Tag Archives: Seashells On The Palm

Best After School activities Dubai

Top 5 after-school activities in Dubai | According to a mini-survey of parents at King’s Dubai

Hamilton Aquatics 

Suitable for all ages

For more information, visit

Hamilton Aquatics

Where: Different locations

Tel: 04 450 8832

Email: coachmorris@hamiltonaquatics.ae

 

Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club 

Suitable for 3 years and above

For more information, visit

Dubai Olympic Gymnastics Club

Where: HRH Sheikha Hind Al Maktoum Sports Hall | Jumeirah 

Tel: 050 765 1515

Email: dubai.gymnastics@gmail.com

 

Centre for Musical Arts (CMA)

Suitable for 5 years for group classes and 6 years for individual classes

For more information, visit

Centre for Musical Arts

Where: Gold & Diamond Park (facing the First Gulf Bank Metro Station)

Tel: 04-341-8872

Email: enquiries@cmadubai.com

 

Tiffany’s Dance Academy

Suitable for FS1 and above

For more information, visit

Tiffany’s Dance Academy

Tel: 050 259 9379

 

Mathnasium (Different locations)

Suitable for 4 years and above

For more information, visit

Mathnasium

Where: Different locations

Tel: 04 421 6939

Email: uae@mathnasium.com

Motherhood | Party Camel | We talk to owner and mum of 2 Aisha Leitner about her new booming stylish party website for children, Christmas, christenings, weddings and much more.

Aisha Leitner is the stylish mum of two beautiful children, Aliyah aged 6 and Kian aged 5.  She is originally from Kashmir but moved to the UK at 16.  After completing her studies in the UK she preferred to move away from the rain to warmer climates.  In 2001, she moved to Dubai to work with Emirates Airlines working in the HR team, and travelling the world was a dream come true.  After meeting her German husband, they decided to choose Dubai as the place to raise the children, and set up a business known as Party Camel, a brilliant ones-stop stylish party shop with items from brands also known to be stocked in famous stores like Harrods, London.  She has certainly inspired me to put together better parties for the children, Christmas and Easter.

Which area of Dubai do you live? 

The Lakes. We have recently moved here and lived at the Shangri-La hotel residence for more than 10 years prior.  We are loving the “suburban” life as my husband likes to call it. The Lakes is a great community, ideal for families with small children as all facilities are available including after school activities and we love biking everywhere.

Which curriculum did you choose for your children? 

After much consideration we opted for Dubai International Academy. It was a tough choice between this school and Kings Umm Suqiem. We decided on the IB curriculum for our children after much deliberation and we love the school they are at. It’s  very multi-cultural, they get to study German as part of the curriculum (my husband is german) and the best bit is, they get to walk to school. Which I am delighted about.

How do you juggle being a mum of two and managing your own business?

With great difficulty, I really struggle to find a balance between work, spending time with my kids, my husband and my friends. (Me time doesn’t exist anymore) But im getting better, organization is the key I find and starting the day really early.

What inspired you to create Party Camel?

My kids, I love planning parties for them and trying to make their birthdays as special as I can. I always struggled to find stylish partyware and accessories in Dubai. In the end I decided to stop complaining and open a party shop, and ive been loving every minute of it.

What kind of services does Party Camel offer if let’s say I wanted to plan something for my 5-year old daughter?

We aim to be a one-stop party shop for all your needs. We offer of course all the partyware from cups, plates, napkins, decorations and party bags and more. All in one place, and you can order form the convenience of your sofa, we deliver the next day within the UAE. In addition we can do personalized party printables, and recommend awesome vendors where you can book a birthday cake, entertainers, catering and photographers.

What 5 tips would you give to a mum planning their child’s birthday?

Get organized at least one month before the party.

Choose a theme with the birthday child, it helps tie everything together.

Personalised party printables really do add the finishing touches to any party and make the birthday child feel extra special.

Hire a photographer if your budget allows or ask a friend to take pictures, as precious memories. This then means you are not running around trying to take pictures yourself but can rather relax and enjoy the party.

Finally invest in a good cake, either your time in making one or money buying one. Cake is important, do try to have your cake and eat it on the day. And most of all enjoy the whole process.

For more information please head to Party Camel to order for your next party.

Beach accessories |the wit and the will |Online boutique

Reader Discount: 20% if you quote ‘SEASHELLS’ available until 10 December.

On a recent holiday to Mauritius, I had to pick up some accessories for the beach, and came across a lovely brand recommended by a friend from the UK, thewitandthewill.com.  The online boutique is the creation of British-desinger, Zoe, who bases herself out of Singapore.

Her designs are unique, and her photographs are really created for a wanderlust adventure on the beach.   I don’t have time to be a trendy mummy but I still want to look good.  Running around with 4 young children is quite challenging so these beach kimonos and kaftans are so easy to thrown on, and they don’t cost the earth to look the part which is even better.  the wit and the will ships to Dubai, and yes it took a whole 3 weeks via snail mail (that’s because of the postal system here) but it worked and I was impressed to have received it.  If you order now, it should arrive in time to give for Christmas presents.  Most items costs from £48 to £68.

For more information check out thewitandthewill.com

Birthday venues Dubai

Birthday Party Venues | Dubai

Planning yet another birthday party for one of my children.  Every year, I tell myself ‘never again’, when it is over.  It didn’t take me too long to cave when my daughter told me that she is turning 5 just before Christmas – a real milestone.  I always want to choose a different venue but I try to remember it is her party, not my party so here are firm family favourites after a big family discussion, and most of these venues guarantee to exhaust your children which is the real aim of the game.  

1. Adventure HQ | Galleria Mall

Telephone: 04 343 5110

 

2. KidZania | The Dubai Mall

Telephone: 04 448 5222

 

3. Ski Dubai | Mall of the Emirates

Telephone: 800 386

 

4. Cheeky Monkeys | Different Locations

Telephone: 04 388 1135

 

5. Al Manara Fire Station | Al Manara

 

6. Kids Club | Atlantis The Palm

Telephone: 04 426 1387

 

7. Kids Theatre | Vox Cinema, Mall of the Emirates

Telephone: 04 385 4440

 

8. Cafe Ceramique | Town Centre Mall, Jumeirah

Telephone: 04 344 7331

 

9. Caboodle | Different Locations

Telephone: 04 325 3367

 

10The Play Mania | Mirdiff City Centre

Little Explorers & iFly