Wintertime in Scotland

As I was leaving Dubai on Friday the temperature was hovering around 20 degrees. A little cold by Dubai standards but quite pleasant compared to anywhere else. Landing in Glasgow eight hours later, I looked out the window and saw that the ground was covered in snow! It was then that I realised that I'd packed all my long sleeved tops in my check in luggage, a rookie mistake that won't be repeated!

Luckily, my parents were coming to collect me. I managed to convince my dad that I needed that woolly jumper more than he did and hot-footed it to the car where I requested the heating be turned up full.

Driving back towards home I soon heated up and it was then that I began to notice how nice and wintry it was! Snow on the ground, Christmas tunes on the radio, kids playing 'count the Christmas trees' on the drive home and decorations all over the houses. I do love living in Dubai but it's nice to take a few weeks out at this time of year and experience some proper winter weather!

 Now, I'm off to make some mulled winter drinks!

Brrrrr

It's December and its getting a little bit nippy outside! In the UAE temperatures don't dip too low, but perhaps we may have to cancel our evening sunbathing slots for the next month or two. 

And for anyone travelling home for the winter break, there is a LOT of shopping to be done!

Looking in my wardrobe in preparation for my three week trip home I realised I actually have NO winter clothes.  None. At all!

Crazy shopping mania started to creep up inside me, trips to Dubai Mall, Emirates Mall and Ibn Battuta ensued! Trying to buy a whole winter wardrobe all at once can be quite daunting! Hence, my reasoning behind this months fashion column in Oasis Living entitled "Wonderful Wares to Keep you Warm all Winter".

I realised that with a few key pieces, you can throw together a winter wardrobe inexpensively and without too much effort. And on top of that, once you have these key purchases you'll be able to get on with catching up with family and friends and having lots of fun, whilst staying warm and looking good at the same time! Check out the article in full here http://myoasisliving.com/digital_version/dec_2011/pageflip.html and happy shopping!

Scouring the markets around Europe

A little feature on scouring the markets in Europe in hunt of some stylish bargains!http://myoasisliving.com/oasis_living_magazine/show_detail/encid/138/opt/features/offset/20

The Final Cut

For the follow up to my meeting with Alia last month and to find out all about her battle with breast cancer see this link at Oasis Living Dear Sir/Madam,
http://myoasisliving.com/oasis_living_magazine/show_detail/encid/137/opt/features/offset/0

This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Alia Al-Shamsi, an inspirational woman from the region who has been battling breast cancer for the last four years. 

Coming quietly into the coffee shop Alia was dressed in the traditional shaila and abaya and came rushing over to meet me.

'Sorry to keep you waiting' she said apologetically, 'prayer time'.

Joining me at the table and ordering a cappuccino 'but not one of those kids chocolatey ones' she settles down to tell me her story.

Having moved to the UAE from Germany 25 years ago, she married her Emirati husband and had three beautiful children. Here she had lived happily until 2007 when she was hit with the bomb that she had developed breast cancer. There was no family history of the disease and so it came as quite a shock to Alia who had never really been ill before. We spoke about her journey from diagnosis through her operation to radiation therapy and the struggles that she faced fighting the disease in the U.A.E. For a country famous for building amazing sight and record breaking buildings there was a lot lacking when it came to facilities for cancer treatment and there still is today! 

Two hours, and a fascinating chat later, I came away with countless ideas for my article as well as an overwhelming sense of awe for this fascinating and courageous woman.

Next month is breast cancer awareness month and Alia's interview has inspired me to do all that I can to help raise awareness of this honorific disease that knows no boundaries.

Hitting the gym in Style!

My latest article for Oasis Living, to help us all kick start the new school year with a healthy, but fashionable, spurt!http://myoasisliving.com/digital_version/sep_2011/pageflip.html page 62

Survival!

Well, I survived the early morning Body Attack session, just about!

It was one hour of music thumping, high impact aerobics and I really feel like I worked my ass off! The instructor, Sharon, was great, very motivating and giving alternative suggestions if you were loosing the will to continue. An hour later I felt like I definitely deserved my breakfast!

There were a few crazy ladies staying on after the Body Attack session to do a session of Body Pump! This involves lifting weights, doing lunges, sit ups etc for another hour! I was so pooped by the end of the first round that I could barely make it up the stairs back to my car so well done to those who managed two rounds!

As its Thursday, I'm taking it a little easier this morning and starting off a little later, and with some Vinayasa Yoga, so I'll still be exercising but in more of a calm, relaxing way than yesterday.

I will, however, be throwing in a Body Attack session at least once a week as you really do feel like you worked hard!