Not just a 5 star Hotel ...

Representing Dr. Vranjes in the UAE doesn’t only mean the chance to visit beautiful  shops inside the greatest malls or the fancy boutiques of beach road. Working and researching for this sophisticated brand, is giving me the opportunity to visit some of the most amazing hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Vranjes’ fragrances are, in fact, often selected by 5* Hotels to scent their entrance halls, their corridors and their most luxurious suites.

In my hotel-mission last week I visited two quite unique places:

The St. Regis Hotel in Abu Dhabi- Saadyat Island - and the Kempinski hotel in the heart of Dubai.

The St. Regis, born under the Starwood Hotels' family and named after its notorious predecessor in  NYC, has a mystique atmosphere thoughtfully created by Mediterranean architecture and contemporary interior design, enhanced by a very smart use of natural elements by a South African design group. The ambience is calming and sumptuous at the same time. It is hard to believe that you’re 15 minutes away from the capital city of the UAE and a 50 minutes drive from the even more chaotic Dubai.

This is the view that captures each guest right at the main entrance of the hotel. Guests will remain in complete admiration of the landscape, while sipping a cup of arab coffe nicely served by local customs and waiters wearing traditional outfits.

The splendid outdoor area is naturally developed on the seaside where guests can have breakfast early in the morning while, if lucky, dolphins perform an exclusive dance show for them, in the uncontaminated waters of the Saadyat protected area. (Below a picture of Mika and Lily playing at the shoreline of the St. Regis Saadiyat - curtesy of Marwan) 

 The main restaurant is attached to the external side and has a perfect marine touch, with turquoise decorations and shell-shaped lamps on the walls. The service looks flawless while guests consume their certainly eye-catching tempting meals (it's 2 pm and I still haven't got anything to eat, I'm hungry!!!). For this space I couldn't avoid picturing how a 5 lt. Duomo bottle of Dr. Vranjes Acqua fragrance would beautifully complete the decor of the restaurant:

These are some details of the St. Regis interiors. I particularly liked the selection of chandeliers for the many different spaces of the hotel: This one is the main actor of the lobby. It literarily dominates the huge space of the hotel entrance.

From the beach restaurant going back inside this quite unique stairway takes shape around another beautiful chandelier.

The high ceiling of the "55th street/5th Avenue" restaurant (I remember this venue is named after the address of the St. Regis in New York) is spectacular. The bubble-falls chandeliers overlook a wonderful dining area, perfect for a fancy dinner!

I completed my visit of the St. Regis drinking a good espresso at one of the cozy bars with Siham from Selva Middle East and Marwan, a manager of the Starwood Hotels group. He was nice enough to give me the contact of the person in charge of all hotels' decorations and housekeeping. An Italian lady who I'll definitely get in touch with once she'll be back from her holiday. I believe Dr. Vranjes fragrances will add a final touch to make this outstanding hotel even more special!!!
Over the weekend Marwan invited me and a couple of friends to go to Cavalli's club in Dubai.
It was the first time for me at this Fairmont's fancy spot, but we had a blast and everything at the club was un entertaining show: from the bartender freestyle playing with bottles and fire, to the DJ playing along with a psychedelic saxophonist and the drums installation right in the middle of the dance floor!!! Here a moment of that night with beautiful ladies Caira, Olga and Vanessa. Thank you Marwan for having us!!!

The Kempinski hotel is the second venue I visited last week.
This hotel is located in a very special position of Dubai. It's the venue directly connected with the Mall of the Emirates, a perfect spot for both turist visitors and people on business trips, as it is close to everything and has easy access to transportations, shopping and sightseeing.

Hotel manager Anwar nicely met me to discuss Dr. Vranjes fragrances for the hotel. We had a nice conversation and he liked our fragrances, especially the warm energizing notes of the "Fuoco" scent. Good tastes Mr. Anwar! This woody spicy fragrance is perfect for a work room. It stimulates concentration and it's indicated for spaces used by smokers! (and he's a smoker).

After our meeting, Arwan arranged a tour of the hotel for me. Lovely miss Judith showed me all the Kempinski suites and deluxe rooms. Needless to say, I was shocked and impressed discovering that this hotel, located in one of the hottest cities in the world, can offer a real "mountain-snowy experience"!!! Some of its rooms, the "chalet suites" face the surreal indoor ski slopes of the Mall of the Emirates. The temperature in the room is quite chilly and looking at the snow outside you immediately feel like lightening the fireplace, relax on the couch covered by a fluffy blanket and drink a cup of hot cocoa!!! The interiors and decorations of the rooms revoke the typical chalets accommodations of villages in the Alps, but if you've never been on the Alps,  this is definitely an experience that will offer you a close reconstruction. Great for children in the region who actually never saw real snow!!! 

The only advantage of the whole thing is that, if you're too cold or sick of the snow, you can always get out and head to the beach in 10 minutes for a tropical sun tan!!!  

Our Fuoco fragrance would merge beautifully with this spacious living room, as the materials used are mainly woods.

The executive rooms and standard rooms go back to a more local atmosphere. The view is either the Burj Al Arab or the hotel's outside pool area. After a time machine trip to St. Moritz, now you feel like you're back to Dubai. Each room is elegant and spacious. Big tables enable the business traveller to work in the living room, while other suites are spacious enough to host entire large families.

For the executive rooms, I'd select Dr. Vranjes' Cuoio and Radica (leather and wood).

This is an essentially masculine scent of leather and briarwood. The elegance of orange blossom, violet leaf and freesia are expertly combined with the virility of cedar, patchouli leaf and briarwood, blended perfectly with the surprisingly soft notes of leather, amber and vanilla. I'm sure this scent is going to be one of our best sellers in the Gulf region! 

My visit ended and I couldn't avoid the temptation to walk through the connecting hallway and go for a stroll in the Mall of Emirates. (These are the side effects of my job: I too often end up conceding myself a little shopping tour before I go back to work!)

I look forward to build a partnership between Dr. Vranjes Firenze and these amazing hotels.
I'm sure it will be a perfect mariage, just as it's happening with luxury hotels all over the world in Europe, the US and even in Japan!!!

Dr. Vranjes' first home in Abu Dhabi

This week I returned to Abu Dhabi in Dr. Vranjes- business mission!

Thanks to our relationship with the Italian design furniture store Selva Middle East, I was asked to bring a few of our fragrances in the showroom apartment of  Eastern Mangroves Residences, a new TDIC luxury residential project in Abu Dhabi. 

This image below shows the picturesque setting of this residential project, located along a stretch of Abu Dhabi protected eastern mangrove district. Simply a magical holiday atmosphere at a few minutes drive from the heart of the city. 

The entrance of the TDIC showroom apartment and leasing office:

The sophisticated furniture in the pictures below are all from Selva Middle East.

Siham (Selva's showroom manager) and I drove together on Sunday morning to reach this gorgeous space and make sure everything was ready for us to display our promotional pamphlets, and (in my case) to find a proper location to the Dr. Vranjes vases I brought.

For the classic spacious living room, I selected our biggest sumptuous vase: the 5 litre cathedral bottle of Rosso Nobile.

The moment I opened the fragrance tank to pour it into the vase, the whole apartment was pleasantly invaded by its scent. Rosso Nobile's (Noble Red) notes of orange blossom enhance the floral bouquet of violets and magnolia, while hints of plum complement the essence of forest fruits, strawberries and rasberries at the heart of fragrance. The aroma of seasoned wood with a hint of smoked birch give it a final decise personality making it one of my Dr. Vranjes' favorite fragrances! 

The living room has direct access to the marvelous patio and a stunning view on the water. I think I could live here for a couple of years!!!

For the entrance, I picked another amazing Dr. Vranjes collection scent:I Giardini di Firenze - Boboli. 

For Florence, Boboli Gardens embody a beautiful piece of history. Situated behind the spectacular Pitti Palace in the centre of the city, the gardens represent a wonderful example of the 16th Italian gardens and they have the power to bring us back at time when Tuscany was ruled by the Medici dynasty. Oh boy, I miss my Firenze!!! 

Dr. Vranjes was capable to evoke those ancient memories and atmospheres reproducing the beauty of that natural vegetation made of cypress trees, citrus fruits and roses. 

Going to Abu Dhabi was, as usual, a great experience and (as always since I work for Dr. Vranjes Firenze) it was rewarding to see how much people in the showroom apartment appreciated the fragrances. Alina, Arwa and Grace, the three lovely girls who work in the office of the Eastern Mangrove Residence, contacted me right after my visit to know more about the fragrances. 

I'm so glad they liked the scents I selected for them and I hope this triple partnership between them, Dr. Vranjes Firenze and Selva Middle East will be fruitful for everyone!

  

Once our work at TDIC was done, Siham and I had a meeting at one of the most beautiful hotels I've seen in my life!!! ...but I don't want to anticipate now...I'll tell you more about this in my next post.

bye bye a tutti!

1Day- Business Trip to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has such a different vibe comparing to Dubai.
It surely has remained a lot more "local".
Visiting malls (I did 4 in a morning!) and looking at people everywhere, you can count a good number of Emirati, many more than in Dubai, anyways.

It is an experience, a lot less surprising to what Dubai has to offer, but it's a pleasant UAE city, in big development and with a strong national pride. After all Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the country, while Dubai can be considered...let's say...its playground!!!

This more authentic life style is reflected in what boutiques have to offer in the malls. I found a lot more abaya and sheila shops (Abaya is the traditional Emirati women elegant black dress, used to cover their regular clothes - Sheila is the piece of fabric they use to cover their head).
This below is an example of an elegant boutique window at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall where stylish abayas are embellished with precious Swarovski details.

Here on the left, I tried to capture a lovely elegant Emirati woman who was wearing amazing red pump shoes and a Hermes purse, while carrying quite a few luxury shopping bags: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci.
And it was just 11 am!!!!!!!!! I was so jelous!

People often ask me why Emirati women buy so much, especially fancy clothes, if they have to cover them anyways.
Well, first of all I still need to further investigate on this matter and understand better, but what I know for sure is that UAE women mostly buy expensive accessories like shoes, bags, sunglasses and, of course, jewelry. Things they can always show off. While for the regular pieces of clothing, it seems like they do have chances to wear them in private family gatherings, parties and probably on a very intimate dinner with their husband!
I've never seen so many sexy lingerie shops like in the UAE! Somebody must wear those provocative pieces!!!

Together with their grown up fancy shopping spots, the UAE has plenty of luxurious selections for kids as well. Check these super cute Mercedes toy convertible and truck!!!
Then compare them to what we all, most probably, played with when we were kids in the 80s and 90s!

                                            TOYS FOR REACH EMIRATI & EXPAT KIDS TODAY:

THE REST OF US....A WHILE AGO:

Once I was done with my research (I love going shopping and say that I was WORKING!!!) visiting Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall, Wahda Mall and the Central Market, I had a meeting with one of my new Dr. Vranjes client in town. 

This is the first cute shop in the capital city selling our fragrances starting from around October 12 !
It's called "Creme de la Creme", it's located next to the Central Souq entrance and they will be presenting a selection of our products at the event "CHIC LADY" in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 9. I'll be there too (if everything gets here on time)!

If you're in Abu Dhabi on the 9th, stop by and have a look at the exhibition centre. Otherwise go visit their shop in the Central Market area. They have lovely gift ideas and fancy wrapping papers!!! Definitely a must-go when Christmas time approaches! Check the grand opening of "Creme de la Creme, with special guest - Lebanese actress Myriam Faris: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150599289402432.405050.51542807431&type=3)

Last meeting of the day in Abu Dhabi was on the new developing Reem Island, at the Boutik Mall.
There, I discussed the introduction of Dr. Vranjes fragrances in a restaurant/ concept store.
The space is called "ITALIANISSIMO" and it obviously features only top quality made in Italy brands. The dining section is managed by Italian chefs who only select the best regional ingredients of the Italian cousine.
I didn't eat there yet, but espresso was really good and atmosphere absolutely lovely and warm...typical Italian style!
At the entrance of Italianissimo a special area is dedicated to the Made in Italy.
Dr. Vranjes will hopefully join them soon.
Now, you can already find Riccardo Cuomo's elegant clothes collection for men and women, Vic Matie' shoes, beautiful leather and python handbags and purses, a selection of Italian eau de parfum and some really cool bijoux of a Naples producer (I'm sorry, I don't know the exact name of all the brands, but I'll check them soon!).

Here some pictures of ITALIANISSIMO:


Italianissimo is right at the main entrance of the Boutik Mall.










This shopping area is dedicated to a selection of Italian brands:

The spacious restaurant is decorated with Italian cinema's black and white photographs. From La Dolce Vita, Sophia Loren to more recent actors like Roberto Benigni and unforgettable movies' captures.
The dining area has a contemporary classic interior style and it's suitable for a quick lunch, coffe, or for a business breakfast in one of the private rooms.
The majority of the Italian ingredients used by Italianissimo chefs can exclusively be purchased right on spot, I need to go there and stock some good homemade pasta and tomato sauces!








Abu Dhabi seems to be the place to be right now.
Somehow a lot of my connections and business opportunities are taking shape in there. I will go back to Abu Dhabi this week and I'll update on how all the projects are evolving!

Fingers crossed for me!!! :)
CIAO!

Back in DBX!

Oh well, it has been a while. More than 2 months without posting on this blog. But you know, summer is always crazy and although we usually have more time to do what we want, we end up being lazy and simply enjoy every single slow day we have in Italy and all the great resolutions I had at the end of the school year just don't seem to be a priority anymore.
Also, I feel the need to connect through the web more when I'm far from my friends and family. When I'm around I'm just too busy living, laughing, eating and loving everyday!!!

I got back to Dubai a couple of weeks ago and my new life here is treating me fine so far.
In my last few weeks in Europe, I've been going to the office working for Dr. Vranjes Firenze, trying to really figure out what my job back in the UAE would have been. We also were very busy preparing the interior design exhibition we participated to at the beginning of September.
The Maison & Objet is a beautiful show held in Paris twice a year. It's THE place to be for all furniture-interior, decoration, lightening brands and there is a good number of companies operating in the home fragrances market. We were there, with this elegant booth:
(This is my sister Bea and I exhausted but happy after a loooong first day of setting up the whole thing! Nice isn't it?)

It has been a great experience. I really got to know more about these exquisite fragrances and I met many of the Dr. Vranjes distributors worldwide. They all have one thing in common: lovely people!
 Despite the strenuous schedule and the sleep deprivation, we had so much fun! The booth was always busy with people from all over the globe and each evening we explored a different French amazing restaurant. Paris is simply magic, there's nothing comparable, and French peeps?...
Well they can be snobbish and a little arrogant. Especially when it comes to languages!!!
I divided them in 2 categories:
#1 The ones that, if you can't speak French, will probably assume you do and won't give a s**t if you obviously have no idea what they're talking about.
#2 The others that, even if you address them in fluent French, will get back to you in a broken English, VERY hard to decifrate.

But on the other hand, gosh, they surely know how to enjoy life! They're always out, either sipping a cup of coffe in a cafe patio during a sunny day or having a glass of champagne at night in one of the stylish bars of the many trendy areas.
This is a restaurant we've been to in Le Marais. It's a lively place with a dance school all around the dining open space. It was fun to eat while a lesson of argentinian tango and one of modern jazz were going on on the other sides of the windows!


Going back to our show, this is the fragrance we've launched in Paris: Calvado's by Dr. Vranjes. Inspired by the precious liquor, this lovely scent has made people literally walk back towards our booth while they were rushing to see everything possible of that huge exhibition. It was amazing to see how the sense of smell was doing all the job for us! We didn't even have to attract or stop people to come visit us. All the "good noses" got intrigued by our world of scents and got captured by our new fragrances. They particularly appreciated the gift box packaging of the Calvado's that comes with a precious balloon snifter. Isn't it a great idea?

Too bad you can't actually smell it from the web. But if you're in Italy you can find this magic world of scents here:
http://en.drvranjes.it/stores
And in many other shops around the world! info@drvranjes.it

Dr. VRANJES WILL BE SOON IN THE UAE!!!! WORK IN PROGRESS!!!

Official pictures - Bebe+Thomas Wedding

Happy Birthday Amore!

July 15th -
Thomas' 33rd birthday. I found a lot in the lyrics of this song that made me think of him:

"You're the best listener that I've ever met, you're my best friend - best friend with benefits.
You held your breath and the door for me, thanks for your patience"

Marriage...1 year after.

July 8th 2011 VS. July 8th 2012
Even if you try, you couldn't imagine 2 more extremely opposite situations!
When I started this blog I always wanted to catch up an talk about my wedding day and our lovely honeymoon. But I never did and now, a full year has passed and I can't avoid remarking what a huge - almost bipolar - reality I'm living.
This might sound negative if you picture someone's wedding day as THE perfect day....but it actually isn't that bad of a dualism. July 8th last year was, indeed, the most special day of my life, but July 8th this year hasn't been that bad either.

Everything was different though.
Last year we were in hot sunny Florence, getting married surrounded by our large families and hundreds of friends from all over the world.
This year we're in cold rainy Belgium, in the complete relaxing quiet of Thomas' mom house in the southern suburbs of Brussels. Does it sound depressing? Well it's not for me!
Since our return to Europe we've been extremely busy. Going back home to Italy is a pleasure, but it's always very demanding. We have to meet everybody (and still I have the feeling I haven't seen half of the people I want to see). We usually are invited to a couple of weddings (almost always in the opposite corner of the country). We have to take care of the house (since my sisters in Florence are not really the best housekeepers in the world). Rediscover our lovely garden (surprisingly still hiding underneath a tropical jungle that grows in the winter)...And finally we yearly have to cope with all the illnesses that don't hit us during the working months. Somebody has got to explain this to me: why don't I ever get sick when I'm working (even though Dubai is famous for its sudden temperatures changes: 45 degrees C outside and 8 degree C in every building with AC), but I ALWAYS end up sick in bed for at least 5 days the moment my plane touches the ground of Florence??????

Beside, going back to Florence it is nice, but I can't say we really relax there. Family is great and I'm thankful I can enjoy them a few months during the summer, but even that is pretty demanding. I won't give details on the many, believe me, family issues that keep us busy but I can try to explain what a great privilege we have living overseas far from all these discussions and disputes. Does it sound incredibly selfish? Well, it might be... but I'm just saying that I definitely don't know how to impede all these things to absorb me completely when I get home. I'm surely not used to balance everything anymore and all my great summer resolutions to exercise every day, bake all the yummy food I pinned on Pinterest that I never have time to make, read books, stroll in the streets of Florence waisting time and drive through the hills around the city with Thomas to see if the house of our dreams is there waiting for us...all these lovely things go completely forgotten the moment I get home.
Should I fight to get all this done and enjoy my vacation the way I want? Maybe so, but I know why I can't just ignore everything else. I guess the right word is "compensation". Yes, I try to compensate for all the time that I'm not there. I never say no to anybody and I try to do everything others expect me to do. It's not relaxing, of course, and my body is not happy about it and this is probably why I get sick every year. It's so hard to maintain a healthy balance and understand when it's ok to say no.


However, now, despite the terrible weather I'm absolutely enjoying these idle hours in Belgium. I celebrated our 1st anniversary sleeping until noon, staying in bed until 2pm, baking a cake, watching a movie with Thomas (in bed again) and reading a Belgian BD (comic). Not the more exciting anniversary plan. But, believe me, that's what we needed and I loved it.
Our dinner menu:
Oiseaux sens tete + cream spinach, baked potatos and blueberry cheesecake.

At the end of the day, both this year and last year' July 8th have been 2 perfect days for me!