Tag Archives: kuwait

Sep3

Teacher’s Gift

Posted on by
Teacher’s Gift

I love gifting and this love drove me to going into business of making gifts. I own The original basket boutique which is part of a Canadian franchise. My physical store can be found in Kipco Tower- Kuwait City. We basically specialize in making gift baskets but are not limited to that. We have a huge range of gift items, baby, themed items and gourmet selection.

I almost always have a theme going on every month and with everyone going Back to School it’s only appropriate that September at the store would represent exactly that!

With my own girls going back to school I had them come into work with me and choose what they wanted to give to their teachers.
cup3
 

Jennah chose a Travel Cup and a cookie while Zeenah chose one of the many Teacher’s mugs we have at the store and the same cookie Jennah chose.

I think they really enjoyed walking around and trying to decide what to buy. It’s probably one of the first time they got to do something like that without being guided and controlled by me.

We then wrapped it up in a simple School themed bow and I added a label on it that read “I’m going to be one smart cookie with you as my Teacher”

 
 
 
 
 

Here’s to lasting impressions and Making Life Memorable.

Sep2

First Day of School

Posted on by
First Day of School

Are your kids already in School??

Well I’m so lucky to announce that today is officially the first day of school for my girls.

Jennah is going to Grade 3 and Zeenah to KG1.

What a milestone in my household to finally have both girls go to the same school where drop off and pick up is at the same place & same time!!!

There are many traditions that we have, most of which happen yearly. (Thank God or else I imagine I would run out of ideas)

One of those traditions is the first day of school picture. It started off very simple. My child with their back pack, smile, click & done…. Somehow along the way it started to get a little bit more than just that.

I started to make print outs with their Grade and what they want to be…. Well I think this year I probably went a little overboard. Probably because I’m so excited that both of them are in the same school.

I not only put a lot more details on what I called “photo sign” I actually went to our local photocopying office and printed them out on A3 paper….

Jennah

Zee

It’s becoming very clear to me that I’m setting the Barr a little high for my girls that these things become expected rather than being “special”.

But to tell you the truth that really doesn’t matter because I truly enjoy what I do for them.

They know the value of what I do and that’s all I care about. In their eyes I do see the excitement and appreciation. For that I am thankful.

ZEE Sign

JENNAH SIGN

So here’s to a great New School Year for all children around the world!

It’s al about Making Life Memorable.

Sep1

Uniform Deals

Posted on by
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!

Aug31

Personalize it!

Posted on by
Personalize it!

Some of the best gifts are those that are personalized. I love having things made specifically for myself or my children.

As much as I love making things myself I sometimes resort to online shopping (AKA online Therapy) It gives me more choices and great value for money.

Tiny Prints is one of those one stop shop that you can get anything from labels to weekly planners, mugs and more that are completely personalized to you.

In our busy schedule it’s sometimes a perfect idea to buy birthday gifts in advance and have them on hand once the birthday rolls in… A real no fuss meaningful gift.

Oh!! Don’t forget to check out their Back to school collection. So much to choose from and will surely play a big role in Making Life Memorable for your kids.

Aug30

Officially Sick

Posted on by
Officially Sick

One of the hardest things of being a mommy is getting sick… the last thing we need in our busy schedule is not to have energy to do it all.

This past week I have tried to fight it as much as I can but I guess it caught up on me.

So in the process I have researched natural remedies that help in speeding the process of recovery. As much as we all would like to believe that there are remedies but in truth a cold is going to take a week with or without medication but all we can do is relieve the pain.

I have found that ginger really help in relieving soar and itchy throat. There are many ways you can take it. As a tea as a “shot” but my favorite is blended in my smoothie.

ginger
 

It’s a fairly simple Recipe

1 Green Apple
1 Carrot
1/2 inch Ginger
1 1/2 Cup Water

Blend it all in your blender and enjoy the zingyness.

If your prefer not to have it textured and own a juicer just do the same but omit water.

It would be nice to say that I hope you won’t have to use this one day but the likeliness of that is minimal.
 

So here’s me signing off and hope I get well enough to continue Making Life Memorable.

Aug28

Brunch Frittata

Posted on by
Brunch Frittata

I am no chef or culinary expert but I cook from the heart and have been fortunate that it turns out good.

My technique is probably like thousands of other moms around the world… See what we have on hand and make! Luckily with our Middle Eastern habits we tend to have lots of fresh veggies always on hand. So it makes it easy to whip something healthy.

Another habit of all moms is that we don’t have the luxury of time to spend hours in the kitchen. So I came up with a quick Frittata that can be prepared in advance and heated as needed. It’s also perfect for brunch.

Frittata

Heat Oven to 180 Degrees C (about 350F)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup shredded Squash
1 cup shredded Carrots
1/4 Cup chopped Parsley
1/4 Cup shredded Parmesan
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 cup Milk
3 Eggs

DIRECTIONS:
1. Beat Eggs and Milk Together in a bowl.
2. In a larger Bowl mix all the other ingredients.
3.Add the Egg mixture and whisk all ingredients until mixed well.
4. Spray a baking Pan with cooking owl
5. Pour batter into baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes.
 

Here’s to Making Life Memorable in the Kitchen!

Aug27

Back to school Countdown

Posted on by
Back to school Countdown

To say that I’m excited that we have less than 2 weeks away for the girls to go back to school is an understatement.

Even though I have managed to keep a very good routine between the 2 hour homework morning sessions, free play, going out, crafts, seeing friends and swimming lessons it’s a lot of effort. Doesn’t leave much time for me and work.

With the girls back to school I think I’m most excited that I get MY routine back a good stretch of time in the morning to go to work and dedicate time to the things I love.

So because of that my excitement I was inspired to do a School countdown craft.

Back
 
 
The first thing I did was make print out cut outs for the girls to color.

I decided to do a 10 day countdown to “Blast off”

I then cut them out using a ZigZag scissors for fun…

Girls Coloring

The girls then colored each day and the big “Back To School”

 

After organizing them in order we found a nice place on the wall to hang it in (it was a challenge finding an empty wall in the playroom). We used a ribbon and hung the paper with mini clothespins I had in my magical craft cabinet of “I’m going to need this one day”

countdown

And Now we have a countdown that at the end of each day we take down one paper in anticipation of School.

I hope that this gives you inspiration to do something in Making Life Memorable

Aug26

Movies & Flops

Posted on by
Movies & Flops

I love going to the movies….the dark and silent theatres, the popcorn and the excitement of the unknown. Unfortunately sometimes we’re not sure what to expect and that can be a bad thing rather than a pleasant surprise…..

There was one incident of going to the movie that was so bad that my friends and I walked out and it was back when I was in college. To my disappointment it was a movie that had one of my favorite actors “Johnny Depp”. I never thought I would go to a movie that could be this bad.

The first few minutes we thought ok this is going to get better….it has to get better Johnny Depp is in it….then we realized this is a joke and isn’t getting better. The movie was Ed Wood. Such a waste of resources and good talent.

Thankfully there were very little complaints from that movie back in 1994 to now. Back then I used to go to the movies a whole lot I was young and FREEEEEEEEE.

Now with kids things have changed, I don’t go to the movies as often and if I do 95-99% of the time I’m going to a kids movie and not an adult’s movie. The 5% of the time is being blessed with a best friend that would insist on a “girls” movie night.

So needless to say I’ve probably seen every Disney, Universal and whatever other children’s production made. We have Barbie movies, princesses, postmen, fairies, animated and everything under the sun. So far the girls and I have been blessed with fun and exciting movies. Until a few days ago when we went and watched “The 7th Dwarf”……It was the worst kids movie I have ever seen. No really it was sooooo BAD!!

The concept of the movie was cute. The clumsiest of the dwarves is the hero but the execution was terrible.

Funny enough the girls liked it and were oblivious to the tackiness and inappropriateness. I mean why would they have a part where one of the characters wants to commit suicide, Seriously the dragon stood at the side of the cliff with a rope around his neck. WHAT were they THINKING!!! Totally inappropriate for an animated feature.

7

 
 
 
 

So if you haven’t seen the movie you are lucky! If you were planning too DON’T it’s a waste of time and money.

So go ahead and find a better way of Making Life Memorable because this movie won’t be one of them.

Aug25

Fish Market

Posted on by
Fish Market

One of the things I remember doing with my father (May he rest in Peace) other than actually fishing is going to the fish market.

The stink the wet floors and seafood galore….It was a mix of stinky and fun all put together. Quality time that I truly cherished. Only now does it hold great value in my heart…..didn’t realize it at the time.

The nice thing is that these days it’s been upgraded. The Fish Market next to Souq Sharq is somewhat cleaner than the one I remember going too. So it was time to pass on the tradition to the girls and take them to the Fish Market.

I let them wear their rain boots for fun to make sure there were not complaints about dirtier their shoes. All the people there were extra friendly, I’m pretty sure they love seeing kids there and showing of their fish knowledge to the little ones.

Fish Market
 
 
 

Off course there’s always that one guy that lets them touch all sorts of things on the counter…. The girls chose to pose holding the jumbo shrimps and so shine their personalities:)

They may not realize it now but this day really helped in transferring my experience with my dad into Making Life Memorable for them.

Aug24

OBB Deal

Posted on by
OBB Deal

FerDeal

Part of owning a gift store in Kuwait or anywhere in the world for that matter is always trying to be creative and providing good deals for your clients.

This week at OBB Kuwait we have a Buy 2 Get 1 free on our world famous Peanuts. (In-store deal only)

So if you haven’t tried our delicious Feredies Peanuts this is your chance to get more flavors for your money!

A Great Deal. You can also follow OBB on instagram ( (obb_kuwait) for more deals….

This is what I do in trying to help others in Making Life Memorable.