Welcome 2013..

I don't understand why people make new year's eve a big deal, why restaurants or even resorts increase there rates for that one night. It's just another night following a new date only this time with a new year. It's not like in 2013 humans will start flying!
I wanted to book a dinner at a restaurant in Atlantis for the 31st dec (just like everyone else I thought of actually celebrating the new year this time). So usually and by usually I mean 364 days a year (except the last day of the year) the rates are 190aed per person for that particular restaurant I was interested in but when I called them for the 31st dec there rates had gone to 995aed per person. Well not to my surprise it was fully booked, so I then asked for the 1st of January and they said they have availability so I asked them how much is the rate and they said its 190aed per person! I completely fail to understand the reason behind this it's not like the fireworks go on in the restaurant.

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.  ~Hal Borland

Happy New year!

Things to do in Dubai

1. The popular landmarks of Dubai like Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, The dancing fountain at downtown Dubai and ofcourse The Atlantis. Each place has its own attraction. In Atlantis you will also enjoy the water park in which you can also swim with the dolphins
2. Shopping - Now here I don't mean going to the malls (you have that every where). I'm talking about Dubai's  local bazaar like Souq Naif, Meena bazaar, Satwa and of course Dragon Mart where you will find all items made in China .  
3. Arabic food - Even if you have never had it you will definitely fall in love with it. The hommus, kebabs, vine leaves, arayes and especially the mannish at Al Reef Bakery. They are all too good! 
4. Shisha - You will find it in every corner of Dubai with many different flavors. You can also buy the shisha itself as a souvenir to take back home even if you don't want to use it.
5. Desert Safari - This is a fun filled day in the deserts of dubai where you enjoy desert safari, dunning and yummy arabic food. You can do this through companies like Arabian Adventures that provide full day safari packages. 
6. Dubai Museum
7. Dubai Ice Rink at the Dubai Mall
8. Bab Al Shams

And the list just simply goes on...
Enjoy your stay!

*The pictures are taken from google images

DUBAI

Dubai; the place I totally love; for the first time does not excite me as it once use to. This is my home country, the place where I was born and brought up, the place that holds a lot of memories for me. I come here nearly twice a year and every trip is exciting as if its my first time but this time I feel like I've left something behind. For the first time I am missing my real home; Dublin. My space, my routine and most importantly my husband. The second he left me at the airport and went to the transit section to catch his flight from dubai to dublin I just knew that this was the wrong decision.

Anyways.. its been quite a while since I last posted I don't know what keeps me so busy. Hopefully this time I will be regular.

Crystal Bangles

This is a must have for all the ladies out there!
I personally have stacks of these bangles which I bought for myself cause I absolutely love them. They are handmade using shiny crystals from some part of the world. They will definitely add some shine in your life and make you stand out of the crowd.
They are available in most of the stores and online but I purchased mine's from adverts at a very reasonable price.
Go check them out and add some *Bling* in your life!

                               My personal collection

Tayto Park

We finally did make it to Tayto Park the last weekend and it was great fun. The weather was just perfect with the sunshine coming and going; finally made use of my chopard shades:)
They had some free stuff like glitter tattoo which I got one for my daughter and one for myself and then  there was also balloon scultping where they would make a shape of certain things like flowers, animals etc out of balloon... pretty cool I would say.
We had taken our own lunch; they do have a restaurant there but we just wanted something homemade. They had really nice picnic  spots where you can just sit and enjoy your food. There was a little open zoo and since my daughter gets very fascinated with animals it just made her day.
The entrance fees is €12 for adults and I think €6 for kids, and under 3 are FREE!!

Tip: An adult does not have to pay the entrance fee If and ONLY IF they use their tesco vouchers. If you visit http://www.tesco.ie/clubcard/deals/  and click on 'days out' there's an option of Tayto Park. The only thing is that it takes a week for the coupon to arrive so one should have this done before going to the park if they want to avail this Superb Value!

Will try posting some pics later on.
Enjoy
Xox

Oh and we got some free pack of crisps when we left:)

Fridays!!

Friday seems to be such a long and tiring day.. being the last day of the week and  especially with this weather around it just doesn't get any better. Well the weekend is finally here and me and my husband decided that we will sit in and just relax but I guess that just never happens. We will be taking my daughter and another family, who has a son the same age as my daughter,  to Tayto park on Saturday. Hopefully the weather will be a lot better and we will see the last bit of some sunshine:) as it is already the beginning of september and autumn is here to come:(

Enjoy the weekend guys..

Xox

Back on track

It has been quite a while since I last posted something on my blog, well I just got back from a never ending vacation and have been settling into the usual routine life. It takes a while for that to happen specially when you've been on a break for nearly 3 months.. but it's always nice to be back home!
My daughter sireen seems to be all big now and is now running around and getting her hands on everything.. literally! Well I'll keep posting regularly now..hopefully
Xox

Settled

Wow it did take long to finally settle everything down in the new house. Shifting houses is definately not the easiest thing to do and does take a good time to move from one house and then settle into the new one. it's always the small things that take time!
There's so much to catchup on now specially with my montessori course and then I started another one called 'Become a mumpreneur' by Erica Douglas. Well it wasn't the best time for me to join as I am still working towards the end of the previous course but it was the last batch so didn't have much of a choice.
It's a good course.. it keeps you going and makes sure your on track with becoming a mumpreneur!
Xox

Montessori

I was just doing some research for my montessori work and happened to come across someone who created montessori work for her own kids. Looking at her work really fascinated me and I really hope when my daughter grows up I can do all those fun things with her!
Here's the link to her page: http://mymontessorimoments.com/
Enjoy!

Happy bday baby!

I can't believe your 1!! Time just simply flies and you dont even realise and they start going to school, college etc.
It's been a beautiful one year and I wish you all the happiness and the bestest of health in the world!
Xox
papa & mama

Moving houses

We have been looking for houses for the past few months and have finally found one according to our requirements.. it's not easy to find houses especially when your trying to look for 2 ensuites close to the city centre. We'll be moving out in the next week so this whole week will be gone by just packing..packing and some more packing.. (make sure you label your boxes when packing it comes very handy)
 Here are a few points I feel its important to look for in a new house:

• Space (Alot of storage space especially if you have kids)
• Easy to maintain
• Kitchen utensils (Dishwasher, washing machine, dryer..)
• Close to a grocery store (This is a must!)

And if possible lots of sunshine coming in the house when and if the sun is ever out in this country!

New to blogging

Reading different types of blogs and seeing all the hype about it grew my interest in starting my own blog.

Starting it wasn't difficult nor was choosing a name for it but now I wonder what to write in it.

Well the name choco mum came from the fact that I absolutely love chocolate and will have anything that has chocolate in it, and that Im a mom of a baby girl who will be turning 1 on the 31st Jan.

"Little girls are precious gifts wrapped in love serene. Their dresses tied with sashes and futures tied with dreams" - author unknown

Hello!

I don't cry over spilt milk, but a fallen scoop of ice cream is enough to ruin my whole day.  ~Terri Guillemets

Hey everyone, this is my very first blog and hopefully you guys will enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing it..

Keep in touch
XoX