Zombiefits and a little Tuesday Playlist

This week is probably one of the most challenging weeks I've ever had here in the Middle East so far. It's really pushing me to my limits like crazy. With so many people in our team leaving the past weeks, I'm beginning to feel extra exhausted with all the workload. Thank God for the awesomeness that is music! I don't know how I'll get by without it. It's surprising how simply listening to songs can change one's mood. Makes such an amazing stress reliever! Sometimes even just humming a happy tune makes a huge difference already.

Here's the little playlist I created for work today with some of my favorite songs:

Till I Hear It From You, Gin Blossoms | More than a Love Song, Augustana | Perfectly, Five Times August | Lucky One, Vertical Horizon
Your Guardian Angel, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus | Swing Life Away, Rise Against | Collide, Howie Day | Slide, Goo Goo Dolls
Story of a Girl, Nine Days | Moment of Truth, FM Static | Stars, Hum

I hope things turn around for the better soon. But first, I really need to get through this day unscathed. Seriously could use a little breather or something. The beach is calling my name!

How's your week doing so far? I hope yours is not as sucky as mine. Keep it light, y'all! :)

What do you do to manage your stress?

 
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A Day in Souq Madinat in Jumeirah

We've been out and about a lot these days. The weather has never been this beautiful (just the right amount of chill) for the longest time and we really want to enjoy every minute of our free time outdoors while it lasts. I'm so glad that our weekends are now consistently a fun mix of swimming, malling, barbecue parties, dining out, and sight-seeing. I've been here in Dubai for almost two years but it feels like I'm seeing and actually experiencing everything for the first time now with an entirely new set of eyes. It's amazing!

Today I want to share with you a few snapshots from our first ever visit to Souq Madinat Jumeirah with our friends. Its interiors really feel and look like a traditional Arabian souk. There were so many specialty stores and souvenir shops inside offering really nice items ranging from toys and ceramic plates to snow globes and beaded shoes. Lots to choose from, especially now that Christmas is just around the corner. I really gotta start shopping for gifts!

I instantly remembered that particular Carrie Bradshaw scene from the second Sex and the City movie shot here in the UAE the moment I saw these colorful beaded shoes there. They were so pretty and not to mention comfy too!
How cute are those mini snow globes with the camel inside, right? Perfect for my growing collection! I really wanted to hoard lots of these for my friends and family back home. But my absolute favorites would have to be these super cute Dubai mini nesting dolls:
There are also a handful of great restaurants to choose from when you get hungry and there's even a theatre inside for stage plays for additional entertainment. I think Stephen Mallatratt's stage adaptation of The Woman in Black is still running until the end of this month. You can also tour the entire Madinat Jumeirah resort by riding an open boat for one of their Abra tours. We didn't have time to try this out but we'll definitely do it the next time we visit. I might try a night ride instead because they say it's a different and much more exciting experience.

How did you spend your weekend?

P.S. I've decided to extend all paid ads on the right sidebar with an additional five days free of charge to compensate for my sudden mini blogging break the past week. Sorry guys. Real life kicked in. But I'll try my best to make up and exert extra effort in sharing online from now on. Thank you. :)

 
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

My guy has given me lots of fresh apples weeks ago when I had the flu so I can have something healthy to munch on. But the problem was, I don't really eat apples unless it's a cake, a muffin, or a pie. Since I didn't want those apples to go to waste, I decided to put on my imaginary baker's hat again after a long long time of not baking, and baked Apple Cinnamon Muffins for the very first time. I used this recipe as guide but cut the measurements by half and used ingredients I already had available at home instead. I can't believe how easy they are to make and they came out really good I must say!

For this recipe, you will be needing 1 cup self-raising flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 big egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 2 cups chopped apples (peeled of course), 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (or any nuts of your choice), 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional).
I'm telling you these muffins are so incredibly filling and smell so good too. The best thing about this recipe? You can all do this by hand! Best served warm along with your favorite cup of hot coffee or choco. Enjoy!

 
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What's on your wishlist?

I'm big on seafoam green and peppermint shades these days. I can wear a layered outfit in these shades even on a freezing winter day and still feel like I'm surrounded by the prettiness of spring. It's such a refreshing color combo that brings me into an instant smile. What colors are you currently crushing on?



1. A floral crown like this one on my wedding day? Yes please! | 2. This clutch will have me dreaming of pistachio flavored ice cream all the time. | 3. The colors and chevron print make this phone case a real winner.
4. Chiffon + lace = easy breezy pretty!

IN OTHER NEWS : This week is proving to be a tough one for me at work because the most amazing boss in the whole wide world ever has officially tendered his resignation. *cries* My workload has never been this crazy and with my boss now gone, the possibility that all my efforts will go unnoticed is so painful just imagining. But I'm still hopeful that the upcoming days will be a lot better. There's gotta be good news somewhere behind those clouds. Anyway, tomorrow is a non-working holiday here in Dubai, which means another super long weekend for me. Couldn't come at a better time. This is exactly what I need!

How's your week going so far?

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How's your weekend?

I woke up with a serious cold and a throbbing headache this morning, but by 9 o'clock, I've had enough of my non-stop sneeze fest and was already feeling claustrophobic. It's the weekend and I want to enjoy every moment of it so I asked Marlo if we could drive around outside to get some sun. I was so certain that if I nurse this virus under the covers all day, it's gonna morph into a full-blown flu instead (which is the last thing I want of course). Being sick is absolutely no fun.


We drove slowly around Jumeirah Beach with the radio on and then decided to park the car in front of the public beach for a good 30 minutes or so. The blue of the sky and the sea couldn't get any more beautiful today. I was really tempted to take a dip because the weather felt so perfect for a swim, but maybe next time. Just basking in the sun, feeling good, and enjoying the great outdoors... it was good enough for me. 


We brought along with us one of my Blythe dolls, Tippy, by the way. I think she enjoyed the short drive outside as much as I did. I am really thankful that Marlo agreed to drive me around outside today because it was exactly what I needed to feel a lot better.


How's your weekend going so far? I hope you're all in the pink of health! :)

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