I spy with my little eye... a Colour Crush.

I usually choose the colours for my nails according to my mood, I don't pay attention to trends or collections, I just go with the flow. The fact that I do my manicure myself doesn't really help me following trends anyway, but I did fall in love with Bourjois's collection "Rendez Vous a Paris", all of it. The brand will always remind me of my first blushes, I can't forget their iconic round box and I love their story, did you know that in 1863, the brand was creating make-up for actors and stage performers? 

Getting back to "Rendez Vous a Paris", here is what I liked: first of all, the formula is easy to apply, not too runny. Second, it is resistant. I hate chipping nail polishes, doesn't look neat, and I don't want to spend an hour painting my nails every time I cook. Third, the colours are perfect for summer: pastel but punchy, bright but discreet, fresh but not fluo, love them. Fourth, the trendy names; they are poetic but still colour names (Adora-bleu, Amande Defile, Coton sur Ton, Oh so Rose, Peach and Love, Prepp'hibiscus, Taupe Modele).

My two favourites would be: Amande Defile and Coton sur Ton.

More information on Bourjois here.

I spy with my little eye... The Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Don't forget to register for the Chelsea College of Art and Design Interior Design Short Courses in May. The institution is bringing it's specialists from London to deliver a set of Interior Decoration courses for private individuals or companies with themes such as: "The principles of interior design", "Starting an Interior Design Business", "Lighting Design for Interiors", "Decorating your Villa or Apartment" etc... 

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... a Coffee with modern Pin-Up Colette Griplas.

I met the foxy Colette a year ago and I was instantly blown away by her energy. Colette is the designer and partner of Specsaddict, an eyewear retro brand. The glasses/sunglasses are designed by the vintage Colette, produced in Dubai and tailor-made as they do prescription lenses. I, personally love the Art Nouveau model, hello cats eyes! Two cool facts about Specsaddicts: they deliver worldwide for free and you can try the designs online as there is an application that links to your webcam (retro, yet modern!). The brand is constantly evolving with Colette's style and discoveries, for example, she recently created an exclusive collection in partnership with lovely emirati blogger Amna.  

Meet Colette, my favourite Pin Up...

HOB: If you could live in a painting, which one would it be?

C.G.: I would live in The Birth of Venus by Botticelli...I would want to be Aphrodite!

HOB: If you could live in a different era, which one would you pick and why?

C.G.: La Belle Epoque in Paris - the dawning of a new era of fashion, music, philosophy and art.

HOB: What piece of clothing reminds you of your mother/father?

C.G.: A well cut jacket reminds of my mother, and berets remind me of my father.

HOB: What scent takes you right back to your childhood?

C.G.: The smell of the ocean air and a BBQ on a summer afternoon.

HOB: When do you feel on holidays?

C.G.: When I can lose myself in the person I am with - someone else or myself.

HOB: What designer would you take with you on a camel ride?

C.G.: Ohhh, Tom Ford...I wish I was a gay man!

HOB: Your favourite recipe to make?

C.G.: Chocolate and beetroot cupcakes.

HOB: Best piece of advice you were ever given?

C.G.: "Do not ask God for advice if you are not prepared to move your feet". And my Irish grandfather used to tell me that "hair, teeth and shoes" were the secrets to success. 

HOB: What book changed your life?

C.G.: The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy.

HOB: The movie you've watched already 30 times but might watch again tonight?

C.G.: More recently Searching for Sugarman, or an older fave is Moulin Rouge.

HOB: Three favourite spots in Dubai?

C.G.: Um, nowhere! Ok - Talise Ottoman Hamman, Safa Park and my bed.

Check out Specsaddict website and contact Colette here.

I spy with my little eye... more Chanel on my coffee table.

Yesterday Garspard Ulliel, Joshua Jackson, Yoko Ono, Lulu Gainsbourg, Tilda Swinton and Anna Wintour moved in with me. Merci Chanel for this concentrate of style.

I spy with my little eye... Fashion Forward!

The 4 days event is a platform to expose, exhibit, discover, talk, watch, touch, discuss regional fashion designers, which means, lots of fashion shows and talks. Ready, set, style!

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... the preview of the Little Black Jacket.

After Tokyo, New York, London, Paris, Berlin and Milan, a big Merci to Chanel and Carine Roitfeld for bringing a little bit of Frenchness to Dubai with "The Little Black Jacket". The exhibition is fabulous: being in that cosy black space it feels like it's raining portraits. The visitor literally doesn't know where to look, it's an immersion into Chanel's black and white elegant world. I appreciated the negative room, it reminded me that behind the fashion I was looking at a piece of art and that photography is very technical. 

My favourite piece? The hidden self-portrait. Semi-Coco, semi-Carine. Catch her if you can.

The exhibition will be open to the public from the 27th April until the 11th May at the Venue Downtown.

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... the last Market of Everything.

Traffic is hosting their last Market of Everything for this season. If you like second hand, niche designers, DIY projects and thriftshopping, don't forget to visit this great space on Umm Sequein Road. The market will exhibit designers (Amanda Zocca, Aurelie Burette, Bbeautiful, Caravan, Colour in the street, Feline Friends, Specsaddict, Shoreditch Muse, Rustic Bead etc...) but also performances, talks, and good times! Have a look at the program here and head there this Thursday evening, it will be open until the 4th May.

For more information on the event, click here.

I spy with my little eye... the Little Black Jacket by Chanel.

Merci Chanel for the invite, I will be there.

I spy with my little eye... a new French Cafe.

It's official, Comptoir 102's cafe opened on Beach Road! Why did it take me so long to visit that place? It is officially my favourite store in town. Let me explain: the place is owned by 2 tasteful french women: Alexandra de Montaudouin and Emma Sawko who decided to open a concept store "a la francaise". The idea is to bring french aesthetics to Dubai through interior design, art, jewellery, clothes, accessories, and now food. Alexandra and Emma work with a lot of different designers and artists to create a dynamic ambiance in their shop: the items are not just displayed, they tell a story, it feels like home and the collection changes quite often so it is worth passing by on a regular basis, which won't be too much of a problem now that their macrobiotic cafe is officially open. Comptoir 102 now offers a terrace and an indoor space where you can grab a coffee and an organic, gluten and fat free snack designed by Chris Clark, Head Chef, nutritionist and macrobiotic expert. 

I love the cosy vibe of the place, the smile and the taste of the lovely owners and the fact that they brought a little bit of France in Dubai. Follow my advice and JUST GO!

For more information visit their lovely website here.

I spy with my little eye... the Siddharta Lounge.

Following my previous post on the Bel Air Pop Up, here are a few pictures from Sunset at the Siddharta Lounge. Given the fact that we are enjoying our last days outdoors, we stayed on the spacious terrace to enjoy the beautiful arabian Sunset. The service is quick, efficient and smiley, I specially appreciated the fact that we were able to taste the wines before choosing, it's this kind of the little details that make the difference, and I can't remember being offered to taste anywhere else in Dubai except at La Petite Maison, so a big Merci to Siddharta for their warm welcoming and impeccable service.

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... an Art Pop Up.

After work and before you go out for a drink, take a few minutes to pass by the Bel-Air gallery pop up space until the 4th May at the Grosvenor House. The space is intimist and cosy with different ambiances: pop art, surrealism etc... The exhibition exposes a variety of different yet colourful artists, from Dali's sculptures  to Hughes 3D paintings. The quality of the art is refreshing and the way it's been curated is very european, very cosy. It's the perfect spot before a drink at the Siddharta Lounge to watch sunset.

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... the European Post Surrealism Masters.

Bel Air Fine Art Gallery is bringing the european painting/sculptors masters to Dubai for 10 days. 130 artworks will be displayed at the Grosvenor House in the Marine from the 18th April until the 4th May. 23 well-known artists from all over the world, pieces by Salvador Dali, Patrick Hughes, Richard Orlinski, Julien Marinetti and Chayan Khoi..., all picked from the Neo Pop Art and Post Surrealism movements. An exhibition not to be missed.

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... X-pose magazine.

A few months ago I met Michael Kruger, fashion photographer, traveler, life enthusiast and images creator. I loved his energy right away. We worked together on a corporate photoshoot, finding settings, coordinating people and keeping the spirits high. It was a pleasure working with someone professional, who loved what he was doing and was full of ideas. Mike's work is pretty eclectic, but you can get a good idea of his persona through his online magazine X-Pose. The idea behind the magazine is to expose emerging artists: designers, models, photographers, make-up artists, writers, bloggers... The issues contain photos but also videos and interview. It is an explosion of inspiration.

To have a look at the whole issue, click here.

I spy with my little eye... an exciting Project.

This week I met with the lovely photographer Lindsay Kirkcaldy to work on an exciting photo project. I met her on the Modals photoshoot at Garderobe last year and we got along instantly. She is sweet, calm and full of ideas. She immediately saw something in HOB, she had an idea and it just happened that HOB filled the brief, out of nowhere. A coffee and a few emails later, we were ready to go. So expect something vintage, stay tuned...

I spy with my little eye... Pantry Cafe.

Last week-end my good friend M. decided to go try a new place, so we headed to Al Wasl square to have breakfast at Pantry Cafe. 

First reaction: I love the vibe of the place. It's warm and welcoming, not over-the-top, not huge but the children can still run around and have fun. 

Second reaction: the menu is simple but lots of organic ingredients, I like it. 

Third reaction: wow! the service is fast and efficient, within 10 minutes we had our orders!

Fourth reaction: the portions are generous.

And finally, yes it tasted very good for a reasonable price. I am definitively going back and I highly recommend it!

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... a Toast.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to my Father today. Cheers to you Papa!
And a big Merci to the lovely L. for this memory of the British Polo Day.

I spy with my little eye... a Fashion Pop-Up.

B51 is opening their second pop up in Dubai tonight at Unit 26 of the Alkersal Avenue in Al Quoz so if you are fed up with the big freezing malls and uniform fashion brands, that's where you want to be. B51 brings to Dubai a selection of 30 international underground designers for 10 days only, time to work on your spring wardrobe Ladies!

For more information, click here.

I spy with my little eye... the World Cup.

The World Cup, for the neophytes: the Dubai version of the horse races. It's huge, it's eccentric and it's over the top. Last year was my first time experiencing it, (remember this post), I had a great time but this year the logistics were clearly against me. I was suppose to go, then I wasn't, then I was, then I wasn't, then finally at 6pm, I was. No need to say my energy was a little bit down at that stage, but what do you say when one of the best stylists in town, and may I add, one of the most inspired people I met here so far, rings you and tells you she has a VIP ticket for you (if you don't know Farah yet, go have a look at her work)? You just say yes, that's what you do. Then you put on your vintage hat, vintage skirt and Chanel pumps, get a shot of sugar and pray to find a cab in the next 15 minutes. And this is how I ended up on a balcony, on the 7th floor, overlooking the racecourse. No journalists, no weird outfit, no fur (yes, I did spot fur last year, by 30°C, that's right), just lovely company, champagne, and the races. You can actually follow the races from up there. Follow and be loudly enthusiastic. So no cover of Grazia this year, no best dressed, but an other (amazing) experience of the races. 

I spy with my little eye... the Cure.

I keep on bumping into the Cure team but I never really had the occasion to visit them in Media City. I am usually not a spa bunny: I do my nails myself and I am convinced that all you need is, well, love, yes, but you might want to add a moisturizer to your daily dose of love, just an idea. Other than love and body lotion, I am really bad at exfoliating, massaging, peeling and all those other things ending up with "ing" that you can do to your skin. That being said, the team was always so lovely I thought I would pay them a visit. So I booked myself for a "full body scrub". I was quite surprised by how small the place was when I arrived but then I remembered it was more of a salon rather than a spa, plus a interior design makes it quite a cosy space. I did like the headphones to listen to tv while getting a mani-pedi. It might sound like something pretty normal but in Dubai, reading on fashion tv presenter's lips happens more often than you would expect, so thank you The Cure for your common sense.

Now getting to the full body scrub... well it was more than effective. From my neck to my toes, no part of my body was forgotten. It was energetic and efficient, the lady made sure I wouldn't leave the place with a millimetre of dead skin. I will definitively recommend it, although safety is not guaranteed: I did ask her to be a little bit more gentle at some point. An efficient, straight to the point salon. I like it.

For more information, click here.