Happy Father's Day Giveaway (UAE only)

Hello Dubai Moms,

Are we gearing up for Father's Day yet? 

It's in less than a week, on June 16.

I have a small surprise for my UAE readers :)

It's really not extraordinary but it is a small gesture that could help some of you find that extra special surprise for Father's Day.

How about treating your hubby to a nice dinner, be it after celebrating at home with the kids or any time between now and December?

I am giving away five winners a voucher for a renowned fine dining restaurant in Dubai.

To be eligible to enter the draw, let us know why the dad in your life (your hubby, daddy, brother, son) is the most perfect father you know. There are no best answers. All complete entries will be accepted in the draw but we would love to read inspiring, touching and loving stories of course!

To enter the competition

• Post your "Favorite Dad" story in a comment under this blog post including your full name and email address or share your "Favorite Dad" story on our Facebook page (link here).

• Only one entry per family will be accepted

• A draw will take place on June 15, 2013 to select the winners 

• The winners will be announced on Facebook

Terms and Conditions

• This competition ends on June 14, 2013 at midnight Dubai/UAE Local Time.
• A draw will identify the winners. There can only be five winner. The name of the winners will be posted on our Facebook page.
• Missing entries and entries from contestants who fail to complete all the instructions above in totality will be disqualified. 
• Each winner will be offered a single voucher.
• This voucher is transferrable. Feel free to gift it on to whoever you please but only the winner can collect the voucher. The winner shall get in touch with Rouba.Blogs or this site in order to set an appointment for the voucher collection. The winner shall arrange transportation to collect the voucher.
• This voucher is redeemable as per the conditions stated on the voucher. 
• This voucher is not partially redeemable and must be redeemed in full, for its total amount once only. 
• If purchase exceeds available voucher balance, you must make up difference with another payment method.  
• This voucher is redeemable in Dubai only.
• This voucher is non-refundable. 
• This voucher is not exchangeable for cash. 
• Rouba.Blogs and this site reserves the right to select the voucher of their choice. The winners cannot exchange their vouchers for different ones.
• This voucher is valid for the period specified on the voucher. Credit and validity extensions will not be given for unutilized and unclaimed vouchers. 
• Rouba.Blogs and this site reserves the right to change any terms contained in the Terms of Use at any time. 
• Rouba.Blogs and this site are not responsible for the services offered by the voucher's company/restaurant. 
• Rouba.Blogs and this site are not accountable and liable for any and all consequences connected with the use/misuse of this voucher.

Mamma Mia+Jad

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Red Carpet Papa: Avant-Premiere

Red carpets. Glam. Glitter. Hollywood. 'Tis the season for all the beautiful people to make us dream and wish we were walking in their Loubs. 

Now we may not be able to star next to Brad and Georgie in the upcoming Ocean's because, and that's the only reason why, Soderbergh decided to end it otherwise, we'd be sitting at script reading right now; however, we can still shine in our very own production! Who needs Soderbergh anyway, am I right?

I am right and here's why.

Mumtrepreneur Deema Mokayed who happens to be one of the coolest friends I met back in college, has moved on from her work in TV to launch her very own production joint in Beirut, Lebanon a few years ago.

Photo: OneEleven

She's come up with a wonderful concept that offers anyone the opportunity to star in their very own film. Deema will put on screen any story you like and for any occasion.

Watch Video Here

And since Father's Day is approaching in Lebanon (June 21st) how about creating a unique gift this year? Children can make a film or record songs in the studio and why not, turn them into a CD which would be perfect for daddy to loop in his car, every day on his way to work.

Photo: OneEleven

In a nutshell OneEleven can personalize any audio/video to make your celebrations extra special so why don't you visit OneEleven's website now or drop a line on Facebook?

And share your productions with us, we'd love to get a glimpse of your creative side! ;)

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And don't forget our partner, McBears Parties is giving away 500 dirhams worth of goodies so check our contest and send us your entries now! The voucher is valid for 12 months and transferable, so you can gift it to anyone you'd like ;)

Mamma Mia

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Piece of Cake!

Number 2 has arrived! 

And he even has a name now: Jad.

Every child brings along new love and new joys. At our household, they also bring cake along. Indeed, Mia got to celebrate her birthday every month until she turned one, and now it is Jad's turn to give mommy yet another excuse for guiltless indulgences!

The rationale being, a newborn's age is recorded by months, and even by weeks during the first month. Makes sense, right? And that is why we had the utmost pleasure of celebrating Jad's One Week Birthday a few days ago. 

This event got me thinking about Mia's first year celebrations and of course, cake.

And cake always takes me back to Mia's 6-Month Birthday which was the first real-fake festivity. After all, many parents do pay attention to this milestone and deem it to be cake-worthy.

But in our case, since all previous months were also as deserving, I decided to make this one extra special by ordering a customized cake inspired by Mia's favorite toys for her Half-Year.

Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid

Following that yummy success, Hubby's first Father's Day was also granted the same special treatment. The key syllable here being "Treat".

Photo Credit: R. Abouzeid

The impressive chef behind those masterpieces is Erum Khalid, a Dubai-based mumtrepreneur from Pakistan who took her love for baking to the next level. And beyond.

That mother of three who is also a full-time KG1 teacher at Wesgreen International School credits her mom for being the inspiration behind her passion for cooking: "My mother used to be a really good cook, but she didn't really bake. I used to watch her cook sometimes, and this is how I got interested. I actually did a small baking course with my aunt 15 years ago, right before I got married. After I got married I moved to the UAE, but didn't really bake for a long time."

What led you to bake for others? 

It started when I tried to bake some cakes for my husband's birthday and also for his cousins. The cakes were appreciated. Then I started searching for recipes, and I discovered the Internet. After I started working at WIS, I liked to take new cakes I had tried to school for feedback. The cakes and bakes were very much appreciated. It was actually my teaching assistant Mehreen who suggested that I should start this as a business.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

Where did you learn to bake? 

I learned to bake from the course I did before I got married. The rest I learnt through the internet, YouTube and TV.

How did you discover fondant and where did you learn that art? 

I found out about fondant from TV I think. I saw how beautiful cakes can become using this medium, how lovely flowers and figures can be made. This was something I had not yet tried. So I tried different recipes from the Internet and made my own fondant. Then I eventually moved to store bought fondant because it's easier and less time consuming to use.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

How did this adventure begin?

I started baking on an order basis some time in 2010 when I baked a cake for the husband of one of my friends.

How difficult was it to launch your own business?

Well it wasn't very difficult because I didn't really want to start it off on such a large scale anyway because I am still working full time. I was getting orders from school and was satisfied with it.

How do you currently operate? 

I currently operate from home. I have a page on Facebook called 7th Heaven where people can look at the photos and if they are interested in ordering they can either email me or call me, the information is all given on the page. I am also currently listed in the Expat Echo list of home bakers. I don't do deliveries yet; and payment is either in advance or on pick up, depends on the customer.

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

Are you planning to establish a full-fledge bakery in the future? 

Yes Insha Allah I am planning one, and would love to have the opportunity to set up my own business as a full time venture.

Do you organize special events to promote your services? 

I sometimes have competitions on the other page that I manage: Bakers United. We have competitions and the prizes are usually cakes and cupcakes from 7th Heaven (laughs). I had a special offer on cakes during Eid also. 

Tell us some more about the workshops you organize. 


I started giving classes and workshops because some of my friends requested that I teach them how to make cakes and decorate them. I have classes at home and have conducted a workshop for Mirdif Kids Club at Al Areesh club recently. Whenever I plan classes I post on both 7th Heaven and Bakers United so that people can be informed. 

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven
Step by step illustrated tutorial to create baby shoes in fondant

So you are very active on Facebook!


I have three pages on Facebook! One is of course 7th Heaven which is for commercial purposes where people can order cakes and cupcakes. The other page is Bakers United, which is a place where we share recipes, tips and tricks. I have photo tutorials and step by step albums to help people learn. The other page is just for fun: The Art Of Photography, where people can add their photos, learn how to take photos and just share.

What does the future hold for Erum Khalid? 

Well hopefully I would like to set up my own bakery/cafe sometime in the future if circumstances allow. I would love to make cakes on a regular and full time basis. Lets see!

Photo Credit: 7th Heaven

In one word, if you were: 

A dessert, which would you be? 
Chocolate mousse

A cake filling? 
Dark chocolate ganache

A color? 
Black

A song or music composition?
'Time to say goodbye' Andrea Bocelli

A film?
Masoom (Indian movie)

A famous character (real or fictional)?
Queen Rania

Mamma Mia+Jad

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Papa Mia Day!

Today is Father's Day and of course, Mia enlisted her mamma's help to concoct some memorable gifts for Papa Mia :)

First we ordered a cake, just for the occasion. It is the only "First" Father's Day Papa will ever have, so it was worth it. Wishing this will be the beginning of a long line of happy memories together.

We also picked out some nice greeting cards. Mamma signed hers. And Mia signed hers. With a loving footprint that Papa can look at every time he feels a little bit lonely: he should know his baby girl's always just a tiny step away.

Of course, we had a t-shit made for the occasion, hand painted by Mamma who expressed quite accurately how we feel about Papa's current favorite exercising routine.

And since Papa has a zillion ties, loads of shirts, three drawers of socks that come in all shapes and colors, all the electronics he could ask for (he buys them for himself so there's nothing even Santa could add)... We decided to customize something he could use every day. And what does Papa need everyday, aside from Mia's kisses? Well coffee of course. So we made sure every time he drinks a cup, we are there, right next to him!

And finally, we printed the nicest photographs and placed them in a fancy frame for him to take to the office because the last time we were there, we noticed our photo dates back to Mia's birth time... We're so grown up and beautiful now, we needed an upgrade for the office!

So hopefully, this was the memorable First Father's Day Papa always imagined, and maybe, even just a dash sweeter ;)

Can't wait for all the celebrations to come! 

We're going to have more and more fun, I can feel it! ;)