Traditional pursuits
Though we have all become huge fans of the latest home entertainment - we love watching our favourite movies on Apple TV and we haven't set foot in the gym since getting a Wii Fit - sometimes we crave the nostalgia of playing a board game. For the serious armchair games player with a penchant for the exotic, this luxury version of a traditional game is a must. Beautifully crafted using English tanned leather, precious woods and ivory, these Asprey Backgammon boards are available in a range of 11 colours and are all fitted with Asprey's signature palladium locks. This board might make a small hole in your bank account but it is sure to take any competition to the next level.
The Asprey Backgammon board, Dh16,200, Asprey, Mall of the Emirates, 04 341 0641
Golden eye
Summer is slowly but surely drawing near and our eyes will need more than a hat to protect them from the glaring sun. Nothing shields your peepers better than a pair of glossy new sunglasses - and Swarovski's new range does just the trick. The crystal specialists teamed up with the Marcolin Group (which worked on Tod's sunglasses range) to come up with 12 styles to suit your face. We can't wait to grab a pair of these "Alex" shades with a delicate gold rim and crystal arms and an essential UV protective lens.
Ranging from Dh1,400-2,200, available at Paris Gallery stores nationwide
Trunk show
One of the most iconic accessories in the world of opulence and travel is the Louis Vuitton trunk. You know the ones, the elegant, beautiful, rectangular shapes that scream affluence as they whiz past you in airports, proudly displayed by their lucky, upgraded owners. With so many trunks designed over the years (Louis Vuitton designed his first piece in 1854), this magnificent book is a celebration of some of the most fabulous. The over 800 photographs include trunks made for celebrities such as Sharon Stone and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as cases designed for Ernest Hemingway, Leopold Stokowski and Damien Hirst. Even if you can't afford to buy a trunk, the book is a must-read for any Vuitton enthusiast or fashionado.
Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, Dh645, available at all Louis Vuitton stores nationwide
Table games
The great thing about dinner parties is that you are often thrown together with a mix of different people - the intellectual, the flirt, the talker, the bore (yep, we've all been there) - and finding common ground or things to talk about can be tricky. Now here's an idea, a prop that can help you to break the ice: these dinner party napkins are packed full of fun and games such as Dot-to-dot, Battle Ships and Favourite Things Lists. You'll be famous for pepping things up in no time.
Dinner party napkins, Dh38, Harvest Home, Jumeirah Centre, 04 342 0225
A bird's-eye view
We love nothing more than a limited-edition bag, especially when it's designed specifically for this part of the world. CH Carolina Herrera's deerskin shopping bag is printed with a hand-painted illustration of Dubai's coastline, featuring the iconic Palm islands and the Burj Al Arab. Great for everyday wear and tear and large enough for travel, it's sure to inspire some curious glances.
Dh3,130, CH Carolina Herrera, Dubai Mall, 04 339 8132, and elsewhere
Pearls for the hipster in you
Alexa Chung is arguably fashion's most powerful girl of the moment; this necklace from the British jewellery brand Mawi was in such high demand after she was spotted wearing it that Mawi had to release it again in limited quantity. We don't normally go for pearl necklaces, but when paired with red and blue stones and a miniature skull, the Alexa heirloom necklace becomes more hipster and less Manhattan mum.
Dh1,450, Symphony, Dubai Mall, 04 330 8050, www.symphonystyle.ae
Filly fashion
Dressing for the horse races is unlike dressing for any other event - you need an outfit that is fresh and summery for the day and that can be transformed into a glamorous ensemble for the evening. Other renowned fashion hurdles include trying to walk elegantly in killer heels on porous grass and daintily flaunting a petite clutch bag that probably contains most of your must-have items from your large daily tote. And this year's Dubai World Cup is sure to be no exception. But at least head wear needn't be a problem. Less bulky than a hat and less fiddly than a fascinator, this crochet-wire poppy headband, designed by Colette Malouf, is an ideal accessory to dress up any outfit while also taming your tresses.
Dh930, Boutique 1, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, 04 425 7888; Mirdif City Centre, 04 284 3777 and elsewhere; www.boutique1.com
