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The good life

try

If you only do eight things this month…

Lovely ideas, dates for the diary and new shiny things to get your social life buzzing and heart aflutter

learn origami Abu Dhabi artist Khouloud Sinno has mastered the Japanese art of origami and now teaches the public in small groups at her home studio, from the ever-popular crane to more advanced ‘kurumie’ classes, which use patterned paper and sponge to make 3D pieces.

Khouloud Sinno Hibri, Abu Dhabi, Dhs225 for 90 minutes. Tel: (050) 7757706. khouloudsinno.com

see cool graphic sculpture This month The Third Line gallery plays host to Londonbased artist Rana Begum’s paint-covered metal sculptures.

The vibrant folded pieces explore the relationship between delicious hues, form and space, with visitors encouraged to walk around to view them from difference angles, allowing light to play with geometry and shadows. Playful art at its most colourful. The Third Line, Street 6, beside The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3411367. thethirdline.com

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a pole-dancing class Well, technically it’s less dancing and more fitness, but there’s no shying away from it, there’s a pole. Squirming yet? You shouldn’t. With trepidation, we popped along to a DIVA (Dance Infused Vertical Aerobics) ‘pole fitness’ class at James & Alex, thinking that it would register at least a 7.5 on the cringe factor. We couldn’t have been more wrong. Pole fitness is all about strength, not only in your upper body, but also in your core (hello abs), as you attempt to lift your body weight and negotiate the pole in a series of moves. Much, much, much, easier said than done.

Working almost every muscle in your body (cue aching for two days after), pole fitness is extremely challenging, but addictive. You’ve been warned. James & Alex Dance Studios, Concord Tower, Media City Dubai, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 4470773. diva.ae

buy eco-friendly picnic boxes These gorgeous tiffin tins (Dhs214) by Nkuku are made from recycled and natural materials, then painted by craftspeople in Kashmir. Lovely for packed lunches, they’re just as nice used as serving bowls at home.

The matching mug costs Dhs42. The Change Initiative, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: 800 824. thechangeinitiative.com

hear the sound of the summer Ms Mr (pronounced Miss Mister in case you were wondering) is made up of singer Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. Not only do they have wonderful names, but their debut album Secondhand Rapture is being hailed as the hottest record of the year. If you like Lana Del Rey and Florence Welsh’s darker, gothic side, you’ll dig this duo. msmrsounds.com.

Available from amazon.com and itunes.com

eat INDONESIAN STREET FOOD Pan-Asian restaurant Wok It in Bur Dubai is the only place in the UAE where you can sample Indonesian dish martabak (Dhs30), a crispy pancake filled with spiced meats, spring onions and eggs, served with pickled cucumber and carrot. The sweet version looks more like an oversized crumpet folded with melted chocolate, nuts and cheese, which comes in one size only – giant. Wok It poached its martabak chef from his food cart in Indonesia, and he has brought over a family recipe that is a true must-eat experience. Wok It, Trade Centre Road, opposite BurJuman, Bur Dubai, Dubai.

Tel: (04) 3885711

kiss hello to a new world record To mark International Kissing Day on July 6, Lush is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for the most lip prints collected in 12 consecutive hours.

You can take part by heading along to The Dubai Mall store between 2pm and 10pm, treating your lips to a cruelty-free lip balm and then leaving your mark. lush.ae

achieve eyebrow perfection If the eyes are windows to the soul then eyebrows must be the… roof?

Regardless, HD Brows (Dhs250) are the hottest news in beauty and they have just arrived in the UAE. The seven-step process (including waxing, threading, tinting and plucking) takes around 30 minutes and you’re left with well-groomed eyebrows precisely sculpted to suit your face shape.

You will also be put on a ‘re-growth programme’, which is like bootcamp for brows to encourage growing and shape training between visits.

Sisters Beauty Lounge, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi and The Dubai Mall, Dubai. sistersbeautylounge.com July_2013

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The good life

What a good idea A trio of oh-so brilliant brainwaves to make your life a little bit better

craft supplies to your door The UAE hasn’t quite caught up to the rest of the crafting world, with only a handful of shops selling the essentials (and not so essential). However, one of the few stores on our shores, Pretty Paper Studio, also ships throughout the region, delivering stickers, washi tape, ink, stamps, paper, glitter and more. Check out the blog for inspiration, product reviews, tutorials and workshops. prettypaperstudiouae.com

customisable cushions

affordable art If you’re looking for artwork that’s a little bit different, head to Gulf Photo Plus where they’re selling limited edition photography prints from Dhs375, with images available from the likes of Gregory Heisler (who shot more TIME magazine covers than anyone else), to up-and-coming regional artists. Gulf Photo Plus, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3808545. gulfphotoplus.com

Add your own motto, name or message to cushions, beanbags, children’s chairs or even a teepee via Abu Dhabi e-shop Moon

By Mazoon. Prices start from Dhs140. Who wouldn’t want a teepee with their name on it? moonbymazoon.com

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The good life

Do some good

Care packages for labourers

Cleanliness may be something we take for granted, but not everyone in the UAE is so lucky. This is why during Ramadan local charity and all-round good people, Adopta-Camp, organise ‘care packages’ for thousands of workers. Run in conjunction with hygiene workshops, these packs offer a helping hand to those living in tough, and not always sanitised conditions.

With items bought at wholesale prices, each individual pack includes at least 40

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products, among them a new mattress, pillow, bed linen, toiletries for three months, energy food supplies for one month and other essential bits and pieces, like socks and towels. Each pack costs around Dhs125, with the aim to make and distribute at least 5,000 of them during the Holy Month.

So how can you get involved? Well firstly, you have until July 11 to donate items or cash to sponsor care packages.

You can also help assemble packages on July 24 and 25 at Dubai World Trade Centre, after which they will be handed out at camps.

Wednesday, July 24, noon to 7pm and Thursday, July 25, 6pm to 11pm. Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. For donations, registration and further details log onto adoptacamp.ae For more information on helping out in the UAE, see page 64

The good life

bold & noble Mixing geography and typography, Bold & Noble’s maps have a proven success rate on the gift front, especially for chaps. Available in blue, slate and light grey, the 100cm x 70cm prints will make you (or the recipient) look like a world traveller, even if that passport is looking a little dusty.

Yes, Greenland is massive. Dhs360 plus postage from the UK. boldandnoble.com

Blogger of the month

sips & spoonfuls

Click it, buy it, do it, live it What’s happening on the www?

little majlis We’re all about supporting UAE talent so were excited to see that Little Majlis, an online marketplace dedicated to local designers, is stocking products by Sougha. This social enterprise aims to preserve Emirati heritage through beautifully handmade accessories and homewares, with all proceeds going back to artisans. Our pick of the virtual shelves is this iPad and document case (Dhs350), made from soft leather and woven textiles. littlemajlis.com

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chitra Pick of Pinterest

Whose boards are getting us re-pinning this month?

Joy Cho’s blog Oh Joy! has the web a bit hot under the collar; what started as a hobby and way of keeping track of ideas has become a full-time design job, and Cho’s foray into Pinterest has already attracted a staggering 14 million followers. Why? Her boards are chockfull of loveliness, from her infatuation with fonts to stylish tips for babyproofing your home. pinterest.com/ohjoy

You know you’re a grown-up when you don’t buy towels from the supermarket anymore.

And these Turkish towels (Dhs279.20 each) are the very definition of bathing chic. Known as ‘pesthamals’, Chitra’s contemporary take on the traditional style is 100 per cent cotton and available in two woodblock designs. anjelique.me

Weaving together recipes and family life, UAE food stylist and blogger Sukaina has created a beautiful blog where you’ll find inspiration for both dinner and décor, as well as enjoying a peek into her daily life. With recipes, personal anecdotes and mouthwatering photography, Sips & Spoonfuls draws you into the wonderful, very real, world of a mother and food lover. sipsandspoonfuls.com

wamli A far cry from cookie cutter furniture, Wamli’s home pieces should add a slice of quirk to your pad. We have our eye on this Dutch Design Chair (Dhs128.45), which is made from corrugated cardboard but can hold up to 200kg. Clever.

And shipping is free within the UAE. wamli.com

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The good life

New to town Three lip-smacking places to try this month kanpaI It takes a brave soul to open a high-end Japanese restaurant in this part of town when they’re rubbing shoulders with Okku and Zuma, but Kanpai has its eye on the prize. Serving up contemporary fusion dishes (think sushi faves alongside lamb with green tea noodles) and a night-owl vibe, this chic spot should attract lounge lizards with its dramatic setting and state of the art sound system, but the menu will keep the tables as full as the bar stools.

Souk Al Bahar, Downtown, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4410262. facebook.com/kanpaidubai

maison bagatelle Even the word ‘patisserie’ conjures up wispy layers of paper-thin pastry, rich cream, pretty cakes and ooh la la desserts, and new Downtown café Maison Bagatelle doesn’t disappoint. Sweetness galore all dished up in charming surrounds, this is the place to cosy up in a banquette with friends, platefuls of crepes and endless cups of hot, strong coffee. We reckon the carrot cake might just rival Lime Tree’s. It really is that good.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4203442. facebook.com/ MaisonBagatelle

sambusek When it comes to Lebanese restaurants, we’re all familiar with the small, unlicensed, hole-in-the-wall types. But for those who like their surroundings a little more refined, Sambusek has arrived in the capital. Fashioned on the upbeat nature of Beirut dining (although don’t expect dancing on tables), this stylish eatery offers a fine dining take on Levantine cuisine.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 8135550. rosewoodhotels.com July_2013

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