bazaar February 2014

February 2014 | issue # 179 w w w. bazaar-magazine.com

H&

&M

‫ﺳﺎﺭﻉ ﺑﺈﻣﺘﻼﻙ ﺇﺩﺝ‪ ...‬ﻓﺮﺻﺔ ﻻ ﺗﻌﻮﺽ!‬ ‫ﺃﻓﻀﻞ ﺍﻟﺼﻔﻘﺎﺕ ﺗﻄﻠﻘﻬﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ ﻟﻠﺴﻴﺎﺭﺍﺕ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻴﺎﺭﺓ‬ ‫ﻓﻮﺭﺩ ﺇﺩﺝ ﻣﻮﺩﻳﻞ ‪ 2013‬ﺑﻤﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﺣﻠﻮﻝ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﻡ ﺍﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪ‪.‬‬

‫ﻗﺪ ﺗﺨﺘﻠﻒ ﺍﻟﻤﻮﺍﺻﻔﺎﺕ ﻋﻦ ﺍﻟﻈﺎﻫﺮﺓ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺼﻮﺭﺓ‪.‬‬

‫‪FOR‬‬

‫‪RD‬‬ ‫ﻓﻮﺭﺩ ﺇﺩﺝ‬ ‫• ﺃﺭﻗﺎﻡ ﺳﺮﻳﺔ ﻟﻔﺘﺢ ﺍﻷﺑﻮﺍﺏ ﻭﺍﻟﺼﻨﺪﻭﻕ ﺍﻟﺨﻠﻔﻲ‬ ‫• ﻧﻈﺎﻡ ﺍﺳﺘﺸﻌﺎﺭ ﻋﻨﺪ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﻮﻉ ﻟﻠﺨﻠﻒ‬ ‫• ﻧﻈﺎﻡ ﺍﻟﻤﺰﺍﻣﻨﺔ ®‪ SNYC‬ﻟﻺﺗﺼﺎﻻﺕ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﺮﻓﻴﻪ‬ ‫• ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺁﺓ ﺍﻟﺠﺎﻧﺒﻴﺔ ﻣﺰﻭﺩﺓ ﺑﺨﺎﺻﻴﺔ ﻛﺸﻒ ﺍﻟﺰﻭﺍﻳﺎ ﻏﻴﺮ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺋﻴﺔ‬

‫‪7,499‬‬ ‫‪129‬‬ ‫ﺇﺑﺘﺪﺍﺀ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ً‬

‫ﺩ‪.‬ﻙ‬

‫ﺇﺑﺘﺪﺍﺀ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻘﺴﻂ ﺍﻟﺸﻬﺮﻱ‬ ‫ً‬

‫ﺩ‪.‬ﻙ‬

TED B

足 GET IN ON THE ACT 足 SPRING SUMMER 2014 TED BA K ER .C O M

TED BAKER BLOG. COM

BAKER

TEL: 22270251

TEL: 22597860

TEL: 25309979

GA

Anna Calvi, musician. Lives in broken-in denim. facebook.com/gap

AP

FASHION

N OUTLET

AL JA

ARRA

ANO

OTAH

IKE

Grilled Lobster & Shrimp Inter IKEA Systems B. V. 2014

KD

Sunday - Thursday 10am - 10pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 11pm www.IKEA.com.kw - 18 4040 8 facebook.com/ikeakuwait @ikeakuwait ikeakuwait

3.500

IKEA Mixed Grill KD

2.250

Celebrate February with Visit IKEA in February and enjoy a great family shopping experience

EA

Mourabyan

KD

2.250

Katie Holmes, Co-owner

ALTE

alternahaircare.com

repair damage... in just one use.

Discover the CAVIAR REPAIRX collection, clinically proven to reduce breakage by 95% after one use.* Powered by Strand-Building Proteins that reconstruct & strengthen damaged strands, leaving hair soft, shiny and completely restored.

ERNA

Available in Luxury Salons and Spas Distributors: Kuwait & UAE Al-Shaab Al- Bahri- Block 8, Street 81, Ghazwa BuildinG, Suite 101.

Tel. 965.2265.3101 ∙ 965.2265.3103 Email: Info@beautylicious.com

*Based on use of CAVIAR REPAIRx Shampoo, Conditioner & Protein Cream.

Results after 1 use. Individual results may vary.

Intr The Feb intro is always one of the most fun intros to write all year. So much fodder! One can focus on Valentine’s Day and make fun of all the suckers out there who actually believe in it, and who single-handedly help the flower shops of the world make their highest revenue all year long, in one day. Or how about all those romantic couples who book for dinner a month in advance, so that they can all go out at night and end up surrounded by many other romantic couples, and munch on heart-shaped pizza together while sipping on red grape juice. Or maybe one should focus on National Day festivities instead, with the main topic of conversation being if one should travel or not, and where to go for that four-day weekend, or if it is better to stay in town, getting mentally ready for the grid locked traffic jams that are mainly due to the local youth wanting to show off their dancing skills in the middle of the street, or better yet, on top of their cars.

Last year was especially amusing since the government banned spray foam imports months in advance, so the ever-creative revellers ended up using water balloons and enormous water guns instead. I still distinctly remember the sight of one poor policeman walking in-between the cars on the Gulf Road drenched and angry, holding around a dozen confiscated water guns.

The bazaar team...

In this month’s issue of bazaar, to celebrate/commiserate Valentine’s Day, we present our Top 5 conflicts for the day as well as delving into the current global phenomenon love-locks. We provide you with several helpful gift guides to pick the best items for your loved ones, from the gorgeous kitchenware and homeware at Williams-Sonoma and West Elm, to classy (and always a treat) watches and jewelry, to customizing the perfect gift at Original Basket Boutique.

Sarah O. Wali

Printing

Communications

British Industries for Printing and Packaging

Don’t forget to check out our exclusive interviews with Omar Samra, the incredible Arab adventurer and humanitarian heading to even higher heights, and Elie Tahari the revolutionary fashion designer bringing his latest designs to Kuwait and celebrating a fabulous 40th anniversary. We catch up with Spanish-based photographer Magdalena Correa, whose projects highlight social issues from remote locations all over the world.

We also get to ride along with the Moto Ladies in Kuwait; these ladies may have a tough exterior, but once we got under the helmets, we uncovered the sweetest souls, and we loved discovering what motivates them on their weekend rides around Kuwait.

We satisfy our current cravings this month with a visit to the remarkable Vine restaurant to taste their take on your favorite Mediterranean dishes such as beetroot Kebbeh, Edamame-infused Hummus and Quinoa-stuffed vine leaves - heavenly! We also dropped into the new Plajat complex after its recent opening. With its varied and delicious dining options, this is one place sure to delight the whole family.

Finally just for holiday laughs, you must check out the bazaar team taking a punt at predicting the Oscar winners, and pay attention as Aunty Yaz gives you her first lot of helpful advice – sit down and listen, as you will not want to miss a hilarious minute!

Happy Celebrating!

Boss

Cover

Ahmed El-Adly

Zeina Almusallam

Operations Rebecca Sweetman

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Design Padmini Chandrasekaran

Staff Writer/Social Media Yasmine El Charif

Staff Writer Brook McClurg

Online Media/Staff Writer

Hala Y. Sharara

Editor

Syndicates and Sources LA Times MCT International MIT Review Fast Company The Japan News Tribune Media Services USA Today Slate Washington Post Variety News Service Wamda

members of:

A. Al-Duaij

Contributing Writers Abrar AlShammari Abdulmohsen Al Mayyas Ashraf Abdalla Ayman Nassar Bibi Al-Falah Deepa Pant Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg Frances Hernandez Loaay Ahmed Mike Campbell Mohammed Alsanea Reshmi Revi

w w w. b p aw w. c o m The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).

No one likes to be dumped;

recycle me, please.

Photographers Brook McClurg Frances Hernandez Katie Foster Rebecca Sweetman Sarah O. Wali Zeina Almusallam

Ahmed El-Adly

facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

twitter.com/bazaar tweets

instagram.com/bazaargram

tel. 24610017 - fax 24610018 info@bazaar-magazine.com w w w. b a z a a r - m a g a z i n e . c o m

MILLY

GROUND FLOOR, ARRAYA CENTER, AL SHUHADA STREET GATE, SHARQ TEL #22997739

INDEX FEBRUARY '14

50

78

52

38

44

ORIGINAL BASKET BOUTIQUE

OMAR SAMRA EXCLUSIVE

ARABS ABROAD

GEEKS AND GAMERS

MOTO LADY CLUB

Meet Samar Al-Hajjaj, owner of Original Basket Boutique and creator of unique and inspiring gift baskets. We take a visit to her shop and find out what makes the perfect present, and how she can make it happen.

What do you do after you’ve climbed the highest mountain in every continent, created an adventure travel agency and raised millions for your charity?

If you are Omar Samra then you head to space! bazaar gets the inside scoop on his inspirational journey to the final frontier.

Kuwaiti artist Aseel AlYaqoub challenged Kuwait’s collective memory and accepted traditions with a teddy bear, political party and Elvis. Now, in NYC, she explores what globalization means to her and Western colleagues.

In her latest piece, Mother Tongue, we see the notion of language conceptualized like never before.

The battle has been fought between Xbox and PlayStation, but who has prevailed? More importantly, which console should you buy? Flip through to see our new Geeks and Gamers columnist Ashraf Abdalla give the ultimate verdict on a gaming war that has been 7 years in the making.

The women of the Moto Lady Club battle stereotypes against women and motorcycle riders from behind the handles of their BMW, Harley and Ducati bikes. Take a ride with the 14 ladies who are showing Kuwait that the thrills of riding are not just for men.

66

72

VINE RESTAURANT

CAPTIVATING ISOLATION

Centrally located in Bneid El Gar, we instantly fell in love with Vine restaurant’s creative and tasty menu. From beetroot Kebbeh, pumpkin Mama Ghanouj, Edamame-infused Hummus to Quinoa-stuffed vine leaves, read more about the restaurant that is serving up Mediterranean tapas with passion and imagination in bazaar goes dining.

In interviewing the Spanish based artist Magdalena Correa, we learn about her exploration of the formation of identities through her remarkable photography and video projects in the world’s most remote locations. Read on to find out why the artist has specifically chosen Kuwait for her upcoming body of work.

Moto Lady Club pg 44

60

30

40

32

34

ELIE TAHARI EXCLUSIVE

LOVE/HATE: VALENTINE’S DAY

COOKIE DOUGH BOUTIQUE

THE BAZAAR OSCARS

A WORLD ONLY ZEINA KNOWS

bazaar celebrates 40 years of elegance with renowned designer Elie Tahari. Check out our exclusive interview with Mr. Tahari himself as he looks to the future, tells us just why he most identifies with the ‘Hudson’ Jumpsuit from the “Elie Tahari Edition 1984”collection and his views on the ongoing style versus fashion debate.

Whether you love celebrating love, love to smirk at those who do, or abstain from all things lovey dovey, this edition of Love/Hate is a must-read. From the pressure of conceding to Valentine’s Day festivities to finding a friend suddenly profess their true devotion; Valentine’s Day is the ultimate holiday we love to hate!

Find luxury for the little ones at Cookie Dough boutique. We meet with Shurooq Qabazard, owner and brand ambassador of the Beirut-based concept, to find out more about how Cookie Dough is helping mothers from all walks of life by offering them a one-ofa-kind shopping experience at Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Market.

Since the awards season is officially upon us, the bazaar team has gained an ‘in’ by watching at least 75% of the nominated films before they’ve arrived in Kuwait. Check out our speculation on who will walk away with Oscar gold, and tune in on March 2nd to see if our predictions were accurate.

In this month’s cover feature, we get up close and personal with stylish patriot and creative art director extraordinaire, Zeina Almusallam. We uncover a whimsical journey that successfully merges a love for country, street fashion and physical art as Zeina opens up to bazaar about her musings.

20

CAVALLI

bazaar connect Freedom to find us

40,000 readers

With a bilingual audience of both English and Arabic, we cover everything from what’s on, to the bizarre. We print and distribute 10,000 copies of bazaar every month; each issue is read by an average of 4 people, giving us a total readership of over 40,000. bazaar is published every month (except August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and also distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries

Cafés & Eateries Breadz Burger Hub, Gulf Road Café Supreme - Al Kout Mall, Al Bustan Mall, Al Safat Mall, Sheikh Saed Aviation Terminal Casper & Gambini, Kuwait City Chocolate Bar, Al Bida’a Container 75, Jabriya Crumbs, Shaab Dunkin Donuts, Salem Al-Mubarak Elevation Burger Haagen Dazs - Souk Sharq, Eureka, Arraya Jade Garden Restaurant, Gulf Hotel Johnny Rockets- Opp. Salhiya Complex, Marina, Salmiya, The Avenues, Alia & Ghalia Complex Living Room Lounge Opao Organica Fish & Chips, Jabriya P.Q. - The Palms, Marina Mall Hilton Kuwait Resort, The Avenues Prime & Toast - Al Bida’a, Seif Strip Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Al Kout, Fahaheel Someday Café The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust - The Village Starbucks Outlets: Adeliya Airport Mall Al Mowasat Hospital Al Muhalab

Al Shaya Head Office Al Zahra Aliya & Ghalia Complex AUK Bairaq Mall Baitak Tower Behbehani Complex Bida’a Complex BMW Showroom Daiya Co-op Dar Al Awadi Divonne, Abu Hasaniya Fashion Way Salmiya Hilton Resort Jabriya Jabriya Land Kaifan Khalifa Resort Kout Mall Marina Crescent Marina Mall Mishref NBK Nuzha Co-op Plaza Hawalli Rosa Castle Salhiya Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak Salwa Co-op Scientific Center Seif Hospital Shaab Shamiya Co-op Sharq Co-op

members of: www.bpaww.com

Malls

Sheikha Complex Sheikh Saed Al Abdullah Terminal Souk Salmiya Souk Sharq The Avenues The Palms Hotel

Clinics & Hospitals

Al Mubarakiya Dental Clinic - Egaila, Salmiya Al Safat American Hospital Boushahri Clinic Dasman Diabetes Institute Diet Care Center International Clinic Maidan Clinic - Fahaheel, Farwaniya, Hawalli, Sharq, Subah Al Salem Kaizen Salam Hospital Seif Hospital Soor Center Taiba Clinic The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic

Hotels & Health Clubs

Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya Flex Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Fawaniya Inspire Pure Fitness Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center

360 Mall Dunkin Donuts Arraya Haagen Dazs Marina Mall/Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Breadz The Avenues Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi I.O. Center Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks

Stand Alones

4 Boutique A.W.A.R.E. Center Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel

Beautylicious Brush Salon Dar Al Funoon Gallery Tilal Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra Jacques Dessange Salon, Shaab Karizma Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges Landmark - Al Rai café, Fahaheel, Salmiya London Limos N Bar N Style Nail Lounge Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery That AlSalasil Bookstore - Airport, Marina, Salhiya, The Avenues THE One TIES Center TXP Window Tints

Schools & Universities American University of Kuwait Australian College Kuwait Boxhill College BSK - British School of Kuwait Universal American School

Kuwait University Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

bazaar magazine has been a member of BPA Worldwide since June 2010, ensuring complete transparency, verifying bazaar as an audited publication which distributes 10,000 copies on a monthly basis. To access our BPA report, please visit: www.bpaww.com or log onto our website www.bazaar-magazine.com for a downloadable pdf version.

Freedom to surf us

28,000 monthly visitors

www.bazaar-magazine.com

In addition to our monthly magazine, our free-access website gives us the ability to reach an even broader audience, with an average number of 28,000 unique visitors. Packed with our articles covering entertainment, art, local happenings, music, movies, fashion, interiors, health, and interviews with the people responsible for said genres, bazaar‘s website will not disappoint.

Freedom to share us

+9,500 fans and followers twitter.com/bazaartweets

facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

instagram.com/bazaargram

We get even closer to our readers by taking advantage of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels on a daily basis. With more than 8,000 fans and followers, we love starting different conversations with our readers, sharing music, jokes, photos, competitions, and much more. Twitter gives us the ability to tweet live from the many fun and exciting events that we cover, giving our readers minute by minute coverage and commentary, and allowing us to follow the people and brands that we like too, of which there are so many.

Freedom to flip us

20,000 monthly readers

issuu.com/bazaarmagazine

Too lazy to go pick up bazaar from your local café? Now you can browse through the complete physical magazine online via issuu.com. Featuring our indepth interviews, reviews, stellar photography, and the latest ads showcasing what’s hot in the market right now; you can browse through bazaar freely and securely, whether you're on your PC, laptop, Smartphone, or tablet.

22

CADILLAC

what’s on?

FA GALLERY EXHIBITION: From Kuwaiti artist TaLal Al Meaan DATES: Opening Sunday, February 9, 2014.

FA Gallery is located in Sharq, Block 2, Gulf Road, Villa 76, Kuwait. For more information please call 2249 8999 or visit www.thefagallery.com.

GALLERY TILAL EXHIBITION: Bait Art – Furniture & Accessories Exhibition DATES: February 2 – February 5, 2014 A rich addition to the world of house design, made and engulfed with beauty and high taste. This furniture and accessories exhibition reveals both creativity and vision. The experience will charm the viewer by the originality of ideas, and the excellence of execution.

Gallery Tilal is located in Shuwaikh, Jahra Road, Tilal Complex, M3-M4, Gallery Tilal. For more information call 2225 6101 or log onto www.gallerytilal.com.

CAP GALLERY EXHIBITION: STAGES OF ASCENT by Farah Behbehani DATES: February 1 – February 12, 2014 Stages of Ascent is a visual journey that explores the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet. Beginning with the primary letter ‘Alif’, and ending with ‘Ya’, this series introduces the playful possibilities that letters can create a ceaseless flow of stories. Alif, a symbol of the absolute oneness of God (Allah), is also a representation of self; I (ana) Where ‘Ya,’ the last letter in the alphabet, is a common prefix used by Arabs to address each other “Ya Muhammad”. Drawn and reinterpreted from their primary form, this series of letters presents a diversity of visual expressions through the intricate sewing of threads and beads. The embroidery accentuates the movement and dynamic nature of the letters, giving a glimpse of their endless possibilities and splendor.

Farah K. Behbehani is a Kuwaiti designer and artist. She received her M.A. in Communication Design (Distinction) from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London in June 2007.

Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) is located in Kuwait Industrial Shuwaikh Block 2, St. 28, Life Center. Ph 2492 5636.

SULTAN GALLERY EXHIBITION: IVAN: The Reconstruction Of Narcissism DATES: February 4 – February 27, 2014, Opening February 4th; 7 – 9pm COLLECTIVE: POWERHOUSE (Nanu Al-Hamad (Al-Hamad Design) Kuwait / New York & Max Ketant (MEGA. DOPE.POP) Haiti / New York) IVAN: The Reconstruction of Narcissism, a debut composition by POWERHOUSE, explores the notion of using architecture and design as a vehicle for self-transformation by holding the design philosophy: “We are products of our products; therefore our products must reflect and encourage our own self-development.”

Rather than taking the approach from a conventional design perspective, POWERHOUSE brings artistic motivations to the fore, thus reconstituting the traditional role of the viewer from audience member to user.

Narcissism, as it is defined today, is surrounded by a stigma of shallow self-obsession, discouraging true objective introspection. However, in their retelling of The Myth of Narcissus, POWERHOUSE imparts new potentiality on the ‘narcissistic condition’, expanding it to a state of revelation rather than one of self-infatuation. In this re-imagined, revelatory state, the water reflects a transcendent and transformed Narcissus, one free from external and internal compunction. This reconstruction presents narcissism as the acme of the human experience and as a product of complexity, rather than superficiality and obsession.

The environment created is magnified by the implementation and focus on texture, specifically of those materials re-examined from the Kuwaiti industrial market. POWERHOUSE reintroduces outdated materials, which are the majority of what is currently available in this market, to create a hyper modern aesthetic while maintaining the practicality of function.

Sultan Gallery is located in South Sabhan, Block 8, St 105, Bldg No. 168. Call 2471 4325 Ext. 110 or visit www.sultangallery.com.

24

BCBG

what’s trending Insta-finds: bringing you the latest and greatest from the Instagram locale As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it!

Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more. facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @nail_away info: Manis and Pedis on the go. Literally! editor’s note: Call 9667 6787 to get the Nail Away truck.

twitter.com/bazaartweets

pinterest.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @Crepe_trolley info: Your crepe trolley, delivered. editor’s note: Your next gathering will be much sweeter.

instagram.com/bazaargram

what: @pasta_City info: Pasta, small bites and snacks on wheels. editor’s note: It’s official- the food truck trend has spread!

START READING! Scan to read full digital issue. what: @Ice_Tent info: Rent your Igloo experience in Kuwait editor’s note: Call 9999 0755 for more information.

issuu.com/bazaarmagazine

what: @Spicypicklekw info: From Denver to Kuwait, uncommonly good food. editor’s note: Your favorite foods with a spicy kick!

what: @paws_kuwait info: nonprofit striving to protect the animals of Kuwait editor’s note: Follow their news and show your support!

26

what: @Bigsmoke_Kw info: Finally open, handcrafted burgers made fresh! editor’s note: Don’t forget to try the Poutine.

what: @Sofias_sandwiches info: Fresh sandwiches served up in Mahboula. editor’s note: we’re told the monte cristo sandwich is ah-mazing!

‫لمزيد من المعلومات‪ ،‬تفضل بزيارة ‪ www.audi-kuwait/a5‬أو اتصل بشركة فؤاد الغانم وأوالده للسيارات لحجز موعدك‬ ‫لتجربة القيادة على ‪1811118‬‬

‫‪ Audi A5‬كوبيه مع مجموعة "بالك ستايل" الفاخرة تأسر األبصار والقلوب‪ .‬أما إذا كنت تبحث عن إطاللة أكثر جرأة فيمكنك طلب هذا‬ ‫الطراز المحدود مع مجموعة ‪ S‬للهيكل والمقاعد الرياضية وعجالت التيتانيوم قياس ‪ 20‬بوصة التي تمنح سيارتك مزيدًا من الهيبة‬ ‫الرياضية فيما تعزز فتحة السقف البانورامية ومصابيح ‪ LED‬للقيادة نهارًا من أناقتها التي تفيض جاذبية‪.‬‬

‫‪Audi A5‬‬

‫كوبيه‬

‫‪AUDI‬‬

truth or dare

FASHIONABLY SWEET Natalie Van Rooyen by bazaar staff

Natalie Van Rooyen has two vices that she could never deny: food and fashion. How she’s building a career that combines the best of both worlds, however, is an ability we covet. South African by birth, and Kuwait-based, you might already have fallen in love with Natalie when trying any of her delectable baked goods under the name ‘Nat Bakes with Love.’ Otherwise, you’ve probably noticed her incredible sense of style, resplendent with her bubbly personality and welcoming nature.

With a seasoned career by day in retail, from Villa Moda, Harvey Nichols and now Remza Fashion (known for stellar brands like Milly, BCBG, MAX AZRIA and Elie Tahari, to name a few), she balances out her glamorous days in the stores with evenings in her kitchen. She adds, “Baking calms my stressful days. I love trying new things, testing new recipes and above all seeing people enjoy what I prepare for them.” Her passion and love affair with food started as a young child, where Natalie grew up in a home that encouraged family gatherings, and cooking and baking were deeply appreciated. For Natalie, the meaning of family lives with her as she continues to bake her delicious creations.

She is never afraid to grab happiness with a fierce zest for life that you can’t help but be inspired by. Having lived in Kuwait for more than 9 years, Natalie looks forward to whenever her family visits her here, as she’s building a life based on inherent family values. She comments, “Kuwait has been so good to me. I love the familial vibe here, and the way people have an incredible spirit in innovating and creating.” From endless outdoor activities like camping in the winters and beach activities in the summer, she spends her time simply living and loving life in Kuwait. Whether you spot her at the mall, or at the next installment of Qout Market, make sure you stop by and say hello!

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Brave.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Strong.

What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?

Are your tattoos real???

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?

Moving to the Middle East – first Dubai and then Kuwait!

What is your theme song?

Marvin Gaye – “Got to give it up”.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

Love.

Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY! I am so beyond in love with everything about Williamsburg and the overall energy in NY is infectious. There is a tattoo parlor on every corner and a lot of cute French bulldogs! And the boys don’t look too bad either… amazing restaurants and eateries. I would like to retire in Thailand, preferably on one of the smaller islands, have a bar with great fusion style tapas and cocktails with a blend of hip hop, R&B and sexy house music playing at all times. Thai people are so happy, irrespective of their situation or how much or little they have, and this always fascinates and humbles me…the simple life.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

Carpe diem –it’s my mantra and motto in life. Seize every day and don’t let anything get in your way – make the most of every minute – make a lasting impression, be good to others.

What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in?

A mix between a wolf and my French bulldog Gray… a wolf is athletic, aggressive, confident and passionate while Gray is gentle, funny and lovable.

He never complains and he loves me unconditionally even when I can’t give him as much attention as he deserves.

What do you miss about your childhood?

The innocence of playing under the sprinklers in the summer and barbecues on the beach with family.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I wouldn’t change my name, but if my parents were more into the hippie lifestyle, I probably would’ve been called Summer or something like that.

28

How would you describe your handshake in one word?

Confident.

What is the toughest part of your character?

My independence…I can’t conform for someone else’s comfort, I believe we shouldn’t have to change for others, but rather for oneself when the time is right and if there is change needed.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Nelson Mandela – Tata Madiba as all South Africans know him, or knew him as…I grew up in the midst of apartheid and when it was abolished, there was an imminent change, he gave so selflessly and fought for freedom, giving everything to the people of our country, although he suffered so much. He was a true hero and will remain a historical legend.

What in the world do you least desire?

Fame – I wouldn’t say that I am an extremely private person, but I would not want the drama that comes with it.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place?

Genuine happiness and laughter… everyone has just become too serious, as they are more concerned about what society might think!

Why do you think most girls/guys like you?

Hmm, I don’t have a lot of girlfriends, but the ones I have, I have had for a lifetime. I am very easy going, I always speak my mind, and I am genuine. So people relax around me and don’t feel the need to put up a show… oh and I constantly make fun of myself, I don’t take myself too seriously. I think most guys are afraid of me; until they muster up the courage to talk to me and they realize I am just like one of the boys.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”

Self–acceptance and beautiful shoes!

For more information, please visit www.natbakes.com, follow her on Instagram @Natbakeswithlove, or call 6000 9882.

WEST END

bazaar love/hate

OUR TOP 5 CONFLICTS ABOUT VALENTINE’S DAY by bazaar staff

I will never know how it is exactly, that we morphed a holiday meant to mourn the death of a holy Roman priest, into one that celebrates a chubby cherub archer committed to love; but we did, and we celebrate them together enough that they might as well be the same guy. Make no mistake: with a holiday like Valentine’s Day you are forced to pick a side. Whether you are the type to start picking rose buds in October just to be sure you have enough to spread in the path of your loved one throughout the day (yes – there are some people like this, and yes I can hear your audible groan of disdain—or maybe that was just an Eddie Murphy movie), or are the type to stand your ground and celebrate your love affair on the 15th just to prove a point, the reality is, every relationship needs to be acknowledged (generally driven by one, but not both people in the relationship). So whether you love celebrating love, or love to smirk at those who do, there is a conflict inherent in us all. #5 The Valentine’s Day pressure: Some relationships – and boys and girls, you know if you are in it – simply require V day to be like an NYE celebration to self. Hearts, check; card, check; the frilly and the silly alike, check and check. Some lovers will even start dropping hints a month in advance… it’s coming! Still, I suppose if there is a bright side to be looked at here, it’s this: if you have someone in your life to whom this day is important, they will likely plan for you with as much gusto as they expect in return. If they do not, well then you have every right to (not) return the favor in kind next year! # 4 The Twitter-ing of love: Look, I am as excited about you that you found that perfect person and they did that special thing for you that absolutely made you drool with child-like love, but it does not make it any more true just because you tell everybody about it on social media. In fact, some would argue that it is the acts of love and kindness that you do in secret that actually mean more, as they are not done simply for the recognition.

Plus, the phrase “doth profess too much” comes to mind here. Meaning, if you had an amazingly satisfying relationship, you would not need to tweet me about it. So, by all means, feel the love, soak it up, and keep it a secret in the spot in your heart made for such things. Our mutual Facebook feeds will thank you for it. Promise! #3 The E-card: I know we are all eager to take advantage of the many ways in which computers and the Internet are making our worlds so much easier, but e-cards--really? Has there ever been anyone wooed by these? Stop it. You would be a fool to not be tempted by the ease and simplicity of emailing 30

a card. But if you think this is getting you anywhere near the credit an actual paper card gets, you are fooling yourself. Love the ease, hate the application.

Be a grown up and go to the store for a card. #2 The in-between relationship: Boy this must be the absolute worst day of the year to be in the “newly dating” predicament. Now, if this is your opportunity to double-down and let them know how you feel and confirm you are on the same page, then you are going to love it. Good on ya! But if on the other hand, it is too soon for anything as serious as even a Valentine’s card or flowers, you are in the absolute awkward period. Not only can a gesture here be perceived as over-eager and perhaps scare off an otherwise willing potential partner, but if you are not with them (and of course you wont be –it’s an in-betweener, remember?) then you are totally going to wonder what they are doing that night.

Did she have a date? Did he give someone else flowers? There really is no win for the in-betweeners out there. Sorry, dude. #1 The Friend Zone: Now this one can almost

seem like the previous one, but there is a significant difference. You just may actually love this person… you just don’t L-O-V-E this person. You have a relationship, and it’s a great one, it is just that the person is hoping the relationship will be more than you would personally like it to be. So what’s the plus side? Hmm, well, I guess it is nice to be cared for. It is also nice to know that somebody who you likely think highly of feels the same. Still, when they start to think too highly of you, you just might need to issue a stalker alert. When these go bad, they go really bad.

They know where you live, you have all the same friends, and they know many of your most personal details. Yes, keeping a mate in the friend-zone may be one of the hardest to tackle, but you know when you know. Also: beware grand gestures on V-day, wrought from the friend zone…you’ve been warned!

Love/Hate is just one curmudgeon’s opinion about the game of love. Feel free to yell at me by mail. I will pretend it’s a Valentine and love you for it! Stay tuned next month for Love/Hate: The Gym.

REEBOK

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... by bazaar staff

Awards season is upon us and of course, the bazaar team is thrilled. On an average day, we can watch over 8 hours worth of movies and on weekends that figure doubles...okay, it triples - but who’s counting? So of course as you can imagine, we are extremely excited for the upcoming 86th annual Academy Awards. Living in the Middle East does have its challenges - one being that it can be difficult to watch all of the nominated pictures (cut or un-cut) before awards season begins. But luckily one member of our staff has an ‘in’ (we won’t discuss the ‘how’ in detail, for legal reasons) and managed to watch at least 75% of the below films. So enjoy our speculation on who will walk away with Oscar gold and watch The Academy Awards on March 2nd to see if our predictions were accurate.

NOMINATIONS

BEST ACTRESS

BEST ACTOR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Sandra Bullock, Gravity Judi Dench, Philomena Amy Adams, American Hustle Meryl Streep, August: Osage County Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine bazaar pick: The Best Actress pool was full of serious contenders this year and honestly I think any of these talented women would deserve the prize. There was Sandra Bullock’s almost solitary performance in Gravity and the formidable Judi Dench was spectacular in Philomena, but with her Golden Globes win, Amy Adams is probably the favorite here. However, because I like to go against the grain, I’m going with Cate Blanchett for the gold because of her brilliantly funny and whimsical portrayal of a modern day Blanche Dubois-type character in Blue Jasmine. Special mention to Meryl Streep, because clearly she’s a robot programmed to w-i-n.

Bruce Dern, Nebraska Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street Christian Bale, American Hustle Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave bazaar pick: Chiwetel Ejiofor gave a moving, heartbreaking performance in 12 Years a Slave – (fun fact: he was the husband of Keira Knightley’s pined-for character in Love Actually), but I think it’s more likely that the Oscar will go to either Leonardo DiCaprio or Matthew McConaughey. After watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I never imagined McConaughey to be up for anything other than “Hottest hottie” for some People’s Choice show, but his portrayal of an emaciated AIDS victim in Dallas Buyers Club is pretty jaw dropping. But I’m guessing the Academy will finally stop snubbing Leo and he’ll earn his first ever win after many years of being Oscar-worthy in several brilliant movies.

June Squibb, Nebraska Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave Julia Roberts, August: Osage County Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine bazaar pick: Look, I am probably the biggest fan of Jennifer Lawrence ever. My YouTube suggestions panel is never without a clip of one of her interviews and I did think she was appropriately hilarious but damaged in American Hustle. I hate to say it but I don’t think she was the best of this list. The odds are probably in her favor (sneaky Hunger Games reference) – she’s Hollywood’s (and the world’s) darling, but I think Lupita Nyong’o’s performance in 12 Years a Slave was one of the most powerful I’ve seen in years. I hope she wins, sorry Jen. I know, I know - she must be truly devastated that some random writer in Kuwait thinks she might not win.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

BEST DIRECTOR

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street Bradley Cooper, American Hustle Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave bazaar pick: After my betrayal of Jennifer Lawrence, I feel compelled to say that the actor in American Hustle who I think is most deserving of the gold is Jen’s constant costar, Bradley Cooper. There is one scene towards the end of American Hustle, where Cooper is teasing and imitating Louis C.K.’s character, and he is so over the top hysterical that he actually makes you forget that Louis C.K. is the comedian in this matchup. However, I do think Jared Leto, who I will always see as Jordan Catalano in 90s tv series My So-called Life, but who was still awesome in Dallas Buyers Club, might give him a run for his money.

Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips David O. Russell, American Hustle bazaar pick: I don’t really know how I would predict Best Director – there seems like there’s so much involved. The actors’ performances are usually a result of the director’s vision, I’m sure they have something to do with cinematography, and how the film is paced and edited, so I’m at a bit of a loss.

My amateurish opinion is that this award should go to Steve McQueen for bringing out some outstanding performances from lesser-known actors. 12 Years a Slave was also beautifully shot and the pacing of the film is really well done – it never drags. But I think any of these directors could win and I would still say, ‘Oh yeah...definitely, they were the right choice.

32

BEST PICTURE Gravity American Hustle Dallas Buyers Club Captain Phillips Philomena Her The Wolf of Wall Street 12 Years a Slave Nebraska

bazaar pick: Harder to call than Director, for me, the Best Picture category is filled with films that I loved watching. I almost want to go with Her, because it was so wonderfully weird. How Spike Jonze managed to make a film where Joaquin Phoenix is alone in the majority of the scenes and Scarlett Johannson, one of the most beautiful women in the industry, doesn’t even physically appear, work, I have no clue. There are awards for cinematography and special effects and such, and I think these should go to American Hustle and Gravity respectively, but the film with the most story and heart and amazing performances – the one that has it all – is 12 Years a Slave. So, watch it. Seriously.

FIAT

up close and personal

A WORLD ONLY SHE KNOWS Zeina Almusallam

by bazaar staff

Art, when successfully purposed, offers its viewer the opportunity to imagine, create and inspire. That’s how we felt at bazaar when we first laid eyes on Zeina Almusallam’s brilliant images on her Instagram account @Kuzmoz, which dually serves as her personal micro blog. To say that we were interested to meet this person is an understatement, as little did we know that the enigmatic Zeina would indulge our intrigue with charm.

She’s inspired by street fashion, coupled with a nostalgia for the seventies era in Kuwait that is constantly conveyed through her styled photos. Her styling skills, imaginative by nature, led her to co-found Label Zed, also considered Kuwait’s first professional fashion photo-shooting agency. In this light, we see Zeina as part of a budding movement of Kuwaitis that aim to create new perceptions by challenging the social stigmas of today.

To build a career as a stylist and creative director, Zeina works her ministry post by day and puts her talent as a creative art director to work by night. In between these two very different positions, she roams the old streets of Kuwait City reveling in what were once Kuwait’s landmarks. Zeina’s pictures deliver a version of Kuwait we may only know through historic photos. An English Literature graduate, the images Zeina presents are influenced by a medley of

literary works (Alice in Wonderland being her absolute favorite), music, street fashion and the natural beauty of a historic Kuwait. Whether it’s the old town, a forgotten alleyway in Salmiya or an overgrown tree nearby her grandmother’s house, Zeina is continuously dazzled by Kuwait’s natural beauty.

We see her poised on the cover of this issue ever so gently and whimsically admiring a tree abound with native flowers also known as ‘ward el majnoona’.

She appears more as part of the gorgeous canvas of wild flowers in a studied painting rather than showing off her bag or the shoes she wore that given day.

She always goes back to places that are dismissed, overlooked and forgotten.

Zeina softly adds, “I seem to always live there, I go to these places to seek out this history. I caption Kuwait in my photos for a reason. People say that Kuwait is boring and that we have nothing, and I wish to disprove that. All I can say through my photos is that Kuwait is definitely worth a walk.”

She is regularly bombarded with questions about her choice of locations, as many think that she is usually outside of Kuwait when she posts her incredible pictures. More importantly, they ask how she puts her wardrobe together. To this, she laughingly scoffs, “People think that I plan my outfits according to where I choose to carry out a photo-shoot. To be completely honest, it is literally all the result of random drive-bys. If I choose to come back to a certain location, it’s simply because I’m in love with it, and see so much potential in what it could technically offer to enhance a canvas I have in mind.”

This is where the challenge begins: creating magnificent photos where fashion effortlessly meets art by taking a familiar corner and making it unfamiliar. It is this skill of disengagement in Zeina’s physical art, which takes the viewer by surprise.

‘People say that Kuwait is boring and that we have nothing, and I wish to disprove that. All I can say through my photos is that Kuwait is definitely worth a walk’ Zeina’s pictures almost seem studied and meticulously planned. Technically, she does stand in front of the camera and direct the photographer, any photographer, with an indelible knack for visualizing how an image will turn out.

She prides herself in her ability to perceive a shot before it is taken. She adds, “It’s all a matter of my perception. When I see something, I tend to instantly visualize a final canvas in my head. Well, I’m always visualizing canvases in my head. Perhaps that is why I jump at the chance when I see a window of opportunity that captures what I have in my mind. A picture is finally complete when it is substantiated with words.”

According to Zeina, no post is complete without words. Not to purposely serve as an explanation, but to complete the final outcome she wishes to convey. This is how the mini stories began, we follow her through wondrous locations and search for more. Once she successfully portrays an emotion that instantly captivates the viewer, Zeina knows she’s at her final stages toward publishing a post.

Perhaps Zeina is taking us through her exploration of Alice in Wonderland.

Although written by Lewis Carroll in 1865, society’s obsession with its imagery lives strongly in the present. What we fail to remember, however, is the powerful connection between words and imagery. Albeit, the captions to Zeina’s photos might make no sense to the viewer, but such is art—it is completely subjective. A hashtag like ‘Kuwait’ goes a long way to show her followers that such beauty does exist here and that we simply need to explore. She explains that many people fail to realize that she is styling a scene, rather than a look. Kuwait, after all, serves as her ‘wonder land.’ Generally, Zeina is not the subject of her photos. Her style might instantly beg the viewer to comment; yet her photos represent a collective piece, a full canvas in which she makes sure she blends in. Still, her online following grows due to her wardrobe choices, which either strike a tone of praise from her followers, or one that is of discontent.

34

‘In ravenous fleeting’

Love her style, or hate it. Either way, Zeina isn’t fazed, and that’s why we admire her look. She’s effortless, no outfit changes are required and no filters necessary – wardrobe and personality-wise. She initially expressed her style explorations via her blog, Urban Ribbon, where Zeina’s tendency to not conform to what society dictates as ‘in’ or ‘out’ is expressed with no abandon. Rather than getting worked up about what people might think, she chooses to disengage, and adds, “It’s not about knowing about the latest trend, it’s about making what you see in fashion work for you. It is an invested personal interest in an item that makes you own it. It’s an attitude.” Since she doesn’t care to fall into a certain bracket of socially acceptable fashion-choices, and classifies her style as fashionably agnostic, she is embraced by a growing online following that is mystified by her androgynous style. Inspired by places, she chooses rebellion in beauty, “I won’t be forced to like something. I will be loyal to my country, yet I don’t care to agree with every fashionable trend. I am not a fashion enthusiast – I’m a street style enthusiast.

Fashion and style are eternally different. I am not them – I am not the typical Kuwaiti fashionista. I do not get paid to represent a brand nor do I want to emulate a person who labels themselves as such.”

In looking to grow her work with co-founder of Label Zed, Khaled AlZawawi, she finds the perfect connection between physical art and street fashion. She adds excitedly, “We are both creative art directors in that sense. We offer our clients an all-encompassing solution when it comes to creative fashion shoots.” As for future plans, Zeina is very excited about developing a business that delivers a reinvented version of the classic thrift store. Because she’s in love with the seventies era in Kuwait, Zeina is looking to develop a concept that is feasible and at the same time extremely detached from commercialism. She leaves us with her squeaky imitation of a segment of society she doesn’t wish to represent, “I see myself as a business owner of my own boutique.” Zeina laughingly concludes, “That’s how they all sound to me, and I will never be that.” continued on next page...

35

‘I want you like death craves living’

‘Sinister’

‘The first circle; [lust]’

‘1°’ 36

....continued from previous page

‘I’ll dance to your disturbia’

questionnaire What do you most value in your friends?

Their diversity and acceptance. Over the last few years I have managed to surround myself with the most honest and culturally open group of friends anyone would’ve asked for. I value the strength in their openness and their abilities to being true to themselves in any given situation.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

To have pizza from places all over the world without ever gaining weight… ever.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is running out of the time to achieve what I want in life.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My anger. I admit to having a bit of a temper here and there.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Blind judgment; It irritates me a lot when people judge others for things that go against the general taste and aren’t necessarily wrong or right. Also, the need for strangers to state their opinions on matters that do not concern them makes my blood boil. (Oddly, it’s impossible for people here to hold their tongues.)

What is your greatest extravagance?

I can never hold back on leather jackets, vintage shops/items (those are practically non-existent here) and precious stones rings (stacks upon stacks…upon some more stacks) Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Seriously” – I use it in every way possible. And “No.” What is it that you most dislike?

Celebrity idolizations, shallow people and their materialistic concerns, when people limit me for my gender. (ie. “but you’re a girl”) Which talent would you most like to have?

Playing the cello.

If you could have any job, what would it be?

I would be a professional ballerina.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

I have yet to formalize it.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My assertiveness.

Where would you most like to live?

Japan; aside from it being home to my all-time favorite animes/manga, their street fashion is hands down, killer.

What are your favorite words to live by?

Live and let live.

For more on Zeina, follow her on Instagram @Kuzmoz and follow Label Zed @Labelzed.

37

A MOMENT OF TRUTH Who wins the console wars, Xbox One or PS4?

by Ashraf Abdalla

Every 5-7 years a momentous occasion in the world of gaming creates a flurry of fanboyism.

Forums and social media light up with angry rants as the console war reaches a deafening crescendo. This year’s battle began with the announcement of both Xbox and Playstation’s new models in the June E3 conference, and it reached a deafening climax with their release in November. I snuck around like Solid Snake while Jaye was writing for the January issue so I could get a hold of and try both consoles to bring you my objective non-partisan opinion of both the PS4 and the Xbox One. I’ve never belonged to any camp, and always preferred to enjoy the best of all console worlds along with a relatively updated PC gaming rig. I usually phase my console buys based on which system my friends are leaning toward for a better multiplayer experience.

This time around I decided early on that I was going to get both right off the bat. I wanted Battlefield (I too, like Jaye, have a soft spot for online play), Call of Duty, FIFA and later releases of Infamous 3 and Division on PS4. Yet the launch exclusives that excited me the most were Forza and Dead Rising 3 on Xbox. Titanfall, due out later this year, looks like it may revolutionize multiplayer first-person shooters by blurring the line between single player and multiplayer experiences.

Aesthetically speaking, both of the machines are stylish in their own right, albeit in different ways.

The PS4 is modern and small, yet good-looking, while the Xbox One is colossal with retro VCR-like straight lines. Its mandatory Kinect didn’t help with my perception of Microsoft trying to take over my home theater, until I used the speak commands.

Microsoft has really nailed the voice-controlled functionality this time round. It’s a joy to make a Skype call, launch a game or check your profile without touching a controller. Kinect also immediately recognized whether my wife or I sat down for a game and signed in the right profile. You can use the Xbox to connect to a satellite receiver and check on a football game or your favorite TV show during game play. If we were in the US, there’s a cool TV guide too! Sadly, this option is not available in Kuwait.

The Xbox, according to Microsoft, does aim to be your one stop entertainment hub. With an Xbox Live account you can access workout apps that monitor your performance and form. You can even access Netflix, YouTube and Amazon.

The only thing missing (which I’m sure will eventually get patched in a system update) is a 38

memory usage screen. Both systems require installations of retail games that range anywhere between 6.5 to 52 GB on 500GB hard drives.

PlayStation gets a plus because it lets you switch out the hard drive for a bigger one as long as it meets certain specs.

Unlike the Xbox, the PlayStation user interface is simple and functional. Its most impressive quality is that it just works and kudos to Sony for a responsive and snappy feel. Voice controls were a real miss, but do check out Playroom if you get a camera. It’s a really cool way to show off your next gen console to non-gamers.

Sony did make a major change to their online services. You now need a subscription to PlayStation Plus to play online. Many gamers are unhappy about it, but I believe it will improve their server infrastructure.

The controllers are both vast improvements over their last iterations. The Xbox Ones’ feels like an old familiar friend, only better. Batteries are now hidden in the body, which vastly improves the ergonomics. I was really skeptical of the additional vibration motors in the triggers, but they quickly became a favorite feature.

The PS4 controller feels amazing, and to me is simply one of the best game controllers I have ever used. You really have to feel it in your hands to appreciate it, but it just feels natural. The

headphone port on the controller is a touch that my wife appreciates when I’m playing heavy shooting games. The big new feature, the touchpad, has yet to be well utilized in game, but I’m sure developers will find interesting ways to incorporate its use.

Now, the most important part of all: the games. Graphically both systems are impressive, but the PS4 has a small edge with most of the multiplatform games running at native resolutions of 1080p instead of the Xbox’s up-scaled display.

While to the average user it makes little difference, a videophile will notice.

I found Call of Duty Ghosts, Battlefield 4, NFS and Fifa 14 to be awesome online and gorgeous on PS4.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag is the first game in that franchise in a while that I felt compelled to finish.

Forza Motorsport 5 (my favorite racing game) on Xbox won’t disappoint, Dead Rising 3 was ridiculously fun, and the number of zombies on screen has never failed to blow away first-timers. Multiplayer games like Lego Marvel Superheroes and Powerstar Golf exclusive to Xbox, are surprisingly entertaining, and for the nostalgic gamer try Killer Instinct, an oldschool fighting game.

Ultimately, it’s the games and where your friends will play online that makes all the difference. So, while both systems leap graphically far ahead of the last gen, they can’t hold their own against a high end PC, which we’ll talk about more next month.

ABS

LUXURY FOR LITTLE ONES Cookie Dough boutique by bazaar staff

Shurooq Qabazard, a young mother of two, fell in love with the Cookie Dough concept store when she first visited the flagship boutique while on a trip to Beirut. Not only did she wish to represent the brand in Kuwait, she saw herself in every aspect of the store’s amazing design and brand ethos. A Beirutbased multibrand concept store founded by Yasmine Agha, Cookie Dough boasts a wide range of designer children’s wear, accessories and furniture. The Kuwait edition promises nothing less than luxury for the little ones.

Shurooq tells us more about the special concept; “Cookie Dough has created a safe haven for mothers and children. From the selection of brands on offer, the store’s design and decoration, to the activities and educational opportunities they organize in-store, I knew that I came upon something entirely different, and immediately saw myself representing the store in Kuwait.” Shurooq felt that young mothers, like her, need to dive headfirst when it comes to learning and leading their journey in motherhood. “It’s never easy, yet this makes it all the more worthwhile. Every mother will find her own path, and Cookie Dough easily offers this opportunity in an elegant, chic and more importantly, accessible manner.”

Located in Shuwaikh Market, a quiet location budding with unique concept stores, Shurooq saw a perfect fit, as she didn’t wish for Cookie Dough to be anywhere mainstream. She explains that as opposed to over-crowded malls, mothers who visit 40

Cookie Dough have the opportunity to relax and experience this beautiful part of being a mother— shopping for beautiful pieces for those little ones.

The store is adorned with gorgeous garments for little boys and girls, ages 0-12 years, specialist furniture brands like Bloom Baby and Baby Arredi, as well as many other pretty little things. Mothers have a place to stop by, hang out and educate themselves about the different brands available.

Shurooq is extremely passionate about the concept; not only does she intend to stay true to the Beirutborn concept store, she wishes to educate all of her clients about what Cookie Dough has to offer. She personally uses the products, and raves about how the Bloom Baby range offers young mothers practical yet aesthetically pleasing furniture solutions. The chic, modern line of furniture offers items such as adjustable and portable baby cots (that Shurooq personally swears by for those weekend family gatherings) and even a funky high chair-turned-bar stool! For furniture purchases Shurooq recommends that clients book appointments for a consultation session to see Cookie Dough’s range of products in a relaxed manner. She explains, “It’s always all about the baby, and more importantly what’s more useful for the baby and user-friendly for the parents, which I like to take care of personally.” The best part is that you’ll usually find Shurooq at the store, tending to clients’ requests, or simply relaxing with her children as she oversees the day-to-day operations at Cookie Dough. She doesn’t mind if clients simply stop by for a cup of tea, to browse and appreciate the fine range

of products on offer.

As for the brands and styles available, every imaginable look or trend is on display. Tutu dresses, to make every young darling be the ballerina she dreams of becoming, fancy tuxedos for little groomsmen, awesome biker jackets and much more. We saw itsy bitsy high-top shoes, sequined flats, and swanky espadrilles that children will love to wear. Every style-savvy mommy will want to shop here, and moreover, every little one will have a great time picking and choosing items according to their own tastes! Brands include Pale Cloud and Simple Kids (both exclusively available at Cookie Dough), Tutu Du Monde, Aletta and Anniel amongst many others. For special occasions, mothers will be delighted to see that Cookie Dough also stocks Nicki Macfarlene, the incredible mother and daughter designer duo that designed Kate Middleton’s bridesmaid dresses. These lovely gowns are available upon client orders and private appointments, and Cookie Dough has an array of sample dresses, and fabric look books on display for little flower girls.

Currently in store is the winter collection, offering pieces suited for layering, and Shurooq is expecting an incredible collection of spring arrivals this month!

Cookie Dough is located in Shuwaikh Market. For more information, please call 2221 6936, or 6966 2200 or visit www.cookiedoughkuwait.com and follow them on Instagram @CookiedoughKWT.

TONI & GUY HAPPY NATIONAL & LIBERATION DAY KUWAIT

Gift Vouchers available.

February Promotions Massive savings on selected label.m Products Buy 4 get 1 free on selected Treatments 10KD credit towards Products on Gift Vouchers purchased over 25KD

TONI&GUY Hairdressing for Ladies and Gents at the Al Corniche Club, Al Shaab Al Bahary - Gulf Road.

Please call us on 25663286 or 66178889 toniandguykw toniandguykw toniandguykw www.toniandguykuwait.com

KUWAITI STARTUP FISHFISHME

Secures $200k from Angel Investors

by Nina Curley

Fishfishme, the online platform to book fishing charter boats, has announced a seed funding round of US $200,000 from several angel investors, including Sim Whatley, the co-founder of Dubizzle, Abdulaziz AlLoughani, a Kuwaiti investor who formerly served as managing partner at Talabat.com, the online food ordering site, and Saif AlZarouini, an Emariti investor and the founder of Yadig.com, the business reviews site, along with other Kuwaiti angel investors.

The Kuwaiti/Spanish startup, pioneered by Abdullah Alshalabi, a Wamda contributor, launched in 2012 as a marketplace where customers looking to go on a fishing trip can browse charter boats in various countries and book trips via the site. As of today, the site boasts 300 charter boat partners in more than 20 countries, including France, Italy, Greece, the UK, Oman, Turkey, Thailand, Spain and the UAE, where the company is based; Alshalabi runs a Dubai office that manages operations and sales, while his co-founder Jose Gil Zafra manages design and development in Malaga, Spain.

This year, the team hopes to extend its strong position in the UAE, Oman, and Spain, while expanding into the US, where recreational anglers took over 70 million fishing trips in 2012. Alshalabi says that 7 million people book via charter boats per year. South Africa, where the team has hired one salesperson, is also a target, as well as Australia and the U.K. With fishing boats contacting the startup from all over the world, it’s clearly a global concept.

The investment will go towards expanding the team of eight employees, and building out a software platform. Today, charter boats confirm potential trips via email or SMS, but a new dashboard will allow boat captains to manage their bookings online if they choose, while responding to customers’ questions and viewing their profiles.

To evolve its marketplace, Fishfishme will leverage the experience of its investors, who have 42

worked to build Dubizzle, the largest regional classified site in the Middle East, Talabat.com, which caters to the Gulf market with its online food ordering platform, and Yadig, a hybrid social network and reviews site that allows customers to rate their experiences at businesses across Middle East. Whatley, who recently left Dubizzle, will be helping FishFishMe gain a foothold in the U.S. FishFishMe, which takes a commission on each booking, has generated $100,000 in revenue for its charter partners, and is looking to build upon its traction this year, with the assistance of new advisors Abrar Ahmad, a Partner at Travel Capitalist Ventures, a US-based, travel-focused investment firm and regional entrepreneur and investor Mohammad AlZubi.

Abdullah Alshalabi, the co-founder and managing director of FishFishMe, said in a statement, “We are so pleased and lucky to have such high profile investors and advisors that happen to be successful entrepreneurs as well.

They not only bring money to the table, but also their knowledge and expertise on what it takes to

build a successful startup. And most interestingly, all of them are so passionate about fishing!”

Sim Whatley, the co-founder of Dubizzle, commented, “I’m really excited about my investment and advisory role with fishfishme. In a very fragmented industry I feel that this site is poised to help both sides of the business and hopefully my experience with a large C2C business can help accomplish that.”

Abrar Ahmed of Travel Capitalist Ventures added: “FishFishMe helps consumers find their ideal fishing charter experience, helps simplify operations and drive revenues for boat owners, and helps media and travel partners to participate in a lucrative travel niche. FishFishMe is one of the most promising travel startups in the region and I’m equally excited for its next phase of growth.”

For more information about Fishfishme, go to their website www.fishfishme.com or email them on support@fishfishme.com. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter @fishfishme or Instagram @fishfish_me.

Reprinted article from wamda.com.

VERSACE

NOT JUST FOR MEN

Moto Lady Club fights stereotypes one bike at a time by bazaar staff

It is Friday morning and you are heading out to run a couple errands before the roads get crowded with afternoon traffic. At the traffic light on the Gulf Road, you hear a slight rumbling over the radio, and it is getting close. There is no construction anywhere nearby, so you look in the rearview mirror. Behind you, a flock of Harley, BMW and Ducati motorcycles are coming towards you, clad in the leather and jeans that exude cool.

As they approach the light, it is clear there is something distinctly different about a few of the riders in this group. You don’t want to stare, but you can’t help but notice that one of them is wearing a black leather jacket with pink lining. There is a tuft of hair spilling out of another’s helmet and the heel of 44

a third’s boot is a little high for a men’s shoe.

Don’t be surprised. What you are probably watching is The Moto Lady Club on their morning ride. Perhaps you are seeing Emiranda Winter, an executive in the banking industry on her BMW 1200 cruiser or Suzy Elbehairy, a PR Manager in the hotel industry on her Ducati 696. You might even be catching a glimpse of race horse trainer Astrid Poirier on her BMW GS 1150.

The 14 female motorcycle riders started the group October 2nd 2013 with a motto “who said motorcycles are only for men?”, and a logo that features a stenciled high heeled shoe that turns into a race track.

“The club’s mission is to encourage ladies to

ride and to encourage the community to support ladies that ride,” said Dania Tyan.

Tyan started riding motorcycles in Lebanon when she was 18 years old, and attributes her family’s love of the sport to her current passions.

She says that since she has been in Kuwait her skills have improved with training and communal rides on her BMW 650s. For many of the women, it is that family connection to biking that keeps them coming to the road.

Henriette Schoeman was sick of riding passenger on her husband’s bike. He was an avid rider who spent the early mornings of the weekend with his bike, and she did not want to be left out.

With their two children they had already gotten

diving and sailing licenses together, and so this seemed like the perfect family adventure. Soon enough Shoeman was grasping her own handles as she took her place next to her husband and children in her own red BMW F650 GS for a day of riding fun.

According to the ladies of the club the best way to experience the fun is to first be a passenger with an experienced rider. “Ride with someone first,” said Rana Elm. “You realize it is not as dangerous as you think, as long as you follow the safety rules.”

When you are done, if you describe the rumbling motor, the first bit of wind that began to hit your body and the incredible sense of freedom you felt as a spiritual experience, then motorcycle riding is for you. The women of the club use words

like freedom, peace and relaxation to describe the experience. For Schoeman it’s all about the view.

“It gives you a completely different perception,” said Schoeman. “When you ride, your view is not restricted so you see everything you may have missed in a car.”

For Elm, that unobstructed view was breathtaking the first time she rode behind Tyan, and also caused a bit of confusion. As she looked up to the sky she saw a beautiful cloud, and so she pointed to her comrades on the other bikes, and kept tapping Tyan on the shoulder to get her attention. Elm, in her excitement, had forgotten that most hand gestures were signals to warn of danger or sharp turns, just one of the many safety precautions the

riders use when in a group.

Those safety procedures give the women the confidence to get on the road. Many of them, even the experienced drivers, have gone through the TriStar Academy training. The program comprises of 10-12 classes that teach everything from how to sit on a bike, to sharp turns and how to deal with sudden car maneuvers on the road. Students learn how to coordinate their hands and feet to change gears and apply the brakes. They start with a theoretical lesson on the basics of motorcycle driving, followed by basic training on one with automatic gears and finally move to a bike with gears. At the end of the training session, the Academy sets a training exam for licensing and recommends the continued on next page...

45

best bike based on the rider’s habits and body type.

According to the academy’s operations manager, Salem Al Rumaid, women find the most difficulties in training their hand and neck muscles to be able to handle the strength of the gears and the weight of the helmet, respectively.

For Tyan, who had been riding for years but still decided to go to the training, TriStar training was integral for her solo rides.

“Not only do you learn how to ride the bikes, the rule and regulations,” she said. “You also learn how to become one with your bike and how to react in the safest way to any situation you might encounter on the road. We do lots of exercises for safety, body position and we learn things that will help us ride on the road and in traffic jams.”

For the ladies of The Moto Lady Club, discipline 46

...continued from previous page

is key, particularly in an environment that is not accustomed to female riders. Vehicles sometimes swerve towards them as their drivers try to get a closer look, or stop suddenly. Riding solo requires a lot of caution, and the ability to make a split second decision that could save your life.

We met up with the ladies of the club at a breakfast hosted by the Gulf Hotel for riders in Kuwait. Outside the door dozens of BMWs and Ducati motorcycles lined the sidewalk. Inside, behind the displayed Ducati, a row of helmets covered the entire front desk. The group of about 50 people were all like family, catching up over Friday morning breakfast.

“It’s the beautiful camaraderie, the friendships and special bond that develops between riders in a way that your biking community becomes your

second family,” said Tyan. “We all stand by each other and watch over each other.”

After breakfast the group headed outside where a raffle was drawn for gifts from TriStar and the hotel. Finally, it was time to ride.

Engines revved as the group prepared for a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of their every day lives. Moto Lady Club ladies put on their helmets and at once blended into the large group, proving that women could be just as great at riding as men.

Connect with the Moto Lady Club on Facebook at ladymotoclubq8 and on Instagram @motoladyclub.

For more information on TriStar Academy training call 2240 5194 or email them at info@tristarkw.com

SOUQ SHARQ

THE LOVE-LOCKS PHENOMENON by bazaar staff

A funny thing has started happening to bridges around the globe. As part of a worldwide trend, they are being taken over by lovers, eager to attach their feelings to a public sentiment.

Think of it like throwing pennies into a fountain of previous generations—only for love. A person, or couple, takes an ordinary padlock, writes both their own initials and those of their lovers on it, and throws the key down into the waters below— thus securing their love as fixed in time and place through an inanimate object. While that may seem silly to some, we have certainly given more sentiment to lesser fixtures throughout history.

While it is tough to get an exact date of when the practice of love-locks (not to be confused with Locks of Love, the similarly named non-profit Cancer charity) started, and speaking quite roughly geographically, it seems to have began in Europe around the start of the new century. From Paris to Italy, Russia to Prague, these padlocked symbols of love are popping up everywhere. In Paris, the Pont des Arts, Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor and the Pont de l’Archevêché bridges have been a huge hit (one notable factor here is that they have popped up in several different places as local authorities began to crack down on the process); the Ponte Vechio in Florence, Italy as well had grown to approximately 5,500 locks before previously being cut down. Still, nobody can say for certain exactly what the origin of this public sentiment is.

In Rome, it is believed that the ritual of affixing love padlocks to the bridge Ponte Milvio can be attributed to the 1992 book Three Meters Above the Sky, by Italian author Federico Moccia (some may better know the film adaptation of same: Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo). Perhaps the oldest speculative inspiration of the love-locks story however, is that it begun in Serbia around just prior to World War II. The name of the bridge there is the Most Ljubavi (literally the Bridge of Love—now named after the love padlocks). According to local legend, a schoolmistress named Nada fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. After they committed to each other, Relja went to war in Greece where he fell in love with a local woman and thus broke off their engagement. Nada never recovered from that devastating blow and was rumored to have died of a broken heart. As young girls from Vrnjacka Banja wanted to protect their own loves, they started writing down their names, together with the names of their loved ones, on padlocks and affixing them to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet.

It seems a beautiful enough sentiment, at first, though the backlash has been rather harsh in some areas. Though it has never been proved to be true, most places cite a fear of structural damage to the bridges themselves (or other artifices, where appropriate) as the reason to not allow them. We 48

prove to be in an interesting time though as some cities, such as Bamberg, Germany, invited people to place locks on the Kettenbrücke Bridge in 2011, only to remove them two years later when they got to be too popular. It has thus become quite a polarizing topic. It would be pretty easy to see why some municipalities are not as keen on the idea. In Dublin, for example, locks were put onto the Ha’Penny Bridge over the river Liffey, a popular tourist spot and historically protected 200+ year old location. In 2012 they were removed for fear of structural concern, but they keep returning.

One question begins to emerge as this trend grows though: does what began as the idea of a bridge that people came to from around the world to mark their love (a romantic notion indeed), begin to lose some of the appeal when it is done in multiple places around the world? Much like Disneyland, reality celebrities, or even perhaps your favorite coffee shop, these things lose their innate value as they grow more commonplace. As the trend has now grown into other objects as well—not just bridges— including a lamppost in Rome, a tree in Moscow, a fountain in Montevideo, all of which are attached with thrones of locks, one begins to wonder if the lock has

any special value at all.

In perhaps the ultimate sign of just how commercial this idea of love-lock has gotten, Master locks, arguably one of the most popular companies to make locks, even has a special page dedicated to love-locks. On this page on their website, you can pick out a lock and have a custom message put on it. You can even pick a bridge, from San Francisco to Sydney, and they (supposedly) will place that lock on the bridge for you. Well, if that does not take all the romance out if it for you, I don’t know what would.

If, in the end, it is the lock itself that is so symbolic of love, and NOT the place itself that holds the value, perhaps you are better off placing the lock on your desk at home and flushing the key down the toilet. Admittedly though, since you don’t have to go too far to find your local love-lock bridge these days…were I to track one down, I would go with lock in hand—perhaps that is just the romantic in me.

Be on the lookout for love-lock bridges around the globe, wherever your travels take you.

Image courtesy of Katie Foster.

‫‪TAIBA‬‬

‫‪TAIBA‬‬

‫ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﺗﺮى ا�ﺷﻴﺎء‬ ‫ﺑﺸﻜﻞ �ﺘﻠﻒ‬

‫ﻗﺴـــﻢ اﻟﺴﺒـــﺎ اﻟﻄﺒـــﻲ‬ ‫ﻳﻘﻮﻡ ﺍﻟﻘﺴﻢ ﺑﺘﻘﺪﱘ ﳐﺘﻠﻒ ﺍﳋﺪﻣﺎﺕ ﻭﺍﻹﺳﺘﺸﺎﺭﺍﺕ ﺍﳋﺎﺻﺔ ﺑﺎﳉﺴﻢ‬ ‫ﻭﺍﻟﺒﴩﺓ ‪ ،‬ﺣﻴﺚ ﻳﻮﻓﺮ ﺟﻠﺴﺎﺕ ﻟﻠﻌﻨﺎﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﳉﺴﻢ ﻭﻋﻼﺝ ﺍﻟﻴﺪﻳﻦ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﺪﻣﲔ‬ ‫ﻭﺟﻠﺴﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻌﻨﺎﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻌﺮ ﻭﺍﻟﺒﴩﺓ ﻭﺟﻠﺴﺎﺕ ﻟﻌﻼﺝ ﻣﺎ ﺣﻮﻝ ﺍﻟﻌﲔ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﺍﻧﺘﻔﺎﺧﺎﺕ ﻭﻫﺎﻻﺕ ﺳﻮﺩﺍﺀ ﻭﲡﺎﻋﻴﺪ‪ ،‬ﳈﺎ ﻳﻀﻢ ﺃﺣﺪﺙ ﺍﻷﺟﻬﺰﺓ ﺍﳋﺎﺻﺔ‬

‫ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻨﺤﻴﻒ ﻭﺷﺪ ﻭﳓﺖ ﺍﳉﺴﻢ ‪.‬‬

‫ﻃﻴﺒﺔ ﻣﻴﺪﻳﻜﺎل ﺳﺒﺎ‬ ‫اﻟﻔﺮواﻧﻴﺔ ‪ -‬اﳊﻤﺮاء ﻣﻮل ‪ -‬اﻟﺪور اﳋﺎﻣﺲ‬

‫‪1808088‬‬

arabs abroad

ASEEL AL YAQOUB Interesting Arabs doing interesting things…elsewhere! by bazaar staff

Mother Tongue The group of art students and their professor piled into Aseel AlYaqoub’s studio at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York to critique progress on her latest piece, Mother Tongue. At the center of the room on a table sat a layered world map. On the wall hung her art statements in 70 different languages, none of them English.

Her multilingual colleagues immediately searched for the statement in their foreign tongue. For a few moments those who only spoke in English attempted to garner as much information as they could from the others, but felt very much left out.

“I’m a product of globalization and it’s been my focal interest to look into what that means,” she told bazaar. “Mother Tongue explores language and how it is such a pervasive component of our every day lives.”

For AlYaqoub, the art she produces allows people to experience what it means to be an outsider in your own environment, whether at home or abroad. She wanted her English-speaking colleagues to feel out of place, and realize that the Western world is not the whole world.

AlYaqoub, a native Kuwaiti, moved to London at 17 to study Architecture and Spatial Design. Six years later she returned home to a country that was very much changed. With the help of Teddy B. a teddy bear that served as her alter ego, she created a photo blog experiment aimed to rediscover her country.

“The bear was acting as a social buffer between me and society to allow myself to explore my own country through it,” she said. “[It] was purely symbolic of a universal object, an object that most of the 50

world can relate to and one that can create multiple reactions both in the physical and viral sense.”

One year, and 365 photos later, AlYaqoub came out as the blogger behind the posts in her first exhibition at the Sultan Gallery. The experience was supposed to help her reintegrate herself into her own culture, but instead accented a misplaced individuality in an exclusive society.

“We use our nationality as a common dominator and hope we all share similar ideologies, but obviously we don’t. I’ve given up working as a collective and find it best to contribute individually the best way you see fit.”

Her subsequent projects led her to create a mock political group, The Chicken Nugget Alliance, to represent Western educated, bilingual Kuwaitis as part of a residency with the British Council’s first Out of Kuwait program. In the final exhibition an election tent was set up at the Modern Museum of Art in Sharq. Using various mediums, she mocked the campaign system in which hearts and minds are won with passionate empty promises and by shouting catchy slogans.

When her second residency with Out of Kuwait began, AlYaqoub decided to move away from politics, and began to explore her society’s perception of itself. The students explored Kuwait, with visits to some of its greatest cultural and historical landmarks. AlYaqoub quickly realized that her country’s distorted collective memory of history was effecting the perception of their current self.

One year later, in the corner of the Edge of Arabia gallery in London, a small diwania with the

traditional red floor cushions and silver dallah on a matching tray sat adjacent to an old tube television.

The Kuwaiti family on screen went through their day-to-day lives. The son seemed to adhere to traditional norms as he dined and prayed with his parents. As soon as his parents left the room though, the young man replaced the traditional Um Kalthoum’s “Your Eyes Brought Me Back to the Days Past” with Elvis who sang “Kissin’ Cousins”.

For AlYaqoub, this has been the most difficult part of finding her cultural identity. The collective memory of her people is based on a reconstructed past, she says. While the Kuwaiti culture likes to think it was always quite conservative, they tend to forget the days when art and liberalism were very much a part of their lives.

“Our piece was a bit ironic as we were mimicking the ideas and memories of the past in a very traditional way,” she said. “It was directed to a Kuwaiti and Arab audience, or an audience that still holds tight onto memories, fantasies and stories of the past; the past in which they inherently did not belong to.”

In New York, her project, Mother Tongue was critiqued by colleagues and brought one unilingual English speaker to the realization that she needed to learn a new language. For AlYaqoub, this is why she creates art, and she hopes to enlighten many more on the differences in this world, and our unique places within them.

For more information on Aseel AlYaqoub’s work check out her website at http://aseel.carbonmade.com or follow her on Tumblr at http://aseelalyaqoub.tumblr.com

CELEBRATE THE GLORIOUS

NATIONAL

AND

LIBERATION DAYS

KUWAIT THE ATHLETE'S FOOT!

OF

WITH

ATHLETES FOOT

OMAR SAMRA’S LIFE ADVENTURE OF CHALLENGING PEAKS, SPACE FEATS AND PERSONAL STRUGGLES

TO EVEREST AND

BEYOND by bazaar staff

00 52

It had been five grueling days of training missions at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, and Omar Samra was exhausted. The 35-year-old mountaineer and adventure-seeker had mastered piloting an Air Combat USA aircraft and felt the strength of blast-off in a G-Force simulator at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

He had been challenged in a series of tests on physics and space knowledge, and come first in his group in the military assault course to test stamina and strength.

Now, he is going to space after he beat 112 contestants in a Space Academy competition sponsored by AXE with Buzz Aldrin.

As he headed down to the bunkers to finally get some rest and shower, the enormity of his accomplishment had yet to hit him.

“In some ways it did not sink in until days later,” he told bazaar. “The shower and nap felt similar to those I take after long mountaineering expeditions; like a luxury of sorts. It’s a great feeling to wash and rest after you’ve worked arduously at something. You take nothing for granted.”

That is typical Omar Samra. While his accomplishments have earned him the titles of First Egyptian and Youngest Arab to climb Mount Everest, the First Egyptian to climb the highest mountain on every continent, and the only one to do so carbon-free, he takes nothing for granted.

Samra has had to fight his way to the top almost every time. He learned at the tender age of 11 that you can take your fate into your own hands. At the time, he was suffering from severe asthma. When his parents took him to the doctor he was given a choice, control it with medication, or overcome it with rigorous exercise. The very next day the young pre-teen began a running schedule that cleared his lungs within two months.

Four years later, he climbed his first mountain.

As he gazed out at the peaks of the Swiss Alps covered in a blanket of clouds he began to understand what it meant to challenge his own mental and physical boundaries.

“I even found a notebook on the summit with signatures of those who had made it. I wrote my name in it as the first Egyptian and that feeling of pride for representing my country stayed with me ever since,” he said. “It was then that I decided I wanted to climb the highest mountain on earth.”

Everest climbs cost between $60K to $150k for gear, guides, the climb itself and insurance extras. To reach the summit, climbers must trek up ten days to get to base camp, and then spend six weeks on practice climbs to acclimate to the weather. Only then can they brave the 10-day climb that kills one in ten climbers every year.

For 12 years he climbed mountain after mountain, each time getting to a higher peak. He took a year off from working in the banking sector to travel across Asia and South America and climb peaks from China to Costa Rica. Once the year was over he thought it was time to return to what everyone else referred to as the ‘real world’. But, just a month and a half into a master’s degree at the London School of Economics, he packed his camping gear once more. On May 17th 2007 the once asthmatic kid reached the top of the world.

Samra left all the preconceived notions on life and how to live it at that peak, and returned home with an aim to inspire young people all over the world. He became a public speaker, started an adventure company called Wild Guanabana and arranged climbs for charity. The Right to Climb, which aims to raise awareness about institutionally ignored mentally disability in Egypt, took a group of Egyptians up Kilimanjaro in 2010 (Africa’s highest continued on next page...

53

peak), and was where Samra met his wife Marwa.

The next two years saw some of Samra’s greatest feats. He trekked through conflict zones as war broke out, and fought starvation on the seven continents to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. He raised over 1.5 million dollars for his Right to Climb initiative, and was the only Egyptian to participate in National Geographic’s Energy Challenge. Along with his wife, he also helped set up Marwa Fayed’s Toy Run which aims to bring toys to orphans and less advantaged children. This initiative recently won the first MBC Doing Good competition for a humanitarian project.

In February of 2013 a lingering dream of a child took a very real turn with the announcement of the AXE space challenge. Samra immediately applied and began to garner support so he could go higher than he had ever before. He applied with gusto, with the hope of being able to tell his then unborn 54

...continued from previous page

daughter that her father had made it to space.

In the midst of all his accomplishments, tragedy struck home for Samra in June of 2013.

His wife passed shortly after giving birth to their baby daughter Teela. Marwa had been by his side for some of his greatest achievement, and shared her husband’s dream of going into space. So while social media was excited over Samra’s achievement and upcoming space flight, he sent a tear-jerking message to his late wife’s Facebook page.

“Marwa is the love of my life and my biggest hero,” he told bazaar. “Her passing is the most difficult thing I’ve had to endure and in many ways I will never truly overcome it. I am however determined to make her and our daughter proud by continuing to push the envelope and hopefully inspire those who’ve gone through similar tragedies to continue to dream and move forward despite all odds.”

Samra may look to the stars to see future

adventures and past pains. Yet, he continues to move forward. He has expanded the Marwa Fayed’s Toy Run all over the Middle East, continues to inspire young Arabs to ignite change and looks forward to the future with his daughter.

“The enigma of space and the possibilities it holds is what truly excite me about [space travel].

On a personal level, I can’t wait for my baby daughter to grow up so I can tell her all about it.”

With all his out-of-this-world accomplishments, his story is sure to be told to generations of children to come.

To donate your used toys to Marwa Fayed’s Toy Run, bring them by the bazaar office in the Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone. Follow the initiative on Instagram and Facebook @marwafayedstoyrun. To follow Omar Samra in his adventure to space follow him on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook @omarsamra.

JEEP

ASK

Aunty Yaz

Do you have a problem that needs solving? In need of some tough love or hard hitting life advice from a lovingly nagging know-it-all? Write to bazaar’s very own agony aunt, Aunty Yaz! Aunty Yaz can be found wandering the streets of Salmiya dishing out unsolicited life lessons to random passersby. If you’ve heard the gruff shout of “Tuck your shirt in, you slob!” or “Someone get me something to sit on,” or even overheard her incoherent ramblings, you have probably encountered her wrath before. While Aunty Yaz is neither a psychologist nor certified life coach, you would still be wise to address her as Aunty or Dr. Yaz.

Dear Aunty Yaz, Last year I only got Valentine’s cards from my mom. What can I do to make myself more popular this year? I reeeeeeally want some roses.

Thanks, Rose-less in Salmiya Dear Clue-less in Salmiya, Having your mom as your Valentine is perfectly acceptable. After all, she has been my Valentine for years and you don’t hear me complaining! Maybe you should start hanging out with other people’s moms to expand your mommy-Valentine circle. Consider these baby steps to one day, possibly, maybe, having a real Valentine. Okay, probably not.

Happy Valentine’s Day! – Aunty Yaz

Dear Aunty Yaz, I seem to have developed an addiction to hoarding plastic cutlery at the office. I’ve already had to move some of my work from my drawers to make room for all the extra forks. I’m worried that it’s taking over my life and soon, I’ll have to start using my co-workers’ drawers too. Please help!

Best, Spoon Addict Dear Spooner, Back in my day, we used to collect silver teaspoons and display them in our fancy China cabinets. But since kids today are more into that recycling mumbo-jumbo, I suggest that you either create an art form out of your collection and proclaim yourself a genius sculptor, or succumb to the loser that you truly are.

– Aunty Yaz

Dear Aunty Yaz. I be trying to get a job for almost three monht’s but am having no luck. I mail my rezume, to thousands of companys a day but no one seems interested. My CV, is 6 pages long ,and I addres every politely email with simple – “To who it may concern”. What I am doing wrong?

Doing the needful, About to be Deported, Kuwait City

Dear Aunty Yaz, I am trying to start a successful blog but it just hasn’t been working out. I am too shy to share it with my friends, so I just put it online and hope for traffic. I am really interesting and cool – why won’t anyone read my blog?

Love, Blogger Extraordinaire, Salwa

Dear Unemployable, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that if you continue down this reckless path of sending out never-ending CV’s, you will be deported. The good news, on the other hand, is that you are seeking my advice.

This might be hard to believe, but I was once in your about-tobe-deported shoes. However, I charmed my way into a fully-fledged sponsorship deal by using my feminine wiles. I went to Kuwait’s best photography studio and had my CV photos done in true digital color!

I must have looked really good that day because my face was devoid of wrinkles – it was like I was nineteen all over again! This worked perfectly for me, so perhaps this strategy would work in your favor.

This method, sadly, will only work if you are good looking and presentable like I am. In order for this to happen, you should get on this internet thingie my grandkids told me about called Instagram.

Apparently, this invention has magic tools called ‘filters’ that make you look ten times better than how you actually and truly look. You then become popular in this world by buying people who endorse your fake looks. Then, and only then, many people will want to hire you.

Moral of the story: less words, more action. Get off your lazy bum and visit companies and show them how employable you truly look.

And if that doesn’t work, then you deserve to be deported.

P.S. Your spelling and grammar is atrocious. If you cannot fix your face, work on your punctuation.

– Aunty Yaz

Dear Blogger Un-Extraordinaire, Today I went to Sultan Center and bought a bag of apples. Then I got some petrol and a Kit Kat. Isn’t my life ‘interesting and cool’ too? #awesome #kuwait #shutup #getalife.

Once you do #getalife, your friends might finally be interested in reading about it. Or maybe you’ll make a bunch of new friends in the blogsphere who aren’t imaginary.

Are you familiar with the ancient adage, if a blog is created in the woods does it make a sound? Well, the answer is no. Sorry, I mean #no.

You must therefore chop-down that digital forest with your #axe until your blog is the tallest about.

Before I became an extremely famous columnist in K-Town, I saw my 25 grandchildren waste their lives because I too, was too shy to share my brilliant advice with them. Now, I take comfort in knowing that I am changing lives on a daily basis. I suggest posting every post with a #askauntyyaz. Ergo, my followers become yours…you’re welcome World!

Also, apparently putting the number sign in front of random words seems to be popular these days. #hopethathelps or #hph.

– Aunty Yaz

56

Send your questions to Aunty Yaz at auntyyaz@bazaar-magazine.com. Any advice given is strictly opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of bazaar. But it might—just sayin!

SAFAT HOME

bazaar movie night The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in February

SAVING MR BANKS

THE LEGO MOVIE

ROBOCOP

Release Date: February 6 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama Cast: Emma Thompson/Tom Hanks/Annie Rose Buckley

Release Date: February 6 Theaters: Grand Cinema and Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation, Action and Adventure, Family Cast: Chris Pratt/Elizabeth Banks/Will Arnett

Release Date: February 6 Theaters: Grand Cinema and Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action and Adventure, Sci Fi, Fantasy Cast: Joel Kinnaman/Douglas Urbanski/Abbie Cornish

Synopsis: Inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic Mary Poppins made it to the screen. When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, he made them a promise – one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer, P.L. Travers. Walt launches an all-out onslaught, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Synopsis: An ordinary LEGO minifigure (voiced

by Chris Pratt), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together. This computer generated comedy is from the people behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and co-directed by Chris McKay (Robot Chicken). Will Arnett also co-stars as the voice of Batman who, along with Superman, make a guest appearance. Other famous actors making a guest voice appearance include Liam Neeson, Alison Bree, Will Ferrell and Morgan Freeman.

Synopsis: The year is 2028, the location is Detroit, where Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) - a loving husband, father and good cop - is critically injured in the line of duty. The multinational conglomerate OmniCorp (at the center of robot technology) sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.

Omnicorp envisions a Robocop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine pursuing justice. This action adventure also stars Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton.

AMERICAN HUSTLE

VAMPIRE ACADEMY

THE MONUMENTS MEN

Release Date: February 13 Theaters: Grand Cinema and Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama Cast: Christian Bale/Jennifer Lawrence/Bradley Cooper

Release Date: February 13 Theaters: Grand Cinema Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Fantasy Cast: Zoey Deutch/Lucy Fry/Danila Kozlovsky

Release Date: February 20 Theaters: Grand Cinema and Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Action and Adventure Cast: George Clooney/Cate Blanchett/Matt Damon

Synopsis: A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock America.

American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con-man Irving Rosenfeld who, along with his equally cunning partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Ritchie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey power brokers and Mafia that is as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner plays Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. This film defies genre, hinging on raw emotion and life and death stakes.

Synopsis: The story features a 17-year-old Dhampir (half-human/vampire) guardian-in-training Rose Hathaway (Zoey Deutch), and her Moroi (the peaceful, mortal vampires) best friend Lissa Dragomir (Lucy Fry) living discretely within our world.

They had escaped from their boarding school St. Vladimir’s Academy two years prior but are dragged back where they re-discover the dangerous hierarchy within it, along with lies, rumors and secrets. Rose starts to form an attraction to her Russian dhampir mentor, Dimitri Belikov (Danila Kozlovsky). The two best friends begin to realize that the threat of the Strigoi (bloodthirsty, undead vampires) is bigger than ever. This is her story.

Synopsis: Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history. An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys – museum directors, curators and art historians – possibly hope to succeed? These “Monuments men’’ found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture and they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind’s greatest achievements.

58

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Cinescape: www.cinescape.com.kw or Facebook: Cinescape – Kuwait National Cinema Company, Grand Cinemas: kw.grandcinemas.com or Facebook: Grand Cinemas Kuwait.

A-TEAM

Approach Gives You the Power of Choice

• Our International A Team provides the newest breakthroughs in Non Surgical and Surgical cosmetic procedures for both men and women.

• Our approach is 3Dimensional – Beauty does not stop with the face it includes the entirety, Face, Hands and Body...

• Latest Breakthroughs in Hand rejuvenation, Facial rejuvenation, botox, fillers, breast & body surgery.

ROYALE HAYAT

• New Dedicated Areas for Skin Care for Women and Men – Our skin experts help you in everything from maintaining your skin, to acne treatments, anti-aging, deep cleansing...

• Latest Breakthroughs in Lasers for Men and Women – Laser hair removal, Laser skin tightening with the latest generation Thermage (CPT, TOTAL TIP THERMAGE), Fraxel Dual...

Ask about our Hala February Packages.

Professor Reza Nabavian

Dr. Sabreyah Saleh

Beverly Hills American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Director of Training at Prestigious University of Southern California Private Practice, Beverly Hills, California Member, International Board of Standards for Plastic Surgery

Board Certified Royal College of Surgeons - UK

@royalehayat

Dr. Mohammad Razaq

Dr. Hexor Cruz

Dr. Gie Vandalelhut

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Royal College of Surgeons, UK

Member of the American Society of Cosmetic Surgery Fellow of the University of California's prestigious plastic surgery program and Baylor University in Texas

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Germany / Sweden (All Female Team Available)

/royalehayat

/royalehayathospital

royalehayat

2536 0123 , 2536 0000 ww w. r oyal eh ayat . co m | w w w. co sm esu r ge. co m

ELIE TAHARI 40 years of elegance by bazaar staff

Since the brand’s inception in New York in 1974, Elie Tahari has defined modern sophistication with his inspired collections of understated grace and elegance. Arriving in New York in his twenties, the renowned designer once moonlighted as an electrician at a boutique in Greenwich Village in the 70s. From there, inspiration reigned supreme, and Tahari was instantly dazzled by the world of fashion. From popularizing the tube top, to giving the power 60

suit a whole new meaning, Elie Tahari’s passion for New York birthed an era of inimitable design.

Being one of the first fashion designers to open a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York, Tahari’s inherent ability to predict what women want in terms of style and tailoring led the company toward astounding success. In celebrating forty fabulous years of Elie Tahari, the brand recently launched the “Elie Tahari Edition 1974” anniversary collection. The

collection features updated iconic silhouettes from the past four decades that were first shown during his Spring 2014 New York Fashion Week presentation, with a modern take on the cage mesh swing coat, jumpsuit, and laser cut shift dress and signature leather pieces. Each piece from the collection is named after an iconic New York landmark, paying homage to the city that’s provided the designer with endless inspiration for over 40 years.

bazaar: Why is each piece in the capsule collection specifically named after significant New York landmarks? Essentially, what does New York mean to you?

Elie Tahari:“Elie Tahari Edition 1974” is a capsule collection that features updated iconic silhouettes from the past 4 decades of my career, all named after NYC landmarks, a city that has provided me with endless inspiration since I arrived 40 years ago. Kicking off Fashion Week with Elie Tahari Day was the proudest moment of my career; I was so humbled and honored to be recognized by the mayor and city of New York, a place that I love so much. I was able to share that special day with my family, friends and people in the industry who have been so instrumental in my career; it’s a day I will never forget. bazaar: First popularizing the iconic tube top marked the start of a brilliant career. What was your motivation behind this design?

Elie Tahari: Popularizing the tube top was a complete accident! A fashion manufacturing error occurred and resulted in a pile of fabric tubes, some of these mistakes ended up in a New York boutique. I knew right away they were going to be a hit. I bought a pile of them for $2 apiece and resold them for $4. I snuck into a trade show with my bags of tubes and no credentials and pictures showing how to wear them; by the end of the day I had thousands of orders. That was the beginning of my wholesale career. bazaar: Looking back on 40 years of incredible designs, can you tell us a little bit about how you’ve sustained the brand?

Elie Tahari: I credit my longevity to adapting with the changes and tastes but still staying true to my classic designs and heritage. I want all women to feel beautiful in Elie Tahari. I truly love what I do, designing is my passion and I think that shows in my collections. bazaar: What’s your favorite item from the capsule collection?

Elie Tahari: That is such a tough question because I can identify with each piece but I must say the Hudson Jumpsuit is one of my favorites. It’s an iconic 70s silhouette that I updated with a great silicone insert as it reminds me of my disco days. bazaar: Does fashion make the person, or does the person make fashion?

Elie Tahari: The person absolutely makes fashion—I always like to say, the clothes should be quieter than the woman so her true beauty can shine through. bazaar: Finally, what’s next for Elie Tahari?

Elie Tahari: As I celebrate my 40 years, I reflect on the past and look forward to the future with the launch of the 40th anniversary capsule collection and many new projects including eyewear in the spring. I love this industry so much and look forward to the next 40 years of fashion, design and creativity.

bazaar exclusive

DESIGNER INTERVIEW

The “Elie Tahari Edition 1974” collection will be available at the Elie Tahari Boutique located in Mall 360. For more information, please call 2530 9618.

61

inside/out

LESSONS FROM MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES by bazaar staff

The problem for most bands is that they learn the hard lessons too late. For every version of the now ubiquitous cautionary tale of reading closely that which you sign, or getting a band agreement early on, there are a thousand little things you forget to check along the way. With that in mind, we look to the intersection of film and music this month for some lessons we can derive from the mistakes and/ or successes of the bands that came before us.

The band documentary has come into its own as a legitimate genre of film: part bio-pic, part rock and roll fairytale, they regale us with their tales of what the view looked like from inside the ride.

They can come in many different flavors too – a film like Scorsese’s 1976 The Last Waltz, a farewell tribute to The Band, stands as a one-night only record of a sold out event where the who’s who of the 1970s music world all come together to say goodbye to the biggest band you may have never personally heard of today. It is artists that you love, saying goodbye to an artist that they love, and the result is beautiful. In contrast, a film like A Hard Days Night, Richard Lester’s 1964 take on a day in the life of The Beatles, is meant to give us a sense of just how hectic things had become for them. What is perhaps funny though, is that even with its scripted comic sensibilities, you do get the feeling that you are getting at least a bit of a real glimpse into their lives.

One caveat to keep in mind with band documentaries of course is that we must stay conscious to the fact that each band has a vested interest in telling you what they think their legacy is; they basically give you a prism through which they want you to see them. An important aside though is that, it does not negate the pearls of wisdom that can be found within. Sometimes, it is just great to get a perspective on (your own) music that you would not be afforded otherwise. With that in mind, here are a list of some top band documentaries and the lessons they provide. They are not the most 62

famous bands, nor do you even need to like their music; they simply teach great lessons about the game/art/business of music.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart by Wilco Lesson: Navigating the insides of an industry deal Key Movie Quote: “The record so nice they bought it twice!”- Tony Margherita (Band Manager).

This band had long been indie-credible media darlings by the time they went to record their fourth studio record, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This movie follows this Alt-Country Rock band after they received a roughly $85,000 advance from Reprise Records to deliver an album. The record, once completed, delivered and thus contract fulfilled, was threatened to be shelf-ed (basically tucked away in a vault-unreleased) by the company unless the band went back and re-recorded them a single. After the band refused, the label rejected the work and dropped them from the label.

After the record was somehow leaked to a small but loyal audience and press machine, complete with the story that the label would not release it, a bidding war ensued and history was made.

Shut up and Sing by The Dixie Chicks Lesson: How quick your entire Fan-base can turn on you Key Movie Quote: “Can we just decide what kind of band we are gonna’ be here?” – Natalie Maines.

When Natalie Maines, lead singer of this Country music group, made an anti-war comment before an audience in 2003 London, stating that she was “ashamed of the President,” the outcry back in the USA was immediate and lasting; at least among a traditionally conservative Country audience. This movie follows the band from the moment she made this comment, through the backlash that followed, all the way up to the recording and release of their follow-up album Taking the Long Way. This album, both a departure from previous due to the people involved, the sound garnered, and how they would

even go about selling it, is a direct response to their critics, loyal fans and even to each other. With all roads leading to eventual death threats that the band would receive, this movie represents a band looking inward toward itself to decide who they would be (to their fans and to each other) in the face of adversity.

Buena Vista Social Club by Ry Cooder, Wim Wenders, and the many players of the old Buena Vista Social Club in Havana, Cuba.

Lesson: The power of perseverance!

Key Movie quote: “I didn’t want to sing any more, I was very disillusioned. Life can be very hard. I was tired of singing and not earning anything.”

In 1997, Wim and Ry traveled to Cuba to explore a particular intersection of fallout from years of strained relations from the US and Cuban governments. Most specifically, to answer the question: What became of all the great musicians of Cuba’s once thriving nightclub scene after jet-setting, music-loving Americans (spending their tourist money) could no longer stop in anytime they wished? Many of the performers, once so highly regarded and renowned in these circles, went on to live lives all but forgotten, working in various lackluster fields (one popular singer was found to have been shining shoes in Havana for years). This film (and the corresponding record) sought to track down some of those artists, see what they were doing now, and give them the opportunity to try music one last time. This heartbreakingly poignant tale takes you on a journey that you will not want to miss and teaches that no matter how out of reach that goal seems, there is a chance that your wildest dreams can still come true.

Inside/Out discusses all things music and musician related. Feel free to send any questions, suggestions, or hate mail as you see fit. If you have any band documentaries you think should be added to the list— let us know about them!

GEROLSTEINER

WISDOM FROM AN UNWISE BACKPACKER: KENYA

by Mohammed Alsanea

What was waiting for me on my first day in Nairobi was even worse than what my pessimistic mind at the time could come up with. Arriving late at night I was taken to a small guesthouse to spend the night since it was too dangerous to travel at that time of day. On the plane, a few minutes before landing, I was chatting with a local stewardess who assured me that according to the name I’ve just given her, I was to spend my night in one of the finest hotels in Nairobi. It’s amazing how accidentally forgetting to mention three letters can cause such confusion.

Inside my room there were two stained beds (stains from scented oil; fingers crossed) with a rusted ceiling fan hanging from above and a toilet that I made sure not to revisit during my entire stay. There was a broken window that I classified as being ‘safe enough’ given that it will take a skinny Spiderman to climb two floors and get through it. It was the door that I was concerned about. The lock on it seemed to be more of a decoration statement than a functional one, so I hoped a little Feng Shui would get me through the night. I don’t remember how and when exactly I fell asleep, just that I woke up in my travel-wear sleeping over scattered shirts hoping that the view from my window will somehow change my 64

opinion of this place. It did. I realized that I was so lucky to have arrived at night not knowing exactly what sort of neighborhood I was in.

I got up. Shower-less, I packed my backpack and left to the nearby local market to take the crowded matata (mini bus) for a three hour ride to Nakuru, my destination for the next two weeks. I met with Max, a local preacher and my host family, and after a short ride we reached his house where Patricia, his two little kids and cousin, were waiting around a table of chapatti and tea.

Their home was a modest three bedroom in a neighborhood surrounded by a cluster of homes divided by alleys of dirt roads and what appeared to serve as a cattle breeding ground as well. I did not know it at the time, but I was living in the slums of Nakuru. The smell of the waste scattered nearby, the funeral next door and the hallucinations caused by the malaria pills (which I chose to blame for the rattling noises under my bed at night) made the first few days extremely hard.

Three weeks back I was sitting inside a travel agency on Deansgate St in Manchester waiting my turn to book a ticket to New York and flipping through all the scattered brochures. I wasn’t an adventurous guy back then, but for a brief moment, an inexplicable second, the idea of Africa seemed

just right and I left Deansgate St with a ticket to Kenya in my hand.

Here I was standing on a nameless dirt road in the middle of the slums where kids and cattle took over the morning shift leaving the night to a more dangerous crowd.

With Nakuru, it was very easy to focus on the negative side to this city. It does not resemble many aspects of the life I grew to know and be comfortable with. But after spending time with its people and slowly adapting to the environment around me, I began to see the other side of Kenya, the picturesque landscapes, the kindness of the locals, the innocence of its kids and the magic of its animal Kingdom. I left Kenya after two weeks not giving much but gaining a lot.

This was seven years ago, when I went to Kenya without any prior plans, spontaneously.

Since my trip to Kenya, I knew that I wanted to see more of this world, the part that I don’t get to see. I wanted to face more of my fears and take myself out of my comfortable life, not because I get pleasure from torturing myself (now that’s a different article!), but because I know that there are stories to be told from locals, fears to be shed after an experience, lessons to be learned, faith to be strengthened, and a life to be lived.

CROCS

bazaar goes dining

VINE RESTAURANT Mediterranean tapas infused with passion by bazaar staff

If you live in Kuwait, then I’m sure that you’ve sampled fusion dining, especially in a town that devotedly celebrates every food trend.

The experience might completely take us by surprise, overwhelm us, or whimsically remind us of the familiar. Either way, Kuwait is abound with avid foodies who dare to push the limits of the traditional, and our latest visit to Vine Restaurant remarkably delivers on this premise.

Coming from a Lebanese background, I’ve always had a hankering for preparing my country’s favorite local dishes with different ingredients. I vividly remember how my relatives would stare me down whenever I’d offer them something new to try, where I’d meekly disown my Brie and caramelized fig mankousheh concoction, and settle for the classic Thyme and olive oil counterpart. It was always delicious, but my palate ached for more.

Once I arrived at Vine restaurant, however, all of my devious foodie fantasies materialized. A beetroot Kebbeh, Edamame-infused Hummus and Quinoa-stuffed vine leaves are only but a few samplings of what this special place has to offer in terms of a contemporary take on your favorite Mediterranean flavor profiles.

Located in Bneid El Gar, Vine is immaculately decorated around the theme of the magnificent grape. Everything that this divine fruit has to offer is exemplified in calming hues of soothing mauve and earthy greens; both the indoor and alfresco dining areas make for a pleasant dining experience. Upon arrival, we were presented with a traditional Diyafeh, or welcome offering, of freshly baked Tannour bread along with chopped grapes, rosemary-infused feta cheese drizzled in olive oil accompanied by a cool clear glass jug filled with lemon and mint water. The choices of the Tannour bread on offer were dazzling, from rose, pistachio, raisins, mushroom, spicy Maabouch, mint and olives, your taste buds will start dancing in no time.

What I personally enjoyed the most about Vine is that I received the opportunity to sample traditional dishes in a completely new light. For this reason alone, you must come with a group of friends, and more importantly come hungry. Order a wide selection of freshly prepared dishes, creatively thought out, refreshingly new and unique. In tasting the wide selection of appetizers, you will instantly be reminded of the concept of ‘less is more’, where simple earthy flavors inspired by the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer, will make for a feast. Our feast included the Kubba Baqlava, a 66

flaky, crunchy yet savory plate that offers the best of both worlds—deliciously spiced minced beef, along with a beautifully baked pastry sprinkled with crushed pistachios. The Kubbah affair continued with innovative twists in the forms of Pumpkin Kubbah with a caramelized onion stuffing, a slightly sweeter yet addictive Beetroot Kubbah along with a meat-based Kubbah with quinoa stuffing. With many Kubbah options suited for vegetarians, you can finally experience the Kubbah delicacy as the wonderful people at Vine have made this staple dish accessible to everyone. Instead of the traditional Baba Ghanouj, we revisited this local favorite in a new and inventive format: Mama Ghanouj! With chunky pieces of pumpkin marinated

in the customary flavors of the Baba Ghanouj, the result is incredibly addictive and fresh. You’ll immediately sense a taste of the familiar, yet the slight sweetness of the pumpkin adds a new dimension to the palate. If you fancy the olden but golden dish, rest assured that traditional Moutabal and Baba Ghanouj are also available.

From the world of Falafel, we sampled the Falafel Sultany, a clever mix of quinoa and beetroot based falafel with a light side salad and yoghurt dip. Venturing into the salad and soup selections, a must try includes the Beetroot Rocca Salad.

Fresh, untreated beetroot is finely julienned with crunchy, peppery Rocca and a drizzle of dressing make this a favorite. Other classic salads are the

Greek as well as the Tabbouleh with Quinoa. Not only is the much-coveted Quinoa present in many dishes, yet the power-food is expertly utilized to enhance the texture of the dishes at Vine. Beyond the beautiful we loved how the presentation made for a visual treat, as the salads are layered artfully and presented in mason jars.

Main courses included an expertly grilled Veal Fillet with a coffee sauce, with a side of grilled potato wedges. The steak is effortlessly prepared to your liking. Now, you might think that it’s crazy to combine a regional coffee such as Turkish or Arabic coffee to protein, yet the texture is slightly adapted to become a magnificently unexpected side sauce, with a hint of cardamom. Besides this

innovative sauce, the veal used in this dish, as well as all of the other meat dishes, is freshly sourced in Kuwait. We also tried the basil Panfried Chicken with a quinoa crust, which is your local house favorite of escalope pane reimagined with Quinoa. The crust is crunchy, with a hint of basil and olive oil, whereas the chicken breast that lies within is succulent and tender. A bazaar favorite from the main dishes was the Kafta Yort Oglo, which offers the best of Lebanese and Greek flavor profiles. The kafta patty is extremely juicy and tender given the quality of the meat used, and the Tzatziki-like yoghurt dip completely lifts a simple dish to another level. They even offer a Lebanese and Kuwaiti medley in the form of the Kafta Maabouch,

which is scintillatingly spicy.

Dessert is a fantastic foray into Mediterranean delicacies. A classic Jazzariya bil Ashta, which includes shredded and sweetly marinated carrots in rose honey draped upon fresh cream with crushed pistachios and almonds to perfectly complete the trio of contrasting textures. The Ek Mik, a baklva and Kunafa mix, was simply gorgeous, as the combination of the sticky base of Kunafa with flaky baklava made for blissfully sweet treat. To end our dining experience, we sampled the locally grown Lemon Grass tea.

For more information, delivery or reservations, please call 2225 4055. Follow Vine on Instagram @Vinekwt or visit www.vinekwt.com.

67

YARROW’S UNIQUE STYLE

The online boutique offers luxury items only you will be wearing by bazaar staff

You know that feeling, when you walk into a party wearing your favorite dress. The one that fits just right and makes you feel like you can conquer the world. You look across the room, and realize another girl is wearing the same piece.

You have it dressed up with accessories, but still the piece has lost its charm and you wish you had worn something else.

Enter Yarrow Boutique, a luxury online store, that wont break your bank. Every piece in their online selection has been handpicked by owner and manager, 24 year old Shahad Alsaad from Paris, Berlin and Dubai. Her main goal is to make sure you feel special in what you are wearing.

“We are known as a boutique that has unique and special pieces,” she said. “Everything in our collection is in Kuwait for the first time. If we find that the designer is being sold elsewhere, we will drop them. If you buy from us, know you are one of the few people wearing it.”

One of 12 to be exact. Alsaad only purchases a dozen of each carefully selected piece. Her boutique showcases brands like Talula, nOir, CC Skye and BSABLE. This season is all about flower prints, neon, Tiffany blues and hues and so is the Yarrow collection. From the gorgeous blue Dianna maxi dress from Gypsy 05 worn by Kourtney Kardashian to the beautiful pink prints on the Tiffany blue Lagouna skirt from This is a Love Song, the styles will keep you clicking for more.

68

Yarrow’s specialty is their incredible selection of accessories. Alsaad showed me her favorite piece, a double strand droplet necklace by Anton Heunis.

The two gorgeous chains combine gold and silver chains and are accented with a cold blue stone at each end. The stunning piece can be worn with any outfit, but would be an amazing compliment to that little black dress you love.

The Heunis collection is particularly special because each piece by this designer is handcrafted in his studio located in the historic center of Madrid. He uses rare vintage glass, Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones to create bold, yet timeless pieces. While his pieces are well known and available around the world in high-end department stores like Harvey Nichols and Neiman Marcus, Yarrow Boutique is the only place you can get them in Kuwait.

Behind the great pieces, incredible deals and amazing trends is Alsaad’s dedication to her customers. While she only purchases high quality products from the latest designers, she also wants to make sure that every piece you buy will look absolutely stunning on you. So don’t be surprised if you get a phone call from her or one of her stylists right after you put in your order.

“We have a very open return policy,” she said.

“The most important thing for me is that it fits well.

I call customers before sending their orders and ask them what sizes they wear in UK and US and

what their body type is. Sometimes customers pick something that I know will not look right on their body type, so I’ll suggest something different.”

You don’t have to order something to get recommendations from Alsaad. With a quick call to her customer service number you will be connected with her or one of her stylists. They can find you the perfect outfit for yourself, or the perfect gift for a loved one, even if it isn’t on the website.

With five years of experience bringing in the latest fashions from Europe, the next step for Yarrow is to reverse the supply chain. Alsaad is on the lookout for Kuwaiti designers she can take to her large pool of Paris and London based customers. For her, this is the ultimate dream.

“When I start something I think about where it will take me in the next ten years,” she said. “I have always known that I wanted to do something that was more than just selling styles. I am going to take Kuwaiti designers to Europe, and make them known brands in the European market.”

Until then, Yarrow Boutique has made its mark as a high quality online fashion boutique, with a personal touch.

Visit Yarrow Boutique at yarrowboutique.com.

Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @yarrowboutique. Or get in touch with them by phone at 2291 3299.

KITCHENAID

bazaar fitness

NO GAIN BECAUSE OF THE PAIN

by Mike Campbell

Accepting that you will train smart but train hard, means that at some stage during your strength and conditioning program you may experience an injury. This might be an injury received during a competition or meet, a nonrelated training accident like a twisted ankle playing soccer, or even an injury received during a training session. Nobody wants to get injured, but it happens. Accepting it might happen, and knowing how to correctly deal with it, might mean the difference between a successful recovery and a prolonged rehabilitation.

We often observe the two different methods of dealing with an injury. People either are seen to be training through it, or doing everything necessary to get it healed up and prevent it from happening again. If you’re anything like me, and have stubborn tendencies, you have probably learnt the hard way by undertaking the first method before accepting the second.

My old Physiotherapist in New Zealand, who later went on to become the All Blacks team physiotherapist, used to say, “if a movement causes pain, then don’t do it, and if it doesn’t hurt then keep going.” Training through an injury will only lead to further compensation, which will lead to yet another injury down the road. Our body is a clever creature. If you push it, it will find a way to do something, even if it is the wrong way of doing it.

I’d encourage you to try and find the sweet spot in your training. This is the zone where you can work on strengthening the areas that don’t hurt, while removing anything that will give you problems until your injury has healed.

The following is a serious of thoughts that you should consider if you’re currently injured and not sure exactly how to proceed: Diagnose the Cause of the Problem Are you really injured, and if so, what type of injury is it? Ok, I get that your shoulder is sore when you try to bench press, but have you wondered why it is sore? Are you experiencing a strain, a tear, an impingement, an inflamed tendon or a tight muscle?

Is this caused by an imbalance in your training?

Something as simple as a trigenics session, or some postural taping, might be all that’s required to decrease the pain, whilst you focus on conducting a corrective exercise program to target the cause.

I’m willing to wager that if you’re a guy reading this you might know your bench press maximum, but did you know that you need to lift 10% of that weight with a dumbbell for 8 reps on each arm with a 3:1:3:1 tempo performing a seated dumbbell external rotation drill? Why? Because if you can do 70

that then you have balance in your shoulders, and the likelihood of suffering a shoulder injury while bench pressing, will be greatly reduced.

Don’t Create Other Injuries If you are dealing with an injury requiring a long healing period, a shoulder injury for example, be careful you do not cause other injuries or imbalances in your training. If your right shoulder is hurt and you spend three months only working your left arm and left shoulder, you could be setting yourself up for future problems. It is not just your arms, but your back, hips, and legs that will be affected by this constant unbalanced unilateral movement. In this scenario, you are better off focusing on lower body and core exercises whilst doing some upper body work. Seek guidance from an experienced personal trainer to help you choose appropriate exercises.

If It Hurts, Stop. Repeat after me: “It’s Just Not Worth It” For the vast majority of us, we work out for fun or because we are committed to a certain level of health. We are not professional athletes, nor for the most part, even competitive amateur athletes.

Your mission in the gym is to get stronger, faster, and healthier whilst improving your body composition. As trainers or coaches we want to see you injury free. Training through pain and skipping recovery will not get you to that place. You can do it in the short-term, but it will come back to haunt you in the form of continued injuries, arthritis, chronic pain and more. Pay attention to your body.

Those signals of pain are important. It’s your body telling you something is wrong and to stop and

address the problem. If you choose to stay at the gym and work around your injury, then really work around it and make sure your coach is aware of the situation. Do not do things that only “hurt a little.”

If it hurts, stop doing it. If you are hurting it, you are not healing it…it’s just not worth it.

If your form breaks down under heavier load, it could be too much.

Now this is a tough one. How much is too much? Personally every coach will have a different perspective on this. To start with, remember who you are and your training goals. I don’t believe you can break your personal bests every day. At times you will need to push hard, but always come back to your training program and your goals. Try to pick the days when you’re going to excel like they do in the Westside barbell training methodology. You can’t always do this, but it’s great to have guidelines.

So in summary; train hard with an effective training program. If you get injured, diagnose, and then treat it. Use the time you are injured to examine why you got injured. Educate yourself, learn and implement a plan to reduce the likelihood of this occurring again. If it hurts, STOP. You will only make it worse. Take some time once you have read this to think about how you are training. Are you on the road to success, or just around the corner from disaster?

Mike Campbell is the GM and Co Founder of Inspire Pure Fitness. For further information please email: info@inspirekw.com or jane@inspirekw.com or visit www.inspirekw.com.

*SV XLI 0SZI SJ E ,IEPXLMIV /Y[EMX

PURE

3VHIV =SYV +PYXIR *VII 'EXIVMRK +SSHW 555-43000 / 555-66676 PurebyREDKuwait

www.redcateringkuwait.com

pure

By R.E.D Catering

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

La Rinconada, Peru

Magdalena shooting in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

CAPTIVATING ISOLATION Interview with Magdalena Correa by bazaar staff

Chilean by birth and Spanish based, Magdalena Correa is an artist who invites us to explore how identities are formed. Always interested in social issues, she develops photographic and audiovisual research projects about the most remote locations in the world in which man sets up shelter and builds a life. She sheds light on how we assimilate, adapt and survive under conditions that are sometimes deliberate or otherwise circumstantial. With an artistic career that focuses on the principles of photography and video since 1997, she explores isolated and extreme regions from both ends of the spectrum.

Known for her explorative work on the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia, “La desaparición” in 2008, the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile, “Niveo” in 2011 that showcases a town named Villa Las Estrellas in Antarctica, and most recently “La Rinconada” in the Peruvian Andes, Correa effortlessly draws attention to various social issues through these geographical choices. Through her magical portraits, she conveys stories of forgotten people, difficult social and geographical conditions that subject local residents into what could be considered as morbid dealings, or even a town’s quiet contentment as life passes it by. In every case, however, she suggests that there is more to life than what we normally catch on the news. Beyond the headlines and into the remote, she takes us on journeys of enlightenment.

On her recent visit to Kuwait, we met with the talented artist as she told us more about her work, what she wishes to achieve and why she specifically chose Kuwait for her next project.

72

La Rinconada, Peru When did you first become interested in art?

I think it was during my childhood. I wanted to know how the life of people located in places very far from my country would be like.

Why did you choose to specialize in the disciplines of Photography and Video? Do you think that these mediums better express your artistic vision more than other forms of art?

Yes, these are the specific disciplines in which I feel much more free to express what I want. I find them to be much less constrained than other languages, such as painting for example.

What or who inspires your work?

I am interested in exploring territories that experience a situation of isolation, precariousness and oblivion. Places with a form of unstable human life, where its people have put up with harsh conditions imposed by the power of nature. I like pausing and looking at geographical and human isolation and unknown spaces that coexist with our everyday life but that are beyond our everyday worries, since our lives are based on comfort, and so we do not need to be concerned with them as, in many cases, due to their inaccessibility, they simply do not appear on maps.

Can you tell us about what you aim to achieve through your art?

I want to contribute in some way to the rest of the world by inviting them to pay attention to what is happening elsewhere.

Many people consider your photography and video series as a political and economic commentary to harsh social realities. Do you agree with this opinion?

Yes, my goal is precisely to sensitize the public and make them aware that there are very extreme and different places from their own realities.

One, as a human being, cannot be oblivious to them and ignore them.

I strongly believe that art should be a social tool. I want to help people know about such extreme realities, and acknowledge situations that they won’t necessarily like, situations that disturb, frighten or overwhelm us, but they exist and are there despite our ignorance. For me, art must assume a social commitment. It should not be only one form of expression. However, I still don’t wish for my work to fall under a purely documentary work category, my intention is to tell a story in a manner

Magdalena Correa that is rather suggestive than literal, effectively enabling the viewer of my work to perform an exercise in comprehension.

What do you think is the most captivating element about the isolated locations that you choose?

What captivates me the most is the symbiosis that takes place between man and nature, regardless of location.

How do you decide on the locations for your photography projects?

I first research places where human life develops in very precarious conditions.

Once I’ve selected several places, I begin to further explore each of them until a person’s specific condition compels me.

Can you tell us more about your most recent work?

The last project that I realized was “ La Rinconada “ A sparsely inhabited location in the Peruvian Andes with almost 5500 meters of altitude where there also is a gold mine that has been a type of magnet for people to come and work at. At the same time, the place is abound with many people who are disinherited of its fortunes.

Do you have a specific project that you’ve worked that you consider as your favorite? If so, can you tell us more about that?

My favorite project is Niveo. It included a four-week stay in Antarctica, in an area called Fildes Bay where military stations of Chile, Argentina, Russia, China, and Uruguay have to coexist in peace. It was a fantastic experience that demonstrated to me that human beings could come to an understanding when material elements such as money are scarce, so there’s nothing worth fighting over.

Do you see yourself undertaking photography projects in the Middle East?

Yes, for sure. In fact, my new project showcases Kuwait City as my location of choice.

Can you tell us more about that project?

I have decided to carry out a project that, unlike my previous ones, now reflects a territory where the majority of its habitants do not have needs, but everything opposite, they develop a life with many comforts, with easy access to elements that we could easily label as elements of luxury.

For more information, please visit her website, www.magdalenacorrea.com.

73

big boys toys Because grown men still need to play

BREAKING BAD SNOW GLOBE

NIKE KOBE 9 ELITE

ONNIT ZOMBIE BELLS

When all the Blu-ray discs are worn thin and all those hours of unreleased extras have come and gone, the beloved Breaking Bad addict in your life will still need a fix. That’s when you’ll take this heirloom from its place of honor on the mantle and give it a good shake. One shake will engulf the RV in a blizzard of beautiful blue crystals giving life momentary meaning. The scene will help you reminisce about Walt and Jesse’s first lab in the middle of the Albuquerque desert.

Unfortunately you will have to wait a wee while yet to make this purchase a reality, as even though it is on pre-order in the USA, it’s official release date is December 2014.

Combining never-before-seen aesthetics with footwear technology designed to work with your foot, rather than against it, in a color range that could only be inspired by one of basketball’s most colorful characters — the Nike Kobe 9 Elite (available February) is a shoe apart from any other. It uses Nike’s Flyknit technology to make an upper that feels seamless, enhancing breathability, stretch, and support. Their Flywire technology helps provide additional support in the mid foot, loosening and tightening as your feet move. Lunarlon cushioning gives improved impact resistance, while keeping your feet anchored to the ground as you play. All that plus looking good…yes please!

You’re already pretty well-prepared for the inevitability of the dead one day walking the earth — you’ve stocked up on canned foods, you’ve hoarded all the ammunition you could ever need, you’ve even made steps to fortify your home — but if you don’t have physical strength, there’s no way you’ll ever last. With Onnit Zombie Bells (available in weights ranging from 8 to 32 kgs) you can build up the brawn you need to resist the hordes of walkers.

Each one features a distinct zombie facade, and is made from perfectly-balanced, chip-resistant iron with enlarged handles giving you improved grip strength. If all the precautions fail, now you can pull off their heads with your new-found muscles.

www.werd.com

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

BATMAN TUMBLER GOLF CART

INDOOR FLAMELESS MARSHMALLOW ROASTER

LEGO THE SIMPSONS

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, some mad genius goes and creates the unimaginable, a Batman Tumbler Golf Cart (KD 5,000). While it may not have rocket-propulsion and an array of formidable weaponry, that shouldn’t diminish anything about this impressive beast. Starting from the frame of an EZ-Go Golf Cart, they’ve stripped it down and rebuilt it from frame and sheet metal with a carefully-sculpted cowl. The tech specs include a go-cart motor capable of driving at 38mph, four-link rear suspension with coil-over-shocks, a brand new battery, leather seats, and so much more. Plenty to make even the caped crusader happy.

Can’t go outside due to the weather being too hot or live in an apartment, yet craving s’mores... #firstworldproblems #problemsolved. This indoor flameless roaster produces campfire-worthy toasted marshmallows without an open flame. Marshmallows are toasted over a stainless steel electric heater, which also makes it safe and easy to use with children. Ideal for creating s’mores year ‘round, the included divided tray holds a ready supply of chocolate, graham crackers, or candies for your marshmallow creations. Four included stainless steel forks hold marshmallows securely over the roaster.

All pieces hand wash easily.

Everyone’s favorite yellow minifigs and the cartoon world’s most famous yellow family have finally joined forces. Lego The Simpsons (KD 60) will take two forms.

The first, a Lego set, depicting the Simpson family’s home painstakingly recreated in brick form — complete with minifigs of Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Homer, Marge, and Ned Flanders. The second, a Lego-themed episode of The Simpsons planned to air on FOX in May of this year.

The set is sure to please longtime Simpsons fans, with plenty of incredible details including the family’s car, Bart’s skateboard, a radioactive isotope, and much more. We can think of no better way to celebrate the show’s 25th year than this iconic partnership.

www.amazon.com

www.hammacher.com

www.uncrate.com

74

A DIVISION OF LANDMARK RETAIL LTD.

ICONIC

www.theiconicstores.com

KUWAIT | KSA | UAE LEVEL 1, THE MALL, THE AVENUES TEL: 22200545/6

bazaar techno Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ~ Arthur C. Clarke

KOLIBREE SMART TOOTHBRUSH

GARMIN DASH CAM 20

You’ll have no excuse but be gingivitis-free at your next dentist appointment, thanks to the world’s first connected toothbrush. The Kolibree Smart Toothbrush (KD 30-60) keeps daily tabs on your brushing habits. After downloading the accompanying app and connecting it to the toothbrush via Bluetooth, each brush stroke is recorded. The data then syncs to the app and reveals if you brushed long enough and reached important parts of the teeth and gums.

The app can work with several toothbrushes, so a whole family can participate. It also rewards improvement and gives a score to help encourage both adults and kids to improve.

While dash-mounted cameras haven’t quite caught on here like they have in Russia, that doesn’t make them any less useful. They’re a great way to document a road trip and capture the kind of events you never would have seen coming. The Garmin Dash Cam 20 (KD 65) gives you everything you could ever need in any of these scenarios, with functionality to start and stop when you turn on your engine, a gravity sensor that knows when you’ve been in an accident, and built-in GPS to log the location of every bit of footage. It records in full HD onto a microSD card, features a 2.3-inch display, and is pretty easy to install — so you’ll always have video evidence of everything that happens on the road.

www.mashable.com

www.uncrate.com

www.mashable.com

SAMSUNG GALAXY CAMERA 2

LACIE SPHÈRE

NETATMO JUNE BRACELET

Samsung has announced the latest — albeit incremental — update to their point-and-shoot, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2. While much of it remains pretty much the same (you’ll still find a 16-megapixel sensor, 21-times zoom lens, and a 4.8-inch LCD screen), it gets enough improvements to make most casual photographers happy. With increased battery capacity and reduction in weight, this web-connected, Android-powered cameraphone hybrid is now much more user-friendly for shooters on the move. Combine that with NFC photo sharing to your actual phone (transfer through touching phones), a newer 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, an update to Android 4.3 and you get a powerful, fast camera that can easily share photos to a range of services no matter where you are.

Just because you need more storage space for everything on your computer — whether it’s regular backups, your ridiculous collection of MP3s, an archive of every photo you’ve ever taken, or your complete video library — doesn’t mean you need to junk up your desk with some clunky-looking hard drive. The LaCie Sphère (KD 120) is a truly gorgeous work of industrial art, and with USB 3.0 connectivity and a terabyte of storage space, it’s no slouch either.

Handcrafted and silvered in France, the enclosure is made by master craftsmen at Christofle, sports a unique round shape, and is polished for a highlyreflective surface. And with USB 3.0, it’s nearly three times faster than a regular USB, all without requiring a power cable. Yes, please!

A new connected bracelet from a designer behind the Harry Winston and LV brands keeps track of excessive sun exposure and lets you know when you’ve had enough (or not enough). The June bracelet — from Netatmo, is the first bracelet to measure the sun’s impact. The wristband syncs with an iOS device and alerts users when the skin has had too much exposure to the sun. It also monitors UV intensity, and tracks daily habits. The app also calculates the max sun exposure for your specific skin type. While fitness wristband trackers and smartwatches can be clunky and unattractive, the June bracelet is feminine and flattering, while also practical. It comes in gold, platinum and gunmetal.

www.uncrate.com

www.uncrate.com

www.mashable.com

76

LUMO LIFT BODYTECH During the 2014 International CES in the US a small gadget was unveiled that nudges you to remind you to stand up straight. The Lumo Lift (KD 17 and coming out this Spring), which comes in a variety of colors, detects your body’s positioning and when you start to slouch, the device vibrates and reminds you to adjust your stance. Helpful for people with posture, back, or neck issues, and anyone who does not want these to develop, which is most of us working in front of a computer.

The Lift can be clasped to an undershirt, collar or bra strap and also provides feedback and rewards through a mobile app.

FATBURGER

THE PERFECT GIFT

Original Basket Boutique takes the hassle out of gift giving by bazaar staff

Finding the perfect gift can be a stressful and sometimes painful process. You want it to be personal, but different. You’d like the receiver to feel special, and know that you took the time to think about them and appreciate who they are. You don’t want to give them something they can easily get themselves, or something they are just going to throw in the corner.

If you are in this conundrum right now, then you should head to the Kipco Tower to see Samar Al-Hajjaj at Original Basket Boutique. As soon as you walk into the store, you can see the impressive array of materials she has for baskets, and her incredible ability to piece unique items together to create the perfect present.

78

It isn’t magic, it is dedication.

“I enjoy what I do,” she told bazaar. “Anybody who enjoys what they do puts a little more effort than it being a job.”

When you think of gift baskets, it invokes pictures of wicker baskets with chocolate, coffee or tea. Indeed, at Original Basket Boutique you can get Feridies gourmet nuts in sweet or savory flavors, and all the other regular trappings of a snack gift basket.

Or, you can go for something special.

For Al-Hajjaj special is a personal touch bound to make your gift giving experience a memorable one. At any given moment you will probably find her skirting

around the store, gathering materials for her latest creation. It is in the back though, on the comfortable white sofa, where it all begins.

There you can get to know the warm and humorous Al-Hajjaj, and she finds out everything she needs in order to make it your special basket. She asks questions about the occasion, and what makes that person special. Some may have a piece they have already purchased, such as a favorite video game or a piece of jewelry. Others start from scratch, and only a budget in mind. No matter the occasion, or the gift, Al-Hajjaj is ready for any challenge.

“What we have is a complete gift basket company,

so we have houseware, a baby line, a gourmet line, giftware occasions and accessories,” said Al-Hajjaj.

“If we don’t have the item a customer is looking for, we will go out and find it for them. So we basically take the hassle out of gift giving.”

And they love to get creative. If someone is looking for a gift for the camping lover in their life she suggests using an old Kuwaiti portable aluminum barbecue grill as the basket, and fill it with sauces, utensils, and a GPS tracker. She will place the items on a bed of coal in the pan, and wrap it in the special foil wrap, and deliver it within 24 hours.

“When you think about it, it’s about putting all

parts of the person in a basket with all the things they may like,” she said.

With five years experience putting these baskets together, Al-Hajjaj is bound to have some interesting ideas for your next occasion. She’s worked on all kinds of events from baby showers and bachelorette parties to corporate events. Every piece that leaves her store is a reflection of her talent, and the person’s interests.

For those that are looking for something more standard and quick, she invites them to search available items on her website. Go for a ready-made Crayola ensemble for the kid in your life, a pasta and snack basket for your new neighbor or a personalized

bath basket for your loved one on Valentine’s Day, complete with embroidered towels.

So, next time you’re short on ideas for an occasion, head over to the Original Basket Boutique and take a moment with Al-Hajjaj on her white couch, and let her help you make the day a memorable one.

Visit the Original Basket Boutique on the M2 level of the Kipco Tower from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Contact them at meorders@obbgifts.com or by phone at 9972 8030, visit their website at www.obbgifts.com or www.obbme.com. You can also follow them on Instagram @obb_kuwait.

79

CAFFEINE MAY HELP YOU FORGET LESS

by Deborah Netburn

If you have trouble remembering where you parked the car, you might consider making a double shot espresso part of your daily routine.

A new study in the journal Nature Neuroscience suggests that the same amount of caffeine you’d find in a grande latte can enhance long-term memory in humans.

“We report for the first time a specific effect of caffeine on reducing forgetting over 24 hours,” Michael Yassa, a professor of brain science who recently moved his lab from Johns Hopkins University to the University of California-Irvine, said in a statement.

To test how caffeine affects memory in the human brain, researchers at Yassa’s lab at Johns Hopkins recruited 60 people who have a relatively low daily caffeine intake. Subjects were asked to look at 200 pictures of everyday objects like a chair, or a coffee mug on a screen and tell the researchers whether the object was an indoor item or outdoor item.

“It didn’t matter what they said; we just wanted them to pay attention to the pictures,” said Yassa.

Five minutes after the volunteers completed the task, half of them were given 200 milligrams of caffeine in the form of two small pills. The other half were given two placebo pills that looked exactly the same. The study was double blind, so neither the subjects nor the researchers knew who got the caffeine pills and who got the placebos.

The next day, the subjects were asked to look at another set of images and identify which pictures they had seen the day before, which pictures were new, and which pictures were similar, but a little different to the ones they had already seen. For example, maybe a coffee cup that was a different color, or a chair photographed from a different angle.

While both groups had the same success rate when it came to identifying pictures that were the same and pictures that were different, the volunteers who received the caffeine pills were better at remembering that a picture was similar, but a little different to one they had seen before.

“It is a much more detailed memory,” said Yassa. “If all they remembered was ‘coffee mug,’ they would say the picture was the same. But they were remembering the exact coffee mug they saw.”

Scientists call this type of memory — when we can determine that something is similar but not exactly the same as something we’ve seen or done before — “pattern separation memory.” It is the type of memory we use at the end of a work day when we remember where we parked our car in the morning, rather than yesterday morning, or the morning before.

To see if more caffeine leads to better memory boosts, the researchers tried the trial again with 300 milligrams of caffeine. The results were about 80

the same as with the 200 milligram dose, and some of the test subjects reported some uncomfortable side effects from the increased caffeine levels, including nausea and jitters.

Yassa said that there is no magic in taking caffeine five minutes after something that occurs

that you need to remember. “Before or between or after or during, it would all work,” he said. “The only thing I would say is: Don’t drink caffeine to pull an all-nighter. Sleep is really good for memory, but if you are going to drink coffee to stay up, you won’t get the boost from either one.”

‫ﺧﻠﻲ ﺻﺒﺎﺣﻚ ﻓﺮﻳﺶ ‪ ...‬ﻣﻊ ﺑﻮﻓﻴﺔ إﻓﻄﺎر دﻳﻔﺎز‬

‫أﻛﺒﺮ ﺑﻮﻓﻴﻪ إﻓﻄﺎر ﻣﻔﺘﻮح ﻓﻲ اﻟﻜﻮﻳﺖ‬ ‫ﺷﺮﻗﻲ‪ ،‬ﻏﺮﺑﻲ ﻳﺤﻀﺮ أﻣﺎﻣﻚ ﻃﺎزﺟ ًﺎ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻣﻦ ‪ 7‬ﺻﺒﺎﺣ ًﺎ ﺣﺘﻰ ‪ 12‬ﻇﻬﺮ ًا‬

‫‪DIVAS‬‬

‫دﻳﻔﺎز ‪ -‬ﻣﺠﻤﻊ أوﻟﻤﺒﻴﺎ‬ ‫ﻟﻠﺤﺠﺰ وا ﺳﺘﻔﺴﺎر ا ﺗﺼﺎل ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫‪1809070‬‬

TERKEEZ

Have fun at the brain gym! by bazaar staff

Prompted by his personal experiences, Dr. Naif Al Mutawa was motivated to create Terkeez to fit the needs of his child and help him overcome the difficulties he experienced at school. He explains, “Academically, he was consistently underperforming, and his teachers regularly pointed out that he needed to learn to focus and concentrate, even though he is a bright child. “Upon trying out many programs, Dr. Al-Mutawa wanted to help his child succeed independently and without a constant helping hand, adding, “There has to be equal growth in the underdeveloped areas of the brain. There wasn’t any program like that available here, so I started one.”

Essentially, Dr. Al Mutawa wanted to develop a program that answered his child’s needs only to find that he wasn’t alone. There are so many bright children, but their brilliance didn’t show in their academics or school experiences, hence his vision to create a program that encouraged independence, and fostered self-driven success. Children, just like adults, need to feel like they have some control – and therefore a sense of accomplishment – in order to be willing to continue to make an effort.

Dr. Al Mutawa tells us more about Terkeez in this special interview.

What is the inspiration behind the name Terkeez, and what does it mean in relation to the organization’s goals?

Terkeez represents the Arabic translation for ‘focus.’ There are a variety of reasons why children may have difficulty focusing. The most obvious, of course, is a learning disability called AttentionDeficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). This is not the only reason, however. Technology encourages the development of ‘fractured attention.’ On average, the screen on a digital gadget changes every 15 seconds! Additionally, unless the family specifically sets aside time to teach and model how to concentrate and persist in completing tasks, children don’t actually know how to do this. The ability to focus in any aspect of life is the key to success. At Terkeez, we aim above all to improve a child’s focus and concentration through teaching, modeling and opportunity to practice.

Can you tell us about the 3-part plan for drawing out children’s potential?

The Terkeez Brain Training program has three components, each of which aims to develop different skills. Neuro-feedback/brain training focuses on improving focus and concentration, curbing distractibility, and teaching persistence through problem-solving. In this session, the ‘Terkeezsters’ work alone on a laptop. For the remaining sessions, the children are grouped, and the learning is done together. In Executive Functions the focus is on problem-solving, planning and organizational skills, along with time management and memory 82

development. In Social Skills and Emotional Development, the major focus is group interactions within the context of social-skill building exercises and emotional intelligence games.

Are these attributes currently being underserviced locally and/ or what makes this different from regular tutoring?

It would seem so. We support development in areas that research data show are generally delayed in children with focus/attention issues.

This is very different from tutoring. Tutoring is a continuous process in which a child relies upon a tutor’s assistance and supervision to improve academic performance. This actually encourages the development of learned helplessness – without the tutor’s presence, the child is commonly unable to motivate him/herself to do the work required. There are other programs out there, but Terkeez is unique in that our ultimate aim is to “work ourselves out of a job.”

How do you differentiate the training and learning methods based on the child’s needs?

The neuro-feedback component is selfregulating. In other words, when a child accomplishes a task easily, the algorithm automatically adjusts that game component to make it more difficult. The opposite is true as well. In the Executive Function and Social Skills components, differentiation happens through small groups (maximum 12) and an age range that may spread from 6 to 14. The ideal exercise has all the children working together to complete tasks that stretch and grow their ability to be strategic, cooperative, collaborative and solution-focused.

Is there a set length of time for the program or is it ongoing?

While there are different packages and we offer significant flexibility, research has demonstrated that the ideal for improvement is three sessions per week, equal to 36 sessions (approximately

three months). After that, if the child’s level of performance is satisfactory, then the maintenance phase would begin. Maintenance consolidates the gains the child has made, and is two sessions per week for an additional 16 sessions (approximately two months). After that, it’s up to the family. Brain training is like the gym – gains made have to be maintained. The brain grows with exercise and atrophies with inactivity.

What projects are you currently working on/ what’s next?

We’re working on expanding our program to include four and five-year-olds in a school preparation program. The intent is to target focus/ attention issues, and work with these little ones to develop gross and fine motor skills, organizational skills, and generally prepare for the classroom.

Of course, when a child turns six, s/he would “graduate” into the full Terkeez program.

What do you see as the tangible benefits for both the children and the parents?

In the short term a better report card and, ultimately, a better academic experience overall.

Children who completed the program manifested an average gain of 4 years and 3 months on the Test of Cognitive Skills compared to 4 months’ improvement for the control group; and an average gain of 1 year and 11 months increase on the Test of Achievement compared to an average 1 month increase for the control group. This is significant, especially when one considers that when the children attend the Terkeez Brain Training program, they aren’t “doing” school. They think they’re playing games and making friends! Sounds like a “win-win” situation to me.

For more information, visit www.terkeez.com, find them on Facebook: Terkeez Brain Gym or call 6705 1122.

SPECIAL OFFER ON IMPLANTS Includes free opening of file for new patients

SPEC IMP IAL

LANT S

OFFE R

AL MUBARAKIYA DENTAL The grass is greener on our side

Salmiya: Al-Mubarakiya Building (Opp.AlHadi Hospital) Tel: 2563 0508/9

mubarakiyadental

mubarakiya_dc

mubarakiya_dental

Egaila: Awtad Mall Tel: 2384 6111/222

bazaar goes cruising

THE STRONGER, SMARTER, MORE CAPABLE TRUCK The All-New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado by bazaar staff

When Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Automotive recently launched the All-New 2014 Chevrolet Silverado in Kuwait, there was little surprise that it was such a coveted event. As the most popular and trusted pick-up in the country, the Silverado has enjoyed a rich history of loyalty in Kuwait. In their latest model however they have continued to raise the bar with an exceptional interior and exterior design and powerful performance that is made for any terrain.

After all the improvements and technological advancements, the All-New 2014 Silverado is stronger, smarter and more capable than ever and its benefits extend all the way from hood to hitch.

Silverado’s exterior design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic look.

The new design is more muscular, more functional and more aerodynamic. A twin-port grille, full-width bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is carried through in sculpted body sides and fender flares. So, yes, the truck will more than please the eyes, but what does it all mean? In the world of trucks these things are all for naught if we don’t have the essence of the truck under the hood. So, first things first, let’s talk engines: The 2014 Silverado models offer the widest 84

and strongest range of engines, with a trio of all-new EcoTec3 engines (a V-6 and two V-8’s) which all feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and continuous variable valve timing, a combination not found in competitor’s trucks. The engines also use a compact overhead-valve design and weight-saving components (such as aluminum blocks and cylinder heads) to reduce mass, for additional energy savings. The increased power, torque, and efficiency of the new EcoTec3 engine family resulted from an unprecedented level of computer analysis, which included, amongst others, extensive computational flow dynamics to optimize the burning of air and fuel in the cylinders.

More than 10 million hours of computational analysis went into the engine program. More than 6 million hours of analysis went into the advanced combustion system alone.

What does that mean for you, you may be wondering? Basically, beyond just having a big mean engine that does what you want, when you want it to, you have a “smart” engine that is able to adapt itself to its current driving environment.

For example, let’s take the most popular engine: Silverado’s all-aluminum EcoTec 5.3L V-8 Engine

with 355-horsepower. The first thing the engine does is senses your load, intuitively, then it seamlessly switches between V-8 power and four-cylinder for more fuel economy as demands change. Awesome. For Heavy-duty truck fans, you would more likely opt for the V-8 EcoTec3 6.2L with 420-horsepower as it is the best choice for hauling, with its class-leading trailering capacity.

Whether you are looking for heavy tow capability or just enough to beat the light pick ups out on local roads, there is a Silverado engine option for you here.

Now that we know this truck is more than just a pretty face, let’s get into the design itself. The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag.

New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the body-side, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab. All that adds up to a demonstratively sleeker vehicle for you (think understated elegance meets the muscle of Kuwait’s back roads and farms, and you are right on track here).

The pickup box also benefits from this focus by providing Silverado customers with the right

tools for the job. The box is made from roll-formed steel for increased strength and reduced mass (an important detail when compared with the often ‘stamped’ beds used by major competitors) and it features a range of smart solutions for everyday life. Silverado’s CornerStep bumper, combined with handholds built into the new box rail protectors, makes it easier to access the box. The bed is also available with new upper tie-down hooks, underrail light-emitting diode lighting, and an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate. All that is to basically say that they have tied in the pragmatic needs of the truck and tucked that in to design elements that make them sleeker in appearance.

The interior of this truck is developed entirely around functionality. Designed to meet the needs of the driver specifically, it intelligently integrates smart technologies into the interior space. With redesigned front seats that are built for all-day comfort and made from a stain-resistant highwear vinyl, cloth or leather, there is no trip too long or too bumpy. Both the Crew Cab and Double Cab models have redesigned seating that offers increased foot room and legroom in the second row. Accessing the rear seat and getting in and out is easier thanks to wider openings and larger

doors on the Crew Cab and Double Cab models.

The innovative 8” Color touch Screen MyLink advanced infotainment features keep you connected to the world outside, along with the possibility to control the premium Bose audio system from the steering wheel integrated controls; a feature that once you’ve enjoyed, you will likely always require from cars, due to its ease of use and ability to keep the driver from distraction. They also go a step further here by having voice command features in addition. And rather than the dashboard so many of us are used to, we here have what they call a ‘Drivers Information Console’, which for you and me means a 4.2-inch diagonal color screen which displays all of your truck’s vital stats. All of which, from oil life and gas to transmission fluid temperature, can be navigated via your steering wheel controls.

When it comes to safety, the Silverado again has you covered. Beyond the fact that the trucks body and chassis are forged strong to begin with, they still go the extra mile to get you the latest advancements in safety technologies as well.

The Silverado is available with segment-exclusive safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety

Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist. In addition to daily use, technologies like ABS, Hill Start Assist, StabiliTrak and Trailer Sway Control are standard. The new Duralife brake rotors have been hardened with a special GM-patented process to provide long-lasting stopping power and rotors that can last up to twice as long as conventional rotors.

As always, those who purchase their Chevy truck will get all of the high level service that Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Automotive has been noted for. They retain their Chevrolet Care four pillars program to offer higher-level customer service, including: To provide customers with the best in service pricing and cost transparency; booking service with same day delivery; quality service by certified technicians as well as a regional 3 year/100,000 km warranty and 24x7 regional roadside assistance. Not too bad for a truck that can muscle it’s way from the seaside to the Chalet alike without anything getting in its way.

For more information or a test drive visit any of the 5 Alghanim showrooms around Kuwait. You can also find them online at www.alghanim.com or reach them by phone: 2475 4400.

85

HOW TECHNOLOGY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD BY 2020

by Ben Schiller

Six years isn’t that long, but the rapid pace of innovation means everything--from education to health care to the Internet itself--could look a lot different by then.

How will technology change life by the end of the decade? That’s the subject of a new book, called Shift 2020, which explores the future of everything from greentech and health care to 3-D printing and transport.

Shift 2020 was edited by Rudy De Waele, a strategist and entrepreneur from the U.K., and includes predictions from more than 70 futurists, thinkers-in-residence, entrepreneurs, think-tank analysts, and academics. Below are few ideas that were included: NEW EDUCATION MODELS Salim Ismail, a director at Singularity University, predicts education will become an “on-demand service” where people “pull down a module of learning” when they need it. Large bundles of knowledge, as in traditional courses, will be out.

Specific will be in. Eze Vidra, head of Google Entrepreneurs Europe says: “School kids will learn from short bite-sized modules, and gamification practices will be incorporated in schools to incentivize children to progress on their own.”

SMARTER CITIES Several contributors expect the smart city to become a reality. Apart from ubiquitous sensor technology, mesh networks, and big data analytics, we’ll have more open cities, where citizens can “participate in the delivery of services,” says Shannon Spanhake, San Francisco’s deputy innovation officer. Cities will also become trusted exchanges for alternative currencies, form “publicprivate-people partnerships,” and form more robust city-to-city networks to deal with issues like climate change and trafficking, she says.

A CREATIVE BOOM Making will go mainstream, says strategist Raina Kumra: “The maker movement resonates not just with the creative class, but with people who would never consider themselves to be traditionally ‘creative’--opening up a whole population of pragmatists who now make extremely useful ‘artwork’ by learning the basics of code, design and desktop milling.” Distributed manufacturing could be bad news for major brands, says David Rowan, editor of Wired’s U.K. edition: “What bloggers did to mass media will have its parallel in what amateurs will do to the Sonys and Toyotas of the world.”

HEALTH CARE Russell Buckley, of Ballpark Ventures, expects to see a switch in health care from catering to people when they’re ill to more monitoring and prevention. By 2020, we’ll also see more drugs personalized based on people’s DNA and more training and surgery conducted remotely, he says.

86

REVERSE INNOVATION In the past, innovative products flowed from rich countries to poor countries. By 2020, the pipeline may start flipping, says Timothy Kotin, founder of education start-up E-coach Solutions. He believes that as Africa embraces technology to solve health and education challenges, it may start exporting its models elsewhere.

THE END OF ONLINE/OFFLINE 2020 could see the end of online versus offline. “The membrane between the online world and the offline will effectively disappear, as continuously connected devices fully disappear into our pockets, clothing, our jewelry, ourselves,” says Glen Hiemstra, of Futurist.com. “We will not think of two different worlds... but instead see simply a fully integrated life.”

FINANCIAL INCLUSION “If cash is king, the king is dead,” says Kosta Peric, deputy director of the Gates Foundation’s financial services program. By 2020, mobile money will have spread throughout Africa, enabling some of the 2 billion people without access to financial

services to come into the formal system. That should help lift many out of poverty, he predicts.

THE DARK SIDE Many contributors expect the less desirable effects of technology to become even more troubling by 2020. Among their dark imaginings: The end of privacy and the continued rise of surveillance. The personalization of everything and the end of serendipity. Dependence on devices and loss of human autonomy in the face of artificial intelligence. To quote Gerd Leonhard, CEO of the Futures Agency: “Machines will know us better than our closest friends and spouses, giving us utterly flawless comments, advice, and recommendations and very accurate personal predictions--in fact running our lives to a very large degree... The backlash will be strong, as well, but for the most part addiction and convenience will prevail.”

For all technology’s promise, there’s a dark side that’s still under-acknowledged. Before we get too excited about the future, we might want to step back and wonder if we’re actually making progress.

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

®

Happiness is always in season.

Our arrangements make great centerpieces because they’re gorgeous like flowers, but very unique because they’re made from premium, freshly cut fruit.

Arrangements are available for pickup or delivery 7 days a week.

Loaay's Two Cents Got business problems or challenges at work? With his Two Cents page, Loaay Ahmed shares his expertise in strategic management consulting to help managers, employees and entrepreneurs thrive.

Q

We’re in the engineering project management business. It’s crucial to our profit that we deliver on time, within budget and set quality.

Clients usually delay projects with late feedback and approvals, which affects our bonuses and morale for not finishing on time. How can we avoid financial loss and job dissatisfaction?

If your next meeting with a prospect takes place 30 minutes away by car from your office and you leave 30 minutes earlier, but you arrive late due to a traffic jam, is it your fault? The answer is on your Maps app. When you add your current and target locations you’ll receive multiple timings; one time shows the normal duration for the distance and another with consideration to the current traffic condition. Your clients might be overloaded, slow at making decisions, or they may have a complicated process. Regardless of the causes, think of their delays as a high probability for any upcoming project. Factor those delays in your costing right from the start when submitting your proposal and find ways to add more value to justify the price and remain competitive.

Now, since you can’t control the ‘traffic’ let’s talk about what you can do. Focus on your team’s tasks in between the projects’ milestones.

Break them down by duration of each task your team needs to deliver to the client and judge their performance according only to that timeframe. For example, phase one might be about submitting initial research findings. If this phase was given six weeks including the time your client will take to select a direction for the next phase, concentrate only the time it took your team to submit the findings to the client and that’s what you can judge your team’s performance by. This way, even if the client delayed the project, you could still fairly evaluate your team’s productivity, keep the morale high and not lose any profit because it’s all calculated...and that’s just my two cents.

Q

I want to hire an assistant to free myself from tedious tasks. Somehow, I feel that you might stop me. Am I right?

It’s not my company, so you’re free to do whatever you want.

However, let’s assume for a second that I’m one of your investors and this is a small startup with two investors and a loan from a bank. Any decision you make will directly or indirectly affect the bottom line for the investors. Wise moves might strengthen your relationship with the bank and generate higher return on investment for your investors on the medium or long term. Hasty decisions, on the other hand, might backfire. What’s that? “What’s hasty about hiring an assistant?” you say? Sure, a large number of managers, directors and CEOs make this decision on a daily basis worldwide. Yet, I doubt that many of them ask themselves some precise questions and reach definitive answers before making the position available.

For example, how many tasks will your assistant be needed for?

How frequent are these tasks? What will the assistant do between 88

tasks? How will the quality of his/her performance be evaluated? Do you have a budget that includes attractive benefits, training, bonuses and occasional ‘well done’ gifts and treats to retain this great talent you’re hiring? How will you keep this employee motivated and challenged? Will the value of the tasks performed by the assistant contribute to generating higher profit for the company or saving cost?

Will the profit generated or cost saved be greater than the budget assigned for the position? What will you do with the time you spared by hiring this assistant? And how much revenue will you generate and/or cost will you save by using your spare time? Is your head spinning? Welcome to management...and that’s just my two cents.

Q

Competitors keep cutting prices. What can we do other than give in and match or beat their rates?

What happens when you keep an eye on your business and another on competition? You get cross-eyed. Many managers and business owners are obsessed with competition beyond the time and attention actually needed. I’m not saying ignore your competitors, but you’re competing with more than you think. You have direct competition that will be happy to steal your customers and then you have indirect competition that got to your customers’ wallet before you and depleted their cash and now they don’t have much left to spend on your products and services. And if you’re in the middle of all this noise and rat race, you just can’t isolate yourself and your team’s minds to focus on what your company wants to be in the future and how it will reach that destination.

Having said that, it doesn’t hurt to quickly analyze your competitors’ latest price drop. Ask yourself: Is it for a limited time or permanent? What’s your strategy to add more value without dropping prices? If you follow it, how will it affect your sustainability? Maybe you can offer a range of lower and higher end products – think suits vs. key chains – to get customers used to buying from you, have an emotional connection with your brand and with time buy more of the upper range. Following competitors every time they do something means they are running your marketing plan, not you.

Obsessing with the competition is like trying to keep up with the Joneses. They’re the ones who are doing new things while you’re busy trying to catch up to what they just did last week. Are you following?...and that’s just my two cents.

For Loaay Ahmed’s advice on business or work matters, send a short email to loaay@knightscapital.com. Regrettably, only the questions chosen for publishing will be answered.

Loaay Ahmed is a management adviser and strategic expert. To learn more about Loaay and his consulting service, strategic business therapy, visit www.knightscapital.com.

AQUA EVA

THE NEW PLAJAT

A fresh new complex, with all the right tastes by bazaar staff

It is Saturday afternoon and you and your friends are driving down the Arabian Gulf Road looking for a good place to eat. The problem is, everyone wants something different, and you all have different tastes. One is on a diet and only wants grilled chicken items, the other is dying for a greasy but delicious burger, you’ve got the vegetarian in the back, next to the girl that only wants a dessert. But you can all agree on one thing, it has to be affordable and delicious.

Enter Plajat, Kuwait’s newest restaurant hub in Salmiya, right off the coastal road. With a wide array of choices, you and your friends are bound to find a filling meal that will leave you happy, satisfied and with your wallet in tact.

Picture this as a destination where you can actually try different things in a one stop shop.

So, if you are a burger person there is JJ’s. If you want shawerma and kofta and things like that, go 90

to Abou Jassem. Sandawicha is a place where you can try different flavors and tastes from around the world, and if you want something sweet there is Meywa.

When you pull up to the strip, with its wooden modern design, your first task is to choose which matching door you will go through for a dining experience. Behind door number one is JJ’s burger joint, where everything is all about the layering. From the design of stacked primary color lines that give the inside a cool and contemporary feel, to the burgers themselves.

JJ’s adheres to a layering equation created by spice specialist Chef Georges Zeidan: soft bun, crunchy onions, fresh tomatoes, crispy lettuce, mouthwatering cheese and a juicy beef patty.

Each layer provided the perfect combination of flavor that made it a burger well worth remembering. You could taste the freshness

in the vegetables and the bread. The patty seasoning greatly complemented the high grade US meat, and the creamy cheese definitely hit all the right spots.

If you are looking for something a bit different, try the Louisiana spicy burger that packs a punch in the patty, or the southwest beef burger with a guacamole kick. For that vegetarian friend there is a healthy veggie burger, with a hot patty made of chickpeas, basil, oat, brown rice, tofu, garlic powder, sage and barbecue sauce. Or go for something completely out of the box with the beef bacon burger toaster, your classic burger but on perfectly browned toast, instead of a bun.

JJ’s also offers a great selection of delicious appetizers to perfect your burger experience.

They’ve got all the classics, from mozzarella sticks to fries, onion rings and buffalo chicken wings. The spicy cheese balls are a must try with

four different cheeses and jalapenos breaded with a homemade herb mixture.

For the cultured friend that wants a taste of the world, head next door to Sandawicha. Here you can experience the tastes of Mexico, France, India, Greece and so much more. The chef has identified the spices and mixtures that truly define each country for a mouthwatering quick eat.

Moreover, the sandwich is placed on homemade bread that is reminiscent of the country it is named after. The Taj Mahal’s shredded beef sandwich is spiced with a creamy curry spread and placed on fiber bread. Mexico is represented with the Tijuana Sandawicha embellished with the country’s staple, avocado, a Mexican spread, and wrapped in a delicious homemade flatbread. The Italian sandwich is filled with mozzarella, tomato sauce and a breaded chicken on Ciabatta bread.

Of course, there is bound to be that friend

that doesn’t want to veer too far for home. In that case, head over to Abou Jassem where you’ll find all the great Arabian classics. From shawerma and sojouk to falafel and chicken taouk, every dish has the taste and feel of a homemade meal. For those willing to step a bit out of the box, the za’atar chicken taouk, marinated with lots of oregeno, is a great choice.

In the end, you and your friends should meet at the dessert and drinks shop Meywa. The concept was named after an old Kuwaiti custom of bringing out fruit at the end of the meal, and its idea is to be just that: a fresh and fruity end to your meal. You will find amazing drink mixes from the tried and true fresh orange juice, to the unique halawa shake that will create a party for your taste buds. For the perfectly sugary end to your meal try an international classic, like the strawberry cheesecake or the local favorite of mouhalabieh.

After experiencing each of these concepts, we had to ask the chef how he could possibly keep everything so fresh tasting and delicious. The answer was simple, keep everything on location.

Chef Zeidan gave us a sneak peek at the kitchen where we watched people knead bread, stuff sausages and make the sauces. Every ingredient in his dishes is made in that back kitchen. So, while the variety will get you to Plajat, it is that level of quality and freshness that will keep you coming back for more.

Plajat is located off the Arabian Gulf Road at Plajat Street, Gulf Road, Salmiya and is open from 12pm to 12am. To contact them call 188 8848. Follow the concepts on Instagram JJ’s: @jjs_kwt, Abou Jassem: @abou_jassemkw, Meywa: @meywakwt, Sandawicha: @sandawichakwt.

91

bazaar health

LOVE IS IN THE AIR…

by Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg

Those of us of a certain age can remember a cheesy TV series from the 80s called The Love Boat; a cruise ship with the ability to bring together diverse people and turn them into perfect couples – all within 48 minutes. Week after week strangers, conflicted couples, widows, widowers, cruise ship staff, and even Captain Stuebing found love, departing the ship at the end of the cruise/show with Disney-like hearts and flowers hovering in the air. It was magical… and make-believe.

Unfortunately, the way that love is portrayed in popular media reinforces myths that make love, and being a couple, even more of a challenge than it already is. Finding a life partner is a dream most individuals have in some form because we all have an inherent need to be known and understood, and this really only happens in an intimate relationship.

I tell my clients, “Relationships are the source of our greatest pleasure and our greatest pain.” As couples, we can minimize the pain and maximize the pleasure and satisfaction in our relationships by discarding the Disney (or Playboy) myths about love and keeping it real.

1. “I’m looking for ‘The One’ for me. I just don’t know if I should commit to this guy/girl in case (s)he isn’t right.”

This is possibly the most damaging – and false – myth out there. The amount of angst that’s been created by the perception that “There is only one person out there who is ‘perfect’ for me, and I have to find him/her in order to be happy,” is incalculable. Even if there were a ‘perfect’ person out there (not) as soon as that individual becomes part of a couple, perfection flies right out the window. There’s just something about being part of a ‘we’ that occasionally brings out the worst in us. So scratch the whole “Mr/Mrs Right” thing off your list.

2. Good relationships just happen ‘naturally.’ If it feels like work, then this is not the guy/girl for me.

Ha! There is no magic in making a relationship viable, enjoyable and long lived… unless you spell ‘magic’ w-o-r-k. The individuals who create the “We” of couplehood remain individuals – at least they certainly should – and the overlap of the new identity that’s formed is solely and only what the two individuals who created it, make of it. The “We” rightly and necessarily excludes all others and is comprised of shared experiences, conversations, memories and emotional, psychological, mental and physical work. This “We” must be nurtured, protected, and maintained by the two individuals.

The reward is a vibrant, healthy, fulfilling and life-enhancing relationship. Conversely, just as 92

“

anything withers and dies without care, so does the “We” of a relationship without the will or the work to invest in keeping it alive.

3. This relationship isn’t working out, I need to end it and find someone else who will make me happy.

Yup. Another myth. Actually, there are two for the price of one in that little gem. The assumption that ending a relationship will solve the problem, and the expectation that someone else will make me happy.

Doesn’t work that way. Excluding relationships that include violence or gross breaches of decency in some form, the truth is, whatever isn’t working in your current relationship is very often a reflection of your issues, seen through the mirror of your partner …which immediately kills part two of the myth, because “Wherever you go, there you are.” This means that it’s worthwhile to stay and work out the difficulties. Get help if you need to. Start by rooting out a very basic error of attribution that usually goes something like this, “If s/he would only stop/ start/change/do better at [fill in the blank] then our relationship would be good and I’d be happy.” Alas, it doesn’t work like that.

A significant body of research shows that each successive relationship has less chance of succeeding than the previous one(s) because we take our mythological beliefs into the next relationship along with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage. And with each relationship failure, that baggage gets more and more cumbersome. Better to work on the relationship with the partner you have. Do yourself a favor.

Identify and root out those Hollywood beliefs about love and work at nurturing the real thing. You won’t be sorry.

The key to succeeding in relationship is not to find the “right” person; it’s learning to love the person you’ve found. Happy Valentine’s Day! Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg is a Canadian psychologist traveling the world on a busman’s holiday. Bossy from birth, compassionate by choice, and funny by accident, Dr. Susannah writes about anything that catches her attention. Visit www.soorcenter.com or follow her on Twitter @drsusannah.

AL TAHADI

bazaar apps Appy National Day, Kuwait!

94

TRUECALLER

FITRADIO

Remember the days of phonebooks? Where people could easily connect with others? The mobile environment changed this, making it more difficult to identify unknown callers and reconnect with those whose information you’ve misplaced. Truecaller was born out of this basic human need to get accurate access to information on those you want to contact, as well as avoid. It finds contact details using its crowd-sourced worldwide database to give you the name of the person calling you, thus providing an integrated caller ID service as well as integration with social media. The app’s name comes from it being able to show the true name of the caller. Available free on Android, iOS and Blackberry devices.

Workout mixes are vital to pushing you further. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a lackluster or stale mix can keep you from really getting into it, and you’ll spend your workout cycling through your endless music library instead of pushing through a workout. FitRadio is a good option to cure bad music blues, offering a series of flowing mix playlists specifically designed to keep your heart rate up and in the groove. The app offers a selection based on genres, and plenty of different professional DJ mixes to ensure that your playlist options are varied. You can save your favorites and go back to them anytime. Available free for Android, iPhone and Blackberry devices.

WISH

KUWAIT AIRPORT FLIGHT INFO (KAFI)

Just in time to hint your partner this Valentine’s Day. This app, with its slick appearance, asks first time users to select a few items that they like — maybe a pair of shoes or a bracelet — so that the app can start getting a sense of their tastes.

Then it populates their feed with more products that they are likely to save to a wish list or share with friends. It also informs you if and where your favorites items are discounted, and the participating merchants send out personalized coupons to tempt you to buy what you want with them. Then you can push these to friends, family, or your partner, to ensure you get what you want this Valentine’s Day!

Want airline tracking and notifications from your phone? Look no further than this local one for Kuwait Airport called KAFI. It supports push notifications. Choose a specific flight and the app will track it and inform you as soon as the flight has landed. Features include a flight board to view all departures and arrivals, and you can filter the list by selecting the airline or flight number, or by searching by destination or origin. It can then be shared via SMS, email, Facebook or Twitter. Extra features include a 5-day weather forecast and a currency converter, and the best news is that it is advertisement free! Available in Arabic as well as English and free on Android and iOS devices.

TYDLIG

PULSE

Making calculators fun again? Ok, hear me out. Tydlig, a recently released app for iPhone rethinks the calculator-app experience for mobile devices. Unlike most calculator apps which focus on the number pad and offer a select few functions, Tydlig offers graphing features, and opens up more of the screen’s real estate for custom math functions. You can have multiple equations open at once, and link them together so that changes in one are reflected in the other. You can also tap and drag numbers around on the screen and share your calculations with others. The big downside for Tydlig, however, is its price, USD 4.99 (KD 1.4)!

However, if you use the calculator on your phone a lot for work or personal use, it may be worth trying out.

Pulse by LinkedIn, is a professional news app which allows you to customize your news reading experience to ensure you get fresh and personalized content delivered daily. You can explore professional content, and share stories using your favorite social networks. Easily browse thousands of trusted sources and major publications, to blogs and more. If you already have a LinkedIn account you can sync what you are already following and discover and save articles as well as send them to your professional network so you can discuss what is trending with millions of professionals worldwide. No access to Internet? No problem either, as Pulse loads the stories you read so you can get the pulse whenever and wherever.

Inspirited by nature, Kitoko Oil Treatment combines the healing and therapeutic prosperities of these highly nutritional oils to revitalise, strengthen and condition the hair, leaving it ultra smooth and beautifully radiant. ‫ ﺻﻴﻐﺔ ﺧﻔﻴﻔﺔ ﻣﻨﺎﺳﺒﺔ ﳉﻤﻴﻊ أﻧﻮاع اﻟﺸﻌﺮ‬‫ ﻳﻮﻓﺮ ﺗﻐﺬﻳﺔ ﻣﻜﺜﻔﺔ ﺑﻴﻨﻤﺎ ﻳﻘﻮي وﻳﻨﻌﻢ اﻟﺸﻌﺮ‬‫ ﻳﺠﺪد اﻟﺸﻌﺮ اﻟﻬﺶ‬،‫ اﳌﺮوﻧﺔ وﻳﻮازن رﻃﻮﺑﺔ اﻟﺸﻌﺮ‬،‫ ﻳﻌﻴﺪ اﻟﻠﻤﻌﺎن‬‫واﳌﺘﻘﺼﻒ ا ﻃﺮاف‬ ‫ اﻣﺘﺼﺎص ﺳﺮﻳﻊ دون ﺗﺮك أي أﺛﺮ دﻫﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ اﳌﻠﻤﺲ أو أي ﺗﺮاﻛﻤﺎت‬‫ ﻳﻘﻠﻞ ﻣﻦ وﻗﺖ اﻟﺘﺠﻔﻴﻒ‬-

KITOKO

Luxurious. Sensory. Scientific.

Kitoko Oil is available at TONI&GUY Al Corniche and other selected salons. Exclusively distributed by beau-tique cosmetics international. Call us on 2225 1285 for more information. www.beau-tiqueonline.com beautiquecosmetics beautiquekuwait beautiquecosmetics

SRI LANKA With several quick and direct flights from Kuwait to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo per day, an exotic island holiday is never too far out of reach. This teardrop shaped island, often referred to as India-lite in a nod to some of its cultural influence and heritage without being as crowded as its counterpart to the north, has everything you could want in an island holiday. From great seafood to deceptively simple street food, from the bustling city of Colombo to the long stretches of open beaches South of it, there is a wide array of activities and enough cultural heritage to keep you busy for any length of stay.

When attempting to plan a trip, one must first temper their expectations in terms of travel throughout the country. When viewing it on a map it can be quite easy to over-plan due to assumptions about drive times between locals.

So, while in your head you may plan a day where you zip from here to there, north to south, and back again, unfortunately, the reality will likely play out a bit differently. Most of the roads between towns are still quite small, and given the topography of both mountainous regions in the center and seaside roads that taper back and forth as they hug the coast, each trip along the road is likely to take longer than you might otherwise expect.

One important exception is the number 1 highway which now runs from Colombo down to Galle, on the southern coast, thus taking an otherwise 4-5 hour trip down to 1 hour, right through the middle of tea plantations and wonderful country views. If this is any indicator on how tourism is expected to grow in the coming years, you would be wise to head there sooner than later.

Do yourself a favor and spring for a driver, as it will make your life much easier. Not only will you get the added benefit of a tour guide that knows all the ins and outs of each local area, they will also make the travel time more relaxing for you. For a considerably cheap price, you can hire a driver that will be at your call for the length of your stay, thus assuring that you see everything you like. This is an especially valuable asset if you are planning to see more than just one part of the country.

When deciding where to go, it is best to consider what type of trip you are trying to have. For a beach retreat, you would really want to go anywhere in the South (for surfers even venturing back up the south-east a bit). Most people will flock at some point to the old Dutchinfluenced walled village of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, while in the vicinity. Then, if relaxing on a beach with waiters serving you your every heart’s desire is your thing, spring on over to Unawatuna, a short ten to twenty minutes down the road. The guidebook that I read before traveling to these parts basically described the south as a migration that is happening eastward as the secret gets out on each new town. Ergo, whereas Unawatuna was the big secret and less crowded spot to Galle’s city-like feel ten years back, Mirissa beach is now the new go-to spot 96

EXPLORED by bazaar staff

for those who are sick of the touristy feel that Unawatuna has become. Both are still nice mind you, but whereas vendors will pester you on the beach at Unwatuna and chairs and tables literally sprawl out onto the sand itself, Mirissa beach feels perfectly secluded by contrast.

There are also three or four open-air, all-wood constructed restaurants from which you can sit seaside watching the old men fish from their stilted stick-perch in the shallow tide, with a view of the local surfers in the background. Again, it depends what type of trip you are looking to

have, but just exploring the southern coast alone would be more than enough to satiate even the free-est of spirits.

If you would rather have a stay within a mountainous region and see more of the cultural heritage, then Kandy, located in the near-center of the island, may be more to your liking. Long thought of as the cultural capital to Colombo’s actual capital status, the pace is slower, the people are a tad friendlier, the city is slightly more untouched and beautiful. That you can also visit some of the famed Elephant orphanages that

this country is known for along the road between Kandy and Colombo, makes this trip all the more worth it. For a truly absurd look at an expat with a crazy notion of what a bed and breakfast should be, look into Helga’s Folly, a place where many stars have stayed and which even inspired a song or two; it is a fascinating, if odd, to look at one person’s version of paradise.

Additionally notable throughout all of the mountain areas are the tea plantations that dot the landscape. Many of these working farms actually have lodging where you can stay and

thus wake up not only to the freshest cup of Ceylon tea you are likely to ever have, but also look out onto the beautiful vistas as the fog rolls over the valley in the early morning hue; truly, another not to be missed moment. All in all, the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, a vast area that spans from Anuradhapura in the North, over to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in the East and including Kandy itself, includes some of the island’s—if not the world’s—best heritage sites.

With a roughly 25+ year civil war struggle in the country having only recently ended back in

2009, this is no doubt part of the reason this beautiful island has remained such a well-kept secret. However, with 5 years of peace and stability under their belt and having recently been ranked one of the premier tourist destinations in the world by several leading tourist organizations (including TUI, one of the largest world travel groups), there is little doubt that Sri Lanka is on the rise.

Visit Sri Lanka before everybody else finds out just how wonderful it is.

97

DIVA’S BREAKFAST BUFFET

The International Brunch

by Frances Hernandez

If you’re sitting high above, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, with the best shisha in town and a breakfast buffet with something for everyone, chances are you’re at Diva’s Restaurant & Café located conveniently on the top floor of the Olympia Mall on the Gulf Road. One of the most popular restaurants in Kuwait, Diva’s is known for their international cuisine menu, but it is their breakfast buffet that sets this place apart.

If you are tired of the coffee shops and small cafés and are looking to change it up one morning, you must try Diva’s International Brunch Buffet. From 7am to 12:30pm a grand buffet is served, with something for everyone. You will find an eclectic selection of traditional Kuwait dishes as well as pastries, a hot bar, and a made-to-order station where a chef is waiting to make an omelet to your liking. I recommend starting light with their selection of fruits, yogurt, and cereal. And their pastry selections are the perfect compliment to a cup of coffee or tea. When you’re ready, you will find the hot bar filled with all your favorites, like perfectly seasoned potatoes and a variety of 98

meats. Looking for more of a lunch option? They have it covered. In one corner of the buffet you’ll find their hot ‘soup of the day’ along with a salad station, hummus options and cold meats.

Besides the food, Diva’s Restaurant serves some of the best-known shisha in Kuwait. After breakfast, you will find many head outside to their beautiful outdoor seating area to enjoy some of the finest and unique flavors of shisha, while overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The atmosphere alone makes this the perfect morning and a great place to chat and enjoy time with friends.

Diva’s was the best way to start my day and it’s definitely worth the visit for their brunch alone.

But if you are in the area for lunch or dinner, their full menu is available from 11am onwards. On their full menu you’ll find a variety of international cuisine options to choose from and all made with the best ingredients. They take pride in buying local and getting the freshest meats and vegetables in Kuwait.

Have a corporate meeting or company event?

Diva’s Restaurant would be the perfect venue

for it. Diva’s spacious design seats around 200 people on the outside patio and around 100 people for inside dining. They have impeccable service and would provide the perfect atmosphere for any dining experience. This explains why 70% of the mall traffic is coming to Diva’s and why you should too!

This is Diva’s second location open in Kuwait and they have made a name for themselves in the eight years since their first location opened on Belajat Street. If you decide to visit on the weekend be sure to arrive early, as they are quite popular, especially for the outdoor seating. Valet parking is also available.

Diva’s Restaurant & Café is located on the top floor of the Olympia Mall off the Gulf Road and on Belajat Street (opposite BK). For more information call them on 2226 8644 (Olympia) or 180 9070 (Belajat), or follow them on Facebook: Diva’s Restaurant, on Instagram @divasq8, or on Twitter @divasolympia.

ATLAS

WHEN FIT MET FASHION

by Bibi Al-Falah

The last few years, the new fashionable trend that came out was either accessory or beauty related. It was all about the latest cut-out leather glove or impossibly painful shoe. This year has been a refreshing new start as now all that girls seem to post or think about is gym and health related.

Instagram posts of Louboutin or Chanel have been overshadowed by Adidas leggings, florescent yellow Nikes and images of girls doing their latest crossfit moves. Macaroons have been formally replaced with kale chips and rice is practically obsolete after the introduction of quinoa to the world. This phenomenon has affected me on a personal level – I can’t even tell you how many quinoa items I bought from Qout Market in January…it started with a bag of quinoa and I ended up buying everything from pita bread versions of the protein-rich grain to quinoa cookies. My sister-in-law just laughed at me all the way home eating her real cookies from Chewy Gooey.

At the market itself, girls were dressed to the nines to buy their healthy goodies – which made me think of how buying fresh, organic clean food has now become THE most fashionable thing to do! Both Qout Market and Shakshooka Market on Thursdays have solidified their “see and be seen” status behind the shadow of a healthy food market concept. Girls and guys came prepared with perfect hair and the coolest outfits you can think of. This is fine by me, as long as they actually take advantage of all the amazing local businesses around them.

I love fashion spotting at these events almost as much as buying the original products sold there. Of all the trends that hit Kuwait I have to say at least this one is beneficial to our health and lifestyle in some way other than being superficially driven (even though many people do just attend to mingle).

Looking and feeling good have never been more seamlessly joined at one event.

I absolutely love seeing local businesses, whether they are start-ups or well established companies because either way we all share a sense of pride in their success and efforts to better our community, while encouraging the strong wave of entrepreneurship in Kuwait. The sweetest thing in these markets is actually seeing kids with their mommies supporting the healthy family business!

Everyone has their organic goggles on these days and even skimmed milk is being shunned for the almond and soy varieties, to avoid lactose. This health craze is the reason why restaurants like the fabulous Gia have done so well – it is just as enjoyable to sit in and dress up for, as it is healthy to indulge in. To me this makes perfect sense, because as girls our obsession with fashion is directly related to how good we feel in it, and if eating healthy is fashionable, then it will be that much easier to sport our favorite pair of faded jeggings. I for one am happy to say goodbye to oily fried dishes and hello to healthy goodness for a 2014 filled with plenty of food markets and gluten-free snacks!

You can follow @qoutmarket and #shakshookamarket on Instagram. Images courtesy of @pltq8 100

SHAWARMA-MATIC

GIFT IDEAS FROM WILLIAMS-SONOMA AND WEST ELM Home gifts that are bound to inspire by bazaar staff

1. Jewelry is a woman’s best friend, but after so many years of jewelry buying maybe it’s time for something the Mrs. can store all her lovely pieces in. Head over to West Elm for a wide array of jewelry boxes. Go plain with a mirrored or lacquer colored box, or opt for the beautiful agate boxes in swivels of yellows, blues and beiges. For the lady that likes to see her treasures at all times choose from the variety of glass boxes with gold lining. The cast metal iron jewelry tree will add a unique artistic touch to her vanity table.

West Elm: Jewelry Boxes starting from KD 8.5, Jewelry Tree: KD 11.9 – KD 35.

2. For something warmer, head over to the kitchen section and check out their owl tea and coffee sets. Go for the adorable white teapot, and matching teacup with a saucer. The tiny metallic espresso mug is bound to put a smile on any coffee lover’s face. Or keep warm for the winter with a hot chocolate in his and her mugs that can also double as soup cups.

5. Love owls, but hot drinks aren’t your thing? Make it an unforgettable evening by lighting these metallic owl candles. The fun little owls will make that wonderful dinner you are planning truly special, and full of an amazing woodsy scent. The candlelight will definitely light up the night.

6. For the couples that want to stay home, curled up on a couch, a beautiful throw is essential. If you get cold fast, go for the faux fur throw for a comfortable evening.

For comfort in the winter and from the summer air conditioning try the basket or gilded cable versions.

West Elm: Owl Candle KD 5.

West Elm: Basket Throw KD 29, Cable Throw KD 29, Faux Fur Throw KD 30.

102

West Elm: Owl Teapot KD 7.5, Owl Mug KD 2.9, Owl Espresso Mug KD 2.5, Owl Teacup KD 5.5.

3. You can also put together a package that is personal, and festive. The heart print mug will always remind her of you. Give it to her with your favorite moment together in a beautiful mirror frame. Add a bit of optimism with a collection of cutting-edge art statements in the book: You Are So Loved.

4. Home decor enthusiasts should head over to Williams-Sonoma and check out their hand-crafted round and temple shaped Red Ginger Jars. These gorgeous pieces are glazed the Chinese color of luck and fortune, and conveniently, the color of passion. The beautiful workmanship and design is the perfect accessory for any room.

West Elm: Mirror Frame starting from KD 6.5, Book: You Are So Loved KD 8.

Williams-Sonoma: Jars KD 79.

7. What better way to get into the spirit of joy than a beautiful textured linen throw pillow? The Indian made pillow features a herringbone weave and contrasting border that are perfect for mixing and matching. To complete the homey look in your living room add a soft cashmere throw in red or in a mix of red and ivory.

8. The most important baking tool is a decent mixer. At Williams-Sonoma you can go beyond decent and get her (or him) the highly acclaimed Kitchen Aid mixer. The artisan mixer comes with three attachments for flat beating, dough kneading and whisking. Plus, with all the additional attachments for making ice cream, pasta or even your own minced meat, your gift list for the next few occasions is covered.

To give this one a special pop, throw in a heart shaped baking pan and sprinkles.

Perhaps you will end up with a delicious treat of your own.

Williams-Sonoma: Kitchen Aid Mixer Red KD 189, Heart Shaped Pan KD 9.

Williams-Sonoma: Herringbone Pillow KD 5, Cashmere Throw KD 89.

West Elm and Williams-Sonoma are located at Grand Avenue - The Avenues. West Elm can be reached by phone at 2228 3069. You can also find them online at www.westelm.me. To contact Williams Sonoma call 2228 3101 or visit www.williams-sonoma.me.

103

bazaar music

AMOR EN PORTOFINO

by Andrea Bocelli

Amor En Portofino, the 2013 live album from the Italian tenor highlights Andrea’s breathtaking performance in Portofino, Italy on August 11, 2012 and includes the already quintessential songs from Bocelli’s January 2013 release Pasion. On this release, Andrea delivers a performance of a lifetime from the beautiful surroundings of the Pizzetta in Portofino. Playing to an intimate crowd at sunset, the legendary tenor sings the most famous love songs in the world accompanied by 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster and a 40 piece orchestra.

This is an unmissable feast of emotion, gorgeous settings and unforgettable songs.

WOMAN I AM

by Kellie Pickler

The fourth album from the Country singer, Woman I Am, contains 12 new songs that show how much the singer has branched out from her earlier records. Whether it’s her hit ‘Someone Somewhere Tonight’ or current single ‘Little Bit Gypsy’, each song shows a deep, true and honest part of Pickler - and this album is more ‘her’ than ever before. Speaking of the album Entertainment Weekly says she “ditches modish pop-country for old school songs about cheating and her pistolpackin’ great grandma,” and felt that “she shines brightest on the autobiographical title track, ‘Woman I Am’” Kellie Pickler gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol, and finished in sixth place.

104

FOREVERLY by Billie Joe and Norah Jones Foreverly is a 2013 collaboration between Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Grammy winning Pop songstress Norah Jones. It is an unforgettable collection inspired by Songs Our Daddy Taught Us, an album of traditional Americana songs reinterpreted, recorded and released by The Everly Brothers in 1958.

Asked about singing harmonies together with Armstrong, Jones said “I feel like on the first song it started coming together. But it definitely took a minute to get super, super comfortable. But then after hearing what the first song sounded like I thought, ‘Oh! It’s gonna be great, it’s gonna be fine.’” The album captures the beauty of the Everly’s stunning close harmonies to create a moving and powerful testament to these traditional ballads.

BLACK RADIO 2

by Robert Glasper Experiment

Black Radio 2 is a genre-defying effort that takes the Black Radio blueprint and builds to even greater heights. You may not know the name, but the guest stars alone should be enough for you to want to check this out. The core remains the Experiment, as astoundingly versatile a band as has ever existed, featuring Robert Glasper on keyboards, Derrick Hodge on bass, Mark Colenburg on drums, and Casey Benjamin on vocoder and saxophone. Providing the vocals throughout is another jaw-dropping roll call of vocalists including Common, Patrick Stump, Brandy, Jill Scott, Dwele, Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton, Faith Evans, Norah Jones, Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco, Emeli Sand‚ Lalah Hathaway, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP2

by Eminem

This brand new album from legendary rapper Eminem featuring the hit singles “Berzerk”, “Rap God” and “The Monster” along with “Survival” the official song of Call of Duty: Ghosts. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin, the album features guest appearances from singers Skylar Grey, Rihanna, and Fun frontman Nate Ruess, with the only other rapper appearing on the album being Eminem’s Aftermath label-mate Kendrick Lamar.

The album has received generally positive reviews from music critics, with praise going to Eminem’s technical rapping skill and production choices. It was Eminem’s best-reviewed album at Metacritic since 2002’s The Eminem Show.

LIVE AT THE CELLAR DOOR

by Neil Young

This release from the veteran singer/songwriter is an album of unreleased live performances from late 1970. The album is the latest in Young’s ongoing Archives Performance Series, and it collects recordings made during the Canadian singer/songwriter’s intimate six-show solo stand at The Cellar Door, a venue in Washington D.C., between November 30th and December 2nd, 1970. Since the gigs were only a few months after his third solo album, After The Gold Rush was released, 5 of the 13 tracks here are from that very record, including ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ and ‘Don’t Let It Bring You Down.’ Also featured, is ‘Cinnamon Girl’ performed on piano rather than guitar. source: www.amazon.com

‫‪peugeot.com‬‬

‫ﺗﺤﺴﺐ ﺑﻴﺠﻮ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ﻣﺠﺮد ﻫﺎﺗﺸﺒﺎك ؟‬ ‫ﻣﺠﺮد ﺟﻤﺎل ﺑﺪون راﺣﺔ ﻟﺒﺎﻟﻚ؟‬ ‫ﻣﺎ ﺗﺸﻴﻞ أﻫﻠﻚ وأﺻﺤﺎﺑﻚ؟‬ ‫ﻳﻌﻨﻲ ﻣﺤﺮك أﻗﻞ ﻣﻦ ﺣﻤﺎﺳﻚ؟‬

‫ﺟﺮب‬ ‫ﻗﻴﺎدﺗﻬﺎ‬ ‫ا ن!‬

‫‪PEUGEOT‬‬ ‫ﻣﺤﺘﺎج ﺗﻌﻴﺪ ﺣﺴﺎﺑﺎﺗﻚ!‬

‫ﻋﺎﺋﻠﺔ ﺳﻴﺎرات اﻟﺴﻴﺪان ا ن إﻛﺘﻤﻠﺖ‬

‫ﻟﻮﺣﺔ ﻣﻼﺣﺔ ﺑﺘﻘﻨﻴﺔ ﻋﺎﻟﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﻟﺴﻴﻄﺮة ﻛﺎﻣﻠﺔ‬

‫‪ 4‬أﺑﻮاب وﻣﻘﺎﻋﺪ ﺧﻠﻔﻴﺔ رﺣﺒﺔ‬ ‫ﻟﺮاﺣﺔ إﺿﺎﻓﻴﺔ‬

‫ﺑﻴﺠﻮ ‪ 408‬اﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪة‬

‫‪/kaico.net‬‬

‫‪www.kaico.net‬‬

‫‪50963968 Ëôc 96687172 ΩÉ°ûg‬‬ ‫‪97775282 áeÉ°SCG 66621908 ähôK‬‬ ‫‪66680501 ¿É¡jQ‬‬

‫ﻣﺤﺮك ﻗﻮي ﺳﻌﺔ ‪ 2.0‬ﻟﺘﺮ‬ ‫أداء ﺑﻴﻦ ﺳﻴﺎرات ﻓﺌﺘﻬﺎ‬ ‫ا ﻓﻀﻞ‬ ‫ً‬

EMBRACING DIFFERENCES

by Abrar AlShammari

The hegemonic nature of ‘Western culture’ and its particular prevalence today in Kuwait is undeniable. We wear Western clothes, study in private universities where the language of instruction is English, listen to American music, and celebrate non-Muslim holidays (New Year, Christmas, Halloween) even when we do not necessarily believe in their religious connotations. I write this in English. I read English books, albeit mostly written by non-Western writers. I speak English with a semi-‘American’ accent. It has unquestionably shaped a significant part of my identity, but my identity is one that has picked bits and pieces from every culture that I’ve come across.

This Western culture that I picked up from years of being at an American school is today as familiar to me as my Kuwaiti culture which I would once again take on once I left campus – I would ‘switch skins’ upon my arrival to my own bicultural home. I am bilingual, multi-cultural, easily adaptable. I grew up hearing different tongues, different accents, different religious beliefs and rituals around people of different colors, different styles of dress, different table (or floor, in the Bedouin case) manners, and different meanings of identity. It is because I took in this diversity with inquisitiveness that I have learned to appreciate the beauty in each identity; I am conscious of each culture’s ‘flaws’ – in terms of sexism, racism, class difference, and other forms of discrimination – but I am able to dig through the dirt, so to speak, in order to find a diamond or two. More often than not, this is a fairly easy process when you have the desire to find ‘diamonds’ (hospitality, mercy, legends, superb story-telling skills, delicious food).

You’re obsessed with skin You’re obsessed with blood But you never think of the essence underneath You’re obsessed with accents You’re obsessed with tongues But you never think of the words in between

I’m equally aware that the conditions I grew up in can be considered exceptional, or even privileged. It is coincidental that I was born to parents of different backgrounds, but it was planned for me to mingle with so many backgrounds through my education. It was a conscious choice to reach out to a larger segment of Kuwaiti society; one that extended beyond the elite minority that my classmates were a part of. Truth be told, I explored other identities in search of my own. But, I saw patterns – and most of them were not diverse.

To say that ‘Kuwaitis stick with Kuwaitis’ would be inaccurate. Most seemed to prefer those of similar ‘descent’ as their own. The same goes for non-Kuwaitis, they also seemed to prefer their ‘own kind’. My transition to university exposed me to a much wider spectrum of people – students who would drive from Jahra to attend a one-hour lecture, married women with children, mothers in the same class as their daughters, and the ones I was familiar with: the diplomats’ sons and daughters, the lavish children of businessmen, surgeons, and MPs, and the generally comfortably-living.

Group-identity was not one solely based on ‘loving’ each other – it also meant hating ‘The Other’. Mock, taunt, and ostracize those who did not wear clothes as expensive as theirs, who did not uphold the same ‘reputation’ – of ‘purity’, in the girls’ case, and ‘manhood’, in the guys’ case – as their own and who did not speak with the same accents that their tongues did. Ears are extra attentive to the telltale “J” rather than “Y” (do you say “Ana jay” or “Ana yay”?) which is supposed to allude to whether you fall into Bdewi or Htheri; how fluently English rolls off your tongue is another giveaway. Eyes scrutinize the labels on your blouse, your bag, your glasses, your car keys. Is your hair color and texture natural? What foundation do you use? What do you mean, both your hair and your skin are untouched?

Last names, accents – whether Bedouin/Htheri or broken/fluent English – clothes, cars, residence area, hairstyle, and other factors that compose your 106

superficial self – your limited, exterior self which is only skin deep – often end up blocking the path to the beauty that resides behind those aesthetic visuals.

The Bedouin whose accent you’ve labeled ‘heavy’ will show you memorable hospitality if you were to give him a chance, and will use his superb story-telling skills to share a wealth of deep-rooted legends with you. The governmentschool graduate whose English is broken has exceptional skills in math, and is kind enough to tutor you if you’d smile at him rather than laugh at him. The girl who never wears heels and always wears hoodies is not unfeminine, and if you would look past notions of gender expectations you would learn that she has a great capacity for empathy.

All that is superficial is one of two: God-given, or bought. Neither of the two is earned, nor does anyone have any control over what pre-determined fortune is given to them. Each individual does, however, have full control over what kind of human being they choose to be, and how much focus they decide to direct toward all that is beneath their skin. What is aesthetic is fleeting, what is personally orchestrated is long lasting. Apply this to yourself first and foremost, and encompass those surrounding you in this principle.

The state of Kuwait is turning fifty-three years old this February. I write this with the hope that as the state grows older, our community grows more embracing and more appreciative of the differences that make up Kuwait.

TONI & GUY ELECTRICAL

bazaar a la mode SPLASH IN LOVE WITH FASHION Unveiling the fourth edition of the Splash Calendar ‘Love’ one of the most popular of emotions intensifies when said in conjunction with the word ‘Fashion’, inspiring a loyalty beyond reason. Two decades ago, Splash, the high-street retailer chose to fall in love with fashion and this one emotion has given the brand a journey to reflect upon and a path to create. Titled ‘In Love with Fashion’, the 2014 Limited Edition Calendar was unveiled by Micky & Renuka Jagtiani, Chairman & Vice-Chairperson, Landmark Group along with Raza Beig, CEO, and Splash & ICONIC. Celebrating this high fashion calendar Raza Beig invited fashion and art enthusiasts to a display of the 12 visuals that summarized artistic glamour.

Weaving together the concept of love and drawing inspiration from the multi-faceted heart logo which was introduced earlier this year in the business, the calendar brings together the virtues of season-less fabrics, the glamour and beauty of textures and the love for design. Capturing and interpreting contemporary fashion culture, the calendar is shot through the lens of renowned fashion photographer Tejal Patni and styled by international designer Furne Amato.

“Expression of style and emotion for fashion has driven multitudes of consumers to Splash and it was this thought that inspired the theme ‘Splash in Love with Fashion’ for the 2014 Splash Calendar. The calendar is a beautiful summation of fabrics and design aesthetics, styles and silhouettes which have been constant in the brand’s 20 year journey,” said Raza Beig, CEO, Splash & ICONIC. All through the 12 images, six key fabrics which have had the longest standing history in the world of fashion emerge namely lace, denim, plaid, leather, florals and monochrome. Instudio designed dramatic sets and lavish props perfectly complement the variety of Amato’s designs prompting you to analyze the broad range of expressions. As you flip through the months, each image will evoke the sort of excitement that you have come to expect of fashion when presented at its best.

A numbered 500 piece limited edition calendar; it will be gifted to the region’s movers and shakers which include media, opinion makers, partners and VIPs. Also with a vision to make the calendar a part of every consumer’s living space, the calendar will be available in a desktop version, across all Splash in Centrepoint Stores.

ADVANCE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE WITH PARFOIS Enjoy an assortment of must-have accessories from Parfois to complete your winter outfit.

The latest collection includes knee and ankle length boots, woolen scarves, gloves, hats, stylish bracelets, rings and earrings, watches, sunglasses, pumps, belts, embellished clutches and bags in different shapes and sizes, suitable for all occasions.

Black and gold are the colors highlighted this month along with nude tones. Snake prints, bold geometrical patterns and color blocked designs are back on trend this season.

Parfois’ collections are ideal for individuals who quickly identify and adopt the latest trends.

Head down to Parfois today to complete your new 2014 look!

MAKE UP FOR EVER SPRING 2014 COLLECTION This spring 2014, Romanticism and Feminity with an arty twist are brought to life with the newly released limited edition ARTY BLOSSOM, the must-have eyeshadow palette which blends fresh colors close to those found in nature to offer women that luminous and contemporary look of the season. Inspired by Art continuously, Dany Sanz, Creator and Artistic Director of MAKE UP FOR EVER, has created Arty Blossom palette with an exclusive new formula which can play on light and color effects, just like the art of painting.Combining eight refreshing and natural shades that balance well together, MAKE UP FOR EVER’s palette blossoms with strong, muted or subdued colors that can shift in intensity to make classic or abstract, subtle or artistic looks. The eyeshadows in the palette come in an extraordinary new formula which was developed to obtain translucent color effects. The palette’s bright, satiny or shimmering texture depending on the shade adds a veil of color to the eyelid which instantly captures the light, bringing out the purity of the color. Two professional brushes in synthetic fibers are included in the palette so you can mix and match this range of delicate shades and reinvent color with a subtle and pearly glow.

Arty Blossom Palette will be available from 1st February. For information visit their website : www.makeupforever.com 108

SWAROVSKI SPRING/SUMMER 2014 COLLECTION Let eyes open wide to the world, its beauty, its richness, and its history. More than ever, Swarovski draws upon a multitude of influences, where nature, contemporary art, diverse cultures, and different skills intersect.

For Spring/Summer 2014, and for the first time, Swarovski is paying homage to art.

“In colors, silhouettes, materials, and textures, art has always been a source of inspiration for designers, creators of fashion,” says Nathalie Colin, Creative Director at Swarovski. From tribal craftsmanship to contemporary art, this new collection is based on earthy tones and brilliant primary colors. Ethnic cultures meet artistic movements in original combinations of simple and sophisticated materials, with Swarovski’s characteristic twist of modernity and femininity. These jewelry pieces, a fusion of simplicity and opulence, provide essential punctuation to a sharp and stylish wardrobe.

In this spirit, tradition and craftsmanship are united with the most cutting-edge techniques. A marriage of cultures, conveyed this season by jewelry centered around the concepts of “tribal glam” and “monochrome blue,” the major themes of this new collection, infused with an air that is casual, natural, and direct.

For “Tribal Glam”, tribal lines inspired by the art and craftsmanship of Africa have been given an urban twist. Contemporary looks receive an injection of yellow gold, combinations of gold- or silver-plated metals with simple materials such as wood, leather, or cord, and the bold work that turns these into animal prints, hammered mounts, and moving fringes. All of these bring a new allure to crystal, a mood that is both casual and sophisticated.

Shining, luminous, artistic, this new collection also embodies a desire for freedom: it features versatile jewelry, pieces that double up, two-in-one styles, and removable sections for unique jewelry that can be customized in an instant according to the mood.

Natural and tribal, escaped from a contemporary art gallery, Swarovski’s new collection expresses a remarkably strong identity, a modern and elegant stylistic signature. An air of joie de vivre, a touch of the extraordinary, created to illuminate daily life.

LANVIN - COLLECTION BLANCHE 2014 LANVIN Blanche 2014 is designed for everyone who loves fairytales and girly stories, with fifteen Couture dresses to wear for the best day of your life.

Straight out of a princess dream, the first is created from metres and metres of net, flared from the waist, creating a fairytale look. In echo, an ingenious play on seams sculpts the silhouette of a little bubble hem dress in pearly duchess satin, highlighted with a wide bow at the back, which skims across the bride’s bare back. Another graceful long gown comes in ivory pleated taffeta deployed in three big ruffled flounces. For an alternative bride full of mischief, a T-shirt dress draped at the back is worn with big link accessories - an idea for any future bride who dares to divert from traditional couture codes. Playing the glam’ humor card, she could also choose a “Prom Dress,” a long asymmetric strapless dress in pinkish-beige duchess satin with wide flounces and a draped effect at the side. A Greek vestal with bare shoulder reveals a collar of colored crystals and a pleated lace dress, right out of the wardrobe of a Russian Ballet, poses like a little ballerina in a traveling circus.

GO GOLD WITH H&M An exclusive capsule collection designed to celebrate the Olympic Games To coincide with the outfits designed by H&M in collaboration with the Swedish Winter Olympic team for Sochi 2014, H&M has created a special capsule collection of pieces inspired by the Swedish Olympic kit. The Go Gold collection is made up of both functional sports garments and casual items for the winter months, with each piece tested by athletes from the Swedish Olympic team. The look is layered to cope with all conditions, with hooded long-sleeved tops – perfect for wearing under padded jackets, and running shorts worn over tights to keep in the warmth. Functionality is crucial throughout, with lightweight down jackets that are easy to pack, breathable running jackets, and base layers that are quick-drying. Fashion is instinctive with the Go Gold collection, such as a sleeveless running vest for women that also works as a dress, or a women’s reversible down jacket with a rounded silhouette.

For men, the classic bomber gets a sporty update in down, while a seamless underlayer is sharpened by black and white graphic lines. Accessories for men and women include leather sneakers and pieces like embossed reptile print sneakers, a roller-top backpack, and mirror-shade sport sunglasses.

H&M Go Gold is available exclusively in H&M at The Avenues – Phase 1 in Kuwait.

109

Valentine’s GIFT IDEAS

1. The Secret Rendez-vous, P.S. I love you.

Jaeger Le-Coultre brought to you by Morad Yousuf Behbehani, www. jaeger-lecoultre.com 2. Glamour by Victoria’s Secret, The Avenues 2495 4729 www. victoriassecret.com.

3. Victoria’s Secret Fashionable Accessories. www.victoriassecret.com

2.

4. Valentine’s Day Candy from Swatch. www.swatch.com 5. Pawrincess Bear, Build-a-Bear, The Avenues, 2259 7031/www.buildabear.ae 6. Romantic Diamond Heart Pendant, Pure Gold, www.pugold.com

3.

4.

5.

1.

6.

110

TERKEEZ

LITERARY PONDERINGS

At Jaipur Literature Festival

by Deepa Pant

It was difficult to take a step without bumping into a writer or high profile celebrity. The seventh edition of the five day Zee Jaipur Literature Festival brought together over 240 authors and thinkers from 15 countries, and thousands of book lovers.

If your first love is words, this was it. The event served as a hub for the creative, as the heritage venue of Diggi Palace was awashed with the winter sun and the myriad hues of romance with the written word.

I was quite dazed at the fair’s vast venue, the sight of hundreds and thousands of books, book lovers, tweeters and live bloggers. The event was an incredible experience and a happy affirmation that books reign supreme and print is not dead.

Nobel laureate economist Dr. Amartya Sen delivered the keynote address. One of the strongest points that he made during his speech was on education. Sen said, “We seriously need to cultivate classical education like the arts, language and culture.”

His parting advice to the audience: “Read books.”

Iconic women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem left an indelible mark on the audience at a session titled ‘The Essential Gloria Steinem.’

“I don’t understand why feminism is viewed as a Western idea, it is everywhere,” she questioned.

In a discussion titled ‘The Interpreter of Stories’, Pulitzer Prize winning author Jhumpa Lahiri discussed how observing her parents cope with the experience of living away from their homeland served as literary stimulus.

“Growing up, I was always aware of the degree to which my parents missed Kolkata. Many of my characters have a unique relationship with their homeland - the city they leave behind but continue to be connected with,” she commented. “Our identity is our strength,” she reiterated.

In another animated debate titled ‘The Global Novel,’ Lahiri opined that she is uncomfortable with the use of ‘global’ in the context of literature.

“Readers should get to read what they want and as widely as they want. This can only happen if publishers and translators give them access to books.”

“Our reading habit has been stolen and changed” said Chinese-British writer Xiaolu Guo. British author Jim Crace disclosed that writing a novel is a private affair.” It’s a private act that becomes embarrassingly public. But I think as a reader I would definitely want to read more and learn about other cultures, struggles. It helps all of us to grow and understand. Narratives will never die, whatever form of publication or dissemination method is used to spread it. If there is a great book, it will always find its audience,” added Crace.

In a compelling conversation titled ‘The Rasa of language: On Art, Pleasure and Technology,’ bestselling writer Vikram Chandra made a surprising comparison between Sanskrit grammar and coding.

The festival included an eclectic range of events.

112

Photographer Dayanita Singh and artists Subodh Gupta and K.S. Radhakrishnan had a very forthright discussion on many facets of contemporary Indian art. The artists were of the opinion that much needs to be done to improve the basic infrastructure to support India’s art boom.

William Dalrymple, award-winning British historian and writer and co-founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival, moderated a very interesting discussion on ‘The Nonfiction Renaissance,’ between Antony Beevor, Geoff Dyer and Reza Aslan.

Iranian-American scholar Aslan commented that non-fiction adds a voyeuristic element to the readers; who find a window into the lives of others.

According to Aslan, there are two genres of writing: Good Writing and Bad Writing.

Noted American novelist and essayist, Jonathan Franzen, while speaking about the art of novel writing, said he had to unlearn the often prescribed lesson, “Show, don’t tell.”

In another compelling debate, titled ‘Behind the Veil – Women Writers of the Islamic World,’ Nadifa Mohamed, Bejan Matur, Shereen el Feki and Fariba Hachtroudi interpreted their own worlds and proved

to be very popular at the Festival.

In a similar vein, another interesting discussion was ‘Burdens of Identity,’ that saw coming together of diverse voices of best-selling author Zeruya Shalev, Tamil poet and writer Salma and novelist Namita Gokhale who spoke of the burden of labels that spanned religion, region and gender.

The DSC prize for South Asian Literature went to Indian author Cyrus Mistry for his Chronicles of a Corpse Bearer. The $ 50,000 DSC Prize recognizes works of fiction from across the globe that highlights South Asia, its people, culture and diaspora.

The event was a perfect winter tale. If you missed this literary extravaganza this year…book your tickets to Jaipur now. Next year will only see the festival grow bigger and better. A must visit event for literature enthusiasts.

Any tips? Oh yes. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Signature lines require lots of standing.

The festival is due to return next year – January 21 to January 25, 2015. For updates, keep your eye on www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org.

COSMETIC SURGERY CLINIC

bazaar around town THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE JUST KEEPS ON WINNING! Jeep Grand Cherokee - the most awarded SUV ever and the vehicle that has long defined what a premium SUV should be - has added yet another prestigious award to its long list of international accolades, being voted Best Mid-Size SUV at the Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA).

“We’re delighted to receive yet more highly prestigious recognition for the Jeep Grand Cherokee,” said Jack Rodencal, Managing Director of Fiat Chrysler Middle East. “Unbiased and credible, a MEMA award is the most coveted in the Middle East, and as vehicles are judged by a panel of expert automotive journalists, whose opinions are the most sought after in the region - for the Grand Cherokee to beat significant competition and take the award further cements its position as the absolute benchmark in its segment.”

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee once again completely redefines the premium SUV, delivering an unprecedented combination of best-in-class fuel economy and driving range, a choice of leading powertrain options, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, premium onroad driving dynamics and a host of advanced user-friendly technology and safety features.

“There have been four generations of Grand Cherokee over the years and each one has improved on the last - for the 2014 model, we took the industry’s most highly acclaimed SUV and elevated it to an even higher level,” said Rodencal. “This award recognises the great job that the Jeep design and engineering teams have done.”

When Jeep introduced the 2011 Grand Cherokee, it quickly impressed consumers with its cohesive, upscale design that was still able to convey the rugged capability one expects in a Jeep vehicle. For 2014, Jeep Grand Cherokee builds on this success, conveying an even higher level of opulence and strength.

All trim levels of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee have been given an even more premium look, while simultaneously making each trim level readily identifiable at a glance, while its awardwinning interior is one of the most technically advanced, well-crafted interiors in the industry.

Al Mulla & Behbehani Motor Co. W.L.L. is the sole distributor for Jeep in Kuwait, as well as Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands.

For more information on the Jeep Grand Cherokee visit dealer-mideast.jeep.com/kuwait/mbmc.

VIVA LAUNCHES TAP AND PAY SERVICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOLORO VIVA facilitates customers’ mobile shopping experience VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most developed telecom operator, announced last month the launch of the Tap and Pay service in partnership with Boloro, the first global mobile payments system. Prepaid and postpaid customers in Kuwait are now able to pay for goods and services using their prepaid and postpaid accounts directly from their devices through Tap and Pay service. Boloro is a safe, convenient, and virtually fraud-free service that directly charges customers’ mobiles.

This partnership is one additional step towards investing further in its Value Added Services. VIVA has demonstrated its leading position since its inception with the various unprecedented offerings it puts forward, and continues to pave the way with the unique services it adds to its broad portfolio. Through the launch of this service, VIVA reiterates its commitment to providing unique services designed to create an exceptional customer experience. VIVA will continue to seek new and innovative ways to facilitate the lives of its customers and share with them, the latest in communication technology.

To find out more about the Boloro’s Tap and Pay service, or find out about its latest competitive promotions, products and packages, visit the VIVA website www.viva.com.kw or call VIVA’s 24 hour call center on 102.

WORLD’S LARGEST FAMILY DINING CHAIN DENNY’S POISED TO ENTER KUWAIT Denny’s, the world’s largest full-service family dining chain, based on the number of restaurants, announced last month that it has signed a franchise agreement with Advance Investment LLC, an affiliated entity of Food Quest Restaurant Management LLC, for the development of 30 new Denny’s restaurants in nine countries in the Middle East over the next ten years. Advance Investment LLC, with Management support of Food Quest, has the exclusive rights to open restaurants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The first Denny’s restaurant is slated to open doors to diners in the UAE in 2015. Denny’s opened its first international restaurant in 1966 in Acapulco, Mexico and has since expanded its footprint to 11 countries and U.S. territories, including 100 locations in Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guam, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. As the company approaches 1,700 restaurants worldwide, Denny’s is providing guests around the globe with the promise of everyday value and craveable, indulgent menu items served in a friendly and inviting atmosphere.

Together with its talented and committed franchisees, the company plans for continued international expansion to bring “America’s Diner” to new locations across the globe.

114

DAR AL SHIFA HOSPITAL LAUNCHES CERVICAL CANCER EARLY DETECTION CAMPAIGN Dar Al Shifa Hospital announced last month the launch of its cervical cancer early detection campaign, which sheds light on the causes and factors leading to this disease and ways to prevent it. The campaign ran across one week in January and the hospital provided special discount on the cancer screening using the pap smear and Colposcopy, that identifies precancerous and potentially precancerous changes in cervical cells and tissue.

Dr. Hossam Kamel, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department said: “It is crucial to highlight Cervical Cancer at an early stage and to understand the signs, symptoms and methods of treatment. New technologies have been developed that help in detecting the disease earlier in the process.”

One of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

The cervical cancer early detection awareness campaign is part of the continued development of Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s successful contributions to raising awareness on the disease, while encouraging women to undergo preventive checks.

UFC INVITES ALL BURGER ADDICTS TO EXPERIENCE THE TASTE OF THEIR AUTHENTIC AND RUSTIC AMERICAN BURGERS After a long wait for burger lovers, Universal Food Company (UFC) announced the launch of the third branch of the famous restaurant chain, FATBURGER, which is situated in the Avenues Mall. The new branch is located in the Second Avenue (Food World) where FatBurger staff had the pleasure of serving their delicious plates to all burger addicts at the opening day which took place on 15th January 2014. UFC is the official franchise holder of FatBurger in Kuwait, which further emphasizes its leading role in the Middle East. With other FatBurger branches in Kuwait it joins more than 140 branches around the world. The third venue is an excellent addition to the existing two branches located at Burj Jassem and Spoons which were initially introduced to Kuwait back in 2011. The company’s expansion strategy aims at serving the wider community of burger lovers at the busiest spots in Kuwait in order for the public to enjoy the authentic taste of American burger. In addition to cooked-to-order juicy burgers and delicious milkshakes, FatBurger is also known for offering the best and freshest food ingredients in town.

“THE REAL WEALTH OF THE MIDDLE EAST IS ITS PEOPLE” Omar Alghanim addresses a group of visiting Harvard Business School students and local Harvard alumni Omar Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries and Chairman of Gulf Bank, addressed visiting second year Harvard Business School (HBS) students and members of the Harvard University Alumni Association of Kuwait (HUAAK) on the importance of entrepreneurism during a dinner on 6th January, which was sponsored by the HUAAK to mark the inaugural HBS ‘Trek’ to Kuwait. Attending the dinner were 30 students from HBS as part of a business tour of the GCC, which included stops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The visit to Kuwait was organized by Hamad Al Wazzan and Khaled Jafar, who are currently studying at HBS. Also present at the dinner was Dr Brian Hall, the Albert H. Gordon Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, as well as several prominent Kuwaiti Harvard alumni, including: Mohammad Eissa, Managing Director of Gulf Investment Corporation, Yousef Al Essa, CEO, Amwal International Investment Company and Salah Al Fulaij, CEO, NBK Capital. Mr Alghanim, who is also an HBS alumnus, spoke at length on the importance of entrepreneurism and its crucial role in the future economic development of Kuwait and the other GCC economies.

Omar Alghanim

GULF BANK PROVIDES SEASONAL FLU SHOTS TO ALL ITS EMPLOYEES AS PART OF ITS ANNUAL HEALTH PROGRAM As part of Gulf Bank’s continued effort to maintain the health and wellbeing of its staff, the Bank in association with the Dar Al Fouad Clinic provided free flu shots for all its employees.

With flu season approaching Gulf Bank undertook the responsibility of providing its employees with preventative measures in order to ensure employees maintain good health. This is an annual activity along with other health initiatives, which aim at enhancing the employees’ work environment. This is in line with Gulf Bank’s recently launched ‘Health Awareness’ road show in partnership with Dar Al Fouad Clinic, who specialize in dietary health and wellbeing advice and treatment. This year-long program has been designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and general wellbeing amongst employees. Each employee is given the opportunity to receive a free general consultation to review sugar levels, blood pressure, weight analysis as well as dietary or nutritional advice where needed. As a socially responsible leading financial institution Gulf Bank will continue to provide employees with programs that promote a healthy lifestyle as a healthy body supports a healthy mind.

115

BREATHING LIFE INTO FOOD

Aqua, at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

by Reshmi Revi

American stand-up comedian Chris Rock once said, “There are only three things women need in life: food, water, and compliments.” As I sit in the plush surroundings of Aqua Cafe, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa’s latest dining eatery amongst its fleet of amazing restaurants in its establishment, I’ll gladly forgo the compliments please.

Rich golden hues frame the restaurant’s interior with small tables placed somewhat intermittently from one another.

The Director of PR & Communications, Carol Roncoletta says, “Aqua is an inspiring venue to relax while enjoying healthy food and refreshment options in an intimate and one-of-a-kind setting.”

One-of-a-kind indeed, and with a selective eclectic menu to boot.

What makes this dining establishment stand out is that, for the ubiquitous brand that is Jumeirah, Aqua is the only restaurant of its kind. Yup, it is only present in the Kuwait franchise. #mabrooktous Eating healthy here is a no-brainer. The menu offers a variety of salads, Japanese-inspired dishes, smoothies, sorbets and a cornucopia of juices and tea infusions. Another facet that’s admirable of Aqua is that the menu goes above and beyond with each description of its dishes while aptly labeling them. So should you want to sample a morsel that may aid you in your quest of managing your weight, or something light to help you detox, the menu has it all written down.

For me, my favorite dish was the Watermelon Prawn Salad. Imagine big thick discs of crisp watermelon slices, fresh crumbled feta and mint in between these layers with a pomegranate sauce lightly drizzled all over. On top of this tower rests these giant prawns - grilled to perfection. High in lean protein thanks to the prawns and feta; I love this dish because the watermelon gives a crisp bite and isn’t your conventional ‘salad.’ Watermelon is also great as a source of Vitamins A and C and is chock-full of lycopene which helps in cancer-protection.

My next favorite was their Rice Paper Rolls. To me, it’s reminiscent of my childhood as it’s very Asian-inspired. Finely sliced vegetables and along with fresh garden herbs are rolled up in these thin strips of rice paper and served with somewhat of a sweet soy dipping sauce. It also serves as an interesting way to get one’s recommended daily serve of veggies.

As I came here post-workout, I also opted for the Aqua Sushi Sampler. This dish is big enough to share between 2 individuals, though if you’re a foodie like me, you may do so with a heavy-heart!

Fresh slices of tuna and salmon sashimi adorn this dish (great source of Omega 3s!) along with slices from their Chicken Teriyaki Maki rolls and their California rolls and topped with fresh tobiko.

116

For something sweet, I am a big fan of their Tropical Quinoa, which is a sweet dessert made from coconut, mango, quinoa, and in a kaffir lime syrup.

Again, this would be a dessert to have post workout.

Quinoa as you know, is a pseudocereal from the spinach family and is quite high in protein. One can also always opt for the kaffir lime syrup to be served on the side, so that you can moderate its sweetness.

Aqua in many contexts of literature and history means water, and in some cases, the extension of life. In Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology it is in the primeval waters of Apsu and Tiamat that the Gods are born. Ancient Egyptian cosmogony declares that the Gods came into existence from the waters of Nun. There’s always an ever-lasting link between water and creation.

Hence another example of what sets Aqua distinctively apart from the rest, is that they offer a selection of many waters: 17 to be exact.

Again, the menu offers a detailed breakdown

of each bottle. My choice this time around was the 660ml bottle of Veen from Finland. The reason for this was because it has 0 nitrates in it (extensive research has shown that nitrites in water are usually derived from fertilizers and once introduced in your body, changes to nitrites. Prolonged consumption of which are believed to sometimes be cancer-causing).

All in all, my dining experience at Aqua was amazing and educational. For a trainer who’s always on the go and eating on the go, I actually enjoyed sitting and sampling my food in a tranquil setting, something that is quite a rarity here in K-town.

To contact Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa you can call them on 2226 9600 or email them at jumeirahrestaurant@jumeirah.com Reshmi Revi is the Assistant General Manager of MultiWorks. She is also an IFBB Bikini Competitor and an avid foodie! Follow her on Instagram @Q8MissFit.

TANGLE TEEZER

LOVE THY PARENTS

by Ayman Nassar

If ever there was a list of things most taken for granted by mankind as a species, our parents would be number one.

Parents. Those awesome creatures that took it upon themselves to bring us into this world. Going back in the years to when we first opened our eyes to this stark world filled with terror and ambiguity around every corner, it was to our parents that we turned to for guidance. A child can ask upward of 400 questions a day. Given 365 days to a year, that is an awful lot of questions requiring quite an 118

extraordinary human being to answer them. Those extraordinary human beings are our parents.

At childhood we learn from them, during adolescence we shun them and try to learn for ourselves, at early adulthood we snap at them when they ask us to explain such trivial things as how to access Facebook, social media, email and the like, technologies far beyond what they had imagined at our age at the time.

Yet when we asked 400 questions a day, did they snap? Occasionally maybe. We snap at them

because it is impossible for us to accept that there is something our parents do not know. Throughout our lives they serve as our guiding light, whether up close or from afar, to whom we turn to at our hours of need. How can there be anything they do not understand? How can there be anything that can hurt these superhuman beings that raised us? Yet, as we grow up we understand that life is not as rosy as they had explained. The car they drove us to school in that used to bring us great joy can also be an object of great sorrow. The illnesses that befell us and caused us to miss playtime have far more serious counterparts that can do much worse.

There is an analogy that compares parents to trees, at first they give us shade, protecting us from the outside world. Later they give us nutrients, to a point where they deprive themselves of such.

In the end, we become strong trees, whilst they weaken with the passing of time.

Mankind live in such a state of blissful ignorance that one day we may turn around and not find those that sacrificed so much for our wellbeing. We live each day like it is a string of days, no one gives a second thought to the possibility, no matter how infinitesimal it may seem, that we might not wake up tomorrow, or that we wake up to find that someone has passed away. God forbid it is a loved one. God forbid a parent.

Disagreements are bound to happen, it is natural for them to occur and unnatural for them not to. However, never let momentary displeasure lengthen into something that festers and lingers for prolonged periods of time. To create life is such an arduous task, to maintain it even more strenuous.

Once we find ourselves in their shoes, or on the path that would lead us to their position, we finally begin to understand how magnanimously magnificent they truly are. At times, it would be as though finally watching the commentary to your favorite movie. A complete role reversal, transitioning from the child that bruised their knee whilst attempting to ride their bicycle down a flight of stairs, to the worried parent that cares for the child and rushes them to the emergency room.

Much like a child will not listen when told that the stove is hot and should not be touched, one cannot fully appreciate their parents until they are thrust in their position.

During these times filled with ambiguity and possibility, as well as a very real sense of foreboding that would almost be crippling if it were to manifest itself, it is important to recall how we all sat down in December of 2013 and put forward our resolutions for the year; to be more successful, to lose weight, to travel more, explore more etc. However the top priority for all should be to simply love thy parents.

CLASS

bazaar investigates FROM VIRTUAL TO REALITY? TOYOTA FT-1 CONCEPT SETS THE PACE FOR FUTURE DESIGN Toyota created a stir at the North American International Auto Show with the reveal of the stunning FT-1 sports car concept which was first devised by Calty Design Research in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game environment. The Toyota FT-1 represents the pinnacle of a long-running endeavor by Calty, which marked its 40th anniversary last year, to create the ultimate sports car.

FT-1 stands for “Future Toyota,” and the number “1” represents the ultimate. According to its designers at Calty Design Research, the FT-1 Concept builds upon Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and most recently Scion FR-S. In addition, the concept draws inspiration from Calty’s more recent sports car concept work such as FT-HS (2007) and the Lexus LF-LC (2012).

The project started nearly two years ago and represents a labor of love by a passionate, dedicated and gifted Calty design team. “The FT-1 is a dream-project for a designer and car enthusiast like myself,” said Alex Shen, Calty’s Studio Chief Designer. “Our team was heavily influenced by Toyota’s sports car past, especially Celica and Supra, and we sought to capture some of that history. It is an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe.”

According to Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “The Toyota FT-1 concept is an iconic sports car model which captures elements of the emotion and energy we can expect to see in future Toyota vehicle designs while inspired by Toyota’s long sports car tradition.

It also aims to show what can be achieved when the focus is on creating a sports car design that will truly excite our customers.”

The Toyota FT-1’s interior design is aimed at enabling the driver to focus on and enjoy the driving experience. A delta-shaped display zone surrounds and integrates the driver to provide an exhilarating feeling of connectedness with the vehicle. The driver-focused environment is further enhanced by an F1-inspired steering wheel and a color heads-up display with vital information projected just above the steering wheel, thus keeping the driver’s attention on the road. Furthermore, the A-pillars have been positioned as far back as possible to provide increased cornering visibility.

INVISIBOBBLE – THE TRACELESS HAIR RING A revolutionary hair band.

This amazing hair bobble promises - and keeps its promise - not to stretch, pull, break or hurt your hair. It also doesn’t leave a trace on the hair once it’s removed. The magic trick to Invisibobble’s traceless outcome lies in its peculiar telephone cord shape. When this hair ring is wrapped around the hair, it places uneven pressure around the circumference of the ponytail; standard hair rings put even pressure on the hair, leaving an obvious mark. The uneven pressure produced by the Invisibobble allows for the hair to be held strongly in the ponytail without being too tight. This gives individual hairs more space within the ponytail than they would have when wearing a normal hair band. Invisibobble uneven pressure system avoids headache, but at the same time it cares for your hair. It comes in several colors to match your style, it’s water-repellent and it’s suitable for all hair types.

Invisibobble is exclusively distributed in Kuwait by beau-tique cosmetics international, you can call them for more information: 2225 1258.

‫) لخدمة حجز المواعيد مع األطباء‬Abi Doc( ‫مستشفى طيبة تنضم إلى موقع‬ ‫ مسؤولة‬،‫ أعلنت غادة عبدالخالق‬،‫في إطار سعي مستشفى طيبة لتقديم أفضل الخدمات للمراجعين وتسهيل عملية حجز المواعيد‬ ‫) لخدمة حجز مواعيد مباشرة للمرضى مع األطباء‬Abi Doc( ‫التواصل التسويقي عن انضمام مستشفى طيبة لموقع وتطبيقات‬ ‫يتميز بالعديد من الخدمات من أهمها البحث‬A(Abi Doc) (www.abidoc.com( ‫ وأضافت ان موقع وتطبيقات‬.‫بشكل سهل وسريع‬ ‫ ومن المميزات المهمة‬.‫ وحجز الموعد مباشرة مع اختيار الوقت المناسب للمريض‬،‫عن األطباء بنا ًء على التخصص أو مكان العيادة‬ .‫أيضاً توفر هذه الخدمة على أجهزة األيفون واألندرويد عن طريق تحميل البرنامج المجاني‬ ‫) عن سعادته إلنضمام مستشفى طيبة‬Abi Doc( ‫ الشريك الرئيسي في موقع‬،‫ أضاف الدكتور مساعد الرزوقي‬،‫وفي نفس اإلطار‬ ‫ وأضاف الرزوقي أن الموقع تم‬.‫للموقع واعتبار هذه الخطوة تميزاً للطرفين لخدمة المرضى بشكل خاص والمجتمع بشكل عام‬ ‫ كما يتميز عن‬.‫تصميمه لخدمة المرضى عن طريق الحجز المباشر على اإلنترنت أو التطبيقات أو اإلتصال على الخط الساخن‬ ‫ كما‬.‫غيره من المواقع بالعديد من الخدمات منها إجراء عمليات بحث عن األطباء وشركة التأمين وسبب الزيارة واللغة المفضلة‬ ‫ كما أوضحت عبدالخالق أن مستشفى طيبة تسعى دائما للتطور فى مختلف مجاالت‬.‫يوفر الموقع العديد من المعلومات عن األطباء‬ ،1808088 ‫ ولذلك يسرنا سماع آرائكم ومتطلباتكم باإلتصال على‬.‫الطب وتقديم أفضل الخدمات الطبية والعالجية المتميزة‬ ً ‫ والحجز المباشر عن طريق‬TaibaHospital@ )‫ التويتر واإلنستغرام‬،‫ومتابعتنا على مواقع التواصل اإلجتماعي (الفيسبوك‬ 120

THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HYGIENE With Hamad Al-Khudher, Marketing and PR Manager, Al-Mubarakiya Dental Center There are a number of people who neglect to take care of themselves, let alone take care of their teeth. Those people are probably unaware of the outcomes that come later with neglecting one’s dental hygiene. What people are also unaware of is that dental hygiene benefits the whole body, and not just your smile. At AlMubarakiya Dental Center their goal is to make you aware how crucial it is to always take good care of your teeth. Certain diseases can occur due to careless dental hygiene, but luckily there are ways to reduce the risk of getting them and even prevent them.

The two most current diseases that people would get are dental cavities and tooth decay. Cavities occur with the result of gradual tooth decay caused by Plaque, which is bacteria found in the mouth. To further clarify, bacteria is always present in the mouth; however, with the breakdown of sugar and starches from the food you eat, they produce acid. When the acid produced during this process mixes with the food debris and saliva, it forms what is scientifically called Plaque. The longer the Plaque lasts in your mouth, the more it will harden and form what is called Gingivitis. Cavities occur thereafter when the Plaque continues to harden on the surface of the tooth, leading it to slowly dissolve the tooth’s surface and cause pits or small holes. The dissolving of the tooth’s surface is called tooth decay.

Initially cavities are painless, but they put the tooth at risk of getting infections and therefore start to cause some pain. The internal structure of the tooth can be destroyed if the cavity is not been taken care of, and will eventually lead to the loss of the tooth. In other words, the longer the infection is ignored and not treated, the more painful it will be and more expensive to treat the infection.

Overall, oral hygiene is an essential component to one’s physical health. With the advancements in the dental industry, new techniques are being introduced along with newly advanced products to maintain one’s oral hygiene. It has been proven that professional dental care can even reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke (study done by the American Heart Association).

For more information as to how Al-Mubarakiya Dental can fix or prevent the above please visit: www.mubarakiya-dc.com

TACK- IIK CHILDREN’S CRICKET ACADEMY Teams Association for Cricket in Kuwait (TACK) was envisaged to be a non-profit organization that would provide opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities to people from all backgrounds to play competitive cricket. Since its inception in 2009, TACK has come a long way from the desert grounds in Sulaibiakhat to its crowning glory; TACK Entertainment City Cricket Ground in Doha with lush green outfields and international standard floodlights.

After the stupendous success of 4 Nations Tournament where TACK achieved a remarkable feat of generating a record crowd of 3000 people backed by the corporate muscle of its sponsors, TACK has once again collaborated with IIK to launch its Cricket Academy aimed at developing and enhancing the cricketing skills of boys aged between 8-16. With quality turf wickets, grassy outfield, professional training by ACC qualified coaches and the availability of rest rooms and changing rooms you do not want your child to miss out on this unique opportunity.

Takes place Mondays and Wednesdays 5.30pm – 7.30pm.

For queries, call Ghayoor Ahmed (Coach) 97247533; or Faraz Rana (Marketing) 66555620 or visit www.tac-kuwait.com

IRINA SHAYK JOINS PATRICK DEMPSEY IN SACOOR BROTHERS’ NEW CAMPAIGN Irina Shayk joins Patrick Dempsey as the face of the new Sacoor Brothers’ campaign that signals the arrival of its spring-summer 2014 collection. Chosen for their charisma and elegance, the two famous faces complement the essence and the values of the Portuguese brand. Irina Shayk is a Russian model who has been widely recognized as one of the most glamorous women by fashion magazines across the globe. For the first time she will be the feminine face for a Portuguese fashion brand campaign. The photo shoot, which took place in Los Angeles, mixed the romantic elegance of “McDreamy” with the beautiful sensuality of the Russian model and was crowned by the usual glamour that distinguishes Sacoor Brothers from fashion brands of its kind. Sophistication and class mark the new campaign which is based on the concept Rio de Janeiro and will bring a bossa nova, or new trend, touch to the spring-summer collection.

The highlights on the Men’s, Women’s, and Kid’s collections are exemplified by the uniqueness of the fabrics and textures —a result of a careful selection of resources and materials of timeless quality— that are sure to marvel all.

The collection is available to view at Mall 360 in Kuwait.

121

bazaar industry

ONLINE PUBLICATIONS SEE A FUTURE IN PRINT

by Matt Pearce

While pundits bemoan the death of print, Pitchfork and the L.A. Review of Books are among the online magazines embracing ink on paper.

“What do journalists, CEOs and senior citizens have in common?” an editor for website BuzzFeed tweeted the other day. “They are the only groups of people left who care about reading things in print.”

So goes the digital punch line in 2013. Conventional media wisdom maintains that print is headed remorselessly toward extinction, with many old-school publications continuing to struggle and, most recently, the legendary weekly magazine New York announcing that its print edition would soon go bimonthly.

While pundits were declaring the death of ink on paper, though, a funny thing happened: Some of the very people who helped pioneer online-only journalism and criticism began to reconsider print.

Indie-music kingmaker Pitchfork.com, which has spent 17 years publishing on the Web, just launched a quarterly print edition. The Los Angeles Review of Books, which began on Tumblr in 2011, recently celebrated the release of the Los Angeles Review of Books Quarterly Journal, while intellectual online journal the New Inquiry is planning a print anthology. This fall, the feminist site Jezebel, an arm of the Gawker Media empire, published The Book of Jezebel — an “illustrated encyclopedia of lady things” — and teen girl website Rookie published its second Rookie Yearbook.

“There’s been a lot of discussion of the transition in one direction: print to digital,” says New Inquiry editor in chief Rachel Rosenfelt, 28.

“But this is the first generation of people who have always been digital, moving in the other direction.”

The reasons for this unlikely resurgence of print are complex, rooted both in business sense and sentimentality. Rather than rising and falling on a single platform, many brands today would rather reach for bigger audiences across multiple channels that publish — and profit — side by side. But in some cases, the turn to print reflects a reaction to the very things that have made digital publishing so appealing: Where the Web is open-ended and interactive, print is closed and more authoritative, like a street that goes only one way. The Web is timelier, but paper lasts longer than browser tabs.

Chris Frey, 43, editor in chief of Hazlitt, a literary site created by Random House Canada that published its debut print edition in November 2013, uses words like “intimacy,” “permanence” and “presence” to describe reading a magazine or printed book. “Within a Web environment, we’re often more prone to distraction and skimming rather than deep reading,” Frey says. “The Web is an immensely powerful tool for connecting writers 122

with readers far and wide in the present moment.

But it can lack intimacy.”

As Pitchfork President Chris Kaskie says of the allure of the analog, “You own MP3s, but you don’t own them. You read an online magazine on the Internet, but you can’t pick it up.”

Paper may now be going the way of music, where the rise of digital has stoked format fetishism among elite audiences, with niche consumers giving second life to analog formats such as vinyl and cassette.

This new rush to print is mostly aimed at a similarly boutique audience, with small runs, sporadic issues (either quarterly or annually) and high quality. Pitchfork is plugging into the print game with its new Pitchfork Review. Sharply designed, produced on quality paper stock and accordingly priced at just under $20, the review is limited to a 10,000-print run and intended to have a long shelf life. “I just threw away a stack of magazines yesterday that had been in a basket and readthrough, and it’s sad, because none of those things felt like something I wanted to keep forever,” says Kaskie, 33. The goal, he adds, is “to make something someone will want to have on their shelf, just like a record.”

Alongside idealistic and aesthetic motivations, there also may be shrewd business logic in some cases. Samir Husni, director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi, says he’s seeing “more and more” online-only sites coming to print, but he believes it’s for financial reasons, not nostalgia. “It’s not that people love print,” Husni says, it’s that “they discover that there’s still a lot of money to be made in print while they’re searching for where money can be made online.”

Husni believes that’s because print is the only place ads aren’t ignored: “Online and in apps and on the digital frontier, we’ve all discovered ways to skip the ad. But in print... People buy the magazines

as much for the ads as for the content.”

Tom Lutz, 60, editor in chief of the L.A. Review of Books, says he started the literary site on Tumblr rather than as a paper magazine because “it takes more upfront capital to do print than it does to do the Web.” But the Review found funding for digitalonly advertising harder to come by.

“The people that we’ve approached for sponsorships have been much more interested in getting recognized in our print publication than they are on the Web,” Lutz says. “There are more eyes on the Web than there are on the print publications, they go wider, they go farther, but there’s no question we’ve found it easier to sell advertising in print than on the Web.” None of these publications is planning to jettison its online identity, which seems to remain each brand’s main attraction. But each will be challenged to create reading experiences that go further than just porting content from the Web, and some early results are promising.

But print comes with restrictions that can be surprising to editors who’ve become accustomed to the limitlessness of the Web. “One of the reasons people like writing for us is that we let the length of the piece be determined by [the] material,” Lutz says of the L.A. Review of Books. But with the print edition, it was “the first time we’ve had to worry about length,” editing for space rather than depth.

“Every magazine has their agenda,” says Rosenfelt. Part of the New Inquiry’s agenda, she adds, “is to feel out these spaces that digital publishing has opened up … and really be mindful of what the little magazine looks like in the Internet era.” She adds, “It would be nice to have an object that speaks to the soul of the project.”

MANNER

bazaar books Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West

COMIC GENIUS

DOCTOR SLEEP: A NOVEL

UNDISPUTED TRUTH

by Matt Hoyle/Mel Brooks

by Stephen King

by Mike Tyson

THE IMPOSSIBLE COLLECTION OF MOTORCYCLES

SYCAMORE ROW

by John Grisham

by Ian Barry/Nicolas Stecher

People say laughter is the best medicine, and in the case of Comic Genius: Portraits of Funny People, that’s certainly true. Featuring portraits and first-person essays from comedic legends including Steve Martin, Steve Carrell, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey, and many more, this book is a work of photographic art.

Granted extraordinary access, photographer Matt Hoyle has captured his subjects in portraits that are works of art in themselves—by turns zany and deadpan, laughout-loud and contemplative.

Accompanying them are first-person reflections from each of the comedians on life and laughter that always cut straight to the heart of comedy: it’s funny because it’s true. Page after sidesplitting page in Comic Genius offers prose as engaging as each portrait is memorable. Here, in one handsome package, is the gift of laughter itself.

Proceeds from the sales of each book go to Save the Children, an organization helping provide Syria’s children the basic needs of food, care, and protection.

124

Stephen King returns to the character and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance and the very special 12-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals. On highways across the US, a tribe of people called the True Knot travel. They look harmless, but as Dan knows they are quasi-immortal, living off the steam that children with the shining produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel, where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades. Finally, he settles in a small town, and aided by a prescient cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep.”

Dan meets Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival.

This story will thrill the millions of devoted readers of The Shining and satisfy anyone new to this icon.

There are sports memoirs, and then there’s Undisputed Truth, Mike Tyson’s tellall autobiography charting his journey from poor Brooklyn kid, to millionaire heavyweight champion of the world, to bankrupt addict, to today. Philosopher, Broadway headliner, fighter, felon—Mike Tyson has defied stereotypes, expectations, and a lot of conventional wisdom during his three decades in the public eye. Whether admitting to being high on cocaine and marijuana during his fight with Lou Savarese in Hampden Park (whom he beat in an incredible 38 seconds), or describing how he misplaced $1m in a Louis Vuitton bag after a wild night in Vegas, you’ve never experienced a window into the life of a troubled athlete quite like this. Brutally honest, raw, and often hilarious, Tyson chronicles his tumultuous highs and lows in the same sincere, straightforward manner we have come to expect from this legendary athlete. If you think you know all about Mike Tyson, read the book and think again.

So maybe you own a bike — even a couple — and if you’re lucky, you might have yourself a small collection of bikes.

But odds are, you’ll never own a complete collection of the 100 most-desired bikes of the last 100 or so years.

That said, you can at least ogle them in book form with the Impossible Collection of Motorcycles: The 100 Most Coveted Motorcycles of the Twentieth Century. The motorcycle has evolved from a much-needed means of transportation to a symbol of high design and storied freedom. This book covers everything from the 1903 Harley-Davidson Serial #1 to the 1999 Honda NSR500 GP, each selected for its cultural importance, innovation in performance, luxurious design, and rarity in make.

Also included are gorgeous photographs of each model.

While it may not be as good as riding the real things, it’s a pretty decent place to start.

Presented in a black rubber clamshell case with a cutout metal plate this is a book for every enthusiast.

John Grisham’s, A Time to Kill is one of the most popular novels of our time. Now we return to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial - a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history. Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. Before he kills himself, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten, will. It is an act that drags his children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County’s most notorious citizens, just 3 years earlier. The second will raises far more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row? In Sycamore Row, John Grisham returns to the setting and the compelling characters that first established him as America’s favorite storyteller.

source: www.amazon.com

STARBUCKS

bazaar checks it out JEEP WRANGLER: LEGENDARY CAPABILITY AND IMPROVED ERGONOMICS The engineering team behind the Jeep Wrangler - the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world - are constantly looking for ways to make the Wrangler even more enjoyable and comfortable on a daily basis from the inside out, while continuing to improve its off-road ability.

The introduction of the all-new powerful, yet fuel efficient, award-winning Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission in 2012 means that Jeep Wrangler offers dramatically improved on-road performance combined with even more off-road prowess.“Now, with new features added to the interior, the latest Wrangler adds improved comfort to its long list of benefits,” said Jack Rodencal, Managing Director of Fiat Chrysler Middle East.

“The result is an untouched level of capability off-road, combined with on-road dynamics, fuel efficiency and interior comfort that make Jeep Wrangler the perfect vehicle for fun daily driving, weekend trail-running or extreme off-roading.” “Available in 2 and 4 door models and boasting an untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air freedom, significant towing capability, improved real-world drivability, and unique 4x4 systems that deliver unmatched off-road prowess, Jeep Wrangler maintains its position as the benchmark off-road vehicle and offers consumers the ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure.” Jeep Wrangler delivers unmatched off-road capability with legendary four-wheel drive and is produced with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear fivelink suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers, and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offers a six-speed manual transmission - in addition to a five-speed automatic transmission that offers refined shifting and gear selection. Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are available with an array of safety and security technology features. Standard electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, Trailer-sway Control, Hill-start Assist and brake traction control are among two dozen available safety and security features. Jeep safety systems are engineered to improve handling and accident avoidance while providing occupant protection, allowing Jeep Wrangler customers the ability to safely “go anywhere and do anything.” The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are available as Sport and Sahara editions in the Middle East. Wrangler continues to receive more and more awards, and was named mid-size SUV of the year at the 20th annual Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Texas Truck Rodeo.

Al Mulla & Behbehani Motor Co. W.L.L. is the sole distributor for Jeep in Kuwait, as well as Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands.

For more information on the Jeep Grand Cherokee visit dealer-mideast.jeep.com/kuwait/mbmc.

GIVE YOURSELF A NATURAL LIFT The Body Shop offers Pomegranate skincare products for women over 40 The Body Shop is known for taking a positive approach to ageing, with a belief that we can all look and feel beautiful at any age. With women over 40 having concerns about their skin’s appearance, fine lines and wrinkles, Pomegranate skincare products help them look their best naturally.

Including the benefits of pomegranate, the products don’t just give a firmer skin, but with regular use, the appearance of wrinkles is softened within 4 weeks! All products in the Pomegranate range (facial wash, toner, day cream, cleanser, serum, night cream, eye roll on and day lotion) feature organic pomegranate seed oil, pomegranate peel and pulp. These ingredients diminish the appearance of lines, improve skin’s suppleness and boost the retention of water; in addition to the wonderful fragrance. “The pomegranate is categorized as a ‘superfruit’ because of its nutritional properties. Its whole is harnessed in our Pomegranate skincare products with no chemicals used at any stage in the production process. The result is firmer-feeling skin with softer-looking fine lines and wrinkles,” said Brett Lilley, business manager at The Body Shop.

For more information follow them on Facebook: The Body Shop Kuwait

CALVIN KLEIN DARK OBSESSION FOR MEN Bold. Powerful. Sexy.

Calvin Klein Dark Obsession for men is a bold, modern oriental fragrance with a powerful masculinity and intense sensuality. Top scents contain brazilian green mandarin, guarana, and absinthe, mid-scents of french clary sage, fir balsam, and white vetiver, and dry scents madagascar vanilla bean, labdanum, and suede. The sleek Calvin Klein Dark Obsession for men packaging design modernizes the classic Obsession for men carton with contrasting matte and glossy finishes in all black. The scents come in eau de toilette spray 2.5oz/75ml; eau de toilette spray 4oz/125ml; and deodorant body spray 5.4oz/152g. The Calvin Klein Dark Obsession for men line is available now in select markets.

126

THE MERCEDES-BENZ S 63 AMG Luxury and Driving Performance combined: The S 63 AMG makes a bold entry into Kuwait A.R. Albisher and Z. Alkazemi Co. – the exclusive distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait – is unleashing the new S 63 AMG, the most powerful high-performance saloon in the luxury segment. Setting new standards in terms of driving dynamics, lightweight construction and efficiency, the S 63 AMG’s 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine delivers superior performance with an outstanding output of 585 hp and 900 newton metres of torque – the most powerful member of the BlueDIRECT engine family.

Michael Ruehle, General Manager, Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Co. said, “Fast, light and luxurious, the S 63 AMG transcends the notion that luxury and superior performance can’t be combined. With the S 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz has defied preconceptions and once again unleashed another engineering masterpiece that will no doubt satisfy our customers in Kuwait who also believe that luxury and comfort don’t necessarily need to be compromised to experience the full potential of an AMG S-Class Mercedes-Benz.” The S 63 AMG also leads the way when it comes to powerto-weight ratio, boasting a figure of 3.37 kg/hp. The result is effortlessly superior performance: Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.0 to 4.4 seconds depending on model variant, and the top speed is 250 km/h. The new S 63 AMG is also available for the first time with the performance-oriented AMG all-wheel drive system 4MATIC as an option. This not only enhances traction – the S 63 AMG represents a new dimension in driving dynamics in its segment. The design, equipment and appointments of the S 63 AMG meet the highest standards in terms of high-class appeal, quality and perfection. Powerful and exclusive, dynamic and prestigious – the new S 63 AMG also makes an impact in visual terms. The high-performance saloon’s design is defined by the impressive blend of hallmark Mercedes sensual forms, classic architecture and a sleek silhouette with classic AMG design features.

For more information on Mercedes-Benz products and services in Kuwait, please visit online at www.mercedes-benz.com.kw or join them on Facebook: MercedesBenzKuwait or follow them on Twitter or Instagram @MercedesBenzKWT. The iPhone application for Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Co. can be downloaded for free by searching for ‘MB Kuwait’ in the Apple online app store.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE LONDON CAFÉ OPENS IN DUBAI Knightsbridge Cafe was first created in London on the high end well known street Knightsbridge just a few walking minutes of the famous Harrods. Now you can experience Knightsbridge in Dubai! Located on Beach Road opposite the Jumeirah Beach Park, it famously stands out with its exceptional open space with the glass door, capturing your imagination with a soothingly lit natural light, an interplay of which allows visual flow on one of the trendiest streets of Dubai. Mohammed Jaber, Café owner said, “What we wanted was simple ‘to introduce a French Café culture’ in a chic environment. Our ambition is to channel the brilliance of French tradition whilst adding our own inspired artistry. At Knightsbridge London Café you can experience the very best artisan products made from daily fresh ingredients.” Only at Knightsbridge will you be able to slow down and while away an afternoon sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying some delectable, nostalgic treats that spell comfort and love.

Knightsbridge Café is open 7:30 am to 12:30 am, 7 days a week, and is located at Jumeirah Beach Road, between Mercato Mall & Emirates Hospital, Dubai.

DR. KHALID AL HASSAN JOINS ROYALE HAYAT HOSPITAL NEUROLOGY DEPARTMENT Neurologist Khalid Al Hassan joined the highly qualified doctors and specialists at Royale Hayat Hospital, offering exceptional medical services to the Kuwaiti community. Dr. Khalid Al Hassan received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, certified from the Canadian Neurological Board-Toronto, Canada, Fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Leading the first Stroke Clinic in Kuwait, where prompt evaluations and treatments exist in parallel with primary and secondary prevention measures to patients, Dr. Khalid Al Hassan’s expertise in treating Migraines, Brain Tumors, Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, Strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Memory Disorders are among various medical services provided at Royale Hayat Hospital Neurology Department supported by unique technology at Neuroradiology, head and Neck Imaging Department that help in detecting early strokes, small malignant lesions or other entities such as metabolic diseases and problems of the ear-nose-throat system to provide treatments safely and effectively. Royale Hayat Hospital enhances once again its status as the first and only hospital in Kuwait that merges expert medical care and luxury hospitality service.

For more information on Royale Hayat Hospital, phone 2536 0000, or visit www.royalehayat.com.

Alternatively you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @royalehayat.

127

MUCHO TRÁFICO

by Abdulmohsen Al Mayyas

I hate to admit it, but I have a chronic case of road rage. Just the mere idea of being on the road during rush hours is enough to ignite in me a severe case of Tourette’s. It could be hereditary, not sure, but regardless of who you are and what you do it’s safe to say that the road is the initial encounter of your day after leaving the safety and serenity of your own home.

As if getting to where you need to be in Kuwait isn’t already hard enough with a speed bump every 10 meters, thanks to the jerks out there who think it’s absolutely dandy to speed on inner roads. Not to mention random pot holes, pedestrians who “conveniently” walk on the streets instead of the sidewalk and then stare you down like you’re in their way, and my all time favorite (the winner of douchebag of the year) the guy in the pick up truck who assumes everything he does is perfectly okay, which includes stopping in the middle of the road side by side another sister truck blocking both lanes just to talk to his buddy.

For all of us civil, keen and decent drivers there’s an interesting small device called a mobile phone that doesn’t require holding up traffic for 20 minutes until you’re done screaming through your car window like an imbecile. Like I said, road rage.

128

So instead of spending my mornings cursing every moving object on the road I decided to take a more productive approach and voice some concerns about certain characters and their despicable behavior on the streets that make my scorching hot mornings feel truly like hell.

The Fast and Furious Drivers These are the most common and highly ranked members of the, well, club of characters I’m talking about. They exude special traits that make them ever so delightful. Aside from the fact that they operate primarily on a sperm mentality, trying to be ahead of everyone on the road like they’re racing for the same destination, when all we’re trying to do is get home safely. They’re the main cause of most accidents on the road. In an attempt to shave mere minutes off of their travel time they swerve in and out between other vehicles like they are being chased by death, only to stop casually at the next red light that can be seen from a hundred meters away. As if that’s not enough, they come with demands. They hold you hostage with their flashing headlights in the fast lane (that’s already packed) expecting you to clear the way even though there isn’t any room to change lanes. And once you kindly make an attempt to

move over, they overtake you only to take an almost horizontal drift into the next exit. Sigh.

Safety Lane Drivers Safety lanes were installed on the freeways to ensure, well, safety. They provide that extra lane for anyone that may have a flat tire or an engine problem so that they won’t cause a hazardous obstacle on the road. Unfortunately things have changed. Safety lanes now provide that extra driving space for those who wish to overtake an entire freeway of traffic. The thing is, the safety lane is usually not paved very well, with an abundance of a wonderful variety of pebbles, small stones and broken shards of glass. I’m willing, to a certain extent, to accept the fact that some of these drivers are idiots by nature and can’t tell the difference, but assume that they’ll feel the discomfort of driving in that lane and join us in the lane of sanity. That’s not the case though. Their theory… drive faster and the bumps will become smoother and you’ll overtake traffic twice as fast!

The outcome is you end up with a high frequency of stones and pebbles being propelled at your windshield at 80 km/h like you’re in a high-speed battle in the middle of the Gaza strip. continued on next page...

SCHOLLS

103

Slowing Down to See an Accident I’m going to dive right into this one. People, there is an abundance of accidents on the road.

They happen every day. There’s nothing new or special about them. I would completely understand if the accident was caused by a meteor strike and people wanted to have a look, but when it’s on the other side of the road, there is absolutely no logical reason to slow down and check it out. If anything, you’re likely to cause another accident, and in the best case you just caused traffic on both sides of the road. Please, please, please, if you’re interested in seeing the details of someone else’s misfortune, just turn around at the next exit and join the traffic jam and observe. Because believe me when I say this, not all of us are as interested in adding half an hour to our daily route just so that you can take a peek. We do have better things to do.

It’s Okay, I Signaled The laws of physics are hard to defy. If there 130

...continued from previous page

is a solid object taking up a certain space and another solid object attempts to enter that same space, a collision is inevitable. With that said, why do drivers on the road assume it’s fine to swerve and abruptly cut you off. Their justification, “It’s okay, I signaled.” Listen, the signal lights were made to indicate the direction you wish to take, given there is adequate space on the road. They weren’t installed to give a free pass to everyone who forgot to take their exit that is 2 meters away and 3 lanes out. Combined with the people who choose to chill in your blind spot, it could turn ugly and even deadly. And believe me when I say, I probably won’t feel as bad for them.

The “Player” This is the guy who spends a good amount of his life on the road harassing women and trying to get their numbers. Dude, nobody likes you. As much as you think you’re a player, your excess of selfconfidence seems to be out of place. As interested

as you think all the ladies are in your gelled hair, loud music and bad boy look we would appreciate it if you didn’t hold up an entire lane of traffic as far back as the Saudi border just so you can convince a girl to give you a call. I think I speak for everyone when I say that there’s nothing impressive about being a jerk. We shouldn’t have to wait for you to finish your poor and sad attempts at scoring so we can get to our dinner arrangements.

At the end of it all I recommend that the traffic department take a serious approach, to start implementing IQ tests as a part of the drivers’ license procedure. This way anyone who falls under a certain IQ will be denied access to driving on the roads and putting other people’s lives in jeopardy.

Or we can understand the fact that the human race has been around for almost 200,000 years on this planet and that we’ve come a long way developing in many shapes and forms, and that perhaps we should start acting accordingly.

HYPOXI

bazaar scopes what’s your sign?

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 20

This month will see you focus on your family and think about your future plans. You will realize life is for living, and not just for working. Give yourself an impromptu holiday, or give one to your loved ones and you will receive many positive repercussions.

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 19

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

Changes in your work situation could come about during this month. Some for good, and some for bad, but it means you must focus on work commitments throughout this month. Don’t worry, it will end the month on a totally positive note.

There will also be some developments with regard to children in your life.

Focus will be on your status, position and acquaintances this month. You will see your career blossom and of course, higher gains and income due to that. Socially February is a good period as friendships will be revived and new ones possible.

If you try hard enough, you will also make friends in very high places this month.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 – DEC 21

The month begins positively with financial gains and further progress. Around mid-month you might see a general dip in energy and a sense of detachment and lethargy. Doing some retail therapy will lift you out of this rut, but beware of overindulging, or you will feel it next month.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21

You will be emotional this month, especially on the questions of money. You should take part in workrelated voluntary activities as you will find this will bring you recognition for your recent hard work. If you were going to do it, you may want play a game of chance this month.

CANCER JUN 22 – JULY 22

New investments will be possible, while old investments could bring in gains this month. You will also find work support from your superiors and people in government or authoritative positions, although you will definitely need it this month.

Hobbies will be high on your priority list this month and will ensure some break from the monotony and some very beneficial stress reduction. Opposition to your ideas and issues in marriage and relations could come about in the second half of the month.

Remembering to focus on your relationships will get you through this month unscathed.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19

New developments in your love life are possible for those unattached this month. But with regard to your business idea, you could find opposition.

A resulting stamina dip in the second half of the month will mean you need to lift yourself back up and remember the reason you started this chapter in your life. Avoid negative people and listen to motivational tapes.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18

Your health and stamina could be low in the first half of this month. You might feel sleepy and low on energy. However, luck and happiness will rise in the second half of the month, to leave you with a great end to the month. Travelers will also find a lot of luck when it comes to airports, check-ins and flights, especially near the end of the month. Enjoy!

February sees a very overall positive month for you, although returns may not be what you expect.

Although, you may not feel 100 percent healthy in the second half of the month, make sure to get that extra vitamin C and immune boosters inside you, and try to go for a run or attend the gym as this will pay off for your overall feel and mood going into March.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22

You will realize half way into the month that working with others is better than having others work against you. You will make some lifelong friends on this journey as well. This will bring in growth for you and your company as well as your overall status in your community.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

Progress will continue both on a personal as well as on a professional front. You will find this progress is due to your creative knowledge and your instincts.

In the second half of the month your focus will shift toward family matters and some movement in residence and/or travel will also occur.

source: foreverhoroscopes.com 132

‫ﺗﺤﺮﺭﻱ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻴﻮﺩﻙ‬ ‫ﻟﻴﺰﺭ ﻹﺯﺍﻟﺔ ﺷﻌﺮ ﺍﻟﺠﺴﻢ ﺍﻟﻜﺎﻣﻞ *‬ ‫ﺑﺪﻭﻥ ﺃﻟﻢ‬

‫‪138‬‬

‫*‬

‫‪NOOR CLINIC‬‬

‫ﺑﺪﻭﻥ ﺑﻄﻦ ﻭ ﻇﻬﺮ‬

‫ﺧﺪﻣﺎﺕ ﻗﺴﻢ ﺍﻟﺠﻠﺪﻳﺔ ﻭ ﺍﻟﻠﻴﺰﺭ ‪:‬‬ ‫إزاﻟﺔ ﺷﻌﺮ اﳉﺴﻢ ﳉﻤﻴﻊ أﻧﻮاع اﻟﺒﺸﺮة ‪.‬‬‫ ﻧﺤﺖ اﳉﺴﻢ و ﻧﻘﻞ اﻟﺪﻫﻮن ‪.‬‬‫ ﺗﺼﻐﻴﺮ ﺣﺠﻢ اﻷﻧﻒ ورﺳﻤﻪ ﻣﻦ دون ﺟﺮاﺣﻪ ‪.‬‬‫ ﻋﻼج ﺗﺸﻘﻘﺎت ﻣﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ اﻟﻮﻻدة ‪.‬‬‫ ﻋﻼج ﺗﺸﻘﻘﺎت اﻟـ‪ Stretch Marks‬ﺑﺈﺳﺘﺨﺪام‬‫اﻟﻜﺎرﺑﻮﻛﺴﻲ ﺛﻴﺮاﺑﻲ ‪.‬‬

‫ ﺗﻮﺣﻴﺪ ﻟﻮن اﻟﺒﺸﺮة و ﻛﺎﻣﻞ اﳉﺴﻢ ‪.‬‬‫ ﺗﻘﻨﻴﺔ اﳌﻴﺰو ﺛﻴﺮاﺑﻲ ﻟﻠﻨﻀﺎرة و ﺷﺪ اﳉﻠﺪ وﺣﺮق اﻟﺪﻫﻮن ‪.‬‬‫ ﺟﻠﺴﺎت اﻟـ ‪ VillaShape II‬ﻟﺘﻨﺴﻴﻖ اﻟﻘﻮام‬‫وﺷﺪ اﻟﺘﺮﻫﻼت ‪.‬‬ ‫‪ -‬ﻋﻼج آﺛﺎر اﳊﺒﻮب واﻟﻨﺪﺑﺎت ‪.‬‬

‫ اﻟﺘﺨﻠﺺ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺐ اﻟﺸﺒﺎب ﺑﺸﻜﻞ داﺋﻢ ‪.‬‬‫ ﻋﻼﺟﺎت ﺗﺴﺎﻗﻂ اﻟﺸﻌﺮ و ﺗﻜﺜﻴﻔﻪ و زراﻋﺔ اﻟﺸﻌﺮ ‪.‬‬‫ﻋﻼج اﻟﺜﻌﻠﺒﺔ ‪.‬‬‫ إﺑﺮ اﻟﺒﻮﺗﻮﻛﺲ ﻟﺸﺪ اﻟﺒﺸﺮة ‪.‬‬‫‪ -‬إﺑﺮ اﻟﻔﻴﻠﻴﺮ )رﺳﻢ اﻟﺸﻔﺎﻳﻒ( ‪.‬‬

‫اﳉﻠﺪﻳﺔ واﻟﺘﻨﺎﺳﻠﻴﺔ ‪ -‬اﻟﻠﻴﺰر واﻟﺘﺠﻤﻴﻞ ‪ -‬ﻃﺐ اﻷﺳﻨﺎن ‪ -‬اﻟﻨﺴﺎء واﻟﻮﻻدة ‪ -‬ﻃﺐ اﻟﻌﺎﺋﻠﺔ ‪ -‬اﻟﻔﺤﻮﺻﺎت اﺨﻤﻟﺒﺮﻳﺔ‬

‫ﻣﺮﻛﺰ اﻟﻔﻨﻄﺎس اﻟﺘﺠﺎري‬

PORSCHE (OBC)