Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger for the over Fifties - What real women wear!

Thursday 7 December 2017

Reliving Adu Dhabi.


Hi there - how are you?

How's the Christmas shopping going?  Is your house bedecked with decorations?  Yes mine is and I adore seeing the house festooned and looking all Christmassy.



If you've been watching me on Instagram you'll see I've just returned from a week in Abu Dhabi to watch the Grand Prix.
I had made a start on my gift buying before I went on holiday, but now home I'll be tackling the job full on, aiming to get all the presents within the next week - ha ha, who am I kidding?  I'll still be running around on Christmas Eve buying last minute gifts & wrapping them whilst stuffing the turkey and making pate! 😁

We flew with a wonderful airline that I knew nothing about.  Etihad Airways have got long haul flights sorted.  With a speedy on line check-in meaning you only have to drop your bag and go. 
The usual security checks completed we were now free to start enjoying ourselves.  Into the bar for a bite to eat and drink.  Followed by a quick wiz around a couple of shops for last minute goodies!
I had been a little nervous about the time of the flight, having only been on one long distance flight many years ago, but I need not have concerned myself the flight was a breeze!  Drinks served and dinner eaten I settled down to watch the in-flight films.  I was rather taken by the camera views - watching take off and landing, along with all the details of the flight!

Arriving at the Intercontinental Hotel, I couldn't get enough of the opulence and beauty.  Enormous Chandeliers, beautiful couches, grand piano and an aroma to die for!  Whisked away to our room on the 7th floor, I was wide awake and wanting to see more!



Attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix on both Saturday and Sunday filled our day, although there was time for breakfast and a lay in the sun on the beach.

I chose to wear dresses on both days, which I'm glad I did.  Normally I would have worn shorts and a tee shirt, but on this occasion dresses were much more acceptable. There were an abundance of pretty ladies in gorgeous dress, making a much more picturesque view - lots of vibrant, bright colours in the hot sunshine.
This heavy cotton lace dress is over a long cami tee shirt dress, I bought both separately but love the outcome of this dress up - dress down outfit.  I've also worn it with heeled sandals in the past - which looked equally as good.


We sat opposite Yas Marina, and the Yas Viceroy Hotel wondering what it would be like watching form there?  However we got just as good a view if not better because the sun wasn't shinning on us or in our eyes!

My OTS floral dress proved a winner on race day, cool but comfy - stylish and understated.  Coming from George back in the summer I'm pleased I got to wear it again.

By Monday all we had to do was lay in the sun on the half full beach, sun beds aplenty, and a bar on hand for the odd cocktail and water.  Lunch was gorgeous salads, along with burgers & nachos - with plenty of choice for the fussiest of eaters.



On Wednesday we visited the Mall, much the same as ours but absolutely huge!  We went in the evening when it was very quiet, but I was surprised to see all the same shops as home .... Next, Zara, H & M, F & F M & S to name but a few.  Came home with a dress and a gift for my princess and prince.  Will share the dress with you on the blog soon.

Thursday the girls in the party visited The Grand Mosque ... well what can I say, just stunning.  It was enormous, pristine, and very mesmerising.  All the ladies had to cover up even though we all wore long dresses and took pashminas!  We all looked the same, as did every other lady!

Guess which one is me?


Fitting in with the locals in our free-to-hire Abayas, fortunately they weren't too hot, but quite long.  We had to be careful not to trip up.  We also had to remove our shoes whilst in the mosque.

 The Grand Mosque at dusk is the best time yo visit.

Our last evening was spent in one of the several restaurants that had to be pre-booked. 
Chamas Churrascaria & Bar was out of this world. Live Samba music to create the mood of party and fiesta.
With a buffet selection of everything you can imagine by way of salads, cold meats and bread.
Back at the table you were visited by the waiters carrying long heavy metal kebab skewers with mouth watering BBQ'd meat. Truly tasty and tender, taking as much or little as we needed.  Finally the desserts - well honestly they were amazing.  Tiny portions of tarts, cakes, jellies and fruit, with the 'piece de resistance'...  BBQ'd pineapple -  oh wow this was divine!!
(Sorry I didn't get any photos of this, I was too busy eating!!)


In the picture above my unusual stripy dress from a collection at Asos, & below turned out to be my least liked dress - funny when you look at something on the website and in reality it's not quite how you imagined it.  That's the trouble with on-line shopping and why I prefer to shop IRL.
Here's said 'not liked' dress from Asos.   Chiffon is always great on warm, sultry nights abroad so I figure it would be the perfect pick. I love the colour! The colour is me! However, I just don't think the dress is me!
What do you think?


You might remember this dress from way back in June.
It's ended up being a real go-to dress.  A dress that is so comfortable to wear come rain or shine.  I've worn it so many times already.  These colours work great in all seasons, it just the accessories that change.  Again I've worn the blue strappy sandals with it, the perfect colour match.


Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like my little bit of Abu Dhabi, I'd recommend a visit to this enchanting city.


Have you missed something?  Yes the 5Over50 challenge didn't happen last Monday, but don't worry the five over 50 bloggers will be tackling the latest task on Monday 18th December, so I hope you'll pay me a visit to check out the latest offerings for  December's edition.

Glad to see you - it's much appreciated.

Bye for today. X


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34 comments

  1. It looks like you had an amazing time, Jacqui! I have some friends that fly to the middle east quite often - they can't get enough of it either. It certainly looks beautiful, and certainly very opulent! Hubby and I do like the Intercontinental hotels but yours sounds amazing!!
    You look gorgeous in the dresses - my favourite is the blue and white. Beautiful <3
    Suzy xx
    www.suzyturner.com

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    1. We had an amazing time Suzy, and I can't wait to go back! It really wasn't what I thought it would be, but I'm so glad we went, thanks for leaving such lovely comments Hun. Have a super week.

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  2. Wow you look amazing! Thank you so much for these wonderful pictures and story.
    XO Tina

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  3. It's a shame you didn't feel like yourself in the stripey dress because it does look beautiful! :)

    It's great you had such a fun time and managed to fit in a lot during your trip :)

    Hope you are having a good week so far and all your Christmas preparation is going well! I'm so behind with wrapping presents - need to do more this weekend!

    Away From The Blue Blog

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    1. Thank you so much Mica, glad you like it - it's growing on me!
      need to start wrapping what I've bought so far - these will be perfectly wrapped lol!

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  4. WOW Jacqui, Abu Dhabi looks and sounds amazing. I love each and every look you had!

    xx, Elise
    www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

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    1. Many thanks Elise, you're so kind. Have a lovely week. x

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  5. Looks like a fun trip! I have been on a couple of international flights and they make me nervous every time, but once I'm up I realize it is just a nice time to relax, watch movies and enjoy all the food and drinks they bring!! Wow! You really did have to cover up in the mosque!! Good look with all of your shopping and wrapping!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. I can't wait to fly on a big plane again, there's nothing like it and the smaller planes seem very basic now! Yes we did have to cover up, and it was quite fun, we were all in the same boat though. Thanks for stopping by Carrie. x

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  6. You look amazing in all these outfits. I love the comfort a lot. Beautiful! Great photos!

    http://www.missymayification.co.uk

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    1. Many thanks Hun, glad you stopped by and left such lovely comments.

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  7. It looks like you had an amazing time. Love all your outfits you wore :) I have tagged you in a fun post on my food blog, hope you can play along Jacqui :) http://www.iwasntexpectingthat.co.uk/2017/12/things-i-love-about-festive-season.html

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    1. It really was a fabulous holiday, thanks for stopping by Claire.
      Have joined in the tag post today, thanks for including me Hun. xx

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  8. Happy to see you had a great experience. You are wonderful in all your outfits, my dear Jacqui.


    XO
    Miri
    https://currentlywearing.com

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    1. Many thanks Miri, kind words and I'm so pleased you visited today - hope to see you again. x

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  9. Your photos are wonderful! Great dresses!
    Would you like to follow each other? Follow me on Blog and Google+ and I'll follow you back!
    www.recklessdiary.ru

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    1. Many thanks - have followed you on Google+. Thanks for stopping by - see you again. x

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  10. Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style linkup party. Great dresses. Even the local ones. I like the color!

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    1. Many thanks for stopping by Nicole. Glad you like the dresses. x

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  11. The Grand Mosque looks incredible. You were very well dressed during your trip - you even looked great in the culturally sensitive mosque one! x

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    1. It really was an impressive sight I'm so pleased we went. The memory will stay with me for a long time. x

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  12. Sounds like you had a great time! And it looks very nice there, the beaches are beautiful! I love that striped dress, it looks veruy good on you! But you always wear fantastic dresses!

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    1. We really had an amazing time Nancy - lots of memories to cherish. Thanks for your lovely comments. x

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  13. This seems like such a fun adventure! I've never been to Abu Dhabi, but I have always wanted to go. These pictures definitely make me want to go even more! I absolutely love all of the outfits that you styled.
    Thank you for linking up this week!

    ~xo Sheree
    PoshClassyMom.com

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    1. It sure was, glad I got to go - it really was a holiday to treasure. I'd recommend anyone to visit this enchanting city. Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again. x

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  14. I never been to Dubai but believe that it is fascinating place to see. My two favourite dresses would be "unusual stripy dress" and black, blue and white combo dress. Not sure about the chiffon one, although the colours are pretty but the style is not as flattering as with the other two
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Totally agree, glad you stopped by today Anna. I'd recommend anyone to visit this city, it's well worth the money. x

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  15. You had a fab time I can tell. I'm so jealous. You style the local look to the mosque so well too. Now it's back to this cold.

    http://www.muttonstyle.com

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    1. It was a wonderful holiday - over all too soon! Boy was I cold when we got back too! x

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  16. What a fantastic trip! My husband who is english and used to race cars, watches all the Gran Prix races in different locations and he is a big fan of Lewis Hamilton. Sounds and looks like you had a great time. I would love to visit someday :)

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    1. Nora we had a fabulous time, I'm loving this destination and can't wait to return in the near future. x It's a must for everyone to visit I reckon. x

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  17. What a wonderful trip! It brought back memories of my holiday there in February. We've booked to go back in April and I'm so looking forward to it :-) The Grand Mosque is just breathtaking. I may have to visit again and go at dusk. I love all of your dresses, particularly the stripey one from Asos. Thanks for linking up Jacqui!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. Isn't it a fascinating place Emma - I loved it there and can't wait to go back. Lucky you! I bet you can't wait until April - it surely is an amazing place to visit. x

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