February 2015 | Issue # 190 www.bazaar.town
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Int
The Cover Artist: Waleed Shaalan’s passion for photography started at the early age of 9 when his father built him a dark room at their home in Cairo. He spent hours developing and printing the photos he took with his father’s 35mm SLR Konica and an arsenal of lenses. During his university days in the U.S., he took charge of the school of Architecture lab, and shifted to using Photoshop. “Back in the old days taking a photo was like hunting with a bow and arrow; a lot of looking, thinking and breathing went in before taking the shot as you had only 36 frames per film. With digital photography, you are hunting with a machine gun!” Waleed maintains a visual diary via his photography and talent for sketching. Today, he owns neither a camera nor a dark room, only an eye and a smart phone. Find his work on Instagram @waleedsha3lan.
Do you ever get the feeling that there simply aren't enough hours in the day? What with traffic, work, social activities, and dreary chores, the days, weeks, and months just fly by. The other day, I was at a dinner and the subject of summer plans came up. My first thought was "but we just got back from our summer holidays!" followed by the realization that February was just around the corner with all that it entails: National and Liberation Day celebrations, Valentine's Day celebrations (if you're into cheese, that is), the always amazing Dubai Jazz Festival, which they seem to time perfectly with our days off here, making the temptation to go that much stronger, and lots of other local events here in K-town, like the Kuwait Yacht Show which is one of the most professionally organized events in Kuwait every year, and always lots of fun, especially when you walk around pretending to be in the market to purchase a multi-million dollar superyacht and the salespeople fawn all over you while you nod your head seriously, and take faux notes.
The bazaar team...
Yasmine El Charif
Printing
This issue of bazaar we are finally letting a little of the cheese take over! If you can’t use the National and Liberation Day holidays as an excuse to spread some Kuwaitlove…when can you!? Not only have we got some interviews with some amazing Kuwaitis (healthy-lifestyle guru, Khalidah Elessa, fashionista taking it global, Bedour Al- Saleh, and Shoug Al-Sabah, proving the sky is not the limit for a Kuwaiti pilot), but of course, a trip through the pride of Kuwait would not be complete without an exploration of its hidden gem…Souq Al-Mubarakiya!
Staff Writer/Online Media
British Industries for Printing and Packaging
The modern towers that grace Kuwait’s skyline cannot be compared to the charm and enchantment one instantly feels upon arriving at the old Al-Mubarakiya Souq. With endless corners, winding little alleyways and crevices filled with small stores, delectable dining dives and traditional courtyards, a typical visit to Al-Mubarakiya can be sometimes daunting at first. People often wonder how to navigate Kuwait’s oldest market, where to park, where to shop and eat or have coffee to take in the buzzing vibes at the Souq. Join us as we journey through Kuwait’s oldest thriving commercial hub; not only has the market undergone a well thought out renovation, a generation of young entrepreneurs are revamping the up and coming area of South Mubarakiya (SOMU). By the end of this exploration, we’re going to prove that Souq Al-Mubarakiya was, is, and always will be, the place to be.
Hala Y. Sharara
Happy reading!
Ahmed El-Adly
Boss
Syndicates and Sources
Ahmed El-Adly
Fast Company LA Times MCT International Slate The Japan News Tribune Media Services USA Today Variety News Service Washington Post
Operations Rebecca Sweetman
Business Development Ihab Mokalled
Design Padmini Chandrasekaran
Staff Writer/Social Media
Amira Haroun Sarah O. Wali
members of:
Staff Writer Brook McClurg Lili Barras-Hargan
Communications Editor
w w w. b p aw w. c o m No one likes to be dumped;
recycle me, please.
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).
A. Al-Duaij
Contributing Writers Abrar Al Shammari Alex Maguire B. Qureshi Deepa Pant Loaay Ahmed Lulua Al-Osaimi Mike Campbell Patrick Makhoul Purva Grover R Alq Reshmi Revi Strawberry Girl Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg
tel. 2461 0017 – fax 2461 0018 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar.town | Al Argan Complex, Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone @bazaargram bazaarmagazine @bazaartweets
Powerful non-conformist. Meet the new Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG. With 360 hp, the world’s most powerful 4-cylinder engine and killer looks, this super-packed 4-door coupé is nothing like anything you’ve ever driven. www.kuwait.mercedesbenzme.com
MERCEDES
A. R. Albisher & Z. Alkazemi Co., Jahra Road (Highway 80), Shuwaikh Industrial Area, Tel.: 2495-0000
MercedesBenzKWT
INDEX FEBRUARY '15
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WOLFF APPAREL
LA BRASA
SHOUG AL-SABAH
THE TASTE OF Q8
PASTICCERIA DI PIETRO
A savvy retailer and an avid fashionista at heart, Bedour AlSaleh is following her dream of creating her own fashion empire. Making the cosmopolitan town of Berlin her playground, Bedour founded WOLFF Apparel with the aim of curating fashion for the masses. Read more in Arabs Abroad!
Founded based on the principals of passion and mastering the art of the grill, Gustavo and Silvia Ferrari deliver us with La Brasa, Kuwait’s latest steakhouse, or Parrilla, that epitomizes traditional Argentinian cuisine. You can only understand this passion by experiencing it; read on to see how this bazaar team fared in the Ferraris’ world.
In this month’s edition of truth or dare, we go up in the clouds with Kuwaiti female pilot Shoug Al-Sabah. A lover of the outdoors, travel and adventure, this daredevil enrolled herself at the Barcelona Flight School to finally discover that she is simply happiest when she is flying.
From trying delectable bites from Kuwait’s best restaurants to meeting celebrity chefs and even learning from Food Network and Fatafeat stars, we present you with the top ten reasons why you should attend THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait’s Food Festival! You can even pamper yourself with a VIP package; this event is not to be missed!
Mays and Luciano Di Pietro are charming local palates by creating a homegrown, authentic Sicilian pasticceria right in the heart of Kuwait. You will be spoilt for choice when choosing to sample their signature cannolis, candied goods and scrumptious cakes. We learn more about these gourmands and their passion for all things Sicilian and sweet.
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REAL STYLE, REAL YOU
DALIA EL NIDANY COUTURE
Whenever we’re feeling the beginnings of a style rut, we immediately head to DKNY for inspiration. For Spring 2015, DKNY’s interpretation of New York chic offers a beautiful backdrop that is alive with color, culture and creativity. Flip through to uncover bold prints, happy colors and the makings of real style.
One day, Dalia El Nidany decided to take a leap of faith, and design a dress that she really wanted to wear to her best friend’s wedding. In following her instinct and passion, this fashionality shows us what it means to create dreamy, floaty gowns that epitomize feminine chic.
Souq Al-Mubarakiya, pg 50
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THE FRESHER ‘WEI’
KHALIDAH ALESSA
SOUQ AL-MUBARAKIYA
SIMEEN FARHAT IN KUWAIT
SUCH CUPIDITY
With its second location having recently opened in the picturesque restaurant complex that is Arabella, Pei Wei is slowly but most definitely becoming a culinary focal point in Kuwait. Join us in bazaar goes dining as we explore and sample fresh, beautifully presented bold flavors with a customizable twist.
We love celebrating local purveyors of positive change, and with the case of one super health coach Khalidah Alessa, she shows us how to make change happen by living every moment of our lives to the fullest. We learn more about her new book, Don’t Waste Your Time…, in up close and personal.
The modern towers that grace Kuwait’s skyline cannot be compared to the charm and enchantment one instantly feels upon arriving at the old AlMubarakiya Souq. Join us as we journey through Kuwait’s oldest thriving hub, proving to you that Souq Al-Mubarakiya was, is, and always will be, the place to be!
We explore the prosaic and the poetic with visual artist Simeen Farhat. With her solo exhibition taking place this February at The Dar Al Funoon Gallery, we exclusively interview the artist about her journey with concepts and words, identity and gender and engaging viewers through her installation artworks in resin cast.
Everyone knows just how much we love celebrating Valentine’s Day – NOT! It’s that time of year again where our social media feeds are bombarded with all things pink, cupids and love-struck ramblings. So, in bookworms this month, we’re giving up the fight and presenting you with these three cheese-worthy reads.
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Al Mubarakiya Dental Clinic - Egaila, Salmiya Al Safat American Hospital Boushahri Clinic Dasman Diabetes Institute Diet Care Center Gulf Clinic International Clinic Maidan Clinic - Fahaheel, Farwaniya, Hawalli, Sharq, Subah Al Salem Noor Clinic Salam Hospital Seif Hospital Soor Center Taiba Clinic The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic
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Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya, Salmiya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Inspire Pure Fitness JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center
Malls
Arraya Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra
Elevation Burger Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall/Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Breadz Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi I.O. Center Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks
CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra I. O. Center Italian Center Jacques Dessange Salon, Shaab KAICO Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges N Style Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One USA Embassy
Stand Alones
Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks
4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel beau-Tique cosmetics British Embassy Brush Salon
Schools & Universities American International School American University of Kuwait Australian College Kuwait Bayan School (Hawalli) Boxhill College BSK - British School of Kuwait Retail Academy Universal American School
Kuwait University Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh
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what’s on
KUWAIT YACHT SHOW Dates: February 4th until 7th, 2015 (Invite-only day February 3rd) Location: Marina Crescent The third annual Kuwait Yacht Show (organized by ph-7 events), taking place in Marina Crescent, will be open to the public from 4th until 7th February 2015, after the huge success of the last 2 year’s shows. It will bring together a mix of yachts, fishing boats, marine equipment and elements essential to the nautical lifestyle. The best of Kuwait’s marine dealers and the finest regional and international brands will all be gathered together in one fantastic show. To register online visit: www.eventatkw.com/en/e/kuwait-yacht-show-2015/ or for more information call 2572 0810, email: tickets@kuwaityachtshow.com or visit their website www.kuwaityachtshow.com.
MICHAEL BUBLÉ LIVE IN CONCERT IN DUBAI Dates: March 12 and 13, 2015 Location: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, U.A.E.
THE TASTE OF Q8 – KUWAIT'S FOOD FESTIVAL: Dates: March 5 until 7, 2015 Location: Kuwait International Fairgrounds, Mishref THE Taste of Q8, Kuwait’s first major food festival, will be held on 20,000 square meters of the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in the first weekend of March 2015. With more than 50,000 people expected to attend, this premier open air event showcases everything to do with food. The people of Kuwait will have the opportunity to taste the best that Kuwait has to offer, with over 50 restaurants featured at the event spotlighting their best dishes over the 3 days. The highlight however will be the attendance of the Celebrity Chef’s including Food Network’s Jenny Morris as well as The Spice King himself, Chef Reza Mahammad and several other Fatafeat Chefs. Supported by partners: Fatafeat, OSN, Taste of Arabia, Mercedes as well as bazaar, this is bound to be a professional event, not to be missed! For more information visit their website: www.thetasteofq8.com or you can follow them on Instagram or Twitter @thetasteofq8 or Facebook: q8foodfestival.
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Louder Entertainment announced that finally, due to the demands of dedicated fans across the GCC, the silky tones of Michael Bublé will soon be wrapping themselves around Dubai for the first time ever, as he brings us his Grammy Award-winning To Be Loved world tour, which began with an unprecedented 10 sell-out shows at London’s O2 Arena. The old-school soul singer’s impressive mix of style and substance will be showcased at Dubai International Stadium on the 12th and 13th of March 2015, where fans who have snapped up a limited number of tickets will be treated to Bublé belting out hit-making tracks from his fourth consecutive number one album, including “It’s A Beautiful Day” and “Somethin’ Stupid” and song covers from artists Bublé says have inspired him over the years, including The Bee Gees and The Jackson Five. Commenting on his forthcoming show in Dubai, Bublé said: “I have travelled to many wonderful places around the world but the Middle East is somewhere that I have always wanted to perform. I have such incredibly loyal and supportive fans here in the UAE and I cannot wait to meet them. Although I will only be in Dubai for a short time, I promise you it will be a night to remember. I want to take you on a wonderful journey about love – all different kinds of love. The album swings big time – it rocks – it’s soulful – it’s happy – sometimes a little sad – it’s romantic – it’s yummy and it’s heartfelt.” Bublé boasts a soaring back catalogue of hits, with his selftitled debut album reaching the top 10 in the UK, South Africa and Canada and hitting the number one spot in Australia, plus his collection of not one but four Grammy awards. Tickets are available from Time Out Tickets at www.itp.net/tickets, starting from 295 AED. Fully catered hospitality boxes are available on request, please contact Team Louder for further information: reservations@louderentertainment.com.
AUDI
what’s trending 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: @artisau info: Art Clay silver workshops. editor’s note: Book your jewelry designing course today!
what: @girlrisingkwt info: Encouraging education for girls worldwide. editor’s note: Post your support #girlrisingkwt
what: @mensweardog info: The most stylish dog in the world! editor’s note: Follow the cutest dog model. 24
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what: @faisalthef info: Faisal Al Fouzan, visual documentarian. editor’s note: We love his captures of #noncitizensofkuwait
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what: James Edition info: Largest luxury marketplace. editor’s note: Need a private jet, superyacht or exotic car?
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what: @fashleticskw info: Handmade fitness inspired jewelry. editor’s note: Wear your strength with pride!
what: @paperandnest info: Concept design store in Kipco Towers. editor’s note: We love the Swell bottles!
what: @okhtein info: Handmade luxury handbags. editor’s note: Inspirational fashion from 2 sisters out of Cairo.
The hope he sees me resolution jean.
GAP
KUWAIT THROUGH EXPAT EYES “Love it or leave it” by Alex Maguire
It all started two years ago. As a family, we were set for our big Arabian adventure. We were moving to Kuwait, to the unknown, to a place we had only ever seen on the news headlines. To be frank: Kuwait since the invasion has not been on the international news agenda that often, so it was a case of “wait and see.” Setting foot off the plane in Kuwait can feel like stepping into another world. When we landed as a family of three at the time, we felt like we were stepping into a bubble, a place locked in place and time and where life is very different because of its slow pace and its size. First to hit us in the face were the flash cars, the clogged traffic, the dodgy driving, sleepy suburbs, the incandescent sunsets and the slow pace of life. Kuwait was anything but what we expected. Over the months, the country has become our home and one where we no doubt will have spent some of the happiest times of our life. After a life on the road, living where work took us, Kuwait has been different. We haven’t just dropped our anchor. It has become our home away from home. As a family, we have traveled to Malaysia, the Philippines, Micronesia, Myanmar, France, Oman, Switzerland, Italy, Tanzania, Libya and even Sweden. Our passion is traveling. And the more miles on our clocks, the more satisfied we are. So living in a country roughly the size of Wales should give us cabin fever. But it doesn’t. And these are the reasons why… HOSPITALITY The hospitality is not that of Western or Mediterranean countries. It captures the best of the Arab tradition. It is discreet, warm, humble. In other words, it feels, smells and is genuine when encountered, in a way that the hospitality in other 26
Arab states such as Egypt or Lebanon can be exuberant, lively and loud. The hospitality is everywhere. At the doctors surgery when I take my daughter for her vaccinations, in shopping malls, and even on the crowded roads as well as the Diwaniyas and typical Thursday lunches around tables flowing with fish and rice. What makes Kuwaiti hospitality so genuine is that nothing is wanted or expected in exchange. It is genuine in a way that is rare in the world these days. It is built on the notion that if you are well, we are well. We share what we have because that is what our ancestors did. That is how we survive in the desert and on the seas alike. LOVE OF FAMILY The traditions and values around family, children and the elderly are legendary in Kuwait. I can’t think of many countries where children are treated like Kings and Queens combined. Our daughter’s social life is more exciting than ours. And she is only verging on two-years-old. No exclusion of children at dinners, parties, outings or even shopping… A family is a family and when one is invited, all follow. And it’s safe. No need to keep children in check. If there is a risk, it’s your little one gets mobbed with kisses. STRONG IDENTITY AND LOVE OF NATION The sense of national identity is binding. Occupation or not, Kuwait seems to have built its identity on its trading roots, compounded it with independence and sealed it with the occupation. The result? A deep seated love for a country that was threatened in the recent past and which today still stands at the crossroads. ARTS AND CULTURE One may not find traditional arts and culture on every street corner. Kuwait City may seem like a
cultural desert. But start searching and you will find. Some of the most outstanding regional art can be found in the Dar al Ithar al Islamiya and the Tariq Rajab museum of Antiquities. There is a myriad of galleries. The Grand Mosque hosts a calligraphy festival. So Kuwait’s cultural values are not only substantial, they are cultivated in these special places that are not tainted by the need to constantly advertise, but are known to the connoisseurs. ONLY IN KUWAIT You know when it has happened. Do you ever have a moment when you think “did this really happen?” The size of Kuwait, its hospitality and its unique chemistry makes what is improbable anywhere else possible here. Smile, be gracious and most things are possible. If they are not, try again another day and it will probably work. HALFWAY TO SOMEWHERE When it all gets too much, and it inevitably does, at least the airport is not far to travel. Kuwait may be in the middle of nowhere, but it is half way to somewhere. It is in the middle of the world, quite literally, and a stone’s throw from the connections offered by Dubai to the rest of the world. So when the downsides outsize the advantages, it offers a quick getaway to Europe or Asia in equal distances. The other day, driving back home, I saw a sticker that read: “Kuwait, love it or leave it”. I smiled. This is exactly what we are doing as a family. Loving every minute. At least for now. An expat mother of two looks at the traditional Kuwaiti values that have captivated her heart and keep her family anchored in the region. Alex Maguire writes about what makes Kuwait, the people and life such an Arabian adventure.
PUMA
bazaar love/hate
THE NEIGHBORS by bazaar staff
It was pure fortuity if you want to know the truth. I asked my wife the following question: “What do you think I should write this month’s Love/Hate column about?” The silence in which she began to get her mouth around an answer was interrupted by the sound of my upstairs neighbor dragging furniture across the floor, creating a lowslow groan that hurt our ears and woke the baby. The truth is, this is not an anomaly. It happens often enough that it perhaps is not a lucky event at all, and merely a numbers game of frequency that made it more probable than possible. Still, I received it like a sign: if this column is about life’s everyday monotonies, than surely this begs inclusion. Here it is, your love/hate relationship with…The Neighbors! #5 The Move In – When you first move in, neighbors are almost always nice. Perhaps a casual conversation by the stairs while you realize you once lived in the same area, know the same people, or have family in common. Maybe they even make you a meal of some sort to welcome you into the neighborhood. The neighbor it seems is like all relationships at the beginning, and this is the accommodation phase: the part where you go out of your way to be nice. You are being your best self, and so are they, but alas, it cannot last. You 28
are not that person everyday – and neither are they. Put simply, it starts great…and then fizzles like the slow sound of a balloon deflating over every future incident where the real you shows up. #4 The Spark – Then one day it happens: something so inconsequential perhaps that you barely think it’s a big deal. But it is, and the relationship has changed. Perhaps it is a minor hiccup that forces you to stand your ground, but either way it’s bound to happen. And once the spark has gone off there is no going back to those overly friendly neighbors you were before. What can make matters worse: all those connections you were so excited about at the beginning is now cause for problems in your day to day. Do you really want your friend in common to hear your neighbor complaining about your trash? #3 The Overlapping of Worlds – It is easy enough to avoid people you don’t have much in common with, but when they are your neighbors it becomes impossible. Do you share a driveway? Do they play their music too loud? Are they up and awake at all hours of the night when you don’t want to be? While most of these things are easily avoidable when people are far away, it is near impossible when they are upstairs, downstairs, or next door. And what starts as one simple thing, has a compounding effect with each new crime. The noise is not just the noise, but rather is a sign that comes from the same person
who you already had a problem with. #2 Messing with your money – You love it when you have a good neighbor that takes care of their house, doesn’t make a mess and doesn’t cause too much noise and, in essence live unobtrusively. But the one who doesn’t behave can really mess with your property value. Hopefully there are no police involved. When things start heating up, there is no way in which you are not affected. #1 The Move out – You loved it when you first arrived in the new house, but your neighbors can absolutely effect how you feel about your entire life. So like it or not, there are times to change. Nobody likes moving, but the chance to start over always feels nice. Who knows, you may even like the neighbors this time. Still, there is one elephant left in the room: what happens if there are multiple neighbors you don’t get along with? Should you get the feeling that you are being persecuted and the whole and that all neighborhoods are out to get you, it may just about be time for you to look in the mirror...you may just be the problem neighbor. Sing it Big Bird! These are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood. These are the people in your neighborhood…the people that annoy you each day! Love/Hate is your guide to all of life’s little conundrums.
SUITE BLANCO
FEWER REGRETS IN 2015 by Dr. Susannah J. Schuilenberg
This Valentine’s Day, I wonder how many romantic dates will include a beautiful dinner, special effort, interesting conversation…and an intrusive gadget or three. I was amused to learn a while ago that choosing to interact with a digital device when in the presence of other people is called “phubbing.” Al-Nowair (@al_nowair) had a funny and relevant ad campaign about this practice on Instagram, and I’ve been reminded recently of how social behavior and conventions can be based on myths. Two related myths are continually quoted, stated, and passed around as truth, when in fact, both have been proven over and over to be false. Myth #1 – “Multi-tasking” is efficient. Myth #2 – We have “free time.” The first is unfeasible, and the second doesn’t exist. Over and over, studies have shown that multitasking, focusing on more than one task/project at a time, is, a) inefficient, b) stress-inducing, and c) in reality, impossible. Our brains can truly only focus on one thought at a time. When we have multiple projects or tasks on the go and are constantly interrupted by other matters or responsibilities, we do things badly or at least less well than we would have if the task had been given our entire attention. The current habit of having devices ringing or whistling while trying to complete paperwork (homework) and being regularly interrupted has actually given rise to 30
higher stress levels, less efficiency, and what psychologists are calling “fractured focus.” The second myth is more pernicious. The truth is, we don’t have “free time.” No one does. We have discretionary time – that is, periods when we are free to choose how we spend that time, but time is not free. We all get the same amount of time; it passes at the same speed for all of us. We cannot bank it, save it, keep it, or stop it. All we really get to decide is how we spend this moment. If we have committed to attend an event, we must obviously say, "No," to other events in the same time slot. At this point, we human beings are not able to be in two places at the same time. (Pitiful, but there you have it.) For example, if I am at work, I cannot be with my grandsons. We have embraced the falsity that “multitasking” is using an "iThingy" at one event to keep track of what’s happening at another. When I decide to use my discretionary time to do something with my grandsons (or anyone else) but then spend time on my devices in the same period, I’m actually only half (or less) engaged in any of the moments. Neither one I’m physically in, nor the virtual ones I’m following. Sadly, "fractured focus" is the norm these days. The answer to both lies is in focusing on being in the moment; present mentally, emotionally, psychologically, in all the ways that matter. Professionally, find several helpful sources of information on time management, minimizing
stress, and maximizing effectiveness. Try out the suggestions and implement some of the strategies that will work for you. Fine-tune your work habits, aiming for the efficient single-minded focus that allows you to accomplish what needs to be done so you can leave work AT work. Personally, purpose to deliberately focus your undivided attention on the relationship of the moment. Be present. Set aside scheduled chunks of time to build relationship with those who are important to you. Leave the iThingies off or at home and enter into the spirit of the moment. Remind yourself this is not free time, but rather time you have chosen to spend with other people. I could be wrong, but I think I’d have better relationships, I’d produce a higher quality of work, and I’d have a lower stress level if I consciously countered the effects of these two myths. I would work when I am at work, and I would be present for my grandsons when I am with them. While it may seem “Old School” this is a reality of being human that cannot quickly be discarded without cost. It takes time and effort to build real relationships, whether personal and professional, and this can only truly be accomplished by focusing on the process, one moment at a time. If this year I chose to be single-minded, and to rigorously practice being here-and-now, I wonder how different my relationships could be, and what I might have accomplished when I reflect on 2015 next December?
PATAGONIA
up close and personal
A CLEAN SLATE Khalidah Alessa doesn’t wait for change – she makes it happen by bazaar staff
Consider these people: An insecure teenager who is unhappy with their body image, a working mother of two struggling to get back to her prepregnancy weight while balancing her time between work and family, or a middle-aged professional looking to reduce the stress that comes with having a high-flying career. These are all people that you’ve either met, or can relate to in one way or another. We’ve all had our battles with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and that is because of the always-evolving definition of ‘health’. The recipe to a healthy mind and body keeps changing. One day, we’re told that a low-carb, high protein lifestyle is the way forward, while other schools of thought dictate that meat is actually bad for your cholesterol. So which one is it...I asked published author and certified health coach Khalidah Alessa. She laughed at my bewilderment, and confidently answered, “It is neither. A healthy lifestyle requires the recalibration of one’s outlook on life. It’s not just about what you eat, how you exercise and how you sleep. It is an overall sense of awareness that always needs to be present when making the simplest and biggest life decisions.” Khalidah’s first published work, its title translated from Arabic Don't Waste Your Time…A Recipe that Revives Your Health and Adds Flavor to Your Life, appeals to adults, teens and preteens alike. "It all depends on whether or not you are interested in the subject." She said, "I've had friends, who happen to be older, felt jarred by the idea of changing your life by having the awareness to stop wasting their time with thought processes that cloud the judgment." Perhaps this is possibly a normal response, because anything new that changes up your routine will indeed be strange and jarring at first. Khalidah’s book debut, and the inspiration behind creating a small, easy to read, self-help piece of literature definitely stems from her own experience. She explained that she personally experienced this sense of loss and confusion about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and told us that she “was always seeking more.” Spending time between Kuwait and the U.S., Khalidah found her way while visiting her daughter in Boston. She came to know about The Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN), and enlisted in a 32
distance-learning program. Khalidah learned all about a holistic approach to life, and filled her time with lessons about not only clean eating, but also clean living habits that allowed her to better organize her time. She said, “After completing my studies, I received my certificate as a health coach, and this opened up so many doors in my life. I had the time to focus on my wellbeing, my environment, and the people around me, staying healthy, fighting depression. I found a new sense of self-awareness, and practiced what I studied on myself firstly, then professionally in Kuwait.” Khalidah strongly believes that the principles that she learned about are actually quite simple to implement, yet gaining the understanding can be difficult. It’s easier said than done, but it’s worth it. After practicing as a one-on-one health coach, Khalidah felt that she had reached a comfort zone of some sorts, and that she needed to do more. This realization came at a time when the Institute offered students the opportunity to 'Launch' their own books. Khalidah felt re-invigorated, like she finally found her mission and her calling. The institute offered guidance, and students were expected to write a body of work that is based on their experiences, their studies and what they also wish to share with others. The book could be focused on a certain topic pertaining to holistic health, or general, it all depended on what the student wished to convey. Six months later, Don’t Waste Your Time… was completed, and Khalidah had purposely chosen Arabic to reach her targeted demographic. She explained that plenty of the same literature is available in English, and that Kuwait’s people, mainly its majority of Arabic readers, needed more books about holistic living that are easy to read, browse and most importantly, remember. Don’t Waste Your Time… is a fun read from the colorful cover illustration, the color coded sections, highlighted thought-provoking quotes, to Khalidah’s own story. The book begins with Khalidah's personal story, where she explains how she struggled with her weight for a long time. She asked us to "name the diet, I've tried it. Things worked in the short term, and then I'd lose interest, become mentally exhausted with the whole process. Once I realized that being healthy is not just about food, but applying this mental outlook to every aspect of our [continued...]
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questionnaire [...continued] daily lives, I noticed the change. It is a mental challenge before a physical one. Even the energy that enters your body is entirely different when you 'eat with awareness.'" Don’t Waste Your Time… encourages us to not put pressure on ourselves when it comes to trying to change our lives, and take things one day at a time by reorganizing our priorities. Khalidah told me about the life-long struggle with the very notion of self-awareness. Thinking about our actions and what we consume can be exhausting when we put pressure on ourselves. Once she has mastered this mental block, her life completely changed. She showered me with healthful snacks that she prepared herself without any added sugars and preservatives, and only fresh coconut water. I didn’t feel guilty snacking with Khalidah, as she asked me to simply enjoy the fact that I’m feeding my body and mind with positively charged foods, and that energy going into my body is positively charged. She added, “I love what I eat, and enjoy consuming food now. I never feel deprived, because I get all of the sweet flavors that I need naturally." Clean living extends beyond what we eat, and includes understanding what makes for a fruitful and wellbalanced life. Khalidah’s book further highlights the difference between primary and secondary foods. Seeing the look of loss on my face, she paused to explain. "There's more to life than food, working out and sleeping. If you're looking for a clean life, you need to understand the stressors in your life." Not only is this Khalidah's favorite chapter, but also she believes that calibrating this part of your life, balancing between work and home, and finding time 34
to understand your self, is more important than anything else that anyone could do. Don’t Waste Your Time… serves as a comprehensive introduction to a more balanced life, and understanding how to break up your time to result in a healthful lifestyle. The book was released only a few months ago, and will be readily available at Sultan Center stores across the country. You can find the book today at Sultan Center in Sharq, Shuwaikh, Shaab and Hawalli. Khalidah believes that a change in perspective is visibly happening in Kuwait, and peoples' awareness about pursuing a cleaner lifestyle is becoming stronger, "I pray that this isn't only a passing trend. If it is though, I have a feeling that it won't be going away so quickly." Besides the publication of her debut body of work, Khalidah is also in the process of opening up a fully-fledged, organic juice bar. She said, “My purpose is to make the offerings seasonal, with a purpose behind each drink that I will be creating. We will not use any frozen products, except perhaps in smoothies, but freshly frozen to ensure that the goodness of these drinks is not compromised.” While people may jump on the 'juicing' wagon, Khalidah wishes to also start certain workshops centered on raising awareness about juicing. She concluded, "The way in which we consume food today makes for an incomplete dietary lifestyle. The mission behind adding fresh juices, or juicing, into our daily consumption is to make up for what is lacking in our daily diets. What you consume from supplements can be taken from a green juice. It all depends on how you wish to enhance your daily diet."
What do you most value in your friends? Honesty. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Inner balance. What is your greatest fear? Being alone. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Selfishness. Which living person do you most admire? My Dad. What is your greatest extravagance? My groceries. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Organic or good for your health. What is it that you most dislike? Lies. Which talent would you most like to have? Pianist. If you could have any job, what would it be? An interpreter at the UN. What would you consider your greatest achievement? My Family. What is your most treasured possession? The ability to go to the gym, everyday! What is your most marked characteristic? Giver. Where would you most like to live? Italy or France. What are your favorite words to live by? Friendly and clean. Get in touch with awesome health coach, Khalidah by email: khalidahalessa@gmail.com, or visit her website www.khalidahalessa.com.
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bazaar movie night The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in February
JUPITER ASCENDING
KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE
BIG EYES
Release Date: February 5 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Cast: Channing Tatum/Eddie Redmayne/Mila Kunis
Release Date: February 12 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Cast: Samuel L. Jackson/Mark Hamill/Colin Firth
Release Date: February 12 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama Cast: Amy Adams/Christoph Waltz/Krysten Ritter
Synopsis: From the streets of Chicago to the far-flung galaxies whirling through space, Jupiter Ascending tells the story of Jupiter Jones, who was born under a night sky, with signs predicting she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people's houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine, a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along – her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.
Synopsis: Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. Kingsman stars relative newcomer Taron Egerton as Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin, a street punk who is recruited for an elite secret spy organization by one super spy, Harry Hart (Colin Firth). Co-starring Samuel L. Jackson as its villain, Kingsman saw its release date shuffled around a few times, before it finally landed this month.
Synopsis: Directed by Tim Burton, Big Eyes is based on the true story of Walter Keane, one of the most successful painters of the 50s and early 60s. The artist earned staggering notoriety by revolutionizing the commercialization and accessibility of popular art with his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. The truth would eventually be discovered though: Keane's art was actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret. Big Eyes centers on Margaret's awakening as an artist, the phenomenal success of her paintings, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, who was catapulted to international fame while taking credit for her work.
SPONGE OUT OF WATER
FOCUS
PROJECT ALMANAC
Release Date: February 19 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Cast: Antonio Banderas/Clancy Brown/Thomas F. Wilson
Release Date: February 26 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama Cast: Will Smith/Margot Robbie/Rodrigo Santoro
Release Date: February 26 Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Cast: Jonny Weston/Amy Landecker/Sofia Black-D'Elia
Synopsis: SpongeBob SquarePants, the world's favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet: Burger-Beard is a pirate in search of the final page of a magical book that makes any evil plan he writes in it come true. When his search is completed and the formula is missing, the entire city of Bikini Bottom is in danger. SpongeBob, Patrick, and the gang need to go on a quest that takes them to the surface. In order to get back the recipe and save their city, the gang must retrieve the book and transform themselves into superheroes to fight Burger-Beard and his super villain pirate crew.
Synopsis: Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) is a seasoned con-man who becomes romantically involved with a young attractive woman; however, while introducing her to the tricks of his con man trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame – now an accomplished femme fatale – shows up in Buenos Aires as the opposing side of the same scam: a billionaire international race car owner. In the midst of Nicky's latest, most dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop...and the consummate con man off his game.
Synopsis: The film, presented in found footage (genre of film making, especially horror, in which all or a substantial part of a fictional film is presented as if it were discovered film or video recordings), centers on the creation of a time machine. A group of friends discover plans to build a time machine and then build one themselves. They use the time machine initially to undo past mistakes, and eventually their goals turn toward their own gain and pleasure but soon realize that changing the past has dire consequences in the future, which hurts some people along the way.
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For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Cinescape: www.cinescape.com.kw or Facebook: Cinescape – Kuwait National Cinema Company. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.
LA SENZA
ARTISTIC ACTIVISM DELIVERS HOPE
Q8 Books supports rhino conservation with student poetry and art display by Lili Barras-Hargan
With poaching at an all time high and 1215 rhinos killed in 2014 alone, the fight against the slaughter of these defenseless creatures seems all the more desperate. However, sometimes the best way to combat an atrocity of this scale is to take small steps to change the mindset of the world as a whole. Since its humble beginnings almost 12 years ago, Q8 Books has encouraged reflective thought and provided a safe space for creativity and, more recently, has displayed artwork created by artists in Kuwait, with the aim of promoting local talent. Continuing this trend, the bookshop featured the work of Kuwait English School students who – through their poetry and artwork – became activists in the fight against rhino poaching. The students were inspired by the work of Harry Owen, a British poet residing in South Africa, who took a great interest in activism through the arts when he was faced with a truly distressing and seemingly hopeless situation. In 2012, a brutal attack took place in the Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa. Three rhinos were slaughtered by poachers, leaving one dead and two severely wounded. Wildlife vet Dr. William Fowlds attended to Thandi, meaning ‘love,’ and Themba, meaning ‘hope,’ day and night, but unfortunately the latter passed away a few weeks later. When Owen heard of the barbaric act and saw the sickening footage of the agonized creatures, he was thoroughly disturbed. “I thought, I need to do something, but poets don’t do anything!” He then decided to use his skill to create an international platform for any poet – whether world-renowned or an ‘armchair writer’ – to raise worldwide awareness for the slaughter of rhinos for their horns. For Rhino in a Shrinking World is an international anthology of poetry compiled by Owen and is dedicated to raising awareness of rhino poaching as well as generating funds from each book sold. All proceeds are donated to the Chipembere Rhino Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on the conservation of Africa’s rhino. The anthology has benefited from significant support from leaders such as Sir Desmond Tutu, who said, “I certainly support [the] campaign against the ghastly attempt at eradicating these splendid creatures so gruesomely.” Advocated by such an influential figure in Africa, the anthology is receiving the coverage necessary for global-scale changes in the attitude toward poaching. The walls of the retreat-like bookshop were adorned with vibrant pictures of rhinos, meticulously crafted poems and anti-poaching posters created by the children. Almost every piece of work included a colored-in rhino outline, suggesting that although rhinos uniformly are clad in melancholy gray-brown, they are in fact exceptionally unique creatures and extremely significant in how the African wildlife 38
sphere continues to operate. A clerk at the bookstore, Hamed AlEssa, commented, “Nowadays there is a strong resurgence of literature and literary movements in Kuwait and a lot more people are interested in expressing themselves and sharing their ideas through the written word.” “This display was interesting in particular because it raised an international conservation issue rather than a purely local concern. When students and individuals are more exposed to international matters and cultures, they have the opportunity to become global citizens and participate in worldwide movements.” AlEssa also touched on the “fresh perspective” of a child and how significant it can prove to be in the sustainable fight against poaching. The only way that rhinos and other endangered creatures will live on, is if the enthusiasm and compassion fostered in young people does as well. Arló Steyn, a qualified ranger working in South Africa, believes that a love for the animals is essential for any progress to be made. He stated, “To combat rhino poaching we must create a sense
of pride for the animals’ wellbeing in the reserve’s staff, the militant force and those supporting the case from afar.” On January 13, Thandi, one of the rhinos surviving the brutal attack in 2012, gave birth to a healthy female calf. Perhaps our small steps toward a poachfree world can ensure a full and happy life for the little calf, a sign of hope in rhino form. To explore the online anthology of “For Rhino in a Shrinking World’, make sure to visit it online at: https://rhinoanthology.wordpress.com. You can also follow Harry Owen on Facebook and Q8 Books on Instagram and Twitter @q8bookstore. Although some cultures attempt to use rhino horn for medicinal purposes, as aphrodisiacs and for ornamental features, IT IS OF NO USE TO ANYONE EXCEPT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. If you are aware of any illegal trading of rhino horn, please contact the Environment Public Authority (EPA) in Kuwait on 2482 0580 or by email at dg@epa.org.kw. Alternatively, contact the Director of Airport Customs at 2471 7408 or by email: kdalsaif@hotmail.com.
DFINELINE
inside/out
ENGAGE MUSIC LAUNCHES A local site with global appeal by bazaar staff
When Kuwait Music, originally launched in December of 2010, became Engage Music a couple of short years later, it was because the view of its originator had outgrown the scope of what the site could be. Built by husband and wife team Caesar Fernandes and Narine Okjian Fernandes, Engagethemusic.com and its predecessor Kuwaitmusic.com, have become the pulse by which the heart of our local music community can be measured. It now seeks to affect the same change worldwide. These new aims for what their site could be also required a global collaboration of the development of the site itself. A music hosting site which easily competes with the likes of SoundCloud and Beatport, they have created a site that is successful in its global ambitions. So what is it? Engage is a music promotion tool for musicians, based on user-generated content, meant to open doors between the three most crucial instruments in the music promotion world: the musicians, the listeners, and the promoters. They credit themselves as the only site based in Kuwait that currently has a global audience and the numbers so far seem to prove this out. So far 40
they have acquired over 6,400 registered users in under a month with more than 7,000 tracks uploaded by users worldwide. Not a bad month for a new business by any objective measurement. ENGAGE is a platform that is based on a simple philosophy: connect musical talent with people that will listen to it, and share their music. It is a visitor generated music site that is now driven by a global music ecosystem. The site offers a comprehensive range of tools to publish, manage and promote music, sounds and tracks of all kinds; and that means anyone with music to share can use Engage. One point of difference is that they are the first site to market that provides unlimited music hosting space‌for free! As such, there are different versions of accounts that you can set up, based on your needs as a user of the site. Further, since one of their main aims is to be the most useful tool for regional talent to date (as well as a few targeted other areas), the website will be available in English, French, and Arabic, a potential breakthrough of sorts for regional musicians. Think of it as the SoundCloud and Reverb Nation of both live bands and electronic music, but geared specifically for the Arab world.
When you first sign up, you enter all of your basic information to create a profile. This includes self-identifying as a musician or industry insider. This allows the site to connect you with those you would likely most want to connect with. You additionally can add all of your social media links. There is also a link so you can embed their player on to your own website. Lastly, you can choose if you want to upload your music with rights reserved or creative commons, a platform the controlled sharing of knowledge and creativity (For more information regarding creative commons, see our March 2015 issue). The team at Engage will be rolling out many new services to the website in 2015. The inside scoop we received suggests added features such as an integrated sound editor, some social networking components, and a track stems market place. Any one of these features would be ambitious in itself, but to add all will continue to cement its place as a powerhouse of commerce and publicity for the independent musician. Inside Out is your guide to all things music. Check out ENGAGE at www.engagethemusic.com.
To celebrate the launch of
‘ The Collection’
Miss Selfridge invites you to an exclusive event.
Miss Selfridge
MISS SELFRIDGE
Grand Avenue-The Avenues 11th of February, 6-9 p.m. Free Exclusive Gift with any purchase
RSVP essential for guest list missselfridge.me@alshaya.com MissSelfridgeMiddleEast /MissSelfridgeMiddleEast
Shoug Al-Sabah
UP IN THE by bazaar staff
CLOUDS 42
truth or dare
Pilots are a fascinating people. There’s a sort of majestic vibe when pilots announce what they do. Just the thought of being able to jet off to some exotic location at a moment’s notice, is enticing enough. So we weren’t going to let the chance to meet up with Shoug Al-Sabah, a Kuwaiti female pilot (the joy and pride!), pass us by without jumping at the opportunity to interview her. When asked to introduce herself, she started with expressing her love of running and traveling. Her traveling though, is far from the traditional touristic. Her love for adventure and exploration is always taking her to new
and striking places. An avid fan of the great outdoors, Shoug would love to live by the beach. Never letting her injury-prone (or clumsy, she’s letting you be the judge of that) self hinder her sense of wonder. Shoug would agree that the strangest side of her is her fear of salt and vinegar chips and those who consume them, and her insistence on hiding her nerdy streak. Then of course there’s the matter of her “almost always late,” being a pilot and all. To wrap it all up, this happy-go-lucky adventurer gleefully announces, “[and] that’s me in a nutshell!” But of course, we couldn’t just stop there. We
just had to know all about how Shoug got into piloting. Enrolling herself at the Barcelona Flight School where she got her private pilot licence, Shoug did the intensive course that took five months to complete. “Basically I had to finish 100 hours of ground school, 50 hours of flying, pass 9 theoretical exams, and a check ride,” she added, “I was flying almost everyday, including weekends.” Talk about intense! A dedicated pilot, her happiest moments are when she’s flying, “Even when I’m being yelled at by the instructor,” she noted, “If I can do it, anyone can.” [continued...]
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truth or dare How would your mother describe you in one word? Crazy. How would you describe your mother in one word? Supportive. What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked? “Why are you always cheerful?” What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? I decided one morning to take my plane and go to France alone to see the mountains and snow (without having my license yet). What is your theme song? “Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer. What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Suloogi and abundance. Where would you like to live? What is your dream 44
[...continued] retirement location? Peru or Kenya. What is the first famous quote that comes to mind? If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you cant walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward. – Martin Luther King Jr. (I think I took this too literally). What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? Rabbit. What do you miss about your childhood? My awesome father and not thinking too much. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Amelia Earhart. Describe your handshake in one word. Awkward. What is the toughest part of your character?
I need to constantly change my environment, I get bored easily. Who is your favorite historical figure? Amelia Earhart, Sigmund Freud, Wright Brothers, Gandhi, Ibn battuta. What in the world do you least desire? People who look down on people. What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place? Humanity and equality. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? I always see the best in people. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is …” Flying. Stay updated about Shoug’s adventures by following her on Instagram @Shoug_ns.
SOUK SHARQ
OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2015 by Josh Rottenberg
Ethan Hawke was taking his kids to school. J.K. Simmons was fighting a bad cold and sleeping in an Atlanta hotel room. Marion Cotillard was awakened by her ringing cellphone. At first she thought it was her son. When she saw it was her agent, she said, “I thought, ‘Ooh la la!’ ” As it does every year, the news of this year’s Oscar nominations quickly reverberated across Hollywood last month. And as it does every year, it stirred up a mix of jubilant celebration and forehead-smacking disbelief – and even outrage. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel led the field with nine nods each, but several films widely expected to score major nominations, including the animated blockbuster The Lego Movie and the Roger Ebert documentary Life Itself, were snubbed, while the lack of nominations for Selma director Ava DuVernay and star David Oyelowo drew widespread criticism. The eight films nominated in the best picture category – down from nine the past three years – were primarily smaller, more offbeat fare, including Birdman, Boyhood and Whiplash, as several bigbudget studio films expected to be contenders early in the awards race, such as Into the Woods and Unbroken, didn’t make the cut. Only two best picture nominees – Warner Bros.’ American Sniper and Paramount’s Selma – were distributed by major studios. Heading into the nominations, the entire slate of best picture nominees had grossed just USD 203 million collectively, the lowest box office total by far since the category was expanded from five films in 2009. Some may see this a sign of disconnect between the values of the more than 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and what the mainstream audience wants to see at the multiplex. Others could interpret is as an indictment of the quality of films the major studios are turning out. But Inarritu, for one, saw the Academy’s recognition of more personal movies such as Birdman – a gonzo tale of a fading movie star struggling for artistic credibility – in a wholly positive light. “In a world where basically the industry is going to corporate branding and products that have to satisfy everybody, cinema is losing the battle of being (about) human expression and an individual point of view,” he said. “So it’s rewarding that these films are fighting for that possibility to still exist. It’s good news for all of us who love cinema in that way.” Nominated for supporting actor for his role in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood – a coming-ofage story filmed over 12 years that is generally considered the film to beat in the best picture race – Hawke was similarly encouraged by his 46
movie’s success. “It’s rare for an independent film to find its way through the maelstrom of corporate America,” Hawke said. “The whole DNA of Boyhood is extremely experimental. If you’re a basketball fan, it’s like an unseeded team making it to the Final Four.” Even as quirkier, independently financed films dominated the conversation, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper made a surprisingly strong showing with six nominations. The film about Navy SEAL Chris Kyle received no nominations at the Golden Globes, but it has been gaining traction with nods from the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America. Although Eastwood was shut out of the director race, the film’s star, Bradley Cooper, earned a lead actor nomination, marking his third year in a row with an Oscar nod. On the heels of a successful limited run, and buoyed by its best picture nod, it is expected to perform strongly. In the acting categories, many of the results were widely predicted, such as Julianne Moore’s lead actress nomination for her turn as a woman struggling with Alzheimer’s disease in Still Alice, Steve Carell’s lead actor nod for his menacing, against-type turn in Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, and Michael Keaton’s lead actor nomination for Birdman. But those races, too, held some surprises: Laura Dern squeaked into the supporting actress race for her performance in Wild, while Cotillard earned an unexpected lead actress nod for her turn in the foreign language film Two Days, One Night. “I was very sad when we didn’t make it to the short list of foreign language films and I thought that
was it,” Cotillard said. “I’m so happy, because now I’m going to take this movie myself to the Oscars!” In the animation category, nods for Big Hero 6 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 came in as expected, but the lack of a nomination for The Lego Movie was met with widespread indignation on social media. “Thanks all for the outpouring of love for The LEGO Movie today,” co-director Chris Miller wrote on Twitter. “We didn’t make it for awards, we made it to be a trending topic on Twitter.” As was widely noted, the nominees in the director category – Linklater, Inarritu, Anderson, Miller and The Imitation Game director Morten Tyldum – were all male. Early in the awards season, Angelina Jolie had been considered a possible contender for directing Unbroken, but that World War II film’s awards hopes ultimately fizzled. Meanwhile, DuVernay failed to score a nod for directing the civil-rights-era historical drama Selma, a snub that was deemed by many a reflection of the academy’s lack of recognition for both women and minorities. On the other hand, Rosamund Pike, a supporting actress nominee for her role in the adaptation of the best-selling thriller Gone Girl, noted the many complex, grounded roles for women on the big screen this year – a sentiment also expressed last week by Maggie Gyllenhaal in her Golden Globes acceptance speech for her work in the TV miniseries The Honourable Woman. “I think there is (a shift) in the desire for real roles for women,” Pike said. “TV is so leading the way with what it can do with characters, and films got to follow that.”
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SUCH CUPIDITY Three cheese-worthy reads by bazaar staff
It’s that time of year, *sigh* again, when everything turns into fifty shades of pink and red. While many happily gush over boxes of chocolates, overpriced roses, and heart-shaped everything; we at bazaar prefer to check out the fictional scenes. Oh to live through bounds of literary love and frolic through the fields with Mr. Darcy. (Note to husbands: need not be jealous, for this is just for research sake.) Then there’s the father of romance, at least in my humble opinion, The Bard. Nothing compares to a Shakespearean wooing monologue. But then, we have Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Elizabeth wrote the infamous sonnet citing “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” On a scale from one to cheese-nation, they’re over the top with their love-struck ramblings. To be Cupid and shoot love-arrows…on second thought, I’d rather throw my books at random passersby. So here are my top three cheese-filled reads that’ll have you sobbing over a fictional love. It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a book of poetry now would it? So at the top of this list, I bequeath to you Penguin’s Poems For Love. Complete with a garden themed motif with roses as the cover art, this book contains many words of love. Selected by Laura Barber, this book contains lovey-dovey poetry from all over the world and through the ages. From 48
Auden to Shakespeare to Dickinson (that’s Emily Dickinson), the anthology talks of love in all forms. Use it to woo from afar, impress up close, or to just wallow in your own love-fuelled daze while eating chocolates straight from the box. There’s a poem for every stage of “love” known and for every mood. So on my personal scale of Meh to Cartoon Circling Hearts, this book is sickeningly sweet, which if you’re into that sort of thing, means you’re golden. My next heart-wrenching read is none other than Water for Elephants by the talented Sara Gruen. During the times of the prohibition and Depression, America was bleak to say the least, but the circus brought in a life of glamour and a lot of color into the dark world around. But as the saying goes “not all that glitters is gold,” and the circus is dangerous and cruel. Gruen painted this world with a forbidden love that could be the end of all things colorful and bright. Follow the life of Jacob as he goes from rags to circus to love in an unforgiving place. With a historical backdrop to this beautiful love story, prep for an emotional rollercoaster. Far from a Meh rating, this book will suck you into the turmoil. My rating: Flying Cupids with soaring arrows. This last one is a no-brainer. How can one write about love and devastation without a reference
to Nicholas Sparks? Now, take all the emotion, tears, and hysteric-love-crazed fits that ensued while reading (or watching, I’m not judging) The Notebook, and apply it to this book – The Wedding. While I may not be the most romantic of them all (I can be romantically challenged at times), I must admit that Sparks has done it again. Set as a follow-up to The Notebook, this book follows Noah and Allie’s (sigh) daughter, Jane, and her husband of thirty years, Wilson as they try to rekindle the love once shared. Using her parents’ love affair as a guideline to his own relationship with his wife, Wilson must do all he can to win back her love. Side note – keep the tissues nearby, and don’t forget to make yourself a cup of tea before you read this. On second thought, scrap the tea; you’ll need ice cream, lots of ice cream. Love is in the air people! Why not gift your loved one a book with some flowers? Believe me, it’s an awesome combination. Or is that just me? Go enjoy the suggestions and remember me with every spoonful of ice cream you scoop from the tub. And don’t forget to check out the new Book Blog, The Curious Case of a Serial Reader! Join the book club at bazaar.town and read with us or let us know what you’re reading! Till next month…
CAUDALIE
SOUQ by bazaar staff
AL-MUBARAKIYA
There’s something about Souq Al-Mubarakiya that we can’t quite explain. It’s like time came to a glorious halt within the boundaries of the souq, preserving Kuwait’s past beautifully. With old men and women manning their stalls, selling everything from herbs, spices, and apothecary goods to clothes, temporary tattoos and accessories. Nothing is impossible to find, and everything is affordable – if you can haggle that is. Full of old Kuwait’s rich culture and tradition, you’ll always find something or another to entertain you while you’re there. Get lost in the markets and enjoy the intertwining stalls – take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the markets. From sibah – prayer beads – to fresh date kiosks, you can purchase absolutely everything in the souq – and not long ago, people did! A Brief History: Over 200 years ago, a marketplace was created in the Al-Mubarakiya area as a platform for vendors to showcase their produce in a raw, non-commercial way. The Souq – market – soon became a cultural hub, catering to the needs of every visitor, whether for the weekly grocery shop or simply an outing to a space bursting with tradition and vividness. With Sheikh Mubarak Al Kabeer’s Kiosk in the center of it all, people were able to openly communicate their hopes, dreams, and worries to their leader. Soon enough, a little further down the road from the Kiosk, a Diwaniya was born, dubbed as Diwaniyet Al Ra’eel Al Awal – The Elders and Founding Fathers’ Diwaniya or commune. The Diwaniya became – and still is – a place for the country’s elders to meet and discuss everything from social issues to the coming elections. Past the Diwaniya, one of Kuwait’s oldest Post Offices can be found. Standing tall, the original majestic doors were preserved, along with a beautiful blue and white post box. Further still, the gates and marker for the Mubarakiya School – a 100 year-old institution of education. Currently open as an exhibition and celebration of academia, the school welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday. However, during the Iraqi invasion of 1990, the infrastructure of the Souq was heavily damaged. Nonetheless, the necessary renovations were made, retaining the traditional elements characteristic of the non-commercial trade center, whilst also injecting the marketplace with a hint of modernity in the form of lofty light-displays and play areas for children. It is safe to say that although the Souq has been ever-evolving since its beginnings in the 19th Century, the vibrant atmosphere that one encounters there is unique and very rarely matched. While mornings at the Souq are magnificent in their own right, it is when darkness falls that Mubarakiya comes to life. The crowds gravitate towards the beautifully lit Souq as the fairy lights and lanterns create a warming glow to welcome you home. Given the warm climate of Kuwait, the way in which the Souq was original planned and built served the purpose of providing visitors with plenty of shaded areas, and the architecture still rings true to this day. Even during summer’s warmest days, the Souq does provide shelter for passersby from the heat. [continued...]
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OLD AND NEW EXPLORED IN THE HEART OF KUWAIT
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THE SOUQ [...continued]
TODAY As you enter the Al-Mubarakiya area, you find yourself walking down cobblestone paths from days of a bygone era, into a partially covered space full of currency exchange kiosks. Past the kiosks on either side of the main road, little passages take you to all the different Souqs or markets, where they effortlessly blur into one giant celebration of texture, culture, and color. Seamlessly moving from one market road to the other, you can easily find yourself lost amidst goody-filled stalls. From bags to carpets and even traditional dress, there’s always something for everyone. If you’re in the market for some really cool Klim or even Sadu fabric merchandise, you’re in luck! Cushions, vests, bags, and even carpets are sold in this fabric for a fraction of the price of the same traditional wares in the States! Walk through the Bisht Souq and Gharabally Souq for incredible bargains. While in the Bisht Souq, make sure you stop and look into the little shops for a chance to see the traditional over-coats – the Bisht – hand sewn by the old men that own the shop. An incredible sight and interesting way to learn about how they’re made. If you’re really lucky, you might even see them make the E’egal – traditional headpieces made of black rope-like strings. Past all this, you can see old men hard at work stringing prayer beads with precious and semi-precious stones and adorned with silver pieces. The beauty in these Souqs is that everything is made by hand, with extra care put into every piece. If you’re looking for a vintage feel but with a modern twist, be sure to pay Bait Ahmad a visit. Full of trendy knick-knacks, home-wear, bags, and even clothes – Bait Ahmad is a haven for all things kitschy-chic. Thrift store galore, the Wholesale Thrift Market – Souq Al Magasees – has everything from cheap sunglasses, watches, and general accessories to colorful scarves and keffiyehs. Further still, you can stumble upon a figurative gold mine – the Gold Souq. Buy a pair of gold earrings, commission a bracelet design of your choosing, and find the highest of GIA grade diamonds; it’s a gold fanatic’s dream. As you keep walking around, you reach the Artillery Souq – Souq Al Silah. Once a “onestop-shop” for bird hunters and general weaponry enthusiasts, Artillery Souq is currently home for any and all perfumes you can possibly require. Traditional scents, imported perfumes, and essential scented oils can be found all around this Souq. At the end of the Artillery Souq, you’ll also be able to buy suitcases of all shapes and sizes! Random – true – but super useful if you’re in the market for new luggage at bargain prices. Then there’s the mystical Souq Al Hareem – Women’s Souq. Past New Street, and deeper into the market’s welcoming nooks and crannies, you come across a market so interesting you can’t help but roam. Traditionally run by women, this market is full of everything – makeup, pantyhose, delicates, creams, soaps, and homemade potions, yes potions – Souq Al Hareem has it all! Traditional coverups and henna heaven, the women there know what they’re doing and can help you pin-point your needs in a snap. Previously, virtually void of men, but rarely anymore, the women are the bosses there, and they’ll be calling the shots. So always remember that from the Gold Souq to Bait Ahmad and around to Souq Al Hareem, you can practically get anything you can possibly need!
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THE ORIGINAL
GROCERS
Still, with all the traditional clothing, intricate jewelry and decorations for the home at the Souq, there is also – somewhat surprisingly – a fresh fruit and vegetable market found at the center of the location. Here, you will find endless options, with some stores displaying over 10 meters of fresh produce to choose from. One can either pick and choose their fruits and vegetables, or simply buy a pre-assembled pack, much like in any shopping center. Nevertheless, there seems to be a more extensive selection at the Souq with an array of more ‘unusual’ options such as the crates of carefully polished chestnuts that appear on almost all of the store corners. In addition, a dozen date kiosks can be found along a strip bordering the fruit and vegetable markets. Mountains of the customary fruits – whether coated in sesame seeds or in a tightly compacted block form – surround the wide-smiled shop vendors. The fresh food market allows shoppers at the Souq to experience an entirely new way of buying their fresh fruit, where instead of simply taking it off a shop shelf, one has the opportunity to engage with another person. Did we mention there’s an entire fishmonger market – Fish Souq – and butcher market – Meat Souq? The catch of the day can always be found in the Fish Souq, fish, shrimp, and even oysters are sold on a daily basis there. But get there early in the morning and grab your fish when they’re fresh out of the water. Looking for spices to give your meal a touch of authenticity? Then look no further! You will find plenty to keep your spice cupboard fully stocked, and once you’ve sampled the fresh spices, you’ll never think of buying a pre-filled jar of cloves again.
I am no suburbanite, I am a city person, and Souq Al-Mubarakiya always gives me that feeling. – Waleed Shalaan
Waleed Shalaan, now a Senior Projects Director at United Real Estate Company, URC, first started his company, previously known as BrainStorm, at the top floor of the parking garage of Kuwait’s Souq in the late 90s. He said, “It meant a lot to me because this is where I felt that I was living in Kuwait and connected to its past. I vividly remember grabbing my lunch break, or inviting guests at Souq Al-Mubarakiya’s restaurants, having fresh fish dinners in the streets and even the alleys reminded me of the population density of Cairo, which I need.” While Waleed might not be an advocate of completely modernizing the Souq, he does believe that a successful mix of people from all walks of life is the key to maintaining a balance. He explains, “I would love to see a slice of life with the good, bad and the ugly not to be isolated in a manicured artificial environment. We have so many in the malls of the endless suburban sprawl. Seeing people live, work and interact is what gives the Souq its character.” [continued...]
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[...continued]
THE GREAT
MUBARAKIYA FOOD HUNT Our great hunts have taken us from Salmiya to Shuwaikh, from the tip of Kuwait City and all the way down to Mangaf and beyond. We’ve scoured the streets of K-Town for the best of our favorite dishes. This February we are staying put to explore a foodie haven like no other in the country, Souq Al-Mubarakiya. Our day in Mubarakiya took us on a tour of the local food scene in Kuwait. Forget the franchises, pre-cooked meals and generic burgers. The dishes you find in the souq are fresh, delicious and made to perfection. Restaurants offer cuisines from all over the Arab world, and have now expanded to local European concepts. If all else fails, or you just can’t decide between all the amazing offerings, their fresh produce market is bound to ignite your inner chef. Restaurants Square Under the signature wooden ceiling at the tip of the Old Souq is a large plaza filled with plastic orange, green and yellow chairs. The wall is lined with half a dozen restaurants where chefs flip kababs, carve shawarma off the spit and bake fresh delicious breads. It is a tour of cuisines that have become inherent to the local culture. From traditional Kuwaiti to Persian and Egyptian dishes there is something for everyone. Ample parking is found right under the plaza and its close proximity to the main municipality park makes it an ideal place for a family day out. We stopped at Al-Dahla restaurant, which serves patrons in the yellow chairs. Their kitchen serves breakfast starting at 7 am, perfect for a morning meal before work. Or, stop by for lunch or dinner to try their traditional Kuwaiti dishes, Persian grills or traditional mezzas. Shamam Restaurants At the end of Restaurants Square a yellow sign in Arabic calligraphy reads: Souq Al-Mubarakiya. Pass through the awning and towards the end, and take a look to your right. Another large square filled with plastic chairs. Only here, they are all blue, the color of one of Souq AlMubarakiya’s largest chain restaurant, Shamam. Along the wall, chefs put together amazing traditional creations, but this time each doorway leads to a kitchen with a distinct specialty. Enjoy your meal while you watch bakers flatten dough and bake them in stone ovens. Cooks put together delicious fish dishes in one room, and in another, kofta and kabab are cooked to perfection. With three different locations in Mubarakiya, including an indoor restaurant at Sakran mall, you are bound to find the perfect setting for these fresh and delicious meals. 54
Al Ka’im A few feet from the big Shamam dining area, a huge pile of khobz ragaag (a traditional flat bread) in a small stall, will no doubt catch your eye. Established in 1997 they offer their delicious bread with your choice of traditional toppings like honey, Kraft cheese or both. Al Ka'im is perfect for a light snack, and for the bold foodie in your group. They serve a traditional Kuwaiti sauce – Mihyawa. This fish sauce is sunbaked until the fish has liquefied, with tons of vinegar and lots of spices. The brown sauce originated in Iran, but has now become a staple in many Gulf States. At Al Ka’im, try it with their freshly baked bread for an incredibly authentic snack. Khaneen Restaurant We took a turn outside of the old souq, across the street behind Sakran Mall, and found ourselves at Khaneen Restaurant. Their lustrous white umbrellas, bright chairs and flower arrangements, embody the sense of style and freshness, known in Kuwait's modern culture. They offer classic homestyle dishes made with ingredients that are locally sourced, and only the freshest and finest meat. With such high quality ingredients, this is the perfect place to visit for a true Kuwaiti dining experience. Though this branch of Khaneen is outside the traditional restaurants’ square area, waiters dressed in traditional garb and a décor that gives homage to the country’s cultural heritage, will make you feel right at 'a Kuwaiti' home. Khaneen is located in Souq Al-Mubarakiya, as well as in the Levels Restaurant Complex, Mahboula. Their hours of operation are from 6:30am to 12:00am. For additional information, please call 2220 6127 or you can also follow Khaneen on Instagram @khaneen_restaurant.
Beit Ward Around the corner from Khaneen, a small Lebanese restaurant hides behind tall green umbrellas. Step through the black wooden picket fence and you are transported to a lovely garden fit for Hamra Street in Beirut. The setting is ideal for a hot cup of one of their delicious milks: cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, rose or pistachio. For caffeine addicts, try one of their incredible coffees or share a pot of karak. Beit Ward is also ideal for a group lunch. With delicious hot and cold mezzas, a wide variety of fatayer, saj and shawarma, it’s the perfect place for a light meal for a big group. Brothers Street Food Burger Kuwait has a burger obsession that it will not apologize for. So, it comes as no surprise that in our hunt for all foods Kuwaiti, we end up at Brothers Street Food Burger. This new restaurant is in the heart of South Mubarakiya (SOMU), right in front of a beautifully renovated gazebo, with a small courtyard seating area for its patrons. Don’t let the name mislead you. This isn’t your typical greasy street burger. They are all made with 100 percent organic beef. While the doors open at 5 p.m. the chefs arrive long before then to prepare their handcrafted burgers so that all of the food is fresh and never frozen. Try their classic burger with cheese and caramelized onion, or one of their specialties like the Sweet Potato Burger or The Gymholic Burger, made with a whole-wheat bun. Brothers Street Food Burger is located in the new South Mubarakiya (SOMU). They open every day at 5 p.m. or at 1 p.m. on Fridays. You can follow them on Instagram @brotherskw. Flower Latte Just a few meters away, you are taken far from Kuwait to right outside Paris. Flower Latte is a small café and bakery that will tickle all of your French fancies. Eclectic furniture placed in the outdoor seating gives the little café a modern European feel from the onset. Inside, the walls are adorned with beautiful paintings and fresh roses that set the classic Parisian mood. This lovely café is open from 3 p.m. for any meal you choose. With light sandwiches, a cheese platter and delicious salads, there is something for everyone. Whatever you pick, make sure to save room for dessert. Their popular Cloud Cake is a delicate strawberry shortcake layered with
fresh strawberries, light sponge cake and whipping cream. Or go for the Parisian hot chocolate that is rich with cocoa and will warm you to the bones. Flower Latte is located in the new South Mubarakiya (SOMU). Contact them at 2241 8779/3, visit www.flower-latte.com or email info@flower-latte.com. Follow them on Instagram @flower_latte. Msayaan Msayaan emboldens the creativity of Kuwait, while sticking to the country’s roots. This incredible fusion restaurant is inspired by a combination of various local cuisines, with new ideas. Choose to dine outdoors with a front row view of the largest mural in the Gulf, produced and envisioned by local artist and Thouqer Ahmad Al-Ghanim. The creative flavors, unique presentation and attractive combination of dishes set Msayaan outside the traditional competition. In addition to traditional Kuwaiti food, a twist that respects the authenticity of dishes has been added to bring to food-lovers a taste that not only brings good memories but that also build new dreams. Msayaan is located in the Mubarakiya Commercial Area, Al Qeblah, Block 8 – Avenue 37, facing the Banking Complex. Call 2241 7113/4 for more information, visit them online at msayaan.com/menu.pdf, and follow them on Instagram @Msayaan. Bait Ahmad We end our Mubarakiya food hunt with a small café that combines the old and new, local and international in one small store and café. Initially attracted to the store by their display of Persian and Klim rugs, we were surprised to find a treasure trove of knick-knacks from around the world. Browse around, and you may find something from your childhood you thought you would never see again. In this antique setting, filled with some of the world’s memories, a small café serves home baked goods, coffee and delicious homemade almond milk. Say what you will about the big names in baking, there is still something special and unique about a pecan pie made with the love and care of a happy home. It was the perfect end to our delicious day. For more information about Bait Ahmad, follow them on Instagram @BaitAhmad or call 2246 7373. It is located in the Heritage Souq area in Al-Mubarakiya, close to the foreign exchange stores.
I didn't know the meaning of the word Souq, so when I reached the place, all my senses were awakened. – Chiara Mondi
Chiara Mondi, Operations Manager for espressamente illy and the t-lounge by Dilmah at Al-Hajery and Sons Co. Ltd – Kuwait, told bazaar that her first experience at the Souq’s restaurants square served as one of her first experiences of Kuwait. Al-Hajery and Sons Co. is a local company that currently operates Kuwaiti restaurant Khaneen located in Al-Mubarakiya. She explained, “In 2012, I landed in Kuwait for the first time for business along with my Italian colleague. One of our dinners was planned in the Souq. I didn't know the meaning of this word, so when I reached the place, all my senses were awakened. The ‘labyrinth’-like architecture, the variety of meat and fish, the colors and the smiling picture of the Emir: all of these created a sense of marvelous happiness for me.” Chiara navigated the market, and ended up buying an abaya and hijab, as she was interested to wear the traditional garb during her planned dinner. When one of the planned attendees arrived to the dinner, he didn’t recognize her and questioned where ‘the second Italian visitor’ was! Chiara has been living in Kuwait for more than a year, and makes sure to spend time at the Souq whenever the opportunity arises. [continued...]
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[...continued]
Before you adamantly quip that this editorial team has sheepishly typed SOMU instead of SoHo, let us stop you by explaining that you’re mistaken. SOMU, or South Mubarakiya for short, is the new ‘old’ district, marked by the recently renovated SOMU Square, or Thouq Square, located behind the AlFares Mosque. Beautiful things are currently happening at SOMU, and you can easily become a part of this change by paying this special area a leisurely visit. That is what visionaries and Thouq founders Ahmad AlGhanim and Bader Al Hejailan only ever wished for Kuwait’s oldest commercial and cultural hub, Souq Al-Mubarakiya. When the original Thouqers first opened their lifestyle, fashion and accessories concept store at the old Al-Mubarakiya Souq, people thought they were crazy. As a concept store, Thouq embodies everything that Bader and Ahmad stand for: an artistic vessel that showcases the finest talents in Kuwait and the region, with new items and concepts arriving in store on a weekly basis. Even though many questioned the location decision of the old marketplace, both Bader and Ahmad zealously defend their choice with an unwavering conviction: Al-Mubrakiya will once again become a thriving hub for arts, culture, and fashion. They have made this belief their sole mission, and they are making it happen. Located in South Mubarakiya, the Thouq concept store stands amongst an entitled, ‘Thouq square.’ Standing strong for more than sixty years, the area still echoes with remnants of a bygone era where locals toiled, engaged in commerce, and more importantly met with individuals from all parts of the world. AlMubarakiya was once a thriving hub, and it still is, yet it seems that the youth have forgotten about it, instead opting for modern malls and chic outlets. In order to take back the area, Ahmad and Bader actually took on the effort of renovating what is now called Thouq Square, and partnered with a group of young individuals in an effort to revive the area. Bader commented, “We’ve let out the neighboring stores to different vendors in an effort to bring back that connection between the youth and Al-Mubarakiya. People need this change, and we wish to celebrate the area with all of its glory. ‘Cool’ things are happening at SOMU, thanks to an amazing generation of young minds.” Essentially, the generation of Thouqers is harnessed by a sense of pride and nostalgia on behalf of Ahmad and Bader. We see them aspiring for a better future through Ahmad’s artwork, and this twosome’s dream for Al-Mubarakiya. A shared vision that echoes with class, elegance and inimitable cool in the simplest of ways. With wall murals designed by Ahmad Al-Ghanim, brand new tiles, refurbished pergolas, and beautiful
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design elements throughout, the air is palpable with creative change at SOMU. Today, the area represents a reflection of the beauty of collaborative effort. This is not your typical revamp; it is the ‘new old’. Ahmad told bazaar, "This area started out of nothing, it was very much ignored. Knowing that Ahmad Al-Jaber Street is one of Kuwait's most expensive areas in terms of real estate, and that we are in the heart of the country's financial district, we felt that we had to do something about bringing people back to the heart of Mubarakiya." Opening Thouq in AlMubarakiya was equally important for Bader, who believes that "the Souq is the only true testimony of Kuwait's past and now with the introduction of SOMU, it is a center of a new and creative Kuwait." Today, all of the spaces around Thouq are booked, and many restaurants along with concept stores are opening up in the area. Today, SOMU is thriving with new, locally conceived businesses. Most of the new restaurant outlets and cafes have indoor and outdoor seating
areas, ensuring that a visit to the area need not be seasonal. There’s an art gallery in the works, along with several enticing concept stores such as Al-Baraka, Thouq, Revolution boutique and more to come! If you’re fan of all things Parisian, then a visit to the French-inspired Flower Latte café is a must. If you prefer dining organic, then the burgers at Brothers Street Food Burgers, and 7th Heaven restaurant will definitely tick all of the boxes. Looking to dine at an establishment that fuses old Kuwaiti traditions with modern values, then definitely head to Msayaan. Soon, valet parking will be available near a dedicated entrance off of Ahmad Al Jaber Street, so if you’re not even in the mood to park, SOMU can still be accessed pretty easily from the main road. At night, SOMU comes alive with its people, and some restaurants are completely packed. Finally, Bader and Ahmad are seeing people coming back to this area time and time again from different generations. Ahmad said, “At times, I felt like giving up on the whole process as it was extremely frustrating at times. Bader would always remind me
to stay positive, stating that people will respond to our efforts. It is really a dream come true, and we still have plenty of work to do." It all began when Ahmad submitted a design proposal to the ministry, and once he received the required approval he got to work immediately. From working closely with the amazing people at Tamdeen Group, who generously agreed to sponsor the retiling work he had in mind in terms of executing the design. They co-sponsored the flooring of the area, and the store facades received a much-needed makeover, as some buildings are at least 50 and 60 years old. We learned from Ahmad and Bader that the plan for SOMU is threefold, and not limited to the main Thouq Square. With the assistance of Mr. Mohamad Al-Marzouq, the CEO of Tamdeen, and with the support of many other likeminded individuals, the work went from a mere thought to a reality that is spreading quickly across the area of South Al-Mubarakiya. Even the municipality is extremely pleased with the developments, and Ahmed and Bader did this out of passion and belief in the area. Nobody hired these creatives to ‘take back Mubarakiya’, as they considered their involvement as a responsibility. Ahmad said, "Our aim is to create a district, therefore any obstacles that people may face when it comes to opening a business, or trying to create something new, are only expected. I don’t want others to be discouraged, but to come visit us at SOMU, and we will gladly help.” The extension of SOMU, or the work implemented in encouraging more retailers to return to the area, is based on the Thouqers’ vision to bring luxury to the heart of Kuwait’s oldest commercial hub. Ahmed told us that this is where a planned second and third phase comes into play. “We are hoping that this effort spreads to other parts of the Souq. While the entire Souq is undergoing major restoration to the old facades, we are more intent on changing the retail scene in the market.” Two more blocks are planned to undergo refurbishment, as an extension done to the work in Thouq square. Phase one is now booked out by small business owners and is in its final stages of completion, filled with locally created brands with local talents, and an official launch event is set to take place within a few months’ time. If interested in taking up a space in the second or third phase, simply pass by Thouq, Ahmad is always there! He can offer his guidance, contacting the right people and he will even provide you with a guided tour of the Souq. Be prepared however, to end up at his favorite spot – SOMU. When we asked Ahmad why he loves this area so much, he left us with this inspired thought, “While the entire region is thriving with talent, I haven’t seen, until now, an area that combines art, food, lifestyle and fashion in one district. This can be experienced at SOMU.”
While the entire region is thriving with talent, I haven’t seen, until now, an area that combines art, food, lifestyle and fashion in one district. This can be experienced at SOMU.” – Ahmad Al-Ghanim
[continued...]
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FACES OF MUBARAKIYA
For many people in Kuwait, the original Souq marked an early start for various Kuwaiti and Expatriate business owners. Some have gone on to expand their business across the country, while others choose to stay and work at the old Souq. Today, the people who work at the Souq represent a melting pot of different nationalities spanning from Kuwait, Iran, Egypt and beyond. Today, merchants from all walks of life give Souq Al-Mubarakiya its essence and character. Join us as we celebrate all of these wonderful people!
WHERE DO I PARK?
As with any shopping experience, we know that peoples’ number one concern is the parking. But fret not, there’s ample parking around Souq Al-Mubarakiya. If you’re coming in from the city proper, then keep an eye out for the Safat Square parking lot. It’s an underground parking spot with stairs that lead you straight to the Safat Souq. The Safat Souq’s courtyard was once home for the Pigeon Souq – Souq Al Hamam, which is currently located in Al Rai next to the Friday Market, it is a stone’s throw away from Mubarakiya and is home to a significantly large amount of haberdashery shops on the outside and the biggest fabric market on the inside. If you miss the Safat Souq parking, then keep driving till you find a right turn, there you’ll find a street-level parking. That’s a brilliant spot to park your car. It’s even closer to Mubarakiya and is on the other side of Safat Souq – so you can buy some fabric before you hit the Souqs in Mubarakiya. If you’re driving in from the Gulf Road, then you can park in the Manakh Souq aboveground parking. The Manakh Souq – Camel Market – used to be the biggest stock brokerage souq in Kuwait till the crash of 1982 that started the biggest recession in Kuwait and the region. So next time you visit Mubarakiya, reflect on the magnificent history that surrounds the Souq and all those in it. If you’re still feeling lost, then you might want to consult the fully detailed map of the Souq provided to us by the wonderful people at Thouq. 58
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1. Thouq Store 2. Msayaan Restaurant 3. Brothers Street Food Burgers 4. Flower Latte Café 5. Caffeine Café 6. Breo Restaurant 7. Al-Baraka concept store 8. Seventh Heaven Restaurant 9. Kuwait Property Markets - Parking 10. Kuwait Finance House 11. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah Kiosk 12. Al-Fakhera Mill 13. Currency Exchange stores 14. Persian Carpet stores 15. Antiques and Carpets market 16. Kuwait National Bookstore 17. Souq Al-Kabir Mosque 18. Bu Nashee Coffee shop 19. Diwaniyet Al Ra’eel Al Awal (The Elders and Founding fathers Diwaniya) 20. Perfumes, Bukhour (incense), and traditional ghutras Kiosks 21. Alfares Jewelers 22. Novotiyeh Al-Anaka 23. Sakran Complex 24. Stock Exchange and Car Park 25. Revolution Boutique 26. Commercial Bank of Kuwait
27. Alfares Mosque 28. Gulf Bank 29. Jewelers & Gold trading Kiosks 30. Wholesale clothing outlet 31. Almusallam store for traditional men’s head pieces 32. Central Gold Market 33. Al-Fahad Mosque 34. Agil Restaurant 35. Old Bishts Market 36. Bait Ahmad Concept store 37. Al-Duwai’ia square for Bishts and Carpets 38. Ground Floor carpets and Bishts market 39. Al-Quraishi Perfumes, Incense and Fragrances 40. Wholesale Perfumes and Incense market 41. Al-Ruwad Al Shaabi coffee shop 42. Old-Artillery Supplies Market 43. Luggage & handbags stores 44. Electronics & watches stores 45. Al-Magasees Market/Thrift Market (Watch resellers) 46. Electronic Appliances stores 47. Watches, cellphones stores 48. Al-Hareem Market (Women’s market) 49. Coats and Jackets stores 50. Meat Market 51. Traditional Restaurants Area 52. Ground and Basement stores for kitchen supplies 53. Stock and Investment trading offices 54. Mohammad Abdulrahman Mohamad Bin Bahar Mosque 55. Dates Market 56. Traditional Sweets and roasted nuts market 57. Fish Market 58. Vegetables Market 59. Shamam Restaurants 60. Apothecaries and Spice kiosks
GAMES TO PLAY WITH YOUR VALENTINE by Patrick Makhoul
ICO
ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF
GONE HOME
This is a game about a boy named Ico who is locked away in a castle because he was born with horns. Ico meets a girl called Yorda, the daughter of the castle’s evil queen. They try to escape the castle together. The game is a puzzle-platformer with some combat elements. The puzzle and platforming aspect of the game is done really well, while the combat is unfortunately clunky. Ico is a minimalistic game in the sense that it doesn’t rely on a lot of text, there aren’t many cut scenes and there aren’t any tutorials. It’s designed in an extremely intelligent manner so that it lets the player figure things out.
The Nintendo 3DS is home to some wonderful and charming games. Animal Crossing: New Leaf is one of my favorite pick-up-and-play games. There’s no real goal or purpose in the game. It’s a great way to just kick back and relax. It’s a nice change of pace from other kinds of games. Before my wife and I were married, playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf was one of the ways we spent time together, especially when one of us was out of the country. We’d take care of our town, plant trees and flowers, go hunting for fossils, catch bugs or go fishing.
Gone Home is an interactive adventure that focuses on narrative and exploration. You control 21-year-old Kaitlin who has come back from a long trip abroad to discover the house her family has moved into is empty. You explore the house to find notes and items to help you piece together the story. The ambiance is fantastic, supported by top-notch sound and lighting effects. The game designers also did a great job creating a house that’s fun to explore and holds interesting secrets. Gone Home evoked emotions that the vast majority of big budget games fail to achieve.
PORTAL 2
DIABLO 3: ULTIMATE EVIL EDITION
SPELUNKY
Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle game where you use a device that shoots out portals to help you in traversing the terrain and obstacles, as well as solving puzzles that you come across. Solving puzzles on your own is great and all, but solving puzzles in co-op mode is incredibly satisfying. In co-op mode you take control of one of two robots: Atlas or P-Body. There are a total of five test chambers to get through and each test chamber focuses on a specific puzzle-solving technique so things don’t get repetitive.
Diablo 3 is one of the best co-op games to hit consoles in a long time. The amount of content in the game is staggering. Diablo is a role-playing game where you can choose from six different character classes ranging from your typical barbarian to a witch doctor. The goal of the game is to defeat the Lord of Terror, Diablo. The game is beautiful, the cut scenes, the environments, the armor, weapons and magic you can use, all look wonderful. The music is brilliant as well and the gameplay is addictive.
Exploring caves, dodging traps, killing enemies, collecting treasure, and dying…a lot. These are some of the things you’ll be doing in Spelunky. The best way to play Spelunky is with a partner. When you play with someone, you can either compete against each other in a death-match or you can do what I prefer – exploring caves together. The art style is deceivingly friendly and colorful while the music is terrific. The game controls are perfect – which they need to be in a game like this where mis-timing a jump could lead to your demise.
PS3
NINTENDO 3DS
PS3/Xbox 360/PC
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PS4/Xbox One/PC
PC
PS4/PC
for that special someone An exquisite treat of exceptional quality
DEAN & DELUCA
2nd Avenue - The Avenues
Tel: 22242224
GET FESTIVAL READY With American Eagle Outfitters by bazaar staff Men's Original Straight Jean
AEO JEANS & PANTS STARTING FROM KD 10
Women's High-rise Jegging
Women's High-rise Jegging Ankle
From Feb 5 – Feb 25, 2015 Women's Mid-rise Jegging Ankle
Men's Skinny Jean
Men's Slim Straight Jean
Since January was freezing cold, we’re already planning our spring wardrobes with the latest Spring collection from American Eagle Outfitters (AEO). We’re dreaming of the fun festival pieces that we can style to make our own, and AE0’s collection is symbolic of youth, fun and individuality. As America’s favorite denim brand, American Eagle Outfitters also presents new styles and washes. It’s all about fresh prints, ripped details and flowy fits this season. AEO has everything a girl needs for a killer spring outfit. Girls will be able to go out in the evening in light flowy tops and pants and turn heads in the perfect crop top. They will stand out from the crowd in this season’s hottest trends from crochet kimonos and ruffle baby doll dresses to 62
floral rompers. For the comfy girl who likes to make less noise, AEO also offers destroyed denims, joggers and soft fabric tops. Pair any top with AEO’s hottest jeggings – “Denim X.” They have the perfect stretch and softest handle. The men’s spring collection adds the elements of comfort and practicality to festival dressing. Guys will be able to stay comfy yet cool in joggers, sneakers and shorts. For those who want to look unique, prints, bright colors and color-block shirts make an original and edgy outfit. Spring not only means a change in weather, but also a change in style with the new “super skinny” fit for spring in men’s denim. The collection still stays grounded to the signature AEO guy with lots of basic T-shirts and button-downs.
The Aerie spring collection brings girls out of fleece pajamas into the prettiest swimsuits of the season! Girls will be able to mix and match reversible bandeau tops and florals with maxi dresses and rompers. The Charley swimwear collection makes its debut this season. The Aerie Anytime line allows girls to go from bed, to the gym and out to lunch all in the same outfit. It caters to all styles from the sporty girl in joggers and leggings to the outgoing girl in tropical prints. Sports inners have an Aerie touch of course with racer and open back details. American Eagle Outfitters is located at 1st Avenue – The Avenues, The Mall – The Avenues, as well as Marina Mall. For further information please call 182 1212.
ا ن ﻓـــــﻲ اﻟــــﻜــــــﻮﻳــــﺖ ﻓﻴﺴﺒﺎ ا ﻳﻄﺎﻟﻴﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﻳﺪة اﺑﺘﺪاء ﻣﻦ 1100د.ك ً
VESPA
BikeWorld
www.bikeworld-kw.com
: 24929303 / 24928686
bazaar goes dining
THE FRESHER ‘WEI’ Pei Wei by bazaar staff
With its second location having recently opened in Arabella, Pei Wei is slowly but surely becoming a culinary focal point in Kuwait. The ‘faster-food’ cousin of the immensely popular P.F. Chang’s offers fresh, beautifully presented, bold tastes with a customizable twist. Upon arriving at the Pei Wei located in Arabella, the choice of location is the first thing to stand out. Tucked away from the main road and close to the seaside, patrons can appreciate a break from the hustle and bustle of Kuwait life and the busier areas of Arabella. Furthermore, with a sea walk opening in the near future, a stunning view of the ocean will soon be available to people opting to dine in the outside seating area. The outside and inside seating options make Pei Wei a restaurant that can be visited whatever the weather. A theme of comfort, warmth, openness and rustic charm is sustained throughout the restaurant. 64
From comfortable outside seating and top-notch outdoor heaters to an open kitchen display and a secluded ‘couples area’, Pei Wei exudes a welcoming ambiance that caters to large family gatherings as well as quieter dining experiences. The interior design incorporates a cozy, low-lit atmosphere with an open-plan dining area, which provides diners with a clear view of the kitchen. This reinforces the restaurant’s claim to fresh cooking techniques as well as allowing the patrons to eat in a calm, laid-back manner and experience Asian flavors in a comfortable setting. However, what is most delightful about a visit to Pei Wei is the quality of the food, attention to detail and swift service. Initially, the menu seems somewhat short but as soon as you discover the various customization options and delicious alternatives, the choice becomes impossible! Handy ‘vegetarian’ and ‘spicy’ icons help diners to
choose their own perfect meal, whilst also providing vegetarian substitutions for every dish, allowing people to try every option available no matter their nutritional requirements. This customization also stretches as far as providing an option of either white, brown, mixed or egg fried rice with meal choices. Honoring the family-friendly outlook of the restaurant, the menu features a ‘Kid’s Wei’ section which permits younger restaurantgoers an opportunity to taste the fusion flavors in manageable portions and without as much spice. In addition, Pei Wei offers a value-for-money option when it comes to fusion dining and experiencing new tastes with its affordable deals for larger parties of up to 10 people. First up we tried the Blazing Shrimp starter, clearly a favorite amongst restaurant-goers with seven or eight emerging form the kitchen during the length of our meal. The tempura-battered shrimp were tossed
in a light, spicy Sriracha-garlic aioli and topped with red bell pepper, scallions and garlic flakes, producing a simple, yet delectable, starter with a slight hint of nouveau cuisine. The light sauce transformed what could have been a filling starter into a delightful, crunchy dish that pre-empted the mains to come and certainly packed a spicy punch. Served on a bed of crispy egg noodles, the shrimp were carefully arranged to produce an aesthetically pleasing and delicious starter option, clarifying its popularity among returning Pei Wei diners. A specialty feature on the menu – and on banners and boards around the restaurant – was the enticing ‘Blazing Roll.’ This sushi dish incorporated the ‘Blazing Shrimp’ starter regular patrons had become so fond of, with the high-quality sushi served at Pei Wei. With the same spicy bite, crisp batter and creamy sauce, the shrimp provided a sharp contrast to the raw, crunchy freshness of the crab and cucumber
sushi. It produced a light and tantalizing sushi option for those who want to experience the best of both worlds – the Pei Wei way, of course. The fresh and innovative streak cultivated at Pei Wei was also a theme through our main meals. The ‘Honey Seared Shrimp’ and ‘Mandarin Kung Pao Shrimp’ were meticulously arranged and seemed to represent a landscape of food with a mountain of rice, hills of shrimp and rivers of sauce and toppings. The prominent appearance of the food created the illusion of an haute cuisine environment and we almost forgot that the restaurant was founded on the basis of takeaway/ deliveries alternative to P.F Chang’s. The taste of the food was even more striking. Although the ‘Honey Seared Shrimp’ was the sweeter of the two dishes, its honey garlic sauce was nowhere near overwhelming and it was a lively, satisfying meal that highlighted the exceptional
high-temperature searing techniques the restaurant is known for. The ‘Mandarin Kung Pao Shrimp’, on the other hand, was a more savory choice and was a delight to look at as well as taste. The array of fresh flavors displayed on the plate were evidently cleverly thought out and constructed. From chili seared soy sauce to peanuts, the dish was clearly formed to charm the tastebuds. The Pei Wei experience was a thoroughly enjoyable one with limitless options and considerate waiters and waitresses. Gorgeous seating areas were matched with an honest, fresh approach to fusion food, creating a comfortable place to dive into inventive new tastes. Pei Wei is located in Phase Two of the Avenues (2221 4755) as well as at the far end of Arabella Complex in Al-Bida’a (2221 4984). Follow Pei Wei on Twitter and Facebook @Pei Wei. 65
حديقة اليرموك by Strawberry girl
ليست جميع الحدائق العامة جميلة مثل حديقة اليرموك ،التي تعتبر حديقة نموذجية وتقع في منطقة نموذجية حققت متطلبات منظمة الصحة العالمية لتصبح أول مدينة صحية نموذجية في الكويت .إن حديقة اليرموك هي أهم معلم و أبرز مشروع في اليرموك وهي حديقة صديقة للبيئة ،وتحتوي على الكثير من المجسمات والقطع الفنية التي تم تصنيعها من مواد وقطع قديمة على مبدأ تدوير النفايات. فكرة الحديقة الصديقة للبيئة أتت بعد طلب معهد الكويت لألبحاث العلمية بعمل مشروع بيئي .وهنا اقترح مختار اليرموك السيد عبد العزيز المشاري تحويل حديقة اليرموك العامة إلى حديقة بيئية ،وقامت شركة أوريدو لإلتصاالت بتمويل المشروع .وقام الفنان بدر ناصر بعمل المجسمات الفنية الموجودة في الحديقة .كما قامت الهيئة العامة لشؤون الزراعة والثروة السمكية بتنفيذ جزء من المشروع. لقد تم افتتاح حديقة اليرموك بحلتها الجديدة في العام ،2013وتستقبل زوارها بأضوائها ومجسماتها وتماثيلها ومقاعدها المبتكرة باإلضافة إلى العديد من األشياء األخرى التي تزين هذه الحديقة العامة .لقد
استخدم الفنانون إطارات السيارات القديمة في صنع تمثال السلحفاة ومجسمات األشجار .كما استخدموا براميل النفط الفارغة وبعض القطع القديمة من السيارات في عمل مزهريات الورود ،واستخدموا أنابيب مياه المجاري في عمل اإلنارة ،مما يجعل المجسمات تنعكس على األرضية في الظالم .ثم استخدموا األكياس البالستيكية القديمة في عمل مقاعد فخمة وكذلك استخدموا المسامير والبراغي في صنع مجسمات الطيور .باإلضافة إلى ذلك استخدم الفنانون ثالث سيارات لعمل مقاعد منها. باإلضافة إلى الناحية الجمالية لهذه الحديقة ،فإن المشروع يهدف إلى نشر الوعي بإمكانية تحويل النفايات إلى مواد مفيدة واإلستفادة منها في عمل المشاريع التي تخدم المجتمع .ولذلك أصبحت حديقة اليرموك مقصدا لطالب المدارس و الذين يمكن أن يشاهدوا هذا اإلستخدام المفيد لتدوير النفايات على الطبيعة في هذا المشروع الجميل .وهذه فرصة للجيل الجديد ليستفيد من تدوير النفايات ويحمي بيئتنا. لكن يبقى هناك تخوف من المسؤولين عن الحديقة من اتالفها المحتمل حيث أن هناك الكثير من المخربين. وقد ذكر المختار السيد عبد العزيز المشاري أن بعض
مرافق الحديقة قد تعرضت في السابق للتخريب ،وخاصة أنه ال يوجد إال حارس واحد فقط والذي يتواجد يوميا فقط من الساعة 4عصرا – 9مساء .و لذلك تمنى المختار من زوار الحديقة أن يحافظوا على مرافقها من التلف وكذلك أن يحافظوا على نظافتها لكونها معلما جميال ولتخدم الزوار، فهي تكبد الكثير من العمل لتظهر بهذا الشكل الرائع. و قد اكتسبت حديقة اليرموك شهرة واسعة منذ تجديدها بهذا الشكل ،وقد قامت لجنة المرأة الدولية وأعضاؤها من زوجات السفراء في الكويت بزيارة الحديقة وقامت بعض عضوات اللجنة بزراعة شجرة أحضرتها كل واحدة منهن في الحديقة لتثري الحديقة باألشجار وتضع لمستها الخاصة وتكون لها ذكرى هناك .كذلك أقيمت أنشطة أخرى في الحديقة مثل مهرجان األطفال وغيرها. هذه الفترة من السنة تتمتع الكويت بالجو الربيعي اللطيف وهي أفضل فترة للتنزه واإلستمتاع بزيارة المناطق المكشوفة وخاصة الحدائق .فال تفوتوا فرصة التنزه في هذه الحديقة الفريدة والتمتع بجمال مرافقها وكل ما توفره للزوار واستمتعوا بالتقاط الصور التذكارية في أي من أركانها المتعددة .وبالتأكيد احرصوا على نظا فتها . 66
Tunics
13
BHS
THE KUWAITI DREAM by Abrar Al Shammari
In the past three years, Kuwait in particular and the Arab world in general have experienced a great surge of changes, events that have left us confused and trying to find answers, trying to determine what kind of future we wanted and what kind of lives we wanted to lead. It was once said that “the personal is political,” a saying that also applies when reversed. This suggests that before one begins to call for change in their larger society and political changes, one must first work on personal change and challenging oneself. Though I have realized in the past few years that people have different needs, goals, and aspirations, I have also found that some of the basic wants all overlap. Kuwaitis want a house they can raise their children in before they are old and gray, chronic patients want public hospitals that can provide adequate healthcare and bedside manner, parents want their children to have a good education without having to be rich and opt for private schooling. Non-Kuwaitis want their rights protected, their labor regulated, their dignity preserved. I don’t think these are unrealistic requests, but I think that we also need to pay more attention to intangible aspirations; governmental services are always at risk – especially with oil prices dropping – but solid communal ethics are the pillars that would prevent us from collapsing. I think that we need to aim for a future where our decisions are based on our own personal beliefs and convictions, irrespective of what society deems right or wrong, irrespective of what offends one’s family and irrespective of the labels that might be imposed on you. The key difference between an individual who prioritizes his own wants over the preferences of 68
those around him is not selfishness, as we so often like to claim when guilt tripping, but happiness. We have grown so used to putting on masks that the only moments we experience happiness in are the moments we take them off, moments where the only ones who see us are other masked people, moments of temporary, often artificial escape. The misery that has swept so many people and become an accustomed, intimate part of their doublelives is astonishing. A girl wears her hijab around her family with a heavy heart, and then takes it off around her friends with the temporary ability to breath, coupled with a pinch of guilt. A grown man stays up with his friends on Thursday night engaging in ‘illegal activity’, only to wake up for Friday prayer upon his mother’s request with a headache, and then heads to The Avenues instead. A man and a woman fall deeply in love with one another, share pain and joy, confess secrets and reminisce memories, only to realize that they lack the courage to confront their parents with their desire to be married simply because their family names are not ‘compatible’. Girls have their own hidden corner at universities to smoke, because the labels imposed on them differ from their male classmates who so proudly smoke outside the coffee shop. A male student studies Business rather than Anthropology because his father told him it was a “feminine major”. Everyday so many of us smile when in truth the masks are hurting us, simply because pain, we are told, is private and meant to be kept inside, and that your own personal beliefs and pleasures can be practiced in the privacy and secrecy of your home – so long as you are the ‘respectable’ Kuwaiti you are expected to be in public.
In a society that tells you to be yourself and then judges you for it, this is not an easy task. If anything, insisting on your right to personal freedom and imposing authenticity of one’s identity is even more difficult than demanding collective political and social rights of a group. The latter is bureaucratic and tedious, but provides you with more courage because of its power in numbers; the first is a more difficult battle because it solely relies on your own willingness to allow your courage to flourish. Though this is not an easy journey, it takes one person to take the first step and lead in order for others to follow; each time one of us takes off our mask, throws it away and refuses to cloak his identity with shame and fear, others will feel more encouraged to as well. My Kuwaiti dream is a society where we don’t feel compelled to act, where we reject any and all notions of hypocrisy, where we embrace one another’s differences and respect each other’s struggles. How are we any different from the hypocritical politicians we want gone if we, too, are hypocritical in our day-to-day lives? I realize it may sound utopian to hope for a society that is free of hypocrisy, for I too, still struggle with a double-life, like so many people that I do and do not know. I still bite my tongue sometimes because I fear judgment, ridicule, or being misunderstood. I still think twice about many of my actions because I don’t want particular labels imposed on me, even if I know they are not true. But I am trying harder to take risks, to embrace my honesty and others’, to thank people who are open about their pain – past and present. I am more content on days when I am brave enough to be myself, and my Kuwaiti dream is to have a society where we are all familiar with the beauty of authenticity.
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THE NEWEST IN TECH AND ELECTRONICS CES: where the world meets the newest technology by bazaar staff
If you’ve never heard of the Consumer Electronic Show it is not your fault. What started off as a small organization allowing industry professionals a chance to get the first look at what’s new in the market, has turned into the it show of new products. As the first place to debut products as wide-ranging and groundbreaking as the Video recorder, the Xbox, HDTV’s, and Blu-ray technology (to name a few), tech-heads everywhere consider it a 'can’t miss' event. The 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (also known as CES), which took place in January, is the largest show of its kind in history, covering over 2.2 million net square feet of exhibit space and featuring more than 3,600 exhibitors, including a record number of startups. This year over 170,000 industry professionals, including more than 45,000 from outside the U.S., convened at the only event of its kind to engage in the hands-on experience of interacting with the next generation of technology. Here are the best of the best of this year’s new products: AmpStrip The latest in the recent wearable tracking fitness device craze, AmpStrip’s Band-Aid-like sticker still manages to be groundbreaking. The product sits on your chest and monitors your heart rate, steps and other vitals as you go about your day. Basically, it offers most of the benefits of advanced wearable health trackers without getting in the way. It’s also waterproof, so it is ideal for running a grueling triathlon. Pegged to be in production by summer. The Dash by Bragi These wireless headphones have built-in fitness tracking and functions to mimic a personal trainer. They also serve as a standalone media player, double as a hands-free device and contain a heart-rate monitor. Oh, and they have intuitive touch-based controls. That’s a lot of tech for a pair of ear buds. What more do you need? Mercedes F 015 Luxury in Motion Concept The Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion concept is as outrageous and ridiculous in form as a concept can be, but it’s also something the company believes is a possibility by 2030. Its vision sees the car as a salon, a lounge you drift from destination to destination in like an extension of your home. The seating rotates and the passengers can face one another, like at home in the living room or on a train. The six interior displays and door panel’s support both touch and gesture control to access all the car’s connected features and even take control from the autonomous system. It may seem like a long shot now, but this is the future of automobiles. The Sling TV Endlessly frustrated with the state of television and the lack of choices you have about where and 70
how you get to experience it? Of course you do, along with everyone else – and Sling TV is the first non-traditional alternative that looks like it could really work. Not only does it bring an interestgrabbing slate of content right off the bat (ESPN), but also the entire interface and system brings TV into the Internet era. Even the price is on target, starting at USD 20 with no contracts in sight. Internet TV hasn’t supplanted the cable hegemony yet, but this is the first significant strike – and it’s a good one! Energous Watt up This company offers a new wireless power solution that can charge wearables, phones and the hundreds of sensors that will one day litter your home. It’s early days for the tech, but it’s already close to a retail launch – Energous believes its partners will have the first wave of devices on shelves by the end of the year. Dell Venue Tablet Dell isn’t exactly known for putting out the sleekest, most exciting hardware, but its Venue 8 7000 tablet packs plenty of star power... even if the name is a bit of a clunker. There’s a quad-core Intel Atom processor with 2GB of RAM thrumming away inside, but the real attention grabber is its so-called Infinity Display, also known as an almost bezel-less 8.4-inch OLED screen running at 2,560 x 1,600. With a waistline that measures only 6mm, Dell’s tab is also – for now – the thinnest in the world. LG Artslim TV So how could LG improve on last year’s OLEDs and their impressive picture quality? Show an
impressive pace of price drops, crank up the resolution and give us a flatter option – and that’s just what it did. Despite a strong showing of quantum dot-loaded LCDs, this “Art Slim” OLED packing webOS 2.0 is the one we most want on our wall. Before I get to excited though…now I need to know how much it costs... Belty What exactly is a belty you ask? A motorized belt buckle that tightens and loosens itself. If you’ve eaten a little too much for lunch, for example, it’ll slacken slightly to make you more comfortable until you’ve had a chance to digest – then tighten back up before your pants become a the wardrobe malfunction that previously was waiting to happen. It also has activity-tracking capabilities, with the added bonus of being able to monitor changes in waist circumference. AirDog Drone As far as drones go, the aim of this one is simple: to follow you and be your aerial cameraman. Let’s be honest – that’s all we really want a drone for isn’t it – more selfies? It supports Sony and GoPro cameras, follows you wherever you go, folds down to a backpack-friendly size and comes with custom “modes” for different sports. It may be designed to follow, but when it comes to action sports video, it leads. CES happens every year in January in Las Vegas, NV. The inaugural CES Asia takes place in Shanghai in May. For more gadgets and videos visit their website: www.cesweb.org.
VISION EXPRESS
REAL STYLE FOR THE REAL YOU
DKNY SPRING 2015
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by bazaar staff
With spring right around the corner, we’re already preening our pretty style boards, trying to figure out which trends we plan on rocking, as soon as the weather allows us to get rid of those chunky wooly knits that have been keeping us warm. As the sun takes over and the spring flowers begin to bloom in K-Town, we turn to the style haven that is NYC for guidance and look no further than DKNY for inspiration. Constantly epitomizing New York City chic, we see the world in one place with DKNY’s spring collection. It is a collection that is abundant with color, culture and creativity. Modern classics, sport elements and playful geometry create an attractive mix of street and chic, where individuality speaks
with an accent all its own. The palette is a vibrant spring mosaic with Blazing red, Caress blue, Supersonic green, Luxe Yellow, Paradise green, Cabana blue, Ink blue, Powder nude. Techy details meet new ethnic – patterns, laser print and cut. Bold beading and mirrored paillettes, kaleidoscopes of prints clash with macro and mini stripes. Proportions play – fit and flare, ease with lean, cropped over full. Cleanse your visual palate with high-contrast black and white modern graphic eyelets, Crisp poplin with raffia fringe. Ethnic embroidered tech mesh. Add sheer mesh layering for sport, or a flash of gold for an urban edge. Accessorize with high-energy streaks of color with striped chokers. Finish with the multicolor
Velcro strapped subway platforms or the graphic city trainers, grounded or high, wedged and openaired. And grab the perfect single-handled satchel popped with color. The DKNY spring collection is multicolored, multicultural and multitasking, just like its unique, global city of neighborhoods. DKNY is where it all comes together. Real life, real style, real you. Shop the DKNY spring collection at the 2nd Avenue – The Avenues (2259 7111), Marina Mall (2224 4842) and 360 Mall (2530 9911). Stay updated about the collection by following Alyasra Fashion on Instagram @alyasra. 73
bazaar fitness
HOW TO BECOME BULLET PROOF by Mike Campbell
No one likes an injury. No one likes an injury when the gym has been going so well for you either. I’ve written extensively in the past about how to deal with injuries physically and mentally. Often we have discussed the best methods to treat an injury but this month we are going to look at how to “bullet proof” or “injury proof” an individual. This is a topic that is as broad as it is wide, so I’ll focus on just a few simple key points to give you the guidelines you will need to operate with a reduced risk of injury. Robert MacDonald, or @bobbymaximus if you’re following him on Instagram, is often heard referring to the importance of structural work. To him it’s as important as any other aspect of programming. “If you are hurt or injured, you can’t perform. Protect your performance by injury-proofing and keeping balance.” If anyone should know this, it’s a guy like Bobby who has an extensive background in MMA, and more recently as the GM and “Diversity Director” of Gym Jones in the U.S. Not sure what Gym Jones is? Think of the Spartan movie 300 whose actor’s physiques were the result of a perfect storm of training and nutrition factors, all orchestrated by trainer Mark Twight and the other staff from this Salt Lake Citybased gym, Gym Jones. Most senior strength and conditioning coaches talk about structural work, and as I’ve mentioned before, even coaches such as Charles Poliquin have arrived at their own mathematical formula for upper and lower body muscle groups. For example, if your flat bench press is X amount of weight, then you should be able to shoulder press Y amount of weight. Having practiced what he preaches, I have found his methods to be excellent. So, how do we reach a balance and how do we, say, “bullet proof” a shoulder. Eric Cressey, who is a world renowned, certified strength and conditioning specialist, has written much on the topics of bullet proofing and improving the body against injury. He’s often referred to as the “shoulder guy” by many of the athletes in the world. But what is more pleasing to see is that Eric uses many of the methods I see experienced coaches in Kuwait use at facilities like Inspire Pure Fitness, Inspire at Sahara and Al Corniche Club. So here is a glimpse of my version of bullet proofing required for the shoulder joint. The first area to address is the flexibly of the shoulder as well as the mobility. Some might say there is controversy on the definition of these words. Certain authors might describe mobility as related to the range of movement capacity plus the strength. This can be referred to as active flexibility. Whilst other authors 74
say that mobility is for joints and flexibility is for muscles and connective tissues. Regardless, check for suitable flexibility and mobility in the shoulder girdle. I prefer to lay the client length ways on a foam roller and check to see the range in the joint as both hands are extended behind the head and toward the floor. Issues in the chest muscles and larger muscles like the lats can be identified here. Often some foam rolling on the lats and a chest release can improve the range of the shoulder instantly. The overhead squat with a piece of PVC piping or light dowel also speaks volumes in shoulder mobility. Make sure you're doubling up on the volume of overhead reaching in your program in order to iron out the top-to-bottom imbalance at your shoulder girdle. Good additions to your program would be wall slide variations, overhead carries and presses, and overhead reaching during warm-up drills. Three key exercises I always add into a program, should the client require them, is the standing or seated-behind-the-neck press, the trap 3 exercise and the seated dumbbell external rotator drill. The client should be able to perform the latter two at set percentages of a one rep max flat bench press under tempo. I have yet to see a client not increase in their pushing, power, strength and endurance when these percentages start to correlate. At the
opposite end of the scale every client I’ve seen with shoulder aches and pains just happen to have very low scores in both these exercises. Depending on the client’s abilities and goals, yoga inversion drills can be extremely beneficial. I remember the handstand craze that swept Kuwait less than a year and a half ago. Everyone wanted to get upside down or do pushups from a handstand position, yet they believed a barbell behind the neck press was dangerous or didn’t even do any accessory exercises to improve their shoulder strength. I, like many my age, learnt the hard way. My advice is to start with these exercises. Look to improve your mobility, flexibility and strength through Yoga and Pilates. Check out your percent lifts with an experienced and qualified trainer and if they don’t add up, then start working on them today. No one I know ever lost anything from adding these solutions to their training program. Stay healthy and injury free!
Mike Campbell is the GM and Co Founder of Inspire Pure Fitness and Inspire 2.0 at Sahara. Email info@inspirekw.com or nooriya@inspirekw.com, or you can visit them at www.inspirekw.com.
NEW!
A Thousand Wishes
The Perfect Fragrance
BATH & BODY
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bazaar apps
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THING-A-LING
ESTAR BATTERY SAVER
Looking to bid on, buy, sell or auction anything from anywhere in Kuwait, right from the convenience of your iPhone or iPad? Thing-a-ling is what you need! Available 24 hours a day, it is the easiest place to BUY, SELL or AUCTION things in Kuwait regardless of whether it's something new or used and whether you're an individual or a business. Thing-a-ling provides you with a safe, secure and trusted buying and selling environment and an intuitive purchasing experience right in the palm of your hand. Also they have a "no sale = no fees" policy, as commissions are only charged to a seller’s account on a per sale basis.
Battery life is a precious resource, and it’s not always obvious which apps are hogging the most juice. That’s where Estar comes in. The battery management app provides curated recommendations of the most power-efficient apps in Google Play, but its real power is in its analysis of apps you’ve already installed. Estar will not only tell you which of your apps are the most power hungry, but also provide estimates of just how many minutes of battery life you’ll save by killing each app – and recommending better alternatives.
MAILBOX
MINUUM
The Mailbox app, now owned by Dropbox, is among the best email clients out there – particularly if you subscribe to the “inbox zero” philosophy. The app’s gesture-based system allows you to quickly sift through emails with a series of swipes, so you can finally stop relying on the “mark as unread” button. Mailbox also debuted with the platform’s new auto-swipe feature, which learns from your previous actions to predict what you want to do with emails as you get them, such as archiving daily deals emails or always deleting social media notifications.
Minuum sets itself apart from other keyboard apps with its uniquely tiny keyboard. It's meant to enable fast yet accurate typing. By shrinking the keyboard down to its smallest possible size, the thinking goes, users are able to maximize precious screen real estate – and do one-handed typing even on larger-screen devices. With amazing autocorrect you can even type faster and be sloppy without worrying about missing the keys – even when your fingers cover half the letters, as it constantly learns your typing style. Tiny keys are also uniquely suited to wearables, and the app recently launched on Android Wear, Google Glass and Will.i.am’s Puls smart cuff.
TIMEHOP
THE ECONOMIST ESPRESSO
One of the best sources for #throwbackThursday material, Timehop allows you to look back on what you were doing on any given day in years past. The app connects with your social media accounts – Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and Twitter – to surface posts from years past each day. Timehop can serve as your daily dose of nostalgia, or of embarrassment, as is often the case for my own social history. This is an app that craves your attention, notifying you at least twice a day if you don't check it on your own, and will only show posts from that day, so if you missed yesterday while you were off skiing, tough luck. You'll see it next year.
Sometimes you want bite-sized nuggets of news that you can easily get through on the way to and from work. The Economist Espresso accomplishes just that with a morning digest highlighting some of the best stories from The Economist each Monday through Friday. The curated selections are meant to give an overview of the most important business, political, and financial news stories of the day that are easy to get through. Subscribers get unlimited access to all of the stories each day; non-subscribers can access one article a day for free.
source: www.mashable.com
ICONIC
PASTICCERIA DI PIETRO by bazaar staff
Charming local palates with sweet Sicilian treats When Mays and Luciano Di Pietro visited Sicily, they made sure that they would spend their last day indulging in decadent handmade pastries. Upon finding their favorite pastry shop, located in a small winding alley, they finally sat down to enjoy their ‘last’ sip of espresso, traditional Sicilian cookies and cannolis. It suddenly dawned on them that the only way they could relive this experience is by booking their next trip back to the idyllic island. Instead of pining for their holiday, they decided to recreate these memories in their hometown of Kuwait. Their Journey started three years ago when they booked yet another visit to Sicily, except this time they would be attending artisanal pastry training courses with one of the island’s most renowned chefs. There, they inherited the art of how to prepare these little pastries, and even earned their barista aprons as well as becoming trained in latte art. This happily married couple acknowledges that they’ve spent countless days and nights of dedicated hard work to turn, adapt and create their own signature recipes. As a result, they’ve managed to finally introduce Pasticceria Di Pietro, truly marking this home business as Kuwait’s first Sicilian pastry shop. Both Mays and Luciano lead creative careers, their passion for baking is unequivocal, and kept growing as they grew their business. While Mays works as an interior designer and Luciano works in digital marketing and social media, they both channeled their artistic talents into the wide range of pastries offered at the Pasticceria. They claim equal merit when it came to developing all of their recipes, and they both put in the time in the kitchen in preparing the sweets. Speaking of the actual sweets, the range of delights offered at the Pasticceria include cakes, cookies, homemade candied orange peel and of course, their very famous cannolis. We absolutely fell in love with the indulgent, chewy almond and pistachio cookies that are made without using any flour, butter or oil. The cannolis, however, it’s truly unique and distinctive amongst their offerings. For those of you who haven’t encountered this Sicilian delight, it is a golden, crunchy pastry shell that is super light, and then filled with sweet homemade ricotta
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cream. We wondered why the Di Pietro’s chose the cannoli and other Sicilian pastries as their items of focus, as Italy has many sweet bounties to offer. They passionately explained that most of the pastries that they prepare in Kuwait have a unique story that is deeply rooted in Sicily’s heritage. It is one that is historically multicultural, as the Arabs once occupied the island along with the Greeks and the French, yet these new cultures, at the time, assimilated with Italian traditions as well. In fact, some of these sweets even date back to the 17th and 18th century. These communities played a role in putting together those rich and vibrant flavors that we taste today...those cannolis must have been darn good to survive all these years. Centuries later, Mays and Luciano have added their own spin on their handmade ricotta cream, and they proudly boast of their many flavors. From the iconic and always classic and traditional Cannoli Siciliani flavor, salted caramel, Nutella, peanut butter and much more, this Sicilian favorite is taken to new delicious levels at the Pasticceria Di Pietro. We urged them to let us in on their ‘best’ flavors, and they tempted us by adding that every occasion has its flavor. They most definitely favor the traditional Cannoli Siciliani, as the signature ricotta cream is mixed in with chocolate bits, chopped homemade orange peel and pistachios. The cannoli is then crowned with a strip of candied orange peels from each ends of the delight, along with crunchy pistachio toppings. The end result, a light and airy yet sinuously creamy filled infused with aroma and texture. For those of you craving something on the savory side, may be available upon request. Since they’ve embarked on selling their goods online and even at several markets and event activities, both Mays and Luciano have received accolades from their customers, and this bazaar team. They are currently focusing on moving their business from the home to a physical pastry shop. Until then, feel free to order their yummy goodies online or via whatsapp! For more information or to order online, please visit pasticceriadipietro.com, and find them on Instagram @Dipietro_kw. You can also order via Whatsapp: 6511 9921.
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LET’S GET COZY, WITH IKEA You know that you’ve had a good night’s sleep when you wake up easily in the morning. While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep per night in order to function at their best. A good night’s rest is important to our health, as the quality of our sleep affects the quality of our waking life: mental sharpness, productivity, emotional balance, creativity, physical vitality, and even weight. IKEA can help you make the most of your bedroom, so that you can make the most of you. But, did you know that your bedroom environment affects your sleep? Regardless of how you define your bedroom space, it is undoubtedly your “sleeping quarter.” It is where most days start and old ones end. A place where you recharge and refresh your body and soul. Obtain your ultimate comfort zone by surrounding yourself with soft textiles, piles of pillows, cozy quilts, and a mattress that best suits you. A zone that enhances your sleep experience with products that meet your need for warmth, comfort, and softness. So put aside your daily routines, and create a cozy corner where you can just be you… A more relaxed, and a more refreshed you! Find the bed that’s just right A bed that’s big enough for you to stretch out, cozy enough for you to snuggle up, and functional enough for you to store all you need close at hand. Adjustable bed sides make room for the perfect mattress of your choice. So plump up a welcoming pile of pillows, snuggle down under a thick quilt, and enjoy a little “me time.” Come on in and get comfy Tossing, turning and exhausting mornings -- we all know the feeling. But did you know that sleeping on the right mattress can help get rid of these problems? IKEA’s wide range of high quality mattresses, with a 25-year guarantee, suits everyone’s sleeping habits at affordable prices. Depending on your sleeping style and body type, IKEA can help you find a mattress that meets your needs. Whether you prefer foam, latex, or spring mattresses, IKEA will have the perfect solution that’s just right for you. Dive into softness You don’t need to get up just yet. Snuggle into restful sleep each night by surrounding yourself with soft bed textiles. IKEA offers soft and cozy textiles that give you the perfect excuse to snuggle up and start hibernating. Made with 100% cotton, soft bed linen, cozy quilts, duvet covers and pillowcases give you the comfort of a better night’s sleep. Cozy up with a welcoming pile of pillows Back sleepers, side sleepers, or hug-yourpillow sleepers – choose your style and nestle into comfort. IKEA offers you a wide range of pillows filled with down and feathers, memory foam or polyester in a variety of thicknesses to support your sleeping 80
style. With covers made from synthetic materials, you can tell allergies and mites good-bye. Make the most of your comfort zone Complete your comfort zone with IKEA products that satisfy your everyday needs. Treat your feet to some softness with IKEA’s plush or flat-woven rugs, organize your belonging with storage solutions that keep your bedroom clutter free, or simply refresh your bedroom with curtains that come in varying colors and tones. Whatever your needs are, IKEA’s bedroom essentials can help you get that good night’s sleep that you deserve.
Visit the IKEA store and let their experts help you choose from the wide range of comfort offers that are available. For more ideal bedroom combinations and options, you can also use the IKEA Bedroom Vista planning tool in 3D to choose the bedroom that best suits your personality, style, and budget. Don’t wait for a good night’s sleep; make it happen by visiting the IKEA showroom located at 1st Avenue – The Avenues or call 184 0408. You can follow @IKEAKuwait on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit their website, www.ikea.com/kw.
SALHIYA MEDICAL
MEASURE OF REGRESSION?
Why GDP needs to take a back seat and let people measure their own happiness by Lili Barras-Hargan
With crime at an all time high and war wreaking havoc in vulnerable regions, it is hard to say that the world is developing. However, statistically, it is. Through using out-dated and superfluous equations and methods of measuring development, the state of affairs in some countries is being misread and subsequently painted in the wrong light. If we view the future of the planet as a desolate and desponded one, there is no chance for sustainable growth backed by a positive outlook of the 'end point’. Although the recent oil price slumps are not an immediate concern for Kuwait’s economic future, they are certainly going to have an effect on the largely stable forecasts. Nevertheless, by focusing solely on the monetary facet of Kuwaiti-living, the cultural, educational and health quality aspects of an existence in this country are entirely excluded. Perhaps if a more inclusive index was used, Kuwait could be seen from a fresh perspective and important societal issues identified and dealt with. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – or Gross National Product (GNP) – was dubbed the most used measure of development in the 1990s. With its equity-oriented method of measurement, GDP utilizes government spending, import and export earnings, citizen spending and investments to determine a monetary figure on an annual basis. However, one of the most significant problems with this system is the ‘iceberg effect’ that it creates. Through simply measuring the wealth of a country and omitting the ‘illth’, it not only produces an inaccurate statistic but also ignores any cost falling outside of the four – very limited – factors or anything that happens to be free. For example, spending towards exercise facilities such as a gym membership is accounted for, whilst free leisure activities such as a walk to the shops or a bicycle ride through a park essentially sink under the radar. Living in Kuwait cannot only be monetarily measured by how much one could potentially spend at a mall on a typical day out, but should take into account the wealth of activities one can take advantage of outside the parameters of expenditure. Furthermore, medical 'costs' – such as palliative home-care and addiction – are not included in the equation. In this way, GDP only looks at the ‘tip of the iceberg’ from a generalized and unequal viewpoint. Perhaps one of the most collaborative ways of measuring development in its many forms is through the use of the Happy Planet Index (HPI). As stated by Nic Marks, well-being expert and creator of the HPI, the world needs to find “happiness that does not cost the earth”. The index utilizes three key components to produce a comprehensive and multi-faceted result: HAPPY PLANET INDEX
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≈
EXPERIENCED WELL-BEING X LIFE EXPECTANCY ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
By taking into account the experienced wellbeing of a nation or group of people, a subjective light is thrown on the process, allowing the citizens to explain their own situation, rather than use income and expenditure as a representation of their quality of life. In addition, the incorporation of a nation’s ecological footprint creates a focal point on the state of the environment. This not only helps to identify environmentally detrimental trends but also provides an incentive for governments to encourage ‘greener’ living, in order to raise their HPI rating. In any case, an index that motivates an ‘all rounder’ approach to improving the standard of living is an excellent step forward. Marks believes in five ‘positive actions’ that we can perform in order to improve both individual and widespread well-being. Firstly, we can connect with our loved ones and put more energy into maintaining our relationships with them. Secondly, we need to be more active in order to cultivate a healthy body and sound mind. Thirdly, we must take notice of the things that are changing around us. Being more aware of the changes surrounding
us will make us care more about them, whether they may be regarding close friends or the state of our immediate environment. The fourth ‘secret to happiness’ is to keep learning. Continued learning – throughout the whole lifespan and not simply in our younger years – is proven to result in a healthier older age demographic, as they avoid the slippery slope of shutting down in their later years. Finally, Marks believe that we need to give in order to be content as individuals. Compassion and generosity are the cornerstones of a happy life; when you feel happy, you want to give not only to yourself but also to other people, as a reward mechanism. This is possibly one of the most important ‘actions’, as it produces a cycle of repeated generosity, essentially passing the happiness along. Perhaps if we follow Marks’ five steps to well-being, there is a chance for Kuwait to grow culturally and socially, and more importantly create a palpable illustration of what life is like in the GCC without such a focus on the minute changes depicted on many economics charts.
PINXTOS
arabs abroad
WOLFF APPAREL BEDOUR AL-SALEH by bazaar staff
When we last met, Bedour ‘B’ Al-Saleh was a fashion blogger with one eye on the empire. What empire you might ask? The empire she’s been working hard to create, from scratch, using everything she’s learnt from past jobs. BOOM! Now that’s how it’s done. Why? Because “nobody puts baby in a corner.” Well, maybe it wasn’t that easy to be honest. Having worked closely in fashion for several years, Bedour decided that enough was enough. “I was tired of working for other people,” she started, “[I was] basically creating their dream for them when I knew I had better vision – so, that pushed me to take the next leap and build my own dream – instead of being hired to build theirs.” Wise words. Upon visiting Berlin, Bedour fell in love with the city and decided to make it her playground. Armed with her WOLFF Apparel tote (carrying her essentials, plus a little extra) and her trusty beagle by her side, she scours the city, and the world, to bring you the best mid-range market finds. Bringing her vision to the world via an online boutique, Bedour is living her dream by being a fashion mogul. This vintage loving, obscure-designer collecting, trend visionary believes that there’s a distinct difference between style and money. When it comes to style, Bedour puts it simply, “Style is when you combine high and low with vintage and make your outfit your own.” Words to live by if you ask us. Money on the other hand, is exactly what it seems, designer-clad from head to toe with no personal touches. A beautiful, desirable piece isn’t necessarily an expensive one. Cue in WOLFF Apparel – the one stop shop for trendy and versatile pieces with a timeless essence to them. With none of the pieces labeled in any way (just a mere description will suffice), Bedour says it’s “because I want the clients to focus on the piece, on the way it is styled, and have that speak to them, as opposed to what label it is.” While WOLFF currently curates pieces especially for their shoppers, a WOLFF Apparel label is in the cards and a vintage line is in the works as well. Fingers crossed! When asked what the online boutique represents, B said it beautifully: “WOLFF Apparel is for females that have a unique eye for fashion, rebels in their own sense, who aren't intimidated by the new.” With an alwaysevolving fashion sense, Bedour’s style has taken on a more practical side with styled outfits rather than “costumes” as she had put it. Still, boots and sneakers can never put a damper on her panache. Though we’re not saying that there isn’t a little allure when it comes to certain pieces, Bedour has welcomed her new lifestyle with open arms and well, wardrobe. As she humbly elaborates, “I am my own person, my own individual and my outfits portray that.” With that in mind, WOLFF Apparel is for those seeking style and practicality simultaneously and won’t take no for an answer. Shipping worldwide, you can shop their collection online and enjoy it anywhere in the world. [continued...]
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Q&A WITH BEDOUR AL-SALEH
What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is that it is me – 100% me. I get to wake up everyday and work for myself. Also, the fact that I feel I am doing what I was meant to do. What are you working on currently? I am currently working on getting WOLFF Apparel out there and talked about as it is newly launched. For this week, for instance, a photographer blogger from Berlin recently contacted me and will be shooting an editorial with WOLFF Apparel pieces and doing a cover of WOLFF Apparel and myself. What do you find most challenging in your line of work? Everything is challenging. The waiting though, waiting for the business to pick up, is the hardest. Also, the fact that I am doing this alone, from managing, to buying, styling, accounting to the legal aspects of the business. I have so many hats on that I have to put on and take off each day, it gets a little exhausting but it's all part of the game. What do you find most different about life inside 86
and outside the Arab world? Life is simpler outside of the Arab world. Simpler in the sense that everyone just does whatever they want – going about their life, doing their thing. No need for the ostentatious or showy behavior – just be you. Also, I do my own cleaning. Now, THAT is a first. What do you find most different about work inside and outside the Arab world? I have worked abroad more than working in the Arab world so it's a bit difficult to answer that question. In Europe, there is more appreciation. Where is most of your family? My whole family is in Kuwait. What were the circumstances under which you/ your family left your home country? I decided to leave to better myself. To learn and evolve – I always knew I would eventually do my own thing. Kuwait is so young and the fashion scene is young as well – I would be growing with it. I wanted to go somewhere where I was irrelevant and with my hard work, dedication, and creativity become
someone relevant and sought after. I did that. Where else have you lived? Boston and Istanbul. What is your favorite thing about where you live? How charming it is. What is the worst thing about where you live? No machboos. Where will you eventually retire? I don’t know! Goa would be nice, it's been on my mind for a while now – but that's a LONG way away. Finish this sentence: In a year from now I will be… Still in Berlin and adapting to the fast growing WOLFF Apparel and hopefully one of the top online boutiques in Germany and Kuwait. Finish this sentence: I am… Me. Shop WOLFF Apparel’s incredible looks by visiting www.wolffapparel.com. Or you can connect with them on Instagram @wolffapparel or their Facebook: WOLFF Apparel, or simply email them on hello@wolffapparel.com.
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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
It is costly to conduct consumer research on a regular basis. Is there an alternative costeffective approach to knowing where the market will be heading next?
It’s far more interesting to know what your customers actually do than knowing what they might do. For example, if you ask a regular person on the street, “What will you spend your next salary on?” You will hear answers like “I’m paying my monthly bills and commitments”, “I’m paying back my credit card”, or “I’m saving it for a trip”, just to name a few possibilities. However, if we become flies on their walls we might witness completely different behaviors when their salaries are released and cash is in their hands. Being connected to customers’ actual behaviors to gage interest, direction, and pattern, in order to plan ahead and anticipate future needs and wants accurately is a more effective and efficient methodology for any business. By using keyword searches and certain algorithms, the Bank of England has been harvesting insights while protecting the anonymity of the public from the responsible teams to understand the economy from the view of individuals rather than the old ways of forms filled in by businesses. Use available data to generate readings that give you better product stock management, that inspires better service innovations and/or alterations for more delightful customer experiences, which by default will lead to more spending from existing customers and more acquisitions of new customers and that translates to much bigger profit. Gathering online data creatively is a way to save money and/or to validate the results from the traditional research channels, if you decide to use them in the first place...and that's just my two cents.
Q
I attended a presentation for a guest speaker at a local private university who was against the notion of being a small entrepreneur, claiming that real financial success comes only from setting up big corporations. Is this true?
If large corporations were as successful and profitable as this speaker claims, why did many governments bail them out during the great recession in 2009? Small and medium sized businesses are the true foundation of economies worldwide. And most of these global conglomerates began at some point as a humble startup; and I believe we all know the story of how Apple kicked off. What matters is how each entrepreneur defines his/her own version of commercial success. For some it could be in the form of a giant corporation, while others prefer the notion of being intentionally micro so they can move and adapt faster to economic and lifestyle changes. Each path has its own obstacles and only by figuring out your own journey can you decide which one is for you. Imagine if I advise some university students to invest in 88
collectively purchasing petrol from oil companies and storing it in underground facilities, because sooner or later oil will be depleted and their stock will generate a larger return on investment for their families. While a few might listen to such nonsense and think, “This advice is priceless” – actually, it’s worthless because it’s not commercially viable – you need to first consider the credentials of the speaker before taking his/her words as the Ten Commandments. As the law says, “Buyers beware”, I would say, “Audience beware.” Since the start of the Information Age, we’ve been overloaded with books, speakers, articles, and insights from every server on the planet. The source of the information is the ultimate judging tool of quality...and that's just my two cents.
Q
After ten weeks, I was let go from my new job because management realized that they just wanted a different person with a different set of skills. How can companies get away with such irresponsible conduct? Most managers do not master the art of the job interview. They don’t know how to articulate their needs, ask the right questions, focus on what matters, set expectations, or give the right impression to candidates. I’ve been told horrific stories about employers during interviews being too busy trying to dominate and show off their ultra supreme business skills, thinking that it is the way to gain the candidates’ respect in case they’re hired. Others just have major ego problems and want to play the Alpha male/female game while candidates are losing interest by the minute. Human Resources can’t offer much help either because they either follow classic sets of questions that are archaic and do not reflect the decade we live in, or are simply not empowered to make a significant change to the quality of the interviewing process. Employees also take part of the blame. You can’t afford to jump ship frequently. It’s not good for your career. When you’re evaluating an opportunity, dig deeper to know what the job is about, what value you can add, what your employer’s understanding of value is for that job, and how this move affects your growing expertise. What was missing from your case was a combination of both parties not setting nor addressing any expectations during the job interview. The probation period might be legal, but it’s dangerous because it encourages hasty hiring...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.
HAPPY NATIONAL & LIBERATION DAY! from
BAZAAR AD #WEHEARTKUWAIT
INSTAGRAM CHALLENGE Using the balloon enclosed with this issue, show us your creativity! Get your friends together, remake the Kuwaiti flag with the different colors, snap a selfie with a balloon head, get your pets involved – the possibilities are endless!
To join the challenge: 1) Snap your pic or video - GET CREATIVE!! 2) Follow & tag @bazaargram and @PartyLand_Kuwait 3) Use the hashtag #weheartkuwait - unlimited entries Our favorite entry will receive a fantastic gift! Good luck!
THE MODERN GREEN A trip through Ireland by bazaar staff
Galway
Giants Causeway
The West Coast
Dublin Farmers Markets
Should you decide to go to Ireland, you probably have some preconceived notions of what sort of trip you are in for, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But there are many different versions to have. For the perfect balance of city and country, modern and quaint we recommend the following itinerary. This will give you the best of natural beauty, history, and good old-fashioned fun. Dublin Dublin is a city that is the perfect mix of old and new world. Started as a Viking settlement along the River Liffey in roughly 841, there are, to this day, both castles and modern architectural marvels to see. Divided in roughly half by the River Liffey, one spot not to miss is the Ha’Penny Bridge which joins the North and South sides of the town. Much of the tourism goings-on and what the town is most known for can be found on or around the north bank. From Grafton Street and O’Connell streets, both renowned for their shopping, to the Temple Bar area, famous for its music, you can spend days walking around here in and out of shops. At the top of Grafton Street is a park called St. Stephens Green, which dates back to the 1800’s, where you can walk aimlessly amongst the swans and greenery. Additionally, just a few steps down Grafton, if you take a right at the statue of Molly Malone you will 90
The Cliffs of Moher
see Trinity College, home to – among other things – The Book of Kells, an old book of scripture believed to date back to approximately 800AD. The West Coast Once you tire of the city, there is no better place to go than out west, around the Ring of Kerry. Explore small towns and beautiful rustic scenery as in every direction. Then a trip north (still in the west) is the way to go. The Cliffs of Moher, a sheer 214 meter (700 ft.) straight drop down into the ocean, is one of the most beautiful things you’ll see on the entire island. After a long day there, you can walk down to the small town of Doolin, a place so small that the word ‘town’ almost feels too big for it. But what the town is known for is a worldclass level jam session in the pubs every night; all you have to do is show up with your instrument. And whether you are playing or just a spectator, it is an event not to be missed. If Doolin is too sleepy of a town for you, head up to Galway, 75 Km up the coast, and you will find a town big enough to have plenty to do, and small enough that you can still walk everywhere. You can take a ferry out to the Aran Islands from either Doolin or Galway. Located at the mouth of Galway Bay, the three islands that make up the Aran chain are Inishmore, Inishmaan,
and Inisheer, all of which offer unspoiled beauty at its best. Northern Ireland While it is actually a separate country, it is worth taking a trip up to Northern Ireland while you are here (after all – it’s the same island, right?). The trip through Belfast is worth it on its own. The Black Taxi tours are the insider thing to do and can be caught in the town center. These taxis will give you well-guided tours through both Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods that you otherwise would not get access too. The history they provide is worth it, including a chance to see the wall that still separates the neighborhoods. If you can, you should make it up to Giants Causeway which, as a last step in this little adventure, is a geological anomaly of roughly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns believed to be the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site and worth your time. No matter where you go, you will find unspoiled beauty in every direction and have a unique trip impossible to replicate in any other part of the world. Ireland is waiting for your next adventure. Be sure to kiss the blarney stone.
sweeter than a box of chocolates, sprinkles XOX box is here!
SPRINKLES
pre-order / delivery
2221 4444
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/SprinklesMiddleEast @SprinklesCupcakesME Grand Avenue - The Avenues Jabriya, block 1a, street 105
LA BRASA
For the love of the Argentine grill by bazaar staff
Chef Americo Albornoz Steakhouses come and go in Kuwait, and the only concepts that stay forever imprinted in our memories are those that are born out of passion. La Brasa, located on the basement floor of the Dar Al-Awadhi complex in Sharq, perfectly embodies this very premise. What first began as a passionate hobby for Argentineans Gustavo and Silvia Ferrari eventually evolved into a fullyfledged parrilla or grill. Any given visit to La Brasa is guaranteed to be abundant with fantastic vibes and traditional Argentine delicacies. For more than twenty years, the Argentine-born and Kuwait based couple have been expertly practicing the methods of traditional Argentinean cuisine, simply perfecting the art of how to treat a beautiful piece of meat and serve it up with plenty of ‘buena onda’ (good vibes). They’ve served up their style of cooking to family, friends, as well as dignitaries and diplomats; anyone who knew the Ferraris, or sampled 92
Silvia’s Chimichurri, always urged the couple to open up their own restaurant. They prepare their food with such unequivocal passion because they regard their cooking methods as a time-honored tradition that is emblematic of their culture. When they finally decided to take the plunge and open up their own little haven where others could enjoy the rewards of their love, both Gustavo and Silvia wanted to deliver a purely authentic experience and they are certainly succeeding to do so with La Brasa. From the moment you enter the restaurant’s space, you will either see Gustavo behind the main counter located toward the back end of the restaurant, or he might visit your table as you are thoroughly enjoying your meal to check to see if everything is according to your taste. He’s a lovely man, yet his pride for the grill is undisputable. He can teach you about the art of the grill, how to prepare certain cuts of meat, and how they should be consumed.
If you’re a novice carnivore, then you’re in the best of hands. If you think yourself the beef guru – then you will definitely enjoy listening to him speak about the process and how Argentine beef is different. Besides the wonderful reception provided to us by our host, we couldn’t help but notice the rustic décor, telling the story of the Argentine Gauchos of the Pampas and how this tradition has delivered us with Argentinean grass-fed and free range beef – you will instantly taste the difference between this natural beef and corn fed alternatives upon trying it. You can see the perfect marbling on the filet, and a typical order of breaded beef brisket Panne (panfried) will surely change your outlook on how beef should be consumed! You can enjoy a glass of red or white wine, non-alcoholic of course, with your meal, or ask the staff to prepare the wine as a refreshing and sparkling spritzer. You’ll be buzzing with good vibes in no time, no alcohol required!
The seats of the restaurant are clad in all-natural cowhide, and the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the back kitchen will only make the wait for the main dishes much harder. The hardwood tables, brimming with silver cutlery and the deep red hues of the napkins mentally prepare you for a delicious meaty feast. Under the supervision of La Brasa’s Argentinean Chef, Americo Albornoz, you can rest easy as he personally sees to every little detail pertaining to your meal. When visiting La Brasa, you can actually enjoy the finest grilled Argentinean beef in its many cuts by ordering the Parrillada. Priced at only KD 15 per person, this feast includes their fantastic empanadas for starters along with their grilled chorizo or sausages. For those of you who have never tried empanadas, think classic homemade turnovers filled with Argentinean beef tenderloin that is hand cut and not minced, chopped onions and spices. The pastry is the perfect thickness, as the small chunks of beef
are incredibly juicy and every bite will tantalize the taste palate. After your starters, you will be met with a steady flow of different cuts of beef cooked and served to your liking, along with salad, homemade chips and their signature Chimichurri sauce as well as a sweet dessert to end your foray. While we didn’t try the full Parrillada, Gustavo made sure that we tried the different cuts of beef available at La Brasa. We first sampled the soft and succulent Bife de Lomo, tenderloin beef filet that is simply salted and peppered and is served with a little dollop of mustard on the side. That’s it, all we needed was that tangy Chimichurri to pour over that perfectly marbled piece of beef, and we were golden. The Tira De Asado, or Argentinean beef ribs, followed our Lomo experience and these are perfect if you prefer ribs to filet. The Striploin steak will also never disappoint, and for those of you who love flank steak, then the Vacio at La Brasa will deem all other steaks as obsolete. Not only is the
Vacio incredibly tender, every bite of this juicy pink beef delivers a flavorful punch. Desserts at La Brasa are surely a traditional affair. You can enjoy a classic pancake prepared with their home made, and incredibly addictive, Dulce De Leche sauce or sample a classic Vigilante Batata. This dish is a typical representation of rustic, countryside Argentine cuisine, and consists of a sweet potato jelly served with cheese. Also, we absolutely fell in love with the Alfajores de Maizena, scrumptious cookies filled with Dulce De Leche and sprinkled with coco flakes. Celebrate your love for all things Argentinean at La Brasa. The restaurant is located in the basement floor of Dar Al-Awadhi complex in Sharq. For more information, please call 2232 2230 and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @Labrasaq8 or visit www.labrasaq8.com. 93
bazaar music “Music can change the world because it can change people.” ~ Bono
ONWARDS AND SIDEWAYS by Joshua Radin
by Imagine Dragons
SMOKE + MIRRORS
STRANGERS TO OURSELVES
Initially, 2014 and 2015 were going to be easy years for American singer/songwriter Joshua Radin. After releasing five albums in seven years and touring relentlessly, he was ready to take a break. But that was until inspiration -– and love – struck. Shortly after embarking on this holiday, Radin met and fell in love with a woman in Stockholm, Sweden. She was hesitant to begin a relationship so he decided to woo her the best way he knew how: by writing love songs. The result of this surprising love and broken vacation is Radin's sixth studio album Onward and Sideways written mostly from his hotel bed in Stockholm. From his 2013 album, Wax Wings, the new record also includes a brand new version of “Beautiful Day,” featuring vocals from Sheryl Crow.
Smoke + Mirrors is the second studio album by American rock band Imagine Dragons. Selfproduced by members of the band along with English hip-hop producer Alexander Grant, known by his moniker Alex Da Kid. Since the beginning of their Night Visions Tour in 2012, the band had been writing new material for this album, and, even as early as the start of the tour, had been recording demos for the album, before entering the studio. The demos had been described by (Lead Singer) Dan Reynolds as "definitely different", but added that "it’s still Imagine Dragons, but we’ve got a lot of growth and maturing to do as a band. I think [the new material] is going to hopefully be a step in the right direction. We’re just trying to create and do what comes out and what feels right."
Eight long years after Modest Mouse released their We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank album in 2007, Isaac Brock's influential indie rock outfit will return in March 2015 with a new 15-song LP titled Strangers to Ourselves. It was previously reported that former Nirvana bass player Krist Novoselic will feature on the new Modest Mouse album. Novoselic revealed that his contribution is "pretty edgy". He said: "I did a song with Modest Mouse earlier this year for their new record. It's pretty edgy. I've got my big Gibson bass and a Rat distortion pedal busting out... this bass riff." The album will be preceded by the single "Lampshades on Fire," a track that's been in heavy rotation in Modest Mouse's set lists dating back to 2011 and which has been prereleased to select fans ahead of time.
REBEL HEART
CHAOS AND THE CALM
TRUE ROMANCE
Rebel Heart is the thirteenth studio album by American singer Madonna. November 2014 saw a flurry of unexpected album content leaks, including a track with Pharrell Williams allegedly called “Back That Up (Do It)”. An aggravated Madonna took to Instagram and clarified that the songs were demo versions from earlier recordings, comparing the leak to that of "artist rape". She was subsequently criticized for referring to the hack as "terrorism" in the wake of the Peshawar school attack and Sydney hostage crisis. Shortly after this, six of its tracks were officially released in December 2014 including the Nicki Minaj collaboration “B***h I'm Madonna.” The cover art, featuring Madonna's face inter-crossed with black wires, became popular and going viral resulting in numerous memes being created on social media.
The BRITs Critics' Choice Award winner for 2015, British singer/songwriter James Bay, will release his highly anticipated debut 12-track album Chaos and The Calm in March. James Bay says of the album “I’m very excited/anxious to say that my debut album will be released on March 23rd 2015". He adds: “You will receive two tracks instantly when you pre-order the deluxe edition on iTunes, “Hold Back The River” and “If You Ever Want To Be In Love”. The intensely personal and honest album, was recorded in Nashville at Blackbird Studios, by Kings Of Leon producer and Grammy award winner Jacquire King. The album opens with “Craving” a bold and impassioned introduction to his debut in which the singer tackles outgrowing a place where “everyone’s life is the same as yesterday.”
Six years since she charmed us senseless with her out-of-nowhere guest feature on Kanye's "American Boy," British singer-songwriter, rapper, producer and Grammy Award winner Estelle is debuting a sound all her own. And this time, she's no supporting act. The album, True Romance which is an unflinching look at the many different stages of love – courage, passion, true romance and finally b******t – took Estelle, now 34, nearly three years to complete. Estelle says about the album "Every song fits into one of these themes. This is a real body of work, just like when you do an art piece, or when you have all these awesome images on your Instagram. You want people to see the full you." So far, she's released the singles "Conqueror" and "Make Her Say (Beat It Up)."
by Madonna
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by James Bay
by Modest Mouse
by Estelle
source: www.amazon.com
MCDONALDS
HIGH-END SOUND
Sony and the 350 KD Walkman by bazaar staff
Ever since the rise of the smartphone, it’s strictly MP3 playing predecessor has fallen out of favor. In the last couple of years, however, some companies and audio purists have decried the need to lessen the sound quality of recordings in order to play in this format. In short, it works something like this: the actual size of song files as recorded by artists and put on CD’s can be large. In the age of our modern MP3 players and phones, we want as many songs to fit on as possible, combined with the ease of quick download and upload times. The only way to achieve these two aims is to lessen the sound quality. In the process of shrinking file sizes, the sound of the files themselves are degraded to a noticeable point for those who care to hear it. The truth is that 99% of people will neither notice nor care, but for that 1% who does, there have been an increasing number of solutions as of late. Recently, companies like Pono and Astell & Kern have shown there is an appetite for enthusiast-level audio on the go. They sell high-end music players that are meant to retain the larger – and thus richer sounding – files. The latest to jump in this arena is the inventor of portable audio technology all together 96
with their Walkman line that was big in the 80’s, Sony. While Sony has taken numerous stabs at making players for a modern user, it appears the new ZX2 is the closest to hitting the mark yet. Most music purists take pride in their ability to notice the difference between the super compressed files and their bigger brethren, and will often use the latest technology to help pronounce those differences as clearly as possible. Whether that is in the form of accepting nothing but the highest quality audio files or a pair of headphones with a monstrous price tag, they’ll do everything they can. And now they have another crazy purchase to consider. The Sony Walkman ZX2 costs about USD 1,200 (KD 350), and promises to deliver the sort of hardware audio processing that good music deserves. Though we have yet to receive one ourselves, the stats on these are pretty impressive: Loaded up software-wise is Android 4.2 (an iteration not terribly impressive on its own, but works well in context). Behind the glossy Google exterior beats Sony’s S-Master HX digital amplifier, which offers “ultra-low” distortion. The player will playback digital files up to 24-bit/192 kHz (MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, ALAC and importantly DSD).
But if you like that it supports high-quality audio formats such as DSD, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless and more, and its ability to connect to wireless headphones and speakers through Bluetooth and NFC – AND you have KD 350 that you just don’t have anything better to do with – then this is the one for you. The problem with some high-end players in the market, like the Cowon Plenue 1, a device made by Cowon Global, is that they’re unable to access streaming services, especially high-quality ones like Tidal. As the Walkman uses Android 4.2 it means you can load streaming apps onto the device and enjoy them in higher quality than you’d expect from your typical phone. As the ZX2 is dual-band Wi-Fi, you’ll need to be connected to a hotspot or use offline mode to stream music on the go. In order to fit all of your hi-res music on it, the ZX2 comes with 128GB of built-in memory, and is expandable via a micro SD card slot. Sony says the onboard Lithium-ion battery provides up to 60-hours of MP3 or 33 hours of hi-res per charge. The Sony Walkman NW-ZX2 will be available in Spring 2015.
FANTASY WORLD
7 VALENTINE MUST-HAVES 1. LATHER ON THE LOVE WITH LUSH Get in the mood for love with this new collection of limited edition LUSH treats! This heart-shaped love soap has an uplifting, fruity fragrance complete with bergamot and rosewood. They work together to create a rich scent and soften the skin. For more information visit one of the Lush showrooms in Salem Mubarak St, Mall 360 and Olympia Mall. 2. VOGUE EYEWEAR LOVE BEAT Friendship and love are the deepest feelings we experience in life: this is why it is always gratifying to show our affection with frequent little gifts. This year Vogue Eyewear has once again created a new collection to help us tell the people we love that they are always in our heart. Visit www.vogue-eyewear.com. 3. M.MICALLEF MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE PERFUME Give the gift of a message in a bottle this Valentine’s Day with a handpicked scent from M.Micallef. For an extra-special touch, opt for a hand-engraved, personalized message on your chosen bottle to create a keepsake to treasure forever. You will find M.Micallef products in Harvey Nichols, Debenhams and Vavavoom.
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4. MADE WITH LOVE FROM SEPHORA From scented bubble bath to a box full of passionate declarations of love, Sephora is your one-stop shopping destination for Valentine's Day. All you have to do is let your inspiration and imagination lead the way... Sephora is located in the 2nd Avenue – The Avenues. For more information visit www.sephora.com. 5. CUPID SWATCH BRIDGES THE GAP FOR VALENTINES ALL OVER THE WORLD He sure worked wonders with a bow and arrow, but one would think padlocks are not Cupid’s strong point. While lovers around the globe have taken to attaching padlocks to bridges to celebrate their love, Swatch is saving the day. Unlock my Heart is a portable lock of love, to make sure this romance never misses a beat. For more information about Swatch products and stockists visit www.swatch.com.
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6. BAUME & MERCIER: PROMESSE: TIME FOR 2 The time of love now ticks by in unison with the beating of your heart. Promesse by Baume & Mercier is the most beautiful of these declarations: of life, the present moment and love. Always true. Forever sincere. Baume & Mercier is available at Morad Yousef Behbehani showrooms Kuwait-wide. 7. PERSONAL LOVE WITH PANDORA This Valentine’s Day, PANDORA lets you spread that warm and fuzzy feeling with hand-finished jewelry, beautifully crafted from genuine metals and embellished with sparkling stones in a shimmering celebration of love and style. For more information about Pandora and stockists please visit www.pandora.com. 98
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SHAWARMA-MATIC
DALIA EL NIDANY COUTURE Dreamy, floaty gowns that epitomize feminine chic by bazaar staff
Dalia El Nidany was fated for a career that involves designing dreamy gowns; her earliest memories were those of her sketching dresses as a little girl. She dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but never envisioned her dream would turn into a reality. Based in Kuwait, the 26-year-old Egyptian designer and founder of ‘Dalia El Nidany’ Couture works in the advertising and media field, yet her dream was always tugging her toward designing her very first dress. The opportunity finally presented itself when she decided to design her own dress to attend her best friend’s wedding. From there, the rest was history. She went on to attend the 100
London College of Fashion, and armed with her newfound knowledge and lifelong passion, Dalia delivers us with gowns that make women fall in love all over again, upon setting their eyes on one of her creations. She told bazaar, “When I sit back and think about the number of years and all the hard work it took to make this dream come true, I still have to take a moment to let it all sink in. With the launch of the new line, there’s a new form of responsibility and a busy schedule. I’m happiest when I’m extremely busy!” Dalia currently designs custom-made gowns and ready to wear pieces, and a bridal line is also in the works.
A typical consultation with Dalia to design the dress of your dreams would involve setting an appointment with the designer. She said, “I'd meet the client and ask questions to get to know more about the event itself and try to tap into her personality to learn more about what she loves and how she wants to feel wearing this dress. That’s when the magic happens and I put my ideas to paper. Another form of consultation would involve the clients contacting me directly to ask about a dress that is already displayed online, and I then try to arrange to recreate the design in their size, if I don’t have a piece already available on hand.”
fashionality
DESIGNER INTERVIEW Does fashion ‘make’ the person or does the person ‘make’ fashion? The person makes fashion, definitely. I believe that fashion is all about the way you put something together and what you want to express to the world by the way you dress. How would you describe your style? Elegant, sophisticated, dreamy and feminine. I love designing evening gowns that are different. My aim is to ensure women feel special wearing my designs. How do you get inspiration for your style? I get inspiration from everything beautiful around me. The beach, gardens, flowers, music and traveling, inspires me. I love lying in bed at night when it’s so peaceful and quiet and sketching designs in my mind. I often dream of designs too and sketch them when I wake up. What does it take to become a style innovator? I think that it is my love for fashion, that seems to have rubbed off onto me from my mother, who always had and still does have beautiful taste, pushed me toward innovating in my field. What’s exciting right now in fashion? Lace and organza are clearly the latest trends in evening gowns. Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence? I always loved elegant women from the golden age such as Souad Hosny, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. They had impeccable taste and wore beautiful gowns! Who are your favorite emerging designers, and what is it that you love about them? I love Yasmine Yeya’s designs – her wedding gowns are truly one of a kind. What is the highlight of your ‘style’ career so far? The highlight of my career is a black off shoulder evening gown I designed. So many women sent me asking for the same dress. Every fashionality has as a style obsession, what’s yours? I’m obsessed with flowers! Whether it be fabric with a floral print, floral lace, handmade flowers, everything... Do you follow any fashion influencers (Instagram/ Blogs etc)? If so, who are they and which would you recommend? Definitely, I follow a lot of fashion influencers but there’s no particular person I recommend. What item of clothing (if any) do you wish that people wore more often? Dresses, dresses and more dresses! ;) To be stylish is to be fashionable. True or False and why? True, it’s important to be stylish and fashionable because knowing the latest fashion trends is not enough, you need to be able to style it in a way that suits your figure and personality. You can follow Dalia El Nidany’s work on Instagram @daliaelnidany and Facebook: DaliaElNidanyFashion. For appointments and consultations, please email daliaelnidany@gmail.com. 101
big boys toys Because grown men still need to play
BRUNSWICK PUTTING GREENS
SPEEDO NEMESIS FINS
TESLA ROADSTER 3.0 UPGRADE
It may be cold outside, but that doesn't mean you need to put your short game on ice. With one of these Brunswick Putting Greens, you can keep your putter hot all winter long. They're available in a variety of sizes – from 2' x 8' all the way up to 4' x 20' – individually handcrafted in the USA from hardwood and advanced artificial turf, and offer between 50 and three million possible break combinations depending on the model, created by moving the manual levers on the sides. Included is a matching putter rack, so you can leave the rest of your clubs stored away until it's time to hit the course.
Tubercles. That's the name for the bumpy area on the fins of humpback whales, and it's also the inspiration for the Nemesis Fins from Speedo. Tubercles create surface area for water to pass over, allowing you to push more water and pick up speed when you need it most. And with square openings named blow valves, water is captured and forced through creating more force on downward kicks. And while it has plenty in common with whales, these were made for you, with superior arch support, extra toe space, and a graduated instep for exceptional comfort.
Most cars roll off the lot and proceed to get slightly worse with every mile they drive, until they finally break or are mercifully driven into a wall/lake/lava pit. Teslas are not most cars, and the Tesla Roadster 3.0 Upgrade is a perfect example. This major update – to a car that hasn't even been made since 2012 – includes a new battery that provides 31% more energy than the original, improved aerodynamics, and new tires with less resistance. The result is a 40-50% improvement on range, meaning that where the prior version could make it around 250 miles, 3.0 upgraded cars will be able to roll at least 400 without needing to charge up.
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GE CAFE REFRIGERATOR WITH KEURIG
LEGO CARBON FIBER TILES
CHOC CREATER V2 3D CHOCOLATE PRINTER
A lot of refrigerators dispense water. The only thing a Keurig really needs is hot water. Since GE already made a fridge with a hot water dispenser, it only made sense to combine the two. The result is the GE Cafe Refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System, the first fridge to deliver a perfect cup of coffee right from its door. Speaking of doors, it has two up top, with one providing water, ice, hot water, and the aforementioned coffee, a freezer on bottom, and even the ability to set your brew time on your phone, so the water in the reservoir is ready when you are.
It's okay – kids aren't the only ones who like Lego bricks. But when it comes time to display your creations in your office, cubicle, or home, you might want to add a little bit of adult sophistication to the mix. Do exactly that with Lego Carbon Fiber Tiles. Available in packs of 10, these 1x2 tiles are made from 3mm sheets of aerospace grade carbon fiber, manufactured in the USA, and lend a touch of class to any model you add them to, whether it be a serious Architecture model or a double decker couch.
Whether you run your own confectionary business or just have a serious sweet tooth and plenty of disposable income, the Choc Creater V2 3D Chocolate Printer can make your most elaborate edible dreams come true. An easy-to-use temperature-controlled printing head and quickinstall syringe mean that the printer can be refilled within a matter of minutes and the chocolate stays warm for up to a whole day. This food-specific printer accepts standard 3D STL and CNC G-code files over USB, can print using virtually any kind of chocolate, and offers fine printing with tracks as thin as 0.5mm.
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CROCS
7 CITIES THAT ARE STARTING TO GO CAR-FREE by Adele Peters
Urban planners are finally recognizing that streets should be designed for people, not careening hunks of deadly metal. After over a hundred years of living with cars, some cities are slowly starting to realize that the automobile doesn't make a lot of sense in the urban context. It isn't just the smog or the traffic deaths; in a city, cars aren't even a convenient way to get around. Traffic in London today moves slower than an average cyclist (or a horse-drawn carriage). Commuters in L.A. spend 90 hours a year stuck in traffic. A U.K. study found that drivers spend 106 days of their lives looking for parking spots. Now a growing number of cities are getting rid of cars in certain neighborhoods through fines, better design, new apps, and, in the case of Milan, even paying commuters to leave their car parked at home and take the train instead. Unsurprisingly, the changes are happening fastest in European capitals that were designed hundreds or thousands of years before cars were ever built. In sprawling U.S. suburbs that were designed for driving, the path to eliminating cars is obviously more challenging. (And a few carloving cities, like Sydney, Australia, are going in the other direction, and taking away pedestrian space on some downtown streets so there's more room for cars). Here are a handful of the leaders moving toward car-free neighborhoods: MADRID Madrid has already banned most traffic from certain city streets, and last month, the car-free zone expanded even further. Stretching over more than a square mile, the area still allows its own residents to drive, but anyone else who enters will be hit with a fine over USD 100. It's one step in a larger plan to completely pedestrianize central Madrid in the next five years. Twenty-four of the city's busiest streets will be redesigned for walking, not driving. Before the street layouts change, cars will also be discouraged in another way: Now the dirtiest, most polluting cars in the city have to pay more to park. PARIS Last year, when smog levels spiked in Paris, the city briefly banned cars with even-numbered plates. Pollution dropped as much as 30% in some areas, and now the city plans to start permanently discouraging cars. In the city center, people who don't live in local neighborhoods won't be able to drive in on weekends, and that rule could soon roll out to the whole week. By 2020, the mayor plans to double the number of bike lanes in the city, ban diesel cars, and limit certain high-traffic streets to electric cars and other ultra-low-emission vehicles. The number of drivers in the city is already starting to drop. In 2001, 40% of Parisians didn't own a car; now that number is 60%. 104
CHENGDU A new satellite city planned in Southwest China could serve as a model for a modern suburb: Instead of a layout that makes it necessary to drive, the streets are designed so any location can be reached by 15 minutes on foot. The plans, designed by Chicago-based architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, don't call for completely banning cars, but only half of the road area will allow motorized vehicles. The city will also connect to the larger, nearby city of Chengdu with public transit. Out of an expected population of 80,000 people, most will be able to walk to work in local neighborhoods. The project was originally planned for completion in 2020, but that may be delayed – it's currently on hold because of zoning issues. HAMBURG Though Hamburg isn't planning to ban cars from its city center (as has been misreported elsewhere), the city is making it easier and easier not to drive. A new "green network," which will be completed in the next 15 to 20 years, will connect parks across the city, making it possible to bike or walk anywhere. The network will cover 40% of the city's space. The city is also covering up sections of the infamously crowded A7 autobahn with parks – so neighborhoods that were once hard to cross on foot will soon be more inviting. HELSINKI Helsinki expects a flood of new residents over the next few decades, but the more people come, the fewer cars will be allowed on city streets. In a new plan, the city lays out a design that will transform car-dependent suburbs into dense, walkable communities linked to the city center by fast-moving public transit. The city is also building new mobility-on-demand services to streamline
life without a car. A new app in testing now lets citizens instantly call up a shared bike, car, or taxi, or find the nearest bus or train. In a decade, the city hopes to make it completely unnecessary to own a car. MILAN The smoggy city of Milan is testing a new way to keep cars out of the city center: If commuters leave their vehicles at home, they'll get free public transit vouchers. An Internet-connected box on the dashboard keeps track of a car's location, so no one can cheat and drive to work. Each day someone's car stays at home, the city sends a voucher with the same value as a ticket on the bus or train. COPENHAGEN Forty years ago, traffic was as bad in Copenhagen as any other large city. Now, over half of the city's population bikes to work every day – nine times more bike commuters than in Portland, Oregon, the city with the most bike commuters in the U.S. Copenhagen started introducing pedestrian zones in the 1960s in the city center, and car-free zones slowly spread over the next few decades. The city now has over 200 miles of bike lanes, with new bike superhighways under development to reach surrounding suburbs. The city has one of the lowest rates of car ownership in Europe. None of these cities are planning – yet – to go completely car-free. And it's possible that may never happen; it's likely that future cities will have at least a small fleet of self-driving electric cars on hand that can eliminate some of the current challenges around parking, congestion and pollution. But it's also clear that urban planners are finally recognizing that streets should be designed for people, not cars.
JAMAWAR
LIVING ON MAYBE by B. Qureshi
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” ~ T. S. Eliot. I am on embarking on a new life, but I don't know which direction I’ll take. In preparation, I have spent the past few months cooking my way through my kitchen cupboards, getting fat on chickpea flour pancakes fried in cheap corn oil, in my ploy to finish groceries. With that accomplished and a few spice jars upended by my two-year-old (his contribution), I begin running from bakalas to hypermarkets in search of medium-sized packing boxes, which I build and tape together by pressing them between my belly and a wall, filling them with the accumulation of five years and three apartments of living that no one would ever want to buy – outgrown baby clothes, party dresses, 100gram packets of cardamom – culling out only a few shoes in need of repair to give away as charity. Once my husband finds buyers for our furniture (good luck with that) and an address in another country, the friends who threw us our farewell dinner will load our boxes onto a flat-rate moving truck and ship it to us. Wherever we may be, if we manage to leave at all. You see, I've been told that we (might? will?) leave Kuwait, where we planned to stay for six months but lingered for six years. A better offer in 106
Saudi Arabia beckons: the promise of an escape from my husband’s current job frustrations. For now our fate lies in the hands of a foreign employer and an agency issuing visas, which may issue ours much later, as wife and child. If we’re lucky it will take...months. If not, we may choose to stay in Kuwait (my iqama has been renewed for this possibility), or move to my home country (USA) or my husband’s (Pakistan) and start a new life there. We haven’t parsed out the details yet. For now, my son and I are mercifully out of our box-filled, grocery-deficient apartment, having packed winter clothes and nested suitcases (to bring more stuff on the way back) on a one-way ticket to America. I could have taken a shorter flight and gone to warmer weather at my in-laws’, but my husband decided to book a sleepless 24hour flight with a toddler into the arctic chill of a North American winter. The decision on where to be “dumped” finally came down to this: a nurturing environment where I’d be less likely to call my husband to complain, where my family ooh and ahh over my crappy versions of the Middle Eastern dishes I’ve developed a taste for, and a place where my son can be spoiled rotten (son? What son? I had forgotten I had responsibility beyond my Netflix
queue), all the while waiting comfortably for news of which country to buy a return ticket to, Kuwait, KSA, Pakistan, or to stay put after all and wait for my husband to come. At my father's house, my life is going by in Black Friday shopping and baking through cookbooks to create warmth in a break of cold weather. My parents and sister play with my two-year-old. I have accounts to open to have money wired here, canvases to fill with paint, books to decide whether or not to read, stories to listen to from my mother. I have not been buying clothes, unsure of what wardrobe I should build for which climate or political reality, but I have been stocking up on kitchen gear. I have also been trying my best not to get jealous when I hear my mother congratulate an aunt on a cousin’s new baby – that joy should have been mine, my family of four complete by my thirtieth birthday, if it wasn't for the bad timing of having to move. Now I don’t know when it will happen. Part of life is not knowing with any great certainty what tomorrow will bring. This is truer if you choose to be an expatriate. This year will bring changes upon changes, and I have to be flexible for all of them, once we discover what they might be. I know that I am luckier than most.
PARTYLAND
@PARTYLANDKWT @PARTYLAND_KUWAIT
TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND THE TASTE OF Q8 by bazaar staff
1. You get to try all of Kuwait’s best restaurants in one day. Enjoy incredible cuisines from around the world, many which originated here in Kuwait. Restaurants like La Brasa Argentine Grill, which started on a makeshift barricade BBQ far out in the Kuwait desert decades ago, will be serving some of their best dishes. Try Gustavo’s grilled meats and empanadas, they’re the best you’ll ever taste. Or go Asian with Ahmad Al-Abdulmohsen’s concept, China Garden. Every dish is made from scratch, including the sauces! Head over to Pizzeria Amami for a taste of Italian wood fired pizza from Pizzeria Amami, Arabic delicacies from Café Meem, a delicate morsel of France’s finest from Le Notre, the delectable pasta from Alfredo’s Gallery and much, much more! 2. And the best of Kuwait’s homemade goods. A quick glance at Instagram will overload you with amazing culinary talent all over the country. Enjoy homegrown products from businesses like “Infusions 108
Kuwait” and “Just Bee” who will feature gourmet specialty infused items such as oils and honey. Try artisan style food products that offer prepackaged dishes or grab a taste of something new and different. 3. Get tips from celebrity chefs from around the world. Imagine watching the “Spice Prince” himself prepare a delicious curry, or the Giggling Gourmet’s Jenny Morris show you couscous like you’ve never seen it before. See them and Fatafeat Celebrity Chefs Wafaa Khandari, Mohammad Orfalli, and Layla Fathalla. Or keep it local and watch local Kuwaiti Chef and Restaurateur, Ahmed Al-Bader, the culinary mastermind behind all The Sultan Center restaurants. 4. Meet the Chefs in person. Now imagine getting a personally signed copy of his book Reza’s Indian Spice, which you can buy at the festival. With an early-bird VIP pass, you can have the opportunity to attend a Chef cookbook signing with a celebrity chef in either the Al-Ahli Bank or Symphony Style Hotel VIP Lounges. Chef’s cookbooks will be
on sale at bookstands, where you can browse many cookbook options. Or snap a selfie with your favorite chef at the meet and greet opportunities! 5. Be pampered with VIP treatment. Speaking of VIP, with a pre-purchased ticket you can make your experience at THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait's Food Festival truly luxurious. From the moment you park in the designated VIP area, to the special VIP-only entrance away from the main entrance queues, you are the special guest at the event. Enjoy unlimited access to the VIP lounges, where visitors can take a break from the festival and relax in the ABK Hospitality Lounge or the Symphony Style Hospitality Suite. Enjoy special events from there, like special tastings, meet and greets with Celebrity Chefs, prize giveaways and more. Or venture out and use your five vouchers to enjoy dishes from your favorite restaurants or even try something new! 6. Jam to amazing local music. Non-stop music all day every day for the three
days of the event, need we say more? Enjoy amazing mixes by DJ-X and I-Candi. Stick around for live musical acts from local bands. Some of the performers include the Kuwait Jazz Trio, Kuwait’s premier jazz instrumental ensemble, under the leadership of jazz pianist Mike Seals. Enjoy the works of Spyra Gyra, Oliver Nelson, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Billy Strayhorn, George Gershwin and Rodgers and Hart. For the lovers of rock check out the Afterthought, a local acoustic/rock group whose core members (Bassam Shuhaibar and Zak Musawi) have been jamming together since 1997. 7. It’ll be fun for the kids! The Kid’s Zone will have lots to offer little Tots to keep them busy, too. Bouncy castles, face painting, and an ongoing schedule of shows will be available from the Baroue Let’s Play Theatre. Magic shows, puppet shows, character special appearances, and clowns with balloons, will make this a magical and fun experience for the little ones.
8. Win a prize for yourself. There will be a select location in THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait's Food Festival where you can enter Raffle drawings for a chance to win amazing prizes from the sponsors. The raffle will continue throughout the 3 days of the festival, and the winners chosen on the last day will be revealed through social media. Daily mini prizes will be announced each day. Prizes will be announced prior to the festival so that you can invite your whole family and increase your chances of winning! 9. Awaken your inner chef with cookware demonstrations. THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait's Food Festival is truly, “All About Food” and anything related to food. Specialty cookware companies will be showcasing their wares. Exhibitors include Eco-Pebble, Swiss Kuwait and AAW Kitchens. Eco-Pebble provides sustainable kitchen and household products from around the globe at competitive prices. Swiss Kuwait offers shopping
for specialized cookware and there will be vendors for culinary supplies, serving and table top design, gourmet food products, and much more. 10.Because it’s the biggest, food event in Kuwait! THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait's Food Festival is an event for family and friends as everyone will have an aspect of the festival to enjoy. Whether it's the Chef’s tent demonstrations for the foodies out there, center stage for all, or the Kid’s Zone to keep the children entertained, everyone has something to look forward to. Don’t forget the live music, Naranj Shisha café and the Mercedes-Benz line up! Fun events are planned throughout the day so that everyone can enjoy the festival, from open till close. THE Taste of Q8 – Kuwait's Food Festival is not just a day out for the whole family, but an entirely new experience for the Kuwaiti population, and truly an event that stands by its slogan, “All About Food!” Find out more at TheTasteofQ8.com. 109
bazaar books Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures. ~ Jessamyn West
THE 7 SECRETS... by The Gang
“The Gang” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia attempts their most ill-conceived, get-rich quick scheme yet: publishing a “self-help book,” The 7 Secrets of Awakening the Highly Effective Four-hour Giant, Today, to hilarious, sometimes dangerous, and often revolting, results. The Gang may have finally found their golden ticket. Left alone to close down Paddy’s Pub one night, Charlie Kelly inadvertently scored himself, and his friends, the opportunity of a lifetime – a book deal with a real publishing company, real advance money, and a real(ly confused) editor. In their own inimitable voices, Charlie, Mac, Dennis, Sweet Dee, and Frank weigh in on important topics like Relationships, Financial Success and Career, Fashion and Personal Grooming, Health and Diet, and Survival Skills, providing insane advice, tips, tricks, and recipes as only they can. Fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia rejoice and welcome the most influential work in the history of the written word.
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ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by Jennifer Niven
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heartwrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning! Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him. Violet Markey lives for the future, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself – a weird, funny, liveout-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. It’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, and John Green, from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.
IT WAS ME ALL ALONG: A MEMOIR
THE PATIENT WILL SEE YOU NOW
WILL THE REAL YOU PLEASE STAND UP
by Andie Mitchell
by Eric Topol
by Kim Garst
A heartbreakingly honest, endearing memoir of incredible weight loss by a young food blogger who battles body image issues and overcomes food addiction to find self-acceptance. All her life, Andie Mitchell had eaten lustily and mindlessly. Food was her babysitter, her best friend, and it provided a refuge from her fractured family. But when she stepped on the scale on her twentieth birthday and it registered a shocking 268 pounds, she knew she had to change the way she thought about food and herself; that her life was at stake. It Was Me All Along takes Andie from working class Boston to the romantic streets of Rome, and from morbidly obese to half her size. This story is about much more than a woman who loves food and abhors her body. More than anything, though, it is the story of her finding beauty in acceptance and learning to love all parts of herself.
In this book, Eric Topol, one of the nation’s top physicians, examines what he calls medicine’s “Gutenberg moment.” Much as the printing press liberated knowledge from the control of an elite class, new technology is poised to democratize medicine. In this new era, patients will control their data and be emancipated from a paternalistic medical regime in which “the doctor knows best.” Mobile phones, and apps, will literally put the lab and the ICU in our pockets. Computers will replace physicians for many diagnostic tasks, and data sets will give us new means to attack conditions that have long been incurable. In spite of these benefits, the path forward will be complicated: some in the medical establishment will resist these changes, and digitized medicine will raise serious issues surrounding privacy. Nevertheless, the result – better, cheaper, and more humane health care for all – will be worth it. This is essential reading for anyone who thinks they deserve better health care.
Social media is changing the way people buy. What started just a few years ago as a quirky new way to find people, discuss events and connect has since woven itself into the fabric of our lives and now 2 BILLION+ people use social media on a regular basis. Social media is redefining the buyer/seller relationship and the winners are the ones that can form meaningful, authentic relationships with their social media communities. With so much competition it is difficult to stand out through the noise. Leading social media expert Kim Garst shares with you the tricks and techniques that have helped her rise to the top of the social media world. For entrepreneurs, small business owners to CEO's of Fortune 500 companies, Will The Real You Please Stand Up: Show Up, Be Authentic, And Prosper In Social Media, is chock full of tips and tactics to help you find your authentic voice and #BeYou!
source: www.amazon.com
KERASTRAIGHT
MARRIAGE AND THE CITY by R. Alq
I am not living in New York, and I was not the girl that bought Vogue magazines instead of dinner. I am just a normal girl, living in Kuwait. No, I am not famous on social media, nor do I attend all those fancy openings. I’m always striving to work hard at work, and then, it’s just me and my books, friends, shows and anything to keep me busy. Oh, and I wish I could spend copious amounts of money on Christian Louboutins and Manolo Blahniks. Just the other day, while sitting with some elder female relatives, the topic started to steer in the direction of marriage, weddings and husbands. I have always hated those conversations, but they somehow always crawled into family gatherings, social obligations or while merely bumping into someone. “Are you married yet?!” Inevitable, as always. It dawned on me that no matter how well I was doing at work, my career advancements or 112
educational ladder, it was never good enough. Sadly, those older women simply did not value a successful career as much as marriage. Surprisingly, it was not only the older women. Looking around, many of the younger generation were getting married at the age of 20. Was this simply the new “suitable age” for girls to be married? Or has it always been? And if not, had we “missed the train”? Getting closer to 30, every birthday seemed to have such a huge toll on me. This was evident among other single lady friends. The social pressure seemed to just get louder and recently deafening. We were all merely lost Carrie Bradshaws trying to find their way in New York City, well in our case, Kuwait City. But were we really lost, or simply looking? As Carrie once put it, “I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’tlive-without-each-other love.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Being successful and independent
certainly did not mean settling down for the sake of merely settling. Despite the “She’s still not married?!” pity looks from those older women and younger married girls, one had to come to a realization that it was not a man that completes us, nor a marriage. Sure, we all believe in love and wish we could find something close enough to it when the time feels right, but I believe in bigger things. Independence, free-thinking, adventure, being a free spirit and I believe in a career that no man is needed for and mostly, I believe in the freedom, the freedom to being married to me…What’s better than having the most significant relationship of all – one with yourself. Being single should not be looked down upon, nor does it mean that nobody wants you. Now, in our day and age, it should mean that you might still be looking, or deciding what you want to do with your life, because we should never settle for anything less than butterflies.
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TURKISH DELIGHT AT MADO Tantalize your fit tastebuds by Reshmi Revi
Emmet Fox once candidly said “It is the food which you furnish to your mind that determines the whole character of your life.” It’s a gorgeous wintry Friday afternoon and I find myself hungrily and patiently waiting for my meal at Mado. Nestled nicely in the Alargan Complex on the Bida’a strip (between Inspire Pure Fitness and the Nike store), there’s plenty of reasons to give up the serenity of your Friday and waddle through to the throngs of patrons at this place as the food here is stupendously delicious and does not disappoint. Originally an ice cream parlor in Turkey, Mado was founded in 1836 by Yasar Kanbur and evolved into a café and subsequently a restaurant spanning out to over 300 franchises all around the world from the early 90s. Mado is a play on two words: Maras is the name of the city the eatery started in, and Dondurma is the Turkish name for ice cream. The menu features an extensive selection of desserts (for some reason this is featured first in their menu followed by the savouries – an homage, I’m assuming to their initial start as an ice cream shop back in 1836), salads, kebab entrees, authentic boreks, pastas, sandwiches and pizzas. When this review was carried out, the restaurant was still in its soft opening stage (3 weeks in operation) and as such, some of the dishes I wanted to try were unfortunately not available. Starting off my Turkish culinary journey, I opted for the traditional black tea. High in antioxidants, consumption of Turkish black tea has been known to aid individuals with hypertension, reducing one’s risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers and even promote dental health (the tea plants naturally contain fluoride in its leaves, helping your enamel resistant to decay). I then chose the K.Maras Tava, Mado’s regional dish. Artfully presented, this entrée proved hearty, featuring pieces of lamb, onions, eggplant, tomatoes and pepper baked in a casserole and served alongside a cornucopia of mixed pickles, yoghurt (a Turkish must-have condiment chockfull of vitamins and probiotics that benefit your digestive system) and steamed rice. The reason for my entrée choice was simple. From a fitness standpoint this would be the ideal dish to have postworkout as it’s slow cooked in the oven. The lean pieces of lamb are a great source of high quality protein, Vitamin B and iron while the eggplant is low in calories (35 kcals/cup), high in fiber and can lower cholesterol. If you’re having this dish and are watching your weight, I’d suggest forgoing the rice. With dessert, I’m happy to note that Mado does feature a ‘light’ version of their dondurma. At 57% less calories than their original counterparts, the selection of their calorie-light Turkish ice creams is endless and interestingly, they are sugar-free too. 114
Furthermore, you have the option of choosing half a portion of a serving which is 2 scoops of creamy goodness rather than a full serving of 4 scoops if you’re watching your calorie intake. Regardless of which variety, Mado assures their dondurma are made using the freshest and finest of ingredients using natural methods, devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. If you’re wanting something sinfully sweet, then you’re in luck as their extensive array of baklavas, kunafes, tiramisus, fondues and other dessert masterpieces using their signature Turkish ice creams and Arabic sweets, will delight and tantalize your taste buds. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my Turkish culinary experience at Mado. It is understandable this eatery is a hit with patrons as the food presentation and taste are applaudable, not to mention their
alfresco seating is blissfully comforting, what with cushioned seats, big bright yellow umbrellas and gas-heaters to keep you cozy as you dine. If you’re looking for a place to schedule a rendezvous or two (Valentine’s Day is just around the corner), I would definitely suggest this place as there is something for everyone. Mado Kuwait is located in the Alargan strip of restaurants in Al Bida’a. Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 12midnight every day. Follow them on Instagram at @madokuwait or visit them online at www.mado.com.tr. Reshmi Revi is a NZCF Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Enthusiast and an Evolve Supplements Sponsored Athlete who competes in bodybuilding. Follow her on Instagram @Q8MissFit
LABEL M
Word Swarm 2014, Pigmented and cast resin, variable dimensions
THE
PROSAIC POETIC AND THE by Deepa Pant
“Words – written or spoken, understood or misunderstood, poetic or prosaic, curvilinear or rectilinear, are what motivate me to create my visual narrative” There is something deeply intriguing about Simeen Farhat’s beautiful installations and speech bubbles. Farhat has a real knack for twisting simple words into interesting shapes and splashes of colors, which is her signature art style. Farhat is a Texas-based artist, whose works are born of an intimate relationship with literature and philosophy. “As a visual artist, my fascination is with the visual play or the juxtaposition of those text or words that I do pick selectively and carefully,” she says. “The text in my sculptures and installations are revolutionary poems, appropriated mostly from famous Farsi and Urdu poets, such as Rumi, Saadi, Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who all wrote powerfully about freedom of thought and speech,” she adds. Her installation artworks in resin cast are incredibly expressive and brilliantly underscored with abstract minimalism.
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The visual effects of her installations and speech bubbles are playful and invite the viewer to engage with the narrative that spans cultural history, gender equality, identity and freedom. “Through the interactive nature of my installations, sculptures, and textual drawings, I pose questions for each culture to examine from their own perspective: Considering that there is a figure but no embodied form showing, can this be called contemporary figurative Islamic Art? Do these life-size veiled figures threaten or confuse non-Muslim Westerners and why? Recognizing that this work represents women’s freedom to think, can this work be called a universally Feminist art?” she says in her artist statement. This is Farhat’s first solo exhibition in Kuwait. Her work has been featured in various group shows including those at JAMM Kuwait, Pakistan, Bahrain, London, the UAE, India, Finland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Farhat was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and received her MFA, Summa cum Laude from Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas. She lives in Dallas.
In this exclusive interview with bazaar, Simeen Farhat reflects on her artistic voyage and talks about her meticulously constructed installations and her upcoming exhibition in Kuwait. Words are central in her practice. “My upcoming show in Kuwait is certainly based on my fascination to play with words.�
Q AND ART: SIMEEN FARHAT
You were born in Pakistan, how did that shape your artist identity? Being a woman born in a patriarchal society, I would say, influenced in shaping my identity as an artist. Living in two separate cultures and countries for such a long time, as well as a lot of
travelling in many parts of the world, also shaped my identity. I always try to carry what I think is good from each culture. It is not so important for me to brand myself with any particular identity; although, I can be branded as Pakistani-born or Pakistani-born-American artist. I actually find myself a multicultural artist with a multipoint perspective: I have numerous vanishing points. You have developed your own idiom informed by your love for literature and poetry. Why do you use words as base for your installations and sculptures? Literature, poetry, philosophy, music and art, all use language. We understand a great deal about ourselves, and things around us [continued...]
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{...continued] through language; and how we express ourselves or have knowledge, acquired by us though reading, seeing, thinking and feeling words. Earlier, I was more interested in words as they appeared to us visually, and that writing came first as gestures. But I became more and more interested about the philosophy behind those words; how words, in whatever order they are put into, their syntax, grammar, punctuations, and their sound and their meanings, change the whole context of something. Even simple words and phrases, and not just poetic and literary fascinate and inspire me to create my visual narrative. But as a visual artist, my fascination is with the visual play or the juxtaposition of those text or words that I do pick selectively and carefully. I want them to lose their identity as literal objects or narratives into simple and complex lines, shapes, forms, colors, etc. The end result is visual philosophy. My upcoming show in Kuwait is certainly based on my fascination of playing with words. I have used all kinds of words here for this show; whether they are borrowed from a poet, such as Ghalib or Ferdowsy, or my own attempts, or some email correspondence – in English or in Urdu. I have experimented with many possibilities, and interestingly, many titles for some of those pieces have the word “possibilities” in them. What comes first: concepts, or words? Sometimes concepts come first and then words follow. Other times, words come first and they evolve into some ideas. But I guess even simple words, for me, come as concepts. Burqa-clad women are central to a number of your works. How does your work relate to your own issues of identity and gender? Those works were some of the earlier works. Their concept was more about how mind and body are related; or work together or separately: One can capture or imprison a person’s body, but they cannot captivate their mind or their thought process. On the contrary, sometimes, a person’s thought and imagination is controlled and imprisoned through propaganda and rhetoric. Many of your works are in fact experienced like stories with a subtle message, especially when one looks at your works during 2008 MAC exhibition. Can you elaborate on your installation titled ‘We Won't Kill You’? How did these themes come about? That theme was as a reaction to seeing more and more women in Pakistan covering themselves with hijab and burqa in the last two decades; a practice that did not used to be part of the Pakistani culture, and I did not experience it while growing up there. But I noticed those changes while not living in Pakistan permanently; but rather frequently visiting a few times a year. I saw the culture I was born in both as an insider and as an outsider. The installation was also about that those women still possessed a soul and mind that would continue to exist and be able to think. And lastly, unlike the stereotype in the Western society 118
Words of Gyrations, 2015
Revealing In Blue, 2014
Emerging Possibilities, 2014
perhaps, they were not the suicide bombers. There is another very interesting series based on the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Can we talk a little about it? Certainly! Alice is universal. She can be any child, a young girl, and a woman. She finds herself in funny, bizarre and confusing situations. Lately, I have been trying to incorporate stories or some characters form many cultures, literature, and philosophy of language, and using language as a metaphor in my work. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is one such metaphor of language, and of sense that ostensibly does not make sense. At times, I felt myself as Alice, as I found myself in situations where nothing would make sense. Unlike Alice, I didn’t change physically, but internally there were quite some roller coaster rides, turmoil and frustrations to deal with. Similarly, the appearing of and disappearing of several things – similar to “Cheshire cat” in the Wonderland, inspired me to make a few works; such as “Grin” and “Orange Smirk.” For Alice, it was a dream in the wonderland, but for me, they were all real. How do you want people to feel and think when viewing your works? I certainly do not want to control my viewers’
mind and their imagination. They can feel and think as they wish. I have had many interesting experiences where viewers have told me quite the opposite, or totally unexpected interpretations than what I had in my mind when I created those works. The more meanings and interpretations the better; I think. Can you explain a little about your techniques? I have been using resin cast as a medium for most of these works for the past few years. Resin is basically plastic and since I also like to control the colors and thickness of those words that become shapes and forms for my sculptures and installations, I find these materials and the technique more archival and with numerous possibilities. What is next for you? I like mystery! But I will give you a hint: body parts and anatomy. Solo exhibition of works by artist Simeen Farhat’s opens at Dar Al Funoon Gallery on February 2 and runs through February 24. Stop by the gallery at Al Watiah, Behbehani Compound, House No 28. For more information on the artist, please visit www.simeen.net. Images courtesy of the artist.
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MEMOIRS OF MOI by Purva Grover
We’re past the starting line yet again; and we bet you want to record how this year shapes up your life. Step one: Invest in a personal journal. Step two: Write. Step three: Write daily. And you are well on your way towards a less stressed and more thoughtful you. During my years growing up, my sister and I were given a personal diary each on the first day of the year. The simple, boring and plain looking diaries were a gift from Dad. Each year, we would make the same complaint: They are so dull to look at. And Dad would make the same suggestion: Fill them up with your moments from the year to make them interesting. And that’s how I got introduced to the habit of maintaining a personal diary. Today, in the loft of my home lies a pile of old diaries filled with memories and mistakes, successes and failures, cheers and collapses, relationships and realties and a lot more that made each year worthwhile. People write diaries for different reasons, yet, while a lot of people stick to resolutions, most give up on diary writing. So far in 2015, here are 15 reasons why recording your life in a diary is a good idea: 1. A great stress buster: Writing is a better stress buster than eating desserts or exercising hard. Yes, it’s better to de-clutter your system through words, than saying a nasty word. 2. Your bucket-list: Make a note of the wish list in the diary so that each time you open it, you are reminded to work toward fulfilling the items on that list. 3. A personal feeling chart: When you write down how you feel each day, about a recent event, relationship or situation, you slowly discover what makes you happy and upset. Also, you learn to distinguish between petty and significant. 4. The special days: Making a record of a special day, like a promotion at work or a surprise birthday party, is always a good idea. 5. The non-special days: Recording normal days will give you a chance to see what’s special in the routine. Be it how much you love your morning cup of tea, driving to work, a long walk, or a cuddle with your dog at the end of the day. 6. Think fame: What if you were to become famous and people wanted to know who you were and are? Prepare this record of your life for them. Think C.S. Lewis/Helen Keller... 7. Be organized: Sorting out things in your head can be quite a pain. Writing it down makes the task easier. Record your inspirations, ideas and tasks. 8. Relationship guru: Scribbling down the anger you feel after a fight and the love you experience after a special moment is what you write in here. When in doubt, refer to the latter to know how much you love your spouse, child, parent or sibling. 120
9. Confessions: Sssh… diaries are a secret. Share your fears, guilt and secrets with it and be assured they are safe. 10. Something to look forward to and look back on: Having someone (in this case a piece of paper) waiting for you to know how your day went, is a pleasant feeling. And so is the idea of flipping through to discover how far you have come in life, relationships, or work. 11. Me-time: Diary writing can be your time to tune out from the world and spend a few moments with yourself sans the distractions of daily life. 12. A dose of entertainment or reflection: This February you are learning to ice skate and
nursing a sore arm, you knew it was a bad idea in the first place. See what you were doing last February? Learn to laugh at your mistakes and attempts and appreciate your success and efforts. 13. Want to be a writer? This is going to be your perfect writing ground for 365 short stories. It will help you overcome the writer’s block and discover a new talent; say, poetry. 14. A family and friends album: Your diary is not just a record of your life but the lives of people who are important to you. The first time your child sneezed to the first meal you cooked for your mom: it will remind you. 15. Mirror, mirror… Lastly, this is going to be your chance to get to know yourself.
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bazaar a la mode MISS SELFRIDGE PRESENTS THE COLLECTION FOR SPRING 2015 Miss Selfridge introduces The Collection – a stunning capsule collection of occasion wear exuding glamour and glitz. Some of the key pieces of The Collection include statement floor length styles in fluid metallic and elegant chiffon styles with embellished neckline detail. Crisp white styles are updated with a standout peplum, co-ordinates are still key with matching cropped boleros and two pieces, creating stylish top-to-toe dressing. To celebrate the launch of The Collection, Miss Selfridge customers will receive an exclusive gift for any purchase during the season. Furthermore, Miss Selfridge customers are invited along to the launch event, where guests will receive a unique present for any purchase on 11th February in the Kuwait Avenues Phase III store. For more information you can follow them on Instagram @missselfridgemiddleeast or #MISSSELFIEME or on Facebook: MissSelfridgeME.
DAINTY ELEGANCE AT SEE BY CHLOÉ Clare Waight Keller’s aesthetic was a study in contrasts at See By Chloé’s Resort 2015 collection. Prim broderie anglaise was transported onto an urban silhouette, while sailor stripes were added on to more classic silhouettes. Some archival elements were also visible, adding to the timeless appeal of the label. See By Chloé is located at The Avenues.
FUNKY FUN AT LOVE MOSCHINO Love Moschino’s irreverent style continues this season with a range of cute and quirky bags. While the classic quilted line is reintroduced in seasonal colors, new prints and structured handbags also mark their appearance. Love Moschino is available at The Avenues and Limelight The Gate Mall. 122
TASTE OF Q8
bazaar around town AAW LAUNCHES PREMIER OUTWEAR BRAND “ARC’TERYX” IN KUWAIT Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) recently announced it will start selling products from Arc’teryx, the renowned Canadian brand for highquality outdoors apparel and gear, to better serve the growing community of outdoor enthusiasts in Kuwait. Named after ARCHAEOPTERYX LITHOGRAPHICA, the first reptile to develop feathers for flight, Arc’teryx develops the finest products by merging unrivaled designs with the best quality, highest performing materials and assembling them in the most innovative and most durable manner for the intended outdoor use. AAW General Manager, Ali F. Al Mutawa said: “We have seen the growing demand for high-quality outdoor products from athletes and sports enthusiasts across Kuwait, who are now recognized at both a national and international level. With the launch of Arc’teryx, AAW continues its commitment to provide the best quality products with the design, craftsmanship and performance that our local athletes and enthusiasts need to excel in their sport of choice, providing as much variety for women as well as for men.” Arc’teryx products will be available as a shop-in-shop at AAW’s Carbon Fiber store in The Avenues mall and Explorer’s Base store in Shuwaikh. AAW will be distributing outerwear, down and synthetic insulated jackets, gloves, backpacks, climbing harnesses and other equipment for mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, hiking, running, and traveling adventures. Arc’teryx Commercial Manager, Eric Schierl said: “Our products are built with the principle of obsessive, precise design and production. In-house manufacturing and design centers allow us to constantly evolve and build products the right way. We are very excited to be in Kuwait and to provide outdoor enthusiasts with our high quality assortment of apparel and gear.” In addition to Arc’teryx, AAW brings to Kuwait half a dozen of the world’s prime outdoor brands under their independently owned retail stores: Carbon Fiber and Explorer’s Base. AAW distributes leading outdoor apparel from worldwide brands.
IPSOS MEDIACT KUWAIT AND SOCIALOBBY PARTNER UP FOR SPREADING AWARENESS ON DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE COUNTRY Ipsos MediaCT, the Globally specialized company in media research solutions under the leading research company in the MENA region, Ipsos, partnered with socialobby.com in Kuwait to help spreading awareness and better understanding of the digital market promises and indications. Socialobby; The first Kuwaiti Social Media firm that provides social consultation, training courses, Online marketing services, Social media campaigns & solutions since 2011, will be working hand in hand together with Ipsos MediaCT on creating viral informative as well as interactive data which acts as support in spreading more awareness towards online and digital marketing as well as the importance of Social Media to companies and businesses. Specialized reports will be developed combining both online and offline media consumption whether locally or in the MENA region provided by Ipsos MediaCT which be presented to clients for a more comprehensive planning process. Hind Al-Nahedh, CEO of Socialobby highlighted “Internet users have reached 3 billion in 2014, according to internet live stats website – This kind of information and reports online are needed to better understand, forecast and plan according to this growth of usage and population moving forward". Data will be published on Socialobby’s and Ipsos' social media channels and popular awareness blog and online newspapers, in an available viral format to benefit all users, enhancing their understanding of the digital platforms in the GCC, Middle East and North Africa. On the other hand, Ipsos MediaCT Kuwait's Bilal Al Mourad expressing his pride in being part of such a partnership with Socialobby stated: “We are excited for this collaboration and tapping on the digital age and Social Media as they are pretty much dominating platforms in the Arab Region and across the world. Customers will have special access to relevant data which will be available during special training courses, seminars and workshops conducted by Socialobby. We are constantly providing new services and rounded studies to our clients and users across the world and the MENA region, through our various brands Ipsos Marketing, Ipsos MediaCT, Ipsos ASI, Ipsos Loyalty, Ipsos Public Affairs and Ipsos Observer. With Socialobby, we aim to enhance the understanding of digital platforms in the country and the region and make the data available and virally beneficial to all users.” He added. 124
V-KOOL’S ALL-WOMEN RACING TEAM MAKES HISTORY AT GULFRUN 2014 The first all-women racing team sponsored by V-KOOL, the world’s #1 Heat Control Film, competed in the 4th edition of GulfRun’s 24 Hour Endurance Race and persevered to finish the grueling 24-hour go-karting marathon. The V-KOOL RACING TEAM of 13 Kuwaiti women rocked the racing grounds in their maiden appearance alongside 18 experienced, all-male racing teams and finished the race to the amazement of the cheering fans. The all-women racing team, assembled for the first time in Kuwait and perhaps the GCC, exhibited patience, rigor and stamina in their very first competitive outing. The V-KOOL RACING TEAM was coached and managed by Mubarak Al Rumaidhi, the 2012 Kuwait Drifting Champion and a passionate motorsports professional. The team members led by Captain Najat Al-Sayegh included Aisha Al-Abdulkareem, Dalal Al-Jassem, Dana Jbara, Fatima Al-Shaya, Haya Al-Eisa, Lulwa Al-Sayegh, Noor Al-Sayegh, Rawya Al-Hajeri, Rabaa Al-Hajeri, Sara Al-Shaban, Suad Al-Fraih & Shaikha Al-Suraiya. The team gave a scintillating performance with 2 individual members Sara Al-Shaban and Dalal Al-Jassem turning in outstanding record performances. Sara Al-Shaban rose up to the challenge and clocked the fastest lap by a woman earning the title of “Miss GulfRun 2014”. She started the race for the V-KOOL RACING TEAM and gained her team a comfortable position throughout her first stint of almost two hours. Dalal Al-Jassem, gave another truly remarkable performance driving for a total of 2 hours and 22 minutes non-stop – an admirable demonstration of endurance and stamina comparable to international standards. Dalal exhibited great skill and concentration and proved to be an extraordinary sportswoman. The enthusiasm, courage, perseverance, team-spirit and determination of this glorious band of thirteen astounded everybody. Rumaidhi remarked, “The endurance race is all about having focus and perseverance and this team has shown it has it all during the long practice sessions. Najat Al-Sayegh the team captain said “On behalf of the team I would like to express our joy to be a part of this historical moment, when an all-women team has come to exist and participate in an open competition. We are very thankful to our title sponsors V-KOOL who have believed in our talent and given us a platform to compete in such a physically demanding race. We also thank our gold sponsors NEXEN TIRES, GIORDANO & PASTAMANIA for supporting our initiative."
“BREASTFEEDING - A GIFT FOR A LIFETIME” CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AT ROYALE HAYAT HOSPITAL “Breastfeeding - A Gift for A Lifetime” is the headline of the newly launched health campaign at Royale Hayat Hospital between January and February 2015 to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. In addition to supporting families of infants in order to make an informed choice and discuss the medical benefits of breastfeeding, our highly trained lactation counselors train and teach mothers how to feed their babies and overcome problems. The campaign provides various educational resources including leaflets and easily accessible information on all Royale Hayat Hospital social network pages to educate the public and share knowledge about this basic nutrition that contains all nutrients and vitamins babies need to strengthen their immune system and fight diseases. Breastfeeding is a unique source of nutrition for infants, but it also influences the mothers’ health, both physically and psychologically, because it reduces the risks of postpartum depression and creates an emotional attachment between mother and baby that continue to play a fundamental role in the baby’s development for years to come. For more information about Royale Hayat Hospital visit them at www.royalehayat.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @royalehayat. DR. NAIF AL-MUTAWA CERTIFIED AS CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, founder and Clinical Director of the Soor Center for Professional Therapy and Assessment, has been certified as a clinical hypnotherapist by the National Guild of Hypnotists. Dr. Naif offers hypnotherapy for issues pertaining to weight loss, smoking cessation, stress management, pain management, end of relationship, sleep, overcoming fears, doing well on tests amongst others. A not-for-profit, educational corporation established in 1950, the National Guild of Hypnotists is the largest and oldest hypnotherapy membership organization in the world and is headquartered in New Hampshire, USA. It offers certification courses in the field of hypnotism and provides “an open forum for the free exchange of ideas concerning hypnotism”, while operating as a “vehicle for legal and legislative action.” Under the supervision of US educated and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, the Soor Center has become the largest private psycho-educational practice in the Middle East over the past six years. It has a range of qualified and licensed psychologists who help clients navigate the stresses of today’s complicated lifestyles. It provides individual, couple, child and family counseling and employs a wide variety of therapies for a broad range of personal health and emotional issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, marital issues, phobias, obsessivecompulsive behavior, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, educational problems and other challenges of modern life. For more information contact The Soor Center for Professional Therapy & Assessment, by calling 2290 1677 or you can email: info@soorcenter.com. 125
bazaar techno Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. ~ Arthur C. Clarke
IROBOT CREATE 2
SEAGATE SEVEN HARD DRIVE
ZOLT CHARGER
For many of us, the Roomba was the first robot we had in the house. Unfortunately, there was no real way to have it do anything but clean. With the iRobot Create 2, you have a chance to change that. Built using remanufactured Roombas, the Create 2 offers all the sensors, LEDs, and builtin behaviors – like self-charging – of its cleaning cousins as a starting point for your tinkering. It comes with a USB-based communications cable to start programming your own behaviors, and even includes a drilling template in case you decide to start adding hardware, like a camera. Basically, it's everything you need to build a real robot.
No, digital hoarders, the numeric name of the Seagate Seven Hard Drive doesn't refer to its capacity. Instead, it refers to something much more important to travelers: its size. Billed as the thinnest 500GB portable hard drive in the world, it measures just 7mm slim, with a precision-crafted steel enclosure that highlights the look of the bare drive while offering excellent protection for your data. Powered by the included USB 3.0 cable and weighing just over three ounces, it's an ideal way to lighten your load while keeping plenty of physical storage on hand.
Your devices are only useful if they are charged, and we all know how vital keeping them at optimum power levels can be. Zolt measures just 3 inches long and has a diameter of 1.3 inches. It’s not actually round, though; it’s octagonal, which means it won’t roll away on you if you aren’t paying attention when you set it down. Zolt Charger is not only the smallest, lightest, laptop charger we've seen, but it's also a multi-tasker – allowing you to charge up to three devices at once. And with their Efficient Resonant Control technology, the Zolt analyzes each charging device and prioritizes an optimal charge for each one.
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QARDIOBASE SMART SCALE
BREATHOMETER MINT
JACK WIRELESS GUITAR CABLE
Yes, a normal scale can tell you your current weight. But weight is only one of several relevant metrics when it comes to your wellbeing. The QardioBase Smart Scale gives you a broader view of your fitness goals, by measuring your BMI, body fat, muscle, water and bone composition in addition to your weight. Its sleek design looks great in any bathroom, and since it automatically distinguishes you from your family, it's able to sync your stats with your iPhone, iPad, or Android device over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Also the scale shows a smiley face or frown face in its center as soon as you step off, giving you an at-a-glance update on your fitness goals.
Breathometer Mint is the world’s first portable breath quality and hydration level detection product. Synced with your smartphone it measures and tracks bacteria levels in your mouth and your overall hydration, helping you stay hydrated and prevent both embarrassing bad breath and more serious health problems resulting from improper oral care. Breathometer says oral health can be a pretty good indicator of your overall health and they hope that by making people more aware of it, they can improve the quality of their lives. Stick the Mint in your mouth, it draws a sample of your breath and within seconds gives you all the info you need to know.
Jack eliminates one of guitar players most annoying hassles, the dangling cable! The Jack: Wireless Guitar Cable streams your strums via Wi-Fi, so every chord you connect on is captured in 24-bit, uncompressed studio quality audio to your device. No cables to deal with, no finicky hardware to fuss with, and the rechargeable battery means no hunting for outlets. Simply connect it to your guitar and stream professional grade real time audio between instruments, amps and devices such as a PC, Tablet or Phone. Once Jack is connected to your PC, tablet or phone, you can then access a host of editing and recording software programs and smooth out that rough patch or two.
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TURKISH GRILL
bazaar explores A.R ALBISHER & Z. ALKAZEMI COMPANY WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS DAIMLER AWARDS Strong sales and an impactful social media strategy have contributed to A.R Albisher & Z. Alkazemi Company – the official distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait – being awarded two coveted accolades at Daimler Middle East and Levant Awards. Held in Dubai on 13th January 2015, the awards took place in the presence of Mr. Matthias Luehrs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Daimler AG; Mr. Mike Belk, CEO at Daimler Middle East and Levant; Mr. Dirk Fetzer, Director of Sales and Marketing at Daimler Middle East and Levant and Mr. Phil Mayling, Head of Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car Sales at Daimler Middle East and Levant. Double winners in the Sales and Marketing segment, A.R Albisher & Z. Alkazemi Company earned awards for the ‘Best Ever Sales Results 2014’ and the ‘Best Online/Digital Campaign 2014’, demonstrating their leadership in tangible sales results and their effective adoption of digital marketing channels. The strong sales performance of A.R Albisher & Z. Alkazemi Company plays testament to market appetite and dealership product offerings. The unparalleled line-up offered by Mercedes-Benz high-performance AMG sub-brand was another large contributor to high sales performance. For more information on Mercedes-Benz products and services in Kuwait, please visit them online at www.kuwait.mercedesbenzme.com or follow them on Facebook: MercedesBenzKuwait. STARBUCKS CELEBRATES THE WINTER SEASON WITH ITS ‘ORIGIN ESPRESSO LATTE CUSTOMIZATION’ PROMOTION It's that time of year once again, and nothing celebrates winter like Starbucks' famous latte and espresso based delights that bring its customers a special warmth all season long. This season Starbucks is introducing the ‘Origin Espresso Latte Customization’; a concept that brings coffee lovers a choice of espresso in their favorite Starbucks Lattes. The Columbia Narino blend is the first choice of Origin Espresso and coffee base for this year. Colombia Narino coffee beans are grown on some of the highest coffee farms in the Grand Andes mountain range, giving this coffee a remarkable balance. The Origin Espresso concept grants customers new ways to experience coffee, and in this case, a new way to enjoy their lattes. “The Origin Espresso Latte Customization offering stems from our commitment to continuously share brilliant coffee with our customers,” said Rana Shaheen, the Starbucks Regional Communications and CSR Manager for the MENA region. With the introduction of the Origin Espresso concept in early 2014 across the EMEA, customers can anticipate different Origin Espresso choices throughout the year, helping them discover exciting new coffees from around the world. The new Colombia Narino blend is available in all stores across Kuwait.
DRAKE IS ‘GOING HOME’ TO LOYAL FANS IN THE UAE, AS THE DAPPER RAPPER ANNOUNCES HIS ONLY SHOW IN THE MIDDLE EAST Canadian hip-hop megastar is ready to make ‘The Headlines’ as he brings the noise for the first time ever to Dubai, UAE on 14th March 2015 It’s official - Hip-Hop megastar, DRAKE, is bringing his ‘Would You Like a Tour?’ show to Dubai, for onenight-only. Taking you from where it all started, ‘From the Bottom', to here, “Drizzy” is set to bring in an army of loyal fans from the GCC and wow the crowds with his endless hits and with his first ever Middle East performance at the Dubai International Stadium. Toronto-born DRAKE, has sold more than five-million albums worldwide, boasts a Grammy award and officially has more number one songs in the US Billboard charts than any other rapper. Known for his smash hits ‘Take Care’ and ‘The Motto’ and epic collaborations with the biggest names in the industry including: Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, DRAKE scored his 72nd top 100 hit, stealing the record which was previously held by the legendary band, The Beatles. Renowned for one of the biggest live productions by a hip hop artist – this show is going to be huge! Tickets are available from Time Out Tickets at www.itp.net/tickets, starting from 320 AED.
WILD STYLE Go wild this winter with THE One’s exotic Glamorama home fashion trend and take your decor cues from the animal kingdom’s most glamorous creatures: the big cats. Roar into the New Year with bold tiger stripes and leopard spots mixed with metallics, mirrors, velvet and furs against a richly dramatic backdrop of gold croco pattern wallpaper. It doesn’t get more extravagantly luxurious than this... Get the Look: DAZ 3-seater sofa, CHARLIE wing chair, ADELE coffee table, GRAN stool, JULIE cabinet, MARLEY display unit, REEM table lamp, EGAN wall sconce, KAMIL vase, DUHA candelabra, CHINCHI throw, NALA cushion cover.
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RIVER
bazaar checks it out RULER OF DUBAI HH SHEIKH MOHAMMED HONORS CREATOR OF THE 99 THE 99 is proud to announce that Teshkeel Media Group was the winner of the Media category of the 2014 Islamic Economy Award. Dr. Naif AlMutawa, the creator of THE 99 superheroes, received the award from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, at the Islamic Economy Award Ceremony in Dubai on 14th January 2015 at the Ritz Carlton, Dubai. The Islamic Economy Award has eight categories in all, and “recognizes innovative world-class business initiatives and ideas that have contributed to the social and economic welfare of the Muslim population”. Forbes named THE 99 as one of the “Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe” and President Barack Obama praised Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and THE 99 as perhaps the most innovative of the thousands of new entrepreneurs viewed by his Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in Washington D.C. The story of the creation and development of THE 99 has been covered by thousands of international media outlets and has received a lot of positive attention globally, leading to an animated series produced by Endemol UK that aired in 70 countries in various languages. THE 99 were created as positive role models for the world’s children offering universal themes of tolerance, teamwork and diversity to a worldwide audience. THE 99 superheroes hail from different countries and cultures from across the globe. Each character possesses one of 99 superpowers loosely based on the 99 attributes that Muslims apply to their understanding of God. These powers are qualities that all of humanity values and resonates with – powers such as wisdom, mercy, kindness etc. Neither the comics nor the series however, have any mention of religion and are of an entirely secular nature. They are stories of teamwork and tolerance and a goodversus-evil struggle understood by all societies and cultures. In 2010, THE 99 stood cape to shoulder with Batman, Superman and the rest of the JLA and fought against evil in a six-issue crossover series.
THE NEW LABEL.M BRIGHTENING BLONDE COLLECTION WITH EXCLUSIVE BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS IS DESIGNED TO BRING OUT THE BEST OF YOUR BLONDE. It enhances your hair’s tonal effects, neutralizes brassiness and extends the life of your color whilst moisturizing, nourishing and protecting against heat styling damage, humidity, frizz and UV rays – from the first use. The rich content of botanical ingredients including MAMAKI TEA, HOPS and WHITE PINEAPPLE supports the color enhancing properties by also nurturing and nourishing the hair. These key ingredients help prevent oxidation that results in undesirable brassiness (yellow-orange tones), as well as neutralizing existing brassiness; helping to prolong desirable clean and pure blonde tones. Exclusively distributed in Kuwait by beau-tique cosmetics international. For more information, you can call beau-tique on 2225 1285.
BATH & BODY WORKS PRESENTS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR A LOVED ONE WITH THE LAUNCH OF A THOUSAND WISHES! With February now upon us, everyone starts thinking of a unique, loving gift for someone special. Bath & Body Works invites you to experience its sparkling new Signature Collection fragrance – A Thousand Wishes. With sparkling starfruit, crystal peonies and almond crème, each key note adds an element of vivaciousness and comfort to the scent. The elegant fragrance, combined with beautifully designed packaging, makes A Thousand Wishes the perfect gift for you and the people you love most. A beautiful sparkling box with a luxe bow makes this the perfect gift to impress someone special. Fragrance Notes: Top: Pink Prosecco, Sparkling Starfruit, Golden Quince; Mid: Crystal Peonies, Purple Freesia; Dry: Gilded Amber, Amaretto Crème, Sugared Sandalwood, Velvet Musk.
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HYPOXI
bazaar investigates L’OCCITANE – FLEURS DE CERISIER L’EAU – THE SEASON OF FRIVOLITY The spring light unveils the very first cherry blossoms in the Luberon orchards. Their cozy whiteness diffuses the sweet scent of frivolity. Subtle and crystal-clear, Fleurs de Cerisier L’eau invites you to get whisked away in a whirlwind of fresh and delicate notes. Top notes: lemon sparkles over blackcurrant and watermelon; Heart notes: frivolous cherry blossoms swirl into delicate violet and rose notes; Base notes: The fragrance nestles into a subtle musky wood trail. To complement the 50ml fragrance (limited edition), a whole collection will also be launched comprising of: FRAGRANCE TOUCH 14ml – Dabbed onto pulse points (neck, wrists), the gel texture melts onto the skin and reveals its springtime notes. A new beauty ritual for perfumed touch-ups at any time of the day. SHOWER MILK 250ml – Gently cleansed, the skin snuggles into a luminous fruity and floral scent. MOISTURIZING MILK 250ml – The amazing texture melts over the body, enveloping it in delicately perfumed hydration. HAND CREAM 30ml – Enriched with shea butter, the formula helps nourish and protect the hands. Light notes and a bouquet of tenderness. All products in the collection contain Luberon cherry extract. Available from this month across L’Occitane stores.
BURGAN BANK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF AL THURAYA ACCOUNT DRAW AND YAWMI ACCOUNT QUARTERLY DRAW Burgan Bank announced Mr. Emad Abdulrazzaq Ahmad Alfahad as the first winner of the Yawmi Quarterly draw and Mrs. Subashini Rubin Thiyagarajan as the Thuraya Account winner of Audi R8 during massive mega celebrations held at the Avenues – Grand Avenue on 15 January 2015. The event, which witnessed a large turnout of mall visitors, was hosted by the presenters of Marina FM radio, Ali Najem and Sazdel, who interacted with and entertained the audience. The event included the distribution of instant prizes and exciting international entertainment shows that engaged the audience. The event reached the peak of excitement when the winners of the KD 125,000 and Audi R8 were announced. For customers wishing to win the KD 125,000 quarterly prize in Yawmi account, a minimum amount of KD 500 should be maintained for 2 months prior to draw date. Additionally, every KD 10 in the account will entitle customers to one chance of winning. Burgan Bank is a pioneer in fulfilling customers’ dreams and aspirations, and will continue finding innovative ways to reward its loyal customers for their trust in the bank’s services. For more information visit the nearest Burgan branch, call 180 4080 or visit www.burgan.com.
BE DIFFERENT AND BE UNIQUE Experience Toyota’s True Essence of Racing and Performance Heritage. Introducing… Toyota Racing Development - TRD Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons, one of the Al Sayer Group Holding Companies and the exclusive distributors of Toyota in Kuwait, recently launched Toyota Racing Development - TRD. The official launch event and press conference, held at Mall 360 was attended by Mr. Mubarak Naser Al Sayer, CEO - Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons (MNSS), Mr. Takeharu Inuzuka, General Manager – Toyota Technocraft Japan, the brand holder of TRD, Mr. Ryosuke Ako, Assistant General Manager – TMC MENARO Dubai, delegates from business units of Al Sayer Group Holding and representatives from press and media. In the opening speech, highlighting the long-standing strong business relationship with Toyota Mr. Mubarak Naser Al Sayer, CEO MNSS explains: “Al Sayer Group reflects Toyota’s corporate philosophy to emphasize contributing to society through automotive manufacture. To accomplish this goal we put our customers always at the center of everything we do, to enable continuous improvement at workplace in line with the best in the business principles. One of the biggest achievements of all is that we have successfully built a true culture for excellent customer care. Further strengthening our strategic partnership with Toyota, I am pleased to introduce for the first time in Kuwait Toyota’s true essence of racing and performance by revealing “Toyota Racing Development – TRD” a totally exciting and all new range of high performance products and accessories.” TRD package render each car instantly recognizable as unique examples, with sharper designs that also lend the cars better performance. TRD cars have unique, aggressive look, also featuring even more advanced and sophisticated sports package. All of their products are designed and developed by those engineers who have deep understanding and passion for all kinds of races – from competitive and endurance, to autocross, drifting and grassroots – both in Japan and overseas. For over half a century, they have worked hard to improve the car’s performance as well as the customers' connection with their car. Toyota continues to reinforce the leadership position with the introduction of a range of new and exciting models to enhance the market leadership with steady sales and sustained performance. Customers have found a striking connection with the successful Toyota’s new design direction. The new design direction has led Toyota to develop cars with dynamic and exciting exterior designs while increasing the fun to drive quotient.
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KATSUYA BY STARCK LAUNCHES ITS FIRST STAND-ALONE RESTAURANT IN THE MIDDLE EAST Last month Katsuya by Starck opened its first stand-alone restaurant in the Middle East, and its second Kuwait location, at Arabella. The restaurant is a result of the prodigious pairing of master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi and world-renowned Creator Philippe Starck. The opening of the restaurant was celebrated at an official launch ceremony hosted by John Kolaski, COO of sbe Restaurant Group, and Jim Dunn, VP of Asian Dining at M.H. Alshaya Co. The launch was attended by prominent dignitaries, VIP guests and local media, who engaged in an interactive sushi-making and a cocktail mixology session on how to make signature Katsuya dishes and drinks. Katsuya by Starck is known for its creative and dynamic decor and menu, which are truly a feast for the senses. With four speciality kitchens, award-winning freshly-squeezed elixirs, and spectacular sushi and sashimi platters, Katsuya skilfully translates Japanese flavors for an international palate. The new 465 m2 Arabella restaurant seats 204 guests and features three private dining rooms for up to 10 people each. The stunning new restaurant at Arabella blends Samurais with bento boxes and uses the natural beauty of wood and stone to create an exquisite and stylish environment. The newest Katsuya by Starck Arabella is open daily from Sat to Wed 11:00am – 11:00pm and Thurs to Fri 11:00am – 12:00am.
STRETCH YOUR LASHES WITH THE ALL NEW SMOKY STRETCH MASCARA BY MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Stretch is the new workout adopted by backstage pros The search for perfect black lashes is over. Women can now show off their glamorous eyes with incredible length and defined lashes with the ultimate lengthening and defining mascara by MAKE UP FOR EVER. Inspired by backstage makeup expertise, Smoky Stretch Mascara is ideal for TV, Film & Photo shoots as it can lengthen, separate and define lashes with professional perfection. This all new clump-free mascara comes in deep black color perfect for everyone to master the intensity and get noticed in style. Its molded conical brush applies the perfect amount of mascara to achieve incredible length, perfectly defined lashes and optimal separation. It is the ideal tool for instantly extended and flexed lashes all day long. They can even achieve any smoky look with MAKE UP FOR EVER’s complete range of well-defined, smoky, intense black mascaras: Smoky Extravagant, Aqua Smoky Extravagant, Smoky Lash, or Aqua Smoky Lash.
FIRST VOLKSWAGEN XL1 MODEL ARRIVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST Considered to be the world’s most efficient and technologically advanced car, the first Volkswagen XL1 in the Middle East was last month handed over to Mr Ali Murad Behbehani in an official ceremony with Mr Jens Mueller, from Volkswagen Middle East. The revolutionary XL1 model, originally a visionary concept from Volkswagen in 2002, has become a reality with just 250 models manufactured. Commenting on the arrival of his new and rare vehicle, Mr Behbehani said, “Volkswagen is a leader in innovative technologies and the Volkswagen XL1 is proof of their dedication to develop vehicles that can offer complete driving pleasure and yet, remain kind to the environment. I am extremely pleased to be in receipt of the XL1, the first in the Middle East”. The XL1 is a statement in a commitment to deliver vehicles that offer a combination of fuel efficiency and driving pleasure, the XL1 succeeds on every count. A high-tech lightweight design, perfect aerodynamics and a plugin hybrid system – consisting of a two-cylinder TDI engine, e-motor, 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) and lithium-ion battery – all make it possible for the new XL1 to defy the laws of physics. Thomas Milz, Managing Director, Volkswagen Middle East, said: “The development of the XL1 was essential to the Volkswagen brand – it was a project which brought together all elements of the group’s expertise in research and development, allowing the technology learned to further enhance our product line-up. The arrival of the first Volkswagen XL1 is an absolute honor and I could not be more pleased, to hand over what can only be described as glimpse into the future of automotive technology, here today.” Thanks to its plug-in hybrid system, the two-seater XL1 can also be driven for up to 50 kilometers locally in pure electric mode, meaning zero emissions at the point of use. The XL1 is an automotive hero that follows pure sports car design principles: low weight (795 kg), perfect aerodynamics (Cd 0.189) and a low centre of gravity (1,153 mm high). This gives the efficient Volkswagen model the ability to cruise on the road at a constant speed of 100 km/h using just 6.2 kW / 8.4 PS. The XL1 holds 10 litres of fuel and a battery capacity of 5.5 kWh enabling 500 km of total range. You can follow VW Twitter at @VWMiddleEast or Facebook: VolkswagenMiddleEast.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT The luxury of our worries by Lulua Al-Osaimi
From Ferguson Missouri to Syria, from Chicago to West Africa, continuous chaos seems to fill our daily newsfeeds from social networks to global news. If it hasn’t snapped you back into reality, it is just a matter of time before you find yourself reflecting and questioning, “What in the world is going on?” As for myself, a few direct and indirect, personal and not so personal events have occurred recently leaving me no choice but to reflect and question. For the last month, I have found my body trying to fight off some serious colds, which has definitely affected me mentally and emotionally, because I pride myself in being a healthy mind and bodied individual. One thing being “under the weather” has forced me to do is reflect on my daily routine, goals, health, and overall where I am mentally, physically, and emotionally in the present moment. Also during this time, I have been especially attentive to the worries and concerns of the people around me. From my best friend finally being allowed to travel back to her beloved country after many years away, to a conversation with a friend about his mother’s passing, to my old student asking my advice about her future dreams…everyone seems to be looking to find or fulfill their purpose while navigating through all of the roadblocks that are inevitable in between. As is true for myself, after moving back to Kuwait (my birthplace) last year after growing up in America, I can’t begin to explain how much of a rollercoaster it has been. I feel many times like a child, soaking up information, names, places, customs, traditions, memories, but at the same time I am thankfully at a mature age where I can decipher which information and habits I choose to acquire or leave. One of the largest comparisons I can make between my life here in Kuwait and my life in the U.S. is the luxury of some worries. Friends, family, and acquaintances from social networks have followed my life as a social justice art educator on the south side of Chicago. Even through social networks, they have had an inside look into a broad spectrum from my personal life, endeavors, triumphs, suffering, achievements, to my greatest passion as an artist and educator. Before moving to Kuwait, I was a proud teacher at an alternative social justice high school serving youth ages 16-21 on Chicago’s south side. Attending this alternative high school was my students’ second chance at receiving a high school diploma and I was honored to help facilitate that dream as their art teacher. I remember on May 21, 2013 I had posted a video on my Instagram of me arm wrestling one of my students. After posting the video, receiving likes and comments, and going back to my apartment, I was told that my student had been killed by gun violence while walking 134
home. Not only did it rock my world, but even my friends, family, and social network followers were in shock. To think this happened just two hours after I posted the video, and many people empathized with me because they felt they knew my students and classroom because of my daily posts. That following August I came to Kuwait to teach, explore, answer questions, and hopefully heal. I think the number one question I receive from people is, “How has the transition been?” and quite frankly I am still trying to figure out how to answer that question. One fact that is for sure is that living here in Kuwait is a constant reminder to count my blessings and even all of the hardships that have allowed me to better appreciate these blessings. To be raised in a place where your name is just a name no one can pronounce, your personality and resume are your key to climbing the latter, and privilege is only given to a minority… who in all reality, is not the true minority. Without always trying to compare my life there and here, my work there and here, my purpose there and here, I more-so try to think about my privilege, and through understanding my privilege in this world, I become
a more conscious and aware thinker and doer and most of all, I can recognize the responsibility in that privilege. I want to make this very clear…everyone’s individual worries are valid because whatever life they were raised and now live in is all they know, but what happens when we step outside of our comfort zones. No matter what hardship I have been through in my life, I try my best to faithfully practice the art of reflection, and in that reflection try to unpack my troubles in comparison to what others are facing locally and globally. Whether your privilege is your skin color, gender, family name, age, access to education, transportation, having hot water, ability to travel, being able-bodied, how you will be tried in a court, or even the ability to use your voice to speak up against injustices, we must be aware of this so we can be more conscious and compassionate humans and productive contributors to society. So the next time you’re in low spirits, or even when you’re in high spirits, remember to take a minute (or two) to just reflect, and never stop counting your blessings… daily. #staywoke
STARBUCKS
bazaar scopes what’s your sign? PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 20
LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22
Don’t spread yourself too thin at work this month, Pisces. It’s OK to delegate tasks when the going gets tough. A romantic encounter leaves you confused. Trust your own instincts when you’re looking for the right answer. A Virgo associate surprises you with offensive behavior.
A negative attitude is your worst enemy. Stay positive and you’ll get through a tough situation with success. Plans could be canceled at the last minute. However, an alternate plan could prove just as enjoyable. Your intense emotions may be too much for a loved one. News of an engagement is possible.
ARIES MAR 21 – APR 19
SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22
You’ll have time to do the things you really enjoy. Feel free to delve into hobbies, read a book or spend time with friends. There’s nothing wrong with a little playtime now and then. Dress extra-special at a social event this month. Good news regarding finances is on the way.
Stay physically active this month. It will ease stress at work. Problems in romance? Telling only part of the story can make you look suspicious. Being honest is the best answer. A compliment to a female family member goes a long way. Stay close to home as the month ends.
TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20
SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 – DEC 21
A former friend, with whom you’ve severed ties, may try to contact you and patch things up. Before you get lost in sentimentality, remember the cons of the friendship – and be on the lookout for an ulterior motive. A social event this month may be canceled at the last minute.
Trouble in paradise? Remedy a romantic falling out. Take a selfless approach to love, especially if you have a Scorpio or Aries mate. Matters at work are not as pressing as they seem. Take a serious approach to handling “emergencies.” Keep spending to a minimum.
GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21
CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19
Working on a tough project this month? Draw inspiration from those around you and accept their encouragement. It’s OK to seek assistance now and then. Does your life seem like a juggling act lately? Try declining an invitation for once, and spend some time by yourself.
While your career may be flourishing, your personal life needs some attention. Take a romantic partner’s needs seriously. Make the effort to make things right again. A Leo has good advice this month. Take it seriously, Capricorn! Don’t give in to unfair demands from family.
AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 Jealousy will get you nowhere, especially if you’re involved with a Sagittarius. Be strong and talk things out. Talk from your head and your heart – and don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Young children play a role this coming month. Cancer has some news.
CANCER JUN 22 – JUN 22 Your intuition could lead you to good luck midmonth. Trust it. Mixing business with pleasure will work to your advantage, especially on Thursdays. An important introduction could be made, boosting both your career and your social life. Accept lastminute invitations. Avoid dishonesty of any kind.
LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 If you’re playing the role of mentor, be patient. Try to give the advice you would have wanted to hear long ago. A change of scenery is just what you need to put the spark back in your fire. Take some time to relax and get away from it all. In areas of love, learn from your mistakes.
VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 A troubled friend will come to you for advice. Use your logical mind to get your friend back on track. A love relationship needs your attention. Try to be a little more understanding in this area. If you’re in a creative field, this month is your time to shine. An old friend from out of town may pay a visit.
www.bazaar.town source: www.2015horoscope.com
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MARINA RINALDI
JAZEERA (OBC)