The shrimp's on the barbie
Kangaroos, koalas, the Great Barrier Reef, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, battlers, bush rangers and brave soldiers. Australia, the sixth-largest country in the world, will be celebrated at Cafe Arabia on January 26 to commemorate Australia Day. We can't wait to indulge in the "Arabia meets Australia" style barbecue with juicy kebabs and fresh seafood. Plus, there will be plenty of talented Aussies showcasing their Australian-themed photography and arts and crafts. With face painting and prizes to be won for the children, what a great way to spend an afternoon.
Cafe Arabia Australia Day, January 26 from 10am-9.30pm. Contact Rachael Peacock at Cafe Arabia, in Abu Dhabi on 15th Street between Al Karama and Airport Road, on 02 643 9699 if you are interested in attending or exhibiting
Glitter wings
With a slew of concerts and parties to attend over the next few months, we've been stocking up on what we call festival-friendly gear. Reworked vintage shirts, ankle boots with metal hardware and bowler hats made their way into our wardrobes recently, but we were still missing out on modern boho accessories. We didn't have to look further than Topshop's jewellery line to find the perfect earrings: a combination of feathers, glitter and colour in just the right amounts. Wear on a night out with an asymmetric frock or to a gig with cutoff jeans and an oversized T-shirt.
Dh55, Topshop, Marina Mall, 02 681 8242; Dubai Mall, 04 339 9802; and elsewhere
Strut on the wild side
We're a little bored of nude shoes - yes, they may lengthen your legs, and we know that they're all the rage, but this season requires a bit more guts from the footwear department. Stella McCartney's combination of orange, snakeskin print and nude adds a much-needed modern twist to the wardrobe staple. The small platform and the ankle strap stabilise the stiletto to give your heels more comfort.
Dh2,950, Stella McCartney, Dubai Mall, 04 339 9179
Sleek hangings
If you're unsure what to do about your delicate lace or silk evening dresses, then a padded hanger is your answer. This set from Zara Home protects your prized possessions from the tangles of other hangers in your wardrobe, and also gives a nod to this season's animal print trend. When you've already spent a fortune on that swanky dress, there's no reason you should keep it on the wire hanger from your dry cleaner.
Dh75 (set of three), Zara Home, Marina Mall, 02 681 5560; Dubai Mall, 04 399 9105; and elsewhere
Skin crawl
iPhone covers are a grey area when it comes to the fashion crowd - do you keep it bare to showcase the simplicity of the phone, add a bumper for protection or go all out and get a bright/printed/customised cover? As far as going commando, that's a big no-no considering we drop our phones about six times a day. The bumper version looks a bit too techie for our liking. which leaves us with only the cover option. We don't mean to be fussy, but it took us about three months to settle on this python print version (think Chloé A/W 2011-2012) from the quirky Marc by Marc Jacobs. And if that doesn't express how much we love it, we don't know what will.
Dh200, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Abu Dhabi Mall, 02 650 3338; Dubai Mall, 04 339 8781; and elsewhere
Exotic appeal
Bring a white shirt and denims to life with this divine Italian calf hair bag. The Marquesa Lazerato Blue clutch by Azyra is embellished with a Swarovski crystal closure and boasting a royal blue suede lining, arm candy never looked so good.
Dh3,158, available from www.boticca.com
Animal magic
In the fashion world, it's a universal truth that small accessories can update classics. Whether you wear this Jimmy Choo leopard-print calf hair belt with your favourite jeans or secured over a high-waisted skirt, it's bound to give any outfit an edge.
Dh2,479, available on www.net-a-porter.com
