[ appliance shopping ]

ONE OF the cons about moving to a villa in Dubai is that you need to buy appliances {most apartments come with appliances included ~ at least kitchen ones}. I wasn't too thrilled to learn this, as it's just another expense for a temporary home.

I've been keeping my eye on Dubizzle, hoping that I can score a great deal from someone who may be moving away. But so far, I haven't really come across any worth the hassle of seeking out a guy with a truck to pick up and deliver for a fair price {plus, I don't know any guys with trucks and pick-up truck rentals here are non-existent}. So, plan B ~ buy new.

Actually, one of the pros about buying appliances in Dubai, is that they are strangely economical, at least compared to any we have bought in Canada. However, once we started looking, we realized a couple of things:

A: a standard electric stove like in Canada aren't common here and if you do find an electric one, they are very expensive
B: the space for the stove in most villas is wider than a standard stove and
C: everyone uses gas stoves since they are so inexpensive {even though gas comes in cylinders like this which are typically stored in a cupboard outside and piped in ~ which does freak me out a little bit}...

I'm not opposed to gas stoves ~ we've had them before and I do love cooking on them. Baking, on the other hand, is not my favourite with gas so I decided to opt for an electric oven if possible.

This is the one we ended up choosing...

...a stainless La Germania made in Italy with gas burners and electric oven. This looks like the high-end industrial type of stove you would buy in Canada but this is what typical stoves look like here. And while this would sell for about $4000 back home, here it's a quarter of that price! Like I said, strangely economical.

Choosing a fridge, we had to find one a little narrower than standard and so we chose this beauty:

...a stainless Liebherr made in Germany, counter depth with a bottom-mount freezer and reversible handles {which we need in order for it to open the correct way}. And again, for a mere fraction of what you would spend in Canada! I'm seriously loving this whole appliance shopping thing here!

Throw in a dishwasher and those babies are on their way to the villa next week. And, we get the keys tomorrow ~ can't wait!!

So, that's what I'm up to over here. Now if I only knew what length of curtain rods I need...

lisa

[ sorting things out ]

SO, it appears that we have sorted out our moving dilemma. We have had to find another villa to move into {disappointing}, but the good news is that we were able to find something. It's not an end unit anymore surrounded by trailing flowers and pretty park area, but it does have a little yard that backs out onto the walking trail to the community pool/park {not too bad}.

I suppose the upside is that we will have possession of the property sooner so our move-in date is only a week and a half away! So it may be looking a bit like this around here...

Let the chaos begin!

lisa

[boxes pic: via hightouchmoving.com]

[ rollin' with it ]

IT'S NO secret that life is full of ups and downs. And sometimes when things seem too good to be true, they probably are...

It seems that we may have hit a snag with our upcoming move and all the plans we've made could all be up in the air. I've never had to learn to be as patient and flexible as I have here in Dubai. Nothing seems to go smoothly ~ there's always some kind of glitch or frustration ~ something to throw a monkey wrench into the plans. I'm learning to roll with it but it isn't always easy. 

And so our weekend will consist of trying to find some way to get things back on track. Wish me luck that we can get things sorted out! 

Hope your weekend rolls smoothly! Have a happy one!

lisa

[ happy thoughts ]

Hope your life is pretty amazing today too!

lisa

[via trishyrose]

[ peek-a-boo ]

I LOVE this little surprise pop of colour inside the kitchen cabinet...

I've seen many open shelves and bookcases with the back area painted a pretty colour, but not often the inside of a cabinet with solid doors. I think it would make me smile every time I opened the doors. I may have to consider this in my next kitchen. Have you ever painted the inside of your cabinets a fun colour?

lisa

[via abeautifulmess.com]

[ dubizzle finds ]

ARE YOU a fan of Craigslist? Well, in Dubai, we have an equivalent called Dubizzle and once in a while a real treasure will appear. Being a place where expats constantly come and go, you can often find urgent sales of furniture, appliances, etc from those needing to unload before moving away.

Yesterday I saw this ad peeking out at me...

Aren't they pretty?

And all 4 for about $200! I'd say that's a bargain that I just couldn't pass up! 

We have our big new table with the tufted wing end chairs but haven't bought any other chairs in the meantime {our 6 Louis chairs are in storage}. I think these will go well {especially at $50/chair!}... 

I'm picking them up tomorrow so that's my excitement for the weekend. 

Have you picked up any great deals lately?

lisa

[ no words necessary ]

sigh.

lisa

[via zsazsabellagio.blogspot]

[ bouncing back ]

THANK you so much for your sweet virtual hugs and well wishes for my guy. He's doing a bit better each day and slowly things are getting back to normal.

It's scary times like these that make you realize what really matters.
From me to my guy...

lisa

[ where's lisa? ]

I'VE BEEN a bit MIA and it's because I've been hanging out here...

My guy landed in ICU and needed emergency surgery last week. Stressful to say the least. So I've been spending my days at the hospital while he's been recovering. I'm happy to report that he's doing ok and has been released to come home. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief. 

lisa

[ oldies but goodies ]

I'VE GOT a thing for vintage, particularly linens, quilts and handcrafts...

What is it about these beautiful pieces that just gets my heart going? Maybe it's the love that went into every one ~ knowing that someone spent hours making it just right. I think I'm having a bit of thrifting/flea market withdrawal. Are you as smitten with these vintage beauties as I am?

lisa

[via oliveanddollie.com; via juliapeters; via clotheslineandsunshine; 

 via sarahopp; via umla.tumblr.com; 

via shoptwine.com; via etsy; via jodicocanour; 

via littlevintage.fr; via fleaingfrance.com]

[ happy weekend! ]

SOME wise words for the weekend...

Have a good one!

lisa

[ wakey wakey ]

HOW about this bright yellow door to wake you up in the morning?

We all typically think of painting the exterior of our front doors and leave the interior neutral {except for the recent trend of painting interior doors black}. What do you think? Would you paint the inside of your door a bright colour?

lisa

[via imwithleia.com]

[ shake rattle and roll ]

SO there was a major earthquake today on the Iran/Pakistan border measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was definitely felt here all across Dubai. Not enough to cause any damage, just a shake...

I was probably the only one not to feel it since I was on the treadmill at the time, but my guy called from his office to ask if I felt it and said that things were shaking. Some buildings and hospitals were evacuated.

Last week there was a 6.3 magnitude quake in Iran as well. I didn't feel that one either since I happened to be vacuuming. Maybe I should install one of these for next time...

lisa

[via pinterest]

[ island time ]

THERE'S nothing like a relaxing cottage to escape to and unwind, and if it's on an island, all the better! I love this pretty cottage in Muskoka...

Its traditional look on the outside helps it to blend into the greenery, but inside, it's so light and bright...

I love how the inside feels like a seaside getaway but so cozy nestled into the trees on the outside. The white and natural wood colour scheme keeps it feeling serene. Just another example of why I hope to have a Muskoka place again someday.

lisa

[house&home]

[ house hunting ]

WELL, judging from your comments and emails, it's a tough choice between an apartment or a villa. Believe me, I have agonized over it.

But we've made a decision... a villa!

I think it ultimately boiled down to a simple thing, really.... what can I control and what can I not? And the answer was pretty simple ~ I can't control other people ~ not their habits, lifestyles or cuisine. And knowing how my sanity has been stretched to the limit with neighbour noise and odours, I just couldn't risk moving into another apartment and potentially dealing with the same thing all over again. Most places require you to pay for an entire year of rent upfront and sign a lease, so it's not an easy situation to get out of here in Dubai. So it's a gamble. And one that I wasn't willing to take again, no matter how much I love the convenience and location.

And so, after hitting the streets and touring some neighbourhoods, we've decided on Arabian Ranches...

...a large gated community about 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Dubai. It's got quite a nice vibe to it with a lovely community spirit. Driving around reminded us of our visit to Scottsdale, Arizona ~ you almost forget you're in Dubai...

It's divided into smaller enclaves, with homes varying from huge villas to attached villa/townhouses. The developer has done a nice job of including plenty of park space, community pools/tennis courts and a few man-made lakes with walking trails. It really does feel like a little oasis in the desert...

We were only out looking at the layout options, but happened to view one where the owners were looking to move out at the end of June and it was perfect ~ an end unit, backing onto a park with a pretty little backyard...

... and all for less than what we would pay to rent our current 2 bedroom apartment in the same building we're in now with the hike in rental prices. I think the sound of birds chirping instead of traffic and construction noise clinched it for me.

I know I'll need to work out the location situation ~ that's the biggest Con on my list. But I think it will feel a lot more normal for us to live in a villa since we've never really been apartment dwellers. I'm ready for a change. I can't wait to feel the grass between my toes and have a solid night's sleep!

lisa