Getting Inked - The Do's & Don'ts of Getting a Tattoo

Hello my lovelies! Missed me? I know its been ages since we've blogged, sorry for the long silence.

 

A lot has been happening in the past few months, more on that in my next few posts. I was down in New Zealand this August and guess what... I decided to get inked! I've been pondering on getting a tattoo for ages, and my Pinterest feed is flooded with possibilities.

 

We don't have tattoo parlors in the UAE. It is banned here (but you can get makeup tattoos for eyebrow enhancements, lip coloring, etc.). So when I passed by Power House Tattoos in New Zealand, I had to have a browse.

A Model without the Makeup

Archana Akil Kumar is a fashion model from India. She has graced the covers of many coveted publications. She looks every part the glamor girl that is expected of her trade.

Then I found her on Miss Malini's webite... don't get me wrong. I think she is fresh faced and pretty. Very much the girl next door if you ask me. But glamorous definitely does not come to mind.

Oh the tricks of great makeup artists and fashion clothing!

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder... or the very talented media industry!

To all you girls feeling un-pretty out there, remember it's all an illusion.

xxx Big Sis.

A Monday Moment with Whittaker’s Milk Strawberry

I finally got a chance to try out Whittaker’s latest offering today. This new flavour is yet another special contribution towards their New Zealand Breast Cancer cause (their previous offering was White Raspberry).

For those of you who haven’t heard of Whittaker’s chocolate, the brand is Kiwi owned and operated, and originated in 1896. It is New Zealand’s oldest confectionary company run by a family of the same name.  These chocolates are by far one of the most delicious on the face of this globe (trust me I’ve tried a lot chocolate!). It’s one of those things I love to take over for friends and family overseas, and definitely for Big Sis, a chocolate lover like myself.

 

The Politics of Weight

This incident got me thinking a bit...

TV anchor Jennifer Livingstone received the email below with the following header:

 “Community Responsibility”:

Hi Jennifer,

It’s unusual that I see your morning show, but I did so for a very short time today. I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn’t improved for many years. Sure you don’t consider yourself a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular. Obesity is one of the worst choices a person can make and one of the most dangerous habits to maintain. I leave you this note hoping that you’ll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Adding Ethnic Pieces to a Western Silhouette

Ideas for Mixing and Matching Indo-Western Style

Tom Ford experiments with bright ethnic hues

Big names of the fashion world have always drawn inspiration from ethnic tradition. From ikat prints, Indie-boho skirts and Palestinian print scarves hitting mainstream fashion, the mix and match of the exotic has helped lend a personalized touch to an otherwise ordinary wardrobe.

 

Here are some ideas on how to mix and match East and West without looking overwhelmingly ethnic. The trick is to keep a balance and let one key piece shine through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Office Toilet Chronicles

A typical workplace has more bums than toilet-seats (logical really, as the odds of us all going at the same time are pretty bleak). Having had the privilege of sitting at an office cabin diagonally opposite the toilet corridor, I have been building up on my trivia on shared office toilets. For example, I can tell you men are remarkably faster at their business than the fairer sex, and people are creatures of habit and tend to go around the same time each day and to the same cubicle. I also have more disturbing trivia on people who seem to have the most efficient bladders, and a mental list of ladies who are more likely to leave a stench after their job is done in the 'Ladies' loo.

Ramada Beach Resort - Ajman



Our room at Ramada Beach Resort - the bed was super comfy

One of the best parts of living in the UAE is all the great bargains you can get through online sites and credit card offers. We were looking for a short weekend getaway, and hubby managed to score an awesome deal on Cobone for Ramada Beach Resort, Ajman. For AED 320 we got a one-night stay in a deluxe room with sea-views, got access to the private beach, the indoor pool and saunas, and got served buffet dinner and breakfast. The rack-rate for the deluxe room is AED 800 per night... not a bad deal eh?!

Zereshk - Dried Iranian Barberries

I first saw these beauties at an Iranian buffet. The lovely ruby red hues added vibrancy to the rice dish I later learnt to be ‘Zereshk Polow’, an Iranian staple for a gourmet meal.

Zereshk are essentially dried barberries, and is used extensively in Iranian cooking. I was delighted to find them at my local Iranian grocer’s. I’ve always been a fan for tangy treats, and these berries are pretty high on the tartness scale. They are usually used in cooking, and even found in traditional medicine, but I like to munch on them as is. 

Onesies for One & All!

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, out pops a new vocab into the fashion scene – the onesies!

These all-in-one romper suits are nothing new. Every new mum has invested in over a dozen… for her baby. Enter the new-age romper, the ‘onesies’ for adults!

Just like the baby counterparts, they come in soft, cuddly fleece and friendly nursery animal prints (loving the rubber-ducky print!).

 

Dessert Madness at Strawberry Fare

I have a crazy sweet tooth and love my desserts. So a weekend dinner catch up with some fellow sugar fiends is easily swapped for a dessert do.

Located in Mount Victoria Wellington, Strawberry Fare is a renowned dessert restaurant in the Capital. I hear they make all the ingredients on site, including the mascarpone cheese they use.

The desserts menu is priced between $NZ 16-$NZ 20 and includes tiramisu, sorbets, lemon meringue, baked cheesecakes, chocolate creation platters, pavlova, crème brulee, English toffee pudding etc. Like my previous visits I was as delighted with the desserts as before. The rushed manner of the service staff though leaves more to be desired.

The portions are meal sized and easily shared (if you choose to!). Here are some clicks from visits:

The Entrance Foyer

 

 

Banaffi Pie

 



Tiramisu

 

Devil's Dream Cake

 

Chocolate & English Toffee Pudding

-Lil Sis J

PS: Sorry Big Sis for the dessert-talk while you’re on the GM Diet!