CAMEL FOR WINTER

Winter Must-have
Wearing | Maxmara Camel Jumpsuit, Tory Burch Firenza Sandals, Mango earrings, Chloe sunnies

When you think of winter, you think of boots, chic mid-length and buttonless camel coats. The idea of strolling around town with a flowy coat,  thigh high boots, oversized scarf and coffee in one hand excites the fashionistas in all of us. Imagine all the cool snaps you’ll produce right? Well, unless you’ve just moved to the UAE,  you wouldn’t know that winter here is a bit different, it’s cold and warm depending on how you are exposed to the sun, in short, it is not cold enough for us to be sporting 10 pieces of clothing at once. This means that a pure lightweight material enough to keep us warm is called for. And I absolutely adore this V-neck Maxmara camel-hair jumpsuit which is perfect for the upcoming weather, other than it is thick enough to keep you warm, the color and design is also very versatile. Wear sneakers and or high heels with it, the material is so classy that it adapts to the occasion like a chameleon.

STAYCAY: VIDA HOTEL DOWNTOWN

Weekend Staycation
Location: Vida Hotel Downtown Dubai

There’s nothing better than escaping to a new city for a weekend retreat, however the hassle of dealing with airport check-ins and the cost of flights can often mean it’s just not time or cost effective. Whilst most cities don’t offer much in the way of a solution to this, Dubai truly has it covered and has created an entire micro-economy from the ‘staycation’ market. Recognising that tourism in the UAE slows down somewhat over the summer months, Dubai has actively marketed the staycation concept to its resident expat community in order to drive up occupancy rates in the hotels during the quieter season. It’s safe to say this pioneering initiative has been a massive success, with residents choosing to spend their weekends with friends & family in the comfort of some of the world’s most luxurious resorts… and just a stone’s throw from home. The hotels themselves enjoy a boost in off-season occupancy, the consumer gets a discounted rate on their stay and Dubai itself benefits by keeping its residents spending in and around the city instead of flying off to other lands to spend their hard earned cash.

FAITHFULL THE BRAND

Location: Cove Beach Dubai
Wearing | Faithfull from ShopBop

Still having a Maldivian hangover after my recent trip to Rangali Island in the Maldives. This bohemian piece from Faithfull managed to send off that tropical vibe and I’m quite glad I can still manage to produce content consistent to the tropical feel I produced from my recent trip.

AQUAHOLIC

Location: The Conrad, Rangali Island Maldives
Wearing | Dancing Leopard Dress 

COSMO AWARDS

Ecstatic to share that TheSandGypsy has been nominated by Cosmopolitan Magazine as Ultimate Lifestyle blogger along with UAE’s most distinguished Social Media influencers.

TROPICAL SENORITA

Location: The Conrad, Rangali Island Maldives
Wearing | Adriana Iglesias Dress, Mochi Earrings from the Spanish Collection

GYPSY IN RANGALI ISLAND

Location: The Conrad, Rangali Island Maldives
Wearing | White dress from Topshop, Knot belt from Faithfull, accessories from Bulgari 

ALILA HOTEL JABAL AKHDAR

This was my birthday weekend so we wanted to go somewhere extra special and we’d been advised to visit this mysterious land by many friends throughout our time in Dubai who had all returned with incredible tales and pictures of their adventures there. Two things stood out for me immediately from looking through their snaps and listening to their experiences. Firstly, was the beauty and diversity of the country’s natural landscape from the lush green mountain plateaus, to the technicolor coral kingdom’s in the South which bustles with aquatic life. The second was of the warmth and humility of the locals who are rich in culture yet humble & gracious in their ways. It was almost peak summer in Dubai so we opted to head for the cooler mountain region of Oman….the prospect of a chilled breeze running through my hair was sheer bliss!

EMIRATES WOMAN’S STYLE STAR

The Sand Gypsy is chosen amongst 3 top fashion influencers in the region to pick 3 lucky winners to star in a shoot for Armani Exchange that was featured in Emirates Woman Magazine.

To learn more, visit  http://emirateswoman.com/hot-competition-armani-exchange/

BOHEMIAN DRESSES IN THAILAND

Bohemian Dress
Location | Thailand
Wearing| Dress from Redtag, Straw bags made by the locals in Philippines, Gladiator shoes from Topshop

I spent my vacation in Thailand, two days well spent in Bangkok and flew to the island of Kho Samui where we spent a good four days which was filled with extra spicy Thai food, sunsets, wines and unlimited banter with similar travellers we met during our stay.

HARPER’S BAZAAR CAFE

Read more here:

http://bit.ly/1TwM9N9

VIVA MAGAZINE AWARDS 2016

What | Viva Magazine Awards 2016
Where | Waldorf Astoria The Palm
Wearing | Adriana Iglesias Suit, YSL Sling Bag, Zara Shoes

The recently concluded Viva Awards where some of the most recognized name in the beauty industry were in attendance was held in Waldorf Astoria The Palm. The event was hosted by Mona Kattan, Sheida and Nina Ubhi. The event’s dress code was glamorous and I opted to wear a suit from Adriana Iglesias. There’s something powerful about a woman in a suit, and I have included three of my favourite brands in the edit.

For more info, visit http://www.vivabeautyawards.com/

TSG’S NOMINATION BY STYLIST ARABIA

(Wearing Deborah Henning)

Stylist Arabia launched it’s very first Social Media awards wherein some of the top social media influencers in the region were handpicked and nominated to bag certain titles pertaining to the topic that each belongs to. There were 9 categories and THESANDGYPSY were chosen under Fashion Social media Star along with the most distinguished names in the region;  Shoestova, Fozaza, StyleDrifter, ZahraLayla just to name a few.

VANITAS – PALAZZO VERSACE

The Vanitas restaurant is located within the Palazzo Versace Hotel, the Renaissance-styled monolith that sits waterside within Dubai Creek’s up-and-coming Harbour district. The first thing you’ll notice when you enter The House of Versace’s latest extravaganza is the intricate & impeccable hand-crafted décor throughout. Within the lobby area itself rests a sprawling floor mosaic comprised of over 2 million hand-laid, marble fragments. These form an exact replica of the rug which sits in Gianni Versace’s Milan Villa… Now that’s quite the way to make an entrance!

This neoclassical emporium is home to a collection of stylish boutique restaurants, each boasting a different creative theme from street food to experimental concept fusion. Vanitas however, follows a similar line of styling to the hotel itself & its interior walls are lavishly adorned in hand-crafted artworks spanning the opulent, yet tasteful dining area. Following a warm welcome by the host we are taken to our table, as we walk across the room we catch the gaze of joyful couples enjoying candlelit cuisine together. To my right stands large French Doors which open out to a terraced area overlooking the Creek itself, on this occasion it was a little chilly for al fresco dining. This dimly-lit terraced area plays stage to some beautiful Italian renaissance statues that elegantly pose before a backdrop of the Versace Hotel & Creek, providing all the right ingredients for a romantic evening with a loved one.

Upon the recommendation of the host, we decided to try a selection of cuisines specially selected by the chef himself. Our first experience from the kitchen arrived in the elegant form of pan seared octopus, brimming with bright flamboyant Mediterranean colors. We were lucky enough to be graced with the presence of Head Chef – Andrea Gaea, who came from the kitchen to introduce himself and explain the imagination and history behind the vivacious dishes on display. Within a few moments of speaking with Andrea, it’s immediately apparent that his heart & soul, along with the heritage of Versace’s Italian homeland is lovingly reflected in each dish.

BOHO + SUEDE

(Leonard II round – frame acetate sunglasses, Melissa Joy Manning Earrings, Isabel Marant Sandals, Diane Von Furstenberg Clutch Bag, Balmain Lace-up canvas mini skirt, Acne Studios Shirt, Valentino Silk-Twill Scarf)

Wondering which fashion trend will be all the rage this 2016? Think metallic, mules, and slip on dresses… and oh! Suede! I love bohemian fashion, there’s something down to earth and genuine about it and I giggle everytime I see “Coachella” chicks in music festivals. However, it’s challenging to make the boho fashion look pulled together and a bit more serious. Suede pieces, however, when worn with classic silhouettes can transform the whole look.

COLLABORATION WITH TORY BURCH

Most young girls face similar challenges when they are growing up, not only do we feel pressure to conform with certain ideologies through what we see in the media but we often have to overcome pressures within our peer groups. With age comes wisdom however, and so we learn to admire and respect our fellow women for their unique strengths and qualities. It’s our individualism and personal attributes that make us powerful, not our desire to conform to perceived stereotypes. I believe we have a duty as women to empower the younger generation of girls and help them avoid the obstacles and pain so many of us experienced in our earlier years. For me, Tory Burch as a brand wonderfully encapsulates this spirit. My niece Eve, is only 4 years old and is already trotting around the house in her mummy’s shoes. It’s an amazing memory most of us can recall and cherish from growing up. Wouldn’t it be nice however if we could see our daughters running around the house trying to emulate the elegant, driven women we one day hope them to be, instead of the styles which do not place women in the best light. Tory Burch helps instill this vision in the mind’s eye of the next generation and it’s a brand any woman should be proud to wear. Born out of an entrepreneurial mindset and tailored for aspirational woman, it’s the dominant, yet chic styling of Tory Burch that makes the brand so appealing to women who have success on the brain.

Details of the competition is posted on Instagram @Thesandgypsy

OVER THE WEEKEND

Location: Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Wearing | Chloe Sunnies, Capritouch Sandal, BeachCity Clothing

AHLAN HOT 100

READ MORE: http://bit.ly/1Vf2mJj

MORNING YOGA

I have been practicing yoga inconsistently for 3 years now, recently however, I have always loved doing it close to the best rather than in an enclosed space like yoga studios. And you can imagine how happy I am that home in Dubai is just 10 minutes walk away from the beach. There’s something about the sound of the waves and fresh ocean air that makes my yoga practice more fulfilling.

 

TILAL LIWA HOTEL

Tilal Liwa Hotel is nestled in Rub Al Khali Desert in abu Dhabi and a good three-hour drive away from Dubai. The hotel was originally built to accommodate people who joins the camel beauty contest that takes place every last quarter of every year. People all over the GCC region travels to compete in the said contest.