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California Trip Highlights

February 6, 2019 2 Comments

If you’re following me on Instagram or Facebook you probably know that I was in sunny California two weeks ago. I’ve been so busy since I got back that I’m just getting to this highlights post now.

We had a great time in California and enjoyed a much needed break from the cold weather. It was my first time there although my better half had been there many times before.

We were there for 5 days so we decided to plan out each day and make an itinerary to maximize our time there. We were able to fit in so much in to our short time in California so I’ll only be sharing some of my highlights.

Our first day was set aside for travel and actually getting to Los Angeles. We stayed at a hotel on Sunset Boulevard which was a great location for us with many food spots and easy access to other areas of the city.

Day Trip to San Francisco

We decided to take a semi-private flight via a company called Jetsuitex and I really loved this experience. Jetsuite has its own hangar at Burbank airport so you skip the long lines and intimidating security checks that you deal with when flying commercial. You basically arrive about 15 minutes before the flight, sit in a lounge and board when the plane arrives. The on-board amenities are great too with a full bar services along with healthy snacks. After this relaxing flight we spent the day exploring San Francisco and headed back to LA in the evening.

Dinner at Nobu Malibu

We spent our third day exploring downtown Los Angeles and headed to Malibu for dinner. We’d heard really good things about Nobu Malibu so we decided to check it out. We loved this Japanese restaurant. The view from the patio was great even at night. The service was amazing as well, probably the best I’ve had at a restaurant.

Rodeo Drive

How could I go to L.A. and not visit Rodeo Drive right? I was totally having a Pretty Woman moment here. I absolutely loved this part of the trip. We had a great time walking down Rodeo and checking out all the posh shops. Throughout this trip we also treated ourselves to some stylish rides. For Beverly Hills we rented a Porsche using an app called Turo. It’s an affordable and convenient way to rent a car of your choice.

Another highlight of this trip was the food. We literally ate so much all the time. My favourites were fish tacos, happy hour treats and of-course a hamburger from In-n-Out! We also checked out the rooftop restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria. I really enjoyed this rooftop as it had awesome views of the city and the hills.

I hope you enjoyed our trip highlights. Have you been to California before, if so what was the best part of your trip? Leave a comment and let me know.

Travel

Dubai Diaries Part 5: High Tea at Burj Al Arab

March 17, 2018 No Comments

Tallest atrium in the world

Selfie before heading up to the Skyview Lounge

Welcome bubbles and dates

Shrimp salad

Quiche

Savoury sandwiches

Lemon sorbet

Sweet treats

Burj Royale – signature cocktail

View from the top

My trip Dubai was probably one of the most memorable adventures I’ve been on. The last post in my Dubai Diairies series is all about my High Tea experience at the most world’s most luxurious hotel the Burj Al Arab.

High tea at the Burj Al Arab was quite an experience. This hotel is probably the most opulent and luxurious place I’ve ever seen. In order to get inside the hotel you either need to stay there for a cool price of $1900 CAD a night (based on booking.com) or have a reservation at one of their restaurants. There’s security at the gate to verify your reservation, so sneaking in is not an option 😉 Once inside you can take some time to admire the lobby and the gold detailing on practically everything. If you wait long enough you can see the fountain show – the hotel has a large fountain on the second floor of the lobby which keeps a beat and periodically shoots a huge stream of water up the at ceiling. This ceiling is probably the highest I’ve seen in my life and the hotel is said to have the world’s tallest atrium.

I made my reservation for tea at the Skyview Bar but there’s also a high tea serving at a restaurant called Sahn Eddar which is located in the atrium of the hotel. The Skyview Bar is located on the 27th floor of the hotel. I’d highly recommend the Skyview Bar over the atrium restaurant as the view is spectacular. However there is a minimum age requirement and you have to be 21 to enter the bar.

The high tea consisted of 7 courses (pictured above) and came with glass of sparkling wine. I was happy to get a window table which needs to be reserved in advance. Aside from the food and tea offerings the Skyview Bar also has a list of signature cocktails. I opted for the Burj Royale as it was reminiscent of my favourite cocktail the Kir Royale. I really enjoyed my high tea at Skyview Bar and it was truly a unique experience. It’s definitely a once (or twice) in a lifetime thing and I would strongly recommend it 🙂

Travel

Dubai Diaries Part 4: Desert Safari

March 15, 2018 No Comments

You can’t go to Dubai without going on a desert safari! On my fourth day in Dubai I decided to be really adventurous and go out to the desert! This excursion was so much fun! There are many different safari companies to choose from and you can easily book your excursion ahead of time, in fact I’d highly recommend it. I booked mine through a personal contact but you can find desert safari packages online.

My excursion started around 3pm in the afternoon, typically a desert safari can last about 6-8 hours depending on what activities you select. We were picked up at our hotel in a range rover and drove about a 45 mins to an hour to get to the desert. Our first stop was a well known tourist stop where you could try out some ATVs, buy a souvenir or get dressed in a traditional Arabian headdress. I decided against the ATVs as it was raining a bit the afternoon of my excursion so the sand was a bit wet. Can you believe it, I actually saw the rain in the desert?!

Following the ATV stop we headed in to the desert for some dune bashing! This was the scariest and most fun part of the excursion. Dune bashing is like being on a roller coaster ride that lasts 30 mins or more! Here’s the part where your seat belt really keeps you from being thrown around the SUV. If you have a back injury or are prone to motion sickness then dune bashing may not be the best activity for you and you can choose to opt out of it when you book your excursion and choose a package that doesn’t include it. I typically never get motion sick or dizzy on roller coasters but this experience left me feeling a little disoriented. As some of my friends were feeling a little dizzy we decided to stop and take some photos in the desert. The fresh air really helped alleviate any discomfort brought on by the dune bashing. After that it was time to head to a nearby Bedouin camp for dinner.

Our third and final stop was the desert camp. There were a number of different activities at the camp including camel riding, dressing up in traditional clothing, shopping for souvenirs and henna tattoos. We settled in for a desert BBQ dinner followed by a Tonoura Show and Belly Dancing.

I really enjoyed my afternoon out in the desert and would recommend the desert safari excursion to anyone.

Pro Tip: You can opt for a private or shared safari excursion. I chose the private package and it was $300 USD which we split between 3 people. This price included pick and drop off at the hotel in a private SUV, dune bashing, camel rides and dinner.

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Dubai Diaries Part 3: Old Souk

March 12, 2018 No Comments

I’d heard that the markets in Dubai were something I should not miss! On day three in Dubai I decided to check out the Old Souk or old market. I stayed at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek which is located across the street from the creek itself. I went for a walk in Creek Park and noticed that there were water taxis going across the creek. On a whim I decided to grab a water taxi (called an Abra) and visit the Old Souk. The taxis are very inexpensive and the ride is very pleasant. The trip over to Old Souk reminded me a bit of a water taxi ride along the grand canal in Venice. I enjoyed the architecture and the older buildings in Dubai.

Once I got the to my stop it was time to explore the market. Old Souk is truly an experience. There are so many people walking along the narrow streets lined with vendors and shops. It’s a busy place with many vendors calling out to tourists to come see their wares. You certainly get hawked at and shouted at but it’s all part of the experience. The market has many different kinds of shops ranging from spice and sweet shops to souvenir and clothing stalls. There’s also a few places to grab a quick bite to eat.

I decided to dress more conservatively on the whole while in Dubai. For my day at the market I chose a black jumpsuit from Forever 21 paired with this trendy pom pom bag. I found these cute block heels at The Bay which complemented the jumpsuit perfectly. Although it was the Winter in Dubai the sun was still out and rather strong so I decided to bring a sunhat with me 🙂

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Dubai Diaries Part 2: At.Mosphere

March 10, 2018 No Comments

Forever Rose – inspired by Beauty and the Beast

First Course – Beet Salad with Chocolate Soil

Main Course – Beef Tenderloin

Signature Dessert- Sauteed Bananas with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Lava Cake

I arrived in Dubai on my birthday (Feb 28) and it was quite late so I decided to have my birthday dinner on March 1st. I wanted to go somewhere special. I discovered a restaurant called At.Mosphere through an internet search. Located on top of the Burj Khalifa the tallest building in the world, this restaurant is on the 122 floor and is the tallest restaurant in the world!

The view from the top is truly spectacular as you look down on the night lights of Dubai. At. Mosphere is a must do in Dubai (in my opinion). It’s literally the best view in Dubai. The restaurant contains a lounge and dining room and offers dining options for high tea, cocktails, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My birthday dinner was truly an experience to remember. The waitstaff at the restaurant are expertly trained and offer great recommendations regarding the menu options and things to look out for as you sit by the window. One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant comes with a minimum spend. The prices are listed on the website and tables located near the windows have a higher minimum spend. A typical meal with cocktails and dessert will cost you around $300 but it is well worth the splurge. I chose a 3 course option for dinner but the waitstaff are very helpful in making recommendations according to your preferences. Our waitress had some great tips for us regarding the menu (you can choose from a 3, 5 or 7 course meal as well as a la carte options) options and even recommended a dessert that wasn’t listed on the menu. It was fantastic! She also took us around the front of the restaurant to see the dancing fountain show (located at the Dubai Mall).

At.Mosphere has a strict dress code of smart elegant and most diners were dressed in formal attire, although I did see a few gentlemen in short sleeved shirts. For my outfit I decided to go all out and wore this fabulous red gown 🙂 I figured it’s better to be overdressed than under-dressed. The moment I saw this dress in the window I was reminded of Julia Roberts’ red opera dress in Pretty Woman 😉 I found the perfect necklace to complement this dress at Unique Accessories. It added just a bit of sparkle and didn’t overpower the dress. If you’re looking for a truly unique and elegant dining experience then be sure to check out At.Mosphere at the Burj Khalifa.

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Dubai Diaries Part 1: Dubai Miracle Garden

March 8, 2018 No Comments

If you follow me on instagram you probably know I was in Dubai last week 😉 I decided to get away for my birthday this year and Dubai was a place I’d always wanted to visit. I was there for about 4 days but was able to pack in a lot of sightseeing. I’ll be chronicling my visit to Dubai and my outfits in this new series called Dubai Diaries.

My first stop in Dubai was the Dubai Miracle Garden. I’d heard so much about this place and was told it was a must-see in Dubai, and it did not disappoint. The garden was truly beautiful and I was overwhelmed by the amount of flowers. If you thought Mosaik in Ottawa was great well I’m sorry to say you haven’t seen anything until you see this garden. The exhibits were spectacular and there were plenty of places to grab a quick snack and rest as you toured the garden. One of the exhibits in the garden even set a Guiness world record. The exhibit in the shape of an Emirates Airbus A380 airplane is the largest flower arrangement in the world.

I decided to play it safe and dress conservatively while I was in Dubai. For my visit to the garden I chose a midi length ruffle skirt paired with my signature Weekend Fashionista t-shirt in white. I opted for a pair of Lucky Brand wedge heels as I would be doing a lot of walking and I wanted to be comfortable. I tied in the camel colour of my shoes with this Ellen and James rectangle bag. Although I visited during the Winter, Dubai can still get pretty warm during the day so I decided to bring a sunhat to keep cool during the garden tour 🙂

Pro Tip: The garden can get quite busy during the day so it’s best to go earlier in the morning if you want to get some nice photos free of other visitors. I visited the garden around 9:30 am right when it opened.

Admission fee: Admission to the garden costs 45 Dirhams which is about $15 CAD. Remember to keep your ticket as a souvenir.

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Travel Beauty Favourites

February 25, 2018 No Comments

It’s vacay time!! I’m going on vacation again so I thought I’d share some of my travel beauty favourites. I used to travel a lot for work so I’m quite used to packing my beauty products in a clear plastic bag 🙂

Moisturizers

The recycled air inside a plane combined with high altitude can do a number on your skin so it’s important to moisturize when you fly. I like to pack some face cream, hand cream and lip balm with me. I find my face and hands get especially dry when I fly. My current favourite moisturizer when flying is Olay Classic Moisturizing lotion. I have combination skin so this works well for me. I haven’t been able to find a travel size Olay lotion so I usually just carry some in an empty container (hint: it’s in the circular Nivea container ;)). For lips I go with a generic lip balm like Blistex and for my hands I usually go with a generic hand moisturizer.

Pro-Tip: If you’ve ever been upgraded or traveled business or first class you usually receive an amenities kit which contains lip balm and hand lotion.

Makeup/Perfume

I don’t carry travel sizes of my makeup but I make sure all the makeup I take in my carry-on is 100ml or less. I usually take some foundation, my liquid eyeliner, mascara and a lipstick. I use MAC for my foundation, eyeliner and lipstick. I also like to pack some perfume with me just to freshen up between flights. Most perfumes come in travel sizes that fit perfectly in your clear plastic bag.

Here’s what I’ve got with me:

Foundation – Pro Longwear: NC42

Liquid Eyeliner – Boot Black

Lipstick – Mac-Syrup

Mascara – Buxom Lash

Perfume- Dolce (Travel Size)

I carry some makeup removing wipes and a cleanser – for freshening up while in transit.

Pro-Tip: Most airports have paid entry lounges that you can use to grab a bite, take a shower and catch a few winks between flights.

After Flight Care

Getting some quality sleep on the plane always helps with jet lag so I like to bring an eye shade with me to block out extra light and help me sleep. A few years ago I discovered a product called Liquid Oxygen by O2Spa. Just a few drops under your tongue or mixed with water can help relieve jet lag and improve your energy. I purchased mine on Air Canada duty free but you can also purchase the product through their website. I also pack a gel eye mask to help relieve puffyness under the eyes as a result of lack of sleep. Gel masks can usually be used as a hot or cold option and they’re great for helping you relax post-flight.

Pro Tip: Drink lots of water while you’re in flight and try to avoid alcohol. The altitude combined with the alcohol will leave you feeling dehydrated and you’ll have a more difficult time dealing with jetl ag. Taking a quick stroll around the cabin (when the seat belt signs are off) will also help with circulation and leave you feeling more energized.

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Fashion, Travel

Vacay Style

January 2, 2018 No Comments

As you probably know I’ve been on vacation for the past two weeks so I’ve been a little slow with my posts. I’m totally loving the tropical weather here in Sri Lanka especially since there’s been a deep freeze in Ottawa lately. I thought I’d share some of my vacay style outfits with you since some of you may be planning a winter getaway to a tropical paradise.

When packing for this trip I wanted to add some tropical flair to my outfits.

Here’s what I’ve been wearing 🙂