Nominated for a Liebster Award!

So, I've been nominated for my first ever Liebster Award (squee!). If you're like.. nominated for the who? Then read on!

The Liebster Award is a tag that's passed on by bloggers to bloggers who are up-and-coming. I was nominated by the lovely Arti over at Diva Beauty, so it's safe to say there is at least one more person who has read my blog. (just kidding, thanks Arti!)

While usually I'm the first to rain on a chain letter/post parade, I like the thought behind this one - supporting other bloggers! 

So, here's how it works

Step 1: I answer 11 questions that Arti has posed

Step 2: I, then, come up with 11 questions

Step 3: And I nominate 5-11 bloggers (with less than 1000 followers) to whom I pose these questions

My answers

1. How did you choose your blog name?
    I knew my blog was going to be about a bunch of things and so I wanted a name that was neutral.
    I honestly just stumbled onto the name it is now.

2. If you would have to give one tip to new bloggers, what would it be?
    Don't be scared to put yourself out there.

3. Which eyeliner do you prefer - liquid, gel, cake or pencil and which brands and what style?
    I definitely prefer liquid. I'm loving the Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner at the mo.

4. If in the future, you decide to move, would you sell your blog? If yes, then for how much?
    I wouldn't sell my blog.

5. Which is your favorite clothing store?
    New Look is my current favorite.

6. Your brands of makeup brushes are?
    MAC

7. How often do you clean your makeup brushes and with what?
    Every week or so with baby shampoo!

8. Which do you prefer - tinted moisturizer, BB cream or foundation? Which brand?
    I prefer foundation - I'm liking the Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation right now, great coverage and
    it's holding strong in this heat!

9. One makeup essential you can't live without?
    Eyeliner.

10. What tool do you use for blogging photography - mobile, DSLR? Which brand?
      A mix of mobile and my Canon Powershot (in desperate need of an upgrade)

11. What are the goals of your blog and how has your life changed being a beauty blogger?
      My blog goals are to be as resourceful as possible. Being a blogger has changed my life in
      terms of how I evaluate things - everything takes a lot more time and thought.

And the nominees are.. 

In no particular order:

Sadia at Nomsville
Daniel at The Modern Tourist
Anna at Lipstick Locker
Judy at Food She Blogged
Saloni at Taste Charades
Savannah at Easy as Pie in Dubai
Becky at Etched In Me
Cindy at Liloneoftheashes
Monica at Do In Dubai
Sharon at Pickle My Fancy

Nominees - of course, you are under no obligation to accept this award and carry it forward. Just know that this nomination means that I enjoy reading your blog!

And finally, here are my questions

1. What is the story behind your blog name?
2. What is your go-to comfort food?
3. What's your one tip for other bloggers (seasoned/new)?
4. What is your dream travel destination?
5. How much time do you spend blogging in a week? What time of day?
6. What is your favorite app at the moment?
7. What platform do you blog on?
8. Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
9. Books or movies?
10. What's a life essential for you?
11. If you had to recommend just one TV show, which one would it be?

And that's it for this post. Thanks again Arti for your nomination and nominees - if you do carry it forward, link me to your posts below so I can check them out!

Mona xo

Music Streaming with Deezer

We've come a long way! From good ol' cassettes to burning playlists on CDs to music on iPods and now, we've really arrived in the digital age with music streaming. (I swear I'm not that old)

Seriously though, I honestly can't remember the last time I downloaded a song! I haven't found the  need to - I usually listen to the radio in the car so I can hear some new tracks and when I'm on my laptop, I stream music on Youtube which is quite the pain but I've powered through. I survived and thrived on Spotify when I was living in NYC but unfortunately, it does not work in this region unless you have a Premium subscription.

BUT just recently, I discovered Deezer and I'm a happy camper once again! Deezer is a music streaming service available (yes, legally available) in the UAE (and other countries)! I've been using the service for about two weeks now and have to say - it's pretty great.

So here's the lowdown - I'm currently on the free plan which means ads and being able to play them on only one platform at a time, both of which are no biggie IMO. They do also have a paid Premium+ version ($9.99/month) which has no ads, unlimited plays across platforms and being able to access your music offline as well. It's available on web, PC/Mac, iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry.

They have some cool features like 'Flow' which suggests music based on your current favorites and 'Mixes' which are genre based playlists. You can also make your little playlists and here's my favorite part - you can choose to have people collaborate on your playlists! Fun right? I was even able to import my Spotify playlists quite easily using this website!

The library is quite impressive - I've been able to find all of the music that I listen to including the Bollywood tracks even. The interface is also quite easy to use which is definitely a bonus. So, I completely recommend giving Deezer a go if you're looking for a music streaming option - it's very similar to Spotify if you've used them before.

Here's a little summer playlist of songs I've had on loop for the last few weeks, you'll get a 30-sec preview if you're a not a Deezer member.

What are some of your favorite tracks right now? Let me know in the comments below! :)

Mona xo

Staycation: Anantara the Palm

Who doesn't love a little break? I know what you're thinking - I was just in Turkey. BUT I feel like when you travel to a new place, you're constantly on the move trying to cover everything possible, planning everything to the T with a serious FOMO cloud over your head. Is this just me?

This is exactly why a staycation is my number one way to just RELAX followed very closely by a spa day. My most recent need to unwind led me to Anantara The Palm Resort and Spa for a weekend escape. Now, fair warning, this post is going to have way too many adjectives because this place was so god damn wonderful.

I jumpstarted my staycay by switching up my regular ride - I was packed off on a little tuk-tuk to check out the resort and man, just the tour had me straight into my holiday mode (I mean staycation mode). They have a whole bunch of things to do and places to eat which I'll get into in a bit - stay with me.

Once we entered the lane which led to my room, it really felt like I was transported to some part of Thailand (in my head, this is what Thailand looks like).

The cheese on my french fries was this gorgeous room! I had the premier room which had direct access to the simply divine lagoon that I spent so many (MANY) hours floating in. I was there around mid April and the weather just made this experience even more heavenly than it already was.

So after I managed to drag myself out of the lagoon, I went around exploring the resort. If you're the active kind at resorts, they have a gym, tennis courts, a watersports hut and even a kids club. While I didn't try out any of the activities (saying that I was lazing is an understatement), it's safe to say you're sorted if you feeling adventurous. More up my alley was the Anantara Spa but sadly they were closed for renovations at the time. They also have the resort staple - a lovely infinity pool along with a private beach.

And last but not the least, no staycay is complete without some good food - lazing can really bring out your appetite (teehee). I demolished the lovely breakfast at Crescendo but otherwise, sticking to my staycay theme, I thoroughly enjoyed some delish room service.

But if you feel like venturing out of your room and into the wilderness that is the resort, you're spoilt for choice between their Asian restaurant Mekong, Ozzie steakhouse Bushman's Restaurant and Bar (they even serve Kangaroo meat) and their Mediterranean option The Beach House. 

So if you're looking for your next mini getaway, I cannot recommend Anantara the Palm enough. I know I definitely did not want to leave and I absolutely can't wait to go back there.

This post is giving me serious staycation blues - any recommendations for my next one? Tweet me @MonaGir and leave a comment below :)

Mona xo