Note From the Founder: Embracing Life's Unpredictability

This month began with a jolt - the unexpected loss of my grandfather. There's something about death that forces you to pause, no matter how busy life is. As a mother of three, the challenge has been learning how to grieve while still being present for my children. How do you talk about something so final, so incomprehensible, to little ones who are just beginning to grasp life? I've found myself leaning on honesty and tenderness. I've never heard my 3 children talk as much about death in every shape and form possible as I have in the last 3 weeks. By being as fully open and honest about it as I could, I in turn gave them permission to question, challenge, discuss, debrief, and as curious children, that's exactly what they did. As the days have gone by, their normalisation of death and talking about it daily, has weirdly made the burden easier to swallow, and has reminded me of a hard truth we so often forget: "only two things in life are certain, death and taxes." The silver lining of grief has been clarity. In slowing down, I've been forced to reflect on what truly matters: connection, rest, and simplifying the chaos that so often consumes us as parents.

The Permission to Do Less

This reflection reminded me of an article I recently came across by Katherine Johnson Martinko titled Parents, It's OK to Do Less. In it, Martinko challenges the modern obsession with over-scheduling and perfectionism. She encourages parents to embrace imperfection, simplify routines, and let children experience boredom. It's a freeing perspective that I've carried with me this month, especially on days when the to-do list feels insurmountable. I proceeded to cancel several of the classes I had paid and committed for for 2025 - and it truly feels great.

A Reading List to Inspire

Speaking of simplicity, I stumbled upon Adam Grant's 2025 Reading List. It's packed with thought-provoking titles that explore everything from parenting to creativity. As someone who craves intellectual nourishment but rarely has time to browse bookstores, this list felt like a curated gift. I've already started on a few, and it's been a refreshing way to recharge my mind. For those unfamiliar with Grant, he is a professor at Wharton focused on organisational psychology and his Instagram is a profound source of wisdom - I'd go so far as to say, it's one of my top three accounts!

The Magic of Jasmine & Better Sleep

On the topic of recharging, I recently discovered Unwrapped's Jasmine Essential Oil Pillow Mist. What started as a small indulgence has turned into a nightly ritual that's transformed my sleep - and my Oura ring data is there to prove it. Even more fascinating? My children seem to wake less on nights when I spray it on their pillows. Could it be the calming properties of jasmine? Or maybe it's just the power of a predictable bedtime ritual? Either way, I'm a convert - and so are my kids.

Education Systems: A Global Debate

A topic I've heard debated endlessly among parents recently is whether the American or British education system better equips our children for the future. The British system emphasises depth and specialisation, while the American approach leans into breadth and flexibility. As a parent, I find myself wondering: what skills will matter most in the coming decades? Creativity? Adaptability? A grounding in core subjects? I often get asked by parents on what my take is. As a product of the British system, I have always loved the discipline it invokes from a young age and the resilience and often self-motivation that occurs as a by-product (if taught well). Simultaneously, I've always resented the conformity of it all and the lack of original thinking, the curriculum feels outdated and often irrelevant and it's notorious for producing people pleasers through it's parrot-learning approach. That said, the over-arching flexibility of the American system can fail in allowing any real commitment, and the emphasis on the community as a whole, can cause self-motivation to dwindle. But perhaps the answer isn't in the system itself, but in how we supplement it at home. There are shortfalls in everything, but identifying those shortfalls allows you to get the best out of what is done well, and find the right way to supplement what you personally believe the system lacks. And there you have it - the answer to which system is the right for you

My New Morning Escape: Marsa Al Arab

Closer to home, my mornings have been transformed by a new favourite spot: Marsa Al Arab, at the end of Kite Beach. Whether it's a quiet coffee by the water or a stroll by the sea, it's become my go-to post drop-off for the perfect Iced Matcha from Feels, or breakfast bowl from Public. It's a reminder that even in a city as bustling as Dubai, there are pockets of calm to be found.

A Recipe to Warm the Soul

For whoever has been following for awhile, my sweet tooth is a real thing - I am all about recipes I can eat guilt-free that satisfy all cravings and that my kids love just as much. Meet Rachel Mansfield's Cinnamon Maple Crunch Bread (link here). It's wholesome, comforting, and the perfect thing to bake with little helpers on a slow weekend morning in this weather.

A Game-Changing Egg Hack

Another gem I discovered recently is Emma the Nutritionist's hack for soft, runny eggs. It's simple, foolproof, and just such a great life-hack for egg-eaters everywhere! 

A New Store For Families for Clean Living

I recently came across Scoop Wholefoods, a store originally from Australia, which has expanded to Singapore and has now made it's way to Spring Souk Mall. This place is a haven for anyone remotely into clean and sustainable living. As it's name suggests, everything can be scooped. Reminiscent of a 90s candy store, it's filled with scoop-able containers, you scan scoop produce into a paper bag or a reusable glass jar. They have the widest range of teas I've come across, and the largest range of healthy, refined sugar free candies, chocolates and sweets, pantry staples most of which are soured from Australia. They have a huge bath section, filled with scoop-able clays, salts, and oils you can bottle. A few things I bought and loved were: sour candy gummies (so much less rubbish than store bought), carob chocolate buttons (with no added sugar), a divine lemon cashew butter spread, a phenomenal iced tea blend filled with dried fruits and flowers, and Jojoba oil, which I later infused with dried rose petals I also purchased. This place is a gem!

Slowing Down in a Busy City

Dubai has been, as always, a whirlwind. But losing my grandfather reminded me that life can't always be about the next meeting or lunch date. This year, I want to spend more time being intentional with those I truly love, and it was a powerful reminder. This week, I am looking forward to the Al Quoz Arts Fest - a great festival for families and children, camping in Hatta Wadi Hub, and shooting our 2025 collection. Plus there's an exciting Little IA event coming up in collaboration with one of my favourite homegrown companies - stay tuned, we'll be posting all about it on Tuesday!

Here's to a month ahead of clarity, connection, and a little more rest.

Roshni x