My trip to Qatar surpassed all expectations. Doha has reminded me a lot of Dubai 10 years ago, even better, modern and of course, full of luxury. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, all eyes are on Middle East’s new hot spot as the Qatari will host a large number of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to the British Telegraph, Qatar has the second highest income per capita in the world and you can see it everywhere.
On the first day of the year, I went shopping at Doha’s Villagio Mall, which was overly impressive. Reminiscent of the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian in Las Vegas, the mall has got a changing sky that gives shoppers the feeling of being outside and a canal that runs through the center of the mall with gondola rides for guests. Every designer brand you can think of is represented, such as Bottega Veneta, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Montblanc among others. There is even an amusement park in the mall.
See for yourselves:
My look: Mathilda tuxedo jacket 
by Stella McCartney, green tee by Ralph Lauren Blue Label, top by Missoni, skinny mid-rise jeans 
by Rag & Bone Jean, sandals by Gucci, Alice two-tone bag by Chloé, Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis, necklace by Roberto Cavalli and 4810 hoop earrings by Montblanc.
Stay tuned for one last post from Doha about The Pearl.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Yesterday, it was raining cats and dogs here in Istanbul. Unbelievable, where can I go for just one week of sunshine?!
To enlighten my weather depression, I went to Istinye Park, one of the most impressive shopping malls I have seen.
It felt a little like „Scotty had beamed me up to the USA…“ The mall showcases international brands like Zara, Gap, Massimo Dutti and many more. In addition to these stores, the shopping centre has fabulous restaurants and cafés such as Borsa restaurant and La Durée.
The outdoor section with a green central park truly resembles a Mini Rodeo Drive. It features high-end lines like for example Miu Miu, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and the local trendy department store Beymen.
With almost 300 shops in total, I was bound to find something…
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Welcome to shopping heaven! The Dubai Mall is the ultimate experience for shopaholics with over 1200 stores meeting every possible desire. Most of the major designer brands in the world are located in the 440.000 square feet Fashion Avenue. In February, the first Bloomingdale`s store outside the US opened here a gigantic location. The mall is divided in different areas for sports & outdoors, kids, perfumes & beauty and many more.
The Dubai Mall is also home to the world`s largest indoor gold souk. You can experience the traditional custom of trade in an authentic wonderful surrounding.
Beautiful restaurants and cafés are located inside and outside along the waterfront promenande. There, with a stunning view on the world`s tallest tower: the Burj Khalifa, you can enjoy the Dubai Fountain show whilst having dinner.
The best is that there are so many attractions for the whole family so your husband and kids don`t get bored of your shopping fever. A huge indoor ice rink is the perfect entertainment area for your little ones along with the underwater zoo. My favourite part was the aquarium. You can park your hubby in the tank scuba-diving with sharks. He will have such an adrenaline shock in there that will lessen the one after when he spots you with all your shopping bags.
A lot of superlatives – this is shopping heaven on earth!
LoL, Sandra
