November 2015 – The Blush Diaries | A Dubai Based Fashion and Beauty Blog by Rania Esper

Cozy Sweater

There’s one really important point to keep in mind when choosing a sweater, and that’s texture. I’ve taken ones home thinking they would be the perfect ‘cozy sweater’ only to notice they get itchy and uncomfortable after having them on for about 20 minutes. It should be soft and comfortable, but also have a little bit of structure and that is why I fell in love with this one from Mango. When it gets really cold outside I like to layer tanks underneath my sweater to keep my stomach warm and if the sweater is too light you can just see right through the fabric.

Another thing to think about is character. It can oversized, but not so big that you’re floating inside it. I like to go with soft warm tones that flatter my complexion, but I’ll occasionally reach for a deep navy or cool grey. While some sweaters are beautiful in their simplicity, the most thing that catches my eye is the pattern. The herringbone pattern is one of my favorites and with the high neck on this one I knew this would be my favorite cozy sweater. I immediately knew I would pair it with white distressed jeans, nude lace up flats and gold jewelry for this neutral winter inspired palette.

xo Rania

Outfit Details: Sweater: Mango | Jeans: Old similar from Bloomingdale’s | Flats: Aldo | Mug: Etsy.

Photography by Enchante Portrait Couture.

*This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are used in this post.

Black Friday Sales

I want to start by wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for and I hope you enjoyed a beautiful meal surrounded by your loved ones.

I’ve been working on this new design for quite some time and I’m really excited to finally be able to share it with you. My style and personality continue to evolve and I wanted that to show through my aesthetic.

Now let’s move on to the good stuff. The best part of Black Friday sales for me was waking up at the crack of dawn and heading to the mall with my best friends and cousins. It’s exhausting and gets quite crazy but it’s such a fun experience to share with your girls. Since I don’t get to do that this year, I’m going to have to make do with online shopping. There are some spectacular black Friday sales going on that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch or bed. Here are some of my top picks at my favorite stores.

40% at BCBGMAXAZRIA:

Extra 25% off at Kate Spade with code MERCI:

Take 15% off at Kohl’s with code NOV15:

Up to 25% at Shopbop with code GOBIG15:

Photography by Enchante Portrait Couture.
*Affiliate links are used in this post.

The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason Dubai

I’m always looking for the best cup of coffee in Dubai, and you know how much I love a beautifully set-up coffee shot. We all have our favorite places to eat or meet up with friends, but I’ve been making it a point to visit some place new any chance I get. I think the atmosphere of a restaurant or cafe can really put you in a good mood and brighten up your day.

If you’re living in Dubai or just here for a visit Fortnum & Mason Dubai is a must try. Whether you’re planning an afternoon with your girlfriends or want to take your little ones out for a treat, you can choose between the elegant Tea Salon and the playful Ice Cream Parlour.

The Parlour is a beautifully decorated candy land with the feel of a 1950’s diner. They have a variety of ice cream flavors with an assortment of all your dream toppings. You can also just enjoy a rich cappuccino that is the right balance of creamy milk and nutty coffee. It’s a very family-friendly spot, and although perfect for that insatiable sweet tooth they also serve a scrumptious savory breakfast.

I wanted my outfit to match the ambience at The Parlour, and so I thought some pink and red color-blocking would express that cute retro vibe I feel when I’m there. I hope you enjoyed this feature and are planning on checking out Fortnum & Mason for yourself.

xo Rania

Photography by Mrunmayi Pandit. For more photos of The Parlour and The Tea Salon, check out this feature I did with Rhiannon Downie Hurst of Bride Club ME, shot by Maria Sundin.

*Special thanks to Fortnum & Mason Dubai for letting us shoot at The Parlour.

My Holiday Glam List

With a wedding coming up in December then Christmas and New Year’s Eve following shortly I’ve been knee-deep into fancy dress shopping, and all the accessories that inadvertently go along with it. I’ve created this Glam List of some of my favorite glitzy pieces that are perfect for all the upcoming occasions and celebrations.

A wispy lace dress is an obvious choice because its both delicate formal, while a sparkly dress just screams ‘holiday glamor’. My favorite piece has to be this Kate Spade bow back dress that is at the top of my lust list. When it comes to shoes, I absolutely adore velvet pumps in deep shades. Finally, I like gold accents on my accessories, especially with pearl or marble detailing.

I hope you like these picks as much as I do! it’s never too early to start shopping for a special evening especially with all the sales going on right now, and hopefully my glam list checks all the boxes.

xo Rania

Grey Suede Pencil Skirt

In my opinion, pencil skirts are the number one wardrobe staple for any girl. They look good on any body type and can dress up any outfit. Regardless whether you’re a girly girl like myself or you like a more edgy look, you can play around with different textures, colors and accessories to make the skirt fit your personal style. Since we’re teetering on the edge of the holiday season, this grey suede pencil skirt was just what I needed for a simple-yet-glam party look.

I also plan on carrying this skirt through spring because the color is soft and the fabric is smooth and will go beautifully with many different pieces. I’m really excited about the following weeks because I’m working on some really great projects to carry The Blush Diaries to the end of the year on a positive and fresh new outlook. I also have lots of family coming in from Michigan to celebrate the marriage of one of our cousins, so I’m hoping to keep the momentum going so I can really enjoy that time with them. I hope you’re enjoying my posts lately and I really appreciate you stopping by!

xo Rania

Suede Pencil Skirt: River Island | Blush Sweater: Mango, love this turtleneck. | Pink Slingback Heels: New Look, similar from White House Black Market. | Clutch: Similar from River Island. Photography by: Mrunmayi Pandit.

Gisella by Nana Luxury Collection

This week the British haute couture brand Gisella by Nana launched in Dubai and I attended the sneak preview of their 2016 Luxury Collection. Nana Agyeman Ennuson, the Creative Director and Co-founder of the brand envisioned gowns that express the elegance and grace of the powerful and modern woman.

The collection showcased a wide array of fabrics and designs in silk, chiffon, and floral stitching. A few dresses had a structured bodice with a flowy bottom, which combines delicate femininity with a sexy neckline. As you can imagine I loved the soft pastels, flower detailing and delicate silk, but I also could see myself wearing the body con color-block dress with the tailored jacket. The pieces were adorned with beautiful jewelry designed by Djurdja Watson and selected by Nana to compliment each dress.

Take a look at my favorite pieces below and let me know what you think of this luxury collection!

xo Rania