Interview With A Mummy Blogger: Clumsy Chic

Ever since I arrived in Qatar, there's been one blogger that I have secretly creeped on admired from afar. Karen's blog, Clumsy Chic embodies everything I believe in in life: displaying creativity, celebrating passions and embracing effortless living. It was a happy coincidence when Karen fell pregnant and gave birth to the cutie, Naomi Moon just two weeks after Sophia was born. Soon our babies were attending the same nursery and became best buddies, and not long after that Karen and I became firm friends too.

Many of my readers will know of Clumsy Chic already, but for those of you that haven't stumbled across Karen's blog, allow me to introduce you to the lady behind the brand. Fashionista, entrepreneurial blogger and super mom (as well as someone I can lean on after I've had a rough night and I'm feeling like a 'Mombie' - her word!), she is a woman that we can all look up to.
 
What have you enjoyed most about being a new mum?

I honestly enjoy spending time with Naomi. She’s a happy baby! I love waking up in the morning to her voice and her smiles. She’s now 7 months and has really started to show her personality and it’s fun watching her grow to this little human now. I love seeing her discover the world around her; the curiosity in her eyes gave me a fresh perspective on life. I see things from her point of view and it made me appreciate the little moments and things in life.

What's been the most difficult thing about being a new mum and what advice would you give to other mums experiencing the same thing?

Motherhood is the hardest job in the world and we all have different struggles. I had difficulty bonding with Naomi in the beginning and it took me a while to open up about it here. There were times where it made me wonder if I was fit to be a mom or if this bond would ever happen. The best I’ve done was to recognize that something was off and asked for help from my family and close mommy friends. My advice is to talk about how you feel and don’t ever let society define what motherhood is supposed to be like for you. It’s a personalized journey and there is no right or wrong.

How has life as an expat defined your experience as a new mum?

Having a support system is so important as a new mom and I’m very fortunate that my husband and I both have our families here. We make it a priority for Naomi to spend time with them and of course, their help is invaluable.

But I know the majority of expat moms in Doha don’t have their families out here and I find that there is a very supportive community of moms that can become your support system. Other moms instinctively embraced me as soon as I gave birth and they’ve become part of my mommy tribe. 

What are your top three things to do with Naomi in Qatar?

Naomi loves being outside and we go for strolls in her Bugaboo around The Pearl’s esplanade every morning. Now that the weather is getting better, we go for a swim or head to the beach on the weekends. She loves the water and she looks darn cute in her swimsuit. I also try to get her involved in a number of social activities like her nursery and going on play dates. Hands down, her favorite play date is Sophia.

You are one of the most stylish women I know! Does your individual style extend to Naomi's wardrobe too?

Oh thank you! When I found out I was having a girl, one of the first things that popped into my mind was all the clothes I will get to shop for her. My style has definitely influenced her wardrobe, which is more on the neutral color tones and lots of stripes. She’s adopted my flare for French fashion for sure.

I’m trying to get her to wear more pinks and girly colors, as there have been several occasions where people have mistaken her for a boy because she’s in jeans and blue striped t-shirt most of the time. I also recently bought headbands for that same reason.

What are your top 3 baby clothing stores?

I shop at H&M kids for every day clothes like leggings, onesies, and t-shirts. I particularly love their H&M conscious range. 

Monoprix has a baby range called Bout’Chou and it’s probably my favorite place to shop for baby clothes. They have beautiful prints and fabrics and their selections are pretty fashionable and modern, it’s definitely right up my style alley.

For special occasions, I splurge on Jacadi. She has worn a few pieces when she goes to fashion events with me. She has a better wardrobe than me now.

I enjoy shopping for her more than for myself now. It’s so fun dressing girls.

If you had to make three wishes for Naomi's future, what would they be?

This is a good question!

My number one wish for Naomi is for her to grow up loving and accepting herself. Much of our lives right now revolve around social media and seeking validations of our worth by the number of likes and followers we get. I want her to grow up embracing her strengths and accepting her weaknesses and most importantly, being kind to herself and to others.

My second wish is for her to explore her curiosity and have a sense of adventure to travel and explore different cultures. Traveling is the best form of life lesson. I want her to get to know different people from all sorts of background, and get to know herself better. 

Lastly and most importantly, I want her to grow up to be a strong independent woman. I was brought up with the belief that I can do anything as long as I set my mind into it and this made me fearless and determined to go after my dreams. I want to instill the same confidence to her and support the idea that anything she wants to do, she can.

Which mother(s) have inspired you / do you look up to and why?

My mom! Ever since becoming a mom, it was like I’ve stepped in her shoes and understood what she’s been through raising three children by herself in the beginning. I want to hug and tell her I love her any chance I get. She’s the strongest and most loving woman I know and I wish to be that kind of mom one day.

How has your relationship with Mr. Clumsy Chic changed since becoming a mother?

My relationship with Anthony has gotten stronger now that we are a family.
I saw a different side of him now that he is a dad and it made me love and admire him even more. He’s very hands-on and a supportive husband.
Nothing brings me more joy than watching Anthony and Naomi together. They adore each other to pieces.

I also feel that we are stronger as a team now. You go through so much during the first couple of months that you have to stick and support each other every step of the way. Good communication, empathy and love are key to us.

Up until now, your blog has mainly been about fashion - will this change now that you're a mother?

Clumsy Chic is a lifestyle blog that revolves around the idea of effortlessly infusing beauty into everyday life through fashion, beauty, travel and home décor. The blog is an extension of how I live my life and I’ve recently started taking my readers through my journey of being a mom. I am in no way an expert, but the blog will see my stumbling through motherhood!

You can read more about Karen's life and loves at: www.clumsychic.com
Photo credits: Sofia Graniello Méndez (Instagram: @sofiagraniello)

My Pick of the Nursing Bras: Bravado!® Designs

It took me nearly seven months to find a nursing bra that I found comfortable to wear. SEVEN MONTHS! As if breast feeding wasn't awkward enough in those early weeks without that constant restricting sensation around the chest area, which felt as though I was wearing a straight jacket. 

On my third day postpartum when my milk came in, I woke up to find that my boobs had almost tripled in size overnight, and were leaking. I thought I'd adequately prepared by buying underwear in a size larger to what I normally wore, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fit into anything I owned. Cue a frantic trip to a local department store with a newborn, grizzly baby in tow while I bought the entire range of maternity bras in stock. They were very basic and not very comfortable but I didn't have the time, energy or inclination to shop around, so I made do. 

Fast forward seven months of awkward yanking, itching and strap fumbling and I finally came across the Bravado!® Designs Signature Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra. It's made from soft, stretchy fabric which hugs your body and adapts to your changing shape. It has removable foam inserts for discretion (a.k.a. so nobody can see your nipples or tell that they're leaking) and it even includes a bra conversion kit so that you can turn it from a nursing bra to a normal bra once you've stopped breast feeding. Pretty neat! 

 

It comes in a range of colours (mine is in the colour 'Garnet' which is new to the range), and looks great under tight t-shirts and vests, creating a very natural shape with no visible seams. But best of all, it's so comfy that I sometimes forget that I'm even wearing it. 

When you're a busy, tired mum, comfort is everything. And now that I've discovered this bra, you'd have to pay me to go back to the ill-fitting and uncomfortable maternity bras that I was wearing before.

Product was provided for review, but as always all views are my own.

Our Nursery Choice and Journey: Twyla Nursery, The Pearl Qatar

I'll never forget the first time I left Sophia at nursery. My arms were shaking as I passed her over to one of the assistants, and I held onto her for just a little bit too long, breathing in her smell and savouring those last few moments before I had to give her up for seven hours.

Apart from the time that I was bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding and my mother in law took Sophia for the day, it was seven hours longer than I'd been apart from her in the five months that she'd been alive. And the first time I'd ever left her alone at all with relative strangers.

Luckily, with supportive, understanding smiles, her teachers kindly but firmly ushered me out of the room before I started weeping. On the way out, I paused to look back through the window of her classroom and realised that she hadn't even noticed that I'd gone. She was already engaged in the activity her teachers were setting up, and she looked decidedly happy. This was definitely going to be more difficult for me than it was for her.

Ever since that first day, I have been inundated with questions. Some people wanted to know why I was sending her to nursery when she was so young and I wasn't yet back at work. Some wanted to know how I'd chosen the nursery that I did and whether I was happy with my decision. Everyone wanted to know how Sophia was getting on. I waited long enough to feel like I was qualified to give you all a thorough response, and now here it is. I hope it will help a few mums going through the difficult transition of placing their child into daycare, and answer some of the questions that you have about the process too.

Trust me, it all ends up being a lot easier than you think it's going to be!

OK, there was that one time that she had a bit of an off day and I received a call saying that Sophia was refusing her bottle and could I come and collect her three hours early...But even then I arrived to find her sleeping soundly in her designated cot in the sleeping room, clutching onto her Jellycat bunny and blissfully unaware that I had sprinted all the way there in the scorching midday sun, and had arrived sweaty and panting, about to pop an artery with worry.

In time I've come to realise just how adaptable and resilient babies really are, and how cherished and supported she is at nursery, and my anxiety about leaving her has all but evaporated.

I didn't have a lot of choice when it came to the decision of whether to put Sophia into nursery or not. Faced with an imminent return to work (which has since been postponed), I frantically began to research the various childcare options available to us in Qatar. We could have opted for a nanny, but we felt that a structured day, a change of scenery and contact with other children at nursery would be good for her, especially as she was already starting to show signs of being an inquisitive baby who craves stimulating environments and social interaction (in short, she was getting bored in our apartment with the same old boring toys and only me for company - and who could blame her!).

Then came the difficult task of choosing which nursery to place her in. I read through all of the online resources I could find - the most helpful of which was the Doha Mums Nursery Guide, and we weighed up all of our options: British curriculum vs. another; proximity to home vs. proximity to the office; various opening times and policies and languages spoken.

We eventually alighted on Twyla Nursery: a British curriculum nursery in a spacious, colourful and stimulating setting, with some of the friendliest and most welcoming staff that we had encountered on our search. The hours (7am - 2pm, which can be expanded up to 6pm for a little extra money) suited our daily schedule and we were excited about the fact that even though Sophia was in the youngest class, 'Cheeky Chicks', they still had a structured day with set activities aimed at her particular developmental stage, and that they were supportive of individual parenting styles - embracing things like baby-led weaning for example. Based on The Pearl, it also happened to be the nursery closest to our home, which was a bonus!

Much to my relief, from day one, Sophia has adored going to Twyla. She shrieks with excitement as we enter the front door at the beginning of the day. She reaches out to her teacher's open arms when we arrive in her classroom without a glance back in my direction (much to my disappointment!). She enjoys circle time with her friends, singing songs and interacting with the other babies, learning the rules of social interaction. She adores the sensory play that her teachers organise each week, and I find myself looking forward to the photos that they send me of her giggling uncontrollably as a ball was bounced in front of her, or of her face screwed up in concentration as she touched ice for the first time, or played with multi-coloured balls floating in water. She also loves going to play in the 'Outside Den' and getting some fresh air during the cooler months. When I pick her up, she is full of gummy smiles which make my heart melt a little inside.

She has always been a baby that has picked things up quickly, but since she started going to nursery her development has come on in leaps and bounds. "Sophia is so strong and so determined!" her teachers told me at the beginning. Now it's, "Sophia is so mobile now, and she's pulling herself into a standing position. Soon she's going to be walking!". I see her watching the older children and trying to copy what they do. She's such a sociable baby these days, and wants to reach out and touch other children, to communicate with them and sometimes even plant a big sloppy kiss on their cheek! I've loved watching this part of her character emerge and I know that nursery has had a big part to play in helping her to grow into the friendly, sociable and confident little girl that she's rapidly becoming.

Best buddies - Baby Sunshine and Baby Moon

From my side, I feel like the nursery has done a great job at giving me the confidence I need to get on with my own life while I'm away from Sophia. I receive a daily report in her log book which notes everything from how many diaper changes she's had, to how much food she's eaten and naps she's taken (and when), and gives a little commentary on her day and how she's been. I can't wait to get home and devour this, partly because I feel like I can live a bit of her day with her through this, and partly because of the sweet comments the teachers always write about my daughter, which as a proud mama, naturally I love!

They are slowly phasing out this book in favour of an App, which you can download on your phone which is updated by the teachers electronically and includes photos of the children enjoying the activities they have undertaken that day.

Most importantly, above all else, I have loved the fact that the nursery is such a warm and nurturing environment. It might sound silly, but the teachers and assistants do truly love children - you can see it in the delight in their eyes when Sophia comes through the door in the morning and the way that they interact with all of the babies in their care. All of them have years of experience and many of them even have families of their own back home.

For all of you parents that are about to embark on your own nursery journey, I urge you to find somewhere that can offer your child this kind of environment; a 'home away from home' if you like. State of the art facilities and world-renowned curriculums are all very well, but up until the age of four when your child starts school, all they really need is love.

And hang on in there, the separation does get easier. Especially when you realise that you have the time for a manicure, to take a bath, write a blog post AND a sleep all in one day. Having coped for so long without any family in the country for support, I finally have a bit of breathing space to do some of the things that are just for me, which I have neglected since becoming a mummy. In turn, I find that when I'm with her again after a day in nursery, I'm more present and engaged, giving her the time and attention she needs and deserves. Nursery costs money, but that, to me, is priceless.
 
How did you decide which nursery to go with and how has your nursery journey been for you and your child?

Useful details:

Twyla Nursery, Parcel 16, 29 La Croissette, Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar | +974 4427 3422
www.twylanursery.com

Sophia Molly: Seven Month Update

Seven months old, can you believe it?! My 'baby' is now more than half a year old and continues to astound me every day.

This month Sophia has liked...

Swimming, both in her trainer seat and tucked under my (or daddy's) arms. She loves to splash with her hands in the water, and has even started to move herself into a tummy-down position and make little doggy-paddle movements with her arms. Super cute!

Pulling herself up into a standing position, and attempting to walk when we hold her under her arms. We've got a strong little lady on our hands.

Eating three whole meals a day! It was obvious from quite early on in the weaning process that Sophia was going to love her food. There hasn't been a single thing that we've offered her so far that she hasn't eaten (even the lemon slice we offered her the other day - see below!). I've been following her lead with regards to the amount of food I'm giving her and frequency of her meals and she's moved up from one meal a day to three in quite a short space of time. This has meant far more solids and a lot less time on the boob this month and I'm praying that my supply isn't going to be affected too much!

Spending some time on the beach, where she spent 50% of the time shoveling fistfuls of sand into her mouth, and the other 50% of the time splashing in the sea.

Nursery Update

Sophia now attends Twyla Nursery three days a week, which is just down the road from us on The Pearl. Because she spends a considerable amount of her time there, and because it is becoming her favourite place to be in the whole world, I think her exploits at nursery deserve a special monthly update all of their own.

This month, Sophia has enjoyed meeting Danielle, the new teacher of her class, Cheeky Chicks. She's super fun and has led some great activities for the babies - including sensory play with balls and water, and having fun with a beach ball in the 'Outside Den'. Sophia couldn't stop giggling when the ball was bounced up and down in front of her!

Her favourite thing of all however, is spending time with her best baby blogger buddy, Naomi Moon (a.k.a. my friend Karen from Clumsy Chic's little girl). They're inseparable!

 
Keep an eye on the blog over the next few days, because I'll soon be posting Sophia's full nursery story, including why we chose the nursery we did, and how we've found the transition so far.

This month Sophia has disliked...

That slice of lemon that we casually passed her so that we could watch her reaction (bad parents!)...although, much to our surprise she still ended up eating it all!

Breast feeding during the day. There are too many distractions and solid food is far more interesting so she only really wants to feed properly at night these days. Every two hours if she can. Lucky mummy.

Having her nappy changed, being dressed or anything that requires staying still for more than five seconds!

Sleeping anywhere other than our bed. We try to keep her in the Chicco Next2Me, but now that she's mobile it's inevitable that by the end of the night she'll end up in our bed. And forget transitioning her to her own room! That's a battle for another month when we are all a bit less tired and have more energy to attempt such a big change.

This month's firsts:

First time attending Twyla three days a week.

First time eating meat and eggs.

First time drinking properly from her sippy cup.

First brunch, first kiss and first time being led astray by her Doha Aunties!!!

(Thanks to the lovely Flying Food Ninja for these last few photos). 

We have a lot lined up for next month already, so let's see what fun her eighth month brings!

Let's Talk About... Intercontinental Doha The City

If, like me, you enjoy food and you crave variety, there is only one hotel in Doha that you need to be visiting at the moment to get your fix. Intercontinental Doha The City houses some of my favourite restaurants in Qatar, and every single one of them is serving up something special this month. Here's a rundown of some of the best of the offers - but be quick because there are only a matter of days left to get involved in a few of them!

1. Hwang

Filipino Food Fiesta, 4-25 October 2016

 
Mabuhay! Don't Hwang about because the chic and refined setting of the hotel's Pan-Asian restaurant, Hwang, is hosting a fiesta for all of the senses which ends on the 25th of this month. Chef Michelle Adrillana (a well-known and super-talented chef as well as inspirational woman in all aspects of life...seriously, have a conversation with her if you can and you'll see what I mean) has been flown in from the Philippines especially for the occasion, curating a menu which has taken traditional street food style dishes and made them accessible to those of us that have never tasted Filipino food before (me!), as well as providing a trip down memory lane for anyone that is familiar with the cuisine. I devoured every course, enjoying the new and unusual flavours, and lapped up the back story behind every dish.

Stand-out dishes: The Kwek Kwek (Deep fried, battered quail eggs with a sharp, sweet dipping sauce), Pansit Guisado (noodles with vegetables, chicken and seafood) and legendary Halo Halo (preserved fruits mixed up with mung beans, tapioca, milk and ice).

Also, don't forget the Yum Cha Brunch which takes you on a culinary adventure of South-East Asia every Friday from 12pm - 4pm for only QAR 228 (QAR 338 including house beverages, and 448 for premium beverages).

2. Prime

Cheese and Vino Nights, every Tuesday 6 - 11pm  

Since I first arrived in Doha, Prime has been one of my favourite steak restaurants in the city, not only because of the range and quality of the meat that's served, but because of the passion that's evident in the chef's selection of melt-in-the-mouth cuts from around the world, along with well-seasoned accompaniments which serve to enhance rather than distract from the steak on your plate. I didn't think it could get much better - that was, until the restaurant raised the steaks by introducing Cheese and Vino Tuesdays. And sweet cheesus, the range is good!

The low-down: QAR 129 for all you can eat cheese from the cheese bar; QAR 199 for all you can eat cheese plus three glasses of wine.

Also, don't forget 'Soiree Entrecôte' on Wednesdays, where for QAR 250, unlimited 'cooked to order' steak plus a choice of sides, salads and signature sauces can be enjoyed amongst groups of friends or family. And dessert is thrown in too!

3. The Square

Me, You & Shrimp, every Wednesday 6 - 11pm

From the kitchens of this family-friendly restaurant come some of the most creative concepts that I have seen in this city, and 'Me, You and Shrimp' is no different. Presented with a plethora of different shrimp dishes to choose from, I was reminded of the scene in Forrest Gump where Bubba is describing his shrimp farm back home: "Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it..There's shrimp kebobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo...". Basically, if you're a shellfish fan then this is shrimply the best way to spend a Wednesday evening in Doha: sitting back and enjoying some hardcore prawn.

The low-down: QAR 195 for all you can eat shrimp; QAR 295 including selected beverages.

Taste of Arabia, every Saturday 12 - 3pm

Drawing on colours, spices and flavours from across the Gulf region, Taste of Arabia offers a wide ranging buffet of authentic-tasting dishes with a few surprising twists. From shawarma to butter chicken, and a dessert table heaving with Arabic sweets, it's incredibly easy to get curried away and eat far more than you originally intended, so stretchy pants are a must. 

Stand-out dish: The chicken shawarma wrap, freshly made to order in front of you (including the flatbread itself) which is warm, aromatic and delicately flavoured...and had me coming back for more.

Also, don't forget the restaurant's Italian theme nights every Tuesday, and their fun 'Bar Squared' brunch on a Friday.

4. The Lobby Lounge

Pink Afternoon Tea, all of October 3 - 5pm

In honour of "Pink October", the international breast cancer awareness month, the hotel is serving a pink-themed afternoon tea in their Lobby Lounge, including a selection of innovative savoury bites (think hummus eclairs and smoked salmon on pumpernickel tartine) and pretty-as-a-picture sweets. The perfect place to come and indulge the bulge; for once it will do wonders for your conscience.

Stand-out item: the absolutely mind-blowing pink raspberry eclairs.

Also, don't forget the other promotions that the hotel is putting on for Pink October, including the 'Pink Bar Squared Brunch' on the 21st October and Strata's 'Pink Wednesdays' where everyone who attends is in with a chance of winning a designer handbag.

It's been a busy month so far for the Intercontinental Doha The City, and I've spent many an evening in this wonderful hotel. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going back again on Wednesday. It's getting a bit embarrassing now, I feel like I'm starting to know the staff there better than some of my own neighbours...

Details:

Intercontinental Doha The City, West Bay | 800 100 610



Follow Your Sunshine was a guest at Intercontinental Doha The City for several of the above promotions, but as always all views are my own.

Doha's Best Child-Friendly Brunch: Superhero Picnic at The Lagoon, Ritz Carlton

It's not an easy task to make a Doha brunch stand out amidst the plethora of options available to the hungry diners (and drinkers) that take to the city's hotels on a Friday afternoon, but earlier this year the Ritz Carlton rose to the challenge and launched the highly original and innovative Picnic Brunch. Combining table service with live cooking stations dotted around the hotel's bright and breezy spaces, including their pretty garden verandah, the brunch ticked all of the boxes for groups of friends and families alike.

Now, six months down the line, and the hotel has surprised us again with the launch of their monthly Superhero Picnic Brunch which falls on the last Friday of every month. 

With a Marvel comic-inspired atmosphere, waiting staff dressed in character and touches of the theme everywhere you look (including fun twists to the food itself!), the thought and creativity that has been put into every aspect of the brunch is apparent. This isn't just somewhere to come to eat and drink until you can't move, this brunch is all about the fun you can have along the way.

It is extremely rare to find a brunch in Doha that is almost exclusively catered to children, while remaining appealing to the adults too, but I think that the Ritz Carlton has got the balance just about right. While children in fancy dress enjoy the bouncy castle, face painting and numerous real-life superheroes roaming about the place, the adults (also in fancy dress if the mood takes you!) can take advantage of the great range of food and drink on offer.

Highlights include the tasty starters which are preset on your table, especially the Fantastic Four Atchara with Green Papaya Salad...

The Giant Hulk Smash Hotdogs, made to order by Spiderman no less...

The Dragon Ball Dim Sum...

 

The tender, melt in the mouth braised lamb shank, which makes up part of the 'Avenger's Table' selection of main courses which are delivered to you at your seat when you've had your fill of the pre-set starters...

And the dessert platter, which is again brought to your table and includes a delicious banana dessert which is cleverly disguised as a hotdog.

In fact, this brunch does desserts pretty well, and the dessert buffet is full to heaving with delicious-looking treats. This might be a brunch to reconsider if you're trying to watch the waistline.

Sophia and I had come to The Lagoon with my good friend Donna and her son Lachie (a.k.a. Ryder from Paw Patrol), who was delighted to see all of his heroes together in one place (and even more delighted when mummy treated him by allowing him to have two desserts at once, one in each hand!).

Sophia on the other hand, was a little nonplussed by the superheroes...

But LOVED the bright colours and fun atmosphere as well as the balloon animals and building blocks in the kid's play area.

By the time that Batman served me my tea at the end of the afternoon, both babies were completely wiped out and more than ready for a long nap to sleep off all of the excitement (and sugar).

And as a mummy, there isn't a better mark of a successful day than that!

The details:

The Lagoon, Ritz Carlton Hotel, PO Box 23400, West Bay Lagoon, Doha
+974 4484 8000

Picnic Brunch: Every Friday, 12:30-4:00pm
Superhero Picnic Brunch: Last Friday of every month, 12:30-4:00pm
Price: QAR 249 with soft beverages; QAR 349 with selected house beverages; QAR 99 for children aged 5-12.

Best of the rest

Marsa Malaz Kempinski: The Little League Brunch

Starting last Saturday with the theme 'Princes and Princesses', the Marsa Malaz has introduced a rotational set of child friendly brunches, which continues on the 15th October with 'Heroes & Villains' followed by, 'Adventureland' and 'Sports Superstars'. Games and activities will include a thematic photo booth, crowns and chef hats, story telling, a bouncy castle, cupcake academy and burger & hotdog creation. And the adults amongst us will be pleased to hear that all of the usual delectable spread put on by the Sawa chefs will still be available.

Radisson Blu Friday Brunch

With music, cartoon characters in fancy dress, a face painting station and children's corner, the Radisson Blu is a great choice for those looking for a slightly cheaper option for Friday brunch for all the family.

Which is your favourite family-friendly brunch in Doha?

We were guests of the Ritz Carlton on this occasion, but as always all views are my own.