New opening
Anyone who thinks British cuisine is limited to fry-ups and fish and chips must visit Dubai's latest restaurant offering, Alfie's in Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Opened earlier this month, it's like an escape to a small country house in the heart of the UK's green and pleasant pastures. The menu offers everything from traditional Scottish haggis to roast wood pigeon with bubble and squeak and chicken liver toast, finished off with a mouth-watering array of desserts from apple and rhubarb crumble to bread and butter pudding. Hearty and wholesome fresh fare for anyone with an appreciation for the true taste of Britain's best.
Alfie's, lower level, The Boulevard, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, 04 319 8088
Hostess with the mostest
Versace's prints are a huge hit among mega celebs and hipsters alike, so it's only natural that their legendary plates make their way onto our dining tables, too - fully decorated in electric print, of course. The brand celebrates 20 years of collaborating with the luxury homeware brand Rosenthal with 20 designs worth collecting. Even if you don't plan on eating off them, each plate would make a lovely addition to your dining room's display cupboards.
Approximately Dh275, Versace, www.versacehome.it
Chain reaction
We couldn't lust after anything more than these masterpiece necklaces from Kirsty Ward. The trendy London designer recently launched her collection in Dubai's Valleydez boutique and we're eating up every bite of her modern, almost sci-fi aesthetic. With a penchant for colour blocking and futuristic silhouettes, Ward's clothing and accessories work perfectly with Spring/Summer 2012's sportswear gear. Be sure to wear with killer heels for extra emphasis.
Black and gold fringed necklace, Dh1,450, Valleydez, Sunset Mall, 04 380 9024; Wafi Mall, 04 324 2883
New fitness classes
If you are one of those people who like to get your workout done and dusted before work, the ladies' only fitness studio Exhale now offers Liz Terry's popular vinyasa flow classes at 7.15am on Wednesdays at its JBR studios. The perfect way to start the day, the class is suitable for beginners to advanced and is guaranteed to get you moving, combining postures working on strength and flexibility with the calming benefits of a moving meditation. It's sure to blow away the morning cobwebs.
Dh60 per class, Exhale, 04 424 3777, www.exhaledubai.com
Don't get bored with your usual fitness regime, shake it up a little with this charity Zumba class. After a two-hour session with the master Zumba instructor Vicky Zagarra of Colombia, you'll have partied yourself into shape in no time. All proceeds go to the UAE chapter of the charity Operation Smile, which provides free surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate.
Dh150, April 7, 5-7pm at Al Bateen Secondary School, Abu Dhabi. For more information see www.inspiresports.ae
Flower packing
The rucksack is spring's new "It" bag. Seen on models at fashion week and in urban street-style snaps, this trend is a tricky one to get away with. The key to nailing the sweet/punk look is to pair the rucksack with ultra-feminine clothing (such as a loose chiffon top tucked into a tube skirt) and hard accessories (such as chunky ankle boots).
Dh250, Topshop, Marina Mall, 02 681 8242; Dubai Mall, 04 339 9802; and elsewhere
On our radar
One of our favourite shoe shops is making its way to the capital. That's right, ladies, Kurt Geiger is opening in Marina Mall on April 10 and we're going to be first in line for some of this season's best footwear - platform mega wedges, plastic with pastel peep-toes and tasselled courts; we are in for a treat. Swing by the store as soon as possible to snatch up your favourite pieces before they run out.
Dh729, Kurt Geiger, Marina Mall, ground floor