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Wild Mint

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Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 13:32
Bussola in Mina Seyahi (it`s on the beach) used to have great vibe and fantastic food! But we haven`t been there for almost a year so i`m not sure if it`s still the same. Recent experience - Da Vinchi`s in Millenium Airport hotel. We went there after reading the reviews on TripAdvisor. Great atmosphere, rustic decor - our photos came out with sepia-like effect, very pretty. Very good service and sfaff. Inexpensive. DH loved his food, i had nothing memorable. Medzo in Wafi used to be my absolute favorite:) It`s so very beautiful and classy, the food was amazing too. All places are in Entertainer FD
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Latest post on 21 July 2011 - 12:38
I have found its a bit of a culture thing in particular with Filipinos i have come across, i have had the following comments 1) you dont eat a lot of rice so why are you fat 2) you have spots on your face (after returning from a holiday, not you look nice relaxed and tanned but that i have spots) 3) if you drink green tea you will have a se*y body again 4) were you slim when you were younger 5) you should really do some sport to help you get fit 6) is everyone in your family fat 7) you drink soda thats why you are big bellied Oh lovely, thanks so much for your comments i will take them all on board ha ha Edited to add the best one, sorry madam we dont do your big size the XL wont fit you Talk about a confidence boost edited by egg on 21/07/2011 I recognize some too, funny! I can also add that Filipinos often have weird/absurd health-related beliefs. I h`ve been told by two different people that taking multivitamins will make you FAT, seriously. Latest shopping in Carrefour, i hear whisper in my ear: 'stretch marks cream maaaam'.... Don't sneak up on me like that, i DON`T have stretch marks you silly cow!
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Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 13:40
My mom and my sister wanted my ears to be pierced. I was 5, i still remember being dragged into the room screaming. It wasn`t painful but very scary, bad experience...
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Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 12:57
We stayed in Hatta a couple of years ago and 2 nights seemed like forever. They had nice gardens with the ducks, chalets are on the hills, the place felt very secluded. It had a good space to walk around but it was so extremely HOT that we barely got out at all. Lobby and buffet restaurant were very quiet, majority were mature and eldery couples. Ex BF and myself (in our mid-twenties at that time) got fed up and fought badly all the time. I think kids will go nuts from boredom ... Last night DH and myself came back from Hilton RAK- the best holiday we ever had in the UAE. It was so good, we extended our stay! Super cheap, amazing staff, great food and you can use all 3 Hilton hotels in RAK. No chance to get bored. It`s also a bit closer than Hatta or Fujairah. Check out RAK`s Hiltons on Tripadvisor-all have amazing reviews!
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Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 02:24
I second St john's Wort, you can find it at Organic Foods&Cafe in a form of tea. Valerian root (i like capsules)-have been used for centuries, safe and effective, fantastic herb.
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 23:54
Thank you, mods, for not deleting the entire thread;) Can i ask what was said and why the thread would have been cut off? I guess I am not clear on rules then? You havent' said anything wrong, but rather accentuated offensive comment of another poster. Which would have probably led to an argument.
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 20:25
Ripping the restaurant off?? C`mon, really?!
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 20:11
Thank you, mods, for not deleting the entire thread;)
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:52
Oh god, i have been holding on to my silk dress for many months now, still looking for a reliable dry cleaners! Where can i find the laundry which wouldn`t ruin it?? edited by Fondue on 14/07/2011 Was hesitating about sending my silk items to any dry cleaner here but finally sent a blouse off to Dubai Laudry and it came back beautiful, no problems. But I did tell the guy who collected it to take extra care and I wrote silk special care all over the bag! According to directory they are in Rashidiya...Do you know if they have a branch anywhere else in New Dubai? I only have a phone number 050 61358778 that's the guy who collects, not sure where their branch is. Their office land line is +971 (4) 285-9273 edited by Di@DXB on 14/07/2011 Thank you:)
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:41
I'd say... "nunya".... "Nunya business' This is a true gem! Funny!!!
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:35
Oh god, i have been holding on to my silk dress for many months now, still looking for a reliable dry cleaners! Where can i find the laundry which wouldn`t ruin it?? edited by Fondue on 14/07/2011 Was hesitating about sending my silk items to any dry cleaner here but finally sent a blouse off to Dubai Laudry and it came back beautiful, no problems. But I did tell the guy who collected it to take extra care and I wrote silk special care all over the bag! According to directory they are in Rashidiya...Do you know if they have any other branches in New Dubai? <em>edited by Fondue on 14/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 18:11
Oh god, i have been holding on to my silk dress for many months now, still looking for a reliable dry cleaners! Where can i find the laundry which wouldn`t ruin it?? <em>edited by Fondue on 14/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 16:27
By the time I started 'proper school' -- kindy -- at five, I was socialised and ready to rock'n'roll. The only problem I had was that -- along with others who'd attended this school with me -- I was more advanced than most of the class and I was a bit bored for vast chunks of my kindy year. Wasn't an issue though [I'm told'>. :) Same here, and i stayed a year ahead of my class through school.
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Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 16:15
I second the Woolworths! Been there yesterday and they seemed to have what you are looking for. M&S should have classic casuals too...
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 15:15
It might be a sign of the times.... if you go to Borders Moe, you'll see they changed a lot and have much less areas for books and much more for papers, cards, etc. I think that generally bookstores struggle in here. MOE`s Borders is more like supermarket now: cards,stationary, CD`s,toys,candies, teacups...Books take up less than half of the total space. It was completely different when Borders just opened here. Which makes me think that maybe this region is not big on reading.
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 14:44
lots of iftars serve alcohol. Really? I've not seen any. Madinat does.
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 13:57
It all depends on whether i liked the staff there or not. I had my bill corrected more than once but only if: a) I really liked the staff and sympathize with them; b) the food was great and i know i will be back (very few places). So their mistake is not in messing up the bill, but in not serving me good enough so i will feel sorry for them.
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Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 12:53
very sad really- even their head office near their Jumeirah centre is shut as well. I think the stores are looking for flagship stores such as Bookworld in Dubai Mall plus the likes of Carrefour and Geant buy in bulk so can offer cheaper books and a bigger range. I dont think that it is the on line stuff that is hurting them just the fact they had poor locations and rents are too high for them. Magrudy`s obviously weren`t doing well since the Borders opened. Simply because they weren`t good enough anymore and did not compete well. I saw them trying to copy the Border`s style as a last attempt to win back lost clients. Done too little, too late.
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Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 13:40
No, Fondue, I'm thinking of choose *one* of those books. Thanks for the other ideas, sounds like Grapes of Wrath will have to wait if it's a big book. Sanddy, I've not joined the Kindle generation yet! Would worry about reading a Kindle on the beach in case sand got in it, it got wet etc. So you aren`t going to carry 3 kgs of reading material then:) The Great Gatsby is the 'lightest' of all in the number of pages and in the the content:)
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Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 13:33
Hilton RAK is 250 for 2 people includung breakfast, taxes, access to Hilton Resort & Spa. Can`t get any better than this!
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Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 13:10
I'm also trying to work out what book to take on holiday. I hardly ever read fiction so think I'll most probably go for a 'classic' I've not read. In the running at the moment are [b'>The Great Gatsby, Grapes of Wrath, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and Love in the Time of Chlorea.[/b'> But have also read reviews this morning for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Indecent Exposure, both of which are supposed to be hilarious. I'm going hiking and will be carrying all my stuff every day so it can't be a huge book! You are reading all of them at the same time?? All are life changing reads with Grapes of Wrath being particularly complex (it`s a pretty 'fat' book too) They will be stuck in your head 24/7 until you're finished reading the book. I would rather go for lighter reads to take with me on holiday. More entertaining classics: Brother Grimm`s Fairy Tales; Sherlock Holmes of Conan Doyle - both books are a collection of short stories, hence very convenient for irresponsible reading:) Salinger`s Catcher in the rye or his short stories. H.G.Wells - Time Machine, very enjoyable only 100 pages book., Jules Verne has great, very readable adventures...
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Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 12:36
D.Gardens will become a International City part 2. It`s quite similar already, and with the rents going down even more it will become a proper ghetto.
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Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 15:03
http://www.englishdadinmoscow.com/ This is a blog of British stay-at-home dad who`s been living in Moscow for more than 2 years. It`s FANTASTIC. He talks about everything-metro, supermarkets, nannies, food, local people, culture, where to live, how to deal with the landlord, safety, road trips, etc....- through the eyes of a foreigner. His manner is quite humorous but his observations are priceless! Moscow is just as safe as any other metropolis, choosing the right place to live is crucial.
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Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 13:16
Wow, you soaked the bread in the egg mixture for 15 mins? It is a quick in and out for me. :) I read that some people soak it for even longer time, sometimes overnight, it supposed to make it better, i think it does. But then the slices will probably have to be tougher and not commertially (thinly) sliced. Bread and butter pudding is next:)
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Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 12:52
As long as you cut the bread nice and thick there's no need to harden it at all. The thin, plastic cr*p may be different but if you used the pave bread it should be fine. I'm a savoury french toast girl - mmmmm salty buttery french toast, can't beat it! edited by GirlAnachronism on 09/07/2011 I realized that too late-i picked the right bread but shouldn`t have it sliced in the supermarket, way too thin! But well, it didn`t fell apart anyway... Thank you!
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Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 12:47
Did it the lazy way, spreaded the slices over the counter for 3-4 hours for the air to dry them out. Then soaked the slices for 15 min. in the egg-milk mix and some cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Fried in butter, served with honey. 1000 calories a piece, but unbearably delicious:) way better than what you get in the hotels breakfasts. Amazing, sweet, heavenly aromas of vanilla and cinnamon linger in the apatment for hours, as if i baked something really fancy:) The low-temperature oven idea sounds just right, will do that next time. Thank you to everyone for replying to my post!!!
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Latest post on 09 July 2011 - 12:03
With a name like that, I would have thought Fondue would be familiar with "pain perdu", at least ;) It`s DH who opened EW account for me when my laptop wosn`t working, Big mistake on my part! But yeah, he obviously thinks that i can cook;)
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Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 13:53
They kept charging DH`s credit card for 2 months even after his membership was expired and he had no access to the club. Calling them didn`t make any difference and eventually he had to go there in person. After some shouting, calling them scammers etc..(DH was really p*ssed off) they stopped charging his card. This reminded me when i was opening my membership at FF for the first time, the sales person was insisting on me paying by credit card, and was clearly disappointed when i refused to. Now i know why!
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Latest post on 08 July 2011 - 13:39
I already spreaded them all over the kitchen counter, waiting:)
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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 15:40
That`s some sick s**t, really. And the fact that she has a 'fan page' is even more sick.
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Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 13:07
Have you looked at Rip Curl, Quiksilver, ROXY? Sporty, surfing brands do a lot of very, very cool shorts! I adore Rip Curl and ROXY shorts (i can never wear it though). Rip Curl has sale at MOE, but i`m not sure whether they carry kids items too. Big ROXY store is in Dubai Mall. <em>edited by Fondue on 06/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 19:12
I had a sparkling non-alcoholic wine once. Very sweet (too sweet for my taste), it didn't taste anywhere near as wine, rather like a soft drink. Why would i cook with a soft drink?
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 18:59
Usually most places are open, but only for take-away.
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 17:47
There was a hairdresser a friend recommended in JBR - Wuan? or something like that... anyone know the spelling? Apparently they have a special on at the moment for colour, cut, blow dry, pedicure, manicure for 500AED. Well, if your choice is Juan or a box dye....... go for the box dye I couldn`t agree more.
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 14:00
@oursouls Agree, and because of all the reasons you have outlined it would be in the public interest if DM were to issue a list naming those establishments that have failed their inspections, particularly since the percentage is so high. Having the information as to the degree of the problem is of no help to anyone if we do not know which suppliers are in the 3% of places that have passed health and hygeine standards. Exactly. We come across this sort of information every now and then, but the offenders have never been named. This is just not helpful to public in any way.
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 13:51
So what is the solution??
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 13:30
We just went to Verre. The food was amazing.. We loved it! They have some great package deals on the restaurant website. Also Medzo at Wafi. Food and Atmosphere is good. edited by RubyRed on 05/07/2011 I second both-Verre and Medzo, great food, great atmosphere. Medzo is a long time favorite of ours. Both places are in the Entertainer fine dining book too!
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Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 02:07
em2san, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post!
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 22:13
If the abaya is Islamic then why don't all Muslim women wear it? Depending on nationailty and culture Muslim women dress very differently all over the world. Doesn't the Quran say that a woman should hids the shape of her figure, cover her hair and avoid making noise when she walks i.e. Not too much jewellery or noisy shoes? I didn't think the abaya itself was specified, and thought it was only common in gulf countries where it's part of the culture? I think you are right. Abaya is REGIONAL islamic type of clothing. And Koran doesn`t say that it HAS TO BE abaya and not, let`s say, Pakistani shalvar khamis. I dont agree with Shalwar Kameez AT ALL for the simple reason its a man's garment and men and women are NOT ALLOWED to dress alike under sharia'h. It's actually a crime for a man to dress in ladies clothes and vice versa. so although Shalwar Kameez cover sufficiently, it is a man's garment Appalling nonsense! Shalwar kameez worn by BOTH men and women. According to you all Central Asians and South Asians which make up for about 65% of ALL muslim populace in the world dress wrong. <em>edited by Fondue on 04/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 21:55
How hard is it to take care of a persians? I am talking about combing the fur/bathing etc...We had cats, but never persians, i heard it is a very high maintenance breed.
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:59
Hypothyroid is good , i already tested it. I'm not eating carbs except for the 2 Tbsp of Oat per day , as i was on Dukan. I suspect water retention becz my feet are swelling often. But will keep up with the swimming and cutting low the calories. Get some Dandelion or Stinging Nettle teas (Organic Food&Cafe), helps me for water retention, and generally very good cleansing teas. Google it to read about the benefits, there are many...
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:53
If the abaya is Islamic then why don't all Muslim women wear it? Depending on nationailty and culture Muslim women dress very differently all over the world. Doesn't the Quran say that a woman should hids the shape of her figure, cover her hair and avoid making noise when she walks i.e. Not too much jewellery or noisy shoes? I didn't think the abaya itself was specified, and thought it was only common in gulf countries where it's part of the culture? I think you are right. Abaya is REGIONAL islamic type of clothing. And Koran doesn`t say that it HAS TO BE abaya and not, let`s say, Pakistani shalvar khamis.
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 12:57
I always wanted to try Basta Art cafe, it has very good reviews on Trip Advisor (check them out), pictures look pretty: little garden, great salads and juices. Maybe Wuffles knows the place? Sorry-looks nice but I am too cheap!!!-always grab some Indian or Arabic takeaway off the street stalls and get fresh squeezed juice in the Textile souk-never tried a real restaurant down there-think the entertainment book has vouchers for some though so take a look I had some street food on the textile souk- indian chilli bhajis or something like that. 2DHS for a bag:O That was the cheapest and probably most unhygienic food i ever had, but i survived and enjoyed it:) Doing things like that makes me feel like i`m on some exotic vacation and out of 'plastic DXB'... Bonus: I also haggled to get 2 pashminas:)
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 12:42
I always wanted to try Basta Art cafe, it has very good reviews on Trip Advisor (check them out), pictures look pretty: little garden, great salads and juices. Maybe Wuffles knows the place?
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 12:22
The spice souk is right next to the gold souk-but visit there first as it begins closing sround 9pm. You can also take an abra across the Creek to visit the textile markets and Bastakia-or start from that side-some nice restaurants on the Bur Dubai side depending on your budget-haven't tried any lately as I usually eat the street stall foods-so will leave others to recommend those.Make sure you have 1 dh coins for the abras as they guys don't really do change! edited by wuffles on 04/07/2011 I agree, nice restaurants are on the Bur Dubai side. We did this once as a whole day trip. After the gold and spice souks took an abra to textile souk and Bastakia, both places are very lively, i found them to be more enjoyable than the gold souk, easier to locate the food too:) The whole experience was great, a lot of fun! I will do it again once the weather gets little better...
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 12:11
DH says he wants to see the old gold souk - which I am very happy to show to him! We're going to go on a Friday night and make a date of it (we don't get out much). Can anyone recommend a casual restaurant in the vicinity of the souks to grab a bite? Also, is it better to take a taxi or drive? Any other suggestions of what is around there that we shouldn't miss? Is the spice souk close enough to take a walk around as well? Many TIA for doing my date planning for me! Taxi!!! You will never find the parking on Friday, that place is packed! We circled the parking lot for 2 hours.. Food: it will probably be cafeteria, some run-down place, Hyatt Regency is nearby in case if you feel like celebrating the purchase:)
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Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 11:57
I totally agree, mpp, drives me up the wall! Trying to program the GPS yesterday and entered three different spellings (from three different maps!) of the one place name. GPS wouldn't accept any of them, grr! So driving round in little circles and I finally see a street sign with a [u'>fourth[/u'> spelling on the place, so tried programming that in and, lo and behold, the GPS suggests a fifth spelling of the same place, which of course is the only one that it would recognise. Got there in the end, but what a rigmarole :\: wow, thank you for that. we were thinking of taking GPS to make it easier to find our way, but now I will not. Thanks :) Is it the same all over UAE or just Dubai? We recently met one family and they invited us to visit them in Ras Al Khaima - not sure if this is the spelling :) Do I need to get location map from them or we'll be fine? TIA :) GPS isn`t that bad really, we use it all the time, it guided us to Ras Al Khaimah without any problems.
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Latest post on 03 July 2011 - 16:48
So while standing in the middle of the road, in a blasting 50 degree Celsius i should be waisting my TIME, my MONEY, sweat my a**s off trying to wright down cab No.plate, dial office call center etc...to report a taxi driver?? Is that supposed to make me feel better? I don`t see how... Now i always have small change, or i tell the driver right away something like: 'i have a 100 dhs bill, do you have a change?' They always figure out the way, he can pass by any petrol pump to get the change, but never a long detour! For me, being bold with them works better than threatening them. <em>edited by Fondue on 03/07/2011</em>
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Latest post on 03 July 2011 - 15:51
I went to see louise at colour me beautiful, great session and has made life a lot easier! I had it done in my early 20s before starting work, and just had it redone now that i'm 40 and back to work after 2 kids. Highly recommend it as it just focuses your mind as to what to buy, and what suits you. She has a page on FB, check it out.... Her price list is in pounds, she is based in UK then:(
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Latest post on 03 July 2011 - 13:47
Madame Bovary (Flaubert)- utterly boring, just skipping over.