A Creative World Inside DMC Riyadh

It must be the four years that we've been online... The Pink Tarha and our readers already have the same wave length. That, or we're turning into psychics!

Upon publishing this entry on Al Akariyah, where women can buy their abayas, a reader commented that she was about to ask us where to buy one when she read the entry. It's as if we read her mind. Yesterday, I was contemplating if I'll write about the last of the Thailand series or about the DMC craft store in front of Al Akariyah when a reader in our Facebook page asked is we know a craft store. It's as if she was reading my mind. Wow! Haha. So, looking for a craft store? Here you go...

DMC, originally based in New York City, started in the 1920s and is still the most popular thread brand used in various sewing crafts. DMC stands for Dollfus-Mieg & Compagnie, named after the owners. The first store carrying DMC that I saw in Riyadh is Adel's in Shola Shopping Center but it has closed after a fire in Shola a year ago. The shopping center hasn't reopened since. But there's one DMC store tucked in Musa Bin Nussair street just off Olaya Road. It's opposite the Al Akariyah Shopping Center.

Welcome to this creative world!

Here's a gallery of the items they carry (bongga sa dami!)...

Colorful threads

Threads and sewing boxes

Metallic and two-toned threads

Cross-stitch patterns

More complicated but beautiful patterns

Cloth and fabrics

Needles and hooks

More tools for your crafts

Floss threads

For quilting and crocheting

More colors to choose from

Yarns for your projects

Zip 'em up!

Slim zippers and paddings

Vibrant and neutral colors in this counter

Trimmings galore!

Delicate beaded trims up close

Chains and tassels

The trimmings are endless!

 So many products to choose from... I got dizzy just looking!

The ribbon corner

Satin ribbons in plain, solid colors

Can you suggest ways on how to incorporate these into your crafts?

The button counter

Button up!

Beads and more beads...

Ahhh, don't you just admire those colors?!

Sparkling stones... 

Rectangular stones

I'm to tempted to learn how to do beadings now.

Big stones for accents

So elegant and glamorous

Faux pearls

Apart from the usual threads, trims, buttons, beads, and jewel embellishments, DMC has more to offer! They also have stuff that can beautiful any thing! Lookie:

The floral shelves

Flower power!

For head dresses, headbands, corsages, etc.

Masquerade ball, anyone?

Vintagey brooch

Studded belts

Tiaras and crowns

I'm quite sure you'll find a lot of products in the DMC store that would help in your needlework. Show me your finished products, okay? It's quite obvious I didn't "talk" much in this entry. Well, those colors in the photos captivated me so much I couldn't help but just share all the photos I took instead. Haha! 

The DMC store is located in one of the buildings off Olaya Road. Just turn right on the traffic light in the corner of Al Akariyah or the building where New Look/Splash is. Drive slowly when you're already in the Musa Bin Nussair street. It's on the fifth building, I think, opposite the gate entrance of Al Akariyah Mall 1. Here's the map we used for the abaya entry... the red circles denote the Al Akariyah shopping complex. The blue circle indicates the DMC store.

Click for larger version of map.

And as an added tip to those who are into sewing, if you're looking for fabrics and textiles, cross the street from DMC to go to Al Akariyah Mall 1 and head to Al Akariyah Mall 2. There are textile and fabric stores on the ground floor. ;)

Amazing drapes of fabrics in this store! The cloths are so colorful too!

This is really enticing me to get a sewing machine, hehe!

Again, what can I say? Happy shopping! :) ~ Sundrenched

Abaya Finder: Al Akariyah Shopping Mall

Here are the top four questions we receive about the abaya...

1. How does wearing an abaya feel? 

Truth be told, the first few times that I wore an abaya in public when I was new in Saudi Arabia reminded me how much of a klutz I can be. I kept on tripping on my abaya because I insisted on an abaya that is a few inches longer than me. And I kept on forgetting to tuck it inside the car; the hem gets caught in the car's door every time. Thankfully, months and years of wearing it has produced a better abaya-clad me. It's actually pretty comfortable. Yes, it gets warm especially when we're under the sun but it actually protects us from sunburn and sandstorm. It gets in the way of some activities like carrying stuff while climbing the stairs but nothing we, ladies, can't manage. Being able to go out the house without thinking of what to wear can be very liberating sometimes.

2. What do you wear inside the abaya? 

This is one funny question because apparently, there are some guys who think we don't wear anything under the abaya apart from ermn, our underwear. Hahaha! C'mon guys! Imagination much?! While there might be a few (very few) who do this, most women wear clothes under their abayas that range from from pajamas, jeans, blouses, skirts, office attire... to the more elaborate gowns for special events.  

3. How many abayas should a lady have? 

A minimum of three: one for errands (grocery/market day, shopping, etc.), one for going to work (simple, easy to remove), and one for formal occasions (embellished, laced, etc.). You can have more, of course. I have 6 as of the moment which I alternate depending on where I'm going. 

4. Where do I buy affordable abayas? 

And here comes one of the many answers: in Al Akariyah Mall along Olaya Road.

Al Akariyah Mall is once the go-to mall in Riyadh being the first mall in the Middle East built in the 1970s. It was once very popular with expats but the presence of the religious police (muttawas) discouraged more and more people to go. Its popularity waned over the years and now, it's just one of those malls that houses a few brands that are not familiar with most Riyadhizens and a few liquidation stores. But, abaya seekers, this is one place you shouldn't ignore.

(In true Saudi Arabia fashion of spelling names in various ways it's quite confusing but as long as you pronounce it the same way, it's a-okay... Al Akariyah [the way they spell it in the mall 1 signage] can also pertain to Al-Akaria [the way they spell it in their website], Alakaria, Al-Akariah, etc.)

The Al Akariyah area in the corner of Olaya Road and Musa ibn Nussair Street is divided into two Al Akariyah Malls... the first one built is the one along Musa ibn Nussair Street near the Al Akaria Compound while the second one is the one facing the Olaya Road. (see map below for visualization, hehe.)

This is the Al Akariyah Mall 2...

The lobby of Al Akariyah Mall 2

The abaya stores on the  second floor

The abayas in most shops range from SR100-SR250. If you're lucky, they're even on sale. And even if they're above SR100, we know you Filipinas out there have polished your haggling skills so put them to good use. Most of the abaya stores are located in the center of the newer area of the mall (entrance is along Olaya Road). You will see this fountain in the middle and on the second floor, you'll see a few abaya shops. There are some who sell expensive abayas embellished with swarovski crystals and made of premium fabrics.

If you're on the lookout for affordable abayas with adequate designs, go to the stores that have these signs outside:

Affordable abaya stores

If you want to buy wholesale...

Expensive but really nice abayas

Here are some designs:

Different styles and designs

Sometimes, it's just all about the sleeves

SR 90-100 abayas with cutout, colorful sleeves

Quirky abaya on the right

Prioritize the kind of cloth in an abaya. Choose the one that doesn't wrinkle immediately and is soft to the touch (not silky). The clasps of most abayas are flimsy so I suggest you sew them on again after you get home.

Look at the design of our new abayas! We've always wanted the style which has a clincher making it an empire cut. They look like monk robes, hehe. We bought it for SR140 each at an abaya store in the old Al Akariyah Mall 1.

Sundrenched and Shoegarfreeruby in our new abayas! Yey!

And as an added bonus, we found a store selling high heels beside the store where we bought our abaya! Fashionista love!

Strut your stuff!

To those who are new to Riyadh and the Al Akariyah Mall, here's the map:

Click for a larger version.

The smaller circle in the map is Al Akariyah Mall 2, the newer one, which is where the place on this first photo in this entry is located. The abaya stores are gathered in their lobby. The larger circle indicates the old Al Akariyah Mall (the first to be built) and houses a few abaya stores as well. The two malls are connected by an easy-to-locate pathway. Don't confuse it with the Al Akaria Plaza which is the newest mall in this area housing Bulgari and other high-end, luxury brands. ;)

Happy shopping! ~ Sundrenched

Are You The Lucky Juan?

THERE ARE OVER two million Overseas Filipino Workers residing in the Middle East and it's a struggle that not all the Middle Eastern countries are served by our own nation's airline carrier that can bring us back directly to the Philippines. I'm sure most of us has had our share of excruciating connecting flights, spending four hours or more in airports of neighboring countries, all for the sake of a lower fare or for simply being able to get back home. Just recently, Sundrenched and I endured a 12-hour wait in Oman's airport due to lack of available flights back to Riyadh -- but we're still young (ehem) and we can patient and understanding for a long period of time (as long as there's free WiFi). But what about the thousands of OFWs who want a hassle-free, affordable and pleasant ride back and forth from the Philippines and their country of destination? Well, Cebu Pacific may soon be the answer to our prayers.

As you all know, Cebu Pacific is the Philippines' most-talked about and most-patronized airline carrier. Who hasn't heard of the PISO-seat Sale? Or their super affordable offers to nearby Asian countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea (just to name a few). Many of my friends back at home (myself included) have been able to see more of the Philippines and Asia thanks to the irresistible rates of traveling with Cebu Pacific. My first trip to Boracay was actually through a Cebu Pacific flight and my experience with them was quite amiable and on schedule. Though I wasn't able to experience the dancing flight attendants that became a fad, I believe.

Anyway, the good news is Cebu Pacific has recently announced that they shall be offering direct flights from Manila to Dubai starting October 2013. This is exciting news because they will be the only Filipino airline carrier that will offer this direct flight to Dubai, UAE. We are particularly proud of this because a Filipino brand was able to penetrate the international aviation market of the Middle East - which is no easy task! Of course, they will be using brand new Airbus A330-300 for these long haul flights (If you want to read on this kind of plane, you can check it out by clicking here).

Cebu Pacific's Airbus A330-300

Having said that, Cebu Pacific is thrilled about this new venture and is offering the 100 Lucky Juans Promo to Kapuso Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates! If you're a subscriber of GMA International Channels in the UAE, you will get a chance to come home to the Philippines for free by simply posting your answers to the Cebu Pacific official Facebook page!

Get ready!

Joining is as easy as juan, two, three!
Stay tuned for more details to be released soon.