Editor’s Letter: August 2015

I’m tapping away on my laptop with 3 kids circling me like sharks, occasionally hanging off my arm, getting under the table, a scattering of cheerios around me and a very old chipped manicure screaming at me every time I glance down. Yes mamas we’re half way through the summer holidays and this is what working at home looks like. Our holiday this summer? A trip back ‘home’ to the UK to visit grandparents, soak up some green, get masses of fresh air and do all the stuff that the desert doesn’t offer (steam trains, pub walks, splashing in puddles and visiting museums – plus days at the seaside British style, braving the cold water and sticking it out whatever the weather.)

Of course the dream vs the reality of travelling with kids is always very different and living out of suitcases with small children, having no home help (sorry granny you’re amazing but..) and being at the mercy of the British weather, rain rain and more rain, can be exhausting.
BUT mamas I mustn’t complain, it’s just awesome to escape the heat for a while and to see family and friends – so for those of you left in the sandpit pulling your hair out over how to keep the kids occupied then make sure to check out our A-Z guide of surviving summer in Dubai plus 24 things to do in 24 hours in the city. And if you need a little mama time then get yourself and a gang of friends over for High Tea at one of our fave spots in the City for an afternoon of social (tea) drinking and masses of cake plus watch out for our ‘best nail salons’ roundup coming soon and get manicured and beautiful (everything seems better when your nails look good don’t you think?).

This month we’re super excited to be working with Emirates Woman Magazine and GapKids on the Gap Casting Call 2015 – looking for the cutest little babes and kids to star in select store fronts, win masses of Gap vouchers and feature in the magazine. I’ve joined 3 other panelists given the amazing (but slightly terrifying given how difficult it’s going to be) task of sifting through all of your gorgeous pics to find the kiddos we think have the Gap look – so exciting – make sure to enter your little peeps!

And then of course the back to school countdown has begun and we’ll all be buying up uniforms, sewing on name labels and seeking the least offensive black shoes (why oh why are they always so ugly?!). The team is putting together the ultimate back to school guide that’ll cover everything from lunch boxes to clothing and will help you make sure that the littles are prepared and looking good. Oh and we’ll also be giving you lots of inspo on how to fill those lunch boxes with inspiring non-soggy sandwiches and other treats that they’ll definitely eat.

If you’re looking for a nursery place then our nursery roundup will help – and our directory is full of insights about schools in the City.

But for now mamas enjoy the rest of the school hols, whether you’re in the desert or elsewhere – and happy August! x