Outdoor markets are back in business all over the country, from Umm Al Emarat Park to Yas Marina. Afshan Ahmed and Christine Iyer browse the coolest items on sale at some of the popular weekend bazaars.
Abu Dhabi
Ripe Food and Craft Market
Fashion on wheels
Dubai business Diamonds Glow is behind this small van that doubles as a portable boutique. Owned by Emirati entrepreneur and fashion designer Azza Al Marar, the van’s interior is stocked with racks of jalabiyas, abayas and jumpsuits, with prices starting at Dh250. Elegant evening gowns – beautifully appliqued and embroidered – are on sale, too, and cost up to Dh3,000. There is a changing area in the back of the curtain-draped, air-conditioned cubicle, and a comfy chair to lounge in while deciding what you want to buy. The van can also come to your door to offer tailor-made designs in the privacy of your home.
• WhatsApp 050 662 7611 or visit their Facebook page
Abu Dhabi
Hide and seek
Every child needs one of these handmade tepees. The Polish-designed tents are made of soft linen and cotton fabric, draped over five lightwood poles that fold away into a neat bundle when not is use. At about 6 feet tall, they are available in a variety of colours, including bold blue stripes, fuchsia, and beige emblazoned with white stars. The tepees are safe, sturdy and suitable, the seller says, for “kids between the ages of 3 and 103”. They make great place to play, read, hide – or simply take a nap. Prices start at Dh580, including a canvas cover-bag.
Abu Dhabi
Wild things
Of Icelandic design, these cute geometric candles melt away to reveal a wilder side: aluminium skeletons that serve as funky desk decorations long after the wax has gone. Choose from rabbits, birds, cats and reindeer in various colours. Each candle costs Dh180 and burns for up to 20 hours. Smaller versions are available, too. Stocked by Dubai-based merchants Urbanscamp.
• www.scamp.littlemajlis.com; @urbanscamp on instagram.
Abu Dhabi
La Loupe at Anantara Eastern Mangroves
Feet a-flutter
We covet every single pair in this gorgeous collection of handmade slippers and sandals by Indian brand Flutter Footwear. Designs vary, with materials ranging from leather to fabric, embellished with rhinestones, tiny bells and colourful pompoms. The soft soles and gold fabric-covered straps keep your feet comfortable – and at Dh150 per pair, the price doesn’t hurt either. Add Dh15 for delivery of online purchases.
• www.facebook.com/flutterfootwear
Abu Dhabi
Face time
Get your hands on some fragrant sandalwood face-mask powder. It is just one of dozens of organic cosmetic products from Indian Earthy Naturals, a certified green company. The sandalwood is easy to use as a face pack: it forms a paste when mixed with rosewater (normal skin), beaten yogurt (oily skin), or milk (dry skin). Men can try soothing shaving cream with organic aloe vera as the prime ingredient, perfect for irritated skin, nicks and cuts. The sandalwood powder costs from Dh95 for 50g, the shaving cream from Dh75 for 90g. While you’re at it, stock up on the buttery all-natural lip balms, Dh20 each. Shipping extra for online purchases.
Abu Dhabi
Home stretch
Origins Collective is a business in Dubai that does brisk trade in bold linen cushion covers, bean cubes and plaques featuring stylised iconic prints, featuring characters such as BB-8 from Stars Wars: The Force Awakens, Wonder Woman and Breaking Bad’s Walter White. Various sizes are available and prices range from Dh130-Dh150, with discounts for multiple purchases. Delivery charges apply for online purchases.
Dubai
Food Truck Jam at Emirates Golf Club
Wooden Timepieces
Style and eco-friendliness is a trendy combination. La Candelaria has a range of watches and sunglasses made from recycled natural wood from Colombia. The earthy colours, such as those found in the sunglasses made from the heart of the Chontaduro tree from tropical rainforests, and the natural design of the material makes each piece unique. The wood comes from reclaimed furniture and hardwood flooring. Cases are made of rubber from airplane tyres. Prices start from Dh280.
• Follow @lacandelariauae on Instagram
Dubai
Gitano Men’s Shirts
Produced in Sharjah, Gitano shirts – which might put you in the mood for booking a holiday to the Bahamas or Hawaii – are designed by Sri Lankan national Gayashan Wijayasinghe. When he could not find anything on the market that reflected his personality, Wijayasinghe says he began creating his own apparel. Now he sells them at the market for Dh150.
• Follow @gitanoshirts on Instagram
Dubai
AFH Designs
Feel at one with the ocean thanks to delicate pieces of jewellery by Farida Abushady. The designer has a pop-up shop in Cairo and has recently started selling her wares in Dubai. Her new collection includes wing-shaped earrings made of seashells and hand carved in Bali. They can be worn as a singlet or a pair. Lucky charm wrist wraps, with ceramic lockets on Indian silk, double up as chokers. Earrings cost from Dh150, silk wraps from Dh100.
Dubai
Ripe Market in Dubai
Himalayan Salt Lamps
Purify the air in your house with a Himalayan Salt lamp, which doubles up as a pretty bedside showpiece or centrepiece in the living room. The salt rock absorbs water molecules and accompanying bacteria from the environment, and the heat from the light bulb causes the water to evaporate, trapping dust particles. The lamps are particularly good in households where someone has asthma and for people with chronic lung conditions that are adversely affected by breathing in lots of positive ions given off by electronics. The lamps absorbs these ions and releases negative ions along with water vapour back into the air. The lamps are sold by Vander Built Furniture and prices start from Dh100. Call 050 254 9923.
Dubai
Kirigami Pop-Up Cards
Kirigami is an Japanese art form similar to origami but involves cutting paper as well as folding. The craft is used by Arkadieva in Dubai to make pop-up cards for any occasion. Be it the Burj Khalifa on a card for a business event or a cartoon character for a children’s party, the company can make just about anything using a computer programme and laser printer, with the pieces assembled by the three women who run the company. Cards can take up to eight hours to create. Prices start at Dh30.