Monday 26 March 2018

Injecting some colour into my life and trying new things in Dubai

I joined the local leisure centre. By local I mean it takes me 3 minutes to walk there, by crossing the road at the end of our garden.
There's an outdoor pool and a gym (as yet unexplored) and a cafe (as yet open when I've been there) 
There are plenty of sun beds and umbrellas for shade and the pools temperature is controlled, perfect for the hot summer months.

It takes an hour out of my day to go for a swim and is already after a week benefiting my health, I can feel I have a lot more movement in my neck and shoulders already.
I used to belong to a gym in South Africa and used it most days and we had a decent sized pool in the garden, but gym membership in Dubai is very expensive and as I now spend half the year in the UK, it hasn't been worth it. This gym costs £400 a year and for a small fee I can take visitors with me.
I've also inquired about attending some sewing classes and have finally got round to taking my sewing machine and over locker in for service and minor repairs. I did a lot of sewing in South Africa, making bags and bunting that I sold for charity to raise funds for educational supplies, but since moving to Dubai, there's a ban on fundraising and even advertising charities unless they're registered with the UAE Government, so all my stuff has been gathering dust, but my plan now is to get back into the swing of making things to sell over in the UK when I'm there.
Having spent most of 2017 in the UK I was living in Jeans and t-shirts, I was in the UK in February and March for a month also during the snow and wore so many layers I could hardly move. It's nice to be back in Dubai for some warmer weather, sadly it will be too hot soon to enjoy the outside (other than using the pool over the road) but by the time the heat kicks in at 45c I'll be back in the UK for summer and I've decided I need to revamp my wardrobe.
Peter and I have 3 weddings this year in the UK. Our eldest son is getting married, Peter is best man at another, both in the summer and Peter's niece is getting married in the autumn which is going to be a casual affair.
I must say the last wedding excites me the most. No pressure on what we wear, attending as guests only with no responsibilities. For the first two weddings Peter is wearing suit hire and forms part of the Groom party with formal wear, it's not stressing me out what I'm wearing but I do feel a little out on my own when it comes to my choice of outfit, particularly with our son's wedding as I have to avoid the brides colours (red and yellow) and avoid clashing with the Bride's Mother (still don't know what she's wearing either)
Due to ill health over the past year, I've lost a bit of weight, as in I'm now back to the weight I was a few years ago, which means I've been able to wear so many more of my favourite dresses I've hung onto and I've had fun buying new outfits for the upcoming weddings, all of which are suitable for the occasions and for day to day wear in Dubai for popping to the malls, out for brunch or dinner.
I do need to invest in some new underwear and sort through my accessories
Dresses I've been wearing around Dubai and upping my expat game. It's so much easier to wear dresses in Dubai, teamed with a pair of sandals and I'm good to go. No need for jackets, coats or sensible shoes in case it rains over here.
Dress - Jasper Conran

Dress - Mr Price, South Africa

Gap


Dresses I've purchased for the weddings, as yet undecided what I'll wear for which yet and I'll need jackets and a hat and possible water proofs although the first two are summer weddings, they are both in the UK. Shoes are already sorted.
Jacques Vert

The Collection at Debenhams

Debut

M & Co

Dress Sea Salt, Jacket Quiz for the Autumn Wedding, need shoes but have yellow Hunter wellies should it be wet as the reception is in a barn.

However the dress I'm looking forward to wearing the most is this one, but I'm not sure for what occasion it is best suited, but we do have brunch this Friday.

Cheryl Arthur - South Africa


12 comments:

  1. Love seeing your colours including on your toe nails! Would choose some of those outfits myself and actually looked at a jacket similar to the mustardy one at the weekend but went for something different in the end. In fact, just realised I have injected a new colour so can write about that this week! Love hearing about your life as so very different to mine. Really enjoyed an insight into your wardrobe too and hope the weddings are all fun. #BestBootForward

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    1. different lives, not necessarily better though, same shit, different country lol. I love having my nails done, but I'd recommend Gel not shellac, as shellac peels off after a week, gel takes forever to get rid of, it's my one luxury every fortnight, not something i could afford to do in the uk though

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  2. These dresses are gorgeous! I love the colours. I'm doubly envious becasue I like to wear dresses but currently can't even wear winter dresses as I'm breastfeeding and it's a tricky business in a dress! Love the fact that you can customise and make with your sewing machine too. I had two sewing machines and my darling other half gave the wrong one to charity shop when we moved. Devastated!! I love the black dress with flowers from M&Co - I never think to go in there but I've seen a few people wearing lovely things from there. Thank you for #BestBootForward - ing once again this week!

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    1. oh no to the sewing machine, devastating. you'll not see me wearing many dresses in the uk, i'm too fussy about coats and shoes in case it rains then the look gets spoilt

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  3. The flamingo dress is gorgeous! I must get more colour in my life. I spend most of my time in black!

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    1. thanks, i'll be wearing it to brunch on friday

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  4. I also have 2 weddings this year. On consecutive days too. I'm loving the choosing. Whatever you wear, you will wear well. Thanks for sharing with #tweensteensbeyond

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    1. thank you Nicky. 2 weddings one after the other is a bit much for me, ours are 6 weeks apart and that seems too close

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  5. These are all the sorts of dresses I look at in shops, and wish I had an excuse to wear! I wonder if I know anyone getting married ... #tweenteensbeyond

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    1. I've taken to wearing dressing most days now, making the most of the weather while i can

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  6. That pool area looks great. I can't wait for the weather to change and to be able to go back to my morning laps #TTB

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    1. the pool is fab, i've really missed my swimming

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