Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2009 will take place from January 15 to February 15, best time of the year for shopping enthusiastic to visit and enjoy the sprawling event. Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2009 is a favourite among shopping lovers in Mumbai.
People travel from Mumbai to Dubai to enjoy the buzz around the Dubai Shopping Festival. DSF Office also revealed the DSF 2008 figures projecting 3.2 million visitors with expenditure touching the AED 10 billion mark. This will be the 14th shopping festival, billed on the official site Mydsf.com as “One Family, One World, One Festival, the month-long event with the unique theme of bringing the world to one stage.” An integral part of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is The Global Village, located in Dubai and, which houses pavilions from around 60 countries selling goods and food from all over the world. It “brings together diverse customs, cultures and entertainment shows, covering a broad spectrum of activities including music, goods, dances, arts and handicrafts, theatre, costumes, cuisine and food from different parts of the world.” says Abdul Redha Ali Bin Redha, Global Village Project Director, on the official Global Village website.



This year Dubai’s Global Village opens its doors earlier, on November 12, 2008 and will remain open for a total of 102 days. It closes on February 21st, 2009, just after the end of the Dubai Shopping Festival. In addition it has other attractions to offer its projected 5 million visitors, such as around 40 fun fair rides, Venetian gondalas, rowing boats and a World Culture Stage.

Dubai has more than 40 world class shopping malls with excellent offerings, including the largest shopping mall outside of North America, the Mall of the Emirates. Dubai also known as the “City of Gold,” mainly because of its world famous gold souks which provider consumers like old hungry Indian with a mind boggling array of jewelry. Other markets and traditional Arabic souks sell the best in rich textiles, exotic spices, Arabic pottery and wooden furniture. Almost all the shopping malls and large stores and chains offer additional discounts and MASSIVE promotions during the shopping festival. The leading malls in Dubai include the Wafi Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Center, Bur Juman, IBN Battuta Mall and the new Dubai Mall.



So what all can you do in Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival? Here are some ideas

Dubai for the Shoppers:

Start from the Deira City Center that houses almost 300 shops. Browsing through these 300 stores at the Deira City Center can be a back breaking project and you can take regular breaks at the food mall. If you survive this and have the energy you need to visit Al Fahidi Street.

Al Fahidi Street is the place to shop for electronics. After this trip to the electronic market in Dubai you can take a trip across the creek and go the the traditional souks of Dubai. The Gold Souk and the Spice Souk are located next to each other and offer a great traditional shopping experience. Next destination that is a must on the shoppers list is the Mall of the Emirates. Mall of Emirates, Dubai is one of the largest malls in the Middle East and maybe one of the biggest in the world. Can you believe that this place has an indoor ski slope!!

If you are looking for Malls around your area then leading malls in Deira district include Deira City Centre, Al Mulla Plaza, the Inter-Continental Plaza, Abu Hail Shopping Centre, The Galleria, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Warba Centre, Al Manal Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Al Futtaim Centre, The Dana Centre, The Center and Hamarain Centre. On the Dubai side of the Creek the Wafi, BurJuman Centre, Lamcy Plaza, Al Dhiyafa Centre, Karama Centre, Al Rais Shopping Mall, Dune Centre, Al Hana Centre, Al Khaleej Centre and Holiday Centre are among the largest complexes. The Jumeirah district has Magrudy’s Shopping Mall, Markaz Al Jumeirah, Jumaira Plaza, The Beach Centre and Palm Strip.



Dubai for Golfers:

Dubai around the Dubai Shopping Festival offers a wide range of world class Golf Courses. Emirates Golf Course is situated on the edge of the city of Dubai. Emirates Golf Club is a 72 par six lakes obstacles golf course. The second 18-hole course is dominated by water hazards and daunting bunkers to test the skill of even the most proficient golfer. The spectacular 5,500 sq m clubhouse building is already among the landmarks in international golf.

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club in Dubai is the centerpiece of an 80-hectare sports and leisure complex. The main 18-hole, par-72 course is 6,956 yards in length and features lakes and seawater hazards. Dubai Golf club is situated at Nad Al Sheba, that is 10 minutes from the city centre, Dubai Golf and Racing Club is the Middle East’s only fully floodlit 18-hole championship course. The course has eight lakes, more than 110 pot bunkers. The other Golf courses in Dubai are Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai Country Club, Sand Golf Course and some hotels have smaller courses for short games.

The other things to do in Dubai are

Beach adventure at the beaches beaches like the Jumairah - one of the best beaches in the region.
The Dubai Desert Safari a unique experience of Desert Life that is beautifully packaged.
A trip to the sea side resort of Fujairah
A trip to the Entertainment parks in Dubai that includes a trip to the Wild Wadi Water Park, Wonderworld Amusement Park, Magic Planet, etc.
A romantic boat cruise down the Dubai Creek in the night



So pick your itinerary and selection of what to do in Dubai and book yourself on Emirates, Air India, Gulf Air or Air India Express and enjoy the Dubai Shopping Festival from January 15th 2009. Find Travel Agents in Mumbai to get a good package deal to Dubai.

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For most of us November - December and right upto April are the most busy months for attending weddings and wedding related events. Shaadi is probably one of the biggest events that the family looks forward to and Shaadis or marriages become a time for the entire family and friends to get together and celebrate. So a lot of effort goes into planning a perfect Shaadi or Wedding and here are some simple tips to make your life easier.

To plan a perfect wedding you need a lot many services to put the various bits of the function together and make your most special event memorable to all. It indeed needs a lot of homework and planning.

Here are some tips to help you plan various functions.

Try and attend a few weddings at least 6 months before your wedding and get an idea of what you liked and what you didn’t.

Book the places/halls/hotel etc well in time. Contact the recently married couple and their family to get the list of vendors who provide wedding services. You can also get these in Yellow pages, Internet etc.

Click here for list of Indian wedding vendors, Mehendi artists, DJ’s, Flower decorators etc.

Start planning your wedding cards and also start shopping for your trousseau, jewellery and wedding outfits. The designer couture can take three to six months to make your dream wedding dress. You can wait a few months if you’re planning to buy readymade. Also make a list for gifts to exchange with the groom/bride and the family at the wedding.

Contact the various vendors for various services. After contacting the vendors do check out the photos of their work. Also, negotiate for the best deal keeping your budget in mind. It’s a good idea to give contract of your various pre-wedding functions to the same vendor to get decent discounts. Keep unforeseen expenses in mind while planning.

Plan the theme of the wedding ceremony or reception party, backdrop, the atmosphere etc with the vendors help.

For vendors meeting you - to perform their services at your party venue, like mehendi artists, DJs and photographers, make sure they have the address, contact details, exact directions and time to report. You can’t be stressed while your mehendi team or DJ gang can’t find their way to your party.

Delegate lot of jobs to close friends or family members for execution. Mostly in every family you do find willing people to help you out.

Make list of your ‘Out of town’ guests and think of their accommodation. Book hotel rooms, guest houses accordingly. At the same time think of their transport for the various functions.

Think of your dream place for honeymoon and get the hotel bookings, Travel bookings, visa etc done well before time. You may get hold of a good Travel agent take care of all this.

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It’s a good idea to create your wish-list of gifts to share with your family, and friends - so you are prepared with good answers if anyone asks what you’d like as a wedding gift.

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As you welcome your out-of-town guests as they arrive, make sure that they have an itinerary of all the planned events and that a member of your extended family or friends circle can serve as a point of contact on call to help anyone who needs assistance.

Get all the parlor essentials done : Fix your appointments for facial, waxing, threading, bridal massage, manicures/ pedicures closer to the date of your first function. Indulge in a spa treatment or two as well. Though be careful not to try anything for the first time that could cause a rash or breakout on your face.

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Last but not the least - share your wedding photos and video with family and friends.

Click here for list of Indian wedding vendors, Mehendi artists, DJ’s, Flower decorators etc.

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MyBandra visited Khadi Fest on Irla Road, opposite Alpha Shopping Center (suburbs favourite mobile shopping location!!). It has the usual handicrafts, ceramic items, cotton and khadi clothes, Khadi Sarees, terracotta pottery and some Ayurvedic / Herbal products. Pictures from the Khadi Fest are here:

An interesting display at the Khadi Fest Was this model of the “Charkha” that is suppose to generate electricity while weaving khadi. This is a great subject for the “Swadesh 2″ :-). Shah Rukh Khan- are you listening? We tried to ask more about this display but strangely no one knew much about it.

Asim Khan and his amazing collection of SandalWood products.

Click here for more events inBandra on MyBandra.com: Dance & Music Programs, Workshops & Seminars, Theatre & Plays, Exhibition & Trade fairs, Parties & events, SALEs and Discounts

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moksh - a popular Boutique in Bandra - announces the arrival of their fresh festive collection.Choose from a variety of skirts, salwars, stretch churidars and evergreen tops and tunics.

October heat has led designers to creating fashion that not only feels cool but visually too looks cool.

MyBandra team found out what the owner Geetanjali has to say of the new range “We love our new collection, and are absolutely positive our customers will too ! We have used many new styles, cuts and embroideries.
- It is a hot October in Bombay, so many interesting sleeveless tops and tunics with funky cutaway styles and racer backs
- Stylish sexy Dresses that can also be worn with a churidaars and a dupatta.
- The most fashionable statement this season are ’Dhoti Pants’ in Cotton, Satin & Jersey.
- Anarkali styles in block prints, net, mal prints in blues, purples & basic colors- Khaddi prints in blues, whites, purples, deep pink & black.
- Metallic colors ( gold, bronze, copper ) african- egyptian inspired embroideries
- Wrap around skirts , Fish kali skirts and many other styles.
- Also Harem Pants & Stretch Churidars in various sizes”

So check out the vibrant colored dresses, skirts and accessories for the unique style, look and fit. They have wide range of sizes and styles. The collection starts approximately from 800/- onwards.
We are sure you will like the collection and buy something for yourself.
PS - Hurry to Get 5 to 15% off on minimum purchase of Rs. 1000/-. Limited stocks available.
Shop No 1, Windward Apts. 21st road, Bandra(W)

Leena

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  Diwali is the most awaited festival which brings together family, friends and loved ones.  It is an  occasion for gifting to convey love and care to your near and dear ones. We all want our Diwali gifts to be graceful, elegant and expressive enough to convey our Diwali greetings and wishes. 

The entire family gets busy buying gifts and preparing for Diwali. Sisters like to buy gifts for their brothers on the occasion of Bhai Duj and brothers are also on a look out for something special for their sisters. Friends love to share the joy of Diwali with exclusive gifts.

MyBandra has some tips for buying gifts this Diwali.

Take into account the age, likes, dislikes while choosing presents for close family and friends. Giving a personalized present will make the joy of receiving a gift double.

Try and look for artistic yet useful gift appropriate for Diwali. Set of bowls, exclusive glasses or any cutlery is a good and useful.

Don’t make distance an excuse to reach your dear ones with the gift. Your visit makes the gift even more special than getting it delivered through your driver.

Of course  you can very well choose the online gift option to reach your loved ones staying far away.

Gift wrapping is an art and an  attractively wrapped gift always makes an impact. Markets are full with festive decorative papers and other wrapping ideas.

Corporate gifts should be the ones which conjures up the company’s vision and therefore should be of superlative quality. So plan well in advance before you place an order.

Markets are flooded with the highly trendy and stylish gift articles. All you need to do is to spend some time making a list of people you want buy gifts for and then spending time at the right place to pick up the right gifts.

MyBandra shares some Diwali gift ideas

Candles, Scented candles, floating candles

This Diwali fill up your loved ones house with a  nice fragrance by gifting the best of candles. Usually these candles carry some images or design on them like a sunflower, diya or some cracker. These  candles come in different shapes and sizes also. Only look for those candles, which are made up of high quality wax so that they can burn for hours to keep conveying your diwali greetings.

Diwali Gift Hampers

Amazingly crafted attractive Diwali gift hamper is the bright choice for enjoying the blissful celebration. You can make your own or can go for ready made hampers, which consist of chocolates, Lord Ganesha statue, diya, dry fruits etc.

Silver Gifts

Silver Gifts are the traditional gifts for the occasion of Diwali. These are available in huge variety and trendiest of designs at the time of Diwali Festival. Lakshmi - Ganesh Silver coins besides crockery items and small silver showpieces are quite popular as Diwali Gifts.

     Diamond / Gold Gifts

Bejewel the moments of Diwali festival with the ravishing, elegant diamond gifts. Diamond studded pendant, necklace, ring, are intricately designed to glitter the festive occasion.

Decorative Items

Home decoration pieces are something which people might not buy for themselves but love to receive as gifts. Diwali is the time to make new beginnings, so spruce up the place of your closed ones with resplendent charisma of wall hangings, wooden sculptures, metal lantern etc.

   Dry Fruits

People love to receive Dry Fruits on Diwali. The advantage with Dry Fruits is that they can be stored for long periods of time besides you don’t have to bother about the specific taste of the person as in the case of sweets. Dry Fruits are relished with joy in the winter season that is approaching at the time of Diwali.

     Chocolates

 If you are not in favour of usual mithai which needs be  consumed within 4/5 days, be different this Diwali by gifting the special Home made chocolates specially packed in beautiful trays or colourful festive packing.

  Sweets

No Festive season is complete without relishing your taste buds with delicious mithai like gulab jamun, soan papdi, rasgulla, barfi. The perfect treat for all gourmets, you can present sweets in case you are not able to decide on anything else.

Happy Gifting and Happy Diwali !

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