Keeping Up With Kaya: What I’m Doing & Loving In August

Our Editor’s Picks For Making Life Sweeter in August

With the school  hols in full swing, the temperature in Dubai at a sticky high and diaries to fill (both mama’s and the kids), this month is all about making life in the desert or on your hols away that little bit more fun (and easy!). Here’s a little of what I’m doing and loving in August mamas…

Grabbing

…deals through CitiSpi – a fab new app that’s all about making managing your social plans easier and bringing the very best deals in the city to your fingertips. Dubai might be a five star destination but you don’t need to pay five star prices each time you go out. The CitiSpi venue directory, promotion and vouchers listings and personal organiser feature mean that the next time you want to go out on the town you can find a deal to suit and then invite your friends along too. And it’s not all about food either – there are spa deals, baby friendly events and loads more – check their site for more info! Time to rely on your phone for more than taking pics and Instagram, mamas!

Psst…watch out for CitiSpi’s monthly deals for Sassy Mama – coming soon!

Tracking down

…the Mountain Buggy Unirider – I seriously need this in my life! With three kids under the age of 6, I’ve found myself in a few of those ‘can’t walk, won’t walk’ moments this summer, where one (or all) of them decide that their legs cannot take them a step further (usually somewhere really convenient and when I’m carrying a heap of shopping bags). This nifty little gadget from Mountain Buggy is the perfect solution to getting buggy-resistant and melt-downing kids from A to B quickly and easily: just stick a safety helmet on their little heads and off you go. It can perform on all terrain (hello, dog walks in the countryside and speedy trips to town), is really lightweight (you can even jog with it apparently…), AND your little people can develop their balancing skills (perfect for getting them off stabilisers). With a couple of these babies I reckon I could push two of my kids and even have 1 on my back if I really, really had to… I really think I could. They cost GBP 79 each in the UK… now to track one down in Dubers.

Wanderlusting

…after a trip to Paris, or more specifically to OFF – the first floating hotel and bar in the city of love. Moored on the River Seine at the foot of the Austerlitz station, the OFF hotel is about as unique as a stay in Paris can get. With 54 rooms, 4 suites, a bar for cocktails and tapas, plunge pool and a marina – the views from this incredible place are out of this world. Having spent more than 6 weeks away from my husband this summer, I think a stay here is in order (Charlie, that’s a hint…)

Preparing

…for back to school by ordering name labels, buying new uniforms and adding to our already huge but somehow lost collection of water-bottles and lunch boxes. If you haven’t checked out our ‘back to school in style‘ roundup then do it now mamas! And remember to keep an eye on online superstore Mini Exchange for the most awesome deals on everything from school shoes to kids clothes, accessories and much more from household items to toys to amazingly priced back-to-school kit  (and the cheapest nappies in Dubai!).

Calling

…my girlfriends for a ladies night with a difference at Armani/SPA (seriously needed when the kids go back to school!). This just-launched evening is all about a pampering session including four mini treatments of 25 minutes each – body scrub, reflexology, back massage and mini facial, followed by healthy snacks and a chillout/gossip session at Armani/Terme (sauna, steam and more). And then there are always the hotel restos and bars to hit-up afterwards!

Every Tuesday from 6pm – 10pm, AED 450 per person (and you walk away with a 40% discount on your next spa visit – weekdays only – woohoo!)

Relying

…on gro-anywhere blackout blinds to try and get my kids to sleep a little longer! Europe is gorgeous in the summer and the long days and light evenings are heavenly but play havoc with a sleep routine (trying to convince them that it is actually bedtime is difficult with the sun streaming in!). And as for mornings? Well, our days have been starting pre-5am. Not ideal when I have work to do and no husband to lean on! The gro-anywhere blackout blinds are super easy to use – they suction to a window and are adjustable to almost every size -and if they get me and my brood a few more mins of shut-eye then they’re worth every penny. Perfect for travelling.

Available from Just Kidding or Amazon.

Happy August mamas!