ABOUT ME

I arrived in Dubai as a single 25 year old film producer and I loved my profession working with the elites of Hollywood but the long hours were gruelling. 17 years after arriving in the desert I met my best friend and am now happily married with 3 young children. No more film production but the long hours have remained!

WHERE IS HOME?

Dubai in my head as I have been here most of my adult life, however Hertfordshire in England in my heart. I have had all of my children here, made a home and all of my creature comforts are here, but there is nothing better than summers in Hertfordshire – green fields, tree climbing in forests and Primark overload!

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

A TV Presenter… I think I just loved the idea of talking in the broom cupboard like Andy Peters. However, I’m so camera shy so I opted to be behind the camera as oppose to in front!

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I run a small business called Party Box DXB providing goody bags to busy parents organising children’s birthday parties.  I customise them all according to theme and avoid single use plastic loot bags 😊

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

I love playing board games with my older boys, Connect 4, Junior Game of Life, Snakes and Ladders. As for my toddler daughter, she’s in full swing with the terrible 2’s so it’s very much messy play and getting creative with play doh, making sand castles in the garden, painting rainbows and cutting paper!

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

It’s a lot easier in the cooler months as we just host lunch playdates and have friends round all day so the kids play and swim whilst adults chill out in the garden and catch up after the chaos of the working week– bring on the cooler climates!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

I’m all about the classics, Shawshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects. I haven’t watched  a full film in years but I love anything with an unexpected twist.

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

Eggs… scrambled with cheese and ham, sunny side up with chilli flakes and avocado toast, cheese and zaatar omelette  –  I pretty much eat eggs and cheese every day!

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

It’s a bit weird but I don’t have one, but if I was forced you could give me Shemar Moore from Criminal Minds!

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

Australia. I’ve been to most of Asia, the Americas and Europe but never really far with children so I’m hoping we can do the long flight when they are a bit older.  I love the idea of beach and BBQ’s alongside city life.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Wine and cheese 😊 Give me cheese in any form, be it melted camembert, a cheese board or a cheese and coleslaw sandwich, I’m there! 

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

To read people’s minds… mainly my children’s. I often wonder what they’re actually thinking when they respond to me.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

The fact that I feel it’s the safest place for my children to grow up. It may be a bubble but I’m happy with living in that bubble for the now.