Bilao is a flat round shaped woven tray or winnowing basket used in removing husks of rice grains by tossing and turning them.  Bilao is pretty much found in every traditional Filipino kitchen. 

I was rather impressed to find a vaulted column and ceiling cleverly made of bilao in Kan-Anan Restaurant in Robinsons Galleria Cebu. Now that's a show stopping ceiling feature!

It's in my list of places to visit:  The Farm, a luxury eco-friendly restaurant tucked away within an oasis of greens and manicured lawns along Emirates Road in Dubai.  It's located within the residential community of Al Barari.  The tropical foliage against the desert landscape creates a cocoon around this hidden design gem. 

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The Farm is a project designed by Lesley Zaal, co-founder of Etcetera Living  - one of my favorite Interior Designers based in Dubai.  Etcetera Living  also has a gorgeous furniture boutique along Jumeirah Beach Road.   

I'm excited to feature this fun baby shower on a post this week. With all the baking and the decorations, lack of sleep, it turned out to be a creative fest of food, color and games. Mini Eiffel Towers popped in the apartment and check out  dragées for the party favors.   We even created a  blog site for the party, where we will post all party photos that the guests can visit and check later. 

How is your weekend going?  Friday is our Saturday.  Waking up at 5AM to watch the sunrise and the hubby play with his new toy - a paramotoring engine (I'll write a Travel Gourmande post about Para-motoring tomorrow).   Watching him,  happy flying in the sky, taking photos of him and reading The Mortal Instruments City of Glass in the car whenever he's out of sight ,was how we spent our Friday.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.   

A very close friend, Shela, introduced me to a very interesting Art Hub where the local Art community in Dubai frequently meet.  'The Pavilion' Downtown Dubai was initiated by the Shabib brothers,  founders of the successful Shelter project whose main aim is to promote and facilitate creativity and art expression.  It is a perfect venue to hold Art Exhibitions, workshops, lectures and various events.

This 1,400 sq.m space opened last February 2011 and was designed by the Dubai based Canadian Interior Architect, Mr. Abboud Malak, Principal of Studio M.  The Pavilion is equipped with a library, two galleries, a lounge area, a screening room and an espresso bar.  

Have a great week everyone!

A new boss, lots of work, attending a bridal shower and a wedding, A dear friend visiting over the weekend..
These are my excuses for no posts in a week.

Check out the highlights of my lovely friend, Cheryl's Arabic Weekend in Dubai  here

Have a great weekend!