bazaar November 2017 issue

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THE AVENUES 360 MALL

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Extraordinary Extraordinary keeps keeps exploring. exploring.

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Int Hello November! Hello BBQ season, amazing weather, dining al fresco, long leisurely walks, basketball outdoors, and all the other things we can’t do for most of the year. Admittedly, one does miss going to the beach every weekend, but the overall general sense of calm that the onset of winter brings with it is well worth it. Is it my imagination or do people act more civilized in winter, and even drive in a more responsible fashion? Must be the breeze methinks!

Just as we had anticipated, there’s so much going on this month! Our issue is bursting at the seams with great features, starting with yet another successful collaboration with renowned artist Hassan Hajjaj. From his impressive art gracing our cover (making this issue a true collector’s must-have, if you ask us) to an interview with the artist himself, we’re ecstatic about sharing Hassan’s latest developments with you. Illustrious writer, poet and “Kuwait’s finest” Nada Faris also features in our pages for a much needed one-on-one, and we talk literature, creative challenges, and how supporting the arts is our strongest chance to see real change come about in society. We also speak with Tshalah founder Mohammad Al-Suraye to learn all about the Kuwait National Fund-endorsed entrepreneurship initiative.

About the cover: It’s been exactly two years since we’ve last featured the tantalizing work of renowned artist Hassan Hajjaj. Titled, Afrikan Boy, our cover photograph by the artist exemplifies his signature style of weaving Western and Eastern elements to deliver viewers with a different perspective on culture, fashion, heritage and immigration. Read all about the artist’s solo exhibition La Caravane at London’s Somerset House, and Hassan’s latest happenings, in this issue.

The bazaar team...

Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Operations Tim Burns

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Mixed Media Solutions Jennifer Cádiz

Content Coordinator Yasmine El Charif

Design Ahmed Al-Ashab

Staff Writer/Online Media Amira Haroun

From people, to fashion to food, we had to zoom around town in a stylish ride this month, but with the hassle of finding parking in the middle of the day, we opted to try out Kuwait’s Grand Limo service. You can read all about it in this issue, but this amazing service saved our lives when we were going all around town to bring you our latest dining features. We took a pastry class with 7-Michelin star chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bakery, dined at Khaneen’s Al-Mubarakiya location, and joined the Chubby Movement in Kuwait City for some delectable dessert. Of course, we had to check out the new Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Ashaya and the elegant Dai Forni makes for the perfect Italian dining experience.

Staff Writer

Lest we forget, you can’t enjoy the latest happenings around town without the perfect outfit. From stunning bridal looks at Harvey Nichols Kuwait, beautiful loungewear

by Triumph, and the most gorgeous shoes for the season from Shoebox New York Kuwait, we’ve got you covered.

Editor

Yasmine Dalloul

Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

Cover By Hassan Hajjaj Alia Al Duaij

Contributing Writers

Don’t forget that we’re working hard to bring you our upcoming 2018 bazaar dining and delivery guide! If you know of any cool concepts we should feature, or if you’re looking to include your own restaurant in the guide, email us at info@bazaar.town!

Barry Rodrigues Faris Almussallam George Tarabay Nejoud Al Yagout Dr. Susannah Joy Schuilenberg

Happy reading!

Contributing Photographers

Ahmed El-Adly

Caroline Ericson Muneera Alkhulaifi

Syndicates & Sources Baraka Bits Fast Company Kingdome.co LA Times MCT International Newsweek

Printing British Industries for Printing and Packaging

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members of:

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

tel.2571 6122 info@bazaar-magazine.com www.bazaar.town | Zahra Complex, Salmiya. 8th floor, office 35 @bazaargram bazaarmagazine @bazaartweets

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recycle me, please.

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KUWAIT 2nd Avenue, The Avenues T: 22598073 maxandco.com

INDEX NOVEMBER 2017 40

NADA FARIS

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DAI FORNI

TSHALAH

What started off as an interview turned out to be a gabfest filled with laughter between two strangers acting like old friends! Read all about this effervescent fashionista’s warm personality, work ethic and creativity.

Pairing comforting Italian food with opulence is always a good idea, and true to form, the Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya knew what they were doing with this one.

Read all about our delicious experience at Dai Forni, and don’t blame us if you get hungry!

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you know everything there is to know about keeping your business steady? It’s questions like those that need to be answered, and Dawrat’s Tshalah is here to help you find them.

BE CAFE

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HASSAN HAJJAJ

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GULF BANK’S 642 MARATHON

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SHOEBOX NEW YORK

There’s a new Zen spot in town! In this issue, we discover this sweet café that offers up a whole lot of goodness for the body, mind and soul. Best thing about it besides its lovely mother-daughter duo running the show? It’s completely vegan!

Aren’t we lucky to have a gorgeous Hassan Hajjaj work of art for another November cover? Discover the talented artist’s work and be sure to keep updated on his latest London gallery opening, La Caravane!

The anticipated Marathon is back again this year with a brand new trek and cause for the whole family to take part in! We’re excited to join the marathon, taking place on November 18th! Are you? Find out more in this issue.

We’re so excited that Shoebox New York has opened its doors at 360 MALL! We discover the new store’s layout and offerings, hardly being able to contain ourselves for the colder weather so that we can start wearing their adorable styles!

This month’s Up Close and Personal features the eloquent Nada Faris’ great continuous journey as a writer, poet and personal strategist. Inspiring and deep, prepare to be engrossed as she opens up to us a little more about her aspirations for Kuwait.

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P. 34 HASSAN HAJJAJ

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VIRAT KOHLI. TISSOT ballade.

SILICON BALANCE SPRING .

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#ThisIsYourTime

bazaar connect Freedom to find us

30,000 readers

With a bilingual audience of both English and Arabic, we cover everything from what’s on, to the bizarre. We print and distribute 10,000 copies of bazaar every month; each copy is read by an average of 3 people, giving us a total readership of over 30,000. bazaar is published every month (with a double issue for July/ August), delivered free of charge to a large subscriber database, and distributed free of charge in all of the following locations: Cafés & Eateries

Baker & Spice Burger Hub, Gulf Road Café November, Kipco Tower, Shuwaikh Market Casper & Gambini, Kuwait City, Marina Crescent Chocolate Bar, Al Bida’a, Marina Crescent, Spoons Container 75, Jabriya

Costa Coffee Outlets: Al Argan Marina Crescent Miral Mall, Mangaf Kuwait Airport Saqran Mall Ghawalli Mall Sahara Shaab

Starbucks Outlets: Abdullah Mubarak Adeliya Airport Mall Al Mowasat Hospital Al Shaya Head Office Aliya & Ghalia Complex Andalouse Coop AUK Bairaq Mall Baitak Tower Behbehani Complex Bida’a Complex BMW Showroom Daiya Co-op Dar Al Awadi Divonne, Abu Hassaniya Four Points by Sheraton Hilton Resort

Jabriya Kaifan Khalifa Resort Kout Mall Marina Crescent Marina Mall Mishref NBK Nuzha Co-op Plaza Hawalli Rosa Castle Salhiya Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak Salmiya Co-op Salwa Co-op Scientific Center Seif Hospital Shaab Shamiya Co-op Sharq Co-op Sheikha Complex Sheikh Saed Al Abdullah Terminal Shuwaikh Zain Headquarters Souk Sharq The Avenues The Palms Hotel Zahra Co-op

Other Outlets:

Crumbs, Shaab Dunkin Donuts, Mall 360 Elevation Burger, Abu Halifa, Al Bida’a, Al-Hamra, Avenues, Meshrif, Alseif Haagen Daz- Souk Sharq, Arraya Johnny Rockets- opp. Salhiya Complex, Marina, Salmiya, The Avenues, Alia & Ghalia Complex Juan Valdez Café, Symphony Mall Made Caffe Al Salam Mall November Bakery, Al-Tilal

members of: www.bpaww.com

Organica Fish & Chips, Jabriya P.Q. - The Palms, Marina Mall Paul - The Avenues, Marina Mall Prime & Toast - Al Bida’a, Seif Strip Scoop-A-Cone - Egaila, Fahaheel Someday Café The Early Bird - Fahaheel, Jabriya Upper Crust - The Village

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

Hotels & Health Clubs Al Corniche Club Crowne Plaza, Farwaniya, Salmiya Hilton Kuwait Resort & Spa Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Inspire Pure Fitness Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel JW Marriott – Residence Inn, Sharq Millenium Hotel & Conference Center Pilates & More - Salmiya, Mahboula Spaloon The Palms Beach Hotel The Yoga Center

Malls

Stand Alones

Al Salam Mall Arraya Haagen Dazs Galleria Al Hamra Elevation Burger The Boulevard Mall Starbucks Costa Coffee The Promenade Mall Caribou Mall 360 Dunkin Donuts Marina Mall/Crescent Casper & Gambini Chocolate Bar Johnny Rockets P.Q. Paul Souq Sharq Starbucks Haagen Dazs Breadz Symphony Mall Juan Valdez The Avenues Elevation Burger Johnny Rockets Paul Starbucks Airport Mall Starbucks Dar Al Awadi I.O. Center Spoons Chocolate Bar Salhiya Complex Starbucks

4 Boutique Alghanim Marine Alghanim Showrooms - Safat Al Rai, Shuweikh, Sharq, Fahaheel beau-Tique cosmetics British Embassy Brush Salon CAP Gallery Cookie Dough Dar Al Funoon Dar.Nur Gold Class Lounge - Grand Cinemas Al Hamra Italian Center Jacques Dessange Salon, Shaab KAICO Kuwait Airport Business Class Lounges N Style Nail Lounge Media Elephant Pink Moon Boutique Sultan Gallery THE One The Chairman's Club USA Embassy

Schools & Universities American International School American University of Kuwait Australian College Kuwait Bayan School (Hawalli) Boxhill College BSK - British School of Kuwait Universal American School

Kuwait University Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks Starbucks

Khaldiya Adeliya Jabriya Shuwaikh

bazaar magazine became a member of BPA Worldwide in June 2010, arenouned agency which ensures complete transparency, and verifys bazaar as an audited publication which distributes 10,000 copies on a monthly basis. To access our BPA report, please visit: www.bpaww.com or log onto our website www.bazaar.town for a downloadable pdf version.

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In addition to delivering our readers with our monthly print installment of bazaar, we’re here to pick your brain daily with www.bazaar.town-- The ultimate guide to Kuwait! Packed with a little bit of everything for everybody, with daily updates on events in Kuwait, tips for life, inspiring interviews, polls, competitions, reviews, a classifieds section, and of course a comprehensive dining directory including addresses, telephone numbers, and links to each restaurant’s location on Google Maps, it will not disappoint!

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

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weekend

2nd Avenue, The Avenues T: 22597870

what's on November 2017

RUN KUWAIT Date: November 11th Location: The Scientific Center RunKuwait is a charitable 5km or 10km annual race event to raise awareness and funds towards the treatment of children with disabilities where all proceeds from registration are channeled through the Children's Evaluation & Rehabilitation Center (CERC) by Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network. Last year’s event helped in treating 20% of the children for free and 60% of the children received subsidized treatment. You can still join on the day of the race for a fun run or walk (with no timed race distance). Member of the media?

Register for free!

If you’d like to register for the race, you can do so through runkuwait.org.

KTAA WINTER BAZAAR Date: November 11th Location: Sadu House The first winter bazaar of the season will be at Sadu House. Lovely things to buy, a chance to explore the historic house then finish off with a drink at the coffee shop and soak up the atmosphere of this historic place. Plenty of parking now available at the underground car park of the National library over the way.

For more information, please visit alsadu.org.kw.

ABOLISH ARTICLE 153: "ADVOCACY AND POLITICS: WHERE DO THEY MEET?" Date: November 14th Location: Alshaheed Park Phase 2, Multipurpose Hall Phase 2 Abolish 153's 2nd annual symposium will welcome a panel of 6 notable activists and policy-makers, local and international, to discuss advocacy and politics as it applies to violence against women, human rights, and social development. The symposium is an opportunity for the Abolish 153 team to raise awareness and gain community support in our cause for safety and advocacy against violence. Abolish 153 recently had 5 Members of Parliament in Kuwait sign an urgent request to abolish 'Article 153' from Kuwait's penal code. The symposium aims to help guide our community on how to help eliminate all forms of gender-based violence. The event is free of charge, refreshments and snacks (also for free) will be available throughout the event.

For more information, please visit http://abolish153.org.

LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - MUSIC OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY Date: November 17th (Contemporary) – 18th (Classical) Location: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center Since its establishment in 1904, the London Symphony Orchestra has introduced the finest forms of music to its vast audiences, staying true to its message in a unique and inimitable manner.

While the orchestra gives 70 annual performances throughout the year at London's famous Barbican Center, local audiences can catch two performances, contemporary and classical, this month at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Cultural Center.

For more information and to book your tickets, please visit https://tickets.jacc-kw.com.

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Mercedes

what's trending November 2017

What: @digiconkw Info: Kuwait’s premier digital conference.

Editor’s Note: Coming this January!

What: @nnf.agency Info: Events management and artist booking.

Editor’s Note: Follow them for updates on shows!

What: @tamarazumba Info: Zumba classes taught by Tamara Hayat.

Editor’s Note: Every Saturday at 12 at Inspire Bida’a!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

What: @harmonyhousekuwait Info: A peaceful place to learn meditation.

Editor’s Note: They hold lectures and classes too.

What: @gulfbank642 Info: Access information on Kuwait’s leading run/walk Marathon.

Editor’s Note: Follow them to keep updated on the event.

www.bazaar.town

What: @ynot_authentic Info: Beautiful home accents made from real wood.

Editor’s Note: We're in love with the solid oak coasters!

What: @mandalaskw Info: Hand painted and made Mandala accessory bracelets.

Editor’s Note: Channel your chakras with style.

What: @threads.and.hooks Info: Handmade crocheted accessories.

Editor’s Note: From dolls, poufs, scarves and throws.

As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it!

Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more. facebook.com/bazaarmagazine 32

twitter.com/bazaartweets

pinterest.com/bazaarmagazine

instagram.com/bazaargram

Marina Rinaldi

KUWAIT PRESTIGE, THE AVENUES T: 22200568

LA CARAVANE

Hassan Hajjaj’s traveling diaries

By bazaar staff

Hassan Hajjaj by Jenny Fremont

We at bazaar have always been fans of the acclaimed artist Hassan Hajjaj. His use of East meets West elements infused into his work with a heavy influence of pop art tones make his work so beautiful to look at, deep to appreciate, and thus the ideal type of art we like to use for our covers. And because this isn’t the first time we’ve collaborated with the artist on a cover or a story, we wanted to shed light on how talented this artistic genius really is.

“It’s been great to share my work with different generations, and to share a piece of our culture. But I do believe, you have to respect every place you visit and live, and you have to be open to learning and sharing about them as well.” Hassan Hajjaj tells me in a brief, yet friendly interview, solidifying my theory that the reason we find his work so relatable is because his ethos reminds us of our own. The Moroccan-born artist immigrated to London in his youth, adapting to a whole new country and culture that was foreign to him. However, as he grew as an artist, it’s seen that his work reflects his embrace of travel as well as English upbringing while maintaining his connection to his North African roots: without fear of color, traditional dress and accessories, to notable household products like Moroccan brand cans of 34

chickpeas, and other everyday necessities like soft drinks with Arabic text on them. In short, every Hajjaj visual piece seems to embrace an intercultural sense that can only be emulated from somebody who has spent time on both ends of the pond.

“Growing up in a multicultural city like London and spending a lot of time Morrocco has given me a reflection of what is around me. One [culture] never really leaves you, and you in turn end up feeling like you don’t belong to either exclusively, but both at the same time. You’ll always be a foreigner in the place you moved to, and a foreigner in the place you come from.”

This is what also drew our attention to his latest exhibition La Caravane, which opened in London’s Somerset House in early October. La Caravane, also in partnership with the Contemporary African Art Fair 1:54, is a show that dedicates itself to capturing all of what Hajjaj has preserved over the years as an artist.

“Like a travelling caravan, I wanted to channel the nomadic aspect of being an artist, and creating things that I feel define my work over the years. I wanted to bring my collections back home to London from Morocco.”

This sentimental exhibition includes his ongoing collection entitled Kesh Angels, a daring take on Marrakesh women dressed traditionally while on motorbikes mirroring a Hell’s Angels personality without compromising in culture.

The exhibition also displays a nine-screen installation entitled My Rockstars, featuring a series of different people whom Hajjaj has considered admirable throughout his journey. Considered the central work

of the exhibition, My Rockstars shows separately filmed performers engaging in their activity in a way that results in an agreeable sounding widespread tribe from the Caribbean, Africa and Britain. “There’s poetry, a pianist, belly dancers, a rapper, and they all come from different cultures and places but the outcome is seamless to the multicultural aspect of La Caravane.”

La Caravane is continuing until January 2018, and Hajjaj has also been busy with other ventures as well. Tying into the exhibition’s partnership with 1:54, Hajjaj has been invited as the second representative African artist to display his work in the art house, following Malik Sidibé last year. “It’s truly an honor to have an opening in both Somerset House because of its history, and in 1:54 because of its depth and sentimental value to me. 1:54 focuses on African artists like myself, and I consider them family.

Following an artist of such great caliber like Malik Sidibé is also a huge thrill.”

Other works he’s been engrossed in are ongoing, such as his upcoming project My Maroc Stars, featuring photographs of 25 men and women as photographers, acrobats and musicians, to name a few. He is also kept busy with his upcoming show in Melbourne, Australia, and has a mystery venture he described as “question marks” to keep us on the edge of our seats. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next!

For more information on Hassan Hajjaj’s work, follow his latest work on Instagram @hassanhajjaj_larache.

Velvet Crush

harvey nics

GRAND AVENUE - THE AVENUES / HarveyNicholsKuwait |

@HarveyNicholsKuwait |

TEL.: 2228 3008

MEET THE ARAB WORLD’S FIRST WWE FEMALE ATHLETE One on one with Shadia Bseiso By bazaar staff

Speaking with Shadia Bseiso is an inspiring experience. Recently announced as the first Arab female to be signed on to the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), she’s also been busy up until this point with TV and voice over work in beautiful Dubai. Her skill and passion for athletics is clear in her voice, and since setting her mind on her goals four years ago her accomplishments are plentiful. We were lucky to get some time with Shadia in between her hectic schedule to talk about her latest venture, her inspirations and even some advice for fans!

Hi Shadia! Congratulations on the WWE signing, what an achievement! How did this come about?

Thank you! It’s been incredible since the signing, with so much support from everybody. Being a TV presenter, Live Events presenter and a voice-over artist in addition to my work as Jujitsu athlete, last year I auditioned to be a TV presenter for the firstever Arabic TV show for WWE “Wal3ooha” on OSN. In an amazing turn of events, after the casting, I received an invitation to the athlete’s tryout in April, instead.

Forty athletes from all across the world were at the tryouts. I was paired up with Kavita Devi for some of the drills. Incidentally, she has now become the first Indian woman to be signed to the WWE. Soon after, I got the magical ‘’you’re hired’’ call!

You’re a very busy lady! Do you think it will be a challenge to now manage both careers in TV & sport?

I am now exclusively signed to WWE, so I’m officially a full-time athlete first and foremost. However, I absolutely see myself presenting for the WWE in Arabic or English or a mix of both at some point.

Bilingual presenting is a great skill and having more WWE content in Arabic will be awesome!

I feel like I’ve been preparing for this huge opportunity for the last six years, and the way events have been unfolding for me feels like such a huge reward. I’ll be based in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center. The WWE Performance center is world-class! It has everything an athlete could ever need to become a WWE Superstar. I feel extremely well looked after which gives me the confidence to leave Dubai. To be coached by the best-of-the-best in the business is a dream.

Does the passion for fitness run in your family?

How long have you been passionate about fitness/ 36

martial arts, and what aroused your interest in the beginning?

I got a late start in sport, I started training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2013, but ever since I started, I train very seriously and compete very often. Three months after I started training Jiu-jitsu, I competed in Dubai and won my first bronze medal! This really encouraged me to train harder, more frequently and work hard to improve in the sport. Since then, I’ve taken part in 13 tournaments and with each one, appeared on the winner’s podium with a gold, silver or bronze medal. I’ve also competed in the World Championship in Los Angeles and the IBJJF New York Open. To get better at Jiu-jitsu, I started training CrossFit about two years ago.

Who did you call when you got the good news?

I called my sister Arifa! Before my WWE tryout, I remember calling her as I was walking in and she gave me just the right dose of confidence. She was also the first person I called after being signed! In our family, we all strongly support each other and are so proud of one other. Now that I’ll be away from home and based in Orlando, it’s so important that we maintain that closeness and support, and I can’t wait for them to be able to come and visit me there.

Who are your greatest inspirations in sport and why?

My biggest inspiration in sport is Qatari Olympian Nasser Al-Attiyah who is won the bronze medal for skeet shooting in the 2012 London Olympics and is also a world champion rally driver. To be able to master one sport is remarkable but two different sports is extraordinary. I got the opportunity to interview him on several occasions and he embodies the true meaning of hard work and dedication. I’m lucky to also be around seven world class CrossFit coaches at the gym I train in, Inner Fight in Dubai, it’s so great to be surrounded by role models on daily basis!

You are clearly an inspiration to others, so what would your advice be to any fans that dream of making it to the WWE some day?

Being the first Arab woman signed to WWE from the Middle East, the message I would love to get across is the importance of taking the first step towards your goal. If you aim high, and put in the work: the sky is the limit. Just get out there, and take that all important first step!

To keep up with Shadia, follow her on Instagram @shadiabseisowwe and Twitter @shadiabseiso.

just cavali

truth or dare

BEING RANA

All about a vibrant personality By bazaar staff

“I’m a Pisces!” Rana El Zaied laughs goodnaturedly as we drift off into another enjoyable tangent in the middle of our lengthy conversation.

Rana has joined me today to talk about her brilliant career as marketing manager and creative director of campaigns, events and shoots for alyasra fashion, handling several shoe brands in her six years of being a part of the team. But, we find ourselves laughing like old friends, thanks to her effervescent personality! Creative, intuitive and displaying strong roles of leadership, it’s no wonder that this remarkable woman is such a valuable addition to Kuwait's style scene.

“I’m strongly drawn towards creativity,” she continues, listing off the most adamant points of her personality that also define her work ethic. “I won second place across Kuwait in a drawing competition when I was in high school, and I guess that followed me into my career!” This is clear, as her dramatically curated outfit reaps different aspects of her personality. Her makeup is drawn on and painted with precision, winged eyeliner and a great red lip applied so perfectly you’d think it was delicately painted upon porcelain by a paintbrush. Her hijab is expertly placed in a chic turban fashion, and the rest of her outfit screams originality with elements of lace, modernly nostalgic stirrup leggings and black pointy toe stiletto pumps. “People always notice my eyeliner!” she laughs. “A Passport Control agent in Dubai stopped me once to ask me about my eyeliner because he and his wife struggle trying to get the wing right every time!”

And with the amount of imagination put into her look, Rana pays a similar amount of respect and mind to detail on her projects as a marketing manager and creative director of campaigns and photo shoots.

“I’m big on creative concepts and vizualization - I especially love Mood Boards!" she says. “I love the creative process of making them. I’m very handson with my work. Some may think that with how I delegate projects is not exactly called… delegating” she breaks into laughter. “I just love stepping up! I stepped up when my father passed away, and my little brother and sister both made it to college, so I’d say I did well. When a job needs to be done, I tend to take charge. And when a job needs to be done, it needs to be done right, otherwise, don’t bother doing it at all!”

As for fashion, Rana had always appreciated it, but the magnitude of which it would become a part of her life was purely based on her profession. “I’ve just always loved creativity. My love for fashion has grown as I worked in the field over the past six years. But this was my first job out of university, and I’ve grown so much in it so it has become my life.” But creativity 38

still reigns supreme, and Rana believes that fashion is a personal thing that many should embrace as an extension of themselves, rather than a way to fit in, which is fitting for someone who truly marches to the beat of her own drum. “It’s about standing out, and remembering that not all trends will look good on you.

But who cares about trends! Make your own style!”

TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE How would your mother describe you in one word?

Strong.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Superwoman.

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

“Are you from Malaysia or Poland?” – I don’t mind at all, but what gave it away? My turban or my big eyes?

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Jumped off a 530m construction building (under supervision, of course!).

What is your theme song?

“You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore (but the Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn First Wives Club version.)

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

Flamboyant.

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

Live: Between Paris and London.

Retirement: Egypt.

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

Can two quotes be my first quote?

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind’ -Mahatma Gandhi.

“Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything” – Alexander Hamilton.

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

A lion.

What do you miss about your childhood?

My dad, and being a clumsy carefree kid.

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

Ella Fitzgerald.

How would you describe your handshake in one word?

Confident.

What is the toughest part of your character?

My stubbornness.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Leonardo De Vinci and Iris Apfel. (She’s historical, right?)

What in the world do you least desire?

Fish.

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

More ‘Mind my own businesses’, and less ‘opinionated airheads’.

Why do you think most girls/guys like you?

Brutal Honesty, helpful and good taste #kiddingonthelastone #notreally Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…”

Stepping out of your comfort zone.

To get in touch with Rana, follow her on Instagram @Ralzaied or email ranaalzaied@gmail.com.

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NADA FARIS: THE PERSONAL STRATEGIST On language, literature, and Kuwait's creative landscape By bazaar staff

Anyone who knows of the illustrious author and poet Nada Faris could easily find her riveting career profile online, along with endless accolades about her work. She is surely known as “Kuwait’s finest”, but for Nada, the journey means much more than arriving as a success in the eyes of her fans. Her drive to spread a message of hope, change and collaboration is what keeps her going.

Be it through her work, on stage or off, her social media presence, and the projects she chooses to support.

“If you’re alive, then you need to do it [life] your own way, and it has to be meaningful.” She started off our discussion with this decisive statement. “When I first knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, I did everything in my own power to see my vision through.” Indeed, she did; from changing majors during university, starting up cultural events, winning poetry slams, performing her work on stage, publishing books, to gaining recognition in the international area.

Her accomplishments are plentiful, but in Nada’s mind, she is still on her way. She added, “Through my work, I am to build an environment that allows us all to discuss anything and everything, and even argue, in a safe space that allows for true dialogue.”

We switch up the pace of our discussion to examine Kuwait’s creative landscape fourteen years ago, back when Nada was getting started with her own journey. “The challenges were different, as we didn’t have much to work with in terms of a creative industry” she commented, “Today, we have options. Someone may graduate with an English Literature degree and work in fashion. Yet, we somehow don’t understand the value of the present.” Nada always had a vision for Kuwait and its creative community, it is truly what pushes her to constantly produce work that examine our society’s nuances. “We tend to glorify the past, and we are always trying to bring back values we think we lost. My question is, how are we going to do that if we don’t acknowledge what is happening in the country today?”

Her answer might be simplistic, but its impact is most certainly not. “Problems help us grow, and we can surely find solutions through the arts and determining the values that are good for our country. I believe that the biggest challenge is how we utilize language, be it English or Arabic.

If we focus on what’s going to be good for the 40

Photo by Aj Kolladath country—it's all the same thing. It is a set of universally shared values. Let’s create values that other countries want to emulate.”

Her statement is indicative of her journey.

While Nada firstly identifies as a Kuwaiti author, she aimed to showcase the types of values she wants for her country through her work. She chose to reach for a global audience, educating the world with Anglowaiti literature (a term she aptly coined), to shift the national discourse.

“Being a Kuwaiti who writes in English, or Arabic, is not mutually exclusive.” She continued, “We are not one or the other, and we shouldn’t worry ourselves with labels. We are privileged in Kuwait to have facilities that are now more accessible for upcoming writers—that is one of my goals, and I’m thrilled to see the change.” If anything, the space for the creative arts in Kuwait continues to grow. We see artists and performers all around us, we are even at a point where we can say that we are unsure of which event to attend, or which cause to support, on any given day.

Nada remarkably considers herself to be a personal strategist with a mission to keep this movement going. “Everything I do is a part of it. I want to transform society through culture to make

it more tolerant, democratic and sovereign—we don’t have to be afraid of language and its power anymore.”

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty, kindness and ambition. I prefer to spend time with people who are very motivated, but whose motivation lies in their desire to improve themselves and the world around them. You want a PhD, a thriving business, millions of followers on Instagram, fans that hold on to your every word – that’s fine, but why? I prefer to spend time with people whose “Why?” is about personal and social change, not individual gains. And by ‘honesty’ I mean people who are not afraid of looking inwardly and recognizing their human flaws. If we can talk candidly about that, we can grow together. I’m interested in friends with whom I can evolve.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I can sum up my idea of perfect happiness in another three terms: transcendence, value, and genuine interactions.

What is your greatest fear?

That I never live up to my potential.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

It’s hard to pick just one! Let’s see. I hate the following: my victim consciousness, my selfrighteousness, my anger, my mood swings, my lack of belief in myself, and how easy it is for me to quit, procrastinate, or otherwise sabotage the very things for which I yearn.

If I were to pick the one I deplore the most, it’ll be my inability to see my worth at times.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Their lack of appreciation of Britney Spears. Just kidding! It felt like it got too serious there all of a sudden. Now to be brutally honest, what I deplore in myself, I obviously deplore in others.

Hence, for me, the most heinous quality in others is their inability to recognize their own worth (and acting out in hurtful ways to compensate or mask their insecurities).

Which living person do you most admire?

I know you’re asking for a living person, but I respect people who face death or the possibility of dying and still remain true to their principles (such as Malala or Asrar Al-Qabandi), and phoenixes who fail in business but rise up from the ashes and change the world (such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk).

I am also attracted to redemption stories (like Nelson Mandela’s or Alvaro Munera’s), and stories of social and cultural transformation (like Susan B. Anthony’s, or Tawakkol Karman’s).

Honestly, I am drawn to any story where human beings tap into their inner strength and defeat the odds – but I never idolize people, or place any human being on a pedestal. In other words, I admire what they do not their representations in the media, so I cannot pick a living person that I admire. We’re all flawed at the end of the day.

We’re all grappling with demons. But we’re also capable of miraculous achievements. That’s what I appreciate in people, living or dead.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Books. And lately, traveling (so I can buy more books).

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Listen to me.” “I know.” “Didn’t I tell you so?”

– Obviously, I need to work on my humility. (Or people can just listen to me!).

What is it that you most dislike?

When I succumb to a mood swing and it prevents me from being creative, productive or generous for months.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I want two.

I want to sing and play musical instruments; and I want to draw and paint.

Photo by Abdulaziz Safar Ali

Photo by By Dalal Al-Doub If you could have any job, what would it be?

I’m already doing it: performing, writing, lecturing, reading, and collaborating with likeminded individuals. I suppose I just wish I got paid more for it! Come on Kuwait! We can make it happen.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?

Forgiving myself and my parents.

What is your most treasured possession?

I’m learning to let go of my attachments to possessions. But I suppose I’d say my laptop because it contains my writing.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I’d say my charm and sense of humor, but I’m

sure others would choose my height.

Where would you most like to live?

At this stage in my life, that would be New York.

What are your favorite words to live by?

Am I closer to my goals today than I was yesterday?

Nada Faris’s latest book, Fountain of Youth is the 2016 Vine Leaves Vignette Collection Award Semi-Finalist and is available from Vine Leaves Press. For more information about the author, please visit www.nadafaris.com.

41

TEDDY IS HERE! An Interview With Abdulaziz Safar Ali

By Nejoud Al Yagout

Abdulaziz Safar Ali (aka Teddy) is in charge of the Drama and Acting student clubs at ACK. This choice of profession is a clear testament to the fact that we can select a field that aligns our internal and external worlds. Teddy is a also a guitarist and well-known photographer. Here, we get to unveil the man who embodies what it means to honor one's calling.

Recently, you have shelved playing the guitar. Is this permanent or simply because you want to focus on photography for now?

Well, I haven't left the music life for good, but I am not as involved. Now I play the guitar in my free time or when it's required. I think a person who focuses on a lot of things will not be a professional in any of them; so, for me to grow as a photographer, I decided to put everything aside and focus on my photography.

However, I don’t neglect the other things and still practice from time to time.

You once said that you do not like to take photographs indoors. What is about the outdoors that appeals to you - as both a human being and as a photographer?

Indoor photography limits me in terms of which photos to take and how. Sunlight always gives me exactly what I need in a photo. It could also be because I started as a landscape photographer. I became more attached to the outdoors and sunlight. The feeling of summer heat and shivering in the winter cold.- those things can’t be felt indoors.

As a human being, I’m a person who enjoys activities; I'm not someone who loves sitting in a quiet place and relaxing all day. I go to the sea on a weekly basis during summer, and being on the road or having long walks during winter is thrilling. So what's not to love about outdoor photography?

How did you find a job that actually resonated with you, in a world where most people look for money first and then job satisfaction?

People look for what satisfies them. The problem, nowadays, is that things are measured with the value of money. It's the way most people are raised to think, but I was not looking for job satisfaction. I was looking for a place where I wake up every morning able to get out of bed, have my coffee, ride my car and go to work with a big smile on my face. I still think money is important, but not as important as enjoying what I do.

That's why photography or being around talent became what I do for a living.

Herber Marcuse once said: "Art cannot change the world, but it can contribute to changing the 42

consciousness and drives of the men and women who could change the world." Since you are constantly surrounded by artists, and are one yourself, do you find that the art scene locally is creating a shift in our consciousness?

Being surrounded by artists and being a part of the art scene since 2002, I have seen a lot of changes in artists and in the community. Actors resort to method acting to really get into character; and in some cases, they never leave the character. The line is sometimes blurred. Musicians aren’t that different either. They also get affected by the style of the music they play, and you see them change the way they dress, talk and do things. Artists start changing what they draw according to the community's changes. Small changes affect things slowly throughout the years.

Now we can see music events or art galleries all around Kuwait. Peoples' consciousness changed with the changes in music and art. For example, in 2009 and 2010, people in Kuwait began hosting theater events, music shows and art gallery exhibitions related to the environment. We can see the effects of that, now, since many people are living green lifestyles and becoming more eco-friendly. That is just one of the

many influences of art. It is a domino effect and begins with art. So, yes, art creates a shift in consciousness.

Though you are known as Teddy, you recently joined The Afterthought as their band manager where you have earned the nickname - Grizzly On Steroids. Tell us more about your new nickname and why you were (and still are) known as a bear!

I have been known as a bear since 2006. The nickname was given to me in jest - as I was super fat. It's an Arabic nickname: dabdobe, which means teddy bear.

My friends heard it and started making fun of me too.

In time, it became who I am and I like it. It changed to Teddy and now I’m called Grizzly On Steroids because I work fast. Teddy is the most famous nickname, and I like it the most.

When most people hear that "Teddy is here", they expect a tiny guy and are shocked when a six-foot guy walks in. Yeah! Teddy is here!

You can find Aziz Teddy on Instagram @abdulazizteddy.

You can follow Nejoud on social media @nejoud.alyagout or visit her website www.nejoudalyagout.com.

chilli beans

TALLEH

Aiming to enhance cultural growth

By Israa Elkhatib

For those living in the diaspora, they couldn’t wait for relatives to visit and bring gifts from Palestine!

Asmahan Ilian, a Palestinian woman who strove to bridge the gap between the two by starting Talleh! Here's what she has to say about this amazing initiative.

At what age did you start your project?

I was 39 when I started my project What inspired you to start your project? What is the story behind it..

Since around 6 million Palestinians are living abroad, some of them have never had the opportunity to visit their homeland. Talleh will be connecting them to the land of their parents and grandparents. Talleh is taking Palestine to the world through gifts from Palestine that touch the heart and soul of those in love with Palestine.

Talleh promotes the stories of our land and people.

Ipreviously worked for international organizations for

44

about 18 years. I was always exited and enthusiastic regarding showing international visitors Palestine and its cultural items and hospitality. I was very young at that age and was always proud to show the world how Palestine is great, despite the difficulties. However, Palestinian Cultural Gifts witnessed a sales decrease in the last decades, especially by local markets which showed more interest in international cultural gifts.

This pushed me to start searching for how to make those items more suitable for our homes and not only for tourists who visit Palestine from time to time. This will help sustain the Palestinian Culture and provide a story to share with our children and grandchildren.

Talleh is working from Jerusalem, where the unemployment rate for women is around 80%. 75% of Palestinians are living under poverty line and therefore, Talleh’s team is only women. I encourage young Palestinian designers to be part of my team and mix modern designs with tradition.

What does the name of your project mean?

Talleh, in the Palestinian accent, means “gift”. The word, or act, is part of the Palestinian culture where people used to visit each other carrying with them gifts according to the different occasions. Usually gifts were arranged nicely in a traditional basket decorated with flowers and henna.

Where do you make your items?

In Talleh's headquarters in the heart of Jerusalem.

All designs and implementation are made by women.

How does your family feel about your project?

Cautiously passionate since I had a stable job that anyone would dream of! Moving to the private sector with such a message to the world is not something guaranteed and I think the road is still long and contains many challenges for me. I am ready and anxious for it!

How do you feel about your project?

I am very excited, optimistic and happy to observe this project growing.

What materials do you typically use to make your products and do you find difficulty in obtaining them?

Olive wood: This is not easy to find. We have to use trimmed wood, which needs a lot of time to dry and working with it is not as flexible and easy as other types of wood.

Fabric: We've used fabrics from traditional Palestinian cultural dress redesigned to make modern home products. These fabrics are not always available.

Other items are Ceramics, different types of wood, mother of pearls, and many more.

balmain

GULF BANK 642 MARATHON

Get ready for Kuwait’s most exciting Run/Walk Marathon!

By bazaar staff

Have you been feeling sluggish lately?

Have you been feeling like you and your family could engage in healthier activities to keep your bond strong, while improving your physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing? Why not kill two birds with one stone and participate in a family-friendly event, targeting all 642 muscles in the human body at the same time?

That’s right, dear readers. The outdoor activity season has begun once again!

Dust off your trainers and workout gear, because we have a great marathon for you to participate on November 18th, courtesy of Gulf Bank! The best thing about the event, other than the exercise you’ll be getting, putting a glowing smile on your faces? It’s all for charity.

Each year, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon partners with a leading charity to raise awareness for an important cause or issue. This year, it reaffirms its support for UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency, campaign #Voices4Refugees. This campaign asks for you to give your voice to refugees so that in turn, their own voices will be heard worldwide. By doing this, you will be calling for immediate and practical steps that can improve humanitarian access and the delivery of aid to those in in need inside Syria. Your voice will show that you stand with Syrian refugees and can bring hope back to the men, women, and children who have lost everything.

On top of its charitable ethos, the Marathon adds feel-good value with its beautiful scenery. Don’t you find that you’re almost never taking the time to tour Kuwait’s most prized monuments and landscapes?

Participating in the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon will have you taking advantage of the beauty in your own backyard by leading you on a trail along Gulf Road, starting and ending at Souq Sharq, passing by Souk Al Mubarakiya, the Gulf Bank head office, the Grand Mosque, Al Seif Palace, the National Assembly and Kuwait Towers along the way. And not to worry!

The organizers will be coordinating with relevant authorities to close the roads to ensure the safety of the walkers and runners.

“But I don’t want to run! I’m so unfit! Mali khilg running” yes, we know. But the great thing about this event is that it’s a walk/run, meaning you can adjust your speed to the level you’re at. In short, it doesn’t matter if you’re sprinting across the entirety of Gulf Road with ease, or if it takes you 20 minutes to walk three meters. The marathon caters to all levels, from challenging athletes to beginners and families who are in it for a leisurely stroll. All you have to do, is upon registration, be mindful of the categories out 46

of the four allotted distances you qualify for: Family Fun Walk/Run (5KM); Souq Run for regular runners (10KM); Half Marathon for more advanced runners (21KM); and Kuwait’s only Full Marathon (42KM).

Pro tip for those running the 21-42K: The marathon is holding weekly practice runs in cooperation with various local running clubs in convenient locations.

The weekly training program locations and partnership are announced regularly on their Instagram account.

The Gulf Bank 642 Marathon has put Kuwait on the marathon map, making it a world-class sporting event with a local touch. It was voted Best Half Marathon of the Year by the “The 100 Half Marathons” and is considered one of the top three marathons in the GCC. It is also recognized as the first full road race in Kuwait to have three of its distance categories accredited by the Association of International Marathons and

Distance Races (AIMS) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF Athletics). Once a course is AIMS certified, only then is the IAAF able to recognize any world records that might take place on the course.

So get training, runners! You might be able to achieve something great when you participate. And at the very least, you’ll get out, get some fresh air, fun and exercise – all for a good cause.

The Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is scheduled to take place on November 18 2017 at Souq Sharq. Register for the marathon today by visiting the dedicated website www.gulfbank642marathon.com. Add your voice and donate at https://voices.unhcr.org. Follow Gulf Bank on Facebook: Gulf Bank, Twitter and Instagram @Gulf_Bank, and Snapchat: Gulf-Bank.

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TSHALAH

A new opportunity for growing businesses By bazaar staff

Do you think you know all there is to know? The obvious answer to that would be “no,” but with the heightened sense of confidence in today’s market, you would be surprised to learn that while many entrepreneurs may say they don’t believe they know it all, their actions and choices may prove otherwise. In turn, numbers show that businesses drop in creativity, stability and success, and it becomes clear that something is not right.

48

Enter Eng. Mohammad Al-Suraye, an advocate for education, innovation and self-improvement.

When Mohammad started his electrical engineering career working in telecoms straight out of university, his thirst for knowledge and always asking questions led him to establish a solution for the curious, thus ushering in the his educational service, app and event management company, Dawrat.

“Dawrat started six years ago, when I realized that there were no simplified search engines that wouldn’t give you generic, vague results. So, I slowly created the platform to start targeting such questions with solutions in online video courses, and then we moved onto events.”

This in and of itself matches Mohammad’s

definition of what an entrepreneur is, as inspired

by Michael Gerber’s The EMyth: “an entrepreneur is a person who solved a problem and created an income out of its solution.” By continuing his quest to provide knowledge for himself as well as the rest of Kuwait’s expanding population of entrepreneurs, he allowed Dawrat to introduce different solutions to the market in the form of events. Their first event, WILL, was accessible to the public and focused on giving free courses on creative hobbies, business and architecture and design. After its successful rates in showing how Kuwait was willing to learn, the company took it one step further by offering a more focused, case studied sophomore program at the presitine

Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre by the name of Tshalah.

Originating from an old Kuwaiti word used to name a specific type of ship from our maritime days of yore, the Tshalah carried small numbers of people to guide them to different areas at sea.

Like its namesake event, the Kuwait National Fund-endorsed Tshalah program has been designed to target different questions to guide small and medium enterprises toward success by expanding their perspective on different challenges every entrepreneur will inevitably face.

“Entrepreneurship isn’t only about selling and buying, it’s a full story, starting from your values, your vision and your mission. It’s important for you as an entrepreneur to reflect these elements to everything you work with. If you don’t, then that devalues your role as a true entrepreneur.”

To further prove this ideology, Mohammad breaks down the key components of the Tshalah.

The ship itself represents smaller businesses, as we already know. The steering wheel represents management and leadership, the essential foundations to starting a business. The ship’s monocular is able to help you set your short and long distance goals. The anchor provides stability, which is essential to secure in making your business successful (think, sales, marketing and finance.) And lastly, the anticipated lighthouse, which poses as the end vision and mission you want to reach. All in all, the metaphorical Tshalah is constructed in theory to help guide the inquiring toward their endgame, whatever it may be.

Tshalah kicked off its monthly three-day program in October, where the topic’s discussion was entitled “Leading Innovation.” Beginning with a forum discussion held on the first day of the three-day program, the forum featured speakers Basil Al-Salem, the CEO and founder of gastronomic ME, and Dr. Bader Al-Traiji the former CEO of YIACO medical company. For two days following the program, a relevant workshop took place for people to attend with registration.

October’s workshop was centered on its Leading Innovation theme, offering a two-day intensive and interactive lesson revolving around forming a business out of an innovative idea. “If people don’t ask questions, then their ventures will never succeed.

It’s important to build an education on this matter so that entrepreneurs can learn how to build unique identities, and how to avoid common errors made when creating a business.”

November’s Tshalah program is going to touch on the effect of technology in any business, and like any rational debate will cover both positive and negative ends of the spectrum. Invited experienced speakers will shed perspective on lingering queries that many have either stressed over, or have never even bothered to think about at all. “It’s impossible to gain a strong education about entrepreneurship through academics. The best way to learn is through experience, which is why we invite experienced entrepreneurs who have honest stories to share about their journeys.”

Scheduled to appear monthly from October

Eng. Mohammad Al-Suraye giving the commencement speech at Tshalah

(Left to Right) Basil Al-Salem and Dr. Bader Al-Traiji engrossed in discussion

Abdullah Al-Jouan, Chairman of the National Fund

2017 – March 2018 at the Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, this forum is the first educational event of its kind held at the cultural center. Each month will bring a new perspective to the table, along with recommendations of who should be sure not to miss it. "I would always recommend for any entrepreneur, existing or aspiring to attend. Entrepreneurs cannot afford to wait a year to learn something new. The learning experience needs to be constant.”

Download the Dawrat app on IOS to register for the forum and workshop, or visit their website at www.dawrat.com for more information. Follow Tshalah on Instagram and Twitter @tshalahkw to stay updated on forums and ideas to come!

49

HOW TO BE INSPIRED: A life hack

By George Tarabay

In a world that is constantly shifting, using the sentence “In a world that is constantly shifting” is somewhat of a disappointment, as it makes the reader think the writer is out of fresh and impactful opening lines.

You all came here from as far as the opening line to know the answer for this article’s title. As a writer, human and a guy who casually enjoys the smell of gasoline, I am willing to share my findings as to how “One can channel the universe through their mind to produce an interpretation of the energy they felt” (Thank you to my college professor Mr. Antoine for helping me build that complex sentence). And after many, many seconds spent googling before writing this exact line, the answer is: Just Be Inspired.

I know what you’re thinking: George, how is it possible that the question is the answer itself?

Also, I too enjoy the smell of gasoline at the gas station.

Because the question of inspiration itself is a conundrum (Mr. A: thanks again for the difficult words).

In my opinion, the biggest problem people nowadays face with inspiration is the lack of patience. Somehow throughout our consumption of social media, we (I said we and not you so you would feel less defensive) were fed the final products straight to our brains in canals that are 1-minute wide at most. What that created, is the illusion that 50

art or inspiration happens fast. By compressing time and lapsing it, somehow we lost touch that the process of acting on inspiration takes a lot of time, and due to a lack of display, we never see that inspiration is actually a wave that we have to wait for.

So now, you might be asking: but is patience everything? Is it really all one lacks to do art or work?

The answer will be shared after this short break; I have to take care of my dog.

And I’m back, although to you, it felt continuous due to the fact that you cannot measure time in an article, but what if I told you that this second part is actually being written four days after the first half of this article, after repeatedly re-writing and modifying it.

Hence, the answer to the question, is patience the only ingredient? No. There’s also trial and error.

The beauty of trial and error is that, through erring, we learn partially what works, and through the sum of those errors, the final trial becomes the true product of what prompted us to do, and once we understand that, inspiration becomes apparent and we carry the work further.

And this hack is not only devoted to art, it is a life hack that I apply everywhere. The complexity of accomplishing any task, is simplified in its inspiration i.e. you can either tell the whole story of how Elon Musk created PayPal as one of the Fortune 500 companies with its boring business details, or you can simplify it through its inspiration:

he was upset that not one online payment service is reliable so he did something about it.

So the actual act of starting to work, or paint or whatever you want to apply this to, is by itself a step closer to inspiration. Even if the starting point is not apparent, have the discipline to start with anything, soon your guts and hands will follow what your heart really desires.

It’s not an easy task, but I can promise you, the more you do it, the harder it gets, but the better it feels.

Inspiration is what moves the world around us and within us. It is as essential for work, art, society and love. It was essential to write this article, it was essential for my choice of words too, it was essential to my discipline and to actually keep coming back to my desk, day after day to try and finish it.

Did I know from the start that this is what my article was going to be about? No! But am I happy that it has developed into what you just read? You bet I am.

Trial and Error. DO IT! “Blah blah inspiration, blah blah great” Someone who was inspired to make up a quote about inspiration but did not bother to write it down.

Don’t be that person!

George Tarabay is a local comedian and marketing expert. For his latest updates, follow him on Instagram: @GeorgeTarabay.

For more comic relief, check out George on Facebook.com/Georgethecomic.

Grand limo

bazaar tries

TRAPPED INN

A terrifying team building experience

By bazaar staff

“Guys, remind me to never suggest anything again!” I wail nervously as I’m being led by a man called the “GameMaster” holding a candlestick into a pitch dark room.

We’re wearing “blindfolds” in the form of light-resistant glasses, and my fingers are clasped around the electric candlestick’s thin shaft as my fellow bazaarites follow me, each of us connected by a single hand on our shoulder, leading each other like the blind mice. What did we get ourselves into? I’m about to find out.

Let’s backtrack a little. A while back, myself and a couple of friends decided to try Kuwait’s premiere escape game haven Trapped Inn at Symphony Mall. We were four people and had a whole lot of fun, and as soon as I went back to work the next day, I couldn’t stop talking to the rest of the team about how this would be a great experience for us! “Think about all the team-building and bonding we could do here, guys! It would be an amazing way for us to strengthen as a team!”

Ever the supportive team-members, the bazaarites enthusiastically obliged, and this issue, we finally found ourselves in this dark room. Why was the room so dark, and why weren’t we allowed to see what was going on leading up to it? Trapped Inn is all about the element of surprise, and as a company, their policy is to reveal as little as possible about their rooms – that way, everyone can ensure that no fun will ever be spoiled. Another thing to note is that their eight rooms are rated according to levels of difficulty. Being ever the cocky bazaarites we are, we opted for a room called ‘Lost’ that would accommodate five of us, and wanted it to be challenging, and scary. However, we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into once we arrived to the Trapped Inn lobby and requested the “super scary” feature. Sure, it’s all fun and games until somebody starts screaming uncontrollably.

Our GameMaster greeted us at the lobby and summarized the plot of our room’s puzzle.

“On the night of the 13th (let’s assume it’s an imaginary Friday,) you were apparently asked to babysit a little girl. When you reached the house, you entered a completely dark room.

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You tried to escape, but all the doors were locked.” I wasn’t expecting this to be the plot of our escape game. With a name like Lost, you’d think we’d be circling the same end of the woods until we found a path out!

But then, in my mind, the words “super scary” and “little girl” suddenly clicked. There’s definitely nothing scarier than a little girl.

It took us a minute to regain our composure before being led into the game room by our GameMaster, a nice young fellow who hastily allowed me to bring in my water bottle in case of an anxiety attack. He suggested to us that we change our initially requested number of 5 hints to unlimited. This made sense, as we’re known to be an argumentative bunch, and flash forward to ten minutes later, the rest of the team were using up our hints like water, much to my dismay.

After purposely freaking each other out got old, we did find that we worked very well together. We each had a moment to be proud of where we were able to figure out a very vital

clue that would lead us to our victory. And in just shy of the allotted hour we were given to figure it out, (approximately 57 minutes, to be exact) we were free!

Lessons learned from this experience?

1. When you think you need them, unlimited hints can be your friend. But next time, I’ll opt for a more constricted number like their 2 or 5 option, only to feed the competitive beast within.

2. “Super Scary” is code for unnecessary sound effects, like screams, thuds against the wall, and the alarming sensation of a door slamming behind you.

3. I scare very easily.

And 4. Whenever a little girl is mentioned in the story, it’s always going to be a creepy one.

Trapped Inn is located in Symphony Mall next to the Symphony Style Hotel. Follow them on Instagram @trapped_inn for more information, and be sure to call in advance at 2577 0518 to make your booking in advance!

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TRAVELEYE AT THE MANDARIN

A review of The Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Singapore

By Faris Almussallam

My trip to Singapore came as a bit of a surprise to me. My original trip to Stockholm was put on hold when my grandfather sadly passed away (may his soul rest in peace). Although I could have changed my plans, I had already booked a number of activities and restaurants and didn’t have time to be emailing back and forth to try and change everything.

Instead, I scrapped my Stockholm plans, and decided to go somewhere familiar where I’d take it easy.

This narrowed the options down considerably, and upon careful consideration, I was left with three options – London, Paris, and Singapore. As this was the height of the summer travel season, the thought of being in London or Paris wasn’t so appealing, so Singapore was the winning choice.

Because my intention was to unwind, I figured that I’d be spending considerably more time at the hotel than usual, so I decided to splurge a bit and selected the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

I booked a Club Room, with the thought that they are usually quieter, on a higher floor, and with an access to a wider array of services and amenities, such as use of the Club Lounge for breakfast, and a free airport transfer. I took advantage of this, and immediately was blown away by the luxury experience.

As we approached the hotel, I noticed that there were a few members of staff standing outside, and as the car stopped, I realized that they were there to greet me. I was slightly bemused by this, as I wasn’t used to the celebrity treatment. One of the friendly agents welcomed me to Singapore and to the hotel, and at this point, I thought that she was going to take me to the reception desk where she’d be checking me in – I was wrong. I was taken straight up to my room, where the final touches of the check-in process were completed. I was also asked if I’d like a newspaper or wake up call in the morning. All of this was simply mind-blowing – to me at least. I’ve been to some really fancy hotels in my life, but nobody’s check-in experience comes close to this celebrity experience, where it seems that their intention was to shield me from being seen or interacting with the public. As it was already past 10 in the evening, and I had gotten very little sleep over the last few days, I crawled into bed and went to sleep. It’s worth mentioning though, that view I had was probably as good as you get in Singapore!

I had a very restful night’s sleep, and actually woke up quite early – just as the Sun was coming up. I got dressed and made my way to the club 54

lounge to have my breakfast. It was so peaceful and quiet, and I was the first person there. There was a small, but well-stocked buffet, as well as a number of items you could order a la carte. I had the eggs benedict – which would become the theme of this trip. They were so good, I had them every day!

Normally on my trips, I’m out the door and ready to explore the minute I finish breakfast. This time, however, I changed into my swimming shorts, took my iPad, and made a beeline for the pool. As it was still quite early, it was still very peaceful. I swam a couple of laps, and also walked around the area to enjoy the skyline views before plopping down into a cabana to chill.

As anyone who knows me knows, I’m a foodie.

Although I did not try any of the hotel’s other restaurants, I did try their main restaurant where they serve breakfast – which has one of the most extensive buffets I have ever seen. However, the

tradeoff here is the atmosphere. After getting used to the serenity of the club lounge, eating in the main restaurant was a bit too boisterous for me.

Another foodie point – I ordered from their room service menu – which was also quite extensive, and finally selected on a Thai dish. The presentation was simple, yet elegant, and the dish was extremely flavorful and filling.

I had never stayed at any of the hotel chain’s properties before, but after this experience, I’ll try to include them in my travel plans (whenever my budget permits, as they tend to be restrictively expensive, especially in certain cities around the world!).

Keep up to date with Faris’ journeys around the world by visiting his website www.traveleye.net, and follow him on Instagram @travel.eye, and on Facebook: Gotraveleye. Follow his YouTube channel @TraveleyeGlobal.

Every

Bride's Bounty

Zuhair Murad and more bridal must-haves at Harvey Nichols Kuwait By bazaar staff

Ah, to be a bride. It’s quite possibly the most magical event of your life! Between the celebrations, the planning, and all the details in between, the event itself is set up to be an unforgettable one marking a journey that could either make or break your future. And it all starts with the dress.

Everyone knows that there are a number of reasons to attend a wedding. While familial bonds and well wishes for the happy couple are important, let’s not pretend that one of the main reasons that guests engage in matrimonial relics isn’t to see the bride in her wedding dress.

Marking the start of a new chapter in any bride’s life, she ushers out the role of singledom and embraces what follows suit after making a lifetime commitment to her groom: wife, daughter-in-law, and if it’s in the cards, maybe even a mother one day. With so much change, every bride needs to make sure they look good!

Because what better way to step into a new life than doing it while looking fabulous?

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SAY YES TO THE DRESS Housed by Harvey Nichols, Zuhair Murad’s bridal collections have different options to suit every bride’s personality, and will ensure that they shine on their special day as an individual worth celebrating.

Why wear a dress when you can set yourself aside from the rest of the crowd?

Try a bridal jumpsuit with a frothy tulle overskirt tied with a satin bow. For those who can’t live without the billowing skirt, removable overskirts are another Murad signature.

Taking a walk down the dramatic aisle may be suited to the specific bride’s taste, and luckily, Murad has embraced drama in the FW17 wedding season.

However, sleeker, more streamlined styles are readily available, such as a shirred silk dress with tiny sequins along the neckline. More ethereal options inclue unlined lace embroidered with pearls, flowers, and birds, resulting in a finish that competes in luxury compared to Murad’s signature ball gowns, while leaving behind the crowdpleasing stuffing.

THE CHERRY ON TOP You can’t achieve the perfect bridal look without adding accessories fit for a queen!

Weather you’re into keeping it discreet or going all out, the options are endlessly available to cater to your needs.

Head pieces can be an essential for any bride, whether she’s respecting her conservative style guidelines, she wants to release her inner diva or a bit of both.

Head pieces can range between the hijabi bride’s whimsical cap with a veil attached, (which also pairs fantastically with a bridal bolero jacket), or the bohemian bride’s crocheted head band. And because many yearn to unleash the princess within on their big day, a tiara is always a nice finish touch to fulfill that fantasy. Just don’t forget to polish off the look with a pair of bold statement earrings to really give you that special oomph.

AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER Besides the surefire guarantee to perfect any bride’s dream look for her wedding day, the Harvey Nichols’ bridal experience reigns supreme. How can Harvey Nichols give women a better bridal shopping experience than other boutiques? To begin with, all gowns are limited and exclusive to Harvey Nichols. So the chances of two brides showing up to their respective weddings wearing the exact same dress are slim.

Harvey Nichols also excels in providing personal shopping experiences to ensure that each bride walks away with the perfect dress to suit her unique style and body shape by offering a bespoke service. This means that every single attribute regarding the wedding’s party size and the bride’s tastes are taken into account.

Team support is also a large part of the process, and for the Harvey Nichols bride, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Should the bride require alterations and add-ons, a professional tailor is on board to help make all her dreams come true. Another plus?

Harvey Nichols also has a delivery service for brides to receive their freshly steamed gowns on their big day, ensuring that their dream dress’ fabric is perfectly in place, with not a wrinkle in sight.

As for the final touches of the bride’s look? Harvey Nichols, in partnership with esteemed makeup artist Meshael, are armed and ready to enhance every bride’s beauty with precise, creative and immaculate makeup application. Are you a Spring Bride, Autumn Bride or a Winter Bride? What waterworks-fighting mascara will work best for you? Which bold lip colors should you not touch with a ten foot pole? Meshael’s got you!

But most importantly, what makes a bride a happy bride? Extreme pampering. At Harvey Nichols, the special lady will be pampered from A-Z. Upon the bride's purchase of her chosen gown, a delicious delivery of Bridgewater Chocolates is sent to mark this special occasion. Those chocolates will also come in handy when the bride’s mother and future mother in law find themselves in tears over the beautiful sight of their lovely daughter wearing a gorgeous Zuhair Murad gown, fit for a princess.

Harvey Nichols Kuwait is located at Grand Avenue – The Avenues. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @HarveyNicholsKuwait for more information and updates.

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MIND OVER MATTER

Vision Body Training at 20 Seven Fitness Studio By bazaar staff

Here at bazaar, we love trying out new experiences to share with our dear readers.

A lot of these experiences include incredible food tastings, meeting new people, and most recently literally getting shocked into shape at 20 Seven Fitness Studio to try out the latest in fitness: Vision Body Training.

As an already avid and practicing Miha Bodytec EMS-er (Electrical Muscle Stimulation fitness training), I’ve learned and do believe that EMS does wonders for your fitness, health and muscle integrity when practiced with professional trainers. I’ve been practicing for almost two years, alongside regular cardio sessions at the gym, so the real question, however, is how Vision Body Training could change or enhance my fitness routine. So, on a balmy afternoon, I made my way to the studio at The View building in Salmiya, for a trial.

I show up, and I’m presented with a full body suit, complete with built in pads, to squeeze myself into.

The high-tech suit is made of Silver flex 7 material, commonly used in aerospace technology. The material that allows you to flexibly move around, with high energy and conductivity. More importantly, it is an intelligent suit that is capable of reading your state of muscles, and delivering you with pulses in the most optimal and precise time for more intensity during the workout while still avoiding injury. No, this is not some Sci-Fi film people, this is real fitness technology!

The suit is comfortable, and I can easily walk around in it. I then asked where I’ll be hooked up, as is the usual case with Miha Bodytec EMS training, where you are strapped on with various pads and wires that hook up to the main machine that delivers you with that tingly sensation in bursts. To my surprise, the trainers told me that there are no wires, no extra pads, and I just needed to jog in place for a few minutes to warm up. With Vision Body Power Training, the regular impulses are delivered wirelessly utilizing Bluetooth technology. The trainers explained to me that my suit will receive data from the program they are using, and that it disperses pulses throughout the body facilitating efficient training and recovery, all in one workout. The wearable tech I have on maximizes my workout gains by actually targeting the muscle groups by safely activating them. I felt this sensation in particular progressively change throughout the workout. Regular moves like burpees, push-ups and even sit ups felt much more intense, as my muscles were contracting at a higher frequency. The way this happens boggled my mind further, as all of these controls sent from the trainer’s device are delivered by the little, power box attached to my suit that is tuned so effectively and precisely like a Swiss watch, it functions with two processors that constantly monitor one another for maximum safety and efficiency during the workout.

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The other magical thing about Vision Body Power training is that it is perfectly suited for group training, allowing up to 8 participants in a single session. I was working out with 5 other amazing women at the studio, and we all enjoyed this added motivator! At the moment, Vision Body Training is the only Power Driven Training System in the world that allows you to train in groups. Our trainers informed us that we can soon take our EMS sessions to the outside world, where we can run on the beach, do group classes, and so much more!

Why I love Vision Body Training? It gave me an amped up version of what I enjoy so much about EMS. If anything I felt the combination of low and medium

frequencies of impulses reaching more muscle groups in my body than ever before! The post-workout soreness proves it all, I could barely move my legs for three days, and my abs were so tense as well! 20 minutes of EMS, and even 20 mins of Vision Body Training are as effective as a 4-hour training session at the gym. Believe me when I say that the soreness you feel is VERY real, and it’s such an amazing, addictive feeling.

20 Seven Fitness Studios is located in The View Mall in Salmiya. For more information, please visit the website www.20-seven.com, call 9889 8744 or 2205 3327. Follow them on Instagram @20sevenKw for the latest updates!

faces

A DREAMWORLD OF FASHION

The Marco De Vincenzo AW 2017 Collection at Harvey Nichols Kuwait By bazaar Staff

Harvey Nichols Kuwait sure knows how to pick the next best thing to look out for and get us talking. Pair this with Marco De Vincenzo’s imaginative styles always turning heads on the catwalk.

Because Marco De Vincenzo hails from a different mindset of stylistic expression, his bold yet chic choices are one to be very intrigued by. Our intrigue was only heightened when we learned that Harvey Nichols Kuwait were to reveal his anticipated AW 2017 Collection in Grand Avenue – The Avenues, in the form of a lavish event. Bold fashion statements, beautiful silhouettes and Harvey Nichols? Yes, please!

The event provided a great opportunity to view items from the collection, so that we as interested consumers could both appreciate the art of fashion and get our pick from the cream of the crop. While viewing, we were able to take in the geometrical approach that Marco De Vincenzo is known for infusing into his collections. Wild patterns, prints and colors are used to make bold statements, and the only way to describe its artful outcome is by seeing its luxury in real-time for yourself.

Staged models wore his creations gracefully, displaying a finish that is anything but ordinary.

Patterns and colors were a recurring theme: from striped dresses, to florals, watercolor splatters and vague animal-like prints; all topped off with splashes of unexpected color throughout. And what’s even more enchanting is the range of wear his collection has: Smart casual, mildly dressy, but perfect for everyday wear. Let’s just put it this way: with their respective outfits, models had paired shoes varying from converse sneakers to crystal encrusted ankle boots.

Another interesting factor we noticed about Marco de Vincenzo’s line is the way his styles were presented was like taking a trip through time.

The eclectic vibe of his AW 2017 collection was so reminiscent of decades ranging from the 1960s to modern day fashion. Mod-inspired straight cut silhouettes paired with coiffed hairdos had us feeling like we wanted to dance the twist all night long, as long as our feet were wedged into those deliciouslooking fur trimmed strappy sandals some of the models were wearing. Modern fashion made us smile with the work-friendly tie waist trouser and blouse set paired with comfortable Converse-esque sneakers, inspiring us to imitate such looks for casual meetings, coffee dates and 9-5s for the rest of the season.

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Personal favorites from Marco De Vincenzo’s AW 2017 collection also included the striped frock with a ruffle neckline, falling at a conservative length and shape yet exuding a chic, polished finish for any event. The patterned pleated skirt shimmering a watercolor type pattern that still manages to display delicateness due to the sheer luxury of the fabric’s quality. And then of course, we can’t forget about those stunning, stunning crystal boots.

Paired with what seemed to be a complementary crystal-studded overcoat, the entire look had just summed up the fact that Marco De Vincenzo’s AW 2017 collection was in fact, a fashion dream world.

Marco De Vincenzo is said to showcase an

overuse of symmetry to make a bold statement.

At the launch event, we witnessed this, and in our opinions believe it works. We are beyond excited that he has chosen to exclusively house his collection in Harvey Nichols Kuwait, and can’t wait to get shopping for the start of the season.

The Marco de Vincenzo AW 2017 Collection is available at Harvey Nichols Kuwait in Grand Avenue – The Avenues. For more updates on the great collections Harvey Nichols houses, follow them on Instagram @harveynicholskuwait and Facebook: HarveyNicholsKuwait.

Royal hayat

THE ART OF THE CLEAN

Meeting Clean Care’s General Manager Fatma Al-Qallaf By bazaar staff

While we’ve featured Clean Care in our pages back in 2015, it wasn’t until we had to move offices that we finally experienced Clean Care’s professionalism and amazing services here at bazaar’s new Salmiya location.

When moving to someplace new, it’s nice to first walk in to a deeply cleaned space to usher in a sense of positivity and relaxation. With our Clean Care experience, it really was a matter of unboxing our stuff, and getting straight to work. We were excited, eager to get to work, and more than anything, we wanted to catch up with the company’s Co-founder and General Manager Fatma Al-Qallaf to talk about how Clean Care has perfected the art of the clean.

“The process is really like an art; you have to love the field you work in to do well. This is actually how I feel about cleanliness and hygiene—my parents always commented on how OCD I can get about cleaning!” MBA graduate Fatma started off our conversation with a chuckle. Sure, but how does that passion translate into one’s work? What started out as a small team has grown into a fullyfledged company, with back office support like call center operators, sale managers, accountants, and a thriving social media presence that aims to educate their followers on best-cleaning practices. “Yes, there is such a thing as too much bleach! You can’t just throw bleach on a stain without firstly understanding the surface you need to clean.” Fatma continues to laugh.

Today, Clean Care’s services are widely utilized by large corporations, hotels, medical centers and even private homes.“Our first expansion of our services was when we began offering home cleaning services, from smaller flats to larger villas, followed by commercial services, and even a dedicated car cleaning service,” Fatma explained, “You can call us, and we will send someone to take care of all of your automobile cleaning needs.”

Fatma’s thinking is based on a well thought out, strategic plan, as well as a continuous journey of self-education. “We do this by attending international expos and seminars all over the world, learning about the latest technology, as well as the most modern products that we can bring to the local market.” Most 62

recently, Fatma and her team attended the Cleaning Middle East expo in Dubai, and was able to procure exclusive distribution rights for more cost efficient dispensers called Tubeless. Rather than classic dispensers filled with a cardboard tube in the middle, with Tubeless dispensers, this cardboard tube is removed, allowing more product to be input into these dispensers. Consider how cost efficient this product is, and rather than outdated tissue dispensers, for instance, you would get much more value by placing more tissue instead of the central tube. This saves customers much more on soaps, tissues, or whichever product they choose to utilize the dispenser for as Tubeless has a range of products that vary from air fresheners, tissues to even soap, amongst other options. “It’s really important to find products that will enhance our customers’ experiences. Why would you want to waste money on additional products when you don’t have to? It’s the same way with cleaning.”

From hotels, diwaniyas, to beauty salons, to even the everyday family that chooses to buy in bulk, Clean Care’s dispensary product offering has been a huge hit in the market.

Fatma believes that customers seeking great quality services are Clean Care’s target customer, and that Clean Care’s services arrive as a customizable offering. “I have to understand what each customer wants, which is why we always offer a free consultation visit at first before we prepare a quote for any given client.” She follows this with a mini lesson on the importance of understanding your products at home before you apply any given cleaning material to it.

“Would you ever want to ruin your prized Persian carpet? Of course not, so you won’t rush to clean it with any product. It’s the same with our services. We

won’t give you a quote until we consult with you first.

That’s our process.”

She continues, “Rather than positioning ourselves like other cleaning services, we like to think of ourselves as problem solvers. We are solution providers for any and every cleaning service a client could ever want or need.” Sometimes, clients call Clean Care for a basic job, only to realize that the space in question actually requires full maintenance, before the actual cleaning set to take place. It is Fatma’s deeply rooted passion for the process that allows her to speak on the topic with such expertise.

From going on on consultation visits, understanding the customer’s needs, their requirements, complaints, Fatma has done it all and then some. She even tries out the products herself, and spends hours online researching the field. In the future, she looks to conduct educational seminars on best practices for keeping a pristine home.

Clean Care’s services include: General cleaning, detailing and deep cleaning, Marble restoration, grinding and polishing with state-of-the-art machines (that are patented as an invention), glass cleaning, building’s interface cleaning, dry-cleaning (sofas, carpets) with, and janitorial cleaning services, commercial and residential services, as well as a dedicated car cleaning service. Clean Care services are available through several flexible arrangements that range from a onetime project, to contracts that could be activated on a quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily basis.

For more information, visit www.cleancare.co and follow them on Instagram @CleanCareCo, Snapchat: Alqallaf-Fatma, and Facebook: Clean Care Co.

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48.500KD

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bazaar goes cruising

FERRARI PORTOFINO

THE ITALIAN GRAND TOURER PAR EXCELLENCE By bazaar staff

The Ferrari Portofino is the new V8 GT set to dominate its segment thanks to a perfect combination of outright performance and versatility in addition to a level of driving pleasure and on-board comfort unparalleled on the market. Capable of unleashing a massive 600 cv and sprinting from 0 to 200 km/h in just 10.8 seconds, the Ferrari Portofino is the most powerful convertible to combine the advantages of a retractable hard top, a roomy boot and generous cockpit space complete with two rear seats suitable for short trips.

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The new car, which takes its name, Portofino, from one of the most charming villages on the Italian Riviera, an eponym for stylish elegance, is the most versatile model in the range. A Ferrari designed to be driven every day that also effortlessly converts from an authentic ‘berlinetta’ coupé to a drop-top capable of delivering a unique Ferrari soundtrack and superb driving pleasure even in day-to-day situations.

The retractable hard top (RHT) has been completely redesigned and can now be opened or closed in just 14 seconds on the move at lower speeds, making the car even more practical.

Maximum mechanical efficiency is guaranteed by the use of high-resistance aluminium alloy pistons and con rods with innovative geometries and speciallyshaped high-tumble intake manifolds. Combustion is optimized across the engine’s rev range by an ionsensing system with adaptive ignition and multi-spark functionality. Losses in the intake have been reduced by new more linear high- and low-pressure air ducts while the all-new exhaust system benefits from a single-piece exhaust header.

Mechanical efficiency is further optimized by a variable-displacement oil pump that reduces hydraulic power requirements by up to 30% compared to a conventional pump. The adoption of a new intercooler to simultaneously minimise fluid-dynamic losses and increase air cooling also contributes to the engine’s performance.

The Portofino’s engine continues Ferrari’s zero turbo

[Continued...]

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lag tradition, with instantaneous throttle response in under 1 second. This is the direct result of the adoption of innovative solutions such as: a flatplane crankshaft, which, with its compact size and lower rotating mass, improves fluid-dynamics; compact turbines with a low moment of inertia and twin-scroll technology that reduces the interference between the exhaust pulses from different cylinders and increases the pressure; and a single-cast exhaust manifold with equallength pipes to optimise the pressure waves.

The Ferrari Portofino features Variable Boost Management, a control software developed by Ferrari that adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected. As the car goes up through the gears (from 3rd to 7th), the amount of torque delivered by the engine increases all the way up to 760 Nm. This has allowed Ferrari to adopt longer gear ratios in the higher gears, which helps keep fuel consumption and emissions down on the one hand, while adopting different torque curves through the rev range in the lower gears for a feeling of strong, continuous pick-up.

In line with long-standing Ferrari tradition, every single Prancing Horse engine has its own particular soundtrack that makes it unique. This is also true of the Ferrari Portofino.

The Ferrari Portofino is the first Prancing Horse GT to boast Electric Power Steering which plays a pivotal role in the feel of the car in the driver’s hands. Steering wheel responsiveness has been improved with a smooth, natural feel 66

[...Continued]

to the assistance and feedback, while re-centring of the wheel is dynamic and consistent with the speed of the car when the manoeuvre is being executed. Lastly, thanks to the steering wheel’s dynamic performance and its integration with the E-Diff3, the steering ratio (steering wheel angle/ wheel angle) has been reduced by 7%.

While the Portofino’s exterior exudes a stylish compactness and instantly marks out its GT vocation, its cabin too has also been carefully designed and developed. The Ferrari Design team pinpointed certain specific essential requirements, the foremost of these being formal and functional coherency between the car’s exterior and its interior, weight reduction and creating more space for occupants.

Seen in plan view, the cockpit’s symmetrical arrangement and the improved rear seat space are clear. The dashboard architecture in particular features two shells, which incorporate all of the technical components, and a bridge which visually connects the instrument panel area with the central tunnel which, itself, was clearly conceived to act as a divider between driver and passenger.

One signature characteristic of any Ferrari car is the meticulous care lavished on the selection of the materials, trims and assembly procedures.

The Ferrari Portofino’s sporty yet elegant character highlights these aspects of the creative and design processes demanded to hone every last detail, marrying high-tech elements and materials with manual assembly and handcrafted finishes.

The optional 18-way adjustable electric seats ensure that even longer journeys are exceptionally comfortable and relaxing. Aside from longitudinal seat and backrest adjustment, the seat height and angle can also be adjusted, as can the side cushions and the central and lumbar regions of the backrest. The new Comfort button on the side of the front seats brings up on the infotainment display the controls for the adjustable-length seat cushion (which provides under-thigh support for even taller drivers), seat and backrest side and back support air cushions and heated seat.

In line with Ferrari’s other GTs, the Portofino’s HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) includes an instrument panel and dual TFT displays arranged around the rev counter in a generous circular antiglare binnacle on exactly the same axis as the multifunctional steering wheel. The passenger has a dedicated capacitive display. Directly linked to the main screen, it provides all information relating to car speed, rpm and gear engaged.

Lastly, the infotainment system functionalities are controlled via the 10.25” touchscreen located at the center of the dash within easy reach of both driver and passenger.

For more information about Ferrari in Kuwait, please visit http://www.safat.ferraridealers.com or call 1808 010. The Ferrari showroom is located in Al-Rai Industrial Area, on 4th Ring Road. Check out @ferrarialzayanikuwait on Instagram for the latest updates.

beautique

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A PROBLEM TO SOLVE OR DIFFICULTY TO ENDURE?

By Dr Susannah Joy Schuilenberg

Problem: a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Difficulty: the state or condition of being difficult; a thing that is hard to deal with, or understand.

Recently, I’ve had occasion to work with a client to figure out which of the issues he had brought to therapy were a problem, and which ones were difficulties. Until we had defined which was which, he simply had a messy, painful life that wasn’t working and certainly wasn’t enjoyable. Problems we solve, difficulties we endure. It’s just that simple.

Problems need time, attention, and solutions.

Identifying a problem, its source, and possible solutions is something we all need to get good at.

This takes practice. Furthermore, it’s a practice we need to be consistent in pursuing all our lives.

This process is probably most accurately called “real life,” or as Instagram informs me, “adulting.”

So, some quick tips on problem solving.

1. Recognize there IS a problem – this helps tremendously.

2. Brainstorm solutions – write down every possible option for a solution including crazy, over-the-top, way-out-there ideas 3. Identify your resources – these are things like knowledge, experts, tools, etc.

4. Ask for help if you need it – sometimes a problem simply needs an external perspective and voile! A solution.

5. Apply the solution – in other words, do the work required to obliterate the problem.

6. Celebrate. - High five yourself. Have a latte.

Go to the movies. When you solve a problem, acknowledge your achievement. (It helps when facing the next, bigger problem) Difficulties, on the other hand, are situations or circumstances which can only be endured.

Difficulties have no workable solution and must be accepted as the current reality. Such things as chronic illness, disability, loss, catastrophes, and war are examples of difficulties. While there may be problems to solve inside the difficulty, it is not possible to do anything but endure the larger circumstance because no individual, no society, no culture, no government, has the power to make the difficulty go away. Facing difficulties with courage and confidence would qualify as ‘adulting.’ Yes, it would.

The problem with difficulties (see what I just did right there? ) is that difficulties often involve some form of pain. Emotional, physical, psychological… and we human beings hate pain, particularly when it’s personal. We’d like to end pain; our own, our loved ones, the world’s.

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Unfortunately, also by reason of human nature, this isn’t usually possible. So what to do?

1. Learn to tell the difference between a problem to solve and a difficulty to endure.

When someone breaks an ankle, this is a problem which medicine can solve. When someone loses a leg to a landmine, this is a difficulty that must be endured. There is nothing modern medicine can do about the missing limb except try to provide a more or less workable substitute for mobility.

This does not solve the difficulty, it only allows the loss to be endured more easily.

2. Recognize that every single person on this planet has difficulties in life.

All of us. Whether or not we can see the difficulties of others, they are present. It is a condition of being human.

3. Accept your own difficulties.

Don’t just acknowledge, accept. Dr. Marsha Linehan, (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), says radical acceptance is a skill that requires practice. When we practice acceptance, we make a conscious choice to stop actively investing emotional energy in hating something which can’t be changed. This negative emotional tie to the circumstances is what creates the sense of suffering. Pain is a human reality, but suffering is optional.

4. Choose to live anyway.

Do.The.Thing. Don’t let the difficulty keep you from doing what you want to do. Adjust, adapt, modify …and do it anyway. One-legged runners

were once two-legged runners. Syrian musicians find instruments and make music in the refugee camps. Making the conscious choice to live – really live – reduces the difficulty to a facet of life, rather than the whole. When we focus on the difficulty instead of the largeness of life, our reality shrinks to a painful circumstance and we see, feel, and experience nothing else. Suffering happens. Which sucks.

5. Give back.

Get involved with organizations who care for those who have nothing (or less than nothing).

Spend time with people whose circumstances make you think of your own with thankfulness.

Often, perspective shifts significantly when we’re exposed to someone else’s difficulties; we usually decide we’d rather keep the ones we have, thank you very much.

Take inventory. What problems can you solve, and which difficulties need to be accepted, thus freeing you to begin to change the current suckiness of life into an experience you can begin to celebrate? Think about it …and if you need help to tell the difference, ask for it. Therapy works.

Dr Susannah is a leading psychologist, registered professional counsellor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling based in Canada. Follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram.

Ashley

45 DAYS, 400 MILES Hiking the new Jordan Trail

By Andrew Evans

On Day 38, the temperature hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Like a slow animal, I slid into a narrow crescent of purple shade, napping beneath a rocky overhang until the sun softened in the late afternoon. The song of a shepherd’s flute echoed off the canyon wall, and the sky glowed an almost digital blue.

By dusk I was hiking once again, shoes in sand, sifting through a mile of empty desert as a full white moon rose from behind a broken wall of mountains.

The rippled dunes went on forever. Camels hovered on the horizon. The silence was tremendous. Night came with a spread of stars and a cooling breeze that gently ruffled my tent until I was lost in sleep.

Nowhere on Earth have I felt the unbelievable calm that I experienced on the Jordan Trail. This newly mapped 400-mile route leads walkers across the up-and-down landscapes and through the staggering history of this impressive little kingdom.

I began my hike in the northern village of Umm Qais, a cobblestone village mentioned in the New Testament — the place where Jesus cast demonic spirits into a herd of swine and sent them tumbling over a cliff.

For the first two weeks of hiking, I could feel my legs getting stronger as I tackled small hills painted green with springtime wheat. Olive groves and lemon trees shaded the path, along with the ancient Corinthian columns of many a Greek ruin. The epic past sits on the surface of Jordan. There were moments on the trail when I found myself sifting through shards of 70

Roman pottery or the Stone Age tools of an even older civilization, before trudging up the well-worn steps of a crusader castle.

About half the time on the trail, I camped in my own tent, enjoying the quiet wilderness and the pastoral view that I unzipped each morning. In larger towns, I checked into hotels for a hot, soapy shower and a fluffy bed. The rest of the time, I stayed with locals as part of the Jordan Trail’s home-stay program. The complete trail network includes 52 smaller communities, where participating families host passing hikers for the night. Nothing beats breaking (fresh-baked) bread with a Jordanian family in their own home, all of us gathered together on the floor and dipping into plates of homemade hummus or aromatic rice and chicken roasted over a fire. In time, I found myself speaking more Arabic than I ever thought I could learn, while even the youngest children on the street know enough English to shout out, “Welcome to Jordan!”

The Jordan Trail is not exclusively for the young and athletic. Before this trip, I’d never hiked more than five days in a row. I didn’t undergo any special training for my long-distance trek; I simply started walking, pushing through the first days and feeling my body getting stronger and leaner as the weeks flew past.

What it’s like to hike the newly mapped 400mile Jordan Trail, where walkers can explore the upand-down landscapes and staggering history of this impressive little kingdom.

Rather than some intense physical feat, the Jordan Trail offers a slow-motion endurance test. The biggest struggle is coping with the daytime heat and taking care of your body by drinking plenty of water, eating good food, resting well and keeping your feet clean, dry and blister-free. (A support van transporting the

bulk of our gear met our group each night and provided our tents, if necessary, fresh water refills and food.

Licensed tour operators and local hiking companies can be found on the Jordan Trail Association’s website at jordantrail.org/join-a-group.)

The reward is an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Middle East, exploring lesser-known sites such as Mount Nebo, where some say Moses is buried, and Little Petra, an ancient metropolis carved from stone — minus the buses and crowds of nearby Petra. The final stretch leads hikers through whistling sandstone canyons and the cinematic red deserts of Wadi Rum, a recognizable backdrop from movies such as The Martian and Rogue One. That last stretch of desert may be the hottest part of the journey, but it also might be the most beautiful section of the trail, where the rocky landscape is splashed with surreal colors, and Bedouin nomads wave you into their woolen tents for tea.

On Day 45, my once-in-a-lifetime journey finished on the glistening shores of the Red Sea, just a few miles from the Saudi border, where I stepped over the white waves and collapsed into the warm, shallow saltwater. My elation had less to do with actually completing the full 400-mile trek — or the fact that I had lost 25 pounds along the way — and far more to do with the incomparable joy of truly knowing a country in a way that few tourists ever experience.

As a lifelong traveler who’s been to over 100 countries, I know that there is no better way to see a destination than on foot, living among the people who call the place home. That’s the allure of the Jordan Trail: to be fully immersed in a timeless culture, forget all about the outside world and follow the sun all the way to the sea.

savanna

WINTER WANDERERS

A 360 view of the new Shoebox New York at 360 MALL By bazaar staff

Bright and shiny always appeals best to bazaar, so we hot-footed it along to the newest Shoebox New York store in town. Re-located now up to the first floor of 360 MALL, the now classically beautiful store has a floor to ceiling, glass fronted façade and huge panels of white and grey marble. With shelves of glass and accents of beechwood, it is a perfect setting to wander around the products which proudly take center-stage. You can see shoes and accessories galore, even from the other side of the mall walkway, and the kaleidoscope of color on the shelves of the multi-brand emporium pull you in.

Expect a long stay when visiting here.

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SBNY knows you are going to want to try on a number of different styles, so they have made it extremely comfortable for you to do so. There is a large, oval lobby sofa, fabricated in a soft wool, intricately woven with creams, cerise and fuchsias which creates an overall baby-pink color. This is definitely girly but with the rest of the store hard marble, sturdy mirrored full-height columns, and funky artwork showing strong, sexy, powerful women on the back wall, if shoes are your thing, this is a shoe haven for a woman, to be sure. Be warned, your purse this winter may take a pounding, because the more comfortable you are trying something on, the longer you will take to relish the experience and the more shoes, boots, bags and jewelry you will buy!

As Shoebox New York understands the different sartorial needs that women have, the addition of other accessories such as jewelry makes it a one stop shop to accessorize your favorite outfit; a boutique of boots, bags and bracelets. Shashi NYC is a brand that has jewelry such as bangles made with chunky wooden beads, either polished or enveloped by threads of silk,

and earrings that match, displayed alongside each other. They also specialize in delicate necklaces which are perfect to layer, and bracelets with dainty charms of turquoise bead inlay in hand, eye, and dragonfly designs.Women in Kuwait may not have to endure trudging through snow during the winter, that’s a given.

However, now that Shoebox New York brings to you the most desirable footwear collections for this season, you will want to trek over to one of the three stores to try them on. Be you a fashionista, business woman, mother or student there’s a shape, color, fit and finish to suit your lifestyle.

Gravitating towards one of the winter collections, the first thing we see that is thrilling, is a Vince Camuto, platinum-colored velvet, combat bootie showcasing a Rockstud homage with the cheeky pyramid detailing running all along the vamp. As velvet is the hottest textile trend of the moment, your outfit is immediately updated with just this addition! It is certainly not a winter boot collection if there isn’t a thigh-high, swashbuckler style on offer, and SBNY has plenty of these to choose from. Over-the-knee boots with suede covered buttons

in a Victorian style, riding boots with a wider fit, or taller options where you can fold down the tops for a boot that gives you more than one look.

Of course, it is still thirty something degrees outside, so it is understandable that those of you staying in the heat may consider boots too warm right now, so there are other options. Shoebox shows you how to do booties with an open toe to show off spectacular pedicures and keep your tootsies fresh.

There’s an ankle boot with a bondage-strap at the ankle and stretch whale-net on the chassis so the feet are covered (aesthetically) but the exposure feels like a sandal; airy! Another one is form fitting yet made from a stretchy, patent leather so classy that it’s almost impossible to stop staring at how it has been created.

Imagine a “soft sheen” patent…it has to be seen to be believed.

Then of course there are shoots, a fabulous amalgamation of both shoe and boot! Schutz have shoots down, you must take a look at the seventeenth century, Louis the 14th inspired sharp-toed, slenderheeled, super-high-shine patent leather version!

Shoebox New York has shoots in multiple styles including flatforms, stilettos and stack heels to choose from which will go with any outfit on any occasion. A move away from classic black and brown boots or booties is a super stylish, deeply jeweled color. From burgundy embroidered velvet by Jessica Simpson, to blood red suede, metallic navy floral brocade or midnight blue velvet by Arezzo, there is such choice this season!

The contrast in winter is that there are so many celebrations during these months that require pretty, strappy shoes as the number of social occasions and invitations tends to increase. This is the one great thing about the winter in Kuwait, it’s never too cold for a skyhigh, stiletto and SBNY has so many! Consider a nude mesh with a scattering of silver stars and moons, or a fringing of black beading dripping seductively down the back of the ankle, mantra swirls made of glitter sitting atop a striking 12cm stiletto…there are several choices.

But, if you can’t quite handle the height, the most desirable of flats can be found in the assortment

designed by singer Katy Perry. With inspiration from cotton-tailed rabbits and fast cars made in pretty pastel patent, as well as classically color blocked mule sandals, there are fun and sophisticated pieces to be found here; a collection as faceted as the star, herself.

The new 360MALL Shoebox New York is a fabulously spacious location, enough for one to catwalk as down a runway, through as many of the collections as one cares to. This November make your way along and wander through amazing brands, such as Vince Camuto, Schutz, Katy Perry, Jessica Simpson, EMU Australia, and Arezzo.

Shop the latest Shoebox New York collections locations in Gate Mall, 2nd Avenues—The Avenues, and the latest location on the first floor of 360 MALL. For the latest on SBNY follow Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @shoeboxnykuwait. Photography by Caroline Ericson @pixbycaroline on Instagram.

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IKEA FOR EVERYONE

An accessible new pop up at 360 MALL By bazaar staff

Going to IKEA elicits so many different emotions: excitement, intrigue and inspiration being the top three. A trip to IKEA often means a mission and an adventure, one that can result in you being a changed person in comparison to who you were when you first walked in.

Much to our excitement, there's a brand new, innovative IKEA experience waiting for you at 360 MALL! With a clever pop-up format, IKEA’s Pop-Up release at 360 MALL arrives as a huge opportunity for all to access the store more easily! Described as “a new, temporary approach to bring IKEA closer to the people of Kuwait,” it’s the ideal way for anyone to experience IKEA in a unique and fun way until the 2nd of December.

Situated in 360 MALL’s Main Atrium on the ground floor, the Pop-Up presents an amazing range of surprises for customers to enjoy. From the great 2018 Catalogue and all of the iconic IKEA products, to an even newer and more exciting feature, the ability to, for the first time in Kuwait, order IKEA products online via the exclusive Pop-Up to be delivered to your home.

IKEA Kuwait’s Store Manager Mr. Ahmed Alhumaidi clued us in on the long-loved empire’s latest project. “We are really excited about offering our visitors the opportunity to buy the IKEA full range from our website at the IKEA Pop-Up; so the visitors can browse the website from the tablets we are providing in the Pop-Up. They can choose anything they wish from the IKEA website with the help of our coworkers. They can order and pay there and then. We will take care of delivering it to their homes at their convenience. This is a new and exclusive service only available at the IKEA Pop-Up in 360 MALL.” What good news! Gone are the prehistoric days of having to search high and low in the self-service aisles only to find yourselves disappointed by not finding what you need. Now, you can reserve your merchandise online with the provided tablets at the Pop-Up store, thus making shopping to better your home even easier than it was before.

What’s even more exciting is the most revolutionary feature that IKEA has ever provided to the public. We’ve all played the game of trying to furnish a mental blank space with wish-listed IKEA furniture – but now, that dream is a virtual reality!

With a 360 Degree store tour, IKEA will provide you the opportunity to furnish your own living room through a new virtual reality experience!

Using their fun and innovative VR experience will give you unlimited access to all IKEA products, and the “rooms” are customizable to your desired size and all you have to do is point and place your 74

selected IKEA furniture. Are you happy with the result of your designed room? Save it or buy it in a click of a button. Who knew furnishing could be so fun?

Another great feature to look forward to at the IKEA Pop-Up is their FIKA: the literal Swedish word for “sitting and having a coffee.” We know you love your coffee, we do too, which is why IKEA’s organic coffee offering at their ambient FIKA corner will satisfy the perfect pre, mid, or post exploring pickme-up that you need.

And lest we forget, the most exciting reason to visit the Pop-Up is that it includes an exclusive viewing of their gorgeous new 2018 catalogue products.

Immerse yourself in the updated furnishings and finishing that contemporary Swedish home fashion can offer. From couches to wing chairs, throws, cushions, tables and more, in a wide range of

eclectic colors and styles to suit anybody’s needs.

More good news is that their most iconic products are always up for grabs at the Pop-Up, because we all know that while IKEA is constantly updating their inventory with hot new finds, sometimes a person just needs a classic KALLAX shelf unit to put their home together.

The IKEA Pop-Up at 360 MALL will be open until the 2nd of December for visitors to enjoy the IKEA concept and the new exclusive e-commerce service.

Their timing is from Sunday-Thursday at 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday at 10 a.m.—11 p.m.

360 MALL is located in South Surra Al Zahraa Area, off Sixth Ring Road. Follow IKEA on Instagram @ikeakuwait for more information, and visit their website at www.IKEA.com.kw/IKEAPopUp for updates and facts.

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HERE’S HOW TO GET ALONG WITH YOUR MOST ANNOYING COWORKER

A few tricks to improve interactions with aggravating colleagues

By Art Markman

That’s him. You see him coming up the hallway and feel your jaw clenching. You wish you were wrapped in some kind of invisibility cloak that would allow you to pass by unnoticed. But instead you flash a terse smile and chirp, “Oh hey, Nate.” Just getting an email from the guy can set your teeth on edge. Unfortunately, this is your coworker–someone you work closely with and simply can’t avoid.

So what can you do about it? Well, a few things. Unfortunately, none of these suggestions are guaranteed to work–anyone who’s dealt with an aggravating colleague knows that the only real solution is to stop working with them completely.

But, they can help you reframe your relationship in order to make it more tolerable.

PUT YOUR FINGER ON WHAT BUGS YOU ABOUT THEM The first thing you have to do is to try and isolate what’s really bothering you about your coworker.

That may be harder than it sounds, especially if you’ve reached the point where just seeing this person gets you going. Take a step back from your reaction and how your coworker makes you feel, and think instead about actions and behaviors: What do this person do that gets you all worked up?

Maybe they’re always trying to micromanage your work while also doing their own at the same time. So every time you see him, you’re mentally preparing to be told what to do and how to do it. Next, ask yourself why that bothers you so much? “Because it’s annoying!” is the only wrong answer–get more specific. Probably it’s because that makes you feel like you’re not being treated as somebody who’s competent; it makes you feel condescended to.

But here’s the thing: You don’t actually know why your colleague micromanages you. Maybe he has his own anxieties, and it makes him feel better to know that he understands your job. What you do know is that you actually are quite capable of doing your own job without his unsolicited input.

So since your coworker isn’t your supervisor, his opinion doesn’t really affect you.

The point is that once you identify the thing that bugs you about your colleague’s behavior, you’re better able to see that this behavior is annoying but not malicious. So it may not be worth getting so frustrated about.

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Photo by Asa Rodger on Unsplash

TRY A NEW VANTAGE POINT If you’re still having trouble getting comfortable with your annoying colleague, you might try looking at the workplace from your colleague’s perspective for a while. There are a few benefits to this shift in view.

First, you might see other justifications for your coworker’s grating behavior. Maybe she’s a recent grad and doesn’t accept blame for her mistakes.

It might bother you that even small errors like forgetting to return a borrowed stapler are met with an excuse rather than an apology. But when you look at the world from her perspective, you might remember this is her first real job. Probably she just wants to be seen as being competent and mature, and making a silly mistake like forgetting to return a stapler may feel much bigger to her than it does to you. So it might be worth being a little more welcoming than just bristling at her inability to apologize.

And second, you might be able to see how your own actions may contribute to the problem. Maybe your frustrating colleague is reacting to the way you interact with her. Is there something you might be doing that’s creating a self-fulfilling prophecy? You expect your colleague to be annoying, and so you inadvertently bring about the behavior you fear.

PLAY BETTER OFFENSE From here, you may be able to seize control over your interactions. Often when you have an annoying colleague, you just sit there waiting for that person

to do the thing that bothers you. But you don’t necessarily need to give them that chance to push your buttons all the time.

Suppose you have a new coworker who’s negative about everything. He complains about his commute, his workload, and even the coffee in the break room. Just once, you wish he would say something nice. So the next time you see him coming down the hall, smile broadly and comment on what a beautiful day it is, how much fun you’re having with your current project, and how nice it is to see him. By guiding the conversation in a better direction, you’re preempting the negative interaction you really don’t want to have.

An important reason why this can work is that it puts the situation back into your hands. The most frustrating situations in life are the ones where circumstances control you (what psychologists call an “external locus of control”), rather than the other way around. That’s why a sudden, unexpected traffic jam can make you go berserk.

There’s nothing you can do about it, and so you just sit and seethe.

So instead, you’re establishing an “internal locus of control” by making the first move with your irritating coworker. You’re deciding the way the interaction goes, which will make the situation far more comfortable for you. And if you do that often enough, you might even create better habits among your most annoying coworkers–coaxing them to treat you the way you treat them.

that alasalasil

FIND THE ONE FOR EVERY YOU Triumph's Fall Winter collection By bazaar staff

The global campaign for Triumph this autumnal season is Find the One for Every You. This collection comes hot on the heels of the hugely successful, first creative campaign collaboration between Australian model Jessica Hart and the legendary British photographer Rankin.

The lingerie features in an empowering narrative, as the campaign continues to celebrate the story of the modern, multi-faceted woman and highlights how Triumph’s collections can support ‘Every You’; there is a triumph product for every age, shape, size and occasion.

This season’s collection features deeply opulent colors with fanciful names like “Night Forest” which is a rich shade of teal. Amber features too for autumn, as well as timeless black and seductive scarlet. Triumph’s most sought-after styles, including shapewear, can be found this autumn. The aptly named Airy Sensation holds you in while keeping it stylish with breathable fabrics. Featuring black mesh over a nude underlay with a slimming patterned mid-panel, the illusion is fabulously flattering.

Amourette Charm, a veritable anthology of undergarments including loungewear pieces, promises to continue to be a firm favorite with all women. Mind you, here at bazaar we don’t like you to think we just lounge around in comfy PJs, so don’t forget that Triumph also produces sportswear!

Through this campaign featuring established collections, Triumph recognizes all the different roles women take on each and every day. The Hart Rankin campaign is one which exudes charm, individuality and femininity, and you can see the campaign in full on the Triumph website. Jessica Hart comments, “It is wonderful to be a part of such a great concept and I am proud to work with Rankin and Triumph on yet another exciting campaign, which celebrates all women.

These days we all lead such varied lifestyles and each have different characteristics and needs. Triumph recognizes this and helps us to feel our best in our own skin - no matter who we are or what we are doing.”

“What I admire about Triumph,” Rankin chimes in, “is that it is all about empowerment of women. They want their customers to feel totally confident and at ease when wearing Triumph.”

Triumph consistently brings quality and innovation to the industry and customers can trust this brand. Since 1886 lingerie has been crafted by Triumph that makes women look and feel their best, and this season is no different. Research even shows us that eighty percent of women wear the wrong size bra! This year, Triumph aims to help 3.5 million women “Find the One’ – the right Triumph bra for them.

Follow @triumpharabia on Instagram and Facebook. ‘Find The One For Every You’ at triumph.com/findtheone. Shop the latest Triumph collections at The Avenues, Marina Mall, The Promenade, and Al Bairaq Mall or call 1820 012 for more information.

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SUPER NINTENDO MINI REVIEW By bazaar staff

It’s almost a miracle that this review could be made this early. Aside from the usual ‘plan one month in advance’ rules that come from writing for a magazine, the Super Nintendo Mini is a very hard to find item.

Following up from last year’s NES Mini, Nintendo took the step that we all knew they would and a year later, here we are with the SNES Mini. I’ve personally tried multiple times to secure one since it was announced, but always been unsuccessful; beaten to the punch by people that can refresh pre-order screens every second for hours, if not days, on end, and more problematic-scalpers; people that buy limited items like this in bulk, with the sole intention to resell them at a huge mark up to the genuine fans. This is a problem that has plagued Nintendo and its fans in recent years. Gladly, at time of writing, Nintendo have acknowledged this problem and vowed to produce more units for general sale. This is evident as many shops now have stock on their shelves and the scalper’s price are reducing.

1-0 to the fans!

In any case, I got hold of one with the help of an old friend and it now sits proudly next to the rest of the Nintendo family in my home.

The SNES Mini is a miniature version of the almighty Super Nintendo console from 1990.

Widely considered to be the best console of all time, it followed Nintendo’s hugely popular NES system and brought us classic games like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, A Link to the Past, Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter 2, Super Castlevania…the list is truly endless. The SNES Mini comes with 21 games pre-loaded, including all of the afore mentioned titles. It’s fair to say that Nintendo got the game selection spot on here (all killer), something that, for the NES Mini, was a bit hit and miss (half filler).

With both units, you can’t legitimately add or download additional games although if you don’t mind voiding your warranty, and know your way around a computer, you are able to ‘hack’ the consoles, enabling you to add whatever games you like.

In the box you get two wired controllers, an improvement on the lone one you get with the NES Mini. Another improvement is the length of the controller cables, which are much longer with the SNES Mini. The controller cable of the NES Mini was far too short and required a separate purchase of an extension cord. In today’s wireless controller and big TV lifestyle, if you must use wired controllers, there has to be a decent length to them! The controller is a perfect replica of the original SNES one in 80

terms of size, button placement and feel that allow the games to control exactly as they should.

Onto the games: in short, they all play exactly as you remember them, only this time in stunning HD. You have the option to adjust the screen ratio, and also add a CRT filter so that you can play the games with the effect of an old TV (as you would have in the old days!).

While the graphics, of course, remain the same, every game looks crisp and clear with the modern ability of HDMI. There’s also a nice bonus with the SNES Mini; it comes with a game that has never been released previously, but was made for the original Super Nintendo in 1996. Star Fox 2 was made following the huge success of Star Fox in 1993, which featured cutting edge graphics and the famous Super FX chip.

However, by the time the sequel was finished,

bigger and better consoles like the PlayStation were out and Nintendo felt that Star Fox 2 looked too primitive for the new set standards, so they decided to cancel its release. Now, 21 years later, it finally got the official release it deserves.

The SNES Mini is a gamers dream come true, and perfect for anybody new or old to gaming. The included games are bonafide classics and no matter how many times you’ve played them previously, it’s a pleasure to go through them again now, in 2017. There are fresh rumors rumbling on the internet about Nintendo working on a GameBoy Mini, or an N64 Mini next. I see absolutely no reason for them to not make these, they’re already guaranteed hits.

And I’ll be there, cursor over the ‘refresh’ button on a series of retailers web pages, trying to get my pre-orders in…wish me luck!

tshalah

SIX WAYS TO PULL YOURSELF OUT OF A WORK SLUMP

Even people who love their their jobs can find themselves in a rut

By Stephanie Vozza

Sometimes it’s more than just a case of the Sundays. When you don’t want to go to work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday–or any day–you could be in a slump. Luckily, it’s not uncommon, and it is something you can fix, says Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder.

“Fifty-five percent of workers feel they have a job, not a career,” she says. “What’s important to remember is that while a single bad day is one thing, a lingering work rut can be detrimental to your happiness and overall career success.”

Even people who like their jobs can get into a work slump due to a naturally occurring phenomenon called “hedonic adaptation,” says Tim Bono, lecturer in psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

“We get used to things–even wonderful things– that at one time were sources of immense pleasure and joy,” he says. “Someone who loves chocolate will grow tired of eating it after a while if chocolate is the only thing they have to eat every single day, day after day.”

The good news is that a work slump is your problem to solve, says Ben Brooks, founder and CEO of the career improvement tech startup Pilot. “It is easy to blame something else, such as your manager, your resources, the culture, the industry,” he says. “Taking responsibility for your slump puts you in the driver’s seat and gives you an opening for action rather than merely suffering through the slump.”

To pull yourself out of a work slump, it’s helpful to do these six things: 1. FIGURE OUT WHY YOU’RE STRUGGLING “Is it because you’re bored with a specific project?” asks Haefner. “Are there issues with your boss or other team members? Would you rather be working in another field? It’s hard to know how to get out of the slump without knowing what caused it.”

2. IDENTIFY THE KIND OF WORK THAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU “What values do you place above all else and where do they show up in work for you?” asks career coach Kelly Poulson. “Are you regularly doing work that supports them or are you constantly being asked to compromise on what’s most important to you?”

Brooks likes to ask, “If you had just 90 days left in your career, what would you get busy doing?”

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

“This is meant to create urgency and to get out of the ‘maybe, someday, not now’ mentality that is easy to fall into, in particular when you’re in a slump,” he says.

3. DON’T JUMP SHIP ON YOUR JOB QUITE YET Before you automatically assume a career change will equal a life change, notice how you’re showing up in the other realms of your life, says Poulson.

“Maybe you need to be prioritizing taking care of yourself,” she says. “Often when we’re beat and not taking care of ourselves, we can be tired and cranky and not see opportunities right in front of us.”

4. FOCUS ON WHAT IS GOING WELL Taking a few minutes each week to reflect on what you’re grateful for can help you feel better about your life overall and even improve your health, says Bono.

“Due to adaptation, our focus becomes overshadowed by the more burdensome qualities,” he says. “Gratitude has been shown to be the most robust antidote to adaptation.

Instead of ruminating over what went wrong today, or becoming anxious about what tomorrow may bring, call to mind those aspects of your job that you enjoy.”

5. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS It’s natural to tune into who just got the latest

promotion or whose working is getting the highest praise from the boss, but redirecting our attention to our own internal standards for success can go a long way for our psychological health, productivity, and motivation, says Bono.

“Social comparison is one of the biggest barriers to our overall happiness and motivation,” he says. “And limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Sites like Facebook often exaggerate how much better off others are in comparison to how we are feeling at a given time, often leaving us feeling worse about ourselves.”

6. THEN TAKE ACTION This might be the hardest step of all, says David Patterson, president of The Kineta Group, an executive search firm. “Most people find that the very reason they are in a slump is because they feel unmotivated, and because of that they find it difficult to tackle the tasks that are needed in order to break out of their slump,” he says.

“Without that motivation, they don’t take action, and their slump gets worse, which makes it harder to find the motivation to take action, and so on goes the cycle.”

Take the smallest viable action you can take, says Patterson. “You’ll find you will feel slightly more motivated,” he says. “Take the next action, then the next, and so on and so on. Before you know it you will find that you are more motivated than ever. Remember: Motion creates emotion.”

20 seven

Q8 GRAND LIMO

Just a few taps to ‘Your Personal Driver’ By bazaar staff

It’s your anniversary, and you want to make it very special for your loved one.

You have booked a table at the hottest restaurant in Kuwait, bought tickets for a culture show, bought her a gift you know she’ll love, and even have a stunning bouquet of her favorite flowers.

But, you are planning this wonderful evening for a Thursday night and you realize you will probably spend most of the evening in the car trying to get from place to place. You know you might get aggravated at the lack of parking, and you don’t want to ruin the evening in the frustration of traffic.

Q8 Grand Limo has you covered. You open 84

the application and make a reservation for a luxury vehicle to pick up you and your loved one from your home. As you step out of the building you see the personal driver standing beside the passenger door, ready to open it the moment you are near the ruby black Mercedes S400.

He smiles in his black suit and yellow tie and welcomes you to Grand Limo, and wishes you a pleasant journey. As you get settled in the posh beige interior, you turn to your partner and she has a wide bright smile on her face already. The evening is off to the perfect start.

Grand Limo has been creating experiences like this in Kuwait since December 2016 with their business class, family and grand class vehicles. The Chrysler 300s, Honda Odyssey and Chevrolet Impalas, respectively, are all driven by chauffeurs trained to create the

most memorable experience possible for every passenger.

This month Grand Limo has introduced the newest, and sleekest, addition. The new Mercedes S400 is the first in their luxury fleet.

Whether your plans are for a night out on the town, need a special ride for a memorable occasion, or are looking to give a visitor or business guest specialized, luxury service, Q8 Grand Limo is the only application in Kuwait that lets you book a chauffeur driven vehicle.

To use Q8 Grand Limo simply download the application on the Google Play or Apples iTunes store. First, choose the type of vehicle you need to book. A grand vehicle, the Chevrolet Impala seats up to 4 with a 1.500 KD for every 10 minute increment, the family Honda Odyssey seats up to 7 at 1.750 KD, and the

business Chrysler 300s are charged at 2KD per 10 minutes. All the cars are black, with tinted passenger windows for ultimate privacy. For these cars you can book immediately and a car will be sent to your location as soon as it is available.

You can also choose the book later option to schedule a pickup in an hour or more. Due to high demand on the luxury service, the Mercedes S400 must be booked at least one hour in advance for a minimum of one hour at 30 KD for the first hour and 10 KD for every 30-minute increment. You can choose to add your drop-off location in the application, or you can direct the driver once you are in the vehicle.

Once your booking is confirmed the driver will arrive at your location with a wide smile.

One of the cornerstones of Q8 Grand Limo’s service is the cleanliness of their vehicles, and the drivers that operate them. Eating, drinking or smoking is not allowed in any of the cars.

This means that every customer will always enjoy a clean, polished ride.

No matter what vehicle you choose, your chauffer will be tasked with making sure your ride is memorable, and stress-free. He will open the door for you when you enter the vehicle, abide by all the Kuwait traffic laws, and ensure you arrive to your destination as safe as possible.

When you arrive your driver will be able to accept cash or K-Net as payment. Passengers are encouraged to rate the drivers and, through the application, voice any concerns they may have had about their ride. The driver will open the door for you as you get out, and help you with any bags or items you may have.

The Q8 Grand Limo service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which makes them the ideal choice for airport pickup and drop-offs.

Airport pickups are charged a flat rate of 5Kd. The driver will arrive at your location at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time and help you put your bags in the car. Upon arrival at the airport he will find you a trolley and assist you with getting your bags out of the car.

For pickups from the airport the driver will park the car and wait for you at the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name on it. He will take your bags from you and escort you to the vehicle, load your bags and take you home for a flat rate of 10 KD. Q8 Grand Limo has created a service that takes the guesswork out of your commute, and lets you truly enjoy your rides in Kuwait. Now with a few taps you can book your personal driver, and enjoy your peace of mind.

Download Q8 Grand Limo on the Google Play or Apple iTunes stores. For more information call 6630 7956 or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Q8GrandLimo.

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Geeks & Gamers

CUPHEAD: A REVIEW By bazaar staff

Cuphead is a game for stubborn people. This can also be interpreted as ‘for those that like a challenge’ (which would also be true). I myself am considered to be a very stubborn person, and that side of me really kicked in while playing Cuphead. More on that later.

Cuphead is a beautifully animated platformer cross shoot ‘em up that has been in development for around 7 years and recently was released exclusively for Xbox One and PC (sorry PlayStation and Nintendo fans). Just to get it out there early, this game is excellent, and if we had a rating system I’d give it 8.5/10.

The main draw to Cuphead, and the thing that caught people’s interest very early on is the visuals.

The entire game is designed around a 30s/40s era cartoon (think Steamboat Mickey). The characters, themes, music and more all have that old style cartoon feel. The art for the game was all created by hand, with the team drawing every single frame in what must have been a painstaking 7 years. The end result however is nothing short of perfection.

You play as the titular named Cuphead (with an optional second player taking control of his brother, Mugman). The duo wander into the Devil's Casino

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run by King Dice. When the brothers go on a winning streak, King Dice calls upon the Devil who raises the stakes. Cuphead rolls snake eyes and he and Mugman must give up their souls. The Devil makes a deal with them: collect the contracts of the other inhabitants of Inkwell Isle who have lost their souls and he might let the brothers off the hook.

You then have to make your way around the overworld, taking on various bosses in order to beat them and collect their contracts. Each boss has anywhere between 3-5 sequences; for example one of the early boss battles is called Botanic Panic and has you fight a potato that spits huge seeds at you.

Once you’ve dished out enough hits and beat him, a crying onion will appear, who’s falling tears can do you damage. Finally, after the onion has been dispatched, you need to deal with a giant carrot that appears, shooting smaller carrots and telepathy rays at you.

Yes, this might be the most random paragraph ever written in bazaar…but welcome to Cuphead!

There are also a small selection of Run & Gun levels, which are more platform-like. Rather than being confined to one arena with a boss, you have to make your way through the level, start to finish, a la Super Mario.

The game has been gaining notoriety for being extremely hard, which, having just finished the game I can fully confirm is an accurate and fairly earnt reputation. In parts, it’s almost too hard, even on regular mode; as standard, you only get 3 hits before dying, with no option to regain health. On top of that,

everything that’s on screen can, will and does hit you.

At one place in the first area, there’s a place that tells you how many times you died. Last time I checked, which was a couple of hours before I completed the game, I’d died 804 times. I suspect following the final boss, I’ll be over 1000 by now.

This is where the stubbornness comes in. Usually, when a game is too hard, it can be because of cheap deaths, bad game design, or a multitude of other reasons that you cannot control. At those times, I’ll get frustrated and put the controller down, probably never to touch the game again. But in Cuphead, it’s all for reasons that can be deemed your fault. You find yourself annoyed at your own actions, and hitting retry over and over, saying ‘I can do this, I know the pattern now’. As a stubborn person, you won’t let the game win, nor your own mistakes let you give up. Again, if you’re just the type of person that loves a challenge, Cuphead is going to be for you.

I’d have liked the game to be a bit longer, and with more Run & Gun levels, rather than primarily a boss rush. These are the only ‘issues’ I can take with the game. There are 2 endings to the game with some post-game unlocks, so when you finish the game on regular, you then get an expert mode (which I have in mind to try and complete but the difficulty is through the roof). I think I need something a bit mellower for my next game. Just as well Super Mario Odyssey is here in 2 weeks… (Yes, that’s a cliffhanger ending for next issue’s Geeks & Gamers).

talabat

GAMIFICATION TO INCREASE APP USAGE

By Barry Rodrigues

If you’re an app publisher and are relying heavily on daily active users to generate more future funding or to simply keep your app interesting and relevant, just relying on user generated content is simply not good enough.

Especially, if you run an app that requires a lot of technical input from your users that can be painstaking and time consuming. Enter – gamification!

Gamification is the process of making something look like a game instead of something tedious and complex. Research clearly shows that users are more likely to interact with a product that is fun. So in addition to an easy user interface and experience, gamification offers a great new way to keep people continuously using your app.

People like games because they are fun. To explain this in the easiest way we would have to take a trip down to memory lane – to your childhood. Remember how frustrated your mom would get when she was trying to make you finish your porridge or oatmeal? It was such a task to finish it but when your mom pretended it was a rocket or airplane searching for a place to land, you were much more interested in eating it! Well, gamification uses pretty much the same principle to push users to use a particular product while making it fun. In even simpler words, the art of converting something boring into a fun filled activity using some kind of competitive technique is gamification.

The mobile app gamification approach gives app publishers and owners a fantastic opportunity to accelerate their businesses. Such an approach does not take a long time to develop, and if done correctly can really jumpstart your app usage and even take to the next level.

Gamification allows you to be more persuasive when communicating with customers and also create products and services that your customers don’t want to stop using.

Lifestyle gamification through productivity apps is rapidly becoming a hot topic. Apps like Fitocracy or Task Hammer are great examples of how gamification techniques are being used to push people to stray away from procrastination and get things done. Human beings naturally tend to put off tasks that are deemed boring and always tend to postpone them to the future.

Productivity apps that utilize gamification can be useful for overcoming these barriers to achieving the things we want to more easily.

Doable is a popular app that offers a fun and engaging way of completing your tasks and 88

keeping a track of your progress along the way.

Another popular app that cleverly utilizes gamification techniques to get better user engagement while simultaneously making the app fun and easy to use is Duolingo, an app that I personally use to learn new languages. You get rewards in the form of points when you get something right and lose a life when you get an assignment wrong; thereby making to learn even better to get you lost life back to be able to move to the next stage.

Most fitness tracker apps like the Nike Running app and the like also use basic gamification techniques in the form of sharing your results with your friends in order to compete or even beat them to motivate you to perform better etc. But one of the best fitness apps is Zombies, Run!, which caters to runners. While running, you are listening to a recording of zombies that are following you.

Gamification here captivates the user so he or she doesn’t think about the distance or how hard running is. With this app, exercising becomes a fun game.

Just like any other concept, gamification has a set of unofficial rules and although they aren’t set in stone, it helps if you follow them.

Don’t make it compulsory.

Give your user the opportunity to choose whether they want to use the gamification features or not.

While a majority of them probably will, you don’t want to put off the users that don’t.

Make rewards averagely difficult.

A reward should not be a tough thing to achieve but at the same time it shouldn’t be so easy that a user doesn’t feel a sense of accomplishment or does not value it.

Make the goal very clear.

The goal needs to be very clear. Users need to understand what steps to take to achieve the prize or points. If he or she doesn’t get it, they won’t go for it.

Overall, gamification is a perfect approach to make your app recognizable and so far companies worldwide that have used gamification in their apps have actually made them work. So there is no reason why you can’t succeed!

Barry Rodrigues is Head of Marketing & Product Development at Future Communications and an associate advisor with the International Advisors Group in Kuwait. For comments, please email Barry at barry@nexgenconsulting.co.uk.

bouchon

bazaar goes dining

AN ITALIAN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

Dai Forni at Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj AlShaya By bazaar staff

Walking into the immaculate Dai Forni is like walking into a pristine oasis. Assisted by the restaurant’s breathtaking view of the entirety of Kuwait city by day, with large windows accessing the restaurant’s decadent terrace, the room’s entrance is already flooded with light and embodies a fresh dining feel. The lush greenery growing from the sides of the walls offers an avant-garde modernity to the whole look, polishing it off with an appetite whetting ambiance of extreme luxury. Right off the bat, based on such descriptions igniting a sense of poetry in one’s mind, we know that Dai Forni isn’t just another Italian restaurant.

Forget about the fact that it’s situated in the upscale Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, a hotel world-renowned for its high standard of hospitality. We can even put aside for a minute that everything about the hotel from its décor to its fine touches of service exudes opulence. Dai Forni, located on the 21st floor of the tall tower, reaps an elegance all on its own, while offering up a menu of fine-dining delicacies curated by the talented Executive Chef Sebastiano Spriveri and his team to cater to the comforts and tastes of Kuwait’s palate.

“Coming from the southern region of Italy and having lived in Milano for 25 years, my influences obviously will always stay true to the traditional sense of Italian cooking. However, the most important factor when creating food is to take into account the tastes of the locals. At Dai Forni, all of our fresh ingredients transported directly from Italian sources are crafted to the likes of the Kuwaiti customer, presenting them with an unforgettable meal that has a special touch.”

As is customary in Dai Forni, we munched on the delicious homemade bread provided at the table, accompanied with Italian olive oil and a drop of thick, sweet balsamic vinegar.

As recommended by Chef himself, I indulged in the tanginess of the aromatic sundried tomato focaccia which delivered a sweetness in fragrance as well as taste – coupled with the olive oil, it was in short, euphoric.

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Our first courses arrive, and we are automatically impressed with presentation.

Calamari, in a form that’s foreign to me, was presented in a poached fashion. Piles of squid curled atop one another like a mountain, seasoned with hazelnuts for crunch and topped with herbs and whimsically laid French green beans for a dramatic finish. Infused with lemon confit, this dish was impressively refreshing – unlike the expected breaded and deep-fried alternative most are accustomed to.

The Carpaccio di Manzo Kobe was outstanding. Beautifully marbled, thin slices of Kobe beef crusted with sea salt flakes, topped with creamy dollops of Mascarpone cheese and smeared with truffle paste, presented on a place with delicate wedges of crumbly parmesan, just begging to be paired with the table’s fresh bread. This dish seemed never-ending, because

its portion, without being ostentatious, was quite generous. Each time you’d manage to pick up a piece of expertly cured beef, another would appear below. This, was definitely a treat for myself and my dining counterparts.

When it came time to sample the Artisanal Buffalo Mozzarella, my companions and I sang songs of high praise. Though Creamy Burrata would have been a more popular choice, it was not an option due to chef’s strict restrictions of the unpasteurized cheese being subpar to his standard during our visit. We opted, instead, for the cheese’s appetizing cousin, and we were ever so pleased with our choice. The mozzarella was presented to us in its true form, playfully sitting atop wedges of fresh tomato with basil playfully strewn across the plate. Without gimmick or unneeded accessory, it was perfect as is, and difficult to abandon.

We had to abandon our generous appetizers eventually, however, in favor of the main courses Chef had prepared for us. But when we took our first bites of the Risotto Carnaroli porcini mushrooms, we were not sorry. A medley of flavors explode onto the palate with even the smallest serving of this risotto, igniting a mixture of emotions ranging from wonder, to amazement, to extreme satisfaction. A high recommendation for sharing, a small portion of this goes a long way.

But none could compare to what was arguably the best lasagna any of us had ever had in our entire lives. Made as classically as you’d imagine any other homemade lasagna to be, it was served home-style in its castiron pan to retain its heat and freshness. It appeared to look standard, with possibly a little more delicateness to its build, but as the waiter portioned the pieces to suit our four diners and drizzled “extra béchamel” on top, our eyebrows raised with interest. Needless to say, the first, second, third and seventh bites were absolutely magical. The béchamel, soft, fluffy and airy added a perfect creaminess to this already comforting dish. All in all, it was a crowd pleaser, delivering a slightly sweet taste mixed with decadence and hints of cheese between an obviously homemade pile of tender lasagna sheets.

The pizza, however, was the pièce de resistance. Pizza Fritta is not your ordinary runof-the-mill pizza, appearing in spherical form.

We expected, after the dough had been fried, topped with spicy Arrabiata sauce, basil and parmesan shavings, that we would find cheese exploding out of the compartmentalized pie.

Shockingly, however, the only cheese to expect in this savory dish is what was freshly grated at your table by your waiter. Its interior was instead filled with a tasteful amount of sauce, and possibly the best basilica pesto to have ever graced my taste buds. A delicious dish to share, its most prominent taste would have to be the homemade freshness of Chef’s special dough used to make his ranges of pizzas, breads and focaccia.

Between all the bread, the truffle-kissed carpaccio, the cheeses and that gorgeous lasagna, we were too stuffed to eat another bite. Therefore, we had to politely decline the opportunity to indulge in a sweet ending.

However, we didn’t say no to authentic Italian coffee! Grinded and prepared freshly by Dai Forni’s expert baristas, it was the perfect, soulwarming way to end our opulent meal.

Dai Forni is located in the Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya. Call 2200 6000 for reservations. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter @fskuwait, and Facebook: FourSeasonsHotelKuwait for more information.

Photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi, @I9ora on Instagram.

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FREE TO BE YOU AND ME

Introducing Kuwait’s most relaxed café By bazaar staff

It seems these days, there’s a gimmick for everything. Sometimes, we find ourselves looking at the same concept over and over again, and we find ourselves feeling that everything everyone says is rehearsed. But once in a while, there’s a place to escape that monotony – a place to take off your mask, and to just be yourself.

As I step into Be Café, I sense a calm energy amidst the hustle and bustle of its soft opening.

The place is colorful and decorated in a way that makes you feel as though you’re visiting someone’s home, without being invasive. The color of the dining area of the café expands to back rooms of the apartment-style space, leading to small yet cheerful room housing handiwork crafted

by Michelle for sale. “Michelle is an incredible artist,” co-owner Mariam Al-Shatti tells me as we pause to admire Michelle’s artwork before going into the sun-filled quiet room across the short hall, dedicated to relaxation. Mariam continues to tell me about Michelle’s artsy skills, saying that she did most, if not all of the painting at Be. From the whimsical quotes written out carefully on the wall, to the intricate graffiti illuminating spaces behind tables, the bulk of this artwork was done by the talented Michelle, her brush, and the rest of the team’s joining in. “She also makes the best chai latte” Mariam chirps in appreciation.

We settle into the back room flooded with light, perching on Be’s low-to-the-ground couches consisting of colorful cushions placed atop recycled palettes. Breaking their “no food in the back room” rule just this once, (“because it’s practically a drink!”) Mariam brings me one of the café’s biggest hits, the Acai Berry Bowl.

A deliciously refreshing smoothie bowl, made with hidden cacao nibs, artfully sliced banana, coconut shavings, topped with strawberry and a kiwi flower center. Sided with a sneaky turmeric lemon truffle ball reminiscent of my grandmother’s ma’amoul filling, I knew that Be was offering up something special.

Mariam is a strong advocate for veganism, having even converted her mother/partner Muna Alafraj to the dietary practice, and so, the dynamic mother-daughter duo feel adamant on keeping their menu purely plant-based. “We want this space to serve as an educational tool for people to learn about the plant-based lifestyle and its benefits. Being vegan changed both mine and my mother’s lives, so we’d love to spread that happiness onto others as well.”

You can see it on her menu, and in her 92

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Be Café Co-founder Mariam Al-Shatti

D&D

general being as she speaks, that the vegan journey is a very special one to Mariam. “I was a vegetarian for half my life, and transitioning to veganism happened a few years ago while I was studying in Australia,” she tells me as she serves me a deliciously dense piece of her famous vegan raspberry cheesecake bites. “I spent so much time abroad experimenting with plant-based recipes in my kitchen, and loved what I could come up with when using natural ingredients. I really wanted to bring a part of that back with me to Kuwait, and my mom supported that dream.”

The result of her experimentation is a beautiful menu, filled to the brim with satisfying selections that won’t have you feeling deprived of animal protein and dairy. Savories are ever growing, and aren’t limited to wraps and sandwiches, like Mariam’s personal favorite zucchini, tofu and mushroom wrap. For food that’s a little more substantial, the café also specializes in themed nights entitled “Soulful Saturdays” where different areas of the world are covered, such as Thali Indian and Vietnamese. On top of that, their peaceful cooks, the Zen Huang from Vietnam and the jovial Sahar from Egypt bring in their own special twists and flavors to the mix – especially when it comes to Huang’s vegan Pho. Their array of delicious sugar-free vegan desserts like cheesecakes and truffles, however, are what Mariam is most proud of. “I absolutely love creating these! I take pride in the fact that I was able to figure out a way to allow people to indulge without compromising their health.”

This just shows that dessert can be sweet and wholesome, made with a lot of love at the same time. “All of our food evokes the same feeling that you get when you’re enjoying home cooking.

Because we put so much love into what we do, it makes it taste that much better.”

Lest we forget the juices. Made fresh daily and blended on the spot, juiceheads are never short of refreshing options to enjoy post workout, or as a delightful morning or afternoon snack.

“My favorite juice is Sunset!” Mariam announced pointedly, “it’s kind of basic, but it just looks so pretty and makes me feel amazing!” Made with carrot, apple, ginger and a bunch of other goodies, I could see why this nutrient-pumping concoction would put a smile as shiny as Mariam’s on anyone else’s face.

Be is also quite possibly the only place in Kuwait to make and sell their own kombucha. I’ve never personally been a fan, but Mama Muna handed me a little glass filled with fizzy apple-beetroot fermented tea, and I couldn’t resist. “It’s great for digestion,” she said as I knocked it back, then proceeded to continue our discussion about meditation.

Meditation is a sentimental part of Be Café.

While it isn’t necessary for patrons to partake, it’s definitely worth mentioning that the entire Be family are meditators, and that they all meditate together during their staff meetings to address problem-solving and bright new ideas.

Muna also teaches meditation in Arabic, and so 94

[...Continued]

there may be opportunities for patrons to walk away with something special from their regular visits.

“We’re a family at Be.” Mariam says firmly, “we have each other’s back, and we believe that everyone who’s a part of this journey, to the people who work here to the people who come here are all so special. We’re a hub generating positive energy for the masses.” And

it’s certainly refreshing to see a place so pure of pretention that abides by rules of love and non-judgment, and a whole lot of good ethics.

“That’s right! And all we want is a place for you to just be… yourself.”

Be Café is located in Rimal complex in Bida’a square. Follow them on Instagram @becafe_kwt for more information and the latest updates!

mais alghanim

THE HEART OF KUWAIT

Indulging in the flavors of Khaneen’s Mubarakiya locale By bazaar staff

Cooler weather means plenty of things in the hustle and bustle of Kuwait’s tiny nation. It means those bone-chilling desert winters we’re always talking about, promptly ushering in scents of musky fur, wool, bukhoor and chai bubbling over coals and fire. It anticipates tastes of hot liquids paired with breads oozing melted cheese while sitting outdoors. And of course, it ignites a more active lifestyle, and the constant desire to spend as much time as possible outdoors. This, in turn gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our roots, and the quaint qualities that make this country so great: Just like the old Mubarakiya Souq.

Mubarakiya is a quintessential hub for Kuwaiti culture, and with the allure of walking through the alleys of Kuwait’s old markets comes the need for nourishment – be it an urge to eat, to relax, to reconnect with love ones, or all of the above. That’s where the lovely eatery Khaneen comes in. This local concept prides itself in serving up a melting pot of flavors that defines Kuwait’s love of food. So, in preparation for the coziest season’s commencement, we paid a visit to our favorite Khaneen location to get ourselves in the mood.

Khaneen’s Mubarakiya location has an outdoor seating area that elicits such specific emotions that are difficult to pinpoint. Canopied beneath accommodating canvas umbrellas are vast tables and chairs suited for both intimate and family-style dining. Overlooking the quiet path to the souq, as well as the urban jungle of old-time Kuwait City, a wave of nostalgia may rush over you, reintroducing feelings that mimic the days when weekends were Thursday and Friday.

Then you have Khaneen’s entryway, which imitates the entrance to a traditional Kuwaiti house. Big wooden doors, welcoming you into a fun interior filled with colorful, kitschy details that nod to the country’s new generation: lovers of tradition, mixed in with good natured shabby chic décor.

Lest we forget the food. In Khaneen’s menu, you can find yourself traveling around the globe, immersing oneself in the delicious gastronomical favorites of most continents that have made their presence known in Kuwait, 96

Ammar Al-Fouzan, founder of Khaneen and have, in return, made an impression on Kuwaiti palates. This, like the restaurant’s fitting Mubarakiya location, pays tribute to the notion that multiculturalism is what makes the heart of Kuwait so… Kuwait.

The Levantine presence in Kuwait is very apparent in this menu, and so we decided to kick it off with founder Amar Fouzan’s rendition of a delicious and refreshing Mediterranean salad: the Grilled Halloumi Salad. Our beloved cheese was grilled to perfection and served atop a bed of fresh rocket leaves, drizzled with olive oil, lemon and tangy pomegranate molasses.

Alongside a tempting plate of Khaneen Fries, classic hand-cut potatoes crisply fried and mixed with sautéed coriander, garlic and roasted red

capsicum, an explosion of flavors were delivered to our first course, and had already sent us into fantasies of dining alfresco in months to come.

Next up, we decided to go a more traditional route and sampled a delicious Kuwaiti concoction: triangular savory crepes filled with labna and zaatar. Reminiscent of the famous Ramadan tashriba dish, this appetizing fix is ideal for breakfast, dinner or as a snack! But be warned, they can be very addictive, and as illustrated on their menu, options for filling are endless!

Because Kuwaiti cuisine is best known for being comforting and hearty, we couldn’t resist tucking into classic dishes that would make even the sassiest of grandmothers proud. Panfried shrimps made their way onto our table,

served with some of the best Iranian bread I’d ever tried. This dish was listed under the menu’s category Hamsat, which in and of itself is a term that encourages dipping!

The shrimp were prepared with onion, coriander and tomato, and created a thick, stewlike consistency of goodness. Pair that with the soft crust of a freshly baked Iranian bread, and you’re in Hamsat heaven.

Another essential Kuwaiti dish on the table was Gaboot. Any Kuwaiti will furrow their eyebrows in slight confusion when trying to describe this hearty stew, and will settle for comparing it to ravioli. Trust me, however, when I say that this heartwarming dish is in a league of its own! Its similarities to ravioli lie in that it’s a dumpling-based dish, but the similarities end there. It’s so tender and has been slow cooked with chunks of tender meat in a bubbling pot of flavored tomato stew with veggies, so the dumplings practically disintegrate due to the powerfulness of the dish’s flavor. To me, this was every Kuwaiti household’s best kept secret, and I kept demanding to know from my fellow (obviously Kuwaiti) diners why families keep hiding behind the decadence of Machboos rather than making this their main attraction!

Feeling warmed and satiated from our delicious meal, we decided to embrace the beginnings of good weather by taking our tea and sweet endings alfresco, in order to enjoy Khaneen’s lovely outdoor setup. We were, surprisingly, presented with a lovely set of Karak chai, placed in an intricately painted pot heating atop a traditional coal-element powered heating device. To enjoy with the sweet, hot liquid, we were gifted not one, but three types of traditional desserts! Elba, a Kuwaiti custard baked and steamed with heavenly accents of cardamom and saffron, a cheesy House Kunafa served with a thick, sweet syrup and a heavenly date cake, which we paid more attention to than necessary.

While indulging in the coziness of Khaneen Mubarakiya, it was clearly an obvious choice.

Between the delightfulness of this restaurant’s twist on tradition, cross culture and modernity with their dishes, that delicious Gaboot and perfect Iranian bread, as well as the steaming hot Karak enjoyed on their lovely scenic terrace, we have a great thing going here. Khaneen’s Mubarakiya location embodies everything we’re looking for this winter, in the midst of Kuwait’s heart. We hope to see you there in the coming months, enjoying their freshest foods for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and cozying up to your loved ones over a steaming cup of Karak.

Khaneen is located in Souk Mubarakiya – Oman Street, and Murouj off 6th Ring Road. They are also available for delivery via Carriage and Talabat. Follow them on Instagram @khaneen. restaurant and Facebook: Khaneen Restaurant.

Additional photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi @i9ora on Instagram.

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A KELLER KITCHEN

Tricks of the Bouchon Bakery trade By bazaar staff

We may all love to cook here at bazaar, but baking is another creature altogether so it was with some trepidation that we entered the kitchens of the renowned Bouchon Bakery with Chef Altieri and founder Chef Thomas Keller. Thankfully they’d done the actual baking beforehand to save us some time, but we still managed to get stuck-in with Chef Keller actually guiding our hands through the piping process.

First the disclosure of a simple hack to keep your work surfaces clean; lay down a large sheet of parchment paper. This way, the pastry dough you’re working with won’t stick to the counter, and you don’t have to keep throwing flour onto the surface as you knead. Pastry is so precise, that adding this 98

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non-stick flour, can throw off the exact recipe. Then we discovered the easiest way to roll out cookie dough evenly, by using rods of plastic or steel at either side of the dough, placing parchment paper over the top and rolling the pin over the lot; perfectly even! Only a few minutes into the lesson and we’ve already learned so much.

It feels like we’ve been let into a secret group; a tabernacle of bakers, where confidences are shared. And then Chef Keller divulges yet another trade secret; do they butter the nuts themselves?

No! Bouchon Bakery uses Skippy smooth peanut butter in equal parts to butter cream in their famous Butter Nutter cookie sandwich filling. “It’s all about taking you back to your childhood. When your mom made these at home for you, she most likely used Skippy peanut butter,” muses Chef Thomas. This is one of the reasons why the Bouchon Bakery logo is a beach ball, to take one back to their childhood days of summer and the experiences one probably had back then. The evocation of happy times through

food is so important to him, that when Chef Keller signed the bazaar Bouchon Bakery cookbook copy he wrote with a flourish, “It’s all about memories!”

I’m handed a bottle of water as we start tasting raw cookie dough and the peanut butter filling and almost immediately, as I raise the bottle to my lips, a black Sharpie is placed in front of me. “Write your initials on the bottle top,” recommends Chef Keller and I do so immediately, impressed that he had been keeping a keen eye on absolutely everything going on in his kitchen.

We move on to the Rosewater Paris-Brest and when we’re asked how the dessert got its name there is silence in the kitchen. “What does the pâte à choux look like?” inquires Chef Keller and I pipe up “a bagel” which it really, really doesn’t—I discover. For Shame. Chef shakes his head and says despairingly, “Bicycle wheels!” So, it turns out this was a dessert created over 100 years ago that came about for the Paris-Brest-Paris cycle race, and the choux looks like the wheels of a bike; like Who

Flavorful varieties of shrimp dishes prepared to evoke your senses.

PF. changs

/PFChangsMiddleEast @PFChangsME

Wants To Be a Millionaire, it’s only easy when you know the answer. Bouchon Bakery wanted to create something celebrating local flavor for the Kuwait customer and came up with the Rosewater ParisBrest. The proportions are perfect in the filling as the scent and flavor is delicate. It is so difficult to work successfully with such a powerful ingredient as pure Rosewater and they’ve met the challenge wonderfully. Mabrook!

Chef Altieri cuts the wheels into two pieces horizontally, which is more tasking than you might think. Try cutting anything spherical in half by going around, not through, and see if your incision meets itself!

On each of the choux halves, a little half-pipe is created by pressing down the inside, creating a perfect furrow for the raspberry fruit coulis and pistachio cream that’s to be piped into the pressed hollow. You can tell who among us has a more sweet or savory tooth, as you really should only go around once, but we chose to quickly go around the choux twice with our pistachio cream and top it off once with the raspberry coulis. Chef Altieri took a huge dollop of fresh Rosewater buttercream 100

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and squeezed it into a piping bag, expertly piping over the filling in exact swirls of rippled, rich cream.

Bazaar tried to emulate the buttercream piping expertise but instead delivered with a dump, exclaiming, “Iess like petit choux and more like a petit choux de chien!” Thomas giggled, and it’s possible that we had a bazaar moment right there.

The other half choux-tyre is delicately placed over the top of this aesthetic attempt, which helps to hide a multitude of sins, truth be told, and so the end result looks quite good! Another helping of Rosewater cream is squeezed into the center of the top of the Paris-Brest, ready to secure the final decorative flourish to come. We place two and a half juicy raspberries onto the prepared middle of the dessert. With a scattering of a few pistachios, and a circle of white chocolate nestled upright between the fruit and nut decorations, we’re finished. A very important rule: the Bouchon Bakery signature beach ball on the chocolate must always be carefully positioned. The top of the ball pictured on the chocolate, sits precisely at the angle of one o’clock.

There is a glass window that runs the length of

the bakery proper, so customers, if they approach, can see the bakers at work, freshly preparing the wonderful breads and pastries on the menu. As the pastry lesson participants continue to experiment on their own, bazaar notices Chef Keller keenly looking out of this window, observing his customers.

“What are you thinking?” asks bazaar. “How are they enjoying the croissants,” he truthfully replies.

And this is the very essence of why Bouchon Bakery has such an indisputable reputation. Only the most enjoyable experiences create the memories we keep forever and the best trick of the trade of all; Chef Thomas Keller truly cares about every last crumb that is experienced in Bouchon Bakery.

Dine at Bouchon Bakery at the Grand Avenue—The Avenues, opposite Williams Sonoma. Open Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 8 a.m. – midnight. For more information, please call 2228 3833. To see the latest updates from Bouchon Bakery follow @bouchonbakeryme on Instagram and Facebook. Bouchon Bakery is opening soon at Marina Mall in Salmiya!

boccini

LIVING DELICIOUSLY ACROSS THE GCC

Life with Cacao opens its doors in KSA and Qatar By bazaar staff

When Kuwait does something well, it really does it outstandingly, and the beloved local concept Life with Cacao continues to prove this to be true. We have been lucky enough to have been blessed with five locations in Kuwait of this fine concept and happily a sixth is planned for Al Kout Mall soon.

Something to look forward to! As they say, you can’t keep a good thing down, and so Life with Cacao has ventured forth across borders and expanded into both Qatar and KSA. 102

There is simply no end to the opulence of the interior design of the location in Doha’s Qatar Mall. The sweeping chandeliers are magnificent, hanging above tables around which are set an eclectic collection of mismatched chairs. Fancy frames surround the artworks featured on the stone block central pillar and the life blood of the business is emblazoned in a celebratory manner across the room. Familiar Life with Cacao phrases such as, “Fall in Love with Chocolate” and, “Like Diamonds Chocolate is Forever” fill the surface of the walls. The very essence of the concept idea was inspired by the founders’ love for chocolate, and that exact word “Life” is writ large in rich gold lettering, to remind us of that. Chocolate is life!

The herringboned hardwood floors are reminiscent of the finest of ballrooms and along an entire wall runs shelves heavy with hardback, vintage books which would belong in the best of

Victorian England libraries. Where once families and friends would visit, reading to each other for hours on end, Life with Cacao also has an allday café ambience, despite the very splendor in which you sit. In fact, it’s the absolutely palatial, old family-mansion-ess of it all that makes you want to stay all day, and feel a little decadently naughty, enjoying the experience.

Located on the ground floor of Qatar Mall, Life with Cacao is now considered by those in Doha, the place to be if you are keen on having a hearty breakfast, satisfying lunch, exceptional dinner or simply delving into mouthwatering desserts.

Great care is taken to ensure the freshest ingredients are sourced which are of the finest quality possible. Life with Cacao also invests in achieving the most delightful, world-class flavors by importing natural essentials to their menu recipes. These include the mouthwatering

chocolate dishes that are enrobed in premium Swiss couvertures, which contain a high percentage of cocoa butter, Malagasy vanilla that is 100% natural and homemade ice cream again, made of completely natural ingredients. Even the heavenly hazelnut paste is created in house!

Of course, it is not just Qatar that is experiencing a new lease in chocolate life but also the residents of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nakheel mall finally welcomed the Kuwaiti dessert and chocolate concept situating Life with Cacao on the ground floor, easily found as it is opposite to gate number two. The café allows Saudi nationals and visitors alike to experience the meaning of "Live Deliciously" as they at last get to enjoy this particularly exceptional taste of fine chocolate and homemade ice cream.

If there is one sure fire way to check out with incredible dishes on offer, the Life with Cacao website features the most beautiful food photography. Here you can read the vision of Life with Cacao: “Live deliciously and awaken your senses with Live with Cacao’s premium sweet taste.”

Some of the desserts are such intensely beautiful works of art, that represent years of perfecting the art of spinning sugar, molding chocolate and refining recipes to create these dishes that look almost too good to eat. One of the signature desserts, which features on the website homepage, is The Bird’s Nest which is a delicate chocolate nest, accompanied by an assortment of chocolate covered eggs with ice-cream filling. Exactly as claimed, “Life with Cacao’s special signature dishes…include a dash of creativity, pinch of luxury and smidgen of fantastical infusion of the most delicate flavors.”

No matter where you may find yourself; Kuwait, KSA or Qatar, we can proudly say that our cherished Kuwaiti concept welcomes you for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Everyone is invited to experience the joys of Life with Cacao!

Stay with updated with Life with Cacao across the GCC by following @lifewithcacaokw, @lifewithcacaoksa, @lifewithcacaoqa on Instagram and on Facebook. Life with Cacao in Qatar Mall is open Saturdays to Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.

– 11:30 p.m. & on Thursdays to Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Life with Cacao's Al-Nakheel Mall location is open Saturdays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. & on Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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TIME FOR SOME CHUBBY GOODNESS!

Nestled in the heart of Kuwait City, the ultimate dessert destination opens its doors By bazaar staff

We all know and love Chubby Balls as a local delivery concept, and now the rich dessert has its very own dine in location in the heart of the city after opening its first outlet in Ardhiya. The space outside the shop features a pretty white-graveled, pansy-box surround, with large wooden tables and benches.

It’s even possible to see the Kuwait Liberation Tower from this spot! Groups of friends and families can gather here and enjoy all there is to offer, which we discovered, is plenty…

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We personally believe that this special dessert does deserve its own dine-in location, as the local concept by the Jaffar family has been tantalizing our taste buds ever since its first inception in 2009. Shelves upon shelves of confectionary greet you as you open the door into the world of Chubby Balls. Row upon row of toppings in jars; Reese’s Pieces, Gummy Bears, mini Oreos, marshmallows…but surely these aren’t toppings for the already delicious, Chubby Balls dessert? The Chubby Balls family invites us to sit down as they reveal the full Chubby Balls experience.

We start off with a sharp shot of Jumo coffee, to ready ourselves for the sugar rush to come. Ice cream is up first! We are handed a cup of home-

made, soft-serve vanilla ice cream, full of flavor because of the sheer amount of vanilla bean seeds, that you can see throughout the swirl.

This is some serious vanilla. For this offering, the Chubby Balls familiar pistachio cream is poured over the top with a generous sprinkling of chopped pistachios to finish. Wonderful!

Next up we have the caramel, lotus biscuit and flaked roasted almonds. The almonds bring out the flavor of the lotus biscuit more intensely, a well-rounded combination. Then comes toppings of thousands and thousands, 3 chocolate mini balls and then we get even more adventurous.

Vanilla ice cream, drizzled with strawberry coulis and crumbled Digestive biscuits heartily strewn all over. This tastes like the most thoroughly

khaneen

English strawberry cheesecake ever! Followed by this, we also tried the crushed M&M’s topping, after that came yet another serving of Chubby goodness with Gummi bears with frosted flakes.

The options keep on coming, and if you can think of the combination of goodies you want, the Chubby Balls family will make sure you get it!

After all this over-indulgence we still have room for more Chubby Balls! There isn’t one person who doesn’t remember their first Chubby experience, and the sensation is so scintillating that it truly stays with you! This makes it the perfect sweet to enjoy on special occasions.

“Life is all about those special moments with family and friends and what better way to share those beautiful moments than with a cup full of chubby happiness” claims the Chubby family. The incredible support for the unique dish resulted in the founding of the Chubby movement, and as well as this cute little corner-shop, the dessert features on Talabat as well as Carriage delivery services. To this day, no-one really knows what is in the secret sauce, as the recipe is kept as a closely guarded secret.

Special moments can be made even more memorable with seven wonderfully sinful flavor additions now available from both the Chubby Balls store and online menus. Including the classic original, this now tallies seven to try, one for each day of the week. With the option of original or Oreo bases this means an entire fortnight of flavor! You’ll have to taste each one to decide which is your particular favorite between the tastes and textures.

“Chubby & The Crunch” adds an indulgent bit of fun to the original crumbled biscuit balls with sugar frosted cornflakes stuffed into the dessert and slathered with the secret sauce.

Great chunks of the American chocolate sandwich cookie can be found in the “Chubby Oreo”. There’s the favorite Kuwait combination of “peanut butter and chocolate” and an updated version of this, with “caramel and nuts”. “Pistachio”, “Hazlenut” and “Date” make up the remaining three concoctions to devour.

Every flavor is helpfully color-coded with a label wrapped around each individual cup. With the flavor printed clearly, it’s easy to keep track of the color [flavor] you love!

As with all KLC delivery concepts the packaging is incredibly special. The local company not only knows how to serve up yummy food, they've really set the standard when it comes to delivery! Like sister concepts Junkyard, Breakfast Fix, Humble Burgers, The Kitchen and Proper Sliders, the experts at KLC have designed packaging specifically to do the job of food delivery, you can rest assured that the desserts not only taste the part, but look the part too, always arriving in pristine condition.

You can choose from various boxes, of two, four, six or a whopping dozen Chubby Cups. Each person has their own package of 3 balls in a cup. You can also build your box with any flavor 106

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combination you like. For even larger parties you can order big bowls of chubby love with 16 balls in one portion. Choose from either Original or Pistachio flavor for these deeply dished delights.

Each bowl comes table-ready saving you the trouble of presentation, it’s all done for you. So, you can use that time saved to help yourself to an extra portion from the bowl before it all disappears! We will definitely be ordering this delicious treat for our next gathering.

You can find the Chubby Balls café in Kuwait City, Mubarak Al Kabeer street. For more details visit www.chubbyballs.com and follow @chubbyballs on Instagram. Chubby Balls now offer catering!

Call the hotline on 1800 050 to order or speak with Customer Services. Chubby Balls are available on food delivery services talabat.com and trycarriage.com.

Photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi, @i9ora on Instagram.

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RETURN OF THE SHRIMP

The popular P.F. Chang’s festival returns By bazaar staff

The time has come to mark your culinary calendars, as the Shrimp Festival hosted each year by P.F. Chang’s is on! Every year, this popular Asian dining concept is takes feedback from customers to make next year’s festival even more excitingly delicious and successful. Running from late October for three months only, bazaar got a chance to sample the menu before its launch.

P.F. Chang’s The Avenues location manager Marquis offers a friendly greeting at the restaurant’s welcoming reception and we sit down to talk about the origins of the Shrimp Festival. “It originated from our Dynamite Shrimp, which is by far the most popular item on the menu. It really expanded from there.”

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After listening to customers’ wishes, P.F. Chang’s head chef invested time in developing the shrimp menu to cater for their requests. This season sees the introduction of an always popular Caesar salad.

This starter is made with fresh green Roma leaves, packed full of vitamin K for bone health, and these leaves are the most nutritious of the Romaine lettuce, insists the dish’s creator Chef Moussa Srour.

He further emphasizes, to our glee, that there is not one drop of mayonnaise in this Caesar dressing.

Instead, the dressing is unbelievably made from tofu, and the creaminess also comes from the copious amounts of Parmesan used. A depth of fresh flavor comes from marinating the slow-poached butterflied shrimp in lemongrass and the crispy croutons are made from seasoned wonton pastry. Slow-poaching keeps the whole shrimp tender, and all shrimp are tail-off for ease of eating. You asked for it, and they gave it to you in spades; the wonderfully appetizing Asian Caesar Salad with Lemongrass Prawns.

Chef Moussa goes into the kitchen to check on the dishes being prepared for bazaar but keeps

coming back to the table, eager to hear feedback on the new festival menu as each plate comes out.

One appetizer that is recommended to us is the Sui Mai Dim Sum, prepared with lemongrass butter and a shrimp-based broth. This has everything in it, all perfectly combined, wrapped up and steamed in six neat parcels. There is water chestnut, shiitake mushroom and the slightest hint of black bean. Chef proudly declares that, “There is no added salt in this,”, which is surprising because it is supremely moreish which usually comes from salt, so it is good to know that this is a healthier option.

Next comes the Shrimp Tempura Roll. This is a gentle introduction to sushi as everything is cooked in this roll, and you get to experience the pleasure of different textures as well as tastes here.

Stuffed with avocado and shrimp, it may be likened to a California Roll, but this is where the exception comes in; no crabsticks here. You can actually see the whole, fat shrimp that are placed in the middle of the wrap for this Japanese inspired uramaki. Chef Moussa shares the secret on how all the shrimp in

each dish are perfectly uniform. Every morning the shrimp are sorted by size and selected for whichever dish they are most suited. That truly is dedication to plate aesthetics. The ginger rose on the plate is also artfully created; it is almost a shame to pick at the petal slices but the ginger is so sweet, spicy and very juicy, you must eat it.

A steaming plate of Surf and Turf lands at the table and there are distinct ingredients that you can immediately see. Cubes of rib-eye beef, diced potatoes, sprigs of asparagus, and slices of shiitake mushrooms in a butter glaze with large shrimp in the mix. The Dutch asparagus is al-dente and the rib-eye is juicy because it is seared to maintain succulence.

The steamed, then fried, potato pieces are a hearty addition to make this a satisfying main course.

Pineapple Curry Fried Rice may sound like there’s a lot going on in this option but if you cannot consume a Chinese dinner without including a rice based proposition, this does not disappoint. It is the Chinese rice equivalent of a Hawaiian pizza, and that is nothing if not controversial in the foodie world. The sweetness of the pineapple balances the warmth of the spices which comes from the sambal used, and the flavors of orange peel and black pepper emerge too. It is a colorful dish with carrots, and bell peppers of red and green in jasmine rice and shrimp tossed through.

This Shrimp Festival menu is certainly varied; it does seem like there is something for everyone to enjoy. But where is the hot stuff hiding? Here to bring the heat is the General Tso’s Shrimp and Chili Shrimp and Tofu. The latter of the two offerings claims to be the spiciest, but bazaar would not put a bet on this.

General Tso has thrown some whole dry chilies on his shrimp and that can seep through to be devilishly hot with some bites. The tofu is seared, as is the want with Chef Moussa as he says this method of cooking maintains the most flavor. The tofu is soft inside once you get passed the seared surface; it’s like biting into a cube of tofu fondant.

P.F. Chang’s hasn’t just thought of food for this festival. A trio of mocktails has been developed to sit alongside the Shrimp Festival menu. They each have a different level of intensity, freshness or sweetness but all are jewels to behold. Star anise floats in the Terra Cotta Sunset which has an orange juice base with tea and lemon infusion. You will spy ginger swirling around in the Cucumber Mojito, and try and catch the large slices of fruit in the Strawberry Cucumber Limeade.

The Shrimp Festival may come around each year but you simply must catch it while you can from today until January 2018. We don’t know when in January the festivities are planned to end, so don’t risk missing out on these delectable offerings!

P.F. Chang’s is located at the 1st Avenue—The Avenues, and Gulf Road in Salmiya, next to the Corniche Club. Follow @pfchangsme on Instagram and P.F.Chang’s Middle East on Facebook for the latest updates. For delivery, please call 1821 212.

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bazaar techno

BREVILLE SMOKING GUN

DREMEL DIGILAB LASER CUTTER

GOOGLE PIXEL BUDS EARPHONES

C64 MINI COMPUTER

MCINTOSH MHA50 PORTABLE AMPLIFIER

NEBULA MARS PORTABLE CINEMA

Maybe you don't have room for the equipment, don't have the time, or just don't want the hassle.

Regardless, you can still enjoy the flavor of smoked foods with the Breville Smoking Gun. This handheld device uses real wood chips like applewood or hickory to deliver smoky flavor without any added heat. Just light the chips, use the hose to funnel the smoke into a covered container, and let it sit for a few minutes. The results are typically outstanding, and can be applied to everything from chicken or ribs to fruity cocktails.

Nintendo's not the only one cranking out classic consoles. The C64 Mini Computer is a detailed, 50% scale replica of the Commodore 64. It comes preloaded with 64 built-in games including Hawkeye, Monty Mole, Nebulus, Paradroid, and Uridium, and outputs its color graphics over HDMI, so it's easy to hook up. A joystick controller is included for gaming action, and there's a USB port on the side for connecting a full-size keyboard and using as a full-blown computer. It seems these mini bites of nostalgia show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

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Dremel's handheld tools are great for smaller projects — but when it comes to precision cuts, it's hard to beat a computer for accuracy. The Dremel DigiLab Laser Cutter combines the reliability of the former with the capability of the latter. It can easily slice through wood, acrylic, leather, and paper, and engrave harder materials like glass and anodized metal. Intuitive software makes it easy to import new designs, while the in-unit camera can take models you've already made and add them to the library for future use. Arriving summer 2018.

Unless you're a serious audiophile, odds are that the majority of your music listening happens on your phone or computer. The McIntosh MHA50 Portable Amplifier makes that experience as enjoyable as possible. It has wired inputs for iOS, Mac, Windows, and Android devices, as well as Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX support for wireless connections. Its highperformance 32-bit DAC can handle 32-bit/192nHz hi-res audio, as well as a host of DSD formats and asynchronous USB audio. The built-in battery provides up to six hours of wireless playback and even more when hardwired.

Google Pixel Buds Earphones are wireless earbuds that offer a super-easy pairing process with their company's flagship phone — in this case, the Pixel 2 — and come with a combination charging/ carrying case. But unlike the super-tiny AirPods, these are connected via a fabric cable and have unique feature reserved for their users: near realtime translation. Two Pixel Bud wearers can carry on a conversation in two different languages, with Google serving as the translator. Available in three Pixel-matching colors.

Made by Anker and with little confusion over its convenience. Leveraging the company's outstanding battery technology, it can provide up to three hours of entertainment via a built-in 500-lumen DLP projector capable of scaling its 1280x800 image up to 150 inches in size. The aforementioned speakers offer surprisingly rich sound, and built-in wireless means you can stream your videos straight from your iOS or Android device, while HDMI and USB ports give support to more traditional content sources. Perfect for campsites, backyards, and anywhere else you might want a screen but not a bunch of wires.

Source: blessthisstuff.com Source: uncrate.com

mouthwatering moments to share Explore our crisp warm waffles with frozen yogurt and a freshly prepared hot beverage

*Waffles only

Pinkberry

@PinkberryME /PinkberryMiddleEast

available in: 1st Avenue* • 2nd Avenue • Grand Avenue - The Avenues

bazaar movie night

The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in Novemeber

JIGSAW

ONLY THE BRAVE

24 HOURS TO LIVE

REBEL IN THE RYE

THOR: RAGNAROK

JUSTICE LEAGUE

Release Date: November 2nd Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery Cast: Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell, Callum Keith Rennie Synopsis: For seven straight years "If it's Halloween it must be SAW" was a holiday tradition. This year, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures brings us Jigsaw.

After a series of murders bearing all the markings of the Jigsaw killer, law enforcement find themselves chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade and embroiled in a new game that's only just begun.

Is John Kramer back from the dead to remind the world to be grateful for the gift of life?

Release Date: November 2nd Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Biography, Drama Cast: Zoey Deutch, Sarah Paulson, Kevin Spacey Synopsis: This biopic of legendary author J.D. Salinger (Nicholas Hoult) details his relationship with socialite Oona O'Neill (Zoey Deutch), his experiences fighting in World War II, and his writing process for The Catcher in the Rye. Kevin Spacey and Sarah Paulson co-star. Written and directed by Danny Strong, Rebel in the Rye had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017. Shortly after, IFC Films acquired distribution rights to the film.

Release Date: November 2nd Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Cast: Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly Synopsis: All men are created equal... then, a few become firefighters. Only the Brave, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, is the heroic story of one unit of local firefighters that through hope, determination, sacrifice, and the drive to protect families, communities, and country become one of the most elite firefighting teams in the country. As most of us run from danger, they run toward it.

Release Date: November 2nd Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Chris Hemsworth,Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett Synopsis: In Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok--the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization--at the hands of an allpowerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger--the Incredible Hulk!

Release Date: November 2nd Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller Cast: Rutger Hauer, Ethan Hawke, Paul Anderson If you're in the mood for a madcap action film that involves a protagonist going on a roaring rampage of killing baddies for some reason or another, we've got just the thing. Releasing at the start of November, 24 Hours to Live does exactly what it says on the tin. Ethan Hawke's assassin character is brought back to life after being murdered, and is given, well, you get where we're going with this. The film comes from the people behind the John Wick films.

Release Date: November 16th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Cast: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa Synopsis: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes-Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash-it may already be too late to save the planet.

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Sky Cinema: www.skycinemaskw.com or Facebook: Sky Cinemas Kuwait *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.

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SANDWICHING TASTE AND TRADITION

Shawarma-Matic introduces new items to their menu!

By bazaar staff

Located on Salmiya's Baghdad street, you can find the very first ShawarmaMatic to open in Kuwait. Opened by Barakat Foods to cater for the demand for high-quality shawarma, the concept offers an unparalleled variety of delicious shawarma recipes and meal combinations.

They continue this premium treatment of a traditional, quick and tasty food by introducing carefully considered sandwich recipes for the Kuwait market. When bazaar was offered the chance to taste the new sandwiches before they hit the market, we immediately hot-stepped it over to the Baghdad Street branch to try them out!

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The incorporation of guacamole, sour cream and pico da gallo into shawarma is the unique selling point for Shawarma-Matic. Our expectations are exceeded with the Chicken Pesto presented with thickly sliced, perfectly cooked chicken breast, placed on a base of fresh Romaine lettuce with mozzarella cheese.

As in any restaurant kitchen dedicated to quality, the sauces and dressings here are made in-house, and the taste proves it! Fresh basil with parmesan combining to make a pesto to be proud of, and the sandwich dressed liberally with it. The bread is a French-style half baguette, toasted on the grill with the grill marks expertly seared on the sides.

While we are enjoying the pesto, a portion of the new Chicken Tenders option is put on the outdoor, charcoal-grey wooden tables, for us to nibble on.

Accompanied by a tomato-based Buffalo sauce, the chicken has been fried for exactly the perfect amount of time, with the crisp of the flakey breadcrumbs giving

out a satisfying loud crunch when you bite into a piece.

The Avocado and Bacon Chicken is a layered sandwich that delivers a medley of delicious flavors with its brightly colored ingredients. The turkey bacon bits bring out the flavor of the creamy avocado paste inside, a perfectly balanced combination.

Speaking of stakes, the meat shawarma is superbly spiced and highly recommended. Be it encased in Lebanese or saj flatbreads or simply stuffed into a hearty samoun bun. Even better, it now comes as a Dynamite option, and so does the chicken! This is a sandwich featuring a row of cheesy jalapeno poppers, shawarma of your choice amongst lettuce with tomatoes and makes for a fiery flavor that you don't want to miss out on!

Our verdict? The newest additions to the Shawarma-Matic selection of traditional, tasty, and well executed recipes for quick but good food using the best ingredients simply wins.

For delivery call Shawarma-Matic on 2225 6444 or order through Talabat.com or you can simply visit any of their three locations found in Bneid Al Gar, Salmiya or Mahboula. For more details visit their website www.shawaramamatic.com. Follow the official account on Instagram @shawarmamatic and like them on Facebook. Photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi Instagram @i9ora.

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bazaar around town ECCO SHAPES MODERN LIVING WITH A COLLECTION OF NEW, YET CLASSIC HEELS AND BOOTS Durable, light and incredibly comfortable, the ECCO SHAPE 75 is the ultimate everyday boot. The ECCO SHAPE 75 Pointy is for the stylish woman who wants a classically shaped shoe that works as hard as she does. Boasting soft leather, the fashionable heel offers additional height as well as all-day comfort, ideal for day-to-night diary engagements. Proving the ECCO SHAPE collection’s versatility, the ECCO SHAPE M 15 boasts a low heel for the upmost cosiness. Featuring a classic derby upper with a perforated detail on the soft-squared toe and finished off with a striking patent design. The ECCO SHAPE 55 Plateau combines unparalleled comfort with feminine flair to create an essential shoe-boot for autumn. The rich Bordeaux colourway provides a subtle seasonal update, whilst the plateau shape is both bold and sophisticated. The ECCO SHAPE 55 Chalet Platform is a modern boot with practical appeal. Advanced Hydromax technology prevents the leather from hardening as it dries, which keeps the hide durable and breathable – perfect for weathering downpours. Hard-wearing, yet light and flexible, the ECCO SHAPE 55 boot keeps up with the fast-paced lifestyles of the modern woman. The intricacy of the manufacturing process means that the ECCO SHAPE 55 is guaranteed to provide optimal all-day comfort, without compromising on style.

You can find Ecco at The Avenues Mall, Marina Mall, Mohallab Mall, Muthanna Mall & Promenade Mall. For more information, please contact on social media @eccoarabia.

FITFLOP UNVEILS THE ÜBERKNIT SNEAKER AND BALLERINA Engineered to work with the natural flow of the foot and ankle, the Überknit sneakers and ballerinas are some of FitFlop’s most exciting, not to mention best-looking shoes to date. Launched in SS17, the collection has now been updated for AW17, and sees the introduction of metallics, bows, and a beautifully-textured waffle-knit. Not just a pretty face, the Überknit is also über-comfortable thanks in part to the foot being enveloped within a single piece of knitted fabric. The Überknit sneakers and ballerinas are super stylish and minimal, quietly understated casual shoes that come in a fine selection of wear-witheverything colours. Women can wear the Überknit sneaker with just about every trouser leg-width imaginable. As for skirts, shorts and dresses – consider the ballerina your go-to shoe.

Exclusively available at Comfort Zone stores, the new FitFlop collection is now widely available across Kuwait, including at The Avenues, Marina, Al Bairaq, Al Muthanna and Awtad Mall, Jahra Souk and local co-ops. Comfort Zone hosts a number of footwear brands and accessories for men and women, including New Balance, VITAL and Sledgers, amongst many others.

To find out more about Comfort Zone, follow them on Instagram @cz_kw, Facebook: Comfort Zone Kuwait or call them on 2224 9300.

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We are soon approaching the end of the year and just had to celebrate with a BANG! Wow by Wojooh launches its annual Festive Collection, and this year it’s all about Metallic VS Matte. The Metallic Matte collection is an absolute must-have for 2017. So, let’s talk about the palette – introducing the Mosaic Madness, Eyeshadow Mix – Full Matte Edition. This palette is a round up of must have shades for 2017, all in a velvety matte finish.

What’s next? An absolute favorite product from Wow by Wojooh – the Lipstuck, Extreme Wear Lip Lacquer – has been given a bit of a makeover just for the Festive season. Introducing the Metallic Lipstucks – available in 3 new shades! To top it all off? The brand new Brush Crush, Not So Basic Brush set. The 4 new brushes complete our collection perfectly – with their super edgy Rose Gold handles.

Can’t pass by your nearest store? Not to worry – Faces is open 24/7 online at www.wojooh.com. Follow their latest updates @Wojoohbeauty on social media for all things beauty!

FANTASY WORLD SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN As part of its ongoing community engagement which supports the wellbeing of every family member, Fantasy World has dedicated its showrooms to the international month for Breast Cancer Awareness, reminding every visitor, and specifically mothers and women, of the importance of caring for their health by leading a healthy lifestyle and committing to regular medical checkups for cancer prevention. As part of the awareness campaign, Fantasy World displayed pink ribbons across its showroom glass displays in Kuwait, while the entire sales team wore pink Ribbons, pink lights were projected on the front facade of its main Al Rai showroom for all this month. Fantasy World’s support to the international month for Breast Cancer Awareness is also a display of gratitude for the support of women during the last two decades and since the opening of the first store. Fantasy World is committed to mothers by supporting local and international initiatives and campaigns that promote the health and wellbeing of women and mothers.

To discover more about Fantasy World’s on-going activities, customers are encouraged to visit any of Fantasy World’s social media platforms, Facebook (fantasyworldtoyskuwait), Instagram (fantasyworldtoys) and YouTube (fantasyworld Kuwait).

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TAILORED FOR DESIGN AND SPORTINESS – THE NEW PORSCHE 718 GTS MODELS Porsche is expanding its mid-engine range with the new two-seater 718 Boxster GTS and 718 Cayman GTS. The power output has been increased to 365 hp (269 kW) thanks to a newly developed air intake-duct and an optimized turbocharger for the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder boxer engine. The new mid-engine sports cars are available with a manual six-speed transmission or optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). A range of features is standard, including the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear differential lock and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which lowers the ride height by ten millimetres. The GTS models have a maximum torque of 430 Nm, available from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm, providing an even better acceleration response. When equipped with the PDK and Sport Chrono Package, they accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, achieving a top speed of 290 km/h. The new 718 GTS models are available to order now with first units expected end of February 2018.

For more information, please visit the Porsche Centre Kuwait in Al Rai, on the 4th ring road or call 1870 870.

WELCOME AUTUMN AGAIN WITH THE STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE Signaling the return of autumn, Starbucks is bringing back its seasonal favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte and Frappuccino to its stores across Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This year, the drink’s release will be complemented with the new Chai Tea Latte, bringing you the perfect combination for the season. Capturing the attention of coffee enthusiasts, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is an exquisite blend of the most recognizable autumn scents and flavors. Featuring cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and pumpkin pie spices, all expertly combined into one delicious espresso drink topped with sweetened whipped cream, this hand-crafted drink turns the chilliest autumn days into warm and cozy life moments. For customers who prefer a rich cup of tea, the new Chai Latte will be available on October 2nd. A black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming species is combined with steamed milk and topped with foam for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.

Find your closest Starbucks by visiting www.alshaya.com/en/locations/kuwait/starbucks. To learn more about Starbucks, please visit mena.starbucks.com.

CENTREPOINT’S AUTUMN/WINTER ’17 COLLECTION HAS YOU COVERED FOR EVERY OCCASION Centrepoint, the Middle East’s largest fashion retailer, has launched its Autumn/Winter ’17 collection. The A/W womenswear 2017 collection is largely inspired by the 90s – from grunge through to cosmo aesthetics with staple silhouettes. The Splash collection features new textured clothing including popular camo, prairie and gingham prints, which have been combined with the key details of the season such as embroidery, ruffles and peplums.

Grunge luxe, sports nostalgia and extreme utility trends remain at the forefront for men this A/W ‘17. Bright colors and rich darks have also taken over this season with steel grey and uniform blue anchoring this season’s collection. There are collections to appeal to girls of all ages from Preppy Street and Floral Dreams to Hello Kitty and Barbie for younger fans. Whilst Babyshop has boys covered with their Urban Geek, Grunge Rewind and Midtown Manhattan ranges. For tween boys between 8-14 years, the Underground collection is a smartened-up take on punk with tartans, photo-print and traces of metallic that also offer a dose of futurism.

Get your hands on the Autumn/Winter ’17 Collection; do visit any of the stores located at Al Rai, Avenues, Salmiya, Fintas, Jahra, Fahaheel, Sulaibhikhat, Kuwait City, Khaitan and Hawally.

CRÈME DE SOIN À L’AMARANTE At the cutting-edge of innovation, Leonor Greyl’s Crème de Soin à l’Amarante contains no synthetic preservatives thanks to its acidic pH formula combined with a triple layer of plant-based preservatives: grapefruit, Acorus and Shiso. Enclosed in an ingenious tube equipped with Airless technology to ensure optimal preservation of the active ingredients and protect them from bacterial contamination, the Crème de Soin à l’Amarante is a 100% natural preservation solution. This new, highly protective cream boasts a pioneering formula and design, and couldn’t be easier to use: simply apply to lengths and tips after washing, and leave for two minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Job done! The icing on the cake to finish off the Crème de Soin à l’Amarante in style? Its heady Mediterranean fragrance, featuring notes of mimosa, rose, violet and cedar.

Exclusively distributed by beautique cosmetics international. For more information, please call 2225 1285 or visit their website www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com.

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THE REGENCY HOTEL KUWAIT The Regency Hotel Kuwait welcomed media members and foodies for a delicious Culinary Safari throughout the hotel’s dining outlets. The Regency is well known for its delicious food and is always a unique destination to enjoy exclusive tasteful cuisines from around the world. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Karl Damegger, Italian Chef de Cuisine Secondiano Maccari, and French Executive Pastry Chef Didier Guyon, a new era of delicious food has begun. The three musketeers namely Karl, Secondiano and Didier, have provided an opportunity to media members and food bloggers to join a delicious journey at The Regency, that brings together the best blends and flavors throughout the hotel’s restaurants and lounges. The culinary safari has started at the elegant lobby lounge Al Liwan, and invitees were welcomed by Karl, as he treated them with delicious bites from the Classic, Vitality and Oriental items from the newly crafted menu in Al Liwan to begin with this delicious journey. Then, the group has been guided to a behind the scene exclusively where Italian food was carefully prepared by Chef Secondiano and his team at Balsamico's Kitchen. Italicious portions were offered that are usually served in the unique and characteristic Italian restaurant, Balsamico. The guests indulged in amazing flavorful Italian food in a unique atmosphere. The delicious journey is never complete without sweets. Chef Didier Guyon tailored with his handmade sweetlicious items at Regency Gourmet, and the group was finally to please their Sweet-tooth with a delightful range of Macaroons, pralines chocolates and mini cakes that are freshly made with only the finest ingredients.

Discover more by visiting the website www.theregencykuwait.com or contacting the hotel on 2576 6666.

MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 CABRIOLET ARRIVES IN KUWAIT Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet has arrived in Kuwait in time for top-down driving season. Now on display at A.R. Albisher & Z. Alkazemi Company, the Authorized General Distributor in Kuwait, the open four-seater combines puristic, sensuous design with high long-distance comfort, and a classic fabric soft top which melds a rich tradition of open-air elegance with innovations in driving enjoyment. Complete with the latest technology, the E 300 includes comprehensive smartphone integration with a wireless charging and key function, a widescreen cockpit and the latest assistance systems. Its 2.0L – L4 engine and comfortable suspension systems ensure a sporty and luxurious driving experience. On request the Cabriolet can be equipped with the AIRCAP electric draught-stop system and the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system – to enhance comfort when driving with the roof down. For the first time, the Cabriolet is also available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The new Cabriolet is the fifth and youngest member of Mercedes-Benz's E Class family, which has been renewed entirely within the space of one year. At the same time, the brand with the star is continuing its tradition of highcalibre cabriolets with a classic fabric soft top.

The new E 300 Cabriolet is now available at A.R. Albisher & Z. AlKazemi Company’s Shuwaikh Showroom. Call 2495 0000 to book a test drive, or visit the showroom. For more information on Mercedes-Benz products and services in Kuwait, please visit online at www.kuwait.mercedesbenzme.com.

ANNABEL KARMEL’S BUSY MUM’S COOKBOOK On a brief visit to Kuwait, bazaar sat down with Annabel Karmel to chat about children’s relationship with food globally. Credited with starting a food revolution with her trusty recipes and methods, she is the UK’s No.1 children’s cookery author, best-selling international author, and the mother of all feeding experts with 43 cookbooks under her belt. Previously at Taste of Q8 2017 Annabel recognized through her cooking workshops, how much the culture of added sugar for children and adults here could be addressed by her recipes. Bringing with her copies of her book, Busy Mum’s Cookbook with 100 quick and easy preparation recipes, Annabel signed copies in Costa Coffee, Boulevard Mall. “We have been conditioned to believe that chicken nuggets, chips and burgers are the only things that children are ever going to eat. But, if you only give children attention for trying something new, they will soon realize that it is only by eating these new healthy things that they will get attention from mum, and you will break the pattern of the children demanding bad food choices.

If you don’t break that pattern, then they won’t get that variety, and they won’t get the nutrients that they need to grow.”

For more information please visit www.annabelkarmel.com and follow her on Instagram @annabelkarmel.

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THE MOST POWERFUL SPORT TURISMO BECOMES A PLUG-IN HYBRID Porsche is expanding its hybrid range with a new Panamera Sport Turismo model line. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo flagship model will combine a four-litre V8 biturbo engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 680 hp (500 kW). Even when just above idle speed, the sporty saloon offers 850 Nm of torque, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 310 km/h. The most powerful Sport Turismo has a range of up to 49 kilometers using solely electric power and therefore producing zero local emissions. It is not just the balance between performance and efficiency that makes this hybrid saloon unique in its segment; its design concept, which features a large tailgate, low loading edge, increased luggage compartment volume and a 4+1 seating configuration, results in the new top performer offering a high standard of everyday usability. The new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is available to order now, with the market launch scheduled for January 2018. The basic retail price in Kuwait is KWD 67,800.

For more information, please visit Porsche Centre Kuwait in Al Rai, on the 4th ring road or call 1870 870.

KERASTRAIGHT STYLE GLOSSING TEXTURE CRÈME KeraStraight Glossing Texture Crème is a soft, lightweight wax, designed to add shine and texture, remove frizz, and allows you to completely transform your style’s texture with ease. You can use it on dry hair as a shine and texture enhancing finishing product. Alternatively, use on wet hair to add a little weight and enhance curls. Glossing Texture Crème is suitable for all hair types, and the hold will last until shampooed or until reheated to transform the shape again. With the more natural, ‘undone’ look on trend at the moment, Glossing Texture Crème is perfect for both guys and girls seeking texture and hold without looking too ‘perfect’! Compared to the texturizing sea salt sprays, Glossing Texture Crème leaves the hair looking and feeling both smoother and healthier. KeraStraight is exclusively distributed by beautique cosmetics international.

For more information, please call 2225 1285 or visit the official website www.beautiquecosmeticsintl.com.

ROGER DUBUIS X PIRELLI POP-UP BOUTIQUE IN KUWAIT’S RENOWNED SALHIA COMPLEX Roger Dubuis had a treat for fine watch enthusiasts in Kuwait with an exhilarating experience with the presentation of their dynamic Pirelli pop-up boutique at the upmarket Salhia Complex in downtown Kuwait City.

When the legendary supplier of racing tyres meets the iconic and uncompromising Roger Dubuis watchmaker, it creates the uniqueness of Excalibur Spider Pirelli collection. A blistering acceleration presented in a daring ephemeral boutique coming to Kuwait and for the first time in the Region. An exclusive selection of timepieces were showcased; the iconic Excalibur range including the three colours of the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Automatic Skeleton. Featuring rubber inlays from certified Pirelli winning motorsport tyres having competed in real races, these timepieces represent the new wave of daring elegance and fearless racers.

For more information on Roger Dubuis in Kuwait, visit www.moradbehbehani.com.

SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait, the Quorvus Collection flagship hotel in Kuwait, has welcomed Maged Hanna to the position of Sales and Marketing Director. With more than 16 years’ experience in driving sales and operations across the GCC hospitality sector, Maged began his career in hospitality with the Intercontinental Hotels Group in Kuwait, serving as Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing for the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. He also served as Managing Director of AAA Housing Furnished and Serviced Hotel Apartments from 2006-2008, before taking up the position of Director of Sales and Operations at Holiday Inn Kuwait, a position he held before joining Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait.

Symphony Style Hotel is located in Salmiya. For more information, call 2577 0000 or visit symphony-style-kuwait.hotel-rn.com.

ABK’s A+ STUDENT ACCOUNT FOR YOUTH The ongoing A+ Student account for youth from Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) offers a variety of benefits and privileges throughout the year of which includes a grand car draw for a Dodge Charger SE 2017 in December.

The campaign was launched in May and will run through to December 2017. Account holders are also offered ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ deals and discounts at hundreds of outlets under The Entertainer. In addition, they are also entitled to a debit card with the new Visa ‘Quick Read’ convenience feature. ABK was the first to introduce this feature to the market which includes 24/7 access to withdrawal and deposit facility along with the availability of online and mobile banking services. To benefit from the A+ Student account, customers must be between 18-25 years of age with a minimum requirement of KD 10 to open an account, and they will be eligible to enter the grand car draw.

For more information, please visit eahli.com or contact an ABK customer service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899 899.

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‫مذاق‬ ‫مـثــالــي‬ GOOD SBX TOGETHER ‫ــشينو‬

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Available at all our Starbucks stores.

For more details, contact us on 1821212 or log on to http://mena.starbucks.com and check our store locator. ‫تواصلوا معنا عبر‬ Like us

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bazaar scopes

CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22

ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19

This is a climactic time for you, and you may feel like your world is caving in. You may desperately try to hold the keystone in place so that the whole structure doesn't fall. Somehow you feel solely responsible for holding together everything in your world. Remember that partnership means that there is someone else who needs to uphold his or her end of the bargain.

Your tasks should go smoothly and quickly, particularly paperwork. Others are willing to lend a hand if you need it, and you might be called upon to assist another with a task beyond his or her ability. The atmosphere is unusually pleasant, so the day could just fly by. In the evening, go to a bookstore that's holding a lecture or book signing.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22

The fog has finally lifted and you're able to see clearly again. Make sure you're awake and alert, because the gun is about to go off and the starting gates are about to open. You have the ability to take the lead, especially when it comes to matters involving love and romance. Your creativity is strong, and you'll lead the pack almost effortlessly.

Passion is on your mind. You'll want to get together with a romantic partner. Don't be surprised if that evening turns into a long, involved, and very intimate conversation, revealing secrets that you thought you'd never repeat to anyone. You could learn some rather surprising things as well, though nothing that changes your feelings.

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22 You may be asking, "Why me?" in almost every realm of your life. For some reason it seems that everyone but you has exactly what they want.

Perhaps you're just being too picky. Your standards are high, and this is fine. It's easy to reach small goals. You've picked the largest mountain to climb.

Be patient.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21

At first you may be taken aback by someone's aggressive approach to people and situations, but then you may see that really, this person has something important you can learn from. Study this way of going about things and realize that you need to adopt more of this assertive manner in order to be successful. This is especially true in matters of love and romance.

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21 A number of interesting visitors could come to your home. At least one could be from a foreign country, and some could be in the educational field. You can expect some interesting conversations, and you might learn some fascinating facts on a subject that's new to you. You could enjoy learning this so much that you look for books on the subject.

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 Your mood should turn toward getting things underway. This may mean that you need to get certain things out of your way, including people.

Don't be afraid to take action as necessary in order to get your point across. Deeds will speak louder than words. If you feel like time is passing you by, rip up the calendar and enjoy every moment as it comes.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22 A group activity, perhaps a festival of some kind, could bring new information and people into your life. You could meet people from all over the world and lifestyles. You might also discover some new products you want to try. This experience could transform you in a profound way, so don't expect to go back to your routine immediately.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 Gifts of pleasure could be bestowed upon you with little or no effort on your part. Regardless, it may be hard for you to sit still, since just about everything seems to be going your way, especially in matters of the heart. Although your approach to love is aggressive, it also involves tenderness and sensitivity.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 You might be put off by other people's comments.

You'll find their behavior rude. You may break from your normal good manners and start to lash out at people around you. It could be the result of pentup energy with no positive outlet. Be careful about exhibiting the behavior that you abhor in others.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19 Communication with business and romantic partners should be more warm, open, and honest than usual. Take advantage of this to get misunderstandings out of the way, explain things that might seem confusing, and develop empathy with those around you. You could come out of this more united in all of your relationships.

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