Fill your abode with fresh florals with this go-to guide to creating the most beautiful bouquets

Here, we reveal our top five florist tips to getting the most out of your bouquet.

• Start with a colour scheme and look for flower combos that complement one another. Pick a base hue first such as white or green and mix in a few bright buds such as hot pink peonies or bright blue hydrangeas.
• Once you have selected your flowers and vase, snip all of the stems at a pointed angle using sharp cutting shears. This will ensure your flowers soak up plenty of water. Re-snip every few days and change the water daily for a longer-lasting display.
• The price of fresh flowers in the UAE can get costly, we advise mixing in a few faux flowers to help flesh out the bouquet. The One located in Mall of the Emirates has a huge selection of artificial silk flowers.
• If you’ve run out of flower food, use a spoonful of sugar instead. This will keep the water from appearing cloudy and avoid bacteria growth.
• Place your display near a window to make sure your flowers get plenty of sunlight, this will prevent the buds from sagging.
• Stock up on all your favourite buds at Worood Florist located in Mall of the Emirates. This one-stop-shop offers fresh, artificial and dried flowers, perfect for at-home arrangements, gifts and events.

Enjoy some post-shop pampering at one of the many hair and beauty hotspots in the Dubai shopping malls.

SISTERS

Sisters Beauty Lounge is one of the region’s favourite places for grooming. Head to either their City Centre Mirdif or Mall of the Emirates branch, where you’ll be treated to a thorough wash, scalp massage and blowout by one of the highly trained stylists. You’ll leave the salon with squeaky clean and shiny hair.
Price: Prices start at Dhs120
Book now: Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif, call (04) 2843554

NSTYLE

Refresh your tresses with a trip to NStyle’s salon in Mall of the Emirates or City Centre Mirdif. After a speedy cleanse and deep condition in the sink, your ‘do will be whipped into pristine shape by one of the hairstylists. Whether you’re after sleek and straight or big bouncy curls, this is a great shopping pit stop for gleaming locks in under an hour.
Price: Prices start at Dhs100
Book now: Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif, call 800-NStyle

MANUELLA

With vibrant hot pink and white décor, this glamorous salon in City Centre Deira is one of our favourite pampering havens. Whatever the occasion, book in for a blowout at Manuella Ladies’ Salon and confidently leave your tresses in the masterful hands of the pros.
Price: Dhs180
Book now: City Centre Deira, call (04) 2950605

* Prices shown are at the time of the visit to the mall and could change at any point .

Visit http://www.malloftheemirates.com/, http://www.citycentremirdif.com/ and http://www.citycentredeira.com/

Need something fixing, amending or altering? Head to the mall.  Here’s our guide on where to go in the UAE shopping malls to get things fixed.  

TOP TAILORS

While there are plenty of tailors in town, finding somewhere that you truly trust with your precious threads is rare. Luckily for us (and you), we’ve found just the place. Al Madani, located in City Centre Deira, has become our new go-to spot for last-minute alterations. Whatever your wish, be it a speedy hem nip and tuck or updating an old frock, Al Madani will do a top job for an affordable price. They also have a fantastic selection of fabrics and will custom create a piece just for you.
The details: Al Madani, City Centre Deira, call (04) 2951133

QUICK FIX

With locations across Dubai, including Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira, Minutes offers a diverse range of services, including repairing mobiles, timepieces and shoes, as well as engraving, photo-copying, key-cutting and much more. Their motto is ‘get it done in minutes’, and that they do. Whether you need an extra hole punched in your belt, shoes reheeled or your watch strap replaced, this is the best place for speedy fixing.
The details: Minutes, Mall of the Emirates, call (04) 3408281, City Centre Mirdif, call (04) 2845124, City Centre Deira, call (04) 2950754

Visit http://www.malloftheemirates.com/, http://www.citycentremirdif.com/ and http://www.citycentredeira.com/

The upcoming school holidays offer the ideal opportunity to escape on a family getaway. Whatever your plans – a weekend road trip to a neighbouring emirate, a flight home to see relatives or even a far-flung destination abroad – travelling with tots can bring with it a fair amount of stress for parents.

First up there’s all the washing and packing, followed by games and entertainment to keep them quiet, next it’s onto the snacks to ensure their blood sugar levels don’t drop – all this, while attempting to relax yourself.

However, fear not, we’ve got you covered with our expert tips on how to keep your kiddies happy.

SNACK SMART

Be sure to pack a variety of different treats to keep hunger at bay. Ditch the salty crisps and sugar-laden candy (which can increase hyper behaviour), and replace with healthy substitutes such as berries, sugar-free granola bars and carrot sticks.
Visit Carrefour supermarket in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif to stock up before you leave.

PLAY TIME

Card games and toys will go down a treat on long-haul flights and car journeys. Our favourite pick for little ones over the age of three is the Acting Card Game available from The Early Learning Centre for just Dhs29.
Visit the store at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif.

LISTEN UP

Audiobooks and tunes are a great way to keep children amused on a long journey. Young ages will love the audiobook for Disney’s popular Frozen film. You can pick up a copy for Dhs29 at Virgin Megastore located in the Dubai shopping malls. Visit the store at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif.

* Prices shown are at the time of the visit to the mall and could change at any point

Visit http://www.malloftheemirates.com/, http://www.citycentremirdif.com/ and http://www.citycentredeira.com/

We spend one third of our lives asleep, yet many of us aren’t getting enough rest at night. The average person needs between six to eight hours of shut-eye in order to function and stay healthy.

Stress, exercise and eating patterns all come into play with sleep deprivation. So hit the snooze button and get more Zs by following these relaxing ideas available at the malls in Dubai.

1. Before hitting the hay, make a cup of herbal tea. A warm brew such as chamomile tea is a comforting treat to help you relax and unwind before bed. Visit Carrefour supermarket in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif
2. A tidy room and soft, luxurious bed sheets are a sure-fire way to aid with a longer sleep. Look for a high-quality thread count at interior stores such as Crate & Barrel at Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif, Pottery Barn at City Centre Mirdif and Zara Home at Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Deira.
3. A hot bubble bath infused with aromatherapy essentials oils will relax muscles and put you in the mood to snooze. Try Sleep Luxury Bath Cream, Dhs75 by Bath & Body Works. Visit Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif

* Prices shown are at the time of the visit to the mall and could change at any point.

Visit http://www.malloftheemirates.com/, http://www.citycentremirdif.com/ and http://www.citycentredeira.com/

Millions of women worldwide have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. It is now the most common cancer in women with one in eight likely to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

However, there is some positive news: through regular self-examination, medical screenings, early detection, increased awareness and improving treatment options, the incidence rates have been declining in recent years.

Whether it’s been a personal health journey, a family member or close friend whose battling the disease, it is important to step up and learn about ways to support the cause.

Running throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign with the aim to educate and increase awareness of the disease. Over the years, through numerous fundraisers and initiatives, the foundation has raised the vital funds to provide mammograms for women in need. The charity organisation also pairs with leading fashion and lifestyle brands to release special edition pink ribbon items with a percentage of the proceeds going towards their mission.

While most people are aware, it’s easy to push to one side and overlook the important steps to detecting the disease in its early stages and doing regular examinations.

Majid Al Futtaim healthcare and malls has a selection of medical clinics on hand to help. See below for where to visit in the Dubai shopping malls now.

CITY CENTRE DEIRA CLINIC

Conveniently located adjacent to City Centre Deira, this clinic offers breast ultrasound scans and X-rays for women in their Radiology department by a team of specialist medical professionals.

To book an appointment call (04) 2052777

MEDCARE MIRDIF

Visit MedCare’s branch in City Centre Mirdif’s Central Galleria for regular mammogram and ultrasound scans. This leading medical centre has a team of top doctors trained in the treatment of breast disease.

To book an appointment call (04) 2840722 or visit http://www.medcarehospital.com

For donations and further information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

* Prices shown are at the time of the visit to the mall and could change at any point.

Visit http://www.malloftheemirates.com/, http://www.citycentremirdif.com/ and http://www.citycentredeira.com/.

From friendly greetings to local courtesies, we share the top words and phrases to help improve your Arabic language skills.

Boost your linguistic skills with our guide to the most common Arabic sayings and phrases.

From how to ask a price to simple introductions and expressing gratitude, these easy-to-learn words will help you in everyday life.

Arabic, like all other languages, requires time and motivation, so try speaking, listening, reading or writing on a daily basis.

Here are a few key phrases to get you started:

Hi – Salam سلام
Thank you – Shokran شكرا
Welcome – Marhaba مرحبا
My name is ... – Esmee… إسمي....
Good morning –Sabah ala-kheir صباح الخير
Good afternoon – Masa' al-kheir مساء الخير
Yes/ No – Na’am/ Laa نعم / لا
How much is this? – Kam Thamanoh كم ثمنه
I'm lost – Ada'tu tareeqi أضعت طريقي
Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)? – Ayna ajedu (al merhaad/ assaidaliah)? أين أجد (المرحاض/ الصيدلية)؟
What time is it? – Kam essah? كم الساعة؟
Good-bye – Ma’a salama مع السلامة
How are you? - Kaifa haloka/ haloki (f) ) كيف حالك؟
Good/ Bad/ So-So – Jayyed / saye'/ 'adee جيد / سيء / عادي
Nice to meet you! – Motasharefon/ motasharefatun (f) bema'refatek
متشرف / متشرفة بمعرفتك
Congratulations! – Mabrouk! مبروك
What is This? – Ma hatha (th as in that) ما هذا؟
Do you speak (English/ Arabic)? – Hal tatakallamu alloghah alenjleziah/ alarabiah? هل تتكلم اللغة الإنجليزية /العربية؟

If you’re keen to take your learning to the next level, pick up a language tape or a phrase book at one of the below stores in the Dubai shopping malls:

Virgin Megastore in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif.Borders in City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif. For children’s books and tapes the Early Learning Centre in City Centre Mirdif.