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

Bella Maxi by Flynn Skye

I came across Flynn Skye on Instagram and immediately loved their feminine and laid back designs. The Bella Maxi sells out so fast that I had to stay on alert for days until I was able to order it in this White Rose print. Another current favorite of mine is the lace up sandals and heels, especially in suede. They’re sexy with a bit of an edge which contrasts with the femininity of the floral print and flowy fabric of the dress.

I’m becoming more aware of where clothes are manufactured and making an effort to find and support up and coming designers and brands. Just like the weather, fashion trends ebb and flow and so does my style.

When I visited L.A. a few years ago, I was smitten with all the little boutiques, local designers and shops. California is home to beautiful beaches, a variety of cultures and really stylish people. Flynn Skye is the epitome of L.A. style, with so many prints for different tastes. Their designs can be worn during the spring, through summer and well into fall in warmer locations. If there are any brands and designers you’re loving lately, let me know so I can check them out!

xo Rania

Bella Maxi dress: Flynn Skye. Photography by Natelee Cocks.

A special thanks to Comptoir 102 for letting us shoot in their beautiful space.

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Cocoville Cafe in Dubai

With the heat escalating in sunny Dubai, we’ve been exploring indoor locations to shoot in, which is how we came across the prettiest gem that is Cocoville. When planning a lunch or coffee date with a friend, the number one priority is a tasty menu, but finding an instagram friendly spot is a major plus. Cocoville has all the makings of the ideal coffee shop. From the quaint white and mint walls, the coppery elements and cute chairs, to the marble white table tops and a floor to make you the envy of all the ‘from where I stand’ hashtag users.

I think my outfit matched pretty nicely with decor, and I’m just loving blue and white this summer. The striped top and checkered skirt combination is my personal take on mixing prints. The light was pooling in so beautifully, giving the space a homey and serene atmosphere.

Now back to the chocolatey menu. I am one of those people who discovered hot chocolate a little later in life, so I immediately became addicted to it and will drink it all year round. Cocoville’s specialty is mainly everything chocolate, with a variety of candies, cookies, truffles and chocolate covered everything. If you’re a fan of sweets and a bright sunny space, I think you should pay Cocoville a visit as soon as your next craving materializes.

Are there any cute cafes or restaurants in Dubai you love to visit often? I’m always looking for new places to try and would love to hear your recommendations!

xo Rania

Flounced Top: Berksha | Checkered Skirt: Namshi | Wedges: New York & Company | Bag: Aldo | Hat: Mango.

Photography by Natelee Cocks.

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Fringed Skirt

Happy New Year beauties, I hope 2016 is off to a great start! I’m traveling to Michigan next week and I’m so looking forward to seeing my family and friends, as well styling cozy outfits and soaking in all the snowfall. Although I prefer warmer climates I genuinely miss wearing some heavy knits, wool coats and cozy boots so I’m planning on getting it out of my system this trip. I was on a streak of super girly outfits and lots of pastels and neutrals, so I decided to start this year off with an edgier look and a playful fringed skirt. It can be a little tricky styling over the knee boots, and I wanted each piece in the outfit to stand out without overpowering the other.

It took me a while to choose a pair of over the knee boots, but I knew I wanted black suede ones and this slouchy pair fit the bill perfectly. I’m always about beauty and comfort when it comes to choosing pieces. You can feel it in the way you walk and move, so it’s important to love the way something fits and not just how it looks. I wasn’t sure how I felt about fringe when it first came back in style but this fringed skirt really took this look from simple and monochromatic to just a bit edgy. What’s your style challenge this year and have you started trying new things? I hope you liked this look, I would love to hear what you think babes!

xo Rania

Photography by Enchante Portrait Couture.

*Affiliate links are used in this post.

New Year’s Eve Outfits

I have no problem with a little style cliché every once in a while, especially when it comes to new year’s eve outfits. This is my excuse to bring out the sequins that I hardly ever get to wear, and throw in some faux fur for an added luxe effect. When choosing sequined pieces, I try to stick to neutral or soft colors without too much sparkle so I don’t feel like a walking disco ball. But I do spot some bold shiny outfits on others and find them pretty as well. Some of my previous new year’s eve outfits included cozy pajamas or warm sweat pants, and since we haven’t yet decided what we’ll be doing this year I sure am glad I got to put this pretty outfit together so I don’t have to worry about it at the last minute.

There’s so much glitz, rush and excitement towards the end of the year which makes me a little sad it’s almost over and pretty grateful for a fresh new beginning. There have been so many ups and downs in 2015, but it’s been such a positive year with many learning experiences and moments that thickened my skin. In a few previous years I evaluated myself harshly and wasn’t quite happy with what I had achieved in my life so far, but as I get older I’m accepting myself more with all my flaws and focusing on joy and living in the moment. I’m approaching this New Year’s Eve almost like any other day: taking the lessons I’ve learned from it, putting the bad behind me and keeping my eye on the ball. This year, let’s not make goals related to our weight or ticking off a bucket list, but instead let’s promise each other to live every day with more intention, gratitude and adventure. I hope you have a lovely evening sipping champagne (or hot chocolate if you prefer) without thinking about what is gone or what’s to come, but only focused on the moment at hand.

All my love,

xo Rania

Photography: Enchante Portrait Couture.

Faux Fur Vest

Don’t you just love a faux fur vest? It can instantaneously transform the simplest of outfits. I’ve had this one for a while and I love that it’s not too overwhelming, but I’m considering adding one of the longer vests to my wardrobe. They’re great investment pieces to have and are pretty easy to style. I’ve loved seeing them paired with striped dresses and over the knee boots. I sometimes find these vests a little bulky on me, but I’m learning to embrace the oversized winter looks. Since we are in the middle of the festive season I had to add some touches of red to my outfit, particularly the bright red lipstick.

When it comes to choosing the right pair of denim, I think comfort is so important as well as finding a flattering fit for your body type. It’s not often that I wear black jeans, but this pair is high-waisted and fits beautifully so I had no hesitations with styling it. My mood often changes when it comes to clothes and I like switching things up every so often. Since the faux fur vest is heather beige, I thought the black and white combo would be a good way to add a little edge to this look. I finally added my favorite leopard prints heels and trusty oversized reversible tote to tie it all together. Do you own a faux fur vest, and how do you like styling it? I’d love to hear what you think.

xo Rania

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Vest: Old, Similar at Bloomingdale’s | Jeans: Topshop | Leopard Heels: BCBG Maxazria | Tote: Nordstrom | Lipstick: Sephora Lip Stain.

Photography: Portrait Couture by Enchante.

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

Wanderlusting

I always tell you about the endless state of wanderlusting I live in, and so I decided that the best place to start exploring is my own city. I’ve been dreaming of an english style picnic, and was so delighted when I discovered Mushrif Park. The cute little windmill, the leafy trees and german style ‘houses’ seem almost conjured up from my dreams. This was the perfect location for a picnic with my friend Sara Japanwalla who is a fellow blogger, incredible fashion illustrator and a budding designer.

Sara started off as a textile designer for a bridal company when she decided to go off on her own and become a designer. Shortly after creating an online portfolio of fashion illustrations and paintings, her career as an illustrator took off in Dubai and she became recognized in the industry for her work. She partnered with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Van Cleef and Arpels and Graff diamonds. Sara was also shortlisted for Maserati and Ermengildo Zegna’s ‘One of 100 Creatives’ from around the world, where she was featured in a limited edition coffee table book. Recently she wrote and illustrated her own children’s book for Bloomingdales Dubai, which takes you on a ride along the wild imagination of a little girl who’s love of fashion is insurmountable.

Sara’s illustrations and her own wanderlusting ways inspired her next project of a bespoke limited edition collection of clothes. The concept behind her designs is creating wearable art and transforming everyday garments into a walking canvas that tells a story and transports you to another place. Her pieces are artistic, intricate and whimsical yet come in feminine silhouettes that are flattering and elegant. Sara is in the midst of finalizing the collection and they will be ready to order within the next six months. For the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of a couple skirts from the collection and our beautifully styled picnic.

xo Rania

A Special Thanks to Paula Scalco for the beautiful photography.

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.