Yamanote Atelier - Japanese Bakery

Yamanote Atelier is a unique bakery using a perfect fusion of Western baking and Japanese ingredients to create something very special. Marketed as 'The UAE's First Japanese Bakery' this was one place I couldn't wait to try out ... So this weekend we did just that!

We visited the store located in the Wasl Square Complex in Dubai and from the minute I was able to get a peek through one of the windows I couldn't wait to get inside. The beautiful displays of cakes, pastries and sandwiches made choosing just one treat a nightmare... so we had to share! The staff are very friendly and more than happy to help you choose between the delicious pastries. 

The store is beautifully decorated and has a unique bakery feel to it. One of the things I liked the most was how all of the bakery items are displayed as you walk in the store rather than behind a counter. You can choose exactly which item you want using the tongs and putting it on your tray before taking it to the counter...This means no awkward pointing on a glass cabinet trying to describe the location of the pastry you feel gives you the best value for money!

They have a great selection of hot and cold beverages, many made with a Japanese twist!

We got a Ying Yang Mocha - Espresso smothered in chocolate sauce for a delicious twist!

And a normal cappuccino (original I know) 

We both got an egg and turkey muffin to start (It was our breakfast)

We then shared a chocolate, raspberry and almond croissant - this was delicious warmed up.

Finally, we couldn't visit the Yamanote Atelier bakery without getting the famous Yamanote Croissant! This is made with a cream cheese filling and custard cream at the bottom. It is their best seller and I can see why ... this was one thing I didn't want to share!

They had a large selection of gift boxes filled with Japanese treats!

The staff were constantly bringing out freshly baked items from the kitchen and stocking up the baskets. I left feeling like I hadn't even nearly tried enough of what they had to offer. 

There is now a second store in the Dubai Mall which I am definitely going to check out! 

Visit Yamanote Atelier's website to see their full menu - they also deliver in the UAE which is awesome! http://www.yamanoteatelier.com

Laura x

Follow my adventures:

Facebook: lauraloutravels

Twitter: @lauralou_x

Instagram: lauraloutravels

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHqsDPJcvQD87EkcPZYTBQ/videos?view=0&shelf_id=0&sort=dd

Don't Quit Your Daydream

As I sat at my desk staring out the window, watching the rain fall I would often dream of holidays and sunnier destinations... I mean who doesn't? But it's when you read those stories online of people who packed up everything to move abroad and travel the world, that's when I would think...why isn't that me?!

To most people, those stories seem about as achievable as winning the lottery, and I would feel the same. That is until about a year ago...

I still remember the day I thought to myself, why can't I move abroad? What is actually stopping me? I was in Dubai Mall looking over the balcony, watching people wander around the many levels of the mall when I realised...this is where I want to be! 

When I arrived back in England following that trip to Dubai I looked in to the logistics of moving abroad. It isn't until you really think about it, that the realisation of how hard it can be hits. I had a full time job, an apartment, a car, my family and friends and my little sister to think about. 

After thinking long and hard I realised, when it comes to life experiences, sometimes you have to be selfish. The saying 'You only live once' is never truer than when you are faced with a big decision like this. 

With things like Skype and social media, you are never far away from family and friends. So I decided to take the leap and in July 2015 i moved to Dubai. I sold all of my belongings, including my car and apartment and I moved out here with only 30kg of luggage!

It really doesn't take long to build your life back up, and when every weekend feels like a holiday ...thats when you know you made the right decision! The expat community is always there to lend a hand, after all, everyone has been in your boat at one point in their lives and there is always someone who has experienced what you are going through. 

I am now sat on my balcony overlooking the skyscrapers of Dubai in 30 degree heat and I don't regret a single thing. The way I see it, life is for living, and you can always resume a life back in your home city whenever you're ready to do so... the people who mean the most to you will always be there for you, so really... what do you have to lose? 

There is a big world out there just waiting to be explored, and someone has to do it...why can't that someone be you?!

Laura x

Follow my adventures:

Facebook: lauraloutravels

Twitter: @lauralou_x

Instagram: lauraloutravels

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHqsDPJcvQD87EkcPZYTBQ/videos?view=0&shelf_id=0&sort=dd

I make YouTube videos documenting my travels - here is my first video ... 

''Moving to Dubai''

Halloween fun and my big surprise!

Hey everyone!

Hope you like my new look blog, I decided it was time for a change!

It has been a busy couple of weeks and I'm still trying to convince myself that it is 'winter' - the weather is just perfect out here now. No more running for the air conditioned buildings...we now sit outside to eat and relax by the pool rather than a 5 minute walk draining every last bit of saliva you had in your mouth!

As you know, Halloween was a few days ago and we certainly celebrated in style. All of the neighbours from the surrounding streets got together to have a big BBQ and watch Halloween films projected on to the side of a big building! As well as this we did a mass trick or treat session with all the kiddies - Camilla really enjoyed herself and she got lots of sweets that she was very proud of :)

Ill let you guess who she went as ....

We have also taken another trip to Abu Dhabi to go to the IGN Convention this time - this is mainly focused on gaming and films and we had such a good day. I even got to meet someone I have hated for such a long time... turns out he's actually really nice :)

I met Jack Gleeson who plays Joffrey in Game of Thrones!

Andy also got to meet someone who presents IGN News - he was a big fan... I'm not sure why! ;)

During the convention they had a big Cosplay competition with 10,000 dollars going to the winner. This is where people create their own costumes and dress up as film/game characters. There were some amazing ones and it was fun to watch them perform!

As well as all of this, I have been making some friends!! They're all really lovely. They have all moved out here on their own and we met through a Facebook group. I think they're super brave doing this on their own! It's really nice to hear other peoples stories of where they have come from and how they ended up in Dubai.

So... when you have a group of girl friends, what do you do on a Saturday afternoon?! Go to the beach bar of course! We spent a whole day and night at a place called Barasti - Its a beach club which has a bar on the beach but also several other bars including a roof terrace. Its lovely. After sunbathing all day we then watched the rugby outside with the city skyline as a backdrop. Such a fab day :)

Oh and how could I forget my big surprise?? 

I am having so much fun out here and I don't regret my decision one bit, however I can't say I don't miss home and my Mum and Mollie! So as it is my Mums birthday at the beginning of December I have planned a trip back to the UK!!! :D 

I called my mum on Skype and told her I'll be coming home for her birthday...she was super happy and I can't wait! 

The biggest part of the surprise is that Mollie doesn't know I'm coming home... she asks every time I Skype if I'll be coming home soon and it breaks my heart as I miss her so much! My plan is to land in the UK at lunch time and then go with my mum to pick Mollie up from school... I really can't wait to see her little face when I'm stood in the school playground waiting for her! :D

I also plan to do a lot of Christmas shopping and get my fill of cold weather before I return to the sun! I will only need a week of UK weather to remember why I love the sun so much...

Any way, that's my little update for this week - have an awesome bonfire night whatever you decide to do... I am rather upset its not something that is widely celebrated but my Mum has promised to save me some sparklers :) 

Love ya, Keep smiling and I'll maybe see you soon!!! 

Laura xx

Don't worry ... I'm still alive!

Where did September go?!  I've been meaning to update you all but I've been so busy my days have just disappeared! 

As you can probably tell, I am still loving every minute of my adventure and as much as I miss the people, I can't say I'm missing England just yet! Especially since I've started seeing photos on Facebook of people in their hats and jumpers.

So where do I start... I'll start with the bad news... Alan sadly died this month! It turns out he was a greedy little lizard and went for the cockroach bait. I found him stuck to a sticky trap in our room :( it was a sad day, but I did warn him about coming in my room!! At least I can sleep at night now without worrying he might fall in my mouth!!!

On to happier news - we got a car!! It's great being able to jump in the car and go where ever we want, however driving out here is crazyyyy! There are 6 or more lanes on the roads and no rules for any of them, you just drive to where you're going and hope for the best! 

As much as I keep saying I need to stop eating rubbish, it's so hard out here. There are more restaurants, cafes and takeaways than you can imagine! So we have obviously been back to the Cheesecake Factory (it is my favourite after all) 

We have also tried some other places too such as Texas Roadhouse where all the staff randomly stop and bust a few line dancing moves... I really wanted to get up and dance with them!

As well as this, we have been to a great place on the beach called Eggspectation... this place sells many things but as you expect, they specialise in all things eggs! They do epic breakfasts all day long, which is fab seen as the first time we went was 1pm! 

Apart from eating... a lot... I have actually done some cool things, such as going to Ferrari World! This is one place we always meant to go to when we visited Dubai previously but we never got there. 

We had such a fun day, they have the fastest roller coaster in the world, and my god is it fast! You have to wear goggles to protect your eyes from the wind. We went on it twice and my hair really didn't survive the trip... there is a mirror as you get off so you can see how much of a mess you look!! I couldn't even get a comb through my hair when I got home it was so knotty! 

As well as this there are loads of other little rides, one we particularly enjoyed was a ride in a Ferrari through Italy! :D

Thats our Ferrari! :)

And this is how much fun we were having!! haha

We also went to Games 15 Middle East which is an exhibition of the latest computer games and tech. It was a great day out but because of all the consoles and people it was super hot!  Needless to say we didn't stay too long! We are going to something different in Abu Dhabi this weekend so hopefully that will be better! 

Also it finally happened... I went back to my happy place at the Atlantis, The Palm! There is something I love about the fact that it stands pride of place on the very tip of a manmade island. I love it so much and the views looking back on the Dubai skyline are amazing!

I promise to update you all more regularly so I don't feel like I have to rush as much, but this was just a snippet of what i have been up to recently.

I hope the weather isn't too wet and windy, its just starting to cool down enough for BBQs here - so much so we had one last night!! :) 

Its very strange to think its October and remember what I was doing this time last year. I miss decorating my apartment with all things Halloween and Autumn but I think if I really try hard, i'll be able to manage without for a little while ;) 

I miss you all, keep smiling! 

Laura xxx