miss b loves......random photos of Dubai and an impromptu Fashion show.

We packed so much into our visits to Dubai last October and December... As usual I took so many photos! Below are the ones which didn't quite make it into the posts.......

miss b loves ..........welcoming the New Year in Dubai.

Happy New Year to you all! I'm finally getting back into a routine! It was such a treat to be able to escape the cold and wet weather in England to enjoy sunshine and blue skies .....

En route to Dubai
on Boxing Day

We were greeted with so many festive touches especially at The Beach with a giant Christmas tree, huge candy canes and baubles which shimmered next to the palm trees .....

The 'snowmen' on the sand were particularly cute and popular for photos too!

miss b loves ...new openings in Dubai and a few favourite spots

Dubai is one of those places which is forever changing and developing and this for me is one of its attractions. Following on from our fascinating trip to Abu Dhabi last month, we spent a few days revisiting a few favourite spots and discovering new openings in Dubai....

Imagine my delight to find that Ladurée at The Beach had opened at last. 

With views from the terrace over Jumeirah Beach and the Arabian Gulf, this is a very special location. 

This giant deckchair is apparently the largest in the world but I believe the Guiness Book of World Records is in the process of verifying that!

miss b loves ..... a stopover in Dubai

En route to Singapore last month we took the opportunity to break the journey both on the way there and back. It's a seven hour flight from Manchester to Dubai and another seven hours on to Singapore.... A couple of long weekends in Dubai was definitely a good idea...an excuse to visit a few favourite spots...

 ..... and a chance to discover new openings in a city which is constantly evolving.

I'd read that London's iconic Fortnum and Mason store had opened a branch in a prime location opposite the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The terrace has a spectacular view of the Dubai Fountain too .....

The ground floor stocks a variety of teas, preserves and other treats...

The sophisticated Tea Salon on the first floor serves their famous afternoon tea and the second floor is a stylish ice cream parlour. As it was late in the evening, we made our way to the top floor for dessert and coffee.... 

miss b loves.... Dubai with a difference

When people think of Dubai they perhaps only imagine shopping malls, skyscrapers, expensive hotels, the glitz and the glamour ..... but there is a very different, quieter, more subdued side of Dubai....Let me take you there.... 

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (formerly known as Bastakiya) was built in 1859 and is situated near the Creek (where wooden dhows are loaded and unloaded with goods from exotic locations)

The area has been restored and preserved and gives a glimpse of life in old Dubai ..... Many of the buildings have been converted into art galleries and interesting little shops....

The wind towers of the traditional Emirati homes created an early and effective form of air conditioning trapping the prevailing wind and funnelling it down into the house.

Last month we were fortunate to be there during Art Dubai and the annual Sikka Art Fair ......

A collection of painted skateboards

miss b loves .....The Beach, Dubai

Of course I love the beach in Dubai ...... white sand and crystal clear turquoise sea ...

Jumeirah Beach with views of Palm Jumeirah
 and the Atlantis Hotel in the distance

.....but today I'm talking about The Beach, a brand new somewhat controversial project which, as you might have guessed, sits right next to the sea. When I first saw the hoardings go up, like many others I assumed it was just another shopping mall taking up valuable beachfront space!! 

How wrong we were! When we arrived in Dubai a couple of weeks ago, the first phase of The Beach had just opened. This new project has truly enhanced the area ....it's now a beautiful sleek luxury lifestyle destination. Ultra-modern, low rise buildings with cafés and restaurants whose terraces look out over the Arabian Gulf......

We visited Leopold's of London three times in a week! It's newly opened but already so popular. A perfect spot to relax, people-watch and enjoy the many delicious treats. 

miss b loves .....a touch of France in Dubai!

Dubai has a huge expat population and is a truly multi-cultural city. All the major international brands are represented from Bloomingdales and Marks & Spencer to Pottery Barn and Zara ... not to mention all the designer brands. It's possible to eat just about every cuisine too!

As a true francophile, I'm drawn to all things French especially French cafés and there's no shortage in Dubai......Paul, Le Nôtre, Fauchon are a few of our favourites but I've been waiting for the opening of .......

miss b loves .........a festive Dubai and record-breaking fireworks.

After spending a traditional Christmas Day at home, we flew out to Dubai on Boxing Day to be greeted by blue skies and warm winter sunshine. What a treat and an escape from the UK storms!

Cayan Tower

Dubai is a city which embraces different cultures and faiths and this is particularly evident at Christmas time. Christmas trees adorn shopping malls, hotels and residential neighbourhoods. 

Le Royal Meridien Hotel had a range of different styles of trees with one thing in common - glamour! (I thought we had a lot of baubles on our tree until I saw these!!)

miss b loves ......... the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience

What a stroke of luck that we happened to be in Dubai for the Vogue Fashion Experience in the Dubai Mall!

Organised by  property developers Emaar Properties and Vogue Italia, this glamorous celebration of fashion, was held for the first time in the Middle East.

I headed straight to the atrium near Bloomingdales department store .......

..... to see a very special Haute Couture collection by such iconic names as Dior, Valentino, Armani, Chanel ...........

Atelier Versace
Spring/Summer 2009

.... but this Elie Saab gown was most definitely my favourite ....

Elie Saab Haute Couture
Spring/Summer 2013

and look who I spotted as we were walking along level one .....

Donatella Versace

A host of events had been organised including catwalk shows and exhibitions and all for a good cause too ......the charity Dubai Cares which helps to improve children's access to quality primary education in developing countries.

Our next stop ..... Level Shoe District, the largest shoe store in the world which was also celebrating its first birthday with a special extravaganza 'Let The Shoe Begin' and it all looked so glitzy and glamorous .........

miss b loves....... a very pink Dubai!

We've just returned from a week in the sun ... and Dubai was certainly looking very pink this October! Breast Cancer Awarenesss Month is in full swing over there and several hotels were illuminated in pink to raise awareness for the campaign, including the iconic Burj Al Arab....

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel looked stunning in vibrant hot pink too! We stayed here during our first visit to Dubai way back in 1996! The Jumeirah Group is not only turning its hotels pink but is organising a host of special activities both in Dubai and globally too. 

Across the city the number of companies and individuals getting involved is so impressive with a wide range of fundraising events advertised in Time Out Dubai magazine ........ from spa treatments to sponsored walks ....... 

I even spotted an advert for a pink bungee jump in the local 7DAYS newspaper but I would definitely prefer to do the sponsoring than the jumping!

You will remember from my guest post here that this is a city where there's no shortage of sweet treats and many coffee shops and cafés are taking the opportunity to raise vital funds for cancer charities in October with pink afternoon teas and delicious desserts....

'So Pink' Dessert buffet at Galéries Lafayette

miss b loves .......guest blogging at 'You May Be Wandering'

Today I'm over at You May Be Wandering. I was so pleased when Sandy emailed and asked me to be a guest blogger. You all know that travel is one of my passions and I always enjoy visiting Sandy's blog where she shares her travel experiences. She has also recently become an independent travel advisor for the luxury travel company, SingerTravel. 

I thought it would be fun to write about the sweet treats I've discovered during my regular trips to Dubai.....from stylish cafés to quirky tea rooms ...... 'Delicious Dubai' ...... I hope you'll pop over there to join me on my tour. Here's a little preview .......

....and while you're there, check out Sandy's lovely blog...... I'm sure you will enjoy it ......her recent posts include Unique Book Stores Around The World, New York and the beautiful Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. 

Please join me here

miss b loves ........a little corner of Arabia in the North of England!

When we brought back this Arabic lamp from Dubai, I immediatly thought about creating a little Arabic-inspired area on our patio.....

We bought the lantern from one of my favourite interiors stores, Marina Home and I spotted the votives in our local Tesco Homeplus which surprises everyone as they assume they're from Dubai too!

Cushions from the textile souk in Dubai - I just couldn't resist the camel! 

The orange cushion on the left with the pretty embroidery and tiny mirrors caught my eye too....

...and these colourful coasters from the souk too......

More purple and orange in the garden ........

We've had more impromptu barbecues in the last two weeks than in the last two years!

Chicken Tikka Skewers are always a favourite .... recipe here

We even had breakfast outdoors .......now that really is a treat in this part of the world!

The sun has continued to shine well into the evening at the top of the garden ......a more minimalist look here.......

A good spot to enjoy a G&T made with Bombay Sapphire East .....a variation of the regular Bombay Sapphire Gin ... a bit more exotic as it's infused with Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorns in addition to the original ten botanicals ......... 

The lantern and votives were birthday gifts from friends.

Finally, after a few wet summers, we are able to enjoy a real summer with clear blue skies and amazing temperatures for the North of England ........sunloungers, flip flops.... it's almost like being on holiday! 

I'm not a beer drinker but we've just discovered Tequieros, a blond beer with a hint of Tequila and lime, made in France - so refreshing in the heat and I actually enjoyed it! 

Sadly, while writing this post, the lovely weather has taken a turn for the worse and the rain is here ........ let's hope the sunshine returns soon!

Next post... Vietnam, The Metropole Hanoi - our special hotel with a very interesting past!