ABOUT ME

My school report once said, “She is hardworking in class but likes to daydream”, and that has pretty much followed me through life. For as long as I can remember, I have worked hard to try and align my dreams with reality.

I am a (semi) enthusiastic mum that sometimes needs that glass of vino at the end of a long day. Juggling my business and a 4-year-old daughter, who has turned 14 overnight, is always a challenge. But I wouldn’t have her any other way.

I’m in my element when I am creating something and bringing a vision to life and this has become my reality living Dubai.

WHERE IS HOME?

My husband and I left South Wales, UK, 9 years ago. Since then, we have lived in Sardinia, Portugal and Dubai. Even though we see Dubai as ‘Home’, I work in Europe in the summer, which is so picturesque and beautiful. So, you never know where the wind might blow, and I am always excited to find the next piece of our evolving puzzle.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

I remember being asked this when I was 11 years old and my answer was “an athlete”. I have absolutely no idea why I would have said that. I did run the 400m in a competition about a year later and I believe I came last. Although, the closest I got was to my childhood dream was marrying an athlete 13 years later.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I run an events management company here in Dubai called Couture Events Worldwide. We plan, create and coordinate all sorts of events from children’s birthday parties to lavish weddings and VIP corporate gala dinners.

I fell in love with planning and styling events when I lived in Portugal. Playing a part in one of the most special days of someone’s life really is the most rewarding job. Interpreting a vision and pushing creative boundaries to make it happen is both challenging and thrilling at the same time.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

My daughter is rather dramatic – a bit like her mum! I really love watching her role play and creating a stage to showcase her latest performance. We love singing together, colouring and laughing. There’s a lot of joking that goes on in my house and I’m usually the innocent party.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

Our weekends have always been pretty social if I’m not working. In peak season, I lose my weekends because I am working with clients at their weddings, birthday parties or social gatherings. Consequently, when I am not working, we make the most as a family. From watching my husband play rugby to playdates with my daughter and dancing the night away with my closest girlfriends.

Obviously, this has looked a bit different in lockdown. I have played virtual bingo, drunk wine in front of a computer with friends and family while taking part in the all-time-lockdown-quiz. And I have taken a lot of long walks to clear my mind and appreciate the smaller things in life.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

I have an unhealthy obsession with The Hunger Games. I think it’s because I fell in love with the sheer determination and courage of Katniss.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Now, this is a tough one! I love food. I really do! If I was forced to choose, I would say some sort of noodle dish. Asian food is exceptional!

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

I would probably say Ryan Reynolds. Handsome, funny and a family man.

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

There are still so many places I would like to see. But the ultimate experience I would love to have is spending time in a developing country, helping the local children.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

I don’t usually have a lot of time to watch TV, but my guilty pleasure is binge watching crime series. So, as you can probably imagine, lockdown has turned me into an FBI agent.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

There are so many fun ideas I have thought of but I would probably like to go back in time so I could sit with my grandparents and introduce them to my daughter. They would have fallen in love with her sass and independence.

Time is the one thing we cannot change so appreciating the time we have with our loved ones should never be taken for granted.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

I have many favourite things about Dubai but, above all, I have truly fallen in love with the people. I have made such strong connections with some genuine, like-minded people from all over the world. No matter what the future holds, my friends here will be friends for life and I am very grateful for each and every one of them.