London's hidden gem - DININGS

The best thing about being in London is finding really amazing secret restaurants. A few days ago we visited DININGS, a contemporary sushi and Japanese tapas restaurant owned and run by an ex-Nobu chef Masaki Sugisaki. Before my friend booked lunch at Dinings, she told me that it was the best Japanese food she had ever eaten in her life. She was so right! NOTHING has ever compared to this... 

Outfit Du Jour

I'm in London and its FREEZING!! It was 3 degrees Celsius today. I'm the type who gets very cold so here is a preview of what I wore today- I looked like an Eskimo haha! (Below what you can see are a million layers and I wore a ton of stuff on top!)

Alexander McQueen turtleneck knit, Sass & Bide Ikat printed jeans, Chanel boots

Unrealistic Dior mascara advertisement

Have you ever looked at an advertisement in a magazine and thought, "Wow, I wish I looked like her?"  or "What an amazing beauty product, look at her lips/eyelashes/skin texture etc!" Unfortunately, we all know that these advertisements are retouched and that all the pictures are enhanced to stress the effects of what the seller is marketing. 

I just discovered that in terms of beauty products, brands are actually not allowed to OVER exaggerate the effects of a product. Take for example, Christian Dior's campaign for Diorshow New Look mascara that delivers volume and multiplies your lashes. 

Diorshow New Look mascara 

The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority, which acts like a watchdog on all ads in the country, has banned this ad. Apparently Dior was accused of "misleadingly exaggerating the effects of the product" and that Natalie Portman's lashes were retouched "for a more stylized, uniform and tidy effect".

Basically, what you see is NOT what you get! The advertisement is not permitted to be published again in the U.K until they fix it since it was leading potential customers to get unrealistic expectations.

I was very happy to hear this news since there are SO many times that I buy the products I see advertised in the magazines and then discover they aren't so wonderful. At least now we know that the ads have to be a bit realistic!

What do you think? Does this make you trust magazine ads more? 

Online Shopping at Boutique 1

It's that time of the year when the weather is starting to get better and there are many more invitations and occasions to go to. I open my cupboards, look at ALL the clothes and accessories inside and somehow, I never have anything to wear! I figure that the only way to remedy this situation is a healthy shopping spree :)

Boutique 1 is located in Dubai and has a very nice selection of mid range to expensive brands of clothing and accessories from all over the world. I personally love their selection of clothing. The BEST part about Boutique 1 is that they can deliver your purchases to anywhere in the U.A.E for free and to the rest of the world at a charge. It is ideal when I don't have time to go down to Dubai but desperately need a new outfit! 

Brasserie Angelique

Last week, we went and tried Brasserie Angelique, the French Bistro at Etihad Towers. I had heard such great things from everyone who dined there and decided to go try it for myself. 

                         

FEEDBACK PLEASE :)

Hello Everyone,

I hope all your Eid plans are going ok and you are either ready to have a relaxing three days in the U.A.E or are busy packing for some destination :)

I recently put the READ MORE function into each of my posts, so you have to click on it to see the rest of the post and the pictures. Honestly, are you liking this new function and clicking on it? Or did you prefer the old way where the whole post is visible on the home page? 

Last night my husband was checking out my blog and I realized that he didn't notice the READ MORE button and so missed out on 3/4 of all my blog material! I need to know if that is happening to more of my readers. 

I really appreciate your feedback. I am trying to make your viewing experience as pleasurable as possible :) 

Thanks and Happy Eid! xx 

Christian Dior's Golden Tattoos

What do you think of temporary tattoos? How about if they were made of 24 carat gold and were sold by Christian Dior? Intriguing, right?! 

Baking Bread at API CAE Gourmet

Remember how I said I don't (can't) cook? Well I decided to start taking cooking lessons and my first try was at API CAE Gourmet Deli in Khalidiya. Instead of learning something easy like pasta, I have high hopes for my culinary skills so I took an adult bread baking class. 

All the kinds of bread sold at API CAE... mouthwatering!

Eid in Dubai

I apologize for not writing enough recently but I was swamped last week with events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and had no time to sit down and write. To make up for my lack of posts, I bring you today news I find very interesting!

OBSESSED with FURLA's PIPER LUX Bag!

I was invited yesterday to preview the PIPER LUX bag at Furla. It is a Spring/Summer 2013 Limited Edition bag which will be available to purchase from October 17 to 24. It was only released in Dubai, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York and there are a limited 200 pieces for sale worldwide. The bag comes in two colours, white and black, and it comes alive when light hits its surface. 

I personally fell in LOVE with it, found it super comfortable to carry and think its the perfect day bag. It is big enough to carry all your daily necessities and black or white match with absolutely EVERYTHING. Also, for a designer bag, I think it is very reasonably priced at AED 2865.

The Limited Edition PIPER LUX BAG is only available to purchase in Dubai, Milan, Hong Kong, Tokyo and New York for one week

Outfit Du Jour

Here is what I wore to the Furla Event last night at Meydan Beach Club, JBR:

Pinko Black Dress, Pinko Belt, Anna Dello Russo for H&M clutch, Chanel Gold pumps, Reminisence Necklace, Leivankash Olivia Ring 

I had to change in Dubai for the event and so I carried all my things in this Anna Dello Russo for H&M small suitcase- I'm in love with it! :)

Matthew Williamson & The Rug Company Event

Last night I attended an event presenting Matthew Williamson for the Rug Company. It was held at The Farm, Al Barari, in Dubai. The event was organized by Expose Communications  and was attended by only the Fashion Elite of Dubai (and a handful of Abu Dhabians!). 

The location itself was stunning- first we were driving on a highway in the middle of the desert and then we arrived to an area filled with trees and lakes and beautifully paved roads. In the middle of all this is a restaurant, The Farm, that was  converted to a cocktail reception area for the night which resembles a glass box surrounded by a wooden deck and lots of trees. Who knew such a place existed on the desert highway that is Emirates Road?! 

California Chiropractic Center

Dr. Tamara adjusting my spine on perhaps the comfiest table I have ever  been on! 

I have been trying to get back into shape after a long and unhealthy summer. Accidentally, I pulled my back kickboxing and have been in sheer AGONY lately. It hurts to sit, hurts to stand and only feels better when I lie down. Luckily, my best friend and amazing chiropractor Tamara Ghazi just moved back to Dubai from San Francisco and treated me at the California Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Center.

Fashion Bananas??

Check out these Fashion Bananas by Chilean and Japanese artist Kazuki Guzman. He has created extraordinary art pieces out of everyday bananas by delicately placing thousands of needles into them.

Louis Vuitton bananas

(www.thisiscollosal.com)

Jumbo Cocktail Rings

I am loving the overstated jewellery trend this season and especially jumbo cocktail rings. How to wear them? I personally don't like to adorn my fingers and hands with much jewellery when wearing an oversized ring. Just the ring on my index finger or ring finger is enough to make a statement. Oh and make sure you have a perfect manicure because these rings get A LOT of attention! 

Here are some great options that I found online. Hope you like them!

Happy Shopping! :)

Alexis Bittar Allegory Clustered Vine Ring

Outfit Du Jour

What to wear on a chilled out Thursday night when you don't want to over dress but still want to look decent and stylish? Fancy denim! I fell in love with these Scervino Street embroidered and torn jeans in Italy this summer and had to have them! They go with absolutely everything and can transform a boring jeans and t-shirt ensemble into so much more!

Tonight I accessorized them with a jewelled t-shirt, jumbo ring, a python skin bag and flats. 

Alexander McQueen jewelled t-shirt, Scervino Street by Ermanno Scervino embroidered jeans, 

Lanvin flats, Lanvin ring, Christian Louboutin python and gold purse 

OVER 4000 Pageviews!

(www.vivaboo.com)

WOOHOO!!! Today my counter reached over 4000 Pageviews!! That's 2000 more page views than 3 weeks ago!

I LOVE my readers - thanks for being so loyal and taking interest in my blog. I wouldn't be able to do it without all your feedback and encouraging words.

THANKS A MILLION BILLION! :)

Up Close & Personal: Vick Vanlian

While window shopping in Saifi Village in Beirut, I came across a store that had a funky and eclectic mix of furniture - Vick Vanlian. Nothing in the store is your average piece of furniture and everything SCREAMS "take me home!" The Creative Director and owner of the store, Mr. Vick Vanlian himself, agreed to an EXCLUSIVE interview for My Small Obsessions. I hope you enjoy reading about a very interesting, down to earth designer who I am sure will make it BIG in the years to come! :)

Vick Vanlian

Lanvin for Laduree - WOW and YUMMM!

Today I have news of a collaboration for you that is both yummy AND ultra fashionable - Lanvin for French confectionary Laduree.  The collection consists of SUPER funky boxes designed by Lanvin filled with  eight multicoloured, bubble-gum flavoured macaroons. According to Alber Elbaz, the designer for Lanvin,  bubblegum taste is "the bubble of childhood." (Vogue.co.uk)

POPSUGAR'S must have boxes!

One of the most things I miss about living in the United States is not only reading about new products, books and items, but actually getting the chance to try them for myself. It's not enough for me to know that some celebrity is obsessed with a new goodie or has read a great book but to actually get the chance to read it. In the U.A.E, items need to be either well known, expensive, or lengthily written about in magazines for the buyers to even consider bringing them to our attention. So many beauty products for example, vanish under our radar. Never to be seen, talked about or tried. 

Luckily while browsing, I came across the website POPSUGAR which covers breaking news about entertainment, style and living. They also have something called "The must-have box." Each month, for only $35, they send their subscribers a box full of surprises. Always different, the box is filled with he newest and coolest items that people are talking about, reading, or eating State-side. Whats even greater is that NONE of the products are sample sizes but the real deal!

Outfit Du Jour

Pinko Top, AMEN leggings, Chanel sequinned pumps, Chanel bag, YSL rings, 

Philippe Audibert Paris gold necklace

Weekly Fashion Cravings Oct 6 - 12

It has been a few weeks since I craved anything but this week I am craving all things snake and python. You can wear the print or accessorize your outfits with it. For snake or python to really look good, I personally prefer to let the print be the only stand-out one in my outfit with no other clashing prints. 

Happy Shopping! :)

Im Obsessed! with this snake print scarf by Lily and Lionel 

Exclusively made for MyWardrobe,  not only is it super fashionable but 20% of each sale will go to the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Fun and Chaos at H&M Beirut!

The blue carpet entrance to the store at the Beirut Souks

Eagerly anticipating the limited edition pieces by Anna Dello Russo for H & M, I arrived to Beirut late last night and woke up at the crack of dawn to make it to the event. I have to say, this was the NICEST collaboration collection H&M has had so far. All of the items were beautifully packaged in white or blue boxes with gold tassels and tags and the displays made me want to buy everything in sight! I was also pleasantly surprised that everything was nicer in reality than the preview pictures we saw of this collection.

World's most expensive edible cupcake

Today I'm brining you a topic that I think is utterly ridiculous and simply TOO over the top - The world's most expensive EDIBLE cupcake at Bloomsbury's at the Dubai Mall. 

Dubbed "The Golden Phoenix", this cupcake is made from organic flour and butter from the UK, Premium Amedei Porcelena chocolate from Italy, gold Ugandan vanilla beans, organic strawberries, 23 carat edible gold sheets, and a ton of sprinkled gold powder. The masterpiece is then served on 24 carat gold stand. I think its a shame you can't take the stand home!

Oscar De La Renta Limited Nail Polishes

Oscar De La Renta showcased three beautiful limited edition nail polishes on their Fall 2012 Runway. This is the first EVER cosmetics collection by the brand and for a limited time only, Who What Wear is offering us the chance to buy them. Snag them before they fly! 

Aubergine Nail Lacquer 

 

Larimar Nail Lacquer

Red Carnation Nail lacquer 

(This one is my favourite)