthM on 08/07/2012</em>

DH company switched to them and so far not happy. They only cover 10 physio sessions in a year. I had a back injury that recurred six weeks after the initial injury and was worse the second time round. Then couldn't get any treatment at all for it. Worried about the maternity now, we are planning for a baby and don't want to switch insurers because of the exemptions.

With the medical insurance 'time period' - the majority of medical insurance policies which cover maternity do not allow you to make a maternity related claim within the first few months of the policy, I have recently researched this and only found one which allowed you to claim immediately, one even had a 2 year wait. And also medical insurance provided by companies in Dubai does not have to cover maternity by law (unlike Abu Dhabi) so be sure that yours does and that you are able to make claims immediately. I think her DH has checked this as it was one of the first things I mentioned when he said they were moving out. Our last insurance had a six month wait in period but our current insurance does not I think many big companies have so many staff on their insurance they are less likely to have a wait in period. Ofc I could be in the same predicament soon if things go to plan and then my DH changes jobs!!! Watch this space! I'll get my DH to ask his PA tomorrow (she's Arabic speaker) to find out about what to do if you give birth early without a residence visa. Realistically though they must have some kind of allowances for holidaymakers where such things happen. <em>edited by RuthM on 07/07/2012</em>

Don't Panic!!! My DH came out on a tourist visa and worked on it for four months (it was an internal transfer). His company were moving from non free zone to free zone so couldn't process his visa until their new free zone company was set up. It was an internal transfer though and if caught you can get a fine/ban (although nearly everyone does it). However there should be no reason why he can't come on a tourist visa and not work while waiting for his employment visa to come through, just when you arrive if they ask purpose of your visit say vacation. See if your holiday insurance covers you for emergencies this late in pregnancy, by the time your holiday cover expires your visa should be in and full cover can start. I know your DH said there is no waiting clause in the employment medical cover. Bear in mind you are arriving right at beginning of Ramadan so things will move bit slower then and the place is going to be deserted. On another note, our place is empty for two weeks from the date you arrive, if you won't get temp accommodation until your husbands visa is in you can use it (have to check with my DH first). I can't believe you guys are moving so quickly but once you get out here I'm sure you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourselves!

You'll need to create a sun and shade area within the tub on the balcony, in the sun area place a large fairly smooth rock that has a dry area he can bask on. The water should be deep enough that he can easily turn over in it (width of shell minimum), otherwise he can get caught upside down and drown. For food a terrapin this size should be an omnivore by now. It is best to get a good quality complete terrapin pellet diet and supplement it with some greens, possibly fruit if he will take it (although only a little), he will likely relish fresh raw meat and fish or the dried shrimps you can get from the pet shop but in moderation or he'll start turning his nose up at everything that isn't meat! It is often best to feed in a separate container and wait until he has pooped before putting him back in the main tub which will help to keep it clean. Just out of interest OP is it a male or female? Males have a longer tail and long claws whereas the females have a short tail and shorter claws. Females are bigger than males.

We've used Rosgold in the past and they seem to be quite good, last time we got one guy for four hours to clean all the windows (large four bed villa) and he was finished in less than two, then I wasn't sure what to do with him he was too efficient! http://www.rosgold.net/

The last tenants in our villa kindly left behind their maids bed, but we don't have a maid. You are welcome to take it for free if you like. You know who I am! - leaving on 22nd in early hours of the morning though - but can leave some keys with someone to let you in to get it.

I was going to suggest Asado's but realised you have probably already gone out. They have a great kids menu and the steaks are normally good.

When you get here go and view some villas in Arabian Ranches, Mirador. It has a lovely green avenue, trees overhanging with Spanish style villas. I am sure there are many other places in Dubai like it but it always makes me think of Europe a little when I am there! As for sinus reactions, I have chronic sinusitis (three surgeries and on Nasonex for the last ten years). When I came to Dubai three years ago, I can say it only deteriorated when indoors with the air con on. But Nasonex keeps it under control.

I just stopped taking the pill and had forgotten why I started taking it. Massive breakouts, constipation, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, waking up sweating, leg cramps, agonising back ache that seems to irritate my herniated disc even more, diarrhea, migraine and extreme fatigue. People say the pill is bad for you but surely it has to be better than this! I don't know about tiredness but for me paracetamol doesn't touch the pain. Diclofenac on the other hand takes the edge off. Diclofenac plus paracetamol is even better, in the UK I would throw some codeine into the mix as well (Solpadeine Max + Volteren) and could on occasion actually go to work! I was reading about it earlier today apparently light exercise, and NSAIDS are reported to help. As well as bedrest with a hot water bottle for the first day or two. I loved it when the doctor said this when I was working in the UK - erm you want me to take 2 days off work every month? and... you think I'll still have a job next time you see me? As for the fatigue, I have no idea, when I first had problems as a teenager they checked me for anemia perhaps that's worth looking at just in case?

And ironically today there was what looked like a professional photographer in MoE with three ladies dressed in above the knee skirts and blouses that barely covered their shoulders modelling as if they were casually chatting while holding lots of designer shopping bags (presumably advertising for the DSF). I agree that people should dress respectfully but it would help if the media could reflect this in their advertising.

Not familiar with these, but are they just the same as a stripping comb? Similar yes, but not all stripping combs are made equal. We used a Mars stripping comb on our Spaniel back in the UK which was great but I do find the Furminator easier to use on our Labs. Honestly though I like to use a combination of the two for added fur removal!

Pet Paws Planet had brushes exactly the same but not actual Furminators. Apparently someone has the exclusive license to sell them but doesn't seem to be selling them and no one knows who it is. Would love to know if someone does!

Looking at the online pricing for iStyle (Premium Reseller) who still has the 2011 MacBook Airs against Apple Store UAE who has the new 2012 MacBook Airs it would seem there has been a cut locally as suggested would be by Apple. 11" 64GB 2011 AED 4399 2012 AED 3999 11" 128GB 2011 AED 5399 2012 AED 4499 13" 128GB 2011 AED 5799 2012 AED 4799 13" 256GB 2011 AED 6999 2012 AED 5999 Assuming iStyle are selling at official Apple prices this is indeed a significant cut in price, more than the $100 suggested at WWDC. I have also noticed the price discrepancy between UK and UAE has widened with the MBP updates making buying locally a much bigger saving. But if you are looking to buy a MacBook Air next week ensure you don't get sold one of the old models (unless they are doing a fantastic deal). iStyle are offering an AED 400 gift voucher with the old MBAs, this is a terrible offer being that you will actually get an outdated machine and it will still cost you more! So you know what you are looking for the new model has Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor the old had the 3000 and USB 3.0 the old had 2.0. It also has a faster processor 1.6 up to 1.7 on 11" and 1.7 up to 1.8 on 13". All models across the range have 4GB of RAM as standard now. The model numbers you are looking for are MD223LL/A, MD224LL/A, MD231LL/A, MD232LL/A. The Apple online store UAE which also offers custom builds/upgrades seems to have the new ones in stock. http://store.apple.com/ae/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select

When I saw that last awful place was gone, I was hoping for a Wagamamas... but oh well. Shakesphere's is okay we've never had cold food or service problems. Really don't like Al Arrab, the staff there are awful, a little while ago one of them stood practically on top of me he was so close, while a visiting friend was looking at the menu. I even said to my friend, "wow would be nice for some personal space", followed by "this guy is like standing really like close, it's kinda creepy" after he didn't get the hint I vowed never to go there. We prefer MBCO for breakfast though, although the food is not great (but improving) we can take the dogs and it's their morning treat at the weekend after a desert run. Then the staff want their photo's taken with the dogs to show how tough they are (the dogs are sleeping in most pictures) that adds to the fun! Now if we could ditch Al Arrab, Pizza Hut and Burger King and get Paul's, Wagamamas and a less creepy Lebanese or even a nice pizza place I'd be happy.

Ha I read this and thought 'rain? In Dubai? In June?!' then realised!

Bleh, I totally forgot WWDC is today! Apple has announced new notebooks, ivy bridge processors, USB 3.0 as standard and yes I am a little more excited than I should be... ...now where is DH credit card???

I used to work for Blockbuster video in the UK. If you had a balance on your account they would try to phone you three times then put it onto the debt collectors. People would get low credit scoring because they owed 50p in late fees for a kids movie they returned a day late.

I get my lashes tinted then use clear mascara. Not sure where to get them tinted here though. Need a therapist you trust with dye that close to your eyes. <em>edited by RuthM on 09/06/2012</em>

You may be able to acclimatize it to the dog. Our dog chases cats but not our cat. We put our kitten in our study and put a pet/child gate at the door. After a few days the dog who could see the kitten got used to it. The kitten could get in and out of the room (through the bars) but the dog could not, giving the kitten a safe haven to always go to. Now they get on fine (eight years on), that said the dog still chases other cats which our cat uses to her advantage (teasing other cats and letting them chase her to our garden where the dog then sees then off!). It may be worth a try if you want to.