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Who would have believed that it’s already December 2022! This year literally flew by and here we are, still recovering from Thanksgiving dinners, and already planning Christmas parties, New Year parties, and if you’ve got kids in school, midyear vacation plans too! All of that, combined with so much going on with the World Cup fever that has totally taken over our lives, along with all sorts of exciting stuff happening in December from Winter Wonderland to Cirque Du Soleil to open track days at KMT!
The year might be winding down, but here at bazaar we’re still going strong. The team has been out and about all month; meeting exciting people and doing exciting things. In this issue we’re introducing you to Mariam Al-Farhan in Truth or Dare, a dentist who found her passion in bedding. We also met up with Hala Al Abdulkareem, the creative mind behind Folklore the Label, the stunning designer handbag brand and she told us more about her journey. For more art, we spoke to Curator Fatina Alsayed and artist Sara Shamma, about Sara’s latest exhibition and their work together. Speaking of designer collaborations, we also spoke to Ziad Antonios Sarkis, who has partnered up with Mastara for a very interesting program that opens doors to local designers to create interior pieces. Speaking to us on the latest in the world of retail marketing is Alyasra Fashion’s Hussein Hammoud. As Head of Marketing, he has been working closely on all new brand launches, and creating success for existing ones, which is no small task.
Every once in a while, we get to do something truly magical and this month we got to take three incredible cars for fun cruises around town: The Ferrari Roma, The Ferrari 296 GTB and the stunning Porsche Panamera Platinum edition is gracing our pages this month. And while this has sparked an endless debate amongst the team about which model they would prefer to own, we all definitely agreed that each car made for a powerful and gorgeous drive.
What’s the end of the year without a festive fashion shoot? Featuring, H&M, COS, Monki and & Other Stories, bazaar Studios celebrated Desert Glam like never before. We also bring you our holiday favorites from Debenhams, and explore sustainable fashion with athleisure brand Tribe of 6.
It’s not an issue of bazaar Magazine without a couple of must-visit restaurant features. What can we say, we are always hungry here. BBQ Wednesday at Al Bustan’s Radisson Blu is back and we’re besides ourselves. We love enjoying the numerous live stations, music and dining under the starry sky. You also shouldn’t miss Amiti Noura’s limited time special menu, and have pizza for breakfast at PizzaExpress! We got to sample it, and we absolutely think you should try it too.
December marks the end of the year, but it also signals new beginnings and while we might be exhausted, we’re also excited and looking forward to another year of bringing you the great content you all love!
Happy reading!
Ahmed El-Adly
About the Cover: Captured by the unique lens of local photographer Fawaz Alhajji, we appreciated all the difference the choice of an angle makes when taking a photo. Giving us Liberation Tower from an unseen vista, the resulting shot is whimsical, clever and beautiful all at once. For more information on Fawaz, follow him on Instagram @Fawaazzq8.
Hala shamelessly enables women’s handbag addiction every where by designing the most beautiful arm candy. Her journey is an interesting one. She designs with functionality and utility in mind while also create art in the form of a purse.
You might never meet another Lebanese person who was raised in Sierra Leone. Hussein Hammoud’s story is fascinating. We spoke to him about his role at Alyasra Fashion as Head of Marketing, to learn more about him and his story.
All things sparkle and shine in this holiday edit. It’s a banquet of style, encouraging confidence with its irresistible colors and textures. The collection has a party-ready focus, with key pieces that are charged with sophistication.
Can you choose between the Ferrari Roma or the 296 GTB? We took both of them on a cruise around K-town. Both models offer the Prancing Horse’s best; impeccably engineered engines, unparalleled luxury and a rich history of coveted cars and we realized we couldn’t decide.
Mastara have been busy in the past year, bringing plans to light that have been in the pipeline since the very conception of the business, while still focusing on the core business. They have launched their ‘Interior Design programme’ (ID Programme) which connects designers to customers.
A quick end-of-year getaway is just what the doctor ordered. We’ve figured out how to pack smarter and lighter with a little help from MUJI. We have all the tips and tricks to help you stay warm and organized while you travel.
We spend a big chunk of our day in bed, so our bedding needs to live up to our expectations. Mariam started exploring the world of bedding after she was unable to find anything that she loved or lasted more than a few washes, so she created her own brand.
Move over weekend because we have a new favorite day to go out and have fun.We love heading to The Radisson Blu Hotel for their famous BBQ Wednesday at the Al Bustan restaurant. From the exciting selection of bbq options to the ambiance, it is a favorite for all the right reasons.
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We’ve been waiting for alo to finally arrive in Kuwait. We love the premium lifestyle brand’s products. They’re always highquality, cute and can take a beating when we work out. Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading international retail franchise operators, marked the debut of alo in Kuwait, a renowned premium lifestyle brand, with launching online and opening in The Avenues. The partnership reflects Alshaya’s retail growth strategy that prioritizes guest experience, convenience, and community.
Sprawling across 500 sqm, the in-store experience builds on alo’s global mission to spread mindful movements, inspire wellness, and create community. The store’s widespread layout is expertly curated to bring the latest collections to full display, including high-performance activewear, as well as fashion forward, on-trend leisurewear.
The Los Angeles-based brand aims to elevate luxury athleisure from the studio to the street, with high-quality, ethically made, and environmentally friendly active apparel and wellness products for both men and women.
Speaking about the opening of the brand in Kuwait, alo Yoga Co-Founder and Co-CEO Danny
Harris said: “As a brand which supports wellbeing, alo has a strong synergy with the cultured lifestyle enjoyed in the Middle East. We’re looking forward to connecting with our community in Kuwait through our website and at our first retail store in The Avenues in Kuwait. The move to enter Kuwait is part of the brand’s retail growth strategy, focusing on convenience, guest experience, and community as we introduce Alo to our newest markets.”
John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group, said, “We’re really pleased to open the new store today, partnering with alo Yoga to bring our customers an exceptional experience. The past few years have witnessed a steady growth in customers
By bazaar staff
You wouldn’t know it from looking at her, but Haya not only juggles being a mother to three children under four years of age, but also has her own handbag brand that makes us want to give her all our money! Take it all, we say, but keep giving us these fantastic bag designs that make us go gaga!
We love a little arm candy, and Haya keeps bringing us styles we can’t say no to! The Central St Martin’s alumni has always known that she wanted to be a designer, even from a very young age art and design was her passion. Studying at Central St Martin’s is no walk in the park, it is grueling and intense, Haya remembers her time as the “best and toughest thing” to happen to her. “Learning from my peers and teachers and being surrounded by really talented people was so rewarding! But it was also the sense of absolute responsibility on yourself in terms of showing up and giving your best - that makes you so resilient and strong,” Haya shares. While Haya studied in London, she also was working as a gallery agent at the Fashion Illustration Gallery where she was curating and selling art work.
In the past, her inspiration came from her immediate surroundings, but when creating pieces for Folklore she finds inspiration amongst people, while traveling, from new cultures and ways of living. But it’s not just aesthetics for Haya, she strives to design bags that are functional, that’s why all of her bags can be styled and worn in many different ways. However, Haya especially appreciates the craftsmanship and details of design.
That is actually how Folklore was born, Haya actually refers to the brand as her first-born who is currently a tween. While working as a marketing manager curating events and photo shoots and for a renowned concept store, Haya came across a collective of brands that the store carried, and she fell in love with the beautiful construction of the garments, and that is when the idea of the brand was born. She chose the name Folklore because by definition it means the stories that pass down from generation to generation, it was her goal to illustrate that people have their own stories and mostly you can find out these stories with the content of their bags! We find that thought so intriguing, we might start peeking into people’s handbags!
The brand features contemporary aesthetics and focuses on artisan production and using only the best high quality sustainable materials available. That is why Haya produces her leather in Spain, which is one of the leading leather goods manufacturers, with many high fashion brands producing there. However, finding reputable suppliers has been one of the hardest parts of the business; while Haya was pregnant with her first two children, she visited the factory many times to ensure quality checks.
She now works with a family-owned leather goods manufacturer company in a small town in Spain. The town produces leather goods for some of the biggest names in fashion and is kind of the best kept secret in the industry. Haya recalls visiting the town for the first time, “It took me so long to find this place and when I finally visited the town it was like utopia! A small valley town surrounded by mountains and white Spanish architecture; it was shining so brightly from the sun; it was then I knew that I found the holy grain of leather manufacturing.” She still goes and visits the production of each collection. If that isn’t dedication, we don’t know what is!
Haya’s aim is for people who wear her bags to feel confident and empowered by choosing bags that are functional, fashionable, affordable and sustainable. She is planning to bring fresh new designs with every collection. We are so excited!
Currently, you can purchase Folklore bags at folklorethelabel.com and Harvey Nichols in Kuwait, but we are expecting to see the bag in many more retailers very soon. Follow @ folklorethelabel to stay current with the latest collections and styles.
Curator Fatina Al Sayed and artist Sara Shamma’s journey culminates in their latest exhibition
By bazaar staff
Fatina Alsayed is an art curator who has been a champion of visual art in the Middle East since 1999; she enjoys nothing more than showcasing the works of emerging artists to give them a voice. One artist whom Fatina has been curating exhibitions for many years now is Sara Shamma, who recently held an exhibition at the Kuwait Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) in Kuwait.
Fatina has curated four exhibitions for Sara, and each exhibition celebrates their journeys together as artist and curator of the art. The exhibition featured Sara’s latest body of work titled “Age”, which focuses on the universal experience shared by all. Her art does not seek to highlight the ugliness or tragedy of ageing but to emphasize its beauty and poignancy with honesty and palpable tenderness.
In the past, Sara has produced pieces that speak to the ugliness of truth or the ills of human behavior, such as war, modern-day slavery, death, and childbirth. This work speaks to how even with age, the perception of time changes; younger people feel that they have all the time they want while wanting everything to happen fast. In contrast, older people think they have limited time yet seem to approach life unhurriedly.
“As a curator, Sara’s work was a new and exciting turn for me, challenging me in the creative production of her exhibit. I have seen Sara’s evolution and involvement throughout the years, tackling humanity and the social causes I stand for. In 2004, for the first time, I represented Sara in Kuwait with her journey of dervishes. In time I witnessed how her subject matter delved more profoundly, and her strokes grew bolder. I am very proud of her achievements and the recognition that she has received in the Middle East and internationally,” Fatina explains about Sara’s recent work.
Fatina absolutely loves what she does, and when she is putting together an exhibition, she lives and breathes the artist’s journey as if she has gone through it with them. She pays attention to every detail; the ambiance and venue pay homage to the art and the music and lighting match the exhibit’s emotion. Nothing is left to chance, and she, in her own way, is also an artist; while an artist paints a picture, she paints her vision into an exhibition.
Organizing a show is a big deal for Fatina. She shares, “When organizing an exhibition, I feel like I am giving birth; it is like giving life to an artist’s vision and dreams. I give all of myself, all of my heart and soul.”
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The exhibition held at CAP was put together with such care and love, but also a production that wowed and through which you could live and breathe the fantasy; it brought Sara’s exceptional work to life! Artists love working with Fatina because they know she will do justice to their work and make the best choices, making the venue come alive to tell the story of their art.
Fatina’s curation of Sara’s body of work over time has shown how her art has evolved. Sara always knew she wanted to be an artist, and she continually approached a blank canvas with no planning or notions about what she would like to produce. She puts on her music and loses herself in meditation and relaxation; inspiration usually strikes from there. Many of Sara’s art features faces and hands; she has always been drawn to gestures and expressions. She believes “one human being stands for humanity as a whole, actually for the whole universe.”
At the age of 14, Sara decided that she would be an artist. She had started painting at a young age, and her parents honed her talent by encouraging her to continue painting and enrolling her in art classes. Sara considers being an artist as just being her; she cannot imagine herself in any other activity. She tells us that “art is the outcome of a state of being that the deliberations of mind cannot define. Art is timeless.
We asked Sara how her art had transformed over her lifetime. She responded by explaining, “my art is an adventure because I don’t ever know the result because it is always full of surprises. I am stimulated by the love of exploration; that is why every moment of life uniquely impacts my art.”
In addition to working with Sara, Fatina has collaborated with other exceptional artists such as Safwan Dahoul, Jaber Alwan, and Kevork Mourad. In her mission to give these artists a voice, she has curated many solo and collective fine art and design exhibits in Kuwait and across the region. What is impressive to experience are the productions that truly convey Fatina’s love and respect for the arts with her commitment to the continuity of the Middle Eastern art scene represented both locally and internationally.
We are keen to see where Fatina and Sara’s journey into the world of art takes them! Seek out Sara on Instagram @sara.shamma.artist to see how her art develops over time and learn about other emerging artists Fatina is working with @fatina.alsayed.
The Lebanese, Sierra Leone raised, Hussein Hammoud is a loving father of two who loves what he does at Alyasra Fashion. As Head of Marketing, he has been working closely on all new brand launches, and creating success for existing ones, which is no small task.
Drawing his inspiration from stories of people who don’t take NO for an answer, Hussein explains that you must realize when to accept that a matter is not moving forward in your favor, but also, don’t give up until you’ve explored all options. This is likely to be the reason that Hussein is so successful at what he does!
Hussein has an advertising agency background; he spent most of his career with Impact BBDO in Kuwait, handling different brands from different industries. In 2019, he took a leap of faith and went on a freelancing consultancy journey, which is when he undertook a threemonth consultancy role with Alyasra Fashion. He was then offered a full-time role which he gladly accepted. He tells us it “... continues to be a fun ride. It’s a wonderful experience filled with brands and stories that I have grown very fond of and feel very close to.”
Although Hussein tells us that he is not a fashionable person (and that he just learned what a cardigan is) we are certain that isn’t true! One of the reasons he joined Alyasra Fashion was because of his love for the brand Cole Haan which the company franchises in Kuwait. He also shares that he loves marketing and that he is excited by the fashion industry because of the competitive nature of the market, the everchanging dynamics of customer behavior and how you need to adapt your strategy to tackle all of the above.
“Alyasra Fashion don’t bring just any brands to Kuwait, we make sure that all brands we have are enhancing people’s lives not only from a fashion point of view, but also overall lifestyle. This starts from the moment you are born with our beautiful French brand, Petit Bateau, which is made using organic cotton allowing babies to sleep more peacefully at night. All the way to the MaxMara Teddy coat, which is a timeless piece that moves from one generation to another,” explains Hussein.
The other brands that are close to Hussein’s heart are Icoona and ISAIA. Hussein was a member of the committee working on the initiation of the Icoona brand, defining its ethos and launching it. As the name suggests, Icoona (meaning icon in Arabic), is a house of iconic and innovative brands. He shares that every brand that is onboarded has a story to tell, thus allowing people to express and celebrate their individuality. For example, Hampton Road, is a brand with a story behind it, the USA designer upcycles clutches from original designer scarves.
ISAIA, on the other hand, is a recently launched Italian luxury menswear brand which Hussein is particularly fond of. Founded in Naples in 1920, ISAIA is recognized by its tiny red coral logo, which is a good-luck charm in Naples. The ISAIA gentleman believes in uniqueness and his clothing expresses the most harmonious and natural representation of his personality.
What is the latest at Alyasra Fashion you may ask? Hussein talks to us about one of the key initiatives at Alyasra Fashion, which is the investment in research to understand our customers better, benchmark against competition, and gain greater awareness of the key brands compared to those of the competition. The aim is that with this level of insight the company will be able to reach customers with the right and relevant message and of course to enhance and improve the customer experience and engagement. The brand is working on adding value to customers, which is exactly what we at bazaar love to hear!
There are many more cool, new brands coming to Alyasra Fashion we hear! We can’t share yet, but we definitely recommend that you keep your ears open and eyes peeled, you will definitely want to be the first to know!
It is not often that you find someone who is so passionate about what he does and is great at it too! We are so excited to follow Hussein’s journey and all the fabulous initiatives that he is bringing to Alyasra Fashion.
Stay current with all the fashion updates at Alyasra Fashion by following @alyasra on Instagram! For any additional information, you can call or WhatsApp +965 1820012.
Asking someone why they are getting so defensive during a disagreement rarely helps the situation. In fact, it often makes things worse. It’s natural to want to defend yourself if you feel your beliefs are being threatened. However, it’s possible to have a conversation in which you don’t agree and not cause the other person to become defensive, according to Shelby Scarbrough, former international and U.S. Department of State Protocol Officer and author of Civility Rules! Creating a Purposeful Practice of Civility.
Something we can’t control is somebody else’s reaction or behavior,” she says. “Therefore, what we bring to the table is the most important thing. If everybody came to the table with that concept wanting to be civil and have a civil conversation, the world would be a lovely place.”
While Scarbrough admits not everybody enters a conversation wanting to be civil, there are things we can proactively do to help avoid a defensive reaction.
First, avoid using accusatory terminology, such as “you should,” or shaming or blaming the other person.
“It’s a surefire way for them to come back with a response that’s defensive or angry if they are sensitive at all about their position on something,” says Scarbrough. “Somebody who’s extremely comfortable and confident in their own position often is not defensive because they don’t need to be. They can have a conversation about any topic and not worry about it’s not a personal slight.”
Next, avoid telling someone what to do and giving advice.
“If we want to engage with somebody in a deeper, meaningful level, it’s not about us getting
out our views,” she says. “That’s where we kind of go wrong in society these days. We’re so hell bent on getting our own opinion out there and putting it out there as truth or fact rather than realizing that it is a perspective and that there are other perspectives.”
Instead, share your experience. There is a distinction between your opinion and your experience, says Scarbrough. “Your opinion is your beliefs,” she says. “In theory, it’s based on your experience, but when you simply share your opinion, you don’t show your experience behind it.”
Sharing your experience illustrates how you’ve come to your view. Start your sentence with, “This has been my experience.” Be willing to be vulnerable and open to push back, says Scarbrough.
“The person might say, ‘Yeah, but’ and that’s okay,” she says. “That doesn’t mean you have to get defensive, too. You can say, ‘I can see this is this is hitting a nerve and that’s not my purpose. That’s not what I’m trying to do. I would I’d really like to have a conversation about this. And if it’s uncomfortable for you, we don’t have to talk about it.’ That can help calm the situation, so the other person feels safe.”
Ask yourself, do you want to have a conversation
about something or do you just want an opportunity to push your position. If it’s the latter, it’s usually a good way to cause someone to get defensive, which creates a dead-end conversation.
If you want to have a conversation, enter it with open-ended curiosity. Scarbrough suggests saying, “Tell me more about that. I’d like to understand your views.”
“You don’t have to agree, but coming to a conversation with a perspective of humility will help open a conversation and get the other person to share their views,” she says. “We can keep the conversation at a level of interest. It doesn’t have to get angry. It doesn’t have to be nasty.”
You can’t prevent someone from being defensive, but changing how you enter a conversation can help, Scarbrough says. “Who am I to say that you should believe one thing or another? That’s pretty arrogant of me,” she says. “Instead, do your best to come to the conversation with humility and grace, and openness and curiosity and generosity of spirit. And if we do that, we have a lot less chances of having a response that is defensive. Intent is half the battle.”
It’s a shift is in how we think about why we work and what we want to get out of our jobs. For some this recalibration taken the form of disengaging with their current roles in the form of The Great Resignation or quiet quitting. For others, it’s about thinking more deeply about what makes work meaningful.Whether it’s about redefining ambition, finding meaning, or creating a career that allows you to prioritize your life outside of work, all of these bigger picture issues can feel impossible to address when you feel in a state of constant crisis—which is, how the last two and a half years have felt. And while the pandemic disruptions to work may be for the most part in the rearview, we are now facing a recession and the possibility of layoffs.So how, amid all of this, can we take the long view of our careers? How can we plan for the future when the present feels so uncertain?On the latest episode of The New Way We Work, I spoke with Dorie Clark, speaker, Fast Company contributor, and author of several books, including The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World, about practical ways to carve out time and space for big-picture thinking in our busy lives.
The good news, Clark says, is that strategic thinking doesn’t need to take up a lot of time. “You don’t need to spend 10 hours a week doing strategy work. That’s just not realistic. This is more about reframing the way that we think and finding small interstitial moments, rather than just committing ourselves to try to sit at a desk with a blank mind,” she says. It’s not about creating more time; it’s about creating more space, she adds. This is easier said than done, but Clark says that you can start by thinking about what you do for fun, or what you used to do for fun before you got paid. There, Clark says, are the seeds for what you can start planning for the long term.
The next step is how to create more white space to start to act on the things you want to do. For this, Clark’s solution is simple: Learn how to say no to more things. She advises becoming a “little bit merciless about challenging assumptions and pushing back on things.” An example of an easy way to do this is to change coffee meetings and phone calls to emails.
Once you have an idea of things that interest you and have created a little space on your calendar, Clark recommends testing out your ideas and seeing if its something you’d like to explore more deeply. Give yourself assignments,
like reading books about people or an industry you are interested in. Set up informational interviews with people who have jobs related to what you might want to do. Clark says it’s a way test drive the many possibilities out there.Listen to the episode for more on how to create more
opportunities for connection and idea generation and how managers can (and should) encourage long-term thinking for their employees.
For many of us, our relationship to work feels different now than any other time in the last decade. It goes beyond the upheaval of adjusting to remote and then hybrid work. It’s more than just how or where we do our jobs.Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
Connected to The Avenues, the country’s largest retail, entertainment, and luxury lifestyle destination, the iconic Waldorf Astoria Kuwait brings unrivalled luxury, world-class hospitality, and exquisite dining to the heart of Kuwait City.
To mark the festive season, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait offers its guests an inaugural range of spectacular celebrations, from elegant themed dinners to festive afternoon teas, available at their award-winning culinary locales.
AVA is Waldorf Astoria Kuwait’s destination that offers a taste of Mediterranean life and delivers a tasteful, relaxed and ambient experience with authentic Mediterranean flair, using the freshest seasonal ingredients. Inspired by the relaxed lifestyle across the coast, the food is light and fresh. This stylish restaurant showcases the best cuisine from the French Riviera, the South of Italy and the Greek Islands. Choose from sharing items like wood-fire pizzas, appetisers and salads, grilled items and decadent desserts. For an intimate dinner or a birthday celebration, corporate gettogether or a gathering with close friends, our dinner menu will set the tone for a memorable evening at AVA.
To ring in the New Year, AVA lights up in spirit and invites guests to the celebrate the night away with a “New York – New York” themed evening. Guests can enjoy an exquisite 5-course premium set menu and festive ambiance created by live Jazz band, DJ, violin performance and saxophone entertainment from 8PM.
AVA’s New Year’s Eve set menu is available on 31st December from 8:00PM onwards, starting from 70 KWD per person at bar seating, 90 KWD per person at the indoor dining seating area, and 110 KWD per person for the prestige terrace area.
For ultimate exclusivity, guests can also book the Private Dining room for 500 KWD for two.
To keep the New Year’s celebrations going, guests are invited to start the year on a high
note and indulge in a New Year’s Day brunch buffet with AVA’s flavorful Mediterranean cuisine, a sushi corner, and live cooking stations. A live DJ and violin performance will set the mood for a fantastic year ahead.
AVA’s New Year’s Day brunch buffet is available on
1st January 2023 from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM for 38 KWD per person.
Peacock Alley is a NYC cafe with Parisian influences for guests to share a great time
together in the most stylish and elegant way.
Choose from an array of endless delights including fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches and exquisite chocolates and macaroons. Or, for a touch of Old-World charm and great traditions, why not try their Signature Afternoon Tea? If you are not hungry, you can still tantalise your taste buds with homemade infused waters, specialty coffees or maybe something from Peacock Alley’s renowned botanical tea trolley.
Peacock Alley surprises guests with their Festive High Tea experience to celebrate the holiday season. Guests are invited to enjoy a selection of sweet and salty delicacies, freshly brewed tea and signature coffee, accompanied by enchanting live music performances for exquisite holiday memories
The Festive High Tea offer is available on 25th December from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM for 19 KWD per person.
Guests are also invited to enjoy a delightful High Tea on New Year’s Eve, offering a selection of delights and beverages with a live piano and harp performance to elevate the celebratory ambience.
The New Year’s Eve High Tea offer is available on 31st December 2022 from 3:0 0PM to 12:30 AM for 25 KWD per person.
Enjoy signature salads, pittas and sandwiches, homemade gelatos and sip on refreshing mocktails, iced tea and homemade lemonades at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait’s definitive poolside lounge and bar. Surrounded by foliage and greenery, Oxio is the perfect place to escape from the outside world. Unwind on the chaise lounges, enjoy the company of friends and family at the bar or relax by the pool. For a truly unforgettable escape, take advantage of the private cabanas.
OXIO makes its debut as the perfect outdoor setting to celebrate the new year with impeccable style. The poolside restaurant will offer an oriental sharing-style set menu with live cooking and barbeque grill stations. The vibrant “White-Night” themed 2023 poolside celebration will feature a special light and laser show as well as a DJ, violin player and saxophone performances for guests to enjoy throughout the night.
The OXIO New Year’s Eve set menu is available on 31st December from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM for 45 KWD per person for the Lounge area, 75 KWD per person for the pool area, and 250 KWD per person to enjoy the private Cabanas.
To make your festive reservations at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, please call 2477 4414, email restaurantreservations.kuwait@waldorfastoria.com, or visit kuwait.waldorfastoria.com. Follow the hotel @WaldorfAstoriaKuwait on Instagram for the latest updates.
How much does an electric vehicle’s battery performance change in hot weather? How about cold? If someone drives aggressively in an EV, how does that affect the battery life? How much do variations in battery materials make a difference in how an EV
Researchers and manufacturers have partial answers to these questions based on the data they have collected. But they would know much more if they shared their data in formats they all could understand.
This is the premise behind the Battery Data Genome, a new initiative led by Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois and Idaho National Laboratory, among others. The name is a reference to the Human Genome Project, a monumental data-sharing effort launched in 1990 that contributed to innovations in medical science.
“It’s going to take a lot of data, data from a lot of sources,” said George Crabtree, a distinguished fellow at Argonne and director of the Department of Energy’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research.
Crabtree is one of more than two dozen coauthors of a paper published this month in the journal Joule announcing the project. Regular readers will recognize him as someone I often ask to help translate battery science into plain language.
The Battery Data Genome will collect information from every part of the battery life cycle, including basic data like how batteries respond to different types of charging and discharging, and additional variables like the effects of temperature, driving speed, and
differences in the materials within the batteries.
In addition to national labs like Argonne and Idaho, virtually anyone who wants to participate in the initiative can join, including universities, automakers, and other businesses. The partners can choose how much data they want to share.
“I think one of the things that everyone realizes is that some will be reluctant to join, because, you know, it compromises their secrets, trade secrets, and that’s okay,” Crabtree said. “It’s kind of an open decision for anyone who wishes to participate.”
The project aims to create a common set of standards for how battery data is formatted, so everyone is speaking the equivalent of the same language.
The organizers are hoping that once a vast amount of data is in one place, researchers and companies can use artificial intelligence and other sophisticated methods of analysis to unlock ways to make batteries that are more effective.
Sue Babinec, an Argonne battery scientist, said in an email that the announcement of the project follows more than a year of meetings and conversations among researchers about how to standardize their data for better sharing. She was the lead writer of the paper, along with Eric Dufek, a manager at the Idaho lab.
The authors’ work is an attempt to counteract what the paper says is the “current fragmented
ecosystem” in the ability of researchers to build on each others’ progress, which is holding back the potential for a renaissance in battery data science.
The paper notes that there are already several data-sharing initiatives in battery science, including the Battery Data Toolkit maintained by Argonne. The new project is building on what the others have done.
Consumers, businesses, and the R&D community would be the beneficiaries of such research, in that it should lead to batteries that are less expensive, more functional, and more durable. This would apply to batteries used in EVs along with stationary battery storage and other applications.
Crabtree sees the potential for the insurance industry to use some of the data to get a better idea of how to insure EVs. Also, consumers may be able to allow their driving habits to be monitored, and drivers who are putting less stress on their batteries may be able to qualify for lower rates.
The most exciting thing, he said, is the idea that sharing data on a large scale can yield insights that are beyond even what researchers know to be looking for, insights that otherwise would not be available.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about EV batteries. This massive new research project aims to find answers
performs in various conditions?Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash.
no secret that Twitter’s employee base, business model, and overall reputation
Elon Musk
the platform last month. But in his short tenure, exactly how bad have things gotten at Twitter, and is there any way out for Musk?
Yes, Twitter is a security risk Security giant Norton sent an email to its users warning that Twitter’s rampant impersonation problems, compounded by Musk’s failing Twitter Blue verification program, could enable phishing schemes on the platform. Many weren’t sure if this was a real concern from Norton or just an attempt to capitalize on the news cycle. StokelWalker assures us that, yes, Twitter does have major security problems.
“There is a real concern about this, not least because the changes to verification have a major impact on who can pretend to be whomever,” Stokel-Walker says. “But also, it’s coupled with the fact that we’ve seen the content moderation team at Twitter completely be routed.”
That loss of personnel means even longstanding problems at Twitter could become significantly worse, simply due to the lack of employees to handle the chaos.
“Previously, pre-Musk takeover and prelayoffs, Twitter would be able to potentially step in relatively quickly and then do something about that,” Stokel-Walker says. “Now, I’m not so sure they’d have that nimble response.”
No comms team means no accountability Musks’ now notorious layoffs have affected every
corner of Twitter, but one of the most devastating blows was to Twitter’s communications department.
“They had a very, very deep global comms team who were actually really good and very, very responsive,” Stokel-Walker says, but that as of a week ago, only two members remained on the comms team. “Everybody else got taken away. And now, my understanding is that there are zero people working on comms.”
Bizarrely, Musk seems to have taken on the comms team mantle himself, directly replying to concerns and complaints on Twitter (often with snark and without actually resolving any issues).
“Elon Musk talks about how this is a really vital public square, and you need accountability for that,” Stokel-Walker says. Now, with Musk as Twitter’s primary representative, “accountability depends on whether a billionaire decides to check his mentions and deigns to reply to you.”
Given Twitter’s rapidly declining reputation, some think Musk may want off the sinking ship—or at least to dissociate himself from it. That could involve replacing himself as CEO. But with whom? Stokel-Walker sees two potential outcomes to a Musk-led CEO search. First, he could simply put
in one of his buddies (Jason Calacanis has shown plenty of interest in the position), and continue to run Twitter by proxy without getting his own hands dirty.
“Ultimately, we know that ‘Elon Musk’ the brand is quite large, and some might say inflated in terms of ego,” Stokel-Walker says. But this solution might not hold up in the eyes of advertisers who’ve already decided they want no part of Twitter while Musk is at the helm.
Instead, Musk could attempt to bring in a more legitimate CEO, someone with credibility and their own leadership strategy to actually save the sinking platform. But finding that person might prove difficult, given how little faith people have in Twitter at the moment.
“To me, I don’t know how you would get someone who is independently minded and strong-willed enough to take [the position] because it’s a really poison chalice right now,” Stokel-Walker says. “I guess there’s a sell that you can be the person that saves Twitter, but I just don’t know whether that’s worth it.”
It’s
have plummeted since
took overPhoto by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash.
The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition combines discrete Satin Gloss Platinum design features with an extended list of standard equipment, making this refined special edition of the Panamera available at a particularly attractive price.
Highly sought-after options with high customer benefits are already included as standard in the Platinum Edition. These include adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), exterior mirrors with automatic dimming, LED matrix main headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), the panoramic roof system, Park Assist with reversing camera and for the hybrid models, an on-board AC charger. The Platinum-painted 21-inch Exclusive Design Sport wheels, Black sports tailpipes, privacy glass, side window trims in High-Gloss Black and Exclusive Design taillights underscore the vehicle’s dynamic elegance. The tinted glass surfaces of the panorama roof system create a bright and pleasant lighting mood. The privacy glazing of the rear windows provides protection from sunlight and prying eyes while you are in the vehicle.
The Panamera Platinum Edition is available in the basic engine option with 243 kW (330 PS) and as an e-hybrid. The Platinum Edition comes in different body styles: The Sport Limousine: Panamera, Panamera 4, and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, the Executive: Panamera Executive, Panamera 4 Executive, and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive, and finally the Sport Turismo: Panamera 4 Sport Turismo and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.
The Panamera Platinum Edition is clearly identifiable from the outside by applications painted exclusively in platinum: air outlet trims, the Porsche logo and model designation at the rear.
The luxurious appointments continue in the interior: a GT sports steering wheel and Power Steering Plus, Lane Change Assist, soft-close doors with Comfort Entry, 14way electrically adjustable comfort front
seats with memory package, heated front and rear seats, the BOSE Surround Sound system, the brushed aluminum interior package in Black and the Porsche crest on the headrests. In addition, the interior also features exclusive distinguishing features: the door sill guards are made of brushed aluminum in Black and feature the Platinum Edition logo. In addition, all Platinum Edition models are equipped with an analogue clock
in the dashboard as part of the standard package.
The cockpit of the Panamera Platinum Edition conveys a sports car feeling. The GT sports steering wheel, the brushed aluminum interior package in black and the Porsche crest on the headrests complete the high-quality equipment. The reversing camera makes parking and maneuvering easier.
The Panamera Platinum Edition vehicles are now available upon request. For more information on the Panamera Platinum Edition price and availability, please visit Porsche Centre Kuwait to schedule a test drive to experience it. Photography by Hamed Ashkanani @hamed__ashkanani on Instagram.
Hot on the heels of TikTok’s stateside launch of its in-app shopping tools earlier this week, American Express debuts a partnership that leverages TikTok influencers’ expertise to help market small businesses and attract new shoppers ahead of Small Business Saturday on November 26. The Amex #ShopSmall Accelerator is a new content hub where TikTok creators, including Sofia Bella (4.3 million followers), Anna Sitar (12.1 million followers), and Brandon Blackwood (61,500 followers) provide helpful tutorials, and tips on how to promote businesses on the platform.
Designed for brands that are new to social media marketing, the partnership offers expert advice on leveraging TikTok’s global search engine capabilities and algorithm to reach customers who are more likely to engage with the business.
“A precise experience builds trust, inspires interest, and drives sales,” Sitar says in a video tutorial. “If you really think about it, who would you rather buy a product from: a faceless written review on a website or a relatable face of someone that you love who’s talking passionately about a product they know you’ll love?”
The creators also talk through best practices for content creation—including focusing on product demos and unique features, staying authentic and relatable, key-wording for search optimization, and engaging with customers in the comments section.
“More and more American small businesses are turning to TikTok to take us inside their world in a fun, authentic way, and as a result, they are reaching new customers, hiring more
employees and growing their business,” said Sofia Hernandez, global head of business marketing for TikTok, in a statement. “The real world impact is undeniable, with 44% of TikTok users saying that they discovered something on the platform and immediately went out to buy it, according to our Global Retail Path To Purchase Study.”
Since TikTok’s launch—and especially since 2020, when platform engagement grew exponentially in the early days of pandemic lockdowns—its casual, short-form video format has been a boon to brands and businesses seeking low production cost ways to engage with new audiences and customers. Shareable product reviews and demos that go viral on the platform can transform businesses, making brands household names—seemingly overnight.
For small and new businesses in the current economic climate, finding new avenues for customer acquisition is vital to success and survival. A study commissioned by American Express earlier this year points to young
shoppers as a key demographic—even if they’re not spending money on big-ticket items.
According to the Small Business Economic Impact Study: “If every Gen Z and Millennial shopper spent $10 at a small business on Small Business Saturday, it would support $2 billion in local economic activity throughout the U.S..”
No wonder 63% of small business owners surveyed said they are keen to grow their Gen Z and Millennial reach. TikTok may hold the key to attracting shoppers from these digital-first generations.
“Our Shop Small Impact Study found that 67% of Gen Z users have shopped from a small business that was displayed on their For You Page” Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer at American Express, said in a statement. “Shopping small has a significant impact on helping local communities, with two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses staying within the local community.”
Welcome to the desert and its magic. Everything sparkles and shines in this season’s curated holiday edit from H&M, COS, Monki, and & Other Stories. It’s a party, you are the star, and you are unafraid of being the center of attention. The edit is an explosion of texture, color and bling! The party-ready focus is front and center with key pieces that are charged with sophistication and include must-have festive pieces. Join us on an escapist celebration set alongside Kuwait’s beautiful sand dunes, featuring the soft navy suit, the metallic longsleeve sparkle dress, the black dress with a large statement bow, and many more signature pieces!
Creative Direction: Farah Assaad, THE BYFARAHFOREAL COMPANY
Photography: Ahmad Jassim
Models: Ana C and Aziz Mohamed
Makeup: Abeer Zahran
Project Management Officer: Yara Hussin
Slim Fit Turtleneck
Top: KD 17.000, COS. Sequin Dress: KD 22.990, H&M.
Relaxed Fit Contrast Wool Blazer: KD 69.000, Regular Fit Contrast Wool Trouser: KD 44.000, all COS.
Regular fit Corduroy Overshirt: KD 39.000, Regular Fit Corduroy Chinos: KD 36.000, all COS.
Printed Shirt: KD 10.990, Black Blazer: KD 34.990, Trousers: KD 10.990, all H&M.
Relaxed Fit Velvet Blazer: KD 59.000, Straight Leg Velvet Trouser: KD 39.000, all COS. Silver Glitter Bag: KD 11.000, Monki.
Big Bow Velvet Bustier Dress: KD 72.900, & Other Stories. Cross-body bag: KD 9.990, Black Pumps: KD 15.990, both H&M.
Deep V-neck Dress: KD 39.000, COS. Leia Black Pump: KD 49.990, Necklace: KD 15.900, both & Other Stories.
Top. Ponnie LS Top: KD 11.000, Wendy Velvet Trouser: KD 11.000, Janes Shoes: KD 20.000, Metal Shoulder Bag: KD 11.000, All Monki.
Bottom. Multi-tiered Ruffle Maxi Dress: KD 175.000, & Other Stories.
Thin Heel Patent Leather Boots: KD76.900, & Other Stories.
Maggie Fancy Blouse: KD 16.000, Rut Fancy Skirt: KD 13.000, Monki
Mirrored Chainmail Mini Dress: KD 84.900, Flared Heel Platform Sandals: KD 58.900, All & Other Stories.
MoMA’s newest artist is an AI trained on 180,000 works, from Warhol
By Jesus Diaz
As a painter would use pigment, Refik Anadol uses data to create his art. After looking at his body of work—which has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence for years—you might also say that neural networks are his brushes. His latest exhibit at MoMA, Unsupervised, is the pinnacle of this philosophy and then more.
The colossal installation—a stunning 24- by 24-foot digital display that fills the entire MoMA lobby—renders an infinite animated flow of images, each of them dreamed up as you watch by an AI model fed by the museum’s entire collection of artwork. This flow is controlled by what happens around it, making the piece feel like it’s alive.
It’s hard to describe the awe-inspiring effect of Unsupervised unless you see it in action. Anadol gave me a video tour using his phone as he was putting the finishing touches on the work in preparation for today’s opening. Even through the phone’s low resolution camera, I was completely blown away with what I saw. It wasn’t only Unsupervised‘s titanic size but its content that was so compelling: the stream of fantastic images materializing and morphing into each other felt like watching an interdimensional being, breathing, constantly evolving at the other side of a portal.
For Anadol, that is what Unsupervised feels like: a portal to a new alternate universe created by some AI god that acts on its own volition (hence the name of the exhibit). To understand what Unsupervised means, you have to understand the two main methods with which current AIs learn to do their magic: Supervised AIs—like OpenAI’s Dall-E—are trained using data tagged with keywords. In broad strokes, these keywords (like “bald men with glasses” or “fluffy white dogs”) allow the AI to organize clusters of similar images. Then when you enter a prompt for an AI image generator (like “fluffy dog with glasses”), the AI creates noise and refines it until it reaches a sharp image, based on what it learned from all those fluffy dog clusters.
But Anadol’s unsupervised AI works differently. It had to make sense of the entire MoMA art collection on its own, without labels. Over the course of six months, the software created by Anadol and his team—along with the assistance of Nvidia engineers—fed on 380,000 extremely high resolution images taken from more than 180,000 artworks stored in MoMA’s galleries, including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Umberto Buccioni, and Gertrudes Altschul. The team created and tested different AI models to see which one produced the best results, then picked one and trained it for three weeks using a Nvidia DGX Station A100 (which is essentially an AI supercomputer in a desktop box that’s about 1,000 times more powerful than a typical laptop).
“The [MoMA] curators were loving this idea of unsupervised learning,” Anadol tells me, so the plan was to put the entire collection into the training set and let the AI make its own mind, or as Anadol says, let it “look at it and create a new universe.”
The results were stunning to everyone involved. “That part is so inspiring for curators,” says Anadol. “Because, when they see this 200year artwork archive, when they see that the AI can create new worlds [from it] . . . you can see the [ensuing] amazement in their faces.”
Even while he is the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, Anadol finds the results awesome. “It’s like its own entity,” he says. “We don’t know what kind of forms it can create.”
Crafting the neural network and building the training model to create Unsupervised is only half of the story. The other half is how it breathes and creates its images in real time—a technological achievement on its own.
To start with, the resolution is stunning by today’s standards. At 3840 by 3960 pixels, it’s likely the highest resolution image synthesis neural network ever created. To compare, a typical Stable Diffusion image resolution is 512 by 512 pixels. Nvidia’s StyleGAN—the AI that forms the basis of Anadol and his team work—typically runs at 1024 by 1024.
But the truly shocking thing is that Unsupervised produces these images in real time, flowing in constant motion. When you introduce a prompt into Stable Diffusion, it takes seconds or even minutes to output an image. But this AI does it on the fly with the fluidity you expect from an Industrial Light & Magic special effect.
What Anadol and his team have achieved defies belief, as David Luebke—vice president of graphics research at Nvidia and one of the people behind StyleGAN—tells me over video conference: “I feel like Refik is very humble. He is very quick to express gratitude [toward Nvidia’s StyleGAN work and their assistance] but I don’t want to
understate the technological savvy of Refik and the team he put together. They do amazing work.”
Another layer of complexity in Unsupervised is how the AI decides to change the images in real time. To generate each image, the computer constantly weighs two inputs from its environment. First, it references the motion of the visitors, captured by a camera set in the lobby’s ceiling. Then, it plugs into Manhattan’s weather data, obtained by a weather station in a nearby building. Like a joystick in a video game, these inputs push forces that affect different software levers, which in turn change affect how Unsupervised creates the images.
[Image: courtesy Refik Anadol]
This constant self-tuning makes the exhibit even more like a real being, a wonderful monster that reacts to its environment by constantly shapeshifting into new art. For the next five months, this being will keep creating a new universe that will be constantly recorded as both video and in snapshots of its state of mind, as the machine’s decisions are saved in parallel to the film.
And, who knows, maybe this artificial art beast will live forever. Anadol says that Unsupervised may perhaps become a permanent part of the MoMA collection, which seems to me like something the institution must do. After all, it’s a synthesis of all the art that lives in the museum, the embodiment of MoMA itself with a life on its own. As Luebke points out, Unsupervised uses data as pigment to create new art, but the data feeding it was always art unto itself. In other words, the art that lives in the museum feeds this artificial artist living beside it, adding something new to the museum’s collection every moment. The process is such a mind-bending loop, it may actually open a portal to a new universe.
Salmiya, Block4, Salem al Mubarak street, Mezzanine floor, Noor complex
In conversation with Alexander Lee, Chief Commercial Officer, Jumeirah Group as he tells us more about what’s in store for Jumeirah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while continuing to craft the space for eco-consious luxury in the world of hospitality
By bazaar staff
With over two decades’ worth of experience in crafting a unique space for itself in the world of hospitality, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts is not looking to slow down any time soon. In fact, the luxury hotel company currently operates a world-class -+6,500key portfolio of 26 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. With impressive sights set on the Saudi market, Jumeirah Group is set to open Jumeirah The Red Sea (early 2024) in partnership with The Red Sea Development Company and Jabal Omar Jumeirah, in Makkah in the early quarter of the upcoming year.
The group boasts some of the most prestigious and captivating properties in the world, from the iconic flagship hotel and the timeless pinnacle of luxury, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and lavish Arabian palaces across Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah, to its contemporary Maldivian island paradise at Olhahali Island and art-inspired dolce vita on the island of Capri. Whether a modern twist on a British classic in the heart of Knightsbridge, London, at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, or a futuristic setting at Jumeirah Nanjing, Jumeirah’s name is synonymous with service excellence, crafting exceptional experiences for everyone who walks through its doors. Further expanding its footprint into new markets, guests can now enjoy its service beyond expectations at the stunning all-villa Jumeirah Bali and the exquisite Jumeirah Muscat Bay, both of which opened in 2022.
When it comes to creating unforgettable memories for its esteemed guests, Jumeirah Group has honed in on the importance of presenting experiences that add value to each and every guest visit. This strong guest-centric ethos is constantly reinforcing Jumeirah Group’s values and goals, no matter
the location of the property. Alexander Lee, Chief Commercial Officer for Jumeirah Group, reiterates the importance of the group’s Saudiinclined expansion plans, “Jumeirah was born in Dubai, and the group started off as a very regional, GCC-focused brand and then has gone global. This is all very exciting for us, but we are a brand firstborn in the region, and Saudi always felt like a natural choice for the group. We have quite a lot of experience and understanding of what our Middle East guests are looking for. Fortunately for us, we’ve always welcomed a very large number of Saudis into our hotel portfolio, either in Dubai, London, Capri, or the Maldives. We genuinely connect with our guests, and we feel that we have a real point of expertise in terms of understanding what the needs are of the guest and being able to have a service culture and food and beverage offering that is really relevant to guests in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
It is indeed, a very exciting time for the Kingdom. And for Jumeirah Group, the excitement arrives in the form of two quite distinct, yet equally sophisticated and discerning projects. It begins with the prestigious Jabal Omar Jumeirah, Makkah, set to open in the first quarter of 2023. Providing a luxurious haven for guests on a unique journey, Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah will feature five unique dining outlets including a signature Persian restaurant that will bring to life a culinary path cultivated by the region’s rich cultural past. Lee explains further that this property is estimated to be ready in time for the upcoming Holy month of
Ramadan, and that impressively, the multi-phase development project is set to be the biggest Jumeirah property globally, boasting 1126 hotel rooms. “Being able to create an offering that adds value to the visitors of Makkah is of the utmost importance to us,” said Lee.
From Makkah to the pristine shores of the Red Sea, Jumeirah The Red Sea is set to be a game-changing property in the space of sustainable hospitality tourism. Set to open in early 2024, the stunning new address, located on The Red Sea Development Project’s third largest island hub, Shaura, is an undiscovered haven of astonishing natural beauty surrounded by a kaleidoscope of untouched coral reefs. Appealing to those seeking fulfilling and ecoconscious experiences in the new era of luxury travel, the property will open in phase one of the iconic destination with Jumeirah Group among the first hospitality companies to welcome guests. Lee explains that in working closely with The Red Sea Development company, the group is excited “to provide our input guidance on not only the architecture but also the design planning process. We are also very excited about the eco-focused approach to this project, as they [Red Sea Development company] have a very large passion around making sure that they have as limited impact on the environment as possible through not only the construction and
development phases, but also on an ongoing, operational basis.” With this exciting approach in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah Group deeply considers sustainability as part of their ongoing and future operations as well.
The group continues to focus on a number of sustainability initiatives in their own portfolio of existing hotels, such as the Jumeirah Group’s Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project to continuously support ongoing conservation efforts. “Since 2004, we rescue, rehabilitate and release injured turtles back to the natural environment, and we even have a fully fledged Turtle Hospital facility as part of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Our guests not only check in to this property to enjoy the luxury hospitality, we find that they are deeply invested in the well-being of these turtles.” explained Lee.
Also part of Jumeirah Group’s sustainability focus is the elimination of single use plastic use in its Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai property and installing a top-of-the-range Nordaq glass bottling plant at the resort. Lee further adds that this initiative is being rolled out and emulated at other properties in the luxury group’s portfolio of hotels. This notion even extends to how Jumeirah Group’s guests experience the finest dining with the launch of Arcadia at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, a unique, farm to table grill concept that leverages on its latest
urban hydroponic farm. Lee further expands on Jumeirah Group’s partnership with technology company Seafood Souq, that “focuses on the sustainability of the seafood supply chain, from sustainable practices in fishing to educating customers on the sourcing of the seafood products. We believe that this partnership allows us to not only have greater insights and better decision making on how we provide seafood that is served in our restaurants, but it also provides a platform to be able to educate our customers on the importance of sustainable food practices.”
Beyond its properties and resorts, Jumeirah Group is also dedicated to destination dining experiences, enjoying an enviable reputation for culinary excellence, with ten signature Jumeirah restaurants included in the inaugural Gault&Millau UAE 2022 guide. The group also has three Michelin-starred restaurants in its portfolio – Shang High, L’Olivo and Al Muntaha. Combining the most authentic and diverse cuisines with spectacular settings to create those unforgettable moments worth sharing, Jumeirah Group’s award-winning homegrown concepts include Sal, KAYTO, Shimmers, Al Mare, Pierchic and French Riviera.
For more information on Jumeirah Group, please visit jumeirah.com.
Although creators are often thought of as merely digital influencers, they’re better understood as anyone who makes and publishes unique content online, whether that’s videos, films, art, music, designs, text, games, or any other media that audiences can access and respond to.
Therefore, the Creator Economy is the economic, social, and professional ecosystem that creators work in, including such digital platforms as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Substack, and Patreon; the digital tools and apps that they use; the startup companies that are constantly advancing their technologies; and the people and companies that support creators’ work and help them monetize it, from videographers and makeup artists to business managers, accountants, and branding consultants.The scale and scope of the Creative Economy is large—and it is growing. More than 85 million Americans and more than 300 million people across nine large nations were estimated to post their creative content online in 2022. Roughly 17 million creators were found to actually earn revenue on nine major digital platforms as of 2017. The overall size of the Creator Economy was pegged to be more than $100 billion; and almost $15 billion in venture capital has been invested in some 300 Creator Economy startups since 2021.But what’s less appreciated is how key elements of the Creator Economy are geographically clustered.
The headquarters of the leading digital platforms are highly concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area. A smaller cluster, including Snapchat and TikTok’s American headquarters, can be found in Los Angeles. Though Creator Economy startups can be found in 65 global cities, just three cityregions—the San Francisco, Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York—account for nearly twothirds of all global venture capital investment in them.The same three city-regions that lead in venture capital investment also have the largest numbers of startups—Los Angeles with 63, New York with 60, and San Francisco with 48. Next in line is London with 14 Creator Economy startups, followed by Chicago (seven), and Atlanta and Bangalore (with six each). Four cities, Austin, Miami, Denver-Boulder, and Tel Aviv, are home to five Creator Economy startups, and San Diego is home to four. Three other cities—Nashville, Seattle, and the Wilmington, Delaware area—are home to three startups; and Denver, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Vancouver,
and Singapore each have two. Thirty-nine other cities—14 in the United States and 25 in other countries—are the headquarters for one Creator Economy startup, and 15 startups (1% overall) are purely virtual, reflecting the shift to remote work brought on by the pandemic.
While creators themselves are much more widely distributed than the platforms and startups that support their work, our interviews with leading creators and executives from Creator Economy companies, as well as our analysis of relevant data, identify Los Angeles and New York as by far the leading locations for Creators. Smaller Creator clusters can be found in U.S. cities like Nashville, Miami, Atlanta and Las Vegas, and global cities such as London, Berlin, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Several creators we interviewed told us that they chose to relocate to Los Angeles to gain access to the city’s broad entertainment ecosystem of production companies, agents, managers, and support staff, and even more so, the many other creators who live there. One comedian told us that she had temporarily moved from Los Angeles to the New York area so she could build her network and further hone her craft in the city’s many clubs. A relatively common pattern we heard was
that a Los Angeles or New York location is more advantageous early in a creator’s career, but once they are established, many move to other places. The rise of the broader Creative Economy has shifted a large share of power from large firms to talent, a change that the Creator Economy is further accelerating. This has allowed a more diverse universe of talent to emerge, such as musician Steve Lacy, whose genre-crossing hit, “Bad Habit,” edged Harry Styles out of the No. 1 position on the Billboard charts this fall. The 24-year-old Lacy was inspired to learn guitar by playing Guitar Hero; the first band he played in was aptly called The Internet. His 2019 debut album was well received but not widely heard. “Bad Habit” took off after going viral on TikTok. This does not mean that talent holds all the cards: Traditional gatekeepers still wield a lot of power, as do the platforms themselves, whose proprietary algorithms and editorial and business judgments weigh heavily in the determination of what will and won’t go viral and what share of their earnings creators can collect.
In fact, the distribution of economic rewards in the Creator Economy is as uneven as in the traditional economy. A vanishingly small percentage of Creator Economy superstars, such as YouTube’s MrBeast and TikTok’s Khaby Lame
(the Senegalese-Italian factory worker who lost his job during the pandemic and then rose to fame on the strength of his quirky videos), earn tens of millions annually, but they are exceptions that prove a rule. Just 1.4% of creators make more than $1 million per year; and another 1.5% make between $500,000 and $1 million, according to an Influencer Marketing Hub study. Fully two-thirds of creators earn less than $25,000 annually, and more than a quarter earn less than $1,000. It looks a lot like the winner-take-all pattern that the economist Sherwin Rosen identified all the way back in 1981, in his classic article “The Economics of Superstars.”Follower counts show a similarly skewed pattern, according to a 2022 ConvertKit survey. More than half (53%) of creators have less than 1,000 subscribers on their email lists. Just 1% have 500,000-plus subscribers on YouTube; just over 9% have more than 10,000 Instagram followers; a little over 6% have more than 10,000 Facebook or Twitter followers.
Despite what is often said about creators’ frenetic pursuit of fame and fortune, most, like members of the Creative Class more broadly, are more intrinsically motivated. In a world where far too many people are socially and emotionally isolated, creators enjoy being embedded in their communities. Virtually all of them want to follow their passions and work on ideas, activities,
and projects that give them a sense of purpose; allow them to connect with like-minded others and have control over their schedules. Many are devoted hobbyists who at most expect to supplement their incomes. A growing number are social and political activists, who are principally motivated by the desire to serve causes larger than themselves and have social and political impact. When asked about their most important motivations in a 2022 survey, larger shares of creators listed self-expression (48%), fun (43%), passion (40%), and challenge (34%) than money-making (26%). Twenty percent said they were primarily motivated by a desire to advance a social issue or cause.Going forward, the key challenge for the Creator Economy is to create a larger and more sustainable “middle class” of creators. With support from platforms and the government, many more creators can earn substantial livelihoods from their creative production than they do today.
Digital platforms can promote less-established creators by tweaking their algorithms to introduce more discovery into users’ feeds. They can provide additional resources and training to help lessestablished creators improve their engagement, monetization, and growth opportunities. They can give creators more exposure to data and help
them better understand how to use analytics to improve their posts’ performance. They can identify peer communities that can share their experiences and identify best practices, and establish Creator Schools where creators can learn from each other. They must also redouble their efforts to ensure that creators, especially women and people of color, are better protected from harassment.Public policy can help support creators as well. Federal, state, and local governments can identify, organize, and support clusters or networks of creators, much like their long-standing efforts to support high-tech and arts clusters. They can aid in the development of shared benefit pools for health and other kinds of insurance. Community colleges can develop training programs to help creators build more sustainable enterprises with predictable revenue streams. Governments can also take steps to provide more direct assistance to lowerincome creators, members of minority groups, and residents of distressed neighborhoods and communities. The public and non-profit sectors can provide scholarships for less-advantaged creators.
The next step for the Creator Economy is to apply its powerful technologies and tools to help society realize its full potential.
We love the holiday season. It’s a time for good company with friends and family, delicious food and partying. And you can’t party without looking the part. So understandably we’re on the lookout for a couple of party outfits, from the casual for daytime outdoorsy get-togethers to sparkly and glammed up for night-time dos. And the only place to find everything we want and need is at Debenhams.
It’s the easiest place to find a variety of brands that cater to all ages, styles, sizes and budgets. We’re loving Boohoo Party’s bold looks as well as GWD Women’s classic styles. You can even dress your mini-me in GWD Kids in a complementary look! If you are looking for something big, shiny and sparkly then take a look at Phase Eight and Principles aisles.
A look isn’t complete without accessories, and this season we’re going all out with our jewelry. Choosing between Simply Silver, Jon Richard and L’Azurde might feel challenging so we’re going to splurge. The collections are also perfect for gifting. Your loved ones will truly appreciate a timeless gift from any of these gorgeous lines.
End the year on a high-note looking and feeling fabulous, by checking out the cosmetics section at Debenhams. You will find the best in makeup and fragrances, perfect for treating yourself and as gifts. We’re in love Jean Paul Gaultier’s Scandal and it is giving just the right level of party vibes. If you’re still on the fence about gifts, consider a gift-set from Debenhams. You could even get one for yourself, because you’re worth it.
Browse the holiday collections from all of these brands in the comfort of your own home on Debenhams Kuwait’s website at www.debenhams. com.kw. Follow @debenhamsmiddleeast on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Shop the collection at Debenhams in Grand Avenue – The Avenues, Souq Sharq and The Gate Mall. Call Customer Service: 182-12-12.
Shopping for clothing on the internet is hard work. If you’re looking for a puffer coat or holiday dress, you might spend hours scrolling through rows of inventory on Google, Amazon, and Nordstrom before you find one you like.
A new marketplace, Shoptrue, wants to make online shopping more intuitive and fun. Taking a page from Netflix and Instagram—platforms that tailor content to your preferences—Shoptrue uses artificial intelligence to create a personalized shop for each customer. Its algorithm helps curate products based on taste, budget, and fit, selecting from 2,000 brands and millions of products. The platform will be available on both an app and a website, both of which launch to the public today.
While most e-commerce websites still rely on people to search for what they want, Shoptrue is part of a wave of startups, including Stitch Fix and The Yes (which was recently acquired by Pinterest), that focus on helping consumers discover products they might be interested in. In many ways, this movement is the logical next step in retail: Companies deploy algorithms effectively in many aspects of our lives, shaping how we consume everything from news to music to movies, so it makes sense to apply them to fashion. A platform like Shoptrue makes buying clothes more like scrolling through social media and finding gems you never would have stumbled across on your own.
While Shoptrue’s approach has the potential to revolutionize online shopping, it also has its challenges. For one thing, online consumers are notoriously fickle, so it might be hard to get a critical mass of consumers to try a new marketplace and stick around long enough for the technology to learn their preferences. More broadly, using algorithms to identify a consumer’s style can be hard because sartorial tastes are idiosyncratic and change frequently, based on the fashion cycle. And many people use apparel to express their identity. It’s worth asking whether part of the magic of fashion disappears when algorithms replace the process of selecting our own personal style.
A Dream Team
Shoptrue is the brainchild of Romney Evans, an e-commerce veteran who previously cofounded True Fit, a startup that uses data to help consumers find better-fitting garments. Evans has assembled an all-star team to launch Shoptrue: He’s hired John Lashlee, a former data scientist at Netflix and LinkedIn, to be VP of data science, and Brandon Holley, former editor in chief of Lucky, Jane, and ElleGirl, to be chief fashion officer.
From left: Romney Evans, John Lashlee, Brandon Holley [Photos: Shoptrue]
When users first arrive on Shoptrue, they are given a short quiz where they identify brands and looks they like. Then, they’ll gain access to their personalized store. My store had several different categories, like comfy sweaters, new denim, fall jackets, and boots. Browsing through each category, Shoptrue seemed to immediately get my style.
As a new mom, I’m not currently in the market for stiletto heels, but I have been interested in chunky, comfortable boots. The site suggested some Doc Martens and Isabel Marant boots that caught my eye. There were also some boots that didn’t interest me, like orange Ulla Johnson heels and a strange Croc clog boot hybrid. The interface is easy to use and after the initial quiz, users train the algorithm simply by clicking on products that are interesting to them. “The catalog you see when you first enter the site is the starting line, not the finish line,” says Evans. “As you interact with the product, the system learns your tendencies and gets better with time.”
Evans wants the experience on the site to be reminiscent of Netflix, allowing you to discover new brands and products you like that you might
never have searched for. But at the same time, he believes that for Shoptrue to be successful, it can’t rely entirely on algorithms and artificial intelligence.
That’s where Holley, a veteran fashion editor, comes in. Her job is to inspire shoppers by introducing them to tastemakers. She will be bringing on influencers to the site who will curate their own stores. Users can explore their personal stores, and click on items they are interested in. This will help inform their own stores later on. She will also create blog posts that will appear alongside products, blending commerce with content.
“Shoppers don’t really care where the inspiration came from, whether it was from an algorithm or a person that put a collection together,” says Evans. “We’re trying to do both, to put the shopper in the driver’s seat and give them tools to use as they like.”
Users can make their own stores public, so others can take a peek at their taste. Or they can choose to keep their stores private. The algorithm will also learn your fit and size preferences over time, recommending items that are more likely to be a flattering fit. Evans and his team have been working hard on Shoptrue for more than a year, but he acknowledges that it will take time to perfect the technology. “Startups are hard, and there are a lot of things that have to go right for it to take off,” Evans says.
In the end, one of the biggest challenges may simply be to win consumers’ attention in the very crowded world of e-commerce, where buzzy startups pop up every day alongside enormous marketplaces like Amazon and Farfetch. Shoptrue will have to convince us to give the platform a try— and keep us browsing for long enough to learn our tastes.
Grand Avenue - The Avenues | Souq Sharq | Gate Mall | Airport
By bazaar staff
Some choices are simple. Between wanting to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari or not, the answer will always be a yes. However, other choices can be more challenging. Would you prefer the elegant beauty of the Ferrari Roma or the captivating drive of the powerful 296 GTB? Both models offer the Prancing Horse’s best; impeccably engineered engines, unparalleled luxury and a rich history of coveted cars.
The new Ferrari Roma is the latest coupé from Maranello, featuring timeless and sublimely refined design and all the power and agility required to guarantee a unique driving experience. Its signature Italian styling is a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of 1950s and ‘60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name, Roma.
Stylistically, the Ferrari Roma is characterised by clean and symbiotic forms. Its beautifully harmonious
proportions and elegantly pure, balanced volumes are very much in line with the Ferrari mid-frontengined grand touring tradition of which the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and 250 GT 2+2 are the most iconic examples, and from which the car takes its inspiration. It embodies an extremely modern design language which underlines its authentic, refined styling. At the same time, its sleek lines retain the sporty vocation shared by all Ferraris.
The 296 GTB ushered in an authentic revolution for Ferrari as it introduced a new engine type to flank the marque’s multi-award-winning 8- and 12-cylinder power units: a new 663 cv 120° V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 122 kW (167 cv). This is the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road car sporting the Prancing Horse badge: It unleashes its massive 830 cv total power output to deliver previously
unthinkable performance levels and an innovative, exhilarating and unique soundtrack.
The 296 GTB’s name, which combines its total displacement (2.992 l) and number of cylinders with the GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) acronym, in finest Ferrari tradition, was chosen to underscore this new engine’s epoch-changing importance to Maranello: it is not simply the living, beating heart of the 296 GTB but also
ushers in a new V6 era that has its roots deep in Ferrari’s unparalleled 70-year-plus experience in motor sports.
While you could think of the Roma as a beauty that would be the perfect vehicle for cruising around the city in luxury and the 296 GTB as the beast that just wants to roar on the track, they’re both powerful, beautiful and everything we dream of in the perfect car.
For more information, please visit the official Ferrari Showroom in Kuwait- Kuwait Automobile & Trading Co located in Al-Rai, on the 4th Ring Road, visit safat.ferraridealers.com or follow them on Instagram @ferrarialzayanikuwait.
Photography by André Shirazi, @Andre_Shirazi_Photography.
In the 14th century, the Italian poet Petrarch wrote a letter to a friend in Avignon, describing his sense of “foreboding” after an earthquake shook the foundations of Rome’s churches. “What should I do first, lament or be frightened?” he asked. “Everywhere there is cause for fear, everywhere reason for grief.”
The earthquake was only one in a series of calamities endured in the poet’s lifetime to that point: floods, storms, fires, wars, and finally, “the plague from heaven that is unequaled through the ages,” the dreaded Black Death, which would eventually kill more than a third of Europe’s population.
In his letter, Petrarch was distressed by the suffering of the present, but he was equally worried about what it meant for the future. His fears were “not only about the quaking of land but its effect on minds.”
Six hundred years after Petrarch grappled with the apocalyptic tremors of his own time, the effect of catastrophe on minds is the subject of several new articles published in the last few weeks by The New York Times, the Washington Post, and New York Magazine, all of them concerned with the end of the world as we know it. They’re tackling a question at the heart of our collective (in)ability to confront an existential threat: How should we think about— and through—the global disaster that is climate change?
After years of rising sea levels, warming temperatures, and mass extinction, why has this question bubbled to the American cultural surface now? For one perspective, I asked Elizabeth Weil, whose essay “How to Live in a Catastrophe” appeared in New York Magazine earlier this month. She believes the flurry of writing on the topic is connected to the increasingly devastating extreme weather of the 2020s. “The idea that we weren’t already in the middle of the climate crisis just fell away,” she said. “You couldn’t deny it anymore.”
Since 2020, the Doomsday Clock has ticked ever closer to midnight. We are in a moment that the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists calls “both perilous and unsustainable,” listing among its reasons for alarm the fallout from the climate crisis, fears of nuclear war in Ukraine, and the Covid-19 pandemic. On climate change, the Scientists’ verdict on humanity’s response is “lots of words, relatively little action,” an assessment that negotiations at COP27 have done little to prove wrong.
Ranking climate change as number two on his list of “Top 10 Existential Worries,” Joel Achenbach confesses in the Washington Post that he is “cautiously optimistic,” positing that how you think about existential threats comes down to your faith in humanity—or lack thereof. “Do you believe, fundamentally, in the human race?” he asks.
Writing “Beyond Catastrophe” in the Times, David Wallace-Wells also finds reasons for optimism in 2022. With the aid of newly cheap
renewable energy and a “truly global political mobilization,” Wallace-Wells envisions “a new climate reality” for humanity and the planet that will make true neither “the most terrifying predictions” nor “the most hopeful.”
In her essay, Weil consults activists and scholars, searching for strategies that others have deployed when confronted with the cataclysms of the past. “This isn’t the first time in human history when the world has been completely overwhelming,” she said, of her reasons for writing the piece. (Petrarch would agree: he describes the late 1340s as a period of such misery that “new forms of evil are inconceivable.”)
Weil’s piece considers the “intelligent sabotage” advocated by thinkers like the Swedish eco-Marxist Andreas Malm, author of “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” as well as the “tools of religion” advanced by eco-philosopher Timothy Morton, and the “ritual comfort” of performances like a glacier funeral staged by anthropologists Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer in Iceland in 2019. They installed a plaque, titled “A letter to the future,” with this message:
This monument is to acknowledgethat we know what is happeningand what needs to be done.Only you know if we did it.
Knowing what needs to be done is one thing; having the will to do it is another. We are not experiencing this catastrophe in the same way or at the same pace. Some of us are still in the anger and bargaining phases of climate grief, while others have moved well past acceptance.
On a trip to Iceland this August, I stood on the edge of an aquamarine lagoon that is fed by the melting Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Icebergs— glittery fragments broken off from the dying glacier—floated by, banded with volcanic ash, a record of Iceland’s ancient eruptions. I asked a few of the Icelanders who were working there as tour guides how they felt about this place. To me, the scene was both transfixing and tragic; the lagoon exists like this because of climate change, and for all its dazzling beauty, it is also a disturbing portent. But the Icelanders didn’t see it like I did, maybe because in their country it has long been impossible to ignore how rapidly we are shredding the fabric of the natural world. They do not have the luxury of shock. Watching the crowds of tourists snapping photos of seals frolicking in the water, their response was stoic. “This is just how it is,” one of them said.
The truth about catastrophe is that even in its tumultuous midst, we mostly forge ahead, sloughing off our terror. We adapt, we rebuild, and we convince ourselves that the fates of our neighbors will not befall us. When everything
familiar is crumbling around us, our first instinct is so often to cling to any scraps of normalcy that remain. You could see this instinct clearly in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic; around the world, panic soon gave way to grim routine.
On the other hand, as Weil points out in her piece, there is nothing irrational about catastrophizing when you’re living through a genuine catastrophe. “Yes, it’s a catastrophe,” she writes. “And no, you would not be better off if you continued to tell yourself otherwise.” In order to avoid the pitfalls of denial and despair, we will need to chart a practical path through the ambiguous abyss that lies between optimism and doom. “We’re going to have to live with hope,” Weil said. “And we’re going to have to live with a lot of fear.” To safely evacuate a burning building and put the fire out, you need to communicate the urgency of the emergency; you also need to project confidence and encourage calm.
This is another way to think through catastrophe: seek solace in the clarity of action. Weil recounts Günther Anders’ reimagining of the Great Flood, where Noah appears before the people in mourning dress, telling them that they have already died because total catastrophe will soon be upon them. That night a carpenter comes to his workshop and offers to build an ark so that Noah’s terrible vision “may become
false.” A future that seemed preordained is altered through work.
Anders’ story is like the common proverb that warns against the folly of relying only on faith when you are in danger. “Call on God, but row away from the rocks,” is one version in English, though similar warnings exist in other languages and cultures. Faith in the human spirit might be a necessary balm to the mind in catastrophe, but balm alone can’t save us from ourselves. Hope without action is just a wish.
In another of Petrarch’s letters, he comforts his correspondent with a quotation from Virgil. “Hold on,” he writes, “and find salvation in the hope of better things.” Our hopes for the future should not be pinned on preserving the tattered, unequal status quo. “Change is scary, and big change is really scary, but our world is not perfect. It’s very, very, very far from it,” Weil said in our interview. “What if change truly does bring us to a better place? Even though we’re terrified?”
By bazaar staff
Get a head start on your New Years’ resolutions by stepping out in this stylish, sustainable collection this winter!
It isn’t often that you can step out in style knowing that your fit is not only on trend, but also contributing positively to the environment. Tribe of 6 consistently creates show stopping pieces that use sustainably produced fabrics that don’t harm the environment.
We are all more conscious of our choices and the impact it has on our carbon footprint. It is not often that you find a brand that not only offers you stylish athleisure looks, but also has sustainability and inclusivity at its core. Tribe of 6 has fast become one of our favorite brands, what we love most is that we know the brand is ethically produced using fabrics which are conscious of the impact it has on our planet.
The key fabrics used in the striking fash-leisure looks from Tribe of 6 are made of sustainable materials which are organic, recycled or reclaimed. One of the key fibers used in their designs is bamboo, which is super soft to the touch and gives a super luxe feel to every outfit. The organic cotton that is a key feature of many of the pieces is grown responsibly using less water and lack harmful chemicals, all the while ensuring that the quality is not compromised and
the fabric is just as soft on the skin! The mesh fabric used (which is so on trend this season!) is reclaimed stock fabric which would otherwise end up in landfills. All of the remaining fabrics used, such as the recycled polyester with a brushed, sueded peach finish, the crinkle nylon, and the poly modal elastane are certified by the Global Recycled Standard and OEKOTEX certified, which means that they have been tested for harmful substances to protect the wearer’s health. It is assuring
to know that the fabrics used in the brand not only look great, but feel great, and don’t compromise on the impact your purchases are having on the environment!
Tribe of 6 does not compromise on its brand ethos of sustainability. The timeless and comfortable pieces are made of 45% recycled fabric and the other 55% of the fabrics used are from organic or bamboobased sources. Within the fashion industry many of the players settle for lower quality at the expense of the environment merely to follow a fashion fad or fast trend, however, Tribe of 6 has positioned itself
as a brand that consciously looks to find solutions to mitigate the negative effects of ‘fast fashion’.
The brand centers sustainability, inclusivity, and community at its core and is designed for those who style with a purpose, created locally in the region. This means that you can own these affordable pieces while feeling good about supporting a brand that has ethical production at its heart.
If you haven’t already explored the most recent collection from Tribe of 6, let us tell you that you are missing out! The latest collection is super trendy with its long-cut jackets and hoodies, chic bodysuits, mesh trench coats, utility jumpsuits, and blazers. All of which are extremely wearable, whilst transforming your wardrobe.
We will be donning some of the key pieces from the Autumn Winter 2022 collection as we travel far and wide this December. Not only are the pieces super comfortable, we are totally here for the gorgeous color palette and fabric range that will be the envy of friends and fellow travelers! Don’t miss out!
Tribe of 6 is a regional fashion player that is working to push the industry towards meaningful change, by bringing together all walks of life to form a community that celebrates talent, diversity, and inclusivity. The brand showcases not only where we come from, but where we are going together. You are invited to be part of the tribe!
Customers can discover the latest Tribe of 6 collection at select Foot Locker stores in Kuwait and the UAE, as well as Harvey Nichols, Kuwait. Also shop Tribe of 6 online at Namshi as well as Tamanna in Kuwait.
Follow the brand to stay up to date on their latest launches and news on Instagram @Tribeof6ME. You can also find them on Facebook at: Tribe of 6.
Innovative digital solutions are enhancing the Nissan customer journey for Nissan Al Babtain customers in Kuwait and across the Middle East
By bazaar staffNissan Al Babtain and Nissan Middle East is transforming the customer journey for vehicle owners across the region, with innovative digital solutions delivering improved services and increasing levels of customer satisfaction and engagement.
The suite of digital options now available, optimized in line with customer feedback, has resulted in increased levels of customer engagement on Nissan’s web platforms across the Middle East, with a 36 per cent increase in session duration year-on-year in 2022. This heightened online engagement has led to digital sales leads doubling across the region.
Nissan continues to assess customer satisfaction through digital surveys – covering multiple touchpoints including overall purchase or service journey, handover experience, quality and ease of service and transparency of information. The feedback from these surveys have enabled the brand to offer tailormade solutions to customers in real-time, while also building into wider customercentric initiatives rolled out in the region.
Enhancing the customer experience, from presales to aftersales care, for Nissan owners in the Middle East has been supported by multiple digital solutions introduced even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the rollout of the digital feedback platform, Nissan launched Shop@Home and Nissan Service to provide customers with an intuitive solution that allows more flexibility to make purchases and select a service schedule tailored to their requirements. Nissan’s Shop@ Home service provides users with a full virtual showroom experience, providing a 360-degree online tour around dealerships to discover vehicles with the option to buy.
Aimed at transforming the aftersales journey of customers, Nissan Service was launched
earlier this year, providing an innovative seamless aftersales customer experience across online and offline channels. It features a charter of eight promises encompassing various touchpoints during the customer journey – including transparent pricing models and the use of genuine Nissan parts – with convenient digitalized options for customers such as online booking, express service and pick-up/ drop-off services to streamline the process. The digitalization of customer services is being developed in close collaboration with Nissan’s partner network across the Middle East.
Follow @Nissankwt for more information.
By bazaar staff
Mastara have been busy in the past year, bringing plans to light that have been in the pipeline since the very conception of the business, while still focusing on the core business. Mastara is, first and foremost, a fabrics company, bringing the best fabrics from around the world onto an online platform via the digital fabric store and launching the in-home consultation service to deliver made to measure curtains and sofas to customers.
Now, they have launched their ‘Interior Design programme’ (ID Programme) which connects designers to customers. The designers create their collection and can submit a sketch or a render to Mastara, who take care of the rest.
Mastara’s love of design is what compelled them to partner up with designers. ”We have the utmost respect for designers and wanted to launch a platform where designers could focus on what they do best and create amazingly authentic pieces to share with the world. The Mastara
platforms were always intended to bring people closer to unique, bespoke, and high-quality home decor and furniture designs and away from only having online options for mainstream furniture. By launching this platform, we have created a gateway to connect people to designers,” explained Jamal S Alfahham– Mastara CEO
Designers launching their collection with Mastara only invest their time and creativity. Essentially, an ID partner, is getting a company that is committed to their success, a marketing
team, a dedicated website, 3D rendering of the collection to digitally fabricate into as many styles and colors as they like. Usually, this is a considerable investment for any designer and forces them to have to focus on things outside their creative work.
“We want the designers to focus on what they do best and for our team to become an extension of them. Our designers get a whole team to work with them ensuring their success and Mastara get amazing designs to share with the world that
can’t be found anywhere else as well as the luxury of being able to showcase designers’ work that we truly believe in,” explained Jamal S Alfahham.
Mastara’s first designer in the ID Program is Ziad Antonios Sarkis and you’d have to be living under a rock to have not heard of him. His designs are always on point and incredibly creative, his passionate love for what he does is so evident. It was important for Mastara to work with someone who was just as passionate as they were for this launch.
Coming from a family that has a rich history in interiors which goes back generations in “the art of living”, he has a reputation for designs beyond the common. Ziad is forever in search of creative challenges to translate the needs and wishes of his clientele into practical and innovative designs that are unique to each of his clients.
“He has the reputation of being one of the most professional and creative people in the business. Our first designer to launch this programme was of paramount importance, it sets the tone for the ID programme. Ziad has been the perfect fit, he not only pushed the limits of his design capabilities but also pushed our limits as to the execution of his collection, the results
speak for themselves,” said Jamal S Alfahham.
“In an ever-changing and evolving online shopping market, it’s thrilling for me to develop an innovative collection for the local market in collaboration with Mastara’s dynamic, malleable, and professional team who I am certain will take my designs to exciting modish levels,” explained Ziad Antonios Sarkis.
Ziad has developed four designs and each design strikes a particular style chord through its quirky, unique and artsy nature. These are not just any sofas, they are art pieces, comfy, fun, and completely exclusive to Mastara. Not only do they make you say WOW when you look at them, they are all handcrafted and made with the highest quality materials and sealed with the Mastara quality guarantee. Each design can be developed into full furniture lines of ottomans, armchairs, and even the Tweed and Chignon designs can be customized into Stylish Diwaniyas, reception rooms or customized into seating arrangements to suit any space.
“We’re excited to connect designers to people and vice versa. We want to be a platform that uncovers talent and provides a new online experience where people can find unique
pieces created by amazing designers and boost confidence in online shopping in the furniture world. Working with Ziad has been an amazing experience, not only did we have the pleasure of being trusted by such a prominent designer to represent him and bring his collection to life, we have the opportunity to show the world what magic can happen when designers have creative and artistic freedom,” said Jamal S Alfahham.
Mastara are currently onboarding more designers to showcase talent and create pieces that show variety of style and taste on their platform, they also are working with some celebrities who have a passion for design to curate their collections to inspire their audience.
Find out more about this unique launch by visiting mastara.me or checking out @mastarakw on Instagram.
Quiet quitting isn’t the only “quiet” trend; quiet firing is happening, too, and it’s been going on for a long time. Instead of properly managing an employee, bosses shirk their duties and hope they’ll quit. And in some cases, they may be pushing their employees out the door without realizing it.
Quiet firing can also describe managers who treat employees badly to the point that they quit, adds Dr. Ella F. Washington, organizational psychologist and founder and CEO of Ellavate Solutions, a DEI strategy consulting firm. “It’s employers disenfranchising employee in implicit ways,” she says.
Quiet firing is a symptom of weak leadership. “Managers are often not equipped to have tough conversations on performance, feedback, and expectations,” says Washington. “If an employee is not performing at the level expected, instead of coaching them, giving them feedback, and telling them the consequences of continued poor performance, managers ice them out.”
For example, Washington says managers may not give the employee assignments that they would enjoy, or they may stop investing in their continued development. “That’s easier than having those candid conversations that help employees course correct when there’s a performance problem,” she says.
It’s also possible that a manager doesn’t realize they’re quiet firing. “If a manager has a lot of direct reports and is pulled in a lot of directions, they may be focusing their efforts on the people that they see contributing more or having more value,” says Rosencrans. “They may be inadvertently neglecting some team members, not giving them the attention they need to continue growing.”
While it may be unconscious, Washington says it’s not happening by accident. “I don’t think most people are malicious, saying, ‘I’m going to leave this person out of this meeting, because I don’t like them,’” she says. “But I think they do start to think, ‘These are the team members that I want to work with.’ Ultimately, it’s still shying away from that tough conversation.”
And quiet firing can be more prevalent in a remote or hybrid environment. “Disengaging from your direct report is easier when you don’t run into each other in the office,” says Rosecrans. “You have to be more intentional about communication when you’re in a remote environment.”
While managers should be addressing performance issues head on, not all have the self-awareness or desire to improve their management skills. In that case, an employee can take steps to mend the situation if they feel they’re being quietly fired, says Rosencrans.
“They’re probably going to be able to read the signs before anyone else,” she says. “They may see that they’re being passed over for promotions or they’re not getting salary increases from year to year. Or they’re just not hearing any feedback from their manager.”
Be proactive and manage up. Book time on the boss’s calendar and explicitly ask for feedback. Conversations around transparency goes both ways, says Washington, who suggests asking questions like, “How am I doing on this project?” and, “Is there anything I could have done better?”
“Also, be vocal about your goals and aspirations,” says Washington. “Tell your manager, ‘I’d really like to get promoted in the next year. What are some ways that I can ensure to do that? What are some gaps in my performance that I can close to reach my goals?’ Make it very clear that you’re invested in the organization and your growth within it.”
If you aren’t getting anywhere, Washington recommends reaching out to other managers or HR. “Don’t tell on your manager, but make sure you are connecting with multiple members of your team throughout your week,” she says.
What companies can do HR leaders should also be stepping in to prevent quiet firing from happening in their companies, says Rosencrans. “We have regular check ins with managers, where I listen to them about what’s going on in their teams and who are the team members who are struggling,” she says. “I will proactively ask the managers, ‘What are you doing about it? How
are you managing that person’s performance?’ If they suggest that they’re sort of disengaging, then I put the pressure on them to take action and not just let the person fade out in the background.”
It’s important for companies to provide feedback training as part of their management development program, says Rosencrans. “It’s one of the most difficult things for most people,” she says. “If you feel there are gaps in an employee’s performance, you need effective strategies for continuous feedback, as opposed to the once-ayear performance review where an employee learns all the things they’ve been doing wrong.”
Quiet firing can also have lasting consequences on future hiring, says Rosencrans. “Sometimes the desired effect is having the person leave, but it’s under really negative circumstances where they were ignored,” she says. “That is not good for your employer brand. Even when people leave, you want them to leave on good terms. And that’s probably not going to happen if they leave due to quiet firing.”
At their core, quiet firing and quiet quitting are about assumptions, says Washington. “Managers assume team members know they’re not doing the job, but that’s not always the case,” she says. “And employees assume their manager would let them know when they’re unhappy. All of this is a lack of transparency in those difficult conversations. Avoiding assumptions and being explicit in conversations is really important.”
H&M is proud to present the latest drop in its Innovation Stories initiative, an all-eyes-on-me collection that explores the blurring boundaries between our online and offline lives and blends the craftsmanship of high fashion with the fantasy of virtual wardrobes.
“The increasingly virtual dimension of fashion creates exciting future opportunities for H&M, allowing us to create vibrant, bold and daring virtual counterparts to our physical collections. In addition to the endless creative possibilities, it also allows us to propose a more sustainable and inclusive fashion vision that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere in the world,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M.
Taking inspiration from the immersive potential of the Metaverse as well as the tactile beauty of the physical world, the readyto-wear collection invites self-expression and
explores sustainability in three dimensions.
The first comprises the stand-out womenswear and menswear looks, and a series of accessories designed with circularity in mind.
The second sees multiple pieces available as part of a rental programmed in selected H&M stores. Then there is the third dimension, the digital collection, co-designed and crafted by H&M and the Institute of Digital Fashion, the London-based digital atelier and thinktank.
The ready-to-wear collection
Key pieces from the physical collection blend eye-catching silhouettes with intricate
embroidery and an internet-breaking color palette. For women, a corset-waisted, neon- yellow dress with a dramatic tulle skirt dominates the spotlight. For men, an oversized black beaded bomber jacket offsets relaxed tailoring. In accessories, women’s wrap-around metallic sandals spiral to the thigh, while futuristic jewelry for men and women takes its cues from liquid metal that looks as though it’s been plumped by pixels.
The more-is-more styling has been brought to life by Ibrahim Kamara, creative advisor to H&M for this project.
Circularity is a key focus for the collection. Several pieces feature recycled polyester fibres made entirely out of old garments and textile waste collected in partnership with H&M’s garment-collection programmed in stores. One form-fitting dress in the collection has been made using a zero-waste pattern cutting process. Innovative materials including REPREVE Our OceanTM, recycled polyester made from ocean-bound plastic bottles, comprise a faux-fur coat and jacket. After years
of development, 100% recycled sequins made from plastic- bottle waste adorn two dresses, a pair of leggings and a blazer-and-skirt combination.
H&M Innovation Stories was launched in early 2021 and comprises a series of themed collections dedicated to promoting more sustainable materials, technologies and production processes. Previous themes have encompassed animal-friendly fashion and alternatives to animal-derived materials, circular design strategies and fabrics that reclaim waste, and more sustainable methods
of working with color. The project goes handin-hand with H&M’s fashion rental service, established in 2019 in its Stockholm flagship store with a selection of occasionwear styles from past Conscious Exclusive collections. The rental program currently operates in three stores in Stockholm, Berlin and Amsterdam.
Few companies are as good at stoking and cultivating hype around product releases as Apple. What’s the secret? Maybe it’s secrecy. Or at least highly considered timing around formally announcing the newest new thing. Apple’s hype management is incredibly disciplined, and part of that is knowing when to say nothing at all.
Consider the contrast between the way Apple and Meta are handling their respective metaverse virtual reality initiatives. To the extent that we know anything about what Apple is up to, it’s via third-party digging and rumors. The reigning speculation is that the company might release its own virtual/augmented reality headset next year, and Bloomberg recently reported that Apple job listings indicate the company is looking for engineers with various virtual reality hardware and software skills, including “the development of a 3D mixed-reality world.” Apple reportedly doesn’t like the term “metaverse,” but this was interpreted as more proof that Apple will directly take on Meta and other VR/AR competitors. Apple offered no comment on this assertion.
The former Facebook, meanwhile, has taken a rather different approach of course, noisily announcing that it is reorienting its entire business model around the metaverse, and indeed renaming itself Meta just so nobody misses the point. It didn’t tie this to some breathtaking unveiling—an iPhone-debut moment—but waved in the general direction of the future: This metaverse thing is gonna be a big deal . . . some day. And we’re on it! (A side effect was a lingering impression that the company has practically given up on its languishing ad business.) This combination of hype-y soothsaying and vague payoffs has resulted in steady mockery of the unimpressive results so far. It has also helped drive Meta shares to about a third of their value a year ago.
Another comparison point is what might politely be called Elon Musk’s transparent approach to steering Twitter: Constant thinking out loud about potential product features, pricing structures, revenue streams, the core business model, etc. This public musing has no discernible payoff, often results in public exposure of failures to execute, and has lately helped make the brand synonymous with chaos, not innovation.
Meanwhile, the burst of free publicity Apple just enjoyed for listing job openings without any public comment, let alone fanfare, is just the latest, almost routine example of how the company seems to generate hype partly by keeping its mouth shut.
A legacy of secrecy has, in effect, inspired a legacy of informed speculation and borderline rumor mongering. Right now, the site MacRumors tells us that in addition to the AR/VR headset project, Apple is believed to be working on a foldable version of the iPhone and even an autonomous “Apple Car,” as well as more iterative developments like a larger-screen iMac and new Mac Pro. It’s precisely because
Apple always seems to have something going on behind the scenes that there’s a market for Apple info scraps. So, even when the company applied for a patent for the pizza box it uses in its corporate cafeteria, it was news.
The speculation doesn’t always come true. Past rumors have included a 50-inch Apple plasma TV, digital cameras, a game controller, and so on. But trying to guess what Apple will do next is practically a tech-obsessive parlor game. There are even people who dream up renderings of completely imaginary potential Apple products.
One of the reasons Apple’s tight-lipped approach actually gins up hype is that, when the time comes, the company also knows how to blow its own horn—deafeningly loud. It can be an extremely aggressive advertiser, and of course its product-unveiling events are uncommonly popular, covered live by the tech press and Apple stans alike. Those events, in fact, often feel like a dramatic reveal, where we finally learn which rumors were true.
The other reason it all works is that the company has such a strong track record of delivering. Yes, the iPhone remains the
flagship. But in addition to selling lots of actual computers, Apple has steadily pushed into a range of hardware categories—from tablets to smart watches to AirPods—and an increasing number of services, including an Emmy- and Oscar-winning video-streaming service, a fitness service, and a credit card. In some cases the company never really bothers to brag about new initiatives, like its recent dabbling in the advertising business.
That said, Apple has also absorbed some total flat-out flops. Remember Ping, its stab at a social network? There have been other missteps, too, from the glitchy start of its Maps product to its ill-fated G4 cube. If you’d forgotten such examples, well, that’s partly because Apple didn’t hype them as the future of digital life or promptly redirected our attention to other products and services that worked, or both.
Clearly, Apple has learned over time that the power of effective hype depends in large part on knowing what not to say—and using strategic silence to build curiosity.
We love ending the year on a high note and escaping on a quick end-of-year getaway. Winter breaks are usually shorter so we’re more conscious of packing lighter. This is harder in the colder months since clothes are bulkier, boots are bigger and we generally need more layers.
But don’t worry, we’ve figured it all out for you with a little smart packing from MUJI. The Japanese brand is renowned for their high-quality items that are very practical. We also love using these products all year round whether we’re traveling or staying put.
The secret to staying warm is layering up correctly. Breathable cottons and linen are great for layering without feeling too stuffy. And we love MUJI’s style aesthetic. You can easily mix and match pieces together while still looking and feeling stylish.
The Autumn/Winter 2022 collection features a fabulous and lightweight puffer jacket that will pack small but keep you warm as you discover new cities. Additionally, the casual yet smart button up shirts can take you all around the city feeling comfortable and looking stylish.
Our absolute favorite item from this season’s collection is the pocketable vest. It packs up into a small pouch that can fit in your pocket; we think this is some kind of sorcery. Once you’ve taken it out though you have a very cozy vest that keeps you warm. When you’re done you can pack it up again without worrying about having to carry it around.
Packing is an art. There are experts out there who will tell you that the way to do it is by creating weird origami while you fold, but we’ve discovered that if you use the packing gusset cases from MUJI, it is much easier. Depending on your destination you could pack one per day or use them to organize your belongings. Whatever you decide, they will help keep your
suitcase and hotel room tidy and make your life much easier.
All suitcases look similar on the outside, but experience has taught us that not all suitcases are made the same; a good quality suitcase can make your trip much smoother. MUJI’s suitcases come in different sizes, with the best wheels that help you whizz around any airport or city, and are light, leaving more weight for your luggage and souvenirs.
Visit the MUJI stores in 2nd Avenue – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues and Al Kout Mall or shop online at muji.com.kw. For more information, follow MUJI on Instagram @mujimiddleeast.
By Craig Loomis
His hands are not soldierly. They are small, an alabaster white. And when he first comes into my office, he forgets where he is, who I am, and salutes. Almost immediately he realizes his mistake, saying, “Sorry.”
“I’m a captain in the army, you know. Six, going on seven years now.”
“You don’t look it,” I say, not really sure what I mean.
“Yes, I hear that often: I look too young to be a captain, and I’ll take that as a compliment.” He finds a place on his neck to rub, not even a rub really, more like a hurried running of fingertips back and forth. “But never mind that, I came here for another reason, and my other reason goes like this: the army is paying for all of this.” Using both of his captain hands to show me what ‘all of this’ looks like. “Thank goodness, but if I fail a class, one class, any class they will make me pay for it. Can you imagine? You understand what I’m saying? In short, failure would be terrible for me. Financially terrible, never mind my GPA. Terrible. Not only that but with failure comes the threat of a demotion as well. From captain to lieutenant overnight.” Snapping his fingers as if overnight and finger snapping were one and the same. “Terrible. After seven years, just like that.” One last pale finger snapping. “So you see, I cannot afford to fail. It is out of the question, which brings me to why I am here: what can I do to make this
failure go away? Extra credit? Something like a report? I am good at writing reports.” Leaning back in the chair as if he were not a captain at all, more lawyer-like, brushing something off his knee that I cannot see. “Anything at all?” And this is where he should have stopped, anything like a pause would do, giving me time to consider, but he doesn’t. “Let me put it another way, you’re not wrong in giving me that F grade on the paper. It was a paper, I admittedly, threw together at the last minute. You see, I had desert training with my platoon and by the time I got home after being out along the Iraq border all night, I was too tired and hungry and dirty to do anything student-like. Regardless, I know you’re all about deadlines and such, as well you should be.” Sighing deeply. “So, there you have it: an admission of my wrongdoing, but honesty almost always counts for something, right?” Giving his hands a good rinsing in invisible water.
“A captain, you say?”
“Yes,” and with that he begins to pull out what can only be some kind of ID.
“No, no, I believe you.”
“Here’s the deal, captain,” And now it is
my turn to sigh. “If I make this. . . this grade adjustment to you, for you, in all fairness to the other students in your situation—and believe me, there are many others—I would have to do the same for them, to be fair.”
This causes him to give his shoulder a quick rub, and then his neck, and now back to the shoulder. “Yes, in all fairness. But, professor, surely this is something that we would not have to announce, to broadcast, sah? Just between the two of us.” His both hands showing me what the betweenness part looks like.
In the end, I settle for a “I’ll think about it.” This almost always pleases everyone—a kind of neutrality full of possibilities. And so, mission accomplished, he stands, and almost thinks of saluting again before we shake hands. His handshake is predictable, weak, soft, fish-like. Once he leaves, gently clicking the door shut behind him, I have already decided that his failure will not disappear.
We love gifts and gift-giving, it’s our favorite love language. It’s always exciting to watch someone unwrap a present and watch their entire face light up with joy. We spend hours thinking about the perfect thing to give our friends and loved ones. We mentally store away tidbits and hints they drop all year round so that when the time comes we know what to buy for them.
Our go-to destination for unique and exciting gifts for our loved ones is Virgin Megastore. The store is a treasure trove of variety, novelty and thoughtful items that can work for people with varying interests. The best part? Virgin Megastore also has everything you could think of to wrap up and beautifully package your perfect present. If you’re still thinking of interesting gift ideas that are fresh and new, then keep reading!
We all have a friend who loves hosting parties. They are masters at bringing everyone together, keeping the conversation going and making sure we are well fed. Help them make their gatherings even more fun by introducing them to Taboo in Arabic! Players are divided into teams and teammates must guess a word. But there’s a catch, you’re not allowed to use specific words as clues, which makes it quite a challenge.
Do you know someone who always curates the best playlists, is great at predicting a hit and knows more lyrics than should be humanly possible? Well, you might not be able to wow them with your musical knowledge, but you can delight them with the new JBL Go 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker. They can bring the party with them now, even to the pool and the beach too. We also love the Shokz Wireless Neckband Headphones, for easy listening while you’re on the move!
If you’re not a gamer yourself and are wondering what to get your friend this season, Virgin Megastore has just the thing! The MSI Adventure 202 Gaming Bundle includes everything a PC gamer might need to battle it out in their latest RPG of choice; a gaming keyboard, mouse and headset. The only downside is that they might end up spending less time with you. For more whimsy add the Paladone Playstation Ice Cube Tray so their beverages can match with their gaming tech.
To be honest, we might just be buying this for ourselves. The Wacaco Nanoresso Portable Espresso Machine is a game changer for those of us who love to be caffeinated on the go. Make a fresh espresso using your favorite coffee pods without needing to plug it on or charge it. Just add hot water, pump it and you are good to go. Not only is it elegant but powerful too. These are just some of the great gift ideas that you can find at Virgin Megastore. You can also find a wonderful selection of stationary, novelty kitchenware and tools and tech accessories among other fun gadgets and more. A quick stroll in the store and you will be inspired.
Virgin
Hear those jingle bells? It can only mean one thing – the holidays are here, and we couldn’t be more excited. Sugar cookies, fresh pine, cranberries, cinnamon, peppermint, and bubbly happiness: We. Are. Ready.
Bath & Body Works, love all things holiday – and they are going all out with the huge Holiday 2022 collection for us to enjoy in their stores, website, and mobile app! Discover the perfect holiday fragrance, a dashing seasonal sale, the most amazing hand soap and more with our one-stop Gifting Destination.
Speaking of festive faves, have you explored everything Bath & Body Works has to offer? We’re super hyped about the body care collection – from shower gels and body washes to fine fragrance mists and body lotions, you’ll be smelling merry and bright all day. And if these don’t ring in enough holiday cheer, turn your home into a fragrant wonderland with the newest Festive-scented candle or Wallflower’s air freshener plug-in.
Now that your home is set for the holidays, ready to take cheer to-go? Don’t worry, we’ve checked the list twice and got you covered. Carry your most-loved holiday scents - from cozy vanilla to piney balsam - with you anywhere and keep germs away with a Bath & Body Works PocketBacs hand sanitizer. Add a cute Holiday-themed hand sanitizer holder and you’re set! Btw, don’t forget to deck your sleigh with some car fragrance.
If you’re tired of running from store to store trying to finish up your gift list, we’ve got your back (and shopping bags). Our shelves are jam-packed with goodies for literally everyone. For that last-minute white elephant exchange or the perfect perfume or cologne for that special someone, don’t look anywhere else – Bath & Body Works Holiday Season 2022 has something for everyone.
Bath & Body Works customer-favorite Holiday Traditions collection has returned. Fragrances include:
Say hello, once again, to Winter Candy Apple. A fan favorite for over 20 years, this blend of candied apples, crisp pears and oranges instantly puts us in the mood for all things holiday – from decking the halls and hanging lights to baking treats and gathering around a fireplace. The fragrance fun doesn’t stop there – Bath & Body Works will continue its celebration of Holiday fragrances all season long with new products.
A festive favorite for over 20 years, this sugar-cookie-inspired Festive scent mixes the best of everything sweet and cozy. It’s perfect for spreading joy…whether that’s gifting this fragrance everyone nice list (or just yourself). It is a wintery sweet blend of fresh vanilla bean, sugar cookies and warm caramel.
Join in the social conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @bathandbodyworksarabia. Find the aromatherapy range and fall candles on bathandbodyworks.com.kw or any of Bath & Body Works’ stores.
From festive accents to touches of whimsy, here’s everything you need to celebrate the season together
By bazaar staffTis the season that we are most excited about, and Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids are making it even more special with some fabulous décor and warm settings. The two brands are helping bring families together in cozy surroundings and offering children something extra special to get into the seasonal spirit.
The brands are a home experience that celebrates the season, whether in the bedroom, entertaining in the living room, or gathered around the dining table. Crafted across three different design themes, Pottery Barn’s Holiday Season Collection offers looks that can bring a Refined Rustic touch, a Luxe Neutral setting, or
everyone’s favorite, Holiday Classics, there is something to suit every taste!
The bazaar team is particularly fond of Refined Rustic home accessories and furniture options which feature warm woods, aged leathers, rustic metals and pops of bright red warm woods, aged leathers, rustic metals to elevate laid-back spaces for welcoming friends and family. This look is going to be showcased heavily in our homes as we entertain this winter!
Another fabulous look can be achieved from the Luxe Neutrals product range, this brings an element of winter greenery into homes, featuring touches of gold to create rooms all aglow. And lastly, you can kindle memories with the Holiday Classics range, which features new takes on everyone’s favorite traditions, with colorful plaids, playful pillows and notes of red and green.
When you are looking for home accessories that add a certain holiday spirit to your home, you definitely need to stop by Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids! From soft table linens to holidaythemed accessories, you can find everything you need to build picture-perfect moments together around this season’s adorable new ornaments and cheerful statement pieces.
No winter season is complete without having friends and family come together around a dinner table The Chambray Tile Dinnerware Collection is absolutely lovely for entertaining. The set comes in tranquil color tones and each design hand-painted by in-house Pottery Barn artists, the stoneware pieces retain the unique brushstrokes and details from the original handmade artworks.
The bazaar team also has another favorite, when we are looking to get cozy, we always
pull out a Pottery Barn throw! These versatile, soft blankets work draped over a couch, folded at the foot of a bed, or stored in baskets on the side of an armchair. They are the perfect addition to add a festive vibe, or just for their functionality!
And if you are looking to make baby’s first holiday magical, look no further! Pottery Barn Kids has fabulous holiday gifts and keepsakes to treasure. From the super soft Bunny Baby Hooded Towel in classic animal silhouettes, to Sherpa Baby Blankets, ideal for errands and trips out into the chill to keep kids and moms warm on the go, the brand offers everything to create an extra special holiday season. Even big kids can be part of the magic, with matching PJ’s available for the whole family, these holiday-themed PJs are made for that memorable family photo!
If you aren’t sure what will fit in your home, you can always count on the Design Studio service, which offers complimentary in-store design services and allows you to personalize your shopping experience with the assistance of super helpful, specially trained staff that will definitely enhance your shopping journey.
The winter festive season is here, and you need to look no further to create a warm inviting ambiance, and spread even more holiday cheer! Located at 1st Avenue, The Avenues, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids stores are designed to make holiday season shopping an enjoyable experience. Follow them on Instagram @potterybarnmena and @potterybarnkidsmena and you can also shop online at potterybarnkids.com.kw and potterybarn.com.kw.
for all moments of CARE
Introducing New Septona Family wipes enriched with natural chamomile and Septona Max wipes with goodness of cotton extracts and glycerin, with an attractive new look!
Coming soon to Kuwait, and we can’t wait!
By bazaar staff
Demeliss Paris has been a breath of fresh air in the hairstyling appliance industry by bringing revolutionary new products to create salon looks at home. Instantly bestselling thanks to a community of devoted and loving fans, Demeliss Paris offers an assortment of innovative straighteners, steam straighteners, curling and styling appliances. The brand closely follows the professional trends of French hair salons and the real needs of consumers.
In the past, women had to visit a hair salon or hire a professional to get event-worthy styles, which are often time-consuming and expensive. With the rise of the popularity of electrical hairstyling tools, women can now achieve great looks at home, every day. But the shift wasn’t instant, there was a steep learning curve, and you often ended up with more hair damage than it was worth.
Today’s generation of electric hair tools have changed the game! Demeliss Paris styling appliances boast intelligent design that respects your hair and the best is that these products are just so easy to use! This range is an absolute must-have, not only because of the outstanding performance, but because the brand is so ontrend with the emerging fashion and keeps consistently revolutionizing their appliances, helping you achieve the latest styles!
As modern women, we want every day to be a good hair day, because we’re also busy, we need tools that can get us ready and out of the door in no time. From straighteners to hair-dryers, the styling appliances have eased our styling routines; Demeliss Paris’ range of hairstyling products feel and look premium and high-end and will make a fabulous addition to anyone’s hair styling routine..
The Demeliss woman is multifaceted, and the brand highlights their understanding of this concept by making sure that their appliances can serve all hair types. The brand is also committed to making sure that consumers can see real results without creating heat damage. They always test their products on real girls and show the results before and after.
Us bazaar girls love great styling tool! What we’re most excited about is the Demeliss Titanium and Steam Straightener. It uses steam smoothening as a straightening technique, and is highly recommended by hairdressing professionals. Thanks to an integrated water tank and five steam diffusers located along the plates, the straightener
smooths the hair while emitting steam. The Demeliss Titanium and Steam Straightener relaxes the hair, making it extremely silky, very supple and shiny for several days. Not only that, it protects it against rain, humidity and pollution. And with the rainy season upon us, we are all in!
We know you are just as excited about these products as we are! The Demeliss Paris range of styling products will be available soon at roomserviceq8.com. To be the first to know when they arrive follow @beauty_appliances_kuwait on Instagram.
A dentist by education with a passion for interiors, Mariam started exploring the world of bedding after she was unable to find anything that she loved or lasted more than a few washes. Sukoon, which means peace and tranquility in Hindi, is born from a desire to produce bedding that can be passed down from generation to generation.
In 2017, after Mariam moved back to Kuwait having spent eight years in Boston, she was on a hunt for bedding that was of a high quality, felt great, and had a high thread count. She bought several options from a few different stores but was not happy with any of them; every set she owned either felt like sandpaper after several washes, shrunk, or ripped after a year of use. At this point she had spent over 500 KD on bedding that didn’t last. She was determined to buy a few high-quality sets that would last her close to a decade. This is when she started researching bedding.
Mariam learned everything there was to know about fabrics, thread count, the different types of cotton, the process of manufacturing bedding, farming cotton and weaving and dying fabric. She wanted to know everything and took a trip to India in 2018 to experience first-hand the process of manufacturing premium quality bedding. However, on this trip she learned the truth about fast fashion and how it affects the workers, the environment, and our health. She also learned some dirty truths about the cotton farming industry and how it exploits children and the environment. She decided then and there that the brand ethos of Sukoon would focus on ethical production where artisans receive fair wages for the work they do.
Apart from the ethical criteria, Mariam has been super passionate about heritage quality products. While she was in Boston, she would frequent antique shops and flea markets to find objects and pieces that traveled through the ages and have a story to tell. Her motto has always been to “buy like your grandparents; they bought what they needed and expected it to last.” She tells us, “I couldn’t help but notice that the quality of pieces owned by our grandparents were effortlessly handed down from generation to generation. Yet, I was having difficulty finding anything that I could use a year from now, let alone pass down to my children.”
We all thought thread count was a thing, right? Well, apparently not! Mariam shares “As I was learning about thread count, which is the first
Mariam Al-Farhan brings us heirloom quality, organic bedding that will make you want to spend even more time in bed!
question I get asked about Sukoon bedding, I dove into the world of weaves and threads. I learned that thread count is a marketing gimmick used by the bedding industry to mislead consumers into believing they’re buying premium quality threads. It is actually the type and quality of cotton that makes a premium quality fabric and not just the count.” This is when Mariam decided to use organic cotton for her bedding, this is what makes it a premium quality and ensures that there are no harmful chemicals. She found a Global Organic textile Standard (GOTS) certified factory that she has built an honest and lasting relationship with.
Mariam wants the brand to make you feel good as slumber. “I want people to rest their heads at night on Sukoon bedding, knowing that they made an impact on a worker’s fair wage, they own an heirloom quality product, and they are sleeping on fabrics that are free from any toxic chemicals,” she adds.
At present, Sukoon produces bedding for adults and babies, as well as towels. The plan is to start making loungewear and baby clothing. We are already dreaming of super soft loungewear that we can live in! Mariam also plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop in the near future, how she has the time with her dental practice and her twins, we aren’t quite sure, but we are excited to see more from Sukoon!
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Dedicated.
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Loving.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
Is that your real father? (Referring to the fact that I don’t look like my father).
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I’ve actually never done anything spontaneous.
What is your theme song? “Do you believe in magic”.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Melancholy.
Where would you like to live? North Carolina.
What is your dream retirement location? Gloucestershire, UK.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“We don’t support slave labor in this country, so we shouldn’t support those conditions in other countries” Emma Watson on fair wage and child labor.
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life? A dog, by your side and loyal till the end.
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
Freedom from the chains of technology.
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
I wouldn’t, my name is traditional and international and I’ve always liked it.
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Warm.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Queen Elizabeth II. She revolutionized England while strongly holding on to her traditional values and beliefs.
What in the world do you least desire? Fame.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place? Empathy.
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
Because I live my life on the basis of “I’m not
what happened to me, I am who I choose to become” and also because I don’t judge.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…” “...Living in peace”
We love how soft and luxurious the bedding from Sukoon is, and can’t wait to hear about additions to the line. You can shop online at sukoonhome.com or follow them on Instagram @sukoonkw to learn more about the brand’s journey.
The new GR86 is an evolution of the previous GT86; the model launched a decade ago that signaled Toyota’s renewed commitment to sports car engineering. The coupe retains the classic configuration of a front-mounted engine with rearwheel drive and is designed to spread the joy of a fun driving experience, while inheriting the culture of the previous model. The development of Toyota’s ever-growing GR models by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team fulfills the company’s mission to use the experience and know-how gained from participation in motorsport to build ‘ever-better cars.’
“The GR86’s mission is to open up the world of GR, enabling it to be enjoyed by more and more people. When you get behind the wheel, it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. For that reason, we set ‘smile behind the wheel’ as our key development goal. Our objective was to develop a powerful yet fun-to-drive vehicle
that would bring happiness to sports car fans. I believe we have achieved this and more; the new GR86 provides direct and satisfying performance that truly embodies the GR spirit,” commented Yasunori Suezawa, Chief Engineer in charge of the vehicle’s development.
The GR86 inherits the front-independent MacPherson struts and rear double-wishbone suspension system featured on the GT86, with a performance tuned for an even higher level of response and stable handling. The successful lowering of the center of gravity is central to the car’s superior handling and exhilarating driving experience. As for the overall dimensions of the new GR86, they are close to those of its predecessor, yet, the height has been lowered by 10 mm (to 1,310 mm), while 5 mm has been added to the wheelbase (2,575 mm).
With its wide stance, the rear-wheel-drive coupe’s handling changes come in the form
of front and rear-frame reinforcements that increase rigidity. Functional exterior air vents were also added to further support steering stability. In addition, weight-shaving details, such as aluminum roof panels and fenders, ensure a nimble curb weight of just over 1,270 kg.
“We are very excited to bring the new GR86 to our customers in the Middle East. Designed for enthusiasts by enthusiasts, the latest addition to our GR range offers true sports car performance with a focus on added stability, power, and improved aerodynamics. Importantly, it is not simply for purists and those with high levels of experience; its rewards can be discovered day-today on the open road as much as on the track,” explained Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation.
“We are confident this latest addition to Toyota’s GR range will give more people
opportunities to experience the pure joy of driving. I would like to thank all our customers in the region for their endless support, which continuously inspires us on our journey to make ‘ever-better cars.’,” continued Fujita.
The 2.4L naturally aspirated, horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine brings a significant power upgrade, increasing from 205 to 228 hp and 212 to 250 nm of torque. The power boost stems from a series of tweaks, including increased bore size, changes to the intake and exhaust systems, and optimization
of the Toyota D-4S dual injection technology. These deliver a responsive and powerful driving experience, particularly when coming out of curves onto straight roads. In addition, drivers can choose between a 6-speed manual (MT) or automatic transmission (AT). The bigger engine also improves zero-to-60 times, from 7.0 to 6.3 seconds for the MT and from 8.0 to 6.9 seconds for the AT.
With a refined, aerodynamic profile, the new GR86 boasts a sleek and assertive look with a long hood and short rear deck
highlighting its racing-inspired proportions. The front of the vehicle features a GR-specific Functional MATRIX ‘G Mesh’ Grille, which fuses performance and expressiveness. Its angular LED headlights complement the aerodynamic front air dams and vents, with side sill spoilers to aid steering responsiveness and stability. The tightened wheel arches at the vehicle’s rear express a wide stance, while arch fins control airflow. Aerodynamic fins have also been added to the lower rear bumper to further enhance stability.
The 2023 GR86’s driver-focused cockpit is designed to elevate the daily driving experience while also offering a simplicity that keeps drivers squarely focused on the road. It features a 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen, which displays all-new three-mode digital instrumentation, including Normal, Sport, and Track modes. While in Track mode, drivers receive real-time readouts of gear position, engine speed, water temperature, and oil temperature. The horizontally configured instrument panel now has LCD toggle displays with silver trimmed dials that give the cabin a modern, race-inspired feel. Standard sport front bucket seats with side bolster firmly hold drivers in place around each corner. The GR86 also brings everyday usability, with 2+2 seating that offers the versatility of fold-down rear seats.
The vehicle’s comfortable cabin hosts a range of practical features, including an 8-inch
multimedia touchscreen compatible with wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Bluetooth® for hands-free phone capability, two USB ports and one auxiliary port, a six-speaker sound system, a powerful automatic dual-zone air conditioning system, and many more.
As with any other Toyota model, safety remains a top priority for the new GR86. The vehicle comes equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, such as seven SRS airbags (including driver’s knee airbag), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Brake Signal System (ESS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS), among many others.
The new GR86 offers a sporty look and allows customers to express their individuality with a
choice of seven distinctive exterior colors. These include Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Bright Blue, Magnetite Gray Metallic, and Ice Silver Metallic, as well as two new colors; Spark Red and Sapphire Blue. Meanwhile, the interior is available in a choice of Black or Black and GR Red. Customers can also choose between two types of newly designed wheels that add to the vehicle’s sleek and streamlined appearance, with 17-inch alloy wheels consisting of five twin spokes or 18-inch matte black alloy sports wheels.
Schedule a test drive today to experience the Toyota GR86 coupé 2023 for yourself. Visit toyota.com.kw, call 1803803, or follow @toyotakw on Instagram.
By Steven Melendez
The games, part of a new Games for Work app for Microsoft Teams, come after a 2019 Brigham Young University study cited by Microsoft found that newly formed work teams saw a 20% boost in productivity after 45 minutes of team video game play. The new app will give companies an easy way to set up play sessions with games with familiar rules, and some nostalgic appeal.
“People have been playing them, some of them, since they were kids,” says Nancy Baym, senior principal research manager at Microsoft. “It’s kind of like, if you own a bunch of decks of cards, why wouldn’t you leave them on the tables in the lounge?”
In addition to a competitive, not-so-solitary version of Solitaire that also allows for spectators, and a cooperative version of Microsoft that aims to let teams have fun practicing collective problemsolving, the games app includes a version of Microsoft’s Wordament, a find-the-word puzzle game similar to Boggle. Another game, called IceBreakers, is perhaps more of a traditional teambuilding tool, posing “this or that”-style questions, like asking players which of two pizza toppings they’d prefer.
The games are designed to accommodate groups of players from two to 250. In addition to the Brigham Young study, Baym points to Microsoft’s own research early in the pandemic that saw work teams organizing online gaming sessions to stay in touch, as well as her own experience playing the subterfuge-based card game Mafia with coworkers.
“My colleagues found out that I can lie really well—they were so shocked,” she says. “It was so fun.”
The new games, created in partnership with Microsoft Casual Games, an Xbox Game Studios team, aren’t the only play-based teambuilding tools to come out of the coronavirus era. The early days of social distancing in particular saw a burst of games designed or adapted for play on video chat apps like Teams or Zoom, from moderated online escape rooms and trivia sessions to digital icebreakers, as coworkers sought ways to stay in touch beyond stilted pre-meeting small talk and quickly maligned virtual happy hours. But in addition to the appeal to nostalgia for Minesweeper sessions during lazy days at the office or in the back of the middle school computer lab, the new games are available for free to Teams users and, once enabled, can be easily called up from within any Teams meeting.
Still, Baym says, it’s important to make sure that games stay playful, which means avoiding steering too much into mandatory fun.
“It’s really important that people not be required to play games,” she says. “They should not be playing games because they think they have to, because that’s not fun.”
To help even physically separated coworkers find new ways to bond at work, Microsoft is rolling out multiplayer versions of some of its classic computer games, including Solitaire and Minesweeper.
You’re in a shoe store, trying on a pair of Nikes. The vendor is going on about how great the shoes are, but you’re not convinced, so you walk out empty handed. Sometime later, that same vendor pops up out of nowhere in the supermarket. “I’m just wondering if you’ve reconsidered the shoes,” he says. “I’ve got a photo of them right here.” You scoff and walk away again, but the vendor keeps coming back; you bump into him on the sidewalk, or at the hardware store. He even breaks into your home and finds you on your living room couch. “I’d be happy to suggest some other shoes you might like based on your trip to the store,” he says.
This scenario makes up the opening chapter of a new graphic novel by WeTransfer cofounder Damian Bradfield and the Spanish illustrator David Sánchez. Out now, Algorithmic Reality is a warning against the pernicious influence of Big Tech and the short-termism of technology.
In the opening chapter, Bradfield transposes online marketing and targeted ads to the real world. By blurring those boundaries—between online and offline worlds—the author urges us to consider why we seem more likely to accept something in the digital realm that may seem unethical in real life.
Throughout the book, Bradfield and Sánchez paint a Black Mirror-like portrait of a society that is beholden to technology. Brands are stalking us, insurers are demanding that we trade our privacy for lower premiums, and grocery stores are overrun with personal shoppers employed by a certain company called Amazin.
Bradfield could have made the same points by writing a regular novel, but the narrative is rendered all the more powerful by Sánchez’s rigid illustration style, where the characters’ apathy takes on visual form. “There’s a coldness that gives you this stark reality that I felt fitted with the storyline,” Bradfield says. Ironically, the pair developed the book entirely over WhatsApp texts, without ever talking on the phone.
In one chapter, we follow a luddite as he navigates a world where vinyl records have fallen into oblivion and cash payments are prohibited. The character is based on a friend of Bradfield’s who’s “100% that person,” and the story ends with him getting arrested for data avoidance. It’s a dystopian vision, but for Bradfield, “it’s all happening right now.” He references his nephew, who just got his driver’s license. “His insurance premium is through the roof, but if he wants to reduce his insurance premium, he puts a black box in his car, and they can track him all the time to see how he’s driving.”
The book ends with a group of tourists visiting a Silicon Valley boomtown, once thriving with tech companies and now riddled with ghosts. At the end, they are stargazing through a set of VR goggles, except they’re not marveling at stars but at a constellation of satellites. The last vignettes show an Amazon flag—or should I say, Amazin—planted on Mars.
Sure, the whole thing sounds a bit satirical, but the novel reads more as a warning sign for what might happen if we don’t change our relationship with technology. “We’re watching the world being taken over by corporations who might not share the
same values [as we],” says Bradfield. “It’s quite likely that some of these big companies will be pushing out into the moon, Mars, the solar system, and taking advantage of it. We’ll watch it happen, and we’ll act surprised we didn’t see it coming.”
The brands celebrate their 10th anniversary since opening doors in Kuwait
By bazaar staff
West Elm and Williams Sonoma have been adorning our homes in Kuwait for over 10 years, helping us express our personal style at home with modern and stylish furnishings that mix clean lines, natural textures and global accents to create authentic, affordable and approachable modern living. We, at bazaar, cannot imagine life without these two fabulous stores in Kuwait.
The West Elm aesthetic is one that we love and constantly covet, the brand has shaped many of our spaces in Kuwait by offering us fabulous furnishings with creativity, style, and purpose, that make our house a home. Kuwait also holds a special place in the brand’s heart, being where “it all started” for them in the Middle East.
Originating in Brooklyn, New York, where the first branch opened in 2002, it has since become a favorite destination for design lovers across the world! What we love about the brand is that their designers search for handmade and one-of-a-kind discoveries around the world and maintains longstanding partnerships with groups that support the development of global craft and artisan skills.
Deriving inspiration from humble everyday objects, modern icons, ancient cultures and nature West Elm has given us many distinctive and original mix of furniture and home décor all designed to make it simple for customers to express their own personal style at home. The brand has a fabulous range of products that you can use to inject style and substance into your home, this includes bedroom, living room, dining and outdoor furniture, bed and bath, tabletop and kitchenware, rug, window dressings and decorative accessories.
The other brand that has been styling our homes and kitchens for the last decade is Williams-Sonoma. We especially love this brand when we want to bring people together around food. It has everything we need to create environments where friends and family come together to relax, reconnect and nourish!
Williams Sonoma isn’t just a store, it is an experience that engages all five-senses. We enjoy exploring the store and browsing the furniture, tableware and kitchenware, but we always spend a little extra time at the live cooking stations where we get to experience expert chefs preparing some fabulous dishes that inspire us to go home and prepare a feast!
It is perfect that when the urge to prepare delicacies to serve to our friends and family, Williams Sonoma has an amazing and exclusive collection of kitchen tools, professional-quality cookware, and essential electrics. The range includes state-of-the-art multifunctional cookers, the latest in guided cooking technology, indoor smoking, and digital sous vide precision. This makes the aspiring chef in us giddy with excitement!
If there wasn’t enough to love already, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma both offer complimentary design services to help you create fabulous spaces in your homes, both functional and stylish. From quick styling tips to home makeovers, the design experts are always happy to help.
So step in the store now, and find lovely pieces or tools that will enhance your spaces or your time in the kitchen. Visit West Elm and Williams Sonoma in Grand Avenue-The Avenues, and follow them on Instagram for inspiration and updates on @westelmmena and @williamssonomamena.
If your current boss reminds you of your previous boss, there’s an explanation for that: When it comes to leadership types, most executives have a similar personality structure. In fact, their brains are often wired the same, says Friederike Fabritius, neuroscientist and author of The Brain-Friendly Workplace: Why Talented People Quit and How to Get Them to Stay. Fabritius calls this lack of diversity the “neurogap.”
“Not only do we have a lack of diversity when it comes to gender and race; we have a lack of diversity in the personalities we put into leadership positions,” she says.
In her book, Fabritius identifies four “neurosignatures,” which are the unique activity patterns in a person’s brain:
Dopamine-dominant people are visionary risktakers who are up for a challenge. They tend to be entrepreneurs.
Testosterone-dominant people are direct and love to take charge. They also are drawn to data and often thrive in sales or research.
Serotonin-dominant people focus on details and plans and love keeping schedules. They’re often found in accounting or law.
Estrogen-dominant people are nurturing and empathetic. They often go into jobs in human resources or education.
“Most leaders—men and women—have what I call a testosterone/dopamine neurosignature,” she says. “They’re hard-driven and stress-resistant. They love change and are ambitious. And they have less empathy than the rest of the population. If you think about how many people are burned out and how mental wellbeing is a problem in the current workplace, I think it all comes down to the people at the top being highly stress-resistant and creating a workplace that works for people like themselves.”
Create a brain-friendly workplace
Instead of asking people to conform to the neurosignature of the leader, Fabritius says organizations need to create “brain-friendly workplaces” that are naturally attractive to all neurosignatures.
“A brain-friendly workplace is a workplace that is in line with your brain,” she explains. “It’s one where your brain doesn’t have to adapt. It naturally brings out the best in everyone.”
To create a brain-friendly workplace, start with the hiring process. “We are wired to like people who are similar to ourselves and to hire people and promote people who are like ourselves,” says Fabritius. “We need understand that diversity is a good thing. If you have people who have different ways of working, they will close the neurogap and bring complementary skills in the workplace.”
Next, match tasks and roles to the neurosignatures under which they’ll thrive, creating different environments for different people. For example, Fabritius says high-dopamine people love to explore and try new things. They handle change and travel well and they love a challenge. Pique their curiosity with new projects or new roles, or they’ll easily get bored. Also provide them with autonomy and creative freedom.
High-serotonin people work best in a more peaceful environment. They make great managers because employees view them as being trustworthy and stable. Be sure to give them routines and structured work. They’re also good at team- and relationship-building roles.
High-testosterone people strive for power and status. They also respect logic and reasoning. This type of neurosignature works best when they have minimal supervision. Fabritius suggests putting them in a place where they can use those skills to cut through complexity and make quick decisions.
“I wouldn’t say allow them to be rude, that would be too much, but allow them to be quick to the point and don’t bore them with three-hour meetings, if they just want to hear three points,” she says.
Finally, high-estrogen people bring intuition, empathy, and creative lateral thinking to the
workplace. They need harmony and will leave if an environment is toxic. They can excel as leaders, where they often create a positive, encouraging workplace.
Under a brain-friendly workplace, each neurosignature will adds value to an organization and each feels at home.
“It’s not just that you need to make the people happy,” says Fabritius. “They are bringing in their skills and talents. If you’re the leader, you need to work on empathy and be more tolerant. When you start to get irritated and think, ‘This person isn’t like me,’ you need to remember that that’s good. It’s far easier to reform a workplace than it is to change people. Let people play to their strengths instead of wasting time trying to change their personalities.”
by Дмитрий Хрусталев-Григорьев on Unsplash.
The holidays are upon us, which means insane TV deals abound. If you’re in the market for a new set, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you don’t overspend, undersize, or miss out on important features.
If you’re simply looking to get the biggest sizewise bang for your buck, focus your attention on 55-inch TVs.
Case in point: A quick search of Best Buy serves up a 55-inch Hisense 4K smart TV for $240, while a 43-inch LG 4K smart TV costs $10 more.
Comparing the two models shows that, aside from the size, they’ve got almost identical features. Even stepping down five inches to a 50-inch Hisense, you’re only saving $10.
Now that I’ve tempted you with cheap 55-inchers, I regret to inform you that you should not put a 55-inch TV in the kitchen. Well, not unless you’ve got a huge kitchen, in which case: Congrats!
There are varying opinions on the “right” way to size a TV, but a good general rule of thumb is to measure the distance you’ll be sitting from the TV in feet and then shave off 30% (or multiply by
0.7). Then add a zero to the result.
So, for a 10-foot viewing distance, we get 7, which means you’d be okay with a 70-inch TV.
When TV shopping, pay attention to screen resolution. There are three main ones: 720p, 1080p, and 4K.
The good news is that if you buy a big enough TV, you probably won’t have to worry about resolution since it’s almost impossible to buy a non-4K TV in the 43-inch or above range.
During the holiday sales, though, pay close attention to those really, really inexpensive sets. It’s possible that they’re 720p resolution, which is fine for small sets if you’re really on a budget.
But 720p can make its way up to 32-inch sets, at which point the difference between 720p and 1080p is noticeable.
A good rule of thumb: Step up from 720p to at least 1080p if you can, and future-proof yourself with 4K if this TV is going to be getting
a lot of use. A 1080p set has 1.5 times the resolution of a 720p set, but a 4K set has twice the resolution of 1080p.
As for refresh rate, that’s the number of times the image on the screen is displayed per second. Most low- to mid-range TVs have a 60Hz refresh rate, while higher-end sets feature 120Hz refresh rates.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes for a smoother picture, especially when watching sports or when playing video games, but the content provider or games console will need to support 120Hz.
At the moment, that’s basically zero streaming services. However, the current generation Xbox Series X and S and PlayStation 5 support it, so go with 120Hz to get the most out of your consoles. That’ll also future-proof you for when 120Hz content becomes more mainstream.
Having achieved great successes in Kuwait - the KLC Virtual Restaurants’ home turf, then expanding into the UAE and achieving great things in a relatively short time, the brand is taking on Qatar just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2022. With a diverse crowd gathering in Qatar, KLC Virtual Restaurants decided that the time was right to expand into the world cup host country.
With over 4 million successful orders to date, and 600 team members across the GCC, KLC Virtual Restaurants has made its mark. The family business has self-funded its expansion, which is no small feat in itself. The brand created virtual restaurants to fill gaps to satisfy the online market demand and served it through a vertically integrated cloud kitchen business model. Through its virtual kitchens, the brand ensures that it
consistently offers great quality food at affordable prices.
As pioneers in the virtual cloud kitchens field in Kuwait and UAE, KLC had always known that they wanted to expand into Qatar. Not only does the country have the highest average order ticket globally, it also is a relatively untapped market. However, the brand decided to strategically start operations a few months before the World
Cup 2022 kick off to gain first mover advantage and benefit from the nascent delivery market. Additionally, the influx of diverse visitors to the country for the games bodes well for brands that are present in the market at the time.
KLC Virtual Restaurant’s One Eatery (“OE”) concept launched three kitchens in prime Qatari locations in early July: Muaither, Abu Hamour, and Umm Salal. The OE brand has already achieved
success in Kuwait and the UAE, which has enhanced the delivery experience and is set to achieve similar wins in Qatar. OE is a virtual food hall concept that caters to a selection of tastes from one cloud kitchen without compromising on taste and quality, with a keen focus on fresh ingredients, preparing food to order, and around the clock delivery to ensure that no craving is left unserved.
OE’s brilliance lies in the range of cuisines and types of foods it brings under one roof. OE boasts in over 60 different concepts and 15 different types of cuisine, some of which include: Junkyard, Project Pasta, Thrive Salads, Taco Eataco, Pancake Rush, Egg Squared, Thrive Salads, Generation Acai, Chubby Balls, Wondas Waffles, and The Kitchen.
This means that OE will be your go to regardless of what your taste buds desire!
Currently in Qatar, OE serves over 40 of the brand’s 60 food brands, with the goal of serving the remainder of cuisines and brands in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, the KLC Virtual Kitchens will be opening its fourth kitchen in Qatar’s The Pearl at the same time, which will enable the brand to serve most of the Qatari population from strategically located kitchens around the country. The OE concept is also available on all the delivery platforms in the country to ease the ordering process.
KLC Virtual Restaurants continues to grow the variety of brands it offers through the OE concept across the region; understanding and delivering
a variety of cuisines to match the tastes of consumers is at the heart of the brand. With the planned expansions in Qatar, and then expansion across the rest of the Gulf region, you will be able to enjoy One Eatery as you travel to nearby countries in the next year. Of course, make sure you enjoy your favorite meals from OE if you travel to Qatar for the World Cup!
Follow @KLCvirtual on Instagram to stay updated on KLC Virtual Restaurants’ expansion of One Eatery across the region and follow @OneEatery and @OneEatery.qr to learn more about this unique virtual food hall that caters to every taste bud. You can order online in Qatar through all the major delivery services in the country.
Imagine the following scenario: A phone rings, an office worker answers it and hears his boss, in a panic, tell him that she forgot to transfer money to the new contractor before she left for the day and needs him to do it. She gives him the wire transfer information, and with the money transferred, the crisis has been averted.
The worker sits back in his chair, takes a deep breath, and watches as his boss walks in the door. The voice on the other end of the call was not his boss. In fact, it wasn’t even a human. The voice he heard was that of an audio deepfake, a machine-generated audio sample designed to sound exactly like his boss.
Attacks like this using recorded audio have already occurred, and conversational audio deepfakes might not be far off.
Deepfakes, both audio and video, have been possible only with the development of sophisticated machine learning technologies in recent years. Deepfakes have brought with them a new level of uncertainty around digital media. To detect deepfakes, many researchers have turned to analyzing visual artifacts—minute glitches and inconsistencies—found in video deepfakes.
Audio deepfakes potentially pose an even greater threat, because people often communicate verbally without video—for example, via phone calls, radio, and voice recordings. These voice-only communications greatly expand the possibilities for attackers to use deepfakes.
To detect audio deepfakes, we and our research colleagues at the University of Florida have developed a technique that measures the acoustic and fluid dynamic differences between voice samples created organically by human speakers and those generated synthetically by computers.
Humans vocalize by forcing air over the various structures of the vocal tract, including vocal folds, tongue, and lips. By rearranging these structures, you alter the acoustical properties of your vocal tract, allowing you to create over 200 distinct sounds, or phonemes. However, human anatomy fundamentally limits the acoustic behavior of these different phonemes, resulting in a relatively small range of correct sounds for each.
In contrast, audio deepfakes are created by first allowing a computer to listen to audio recordings of a targeted victim speaker. Depending on the exact techniques used, the computer might need to listen to as little as 10 to 20 seconds of audio. This audio is used to extract key information about the unique aspects of the victim’s voice.
The attacker selects a phrase for the deepfake to speak and then, using a modified text-to-speech algorithm, generates an audio
sample that sounds like the victim saying the selected phrase. This process of creating a single deepfaked audio sample can be accomplished in a matter of seconds, potentially allowing attackers enough flexibility to use the deepfake voice in a conversation.
The first step in differentiating speech produced by humans from speech generated by deepfakes is understanding how to acoustically model the vocal tract. Luckily scientists have techniques to estimate what someone—or some being such as a dinosaur—would sound like based on anatomical measurements of its vocal tract.
We did the reverse. By inverting many of these same techniques, we were able to extract an approximation of a speaker’s vocal tract during a segment of speech. This allowed us to effectively peer into the anatomy of the speaker who created the audio sample.
From here, we hypothesized that deepfake audio samples would fail to be constrained by the same anatomical limitations humans have. In other words, the analysis of deepfaked audio samples simulated vocal tract shapes that do not exist in people.
Our testing results not only confirmed our hypothesis but revealed something interesting.
When extracting vocal tract estimations from deepfake audio, we found that the estimations were often comically incorrect. For instance, it was common for deepfake audio to result in vocal tracts with the same relative diameter and consistency as a drinking straw, in contrast to human vocal tracts, which are much wider and more variable in shape.
This realization demonstrates that deepfake audio, even when convincing to human listeners, is far from indistinguishable from humangenerated speech. By estimating the anatomy responsible for creating the observed speech, it’s possible to identify whether the audio was generated by a person or a computer.
Today’s world is defined by the digital exchange of media and information. Everything from news to entertainment to conversations with loved ones typically happens via digital exchanges. Even in their infancy, deepfake video and audio undermine the confidence people have in these exchanges, effectively limiting their usefulness.
If the digital world is to remain a critical resource for information in people’s lives, effective and secure techniques for determining the source of an audio sample are crucial.
Behind every great AI-generated image is a great prompt. And a brand new online game lets you guess it.
By Elissaveta M. Brandon
Find The Prompt is a fun, missing-letter game that captures the AI zeitgeist. Like Wordle, you only get one prompt a day, but unlike Wordle, you have to guess a string of words that were used to create the AI-generated image on the page. French entrepreneur Nicolas LeRoux launched the game last week as a way to pull back the curtain on a process that is often obscured from the public. “For people who aren’t programmers or digital artists but just curious about how it works, it’s a way to understand that someone wrote this prompt and it generated the image,” says LeRoux.
LeRoux says there are two kinds of AI artists: those who keep their prompt to themselves, and those who post them on aggregator sites like Prompt Hero or Playground AI. This is where he sources the images and associated prompts.
The game interface consists of one image and a string of boxed-up letters. As one player pointed out on Twitter, “the letters look like one of those serial killer letters stitched together from magazine cutouts.” One day, you might be served a short prompt about an “old Arab man wearing a turban dancing in a Turkish mosque.” The next, you may have to work your way through
a string of adjectives like a “tiny cute and adorable piglet adventurer dressed in a warm overcoat with survival gear on a winter day.”
LeRoux, a Sciences Po alumni, has dabbled with AI image generators like Midjourney or DALL-E, but his day job has to do with language. In 2015, he created an online website about French literature, vocabulary, and spelling called La Langue Française (the French language). Since then, he has created various quizzes and dictation games for the site, including a surprisingly addictive “spelling blitz” (in French) that encourages players to get as many right
answers in a row as possible. “French grammar is really boring, no one likes it, but people discover a game and suddenly, they are spending one hour trying to avoid making mistakes,” he says. “Games can really change your perspective on things.”
For LeRoux, Find The Prompt has the similar potential to get more people to think about words and how we use them. “This game won’t revolutionize the way we see our language,” he says, “but it’s interesting to see the connection between the image and the prompt, and to reflect on the words used.”
It used to be that technical proficiency was the main quality that was desired when it came to leadership. And while technical proficiency is important, it is now considered an entry level skill that is necessary to get your foot in the door. Besides, many jobs are now so complex that we need to rely on a team of competent people. But if leaders lack the ability to communicate, collaborate with others, or set up a culture that supports staff appreciation and development, their technical skills alone will not get them far.
That is why emotional intelligence is critical for leadership. Leaders set the tone for their organization. If they are lacking in emotional intelligence, it will negatively affect employee engagement, satisfaction, turnover, and ultimately the bottom financial line of their organization.
The good news is that emotional intelligence is not static. It can be developed and leaders can develop theirs, increasing their leadership potential. Here are 7 things to look for in an emotionally intelligent leader:
They are sincere
Emotionally intelligent leaders are sincere, honest, and real.
Emotionally Intelligent leaders are the biggest boosters of their organization. They show continuous belief in their work, in the work of their coworkers, and in the success of their organization.
Sincere support from leaders can help an organization through difficult times. And if this sincere support is missing from a leader, it is difficult for others to keep their faith and belief in what they are doing.
They are willing to step out of their comfort zones
Growth and development require that we continue to push the boundaries of what we feel comfortable doing. Emotionally strong leaders recognize this and continue to push themselves and encourage those around them to go beyond what they already know and are familiar with.
Emotionally intelligent leaders recognize that change is constant and that their success, the success of their people, and the success of the organization requires constant advancements and adjustments.
They are able to control their emotions
During times of difficulty and crisis, employees look to leaders for guidance. They want to know how serious a situation may be and how they should respond. Being aware of this, it is crucial that leaders are able to show an outward calm and maintain composure, managing their own emotions.
Even if they don’t have immediate solutions, emotionally intelligent leaders are able to maintain calm in the face of difficulties. This can help their team focus their energy on coming up with solutions, rather than needlessly squandering time and effort on fear and worry.
They are authentic at all times
An emotionally intelligent leader is always clear about their intentions and where they are coming from. This means employees don’t have to worry about deciphering messages from leadership and keeps them best informed about the organization’s goals and motives.
Authentic emotionally intelligent leaders share as much as they are able to with their people at all times and expect the same from others in their circle. They don’t feel the need to hide things from others, cover up their mistakes, or play favorites in their workplace. They treat everyone the same, regardless of their position or station in life.
They relate to their people on a human level
Emotionally intelligent leaders are aware of their emotions and are not afraid to express them when appropriate. They are aware of how emotions affect everything that we do and are skilled at reading the emotions of others individually and of those in groups.
In my book, The Other Kind of Smart: Simple Ways to Boost your Emotional Intelligence for Greater Personal Effectiveness and Success, I give examples of leaders who interact with people on a human level. This allows those leaders to make others feel seen and heard, even during times of disagreement and conflict.
They don’t let setbacks derail their goals Rarely does anything go exactly as planned. Failures and setbacks are inevitable parts of the
road to anything worth doing that eventually turns into success. Emotionally intelligent leaders expect there to be roadblocks and emotionally prepare for them. They look for the lesson learned and don’t take setbacks personally.
To emotionally intelligent leaders, disappointments are part of their learning and development journey. They understand that these moments will ultimately help them to reach their goals.
According to the S.M.A.R.T. Approach to Emotional Intelligence by Dr. Hank Clemons, “Emotionally Intelligent leaders are resilient. Resilient people develop a mental capacity that allows them to adapt with ease during adversity.”
Everyone has times when they are down, feel like complaining, and struggle to stay positive. Emotionally intelligent leaders are not immune to those feelings. However, they never allow them to set up permanent residence in their minds.
While emotionally intelligent leaders are open to and supportive of others’ feelings, they distance themselves from people who are chronic complainers or are constantly negative. The people they do surround themselves with have a positive outlook and view the bright side of life.
Emotionally intelligent leaders believe that life is to be experienced and enjoyed to the fullest and they attract (and are attracted to) people who live by the same belief.
By bazaar staff
Move over weekend because we have a new favorite day to go out and have fun. If you guessed Wednesday, then you were absolutely correct. Partly because it is the true gateway to the weekend, and more importantly because we love heading to The Radisson Blu Hotel for their famous BBQ Wednesday at the Al Bustan restaurant. From the unconventional yet exciting selection of bbq options to the ambiance, it is a favorite for all the right reasons.
The live cooking stations are Al Bustan’s signature at BBQ Wednesdays. There are so many exciting outdoor options to choose from in the terrace area. We always favor an outdoor table, but you can opt to stay inside on colder nights. What can we say, we just love enjoying the fresh air and being under the starry sky.
Enjoying a buffet is a fine art, before you begin you need to check everything out. Which is exactly where we always start. We love food and we love planning our meal in advance because we want to make sure that we’re not missing anything delicious.
After settling in at our table and ordering our
drinks, we headed to the appetizer section. We loaded up on exotic cheeses, international and oriental salads, fresh bread and we even snuck in some delicious maki rolls. We love how everything is displayed so artfully at Al Bustan. Every station is unique and is designed to entice and delight all your senses. The chef’s are artists painting a beautiful landscape with delicious delights.
Radisson Blu nails hospitality down at every turn. Their gracious and kind staff members are always present and eager to help you and offer intelligent and thoughtful advice about selections and choices.
After appetizers we like exploring the soup station, there’s always lentil soup which is the king of soup and a soup du jour to choose from. Our carb-loving friends will appreciate the pasta and pizza stations. Create your own pasta masterpiece by choosing between ravioli, penne, spaghetti, tagliatelle or fusilli and your choice of sauces and garnishes. The fresh-from-the-oven pizza is always a crowd pleaser.
If you’re trying to map it out in your head, we can help. There are seven main BBQ live stations. Head to the Carving Station to enjoy quality meats, cooked to exquisiteness, perfectly done and tender. Whether you are eyeing the whole lamb roast, the roasted prime beef rib or roasted short loin, you will not be disappointed. Seafood lovers will appreciate the roasted salmon fillets. We also fell in love with the whole chickens
cooked Mediterranean style with roasted veggies and always dream of one day being able to replicate the recipe at home. Take your pick of sides from mashed or roast potatoes to level it all up.
Al Bustan’s BBQ Wednesday is not just about the food. It is a vibe. The weather is always pleasant, the music selection sets the tone (and tunes) and the decor is welcoming and friendly. It is the perfect destination for couples and groups of all kinds. Families with smaller kids enjoy it while older adults have fun, it’s a night designed to make everyone happy. It’s also an experience. Watching your food being cooked right in front of you is exciting and the chefs manning the stations are experts at delivering a fantastic show every single time.
Everyone loves the shawarma and falafel station. You’ll always notice people gravitating towards it, especially kids. It’s like a choose-yourown-adventure, but with a delicious and juicy wrap at the end. Our hack is to ask for the chili mabooj if you can handle the heat. Another hit with the kids (and the young at heart) is the Burger station. Load it up how you want it and dig right in.
For even more fanfare, head to the Tempura station to watch the experts turn veggies into magical delights. They also make super crunchy but light calamari and shrimp tempura which are perfectly paired with sweet chili sauce, tartar sauce and chili mayo.
Seafood lovers are called to the live Fish Market on Grill and Charcoal station as if they can hear the sirens. Enjoy the freshest catch of the day being grilled and cooked right before your eyes. You will find hamour, salmon, red snapper, king fish, fresh shrimps, calamari, tuna, sea bass, supreme Lobster, fresh crabs, shum, sheri, Sultan Ibrahim, mackerel and even sardine. Just let the chef know how you prefer your choice and they will whip it up in no time, exactly the way you want it.
The star of the show is always the live meat station on charcoal and clay oven. Mostly because of the mind-boggling variety available. You can find classics like shish tawouk, shish kebab, seekh kabab, beef kabab, sirloin steak, Tandoori chicken, beef tenderloin, chicken legs and chicken sausages being fired up. Or you can also try something different like Thai chicken, Kubedhe, jojo kebab, Malai kebab or hariyali tikka. Or perhaps, sample everything because it’s all delicious.
Speaking of something different, we always love the Mongolian Station. It is such an interesting cuisine with rich herbs and spices. Choose between beef, chicken and seafood to go with noodles and vegetables.
You can also find the condiment station which is home to delicious steamed rice, biriyani, vegetable korma butter chicken, Thai curry, fried rice seafood hot and sour, coconut rice, avocado salsa and a variety of cold sauces which can be added to complete your dish.
There is only one real challenge on a Wednesday BBQ night. Saving enough room for dessert. And while you might think that nothing could top off all the previous delectableness,
you are wrong. The Dessert stations are a true goldmine of sweet goodies. Have your pick from a variety of over fifty sweets from all over the world. Or, head straight to the chocolate fountain. There’s something magical about melted chocolate that never pauses. You can enjoy it with a selection of freshly cut fruit and other delights.
Once we’re done, we start waiting for next Wednesday all over again and planning next
week’s meal and outing because it’s just that perfect.
Al Bustan Restaurant is located in the Radisson Blu Hotel. For reservations call 2567 3410, visit the website radissonhotels.com/blu or follow @radissonblukuwait on Instagram for more information. The famous BBQ starts from 6:30pm on Wednesdays, so make sure to come early!
Founded in 2020, Climate Vault is a carbon-offset company that takes offsetting a step further: working to also permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere. It buys carbon allowances from regulated compliance markets, sells them to clients, and then invests in carbon removal technologies to, in the company’s words, “lock up” the carbon.
The idea is that Climate Vault’s clients would offer offsetting options to their customers, as a part of their sustainability strategies. Customers would use the offset tool as they purchase items— such as, how you can pay for carbon offsets for a flights when you buy your ticket. But currently, those are average calculations of the emissions and not an exact representation of the flight an individual has taken. Climate Vault wants to offer a more verified, accurate offset figure for whatever items people buy.
In order for that to work smoothly, explains Genpact’s chief digital officer Sanjay Srivastava, Climate Vault needs a platform that can work at scale, that is easy to access no matter what the business, that is trustworthy, and that can accurately feed back to the company about actual environmental impacts.
This requires seamlessly dealing with thousands of suppliers, shipping locations and routes, and customers, all of which would produce different carbon emission rates. “If there’s any
friction in the transaction, the whole thing breaks,” Srivastava says.
The carbon-allowance calculation also needs to happen instantaneously—just like how sales tax is calculated immediately as you check out online. “It all needs to happen in that split-second of decision-making,” he says. And because the regulated carbon markets that Climate Vault uses have dynamic pricing, with prices fluctuating all the time, it also requires managing rapidly shifting data. As customers buy products, and pay to offset carbon, they can’t have the offset quote fluctuate as they check out: Imagine buying a shoe online for which the price changes between adding it to your cart and checking out! So, the platform needs to react to dynamic pricing to give accurate costs, especially when consumers are buying several items in a single order. “How do you aggregate these micro-payments into a bulk purchase that matches the units that are sold on the dynamic price market?” he asks.
Climate Vault and Genpact aim to complete
the work by February
well,
applications:
early March. At that point,
able
their Airbnb bookings. Since carbon marketplaces are restricted and difficult to access for regular consumers, this would be a way to open it up to a huge audience. “We’re taking this very small, restricted marketplace, but allowing access to many different applications,” Srivastava says.
The sooner it starts running, the quicker they can see the environmental impacts. And in this case, it’s not just offsetting—but that carbon will also be removed from the atmosphere, as part of Climate Vault’s “one-two punch” approach, as removal technologies emerge. For Genpact, which typically works with “large, mainstream corporations,” it’s refreshing to do work that has some real-life impact. “This is actually very fulfilling and really good work,” Srivastava says.
We’ve all had email threads that seem to go on forever. A coworker asks for a report. You respond and ask, which report? They get more specific. You ask when they need it. The back and forth can be frustrating and hard to follow, but there are things you can do to head off a long game of email ping-pong, says Catherine Mattiske, author of Leading Virtual Teams.
It comes down to a very basic premise of people trying to communicate,” she says. “That’s where the gap is—it really has nothing to do with email. Email is just the vehicle by which that communication is sent.”
An old study from McKinsey & Co. estimated that the average office worker spends 28% of their day on email, with most people keeping it open in the background. That puts us in a hyper-alert stage, says Mattiske.
“When you get an email, instead of creating a bit of space to consider a response, people just fire back,” she says. “There’s a lot of reactive communication going on. And then eventually, the ping-pong just keeps going until someone says, ‘Let’s have a meeting.’ So now there’s an hour meeting booked, because effectively, the email wasn’t clear in the first place.”
To cut down on unnecessary email communication, Mattiske says you must realize not everyone prefers the same communication preferences that you do. Some people may like to talk in big ideas while others might prefer bulleted to-do lists. To be effective, your email needs to be balanced, so it can be understood no matter who reads it, and so you can get what you need from their response. Before you hit “send,” make sure your email covers these three bases:
First, it’s important to create meaning and connection between you and the person or people receiving the
email, says Mattiske. If you are requesting a report from a coworker, for example, you can start by saying, “Hi. I’m following up on our meeting from last week where we talked about the budget report.”
“There’s a why—why am I even sending this email?” says Mattiske. “It’s a short sentence that connects me to you.”
The next part of your email should provide the details. For example, you might ask, “Would you please send me the budget report and highlight X, Y, and Z?”
“Details are for people who communicate best with a list,” says Mattiske. “You might include a numbered request. If this isn’t how you communicate naturally, ask yourself, ‘What is it that I need?’ That is the detail you should include in your email.”
Be careful that you don’t overload your email with details, though, says Mattiske. “People sigh when they get ‘wallpaper’ emails,” she says. “Keep your communication short, concise, and to the point.”
And if your message requires a long backstory or a large amount of information, call, send a video message, or schedule a meeting.
Finally, let the person know how you want them to do whatever you are requesting. For example, “Can you please send me the report in an Excel file by Thursday?”
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” says Mattiske, adding that you can also ask for the person’s input. For example, “If you’ve got any ideas about how to present his report to the next board meeting, I’d love to hear about it.”
When you take the time to send a balanced email, you eliminate the risk of needing back-and-forth communication and clarify your ask. “You’re more likely to get what you want, when you need it,” says Mattiske. “It may take you five minutes to write when you could have fired off a reactive email in 30 seconds. But if you add up all those 30-second email ping-pongs, they could add up to 15 minutes. Go slow in the beginning to go fast at the end.”
Ideally, managers should take the lead for effective communication, modeling good email structure, says Mattiske.
“The thing about email is that it’s lost its focus,” she says. “It’s become a reactive form of communication. We would never sit down and send a letter to somebody like we write an email. Instead of looking at an inbox and feeling like it’s a tsunami of stuff coming in, ask yourself, ‘Is that email about creating space and focus, or am I caught in a reaction?’ Before you press send, go back and add all those pieces that will help the reader.”
PizzaExpress has been perfecting the art of pizza since 1965, and now – they’re enriching your breakfast experience. Using their renowned pizza dough, PizzaExpress has created different types of flatbreads and sandwiches and made sure that you could now indulge without feeling too guilty about having pizza for breakfast!
As pizza enthusiasts, we take our love for pizza very seriously and deeply appreciate pizza joints that accommodate our perfectly healthy obsession, so when we heard that our beloved PizzaExpress was dropping a new breakfast menu, we were excited, nay, elated.
We decided to visit their Waterfront location to enjoy our breakfast al fresco-style in their outdoors seating. When we first walked in, we were greeted by the friendliest staff who seated us right in front of the beach; the weather was cold, fresh, and crisp, perfect for our breakfast experience. As we were skimming through the new menu, we were served with a complimentary green salad to warm up our appetite. We couldn’t wait to dive in!
Our breakfast experience first began with a firm must-have, the PizzaExpress Bread Basket, a classic mix of Italian flavored homemade breads, namely zaatar, parmesan, sun blush tomato, and olive oil, and served with a side of butter, blueberry jam, and balsamic dressing. Let’s talk about the bread: Airy and fluffy, it was close to biting into pillowy clouds. And the flavor? Absolutely delicious.
Next, we tried PizzaExpress’s Grilled Halloumi & Cherry Tomatoes served with garlic bread. The grilled halloumi pieces and cherry tomato, tossed in herb garlic oil, were incredibly juicy, and when paired with their famous garlic bread, created tiny little sandwiches that oozed with tangy flavor!
As we were almost done devouring this dish, we tried the inventive Labneh Board, which was PizzaExpress’s take on the viral Butter Board. The Labneh was decorated with sumac and zaatar, drizzled with olive oil, along with chopped kalamata olives. Though a light and simple plate, it is not to be underestimated, the mixture of tastes was a winner and definitely a great option for sharing!
Then came three of their flatbreads, the signatures which make PizzaExpress’s breakfast menu truly shine: The English Breakfast, the Italian Truffle Trio Mushrooms, and the Florentina. We first started with the English Breakfast, and as you could guess from the name, it had everything you could dream of from an English breakfast, yet presented on an Italian-styled flatbread. Beef bacon, sausage, baked beans, earthy mushrooms, and mozzarella topped with a fresh sunny side up egg all form a delicious twist on the original English Breakfast! As for the Italian Truffle Trio Mushrooms, this dish was created for mushroom lovers in mind, and will pamper your taste palates with three different types of mushrooms, including portobello mushroom, oyster mushroom and button mushroom as well as mushroom and truffle sauce. This dish was a mushroom-lover’s paradise! Moving on to the Florentina, the Italian flatbread features Alfredo
sauce topped with sauteed spinach, a fried egg, rich mascarpone cheese, and garnished with pine nuts, we were in love. All three flatbreads were a completely different and distinct experience that tickled our tastebuds!
If you thought we were done, you are fortunately mistaken – because it was now time for sandwiches! For breakfast, PizzaExpress has created the Piadina Chicken and Piadina Caprese. We first tried their Piadina Chicken, which included a mix of zesty guacamole, spiced chicken, and shaved parmesan, and delivered a true fiesta of flavors in our mouths. And if you’re not in the mood for meat in the morning, the Piadina Caprese is the perfect alternative, with fresh baby mozzarella and rich pesto sauce, every bite was a dream.
Finally, for our readers with a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know that PizzaExpress had you in mind! Our first dessert dish was the Mascarpone & Blueberry Jam Knot, a take on PizzaExpress’ famous dough knots! The well shaped dough knot is paired with rich dollop of Mascarpone cheese, freshly made blueberry jam, and garnished with walnuts. The beautiful presentation of this dessert, along with its delicious taste, and mixture of soft and crunchy textures, stimulated all of our senses! We ended our breakfast feast with the Strawberry Yoghurt Granola Oats, served with fresh strawberries and banana on top. We loved everything about this bowl, it tasted light and healthy but was still incredibly filling and tasty, the perfect option for our healthy readers!
For more on PizzaExpress, follow @PizzaExpressMiddleEast on Instagram and Facebook.
Known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, Matthew Perry gives a behind-the-scenes look at the hit sitcom. Yet, while his career was hitting a high, Perry struggled through some of his darkest days. In this candid memoir, Perry discusses his lifelong battle with addiction and the persistence, hope, and friends who helped him along the way.
In an uncertain world, former First Lady Michelle Obama teaches strategies to help you find hope and balance. Instead of cliche affirmations, Obama digs deep into the conversation about difficult topics and finds practical wisdom to help readers cope. With insightful stories and usable tools, Obama hopes to empower readers to find connections in an ever-changing world.
A weekend getaway turns into a nightmare when three couples rent a remote luxury cabin in the woods. With a storm brewing and a rather persistent host, Hannah’s birthday weekend is off to a terrible start when the cabin’s personal chef reveals the cabin’s spooky history. As long-buried secrets come to light, the friends must decide how much they can trust each other.
After a sixteen year hiatus since winning the Pulitzer Prizer for The Road, Cormac McCarthy stunned the publishing world by announcing two books coming out this fall. Last month, he released The Passenger, the first in a two-part series about Bobby Western, a diver investigating a sunken jet while haunted by his past. In the sequel, twentyyear-old Alicia Western, a doctoral candidate, is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Through her psychiatric transcripts, Alica ponders her life and the purpose of life while refusing to talk about her brother Bobby.
Alex’s unexpected rise as a social media influencer would never have been possible without the help of her personal assistant AC. Just as a controversial post she swear she didn’t write turns her audience against her, Alex’s assistant disappears. As things keep getting worse for Alex’s family, she digs into the identity of the woman who knew everything about her life. But when a woman is found murdered, Alex and her husband find themselves the prime suspects.
In a Florida already wracked by climate change, Frida gives birth to baby Wanda amid a deadly hurricane. As the world continues to disintegrate, Wanda grows and adapts to an ever-changing world. Living in a community abandoned by society, Wanda seeks adventure, community, and love in a place remade by nature.
Height is an all-in-one project management tool for your entire company. Now, stay up-to-date on the go with our new iPhone app.
Welcome to SecretKeeper, the simple, secure, and FREE way to store your passwords and sensitive data!
Simple and pure, organize your thoughts and manage your attention, let Forlist help you get things done. - Organize your thoughts,Collaborate with friends, - Getting things done,Customize styles. Web, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch are now supported.
Weatherly was designed for the user who doesn’t have time to interpret complicated graphs and weather statistics. With screen time so high nowadays Weatherly makes sure you get your weather-related answers as easily as possible and in no time at all.
Never Have I Ever is a fun party game. These questions will rock any party you’re at. Get to know each other better while having fun. It will help you meet new friends!
Self-improvement, Habit tracker, goal tracker, todos, routine tracker, mood tracker, journaling, accountability partners, personal weekly and monthly challenges.
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Good news, our favorite aunt’s house has a new limited time menu, and it is not one to be missed! With winter finally here, Amiti Noura’s new menu makes it the perfect spot for a cozy family night
By bazaar staffJust like we never get bored of visiting our favorite aunt’s house, we also never get bored of eating at Amiti Noura. Aside from its unmatched outdoor seating at its Sabah Al Salem location, cozy interiors, and welcoming staff, Amiti Noura promises an experience that won’t disappoint.
What’s Kuwait’s beautiful wintery weather without a comfy dinner outdoors with friends and family? Whether you’re looking for a spot for your family zwara or a quick catch up with friends, you are promised the right atmosphere for any occasion, so when we heard about Amiti Noura’s new menu, we knew we had to try it, and that we would be in for a top-notch gastronomical experience.
We walked into what felt like familiar interiors filled with appetizing aromas, and we instantly felt a sense of being in a family home more than a restaurant.
We started our lunch with their new Pumpkin Soup served in a bread bowl, and we were instantly in love. This heartwarming golden soup was perfect for the chilly weather, the hints of cinnamon spice and honey were subtle yet evident, making it feel like a warm hug on a cold night. As we were finishing up, our table was decorated with their newest and vibrantly colored mezza, the Avocado Hummus and the Beetroot Labneh. We were intrigued by the colors and unusual mixes, and once we tasted them, we were pleasantly surprised! The textures were creamy, with humble yet rich flavors. Next came the Baksamat Shrimps served with their tangy green maabouj and garlic sauce; the crunchy panko fried shrimps were garnished with black sesame and seasoned to perfection, this appetizer was light and finger-lickin’-delicious.
After the stomach warm up session, the restaurant brought out the big players. We tried their Chicken Hamssah, this dish felt homemade and nostalgic with its familiar aromas and tastes, the marinated chicken is perfectly cooked and seasoned with Arabic spices. The Lamb Curry was served with white rice garnished with caramelized onion, the lamb shoulder was soft and tender, and the curry sauce had a deep earthy flavor with a hint of coconut, despite the odd mix, the taste of coconut curry and lamb complimented one another perfectly. Finally, the Beef Curry, a rich and hearty meal, and an absolute must-try for meat-lovers! The juicy beef shoulder pieces were simmering in a rich white gravy sauce and served with fragrant saffron rice.
When we were done with the dishes, we decided that it was time to take a break with their Strawberry Mojito and Pomegranate Lemonade, and after a series of hot dishes, these sweettasting drinks were refreshing and delicious!
We eagerly watched our waiter bring our next dish, it was the Kousa Mahshi. The zucchinis were so soft, we only needed our forks to cut them. With every bite, the stuffed zucchini crumbled in our mouths, releasing an explosion of flavors! From the well-cooked rice stuffiing, seasoned with mixed Middle Eastern spices, to the delectable tangy tomato sauce, this dish was a definite winner!
When we thought we were done, the stars of the show arrived. The Shrimp Biryani, with basmati rice and buttery shrimps garnished with dill leaves is served with the addictive raita sauce, a cool addition to the warm dish! Last but not least came the Beef Tikka; the marinated beef tenderloin grilled skewers served with crispy fries, white onion and garlic sauce made our tastebuds smile.
It wouldn’t be a meal without dessert, now, would it? Their newest Saffron Sab AlGafsha, with vanilla flavored cream, is elegantly garnished with pistachio and rose petals. This dessert was truly the cherry on top and quite the end to a wonderful feast.
You can find Amiti Noura in Sabah Al Salem and The Souk in The Avenues. To stay up to date with their news, follow them on Instagram and Facebook @AmitiNoura.
Release Date: 1 December
Genre: Action, Comedy
Cast: David Harbour, Beverly D’Angelo
Synopsis: When a group of mercenaries attack the estate of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must step in to save the day.
Release Date: 22 December
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Martin Lawrence, John Malkovich
Synopsis: In this spellbinding thriller, two detectives seek the help of a brilliant serial killer when a copycat killer strikes.
Release Date: 8 December
Genre: Action, Thriller
Cast: Bruce Willis, Corey Large
Synopsis: Bruce Willis is Detective James Knight in the trilogy’s second film. Knight deals out both mercy and justice – on his terms – when the city is terrorized by The Christmas Bomber.
Release Date: 8 December
Genre: Action, Horror
Cast: Jonathan Howard, Charlotte Kirk
Synopsis: When Royal Air Force pilot Lt. Kate Sinclair is shot down over Afghanistan, she finds refuge in an abandoned underground bunker where deadly man-made biological weapons -half human, half alien -- are awakened
Release Date: 15 December
Genre: Action, Adventure
Cast: Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Yeoh
Synopsis: Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the planet of Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their planet.
Source: cinescape.com.kw
Release Date: 29 December
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Thorp, Hannah New
Synopsis: A daring dream to scale the world’s most challenging trio of mountains soon turns into a terrifying nightmare for a group of friends when a deadly storm traps the climbers near the summit and cuts off all hope of rescue.
When you’re in the mood for vibrant flavors and mouthwatering aromas, you know that Indian cuisine will always hit the spot. But when you’re looking to go out to eat, it isn’t just about the food, it’s about the experience as a whole, something Asha’s knows a thing or two about.
When we think of a restaurant that promises generous portions and delectable flavors, we don’t think twice about visiting “Asha’s” it’s not every day that you find a restaurant that leaves you with a big smile on your face and a happier belly! And with this weather, it was a given to head over to their Waterfront branch for an unparalleled experience, and we’re about to tell you why you need to experience it for yourself too!
When we arrived, and as we walked up the stairs, the first thing that caught our attention was Asha’s captivating interiors, which presented the perfect blend of neutral and vibrant elements that reflects India’s rich heritage. The mood was just right, and we were thrilled. We were greeted by
the friendly staff, and as soon as we were seated, we were welcomed with the complimentary and yummy papadums and mouthwatering array of chutneys while we skimmed through the menu. Because we were in the mood for authentic Indian comfort food, we decided to order a few of Asha’s classic dishes to satisfy this very specific craving.
Here’s what we love about Asha’s, each and every dish is well portioned, and perfect for group dining! So, when you choose to dine with your group of friends or even your extended family, you can rest assured that Asha’s ode to abundance is omnipresent in their dishes. You can choose from a variety of classic biryanis, curries and delectable sides (bazaar tip: We always over
order the various Naan breads) and you’re all set.
Before the feast, we warmed up with some Cheese Samosas, the blend of cheese and corn filling were yummy! Soon after, we began with our first chosen dish, the smooth and creamy Dal Tadka, tempered with onions, tomatoes, and green chili. This dish was comforting, hearty, and hit all the right spots, an absolute must for winter.
We then experienced the Tandoori Chicken Tikka, and we don’t use the word ‘experienced’ lightly. The succulent boneless chicken is marinated overnight in yoghurt, ginger, garlic, and spices, it is one of Asha’s best sellers and for good reason, the flavors in this dish were tremendously delicious!
Then came the Aloo Matar Gobi, and what a dish this was. A traditional home-styled preparation of potatoes, green peas, and cauliflower cooked with cumin, green chilies, and spices… are you drooling yet? You should be. This dish proved that Asha’s delivers sophisticated tastes in generous portions that will be enjoyed better when shared among a group of friends or family! We also love that this hearty dish is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
And we wouldn’t have properly visited an Indian restaurant if we didn’t dive deep into a generous, heaping serving of Butter Chicken, aka Asha’s Murg Makhani! Their classic chicken tikka with velvety tomato and cream gravy sauce, flavored with dry fenugreek leaves was a delight. Paired with fragrant rice, or slathered over a buttery piece of Naan bread, each bite was more powerful than the one before it. We loved how Asha’s Butter Chicken is always bursting with flavor!
Last but not least, we ended our feast with dessert (yes, we still had space). The classic and warm Gulab Jamun is served with the ever-socreamy rabri, offering a milky sweet, cardamom, and saffron aroma.
Asha’s is located in Waterfront (22214891),The Avenues (2228 3503), 360 Mall (22081322/3) Boulevard (2208 1374/5) and Spoons (2225 4097). Asha’s is also available for delivery on Talabat and Deliveroo. Follow them on Instagram @AshasMiddleEast for their latest updates.
The Sony A7RV is the company’s upcoming fullframe mirrorless camera and the successor to the Sony A7R IV. The new model has a similar 61-megapixel sensor, but it comes with a significantly more powerful Bionz XR processor that enables the Sony A7R V to have a way faster and smarter autofocusing ability. Additionally, the Sony A7R V packs better in-body image stabilization and a new 4-axis articulating display.
Level Home teamed up with Apple to create smart lock that works with HomeKit — in fact, it’s the first smart lock that supports HomeKit that Apple has ever sold. The Level Lock+ is quite simple to use. It adds a digital key to your Apple Wallet and allows you to unlock quickly and simply by just tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch when you’re in proximity of the lock. And there’s a keyhole so you can use your physical key if you forget your iPhone (or it dies).
The Contax T2 was released in the early ‘90s and over 30 years later — thanks to in large part to the resurgence of film photography — it’s still one of the most sought after 35mm film cameras you can buy. This week, the Parisian label MAD Paris released a limited edition collaboration that gives these iconic film cameras a makeover; you can get Contax T2 in one of five different colors.
The Happy Hacking Keyboard is a cornerstone of keyboard nerdery. With its minimalist “60%” layout and the option for completely blank keycaps, the HHKB was minimalist before it was trendy, launching all the way back in 1996. Now, to celebrate the board’s 25th birthday, comes a new addition: the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S Snow. In crisp white, especially with a set of all-white blank keycaps, the snow has all the terrific feel of this classic Topre keyboard, but with a whole new, stunning look.
Three years after Microsoft released Elite Series 2 — which is considered by many to be the best Xbox controller you can buy — it’s now allowing you to fully customize its components via Xbox Design Lab. That means you can pick and choose the color of its body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks and buttons.
This neat MagSafe charger popped on Indiegogo. It’s a 3-in-1 wireless charger for your iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple Watch, but it’s unique because it has a really innovative foldable design. You can fold it up or down in a number of different ways and it can take on a number of different shapes. It’s fully compatible with MagSafe, too, and thus can charge the newest iPhones at their fastest potential. And it has a really premium design made out of recycled aluminum.
By bazaar staff
Let’s face it, healthy meals that are also quick and convenient are hard to come by. When we do come across a dish that is both delicious and nutritious, it becomes our ‘go-to’, repeated so often that we eventually become sick of it. Then it’s back to square one again. But the struggle is over. Philips have introduced a new way to cook, eat and create with the launch of their new Air Cooker, designed to help home cooks discover the true meaning of flavor, creativity, and control in the kitchen, all while remaining nutritious and healthy.
With eight different cooking methods ranging from roasting, baking, and slow cooking, all the way up to advanced options such as sous vide, the Philips Air Cooker offers limitless variety at the click of a button. Say goodbye to rubbery fish, soggy vegetables, and burnt on the outside, raw on the inside cakes. Instead, you’ll be able to impress friends and family with dishes cooked to perfection, thanks to advanced NutriFlavour technology with Smart Climate Control. By automatically adjusting temperature, humidity and time according to the recipe, the Air Cooker retains up to 90% of vitamins and nutrients as well as the natural flavors and textures of fresh produce.
Home cooks with an experimental flare can even develop their skills with the help of a savvy sous-chef - the NutriU app. The app will take users on a culinary journey, where they can discover new recipes and learn new cooking techniques. Designed to help users discover the joy of creating healthy, nutritious meals, the app is both easy to use and intuitive. Simply select the recipe you want to prepare on the app and let the Air Cooker do the rest. Not only can the smart appliance automatically set optimal cooking conditions, users can even remotely adjust temperature, humidity and timer settings in real-time through the app.
To really bring the restaurant experience into the family home, Philips has partnered with the world-renowned Kuwaiti chef, Faisal Fahad Al Nashmi, who will be adapting three of his signature dishes for the NutriU app. With a collection of homegrown and regionally inspired eateries across the GCC, such as AlMakan, Table Otto and Street Café Kuwait, Chef Faisal will empower people in Kuwait to create chef-worthy meals, irrespective of their skill level.
The Philips Air Cooker is now available for purchase in X-Cite stores across Kuwait, for just 249 KD.
This is a time to enjoy life and allow others extra pleasure from it through your creativity. Just know when to put your impulses in check. You could be tempted to throw caution to the winds and let extravagance prevail. Communication will be most important to you this month. Your company will certainly be embraced by many.
The revelation that seems to emerge from thin air can either give you a new sense of freedom or it can cause you to feel lonely. Either way, it turns out you will be shown aspects of yourself in a new light. Strive for tact and empathy to avoid appearing mean-spirited. Think about how you would feel if the tables were turned.
Willingness to lend a hand to those less fortunate is a good thing, but you must take care of yourself. The flight attendant gives directions about the seatbelts before takeoff, they include a bit about the Oxygen mask that comes down. The directions are to place the mask on yourself, then look around to see if children or anyone is having trouble.
Think about delegating some authority to someone who is trustworthy and knowledgeable. You are not the only one who can accomplish some of the tasks that are before you, and taking on too much will run you into the ground and shorten your temper. It is likely that someone or something from your past will reappear and will need to be dealt with.
It is imperative that you stick to a schedule this month. There is work to be done that requires extra concentration on your part. Just try not to make things more difficult than they really are. Decisions made earlier in the year could begin to show a profit. There will be many occasions this month that will enable you to gain added respect from your associates. Change is the name of the game.
Organization is extremely important for you this month. Take care of your business promptly so that you have time to look for pleasant and sudden surprises. They could lead you to you a new sense of freedom and selfconfidence. Try to be as clear as possible about your convictions on all issues.
Remember to do things in moderation during this holiday season. You do get carried away with the season, you know. Excesses of all kinds, be it spending money, eating, or whatever, should be avoided. According to the monthly horoscope, some areas of your life may ask for a fresh start soon.
December is a time for you to go within and have faith that things will turn out as they should. No matter who you are with, you may find yourself feeling isolated. Take time out every day and contemplate all that you have been through this past year. Sure, it’s been difficult, but look at all you have accomplished.
Fragments of a new and original idea may be forming in your mind from time to time. Pay attention to these flashes of inspiration. This year has been important to you and your intuition has played a big part in it. Your financial picture is better for you now provided you didn’t attempt to force issues last month.
You should, by now, have put an end to some of the things in your life that were already dead. This holiday season will likely be different from the seasons past. Things seem to be more settled and this brings a sense of pleasure to you. You fold your arms, sit back and look at all that you have accomplished. You have this gut feeling that your life is turning in a new direction and your interests will be quite different than before.
Go forward and do what is necessary. There is a task that you must attend to personally. You should have a better understanding of your inner self as a result of your self-study during the last year. Even though you may not be in the mood for it, you can count on unexpected guests to arrive at your doorsteps.
Delegate!!! This is a month for sharing some of the responsibilities that you have taken on alone up until now. The extra duties that are now yours could be overwhelming unless you allow someone to help. Keep in mind that you are supersensitive these days, so don’t make a mountain out of a little old molehill.
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