Bye Bye Dubai.

The last morning of vacation always seems to end up with a bit of a breakfast binge for me. It's the last opportunity to eat what the hell you want, guilt free, thanks to that rule about calories not counting on holiday! Plus, of course, there's no worry of how you'll look in your bikini or slinky summer dress later that day, since you're probably just donning the baggiest, comfiest clothes you own, to board the plane home. Well if you're me, that's the thought process anyway.

So, taking all that into account, there was only one place I wanted to head for breakfast on our last morning. When I worked out in Disney World, a big group of us would head here after finishing up the late shift. We'd get our fill of super greasy breakfast and huge stacks of pancakes then we'd sit and chat until the early hours of the morning, stoked on by the unlimited re-fill coffee. Yes, I'm talking about iHop. For the non-Americans here, who may not know it, it's a chain of breakfast diners. Cheap and cheerful, albeit a heart attack waiting to happen.

After breakfast we went for a stroll around the Marina, then headed into the Marina Mall. I did a spot of last minute panic buying shopping, snapping up some essentials in Boots (something I majorly miss out here in Korea) and a pair of shoes since (as you know by now) I have so much trouble finding anything above a US 8 here. Somehow, we managed to eat again, really only because we wanted Yo Sushi, since it's another favourite from home that we're void of here!

I didn't take my camera out with me though, so all I have are a few (slightly cruddy - sorry) iPhone snaps, no picture essay today. I bet you're sad about that right? I mean you've only seen about two or three hundred pictures from this trip, and clearly, that's not nearly enough! Sorry about that ladies!

Blouse - H&M (similar)  //  Bag - Miu Miu  //  Sunglasses - Elizabeth and James

Sandals - Zara  //  Watch - Marc By Marc Jacobs  //  White Leather Bracelet - ShopDucklingToSwan

I think I've already told you enough times how awesome I thought Dubai was, so I don't need to say it all again. I had an incredible break and I just hope I get the chance to be there again someday. For now though, it's back to reality and the regular scheduled blogging.

It's almost Easter, so naturally, a little themed manicure is on the cards this week. Thanks for reading, I hope you'll stop by again soon! :)

xxx

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Aquaventure and Shades Bar // Dubai

I know some of you are really enjoying the Dubai diary posts and I'm sure others....well...there's only one more day left, so hold tight!

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you've probably noticed I'm somewhat of a big kid. I like more than my fair share of childish activities and often eat candy until the point of near sugar-comatoses. So naturally, I just HAD to visit one of the water parks in Dubai. Sadly, the day we'd saved to go ended up being a little overcast and a tad on the chilly side. That didn't stop us though, we headed to Aquaventure at Atlantis on The Palm. We spent the day riding the slides, messing about in the lazy river and paddling in the ocean. I didn't take my phone or camera in with me, so sadly (or not?) I don't have many photos from the actual park. When we were finally exhausted we headed back to our hotel, via Starbucks to grab a couple of iced coffees to perk ourselves up, and then got ready for the evening.

We decided we'd play dress up and make ourselves feel a little more adult again. We grabbed a quick dinner since it was already late, then went on for drinks at Shades, a beautiful bar in Dubai Marina. It's by the edge of the infinity pool of The Address Hotel, affording it incredible views of the Marina and the sky scrapers clustered around it. That's another bar to add to my list of favourites then.

Elevator OOTD  //  Breton Striped Sweater - H&M  //  Fairfax Sunglasses - Elizabeth and James   
White Pashli Satchel - Phillip Lim  //  Gold Sandals - Topshop (Similar)

Arriving at Aquaventure at Atlantis.

Exhausted and ready to head home after a whole day riding water slides  :D

The view of Dubai on the way back from The Palm

Picked up an iced latte and giant cookie for a much needed caffeine/sugar hit before the evening.

Evening arm candy  //  Watch - Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom //  Leather Bracelet - ShopDucklingToSwan
  Bangle - Marc Jacobs via 6pm  //  Gold Bracelet & Tassel Necklace - HRH  Collection

Walking to the Marina

Shades Bar at The Address Hotel

Cocktails and sweet potato fries. Yummy.

  Blazer - H&M (similar)  //  Cut-away Black Suede Heels - ASOS (similar)

We left the bar late, back to acting like big kids again...but that could have been down to the cocktails.

Hilton Resort - Ras Al Khaimah // Last Lazy Days

I'm rolling days three and four in to one slightly picture heavy post today. 

The thing is, you know how it goes on these kind of breaks...leisurely breakfast followed by a day by the pool, napping in the sun. Maybe a stroll on the beach and a dip in the ocean, if you can muster the initial motivation to lift yourself from your sun lounger that is. Perhaps a sundowner cocktail at the beach bar. Then, to the room to shower and dress for dinner. Cocktails, wine and far more food than you'd ever normally think was acceptable to eat. Maybe a nightcap in the piano bar then back to your room to sink into the luxuriously soft and downy bed. (I have to ask, how is it that hotel beds always feel so much comfier than my own?! Where do you get those beds from?)

Sleep, wake, repeat. Glorious, unhurried relaxation!

As wonderful as it was (oh boy, it was!), I'm itching to show you what we got up to in Dubai now though, so here's (a fraction of) the photos I took on days three and four. 

That leisurely start was getting later each day.

Lace dress - Similar  //  'Fairfax' sunglasses - Elizabeth and James

Essential highbrow poolside reading.

Mustered up the energy for a dip in the pool.

Sundowners at the beach bar.

Sequin Clutch - Zara  //  Tassel Necklace - HRH  //  Hareem Pants - Next  //  Blazer  - Similar

By The Beach // And The Expat Phenomenon

After literally doing nothing but lazing in the sun on our first day we decided that day two was a day for a little exploration. The Hilton Resort Raz Al Khaimah is set on it's own huge private bay with pristine white beaches to walk along on both sides. We spent our morning wandering around and paddling in the sea, had lunch at one of the many beachside restaurants and then retreated back to the sun loungers for the afternoon. Wouldn't want to exert too much energy after all, not when we're on holiday!

Woke up to this awesome view of the pools and private bay at the hotel.

Strolled along the beach 

Played in the sea