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First of all... Summer has officially begun! With this in mind, we combed through the most exciting gastronomic delights and fun activities to help you beat the heat this month. Moreover, we have included some tips on how to beat the heat this season. As always, the May Issue is brimming with the best in Bahrain’s lifestyle, luxury and people scene.
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ArabianMagazines.com Established since 2001, Bahrain Confidential is a Bahrain-based monthly publication available both in print and online editions. It is the definitive guide to high-end Arabian luxury and lifestyle. It covers the best in lifestyle, luxury, fashion and dining, as well as local events, art, society, fashion, beauty and travel. The monthly print edition of Bahrain Confidential is distributed to Bahrain’s highest spending consumers and decision makers.
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MAY 2022 Issue 231
18
28 Fashion Inspo - 10 Instagram Accounts
Wa Bento Shop
CONTENTS Special Features 08
Where to Volunteer in Bahrain
12
5 Practical Ways to Practice Self-love
26
Fashion 14
Classic Style
18
Fashion Inspo
22
Nail It!
Going Out 24
Together & Co., Hilton
26
Box of Goodness, La Reine Pâtisserie
28
Food Review: Wa Bento Shop at Andalus Garden
30
Elite Summer Escape
30
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
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Feature
Where to Volunteer in Bahrain
G
iving back has always been a part of community and culture. It's been said that the best gift one can give to others is one's time. While volunteer work can take several forms and serve various aspects of the organization, it also provides vital assistance to those in need, supports worthy causes, and even advocates for the necessary support to the entire community. Here are some places where you can volunteer at:
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The Saturday Biryani Party With Workers Saturday Biryani Party with Construction Workers is a weekly initiative that involves sharing Biryani meals with construction workers at their work sites. Since their inception in May 2015, they have shared approximately 7,000 complete biryani meals. It is a very modest attempt to raise community awareness about the working conditions of these people. Be a part of this initiative in any capacity you can by calling 39874541.
Oneheartbahrain OneHeartBahrain is a society movement that represents the principles of Goodwill, also recognised as Love in Action. They seek to provide a channel for bringing more Unity into our lives, as well as practical opportunities for people to put the principles of Love in Action in collaboration with others. To volunteer, head to their website: www.oneheartbahrain.com
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 9
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Dream Big They work to foster public students' love of the English language by breaking down the fear barrier and serving as a supportive and auxiliary source of learning. You can sign up to be a volunteer through this link: www.dreambigbh.com/volunteers
BSPCA A small group of dedicated and passionate animal lovers founded the Bahrain Society for the Protection of Animals (BSPCA) in 1979. Volunteers are welcome to come along and help on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings at our Shelter in Askar. There are many tasks which the public can be involved with such as walking the dogs, grooming the cats, puppies or dogs, and socialising with the animals. Hours for volunteering are from 9am to 1pm.
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Shamsaha Shamsaha employs high-impact, low-cost, internationally recognised solutions to assist women impacted by abuse and violence. You can be a women’s crisis advocate by attending a training. Check their website to know more: www.shamsaha.org
Injaz Bahrain INJAZ Bahrain is a non-profit organisation founded in 2005 as part of Junior Achievement Worldwide to empower young people to own their economic success and be ready for today's business challenges. INJAZ Bahrain impacts thousands of students each year with the assistance of its partners and volunteers, bringing them similar to the actual world and going to open their minds to their own potential. Learn how to volunteer through their website: www.injazbh.org
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 11
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5
12 Bahrain Confidential May 2022
Practical Ways to Practice Self-love
Feature
L
oving yourself and taking care of yourself is often portrayed as the most powerful option in order to live a better and fulfilled life. However, nobody really tells the actual steps which one could follow to achieve this bliss. Here are some practical and actionable ways that you can incorporate into your life easily-
Learn to say NO We often find ourselves saying yes to plans, things and activities simply because we don’t want to disappoint our loved ones. By doing so, we are consciously putting everyone else’s needs before ours and that is not the right way to treat yourself. Thus, one must learn to say no to things for which you don’t have the mental or physical capacity.
Meditate for self-love Studies have shown that meditation can literally change your brain. Following specific meditations for self-compassion or self-love can heal and change your brain parts associated with the same and increase your empathy towards yourself.
Make a list of things you love about yourself Take a piece of paper and write all the great things you love about yourself and place it where you can see it everyday and add more things to it whenever you feel like it. Reading this regularly will reinforce self-love, instill a sense of confidence and have a positive impact in your life in the long run.
List your wins everyday
One must learn to say no to things for which you don’t have the mental or physical capacity.
Make it a habit to list all the things you accomplished in a day so that you can focus on the positive part instead of worrying about the stuff you didn’t get done. These wins can be as little as getting out of the bed or brushing your teeth to as big as finally completing that pending assignment or presentation. The goal here is to celebrate yourself whenever you get a chance.
Plan self-care days Always plan self-care days where you get to spend time with yourself and enjoy your company. The key here is to do the things you love, it can be reading your favorite book, taking a long walk, trying out that recipe you’ve always wanted to, or just doing your nails and having a long relaxing spa day. It can be anything that makes you connect with yourself. n
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 13
Fashion
Classic
Style
Never go out of style with these classic fashion trends. Today we throw some light on the evergreen and most celebrated fashion styles and tips in a decade in the contemporary context.
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Midriff Tops Saviours, these tops have helped us elevate a basic look with the littlest effort and are so flattering on the body. Crop tops can be styled easily with almost everything and pulled off on any occasion. This variety has experienced a lot of modification over the years with the neckline, texture, length and design.
Fashion
The OG Denims Denim jeans and all-overs have been in fashion and execution since the 1870s and have acquired for themselves a secure and permanent place in this industry. They are the most sought-after and rational clothing purchase for one to invest in for possession even today.
Match your shoes with your bag The best way to add contrast to your outfit and break off from the monochromatic scheme of coordinating, is to match the colour of your handbag/sling with that of your shoes. Making a statement, this is one of the most passed on tips in the fashion book.
Puffed Sleeves Add a hint of boldness to your overall look by pairing your denims with these exaggeratedly-sleeved tops which could never be outdated. This style goes well with women in a professional environment providing them a unique identity.
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 15
Fashion
Jewel-up Put on a basic two piece outfit and accessorise it well with silver or gold jewellery including watches, earrings, pendants, purses and chunky shoes and you have a wellput outfit for any event.
Ponytail Easy to wear and manage, you can never go wrong with a classic sleek ponytail. This hairstyle is the most preferred among the youth in a formal as well as informal setting. Rock this hairstyle for a casual or even a party look.
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Bomber/ Leather Jackets The popular punk pieces in demand throughout the year except for the peak summers have made their way in this list for their versatility. These jackets, especially in black, complement both a provocative as well as a conservative look and give off a classy vibe.
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Fashion
@shaimarahimi Her account on a feed catches one’s eye for its versatility. It begins right from formal vests, crop tops, trendy patterns, power suits, floral dresses and to the traditional attire portraying impeccable taste and impressive colour combinations.
Fashion Inspo 10 Instagram Accounts Worth Checking Out for Fashion Inspo
W
e all admire an aesthetically pleasing fashion sense and it’s all in our favour since we have access to these bewitching accounts of beauty influencers or fashion pages for inspiration. Peruse the listed Instagram handles for keeping up with fads, comprehending colour chemistry that is surprisingly appealing and pairings that captivatingly bag everyone’s attention:
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Fashion
@burger.bae Burger bae claims to bring back the 90s vibe through sustainable clothing. If you’re looking for a comfortable athleisure fit, classy streetwear and even a pleasing brunch outfit inspo, burger.bae is your destination.
@omynewland One of the most splendid daily style accounts on Instagram, this creator is a regular poster of practical, vibrant and attractive styling with a clear post of every outfit pulled off.
@clothing.inspos As the name suggests, this account excels in outfit recreation providing you with a streetwear inspo as well as for a blingy club night. Follow this account to get an insight and update your wardrobe with all the right pieces in all the right colours!
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 19
Fashion
@style Style acts like a perfect guide for all your fashion needs. It takes you through various possible combinations, recreations, influenced styling and is a trend setter as well as a follower.
@kajj.7
@kam_227 An epitome of beauty and elegance, follow this fashion influencer to learn tips to style everything stunningly.
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This YouTuber/ Actor’s fashion sense is appreciated for being practical and branded, comfortable yet stylish. He knows how to play around and have fun with this style and reflects cool fashion.
Fashion
@shabnam_rakim Shabi is a model with a gift of commendable style.
@roshinidaswani Roshini is a fashion influencer.
@fatmaa Fatma owns an aesthetically pleasing account with her unique styling and incredible sense of fashion. Carry yourself as confidently as her and witness the heads turn!
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 21
Feature
Nail It! How To Grow Nails Faster in a Healthy Way
22 Bahrain Confidential May 2022
Feature Use Alternatives to Toxic Nail Paints and Avoid Wearing Glue-on Nails Excessive application of nail paints consisting of toxic chemicals such as toluene formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) should be avoided and replaced with water-based formulations. This will help reduce your nails’ brittleness. Regular and long wearing of artificial nails also affects the health of your nails adversely. Massage with Olive Oil Olive oil proves to be the best cure for brittle and damaged nails. It penetrates to the inner layer of your nails and cuticles ensuring hydration while soothing the area altogether.
W
ho doesn’t like to have that extra length to show off that’s better than any added accessory in your outfit? It can however get wearisome trying to take care of your beautiful long nails to ensure length along with strength. Let’s look at a few Dos and Don’ts for your nails’ healthy growth: Apply Lemon and Coconut Oil Rub a slice of lemon on your fingernails and toenails every day for 5 minutes and rinse off with warm water. This would ensure that the Vitamin C has been soaked in by your nails which would help you get rid of any stains on them and promote healthy growth. Next, every day before going to bed, apply and massage warm coconut oil onto your nails in circular motions. This will help boost nail growth. Consume Biotin Biotin is an important supplement of Vitamin B which helps maximise the growth of hair and nails. A regular dosage of biotin (everyday) has statistically proven to strengthen nails.
The best way to make use of olive oil would be to massage your nails with warm oil for 5 minutes every day and let it rest while covering your hands with gloves overnight. Purchase Nail Hardeners Nail hardeners are essentially produced to make nails less prone to breakage by making them hard and strong hence promoting growth. Hardeners are used in a similar way that nail polishes work. These are painted onto the nails with a brush and later taken off with the help of a nail paint remover. However, prolonged usage of nail hardeners is also advised against since it may lead to even weaker nails in the long term. This is better suited to achieve a short-termed result. Follow a Robust Grooming Routine It is imperative to practice a healthy nail care routine to ensure longevity, length and vigour. In an ideal nail grooming routine: 1.
The unhealthy habit of biting or chewing nails should be rectified.
2.
Sharpened nail cutters are advised to be used.
3.
Frequent moisturisation around nails ought to be promoted.
4.
Keeping your nails dry and clean shall be an act of priority. n
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 23
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Together & Co. Our experience dining at Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay.
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B
ahrain is abundant with experiences all throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Last month, we had the chance to try Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay’s Iftar. Here’s a little recap of our experience. Nestled in the heart of Bahrain Bay and directly connected to The Avenues Mall, the Hilton Garden Inn offers unrivalled proximity to Bahrain’s bustling business district and prime shopping areas. This Ramadan, the luxury hotel is serving wonderful culinary delights for groups and individuals. Hilton Garden Inn’s Iftar takes place at Together & Co – a spacious casual bistro featuring modern interiors and aesthetically pleasing décor. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the restaurant staff and guided to our table which boasted a stunning bay view.
Hilton Garden Inn’s Iftar takes place at Together & Co – a spacious casual bistro featuring modern interiors and aesthetically pleasing décor.
Unlike other Iftars, Hilton Garden Inn’s spread is more curated, making it easier to explore. We’ve had an enjoyable time discovering each dish displayed at the stations because we weren’t overwhelmed – which sometimes happens when we go for Iftars and Ghabgas. There was a fine selection of cold and hot mezze, mains and desserts. It is worth noting that all of the food that we tried during the Iftar was big on flavour. We loved how each one was perfectly seasoned, fresh, and tasty! There was also a station for fresh juices and Arabic drinks such as vividly hued tamarind juice, laban and Vimto. Hilton Garden Inn’s Iftar was priced at BD13++. Not a bad price for the quality we experienced! n
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 25
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Box of Goodness Make celebrations more special with La Reine Pâtisserie!
all ages as well as all the fun gatherings during Eid. To make things more exciting, La Reine has expanded their menu! You can now enjoy a pistachio and Nutella cake in two sizes, along with the Eid trays they have launched. The long cake is perfect for a group of six and the entremet is perfect for one person or to share between two.
L
ocated at Al Reem Centre in Riffa, La Reine Pâtisserie has curated tantalizing treats this Eid for you and your loved ones! If you’re looking for a fitting gift or just something wonderful to offer during your gatherings, look no further than the patisserie’s specially made trays. With the holy month of Ramadan coming to an end, La Reine has combined traditional Bahraini treats along with delicious French desserts together in a giveaway tray, traditionally known as “gadoo’a”. They are perfect for people of
26 Bahrain Confidential May 2022
The boutique will continue to elevate their menu with an array of creations inspired by the elegant flavours of Bahrain! The gadoo’a trays are available for the week of Eid for pre-orders and are available on their website. Their Instagram provides all the updates and photos @lareine.patisserie All orders can be made through their direct website www.lareine-bh.com, WhatsApp +973 38998844. What are you waiting for? Visit the French patisserie and indulge in some well-deserved Eid treats! n
School search made easy...
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Food Review:
Wa Bento Shop at Andalus Garden
28 Bahrain Confidential May 2022
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To those who are not familiar with bentos, the term stands for a single-portion boxed meal usually composed of carbohydrates, a protein and an assortment of pickled or cooked vegetables. Wa is spot at Andalus Garden specializing in this boxed goodness. The restaurant serves a different bento on a weekly basis. According to the founder, Budoor, the content of their bentos depend upon the seasonality of ingredients as they want to make sure that everything is fresh and scrumptious.
Wa was recently opened by Chawan, a Japanese tea house founded by Budoor Steele.
T
here’s a lot of Japanese restaurants in Bahrain but not a lot of them offer an authentic dining journey quite like Wa.
Wa was recently opened by Chawan, a Japanese tea house founded by Budoor Steele. Wa, translates to harmony, which is an essential cultural concept of being Japanese – it emphasizes harmony in unity and community over personal interest. We recently visited the restaurant to check what the hype is about and get a firsthand experience of authentic Japanese cuisine.
During our visit, we had the mix seafood fry, braised chicken and potatoes, and Kyoto style pickles. It also came with a side of Misoshiru soup and a salad. We also indulged in the Katsudon (a popular Japanese comfort food of breaded cutlets) as well as the Shrimp Tempura Udon Noodles with a broth cooked in yuzu. For dessert, we savoured the Matcha and berry cheesecake. Each bite was amazing! The restaurant’s kitchen is headed by Chef Kikuta Fumio, who hails from Niigata city, Japan. Chef Kikuta’s love for cooking started when he was a high school student; and his passion definitely translates to the dishes he served us. P.S. The restaurant is quite hard to find if you’re a first-timer around the area. We advise you to look for Makeshop Café which is located at the ground floor of the building and go up the stairs just beside it. From there, you’ll see Chawan Tea House which is just a couple of steps away from Wa. n
Bahrain Confidential May 2022 29
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Elite Summer Escape These hotels are offering a summer escape for families in Bahrain!
I
f you’re looking for a summer escape to enjoy with your family, look no further than the Elite Hospitality Group! Below are their offers during the season!
Elite Seef Residence Hotel Located at Seef, in the center of the Kingdom’s main shopping area, is an ideal option to enjoy the fun of city living. The hotel’s one and two-bedroom family suites are elegantly furnished in modern leather interiors. They also come with a fully equipped modular kitchen, lavish bathrooms, home theatre system with in-house TV channels, digital satellite TV system, and 24-hour personalized room service with special menus offering lavish choices with great value. The one-bedroom suite starts
30 Bahrain Confidential May 2022
Feature at BD 36 net per night including taxes and service charge. The rate is inclusive of a breakfast buffet for two persons with hot beverages and selected fresh Juices.
Elite Grande Hotel The hotel is located close to the largest shopping complex on the island - Bahrain City Centre. Elite Grande Hotel’s two-bedroom family suite is a perfect place to unwind in a relaxing atmosphere with our personalized service by a dedicated team. Their special summer promotions this summer includes a breakfast buffet, taxes and service charge, and a free early and late checkout. The rates start from BD 36 net per night at a one or twin bedroom suite. Each spacious suite is lavishly furnished with grand bathrooms, complete home theatre systems in each bedroom with DVD, and HDTV Satellite channels, hi-speed internet access, a direct dialing facility with voice mail, and digital safe-deposit lockers. The two-bedroom suite starts at BD 60 net only including taxes and service charge, Wi-Fi internet, and buffet breakfast for four persons with hot beverages and selected fresh juices.
Elite’s Summer Escape is available among all their hotels in Bahrain until the end of October 2022.
Elite Resort & Spa Elite Resort & Spa provides all the contemporary facilities to accommodate your request from one to three-bedroom suites to at a special daily rate of BD 85 net per night inclusive of all service charges and breakfast buffet. Enjoy a special discount on food and beverage at Al Naseem café while you’re at it! Elite’s Summer Escape is available among all their hotels in Bahrain until the end of October 2022. On another note, you can also explore Elite Hospitality Catering! They offer an excellent food service, specializing in institutional catering in offices and factories, supplying to large corporate / companies like banks, factories, and ministries. They also cater for all events such as receptions, cocktail parties, BBQs, birthdays, anniversaries, and graduation celebrations. n For bookings and more details please call: +973 1755 8200 or visit www.elitegrouphotels.com
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