Showing Friends Around Part 2

   A friend of mine hosted an event called, 'Cigars and Cognac' at Asia de Cuba, a cigar lounge located on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi across from the St. Regis hotel. I had never been to a cigar lounge before and enjoyed meeting new people, as well as sampling their interesting cocktail menu.

  The next day we went to a day party at Emirates Palace.

We ended making it into Abu Dhabi Timeout magazine!

     The Fairmont Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi did not disappoint with a beautiful pool and breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque.  

No visit to Abu Dhabi would be complete without a visit to the Grand Mosque. 

Later in the week, we went to Yas Beach (Located in Yas Island) for the day.

I also took my friend to get some henna done here in Al Ain.

Showing Friends Around--Part 1

   My sincerest apologies for being MIA, but I have been showing two of my friends from home around the UAE. 

   My friends landed a week and a half ago and we decided to stay in Dubai upon their arrival.  I took them to Saffron the infamous Friday brunch at Atlantis. We were blessed to stay at the Sofitel on the Palm. This is hands down the best hotel I have ever stayed in. 

Great pool.

Nice beach.

Brunch was amazing as usual.

We had to sit outside because that is all they had available. In 40C+ we consumed a few of these:

Some young ladies came to the brunch dressed as Disney Princesses to celebrate their friends upcoming wedding. I thought that was so cute.

A quick wardrobe change for the club.

Maxin' and relaxin'.

Of course I had to take my buddies to the Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world.

View from the 124th floor. I didn't know that the Burj only opened its doors in 2010.

All my friends rave about the banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery. Since I was in Dubai mall I had to finally try it myself. 

Delicious! 

Next up desert safari.

Shisha smoking, belly dancing and Middle eastern food. 

Pipes on pipes on pipes. 

Next stop was the Emirates palace for high tea and gold flake drinking.

High tea is one of my favourite things.

Emirates palace steps. 

Stay tuned for part 2! 

Ajman

    The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven emirates which are like states; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Um Al Quwain. My goal by the end of my time here is to spend at least on night in each emirate. Last weekend a few of my friends and I went to Ajman.

     Ajman is a two hour drive from Al Ain. We stayed at a hotel across from the beach.

View from our hotel room.

Celebrating Birthdays UAE Style

 Celebrating your birthday in the UAE is like nothing else. I must admit this is the closest thing to living like a Kardashian, with a plethora of restaurants, beaches and yachts that can be rented on groupon, Abu Dhabi and Dubai can be seen as an adult playground. A few weeks ago we had a surprise get together for my friend B. We rented a hotel suite and decorated it in her favourite color: green. 

  We hired a henna artist and got henna done.

We then had dinner at the yummy southern restaurant Cravin Cajun. 

   Two weeks ago,  I went to a birthday yacht party that was fantastic. 

My nautical inspired outfit is from Forever21+ on Dubai Mall. Bah- Aldo and sandles Nine West. 

We had a lovely time.

I'm on a boat!

Lastly, I just want to congratulate my girl L on her engagement. She took the most stunning engagement pictures in the desert with her boo. 

This photographer lives in Al Ain and does amazing work. Might have to do a 35th birthday desert bday shoot.