well travelled stationary from see what I sea designs

I can't even remember how I stumbled across Bekka's blog but I instantly felt an affinity to this women who had experienced the same things as me. I had just moved to Cyprus and reading See What I Sea Designs really helped me get to grips with a few insider expat emotions that were waiting round the corner for me. 

It quickly became apparent how talented this lovely lady is, with her DIY hacks and beautiful watercolour illustration prints and stationary. To say I am jealous is an understatement. She creates these beautiful pieces for her home that I wish I had the talent to accomplish the same.

Somehow we never managed to meet up on the tiny little island of Cyprus which was quite an achievement in itself considering the actual size of the island. In the early days, when I had just started reading her blog, I saw Bekka in the mall and it was one of those weird moments. I was going up the escalator, she was going down, I recognised her but couldnt quite pluck up the courage to shout heyyy and look like a crazy a lady. Our one chance meeting was missed. 

Despite that I would say she has been a very consistent blog friend and I have followed her story all the way back to the US. And being the super sweet lady that she is, she sent over some gorgeous stationary for me to bring to Dubai and send back home to friends and family. Post being post, it arrived a few days after my departure for Dubai. But I have finally been reunited with it. 

The effort that went into packaging it shows that she really cares about what she does. And the little stack of flower painted note cards tied with candy stripe twine made my heart skip a beat. Each design starts life as a watercolour illustration and gets printed as stationary cards, perfect for some good old fashioned snail mail. She also does a number of prints perfect for adding to a blossoming frame wall.

I love the lemon print and the little flowery note cards with their bright pops of colour that came in my package. But my favourite is the little window scene which reminds me so perfectly of Cyprus. 

If you're in the market for some new stationary, the See What I Sea Designs etsy shop should be your first port of call! Next on my list is the gorgeous polka dot birthday card!

sunday sound #36

Keeping the Pooch Cool

Our dog may have only ever lived in a hot climate, but she still suffers in the super hot summer months, mainly because of that fur coat she insists on wearing! As a responsible dog owner, we have toyed with the idea of shaving her many times, but everytime we discuss it, she gives us those puppy eyes that say please don't make me go out of the house naked.

So we have to find other ways to keep her cool and happy when the temperatures reach ridiculous highs. Since we live in an apartment this generally isn't a problem; she spends her days enjoying air con on tap. But certain routines have to adjust in the summer months.

No more long walks or running around outside for too long. As soon as that tongue starts hanging out her mouth and the panting gets quicker you know it's time to go back inside. In general there are a couple of simple ways to navigate the summer months. 

Constant supply of fresh water - this is essential to keep your pooch hydrated. We also use an aluminium bowl for her drinking water as this keeps the water cooler for longer. 

Short walks - more frequent short walks ensure she gets outside and gets her exercise without feel the heat too for too long. 

Walking times - walk early in the morning and after the sun goes down when the temperatures have had time to cool down a bit. Never walk midday! By midday the pavement will be scorching and that won't be fun for your pooches paws. If you slip off your shoe and it's too hot to stand on the pavement then it's too hot for your pooch. 

Seasonal treats - a little tip I learnt whilst living in Cyprus with the pooch was to make some frozen treats for her. Mix a banana, some peanut butter and water together until smooth and runny. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then you can just pop out an ice cube when it's treat time. Coming straight from the freezer they're cooling and yummy. I also found my pooch goes wild for a good old plain ice cube. It does get a little messy so maybe not a great idea if you have carpets! 

midweek mix #36

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Emirates ID Card: Moving to Dubai with Expatsblog.com

Obtaining an Emirates ID card is mandatory for any expat coming to live in Dubai. Coming from England, I never really understood the whole ID card thing but I was wouldn't have been opposed to it if the government decided to implement it. People say it's a breach of privacy or it's a waste of time or money and goes against human rights of free movement. It never really bothered me; I mean people usually know where I am thanks to my Instagram feed. 

One of the regulations for entering and residing in the UAE is that every resident must have an Emirates ID card. This ID card is linked to you immigration record in the central database and holds your visa information and vital stats like date of birth and nationality. The process is quite simple to obtain one and runs alongside the medical assessment procedures. 

I don't feel like my privacy has been breached because I have an ID card. Actually it makes life a whole lot easier. You use your ID card at the bank, to hire a car, to pay your bills etc. And it is that one tiny card that makes me feel safe in Dubai. There are strict regulations which means everyone must have one, everyone's information is held by the government and everyone is traceable. 

Trust me, that isn't a bad thing. The process to get your Emirates ID is pretty easy, if your woman. The men's queues are always longer in these government offices. Read more about how to get your Emirates ID card as a new expat in Dubai in my latest article for Expatsblog.com, Obtaining the Emirates ID Card - New Expat in Dubai.