Centrepoint Launches Its Autumn/Winter'17 Collection

Winter is my favorite season. While in this region, we don't have months and months of this wonderful season, the moment it arrives we tend to bust out the beautiful winter wardrobe (for me, it's my trusty leather jacket and a couple of other things).

And since winter will dawn upon us any week now, Centrepoint is all prepped when they launched their Autumn/Winter'17 collection in Dubai, UAE.

Catering to men, women and kids, the collection features some of my favorite color palettes and texture on clothing.

The Launch of Namshi's SpringSummer '17 Collection

If you live in the GCC and aren't aware of Namshi.com, then you've been living under a rock. Having said that, I love Namshi. It's one of those online shopping websites that can do no wrong (atleast in my books). They are hassle and drama free, stock some of the best local and international brands (hello Topshop!) and have free (prompt) delivery + returns. Can they get any better than that?

Yes, they can and they did with the launch of their Spring/Summer '17 collection. Did I mention how much I love Namshi? I want almost everything from the new round of clothing, accessories and shoes. I love how they have incorporated some of the (intimidating) trends straight off the catwalk and made it easy to wear. I don't know who their styling team is. They do such a good job, it makes me want to impulse buy.

Summer is usually the time I tend to spring clean and buy a few pieces here and there. And Namshi makes it so much easier. Whether it's the beach or a dinner gathering, the online shopping site has you covered. From pastel tops to bright bottoms and everything in between, here's a look at the funky (and elegant) SS'17 collection. Also, find out how you can get a 10% discount off your order.

Review: Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Oud Satin Mood

I love oud. And it's not because I live in a country where oud and oud based fragrances are the epitome of local Arab households when it comes to scents. In the UAE, oud has taken a rather interesting turn. While we have local perfumeries that create classic oud fragrances, established global brands have studied and understood our love for oud thereby, developing their own versions.

Oud is beautiful and luxurious. It gives off a wonderful and pleasing fragrance. For some, it is overwhelming and immediately disregarded. For the rest (like me), it is one of the most unique ingredients in a fragrance. Having said that, I buy only a few oud fragrances as opposed to the collection of oriental/woody fragrances I own. And I don't really deviate from the local brands that develop my favorite oud fragrances. Having said that, there's one particular French perfumerie that blew me away with their oud fragrance.

Nailed It At The White Room Spa, Dubai

While I have my go-to nail salon, every now and then I deviate from it and visit other salons. I usually tend to discover either new services (chrome nails in certain salons before every other salon started to offer them) or new products. In Dubai, there's a funky new salon popping up every now and then and some of them certainly have an edge over the others.

One such example is that of The White Room Spa. This quaint salon offers the expected beauty services with a handful of special offers thrown in every now and then. How many times have you gone into a salon, shown the picture and walked out with the hairstyle you wanted?

Centrepoint Launches Its Spring/Summer '17 Collection

Centrepoint, the store has been around for a while and over the years, with a combination of Baby Shop, Splash, Lifestyle and Shoe Mart, it has improved ten times fold in what it offers.

The launch of the Spring/Summer '17 collection proved just that when the latest trends off the catwalk blended seamlessly through inspirational boards for each brand. The season's palette features romantic pinks, soothing blues, ruffles and graphics for both men and women.

I've selected a few of my favorites from the collection.

Reviewed: Palmer's His & Her's Cocoa Butter Body Lotions

In an industry that is saturated with beauty products, there are only a few that become firm favorites and make it to the list of re-purchases. There are some that I love in an instance and others take a while to grow on me. One such brand that had the instant love effect is Palmer's. While the first product was a body lotion (discovered through Glambox), the product that caught my attention was their face oil. I loved the consistency and how my skin felt after using it.

From then on, I went on to try their variations of body lotions (Coconut and Olive Oil are my favorite!) and was quite impressed by the brand and the overall performance of each product. For Valentine's Day, Palmer's sent across a his and her version of their classic Cocoa Butter body lotion. While I have used the lotion previously (it is one of the most hydrating lotions I've used), I was quite intrigued by the version developed for men.

Iconic Launches Spring'17 Collection

Iconic is a home grown brand and one of those that I've come to appreciate over the years. They're always one of the few brands to quickly tap into the latest fashion trends. And it's a delight to see a plethora of Iconic's clothing, accessories, shoes and the likes being rolled out promptly in the UAE, especially Dubai, a city that always has its finger on the fashion pulse.

The brand launched their Spring'17 collection this month and I usually have a few select pieces that I like/love. But this time around, almost everything I saw was brilliant! The collection caters to men, women and kids whilst tapping into designer trends.

Reviewed: Palmer's Amazing Body Lotions

If you've lived in the glorious city of Dubai long enough, you know that body lotions and rich moisturizers are a regular part of one's beauty arsenal. The summer season lasts for a while here, so we tend to consumer a lot of water, coconut water and slather more than required moisturizers on our faces and bodies with the hopes of creating a dry skin barrier.

While we have access to a plethora of products (there's a launch almost every month), there are some brands that have become part of my favorites list right away. I've mentioned this before and I'll say it again, Palmer's is one of them. They seem to get quite a few things right and don't fail to impress.

When the new body lotions landed on my desk, I was a bit intrigued by the Olive Oil version.

Beauty Launch: Beautiful Skin With Bioderma's Sensibio Gel Moussant Cleanser

Bioderma became a staple of my beauty arsenal the day I used the ever so popular Sensibio H20. Post the first empty bottle, I went to repurchase the stellar makeup remover and ended up paying for other skin benefiting products such as the Photoderm (sunscreen) and the Hydrabio Serum, to name a few.

It's one of those French brands that make you fall head over heels from the moment you first use it. I genuinely love Bioderma and if I could choose any 3 skincare brands, this one would definitely make the cut. Coincidentally, my go-to and all-time favorite skincare brand also happens to be French!

Bioderma is one of the few brands that excel in skincare and deliver on what they claim. Every product I've used to date hasn't failed the first impression test. And the latest from the brand, the Sensibio Gel Moussant cleanser is no different.

Bourjois' Latest: The Volume Reveal Mascara

Of late, I've grown to love Parisenne brand, Bourjois. Their makeup is a delight to use and it never fails to impress. The very first product I used was the pot blush and I was quite impressed by the color pay off and longevity. The blush, being pigmented stayed on and did not budge for 4 hours straight. Later, I was introduced to the jumbo lip crayons and then the liquid matte lipsticks. Thus began my love for Bourjois.

What I love the most about them is that there's a notable product release every season. This season they introduced a new mascara, Volume Reveal. And I'm pleasantly surprised by the results.

Tommy x Gigi: Tommy Hilfiger's Best Collaboration Yet

I fell in love with Tommy Hilfiger when I bought a jacket a couple of years ago. I loved how it complimented my favorite pieces and made the entire outfit look quite beautiful. Later, I went on to purchase a watch, which even my mum loves and wears.

Over the years, I've noticed the Hilfiger collection not only improve but also stay ahead of trends be it in clothing, shoes or accessories. I particularly love Hilfiger shirts- they're quite versatile and comfortable. I love the Fall collection because that's my favorite season of the year. Does anyone remember when the brand collaborated with Zooey Deschanel? They had some beautiful pieces that were sold out real quick!

Having said that, the most recent collaboration with Gigi Hadid is, in my opinion the best. I love how the current nautical theme is brought to life whilst infusing Gigi's sense of style.

Valleydez's Gorgeous Ramadan Collection

I love Ramadan for what it brings. Among other things, people tend to turn a new leaf, they abandon habits that don't benefit them (smoking is one!), the chefs in random people come to life, the kitchen is filled with goodies and of course, fashion is redefined in this month.

Local designers always tend to stay true to culture and religion whilst infusing the standard clothing with innovative elements. And international brands have taken note and strive to work towards checking off all the boxes. I appreciate and love the work of local designers. These are young empowered women who know exactly how to capture a woman's attention- be it through quirky accessories or crazy but cool handbags. And they apply the same when it comes to clothing. 

Valleydez is one of my favorite boutiques in Dubai. Previously located at Wafi Mall, the boutique is now at Galeria Mall, Al Wasl Road. The last time I was there, I picked 3 dresses in one visit because everything is so beautiful there. And so is the new collection for Ramadan. The best bit? Buy your favorites now and flaunt them during Eid. 

The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Gap

I love Gap's 2014 Holiday collection- it is fun, versatile and a breathe of fresh air into the wardrobe. Featuring themes such as Crazy Stripes, Fair Isle Shine and Party, the collection is a palette of vibrant colors, airy fabrics, glamorous and sophisticated pieces for both men and women.

If you are looking to shake things up in your wardrobe (because the new year is approaching!) or simply want to gift your best friends or siblings with something different for a change, you might want to check this collection. 

The Crazy Stripes theme exhibits just that- hip, colorful and fun stripes in knit top dresses, knit pants, puffer vests and cashmere crewneck jumpers. The Fair Isle Shine themed clothing offers a pop and sparkle in sweatshirts, pants and accessories. It seems to be the best choice for this holiday season. 

I quite like the dark floral print dress (part of the Party theme collection) and the silver sweatshirt. They'll fit into the different seasons without any effort. 

The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Caron La Selection Discovery Perfume Set

Those who know me are aware of my penchant for fragrances. I have a few all time favorites that I use on special occasions. I'm not a fan of overpowering floral fragrances, I like the subtle version and appreciate the woody and (to some extent) oriental kind.

My vast fragrance collection is due to the fact that I usually purchase them when launched rendering my friends attempts to gift them to me futile. Once a friend told me that he had planned to get me a fragrance for my birthday and discovered through another friend that he should look for something else.

Having said that, when I step into the likes of Galeries Lafayette, Paris Gallery or Areej, it can get a bit difficult to find a perfect fragrance for friends or family (cousin, I'm talking about you!). What if they don't quite like it? What if they changed their minds in terms of oriental vs. the fresh florals? To nip the problem at the bud, you need to gift wrap a perfume box that houses an assortment of mini fragrances of different kinds.

Caron's La Selection Discovery Set for women is perfect for the season and for the fragrance lover in your life. It literally helps you discover which Caron fragrance you will fall in love with and comes with an empty purse spray.

The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Mamas & Papas

As part of the second holiday gift guide series, I bring you some festive goodies for your little one. While the holiday season means finding the perfect gift for friends and family, it also means gifting the kids something they will like or look good in.

Mamas & Papas is the new destination to shop for the mini-you. The Holiday Collection treats them to casual and formal wear that is inspired by the colors of the season and things festive. There are also mini tuxedos and party dresses for those who love to emulate their dad's or mom's style. Apart from that, there are a number of accessories that will fit snugly into their rooms, the Christmas tree and their hearts. 

How awesome is that hanging silver star? It's a perfect customized gift. Also makes a brilliant desk accessory (for me). And the passport holders? I have a penchant for them, the fancier, the better! I might just go pick that one for myself. 

The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: C.Wonder, JBR Dubai

It's a few days before the holidays and if you are still scurrying around trying to figure what to buy, here's the first bit from my quick gift guide series. First up is one of my favorite stores in Dubai- C.Wonder.

Mall of the Emirates houses their first store in the Middle East, followed by Bloomingdale's and now they've opened at The Beach, JBR, Dubai. The  store has a wonderful atmosphere and enough things to keep you busy. C. Wonder's Holiday 2014 Collection is perfect for the festive season- either for yourself or friends, families and the likes.

From clothing and jewelry inspired by the latest trends to footwear and homeware, the collection doesn't fail to impress. Here are your gifting options- there's something for everyone!

I for one, love the dainty jewelry- how gorgeous are these bracelet? I'd like one!

Banana Republic Launches Their Holiday 2014 Collection In Dubai

With a new Creative Director at the helm of the Banana Republic universe, you sure can expect a redefined game-plan. The latest Banana Republic collection, or as it is known The New BR was launched in Dubai as part of the Holiday 2014 Collection and showcases a chic, modern yet fresh take on what the brand has up its sleeve.

Creative Director, Marissa Web brings alive elegance and effortless style within easy to wear pieces- think leather, chambray and cashmere; think different textures, layering and a pleasant color palette.

The women's collection is incredibly beautiful. From cashmere coats and leather skirts to well-fitted blazers and tailored trousers, the New BR has you covered.

Lipsy's Autumn/Winter '14 Collection Launch In Dubai

I love it when collaborations and the latest collections arrive in Dubai within a short span of time once they are launched abroad. Case in point: Lipsy's Autumn/Winter '14 collection. This collection not only features clothing that captures key trends right off the catwalk but also pieces designed in collaboration with actress, Michelle Keegan.

The Lipsy London love Michelle Keegan collection reflects a palette of burgundy, black, grey, teal, pink, and navy combined with satin, lace, faux leather (my favorite!) and faux fur. The collection boasts of dresses, jumpsuits, tops, skirts and gowns for every occassion- be it work or party.

Here are some of my favorites. Did I mention how much I love lace and faux leather?

New Look's Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection In Dubai

There's one word to describe New Look's latest collection and it's a-maaaazing! I was invited to preview the Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection by the ever so jolly Robyn (she eats happy beans for breakfast everyday). I loved almost every piece that was on display- sequins, lace, leather, leopard (there seems to be a trend in my wardrobe), pastels, knitwear and beautiful accessories.

New Look is a brand that excels in high street fashion and continues to delight shoppers like me. The A/W'14 collection features prints, bold colors, pastels, metallics and more. Faux fur on scarves and stoles along with fur hooded jackets welcome the winter season.

In addition to this, accessories from statement necklaces to arm candy and handbags checked all the boxes when it came to completing an outfit.

This collection might be their best to date!

Marks & Spencer Launches Their Autumn/Winter 2014 Collection in Dubai

If you know me well, you'll know how much I love London (second home!). And it is brilliant to see several brands in Dubai embracing British themed collections, such as Marks & Spencer.

The 2014 Autumn/Winter Collection for men and women featured an array of chic designs and highlighted key trends. Think powder pastels, prints, metallics and more in the form of pretty skirts, tops, jackets and accessories. If you ever wanted to revamp your wardrobe, now's the time as Marks & Spencer has you covered for this season.

I particularly love the striking reds and the cobalt blues against a subtle palette of neutrals. And let's not forget, my favorites- lace, leather and sequins. Several pieces have landed on my wishlist already!