What to Expect from the Blog in 2015
6:14 PM |
| You might recognize this dining area. It's where I write everyday. |
This is my first post for 2015. I spent the year end and the beginning of the year doing inventory of items we want to keep and sell. It was difficult, liberating and nostalgic. Difficult, because each furniture has a story to tell. Each of these black and white photo frames has my personal shots of specific destinations that mean something to us. They are usually conversation starters with guests and each time I look at them, they make me smile.
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| This piano was a gift from husband, it has kept me company even during dark times, so I am taking it with me. |
The above dining furniture, we are taking with us. The photo frames, we plan to sell soon as well as my paintings. The below furniture will go as well as the rest of our appliances. So what will you be expecting from Travel Gourmande this year?
Happy New Year!
1:28 AM
Happy New Year! As I type this post, I'm enjoying a cheese platter with Ardenian Salami by myself. Yes, on my own. Dim lit living room with French music drifting in the air. My husband and baby are both sick and in bed already. Now that I'm off the nurse duty, I dressed up, poured myself a glass of wine and enjoying delicious cheese as we speak.
I found this quote on Pinterest and tweaked it. This is an image of our community fountain. I won't let tonight pass without sharing these goals here. Wishing you all an adventurous, inspiring, bountiful, prosperous, successful, healthy, peaceful and joyful 2015!
I raise my glass to you! Santé!
Bonne année!
Love & light,
Arni
What You Need to Know for Expat Pets in UAE
7:47 PM |
| He cozily slept on my baby's lounge chair when we weren't looking. :) |
One of the biggest decisions we ever had to make was for our 12 year-old tabby cat, Tiptoe. His left eye is now blind due to old age. Should he come with us or not?
He was only three years old when we adopted him. My husband and I were newly married and I was looking for a cat to take care of. A friend's friend left Dubai leaving Tiptoe an orphaned cat who was used to living in a luxurious villa. To his surprise, he was then moved and confined to a small apartment on the 6th floor of a building. He no longer had gardens to explore, but he adjusted fairly well. Throughout the years, he became a part of our family and he loved us like we were his parents.
Christmas Holidaze in Dubai
4:13 PM
How was your Christmas? We didn't do anything on the 24th evening, but we made up for it the next day. Here's a round up of our last Christmas in Dubai from left to right.
- The Christmas Tree at Dubai Festival City. We stopped putting up our own at home since we had a cat. Tiptoe loves climbing and tearing the tree apart.
- Anaïs' first Christmas. She was wondering at first what the fuss was about opening pressies. She enjoyed her toys and gifts.
- The wreath that I failed to hang on the door for the first time in many years.
- TWG tea shopping for gifts to friends. A lot of my friends are tea drinkers and they love it.
- My husband told me he didn't get me anything but I found a surprise gift on the bed on Christmas morning. So sweet!
- I bought a pair of Ninety Tassel Detail black leather boots from Dune London as a Christmas gift to myself . For many years, as seen here, I always wanted to buy a pair but never did. My last splurge before embracing a simple life.
- Christmas day feast at my friend Gail's house party.
- My first attempt at making pot roast for #7. I got the recipe from Ina Garten. It's a must-try, promise! Tender melt-in-your-mouth meat (this comes from a former 7-year vegetarian). The sauce is just soo good, it's a meal on its own.
- Lastly, it was a pair of Chanel sunnies that I spotted early this year and fell in love with. It was a gift I asked from Santa. He sent it. I guess I have been a good girl this year. :) It's currently on transit. Yay!
Apart from all the fun festivities and family reunions that spread throughout our news feeds, it made me think about "What Christmas means to me." After attending a church service, I thought about it and the word "family" stands out the most. Much as I miss my sisters and family back home, my now immediate family is my focus this year, as well as friends turned family that made our Christmas brighter. You are a part of this family too, as you have witnessed my highs and lows. Thank you for being here.
Being our last Christmas in Dubai, I sent cards by post to family around the globe which I haven't done for a very loooong time. I was very pleased that they arrived on time. Speaking about family..
I'd like to share this IKEA Spain video that really touched my heart and I leave you with this question.
What does Christmas mean to you?
Love & light,
Arni
