Post Category - Family LifeFamily LifeThere’s nothing like discovering the best of your city through the eyes of the people who live there. Our Little Black Book series will share a little inspo from those in the know.
Louise is a mama of 2 gorgeous boys and a delicious little girl (Mabel, whose wardrobe we seriously covet!). She’s also the lovely lady behind fab parenting blog ‘Mum Of Boys & Mabel’, sharing everything from her latest must-have kiddie products to her honest, heartfelt feelings about motherhood. Having had all 3 of her babies in Dubai, the city is definitely a home away from home for Louise (who’s originally from the UK). From her perfect Friday with the fam to her favourite restaurants, this is Louise’s little black book.
Describe your perfect Friday in Dubai
When we finally made it out of the door (and it isn’t always easy), we would head to breakfast on mass at Park House on Kite Beach or Mo’s at City Walk. Once the kids had scoffed pancakes and the adults had drunk copious cups of coffee, we’d head home for a lazy lunchtime as Mabel naps. In the afternoon, we’d walk out the back gate to our community swimming pool to meet our neighbours (and now close friends) for a few hours, before heading back to one of our villas to feed the kids. Once we’d got them all into bed that evening, my husband and I would order a takeaway (probably from Curry Box) and Netflix and chill.
Read more: 26 Of The Best Early Morning Weekend Breakfast Spots in Dubai
Most beautiful spot in/around the city
I don’t think you can beat the giant sand dunes in the Al Qudra desert for the most stunning Dubai scenery. We often take a picnic tea and let the kids run up and down the dunes as the sun starts to set and the sky turns orange. I can’t wait for the weather to cool down, as it’s one of my favourite things to do.
Something on your bucket list that you haven’t got round to doing yet
The main thing on my Dubai bucket list isn’t actually in Dubai – as I’d love to head to Nepal, while we are so located such a short hop from it. It’s definitely something I want to do without the kids, so maybe something to save for my 40th birthday and ask the grandparents to come and babysit (hint, hint husband – only 4 years to go!)
Best cup of coffee
I’ve become a bit of a coffee snob since I discovered Raw Coffee a few years ago in Dubai. Nothing compares to it now – and I usually swig it in Bystro, located off Al Thanya Street in Umm Suqeim.
Read more: 15 of the Best Places for Mama to Grab a Coffee After the School Run
Favourite restaurants
For a quick ‘date night’ dinner, I love heading to The Beach at JBR, close to where we used to live in Dubai Marina. Eat Greek is my ultimate favourite for its delicious Greek Salad, Lamb Kebabs, and bowls of freshly-made Tzatziki, but I’ve recently discovered Bianca too, which serves the best Italian food I’ve tasted out of Italy. Order the Spaghetti Vongole and you won’t regret it.
For a more lively evening, with a few drinks thrown in, I really enjoy an evening at Burger & Lobster in the DIFC. I love the simplicity of the menu – and the cocktail menu is fantastic.
Hidden Gem
I haven’t been for a while, but I used to always take visitors to the Cultural Breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. It’s well worth a visit if you haven’t been already.
If you need a party outfit you’ll go to
Usually Zara for a dress – affordable, on-trend, and with some searching in the racks, I can usually find something flattering for my post-baby body.
Read more: Top 5 Picks from Zara
Where do you go to kit out your kids?
I get most basics from Next.ae, which works out very affordable and is delivered quickly by courier to my door. For T-Shirts for the boys, I love Be Bright Eyez – and for shoes, either TOMS, Converse, or Clarks.
For Mabel, I buy play-suits from GAP, tops from H&M, dresses from Mamas & Papas, and cardigans from Boden. I also shop from lots of smaller, handmade brands on Instagram – such as Desert Roses (for headbands), Mother of Pearl Handmade (for bloomers), and Fred & Noah (for leggings).
Where do you go to get fit and get pampered?
I hate gyms and high energy classes, so fitness for me is usually laps in our pool or a community Pilates lesson. Pampering is usually at The Nail Spa – but for the odd treat, I really enjoy a day with friends at Talise Spa at Al Qasr.
The best thing you’ve done in Dubai to date?
Is saying that growing and giving birth to three babies in Dubai allowed? I think that first baby joining us in 2012 is when Dubai really became my home – and his brother and sister arriving two and four years later made that even clearer.
Dubai summed up in 3 words
Home from home
