miss b loves........ Dubai, old and new

The contrast between old and new Dubai is something which has always fascinated and attracted me to this unique city. The traditional souks with their inexpensive wares and the extravagant malls selling high-end luxury branded goods..... the  windtowers and the futuristic skyscrapers.....the Creek and Dubai Marina ...the old wooden abras and the millionaires' yachts......the courtyard cafés and the stylish restaurants in the most beautiful hotels.

So.... let's start with the old.....

miss b loves.......spring in Istanbul....part one

A couple of weeks ago we spent another hectic yet fascinating  long weekend in Istanbul. As promised, here is part one of our very busy schedule........ 
Saturday began with a visit to Topkapi Palace which was home to the Ottoman Sultans, their many concubines, children and servants for nearly 400 years and was the heart of the Ottoman Empire.                      

miss b loves....cocktails at the Voda Bar, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, The Palm, Dubai

The ultra-chic Voda Bar

The new Ottoman-themed Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel is located on the west cescent of Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Its interior is lavish, influenced by Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with extravagent chandeliers and colourful artwork and marble but the purpose of our recent visit was to enjoy the ultra-chic surroundings of the Voda Bar, located on the ground level of the hotel.

The beautiful moon design chandelier
 in the opulent hotel lobby

This sophisticated bar just oozes style with the futuristic, white minimalist interior setting, sixties-style egg chairs and white sofas.

miss b loves.........Rosso Pink Fizz

miss b's pink fizz

I have been trying to recreate a delicious lemony Prosecco-based cocktail  which I recently discovered at Rosso at the Amwaj Rotana Hotel at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina. It has been an absolute pleasure(!) experimenting with the measures but after several attempts I think I've got it right (well it's very very similar) and I'm calling it 'miss b's pink fizz' of course!