Dress with DVF

Looking to fall in love?
It's no surprise that I'm in love with DVF, the devine designs of her dresses, the gorgeous mix of colours and her trademark patterns are all part of her artistic vision I can work with.
This is one dress I absolutely adore:

This dramatic number is perfect for pairing with dark, straight denim or trousers with a simple clutch and your favorite pumps. The airy material make it the perfect addition to a hijab(and fashion)-friendly wardrobe, and the gorgeous sillhoutte make it flattering for any figure.

DVF breaking the bank? Look for similar sillouhettes online and in stores.

Omani Architecture, Interior Design, and Photography at Nakl Fort with Salim Al-Harthy

I am a fan of Salim Al-Harthy's work http://salimphoto.com/-/salimphoto/gallery.asp?cat=133847&pID=1&row=5. I especially his recreations of traditional Omani life through photographs, and his pictures of the Grand Masjid at twilight are lovely.

Omani Architecture: Salalah House

I don't know why, but I LOVE this place. I want to live here.

Omani Architecture/Interior Design: Zanzibari Style

Since in Muscat, I learned Kiswahili words before I learned Omani ones, and because Zanzibari style kind of rules in my neighborhood setting, much love M ;D lov ya girl, Z, & J.
For some authentic Omani/Zanzibari styling for you to feast your eyes on, bon apetit!

I love luban aka frankinsence: and I can have luban candles? Yay!

Ooooooooooooh! I just discovered this online store http://thenejd.com/?lang=en. I love it.

From the website: "The pottery can be reused as an incense burner by placing frankincense resin directly on burning coals. "

The Nejd practices a strict fair trade policy to ensure that artisans are paid a fair price for their goods.

Fair prices help make traditional craft industries viable in the 21st Century and ensure that heritage and culture are passed on to future generations.

From carpet making, leatherwork, jewellery to pottery, Oman has a rich and ancient craft making tradition. The Nejd supports local artisans and their communities by connecting their products to the global marketplace, thereby ensuring that traditional industries continue to thrive and are passed on to the next generation.

The Nejd practices fair trade policies and supports four distinct and independent artisan groups across Oman.

The Nejd offers a unique range of stunning frankincense container candles made from mejmar, traditional incense burners.

1, 2 & 5: These pots are made by men in the town of Muslimat and are characterized by their white colour and coarse, rustic exterior. Taking up to four weeks to produce from gathering and producing the clay, sculpting the mejmar, drying and firing, this poetry exemplifies the artistry and functionality that define Omani crafts.

3 & 4: These mejmar are made by women in the southern Dhofar region of Oman. Dhofai terracotta pottery is easily identified by its rich red colour, achieved through open-pit firing, along with its iconic crenelated edging.

6 & 8: Potters in the ancient town of Bahla trace their traditions back over 3,000 years. These candles are based on coffee cups and other traditional designs.

7: These mejmar are made by men in a remote village in the northern mountains of Musandam, accessible only by boat or helicopter. Now very rare, this form of pottery has remained virtually unchanged for nearly 5,000 years.

Omani Architectural Design: Amouage store & perfumery

Some pictures taken from this post from Andy who did something I haven't yet, he took a tour of the perfumery near Nizwa: http://andyinoman.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/amouage-the-gift-of-kings/

OPNO loves.... Amouage Room Sprays

OKay, when it comes to perfume, I wear women's Amouage Gold (when I can afford to). When I can't, I buy the soap and shower gel. Yes, yes I do.

In case you didn't know, Amouage is Oman's national perfume company http://www.amouage.com/history.php. There is a location in the Muwalla City Center if you are interested. They are PRICEY though.
So my favourite souvenir take-away by (still at OMR 20 a pop) are the room sprays. I love "spice road". Mmmm, yum. Honestly, I'd wear it AS perfume, if no one who knew me knew that it is a room spray/ They know I am cheap like that.

Dear Muscat Jet Driver, can I be invited to read your blog? Sometimes I read old posts.

Can't Deny It: Statistics put Omani Disabilities AWFULLY Low... Soooooo

A SHY REBELLIOUS ARAB GIRL just wrote this well-timed (for me personally) post For the sake of Dhofari Blind Girls! and I relate alot to it. Studying the MOH (Ministry of Health) 2009 report, Oman has pretty low cases for disabilities, and a MIRACULOUS almost non-existant percentage of children born with autism.

NOT.

As the government is well aware, Omani families just decide to hide the fact that children are born with different gifts (and different difficulties) than the social norm. There is no shame in these things, and denying an illness will cause MORE ill than treating and recognizing them.

I support awareness of disabilties, research dedicated to, and know from personal experience of having a family member born with a disability, my family member ROCKS, and I am proud of her. So what if it takes her twice as long to learn and do things as me. It has taken alot of time, and alot of patience and treatment, but when she does things now, she does them BETTER than me.

For those in this society who'd hide their sons or daughters, know you are HURTING your family more if they don't get the education that would help them BETTER your family, or the treatment to help them help you.

Omani Word of the Day: Cat

The Omani word of the day (differing from the Arabic kit-ta) is "se-nora" for "cat". Like the spanish word for lady, but pronounced SLIGHLY differently on the first syllable.

"Seh-noor-ah"

Omani Arabic Phrases: Are we laughing?

"Moo3yani NDhack?"

Actually the first sentance I was ever taught. I often say it wrong because there is a gutteral "aiyn" [sound non-existant in English] softly eununciated in the middle of the word. It is "moo" [like a cow] "aiyn" [like the arabic] "Yaa-nee" and then "nuh-duh-hak" [Arabic word for laugh].

It means, "should we laugh now?" Kind of the Omani equivelant of sarcasm, and is a very old Omani word which makes people scrunch up their faces at me, and Omani girls giggle, "where did you learn THAT????!!!!" Yes, thank you K for making people laugh at me, always.;)

Apparently Princess and BL were to say it whenever any of their old shebab were to make a joke or to say something silly that the guys thought was funny.

I honestly don't know if it is rude or not [cuz I never know with K] , but seems to make people smile, so I guess from a Westerner using it, it is not.

Shopping for face veils in Oman: I need tips

I just bought myself a present, a. because it was such a good price, and b. because there was a reason. A new abaya, like the one above. Very affordable, very chic, and plain black. The drape is amazing.

BL I found a tailor!!!! He is now my tailor. One for abayaat, one for Omani traditional clothes. I still need to find my fabric guy, but one day, one day.So if you want any style, send me your pic and measurements and I'll see the price for you and send to you.... Same to you my FIG&Olive girl.

I also found Salalah style niqabs (stringed [nose string] or stringless) for 700 baiza. The salalah style has wider, stiffer headband and a short face veil, falling just pass the chin like in the pics below, and may be ornamented with a further sheerer or longer veil behind it. I was wondering if you munaqabat girls in Oman knew places to get good quality niqabs and different styles. The ones I own are very basic, like the first pic, and the ones below:
I own this one [but better quality]: Emirati gashwa (UAE) [but is there anywhere IN Oman to purchase the same??? and how much].Yes, I have my birqa. LOL, I get teased by my Muscati girls because I know some Bedu families well enough to know how to sew these. I have never bought one so no, I don't know how much they are worth. Classic elastic half niqab (purchased in UAE and online). Very cheap, and I only like to wear them under gashwa because I don't believe in showing the eyebrows when wearing niqab.
Stringless flip niqab (they sell for 5.8 OMR in Al Motihajiba in City Center Muwalla but the headbands are too stiff for my liking. Does anyone know where they sell softer good quality ones (not too pricey).????
Soft headband longer niqab (with or without string) do you know where to find good quality, soft fabric ones with softer headbands? Oman has a trend for a very stiff band while Saudia and UAE have a trend for softer.
Longer style flip niqab with string (my fave for personal ease and comfort). I bought in UAE but haven't found a good quality soft version yet in Oman. Do any of you ladies who have tailors that make niqabs for you or where do you buy them and get different styles?

I've seen niqabs with the flip edges with coloured piping trim. I loved it. Who does that? My tailor doesn't. Let me know:)

I know this style below (worn VERY wrong) is Saudi and I love it: I am going to start wearing niqab again fulltime. Is a good thing for me, and I do so out of a love an Islamic reason to do so, and is easy to do so in my current situation.

So help me out if you can ladies. My thanks to you.

BTW, I personally find the veil very comfy and actually cooler to wear walking out on a very hot day in Oman. Really. And I have no troubles eating so long as it is a dark colour (black-green-navy-brown-berry ect). Anyways, this is a VERY random and uninformed post.

I would appreciate your feedback.

Omanis and Facial Tissue: An Apparent Essential for any household

While it may not strike anyone else as odd...Weird cultural note: Omanis consume more tissue paper than any other people I have ever known. One box can be gone in a day. I ONLY do that when I have a cold and a runny nose :D.

Thank you M for replacing my tissue stash. Though 10 boxes was a little extreme for my humble useage;p

Kylie and Troy

My first wedding for the season and it started with a bang! This was the first time I had the pleasure to work at Palais 85 and I must say the food and staff was absolutely fabulous and Perth city lights was just the best background anyone can hope for.

Thank you Kylie and Troy for sharing your wonderful day with me.