Lounge September 2017

T H E

I N N O V A T I V E

T R E N D - S E T T I N G

EXCLUSIVE

September 2017

TOM CRUISE

MAI OMAR UNPREDICTABLE

TALKS ABOUT

AMERICAN MADE

5

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH MARWAN HAMED

SIMPLE DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL LACKLUSTER SPACES

LOOKING FOR MR. OR MS. RIGHT

GENE

PREMARITAL SCREENING

M A G A Z I N E

8

Signs You Are

OVERSTRESSED

14 FASHION & TRENDS

14 Designer

The Enchantress of Florence by alice+ olivia Fall 2017 collection

alice+ olivia’s Fall 2017 collection is inspired by Salman Rushdie ’s novel The Enchantress of Florence. The collection draws from the vibrant rich settings of Mughal India and the romanticism of Renaissance Florence, depicting the story of a woman creating her own destiny in a man ’s world. Stacey Bendet has created a rich wardrobe for the global woman, a woman, who like Rushdie’s enchantress, has “forged her own life, beyond convention, by the force of her will alone.” Comprised of an eclectic mix of pieces and a sharp colour palette of reds, pinks, and jeweltones, Bendethas created a serene fantasy with notes of magic realism for this collection.

20 Trends

A Guide to the Hottest Sunglasses of 2017

For cat eyes addicts, aviators or over sized 70s lovers, Lounge brought you the hottest sunglasses from Michael Kors, Chloe, Guess and Roberto Cavalli. Find your inspiration.

Beauty

22 Beauty Buzz

The latest & newest beauty products & news you need to know.

Entertainment

26 Cover Story

Mai Omar Unpredictable

With two hit serials and a movie, this summer Mai Omar was able to guarantee herself a place on the top list of upcoming female starlets. This month Amira Tharwat talks to the gifted Mai Omar about her exceptional performance in the comedy serial Rayah El Madam, her participation with iconic actor Adel Imam and her role in Tesbah Ala Kheer movie along with Tamer Hosny.

30 Star

TOM CRUISE & DOUG LIMAN In AMERICAN MADE American Made is an American biographical crime film directed by Doug Liman, written by Gary Spinelli and starring Tom Cruise. The film is based on the life of Barry Seal, a former TWA pilot who became a drug smuggler in the 1980s and was recruited later on by the CIA and DEA to provide intelligence. Marking the second collaboration between Tom Cruise and Edge of Tomorrow (2014) director Doug Liman, Lounge brought you an interview with Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman to reveal all about the movie.

20

You, Love & Life

24 Relationships

Your Ultimate Guide for Office Dating Dating a coworker is not like getting into any other kind of relationship. The fact of matter is, we spend a lot of our lives at work and working alongside someone is a good way to get to know them. We’re only human and attraction and relationships can form anywhere.

But when you’re deciding to take an office romance further you will have to put in your mind some considerations and how serious you really are about the other person. If you think he is the one for you, by all means go for it.

But if this person is just someone you admire or enjoy spending time with but can’t see yourself being with long-term, consider the complications before making your decision.

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34 Up Close & Personal Marwan Hamed

At a very young age and in a short while, director Marwan Hamed was able to reserve a prestigious and distinguished place among well known cinematic figures that Egypt brags about within the world of art. Amira Tharwat went upclose and personal with the exceptional director to know more about his latest cinematic project ‘El Asleen’, his dreams for the future and his coming movie.

HEALTH & FITNESS 38 Health Desk

The latest & newest health and fitness news you need to know.

40 Ask

Looking for Mr. or Ms. Right Gene Premarital Screening

Marriage is considered a remarkable event in a couples’ life, as they plan to start a family, and through which they usher in a new stage in terms of building emotional, social, familial and healthy relationships. The injury of any of the family members with hereditary and infectious diseases leads to foul the pleasure of life and several psychological, social, and economic problems. Not to mention the medical disorders and their repercussions on the patient, family, and community.

EVERY ISSUE

6 Chairman’s Letter 8 Editor’s Letter 10 In The Know

Everything you need to know to be in the know, from celebrity to entertainment news to what’s in style, Lounge keeps you fully updated.

54 Horoscope

Happy Birthday Libra

56 Well Said

8 Signs You Are Overstressed As we kiss summer goodbye, people start getting back to the normal routine of life and work leaving behind the beaches, the sun and the fun that comes with summer, this makes September the month of mood swings as we experience a slight change in the weather as well. This month Lounge brought you signs you are over stressed, if more than 5 of the signs apply to you then you need to shell and take things slowly.

22

OUT & ABOUT

42 Interiors

Inside A Modern and Opulent Décor Apartment

Covet House, is proud to announce this amazing apartment project that features furniture pieces from some of the world’s most recognized and prestigious furniture and lighting brands - Boca do Lobo, DelightFULL, Brabbu, Koket, Essential Home and Luxxu.

46 Feature

5 Simple Design Tips for Small Lackluster Spaces

For many city dwellers in Dubai and around the world, apartment living is the norm. This of course means habitating (and cohabitating) in smaller spaces are a reality of life. Contrary to the sprawling residentials settings of life on the land or larger urban properties, Middle Eastern apartment living often leaves us with less floor space to work with, and less existing “charm” or character to build upon. Combine restricted space with cookie-cutter designs boasting lackluster meringue walls and uninspiring peach floor tiles, it can be an ongoing struggle to inject a true sense feeling of “home” or personality into one’s living quarters, regardless of the trinkets you display or photo frames you mount.

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Chairman’s Letter CHAIRMAN Ahmed Helal EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sherif Ibrahim EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amira Tharwat GENERAL MANAGER Ahmed M. Hanohoum ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER Khaled Ashraf Hegazy

In this month’s issue of Lounge we decided to celebrate our 13th anniversary with starlet Mai Omar who reveals all about the secret behind her success this Ramadan through 2 TV serials and a movie. We also brought you an exclusive interview with non less than Tom Cruise who tells us all about his role in the coming hit movie American Made. That is not all yet as we went up Close and personal with director Marwan Hamed who tells us about the novel he would love to turn into a movie and all about his latest project Al Asleen. As for fashion addicts we brought you the latest fashion and makeup trends, all that plus our relationships section were we discuss how could your romance at work have a happy ending. Don’t forget to stop by our interiors section for the latest trends and our health section, happy 13th anniversary Lounge and hope you would enjoy reading the issue.

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Ikram Zaki ADVERTISING MANAGER Mona Mutaewa DESIGNED BY Bassam El-Naggar IT ADVISOR Amr Fakhr El-Din FINANCIAL ADVISOR Ahmed M. Abd el Latif OFFICE MANAGER Nora AbdAllah SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Sameh El Mansy

T H E

I N N O V A T I V E

June 2017

T R E N D - S E T T I N G

M A G A Z I N E

LOUNGE’S COVER: MAI OMAR

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Haytham Hanoura DISTRIBUTION Charisma International All rights reserved to Lounge. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Website: www.lounge-eg.com E-mail: info@lounge-eg.com www.facebook.com/LoungemagazineEG PRINTING International Printing House To subscribe or advertise, please contact our offices at: 17 Nakhla El Motaey St. 6th Floor Apt. 601 Heliopolis, Cairo - Egypt 02-2642 2298/7 Photographer:Kareem Nour Makeup: Ahmed Khowaga Hairstyle: Ashour Art Director& Styling: Abier Ansary

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EDITOR’S

letter

LOUNGE IS 13!

13 years ago Lounge magazine was launched to be one of the first lifestyle English magazines in Egypt and the only innovative trend setting magazine. Through the past 13 years we tried our best to provide our readers with all subjects of interest from culture, fashion, relationships to celebrities’ latest news, exclusive interviews and interior designs. We were so open to our readers’ wishes that we all consider it our demand. I joined Lounge’s team 10 years ago, the magazine was only 3 years old back then yet it was established as one of the top lifestyle magazines in Egypt if not the one on the top. We grew up together and when I look back to the past 10 years of our lives (as I can’t separate it from who I became) I remember that we were together for better or worse and we had our best moments and our not so good days with the stress and the laughter, the moments of success and the anticipation. Despite the

economical trauma Egypt witnessed we as a team (Thanks to the very understanding Chairman Ahmed Helal and the General Manager Ahmed Hanohoum aka Hanzo) were able to stand firm and pass the storm to be one of the very few magazines that survived, because of our loyal readers trust and because of our passion towards this project. Through the past 10 years I’ve worked with people whom I’ve learned from and I believe that they added value to the magazine.

This issue as we celebrate our 13th anniversary I would love to give them a shout out because I am sure that without them Lounge won’t have become were it is now and I personally won’t be the same person I am now, so wherever they are no matter what they are doing, they matter a lot to me and I would love to send them a message of gratitude. Happy 13th anniversary Lounge!

Amira Tharwat

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LOUNGE

in the know

Alex Rodriguez Confesses Jennifer Lopez Is a “Much Better Athlete Than Me”

Jessica Alba: I have amnesia about having a baby Actor Jessica Alba said she does not remember raising her children. The 36-year-old actress, who is pregnant with her third child with her husband Cash Warren, already has daughters Haven, five, and Honor, nine, with her spouse.

Alba admitted she has forgotten what it feels like to be woken up by a newborn in the early hours of morning to change their nappies or feed them. “I have amnesia about having a baby, which is why I think I allowed this to happen. I don’t remember any of it,” Alba said. The ‘Mechanic: Resurrection’ actor shared that her girls cannot wait for their new sibling. “(They’re) stoked,” she said.

In the game of fitness, Alex Rodriguez may not want to face off against Jennifer Lopez. While he’s one of the best players to grace the baseball field, the former New York Yankees infielder admits that his girlfriend knows how to break a sweat and work hard in and out of any gym. “We work out together all the time.

She is a fitness enthusiast and she’s a much better athlete than me,” Alex said at the UFC Gym grand opening in Kendall, Fla. “She’s a former track star from junior high.” As for where or how she trains, Alex knows that she’ll be stopping at the UFC Gym sooner rather than later. “She’ll be here. She goes to TruFusion,” he shared.

In the know...

Celebrity

James Franco: Acting helped me overcome certain addictions

Salma Hayek Cooks Dinner for Ryan Reynolds and His Daughter Inez The 50-year-old actress recently stopped by the home of her Hitman’s Bodyguard costar Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively. And though she was there as a dinner guest, she found herself taking charge of the kitchen and the couple’s 10-month-old daughter, Inez! “When your friends invite you for dinner and you end up doing all the work,” Hayek captioned a photo of the throwback scene — Inez balanced on her hip as she stirs a pot over the stove. Reynolds can be seen in the background too, clapping and smiling as his daughter looks his way. If it looks like Hayek and Inez are close, it’s because she had time to interact with her on the set of The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

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It seems like James Franco is opening about the troubles he faced in his youth. The 39-year-old, who is slated to star in an upcoming series, called ‘The Deuce,’ feels that acting helped him overcome certain kind of addictions he had in his youth. He said, “I have a very addictive personality. When I was a teenager, I got over certain addictions, and that’s when I started acting, at age 17. I really threw myself into it, and that became everything, to the point where I didn’t even socialise.” He added, “And then after, like, 10 years of that, at age 27, I realized, ‘Man, I’m so depressed.’ On the surface my life seems pretty good-I have a career and everything- but I feel isolated and lonely.” The ‘127 Hours’ star also shared that now he has taken up surfing as a form of therapy.

Moroccan artists Grini and Jamila release the music video of ‘La Gozadera – Arabic version’ featuring Latin superstar Marc Anthony and Gente De Zona

Music lovers in the region can look forward to a vibrant new sound as celebrated Moroccan artists Grini and Jamila release the music video of the Arabic version of the popular Latin track ‘La Gozadera’ to local audiences on Platinum Records’ as well as across MBC Group channels, and leading regional TV channels. The production comes as part of Platinum Records’ partnership with Magnus Media to introduce ‘Latin Arabia’ as a new fusion music genre featuring original new songs and Arabic versions of popular international chartbusters, to be launched along with live entertainment content for fans.

Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon to star in new TV show together It’s been 17 years since we saw Reese Witherspoon guest star in two episodes of Friends alongside Jennifer Aniston and for over a decade, the world has been patiently waiting for their on-screen reunion. Now, it looks like that wait is finally over. Witherspoon and Aniston have been plotting their return to the small screen together and are set to star in a new series about morning TV shows. While not much has been revealed about the show at this stage, it has been said that it’l focus on “morning shows and the larger New York media scene that they inhabit.” The show will mark Aniston’s first TV return since her iconic role as Rachel Green in Friends.

In the know...

Entertainment Ethan Hawke teases a ‘Before Midnight’ sequel

Natalie Portman sci-fi thriller ‘Annihilation’ gets release date

Natalie Portman is all set to take a trip to Area X next year. According to reports, Feb. 23, 2018 has been set as the release date for ‘Annihilation’, the adaptation of the acclaimed sci-fi novel from Jeff VanderMeer.

The movie is helmed by Oscar-nominated (Best Screenplay) director Alex Garland and stars Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman as the lead character, an unnamed biologist sent on a special mission.

Actor Ethan Hawke has teased that director Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Midnight’ trilogy can become a quadrilogy. The actor, 46, who has starred in all three films with Julie Delpy, hinted at the possibility of another installment, but it will be a while before a decision is made, according to reports. “I would have said after the second there was definitely going to be a third one, but I do feel complete in that the first one starts with the older couple arguing on the train, and by the end of the third one, we’ve become that couple.” “If it were to continue, it would change shape. It would be something else,” Hawke said about the journey from 1995’s ‘Before Sunrise” to 2013’s ‘Before Midnight’. In an interview earlier, “No one’s ruling out a quadrilogy or sextology or whatever.

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Carolina Herrera presents ‘The Herrera Jasmine Experience’ Carolina Herrera proposes a trip to the origins of her universe. A journey where jasmine is a source of inspiration and a recurring element in both fragrance and fashion collections. In the heart of New York City, House of Herrera’s atelier opens its doors to showcase the creative process of the 2017-18 Resort collection. A proposal inspired by the days of the Hacienda de La Vega in Venezuela, its gardens, and sophisticated and hedonistic lifestyle.

The new Jaguar F-type four-cylinder: a pure sports car with even greater agility and efficiency Jaguar is broadening the appeal of the new F-TYPE with the introduction of the state-of-theart four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine.

The award winning F-TYPE family now spans from the entry-level four-cylinder model to Jaguar’s 200mph all-weather supercar – the F-TYPE SVR. The pairing of Jaguar’s all-aluminum two-seat sports car with the advanced 300PS 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplant delivers Jaguar sports car DNA with enhanced agility and improved efficiency and affordability.

In the know...

Style & Design

New Season, New Jeremy Scott Bag for Longchamp

Without the magic of television, would Marilyn Monroe have turned out to be such a big Hollywood star? The captivating power of mass media is more or less the idea Jeremy Scott is getting across, as he brings together the slogan “As Seen on TV” and a portrait of the leading glamor icon of the fifties. This pop-culture themed bag is the latest creation in the collection of the Le Pliage bags

by Jeremy Scott for Longchamp. The “As Seen on TV” bag will be available at Colette, in Paris, from May 2017 and in all Longchamp points of sale from the start of June 2017. Very playful, very eye-catching, very Marilyn. The perfect pop art collaboration!

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Michael Kors Holdings Limited to acquire Jimmy Choo PLC for 230 Pence per share in cash

Michael Kors Holdings Limited (NYSE:KORS), a global fashion luxury brand, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Jimmy Choo PLC (LON: CHOO), a premier global luxury footwear and accessories brand. Under the terms of the transaction, Jimmy Choo shareholders will receive 230 pence per share; with an enterprise value of approximately USD $1.350 billion. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Michael Kors, said, “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Jimmy Choo, an iconic brand with a rich history as a leading global luxury house. Jimmy Choo is known worldwide for its glamorous and fashion-forward footwear. The company is a leader in setting fashion trends.

FASHION & TRENDS

LOUNGE

designer

THE ENCHANTRESS OF FLORENCE

BY alice+olivia a

lice+ olivia’s Fall 2017 collection is inspired by Salman Rushdie ’s novel The Enchantress of Florence. The collection draws from the vibrant rich settings of Mughal India and the romanticism of Renaissance Florence, depicting the story of a woman creating her own destiny in a man ’s world. Stacey Bendet has created a rich wardrobe for the global woman, a woman, who like Rushdie’s enchantress, has “forged her own life, beyond convention, by the force of her will alone.”

Comprised of an eclectic mix of pieces and a sharp colour palette of reds, pinks, and jewel tones, Bendet has created a serene fantasy with notes of magic realism for this collection.

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In Rushdie’s novel, as in Bendet’s collection, characters are brought to life through painted stories. The enchantress print features a representation of Rushdie’s Lady Black Eyes but with an a+o twist of #staceface wearing her signature large black shades. Intricate gold metallic beading evokes images of Rushdie’s Akbar Empire, while a leather skirt in Botticelli’s Primavera painting is representative of Renaissance Florence. Live at the a+o show, body painting artist, Trina Merry, brings the enchantress to life using the human body as canvas.

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The collection juxtaposes feminine pieces like lace tops with dramatic bell sleeves, sequin and silk slip dresses, and ruffle skirts with utilitarian separates such as patent leather bombers, camo pants, boxy jackets, camo jackets, and cargo pants.

The a+o girl will mix and match these statement pieces, pairing sequin pantsuits with statement tees, embellished floral tops with patent leather skirts and combat boots, sequin embellished mini-skirts with leather varsity jackets, and lace-up thigh-highs and embellished cigarette jeans with tweed jackets with pearl detailing. Each look embodying a woman who is both fierce and feminine.

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The quintessential a+o statement jackets and shirts are emblazoned with powerfully bold statements such as “Queen” and “Be the Change You Wish to see in the World,” messages Bendet feels are both representative of the book’s message and the world right now.

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Accessories further the urban glamour aesthetic through unexpected features.

Handbags are a mix of faux fur totes, intricate foiled printed leather clutches, and black patent leather cross bodies in modern shapes.

Shoes have a sexy edge featuring combat boots with heavy hardware accents in plush fabrics, lace-up thigh-highs, and patent leather booties. Bendet continues building on the world of a+o with her second deliver y of eyewear. The collection features shapes including oversized metallic aviators in silvers and rose golds, and signature round-frames.

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FASHION & TRENDS

LOUNGE

trend

Michael Kors

Michael Kors

Roberto Cavalli

A GUIDE TO THE HOTTEST SUNGLASSES FOR

Michael Kors

2017

For cat eyes addicts, aviators or over sized 70s lovers, Lounge brought you the hottest sunglasses from Michael Kors, Chloe, Guess and Roberto Cavalli. Find your inspiration.

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Michael Kors

Roberto Cavalli Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli

Guess

Guess

Guess

Chloe

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BEAUTY LOUNGE

news

Y T U A BE

DOLCE & GABBANA SUMMER DANCE MAKE UP COLLECTION 2017

The Dolce & Gabbana Summer Dance Make Up Collection takes us on a journey to a land where the bronzed earth is cooled by the coastal breeze. The colorful palette of shades is inspired by a cinematic blazing summer. At once playful and sensual, the irresistible warmth of sun-kissed bronzer and heated pinks leads to a daring dance of hedonistic splendor.

The Summer Dance look captures the mind-blowing radiance of a heroine in high summer. It all starts with burnished skin, the Creamy Blush in Rosa Carina dabbed on the apples of the cheeks, warmed with the all over glow of The Bronzer in Sunshine. Eyes entice with the daring depth of The Eye shadow Quad in Summer Dance. Ravishing with luster, lips dazzle with a base of Shine Lipstick in Fascination topped with The Lip-gloss in Mirror Ball.

CAROLINA HERRERA PRESENTS CONFIDENTIAL EAUX DE TOILETTE

The new Herrera Confidential collection is the latest demonstration of the House of Herrera’s fragrance expertise.

With Eaux de Toilette Confidential, the brand goes a step further by offering a new chapter of its most qualitative and sophisticated collection: 6 new unisex fragrances and two elixirs that transport us to different destinations across the world and to the colorful memories of the Herrera family. Carolina Herrera de Baez, created a new collection that’s synonymous with luxury and freshness. Confidential Eaux de Toilette is a fresher extension of the Herrera Confidential, collection, created in 2015. For Eaux de Toilette Confidential, two pure elixirs were created that are first applied to the skin and then are combined with any of the six fragrances. With each mixture is a discovery of a world full of nuances and textures to experience.

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SUMMER SKIN ESSENTIALS FROM PARIS GALLERY

Summer is in full swing, and so is the heat! If you still haven’t got your summer beauty essentials in order, fret not! Paris Gallery rounds up the best of the best; sunscreens to protect, sun-tan lotions to prolong a healthy tan and indulgent makeup buys for a light summer glow.

GUERLAIN- MY SUPER TIPS: EYE-STAY PRIMER

KISSKISS MATTE BY BY GUERLAIN

This season is all about the mouth at Guerlain. As though enhanced by a Photoshop filter, the lips are intense, powerful, deeply pigmented and hydrated. The first hydrating and plumping matte by Guerlain, it is as intense as a lipstick and as comfortable as a balm.

The ultra-effective active ingredients of hyaluronic acid and Nigella sativa oil nourish and plump the lips over time. A chilli derivative also boosts the smile, performing an imperceptible hot and cold skin micro-massage.

Say goodbye to drooping eyes after very late nights and backto-back meetings. Adios to running eyeliner and eye shadow that transfers to the upper eyelid. The solution is within reach!

The new Guerlain Eye-Stay Primer. Apply this eye primer before make-up and miracles happen: your cosmetics stay in place all day long and the eyes remain fresh and radiant. And there’s no need for touch-ups if you’re heading on to a dinner or night out – your make-up will be impeccable. Light pigments combined with smoothing, lifting active ingredients work as both an eye primer for flawless make-up and an active day cream to soften fine lines and minor blemishes. Its universal shade adapts to all skin tones.

A single application from the corner of the eye to the eyebrow will brighten and intensify the eyes. As a result, applied alone, the EyeStay Primer smoothes the eyelid, fills in irregularities and minor fine lines and evens skin color for more open and rested eyes. Used as a clever base, it improves eye make-up hold throughout the day.

VERBENA 2017 LIMITED EDITION

Verbena stirs the emotions. Its powerful, invigorating, expressive lemony note is so intoxicating, it almost takes your breath away. It transports you to a summer morning in Provence, to a moment out of time, to fields where this enchanting herb is picked delicately at daybreak. L’OCCITANE puts freshness to paper by sprinkling a handful of verbena leaves around a large, central, silver-coloured leaf. Colours speak louder than words –and these colours tell of the bracingly fresh textures that complement a fragrance evocative of summer days, of every summer in Provence…

ABEILLE ROYALE BY GUERLAIN

Bee products are some of the world’s most effective natural healing substances. Guerlain Research has extracted their active power to create Abeille Royale: a skincare program with a Repairing Concentrate that stimulates the key mechanisms of the healing process, at every key level of the skin*, to www.drramyalanany.com continuously helpwww.facebook.com/drramyalanany to repair wrinkles and loss of tissue firmness.

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YOU, LOVE & LIFE LOUNGE

relationships

OF

S ’ O D E TH S T ’ N O &D E C N A M O R E C I OFF d

ating a coworker is not like getting into any other kind of relationship. The fact of matter is, we spend a lot of our lives at work and working alongside someone is a good way to get to know them. We’re only human and attraction and relationships can form anywhere. But when you’re deciding to take an office romance further you will have to put in your mind some considerations and how serious you really are about the other person. If you think he is the one for you, by all means go for it. But if this person is just someone you admire or enjoy spending time with but can’t see yourself being with long-term, consider the complications before making your decision. In this issue Nora Abdallah will tell you some do’s and don’ts when it comes to dating a coworker.

Do: Consider your priorities What’s more important to you? A hard- toget job and your career or a romance? A good job and a promising, satisfying career can be tough to find. Be careful not to take this professional opportunity for granted.

Don’t: Tell If you feel that your office-mate is the one and you’re willing to risk your job, then you might want to keep the relationship a secret.

That means that both of you agree not to tell anyone, especially colleagues who might be inclined to gossip. You may be tempted at times to tell them about the cute things he do for you, but you could consider at least to keep it a secret in the early days.

Do: Keep it professional You should always keep your personal life and work life separated even if you two work together. Maintaining that level of professionalism helps others see you in an appropriate way. Otherwise they will start acting strange if you’re only talking to them to discuss relationship matters.

Don’t: Bring your arguments to work This one is very important. As much as you should keep your home and personal life separate, you may still need to discuss something personal at work. However, never bring personal argument into your workplace. Never walk in fighting or go

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into their office and argue about something that you’re fighting about. This is extremely unprofessional.

Do: Treat him like any other coworker Just because you’re dating him doesn’t mean you should treat him differently. In fact, you should treat him just as you would treat any other coworker. This means you can’t just agree with him because you’re with him. If you disagree on a matter in a meeting, be sure to let your voice be heard and don’t hold back simply because he is your significant other.

Don’t: Make it a big deal Don’t walk around whispering with people about how you’re now dating a coworker.

It isn’t a big deal, and you should keep it as not a big deal. If you start making a big deal that you’re dating a coworker, it can ruin your reputation in the workplace.

Do: Rely on your own merit for professional growth Obviously you have each other’s back just as you would do for any colleague you respect, but don’t rely on your love interest to help you have a new role or praise from your boss. It’s much more satisfying to succeed on your own merit, and everyone else will appreciate your achievements more if you’ve earned them.

Don’t: Trash talk (during or after) Sadly, most romances don’t end with happily

ever after. Know this may happen and avoid speaking negatively about this person to your coworkers. This also applies outside the office.

Do: Maintain independent friendships and hobbies Working alongside your partner and then seeing him after work can make you feel bored at times. Try doing your own thing.

Do different activities on your own or just an outing with the girls. This will help keep you sane and the distance will have benefits. This way you will also have more to talk to when you meet.

Do: Be professional if it ends A downside of having a relationship with a coworker is that if it ends you will still have to see or work with this person. So, unless you have a new job lined up, you’re going to see your ex every day. You have to be professional if this happens and never let your negative feelings have an effect on your work. Don’t make it a messy situation for you, your ex, or your company. For example, it is very possible that after breaking up, your ex may begin to show interest in another coworker. If this happens, you should keep your calm and never show any kind of anger or start making up problems with him or the other coworker.

After being sa all that id, datin cow and the orker can be th g a e best In on worst thing ton of ti e hand, you g in the world. e m setting, e with them in t to spend a w a pr h ic h can b but on th e really ofessional e o th inspirin e r hand a lot do’s an of risks. Bearin ; you also havg, d g clear an don’ts could s in mind these e omehow d put yo that you u could ev on the right tr make it ack so well. B aluate relation ut in the end, a the situation ship, it w nd like a constan t dedicaill need work any nd tio order fo r it to n and care somethin blossom into in g more.

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ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE

cover story

Photographer: Kareem Nour Makeup: Ahmed Khowaga Hairstyle: Ashour Art Director& Styling: Abier Ansary

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MAI OMAR UNPREDICTABLE w

ith two hit serials and a movie, this summer Mai Omar was able to guarantee herself a place on the top list of upcoming female starlets. This month Amira Tharwat talks to the gifted Mai Omar about her exceptional performance in the comedy serial Rayah El Madam, her participation with iconic actor Adel Imam and her role in Tesbah Ala Kheer movie along with Tamer Hosny.

How were you nominated for your role in ‘Afareet Adly Alam’?

The producer Tamer Morsy called me and told me that Adel Imam wants me with him in the serial and in an important role. Then he told me that I have a meeting with Youssef Ma’aty and Ramy Imam to tell you all about the serial, so I went and by that time the first 6 episodes were written, and they told me about my role. I liked the role so much because it’s different and I have a lot of scenes with Adel Imam, also it is difficult as I was playing 2 characters one in the past and one in the time being, so it was a very interesting one.

What was the first comment Adel Imam said when you first meet?

I met him on the first day of shooting. I was getting ready in my room and there was knocking on my door and they told me that Adel Imam is here so I went out and was really so tensed. He told me congratulations for the first day of shooting and hopefully we will do good work together. Of course I couldn’t believe myself and how great he is. It was the biggest achievement for me this year to work with him and also that he praised my performance, because if Adel Imam thinks that I am good then it’s a very big thing and what else would I need!

It is the first time to do comedy through ‘Rayah El Madam’, was it enjoyable behind the scenes as we saw it on screen?

We were always laughing so hard during shooting the scenes to the extent that sometimes we had to stop for a while because we were laughing so much and couldn’t keep going. There was a stage that we were praying that the serial would be successful, but then we said that we really had a great time during the shooting anyway and that’s what mattered.

Did you enjoy comedy roles more than tragedy?

I love doing both so I really can’t say if I enjoy one more than the other. When I play more than one tragedy role I feel that I want to play a comedy and vice versa. Each of them is different and have a different taste.

What is the thing that tempted you the most to participate in ‘Tesbah Ala Kheer’?

This role wasn’t actually mine from the start, it was someone else’s but she apologized so then Tamer Hosny and Mohamed Samy told me that I will do it.

This was only 2 days before they started shooting, so I only had 2 days to prepare for it and I was really scared because it is a difficult role. I knew about this movie and this role because Mohamed Samy had it from a long time, and I knew that this role could never be offered to me as it’s really hard for me and the character is so different from me.

But honestly I feel safe when I am working with Mohamed Samy because he knows me very well and knows what I am capable and not capable of doing, so when he says that I can do a certain role I know that I can.

Dealing with hubby Mohamed Samy differed now after participating together in different movies and serials together?

Yes it definitely did. Now we have chemistry while working together more than anyone else. I now understand what he wants from me and he also knows very well what I can do.

What is the serial you enjoyed watching the most and the character you wished to play?

We were shooting till the 28th of Ramadan and I really didn’t watch anything so I can’t say. What I can only say is what I’ve heard from people or sometimes only watching a scene that is posted on Facebook or something. For example I heard that ‘Halawet El Donya’, ‘Le A’laSe’er’ and ‘Zel El Raees’ were very good ones, so I would love to watch them when I have time.

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Jacket & Top at Maison Pants at villa Baboushka Valentino shoes at EGO Cantina, Choke, Bracelet & Rings designed by Vanina at Maison Boutique Zamalek

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Why do you wish to present the biography of Faten Hamama in particular? And who best fits Omar Sharif’s role in your opinion?

I am really against portraying a well-known character and doing his/her biography, because I know that there will always be a comparison between the actor/actress performing and the real character and of course it won’t be in the benefit of the actor/actress. But I love FatenHamama very much and love all her movies. As for who fits Omar Sharif’s role, that is really a hard question as I can’t imagine anyone who could portray him at all.

What kind of kid were you back in school?

I was both the naughty and the quite kid, as I have both sides in my personality. Also depending on the company around me.

What kind of mother are you? Too strict or too loose?

I am trying and hoping to be able to be strict. So you could say that I am now in the middle and trying to be strict.

Does your girl fear you more or Dad? She fears me much more. Her Dad always pampers her and brings her anything she wants.

Does your daughter watch your roles? What is the character she likes the most?

Sometimes she does, although I don’t let her, but sometimes her older cousin make her watch some of my work on youtube so I find her calling me by the name of a certain character, and once she was singing the song of ‘Rayah El Madam’. But I personally don’t let her watch as I see that she is still young.

Where will you spend Eid vacation?

I still don’t know till now as I just came back from France 4 days ago so I still don’t have certain plans.

What are you working on?

I am taking some time off for now as I had too much to do, 2 serials and a movie last Eid, so it was a lot of work.

I need to take a break before I decide to come back.

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ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE

Up close & Personal

Photographer: Batool Al Daawi

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH

MARWAN HAMED

a

t a very young age and in a short while, director Marwan Hamed was able to reserve a prestigious and distinguished place among well known cinematic figures that Egypt brags about within the world of art. Amira Tharwat went up-close and personal with the exceptional director to know more about his latest cinematic project ‘El Asleen’, his dreams for the future and his coming movie.

What is the influence of your father script writer Waheed Hamed on you as a director?

First of all, when you grow up in a home where someone works in creativity, so you are always surrounded by literature, cinema and all kinds of art. Especially when you are a child you get affected by the surroundings even without realizing this, so during my childhood I was influenced by the entire surrounding environment and the big library that we had. I started reading for big writers like Naguib Mahfouz and Youssef Idrees. All these had an influence on me later on, and even before I decide to work in the Cinema I was living in an environment that would allow it.

What is the difference between turning a novel into a movie (like El Feel El Azrak) and dealing with a movie’s script (like Al Asleen)?

This question was asked to the famous director Anthony Minghella (director of ‘The English Patient’) because all his movies were based on novels. The advantage of turning a novel into a movie is that when there is a novel that is known to be a best seller so when you are making the movie you kind of

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have a good idea that the people will like it. It’s as if you made a test already, as you already know that a lot of people liked the novel so most probably the rest might like the movie. Of course nothing is guaranteed, but it gives you an indication about the audience’s reaction towards the movie. On the other hand, while you are working on an original screenplay this advantage is not there. There is a bigger risk from my point of view when you are dealing with an original screenplay. You can see this clearly in Hollywood. Most of the movies are either based on novels that are known to be successful, or franchises (like ‘Batman’, ‘James Bond’, etc…) or remakes of movies that were done before. This is because it is very difficult now to write an original screenplay and know what the audience is going to think about the story. As for me, I made 4 movies, 2 were based on novels and the other 2 were original screenplays.

What were your criteria when doing the casting for ‘Al Asleen’?

First of all each actor must suit the role, and have the physical and acting

abilities for the role. At the same time, I always make sure that the actors are not tight cast in their roles, which means there must always be an element of surprise when people see the actor doing a certain role.

Another thing is that I am always keen to have when I am working on any movie, is that the actors must share the same vision with me and we are able to communicate together. The relation between the director and actor is based on give and take; it’s like passing the ball around and teamwork.

Stubbornness could ruin this relation and affect the final work.

Did you settle with writer Ahmed Murad on all the actors?

I always like to take the opinions of people around me. So yes I took Ahmed Murad’s opinion and also the producer’s opinion was very important. Sometimes I also take the opinion of the Cinematographer about the cast. There is always a kind of brainstorming among us about who is the best actor to play the role, put in consideration that honestly we don’t have a big variety and choices for actors. The talented actors who are able to make great and remarkable performances are actually limited here in Egypt.

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A lot of critics considered the movie Avant-garde and it was a risk to present in Eid…..

Let’s first talk about Eid season and look at it from a purely economical angle. The Egyptian movies that are released during both Eid el Fetr and el Adha make about 10 millions in the box office, while if they were released outside of Eid season it will only make maximum of about 1 million.

The reason for this is that there is a law that doesn’t allow any foreign movies to be shown during Eid. This means that the main season for the Egyptian movies is during Eid. That’s’ why we choose to release the movie at this time of high demand regardless of the movie’s type or the types of other movies that are shown at the same time.

What is the novel you dream of turning into a movie?

I really wish to make ‘El Hrafeesh’ by Naguib Mahfouz. It was made in about 10 movies and also a TV serial, but I see it as a timeless novel, it never gets old. It is very common to see a lot of remakes for a certain novel, like for example ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Fargo’. Also the new generation might not even know ‘El Hrafeesh’ novel at all and this new generation are the ones who go to the cinema now. Adding to this that at our time now and with the high techniques and production abilities it could be made in a very good way. It is a purely Egyptian story that could be made on an international level.

Who are the actors you feel still have a lot of undiscovered areas of their talent that you wish to expose?

Well it doesn’t really work that way. The role comes first and I keep thinking a lot about the character with the same criteria that we talked about before. Then based on that I see who could fit the role and could make a surprising performance. But, at the same time each role calls for its actor, and the actor must make an effort and be courageous in order to make something unusual while performing the character.

There is certain chemistry between you and Khaled El Sawy that made you able to get the best performance out of him; do you believe an actor and director could make a duet?

There are a lot of examples about this; on the international level you have Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro and also with Leonardo DiCaprio. In Egypt we have Samir Seif with Adel Imam, Sherif Arafa also with Adel Imam and Atef El Tayeb with Ahmed Zaki, so it’s not strange or new that a certain director and actor work together a lot. But also I want to say that Khaled El Sawy did a lot of successful roles without me, like ‘El Gezira’ part 1 and 2 which was a remarkable role and different from all his other roles, and also a lot of TV serials. He is a very courageous and adventurous actor and I really enjoy working with him because I like trying new things, it is scary but enjoyable at the same time, and Khaled shares that with me.

What is the Egyptian movie you would love to redirect, if you get a chance?

There is really nothing in my head right now for an Egyptian movie that could be remade.

Also all the movies that we love are really hard to be made again in a better way.

What are you working on?

I am working on the movie ‘Torab El Mas’ which is based on Ahmed Murad’s novel carrying the same title.

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HEALTH & FITNESS LOUNGE

news

Breakthrough device heals organs with a single touch

Researchers have developed a device that can switch cell function to rescue failing body functions with a single touch. The technology, known as Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT), injects genetic code into skin cells, turning those skin cells into other types of cells required for treating diseased conditions.

Researchers demonstrate a process known as tissue nanotransfection at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Walnuts may promote health by changing gut bacteria

“Walnuts have been called a ‘superfood’ because they are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linoleic acid and fiber, and they contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants”. Now, an additional superfood benefit of walnuts may be their beneficial changes to the gut microbiota. They found that there were two distinct communities of bacteria in the groups. In the walnut-eating group, the numbers and types of bacteria changed, as did the bacteria’s functional capacity.

HEALTH DESK

Artificial sweeteners linked to risk of weight gain, heart disease and other health issues

Artificial sweeteners may be associated with long-term weight gain and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Consumption of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, is widespread and increasing. Emerging data indicate that artificial, or nonnutritive, sweeteners may have negative effects on metabolism, gut bacteria and appetite, although the evidence is conflicting. Caution is warranted until the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners are fully characterized.

Given the widespread and increasing use of artificial sweeteners, and the current epidemic of obesity and related diseases, more research is needed to determine the long-term risks and benefits of these products.

Posting lots of photos on social media? It could be a sign of depression

Posting large numbers of pictures on social media could be a sign of depression, a study has found. The analysis also revealed that pictures posted by depressed social media users were more likely to contain faces, but less likely to have a filter applied. Scientist at Harvard and Vermont Universities have designed a computer programmed to identify depressed individuals by their social media posts which they say promises a system of algorithm-triggered alerts for people at risk of mental illness. The research showed the system accurately diagnosed depression 70 per cent of the time.

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Talking to yourself in this specific way can actually be a good thing

Talking to yourself doesn’t mean you’re crazy. In fact, the habit might be downright smart. That’s the takeaway from a new study in which involved two separate experiments. In the first, researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan monitored the brain activity of 29 students who were asked to review neutral and disturbing images and talk about how they felt while referring to themselves in the first and third persons. In the second, researchers asked 50 participants to internally reflect on painful experiences in the same way. In both cases, “third person self-talk” allowed participants to better regulate their emotions to relieve stress, researchers say.

HEALTHask& FITNESS LOUNGE

LOOKING FOR MR. OR MS. RIGHT GENE

PREMARITAL SCREENING

Dr. Mohamed Tarif

Ass. Professor of Clinical Pathology and Hematology Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

Co-founder and Director of Genetic Diagnostic Center Email: mohamed.tarif@gdc-egypt.com

m

arriage is considered a remarkable event in a couples’ life, as they plan to start a family, and through which they usher in a new stage in terms of building emotional, social, familial and healthy relationships.

The injury of any of the family members with hereditary and infectious diseases leads to foul the pleasure of life and several psychological, social, and economic problems. Not to mention the medical disorders and their repercussions on the patient, family, and community.

A premarital test is a test that offers a crucial health assessment of soon-to-be married couples in which they are tested for genetic, infectious and transmissible diseases to prevent any risk of transmitting any disease to each other and their children.

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Why is it important?

Hereditary blood diseases, especially Sickle cell disease and Thalassemia, are prevalent in Egypt, Mediterranean and Middle East countries. The spread of these diseases contributes to the marriage of relatives.

Thalassaemia carriers are healthy and do not know that they are carriers unless they have a special blood test carried out. The problem emerges when 2 unaware Thalassemia carriers marry each other; the possibility of giving birth of children with full Thalassemia picture is very high. Marriage between Thalassemia carriers is strongly discouraged.

Many Western and some Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia and UAE, have made progress in some health related aspects where their Ministry of Health introduced the Premarital Testing Program obligatory for all couples before marriage.

What tests are done in Premarital Screening Pre marital screening varies from one region to another depending on the prevalence of the diseases in that region. However, premarital screening can be divided into 4 major categories: 1- Basic tests: This includes the most important tests that every couple should consider before marriage.

- Complete blood count (CBC).

- Blood group (ABO & Rh typing).

- Abnormal Haemoglobin studies (Hb electrophoresis).

- Sexually transmitted diseases for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis B & C viruses.

2- Fertility tests: It is always important to know about the fertility status of the couple as most of the time, especially in the Arab population, women are condemned for not having children after years of marriage. Though it’s interesting to know in many cases, the male infertility was the reason behind this.

So it’s crucial that men get tested for fertility as

well as women. Yes, it can be embarrassing, but discovering male fertility problems early can mean earlier treatment and a successful pregnancy. Male infertility testing can also spare women unnecessary discomfort and expense.

Semen analysis is the most common testing procedure for determining if there is a male infertility factor. Other blood hormones like testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) may follow.

Female infertility tests involve measuring the level of the hormones, like, FSH, LH and prolactin. This is performed on the third day of cycle. Other hormones and routine analyses are also done to complement the diagnosis.

3- Basic genetic tests: Blood Karyotype We always recommend blood karyotyping as to analyze chromosomes of all couples before marriage especially when they are relatives or if one of them has family history for any health problem which is genetically inherited.

It is a relatively inexpensive screening genetic test that we advice to the couples even those who do not have any particular genetic conditions.

4- Advanced genetic tests: Genetic Counselling Genetic counseling is or should be a part of the premarital screening. Genetic Counsellor can help to decide the type of test the couple should consider. Details of the family history, medical records and conditions of family members from both the sides need to be provided to the Counsellors to have a proper advice from him.

What are the options?

In some populations, the likelihood of mating with a person with one’s same faulty recessive gene is quite high. Since being a carrier doesn’t carry any morbidity and is not manifested, the only material risk to carriers is that they might conceive a child with a partner who shares the same carrier status. If the genetic condition is a lethal one (e.g., Cystic Fibrosis), or seriously debilitating

(e.g., Fanconi’s anemia), one might wish to engage in preventive measures. What are the options?

•One could remain in genetic ignorance with respect to his/her own carrier state, as well as the partner’s, and hope that the risk does not materialize.

•One could resort to prenatal testing (testing the baby during pregnancy), with the only true option in case of an affected embryo being an abortion. It should be noted that abortions carry certain risks to the mother (physical as well as psychological), are fraught with moral issues, and in some societies or subpopulations are strictly prohibited.

One option is to screen the embryo.

It is now possible to examine embryos prior to gestation in a procedure, called pregestational diagnosis (PGD), in which DNA from a cell of the developing preembryo is screened, and the pre-embryo is only returned to the mother-to-be’s womb if it doesn’t bear the suspected gene for which it is tested.

Another is to take premarital genetic tests.

But what if it would be possible to avoid the problem altogether? One way to do this is by performing premarital genetic testing (PGT) and informing prospective spouses about their carrier status, allowing potential partners who are both carriers of a particular recessive trait the option not to marry or not to procreate if they so wish.

The question is, should your choice of spouse be left solely to your heart, or should the choice incorporate some genetic fitness phase? Obviously, if one is to regard marriage as a joint decision to share your life with someone you love, incorporating genetic criteria might seem rather troubling, if not inappropriate. But, on the other hand, if you hold the view that the main reason for your union is procreation, then worrying about genetic compatibility and avoiding inheritance of grave genetic diseases becomes a serious consideration.

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OUT & ABOUT LOUNGE

interiors

Credits by Covet House

Inside A Modern and Opulent DĂŠcor Apartment c

ovet House, is proud to announce this amazing apartment project that features furniture pieces from some of the world’s most recognized and prestigious furniture and lighting brands - Boca do Lobo, DelightFULL, Brabbu, Koket, Essential Home and Luxxu.

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With an incredible view outside and with exquisite black and gold shades inside, this modern apartment has a mix¬ture of styles: vintage pieces with modern elements, soft with strong, feminine with masculine – all together. Living and dining rooms are common; in the living room behind, it’s possible to see a enormous mid-century book¬case by Essential Home. Blake is our modular shelf system and it is easily customizable to any measures needed.

The specially made marble doors with a lightweight core convey solidity and looks to this glaring piece. The warm solid walnut core is held steady by the flashy modular brass structure creating a stunning combination of materials and know how.

Then, Como Sofa a velvety grey sofa by Brabbu comes. Lake Como, in Italy, is known for its dramatic scenery. Inspired in its typical water lilies this piece, totally made in cotton velvet, is a tribute to natural beauty. In each side and to complete the scenario, two Turner Chandeliers by DelightFULL, inspired by Tina Turner’s dance moves which has an art deco shape with the possibility of rotating its arcs into the desired position, so that you can create your favorite composition at any time.

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Another unmissable piece that gives an unequaled beauty to this living room is the Waves Coffee Table by Boca do Lobo.

This classic and timeless piece, developed by a Portuguese jewelry artisan, brings elegance and style creating an exclusive ambiance to this space. Reeves Chair by Essential Home ends this ambience, perfect for interiors with that Hollywood regency look.

To turn the ambience even more comfortable, Brabbu brings the Warao rug. Warao means “the boat people” and it’s the name of an indigenous people from northeastern Venezuela and western Guyana with a lifelong and intimate connection with water. Simple and peaceful, like the Warao people, this handtufted rug is the kind of rug that ties together all your living room furniture.

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Observing the dining room, Empire Dining Table by Boca do Lobo is on the centre flanked by comfortable and invitÂŹing Nanook Armchairs by Brabbu. The entire ambience is surrounded by Turner Floor Lamp and Ike Suspension Lamp by DelightFULL and the beautiful Opium Cabinet by Koket, which will seduce you into a euphoric haze.

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OUT & ABOUT LOUNGE

feature

5 f

Simple Design Tips for Small Lackluster Spaces

or many city dwellers in Dubai and around the world, apartment living is the norm. This of course means habitating (and cohabitating) in smaller spaces are a reality of life. Contrary to the sprawling residentials settings of life on the land or larger urban properties, Middle Eastern apartment living often leaves us with less floor space to work with, and less existing “charm” or character to build upon. Combine restricted space with cookie-cutter designs boasting lackluster meringue walls and uninspiring peach floor tiles, it can be an ongoing struggle to inject a true sense feeling of “home” or personality into one’s living quarters, regardless of the trinkets you display or photo frames you mount. This month, Lounge brought you all the way from Dubai Medy Navani, Creative Director of Design Haus Medy to bring you five simple interior design tip for Small Lackluster Spaces.

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WALLS

FURNITURE

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1 4 2 5

Thankfully, when it comes to walls, we have the highest varsity of upgrade opportunities, such as paint, art work, shelvings, wall panels, and other decorative elements. Walls can make or break your space, but luckily the solutions are cost effective, easy to apply and can completely revamp dull, emotionless room. My favourite technique is to install 3D pattern wallpapers, they bring your walls to life and can make your room appear extremely interesting and full of character. The best thing is they are super quick easy to install, with various reputable suppliers offering this service in Dubai.

FLOORING

The foundation of any space. The right floor can make furnishing a room a pleasure. Most people don’t want to go through the hustle of completely changing the floor (considering the time, dirt and cost in a apartment). However, for a fantastic quick fix I always recommend installing light oak laminate flooring, floating on top of the existing floor. At a cost of 7500 AED you could have 100sqm floor area covered, which is incredibly cost effective and probably cheaper than many quality rugs you may consider purchasing to hide existing flooring. The floating oak laminate makes the space cozy, clean and easy to decorate.

Whatever you select, make sure proportions are correct. Nothing is worse than having bulky heavy furniture blocking a small room. A tip is to try to select furniture with high legs and wall mounted elements, the more we see from the floor the bigger the space feels.

STORAGE SPACE

Select intelligent furniture with integrated storage space. One of the biggest challenges we face in small spaces is how to store the “necessities” of life without having them seen - it doesn’t take a hoarder to accumulate boxes of additional belongings which for one reason or another cannot simply be discarded. Think beach chairs, suitcases, cooler boxes and recreational toys! A great storage solution for smaller spaces is a center table or a bed with bottom storage compartment, simple whisk everything underneath your sleeping pod in complete stylish disguise. Also don’t forget to make use of the walls with cabinets and floating shelves, so much space can be earned from exploiting this opportunity.

COLOUR SCHEMES TO TIE EVERYTHING IN In small apartments it’s important to find one colour scheme and to implement it throughout every part of the house, from the curtains to the towels. Tip, keep a clean base colour like (white, champagne, light grey) and select one wood (like a white oak) one metal (like polished Brass) and one stone colour (like white Marble) and one strong pinch of colour (like a royal green or navy blue).

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LOUNGE

seen

IKEA Launches 2018 Catalogue with an Invitation to “Make Room for Life”

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GHIBLI RACEWAY KARTING

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AUTOCROSS SUMMER 2017

ISMAIL EL GHAZAWY & DINA ANTAR’S WEDDING

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brand news

THE 3RD AND 4TH ROUNDS OF THE GHIBLI RACEWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS STARTED TO CONFIRM WHOSE COMING TO BE THE EGYPTIAN CHAMPION OF 2017

NEW AWARDS RECORD FOR JAZ COLLECTION

At its own international circuit Ghibli Raceway organized by 28thand 29th of June, the third and fourth round of the of (ENRMC) qualifications of Egypt, which will come to an end for the world championship of RMC In Portugal next November, as well as the third and fourth round of the qualifiers of Egypt for the championship of karting fans of SWS, whose finals will be held in France in April 2018. The third and fourth round had the participation of selected contestants, both amateurs and professionals, and Rotax classes were distributed among Masters (DD2) and the adult category (seniors) in addition to Junior Class (Juniors) ... Besides the amateur kind SWS in the (Sodi) class Karting cars. The amateur class SWS experienced a heated competition with the playoffs between the participated two groups of contestants, especially with the participation of international competitors from outside Egypt.

RESERVED ANNOUNCES NEW AUTUMN/WINTER CAMPAIGN FEATURING KATE MOSS

RESERVED, Poland’s most famous fashion brand, today announces the launch of its global Autumn/ Winter 2017 campaign featuring the supermodel Kate Moss. It was important for the brand that this campaign celebrates Kate as the fashion icon that she is. From the beginning, the creative direction was to be ‘all on Kate’s terms’, giving her control of the looks created.

The simple question to Kate: If you entered a RESERVED store, what would you pick to wear? Show us your style. And the result? Equal parts rebellious, casual and sexy, as comfortable in a black leather jacket as a faux-fur coat thrown over lace underwear. Kate’s style is: Genuine. Iconic. True. And this is what the RESERVED brand offers, the chance to create your own individual story. This season it is Kate’s story. Next season it could be yours. The campaign, shot in London by renowned photographer Daniel Jackson, aims to bring RESERVED’s identity to life in a way that will appeal to consumers by combining Kate’s iconic London look and RESERVED’s fun and fashion-forward aesthetic.

EXPLORE THE UNITED STATES WITH SPECIAL FARES FROM EMIRATES Emirates, the world’s best airline according to TripAdvisor, is offering Egyptians the opportunity to explore all its 11 destinations in the US with special fares on Economy Class and Business Class tickets.

Whether you want to enjoy the relaxed feel of the West Coast, or taste the amazing and affordable cuisine in San Francisco, or even take a “tech-tour” of the Silicon Valley, the United States has something for every traveller. All inclusive, Business Class fares from Cairo to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) starts at EGP 74,999 while Economy Class fares to Seattle (SEA) starts at EGP 9,999. Tickets must be booked between 12 September and 22 September 2017, while travel must take place between 12 September and 9 December 2017 and from 22 January to 22 March 2018. Emirates’ US destinations include: Boston(BOS), Chicago O’Hare(CHI), Dallas/Fort Worth(DFW), Fort Lauderdale (South Florida)(FLL), Houston Bush Intercontinental(HOU), Los Angeles(LAX), New York JFK(NYC), Orlando(ORL), San Francisco(SFO), Seattle(SEA) and Washington Dulles(WAS).

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Jaz Collection properties celebrate a new great success by achieving a record of 12awards granted by the German leading tour operator “TUI Umwelt”. Jaz Collection awarded Hotels are “TUI Sensimar Makadi” ,“Jaz Makadi Star & Spa”, “Iberotel Makadi Beach”, “Jaz Makadi Oasis Resort & Club”, “Jaz Lamaya Resort”, “Jaz Samaya Resort”, “Jaz Bluemarine Resort” ,“Jaz Aquamarine Resort”, “Jaz Aquaviva”, and.Whereas Steigenberger awarded hotels are “Steigenberger Coraya Beach”, and “Steigenberger Makadi”. The granted awards testify to the hotels’ excellent quality and high level service. The exceptionality of Jaz Collection lays in the renowned service standards that the brands are famous for & its products’ diversity; catering for ultimately every holiday need and taste. From affordable yet exciting vacations at four star resorts to unbound luxurious stays at five and five star deluxe ones, family oriented properties & facilities to serene properties designed exclusively for couples. Jaz has it all to your heart’s content!

SOLANA FRIDAY BRUNCH COMES BACK AT CONRAD CAIRO

Friday brunch has never been a more appetizing experience than at the Solana Friday Brunch at Conrad Cairo. For the first time ever, guests have the unique opportunity to revel in the scrumptious cuisine from four Conrad Cairo restaurants during one delectable meal: Oriental from Jayda Nile Terrace, Modern Lebanese cuisine from Oak Grill, a flavorful Asian experience from Kamala, and Mediterranean fare from Solana. “The Solana Friday Brunch is a fantastic addition to Cairo’s popular brunch dining scene. Guests can relax and indulge in an assortment of the best food offerings in town, all whilst enjoying the breathtaking views of the River Nile,” said Wolfgang Maier, general manager, Conrad Cairo.

“With mouth-watering menu items, the chefs at Conrad Cairo uniquely blend subtle flavors from around the world to create a brunch experience like no other.”

“STEIGENBERGER HOTELS AND RESORTS”......

CONTINUES VISIONARY EXPANSIONS!

“Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts” the hospitality arm of “Deutsche Hospitality” unveiled the plan of adding “Cairo Pyramids Hotel” to its prestigious portfolio in Egypt.

“Cairo Pyramids Hotel” will soon operate under the flagship of the German leading hospitality chain “Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts”. The hotel is only Footsteps away from the Great Pyramids of Giza,and also a walking distance from GEM “Grand Egyptian Museum”. It is where the glamorous history of Egypt and its world famous hospitality meet. The hotel is a perfect starting point for sightseeing, relaxation and business meetings alike, featuring elegantly appointed rooms and suites, two swimming pools and a variety of bars and restaurants, all surrounded by lush gardens. Both the Garden wing and the newly opened Pyramids wing offer guests a gracefully comfortable experience.

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brand news IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WADI DEGLA SPORTING CLUB AND THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE THE BRITISH COUNCIL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF PREMIER SKILLS PROGRAMME IN EGYPT AND AROUND THE WORLD

The British Council in Cairo and the English Premier League celebrate ten years since the launch of their Premier Skills Programme.

The program aims to create a better future for youth all over the world through football, leveraging from the popularity of the English Premier League in various regions around the globe and building on the experiences of its community participation programs. This is in addition to the presence and impact of the British Council in providing various programs to youth in several countries and regions all over the globe. The British Council in Cairo and the Egyptian Ministry of Sports and Youth, in order to celebrate the Premier Skills Programme in Egypt, agreed to engage in an investment partnership to continue carrying out the programme until August 2019. In cooperation with Wadi Degla Sporting Club,three coaches from the English Premier League, headed by Paul Hughes along with Paula Taylor and Jill Stacey, will work along with three Egyptian coaches, to train 60 football trainers, from both genders, at the Olympic Center for Training National Teams in Maadi in the period from the 5th till the 11th of August 2017.

BAVARIAN AUTO GROUP SPONSORS EGYPTIAN SWIMMER WITH DOWN SYNDROME GETTING READY TO CROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL

Paving the way for new Egyptian legend, Mohammed al-Husseini an Egyptian swimmer with ‹down syndrome› is moving towards final preparations to cross the English Channel aiming to be the first swimmer with «Down syndrome» who reaches this achievement globally, al-Husseini will participate at the competitions scheduled in August 2017. The 17-year-old Egyptian champion, who is currently continuing hard trainings in open water at Hurghada city, enjoys the full support and care of BMW assembler and distributor in Egypt [Bavarian Automotive Group], through this competition, al-Husseini is trying to achieve a record through crossing the English Channel as if he succeeded he will be the first Down syndrome swimmer in history to cross that channel.

SVREICO LAUNCHES ITS FIRST INTEGRATED BUSINESS COMPLEX IN WEST CAIRO

Smart Village Real Estate Investment Company (SVREICO), a leading Egyptian real estate private equity firm, today announced the launch of the first integrated business complex in Smart Village, a business park home to multinational and local corporations in West Cairo. The new complex, Linx Business Park, will be conveniently located in the heart of Smart Village, offering easy access from the 26 of July Axis, Ring Road, Sheikh Zayed, 6th of October City, as well as the Sphinx International Airport (SPX). Linx Business Park aims to link together all necessary business facilities and an enjoyable environment into one space. The Park will offer small office spaces for start-ups, starting from 74m2, as well as larger spaces up to 200m2. The meticulously designed indoor and outdoor areas, which include state- of-the-art terraces, retail spaces and a concierge, planned by the leading professional design consultancy, Mimar, promise beautiful views and a pleasant atmosphere for organizations.

FOUR EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS AT SOFITEL CAIRO EL GEZIRAH

La Palmeraie Moroccan restaurant, Kebabgy, Manipuri Indian restaurant and Le Deck

by Laurent Peugeot restaurant at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah were chosen among the absolute best venues in an exclusive list of winners across 30 categories in Cairo 360 online city guide in Egypt. Cairo 360 the leading online city guide, has announced the winners of the annual Editor’s Choice Awards for 2017 – a stamp of appreciation, through over 5000 reviews and features covering dining, nightlife, hospitality and retail. The Editor’s Choice Awards is an exclusive seal of approval recognizing the best of the best in Cairo, Egypt.

IHG ACHIEVES“2017 AON GLOBAL BEST EMPLOYER” ACCREDITATION BY AON HEWITT

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group),one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced its “Aon Global Best Employer” accreditation by Aon Hewitt.

The acclaimed accolade comes in the company’s first year of participation in the global survey and is complemented by country-level accreditation in 46 out of the 64 countries assessed by the professional services firm, representing 97 percent of its workforce. The accreditation is part of the “Aon Best Employers” programme which evaluates an employer’s effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages and enables its people to deliver competitive advantage. Assessment is done from survey data collected directly from colleagues based on four indices: Engagement, Leadership, Performance Culture and Employer Brand. IHG participated in the global survey for the first time this year, contributing more than 126,000 responses from colleagues around the world. The survey results were then benchmarked amongst the industry by Aon Hewitt to determine whether it qualifies for the “Aon Best Employer” accreditation.

SHERATON SOMA SPLASH AQUA PARK NOW OPEN IN SOMA BAY

The famous Sheraton Soma Bay Resort has announced the opening of its new theme water park which opened last month in Soma Bay, Hurghada — and visitors are in for a real treat. And ahead of this big reveal, Boris Bornman, Complex General Manager for Sheraton & Westin Hotels in Soma Bay has revealed the story behind the latest addition to the mega resort — as well as what holidaymakers can expect from the immersive park which is a welcome addition ever since the flagship of the first Westin Hotel in Egypt “Westin Soma Bay Golf Resort & Spa “ in November 2016. The new water park, named “Soma Splash Aqua Park” was designed by the renowned White Water, a Canadian company specialized in water parks around the Globe, opened in July 2017 and became Soma Bay’s first theme water park featuring a variety of experiences ranging from daring to serene — including an outdoor pool, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides , massive tubes for water slides, rain Fortress, Boomerango, cannons, water sprays and lots of sports activities.

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zodiac

Capricorn Dec.23 - Jan.20 Domestic concerns will be in the background for the Capricorn zodiac sign. Your professional success will cheer up the family environment in September. The professional development of the sea goats will be excellent in September. You will get many chances to further your career. Family and friends will encourage the success of your business. You can expect promotions and increments in your job after the 11th of month September. Singles will find love in their working environment or in social gatherings through friend and acquaintances. There are many chances for forming romantic relationships, but they are more for fun and entertainment.

Commitment will be absent in these romantic alliances in September.

Family environment will be pleasant for the Capricorn born in September 2017 because of the influence of Moon. Marital lives will be enjoyable and romantic with scope for pregnancy in September.

Aquarius Jan.21 - Feb.19 Professional matters will become prominent while family and emotional issues get the due they deserve in September 2017. From the 11th of September life becomes complicated for the Aquarius sun sign due to planetary influences. You will have to face various challenges in life from different fields and this will lead to plenty of confusion and tension. In the end things turn out to be in your favor.

Professional development will be swifter. Your business intelligence will be powerful. You can fix your professional targets and try to achieve them. You will enjoy good love relationships. Love will be more physical than romantic. There will be sexual problems in an ongoing relationship. And you have to take a call on continuing the partnership with your spouse. Pregnancy for the Aquarius too needs to be planned after some careful thinking. Health will be good and will improve further. It pays to attend to minor health problems promptly.

Pisces

Gwyneth Paltrow 27 September 1972

Feb.20 - Mar.21 Professional matters will prevail over family and emotional matters.

Pisces, you cannot ignore domestic issues altogether and you may have to do the needful from time to time. This is not the time for asserting yourself with strong actions. Things require social help and you can accomplish things with the help of others. Whatever you had visualized earlier about your career can be implemented this month.

You will have the encouragement of seniors and influential people for professional development. Your social network also will further your career prospects this month. You can expect a change of status in your job and monetary rewards will follow. Your social charisma is strong till the 22nd. You will have no problem in finding romantic associates. Your relationships will be influenced by Sun, Venus and the Moon. You will have many opportunities for serious love, marriage and pregnancy.

Aries Mar.22 - Apr.20

Happy Birthday

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Social contacts and help from others will play a major role in your worldly success in September. Career will be a major factor this month for the Arians. Job environment will be harmonious and planetary influences will be helpful in attaining your career goals.

Your judgment will be quite extraordinary and you will make great strides in your profession. Love is very dominant with highly influential planets in September. Love will be a significant factor and will be chasing you. You are able to draw your romantic partners with your charisma. Marital life will be highly sexually passionate and can even lead to a pregnancy. Single Arians will have chances of marriage after the 6th of September 2017. Love will be full of excitement and fascination. Lot of time is spent in attending social parties and marriages. You tend to seek perfection in your lover which may limit your choice of dating. Health will be excellent till the 22nd and after that certain amount of caution has to be exercised. Proper exercise and diet regimes will help your fitness.

Taurus

Gemini

Apr.21 - May 21

May.22 - Jun.21

You can use this period for planning your professional goals and thinking about the methods to accomplish them in the future. Taurus, you should attend to your domestic problems and try to enhance your psychological strength. Career takes a back seat this month. Taureans seeking employment will be quite successful due to beneficial aspects of planets. This is also a good month to start a business but do not expect any immediate returns. Your social intelligence is quite powerful and allows you to take proper decisions in matters of love, relationships and pregnancy. Taurus, you will be using your personal allure to form new love partnerships and you will be highly successful. Planetary influences are favorable for repairing broken partnerships for the Taurus born in September 2017. Until the 21st of September 2017 the Taurean’s efforts to harmonize family relationships will be in focus.

You can spend your energies on improving your emotional quotient which in turn will help your professional prospects in the future. You have to exercise your social skills to attain your objectives in life. You cannot fight with situations and hence you should allow them to decide your success. Professional and business life will be normal. There is not much you can do to improve your career growth this month. Have patience and wait for the dark clouds to blow over. This month is favorable for love relationships. The twins have too many opportunities to get into romantic partnerships. Your personal magnetism is good and you have no problem in attracting others with the genuine Gemini compatibility. Relationships depend on your attitude in September. You can have committed relationships or have fun type alliances. Planning for a pregnancy too lies in your hands. Health can be improved by taking sufficient rest in September.

Cancer

Leo

Jun.22 - Jul.23

Jul.24 - Aug.23

Domestic concerns will be on your agenda and you will have the support of family members in your ventures. Shifting of residence, real estate investments are all on the cards. Professional matters will not be that important this month. Career development depends on your social network and professional organizations. Friends of the Cancerians will be of great help. A new business venture will improve your professional standing by end of September. Love will be highly complex this month. Professional ambitions may be a hindrance for romance. Your social life as well as that of your love mate may be highly active and may not leave enough time for romance. Cancer couples might be too busy to date as they have their own commercial projects on hand. Pregnancy too needs to be put on hold in September. Health is wonderful till the 22nd and after that you need to take breaks from time to time. Your awareness of fitness issues and a sound psychological makeup will help your well-being during the month.

You are looking for harmony and peace in the family environment. The Leo star sign will also aim for enhancement of psychological strength in September.

Presence of Mars in the House of Career will induce aggression in the Leo’s professional life. There will be radical changes in your business dealings.

There will be turmoil in the corporate structure and you may be forced to work hard to survive in your present position in September. You will have many opportunities for forming romantic relationships this month. But you should be careful before getting into serious commitments. Influence of Venus and Uranus is felt in your personal charm and outlook in Leo compatible relationships. Pregnancy and children related issues will need your attention in September. Social life will be active in September 2017 and you may get into an affair with a senior person. Marriages should be avoided this month. Single Leos can look for love closer to home in family circles. Health is quite delicate and you have to take care with enough rest and relaxation.

Virgo

Libra

Aug.24 - Sep.23

Sep.24 - Oct.23

The emphasis will be on family concerns and emotional stability.

Career will be in the background for the Virgins, but cannot be ignored. Nothing much will happen on the professional front in September 2017. You can make an analysis of your job or business performance over the past one year and make corrections to have a more successful future. Love opportunities for the Virgo star sign will crop up during the first week of September 2017. Commitment in the Virgo compatibility will be lacking in relationships. They may have a bearing on your monetary prospects while development of love takes time to fructify. Pregnancy related matters too will get delayed for the Virgo in September 2017. But socially you will be quite active. Health will be fabulous this month. You will focus on maintaining your fitness with good exercise and diet plans. Read more about Virgo fitness.

Spirituality will be a prime factor this month because of the presence of Sun in your house. Connecting with the Supreme Power will make you emotionally stable and powerful. This stability will be of great help in confronting the various problems that are staring at you. You will be assisted by the Moon in your professional field through visions and supernatural events. Pay heed to psychic messages for progress in your business too. Venus stimulates your social activities this month. You will have pleasant relations with your friends. It will also throw light on the spiritual aspect of friendships. Mars, Jupiter and Mercury will help you to connect to people intuitively and through mystical powers. You will have plenty of romance this month in September and love will chase you. Single Librans are likely to get into committed love partnerships or even marriage. Married couples can plan for a child in September.

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Oct.24 - Nov.22

Nov.23 - Dec.22

You should focus on your professional objectives and allow family and psychological issues to rest for a while. Your professional success will add to the happiness of the family in September. Scorpio, you will have the encouragement of the family members. Professional environment will be challenging, but you will be able to manage the situation with your spiritual strength. Professionally you will prosper with monetary rewards. Your status will improve in your business or career. You have the support of the management and partners in getting new projects in September. You are very active in chasing love, but love will be after you and you will form love partnerships by the 11th. Love has a spiritual angle and you will find love mates in spiritual gatherings. You will also be interested in dating a person who is deeply spiritual. Even pregnancy will be planned keeping your mystic interests in mind. This is a month to concentrate on losing weight and reducing that belly paunch. Be sure to go for regular checkups.

You can overcome all obstacles by right actions, and situations will not dictate your life. You can create your own world with confidence and hard work. The Sagittarius zodiac sign are likely to go abroad for improving your prospects in this month. Career will be excellent and there will be phenomenal improvements. Family will enjoy your success in your job or business. There will be harmony and happiness in Sagittarian family circles in September. Socially you will have an excellent month and you will be having a nice time with your friends.

You will have abundant dating opportunities for romantic partnerships.

If you are already in a serious partnership, get ready for marriage. And if you are married get ready to welcome a baby in September. Health will be wonderful till the 22nd of September.

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8

SIGNS YOU ARE

Overstressed

A

s we kiss summer goodbye, people start getting back to the normal routine of life and work leaving behind the beaches, the sun and the fun that comes with summer, this makes September the month of mood swings as we experience a slight change in the weather as well. This month Lounge brought you signs you are overstressed, if more than 5 of the signs apply to you then you need to chill and take things slowly.

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You have sleeping difficulties; you rarely sleep 8 hours without being alert in the middle of the night.

You Have Weight Fluctuations; whether you eat too much or you barely eat, your appetite is a reflection to the stress level you encounter.

You can’t make a pause to negative thoughts, whenever you address an issue you tend to look to the dark side of it, even if it is a happy event you can’t stop yourself from the what ifs that keeps popping up in your head.

You experience hair loss; it is ok to lose hair when combing it but if you find the amount of hair that falls on daily bases is getting higher than usual then you need to chill out a little bit and don’t let stress eat you alive.

You experience mood swings; if you find yourself excited then depressed for no good reasons then your

emotions are not stable and it is a sign you are overstressed.

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You lose your patience quickly; if your family and friends start complaining that you get angry and you lose your temper on the most trivial matters then you need to slow down a little and see what is going on.

The things that makes you happy are not effective as it were, we all lose interest in things and replace it with other according to our priorities in life, that change as we grow older, but if things that you used to love and brings you that sparkle in your eyes are not doing the job anymore, then you need to take a break and smell the roses.

You bite your nails; if you caught yourself biting your nails which didn’t happen in the past then there is something going on that you need to address to help you be the happy, carefree person you used to be.