Looking up at the hotel for my last view of the City Seasons Tower, I was amazed to see two window cleaners rappelling down the mirrored surface. For a moment, I really thought they were Spidermen !
It was long overdue I thought, considering the spattered windows that disfigured my photograph of a Dubai sunrise. I tried getting photos of the sunrise each of the three days that I was there, but the dirty windows put me off. Sometimes, window panes do make for interesting photos with unexpected reflections and even patches of dirt.
I was amazed to see clouds in a Dubai Sky . I remember learning about clouds and the Rain Cycle when I was all of 8 years’ old! But obviously there were a few swirling clouds as I found out in my brief visit to Dubai last week.
[Tweet “Did you know there were clouds in a Dubai Sky?”]
Sharing views from my #Dubai Sky with others at #SkywatchFriday
For those who are following my blog, today I will finally reveal how I found Leonardo.
Well, they say Third Time Lucky. In my case it was the fourth! or was it the fifth?
At my first attempt at Layal in Burjuman, I was told to try at the Mall of Dubai. So when I went there, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Tom Ford counter staring at me from my vantage point just outside the entrance from the skywalk. So I went downstairs and walked inside.
I was one of the early birds and when I asked the gorgeously made up statuesque saleslady if she could help me with Leonardo No 40, she didn’t even bat an eyelid. I love this about luxury malls : the sales persons are inordinately polite and know exactly how to handle frizzy haired grannies asking for the most unlikely things!
She very patiently looked at both the displays and even checked in her inventory. Sadly, she informed me that this lipstick wasn’t available. She suggested I try alternatives at the Chanel and Dior counters next door. They didn’t have any shades close enough. This didn’t surprise me. What amazed me was that this ultra luxe range was out priced by Tom Ford!
Now even more intrigued than ever, I decided I just had to find out what made Tom Ford so special.
Now I was even more intrigued to find this lipstick. What made it so special?
So I made my second attempt at the Paris Gallery where an equally charming salesman scouted in his display and system, only to tell me that he didn’t have it either. He also made some helpful suggestions with alternative shades : “This will be perfect for you Madame.”
However, I wasn’t looking out for a lipstick for me . He suggested I try the Tom Ford boutique which is situated in the Fashion Avenue. This stand alone boutique is impressive but didn’t have Leonardo. Once again the dapper salesman suggested I try somewhere else.
“Oh you want the Lips & Boys?” asked the salesman.
Did I? I didn’t know.
And what was Lips & Boys? Lipsticks for men? Noticing my perplexed and slightly aghast expression, he proceeded to explain that this was just Tom Ford’s range of lipsticks.
He proceeded to show me similar colours and unable to resist the temptation of finding out for myself what makes Tom Ford so covetable, I gave in and bought two alternatives Alejandro and Collin.
I was still not pleased though and when I found the Tom Ford counter at Dubai’s Airport, I again asked for Leonardo.
And surprise! It was there!
Thus ended my search for Leonardo No.40.
According to Tom Ford’s Press release ( and I quote)
TOM FORD UNLEASHES THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED RETURN OF LIPS & BOYS, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND COLLECTION OF LIP COLORS NAMED AFTER MEN HE ADMIRES, FROM INTIMATES, TO COLLABORATORS TO MEN HE FINDS INSPIRING.
25 BESTSELLING FAVORITES LIKE COLLIN, HOLDEN AND GIACOMO PERMANENTLY RETURN ALONGSIDE THE ARRIVAL OF 25 NEW BOYS. FROM ANSEL AND JOAQUIN TO DRAKE AND ROCCO, THE LUXURIOUS NEW SHADES DEBUT IN A PEARLESCENT, METALLIZED FINISH. DESIGNED TO BE WORN ON THEIR OWN OR LAYERED WITH ONE ANOTHER, THESE LIP TRANSFORMING COLORS AMPLIFY A WOMEN’S INDIVIDUALITY WHILE GENERATING AN INSATIABLE DESIRE TO TRY MORE THAN ONE.
SHOWCASED IN A SLEEK, CLUTCH-SIZED CASE, THIS DECADENT WARDROBE OF RICH, SPECIALLY TREATED PIGMENTS ARE BLENDED TO DELIVER PURE COLOR WITH JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE OF LUMINOSITY.
Well, I still have to try out my Tom Ford lipsticks and see if they are as smooth as butter and as long lasting as the salespersons have professed.
My first visit to the Dubai Mall was in 2015 during my very brief visit to the City. I thought it would be my last visit as there are very few places I visit multiple times. But I was proved wrong when I visited Dubai yet again this year. There is something magical about this place even though it is hot. It slowly weaves a spell around you with its ultra modern chic blending seamlessly with its ancient culture and you land up visiting it again and again.
My primary reason for this visit was to have a few days of rest and recreation. I had visions of lying in bed all day, catching up with my reading and possibly surfing channels while mindlessly watching tv.
The magic of Dubai Mall
But the lure of shopping is hard to resist especially when you are staying in a hotel on a busy street like Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Rd. This hotel has two restaurants so it was only natural that we stepped out to eat. And with many of the eateries situated in the nearby Burjuman Mall, it wasn’t long before I succumbed to window shopping .
And finally, I couldn’t resist going to that ultimate shopping destination : The Dubai Mall.
This is truly a testament to man’s desire for luxury. Spread over a large acreage in the vicinity of the towering Burj Khalifa, one can truly spend hours in this mall and not get bored. Infact this is one place which is a MUST for all visitors to Dubai – even those who hate shopping.
Because in The Dubai Mall, you can do a hundreds of things apart from shopping.
#1. Eating
Many people watch the fountains while eating at one of the many restaurants at the Mall. However, with the show beginning at 6, I couldn’t indulge in this. I did however, manage to savour a yummy hazelnut icecream at Rubicons.
#2. Shopping
Since my main aim was to shop for Tom Ford’s lipstick, I just had to do that. It was fun browsing the mall looking around for the shops. They are easy to locate because there are many interactive booths where one can find whatever it is you are looking for – right from shops to rest room stops.
The mall is beautifully decorated with different motifs and you can’t help admiring the artwork you see.
#3. Visiting the Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.
#4. Meeting.
Last but not least was the most fulfilling part of my visit to the Mall : meeting up with an old school friend.
P is a dear friend who has been in Dubai for the last three decades. During these years our interactions have been infrequent and we have kept in touch largely through mail and brief visits during her trips to Bombay. I was thrilled that she could come and meet me despite her bad back . I will never forget that enjoyable visit as we exchanged news and gossip over a cup of coffee in the Starbucks off a corridor with a canopy of coloured umbrellas.
So don’t you think a trip to the Dubai Mall is definitely worth it?
