the boudoir.

Beauty Cabinet: Sephora Nail Polish Remover

2012-03-02T13:18:00.000+03:00

A must have for everyone! Its so practical! No more fussing around with cotton and nail polish remover. Just stick your finger in to Sephora's Express Nail Polish Remover and twist and turn a little, remove, and voila! Removes even the hardest of nail polishes. Tried and tested.

Fashion Suites at the St Regis New York

2012-03-01T15:00:00.000+03:00

Last June, two of New York’s most famous luxury landmarks have joined together to open a brand-new opportunity of luxury. Manhattan’s historic 5th Ave. is home to the St. Regis Hotel and Tiffany & Co., and now the new Tiffany Suite at St. Regis as well. Later the hotel collaborated with another famous fashion house to create the Dior Suite!

Tiffany Suite

Dior Suite

Travel Advice: Le Tre Gazzelle

2012-03-01T11:30:00.000+03:00

Le Tre Gazzelle in Milan, is your typical tourist cafe. It is located behind the Duomo cathedral, very near to Rosa Grand Hotel and Gelateria Vanilla. The reason I am mentioning this cafe is because we were told that they have alcohol free tiramisu and that it was really good, plus they use beef for the spagetti bolonaise. They've got good gelato too (all cafes do). This place is really nice to sit in whether you're alone waiting for your shopping companions while sip a cup of coffee, or have lunch/dinner while looking at the street's passerbys.

Exactly facing Le Tre Gazzelle is another similar cafe, which I sadly didn't get its name. I just want to say they have one of the yummiest thick hot chocolate I ever had. Very much similar to the chocolate you have with Spain's churros!

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012

2012-02-29T13:00:00.001+03:00

A very boudoir-ish collection I must say. The Dolce & Gabbana RTW Fall 2012 is dramatic. Lots of capes, lacy white and black frocks, corsets, colorful needlepoint florals, and black lace and velvets embroidered with gold thread.

New Hotel: W Paris Opera - France

2012-02-29T11:15:00.002+03:00

Opening Today.

The hip and trendy hotel brand W has opened its newest hotel in Paris. The 91 room hotel is located in the famous Opera area, near Galleries Lafayette and Le Printemps. W Paris's signature restaurant, Arola, marks the debut of Spanish Michelin-starred chef, Sergi Arola in France. The hotel offers spectacular views of the Opéra Garnier from its ground level and mezzanine floors.

hotel website

Holst + LEE Jewelry

2012-02-28T20:37:00.002+03:00

I love the ethnic looking Holst + Lee necklaces I have came across on Shopbop. I just had to get myself one. Based in New York City, Holst + Lee jewelry designers Natalie Holst and Rochelle Lee had a passion for art, fashion, and culture. They were inspired by the diverse people, places, cultures, and materials that they have encountered. The collection is popular and is fast selling.

Travel Advice: Cioccolati Italiani - Milan, Italy

2012-02-28T11:00:00.002+03:00

One of the most popular cafes in Milan is Cioccolati Italiani. You better get there early to avoid the long queues. The branch I have been to is near the Duomo, right next to La Rinascente's side door (the one facing Hotel Straf). It isn't your average Italian gelateria, it's more like Haagen Dazs, the Italian version of it. You get cakes, croissants, pastries, and coffee. Check out their other branches, that have seating and serve food.

Official Cafe Video

Address: Via San Raffaele, 6 (the Duomo branch)

Travel Advice: Shopping in Milan, Italy

2012-02-27T15:35:00.001+03:00

Wherever I go, as you may have noticed from my posts, I prefer visiting important historical sites and museums. I have not listed all shopping areas, as I just visited the main places.

Via Manzoni, a street that extends from Piazza del Duomo to Via della Spiga, another fashion street. Armani superstore is at the heart of Via Manzoni, and facing the store, is one of Milan's most prestigious streets, the fashionable Via Montenapoleone. Stores on the street include Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Guiseppe Zanotti, Dior, Sergio Rossi, among others. Via Sant' Andrea, is another extremely fashionable street, located in the mid of Via Montenapoleone. It has Hermes, Chanel, Gianfranco Ferre, Moschino, etc.

Visit the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle, which has a few good shops and lots of cafes and restaurants. You will find Prada and Louis Vuitton there. Also the Gucci Cafe.

Right next door is La Rinascente, is the best department store in Milan, it reminds me a bit of Harvey Nichols. Its located exactly on Piazza Del Duomo. The store has the best luxury brands. Don't forget to pass by their gourmet mart upstairs, where the restaurants are. And visit the downstairs section, for pots, dishes, stationary goods, and home accessories.

Keep on walking that same street, keeping Duomo Cathedral behing you, there will be more cafes and shopping. And check out all the smaller streets for more boutiques including the Abercombie & Fitch.

I'm not a fan of outlets, but my group went to visit Foxtown and Seravalle Outlets. Make sure to bring your passports with you if you go to Foxtown, you have to cross the border of Italy and enter Switzerland. Out of the two outlets, Serravalle Outlet is the biggest.

For more shopping info check this website.

Most Liked Oscars 2012 Looks

2012-02-27T12:30:00.000+03:00

I have to say, this year's Oscars kind of dissapointed me, there weren't that many eyecatching evening gowns. The dress that wowed me this year was Gwyneth Paltrow's Tom Ford gown. She couldn't have looked more elegant. Next came Angelina Jolie's Versace Atelier black velvet gown. It looked so vintage and so her. Last but not least, not that its a dress I really liked, we've seen it before, but I think Milla Jovovich made her Elie Saab gown stand out. It was perfect on her, and the exaggerated one shoulder made that dress happen for me.

Madame Sucre's National Day Cakes

2012-02-26T10:50:00.001+03:00

Madame Sucre's four National Day cakes, is what I ordered for our chalet National & Liberation Day gathering.

Tel.: 99515599

Nails & Co.

2012-02-24T12:44:00.001+03:00

The way Nails & Co., Al Nassar Tower branch, staff treat and pamper you, will probably be one of the reasons I might go back again and again to that nail salon. Owners of the salon had done a great shop with the Tiffany & Co. themed salon. They couldn't have chosen a better suited theme. What I like the most is that in every occasion, the salon adds an extra theme, like in Valentine's Day and Kuwait's National Day, that's a clever touch. The manicurists show great knowledge in nail polish trends, and I think its my first time to depend on the manicurist for nail color choices. I like that Nails & Co. didn't go for the usual nail color brands, but used other good brands, like Chanel and MAC among others. Another thing, Madame Sucre being the supplier of their yummy cupcakes, has won me as a frequent client.

Address: Al Nassar Tower, Fahad Al Salem St., Kuwait City

Tel.: 22258100/1

Other branches: Al Rawda Co-op and Mishref Co-op

Cookie Pizza

2012-02-24T11:29:00.000+03:00

The yummy Nutella Pizza from Cookie Pizza.

For orders call or SMS them at 94938452

A Visit to Bait Ahmad in Al-Mubarkiya

2012-02-23T11:14:00.001+03:00

My friends wanted to visit Bait Ahmad for days now, to tell you the truth I only heard of it through twitter, I don't know what it was. I wouldn't have found it alone either in the Al-Mubarkiya area. The shop is tucked away, more like hidden, between the Iranian carpets and the Afghani shops. They couldn't have chosen a better spot. It looks so in place in that area. The shop has lots of home accessories, clothing, antiques, etc. The decor os the shop is eye catching. Things that caught my interest were some dresses and the silver painted jugs with silver cups. I got myself a beautiful Mongolian shawl.

Travel Advice: Hotels to stay in - Milan, Italy

2012-02-22T10:30:00.003+03:00

Park Hyatt Milano
My biggest regret is not staying in this contemporary luxury hotel. I liked what I saw when I went for a visit. Its located in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
The Gray
A contemporary art deco boutique hotel that is also very close to Galleria Vittorio Emanule and faces Hotel Straf, where I have stayed in Milan. This contemporary design is also just steps away from the Duomo Cathedral.

Bvlgari Hotel Milan
Luxury hotel located very near to Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, and the La Scala theater. The hotel has a beautiful garden.

Armani Hotel
Located between Via Montenapolione and Via Manzoni. Go back to the post I wrote a while ago about the hotel.
Boscolo Hotel Exedra
Extremely modern design boutique hotel. Excellent location. Very close to the Piazza del Duomo.

Maison Moschino
A fairy tale themed design designer boutique hotel where each room has a different tale to tell. If you want to try something new and you're the adventurous kind this four star hotel is for you. And its located close to Leonardo's The Last Supper.

Heavenly Bagels

2012-02-21T15:34:00.006+03:00

Ordered Heavenly Bagels as something new to have for breakast at work. Although too heavy, the bread itself is, it was delicious. I chose the Simple Scrambled, Sunny Side Up, Twisted Halloom, Luscious Labnah, and Chunky Crunch (which is crunchy peanut butter and jelly)breakfast bagelwiches. The favorite of the bunch was the Sunny Side Up which consists of a sunny side up egg, melted cheese, and sprinkled with zaater. Divine! The halloom bagel was the next favorite. You can choose from bagel types and choose how you want them to be, whether crunchy or warm soft. You can also choose from a list of spreads you want the bagel to include. Bagels aren't only for breakfast, they've got chicken, meat, and fish bagel sandwiches.

Tel.: 55444303/55444313

A Visit to Things by November

2012-02-20T11:00:00.001+03:00

I have no words to describe my love to anything by November Boutique. Therefore, only pictures will do.

Address: Al-Tilal Mall, Kuwait

Giambattista Valli Haute Couture '12 Collection 2

2012-02-16T11:00:00.003+03:00

Giambattista Valli is one of the most beautiful names in the world of fashion. The creations of the brand are always artistically feminine. A piece by Giambattista Valli is a true investment. The latest haute couture collection is not different. A beautiful collection made of chiffons, laces, pinks, blacks, and whites. This is how we remember haute couture to be.

Travel Advice: Giacomo Arengario Restaurant - Milan, Italy

2012-02-15T15:30:00.003+03:00

A new restaurant that opened last year and became an instant hit with the Milanese very popular that you need to book at leat two days ahead is Giacomo Arengario Restaurante in the low seasons. The restaurant was designed by Roberto Peregalli and Laura Sartori Rimini in the 1930s style of the Fascist building. The owner Giacomo Bulleri and his family are well-known restaurenteurs in the area. Its located above the Museo del Novecento in a building overlooking Piazza del Duomo. You will find food you like here. Try reserving a table at the terrace to enjoy views of the piazza and the cathedral.

Bvlgari sparkling water and complimentary bruschetta

Ravioli dish

Veal dish

Address: Via Marconi 1 angolo Piazza Duomo

Tel.: +39 02 7209 3814

Rice Pudding Factory

2012-02-13T11:00:00.001+03:00

Rice Pudding Factory opened right next to Starbucks and the small Nuzha co-op a week ago. Pudding is my thing, and if its rice then I'm diving right in. For now you can only access it throught the co-op. They've got two kinds of warm puddings, caramel & paralines and chocatulla (nutella) puddings. There are five cool flavors, vanilla, cacao, tiramisu, raspberry cheesecake, and cookies & cream. I've tried the vanilla, raspberry cheesecale and the warm nutella. They were all so delicious! My family loved the vanilla the most, I on the other hand loved them all. You can also add toppings.

Opening times: 11am - 11pm

FedoraMi S/S 2012

2012-02-12T15:00:00.000+03:00

FedoraMi is a Milanese handbag brand that started in 2011. All the bags are handmade by Milanese craftsmen using real leather. The brand's second collection, the spring/summer 2012 was inspired by the 1960s and 70s, is out now. The colection's Ishi bag is a result of a collaboration between FedoraMi and Ani Lee, a fashion designer. You can shop the collection through their website.

Experience Breakfast at CUT in 45 Park Lane - London, UK

2012-02-12T11:00:00.005+03:00

With exceptional service and a superb location CUT, at 45 Park Lane Hotel (London), is the ideal venue for a spot of breakfast, from light starters such as ruby red grapefruit to more substantial dishes like salt beef hash cake with poached organic eggs, crispy leeks, and sauce Béarnaise.

Breakfast served: Monday to Saturday: 7am - 10:30am
Sunday and Bank Holidays: 8am - 10:30am

To book a table:
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7493 4554
Email: restaurants.45L@dorchestercollection.com

Travel Advice: What To Do in Milan, Italy

2012-02-11T15:57:00.002+03:00

Other than having gelato and Italian food, Milan is rich in history, especially the artistic kind. This city is famous for its exhibitions, art, design, and fashion. Its better if you check out what exhibitions will be on at the time of you visit.

When staying in Milan, Italy, its better that you get a hotel close to the Duomo Cathedral, as every place worth visiting is very near the Piazza del Duomo.

The number one place and the most important thing to see in Milan, if you're an art fanatic like myself, is Santa Maria della Grazia, where lies Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper at its refectory.

If you still want to see more of Leonardo de Vinci works, visit the Ambrosiana Library and Bramante Sacristy where you will find the Atlantic Codex. You can purchase tickets to visit all of of these places (includes the Last Supper) at this website.

The Duomo Cathedral should be on your list of places to visit, have a look inside and get a ticket (you'll get tickets outside on the side of the cathedral) to go up to the roof. You can also pay museum a visit if you're interested, its in anoher building across from the side of the cathedral.

Not far from the Duomo is the Teatro alla Scala, the famous opera house, book a show and visit its small museum.

At the end of Via Dante, a famous street, is Castello Sforzesco or Sforza Castle is another Milanese landmark worth visiting. It had been occupied by Milan's strongest families. Inside the castle is the museums very worth the visit because like the Santa Maria della Grazia church, inside is another gem. Michelangelo's final unfinished masterpiece is found inside. In addition to one of its rooms having Leonardo da Vinci frescos.

San Siro Stadium is the city's pride, everyone flocks to the stadium at the time of a game, even if they're not soccer fans.

Brera Art Gallery and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum (located near the Duomo on Via Manzoni after Theater Scala and before Armani) are in my opinion the two most important art museums in Milan if you don't have the time to visit all other museums.

Other churches you might want to look at are Basilica of Sant Ambrogio and Church of San Lorenzo Alle Colonne.

The segway tour is another way of roaming the important streets of Milan and you can book your ride through Viator.

If you want to a whole day trip outside of Milan, there are lots of choices. Popular choices are Lake Como, Lake Maggiori, Venice, Cinque Terre, and some Swiss villages.

Travel Advice: Finger's Restaurant - Milan , Italy

2012-02-10T13:30:00.000+03:00

If you want popular and hip, book a table in Finger's. Its the place to dine and be seen in, and if you're lucky enough like we were, you might get to meet some of Milan's famous soccer players, its the place they go to! I would never think of dining in a Japanese restaurant when visiting a food haven country like Italy, but the restaurants in Milan, like the previous Armani Nobu and this one are a must in you food itinerary. Finger's has opened in 2004 by a Brazilian/Japanese chef, and has already hosted parties for Armani, Gucci, and Calvin Klein. Book a table at least a week in advance or even before visiting Milan, and make sure to ask for a table outside or in the first section and not after the kitchen area. And make sure to try their maki rolls!

Opening hours: 8pm-midnight and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Mondays.

Address:Via San Gerolamo Emiliani, 2
Tel.: +39 02 541 226 75

Dukkan Al Downtown at Emaar Boulevard - Dubai, UAE

2012-02-07T11:00:00.003+03:00

Snog

2012-02-06T19:31:00.000+03:00

I must be the last person who came across SNOG, weather in Kuwait or in the UK. I love gelato like you have noticed, I'm not a frozen yogurt person, have it occasionally, once every five months. But when I came across their super cute shop in Souq Sharq, I couldn't help but enter to try their organic fro-yo. I'm a boring fro-yo customer. I go for the smallest size fruit flavored fro-yo, strawberry or mango, without any toppings. I chose strawberry, mango isn't in season. This post is soley for the purpose of checking out the cute interiors.