Saturday Reflection

Today nothing felt better than relaxing in bed and soaking in the sunny rays through the window. I love spending a couple hours awake in bed (when I can) with some relaxing music, just to reflect on anything and everything.

It's so strange to think that it's already October. It just hit me. I remember last October like it was yesterday. It feels like there have been a couple occasions each month since, that are so vivid to me. Scary is an understatement, in regards to how fast it all passed. Ramadan was a flash, September felt like it lasted 15 days, and now my birthday is coming up at the end of the month! Since I'm home in Abu Dhabi with the family, my father pulled out some really old slides where I popped up as a two year old. Now I'm nearly a quarter of a century. Yikes. Each person's life is really like a ball of yarn, and it's so interesting to notice how your life unravels. Despite the good, awful, amazing, painful, funny and weird memories, I'm so grateful. I've been touched by so many people and moments, I hope that I can give back at least half of all that goodness.

Sappy moment over, what makes me really excited is the thought that soon the weather will be perfect for the beach!! Being able to spend more time outdoors is just what everyone in the UAE needs, after months of trapping ourselves indoors just to be able to breathe. However, remember fellow peeps, sunscreen sunscreen, sunscreen! In the coming years, you will be happy you listened :)

Have a splendid and relaxing Saturday xx

WATCH ME: Stoli Launch Performance!

Last Wednesday, October 5th was the Stoli Launch party at Republique in the Dubai Mall Address Hotel. What a night! It was the perfect event to party and let loose at after the three busy weeks leading up to it!

At the event, each of the four ORIGINAL ambassadors were supposed to share some of their originality with the attendees. I decided to perform a scene from an upcoming movie that I'm the lead in, which happens to be a song with my "back up singers". They're considered back up singers, but are three of the main actors, and we're all part of a band called the Rougettes. These three ladies have such distinct, beautiful and powerful voices and sing on a regular basis at different venues in Dubai. I've learned so much from them!

It was definitely a struggle at first trying to come up with a way to perform the full song the way it's done in the movie, with the limited space. We ended up cutting the song in half and so I decided to add a video to start with.

Of course there were risks adding a video. First, who pays attention to a video in a club? Unless there are some hot booty poppin chicks shakin what their mama gave em, it ain't gona happen. Second, the acoustics in the venue weren't that great, so the sound bounced everywhere and I'm not sure people were able to hear everything. Third, it's a projector so the quality isn't always as great - which was noticeably the case when I showed up orange in the photos. It's a pretty visual video though, so luckily people could somewhat grasp the idea, but I decided to repost it to clear things up. Anyway, despite it all I was lucky there was a projector to accommodate the video! Big thanks to my roomie Yasmeen who helped me find the perfect opening track x

I've also added the live performance at the end of it, which was done as sort of a continuation of the video.

I definitely couldn't have done it without the director of the movie, Mohammed Rahmo, and my wild, beautiful ladies: Claire Kelly, Melissa Lemaire and Sarah Braganti.

I love my Rougettes ♥

In addition to the performance, I provided my team with t-shirts with the girls from my tea party, and recipe cards for all the attendees. I'll upload photos of them in a seperate post!

It was honestly a fabulous night. I got to meet the other three ambassadors - Natalie Brogan and Mike Daniel who are both great DJs and Jay Wud who is fabulous on his guitar. I definitely DON'T want any of their cds :p Seriously though, well done to all of them. I was dancing to all the music played, and singing along to Jay's songs which is weird - I don't know any of them. There was definitely some Stoli to blame. Of course they've got nothing on me. Nonetheless, it's fun to be part of a talented lot.

Ultimately, I'm grateful to the STOLI and STICKYGINGER team for giving me this kick ass opportunity, which I am enjoying every minute of!

Check out the whole intro and performance below, or click here to watch just the performance.

I hope you enjoy it xx

To the Libra in You

Thank you Steve Jobs

We all have our own attachment to Steve Jobs. Despite the fact that most of us never met him, we all loved him and what he has given us. He genuinely changed our lives. 

My family has always been known for being loyal Apple fans. With our first computer before I was born, in 1985.  Growing up with my brother and father, two tech lovers, a day doesn't go by without the mention of Apple, a new software for it, or product. Each corner of my room has an Apple logo on it. From my iPad, to my iPod, to my laptop - which really is one of my best friends. To this day, without fail, I never pick up an Apple product without noticing how beautifully stylish and simple it is. Not only am I grateful for having these products, but even more grateful someone extremely creative and inventive shared himself with the world. With that said, it’s one thing to be creative and inventive, but another thing to also be inspiring, motivational and charismatic. Not sure there will ever again be someone who will keep us on our toes like we were before each keynote speech; or able to sit completely focused, listening to the introduction of a tech gadget. Ultimately, Jobs wasn’t just selling a tech gadget, but an improvement or enhancement to our lives.

"Life is fragile," as Jobs said. I can’t agree with him more. There is no time for stress and unhappiness; one day we will all be gone and all the petty problems we surround ourselves with will be forgotten. If you’ve been given a life, make the most of it, love it and love yourself.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, all who knew him, and to all of us who loved him for his genius mind, hard work, perseverance and charm.

I carry Steve Jobs with me wherever I go.

forever loyal

Rest in Peace

Good Morning DXB: Listen to Me

I have officially experienced being so busy to the point of getting sick! This cold that's trying to creep up on me REALLY couldn't come at a better time. I'm popping pills left and right though, so hopefully that works. The whole lemon and honey remedy didn't kick in as well as it should have. Slightly disappointed.  My stress levels were seriously tested last week between random shoots and submitting a short to a festival. Thank god for good company, food and music to help me power through. Well that's all behind me now and I can only look forward to the benefits that should reap from all the hard work!

This weekend after a pretty short film shoot, I finally had a photoshoot with photographer, Jonathan Gainer. We'd been planning it for a while and it finally happened wohooo! In the 5 hours that passed, we had so much fun exploring different ideas. Can't wait to get my hands on some of the rendered shots to show. He's truly a fun, talented, and patient photographer who I'd recommend to anyone or company. Jonathan's photography covers everything from fashion, to portrait, to industrial, to film and more.

On my way back from Abu Dhabi, for my regular weekend luncheon with the fam, I had this song on repeat. There's just something about it, can't stop listening to it! I really don't get other drivers... and I've realized I never will. We can't ALL be in the fast lane now can we? At least we couldn't today. People don't get it - different lanes, different rules. Oh well.

I'm veeeery excited for this coming week because Stoli's Launch party is this Wednesday at Republik! Each ambassador gets to shake their tush on stage and prove their more original than the other. It will definitely be fun. I'll post photos as soon as I can. I'm also excited because I think I'll actually get to relax this week *fingers crossed*

I hope you have a great Sunday. Remember, the next time you go out for a drink, choose Stoli :)

xx

Dearest UAE Drivers,

Please signal your lights, THEN change lanes. 


Not the other way around. 


Thanks.

Spiritual Thought of the Day

It requires willpower to consistently live my values in all circumstances. The minute I commit myself to living my values in all situations, life provides opportunities to challenge my commitment. If I see each of these challenges as an opportunity to deepen my commitment, I can enjoy them as a game. Just when I feel it is not possible to stay true to myself, I will discover unique and unexpected support. Today let me appreciate the game of challenges and strengthen my will.

*Thanks mama*

Hello hello :) Listen to me

I know I have a bit too much on my plate when I can't share anything at my tea party. Sad times. BUT gives me more things to talk about when I do get that time :) I've been shooting various projects and preparing others, so lately I've been feeling like I'm constantly being yanked left and right by each arm. Not going to complain though! Until I can sit down and properly write some more, I'll leave you with this song. It's got this gospel-feel (to me at least). It's my current "on repeat - scream at the top of my lungs -wave my arms around - scream hallelujah to" song, that keeps me in my element wherever I am. Pretty sure I've scared MANY people on the streets. It's just always important to find out what frees your body and soul innit? That's music for me.

I hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying this new week xx

Look of the Day

When you're feeling blue, check out Belgrave Place by Nail's Inc. There's always been a specific hue of blue that I've loved wearing (clothes wise) and this is exactly it. Hand credits to my lovely HS. 

It's funny how I went through a phase of despising any color on my nails, and now I find myself blogging about blue - a color I NEVER thought I'd like. It's sort of how gold really got shunned for a while then made its big come back. 

A little sum'in sum'in to get yo booty pumpin

I took a hip-hop class with Sharmila at DUCTAC and I have to say I was so amazed with all the talent filled in that room! Firstly, she's absolutely vivacious and keeps the positive energy and humor up throughout. I think I was just in awe of her the whole time. I've always been told about her class and really regret not going sooner. It was my first time and the end of a routine, so you can only imagine how sad I must have looked. I always thought I could dance... yeah, I was slightly devastated, not gonna lie.

The routine was to Beyonce's End of Time, so it's really all I've had in my head. There are some songs you can dance to and some songs you need a routine to break it down to; this is one of those that's much more fun with a routine.... When you nail it.

If you want to keep up your dance skills, learn new skills, or just get a great workout, this class is for you. Check out her timetable here.

xx