Scene selection: May 10 - 16

Back from India, and I think I’ve gained about, oooh, 100lbs from all the amazing food, so I’ll be getting back into my gym routine this week – yeah, yeah, excitement and glamour, I know! Friends are having a dinner party this Friday night and I’m in charge of bringing dessert, so, inspired by Twenty10’s giant Jaffa Cake, I might attempt something of the pimpthatsnack variety. A giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup could be in order. I’ll be catching up on the episodes of Man Vs Food and Keeping Up With The Kardashians that I missed out on whilst away, plus, Mr Gemma has been kind enough to donate some cash to the Gemma White Shoe Fund, and Jimmy Choo is totally on my radar. Finally, as I’m just back from one vacay, it’s time to plan the next, I’m off to Seoul in July for the Jisan Valley Rock Festival – which so far boasts The Stone Roses, Beady Eye and Radiohead. Seriously, do I really have to come back to work?
Gemma White, Editor

I have my lovely friend Felicity in town from Abu Dhabi this weekend, and so am going to do a bit of a Dubai’s greatest hits tour. We’re going to start off by visiting 360 on Thursday night – why? Well, first things first, the ocean-surrounded Burj Al Arab-side bar is like no other, but also because it closes at the end of the month for a complete refurb, so it’s last chance saloon to visit an old favourite. Then, on Friday, I’m thinking a brunch. And, I’m thinking my favourite brunch, which is the affordable (Dh260 with house beverages) Thai Kitchen in the Park Hyatt. I love the laid-back vibe, the cool decor and the Thaipas – it’s decadent, but not to the Roman proportions of so many Friday lunches in the city. Saturday I’m going to take her to JBR The Walk for an early morning stroll and breakfast (I have yet to find a truly delicious breakfast spot there, though – am thinking Saladicious may be my best option). On Tuesday I’m definitely heading to arty Al Serkal Avenue to visit Ayyam Gallery’s Young Collectors Auction. The art sale features “affordable” art, I love the work by Iranian artist Shadi Ghadirian, but we’re still talking five-digit numbers so I may have to sit on my hands to avoid any bidding accidents. Either way, I love the buzz of an auction, and it’s something different to do on hump day.
Nyree McFarlane, Deputy Editor

I knew my American Idol obsession was getting out of control when I had a dream about Phil Phillips and Coldplay’s Chris Martin performing on stage as a two-headed, guitar-playing, funny-dancing man. But seriously, how good was last week’s show? I cannot believe the amazing Skylar Laine was sent home before the hideously vanilla Holly Cavanagh. Who keeps voting for this insanley dull girl?! But regardless of my opinion of Holly, I’m hoping either Joshua or Phillip wins (even though Jessica is THE BOMB) and Holly disappears back to the boring world from whence she came, minus the record contract. Oh dear. I think I am actually obsessed. If I happen to make it out of the house this weekend after my AI marathon, I’ll be heading over to one of the final nights at 360 (maybe I’ll bump into Nyree?) to enjoy some mellow tunes and mojitos before it closes for the summer and gets a whizz-bang makeover (it’s going to be an indoor and outdoor venue come September – eek!) And then, since I’m already thinking about my trip home in the summer, I’ll be booking my flight on Virgin Atlantic and hoping I’ll be treated to a lovely Richard Branson ice cube in my post-take off tipple. No joke. The VA boss has been immortalised in ice so passengers can chill out with the face of the airline as they fly. Weird!
Lucy Wildman, Fashion Editor

This evening I’m going to dinner at the delicious China Club in the Radisson Blu, their dim sum is some of my favourite. Tomorrow I’m going for yet more food and trying out the new Belgian Beer Café’s brunch. I’m a big fan of the BBC in the Millennium, but I’m quickly being converted to the Madinat bar, so am looking forward to their brunch. On Saturday I’m making my way to Times Square because I’ve heard Shake Away has opened up in the mall – it’s my favourite milkshake place in the UK, so I’m made up that it’s in Dubai, make mine a Crunchie shake! I have some by-royal-appointment online shopping to do too, I need these Will and Kate Tiny Idol eau de toilette sprays, and my cosmetics collection simply won’t be complete until I own them. During the week I’m making sure I head to Mall of the Emirates to check out The Beatles photo exhibition, I’ll probably spend the whole time humming as I make my way round… the other gallery visitors won’t mind that, right?
Farah Andrews, Writer