Tag Archives: Shopping

Celebrate Mother’s Day at West Edmonton Mall

Celebrate Mother’s Day at West Edmonton Mall

Do you have plans this Mother’s Day?? Whether you want to celebrate and treat your mom or you need a break from being a mom Head on to West Edmonton Mall for their fabulous Mother’s Day Event.

WEM-happymother'sday

Mother’s Day Garden Party

Head to  Level One  in front of Victoria’s Secret! What you’ll be able to experience includes (but not limited to)

  • Rain Salon and Spa Pampering
  • Crabtree & Evelyn Product Demos
  • Hudson’s Bay Mini Makeover
  • Gap Giveaways
  • Fleurs Flowers Giveaways
  • DAVIDsTEA Tea Samples

Saving the best for last….drum Roll……..

The first 150 moms will get a swag bag filled with goodies from Hillberg & Berk, Cookies by George and more.

I’m loving all these things that every mom deserves to get.

Making life Memorable at West Edmonton Mall on Mother’s Day!

 

Uniform Deals

Uniform Deals

Everyone has been frantically shopping all over Kuwait for all the requirements of their kids starting school again.

I find it so funny that no matter how well you try to be prepared the final few days before they start is inevitably crazy & hectic.

I have been extremely good about planning and making sure I manage every aspect of the girls back to school routine and needs. From supplies, back packs, labels I’ve even stocked up on items like meatballs, chicken fingers, potato balls and spinach balls in my freezer. Those are staples I have for lunchbox items.

Yet there was one thing that I had to keep lingering not because I didn’t get around to it but because I’ve been waiting to hear what the school policy was on their new uniform.

As may other parents were also heading to every shopping location available in Kuwait to find their last minute pieces here’s a little list of finds, deals and good to know.
deben
The best deal you can find on School uniforms (navy pants/skirts/shorts, white shirts/polos, Navy sweaters & cardigans) is at Debenhams. They have a set of two skirts for KD5 & KD6, Buy 2 get one free. They also had the same deal for shirts & socks. They have 3 main locations Souq Sharq, Avenues and the Gate Mall. They also have the Airport branch but they don’t have the uniforms there)

You can also find the same items at Marks & Spencer, my personal favorite is the new one in Salmiya next to Symphony mall. They also have the gray variety of uniforms if you need them. As for the girls’ school they currently changed their polo color to Light blue which luckily I found at M&S, a Pack of 2 polos for KD 5.500.

You can also find a selection of school uniforms at Baroue. Luckily they also have light blue polos in case anyone’s looking… The quality is not comparable to those of M&S but sometimes we do need those in quantity so our heart doesn’t sink everytime they come back with pen marks that are embedded for life. Each polo was KD1.990.

If you’re looking for just regular white polos and navy pants/shorts I also found a great selection at Centerpoint. Also at extremely reasonable prices.

My last recommendation is a store called Okaidi. It’s at the avenues beside That al Salasil bookstore. I found lovely navy skirts there that fit the girls wonderfully but I found them to be a little pricier than all of my other purchases. Each skirt was around KD8.900. (yes I’m a frugal mom and admit it….probably one of the very few that will be vocal about it in Kuwait!)

So here’s hoping you’re all squared away with your children’s school uniform and I’ve made the journey a little easier for you.

Now I have time for Making Life Memorable. instead of shopping!

Taste Of the Holidays

Taste Of the Holidays

The Holiday season is by far my favorite part of the year. Festivities, events, great company and good food!! What more can one ask for??

I’m kicking off the season with my first event of them all! A Tasting event at my shop. Visit us for treats, hot cocoa and a fabulous gifting experience.

The original Basket Boutique at Kipco Tower is ready to be your host. Share the fun and bring your family and friends.

Tasting event

It’s Costume Season

It’s Costume Season

After the rush of “Back to School” is all over and I ever so gladly welcome the routine of a so-called organized life (HAH! made myself laugh) the fun begins!

Yes I’m intentionally going to ignore the endless drives back and forth, school drop-offs and pick-ups, homework and extra-curricular activities and I’m going to talk about FUN stuff like Halloweeeeeen!! coloriage-halloween@coloriage_lapinoo_com_

What a fabulous holiday that lets me get dressed up all crazy!! Oh and the kids too….

Every year I keep thinking how am I going to outdo myself this time?? Especially now that I have to think of not just myself (as a couple) but also for the girls!

I take events very seriously and try to be really creative.

It’s a mix of wanting to be unique and the lack of variety when it comes to shopping for costumes in Kuwait.

I mean so seriously that last year I couldn’t find the right wig for my costume so I went and chopped my hair!
 

Recoverd_jpg_file(130)

 
I was really happy about last year’s couple costume.

It took me a while to figure out and off course I resorted to ordering it from amazon which made me spend more on shipping than the costume itself. But what’s a girl gonna do?!

We were Neo & Trinity from The Matrix granted I didn’t have Trinity’s long sleek legs but I believe we pulled it off… Not bad Yeh!

I wasn’t that lucky to have enough time to order Jennah’s costume when I got the note from school about the Halloween event stating to “Dress up as a book character” only 4 days prior.

Needless to say I was frazzled and frantic. Halloween comes the same time every year, why would they tell us a few days before?

I know why….. to torture ME!

 
Off course my child of reading age says “I want to be Dorothy” Why oh why did she read the note?? Then I thought I love the idea. Off to the stores I go…..

NO Dorothy costume to be found. 3 days in search and still no luck.

Recoverd_jpg_file(296)
 

Finally I thought I’m wasting time! Valuable Samoor time.

It’s time to take actions in my own hands. Off to the Fabric Souq I go.

Oh Wow! What fun, rows and rows & columns and columns of fabric from every color of the rainbow.

I stood there wanting to buy it all while thinking “Why didn’t I do this to begin with?”
 
 
 

dorthy
I found the blue checkered fabric that’s Soooooo Dorothy, an elastic band and two buttons is all I needed.

A quick run to centerpoint for cheap red glitter shoes and I’m halfway set!!

Jennah was smart in digging through her stuffed animals and finding Toto. I guess the obsession of getting it perfect is contagious!

I quickly put the girls in bed and started designing and cutting the dress pattern. I spent the whole night hand stitching Jennah’s Dorothy costume, hoping that the measurements fit.

Now that I think of it I had no back up plan if it didn’t fit in the morning what would I have done? Yikes! Just thinking of that made me quiver.

Recoverd_jpg_file(58)
 
 
 
 
Morning came and it was a PERFECT PERFECT fit!

I made Jeenah wear one of her white tutus under the dress to give it that extra fluff it needed.

Two braids, white shirt & socks and lets not forget Toto! The whole outfit made complete sense.

I felt such accomplishment and relief that she got what she wanted and “Made Life Memorable” for the both of us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On the other hand I’ve set myself up without realizing it. The girls are invited to 2 Halloween parties and have already decided on costumes (that I’m not exactly happy about!) but I have to let them have it…..

I’m having a really hard time adjusting to not having control.

Off course the search begins with no results as expected so I told Jennah I can’t find the costume she chose she barely looked my way then chuckled and said “Just make it mama” as a matter of fact….

I guess I’m heading to the Fabric souq and getting my needle and thread ready! Let’s see if I can pull it off this time too.

My Store

My Store

Have you missed me?? Did you notice I’ve been lagging on posting on the blog?? NO?! “Seriously” he he he!!!

Well in case you were wondering I’ve been overwhelmed with my upcoming store.

Its been more than a few months in the works…. Moved from our old location in Salmiya to a lovely big tower in sharq called “Kipco Tower”.

PaperworkThe first step in any business and change of location is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork…. oh did I mention more paperwork??

It would be nice if all this was done online….or at least part of it but we are where we are and you just have to accept it and go with the flow.

Off course we went through the usual hurdles, obstacles, leaps & jumps….a real test of endurance and I did it AAAAALLL with a big fat smile on my face.

Always keep in mind the end result, your goal should always be on the top of your mind don’t for a moment get discouraged! You’ll surely feel relief and accomplishment when it’s all over.

cleaning

Our space is about 80 square meters with a perfect little corner for my office.

After all the designs, carpentry and the works my operation manager (A.K.A my husband) looked after the final steps of making the store organized and squeaky clean.

We used a company called Bleach (tel: 65194789).

The first thing they did was assess our space and the work required. Followed by a quote. After my approval we set up the day and time and we moved forward.

I loved the fact that they were punctual. Such efficiency and time effectiveness. We were very happy with the job that they did and I would really recommend them to everyone that needs professional cleaning service.

shipment
 
Everything fell into place just in time for our big shipment of the season….

All these boxes are filled with lots & lots of fun gifts and collections that are unique, original and one of a kind.

I feel giddy every time I open every single carton, box after box I can’t wait to just open the doors and let all you in to share the joy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RibbonME
 
 
 
 
Off course since we are a Gift Basket company I have to always make sure the choices of ribbons are available… I am in love with our ribbon & wrapping station!

It was so much fun organizing and sorting the ribbons!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Given that it’s Eid Holiday our (my) main goal is to open a few hours a day to all my followers and instagrammers (@obb_kuwait) to have a sneak peak of the store and get first bid purchases on our Halloween items.

OWL
 
 
 
 
So far our “owl” shelf is complete.

So stay tuned for dates & times!!! I hope that this fun experience will “Make Life Memorable” for everyone that walks in through our door!

For the love of Reading

For the love of Reading

There’s nothing warmer than curling up in a corner and enjoying a good book. A time when your head is cleared and you’re entering a world of your own.

I try really hard to make sure that the girls enjoy reading, that when they think things are getting a little “boring” the choice of activity is to reach out for a book and enter the world of imagination.

So when I hear of an exciting new venture that involves books I jump to the occasion!! And what do I find but a place that I would love to take my kids to every weekend.

Granted it’s no Barnes and Nobles or Chapters but more like the “shop around the corner”

A used bookstore run by young volunteers with wall to wall shelving and little reading areas to engross yourself in.

Jennah was in book heaven!!!

J&Books
 

Jennah immediately propped herself on the floor and started making choices.

Between fairytales, mystery & non-ficton it was getting to be difficult to choose the 3 books allowance rule made by me. (yes yes I run a tight ship of rules!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
J-Reading
 
 
 
 
 
Book after book, in and out of the shelves….reading a few lines here and there…

 
 
 
 
 
Jennah finally made her choice that I approved of.

I couldn’t be happier!
books
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We Love Kuwait books are always a hit in our household!!

photo_3

 
 
 
The best part is you can buy the books for a fraction of their price and if you return them you get half your money back. Almost like a public library. Saves you so much space at home and it really gives children more selection to improve their reading.

So hats of to Bayt Lothan and double hats off to all the volunteers and a triple to all the patrons that support this effort.

Be sure to go to q8bookstore in Bayt lothan. Enjoy your relaxing time, choose a book prop onto the coach and “Make your Life Memorable”

Their hours are 5-9:30pm on weekdays
10am-9pm on weekends

For more information look the bookstore up on Instagram @q8bookstore