Sunday, March 6, 2011

Mid East beauty!





During our girls' Mid East adventure in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Bahrain we decided to participate in the local customs/fashion although the only place we were really required to wear a scarf was on a mosque tour.





I was fascinated by the variety of Muslim fashion. Some girls sported skinny jeans, Louboutin stilettos, a cute long-sleeved top with a headscarf or hijab, others wore the long black abaya covering all their western fashion plus a hijab
and almost everyone carried fabulous designer bags.

Shopping is the #1 past time in the Emirates with the worlds largest
and most spectacular high-end malls!



Makeup was almost always smokey eyes and pretty lip color
framed by the black hijab. I picked up some kohl that's popular for rimming the eyes.


I noticed that many girls covered their hair completely
and some showed just the front of their hair.



The most interesting trend was the "bump-it" or the way the hijab rose high
at the back of the head.

Did they really have that much hair to pile up in the back?

I was fascinated since it was such an elegant look!

Finally our Abu Dhabi hostess told us that they clip a very large flower
above their ponytail to create the volume!
So, that's the secret!


Before we left, I watched Amenakin's how-to videos on tying hijab scarves.
She's fun and creative with them! Here's her site:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Amenakin

Photos:
#2 cooltrendhairstyle.blogspot.com
#3 & 5 muslimgirl.net
#6 thehijabworld.com



Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Mid East Adventure!

After seeing " Sex and The City 2" I was excited to be invited along on a fab girls' trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain!
We had an amazing desert excursion outside Abu Dhabi!


The 4 girls on the dunes



This is the desert camp we stopped in for a little sheesha, dates and Arabic coffee!

Riding a jeep over the dunes was like the best roller coaster ride ever!
Gliding down the peak of the dune felt like
we were flying a magic carpet!


One year old Amelia charmed everyone
including our friend from Abu Dhabi!
Children are so cherished in the middle east!


The keeper of the camels. He looked like a movie star!



Us girls in our abayas and hijabs
supplied by the mosque during the tour.
The Abu Dhabi mosque is the largest in the United Arab Emirates!




Our extremely informed and gracious
tour guide/host at the mosque.



Spectacular!



Danni, sister of our friend Sammie, our amazing hostess in the Emirates.




"Ski Dubai"
A ski resort/slope in the Emirates shopping mall!
They have an Apres Ski cafe with a
digital fireplace and a ski shop!


Old Dubai as seen from our hotel




Modern Dubai skyline



















The Burj Al Arab, a seven star hotel...........and the
Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, a half mile high!







Emirates airlines!



Amelia and her Bahrain friend!




Catherine and I with our new South African friends at
"Sunday brunch" on Friday, the Muslim Sunday!




Bahrain peaceful protests underway!






and the reason for our trip......

to see Michelle's brother, Bill, and Catherine's husband, Dave, both deployed in Bahrain!