Paperless Post

In many ways Dubai is a city of the future. We have the tallest building in the world, largest man made island, a space age looking above ground metro system, and the list goes on. However, one thing that we are still a little behind the times on is a proper mail system. Then again, maybe because of email, this is the future.
To start off there are very few street names here, technically I do not have a real address. When in a taxi heading to my apartment I tell the driver "Dubai Marina, my building name, near Spinneys." (The grocery store name, everyone seems to always know where that is!) I do not give a street name or building number and I just have to pay attention to make sure the driver gets to the correct drive way.
I have not seen a mail man/woman or a mail box. I can pay to have a PO Box, but to be honest I have absolutely no idea where the post office is! This has been an interesting situation because of course the first thing my family wanted to do was mail me things! I had to explain it's complicated, I do not have an "address" and the best thing to do is send things to my husband's office. Now this is a little unfortunate for me because one of my favorite things is stationary and note cards. I am a compulsive thank you note writer (thanks mom!) so that has posed to be a bit of a challenge here. However, I think I have found a solution - Paperless Post! I apologize that none of you will be receiving hand written notes or postcards from Dubai. Instead you will be getting cutie online stationary - so futuristic, and after all I am from the future - I am eight hours ahead! (Ha bad joke, could not help it.)

GI Jane Moment

One of my favorite fall trends is all things military inspired! I know this is a trend that comes and goes, but it's everywhere I look right now and I definitely can not live without here in the dez.  I just bought a cutie pair of olive skinny chinos from Zara and I can not wait to pair them with a little tank (no pun intended) and heels.  I love the idea of mixing the combat look with some feminine touches like a hot heel or little floral top or perhaps adding a tailored jacket.  Whether "in" or "out," who wouldn't want to look like a jet setter on desert safari?!  So jelly of all you girls back west who can rock these cool jackets - too hot here, but I am planning a few trips west...  

The Marina

So I live in the best “neighborhood” in Dubai, officially known as the Dubai Marina. As a former New Yorker it is customary to declare and fully believe that whichever area you happen to live in also is the best place to live. Rarely would you ever hear someone who lives in the Village or the Upper West Side saying that they don’t live in the best neighborhood. Perhaps they would say that Brooklyn seems nice once we have kids or Tribeca would be great once I make my first million, but never “I hate living in the Lower East Side." Anyway, there are a lot of great “neighborhoods” in Dubai, but really we do live in the best “neighborhood.”
I am using the term “neighborhoods” loosely, as that term normally applies to well established and clearly defined areas in major cities. Anyway, we chose to live in this area because the Marina has a metro stop that is about a 2 minute walk from our apartment, a grocery store, coffee shops, restaurants, pharmacy, mosque, play ground, and just about anything else a resident would need all in walking distance – perfect! So of course we felt this area was self sufficient enough to suit any couple moving from NYC.
Dubai apartments are quite a change from my previous accommodations. You really do not even have the option of a non-doorman; walk up building, without a gym or pool – seriously! The realtor that helped me find our place laughed when I told her I lived in a studio that did not have any of these amenities and was paying rent similar to here! Also, nothing is really “old” since this city was basically built in the last ten years. One of the “selling features” of our apartment was that it is considered one of the “original six” apartments in the Marina. Which of course, relatively speaking means it’s ancient because it was built over five years ago. In my humble opinion, it’s the best place to live in Dubai and thought you might want to see some pictures of the best “neighborhood” in Dxb.

Front View

View from my balcony

Pool

Metro (above ground monorail)

My building

Marina Walk

"All That Glitters..."

I just became a Stylist for a fabulous new brand Tilly & Pinch! The concept is quite similar to Stella & Dot or Avon, but with beautifully crafted clutches. I am so excited that this kind of business opportunity is here in Dubai and it has expanded to the New York area as well!
Check out my pictures of these show stopping clutches from a gathering I attended the other night.

You Should Indigo Here

My friend just introduced me to an amazing home furnishing and decorative accessories store here in Dubai - Indigo.  Since I am trying to make my apartment look more like I actually live in it, the timing was perfect!  I can’t believe that Indigo and I had existed in the same city and had not met until now!  I really had to hold back from buying everything in the store.  It is one of the first home stores in Dubai that is not too opulent or over priced and has an east meets west theme which I love.  Since I live in a furnished apartment it’s really just making the space look more homey by adding accessories.  Here are some of my great finds!  I promise to give a picture tour one day when I feel it’s finished!

Here are some pics from the store!

Oman That Was Fun

We had a long weekend here in Dubai because of Eid Al Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan. (Btw - the work week in the UAE is Sunday – Thursday.) So my husband and I embarked on a trip out to Oman into the Hatta Mountains and then into the sand dunes for some quad riding. Here are some pictures from our adventure – Enjoy!

Cook in Boots

The other night I prepared a meal from one of my favorite cook books – Cook in Boots by Ravinder Bhogal. I am obsessed with this book because it combines two of my favorite things - fashion and food. Not only are all the recipes tasty and easy but the author also successfully integrates her obsession with shoes into images throughout the book.

She divides the book up into multiple sections with cheeky titles like “Bread, Pasta, Potatoes: Fall off the carb wagon,” “Hangover Food: For the morning after the night before,” and “Fork me spoon me: The food of love and rude food.” I know - Genius! I wish I came up with it!
I am constantly trying to find delicious and healthy recipes, so I made her Hanoi poached chicken with rice and chili sauce, from her cleverly titled section – “Skinny Food: For when you feel the pinch of your Chloe jeans.” The meal was a major success and tasted more indulgent than “diet food.” Here is the recipe – Enjoy!

Hanoi poached chicken with rice & chili sauce

For the chicken and rice:
1 litre/ 1 ¼ pints chicken stock
1 fat 7.5cm/3in knob of unpeeled fresh root ginger, cut into thick slices
6 spring onions, thickly chopped including the dark green parts
Sea salt
6 chicken breasts, skinned and boned
1 tbsp sesame oil
8 fat garlic cloves, chopped
250g/9oz long-grain rice
Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves to garnish

For the chili sauce:
2 red chilies (deseeded if you don’t want it too spicy)
5 garlic cloves
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp caster sugar (this means regular white sugar)
Juice of 1 lime

Start off by making the chili sauce. Put the chilies and garlic into a food processor and whiz until they are finely chopped, then mix the remaining chili-sauce ingredients.
To poach the chicken, bring the chicken stock to a boil and throw in the ginger and onions. Season with salt if necessary. Now lower the heat until you have a gentle simmer and add the chicken breasts. Cover the pan and cook for around 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked you can get on with making the rice. Remove the chicken from the stock and cover it with kitchen foil to keep it warm. Strain the stock and keep it hot. In a wok, heat the sesame oil and fry the garlic until fragrant. Now add the rice and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until it’s coated with the oil. Add 600ml/1 pint of the stock to the rice and cook, covered, on a low heat for about 15 minutes, until the liquid has been completely absorbed and the rice is perfectly cooked.
Whisk 200ml/7fl oz of the remaining stock into the chili sauce.
To serve, arrange the rice and chicken on a platter and the sauce in individual dipping bowls. Scatter the rice and chicken with fresh coriander leaves.

East Egg Thoughts

Recently my husband has been into reading “classic” books so I decided to start reading his copy of The Great Gatsby. I have not read that book since high school and it is much more fun to read this time around without the school factor involved!  The book is reminding me of all the glamorous fashion in the movie adaptation with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. All the costume styling in the 1970’s film was provided by one of my favorite American designers - Ralph Lauren! I cannot help but mention that Ralph Lauren was my former employer before my Dubai life :)

Here are some of my favorite looks from the film:

I love the glam flapper dresses, three piece suits, dazzling head wear, and pin curled bobs!

Cutie Booties!

All the fabulous fall fashion I have been seeing lately is making me a little nostalgic for autumn in NYC. For some reason (I think just natural east coaster instinct), I thought it was suddenly going to become cool and crisp once September 1st got here. Yeah not happening here… We do not really have seasons in Dubai, it’s just hot or really hot. So in honor of Labor Day weekend for those in the US that are celebrating and the coming of fall, here are some really cutie booties I am obsessed with!  Loving the lace-up and utility inspired look.

J'adore Le Creuset

I received my first Le Creuset piece as a wedding gift that I did not register for, but it quickly became one of my favorite gifts. I had no idea what the cast iron French oven was capable of and if I had known I would have registered for an entire set! So today I decided to add to my collection of one and purchase the grilling pan. I really wanted a better color than the greyish-beige color (it was the only option) but beggars cannot be choosers, and I had been begging for this! (They are pricey little things!)

I have to say, my cooking has vastly improved since I have been introduced to Le Creuset. I do not know if it’s because I have a lot more time to cook or because this item makes it impossible for me to burn anything. Either way, my life in the kitchen is better now because of it and I should be getting paid by them right now for writing this.
I thought I would share my first recipe with the new grilling pan. Bon appétit!

Chicken and shrimp with pancetta chimichurri

Chimichurri:

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup olive oil
8 ounces pancetta, cut into ¼ -inch dice
3 garlic cloves
1 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
½ cup fresh oregano leaves or 2 tablespoons dried
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Chicken and shrimp:
6 (6 – ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive oil, for drizzling

For the chimichurri: In a small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring constantly, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the garlic, parsley, oregano, vinegar, remaining cup of olive oil, and the lemon juice. Pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
For the chicken and shrimp: Preheat a grill pan or a gas or charcoal grill.
Season the chicken and shrimp with dried oregano and salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Grill the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Grill shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until pink and cooked through.
Slice the chicken diagonally and arrange on a large serving platter with the shrimp. Drizzle with the chimichurri and sprinkle with pancetta. 

Breaking the Fast

The other night I experienced my first Iftar feast! This is the meal after sunset when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. It is usually done with family and friends following an entire day of no food or water. Just a little back ground info: The UAE is an Islamic nation, so Ramadan is taken very seriously here. It is a month of fasting from which Muslims do not eat or drink (not even water) from sunrise to sunset. In Dubai, it is considered breaking the law for ANYONE to do so in public – this includes chewing gum. Violators are subject to a 2000Dhs fine or one month in jail.

 

Similar to Christmas, retailers take advantage of this time with decorations, Ramadan sales, and massive Iftar feasts at hotels and restaurants. I had been anxious to attend an Iftar, so one of my friends who is fasting, organized a dinner at the amazing Al Qasr Hotel. As tradition goes, we started off with Arabic dates and water and then in true Dubai form moved on to an over the top Arabic buffet. It was the perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the Arabian Gulf.