Glitched Stores: A new online store to look out for!

What’s hot and trending in online shopping? A new online store – Glitched Stores has stepped into the e-commerce market offering the most dope products at reasonable prices!

Glitched Stores aim to offer unconventional product designs at very reasonable rates. Their products range from artist and series inspired clothing to phone accessories and home décor to keep your lifestyle lit!

T-shirts (33% off for White Friday!)

Celebrate your love for your favorite rock band by wearing these casual Arctic Monkeys t-shirts! Fit for any occasion as long as you keep loving the band! You can buy these shirts here.

 

Travelling through infinite realities, Rick and Morty have surely captured our attention! So let’s get schwifty in different dimensions with these casual Rick and Morty t-shirts! You can buy these shirts here.

 

Home Décor (Free shipping for White Friday!)

Wall Murals are the most unique and affordable way to add depth and dimension to your room! A tasteful, well-placed and inspirational wall mural can change your room from bland to spectacular.

Calaveras – “Todos somos Calaveras” – We all are skeletons. Underneath our manmade trappings, we all are same. Inspired from Mexican culture, these trippy calaveras (skull) wall murals are an eccentric reminder of life. (Price 55 SAR)

 

Calligraphy – Deriving its beauty from austerity, this Arabic Kufic calligraphy has a particular appeal for problem-solvers. These spiritual wall murals let you receive blessings by gazing upon them every day! (Price 60 SAR). Buy these here.

 

Mandala – A Mandala symbolizes your relation to the infinite; a world that extends both within and outside your body and mind. You can trip on these soothing wall murals anytime and also give your home a bohemian touch! (Price 55 SAR). Buy these here.

 

Yin Yang – “When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created. When people see things as good, evil is created.” This mystical Yin Yang wall mural celebrates wholeness and is said to invoke unconscious awakening in people. (Price 55 SAR) . Buy these here.

 

iPhone Covers: (50% off for White Friday!)

Appreciate your love for doodles with these animal themed iPhone 7/8 series cases! This case will bring all the wilderness to your iPhone and style! Buy these here.

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Fell in love with a trend that has not entered the local market? Glitched Stores has an eye out for most exceptional trends in the world!

Coming soon – Socks!
In Glitched Stores, shopping for socks is not boring at all! Check out these comical socks for the free-spirited!

The biggest sale of the year is here! This White Friday, you enjoy up to 50% off and free shipping only from 22-25 Nov. So head over to the Glitched Store now before these run out of stock!

Stay woke and stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook !

 

Paperless Post Review

Paperless Post is an online stationery company with a difference. Not only are the designs beautiful and elegant, but they are eco-friendly convenient too. I was super-excited to get a message from them and be asked to explore their website.

If you’re anything like me, then your family and friends will be scattered all over the world. Now whether you want to send them birthday cards, Eid cards, save-the-dates or wedding cards, Paperless Post makes the experience so much easier. But more on that later.

First, let’s take a peek at some of the cute-as-a-button cards they have on offer.

Baby shower…

Belated birthday…

Iftar party…

 

 

Eid Mubarak…

Save-the-Dates…

The sheer number of beautiful designs are breathtaking and I guarantee you’ll be be wasting a lot of your precious time just browsing through them all.

The best part when it comes to invites? Once your guests receive a little envelope in their email inbox, they click on it to reveal the card and can also RSVP there and then!

Go ahead and customise your card. Most cards are free, and some come at a fee. If you want to send printed invitations, you have the option for doing that too – they have truly thought of everything.

Give them a try. Go Paperless today.

 

TaskSpotting – Make Money While You Shop!

When the nice people at TaskSpotting contacting us at Jeddah Blog and asked us to take a look at their app, I was quite intrigued. The concept is so simple that I was surprised as to why no-one had come up with it before. Shop, complete missions and earn cash. Read on for details on how to sign up and how it works.

Although new to Saudi, TaskSpotting has been around for over a year, with thousands of app users cashing in and making money while shopping, eating out, and going about their usual errands, basically without having to go out of their way at all.

The concept is simple. Brands place ‘missions’ on the app, which app users can accept and complete. Missions could be as simple as taking a picture of a supermarket shelf or checking the price of an item at a store. Once completed, missions are submitted and approved and the cash appears in your e-wallet! One couple in Dubai made 1000 Dirhams in one weekend through the app.

TaskSpotting has recently launched in Saudi with missions all over Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. The missions are simple; such as price checks for washing powder take literally 5 minutes per mission, and pay 50SAR each. App users are allowed to complete 10 missions each so they could earn up to 500SAR in a day. Hard to resist!

Download TaskSpotting now and start making money!

hellofood offers 24-hours premium access to icflix with every meal order

We at Jeddah Blog have used hellofood, the online food delivery service many times, and have never been disappointed. They are prompt, reliable, efficient, and even follow up online orders with a phone call confirming the order and an email afterwards inquiring about the level of service provided. Adding to all this, their service charge is very reasonable. If you haven’t tried them already, I recommend you do so very soon. When you do, leave a comment at the end of this blog post telling us about your experience.

Enjoying a delicious meal in front of a movie is something we all like, therefore the promotional offer that is currently available between Hellofood and icflix might interest the cinema lovers. 

In fact the Middle East and North Africa’s leading Internet streaming service, providing its viewers with access to Hollywood, Bollywood and Jazwood (Arabic) content has lately announced a strategic partnership with hellofood.

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Active in over 40 countries over 5 continents, hellofood have selected the best restaurants in Saudi Arabia, granting customers ordering food online, free unlimited 24-hour access to movies, TV series, documentaries and kids content on icflix.

“The premium access to icflix will give hellofood customers a chance to enjoy and experience the service,” said Carlos Tibi, CEO, icflix. “We want customers to enjoy the entertainment from the comfort of their own home.”

“hellofood represents a complement to icflix’s internet streaming service  and vice versa, enabling users to order food online from more than 500 restaurants and choose from a variety of movies and TV shows at the same time. All customers will benefit from the synergy of this partnership”, said Beschir Hussain, CEO  of Hellofood Middle East.

About ICFLIX

ICFLIX media FZ LLC was established in Dubai in 2012. The company provides its members with convenient access to . It is the first subscription-based online streaming service of its kind and offers movies, TV series, cartoons, and documentaries. The service is currently available on over 900 different mobile and fixed Internet enabled devices including PCs, Macs, smart phones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles. Aside from its UAE headquarters, ICFLIX has offices in Morocco, Egypt and Czech Republic.

You can follow icflix via Twitter and Facebook.

About hellofood

hellofood is the leading global online food delivery marketplace and is active in more than 40 countries across five continents. For restaurants, hellofood promotes their visibility in a mobile and digital world, and provides up-to-date interfaces as technology evolves. For diners, hellofood provides the convenience of ordering food online and offers the widest culinary range to choose their favorite meal from, which can be done via the web or through the app. In the Middle East, hellofood is present in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar. The group recently acquired UAE-based 24h and has raised more than 200 million USD to date.

– Sponsored article

Top Facts to Consider Before Buying A Car Online In Saudi Arabia

Readers, we’re back after a great summer break. I’m hoping you all are well-rested with lots of energy to face the joys and challenges of the rest of the year.

Increasingly, all kinds of shopping is now being done online, from groceries to books and even fast food. Did you know that shopping for a car has also caught on via the web? To shed more light on this, we’ve asked Mr. Fathy Abdelmonam who has a keen interest in the online cars market to give us his top tips on purchasing a car online. If you have any questions for Mr. Abdelmonam, leave a comment at the end of this blog post.

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Most car buyers worldwide prefer to buy cars offline from the traditional car markets. However, there are a good number of buyers that are now switching to buy or sell cars and vehicles online allowing them to get a better response, beneficial offers and great deals. The advantage that online car deals have over the traditional offline car markets is that it provides the buyer with the opportunity to look up many car deals at the same time with a few simple clicks rather than going through individual offline deals that take up a lot of time. However, there are a few things you need to consider when you’re looking online for the right car that suits you the most in Saudi Arabia.

Site Reputation

The first and the most important thing you need to take into consideration when buying a car online is the reputation and quality of the site that you’re using, as it should be a trusted website that offers you the right deals without any kind of fraud or hidden costs that you will be obliged to pay later. For instance, Carmudi that operates in Saudi Arabia and all of its services are free of charge and J. Motors that operates in Jordan.

Variety and diversity

Whenever you decide to give the online car marketplace a try, you have to pick the one that offers you a better variety of cars and wide range of brands like Toyota, Honda, Audi, BMW and many others. When looking out for the right deal that will match your needs such as; the model, the price and many other factors.

Customer Service

When you’re looking for your dream car online, you have to pick the website that offers a high quality level of customer support as you might need their assistance if you’re dealing with the site for the first time. It can also help your questions to be answered on time and to complete your car buying deal without any problems.

Camel Cuteness: Souvenirs from Jeddah

Having been in Jeddah town for around five years now, and having gone back at least eight times, I was fast beginning to feel like I had exhausted all options for my ‘Arab souvenirs’. Friends and families back home had had just about enough of our regular take-homes of assorted dates and fancy nuts from Roasters. Most of the souvenir shops at Jarir Mall and Red Sea Mall were drastically over-priced.

When I come back to Jeddah, I often bring back traditional stuff for my Arab colleagues, something deeply traditional, with a strong feel of place, like Ajrak-printed bedsheets, embroidered cushion covers, and winter shawls.  It leaves them elated and asking for more. I was looking for something along those lines, something that makes a very strong statement without necessarily inducing bankruptcy.

As they say, if you’re not a Muggle, magic finds a way to happen. So, where do I hit upon this goldmine of cuteness? In the departure lounge at the airport. Yes, apparently a new or a very recent addition, because I did not see this before, a brand called The Camel Company, which operates from Dubai UAE, has a whole range of souvenirs including notebooks, pens, wallets, cups, decorative plates, cushion covers, key chains, mouse pads, coasters, fridge magnets, paper weights and such.

The motifs are very Arab with a strong dash of color and spunk. The most refreshing part is definitely the colour palette, with bright and deep colours that just leap off the racks and beg purchase. The images for the brand are mostly clichés of the Arab landscape and way of life, but they are very artfully appropriated for a fun effect. They would have to be Arab in the broadest sense of the word, not necessarily Saudi per se, but I don’t think the benefactors of these souvenirs would be overly fussy about that.

Camels and more camels

Camels and more camels!

I don’t know what takes the cup for cuteness, the multi-hued camel with the drooping lower lip, the palm-sized Bedouin girl and boy in authentic Bedouin costume, the mosque sprouting out of desert ground on a set of coasters, the notebook with the ornate calligraphy or the fridge magnets that look like little jewels. For the moment, they look like they’re all winning, and I’m taking them all!

 

Quilt Exhibition in Jeddah

Thanks to fellow blogger Lyn Birrell for giving us the heads up about the upcoming Quilt Exhibition for families in Jeddah.

 

Make a Date with Talah Al Jood, the Ultimate Date Store in Jeddah

Few fruits can boast the historical significance, cultural heritage and nutritional benefit of the Dactylifera – more commonly known as the date! The sweet crop of the Phoenix is thought to have originated in the lands of Iraq, and known to be cultivated in Eastern Arabia circa 6000 BCE. Truly a magnificent plant, the Phoenix Dactylifera – for evidence shows it has been around for at least 50 million years. Dates are one of the most popular food items in the Makkah region, but also in the whole of Saudi Arabia and the Arab World. They are available in most markets, with many names and in various forms. From sweet and gooey Sukkary dates to larger fruity Anbary dates, simpler varieties to the most expensive Ajwah dates from Madinah there are endless choices to discover and sample.  You will find pastries filled with dates, date bars, even McDonald’s offers a date pie as an alternative to its apple pie! Explore, if you wish, the rich varieties and flavours of this special fruit. They can be found in many vendors’ shops and supermarkets, yet as a personal recommendation; I suggest a trip to Talah Al Jood. By far, Talah has dates of the most delicious flavour and superior quality in the whole of Jeddah. In addition, their customer service is truly unparalleled. Upon entering the store, customers are greeted and served piquant dates – completely free of charge – to dip into a rich chocolate fountain. Also, a cup of the finest Arabic coffee to accompany your chocolate date – poured fresh from the Dallah. Inside, a vast variety of dates awaits, ranging from as low a price as SR35 per kilo, upwards. Staff are friendly and extremely generous with their samples, and offer whatever the customer may ask to try. If you feel at all adventurous and are keen to excite your taste buds beyond just the fruit, try their caramel dates, dates with coffee beans (a coffee explosion in your mouth), cappuccino dates, pistachio dates, dates packed with hazelnuts, rolled in sesame seeds, filled with chocolate, covered in chocolate and many, many more. They even sell confectionery (I spied a round ‘chocolate panda’) and tiny bite-sized crunchy deserts. Date cakes are also on display. My personal favourites are the delectable caramel kind and the distinctively delightful coffee dates. For relatively small orders, dates can be packed in gift boxes or gift plates, however for larger orders; parties or corporate buyers: Talah has a variety of elaborate arrangements. There are many branches of this irresistable store, but the one I visit most frequently is the branch on Sari Street (from Prince Sultan Street, head past Jarir, and it’s on the right-hand side). It’s a definite must-visit for anyone living in Jeddah. If you’re an expat, try taking some home with you. There will surely be dates to satisfy every palate. What’s your favourite date? Be sure to tell us in the comments, happy date-shopping!

The Plus Size Fashionista reviews Anna Scholz

Can you believe we are now in 2014? A new year is the perfect excuse for  a new look, and for plus size ladies, who better to give us advice than our very own Plus Size Fashionista? In this blog post, Hanane was lucky enough to get to try on some gorgeous samples, and review one of her favourite designers. Here is her exclusive review of the Anna Scholz collection, hot off the press.

Hello ladies! In this month’s column, I am back with  an exciting surprise. As the Plus Size Fashionista at Jeddah Blog, I was chosen to review a collection by Anna Scholz! If you don’t know Anna Scholz, please let me fill you in.

http://www.annascholz.com

Anna Scholz is one of the most inspiring fashion designers and pioneers of the plus size fashion industry as she believes that all women – regardless of their shape – deserve to wear trendy designer clothes. The secret recipe is a blend of getting to know your body shape, wearing clothes that fit well, embracing your assets and finally to have an enjoyable fashion, style and shopping experience at every chance you get.

Firstly, I’d like to say that I feel humbled and honoured for this awesome opportunity! There is no doubt about the impeccable quality of the clothes. I simply loved all the samples that were sent to me. Some more than others – love at first fit! I had of course heard about Anna Scholz before, but I never had the chance to purchase any of her beautiful clothes. So, let’s get started!

The psychology of shopping. How do we pick our clothes? We engage all our senses to find those favourite items.

Black Leather Jacket

Love at first sight! The chevron pattern is so refreshing and the dominance of the magenta makes it even more stylish. An eye-candy! It was a perfect fit in a size UK 18. I cannot overlook the light-weightness of this top as the jersey component provides a slight stretchiness and comfort. Sometimes, we as women, neglect ourselves. We choose comfort over style, thinking that anything stylish will not be comfortable enough to run errands, finish chores or suit our busy schedule. I would totally recommend this top to all the busy moms. Just put it together with legging and high boots. Whether to run errands or to meet up the girlfriends for lunch, this casual look will not pass unnoticed. And no effort needed. This top can work in both summer and fall. For the more conservative women or for women who don’t like to wear sleeve-less tops, this is a very stylish option. With the weather lately in Jeddah, this look is a big YAY!

You know how we all must have a LBD in our closet (Little Black Dress) Yes! Well new rule. We all should also have a Little Black Leather Jacket. This one is actually by Anna Scholz too and it is gorgeous! My only problem is with the size. It fits perfectly if I want to keep it open. I would really want to show the zipper detailing when it is closed! A leather jacket gives us a sharp look. Its length is impeccable and super stylish. None of these long matrix jackets! Well, since I have broad shoulders, I get my jackets and coats a size or two bigger – depending on the cut. It is still a must-have in my book. Invest in a LBLJ…

Pocket Top

Teal is one my favorites colors. The pattern of this pocket top is hypnotizing and I simply love it! Paired with some skinny jeans and cream high-heel sandals, I put together an outfit suitable for a busy mom or a college student or a hip art director. To make it classier or a more night look, I would pair it with a long black skirt or a high-low black skirt and some black high-heel sandals. Peplum is so in too, so you can work around a peplum tube skirt for a work look. This top is so versatile, you can go all out to make numerous outfits. For me, UK18 is a bit tight because it is silk – no stretch. I would get one size bigger, just for the tiny extra comfort around the arms and shoulders. It is a gorgeous pick.

Puzzle Pattern Long Sleeve Shirt

You won’t be puzzled by this long-sleeve shirt. A puzzle grey, pink and white puzzle pattern brings a whimsical quality to a once plain long-sleeve shirt. This piece was a perfect fit. I always have trouble with shirts, but I was very lucky with this one. I have a new address where I can find my perfect trendy shirt: Anna Scholz. This shirt can go from a casual look to work look by pairing it with pants and pumps instead of jeans and sandals. Adding a black blazer would also work-ify this outfit. I went for a casual look because my lifestyle is such. Since I am a full-time mom and I work from home, my lifestyle in Saudi Arabia doesn’t requires more than casual/stylish outfits. A fun shirt suitable for all.

Grey Skull Bodycon Dress

Although I am not a big fan of bodycon dresses, but this dress caught my full attention. I loved the grey skull print! A feminine adaptation of a rocker-style skull icon. The size was good; it has a combined inner slip dress – 2 in 1 – so no need to worry about buying one. The attached slip dress underneath adds to the density of the dress: as it is quite tight and close on the body, this creates a layered affect without adding unwanted weight. I would definitely wear this on a night out. The philosophy of merging comfort and style still presides…

Black and Brown Bodycon Dress

Here is another bodycon dress, a bit longer though – which I really like. The combination of black and green/brown is interesting. I can’t say I ever put these two colors together but it works. The sweetheart and pockets detailing creates a feminine and thought look to a color-block tube dress. This is a great option for working women as it breaks the forever boundaries of black.

Crepe Tailoring Lapel Black Dress

We cannot escape the Little Black Dress. This is without a doubt my favorite piece. Although it’s a bit tight at the upper body, I still feel like I rocked it!

There is something very empowering about the black dress. Every woman should have one in her closet. With the right accessories, it can go from day to night in a flash. What’s unique about this dress is the lapel detailing. It is genius! Almost like an optical illusion: “Is she wearing a short jacket? Or is part of her dress?” I think this design is on top of my list. And the award goes to the LBD!

It has been an honour and a pleasure to be able to present you a sample collection of Anna Scholz, one of the trendiest plus size fashion brands. If you are looking for long-lasting, designer, good quality and accurate sizing, I recommend you check out her online shop. For a more personal touch you can also call them on +44 20 8964 3040.

I hope you enjoyed this review.Please share your comments and let us know which ones are your favourite pieces.

What do you miss about home living here in Saudi Arabia?

I started out asking expat ladies in Jeddah which things they miss from their home country, and which were unavailable in Jeddah. I expected I would get a long list of grocery items in response, but some of the more detailed answers surprised me a great deal. I was also pleasantly surprised by the number of responses I received, and even though I know this’ll make a long blog post, I’d like to include them all.

Pine nuts (chilgozas)

Among the edibles that people missed the most were cottage cheese (their own special local brand), falooda (a type of noodle in the form of a dessert eaten in Pakistan), chilghozay (roasted pine nuts) and ‘andaa shamee burger’ (burger filled with chicken and egg).

Clothing was another item whose absence is felt in Jeddah. In particular ‘lawn’ a very light, breezy material available in the Indian sub-continent and ready-made, quality shalwar qameez (long shirts and pants worn in South-East Asia). A recurring issue with regards to buying clothing here in Saudi Arabia is the absence of fitting rooms for ladies and the difficulty one faces in buying clothes without trying them on first resulting in much time and effort wasted when the ill-fitting clothes have to be returned.

Rehab, an expat from Egypt said she missed “getting out early in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays to the club in marvellous weather at temperatures of about 19°C”.

Exotic tea

One of the more moving responses was from Naureen who wrote: “I miss the people-ness of back home, the feel of a house full of humans, peering eyes, helpful hands, encouraging and reprimanding voices. I miss the chaos and the clutter, the disorder, and the synergy that seems to hold it all together miraculously and running forever. I miss the presence of three generations under one roof and the sense of security, continuity and connectedness it brings. I miss unexpected visitors. I miss the frequency and mystery of doorbells. I miss the fact that my child feels eternally loved and at peace and doesn’t need to be ‘entertained’ artificially like he needs to here. I love the luxury of having nature close at hand, my front lawn, my back garden, Model Town Park. Grass, mud, rain in full force, puddle water. I miss the free phone calls to my sister and friends. I miss the feel of seasons, the ruthlessness of extremes. The scorching, unforgiving heat and the chill biting to the bone. I miss the ceremonial ‘baksa-unloading’ (unpacking of suitcases) sequence before each season.”

Understandably, ladies missed being able to drive for the sheer convenience of it, and walking openly in the streets without getting strange glances from strangers.

Mandy, a lady from Canada says, “I miss driving my car, going to the movies and trying on clothes in a store. Getting something home and finding it doesn’t fit or looks awful on is such a pain. Shops being open all day would also be nice. Apart from those things Jeddah has a pretty good variety of goods available. I do find it hard to get good tea here so I have people send it to me or bring it from South Africa, Canada or UK.”

Basant, kite-flying festivities

Qurratulain Sikander who originates from Lahore in Pakistan remembers, “the gol gappas from Liberty Market, Dahi Bhallay from Punjab University Bridge, and of course the Bhel Puri from Chatkhara!!! Sadly none have ever been brought here…and nothing here has been at par of that taste :(. I miss my freedom of owning and driving my own car/ second closet, which was my means of transport and my room outside the house. I miss the wedding season and the Basant (kite-flying) season. The celebrations, dressing up, food, hangama, dancing – nowhere else in the world is it the same!”

“I miss shops being open all day, driving somewhere to get something quickly, walking down streets looking in people’s front gardens and windows! seeing what girls are wearing out and about. BUT only missing it a little bit.” remarked A, a lady who recently moved to Jeddah.

‘Flower heaven’.

Alina Farhan, who hails from Lahore, Pakistan pines, “I miss the way the air smells in Lahore, like old dried leaves being burnt, like the earth after a sudden downpour, like the car/ motorcycle/ noisy rickshaw exhaust fumes coupled with the motia (jasmine) garlands the little boys at the traffic lights are selling, like when you enter Y-Block Defence and you can smell Packages from miles away, or when you cross McDonalds and you can literally see apple pies and cappuccinos swimming in front of your eyes, like when I reach Ami’s place and the lawn has been watered, or when you enter the house, you know what’s cooking for lunch – chicken pulao (rice) and yellow daal (lentils) and chicken karahi. I miss the sights of Lahore Liberty and the crazy shopping, lawn prints, exhibitions helter skelter, greenery so beautiful it makes your heart sing, flowers during spring. Have you ever been to the flower exhibitions or Defence Club or LUMS during spring? It’s like flower heaven. And then social butterfly type Aunties going around in their Honda’s with sunglasses perched high up their foreheads, picture perfect make-up and clothes, wearing the latest Gul Ahmed, the tongas (horse carts) and the donkey carts on the same road as an Audi. M.M. Alam road’s cafe crazy generation. But above all else I miss my people. One can still get food here. You just need to go to Azizyah and you can get halwa poori and samosay and everything. There’s even a great place for gol gappay and paans but for people there is no substitute.”

Fitting Rooms

Another lady, Amina, wrote the following in response to the things she missed the most in Jeddah: “playing in the rain, the ability to haggle on prices because you speak the same language, shopping because you have try-rooms and don’t have to change 75% of your purchases because you under-estimate your size all the time, and the ability to play and shout and giggle with your kids in a public place without people looking at you.”

A big thank you to all the lovely ladies who took out the time to answer the question posed and articulate their thoughts – you all know who you are!! And thank you to those of you who are regular readers of Jeddah Blog 🙂

Online Home Delivery in Jeddah

Have you ever been caught up during the day, had a sudden bout of laziness, not cooked at home, or simply wanted to order in for a change? Great idea! But wait… what happens if you don’t have a driver at hand, or really can’t imagine battling that notorious Jeddah traffic outside?

We at Jeddah Blog have discovered a great new service, perfect for those of us who like to order in every once in a while without having to leave the comfort of our homes.

Meet your soon-to-be best friend, Hello Food!

This is a super-easy way to order food online in 3 simple steps:

1. You tell them your location.

2. Pick a restaurant (and your favourite dish).

3. Receive your delivery.

The best part of it is, you pay the very nominal delivery charge in cash on your doorstep. No need to set up an account, or have a credit card handy. Their delivery service is available in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dhahran, Dammam and Khobar.

There’s also a hellofood app which you can download to your smartphones, making the whole process even easier. Saudi hellofood is dealing with the largest and well-known food outlets such as Pizza Hut, Burger King, Tako Hut, Quiznon, Romaway and Canton.

What are you waiting for? Click on the links above to take you to the hellofood website. Be sure to write in to us and share your home delivery experience!

The Plus Size Fashionista: Swimsuits for Sizzling Summers

Hello high temperatures! The talk of the town is that we hit 52 degrees last week. That’s just one of those signs that call on summer’s arrival. Although Jeddah is known for its around-the-year warm weather, it is still nice to call out the different seasons. While the harsh summer is taking over the Kingdom, Hanane Fathallah, our expert on all things large and beautiful, talks to us about the ultimate estival must-have.

Whether you are staying in Jeddah or planning to go on a vacation, one of the key elements every woman should have in her closet/suitcase is a swimsuit. Being voluptuous and curvy does not mean that you can’t wear one and show off your assets. Never feel embarrassed just because you are different. For me, it is always a constant hunt to find the perfect size, fitting and style all in one package. I don’t like to settle for the ‘bland’ or ‘shapeless’. Here are a few shops and destinations I tend to check out that might be helpful.

Debenhams (Mall of Arabia • Tahlia Street)

Swimsuits appear on hangers around end of April. I was able to take a look at their collection before traveling. A flow of one-pieces and bikinis in different colors and patterns invite into a tropical shopping spree. If I am not mistaken, sizes go up to 20 UK/22 UK. I also find their prices average to decent. Matching accessories and bags help you make a whole beach kit pleasant and lasting all summer – so are you ready to hit the water and those tanning sessions?

BHS (Red Sea Mall • Tahlia Street • Aziz Mall)

A kaleidoscope of swimsuits, cover-ups, flip-flops, bags, etc. I particularly love the branch on Tahlia Street. It always has the greater variety. Don’t hesitate to try on different styles. Since we don’t have fitting rooms in Jeddah, I recommend buying at least 2 to 3 pieces. Also, vary the sizes if you are not sure what size you are. Soon enough you will know your BHS size. It can be a hassle but all in the cause for the perfect swimsuit!

Marks & Spencer (Mall of Arabia • Tahlia Street • Haifa Mall)

Before traveling, the collection was very limited so it should probably be more varied by now. I bought mine for the summer from M&S. I was craving a one-piece black swimsuit. It has a gorgeous neckline and a perfectly convenient tummy control function. As a mom, I sometimes need practical choices, yet without sacrificing on my femininity or style.

Never feel embarrassed just because you are different.

If you are an online shopper, you should definitely check out these brands! (If you don’t already have it) I highly advise you to create a Shop and Ship account to shop online. And now, here’s my handy swimsuit list, whether you are looking for value for money, lots of designs to choose from, or because you want to look extra special:

Bargains

Forever21

Old Navy

Variety

Swimsuitsforall

Uniqueness

MonifC

 

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy the summer breezes, the sun-drenched beaches and pool sides, and quite simply your swim-suited body! I will continue my hunt and keep you updated. Have a good shopping dive!

Introducing The Plus Size Fashionista!

I am very excited to introduce our newest columnist to you all. Hanane Fathallah is a full-time mom, a freelance graphic designer and a plus size fashion advocate. Hanane has been spreading awareness about the rising plus size fashion movement. Her aim is to start up a community in the Arab region for plus size fashionistas, plus size bloggers and just regular curvy women.

In her first column for Jeddah Blog, Hanane introduces the concept of plus size fashion and will apprise us of the latest developments in the market for gorgeous plus size women. She also discloses her handy tips for you to find the right size clothing to make you look your best!

womanwithin.com

Plus size fashion has become such a controversial issue. Some think it is a dishonest way of encouraging obesity, while others consider it as an opportunity for women of all sizes to glam up and feel beautiful. Regardless of what people think, it is not in any way, shameful to be a plus size woman who is simply proud of her curves. That being said, I never disregard the importance of health. Health, confidence and style go together to reflect a beautiful image of your femininity. One missing link in this equation would disrupt this equilibrium.

Plus size fashion is slowly becoming embedded in our Arab culture. Many brands have succeeded in standing tall in the market and providing a stylish solution to the once hopeless fashion cravings for curvier women. One of the brands that caught my eye, and I personally recommend, is City Chic – Australia’s leading high-end plus size fashion retailer.

City Chic at the Mall of Arabia

So far, two branches are available in Jeddah to stoke your curiosity: one in the Mall of Arabia and another one in Aziz Mall. I was pleasantly surprised to find that their sizing was very accurate. Their sizes go from size 14 to 24 (Australia). Click here to see their size guide.

It could come in handy to check it out the size guide before going to the store, just to give yourself an idea about what size you might be. Of course, a size guide is also provided at the store and the saleswomen are quite helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask them for information as the sizes go from XS to XXL (equivalent to 14 to 24). For example, I am a size 18 so I go for M.

I particularly love their short knee-length dresses. They are long enough to cover decently, and short enough to flaunt your legs. No more of those tunic-length dresses that make you feel like you are wearing a top instead of a dress. And you always need to wear leggings underneath! City Chic has a variety of basics, tops, pants and also lingerie. For the lovely ladies who want to embrace their curves and take a leap into fashion, be sure to keep this store in mind. It will grant you a new perspective towards plus size fashion.

All woman should feel beautiful – no exceptions!

If you liked this article, leave a comment and let us know. If you have any questions for Hanane, don’t be shy. We would love to hear from you.

Fayfa Garden Centre

If there is one thing I truly miss in Jeddah, it’s the greenery. Plants, whether flowering or otherwise, tend to lift my mood and brighten the surroundings. The presence of plants in our homes have many benefits, from providing us with much-needed oxygen to purifying air and balancing indoor humidity. But where does one go in Jeddah to look for house or garden plants? Zareen Muzaffar visits the Fayfa Garden Centre in her hunt for some beautiful shrubs, but ends up finding much, much more.

Patio Sets

Are you looking for some fresh plants for your home? Or perhaps some easy-to-manage artificials that look like fresh plants? Interested in turfing or landscaping, but not sure where to go? Not to worry. You will find all sorts of green beauties nestled in Fayfa, located on Tahlia Street in Jeddah. This awesome garden and gift centre is home to a variety of plants, flowers and decorative items for your garden, as well as beautiful patio sets.

Garden Paraphernalia

Two whole floors at Fayfa are dedicated to all the paraphernalia that truly belongs in your garden or patio. With a wide range of colours and designs available, you can match your patio set with the perfect plants and decorations with ease. You will even find a range of fragrant and fragrance-free candles tucked into the corner when you enter the store. One beautiful item that caught my eye was an ornate wooden cart that one can place either in a garden or inside one’s home.

Wooden Cart

The store’s back doors lead to a surprisingly pleasant area that is home to a variety of animals. Decorated with different rides for children and a small cafeteria, the walkway leads to a small zoo that your children will love. You will also find fresh flowers, plant pots, soil and seeds in this open area.

How about a lively cockatoo?

For those whose children love animals and are looking for the perfect pet to adopt into their family, Fayfa also has an enclosed pet center very close to the zoo where you will find beautiful parrots, cats, puppies and fishes for sale. Not to forget some friendly monkeys and if you’re brave enough, completely coiled snakes. You can visit the Vet clinics too once you’ve taken your new pet home.

Pets looking for a loving home

Whether you are new in Jeddah or an old resident, Fayfa has a lot to offer for those looking to spruce up their house or garden. And a nice spot for those looking for a pet as well.

For more information please call 02-6695669

Top Makeup Tips from Bee

We’ve been very busy at the blog lately with recent competitions, activities and courses. We have also been getting lots of positive feedback from our readers. One Jeddah Blog subscriber Saadia Fatima, wrote in to us recently with a very practical question for Bee, adviser to all lost souls in this modern metropolis. Here is what she said:

Hi Bee,

I’m a 15 year old girl and I am no beauty geek. However, last few days I have given make up a stand and wanted to check out a few products on myself.

I have Indian skin. I’m not fair. And I was looking for some products to start with. Coming to the point, could you suggest me some products which would fit into my budget of 250-300 SR.

I will prefer only branded products such as Bourjois Paris, L’Oreal Paris, Sephora, Avon, Dior and Maybelline. Also, note that foundation and compact powder is a must for me.

I just need a simple, elegant and edgy look. I live in Jeddah, so if you give me references to the shopping malls where I should shop I’ll be very thankful.

Please reply me at the earliest possible.

Lots of good wishes.

With Anticipation,

Saadia

About Bee

Bee is a 30 something mother, wife, corporate consultant and a bona fide prodigy in the art of shelling out unnecessary, unsolicited and often useless advice. The kind people at her office actually pay her for doing this on an hourly daily basis and she returns the kindness by making them lose sleep over random pointless issues. She currently lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with her very sane husband (he takes after his mother) and her two not very sane children (they too take after their mother). Her own personal hell would be to have nothing to do with no-one paying her for pretending to have nothing to do.

Dear Saadia,

I like to describe myself as: “Classy, Sassy and a bit smart-Assy”

But I have a dirty little secret. I am classy in a cheap kindda way. Not cheap as in a penny-pincher, but I am a sucker for a good deal and when it comes to make-up, there are many good and budget friendly swaps to be had in Jeddah.

In response to your query, I will give you a breakdown of makeup products with their cost and sourcing details for my own daily look. I personally am a huge fan of the ‘no-makeup makeup look’. I mean, if you look like you are wearing tons of make-up, it defeats the whole purpose of makeup, n’est-ce pas?

So here goes, behold the makeup secrets of the great Bee:

The first think I recommend is that you splurge on the foundation, and the one I found works best for daily wear is MAC. It keeps the skin looking neat and non-blotchy throughout a long day of much head-banging and hand-wringing stress. This is not to say that you cannot find the same quality in cheaper brands (see below for other great options) but I have personally found MAC to work wonders on my own brown, tired and often sleep-deprived skin. The foundation will take a big chunk out of your budget, but since we are going for a simple look, you will have enough to spend on other stuff.

Another must-have item is the translucent powder to fix the foundation. You said you will need a compact, but let me tell you that when you use a good foundation and a good fixing powder, all you will need is a little dab of powder on your nose during the day and you will continue to look impeccable. Compacts on the other hand can make you look cakey as the day goes on. And the NYX powder is so affordable, you can keep one in your purse too for touch-ups.

Here is a breakdown of stuff I use on a daily basis, and people in my office wrongly assume that I am naturally gorgeous 😉

PRODUCT	SAVE	SPLURGE
Foundation	Bourjois Healthy Mix FoundationSAR 85Centre Point	MAC Select SPF 15FoundationSAR 150 MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Translucent powder	NYX Loose powder in Soft BeigeSAR 70Centre Point	MAC Mineralize Skin Finish PowderSAR 150+MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Eyeliner	Maybelline Eye Studio Long lasting Eyeliner gel ORRevlon ColorStay Eyeliner PencilSAR 60-75 Citimax and Center Point stores	MAC Fluid LineSAR 150MAC Stores in Red Sea Mall and Tahlia Mall
Blush	Rimmel Blush in 131 Madeira(great for Asian Indian Skin tones) ORMaybelline Dream Mousse cream blush in Rose PetalSAR 30- 45 Citimax and Center Point stores	Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder BlusherSAR 150-180Paris Gallery
Mascara	Maybelline Great Lash MascaraSAR 75Citimax and Center Point stores	Maybelline makes the best mascaras so I don’t suggest splurging on these.
Lip Colour	Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 630 Velvet Beige ORRevlon colorstay Lip-gloss almost all shades are great ORMaxFactor Color Elixir Lipstick in SAR 40-60 Citimax and Center Point stores Centre Point	Estée Lauder Classic Color Lipstick in Caffe Latte (a great nude/ brown shade)SAR 200+Paris Gallery

I hope this helps you take the first tentative steps into the world of makeup. Take it from me, experimenting is half the fun, so please take my recommendations as a guide only and get products you feel complement your own looks. You can also check out What Not To Do While Shopping for Makeup in Jeddah for more details on how to get the most out of your makeup shopping experience in Jeddah.

Good luck!

Bee