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Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Thursday, February 27, 2014
The Life-In-Abu Dhabi Calculator - Chapter 1 Visa
I have been frequenting this forum where questions are posted about what needs to be done to go here in Abu Dhabi, or what is the average salary that could keep you comfortable living here or just how much everything here in UAE costs. So I have decided to break down necessary parts of living the life of an Expat here in UAE with numbers.
To continue reading, click here.
To continue reading, click here.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
North East Bound
With the summer activities geared up for launching, Dubai initiated it with surprises for the whole family. One big event lined up is their Dubai Summer Surprises 2012. So how does an expatriate like me celebrate this occasion? what else? Head to Dubai and shop ...or not.
Like DSF, the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is a month long celebration of activities for the family. For most families who will be staying in the country for the entire duration of summer vacation, most malls offer great great discounts on most of its stores and plenty of activities for the kids. At least that's what the news says. To prove if it does offer great discounts, we head north east and visit engaging Dubai.
Hubby have always wanted to visit Mall of Emirates since the last time we went there, unfortunately, when we entered the parking area he made a wrong turn and we ended up going out of the mall again, since the streets of Dubai is always confusing for the bother of us we ended up in Dubai Mall. However, this time he came prepared, no, not with a mall map, he was just careful on the turns. Officially our first stop is Mall of Emirates.
We had no particular item to be purchased our purpose to enter the mall is just the window shop. Anyway, it didn't end up that way. When we saw the huge sign of the word sale up to 70% at Home Center no second thoughts, we breeze in. My husband plan was not to take a basket or cart while doing window shop inside the store so we don't have to buy beyond what we can carry. Again, that didn't work either. We went out of the store using the cart. *wink*wink*
The discount sale was not yet in full blast, but the discount were already good. The sale would run until July 14, 2012. We have a few more days to save up and shop before this festival closes.
Like DSF, the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is a month long celebration of activities for the family. For most families who will be staying in the country for the entire duration of summer vacation, most malls offer great great discounts on most of its stores and plenty of activities for the kids. At least that's what the news says. To prove if it does offer great discounts, we head north east and visit engaging Dubai.
Hubby have always wanted to visit Mall of Emirates since the last time we went there, unfortunately, when we entered the parking area he made a wrong turn and we ended up going out of the mall again, since the streets of Dubai is always confusing for the bother of us we ended up in Dubai Mall. However, this time he came prepared, no, not with a mall map, he was just careful on the turns. Officially our first stop is Mall of Emirates.
We had no particular item to be purchased our purpose to enter the mall is just the window shop. Anyway, it didn't end up that way. When we saw the huge sign of the word sale up to 70% at Home Center no second thoughts, we breeze in. My husband plan was not to take a basket or cart while doing window shop inside the store so we don't have to buy beyond what we can carry. Again, that didn't work either. We went out of the store using the cart. *wink*wink*
The discount sale was not yet in full blast, but the discount were already good. The sale would run until July 14, 2012. We have a few more days to save up and shop before this festival closes.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Get High by Shopping in Dubai
Just
when the Christmas and New Year fever subsided and the pockets are
already empty, Dubai announced their annual DSF 2012. I remember, last
year, I just started my job when the DSF started, Imagine how sad I was
when every store and malls in Dubai must be screaming with huge
discounts. Oh, and DSF simply means – Dubai Shopping Festival.
Like
in Singapore, they have the Great Singapore Sale annually celebrated on
the last week of May until the third week of June, Dubai has the DSF.
This year it started on January 5, 2012 and will be ending on February
5, 2012. This one month super sale is for all malls and shopping stores
in Dubai. Since, I was not able to grab hold of anything cheap last
year, this year I came prepared to conquer Dubai.
We
left Abu Dhabi a bit early on a Friday. Unfortunately we got stuck on
one of our purpose in going to Dubai, we were looking for the Dubai
Marina Yacht Club. The Interchange in Dubai is very confusing. Anyway,
our first stop was supposed to be Emirates Mall. Unfortunately again,
we were not able to go inside the mall. We didn’t have trouble finding
the mall, we got inside the parking area and my husband made a wrong
move we ended up going out of the mall again. Basically we just sniffed
the parking area of Emirates Mall. For outsiders like us, the road map
is too complicated to check again and again. So we decided to go
straight to my favorite mall, Dubai Mall.
Once
inside the busy mall, I was so overwhelmed. Every store hung red
posters with the word emblazoned in white color word SALE. The mall was
discount heaven. We went from one shop to another. And we have to
control ourselves from spending too much. Everything was bottom price.
Giddy! If you are a slippers addict, Havaianas are selling their basic
slippers AED 30.00 only. Even Billabong sells men’s slippers AED 30.00
also. Home Center in Dubai are also on sale up to 70% discount. Most
beach apparels and winter clothes are priced at the lowest. I’ll attach
some of our purchases which I must admit are pretty good buys.
We
didn’t spend the entire day at Dubai Mall, we have to leave early again
for some other commitments. With a sad face I have to bid the mall and
all stores on sale goodbye. Till the next year I guess.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Shopping the new Hobby in Abu Dhabi
It is a common fact that most countries in the Middle East women and men wore certain clothes that basically covers the whole body. Women wore the abaya while men sport the thob or the kondura 24/7 whenever they go out in public. And one would wonder why franchises of designer clothes keep on opening everywhere in Abu Dhabi? I wondered the same thing. But then again, expats are aplenty in the country to make the shops worry about having to close up soon. Aside from the locals who live here, expats from all over the world have made Abu Dhabi as their second home thus the continuous sales revenue. Local women, despite being covered can also shop for designer clothes and they can show it off when they have gatherings.
Special occasion or not, where does one have to go to buy that perfect outfit? Malls in the city could readily cater to such needs. Here are some of the malls frequented by many of the shoppers:
Marina Mall – located near the Yacht Club.
This mall houses plenty of designer shops. Shopping is not only activity you can do in this mall. A cinema that shows the latest and current movies is located at one end. And on the opposite end is the food court. The downside of this food court is that it only has a few restaurants and fast food chain. Right next to the fast food court is the entertainment area where kids can play around and take some rides. The mall also boasts of its grocery – which sells everything you need from electronics and appliances, to home accessories, to RTW’s, toys, clothes, fresh fruits and vegetables and the freshest meat. When your kids grow tired of the entertainment area why not try the skating rink. Or if you feel like being a recluse, find some coffee shop or restaurant at the farther end of the mall where you can have a cozy ambiance while sipping latte. For big events like anniversaries or perhaps a marriage proposal, the Tiara is always available to cater such a big event. This rotating restaurant is known for its cuisine and one of a kind view of the city.
Al Wahda Mall – If you are one of the few who prefer a more subdued mall, Al Wahda is the place.
This mall does not have a cinema, but still delivers the need of the public in terms of shopping. One of the best bookstores here in Abu Dhabi is also located here – Magrudy's. All kinds of books are readily available in Arabic and in English. If they don’t have it, they can order it for you with no additional cost. Another must visit store in this mall is Daiso. A Japanese store that sells every bric-a-brac you could imagine for a lesser cost. Located at the basement of the building is the Lulu supermarket. Like Carrefour, Lulu supermarket also sells everything you need at home and other family activities.
Khalidiya Mall – Home of Krispy Kreme donut store, Khalidiya boasts its homey ambiance, unlike the other malls, Khalidiya Mall, is not that big but still deliver the usual elements you need from a mall. The royal cinema is always updated with current movies and it is not crowded. The food court is a must place to hang out. Plenty of fast food chains surround the 3rd level of the mall. You can binge your heart out. Lulu supermarket is also housed in this mall.
Abu Dhabi Mall – If you feel like splurging on some shopping like within the month, this is the place. When the salary date is still quite far, you can still shop without using too much of your moolah. But then, if you have tons of cc you can go all the way. A crowd pleaser is the Aeropostale shop. Near Starbucks coffee shop, this American brand has the latest trends in apparel. From shirts, to pants, shorts and other accessories, this shop often gives sale promotions like buy 1 take 1 or 60% discount on everything. Another must visit in Abu Dhabi mall is the Sharaf DG. The electronic shops that always give good prices and if you are looking for an item that they offering but out of stock, you’ll definitely get it for free. Or something like that. Abu Dhabi Mall is also in tandem with Abu Dhabi Coop for the grocery stuff.
Shopping never goes out of fashion in Abu Dhabi, there is always a reason to spend that moolah. So let your CC out of their hiding and do the swipe-swipe now.
Special occasion or not, where does one have to go to buy that perfect outfit? Malls in the city could readily cater to such needs. Here are some of the malls frequented by many of the shoppers:
Marina Mall – located near the Yacht Club.
This mall houses plenty of designer shops. Shopping is not only activity you can do in this mall. A cinema that shows the latest and current movies is located at one end. And on the opposite end is the food court. The downside of this food court is that it only has a few restaurants and fast food chain. Right next to the fast food court is the entertainment area where kids can play around and take some rides. The mall also boasts of its grocery – which sells everything you need from electronics and appliances, to home accessories, to RTW’s, toys, clothes, fresh fruits and vegetables and the freshest meat. When your kids grow tired of the entertainment area why not try the skating rink. Or if you feel like being a recluse, find some coffee shop or restaurant at the farther end of the mall where you can have a cozy ambiance while sipping latte. For big events like anniversaries or perhaps a marriage proposal, the Tiara is always available to cater such a big event. This rotating restaurant is known for its cuisine and one of a kind view of the city.Al Wahda Mall – If you are one of the few who prefer a more subdued mall, Al Wahda is the place.
This mall does not have a cinema, but still delivers the need of the public in terms of shopping. One of the best bookstores here in Abu Dhabi is also located here – Magrudy's. All kinds of books are readily available in Arabic and in English. If they don’t have it, they can order it for you with no additional cost. Another must visit store in this mall is Daiso. A Japanese store that sells every bric-a-brac you could imagine for a lesser cost. Located at the basement of the building is the Lulu supermarket. Like Carrefour, Lulu supermarket also sells everything you need at home and other family activities.Khalidiya Mall – Home of Krispy Kreme donut store, Khalidiya boasts its homey ambiance, unlike the other malls, Khalidiya Mall, is not that big but still deliver the usual elements you need from a mall. The royal cinema is always updated with current movies and it is not crowded. The food court is a must place to hang out. Plenty of fast food chains surround the 3rd level of the mall. You can binge your heart out. Lulu supermarket is also housed in this mall.
Abu Dhabi Mall – If you feel like splurging on some shopping like within the month, this is the place. When the salary date is still quite far, you can still shop without using too much of your moolah. But then, if you have tons of cc you can go all the way. A crowd pleaser is the Aeropostale shop. Near Starbucks coffee shop, this American brand has the latest trends in apparel. From shirts, to pants, shorts and other accessories, this shop often gives sale promotions like buy 1 take 1 or 60% discount on everything. Another must visit in Abu Dhabi mall is the Sharaf DG. The electronic shops that always give good prices and if you are looking for an item that they offering but out of stock, you’ll definitely get it for free. Or something like that. Abu Dhabi Mall is also in tandem with Abu Dhabi Coop for the grocery stuff.
Shopping never goes out of fashion in Abu Dhabi, there is always a reason to spend that moolah. So let your CC out of their hiding and do the swipe-swipe now.
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