Cruising and canapés
Sailing off into the sunset just got a lot easier with the launch of a cruise around Sir Bani Yas island this month to mark its second birthday. A 21-metre catamaran named Al Rayed, or "The Leader", sets off from the jetty where boats to the island getaway usually dock, and then takes you on a pleasant meander around the resort's 4km coastline over the next 90 minutes. We oohed and aahed over the breathtaking sunset, untainted by city pollution, and craned our necks to see the flamingos and gazelles as we set sail. We didn't spot any dugongs but thanks to the onboard drinks and delicious canapés – including smoked salmon and brie and grapes on toasted bread – we have to admit, we soon forgot all about the wildlife. The 90-minute sunset cruise and a three-hour daytime cruise both run on Fridays. Prices start from Dh250 per person and the boat can be chartered for private use at an additional cost.
Sir Bani Yas Desert Islands Resort and Spa, 02 801 5400, www.desertislands.anantara.com
Bath & Body Works debuts
Like an excitable child in a sweet shop, we at M followed our noses and went to the grand opening of Bath & Body Works in Mirdiff City Centre last week. Organised by scent, the products smell as good as they look, with soaps, creams, scrubs, cleansers, lotions and room sprays lining the shelves. With more stores planned for the UAE, you can change your bathroom mood as often as your own.
Bath & Body Works, Mirdiff City Centre, 04 231 6751
A treasure chest of fashion
Any fashion lover or diehard fan of Yves Saint Laurent will find this irresistible. A limited edition of only 500 sets worldwide (two available in the UAE), the wooden box encapsulates the fashion king’s glittering career, containing beautiful bound colour illustrations of YSL’s drawings and designs, all his scribbled notes and markings, fabric samples, runway sketches, production-board lists and fashion-show programmes. The treasure trove also tells his life story, with black-and-white photos of his greatest triumph.
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: The Complete Works, 1962-2002 (limited edition box set) Dh9,750, Kinokuniya, Dubai Mall, 04 434 0111
Half-price beauty
Keep your nails in tip-top condition this month with a half-price manicure and pedicure at Pastels Salon in Dubai. Kick back and relax while your nails are filed, buffed and painted to perfection. Enjoy a Spa Manicure & Spa Pedicure and get 50 per cent off for your next visit, all through November
Jumeirah, Al Wasl Road, 04 394 7393; The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, 04 399 5016. Log on at www.pastels-salon.com
Desert downtime
We’ll be recharging our batteries without leaving the city this week, thanks to an evening of outdoor yoga and meditation. At the first event of its kind last month at Jumeirah Bab Al Shams hotel in Dubai, we ended up relaxing so much we fell asleep under the stars. The hatha yoga asanas caters for all levels. We love the free yoga mat that you can keep and the delicious ayurvedic vegetarian platter served in the Indian restaurant Masala afterwards, for an extra Dh120. If all this doesn’t take you to another level of zen, we don’t know what will. For an Abu Dhabi alternative go for Yoga on the Beach at Corniche Gate No 6 every Wednesday at 7pm with Ria, one of Abu Dhabi’s best and most glam yoga teachers.
Sunset yoga at Jumeirah Bab Al Shams, Dubai, 6pm on Saturday, November 13 and then the second Saturday of every month. Dh150 includes yoga mat and juices. Stay the night and get a 15 per cent discount on available room rates by quoting DUAE, 04 809 6106, or e-mail jbasbanqueting@jumeirah.com; www.jumeirah.com
Yoga on the Beach at the Corniche, Dh20 a session (bring your mat), register at www.duplays.com
Perfect as a papillon
This stunning butterfly ring is the latest creation from the Ghada S line. Ghada uses precious stones of rubies and white, pink and yellow diamonds set in 18ct gold. Often taking inspiration from Arabic motifs, the range also includes bracelets, bangles, necklaces and earrings. It may be the best way to emerge from a chrysalis into a butterfly – but at Dh13,600 it's also an investment of art for your finger.
Ghada S Butterfly ring available at S*uce, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 681 8650; Village Mall, Dubai, 04 344 7270; Dubai Mall, 04 339 9696
Now Ali asks the questions
Our agony uncle Ali Alsaloom will attend the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Platform in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, which will address key issues relevant to both countries. To take part, e-mail admin@emirati-swiss-platform.org.
Challenges 2011 with Ali Alsaloom, Sunday at 4pm, Armed Forces Officers Club Hotel, Abu Dhabi
