A Dubai resident from London has decorated her Business Bay apartment with a pink-and-white Barbie theme that celebrates all things fashion.
Seher Farooq, founder of XO Consultancy, a marketing and event management company, says her home is the “ultimate girlie apartment". It reflects her personality and is the ideal place to invite girlfriends over for movie nights.
The UK citizen moved to Dubai 17 years ago and has lived in the spacious 1,100-square-foot Business Bay apartment since 2018. She pays Dh65,000 ($17,700) a year rent. Ms Farooq takes The National inside her home, which has counters stacked with perfume, make-up kits, handbags, flowers and pink and white cushions.
Tell us about your home
I was one of the first people to move into the building in 2018. The one-bedroom apartment is 1,100 square feet – the size of most two-bedroom homes in Business Bay.
Why this area?
The transport links are fantastic. It’s a five-minute walk to my office, which is also in Business Bay. The proximity to Downtown and DIFC, where my clients are, makes it convenient.
I feel Business Bay is not as saturated as Downtown, which I can reach by just walking over the bridge. The proximity to the canal means there are a lot of walking areas and cafes.
Where did you live before?
I’ve been in Dubai since 2008 and have lived in International City, Marina, Al Garhoud and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
I was sharing a flat with friends in Business Bay before I moved to my own apartment in 2018. I’m a sociable person and I’m used to living with people, but finally decided to branch out as I wanted to have my own space and decorate it the way I wanted.
How much rent do you pay?
I’m paying Dh65,000 a year and recently renewed for another year. The facilities are great. There is a pool, gym, salon, two supermarkets and a restaurants downstairs.
I have explored other areas but rents are astronomical for an apartment this size. I like entertaining and when my girlfriends come over for movie nights and dinner I can comfortably have 10 people in the apartment.
Most people can’t host that many people in a one-bedroom flat.
Is it a sociable neighbourhood?
A lot of my friends live in Business Bay and Downtown, so this is perfect.
How have you made it a home?
My apartment is a representation of me. When you share a flat, you don’t get to put your own stamp on it.
This is the ultimate girlie apartment. I love fashion and this is like my Barbie Dreamhouse. My bedroom is like an extension of Sephora – it looks like a beauty counter in a mall.
I love experimenting with make-up and have all my products on display. It’s my release from the stress of work.
I enjoy spending time at home because it’s a reflection of everything I love, like the famous Prada sign that girls will remember from the Gossip Girl series. My friend had it made for me and it has pride of place in my living room.
Is it value for money?
Absolutely. My friends who live in one-bedroom apartments in Business Bay are paying Dh90,000 to Dh100,000 a year.
Is there anything you would change?
The amount of traffic is increasing at an alarming rate. When I first moved into the building, there was only one development on the road, now it’s full of buildings.
The construction has a knock-on effect because pedestrians can’t walk on the paths and you end up walking on the road. That is one downside.
Do you plan to stay longer?
I’m comfortable here. I’ve invested money in the space and furniture.
I don’t see myself moving out unless I shift to a villa or townhouse to give myself significantly more space.
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Esperance: Belaili 38’
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The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
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1. Fasting
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3. Hajj
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The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
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Joker: Folie a Deux
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Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
