Hakkasan: a hip brunch for two
When it comes to modern Chinese food in the capital, Hakkasan is by far the slickest venue in town. We at M are giving away a Friday dim sum brunch for two, which includes a full selection of dim sum, dessert and your choice of 50-year aged tea or a bottle of bubbly worth Dh199 and Dh325 respectively.
To enter the draw, send your details to mgiveaway@thenational.ae with word "Hakkasan" in the subject line. Hakkasan, Emirates Palace hotel, 02 690 7999
Make your iPhone eye-catching
Want to show off your iPhone? Don't do it with a boring, monochrome rubber cover - do it in style. The Niftee brand, which was created in 2007 as a graduation project at Dubai Women's College, now includes this offering from a young Emirati student. Aljoud Lootah, who studied graphic design at the college, designed this quirky, dramatic iPhone 4 cover: a trendy, wooden case with an Arabic twist. We predict it will be a huge success with Emiratis and expats alike.
Niftee iPhone cover, Dh300, available online at www.niftee.ae
Sea and be seen
Now that the weather's heating up again, our new exercise routine involves a lot of swimming. Forget about plain trunks or (heaven forbid) a hip-hugging Speedo, this summer we're splurging on these trendy tribal-inspired swimming trunks from Vilebrequin. The fresh and colourful print makes these a definite show-stopper - comfortable enough for swimming laps and fashionable enough for a lazy day of sunbathing.
Dh815, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, 04 368 6531; Souk Al Bahar, 04 420 0152
Website of the week: www.hypem.com
Our thirst for new music doesn't stop, and the mainstream radio hits get boring after hearing them for the umpteenth time. The Hype Machine is an online platform filled with fresh tunes from the world's finest music bloggers. You can search a band name, pick a song to hear (which then shows you a list of bloggers who like it) and then get linked to the actual blog - which is where you can find other new music that you like. Or you could simply go through the blog directory, choose the genre and pick a playlist. The search engine is great, streaming is quick and the bloggers - well, they just make the whole website.
Woman's best friend
If your landlord doesn't allow you to have a real, live dog in your flat, consider this exclusive Erdem dachshund toy dog, complete with a perky tail. Far from a children's toy, this dog is our new must-have fashionable home accessory. The London-based designer combines the brand's beautiful printed silks with its typical quirkiness for this stuffed animal. This loyal, silk Fido doesn't require regular feeding or walks, but you may find yourself wanting to display him in every room in the house.
Approximately Dh795, www.net-a-porter.com
Bling rings
If you're hesitant about this season's overwhelming colours, try them in small doses. These rings with a splash of red, blue and green on your fingers plus a cluster of contrasting stones on either side are as glitzy as they are bright, and a sure way to add flair to anything you throw on as you scramble to get to work on time. Turquoise, ruby, sapphire and coral are contrasted with a soft rose gold to give a charming finish.
Starting from Dh11,250, Pomellato, Emirates Towers, 04 330 3375
Splashes of colour and love
Pablo Picasso once said, "Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." Looking at this vibrant palette by Hadieh Shafie, reminiscent of Kandinsky's Squares with Concentric Circles, we couldn't agree more. Hadieh says he was inspired by the Sufi concept of whirling dervishes to create these artworks of thousands of tightly wrapped Farsi scrolls packed together. We love the kaleidoscope of colour and the fact that inside each scroll are hidden handwritten messages of love.
Hadieh Shafie, exhibiting from Tuesday at the XVA Gallery, Building 7, DIFC Gate Village, 04 358 5117, www.xvagallery.com
