THE ALL - NEW NISSAN JUKE. The funkiest cross-over ever made. Say hi to Juke: Nissan’s new-breed Turbo-charged Sport Cross-over. A compact five-door that seats five friends comfortably. Its 1.6L Direct Injection engine lights up the city streets with energizing performance, smooth acceleration and new-age-smart fuel economy. Switch from Normal to Sport Mode to boost your mood with tighter grip and even more responsive steering control. Juke is the new generation of swift-design, feel-good drives. Get up, get on up.
ABODE
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On the cover: Lauren Penny and Nicole Van Hattem, CEO & Partner of Art of Abundant Living; Photography Jorelle Legaspi; Styling Nerine Jones; Hair & Make-up Darin Fares, “LA’ Salon, Alfardan Towers; Location Living Spirit Interior Design and Furnishing; Wardrobes and Accessories courtesy of Karen Millen, BCBG Max Azaria & Salam Stores
Ahmed Hassan Bilal Chairman Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor-in-Chief Executive Editorial Director Moona Masri-Whitice Nitya Shukla Associate Editor HayaatiG Fashion & Beauty Editor Marlynne Mallari Editorial Coordinator Paola Santin Graphic Designer Finalizer/ Srimani Welagedara Production Manager Jessie Palanca Photographer Deliah Furcoi Advertising Manager Business Development Kristina Helg Consultant Jeniffer Daclan – Ruiz Marketing Coordinator Lanie Fillo-Pana Distribution Gloria Duran – Renderos Contributors Lauren Penny Victoria Scott Jacqueline Bodnar Laura Prior Christina Pacshyn Willemina Mansell – van Eeghen Francesca Cruz Elsbeth Blekkenhorst Nerine Jones Asma Ashimi Owner & Licensee Print Communications An Associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group of Companies. Gulf Publishing & Printing Co. Printers ENQUIRIES ON THE ABOVE SECTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: TEL: +974 4443-2224 FAX: +974 4443-2225 ADVERTISING INFORMATION Qatar: +974 4443-2224 LEGAL NOTICE ABODE is owned and published monthly by Print Communications, P.O. Box 7848, Doha, Qatar. An Associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group of Companies. This publication follows Canadian Press Style and is written in Canadian English. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied without the written permission of the publisher under the copyright laws of the State of Qatar. All rights reserved. No responsibility taken for unintentional errors or unsolicited material. Use of trademark is strictly prohibited.
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january
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PEOPLE
HOME 30 Get the Look Spring Fling 32 interiors
Small Space Practical Design
16
An Essence of India
18
Ambition in Abundance
22
IBQ Artists Series
36 Décor Eclectic Luxury 38 Feature A guide to
108
de-cluttering with Feng Shui
72 LIFESTYLE 96
102 Low-Fat or Low-Carb? 104 Pave the Way for
55 FOOD&
ENTERTAINMENT 50 10 Benefits of Pomegranate 52 Ultimate Winter Soup 55 Recipe cards Soups 59 Winter Wonders 62 8 Tips for Having an
Eco-Friendly Birthday Party
Building a Fit Life for You and Your Family
FASHION 66 72 76
82 86
ABODE Loves, Emerald City Denim Days Your Wardrobe’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions: Rethink… Recycle… Reinvent… High Octane Glamour
The Emergence of New Fashion in Doha
92
Your Make-Up Bag Makeover
Improved Productivity
106 Tips for your CV
and Successful Interview
108 Changing Lives for Better Health 110 Happy New You! 112 Hot Destinations 116 Auto Round-Up 120 Reader’s Corner 122 Doha’s freshest Dj talent…
Laura O’Shea Dj
124 Tech Support JANUARY 2012 ABODE 7
EDitOr’s
letter
IN THIS ISSUE...
bEHINd THE ScENES
Dear Patrons As we begin our third year of publication, it is our turn to introduce yet something new, captivating and even classier that would passably define our name. Welcome once again to ABODE, your lifestyle Magazine. The past year, you have seen a spectacular transformation in the cover layout and design of our Magazine, to reflect the changing trends in lifestyle and acceptance of a more liberalistic approach to existence. This recognized the fact that our stories, images, and information focus was on the totality of the Magazine, with the fundamental objective of taking it further to new heights of sophistication. We know that in today’s world of non-stop information, there is increasing competition for your time and attention with the ongoing demands of family and work. But then our readership survey from identified sources indicates that you rely upon ABODE as a means of appealing information about the latest trends in fashion and lifestyle. The fact that our print run has increased by 30% in the past year, corroborates our research.
Th next ‘cover shoot moede ls’?
I believe that style is the only luxury that is really desirable. And what is bad about luxury when you can afford it? This was the sentiment with which our Art Director worked on giving the Magazine a fresh new look, without missing its original concept and theme, yet one that provides us with greater flexibility for editorial presentation. This sentiment filtered down to the very content of the Magazine, in our sincere attempt at giving you the best in style and luxury. We strive to bring you a perfect and balanced combination of News Features, latest Fashion Trends from the world over, Party Whirl, Travel and Leisure information, Fine Dining Experiences, Shopping Bargains, Home Décor and a lot more exclusive features that would elevate your lifestyle with little effort. And we’re not stopping there. This year, we promise to become your most dependable source of information on how you can enhance your lifestyle and your personality in more ways than what we have so far presented to you, so you see a different YOU progressively every month thru our issues. So go on, and live life the way it is meant to be lived. For if you don’t, ten years from now you would be more disappointed with the things that you did not do than with the things you did. All that we can be is the result of what we can think. Throw away the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, and catch the latest trends in your sails and Explore …. Dream …. Discover. We are here to help.
Have a break, have a coff ee
I extend my gratitude to our Sponsors for their continued support. And to you, our Readers, my sincere thanks for your loyalty to our mission thru these past years, and a wish that you continue with enlarged spirit in the years to follow. My determination of my return next year, the same time, the same hour and the same date, makes this farewell special. Peace, AHMED HASSAN BILAL
“Talk to me”!
Chairman
OUr FavOrITE PIckS
Watch, Dior Timepieces
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Candle, Marianneguedin
Make M ake Up F For or Ever Ever Wild & Chic Palette
Cushion Rainbow ainbow - THE One
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Ambition in Abundance
New Year New Resolutions
Find out how to live life abundantly JANUARY 2012 ABODE 9
DOHA
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Doha at a glance
QATAR NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS ITS DOORS
GRAND HYATT DOHA PREMIER’S VEEN WATERS ECO-DESIGN IN HOTEL SUITES 2011 saw Grand Hyatt Doha go grand and Green! After more than two years in the making a collaboration between the Hotel with VEEN Waters, saw the world premiere of their glasses made from recycled bottles. The VEEN Water bottles are used, returned, cut and polished to be born again as a design called re: VEEN. All Grand Hyatt Doha suites are now equipped with VEEN glasses for customers to admire and enjoy.
The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, officially opened its doors in December of 2011. After extensive architectural planning with renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, the Centre’s cutting edge facility sits at Education City and has been sighted as a world-class venue due to its outstanding facilities and technology. The Centre has already hosted the 2011 WISE Summit and the 20th World Petroleum Congress and is an exciting new addition to the country’s iconic architectural repertoire. Additionally, the Centre successfully meets the standards for gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), a global building-rating framework.
CHI’ZEN CHINESE RESTAURANT NOW IN DOHA
MERCEDES-AMG AND DUCATI HIGHLIGHT COLLABORATION Mercedes-AMG and Ducati took centre stage at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show in December, 2011. As they showcased the new SLK 55 AMG and the new Ducati Street fighter 848 – both models finished in “Street fighter yellow”, the automotive giants were celebrating the collaboration they made in November 2010.
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Foodmark, a division of the Landmark Group, has added another eatery accolade to their growing portfolio in Qatar with the opening of Chi ‘Zen Chinese Restaurant at the Oryx Rotana Hotel. In an official opening in November of last year, guests were treated to a spectacular array of Chinese cuisine classics, cocktails and entertainment.
DOHA
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SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT MIDDLE EAST RELEASES CHARITY SINGLE Legendary global Music Producer Quincy Jones has collaborated with Emirati entrepreneur, Badr Jafar, representing the Global Gumbo group to co-produce an Arabic charity single entitled ‘TOMORROW/ BOKRA’. The song features Arabic vocals performed by 24 Artists from 16 Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa singing with ‘one voice for a better tomorrow’. The song, which premiered live across the Globe on 11.11.11, aims to unite all Arab Countries and help create a bridge with the Western world by specifically targeting youth to raise awareness. The proceeds from the project will finance education programs in Music, Arts & Humanities for children across the Middle East and North Africa at a crucial time in the region’s history.
TIM HORTONS RESTAURANTS BRANCH OUT ACROSS UAE Tim Hortons, one of North America’s most successful coffee chains, officially opened the doors on its fourth UAE cafe and bake shop in Jumeirah Beach Residence, UAE on 7th December, 2011. The launch saw hundreds of fans converge on the UAE’s largest Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop location yet, where they were met by the Tim Hortons team. The restaurant chain is aiming to bring 120 restaurants to the Region in coming years.
100 YEAR OLD BOOK SPEAKS TO CONTEMPORARY ARAB ISSUES The Book of Khalid by Ameen Rihani was the first Arab-American novel ever written and students and staff at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) explored themes of Arab democracy and social reform in a lecture this week by focusing on the 100 year old book. Led by Todd Fine, the director of Project Khalid which he founded to advance Rihani’s book and its message of reconciliation, the lecture described ‘’the uncanny relevance of the novel to our contemporary time, particularly in light of recent events in the Arab world and strains in Arab-American relations since September 11, 2001.’’
TIFFANY’S RESTAURANT NOW IN DOHA Deliopolis, a subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding specializing in food service and distribution, celebrated the opening of its first restaurant, “Tiffany’s”, in Merweb Al Sadd Hotel in December. The new dining attraction will offer a wide variety of options, from their Bistro to Fresh Market Restaurant, Deli Shop, Bakery and a range of special menus, not forgetting the iconic ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’, of course.
QUIROS WINS DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP A life-changing eagle three on the last hole clinched a two shot victory for Spain’s Alvaro Quiros in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, in December 2011. Quiros – a former winner of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha – posted a four round total of nineteen under par (269) to see off a commendable challenge from Scotland’s Paul Lawrie. While Quiros was making it a Dubai double – the Spaniard won the Dubai Desert Classic ten months earlier - World Number One Luke Donald carved his own remarkable slice of golfing history by becoming the first man to win the Money Lists on both the US and European tours in the same year after finishing third overall to win The Race to Dubai.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 11
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QTEL GROUP SCOOPS TWIN AWARD Qatar’s Qtel Group received not one, but two awards at the Telecoms World Awards Middle East, which was held in Dubai on 4th October, 2011. The Telecoms World Middle East Awards and Gala Dinner identifies and rewards companies who have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to succeed – setting standards of excellence for the telecoms sector. Taking ‘Best Operator’ and ‘Best Brand’ for their Nojoom Program, the awards were welcomed at the pre-eminent telecom event in the region.
ROTA INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS SEE RESULTS ROTA’s inception in November 2005 was marked by the inaugural Gala Dinner, which laid the foundation for the organization’s financial development .In 2009, ROTA hosted its third and most spectacular Gala Dinner to date, raising around 13 million riyals to enhance its Qatari youth and community projects. Funds raised are producing results in projects across Asia and have contributed to the building or rehabilitation of 406 schools, providing educational access for more than 50,000 students, creating over 7,000 jobs, reaching over 1,495,000 community members and developing a Youth base in Qatar of more than 2,000 students.
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20TH WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS CONCLUDES The 20th World Petroleum Congress concluded successfully after a five-day run in Doha, in December 2011. The event zoned-in on ways and means of meeting the need for energy on a Global scale. The anniversary mile-stone conference discussed all aspects of the energy industry - from renewable and alternative energy, natural gas, technological advances in upstream and downstream energy operations to the intricate management of the industry and the social, economic and environmental impact it has. Held at the newly opened Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) it was a first for the congress and exhibition to be held in the Middle East.
DOHA
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RICHARD SANDOVAL RETURNS TO THE PEARL- QATAR
NISSAN UNVEILS FIRST COMPACT CROSSOVER Salah Al Hamad Al Mana Co, exclusive distributors for Nissan, Infinity and Renault unveiled Nissan’s new and aggressively styled compact cross-over ‘’Nissan Juke’’ in Doha last November. Fondly dubbed as ‘the baby brother to Qashqai and Murano’ the newest member of the Nissan cross-over family is aimed at the younger market, in the hope the Juke will shake up the car market this New Year.
Hospitality Development Company, a subsidiary of United Development Company, welcomed back world famous chef Richard Sandoval to the Pearl Qatar in December as he showcased his distinctive culinary expertise. With more than 26 restaurants spread around the world from America to Mexico, Chef Sandoval is the owner of the “Richard Sandoval Restaurants”, Dubai and Qatar. In partnership with the international Opera singer Placido Domingo, Sandoval opened “Pampano” Mexican Restaurant at The Pearl- Qatar in 2010.
STANDARD CHARTERED CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY Standard Chartered Bank celebrated Qatar National Day with staff in a special event of dance with local school children. The students from Ali Bin Abdullah School were the highlight of the celebrations as they gave a sterling performance of traditional, local dance.
SBIRRAZZUOLI & GHANEM TAKE ONE EACH IN FIRST ROUND OF MASERATI TROFEO JBF RAK IN BAHRAIN Bahrain International Circuit witnessed a spectacular weekend of racing with the first two races of the Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK series taking place as the headline act of Speed Weekend, December 2011. In the first race, Monaco-based Cedric Sbirrazzuoli took the chequered flag in a thrilling 16 seconds ahead of second placed Patrick Zamparini from Italy. But it was the second race of the day that delivered the most heart-stopping action out on Bahrain’s Formula One track, where Ghanem was victorious by a margin of 1.341seconds over Zamparini. Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain International Circuit, took 3rd place on the podium. The next round of the Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK series takes place at Bahrain International Circuit on January 6th-7th 2012.
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STAR-STUDDED OFFICIAL OPENING OF KATARA’S AMPITHEATRE December 11th saw the stars come out for the much anticipated official opening of the Katara Amphitheatre. Marked by a rare, magnificent live performance by world renowned Greek Composer Vangelis, who is best known for his iconic, award-winning musical score for the film Chariots of Fire, the event was also hosted by Oscar winner Jeremy Irons. In honor of the 4th UN Alliances of Civilization Forum, the grand opening also lit up the Doha skies with the enchanting work of Gert Hof, the world’s greatest light artist.
ARTIST CAI GUO-QIANG SETS DOHA ALIGHT Visionary visiting artist Cai Guo-Qiang from China transformed Doha’s daylight into night with a spectacular pyrotechnic art-display in December of 2011. Using gunpowder to create art, the show was said to be the biggest daytime fireworks display of all-time. Hundreds of eager spectators flocked to Education City’s Mathaf to witness the captivating art show. Mathaf is also hosting an in-house exhibition dubbed Cai Guo-Qiang: Saraab, which reaffirmed Mathaf’s commitment to presenting an Arab perspective on modern and contemporary art. Saraab presents more than 50 works including 17 new commissions by Cai Guo-Qiang, celebrating his stature as one of the most influential contemporary artists on the international art scene.
THE PEARL QATAR HOSTS DOHA COLLEGE 10K
NORTHWESTERN BREAKS GROUND ON GROUND-BREAKING BUILDING Northwestern University in Qatar, the region’s premier media, communication and journalism school, celebrated the groundbreaking of its long anticipated new high-tech building on 30th November, 2011 in Education City. The new facility, designed by renowned American architect Antoine Predock, will house an impressive program with a focus on digital and global operations for communication, journalism and liberal arts and will have state-of-the-art multimedia studios, lecture halls, a theatre, radio station, newsroom, library and exhibition space as well as the latest media technologies. VIPs and members of the University’s Joint Advisory Board (JAB) as well as faculty, staff and students attended the significant dedication.
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As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and proud sponsor of Doha College 30th anniversary, played host to the 2011 Doha College 10km run on November 18, 2011. With a route that circumnavigated the stunning waterfront of The PearlQatar, 300 competitors across 30 nationalities participated on the bright, fresh day as part of the College’s anniversary celebrations. Participants ranged from ages 19 – 60.
ABODE
people
Mrs Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, Ambassador of India to Qatar
16 ABODE JANUARY 2012
An Essence of a i d n I ABODE
people
By Nitya Shukla Photography jessie palanca
ABODE kickstarts the new year by featuring an interview with the first Indian woman to serve as Ambassador to Qatar, Mrs. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, an extraordinary woman with a sharp eye for exquisite art.
S
peaking to the Ambassador of India to Qatar, Mrs. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, one gets the sense that though far from her country, she’s brought with her the essence of India. The living room of her residence in Qatar is decorated with art, crafts and bronze sculptures representing different parts of her native country. She is a keen art collector with a passion for doing interiors… clearly visible from the plush yet comfy feeling one gets while at her home. Hailing from the State of Kerala, Mrs. Wadhwa belongs to the 1979 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and has served in Beijing , The Hague, Geneva and Sweden. She was previously in charge of the UN Division in the Ministry of External Affairs and has worked for the International Labour Organisation (ILO), heading its International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) in India. Husband Anil Wadhwa, also a diplomat, is currently Ambassador of India to Thailand. Their two sons work in Dubai. Here are excerpts from the interview: ABODE: As the first lady Ambassador from India to the GCC, were there any challenges?
DGW: There was recognition in India, judging from the growing status of women in this part of the world, that there would be no impediment in terms of my work due to my gender. My experience here has reinforced my government’s belief and I also have faced no whatsoever problems in dealing with officialdom, business leaders or the general public. The reason is that I represent India and I think it is the respect and recognition of India that helps me do what I do. Having said that, of course I am the first woman [to represent India in the GCC]. There were certainly those who doubted how I would be able to function, but I think I have proven them all wrong.
ABODE: What has been your experience in Qatar? DGW: One thing that has really made it special was the fact that we have such a large Indian community over here. When I arrived there was no sense of alienation because of the similarities in Arab and Indian culture; the relationship is really so old. The other thing that’s really interesting for a diplomat is Qatar’s foreign policy. Here you have a relatively small country in terms of size, population, but they [Qatar] take such a proactive role in different areas to deal with their international relations. If you ask me what has been really special to me, as a traditional diplomat, it has been following Qatar’s foreign policy trajectory, as it has now found an important place in international policy. Qatar is going through this period of economic boom and growth and has plans of great development and we want to see how India can partner in that. ABODE: What inspired your strong interest in art? DGW: I have a very strong Indian sensibility and there’s such richness and diversity in our own art. So I do collect art as you can see, from different parts of India like these polished metal mirrors from the southern State of Kerala and these bronzes which are really wonderful works of art which have been a part of Indian culture for hundred of years. As I stayed in China for quite some years I also have a sizeable collection of Chinese artifacts and porcelain. ABODE: What passions do you like to pursue? DGW: I like to read and listen to music. I sometimes go out for movies but am not too much of a shopaholic. ABODE: What’s the source of your inspiration?
mother who had a strong personality and was very encouraging in permitting me to do what I wanted. What has sustained me really is the support of my family, my husband and, my sons also. But as a diplomat it is my strong belief in India-which inspires me. ABODE: How do you balance the family and work? DGW: When you choose to have a profession like this you certainly know that you’ll have to make compromises in so far as your family life is concerned. It is very important to have a partner who’s understanding and I think it’s a great asset to me that I have a husband from the same profession who understands it, knows what I have to do and the needs of the profession. From the beginning we knew it was inevitable that there would be a time when we would live separately and we were prepared for it. We are very fortunate, however, that the Indian government makes a great effort of posting husband and wife Ambassador couples in geographical proximity. ABODE: What is the measure of success in your own words? DGW: It is a difficult question to answer. I belong to the generation where the measurement of a woman’s success was reflected in her husband and children. My own happiness is a reflection of that to a large extent but beyond that I have a professional life in which I believe that success lies in acknowledgement that one is doing one’s best in every sphere. It is particularly gratifying because I work to further the interests of my country. When I joined the Foreign Service, there were very few women and we had to work doubly hard to be noticed and appreciated. It is much easier now as the world and society accepts that a woman has a legitimate role also in the work place. In Qatar, for me a measure of success would be my ability to improve relations with the friendly government and people of Qatar and to serve my own countrymen who are a prominent part of Qatari society. •
DGW: My parents, and in particular my
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Ambition in Abundance By VICTORIA SCOTT • Photography Jorelle Legaspi • Styling: Nerine Jones, Styleworx • Hair & Make-up: Darin Fares @ “LA” Salon Spa Chakra Alfardan • Location: Living Spirit Interior Design and Furnishing
If you’re starting out the year feeling worn out from the holiday season or your employees just seem to need an energy boost, Doha-based company The Art of Abundant Living may have just the remedy.
On Nicole Top F. Scognamiglio Chiffon, QR 2,695 Legging, Joseph, QR 995 Shoes, Moschino C & C, QR 1,995 On Lauren Top, Thakoon Silk dress, QR 2,295 Shoes, Chloe, QR 2,095 Available at Salam Stores
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our years ago, Nicole van Hattem was on a career high. The Head of Human Resources for an international bank in Qatar, she was at the top of her game. But she says something was missing. “I was driving to work one morning, and realized I wasn’t singing along with the radio,” says Nicole. “I had no joy in things. I was burnt out. I had all the trappings of success – a healthy bank account, a senior corporate position, fancy holidays and cars, but it wasn’t true success and it certainly wasn’t sustainable. My second marriage was struggling, I was aging quickly. I didn’t enjoy my work and I gained very little satisfaction from my life as a whole.” So she went on a retreat, and came back refreshed. At the same time, an equally stressed-out colleague passed away. It was the impetus she needed to change. “I’d had the idea for the business on retreat,” Nicole says. “Taking time out for personal reflection and healing, coupled with the tragic loss of an inspirational figure in my life, gave me the determination to alter the course of my life.”
So, using the skills she’d learned turning her own life around, in 2010 she embarked on a business to transform the lives of others. “I learned a great deal from my own experiences, particularly as an overweight, highly stressed corporate executive” she explains. “Having experienced what does and doesn’t work, I set out to create a consultancy that empowers employees to create sustainable success, health and happiness.” At first, she focused on offering one-toone health coaching service to individuals, teaching them how to eat and live well. The business has grown from strength to strength into Nicole’s vision of a global holistic wellness consultancy. Along the way, Nicole teamed up with former colleague and kindred spirit, fellow Australian Lauren Penny. With a background in sports management, marketing and human resources, Lauren’s corporate journey has seen firsthand how unmotivated, unhappy employees can affect the performance of a company. “I’ve seen so many people over my career span, come
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in to work day after day, going through the motions, and it’s obvious they’re completely disconnected from their jobs,” she tells me. “That experience has led to my passion for improving the engagement and health of all employees, as I believe life is for living to the maximum each and every day.” The two women are clearly close, and they tell me they work well together. “Having worked together previously, we understand each other’s personalities and stress triggers, which is vital to keeping each other on track, supported and encouraged,” explains Nicole. “And with Lauren’s passion for business and my professional health coaching skills, we know that together we have something special that will make a significant difference to people’s corporate lives.” The program I ask both women to describe what The Art of Abundant Living sets out to do. “We empower people to create their best lives,” says Nicole. “We get them engaged
WE EMPOWER PEOPLE TO CREATE NICOLE VAN HATTEM A ATTEM THEIR BEST LIVES
W Wardrobe: On Nicole (Right)-Snake dress, QR 1,040 On Lauren (Left)-White Shirt, QR 683, Tan Leather Skirt, QR 1,365 Available at Karen Millen
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in their workplace, fit and more productive.” Lauren agrees: “Our programs reduce employee absenteeism, preventable chronic health conditions, employee turn-over, productivity issues and the loss of potential profit,” she says. “We spend a huge proportion of our lives at work, so it’s important that employees are engaged in what they’re doing. Corporations want employees who are highly productive, and from our experience we know that fit and healthy employees who have a balanced work-life are more productive,” Lauren adds. Nicole nods. “Our work is a fantastic opportunity for corporations to improve the health of their employees and by extension, society as a whole,” she says. I ask them how to respond to those who might think programs like theirs are an unnecessary expense. “This is not some fluffy idea, this is about real business,” Nicole says. “This is about having an engaged work force, which can have a very real effect on profitability, customer service and team work.
The fuTure aspiraTions Starting a new business is always a gamble, but the Art of Abundant Living team assure me they love the challenge. “Starting a business is an exciting adventure and one that pushes and stretches our individual boundaries,” says Nicole. “It’s a new learning ground every day. It’s a rewarding experience in more ways than financial, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.” The team have ambitious plans for 2012. “We’ve had lots of interesting discussions with organizations around Qatar, and we’re very optimistic,” Lauren tells me. “We’ll be launching exciting new projects including our new corporate wellness and engagement series, group wellness
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coaching programs, guided health retreats and raw food classes.” Both women are fully committed to building their consultancy here in Qatar, having been expats in the country for a combined total of 12 years. “We both love Qatar” they tell me. “We have plans to be here to at least see the Qatar National Vision for 2030 come to life. There is a dynamic energy here and a desire to really make a positive difference. Organizations here are increasingly aware of their responsibility to their employees and their families, and are willing to invest in them.”•
For more information, and to sign up for The Art of Abundant Living monthly e-newsletter, visit www.artofabundantliving.com
OUR WORK IS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR CORPORATIONS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND BY ExTENSION, SOCIETY AS A WHOLE
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NICOLE VAN HATTEM A ATTEM
SERVICES OFFERED: Corporate Programs · Corporate Wellness · Employee Engagement · Executive Health Coach · Transform Individual Coaching · Health Coaching · Workshops · Transform your life package
Products · Face & Body Care · Kitchen Equipment · Accessories · Household · Workplace · Baby Care Products Retreats · Thailand Detox January 15, 2012
for more information: Website: www.artofabundantliving.com Nicole van Hattem - Founding Partner and Wellness Director email: nicole@artofabundantliving.com P. 974 777 30750, F. 974 448 61558 Lauren Penny - Partner and CEO email: lauren@artofabundantliving.com P. 974 551 42650, F. 974 448 61558 jessica Al Andary - Executive Assistant email: jessica@artofabundantliving.com P. 974 554 72647, F. 974 448 61558
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Wardrobe: On Lauren (Left),Purple (Left), dress, QR 1,235, Purple shoes, QR 813, Teal purse, QR 618, Ring, QR 325 On Nicole (Right) (Right), Teal dress, QR 1,138, Teal shoes, QR 813, Purple purse, QR 618, Earring, QR195, Shawl cover, QR 695 (Available at Salam Stores) Available at Karen Millen
ABODE
I love what I do
abOdE: How do you view the concept of work-life balance? Is it important to you? Hab: There’s this fixation with worklife balance but I like to think of it more as work-life assimilation. The two go hand in hand, so you need to assimilate all aspects of your life into the way that you live. Work is a huge part of that. My family and I work together to make adjustments along the way. abOdE: How do you remain grounded in your position?
Hafidh Al Busaidy
It’s not Where You start, It’s Where You Finish BY LAURA URA PRIOR PHOTOGRAPHY jESSIE PA P LANCA
Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of the Doha’s Hotel Intercontinental, is celebrating 25 years of service with this world leader in hospitality. His lengthy tenure underlines not only a lifelong love for the brand’s lavish settings, but more importantly, the people that breathe life into them. ABODE chats with the down-to-earth GM at the heart of the house, as he tells us what makes him, and the business, tick. abOdE: How did you get started in your career? Hab: Believe it or not, I started working when I was six years old. I’ve been through countless roles in hotels and have worked my way up from dishwasher. At the time, Intercontinental was very well established in the Middle East. They took me under their wing and made it easy, thankfully giving me many opportunities along the way. Twenty five years later I am still with Intercontinental. abOdE: What is the key to success? Hab: There are a lot of challenges in this business, but it’s all about communication
and idea sharing. I see people who have potential and I really think it’s important to mentor them and share our experiences. That’s also the most fun part of my job, helping other people and seeing them flourish. So, if there’s communication there will be enjoyment and ensuing success. abOdE: How do you manage the ups and downs of a high-pressure role? Hab: I like complicated, multi-faceted things. I always assume there will be stress and a certain level of pressure, it’s all part of my job to expect that and manage it. Hotels can be brutal places to work and it’s a pretty hard slog often with long hours but it’s what we do.
Hab: I take inspiration from others. I once hosted Nelson Mandela and he reenforced how treating people, especially children, with time and genuine attention is important for staying humble. abOdE: What would you define as an investment in oneself? Hab: Something that gives you perspective. For example, I like to read a lot. Investing in that knowledge and understanding is important. I would like to find more quality time, particularly in this technological age, to get out with my family. I’d also let to get fitter, and maybe be a little taller but not sure what I can do about the latter! abOdE: What motivates you to improve yourself and be better at what you do? Hab: When I see colleagues going out of their way to help each other and help guests. It’s the ‘human factor.’ It really is that simple. abOdE: What are your hopes for 2012? Hab: We had an amazing 2011 and are very proud of the various awards and accolades we achieved but we will never rest on our laurels. It just makes us want to keep improving. So, we are planning a very exciting room refurbishment in the first quarter of 2012. We are also working on our outdoor space to enrich our guests’ experiences. We have such a great spot here with the beach, it’s always in our minds to make the most of that and exceed people’s expectations. •
FAVORITE THINGS Authors: Iain Banks, Jon Courtney Grimwood. Music: Almost everything! Destination: Pula Rawa JANUARY 2012 ABODE 21
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people
IBQ Artist Series at the Pearl-Qatar By Christina Maria Paschyn Photography Jessie Palanca
The second edition of the IBQ’s annual Artist Series exemplified the theme of “parallel worlds”, shown in a variety of media. ABODE caught up with each the featured artists to learn about the inspiration for their work.
n exhibition designed to showcase and support artists living and working in Qatar, the second annual IBQ Artist Series wrapped up last month at The Pearl-Qatar. The exhibition featured four artists: Moudhi Al Hajri and Wadha Al Sulaiti from Qatar, Ismail Azzam from Iraq and Waseem Al Marzouki from Syria. Working in a variety of media, from textiles and painting to photography and film, their art exemplified the theme of parallel worlds.
A
to discover it more, to go through it and understand how artists are thinking in their world, and how do they see our world from their world. It’s parallel.”
“We always say ‘[the artist] lives in his own world.” Well, OK, but what does that mean?” explained curator Layla Ibrahim Bacha. “So it’s just kind of a way
The IBQ Artist Series, the first of its kind in Qatar, represents a symbolic partnership between finance and the arts. The initiative is part of the bank’s Corporate Social
22 ABODE JANUARY 2012
“They were picked for this subject because all of these artists represent their own world very specifically,” Bacha said. “The good thing about it is that everyone can find something they like or they can find a representation of himself in the exhibition, because there are four different ways of thinking in this exhibition.”
Responsibility (CSR) program to promote education and cultural awareness in the country, particularly among youth. “We’re very proud to see our home-grown initiative in its second successful edition,” said George Nasra, managing director of IBQ. “We, at IBQ, are committed to supporting the Qatari and Arab artists living and working in Qatar and bring them to a wider community and firmly believe that the IBQ Artist Series is a perfect launch pad for artists seeking further recognition. It is a model for development of the existing talent in the country. This initiative aims at raising awareness of the arts, educational and cultural potential of the country.”
ABODE
people
WADHA AL SULAITI From: Qatar Medium: Textiles, silkscreen printing and calligraphy Email: walsulaity@hotmail.com
abOdE: What message are you trying to convey through your art? WaS: I have always been inspired by embroidery and all symbols used on traditional Qatari women [clothing], and I try to add all these into my paintings. There is no direct message here. I want to develop all these embroideries and shapes in traditional Qatari women to be modernized and to fit our time.
MOUDHI AL HAJRI From: Qatar Medium: Photography Email: moudhi66@hotmail.com
abOdE: What parallel world are you exploring in your art? MaH: Because I studied science [biology], my vision is the microscopic world, things that others don’t see. I [create this different world] by collecting materials and shining light on them to get all these wonderful colours and shapes. But it’s only to document this very beautiful and it should be colourful moment for my photography.”
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ISMAIL AZZAM From: Iraq Medium: Painting Email: ismailazzam@hotmail.com
abOdE: Why paint the porters in Souq Waqif? Ia: “My world is the world of details; I like to look for those forgotten people, those that are not in the scene, not in the front; they are always behind, but they are very important to their environment. For example in Souq Waqif, everyone knows these colourful places but nobody knows those porters who, without them, the Souq would never be a Souq.” •
WASEEM AL MARZOUKI From: Syria Medium: Painting and film animation Email: waseemmarzouki@yahoo.com
abOdE: What was your artistic process? WaM: “[My partner and I] wrote a short story, worked on it as a short animation film, made the storyboard, characters, environment and background, and everything. This exhibition [at the Pearl] shows the processing of these characters. It was inspired by Gulf mythology and little bit of Indian mythology, because it is very near to this culture. That’s why I used Indian music [when I was painting] because it’s psychedelic.”
IBQ is also the sponsor of the Friends of the American School of Doha Chamber Music Series, which brings together global classical artists and existing talent in Qatar. For more information about IBQ’s community programs, visit www.ibq.com.qa. •
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people
Ten Years in The LiFe
of Art BAsel MiAMi BeAch BY Y FRANCESCA ANCESCA CRUz
Miami is not just about sand and surf, it’s also a global hotspot for the art and culture crowd. Topping off last year’s cultural calendar? The dazzling and unforgettable exhibits showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach.
i
t was that time of year once more: when artists, designers, collectors, connoisseurs, hobnobbers and those considered bon vivants converged by the thousands for the most prestigious art fair in the United States: Art Basel Miami Beach (sister fair to the original Art Basel Switzerland). Last December, 260 prominent art galleries representing more than 2000 artists from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa joined in celebrating a decade in the life of the fair. arT public The pulsating heart and main hub of the fair was housed at the Miami Beach Convention Center; while satellite fairs, massive tent pavilions, street art murals, studio tours of local artists, performance art, public art projects and lavishly themed parties unfolded throughout the city. For its 10th Anniversary celebration, Art Basel Miami Beach teamed up with the Bass Museum of Art, turning Collins Park into an outdoor gallery as part of Art Public. Featured were installations, sculptures, and performance art with works by Glenn Kaino, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Robert Indiana. The second partnership, Art Video, with the New World Center (a building designed by architect Frank Gehry) screened an arthouse movie every night onto the 7,000-square-foot outdoor projection wall.
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people
erwin wurm aT The bass museum of arT miami beach One of the city’s most coveted invites during Art Basel was the Bass Museum’s exhibit of artist Erwin Wurm: “Beauty Business”. An artist living and working in Vienna, Wurm combines sculpture, photography and performance into a unique personal view of the everyday world—this exhibit being his first cohesive focus on the home or dwelling. As an artist, he views the concept of a dwelling as “an in-between space where one may hesitate between worlds. The activity of a dwelling is therefore a contemplative lingering with feelings mixed between attraction and repulsion.”
mr. brainwash Thierry Guetta, the Los Angeles based artist and filmmaker known as Mr. Brainwash—notable in the underground street art scene for his Banksy exposé documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, took over a 25,000-square foot empty retail space in the heart of South Beach. He converted the building into an art spectacle entitled “Under Construction”. Large paintings of iconic images of the likes of Pablo Picasso, vintage Planet of the Apes posters and Elvis Presley, all splattered with hot pink and red paint, adorned the concrete and cinder block walls of the establishment, as faux chickens juxtaposed throughout the space observed the art.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 27
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reTna When it comes to graffiti art, also known as street art, Wynwood Walls (in the Wynwood District of South Florida) has brought the world’s greatest artist of that genre to Miami. With works by Shepard Fairey, Aiko, Invaders, Futura 2000, ROA, Ron English, Jeff Soto, Logan Hicks—and when it comes to name dropping that is just an inclining of the illustrious list of artists displaying their work, from fairs past, on the walls. For this year’s Art Basel, the walls of the surrounding lofts were also blazoned with graffiti, and Los
Angeles Artist Retna was front and centre. It is hard to believe that Art Basel Miami Beach hit its ten-year mile marker. For a city that worked the double shift to rid itself of the Miami Vice tainted image — reviving itself after Versace’s ill-fated demise, slowly transcending into a tropical paradise for snow bunnies with lambent eyes to lounge in the sun — it has now become the epicentre for the art world in the United States with all the pomp and circumstance it can muster. To this we can exclaim: Miami, what a difference a decade makes! •
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people
38
ABODEhome
spEciAL FEAturE A guide to de-cluttering with Feng Shui
New Year New DĂŠcor Get ideas for an updated look and learn how to re-energize your home with Feng Shui JANUARY 2012 ABODE 29
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interiors
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Living / Dining Area
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interiors
Diana Van-der-W im
Hallway
Small Space Practical Design BY GIHAN ABDUL AND DIANA ANA VAN VAN DER WIM PHOTOGRAPY jESSIE PALANCA
One of the premier locations within The Pearl-Qatar, is La Plage South. This beautiful apartment building is located at the southern tip of the Island, overlooking beaches and the skyline of Doha. Forum Design guest designer Diana Van Der Wim had the opportunity to decorate a one bedroom apartment.
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he apartment consists of an entrance with a long corridor connecting the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and leading to the living and dining areas. Once you walk in, your eyes are unconsciously drawn to the large sliding doors at the end of the studio, with its spectacular view of the gulf, and it becomes the highlight of this cozy studio/one bedroom apartment.
living room Diana was conscious about mixing traditional and modern elements in this particular area, classic sofa and side chair, a modern glass coffee and TV table thus creating a “spacial� effect and contemporary with an Asian motif drawer chest. The living area now houses a comfortable Vanguard Sofa that adds to an elegant yet homely feeling. Using a glass coffee table top provides an open feeling of simplicity and enhances the beautiful design of the rug beneath. A matching glass top all purpose unit underneath the flat screen TV hung on the wall carries on the same concept of the coffee table. To provide extra storage space, a drawer chest has been placed at the corner and accessorized it with a beautiful table lamp. The large sliding door leading to the balcony is framed with a gorgeous gold curtain to blend in with the view without disturbing it.
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bedroom A subtle color using an ocean-inspired palette of golden tones and light pistachio green creates a cohesive transition from room to room. Accessories are chosen in metallic and beige tones to add sheen and glamour to the room. The bedroom offers all the requirements one may expect.
baT a hroom aT Diana chose white as an accent for the bathroom to lighten up the space and accessorized it with dark gray metallic accessories.
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KiTchen The kitchen is modern, efficient yet blending in perfectly within the total space of the studio.
forum Design Contact Information:
If you have questions and/or want to be advised on any interior design matters, please do not hesitate to contact Forum Design, an affiliate of the Ahmed Hassan Bilal Trading & Contracting Group of Companies. Telephone: +974 4456- 8716 Muntaza Street, Al Hilal Area PO Box 7848, Doha, Qatar Website: www.ahbqatar.com
colour scheme The Beige and Green tone colour scheme is distinctive and relaxing. The use of this pale brown with grayish green is both beautiful and impressive. The room feels: Warm, calm, relaxing and comfortable. •
Gihan Abdel Rahman Senior Interior Designer Forum Design Mobile 66559644 beige Use it for walls
chocolate brown Use it for furniture
green Use it for accents
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 35
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special feature
A guide to de-cluttering with
Feng Shui BY SADHBH ROyCE
W
hether or not you have a belief in Feng Shui or any knowledge of this ancient art of placement, everybody has walked into a place and it has just felt ‘good’. Feng shui originated in ancient China and is the art and science of organizing space to maximize positive energy, or chi. It is a complex system and there are many types which include Black Sect, Classical, Compass & Form School Feng Shui. Some use a Bagua mapping system, others the five elements of water, wood, fire, earth or metal. Some rely on trigrams corresponding with astrology, astronomy, geomancy, geography and anatomy. And some use compass divisions relating to every aspect of life and categories such as Name, Fame, Fortune, Relationships and Marriage, Spirituality and Creativity, Career Advancements, and Power, Health and Wealth. For those who are not experts in this complex study fear not. Luckily there are simple things we can do to implement the basic principles without enlisting a professional. Your own intuition will help, basically all you feel ‘good’ about your house is good Feng Shui. Similar to acupuncture which is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by the flow of energy, Feng Shui works in the same way. Energetic pathways run throughout our bodies in the same way they run throughout our homes. The basic principle which is absolutely fundamental to ensuring a harmonious home and life is to declutter, cleaning away the old and making room for the new. Clutter restricts the flow of positive energy, and can result in cluttered thinking and negatively affects the flow of chi in your home. Psychologists and Feng Shui specialists alike will tell you that you should: Throw anything that is broken, unused, or brings back unhappy memories. The chi or energy stagnates around the clutter and cannot move freely or bring fortunate blessings into your home and life. Keeping these things you don’t love or use not only brings down your energy but it doesn’t allow room for new experiences, people, or situations to come into your life.
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FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE This is a very important area, the front door to your home is the ‘mouth of chi’ and is where all vital and positive energy enters your home. Placing a mirror facing a front door is not recommended, as it reflects good energy back out of the house. This entrance should be welcoming, tidy and inviting with no clutter or obstacles. Use flowers, potted plants, or a doormat to provide a warm and friendly invitation. Nothing should be broken and any dead flowers or planting should be removed immediately to avoid negative energy.
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FENG SHUI IN THE KITCHEN In Feng Shui the kitchen is predominantly represented by the fire element, an activating force for abundance. Therefore, your kitchen is a strong indicator of your prosperity and financial resources. Cooking in your kitchen is said to be a daily celebration of the earth’s infinite resources and your own good fortune and abundance. The ideal kitchen is clean, light and airy and a place you want to be in. Bright, cheerful colours will convey a sense of health, happiness, and vitality. The design should be functional and easy to cook in with lots of storage, if you don’t use it every day, store it out of sight. Finally, make your intentions of health and vitality more effective by keeping all of the surfaces clean and free from clutter and if you can, hide the trash and recycling.
DINING ROOM TIPS:
Pantry
Your dining room is a symbol of health, nourishment, and connection between family members. This is a place where you nurture yourself with essential energy from life-sustaining food. By slowing down and making a sacred space to eat leisurely and thoughtfully, you are receiving the full vitality of your meal. Creating a pleasant and serene environment honours the necessity of nourishment for our health and well-being. Eating replenishes our body with life-sustaining chi. A good practise is to reclaim the ritual of dining by turning off the TV, play soft music, set the table and light candles.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 39
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LIVING ROOM AREA There should be a comfortable seat for each family member in the living room. Furniture should be grouped to facilitate conversations and improve the flow of chi. The primary piece of furniture should have a ‘command view’, meaning you should be able to see the door while sitting and your back should be protected from behind. You should be able to move freely throughout the room without knocking into anything.
MASTER BEDROOM
CHILDREN’S BEDROOM TIPS You should also consider your children’s room when exploring Feng Shui. Make rooms tranquil and calm with warm pastels and rich colours, as bright primary colours can make children hyperactive. Consider changing art and decorative items from flying, falling, driving, running, etc. to a motif that is tranquil and calm which can aid sleep. Hanging a child’s own artwork, awards, and other indicators of achievement to bolster your child’s self-esteem. At night-time, store “active” games out of sight and keep out comforting toys like stuffed animals. Teach your children to let go of things they don’t want in order to receive new things they would really like to have. Add photos of family for love and security. If your children share a bedroom, make sure they each have their own personal space however small.
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In the bedroom the position of your bed is key. You must be able to see the door from your bed. Ideally, you want to be as far away from the door as possible so that you can see the entire room. In Feng Shui this is called the ‘command’, or ‘power’ position. However avoid placing your bed in direct line with the door, the energy flowing in through the door will disrupt your sleep and could cause health problems. If this cannot be avoided a bench or ottoman at the end of your bed can create some protection. Make sure that images seen from the bed are relaxing, calm, pleasant and harmonious When you clear away clutter in the bedroom (that means every closet and under your bed), you allow positive new experiences, relationships, situations, and material things to come into your life. You also gain more clarity and a sense of purpose. Centre your bed and have two nightstands either side, each with a lamp to encourage equality. Avoid having a TV in the bedroom (or hide it when it is not in use) and do not have a work desk or exercise equipment in this area especially if you have difficulty sleeping.
ABODE
special feature
a u g a B i u h S Fen g
try this
Align with your Front door
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special feature
Do it Yoursel f
MAPPING THE FENG SHUI BAGUA CHART ON YOUR FLOOR PLAN: 1} Start with the Main or 1st Floor of your home or office.
Make a simple drawing, tracing the outline around the entire perimeter. Next, add the outline of the inside walls onto your drawing. This will look like a simple blue print drawing when you have finished.
2} Overlay the Feng Shui Bagua Application Map onto the drawing you made of your floor plan, and use the Front Door as a reference point, that is - the Front Door will be located along one of the 3 lower squares, the Knowledge & Self-Cultivation, Career or Travel & Helpful People squares. For example, if your Front Door is in the Centre Gua of your home, when you place the Bagua Map over the drawing of your main or 1st floor, your Front Door will be at the bottom edge of the Career Gua (square).
3} Make sure The Bagua Map covers the entire drawing that you make outlining the perimeter of your home or office. If your home or office is in the shape of a square, The Bagua Map will fit well over your drawing. Most structures are not perfectly squareshaped, so stretch the map into a rectangular shape, if necessary to cover the floor plan drawing. 4} As you stretch The Feng Shui Bagua Map over your home floor plan, be sure to include the square or rectangle over any missing areas. If you have a deck or patio that juts out from the outside walls of the house, place the Map over the entire area, to include the deck or patio.
5} If there are any sections of your home that are missing from The Bagua Map, such as irregular lines or cut-outs, please make a note so that you can apply corrections to those spaces.
6} Look at the Life Areas (Guas) represented in the 9-squares of the Bagua Map, and decide where you would like to make changes or improvements in your life. You can start by adding the colour prescribed for that room and the element it represents. Applying the Feng Shui Baqua is all about bringing the vibrant nature’s Chi into one’s indoor space through the use of colour, adding elements of metal, wood, fire and water and the use of plants to achieve a better quality of energy in your home and office.
MORE TIPS TO ‘FENG SHUI PROOF’ YOUR HOME
• Go through your home and make adjustments. Remove clutter from the health area to avoid sickness and invite longevity. • Put something bright and playful in the children and creativity area to encourage spontaneity or add children to your life. • Add pictures of your family or a family heirloom in the family area to energize family ties. • Enhance prosperity and fame areas by adding a quality crystal, a tabletop fountain of moving water or a green growing plant. • If there’s a missing area in your home you can restore balance using Feng Shui remedy. For instance your home is “L” shaped with the cut-out area representing relationships or wealth, build a deck or patio where the missing room would be. Add a large, healthy plant on the far corner of the patio to contain the energy in that area. If outside ‘supplements’ are not an option, place mirrors at the corners of the room next to the missing area to enlarge the space. •
Add family tieshang family portraits on your walls.
De-clutter your rooms and store all unnecessary items so your home feels clean and spacious. To learn more about Feng Shui, check out these websites: http://www.feng-shui-tips-for-wealth.com; http://www.fastfengshui.com ; http://people.howstuffworks.com/feng-shui4.htm.http://www.ehow.com
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ABODE food&entertainment
52 FOOD
Winter Soups
New Year New Diet
Start afresh with healthier options this year JANUARY 2012 ABODE 49
FOOD
feature
10Pomegranate Benefits of
Dubbed as a “miracle fruit” by many cultures world-wide, the amazing pomegranate has earned its popularity because it is thought to help support the body’s natural defences against Alzheimer’s disease, various cancers, coronary and heart diseases, arthritis and many ailments an aging person experiences. Because of its so -called anti-aging possibilities, pomegranate has had several food and beverage variations from juices, ice creams, dishes, and even in water that come in bottles.
Why is pomegranate good for you? This handsome fruit is quite popular for its deep and purple-colored juice that is packed with lots of antioxidants that may help in maintaining a smooth and wrinkle free skin. But, aside from the possibility of helping people to maintain youthful and glowing skin by keeping the blood platelets together, there are so many health benefits of pomegranate to people of all ages. While no health claims are made regarding pomegranate whatsoever, here are some of the remedies and uses that some people hope pomegranate can help with.
How to peal a Pomegranateing: Cut a
seed HINT: Splatter-free unks. Put chunks ch o int te pomegrana d, working under in a bowl of water, an s to break seeds water, use your hand free from pith.
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Spinach, Pomegranate and Pear Salad INGREDIENTS: » 3/4 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice » 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice » 2 teaspoons roasted hazelnut oil or extra-virgin olive oil » 1/2 teaspoon salt » 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves » 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper » 5 ounces spinach leaves (about 2 lightly packed qts.) » 3/4 cup finely shredded radicchio (from 1 head) » 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds* » 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts » 1 large firm-ripe Bartlett pear $ PREPARATION: » In a small saucepan, boil pomegranate juice until reduced to 1/4 cup, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool. Whisk in lemon juice, oil, salt, thyme, and pepper. » In a salad bowl, gently mix spinach, radicchio, pomegranate seeds, and hazelnuts with dressing. Divide among 6 plates. » Quarter pear and core. Thinly slice crosswise, then stack slices and cut in matchsticks. Arrange pear on salads.
1
It may help reduce the risk of having a heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies show that pomegranate juice daily may help support the normal blood flow to the heart. Because of its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps bad cholesterol from forming, and thus, may help keep the arteries clear of clots.
2 3
Other users believe it might reduce the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease among older people.
It may help support the body’s normal defence in the prevention of certain cancers. Since pomegranates has very high levels of antioxidant called “flavonoids” that is thought to be effective in counteracting various cancercausing radicals, more and more experts recommend this fruit as a possible part of a healthy diet. Because of flavonoids, many people are consuming pomegranate because it is believed to help support their good health.
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It is a rich source of various vitamins. Pomegranate is a good, natural source of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid.
It may help reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Because of the properties of pomegranate, conditions that are known to cause the thickening and hardening of arterial walls and damage in cartilage and joints are hoped to be helped by this fruit.
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It is rumored to help reduce the possibility of having premature babies. Pomegranate juice and extract is thought by some people to help expectant mothers avoid having low birth weight babies. It is prized in some countries for the belief that it might help in achieving and maintaining a clear skin with youthful glow,
and it is believed to help soothe skin inflammation.
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The antioxidants are thought to help support the immune system.
It may help support healthy blood flow because of its iron properties. Pomegranate supports the blood by supplying it with iron, thus may help prevent anemia symptoms that include exhaustion, dizziness, weakness, and hear loss.
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Aside from having lots of anti-oxidants, pomegranate also might have some anti-viral
properties.
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The Ultimate
Winter Soup Harvest Chicken Tortilla Soup
Try this immune boosting soup to carry you through the cold winter days. PREPARATION: » Heat 2 tablespoons of Olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and peppers until softened for 2 -4 minutes. Add garlic. Stir in precooked aubergine and zucchini. Sauté for 1 minute. Add 4 cups of chicken stock, plum tomatoes with juice, ¼ cup of tomato paste, 2 tsp. of cumin, 1 tsp of ground cardamom,1/4 tsp. cloves. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in corn, beans and ¾ pounds of chicken breast and simmer again. Add salt and pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup cilantro leaves. Garnish with additional cilantro and tortilla chips.
Tomato 28 ounce plum tomatoes Is actually a fruit and not a vegetable, loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. It has lycopene, an anti-oxidant that helps fight against cancerous cell formation.
Garlic Cloves 2 garlic cloves, minced Strong flavoured garlic cloves contain many vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and phyto-nutrients with health benefits. It is one of the richest sources of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc. Garlic is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Sweet Red Pepper 1 stemmed, seeded, diced Unlike other chili peppers, the sweet red pepper is very low in calories and fats. It is a rich source of vitamin C and A. In addition to this, the sweet red pepper has good levels of essential minerals such as iron, copper, potassium, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and manganese. It also contains a list of plant nutrients that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Poblano Pepper 1 stemmed, seeded, diced The poblano is a mild chili pepper which is relatively high in fibre. The darkest poblanos boast the richest flavours. One pepper has 48 calories, 3.7 grams of fibre, 2 grams of protein, 1.4 grams of fat (trace saturated), 7 milligrams of sodium and no cholesterol.
Yellow Onion 1 medium, diced Yellow Onions are used in raw salads, barbecued on shish kababs, stews and soups, sandwiches and in meat dishes. Onions are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They’re also a good source of dietary fibre, vitamin B6, folate, potassium and manganese, and an excellent source of vitamin C.
52 ABODE JANUARY 2012
FOOD
feature
BLACK LACK BEANS 1 cUp cooked Black beans provide protein, carbohydrates, fibre along with no saturated fat or cholesterol. Black beans also provide a good amount of minerals such as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus. In addition to that, they are a great source of vitamins such as thiamin and folate. They also reduce blood cholesterol and maintain normal blood sugar levels.
CORN KERNELS 1 cUp fResh Although corn kernels are high in sodium, they are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are also a good source of folate. The yellow pigments in corn, called lutein and zeaxanthin, protect a sensitive part of the eye called the macula.
ZUCCHINI 1 smAll diced Zucchini is one of the very low calorie vegetables and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. The peel is a great source of dietary fibre. It is a very good source of potassium, the B-complex group of vitamins, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese.
AUBERGINE 1 smAll, sliced, pRecooked Aubergine is very low in calories and fats but rich in soluble fibre content. According to research studies at the Institute Of Biology of Sao Paulo State University (Brazil), aubergine is effective in the treatment of high blood cholesterol. It has many essential B-complex groups of vitamins. It is also a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, manganese, and iron.
JALAPENO PEPPER 1 stemmed, seeded
ANd fiNelY lY chopped lY
Jalapeno peppers are used sparingly in Mexican dishes, guacamole, and salad dressings, since they’re very hot. They are low in saturated fat, and very low in sodium and cholesterol. They’re also a great source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, dietary fibre, and several vitamins.
CUMIN Cumin seeds are an excellent source of dietary fibre. They also contain many health benefiting essential oils. In addition to that, they have a great amount of minerals like calcium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Cumin is also a good source of B-complex vitamins. CARDAMOM Cardamom is known for its culinary and medicinal properties. It contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties. It contains many essential volatile oils. It is also a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. CLOVES Cloves contain essential oils such as eugenol and vanillin. In addition to that, the spice also has a good amount of minerals like manganese, iron, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Also, it is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, riboflavin as well as other vitamins. SALT Salt is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol but is very high in sodium. It is a good source of calcium and manganese. BLACK ACK PEPPER Black pepper has many health benefiting essential oils such as piperine and amine alkaloid, which gives a strong and spicy flavour to the pepper. It is an excellent source of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. It also has great amounts of vital B-complex vitamin groups and anti-oxidant vitamins. CILANTRO LEAVES 1/4 cUp Cilantro leaves are very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is a great source of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium as well as vital vitamins such as vitamin A and C, which are essential for best health. Cilantro is known for its rich source of vitamin K, which has a role in bone mass.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 53
Carrot and Coriander Soup
French Onion Soup
Pumpkin & Curry Soup
Roasted Tomato Soup
ABODE
recipe
ABODE
French Onion Soup
INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup unsalted butter 4 onions, sliced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 bay leaves
PREPARATION: » Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to
2 fresh thyme sprigs
a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has
Kosher salt and freshly
evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes.
ground black pepper
Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions
1 cup red wine, about
with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down
1/2 bottle
to medium low so the flour doesn’t burn, and cook for
3 heaping tablespoons
Carrot and Coriander Soup
INGREDIENTS: 1 medium onion 1kg carrots 10g coriander powder 1l vegetable stock Salt Pepper Fresh coriander 100ml cream Olive oil
10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the
all-purpose flour
beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook
2 quarts beef broth
for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
1 baguette, sliced
» When you’re ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange
1/2 pound grated
the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Gruyere
recipe
Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and broil until bubbly
PREPARATION: » Chop the onion and carrots into half inch cubes. » Put 2-3 dessert spoons of oil into a thick bottomed pan and place on a medium heat. » Add the carrot and onion to the pan, cook for 2-3 minutes. » Add the coriander powder and vegetable stock bring to the boil and reduce heat to simmer, cook for 30-40 minutes. » Take the pan off the heat and blend in a liquidizer. » Return to pan, add cream and season with salt and black pepper to taste. » Serve piping hot, garnished with fresh coriander.
and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.» Ladle the soup in bowls and float several of the Gruyere croutons on top. » Alternative method: Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.
ABODE
recipe
ABODE
Roasted Tomato Soup
INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes (mix of fresh heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes) 6 cloves garlic, peeled 2 small yellow onions, sliced Vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, optional 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
PREPARATION:
» Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. » Wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.
Salt and freshly ground black
» Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from
pepper
the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside
1 quart chicken stock 2 bay leaves 4 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional 3/4 cup heavy cream, optional
the roasted vine tomatoes for later). Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
» Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream.
recipe
Pumpkin & Curry Soup INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 medium onion, diced small 2 tablespoons red curry paste 3 cups vegetable broth 1 (28 ounce) can pureed pumpkin 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk salt & pepper chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
PREPARATION: » In a soup pot, add butter and olive oil. Cook over medium heat until butter has melted. Add in onions. Cook 3 – 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Stir in curry paste, cook 1 minute. Pour in vegetable broth. Stir in pumpkin and soy sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. » Slowly pour in coconut milk. Allow to cook for another 15 – 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into warm soup bowls. Top with cilantro if desired. Serve.
Cream of Potato and Parsley Soup Hotel: Mรถvenpick Hotel Doha By: Executive sous Chef Shafiq Rafiq
Minestrone a La Genovese
Hotel: la cigale By: sous Chef Hisham Khalil
Fish Soup Mediterranean Style
Hotel: la cigale By: Chef de Partie Miguel Maidaa
Short Rib and White Bean Soup & Ciabatta Crostini
Hotel: ramada By: Chef JLEPPING
ABODE
recipe
ABODE
Fish Soup Mediterranean style INGREDIENTS: Gumbo shrimps 2 pcs Scallop 2 pcs Red mullet fish filet 80 gr Merou fish filet 80 gr Sea bass fish filet 80 gr Fresh mussels 3 pcs Potatoes 40 gr Onion 20 gr Celery seed 10 gr Tomato 100 gr Mix fish: red mullet, rascase , head of shrimp Garlic 20 gr Celery 30 gr Fennel 30 gr Leek 30gr Coriander 30 gr Star anise 10 gr Spigol 10 gr Salt 5gr White pepper 3 gr Olive oil 5 cl Fish stock 1.5 litre
ABODE
PREPARATION: » Cut the onion in small pieces, garlic, celery, leek, fennel, tomato, coriander. » Heat olive oil in large pot over medium high heat, add all these vegetables and fry until are tender, add the mix fish , add the fish stock and let them boil around 30 min , add the spigol, salt ,pepper , leave to boil for 10 min. » Mix all by blender machine and strained. » Grill the fish and put it all in the fish soup we already prepared. » Let them cook around 5 min. » Dress in a soup ball plate, serve with rouille and croutons.
2 sprigs fresh Thyme 1 bunch of parsley, washed, dried, and chopped 250 gr Carrots diced 150 gr Celery diced 100 gr Onion chopped 2 ltr Beef Stock
gallon(4 liters) water.
» Drain beans, place in pot with salt and thyme sprig.
» Bring to a boil, then reduce heat until beans are tender.
» Drain and cool. Beef
» Season short ribs with salt and pepper. » Heat oil in large pan. Sear ribs on all sides. » Add vegetables, bay leaves and thyme. Sauté 2 minutes.
» Add beef stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat
200 gr Carrot diced
and simmer 2 1/2 hours, until short ribs are tender
100 gr Celery diced
» Strain, reserving stock and meat. » Return stock, add shredded meat and second
100 gr Leek diced 200 gr Tomato diced
listed vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
1 bag Cannelini Beans (one pound), rinsed and checked
a large, heavy-bottomed pan or stockpot and sweat the
Vegetable stock
shallots and garlic until soft but not coloured. Add 600ml/1
1 clove garlic, roughly
pint of stock. » Add the cubed potatoes and cook for 10-12
chopped
minutes or until the potatoes are just tender. Season, to
1 tbsp olive oil
taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. » Add
600-850ml/1-1½ pints fresh vegetable stock cubes or chicken stock
a knob of butter and stir. Taste again for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Add the cream and bring back to the boil. » Meanwhile, coarsely chop the parsley, including the
1-2 medium white
stalks. When coarsely chopped you should have enough
potatoes, peeled and cut
to tightly fill a mug. » Add the parsley to the soup and stir
into cubes
well then turn off the heat. Leave for a minute or two, until
salt and freshly ground
the parsley has wilted slightly. » Allow the hot soup to cool
black pepper
slightly, then ladle, in batches, into a jug blender (do this
knob of butter
carefully and in small batches). Alternatively, use a stick
285ml/½ pint single
ABODE
» Rinse and soak cannelini beans overnight n 1
smashed
» Roughly chop the shallots and garlic. Heat the olive oil in
blender to blend the soup. Blend until smooth. » For a very smooth soup, you can pass the soup through a sieve into a clean pan. If you like a slightly thinner soup, add a bit more vegetable stock until the soup has the desired country bread and a drizzle of truffle oil and fresh cream.
about 1 to 2 inches thick
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and
chopped
PREPARATION:
consistency. » Serve the soup in warm bowls inside carved
PREPARATION: Cannelini Beans
1 onion, diced
2 shallots, roughly
parsley
4 pieces of short ribs cut
2 tablespoons olive oil
INGREDIENTS:
large bunch curly leaf
Short Rib and White Bean Soup & Ciabatta Crostini
Salt and fresh cracked pepper
Cream of Potato and Parsley Soup
cream
recipe
INGREDIENTS
recipe
» Add cannelini beans and simmer 2 minutes. » Serve as directed
recipe
Minestrone a La Genovese INGREDIENTS: 1 Large Onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 sage leaves 2 celery stalks, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 2 potatoes, peeled and halved 400 g cherry tomatoes 1 tsp tomato puree 1.2 liters (2 pt) chicken stock 2 sliced zucchinis 225g (8oz) frozen peas 225g (8oz) frozen peas (see focaccia recipe) 200 g green peas Virgin Olive Oil Pesto and Parmesan cheese to serve
PREPARATION: » Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion, garlic and sage and cook over low heat for about 10 min. until the onion is soft and golden. » Add the celery, carrots and halved potato and cook for 5 min. Stir in tomato puree, tomatoes, stock and beans. Season well and then bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 40 min. or until the potato has softened and broken up. » Add the remaining vegetables and simmer for 10 min. Adjust the seasoning and serve in bowls with pesto and/or parmesan cheese spooned over. Just about every region of Italy has its own minestrone. This version comes from Liguria where the soup is traditionally trooped with a spoonful or two of fresh pesto and plenty of parmesan cheese sprinkled over.
FOOD
health
Winter Wonders BY LAUREN PENNy y CEO OF ART OF ABUNDANT BUNDANT LIVING
Keep a healthy bounce in your step, skip into your stride and healthy glow during the winter chill. Find out quick and easy tips with these kitchen and home essentials.
e
ven in Qatar, at this time of year the days are colder and can play havoc with our moods and energy. You can keep the healthy glow, achieved through the winter wonders of the nutritious food you eat and enjoy. You are in control to make clever choices, which can make a world of difference to your survival of winter, your body shape, mood and vitality. Yes, we love to curl up on the couch and watch DVDs during the winter months; enjoy it all the more with a steaming bowl of homecooked popcorn. Here I explore healthy ways to kick those winter blues: • Take a walk and layer your clothing: I love to exercise in the winter, the feeling of layered clothing, the fresh air on the face. A brisk walk or a jog will be sure to invigorate you and clear the mind from any winter fog.
• Stock up on veggies and fruits: Increase your intake of anti-oxidants, fibre and vitamins by eating more raw foods to boost your immune system and fight off colds and other lifestyle infections. Eat more vegetables and fruits that contain vitamins and minerals to keep you on track.
• Give yourself a break: Light the candles, place aromatic oils or sea salts in your bath, turn on soft chilled playlist and give yourself a well deserved winter break.
• Romance yourself with leafy greens: Savour romantic hearty dinners with dark green leafy greens. They are a power-house of nutrition with vitamin A, C, and K not to mention a great source of iron as well as calcium and fibre. • Go nutty: Nuts are great sources of essential fatty acids and protein and make a wonderful daily snack. Pack a small handful in your bag and enjoy running between meetings, this can give you the snack you need to avoid those unhealthy ‘snack traps’ of the office or home. •
• Eat salmon: This fish is famous for the omega-3 fatty acids, which are shown to maintain mood stability • Spring clean: On those grey winter days, stir up some energy by taking a couple hours to de-clutter your house, your wardrobe, your kitchen, your bathroom or home office space. • Re-connect: take the time to reconnect with a friend you haven’t spoken with, write them a letter, an email, pick up the phone. Maximize those indoor moments that can bring a smile to your day and to the other person.
»You can write to Lauren with questions regarding corporate living. Questions will be selected for the next publication with your permission. Please email: lauren@ artofabundantliving.com
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 59
EntErtA t inMEnt tA
in the kitchen
Lakeland
Fresh Express
• Slice cucumber in seconds, shred carrots in next to no time, grate cheese in the blink of an eye – need we go on? Choose from thick or thin slicing, coarse or fine shredding, or grating; with five easy-to-attach drums and a z zippy 150W motor, food prep has never been so ffast. {QR 399}
VegeTabLe
Inspiration We all know we should eat more vegetables. But how, how do we do that, really? What real-life tips and ideas work? Here are a few miracle gadgets to help you build your life around the healthiest of all food, vegetables! You can find them at LakeLand store in City Center
Lakeland
Stay-Put Chopping Boards
• Our Stay-Put boards have the added bonus of built-in Micro ban, antimicrobial protection for the ultimate in M food-prep safety. With soft-grip handles for a sure grip, a juice and crumb collecting groove, and knife-friendly polypropylene surfaces. {QR 235}
Lakeland
Banana Bag
• Provides bananas with the exact amount oof insulation and air needed to stop the flesh over-ripening, while keeping the skin warm enough to prevent it blackening. Amazingly, the fruit will stay just as it should for around a fortnight. {QR 40}
60 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Lakeland
Cucumber Bag
• The Banana Bag people have turned their attention to the cucumber, and this purpose-made holder really does work a treat. Our tests s showed that the veg will stay crisp for up to 2 weeks when stored iinside. nside. Also great for keeping the crunch in celery. {QR 55}
EntErtA t inMEnt tA
in the kitchen
Lakeland
Salad Spinners
• Good Grips patented pump mechanism makes salad preparation very easy. Press the soft, non-slip knob to spin the basket, then use the brake to bring everything to a standstill. {QR 195}
Lakeland
Stay Fresh Bags
• Keep fruit and vegetable fresh for longer in these sspecial bags. A unique formula slows down natural aging and helps stop moisture and bacteria forming. They are quite incredible and remain effective for several weeks, so can be reused. {QR 55}
Lakeland
Herb Mill
• Hundreds of tiny, super-sharp stainless steel M plane scissor blades finely chop parsley, Micro mint, dill, sage, coriander and other soft herbs effortlessly, without tearing or bruising. All it takes is a twist! {QR 199}
Lakeland
Spirelli
• As easy as sharpening a pencil, the Spirelli creates long spirals that add a novel twist to no end of dishes; how about stir-fries perked up with coils of courgette, or a humdrum salad lifted by a garnish of twirling carrot? Double-ended to give a choice of thick or thin. Stainless steel blades. {QR 159}
Lakeland Zyliss® Smart Guard Gourmet Mandoline
• With safety in mind, Zyliss have created a mandolin that keeps fingers completely protected at all times when slicing. The key is the ‘spring lock’ system, chunky food holder and the safety guard which clicks into place, and only then can you begin slicing. {QR 399}
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 61
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feature
8 Tips for Having an Eco-Friendly Eco-Friendly BY jACQUELINE BODNAR
Let’s face it: we all love a good party. Whether at school for the holidays or at home for birthdays, parties happen frequently throughout the year, and they can be a lot of fun. But they can also create a great deal of waste, and wreak havoc on the environment. The good news is that there are ways to have a green party. Your guests will have every bit as much fun, but you can take comfort in knowing you did your part to help the planet, in the process. Keep these 8 tips in mind for having an eco-friendly party, no matter where you have it or what it is for:
62 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Birthday Party
1
Decorate Green
While balloons may look nice, they are not very environmentally friendly. Many of them end up in landfills, water supplies, and even in the stomachs of sea turtles that mistake them for jelly fish. Instead, decorate with streamers made out of newspaper, signs made out of reusable items, and decorations created from old fabrics. You may even want to scour a local thrift store to see what you can find to use.
2
IINFORM GUESTS
4
3
Let your guests know that the theme of the party is ‘being green.’ Challenge them to stick with it, when they wrap their gift. You may even want to create a list of possible eco-friendly gifts, such as stainless-steel water bottles.
EntErtA t inMEnt tA
feature
Skip Loot Bag Many people opt to give party bag to kids, filled with lots of… junk. The bags usually contain candy that the parents really don’t want the kids having, and plastic toys that will break within days. The plastic is horrible for the environment. Instead of having take-home gift bags for attendees, opt for a green project (see above) that they can take home instead. If you want to give away prizes, purchase items from thrift stores – books, games and stuffed animals make good choices.
Recycle everything Do not be shy about setting up a recycle bin at your party. This will encourage others to do the right thing, and will make your job easier. This way, whatever can be recycled, will be.
5
IINFORM INF NF ONLINE
Rather than send out a paper invitation to everyone, opt for something a little greener. You can easily send invitations online to everyone on your guest list. If you really want to hand out paper invitations, opt for those that are recycled or seeded, so that they serve a dual purpose.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 63
EntErtA t inMEnt tA
feature
6
SERVE SMART S
One of the biggest areas of waste at parties involves what is used for serving the food. Skip paper plates and plastic cups, which are not environmentally friendly. Instead, provide re-usable dishes or opt for biodegradable versions that are non-reusable.
7
Forget Individual Packaging
When you buy things that are single-serve, such as drinks, you not only pay more, but you are creating more waste. Instead, have kids use their own reusable cups (which can be decorated by them or can be prepared with their names before arrival, and later taken home).
64 ABODE JANUARY 2012
GREEN PROJECTS
8
Kids like to “do something� at parties. Pick a project that is environmentally friendly, such as painting pottery or a planter, finger painting, decorating a re-usable cup, creating a bottle bank, making soy candles, making a backyard birdhouse, or creating a natural tie-dye shirt or canvas bag. This is a great time to reuse items to create a nice take-home project.
ABODE New Year New Look
Expert advice to find out how to change your style and update your look!
72
FAshiOn EDitOriAL Denim Days
L oves
Em eral d Cit y
Here is a sneak preview to what’s hot in 2012 and label-of-the-moment Toujouri certainly seems to be right on trend with its Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Toujouri’s S/S12 Apollonia collection won’t fail to excite with its selection of richly creative and dynamic pieces of dresses, evening wear and kaftans – in an array of neutrals as well as opulent hues; gorgeous beading and shimmering detailing all evoke a soulful yet refreshing regal aesthetic.
• by Hayaatig
Want to give jewel tones a try this Spring? Then this is the shade and the label to be seen in.
66 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Fully Beaded Diamond Tassel Shift Dress QR 9,855 www.toujouri.com
Get in shape this New Year in über stylish, feel-good luxe sportswear. Working out has gone all chic and so for active style on-the-go... gym’ll fix it
• by hayaatig
68 ABODE JANUARY 2012 Stretch capri leggings, Lucas Hugh at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Yoga stretch-jersey leggings, Adidas by Stella McCartney at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Let’s Get Physical
Stretch racerback vest, Mango
Leather high-top trainers, Lanvin
Watch, Dior Timepieces
Hooded running jacket, and Ruched shorts, Adidas by Stella McCartney at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Sport crop top, H&M
Animal-print shell jacket, Adidas by Stella McCartney at NET-A-PORTER.COM
k vest, H&M
Running jacket, Lucas Hugh at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Stretch racer-bac
FASHION
notebook
Leather holdall bag, CH by Carolina Herrer
FAshiOn
notebook
STYLE T TYLE S SPY
style spyy takes a look at what trends from A/W 2011 is worth holding onto in the new Year! BY ASMA SMA ASHIMI
COLOuRED BLAzERS
By Malene Birger By Malene Birger
CELINE S/S12
By Malene Birger
Olena Snitko “For everyday wear, I prefer casual but if its meetings, parties, occasions I love to look elegant and classy, and for all these looks throwing on a coloured blazer will always work with each style. For the New Year maybe more dresses”
Erin jarnagin “My style is a mix of glamorous and casual and I always have to have heels on, and when I wear a blazer with heels I feel elegant and chic. My style might change middle of the year, when it heats up, but for now, blazers are perfect for the weather”
Ani Ivaylova “I like to wear comfortable clothing, which of course at the same time is hopefully still stylish! For the New Year, I don’t think I will change my style – Chiffon is both comfortable and comes in lots of different styles and variety, so I’m happy”
ChIFFON
Arisa kikuchi “My kind of style would be clothes that look more expensive than its value. For the New Year I might try experimenting with darker colours” Monsoon Monsoon Anna koul oulouri “My kind of style is classy but influenced by my Greek culture; embroidery, patterns, lace and neutral colours. For the New Year I will carry on with more dressy shirts and blouses”
Hobbs
Carolina Herrera S/S12
70 ABODE JANUARY 2012
FAshiOn
notebook
PRINTS
Danya Al-Saleh “My style is very simple, interesting cuts, nothing flashy and clothes you can switch styles. So for prints, I look for muted shades in not too brash or loud print ways. For the New Year I may then try to express and appreciate different colours” jennifer Adcock “I am a more casual Hobbs and sometimes sporty person, so I like to wear prints as it’s a easy way to add personality to your style – for example I am never without my wrist band I got from Kenya. My style changes by the season but not for the year” kim Mi– Mi–y you y oung “I wear suits and shirts because of my work with my hair packed – but my own personal style always consists of beautiful and interesting prints and colours. The one fashion item I always have on me is my headscarf, and for the New Year I will probably switch my style to onepiece dresses just for ease of style.”
CELINE S/S12 Monsoon
H&M
.....and as for men’s fashion, the one trend that is sure to transcend all seasons is.......
DENIm Nafay Choudhury “I normally mix different fashion styles from different cultures to express myself. However the one thing that I can always be sure that will work with all my different styles, is denim jeans! I love my
Banire kadiri “My style is to always keep it simple and smart, no odd or very bright colours, I am very comfortable at all times in a white Tee and jeans. I may change my style for the New Year, just not too sure how yet”
hats, it’s the one fashion item I must always have with me. For the New Year I might update my style and try more cultural wear.” Cp Company
Jacamo
Badiah Touiss “Being a guy, don’t really put much though to what I wear. Sometimes it’s casual, sometimes it can be sport w ear; most of the time I stick to casual wear. I Don’t really have a must have fashion item but I love my T-shirts, sneakers and most defiantly my jeans. I don’t think I will be changing my style for the New Year…its worked so far!”
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 71
FASHION
editorial
Hazy Blues Denim is adaptable, stylish and comfortable with many variations available that provide modern updates to this all-American classic. With smart denim classics as well as casual denim pieces continuing to build in strength, the future of denim remains glowingly bright.
72 ABODE JANUARY 2012
FASHION
editorial
DENIM DAYS From distressed and destroyed to laid-back and casual, TOPMAN’s denim collection has a whole host of versatile pieces to achieve an effortlessly cool and edgy look. Clothing: Topman • Words: HayaatiG
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 73
FASHION
editorial
Double Denim There is nothing wrong with doubling up on denim in your outfit, the only tip to remember is to mix your denim washes. If you decide to sport a light denim lower half, then keep the top half of your outfit in a darker denim shade. By breaking up the outfit with layers for example a plain or graphic T-shirt underneath a jacket - will provide a contrast which is key for pulling off this double denim look.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 74
FASHION
editorial
Stonewashed Delight When you think of shirts, denim is certainly not a fabric that quickly comes to mind. Yet, when worn in the right setting and with other complementing pieces, a denim shirt can look very individual and stylish and is certainly a must have piece this coming season.
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Rethink... Recy cle... Reinvent...
Your Wardrobe’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions:
BY NERINE jONES OF STYLEWORx IMAGE AND STYLE CONSULTANTS......LIVING YO Y UR STYLE!
The New Year offers us an opportunity to start afresh. To say goodbye to the old and “hello” to the new; and there is no better place to start than with ourselves! We hit the shops with passion to look for clothes that will revamp our wardrobes but before we know it shopping has become a chore. Success is a matter of luck finding clothes that will make us look and feel gorgeous and we gaze disappointedly at our boring wardrobes hoping something fabulously stylish will jump out! The question is: “Why are we so frustrated by our wardrobes?”
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BODE speaks to Image and Style Consultant, Nerine Jones, who explains that most women don’t give a lot of thought to their clothing purchases and end up with wardrobes bursting with items, but very little to wear. “Every day starts at the altar of our wardrobes, and it can be the most frustrating place. It holds a collection of our failures and successes, and often lacks management.” Nerine continues to add that an effective wardrobe of clothes needs planning and organizing, otherwise we end up with unworn and unloved garments clutching invisible ‘I’m guilty’ tags that evidently makes us feel bad. Make a fresh start to your wardrobe this year by following the these top wardrobe tips from Nerine.
Ner ine Jones
NERINE JONES is the founder of Styleworx, a Doha based Image and Style company. Her passion is to encourage women to embrace their individuality, personality and style by equipping them with professional image advice and guidance. To find out more email her at Nerine@styleworx.net
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Clear the Clutter
The most important step is to clean out the existing clothes that you have not worn in the last year. These items are most probably out-of date, no longer fit you or your lifestyle and don’t compliment you. Seek the advice of a close friend or image consultant that will help you make those tough decisions.
Budget Wisely Opt for great looking, useful and cost effective garments that you will get a lot of wear out of. Acquire clothes such as figure flattering ‘trans– seasonal’ fabrics (fabrics that can be worn all year); for an example, cool lightweight wool can be worn at least ten months of the year especially here in Qatar’s air-conditioned environment. Planet
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Shop for Support
Good fitting underwear is a must. It’s the all-important foundation upon which the outer garments are placed. Wearing tired and worn out underwear not only looks unattractive, but also fails to provide the vital support you need. Invest in figureenhancing lingerie to ensure your clothes fall smoothly over your body.
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Mango
Lay the Foundation Your wardrobe should be a direct reflection of your lifestyle, personality, budget and the image you want to portray to the world. Your wardrobe should contain a balance of work and leisure wear, therefore if you spend 50% of your time at work, your wardrobe should contain 50% of clothes suitable for the type of work you do. Evening Wear
Casual Wear
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Invest in Quality vs. Quantity When you invest in a quality garment it will last longer and you’ll look & feel more confident. Remember ‘you get what you pay for’. Classic garments are timeless styles that stand aside from the turbulence of high fashion. They have a neutral quality that does not impose on your character. As an example, a white shirt is amongst the list of modern classics that can be worn with almost anything and at anytime - it is investment piece worth paying a premium for.
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Hoss Intropia By Malene Birger Planet
By Malene Birger
Marc Cain
2. Clean & Classic
1. Bold & Bright
By Malene Birger
mix & match Always match any potential purchase with at least 3 of your existing garments in your wardrobe. This rule of thumb will help you to think before you buy and optimize your wardrobe by capitalizing on what you already have.
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Exercise Balance There is nothing wrong with them, but there should be more solids than prints and patterns in your wardrobe. A good print or pattern can marry two solid-coloured garments. Look for classic prints such as pinstripes, hounds-tooth and gingham that have longevity.
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Monsoon
Marc Cain
Salvatore Ferragamo
Find Fabulous Fabrics The overall image, comfort and versatility of a garment stems from the quality, weight, feel, texture and surface of the fabric. The best fabrics have a high percentage of natural fibers (e.g. cotton) and a small percentage of man-made fibers (e.g. polyester).
Marc Cain
Planet
By Malene Birger
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ask ABODE Add Trendiness Accessories such as jewellery, scarves, hats, shoes and handbags are affordable items that can add a splash of fashion to your wardrobe. Don’t spend too much and be sure to wear accessories as appropriate!
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Hoss Intropia
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H&M
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Welcome Alterations
None of us can successf ully find perfect fitting garments straight off the rack. It’s worth the time and effort to hav e the necessary alterations done to ach ieve a perfect fit.
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Monsoon
By Malene Birger
FASHION
style
High Octane Glamour This Spring is all about vibrancy and colour - a great antidote against neutral winter palettes. Karen Millen’s 2012 collection is full of sophisticated 70’s shapes, fun bold patterns and stripes combined with high-octane colour!
1. Limited colourful studded tote with feature Karen Millen branded front metalwork, Karen Millen branded metal topped luggage tag and detachable shoulder strap. 2. Relaxed fit utility style fluid shirt trimmed with Karen Millen branded metal buttons. 3. Below knee length panelled bandage knit pencil skirt with Karen Millen branded zip at centre back.
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style
1.Corset panel t-shirt with sweetheart neckline and georgette trim.
1. Italian leather colourful jacket with draw string funnel collar and drawstring waist trimmed with Karen Millen branded metalwork. 2. Graphic stripe front pocket bowler with Karen Millen branded push lock closure. 3. Suede and leather stripe court with contrasting stripe heel
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style
1.Floral print sheer georgette feminine shirt with shoulder tab detail and mother of pearl buttons. 2.Platform satin sandal with double strap detail and t-bar
1.Collarless tailored jacket with pockets and lacing detail trimmed with Karen Millen branded metalwork 2.Tailored shift dress waist and hem lacing detail trimmed with Karen Millen branded metalwork. 3.Platform peep with seam and stitch detail and fun stud back detail.
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FASHION
1. Soft silk asymmetric top with draping at side and Karen Millen branded zip pull at back neck. 2. Turquoise summer capri jeans with ankle zip trimmed with Karen Millen branded metalwork
style
1. Relaxed soft shirt with draped full sleeves and front pockets trimmed with Karen Millen branded metalwork. 2. Wrap front texture print trouser with Karen Millen branded d ring. 3. Snake effect baby bag with Karen Millen branded turnlock metal closure and detachable shoulder strap.
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The Emergence Of New Fashion In Doha
ABODE caught up with the current rising talents in Qatar’s fashion industry, as well as the latest avant-garde and state-of-the-art shopping hotspot.
NIYAZI ERdOgAN
An emerging designer we caught up with was Niyazi Erdogan, showcasing his latest collection s/s 2012; which draws inspiration from Art Deco. Turkish-born Erdoğan, originally started his craft in the trade as an architect, and still thus draws on his past career by merging architecture with his love of fashion designing. Asma Ashimi
ASMA ASHIMI Asma Ashimi - a former radio host, presenter and writer from London city who worked with Déjà vu FM, Inspire-Ls Magazine and ESPN, moved to Qatar to discover what Qatar has to offer. Asma loves to travel and explore through her writing and journalism in the field of fashion, music and sports - to learn and share with her readers. Through her blog, Asma is able to share her passion and all that she admires with her followers: “fashion, music and sports are my inner Art, from my heart; it’s my thing.”
Blog : www.shmadee.wordpress.com Twitter:@shmadee Email:a_ashimi@hotmail.co.uk
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abOdE: Is this your first fashion show abroad? NE: Oh yes. This is actually my first fashion show abroad and in particular the Middle East. abOdE: What is the inspiration behind this collection? NE: I find the inspiration for this collection from my former job as an architect and also a lot of influence from my Turkish roots and tradition; as you can see some of the cuts and colours stem from Turkish culture. I think it makes a really unique and distinctive mix. The collection has traces from the Art Deco which appeared in the Interwar Period and influenced almost any domain including art and fashion and like my previous collections; this one takes its inspiration from the streets. It combines cotton cloth surfaces with pieces easily used in quotidian life - well suited for both day and night life. Discovering the harmony of contrasting colours like mustard, brown, black, ice blue and electric blue. abOdE: Why the transition of careers from architect to fashion designer? NE: Fashion has always been my passion since my childhood.
Niyazi Erdogan
After 4 years of architecture I got a scholarship and spent my summer in Paris in the school of design, then in 2003 I entered a fashion contest and through that a lot of doors opened presenting to me a lot of opportunities. abOdE: This new S/S 2012 collection is focused on menswear. Is men’s fashion your area of expertise? NE: I am very much into fashion for both men and women, but for now I think that menswear fashion as a whole is quite weak, and there’s not enough variety out there. This new collection is all about creating a very easy wearing, easy washing, fastfashion street wear for men….minimal effort, maximum style.
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SELINA FAROOQuI The W By night brand By Selina Farooqui embodies elevated luxury, and a sense of elegance. W By night collection was inspired by the night life, ambience and energy of the W Hotel in Doha. The garments are rich in colour fabrication, details and hand sewn embroideries and crystal work. The collection features 30 head–to–toe looks, comprised of skirts, jackets, pants, dresses, evening gowns and accessories. The collection has a strong vibe of the W Hotel, yet each garment maintains the signature of selina farooqui style and look. Selina Farooqui was the top graduate of her class at the Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Arts in Qatar. The young designer started her own label in August 2010 specializing in luxury ready–to–wear apparel and accessories. The brand image is a mix between Indian and Arabian cultural influences on contemporary styled garments. Unique blends of fabrics, details, embellishments, colours and use of textures are what set Selina Farooqui apart from her competitors. abOdE: What is the inspiration behind your design? SF: I’m inspired by colours, textures, fabrics, objects, places, jewels, history, culture…anything that evokes an emotion or a feeling, something that I am passionate about, that I can grasp onto and build a concept around. It seems I’m inspired by almost everything, however everything we see in the world around us, speaks to each of us differently. How I see a source of inspiration, can and will be different from how any other designer sees the same source of inspiration. It’s how you interpret it and make it your own, which will set your designs apart. abOdE: What is the most challenging part of being a designer and coming up with your own designs? SF: Constant reinvention, yet staying true to your brand and your design
fashion feature
depending on my mood, the occasion, where I’m going, what I like that week!… sometimes I like to be glamorous, sometimes casual and comfortable, at times ethnic inspired, or even chic and powerful! I don’t stick to one style personally. And the same concept I try to apply to my designs. abOdE: How long does it takes to put together a collection?
Selina Farooqui
aesthetic. It’s the challenge to do something new and fresh, and for it to still have your signature and your “look” which people expect. However I think a designer overcomes this challenge rather naturally. We all like change, we all like to do something new. Whenever I start a new collection, without me consciously trying, it always turns out to be something different (as the inspiration always changes) but the pieces still speak to me and my style. I guess this is where our designer DNA weaves its way into everything we dream up and create, whether it’s a t-shirt, or an evening gown. abOdE: Who is your most influential designer? SF: I admire the work, craftsmanship and technique of design houses like Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Valentino, Dior, Dolce …all the ultra feminine and strong collections these houses produce, inspire and motivate me to push harder, and to dream bigger.
SF: I am a fairly fast worker, fast planner, fast thinker and decision maker. Once I find my inspiration, I just run with it. It can take me a few weeks to sketch and finalize my designs, a weekend or two…or three…to go to the souk and buy all the fabrics! And then depending on how many pieces, I like to give 1 to 2 months for production. So around 3 months total, to comfortably make a complete collection, however in the past I’ve done it in a lot less time! abOdE: Anything new for 2012? SF: LOTS! I have already developed and created my concept for my new collection that will be available in March 2012. I can give you a few hints on what you will see…the collection is called Peacock Garden…think deep rich forestry colors… bronze and gold metals…pastel colored flower buds and jewel tone blossoms, exotic peacocks…the iridescence of their feathers…all this translated into dresses, blouses, skirts, and jewelry…that’s all coming soon in the next Selina Farooqui Collection for Spring Summer 2012!
abOdE: Does your work reflect on your personal fashion taste? Can you describe your style? SF: My work represents my fantasy wardrobe! Everything I would love to wear, and that I want other women to love just as much. My style is always changing and evolving
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fashion feature
CARLA MALLARI
We also had a look at the collection of a young designer whose label goes by the name of “C∆L∆ M∆RI” M∆RI”. The collection was showcased at the Holiday Trunk show in Dados Boutique and Impressions store. c∆L∆ M∆RI is a Doha-based street-wear clothing line by carla Mallari. carla went into study fashion Design at Virginia commonwealth University in Qatar and graduated in May 2011 with honors. she has also co-founded and runs Doha’s first street-style blog, “nomad*”. c∆L∆ M∆RI was launched at Impression Boutique’s second event, PROJEcT: T first Impression; where T: carla debuted her “Torpedo” minicollection, amongst her other lines. abOdE: How did you come up with your new collection? It’s very unique. cM: I went mad with fabric shopping over the summer and never followed through with creating anything out of them. They’ve been sitting in a cupboard for months, and then I finally decided that I needed to get rid of them, thus The Sari-Sari Store Collection. In my native-tongue, Tagalog, ‘sari-sari’ translates to ‘variations’ and a sari-sari store in the Philippines is a little private
Carla Mallari
challenges I’m faced with, therefore it never seems to be a nuisance. abOdE: Who would you consider as your most influential designer? cM: Elsa Schiaparelli. She was an innovator of her time in the 50s. Her work was always inspired by art and I therefore look into art movements for inspiration. abOdE: Does your work reflect on your own personal style? cM: Of course, I think for every fashion designer their personality shines through their work. It’s very personal to us, it’s our baby. My style is a little on the alternative side, more street-wear than luxury, and I like to look at my work as some form of art. owned convenient store which sells everything from spices, snacks, toiletries, stationary, everything! Since this minicollection has got a mixture of various prints and fabrics, I’ve decided to call it the Sari-Sari Store collection. abOdE: What is the most challenging part of being a designer? cM: Time is always never on my side. I wish there were more hours in a day! Just so I have a couple more hours to sleep. Apart from that, I enjoy the
abOdE: How long does it takes to put together a collection? cM: It varies. But a full collection could take months before it even hits the racks. There’s plenty of planning involved, the creative process can take some time and the manufacturing bit can be a bit of a headache. abOdE: Should we be expecting anything new for 2012? cM: That’s for me to know, and you to find out! But yes, expect C∆L∆ M∆RI to creep up on you in one way or the other. Carla made it clear in regards to her designs, that they are made for ‘theeveryday-person’. “You could find your colours and cuts that suit you, and once you purchase an outfit its yours”. Sounds like I might just fill up my wardrobe with a collection from C∆L∆ M∆RI myself.
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fashion feature
THE gATE MALL
for a fresh perspective on fashion, let ABODE introduce to you the much anticipated and sought after shopping attraction...The The Gate Mall Mall, Qatar’s fashion and lifestyle destination located in the heart of West Bay. After months of intensive development that included the launch of several boutiques and dining outlets, development at The Gate has progressed well, with many boutiques of high-end brands already opened and several others are set to open in the coming few months.
abOdE: So what does The Gate Mall have to offer their shoppers? TG: The Gate features two floors of retail space dedicated to luxury fashion outlets with some food and beverage outlets, with the second floor soon to open as a host to leisure and entertainment and encompassing a concept that is entirely unique in Qatar. The third floor is designated for health, wellness and various service outlets. abOdE: The key feature and attraction of The Gate which will inevitably draw in the shoppers, would be? TG: One of The Gate’s most attractive qualities is its enviable location at the heart of West Bay. Surrounded by hotels, corporate headquarters, luxury apartments and government ministries, the mall is ideally situated to cater to the city’s most fashion forward residents. The Gate is ideally situated to become a national shopping landmark. The beauty of The Gate is that it is considered as a perfect extension to the heritage of Qatar’s well-known and successful mall, Salam Stores, thus guaranteeing success from day one. The Gate was developed by Salam Bounian, an associate of Salam International, and can boost that it
can provide everything an average shopper will need. abOdE: So what exciting fashionforward boutiques can be expected for the discerning shopper? TG: The Gate has a whole host of leading boutiques offering contemporary fashion for him and for her, these include La Martina, Diesel, Salam Denim, 7 For All Mankind, Boss Orange and Frankie Morello. Women’s fashion and accessories include the likes of Rocco Barocco, Alberto Guardiani, Stuart Weitzman, Loriblu, Red Valentino, Versus, Rochas, Ice Iceberg, Galliano, ElieTahari, Catherine Malandrino, Edition 1 and Sharqiyat. Men’s fashion is represented by British designer Paul Smith, Italian fashion house Canali and the yachting brand Paul & Shark. For the little ones there’s Why &1/2, I PincoPallino, Lola et moi and Monnalisa. With new stores opening every month, The Gate is well on track to become Qatar’s fashion capital, with Hugo Boss, Just Cavalli, Givenchy and Versace
Collection adding to the list of worldleading fashion houses currently on offer in the mall. Boutiques in the mall are exceptionally fitted and finished, with most representing the brand’s first and only outlet in Qatar, providing visitors to the mall with a choice and range that is completely unique and distinctive. The retail mix has been thoughtfully crafted together to offer discerning shoppers an experience that enhances their lifestyles. Already a huge success in Qatar, Salam Stores is now the anchor tenant at The Gate Mall, and connects to it via four separate entrances on the ground and first level. This exciting, fresh and innovative concept will most defiantly be a big attraction and shopping destination for all of Qatar’s fashionable minds. •
More information: Tel: 44077201 Fax: 44077220 www.thegate-qatar.com info@thegate-qatar.com
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Match who you are
The Reinvention of The New You for The New Year BY ELISABETE REIS PHOTOGRAPHY REN WLASIUk
hair genius The classic French twist, soft curls, waves and short fringes and bangs all make the comeback set to transform your look, and the good news of it all is that they all go with every hair colour! I strongly believe that regardless of what the trends are we should go with a hair cut that suits our facial features, our personality, our life style and our goals. That’s why it’s so important to take time, analyse, and ask questions - looking at all the different options by talking to a number of different people before you make up your mind. If you are to go for a dramatic cut and colour, I strongly recommend that after the cut; if possible; wait a couple of days before you go for the colour - especially if you are considering highlights. The wrong highlights can make you look instantly 10 years older. Highlights can instantly add a glow to your face, making you look brighter or with a perspective of a fresh look at all times. Observe the level of contrast in your
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There is nothing more dramatic than a hair makeover especially if we go from long to short; most women evidently dread having a dramatic hair cut! It takes time to adapt to a new cut, and the same is true of those who never wear makeup and therefore have concluded that makeup is an art they will never master Start the year with a total transformation – Glam y ur Image founder and image consultant yo Elisabete Reis showcases and advices on having a hair and make-up overhaul with her two clients Monica Lima and Vera Monica. For the New Year, embrace the reinvention of the new you!
features namely the level of contrast in skin/hair/whites of eyes and also in your personality. If you have a medium level of contrast in the 3 above or a low level of contrast but your personality shines more than the sun itself, your level of contrast will go up instantly and probably allow you to go for platinum blond highlights in your brunette locks. Stay within your comfort zone and dress your hair like a second skin…if you are not comfortable with your hair cut or colour it will show and consequently meaning you
will not shine. Vera Monica is a marvellous client with an open mind, after a long journey of trying different things Vera chose the most dramatic change…to have her long curly locks cut into an asymmetric wavy bob which gave her a modern and trendy look. Emad C, the fantastic hairdresser who embarked on this journey of changing people’s lives with me is the magician behind the scissors and with a long experience in France and Lebanon Emad has been successfully cutting and transforming all types of hair.
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I worked with Vera Monica on a complete level, facial and body shape, life style, personality and a new closet makeover, with the results being an amazingly gorgeous woman looking 10 years younger embracing a fun mysterious and alluring side she didn’t think she had
TIP: Apply make-up everyday even if it’s only a lip-gloss or mascara! I absolutely love INGLOT shop al Hyatt Plaza where you can create your own palette and save money buying only just the colours you will use. They have a great 5 colour set where you can choose day and night colours within one palette.
before the cut! maKe-up maesTro There is nothing more fun than makeup all the colours, the brushes in numerous brands to choose from, techniques to suit everyone and looks to match every occasion! Make-up is the perfect cover up if you do not want to show your emotions after a bad night sleep or if you really need to do a presentation for 150 people and need to look professional and presentable. The case of Monica Lima - with whom I had so much fun - is a lovely young woman who is completely dedicated to her husband and family, yet does not seem to have the time to dedicate to her. As a certified Image Consultant, I attended a host of make-up courses,
learned different techniques and had the chance to work with amazing make-up artists like Amy Chow and Sergio Alxeredo to name a couple, and thus the reason why I admire makeup artists so much; they work the face as a canvas in form of art. For me it all starts at the eyebrows and when we went through the eye brow makeover Monica was overwhelmed and could really understand what a small change can do and that definitely opened up the remaining doors for the whole process of matching who she really was. She could also realize that no matter how busy we are with our families or jobs there is always time to look after ourselves regardless of what kind of job we do. Sometimes 10 minutes in the morning is all we need to add blush or mascara or
do a lovely pony tail and leave the house feeling happy with our look. It was such a rewarding experience to witness Monica transform into a butterfly with the most beautiful colours and shapes. Now she’s a happy confident woman, who knows who she is and what she wants and who recently started her own business! When you hire the services of an Image Consultant or a Stylist ask for their credentials make sure the person you are paying was properly trained! Remember that everyone has the potential to look beautiful Glam Your Image with Love • For more information please contact Elisabete Reis at elisabete@glamyourimage.com
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Your
Make-Up Bag Makeover BY HAy AyAATIG Ay yAATIG
The New Year always presents itself as the perfect time to ‘start afresh’ – out with the old and in with the new! With Spring around the corner it’s time to freshen up our act, de-clutter the make-up bag, and slimline the selection of essential product. Read on for a guide to detoxing your cosmetic bag.
Step One WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY ORGANIZED YOUR COSMETIC BAG? Whilst the content of our make-up bags do not fail in doing us justice each time we delve into it by making us look polished, the truth of the matter is if takes us longer than a few second to locate our eyeliner pencil, then this is the indication that its time for a make-up bag detox.
p bag with a washable
TIP Buy a makeu
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lining to avoid dirt buildi
While you may not be aware of it, the fact is that it is important to update and clear out your make-up bag every six to twelve months. Be brutal and empty the contents out onto a table, take a proper look at what you have in front of you and begin by throwing out any items that are two-years-old or older for a start. Discard thickened nail polishes, dried out mascaras and shades of bronzer or foundation that no longer suite your skin tone. When going through your cosmetics and clearing out the old products, ensure you keep asking yourself “Do I use it?”; “Do I really need it?” and “Do I LOVE it?” If you answered no to any of these questions, then these products are to be considered as mere clutter - you’ll probably be surprised at how many ‘bits and bobs’ that you never actually use but have been taking up space. Having your cosmetic bag organized will save you so much time when it comes to getting ready in the morning or for the evening or just when you need a little ‘touch-up’. Being ruthless will in turn, save you money and unnecessary stress!
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FASHION
beauty box
Step Two Take it back to the basics! Just like same concept when it comes to reorganizing a wardrobe, its essential to hold on to the every day key basics items, therefore hold onto your complexion products: foundation, primer, concealer, and powder. Detoxing your make up bag doesn’t mean ridding it of everything. A good make up bag detox should leave you with the essentials that really work for you. Don’t keep that orange lipstick just because it’s on trend - if it makes you look washed out then ditch it. When you have established which eye shadow product ‘bring out your eyes’, or which blusher colour gives you killer cheek bone definition, then these items become part of your fail-proof, dependable ‘capsule make-up’ basics, and should remain put.
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ng your ma TIP Best way of streamlini palette compact that
Step Three MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascaras
Invest in some new essentials Having now thrown out a good portion of your makeup, you know what you’re dealing with and it’s time to make some savvy and well thought out purchases. Keep an eye out for products that can be used in a few ways - as well as offering value for money, they’ll also save on space in your make-up bag.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Wild & Chic Palette
A new mascara for the new year is essential, so try MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Smoky Lash Mascara, which is formulated for a volumising, lengthening and curling effect, these new mascaras come with a new-generation brush with twisted fibres that separate lashes and fully coats them with colour!
A cream or liquid highlighter that suits your skin tone can be used on cheeks, eyes, and even shoulders if you’re having a night out. A creamy blush can be used on eyes and lips as well as cheeks, while a pink or berry lip shade can be used to give cheeks a hint of colour too.
LIPS: You will know if a lip gloss is out of date as it will begin to smell. A lipstick however, if you take good care of it and don’t leave it in the sunshine or humid conditions can last a long time. A capsule essential make-up kit should defiantly contain a gloss, but that should be just the ONE, and not 5 or 6 like we all guilty of hoarding. Find a colour and sheen that sits in a natural shade so it is versatile enough to compliment most makeup colour schemes, and when it comes to lipstick, do keep an eye out for special offers.
EYES: Golden rule for mascara is: when you find one that you love - stick to it! Mascara is one of the products that tends to have the shortest shelf life. You will know when it needs to be replaced as it will get very dry and clumpy.
For instance, MAC has a program where you can return six packaging containers and receive a free lipstick – a brilliant and cost effective way of experimenting with different colour ways.
TIP Follow these approximate guidelines when ‘detoxing’ your make-up bag: 3 - 6 months: Mascara 6 - 8 months: Liquid foundation, cream foundation, concealer, cleanser, and moisturizer 12 months: Pressed powder, loose powder, shimmer powder, eye shadow, blush, lip gloss, lipstick, and toner and sun creams. 18 months: Eye and lip pencils
NAIL POLISH: Nothing updates your look more quickly than a new nail polish. Nudes and pastels, are all beauty bag staples, and are super-flattering on the nail. Other top essential make-up products that can form part of your capsule collection include quite simple but useful items: Tweezers: groomed brows instantly add polish to your face even when you’re not wearing any other make-up. Blush: a pop of colour on cheeks makes everyone look instantly more radiant. Tinted moisturizer: Will help to hydrate your face and even out skin. Balm: use it to moisturize lips and cuticles. Pat some on cheeks after applying make-up to give yourself a soft glow, smooth it on brows to keep them in place. •
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M.A.C Matt Lipstick
kit, is investing in a single lips and cheek colour. contains eyeshadows,
ABODE
New Year New You
ABODE gives you advice on how to make a commitment to renewed health and productivity.
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LiFEstyLE spA rEViEW Happy New You! George V Spa
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ABODE
health
Building a Fit Life
for You and Your Family BY jACQUELINE BODNAR
Too much time spent in front of the television, computer, and other forms of electronic entertainment, and not enough moving and grooving is creating a rather large problem – lack of exercise. The New Year is the perfect time to get your family on the road to fitness.
“ Our motto is that ever yone has time to fit fitness iinnto their busy lives,”
a
s an adult role model, you are responsible for leading the next generation to adopt healthy habits. Too much work and not enough time to go to the gym or have fun with the family affects everyone, not just you. “Leading a life of fitness can help families avoid the trend toward being unfit and overweight. Extra weight is a leading risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers,” explains Dianne Fiedler, a registered nurse and the assistant director of nursing at Stratford University in the Washington D.C. area. “Unlike age or gender, being overweight or obese can be avoided or modified.” In addition, exercise decreases the risk of heart disease, with benefits that include strengthening the heart muscle, increasing oxygenation of the body, lowering blood
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pressure, and boosting energy levels to accomplish everyday activities. The many cosTs of obesiTy In the United States, weight problems have taken centre stage in health talk. Obesity is a huge problem that is wreaking havoc on the nation’s pocketbook. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about one third of all adults and around 17 percent of children and adolescents in the US are obese. The medical care costs in the country related to obesity each year are around $147 billion. Qatar ranks sixth globally for prevalence of obesity and has the highest rate of obesity among boys in the region, according to the International Association for the Study of Obesity. Human
Development and Social Policy professor Ellen Wartella says that worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980 and in 2008, she noted that the consequences of childhood obesity could include social and emotional as well as physical and health costs. “While some physical costs may not result until later in life, there are immediate effects on children’s social and emotional lives,” she said. If you are thin and think that it gives you a pass on needing to include physical activity in your daily life, you are mistaken. Thinness does not always equate to being fit. Plus, you still need to follow a fitness plan in order to have heart health, muscles and strong bones. “People who exercise tend to make healthier choices for meals and snacks,”
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adds Fiedler. “Instead of the quick-fix candy bar, those looking to lead a more fit life will choose fresh fruit or a granola bar to snack on.” maKing Time One of the biggest excuses that people have for not engaging in regular exercise or physical activity is that they don’t have the time. Sure, we are busy. We often juggle more things in our schedule than need be. But nothing is more important than the health of you and your family, so prioritizing all your commitments and making fitness a priority is essential. “Our motto is that everyone has time to fit fitness into their busy lives,” says Christa Dalakis, co-owner and personal trainer at Breakaway Fitness, located in McLean, Va. “It is how you choose to spend your time. When parents are active, then most likely they will find their kids will want to be active. Make fitness something you do together.” There are a lot of fitness activities that families can do together, including biking, hiking, taking walks, playing sports, going to the park, playing chase around the house, ice skating, Frisbee and swimming. No matter what time of year, there are always possibilities for activities that can help families get fit together. how much acTiviTy? It is important to try to fit some physical activity into your schedule every day. But doing so may actually be a lot easier than you realize. Here’s how much physical activity the CDC recommends that people get, each day: Children ages 6 to 17. Children need to get at least one hour per day of physical activity. This can include brisk walking, running, biking, swimming, etc. They should have three days per week that include vigorous activity. They should also have three days a week that include muscle- and bone-building activities, such as gymnastics, push-ups, jumping rope, and running.
minutes of exercise per week of aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. If you will be running or jogging, you will only need 75 minutes per week. Also, it is recommended that you do musclebuilding activities, such as lifting weights or doing yoga, at least two days per week. Be sure to keep the activity ageappropriate, so you are not expecting young children to do something they are not yet physically able to do. Good options for a family may be to take a bike ride or walk together to a particular destination, stopping to have a rest and healthy snack before riding back. choosing a club Particularly during the intense heat of summer, it’s a great idea to exercise in health and fitness clubs because of the variety of options that such clubs provide for the entire family. For example, Aspire Active, located in Al Aziziyah, Doha, offers a variety of family friendly activities, dancing, sports, spin classes, aquatic programs, mind and body programs, group exercise, and more. Here are a few tips on how to decide on a fitness club for the family. These include asking yourself a few questions, such as: • Is there an ability to progress through skills throughout the duration of the program? • Are other programs offered at the same location? • Can multiple members of the family all find something to enjoy simultaneously? • How large is the class? • Will we receive specialized attention? • What are the qualifications of the instructor?
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At many clubs, there is something for every person in the family to enjoy, giving the family a single destination as they all get fit, doing their own activity of choice. One ride to your local health club may give the whole family an hour of much-needed physical activity, while everyone does their own thing, or some choose to share an activity. Ideally, everyone should have some input as to the types of physical activity that the family does together, since this will get them more excited about doing it. Expose your kids to different activities without forcing them. If you help them find a sport they truly enjoy and can look forward to participating in, exercising will become a healthy lifestyle habit. consider a Trainer While it may not be the first thing that people think of, a family may find that their quest for fitness is more successful when they work with a personal trainer. You can hire one trainer to work with the family unit, to evaluate everyone’s needs and devise a plan of action. “Trainers can be particularly helpful in providing direction, especially for family members who have different needs and fitness goals,” explains certified personal trainer Terence Taylor. “Developing effective group or family workouts is one way trainers can be helpful. There are many activities that can be incorporated into daily life, creating fun family competitions.”
Adults 18 and up. Adults in this age group need at least 150
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In addition, personal trainers may be just the motivation that many families need in order to get going on a fitness route. Even when loved ones are not be successful at motivating people, an outside influence may have more success at providing motivation. Personal trainers consider your fitness goals and create an effective road map to help get you there, while they help every step of the way. going forward Now is the perfect time to make family fitness a priority. Call a meeting, share the reasons why it is so important to become a fit family, and get feedback on what everyone would like to do to make it happen. Making exercise a priority in your family will help create a healthier unit that experiences less stress and more wellness. That’s always worth the time and energy, and you will be creating great memories and habits that will last a lifetime! •
rESOUrcES FOr YOU: • bowling
• swimming
• nuTriTion consulT consulTa TanTs
The Qatar Bowling Center
Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence
Al Ahli Hospital
4432-9178 www.qatarbowlingcenter.net
4413-6219 www.aspire.qa
4489-8888
Gondolania Bowling Center
• ice-sKaT a ing aT
www.ahlihospital.com
4403-9807 www.gondolania.com
Winter Wonderland (City Centre)
Diet Shop
Strike Bowling Alley (City Centre)
4483-9162
4466-4995
4483-9162
Gondolania Ice Arena (Villagio)
www.dietcenterme.com
• biKe riding
4403-9807 www.gondolania.com
Doctor Nutrition Center
The Corniche
• golf
4427-7232
Aspire Park
The Doha Golf Club
www.dnc.ae
• walKing
4496-0777 www.dohagolfclub.com
Ideal Diet
The Corniche
• Tennis & squash
4488-7745
The Pearl-Qatar (2.5 km)
Kalifa Tennis & Squash Complex
Nutrition & Diet Center
Aspire Park
4440-9666
4436-8820
• horse riding
• sailing
www.dietcenterme.com
Al Khor Riding Center
Doha Sailing Club
Perfect Nutrition Center
4421-8857
4443-9840 www.qmsf.com
4483-6693
Al Samariya Stables
Regatta Sailing Academy
Pncq2010@hotmail.com
5525-7203 qatarracing@gmail.com
4442-4577 www.regattasailingacademy. com
Slim n Lite
Al Shaqab Riding Academy 4454-6236 www.alshaqab.com
Royal Yachting Association Courses Www.ryacourses-qatar.com
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4432-3035 rida@shaqabcatering.com
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New Year…New Transformation… Do I Need a Personal Trainer? reAsONs FOr hiriNg A PersONAl TrAiNer. NOT seeiNg resulTs. If you’ve been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren’t losing weight or reaching your goals, hiring a trainer may be a good choice. A trainer can look at your current program and eating habits and help you see where you could make changes to create more effective workouts.
PersONAlized WOrkOuT. Personal trainers create a specific workout plan just for you based on what you want to achieve. The personalized plan typically gives you better results than a general workout plan. Because he knows your physical condition and medical background, he is able to make accommodations to the program to fit your needs. Bored with the same old workouts. If you’re an experienced exerciser, maybe you
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any people dismiss the idea of hiring a personal trainer because of pride (they think they should already know how to stay in condition), shame over their physical appearance or because of the idea that working out with a trainer is too costly. However, going to the gym should be thought of as an investment in your health and your quality of life. What good is money if you are not healthy and fit? Having a personal trainer can ensure that you’re working out in an effective way, using the correct form and minimizing your risk for injuries, but the biggest benefit is that you are likely to feel more obligated to exercise and be more consistent with your sessions, as you have someone waiting for you to help you in leading a healthy and active lifestyle.
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haven’t considered working with a personal trainer. However, it can be a great choice if you need some variety in your workouts. A trainer can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to challenge both your body and your mind.
MOTivATiON. Motivation is often difficult to maintain when you exercise on your own. Regular sessions with a personal trainer enhance your motivation to continue with a workout regimen. Even if you don’t use a personal trainer for every session, you still may find motivation from previous sessions. You also get the satisfaction of showing your trainer the improvement you’ve made as your exercise program proceeds.
eFFicieNcy.
GIFT YOURSELF HEALTH AND FIND A TRAINER TO: •
Assess your current level of fitness
•
Consider your goals;
•
Devise an individually tailored regime to help you achieve those goals quickly and safely
A professional personal trainer is able to make the most of your workout time. This increases the efficiency of your exercise program. This is beneficial when you have a limited amount of time to exercise. You are able to better lose weight, tone up or reach other fitness goals.
MedicAl cONdiTiON. Some clients hire a personal trainer because they’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity or other illness that affect their quality of life. If you invest in a personal trainer, he or she can help you incorporate a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle to help reduce or eliminate problems that you might suffer from.
reduce iNjuries ANd exercise BurNOuT. When you learn the proper ways to perform an exercise, you will not only reduce your injuries, but you will also increase your results. Lifting a weight incorrectly wastes time as you might not be hitting the muscle group you to exercise. If this happens again and again, you will not end up with the results you want.
SPA CHAKRA FACTS:
TiPs OF The MONTh BY MOHAMED GAMAL FITNESS SPECIALIST AT SPA CHAKRA
During holidays it’s hard for some people to avoid weight gain and impossible to others. Here are some tips that may help you out. reunion: Always remind yourself of the main purpose of holidays is gathering with family members, friends and loved ones. So try your best to eat less and enjoy socializing more.
Location: Alfardan Towers Complex, West Bay
choose The righT drinK: Reduce high caloric
Timing: Opens daily. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
beverages and alcoholic drinks. Increase water intake. Water will make you feel fuller and eat less.
Ladies Hours: Mon/Tue/Thurs 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
don’T sTarve yourself: If you have a dinner to
Sun/Wed 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
attend, eat light and don’t starve yourself throughout the day, so you will enjoy a light dinner and will avoid stomach discomfort.
Services: Exercise Classes, Spa Packages Amenities: Couples Treatment Rooms, Exercise Studio, Gymnasium, Indoor Swimming Pool, Massage Treatment Rooms, Relaxation Area, Personal Training Telephone No.: (+974) 4499 9250
maKe healThy choices: Try always to choose grilled, steamed and light snacks instead of fatty ones and control your portion size. If you want to taste everything put in your plate bite sized portions and enjoy.
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Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb? BY GLORIA ORIA DURáN RENDEROS, B.SC., M.P.H., NUTRITION CONSULTANT
The bread basket is taking a hit, as studies prove that a low carb diet beats a low fat diet in promoting weight loss. But is either type of diet actually good for your health?
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any times I hear that someone is either on a low fat or low carb diet plan. As a nutritionist, I would prefer if everyone followed a balanced and well-rounded diet plan. In fact, Dr. Ludwig, Director of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program, based at Children’s Hospital Boston, also agrees and states,
“
When it comes to healthy eating, one size may not fit all. It may be unwise to recommend decreasing dietary fat without adequate attention to the carbohydrates that replace them and vice versa. It’s not low fat versus low carb — both are important. An optimal approach may be a diet that pays equal attention to the quality of the fats as well as the carbohydrates: high quality, unprocessed low-glycemic carbs and plantbased proteins and fats.
”
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I believe that the best option for a diet program to succeed is one that you can follow on a long-term basis and that will allow you to begin creating healthier eating habits. Many of the low fat, low carbohydrate diets prove too restrictive, cumbersome and are difficult to follow for a long period of time. There are too many factors in our lives that contribute to failure in these diets. A safer plan for weight loss
is at a slow but steady pace, featuring meals centered on easily available foods that you enjoy, measuring your portions, managing stress and exercising daily at least 30 minutes. If you still would like to try a low fat or a low carb diet, here are my recommendations:
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The fact is that people who eat more fat from sources as fish, nuts and vegetable oils are healthier and have a lower risk of developing diabetes. a healThier version of a low carb dieT A low carb diet is when the calories coming from simple carbohydrates are cut out or restricted. This means that empty calories from sugar cereals should be used only sparingly in your diet. It also means that you will not consume sugary desserts and candies or have too many juice drinks. If you are going to follow a low carb diet plan, your total carbohydrates should not be more than 40 per cent of your daily intake. This means that in a 1,500 calorie plan, there should be only three servings of complex carbohydrates and only five teaspoons of sugar per day. In a 2000 calorie plan, you should have five servings of complex carbs and seven teaspoons of sugar (watch the amount added to coffee or tea) per day. whaT are complex carbs?
a healThier version of a low faT dieT Lowering or removing saturated fats (animal fat, coconut oil palm oil, butter, lard, suet) from your diet is good for your metabolism, it is great for the cardiovascular system and it helps you lower your caloric intake and maintain a healthy weight. However, the term low fat means that calories from fats are decreased from daily meals but not all fats should not be entirely removed. Many people remove them completely and this can affect digestion and overall health. Your body actually needs fat, as vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble and need fat in order to be absorbed. A healthy way to decrease fat intake is to increase fruits and vegetables in your diet and cut down on fatty protein such as beef, duck, fried processed foods, whole milk, butter, ice cream and most cheeses.
It also means being selective in the kind and amount of oil you use for cooking, and instead of frying the food, you should add a small amount of oil after the food is cooked. Middle Eastern dishes in which the olive oil is added to mashed potatoes, mashed eggplant or mashed garbanzo beans are very healthful. If your diet is only 1,500 calories a day, you should be using three to four teaspoons of oil a day to maintain healthy skin, hair and metabolism. If your diet is 2,000 calories, the amount should be increased to four to five teaspoons of oil a day. The best source of oil to use is extra virgin olive oil. It has a delicious taste and many healthy properties. Good fats have Omega – 3 fatty acids. Include eggs, fish (salmon), vegetable oils (canola, soybean), nuts and seeds (almonds, cashew, macadamia) and dark green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli).
All breads and cereals – eat these sparingly. Other complex carbs, such as Eat corn, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, squash, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and beets can be consumed in moderation. mosT people who overeaT, overeaT on carbohydraTes. When they go on a low carb diet, they may see a rapid weight loss because they lose water weight. For every gram of carbohydrate your body stores, it also stores two grams of water. So when you stop eating carbs and start burning them out of your body, all that water is going with them. Truth be told, either one of these diet regimes can be dangerous to your metabolism if taken to the extreme. Even though you might experience rapid weight loss, you will gain it back faster than you think, if you start eating the same foods again. The best and only way to keep weight down is to learn to eat healthful and wholesome foods in the correct amounts, along with regular exercise and good stress management. •
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Pave the Way for Improved Productivity! BY LAUREN PENNy
A vibrant New Year is upon us, seize the moment and assess ways to improve your productivity, achieve the goals you set for yourself and have fun along the way. Lauren Penny is CEO of Art of Abundant Living, offering corporate consultancy services in Employee Engagement, Wellness Programs & Health Coaching.
your questions answered: Q: I am constantly interrupted at work by colleagues and team members and at the end of the day I have not achieved anything I set, what do you suggest? (Carly) A: Plan your schedule for the week and inform your team and colleagues of the “accessible time” you have allocated. We often find that open plan offices have increased the rate of interruptions. Be clear, for example, that between 11 and 1 is the timeframe when you are available to assist. This may also help minimize interruptions as colleagues are likely to think twice are likely to think twice or find other ways to solve their issue. Q: My manager continues to come to me with urgent work and I find myself getting stressed and staying back overtime to complete everything that she requests of me, how I can I confront her? (Alya) A: This is a common challenge. I suggest you arrange a weekly meeting with your manager to discuss the week’s projects and priorities. As new tasks come your way, you can openly discuss which projects can be moved or reprioritized, so you can focus on the important deliverables. This will also help you keep open communication between you and your manager of expectations.
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s we bid farewell to another year, you may have noticed or reflected —what you did well in 2011, did you achieve what you set out to do, identify what were the challenges, where did you go off the track, which goals did you achieve, what went well? January is one of my favourite times of the year, as it’s the time I can make improvements the time I can make improvements to set a solid framework for creating success in the new year. A decision to improve your productivity may not result in instant change; however, with determination, vision, passion and commitment, you will achieve what you set out to achieve. I invite you to take the time this month to pave the way for 2012 to be your best year ever.
2012 gOAls Spend quiet time on your own to set your goals for the year. Write them down and make it colourful, adding relevant, inspiring images and then place it somewhere you will see it frequently. Choose between one and three goals in each of the below categories.
yeAr gOAls iN liFe Career Health Financial Relationships Love Self Development
Balance self development community Now you have set your goals, find yourself an accountability partner and have fun catching up and reviewing your progress every three months.
geT A PlANNer One of the key items for productivity is the planner. You can use any kind of planner size; choose what suits your style of either full date pages or multiple days on pages.
Be cONsisTeNT Each month set your goals; this could be to move forward one step on a large project of your overall year goal or to consistently improve in one area of your life. Whichever it may be, set it at the start of the month and mark down which days you will focus on these. Be consistent, as consistency leads to greatness.
PlAN dAily AcTs OF excelleNce To move a mountain one must move one pebble at a time. Act in tiny, daily changes of excellence to move forward in the areas you feel you need improvement. Successful coach tip I learnt from Robin Sharma is to pick a maximum of five things you can do to move forward and keep these acts simple. For example, if you want to eat more healthfully, look at where you’re out of balance and see what you can do to improve. Perhaps
»You can write to Lauren with questions regarding corporate living. Questions will be selected for the next publication with your permission. Please email: lauren@artofabundantliving.com
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you are looking to increase fruits to your daily eating, so you could start today with introducing 1 new fruit; small changes can be very powerful
reclAiM yOur MOrNiNgs Wake early before others and kick start your day, take a brisk walk, stretch, 10 minutes of yoga or meditation. Reclaim your mornings to really give you that bounce in your step. Try it and see.
sTArT WiTh The MOsT iMPOrTANT TAsk Start your day by addressing your most important task for the day. Focus and achieve it, avoid the trappings of working on the tasks that seem urgent but are not really that important. One handy tip is to read Habit 3: Put First Things First, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
Be FOcused Some people are ultra busy but are often way to busy just being busy! Question yourself, as there is no use in being busy on non-beneficial tasks. Take control, set your daily priorities and then focus on achieving them one by one. Don’t be distracted by social media or emails flicking on your screen; turn these off, so you focus on the single task at hand. You will be amazed how you feel with each completed task.
WOrk iN cycles Work on tasks for 90 minutes and then take 15 minutes of rest. This can improve
your concentration and motivation and any ideas that can cloud your thought or distract you. How often do you work and then remember another small task, it only takes five minutes and then you are distracted. Work in cycles and enjoy your break times. I often break by having a drink in the fresh air.
FOcus ON yOur deliverABles Be vigilant in aligning each of your actions to your goals. Is what you are
doing contributing to what you want to accomplish? Successful people have their vision in the fore front of their mind.
sTreTch yOurselF Push your boundaries, take the leap, and raise your standards. Don’t take mediocre as acceptable this year, stretch yourself daily and weekly. Accept this year to settle only on your very best. Embrace your moments of greatness this year, enjoy the path towards your vision and don’t forget to have Fu FuN and and SMILE. Life is for living.• living.
SuCCESS TIP OF MONTH
Be positive and passionate!! Live this year with a foundation of positivity and passion. Embrace each day and each moment. Accept that you will have setbacks, you will have achievements – this is the roller coaster of your life. We often have the ability to change the process by which we experience reality, which is a valuable tool in life with a positive attitude of the year ahead. Live, breathe and be joyful. Embrace Life.
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Tips for your CV and
Successful Interview
BY ELSBETH BLEkkENHORST, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL OBAL WOMEN QATAR A ATAR
Landing that coveted job begins with proper preparation to ensure your talents and skills shine through. From the presentation of your resume to the in-person interview, these tips will help set you off on the path to success.
W
omen in Qatar are playing an increasingly significant role in the workforce and in the country’s future. As an important part of the State of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, many women-focused projects have been launched, such as the ‘How Women Work’ conference taking place this March and the conference on ‘Women Promoting Qatar’s Future ‘ that took place last month. The National Development Strategy expects the participation rate of Qatari women in the workforce to reach 42% by 2016. It’s good to know there are more opportunities out there, but how do you
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actually get yourself into a new job? It’s a multiple stage process, and it helps if you know where to start: 1. Find a job that fits your skills, which you feel you would like to do and what you are good at 2. Write a CV 3. Attend an interview While some elements of securing a job are in the hands of the employing organization, remember there are many parts of the process that are also within your control. Global Women Qatar has some advice to help guide you through the employment seeking process:
WriTe A sTANd-OuT cv It’s essential to create a positive impression in the mind of the interviewer before you meet, as your ultimate goal is to secure the position. Therefore your CV needs to be professional, easy to read, and should focus on your key achievements. The presentation of your CV is vital, so make sure it is clearly typed and error-free. Keep the content factual and to the point. Also, rather than send the same thing to every potential employer, take the time to tailor your CV to each job, highlighting information relevant to the particular position. Finally, write a cover email with your CV that states your motivation and outlines your suitability in a positive way.
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At the interview, make sure you DO and DON’T DO the following to make a good impression:
• Do’s
• dress well – wear a proper business suit! • Give a strong handshake and smile • Establish good eye contact • show enthusiasm • Be confident in yourself and in your abilities • Have your ‘elevator speech’ prepared properly: a one-sentence description that summarizes your strengths and what is unique about you
• Dont’s
• show up ill-prepared • dress inappropriately – don’t wear a light suit and your hair down! • Talk too much or not enough • Give an inappropriate answer – make sure you listen carefully and to gather your thoughts • Badmouth past employers
PrePAre FOr A successFul iNTervieW ite to y by reading their webs
mpan • ONE Find out about they co rself with relevant do, and familiarize you the learn more about what histor y nnel and the company’s rso pe key ta, financial da
• TWO Re-read the job
description
• THREE Think about the questions you might be asked and prepare your answers • FOUR Develop some questions of your own th a
• FIVE Consider meeticongnfiwidence coach to increase yo
ur
It’s understandable that looking for a job can be a bit nerve-wracking, but don’t lose sight of the fact that it can also be a time of excitement and great possibility. Keep working away at it and sooner or later you will make the right match, particularly if you pay attention to the bits you can control and set out doing your very best!•
Elsbeth Blekkenhorst
ELSBETH BLEKKENHORST Elsbeth Blekkenhorst is the cofounder and director of Global Women Qatar, an employment agency that offers recruitment services for women who reside in Qatar. Women in our talent pool come from different educational backgrounds and different nationalities, local, regional and international.
To find out more email her at Elsbeth.blekkenhorst@gmail.com
Does it really make a difference how you dress for an interview? There’s no way getting around it. In every job interview, you are going to be judged, at least partially by how you look. But how you should look varies depending on your industry and the job you are interviewing for. In for example the Finance industry you would wear a solid colour, conservative suit, your hair is neat and has a professional hairstyle (you cannot afford to have a hair out of place!) and you wear sparse make-up and perfume. If you go for an interview for a Sales role a suit is the uniform as who would want to buy from someone in a t-shirt and jeans. The product or service you are representing will determine how classic versus trendy/fashionable you should be. At a fashion interview you should definitely dress differently than in the more corporate world, like something expressive such as a colourful dress or a silk blouse However, presenting yourself as polished and professional is ALWAYS key. If you are not sure what to wear, check with the person who scheduled the interview and ask.
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comunity
Changing Lives
for Better Health
By Victoria Scott
ABODE had the opportunity to interview an amazing executive who has been working hard to change the lives of Diabetics in Qatar. Sharoud Al Jundi Matthis, Programme Manager at the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA)
S
haroud sits at her desk on the third floor of the Qatar Diabetes Association and supervises a much-needed awareness program. Her days are long and demanding, but you can tell just by speaking to her that an inner drive propels her forward: her desire to combat a disease that affects the lives of thousands of people in Qatar. ABODE: Sharoud, you’re a trained pharmacist. How did you become involved in Diabetes care?
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Sharoud: I got a scholarship to study pharmacy in the USA from my home country, Syria, and ended up living there for 28 years. There was a diabetes centre at the pharmacy where I worked. Patients came there for counselling and care, so I became a diabetes educator. You need a lot of counselling to be able to deal with diabetes in your life. ABODE: When did you make the move to Doha? Sharoud: Well, I was working with
Johnson & Johnson in the States on their diabetes programme, and they offered me a job in Dubai. This brought me to Qatar quite a lot, and while I was here I saw what the QDA was working on, and I was impressed. So, when I left Dubai I asked Dr. Abdullah al Hamaq, Executive Director of the QDA, if he wanted me and he did! I’ve been here since 2008. ABODE: Tell me about the work of the Qatar Diabetes Association. Sharoud: The Gulf has an epidemic of diabetes; five of the top 10 per cent
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countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes are Gulf countries, and 16.7 per cent of Qatari adults have diabetes, so our work is crucial. And we have the wonderful advantage of being part of Qatar Foundation, which gives us a lot of support and helps us make a difference in Qatari society.
women develop diabetes during their pregnancy, is a particular issue. Women are often not aware that they have it. We also need to make sure it doesn’t reoccur – 40 to 60 per cent of women who’ve had gestational diabetes will develop full blown diabetes later in life if they don’t look after themselves.
“
abOdE: Why is your job so important?
We’re trying to do a lot of work with the young, and if I make a difference in the lives of just five young people, I’ve done my job very well.
”
SHAROUD AL L JUNDI MATTHIS A ATTHIS
abOdE: Why does Qatar have so many diabetics?
SHarOUd: It’s vital because diabetes is a huge problem that needs a lot of work if we’re going to stem the tide. We’re trying to do a lot of work with
comunity
the young, and if I make a difference in the lives of just five young people, I’ve done my job very well. I like to be someone who makes a difference, and QDA makes a difference.•
For more information on the QATAR DIABETES ASSOCIATION Website: HYPERLINK “http://www.qdaorg.qa” www.qdaorg.qa Tel: +97444547334 Fax: +97444547345 P.O. Box 752
DIABETES FACTS Diabetes is one of the world’s biggest killers, every 8 seconds a person dies of diabetes and two people develop diabetes. Worldwide 330 million people live with diabetes and the total number of people with diabetes is estimated to exceed 500 million by 2030 (IDF Statistics).
SHarOUd: The figures in the Gulf are so high because of a combination of factors. Due to inter-marriage between a small number of families, a genetic predisposition to diabetes has spread to almost all of the Gulf. Add to that a very sedentary lifestyle and the introduction of fast food to the local diet (and resulting obesity) and you have a very high risk group. To combat it, we have medical clinics where people come in free of charge, and we also have outreach programmes where we provide treatment if needed, and information on diabetes prevention, too. We also have a “Children with Diabetes” camp. We invite diabetic children from 11 countries for a week and we teach them how to be self-reliant. abOdE: Do you have any big events coming up at QDA? SHarOUd: We are always planning programmes throughout the year. In fact, to mark World Diabetes Day, we always have a walkathon on the Corniche. We invited schools and businesses to come and join us. It’s a nice outing, and we try to get important messages out about diabetes awareness on that day. abOdE: yo y u’re doing a lot of work on diabetes in pregnancy. Why is that? SHarOUd: Gestational diabetes, where
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 109
LiFEstyLE
spa review
New You! Happy
BY LAURA PRIOR PHOTOGRAPHY jESSIE PALANCA
Prepare to be refreshed, revitalized and ready to tackle 2012 when you book an indulgent treatment at the George V Spa.
a
s mere Mortals we carry a certain amount of unwanted ‘baggage’ around, be it emotional or physical. After my busiest year yet, I was guilty of not taking the time to shake some of my baggage loose. It’s no wonder really, with our ever accelerated work and home lives, we can easily forget to do so, right? So, when the lovely folks at George V Spa called the ABODE office and invited us to try out their facilities, I was the first to jump out of my seat, with both hands in the air! But, immediately, three questions arose... Where is George V Spa? What services did they offer? Would they truly be able to bring out the new me? I was pleasantly surprised by the answers to all three. The experience Nestled in the heart of Doha’s West Bay at the Beverly Hills Residencies, I was completely unaware that there was even a Spa there, so when I was greeted with a bow and the horizontally chilled-out beats from the Buddha Lounge series, I exhaled, grinned and knew that this was where I would shed that lingering layer of 2011.
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After a quick health consultation and a cup of fresh green tea, I was led to what felt like an inner sanctum an encompassing, rich palate of decor and colours furnished and fitted with a balance between traditional and modern. The oval corridor kept going, so much so I thought ‘’It must be mirrored’’ but no – it was a Buddha Lounge-inspired tardis of seven treatment rooms, a salon, double steam, jacuzzi & shower room – and that’s just for us ladies, as on the other side the facilities are emulated for the men. The TreaTmenTs First up – the body! It was recommended by my therapist Yuni that the ‘Buddha
Attitude Scrub - Lotus Blossom Nourishing’ would revitalize my skin, remove any dry patches and unwanted blemishes, revealing a new layer of enriched, ready to breathe skin. As if that’s not enough, it would also improve my circulation in the meantime, while boosting my immune system. (Tick!) Next up – the mind! Yuni immediately sensed that I was yearning for a deep de-cluttering of my mental hard-drive so she recommended the ‘Shirodhara Intense Inner Peace and Happiness’ traditional Tibetan Spa ritual which uses a fine stream of warm oil on the forehead for a unique experience. It is said to ‘’envelope the body, relax and settle the mind – simply letting your stress and worries melt away’’ and perfect, and so it was agreed.
LiFEstyLE
spa review
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GEORGE V SPA • Wide range of beauty, hair and health services • Book a treatment and use their pool and sauna facilities for free all day • Fitness and well-being classes available • Annual membership available • Enjoy their Café for snacks and refreshments • George V Spa is a Buddha Lounge Franchise and part of The Regency Group
minutes later, which could have been two days for all I knew, Yuni was bringing me round to reality. I felt very drowsy but totally serene, more centred than I have been in a long time. The benefiTs
After a quick change I was led to the dual steam room where I chose dry steam for 15 minutes before being escorted by Angela, my body-scrub guru, to the treatment room. As she applied the lotus scrub mixture with both vigour and care, the sound of running water and the lush aromas filled my senses and I began to let go. After 45 minutes every part of me felt new and the sheer texture of my skin had transformed – now totally soft and smooth. Angela recommended that a bi-weekly dose of this scrubbing would bring out lasting results to my skin. I was a happy lady...but still only halfway through my New Year transformation. Yuni returned to take me through the Shirodhara treatment. We went to a private, autumnal room where I saw the Tibetan bronze oil dispenser above the
inviting massage bed. First Yuni used warm oils to massage my now glowing skin, this brought a calm, comforting feel that led me to the main event. My head relaxed on a soft pillow, my eyes covered, and as Yuni whispered an empowering mantra in my ear “let your worries go, let your stress go...” I felt the oil droplets individually hit the exact centre of my forehead. Warm and cascading, the oil melted into my scalp and I melted away. ‘’I am going to use this time wisely’’ I told myself and as my body felt heavier; my mind went deeper and deeper. I fell into what felt like a dream as the oil ritual was repeated a few more times, as though I was not in the room anymore. While drifting I began to flash through all of the good and bad times, the challenges and the successes of the past year, I thought about friends and loved ones. Ninety
After my morning at the spa, I felt sufficiently renewed and refreshed, inside and out. My skin was soft and nourished, my mind cleansed and focused. Mission accomplished. I had left my unwanted baggage with the team at the George V Spa, and they welcomed that, appearing ene§rgized by my positive experience. So, if you are still feeling the stress of 2011, are a tad jaded and run-down or are just simply craving some ‘you’ time – take charge and book a treatment at this superbly staffed and equipped spa. Happy new year, happy new you! • Buddha Attitude Scrub (Lotus Blossom Nourishing) QR 310 Shirodhara Intense Inner Peace and Happiness (Spa Ritual) Price QR 460 For reservations call: 44122046/47
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 111
h Destinations hot LiFEstyLE
travel
BY MOONA OONA WHITICE
With Europe cooling down and hot vacation destinations on your mind, why not choose a resort at an exotic seaside destination.
maldives AN ATOL PARADISE
Vakarufalhi Island Resort
For those interested in a the Swiss Family Robinson type adventure, with miles of sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, beautiful hotel rooms that extend in to the water with a 360° panoramic view of nature, the Maldives will offer all this and more. Most of the hotels in this island nation located in the Indian Ocean occupy their own mini tropical island. To do: 200 of its 1,192 islands offer sandy beaches, diving and snorkelling. The beauty is surreal and no matter where you are, you’ll feel like you’re swimming in a giant, natural aquarium. For more information, visit www.visitmaldives.com geTTing There: Fly non-stop to Male, via Qatar Airways with two flights per day.
112 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Res
ort
LiFEstyLE
travel
miami, Florida
MORE THAN JUST A BEACH
South Beach Hotels
Kennedy Space Center
When you think Miami, most people think South Beach, central for dazzling night life, countless fashionable restaurants and stylish art deco hotels. However, Miami has so much more to offer: a seemingly endless stretch of white sandy beaches, cruise ships to countless Caribbean destinations, enthralling arts and musical entertainment attracting top performers, top -notch boating and fishing excursions, and many sporting events. In short, true to its image – it is the sun fun capital of the world.
Walt Disne y World
Key Biscay ne Lighthouse
To do: Visit Walt Disney World, Shop the Sawgrass Mills and Dolphin malls and enjoy a Carnival cruise. For more information, visit www. Miamiandbeaches. com/visitors/ geTTing There: Fly to Miami from Doha via Washington, New York, Montreal or Houston on Qatar Airways.
Sawgrass Mall
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 113
LiFEstyLE
travel
Phuket, Thailand IDYLLIC BEACHES AND ExOTIC CULTURE
Phuket Hotel Marriott Hotel
Thailand is a favourite destination for many sun-seeking vacationers. The island of Phuket, located south of Bangkok, is synonymous with miles and miles of beautiful beaches, world renowned Thai cuisine, gorgeous tropical fruit and fresh seafood, friendly people and golden-templed spirituality. To do: Spa treatments, night-life, shopping, restaurants, cooking courses, water sports. For more information, visit www.tourismthailand.org geTTing There: Fly to Phuket daily via Kuala Lumpur on Qatar Airways.
114 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Koh Phi Phi Lee
LIFESTYLE
automotive
Alf ardan Automobiles Welcomes Three All-New BMW Series By Deliah Furcoi
T
he BMW 6 Series Coupé will make the hearts of sports car aficionados beat a little faster with its sleek exterior, luxurious interior and innovative technology, while the award-winning new BMW 1 Series spices up the streets of Qatar with its sporty flavour, and the MINI Coupé sees the brand’s sporting DNA transferred into a two-seater vehicle, offering customers a fun driving experience unmatched by any rival in the small car segment.
116 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Commenting on the launch of the three vehicles, Mr. Mohammed Kandeel, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles said, “2011 has been a successful year for Alfardan Automobiles, as we have experienced growth for both our BMW and MINI brands, and launched a host of new and exciting BMW Group vehicles. The three models we are launching today highlight the diversity of our current model range, as they target different customer segments without compromising on the
sporting agility and aesthetic qualities that make BMW Group vehicles unique.” A day out with Porsche
Porsche Centre Doha, Al Boraq Automobiles Co W.l.l. and Grand Hyatt Doha hosted a unique media test drive last month. After a brief introduction to the Porsche model range, and general safety guidelines when driving in a convoy, guests were given the unique opportunity
LiFEstyLE
automotive
to experience the performance and sportiness of twelve luxury vehicles. A fully-fledged fleet of Porsche models was in the line-up; starting with the current Boxster and Cayman S generation, to high-performance sports cars such as the legendary 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, the luxurious Panamera models in both V6 and V8 variants; and the new Porsche Cayenne. Gilad Moses, Marketing Manager at Porsche Centre Doha, said: “This is the first time the media in Qatar have been a part of a test run concept. The idea was for the media and their families to have a great day out with Porsche, in a controlled driving environment.
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 117
LiFEstyLE
automotive
your car, your canvas Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the exclusive dealers of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, held its “Your Car, Your Canvas” campaign at the Villagio Mall. To take part in the campaign, passersby need to use the iPads located in the booth to colour the exterior of the digital models of one of two models, the Mercedes Benz GL 500 or the Mercedes Benz C coupe 350. Once their car is coloured, participants would have to click “like” the Nasser Bin Khaled Facebook application and load the picture of their design onto their personal Facebook profile. Not only do the participants get to share their designs with their friends but they can to witness their creation come to life as it is magically projected onto the existing module cars next to the booth. Khaled Shaa’ban, General Manager of NBK Automobiles said: “This campaign allows our clients to interact with the brand at a creative digital level. By entering the competition they get in touch upon their artistic senses while choosing their favourite colour schemes.” 50:50 offer on all bmw x range models Alfardan Automobiles, the exclusive importer of BMW in Qatar, has continued its commitment to provide its customers with an attractive opportunity by launching an exceptional offer on all BMW x range models. The offer provides customers with the opportunity to buy a brand-new BMW x1, x3, x5, and x6 with a ‘50:50 offer’, where customers only have to pay a 50% down
118 ABODE JANUARY 2012
payment and 50% instalments for 48 months without any interest for the entire period and with the benefit of a free oneyear comprehensive insurance, giving them a convenient and hassle-free BMW ownership experience. “The 50:50 offer on our x Range models is part of our the continuous efforts to provide premium quality products and services to our customers, and offer them a premium ownership experience that consistently exceeds their expectations and recognizers their loyalty. A complimentary BMW Service Inclusive package, which covers all major servicing for the vehicle for the first three years or 60,000 kms (whichever comes first) in addition to three-year warranty with unlimited mileage that is also offered upon the purchase
of a BMW vehicle,” said Mr. Mohammed Kandeel, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles. The campaign covers all BMW x range models: the BMW x1, x3, x5 and x6. The BMW x1 is the most recent model to join the successful BMW x model portfolio. The BMW x1 model offers the perfect combination of supreme agility and sportiness with the appearance of a Sports Activity Vehicle and the agility of a BMW 1 Series; offering a new interpretation of BMW’s Sheer Driving Pleasure. •
LIFESTYLE
books
reader´s corner How to Develop Self-confidence and Influence People by Public Speaking (Personal Development) by Dale Carnegie With hundreds of practical and valuable tips on self-improvement and influencing the important people in your life: your friends, your customers, your business associates and your employers, this classic from Carnegie has been tried, tested and used successfully by millions worldwide. In a nut-shell, it’s a slice of self-help gold.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
How Women Succeed by Carolin Zeitler A spin-off to the Annual How Women Work Conference held in Qatar, founder and now author, Zeitler, brings together a collection of stories of accomplished women from around the world, including renowned writers Barbara Stanny
by Eckhart Tolle In this outing from the stalwart self-help author, the message is crystal clear: living in the ‘now’ is THE true path to happiness and enlightenment. But what does ‘living in the now’ mean? Tolle’s simple approach, supportive voice and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for discovering just that. Explaining complicated concepts in concrete language, he aims to guide the reader through a conscious understanding of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of our ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.
and Lisa McCourt. Additionally, the
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
book showcases some of the leading
Having clocked up sales of more than 7.5 million copies worldwide, The Secret reflects perfectly the global appeal of this genre. It promises instant wealth, love and weight loss and claims these goals can be achieved simply by visualizing them, defiantly bypassing the more tried and tested methods of hard work, effort and exercise. It does this by drawing together centuries of esoteric thinking and refines them into such lifelong gems as: “Love yourself in every moment that you can” and: “Know that there is no such thing as incurable.”
women working in Qatar today, exploring how they have defined and created success in their lives. The idea...? To inspire readers to keep on growing, thriving and pursuing their own dreams AND if that’s not enough, the proceeds go to funding free workshops for limited- income working women in the community. High-five ladies!
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Law of Attraction by Michael Losier Maybe you’ve noticed that sometimes what you need just falls into your lap, or the phone rings at exactly the right time? Maybe you’ve bumped into someone on the street that you were thinking about just yesterday? Perhaps it’s the Divine at work, fate, or being at the right place at the right time? Losier would argue that all of these experiences are evidence of the ‘Law of Attraction’ in your life. Defining ‘The Law of Attraction’ as: “I attract to my life whatever I give my attention, energy and focus to, whether positive or negative.” By reading this book, you’ll come closer to the author’s hard and fast attempt at showing you why and how this happens.
Change Your Life in Seven Days by Paul McKenna Paul McKenna is possibly one of the most convincing self-help advocates of our time. His latest mantra? “Success and happiness are not accidents that happen to some people and not to others. They are created by specific ways of thinking and acting in the world.” In this book, the author has made a study of highly successful and effective people, and distilled the core strategies and techniques that can help you to begin to think in the same way as a super-achiever.
Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Kind of Life by Richard Templar Best-selling author Templar presents 100 simple guidelines to help readers find the good in themselves and make a positive impact on the world along the way. These suggestions, collected from happy, successful people, run the gamut from “have a little respect and forgiveness for [your] parents” to “prune [your] stuff frequently.” Although the concepts are from the ground-breaking , this book contains solid advice, is to the point, and perhaps most importantly, is easy to read and implement in your life.
LiFEstyLE
musical notes
New Resident
LO: I am focused on building my residency at Megu, it’s such an amazing Lounge with great clientele. I am also in the studio working on my own productions and have recently formed Doha’s first ever electronic dance music band dubbed ‘Hail Sirius’ so look out for us on that!
SIMON KEENLYSIDE EENL EENLYSIDE . soNgs of WAR
Presenting...Doha’s freshest DJ talent... Laura O’Shea Dj
ADRIAN SUTTON.
BY LAURA PRIOR
“As the office conversation turns to the weekend, ABODE’s ears took us to a place that “sounds” out from the crowd. The tantalizing smell of modern Japanese cuisine drifts elegantly through the atrium and we are joined by the hottest name in music on everyone’s lips in Doha right now – LAURA O’SHEA EA - Dj. Scottish born Laura smiles as she enthuses about taking up the reins as the new resident at Megu Restaurant and Lounge, and ABODE is intrigued to find out more before she fills the room with an atmosphere as unique in Doha as the setting.’’ abOdE: Tell us about your new gig at Megu? LO: Megu is a really cool contemporary Japanese restaurant internationally known for its superior food and excellent service. They recently opened a New York style lounge and bar there – ‘Megu Lounge’. Its Doha’s new in vogue night spot and I am loving being the new resident DJ there! abOdE: Sum up your style and sound. LO: I love all electronic music, especially house. I like to ‘dig’ for the right sounds to create a great atmosphere and vibe. That’s what we aim to do at Megu by building 3 special nights. Wednesdays are chill-out, funk & soul, Thursday is all about the dance classics for those who
122 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Simon Keenlyside and Malcolm Martineau capture the human spirit in this collection of romantic musical notions, creating a gift of poignancy that is never sentimental. Beautifully produced and exquisitely performed, this record is contradictory to its title; admirable and anything but war-like.
know their tunes, and Friday is more underground where I play a blend of deep house outed no-where else in the City. abOdE: Tell us about some stand-out performances. LO: I’ll never forget when I played at Ministry of Sound, London. It was my first time on a mighty Funktion1 sound system. It was immense, like harnessing the power of a wild horse! I love playing big clubs but actually the smaller, more intimate crowds are always more rewarding for me. Up close and personal, like at Megu. My first party there will go down as one of my favourites ever – the night was like a perfect storm and ended on a real high! abOdE: What are your plans for 2012?
WAR hoRse cAst AlbUm War Horse is the spectacular soundtrack from the recently released major motion picture feature by Stephen Spielberg, based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo. This captivating collection helps evoke the tale of bravery and loyalty with great gusto. Music by Adrian Sutton, vocals by celebrated folk singer and musician John Tam; performed by full orchestra.
LAURA’S TOP 5 ESSENTIAL HOUSE ANTHEMS! • Inner City – Good Life • Felix The Housecat – Silver Screen • Theo Parish - Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix) • M.A.N.D.Y vs Booka Shade – Body Language • Tensnake – Coma Cat (Round Table Knights Remix)
LIFESTYLE
technology
«TECH SUPPORT» What’s HOT this month
We continue to see an exciting line up of Smartphones this month. Here’s a peek at what to expect:
ZBlackBerry Curve 9380: Vodafone Qatar has recently launched the first Blackberry® Curve™ 9380 smartphone with a touch screen. The new Blackberry Curve 9380 smartphone has a sleek, premium finish and brilliant crisp graphics. What’s more, the eagerly awaited touch screen is smooth and super responsive – so you can connect to everything and everyone in a flash. Connect and share like never before with BlackBerry Messenger; you never have to miss a moment of what’s going on. Capture the moment with a built-in 5MP camera. Take a picture or video and upload to your social networks with a single click for all to see. Browse the web effortlessly with a faster processor that makes multi-tasking a breeze. The powerful new BlackBerry 7 software delivers stunning graphics, amazing multimedia and breakthrough technology. See videos and games spring to life, load and browse web pages faster than ever before, and find everything on your BlackBerry smartphone as well as online without having to lift a finger, thanks to the revolutionary voice-activated universal search! The all touch Blackberry Curve 9380 is now available at Vodafone’s retail stores and at Vodafone’s Online store www. vodafone.com.qa. Blackberry Curve 9380 retails at Q.R 1,399, including a FREE Welcome Pack, Blackberry Service on RED and RED 55 Scratch Card.Y
ZVodafone 555 Blue: Vodafone is excited to announce the launch of the most affordable Facebook® integrated phone in the market. The Vodafone 555 Blue offers an instant Facebook experience, with immediate access to Facebook right out of the box. Connect to Facebook from the homescreen and enjoy the integrated messaging experience. With a dedicated Facebook key, newsfeeds, notifications and update statuses are only one click away. With a 2 Megapixel camera, you will enjoy taking great pictures and sharing them with your friends on Facebook. The full QWERTY keypad makes messaging your friends a breeze and the big 2.4” landscape display is great for scrolling through all your Facebook feeds. The Vodafone 555 Blue also comes with a MicroSD slot, giving you the option to add more memory. The Facebook Blue is coming to Vodafone very soon, for more details on pricing and our great bundle offer, please visit www.vodafone.com.qa Y
124 ABODE JANUARY 2012
LiFEstyLE
technology
Apps to help you lose weight ZhEALth & DiEt:
Z
Z http://mobile.windows9download.net Smidge – when it comes to improving health, small steps can add up to a big result. From eating better and getting more active to managing your stress and creating a more positive outlook, smidge has got you covered. Pick your activity, get inspired and stay motivated, track your progress and share with friends. Healthy starts here. Y
http://www.mynetdiary.com Calorie Counter – is the essential app to simply find nutritional info for the food you eat and to keep track of your meals, exercise and weight. • A food quick-pick to find calorie and full nutrition information • A food diary to plan and keep track what you are eating • An activity diary to record all the calories you burn • A weight chart • A journal to record your progress Y
Z http://www.micoach.com Adidas miCoach puts your coach in the palm of your hand. GPS and real time audible coaching keep you going past your personal best. Choose a training plan customized for your sport and build the speed and endurance to go even farther. Track your workouts and show off your progress on miCoach.com. Y Z http://www.endomondo.com Track your workouts, challenge your friends, analyze your training. With Endomondo on your phone, you can track your running, cycling and other sports. It’s fun, it’s social and it’s motivating. It’s also free. Works with the following operating systems: Blackberry, iPhone, Samsung, Android, HTC, Nokia Y
Z http://www.gymtechnik.com Gym Technik you’ll be motivated and reach your fitness goals faster. Get workout guidance and track workouts, body stats, and schedule monthly workout routines with your smartphone. Your stats sync to www.gymtechnik.com where you can find workout plans, build routines, chart your progress and view workout summaries. Get access to our library of exercises with instructional images and videos.Y
vodafone qatar offers all of these exciting smartphones. for futher information, visit your nearest vodafone retail store or visit us online at www.vodafone.com.qa
JANUARY 2012 ABODE 125
ADOBE
resource
YOUR LIFE • YOUR STYLE • your home
directory
Beauty
Geox
Villaggio Mall
4450-7194
Faces
Villaggio Mall
4450-7189
Landmark Mall
4488-7531
Landmark Mall
4487-9519
Gucci
Villaggio Mall
4413-
Inglot
Hyatt Plaza
4416-5130
Karen Millen
Villaggio Mall
4460-4279
L’Occitane
Landmark Mall
4486-5149
Landmark Mall
Villaggio Mall
4450-7585
Lacoste
Landmark Mall
4488-7604
Villaggio Mall
4450-7191
Cars ∕ Motoring
Naturalizer
Hyatt Plaza
4416-5132
Infinity
Salwa Showroom
4428-3333
Ninewest
City Centre
4483-9543
Mercedes Benz
Salwa Road
4462-4444
Hyatt Plaza
4468-2919
Nissan
Salwa Showroom
4428-3333
Landmark Mall
4486-4038
Al Sadd
4444-1334
Pull & Bear
Landmark Mall
4487-6856
Yarmouk 4488-8618
Ralph Lauren
Villaggio Mall VIP section
4413-5655
Renault
Salwa Showroom
Sketchers
City Centre
4483-9476
Spring
Villaggio Mall
4460-4963
Clubs / Leisure
Swarovski
Land Mark Mall
4483-8158
Mourjan Marinas IGY
Lusail Marina
5575-6389
Tanagra
Villaggio Mall, VIP section
4413-4780
Pearl Lounge Club
Doha Marriott Hotel
4429-8444
The Athlete’s Foot
Villaggio Mall
4450-7477
4428-3333
Hyatt Plaza
4416-5133
Education
The Deal
Al Sadd, Main Road
4442-4043
Virginia Commonwealth
Tod’s
Villaggio Mall
4413-4937
University Qatar
Education City
4402-0555
Furniture / Interior Design Entertainment
Articles
Royal Plaza, 2nd Floor
4413-1188
Ray’s Reef
Royal Plaza, 2nd floor
4413-1122
Bo Concept
City Centre
4411-5054
The Cinema Palace
Royal Plaza, 2nd floor
4432-0938
Forum Design
Al Hilal
4456-8716
Ligne Roset/ DEDON
Souq Najed, Salwa Road
4431-1843
Fashion / Retail
The One
Landmark Mall
4488-8669
Aida
Royal Plaza, 2nd Floor
4413-1188
Villaggio Mall
4450-7778
Aldo
Hyatt Plaza
4468-2920
Living Spirit
Ramada Signal
4434-1878
The Mall
4467-8896
Villaggio Mall
4450-7391
Hotels & Restaurants
Aldo Accessories
City Centre
4411-5289
Al Bustan
Museum Park St.
4435-2227
Bench
Hyatt Plaza
4469-0476
Al Seef
Al Aaliya Street
4433-2222
Berluti
Villaggio Mall, VIP section
4416-1860
Chowking
Salwa Road
4437-1212
Change
Royal Plaza, 1st floor
4413-1177
Al Saad St.
4431-4411
Titto Bluni
Royal Plaza, 1st floor
4413-1144
Doha Marriott Hotel
Ras Abu Aboud St.
4429-8888
Marc Jacobs
Villaggio Mall, VIP section
4413-4767
Four Seasons
Corniche Road
4494-8888
Celine
Villaggio Mall, VIP section
4413-4763
Grand Hyatt
West Bay Lagoon
4448-1234
4413-4767
Grand Regency
Al Sadd
4434-3333
CH By Carolina Herrera
Villaggio Mall, VIP section
4413-4748
InterContinental
Al Istiqlal Rd,
4484-4444
Charles & Keith
City Centre
4493-4437
West Bay Lagoon
Hyatt Plaza
4469-0413
Kempinski Residences
Dune
Landmark Mall
4487-8158
& Suites
West Bay Doha
4405-3333
Ermenegildo Zegna
Villaggio Mall VIP section
4413-4765
La Cigale Hotel
60 Suhaim Bin Hamad St.
4428-8888
Events
Royal Plaza, 1st floor
4413-1155
Liza
Porto Arabia
4495-3876
Garage
City Centre
4483-9324
ext:1721
ADOBE
resource
Megu
Porto Arabia
7780-9513
Real Estate
Mövenpick Hotel
Corniche Road
4429-1111
Ahmed Hassan Bilal
Ahmed Bin Moh’d,
Mövenpick Tower & Suites Westbay
4496-6600
Trading & Construction Co. Bin Thani St
Mercure Grand
Musherib Street
4446-2222
LS: Keep Moving
Tornado Tower, Ground Floor 4491-3222
Merweb Central Doha
Ras Abu Abboud St.
4409-4444
Milennium Hotel
Jawaan Street, Al Sadd
4424-7777
Spa and Wellbeing
Nando’s
Salwa Rd, Al Sadd
4444-2345
The Spa
Doha Marriott Hotel
4429-8520
Hyatt Plaza
4450-5853
Spa Chakra
Westbay, Al Funduq St.
4499-9250
City Centre
4417-5756
Plastic Surgicentre
149 Najma St., Al Hilal
4466-2260
Oryx Rotana
Al Nahda School St.,
4402-3333
Airport Rd.
Pampano
Porto Arabia
4442-8877.
4495-3876
Hospitals ∕ Emergency
ext.1221
Ramada Encore
Ahmed Bin Moh’d St.
4444-3444
Ramada Plaza
C Ring Rd.
4428-1428
Ritz-Carlton
West Bay Lagoon
4484-8000
Sealine Beach Resort
Mesaieed Umm Said
4476-5299
Sharq Village & Spa
Ras Abu Abboud St.
4425-6666
Sheraton Doha
Corniche Road
4485-4444
TSE YANG
Porto Arabia
4495-3876
Police & Fire Department 999 Doha Clinic Hospital 4438-4333 Hotline 44355999 Al Ahli Hospital 44988888 Doha Dental 44317766 Hamad General Hospital 44392222 Rumailah Hospital 44392948 Pediatric Emergency Centre 44392948 Qatar Foundation for Child 44666671 to 73 & Protection Hotline
ext. 2071
W Doha
West Bay Lagoon
4453-5353
Bilal Complex, Al Saad
4431-7766
Medical Doha Dental
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Abode
horoscope
YOUR JANUARY STARs By Milina
Aries (March 21st-April 20th)
» The planet Uranus is in your sign throughout 2012. Your already fiery nature will be stimulated and you will be surprised at times. Be careful not to feel overoptimistic and commit yourself to things that can get out of control. With Mars retrograde after 23 January, allow some extra time to finish your work.
Taurus (April 21st-May 20th)
» Jupiter is in your sign until 11 June, so make the most of opportunities that come your way. After 23 January, patience is essential. Your imagination is stimulated and you dream of love and pleasure. Go for quality instead of quantity, and you may get what you need. Drop your defences and you can experience great joy.
Gemini (May 21st-June 20th)
» 2012 will be a year of action for you. Your fantasies may look very real, but be practical and involve others in your plans. Trust your intuition, but don’t abandon your inner beliefs. You will have to slow down and get your house in order in January. Towards the end of the month you will come up with bright ideas that can overcome any obstacle.
Cancer (June 21st-July 20th)
» Make sure that you do not get overstimulated in 2012. The Full Moon in your sign on 9 January reminds you to think of your own needs first. If you take care of yourself, you can be of better service to others! Don’t spill any secrets, and stay focused. Compassion for others will help you resolve conflicts.
128 ABODE JANUARY 2012
Be The Change: 2012 will be a year of significant transformation, full of surprises and breakthroughs. How will this affect you?
Leo (July 21st-August 22nd)
» In 2012, watch out for deception or confused circumstances in matters of finance, tax and investments. Patience and hard work are rewarding in January, even if it seems you are off to a slow start. The results will pay off during the coming months! Your optimism will be a great advantage. New ideas come to you faster than you can process them. This will enable you to turn a problem into an opportunity.
Virgo (August 23th-Sept 22nd)
» Mars transiting through your sign means you will feel more energetic and full of vitality. You’ll also be more direct than usual, and should avoid unnecessary confrontations. Don’t take on too many projects. You need to analyze which activities will require more effort than you had anticipated, and drop them.
Libra (Sept 23th-Oct 22nd)
» With Saturn in your sign, hard work, responsibility and attention to duty will be a theme in your life. Around 13 January you may feel dreams overflow into your waking life, but you will be able to turn your ideals into reality. There will be enough fun, but avoid burning your candle at both ends.
Scorpio (Oct 23th-Nov 21st)
» Networking is a theme in your life in 2012. A lot of your energy may be going into your social life, or helping a friend. Be patient. Music, art, dance and other creative activities are a delight to you this month. Paranoid thinking might make you misinterpret other people’s intentions. Kindness and compassion work better in meaningful conversations.
Sagittarius (Nov 22nd-Dec 21st)
» The beginning of 2012 may be an important start of something new for you. You may have to fight for the position you feel you deserve. Don’t let setbacks or delays create self-doubt. Stay focused! It may take time before the changes you make show noticeable results. Success is likely, as long as you don’t have exaggerated expectations.
Capricorn (Dec 22nd-Jan 19th)
» Pluto has been in your sign since 2008, and now Uranus is squaring it. There is a lot of dynamic energy that challenges you, or helps you to re-create yourself in some way. It is a good time to think strategically. Express yourself clearly and with conviction. Things are changing in your life. Manage the petty details so you can make bigger moves in the future.
Aquarius (Jan 20th-Feb 18th)
» This year big changes are possible, but you will have to be patient. If you have expectations that are unrealistic, you can be disappointed. Better to allow extra time to get to your destination. Set goals that are within your reach. Be flexible and relax at regular intervals. Be thankful for small gains while taking setbacks in your stride.
Pisces
(Feb 19th-March 20th)
» This month there is a stark contrast between your romantic ideals and relationship realities. Emotions and your need for affection can erode your logical thinking process that helps you to keep order in your life. Use your common sense. After 14 January life will feel more pleasurable and your imagination will be stimulated.
Actual view from one of the balconies at One Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar
Where every detail is arranged to perfection, the combination of The Pearl Qatar location and the exclusive living experience of One Porto Arabia is truly the perfect blend of luxury, opulence and excellence. Elegantly furnished apartments offer Residents 5-star recreational facilities and services with close proximity to the vibrant Marina and Boardwalk. Be part of a true masterpiece; be part of the first and finest of residences at The Pearl Qatar. For more information, please contact Alfardan Properties Leasing Department on +974 4440 8308. A Member of Alfardan Group | www.alfardanproperties.com