Ma Vie...Ma Joie

Vote!

2012-02-02T00:10:00.000-08:00

"The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the goverenment is to live under the goverenment of worse men" - Plato

Vote wisely! Think about our future. Think about Kuwait!

Please Vote!

Happy Birthday Ahmed

2012-01-23T18:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Ahmedan!!!

5 years ago I died and lived after giving birth to you!

Don't you forget it!!!

You're such an old soul

that sometimes I forget you're only Baby

my little man!

May God Bless and Protect You!

Love you always!

I Got The Moves!!! ;p

2012-01-21T06:07:00.000-08:00

I can't get this song out of my head! For the 5 days I'm moving around humming and singing

"I got the moves like Jagger!"

and Abdulaziz and Ahmed would roll their eyes.

"Please mama you're embarrassing!" Abdulaziz would say. :s

In Love With This Dress!

2012-01-21T05:46:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with this dress!

Rachel McAdams looked so graceful and feminine

in this Collette Dinnigan lace dress at the

premiere of "The Vow"

The Queen

2012-01-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

I know that some of you my friends have expressed

your dislike of her...but I adore her! When she walked

on the red carpet during the Golden Globes

she has outshone every actress standing in her proximity.

To me she is the Queen of Hollywood

and of course we can see her King standing beside her.

Yes she might be a little crazy and sometimes weird... but

that what makes her very real and human to me ;)

I loved her dress...

Weight Loss From Around The World - Tip 1

2012-01-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

Spice it up

Thailand

Thai food is among the spiciest in the world. Hot peppers raise your metabolism, but the real benefit of food with a little zing is that it slows your eating, says James Hill, PhD, past president of the American Society for Nutrition. 'Americans eat too fast,' he says. 'By the time your body signals that it's full, you've overeaten. Eating slower is a good weight-loss strategy, and making food spicier is an easy way to do it.'

Ok then why when we mix ma3bouch (chilli paste) with our Machbous we eat twice the portion we usually do??? Anyone knows why?

copied from Reader's Digest

Merci Laudree

2012-01-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

A week ago I got a call from Laudree wanting to deliver a package for me. I found out the package was their Espahan & Divine cake but it got delivered to the wrong house. I really appreciate their thought and it wasn't a big deal and I assured them of it.

Yesterday I got a call from them and they had another package they wanted to drop by. This time I got it.

Thank you Laudree… really you didn't have to.

Now when I got the bag, the first thing I noticed was the pastel green paper bag. Reminded me of the paper bags we got from our Boulanger, back then when I lived in Paris, same quality and same texture. I was thrown back in time! The early mornings when two paper bags were delivered to our home filled with warm buttery croissants and other yummy pastries just out of the oven.

*sigh*

La belle vie!

Back to the present!

I opened the bag, it was filled with four mini sample pastries, two croissants, one plain the other with walnut paste, one pain au chocolat, and one sugar bun. The aroma hit me right away and I wanted to have a bite from each! Even when I wasn’t feeling hungry! You think I'd share??? No! I ate them all by myself like a little thief ;p

Encore Merci Laudree, and I will definitely pass by to give your menu a try.

YummYumm!!!

Pain au Chocolat

Sugar bun

Happy Birthday Fahad!

2012-01-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday my Darling Fahad!!!

Love you w inshallah rabi ya7fethek

w ye5aleek lena.

Like every year, he asks for my devils food

chocolate cake with chocolate fudge icing

which I make from scratch!

No shortcuts there and it tastes amazing!!!

It was sprinkled by Ahmed who was

back home from school when I was

assembling it :)

Picture of The Week

2012-01-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Picture of the Week...

Sub7an Allah

Breakfast at Baking Tray

2012-01-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed my first visit to Baking Tray that I wanted to give it a second try. I was feeling guilty that the boys didn't enjoy their Christmas break, being stuck at home, but I know the boys enjoy good food. This time we were joined by my sister.

As usually we were early. The staff were cleaning and prepping when we walked in, but were welcoming.

We placed our orders for a Mushroom Omelet (for the boys), Turkey Omelet (for me) French Toast (for my sister). Hot chocolates for my sister and the boys, Ice tea for me.

The food was superb! I loved my omelet. I'm craving it now as I'm writing about it at this moment. The Ice tea was amazing! I loved it! The boys enjoyed their food so much and so did my sister. I tried the French toast, it was very good but I felt the portion was too much.

Of course we left with two dozens of their famous yummy cookies :) or our visit to BT wont be complete ;)

Now I want to try their homeslice. What do you recommend? ;)

Wisdom Of the Week

2012-01-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

"While driving to work. I realized how aware of being alive I was. Though what would I want if they were pouring sand on my dead body?" #Bliss

Abdullah H. AlFalah (p0ach)

Tidbits Here & There

2012-01-16T02:05:00.000-08:00

Again I haven't been posting much because I just don't have the time to do so. I doubt you want me to post about food, movies and books the whole time because that is what I've been doing lately in my free time.

I have been super busy… we're coming up with new stuff for Gelato Italiano inshallah :)
There were times when I sit behind my computer and start venting…but after cooling off I just delete it. There is some light venting in this post, so I hope it isn't too much for you ;p

Thank You

I want to Thank everyone who invited me to attend some recent events. For the time being I do not attend anything. As I've mentioned before, my grandmother has passed away and I don’t attend events. But Thank you so much for the invites and don't lose hope in me, soon I'll be attending ;)

Just imagine….

You're driving your friend in your nondescript house car, and your so called friend tells you…
"Shino she3oorich w entay kintay terkbeen a'3la alsayarat and the latest models and now you drive this car?"
Of course it was said not in a joking way. The intention was to hurt and humiliate.
"First, since I owned every car you can imagine it doesn't make a difference what I drive. Second… I already ordered the car so and so and it is on its way."
The so called friend's face turns in every color and shade you can imagine. Intention to hurt and humiliate failed!

Well you wonder what kind of friends I surround myself with. Thank God this didn't happen to me but to a close friend I know and she called to tell me and laughing about the whole situation. I think my friend was too nice with this person. But she is a nice person.

"Laish ma zaifaitiha w wagaftiha 3an 7adha?" I was incensed. It isn’t the first time something of that sort happens to my friend with this person. "Why didn't you banged it in her head that appearances doesn't matter to you?" I shake my head giving up wanting so much to be in my friends place, "ili 6ool 3omrah 3aish bkhair w ne3ma ma te'3era almatha'her w tafahat. Bil3aks, nefra7 for a person if she got something nice for herself, w entmana kil 5air lha. Laken ili 3aina thayja allah ye3eena 3ala 3omera"

I do understand jealousy and envy. It is a natural emotion to every being, but to feel jealousy to this extent this person feels it… it is sickness allah yekafena sharaha!!! W allah ye3eenah 3ala 3omerha! Chanzain te6ee7 bilsani.

Shino sh3orkom etha in76aito bil mawqif nafsa? What would your reply be?

I hope she reads this…

Living in Denial

My word is law in the household. What I decree is accepted without argument…well what can I say I'm a tyrant.
Since September I've noticed my boy was growing almost as tall as I am and I had to shop for him in the mens section. For the first time I felt helpless and clueless. My mind can't digest my little baby is now wearing size Small from the men's section! I honestly almost started crying! The sales person saw the expression on my face and volunteered to help me. Yes I am in denial.

It didn't stop with only size of his clothes. He has opinions now and starts questioning me at everything. He wants to do what he thinks is right. At first I tried to resist, he is still a child, but then I had to remind myself that he is growing up whether I like it or not and he is at this stage where his character as the man he is going to be is forming, and my job is to guide him, and besides I'm starting to really enjoy saying "I told you so!" whenever he is wrong ;p I even have to remind Fahad, who is very old school when it comes to raising children, that he has to listen to what Abdulaziz has to say and let him voice his opinion.

Few days ago he resisted to have either I or the house keeper to go with him to fix his computer at AlRehab mall... and we all know alshkal al7ilwa there.

"I'm old enough to take care of myself!" He protests

I took a deep breath. Please calm down. I wanted so much to hold him and wrap him in his baby blanket and not let him go. But I did, and I had to trust Karam (the driver) to keep an eye on him.

It is difficult.

Well that's it...atmana ini ma thagalt 3alaikom ;p

The Mentalist

2012-01-09T21:10:00.000-08:00

I've just finished watching The Mentalist S2...

Now I know why Ansam is so smitten with Patric Jane,

because now I am too... that smile...those lazy eyes...

that very canny mind!!! *sigh*

I love the series...can't wait to start with S3.

New Scent

2012-01-09T21:05:00.000-08:00

The other day my brother took the boys

with him and when he brought them

back I've noticed my boys smelled soo delicious!

When I asked him about the scent he showered

my kids with he informed me it was Chanel Blue.

It is my boys new winter scent. I love it on them.

It is so fresh, so rich and it is amazing when you

combine it with Bukhor and 3ood.

Movie Review - Sherlock Holmes

2012-01-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room... until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large - Professor Moriarty - and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Holmes' investigation into Moriarty's plot becomes ever more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London and across Europe, to France, Germany and finally to Switzerland.
But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead as he spins a web of death and destruction - all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.

I Loved it! I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time. I love Robert Downey Jr.... He is amazing and fun and I just can't get enough of him. The movie is one of those movies you'll watch over and over and never get bored off.

I highly recommend you watch it ;)

and hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I loved! Yes! Loved! Robert Downey Jr. hair in the movie...

I want to grow the boys hair like his ;)

Picture of The Week

2012-01-05T22:44:00.000-08:00

Long story short...

Ahmed wanted to have Mac n' Cheese past his bed time hour.

I tried to convince him to go to bed and will

make for him Mac n' Cheese for breakfast ;p

He was stubborn about it...

When I came to check on him

I found him sleeping in front of his food ;p

Girl Crush

2012-01-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

I've always liked Jessica Alba...she is one of my favorite actresses.

While being sick with the kids, last week,

they've been watching Spy Kids 4 over and over

and I'm watching it with them...

I am mesmerized...

and now I have this HUGE Girl Crush on her!

Resolutions?

2012-01-03T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today while grocery shopping I've noticed a number of people shopping for low in fat and calorie foods. I guess these people want to start the year with a "Bang!" by making healthy choices and dieting.

I couldn't help smiling remembering my failure last year in not sticking to any of my resolutions. I was very bad at it.

I don't have any resolutions this year. I do have plans, but I'm going to take it one day at a time. No pressure.

I wish them all the success and hope they'll attain their goals.

So...What is your New Year's resolution? Come on share! ;)

Good Morning 2012

2011-12-31T23:46:00.000-08:00

2011 wasn't a bad year. It had its ups and downs, but this is life, ain't worth living it without a bit of salt and pepper and a dash of chilli. As long as my kids and Hubby are happy and healthy, it's what really matters to me the most. However 2011 ended with a bitter note with the passing of my maternal Grandmother, allah yer7amha w yethabet'ha 3end alsu2al w yesakenha fasee7 janatah. She was an amazing lady, kind, generous and with a lot of wisdom.

I am Thankful for my Children, Alf 7amdillah, Thankful for a very very patient husband who puts up with my moments of insanity. I'm Thankful for my parents, my sisters and brothers and my little nephew "Baby Ahmed". I'm Thankful for my Mama and Papa in law, and my sisters and brother, my nieces and nephews. I'm Thankful for my wonderful aunts, cousins and my best friends.

But most of all, Fahad and I highly appreciate your support to us and our business, is our other family, those of you who I've met and those I still haven't had the pleasure to meet and hopefully this year I will, My Bloggers Sisters & Brothers, My followers on Twitter and Facebook. I am Thankful for having you in our lives.

For 2012 I don't have any resolutions like I always do every year. I discovered I'm very bad when it comes to resolutions, because whatever I had put for myself for 2011 I did the opposite. This year I'm going to take it one day at a time, probably be a bit more organized and give myself more "Me Time".

I'm looking forward to 2012. There will be a lot of changes inshallah, and hopefully to the best. I am hopeful and optimistic. I guess that is the right attitude to start the year.

I wish you all a Happy, Healthy & Wealthy Year.

I love you all.

Pants

2011-12-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

I've noticed patterned pants are increasing and coming strong next spring. I was wondering if we are going to see this trend abused in many ways this spring season? Below are the ones I've liked on Net A Porter and I've included a flared jeans which I loved since this cut is making a comeback!

Gucci

Erdem

Tory Burch

Etoile Isabel Marant

Current/Elliot

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a very long last month for me. Very busy and more than I can chew. At times very stressful and ready to snap at anyone… well I snapped and bit most of the times. The funny thing is I had a "Me Time @ Spa Time" on my schedule which never happened  I really need it.

Only few more days till 2012. Any plans? None whatsoever! At this time of the year I'm supposed to be chillaxing poolside at my beloved Bar AlJissa, Oman, with Fahad and the boys. We had to cancel because of unforeseen working schedule. *sigh* Besides I'm having a guest coming for New Years. I'll post about him when he comes ;p I know that my Ahmed will not enjoy this new guest ;p

*sigh* I love this place.

I want to go there!

*My Dream Bike*

I'm trying to make the most of it with the boys, going out for walks while they cruise with their bikes. *sniff* I want a bike! I was supposed to get me one. I found it in Dubai and we were flying for a day to get it and again we canceled :( Ahmed got very sick and Abdulaziz had exams during the week. Yallah 5ira.

Ahmed is sick again this morning. Same thing like every time, except this time I caught it too. I feel physically drained. I want to cuddle and watch some movies :s

I wish all my none Muslim readers a Merry Christmas

and hope you enjoy your Holiday with your loved ones.

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

The boxes, the cookies & of course the cards.

This one is signed by Ahmed.

Abdulaziz didn't show me his cards.

Every Christmas I try to think what to get to the teachers as gifts. I don't want to get just anything that I'd expect other parents will get. As usual I was looking for something different, and at the same time get the boys to participate in making them.

I was inspired by Martha Stewart, a cute box filled with cookies…right? What do you think? Crazy idea! Because after getting back home from work I had to start on them, especially that my main oven isn't working and I only had the small oven which only takes one tray at a time :s It was exhausting!

Few days before I prepared my list of things to do and prepare for. Then with the help of the boys (a bit chaotic at times) we started our baking after the homework and revision were done.

The cookies we made: Sugar cookies with colored sugars, candy cane chocolate chocolate chip cookie squares, chocolate & peanut butter chip cookies, Ginger sugared cookies. I also wanted to add something Kuwaiti so I placed an order from Homemade for their famous pistachio Ghraiba.

I really hope the teachers appreciate this labor of love. I know that my kids and I really enjoyed making them and so did my family and friends who I sent for them some of the cookies to try out ;)

I'm thinking of introducing this cookie at Gelato Italiano.

Would you buy it?

Note: I don't have pics for Abdulaziz,

because he is like a Tornado in the kitchen.

He doesn't give me a chance to think of snapping a pic of him.

Homemade Ghuraiba

Gelato Italiano Winter Flavors

2011-12-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Gelato Italiano new winter flavors! White Chocolate

with Ginger cookies and caramel sauce

& Marron Glacee with roasted chestnut chunks.

I make the Ginger bread cookies myself ;)

and it is so yummy! I love having it with Nero gelato.

This flavor is so exquisite! and the roasted

chestnut chunks blances everything so well,

I hope you'll like it.

Of course no post is without the boys!

Thumps up from Abdulaziz and Ahmed to the new flavors ;p

Gelato Italiano.

Sharg, Ahmed AlJaber st. Gaz Tower.

Tel. 22434434

First Time at Baking Tray

2011-12-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

God only knows how many times I pass by Baking Tray during the week on my way to the store, but yes! the horror! I know…I haven't tried it for the frist time until last weekend :p It was a cold cloudy Friday and we wanted something yummy and filling to warm up our tummies ;p

We arrived there at a time which wasn't a lunch hour nor a dinner hour so we were the only ones there. It was a bit chilly and Ahmed who napped in the car was cranky and whining. He was a bit distracting

The staff were welcoming saw us seated, then we changed tables because of a cold draft, then they forgot about us for a bit because they got caught up in taking delivery orders, from what I saw. Even the menus were left at the first table we sat at and Abdulaziz went to get them for us. But after calling one of them, everything went smoothly. We placed our orders. The waitress was helpful in suggesting some of their popular dishes.

We ordered: (I hope I get the names right) Avocado Salad, chicken Sandwich (don't remember the name and not pictured), Philly steak sandwich, Mushroom pizza, Lasagna bolognaise (not pictured), Roasted Potatoes (not pictured), Chocolate Cake, Pumpkin pie (both not pictured), and last but not least Baking Tray's famous cookies.

The food was very good. I tried a bit of everything and the boys really loved the Lasagna. Fahad liked his chicken sandwich and he ate half of my Philly steak, which I loved!

Yep! Will visit again very soon to try their breakfast ;)

Abdulaziz getting us the menus.

He wants to work there and get

paid with a dozen Chocolate chip cookies per day ;p

Can this happen?

I loved their tomato butter.

Avocado Salad.

I loved!

Philly Steak Sandwich

It had that amazing sauce in it

which makes it different from

other Philly steak sandwiches

I've tried before :) and the bread! YUM!

"So Aziz, how was your food?"

He gives me a thumps up!

"Ahmed, did you like your food?"

"Leave me alone mama! I'm eating!"

"Ok, just tell me, did you like your food?"

"Yes! Here!" he gives me a thumps up.

I felt he wanted to tell me,

"Yalla 5al9eeni!" ;p

Movie Review - A Whole Bunch of Them

2011-12-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Again my best part of the day when my boys are in bed. My popcorn freshly popped, a jug of crystal light iced fruit punch and a movie. *Sigh* it is so relaxing!

Here are the movies with a short comment

of what I thought of them.

Loved this movie... very inspiring and will watch

it over and over on a cloudy day with a cheesy pizza.

Fabulous! Just imagine you get picked up at midnight in Paris and get transported in time and meet all the great artist and writers in the early fifties and get transported again to meet more from the early 1900!!! Wow! What a dream!

I highly recommend you watch this movie with a bunch of your girl friends!!! Hilarious!!! Couldn't stop laughing! Watched it twice! First time by myself, second time with my sisters and I laughed even more ;)

"Meh"

I liked the originals with Arnold better.

Breathtakingly disgusting! I just couldn't digest the whole movie. I need to watch it again.

Funny! Entertaining...and Collin Farell makes a very hot vampire.

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

House P2

2011-12-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

Dana didn't follow a certain theme in choosing the décor and furniture. She didn't stick with certain colors, she mixed champagne with royal blue and a rainbow of muted shades, gold and silver gilded for the formal rooms. She also mixed the modern, classic and ethnic popped them into the blender and came up with great elegance and luxury.

Unfortunately the pictures to the formal living room aren't clear so I'll post them later. In this post you'll see the dining room and guest bathroom (w ento bkaram).

So what do you think?

House P1

2011-12-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

My sister Dana took upon herself the herculean effort of renovating the family home. The process of meeting with architects, designers and the whole renovation thing took almost a year, but the results of her efforts are breathtaking! Never doubted her, she has great taste!

These are snaps of the outside terrace (pics not giving it justice), the Entrée, and the Syrian room (my favorite room in the house).

The Terrace

The Entree

The Syrian Room

What do you think?

Stay tuned for more ;)

Addicted to Instagram

2011-12-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

I've recently joined instagram and I'm an addict!

I find myself snapping more pics

on my Iphone instead of my camera and I edit them and post them right away on instagram. It is so fun!

Enjoy the pics and tell me what you think?

You want more? Follow me @Um3azoz ;)

TV Shows

2011-12-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

Now, after a long day... yep and nannyless... the only way I can relax is after tucking my boys in their beds, including their father, and sit with a tray of snacks and catch up on my favorite shows!

These are the following shows I'm currently watching and I still have more shows I haven't watched yet ;)

It is new and fresh. Although sometimes they are going round and round and much predictable mystery, but it is still early to judge. I'm half way through and hope it wont disappoint me.

I'm loving this show! Yes I love it and I hope it doesn't

drag on like "Lost".

I'm not into Turkish soaps, but this one "Hareem Sultan" on OSN Ya Hala has caught my eye with its promos and previews and I am hooked! The story takes place during the golden age of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Sultan Sulaiman.

The story is about the conquest of Sultan Sulaiman whether on

the battle fields or in his harem.

I'm also in love with this show, although I missed few episods. I hope to catch them up later.

Ok... You want to upgrade your wardrobe? Then watch this show. Gok's takes on highstreet fashion and upgrades the clothes into coture level. He has inspired me to do something about the many gray and black cardies I own :) Inshallah I'll show you the end results after I'm done with them. The show is on BBC style.

Another show I'm enjoying is Terra Nova. It is a cute show.

I've posted about Supernatural previously.

I liked the show until the 4th season.

Now I feel they are running out of ideas

and going round and round...

I miss the ghost and monster hunting...now all they do is running after demons and too much drama for my taste.

Hot Chocolate

2011-11-18T02:01:00.000-08:00

PQ Hot Chocolate

I have given up my daily Lattes for a while now, and in my case it made a huge difference with my weight loss. However, I still indulge, at least once a week, in a cup of hot chocolate as a treat to myself for being a good girl.

My top five hot chocolates :

Gelato Italiano Hot Chocolate
Paul's Hot chocolate

Second Cup Hot chocolate

Pain Quotidian Hot chocolate

Chocolate Bar Dark hot chocolate

Paul's Hot Chocolate

I picked this at Duabi's air port thinking I was in for a treat.

It wasn't as good as it seemed and had to double the amount indicated by the instructions to get the required results.

Wake Up Everybody

2011-11-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

This song is soo inspiring.
Talk with your kids, listen to them and set good example.
My favorite time with my kids is reading time. I read them stories from whatever book I'm reading and they love it especially if I let them play act it :)

Dinner at the Diwaniya

2011-11-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

Every Friday is our gathering, as I like to call it "Our Diwaniya", just to annoy Fahad. I decided to make dinner that night. Nothing elegant on the menu, but very delicious Kuwaiti comfort food!

So what's on the menu?

Balalee6 (sweet saffron vermicelli topped with herbed eggs)

Baith Tomat (Scrambled eggs with tomato and onions topped with parsley)

Falfel with a my special Tahina sauce (not pictured)

Chili Hommus (Not too spicy but it makes you to eat more of it)

Ratia (Cucumber with yogurt and herbs)

Um3azoz's Foul! (my own secret recipe of mixed spices)

Roca salad with parmesan, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and a simple balsamic dressing.

Iranian Bread with sesame (not pictured)

Chai 7aleeb (Milk with Tea...no not the watered down kind, I heat the milk with a mix of my spices, then I let it rest. Before serving I heat it again this time adding tea bags depending on the amount of milk, then I strain it in the serving thermostat. Unfortunately it isn't pictured here.) All in all the food was very very good! And the girls enjoyed it very much. Inshallah after the vacation, with this weather at it's best, I want to barbecue :)

Our Diwaniya...it is at my friend Noonoo's house. The space was made for our gatherings. It is opened every day for whoever wants to pass by but all of us gather once a week :)

Antipasti: Cheddar & Emental Cheese, Calamata Olives,

Pesto,Green Olives stuffed with Sundried Tomatoes,

Mushrooms in vinegar and spices,

Peppers stuffed with Cheese (my favorite).

All from TSC.

Falfel & Chili Hommus.

I mix the green chili with the Hommus to give it that Zing!

The Falfel was store bought, but the Hommus was made

by yours truely :)

The Tahina Sauce wasn't pictured.

Ratia. Yogurt & Cucumber...

best to help digest all this yummy food :p

Baith Tomat. It is delicious! Best ever!

Foul. My presentation sucks but the taste is amazing!

It impressed Noonoo, who is a picky eater!!!

Balaalee6... I think I will make it for the picnic...

What do you think? Yes?

Simple Roca Salad

And of course my Chocolate bread pudding.

I had something else I wanted to make,

unfortunately I was running out of time and

had to whip up something fast.

Bring Gelato is always a welcome to my friends,

however I wanted soemthing different this time.

New Menu at Life With CoCao

2011-11-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I was invited by Ansam as Pink Coffee for Life with Cocao Marketing PR, to try new items on their menu, and I had to bring a friend!

Unfortunately I misunderstood and I thought we were just there to try their desserts. So after a long day I had a late lunch at home and got ready to head to 360 Mall. I was really sorry to find out that the sampling included their savory dishes. I'll need another visit inshallah and try other dishes.

However, my friend and I have really enjoyed their desserts. They were superb!!! And we had a good chat with Chef Marcus. He explained to us what his philosophy in preparing these dishes, everything fresh and made from scratch! Yep I'm definitely going to go back, taking my monkeys with me, to try their salads, pastas and sandwiches.

It was also nice to see my fellow bloggerettes. It has been a while gals!

We ordered several desserts and shared them. And here they are :)

Hazelnut Cake... I loved digging into this cake every layer is different from the other. I loved the final layer of hazelnuts and caramel sauce. It was so yummy!!!

The Dome

I loved the presentation!

It was absolutely elegant.

It was a chocolate mousse with a center of mango mousse. The flavor combination took me back to my childhood. Now tell who didn't have mangoa and chocolate boutha in their life???

I loved the opend chocolate shells filled with different flavored centers. We actually argued on who will try what ;p

The White Square. It is a mascarpone cheese cake withe chocolate cakeand filled with chocolate sauce...

It was very light and delicious.

I also liked their ice cream.

Since I forgot to bring my "Handy Dandy" note book,

I had to make my notes on a napkin. My handwriting isn't that

good but not as bad as this ;p

I ordered a double Espresso...

and Yep I stayed awake half the night ;p

And of course their fabolous staff! They were super friendly!

And here they were making funny faces when Dudette from HajiDude.com asked them to do something funny for the camera ;p

No More Shoes

2011-11-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

YEAH! AS IF!!!

I'm practically salivating whenever I look at these two heels even when I swore no more Loubies for me because they kill my feet!!!

But I might give these two a try and I hope they are available at Salhiya. I don't want to order them and then they'd join their brethrens in my shoe closet without being worn :s

Lately I've been buying more platforms because I feel they are more comfortable when I wear and walk in them, but not when I have to walk on uneven ground and take a tumble

which I've done on several occasions ;p

Eid Mubarak!

2011-11-05T11:56:00.001-07:00

Movies We Watched

2011-11-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I enjoy going to the movies in Dubai it isn't because the movies are uncensored…it's because wherever Cineplex I go to they have very clean bathrooms! (3azkom allah)

Whenever there is a group of blockbusters are being played on the same week, we fly there for a couple of days just to enjoy them,

un-slaughtered by censorship.

I love the selection of sweets, chocolate, drinks and popcorns at the counter; they even have ice creams, fries, hotdogs nachos and crepes in savory and sweet flavors. I know we have something similar here but there it is tastier! Maybe because they have a bigger selection to choose from.

There were times on past trips, when we stayed there for a whole day, watching four movies in a day!

We spent time at Festival City Cinema and Grand Megaplex

(Ibn Battuta Mall)

Who doesn't love Wonka Candy??!!!

Giant M&M's it lasted 3 days with me :)

Popcorn flavored salts...I know TSC brings them and I bought them few times...but it was a surprise to find them at the cinema :)

Some wipes to clean up after having a greasy hotdog

or a mix of sweet and salty popcorn ;p

Yummy Fries!

However you like them...I had the twisters

Oh yes..your own 3D glasses... new, clean and unworn,

but you have to pay for them..

I took them back for the boys ;p

Now the movies we watched:

I was really looking forward to watch this movie.

It was entertaining and I liked the action but

highly exaggerated and unrealistic.

Very entertaining. I loved the Rocky meets Robetech theme!

Waiting to get a copy on DVD for the boys to watch it

on our family movie night.

It was ok and had it's funny moments...

Fahad didn't like it.

Cowboys and Aliens??? It was a very fun movie to watch!!!

I loved it actually and there were some scenes

when I jumped out of my seat!

We both loved the movie.

The plot has been exhausted in several movies,

nevertheless, it was very funny!

For those who didn't watch the movie

wait until it comes out on DVD.

Well that was it...

Trip to Dubai

2011-11-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I spent a whole week in Dubai doing…. Nothing!

Before we left, I told Fahad that I wanted to sleep late and take everything very slowly! And I warned him if he wakes me up at 5 am, I'll book myself another room! I can't remember when was the last time I really slept late.

Another thing…I didn't want to worry about the boys. As it happens I left during a time when Abdulaziz was having his exams, and I trusted my sisters to help him study. They did a great job with him, and I kept repeating to myself on the way to Dubai "I don't want to worry about him!"

We stayed at The Address Dubai Mall. I was a bit apprehensive because a lot didn't encourage us to stay there, even the travel agent who we deal with, she was a bit hesitant when I asked her about it. The rooms weren't that big, but they were clean and I loved the bed! It was one of the most comfortable beds I slept in at hotels. Loved it! And the service was good too.

We woke up late and left at our leisure for breakfast or brunch. Then we'd go for a walk around the mall and then cozy up in one of the many coffee shops and read our books. A couple of nights we met with friends who were there for dinner and movies, but most of the time we just zoned out!

I did a little shopping but nothing with the "WOW" factor attached to it. I guess the highlight of this trip was Book World by KinoKuniya. Yes! I was practically jumping with excitement by the amount of books they had there. We spent half a day there browsing through books from every genre and subject. I know! I'm a geek! So is Fahad! And I'm already making plans to fly there for a day sometime very soon for more books I've been adding to the list of books I wanted to read. It is just a shame we don't have book shops like this in K-Town.

All in all our trip was super! Even when I got back I was still zoned out until my kids came back to me. (No they didn't want to get back, they wanted to stay with their aunties)

Here are some pics I took whenever I remembered while I was there. Yes I know lots of food ;p

Who Loves Rugby?

I didn't have anything to eat the evening before and while finishing packing in the morning I didn't eat anything...so this breakfast on the plane was super yummy!

The lobby at the Adress Dubai Mall

Oh yes!!! Our room 518!!!

Inside the room. It was really nice.

I love the bed so comfy!!

A pic of the bathroom

Mini Bar. I really loved the Green Tea brand

they use. There is no bitterness to it.

Lunch at Joe's Cafe.

I loved the pictuers hanging on the wall and

our table was under a pic of Jeremy Irons

Lately I've been ordering Iced Tea without syrup of course. It is my new Haba! This one an Arnold Palmer was yummy
and I used stevia to sweeten it :)

I was really hungry so I ordered their signature dish, risotto with a creamy pink sauce and chicken. It was suprisingly light!
I want to replicate this in my kitchen ;)

Fahad had the grilled chicken with steamed veggie... mmmm you think he is going healthy??? NOT! He ordered a side dish of fries (not pictures)

This is my Disney World!!

rows and rows of shelves filled with books!

I don't mind living there!

*sigh* Yes I'm already making plans to go there again inshallah!

Some of our evenings we spent it at the movies.

Breakfast at D&D with a wonderful view of the fountain.

It is such a beautiful view and in the evenings even better!

One of the best Almond criossants I ever had.

Fahad and I also shared this cheesy omlete

with mushrooms and grilled tomatoe.

Very yummy!

Afternoon Tea at Karat lounge at the hotel. I liked the lounge because thier chairs were so relaxing and we cozied with out books until it was time we had to meet our friends.

White tea. I loved the set. I want to have a

an afternoon tea gathering some day.

Mini Yummy finger food. I twas good but

I didn't like their macaroons.

I liked the scones and mini brioche and the spreads.

One evening while browsing through the shops I saw this Organic Food & Cafe Store. It is similar to D&D except it's done in an organicky way ;p Of course I had to brows inside the store and I got amazing soaps in different frangrance and Organic teas for myself and my sisters.

Of course no stay or a visit at Dubai Mall without a stop at Magnolia Bakery...right?

Although I wanted to try everything but I'm trying my best to not lose it during the trip and we were already feeling full, so I took these for cupcakes for a late evening snack ;)

The only one I didn't like was the Red Velvet ;p

Because I've been shopping for a dinning table this one has

caught my attention even though it isn't what I'm looking for.

It is pretty and I loved the table set.

I liked the black and white table set of New York,

and they had other amazing stuff.

All in all, Al7amdullah, it was a wonderful trip.

We really took things slow and enjoyed ourselves.

Yes there isn't many pictures, because I didn't

do anything!

KDD Chocolate Milk New Packaging

2011-11-01T02:34:00.000-07:00

I bet you've all seen the new packaging

for KDD's Chocolate Milk by now.

It is soo cute! I loved the new packaging.

The best chocolate milk in the world, BTW!

KDD is my favorite dairy brand and I wish they produce

LactoFree products...

I've given up milk since my detox...I only indulge in it

whenever I'm out for breakfast, but not all the time :s

However I couldn't resist this choco milk

and I had to grab me a bottle!

No...I didn't drink it all...I only had a small cup to satisfy my craving..the rest was finished by the boys :)

Books Review

2011-10-31T14:35:00.000-07:00

I was really looking forward to read "Lover Unleashed" by J.R Ward during the break I took. I saved the book for this particular trip. I wanted to read it uninterrupted or distracted.

From the first three chapters I had a sinking feeling that the book will disappoint me. It was obvious the story was more about the unsolved issues Vishous faced in "Lover Unbound", than the main protagonists Manny and Payne. Vishous is one of my favorites, but his story was a bit disappointing at the end and I didn't like Jane his mate. However they had the biggest part in this book over shadowing Manny and Payne, and I began understanding Jane better and liking her more than I thought.

I was so looking forward to Manny's story since he was mentioned in "Lover Unbound" and was excited to learn that his love interest would be Payne, since she is a very complex and unbending and tough as nails character. Unfortunately Payne was a big letdown. I was hopping a little of shove and push between the two characters before they realized they were in love. As it turned out, Payne was doormat!

I still don't understand what went through the authors mind when she wrote the book. There was hardly enough written pages about these two characters and I felt their relationship wasn't real because there wasn't enough between them going on.

Besides all that, there was a side story of Detectives De La Cruz and DelVecchio trying to catch a serial killer, which had nothing to do with the Brotherhood or Manny and Payne, and I was wondering all the time if the author was running out of ideas???!!!

I also missed the interaction between the other colorful characters in the Brotherhood which I only had a glimpse of by the end of the book.

Don't get me wrong. I love J.R Ward and her style of writing. I'm still one of her faithful readers, and I would still recommend her books to anyone who is interested in this genre but this book in the series was a bit of a downer to me.

Now, I've read on several blogs her next book "Lover Reborn" will be the story of Tohr, and I wonder, Is Tohr ready to fall in love after the death of his mate Wellsie? Will we see more action between the Brotherhood and the Bloodletter's Bastards? Will there be some action with the Lessening Society? So many things I missed in this book I hope to find them in the next book.

No I'm not yet done with Lisa Kleypas's books. I still have few more which I'm saving for future vacations.

During this break I also brought with me "Married By Morning" the Hathaway series. It was Leo Hathaway and Catharine Marks, his younger sisters paid companion, story. It was the last book in the series, although not in order for me to read.

As usual I wasn't disappointed and I'm not going to say much about the book to not spoil it for other readers who might be interested. I loved both protagonists; they were strong and witty and knew what they wanted. I loved the witty dialogue, the bantering and the teasing between them. I also enjoyed the other Hathaway members who had their fair share in the book yet not overpowering the main characters.

The romance between Leo and Cat has been building in the last two books, they jump right into their attraction for one another from the beginning of the book and I didn't feel it was false because of the build up between them. You really need to read the previous two books to understand what I'm trying to say. Early on in the book we get to know Cat's secret and the issues she was struggling with. It did come to me as a surprise when she decided to go to her half-brother, whom she was a bit cold with in the previous book, and who happens to be Leo's brother in law, for his support and advice on what to do with the threat she was facing. The ending came to me as a surprise. Yes. there is a lot of kidnapping in Lisa's books, but I thought Cat would be abducted by the villain and not a member of her family.

I will say no more!

In the end, like every time I finish reading a Lisa Kleypas's book, I wish I can write like her. Maybe I'll write a Kuwaiti romance ;p

On A Break

2011-10-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

On a short break! See you guys in a week :)

Organic Fish & Chips

2011-10-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

The other day Fahad and I were heading back

home from a meeting and before we reached

Jabriya, I told him I really wanted to try the

Organic Fish and Chips place.

It was situated behind Royal Hayatt hospital,

and the place wasn't crowded at all.

We took our seats and after browsing the menu,

which I loved the simple design of it, placed our orders.

My order was 1 fish and chips with an extra veggie tampura.

Fahad had a similar order but he added shirm tampura.

Seasoned Salts very yummy!

My Arnold Palmer

I loved the whimsical wall art.

Cute Kangaroo!

Beside the fish and chips they sell other

organic foods and products.

My order, 1 fish and chips with an extra veggie tampura, and it came with tartar sauce and sweet soy sauce.

I loved both sauces and the fish witht he batter was soo yummy!

As for the fries...I'm not a fries person, but these were the best fries I tried, and I loved the crispier bits.

The veggie tumpura was good too.

Fahad had a similar order but he had shirmp tumpura

and he liked both.

They do serve breakfast and also make pastas and pizzas. I really want to bring the boys here this weekend to let them try it.

I loved the food so much because it reminded me of my hay days when I was in the UK "Supposed" to be studying!

Every weekend my girl friends and I would hop

on the train to Brighton for Fish & Chips.

I know there were a lot of fish and chips places in London

but I don't know why we go all the way to Brighton for it! ;p

TopShop Limited Edition Notebooks

2011-10-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

You can now pick up one of these unique TopShops limited edition notebooks just by mentioning Ansam518 Blog!!!

You can read all about it Here on Ansam's blog :)

Inshallah when I have the time I'll pass by and pick one :)

Photo Challenge Day 25: Sunflare

2011-10-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 25: Sunflare...

This was taken last January while in Rome

Venting : Vulgarity!

2011-10-16T01:40:00.000-07:00

To endeavor to work upon the vulgar with fine sense is like attempting to hew blocks with a razor.

Alexander Pope

When I'm sick I get upset and irritated very quickly. My poor boys tiptoe around me as they sense my mood. The little things that usually don't upset me, makes me want to yell and shred at the people who did, and sometimes, my usual nice self gets very nasty.

Am I a stickler to protocol and decorum? Most of the time I don't give a *heck* what people think and I'm not such a hypocrite either, nor a snob. However, growing up in our society you get to know there is an invisible red line of "Propriety" and "Good Taste" you do not cross, unless you are a very vulgar person.

I also know no one is perfect, and everyone is bound to make a mistake every now and then. I remember when I was a teenager (and thank God not a lot of people remember me at that age) I did things which makes me blush just by remembering them!!! In the end I learned from my mistakes and have become the woman I am today.

You know this saying "ili ma 3omera teba5ar… teba5ar w 7tarag?" It basically talks about "Nouveau Riche". You know like the "Hilly Bellies' of Beverly Hills".

Unfortunately for me and it was against my will, a "Nouveau Riche" walked into my life not so long ago. I tried to "subtly" explain how things work out here in Kuwait…even if it is sometime contradictive and there isn't specific written laws of conduct, but these are things you grow up with and just now, which I understand it is hard to understand, at first, for those who just walk into our society. I remember the first time I explained how things work out so she wouldn't feel socially awkward, she looked at me as if I insulted her and she retaliated with "I do not give a damn what you think!" attitude.

Ok..I understand her reaction. Maybe if I was in her shoes, w neyeti shaina, I'd react the same way. But if I walk into a world which is so new to me, I might give this person a chance at explaining.

I tried another approach, introducing her to some of my friends. Here she felt the difference. I could see it in the glitter of her eyes and the strained smile on her face. I knew she felt awkward and uncomfortable sitting among my BBF's. (Again we are not snobs) Ok so maybe now she will listen to me? At least with half an ear???

No…she didn't. At a wedding, few weeks ago, she takes out her phone cam and starts snapping pictures at the girls dancing!!! A friend of mine who was sitting at the other side of her grabs the phone and angrily snaps at her "Are you out of your mind!! Taking pictures of these girls!"

"I like their style I'm keeping it as a future reference for the next wedding I go to." She replies in the most unaffected way imaginable. I know she wants to send the pics to her family to show them the wedding styles in Kuwait.

My friend started deleting the pictures. "Sij inich haliligya! What if one of those girls or their parent saw you? you'll cause a scandal!!!"

My friend throws back the phone and leaves us for the rest of the party. Of course I yelled at her too and we left early. The way she acted on the way back to her house as if she understood the consequence of her actions but did it anyway and didn't care what we thought of her. Very childish, I thought at that time.

There are many never ending incidents of her actions, that if I start now I wouldn't finish. But the last straw was few days ago. A friend invites us to a party, beautifully planned and decorated in her house. That "Nouveau Riche" snaps pics of the event, and posts them and claims it is at her place!!! When my friend saw the pics she was of course incensed, and called her to confront her.

"Hahahaha! I took pictures of your place and told my family the party was at my place! Hahahah!"

The audacity of this girl!!!

My friend didn't know what to say.

"I can't allow myself to stoop to her level." My friend tells me, "But I don't want her in my house or in our gatherings again."

I agreed with her.

Now here is the part where I'm going to be nasty.

When I said "Nouveau Riche"… no she isn't rich compared to our standard of living here in K-Town, but compared to the slums she used live in, yes she is within this level of wealth she has never dreamed of living right now, a house, a car, and maids. She went through a cultural shock when she moved here the first few months. She thought we lived in tents in the desert!
When I took her under my "Bat Wing" as a favor to her husband who is an old friend of ours, I never thought she would act that way and she just doesn't have any "Self Respect" to herself, for her to have it for others.

Please don't misjudge me. I have a lot of foreign friends from all over the world and we understand and respect each other and we get along very well. None of them acted the way she did when they moved to Kuwait. When I introduced her to them, they were uncomfortable around her too, because she was just plain and simple Vulgar!

Yes…I know this is a side of me I do not like to show alot, but I am sick and beyond irritated and I just want to vent!!!

Photo Challenge Day 24: A Smile

2011-10-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 24: A Smile

I'd put every pic of my boys I've got in my files...

But these two are my favorite which

I took of them this year while traveling.

Photo Challenge Day 23: Sunset

2011-10-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 23: Sunset.

Beautiful sunset taken from a parking on the Gulf Road...

It was an unexpected snap shot taken from my Iphone.

Popcornopolis

2011-10-15T03:47:00.000-07:00

After reading two posts about Popcornopolis one on Ansam518 and the other on Trying To Be Fahad, I wanted to try it and at the same time treat the boys, since I’m so sick and their weekend is ruined by staying at home. I placed an order and it was delivered.

What I ordered: Peanut Butter & Chocolate – Cheddar Cheese – Chicago 50/50 - Kettle Corn – Pecan Caramel – Cinnamon Toast – Sour Cream & Onions – Chocolate Almonds – Zebra.

I opened the Chocolate Almonds. It was very very good and the kids loved it so much. We munched on it while watching Astro Kid for the millionth time! and later I had a second helping while watching Glee :) It is very yummy, fresh and crunchy!

Fahad, is old fashioned, he doesn't like flavored popcorn. We popped some regular popcorn for him.

I will post about the other flavors, later :)

The boys were so excited and jumping all around

me when it finally arrived.

Yummy and crunchy!

The down side of ordering. When I called and placed my order and asked when will it be delivered? The lady said, "As soon as possible." That was at 1.26pm. I received my order at 5.30pm, and that was after seven calls from the delivery driver, which made me so frustrated and on the verge to tell him I didn't want the order anymore! He would call and give the phone to some random Sa3eedie in the road to speak with. I called him twice and told him "Listen to my directions and you'll find our place very easily." He didn't want to listen "Ok madame, I know where it is", and half hour later I get a call and makes me talk to another Sa3eedie! The last time I spoke with him I yelled, and told him to listen because it is soo easy to find where I live! He finally did.

I didn't mind sending my driver to pick up the order, I would have got it sooner and stress free, but they wanted to deliver.

At the end it is money well spent for the Popcorn.

All Natural in Bait AlSaboun

2011-10-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

I love natural products. I usually get my soaps from Tunis or Morocco and once my aunt got me some soaps from Tureky which were amazing!!! Well I ran out of them and needed some soaps ASAP! A while back I read on The Boudoir a post about some scrubs she got from Biat AlSaboun click here to read her post. I've been to Bait AlSaboun a couple of times with a friend of mine, but I didn't pay much attention at that time. I went again few days back to check them out and the sales lady was kind enough to explain about their natural products.

This is the Lemon Ginger scrub.

Apparently it energies the body and

helps with weightloss.

The scent was amazing, and the olive oil in the scrub

did a great job by moisturizing my skin.

I also got this Alum Royal Formula, smiliar to Moroccan bath soap. It is suppose to unify your body's color and tightens the skin.

The sales lady said to use it twice a week,

I use it with every shower I take every day ;p

Ladies...I'm not sure if it works but I'm planning to buy it very soon and try it out, and there is an oil to rub your problem areas with.

I'll update you when I give it a try :)

More soaps of every kind.

Scented soaps.

I got the Oud soap but I haven't tried it yet.

Loofa Soaps. These smells delicious and you don't

need a loofa to to wash your body with it :)

I also got a chamomile body cream,

which is soothing and relaxing

and smells amazing.

You find Bait AlSaboun at the Avenues (phase 2) and Soug Sharg.

Lunch at Elevation

2011-10-11T02:06:00.000-07:00

While detoxing the only thing on my mind was Elevation Burgers. As soon as I'm done with this cleansing diet I'll head to Elevation, I kept telling myself.

The other day Fahad and I had a meeting in Shuwaikh when were done we decided to go there for an early lunch.

When we arrived the place was practically empty. I placed an order for 2 cheese burgers and one hamburger, fries (extra crispy as Ansam suggested in one of her posts) topped with cheese. I love to have a Chocolate shake with my cheese burger, but staying sensible, I stuck to water.

The order was brought in quickly and we dove in! Oh My!!! I missed you my darling burger! I took the cheesy part of the fries, and yes Extra crispy is better than the regular one. I loved it! I didn't want it to finish and I was still feeling hungry. I wanted another one but I knew I couldn't finish all of it. Fahad said he'll take half of it so I placed another order and cut the burger in half. *sigh* it was so good!

I didn't eat anything till the next day! Maybe I'll pay them another visit next week?

Photo Challenge Day 22: Trees

2011-10-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge 22: Trees...

I was looking through the files I've got and found these two pics I snapped durign our trip to Oman last December. The thought of going back there very soon is making my heart skipping a beat!

I just cant wait!

Photo Challenge Day 21: Pretty Patterns

2011-10-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 21: Pretty Patterns...

I love the patterns of my sofa in contrast

of the Bottega'esque brown leather.

I'm still searching for a rug that would go with this color scheme.

Photo Challenge Day 20: What I Read

2011-10-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 20: What I read.

A very interesting and inspiring read :)

Photo Challenge Day 19: Where I slept

2011-10-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 19: Where I slept....

in my bed with a delicious book :)

Toys

2011-10-10T00:14:00.000-07:00

Ahmed is one of those little kids who tell you in detail how he passed his day in school and what he did in class. (yebared algalb!)

"Madame J. est toujours fachee." So I know his teacher yells a lot.

One day he came back looking sullen and I knew something happened in school.

"What's wrong?"

"Je n'aime pas les puzzles!" He pout and you know how Ahmed pout if you follow my blog and seen pics of him.

"Puzzles are easy."

"I don't want to!"

Ok…no sense in persisting with him until I speak with his teacher. Then next day he came back in a better humor.

"J'ai fait un puzzle avec Reine."

"Bravo!" So I guessed his teacher has put him with one of his classmates to encourage him. The next day when I went to pick him up and talked with his teacher, it was as I suspected. Although a very bright child, he wasn't confident enough to do the puzzle by himself. The teacher suggested I get him a couple of puzzles to practice on at home and boost his confidence.

Of course when I do something for my kids, I go to the extreme. We headed to Early Learning Center and found few puzzles there. I also found cute toys which enhance your child's imagination. I love ELC.

Then I went to Fantasy World just to check what they had. I found a cardboard book with erasable surface for Ahmed to practice his letters and numbers.

Now, every day while Abdulaziz is sitting on one end doing his homework, Ahmed is on the other end practicing on his puzzles and writing the letters of his name.

I got this scketch book for Abdulaziz

who loves to draw cartoons.

I found this for little fashionstas! Cute!

The boys should learn the family business...don't you think? :p

Remeber those stickers? My sister

and I used to collect them

and trade them with our friends :)

Photo Challenge Day 18: in my bag

2011-10-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 18: in my bag?

Yeah...very messy!

Detox Day 11, 12, 13 & 14

2011-10-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

The last few days of the detox diet it was Meh! I wanted it to finish, and the days seemed longer. I was also so stressed from work I was craving all sorts of foods. I even made a long list of everything I wanted to eat after this diet is done. But then all the hard work for the past two weeks would be for nothing if I indulged uncontrollably. What I craved was a yummy juicy cheese burger! I have to allow myself at least that? No?

Again. The diet I followed was made up by me, what I liked and didn't like based on the list The Diet Ninja posted on his blog. I do not advice you follow to the letter what I did, because I gave myself the minimum, because I know what I can endure. If you suffer from some kind of ailment I am not responsible, and neither is The Diet Ninja if you do not consult with him directly.

What I've lost is a good jump start to a healthier life style and diet. I even started looking at food differently. I love my lattes, but milk bloats me, so I'm going to have it as a treat when I'm out with my friends, same thing with bread, red meat, and desserts. I still have copies of diet plans saved from my nutritionist which I will start following inshallah. I want to lose 13 Kg before the end of this year. Can I do it? I just hope so.

Day 11

Breakfast : I ran out of fruits and I only had banana so I had a banana with Almond Milk smoothie.

Lunch: Lemon fish with roasted potatoes and carrots with olive oil and rosemary.

Dinner: Skipped.

My Banana smoothie

Lemon fish with roasted potatoes and carrots,

with Lemon butter sauce.

I found a way to do it without the cream ;)

I added almond milk instead!

Days 12, 13, 14 were repetitive of Days 2, 3 & 4. I couldn't believe I'm done!!!
Will I do this diet again? Certainly I will, but I think it will be for seven days only just to help me when I hit a plateau.

The Diet Ninja's post "Pre-Diet Cleansing" Click Here

Photo Challenge Day 17: On The Shelf

2011-10-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

These bear bookends I got on my Honey moon 11 years ago!

I know they are suppose to be supporting books on my shelves...

but you have to take it with my house keeper...

no matter how many times I explained their use to her,

she insists on putting them all together on a shelf.

The little angel pot is from a large bouquet of flowers

I received from my BFF when I got engaged.

The angel what I saved from the bouquet :)

Cutting Down On Calories

2011-10-05T23:24:00.000-07:00

Breakfast

Eat your fruit; don't drink it: 12 ounces of OJ = 165 calories, vs. a medium orange = 62 calories. Think of granola as a condiment to be sprinkled over yogurt (for reference: a half cup of granola is around 200 calories). Drink your coffee skinny. A whole-milk grande latte from Starbucks has almost 100 more calories than one with nonfat milk. Here are some low-cal breakfast ideas that are under 30 grams of sugar.

Brunch

Have a smoothie made with fruit, nonfat yogurt, and ice, and skip the milk shake. Eat smaller portions since many brunches offer buffet options, and it can be tempting to fill your plate. And choose lots of veggies and fruit since they are low in calories and will fill you up! Instead of calorie-filled egg dishes covered with rich sauces, why not get an omelet (or even one made from just the whites) and spruce it up with some veggies instead of calorie-dense bacon or cheese? If you reach for a caffeinated beverage to go with your meal, make it an unsweetened tea instead of a Coke.

Lunch

Make your sandwich open-faced. A slice of whole wheat bread is anywhere between 70 and 90 calories, depending on the density of the bread Ditch the mayo. Two and half teaspoons of mayonnaise contain 90 calories, and the same amount mustard practically nil. Make sure not to order honey mustard, because the sweetness adds calories. Skip the slices of cheddar cheese, about 226 calories for two one-ounce slices, and choose thinly spread avocado instead. Ask for salad dressing on the side and dip when you need a dab.

Dinner

Top your baked potato, be it a sweet spud or an Idaho, with two tablespoons of nonfat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Skip the pepperoni and order your pizza with red bell pepper, and douse it with red pepper flakes. Try dressing your salad with just lemon juice and skip the olive oil, which clocks in at 119 calories a tablespoon. Trim the fat! If you're cooking meat, trim off whatever fat you can. Skipping the skin when it comes to chicken saves you 50 calories, but also keeps 4.5 grams of fat out of your meal.

Courtesy of Yahoo.

Lofat Offer

2011-10-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

The 1 KG = KD5 offer is back

for limited time only

Lofat website: http://www.thelofat.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LofatKuwait
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/lofatgroup
Tel: 22250650

Rest In Peace

2011-10-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Only recently I've become an Apple fan,

and I'm really sad for the passing of

founder and mastermind Steve Jobs. Rest In Peace.

1955-2011

Detox Day 8, 9 & 10

2011-10-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Day 8

It was an agonizing day because I chose to have liquids on that day. I felt faint and very hungry and I was on the verge of making a grilled cheese sandwich.

I held on, later in the afternoon I had my 1 liter of white tea with a handful of almonds. I was ok.

Breakfast: 1 banana, few chopped papayas half cup of almond milk and a handful of ice cubes, smoothie.

Lunch: Roasted pumpkin soup.

Dinner: A bowl of pineapples and papayas with a couple of spoons of yogurt.

Smoothie

Pumpkin soup with a dallop of yogurt.

Dinner

Day 9:

I had an early breakfast. I had an early breakfast and went out to shop for a new washing machine, our old one gave her last spin the day before, and having two rowdy boys you just can imagine the laundry which as to be done on daily basis.

When I got back home I wanted lunch and on that day I didn't plan what to eat. So I thought of tossing some onions, garlic tomatoes spinach and tuna, with a squeeze of lemon. It was good, although I forgot to add the tomatoes. Or maybe I was too hungry to really care that much. Usually I use this mix for a tuna bake, where I add cream and cheese *sigh*.

Breakfast: Mixed peppers with 1 organic egg and mild spice. A cup of almond milk.

Lunch: Tuna with spinach.

Dinner: A fruity salad, with the same yogurt balsamic dressing I used for the potato salad minus 1 spoon of olive oil.

Tuna & Spinach

Dinner

Day 10:

When I'm dieting I like to prepare my own meals. I don't trust the housekeeper doing it to my exact instructions, besides she has a love affair with oil! When I tell her 1 tsp of oil, she looks at me as if I said a blasphemy!
So it is better I prepare my own meals. That day was a busy day, plus lunch was at the family home and I didn't have time to prepare anything like I did last week. For lunch and it isn't pictured, I had what equals to 1/2 cup of rice and 2 cups of salad with balsamic dressing.

Breakfast: 1 organic egg with tomato. A cup of almond milk.

Lunch: 1/2 cup of plain rice, 2 cups of salad.

Dinner: bowl of fruits and yogurt.

Egg with Tomato

Fruit bowl dinner

Help Save Abdulkareem's Leg

2011-10-05T03:52:00.000-07:00

Last Monday when the bloggers went to NBK's Cancer hospital for the Kids Cancer Party, there was a little brave and smiling boy called AbdulKareem. He has cancer in his leg that is spreading to his body and his only chance of survival is to have his leg cut off or has a knee replacement surgery.

Knee replacement surgery is not available in Kuwait but its available in Jordan and costs 30,000 KD. The boy is not Kuwaiti and his family doesn't have that money. He has no time as his leg cutting operation is scheduled for next week.

Detox Day 7

2011-10-02T01:33:00.000-07:00

I woke up on Day 7 feeling very hungry! The boys wanted to eat out. So I decided to take them to Le Pain Quotidian, they serve organic food, right? It was very good and enjoyed a lot.

Breakfast: Fruit ice tea unsweetened & a spinach omelet.

Lunch: Potato & Butter Bean salad with a balsamic yogurt dressing.

Dinner: Skipped

I forgot to bring any stevia sweetener with me, and they didn't have any sort of sweeteners except for regular sugars and sugar syrups. So I had my ice tea unsweetened. After a couple of sips it was tolerable.

A very yummy spinach omelet and I loved the lettuce with the herby dressing. No I didn't touch the bread :)

It was late afternoon I decided to have my lunch. I used half a can of Epicure brand butter bean, so I hope it is ok for a detox diet, 1 boiled large potato chopped, 1/4 chopped onions, and 2 Tbs of chopped chives.

I started making a regular balsamic vinaigrette. But a potato salad is perfect when it has that creamy dressing with it, don't you agree? 2 Tbs olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 1 tsp of Dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove crushed, 2 Tbs Lemon juice, Salt & Pepper. 2 Tbs yogurt.

7 days down and 7 days to go. I have noticed a lot of changes. I feel lighter, I have more energy and I sleep better in the evenings. The headaches I had the first few days are gone, although cravings do hit me in the late afternoons, with few cups of white tea they are gone!
I am hoping to add a half hour of exercise session in the evenings this week.
You want to know how much weight I lost? Will tell you by the end of this 14 days detox :)

Detox Day 6

2011-10-02T00:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever waked up one morning and you discovered you have suddenly acquired intolerance to certain foods? I don't remember when I've discovered I was lactose intolerant and strong spices intolerant. I can't remember the last time I had Indian food, and one of the reasons I try to stay away from the Biryani prepared by John the cook.

On Day 5 detox I had a tandoori fish and I used the minimum of the required tandoori paste in the recipe just to give it a little flavor. As soon as I was done eating, I knew I've done a great error! I was uncomfortable for the rest of the evening! :s
Day 6 detox was spent on drinking herbal concoctions and eating yogurt. I was feeling nauseous all day and by evening I felt a bit hungry and had only green apples with a couple spoons yogurt.

Photo Challenge Day 16: What I ate

2011-09-30T02:26:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 16: What I ate

When I go to Gaucho Grill...it isn't only for the Steaks

but also this yummyliciousPalmoto Salad!!!

That day when we went there I only had the Salad and stole

few pieces from Fahad's steak :)

Photo Challenge Day 15: My Shoes

2011-09-30T01:39:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 15: My Shoes.

I really thought about taking a pic of my shoe closet...

and I did, and it didn't look nice at all!!! So messy!

Needs to be cleared up this week! ASAP!

Yes these Sergio's are high, but they are the most comfortable heels I bought last season and I love them so much, unlike the soft ballet flats I wore the other day which gave blisters to my little toes :s

Detox Day 5

2011-09-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

The good thing about this diet is I've been so busy, I don't have the time to think about the hunger pangs or the cravings! (Apple cupcake with cream cheese *sigh*) Yallah 9 more days to go!

Day 5

Breakfast: Egg with the leftover tomato salsa and a sprinkle of parsley

Lunch: White fish fillet tandoori fillet with yogurt & cucumber salsa, lettuce wrap.

Dinner: skipped.

Sawili baith w 6ma6! w 7e6eli foga be6a6!!!

Maqo! Maqo! Maqo!

Almond milk

Slice white fish and rub with 1/4 tsp of tandoori paste (you can add more paste if you like), marinade for a couple of hours. Fry with a little bit of olive oil until done. Then add 1/4 yogurt and chopped green onions. In a different bowl add 1/2 cup of yogurt, with chopped parsley and dill, salt & pepper and a tiny squeeze of honey.
Place fish and yogurt mix on lettuce, wrap and Bon Appetit!
The same recipe you can try it with cooked shredded chicken and add some sweet mango chutney. You can also use Saj or pitta bread with it :)

Detox Day 4

2011-09-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

The evening before I slept early but was rudely awakened by Ahmed who crawled into our bed sometime earlier and gave me a "Whack!" on the face with his little feet. Disgruntled I tried to pick him back to his bed and he started crying! Did I ever mention about Ahmed when he starts crying? Once his Jukebox opens it never closes!
"Ok habeebee!...5ala9… come sleep in our bed…5ala9!!"

But then he hangs on to one word.

"Laish…laish…laish…laish…laish…!"

Ya rabi! Slowly he quiets down, as for I, I toss and turn for half hour before I gave up and got up. I started reading hoping it would make me feel sleep. I hear the Fajer prayer, so there is no point in going back to sleep. Besides Fahad woke up.

Ok…side tracking…the point I'm trying to make is the lack of sleep makes me stressed and when I'm stressed I get very hungry! I had a late start on my exercising and I had to change and rush out of the house, and on my meal plan I had smoothie for breakfast. So the only thing I can think of is… what I had for dinner last night is what I'm going to have for breakfast. Chopped pineapples and papaya with 3 Tbs skimmed yogurt and a dash of almond milk and whizzzzzzzzed! I poured it in my coffee cup over some ice and went out. The taste wasn't that bad. Usually when I do my smoothies I add freshly squeezed orange juice. Next time I'll add some oranges. As the day went by, the hunger and cravings kicked in! Today I craved hot chocolate. Yummy, creamy hot chocolate!

Day 4

Breakfast: Smoothie, yogurt pineapples, papay with a dash of Almond milk.

Lunch: Lemony white fish fillet with a sweet tomato garlic salsa! (the best I made so far)

Dinner: skipped.

My Breakfast

Pulpy tomoatoes

Et Voila! There will be some tomato salsa left

save it for breakfast the next day :)

1 lemon, peel the lemon avoiding white pith, slice the rind thinly. Squeeze juice from lemon. Combine fish with rind, juice, 1/4 cup parsley, 1 clove garlic crushed, and 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/4 chili in a medium bowl cover and refrigerate 3 hours. Place fish in the oven for 20-30 min with marinade until done. Cut tomatoes and place side up in a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with combined with 1 tsp oil, vinegar. Bake 30min or until tomatoes browned and pulpy. 1 garlic bulb wrap in a foil and bake for 1 hour until garlic is soft. Squeeze out the pulp of garlic, mix with tomatoes and mash with a fork.

Wisdom Of the Week

2011-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Women are meant to be loved, not understood!

Detox Day 3

2011-09-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

It is going to be a tricky day, I thought when I first got up. Today we're having lunch at the family home with lots of yummy food which will be served for the meal. The tricky part was can I stick to my diet? Can I resist? Should I bring something with me or depend on what they will serve?

I decided a hearty early breakfast was essential. So I prepared a mushroom with parsley omelet, and of course a cup of Almond milk and three piece of Calamata olives to make it interesting ;p

I didn't want to take the risk of finding myself without any healthy options and stray from my diet. So I rushed back home and hurried to prepare a roasted vegetable Salad with an herbed yogurt dressing. Which turned out divine! And not only I did enjoy it but even my nieces who happened to be on a diet too :)

Thank god I prepared it because lunch was all about red meat today. I thought I'd be tempted to try something, but I didn't feel a the urge to do so. I was quiet satisfied with my salad.

Later after 6 – ish I had about 1 liter of white tea with a handful of almonds which Fahad ate half of it! but hey! Sharing is caring! And think of it a little few more calories and inches from your waistline ;p

My dinner was a bowl of chopped pineapples and papaya's with a couple of tablespoons of yogurt.

It was before dinner when I started craving something sweet and the headaches started, and what not helped was Fahad enjoying the brownies and date squares plus a piece of chocolate basbousa which we brought with us "For the Kids" from lunch. I got up and picked my icy bottle of water and locked myself in the room! until the craving subsided and I was ready for my dinner.

Day 3

Breakfast: 1 egg omelet with mushrooms and parsley, and almond milk sweetened with stevia.

Lunch: Roasted vegetable salad with herbed yogurt dressing.

Dinner: Bowl of yogurt with chopped pineapples and papaya, just similar to what I had on Day 1.

Mushroom and parsely Omelet

with some olives

Almond Milk

Before I started chopping the Veggies, I marinated 1/4 cup of olive oil with 1/2 tsp of some spice, mixed dried herbs. I chopped 2 small Zucchini, 1/2 large egg plant, 1/2 red pepper and 1/2 yellow pepper both deseeded. I chopped some cauliflowr and droped them in boiling water for a couple of miutes or at least until tender. Some lettuce and Rocca.
I mixed the chopped Zucchini and eggplant with the marinated oil. Then drained the execess oil, and placed them in a baking sheet and into the oven for 30 min. In another baking sheet I placed the peppers skin side up and popped them in the oven for at least 30 min. or until the skin is charred.
There will still be excess oil from the Zucchini and eggplant, drain and place them on these papers which soak the oil out (can't remember the name). Remove the peppers out and cover them with clean towel for few minutes then remove the skin and slice meaty part :)
Place the all the veggies on the lettuce and rocca.

Now the herbed yogurt dressing: 1 cup of skimmed yogurt, 1/2 tsp of ground cumin seeds, 1 clove of garlic minced,

1 tsp of dried Oregano, 2 Tbs of chopped parsley,

juice of half a lemon, tiny squeeze of honey, salt and pepper.

I like to prepare the dressing ahead to give

the flavors enough time to marinate

Now see what I was up against!

The Arabic version of Chili Con Crane :)

It was set right in front of me!

Home made brownies

Date squares

I felt empowered because I resisted these temptations!

*sigh*

12 more days to go J

Photo Challenge Day 14: Flowers

2011-09-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 14: Flowers

I love these bouquets of flowers which has

happy colorful Gerberas in them.

Detox Day 2

2011-09-27T00:55:00.000-07:00

The good thing when I put my mind into something, I stick to it, and as long as I don't lose my focus on the main goal. So I do hope I don't err from my objective.

Day 2 wasn't that hard, because I was busy most of the day. After finishing my morning exercise I checked my meal plan and my breakfast today is a detox smoothie. I went looking for my smoothie recipe book and couldn't find it!! So out of the top of my head I mixed 3/4 of green apple, 1 kiwi and 3Tbs yogurt with a splash of water. Awful! Nevertheless I drank all of it.

Midday I did crave some sweets, instead I drank iced water as much as my tummy can handle! It helped warding off the craving. By the time I reached home I was really hungry…

2.30 hours after lunch I was still feeling a bit hungry so I made me a 1liter white tea which I drank by myself (usually Fahad has a cup or two with me) and a handful of organic & unsalted hulled pumpkin seeds from Nature Land. Late evening I had half a pot of skimmed yogurt.

What strange about this I'm expecting to be very cranky however I'm not. Headaches… only on the first day and because I didn't sleep well the night before.

Day 2

Breakfast: Smoothie (3/4 apple juice, 1 kiwi and 3 Tbs yogurt with a dash of water)

Lunch: Nicoise salad with Tuna. I dropped the potatos and didn't have beans. But it was very yummy!

Dinner: Handful of organic hulled pumpkin seeds, half a pot of yogurt.

I didn't like it and I have to find my smoothie book :s

My Niciose salad. I love sweet and sour flavors and this sald has it all :) Lettuce, Roca, cherry tomatoes, 1/2roasted red pepper, 1/2 roasted orange pepper, 1/2 avocado, calamata olived deseeded and sliced, 1/4 onion sliced. Of course Tuna in water, The Diet Ninja advised me to drain it and wash off the salt in it with cool water. It was super! Now the dressing: 2 Tbs olive oil, 2Tbs balsamic vinegar, juice of small lemon about 3 Tbs, 1 Tbs honey, salt and pepper.

Organic hulled pumpkin seeds.

My dinner Yogurt!

My day wasn't that bad. Still miss the chocolates. But the French say "Il faut sufrir pour etre belle." ;p I will suffer to feel healthy :)

Tomorrow will be a tricky day, lunch at the family home :)

Detox Day 1

2011-09-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling very fatigued, out of energy and icky. I know it is because of my diet, since Ramadan ended (which BTW during that month I really watched what I was eating and lost 3Kg.) I went on a rampage on food. I spent almost every single day eating out, most of the time lunch, but still restaurant food is really heavy and some not good to have every other day :s

Besides I wasn't happy with myself. I was bloated, the weight which I worked so hard to lose about a year ago was crawling back slowly, and if I don't watch myself, I'll be back and maybe more to my heaviest weight.

Reading a post by The Diet Ninja, click here to read his post, inspired me to go on a detox for a couple of weeks to jump start my weight loss, and help with the water retention which is killing me! Every attempt I did of detoxing failed in the past because it was brutal. I remember once I only lasted half a day. The do's and don’ts, Fahad wrote about are very simple, I just have to use my imagination and my culinary skills. I just hope I'm on the right track ;p

Simple rules I've put for myself:

- Lots of water. (I'm drinking about 2 liter a day)

- 5 hours between every meal ( 3 meals)

- Drink herbal teas between meals (white tea, green tea, my favorite mix of sage and thyme)

- Exercise 30-40 min every day.

- Wake up early (which I already do) and sleep early (which I normally don’t but been turning early these past two days)

Day 1

Breakfast: Almond milk sweetened by stevia and 1 organic egg omelet with a mix of peppers and spices.

Lunch: White fish fillet marinated in seasoning, mushrooms and sweet potato mashed in yogurt.

Dinner: A bowl of chopped papaya with pineapple with a 3 Tbs Yogurt.

My omlete, I used loSalt, black pepper,

paprika and tumeric.

Almond Milk, tolerable, added a bit

of stevia to sweeten it.

Spiced white fish fillet, which will

be what I'm eating for the next two weeks.

Mushrooms, mashed sweet potato mashed with yogurt,

garnished wiht herbs and peprika.

My dinner, it looks big but it isn't, 2 slices of pineapples,

2 slices of papaya, and 3 Tbs yogurt.

Early morning Fahad comes from the factory bring with him a sample of new flavor we were working on. I started crying! Please don't sabotage my first day! I refused to try it. Yaaay!

Midmorning I started craving something sweet, specifically chocolate chip cookies. After I had my lunch again I craved some chocolates which I always have after this meal.

During the day I felt listless and a bit cranky, and Abdulaziz didn't help much he drove me crazy while helping him with his homework. I didn't feel that hungry as much as I craved something sweet which drove me a bit crazy

So is it approved?

Photo Challenge Day 13: From a Distance

2011-09-24T05:25:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 13: From a Distance

Scene of the moon from far away,

taken from my favorite place on earth Oman,

at Bar Al Jissa, AlBandar Resort.

Photo Challenge Day 12: Close Up

2011-09-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 12: Close Up

The yummiest Pomme Noisette from OFK.

Photo Challenge Day 11: Somthing Fun

2011-09-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

Check out the cool dudes ;p

Photo Challenge Day 11: Something Fun

XD Theater was the last fun thing I did with

boys a while back (apart from the daily drama!).

It was hilarious!!!

I highly recommend it if you haven't tried it yet!

Movie Review - La Princesse de Montpensier

2011-09-20T01:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I watched La Princesses de Montpensier, a period romance. I love French period movies

because I feel they are so meticulous to details, and since France

is littered with Chateauxs the sceneries are breathtaking.

Not to forget to mention how poetic

the story line is in these movies.

I highly recommend you watch this movie not only because of the romantic story, filled with love, passion, loyalty and betrayal, but because, Ladies, it is filled with a lot of eye candy ;p

Move over American, Brithish and Australian actors!!!

The French are taking over!!!

"The Princess of Montpensier is a 2010 French period romance film directed by Bertrand Tavernier, inspired by a short story anonymously published by Madame de La Fayette. It stars Mélanie Thierry in the title role, alongside Gaspard Ulliel, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, Lambert Wilson and Raphaël Personnaz. The story takes place in the French aristocracy during the Wars of Religion, and focuses on a young woman who is forced into marriage while passionately in love with another man. The film competed at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival and was released in French cinemas on 3 November 2010"

Now the Eye Candy ;p

Gaspard Ulleil

Lambert Wilson

Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet

Raphael Personnaz

At the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Photo Call

They are so cute!

Books Review: These Old Shades & Devil's Cub

2011-09-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

My copy of the Devil's Cub is a limited edition.

They printed only 300 copies of it, as you'll see in the picture

below. They recently reprinted the book in 2009 which you'll

find available at amazon.com :) 

I've been rereading a couple of the older books I've got on my shelf. Both books are by Georgette Heyer.

"These Old Shades" Is one of Ms. Heyer's best books and one of my favorite. It is a fast paced with a character driven plot, colorful strong secondary characters and a very witty humorous dialogue. I highly recommend it.

Society believes the worst of Justain Alistair, the Duke of Avon, who is clearly proud of his sobriquet, 'Satanas'. It is he who buys Leon body and soul from a scoundrel in a Paris backstreet. The redheaded urchin has strangely familiar looks, and should play a fine part in Justain's long overdue schemes to avenge himself on the Comte de St. Vire – until, that is, Leon becomes the ravishing beauty Leonie…

The second book "The Devil's Cub" is a sequel to the first book, also a very entertaining read and it is the story of Justain and Leonie hot tempered son, Dominique. It is filled with abduction, adventure and romance. A very funny & witty dialogue. Again I highly recommend this book as a conclusion to the Alistair Saga.

The Marquis of Vidal is a bad lot a rake and seducer, reckless, heedless, and possessed of a murderous temper. He is known by friend and foe alike as the "Devil's Cub." Yet as the handsome and wealthy heir to a Dukedom, he is considered a good prospect on the marriage market. Vidal currently has his eye on the young, lovely, and unintelligent Sophia Challoner, and Sophia's greedy mother is more than happy to encourage his dubious attentions. The colorful and eccentric characters fall over each other's plots, get involved in very peculiar coincidences, engage in colorful derring-do, and generally make life difficult for each other.

This is a print inside the book.

Wisdom Of the Week

2011-09-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Life is like a disco no matter how

the music changes you keep on dancing!

Visible Only From Above, Mystifying 'Nazca Lines' Discovered in Mideast

2011-09-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

They stretch from Syria to Saudi Arabia, can be seen from the air but not the ground, and are virtually unknown to the public.

They are the Middle East's own version of the Nazca Lines — ancient "geolyphs," or drawings, that span deserts in southern Peru — and now, thanks to new satellite-mapping technologies, and an aerial photography program in Jordan, researchers are discovering more of them than ever before. They number well into the thousands.
Referred to by archaeologists as "wheels," these stone structures have a wide variety of designs, with a common one being a circle with spokes radiating inside. Researchers believe that they date back to antiquity, at least 2,000 years ago. They are often found on lava fields and range from 25 meters to 70 meters across.

From: Yahoo New

Photo Challenge Day 10: Something I made

2011-09-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 10: Something I made...

I still bake. It is my stress breaker :)

I made these for my cousins birthday :)

Kristy Alley Stuns on the Runway!

2011-09-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

Kirstie Alley makes her runway debut

at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week,

celebs usually sit perched in the front row.

Kirstie Alley, on the other hand,

strutted her stuff on the Zang Toi catwalk

in New York City Tuesday.

Mashallah! I wish I'd look this

good when I reach 60!!!

Photo Challenge Day 8: Technology

2011-09-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

Photo Challenge Day 8: Technology

I am a new Apple addict!

I still haven't used my iPad yet,

but planning on it very soon! :p

Photo Challenge Day 7: Something New

2011-09-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

I know I'm way behind on my photo challenge.

Here is Day 7 photo :

Newly fresh baked bread brought early this morning :)

Almarai LactoFree

2011-09-12T02:46:00.000-07:00

For the past two weeks I've been using Almarai LactoFree milk and... it is amazing!!! The taste is tolerable, but the feeling of not being bloated is the the best feeling ever!!!

I can enjoy my morning lattes and cereals without feeling uncomfortable all day.

I am hooked!

My New Addiction

2011-09-12T02:23:00.000-07:00

I love Ice Tea...unfortuanately in some caffees they add flavoring syrups to them. However at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf they have this fruit ice tea without sugar and you have the choice to either add sugar syrup or like me artificial sweeteners :)

I love it!

*Sigh*

Photo Challenge Day 6: Childhood Memory

2011-09-09T02:24:00.000-07:00

Childhood Memeory.... it was all about cartoons!

Yes...I still watch them and have

all the collections and more ;p

Keira Knightley in Valentino

2011-09-07T02:19:00.000-07:00

I saw the pics on ICYDK...

and fell in love with this Valentino dress!!!

She usually looks so gaunt, but it seems she has

gain a little bit of weight which looks good on her.

Very beautiful!

Very Princessy!

My kind of gown!!!

*sigh*!

Death By Rangeena!

2011-09-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

The other evening Ansam posted pictures of Rangeena prepared by her father on Twitter. I asked her to save me some ;p and I was lucky to receive a plate the next day :D

Can I say "Death By Rangeena"? This is what I thought when I started eating nonstop the Rangeena Baba Issa made!

Just let me tell you… it was so good!!!

It was…. PURE MURDER!!!

Honestly I couldn't move after I ate some, and saved it for the next day and the day after! Nope! I only shared one piece with Fahad and another with Abdulaziz, and kept the rest to myself :)

Teslam Eeed ili Sawaha!!! Teslam Eedik Baba Issa!!! W 3asa allah ya7efthek w ye 6awel eb3omerk!

Ansam's post about her Dad's Rangeena : Here :)

Photo Challenge Day 5: Someone I Love

2011-09-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Someone I love....ba3ad yabeela??? ;p

Bu3azoz w bas!

(if he only knew I posted his pic)

This is a picture I took of an old picture when

Fahad was a baby ;p