Story Time: Mulling over Mules

I’ll be honest, I’m not very tall. So for work events, I’m always in Mules or a little heels – basically anything that would “elevate” me slightly higher than the ground. So, come March – it’s event season in Dubai (I’m a PR girl) I’m at events and I’m constantly in flats. And it’s a fun story.

So, last year – just before Christmas (roughly 2 and something-ish months ago), I slipped and fell down the stairs in the cinema. INSIDE the cinema. While walking down to leave. I fell long and hard. Tore a ligament on my left ankle. I’ll tell you this, VOX cinema staff at MOE (Dubai) is lovely. They were really nice and quickly got the paramedics to check. It was awful. I was in a cast and absolute misery for over 3 weeks.

My mood swings were beyond me – I was very upset. For someone who’s always running around, moving about and doesn’t have “standing still” in her list of to dos, it was a new battle. Mostly internal but very dramatic. Obviously, it gets better, my brother was in town for a couple of days, and he wanted to go for the movie – and bear the drama that ensued following my fall. Needless to say, he was the one who had to run around like my flying monkey for water, remote and things I would conveniently forget by the time he grunted, rolled his eyes and came to answer my tenth call of the 20 minutes. Yeah, I am not holding my breath for the ‘best sister’ trophy this quarter.

But, this story and the mulling gets better. Just before I tragically slipped and tore my ligament 10 days before, I was at my friend’s wedding – and during this ceremony where the bride’s friends steals the groom’s shoes my other friend’s golden heel went straight in my right big toe. Ouchie. We cleaned it up, I was flying the next morning, so between a hangover, that pain and general wedding exhaustion was served on a platter.

At the wedding and at the event – same golden mules.

The next day I had an event and wore the same (golden mules) to it – being the forgetful bird I am – I forgot to clean them. By the end of the night, my big toe was twice it’s size and at least 8 times more painful. It turned out to be an inflammation. It involved a painkiller injection (my trypanophobia is a whole different story), anti-biotics and me being off my feet for 10 days. The procedure, pain and prescribed pharmaceuticals ended on Tuesday evening. By Friday 6.30 PM, my other leg had a cast.

Look, I’m very clumsy. I have always been – mostly my legs. Actually, mostly to my right leg. I had stitches when my mixer’s blade fell on my right big toe, or when my friend & I fell and I fractured my right ankle. Monthly twists, falling on flat surfaces (no alcohol/heels necessary), or just simply attempting to walk does it. But, it’s always been on my right foot – so my left one is the strong one. So, when I broke my left – my right was just in shock. It was still recovering from the unfortunate inflammation – and now being the main bearer of my entire being.

For the first couple of days, I was just hopping on my right foot, when the full cast went in, for a whole day – I was just remembering so, how am I supposed to even walk? I couldn’t put one foot infront of another. I’m still in a little pain – but it takes a while and I don’t really have an option so… here I am – mulling over mules.

7 Best Wedding Locations in the United Arab Emirates

When it comes to Indian weddings, there is one thing for sure, there are lots of ceremonies, grandeur, red and glitter. From the little details to the much bigger ones, everything about them – whether big or small- requires a lot of attention (and some “relative” scrutiny). But, since the bigger things lay heavier on the mind, we will help narrow down your wedding venue options in the UAE very quickly.

Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

There are several properties in Abu Dhabi that would be ideal, but Ritz Carlon Grand Canal Abu Dhabi stands out. With an essence of Italian Renaissance in their architecture, it blends in beautifully with the traditions of the Middle East, and the elaborate sparkle that Indian weddings require. Along with their luxurious accommodations, beachfront spa, several fine-dining restaurants, their Venetian-inspired hotel grounds overlooking the canal and Grand Mosque elevate romance to new heights. They have indoor and outdoor venues that are designed to host up to 1,000 people including a beautiful wedding hall, a sprawling lawn, the hotel olive garden and a canal-front beach.

Speaking to Roshini Daswani, a Bahraini fashion and lifestyle blogger, who got married at the property, she said, “I have always loved the Ritz Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi property, it is so opulent and grand. It was always a dream to get married there, and I knew that only their hotel could meet our needs for our dream wedding. It’s a huge property, and I wanted to have all our events in one hotel, so it becomes easy for our guests. The best thing about the UAE as a wedding location is that the properties are all so opulent and the staff are very polite and hospitable.”

FIVE, Palm Jumeirah

Surrounded by azure seas with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina Skyline, FIVE Palm Jumeirah would be the perfect place to host your wedding. Offering a selection of grand and intimate weddings, the hotel has a choice of different sized venues, including its 14^th floor Vista Ballroom, and a selection of world-class restaurants to provide the catering that is synonymous with luxury and style.  Their team of wedding experts are excellent and will take all your stress away very quickly.

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah

A hidden gem, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, probably caught your attention with Mohit Marwah’s wedding. The hotel has several choices for venues, the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains, as well as the hotel’s impressive staircase and a promise of magnificence alluring in every corner. The entire hotel feels like a palace, complete with marble fountains, spectacular chandeliers and huge wedding halls to host all kinds of gathering.

Oberoi Al Zorah

The recently opened gorgeous property is located in Ajman amongst mangrove forests and white sand beaches. Setting tone for more intimate weddings, the venue offers their ballroom that can host up to 250 guests for the wedding functions, along with an adjoining outdoor garden area. There are also al fresco venues on the beach and poolside lawns that can host up to 120 people.

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island

Offering picturesque locations and memorable views, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island has not one, not two but thee resorts to choose from; including the beachside haven at Al Yamm Villa Resort, an African inspired retreat at Al Sahel Villa Resort or contemporary luxury at Desert Islands Resort  & Spa. You can choose between having a beachside wedding, or one between the island’s exotic wadis or the classic ballrooms studded in flamboyant luxury.

Intercontinental Fujairah

The beachfront property located on the shoreline of Al Aqah Beach boasts a beautiful backdrop of the sparkling Arabian Sea that will add to your wedding pictures. Curating perfectly unforgettable memories for your wedding, the hotel makes for a sophisticated venue with their beautiful ballroom that you can overrun with your selection of colourful flowers, followed by the pheras on the beachside.

Address Boulevard

Located in the heart of Dubai, the Address Boulevard Hotel makes for a stellar wedding venue. With a vast array of sophisticated catering options and ballrooms, your wedding will become even more momentous. The hotel offers packages to suit your unique needs and even the most discerning attendee (we all there is at least one).

7 Reasons why I binged watched Netflix’s ‘The Crown’

After hearing people rave about Netflix’s The Crown, and watching all the trailers on YouTube, I decided- let’s watch this show. I do enjoy period dramas, after all.

I had little knowledge of what it was going to be about- mostly how Queen Elizabeth the second was crowned. Think the title and the picture gave it away.

Anywhoo, last weekend, I binge-watched the show. From the very first episode, I was gripped. I didn’t want to pause and take a break. That’s always a good thing when a show can do that to you- also not really because then that’s all you are going to do for the next 10 hours. (It’s 10 episodes, and each is about an hour long).

If you ask me, I can argue for the many reasons you have to watch the show- especially, if you are a history enthusiast. But, in 7 quick reasons (complete with gifs), here’s why I binge watched it.

1. Matt Smith
   
   If you’ve seen Doctor Who, you’ll know him. And while many argue that David Tennant was the best Doctor- I strongly disagree. It was Matt Smith for me. His eccentric expressions and being was the perfect doctor. But, in The Crown he plays Prince Phillip. His expressions (and bum) are worth the 10 hours.
2. The entire cast
   
   Netflix chose Britain’s best when they decided to cast for The Crown. Whether it’s Claire Foy as the Queen, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and John Lithgow as Winston Churchill- it is a stellar selection.
   And the real fact is, Claire Foy could have done the show by herself, and I would have still watched it.
3. The grandeur
   
   It isn’t just the Buckingham Palace I’m talking about, but the general scale of the show was magnificent. While it is also Netflix’s most expensive show (and I’m talking 130 million pounds), the costumes, the interiors, the coronation crown were delicately selected- down to the smallest detail of the flowers in her wedding bouquet.
4. How Elizabeth handled patriarchy
   

   

   

   

   

   Patriarchy is something that has been long prevailing in our world. Even the Queen of England was subject to it. She torn between her family, her husband and the State.My favourite part has to be when she called in the Prime Minister and the Lord to give them a hearing of their lives.

5. The Romance
   
   
   While there’s a lot to learn about Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip’s 69 year old romance, the show gives a lovely insight on the ups and downs of their relationship. While their romance forms the backdrop to the show’s story line, it’s Princess Margaret and Captain Townsend’s romance you need to watch out for.
6. Obsessions with the Royals
   
   Okay, I won’t call it obsession, but if you are intrigued by the Royal family-  I mean I have always been. I watched Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding religiously while it aired live- and I read every article leading up to the wedding and after. SO, if you are anything like me, you will enjoy watching the show and how real their lives can be.
7. The Drama
   
   One always wonders and paints it like a fairytale that being a Royal would be fantastic and rosy. The Crown puts into light the best and the worst of Britain’s Royal family. Like the wedding of Queen Elizabeth to Prince Phillip- that no one actually approved of, Princess Margaret’s affair with Captain Townsend and how it played out, the arguments between the Queen and Prince Phillip, and such.