Tinkling the Ivories....

I walked past a man tuning a piano this morning. I should just qualify this by saying that I’ve started walking to work again – the temperature is cooler and I’m embracing any opportunity to whittle my waistline. My journey takes me through Dubai Mall. There’s a variety of routes I can take, and when I feel the need to look at beautiful things, I stroll through ‘Fashion Avenue’. As it sounds, it’s populated by big name fashion brands, hence gorgeous window displays.

This morning I had a neb at Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Temperley and Missoni. And for some reason, which I’m sure will become clear next time I walk past, they’ve installed a grand piano outside Ralph Lauren, hence the aforementioned piano tuner.

I was instantly transported back to being 11 years old and piano lessons. The thing with the piano is that it requires a lot of practice. I could blame my poor skills on the fact that we didn’t have a piano, but if I’m honest, the lack of practice is what did for me. I did remember that the one tune which I can belt out is: Noel. And it’s Christmas! Any venue with a piano – watch out – I may not be able to control myself!

Hanbags, shoes and belts, oh my!

I'd heard rumours about a place where Prada, Gcucci and Miu Miu bags nestled in hidden shelves. Everywhere you look here the girls have amazing handbags, sourced from secret stores. And finally, this weekend, I found it. Well I didn't so much find it as speak to a friend of a friend, who emailed someone, who gave me a number.....of someone who I met on a street corner who led me and a friend through a maze of stores and corridors and stairwells, to what can only be descibed as pure heaven....

Bags as far as the eye could see, along with shoes, watches, sunglasses....I couldn't possibly say whether I bought anything, but if I had, it would have been the latest Prada Fairy bag. IF I'd bought something....