Weekend Bargain Shopping

The best way to spend weekend is to SPEND - that is because I went to a sale shopping in two days, Friday at World Trade Center and Saturday at Safa Park Flea Market. The former was hosted by one of the leading forces of luxury in the Middle East while the latter was a "pass on" market participated by those who wanted to get rid of their junks. :) It was a well coordinated bargain  hunting with  separate batch of friends. Between the two events, the luxury flair I must say was comical and really a must do thing. I've seen people outdoing each other, elbow kissing and the most common - pushing oneself by sliding an arm to a crowded bunch - as if a snake trying to make a way in. Towards the second and last day prices went down further and I was lucky I came back, it was all good deals! As the old adage goes, being at the right place at the right time. They begin with 10aed a piece  then 5aed then  finally 4 for 10aed for Loreal, Maybelline,Sephora,Cargo cosmetics all just in a split of minute.

Sephora, Loreal, Maybelline

In Safa Park, there were good finds too. Price ranges from 5- 20 aed on second hand books,clothes and household items. Though it should be a second hand market you could find items that are brand new. I saw stall  of a kabayan(compatriot) selling  media com videoke or that of a Chinese woman selling fashion items jewelries. Around 80% though are used, which means one must be careful for hideous items.Looks nice outside but good as trash inside.Remember, to some of them it is an opportune time to earn money from the junk.:)Always challenge the price but do not start haggling if you are not interested of buying anyway. More than wasting each other's time, you will end up buying nothing at all. The 3 of us made a swift  run then made a second run to start picking items then 3rd after lunch and the last run near closing time where sellers screams for bargain to anticipating crowds. They'd rather sell for 1 aed than take it back home. Funny, this guy started shouting " Everything 1 dirham, get an item and give me a dirham. The only thing free is my wife." 

My Treash-ures!

Brand new (still in a box)) hanging tea light holder with string, 3 for 15 aed and books at 1 aed.Though I still have a dozen unread books, I didn't mind. Anyway my new book shelf which I scored for 15aed has alot of space to fill up. My two other friends had their great picks too, purse (I got 2), scarves, fruit tray, even a hulla hoop! As we all say it, "these are the things we can live without, things that when we end up throwing won't hurt much"

Verdict

Patience, patience, patience- In WTC sale there were long queues both in fitting rooms and counters. I had an exchange of words with this woman behind me when she stormed to the counter and yelled at the clerk complaining about the long wait. Another customer paying thru credit card  which was declined thrice was the culprit. In defense of my kabayan(compatriot) I answered back for her and what a scene it was - she was screaming at the top of her lungs -to the sale clerks, other customer, to me and she just looked ridiculous (as always).Then I have to give her a piece of advice, " Just relax, get back to your line or someone else will".

Worth the time/effort - my point is later once we move (again) I will get rid of our household items, finding these "trinkets" in flea means cheaper and that means too getting rid of it wont hurt much. Just have to really 'look' for what you need or maybe want.:)

Be Smart - Bring your own finger food, there is a cafe inside Safa park that offers some sandwiches but for a "real" price. I even thought it is the famous food chain "M" cause they confused me with that branding look. Be earth friendly too and bring your own shopping bags. Though it didn't work in Chaloub sale, as they provide plastic bags and everytime you enter a new booth you need to be bag-less, means you have to deposit them to the baggage counter. And the most important and obvious one - NEVER PUT THOSE HEELS ON! :)

For more info on Dubai Flea Market , check http://www.dubaifleamarket.com/

I Landed a Dream Job in Dubai



working shoes!

For six months  I worked with the most inspiring and generous boss -my husband.Part time blogger,full time lover..fully compensated  with  benefits including on call day off....hmmm I highly value that role. Now, I landed a job and its my second day of work in my first company in Dubai (an industry very close to my heart) I started thinking how am I going to miss all the things I've been doing back then- so I thought which one I'm going to miss the most? Baking which is an old passion, cleaning (picking up hair falls) does it count?, shopping(planned, impulsive,window) , reading books and newspaper, blogging (finally!), meeting new expat friends over coffee, cooking new dishes, doing the grocery, washing clothes, ironing, fixing torn clothes,watching (for the nth time) reality shows ( Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kendra, Spin Crowd) or get awed with real life drama in Investigation discovery or just hooking up for hours on E! news for latest gossips on hollywood or is it the ultimate overdose of sleeping?

Reality check comes in- I am not oblivious to the fact that still I should do things just the same as if I'm one dutiful housewife (oh I am!?!) When I informed my Mama, her reply was "don't stress too much lalo na at magluluto ka magaasikaso sa bahay"  What I value most with those months is, I am not a stress wreck - I spent inordinate time doing things in my own terms - working out, baking, reading, sorting things in and out of the closet, shuffling back and forth the couch, twisting the carpet to match the uneven angle of the living room and wiping polishly that poor golden camel sitting on the TV stand engulfed in dust. I have red  and lazy days which means I can refuse to do the chores (LOL!). It is vivid in my mind, that was a Dream Job.

So why work now? Being a young wife with no kids, just a husband and a house to take care of can be boring too!  I still get that brain kick, that spark of interest with anything that has to do with my industry of work. When you receive calls and  being set up for an interview there is a jolt of excitement, you are not trying hard but the company does specially those who are out of my league. Unless it was a match offer you wouldn't agree, will you?! Only a perfect opportunity can make you jump right in. Only a perfect job but not yet a dream job..
I'm a young 3..ish something :), though my husband does not require me to get a job, yet somehow I felt I should after all my multinational experience should never be put to waste. After all I need extra cash to spend on my poor shopping habits. Most of all, I should work because that's what I wanted to do..