Dubai Garden Glow: A Review

We had the most lovely day in Dubai on Saturday so wanted to write about it.  If you are someone that lives in the UAE or someone that is planning to visit then stick around this post might be worth a read.

So to give a bit of background it is National Day weekend here in the UAE which means we get a 4 day weekend as opposed to the usual 2 🙌.  Many people we know have jetsetted off to places near and far but we decide to have a rather chilled one before the madness of Christmas really does in sue. 

However we knew we would take a trip to Dubai so that we could finally visit Dubai Garden Glow. 

In the morning we went down to the pool for a little swim and a play and then after lunch we piled into the mini and got on the road.  The littles napped on route which was great as I knew it would be a late one. 

When we arrived we chilled out at the Mall of Emirates and had some food at ihop which was great! We have never been there before and the littles were so excited.  I had half a stack of white chocolate and raspberry pancakes, the littles had funny face pancakes and Sam has chicken with waffles.  Safe to say we were stuffed. 

Once it was dark we drove over to Dubai Garden Glow.  If you fancy a visit I would recommend you get there ready for darkness or park somewhere else and get in a taxi as there is no where near enough parking! That is the only real negative about it though.

Honestly we had such a lovely, lovely time.  There are different parts to the park, the glow park, the art park, the dinosaur park and the ice park.  You do need to pay extra for the ice park but do, it is SO worth it. 

There is lots to see so gear yourself up for a couple of hours of walking.  Posey and Lochlann coped really well though as they were so entertained by it all.  A wow a minute came from their happy little faces and it was just so cute.

Tips: 

As I said arrive before it gets dark so you can get a parking spot or get a taxi to take you there

Don't necessary bother booking online as you still need to queue to get your paper ticket which allows you to enter the park

Wear comfy shoes and socks (to keep you comfy and to keep you warm if you decide to go to the ice park)

Take some cash if you think you might get peckish as there are plenty of food stands in the park 

Rather than listening to me ramble take a look at some of the photos below... 

We paid 100aed per person to gain entry into all the parks but children age 3 and under get in for free so we didn't pay for Lochlann! Although it isn't cheap I would say it is TOTALLY worth a visit.  Posey and Lochlann are already begging to visit again. 

My favourite park was the ice park closely followed by the glow park, Sam loved the glow park, Posey's favourite part was the ice park & Lochlann loved the dinosaur part of the park.

If you visit I would love to hear from you, let me know which part of the park was your favorite!

Christmas Wish List.

My most favourite time of year is HERE! YES.

Ok so this might seem really materialistic but I always love reading these types of posts on other people's blogs and this isn't me asking for any of these things.  I am so easily pleased when it comes to gifts under the tree pjs, a bath bomb or a good book and I'm happy.  However a girl can dream can't she?! I also thought it might be good inspiration if people are asking you what you would like for your birthday or Christmas.

So here is what I am lusting over...

Here are the details should you wish to pick up any of these things for a gift or even to just treat your self.
The motherhood tee is also available in a sweatshirt.  I love that it is embroidered, you can get this from https://www.patchkidco.co.uk

Ask Me His Name is written by the lovely Elle Wright who lost her son Teddy.  I have heard such wonderful things about this book and my mum worked as a bereavement midwife too so I really want to read the book.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ask-Me-His-Name-Learning/dp/1788700341
(also I love following her on Instagram so if you don't already follow her you can find her here - https://www.instagram.com/feathering_the_empty_nest/?hl=en

I am one of those annoying mums with cameras, all my photos are taken on my iPhone 8+ which is fine but I would really like to up my photography game and I love filming little snippets of the littles too.  https://www.johnlewis.com/canon-powershot-g7-x-mark-ii-digital-camera-hd-1080p-20mp-4-2x-optical-zoom-digic-7-processor-nfc-wi-fi-3-lcd-screen/p2587476

I have heard so many good things about Jo Malone.  Sam and I went into store yesterday and tried out some of their colognes and I just fell in love with this one!
https://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/11563/27028/fragrances/the-collections/floral/peony-blush-suede/peony-blush-suede-cologne

As I am approaching THIRTY I should really start looking after my skin more.  I have fancied trying out the drops of youth and the vitamin C ranges for so long now.  These two are my top picks that I would like to try out! https://www.thebodyshop.com/range/vitamin-c/c/c00116

I have been after some leopard print vans for ages!  I love these but they seem really tricky to get a hold of now.  I have found a link but haven't ever used this website before! http://www.forgotten-worlds.co.uk/top-quality-qnydc0-2014-unisex-vans-old-skool-leopard-print-gold-shoe-more-discounts-surprises-p-3484.html

I am sure everyone knows about and loves this infamous Missoma necklace.  It is just a classic and I love the layering look for necklaces.  I have a necklace with Sam, Posey's and Lochlann's initials on that I wear everyday so I would love to layer it with this beauty! https://www.missoma.com/necklaces/chokers-anklets/gold-mini-fang-choker/4156/

There we have it.  In honesty I don't mind what I get I love Christmas so much regardless of the presents that are left under the tree for me and that is the absolute truth.  Plus my husband and my mum are amazing at buying presents for me so I have no doubt there will be something lovely waiting for me on Christmas morning.

What's on your wish list this Christmas?

A letter from an absent blogger

Guess who's back, back again... 

I have no right to call myself a blogger, not even a part time blogger.  Truth be told I haven't written since August and I have really missed it.  It is probably quite clear what excuse I am going to give... life has just been really busy. 

If you have read my blog before or follow me over on instagram (mamabrookes) then you will know we currently live the Middle East.  My husband and I both work in the same school and we have been away from the UK for just over a year now.  The meant our summer was spent driving up and down the M6, visiting family and friends in England.  This didn't leave much time for blogging.  

Then our return to Abu Dhabi saw our youngest join us at school in FS1 as well as Sam and I both being promoted into middle leadership.  Basically what I am trying to say is that life has been hectic! I am constantly tired #mumlife #teacherlife 

Because I have taken on this role at school I feel guilty for thinking about spending time writing for myself when I could probably be doing school work.  There is always something else you could be getting on with in teaching, your job is just never done.  That coupled with my new role and with the endless list of jobs a mother has meant that my blog has fallen to the bottom of the priorities pile.  

I almost forgot about my little space on the internet.  I pushed it to the back of my mind and believed that because I haven't written there was no point in starting again.  Then I remembered the point of this blog.  It is for me and it is for my children.  I am a sentimental, overly emotional fool who loves to collect memories.  It really doesn't matter why I stopped writing what matters is that I want to start again. 

I want to keep sharing our families little adventure, I want to continue rambling about motherhood and married life.  I may not be the most stylish woman in the world but I like to write about the outfits to throw on and I love to shout about small brands that I like to dress my children in.  I would also like to write more about our expat family life and add a little more lifestyle posts here and there. 

This isn't my job, this is my little hobby, my little escape from my day job.

What I am trying to say is that I am back.  And I can't wait to get stuck in, if you'll still have me? 

Hello, again. x