WhiteOrchid | ExpatWoman.com
 

WhiteOrchid

WhiteOrchid
493
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 November 2013 - 09:47
Hi I got a basic Brother machine from a specialist store in Satwa for about AED600 and it seems vg - although I haven't used it much (lol). My sil in the uk is a v keen quilter and has a similar one. She swears by Brother machines. Hth x
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 09:37
Hi, possibly stupid question but have you called Arenco? They have some great 3 bed villas near Al Ghazal mall currently advertised at 150k. Not sure whether there are any available but worth a try. Maybe go there and have a look around to see whether any will be freed up soon? ETA: I'm not referring to the single-storey villas which were recently refurbished and which are overpriced. Rather the terraced white double-storey ones a bit further down (I think they're called Hudaiba). <em>edited by WhiteOrchid on 14/11/2013</em>
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 November 2013 - 08:36
Great thread! I swear by the five S's. You need to avoid: Sun Smoke Stress Sleeplessness Sugar. I don't do too well on the last three (lol). Good luck x
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 November 2013 - 08:41
Have an amazing day :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 November 2013 - 17:33
Have a lovely wedding day, TDB.. will be thinking of the blushing (not shaking) bride tomorrow xxx
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:14
I have to say I have been wondering the same thing myself. In fact I posted this precise question about 2 weeks ago and the thread was deleted! Obviously a 'taboo' subject. Lol.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:10
Thanks WO - I think I found someone, anyone heard of Steve Saleh? Yes it is smart brunch / world cup / wedding attire! I am defo going to pursue this EID charge then, since it seems they are being totally unreasonable. I did query it and fight it, but was told it is govt regulations. Maybe time to get the local friend involved lol! Make sure he doesn't forget to wear his kandoura. Lol.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:10
The other half wont be allowed in. Lol. She won't care as she's French and v blase.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:07
Thanks for posting this. After over 9 years in Dxb I have never been to an Irish playgroup! Am only half but who cares, may well go along :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:05
Whatever you do, don't go to brunch - it stretches your stomach and gets you used to overeating. Also avoid eating late at night (she says having just eaten a brownie at 10pm). Lol!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 November 2013 - 22:03
Don't worry, TDB! Things will sort themselves out, they always do in the end. Re: your hair - suggest that when you book you tell salon it's just a 'v important reception' as opposed to a wedding (and get quote upfront) or you will get fleeced as they'll think you are despo 3 days before the event. Re: dress code: tbh I don't know what smart chic is either. Is it basically just smart wedding attire (as in what you would were to uk wedding or Dubai world cup)? I have to say I understand why you would specify dress code as you have ppl of different cultures attending. Anyway, try to relax and enjoy the day. I'm sure you will look and feel amazing :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 November 2013 - 23:12
http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_giving_birth_dubai_9621.aspx
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 16:44
Hi, a friend of mine was in a similar boat - Christian Brit marrying Leb muslim and they got married in Cyprus, the nearest place for a civil wedding (unavailable in Leb and the UAE).
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 16:42
Hi I have had a Kia Sorento for the past year and I absolutely love it. V spacious, easy to drive and above all has a rear-view camera, essential for the school car park.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 October 2013 - 16:40
I agree this is a funny thread! Maids are adults like us, and therefore have to pay entry. As AnonDubai says, they do tend to enjoy outings like anyone else :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 October 2013 - 10:08
I agree, dinks. That's why I refuse to post anything on fb from that rag. As they say: the worst of British values posing as the best.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 October 2013 - 19:55
Hi sorry just found the price on your sticky... AED330 :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 October 2013 - 19:53
Hi that looks interesting but how much are the tickets? Apologies if I have missed something :-) TIA x
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 October 2013 - 19:36
Hi I would try Babyshop - I got a black teeshirt for my dd there a couple of years ago.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 October 2013 - 18:46
Most Rotana hotels in Dubai give swim lessons to kids and adults and their rates are much better than all the sports clubs in Dubai. I didn't know that! Interesting.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 18:40
I agree with Lolacat. I once tried hard to reduce our dewa bill for a whole month but there was no impact at all on the final bill amount - usually AED750.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 17:33
Lol! Thanks Marroush.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 16:31
I know that you don't want to hear this, but since the thread title is basically unsafe, I just want to make a comment. High beds are not safe for four year-olds. You might want to wait a few years before buying one... I agree. My dds wanted bunk beds but I said no as they are too young (6 and 4) and ds is only 22 months (and could climb up).
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 October 2013 - 16:23
Where is disco gardens? Never heard of it before but sounds fun. Lol ;-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 October 2013 - 09:26
Does anyone know where I can find some practical, non-plastic plates, cups & cutlery for kids? I keep reading about harmful effects of eating (and heating up) food in plastic containers. This article even suggests that it can increase the risk of miscarriage in pg women: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/women_shealth/10376043/Pregnant-women-warned-of-80pc-increased-risk-of-miscarriage-from-food-heated-in-plastic.html TIA!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 October 2013 - 12:35
When we had visitors ( ie family ), we'd pay for some small stuff. We'd transport them to places when we are available and if we go out for a nice dinner, I've grown thick skinned and ask for money before getting any food ( works esp if you do the package deals in hotels ) :D Good idea. Lol!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 20:39
Hi I saw a mannequin wearing a *very* small kandoura at the fabric shop in Lamcy Plaza - 2nd floor (?) near Shoe mart.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 19:34
There are quite a few Irish teachers at Repton, and they offer Irish Language as an ECA now :-) Wow, I didn't know that! I was aware there were a lot of Irish teachers but not that they offered Irish. Interesting...
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 19:31
It's being said by CBs friends that she has 'got used to the idea' of marriage and children to Harry. Not exactly a ringing endorsement is it? He's going to be in Dubai tomorrow, I would :D I agree. Plus at 24 she is sooooo young, and it doesn't sound as though they have lived together yet (unlike Wills and Kate who'd been in a relationship for 9 years when they got married). But I guess it's not v surprising given that Harry is hardly the sensible one of the two!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 October 2013 - 15:18
Wow, that's 'brave'. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/10358395/Prince-Harry-set-to-marry-Cressida-Bonas-say-friends.html
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 October 2013 - 22:50
Hi White Orchid, thanks for your reply. The Irish Curriculum is different to BC in quite a few ways but the main thing is the Curriculum is more child centered . Children start school older and the pace is slower and more thorough in the early years giving the children a strong foundation. Its not as exam/test led as the BC either. Interesting! I didn't know that. I guess it's come a long way since the old national school approach then (lol). Good to hear :-) I know it seems as though there are more of us here... maybe down to our loud gobby behaviour!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 October 2013 - 22:07
As far as I'm aware, there are little or no Irish schools abroad. This may be because the most popular countries for Irish people to move to are English-speaking (e.g. US, Canada, UK, Aus), making it reasonably easy to fit into the 'local' curriculum. I'm half Irish and attended an Irish secondary school in Dublin before moving to France. Once I got there I joined the British section of an international school. In the Irish expat community in Paris, children attend either British, American or French schools. A while ago I heard that there were only 4,000 Irish ppl in the UAE as opposed to 100,000 Brits. This makes it difficult to justify opening a dedicated school. Schools here are run like businesses and need to take on a lot of students in order to be financially viable. In any case, correct me if I am wrong, but the Irish system doesn't seem *that* different to the British one. The only key distinction is the teaching of the Irish language which you could always to from home. And I noticed that Magrudy's even sell children's Irish language books, which can surely only be for families in your position. Best of luck with whichever course you choose. Very impressed to hear you're currently home schooling... hats off :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 October 2013 - 16:47
Hi as others said, don't stress. Schools here *love* telling ppl it's v difficult to get a place as it makes them look good and pressurises parents into applying. New schools include Foremarke and Victory Heights (as mentioned), but these are quite far from DIFC. The nearest 'family'-friendly area imho is Jumeira 1, and the nearest school to DIFC is Gems Wellington Primary (just across SZR from financial centre). They're not massively oversubscribed so I would try there. Jumeira Baccalaureate School (JBS) is also not far although they are an IB school (not British curriculum), and more expensive. Other schools in the area include Horizon, Safa, JPS, English College and DESS. I would say the easiest of these to get a place at is Safa as they have recently expanded. Good luck, and don't worry :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 22:06
This doesn't surprise me at all. It was already the case a few years ago. But unfortunately the myth that westerners earn a fortune here still prevails... I recently spoke to a Pakistani man who said I was v lucky to be British as on average ppl from my country earned 2-3 times more than others. What a load of rubbish! The fact is that westerners are becoming more flexible (i.e. less demanding) for a number of reasons e.g. a) recession in their home countries and b) attractiveness of Dxb as a place to live generally. It's no longer a 'hardship' posting as it once was. Quite the opposite - ppl genuinely want to live here. This means that they are likely to accept lower salaries than before.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 October 2013 - 09:45
All good points, although I'm not sure I would agree Diana rose above it all. Booking a prime time TV slot..? Still., Charles probably deserved it ;-)... Lol.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 September 2013 - 21:50
Daiso in either Lamcy or Oasis Mall.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 September 2013 - 08:32
Hi SD I would recommend the Ramada Jumeira at junction of Dhiyafa (2nd Dec Rd) and Mina Rd. There's a little play are with toys (just right for a toddler) and it's nice and quiet too.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 September 2013 - 11:17
No way.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 10:12
Cheers... products are actually in widely circulated promo catalogue so hopefully same price. If not, not the end of the world :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 10:10
Thanks! Will give it a go. Lol!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 10:01
Hi I can't open the article either so not sure what the issue is. But remember, if you go to EuroDisney you're half an hour from Paris, the most beautiful city in the world... :-) Not that I'm biased of course!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 09:18
Hi I know plenty of ppl who have got married here. There's red tape no matter what country you are in so I wouldn't stress about it - mannikat sounds like she'll be able to help you :-) Oh and congratulations!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 September 2013 - 09:11
Oh and decent bakeries and baked goods. Was gutted the French bakery in motor city closed down - amazing quiches, baguettes etc. I didn't know it had closed (never go to MC). Shame as I'd heard it was lovely! Was it not doing much business then? I thought MC was expanding...
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 18:22
Doesn't anyone ever take anything at face value here ? You met someone who appeared to be drinking - you have no idea whether she was, and now she's a raging alcoholic in need of psychiatric help !! LOL !! Now that actually *did* make me laugh out loud. You certainly live up to your name, Doubting Thomas!
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 September 2013 - 17:46
Try Jim Will Fix It. The owners are British but the electricians aren't True.... but their standards are *likely* to be closer to British ones than those of you average sparky here.
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 September 2013 - 21:55
Try Maria et Katerina in Mazaya centre. Downstairs opp Homes R Us x I agree. A friend of mine got her wedding dress there at v short notice for about AED700 (!!) and was v happy with it. Many of the styles are quite elaborate (compared to western stores) but if you take the time to sift through them there are some real gems there. I bought a full length prom-style dress there a few years ago for AED490 and it was fab! Could easily have passed as a wedding dress. They actually have several stores in Dubai: http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2012/03/14/wedding-dresses-formal-gowns/
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 17:10
We went out to Al Aqqah Beach (in Fujairah) and stayed at the Iberotel Miramar resort. The rooms have an attached are with 2 sofa beds (that will be dressed up in linens if you need). I loved that the area could be closed off with sliding doors. We had our 2 children plus a travel cot for the baby there and had a "private" bedroom area for my husband and I. There was no additional charge for the kids, if I recall. Thanks bintnizam! That sounds good. Can you remember which type of room that was?
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 14:58
Hi what's your budget? Suggest you enter that into Dubizzle and see what's available in the different areas to narrow it down 1st :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 14:52
Thanks angel joy! You have mail :-)
WhiteOrchid
493
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2013 - 10:48
Hi there is also a specialised quilting shop in Jumeira Plaza where they sell everything you need and also give classes. I took a course myself last year which was vg.
 
 
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